Name: Stephanie Papillo
Blog: Friendly Little Kitchen – www.friendlylittlekitchen.com
I’m so excited to introduce a new post series to you!
Along with a list of my favourite blogs and resources, the inspiration section on She Can’t Eat What?! will now feature Q&As with your favourite low FODMAP bloggers, sharing their stories and insider knowledge in the world of food, health and wellness.
There are so many incredible health warriors out there and I want to introduce them all to you so that you can get even more tips and tricks for living a healthy, free-from life. And today I can’t wait to kick off my Blogging Interview Series with Steph Papillo, from Friendly Little Kitchen.
I came across Steph’s blog when I first started looking for low FODMAP resources and not only loved her simple, fun meals but her style of writing and the honesty of her posts! As she says about her recipes, she’s “not too hung up on fancy presentation – just as long as it tastes good” (though if you ask me it always looks pretty good too). Blogging gluten, dairy, healthy and fructose friendly alternatives, Steph’s all about the bright side of living with intolerances and I guarantee you’ll soon see the positive effects of her approach to eating. Plus if you’re ever lucky enough to be in Melbourne and want to know the best places for dinner, this girl’s got you covered.
Hi Steph! Firstly where do you live?
I live in the lovely Melbourne, Australia, where I was born and raised.
What lead you to a low FODMAP lifestyle?
For over a year I had been suffering with severe digestive issues and fatigue, and my symptoms were progressively worsening. My doctor thankfully sent me off for hydrogen breath tests for lactose and fructose – this was three and a half years ago when breath tests were less well known, so I consider myself pretty lucky having avoided the more invasive tests I hear others go through to get a diagnosis. With my soaring test results I booked in with a Shepherd Works dietician, was diagnosed with fructose malabsorption and referred straight on to the low FODMAP diet. I have never looked back!
Why did you start blogging?
Whether I am cooking, eating or sharing food with loved ones, food has always played a huge role in my life. This and my transition to the low FODMAP diet was really what fuelled my passion to begin blogging and sharing my food experiences.
How do you decide which recipes feature on your blog?
I would love to say I have a nice little decision making process for my recipes, but it usually comes down to my latest kitchen experiments, and when something is good it goes straight to the ‘to-blog’ list.
Your typical breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner…
Good question!! On weekdays breakfast is usually overnight oats, but on weekends I like to be a bit more festive with steamy porridge, a smoothie bowl or a big stack of pancakes like these. Lunch is almost always leftovers from the night before. Snacks include fruit and nuts and if I’m lucky a little treat if I have been baking. Dinner is a tricky one because it changes every night but this Vegetarian Rogan Josh Curry is one of my mid-week faves at the moment.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given/want to give about the low FODMAP diet or living with food intolerances?
It doesn’t have to be boring!! Focus on what you can eat, not what you can’t eat. This will help you be more adventurous and explore new and exciting ingredients to jazz up your food, while still feeling awesome.
Do you have any favourite places to get resources for following the low FODMAP diet/coping with fructose malabsorption?
For info on the low FODMAP diet I refer to Shepherd Works and Monash University resources. For helping cope with fructose malabsorption I get amongst social media communities and blogs. This facebook support group is great!
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life what would it be?
Chips. I know it’s not a meal, and my life would probably not be very long if I only ate chips, but I just love chips!
The best low FODMAP meal out you’ve ever had…
I would have to say my most memorable low FODMAP meal was in Tuscany, when my man and I were travelling through Italy last year. At the family run agriturisimo, I was served 5 delicious courses all made especially to accommodate my diet. And to top it off, as we were leaving we were handed shots of grappa soaked grapes! All of this deliciousness in combination with the rolling green hills we looked out upon was perfection.
Where do you find inspiration/what are some of your favourite blogs to follow?
I find inspiration from blogs and cookbooks, the places I visit, and of course my mum’s cooking. Amongst a list of many, Green Kitchen Stories and What Should I Eat For Breakfast Today would have to be two of my favourite blogs, and when it comes to FODMAPs, I just love She Can’t Eat What!?, Fructopia and The Fructose Friendly Chef.
What has been the best part of creating your blog?
I love hearing from people who have made my recipes and tell me that Friendly Little Kitchen has given them hope. It truly amazes me that my blog can have such a positive effect (and that people actually make my recipes)! 🙂
