Celiac Warrior Gal

If you have a bag of Purely Elizabeth GF granola that contain cashews, and have best-by dates beginning in November and going through the end of this year, you may want to toss them. Bags that were sold at Whole Foods, Costco, Publix, Purely Elizabeth's website, Thrive Market, and Amazon are a part of the recall. If you purchased granola from Walmart or Target, you are NOT a part of the recall. Granola BARS are also not a part of the recall. Purely Elizabeth put out a statement last week regarding the recall. They are working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on the matter. As of right now, there is no recall on the website. This story is developing.

If any of you are in the NYC area on May 19, you have to check out a comedy show being sponsored by the Celiac Disease Foundation. Tickets are $25 each and all proceeds go to the Celiac Disease Foundation. For more information, and to buy tickets, click here .

On Thursday, the US House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies released a report under the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) regarding funding for Celiac Disease research. It included a letter from the Chief Executive Officer of the Celiac Disease Foundation, which you can read here . Basically, Marilyn Geller, the CEO of CDF, shared her testimony last month and it led to Celiac Disease research being included in these federal documents. The inclusion of Celiac Disease in such a report has never happened before (history-making, guys!), and if Celiac Disease research gets the funding, it can help researchers learn more about the disease, and it could help them find a cure. Before you throw the confetti, nothing has been signed into law just yet. The documents have to go through the Congressional appropriations process and be signed by the White House. Geller is confident that it

Celiac Disease awareness is near and dear to my heart, and it is important that we continue to raise awareness in hopes it helps the rest of the world to take us seriously. This morning, I came across a heartbreaking story of a woman who died from complications of celiac disease. She had ignored her symptoms and didn't adhere to a GF diet. She, like all of us, ate wheat products for a portion of her life. Her body loved wheat. I mean, wheat products were yummy! When she was diagnosed with Celiac, not only was it during a time when gluten free food was very sparse, she had difficulty giving up what she loved: foods with wheat ingredients. She suffered the consequences of not adhering to a GF diet, as her liver gave out on her. She also had an enlarged stomach and had gained 30 pounds. She succumbed to her complications, and her daughter has spoken about her mother's health issues. She, like all of us, are hoping for more awareness to be raised. We as Celiacs need more

If you have Celiac Disease and you are in the Syracuse area, you have to stop by 3 Bears Gluten-Free Bakery and Cafe. The dining establishment has been going strong for 5 years and is exclusively gluten free. The business was recently honored for it's top-level customer service. Jennifer Stowe, the manager of 3 Bears has worked to build her restaurant's reputation. Due to her establishment being exclusively GF, doctors have recommended the bakery to their gluten free patients, both Celiacs and those with an allergy/intolerance. Stowe is hoping her business will continue its upward momentum. She plans on adding new niches, and she is even working on getting a liquor license for her bakery and cafe. She is also hoping to expand her menu to include those with other food allergies and dietary restrictions. 3 Bears offers a wide selection of foods, including sweet treat baked goods, sandwiches, pizza, wings, dinners, and many more. My Two Cents If I am ever in the Syrac

 Getting diagnosed with Celiac Disease can be pretty tough (believe me, I remember how hard it was for me). You may be the first among your family and/or friends that has been diagnosed as Celiac. It can be lonely (even though my grandmother had it, and I was partially raised by her, she had been gone for a few years when I was diagnosed. I had no one). What gave me some comfort was that I was not alone. Some of the celebrities I look up to were also Celiac Disease sufferers. People like Elizabeth Hasselbeck and Emmy Rossum had been living with the disease for years before I was diagnosed. I researched both and learned a lot from them. Also, learning that my first celeb crush has 2 Celiacs in his family really helped me feel less alone. Here is a list of celebs who have diagnosed Celiac Disease: Elizabeth Hasselbeck (public figure) Emmy Rossum (actress) Wil Wheaton's mom and sister Meg Cabot (author) Sarah Joy Brown (actress) Joe C (rapper who frequently performed with