FEUD with FOOD

Is anyone else planning to attend any of the Gluten & Allergen Free Expos this coming year? I am very much interested in attending San Francisco, Chicago, and Des Moines. However, until I can get my job situation better coordinated, I may be limited to Des Moines simply because I always need to be well rested on Saturday nights, ready to work super early Sunday. This would mean I would have to MISS part of the event, unless I can get the time off from work.

I am curious if anyone has attended in past years, and if they have any stories to share. I would love to attend one of the events as a blogger, and be part of the promotion and documentation process, as well as taking in the opportunity to network and learn.

I would love to hear about any or all other events like this that folks have attended, or plan to attend in the future. I have every intention of coordinating work and finances so that I can some day be a part of one of these events. Give me some additional motivation by sharing your own thoughts and experiences.

The first event for 2013 is the Gluten & Allergen Free Expo in San Francisco, CA on February 9-10th.

http://gfafexpo.com/san-francisco/

Low Stomach Acid and Autoimmune Disease.

In my very limited free time, I have been spending countless hours researching schools.  And if I had the luxury of moving to another city right now, I would most likely already be enrolled and started in a program.  Said program would preferably meet the requirements to take the exam to become a Registered Dietitian.  Once I have done that, I have plans to obtain as much of the integrative education that I can as well.  I already feel pretty well versed on the integrative end of things simply based on my own experiences & intense research.  But I want to learn more, and obtain continuing education with as many different holistic forms of integrative nutrition and psychology as possible.

What I am asking of anyone who might be reading this is for knowledge, feedback, information on ONLINE programs where I could obtain a Bachelor of Science degree focusing on Nutrition/Dietetics completely online, and be able to   ultimately get the R.D.

I have a short list starting with The University of Alabama (Bama By Distance program).  I am interested in their curriculum , and thrilled that they have the online distance learning option.

http://bamabydistance.ua.edu/degrees/bs-in-hes-food-and-nutrition-online/curriculum.html

I found a handful of others.  Nothing was standing out in most cases.  The curriculum comparison was pretty similar in most cases.  The one thing I am questioning is what would be better?  A coordinated program, where you can do your internship hours while you are earning you class credits, OR a regular program where you complete the initial classes, then apply to a didactic program & complete the internship AFTER the fact.

If anyone out there has any words of wisdom, suggestions, first hand experience, I would be so grateful.  It has been years since I really have immersed myself in this world of finding the right program.  Even though I was taking classes in the last ten years – it was simply an extension of my original interdisciplinary studies in Psychology & Liberal Arts.

I am finally getting around to some blog entries.  The intent has been there every single day.  And I most definitely have had things to share.  But sadly, due to one main thing (WORKING WAY TOO MANY HOURS), and the current state of my health and diet, it has just taken a back seat to sleep and meal preparation.

I will ramble on with some general updates.  Here is somewhat of a list:

* I did NOT attend Nourished in Chicago.  This broke my heart on so many levels.  I don’t think I have ever been so resentful of things like my health state, my job, other people who I feel were selfish & partially to blame for some of it (basically if I want to be a well adjusted adult about my feelings of resentment – I could just say I was feeling very upset due to circumstances).  But at the time, it was coming out as resentment.

As I was working overtime hours, and dealing with getting IV infusions of vitamins and minerals JUST to be able to stay awake & half alert in order to DO my job, I tried SO hard NOT to think about what I was missing – which was the Nourished Conference.

I look forward to living vicariously through those who did attend, by reading their updates, perusing the recaps on everyone’s blogs, and then finding myself another upcoming event that I can attend that will hopefully somewhat make up for missing Nourished.

* I met with a new health provider in Austin, TX. This is actually a pretty big deal.  I went in with no expectations since I have pretty much become totally skeptical of anything and everyone when it comes to health related issues in my life, and in general.  I am pleased to say that THIS doctor was awesome.  We spent over an hour with him, and he really DID “get it”.  I feel that I still have a long way to go before I can do the one thing I think is going to “fix” most everything – which is HEAL MY GUT.  But I have some hope now, and a trusted source/coach in my quest to combat what is going on here, & improve the quality of my life.

* I actually BEFORE meeting with my new doc, finally took the big step that I have been avoiding for an entire year.  I went grain-free.  I am still doing this for just over two months.  Knowing that in order to accomplish what I may need to do could involve me eating this way for at least two years (or possibly forever) is somewhat upsetting to me.  However if I can JUST know at some point that it really IS working, I won’t mind a bit.  I want so badly to feel better.  I want to be able to eat more than a small list of very specific things.  I am not asking for the moon here.  I would like the option of balancing my blood sugar easily, and with plant based forms of protein again.  I would like to be able to enjoy a hemp based  smoothie, or a gluten free/vegan pizza.  That’s really all.  And more than anything I want to some day be able to feel comfortable that what I am putting in my mouth is NOT going to cause some horrible reaction, or damage a part of my body that ultimately will jack up my hormones, and make me literally a crazy person for an undetermined amount of time.  THAT is what I want.  So if it means being grain-free, then I’ll do it.

* I am finally seriously looking into different ways to complete my education.  This may mean working Part Time.  I’ve tried to complete schooling multiple times ; with work always getting in the way.  Technically it was my health initially.  But then as an adult student, it was my work, which in turn caused the decline of my health, and thus kept me from being able to pursue the completion of a degree while working a full time job.

* I am making a vow to blog more often, dedicate time to reaching out to a community of folks that could enlighten me.  I have been battling this food intolerance nonsense for long enough in my own head.  It is time that I join the ranks of others who have opted to form alliances in public in the online community.  At one time I was very hesitant of the idea of sharing ; simply because it is MY problem, and something that it does seem many folks do not want to hear about.  But the more I read every single day, the more people I see who are experiencing the same things that I am.  I feel blessed to have already found so many people online , who have guided me without even knowing it just by posting blog entries, recipes, links, references, etc.

I am looking forward to this transition into a more regular Feud With Food blogging behavior.  Until next time….

I am pleased to say that my Sundays now offer something extra special to look forward to.  Every Sunday at the Conspiracy Room (at the Uptown Theater), a brunch is offered for $15.  In addition to this being a great opportunity to eat healthy, & still being able to follow my own dietary restrictions, this particular event is focused building community around health and sustainability.

This is a great opportunity to share information, and learn as much as possible.  For ME this is a necessity.   I normally feel like I only get this sense of community by leaving town, & visiting places like Chicago, Denver, Seattle or Portland.  But this brunch is giving me hope for Kansas City.

I am excited to see what this develops into with each passing week.  I know that they have plans to incorporate a market of sorts, as well as opportunities for people to hopefully order organic food, & make the location a point for pick-up.

I will report more, with photos & menus at a later time.  I just wanted to share my enthusiasm for this new brunch option.

Here are the links with additional information (including the current menu for each week)

http://www.meetup.com/The-Uptown-Health-Wellness-and-Sustainability-Meetup

http://www.facebook.com/UptownTheaterOrganic

Thank you to two fine cities, who awed us with their plentiful, and delicious gluten-free food options.  I cannot WAIT to go back, when we have more time to explore.  Some recaps & reviews of places we visited will be posted eventually.  But for now, I have to go on & on about my very first cheesecake experience in over two years.  And oh my was it a memorable one.  Our very first official meal in Chicago was arranged by a vegan friend in Seattle, who was mindful of our location, & my food intolerances.  So we met at a spot called Chaco Canyon Cafe.  For some reason I was not hungry (which is a rarity), so I labored over which of the many items on the menu I should have.  Eventually it occurred to me that they had CHEESECAKE, & it was cheesecake that I could actually EAT.  I then knew that my “dinner” would be dessert.

The cheesecake was amazing.  Not only could I tell no difference from my beloved memory of past cheesecakes (which were full of gluten AND dairy).  But this was amazingly good.  My partner (who is a gluten AND dairy eater) tried it as well, & wholeheartedly agreed with me.  It was beyond just a decent dessert.  It was addictive.  And the best thing is, I ate 3/4 of it, & did not feel the least bit ill, or as if I had overindulged (which would have happened three bites into a regular piece of cheesecake).

We look forward to heading back, trying more things on the menu, AND OF COURSE, having more cheesecake.

Check out this link for information on the first Gluten Free Food Labeling Summit, in Washington, D.C. on May 4th, 2011.

http://www.1in133.org/index.php

Has anyone been to this cafe yet?

http://www.omgitsglutenfree.com/

And is anyone attending the Expo?

http://gfafexpo.com/

The boyfriend & I are thinking about possibly making an appearance at the May 6th  Spring Flours 2011 Annual Benefit in Chicago as well.  Anyone else going?

Kansas City’s 39th Street corridor, which is a haven for food options, people watching, & even some shopping, is now home to a very lovely bakery/coffeehouse.  This particular spot just happens to meet my needs even more so than some of the other options out there because THIS place is entirely vegan.

My toxic relationship with dairy (among other things) sometimes even keeps me from enjoying a caffeinated treat due to the fact that I enjoy my coffee with “milk”.  I do not prefer it black.  Mud Pie has all of their regular coffee menu items with a default of SOY MILK (which at the moment I have eliminated again due to recent health issues).  But they ALSO offer almond, cashew,  coconut, & hemp milk.  Since I have taken a break from soy….this is very exciting to me.  I have OPTIONS even.  This is so rare for me.

I also appreciate that Mud Pie has better hours than some of my other favorite spots.

Mon: Closed   Tues – Thurs: 6 am – 9 pm   Fri – Sat: 7 am – 10 pm   Sunday: 8 am – 8 pm

I am excited to go back with some of my fellow Kansas City Fake Mustache foodies on a Wednesday.  Currently Mud Pie has reserved Wednesday for GLUTEN-FREE bakery items.  So I can indulge in something sweet sans the dairy AND the gluten.  This is totally a dream scenario for me when it comes to treats & coffee.  I normally cannot get the best of both worlds in one location.

We will also have to check out the “kid area” we were told about upstairs, & enjoy a beverage outside on the patio.  The atmosphere of Mud Pie is very welcoming & warm.  I felt comfortable immediately.  I look forward to many more visits filled with foods I do not feud with.

http://www.mudpiebakery.com/