FREE Web Cast - Jacksonville Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Event - Traveling, Grain Free Living, and Functional Nutrition

It's FREE Web Cast time again on Allergy Free Back Roads in preparation for the first 

Jacksonville Gluten and Allergen Free Wellness Event. 

The event takes place on Nov 15 at Hyatt Regency at Riverside from 10 am - 3 pm.

But, we hope you will join us for the webcast on

Nov 6 at 7:30 pm EST right here, to listen to interesting and 

informative information from each of our very engaging speakers.

Shannon Ford, Mrs. United States 2011, is an advocate for Celiac Disease Awareness. After being diagnosed in 2009, it became Shannon’s goal to bring more attention to the illness and advocate for better labeling of our nation’s food supply. A graduate of Florida International University with a B.A. in Psychology, the former Miss Florida USA also serves as a Miami Dolphins Ambassador (a select group of former Cheerleaders that represent the organization & advocate community service). Shannon strives to bring Celiac Disease awareness to others. In doing so, she has traveled the country speaking at various events & conferences, including Paleof(x), and was featured on the covers of "Paleo" magazine and “Delight Gluten Free” Magazine, as well as several times in “Shape” Magazine. Shannon is currently a Regional Director with IDLife, a health and wellness company in which all products are gluten-free.

Julia McRae has been in private practice for over twenty years, as a Certified Nutritionist. She herself suffered with Ulcerative Colitis in her youth. She has been colitis free for 30 years. Her passion to see others recover bowel health is one of the primary focuses of her practice. Customized, nutrient dense protocols are designed to bring lasting digestive health. She is a frequent guest speaker at Wellness events and for private businesses. Julia remains true to her belief that bowel health is foundational to a strong, functional immune system.

Recovering gluten addict, Jen Eccleston, is author of the blog “my BIG FAT grain free life” and owner of Jen Tilly Tea. Using humor and quite frankly, crybaby moments, she seeks to deal with food allergies, bowel health and autoimmune disease while retaining her belief that allergen free food really CAN taste delicious. Along the journey, Jen learned the important role probiotics play in overall health. After learning to make water kefir from a health conscious friend, Jen found herself and her family addicted to the delicious drink, and, just to make things weirder, she named her kefir grains. She now operates blue bottle bootlegger, hosting classes on the benefits of water kefir, including demos and tastings and allowing attendees to meet the offspring of "Squishy".

Jen Cuevas
The Gluten & Grain Free Gourmet supports delicious eating that is gluten, grain, soy, and poultry free. Jen Cuevas experienced her own journey to wellness by eating this way, and desires to share the message that life can still be delicious!
Just a few short years ago, Jen was ill with a multitude of issues (although not typical “Celiac” symptoms), including high cholesterol, pre-diabetes, sudden weight gain [over 60 pounds], Hashimoto’s, and arthritis (read more of her story here). After more than seven frustrating visits with various doctors, she finally learned about her gluten sensitivity and Celiac disease. In becoming well, she found that life without gluten was really great from a health perspective, but affected everything else that had a social factor.
In the time since her diagnosis, Jen has spent a lot of time learning. She was treated by Dr. Glen Aukerman (author: Better Health in 120 days) and attended all of his classes to understand the medical aspect of how various foods affect gluten sensitivity. After further health issues inspired her to do more research, Jen went completely grain and soy free in 2012, and became a certified coach under the direction of Gluten Free Society. She uses her own health journey to coach and inspire others to consider dietary changes as a way to achieve optimum health. In 2013 she established a support group, and found that food availability continued to be the biggest barrier to success. She began developing food products that support a grain-free, soy-free and even dairy-free lifestyle; many items are allergy-friendly and are free of refined sugars. She also offers allergen-free Communion to churches, raising awareness about the effects of gluten exposure.

Please fast forward through the hold music at the beginning of webcast.

Hartford CT Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Event 2014 Recap

The Hartford Gluten and Allergen Free Wellness Event October 5 was a fantastic celebration that brought community, vendors and speakers together for a filled day of fun, great food, and making friends. The comments we received afterwards were a testament to how much the people of Hartford CT enjoyed the event. We appreciate every comment we get and couldn't do it without attendees, sponsors, vendors, and volunteers. Within this post we will highlight some of the local companies that made it such a success.

Aleias Gluten Free Foods

We have loved Aleias products since they first came onto the Southern market and were really excited to have them at the event. We never knew they offered so many products either and all of them were delicious! Their stuffing makes life wonderfully easy at the Holidays. From the packaging to the ingredients, you can feel good about purchasing these for your family.

Nature's Grocer

When we first visited Nature's Grocer last summer, we were blown away at what a jewel the city has for shopping and purchasing treats. We sampled the best gluten free Blueberry Cake Doughnuts with icing we had ever tasted at this booth. That's no exaggeration. Their Rye-less Rye and bagels are huge local hits and many restaurants use them in their gluten free menus. We purchased a few goodies from them before leaving.

Raw Food Central

We purchased a few bags of Raw Food Central goodies to take home like their onion rings, kale chips, and so much more. Love these delicious raw foods that are dehydrated on a lower heat to retain nutrients. These guys know so much about raw food that they hold classes and all kinds of interesting informative education. Check them out!

Capa di Roma

Nothing like homemade marinara sauces that taste like they are homemade and not canned. Born and raised in Bracigliano, located in the Salerno region of Italy, the Capaccio family knows the importance of using only the freshest and finest ingredients when preparing authentic Italian dishes. They own the Roma Restaurant  locally where you can eat as well. We purchased their Arrustica sauce and you can too on their website

Pan De Oro, Bakery On Main, DePuma's Pasta, Suzie Uie, Ola Foods
Mo' Pweeze Bakery & More!

But we could not have had such an amazing event without our local sponsors, Bakery On Main, Pan De Oro Tortilla Chips, De Puma's Pasta, Suzie Uie, Ola Foods and Mo Pweeze Bakery. Their row stayed so packed the only pic we could get was the one above before the event started in full swing.

We took home some from each of them and raved about them the whole way home.

Bakery On Main had samples of their delicious and convenient Oatmeal to share. We took home a handful for school breakfasts on the go

Pan De Oro Tortilla Chips are now my new fave and am going to be asking for them in our local stores!

De Puma's Pasta served up delicious Cavatelli pasta. Trust me there is nothing like homemade pasta and we can't wait until we can ask for them here in NC

Suzie Uie was a bevy of delights but we bought their Chocolate covered Graham-less Grahams for the ride home

Mo' Pweeze Bakery was our stop in for cupcakes to go in exotic flavors like Chocolate Cherry, nomnom

Ola Foods had their handmade granola and we stocked up for the road. Delicious without all the additives, for sure.
IDLife did health assessments and gave us some meal replacement shakes that are awesome!

Last, but not least, Doodle worked at the Schar booth and made mad amounts of sandwiches. She loved every minute of it and did a fantastic job. She has claimed their bread as her new favorite and has been munching happily on it ever since we came home.

We can't wait to see Hartford again in 2015!

Drinking Sarsparilla and Hunting Ghosts in Gettysburg Pennsylvania

On the way back from Hartford CT on our first trip in July, we made a little excursion into Gettysburg, PA to make the subject of history fun for my Doodle. She seemed to think it was boring. I, on the other hand, love history. Spooning it up with a vast knowledge irritates the 13 yr old wise teenager that she has quickly become - Evil maniacal laugh. The addition of ghosts is perfect for our October post, including the infamously haunted Gettysburg.

Road worn and hungry, we pulled into town, knowing from researching that there were far and few options in Gettysburg. But, one little pizza cafe, Deliso Pizza, was rated very high on Urbanspoon. We chanced it and although it isn't fine dining, it is definitely appreciated that the owner takes great care in providing possibly the safest option in town. She even uses rice flour and potato starch when handling her gluten dough so no cross contamination is flying in the air. That's nice.

Gluten Free Cheese Ravioli at Deliso

Sarsaparilla soda is a drink made from a root, if naturally made, which is uncommon these days. It was popular in the early 19th century for skin and blood problems, and is still popular at Mr G's Ice Cream Parlour. Most of their ice cream and toppings are gluten free. The bottles of their Sarsparilla are in an ice chest by the counter and made from natural ingredients also gluten free. So, stop in there and have a treat on a warm day. 

Mr G's Ice Cream Parlour - Banana Split and a Sarsparilla Soda

But, if in Gettysburg, and you want to have some fun with the kids, take one of their Ghost Tours that are abundant. Some are better than others by ratings on Trip Advisor. Ghosts or no ghosts, your tour will be informative in a fun way for all involved. We decided on the late night tour to fully enjoy without being in a crowd and am glad we did. The late night tours usually let you use the tools used by the famed Ghost Hunters of TV. These little gadgets are a blast, adding a bit of the TV magic to the tours.

Farnsworth Cellar on Ghost Tour

After all that excitement and a late night hunting ghosts, we made our way back to the Baladerry Inn. This recommended spot was meant to be. The owner was aware of how to prepare breakfast gluten free and did an amazing job. As a matter of fact, another family had a gluten free child also. This made us all feel more at ease. The Baladerry Inn is said to be haunted as well, which led to loads of fun teasing Doodle about the man who likes their women guests. Nothing like making your child sleep with one eye open while you snore happily away.

From L to R: Our room in the old part of the Inn, Gluten Free Canapes served on roasted potatoes instead of crostini, Gluten Free Apple Upside Down Breakfast Cake, and Fresh Fruit Parfait started our day

Don't take our word for it. Book your trip today - We double dog dare you.