I grew up in a household where every meal centered around meat. The idea of a plate without it was unimaginable. But life has a funny way of changing your plans. My wife and I got married and decided to go backpacking. Little did I know, this trip would change my life forever.
During our travels through India and Thailand, I was introduced to some of the most delicious foods I'd ever tasted—meals that were entirely plant-based. I had always believed that you needed meat to stay healthy and strong, but this experience shattered that notion. I realized that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains could not only be satisfying but also incredibly nourishing.
This journey opened my mind, especially when I started reading more about the ethical, environmental, and health impacts of our food choices. I’ve always considered myself an animal lover, yet there I was, paying others to harm animals on my behalf. Something had to change.
After nearly two years overseas, we returned home, and shortly after, we had our first child. It was a transformative moment. I decided to take six months off work to be the primary caregiver, but that six months turned into seven years. During this time, I threw myself into learning how to make vegan meals that my children would love. I went from simply eating vegetables and legumes to mastering the art of creating tasty, nutritious, and child-friendly vegan dishes.
Our journey took another turn when my wife was diagnosed with celiac disease. Suddenly, our meals had to be not just vegan but also gluten-free. Finding recipes that catered to both dietary restrictions was challenging. Substitutions often led to disappointing results, and I longed for a resource that would make this lifestyle more accessible and enjoyable.
At the same time, I was learning computer programming. After years of self-education, I decided to create a platform that would allow others seeking vegan and gluten-free recipes to easily share and discover them. And so, Eat Gav was born.
I want this site to be a haven for those looking to embrace a wholesome lifestyle. Eat Gav will focus on:
Through Eat Gav, I hope to make it easier for families to embrace a vegan and gluten-free lifestyle. Cooking with our kids has become a joyful, bonding experience, and we've found that preparing meals together makes everything taste even better. By embracing whole foods and using techniques like mise en place, we've turned cooking into a fun, efficient, and rewarding part of our lives.