Site Logo
  • Home
  • About
    • About Nadia
    • My Why
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch / Dinner
    • Snacks
    • Instant Pot
    • Sides
    • Desserts
    • Meal Prep
    • Drinks
  • Personal Wellness
    • Exercise
    • Self-Care
    • Tips & Tricks
  • Reviews
    • Recipe Reviews
    • Product Reviews
  • Contact
    • Desserts

    Pumpkin Spice Loaf with Maple Glaze (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)

    September 16, 2022

    Hello friends…it’s pumpkin season! This gluten free, dairy free pumpkin spice loaf is so moist and flavourful, plus it gives me all the fall feels! It is so easy to make: mix the wet ingredients, mix the dry ingredients, add them together, pour into your pan, and bake….so simple! I used a combination of 1-1…

    Read more
    • Snacks

    Maple Pecan Pumpkin Muffins (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Refined Sugar Free, Vegan)

    September 6, 2020

    I just love fall baking, and if this recipe doesn’t scream Fall….I don’t know what does! Maple, pecan, pumpkin, warm spices…YES PLEASE! The aromas that come out of your kitchen from baking these muffins will bring on all the Fall feelings…even though it’s not fall just yet! These muffins have the perfect texture and crumb,…

    Read more

About

About Me

Hi! I’m Nadia. I’m a UC warrior, mama of 2, and a foodie! I’m here to share my story, raise awareness and empower others to live fearlessly with IBD . Here you will find gut healthy recipes and strategies to help you on your journey to personal wellness!

Latest Posts

  • Simple Chicken Salad on Rice Cakes (Gluten Free)

    February 6, 2024

  • Pumpkin Risotto with Bacon (Gluten Free, Lactose Free)

    September 18, 2022

  • Pumpkin Spice Loaf with Maple Glaze (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)

    September 16, 2022

  • Chocolate Covered Dates (Gluten Free, Grain Free, Dairy Free)

    September 14, 2022

  • Healthy recipes

    Mango – Coconut Popsicles (Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Grain Free)

    August 16, 2022

Instagram

IBD•Colorectal Cancer•Ostomy Advocate📍Toronto

gutsygirldiaries

It’s the moon face for me. 4 photos. Same me. V It’s the moon face for me.

4 photos. Same me. VERY different feeling in my body.

If you’ve ever dealt with steroid puffiness or the dreaded “moon face,” you know how frustrating it is to not recognize your own face in the mirror. Being on and off steroids for my IBD took a toll both physically and mentally.

Here’s what I’ve personally experienced drinking Happy Juice:

💜My inflammatory markers are the lowest they’ve ever been

💜The puffiness in my face has gone down so much

💜My cortisol levels are finally feeling balanced

💜Less bloating

💜Energy that actually lasts through the day

💜A clearer, calmer, HAPPIER mind

This hasn’t been about a quick fix. That never worked for me.  This journey has been about supporting my gut, my stress response, and my mental wellness from the inside out..And it shows on my face (the last pic was taken today).

If you’re struggling with gut issues, stress, low mood, bloating, or feeling inflamed all the time… I see you. I was there.💜

Comment HAPPY below and I’ll DM you the link to what I’m drinking ⬇️

We’re healing, learning, and feeling better — together

Much love and #staygutsy 💜

#gutsygirldiaries #moonface #happyjuice #IBD
Hello friends! Check out my article on grace, gra Hello friends!

Check out my article on grace, gratitude, and mental health in ostomy life featured in the January issue of Ostomy Canada Connects E-newsletter 

Link in Bio 💜

#ostomylife #mentalhealth #gratitude
HIGH-PROTEIN CLOUD BREAD PIZZA This is what happe HIGH-PROTEIN CLOUD BREAD PIZZA

This is what happens when pizza night is digestion-friendly + protein-packed …Save this for your next pizza night when you want high-protein without the heavy feeling 👌🏻

A fluffy cloud bread base that’s:
✨ High in protein = keeps you full
✨ Light & easy to digest = no heavy, doughy food coma
✨ Lower in starch, big on volume
✨ Perfect for sensitive tummies

☁️ The Cloud Bread Base

• 221 g egg whites
• 21 g unflavoured Canadian Protein protein powder (the one I use — link in my bio)

Whip → fold → shape → bake at 425°F for ~10 min until lightly golden.

🍕 On this one:

🌿 Pesto base
🧀 Crumbled feta
🌶 Roasted red peppers
🥓 Prosciutto
🍯 Balsamic drizzle

Salty + savory + a little sweet = elite combo.

Ps you can also make a dessert version and top with Greek yogurt and berries …so good! 

One recipe. Endless vibes. Way easier on the gut than traditional crust

👉🏻WOULD YOU TRY THIS?
Savoury pizza person or sweet flatbread person? Tell me your toppings ⬇️ I need new combos to test 😉

Much love and #staygutsy 💜
#cloudbread #protein #pizza #healthyrecipe
This viral 2-ingredient Japanese cheesecake is dec This viral 2-ingredient Japanese cheesecake is decadent AND high-protein 🤍

You’ve probably seen the 2-ingredient Japanese cheesecake everywhere, and now it’s my turn… with a tiramisu twist 🇮🇹

Yogurt added straight to the container + espresso-dipped savoiardi cookies stuffed right in = creamy, dreamy, and satisfying 🤎

PS: I dusted it with cacao powder before indulging for that full tiramisu moment ✨

I shared the full step-by-step on my Stories yesterday, and it’s now on my feed for anyone who missed it 🎥

All you need:
•Greek Yogurt
•Any cookie you like (I used Biscoff today!)

Let it set for a few hours or even overnight and you’re done! 

Dessert that feels indulgent and packed with protein, so it actually keeps you full 🤍

Have you jumped on this trend yet?

#japanesecheesecake #viral #protein
2026 vs 2016 trend People are calling 2026 “the 2026 vs 2016 trend

People are calling 2026 “the new 2016” … and honestly? I’m kinda here for it!

There’s something about the nostalgia of that era that feels like slipping into an old sweater..not because I want to go back, but because remembering who I was then helps me appreciate who I’ve become now.

The 2016-me had no idea what the next decade would hold. The plot twists. The challenges. The healing.  The strength I’d have to build. The versions of myself I’d shed. 

And yet here I am : 2026-me looking back with so much gratitude for every messy, beautiful, gutsy chapter in between.

It’s wild how much life can change in ten years… and how much power there is in owning that story instead of wishing it were different.

So here’s to nostalgia, growth, resilience, and the magic of seeing how far we’ve actually come.

Happy Friday, insta fam!

Much love… and as always, #staygutsy 💜xo

#2016 #nostalgia
I went for my routine cancer screening scan yester I went for my routine cancer screening scan yesterday, and every time I step into those halls, there’s a familiar flutter in my chest. Scan days have a way of stirring the quiet corners of my mind.. the places where fear whispers and the unknown feels louder than usual.

It’s incredible how something so routine can feel so heavy.
Scanxiety is its own kind of storm. There’s the importance of getting screened mixed with fear, and all of a sudden my thoughts are racing toward the worst case scenario. Kinda like grief and courage tangled together. 🤷🏻‍♀️

And of course, there’s the infamous CT contrast drink — that mystery beverage we all love to hate. Every time I sip it, I tell myself: “Just pretend it’s a margarita… a really questionable, medically supervised margarita.” 10/10 would not order at a bar, but here we are. LOL🤪🤪

Over time, I’ve gathered a few practices that help me breathe a little easier on scan days. I like to call them my little anchors for the mind and heart:

A gentle shift in perspective:
I remind myself that all I truly have is this moment, this breath, this version of today. The results are simply information, and whatever they reveal, I will meet it with clarity when the time comes.

Return to what brings me joy:
Go for a walk
Workout - Weights that remind me I’m strong.
Cooking, reading, writing, listening to music

Soothe the nervous system:
Slow breathing
Vagus nerve massage
Quiet moments where I let my body speak and simply listen.

These practices help me meet the day with a steadier heart.

Scanxiety may show up uninvited, but we don’t have to let it take over the whole room.  When we learn what grounds us, what comforts us, what brings us home to ourselves…we reclaim a little power in a situation that often feels uncontrollable.

If you’re preparing for a scan, or sitting with your own fears this week, I hope these words find you gently.

Wishing you calm, courage, and a peaceful Wednesday

Much love and #staygutsy 💜 xo

#scanxiety #cancer #hope
Happy 3rd Birthday, Stormy 🎉 Three years ago, Happy 3rd Birthday, Stormy 🎉

Three years ago, my life changed in an instant. My ostomy wasn’t a choice…it came following my colorectal cancer diagnosis, and it is the reason I’m still here today.

Over these three years, I’ve grown in ways I never expected. I’m doing everything I did before surgery..and even more. I’ve met beautiful souls, formed meaningful connections, and found so much purpose in sharing my story and advocating for others walking a similar path.

Today more than ever I am filled with gratitude..for my body, for the care that saved me, for this community, and for the ostomy that didn’t take my life, but gently gave it back to me. 

And I’m genuinely excited for what’s still to come..the adventures, the experiences, and all the life still waiting to be lived.

If you’re at the beginning of this journey or somewhere in between, please know this: You are stronger than you think, and you are not alone.

Thank you for being here, for listening, and for walking this journey with me, it means the world.

Much love and #staygutsy 💜xo

#ostomyawareness #cancer #gutsygirldiaries #gratitude
Sweet potato + cheese is definitely a yes! Tried Sweet potato + cheese is definitely a yes!

Tried this recipe by Courtney  and loved every bite. It’s cozy, cheesy, and deeply satisfying.

10/10 recommend adding this to your meal rotation…it’s so tasty and super easy to make.

Have you tried it already, or would you give it a go? 

Comment below ⬇️

Much love and #staygutsy 💜xo

#sweetpotatoandcheese #healthyrecipe #foodtrend #gutsygirldiaries
New Year, same us. Wishing you all health and happ New Year, same us. Wishing you all health and happiness in 2026 and always 💕🙏🏻
#gutsygirldiaries #happynewyear
Load More... Follow GGD on Instagram

Pinterest


Tags

autoimmunedisease bob’s red mill breakfast chocolate crohns dairy free dairyfree dessert digestivehealth dinner flareup ggd gluten free glutenfree grain free guthealth gutsygirldiaries healthy recipes healyourgut ibd ibdawareness ibdsuperheroes keto loveyourgut lunch meal prep mealprep myibdstory organic paleo refined sugar free snack toronto torontofood torontohealth torontolife torontomoms ulcerativecolitis vaughan vaughanhealth vaughanmoms vegan vitamix weeknight dinner whole 30

Search

IBD•Colorectal Cancer•Ostomy Advocate📍Toronto

gutsygirldiaries

It’s the moon face for me. 4 photos. Same me. V It’s the moon face for me.

4 photos. Same me. VERY different feeling in my body.

If you’ve ever dealt with steroid puffiness or the dreaded “moon face,” you know how frustrating it is to not recognize your own face in the mirror. Being on and off steroids for my IBD took a toll both physically and mentally.

Here’s what I’ve personally experienced drinking Happy Juice:

💜My inflammatory markers are the lowest they’ve ever been

💜The puffiness in my face has gone down so much

💜My cortisol levels are finally feeling balanced

💜Less bloating

💜Energy that actually lasts through the day

💜A clearer, calmer, HAPPIER mind

This hasn’t been about a quick fix. That never worked for me.  This journey has been about supporting my gut, my stress response, and my mental wellness from the inside out..And it shows on my face (the last pic was taken today).

If you’re struggling with gut issues, stress, low mood, bloating, or feeling inflamed all the time… I see you. I was there.💜

Comment HAPPY below and I’ll DM you the link to what I’m drinking ⬇️

We’re healing, learning, and feeling better — together

Much love and #staygutsy 💜

#gutsygirldiaries #moonface #happyjuice #IBD
Hello friends! Check out my article on grace, gra Hello friends!

Check out my article on grace, gratitude, and mental health in ostomy life featured in the January issue of Ostomy Canada Connects E-newsletter 

Link in Bio 💜

#ostomylife #mentalhealth #gratitude
HIGH-PROTEIN CLOUD BREAD PIZZA This is what happe HIGH-PROTEIN CLOUD BREAD PIZZA

This is what happens when pizza night is digestion-friendly + protein-packed …Save this for your next pizza night when you want high-protein without the heavy feeling 👌🏻

A fluffy cloud bread base that’s:
✨ High in protein = keeps you full
✨ Light & easy to digest = no heavy, doughy food coma
✨ Lower in starch, big on volume
✨ Perfect for sensitive tummies

☁️ The Cloud Bread Base

• 221 g egg whites
• 21 g unflavoured Canadian Protein protein powder (the one I use — link in my bio)

Whip → fold → shape → bake at 425°F for ~10 min until lightly golden.

🍕 On this one:

🌿 Pesto base
🧀 Crumbled feta
🌶 Roasted red peppers
🥓 Prosciutto
🍯 Balsamic drizzle

Salty + savory + a little sweet = elite combo.

Ps you can also make a dessert version and top with Greek yogurt and berries …so good! 

One recipe. Endless vibes. Way easier on the gut than traditional crust

👉🏻WOULD YOU TRY THIS?
Savoury pizza person or sweet flatbread person? Tell me your toppings ⬇️ I need new combos to test 😉

Much love and #staygutsy 💜
#cloudbread #protein #pizza #healthyrecipe
This viral 2-ingredient Japanese cheesecake is dec This viral 2-ingredient Japanese cheesecake is decadent AND high-protein 🤍

You’ve probably seen the 2-ingredient Japanese cheesecake everywhere, and now it’s my turn… with a tiramisu twist 🇮🇹

Yogurt added straight to the container + espresso-dipped savoiardi cookies stuffed right in = creamy, dreamy, and satisfying 🤎

PS: I dusted it with cacao powder before indulging for that full tiramisu moment ✨

I shared the full step-by-step on my Stories yesterday, and it’s now on my feed for anyone who missed it 🎥

All you need:
•Greek Yogurt
•Any cookie you like (I used Biscoff today!)

Let it set for a few hours or even overnight and you’re done! 

Dessert that feels indulgent and packed with protein, so it actually keeps you full 🤍

Have you jumped on this trend yet?

#japanesecheesecake #viral #protein
2026 vs 2016 trend People are calling 2026 “the 2026 vs 2016 trend

People are calling 2026 “the new 2016” … and honestly? I’m kinda here for it!

There’s something about the nostalgia of that era that feels like slipping into an old sweater..not because I want to go back, but because remembering who I was then helps me appreciate who I’ve become now.

The 2016-me had no idea what the next decade would hold. The plot twists. The challenges. The healing.  The strength I’d have to build. The versions of myself I’d shed. 

And yet here I am : 2026-me looking back with so much gratitude for every messy, beautiful, gutsy chapter in between.

It’s wild how much life can change in ten years… and how much power there is in owning that story instead of wishing it were different.

So here’s to nostalgia, growth, resilience, and the magic of seeing how far we’ve actually come.

Happy Friday, insta fam!

Much love… and as always, #staygutsy 💜xo

#2016 #nostalgia
I went for my routine cancer screening scan yester I went for my routine cancer screening scan yesterday, and every time I step into those halls, there’s a familiar flutter in my chest. Scan days have a way of stirring the quiet corners of my mind.. the places where fear whispers and the unknown feels louder than usual.

It’s incredible how something so routine can feel so heavy.
Scanxiety is its own kind of storm. There’s the importance of getting screened mixed with fear, and all of a sudden my thoughts are racing toward the worst case scenario. Kinda like grief and courage tangled together. 🤷🏻‍♀️

And of course, there’s the infamous CT contrast drink — that mystery beverage we all love to hate. Every time I sip it, I tell myself: “Just pretend it’s a margarita… a really questionable, medically supervised margarita.” 10/10 would not order at a bar, but here we are. LOL🤪🤪

Over time, I’ve gathered a few practices that help me breathe a little easier on scan days. I like to call them my little anchors for the mind and heart:

A gentle shift in perspective:
I remind myself that all I truly have is this moment, this breath, this version of today. The results are simply information, and whatever they reveal, I will meet it with clarity when the time comes.

Return to what brings me joy:
Go for a walk
Workout - Weights that remind me I’m strong.
Cooking, reading, writing, listening to music

Soothe the nervous system:
Slow breathing
Vagus nerve massage
Quiet moments where I let my body speak and simply listen.

These practices help me meet the day with a steadier heart.

Scanxiety may show up uninvited, but we don’t have to let it take over the whole room.  When we learn what grounds us, what comforts us, what brings us home to ourselves…we reclaim a little power in a situation that often feels uncontrollable.

If you’re preparing for a scan, or sitting with your own fears this week, I hope these words find you gently.

Wishing you calm, courage, and a peaceful Wednesday

Much love and #staygutsy 💜 xo

#scanxiety #cancer #hope
Load More... Follow GGD on Instagram

© 2018 Gutsy Girl Diaries | Website Theme By Lucid Themes