Celiac Awareness Month Heroes

I am beyond flattered to be included in the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness "Celiac Awareness Month Heroes: Meet Gluten-Free Bloggers" campaign. As you know from reading my blog, I am a big supporter of the NFCA. I think they are doing a wonderful job advocating for the Celiac community and providing much needed resources to the world.

Not only am I excited to be personally honored in this campaign, but I am also thrilled to be in such wonderful company. I have made many friends in the Celiac community since I launched this blog in 2007. To be included in a list of bloggers that I read regularly and admire is a great honor. I am also happy to learn about so many new-to-me gluten-free bloggers that I plan to connect with now that I know their blogs.

Some of my favorite gluten-free bloggers and people I am proud to call my friends include:

Annalise Roberts, cookbook author and founder of My Gluten-Free Table

Josh Schieffer, founder of Annual Gluten-Free Awards and Gluten-Free Buyers Guide

Mike De Cicco- Butz of GlutenFreeMike.com and fellow New Yorker

My good friend, Michael Savett of Gluten-Free Philly

Karen Broussard, founder of Gluten Free Travel Site

The amazing Candice Clifford of Embrace G-Free

Amie Valpone, founder of TheHealthyApple.com and fellow New Yorker

And while I haven't met this people in person (yet), I have spoken to these three either via email, phone, and Twitter frequently over the past few years!

Kelli and Peter Bronski from No Gluten, No Problem

Amy Leger from TheSavvyCeliac.com

Taylor Miller of GlutenAway

Thank you to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness for including me as one of your Celiac Heroes. I am humbled and honored and will continue to support your advocacy efforts for years to come!



Click here to see all of the Gluten-Free Bloggers on the NFCA Pinterest page. 

National Foundation for Celiac Awareness Take the Pledge Campaign

As a blogger over the past 7 years, a Leader, a Facebooker, and a Tweeter, I work hard via social media to help spread awareness about Celiac Disease. I run the largest Celiac/Gluten-Free Meetup group IN THE WORLD and I am amazed about how this group has evolved since I took the wheel. I have been living with Celiac for more than 32 years, so it really is an integral part of who I am. So when the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness asked me to take a pledge to "Educate, Empower, and Advocate" in the name of Celiac Disease, it was a no-brainer. Of course I would help!

Restore Your Health. Reclaim Your Life. Take the Pledge.

What does "Take the Pledge" mean?

According to the NFCA, "It means much more than just committing 100% to your gluten-free diet.
By taking the Pledge, you’re promising to take a proactive approach to managing your health in just three easy steps - whether it’s learning more about celiac disease itself, promising to be more diligent about recognizing and preventing cross-contact or participating in the many forms of research focused on celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (‘gluten sensitivity’)."

When you take the pledge, you promise to:

"Educate:
The gluten-free diet is not a fad.  We know this, you know this - it's a treatment that's here to stay.
Celiac disease is not a food allergy. Let's take this opportunity to set the record straight!

Be Empowered:
We can work together to amplify our voice to raise awareness of gluten-related disorders.
We are in the driver's seat when it comes to managing our own health.

Advocate:
You play a key role in helping family members understand their risk for this genetic autoimmune disease.
83% of people with celiac disease remain undiagnosed. We have the power to change that by sharing our personal stories and raising awareness of the signs and symptoms."

Are you ready to take the pledge and start educating others about Celiac and empowering yourself to be the best gluten-free person you can be? Let's go!

www.CeliacCentral.org/TakeThePledge

Leave a comment below if you decided to take the pledge! 

Gluten-Free Holiday Tip of the Day on NFCA

I am excited that I am one of the NFCA's Gluten-Free Holiday Tips of the Day! There have been twelve great tips so far here will be a new tip every day until the end of November.

Follow them all here: http://www.celiaccentral.org/holiday/tips/

Gluten-Free Chef's Table Tour Kick-Off Dinner with Photos

Last night I was thrilled to be a part of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness GREAT Kitchens Gluten-Free Chef's Table Tour. The first stop on the tour was in New York City. Alice Bast of the NFCA and Chef Jehangir Mehta were the gracious hosts at Chef Mehta's restaurant Metaphor in Tribeca. You may know Chef Mehta from The Next Iron Chef.

Me with Chef Mehta

Chef Mehta has been involved with the NFCA and the Celiac community for a very long time. When he spoke about ingredients, cross-contamination in a kitchen, and preparation of gluten-free food, it was obvious the chef knew what he was talking about. Chef Mehta acknowledged that being gluten-free is a lifestyle choice for some but in his kitchens he takes "everyone's gluten-free requests as a serious illness request." He also said "gluten doesn't die with fire" which I think is a great reminder of why the same pans and grills shouldn't be reused in the kitchen when preparing gluten-free food.

Me with Alice Bast of the NFCA

One of the highlights of the night was meeting other bloggers. In my section of the table, I was the only person with Celiac and the only gluten-free blogger. This gave me the opportunity to educate others and reiterate the important points made by Chef Mehta and Alice throughout the night. Of course, there were some doubters of the prevalence of Celiac but I tried to set them straight. I actually thought it was a very good, strategic move on behalf of the NFCA to invite non-gluten-free bloggers. The more people we bring into our community, the greater chance we have to educate others.

You can follow the GREAT Kitchens Gluten-Free Chef's Table Tour on the NFCA Facebook and on Twitter at @CeliacAwareness and @jehangir_mehta or by tweeting #GFChefsTable or #GREATKitchens. The Gluten-Free Chef's Table Tour will cover 9 more cities in the United States through the fall and into the spring of 2014.

Thank you Alice and Chef Mehta for an informative and delicious evening!

Shout out to my girls Ingrid and Bobbi who stealthily ate their dinner behind me the whole night and didn't say hello until the end. ha! I know your are reading this. :-)

Gluten-Free Chef's Table Tour Coming to NYC Today and Tomorrow

New York City is the first stop on the NFCA Gluten-Free Chef's Table tour. While I won't be at the inaugural lunch today, I will be at dinner tomorrow dining along side of the NFCA's Alice Bast and learning more from Chef Jehangir Mehta. I am so excited to learn more about this awareness tour and enjoy food from the Chef's Table!

According to the NFCA, "GREAT Kitchens has paired with nationally recognized executive chef and restaurateur, Chef Jehangir Mehta to launch the GREAT Kitchens Gluten-Free Chef’s Table Tour. The tour will feature exclusive gluten-free dining experiences from executive chefs in fine dining restaurants, gluten-free cooking demonstrations with local media and interactive educational experiences at partner universities."

The NYC dinner is on Wednesday, October 22nd will be at Chef Mehta's restaurant Metaphor and it is open to the public. I am excited to reconnect with Chef Mehta, I first met him at an NFCA event many years ago. It is great that he has been such an advocate of gluten-free safety in his restaurants over the past 6 years.

Please contact the restaurant directly to make your reservations! See you there!

Mehtaphor Restaurant
130 Duane Street
New York, NY 10013
212-542-9440
www.mehtaphornyc.com

To read more about the Gluten-Free Chef's Table Tour, visit the NFCA website to see their press release.

August 16: Celiac Awareness Night at the Phillies

Join the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness at this annual fundraiser! 

Celiac Awareness Night with the Phillies 

Tickets are still available for this community event benefiting the millions of Americans affected by celiac disease and other gluten-related disorders.

When: Friday, August 16, 2013
Time: 7:05 p.m.
Where: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia

Purchase tickets through NFCA's Group Sales page (Use code CELIAC when ordering tickets) 

FUN! Watch the Phillies take on the LA Dodgers while enjoying gluten-free food and drinks at the ballpark.

FOOD! A special gluten-free concession stand will be set up near NFCA's group seating. You can also check out the new permanent gluten-free concession stand in section 136.

FREE! Enter a free raffle at the event. Prizes include Phillies memorabilia, two tickets to a 2013 regular season game in section 116, a preferred parking pass and a complementary food coupon (valued at $30), courtesy of Aramark.

For more information: www.CeliacCentral.org

2013 Celiac Awareness Month with the NFCA

All month the amazing staff at the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness are working hard to help spread awareness about Celiac Disease. They have a very busy schedule of events including webinars, Twitter chats, giveaways, fundraisers, and more. The NFCA is also featuring gluten-free bloggers on their site throughout the month of may and I am honored to share my gluten-free story with them and you during the month.

In order to keep track of all of the awesome events, I encourage you to download their free Celiac Awareness Toolkit today! 

Gluten-Free Menu Planning: Budget-Friendly Tips

• Announcing NFCA's monthly Webinar, "Gluten-Free Menu Planning: Budget-Friendly Tips," on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 8:30 p.m. Eastern/5:30 p.m. Pacific.

  REGISTER TODAY: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/630518254
  
  Sponsored by Frito Lay and Cabot Creamery, this Webinar is free of charge and the only requirement is a working Internet connection!
  
  You asked and we’re answering! One of the most popular requests for an NFCA Webinar is how to maintain a healthy gluten-free diet while not breaking the bank. Join NFCA during Celiac Awareness Month as Kathleen Reale of BeFreeForMe.com shares money-savvy grocery tips and provides a list of go-to healthy gluten-free recipes.
  
  CE Credit: RDs and DTRs are able to participate in this live 60-minute event to obtain CE credits regardless of this program's approval status as long as the webinar is professional in nature. NFCA provides a certificate of completion for each webinar. Attendees must complete the program evaluation in order to access the certificate. Program participants will receive a link to complete this evaluation 24 hours after the live broadcast through an email from GoToWebinar. Participants must complete the survey and download the certificate before the date of the next webinar. See webinar schedule: CeliacCentral.org/Webinars/Schedule.
  
  Can’t attend? A recording of each webinar will be posted along with the webinar slides within 72 hours after the live event ends. Download recorded webinars and slides: CeliacCentral.org/Webinars/Archive.

  
  

  REGISTER TODAY: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/630518254

Sex and the Celiac: Dating Tips for the Gluten-Free

A great article just in time for Valentine's Day from the NFCA. I've included my own tips and experiences in red font below. Enjoy!


 
Sex and the Celiac: Dating Tips for the Gluten-Free

When you have celiac disease or another gluten-related disorder, dating can be fairly tricky.  With so
much focus on restaurant outings, movie theater snacks and the post-date kiss, people with a glutenrelated disorder have a lot more to think about than just finding the perfect outfit.

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) shares these  5 tips for navigating the dating scene while staying gluten-free.

Pick the restaurant yourself. 
Suggest a few restaurants that you trust will serve safe gluten-free food.  Do some research to find a few different options so your date can have a choice, too.  If you’re not comfortable picking the place or bringing up your gluten-free diet on the first date, why not cook at home?  You can always pack a picnic basket for lunch or dinner at a local park so you don’t have to bring up your diet right off the bat.

I have made suggestions of where to eat many times. You don't even have to go into the whole "I can't eat that" conversation with your date if you aren't ready to yet. You can simply order what you know is safe from a restaurant you are comfortable eating at based on previous experiences. 

Be prepared to quickly and simply explain your gluten-free diet. 
You shouldn’t be embarrassed by your gluten-free diet (yes, this even applies to the men out there).  If
your date involves food, you can quickly explain that you can’t eat gluten for medical reasons and if you do, you’ll become very sick.  Don’t feel pressured to give all the details on the first date, and focus on what you can eat. For example: “I can’t split the cake with you, but this place makes fantastic
homemade ice cream. How about we each order a scoop?”

I have to admit, I don't usually like talking about Celiac or being gluten-free on the first date. This is why I choose restaurants that I know are safe and where the staff already knows me. I've also impressed first dates by chatting it up with the manager and chef. :-)

Skip the food. 
Who says a first date has to be all about food?  You can go on a hike, head to a museum or show off
your ice skating skills at the nearest rink.  This way, you don’t have to worry about finding safe options
on the first date and can just have fun and enjoy the company.

I've done this too. Suggest meeting for coffee or going for a walk or a bike ride. This way you don't have to deal with the added stress of eating on a date with someone you don't know. First dates are already stressful enough! 

Be mindful of that kiss.
Use your discretion when it comes time to lean in. Did your date just finish a bowl of pasta? It’s a good
idea to hold off, at least until your date can find his or her way to a toothbrush. If you both shared a day
of gluten-free meals, then you should be all clear for that smooch.

While I don't usually think about this when going on a date with someone that just ate gluten, I have asked a date that just ate shellfish to go brush his teeth and wash his face after eating a shrimp salad. Perhaps I should be more careful! 

Relax! 
Your mind can do incredible things – including make yourself sick from worry.  So relax, have a good
time and plan ahead so you can enjoy the moment!

For more Dating Dos and Don’ts, see NFCA’s article in GREAT U.

Want more information about Sex and the Celiac?  Register for the upcoming free webinar “Sex and the Celiac: A Focus on Reproductive Health” on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 8:30 p.m. EDT/5:30 p.m. PST.

Thai Kitchen Noodle Recipe

Thai Kitchen has recently added three new gluten-free Stir-Fry Rice Noodles to their product line. When the NFCA asked me to try the new noodles and check out an Alternative Appetites gluten-free recipe from Dan Koller, I was excited at the opportunity. Here's Dan and his video for Thai Kitchen Vietnamese Noodle Salad.





I made lots of substitutions and changes to Dan's recipe based on what I had in my kitchen and due to a shrimp allergy. But using the new and versatile Stir-Fry Rice Noodles I was able to get creative in my kitchen. I used new Red Rice noodles in my recipe and I was pleasantly surprised by the individual serving-size packages in the box. I tend to make too much food for dinner, but this definitely helps with portion control.  Here's what I came up with:

Gluten-Free Fun Thai Noodles

2 large pieces of bok choy
1 baked chicken cutlet, chopped
1 cup of snow peas
2 packages of Thai Kitchen Red Rice Noodles
1/2 cup of gluten-free red chili sauce (not pictured)

The back of the box

With the new Thai Kitchen noodle packages.
There are four to a box

The base of the bok choy always look like cute little flowers to me!

Boil a pot of water and turn off.
Throw the Thai Kitchen noodles in for about 6 minutes. Drain
Throw remaining ingredients back in noodle pan and stir for about 6-8 minutes
until all ingredients are mixed and warmed through.
ENJOY

Enter to win a gluten-free prize pack from Thai Kitchen now through Friday, October 12.

http://www.celiaccentral.org/thaikitchenrecipes/noodles/giveaway/

Gluten-Free Thai Cooking: 1 Ingredient, 5 Ways

Starting today, the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness is teaching you how to cook with Thai Kitchen products. If you aren't using these gluten-free products, you should check them out. Their gluten-free pastes, noodles, and soups as well as their clear labeling make meal planning a snap. 

Here are the details about the NFCA Gluten-Free Thai Cooking recipes and contest!

Thai food is one of today's hottest cuisines, and many of the ingredients used are naturally gluten-free.

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) has teamed up with Thai Kitchen to help you "Take on Takeout" and learn to use gluten-free Thai ingredients in your everyday cooking.

Starting June 11, 2012, we'll highlight 6 Thai Kitchen products and teach you 5 ways to use them in gluten-free recipes. Best of all, you'll have a chance to win each one! Watch NFCA's Facebook page June 11-22, 2012, for our posts about 1 Ingredient, 5 Ways. Tell us how you use that featured ingredient in your gluten-free cooking, and we'll enter you in the giveaway. 

Each winner will receive:

• The featured Thai Kitchen ingredient

• A Thai Kitchen reusable shopping bag

• Two Thai Kitchen coupons

• Two Thai Kitchen refrigerator magnets

Visit NFCA on Facebook

New Webinar from NFCA on June 20

My friends at the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness are hosting another webinar on June 20th at 2pm. Can't make it at that time? No worries! A recording of each webinar will be posted with slides within 72 hours after the live webinar ends. Here are the details and the link to sign up.


Yes, You Can Eat! When Gluten Isn’t the Only Ingredient You Avoid 
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT

Sponsored by Lucy's, this hour-long webinar is free of charge and the only requirement is a working Internet connection!

Food allergies and intolerances are common additional dietary concerns for those diagnosed with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, which add to the challenges of eating gluten-free. Join NFCA as Melinda Dennis, MS, RD, LDN, Nutrition Coordinator of the Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and NFCA's Answers from a Dietitian blogger, provides dietitians with the knowledge and tools needed to successfully treat patients following the gluten-free diet who must also be mindful of other dietary allergies and intolerances.

Up for grabs are three boxes of Lucy's gluten-free, vegan cookies (made without milk, eggs, peanuts, or tree nuts!) – flavors will include a 5.5oz box of Ginger Snap, Chocolate, and Maple Bliss. Three participants will win one box of each cookie, all NEW flavors!

Three more lucky participants will win a copy of Melinda and Dr. Daniel A. Leffler's book, Real Life with Celiac Disease: Troubleshooting and Thriving Gluten Free, which was published by the AGA Press in May 2010.

Continuing Education Credit: Registered Dietitians (RD) and Dietetic Technicians, Registered (DTR) are able to participate in this live 60-minute webinar to obtain CE credits regardless of this program's approval status as long as the webinar is professional in nature. RDs and DTRs need to retain a copy of the program evaluation available after their participation. Program participants will receive a link to complete the program evaluation one day after the close of the webinar.

Can’t attend? A recording of each webinar will be posted along with the webinar slides within 72 hours after the live webinar ends. To download recorded webinars and slides, visit the Archived Webinars page at CeliacCentral.org.

https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/254623006

Introducing GREAT U and Gluten-Free College Chat Tonight

Last fall, I did a series of blog posts about being gluten-free in college. For me, college was a crazy time. I was away from home for the first time and eating in a large cafeteria. My gluten-free safety net (a.k.a. MOM) was not around to protect me. It seems like colleges today are being much more accommodating to their gluten-free students. There is also a lot more awareness and advocacy amongst the students themselves which helps the college to learn from their very own students.

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness launched a new program last month for college students. It is an interactive resource that helps college students navigate their new world away from home. You can learn more about GREAT U: A Gluten-Free Guide to College Living by clicking here.


Tonight there will be a Twitter chat all about being gluten-free in college. Here are the details from my online college friend Janelle, author of Gluten-Free for a Healthy Me! Follow Janelle during the chat at @gfreejanelle

Gluten free students and parents, join myself and other college students for a twitter chat hosted by the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (@celiacawareness) and Smart College Visit (@collegevisit) about being gluten free in college!

Who: @celiacawareness and @collegevisit are hosting the event. Other college students will be participating. 

What: a chat about all things gluten free in college. we will be answering questions like, “since college students eat more pizza and pasta than any other food group, how have you adjusted to being in this environment?" 

When: TONIGHT! Wednesday, May 9 at 9:00 pm ET 

Where: twitter.com 

Why: help raise awareness for celiac and gluten free for college students 

How: use the hashtags #gfcollege and #campuschat to follow along! and of course #celiac, #glutenfree and #celiacawareness to spread the word! feel free to chime in and join us!!

Gluten-Free State of the Union

Tomorrow, the NFCA will kick off Celiac Awareness Month with a live hour-long broadcast featuring gluten-free experts Alessio Fasano, MD, Stefano Guandalini, MD, and Cynthia Kupper, RD, CD. Moderated by Alice Bast, NFCA Founder and President, the panelists will provide a “State of the Union” on celiac disease and the new kid on the block, non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

With a special focus on patient-provider communication, the panelists will explore the following:

• Defining Celiac Disease & Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity
• Latest in Gluten-Related Research
• Nutritional Management & Support

Patients and providers alike will benefit from this lively 60-minute discussion!

When: Thursday, May 3, 2012

Time: 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT

How to Register:

This event will be streamed on Vokle, a platform that allows us to interact with you during the broadcast.

1. Visit CeliacCentral - NFCA on Vokle: http://bit.ly/GRQGUh

2. Select Follow at the right hand side of your screen.

In order to receive communication from NFCA about this special event, you must be a follower of CeliacCentral-NFCA on Vokle. Once you're a follower, we'll be able to send you a reminder when it gets close to the event. You can also bookmark the event page for easy access at the start time.

3. You will be prompted to Sign In or Register for Vokle. You can also Login with Twitter orLogin with Facebook instead of registering.

4. Once registered and logged in, make sure you're following CeliacCentral - NFCA, then select the event "State of the Union: A Live Chat with Gluten-Related Disorders Experts."

5. On the event page, select Click to RSVP at the lower lefthand side of your screen.

 

 

 

6. That's it! Keep an eye out for an email reminder about the event, or simply go to the event page at the start time: 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT on May 3.