Learning that you had Celiac disease and multiple food allergies could easily throw your world—or at least certain aspects of it—out of whack. It would require drastic and immediate lifestyle changes. The upside? For Angie and Steve Keenan, they found a new community and inspiration in the chaos. They found others who not only shared their challenges but inspired them with strength and resolve.
Now, the couple runs Sit By Me Bakery in Denver, Co, a part-time home bakery, creating allergen-friendly treats for those with and without dietary restrictions. Through their company, they work to raise awareness around specialty diets and the impact they have on lives.
We interviewed Angie and Steve to learn about their struggles with Celiac disease and food allergies, how they stay motivated and what they do when they’re not baking delicious treats.
1. Do you follow a specialty diet?
We follow a strict gluten-free diet, and also live without many foods due to multiple food allergies.
2. What motivates you?
Our motivation is simple: as people living with food allergies and Celiac Disease, we make daily food choices to preserve our health and lives!
3. What’s one your favorite foods?![Frosting Succulent Cupcakes with Vegan Matcha Frosting | Vitacost.com/blog]( "Frosting Succulent Cupcakes with Vegan Matcha Frosting")
We adore rice pasta! It’s the perfect gluten-free base for both cold, vegetable-heavy salads, and hearty, warm dishes like goulash!
4. How often do you exercise? What’s your favorite way to exercise?
We live in colorful Colorado which makes hiking in nature easily accessible! Running a small business eats up most of our time and energy, but we try to hit the trails a few times a week.
5. What do you do for a living? What’s your “dream job”?
In addition to running Sit By Me Bakery, Steve is an environmental scientist, and I am a writer, contributing to collaborative projects. We are working toward our dream jobs of opening a full-time bakery! (Be sure to check out Angie and Steve’s Succulent Cupcakes with Vegan Matcha Frosting.)
6. Are you married and do you have kids? Do you have pets?
Our family consists of Steve and I, two young adults, and our two senior pets!
7. Is there a role model you look up to?
Rather than looking up to individual role models, we find meaning in the collective human experience, and the innate desire to learn and grow!
![Succulent Cupcakes with Matcha Vegan Frosting | Vitacost.com/blog]( "Succulent Cupcakes with Matcha Vegan Frosting")
8. What’s the hardest part about healthy living for you?
Avoiding the foods that make us ill and endanger our lives is a challenge. Outings and adventures take extra planning. We often long for convenience!
9. What’s your favorite way to relax?
We take one evening a week to binge watch BBC dramas!
10. Why do you love Vitacost? How long have you been a customer?
When diagnosed with food allergies and Celiac Disease, our cost of living immediately increased. We appreciate Vitacost’s discounted prices on specialty diet staples!
We just had our one year Vitacost anniversary! We know because Vitacost sent us a coupon to celebrate! Cheers!
![Vitacost Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Coconut Oil]( "Vitacost Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Coconut Oil")
11.What are your top 3 must-have products from Vitacost?
Vitacost Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Thai Kitchen Organic Coconut Milk
Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Powdered Sugar
12. Do you have a hidden talent?
Steve is meticulous with frosting cakes! He makes buttercream look as smooth as fondant! I can recognize songs from the guitar chords within. We’re pretty cool people.
13. If you could advise someone who is just getting started on the path to healthier living, what would you tell them?
We live in a wonderful time of online connection! Finding others with similar challenges to your own can lead to encouragement and camaraderie!