Why Mindful Meals Matter To Us!

At Spinato's, we've always said food is love. But for many people, food can also be a source of anxiety, discomfort, or even pain — especially for those navigating allergies, sensitivities, or autoimmune issues. That's why we're hosting a Mindful Meals Event on May 3rd. This event isn't just a moment on the calendar. It's deeply personal, especially to me.

Life Before the Diagnosis

My "normal" looked a lot like hustle. Long days, short nights, and always pushing through. But what most people didn't see was how hard those days were. I was constantly sick — nothing huge, just little things piling up. Fatigue. Brain fog. Whatever flu or cold that was swirling around that month. I'd get through a regular workday and then collapse onto the couch all weekend. It wasn't laziness — I was just completely depleted. It felt like my body was waving a white flag, but I didn't know why.

At 25, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's, an autoimmune thyroid disorder. At first, I didn't know what that really meant. I was prescribed medication and told to carry on. So, I did. But things didn't get better. In fact, they got worse.

When Everything Changed

I hit a wall — hard. I dropped to 105 pounds despite eating three full meals a day. I was weak, scared, and mentally foggy. The worst part? The comments. "Just eat a hamburger." "You're too skinny." What they didn't see was the silent battle inside my body — not a lack of food, but a lack of absorption. I went home one night after one of those comments and just cried. It felt so unfair.

After rounds of bloodwork and doctor visits, I was advised to remove nearly everything from my diet and reintroduce foods one by one. I lived on protein and green vegetables for four months. I removed dairy, sugar, gluten, grains, and vinegars. The detox was brutal — two weeks of real sickness. But after that?

Relief.

I finally felt like myself again. That was nine years ago, and I've never gone back to eating gluten. I've gained healthy weight, built back my energy, and while I'm still on the journey, I'm in such a better place today.

Why This Means So Much to Me

So, when I talk about Mindful Meals, I'm not just talking as the owner-operator or community outreach director. I'm talking as someone who's lived it. I know the exhaustion of reading every label. The awkwardness of being "that person" at the table. The fear of accidentally eating something that will leave you wiped out for days. That's why we're committed to creating inclusive menus — ones where people with allergies or sensitivities don't feel like an afterthought.

Mindful Meals is a space to share stories, just like mine — and yours. It's about listening to each other. Learning from each other. And making dining out feel safe, joyful, and full of love — just as it should be.

Our family believes in servant leadership. That means showing up, not just inside our restaurants, but outside our walls — meeting people where they are. Events like this are how we do that.

If you're interested in joining us for our upcoming Mindful Meals event in Scottsdale on May 3rd, we'd love to have you. You can sign up and learn more by visiting our website Here. With open hearts, open minds, and gluten-free pizza on the table.

With gratitude,

~Jaime Spinato

#MindfulMeals #SpinatosCares #GlutenFreePizza #FoodAllergyAwareness#PizzaNearMe #PizzaDeliveryInPhoenix #PizzaTempeMarketplace#AhwatukeePizza #BestPizzaPlaceNearMe #AntipastoSaladNearMe#BestPizzaInUS #PizzaNearMeOpenToday #BestPizzaScottsdale #PizzeriaOpenNearMe