Celiac & Mast Cell Activation Syndrome?

In keeping with our goal to inform all of you with information related to Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance please take some time to read the following information, courtesy of member Diane Jacobs, founding member of our group... see following article.

 http://www.thepatientceliac.com/2014/01/04/mast-cell-activation-syndrome-madness/

Rene

May 2016 Meeting Summary

MAY IS NATIONAL CELIAC AWARENESS MONTH.  

The May meeting of the Prescott Area Celiac and Gluten Free Support Group was held on Tuesday, May 10th from 12-2PM, at the Prescott Valley Public Library. 

We have been among this nationally recognized group for some time now and yet there are still those out there that think eating  gluten free is a "fad" or a "trend".  It is our responsibility to "kindly" remind our friends, family, co-workers and especially restaurant staff that eating gluten free is not a choice for us, but a true medical necessity!  Every time we ingest a small amount of gluten, we set our body back and it has too struggle to neutralize the enemy we ate.  You may call it getting "nuked" or glutenized, but either way it is critical to reduce this possibility.

Labeling of gluten-free food changed when Congress approved the new labeling law in August 2014.  Food companies can now claim they are gluten free by having 20ppm (parts per million) of gluten. For many, if not all that have Celiac or Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerance this is still too much gluten to ingest 3 times per day!!  At our May 10th meeting everyone received handouts of an interview with the FDA discussing whether they think the new gluten-free laws are working. Extra handouts are still available.

In keeping with this same train of thought, we discussed food companies that have dedicated gluten free facilities.  Their products will not be cross-contaminated with wheat products.  Bob's  Red Mill, Kinnickinnick, and Schaar are among a few.  If you are still having symptoms, perhaps you are eating products that have been cross-contaminated in the processing plant.  Too make matters even more complicated many of the small gluten free companies have been bought out by major mainstream corporations.  Info on that will be sent to you separately.

Looking forward to seeing you at our next meeting June 14th.

Renee and Linda

February 2016 Meeting Update

The Prescott Area Celiac & Gluten Free Support organization met Tuesday, February 9th from 12-2PM at the Glassford Hill Room located on the first floor of the Prescott Valley Library.

The group covered a variety of topics, and also discussed the latest issue of Trader Joe's Fearless Flyer. Trader Joes carries many gluten free items. Special note was made of their knowledgable concern when referring to their Gluten Free Rolled Oats. Pick up a copy when you go to TJ's. http://traderjoes.com/dietary-lists/gluten-free .

Member Carrie mentioned that she still has GF Girl Scout Cookies @ $5.00 per box. 928-830-9702

Member Sharon E is very involved with the GMO Free Prescott organization and wanted all to know that Costco has committed to carrying GMO Free Salmon. Verify at the local Costco or at www.gmofreeprescottaz.org .

February is one of two times per year that the gluten free candy list is updated.  Check out

https://celiac.org/live-gluten-free/gluten-free-lifestyle/valentines-day-candy-list/

There is another valuable website for new nationwide GF restaurant updates and travel updates. Check out https://glutenfreetravelsite.com .

Lastly, don't forget to mark calendars for next month's meeting. March 8th the group will host Dr. Gemie Kohler as guest speaker. Dr. Kohler will have a one hour presentation on "The Benefits of Food Allergy Testing" as a tool to heal & restore GI Function. The meeting will be held in the Prescott Valley library auditorium on the first floor and will start promptly, because the library has another function immediately following the GF support group!

DJ/RR

February 2015 Meeting Summary

So much information was shared at the February 17th meeting of the Prescott Area Celiac and Gluten Free Support!  A big thank you to all who contributed their thoughts and suggestions.

Many new happenings in the gluten free world! The Girl Scouts organization now have GF Toffee Cookies. Pizza Hut is offering Udi's GF Pizza nationwide (2,400 Pizza Huts). Locally, in the Prescott Tri-City Area, it is not yet known if the local Pizza Hut is part of the roll out test market on the GF pizzas.  Breyer's ice cream will soon be non-GMO.  Organic produce has a bar code that starts with the number 9 (you can verify this at local grocers). Glutenator Beer was highly recommended as a great GF Beer...so everyone in the group that would like a good GF beer, go to Park Plaza or Lloyd's Liquors and ask them to carry it.

A lengthy discussion took place at the February 17th meeting on the possibility of the local GF support group becoming a branch of the national Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG). Individuals may join GIG at www.gluten.net for $28-35 annually (depending on age). There are currently no dues for members of the Prescott Area Celiac and Gluten Free Support Group. However, should a decision be made to become a branch of GIG, there are many benefits, especially because the local support group would be listed on their national web site as a GF support group. Even now, when Mayo Clinic diagnoses someone with Celiac, they recommend finding a local support group. Any comments on this possible opportunity with Gluten Intolerance Group of America can be sent to Renee at gfreerenee@juno.com.    

And a thank you to Bill H. for sharing the words of Hippocrates:"Our food should be our medicine and our medicine should be our food"; "walking is man's best medicine"; and  "All Disease begins in the gut".  These words were said over 2,000 years ago!

The next meeting of the Prescott Area Celiac and Gluten Free Support Organization will be held at the Prescott Public Library, lower level Founder's Room "A", on tuesday, March 17th from 12 noon to 2PM.

RR/DJ

October 2014 Meeting Summary

The Prescott Area Celiac and Gluten Free Support group is growing every month and the October meeting had 23 people in attendance. Thank you, Ree See, for bringing an incredible GF bread for everyone to sample! And thank you to Tammy K., for sharing her delicious pumpkin bundt cake.  There was barely a crumb left on either one!

New member Deanna shared the great invention ..."No Stik Toast It" bags.  These are re-usable toaster bags that can be inserted into contaminated toasters without our GF bread getting attacked by gluten.  Perfect for traveling or visiting relatives that are not GF. What a terrific product!  Available at Amazon.com.

Long time member Bailey Rose Warstler, LAC, of "Turning Point Acupuncture", had the last hour of the meeting to discuss a recent symposium she attended on how gluten sensitivity promotes an immune reaction/response in human bodies. This can be systemic inflammation of joints, muscles, thyroid, tissue and organ systems. She discussed how similar gluten proteins can trick the body. She also discussed the term "leaky gut", which most traditional doctors either don't know about or don't discuss with their patients.

The next meeting of the PACGF support will be held on Tuesday, November 18th at 12 noon, at the Prescott Public Libary lower level Founder's room "A". See you then!

RR/DJ

Meeting Summary November 2013

The Prescott Area Celiac and Gluten Free Support organization held its November meeting at the Prescott Public Library on November 19th at 12:30PM in the Founders room "B" on the lower level of the library building.

Each of the 25+ in attendance took a few minutes to introduce themselves and share beneficial information about their gluten free journey. Lots of information was shared! So much information, that at future meetings, Diane J suggested that she would take detailed notes to be posted at the blog.

Many brought their favorite cookbooks to share. Some of the books mentioned were: Gluten Free Asian Kitchen, The Gluten Free Bible, The Almond Flour Cookbook, etc.

There was much feedback about the recent online "Gluten Summit". All feedback was positive and some from the group purchased the audio file of the event. All found the event to offer extremely current and beneficial info. The summit included doctors and experts such as Dr. Amen (seen on PBS), Dr. Hyman, Dr. Alessio Fasano, and more.

New pasta recommendations that are available locally are: Costco "Ancient Grains" brand, and Olive U store in Bashford Courts now carries their own brand of gluten free pasta. 

The  new Prescott Homebody store on the second floor of Bashford Courts across from the Square, is now carrying gluten free food items and Olivella personal care products, which are gluten free and olive oil based.  They are manufactured in Italy.

Since it was also time to update local GF restaurant info, many in attendance mentioned their favorites or specific dishes that they have had good experiences with. For more info, go to the "Prescott Quad City Local Restaurant Favs" link at this blog.

Announcements:
Tammy K. and Jim are presenting an event at the local Natural Grocers this saturday (11/23) with GF cookie baking and also sharing celiac info (Jim). 

Diane J has scheduled an author book signing of her cookbook as part of the big holiday kick off event at True Value Hardware on Miller Valley Rd on thursday evening, 11/21 from 7-9PM. Also, Diane's cookbook, "The Farmer's Daughter Cooks Gluten Free" was featured with a cookbook review and one of her recipes in the Fall issue of Gluten Intolerance Group of America's (GIG) publication: "Celebrate Living Gluten Free".

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the next meeting, which is Tuesday, December 17th at 12:30PM.

TO CONTACT US: gfreerenee@juno.com

DJ

March 2013 Meeting Summary

Well, it seems that Spring has sprung a little early this year, but we are sure that there are at least a couple of snow storms still pending before May! 

Tuesday, March 19th was the Prescott Area Celiac & Gluten Free Support group's "Gluten Free & Green" themed meeting for a warm Spring day and also for St. Pat's Day. (Actually, two days late on St. Pat's!) 

Everyone brought a little snack that was gluten free and green, so that meant more than likely HEALTHIER options! Twelve folks attended the meeting, with about half of that number new comers. Many had been to Tammy's cooking demo event at Natural Grocer's store saturday and had found out about the monthly support meetings. Welcome again to Pam, as well as newcomers Peggy, Janice, Marie, Sharon and Kay. 

The group sampled quinoa humus, spinach-artichoke tapenade, kale chips, fresh asparagus, and guacamole. Yum!  Discussion was about the recent gluten free cooking event at Natural Grocers, (Go, Tammy!) various food allergies, the difference between gluten allergies and gluten intolerance (celiac), the special needs of a newly diagnosed celiac, and ideas for upcoming meetings. 

The group indicated interest in learning more about the nutritional needs of those with gluten sensitivities and celiac disease. The group also indicated a strong interest in the May meeting being focused on a discussion of substitutions for various foods that those in the group may be allergic or sensitive to. 

The April meeting of the PACGF support group will be held at Prescott Public Library on April 16th, 12:30PM. Hope to see you there!

DJ

January 2013 Meeting Summary

Shea Richland is shown sharing information about the Azure Standard Company, and about some of their  non-GMO products that are available online and through their catalogue.

Shea Richland

Shea Richland from GMO Free Prescott Organization spoke to the Prescott Area Celiac and Gluten Free Support Group meeting on Tuesday, January 15th, at 12:30PM at the Prescott Public Library's Founder's Room B.

Shea shared information about the main foods (grains, soy beans, and sugar beets, to name a few) that are currently being genetically modified and about what can be done to support the non-GMO movement organizations locally, statewide, and nationally.

Announcements: On saturday, March 16th, 2012, at 12:30PM, That's It! Gluten Free Bakery (Tammy K) and Diane J. are holding a gluten free cooking event at Natural Grocers store. Tammy will be preparing a menu of special Spring/St. Patrick's themed recipes from Diane's cookbook and Diane will be presenting information about the dishes that Tammy is cooking and also autographing her books. Her second cookbook, "The Farmer's Daughter Cooks Gluten Free" will be available for purchase at the local Natural Grocers store. Then on May 4th, Natural Grocers is holding a gluten free event with vendors and demonstrations. Stay tuned for more information on both events. 

Next meeting will be held on tuesday, February 19th at 12:30 PM at the library location."Go Picnic" company has sent the group samples of their gluten free snack pack products to be evaluated by the group members.

Hope to see you then!

Holiday Baking...Gluten Free!

Holiday Baking...Gluten Free! will be presented by Diane J, and is the topic of November's meeting at Prescott Public Library at 12:30PM on Tuesday, November 20th. Diane J will present information on gluten free baking as well as some wonderful samples of her GF artisan breads! Also, those of you who would like Diane's latest cookbook: "The Farmer's Daughter Cooks Gluten Free" autographed, please bring your books to the meeting. She will have new inventory of her book on hand at the special PACGFS member pricing.

Also, we are pleased to announce a new gluten free baking business in our midst! Tammy K, who is an experienced restaurant owner and baker, has started That's It! Gluten Free Bakery here in the Quad Cities area. Tammy will be sharing information about her business at the November meeting, also, and will have samples on hand of her wonderful brownies, cakes, and muffins.You may contact Tammy at her email address to find out more information and to place orders for the holidays.

Don't miss this one, folks!

DJ

Gluten Free Seminar Coming to Natural Grocers

Taking Gluten Free to the Next Level – for the Holidays

Presented by Gail Ramsey, Bsc.

Whether necessity or choice led you to eat gluten free, this eating style is spreading rapidly and many are experiencing the health benefits of less bloating, less brain fog and better sleep because of it. 

What if you could take gluten free eating to the next level? Eating grain free may bring you the health benefits you’re seeking.

 Learn how:

• To improve your health with a grain-free diet
• Easy it is to plan grain-free meals
• To incorporate grain-free comfort food recipes into your holiday meals

Saturday, November 3^rd at 11:00am – 12:00pm
Seminar is FREE!

@ Prescott  Natural Grocers
At the corner of Willow Creek Road & Gail Gardner

See details here: http://www.naturalgrocers.com/store-locations/prescott/AZ/events

October 2012 Meeting Summary

The October meeting of Prescott Area Celiac and Gluten Free Support was held at the Founder's Room "B" of the Prescott Public Library on October 16th at 12:30 PM.

The meeting was attended by nearly 20, including four new comers. (Welcome everyone!) The guest presenters for October's meeting were Julia and Mike Lersch, from Julia's Gluten Free Bakery in Paradise Valley, AZ. Cupcakes and wonderful cinnamon rolls were enjoyed by most of the group and the Lersch's shared information about their company and about where their products are available in the area. Since all the area Fry's stores, with the exception of the store on Willow Creek Rd, are carrying their products, it was suggested that perhaps the group should petition the store's bakery manager to persuade them to carry Julia's Bakery items. The group enjoyed extra time to visit and network during the sampling of Julia's products.

A comprehensive Gluten Free References list was created and shared by Linda C. Each member also participated in a short questionnaire about what they would like to see taking place with the group in regard to future meeting topics, and so forth.

Diane J announced the completion of her second cookbook (The Farmer's Daughter Cooks Gluten Free) and made a few books available for the group to look over or purchase at a special reduced rate.

Next meeting is November 20th at 12:30 PM at the Prescott Public Library Founder's Room "B". Since the meeting is just a few days before Thanksgiving, Diane J will present information on "Gluten Free Hints for the Holidays" and will bring samples of GF baked goods, such as her walnut herb bread and cranberry-orange scones... and maybe some surprises!.

Hope to see you then!

DJ

Local GLUTEN FREE EVENT October 13th!

MOUNT HOPE FOODS 5TH ANNUAL GLUTEN FREE EVENT

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13TH  10:00 - 2:00pm

Gluten Free Cookbook Signing: Local author, Diane B. Jacobs of Prescott will be on site to personally sign her two gluten free cookbooks, "Delicious! The Very Best of Gluten Free and Wheat Free Cooking" and her newest book: "The Farmer's Daughter Cooks Gluten Free"! Take advantage of special pricing on her books for the event.

Also speaking at the event:
10:30: Karen Masterson Koch - Clinical Nutritionist and author of
"Beyond Gluten Intolerance"
11:45: Dr. Decker Weiss, ND - Naturopath and Cardiologist at Arizona Heart Hospital
1:00: Dr. Shaida Sina, NMD

• COME AND SAMPLE NEW GLUTEN FREE FOODS; VENDORS REPRESENTED FROM ALL OVER THE SW!
• COLLECT SAMPLES TO TAKE HOME
• WIN RAFFLE PRIZES
• TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GREAT SALES ON GLUTEN FREE PRODUCTS AND COOKBOOKS

Mt. Hope Natural Foods Market
853 S. Main Street
Cottonwood, AZ.
CALL 928.634.8251 for more info.

Prescott Adult Center Living Gluten Free Class

Our group member, Mary Beth Lakner, has informed us that there will be a FREE seminar called "Living Gluten Free" from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm on Friday, September 21 at Prescott Adult Center on Rosser. It is conducted by Kris Vaughan, Certified Health Coach & Certified Herbalist.

The synopsis is as follows: "In this educational workshop, we will discuss the reasons for needing or choosing to live gluten free; the difference between Celiac disease and gluten intolerance; as well as food and lifestyle recommendations to live gluten free and LOVE it!"

DJ

Prescott Natural Grocers Store Pre-Grand Opening Event

Please join our Prescott Area Celiac and Gluten Free Support Group at the new Natural Grocer's pre-grand opening on August 13th, from 4-7PM.

The store is located at 1470 Gail Gardner Way in NW Prescott. The first 300 people in attendance will receive a gift from the store, and those who have their invitations with them will be able to be part of a drawing for a valuable prize!

Just print out the info in the photos shown here and bring with you!

For more info, contact us at celiacdiseaseinfo@gmail.com

Meeting and Contact Info

PACGFS meetings are held the third tuesday of each month from 12:30-2PM. As of this writing, meetings are located in the Prescott Public Library Founder's Room "B", which is on the lower level. The library address is 215 E. Goodwin Street in beautiful, historic downtown Prescott, AZ.

Prescott Public Library


Contact Us

Welcome & Mission Statement

The mission of  the Prescott Area Celiac & Gluten Free Support organization is to offer support and education to both those newly diagnosed and those currently maintaining a gluten free lifestyle. Our organization also strives for general public awareness of the Celiac condition and to provide the medical community with a greater understanding of the needs of Celiac patients and those who are gluten sensitive.

Welcome to Prescott Area Celiac and Gluten Free Support. The purpose of this site is to provide you with information about our support group and gluten-free Prescott information. In addition, it provides for you some general gluten free lifestyle information, resources and links.

We hope this information will help to make living the gluten free lifestyle easier for both our newly diagnosed and veteran Celiac friends as well as those who are visiting the group. The Prescott Quad City area is a wonderful place to live and visit, so enjoying the area “gluten-free” should be a fun and easy thing to do.

Please be aware, however, that there is no warranty on this information and no liability is assumed by the group for the recommendations, information, dietary suggestions, menus, and recipes which are shared. Questions of a medical nature should be directed to your personal physician. The mention of products does not signify our endorsement. 

PACGFS is dedicated to helping celiacs and those who are gluten sensitive to adjust to a gluten-free lifestyle in a non-gluten-free dedicated world.  For this reason, we do not make it a practice of serving items from solely gluten free dedicated facilities at our gatherings. As always, it’s the responsibility of individuals to educate themselves in order to make the choice that works best for them when deciding whether or not to partake in the refreshments offered.

Contact Us

Prescott Courier Article about PACGFS

Prescott Courier May 2012-- Our Article in Vitality Section

Prescott Area Gluten-Friendly Dining & Grocery Options

GF Restaurants in the
Prescott Quad City Area
as well as Sedona, Flagstaff, & Cottonwood, Az

Dine at your own risk!

1.  Red Robin*

2.  Chipotle Grill*(also warrants that they are all non-GMO, except for the corn products, with changes on those in the works.)

3.  Nick and Willy’s* 

4.  Streets of New York* GF pizza

5.  Rosa’s Pizzeria

6.  Prescott College Crossroads Café*

7.  The Raven*

8.   Aloha Grill*

9.   Panagea Bakery*

10. Applebees*

12. St. Michael’s Bistro

14. Baja Fresh

15. Firehouse Restaurant

16. New Frontiers (Whole Foods)* Café

18. El Gato Azul*

19. In ‘n Out Burger (mention "allergy" meal requirements)

21. Olive Garden*

23. Bill’s Pizza

24. Taj Majal

25. Chili’s

26. Tara Thai II (PV)

27. Texas Roadhouse*

28. Quince' (Jerome)*

29. Pizza Picasso* (Sedona, Flagstaff)

30. Casa Bonita, Arturos, Casa Gardena, etc.

31. Beaver Street Brewery (Flagstaff)*

32. Martina’s Mexican (Chino Valley)*

33. Prescott Station* (across from Hassayampa)

34. Buffalo Wild Wings (PV) does not use canola or soy oil for frying the wings!

35. Toi's Thai in PV
36. Frannies Frozen Yogurt on the Square 
37. Cuppers*- two locations 
38. Soldi (used to be Apropos Salon) 111 Grove Ave, Prescott,  777-0444
39. Mogi's Mongollian BBQ*, Iron Springs Rd. (also offers organic and non-GMO)
40. Shannon's cheesecakes on Gurley*

*Designates that the restaurant offers a gluten free menu or specifically offers listed gluten free items. 

~Rave Reviews~
The Prescott Station restaurant on 200 E. Gurley is generating some positive feedback within the local gluten free community. A non GF friend visited there shortly after it opened and was thrilled to report back to us that the management was not only very aware of the special needs of someone who is required to dine gluten free, but that they also offer a listing of GF options.

August 9th, 2012  Diane J. visited this restaurant with a friend for a birthday lunch. The waitress was pleasant, attentive, and well-versed in the gluten free menu offerings. Ordered a fish taco with corn tortillas and sides of beans and rice. Very good, though side dishes were excessively salty. Overall dining experience was excellent. The atmosphere and restaurant decor is the best I have experienced in this area in quite some time.

April 2013. A group member had a very negative experience with fish tacos that were served with both flour and corn tortillas, even after GF requests were specified.

November 21st, 2012

Several people in the group have mentioned very positive experiences that they had had recently with restaurants that are offering gluten free dining options. These included Nick and Willie's Pizza, Wildflower Bread Company, Prescott Station, and Gurley Street Grill. Also, the El Gato Azul owner, Barry, has recently notified the group that the restaurant is now carrying gluten free bread and GF tortillas as well.

Gluten Free Grocery Options

1. Whole Foods

2. Trader Joes (ask for their complete listing)                             

3. Honeyman (PV and Prescott)

4. Frys 

5. Costco

6. Sam’s Club

7. Walmart --- WM east has an entire GF section

8. Safeway

9. Natural Grocers 
10. Sprouts

July 2012 Meeting Summary

Today was the July 2012 PACGFS final meeting in the Prescott Public Library's Elsea room on the main floor. The group nearly met the room's capacity, topping out at approximately 14. PACGF support is looking forward to meeting on August 21st at12:30 PM on the lower level of the library at the Founders Room "B", which accommodates 45 people. The Founder's Room also provides a serving area and sink, which would be great for bringing in samples of gluten free food items for meetings.

The majority of the meeting was designated for members to meet everyone and to learn a little more about new members, while sharing needs and hearing what folks would like to obtain from the group. Suggestions for future topics of interest were shared and discussed.

It was suggested that at the August meeting gluten free foods would be brought in to snack on, which would work especially well because of the time of day that meetings are held! So, the group's first gluten free "potluck" will be held at the August meeting. Another suggestion would be for a speaker, possibly either a CNC (certified nutritional counselor) or an MD or natureopath to be invited to speak to the group about supplements and nutritional support for an individual with celiac disease or someone who is required to or desiring to eat gluten free.

Looking forward to seeing you then!

~Rave Reviews~

Chef Bryan's Bistro, 436 Goodwin St. Several in the group have been making VERY positive comments about this relatively new restaurant. Chef Bryan is very accommodating and will make special gluten free adaptations to your meal. He also seems to have a good knowledge about celiac disease and about the special requirements for gluten free dining without cross contamination. But, as always, dine at your own risk!
Chef Bryan's Bistro

The new Prescott Station restaurant on 200 E. Gurley  is also generating some positive feedback within the local gluten free community. A non GF friend visited there shortly after it opened and was thrilled to report to us that the management was not only very aware of the special needs of someone who is required to dine gluten free, but that they also offer a listing of GF options.
Prescott Station Grill and Bar

DJ & RR