A Canadian Celiac Podcast
On this podcast I speak with Melissa Secord, Executive Director of Celiac Canada regarding the recent petition that was up for signatures. The time to sign has now closed and I was interested in how successful the CCA was in getting signatures a second time for this petition, and what the next steps are to push for the reality to make gluten free more affordable in Canada. Sue’s Websites and Social Media – Podcast Podcast Blog – Email – Baking Website – Instagram - @suesgfbaking YouTube - Email –
info_outlineA Canadian Celiac Podcast
It’s the beginning of December 2025 which means to me that I get to catchup with Ellen Bayens of about information she has brought to our attention over the past month. First, by December 6th, let me remind you about signing the e-Petition from Celiac Canada to request that the Federal Government consider a Gluten-Free Tax Credit. Here’s a link to sign the digital e-Petition - Ellen and I also spoke about a Survey that is online from Conquer Studies through Dr. Diana Major and the University of Alberta regarding the cost of gluten free food for families. If you are an adult with...
info_outlineA Canadian Celiac Podcast
On this episode I’m again speaking with Cinde Little, the Everyday Gluten Free Gourmet regarding a new way for those of us who want to cook and bake gluten free, whether it be for ourselves or for others. Cinde has organized a membership group to try recipes, communicate and learn together how to cook and bake gluten free. She hopes to take the anxiety of trying new recipes with lots of tips to help you understand how gluten free can be delicious for the whole family. Cinde is creating a welcoming community – something we can all use. Cinde also makes us aware of the negative effects of...
info_outlineA Canadian Celiac Podcast
It’s the beginning of November 2025 and my opportunity to discuss news and information that has come out in the past month with Ellen Bayens of . Ellen keeps us up to date on what’s happening regarding celiac disease and gluten free. First, let me urge you to sign the petition Celiac Canada is putting forth to the federal government regarding the cost of gluten free food and how they can assist the celiac population. This is a re-issue of the petition from last year, as unfortunately it died when an election was called. Last time we received more than 26,000 signatures. Let’s try for...
info_outlineA Canadian Celiac Podcast
On this podcast I take the opportunity to speak with Melissa Secord, Executive Director of Celiac Canada regarding her recent attendance as part of the Canadian “team” at an international Celiac Conference in Finland. First, let me remind you of the Step Up for Celiac fundraiser that is being held by Celiac Canada all across the country during the month of October. Melissa and I spoke about the presentations made at the conference and about discussions held with support organizations in other countries and their shared issues. The team that attended from Canada made presentations and...
info_outlineA Canadian Celiac Podcast
It’s the beginning of October, so my chance to chat with Ellen Bayens of about articles and studies she has brought to our attention over the past month. As well, I take the opportunity to discuss something that’s been on my mind for quite a while. Ellen and I speak about a recent CFIA recall and you can get the full information here – We talk about a new product from M &M (I did try it - this one is amazing) – O’Dough’s has just updated their website. It’s well organized, simple to understand and simple to order from. The prices are pretty good too! - We also...
info_outlineA Canadian Celiac Podcast
Over this past summer I’ve been asked by different people if I know of a local dietician who is particularly knowledgeable about Celiac Disease. Unfortunately, I have to say I don’t, but there is a great solution for us with Selena DeVries RD, as she has an online practice, can be paid by many healthcare plans and she herself is celiac. In our conversation, Selena explains how to deal with ongoing symptoms even if you’ve been symptom free for a long time. She explains how lactose issues as well as thyroid issues can develop as we age – something that was news to me. Selena also talks...
info_outlineA Canadian Celiac Podcast
It’s the beginning of September, so my chance to chat with Ellen Bayens of about articles and studies she has brought to our attention over the past month. During August, Ellen visited the Kinnikinnick storefront in Edmonton and the pictures she took of the amazing baked goods would make any celiac’s mouth water. Ellen published a study about teens with celiac disease and the link with body image and potential mental health issues – this is a must read for parents of celiac children. There is good news in that the teens who strictly adhered to the gluten free diet were less likely...
info_outlineA Canadian Celiac Podcast
This second part of the wrap up conversation with Ellen focused more on the experiences I had in the varied restaurants where we ate on our trip. Breakfast was usually the same and eaten in the hotel room, lunch was on the road and dinner was normally after we’d checked in to our hotel – but those were the only constants. I enjoy different ethnic cuisines, and I treated myself often. Ellen and I spoke not only about fast food places which primarily made up our lunch choices, but franchise restaurants and why in both cases these can often be your best choices for a gluten free meal. If...
info_outlineA Canadian Celiac Podcast
On this podcast I get to catch up with Ellen Bayens of about the articles and information she has brought to our attention over the past month. Summer is usually a slow time when it comes to releasing information about studies and new products, but as usual, Ellen has found some valuable information to share with us. Selena DeVries RD has a new program to help celiac patients relieve some of their ongoing symptoms with dietary supplementation. Selena has also written about the Gluten Free Diet as only the first step in treating our celiac disease. While I was in Calgary, I was invited for...
info_outlineI made it to my final destination of Comox British Columbia where my daughter was joining her boyfriend who had been stationed there earlier this year. A very long trip but they organized for an apartment and everything went very smoothly.
While staying in a hotel before they got their keys, we went out for breakfast to Smitty’s (the GF dedicated restaurant in town was too busy to take us which is great for them!) I spoke to the server at Smitty’s about gluten free and she was very knowledgeable. I try to order relatively simply when they don’t say anything on the menu, but have the knowledge. I had eggs over easy, bacon and potato shreds which were all done on the flattop away from any pancakes. I had a very satisfying and filling breakfast!
We were finally able to grocery shop and cook for ourselves which made meals easier in the apartment, but there were still restaurants I wanted to try. We had dinner at a dedicated gluten free restaurant called Off the Hook. Crab cakes are something delicate that I love, but usually can’t have, but at this restaurant I could have them and they were terrific! I also had the fish and chips, which were some of the best. I’m so spoiled!
My daughter saw a gluten free bakery just outside of Comox on the highway, which she thought I’d be interested in. It was not what I expected – from a storefront perspective – but the food I bought was amazing. They had and extensive line of bread and cookies and tarts and buns all gluten free and also with keto and dairy free in mind. I need to discuss this bakery more with Ellen.
My last restaurant stop was at Taco Bandido in Courtney. Most things on the menu could be made gluten free and I was happy when the server said the chef would clean off a portion of the cook top to ensure no gluten came into contact with my tacos. I had the Beef Birria tacos once again to compare them the ones I had in Thunder Bay. Both were great, but these ones were so rich (yummy) that I could only eat half of the order and brought the rest back to the apartment with me.
I’m flying home tomorrow but will be recapping my trip with Ellen on a podcast in the next couple of weeks. If you have any questions for me please email them to acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com.
I’ve loaded some pictures on my blog.
Sue’s Websites and Social Media –
Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com
Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com
Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com
Celiac Kid Stuff – https://www.celiackidstuff.com
Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com
Instagram - @suesgfbaking
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL
Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com