Walks for Allergen-Free FARE

Photos/GlutenFreeGardenState

On Sunday, the Gluten Free Garden State family participated in the FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) Walk in Ridgewood. It was one of several walks taking place in the past month in New Jersey.


According to FARE, it is the nation’s leading organization working on behalf of the 15 million Americans with a food allergy, including all those at risk for life-threatening anaphylaxis. Its mission is to find a cure for food allergies, and to keep individuals with food allergies safe and included.

Treats without Getting Tricked

Halloween can be a gluten minefield for trick-or-treating children. While we can't eradicate this poison protein entirely (and really, that wouldn't be fair to others), we can deal with it. Here are some tips garnered from past experiences:

1. Accept that people will be giving out treats full of gluten. There’s nothing you can do about it. Just go with the flow, and don’t allow it to ruin your or your child’s fun. Trick-or-treating is a childhood tradition that doesn’t have to be avoided. Just be sure to weed out the “bad” stuff later. If it’s all wrapped by the manufacturer, there should be no issue.
2. Allow your gluten-free child to swap treats that contain gluten for a non-candy treats or toys that you have purchased. Then, bring the “gluten” candy to the office, or donate it to a local food pantry or other non-profit organization. Let your child be a part of the donation process, and make it a positive experience.

Cooking your gluten-free holiday meals

Food allergies are the bane of every social gathering, but holidays can be downright difficult when attempting to prepare a gluten-free dish or meal that many people can enjoy.

This is where health coach Monica Amsterdam and Chef Gary Townsend can help. The pair is presenting a seminar on "Holiday Meals" on Monday, Nov. 10, 7-9 p.m., in the test kitchen at The Kitchen Guy in Little Falls. The business, located at 25 Amity St., is a kitchen design and installation showroom owned by Townsend.

GFGS Community Calendar: October 2014

As a service to our regular readers and the Celiac community at large, Gluten Free Garden State offers an ongoing list of upcoming events of interest. We feature local happenings, regional events and national programs open to the public. The calendar appears on the second Sunday of each month. Links are posted to Facebook and Twitter using the hashtages #2ndSundaySked and #savetheceliacdate.

Enjoy!

In the Garden State


TODAY: FARE Walk for Food Allergy, hosted by the Food Allergy Resource & Education (formerly FAAN) at the BlueClaws' stadium in Lakewood; An awareness and fund raising event, it starts 9 a.m. with check-in, followed by the walk at 10 a.m. in the minor league baseball stadium. Family-friendly activities and entertainment are included. Visit FARE's website for more information.

Saturday, Oct. 18: Gluten Free Festival at ShopRite of Marlton (Rt. 70 in Evesham), 10 am-2 pm. The event features medical and support resources, as well as free product samples. No cost to attend. Additional details are here. 

Free festival, free of gluten

ShopRite of Marlton is hosting its Gluten Free Festival Saturday, Oct. 18.

Photo/RavitzFamilyMarkets.com

Like the festival held last month at ShopRite of Medford, this one offers product samples and information from support services. Unlike the past, Gluten Free Garden State is joining the fun this time in an official capacity.

Held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the ShopRite on Route 70 in Evesham, the festival provides an opportunity to speak with representatives from the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, the South Jersey Celiac Sprue Association and the Center for Celiac Disease at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.