Carolyn Haeler shares what's possible when we take a diagnosis and look for solutions rather than dwell on the negatives we can no longer have. Her celiac disease diagnosis has led to what might be the best cookie (gluten free or not) that I've ever tasted. She covers her journey in creating her cookies, how to live with celiac or a gluten sensitivity, and how to find positives in negative situations.
Carolyn Haeler shares her personal experience with celiac disease and how it led her to start a gluten-free cookie company. She explained that while she could live without pasta, gluten-free cookies presented a particular challenge due to the removal of key baking ingredients like wheat flour, butter, and eggs. Carolyn also discussed the extensive presence of gluten in various food products beyond obvious sources, highlighting how it's used as a color, preservative, and filler in many everyday items.
Carolyn’s story is a living example of turning adversity and self-evaluation into meaningful change. After her Celiac disease diagnosis, she left behind a successful finance career to recreate a staple everyone misses on a gluten-free diet: truly delicious cookies. She spent months experimenting and learning from her early baking missteps, transforming each setback into a step forward (in a way that perfectly embodies your message). Now, her company offers award-winning gluten free cookies and flours, including Best Product winners by Food & Beverage Magazine for two consecutive years and a recent nod from Good Housekeeping as a Best Snack of 2025 for the Coconut Oatmeal Cookies.
Carolyn Haeler is the founder of Mightylicious Gluten Free. Find more information at mightylicious.com and follow on Instagram @mightyliciousfoods