Meet the Editor of Gluten Free Magazine and hear her migraine story

Summary

In this inspiring conversation, Carol Kicinski, editor of *Simply Gluten-Free Magazine*, shares her journey from battling chronic migraines to embracing a gluten-free lifestyle. After years of struggling with pain, Carol's life changed when she eliminated wheat from her diet, discovering the profound impact it had on her health. This revelation led to the creation of *Simply Gluten-Free Magazine*, which now dominates the gluten-free market. Carol discusses the magazine's growth, its focus on offering simple and beautiful gluten-free solutions, and its expansion into topics like Lyme disease. The conversation highlights Carol's dedication to making gluten-free living accessible and empowering for all.

Takeaways

• 😀 Carol Kicinski is the editor of *Simply Gluten-Free Magazine*, which has become a dominant voice in the gluten-free industry.
• 😀 Carol's journey with gluten sensitivity began after years of suffering from chronic migraines, which were relieved by eliminating gluten from her diet.
• 😀 Her migraines, which had lasted for over 16 years, were drastically reduced after she removed wheat from her diet, proving the impact of gluten on her health.
• 😀 The magazine, *Simply Gluten-Free*, is now in its 6th year and has become a top player in the gluten-free and allergy magazine market, comprising 40-75% of the marketplace.
• 😀 Carol's husband encouraged her to take gluten out of her diet after realizing how much her headaches were affecting the family.
• 😀 The magazine offers more than just gluten-free recipes; it aims to provide simple, beautiful solutions for those needing to live gluten-free.
• 😀 The focus of *Simply Gluten-Free* is to educate and support people on their gluten-free journey without overwhelming them with complex information.
• 😀 The magazine’s future direction includes exploring broader health issues such as Lyme disease and autoimmune conditions, expanding beyond gluten sensitivity.
• 😀 *Simply Gluten-Free* is committed to providing accessible and easy-to-understand medical information, ensuring readers feel empowered to take control of their health.
• 😀 Carol’s approach is to make gluten-free living easier and more enjoyable by providing delicious recipes and resources that enhance people's quality of life.
• 😀 The magazine is highly praised for its beautiful, accessible content, and Carol encourages those who are new to the gluten-free lifestyle to explore it and subscribe.

Q & A

How did Carol Kicinski first become aware of her gluten sensitivity?

Carol first became aware of her gluten sensitivity when she was diagnosed by Dr. Rick, who suggested that gluten was likely contributing to her chronic migraines. Initially, she was skeptical, but after removing wheat from her diet, her migraines improved significantly, leading her to realize the connection.

What role did Dr. Rick play in Carol's journey to a gluten-free lifestyle?

Dr. Rick was pivotal in Carol's journey. Despite Carol's initial resistance to addressing her migraines, he insisted on exploring the dietary connection. His encouragement to eliminate wheat from her diet led to the dramatic improvement of her chronic migraines.

How did Carol feel about her migraines before discovering the gluten connection?

Carol had been living with chronic migraines for over 16 years, experiencing a headache once a week that lasted for three days. She was frustrated by the lack of solutions from doctors, many of whom either dismissed the issue or failed to offer meaningful treatments.

What was Carol's initial reaction to the suggestion of eliminating wheat from her diet?

Carol was initially skeptical and thought the idea was crazy. She had been dealing with chronic migraines for so long that she didn't believe dietary changes could have such a significant impact on her health.

How long did it take Carol to notice improvements after removing wheat from her diet?

After removing wheat from her diet, Carol noticed a mild headache in the first week, but by the second week, she experienced no headache for the first time in 16 years, which confirmed the positive effect of the dietary change.

What was the reaction of Carol's husband to her decision to eliminate gluten?

Carol's husband was very supportive. He encouraged her to follow Dr. Rick's advice to the letter, emphasizing how her migraines were affecting the entire family, which motivated Carol to commit to the dietary change.

What challenges did Carol face with doctors before finding the right solution?

Carol faced many challenges with doctors who either dismissed her symptoms as psychological or offered no viable solutions. One doctor even told her that her headaches were just a part of her life and that she would have to learn to live with them.

How successful is *Simply Gluten-Free Magazine* in the gluten-free publication market?

Simply Gluten-Free Magazine is highly successful, dominating the gluten-free and allergy magazine sector. According to their distributor, it makes up 40 to 75 percent of the market, signaling their strong influence in the industry.

What is the main mission of *Simply Gluten-Free Magazine*?

The main mission of *Simply Gluten-Free Magazine* is to provide simple, beautiful solutions for people who need to live gluten-free. The magazine aims to offer easy-to-follow recipes, useful tips, and wellness information that empower readers to live a healthy, gluten-free lifestyle.

What future topics are being explored in *Simply Gluten-Free Magazine*?

The magazine is expanding its coverage to include topics beyond gluten-free living. For example, upcoming issues will feature articles on Lyme disease and autoimmune disorders, exploring how gluten can impact the immune system and contribute to other health issues.