The Glasgows: Dale, Sharon and their five (gluten-free!) daughters: Hannah, Rachael, Ellie, Jennifer, and Heather.
After growing up in Southern, VA, Sharon was a pro at baking and cooking from scratch. However, she used food colorings and artificial flavors when recipes called for them. When her daughter, Jennifer, was diagnosed as ADHD at age 7 and moved into a learning disabled class, she decided to put her on the "Feingold Diet", as an alternative to the medications that the school nurse and teachers told her would be best for her daughter. This diet called for the removal of all artificial colors, flavors, additives, preservatives, pesticides, and even all salicylates (on the first stage). Within a few months of following the diet, Jennifer went from not being able to read, to reading on a 4th grade level. Her countenance went from problem child, to a perfectly behaved child. Soon, the entire family began eating on Jennifer's diet, and wondered why the chemicals and artificial flavors in foods were the norm for the rest of the world? Thankfully, the whole family had been enlightened and they were all thinking more clearly without red 40 clogging their brain cells (That was 18 years ago).
Soon after the family switched over to the all-natural diet, Sharon began a degree in nutrition. When she finished her degree, she was still hungry for more knowledge. She began researching the scientific correlation between sickness (both mental and physical) and chemicals (both environmental, and in foods). Sharon was outraged that the FDA would allow so many chemicals and GMOs (Genetically modified organisms) on the market without warning the consumer of the many harmful, and potentially life threatening, consequences of absorption into the body and the land. Her family's health stood as living proof that chemicals in food do in fact breed sickness. Before the family took chemicals out of their diet, they were visiting the Doctor and taking antibiotics for colds, the flu, sinus infections, strep throat and ear infections, at least once a month. After removing chemicals from their diet, and learning to bolster their immune systems with Echinacea and natural sources of vitamin C during flu season, they rarely got sick any more.
However, within the next ten years, Sharon's husband, Dale, and her oldest daughter, Heather, were in for major digestive health trials. Dale began losing weight and Heather was constantly bloated and gaining weight at a rapid speed, for no apparent reason. With both of their constant stomach aches and countless horrific trips to the bathroom in a day, they needed answers, fast. Doctors discounted Heather's problems as IBS. Dale's Doctor suggested a gluten-free diet. So, with Sharon's great adaptive cooking skills, they plunged full force into the gluten-free diet world, bringing the rest of the family with them again. Within a few months, Heather and Dale were feeling a lot better and the rest of the family actually enjoyed the gluten-free cooking, better than non-gluten-free. However, Dale noticed his face kept breaking out, with red patches and he still had occasional stomach aches. So, Sharon decided it was time to test removing dairy from his diet as well. Sure enough, the redness went away and the stomach aches subsided.
While Heather was back on track to total health, Dale's immune system was still very worn out from the years and years of damage from eating gluten and dairy. Sharon looked into restoring the digestive tract with raw foods and juicing. She began using raw goat milk, from her own goat, goat yogurts, and homemade whey to add flora to the injured intestines in many of her recipes. Organic fruits and vegetables from her farm and homemade chicken broth were also essential ingredients in many recipes. Over time, Dale began to look younger even, as he regained his health. His moods were better, as he no longer had to deal with the emotional turmoil that digestive pains brought upon his life. Sharon became more and more passionate about spreading what she had learned while cooking for her family's health problems. She began to speak out in many arenas, about her philosophies on eating well for your personal body's needs and allergies.
Sharon's Philosophy on Cooking:Constantly building up the immune system. Preventative cooking: preventing any sort of illness by eating the best food possible for YOUR body. Building up your body today, for a stronger body and stronger immune system tomorrow; a concept everyone should learn to love to live by.
Going off-Grid, for Health & Sanity!The Glasgows moved to their farm in Hartwood, VA over 15 years ago, after living in the hustle and bustle of Northern, VA for almost 15 years. Their intention in moving to the farm was to go off the grid and live off their own land. They eat their fresh chicken eggs daily now, drink their goat's fresh milk, feast on the seasonal fruit, and store up the homegrown veggies in their cellar for months. They work hard to enjoy the fruits of their labor and would love for you to come out and do the same, when you sign up for a cooking workshop or a personal diet consultation! Everyone talks about what a treat it is to visit the farm, see their happy, grass fed, free range animals, and spend some time away from city life.
Have some questions for us about the classes? Want to schedule a personal diet consulting session with Sharon? You can email, info@jglasgow.com.
Sharon and Dale at The White House for a Christmas lunch.
Heather with her Husband Jeffrey
