Last weekend, I attended the National Gluten Free Conference and Expo in Pasadena, California. Although this may have been my first gluten free conference, it definitely won’t be my last. Between the conference, the expo, the people, and the food… my experience was amazing!
Not only am I going to share my thoughts on the conference and expo, but I’m also going to share my gluten free goodies that I received at the event. To win this gluten free prize pack, simply comment on this page! One winner will receive:
- Enjoy Life Soft Baked Cookies
- Milton’s Himalayan Salt Baked Chips and Green Chili Salsa Baked Chips
- EatSmart’s Spicy Black Bean Tortilla Chips
- Nairn’s Gluten Free Chocolate Chip & Oatmeal Cookies
- Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Oatmeal
- Cream of Rice Instant Hot Cereal To-Go
- Gluten Free Meister’s Gluten Free Fettuccine Noodle
- Plus samples from RealFoods, Kind, Hodgson Mill, Yummy Snack, Justin’s, and Van’s
The comment contest will run from Friday, May 6th to Wednesday, May 18th. The winner will be notified on Thursday, May 19th.
The Conference
From Dr. Peter H. R Green and Ms. Rory Jones’s presentation on “Gluten Exposed: The Science Behind the Hype and How to Navigate to a Healthy, Symptom-Free Life” to Ms. Emily Luxford and Ms. Janelle Smith’s presentation on “Dine with the Dietitians: Trends in Gluten-Free Nutrition”, there was a lot to learn. Saturday was packed full of informative speeches that talked about the medical research being done to cure Celiac Disease as well as how to manage your gluten free diet both in and out of the home. Stay tuned for more gluten free posts as I work through all of the information I gained! I’ll also be posting gluten free tips and tricks at FaveGlutenFreeRecipes, so expect to see things like 10 Ways to Prevent Cross Contamination, A Beginner’s Guide to a Gluten Free Diet, and What to Use Instead of Flour.
The Expo
There’s nothing better than a room full of companies giving away free samples of gluten free food, products, and coupons. After making one round, I can tell you that my bag was filled to the brim with gluten free goodies. The expo gives the gluten free community an opportunity to try new products without having to buy it first. If you love it, you can buy the product right then and there. If you weren’t crazy for it, then you could move on to the next booth.
The People
From gluten free beginners to gluten free experts, it seems that the conference and expo were perfect for everyone. The beginners gain key tips and tricks to starting a gluten free diet and the experts learn what’s new in medical advancements.
At my table, I met a woman whose son had been diagnosed with Celiac Disease just two months prior. She and her family were at the conference to learn more about the disease, and they were excited for the expo to try the many gluten free products.
In contrast, I met another woman whose mother and two sons had been diagnosed with Celiac Disease years ago. This was her 10th year attending the National Gluten Free Conference, and each year she returns to learn what’s new.
The Food
Not only did you walk away with bags full of free samples, but attendees also received a gluten free breakfast and lunch. There’s not many events where a gluten free individual can eat from a buffet worry-free. Although the food may have been gluten free, you wouldn’t have known that from the taste. The food was delicious!
All in all, this weekend was full of good times, good food, and good fun. I heartily recommend that you attend the 2017 National Gluten Free Conference. You definitely won’t regret it!
What’s one thing you would tell a gluten free diet beginner?
Comment below for a chance to win a prize pack from the gluten free expo!
Official Rules:
- There is a maximum of one entry per person. The entry will be based upon a comment left on this blog post. Duplicate comments will be deleted and are not tallied.
- The winners will be selected at random from the comments on this blog post.
- Winners will be announced here on the blog as well as contacted by the email address provided.
- You have until Wednesday, May 18, at 11:59pm EST to leave your comment on this blog post. Comments posted after that will not be counted.
- Contest open to anyone 18+ in US.
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Take it slow and do your research.
I would love to win the prize pack now that l eat gluten free . I love trying all the gluten free recipes.
Would love to win this box
Who knew, a conference and expo for gluten free products, how great! I see Miltons and Bob’s Red Mill, two of my favorites.
Yes, it was a great experience! If you’re interested in attending a gluten free expo, there are a few coming up! I highly recommend it. You can find more information here: http://gfafexpo.com/
Gluton free food doesn’t mean you are giving up tasty food. Companies are coming up with healthy plus tasty foods all the time.
Been wanting to try more gluten free foods this prize pack is
a perfect way to turn Gluten Free.
As a beginner you should know that there are a lot of alternatives for treats but if you want to make your own start with the pre-made mixes until you have a feel for how things are supposed to cook
Some of these look very tasty, great for travel.
so many interesting products. would like to win so my family could try them with me.
Sounds interesting do you have info on where the next one will be
Hello Malisa! They haven’t announced it yet, but I’m guessing it will be around the same time next year. If you’re interested in an attending a gluten free expo, there are a few coming up! You can find more information here: http://gfafexpo.com/
This looks delicious!
The assortment is awesome especially since I have just been diagnosed as one of the less than 5% of people who have Celiac disease with white brain matter.
What I would tell them is that it takes time to adjust, but that process is full of wonderful discoveries.You will end up eating better, and healthier, than you ever did before. Yes, processed gluten free products are expensive, but you will either learn to make your own, or decide that they just don’t matter all that much. Just remember to keep your sense of humour intact along the way.
Products are much tastier and easily available now than they used to be, but do your research, read your packaging and also make ur own foods using GF recipes!
I am always willing to try new gluten free items, Thank you for the chance to win.
I would love to win this…one of my kids is very sensitive to gluten so she tries hard to eat gluten free.
Fresh vegetables have always been gluten free. You can’t go wrong when you use them to augment the specialty products designed for gluten free eating.
One thing that I would tell a gluten free diet beginner is to read labels more than you ever did before because gluten can be hiding everywhere and because of this, I find I need to cook and bake from scratch more than others who are not sensitive to gluten so also be prepared to make more meals at home.
Eat sensible and carefully.
Attend a gluten free expo so you can explore + sample different gluten free products before you buy.
Love to win this box and learn more about gluten free cooking.
I have 2 grandchildren who are gluten free due to allergies. This would be great to have when they visit.
Sounds like your time was super amazing. Thanks for sharing. I think I would tell a new beginner, first learn about gluten and educate yourself about it. Dont rush inot things, take it slow and see how your body reacts. that there are a lot of gluten free recipes out there on the internet. To make sure you talk with your dr. about it. Fresh foods are the best way to go
My granddaughter was diagnosed celiac and I would love to have this for her when she comes over to visit
This sounds exciting. I am trying to go gluten free and would love to receive this prize.
Don’t panic- you will eat again! 😉 I tried finding a bunch of GF recipes but have found that it is also pretty easy to take any of my old favorite recipes and substitute in anything that needs to be GF!
I love your FB page and I love your recipes. Thank you for everything.
This is a great prize!
What a great prize for gluten free cooking.
There is a lot of hidden gluten in even “gluten-free” products, so read all the labels and ingredients carefully!