Hi Everyone,

2 months gluten-free under my belt. Improvement is very slow, but there is some. Looking for others who might want to socialize.

Hello! My name is Carolanne...and I live in the StPetersburg/Clearwater area. Not really close...but I do have a Yahoo group that has several Tampa members in it. You're welcome to join us any time.

GlutenFreeInFlorida-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

The Tampa Bay Celiac's will be meeting on June 14 at 1 PM at the Jimmie Keel Library on Bearss Avenue in Tampa - all are invited. Here is a link to directions

http://www.hcplc.org/hcplc/liblocales/jbk/

Support Groups are a great way to help "newbie" as well as "seasoned" celiacs to stay informed on ways to navigate living the life of a gluten free person.

Look forward to seeing the regulars and glad to meet the people who have just discovered us.

Thanks CarolAnne!!!

Hello Everyone...please use the forum's calendar to post any celiac/gluten-free events. Regular posts in the forum are not a place to post events, as the calendar is the perfect spot for this:
http://www.glutenfreeforum.com/index.php?act=calendar

Take care,
Scott

Wow, ShayFL and CarolAnne, I just responded to an email from the group leader, Janet, for that group. I met a girl in the health food store a few months back and she told me about the meetings, then sent me Janet's email address. I hope to meet you both there tomorrow - it'll be my first time going.

ShayFL, I have been meaning to PM you and ask what part of Florida you are from, because of both of us using "FL" in our usernames.

Hi Leslie!!

I live in Temple Terrace. I will be going to the meeting tomorrow at 1 pm at Jimmie Keel library. It is only about 10 minutes from me. Is that the one you are going to???

It will be my first time too.

Yep, that is the same one. I'm coming from the New Port Richey area. I wonder if there will be name tags or something, so we can say hello to each other. Maybe we'll just be the two people who look like they don't know anyone. lol

This is me. Only my hair is even shorter now.

http://www.terracegallery.com/sharonnew.jpg

I did send an email to Janet to make sure I would be welcomed. Someone said that some Celiac groups are very particular about who they allow. Some require "gold standard" diagnosis. Which isnt me. So Ive asked. On the off chance she says that I am not welcomed, then I would not be there. It is hard for me to imagine any group excluding others that have the same issue (but dx differently), but that is just me.....

Hopefully, she says "welcome" and I will see you there!!

Oh wow - it never occurred to me that it wouldn't be open to everyone. I just went back and re-read CarolAnne's post, and she did say all are invited, but if you hear anything differently from Janet, please PM me, ok?

I'll try to find a picture of me that looks like me now - I've been letting my hair grow and don't have many recent pictures.

I live down in Bradenton and work in Sarasota. Its nice to see more people in the area.

I grew up in Bradenton/Sarasota. Hubby's parents have a condo there 1/2 the year. So we visit often. Tell of the good gluten-free restaurants down there?????

Nothing that stands out. Lee Roy Selmons is one of my favorite spots when I get the chance to go out. They have a gluten free menu. The one I go to is down cortez by cortez, the one in Sarasota unfortunately is down University just west of the Interstate. Outside of that it's Outback or Carrabba's. Nothing I found in the city, except Whole Foods, lol which is Whole foods but I usually get lunch there, cookies, and bread. Lately they are getting scarce so I might have to give them a hard time and see whats up.
Im also starting to find out if you call ahead and plead your case to the cooks they usually take care of you.
I hope this helps a little, Im currently a single parent with one or two extra kids from time to time so like I said it's not easy for me to get out a lot.

You will want to check out the "Island Bakery" on Siesta Key sometime. Gluten Free bakery with french bread that tastes like real french bread. They also have normal sized sandwich bread loafs that actually taste good and are light not dense. Take the kids. They have ice cream too. They will have a handful of things to sample (breads and goodies), but you can order ANY of their gluten-free items and they will deliver.

Someone told me about that place and I went looking for it but couldn't find it. I think I might google it. its on the south end passed the beaches. Thanks for reminding me, I have to find it.

And now that you mentioned bakery,............cannoli's came to mind...now your killing me. And Im willing to bet someone has the right formula of flour to make them.

You can HAVE anything you want. I found these and they have gotten RAVE reviews:

http://glutenfree.dalucianos.com/products....loc=1&cat=6

They ship!! A bit pricey...but for that once in awhile...oh so heavenly.....cannoli!!

I live in Seminole, FL which is the St. Pete/Clearwater area......and I would happily drive to seista key for french bread

Speaking of food, my family and I are getting ready to spend a week in Tampa Bay. (I once lived in North Tampa briefly, near USF.) Unfortunately, my research of places to eat (other than the usual chains) hasn't turned up much besides Lee Roy Selmon's. I LOVE Cuban food ... do any of you have any information about places where it might be safe to eat?

Not Cuban...but in Tampa you can eat at Bonefish, PF Changs, Carrabbas and Outback too. Other restaurants can accomodate. Especially high end. Never hurts to call ahead.

also Ruth's Chris steakhouse has a gluten free menu

Hello all-
I live in downtown St. Pete. I just figured out that I have celiac disease. This is horrible news for me since I eat mostly pasta and love good beer. If there are any support groups/meetings around the Tampa Bay area, please let me know. I would like to attend. It would be great to meet some others, swap some recipes, and discuss the local restaurant scene.

Thanks!
Lauren
ldh13@yahoo.com

Clearwater - Support Group
Contact: Jim & Mary DuGranrut
Pinellas County Celiac Group, CSA/USA Chapter #84
St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida
Tel: (727) 522-1204
E-mail: jdug@pipeline.com