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Saturday, March 28, 2009
Celiac Disease Clinical Trial
How do you feel about celiac disease clinical trials?

I got an email today announcing a Celiac Disease clinical trial. I have very mixed feelings about this kind of study. I do appreciate that researchers are trying to work to make the life of a Celiac more "normal" but the idea of eating controlled amounts of gluten during this trial makes me very nervous. After being on a gluten-free diet since 1981, I don't think I could knowingly sit down and eat food that I know will send me to the bathroom and then the bed in less than an hour. Also, don't trials usually consist of a control group and another group that is taking a placebo? What if you are in the placebo group? Here, take this pill that might not do anything but eat gluten anyway. No thanks. In addition, I wonder if this pill will mask the side effects of gluten like Lactaid does for someone that is lactose-intolerant. That might be nice but isn't the gluten still damaging you on the inside?

In the grand scheme of auto-immune diseases I think we are quite lucky that we can control our disease by a diet. We aren't dependent on medication like my friends with thyroid diseases, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis are on a daily basis. We are not getting nurse-administered IV drips every six weeks like my friend with Lupus. We are going to a grocery store, shopping for food, and then being cautious of what we ingest. Simple. (Yes, I do realize that to many people that are newly diagnosed with Celiac Disease that it is not that simple. But look at the alternatives I listed above)

My sister and I often talk about if we would eat gluten if a pill became available. Right now I can honestly say that I would not take this which is why I am not a good candidate for the clinical trial. You might be though, so here is the trial information.

Alba Therapeutics Corporation Announces the Next Clinical Trial of its Lead Compound, Larazotide Acetate and Promotions

BALTIMORE, MD. March 17, 2009/PRNewswire - Alba Therapeutics Corporation announced today it will initiate further clinical studies for patients diagnosed with celiac disease with their lead compound, larazotide acetate. “Our most recent Phase IIb study, the largest trial with an investigational medication conducted in patients with celiac disease, was a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, dose ranging, multicenter study to determine the safety, tolerance and efficacy of larazotide acetate in 184 adults with controlled celiac disease during a gluten challenge. The data are promising and will be publicly presented at upcoming scientific meetings this spring,” said Bruce Peacock, CEO of Alba Therapeutics. “Recently, Alba restructured to concentrate its efforts on advancing the clinical program for larazotide acetate and we are now moving forward with initiating our next clinical trial in patients with celiac disease.”


If you are age 18-72, have proven Celiac Disease, and have had relief from your systems on a gluten-free diet you may qualify. There are trials in 11 states and two Canada locations. Please visit www.NAceliactrials.com to see if you are qualified to participate in this survey. If you have any questions please call Bob Farley at 1-800-342-9102.

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Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Westchester Celiac Sprue Support Group Meeting
The next Westchester Celiac Sprue Support Group Meeting (WCSSG) is this coming Sunday, March 29, 2009.

Phelps Memorial Hospital - Auditorium
Sleepy Hollow, NY

Join the WCSSG on March 29th when a special panel of WCSSG members will share their knowledge and experience with gluten-free learning and living.

Hear how one very special family lives and copes with celiac disease. There are many wonderful families dealing with CD in Westchester, none perhaps more so than the Leslie family who are known to many people through the Colin Leslie Walk for Celiac Disease. The Leslie clan are:

* Cheryl Leslie, who is training to be a dietitian, and is mom of two children with celiac disease.
* Colin – a high school junior with CD who, since he was a freshman, has been running the Colin Leslie Walk and Vendor Fair, one of the largest regional events benefiting celiac disease.
* Carine – a middle school student, with CD and type 1 diabetes.
* Mike – Colin and Carine’s father, and strong supporter of advocacy

The panel will also include WCSSG Board members:

* Rory Jones, co-author of "Celiac Disease, A Hidden Epidemic"
* Pat MacGregor, founder of the Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program
* Chris Spreitzer, co-president of WCSSG, founder of the Catholic Celiac Society
* Sue Goldstein, founder and past president of WCSSG, who leads our WCSSG new patient meetings.

Share your questions and concerns about the gluten-free diet and lifestyle. This informal meeting will provide the perfect opportunity to discuss everything from the kitchen to the school cafeteria, from family dynamics to workplace choices, eating in and eating out, shopping and snacking.

Plan to arrive by 1:30 to shop with our vendors:

Jake Bakes
http://www.jakebakes.com/

Millers Gluten Free Bread Company
http://www.millersglutenfree.com/

Curious Cookie
http://www.curiouscookie.com/cookies/glutenfree.asp

DeCicco Marketplace in Ardsley
http://www.deciccos.com/ardsley.html

Kettle Cuisine
http://www.kettlecuisine.com/gluten.htm?mode=show&product=90304

Glow Gluten free
http://www.glowglutenfree.com/

Katz Gluten Free
http://katzglutenfree.com/

No reservations are necessary to attend the meeting. We hope to see you there! For further information, please contact Sue Goldstein at suegldstn@ optonline.net.

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Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Gluten-Free App for you iPhone
How cool is this? The folks at CeliacTravel.com have developed a new application for your iPhone so you can have their gluten-free restaurant cards with you at all times. CeliacTravel.com now provides their restaurant cards in 42 languages! Instead of printing out and carrying all 42 cards, you can now have them all in your phone. This is just another reason to add an iPhone to my gadget wish list. Here is a copy of their English version of their restaurant card.



All of the CeliacTravel.com restaurant cards are free, the site simply asks for a donation via PayPal if you choose to download any or all of their cards. To see all languages and to download cards, visit: http://www.celiactravel.com/restaurant-cards.html

To download the iPhone application, please click here. This link will open in iTunes

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Friday, March 20, 2009
Gluten-Free Pizza Coupon


As originally seen on BeFreeForMe.com, Uno Chicago Grill is now offering a $1.00 off one of their gluten-free pizzas through May 31, 2009. Please click the image above to download the coupon.

Uno's Gluten-Free Menu

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Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Denver Celiac Sprue Association Looking for Gluten-Free Vendors
The Denver Metro Celiac Sprue Association will be hosting its Incredible, Edible Gluten-Free Food Fair and invite you to participate.

Local and national vendors will be on hand to tempt with delicious cakes, cookies, breads, gluten-free flour mixes and product samples. Area restaurants will sell items from their gluten-free menus. Merchants are providing door prizes and give away items.


Date: Saturday, June 13, 2009
Time: 10:00-12:30
Place: El Jebel Shrine Center
4625 West 50th Avenue
Denver, CO

Last year, there were over 50 vendors and 500 participants. Contact Kathy Craig at kicraig@yahoo.com for more information.

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Monday, March 16, 2009
EVERYBODY EATS' Gluten-Free April Fools Fundraiser


EVERYBODY EATS' Welcome Spring APRIL FOOLS COCKTAIL PARTY to benefit The Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University

Wednesday evening, April 1, 2009
5:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Everybody Eats' Kitchen
294 Third Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215
718-369-7444

This is no joke! $50 at the door (cash or check made payable to The Trustees of Columbia University) will get you delicious cocktails (Everybody Eats' Pedro is a trained bartender) and other beverages plus a truly exquisite and unforgettable selection of gluten-free hors d'oeuvres. Forget
about those boring rice crackers! Dress up and join them for a drink and a laugh.

Visit their kitchen in Brooklyn and see where it all comes from.

R.s.v.p. - Give them a call if you're coming: 718-369-7444

Easily accessible from the Union Street stop on the R Train.
Easy parking after 5:00 pm.

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Tuesday, March 10, 2009
2nd Annual Bowling Bash For Celiac Disease
2nd Annual Bowling Bash for Celiac Disease to benefit the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University

Sunday, March 22, 2009
1 pm – 4 pm

AMF Syosset Lanes
111 Eileen Way
Syosset, NY 11791

Guest Speakers:
Peter Green, MD - A world renowned expert on celiac disease and Director of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University.
Amy DeFelice, MD - Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University.


Gluten-Free Refreshments Will Be Served! (popcorn, chips, soda)
1:00 pm ................. Welcome & Registration
1:30 pm ................. Remarks, Dr. Peter Green and Dr. Amy DeFelice
2:00 - 4:00 pm ....... Unlimited Bowling, Refreshments and Fun!

$50 per adult (advance registration)
$30 per child (advance registration)

Fabulous gifts, including sports memorabilia from Steiner Sports will be offered through a silent auction. Checks, Amex, Visa and MasterCard will be accepted for auction items.

To register for this event, please download this invitation and registration form.

Please register in advance by completing the form.

For additional information, please contact: Randi Albertelli, email: rsquared31@ optonline.net

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Saturday, March 7, 2009
Restaurant Spotlight: Panne Rizo
Panne Rizo

Panne Rizo Bakery Cafe
http://www.pannerizo.com/
1939 Cornwall Ave
Vancouver, BC V6J

Last September, I took a wonderful trip to Vancouver, BC. I had never been in the Pacific Northwest before so I traveled out to Seattle and Vancouver before I started my new job. Seattle was nice, but I LOVED Vancouver. It was honestly one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The juxtaposition of the mountains, water, and city made for some really gorgeous scenery. I went hiking, biking, and shopping. I also managed to seek out at least two gluten-free venues while I was there. There was one bakery in Northern Vancouver that was non-existent, I probably should have called ahead. On my last day in Vancouver, I wanted to go to Kits Beach and I knew there was a gluten-free cafe in that neighborhood.

From before I even walked into Panne Rizo, I was impressed. Right in their front window was a sign for a monthly Celiac meeting hosted by the restaurant.

Vancouver Celiac Meet-Ups held here

I knew I was in a "safe" place when the next thing I noticed when I went inside was the Gluten-Free Premises sign.

Gluten-Free Premises!

This place definitely was a place I could dine without worry. Their menu is small but enticing. All of the items on their menu are 100% gluten-free. On the menu that day was chicken pot pie, macaroni and cheese, grilled paninis, soup, and sandwiches made on their rice bread.

Gluten-Free Menu

I chose the goat cheese with pesto and pine nuts sandwich. The goat cheese was creamy and the rice bread was toasted, an almost must for gluten-free breads. I thought the bread was typical gluten-free bread in terms of a slightly crumbly texture, but the flavor was nice. The goat cheese actually held the open-faced sandwich together pretty well and the pesto added a nice flavor to the whole sandwich.

Rice bread with goat cheese, pesto, and pine nuts

In addition to the lunch menu, Panne Rizo also has a wall full of gluten-free products including cookies, breads, and locally produced gluten-free flours and mixes from the Sweet Rice Baking Company.

Gluten-free flourGluten-Free BreadGluten-free goodiesPanne Rizo gluten-free baked goods

Since I was leaving Vancouver to drive back to Seattle to catch my flight, I thought I would get some goodies for the road. I picked up two gluten-free carrot muffins. I am a sucker for sweet cream cheese frosting, so this was a good choice. It was just the right amount of sweet nice with nice bits of carrot throughout the muffin.

Gluten-free Carrot Muffin

If you are headed to Vancouver any time soon, I highly recommend stopping here to pick up lunch before hit Kits Beach which is only two blocks away. Kits Beach was empty the day I went, but it has one of the most beautiful views of the city and mountains while sitting on the beach!

It doesn't get better than this

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Friday, March 6, 2009
Mozzarelli's Gluten-Free Cookie Bar
As my loyal readers know, I love Mozzarelli's. They are definitely my favorite take-out restaurant in NYC especially for the friendly family staff if nothing else. I think it is the combo of their Gluten-Free Sundays, the innovative gluten-free pizzas, the greasy and DELICIOUS gluten-free zeppolis, tasty gluten-free desserts, and the wonderful staff that keep me coming back for more. Chefs Ronny and Elan are always trying out new things and trying to make their next pizza/cake/pasta dish better than their last.

I stopped in for lunch today and was completely overwhelmed by their new gluten-free cookie bar. They now have close to 30 types of gluten-free cookies for about $4.95 per package. Depending on the type of cookie, there are anywhere from 6 to over 20 cookies per package. There are free samples for you to taste before purchasing the cookies. Be sure to stop in today!

Mozzarelli's New York City
38 E 23rd St
New York, NY 10010
(212) 475-6777

In other Mozzarelli's news...

They are now open on weekends!

They have a brand new website with a complete gluten-free menu and gluten-free photo gallery.

There are gluten-free rumors swirling about gluten-free fig newtons coming soon!

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Thursday, March 5, 2009
Gluten-Free Fundraiser at UChicago

Mark your calendars for The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center's Annual Benefit:

Gourmet Galaxy
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Chicago Hilton & Towers

The evening will include 25 gluten free chef stations, live & silent auctions, raffle! Tickets on-sale now!! For more information, please visit: https://celiacdisease.net/annual-benefit

The 2008 participants and sponsors included: Adobo Grill, Anthony’s Italian
Chophouse, Ben Pao Chinese Restaurant, Café Ba Ba Reeba, City Park Grill, Da Luciano’s, Fleming’s Prime, Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Gluten Free & Fabulous, impromptu Wine Bar Cafe, Marcello’s, Father & Son Pizza, Mon Ami Gabi, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Rise & Shine desserts, Roh & Jo’s Gluten Free Sweets, Rose’s Wheat Free Bakery & Café, Swirlz Cupcakes, The Balanced kitchen, Vinci, Wildfire, Enjoy Life Foods, Bard's Tale Beer, Whole Foods, William Blair & Company, Alvine Pharmaceuticals, and riceworks.


If you're looking to help support the work in advance of University of Chicago annual benefit, you may also enjoy attending two other events this month:

March 14th-- Mangia! Gluten Free Luncheon (Naperville, IL)

March 29-- Celiac Skate (Highland Park, IL)

Visit: https://celiacdisease.net/fundraising for more details!

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Wednesday, March 4, 2009
GF Product Included in Nature's Path Voluntary Recall
Natures Path Organic Foods Announces USA and Canada Nationwide Voluntary Recall

Contact:
Maria Emmer-Aanes, Nature’s Path
maria@naturespath.com/604.248.8856
Jessica Vitale, Zeno Group
jessica.vitale@zenogroup.com/310.566.2285

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- March 2, 2009 -- Nature’s Path Organic Foods of Richmond, British Columbia, Canada is recalling granola bars and granola cereal, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The Nature’s Path EnviroKidz Organic Crispy Rice Peanut Choco Drizzle Bar (GLUTEN-FREE), Nature’s Path Organic Granola Bar Peanut Butter Chunky, Nature’s Path Organic Granola Bars Peanut Choco Chocolate Drizzle Bar and Nature’s Path Organic Peanut Butter Granola Cereal, were manufactured using peanuts recalled by Peanut Corporation of American because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The products were distributed through retail stores nationwide in USA and throughout Canada.

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Monday, March 2, 2009
Bakery Spotlight: Three Dogs Gluten-Free Bakery
Gluten-Free from Three Dogs Gluten-Free Bakery

At a recent NYC Celiac Disease Meetup event, Karen of Three Dogs Gluten-Free Bakery stopped by to discuss becoming part of the Gluten-Free Restaurant Program (GFRAP). She gave our group some great tips about approaching our favorite restaurants to create gluten-free menus and urge them to become part of GFRAP. While we were learning more about GFRAP, we got to try some yummy samples from her bakery. I have never had rugelach in my life and these gluten-free rugelaches (or is it rugelai?) were delicious! They are a bit far for me to travel to on a regular basis, but if I ever head upstate I will be sure to check them out again. I tasted most of the food on the plate in the picture above except for the top right cookies. Three Dogs Gluten-Free Bakery does bake with certified gluten-free oats, but since I don't eat oats I avoided those cookies. Everything else was awesome. An added bonus, Three Dogs Gluten-Free Bakery is a 100% gluten-free facility and is part of GFRAP.

Three Dogs Gluten-Free Bakery
www.threedogsgfbakery.com
510 North State Road
Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510

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