Welcome to the blog! I’m Tara, and I’m so excited you’re here.
Six years ago, I started Dining With Tara as a YouTube channel. Back then, it was just me in my kitchen, sharing recipes and having fun. I wasn’t thinking about dietary restrictions or health journeys – it was all about the joy of cooking and connecting with others through food. Over time, the channel grew, and with over 600,000 views now, it’s been incredible to see the community that’s formed around it.
Me in the kitchen, making gluten-free ravioli.
But life has a way of throwing curveballs. My health started to decline in ways I couldn’t explain. Exhaustion became my constant companion. Joint pain so intense made walking unbearable on some days. And no matter how hard I tried, my brain just wouldn’t focus. Then, things took a turn for the worse. Thyroid nodules appeared, and my thyroid began to enlarge rapidly, making it hard to swallow. Eating solid food became almost impossible, and I started losing weight at an alarming rate.
After months of endless tests, ultrasounds, and even a biopsy, I was told I likely had lymphoma. The fear of having cancer consumed me. I was scheduled for my first chemotherapy treatment just two weeks after having my thyroid removed. During those months of waiting, I stumbled across something unexpected: Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune condition where the body attacks the thyroid. When the pathology results finally came back, ruling out cancer, my fears were replaced with a new reality—I didn’t just have Hashimoto’s. I also had antibodies attacking my small blood vessels and myelin. Learning that my body was waging war on itself in multiple ways was overwhelming. And when conventional treatments didn’t provide relief, I felt completely lost.
Going gluten-free was a major turning point. I learned that gluten can trigger inflammation for people with Hashimoto’s, so I decided to give it a try. It wasn’t easy at first. Suddenly, all my favorite meals felt out of reach. And trying to find good gluten-free recipes online? A total nightmare. The search results never seemed to work, and I spent more time frustrated than inspired.
That’s when I decided to take things into my own hands. I started experimenting, figuring out how to adapt the foods I loved into something that worked for me. Turns out, gluten-free can still mean delicious.
Gluten-free bread that is actually better than traditional bread!
While working in women’s health, I started incorporating small discussions about lifestyle and nutrition into my patient visits. It was eye-opening to see how big the gap was between what patients discussed with their medical professionals and the actionable advice they really needed. Even small changes led to incredible results for many of them. This realization pushed me to go back to school and get certified through the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM). I became a Functional Medicine specialist and eventually pivoted to start my own practice, The Functional Nurse Practitioner, right here in Indiana.
While still working in women’s health, I started the Functional Nurse Practitioner Podcast and later launched Quintana Functional Wellness to help people outside of Indiana. Through these ventures, I’ve been able to share what I’ve learned and help others connect the dots between their lifestyle, nutrition, and overall health. It’s not the whole puzzle, but nutrition is a key piece – and my goal is to make that piece as stress-free as possible for you.
At first, I kept everything in a messy Google Doc – it wasn’t pretty, but it worked. Eventually, though, I realized there had to be a better way to share what I was creating. That’s how this website came to life.
My infamous Google Doc.
This blog is about more than just recipes. It’s about making your life easier. I know how stressful it can be to find food that fits your needs, so my goal is to take some of that weight off your shoulders. Not all the recipes here are gluten-free, dairy-free, or tailored to a specific diet – because not every meal needs to fit a box. This is a place for everyone who loves good food, whether you’re navigating dietary restrictions or just looking for inspiration.
Thanks for being here. Grab your apron, turn on some music, and let’s make something amazing. I can’t wait to see what we create together!
Me in the kitchen, tasting a new recipe.