one year today.

One year ago today (July 14, 2011) I received my diagnosis of Celiac Disease, after years of suffering and embarrassment and wrong diagnoses. While it has been a big adjustment in many ways, it has also been a blessing in disguise. I will elaborate in future posts (I'm typing this on my phone and it isn't easy, lol!).

I know I've neglected this blog lately, and I am aiming to change that. I was having a hard time adjusting both physically and mentally to having Celiac Disease, and I guess I just needed some time to get my head on straight. But now...let's tackle this thing together!

gluten-free expo product reviews.

You may remember, a few posts ago, when I talked about going to the Gluten Free Living Now EXPO in Carmel, Indiana. I was able to sample many delicious products and I came home with a boatload of delicious samples and tasty items. I'd like to take a few minutes and give you my reviews of what I consider to be the best products that were offered that day.

I do want to make plain that these companies did not ask me to review their products, and most of them had no idea I even wrote a blog (I did tell a couple). Therefore, they did not influence me in any way; I'm simply picking the items and products I personally liked. So, here you go, in no particular order:

a special shoutout to some special people.

As mentioned in an earlier post, I attended two days of the Gluten Free Living Now Expo in Carmel, Indiana. I'll blog more about it later (and on some of the products which really stood out to me), but I'd like to take this opportunity to send a special thank you to the wonderful folks at Kinnikinnick foods, the people of Gluten Free Living Now, and the staff of The Fountains Banquet & Conference Center in Carmel, Indiana, where the Expo was held.

I had to drive over an hour just to get to the Expo, and by the time I got going and found the place, it was about 4:30 in the afternoon. Since I knew they were closing down in a half hour, I tried to look around as much as possible before I had to leave. I knew I would be coming back the next day, but I didn't want my trip Friday to be for nothing!

I had collected quite a few samples and a free reusable grocery bag by five o'clock, and I was ready to go. Now, when I know I am going to be walking around a lot, I don't like to carry a heavy purse; I will bring along a smaller bag and put just the essentials in it, such as my wallet and the key to my van. I pulled out the key to my van, and was holding it in my hand (along with my phone and my bag and the shopping bag full of samples) when I suddenly remembered a photo I wanted to take to jog my memory. I walked back, took the photo (of the Harvest Cafe Coffee Roasters booth; their coffee is great, buy some!) and walked just out the door to the outside. It was at this point that I made a discovery which no person likes to make...I didn't have my key.

gluten free living now expo in carmel, indiana; october 7-9, 2011.

I'd like to invite everyone to the Gluten Free Living Now Expo in Carmel, Indiana, on October 7-9, 2011. Yes, I know that's today; sorry about the late notification!

They will be having booths, samples, lots of information, test items, and a chance to interact with other people who live with Celiac Disease. There will be some free informational sessions as well as cooking demonstrations. They will also have some paid lectures and speakers, if that is something you are interested in.

General admission to the Expo is free, but they are requesting a $2 donation to help fund a camp for children with Celiac Disease, and also for the Food For Celiacs program. If you donate, you'll also be entered in the door prize drawings.

It will be held at The Fountains in Carmel, and the times are 10AM-5PM each day. If you're interested, there's a map here.

I am really looking forward to this event. Hope to see you there! :)

free celiac screening in the chicago area.

For those of you in and around the Chicago area, they are having a Free Celiac Disease Screening put on by the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center.

You must be eating gluten for at least twelve weeks, and the test is the tTg-IgA (anti-tissue transglutaminase test). This is the most sensitive Celiac screening available.

The test is Saturday, October 15, 2011. This is a great opportunity for those of you who's insurance is balking at paying for a Celiac screen, or for those of you who don't have insurance at all. Pre-registration is required because NO walk-ins will be accepted.

If you're in the area, take advantage of this wonderful, free opportunity!