That Girl

Have you seen this video about Celiac Disease yet? It has been floating around the Internet within the gluten-free community for a couple of weeks now. It is a very real and emotional account of what it is like to live with Celiac Disease. As a life-long Celiac, I can relate to so much of this video and I am sure you can too. I tried reaching out to the student producer from UC Berkeley via Facebook to thank her for putting this together but haven't heard back yet. It is worth the watch and worth sharing with people that just don't get Celiac Disease.

That Girl
by Candice Bonaduce

Gluten-Free at PIX11 Health & Wellness Expo

For my readers in the Tri-State area, here is an upcoming event. Leave me a comment if you plan on going. Maybe we can meet up, I will definitely be there.



This September PIX11 is bringing together the top experts in the health and wellness fields for an all-day, all-ages expo. The PIX11 Health & Wellness Expo will take place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan on September 25th from 11am to 5pm and will be hosted by Dr. Steve Salvatore, of the nationally syndicated program ―Dr. Steve.

PIX11 has created a special offer for exclusive use by NYC Celiac Disease Meetup Group members. Members will receive a $5.00 discount off the $15.00 advanced sale Expo ticket price. Please visit our website for details and the "secret" code.

Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011

11am-5pm

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center

New York, NY

Through the use of classes, demonstrations, seminars and hands-on experience, PIX11 will provide a day of information and entertainment that the whole family will enjoy.

The event will bring a variety of doctors, nutritionists, sports and fitness specialists, wellness celebrities, authors and a diverse group of experts in the areas of: Food Allergies, Breast Cancer Awareness, Diabetes Prevention and Treatment, Thyroid Disease - Detection and Care, Pregnancy Health, Men’s Fitness, Childhood Obesity Prevention, Sinus/Snoring/Sleep Apnea and GERD treatment options, Naturopathic Medicine, Vitamins as Natural Medicine, Figuring Out Fiber, Gluten-free Eating, Taking Charge of Your Health and How to Get Healthcare if You Lose Your Health Insurance.

The Gluten Free exhibit area is anchored by Gluten Freely, LLC, and the participating advocacy group is The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness.

Gluten Freely is a community and e-commerce website with many different resources for gluten-free and celiac awareness, which provides a wealth of information on living a gluten free lifestyle. A wide variety of products are offered in their online store and the site also provides a growing list of easy to make, gluten free recipes. In the Gluten Freely Community Section, users can read blogs, comment on them, join a conversation, ask a question and even share their own stories. Gluten Freely, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of BrandJourney Venturing, LLC which works closely with General Mills, Inc., in the development and operation of the website and e-commerce business.

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) was formed as a national 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization to raise awareness of celiac disease among the general public and the healthcare community, and to facilitate research to better understand the causes, mechanisms, and treatment of celiac disease. NFCA is affiliated with the leading researchers internationally and supports collaboration and partnership among scientists and institutions to optimize research potential with the goal of improving the quality of life for those who have celiac disease.

At the Expo, there are two speaking presentations for the Gluten-Free community scheduled thus far:

• Food Allergies 101 will be presented by Dr. Scott H. Scherer, Professor of Pediatrics, Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and member of the Medical Advisory Board for FAAN / the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network. He will discuss prevalence, symptoms, current diagnosis/treatment and prospects for a cure. Founded in 1991, FAAN is the world leader in information, resources, and programs for food allergy, a potentially life-threatening medical condition that afflicts approximately 12 million Americans, or one out of every 25. It is dedicated to increasing public awareness of food allergy and its consequences, educating people about the condition, and to advancing research on behalf of all those affected by it.

• Gluten-Free Eating: 10 Worries to Forget Forever will be presented by Nicole Hunn, the author of Gluten-Free on a Shoestring, a cookbook and guide to making gluten-free eating enjoyable and affordable. Nicole has been featured in numerous publications, including the New York Times and the New York Daily News and has appeared on television and radio programs such as ABC News New York and the nationally syndicated Michael Smerconish Show. She has also written feature articles for Living Without Magazine and Gluten-Free Living, and her next cookbook is due out in late 2012. Nicole is a former practicing lawyer and a mother of three young children. She provides new gluten-free recipes and tips every week on her blog: www.glutenfreeonashoestring.com

Also note that PIX 11’s healthy lifestyle show Dr. Steve (Sunday’s 6:30-7PM) will be a must-see in October (airdate TBA) for sufferers of food allergies, and celiac disease, and for those that must live on a gluten free diet! A special gluten free informational segment featuring Nicloe Hunn and an expert representative from Gluten Freely will help to alleviate many of the common concerns of gluten-free cooking and eating. In addition to airing on PIX 11 in New York, The Dr. Steve Show will soon be televised in 17 major markets* providing national exposure for this special gluten free awareness segment! (* New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Washington DC, Houston, Seattle, Miami, Sacramento, Portland, Indianapolis, San Diego, Hartford, Harrisburg, Grand Rapids, and New Orleans)

Athlete for Awareness Needs Your Help!

My friends at the NFCA asked me to spread the word about this exciting feat of athleticism. I am happy to support them and a fellow gluten-free blogger, Peter Bronski.


NFCA is excited to announce that for the 2nd year in a row, Athlete for Awareness Peter Bronski will participate in the Virgil Crest 50 Mile Ultra Challenge.

Last year, Peter incorporated a fundraising element into his ultra endurance marathon participation, and was able to raise $3,600 dollars for NFCA. This year, he hopes raise $5,000 for NFCA and is appealing to the celiac community for support! (To donate today, click here.)

On his blog - No Gluten, No Problem, he writes:

For those of you who've been around No Gluten, No Problem since at least last summer, you'll remember last year's Virgil Crest 50-Mile Ultra, which I ran to raise money for the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. The event is an ultramarathon distance trail running race. It covers 50 miles and 10,000 vertical feet of cumulative gain. That's roughly the equivalent of running back-to-back marathons, off-road, while climbing to the top of the Empire State Building 8 times.

In 2010 (there's a photo of me just after crossing the finish line) I took 7th place, in a time of 11 hours 43 minutes. Most importantly, with your support, we raised nearly $3,600 for the NFCA!

Well, now I'm at it again, and once again I'm asking for your help to support the NFCA. As with last year, I've created a FirstGiving fundraising page. Please take a moment to visit the site and consider making a donation in support of a great organization and great cause near and dear to the No Gluten, No Problem community.

There are just under 6 weeks to go until the race (which takes place on Saturday, September 24, 2011), so my fundraising window is more limited than last year!

In addition to the fundraising goal, I've also set some performance goals for myself. I'd like to repeat my Top Ten finish, and if I'm feeling really good on race day, I'd like to try and crack into the Top Five. And I'd like to finish in sub-11 hours. So, once again, please join me and support the NFCA. Give as much or as little as you can or want. Every little bit helps. 

- Pete

To support Peter in his campaign, donate online through his FirstGiving fundraising page:
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/peter-bronski/2ndannualgluten-freevirgilcrest50mileultra

And, to read more about Peter’s participation in the Virgil Crest 50 Mile Ultra, click here:
http://noglutennoproblem.blogspot.com/2011/08/2nd-annual-gluten-free-ultramarathon.html

Celiac Disease Awareness Night with the NY Mets 5/27

Celiac Disease Awareness Night

Friday, May 27 @ 7:10 p.m.

One in 100 Americans have Celiac Disease but 95% don't know they have the disease. Celiac Awareness Night at Citi Field will benefit R.O.C.K. Long Island, who offer free support to parents, families and friends of kids on the gluten-free diet for any reason, and the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) offering educational programs for the general public, healthcare professionals and the gluten-free industry.

• Show your support while enjoying a Mets game at Citi Field.
• Sit together with fellow members, friends and family in our Left Field Landing & Promenade Reserved seating.
• All participants will receive a Mets Ticket Holder and Lanyard (with advance purchase through this offer).
• A portion of each ticket purchased through your promo code (CELIAC) will directly benefit R.O.C.K. Long Island and the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA)!

To buy your tickets visit: www.mets.com/celiac

Left Field Landing Ticket = $36

Left Field Landing Ticket with $18 of food/beverage/merchandise credits = $51

Left Field Landing Ticket with $30 of food/beverage/merchandise credits = $61

Promenade Reserved Ticket = $21

romenade Reserved Ticket with $18 of food/beverage/merchandise credits = $36

Promenade Reserved Ticket with $30 of food/beverage/merchandise credits = $46

Kevin Burkhardt, Mets Field reporter for SNY, will join us for pre-gamefestivities in the Left Field Landing that will include a silent auction of sportsrelated items. All participants will receive a Mets Ticket Holder and Lanyardwith advance purchase.

For further information or to bring out a group of 25 or more, please contact Mets Group Sales Account Executive Christina Andrews at 718-559-3069 or candrews@nymets.com.

Meeting the Needs of the Mature Celiac: Free Webinar

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness is offering a free webinar catering to the Celiac who is 60 and older. For those of you who are unfamiliar with webinars, these are conferences that take place over the Internet in the comfort of your own home. The only requirement is pre-registration and a computer with the Internet. If you are reading this, you are already halfway there.

You can pre-register here. More details are below.

“60+: Meeting the Needs of the Mature Celiac”

Wednesday, May 18th at 1 pm ET/10 am PT

Join NFCA as Veronica Alicea, MBA, RD, a well-known dietetic consultant in the celiac and gluten-free fields, leads an hour-long discussion on the increasing number of celiac diagnoses in the mature adult population. The webinar will also provide expert advice for fellow dietitians on how to best care for this unique population.

Veronica will:

• Discuss the growing prevalence of celiac disease among adults who are 60+
• Address the unique needs of mature celiacs, such as diet compliance
• Offer tips on how best to adjust to a gluten-free lifestyle when diagnosed later in life
• And more!

Sponsored by Crunchmaster, this Webinar is free of charge. The only requirement is a working Internet connection!

About the Panelist
Ronni Alicea is a consultant dietitian for residential care facilities where she assures proper food and nutrition services. She manages a private nutrition practice, consults for several gluten-free and allergy-free companies and recently started Celinal Foods, a food company that addresses gluten-free challenges of noncommercial foodservice staffing. Her social media presence can be viewed on twitter as @glutenfreerd, LinkedIn as Ronni Alicea and Facebook as Celinal Foods.

Veronica earned a BS in Human Foods and Nutrition from Rutgers University and an MBA from Seton Hall University. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association, Consultants Dietitian in Healthcare Facilities, Nutrition Entrepreneurs, Dietitians in Complemtary Care and Dietitians in Gluten Intolerant Diseases, School Foodservice Professionals and Dietitians in Culinary Practice.

Register today!

Pleased to Tweet You: Gluten-Free Fun

Last week, I was honored to be featured in the NFCA's Celiac Central March Newsletter. They have a relatively new featured called "Pleased to Tweet You" which features a prominent gluten-free "Tweeter". For those of you unfamiliar with the social networking site Twitter, a "Tweeter" is someone that posts regularly on the website via "tweets" which are brief 140-character conversations.

I was very late to the Twitter game and only joined at the end of September 2010 after being convinced by Dan of Renegade Kitchen and Jill of Glow Gluten-Free that this was THE tool to use on the Internet. They were 100% correct. In only one month of using Twitter, my blog readership jumped by more than 50% and my Facebook fan page nearly doubled in size. Clearly I had a been missing out on an entire gluten-free audience that I never knew about before joining Twitter.

Since September, I have connected with some really amazing gluten-free people and companies. I even attended the awesome Food Fete event last week that I had no clue about before reading a post on Twitter. For those of you bloggers or readers not on Twitter, I suggest you join today. I was afraid to get sucked into another social media website, but this is really an amazing and powerful tool. There are lots of symbols and abbreviations like @, #, and #FF that take some time getting used to, but you will quickly get the hang of it. Hopefully you will realize, like I did, that there is a wealth of information that can be expressed in 140 characters or less.

Here is my "Pleased to Tweet You" interview that I did with Cheryl of the NFCA last week. You can also find it on the NFCA's Celiac Central March Newsletter page.

Gluten-Free Fun on Twitter

Pleased to Tweet You

Each month, "Pleased to Tweet You" will highlight an individual who chatted with @CeliacAwareness on Twitter. If you’d like to be featured, follow @CeliacAwareness and say hello!

Name: Erin Smith

Find her on Twitter: @gfreefun

Tweeting since: September 2010

1. How long have you been gluten-free?
I was diagnosed with celiac disease as a toddler in 1981 so I am celebrating 30 years of being gluten-free this year!! I like to think of myself as a Celiac Disease veteran.

2. What do you like to tweet about (events, recipes, news articles, etc.)?
Every morning, I tweet about my daily blog postings on Gluten-Free Fun (which has been around since January 2007). Throughout the day, I tweet about interesting gluten-free articles and blogs I read, gluten-free events, and also general tweets to friends I have made on Twitter. As the lead organizer of the NYC Celiac Disease Meetup group, I also tweet about all of our upcoming events.

3. Why do you follow NFCA (@CeliacAwareness)?
Besides thinking the staff of NFCA are all awesome, I think the materials that the NFCA provides free-of-charge on their website are really outstanding and thorough. Whenever @CeliacAwarness posts a new tweet, I go directly to the website to learn more. I can spend hours on the NFCA website looking at the both educational and entertaining materials including gluten-free tax tips, fun videos like “Sex and the Celiac,” recent celiac disease news items, and upcoming events.

4. What's your favorite gluten-free dish?
I have so many gluten-free favorites, so this is a tough question. I love to cook but lately two of my favorites are Gluten-Free Bisquick Bacon Pie and homemade gluten-free lasagna. When I go out to eat in NYC, I love the Nutella galette at Bar Breton, the socca at Nizza NYC, and the nachos at Heartland Brewery Midtown West.

5. What's one thing you can do now that you couldn't do before going gluten-free?
Since I was diagnosed with celiac disease at such a young age, I don’t know anything else other than being gluten-free. Over the past few years, I have accepted my disease more than ever before and I am much more open to actually talking about having celiac disease. I used to be embarrassed and not want other people to know why I was avoiding eating in social settings, why I had different bread, etc. In the past 5 or 6 years, I have fully embraced my gluten-free lifestyle so I spend more time being an advocate for celiac disease rather than being embarrassed and hiding who I am.

6. In 140 characters or less, why should others join the gluten-free community on Twitter?
The gf community on Twitter is knowledgeable, passionate, and a great support system. I love "meeting" new people every day!

* Erin’s blog, Gluten-Free Fun, is in the running for Women’s Health "Blogs We Love" 2011. Learn how you can help her get noticed and spread the gluten-free message.

Be the Face of Celiac Awareness!

Submit Your Photo to NFCA’s Celiac Mosaic

Whether you have celiac disease, are gluten intolerant or know someone who is, help the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness spread awareness by participating in NFCA’s mosaic.

In May, NFCA's Facebook page will feature a collage of photos submitted by the celiac and gluten-free community. The mosaic will put a face on gluten-free needs and bring supporters together in solidarity. The NFCA will encourage those who submit photos to tag themselves in the mosaic to show their pride and draw attention to the cause.

They are starting to collect photos now so the collage will be big and beautiful by May 1st. To join the effort, email your picture to photos@celiaccentral.org today. Please send your photo as a jpeg attachment.

Sex and the Celiac: The Movie

I saw this video last week on the NFCA website. I love the comedic approach taken in this video. Enjoy!

Rudi's Gluten Free Giveaway

If I am not the biggest fan of Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery, I don't know who is.

My love affair started with Rudi's when I was introduced to their gluten-free breads at a brunch in Philadelphia in October 2010. How can you not fall in love when you are served baskets of gluten-free multi-grain toast followed by a delicious plate of gluten-free French toast at 10 Arts in the Ritz Carlton? It was like a gluten-free fairy tale!

Next came gluten-free peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and grilled cheese sandwiches from Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery at the NFCA's Appetite for Awareness event. Hello REAL bread! These PB&J sandwiches won my A4A10 Gluten-Free Fun Vendy Award for "Best Sandwich of the Day." The had full, spreadable coverage of both the peanut butter and the jelly. Best part, you didn't have to toast the bread to get it to stay together! This is almost unheard of in the gluten-free bread world.

Most recently, Rudi's launched their Spread the Bread program in conjunction with the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. This national coupon program supports Celiac Disease education for physicians through NFCA's Continuing Medical Education program. For everyone $1 off coupon you download from the Rudi's Gluten-Free Bread website, Rudi's will donate one dollar to support the NFCA's efforts to better education physicians in the diagnosis of Celiac, up to $20,000. To visit the Spread the Bread site and download your coupon today, visit www.rudisglutenfree.com/spread-the-bread-coupon.

Finally, Rudi's not only has a wonderful selection of gluten-free breads and now a really important mission to educate professionals about Celiac Disease but they also have a really fun and cheery website. At the Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery website you can find out where to buy Rudi's bread in your neighborhood, download coupons, find out about upcoming events, and read their company blog. (I am featured in their article "Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakes Up Friendships On the Road"!) I think the blog and their Facebook and Twitter presence are really important for connecting with their customers.

NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE THE GREATNESS THAT IS RUDI'S GLUTEN-FREE!

I am hosting a Rudi's prize package giveaway. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this blog, on my Facebook page, or send me a Tweet. Do all three and you are entered three times! The winner will be chosen on Friday, January 21 so enter today!

Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery Launches Spread the Bread Program

You all know I am a huge fan of both Rudi's and NFCA, so this press release is really exciting to me.


Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery Launches Spread the Bread Program to Benefit the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness

National coupon program supports celiac disease education for physicians through NFCA’s Continuing Medical Education program

Boulder, Colo. – Jan. 4, 2010 – Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery is making life brighter for families that suffer from celiac disease and gluten intolerance by giving them another way to enjoy bread again through its new line of gluten-free breads. As part of its commitment to giving back to the communities it serves, Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery announced today it is partnering with the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) to increase education and diagnosis of celiac disease through a national coupon program, Spread the Bread.

Through Spread the Bread, Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery is proudly supporting the NFCA’s efforts to educate physicians on the diagnosis of celiac disease through its Continuing Medical Education (CME) program. NFCA teamed up with top celiac doctors nationwide to create a program that provides education for primary care physicians focused on celiac disease with the goal of improving diagnosis and management of the disease. For full accreditation information, please visit: www.CeliacCMECentral.com.

“Every year, millions of people suffer unnecessarily as a result of the lack of diagnosis of celiac disease,” said Alice Bast, Founder and President of NFCA. “Our mission is to decrease the amount of time it takes for someone to get diagnosed, improve quality of life, and with the support of companies like Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery, we can better reach that goal.”

To visit the Spread the Bread site, visit: http://www.rudisglutenfree.com/spread-the-bread-coupon/

For every $1 off coupon downloaded for a loaf of Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bread, Rudi’s will donate a dollar to support the NFCA’s efforts to better educate physicians in the diagnosis of celiac disease, up to $20,000. Coupons are available now on Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery’s website and Facebook page, and will remain available through February, or until the goal is reached.

“We created Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery so people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance can once again take pleasure in eating tasty and healthy breads,” said Doug Radi, vice president of marketing for Rudi’s Organic Bakery. “In addition to creating great-tasting gluten-free breads, we’re also committed to raising awareness and furthering education about celiac disease through partnerships with organizations like NFCA. The Continuing Medical Education program’s goal to teach doctors to diagnose celiac disease will greatly impact the gluten-free community.”

There are an estimated three million people in the U.S. suffering from celiac disease – that’s one in 133– yet less than 200,000 are diagnosed. Through partnerships with gluten-free organizations like NFCA, Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery hopes to elevate the level of education and awareness on celiac disease and gluten-intolerance, as well as the gluten-free diet, through local and national initiatives that drive hope for a better, brighter future, like the Spread the Bread program.

Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery breads are available nationally at natural foods stores and select mainstream supermarkets. For more information, visit http://www.rudisglutenfree.com.

About Rudi’s Organic Bakery, Inc.
Rudi’s Organic Bakery, Inc., founded and headquartered in Boulder, Colo., is the only nationally available brand offering a full line of certified organic bread and baked goods. Rudi’s Organic Bakery has a long history of baking bread a better and brighter way, by using simple organic ingredients that contain no artificial ingredients, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup or trans-fat. Since 2005, Rudi’s Organic has been a part of Charter Baking Company, Inc., a portfolio company of Charterhouse Group, Inc. Rudi’s Organic is a premier organic brand with distribution throughout the U.S. in both natural foods stores and mainstream supermarkets. Founded in 1976, Rudi’s Organic offers small batch organic artisan breads, sliced sandwich breads, wide pan sandwich breads, hamburger and hot dog buns, wraps and a popular line of organic spelt breads, buns and tortillas. In July 2010, Rudi’s Organic Bakery launched a new line of natural gluten-free products under the Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery brand. For more information about Rudi’s Organic Bakery, visit www.rudisbakery.com.

About the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness
The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of celiac in order to gain prompt and accurate diagnosis for those suffering, supporting the health and wellbeing of those with the disease, and facilitating research that will better understand the disorder and find a cure. Visit www.celiaccentral.org for information.

NFCA Launches New Online Educational Video Series

Celiac Disease & Gluten-free Diet Video Series Now Available on CeliacCentral.org.

Ambler, PA, December 22, 2010 (PR.com)-- The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) is proud to unveil a new educational video series on the subject of celiac disease and its only known treatment, a gluten-free diet.

Available on both NFCA’s website (CeliacCentral.org) and Monkeysee.com, this online resource seeks to educate consumers about this autoimmune digestive disorder that affects 3 million Americans, as well as provide helpful information and support for the celiac community.

Series Topics Include:

• Understanding Celiac Disease
• Recognizing Signs & Symptoms
• Diagnosing Celiac Disease
• The Gluten-free Diet
• Celiac Disease Research: What’s On The Horizon

“We are thrilled to announce the latest addition to CeliacCentral.org,” said NFCA President and Founder Alice Bast, “NFCA strives to provide unique, informative and entertaining multimedia resources through our website and we remain committed to raising awareness through a variety of media channels.”

The five part series, created and produced in partnership with Knowlera Media, features Alice Bast, NFCA Founder and President, Gerald Mullin, MD, Director of Integrative GI Nutrition Services at John’s Hopkins University, as well as Bethesda, MD native Robin Rosenblum and her son Jacob, who suffers from celiac disease.

“These expert and patient testimonials provide a unique array of perspectives and represent many important groups within the celiac disease community,” said Bast.

NFCA’s website offers the latest news and free, comprehensive support materials for celiac patients, their families and healthcare providers including recipes, videos, webinars and blogs to promote quality of life without compromise.

1 in every 100 Americans suffers from celiac disease, a condition triggered by the protein gluten found in wheat, barley and rye. Cases of celiac have increased four fold since the 1950’s, yet 90% of those who have it live undiagnosed. Currently, the only known treatment for celiac disease is a lifelong gluten-free diet.

For additional information or to watch NFCA’s Celiac Disease & The Gluten-free Diet educational video series, visit CeliacCentral.org.

About the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness:
The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of celiac in order to gain prompt and accurate diagnosis for those suffering, supporting the health and wellbeing of those with the disease, and facilitating research that will better understand the disorder and find a cure. Visit www.celiaccentral.org for information.

About Knowlera Media:
Knowlera Media is the leading creator of professional-quality, lifestyle-focused video content for distribution via Web and broadcast television. These professionally produced, expert-driven videos are created in collaboration with world-class experts across the US, with each expert providing advice and demonstrations in deep detail.

To date, Knowlera has created more than 11,000 professional videos, all shot in high definition and presented to audiences numbering the tens of millions. Their videos are used in television programming, broadcast news, on the popular destination site MonkeySee.com, and a syndication network of hundreds of sites across the web.

###
Contact Information
National Foundation for Celiac Awareness
Whitney Ehret
215-325-1306 x 103
whitney@ celiaccentral.org
www.celiaccentral.org

A4A10 Gluten-Free Fun Vendy Awards

A4A10 Gluten-Free Fun Vendy Awards: Part 2

Most Awesome Journalist
Renegade Kitchen
Watch out! Renegade Kitchen is on the job! Turn around and you have a Flip camera in your face and you are being interviewed by Dan a.k.a. Renegade Kitchen. Not only is Dan an awesome interviewer, he is also the chef behind the NFCA demo cooking videos. His videos of the Appetite for Awareness day should be up on his site soon, with an impromptu interview with yours truly. Here is a picture of Renegade Kitchen interviewing cookbook author Silvana Nardone and her son Isaiah, the one and only from "Cooking With Isaiah".





Most Deserving of Cheerleaders and a Fan Club
Jill Brack of Glow Gluten Free
I have had the pleasure of attending many events with Jill since we met in September and we are quickly becoming good friends. Jill is dynamic, friendly, humble yet extremely passionate about her products with so much gluten-free love going into these gluten-free cookies. Jill really should always be followed by a band of Glow Cheerleaders!





Most Likely to Make You Cry (in a good way)
Soft Pretzels by Tonya's Gluten Free Kitchen
I never had a gluten-free soft pretzel. EVER. Tonya's Gluten Free Kitchen is the only vendor table that I went back to FOUR times to get samples. Gluten-free pretzels that are soft, warm, and covered with just he right amount of salt equals major delicious points in my book. I literally wanted to cry after trying these pretzels. They were that good.





Best Sandwiches of the Day
Rudi's Gluten Free Bakery
You all already know I am a fan from my Tuesday blog post, but Rudi's seriously made some outstanding sandwiches at the Appetite for Awareness event. They had grilled cheese in the main hall and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the Children's Pavilion. For those that did not venture to the kids section, you definitely missed out! I am not usually a PB&J fan, but these sandwiches were delicious. They also had Amie, of The Healthy Appple, at the table and her positive energy about Rudi's was contagious.




Coolest New Travel Product
Rebecca & Devyn's Gluten Free to Go
I think these are a really great idea. These "to go" packages take some of your favorite allergy-free snacks and put them into one resealable package. Some snacks include Enjoy Life cookies, Stretch Island Fruit Company fruit strips, Yummy Earth Organic Peppermints and more. They are perfect for traveling, car rides, or even trips to the park with your kids. These Gluten Free to Go packs are a quick and convenient way to grab safe and allergy-free food on the run.

Gluten Free to Go was founded as a way to live simply and safely with food allergies and still have a normal life. Whether you are a busy mom or a business professional on the go, enjoy our allergy friendly snack packs, gluten-free and available free of the top 8 allergens (wheat, milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, and soy).

A4A10 Gluten-Free Fun Vendy Awards

There were so many awesome gluten-free vendors and restaurants at the Appetite for Awareness event this past weekend, that I decided to give out my very first Gluten-Free Fun Vendy Awards. Congratulations to all of the winners!

A4A10 Gluten-Free Fun Vendy Awards: Part 1

Best Restaurant Plate
Braised veal cheek with marsala wine, caramelized Vidalia onion, and pancetta from Butcher & Singer
I don't usually eat veal, but this was delicious. Chef Anthony says "Veal cheeks are a great item to use in a braised dish because of their great flavor and texture. It is a cut of meat that rarely dries out. Most braised meats at some point begin to shred apart and become dry if they are cooked too long. As will cheeks, but because of the higher amount of gelatin that it naturally has it is able to maintain great texture and stay moist for a longer period of time."

Chef Anthony Goodwin attended the Philadelphia Restaurant School, where he learned the importance of proper technique and execution. Shortly after graduating, he worked as a line cook at Chef Georges Perrier’s Brasserie Perrier, and was quickly promoted to sous chef and, subsequently, executive sous chef. After almost 5 years, Goodwin desired a change and moved to the modern Italian restaurant, Avenue B, and later served as chef de cuisine at Bliss for 5 years. During his tenure, Bliss was named “Best New Restaurant of 2004” by Esquire magazine. In 2008, Goodwin joined Starr Restaurants’ Pod and in April 2010 became the executive chef of Butcher and Singer, another Starr Restaurant. Recently, Philadelphia magazine awarded Butcher and Singer the title of “Best Steakhouse of 2010.”





Best Palette Cleanser
Mojito Sorbet from Pure Gourmet
After so many plates from the Philadelphia chefs, this sorbet was a really refreshing flavor. I hope Pure Gourmet starts distribution in New York City soon.

Pure Gourmet Sorbets are bold and intense frozen specialty desserts created by international food icon, Chef Georges Perrier for the patrons of his world-famous restaurant, Le Bec Fin.





Biggest and Best Gluten-Free Product Line
Schär
I have already blogged about my love of all Schär products. I seriously never had a Schär product that I didn't like. The table was hosted by Anne Lee, Schär's Director of Nutritional Services, who is always friendly and knowledgeable.





Most "Normal" Display of The Day
Dietz & Watson/The Grainless Baker Hoagie Station
Call them hoagies, subs, grinders, sandwiches, or whatever else you want but just look at this spread!!! These sandwiches were on The Grainless Baker hoagie rolls and were stacked with Dietz & Watson cold cuts and condiments. This looks like your every day catering plate except there is one big difference, it is all gluten-free! I took one for the road and ate it while stuck in traffic. So delicious and so "normal" looking. Even your most gluten-eating friends would have enjoyed these sandwiches.





Best Way to Wash Down the Samples
Bard's Beer
A favorite of mine. I am excited about increased distribution to bars and restaurants in New York City. Bard's is a gluten-free, American Lager made from sorghum, yeast, hops and water—contains no wheat, barley, rye or oats and is naturally gluten-free. The taste is rich and refreshing.



Stay tuned for more Gluten-Free Fun Vendy Awards tomorrow!

NFCA and Thai Kitchen Recipe Contest

NFCA is hosting the “Cool Weather Cooking with Thai Kitchen” Recipe Contest. The Grand Prize winner will receive a prize package worth $250 and their recipe will be featured on Thai Kitchen’s website.

Full details are available at www.CeliacCentral.org/Contest, but here’s a quick rundown:

• Submit your original recipe online at www.CeliacCentral.org/Contest or via email at RecipeContest@celiaccentral.org.
• Recipes must be gluten-free and use at least one Thai Kitchen product.
• Entries must include full name, email address, recipe title, ingredients, preparation instructions, estimated prep/cook time and estimated number of servings. All entrants must also check the box next to “Acknowledgment of Ownership” for online submissions or copy and paste the statement for email submissions.
• Contest ends Nov. 1, 2010 at midnight Eastern Time.

Special Appearances at Appetite for Awareness

You all know I am counting down the days until I hop on that BoltBus to Philadelphia for the NFCA Appetite for Awareness event. They are putting together such a fantastic line-up this year. Announced last week, Silvana Nardone will be signing copies of her new book, Cooking for Isaiah. I was "introduced" to Silvan's blog and book at the end of the summer by a mutual friend and I am looking forward to meeting her in person.

Here is more about Silvana from the NFCA website:

Gluten-free blogger and author Silvana Nardone will be signing copies of her new cookbook, Cooking for Isaiah, at Appetite for Awareness on Oct. 24, 2010 at the Philadelphia Naval Yard.

Silvana will also demonstate and sample some of her delicious and easy-to-make gluten-free recipes, including a surprise recipe that will tantalize your tastebuds!

Watch a video segment from "Good Morning America" featuring Silvana and a few of her gluten-free recipes.

About Silvana Nardone
Silvana Nardone is the former editor in chief of Every Day with Rachael Ray magazine. A writer, editor, cooking instructor and food consultant, Silvana is the author of Cooking for Isaiah and co-author of Saveur Cooks Authentic Italian.

Previously, Silvana was an editor at Food & Wine magazine before opening her Italian bakery, Fanciulla. She has appeared on NBC’s "Weekend Today," CBS’s "News This Morning," ABC’s "Eyewitness News This Morning" and the Food Network’s "Roker on the Road." She has also been featured in The New York Times and in New York magazine.
Silvana lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband Stephen and their two children, Isaiah, 13, and Chiara, 4.

Visit Silvana's blog at www.dishtoweldiaries.com.

Free Webinar: "The Gluten-Free Effect on Athletes"

FREE Lifestyle Webinar: "The Gluten-Free Effect on Athletes: Improving Performance Through Diet"

Tuesday, September 21
8:30 p.m. EST

Are you getting ready for your fall seasonal sport? Preparing for a race? Incorporating the right gluten-free foods into your diet can make all of the difference in your performance! Join the NFCA on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010 at 8:30 pm EST for the second Gluten-Free Lifestyle Webinar in our 2010 series, "The Gluten-Free Effect on Athletes: Improving Performance Through Diet."

Thanks to our generous sponsor, Blue Diamond Growers, this webinar is available free of charge and the only requirement is a working Internet connection!

Erin Elberson, PT, will be with us to explain how undiagnosed celiac disease can hinderperformance and then provide expert advice on smart snacking and meal strategies!

Erin will discuss:

• Common symptoms that prevent undiagnosed celiacs from performing at their best.


• Testimonials of athletic improvement.


• Coping strategies for the athlete and athletic trainer.


• Tips on smart snacking, including recipes.

Erin holds a master’s degree in Physical Therapy and bachelor’s in Health Science. More importantly, she was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2004. She is an advocate of solid gluten-free nutrition along with sound fitness habits to improve quality of life and health. Her goal is to assist and educate people on how to make positive and impactful decisions regarding nutrition and lifestyle. Check out her blog: GlutenFreeFitness.com

For regular updates on celiac and gluten-free athletes or sporting events, follow NFCA's Athletes for Awareness blog.

Register Today!

2010 Appetite for Awareness: A Gluten-Free Cooking Spree

Looks like I will be heading to Philly this fall. This is a city I have been wanting to visit for a while and this event looks like a really worthwhile event!


Appetite for Awareness: a Gluten-Free Cooking Spree
October 24, 2010 at the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal at Pier 1

Get ready for a fabulous time! Appetite for Awareness 2010 will be spectacular. The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) is preparing an extraordinary event full of fun, food and gluten-free delights!

This annual fest and Philadelphia tradition has something for everyone!

*Children's Pavilion
*Vendor Marketplace
*Gluten-Free Cooking Spree

Appetite for Awareness brings the best of gluten-free dining and delicacies under one roof. Attendees can sample gluten-free goods and get a taste of the hottest restaurants catering to celiac needs. During the event, prestigious chefs and top doctors will team up in a cooking challenge to produce the best gluten-free dish.

Don't miss out!

Appetite for Awareness: a Gluten-Free Cooking Spree is moving to a new and fabulous venue. The amazing Philadelphia Cruise Terminal at Pier One offers 40,000 square feet of space for our celebration of the gluten-free lifestyle.

The Children’s Pavilion is new this year and is accompanied by family pricing! So, bring the entire family to this delightful spot right on the Delaware River. The kids will have a great time while the adults shop and enjoy a wide range of tasty treats prepared just for this event.

As always, Appetite for Awareness will feature delicious gluten-free food from well-known area restaurants and Philadelphia’s premier chefs cooking up a storm with top docs from local hospitals. Watch these skilled food artists prepare delectable treats for your enjoyment.

When: Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010
Time: 2-6 p.m.
Where: Philadelphia Cruise Terminal at Pier One
at the Philadelphia Naval Business Center
5100 South Broad Street
Building #3
Philadelphia, PA 19112


Early Bird Pricing
Adults: $50
Students with ID (age 12+): $25
Children (up to 12 years old): $20
Families (of four): $125

Tickets at the Door
Adults: $75
Students with ID (age 12+): $35
Children (up to 12 years old): $25
Families (of four): $150
Purchase Tickets

FREE Webinar: Heading Off to College with Celiac Disease

Date and time: Sunday, August 29, 2010 9:00 pm EST

Panelist Info: Rebecca Panzer is a registered dietitian practicing in Boston, MA specializing in food allergies/intolerances, developmental disorders, diabetes, and disordered eating. Deb Mailand, diagnosed with celiac disease at age 15, is currently a Senior at Tufts University where she advocates for both herself and others!

Duration: 1 hour

Description: Wondering how the gluten-free diet will affect your college experience? Announcing NFCA's "Back to School" Webinar: Heading Off to College with Celiac Disease on Sunday, August 29th at 9pm EST

Thanks to a generous donation from Blue Diamond Growers, this webinar is available free of charge and the only requirement is a working Internet connection!

Join NFCA as Rebecca Panzer, MA, RD, LD, offers professional guidance for college-bound celiacs! Rebecca will be on hand to:

-Explore the challenges young adults with celiac disease may experience living on and off college campuses.
-Answer common questions of college-bound celiacs and gluten-free teens.
-Suggest ways to best navigate college administration, dining services and social challenges.

Celiac advocate Deb Mailand, a Senior at Tufts University, will also join us to share her firsthand experience and explain how gluten-free can be a success away from home and on campus!

Click here for more information and to sign up.

2009 Washington, DC Gluten-Free Cooking Spree

Friday, May 1, 2009
Hyatt Regency-Bethesda
One Bethesda Metro Center
7400 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814

Early Bird Admission $50 (until April 15, 2009)
General Admission after April 15 $75

Click here to buy tickets.

Watch top chefs, doctors and reporters compete to make the best gluten-free dish!

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness invites you to participate in the Gluten-Free Cooking Spree, event that joins together the medical and lifestyle aspects of celiac disease to educate both doctors and chefs about celiac disease and the gluten-free diet.

* Top chefs, doctors and reporters will be put on teams of three. Each team will have one chef, one doctor and one reporter. Together, the doctor, chef and reporter will work to create the best gluten-free dish.

* Attendees will sample the food cooked by the chefs and enjoy a large assortment of other gluten-free food options. Come hungry! All attendees will take home a fabulous goodie bag filled with treats from a variety of gluten-free vendors.

* A three-person panel will judge the recipes and award a prize to the winning team.

Enjoy gluten-free hor d’oeuvres, desserts, beer and wine. All food will be gluten-free!

To learn more about celiac disease, go to www.CeliacCentral.org. For questions, call 215-325-1306, ext. 101.

For more information: DC Gluten-Free Cooking Spree

Sanjay Gupta for Surgeon General

As noted in the media this week and as blogged by Gluten-Free NYC, "Dr. Sanjay Gupta is Barack Obama's top pick for Surgeon General." As Gluten-Free NYC rightly reported, Dr. Gupta, CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent, is a colleague of Heidi Collins, CNN news anchorwoman and the spokeswoman for the National Foundation of Celiac Awareness. This "six-degrees-of-separation" (well, two) between Heidi and Dr. Gupta is promising. At least Dr. Gupta knows of Celiac Disease, probably more than most politicians and political correspondents.

After a little investigative reporting of my own, I discovered Dr. Sanjay Gupta participated in the Atlanta NFCA Cooking Spree in October 2007. Bringing Dr. Gupta on as Surgeon General could be a great thing for the Celiac Disease community. "The Surgeon General serves as America's chief health educator by providing Americans the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness and injury." (http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/) The Obama administration with Dr. Gupta in that key medical role might just bring the awareness we need about the prevalence of Celiac Disease in this country and hopefully help us gain support from the US Government.