Alexa has been fencing for 5 years and loves a good competition; she is a nationally ranked fencer in both Y12 and Y14.  Her most recent tournament she got 5th place out of 60 fencers.

Alexa learned to wake-surf when she was 8 years old. She loves wake-surfing because of all the fun stuff you can do on the board.

Alexa has been gluten free for 3 years.  She is an adventurous eater which has helped, crazy foods  she has tried are octopus, alligator, mussels and lots of different fish and seafood.  The grossest food she has tried mussels, the slimy texture she couldn't get passed.  

 

She remembers when her parents told her, she had Celiac, her Mom had purchased all these items that were yummy but gluten free.  She wanted to make sure her never felt left out.   

 

Finding the perfect brand can be so hard but over the past couple years she has found some good brands. Trader Joes has amazing GF English Muffins (she would eat these even if she wasn't gluten free), Regular Muffins in Chocolate, Blueberry, Cinnamon and usually a seasonal flavor - the Strawberry is Yummy.  They also have a great GF Madeleine cookie.  She really likes the Taste Republic fresh pasta and for dry pasta, Jovial; she makes a really tasty mac and cheese too.  A few cracker brands that stand out are Mary's Gone Cracker, Crunchmaster, Simple Mills, and Blue Diamond NutThins.  She also loves Pamela's Graham Crackers, after a day of skiing she loves a gooey Smore.   Bread is tough, she likes the Schar brand and their multigrain bread it is soft and hearty and taste great toasted.   She has been learning to bake and cook and has a great Brazilian cheese roll recipe.  

 

Everyone that has celiac has a different response to gluten and wheat.  Some people don't know they have the disease and others have awful reactions.  Her response is not good, almost immediately she gets abdominal cramping and stomach pain.  It is miserable.  She is also very careful with cross-contamination.  It has been a journey and she is always learning more.