Gluten Free Travel  Magazine | gluten free travel made easy

Social media creates buzz, disseminates information, creates community, and connects people across decades and across the world. I think we can all agree that a Facebook or a LinkedIn is an effective way to communicate opinions, and get to know others efficiently. It is also a marketing dream. But how has it changed health & wellness? You don't see much about that unless you are bodybuilding, or you are part of a large weight loss program. In fact, social media has picked up where organizations like Weight Watchers had already expanded: into self help and community.


In the case of the gluten free community, social media has changed everything. We talk about GF foods that taste great; and we pan GF food that is expensive and tastes like shoe leather. We share personal medical history in the hopes that we can save someone from the drama and trauma we have experienced; we share the names of doctors and lawyers who are savvy of our cause, and we share our triumphs as well as our failures in an effort to be less isolated. The electronic medium has changed the way we treat food allergies, autoimmune disease, Autism, and more. We embrace our diagnosis as a get out of jail free card instead of the ball and chain that being "different" was, like a leg iron impeding one's future. Now, you not only get better food, you get a party to go with it! All it takes is a desire to embrace this technology.


I have a Facebook, a twitter account, a LinkedIn (that I don't really use), and Myspace, as well as bunch of blogs to go with my publishing efforts. I have to say that the Twitter account and the FB are updated daily. The GF community on those sites is amazing. I really love that I can talk to an expert in Celiac's, an organic farmer, a wine expert, and a research scientist via comment or email on FB in the same day. I can follow a GF guru on twitter and learn more that reading several books on the subject. And all of it in real time. I can also follow new information on the GF community that does not pertain to Celiac's Disease sufferers. This is important because of the growing trend in GF Diets as medicine and lifestyle choice in treatment of Autism Spectrum, UC, IBS, and allergies, as well as a weight loss option for those cutting carbohydrates or living with a GF family member. I want to hear from the people that are GF, or are considering a GF diet. Are they happy with the choices they have? What about the issues regarding restaurants, theme parks, vacations, family reunions, weddings, and more. Do we have a code of etiquette in those social situations where our host may poison us my mistake? I think we have a lot to continue to talk about here. Welcome to Gluten Free Travel Magazine. This is a great place to continue the conversations heard in 140 characters or less, or posted with a Youtube video. Let's continue to build our GF community; spreading the word to the people that are affected by the GF diet for any reason. Let's embrace our health, both physical and emotional, by eliminating the daily stress of foraging and fear. Let's find our gluten free bliss together.


Warmly,
Mary Alice