My name is Chelsea Jans. Most people just shorten it to Chels. I also go by little C, not because I am an aspiring rapper (that would be a serious stretch) my trainer, Enrique, started calling me that. Apparently anyone under 5 foot 2 inches is little. I may be small on size but ask anyone who knows me, I’m big on personality.

Being outside is one of my favorite things. Which is the #1 reason why I need a dog, a chocolate labradoodle to be exact. However, I know I will eventually end up with a scruffy mutt that I fall in love with at the HW Animal Shelter. I call my mom almost weekly and tell her about the little furry friend I nearly took home. Right now I travel too much to give a doggie the kind of love he deserves, so that plan is on the back burner. For now I just stick to running outside, surfing or paddle boarding, golfing, tennis, rock climbing or sitting on my terrace with a good book.

On a daily basis I can be spotted in what my friend, JT, calls “play clothes” in reference to my LuluLemon Power-Y tanks and jogging shorts. People are often shocked to see me out in about in jeans in the middle of the day. Not to say that I do not clean up well, but I need to be ready for the gym or a quick run whenever life throws me an hour. Besides, who needs to get dressed up to work from home and run errands?

There are only 2 things that I do almost everyday. One is working out and the other is cooking. Working out is my “me time”. When I forget about the cares of the world, put on my iPod and pump some iron like Arnold (well not exactly like Arnold). But I do throw some weight training in there with Pilates and plyometric exercises.

Besides being a “workout worm” (someone called me that once and it made me laugh, enjoy;) I am a big nerd. I hide it well behind my surf board and rock climbing gear. My book shelves at home are literally coming off of the walls because I have overloaded them with my favorites. I could spend all day in a library or Border’s indulging in book after book about everything from the history of Spain to cooking with Giada (Giada de Laurentiis, of course!). I got that from my dad, he always encouraged me to learn new things and learn a little of everything. I do not really watch TV except for Jeopardy, which I record and watch everyday after the gym while I am making dinner.

O dinner, speaking of food (again!). I am self-professed foodie. I absolutely, unmistakably love food! Making grocery shopping lists, planning meals, stumbling upon farmers markets, preparing unique treats and memories and tasting it! Yum, I am salivating just thinking about it.  It is a serious addiction, one that I’m proud of. I am the woman who giggles with delight (out loud, people!) in Whole Foods upon finding a spice I saw in a book. And, yes, I would rather spend all of my money on a new oven than a Prada bag.

My love affair with food took on a whole new meaning when I found out that I am intolerant to gluten. (Maybe casein too, but the jury is still out.) All of the sudden my beloved eggplant parmigiana recipe that I have been so closely guarding from coveting neighbors and friends was on the chopping block. How would I make my crowd pleasers, my favorites, my memory makers without bread or pasta or flour? So began this little blog. Or should I say Little C’s blog?

It is about finding a love of food again. About loving gluten free food and loving my gluten free life.