My name is Erika Kubik, and I am the face behind the @thebitesizedceliac instagram account and The Bite-Sized Celiac Blog. Diagnosed with celiac disease before it was cool to be “gluten free”, I struggled to find answers and even food that catered to my needs.
Over the years though, I have come a long way. I have learned the ins and outs of the autoimmune disease and frequently have people turning to me with questions about the lifestyle change after a friend, family member, or colleague reached them out saying they had celiacs or a gluten intolerance. So much so, that it made sense to start a blog.
As a public relations and marketing professional, I love writing and am passionate about branding, so I thought why not put my knowledge, talents, and passions together to craft The Bite Sized Celiac – so I could serve as a resource – the one I didn’t have nearly ten years ago.
Since launching the blog, I have shared my favorite recipes and lifestyle tips with the newly diagnosed. I offer insight into surviving awkward situations like not being able to eat at family parties, not going out to eat with friends in fear of cross contamination, even having to be “extra” and ask for special accommodations on planes, at work lunches, in restaurants, and more.
When did you start blogging and what inspired you to start you blog?
I actually started my first blog – #celiacproblems (now The Bite-Sized Celiac) as an assignment for one of my social media marketing classes in college. Thinking it would just be a fluke, I was proved wrong. I received email after email from people across the country seeking advice and support. I was floored.
Those notes of gratitude and appreciation from strangers gave me an epiphany. It was clear that I had to continue sharing my insights and continue creating awareness about celiac disease. There’s a demand and a knowledge gap that needed to be filled, and I had to power to do just that.
What is your favorite blog post that you have written?
I’m not sure if I can pin down just one, but I really have enjoyed writing about my travels abroad over the last few months. It’s a great way to relive the excitement and enjoyment of your trips after the fact. It also is pushing me to buy another plane ticket to Spain.
I also loved writing about living with roommates, and then sharing it with my two friends that I live with. They wanted to know everything about the autoimmune disease, and wanted to make sure they didn’t get me sick. In fact, they actually pushed me to write it so they could be prepared – so they deserve all of the credit for that one.
What do you love about blogging?
Aside from the writing itself, it has to be the interactions with fellow celiacs. Nothing brightens my day more than emails or DMs from strangers all over the world seeking insight from me. I never thought, I would be able to provide that kind of value and impact in people’s lives.
What are some brands that you have worked with, or some brands that you would love to work with?
Most recently, I worked alongside IDOF on a post advertising their restaurants to local Chicagoans looking to eat healthy and gluten free. I have also done work with Bfree Foods, Wheat’s End, and Ian’s in the past.
I would love to work with Aldi USA or Quest Bars down the road. Those two provide me with so much value, that I could never repay them.