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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.
“The Gluten Glitch” book review
As the mother of 3 children, two of which are gluten and dairy free, I often wonder about my children advocating for themselves when it comes to school and other events where I am not present. When I came across this book at an expo, I read it right at the author’s table. The Gluten Glitch made me smile when I thought of many similar conversations that I have had with my own little ones. It was such a joy to read this book that I purchased one for my children and the author generously donated a copy to our local celiac support group. This book provides children with a platform to explain their dietary differences to their peers and classmates.
The setting of this story is perfect. It takes place during a mom’s drive home from school with her young son. The child is upset and complaining that his food at school always looks different from that of his classmates. Although he understands why he can’t eat gluten, his mother reiterates the effects that consuming this protein have on his growing body. She then refocuses him towards the positive side of his GF diet. They talk about what he can eat.
I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have had this conversation with my own kids, especially the oldest who is now in 4th grade. Even though she has been GF since kindergarten, this year has been particularly tough. When we were children we had to deal with bullies as part of growing up and attending school. As parents, we are being made more aware that food bullying is occurring in schools every where. I recently read some great articles in Allergic Living magazine including http://bit.ly/YfPLDQ and http://bit.ly/PWeQE1. My children and their teachers are armed with a plethora of information to deal with these situations and The Gluten Glitch will add to the arsenal.
In the fall, our youngest child will be entering kindergarten. This book will be in his little backpack on the first day of school for him to keep in his desk. You can purchase this awesomely illustrated and well written book at http://www.ieatdifferent.com.
This fabulous author has so much to be proud of.
- Special thanks to Stasie John for all that she is doing to raise allergy awareness!
