Being Gluten Free & Well is an Event!

Events and expos- what do these words mean to you? Most people probably don't give it a second thought. Maybe it's a furniture show, maybe there are clothes or shoes discounted..or maybe it's even better because it's gluten free! It's sad to say that so many still have not heard about the Gluten and Allergen Free Wellness Event so in honor of Food Allergy Awareness Week, I thought this would be the perfect time to tell everyone about it. Food allergies can be tricky enough but one of my favorite things is seeing the look of excitement mixed with relief from people who have just found out about these yearly events. I mean, where else can you go to get free samples, find and taste new allergy-friendly products and meet great people that share your passions as well?!

Talk about choices and this wasn't even all of them! Click here for the complete list

The cutest SunButter fans ever!

So, What is it?! I attended my first Gluten and Allergen Free Wellness Event last August in Raleigh (recap here) and I have to tell you, it was just amazing. Yes, the samples and freebies are always a plus but for me, the best thing that I get in return is meeting people and leaving with that renewed sense of passion for food allergies. For others, it could be as simple as having a safe day out with their family, being able to watch cooking demonstrations and eat allergy-friendly goodies or learning about how wellness is about everything, even beyond our foods. It can also be about meeting some of those people who have been a part of your online community as well. I was honored to meet up with the Harris family who came to find me & say hello. Not only did I get to give them all SunButter samples to take home but I have to say that this is one lucky food allergy mother- I was so impressed how many times her husband complimented her for all of the hard work for being so vigilant and keeping her children safe from allergens. To see and hear a husband being so supportive and letting her (and me) know that he appreciates what she does for their children was honestly just so endearing. He's a keeper!

The Harris Family- awesome!

The Event Inspires Camaraderie Not only does it bring so many different facets of the gluten free food allergy world together but it also unites people that have known each other for awhile but were not able to meet up until something like the Gluten and Allergen Free Wellness Event. As an official part of the event's blogger team, we get to gather the night before the event and have dinner. This is usually filled with hugs upon hugs, laughter and brand new ways to bounce off ideas on how to further help other people that need continuing product information in their every day lives. But this year..this year was different. This was the first time that included an official gfJules bake-off! GF Mom Certified (Tiffany Hinton) and I had a muffin throw-down (not really because who in their right mind would ever waste a good gluten free product?!) It was all in good fun & I have already been challenged to another one in August. Luckily, the judges could not decide so I will have to wow them the next go-round (thanks Justin & Pam!)

Stuff & Sponsors I am always intrigued by the new products that I get to taste, find and the great people that I meet (both those that I have already met and those I haven't). Although there are a handful of sponsor booths that I took a photo of, I definitely encourage everyone to go to the Gluten and Allergen Free Wellness Event site to see ALL of the great people that were there. There was not one single vendor or person that I met that didn't make me feel uneducated about the food or items that they had with them. The table reps were all very upbeat, knew their products and were more than willing to answer questions about what is safe for your allergens. Plus, they were all pretty darn tasty, goodness! I do have a few personal favorites from that day but I will keep that my secret.

(Young Living Essential Oils, Sunset Slush of the Carolinas (Alex Arant), Camp Weekaneatit, Rice Wraps, Homemade Gluten Free Meals, I'm A Celiac, Luna's Living Kitchen, Simply Gluten Free Magazine, GF MomCertified & Artisan Tropic.)

(Freedom Foods (US), Lowes Foods, Yodish, Bold Rock Cider, Enjoy Life Foods, Carolina Digestive Health Associates, Five Points Baking Company & Lake Norman Health & Wellness)

Great News, There are Still MORE Events for 2015 In case you missed the first few events for this year, there are five more events that anyone can attend. Please check the Twitter and Facebook page as well because sometimes, you can even enter to get free tickets! (Hey, we all love free things, I'm not too proud to admit it). Here are the remaining events-

• May 16th   St. Louis, MO
• August 15th  Raleigh, NC (yay, I am hoping to be at this event too!)
• September 26th  Kansas City, MO
• October 17th  Hartford, CT
• November 14th  Jacksonville, FL

Hope to see some of you in August!