Last week Monday we returned home from the Gluten and Allergy-free Expo after a nice lunch (gluten-free for me of course) at Buzz Cafe in Oak Park. We stopped for dinner when we got back into town and Chaz asked me what my favorite part of the weekend was. Hand down it was the VIP party Saturday night. I got to spend time with my blogger friends I met earlier and got to meet new blogger friends. It was a truly amazing (and hella fun) time. Three hours went by a little too fast.
My favorite part of the Expo!
I would not be in the same place I am today without these amazing women. Sure, I pretty much knew what I was doing when I first went gluten-free. Lucky for me. Most people have no clue when they first go gluten-free. I was already in a position that the majority of my diet was already naturally gluten-free and I wanted to keep it that way. Through the amazing bloggers I started to follow, I found a larger sense of adventure in my diet and with what I was willing to experiment. I know I sing the praises of my “Big Four” (Amy Green, Shirley Braden, Iris Higgins, and Carrie Forbes) a lot, but it’s with good reason. Everyone else who follows them does the same thing. If I’m ever stuck on something I think to myself, I wonder if Amy, Shirley, Iris, or Carrie have done that? Then I check their blogs. If they’ve done it, no need for me to re-invent the wheel and kill myself in the process.
Me and Shirley Braden (gluten-free easily)
If you are reading this and are new to eating gluten-free I highly recommend checking out gluten-free bloggers. You will get a wealth of information that you won’t get elsewhere. We all have our own stories to share and you’ll discover that you are not alone. There are others out there just like you who struggled to get the right diagnosis and regain their health. Most of us are on Facebook and Twitter so you have many ways to connect with us.
Me, Amy Green (Simply Sugar & Gluten-free), & Stephanie O'Dea (Make It Fast Cook It Slow, More Make It Fast And Cook It Slow, and Totally Together Journal)
Most areas have support groups and I would encourage that as well. A good support system is what we all need when making this transition in our lives. It will be especially helpful for you if you have family members or friends who are not being supportive of your dietary needs. It’s just plain helpful to connect with others like yourself face-to-face rather than just through the Internet.
Me and Maggie Savage (She Let Them Eat Cake)
Don’t be afraid to leave comments on the blogs. It’s a great way to connect and make friends with us! You’ll see comments from other bloggers on posts, as well. It’s just one of the ways we support and encourage each other. And if you have a blog yourself, we’re always looking for other bloggers to share and bring into the blogosphere.
Heather (Gluten-free Cat), Me, & Brittany Angell (Real Sustenance)
It was amazing to be able to connect with my fellow bloggers face-to-face. I did get to meet Hallie Klecker (Daily Bites) but somehow managed to not get a picture of her at all. Next time, Hallie! Celiac In The City was also at the Expo, a fact I discovered after the fact. I would have loved to have met her there!
Me and Kelly Brozyna (The Spunky Coconut)
Wendy Kaho (Celiacs In The House) and I went to Chicago to meet when we live about 2 hours from each other. lol
Some blog links to get you started. Not all of them are gluten-free blogs, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to adapt the recipes that do contain gluten or even other allergens if you have food allergies.
Adventurs of a Gluten-free Mom
hunterslyonesse.wordpress.com 
I love all those photos!! Thank you also for mentioning my blog 🙂
Thanks, Valerie! I had to share them all since I couldn’t fit them in to my recap post. 😀 You’re welcome! Even if I can’t comment on all your posts, I do love what you come up with for them!
Aww I love that I’m in your “big four.” Especially with Amy, Carrie, and Shirley, who are all bloggers I look up to! I was going to include a post for my how to go gluten free series on finding a gluten-free community, and now I don’t have to! I’ll just link to yours!
LOL Iris! Glad I made your blog easier! 😀 I love that you’re in my Big Four, too! I can’t wait to meet you someday. 😀
Thanks for the link love, Debi! We must be on the same wavelength. I’m posting my blogger pics tomorrow! Come over and see that pretty smile of yours! 🙂
You’re welcome Heather! I can’t wait to see it. 😀
Love all the photos! I almost (but not quite) feel as if I was at that Expo after seeing you all in pics on so many blogs! 😉 Awesome list of blogs, too–thanks so much for including mine. 😀
Thanks, Ricki! It would have been beyond amazing if everyone that couldn’t be there was there. Maybe one day! You’re welcome! 😀
Oh my goodness, what great pics (kudos to your hubby). You are so photogenic! Such a fab smile 🙂 I’m soooo glad to hear (in your comments on my blog) that your husband is now entirely GF in the home! That’s great. It was great to connect with you Debi. I look so forward to keeping in touch.
Thanks, Maggie. 😀 I hope he keeps it up! It’s been nice the last week not worrying about his cookie crumbs!
Your husband is now entirely gf at home?! Woohoo! My dream is to live in a completely gluten-free home someday…fingers crossed that my future husband will do that!
Iris, since we got back from the Expo, yes. One week! It will be nice if we are able to keep it completely gf at home. I could finally get rid of the old toaster!
First, very, very cool that Chaz is now gluten free at home! Give him a big hug and kiss from me for that. Seriously. I bet he’ll soon see the rewards himself, too. Second, what a wonderful post, Debi! I’m so honored to be in your Big Four. 🙂 Last, all these photos are awesome! You look so gorgeous in each one and I even like myself in the photo of us together. Might have to borrow that one to use for my Expo recap (I am doing one eventually!). 😉 The takeaway always is that it’s others in the gluten-free community who save us, inspire us, hold our hands, and more, and it’s always a phenomenal thing. Thanks so much for acknowledging that here, Debi. What a great post and listing! Thanks again for including me!
xo,
Shirley
Thank you, Shirley! Feel free to use any of the pictures you’d like. 😀