From a very young age I have been fascinated by the taste, smell and colour of food. I love food, it is that simple. I love cooking with ingredients and making something from essentially nothing. Eight years ago, I lost my passion for food, but over the years I slowly managed to learn how to live without wheat and find a way to enjoy food my way.
Never in a million years was I expecting to be told that wheat, a main ingredient in lots of staples, was the cause of me feeling the way that I did. I don’t want to go into the in and out of what happens when I eat wheat, but some of the not so traumatic symptoms for me are crippling cramps and bloating. The reality sank in as I learnt to live without wheat, I might have started to feel better, but what I found quite hard was falling out of love with my passion, food.
For the first time in my life I was having to think twice about what I ate and what food contained, something for years that I had taken for granted. Food shopping became a nightmare as it took me three times as long to do a weekly shop. I spent most of my hours in the supermarket reading ingredient labels and browsing the shelves for alternatives.
I remember one afternoon leaving the supermarket in despair and in tears as I was so fed up of reading labels. I could not understand why so many foods and ingredients contained wheat. Now I know that it is used as a bulking agent – it can be a cheaper alternative than using better quality ingredients.
Having fallen out of love with food and thinking that I would never be able to eat soft fluffy cakes and pizza again, I packed away all of my cook books and sulked. It felt like I was destined to eat boring fruit, veg, meat and fish for the rest of my life.
My taste buds were aching to eat something that was going to excite them, but I was worried and scared that if I did something a bit different to my chicken salad I would become poorly. I was enjoying feeling much better, and for the first time in a long time my body was not fighting with the food that I put into it.
After a couple of years of this heart ache I found myself watching — well, I was addicted — to food programmes. My attitude to start with was one of jealousy as I watched chefs and TV cooks make some beautiful dishes. But over time, my jealousy subsided and instead my mind was racing with creative ideas on how to make these dishes gluten and wheat free.
I soon realised that I should not be afraid of experimenting with food and different ingredients, but I was being given an opportunity to re-educate myself about food. I now share my passion for gluten free food with others, and I love showing them that it is possible to create some of your favourite wheat based treats in a gluten-free way.
Sam Pidoux shares gluten free recipes regularly on her blog.
Sam Pidoux is a multi-award winning journalist and part-time lecturer at the University of Lincoln. Her passion for baking was nurtured by her grandma and since being diagnosed with a wheat intolerance in 2007, Sam loves experimenting in the kitchen and creating delicious gluten-free savoury dishes and cakes.
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.