Ep 78 Live the Smart Way Expo
Let’s start the blog with the show notes for this Episode –
It’s always exciting for me to be invited to an event like the Live the Smart Way Expo in Ottawa in May. I had interviewed Kathy Smart, the event’s organizer in Episode 55 of the podcast. Kathy is a popular speaker and talk show guest who can speak about living well and eating healthy on a gluten free diet. At the event, I asked attendees some questions about celiac disease and living with a gluten free diet, as well I spoke with three food producers that caught my interest and Kathy Smart herself. Kathy has a very large following in the Ottawa area, and many of the attendees came just to meet and listen to her. It was a very uplifting weekend, and I hope some of that comes across in the series of short interviews that make up this podcast.
Here is Kathy’s website – livethesmartway.com
Sue’s Websites and Social Media –
Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com
Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com
Facebook – @acanadianceliacpodcast
Twitter – CeliacPodcastCA
Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com
Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com
Instagram – @suesgfbaking
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL
(search Sues Gluten Free Baking)
Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com
Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com
My Thoughts –
It was very appropriate that the Live the Smart Way Expo was held during Celiac Awareness Month. A busy month for me, but if someone is not in the loop of celiac support organizations they may not even know that it is Celiac Awareness Month.
I found my time at the Live the Smart Way Expo got me out of the bubble of the CCA, somewhere I am very comfortable. For this particular weekend, I was chatting with people who are not necessarily associated with any formal celiac support organization and are somewhat going it alone. Kathy Smart is firmly on the gluten free track, but many of the attendees to this type of health food event, are here for their own personal reasons.
It’s easy for us to expect all those with celiac disease or with non-celiac gluten intolerance, or others who adhere to a gluten free diet for other health reasons (and there are many), to have joined a support group for help. There are far more people who commit to a gluten free diet, but choose not to be involved in a support group. And that’s okay, more than okay.
Everyone’s story is different, everyone’s pathway to health has unique bumps in it. Those of us involved in the CCA are, for the most part, all on the same page. It’s those outside of the CCA, who often teach me the most. Learning the different stories, both of diagnosis and treatment, give me a broad insight into both the struggles and victories that led up to our meeting.
I like to think of myself as a creative person. Continuing to be creative requires me to go outside my comfort zone, outside my bubble. Thank you to everyone at this event, who took the time to talk with me, often on a very personal level. You have given me new perspective on an issue I live with and counsel others on. I will try and funnel that new perspective into the podcast and my work with the CCA.