Francine Katerina Talei Wong

Food that heals !

In the West , we hear of gluten free and lactose products but you read the packets of food – and it’s a million additives that bring doubt and stop us from fully transitioning.

January 2024, I was fortunate to be back in Albania after moving to Europe in 2022. I spent 10 days living up at the Shen Vlash Orthodox monastery in Durres, thanks to the blessings of Bishop Nikolla. Along with peaceful days at the theology library , sharing meals with the orthodox community and family , I was in the mindset of the transitions and the expansion of  the mind for life longevity and avoiding gut health issues. My battle with gluten and lactose and the pressure of cultural eating trends.

I researched and found the very first GLUTEN AND LACTOSE BAKERY Albania founded by Glen and Marsela Gurra .

A dream come true for the healing of our bodies and sweet passions.

Marsela Gurra born and bred in Tirana , is the multiple sclerosis thanks to her own efforts to change her diet to a gluten free and lactose free diet. Marsela was diagnosed in 2016 and told there was no hope to cure her paralysis, but this was never accepted by Marsela. Her will to transform and heal embedded a deeper purpose and journey. Marsela was healed of her disease in 2020 , after own commitment and dedication, transforming her diet , eliminating gluten and lactose in her own diet.

Her deep research done by Piero Mozzi, Italian doctor and researcher who had studied the correlation between diseases and food was the stepping stone to Marsela later studying nutrition, opening up her consulting practice based at her Panja bakery in Tirana , helping many patients and everyday locals understand the journey of nutritional requirements to heal their diseases with this diet.

Panja is the base for tailor made “Gluten and Lactose free products” that have a product shelf life of 2-3 days. The selection of bread includes quinoa bread , lupini bread, chick pea bread and fava bread, which is strictly made from 1 ingredient avoiding hidden preservatives that contain artificial sugars. Cakes and pastries contain almond milk , almond cheese , ricotta , kefir, maple syrup , raspberries, 72% dark chocolate, quinoa flour , hazelnut flour , cream of walnuts. This is a blessing and delicacy for the Albanian nation and my own culture in Fiji , that join hands to share meals with family as a long and forever loving tradition.

Historically, Albanians are meat eaters , however surrounded and blessed by both the sea and overpowering mountain ranges. Whereas Fiji Islanders are surrounded also by the sea , mountains and forests , but seafood craving people. Albanian love olive oil, Fiji islanders love coconut.. so everything outside of this narrow spectrum lies the mystery of nutrition evolving with time.

I am an Australian born citizen, but im descendant of a strong culture myself in South Pacific , Fiji , where food and family is our lifeline to survival. Food is the centre of our world, and becomes a God to bind us around the table , which later ends in diseases caused by food related illnesses.

I believe that we must never lose our identity, culture of love for family and food, but we can eat with loved ones , and can  eat with “care and love” to heal and protect our bodies from diseases .

There is hope when we look deep and seek that knowledge and will to do better for our lives .

Marsela’s desire is that Albanian’s believe the products she makes heals.

She is a surviving testimony to a strong Albanian woman who did not accept her disease which paralysed her. She is here today , and honoured her healing by opening a revolutionary safe space for people of Albania , who need consultations to heal their bodies with her products!

She is waiting!

She will heal many that believe they deserve the best nutrition to heal their diseases.

I am grateful for the amazing nutritional advice and believe in a life of longevity.

Off you go readers, and have that coffee and amazing baklava that is made with the purest of ingredients at Panja Bakery in Tirana !

Ingredients for “life”