My name is Jill Brack. When my daughter Stella and I were diagnosed with celiac disease, I started a gluten-free cookie company called Glow Gluten Free. I named it Glow because I wanted everyone to know that being gluten-free is cool, fun, and healthy!

If you’re gluten intolerant or have celiac disease, you take care of your body by eating healthy gluten-free foods. That’s awesome, but being gluten-free shouldn’t define you as a person. It defines how you eat, but there’s so much more to you!

Here are some fun ways to show the world who you are and how you glow!

1. Go on a Trip Without Leaving Home

Turn off your cell phone, iPod and video games and learn about the world around you. Read a book about a place and time that interests you. Or, look at a map and pick a place you’d like to visit, research it and become an expert. Maybe someday you can find a way to get there! Explore your family’s history – you may be related to a President or King! Ask your grandparents where they are from and what it was like growing up before cell phones, TVs and computers.

2. Do a Good Deed

When you do something nice for others , it makes you feel great about yourself. Try it out and surprise your Mom by taking out the trash, cleaning your room, or clearing the table without being asked. When you’re ready to do more, volunteer at a local animal shelter or nursing home and see how good it feels to help others!

3. Learn Something New

Everyone should be good at something. Whether you play soccer or piano, strive to be the best you can be . Don’t be afraid to try something totally new. You may discover a hidden talent you never knew you had! Maybe we’ll see you on the next season of “American Idol”?

4. Set a Goal

The best things in life take time. Decide what really you want and make it happen. Whether it’s saving money for college, making a team, or getting a black belt in karate, be patient and do a little something every day to get closer to your goal. You can do it!

5. Make Family Time Fun

You may not realize it just yet, but family is the most important thing in life. Don’t be too cool to chill with your brother or sister or laugh with your Mom and Dad. Think of a special and fun thing to do together and start a family tradition (for example, my daughter and I like to make Gluten-Free Banana Bread).Whether it’s eating dinner together every Friday night or baking gluten-free cookies with your Mom on the weekends, stick with it. You’ll be so glad you did.