OUR STORY
Hi, welcome to She's A Smart Cookie. Since you are here, I am willing to bet that you want to know about us. I personally have been sick for the last four years, went to many doctors and I continued to not get answers. I had been a vegetarian since before college and I always ate healthy. I mean, yes, french fries are my weakness, but I was not the typical college kid, eating junk food left and right. I found out years earlier that I had arthritis; so I did my best to workout regularly and take care of my body. I began to become extremely frustrated at the fact that no one could help me and I knew that something was wrong. Some days I couldn't even get out of bed because my body would ache so bad, or my migraines wouldn't allow me to move. I had sinus infections regularly, along with other respiratory issues. Finally, in January of 2015, my sister called me to tell me that she had an intolerance to wheat and casein, the protein in dairy. So being desperate for any answers at all, I went to get the testing my sister suggested. Low and behold, I had the same intolerances as her. Since then, I have completely taken dairy, wheat, and gluten out of my diet and I feel incredibly healthier! :)
My sister is a sweet fanatic and was devastated that she could no longer eat them. This was my first step on a mission to make a cookie free of wheat, gluten, and dairy that not only tasted "real," but good. I tried several different recipes and gluten free flour blends and I just wasn't impressed. I did not like the texture, taste, or the fillers going into my cookies. I decided to ditch the flour blends and make my own out of ground oats and almonds, the result, an amazingly normal cookie! My goal with my cookies and any other products I put on the market is to limit the fillers and in place put nutrients. I am so passionate about making products that make others with the same limitations feel like a normal member of society again. I know it sounds crazy, but you truly do feel like an outcast when you have dietary restrictions and try to go out to eat or even go to the grocery store. I want to begin to level the playing field one product at a time.
As far as our company name goes, since I was a little girl my grandma always told me I was a "Smart Cookie." Although my grandma has been gone for some time now, her voice in my head telling me, "Shane, you're such a smart cookie" has not faded, and that is where the name, She's A Smart Cookie was born.
My products have empowered me to feel that I am making a difference for those who are struggling with similar health restrictions, or simply someone who is trying to choose healthier alternatives. As far as what separates us from the competitiors, it is our sheer passion and love for what we do. This is not just a business for us, but a sense of healing. I feel hope that something as simple as a cookie can change your perspective that vegan and gluten free doesn't mean taste free! I want our products to bring people together who are having difficulites and offer a support network to let you know you are not alone. There are more of us out there then you could ever imagine!
Thank you for taking your time to read about our company and I hope you join us on our journey to make a difference.
P.S. If you do not have any dietary restrictions, I challenge you to try our products and not love them! :)
Sincerely,
Shana Stiel