February 2014 Meeting Summary

February's meeting of Prescott Area Celiac & Gluten Free Support met on February 18th at 12:30PM at Prescott Public Library's Founder's Room B on the lower level.

The Phoenix Celiac Organization is holding its' annual Gluten Free Expo this month on the 22nd and 23rd. Tickets can be purchased online and there will be speakers, cooking demos, and many vendors in attendance. For more info on this and future events through the Phoenix organization, see the link at the bottom of this page or go to their website.

Tammy K. mentioned that Campbell's Soup has a gluten free link on its' website now, mentioning all gluten free products. Linda C.shared information about Nuts.com website that offers great prices on gluten free, non-GMO products, including flours. Linda also mentioned Baking Beauty.com for great recipes and prices.

A guest at this month's meeting was Dr. Geri Mills, who is an author of a recipe book, "Gluten Free with Dr. Geri". Dr Geri is also a doctor, veterinarian, and celiac.

Jim Koster, the main speaker for tuesday's meeting, spoke about how he became gravely ill before finally being diagnosed with celiac disease. He made it his business to become very informed about issues with gluten...and more. Jim has traveled the world studying children's and adults diets and has found that with the introduction of the Western diet, that people begin developing more health issues.And nutritional deficiencies affect everyone; not just celiacs and those eating gluten free. Jim also suggested several helpful books to read, including "Wheat Belly" and "Going Against the Grain". Jim's advice is not to blindly believe everything you are told about our foods, but to do the research and educate yourself. Keep your eyes open and read your labels! Thank you, Jim, for the very informational presentation!

Next month's meeting will be held at the same time and same place, and on March 18th, 2014. See you then!

DJ

January 2014 Meeting Summary

Happy Gluten Free New Year!

Bailey Rose Warstler, is a licensed acupuncturist in Prescott and also a regular attendee of the local gluten free support group. She was the group's guest speaker/presenter at the meeting at Prescott Public Library on 1/21/14.

Many members present had tried acupuncture for various issues with various results. Bailey said this typical of all health treatments. Bailey tried and now treats herself with acupuncture for a serious muscle cramp syndrome that is extremely painful and debilitating. She went to many traditional doctors and more than a dozen surgeries without much relief.  

She was studying physical therapy in Chicago when someone suggested she try acupuncture. She did and experienced "great success"!  She decided then to study the therapy and become a licensed practitioner of this ancient Eastern Medical Art.

Schooling is a three to four year, full time Master's program covering Traditional Western and Ancient and Modern Eastern Holistic methods and theory. Acupuncture is thousands of years old, probably originated in China, and is practiced in Korea, Japan and all over the Far East.

Today's method uses extremely fine needles of varying lengths and thicknesses to tap into the Qi (Chi) or the body's own energy force, at any one of four hundred points along the main meridians as plotted by the ancient Chinese.  Acupressure is similar and uses much the same points. The idea is to remove blockages at various points to allow the Qi (life force) to flow freely and achieve balance in the body, making the patient feel better.  The Qi can be unbalanced by stress, diet, environment, injury/illness/ and lifestyle changes. Bleeding is rare, but in some cases, intentional, and only a drop may be all that is needed to relieve pressure.

When diagnosing a patient prior to treatment, Bailey will take the pulses at three different places and levels on both wrists. She will look at the patient's tongue, which to the trained eye, reveals a great deal about the health of the body. All treatments are tailored to the individual, and as symptoms change, so will the treatment, which is progressive. One then can go to maintenance visits less frequently. Bailey has had great success treating Fibromyalgia.  

Initial visits cost $80.00 and involve many questions so Bailey can get to "know" you and what is happening in her client's life, in order to tailor treatment specifically to your health issues.  Follow up visits are $60.00 and are all inclusive. Insurance coverage varies, so check with health coverage policy. Both Linda C. and Renee R are patients of Bailey, and report an overall relaxing sense of well-being after treatment. 

One member offered this advice; "Don't be afraid"... to try acupuncture!

Extra note from meeting: Renee R's recommendation for a good allergy test company is: The Intolerance Testing Group; www.allergytest.com. This company tests for food, nutrients, metals via hair samples.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at next month's meeting on Tuesday, February 18th, 2014 at 12:30 PM, in the Founder's Room "B" on the lower level of Prescott Public Library.

TO CONTACT US: gfreerenee@juno.com