Category Archives: Misc.
CDF Conference and Expo Recap Part 1
Allow me to begin by saying what an honor it was to be chosen as an official blogger for the 2013 CDF Expo and Conference in Pasadena, California. I was among vivacious people who all shared a common interest that bonded us together. That interest was to raise celiac awareness. No better time to do so than during the month of May which is also known as Celiac Awareness Month, right?
I’ll have to admit that I was a bit nervous about meeting a slew of people that I didn’t know. In the end, it felt like a small family made up of extroverts. 
Introducing the cast of official event bloggers in alphabetical order so you can’t tell who my favorite is:
Alison from A Girl Defloured
Andrea from Rockin Gluten Free
Brian of East Bay Celiac
Chrissy of Glam Without Gluten
Erica of Celiac and the Beast
Kim from Thriving Gluten Free
Sarah of Can I Eat Here
The first day featured a full day of learning via educational sessions by guest speakers such as Dr. Joseph A. Murray and Dr. Peter Green.
During these sessions, we all picked up interesting facts. Since I’ve attended a couple of conferences, I zoomed in on some that I hadn’t heard before and some that I had that are really important to everyone.
From Dr. Murray’s slides, I learned that people from certain regions and origins lack the genes for celiac disease. Something I had never thought about until that moment as I live in my own narrow world. I found the cultural diversity for the genetic predisposition of celiac to be completely enthralling. I may be the only one but thought I would share that tid bit.
Dr. Murray also spoke at length about the “Celiac Iceberg.” He stated that although it is pretty above the surface it is very dangerous underneath. Kind of like the berg that sunk the Titanic.
Murray also discussed some very crucial information. CELIAC DISEASE CAN DEVELOP AT ANY POINT – IN ANY ONE’S LIFE! He suggested retesting often because you are NEVER too old to develop celiac REGARDLESS of whether you have tested negative in the past.
Remember folks, undiagnosed celiac is not benign.
During his presentation, Dr. Murray recommended testing for all of those with type 1 diabetes. He also mentioned that something has changed in our environment to promote celiac disease.
Dr. Peter Greene’s informative lecture began afterwards and divulged a plethora of information about silent celiac disease with numerous supportive slides. Just a few of the symptoms that have no typical gastrointestinal manifestation are down syndrome, osteoporosis, anemia, dermatitis herpetiformis and a myriad of other symptoms including neurological presentations.
Dr. Green also discussed the gender difference in why more women than men are diagnosed. It doesn’t come as much of a surprise to me that women are more often diagnosed with this or any illness as we are more likely to seek medical attention. We are just smarter. Ok, low blow but wanted to make sure you were still reading. Check out the slide to see why Dr. Green thinks this is the case.
If you want to know all about the products from CDF’s stand alone gluten free Expo, part 2 will be coming soon! Stay tuned.
****Would you like more information about the Conference? Please visit any of the above mentioned blogs or find #CDFExpo on Twitter/Instagram for slides from the presentations
Thank you to CDF for this fantastic opportunity to blog about your Annual Celiac Conference and Expo. We can’t think of a better way to kick off Celiac Awareness Month!
CDF EXPO
CDF Conference and Expo
We’ve found an awesome way to begin celebrating Celiac Disease Awareness Month. We’ll be attending the Celiac Disease Foundation’s National Education Conference & Expo on May 4th and 5th in Pasadena, CA.
I am so thrilled to be chosen as an “official blogger” for this event that I am actually speechless. If you know me, you know that is almost impossible.
This two day event will feature an educational conference on May 4th and an Expo of gluten free products & services open to the public on May 5th.
Conference and Expo (for attendees only) Information
May 4, 2013 from 730 am to 430 pm at the Pasadena Convention Center. This conference will be quite an educational opportunity for those following the gluten free diet whether they have celiac disease or gluten intolerance and for those who are involved in their lives. Presentations will be given by medical professionals, researchers and advocates for those who either live a gluten free lifestyle due to an autoimmune disorder(s) or medical necessity. Vendors will also be available during the conference from 10am to 430pm.
Expo Information
May 5, 2013 from 1000 am to 300 pm at the Pasadena Convention Center. This will be first time that CDF also hosts a Gluten Free Expo on the Sunday following the annual conference. During past years, the Expo was available to attend only for those who also attended the conference on Saturday in addition to the educational program. The “stand alone” portion of the Expo offers nearly 100 vendors. The need for gluten free products isn’t limited to those with celiac disease. According to CDF’s Development Director, Deborah Ceizler, “for celiacs, a gluten-free diet is not an option. But there are millions of people who choose a gluten-free diet for a multitude of reasons. This EXPO is a great way for anyone interested in, or even just curious about, gluten-free foods to try them, get credible information and network.”
For more information or to purchase tickets for the Expo and/or the conference, please click here.
Hurry you don’t want to miss this incredible opportunity to meet some of you favorite vendors, medical professionals and sample tasty treats!
To learn more about the Celiac Disease Foundation by visiting their website here. CDF has many opportunities to volunteer, learn and have fun while doing so.
For more information about living gluten free, please click here.
Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen offers gluten free food options
Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney
Our gluten-free adventure at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen
While we were on summer vacation in the Disneyland area, we wanted to treat the family to a special dinner that they would not forget. Although Disneyland itself offers many accommodations for gluten-free (GF) dining, we wanted to do something a little more upscale. After all, my mother was also visiting from Florida and deserved to have some fun away from the parks.
Celebrating with GF Champagne and non-GF beer
We set to work sifting through a ton of websites, menus, reviews and chose Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen (http://www.rbjazzkitchen.com) in Downtown Disney. Many of us (especially me) longed to have a hearty and healthy meal of grown-up food. No more hamburgers and hot dogs!
I contacted them to assure that they had a grasp on GF food service as well as dairy free (DF) options for my daughter. We made a reservation by calling the number listed on the Disney website and began dreaming of what we’d have for dinner.
After spending time in the popular new area of CarsLand at Disney, we were definitely ready to chow down in true New Orleans’s fashion.
Stepping inside of the restaurant transported us to Louisiana with the charm of New Orleans’s and southern bayou décor. We could hardly wait to see the menu.
We met the manager on duty, Allan Roy. Allan introduced us to Sous Chef, Joseph Stilson. Together we discussed our dietary needs and expectations. They were eager to provide us with an unforgettable meal and experience. Once they discovered it was our anniversary, we were also provided with complimentary champagne that was brought to us by our delightful server Jenna Gackstetter.
I feasted on Greg’s Bayou Ribs with chipotle-honey BBQ sauce, green beans, jalapeño-bacon potato salad.
Greg’s Bayou Ribs – TRULY UMPTIOUS!
This was a zesty and robust dish that was unexpectedly packed with flavor. It was the first time we have ever encountered jalapeños in potato salad. What a surprise to find it so delish!
My husband had a dish that was also GF called Black and Blue Filet Mignon which consisted of blackened fillet mignon, blue cheese dauphinoise potatoes and butter poached asparagus with a blueberry-Merlot demi-glace.
Black a Blue Filet Mignon
The dish arrived beautifully plated with layered mashed potatoes that looked a little like lasagna. He said it was deliciously tender and one of the best fillet mignons he has ever had.
The food was scrumptious, the service supreme and the atmosphere delightful. The restaurant was filled with happy people and the sounds of music.
Time to jazz it up!
The music came from a pianist who played jazzy music and also sang to accompany some of the songs.
This was magnificent experience and we highly recommend that you check this place out if you are ever near Downtown Disney. We will definitely return if we vacation in the Anaheim area.
Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen
