March Meeting

I just saw in the Montgomery Advertiser that last month’s information printed today.  Dr. Brinson was our guest speaker in February and will not be a part of the March meeting!  However, these meetings are always open to the public so feel free to join us.

After hearing from several group members, we decided to make the March meeting a time of sharing our best recipes and tips.  If you can, bring a favorite gluten free dish along with the recipe for it.  However, if you are unsure about your schedule and your ability to bring something, and/or you are still learning how to cook gluten free and do not want to chance “glutening” someone, then just come and learn!  One thing you can do whether bringing a dish or not is write down your favorites in different gluten free categories.  We will have a giant dry erase board marked with different GF categories and you can simply come up to the board and add any favorites you do not see already listed.  We will then compile your recommendations and email out to the membership. 

Remember, if you do bring a dish, be sure to bring your recipe as well.  Some members have to avoid other ingredients besides gluten so we want everyone to be fully informed.

New Gluten Free Resource Directory

Wow—this resource is fabulous and free!

**From an email alert from the Celiac Disease Foundation**

“The *NEW* online CDF Gluten-Free Resource Directory provides you - FREE of charge - with a unique and easy, one-stop guide to all things Gluten-Free!

Each category has been carefully selected to provide you with products and services that simplify and demystify the gluten-free living experience.

The *NEW* online CDF Gluten-Free Resource Directory is dynamic, constantly evolving, growing, changing and being updated with new products and services every day.

So, be sure to check the site often to take advantage of some great promotions and new-to-market products available to you and your family.”

http://cdfresourcedirectory.com/

Easter Candy

Another helpful list for sorting through any Easter candy, this time via the March 2012 newsletter of The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness.  They are using lists compiled by MyGlutenFacts.com.  You can go directly to that site, or to read even more news, click on newsletter link and then scroll down the page to find the candy article. Especially informative are the specifics on how different sizes of the same candy are safe or not safe, due to whether they were processed in a facility that also processes wheat or not.

Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Via GIG:  Interested in Reviewing an Educational Website on Celiac Disease from the Celiac Center at BIDMC?

“The Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is creating an educational website on celiac disease. We are looking for people who would like to review the site and send us comments and suggestions. We will use these comments to revise the site before we release it to the public in mid 2012.

Who/what are we looking for in a reviewer:

A person who has celiac disease or cooks/cares for a person with celiac disease

A sample of people from all walks of life, anywhere in the U.S.

Your comments and suggestions about our site on our survey

Your response within 2 weeks of receiving the survey in early April

A person with computer access and an email account

18 years or older

Details of the Site:
It is designed for people with celiac disease who want to learn how to manage their health on the gluten-free diet - both those newly diagnosed and those who have well established celiac disease. These may be people who live far from a specialized celiac center and need to educate themselves on nutrition and the gluten-free diet. It is also designed for those who wish to share useful clinical information with their healthcare provider. Finally, it is for anyone who wants to learn more about living gluten-free. 

The articles are written by the Nutrition Coordinator of the Celiac Center, other expert dietitians in celiac disease, and our medical and nutrition students. Each article is edited by an expert dietitian and a gastroenterologist of the Celiac Center.

We regret that we will be unable to personally answer your survey comments. However, we will consider each one carefully as we work to improve the site before its launch. 

If you are interested, please send an email to Melinda Dennis, at mdennis@bidmc.harvard.edu with:

Your name

Your email address

We will send you a link to the site and a survey to complete.

Thanks!

Melinda Dennis, MS, RD, LDN

Nutrition Coordinator, Celiac Center

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Boston, MA

Thanks for a Great Meeting!

After concern that we would need a last-minute substitution, the February GIG-Montgomery meeting went beautifully.  Dr. Randy Brinson was able to give a presentation and conduct a Q&A session via Skype.  Moe’s Southwest Grill provided an enormous and delicious spread of GF options. 

Many were surprised at the large number of choices available at Moe’s.  Jess Rawls (of Moe’s management) personally oversaw the spread and has been a breath of fresh air.  In years of contacting the management of area restaurants, I can count on one hand the managers who have chosen to understand two major issues.  The first is that attention to cross-contamination is a must.  The second is the concept of, “If you build it, they will come.”  Despite stats that clearly reveal the marked increase in GF offerings (see here and a follow-up here, and here) management at several area eateries do not seem to think they are missing out on business by not offering GF options.  To have the opposite experience at Moe’s is very encouraging. 

So go try Moe’s!  I always tell our membership to use the phrase “allergy alert” when ordering, even though it is not technically an allergy.  That phrase causes certain action to occur, such as changing gloves.

Many thanks to Moe’s and to Dr. Brinson for launching Year 2 of GIG-Montgomery on such a positive note!

February Meeting of GIG-Montgomery

**FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC**

We are less than 2 days away from the February meeting of the Gluten Intolerance Group of Montgomery!  Our newsletter implied but did not specify that the meeting will be at Taylor Road Baptist Church, in the Fellowship Suite that faces the Eastchase Shopping Center (Th., 2/23, 6-7 p.m.).

Moe’s Southwest Grill will be providing a large spread of GF options available every day on its menu.  I have had delightfully productive communication with the regional manager, who not only understands cross-contamination but is looking for more ways to meet the needs of the gluten free community.

Some come hungry and bring your notepad as well.  I know many are looking forward to hearing from Dr. Brinson about the latest on gluten intolerance research.

Great Gluten Free Expo in Birmingham

How exciting that a fabulous event for the gluten free community will happen just a couple of hours down the road.  I would love to hear Dr. Alessio Fasano, chief researcher at the University of Maryland’s Center for Celiac Research, in person. Jules Shepard is also scheduled to make an appearance.  Two years ago, her flour blend opened a whole new world of baking for me.

There is so much going on this coming weekend, Feb. 24^th and 25^th, including a 5K Celiac Walk/Run and a Gluten Free Dinner Gala with Dr. Fasano.  I saw a notice that most of the gluten free samples at the Expo will also be dairy free.  You can find all the details here:

http://www.bhamkidsandfamily.com/home/great-gluten-free-expo/

Valentine’s Day Candy

Of all the lists of GF Valentine candy that I have seen, the one compiled by the “Celiac Family” blogger is the one that I appreciate the most.