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Showing results for tags 'raising'.
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Danna Korn founded R.O.C.K. in 1991 after her son, Tyler, was diagnosed with celiac disease. It has grown to international proportions, helping families all over the world deal with the unique challenges of raising a child on a gluten-free diet. When children are diagnosed with celiac disease at an early age, they usually have a severe intolerance to gluten, and are often extremely sick when ultimately diagnosed. Most parents share horror stories of visiting several doctors before finally arriving at a diagnosis, and are frustrated, exasperated, and angry, yet relieved to finally have a direction in which to turn. Sometimes it helps to talk about it, and it always helps to have some guidance when initially diving into the gluten-free diet. Raising Our Celiac Kids is a support group for parents, families and friends of kids with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. We welcome families of autistic kids involved in a gluten-free/casein-free dietary intervention program. We concentrate on dealing with the unique challenges that we have, including: Finding "fun" gluten-free treats for kids Menu ideas for school lunches, quick dinners, and sports snacks Helping the kids to take responsibility for reading labels, cooking and planning/preparing food How to prepare for unexpected birthday parties and food-oriented activities at school, church, and elsewhere Halloween, Easter, and other special days - how do we include our kids safely? Educating day-care providers and teachers - without burdening them Dealing with grandparents, babysitters, and "helpful" friends who offer gluten-containing foods to our kids Ensuring our kids won't cheat, and what to do WHEN they do Sending kids away to camp, friends' houses, and other times when we're not around to help The psychological impact of growing up with celiac disease (peer pressure, teenage years, and more) Visit their site at: https://www.raisingourceliackids.org/ R.O.C.K. Chapters in the United States Alabama Support Group - Mobile Contact: Marilyn Taylor ROCK’n Mobile, Alabama Tel: (251) 633-3528 E-mail: Taylor6211@bellsouth.net Slocomb - Support Group Contact: Nichole Alexander E-mail: mamma_hen3@hotmail.com Tel: (334) 886-7150 Alaska Chugiak - Support Group Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - ROCK'n Alaska Contact: Debbie Saddler Chugiak, AK 99567 Tel: (907) 688-6879 E-mail: alaskadebbie@gmail.com Arizona Gilbert - Support Group Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Gilbert Chapter Contact: Deanna Frazee Gilbert, AZ Tel: (480) 641-8821 E-mail: deannafrazee@hotmail.com Phoenix - Support Group Greater Phoenix R.O.C.K. Contact: Lisa Potts Email: phoenixceliackids@gmail.com FB Page: facebook.com/PHX.ROCK Phone: (858) 442-5956 E-mail: lisa.potts4911@gmail.com Internet: www.phoenixrock.org Tucson - Support Group Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Tucson Chapter Contact: Liz Attanasio Tel: (520) 877-9181 Tucson - ROCK'n Tucson Contact: Shelli Hanks Tucson, AZ 85750 Email: TucsonROCK@comcast.net Tel: (520) 577-0774 Arkansas Fayetteville, AR Melanie Faught Fayetteville, AR 72704 Tel: (479) 582-9232 E-mail: melaniefaught@cox.net California Conejo Valley - Support Group ROCK'n Conejo Valley Contact: Melissa Riches Westlake Village, CA 91361 Tel: (818) 706-0197 E-mail: melissa.riches@sbcglobal.net Danville - Support Group Contact: Ann Reigelman Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Danville Chapter Danville, CA E-mail: areigelman@yahoo.com Lake Balboa - Support Group Contact: Melissa Gray Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Lake Balboa Chapter Tel: (818) 510-0534 E-mail: Melissagray808@gmail.com Los Angeles - Support Group Contact 1: Amy Harley Tel: (818) 249-2432 E-mail: harleyhome@earthlink.net Contact 2: Cheryl Cohen Tel: (818) 784-4516 E-mail: cohencheryl@yahoo.com Moreno Valley - Support Group Contact: Kellee Shearer Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Moreno Valley Chapter 10034 Snipe Circle Moreno Valley, CA 92557 Tel: (951) 242-8448 E-mail: Treshearer@aol.com Orange County - Support Group Contacts: Randi Leinen Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Orange County Chapter E-mail: RMLeinen@aol.com ROCK’n Orange County, CA Contact: Drew Grant Tel: (949) 257-6349 E-mail: orangecountyrock@gmail.com Palo Alto - Support Group Contact: Kelly Velez or Debbie Duncan Bay Area ROCK E-mail: kellyvelez@comcast.net Tel: (650) 303-8409 E-mail: debbie@debbieduncan.com Tel: (650) 494-6959 San Diego - Support Group Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - San Diego Chapter Contact: Brenda McDowell E-mail: sdrockchapter@gmail.com San Francisco - Support Group Contact: Lisa Palme Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - San Francisco Chapter E-mail: palmer@smccd.net Sebastopol - Support Group ROCK North Bay Chapter Contact: Jennifer Iscol Sebastopol, CA 95472 Tel: (707) 824-5830 E-mail: iscol@aol.com Visalia (Central) - Support Group Contact: Shannon Williams Tel: (559) 741-1671 Visalia, CA Colorado Peyton - Support Group ROCK’n Peyton, CO Crystal Brauer Tel: (719) 494-8590 E-mail: Brauer.family@yahoo.com Connecticut Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K) Fairfield County CT Contact: Karen Loscalzo/ Monika Lazaro/ Carolyn Caney E-mail: rockfairfieldcounty@gmail.com Internet: www.ROCKFairfieldCounty.com Simsbury - Support Group Raising Our Celiac Kids - R.O.C.K. - Simsbury Chapter Contact: Mark & Tracy Saperstein Tel: (860) 651-4857 E-mail: mtbahs@comcast.net Waterford - Support Group Raising Our Celiac Kids - R.O.C.K. - Waterford Chapter Contact: Donna Kensel Waterford, CT E-mail: CtCeliacKids@aol.com Florida Apopka - Support Group Contact: Deborah Pfeifle Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Apopka Chapter Apopka, FL 32712 Tel: (407) 880-6104 E-mail: dpfeifle@earthlink.net Coral Springs/Palm Beach - Support Group Contacts: Janna Faulhaber and Stacey Galper Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Coral Springs/Palm Beach Chapter Tel: (954) 255-7855 E-mail: Staceynagel@paxson.com Odessa (Tampa) - Support Group Contact: Terri Willingham Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Odessa Chapter Orlando - ROCK'n Celebration - Support Group Contact: Rose Parvaz Celebration, FL 34747 E-mail: rose.parvaz@celebration.fl.us Palm Beach gardens - Support Group ROCK'n Palm Beach Gardens Contact: Kimberly Wade Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 E-mail: tkcrw@comcast.net Tel: (561) 625-9005 Tampa - Support Group Contact: Melissa Ransdell Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Tampa Chapter 14521 Nettle Creek Rd. Tampa, FL 33624 Tel: (813) 265-8105 Georgia Atlanta - Support Group Contact: Jeff Lewis, M.D. Children's Center for Digestive Health Care Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Atlanta Chapter E-mail: jlewis@ccdhc.org Illinois Chicago - Support Group ROCK'n Chicago Contact: Alexandra Vavouliotis Tel: (847)-962-7244 E-mail: alexvav24@mac.com Dekalb - Support Group Contact: Audrey O'Sullivan Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Stillman Valley Chapter Dekalb, IL Tel: (815) 756-2606 E-mail: Audrey08@aol.com ROCKn DuPage & Cook County Aleksandra de Leon -DuPage County E-mail: aleksandra.deleon@gmail.com Tel: 630-745-7429 Ilene Harris- Cook County E-mail: isf27@yahoo.com Tel: 847-222-9950 Moline - Support Group Contact: Lesley Lamphier ROCK'n Illinois (Moline) Moline, IL 61265 Tel: (309) 736-1507 E-mail: celiackids@mchsi.com Springfield - Support Group Land of Lincoln Celiac Support Group Contact: Joyce Hall Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Springfield Chapter Springfield, IL Washington - Support Group Heart of Illinois Celiac Kids Contact: Samantha Young E-mail: info@hoiceliackids.com Indiana Henryville - Support Group Contact: Kristie Williams ROCK'n Indiana (Henryville) Henryville, IN 47126 Tel: (812) 294-1179 E-mail: kristiewilliamsrn@hotmail.com Indianapolis - Support Group Contact: Kelly Kurzhal ROCK’n Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN 46217 Tel: (317) 697-4933 E-mail: kellykurzhal@hotmail.com Mooresville - Support Group Contact: Cindy Holder Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Mooresville Chapter 375 E. Countyline Rd. Mooresville, IN 46158 Tel: (317) 831-9871 E-mail: Holders2@comcast.net Iowa Des Moines - Support Group Contact: Lindsay Amadeo Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Des Moines Chapter Des Moines, IA E-mail: llamadeo@yahoo.com Maryland ROCK'n Maryland Contact: Steffani Mykins Tel: (410) 626-1958 E-mail: stfine@comcast.net ROCK’n Maryland Contact: Lindsay Moe Mt. Airy, MD 21771 (443) 799-3432 E-mail: lindsaymoe@ymail.com Massachusetts Longmeadow - Support Group ROCK'n MA Contact: Christie Freda Longmeadow, MA 01106 E-mail: cfreda126@comcast.net Tel: (413) 567-5748 Somerset - Support Group Contact: Stacey Nasrallah ROCK'n Somerset (MA) Somerset, MA 02726 Tel: (508) 674-6211 E-mail: info@somersetrock.org Internet: http://www.somersetrock.org Michigan Ann Arbor - Support Group Contact: Anne MacDougald ROCK’n Michigan E-mail: anniemacdougald@gmail.com Macomb Township - ROCK'n MI Support Group Contact: Kimberly Fanelli Macomb Township, MI 48044 Tel: (586) 226-8480 E-mail: kfanelli@mac.com West Bloomfield - Support Group Contact: Gail Smoler Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - West Bloomfield Chapter 4358 Strathdale Court West Bloomfield, MI 48323 Tel: (248) 851-9451 E-mail: GailS63@aol.com Minnesota Minneapolis/St. Paul Support Group Contact: Lynda Benkofske Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - ROCK-Minneapolis/St. Paul Chapter E-mail: twincitiesrock@gmail.com Mississippi Columbia - Support Group Contact: Beth Broom Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - South Mississippi Chapter 50 Wilks Road Columbia, MS 39429 E-mail: sbroom@dixie-net.com Missouri O'Fallon - Support Group Contact: Beth Anne Miller 7264 Sweetcider Lane O'Fallon, MO 63366 Tel: (636) 294-2037 E-mail: Frankbethm@aol.com Montana Billings - ROCK'n Montana Support Group Billings, MT 59102 Contact: Perrin Grubbs E-mail: perrin@bresnan.net Tel: (406) 655-7897 Nevada Reno - Support Group Contact: Carrie Owen Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Reno Chapter Tel: (775) 857-2708 E-mail: Renorockgroup@yahoo.com New Hampshire Manchester - Support Group Contact: Michelle Ouellette ROCK'n New Hampshire Manchester, NH 03102 Tel: (603) 627-1831 E-mail: rocknh2006@gmail.com New Jersey Blairstown - Support Group Contact: Marla Benson Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Blairstown Chapter Blairstown, NJ MBenson890@aol.com (808) 362-7752 Freehold - Support Group Contact: Elissa Carlin Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Freehold Chapter Marlboro, NJ 07746 Tel: (732) 252-8309 E-mail: ElissaC75@aol.com Morristown - Support Group ROCK'n New Jersey Contact: Andrea Kitzis Smith Morristown, NJ 07960 Tel: (201) 965-7309 E-mail: akitsm@att.net Short Hills - Support Group Contact: Ellie Fried Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - North Jersey Chapter Tel: (973) 912-0253 New Mexico Albuquerque - Support Group Contact: Traci Shrader Tel: (505) 450-1156 E-mail: tashrader@msn.com New York Auburn - Support Group R.O.C.K.'n Auburn Contact: Nicki Hai Tel: (315) 252-2764 E-mail: jnhai@roadrunner.com Glens Falls Region - Support Group Contact: Lisa Fox Lake George, NY 12845 Tel: (518) 668-5838 E-mail: fox_lisa@hotmail.com ROCK’n Hudson Valley, NY Contact: Terresa Bazelow Thompson Ridge, NY Tel: (845) 609-7432 E-mail: HVNYROCK@aol.com Nassau County- Support Group Contact: Angela Silverstein Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Lynbrook Tel: (516) 593-2904 E-mail: venusangmm1@optonline.net Nassau/Suffolk - Support Group Contact: Randi Albertelli Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Long Island Chapter E-mail: rsquared31@optonline.net Contact 2: Jill Schneider Tel: (516) 551-4564 E-mail: jahms@verizon.net Rockland, NY - Bergen, NJ Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Rockland, NY - Bergen, NJ Chapter Contact: Gabrielle Simon Telephone: (646) 342-6960 Email: nynjrockmom@yahoo.com Rome - Support Group Mohawk Valley R.O.C.K. (upstate New York) Contact: Rebecca Madeira Rome, NY Tel: (315) 337-7671 Upstate - Support Group ROCK'n Upstate New York Contact: Karen Dorazio Jamesville, NY 13078 Tel: (315) 469-8154 E-mail: kdorazio@twcny.rr.com Vestal, NY ROCK’n Vestal, NY Contact: Razi Lissy E-mail: raziher@gmail.com Western New York - Support Group Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Western New York Chapter Buffalo / Niagara Falls NY Contact: Jeanette Yuhnke Tel: (716) 625-8390 Internet: http://www.glutenfreeinwny.com/WNYCeliacKids.php Westchester, NY ROCK’n Westchester, NY Contact: Erica Peltz E-mail: Eps2104@gmail.com Tel: (917) 612-4676 North Carolina Charlotte, Support Group Contact: Nikki Everett Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Charlotte Chapter Huntersville, NC 28078 Tel: (704) 804-4090 E-mail: haircolorexpertise@hotmail.com Harrisburg - Support Group Contact: Linda Witherspoon 5018 Wynford Ct. Harrisburg, NC 28075 Tel: (704) 957-6100 E-mail: Linda.witherspoon@aol.com Stantonsburg - Support Group ROCK’n North Carolina Contact: Carrie Forbes Stantonsburg, NC 27883 Tel: (252) 238-3132 E-mail: gingerlemongirl@gmail.com North Dakota Fargo - Support Group Contact: Stacey Juhnke Tel: (701) 237-4854 E-mail: DSJuhnke@yahoo.com Ohio Akron - Support Group Contact: Sue Krznaric Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Akron Chapter Akron, OH Tel: (330) 253-1509 E-mail: skrznaric@cs.com Akron - Support Group Contact: Therese Semonin Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Akron Chapter CSA Chapter 111, S.O.S. Save Our Stomachs Cincinnati - Support Group Contact: Beth Koenig Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Cincinnati Chapter Cincinnati, OH E-mail: BethKoenig@cinci.rr.com Tel: (513) 923-4435 Cleveland - Support Group ROCK’n Cleveland Contact: Tracey Lavine Solon, OH 44139 Tel: (216) 533-1285 E-mail: Tracey95@aol.com Toledo - ROCK'n Toledo Support Group Contact: Amy Kinkaid Toledo, OH 43615 E-mail: kinkaida@bex.net Tel: (419) 509-6913 Oregon Salem - Support Group Contact: Kristen Klay Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Salem Chapter Tel: (503) 581-3884 E-mail: kristenklay@yahoo.com Pennsylvania Greenville - Support Group Contact: Fiona Garner Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Greenville Chapter Greenville, PA Glenside - Support Group Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Glenside Contact: Wilhelmina Green Glenside, PA 19038 Tel: (215) 756-2708 E-mail: Wilhelmina.green@gmail.com Greensburg - Support Group Contact: Martin Martinosky, Jr. Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Greensburg Chapter Greensburg, PA Tel: (724) 834-3435 E-mail: ROCKchapter@aol.com Hanover - Support Group ROCK’n Hanover Contact: Melissa Panzer Hanover, PA 17331 Tel: (717) 633-1667 E-mail: Glutenfree4life@live.com Harrisburg - Support Group Gluten Intolerance Group of Harrisburg Harrisburg, PA Tel: (717) 520-9817 Lancaster/York - Support Group Contact: Janelle Gregory Tel: (717) 687-8586 E-mail: janellegregory@verizon.net Lansdale - Support Group ROCK Bucks Montgomery Contact: Holly and Steve Staugaitis Lansdale, PA 19446 Tel: (215) 997-2706 E-mail: hollystaugaitis@gmail.com South Carolina Charleston - Support Group Contact: Cathy Leeke Lowcountry R.O.C.K. Tel: (678) 637-3277 E-mail: cwleeke@yahoo.com Clover - Support Group Contact: Lauretta McInnis Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Clover Chapter Tel: (803) 222-5143 E-mail: laurettamcinnis@gmail.com Easley - Support Group Contact: Laura Armstrong Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Easley Chapter Easley, SC Tel: (864) 850-0344 Lexington - Support Group Contact: Gail Fox Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Lexington Chapter Lexington, SC 29072 Tel: (803) 957-7658 E-mail: gailfox@sc.rr.com Tennessee Nashville - Support Group Contact: Janet Lowery Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Nashville Chapter Tel: (615) 758-2674 Woodlawn - Support Group Contact: Shantal Green Woodlawn, TN Tel: (931) 648-2289 Texas Austin - Support Group Contact: Frances Kelley ROCK'n Austin - Alamo Celiac GIG Austin, TX 78739 E-mail: fkelley@austin.rr.com Tel: (512) 301-2224 Dallas/FortWorth - Support Group Contact: Kelly LeMonds, Leader Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Wylie Chapter 1821 Spinnaker Way Drive Wylie, Texas 75098-7855 Tel: (972) 442-9328 E-mail: leader@dallasrock.org Internet: http://www.dallasrock.org Dallas/FortWorth - Support Group Contact: Diane McConnell Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Dallas/FortWorth Chapter Tarrant County, TX Tel: (817) 849-8646 E-mail: fortworthrock@swbell.net Houston - Support Group Contact: Janet Y. Rinehart, Chairman Houston Celiac Sprue Support Group Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Houston Chapter 13722 Ashley Run Houston, TX 77077-1514 Tel: (281) 679-7608 E-mail: txjanet@swbell.net Internet: http://www.csaceliacs.org/ Houston - Support Group Contact: Faye Sallee Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Houston Chapter 14830 Sagamore Hills Houston, TX 77082 Tel: (281) 496-9166 Houston - ROCK'n Houston Support Group Comtact: Monica Ryan Houston, TX 77025 Tel: (713) 667-1963 E-mail: Mwryan@ipa.net Lubbock - Support Group Contact: Beth Trostle ROCK'n Lubbock Tel: (806) 794-5917 E-mail: calvintrostle@nts-online.net Victoria - Support Group Contact: Julie Bauknight Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Victoria Chapter Victoria, TX 77901 Tel: (361) 572-9252 Utah Holladay - Support Group Contact: Cathy Snowball ROCK’n Utah Holladay, UT 84121 E-mail: kileyannsmom@hotmail.com Ogden - Support Group Contact: Eileen Leatherow Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Ogden Chapter Ogden, UT Virginia Ashburn - Support Group Keith Bird Tel: (703) 348-7607 rock@birdmk1.plus.com Bristow - Support Group ROCK’n Bristow Contact: Michael and Elizabeth Brown Bristow, VA 20136 Tel: (703) 753-9161 E-mail: 2xx1xy@comcast.net Fredericksburg - Support Group ROCK’n Fredericksburg Contact: Kathy Paz-Craddock Tel: (703) 507-0609 E-mail: kalalilys@gmail.com Paeonian Springs - Support Group Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Paeonian Springs Becky Shore Tel: (571) 252-0036 E-mail: zoo2u@comcast.net Virginia Beach - Support Group Contact: Cynthia Olson E-mail: glutenfreemom@hotmail.com Washington Bellingham - Support Group Contact: Jean McFadden Layton ROCK'n Washington Bellingham, WA 98229 Tel: (360) 734-1659 E-mail: glutenfreekids@yahoo.com Bothell, WA - Support Group Contact: Lynn Crutcher Rock'n Washington Bothell, WA 98011 Tel: (425) 205-1327 E-mail: gfkids1@yahoo.com Poulsbo - Support Group Contact: Tim & Dawn Simonson Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Poulsbo Chapter Poulsbo, WA 98370 Tel: (360) 779-9292 E-mail: timsimonson@csi.com Seattle - Support Group Contact - Irina Risuhina Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Seattle Chapter E-Mail: iris510@hotmail.com Spokane - Support Group Contact: Jennifer Fancher ROCK'n Spokane, WA Spokane, WA Tel: (509) 891-7250 E-mail: nelsonfancher@live.com Vancouver - Support Group Contact: Theressa Rachetto Vancouver, WA 98662 Tel: (360) 713-1504 E-mail: theressarachetto@gmail.com Yakima - Support Group ROCK’n Yakima, WA Contact: Shanta Gervickas Tel: (509) 965-1130 E-mail: Shanta@network7.com West Virginia Hurricane - Support Group Contact: Karen Daniel Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Hurricane Chapter 340 Green Acres Dr. Hurricane, WV 25526 Tel: (304) 757-0696 E-mail: krdaniel@suddenlink.net Wisconsin DePere - Support Group Contact: Pam Rourke Tel: (920) 339-7867 E-mail: mrourke@new.rr.com Jackson - Support Group Contact: Yvonne Schwalen Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.) - Jackson Chapter E-mail: trainman280@netzero.net R.O.C.K. Chapters in Canada Alberta ROCK 'n Olds Olds, Alberta, Canada Amy Smart 403-415-5789 asmart@telus.net -
Celiac.com 08/02/2016 - One thing I have noticed since becoming a parent is how every place we go there are treats and candy. Even cashiers hand out candy at the checkout. Food is everywhere. Our kids are constantly being bombarded with sugary baked goods and salty snacks. Wow, how times have changed! When I was a kid, and yes, my saying that makes me sound ancient, but it was only the 80's...back then we were sent outside in the morning and all of the neighborhood kids convened in someone's backyard. We went home for lunch and moms certainly did not hand out treats, especially not butterfly shaped waffles or any of the other Pinterest-inspired foods out there. We considered ourselves pretty lucky if someone had Freeze Pops in their house. If you are raising a child gluten-free, you know how much of a challenge it is that everything revolves around food. The diagnosis of celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity is a huge eye opener for many. I think one of the hardest things for a family starting a gluten-free diet is how different our diet is from the way most people cook and eat. Since the 1950's we have morphed from TV dinners to buying entire meals from the grocery store deli, and our breads, cakes, and rolls from the bakery. And we've moved from a dinner out being a rare treat to the drive-thru being the norm for many families. Some parents never learned how to cook themselves, so it can be quite a shock to go from a world of just picking up dinner at the drive-thru or the deli, to a world of cooking from scratch at home. I know. I was a processed foods kid, and now I am definitely a "semi-homemade" cook. Going gluten-free can be overwhelming at first. It will get easier. Here are a few tips and resources for raising a gluten-free child. Take advantage of the internet and your smart phone. I love subscribing to digital gluten-free magazines, finding new recipes and reading books from my Kindle App. Make grocery shopping easy by using The Gluten-Free Grocery Guide by Triumph Dining (1). They have produced an app that tells you which foods are gluten-free at the grocery store. The app features popular brands and even includes store brands. They have done the research for you by calling brands and manufacturers to create this resource. I know how hard it is getting through the grocery store with kids in tow. It needs to be as easy as possible! Know that you are not alone. There are many other parents facing the same obstacles as you. Surround yourself with support. R.O.C.K, Raising Our Celiac Kids (2) is a support group that can help you with the challenges ahead. Two other support groups you may look into are The Gluten Intolerance Group (3) and Celiac Sprue Association (4), while these are not groups for kids, they still provide valuable help and information. Talk to family and friends about the seriousness of your child's needs. A lot of people don't understand how celiac disease or gluten sensitivity effects someone. Educate them. Make it clear that foods can't just be given to your kid, even a food that one may think of as gluten-free. Tell them about hidden sources of gluten. Let them know why a gluten-free menu at a restaurant may not actually be gluten-free. If your child spends a lot of time with a relative go over items in their home, like their toaster, that may be sources of cross contamination. Teach your child the effects of cheating on their diet can do. Short term and long term. There are going to be many times of temptation. They are eventually going to be teenagers and have their own transportation and money. They need to be able to make smart choices as young adults. Be prepared for class parties and classmates' birthdays. I suggest making it easier for yourself by giving a good supply of treats to your kid's teacher and having a good store of treats at home. Some yummy pre-packaged treats are Jelly Belly Snack Packs, Enjoy Life Cookies, and Lucy's Cookies. These are great choices for multiple food sensitivities. I also recommend packing snacks for around town, play dates, and after school activities. Having healthy gluten-free snacks on hand is important for when there may not be any allergy-friendly snacks available. I try to stick to as many natural foods as possible, but occasionally, I like a treat or an easy meal. Thanks to the huge growth in gluten-free consumers there are a ton of food choices available. Gluten-free pizza, mac 'n' cheese, chicken tenders, cookies, pasta, even gluten-free toaster pastries. If you live in a rural area, with stores that don't carry a lot of gluten-free items, take advantage of online shopping. I like the ease of shopping from Amazon, Vitacost and The Gluten-Free Mall. As a busy mom I love that I can get items delivered to my door. Get your kids in the kitchen. Teaching your kids to cook is an invaluable resource that will serve them life-long. Learning how to make a meal from whole natural foods can be fun and it teaches them how to eat a healthy diet. You can do this yourself or there are a lot of kids' cooking programs at local culinary centers, grocery stores, and community centers. Kids will adapt and adjust. If they are older and have been eating gluten-containing foods their whole lives, it will be more difficult because their palates have been formed. Try to ease the transition by having them go grocery shopping with you so they can learn what is still available to them, and then do something fun like chocolate gluten-free waffles. Or pick up some gluten-free ice cream cones and ice cream. Let them know they don't have to give up everything. Having a positive attitude is essential. Children will model what you show them. References: Triumph Dining Raising Our Celiac Kids Gluten Intolerance Group CSA Celiacs
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A must-read survival guide for parents, friends, teachers, and caretakers. Kids with Celiac Disease is a practical survival guide for families of children and teenagers with this lifelong digestive disorder. While it sounds as though it is only applicable to children with the condition, Kids with Celiac Disease is loaded with valuable information for people of any age - as well as for people on the gluten-free diet for reasons other than celiac disease. Written by the mother of a celiac child diagnosed in 1991, Kids with Celiac Disease is a compilation of 10 years of experience and research. Danna founded R.O.C.K. (Raising Our Celiac Kids) in 1991, and incorporated much of what she has learned from other parents into this book. Kids with Celiac Disease includes: Practical suggestions for dealing with school, sitters, birthdays, holidays and other unique challenges Menu and snack ideas Emotional and psychological implications How to talk with friends and family Eating out at restaurants Travel tips Up-to-date scientific, medical and nutritional information A resource guide listing contact information for hundreds of resources that are valuable to anyone on a gluten-free diet. Click here to order!
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The University of Marylands Center for Celiac Research has received approximately $231,000 in contributions and pledges. We thank all of you who have made a contribution or pledge. As we reported in the September update, when we began this effort back in May of 1977, we suggested that if 1000 Celiacs, relatives or friends would make a commitment to pledge $200 per year for three (3) years, we would be on our way to funding this extremely important study. As of September 1st, we had received only 122 pledges in the amount of $70,335. To date, we have received only 8 additional pledges; however, we did receive a significant number of cash contributions for which we are very grateful. For now, we cannot rely on any outside financial assistance. So please, help us to help you. Remember we are not asking you to make a contribution, but to make an investment in the well being of every celiac - now and in the future. We wanted to advise everyone that due to circumstances beyond our control our voice mail line 410 706-2715 crashed on December 20th. The problem was corrected on January 11th; however, all messages that were left during that time were lost. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
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