Gluten & Allergen Free Expo 2016 & Event Sampling Tips

Secaucus, NJ – Oct. 15-16, 2016

at Meadowlands Expo Center (click for map)

I am super-duper excited for Gluten & Allergen Free Expo coming to the greater NYC area soon! Have you been there? If not, let's do this together...

How To Sample Gluten-Free

1st: Ask smart questions & learn

2nd: If deemed GF safe then sample 

(See top 10 tips below)

Wild Zora Original Meat And Veggie Bar Review

Just when you thought the gluten-free jerky category was jam packed and couldn't innovate: baam!!!  Merging grass fed beef WITH vegetables, spices and fruit is exactly what omnivores needed desperately from the snack aisle.  Introducing Wild Zora, the original Meat & Veggie Bar full of flavor and made of high quality ingredients for those who care about health and wellness.

No gluten No Soy No Nuts No Milk or Nightshades No MSG No Hormones No Chemical Additives No added Sugar No Preservatives No Dairy

Was Independence Day Meaningful For You?

According to Wikipedia, "Independence Day of the United States, is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, by the Continental Congress declaring that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as a new nation, the United States of America, and no longer part of the British Empire."

Despite what you believe in, support or agree with according to American history, when you have allergies or an issue with food associated with this holiday, life is more complicated than just celebratory! Since food is a key variable this time of year, gluten-free eating becomes once again nearly impossible, if you let it. That's why preparing ahead, learning to say no and minimizing expectations by taking no risks is what being "independent" is all about. 

Gluten Free Menus And Their Risky Disclaimers

Living with a gluten related auto-immune disease, wheat allergy, or gluten intolerance can be extremely difficult. None of these are the same though yet that have a lot in common. From Celiac Disease to a wheat allergy we all decide on different lifestyle choices. Some illnesses can be life threatening and others are not because you can treat yourself and remove risks. A very common everyday risk remains though, when you dine in at a restaurant and order from a gluten-free menu or from a server explaining their GF options, there is little to no chance you're receiving a 100% gluten-free meal. In turn, you have accepted the responsibility for potential G.I. intestinal trauma, diarrhea, exhaustion, or another delayed auto immune reaction. A restaurant may provide you with a degree of 1-on-1 attention to make you feel safe, warm and fuzzy, but the risk is real, every time, you're taking a conscious risk of cross contamination in the kitchen. These decisions are very risky!

Example of a gluten-free menu & disclaimer... a complete contradiction of gluten-free definition.

Celiac Awareness Month To Reflect

Activities like yoga connect mind & body.

It is my favorite month of the year, May - Celiac Awareness Month! So another year has gone by, and we journey through another period of reflection. Let's look back at this moment on your health - how do you actually feel about the health of your body and mind this past year? Seriously, are you feeling well right this moment? Are you satisfied with your ability to say, No? Are you handling food and beverages risks and have you learned more this year than the past regarding the risk of cross contamination, asking questions about food ingredients?  Do you feel that your overall health has improved or are you unsure, frustrated and confused more than ever of the status of your Celiac Disease, gluten intolerance or gluten reduced diet? I certainly hope that you put yourself first, lived well, eaten well, exercised and laughed in the good life!

CELIAC AWARENESS MONTH

We all know that I'm not perfect, hehe, but I am a 20 year Celiac Disease veteran managing my strictly gluten free lifestyle in a positive way. If there is one tip I can share regarding the health of my own mind and body, it is my confidence to say, "No" a lot. In fact, all of the time I say No to food options.

Hidden Garden Gluten Free Cookies Review

There are few foods in the world that people can't live without. Let's get to the point and identify cookies! With so many gluten free restrictions we find and love gluten free cookies to be a needed replacement sometimes. That's fine if you are able to balance sweets with choosing the right brand and of course, exercise! Sweet, chewy, crunchy, soft or hard it's impossible to eat just one of your favorite GF treats. I don't frequent the cookie jar, but when I do, I love the cookies and I'll share them, too. I have been sampling GF cookies more often than I anticipated, and there are a few treats out there such as Hidden Gardens. Hidden Gardens gluten free cookies have beets, squash, spinach,  pumpkin sneaking in their cookies for taste and delicate nutrients still tasting entirely like cookies. From British Columbia, Canada now available in USA sneaking veggies in your new favorite gluten free cookies! Let's say, I wish these Hidden Garden cookies were around in 1997 when gluten free cookies hadn't evolved...if only I thought of this!

Certified Gluten Free