Returning author and blogger, Debbie Simpson of Gluten Free Respect, has just released her newest book "Gluten Free: The Emotional Side of Dietary Differences." Debbie, Mike and Cam have a frank discussion about the emotions that come with having celiac disease or gluten intolerance, and some of the steps and challenges that they all experienced in order to move through their lives both pre-diagnosis and post.
Nima was recently sold to the company Medline, and not everything has gone so smoothly. Most importantly, people who rely on the Nima have found that replacement capsules are no longer available for purchase. It has been difficult finding answers from Medline, so Mike and Cam want to share the latest on the situation and offer some of their thoughts and ideas that could make things easier moving forward.
The pandemic has affected so many businesses, and for the Gluten Free Expos and Festivals more people attending these large gatherings means more success. So Jen Cafferty, the founder of everyone's favorite gluten free and allergy friendly Expo, the Nourished Festival, didn't just fold up her tent when COVID-19 struck. Instead, she got right to work creating an innovative new online platform. Learn all about the amazing work that Jen is doing to bring this exciting version of the Nourished Festival to you!
You don't need us to tell you that this has been a summer like no other,. That said, Mike and Cam each want to take some time to reflect on the top five things that have kept us in a positive head space during the pandemic. We are so honored that you choose to listen to us each and every week and bringing the podcast to you is certainly high on our list of things that are keeping us moving forward. Thanks for your support!
Mike and Cam are pleased to sit down with returning guest, Josh Schieffer, owner and founder of the Gluten Free Buyers Guide and Gluten Free Awards. Josh gives us a fascinating look behind the scenes at how the Buyers Guide and Awards are put together, including how you, the consumer, ultimately pick the winners! Josh also tests Mike and Cam's Springsteen knowledge with a unique quiz bridging "The Boss" and gluten free.
Blogger and world wide traveler, Jen Fitzpatrick, of the Nomadic Fiztpatricks, has found creative ways to bring travel home during the pandemic. Though most of us aren't doing much extended travel right now, including Jen, she is bringing various cultures to her home by cooking different world cuisines and then taking a deep dive into each given culture. She is also exploring her own town and community in ways she hadn't done before. Also hear about her exciting new E-book coming out this September.
Cam recently had his first ever camping experience with a couple of buddies. Despite being a novice, he brought his A-game to this adventure. He became the de-facto chef for the excursion, and in doing so, made this mere camping trip into much more of a high end outing. In fact, Mike introduces the term glamping to Cam and believes that he might just be a full on "Glamper."
In part 2 of our dynamic conversation with attorney, Mary Vargas, we revisit the historic J.D. v. Colonial Williamsburg case and talk about the outcome and why this was such a landmark case for defending the rights of those with celiac and food allergies. We also talk to Mary about a current case in which she is representing a former University of Maryland student who was given far from equal treatment by the food services at the school.
Attorney, Mary Vargas, has been a maverick dealing in cases concerning Disability Rights. This week, Mary shares how she became interested in Disability Law and her thoughts on the FDA temporary policy change on food labeling requirements. Next week in part 2, Mary updates us on her client's well publicized and historic case, J.D. v. Colonial Williamsburg and also shares another dramatic case involving a celiac student at the University of Maryland.
People with celiac disease or gluten intolerance are constantly monitoring what we put in our bodies, but what about what you put on your body? Our guest, Dr. Liia Ramachandra, co-founder and CEO of Epilynx, has made it her mission to formulate skincare products that are safe for people with celiac disease, allergies and other autoimmune conditions. She also makes a hand sanitizer that is safe for your skin and not on the long and scary list of recalled hand sanitizers out this week.
We have way too much fun in part 2 of our summertime spectacular featuring Cam's dad, Brian and Mike's nephew, Sam. Topics include summer grilling, both meat and meatless options, some amazing donuts that Sam has fried up, and a seltzer that tastes a little too much like suntan lotion. Mike and Cam also realize during the podcast that Mike's affection for seltzer is likely greater than the three of them combined.
It's summertime and although we are still sadly dealing with the realities of the coronavirus, we aren't going to let that ruin our fun. Mike and Cam sit down with Cam's dad Brian and Mike's nephew, Sam (from a social distance) to taste and rate a couple of adult beverages and talk about what they have been cooking up during the pandemic. Part 1 includes Sam's foray into gluten free sourdough, a strange wedding you won't believe plus Brian's quest to find yeast. They also try High Noon Sun Sips Vodka & Soda and Odd Side's Fuzzy Navel.
Marilyn Geller, Chief Executive Officer of the Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF), joins Mike and Cam, candidly sharing her own personal story. Marilyn connects how her experience has led to her life's mission of creating a better world for people with celiac disease. We hear about all that the CDF is doing to support advocacy and an update on the search for new treatments and a cure for celiac. She also shares how you can get involved to make real systemic change for the better for those with CD and gluten intolerance.
Fellow Celiac, Julie Morgenlender, joins Mike and Cam to discuss her new nonfiction anthology, "The Things We Don't Say: An Anthology of Chronic Illness Truths." In the book, Julie shares her own health journey among a compilation of at times jaw-dropping stories from other sufferers. She explains why giving the medical community and the general public a better understanding of what living with chronic illness looks like is so important. Julie also talks about some of the biggest challenges people with chronic illness face on a day to day basis.
You can purchase the book on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3i1rtyJ
For part 2 of the Spring Mailbag, Mike and Cam share one listener's amazing journey to diagnosis that they found to be highly relatable. They also talk about a possible correlation between schizophrenia and celiac disease. Plus, an update on The Celiac Project Documentary. Keep sharing your stories and comments with us and you might just make it on an upcoming podcast.
Mike and Cam dig down into their mailbag to share questions and comments from you, our amazing audience! Topics included in part 1 are a new listener who shares her road to diagnosis plus emails about pregnancy and child rearing with celiac disease.
The FDA has made some changes to labeling laws during the pandemic to make things easier for manufacturers to "tweak" their "lesser" ingredients without reflecting these changes on the label. Mike and Cam explore these new regulations and give their thoughts on the ramifications it can have on the gluten free and allergen free communities.
Before the pandemic, we interviewed Maureen Basye just after her very successful Celiac Cruise in January. After much discussion with her, we ultimately felt it would still be great to share the adventure. So, we recorded an updated intro including a short discussion with Maureen on cruising in the future and what it might look like. After that, you'll hear the original podcast from January--with all of the sheltering in place, you can come sail away on this truly one-of-a-kind gluten free adventure!
Mike and Cam are happy to welcome back Dawn Scheu, owner and trainer at Willow's Service Dogs. Dawn discusses the final stages of Cam's journey training his dog Lacy to be a gluten detection dog and some of the challenges they faced. In addition to talking about what a person should take into account before thinking about the process of a gluten detection dog, Dawn talks about the things you need to think about before getting a pet in general and specifically during the pandemic.
Advocacy for celiac disease comes in all shapes and sizes. This is clearly apparent with two of our favorite young guests, Mike's daughters, Jessica (11) and Melanie (8). On the occasion of Melanie's 8th birthday she shares her experience of what it's like to be the only non celiac or gluten intolerant member of her household. Mike and his family have employed unique strategies to make sure Melanie can still enjoy a little gluten while keeping the rest of the family safe.
This year we do a new twist on our annual Celiac Awareness Month "State of the Union" podcast. We wanted to get an expanded view of what life has been like during this pandemic, so we brought in Aaron Bull, who is located in Virginia, to share his perspective on living with celiac disease during this unprecedented time. Mike, Cam and Aaron share their takeaways and tips that they have each used to get through life with celiac under quarantine.
To learn more about Aaron and the work he does:
https://www.bullcm.com/
It's Celiac Awareness Month and we want to make it special despite the continued need for social distancing. Today our guest, Andrea Tucker of Baltimore Gluten Free, shares what she is doing to help advocate for and educate young adults and their families who are making the transition from high school to college. This can often be a rocky road due to the fact that there is a vast range of support levels from school to school. Andrea helps guide families with the right tools to make the best decision of where to attend.
Here is the link to Andrea's GF College101 Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/glutenfreecollege/?ref=share
Here is her list of "Must Ask Questions Every GF HS Student Should Have When Looking at Colleges":
https://mailchi.mp/fd9f9db44444/mustaskquestions
Do you have issues taking traditional recipes and converting them to gluten free recipes? Alex Hutchinson, who was diagnosed with celiac disease early in his life, made it his mission to help folks do just that. He created the app and website Recipe Revolution to help consumers and restaurants take traditional favorites and turn them into equally tasty gluten free versions.
Returning guest, Leah Davis, connects with us from Berlin, Germany. When we first talked to Leah (Episode 162) she told us what it was like to be newly diagnosed with celiac disease while also navigating living in a new country. Leah is now pregnant with her first child, and she shares her experiences as a celiac. She shares her top takeaways and tips to others with celiac who are considering having a baby.
Before quarantine started, Mike and Cam sat down to talk about new research including the exciting new mouse model being conducted at the University of Chicago. Other topics include some reasons why it can be so hard at times to figure out if you were glutened at a restaurant.