Monthly Archives: February 2011

Overcoming Gluten Free Social Isolation: Part I Communication

February 25, 2011 6 Comments

Jennifer Leeson Gluten Free Works

gluten free cooking friendsThe phone rings…it’s my friend calling to see if I would like to come over to dinner.  Little does she know that I have just been diagnosed with Celiac disease and I’m now nervous about eating at other people’s homes… 

I’m still learning what to eat and how to read labels.  I feel my heart beat increase, and my palms start to sweat.  “What is this weird feeling,” I ask myself.  I feel like I’m going to panic…and all over a social invitation.  “What’s wrong with me, this shouldn’t be a big deal.  It never was before, I’ve always just done what I wanted.”  Oh yeah, I remind myself, it’s because I don’t know if I will be able to eat if I go over.  Maybe I just shouldn’t Read More »

Gluten Free Living Expo October 7-9, 2011

February 25, 2011 Leave a comment

 

PRESS RELEASE: Gluten Free Living Now, LLC.

Gluten Free Living Expo
October 7-9, 2011
10 am to 5 pm daily

Location:
The Fountains
502 Carmel Drive
Carmel, Indiana

Featuring:
Alessio Fasano, M.D., Center for Celiac Research
World’s most well known expert on Celiac Disease

Additional experts will be speaking about the Gluten Free Lifestyle throughout this event. Read More »

Why “Real Food” Is Important to the Gluten-free Community

February 25, 2011 Leave a comment

Real Gluten Free Foods

“Real Food” can be defined as natural, unprocessed, traditional and nourishing foods that human have always eaten. This includes things like whole fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices, fish and seafood, and animal protein. These lie in stark contrast to our modern foods which have been grown with the use of pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, have very often been genetically modified, and had chemicals and flavorings (synthetics and other highly-addictive allergens) added.

For those living a gluten-free lifestyle, supporting “real food”, or “pro food” as it’s sometimes called, with our purchases is important because it reduces the risk of being exposed to and ingesting gluten. Processed foods — both conventional and Read More »

Special Diets Support Group – St. Mary’s County, Maryland

February 22, 2011 3 Comments

We are a group from St. Mary’s County, Maryland.

We meet at St Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown, MD. 

Our leader is Teresa A. Andrasik, RNC and we meet on the first Thursday of each month from 7-9pm in the St. Mary’s Hospital. 

We are a group of people who have Celiac Disease, gluten sensitivities, and food allergies. 

Contact information: 
Teresa A. Andrasik, RNC – tandrasik@md.metrocast.net

Researchers Seeking Adults with Celiac Disease

February 22, 2011 Leave a comment

Adults that have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease are being sought to participate in a study to identify factors associated with the development of Celiac Disease.  The goal of the study is to find the genes that may predispose individuals to develop this autoimmune disease.  Adults eligible to participate in this study must have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease through a small intestinal biopsy. Spouses may also be eligible to participate.

Participants will be asked to provide a blood sample, complete a questionnaire, and provide medical records regarding their diagnosis. There is no cost to Read More »

Gluten Free Certification – What Does It Mean to You?

February 18, 2011 Leave a comment

Currently we have a proposed government definition of the term “gluten-free” for food labeling purposes but no final rule. Under the proposed rule, a labeled gluten-free food has to contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten. When the final rule is released this number could stay the same, go up, or go down—a little or a lot.

The amount of gluten a labeled gluten-free food is allowed to contain is only part of the story. Another part is testing. The FDA stated in its proposed rule that it is tentatively considering using the standard sandwich R5 ELISA and the Morinaga wheat protein ELISA to test food products for gluten when necessary to assess misbranding. In contrast, FDA did not include the omega-gliadin (Skerritt) ELISA among the methods it was considering. One of the limitations discussed in the scientific literature regarding this ELISA is its underestimation of barley protein.

At the present time the R5 ELISA (Ridascreen Gliadin R7001) is widely regarded as the best available validated ELISA for assessing final food product for gluten. In my opinion, all labeled gluten-free foods should be periodically tested using Read More »

Agave Nectar Pros and Cons

February 18, 2011 1 Comment

Agave Americana

We have been asked about the safety of using agave syrup as low glycemic substitute for cane sugar.  Here is some useful information.

Of the several hundreds species of agave, commercial agave syrup is produced from Agave Americana, a desert succulent plant. The syrup, or nectar, is obtained from the sap.  The sweet sticky sap is extracted from the base of the plant then boiled to produce the “syrup.” Cooking converts the sap’s natural Read More »

3rd Annual Greater Phoenix Gluten-free Expo – April 16, 2011

February 16, 2011 Leave a comment

The Celiac Disease Foundation: Greater Phoenix Chapter will host its 3rd Annual Greater Phoenix Gluten-Free Expo on Saturday, April 16, 2011.  

This event is open to the public and gives people challenged with Celiac Disease, or those interested in transitioning to a gluten-free lifestyle, an opportunity to learn more about gluten-free products and where to purchase those products, as well as learning about local restaurants offering gluten-free menus.  In 2010, over 600 attendees and 37 vendors participated in the expo. This year promises to be even bigger, with an expected 800 guests and 50 vendors.

The expo will be held between 10 am and 2 pm at the following location:

Sheraton Crescent Hotel
2620 West Dunlap Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85021

In keeping with the intent of sharing information on a wide array of products now available to the gluten-free community, a variety Read More »

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