Just a plant-based girl 🎵
Livin’ in a cheesy world 🧀
Hi there! I’m Sherri, the author and recipe developer behind Hold the Cheese Dairy Free. I am also the former owner and founder of the food blog, Watch Learn Eat, where I created and posted recipes for nine years, many of which were dairy-free and vegan.
I’m a lifelong cooking enthusiast and former cheese addict turned dairy-free.
Saying I was addicted to cheese just might be an understatement…
I was the child whose parents would joke around saying that my first word was “cheese.”
Every year, I put gourmet cheese balls on the top of my Christmas wish list.
While all the other girls in middle school had posters of the latest teen heartthrob decorating their bedrooms, I had a picture of cheese plastered on my wall.
It was actually a photograph of a plate of spaghetti that featured the hand of a waiter holding a block of Parmesan cheese and a grater hovering over a tower of cheese atop the pasta.
Yup, that was how I rolled.
After a while, I just asked the wait staff to leave the whole cheese grating ensemble at the table. It was much easier that way.
Anyway, I even said, and I quote, that if a doctor ever made me give up cheese, “I’d rather be dead.”
So, about that…
People without a uterus might just want to skip these next couple of paragraphs.
I have endometriosis, and it sucks. There’s no way to sugarcoat it. Severe bloating that makes you look like you’re about to deliver twins. Debilitating pain so bad you can’t even stand…or sit…or lie down. Extremely heavy periods so intense you’d think your bathroom was a crime scene investigation.
I had multiple laparoscopic surgeries. I took medication. I canceled my scheduled hysterectomy. I finally said enough is enough, and visited a specialist who used traditional medicine along with natural techniques like diet and supplements to help women with hormonal issues.
And that’s when I heard those words I dreaded spewing from her lips, “YoU hAvE tO gIvE uP dAirY.”
Newsflash: I’m not dead!
I honestly hadn’t realized how badly dairy made me feel until I didn’t feel bad anymore. For me, giving up dairy (and going plant-based in general) has helped tremendously with regard to endometriosis pain and my hormonal imbalance.
Of course, this is my personal experience and not meant to be taken as medical advice. You should always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding health conditions, concerns and diet.
Today, I’m happily living my life as a plant-based girl, working hard to create non-dairy dishes that anyone can enjoy.
Whether you’re vegan, dairy-free vegetarian, flexitarian, lactose-intolerant, have a milk allergy, or are just exploring, there’s something here for everyone!