The taping of the pilot about eating out with allergies scheduled today, June 20, 2011, has been postponed because it will either be raining or pouring all day in Denver. Rain and expensive audio and video equipment and outside shots capturing restaurant exteriors with pretty hair and makeup do not mix!
Ironically, the launch of the National Gluten Free Food Bank Movement was postponed because of a branch breaking blizzard. Originally, 23 people we scheduled to attend. There were 63 people at the rescheduled event. The media who attended the rescheduled event generated more than 100 stories about the Movement! So, I’m not concerned about a little rain!
Stay tuned for details about the rescheduled events. They are likely to occur this week! Now back to bed for me!
Events on Monday, June 20, 2011
Want your kids or grandkids mugs on TV? Ever dream of seeing your smiling face when you are laughing and dining out with friends? Even if you’d rather go to the dentist than be on camera, you want to be part of this exciting FIRST and show your support for restaurants doing it right! Monday I’m taping a pilot for my new TV Show Celebrating the ever growing options we have to eat out gluten and allergen free!
We’ll have you piling out of the classic car, if we can find them, for the opening scene at each restaurant (which sometimes will be taped after we eat). The idea is to have more people than could humanly fit in the car, pouring out, balloons escaping, laughing, talking and taking the party into the restaurant. We will be fun, energetic and full of laughter and silliness!
Inside the restaurant, you buy your own meal or any baked goods at Watercourse (you can special order before hand as well as select from what is in the window that day), and we’ll interview some of you too. If you have eaten at any of these restaurants before, please let Shirley know (her email is above). We’ll end with all of us wearing little kids Star shaped sun glasses and saying something clever. Balloons and my star sunglasses are two of my signature party items so we will incorporate both!
Being gluten free or having food allergies used to mean we couldn’t eat out “like everyone else.” more and more of the owners, chefs or their friends have Celiac Disease, gluten intolerance or food allergies so they are changing their menus. Monday, we’re CELEBRATING the fact that there are lots of restaurants who “get it,” deserve our business and would love to have us dine with them. Personally, I think that’s something to celebrate!
If you can carve out the time to be part of this exciting day send Shirley an email (Hibbsflower at aol dot com), text or call her at 303-886-7482 with:
1. All of your contact info, including your cell phone number
2. Number of people participating (the more the merrier!)
3. Which restaurants
4. If you’ll be eating (come even if you can’t stay to eat)
5. Be prepared to wear a different outfit for each restaurant (no tight patters, bright red or white)
6. Check out the menu before arriving (click link on the restaurant name)
Here is the skinny on this day of fun:
BREAKFAST
Watercourse Foods
837 East 17th Avenue #103, Denver, CO 80218-1467(17th & Clarkson)
303-832-7313
8:45 am – 9:15 Exterior Crowd Shots for Intro
9:15 – 10:15 Breakfast Interior Shots
LUNCH
Abrusci’s Italian Eatery
3244 Youngfield St # G, Wheat Ridge, CO
(303) 232-2424
12:00 Lunch Interior Shots
2:00 Exterior Crowd Shots for Intro
DINNER
Lala’s Wine Bar & Pizzeria
410 East 7th Avenue – Denver, CO 80203 – Capital Hill
303-861-9463
5:30 Exterior Crowd Shots for Intro
6:00 Interior Dinner Shots
We’re so excited to share this opportunity with you! Your non-gluten free friends are very welcome to join us as they are always wondering where they can take you to eat out safely! Well, here are 3 new places!
Let Shirley know if you can come (me too but she will keep track of it). Keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We want perfect weather and just the right people to be there (YOU)! See you soon on Gluten Free Dee TV!
Great Gluten Free Gift Bag Giveaway
October was first established as Celiac Disease Awareness Month by the Celiac Spru Association since 1987 in the US and Canada. In 2009, Canada began adding Celiac Awareness activities in May. September 13 is National Celiac Awareness Day in honor of Samual Gee, an English Physician and Pediatrician who discovered the link between Celiac (Coeliac) Disease and diet.
According to Beth Hillson, President, American Celiac Disease Alliance: “…the overwhelming majority of celiac organizations and all of the Celiac Research Centers in the United States recognize May as National Celiac Disease Awareness Month. Internationally, the Association of European Coeliac Societies recognizes Celiac Disease in May and celiac events are held throughout the world to raise awareness. (The association represents 26 countries of the EU – including Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and UK)
The May observance in the United States was chosen to coincide with our international colleagues. It was also done in recognition of the many other medical conditions related to celiac disease that are observed in May. Celiac disease is still relatively unknown and being able to draw connections between these medical conditions and celiac disease helps to elevate its importance and enhance awareness.”
No matter when you focus on increasing awareness of Celiac Disease, we have lots to celebrate because of the vast amount of gluten free food we have at our finger tips, and amazing recipes we can make!
Gluten Free leaders, cook book authors and product manufacturers will welcome nationally known doctor, speaker and author Dr. Stephen Wangen Thursday, March 17 when he comes to speak at a presentation organized by the Denver CSA Chapter at 7 pm.
The Gluten Free Doctor
At each event throughout the day, gluten free donations will be collected to build the Food Bank founded by Gluten Free Consultant, Gluten Free Dee.
The busy day of connecting and sharing insights will begin with an intimate gluten free breakfast at Snooze AM Eatery in Denver. Area foodies will have opportunities to demonstrate their culinary skills at a Pot Luck Lunch hosted by Nourished Health in Denver and a Reception hosted by well known cook book author, Carol Fenster.
Participants are asked to RSVP below and let us know what they intend to bring. This gluten free consultant will be bringing the plates, napkins, cups and eating utensils!
- Healthier Without Wheat will be available to purchase at all events March 17
Win a FREE Gluten Free Consulting Session with me by sharing the business or marketing tips that brought you success in 2010.
When I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 1992 there was no way I could imagine writing a blog that included the words love and gluten free in the same sentence. Store bought bread was terrible. Pasta disintegrated when cooked 1 minute too long. A plain chicken breast was my option when dining out.
I survived because Pamela’s made some great cookies and a baking mix I used for almost everything! I ate San J crackers whenever I could afford $5 for 12 amazing crackers. Amy’s made some delicious, but very expensive frozen entrees.
Mostly though, I wasted thousands of dollars on products that were not even fit to be given away. It boggled my mind why stores wasted shelf space on products made to look like cookies, crackers and bread when they could have more easily stocked the corrugated cardboard in which the products were shipped. Honestly, there was little difference in the taste and texture of gluten free options 18 years ago.
Today, I watch to be sure I’m not eating too much soft, squishy bread or freshly baked treats from area bakeries. I use gluten free wraps to encase my sandwich or make enchiladas. I use restraint when in the cookie section of grocery stores in Colorado so I don’t eat cookies every day for every meal (I could you know!). Most importantly, as a Gluten Free Consultant I help manufacturers find their way into the marketplace, weave their stories into your hearts and bring smiles to your face when you serve your friends and no one knows it’s gluten free! True love!
In Colorado, eating out gluten free is a sensation with restaurants competing for our dollars and affection. I “taste test” products for the benefit of my readers and find places for my clients to share their gluten free goods. Ah, the sacrifices I’ll make as a Gluten Free Consultant! Sacrificial love!
I share only GREAT products with gluten free community leaders across the nation who write reviews and create a buzz for the best of the best. I orchestrate contests filled with heart, enthusiasm and connectedness. I build community thru events celebrating our wonderful gluten free lives and give away gift bags filled with gluten free goodness! How fun is that! I also steer manufacturers to local, regional and nation gluten free vendor fairs and conferences and represent them at their booth. Oh, what a lovely life!
Who would have thought there would ever be enough GREAT gluten free products in the marketplace that there would be a need for a gluten free marketing expert. I sure didn’t! I think you can see why I love my new gluten free family and my life as a Gluten Free Consultant! I’ve found my true love!
The beautiful part of this season
Is some people finally pause
And examine their lives and loved ones
Rejoice, and give thanks because
They were born in a country with plenty
Running water and lights on a switch
Fresh produce, meats and bread
Abundance and variety in each dish
Our homes are warm and have plumbing
We use without giving a thought
A switch heats our food and our baked goods
In each room TV sets we just bought
We have books, DVDs and CDs
In every nook and cranny in our homes
Our windows have coverings so lovely
Our bathrooms filled with brushes and combs
We breathe clean air and see the mountains
Which we are free to photograph and climb
We laugh with our friends while out dining
And enjoy wine and soda all the time
We hop in our cars to get somewhere
And crank up our favorite tunes
Flip open our laptop and sip latte’
On “outside the office” afternoons
Our cell phones text and search 24/7
And keep us in touch with our tribe
On Facebook and Twitter you’ll find us
On our blog our latest diatribe
Our children have options for learning
Books, libraries and hot lunches
Sports, lessons and music too many
Shoes, clothes and stuff in bunches
We are free to worship a Christ who loves us
Without major persecution in the states
And demonstrate Christ’s love to others
Without them walking into a church with gates
We have people who teach us to be healthy
And develop our minds every day
We have friends and family who love us
There are so many things I could say
But the real message to you this Thanksgiving
Is to cherish the blessings you have
Despite imperfect families or sick bodies
And bank accounts that may need some salve
Our plenty is dreamed of by others
In multiple billions around the globe
We are truly blessed, so on this Thanksgiving
Forgive me, if your heart I did probe
Copyright 2010 Dee Valdez, Gluten Free Consultant
Use with permission if copyright is intact
www.GlutenFreeDee.com
How To Not Make Your Friends Sick When Serving Gluten Free Guests
As a Gluten Free Consultant, I’m asked for advice by many gluten eating friends who are hosting guests who are gluten free. “It’s simple, but not easy, to do it right,” I tell them. If you have an open mind and a willing heart, it can be done successfully. It will take a little time and good communication. Here are the tips in an easy to print format.
THANKSGIVING Tips when Serving Gluten Free Guests
Turn the experience into an education for your family
Have the guest come early or the day before
Avoid wooden surfaces for food prep
No wooden serving pieces or bowls for naturally gluten free items
Keep food separate or under a couple watchful eyes
Separate gluten free from gluten filled on buffet and pie tables
Gluten free guest goes first when serving
Involve everyone at the table in the education
Voice concerns to the guest about anyone who might not take the extra steps
Invite a couple other guests to share the gluten free food
Never hesitate to prevent or correct a wrong action to keep the meal safe – but do it gently or with humor
Give thanks for the many great options that are gluten free and for the safe meal for your guest!
Copyright Dee Valdez, M.A. 2010
Accelerate Your Business Success with 10/10/10 From My Gluten Free Consulting Lessons
Over the next week, I’ll be sharing my 10/10/10 to impact the way you do business or interact with GREAT Gluten Free Companies. In October, I celebrate 1 year of consulting some of the best Gluten Free Companies in the market while building magical relationship with Gluten Free GREATS around the world. I’m humbled and grateful for all I have learned since venturing out on my own to start my Public Relations and Marketing Business, Gluten Free Dee. This 3 Part Series will (someday) include:
10 Gluten Free Consulting Tips for Business Success – Part One
10 Ways for Gluten Free Restaurants to Draw a Crowd – Part Two
10 Gluten Free Greats – Leaders Who Have Changed the Game – Part Three
