Welcome to the Arizona East Valley Celiac Support Group!!!

We are so thrilled to be starting a support group through the Celiac Disease Foundation, here in the East Valley (think Chandler, Tempe, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek...). We know there is a great need for a support group out this way and we look forward to fulfilling that need.

The mission of Arizona East Valley Celiac Support Group is to offer both knowledge and support to those with Celiac and other related diseases, while creating a greater awareness not only within the Arizona East Valley community but in any and all other areas that we can. Additionally, we work to empower our members to assert their dietary needs, pursue better health care and support the best gluten-free products and services to maintain good health in mind, body and spirit.


The East Valley Celiac support group will begin holding monthly meetings October 2009!
Date: 3rd Wednesday of every month
Time: 6:30-8 PM
Place: Sunrise Senior Living of Gilbert, AZ
580 South Gilbert Road
Gilbert, AZ 85296
United States
tel: 480-632-9400
Contact: Chandice Probst (435) 671-2211
E-mail: Chandice with any questions at azeastvalleysupportgroup@gmail.com

For December: We will be discussing traveling gluten free, as well as dealing with food social situations during the holidays. Bobandruths.com, a gluten free travel company will be so kindly sending us information we will use in our discussion.

~Short n' Sweet Bakery will be providing refreshments as well as selling their yummy goodies! How exciting!

~We will also be doing our annual cookie exchange. Please bring 8 dozen cookies in a large container. Bring another large container to walk around and collect your cookies in. Make sure to bring a list of all the ingredients in your cookies to sit next to your container, that way people know if there is something in it they cannot have. Each person will be taking home between 3-4 of each others cookies. What a fun way to get an array of gluten-free goodies!!!

This month we will have our 1st Annual Celiac research benefit giveaway lineup!!! I would like to start a tradition in the Arizona East Valley Celiac Support Group where we will have an array of awesome giveaways to raise money for celiac research. No tickets need to be purchased to be entered. Just come and put your name on a piece of paper and your entered!!! We encourage donations as 100% of donations made that evening will be donated to the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research and the Celiac Disease Foundations awareness programs. It's the perfect time of year to donate to these great organizations. Here are just a few of the things that will be given away.

1. THREE (3) SUBSCRIPTIONS TO GLUTEN FREE LIVING MAGAZINE
2. THE COOKBOOK, GLUTEN FREE EVERYDAY
3. SHORT N' SWEET $10.00 GIFT CARD
4. NUT THINS CRACKER PACK (2 BOXES)
5. CHEESECAKE FROM INNOCENT INDULGENCE

WOW is that a lot of giveaways or what?! We might just have a few special giveaways as surprises for you as well. :)

~One final thing, be sure to come with your favorite gluten-free living holiday tradition. We will share these great traditions with one another. And finally, just a few other fun things that will happen at this meeting. (It's a good one! :)

*A gluten free prize pack giveaway from Bob's Red Mill for one lucky attendee who is a member of the Celiac Disease Foundation. It's only $35 dollars and they send you a bunch of great things for being a member, plus you will receive a quarterly newsletter. (Be sure to sign up! http://celiac.org/cybersource-membership.php)
*Sampling of sweets from Nana's Cookie Company.
*Collection box for our ongoing food drive with St. Mary's Food Bank-please clean out your cupboards of things you aren't going to use and donate them to this wonderful cause.


There is never a cost to attend our meetings but we will gladly accept donations to cover the costs of printings and such. Thank you!

Thank you for your interest in this wonderful group. We look forward to seeing you soon!


~Chandice Probst
Celiac Disease Foundations Arizona East Valley Support Group Founder

Just wanted to share a little good news...

** Chef David - "Thyme for a Chef" **

Personal Chef David has already been cooking up a gluten-free storm and doing wonderful gf cooking demonstrations for the community. We're now proud to announce that Chef David is a Gluten Free-Absolutely! LLC personal chef, as well!

Chef David's knowledge of Celiac Disease, safe and non-safe gluten-free foods, awareness of cross-contamination concerns and food preparation all receive 2-thumbs up. He is dedicated to both gluten-free accuracy and gourmet preparations with a personal touch. Chef David is happy to accommodate individuals, families, and
groups large and small. His many services include family meals,
parties, special events, and cooking demonstrations. You can rest assured and also enjoy a
delicious gluten-free meal with this Gluten Free - Absolutely! LLC
approved chef. Check out his website for more information <http://thymeforachef.com/>

Happy GF Dining!

Nina Spritzer
Gluten Free - Absolutely! LLC
www.glutenfreeabsolutely.com

November Meeting

The amazing LynnRae of Gluten Free Creations Bakery Phoenix will be our guest speaker. She will be discussing holiday baking as well as transforming your kitchen to make it gluten-free friendly. Not only will we be honored to hear her speak but she will be providing samplings from her bakery that evening as well!
Some other things that will be happening at this months meeting include everything from giveaways for YOU to us giving to others less fortunate then ourselves. Here are some other things we have planned.

*A gluten free prize pack giveaway from Namaste foods for one lucky attendee! (brand new items! Fall themed!)
*Sampling of sweets from Shabtai Gourmet!
*Collection box for our ongoing food drive with St. Mary's Food Bank-please clean out your cupboards of things you aren't going to use and donate them to this wonderful cause.

December Meeting

Our topic will be traveling gluten free. Bobandruths.com, a gluten free travel company will be so kindly sending us information we will use in our discussion. Short n' Sweet Bakery will be providing refreshments as well as selling their yummy goodies! Our giveaway and product highlight will be provided by Nana's Cookie Company. One final thing, be sure to come with your favorite gluten free living holiday tradition. We will share these great traditions with one another. How exciting!

Team Gluten-Free

I wanted to make sure you all knew about an event the Celiac Disease Foundation is participating in. It is in Phoenix, Jan. 17, 2010. Team Gluten-Free is forming a team for the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon and Half Marathon. I have attached our flyer and information packet. I would really appreciate it if you could forward this information to your group members. Also, check them out at www.teamglutenfree.org. The money raised goes directly to Celiac children’s summer camp scholarships.

October Meeting

Allyn Krieger-Fiedler NMD-Naturopathic Medical Doctor specializing in Celiac Disease will be our guest speaker. Don't miss this great opportunity to learn and grow as well as have your many questions answered by a certified NMD! Refreshments will be provided by Gluten Free Creations Bakery as well! Product giveaway will be provided by Erewhon Cereals.