I can't explain how happy I was when I first found out about this place.

I found out about The Dirty Bird about a year and a half maybe two years ago now. At that time, it seemed like chicken and waffles was just becoming the next big craze so it was perfect timing for me to stumble upon it so that I could indulge as well! :)

My first time trying chicken and waffles was in Ottawa at this cafe called the daily grind which was entirely gluten free. After trying them once, I was OBSESSED. Unfortunately that place shut down. I was sooooo upset because it was one of the very few spots where I could eat and feel entirely safe. At the same time, I live in Toronto so either way, I needed somewhere more convenient for some Chicken and Waffles and I was determined to find it.

That's basically how I found out about The Dirty Bird. I first came across the Kensington location and later on found out about their Bathurst and Bloor location which has now become my second home. Just kidding, but I meaaaaan... might as well be. Anyway, the reason why I trust and recommend The Dirty Bird is because a) ALL of their chicken is coated with gluten free breading meaning that there is no risk of cross contamination in the fryers. What makes it even better is that the Gluten Free waffles are made separately in a separate waffle maker but ALSO in an entirely separate area all together!!! How awesome is that? :)

I don't know about anyone else, but my face lit up when I was told. To say that I was a very happy celiac is an understatement. I felt super safe knowing the procedures they took and I knew that I could trust them because they take the necessary precautions to avoid cross contamination.

For those who know me, you know that I don't like recommending places unless I myself feel safe eating there. So incase you're hesitating, rest assured it is safe and delicious. :)

Here are some pictures I took the last time I was there.
Pictured is the Dirty Bird'ger and the Dirty Fries.



I also have a vlog below of a visit earlier this year with some friends if you're interested in seeing the layout and what the food looks like, click below!



I hope this post helped you guys find a new spot to indulge with your friends without feeling left out! This place is awesome for anyyyyone.

Happy eating friends!
Love you all.
xox Léa S.

As relieved as I was that I had finally found an answer to my problem, I knew making the shift over to a gluten free lifestyle was not going to be easy. Many say, oh it could be worse, or oh that's not too bad.. but there are actually many components to going gluten free when it is for health purposes rather than going gluten free by choice. Choosing to do something by choice is, from experience, a little easier to accept than doing so because it is the only option you have. With that being said, a huge part of me was definitely excited, ecstatic even that this pain would finally subside but there's no doubt that I was still pretty nervous and scared because I didn't know what to expect.

In this blog post, I'm going to outline the initial steps to going gluten free and why it's important to do so.

1. Cut out Gluten from your diet 
The first step in going gluten free is obviously to cut out everything that contains gluten (and I say obvious... but you will learn eventually that it actually isn't so obvious as there are many hidden sources of gluten!!)** Gluten is mainly found in anything that contains rye, barley, and wheat. It can also sometimes be found in sister crops such as oats, which is why it's important to get those labeled gluten-free. So what does this mean? This means that you should be eliminating everything that contains those major three grains. Examples : Breads, pastas, pizzas, pastries, cakes, muffins.. and the list goes on. Essentially, anything that contains those grains or flours is now out of the question.

You will have to read labels thoroughly to make sure that these ingredients are not present in the foods you are buying. It sounds like a lot, but there are alternatives once you start looking for them! :) Many grocery stores now have dedicated gluten-free aisles and fridges. In there you can find GF pastas, breads, sweets and much more :).

2. Seek professional help
For many, it won't be easy to do this on your own. Post diagnosis, you will be encouraged to see a dietician, nutritionist, or even call the helpline in order to get a breakdown of the foods you can eat. You can even go see a naturopath (which is what I have been doing) because I personally prefer that.

In addition to that, celiac disease leads to malnutrition which left untreated, can lead to a series of multi systemic conditions. In order to avoid that, you want to get a check up with your doctor to identify your deficiencies. Once that's done, you'll be recommended to supplement so that you can get your numbers back up there.

From my personal experience, I had to supplement with Iron, Calcium and magnesium, Vitamin D, B12, Fish oils, Probiotics.. and that's all as far as I can remember.

It's also important to have someone to talk to. Whether it be family, a friend, or even a professional, this will help you a lot because the nervous system is compromised at this point. It is a misconception that celiac disease is a disease of the gut that only leads to symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Although these symptoms may be present, celiac takes a huge toll on the nervous system resulting in conditions such as depression, mood swings, and anger. It not only affects your mood but can also lead to peripheral neuropathy, gluten ataxia, and muscle spasms which is why I believe that seeking professional help in terms of your nutrition and having someone to talk to go hand in hand. This is personally why I prefer seeing a naturopath because they assess you as a person in whole meaning they consider not only your physical state but mental as well, but again, this is just a personal preference of mine! :)

Avoiding gluten isn't as easy as it sounds seeing as there are hidden sources of gluten. The issue of cross-contamination is also one that many overlook. Over my next few blog posts, I will go into more depth regarding those issues and how to tackle them.

As mentioned, there is also a wide range of health risks associated with Celiac disease (I have named a few above) and left untreated, this can lead to other health-related conditions some more serious, and others a little milder but regardless, this is why it's important to eliminate gluten from your diet upon diagnosis. This will prevent conditions from worsening and allow you to get back to a healthy lifestyle. In my next blog post, I will provide a breakdown of common conditions associated with celiac disease.

I hope this blog post was insightful on the initial steps you or a loved one should take. Feel free to comment if you have any questions, or concerns and make sure to spread awareness to help us all live a happy, healthy life. :)

Happy Celiac Awareness month! :)
With love,
Léa S.