SGFA Weekly Roundup!

Thank you to De Puma Gluten Free Pasta!

Our last monthly meeting was an amazing event with over 40 people in attendance. Thank you to John and all of you for making it such a special day!

Yummy GF Pasta!

Enjoying Lunch!

Talking with John

As a result of our luncheon with John DePuma, you will soon be able to order DePuma's products at the Illiano's retaurants in New London, Middletown and Old Lyme. Watch for news! You may also purchase DePuma's products at his store front in North Haven. Your membership card will entitle you to 10% discount on the total order. Food Works in Old Saybrook has the products, and will soon be carrying the cavatelli we enjoyed at the event.

Restaurant Suggestions

• Have you tried Four Seasons Market in Branford? They have a nice cafeteria to have lunch and wonderful GF baked goods. They also have natural and organic foods and produce and abundant GF products, including a great selection of The Grainless Bakery Breads, including pumpernickle. The GF baked goods are handcrafted by their own baker who also makes GF Birthday Cakes to order! An SGFA member recently had an amazing pumpkin/blueberry muffin and coffee and enjoyed it overlooking their patio.
  They are also a great supporter of SGFA. (875 W Main St, Branford, CT 06405; fourseasonsmarketllc@yahoo.com)

Board Update

• First Selectmen's Meeting: All agreed to get behind the idea that gluten intolerance is a public health issue and have pledged to support our efforts with proclamations for the month of May being "Celiac Awareness Month". (Old Saybrook, Deep River, Clinton, Essex.)
  
• Local Convalescent Homes: Celiac patients living at local convalescent homes will soon not have to worry about their meals. Nutritionist Alessyana Quimby, a member of SGFA, will be training the staff at Gladeview during the month of March, a program which will become a model for other Homes in the area. As we suspected, the problem is not so much the food but the cross- contamination issues, but the lack of dedicated toasters and utensils and properly- trained staff. The owner of Gladeview has offered to allow us to hold a HEALTH AND WELLNESS FAIR at their facility also on a Saturday in early MAY, complete with GF vendors, and the VNA present to help us further the goal in getting more people tested. This is only in the discussion stages. Would you be interested in volunteering on this event? Contact Sybil.
  
• Lots of great events in the works for the spring including a Chili Fest and Positive Living Conference! See below for more details!
  

News and Links

Diagnosing Celiac

• Celiac Becoming Easier to Diagnose: After years of being misdiagnosed and even having her gallbladder removed, Harriet Harter finally found out she had celiac disease. Her gastroenterologist, Dr. Narayanachar S. Murali, says it is becoming easier for doctors to pinpoint celiac disease. "Refinements in diagnosis and higher suspicion of the disease by doctors is leading to more frequent diagnosis of the problem in people with atypical symptoms or no external manifestations of the disease.
  
• New IBS Guidelines: On December 18, 2008, The American College of Gastroenterology issued new guidelines for management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The new guidelines now include: "IBS patients with diarrhea or a mixture of diarrhea and constipation should be screened with blood tests for celiac disease, a condition in which one cannot tolerate the gluten protein found in wheat and other grains." It is often difficult to differentiate between IBS and celiac disease, so this recommendation to test all IBS patients with CD symptoms is an important milestone.

Living Gluten Free Videos and Photographs

• WebMd - A nice introduction to living GF - with photographs and tips
  
• GFCentral.com - A new video site with short videos reviewing products and tips for cooking
• From Karina's Kitchen - Recently diagnosed? Blue about living gluten-free? Taste this is a gluten-free slide show featuring over one hundred juicy photographs of tempting gluten-free recipes.

Helpful Links (from one of our members!)

• Natl Foundation for Celiac Awareness
• Dr Peter Green's site : Updates on research, testing etc. and they have a fantastic nutrionist there!
  
• Gluten Free Travel
• GF in Connecticut
  

Upcoming SGFA Events & Membership

Saturday, March 21st, 12PM: Chili Cookoff - Family Day @ The Westbrook Library
We would like both meat and veggie chili, at least 3 of each, donations of corn bread, side dishes and favorite easter desserts. Let Sybil know if you would be interested in cooking for this event.

Saturday, April 25th, 8:30AM: Positive Living Conference. Watch for publicity! Event will include speakers, workshops, special keynote address by Cynthia Kupper, Executive Director of GIG, with GF catered luncheon. Old saybrook location, small charge for members.

Are you a member yet? Learn about the latest news on the research front, hear about the newest products, meet a group of wonderful people who share your world - raffles & free goodies! We encourage a positive, healthy approach to leading a gluten-free lifestyle, so why not join? Try us out!

Please send membership dues to: Sybil Nassau, Founder, SGFA, 25 Hunters Ridge, Westbrook, Ct 06498. Cost: $10 For Individuals, $15 For Families.