Gluten Free Health & Hiking Retreat with Melinda Dennis, MS, RD, LDN

Check out this wonderful opportunity...

WHEN: Friday evening, September 18 through Sunday afternoon, September 20, 2009

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: 10-14 people (18 years and older) with celiac disease, gluten intolerance or wheat allergies, their friends, partners and families who want to spend an empowering, self-nurturing, educational and adventurous, gluten free weekend with like-minded people.
There is a minimum of 10 people to run this retreat and a maximum of 14.

WHAT'S INCLUDED:
• 3 informal workshops on maximizing nutrition on the GF diet, living w/ celiac disease/gluten intolerance, traveling and dining out safely, and more… with Melinda, celiac dietitian and weekend coordinator
• 2 nights at Joe Dodge Lodge (an Appalachian Mountain Club lodge)
• Professionally guided hikes on Saturday and Sunday
• 6 healthy gluten free meals, including a special catered lunch from a health food café, snacks, surprise goodies and recipe sharing
• Optional yoga, reiki healing/energy work, free time to explore nature and North Conway, relaxation time

PRICE: ~ $340/person – Sponsorship from the companies below has reduced the registration price.

PRE-REGISTRATION: Please email me: MelindaRD@deletethewheat.com or call me directly at 617-851-8643 to discuss the weekend in detail and to be placed on a special priority list as the weekend details grow and the price is confirmed.

OUR KIND SPONSORS: Cream Hill Estates LTD (www.Creamhillestates.com), Cabot (www.Cabotcheese.coop), Pure Fit TM (www.Purefit.com), Bob's Red Mill (www.Bobsredmill.com), Arico Natural Foods Company (www.Aricofoods.com), Majan's BHUJA (www.Bhuja.com), Natural Food Exchange (Stoneham), Whole Foods Market (Framingham store)(www.wholefoodsmarket.com), Aleia's Gluten Free Bakery (www.aleias.com), CheeCha (www.cheecha.ca), Mary's Gone Crackers (www.marysgonecrackers.com), Zeer (www.zeer.com), Kinnikinnick (www.Kinnikinnick.com), Cecilia's Marketplace (www.ceciliasmarketplace.com), Gluten Free Passport (www.glutenfreepassport.com)

Delete the Wheat, LLC does not endorse the above companies.

THE WORKSHOPS: I will offer 3 informal classes during the weekend on living with celiac disease/gluten intolerance

Maximizing Your Health – It’s not just about what we need to avoid – it’s about how to choose healing foods, the super foods, loaded with the nutrients (calcium, vitamin D, iron, antioxidants, fiber, anti-inflammatory agents, etc.) our bodies need. What can we get from food and when do we need supplements? What labs should be checked and what follow-up is necessary? And it’s about learning what to do with the alternative grains, how to buy them, store them, and make them taste good with minimal effort. Join me and the group as we discuss how to optimize our health.

Traveling and Dining Out Safely – How can we avoid cross contamination and keep ourselves healthy while living in the real world? We will discuss the workings of a restaurant kitchen to uncover hidden sources of gluten, questions to ask, substitutions to request, and resources to use for simpler traveling and dining out (American and ethnic fare). Role playing is included (optional).

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). 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 hikes 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.

THE HIKES/ACTIVITIES: Our hikes will be led by the professional AMC outdoor guides. On Saturday, we’ll be gone for about 5 hours – this includes stopping for lunch and scenery along the way. We won’t be jogging or even trudging, but to enjoy the day you should be a somewhat active person who enjoys the idea of climbing beautiful mountains and brings good hiking shoes (full details later). For those of you who would like a more leisurely experience, there are various hikes and outdoor opportunities offered on a regular basis by the lodge during the day.

OUR SCHEDULE: Check out Melinda's website, Delete the Wheat, for full schedule of events

FOOD ALLERGIES/INTOLERANCES: If you have any food intolerances (other than gluten), such as lactose intolerance, or a food allergy, 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: Depending on space available, you can select either a 2-person shared room (2 bunk beds and a shared bathroom down the hall) or a 2-person room (one queen bed and a shared bathroom down the hall). They are quite similar in price. I’m happy to match you with a same sex roommate, if available. There may also be a few single bunk beds available in the lodge – please let me know and I can check availability.

Please email or call me for more information and to be placed on the priority pre-registration list.
MelindaRD@DeletetheWheat.com or 617-851-8643