Events

The Healthy Villi Celiac Support Group, the Beth Israel Deaconess Celiac Center and 24 other support groups in New England are partnering together to offer an all-day New England Celiac Conference.

The day-long forum (8:00 am to 4:00 pm) will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel in Marlboro, MA.

The forum will include experts speaking on celiac disease, afternoon workshops, product sampling and product sales and a continental breakfast and buffet lunch. In attendance will be individuals with celiac disease (or gluten intolerance) and dietitians who are eager to learn about the gluten-free diet and the selection of food and beverages available to them. Approximately 600 attendees are expected.

The day-long conference

Serves a full gluten free breakfast, lunch and snack to all attendees.To register: contact info@healthyvilli.org

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Author Information: John Libonati, Philadelphia, PA
President-elect, Celiac Sprue Association (CSA).
Publisher, Glutenfreeworks.com.
Editor & Publisher, Recognizing Celiac Disease.
John can be reached at john.libonati@glutenfreeworks.com.

With Celiac awareness on the rise, more and more people are getting tested and properly diagnosed. Many people have lived with troubling symptoms for years before getting a doctor to order the correct tests and give a formal diagnosis. Once people receive their diagnosis, they can cut gluten from their lives, allow their bodies to heal and feel better than they have in years.

Current studies predict that 1 out of 100 Americans have celiac, that is over 3 million Americans, and of those, 97% are undiagnosed. The longer an individual goes with undiagnosed celiac, the greater their risk to develop other serious illnesses.

On average, a child will visit 8 pediatricians before being correctly diagnosed with celiac disease.

As a result The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center offers a free blood screening every October. This year, it will be held October 10, 2009. Pre-registration is required, and opens September 1, 2009. Please call 773.702.7593 to register. The free blood screening will take place on the 4th floor of The University of Chicago Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine. Read More »

September 13th marks Celiac Sprue Association’s (CSA) Celiac Awareness Day. This provides a great time for people suffering with Celiac Disease to spread awareness to their friends, family, and doctors. The CSA has an awareness packet that is available for download from their website.

Several possible ideas to promote awareness is to take brochures to your doctor and health/fitness clubs. Host a luncheon with gluten free food to your friends and co-workers. Work with a restaurant to develop a gluten free menu.

This provides an ideal opportunity to teach others about the gluten free diet.

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Author Information: Cara Goedecke

Cara Goedecke – Oklahoma City Gluten free Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-22374-Oklahoma-City-Gluten-Free-Examiner
Oklahoma City Celiac Blog http://www.okceliac.com/blog/
e-mail: caralg520@gmail.com
Facebook OKC Celiac: www.okceliac.com

The Celiac Sprue Association 32nd Annual CSA Conference will be held at Erie, PA from Oct. 30th through Nov. 1, 2009 at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel and the Bayfront Convention Center.

Serving as local hosts are the members of CSA Gluten Free Erie, PA Chapter #135.

Under the 2009 theme of “Research, Education and Support,” the 2009 CSA Conference features over 15 speakers including leading experts in the field of celiac disease, a conference exhibit hall featuring a variety of exhibitors to assist individuals with celiac disease, networking through the “Making a Difference Forum,” cooking demonstrations, youth and young adult programs, an historical tour of Erie and an “Oktoberfest Buffet.”

The CSA Conference is an excellent opportunity to meet and communicate with the leadership and elected CSA representatives, as well as share and learn from other individuals and families dealing with celiac disease.

The 4th Annual CSA Dietitian Day will precede the Conference, scheduled for Oct. 29th. At the conclusion of Dietitian Day, participants will be able to:
1. Describe the pathophysiology of celiac disease
2. Define medical nutrition therapy for celiac disease
3. Identify at least two management strategies for celiac disease
4. Describe the relationship between type 1 diabetes mellitus and celiac disease

Continuing education units are available.

The Celiac Sprue Association®, the largest non-profit celiac support group in the United States, is committed to helping individuals with celiac disease to live well through one-on-one support and the latest research-based and medically approved information to help them manage their health.

For more information on the CSA Conference contact the CSA website, contact CSA toll-free at (877) CSA-4-CSA (877-272-4272) or email CSA at celiacs@csaceliacs.org.

Top Medical Professionals and Premier Chefs unite to increase awareness of celiac disease and the gluten-free lifestyle.

Appetite for Awareness is a dream come true for the 1,500 expected attendees who will be delighted by a wide range of gluten-free delicacies at every turn. Hosted by Ed Snider, the chairman of Comcast Spectacor, this dynamic event brings together 25 of the Philadelphia area’s most prestigious chefs, top docs and media representatives to compete for the best gluten-free dish.

WHAT: The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) will hold its 6th annual Appetite for Awareness: A Gluten-Free Cooking Spree to promote awareness and increase diagnosis of celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder affecting 1 in 133 Americans. Top chefs and doctors will be assembled into teams and compete to create the best gluten-free dish. Guests will enjoy sampling gluten-free creations from over 25 of the area’s preeminent restaurants, gluten-free beer, wine, and products from over 50 of the nation’s finest gluten-free vendors. This will be fun. Guaranteed! Read More »

7/21/2009
Wonderful, gluten-free evening at Citizens Bank Park.
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The Philadelphia Phillies supported NFCA and other area celiac support groups by hosting celiac disease awareness night at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, and commemorated the occasion with a 10-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs!

From MLB.com

Phillies host Celiac Awareness Night
Club raises money, spreads info on digestive disease
By David Gurian-Peck / MLB.com

PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies hosted the second Celiac Awareness Night at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, raising money for and spreading information about the autoimmune digestive disease that affects roughly three million Americans.

Celiacs cannot eat gluten, a protein particle found in wheat, barley, rye and all of their derivatives.

In conjunction with the Phillies, the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) sold over 500 tickets for Monday night’s game against the Cubs, raising over $2,000. Aramark set up a stand of gluten-free food items behind the section, including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, Redridge beer and Woodchuck draft cider.

Most of these are offered every night at select locations throughout Citizens Bank Park, which for three consecutive years has been named the No. 1 vegetarian ballpark by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

“So many parents and concerned fans give me a call and want to see what’s available to them,” said David Lippman, director of concessions for Aramark. “A lot of folks were just thrilled that they have something here. They can come here, enjoy their team and eat something. ”

Oz Ostrofsky — whose wife, Nany Lozoff, has celiac disease and whose daughter is gluten-intolerant — was selected to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

“It’s an honor to be nominated by the NFCA and it’s great to be on the field with the World [Series] champions,” said Ostrofsky, a former chef who has worked to increase the number of gluten-free items in Philadelphia restaurants. “It’s about making it easy for everyone. So no one’s ‘special needs,’ no one has to go out of their way.”

Indeed, awareness was the No. 1 objective of Monday’s charity event, since 97 percent of celiacs are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Celiacs who, unaware of their condition, continue to eat products with gluten suffer nutritional problems, especially anemia; reproductive disorders, which affects half of all women with celiac disease; insufficient growth in children; reduced bone density; neurological disorders; and some cancers. Although research is under way, there is currently no cure or vaccine; the only treatment is a lifelong gluten-free diet.

“How could you get more awareness than to be with the Phillies?” said Nancy Ginter, NFCA director of operations. “It’s a great forum, and everybody’s watching the Phillies. … What we want to engender is instead of saying, ‘Oh my God, I’ve got celiac disease, and this will be horrible,’ to say, ‘No, it’s great. Now you know what’s wrong with you.'”

More information on gluten-free options at Citizens Bank Park can be found here.

More information on celiac disease can be found here.

David Gurian-Peck is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Join the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) and Celiac Groups in the Delaware Valley for Celiac Awareness Night at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, July 20, 2009 at 7:05 p.m. when the Phillies face the Chicago Cubs. This is a fun-filled, gluten-free event that the entire family will enjoy. Citizens Bank now has gluten-free beer, gluten-free hot dogs and other gluten-free foods for kids and adults.

Tickets are located on the Pavilion (Sections 206 – 208) and the Pavilion Deck (Sections 307 – 308), but I would recommend getting yours ahead of time. They sold out early last year. Sections in 307 and 308 are selling for $22 each and sections 206, 207 or 208 are $30 each. Proceeds from ticket sales for this event will support raising celiac awareness and funds for research.

Celiac Groups in the Delaware Valley include The Greater Philadelphia Area Celiac Support Group, R.O.C.K., Children’s Celiac Center of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, CEPA, and F.A.C.T.

To order your tickets, click on the “Buy Tickets” button below and enter the promotion code CELIAC.

“Buy Tickets”

For groups of 25 or more, contact Stephanie Nieland in the Group Sales Office at 215.463.5000 ext. 5111.

So come on out, grab a gluten-free hot dog and watch the game. See you at the game!

The Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University is sending a free copy of their newly revised Ultimate Guide to Gluten-Free Living to everyone on their contact list as of July 30, 2008.  To receive a copy, please email your complete contact information (name, address, phone, fax, email) to cb2280@columbia.edu.  The guide will be mailed after July 30, 2008.

The Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University was established within the Department of Medicine at Columbia University in 2001.  Its mission: to redefine the future of celiac disease and treatment on an ongoing basis, through continuing advances in research, patient care, and physician and public education.

Under the guidance of Peter Green, MD, one of a few recognized experts on celiac disease in the United States, the Center has become world-renowned for its services and programs and is one of the first medical school based centers in the United States dedicated to the treatment and study of celiac disease. The Center is diagnosing and treating more than 2600 patients annually from around the world.  Additional information is available online at www.celiacdiseasecenter.org.

Tell Cynthia Gluten Free Works sent you!  :)

-John

John Libonati, Editor
john.libonati@glutenfreeworks.com

New all-natural chocolate macaroons debut at Natural Products Expo West–BOOTH 3177  They’re all natural and made with only three ingredients, offering great taste and superior health benefits

Brooklyn, NY (PRWEB) March 11, 2008 — Jennies Macaroons has added chocolate to its line of all-natural macaroons, which are free of soy, wheat, sulfites, lactose, trans fats and gluten, nuts and yeast. As the first baking company to introduce gluten-free and dairy free products to the market in 1951—and the manufacturer of the #1 selling macaroon in the natural food market— Jennies Macaroons offer today’s health-conscious consumers what they’re looking for. “They’re all natural and made with only three ingredients, offering great taste and superior health benefits,” says Arnold Badner, president.

Jennies’ products include ingredients that are nutritional superstars. Coconut, now considered by health experts to be the healthiest form of saturated fat, is a main ingredient in both the macaroons and Jennies Omega-3 Energy Bars. The addition of flax seeds, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds give the bars a fiber boost as well as Omega-3 support. One bar contains 1,305mg of the FDA recommended 1,300 mg/day of ALA Omega-3, which promotes normal cholesterol and triglyceride levels and supports healthy circulation, lung and brain functions. “Unlike many energy bars on the market, Jennies-Omega 3 bars taste great and contain no artificial ingredients. And they provide a great source of healthy energy for an active and athletic lifestyle,” adds Badner.

Garnering significant attention from the health industry, Jennies’ products are promoted by Jordan Rubin, founder of the Garden of Life and Perfect Weight America, who chronicles in his book The Maker’s Diet how he used Jennies Macaroons as a treatment for Crohn’s Disease. Dr. Mary Enig, nutritional expert and biochemist, recommends Jennie’s Coconut Macaroons as the #1 source of coconut for her immune-compromised patients. According to Enig, coconut helps the body’s cellular function and has unique antimicrobial, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.

The new Chocolate Macaroons will appeal to specialty food and chocolate retailers, as well health food stores. Available in 8-ounce canisters, the coconut and almond are already sold in Whole Foods nationwide. Jennies Macaroons complete product line is available nationwide and includes Jennies Energy Bars, Traditional Jennies Macaroons, Zero Carbs Jennies Macaroons, and Omega 3 Energy Bars. All products are Kosher Parve, Maker’s Diet approved, and manufactured in a gluten-free and nut-free facility.

Jennies Macaroons (www.macaroonking.com), founded in 1919, has been the leading provider of all-natural macaroons since 1951, and expanded its line to include its popular Omega-3 Energy Bars in 2006. All products are Kosher Parve and Maker’s Diet approved, and manufactured by Red Mill Farms, Inc. in Brooklyn, NY. President Arnold Badner, 66, who has run more than 30 marathons and is an avid cyclist, relies on his Energy Bars to help him through his century bike rides in the Catskill Mountains.