LIFESTYLE-Magazine-Winter-2016

reat Harwood resident Gail Brown comes from a family with three generations of coeliacs. Gail, now aged 51, was diagnosed with coeliac disease in her 30s. Her father has been coeliac for 16 years, and her 23 year old daughter Abigail was diagnosed at the age of 8. Gail, who runs Thornleys Natural Foods, initially had the idea for her business when her daughter craved a tuna pasta bake during a family holiday. The ingredients to make a dish that was all natural and also gluten free weren’t readily available. On returning home Gail set about researching, making and testing mixes made to her own recipes. Many months later and aer working closely with food scientists at Manchester Metropolitan University and Coeliac UK, Gail launched her range of 100%natural, powdered sauce and recipe mixes. Made with only the finest quality natural ingredients, these easy to prepare mixes contain no preservatives, additives, colours andMSG, and are free from gluten and wheat. Gail says, “Having three generations of coeliacs in our family helps us to understand the difficulties and demands of satisfying a hunger for delicious, natural tasting food that’s suitable for people following a gluten free diet. My own experiences of coeliac disease have given me a real empathy with fellow coeliacs and people with other conditions who must keep a watchful eye over ingredients and allergens in their food. “Our products are suitable for everyone, of course! The more I learn about living without wheat, the more I realise everyone could benefit from an all natural diet.” Today Thornleys produces a range of six sauce and recipe mixes: chicken & herb sauce, parsley sauce, Cheddar cheese sauce, spaghei carbonara, tuna & pasta bake and chilli con carne. They also have a gluten and wheat freeWorcester sauce, plus a range of Italian pasta that’s free from gluten and wheat. CASE STUDY

G

The business has over 140 stockists across the UK, carefully selected farm shops, delicatessens and independent health food shops that complement the Thornleys brand. In addition to running her food business, Gail travels around the UK aending food events. She occasionally gives talks on her positive approach to living gluten free at events run by Coeliac UK local groups. Gail adds, “To me, coeliac disease is not an illness. For newly diagnosed coeliacs, there’s the initial shock of suddenly having to scrutinise food labels and ingredients lists, but once they’ve got the hang of that, coeliacs just have to watch what they eat and get on with life.” Find out more about the Thornleys all natural range and order online at www.thornleysnaturalfoods.co.uk.

Having three generations of coeliacs in our family helps us to understand!

Above: Gail Brown with her Thornleys Natural Foods Range. Right: Cherry and pine nut stuffed porchetta.

One entrepreneurial mum fromHyndburn launched her own natural food business following her daughter’s craving for a gluten free meal

3 4 L I F E : STY L E W I NT E R 2 0 1 6