Click here to see the video.

The Gluten and Allergen Free Expo was started five years ago in Chicago by Jen Cafferty, a Chicago-resident and gluten-free eater. She realized there was nowhere for her GF family to go to learn how to cook, so she started the expo, which began as cooking classes and later grew to include a sizable vendor fair. This year, the GFAF Expo came to Dallas, the first city to host the expo outside of Chicago. The Dallas GFAF Expo was hosted by The Lone Star Celiac GIG branch.

I hope you will join me (or if you are not in Chicago you will show your support through a donation of any amount) at the Chicago Show Your Hearts event on Monday, August 29th.  This is an event to raise funds for The Berry Family Children (see below) who became paralyzed and lost their parents in a recent auto accident.

I am thrilled to be a part of this event as it raises funds for an amazing cause (AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ THE BONE BROTH BRIGADE STORY BELOW) and also supports family farms through the showing of the movie Farmageddon.

The really neat part about this story and this event is that soup (specifically bone broth soup) is being used to heal both emotional and physical wounds, bring strength to those who need it, and bring people together to support the community that will care for the Berry children.

Chicago Show Your Hearts! is an event to raise awareness of the healing power of food and the Joshua and Robin Berry Children’s Trust. We ask that each invitee read Bone Broth Brigade Helps Family Through Crisis.

Two brave little boys are currently going through rehabilitation at Chicago Shriners Hospital, after losing their parents in a tragic auto accident.  Whether you can attend this event or not, please consider making a donation to the ShowYourHearts.org campaign.

IMPORTANT: Ticket sales for this event END on August 21. Please act now!

Bone Broth and a Movie Event

Monday, August 29, 2011
Gene Siskel Film Center
Chicago, ILLINOIS 60601

5:30pm — Pick up Movie tix from organizers

6:00pm — Farmageddon Movie Screening

7:30pm — Brief Q&A with Filmmaker

7:45pm — Reception in Gene Siskel Center Gallery Cafe

Enjoy Farm Fresh Organic Soups and Meet the Chef, Guy Meikle of Nana’s Organic Restaurant

• Bone Broth Soup from Gunthorp Farms Chicken and Heartland Meats Beef, Garnished with Farm Vegetables
• Nichol’s Farm Sweet Corn Soup Infused with Gunthorp Farms Chicken Stock, Garden Chives
• Pellegrino Sparkling Water

To learn more information and purchase your tickets:

One of my favorite people,  Kim Koeller, was just featured on the 700 Club, a production of the Christian Broadcast Network.  I was so excited when Kim (author of the Gluten Free Passport) told me she was going to be on the 700 Club.  I knew this would mean that many people that had not heard about gluten or food allergies would finally be informed through a non-allergy media source.  I am convinced that sometimes it is best for people to learn about allergies and intolerances through sources such as the clergy.

I think there are some folks that are so hard-headed that they can’t believe that people actually get sick from eating “normal” food.  The video of Kim allows those folks to see that this is a real issue and that even a show like the 700 Club believes it to be a true issue.  Hopefully, the video segment will shed some light on the topic of dining out with food allergies.

For more information about Kim’s great books and Iphone applications, go to www.glutenfreepassport.com.  I also feature many of Kim’s books and product on our Dining and Travel page.