I am writing to welcome you back to Coeliac New Zealand for 2024 and hope that the year has started well for you. I hope that you too have been enjoying some of this glorious summer we have been experiencing, making the most of the long days and balmy nights to enjoy good food with good friends and whanau. You may have seen a lot of red and gold around recently, Saturday the 10th of February was the Chinese New Year festival celebrations, and this year is the year of the dragon. Every 12 years we will each have a zodiac sign that matches our own. Dragon this year, Snake next year, Horse in 2026, Goat in 2027, then Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig, Rat, Ox, Tiger, and finally the Rabbit which was last year. Do you know your sign? Some of our volunteers coordinated cooking demonstrations to coincide with the new year using some of our CGL partners, Lee Kum Kee’s sauces too, check the newsletter for details.
Those of you who were newly diagnosed had the opportunity to attend the online workshop put on by our Dietary Education Manager, registered dietitian Suzanne Aitken. Let us know what other types of workshops you would like Suzanne to present online, and we can see where the interest lies. Email dem@coeliac.org.nz
We have a full year ahead and are busy planning our Coeliac Awareness Week activities. Keep an eye on our newsletters and our Coeliac Link magazine which will be sent out in mid-May for more details about this. You may also be interested in attending one of the baking demonstrations being hosted by one of our members and the owner of the Alternative Bread company that produces a range of Crossed Grain Logo-accredited bread mixes and more.
Once again, thank you for being a member of Coeliac New Zealand, if you know anyone else recently diagnosed with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance encourage them to join too. Once diagnosed with coeliac disease it is important you have up-to-date information and resources to help you on your journey. By becoming a member of Coeliac New Zealand, you receive a welcome pack containing a useful wellbeing journal that includes tips, step-by-step plans, healthy eating habits, recipes, mental and physical health information, and space for you to write and reflect on your thoughts, wellness, day-to-day achievements and challenges! You also get access to the members’ only section on the website, regular e-newsletters, and our twice-yearly Coeliac Link magazine. You get tips on making your gluten-free journey more manageable and information on gluten-free shopping. There are also support groups in many regions and you become part of a supportive community to help you on your journey towards thriving and living your best coeliac life.
All the best for the year ahead,
Wendy Bremner