NEXT MEETING Aug. 18, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Thanks to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship for a special non-profit rate! We'll have our next meeting on Thurs. Aug. 18 from 6-8. This is on 34th Street, just past 39th Ave, across from the Capri subdivision.


We are growing!! I have had lots of inquiries and folks who hope to attend. Please let me know so I can gauge munchies/drinks.

Agenda!
1.  Review of Gluten Intolerance Group (www.gluten.net) and all its programs
2.  Review of the vendors I visited at the national GIG conference and taste samples of what I could carry home with me! (Don't eat dessert before you come)..and it's not all food. There's some interesting new lab tests for cross-reactive foods I'd like to share.
3. Review of the keynote speaker, who addressed the non-celiac gluten intolerance spectrum...there's something for everyone in this, celiac or not
4. Time permitting, review of other talks, otherwise we'll chunk away at those in future meetings- SO much info. I'd urge you to start saving now for next year's GIG conference in Denver.

5. Planning next meeting, ideas of what will be helpful/enjoyed by folks. The space we're using includes a kitchen, so hopefully we can do some cooking demos in the future. I have some ideas for speakers. Food coops have been discussed. Fundraising? We need some $.. Restaurant outings? Holiday cookie event? Too many ideas to count.Come share your ideas. I'm planning on quarterly meetings, but we can do some stuff in between, or more often if desired.

This will of course always include support/education for those new to the diet. I have a growing collection of books/magazines to share.
Hope to see you there! Call or email GIGgainesville@gmail.com, 352-215-1078. I work full time, so I may need to be short, but I'll always get back in touch!
See you all on Aug. 18,
Janet

CORRECTION

Hi All,

My apologies. Regarding the below entry, the cost is $40 not including tax and gratuity. If anyone's in Jax, check out the blog and perhaps you can join in! 
Stay tuned, still looking into meeting space for August.
Janet

Gluten Free dinner party in Jax

Hello All,
I was asked to share:  There is a free dinner/wine pairing with a very popular restaurant in Jacksonville on Wednesday July 20^th. Information at http://www.glutenfreejacksonville.com.Check it out!


On a Gainesville note, I'm looking into meeting space for an August meeting. Stay tuned.

National Education Conference for GIG, WOW!

Just returned from the annual conference in Orlando for the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America. I come back with even more conviction to make this group a resource for any veterans or newbies to the gluten free diet. Times are changing! For one, gluten sensitivity has been officially recognized by the international medical community as a "real" condition, so one need not have celiac disease in order to be taken seriously (good thing, or I'd be very sick and unable to do any of this, kudos to my forward-thinking physician!). How cool is that?! I would URGE anyone who follows a gluten free diet to join the GIG at www.gluten.net. I watched the board in action at the conference. They are regular folks just like you and me working tirelessly to advocate for promoting awareness and education, but a nonprofit doesn't run on thin air. A membership is $35 for the year, and gets you a very informative quarterly magazine, e-newsletters if you want them, and a ton of other bennies. It's a tax deduction. Please help this organization.

At our next meeting, I'll be announcing a dues structure for our group as well, which will include a discount if you join both nationally and locally. I will have summaries of the talks I attended (medical management of celiac, nutrition for celiac, pediatric guidelines, and more), a TON of stuff to sample, and more! A more detailed and specific agenda to follow soon. I'm hoping for mid-August, but meeting space is an issue.

Does anyone have ideas of where we can meet at no cost, probably quarterly, but also have access to a kitchen? This is proving tough, but it's very important to us. Down the road, we'll definitely be cooking! Feedback much appreciated!

We are a small but growing community. We have to band together to share troubles, triumphs, and ideas. Hope you will consider becoming active. 

More soon. Stay tuned.
Janet
GIGgainesville@gmail.com
352-215-1078