Our Support Groups Gathering and Events

Upcoming Gathering and Events

If you would like to come to our next gathering or event, please e-mail glutenfree_kids8@yahoo88.com (remove the 8's) to be added to our mailing list.

Get on our mailing list to learn about what is happening in the Eugene/Springfield, Oregon area.

Past Gathering and Events

Gluten Free Holiday Event : We started the Holiday Season with our Holiday Event right before Thanksgiving. It was a nice to prepare us with ideas and suggestions before the season got normally stressful.

We brought dishes to share, exchanged recipes, shared stories and met new faces. The kids played hard, decorated gingerbread cookies, and had a great time.

A special thanks to Allison for hosting our event and opening her home to us. Another special thanks to Laurel's Sweet Treats Inc. for supplying the gingerbread mix. You can visit Laural's website at http://www.glutenfreemixes.com/ or http://www.laurelssweettreats.com/

Birthday Cake and Birthday Parties

We sampled several cake mixes and frosting mixes. We also had a surprise cake from Sweet Life Patisserie at 755 Monroe Street in Eugene. It was very yummy and rich. The kids decorated their own cup cake.

The reviews came out as:

• Pamela's Classic Vanilla Cake - good - sponge cake
• Gluten Free Pantry - good - butter cake
• Best Chocolate was split with Pamela's (moist and sticky top) and Gluten Free Pantry (great cake texture).
• Namaste Spice was voted as best flavor all around.
• Gluten Free Pantry was voted for best travel. Top was not sticky.
• Pamela's was voted for best versatile.

Note: Gluten Free Pantry also has a spice, but we did not have one to sample.

Honestly, we were all caked out in the end.

Capellas Store on Willamette Street : Having a tour of Capellas is great. We learned more products that are gluten free. Rex, the manager was great. He is doing a great job on making our gluten free life-style an easier life-style. He wants to bring in products that we are interested in buying. It is great having a store that hears us and is wanting to work with not only our group, but Eugene GIG and Gluten Free Eugene.

When you have a chance to stop into Capellas, ask for Rex. He can point out some great gluten free products.

Last time I found Angelina's Bread, gluten free granola, and many ideas for a quick gluten free meal.

Our First Store Tour : Our first Store Tour was at Market of Choice at Delta. We met the department managers and the store manager. We learned where to find those gluten free items and learned tips about items that individuals in the group have used. The store enjoys seeing our group in their stores. The managers voiced that "It helps them to see our needs."

If you missed this tour and would like to be a part of another Market of Choice Tour, don't worry. The store has invited us back for another tour. I will plan another one after the Holidays.

"Top Your Own Pizza" Party was yummy! : Pizza crust supplied by Kinnikinnick

We baked our pizza on the BBQ grill for that pizza parlor taste. It was so easy with the Kinnikinnick crust. When BBQing your own pizza, remember to lay your pizza on ten foil and over a low flame. You can also bake your crust in the oven. I usually bake at 350 degrees until the cheese starts melting.

And afterwards we enjoyed some home made ice cream that Jody made in a snap. It was sooo good and easy.

The kids played and enjoyed all the samples that were provided by manufactures.

For more information about Kinnikinnick great tasting products, you can visit their website at http://www.kinnikinnick.com/ or purchase their product locally at Choice Health Foods 2791 Oak Alley, Suite 6 – above Long’s Meats , Capella's at 2489 Willamette, and Market of Choice. (I am lot sure if Market of Choice has the pizza crust. If we all ask, maybe they will start caring it.)

Our first party was "Get Acquainted and Play in the Park"

We are no longer a R.O.C.K. group. We are now an independent Support Group.

Our first party was on April 28th, 2007 at Emerald Park. We had a lot of fun in the park with lots of great samples that Jody brought for us. Bob's Grain Mill sent us samples packets that make 2 1/2 cups of Mighty Tasty GF Hot Cereal. We made a couple of friends and had a chance to enjoy the sun. Of course the kids want to do this again.

Our Support Group - Gluten Free Kids in Eugene/Springfield Oregon

Hope you find this website helpful.

We are a support group to help children and their families on a gluten free diet or other food allergies no matter what their reason is. Celiac, sensitivity, allergies, autism, ADD/ADHD, personal or religious preferences.


Some of our activities have been:

• Top Your Own GF Pizza


• Ice Cream Social


• Cookie Exchange


• Play In The Park


• Sample Birthday Cakes
  

What else happens:

• We learn more about our children's dietary needs and how it affects our children at school and at home.


• We share information, swap recipes, and compare stories.


• We try new Gluten Free Products


• We talk about the newest and greatest information, products and services that help our children.


• We learn tips and tricks about eating at local restaurants.


• We get suggestions and tips on traveling.


• We encourage one another.

We are not Eugene Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) or Eugene Gluten Free. We are completely separate so that all decisions are made to benefit and protect our families and the kids in this group. We were formally a R.O.C.K. chapter, but are now independent

HISTORY OF OUR GROUP
Sheri, Liz and Vicky wanted support for kids and their families just like ours. After visiting the Salem R.O.C.K. group in Oregon. The three of us were struggling with a gluten free diet, due to Celiac and Salem R.O.C.K. helped us so much.

Our home went gluten free in November 2006 and we had our first event in April 2007.

We are helping one another cope and deal with the gluten free life-style, by providing a gluten free family with our support group.

Our support group is completely free and doesn't charge fee's or dues. We don't require our members to purchase specific products or services, or shop at certain stores.

We do get donations of samples and publications from food manufacturers. And we have a viewing library of books that were donated by Authors.

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

• Hearing about our events and gatherings.


• Learning about local gluten free services and hearing feedback.


• Learn tips and tricks about eating at local restaurants.


• Receiving gluten free samples and coupons at events.


• Sharing recipes.


• Sharing information and swapping stories.


• Getting help with struggles.


• Learn more about Celiac Disease and how it affects our children at school and at home.
  We get suggestions and tips on traveling

REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP

For a support group to be beneficial to all, then everyone needs to be involved as a team. Everyone in this group is important and has something to offer. Sharing knowledge, planning a gathering or play date, hosting an event are wonderful ways of giving back to the group. Sometimes coming along a new member and becoming a mentor to them is a great way to be involved.

To be a member of Gluten Free Kids, there are a few requirements:

• Agree to be an active member and plan one gathering, play date or event per year. (Or volunteer to help with the group or provide something to the group.)


• Be polite, positive, encouraging, empathetic, respectful, and accepting to one another.


• Accept all medical professional preferences and personal decisions made by other members, including becoming gluten free (or Celiac) by personal or God's preference.


• RSVP attendance by Thursday before an event for planning purposes.

BECOMING A GLUTEN FREE KIDS MEMBER

We don't charge dues or membership fees. If you would like to become a member , than send a comment to this blog or e-mail Sheri at glutenfree_kids8@yahoo88.com (remove the 8's). Please type in "joining group" and include your name and age of your child/children on the gluten free diet. If you would like me to call you, please e-mail me with your phone number and I will call you.