Hi friends, I’m Stephanie. Welcome to Good Food Better Mood!
I’m a midwest millennial who is always dreaming up her next meal. I’m the recipe developer, self-taught cook, photographer, writer, and dishwasher behind Good Food Better Mood. I have a love for food that is healthy and fuels the body while simultaneously satisfying the soul. Here you will find recipes that are free of dairy and gluten but packed with flavor. Let’s put you in a better mood with some good food!
The why
My mom inspired my interest in health & wellness. She was diagnosed with Celiac disease in 1997 in addition to other autoimmune diseases and food allergies. With these diagnoses, she dug deep into holistic medicine to improve her health. The holistic advice I shrugged off as a teenager and young adult, would have been helpful with my cystic acne woes that lasted for over a decade as I went from dermatologist to dermatologist and pill to topical cream and back. Maybe I should have followed the saying and listened to my mother! As I faced additional health challenges, I too started to invest my time and energy into learning about functional and holistic medicine and how food can be medicine (or the reverse). I decided to remove gluten and dairy from my diet in addition to working on lessening my sugar intake. Those tweaks to my diet nearly stopped my cystic acne and lessened my breakouts. I saw the direct correlation between food intake and my skin. My love for food had not changed but now my diet would.
Having good practice from watching my mom cook from scratch to fit her lifestyle, I took these new dietary guidelines as a challenge and began experimenting in the kitchen myself. This is where my inspiration for creating a food blog came about! And again…through suggestions from the one who knows best, my mom. I started this blog in 2022 to share recipes for those who also are faced with dietary restrictions or are just looking to make some healthier lifestyle changes.
Whether you are experiencing skin issues or have any other challenges you are working through that could benefit by removing dairy and gluten, I hope this blog brings you inspiration towards cooking or baking in new ways. And if you have no dietary restrictions and think a recipe just looks tasty (which of course it is) I encourage you to try it!
My mission is to show people that you can have nutrient rich food that positively affects your health while also being satisfying and delicious. And it doesn’t need to hold the label “gluten-free" or "dairy-free” that can be looked down upon by people not following that diet. It can just be delicious, end of sentence. No stigmas to go alongside it.
To me, the most rewarding feeling is to create food that people love and I’m excited to share those recipes with you. If you make one of my recipes and love it, I hope you take time to leave a review!
What you will find on Good Food Better Mood
Here you will find all things gluten and dairy free. I enjoy showcasing a mix of quick semi-homemade recipes for those busy weekdays, more lengthy recipes for a slow Sunday meal, show stopping appetizers to bring to a gathering with friends or family, and delectable desserts that will have you going back for seconds.
My recipes are easy to follow and will showcase alternative substitutions when possible. I will give background into ingredients in the recipes and why they are beneficial as well as showcase my favorite “healthier” store bought products that I feel are great options to incorporate.
While I aim for “healthier” ingredients in the majority of my recipes, I also believe in balance and moderation and that is what you will find here. A mix of nutrient dense foods with a sprinkle of indulgent ingredients.
In addition to dairy and gluten free recipes you will find paleo, free from egg and refined sugar, one pot meals, soy-free and more!
Lets be friends! Fun facts about Stephanie
- My weakness is sweets. Brownies, Donuts, Gummies, Gelato. You name it, I love it. Except if it’s mint and chocolate. I’ll pass on that combo.
- I love staying in the know of what is up and coming in my local community. Whether it’s a new restaurant, a new apartment complex being built, or new commercial space being developed. If it’s going up, I want to know the deets!
- My happy place is the ocean or any beautiful body of water. Even with subpar swimming skills.
- I’m a military brat and have moved a handful of times in my life throughout the United States and Germany and feel fortunate to have experienced other cultures.
- I love cars and seeing the innovative technology and future styles that come out every year. I can likely tell you the make and model of a car on the road if challenged.
Work with Me
If you are interested in working with me, shoot me an email at goodfoodbettermoodbysteph@gmail.com. I would love to chat further about how we can partner. I can't wait to hear from you!
I SO appreciate your support behind my passion project and small corner on the interweb. Let’s cook our way to a better mood!
XOXO
Stephanie