MEET HEIDI
NAVIGATING THE CDED JOURNEY
Introduction
Hi, I’m Heidi, and I'm thrilled you're here! My journey with CDEDing began when my daughter showed symptoms of Crohn’s Disease at just 5 years old. Following the diagnosis, we needed a plan. Through research, we discovered the Crohn's Disease Exclusion Diet (CDED). After consulting with Millie’s GI doctor, we embarked on a path that required practical planning for my daughter and our entire family. In addition to being a mother and a CDED advocate, my academic background includes a B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and a Master's degree from San Diego State University (SDSU).
Balancing Act
At the time, I juggled being a mom to two daughters, managing a full-time job, and adapting to the new normal of working from home during a pandemic. This included homeschooling, co-parenting, and sharing time with my boyfriend’s two kids—who are now my husband and bonus kids. It was a challenging balancing act that often left me feeling overwhelmed and, at times, like I was drowning.
Culinary Compassion
Amidst the chaos, I had to cook everything from scratch, finding or creating recipes to make this restrictive journey as pleasant as possible for my daughter. I wanted dishes enticing enough to bring joy not just to her, but to the entire family. The love for my children propelled me to cook for hours, test new recipes, and do everything possible to make the experience bearable. Instead of the initially planned 6 weeks, it became a 12-week phase, ending in remission.
A Mother’s Mission
Now, having navigated through this challenging phase, and prompted by my mom's persistent advice to 'write your great recipes down,' I'm determined to share all I've learned. With rates of chronic diseases rising, especially in children and industrialized nations, I see this as my small way of giving back. CDEDing was born out of the loneliness I felt when searching for cookbooks on the topic. I want to ensure others don't face the same isolation and find a supportive community in their CDED journey.