The year 2005 was the most important year of her life, when she was diagnosed with this disease. This had lead to unending medical tests and medications for years and years. At one point of time, she got so sick and cripple, that she had to live only on the jarred baby foods. She even lost the strength to cook food for herself. However, one day she found feeling much better as the crippling sensation vanished and this was related to her diet, as she stopped eating any food, which contains gluten. Particularly, she concentrated on real, fresh food, instead of bread and pasta. According to her, "After I was diagnosed, I just kept it simple. I just ate 'real' food. One of the first things I remember eating was a plate of spinach sautéed in garlic and olive oil and with a little salt. And I just remember looking down at how gorgeous it looked and the feeling of hot food going down my throat. I was so grateful for it."

The term, gluten free, raises a few eyebrows; as it seems to be a culinary death sentence for the people. But, you can make it much delicate with the guidance of Ahern. She has become a renowned food writer on the world of blogs, being much known as the Gluten-Free Girl. According to Ahern, "I know there are people who think, 'gluten-free? That's a fad, it's all about the celebrity,' but I'm like, 'Do you really think I'd give up pizza and pasta unless I had to?'"

Nowadays, she lives up for tasty and delicious foods prepared from gluten free food items. She adds, "I think of the day of my diagnosis as my birthday, because life started all over for me again on that day. Before, the food was making me sick…. Now, I eat better than I ever did before. I know food in a way I never knew before."

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