Hi there,

My name is Sara and I'm moving to Chicago, the first week of January (for a South Florida girl who's never seen snow, I know this is going to be a rude awakening!). Yesterday I was diagnosed with celiac disease and I've been surfing the net, trying to get some information and found this site! I'll be living in Forest Park and working in River Grove. If anyone has any information on restaurants, gluten-free shops, meet ups, etc, anything and everything would be a tremendous help!!! I've never been the new kid, so this is all a little scary for me, hah.

Hi Sara!

Boy you sure are in for a rude awakening! There is snow on the ground as I type, but it could change in January. We could have more, or none - we've had snowier Marchs than January. But as a life-long Chicagoan, it's what gives us character !

You will be moving to a great area!! It's near Oak Park, which is a great town. I'm not sure of gluten-free restaurants but you are near two great natural foods markets: Wild Oats in Hinsdale and Whole Foods in River Forest. Both of those stores have great gluten-free selections. The Whole Foods closest to me has a monthly gluten-free meeting, you will learn a lot from these people.

Welcome to Chicago! Hope you have a safe move.

WElcome!!!!

Knowledge is power..so arm yourself with books ect and learn all you can.

Books: Living Gluten free for Dummie by Dana Korn and Celiac Disease: A Hidden epidemic by Dr. Peter Green...these are my two faves.

This is the unsafe food/ingredient list: I took it shopping with me until I got the hang of it...saved me from pulling my hair while shopping:
http://www.celiac.com/articles/182/1/Unsaf...ents/Page1.html

Safe Alcohol list:
http://www.celiac.com/articles/222/1/Glute...ages/Page1.html

I also went and made a binder of recipes from the recipe section on this site...saved me from eating one thing for weeks!LOL

Check your toothpaste

Get new: Colander,cutting board,toaster, replace any scratched cookware, wooden utensils and give your microwave a good cleaning....cross contamination(CC) is a huge issue.

When you want to try new products I would ask on here....much better than getting home and finding out it doesn't taste good and you've already spent the money!

Good Luck!

Thanks for the welcome!! I'm dying to see snow, I can't wait!! Knowing me and my luck, it will be the lamest winter ever and stop snowing the day before I get there. That's how all of my vacations go, it snows just before I get there, or just after I've left. Le sigh.

We have both of those markets here, so I'm glad to see that there are up there as well!!! Whole Foods is GREAT! (pricey, but still great!) I would love to attend one of those meetings!!! Thanks again for your message.

SE

I know we just met and all, but...I love you. Thanks SO SO SOOOOO very much for your help!!!!!

i wanted to thank you again. these lists are very informative and helpful...i found out why i stopped drinking vodka...heavy hands and rock and roll make for a very drunk sara! oh well, we're going out tonight as a farewell before chicago, i can't wait to see what derby girls and kettle one has to offer!!

Hey Sara!

Welcome! I am from sunny California & now live in Chicago....so, I can empathize with you when you are longing for a day of warmth in February!!!!
But, seriously, Chicago is a great town. You'll really dig it.
Don't worry...there's plenty of places to eat. Going gluten free isn't that hard...my husband & I have been gluten-free for about 3 months. You've found the best source of information on this board. The people here are great & super knowledgeable.
I think I know someone who is (was?) a roller derby ref out here.
You're going to love Chicago. Just be sure to dress warm. It's snowing as I type this.
I have to run off to work now...so talk to you later.
Good luck on your move!!

Thanks so much for the comment! I can't wait to get up there already!!! Chicago's Windy City Rollers are AWESOME! I've written then, but I didn't get a response yet, one of my captains is supposed to get in touch with them so I can get back to skating!

This board has been pretty helpful thus far. Once I get up there, I'll have lots of time to sort through here with a fine tooth comb and go out and explore the gluten-free world of Chicago. I don't know anyone up there, so I'm sure that I'm going to have more free time then I'll know what to do with!! hahaha!!!

Hi--you may already know about these by now, but if you haven't tried DaLucianos in River Grove yet you really should. They have a great Italian gluten free menu. Also there is a Gluten Free Store in Northbrook I think. Since you work in River Grove you will be able to get fresh gluten free pizza any time you want it! I am very jealous.

I just moved from Michigan to the north suburbs of Chicago. And you have got to go to The Gluten Free Store in Northbrook (807 Waukegan Road, Northbrook, IL) Every single item in the store is gluten free. It looks like a hole in the wall type of place from the outside, but it's awesome!! I love being able to sample cookies there without having to read the ingredients!! Their prices are average health food store prices, but they have over 800 gluten free products that you could never find anywhere else.

Thank you so much for posting this!!!! I am originally from Glencoe, and whenever I trek back to visit my folks, I have either packed gluten-free stuff to bring with me, or else gone to Trader Joe's (limited supply, but better than nothing, and at least they had gluten-free bagels for Sunday bagels and lox)

Of course, I am kicking myself, because last week we stayed in the Marriott around the corner from this store, and I didn't know it existed....

Whaaat ! I was just in that area a couple weeks ago! I didn't know there was a gluten-free store in the Chicago area!! Thanks for letting us know - I will definitely check it out!

Yep, it's there -- Like I said, looks like a hole in the wall. It's in a little strip mall type place on the corner of Dundee and Waukegan road. Here's the link to the store -- but they don't really have much online. Just about the store, no online orders. The Gluten Free Store

Thanks!!