College is filled with late night snacks, pizza, chicken wings, and other fried food takeout but these are not options for all. Students with food allergies or intolerances have a challenge of eating away from home. A particularly difficult diet is the gluten-free one. More and more young adults are learning that they have Celiac disease.
Celiac disease is an intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Some have trouble tolerating oats as well. Wheat is found in a great number of foods such as baked goods, pizza, and pasta. Beer contains barley although there are some gluten-free alternatives. Wheat is even hidden in some types of salad dressings and soy sauce. Larger companies are now producing their own lines of gluten free food such as Betty Crocker with its gluten-free baking mixes including a version of Bisquick. Restaurants are starting to have gluten-free menus as well. National chains include Carrabba’s, Uno’s, and Outback Steakhouse.
Gluten-free living comes at a cost both monetary and emotionally. Gluten-free foods are more expensive than their glutenous counterparts. It can be hard for college students who are already on a tight budget to afford to pay for meals. Nicole Patience is a registered dietitian for student health services at Temple University. She suggests to students to look for food that is naturally gluten-free in order to save money. “Focus on the less-processed real foods that you can eat to make the diet more affordable (rice, potatoes, corn tortillas, fresh and cooked fruits and vegetables,” she said. The other problem with eating wheat-free foods is the social and emotional aspect. “One emotion that I observe with students who are diagnosed with Celiac is the feeling of loss. Missing out on some of the small things, like ordering out for pizza as a college student, and can feel unfair,” said Patience.
In addition to large retailers now creating their own gluten-free food, advocacy organizations are promoting public understanding of Celiac Disease. The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA), which is based in Ambler, Pennsylvania, works to educate others about the disease and also provide materials to help college students navigate their food choices. Whitney Ehret is the director of communications for NFCA. “The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of celiac disease and gluten intolerance among the general public and the healthcare community that will facilitate research, education and early diagnosis, and improve quality of life for children and adults affected by this autoimmune condition,” said Ehret.
With awareness increasing, options are becoming easier for students. Johnson and Hardwick dining hall has a special gluten-free section. Philadelphia recently saw the addition of Sweet Freedom Bakery; the first gluten-free, vegan, and virtually allergen-free bakery in the area. “Good news for Temple Students: if you’re a celiac, Philadelphia is really unlike anywhere else in the country. Back in 2008 the city became the nation's first 'gluten-free neighborhood in the US’ with 35 participating restaurants that year comprising the 'largest organized block of gluten-free dining destinations',” said Ehret.
A big distinction that college students face is stressing that it is not a fad diet they are on. “The gluten-free diet has recently been gaining a lot of converts due to its misleading reputation for being some sort of fad diet health craze but in reality, eliminating wheat, rye and barley is a medical necessity for people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity,” said Ehret.
The NFCA frequently publishes articles and advice on their website specially targeting college students. Ehret said, “There are many more tips for helping gluten-free students manage personal and emotional situations they often face in the ‘Gluten-free Guide to College’ offered on our website – it even includes advice on parties and dating!”
Monday, December 6, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Girls Rock Philly Singing in the Key of G(irl)
The Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Nirvana, Coldplay, and Death Cab for Cutie among others all have one thing in common. Everyone in the band is a guy. Think of all the other bands you like. Chances are there is not one girl in them. One organization is working to change that.
Girls Rock Philly (GRP) is a non-profit organization that brings the love of music to girls ages 9-17. Every August Girls Rock Philly holds a weeklong day camp, which takes place at Girard College, for young rockers. The camp offers instruction in vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass, and DJing. Talent and skill levels of all kinds are welcome. A girl could never have even picked up the instrument prior to camp week or she may have been playing for over five years. On the first day, they form bands with other campers. At the end of the week a showcase is held featuring the songs the bands created; this year it took place at the Trocadero. The campers also recorded their songs at XPN’s studios. A CD release party for the 2010 GRP album The Key of G(irl) took place in the afternoon on Saturday November 6th at Johnny Brenda’s.
A typical day at GRP consists of morning assembly, instrument instruction, workshop, lunch, workshop, band practice, and an afternoon assembly. Erica Rubin, 16, has been attending the camp for the past three summers and has had only positive experiences.
“I've attended I think every workshop they have offered there... History of Women in Music, Touring & Booking, Non-Traditional Instruments, Live Sound, Pedals & Effects, Band Merch Making, etc. etc. etc. All of the workshops are really interesting, and are taught by some of the coolest ladies out there,” said Erica.
GRP is not strictly about music according to director, Beth Warshaw-Duncan. “GRP also stresses that we are an empowerment through music organization. Our point is to encourage girls to try new and challenging things, increase their confidence, and ask for help (and help others) when they need it,” she said. “It's about taking something that girls and women have traditionally been told they couldn't do, and have been marginalized when they try, and saying yes to it and ourselves.”
Erica agrees with Warshaw-Duncan. “It has helped many girls, myself included, be proud of who they are, and learn that they can play music just as well as any guy,” she said.
Campers are not the only ones reaping the positive benefits of being involved with GRP. Andrea Kuhar has been volunteering since 2007 when the first camp was held, and said it has changed different areas of her life.
“It has really really inspired me to not be afraid to make my own music. It introduced me to the members of Creatures of Prey…, it also introduced me to Corey [Duncan] who invited me to play in Oh! Pears. So basically, yes, Girls Rock has provided the majority of things I find worthwhile in life. I feel really driven to keep working with young people, especially girls, and am now in school studying education to be a teacher in Philly,” said Kuhar.
Natasha Rodriguez, volunteer since 2008, commented on how she sees the camp helps young girls. “I think everyone's recognition that getting up on stage to perform something within 7 days of having learned it is something most people never do, and that alone is a major accomplishment, not to mention that the girls frequently rock our socks off,” she said.
Now going into its fifth year, the volunteer run organization has seen tremendous growth. They have more than doubled in camper size, going from 20 campers in 2007 to approximately 75 this last summer. Girls Rock Philly is now a part of the Girls Rock Camp Alliance, which links together all the Girls Rock camps of the world together. The first camp started in Portland, Oregon and now has spread to cities across the globe.
GRP recently acquired a new practice and office space that past campers can use to rehearse with their bands. It is a great improvement from their old practice space, according to Kuhar. “It was a small room, seemed like it was sweltering in the summer and freezing in the winter,” she said of the old space on Delaware Avenue. The new practice space is still undergoing some construction but will be completely ready soon.
Warshaw Duncan said, “We have a real place to meet, hold workshops & orientations, hang out, teach instrument lessons, and even hold some bigger mixers and all-ages events down the road.
The organization is also working to pay some of its dedicated volunteers. “GRP's immediate plans (for the next couple of years) are to grow our budget enough to be able to provide someone with a salaried job managing our programs,” said Warshaw-Duncan.
Erica sums up what the mission of all the camps is about. “I love how inspiring it is. GRP and all of the other girls rock camps around the world are doing something truly extraordinary and revolutionary for young girls,” she said.
Girls Rock Philly (GRP) is a non-profit organization that brings the love of music to girls ages 9-17. Every August Girls Rock Philly holds a weeklong day camp, which takes place at Girard College, for young rockers. The camp offers instruction in vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass, and DJing. Talent and skill levels of all kinds are welcome. A girl could never have even picked up the instrument prior to camp week or she may have been playing for over five years. On the first day, they form bands with other campers. At the end of the week a showcase is held featuring the songs the bands created; this year it took place at the Trocadero. The campers also recorded their songs at XPN’s studios. A CD release party for the 2010 GRP album The Key of G(irl) took place in the afternoon on Saturday November 6th at Johnny Brenda’s.
A typical day at GRP consists of morning assembly, instrument instruction, workshop, lunch, workshop, band practice, and an afternoon assembly. Erica Rubin, 16, has been attending the camp for the past three summers and has had only positive experiences.
“I've attended I think every workshop they have offered there... History of Women in Music, Touring & Booking, Non-Traditional Instruments, Live Sound, Pedals & Effects, Band Merch Making, etc. etc. etc. All of the workshops are really interesting, and are taught by some of the coolest ladies out there,” said Erica.
GRP is not strictly about music according to director, Beth Warshaw-Duncan. “GRP also stresses that we are an empowerment through music organization. Our point is to encourage girls to try new and challenging things, increase their confidence, and ask for help (and help others) when they need it,” she said. “It's about taking something that girls and women have traditionally been told they couldn't do, and have been marginalized when they try, and saying yes to it and ourselves.”
Erica agrees with Warshaw-Duncan. “It has helped many girls, myself included, be proud of who they are, and learn that they can play music just as well as any guy,” she said.
Campers are not the only ones reaping the positive benefits of being involved with GRP. Andrea Kuhar has been volunteering since 2007 when the first camp was held, and said it has changed different areas of her life.
“It has really really inspired me to not be afraid to make my own music. It introduced me to the members of Creatures of Prey…, it also introduced me to Corey [Duncan] who invited me to play in Oh! Pears. So basically, yes, Girls Rock has provided the majority of things I find worthwhile in life. I feel really driven to keep working with young people, especially girls, and am now in school studying education to be a teacher in Philly,” said Kuhar.
Natasha Rodriguez, volunteer since 2008, commented on how she sees the camp helps young girls. “I think everyone's recognition that getting up on stage to perform something within 7 days of having learned it is something most people never do, and that alone is a major accomplishment, not to mention that the girls frequently rock our socks off,” she said.
Now going into its fifth year, the volunteer run organization has seen tremendous growth. They have more than doubled in camper size, going from 20 campers in 2007 to approximately 75 this last summer. Girls Rock Philly is now a part of the Girls Rock Camp Alliance, which links together all the Girls Rock camps of the world together. The first camp started in Portland, Oregon and now has spread to cities across the globe.
GRP recently acquired a new practice and office space that past campers can use to rehearse with their bands. It is a great improvement from their old practice space, according to Kuhar. “It was a small room, seemed like it was sweltering in the summer and freezing in the winter,” she said of the old space on Delaware Avenue. The new practice space is still undergoing some construction but will be completely ready soon.
Warshaw Duncan said, “We have a real place to meet, hold workshops & orientations, hang out, teach instrument lessons, and even hold some bigger mixers and all-ages events down the road.
The organization is also working to pay some of its dedicated volunteers. “GRP's immediate plans (for the next couple of years) are to grow our budget enough to be able to provide someone with a salaried job managing our programs,” said Warshaw-Duncan.
Erica sums up what the mission of all the camps is about. “I love how inspiring it is. GRP and all of the other girls rock camps around the world are doing something truly extraordinary and revolutionary for young girls,” she said.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
"...Timber!" in Clark Park
The green thing is to plant trees not cut them down. It might be surprising to learn that Clark Park has chosen the latter. The park, located at 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue in West Philadelphia, has been undergoing major renovations since the beginning of August. The organization behind the changes is Friends of Clark Park, a non-profit and volunteer group that works to maintain the park. According to a press release issued in early August by the group, “The main goal is to improve drainage in the park.” Though this comes at the expense of ridding historically old plants.
Some are not so happy about hundred plus year old trees being destroyed. Malwina Andruczyk, 24, has worked at the farmers market every Saturday for a few years and is not pleased with the recent alterations in scenery at the park. “I don't like that so many trees were cut down in the park. What I heard is that they cut down the maple trees and left the sycamores because maple is an invasive species. However, maple trees are also the ones that turn beautiful colors in the fall,” Andruczyk said.
Nissa Blocher, who lives within walking distance of Clark Park, is upset that the Friends of Clark Park did not seek the community’s opinion. “I think many people feel, as I do, a sort of ownership of the park,” she said. “It feels slightly invasive that someone is digging it up without any input from me. However, I have confidence that their intentions are good. The park certainly needed some improvements.”
The Friends of Clark Park website states the renovations will be finished by the end of November.
Some are not so happy about hundred plus year old trees being destroyed. Malwina Andruczyk, 24, has worked at the farmers market every Saturday for a few years and is not pleased with the recent alterations in scenery at the park. “I don't like that so many trees were cut down in the park. What I heard is that they cut down the maple trees and left the sycamores because maple is an invasive species. However, maple trees are also the ones that turn beautiful colors in the fall,” Andruczyk said.
Nissa Blocher, who lives within walking distance of Clark Park, is upset that the Friends of Clark Park did not seek the community’s opinion. “I think many people feel, as I do, a sort of ownership of the park,” she said. “It feels slightly invasive that someone is digging it up without any input from me. However, I have confidence that their intentions are good. The park certainly needed some improvements.”
The Friends of Clark Park website states the renovations will be finished by the end of November.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Getting More Than Just Produce at the Clark Park Farmers Market
Vegetables, fruit, or jams can be associated with the words “farmers market,” but a community gathering place more accurately describes the Clark Park Farmers Market. The market, located at 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue in West Philadelphia, aims to serve the neighborhood more than just fresh produce. Started in 1998, it is operated by the Philadelphia Food Trust, which also manages dozens of other farmers markets in the city.
The benefits of having the market in West Philly go beyond just offering fresh food according to the market manager, Mukethe Kawinzi. “It is a community resource and space. People all with different economic backgrounds come here. We accept people with access cards and food stamps,” she says. “It supports local economy. It reflects the diverse neighborhood.”
Mark Mendenhall, 61, enjoys coming to the market and seeing friends. He is just one of the many patrons with a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share. According to the Local Harvest Organization, a CSA works by allowing a person to buy a share from a farmer and receive a box of seasonal fruits or vegetables for a certain period of time. He said the CSA share he has helps local growers.
The market attracts a wide array of people, ranging in age from infants to elderly. First time visitors were University of Pennsylvania students, Victoria Pisini, 18, and Lauren Cosgriff, 17. Their main reason for coming out was to buy apples, but they enjoyed seeing other people from the community. Ann and Tim Baker, 43 and 49 respectively, come from New Jersey to get their CSA share. On how Ann feels about the market, “Love it. Love it. Love it,” she said. “It is better than a grocery store.” She commented on how there are not enough markets near her.
The Bakers heard about the market through their friend, Nissa, who lives within walking distance of the park. “Well, it makes me eat more vegetables. The share is enough for two people. At a supermarket it is usually too much [in quantity] and we end up wasting some of it.” She also commented on how much the area changed within the last 15 years. “Penn [University] said that they literally needed to build a wall or expand farther. They boosted up the values of the housing. ” She said that she wishes Temple could do the same and revitalize North Philadelphia.
The market runs year-round on Saturdays and on Thursdays until December.
The benefits of having the market in West Philly go beyond just offering fresh food according to the market manager, Mukethe Kawinzi. “It is a community resource and space. People all with different economic backgrounds come here. We accept people with access cards and food stamps,” she says. “It supports local economy. It reflects the diverse neighborhood.”
Mark Mendenhall, 61, enjoys coming to the market and seeing friends. He is just one of the many patrons with a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share. According to the Local Harvest Organization, a CSA works by allowing a person to buy a share from a farmer and receive a box of seasonal fruits or vegetables for a certain period of time. He said the CSA share he has helps local growers.
The market attracts a wide array of people, ranging in age from infants to elderly. First time visitors were University of Pennsylvania students, Victoria Pisini, 18, and Lauren Cosgriff, 17. Their main reason for coming out was to buy apples, but they enjoyed seeing other people from the community. Ann and Tim Baker, 43 and 49 respectively, come from New Jersey to get their CSA share. On how Ann feels about the market, “Love it. Love it. Love it,” she said. “It is better than a grocery store.” She commented on how there are not enough markets near her.
The Bakers heard about the market through their friend, Nissa, who lives within walking distance of the park. “Well, it makes me eat more vegetables. The share is enough for two people. At a supermarket it is usually too much [in quantity] and we end up wasting some of it.” She also commented on how much the area changed within the last 15 years. “Penn [University] said that they literally needed to build a wall or expand farther. They boosted up the values of the housing. ” She said that she wishes Temple could do the same and revitalize North Philadelphia.
The market runs year-round on Saturdays and on Thursdays until December.
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