Once upon a time, it feels like a lifetime ago, Allean Brown had a snow skiing accident that, in 2000, led to a total knee replacement surgery. As the doctor’s youngest patient, they were diagnosed with incurable arthritis, a condition that had plagued Allean's family for years. Around the same time, Allean’s mother, Ozella, underwent surgery for spinal stenosis, which had left her right hand and arm incapacitated for nearly 18 years. Unfortunately, the surgery was unsuccessful, and watching Ozella in pain was equally heartbreaking.

Ozella Sansome Brown was an extraordinary woman—a vibrant home economics and science teacher, dietician, and bona fide kitchen wizard. Her legendary brownies were to live for, and they were a highly anticipated Christmas gift among family and friends.

In 2008, as the culinary heir to their mother, Allean researched food and experimented with various preparation methods, deciding to transition the family to a gluten-free diet. Remarkably, within two weeks of going gluten-free, Allean's arthritis pains disappeared. However, gluten-free options at the time were far from appetizing—often dry, tasteless, and textureless. Determined not to let the family’s brownie recipe be left behind, Allean sought Ozella’s approval to recreate it. After several iterations, they developed a gluten-free version that passed Ozella’s discerning standards.

Thus, ZOLENE Gluten-Free Delights was born, a family business that combines the culinary legacy of Ozella and Allean (Ozella + Allean = Zolene). Today, ZOLENE produces the finest gluten-free and gluten-free vegan brownies, blondies, and brunch breads in a wide variety of flavors, distributed wholesale and retail. ZOLENE’s treats are proof that healthy eating doesn’t have to sacrifice taste.

Their products quickly became a hit at veggie festivals and natural food markets. ZOLENE has been a favorite at Sevananda Natural Foods Market in Atlanta for over a year and a half, with reorders every two to three weeks, even throughout the challenges of COVID-19. Their proprietary gluten-free flour blend, Zol-DUST, has been selling on Amazon for almost three years. Crafted with nutrient-rich ingredients, it’s one of the most nutritious, low-carb, and low-calorie gluten-free flours available: no wheat, no barley, no rye, no soy, no dairy, no corn, and, unlike most gluten-free flours, no rice.

At ZOLENE Gluten-Free Delights, they believe that healthy eating can be delicious too. Their modestly sweet, portion-controlled treats cater to sophisticated palates, offering satisfaction without overindulgence. ZOLENE products are high in fiber, protein, and medium-chain fatty acids with a low glycemic index, providing nourishment while remaining light on the system. Fresh produce, locally sourced when possible, and preservative-free ingredients are used in their treats, including their mini-muffins, which are 50% larger than the standard mini.

These treats aren’t just good for you—they’re indulgent. Who says you have to give up sweets entirely? (After all, the smaller the bites, the fewer the calories!)

Allean’s mother lived to the age of 97, regaining limited use of her right hand and arm without severe pain. As for Allean, they have delayed the need for a second knee replacement for over 20 years. Maintaining a healthy weight and active lifestyle, Allean has performed in professional dance groups and won gold medals in swimming at the Senior Olympics, all without the need for prescription medications.

Now, Allean’s focus is on taking ZOLENE Gluten-Free Delights to national recognition and spreading the message that “food is the new medicine.”

Delectable delights, courtesy of Allean Brown.