My Celiac Journey

by Amy Sacher, Founder of Silly Yak Treats

The Diagnosis

In January 2024 I was diagnosed with celiac disease. If you're reading this, you might know that feeling, the mix of relief at finally having an answer to unexplained symptoms, combined with the overwhelming realization that your diet just became infinitely more complicated.

Like so many people facing this diagnosis, my first question was simple: "What can I eat?" But the answer turned out to be much more complex than I expected. It wasn't just about avoiding bread and pasta, it was about learning to navigate a world where gluten hides in unexpected places, where "gluten-free" labels don't always mean safe, and where cross-contamination is a real and constant concern.

The Learning Curve

Those first few months were honestly overwhelming. Every grocery trip became an education in reading labels.Every meal required careful planning. Social gatherings suddenly felt complicated and stressful. I found myself declining invitations, not because I didn't want to go, but because explaining my dietary restrictions felt exhausting, and the risk of getting sick felt too real.

But I'm stubborn, and I refused to accept that being gluten-free meant giving up the foods I loved. I started researching alternative flours, binding agents, and baking techniques. I spent hours in the kitchen experimenting, experiencing plenty of failures alongside the occasional success. My family became my willing (and sometimes not-so-willing) taste testers.

The biggest challenge wasn't just learning new recipes, it was learning to trust my food again. When you've experienced the pain and illness that comes from gluten exposure, every meal becomes a calculation of risk.

Is this safe?

How can I be sure?

Who made this, and what do they really know about cross-contamination?

The Unexpected Blessing

Here's something I never expected to say: my celiac diagnosis has been, in many ways, a blessing. I know that sounds strange, but hear me out.

It brought my family together in a completely new way. When I was diagnosed, my husband Joe and our son Oskar didn't hesitate, they immediately committed to making our home 100% gluten-free. Not just my food, but the entire kitchen. They helped me replace every pot, pan, utensil, and ingredient that might pose a risk.

It forced me to slow down and really think about what I was eating. I learned to appreciate quality ingredients and the craft of baking in ways I never had before.

It opened my eyes to an entire community of people facing the same challenges. I met others with celiac disease and parents of children with gluten intolerance. Their stories, struggles, and solutions helped me realize I wasn't alone.

From Kitchen Experiments to Silly Yak Treats

Over time, our kitchen experiments started yielding consistently good results. Friends and family would rave about our treats, and many were genuinely shocked when we told them they are gluten-free. "This tastes better than regular cookies!" was heard more than a few times.

As I refined my recipes and techniques, I started thinking: if I've struggled this much to find safe, delicious gluten-free baked goods in our area, how many other people are facing the same challenge? Our area has some safe food options, but truly safe gluten-free bakery items are surprisingly hard to find. Most local bakeries that offer "gluten-free" options still work with wheat flour, creating real risks for people with celiac disease.

That's when the idea for Silly Yak Treats began to take shape. What if I could use our completely gluten-free kitchen to help others? What if I could combine my love of baking with a real need in our community?

"Celiac" sounds medical and serious (which it is), but "Silly Yak" is playful and fun. It's a reminder that while we take safety and quality seriously, we don't have to take ourselves too seriously. Food should bring joy, even when it comes with dietary restrictions.

Why This Matters

Running Silly Yak Treats isn't just about selling baked goods. It's about creating something I desperately needed when I was first diagnosed: a source of safe, delicious food that I could trust completely.

When you order from Silly Yak Treats, you're getting products from a kitchen that has been transformed to keep me safe from gluten. You're getting baked goods from someone who personally understands the stakes. You're getting treats made by someone who reads every ingredient label, sources every component carefully, and would never sell something I couldn't safely eat myself.

Looking Forward

If you're newly diagnosed with celiac disease, I want you to know: it gets easier.The learning curve is steep, but you'll find your rhythm. You'll discover new favorite foods. You'll build a support system. And most importantly, you'll learn that gluten-free doesn't mean flavor-free or joy-free. Sometimes it means discovering even better options than you had before.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Whether you have celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or you're just someone who appreciates good food, I hope you'll give Silly Yak Treats a try. More than that, I hope you'll become part of our growing community of people who believe that everyone deserves access to safe, delicious food.