Celiac Disease? ~~~~~~ Gluten Sensitivity?~~~~~~ Gluten Intolerance? ~~~~~~ Avoiding Wheat?





Saturday, June 25, 2011

Tips on Area Eateries

Kudos to the Amsterdam CafĂ© (in Auburn) and specifically Christy, who worked with me and communicated with the chef to ensure that we had a great gluten free meal.
Locally, I recently tried the Applebee’s on Taylor Road since the corporate website has a gluten-free menu.  The host did not know what gluten is and said that there was no separate gluten-free menu, but I had a copy with me.  I thought that we might have to leave but the waitress knew all about gluten and cross-contamination.  If you want to eat at that Applebee’s, I highly suggest that you call ahead and make sure that Augenee is working!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Simply Shari’s

Almost forgotten in the excitement over our guest speaker at the May meeting were the samples provided by Simply Shari’s.  That company provided several varieties of their packaged cookies for our members to try.  Samples included shortbread cookies, lemon shortbread, almond shortbread, fudge brownies, and chocolate chip cookies.  All of them were very tasty and it seemed that several different “favorites” emerged.  The bottom line is that you would never know they are gluten free and they have a long shelf life.
I have not seen these cookies at Health Wise Foods or Earth Fare.  If you will go to the Simply Shari’s website, look under “Where to Buy” and you will find a Store Request Letter that you can print and take to the store of your choice.  When I have made requests at Health Wise in the past, all Steve or Willard needs is the UPC number from the package.  You can look at the bottom of the Store Request Letter and find the UPC for your favorite cookie. 
I noticed on the Simply Shari’s website that the company offers pizza and pasta as well.  If they are just as tasty, I cannot wait to try them!

Friday, June 17, 2011

GIG National Conference

Leaders of GIG-Montgomery are not able to attend this conference but I do hope that one of our members is able to go.  Please read the message below that I received today from the national executive director, Cynthia Kupper.
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Greetings!

Times are tough and the south has suffered enough.

GIG is offering a "No Frills Conference Rate" for our special friends in the Southern States. Come take advantage of all the live sessions, panels and fun at the conference AND Food & Tasting Expo for a very low rate - just for you.

"No Frills" Conference Rate: $40/day or $80/weekend: includes all conference panels and sessions, and access to the Food & Tasting Expo only. Children attend free with an adult and may participate in youth activities if space is available.  No child care is available.
Usual Conference Rate: $158/per day or $295/weekend: includes live sessions, meals, copies of all presentations, and access to the Food & Tasting Expo.

Bring this notice and register at the door or reserve your place now by calling 253-833-6655 (Mon - Fri 8-4)

Our 37th Annual Conference is at the Gaylord Palms Hotel in Orlando, FL July 1-2.

GIG is offering this special rate to our friends in the Southern States who have been through so much in the last several weeks. In recognition of the pain, suffering and losses you have been through, we make this special offer to you. Through the economic hard times and the nastiest of weather, you still need to be gluten-free. Come take a break and enjoy a weekend with us. We're here to help.

We look forward to seeing you there.


Cynthia Kupper, RD | Executive Director

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Lulu’s of Gulf Shores

Thanks to a tip from Ruth Givens, we knew to try Lulu’s of Gulf Shores when taking our beach vacation.  We were so thankful for the tip!  I could not find another non-chain restaurant to accommodate us.  Given the sheer number of visitors, I was quite surprised at the utter lack of awareness about gluten intolerance.  Thinking that the more upscale restaurants would be more likely to know about gluten, I called a few, including Wintzell’s.  Apparently the Montgomery restaurant is more progressive, as the manager at the Orange Beach Wintzell’s was not interested in accommodating us.  After speaking with another manager, she seemed flustered and asked, “You do know that we are a seafood restaurant?” 
So enough of the discouraging news and let me give a big plug for Lulu’s.  I do not know why, but Lulu’s is all over multiple allergens.  A manager personally takes your order and retrieves your order from the kitchen.  We ate there twice and the whole family was happy!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

From GIG National

Dear GIG of Montgomery,

GIG URGENTLY requests your HELP! 

There are only 18 days left until the Annual Education Conference in Orlando!

We are establishing volunteers to fulfill volunteer duties while at conference.  GIG National is requesting YOUR HELP recruiting local GIG members or non-GIG members, friends and/or families!  Having celiac disease or gluten intolerance is not a requirement to be a volunteer....though knowledge of it is helpful (in case you are approached by the general public)!

There are several volunteer positions available to fill, including:

Wednesday, June 29 - Meal Food Organizer (morning) - 4+ volunteers
The purpose of a meal food organizer is to assist the primary food organizer determine which donated product is intended for which conference day and meal period (i.e. breakfast, lunch, dinner).  This task can be challenging, yet, in the end allows for a smooth production within the kitchen at the hotel.

Wednesday, June 29 - General Runner & Packet Assemblers (afternoon) - 8+ volunteers
These volunteers will fill "goodie bags" with conference/speaker notes, vendor sales sheets, and/or samples. These goodie bags are for conference registrants only (not general public) - an estimate of 300 registrants? (Final numbers to be determined later this month.)

Wednesday, June 29 - Registration Table set up (late afternoon) - about 1-2 volunteers, at least 1 GIG staff
Gathering/organizing/setting up materials/displays needed for GIG National. This includes any prep work of organizing name tags (to be alphabetized) if they require additional work.

Thursday, June 30 - Saturday, July 2 - Registration Table  (Opens at 7am Thursday, 6:30am on Friday & Saturday) - up to 3-4 volunteers during the day (plus 1-2 GIG Staff), more schedule details to follow.  Please indicate your interest at this time.
Duties to include registering conference attendees, helping general public with purchase of entrance to exhibitor fair (only), answering general questions about GIG or hotel facilities (i.e. closest restroom), helping registrants and general public sign up for general raffle items. Miscellaneous duties as they arise at the registration desk.

Thursday, June 30 - General Raffle Set Up (set up next to Registration Table - Registration Staff will monitor) - Open to anybody (conference registrants and general public).  Raffle winner must be present to win.

Friday, July 1 - Saturday, July 2 - Exhibit Hall Greeters/Attendance Verification - This will depend on how many sets of doors there are to monitor - 4 volunteers for now (for 2 sets of doors)  Please indicate your interest at this time.
The purpose of the Exhibit Door Greeter is to verify those persons going into the exhibit hall.  Each attendee will have a name badge, identifying their paid attendance at the conference.  The exhibit hall will be open to the public from 9am to 4pm as well, and they will need to verify their paid entry into the hall with a green wristband on Friday and a purple wristband on Saturday.  Please note: The public may not use their Friday green wristbands to return on Saturday, as they must pay for re-entry.

Friday, July 1 - Saturday, July 2 - Lecture room monitors/Attendance Verification - This will depend on how many sets of doors there are to monitor - up to 2 volunteers at a single time (for concurrent lectures).  Otherwise a single volunteer would be needed to verify for keynote speaker presentations each day, etc.  Please indicate your interest at this time.
The purpose of the Lecture room monitor is to verify those persons going into the lecture.  Each attendee will have a name badge, identifying their paid attendance at the conference. The general public is NOT allowed into these sessions and must be directed back to the exhibit area only.  Go to http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wntl89cab&et=1105909356369&s=16572&e=001u0VVqTFnY58KCsuJvguIAzMHFnSlvzI9YGlZ2z6owjJaz112poMLRP3J8od9n9RN0z_GVb0muM1Bf0FNdfFmGu6Dcg7pQy1bZFmLvZeSh-DEfCSB3QkEgT-5tCHK5PzFgCT9zHAvgj4= for conference program details/times and indicate your volunteer availability.

Friday, July 1 - Saturday, July 2 - Treasure Hunt raffle entry verifier - These volunteers verify each entry placed into the Treasure Hunt raffle to make sure the booklet has been fully stamped by vendors within the exhibit hall.  Raffle is open to conference registrants only - no general public.  Volunteers will work this position during the exhibit hall hours.  Split shift with 2 volunteers each day, (9am-12pm & 12pm - 3:30pm)  Each day will result in a winner - drawing occurs at 3:30pm.  Hall closes at 4pm each day.

Friday, July 1 - Saturday, July 2 - Meal Ticket Takers (Breakfast & Lunch only) - This will depend on how many sets of doors there are to monitor - possibly 2 - 4 volunteers.  More details to follow. Please indicate your interest at this time.
The purpose of Meal Ticket Takers is to take attendees' tickets for their breakfast and lunch meals, verifying they have paid for their meals.  It is VERY important to keep an eye on this process, as a certain number of 'plates' have been purchased from the hotel for those who've paid.

Saturday, July 2 - Teen Challenge Runner/Helper - possibly 1-2 volunteers Please indicate your interest at this time.
The purpose of a runner/helper is to assist Chef Aaron Flores with obtaining any last minute or 'on the spot' necessity for the Teen Cooking Challenge.  May involve running to the hotel kitchen(?)  Preparation/set up begins at 8am for the TAGS Teens to begin promptly at 9am.  A clean-up crew will be necessary to help clean up the room used for the challenge so that Chef Aaron can move on to his next obligation during the conference.

Friday, July 1 - Saturday, July 2 - Demo Volunteer - 1 volunteer present for each demo.  Friday 9-10am, 10:30-11:30am, 1-2pm, 2:30-3:30pm; Saturday 9-10am, 10:15-11:15am, 11:30-12:30pm, 12:45-1:45pm, 2-3:30pm.
Assist in set up and clean up of the demonstrating company, as there is only a brief period of time before the next demo is to begin.


More volunteer opportunities may come available very soon, but these are what I know we need at this time.  I hope I have given enough detail at this time so volunteers have a good idea of what they would be signing up to do.  If more detail is requested, please let me know...  We will have a better idea of shift times once we have an idea of how many volunteers are interested in a certain volunteer position.

Please have all interested volunteers indicate whether they are restricted on their volunteer hour times, otherwise we will fill volunteer positions based on priority.  Volunteers are intended to be easily spotted, therefore will be receiving a t-shirt from GIG to wear when on duty.  GIG staff will also be wearing attire that makes them easily recognizable, should volunteers need to direct persons to them.

Contact me right away with volunteer names and contact information - emails and telephone numbers.

Thank you!

Mandy Lyons
Office Manager
P: 253-833-6655 ext 110
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GIG conference - Registration Special -20% off the current registration rate.
Register by Friday, June 10th and take 20% off the current registration fee. This special offer is open to non-GIG members too.

To take advantage of this special offer register online. Any registration received before midnight June 10th will receive a 20% discount.
You can also register by calling GIG at 253-833-6655 (M-F 8 to 4 PDT)

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Ice Cream Social

GIG-Montgomery will not meet in June.  However, along with a regular July meeting, we will have an ice cream social at 32 Degrees in Eastchase on Saturday, July 9th, 3 p.m. 
The company headquarters was so kind to send $1 off coupons for all of our members.  We will have them at 32 Degrees on July 9th so look for Ruth, Pam or me before making a purchase. 
All of the flavors except for one are gluten free and that exception is clearly labeled.  A manager told me that they try to have at least one dairy-free sorbet flavor as well each day.  I am including contact information below so that those who need to verify a dairy-free option can do so before coming.
Montgomery, AL
7030 Eastchase Pkwy, Ste C120
Montgomery, AL 36117
334.272.4773
Fri. and Sat. 12 a.m-10 p.m.
Sun-Thurs. 12 p.m.- 9p.m.
Next to Moe's
http://www.32yogurt.com/
http://www.facebook.com/32degreesyogurt?v=info

Many Thanks to Dr. Penn White

Wow!  The presentation by Dr. Penn White is what I had been hoping for since beginning the paperwork last fall to form GIG-Montgomery.  Dr. White did a great job of compiling information in handouts for our members.  If you missed his presentation, we have extra copies of his handouts available.  Most importantly, we now have an advocate in the medical community who will partner with us in our quest to disseminate the latest research. 
If you have been trying to convince a family member or friend to be checked for gluten intolerance, give them Dr. White’s information (here).  Of course, they will need to be referred by a primary doctor; the key is to come armed with information from reputable sources that make the connection between symptoms and an immune response to gluten.