Traverse Area Gluten Free Support Group

Who We Are

The Traverse Area Gluten Free Support Group (TAGFSG) provides information and resources to those who cannot tolerate wheat, barley, rye and oats in their diet.  The TAGFSG serves the counties of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau in Michigan.

Whether you live in the area or are just visiting our beautiful area in northwest lower Michigan we make following a Gluten Free diet easier and more understandable!  Make sure to check out our newest page Traveling in Michigan.

Traverse Area Gluten Free Support Group (TAGFSG) is Chapter 21 of the Celiac Sprue Association,  P.O. Box 31700 Omaha, NE  68131-0700.  877-CSA-4-CSA  www.csaceliacs.org.

We have provided a Local Links page with the following:

Local Restaurant Information
Specialty Food Stores with Gluten Free Products
Local Manufacturers offering Gluten Free Products

We are a 501(C) (3) Non-Profit Organization.  Any references to businesses or websites is for informational purposes only and should not be misconstrued as an endorsement.

What We Do

We meet approximately eight times (March - June and September - December) a year on the second Monday of the month with informative speakers from our area as well as nationally known speakers. 

Very popular, are our Dinner Outings with local restaurants and Special Events where we get together and share information.

Some of our recent meetings have had the following:

• Medical Speakers
• GF Restaurant Dinners
• Local GF Food Manufacturer Discussion Panel
• Nationally known Gluten Free Cookbook Author

If you would like to learn more about our group, where we meet, and when we meet just click About Us.
 

  Next Meeting Info and

Recent Events

On Monday, April 13th.  Ramona Pleva, CMT spoke on  the vast benefits of massage ranging from stress reduction and muscle relaxation to aiding in the recovery of orthopedic conditions and sports injuries.  Massage has been known as a "feel good" treatment, but is now emerging as a function of a healthy lifestyle.  Massage can be a great compliment to chiropractic care and physical therapy treatments.

Ramona Pleva is a Certified Massage Therapist in Traverse City.   She specializes in treating orthopedic conditions, overuse and sports injuries and overall stress reduction.  Ramona received her training at the Essex Group Bodyworker's Institute in Little Falls, NJ.  In her twelve years of practice, she has received training around the country and in Italy and China.  Ramona was a volunteer member of the Winter Sports Massage Team at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and also served on the sports massage team for the 2006 and 2007 Ford Ironman Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii.  She holds a degree in Health Fitness and Promotion from Central Michigan University.  Ramona is also a member of the Traverse City Rotary Club where she chairs the International Student Exchange Program.

Recent Speaker

On Monday, March 9 the Traverse Area Gluten Free Support Group (TAGFSG)  kicked off the 2009 year with a National Speaker.  Herbalist, Anna Sangemino of Creation Farm spoke  on Herbs and the Digestive System.  Anna  covered Herbs and their role in food and nourishment for the body. She will address how Herbs can impact the health of the entire digestive tract and how they are essential to our health and well being.

Anna has over 26 years of experience in the herb industry and has been on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Herb Association while living in North Carolina.   She was a Keynote Speaker for the North Carolina Herb Association and the American Hand Crafted Soap Guild on using Herbs in soap and skincare products.  In the last few years Anna has been invited to teach and or lecture at dozens of Herb Festivals, Herb Conferences, and Natural Products related events across the Eastern United States.  Anna and her husband have co-authored “Country Living’s Healthy Living Pure Beauty” and “Country Living Handmade Soap Book; Simple Recipes for Crafting Soap at Home” that are sold nationally. 

Anna and her husband own Creation Farm, in Frankfort where they grow, harvest and manufacture many of the Herbs that go into their hand crafted “Creation Soap” and natural herbal skincare products.

In January of 2008 Anna and her husband made the commitment to manufacture their products naturally gluten free. They are sold in many stores throughout the US and internationally.  Anna and her husband also offer classes on herbs and soap making.  More information can be found at creationsoap.com.

If you would like more information, please visit us on our Contact Us page.

Make sure to check out our Calendar page for more:

•  Local Meetings
• Dinner Outings
  

• Children's Meetings and Events
• Regional and National Events