Gluten Free Ottawa is proud to be one of the resources for “Gluten-Free Beginnings Easy Starter Guide,” created by Kathy Smart, our local Queen of gluten free, and Lisa Cantkier, the owner of GlutenFreeFind.  Rose Reisman, owner of a Toronto-based gourmet catering company and leading health expert, also shares her wealth of knowledge about everything and anything to do with food and nutrition.  Dr.William Davis, who is renowned for his instant hit and New York Times bestseller of the Wheat Belly, is also an important contributor — his best-selling book brought so much awareness to the gluten free community.

To Purchase  Click Here or go to FUK Flour and purchase it in store.

Here is a little BIO on each person who has contributed to this GF Guide.

Kathy Smart BIO

Kathy was very young when diagnosed with celiac disease.  She has accomplished so many wonderful things for her community and in her life at her young age.   Kathy is known as Canada’s leading gluten-free expert, and was awarded as recipient of the 2012 Orleans Health and Welness Expo’s Leadership in Wellness “Eat Right Award.”  She is also the host and chef of the world’s first gluten-free and vegetarian TV show, ‘Live the Smart Way’ on Rogers TV.  Kathy has also become  author of the bestseller, “Live the Smart Way” Gluten-Free Cookbook, and continues to grow strong.  Kathy and I share many of the same views and met not long ago, but we are friends who work together when ever we can.  I could write a novel about the great things she does and and continues to do.

Lisa Cantkier BIO

Lisa was diagnosed with celiac disease as a toddler which at that time was quite rare. She began to focus her interest on helping others which led her to become the founder of GlutenFreeFind.com, a gluten-free online directory that provides easy accessibility for those living a gluten-free lifestyle.  We have many of the same passions from what I can see, and I look forward to meeting her one day.

Rose Reiseman BIO

Rose Reisman is a health and wellness entrepreneur who has taken her passion for healthy living and developed it into an enterprise of astounding variety.  With today’s unhealthy nation, she took the opportunity to share her experience and vast knowledge with others in order to inspire the integration of a healthy lifestyle amongst her followers.  She is the Author of more than 17 best-selling recipe books on nutrition and wellness and has sold over 750,000 books.  Rose has also launched “Personal Gourmet” – a daily, fresh food delivery service designed for people who want to eat healthy, great tasting food in the comfort of their home.  She has just launched a “Ready to Freeze” food program that delivers healthy meals to Canadians nationwide.  Rose also has Restaurant, “Glow” (Shops at Don Mills) in Toronto Ontario.  In my eyes, she has conquered what most people dream of, and as I have never  met her, I feel we hold many passions the same.

Dr. William Davis BIO

Again I have never met  Dr. Davis nor have I read  his book yet, but I plan to. He is a 1985 graduate of the St. Louis University School of Medicine and the Ohio State University Hospitals for training in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Diseases. Dr. Davis trained in advanced cardiac catheterization techniques and coronary angioplasty in the Case-Western Reserve University system in Cleveland, Ohio. Not long ago, he left his field of training to conquer this incredible wheat free world.  Author of one of the most-known books of our time and a NY Times Best seller,  he has helped so many people, and as our beliefs are similar, I feel I have known him for years.

Gluten Free Ottawa BIO – Darren Potvin BIO

Darren was diagnosed in his thirties with Gluten Intolerance, but his family doctor believes with his past history of illnesses and symptoms leads his doctor to believes he is probably celiac.  He suffered with IBS symptoms, acid reflux, and always felt sick and bloated with abdominal pain.  He had about 12 of the common symptoms indicating gluten intolerance, yet today being 8 years gluten free suffers from none.  Prior to his diagnoses, he was sent from doctor to doctor to be told that there was nothing wrong with him. His search for answers began at the age of 18 and finally ended at the age of 31.  This was his prime motivation to help others avoid suffering the way he did for so long.  He then created “GlutenFreeOttawa,” a blog to spread awareness, knowledge and product information to those who suffered either from Celiac or Gluten Intolerance.  Due to his frustration of not being able to find good healthy GF foods, he opened up his own Gluten Free online bakery, FUK Flour, that carries a large array of healthy, delicious homemade gluten free goods.  From his gluten free date squares and decadent gluten free brownies, to gluten free lasagnas and fresh gluten free gnocchi…  there is no limits to what he can make, and he continues to “de-glutenize” recipes for everyone to suit their taste.

Kathy Smart and I at the 2012 Gluten Free Day at Market Organics

 Come Join FUK Flour and GFO (Gluten Free Ottawa) at A Taste of Manotick on August 18th 2012 from 4pm – 10pm.  I will be located at 1140 Unit B Tighe Street Manotick, Ontario (The Hodge Podge Shoppe).