While I was recording my relatively short podcast episodes from “the road” travelling from Eastern Ontario to Vancouver Island, I mentioned that I would have to chat to Ellen about some things I encountered along the way in a future podcast. Here is the first part of that podcast chatting about things I learned from my road trip. The second part will be somewhat longer, as we kept talking, and that will be available in the middle of August.

Some things I learned included how important it was for me to have a fridge and microwave in our hotel room and how I utilized the breakfast provided, even though I couldn’t eat any of it. Also, how I planned for my trip to make the most of the opportunities to discover something new gluten free.

I’m hoping that my experiences will take some of the anxiety away from your future road trips. I had wonderful meals, met some great people, and saw a great many places along the way. And I got to meet two friends of the podcast whom I’d never met before – Cinde Little, Everyday Gluten Free Gourmet as well as Ellen Bayens of The Celiac Scene.

Sue’s Websites and Social Media –

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Celiac Kid Stuff – https://www.celiackidstuff.com

Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com

Instagram – @suesgfbaking

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com

I’m back home from my road trip and am overdue talking to Ellen Bayens about things she has brought to our attention over the month of June on theceliacscene.com.

Ellen was excited to tell us about an experimental test for celiac disease coming out of Australia. The test involves drawing blood and introducing a form of gluten to the blood to look for a specific reaction to show that the individual has celiac disease. Both Ellen and I described this as a “game-changer” with many practical uses for diagnosis within our community. Hopefully this test will eventually become a common diagnostic tool worldwide.

A new study looks at the risk of kissing someone who has recently eaten gluten. It was a small study, but did indicate that the risk under the controlled circumstances was less than 20ppm and not a serious concern.

Ellen and I spoke about the contributions Mike Rose made to the celiac community. Mike passed away earlier this year, but he is remembered for his years as a celiac volunteer and educator. I spoke to Mike about his investigation to find a safe retirement home for him and his wife. Ellen was helped by Mike when she first found out she needed to eat gluten free. Mike will be missed by many.

Ellen was contacted again this year regarding her local school board looking for host families for international students who require a gluten free diet. There is a need for host families across the country, so if this is something you would like to do, please contact your local school board to see if there is a need in your area.

I’ll be recording with Ellen in the next week about things I learned during my recent gluten free road trip from Ontario to Vancouver Island.

CELIAC SCENE NEWS

• New Blood Test for Celiac Disease Could Dispense with Gluten Challenge
• Small Study Suggests Kissing after a Gluten Snack is Safe for Celiacs
• Celiac Crusader, Mike Rose, Tackled Challenges of Moving into Residential Living
• Could You Host an International Student with Celiac Disease?
• Learn more about Ellen!

SELENA RD, INSTAGRAM CORNER

• Have You Been Left to ‘Google’ the Gluten-Free Diet?
• Peristent Symptoms Despite a Gluten-Free Diet?
• Fast Food Restaurants That You can Eat at Safely
• How to Stay Celiac-Safe at Fast Food Restaurants
• How to Order Gluten-Free – Safely
• Some Celiac-Safe Products CAN Contain Wheat
• Spontaneous Gluten-Free Dining – No Research Needed
• Stop Relying on Gluten-Friendly Menus to Keep You Safe
• Do Scanner Apps Keep You Safe?
• Tuesday Q & A on Instagram

Sue’s Websites and Social Media –

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Celiac Kid Stuff – https://www.celiackidstuff.com

Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com

Instagram – @suesgfbaking

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com

I made it to my final destination of Comox British Columbia where my daughter was joining her boyfriend who had been stationed there earlier this year. A very long trip but they organized for an apartment and everything went very smoothly.

While staying in a hotel before they got their keys, we went out for breakfast to Smitty’s (the GF dedicated restaurant in town was too busy to take us which is great for them!) I spoke to the server at Smitty’s about gluten free and she was very knowledgeable. I try to order relatively simply when they don’t say anything on the menu, but have the knowledge. I had eggs over easy, bacon and potato shreds which were all done on the flattop away from any pancakes. I had a very satisfying and filling breakfast!

We were finally able to grocery shop and cook for ourselves which made meals easier in the apartment, but there were still restaurants I wanted to try. We had dinner at a dedicated gluten free restaurant called Off the Hook. Crab cakes are something delicate that I love, but usually can’t have, but at this restaurant I could have them and they were terrific! I also had the fish and chips, which were some of the best. I’m so spoiled!

My daughter saw a gluten free bakery just outside of Comox on the highway, which she thought I’d be interested in. It was not what I expected – from a storefront perspective – but the food I bought was amazing. They had and extensive line of bread and cookies and tarts and buns all gluten free and also with keto and dairy free in mind. I need to discuss this bakery more with Ellen.

My last restaurant stop was at Taco Bandido in Courtney. Most things on the menu could be made gluten free and I was happy when the server said the chef would clean off a portion of the cook top to ensure no gluten came into contact with my tacos. I had the Beef Birria tacos once again to compare them the ones I had in Thunder Bay. Both were great, but these ones were so rich (yummy) that I could only eat half of the order and brought the rest back to the apartment with me.

I’m flying home tomorrow but will be recapping my trip with Ellen on a podcast in the next couple of weeks. If you have any questions for me please email them to acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com.

Sue’s Websites and Social Media –

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Celiac Kid Stuff – https://www.celiackidstuff.com

Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com

Instagram – @suesgfbaking

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com