I am a mum, freelance recipe developer (development chef), scientist (2:1 Honours degree in biochemistry and genetics) and Wellbeing Coach, specialising in free from food. I’m passionate about inspiring people to live a positive, wholesome life.
As a recipe developer I specialise in creating recipes that are gluten free, dairy free, egg free, nut free, soya free and refined sugar free. Many of these are vegan too.
I created, and brought to market the world’s first wholegrain gluten free flour blend (that is rice free too), and wholegrain, vegan, gluten free bread mix.
I also have online recipe books and online courses teaching people how to adapt to a wholesome gluten free life, through a basic course and cookery courses.
I am often found at food festivals as a cookery demonstrator and regularly give cookery lessons. I’ve also been a judge for the Free From Food Awards, Free From Eating Out Awards and the Nourish Awards.
I’ve also taught the students at Michael Caines Academy in Exeter about free from food.
My two children, ‘Roo’ (17) and ‘Sunshine’ or ‘Pickle’ (15) are often found in the kitchen creating recipes. They are both amazing cooks. ‘Roo’ has her own page for recipes called Roo’s Recipes.
‘Roo’ was diagnosed with coeliac disease just before her third birthday (and previously had allergies to cows milk protein and egg).
The road to the coeliac diagnosis took a year.
I had a new baby to look after and my daughter was so weak and tired that she couldn’t even walk up a flight of stairs on her own.
The doctor’s kept telling me there was nothing wrong, or that she had ‘toddler diarrhoea’ but I trusted my instincts and pushed until they finally tested her.
I wrote about the day she was diagnosed with coeliac disease here.
Roo inspired me to start this blog to showcase my quick, simple, tried and tested free from recipes.
I believe that with some kitchen experimenting everyone can eat delicious, healthy and nutritious food and nobody needs to feel left out.
All the recipes on my blog are gluten free, most are dairy free and many are free from other allergens and irritants too (they are all labelled fully).
I am passionate about creating free from food that is better for you. Whenever I make treats I significantly reduce the sugar they contain, or use sugar-alternatives.
After giving up sugar in February 2016 my Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) significantly improved.
I have suffered with IBS since my late teens. Since then I’ve tried a lot of different diets and remedies in my quest to find a happy tummy.
I’ve learnt a lot about food and the effect it has on the body during this time. I hope what I have learnt is useful to others.
In 2015 I passed an AfN certified course (level 3 & 4) in nutrition, allowing me to practice as a nutritional therapist.
You can view my certificate here – Certificate Nutrition course – Vicki Montague
I use my knowledge to ensure that all of my recipes are as nutritious as possible.
I firmly believe that you are what you eat and I’m fascinated by the gut microbiota. It is my view that this will be key to managing disease in the coming decades.
Over time I have become more interested in a holistic approach to wellness.
Over the last few years I have begun to see the critical role that thought has in creating our experience of life. For years I limited what I thought I could do because I listened to a steady stream of negative thoughts.
Now I understand what thought really is and where peace and freedom can be found. In 2019 I trained as a coach to help other people be free from their self-imposed limits.
In addition to understanding how our life experience is created I believe that sleeping well (which comes when you feel peaceful and free), moving (exercising) and real food really are the keys to good health.
In addition to food recipes I’m exploring natural alternatives to cleaning products and skin care. Through my own research I am beginning to understand the effect that chemicals have on our health.
Along with creating recipes for my blog, I work with companies and magazines to create bespoke recipes.
As a freelance recipe developer I create recipes for new businesses bringing products to market. I also work with larger businesses on new product development. In addition, I create recipes that showcase free from ingredients and existing products. If you’re a business you can find out more about working with me here.
If you would like to find out more about my wholegrain gluten-free flour blend then click here.
If you’d like to work with me to rediscover your own innate health then do get in touch via my contact page. Or read how you can work with me as an individual here.