Spring has sprung and it's time to get things in order, pack up the winter clothes, do some cleaning - not a bad time to take stock of your health, too. How are your iron levels? Had your thyroid hormones checked recently? Have no idea what the heck I'm not talking about?! Perhaps a visit to the good folks at the Celiac Center at Columbia University is in order.
The Center is one of the first dedicated to the study of celiac disease and care of those living with the disease and its complications. As they state:
"Patient care is the main aim of the Center. Individualized patient care is managed by the Center and may include referrals to specialists in fields such as pediatric gastroenterology, hematology, dermatology, infertility, nutrition, metabolic bone disease, neurology, oncology and endocrinology."
I had a comprehensive visit with one of the doctors from the Center last year. We reviewed potential complications and the types of ongoing testing I'll need to have. She took a detailed medical history, gave me a very thorough exam, and ordered an extensive panel of blood tests and a DEXA scan. You can also schedule a visit with the Center's registered dietitian. I did not have a visit with her, but have heard from fellow patients that she is absolutely fantastic.
The Center also hosts events throughout the year, including a round-table discussion where staff are available to answer questions from the group and attendees can network to share venues and tips. I made it to one of these events (usually held every month or so) last year. It was well-attended, with about 30 of us there - and the Center had provided lovely GF eats too boot. The head of the Center, Dr. Green, was present - but the RD was unable to attend that session, a fact lamented by most of us.
The Center also has printed materials available on-site and via their website. I was given a copy of Dr. Green's book and their pocket guide at my first visit. That pocket guide, it has a CANDY SECTION (thank you, oh wise, wise Celiac Center folks) and is where I first learned that while original Milky Ways are not safe, the newer dark chocolate ones are. Frankly, the dark chocolate one is better anyway. (Though, anyone know if this has changed?)
Here's to a healthy, happy spring, all. (And safe candy!)
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Blog (and This Blogger's) Background
I was always an avid home cook and restaurant-goer. From my teens on, my idea of "going out" generally involved some form of social eating. I grew up with a huge extended family that regularly dined together and I was in the kitchen helping my grandmother from an early age.
I often joke that I come from deli royalty, as my family owned one in Brooklyn for almost 30 years - so there was always a ton of good food around. Seemed only natural when I started working in restaurants in my early teens, though an accident with a dull knife and my left index finger ended my back of the house aspirations along the way. I've had pretty much every front of the house position at all types of venues, including a few years at Moosewood Restaurant. In my mid-20's, I started to work in healthcare, and have always maintained a love of food and eating well. In 2010, I melded my passions for health and food by completing a master's in public health nutrition.
After being diagnosed with celiac and DH back in 2003, I didn't go out to eat for three years! I don't even remember how long it was before I felt competent enough in the kitchen again to be a gf hostest with the mostest. But that was 10 years ago; I've changed along with the gf product/knowledge landscape. Back in NYC after many years in upstate NY, I'm committed to having a social eating life again, dishing up good eats at home and enjoying what gf vittles NYC has to offer. As any gf person can appreciate, this involves a fair amount of research and planning. Seems a shame to keep all that I've learned to myself; hence this blog.
I often joke that I come from deli royalty, as my family owned one in Brooklyn for almost 30 years - so there was always a ton of good food around. Seemed only natural when I started working in restaurants in my early teens, though an accident with a dull knife and my left index finger ended my back of the house aspirations along the way. I've had pretty much every front of the house position at all types of venues, including a few years at Moosewood Restaurant. In my mid-20's, I started to work in healthcare, and have always maintained a love of food and eating well. In 2010, I melded my passions for health and food by completing a master's in public health nutrition.
After being diagnosed with celiac and DH back in 2003, I didn't go out to eat for three years! I don't even remember how long it was before I felt competent enough in the kitchen again to be a gf hostest with the mostest. But that was 10 years ago; I've changed along with the gf product/knowledge landscape. Back in NYC after many years in upstate NY, I'm committed to having a social eating life again, dishing up good eats at home and enjoying what gf vittles NYC has to offer. As any gf person can appreciate, this involves a fair amount of research and planning. Seems a shame to keep all that I've learned to myself; hence this blog.
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