2009-2010 Classes, Retreat and Clinical Lectures
Register now for the 2010 Gluten Free Winter Wellness Retreat
(see below)
Our book is COMING in early 2010 -
"Real Life with Celiac Disease: Troubleshooting and Thriving Gluten Free" published by the American Gastroenterological Association - coauthored by Melinda Dennis, MS, RD, LDN and Daniel Leffler, MD, MS
Scroll down for:
* GLUTEN FREE WINTER WELLNESS RETREAT
* CLASSES
* LOOKING BACK on the FALL 2009 HEALTH AND HIKING RETREAT!!
* INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATIONS
* ONE-ON-ONE DIETITIAN COACHING
* 2009 CLINICAL LECTURES
* 2008 PAST LECTURES
GLUTEN FREE WINTER WELLNESS RETREAT
IMPORTANT: I will be out of the country from Jan 9-16th. If you are interested in registering, please leave me an email (MelindaRD@DeletetheWheat.com) and I will get back to you asap after the 16th. There are still spots open.
WHEN: Friday evening, February 5 through Sunday afternoon, February 7, 2010
Come to the New Hampshire White Mountains and spend a fun-packed, educational weekend dedicated to cooking classes and workshops about celiac disease or gluten intolerance. This retreat is designed for people who want to take their wellness to the next level.
Three (2 hour) workshops cover:
- What are the most healthful foods I can select to maximize my nutrition and enhance immunity?
- Which foods have anti-inflammatory properties and why is that so important for me?
- How can I prepare simple but wholesome meals that provide the nutrients lacking in the
average gluten free diet ? You will be part of 2 cooking demos.
- What are the special benefits of the gluten free whole grains and how do I use them
–to lose weight, to fight cravings, to build energy?
- What kind of supplements are recommended for people with celiac disease or gluten
intolerance, and why?
- What labs should I be following and how do the results correlate with my food choices and my healing process?
....and anything else you'd like to ask..
We will snowshoe, cross country ski, eat delicious gluten free meals together, practice yoga and reiki (these are optional but so much fun), sample MANY foods and have a great time in an AMC lodge atmosphere....
WHERE: Joe Dodge Lodge, a rustic but comfortable lodge along the Appalachian Trail in the White Mountains of New Hampshire
www.outdoors.org/lodging (select Pinkham/Joe Dodge)
WHO’S INVITED: 10-15 people (18 years and older) with celiac disease, gluten intolerance or wheat allergies, their friends, partners and families
There is a minimum of 10 people to run this retreat and a maximum of 15.
WHAT’S INCLUDED: - Three nutrition workshops (topics highlighted above), including Cooking demonstrations, to learn all about using the “Super Six” gluten free whole grains
- 2 nights at Joe Dodge Lodge (an Appalachian Mountain Club lodge)
- Professionally guided snow shoe hike on Saturday; cross country skiing on Sunday
- 6 healthy gluten free meals, including a special catered lunch from a health food café, snacks, surprise goodies and recipe and resource sharing
- Optional yoga, reiki (intro to energy work you can do on yourself)- no extra charge- and free time to explore nature and North Conway, lounge around the fireplace, make new like-minded friends, relax.....
PRICE: ~ $355/person
617-851-8643 to register and discuss the weekend in detail.
REGISTRATION ENDS JANUARY 20th.
OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS
Schar www.schar.com/us - a dedicated gluten free company with over 8000 stores around the world!
Kettle Cuisine: www.kettlecuisine.com - a company that makes delicious gluten free soups in the perfect size container - available in grocery stores and large food markets.
Kay's Naturals: www.kaysnaturals.com - yummy cereal and snacks with plenty of protein and fiber, low in sugar
Nature Made: www.naturemade.com - a well established vitamin/mineral supplement line offering a myriad of options for those seeking gluten free supplements
Lisanatti Foods: www.lisanatti.com - a cholesterol free, gluten free substitute for dairy cheese
Natural Food Exchange (Reading, MA): www.naturalfoodexchange.com - a fantastic health food store with a WIDE variety of gluten free foods
YOUR INSTRUCTORS:
Melinda Dennis, MS, RD, LDN: Your workshop leader and weekend dietitan/coordinator. Melinda was diagnosed with celiac disease and Dermatitis Herpetiformis 19 years ago. She is the Nutrition Coordinator and Research Investigator for the Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and has counseled over 900 patients with celiac disease in the past 8 years. She is founder, former chair and current Nutrition Advisor to the Greater Boston Celiac/DH Support Group and serves on the American Dietetic Association’s Evidence Analysis Library Taskforce for celiac disease. She lectures nationwide to clinicians and support groups on celiac disease, coaches dietitians, teaches group classes, leads retreats and makes home educational visits through her consulting business, Delete the Wheat®, LLC.
Lisa Holcomb, MEd: Lisa is a Reiki Master Teacher specializing in outdoor programs and the healing arts and is an accredited member of the International Association of Reiki Professionals. She will be leading us through a healing energy workshop on Saturday night and will be available for short, private sessions, as well, beginning on Saturday night.
THE FOOD: We will be enjoying a full weekend (2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners) of healthy gluten free food and snacks/desserts (not all of them are healthy- some are plain decadent). The AMC chefs have handled many gluten free requests in the past. This time we will fill a long table and have special attention. You will also enjoy a catered boxed lunch for our snow shoe hike from a nearby health food café that I love. For those of you new to traveling on the diet, this is your chance to practice with me and others, asking questions to become more comfortable in a nurturing environment. You’ll have the option to have dinner on your own on Saturday night in neighboring North Conway (I have lists of “celiac friendly” restaurants) or stay at the lodge for the group dinner which is included in your registration.
SNOWSHOEING/CROSS COUNTRY SKIING: Our Saturday snow shoe hike will be led by the professional AMC outdoor guides. On Saturday, we’ll be gone for about 4-5 hours – this includes stopping for lunch and scenery along the way. To enjoy the day you should be a somewhat active person who enjoys the idea of climbing beautiful mountains in snow shoes. For those of you who would like a more leisurely experience, there are more low key outdoor opportunities offered on a regular basis by the lodge during the day. On Sunday after our final class in the morning, the group will likely split up in a variety of smaller groups to cross country ski at the neighboring ski area.
OUR SCHEDULE: (subject to change)
Friday night:
6:30 Gluten Free Dinner
8 -9:30pm Welcome and Workshop #1 with Melinda, Gluten Free Snacks and Tea
Saturday:
7-8am Morning Yoga (optional)
6:30-8:30am Gluten Free Breakfast
9-2pm Guided Snow Shoe Hike and Gluten Free Lunch and Snacks
2-3pm Relaxation Time
3-5pm Workshop #2 including cooking demo with Melinda
5-6pm Free time
6-7:15pm Gluten Free Dinner
7:15 -8:45pm Guided Reiki class with Lisa (or relaxation time)
Sunday:
7-8am Private reiki sessions with Lisa (optional)
6:30-8:30am Gluten Free Breakfast
8:30-10:30am Workshop #3 with Melinda, Closing Session
11am-2pm (or later) Cross country skiing w/ the group or on your own (Gluten Free Lunch and Snacks)
You are welcome to stay the rest of the afternoon in the White Mountains.
FOOD ALLERGIES/INTOLERANCES: If you have any food intolerances (other than gluten), such as lactose intolerance, or a food allergy or preference (vegetarian, etc), please discuss it in advance with Melinda. Although every effort will be made to accommodate other special needs, it may not always be possible to find an equal substitution. It is also your responsibility to insure that any food/beverage or product you consume or use is safe for you.
THE ROOMS: I have currently reserved seven 2-person shared rooms (2 bunk beds and a shared bathroom down the hall) for our retreat. I’m happy to match you with a same sex roommate, if available. There may also be a few single bunk beds or private rooms available in the lodge – please let me know and I can check availability.
Gluten Free Classes
Sunday, January 24
Gluten free Day at Whole Foods Bedford
I'll be there from 1-2pm answering questions about celiac disease and the gluten free diet.
Whole Foods Bedford
Check their store for more details on the day and vendors!
Healthy Eating on the Gluten Free Diet Series
(You can attend one, two or all three)
Part 1: Monday, January 25 - Tips for Safe Eating (label reading, cross contamination, meal planning
Part 2: Tuesday, February 23 – Recipe Night – easy, healthy meals to get through the week (cooking demos)
Part 3: Monday, March 22 – Balancing Your Gut – foods and supplements to support intestinal health
Time: 7-8:30pm
Location: Whole Foods Hingham
94 Derby Street, Hingham
Registration required in advance: 781-741-8050
Looking back on the Gluten Free Health and Hiking Retreat- September 18-20, 2009
We enjoyed:
- New and established food and resources from 20 gluten free sponsors
- 2 beautiful, warm days of hiking in the White Mountains – 3 people summited Mt. Washington!
- Time together in nutrition workshops focused on maximizing our health and immune system
- Delicious, gluten free food (with surprises by the chef) – too much to choose from and eat
– how often do we say THAT when we travel?
- Yummy baked goods, desserts and a healthy organic trail lunch
- Quiet time with yoga and introduction to energy work
Some comments from our group:
“I would do it again in a second. Thanks for a wonderful weekend.”
“I look forward to another weekend together!”
The most helpful information I learned was:
“Everything. The classes were very informative.”
“It helped me to refocus my efforts to live well and eat healthy on a gluten free diet.”
“..the slide show talking about all the grains and how to use and rotate them.”
Thank you to all the participants for making it such an enjoyable teaching experience for me.
I look forward to planning 2 retreats in 2010 – destination to be decided!
Send me your ideas.
• Individual Phone Consultations, Cooking Classes, Shopping Tours and Home Visits for Gluten Free Diet Education
*One-on-one dietary consultation by phone or in person, cooking classes in your home, and indvidual store tours
at the store of your choice
Please call me for more information: 617-851-8643
"My GF educational shopping trip with Melinda was an amazing learning experience that was both fun and informative but also something that was so absolutely necessary for me. She is so passionate and knowledgable about nutrition and gluten free shopping that my future grocery trips will no longer seem overwhelming to me. What made this experience like "Christmas" to me is Melinda truly cares to make a difference in one's life and she certainly has done that for me. Thanks so much! "- a patient
• One-on-One Dietitian Coaching
Join me for individual coaching on counseling patients on the gluten free diet and lifetstyle. We'll cover lab values, nutrient deficiencies, the diet itself, hidden gluten, controversies, how to use the whole GF grains, how to label-read anywhere, the best resources for your patients, etc.
"Thank you for such a positive experience. You provided me with great information I can share with my patients. I am excited about going to my grocery store here and mapping out a guide that will help GF patients find tasty alternatives. After talking about all those grains I can’t wait to try them myself. Thank you again for sharing your incredible wealth of knowledge. I will put the information to good use." - Jane, RD from New Hampshire
2009 - My Clinical Lectures
Sunday, March 15 - 2pm
North Conway, NH - Rafferty's Restaurant
Sponsored in part by Pioneer Nutritionals and BHUJA
Friday, March 27 - 1pm
16th Annual MUD North County Health Consortium
(open to NCHC clinicians)
Monday April 6-8
International Coeliac Conference - poster presentations
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Thursday, April 30 - afternoon
Vermont American Dietetic Association Meeting, South Burlington, VT
Saturday, May 30 - June 1
Digestive Disease Week - research poster presentations
Chicago, IL
Friday, June 5 - Sat, June 6
Annual Gluten Intolerance Group Conference
Clinical and Patient Lectures
Sunday, September 13
Southern New Hampshire Celiac Support Association
Lecture: 12 noon
Sponsored in part by BHUJA, Cream Hill Estates
Saturday, October 3
New England Celiac Conference
Hosted by the Healthy Villi and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Marlboro, MA
Saturday, October 17-19
American Dietetic Association
Pre-FNCE workshop and celiac workshop for clinicians
Denver, CO
Monday, November 9 - evening
Florida Celiac Support Group, Del Ray FLA
Sponsored in part by Pioneer Nutritionals, BHUJA, Cream Hill Estates, and ALBA Therapeutics
Thursday, November 12 6:45pm
Hadassah Jewish Women's Organization, Acton MA
Sponsored in part by Pioneer Nutritionals, BHUJA and Alba Therapeutics
2008 Past Lectures
January 30 - St Anne's Hospital, New Bedford MA
February 3 - Cape Cod Hospital, MA
February 26 - Charlton Memorial Hospital, Fall River MA
February 28 - St. Luke's Hospital, New Bedford MA
March 3 - Florida Celiac Support Group, Del Ray FLA
March 28 - Raising our Celiac Kids, Manchester, NH
April 16 - North Carolina Celiac Support Group
June 21- Northern Virginia Celiac Forum, VA
October 17 - Philadelphia Celiac Support Group, PA
October 19 - Cape Cod Celiac Support Group MA
October 30 - Mass Health Officers Assoc Annual Conference, Springfield MA
November 2 - Southeastern New England Celiac Support Group, Tiverton RI
December 1 - UMass Amherst Dietetic Intern Class, Amherst MA
December 1 - Amherst Local Celiac Support Group, MA
December 2 - Glen Falls Celiac Support Group, NY
December 13 - GIG Alamo Celiac Support Group, TX
email notices of upcoming classes.
