Meet the COO of the Celiac Disease Foundation

As some of you may know by now, there have been leadership changes at the Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF), an organization which continues to make a profound difference in the lives of those with Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerances. 
In April, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Marilyn Geller, CDF Chief Operating Officer, at the annual Leader’s Meeting and CDF Conference.  She is a wonderful lady full of energy and passion for raising awareness. She recently wrote a message to the Celiac Community which I would love to share with you. Please go to the CDF website and check out "Marilyn’s Message". It's a wonderful story of how one mother's determination to help her son has turned into a mission to effect the future of Celiac Disease and its awareness in our nation.

Highlights from the CDF 2012 Educational Conference in Los Angeles

CDF's 2012 Annual Education Conference

If you missed the 2012 Celiac Disease Foundation's Annual Educational Conference in Los Angeles, CA, click the above link to view highlights from their largest event . There are a few pictures and a video of a lecture presented by Dr. Gaundalini, Director of the University of Chicago's Celiac Disease Center. Here are some of the pictures of me posted on their webpage!

 CDF Chapter and Support Group Leaders at Conference meeting
with (far right) Mrs. Alaska International 2012, Brandy Wendler, RN

Peter H.R. Green, MD, Mrs. Alaska International 2012, Brandy Wendler, Stefano Guandalini, MD and Shelley Case, RD at VIP Reception

The Gluten Free Insider: Health Canada Releases New Guidelines for Gluten F...

I have always known that Canada had much better developed gluten free labeling laws than the US but here is an update that I found on Kinnikinnick's blog that I find very exciting! Just goes to show how the international community is coming together to make sure those of us who require a gluten free diet are safe!

Click here to read the blog!

Incredible, Edible Gluten Free Food Faire

Hosted by the Denver CSA Celiac group, this event is sure to be a lot of fun!

June Support Group Meeting

Please join me June 21st for our monthly Gluten-Free Support Group Meeting from 6-8 pm at Natural Pantry in their cafe. Natural Pantry is located at 3801 Old Seward Highway Anchorage, AK 99503.

Hodgson Mills has been kind enough to send samples for our meeting.

See you there!

Please note - there will be NO JULY Support Group meeting.

A Partnership with Find me Gluten Free App

Exciting news! Find Me Gluten Free is now the official iPhone app for Mrs. Alaska International 2012!

Here is the official press release:

Mrs. Alaska Brandy Wendler partners with Find Me Gluten Free to raise awareness for the Gluten Free Community

“Find Me Gluten Free is my go to source when looking for gluten free restaurants”

-Brandy Wendler Mrs. Alaska 2012

(Anchorage, Alaska)  Find Me Gluten Free, the most downloaded gluten-free restaurant and business finder app for iPhone and Android announces partnership with Brandy Wendler, Mrs. Alaska International 2012 to create awareness for the Celiac Disease and Gluten Free Community.

Find Me Gluten Free rates businesses on how gluten-free friendly they are, making it easier to find a restaurant which users can be confident will take preparing a gluten-free meal seriously, along with serving as a brand-finder at stores nationwide.

Brandy Wendler was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2008. It was a long journey to get the diagnosis that changed her life. For almost ten years she was sick and struggling. After her diagnosis, it was a long road to recovery but, she found new meaning to her life. “My responsibilities as Mrs. Alaska 2012 require me to travel frequently and it is nice to have the  Find Me Gluten Free app on my phone  for discovering restaurants and stores that I can dine in safely. Knowing that the app and website were created by a fellow Celiac, Jason, gives me a large sense of relief”, said Wendler.

“It is a natural fit to partner with Brandy and help increase awareness in the general population about Celiac Disease and gluten sensitivity, she has written some great reviews about the locations she has visited”, said Darin Alpert, COO, Find Me Gluten Free

Those with Celiac Disease or a gluten-intolerance cannot digest gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Three million Americans have Celiac Disease, and the Center for Celiac Disease in Maryland reported one out of seven people will have a gluten intolerance in their lifetime. The gluten-free food market has exploded as more and more people are diagnosed with gluten allergies and Celiac Disease.

For more information about Find Me Gluten Free, to download the iPhone and Android apps, or for partnership information please visit http://www.findmeglutenfree.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.  

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 About Find Me Gluten Free:
We believe that whether you're traveling, socializing, or you just need a quick bite to eat, people living a gluten-free lifestyle should be able to eat safely and comfortably. We strive to help you find gluten-free friendly businesses and share your experiences with other people in the gluten-free community. We want to raise awareness for Celiac Disease and gluten intolerance and help educate people about the gluten-free lifestyle, which is why we donate a portion of our proceeds to gluten-free awareness organizations. Visit us at: www.FindMeGlutenFree.com.

Save the Date: Celiac Sprue Association National Conference in October

 The 35th Annual 

Celiac Sprue Association Conference

"Charting the Course"

The Celiac Sprue Association is pleased to present an annual conference full of delicious gluten-free food, the latest on Celiac disease research, and education on celiac disease and gluten-induced conditions.

Join friends on Long Island, NY, October 4-6, 2012. The Celiac Sprue Association's conference hotel, Hyatt Regency Long Island in Hauppauge, has extended special conference hotel room rates of $119 throughout the dates of October 2-9, 2012.

So pack up your bags and your kids and enjoy the sights and sounds of Long Island and New York City. While there, join the Celiac Sprue Association for some great gluten-free food and important Celiac disease education.

New York City - Make the short trip from Hyatt Regency Long Island to New York City for lots of excitement.

Long Island Wineries - Discover the enchanted wine country of Long Island.

Golf - Located at the Hyatt Regency Long Island, The Hamlet Wind Watch Golf and Country Club rests atop one of Long Island’s highest points. The beautiful 18 hole course offers panoramic views of the entire north shore of Long Island.

Tennis - For high energy activities, hit the lighted tennis courts.

Entertainment - Long Island offers much of the same exciting entertainment as its larger counterpart, Manhat­tan.

Shopping / Galleries - With its close proximity to New York City, it’s no wonder that Long Island art galleries and retail shops abound.

Outdoor Adventure - The natural beauty of Long Island has given way to myriad parks and beaches. Situated on the Atlantic, the area is ripe with wildlife and foliage.

Vendors please contact conferences@csaceliacs.org for information about the gluten-free vendor fair.