Miss USA Pageant Has A Rock Star For Celiac Disease Awareness

Who is Jenna Drew?

Well she is a contestant in the Miss USA pageant, but she has also been dubbed a "Rock Star" for her volunteer efforts in the March 2010 Newsletter of The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness.

Jenna Drew has been promoting Celiac Awareness throughout Pennsylvania for the last year on her own because her mother has Celiac Disease. And as she states on the Miss USA Facebook page, "because you never know –  you could be that 1 in 133."

You can vote for her on The Miss USA Facebook page up to 10 entries a day through April 30th.

Let's give her the opportunity to continue promoting Celiac Awareness throughout the USA with the help and support of the celiac community.

Our powerful support is in the numbers - Let's rock America!

Didn't we say it would be a ROCKin' year for Celiac Disease Awareness?!?

Send In Your Ideas For R.O.C.K.(Raising Our Celiac Kids) Charlotte Website

Over the past few months we have had a few members contribute some very good ideas for the R.O.C.K. Charlotte website/blog and we LOVE your feedback.

Not only do we love it - We need it.

You are the most important contributors in our mission to be a success and grow.

The more we grow, the more R.O.C.K. (Raising Our Celiac Kids) Charlotte is able to help others and plan fun informative gluten free events.

Please don't hesitate to send us your ideas via the little e-mail icon located in the left column.

Or you may email them to:

Nikki Everett at haircolorexpertise@hotmail.com

web designer of R.O.C.K. Charlotte's web site

R.O.C.K. Charlotte Visits Asheville's Gluten Free Vendor Fair

This past weekend R.O.C.K. Charlotte's coordinating members, Brenda Holland, Erin Everett, and Nikki Everett went to Asheville to be a part of the Gluten Free Food & Information Fair sponsored by Ingles grocery stores and the Asheville/Hendersonville Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG). If you couldn't be there, here is a little overview of what it was like.

Not only is Asheville one of our favorite cities in the mountains to visit, but the people involved with the fair were incredibly hospitable and enjoyable. The three members left there feeling more than welcomed and accepted into their mountain community, feeling that feel good feeling you get from sharing with others in the gluten free community itself.

Before the GF Fair, clinical dietician from Pardee Memorial Hospital, Laurie Steenwyk gave a very informative talk on "Raising A Healthy Celiac Child".
The Fair opened and was packed with attendees at the vendors tables which were loaded with gluten free food and information that soon filled attendees bags. Among the gluten free vendors were lots of food companies that could be found in Ingles food stores like:
Hormel meats
Seeds of Change gluten free organic foods
Wellshire Farms hormone free, nitrate free meats
Bob's Red Mill gluten free flours and mixes
Glutino pretzels, candy bars, cookies, etc.
Chebe bread mixes
Simply Organic gluten free mixes
Allergaroo pre-packaged kid's meals free of the top 8 allergens: milk, soy, egg, wheat(gluten), fish, shellfish, peanuts(treenuts).
A Taste of Thai gluten free Indian mixes
Organicville gluten free salad dressings and sauces and packaged mixes
San-J sauces and salad dressings
And many more...

Asheville's top-notch gluten free restaurant that everyone is buzzing about, Posana Cafe, had a booth at the show. Their incredible pastry chef creations were gone in a matter of no time. People tasted their gluten free delicacies again and again as they marveled at how gluten free food doesn't have to taste inferior. The three R.O.C.K. Charlotte members ate every meal they had while in Asheville at Posana Cafe and felt the same amazement about every thing they tried on the menu. And it is ALL GLUTEN FREE!
So stay tuned for an upcoming post from Nikki, R.O.C.K. Charlotte's coordinator, about the Posana Cafe experience and be sure to plan a visit next time you are in Asheville, N.C.

Goodies from The Herban Baker

There were also some other gluten free vendors local to Asheville that especially caught everyone's attention. Their products were very tasty and their effort into taking extra interest in providing gluten free products of superior quality really impressed our R.O.C.K. members.

The Chocolate Fetish - Chocolate delicacies, hand made, like chocolate covered gluten free pretzels - Yum!

The Herban Baker - Wholesome, local & organic baked goods that are not only incredible but also healthy

True Color Cooking - Chef for hire, Harriette Bugel, is an allergen friendly, self taught chef who cooks local & organic. Her meal plans and food art bring delicious healthy creations to those with food allergies and sensitivities to gluten, corn, wheat, peanuts, soy, eggs and dairy, as well as meet medical recommendations for arthritis, autism, diabetes, cancer, ADD/ADHD, and celiac condition.

It was truly a great time and alot of people sharing, caring and making their journey gluten free:-)

Use The Resources For Digestive Health

Would you like to have a website which gives you up to date information about your child's digestive health issues?

Well, here is a website which can help you find a specialist who deals with digestive health, research and learn about various digestive disorders, and stay abreast of current digestive news:

Children's Digestive Health and Nutrition Foundation

Another excellent resource is from the American College of Gastroenterology and is called Digestive Health Smart Brief (DHSB). Sign up for their newsletter here: DHSB Newsletter

The best way to deal with any medical problem is to be as well informed as you can be so that you can take pro-active steps to a healthier family.

The Buzz Around R.O.C.K. Charlotte Upcoming Events

Get in on the buzz...

If you haven't heard of all the events R.O.C.K. Charlotte is traveling to and hosting then you are missing out on the down-low.

Hurry up and head over to the R.O.C.K. Charlotte Events page and check out everything happening!

R.O.C.K. CHARLOTTE EVENTS

There is:

 Gluten Free Food Fair in Asheville this Saturday April 24th
First Charlotte Gluten Free Expo Meeting May 6th
Strawberry picking May 8th
Gluten free basics cooking class on May 22nd

And more to come - Be sure to bookmark events for future reference.

Gluten Free Mothers ROCK!

May is not only Celiac Awareness month, it is also the month in which we honor our mothers with the age old celebration of Mother's Day.

Just how old is Mother's Day?

Well, Mother's Day is centuries old and can be linked to the ancient Greeks. In those days, Mother's Day was more of a religious ceremony. Through the years that has changed a whole lot and is more a day of spending time with your mother and giving gifts.

Either way the fact still remains that mothers are obviously the reason why we are all here today.

Without being born, you would not exist.

But if you are growing up gluten free, your mothers are usually spending alot of their time and energy to make sure that you eat properly.

(We do it because you are our R.O.C.K. Stars and we love you ;-)

Below are the top reasons why you should especially honor your gluten free mother on this national holiday.

Gluten Free Mothers

1. Never leave home without a snack - (Just in case...)

2. Have a secret network of friends who help them cook the impossible meals or find the newest gluten free menus.

3. Never give up on a quest to find gluten free foods for you that are comparable to the ones you loved before your diagnosis - Even if it means ordering it from some foreign country you've never heard of.

4. Teach you how to read food labels because it gives you something to do while they decipher the big words and if they're safe.

5. Half of the time they know more about celiac disease then most of the doctors you have been to see.

And last but not least...

Gluten Free mothers seem to know exactly what to do to make you feel better when you don't feel good.

So, don't forget to wish your gluten free mother a Happy Mother's Day on Sunday, May 9th, 2010.

And to our gluten free mother's - Thank you for all you do.

Happy Mother's Day from R.O.C.K.!

Newly Diagnosed & Gluten Free?

If you are new to being gluten free...

Here's a BIG hug and reassurance that you WILL be able to manage this journey.

Life has changed - Try to focus on what you CAN eat, not what you can't.

One day, this will seem easier than in the beginning.

Here are 5 goals to accomplish for anyone newly diagnosed:

1. Find a dietician who is knowledgeable about gluten free.

Dieticians can tell you what you can eat, help you put together menus for your child's nutrition, give you the steps to accomplish living gluten free successfully, and aid you on getting the right supplements. Your gastroenterologist or diagnosing physician should be able to refer you to someone reputable.

2. Reading labels is mandatory.

It is a must to read labels even on brands you typically buy. Because of a company's ability to change ingredients on a regular basis, you can't always assume something is gluten free because you bought it once before. After you begin to read labels, you might start making some other healthier choices in the end. Reading something somehow spells it out, if you know what I mean:-)
Here is a list of GF Safe Ingredients. If you aren't sure though - It's best to not try.

3. Back to the basics in cooking:

I met a woman in the health market and she was asking me questions in the gluten free aisle.

She said, "So it's like going back to the basics and cooking like your grandmother did?"

I said, "Basically."

Yes, the gluten free market is exploding with pre-made mixes and the sort but if you want to be 100% sure you are gluten free - Then I suggest at least watching some basic cooking videos if you are not an accomplished cook. Sometimes all we need is a little visual step by step to spark our learning curve.

4. The internet is your best gluten free friend. There are hundreds of blogs, recipes, articles, videos and important links to national support groups and email groups which are local to you and can provide you with the help you need. We have many listed here in the School Lunch Section, the Product List, and Recipe Section. A support group is your most valuable tool in having the ability to work through the entangled web of gluten in our lives due to processed foods.

5. Parents have an added challenge of making sure their children's school environment is gluten free and safe. There are many websites with information about the 504 plan which mandates that your child be given the rights to be in a safe environment and be offered foods to meet their needs. Many of our parents in R.O.C.K. Charlotte can be support for those who need it during this process. I decided a different route because of my daughter's absences while being diagnosed which put her behind. She is now home schooled and on honor roll. She is gluten free, healthy, and happy which is all we needed.

Support Celiac Awareness Everyday But Especially In May!

If you didn't know it, May is Celiac Awareness Month:-)

Triumph Dining has teamed up with the National Foundation For Celiac Awareness NFCA to raise $5,000 for Celiac Awareness and all you have to do is post their badge on your webpage...

Gluten Free

You'll find ours here and at the top left of this main page.

Although only one badge per page is counted for each entry, we are going to place it on each of the R.O.C.K. Charlotte pages - If nothing more than to signify our commitment to raising Celiac Awareness everyday:-)

Spread the word and join us in wearing the badge with honor...Supporting Celiac Awareness ROCKS!

Presbyterian Hospital Brings The Colossal Colon to Matthews, N.C.

Digestive Health Day

Your key to fun and unlocking a life of colorectal wellness

Saturday, April 10, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Presbyterian Hospital Matthews

1500 Matthews Township Pkwy., Matthews, NC 28105

Join us for a day of kid-friendly activities, information booths, screenings, seminars and a chance to tour Coco, the Colossal Colon®.

Program Schedule

The Importance of Cancer Prevention

10 - 11 a.m.

Living with Crohn’s Disease and Colitis

11:10 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.

Eat Healthy, Stay Active: Eating and

Exercising for Healthy Digestion

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Making the Grade: Raising a Child

with Celiac Disease and Food Allergies

1:40 - 2:20 p.m.

Tour Coco, the Colossal Colon®

April 5 - 10

Mon. - Fri., 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Sat., 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Presbyterian Hospital Matthews

Tour the 40-foot exhibit and see what it means to be diagnosed with colitis, hemorrhoids, colon cancer and many other digestive diseases. Family-friendly, expert-led, interactive, educational sessions scheduled throughout Coco’s visit to learn about one of the most serious and least talked about health concerns: colorectal disease.

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Spells Out Common Issues For All Parents

This season on ABC, Jamie Oliver is taking on a small town in Huntington, West Virginia in order to try and change the American school lunch system on the show Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution which airs on Friday evenings at 9/8 Central time.
It is a very admirable and daunting task at hand and yet his winning spirit is shining through.

As a gluten free parent, I have hopes that if the school lunch programs were changed from processed food, that my daughter would be able to find healthy alternatives at school rather than in a packed lunch. I am sure that most parents would feel better about school lunches if that were the case. I think we forget that most parents are facing very similar struggles each week when the school lunch menu is revealed.

However, while watching the show there are a few facts that are shatteringly clear:

1. Not only are our gluten free children better off in the long run than on a regular school lunch program, but processed food could have been a catalyst for the onset of their medical issues to begin with. After all every immune disorder has to have a catalyst. How many of us were innocently opting for processed food all along from our children's conception to the time of their diagnosis? The question lingers for me quite often since diabetes and celiac are linked in some cases and other food allergies often accompany a celiac diagnosis.

2. Our children are blank slates begging for the knowledge of experiencing new things which includes starting a healthy relationship with their food by getting involved in the cooking. They are proven to be less likely to form negative opinions once they are taught about a new vegetable or food and then cook that very same food themselves - They will invariably at least try it.

3. Convenience and affordability outweigh the average consumer's viewpoints on food's nutritional values. Perhaps this is why movements like Slow Food or Food, Inc. have taken some time in becoming popular and only reach a certain faction of the general public. Thank goodness for people like Oprah and Jamie Oliver for at least making the subject matter more mainstream.

4. For gluten free parents, the struggles with providing nutritional alternatives are normal in the overall challenges that many parents face. The myth that the schools are providing our children with the right nutritional choices has got to be put to rest and we all need to get more involved with that process. The old saying, "It takes a village to raise a child" is clearly having to be revisited for parents everywhere when they watch The Food Revolution.

Kudos to Jamie Oliver for tackling the challenges and bringing the realities back home that we should have been aware of all along.

Here is a preview of one episode:

Watch The Food Revolution every Friday night on ABC.

Ancient Romans Had Celiac Disease: Italian Doctor Makes Find

Easter week provided a very interesting revelation out of Ancient Rome

An Italian doctor named Giovanni Gasbarinni has found what he believes to be the remains of the first Italian death related to Celiac Disease.

Picture harvested from Glutenfreeville

Why is this important?

Well, in short, to know about where you are, you must know where you have been.

To know when Celiac Disease started will link it possibly to many more unanswered questions.

To be able to trace digenerative disorders through time can open doors to treatment and answers to questions long harboured about the increases in Celiac and how our dependence upon grain has effected us in cicilizations past

.

Gasbarinni's findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenerology and the link to the original article can be found here:

In English: Glutenfreeville

In Italian: Article

Empowered Mommies Features R.O.C.K. Charlotte Support Group & Food Allergy Awareness

The Charlotte, N.C. Chapter of R.O.C.K. (Raising Our Celiac Kids) was featured in an interview on the up and coming local website for mothers called Empowered Mommies.

This wonderful new site focuses on the challenges of parenting and for soon-to-be parents alike with informative articles, factual information and even blogs straight from the mothers who experience the challenges.

But Empowered Mommies doubly impressed R.O.C.K. with their initiative of exploring the challenges that parents all face when a child has a food allergy or sensitivity and how best to cope with it.

They have featured 3 interviews with mothers dealing with diagnoses and challenges of raising a child with Celiac or gluten intolerance. The interviews included one with Nikki Everett, the founder and coordinator of Charlotte's R.O.C.K. Chapter, and can be found: Here

A BIG R.O.C.K. Thank You to Empowered Mommies

for raising awareness of food intolerances, Celiac Disease & gluten free living.