How do you combat stress?
I've become addicted to yoga, and subscribe to an online service that streams yoga videos. I've found that practicing it daily not only strengthens the core and improves flexibility, it helps me sleep better, feel more centered and clear-headed, and gives me more energy.

I went through a divorce this past year, and lost my father, and I know doing yoga helped me cope better with the loss and stress.

Are you still working as a chef?
I closed my bakery shortly after my diagnosis, because [the business] involved long, unpredictable hours. I needed a schedule that was more manageable and less stressful.

How did your RA diagnosis lead to a career change?
In my quest to learn more about the effects of diet on health, I enrolled in a yearlong online study program through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where classes are taught by health experts, including Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Deepak Chopra.

I have a business, A Well-Nourished Life, where I create individualized wellness programs, including meal plans. My goal is to help [people with chronic illnesses] improve their symptoms and regain their health. I do custom meal planning and preparation for some clients.

And I just finished writing Gluten Free Cakes, a cookbook that will be published by Ten Speed Press [in September 2014].

Have you found any gadgets that make cooking easier?
One of my favorite tricks is using those non-stick squares that you place under rugs to open bottles. They make it so much easier! Oxo also makes a vegetable peeler with oversized rubber handles.

I also use a gel floor mat in the kitchen that can make it easier on your knees if you're standing and cooking for long periods of time.

How's your health today?
I'm doing great, and continue to be primarily pain- and symptom-free – as long as I stick to my diet and exercise regimen.