Be Free For Me Blog

One day a year, on the third Monday in April, my tiny world, my universe, becomes larger than life.

Hopkinton, Massachusetts, the tiny town in which I live and work, is the start of the Boston Marathon, the world’s oldest annual marathon, and one of the world’s most well-known road racing events.

The BeFreeForMe offices are located in downtown Hopkinton right at the starting line, and my home is right down the street, the one that is lined with runners anxiously waiting in corrals; apprehensively waiting to begin a challenge that they have been training for months, or even years.

The weather this year was chilly, and windy. The runners were lined up, looking athletic, lean and muscular; obviously ready physically for the task ahead. But what surprised me was the looks of doubt that some of the runners had. I couldn’t help but think: Maybe they had missed a training? Maybe they were sporting a slight cold? Maybe they were not use to the New England temperamental weather? Did they now fear Heartbreak Hill? But why the doubt…visually these people were obviously physically ready for the 26.2 mile task ahead.

The deer-in-the-headlights look of these doubters reminded me of the expression many newly-diagnosed celiacs and food allergic have – including, I am sure, the look I had myself. The task we all face seems overwhelming, yet we are all physically ready to tackle it, one step at a time. Our obstacles may not be a missed training, sniffles, or rainy weather; yet we have obstacles of our own to undertake one incident, and, one day, at a time.

Staying focused, using self-encouragement, remembering our mission of health and rising to the challenge ahead are things we all must remember when that doubt sneaks in.

And remember those crowds. Those that are cheering us all on. They are the positive energy that will get us through the Heartbreak Hills of life.  

And lastly, remember it “All Starts Here”… right here at home – where your biggest supporters and fans will be cheering you on, every day in the marathon of life as a celiac or food allergic.

*Note: The cute puppy in the photo with me is my incredibly sweet Boxer, Sadie. =) She is very excited about the thousands of visitors she saw on her daily “run” on Marathon Day; Hence, she was having a hard time posing for the camera. Maybe the next photo shoot.

What a great plug for gluten-free items & awareness on the Celebrity Apprentice tonight! Team Kotu and Athena had the task of coming up with a new meal and marketing plan for Schwan’s, a company that delivers meals “right to your door with no muss or fuss, making ‘convenient’ seem like an understatement”.

Well, Team Athena (members include: Melissa Rivers – TV Host/Produce, Jesse James – Entrepreneur/TV Host, Annie Duke – Poker Champion, and Brande Roderich – Playboy Playmate) won with the GLUTEN-FREE Triple Play Turkey Meatballs!

When Donald announced the challenge at the start of the show, I thought to myself, “I would market a gluten and allergen-free meal”. Then, before I knew it Annie Duke starts talking about developing a gluten-free dinner! I actually jumped up clapping!

The presentation Team Athena made to the executives at Schwan’s was good, but I thought it needed a bit of a marketing tune-up (and that’s coming from a Gluten-free Marketing Foodie) – but they got the point across about gluten-free being one of the fastest growing segments, and even chatted up wheat/ gluten-intolerances and celiac disease!

Check out the Schwan’s website to see about the Celebrity Apprentice episode and also info on the gluten-free meal – including how to order it.

Oh, and by the way, Mr. Trump and executives at Schwan’s… I think this idea is more than a triple play… the name may have to be changed to “Homerun Turkey Meatballs.

Just two cents coming from a Gluten-free Marketing Foodie.

One of the first signs of spring is the arrival of rhubarb and strawberries at the local grocer. While the weather may still be chilly, the days do seem to be getting warmer and longer. Everyday the sun is getting higher in the sky, and I can’t help but notice that spirits seem to be getting higher too.

Tough and tart Rhubarb is a lot like these bitter, chilly spring mornings. However, when combined with shiny strawberries & sweet sugar the medley uncannily becomes a lot like these early spring days that start out nippy, but by mid-day becomes a promise of the sweet warm days to come.

The good with the bad. The bitter with the sweet. Funny how they complement each other best sometimes. Living with celiac or food allergies we have all recognized and experienced the combo of the two.

The weakest morning sun and the chilly early air always become brighter and warmer… especially when sprinkled with extra sunbeams and the faith of better days to come.

` You know exactly what you will order before even arriving since you’ve already checked out the menu on-line or had a personal phone conversation with the chef…

` Having a waiter or waitress that has celiac themselves is like hitting the lottery – but even better…

` You find yourself staring at other diners at Italian restaurants that are dipping fresh, hot bread into fragrant extra-virgin herbed olive oil…

` You find absolutely nothing wrong with bringing your own San-j Gluten-free Soy Sauce to Asian restaurants…

` You know that desserts are a privilege, and not a right. If you find one on a menu that is gluten-free it will be ordered, and thoroughly enjoyed, regardless if you want it or not!

How do “You Know That You’re a Celiac?” …??? Please share!

This is the last of three blogs in the series of “You Know You’re A Celiac When….”

~ You can whip through reading any product label like a food engineer on steroids…

~ Your first few grocery trips after being diagnosed take a full morning – if not a full day…

~ It is fair game to drum-up conversation with anyone that has Van’s Waffles or Cherrybrook Kitchen products in their shopping carts…

~ When you bought your first box of gluten-free Rice Chex in the “regular” cereal section you did cartwheels down the rest of the aisle….

~ You can quickly become a contortionist in a moments notice while trying to read the labels of deli products behind the glass display case… 

~ You look at end-caps of Twinkies and Ring Dings and realize you don’t really miss them – and you’re actually glad you can’t have them…

~ Your grocery cart has the healthiest contents of every shopper in the store – without even meaning to…

~ You know where the Natural Food section is located in every supermarket 35 miles from your home…

~ You usually end up shopping at 2-3 stores for your groceries each week in order to find everything that you want… and need…

~ The cost of the contents of your weekly grocery cart could put all your children through a full semester at a private school…

~ You know that Kinnikinnick and Namaste are not the names of characters from the new box office hit “Monsters vs. Aliens”…

~ Someone says “GF” and you know what they mean…

~ Your purse starts to look like a shopping bag because it’s full of food that you “just might need”…

~ You know that “WBOR” does not stand for the call-letters of your local radio station…

~ You insist that any relative that shows any celiac symptoms get tested right away…

~ You know brown bagging it isn’t a fad. It’s a reality…

~ Santa is uncannily starting to look a lot like Bob from Bob’s Red Mill…

~ Preventing cross-contamination takes more than just sanitizing cutting boards and countertops…

~ You sometimes eat before going to a cocktail party or buffet function…

~ You’ve found the need to explain more than once that you are NOT on the Atkins diet…

~ You know that rice cakes are not just for hippies anymore…

~ Anyone that thinks that celiac disease is a good thing since it (may) prevent you from gaining weight really has no idea whatsoever what the disease is about…

~ You look at pictures of yourself before you went gluten-free and realize how much better you now look… and feel.

~ You go on vacation and one of your suitcases is full of food…

~ Hotel rooms with kitchenettes are a necessity – not a convenience…

How do “You Know That You’re a Celiac?” …???

Please Share!

This is the first of three blogs in the series of “You Know You’re A Celiac When….”
The next two will be coming later this week! ~ Be Free! Kathleen

Just one single can of spinach did the trick for Popeye. One can is all he needed to tackle the biggest problem to the bitter end.

Was Popeye onto something? Is it possible to learn from Popeye’s problem solving spinach strategies? Could spinach possibly be the secret weapon in the kitchen that all food allergic and gluten free folks have been searching for?

Spinach may well indeed be the secret weapon of the century. High is calcium, iron, Vitamin C, fiber and magnesium it is a power packed super food. Economical too.

Spinach is also the cleverest vegetable around when it comes to changing appearances and reappearing in different disguises. Souffléd, sautéed, steamed, or as a foundation of a salad, spinach is by far one of the most versatile vegetables around. It can be incorporated into every meal – as an omelet stuffing for breakfast, greens for a mid-day salad, and as a side dish for dinner.

So, let’s learn from Popeye – roll up those sleeves, flex a little muscle and dig into your favorite secret weapon spinach recipes today.

Who needs a red velvet heart stuffed with gluten and allergen-ridden chocolates? There are so many “gifts” to share with your sweetie that are free of gluten and allergens,  jam-packed with fun… and economical too! Here are just a few of BeFreeForMe’s favorites… what are some of yours?

1.) Room Service: Serve your sweetie breakfast in bed… heart-shaped gluten free pancakes anyone?

2.) Is a mini-adventure in order? Take a road trip… take a drive to nowhere! You’ll never know where you’ll end up!  Make sure you take a gluten and allergen free picnic lunch with you. Leave the GPS behind!

3.) The Big Screen at Home: Rent a romantic movie, grab a warm blanket and make some popcorn. Try a romantic-comedy and share a laugh together too!

4.) Make a Heart Sing: Make a gift of CD love songs or songs that bring back sweet memories. Pop it in the CD player of her car… instant smiles while driving the miles!

5.) Let’s get Physical!: Go bowling, sledding or ice skating. Live in a warm climate? Find an indoor ice skating rink with public skate time. Bring along some allergen free snacks and hot chocolate!
 

6.) The Game of Love: Have a marathon of playing board or card games – and let your sweetie win! Make tons of gluten free and allergen free snacks and invite another couple.

7.) Sweets for the Sweethearts: Go out for a gluten free ice cream!  Dilly Bar Anyone?

8.) Let me count thy ways… Make your own Valentine Day card. Include 10 things that made you first fall in love, and are still in love, with your sweetheart.

When things didn’t go just right, when my and my sister’s days were full of sniffles and childhood worries, our Mom would make us our favorite suppers that made everything good again.

My Mom’s magical comfort foods were (and still are to this day) chicken soup and rice pudding. Luckily for us, these classics are naturally gluten free, and no changes needed to be made to these recipes after my, and other family members, diagnosis of celiac disease.

One of the top trends in cooking during this new economy is the comeback of comfort foods – and it is no wonder. Not only is it more economical to eat at home, it also makes sense to simplify our crazy worlds and reach back to the basics. Basics like returning to home cooking, holding close the simple suppers shared as a family, or remembering the childhood excitement knowing that your favorite meal is being served for supper that night. All little things that make us treasure good food; plus all the good that comes from it.

In general, Gluten free and allergen free foods are a lot like comfort foods: simple, straightforward and uncomplicated. Just basic good food that makes you feel good – inside and out. Nothing fancy, nothing pretentious. Treasured.

What are your gluten and allergy free comfort foods that make you cuddly warm, happy and full?

Should we all start thanking our lucky stars? Is there more to Starbucks than a good cup of joe for celiacs and the gluten free everywhere?  How about the dairy, soy and nut avoiders too? Should Starbucks include other allergen free products in new item introductions as well?

According to a Starbucks blog post, they are considering offering some gluten free food options in their stores. Click here to read the article posting on Starbucks blog.

Knowing that there is more strength in numbers than a triple grande expresso, I thought it would be a great idea to pool all of our ideas & comments here on this post, and I would compile and submit them to the new product innovators over at Starbucks.

According to the information they posted they want to know:

• What specific gluten-free products would you like to see in our stores?

• Would you prefer to see it individually packaged or unpackaged?

• How would you like to learn we have gluten-free products? For example, would you like to see it on a sign or would you prefer the barista tell you?

• Where would you like to see gluten-free products in the store; in the pastry case or placed elsewhere?

• The ingredient costs of gluten-free products tend to be higher, so would you understand if we charged more for the gluten-free version?

Please help support our celaic and food allergic community and cause! Reply to this post today and I will submit all comments together as the strong demographic we are!

We are celiac and the food allergic … hear us roar!
Be Free!
Kathleen