Our "Gluten Free in College" Blogger Julie Bourne joins us this month with a report on the gluten free dining scene in Rome, where she is studying abroad for the semester. Though it seems like I just left Seattle yesterday, I have already been in Rome for nearly a month. Where has the time gone? I now truly understand what people mean when they tell me to “savor every moment” of my abroad experience since it will be over before I know it. I like to think that I’m taking advantage of every day here. I can certainly assure you that I’m taking advantage of the plethora of gluten free foods available! It is a common misconception that Italy -- being the decreed land of pasta and pizza -- would be a miserable place for gluten free eaters, let alone those of us with full blown Celiac Disease. Quite the opposite is true: Italy happens to be one of the best options for gluten free travelers due to the prevalence and general awareness of Celiac Disease throughout the country. Before the age of seven, Italians are tested for a variety of diseases and allergies (Celiac Disease included), so nearly everyone... Read more →
September 2012
Last month I attended Camp Celiac in North Scituate, Rhode Island, along with my 9-year-old Celiac son Ryan. This was the second year we've both attended -- I a "parent counselor" and my son as a camper. Campers range in age from 8 to 16 (that's when they "age out"). As a Parent Counselor AND parent of a Celiac camper, I've had the priviledge of enjoying a unique perspective of the camp experience, and I'd like to share my thoughts on this camp -- and others like it. Although Camp Celiac was the first camp geared to gluten free kids -- and is still the largest -- there have been other, similar camps that have sprung up over the years (some cater to kids with other allergies/food intolerances as well). You'll find a list of those camps on a new page of our website, GlutenFreeTravelSite, devoted to Gluten Free Camps. (Just note that this PAST summer's dates are still listed, since the camps haven't posted their dates for Summer 2013 yet.) Most of these camps, like Camp Celiac, are just "ordinary camps" (i.e. they focus on fun outdoor activities and nature, not discussions about a gluten free lifestyle). The key... Read more →
Whether you've been gluten free for a long time -- or are newly diagnosed with Celiac Disease or gluten sensitivity -- you'll likely agree that maintaining vigilance when dining out and traveling can be a real challenge. You never know what level of gluten free savviness you'll encounter at restaurants, stores, and travel destinations. But there is one thing you can do to virtually ensure success...plan ahead. After tackling these challenges first-hand as the parent of a Celiac child -- and reading the thousands of gluten free dining and travel reviews submitted to our website, GlutenFreeTravelSite, over the years -- I have a comprehensive "mental checklist" of sorts that I rely on when planning any trip. Recently I shared these 12 tips for gluten free travel success with The Daily Meal website. Some tips may be common sense and ones you yourself use, while others bear repeating. Check out the article and corresponding slideshow showcasing the 12 Ways to Eat Gluten-Free on the Road, and be sure to forward to your fellow GF friends or family members. For a more detailed explanation of these and other tips for successful gluten free dining and travel, you may want to refer to... Read more →