CDF National Conference & Gluten-Free EXPO Early Bird Pricing Ends Tomorrow

Join me at the Celiac Disease Foundation National Conference and Gluten-Free Expo on April 30-May 1, 2016. This is sure to be an informative and exciting event for the celiac community. Saturday the 30th has a list of top celiac disease experts and Sunday, May 1st has a gluten-free expo where you can eat and meet with your favorite brands. There are also some expo hall speakers, including me! Join me as I talk all about planning your gluten-free vacation and top celiac travel tips.

CDF National Conference & Gluten-Free EXPO

Saturday, April 30 - Sunday, May 1, 2016

Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, CA

The CDF National Conference & Gluten-Free EXPO will offer invaluable insight from world-renowned experts. If you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, or if you care for someone who does!

Your $99 full-day Conference ticket includes:

• Admission to all of our thought-provoking presentations
• Opportunity to ask questions of experts and talk and share with your peers
• Complimentary 100% gluten-free breakfast AND lunch
• Complimentary 2-day access to our massive FOOD. FACTS. FUN. Gluten-Free EXPO 

Click here to get more information about our lineup of speakers and to register.  

REGISTER TODAY

For more information, visit celiac.org/cdf-conference or email info@celiac.org

See you there!

New Santa Cruz California Celiac Group

One of the hardest parts about leaving New York City and moving to California was leaving the NYC Celiac Meetup group. I led that group for more than a decade and many of the members became some of my best friends. I put endless hours into running that group, planning more than 300 events, and making newly diagnosed celiacs feel like they weren't alone in this gluten-filled world. I got so much out of running that group and I was sad to leave behind such a supportive community.

When I got to Santa Cruz, California, I discovered there had been two separate groups, one gluten-free group and one celiac support group. Sadly, neither group really met in person anymore nor did they know about each other. As a support group leader, I know how it feels to be burnt out. You work hard to plan plan plan and then you hope for people to show up to your events. When people don't show up, it's disappointing. When you've made reservations and have no-shows, it is embarrassing. Both of these women had been what I had been through in New York and seemed like they needed a break from their groups but were still interested. After meeting with both of them, I am hoping to join forces to revitalize the celiac disease support community and make an even bigger and better group in Santa Cruz County!

Community and support is such an important part of the celiac disease journey. I can't tell you how many people I've met over the years that tell me they felt lonely and like they were the only one in the world with celiac disease. They met just one person that they can talk about gluten-free with, and their whole perspective changes. They suddenly realize they are no longer alone and that someone understands EXACTLY what they are dealing with being on a medical gluten-free diet.

Given my own personal journey for a support community as well as the desire to help others, I created the Santa Cruz Celiac Facebook group. My plans with this group are to build both an online support system as well as coordinate in-person events for people in Santa Cruz and surrounding areas for people with celiac disease. If you or anyone you know will benefit this group, please feel free to join. In coming months, I will definitely host face-to-face events for the community. Thanks for sharing and hope to meet you all soon!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/santacruzceliac/

Win It Wednesday: Gluten-Free Pretzel Crisps

If you aren't following me on Instagram, you should be! I take pictures of my gluten-free food, my travels across the globe, and much more. I also host giveaways that are Instagram only.

Today's giveaway is a three-pack of gluten-free Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps including GF Original Pretzel Crisps, GF Original Minis and GF Salted Caramel Minis. I happen to know from personal experience that the salted caramels are so yummy. (crunch, crunch, crunch).

These pretzels are baked and certified gluten-free. Please note: The GF Pretzel Crisps line is not manufactured in a dedicated GF facility, but the machines are thoroughly cleaned to meet all of GFCO’s strict manufacturing guidelines.

Do you want to win? Follow me on Instagram* at @glutenfreeglobetrotter and enter to win today by tagging a friend!

Learn more about the gluten-free options from Pretzel Crisps here:

@PretzelCrisps

Instagram.com/PretzelCrisps     

Facebook.com/PretzelCrisps

Today's giveaway is a yummy one. @pretzelcrisps is giving away three bags of #glutenfree pretzels to one winner. To enter: follow @pretzelcrisps on Instagram AND tag a friend below. Good luck! #whatceliacseat #glutenfreefood #giveaway

A photo posted by Erin Smith (@glutenfreeglobetrotter) on Mar 2, 2016 at 11:14am PST

No Instagram? No problem! Leave a comment below and tell me which gluten-free Pretzel Crisps flavor you are most interested in! Don't forget to leave an email so I can contact you if you are the winner.

Winners will be chose using Random.org on March 8, 2016.