http://www.mondaysceliac.com

Monday:  Hello Carolanne, I understand you are starting the new Gluten-Free for Life Expo dedicated to Celiac Disease and the Gluten-Free Lifestyle. Please tell us a little bit about yourself and the Expo. 

Carolanne:  My name is Carolanne LeBlanc and I’m the Volunteer Coordinator for the Gluten-Free for Life Expo and the Moderator for the Gluten-Intolerance Support Group of Largo, Florida.  The Support Group and I came up with a plan to sponsor our own Expo for the Celiac Disease and Gluten-Intolerance community. The Gluten-Free for Life Expo will be held on the 24th of March 2012 in St Petersburg, Florida. We expect this to be a major event in this state with nearly 100 manufacturers, medical professionals, distributors, service providers and retailers available to demonstrate and speak on the latest issues regarding Celiac Disease and the Gluten-Free Lifestyle. Both Vendors & Speakers will have the opportunity to be exposed to people not only from Tampa Bay but across the state of Florida as well. Many attendees will be newly diagnosed Celiacs and/or persons with additional food allergies. This will be a fantastic opportunity to offer products, information, and services to consumers who may not be aware of what is available.

Monday:  What are the highlights that Visitors to the Expo will Experience?

Carolanne:  This is going to be an Educational, Experiential Expo for the general public, food industry, and health professionals. Aside from the chance to taste and purchase many Gluten-Free products, we’ll be having Professional Speakers throughout the day. We’ll have specially designated ‘Chat Rooms’ were people can meet with others, ask questions, offer advice and have the opportunity to talk with other Support Organizations that work together with the Gluten-Free Community.  We’ll have several Health Professionals specializing in different areas available to offer their services and answer questions.

Our goal is to help those within the Gluten-Free Community gain knowledge, research, and resources while providing opportunities for Families with related diseases to bond with one another. This is our effort to increase the awareness and diagnosis of Celiac Disease and help those with Gluten-Intolerance.

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This is an interesting video from the Wall Street Journal about gluten sensitivity.
Some people claim that eating gluten products can cause health problems like body aches and chronic fatigue — and even some behavioral problems in children. WSJ’s Melinda Beck talks with Kelsey Hubbard about a new study that sheds light on what may be going on.

See the complete article: University of Maryland School of Medicine Researchers Identify Key Pathogenic Differences Between Celiac Disease & Gluten Sensitivity

This is great public service announcement that helps educate people about Celiac Disease.

This another great video with the “Celiac Diva” Lauren-Lucille and Schar’s resident gluten-free expert Anne Roland Lee. The Better Without, Episode 2: Gluten-free Shopping

Their shopping trip discusses which sections of the grocery store contain items that are almost always gluten-free (including the produce, fresh meat/poultry, and dairy products). and they then take a trip down the gluten-free aisle and help you identify what you should be looking for from gluten-free products. They also discuss what it means to be ‘dedicated gluten-free’ and the importance of always checking the ingredients.

Larger Gluten Free Portions

This is an easy to prepare meal using Betty Crocker Asian Beef Helper.

Ingredients:
3 lbs skinless boneless chicken breasts.
1 Box Betty Crocker GF Asian Beef Helper Mix
1 Box De Boles GF Rice Penne

Directions:
- Brown 1.5 lbs of chopped chicken breasts in two separate pans.
- Add 3 cups of water to each pan.
- Add 1.5 cups of De Boles GF Rice Penne to each pan.
- Add half of the BC GF Asian Beef Helper Mix to each pan.
- Mix ingredients and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover each pan, and simmer 20 minutes mixing occasionally.