Ep 24 – Tips from Attendees at the CCA Conference

Let’s start the blog with the Show Notes for this episode:
While I attended the National Conference of the Canadian Celiac Association on June 9th, 2018 in Ottawa, I asked the conference and vendor show attendees to answer some questions for me. The purpose was to gather random tips on living with Celiac Disease and the gluten free diet from those living it every day. During the podcast, one of the attendees mentioned her website www.allergiesandme.ca. I made reference to my website where I have lots of recipes from my baking show, including banana muffins and my feel-good cheese muffins. I mentioned a baking mix called Pamela’s Pancake and Baking Mix – here’s the website for recipes for this mix – http://www.pamelasproducts.com/product/pamelas-baking-pancake-mix/

My Thoughts –
The reason I started my podcast was because I enjoyed interviewing people, asking questions and getting answers I don’t necessarily expect. The thought of setting up recording equipment at a celiac conference and recording a wide variety of tips and thoughts from my fellow celiacs was very inviting.

It took some thought to come up with the series of questions that I would ask the willing participants to choose from. Actually, the first question came to me very easily. I always wonder how others keep their kitchen gluten free. I have been GF for more than 20 years, and I do allow gluten in my kitchen, but it is always handled very much separately, with lots of washing of hands. When I operated my GF bakery, it was such a pleasure to not have any gluten in the building – nothing to take special precautions for – but still lots of washing of hands.
The other questions I asked attendees were:
The best tip for eating in a restaurant.
The best tip for travelling gluten free.
Favourite gluten free food you make or bake.
The best way to cope with a GF diet or with Celiac Disease/gluten intolerance.

I gathered a good collection of answers. These are real solutions that my fellow celiacs use day to day and that work for them. I have counselled many newly diagnosed celiacs and those on a gluten free diet. It’s hard at first, and can be discouraging. None of my respondents seemed discouraged. Many commented on the value of asking and sharing when it comes to the diet in the hope that more people will become educated. We have all seen that happen over the past few years.
I hope you find the tips in this episode helpful and encouraging and, in some small way, they make your gluten free life just a little bit easier.