My Dear Peeps!
I always start writing my recipe posts for gnom-gnom by choosing my favorite picture from the shoot… you know, the one that gets my mouth (and hopefully yours!) totally watering.
But this post is a little different, so I ended up settling for a moment that truly represents where I’m at: healing but incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to be getting back on my feet (after a year spent mostly in bed due to a sciatic nerve injury). Note that this was also from my second outing with Dedal a few weeks back… and we were both beyond ecstatic lol!
And I also know I never properly introduced myself to you guys, and it’s long overdue! You see, I started gnom-gnom while healing from an autoimmune episode two years ago (i.e. I was cooking all day while ‘on a break from life’). Looking back I know I felt the need to go through it in private, making me a bit internet shy while on my healing journey.
So here it goes! My name is Paola van der Hulst and I’m a Dutch Mexican gal based out of Mexico City, but currently found in Los Angeles receiving (alternative!) medical treatment for my sciatic nerve injury.
I’ve lived a bit all over though, which has had such a profound impact on my cooking I’m sure! I grew up in Mexico City but finished high school in Connecticut, studied economics at the University of St Andrews in Scotland (where I simultaneously taught myself how to bake from cookbooks lol!), worked in finance in London for three years, went back to Mexico City where I designed fine jewelry… and somewhere along the line (fueled by stress, I’m sure!), I began to show early signs of neuropathy and autoimmune disease.
Keto was by no means an overnight miracle, but with time it worked the charm. I had been gluten free for years already and paleo for a bit, but reducing my sugar intake substantially really did the trick. And after a couple years, I could really feel my body healing.
As part of my treatment where routine vitamin B12 injections, until one of them went wrong in June last year. A young doctor placed it too close to my sciatic nerve, causing damage to the outer structure (i.e. the myelin sheath) and impairing my movement completely.
Would I ever gain back full mobility? Doctors simply didn’t know (which was honestly devastating emotionally). Nerves are notorious for ‘misfiring signals’ and causing chronic life-long pain, after all.
And so I spent roughly six months in bed face-down (working on my patience… and discovering podcasts lol!), and for the past 8 months I’ve been working on sitting for longer and finally getting back to walking. Like any journey it has been anything from a straight line, but I am getting better (triple hurray guys!).
Side note! This is why I’ve been a little MIA from gnom-gnom this year (it’s been an emotional rollercoaster honestly!). And I’m fairly certain I’m only writing a post about it now, as in a way you guys provided some sort of ‘normal’ to my life. I could escape and chat about food to y’all, and not have to think of my pain 24/7.
Anyways! What else can I say other than how humbled I am to have the opportunity to get back on my feet once again. Lets just say I’m cherishing every-single-step-I-take! And worry not, new recipes are (finally!) coming next week!
So allow me to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for helping me build gnom-gnom into such a wonderful community of health-conscious foodies!
I would’ve never (ever!) imagined that my crazy kitchen experiments would be enjoyed by so many of you… and I literally have to pinch myself that something as beautiful as this community was born from the biggest challenges in my life.
Is life funny (and ironic) or what?! So if I’ve learned anything from this journey, it’s that we just have to do the best out of every situation… living in the present with immense gratitude about the simple fact that we are alive today.
Big kiss my friends (and thank you always for all the foodie love you send my way!)
Paola
Wishing continued healing and a full recovery. God bless.
Hi Paola, thank you for sharing your journey with readers like me. I discovered your recipes when my husband and I began eating a keto diet for weight loss. I’ve been very grateful for your super tasting food, and your intelligent way of explaining the diet. I hope you see steady progress in your ability to walk and also in your pain control. My husband lives with chronic pain and impaired mobility also, and I know his challenges. It makes it easy for me to imagine yours. Take care and please don’t stress about the number of posts you get out. Any and all are welcome to your followers. Jan
THANK YOU! for helping sooo much! Gnom-Gnom was recommended to me by a clients daughter (Client is 96 & amazing, daughter turned 70 recently, also, Amazing) and I have been using your recipes and recommending them to everyone I talk food with since. God Bless YOU on your healing journey & Thank YOU for blessing all the lives of those who find your recipes! Sincerely, Sandra
Wow wow wow. You have an incredible website and an even more incredible story. Thank you for all you do with your recipes, and I pray you have a fast and complete recovery! You are such a huge blessing to so many people, myself included. Thank you!!
Thanks for sharing – I had no idea. I just know that your recipes are the most reliable and the ones I trust and use the most often without little fear of epic failure 🙂
Lovely Paola,
Sincerest thanks for the incredible gift you’ve given me and my family through your recipes and research. I had no idea you have suffered so much and will pray for God to heal you completely! May your days be filled with grace and peace, and most importantly, love.
Xoxo Lindsey
I made the donut hole recipe they came outa lttle soft. So I threw them in hot oil for about a minute, them rolled them in the icing. Oh my Krisoy Cremw dn’t have anything on me!!!
Dear Paola, Lord picks His people through the challenge.You overcome it with grace and humbleness of true artist.Sending to you good vibes of health and prosperity..Kiss to Dedal pups!
Paola, for all you have been through, you are amazing and very inspiring! Thank you for sharing your story, your self and wonderful ideas with us. You are a strong woman who is a great role model. This has been my favorite low-carb/keto/paleo website BY FAR. I love that you have substitutions for us that are constantly trying to figure out what does or doesn’t work for our bodies. A million thanks and keep it up xoxo.
Wow! What an incredibly inspirational journey you’ve been on! May God bless you and continue to heal you. I stumbled across your website and although I’m not totally Keto, I LOVE your recipes!! Thank you for sharing your story and I look forward to your new recipes! Lots of love!
What an incredible journey you have been on. I don’t see how you have shared so many recipes with all your pain. Thanks for sharing your story.
I never liked cream cheese until someone made your coconut macadamia nut cheese cake. I was only going to take 1 bite. HA! I ate the whole piece. Now I make it and my neighbor does also since she tried mine. It is wonderful!
God bless you. Prayers on wing from Chicago. i eat low carb due to elevated blood sugar. I’ve been at it over a year and now have normal glucose readings. I have a wicked sweet tooth, so your dessert recipes are greatly appreciated!
You are the sweetest and I appreciate your blog so much. To share this is, I’m sure a huge step, but just know you’ve created a family through food and we’re all here to cheer you on! Sending all the love from San Diego!
Thanks for sharing you story Paola. I like you have had intense sciatic pain and was bed ridden for 12 months so I hear ya sister. Anyway love and healing thoughts to you and tummy rubs and kisses to your pupper from NZ
Thank you for sharing that, lovely to get to know you better!
I love gnom-gnom and always look for your recipes. Hugs to you for your journey past, present and future.
Blessings to you for your courage to acknowledge to your peeps a very personal story. I pray you will find the healing you need.
Thank you for sharing your story. Happy to hear you are back on your feet! Thank you for your wonderful recipes. You have the best keto recipes out there and they have helped me so much!
Glad to hear you are on the mend. I sure love your recipes. They are spot on. Take care of your self and we all will be here waiting patiently for your return to gnom gnom.
Wow I had no idea the personal struggles you were going through behind the scenes! Your website has quite literally, changed my life. I recently lost over 60lbs by switching to eating keto and that was a direct result of utilizing the recipes on your site! The pancakes are a Sunday morning staple in my house even for those not eating Keto. I’ve brought the donuts to work for Friday meetings and nobody can tell the difference and are pleasantly surprised when I tell them how low carb they are. Seriously every single one of your recipes that I have tried has become a favorite of mine. Thank you so much for all of the amazing recipes that you come up with and share with all of us. I wish you all the best as you continue on your own healing journey!
Thank you for sharing, hoping you will be pain free soon. I have enjoyed your recipes, they have helped a lot in my first year of this WOE.
Thank you for sharing. I will pray for your completed healing.
Thank you for sharing your story. I wish you the best and a speedy recovery. Thank you for blessing us with so many wonderful recipes. I absolutely love your cookbook. Keto was really rough until I found your website.
It’s a pleasure to meet you. Love the work you are doing and wish you a full recovery. 😊
Thank you Paola for sharing your story, it is heart warming to hear that you are recovering. I love getting your recipes and yes your pics are mouth watering, there are not many newsletters that have their own mailbox in my life but yours is one because I live in fear that I will lose a recipe I love. 😆 You are an inspiration keep it up. 👍🏻 x
Paola! Wow! What a journey! Continued prayers for a full recovery. Also, thank you so much for the yummy recipes and inspiration!
Wow! What a journey! Your strength of spirit is astounding! Good for you!
How terrifying! Here’s to continued healing for you. I absolutely love your site. It’s been such a godsend to me for making keto food and delicious baked goods. Thank you for all your work!
I didn’t know one could be bed ridden from a wrongly place shot. But glad to hear of your recovery. Best wishes to you!
Dear Paola, Your first commitment is to yourself. Your healing will happen I have no doubt of that. Please know that you are in my thoughts and am sending healing your way. You have done so much for the many people touched by your blog and your hard work of producing wonderful recipes that work. Let us now give a little back to you by wishing you well in whatever manner we may. Bless you and may you be on your feet permanently in a short period of time.
Best Regards,