hey there!
Hey, I'm ester!
Welcome to Nurture My Gut, where I help you create a gluten-free life you'll love. 💚 I am a Naturopath, Gut Health Coach, and a gluten-free recipe developer with 15+ years of experience creating recipes that make gluten-free living feel nourishing, simple and delicious.
Helping You Create a Gluten-Free Life You'll Love 💚
My mission is to help you enjoy a gluten-free lifestyle. Whether you're navigating Celiac disease, gluten intolerance, a sensitive gut, or simply choosing gluten-free living because it makes you feel your best, I'm here to help you create meals and habits that support your health while still enjoying the foods you love.
At Nurture My Gut, you'll find recipes that bring the joy back to your table-from nourishing gluten-free staples and high-fiber creations to cozy comfort foods, family favorites, air fryer meals, and better-than-takeout copycat recipes. Every recipe is created to help you feel good while still enjoying the foods you love.
Made From My Kitchen to Yours 💚
Every recipe and resource you find on Nurture My Gut is personally developed, tested, photographed, and filmed by me. From the first idea in my kitchen to the final recipe you see on your screen, I put every recipe through the same process I used when creating meals for my own family.
After years of developing gluten-free recipes, I've created resources to help make gluten-free living easier and more enjoyable-including my Gluten-Free Tortillas Made Right Ebook includes 7 different gluten-free tortilla recipes to help you create a staple your family will actually love, while my Grain-Free Everything Dough EBook, features one versatile grain-free dough that can be transformed into more than a dozen different recipes.
These resources were inspired by my family's own journey and my desire to create nourishing gluten-free and grain-free options that make everyday cooking simpler-without feeling like you're missing out on the foods you love.
My gluten-free journey
My gluten-free journey began in 2009 when my son was born with severe eczema. After months of searching for answers and following an elimination diet, I discovered he was intolerant to gluten. In 2011, our family made the decision to embrace a gluten-free lifestyle-and it changed our lives.
Not only did my son's eczema completely clear, but I also began noticing improvements in my own health. Living with autoimmune conditions, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis, vitiligo, and MTHFR, I felt better after removing gluten from my diet. My daughter also experienced improvements in her digestion and overall well-being.
As we continued our journey, we discovered my son was also sensitive to many gluten-free grains. Under the guidance of our healthcare providers, we temporarily transitioned to a grain-free diet to support his gut health while it healed. That experience inspired me to create nourishing grain-free recipes that families could actually enjoy-a collection that continues to be one of the most unique parts of Nurture My Gut today.
Over time, my son's needs changed, and he was able to reintroduce gluten free grains without issue and years later, even gluten back into his diet. My daughter and I, however, continue to live gluten-free because we've found it's what helps us feel our best. That experience taught me something important: every health journey is unique, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach to wellness.
WHY I CREATE GLUTEN-FREE RECIPES
When we first went gluten-free, the options were incredibly limited. Grocery store shelves were sparse, restaurant choices were frustrating, and the recipes online rarely recreated the foods we loved. I wasn't trying to create recipes that were simply "gluten-free"-I wanted recipes my family would genuinely crave, that nourished our bodies, and left us feeling our best. The kind that brought waffles, pancakes, tortillas, holiday traditions, and our favorite comfort foods back to the table.
What began as a way to help my own family soon became Nurture My Gut-a place where I could share those recipes with others walking a similar path.
Today, Nurture My Gut is dedicated to helping people with celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and sensitive guts create a gluten-free life they'll love through nourishing recipes, gluten-free staples, grain-free creations, air fryer favorites, comfort foods, practical wellness tips and low-tox living. My hope is to show you that gluten-free living can be nourishing, simply delicious and full of joy.
New to Gluten-Free Living? Start Here
If you're newly diagnosed with celiac disease, navigating gluten intolerance, or feeling overwhelmed by where to begin, I created these guides to help you confidently get started.
Start with The Ultimate Guide to Gluten-Free Living for the essential information you need to understand gluten-free basics, or dive into The Ultimate Gluten-Free Pantry Clean-Out to set your kitchen up for success.
With simple tips, smart swaps, and practical guidance, these resources will help you create a gluten-free home and feel more confident on your journey.
My Food Philosophy
- Pleasure. Food should be delicious, satisfying, and bring joy to the table. Healthy eating shouldn't feel like a sacrifice.
- Nourishing. I thoughtfully choose ingredients that support gut health, metabolic health, heart health, and longevity-because food should help us feel our best.
- Simplicity. Life is busy, so I look for ways to simplify recipes through practical techniques, meal prep, and everyday ingredients that make healthy cooking more achievable.
- Balance. I believe in a healthy relationship with food. That means nourishing your body while still making room for family traditions, holiday favorites, pizza night, comfort foods, and treats. Gluten-free living should feel joyful-not restrictive.
My EXPERTISE
I'm a Certified Health Coach, Naturopath, and gluten-free recipe developer with over 15 years of experience creating recipes that make gluten-free living both nourishing and delicious.
Throughout my wellness journey, I've explored a variety of nutrition approaches, including the Body Ecology Diet, GAPS, Whole30, Raw Vegan, Mediterranean and therapeutic elimination diets. Along the way, I've learned that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to health. Every person is unique, and the best way of eating is the one that supports your individual needs and is sustainable for the long term.
Today, I combine my education, personal experience, and years of recipe development to create recipes that support gut health, metabolic health, heart health, and everyday wellness-without sacrificing flavor, family traditions, or the joy of eating.
I believe knowledge is a gift, and one of life's greatest privileges is sharing what we've learned to help others live healthier, more joyful lives.
How I Help You Create a Gluten-Free Life You'll Love 💚
My goal is to make gluten-free living easier, healthier, and more enjoyable.
Every recipe is thoughtfully developed, fully tested, and created to bring more joy and nourishment into your kitchen.
Here you will find gluten free staples like my Gluten Free Tortillas , Gluten-Free High-Fiber Recipes like my High Protein Brownie Baked Oats and Buckwheat Porridge, gluten-free comfort foods like my Gluten Free Chicken Pot Pie, gluten-free air fryer favorites like my Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks, gluten-free holiday swaps like my Gluten Free Dairy Free Pumpkin Pie and gluten-free better-than-takeout copycat recipes like my Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken, every recipe is thoughtfully developed, fully tested and created to bring more joy and nourishment to your kitchen.
My Health & Wellness Journey 🌿
My wellness journey has continued beyond gluten-free living. After developing Long COVID in 2022 and discovering I also had Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), I became even more passionate about supporting the body through nourishing foods, gut health, and intentional lifestyle choices.
Through naturopathic care and personalized wellness practices, I was able to rebuild my health and regain my strength. In 2025, I also lowered my cholesterol by over 50 points through diet and lifestyle changes, inspiring me to create recipes that are not only gluten-free, but also high-fiber and heart-conscious.
That's why you'll find recipes inspired by my health journey like my Power Packed Breakfast Bowl, High-Fiber Brownie Baked Oats and Kick Ass Goodby Fatigue Smoothie. My goal is to create food that supports your health while still being delicious and enjoyable.
Beyond the Kitchen 🌿
While food is at the heart of Nurture My Gut, wellness is about so much more than what we eat.
When I'm not developing recipes, you'll usually find me creating something with my hands. I love crafting-from crochet and knitting to sewing, designing clothes, watercolor, and jewelry making. Creating has always been a big part of who I am.
My mornings are dedicated to simple wellness rituals that help me feel grounded. I enjoy taking my supplements, starting with a green juice, getting fresh sunshine, practicing meditation and deep breathing, and doing a gentle stretch to reconnect with my body.
I'm also on a mission to create a lower-tox home through more mindful choices in my kitchen, beauty products, clothing, and everyday environment. I believe wellness isn't about perfection-it's about small, intentional changes that add up over time.
I love exploring new restaurants, discovering gluten-free favorites, and sharing my finds on TikTok to help make gluten-free living easier and more enjoyable.
And because food is meant to be enjoyed, one of my all-time favorite recipes is my Green Chicken and Chorizo Enchiladas--a recipe I first learned to make when I was 12 years old and one that has remained a family favorite ever since.
It's the dish I'm often asked to bring to potlucks, the one I love making for family and friends, and a recipe that brings everyone back to the table. It's spicy, creamy, full of bold flavors, and the kind of dish you won't find at a typical restaurant.
This recipe represents everything I love about food: honoring family traditions, sharing meals with the people we love, and creating memories around the table.
Welcome to Nurture My Gut 🌿
Whether you're looking for your first gluten-free recipe, searching for nourishing meals your family will actually request again, learning how to support your gut health, or creating a healthier home, I'm so glad you're here.
My goal is not just to share recipes.
It's to help you feel confident in the kitchen, nourish your body, enjoy the foods you love, and create a gluten-free life you'll love.
If you try one of my recipes, please come back and share your experience! Your comments, questions, and feedback mean so much to me. I personally respond to every comment because I love hearing how these recipes become a party of your family's kitchen. 💚
With gratitude,
Ester
Latina Naturopath | Gut Health Coach | Gluten-Free Recipe Developer
You can find me sharing new recipe videos and healthy living on Youtube, Instagram,TikTok and Facebook.
Contact
If you'd like more info on how we can work together or if you have questions, comments, or are interested in 1 on 1 Health Coaching, please do not hesitate to reach out to me on my contact page:
Updated August 15, 2025
Sherry Machado says
Hello, I am not following the Paleo diet but am doing Keto. I was wondering if I could substitute almond or coconut flour for the baking flour and still be able to run the dough through my pasta attachment?
Ester Perez says
Hi Sherry,
Coconut flour does not substitute well in the 1 to 1 format. If you are on Keto, then I would use zucchini noodles. Those taste great with meat sauce. The pasta needs a binder so that is why it uses a starch. Almond flour alone does not work. If you choose to have a day off of keto, the Paleo Pasta is a wonderful option.
Best Regards,
Ester
ThePaleoGiant says
Hey, I've been paleo on and off for a couple years now. Your recipes have added a new wonderful breath of life to my waning love for the paleo lifestyle. I have started a blog and I have a facebook, Instagram and youtube page. I would love to add your recipes to my meals. I would definitely give you your love and respect when I do. Thank you so much! You are a breath of fresh air to the paleo community.
Ester Perez says
Glad to hear you are enjoying the recipes. Feel free to share the recipes with your community and a link back to the source. Thank you.
Warmly,
Ester
Lena says
I stumbled upon your website while searching for ways to juice dandelion greens. I'm just getting back on the bandwagon to juicing, enhancing my health and learning ways to improve my gut issues - which I recently found out that I had. So my goals are losing weight and eating healthier with 1 day at a time. I plan to do a 30 Day intermittent fast with just 1 meal a day.. . hopefully everything will work out. Blessings to you and thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Ester Perez says
Hi Lena,
Best of luck with your health goals! Let us know how you enjoy the dandelion juice! It is my favorite way to make it!
Glad to hear you are back to juicing. Summer is a great time to start!
My family has been juicing about 6 days a week and we love it. We just upgrade to the Nama juicer and it is great.
Keep us posted with your health goals!
Warmly,
Ester
Kimberly Theora says
Hi! My family loves your Paleo Everything Dough! It's been amazing since we really missed pizza but we have a variety of different intolerances in different people (gluten, rice, and dairy). I was wondering if you knew how to make a Paleo Sourdough Starter? I don't even know if it's possible! Thanks so much!
Ester Perez says
You are very welcome! I am so glad to hear your family has been enjoying pizza with the Grain Free Everything Dough. I have cultured many different things in the past and I am pretty confident you can culture the Grain Free Everything Dough with either a probiotic capsule, kombucha, kefir cultures or vegetable cultures from Body Ecology. I do think keeping a paleo sourdough starter is a possibility. You just need to remember to feed it daily. I will definitely try making a Paleo Sourdough Bread! I will keep you posted! Warmly, Ester
Samantha says
The Lectin Free Gourmet, Kristin Anderson Wylie (no affiliation) has done an extensive blog and ebook on Lectin Free sourdough starter.
Ush says
Do you have healthy recipes for pancreatis or inflamed pancreas? Thank you
Ester Perez says
Hi Ush,
I am not familiar, I would suggest this website: https://pancreasfoundation.org/patient-information/nutrition-advice-recipes/
Best of luck.
Warmly,
Ester
maria elena riddle says
Looking forward to trying your recipes!
A Healthful Senior
Ester Perez says
Thank you! Please let us know how you like the recipes. Warmly, Ester
Jhon Ashraf says
Hi Ester, Happy to know about your experience. Your recipes are awesome and I like your website.
Ester Perez says
Thank you! Glad you stopped by.
Nayem says
Hey Ester,
Really you are the best. It's good to know about your experience.
Best of luck
https://rotkitchen.com
Ester Perez says
Thank you.
Jane says
Hi! I love gluten-free bread as well : ) thank you
Ester Perez says
You're welcome Jane. So glad you enjoy gluten free bread. I have lots of delicious recipes on my blog. A great place to start are the gluten free tortillas. Check them out here: https://nurturemygut.com/gluten-free-tortilla-recipe.html/
Felicia Fessler says
I just found your site. The pictures from your recipes look amazing. I need to avoid gluten, dairy, eggs, and soy. I have yet to find recipes that turn out well when I substitute eggs. Do you have any suggestion for egg substitutes and quantities to equal one egg? I have tried flax, chia, Egg Replacer, bananas, and applesauce. Perhaps I need to adjust other things in a recipe if I substitute eggs?
Ester Perez says
Hi Felicia,
I have found egg substitutes challenging as well. I currently have four tortilla recipes on my site that are delicious and have no eggs, gluten, dairy or soy. You can make wraps with them, burritos, etc. They can really spruce up a meal.
Go here for the recipes: https://nurturemygut.com/category/tortillas/
Ray Dar says
What a great blog - there are some great gluten free recipes here I can't wait to try. Looking forward to reading more.
Ester Perez says
thank you!
Tamara says
Thank you for the great recipes. My kids are both gluten intolerant. Will be trying out these recipes soon.
Ester Perez says
You're welcome! So glad you like the recipes! Warmly, Ester
Dietitian Career says
hi thanks for sharing all these recipes with us. I am also a registered nutritionist from the United States that aims in improving people health by providing them diet plans
Ester Perez says
You're welcome! That's great you are helping people too!
Salome says
Thank you for sharing all these recipes they are simple to make and look delicious!
Ester Perez says
You're welcome! So glad you like them! Warmly, Ester
Christine Appleton says
I’m so happy I stumbled upon your website. I am also grain free after a cancer diagnosis & good recipes are hard to find! I’d love to make your grain free dough but I also have an egg intolerance. Could I use a “flax egg” or what do you recommend? Thanks!
Ester Perez says
HI Christine. I am glad to hear you are taking charge of your health! I have never tried a "flax egg" replacement so I do not know if it would work. I do have two wonderful tortilla recipes that are grain free and do not use eggs. If you need to stay low carb, then the Paleo Tortillas 2.0 are a great place to start! You can make breakfast burritos with them too. Here is the link: https://nurturemygut.com/paleo-tortillas-2-0-nut-freegluten-freedairy-free.html/ Warmly, Ester