Sheryl Goldstein

I am on a mission.

I have just a few months to turn Sheryl Goldstein, a gluten-free cookbook author, into a well-known advisor to corporations who are now catering (no pun intended) to all those living with Celiac, or to those who just feel better by eating gluten-free foods. Celiac is a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food that are important for staying healthy. The damage is due to a reaction to eating gluten. Click on Celiac to learn more about it.

Sheryl was diagnosed with Celiac disease at the age of 50. She quickly learned that her prognosis would be good if she just changed her nutritional diet to gluten-free foods. She already was an excellent cook who enjoyed producing dinner parties for family and friends. So, Sheryl decided to incorporate gluten-free foods into her entertaining repertoire. Before long her cookbook, The No Gluten Solution, was created. Now it is time for the next big step. Sheryl’s journey is not going to be any different than other major rock star chefs who have started with a local fan base and then expanded nationally, and eventually, worldwide.

That is where I come in. Because of my agency’s vast experience using the Internet and social media platforms, we are going to help Sheryl reach out to thousands, if not millions, of people who need her help. Of course, we are looking for major sponsors to help reach a huge audience, but most of our beginning efforts will be on Sheryl’s website http://www.noglutensolution.com and on Sheryl’s Facebook fan page.

We encourage you to “Like” “The No Gluten Solution” fan page on Facebook so you can get all of the latest info Sheryl dishes out and be sure to read her blog on her website. The real reason I am writing about Sheryl is because this is a great opportunity to utilize the six degrees of separation that the Internet affords. You know me, I know you, and I can introduce you to Sheryl if you need some personal advice. For all others, if you are living the gluten-free life and have any suggestions, please share. That in itself is one of the greatest assets of social networking.

Meanwhile, here are some personal words from Sheryl.

You’ve just been told that you have to give up gluten…now what?

5 things to do to get started:

1. Take a breath, it’s not as hard as it seems. Within days of eliminating gluten from your diet, you will feel like a new and better you! There is no better incentive than finally having your health back to get you energized to begin the gluten-free journey. Of course, you will have moments that you feel sorry for yourself but remember that no gluten is a gift and not a sacrifice.
2. Read, study, reread and study again the list of grains that contain gluten and the hidden sources of gluten.The more you have this knowledge “ingrained” in your head, the easier it will be to stay gluten-free. It takes time, along with the knowledge to make this transition a way of life. Carry a list with you and refer to whenever you are food shopping and dining out.
3. Don’t keep secrets. Telling your family, friends and co-workers that you are eliminating gluten from your diet will make the transition easier.This support is one of the best ways to help you stay gluten-free. Believe me, they will want to eat what you eat once you have it all figured out.
4. Go through your refrigerator, pantry and cabinets and either eliminate all products containing gluten or set-up a dedicated area in your kitchen for your new gluten-free products and ingredients.In addition to the obvious gluten items that you can identify from study sheets, you will have to learn to read the labels on other items that could contain hidden gluten. Make the first step easy and simply eliminate any food product you are not sure about and you can check it out at a later time.
5. Go forth into the market. Make a list of all the things you CAN eat and fill your refrigerator and pantry with these foods. Your favorite fruits, vegetables, unprocessed meats, poultry, fish, lots of ice creams, chocolate, wine and nuts are naturally gluten-free. Add foods that look good in the ever expanding gluten-free sections of grocery and health food stores. I promise you will not feel deprived.