Really Thinking About Starting A gluten-free Cooking/social Club

[cgilsing]

I've been throwing around the idea of starting a gluten-free cooking/social club in my area. I think it would be really fun to take turns making dinner at each others houses, having potlucks, maybe even asking some of the local restaurants to host us from time to time. celiac disease is trying on so many levels (especially in the beginning), but once you know how to cook the things you like and where to find the items you want, it's really not that bad......that is except for the social aspects. People quit asking you to come over for dinner because they don't know how to cook for you (or if they do ask, it's not enjoyable because you are terrified of what they are serving). It turns out that your favorite restaurant only has one thing on the menu that you can have and that's ice tea. You can no longer eat with eveyone when they carry in lunch at work, and the only thing at the church picnic you can eat is the potato salad you brought. Many of those things will never be the same again, but if I could organize a group that got together once a month and served nothing but gluten-free food, and hosted people who understood and could relate I think it would be really enjoyable!

Here is where I am.....I live in a town of about 12,000. There are a lot of surrounding communities that are close enough that members could commute from there too though. When I saw the hospital nutritionist about 1.5 years ago there was no celiac disease support group organized. However, I know there has to be people in the area with celiac disease. I lobbied to have some gluten-free stuff at the grocery store a few months ago and they have had a hard time keeping it on the shelves! Sooo...I know they are out there!! Does anybody have any ideas for how reach the right people with my idea? Does anybody have any suggestions for a club like that? Do you think there will be enough people for a club?

[NicoleAJ]

Well, you never know whether or not there will be enough people unless you try. You could always leave a posting on a community board or newsletter for the local hospital, at the local grocery store, and you could take out a small classified ad in the local newspaper. This sounds like a great idea, and maybe when I have a bit more time on my hands I'll try to start one in my area--let us know how it all works out.

[lisaemu]

I think thats an awesome idea and would definately be interested in it if there was something like that in my area...where are you from?

[cgilsing]

I'm from Central Illinois. We are about 2 hours west of Indianapolis, and about 1.5 hours east of St. Louis. There really aren't any sizable cities in the area where we can participate in their groups....soooo.....I think it would be really fun to start our own! Besides I like this idea better than a support group anyway. When I think of a support group, I think about sitting in a circle at the rec center saying "Hi my name is Christine, and I am a Celiac" I just hope there are at least a couple of people who want to do this too! It's hard to have a club with one person!

[lisaemu]

I'm from Central Illinois. We are about 2 hours west of Indianapolis, and about 1.5 hours east of St. Louis. There really aren't any sizable cities in the area where we can participate in their groups....soooo.....I think it would be really fun to start our own! Besides I like this idea better than a support group anyway. When I think of a support group, I think about sitting in a circle at the rec center saying "Hi my name is Christine, and I am a Celiac" I just hope there are at least a couple of people who want to do this too! It's hard to have a club with one person!

Lol thats what I think of too when I hear support groups. I think its an awesome idea, but you're a little fara way from me (well not THAT far..im in michigan). Do you know of other celiacs around you? Do you have a whole foods or trader joes or a store like that that you can advertise in?

[cgilsing]

Well, that's the thing....I only know of one other lady in town that has celiac disease....and I only know of her through mutual aquantances. I've never met her in person! I just keep hearing "Oh you have celiac disease! You know so and so's ex-girlfriend has that too!" It's a pretty little town....no Whole Foods here! We have a Kroger and an IGA. I thought about asking Kroger if they would let me post a flyer above the rice flour though! I wonder if they would let me?? That is one good thing about a small town.....strange requests like that might just be approved! I know there has to be more of us....it's just a matter of reaching people!

[lisaemu]

Well, that's the thing....I only know of one other lady in town that has celiac disease....and I only know of her through mutual aquantances. I've never met her in person! I just keep hearing "Oh you have celiac disease! You know so and so's ex-girlfriend has that too!" It's a pretty little town....no Whole Foods here! We have a Kroger and an IGA. I thought about asking Kroger if they would let me post a flyer above the rice flour though! I wonder if they would let me?? That is one good thing about a small town.....strange requests like that might just be approved! I know there has to be more of us....it's just a matter of reaching people!

I figured there was no whoel foods around you since u lived in a small town...my last college i went to was in a dinky town and definately NO whole foods..tho there was a food co op or health food store i think. Maybe you could try one of those around you? I would try the kroger thing- you can't lose anything by trying! Good luck!

[cgilsing]

Well.....no health food store for about 45 miles! I really wish we did have one, that would be a GREAT place to post a flyer! I'll talk to Kroger and see what they say....I'm also trying to get ahold of the nutritionist at the hospital for her suggestions. Maybe she knows some people I'll let you know how it turns out!

[GFBetsy]

Definitely ask the store if they will allow you to post a notice. Also, placing an ad in the newspaper is a great idea. A local grocery store here (in Utah) actually hosts cooking classes, and the gluten-free class (taught by a volunteer teacher) runs once a month or so. Also, you could look into community classes. Some communities offer classes through a local college - have you ever thought of finding out what it would take to teach one? Places that offer these classes generally send out a flyer advertising their community classes, so you wouldn't have to worry about advertising, and it would give you a chance to meet people who are interested in gluten-free cooking. Then you could establish your club and carry on after the class ends.

Oh, forgot! You could also contact the nearest Gastro-Enterologist, and offer your phone number for the office to give to newly diagnosed people. You could also ask if you could post a flyer in his/her office.