There is a fantastic non-profit organization branded TEDx. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.
At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group.
Asheville hosted a TEDx event which featured a young 11 year old named Birke Baehr. Birke eloquently addressed the audience in a presentation speech about "What's Wrong With Our Food System?" that reached far beyond his years in wisdom and message. Here is his speech for you to ponder and hopefully do your part in making the vision happen:
9/24/2010
Books About Celiac Disease For Children Help Parents & Children Understand Better
It is hard enough as an adult to comprehend that your whole lifestyle will have to change when learning you have celiac disease. It is understandably even harder for a child to comprehend a lifestyle change or just what celiac disease is. The word disease in itself can be frightening for anyone to hear and doubly so for a child. And as a parent the challenge of explaining it without conveying your own emotions onto the situation can be very tough indeed.
We sought out a book for our celiac child to read in order to explain better which would be on her level with simple words. The local library only had one book, Eating Gluten Free With Emily. Thankfully there are many more books which have been lovingly written to help us as parents to explain that help to soften the blow of a new diagnosis. There are also some books available which discuss the challenges a gluten free child faces in a gluten world. You can find a list of books in our R.O.C.K. Charlotte Gluten Free Resource Library to help you and your child along.
There is a new entry which garners special attention:
“Mommy, What is Celiac Disease?” by Katie Chalmers has been endorsed by Dr. Fasano, Dr. Guandalini, Elaine Monarch, and Alice Bast. Kate has celiac disease as does her child and she has written a wonderful new children's book which explains celiac disease "by using Q&A’s through the eyes of a mother and child. The book exemplifies the positive outlook and attitude needed to live happily with this disorder and uses easily understandable dialogue. It explains to children that they have a condition that is very easy to treat with some simple dietary changes and reassures children that they will have a healthy, happy, normal life. It explains the effects of celiac disease on the body with easy to comprehend terms, analogies and illustrations so the child can feel comfortable knowing what it means to be a celiac."
as quoted from www.katiechalmers.com
9/19/2010
If Your Doctor Isn't Educated About Nutrition - How Can You Be?
Recently, a family member of mine has been dealing with a serious onset of acid reflux which has caused her excessive weight loss and has made it hard for to enjoy eating even with the medication Nexium. As most can relate, her doctor is eager to prescribe medications and has never once even talked about her diet as being a possible culprit. He prescribes endless medicines and procedures instead of discussing nutrition. This of course only adds to a patient's frustration and can render them feeling worse from side effects than in the beginning.
A recent article in the NY Times explains the situation perfectly and revelaed the sad truth that our medical practitioners are often not taught enough about nutrition in medical school: Teaching Doctors About Nutrition & Diet. So if you have felt a bit crazy at times and wondered why your specialist hasn't discussed nutritional changes which could alleviate problems without invasive medicines and procedures - perhaps they haven't because they don't honestly know. Nutritionists and Registered Dietiticians are more likely to be helpful on these levels than you ever imagined.
Apparently on an average, Americans eat a diet based on convenience and foods which set up an acidic atmosphere in our digestive tract. Because of this Americans are facing acid relux issues in epidemic numbers. So even if you are eating gluten free foods which are highly processed, you are not alleviating the triggers which can cause acid reflux to remain an issue. The key is to stop eating a majority of foods which break down in the body to become acidic. Contrary to beliefs, oranges and tomatoes actually break down in the body to become alkaline. Confused yet? Well here is a video which may explain it better - The title is misleading to the whole content - It is well worth a watch:
Secondly, if you or someone you love suffer from digestive disorders, that usually means there is some sort of inflammation or irritation present. This is true for anyone with IBS, Crohn's Disease, Celiac Disease, Colitis, Gastritis, etc. Here is a list of some foods that are helpful to reduce inflamation:
salmon, cold-water fish - omega-3's
grass-fed, free range meat - omega-3's
olive oil (extra virgin least processed) - oleic acid
salads - dark green lettuce, spinach vitamin C
cruciferous veggies - broccoli, cauliflower, brussles sprouts, kale - anti-oxidants, sulfur
cherries - anti-oxidants, lower glycemic index
blueberries - anti-oxidents
tumeric - anti inflammatory properties (found in brown mustard)
ginger
garlic - anti-inflamatory, glucose-regulating, helps infections
green tea - may reduce risk of heart disease and cancer
As we've touched upon here and in previous articles, the healing power of food can do amazing things.
9/07/2010
Celebrate Healthy Gluten Free Eating
Lately there have been news pieces which accurately depict some of the highly processed gluten
free foods flooding the market as unhealthy when eaten regularly rather than as a treat.
If you need healthy gluten free snack ideas which aren't full of highly processed gluten free options that just replace the old highly processed gluten versions - we have the event for you!
Healthy Home Market in Davidson, N.C. is having a Healthy Eating Day celebration, September 18th, 2010 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
*Please join us at 1 p.m. for a fantastic Gluten Free Demo of quick healthy gf snack foods before embarking on a Gluten Free Store Tour with our lead coordinator, Nikki Everett.
By the way, Healthy Home Market is one of our favorite Gluten Free stops because they have a GF section clearly defined, which makes our shopping all the easier. They are also opening a NEW store in Hickory, N.C. and are having a Grand Opening celebration there on October 1st:-)
9/04/2010
Gluten Free In Hot 'Lanta
Don't have any plans yet for September 25th?
You may want to take a drive down to Norcross, GA for the Atlanta Metro Celiac Support Group's
If you haven't been to a GF Fair yet, you can be sure you will leave with a full tummy from tons of samples among other perks. Full bags of sample products and leaflets of information are usually available to boot. So click this link to find more information and registration info: HERE
Atlanta Gluten-free Vendor Fair
Norcross, GA
September 25th
Featured Speaker at 9:00 am\
Fair from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Cooking Demo from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Admission is $5 (kids 12 and under get in free).
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