Welcome to Cooking with Quetzal, A 100% gluten free blog!

Hello! I’m Jenna, and this is my 100% gluten-free blog. I’ve been gluten-free for most of my life, and I love it! Because I’m passionate about living a healthy, balanced life, Cooking with Quetzal is my way to share the joy of my gluten-free lifestyle. Most importantly, my family is my biggest support—my husband, Marco, taste-tests every recipe and helps me brainstorm ideas. Additionally, my bird, Quetzal, is my loyal cooking buddy. He’s been with me throughout my entire gluten-free journey, so he definitely knows what’s up!

My hope in creating Cooking with Quetzal is that you feel heard. I understand how overwhelming a new diagnosis can be. Not only is it challenging to adjust to lifestyle changes, but it’s also tough for kids trying to fit in while advocating for their health. Furthermore, juggling a busy schedule can make it difficult to find safe, gluten-free meals. However, with over 17 years of experience, I’m here to share my gluten-free knowledge. Through experimenting with new recipes, transforming classics, and offering simple tips, I’ll show you that gluten-free cooking can be easy, fun, and flavorful!

FAQ's

What is Gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley and rye. In fancy terms, it is a binding agent that causes bread and doughs to be elastic. In simple terms, it is the glue that holds things together. It is what makes bread soft and when you press on them it bounces back.

A gluten-free lifestyle goes beyond just avoiding gluten in food. While following a gluten-free diet helps heal your body from the damage gluten can cause, it’s not enough if you need to be completely gluten-free. In addition to food, gluten is also found in non-food products like detergents, sponges, makeup, and more. Therefore, to fully eliminate gluten, you must be mindful of both what you eat and the products you use. As a result, adopting a gluten-free lifestyle means making conscious choices in all areas of your life.

I’ve been gluten free for more than half my life. I was just a kid trying to navigate eating gluten free and what that will look like for the rest of my life. Read more about my journey in my first blog post. 

My Gluten Free Journey

I named the blog “Cooking with Quetzal” after my beautiful cockatiel, Quetzal (pronounced ketzal). I wanted to commemorate the lifelong memories I have with him.

Meet Quetzal: My Feathered Cooking Buddy!

Quetzal is a cockatiel and has been with my family for almost 24 years! We got him in the early 2000s while we were living in Southern California. At that time, I was only 3 years old!

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved getting him out of his cage to watch him sing and play. As the years went by, he became even more of a companion. In fact, as I got older, he would happily sit on my shoulder and follow me around wherever I went. Over time, he’s become more than just a pet—he’s truly part of the family.

Quetzal's Favorites

Food: Millet and Corn Chex

Song: Jingle Bells & Zaboomafoo theme song

Pass Times: anything out of his cage

Check out my Youtube Channel!

Cooking with Quetzal