This is a new one for me folks. As a researcher and writer, one who is VERY involved in the gluten-free and celiac arena I am constantly learning. This I feel we all need to be aware of and as a women I really wanted to get this out.

. With upwards of 4,000,000 Americans suffering from Sjögren’s syndrome, it is one of the most prevalent autoimmune disorders. Nine out of 10 patients are women. With that said, please read on:

Here are some of the connections between Celiac and Sjögren’s :

• Celiac disease and Sjögren’s syndrome have an autoimmune background and a close association.
• In one study, the prevalence of celiac disease amongst patients with Sjögren’s syndrome has been found to be in the range of 4.5% and 15%.
• According to Patinen et al., the co-occurrence of celiac disease and Sjögren’s syndrome should be recognized because of its effects on dental and oral mucosal health. In their 1994 study, they suggested that a gluten-free diet treatment might alleviate autoimmune inflammation.
• On the basis of these findings, Szodoray  recommends screening and follow-ups , and regular gastrointestinal care of Sjögren’s syndrome patients to help identify celiac disease cases as well as help to avoid severe malnutrition and intestinal malignancies.

The symptoms are dry eyes and dry mouth, Sjögren’s may also cause dysfunction of other organs such as the kidneys, gastrointestinal system, blood vessels, lungs, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system. People can experience extreme fatigue and joint pain and have a higher risk of developing lymphoma.

About half of the time Sjögren’s syndrome occurs alone, and the other half it occurs in the presence of another autoimmune connective tissue disease.When Sjögren’s occurs alone, it is referred to as “Primary Sjögren’s.” When it occurs with another connective tissue disease, it is referred to as “Secondary Sjögren’s.”

All instances of Sjögren’s syndrome are systemic, affecting the entire body. Symptoms may remain steady, worsen, or, uncommonly, go into remission.

Since symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome mimic other conditions and diseases, Sjögren’s can often be overlooked or misdiagnosed. On average, it takes nearly seven years to receive a diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome. Wow, so similar Celiac disease!

Since the disease was first identified in 1933 by Dr. Henrik Sjögren, it has been proven to affect virtually every racial and ethnic group. General awareness about Sjögren’s syndrome is still lacking and increased professional awareness is needed to help expedite new diagnoses and treatment options. Again very similar to our Celiac disease needs in this country.

Please share your experiences with this autoimmune disease as well as celiac, please.

Tina Turbin

Teacher: Hi Tina, I hope your trip was enjoyable!  We did do a read-aloud with your book and the students had a number of questions in both classes about process as well as choices.   I’m giving you their questions as they (as a class) created them.

Period 5:

1. How did the author and the illustrator decide on the illustrations?—especially the expressions on the characters

I envisioned them myself and directed my illustrator to create MY characters. I delevoped all the characters. It was a unique experience.

2. What kind of creature IS Skipper?

You name it. It is not important to a child to be specific about this. Some call him a p-wog, some a frog. Kids NEVER have asked me.

3.Why did you choose a dragon to emerge from a sea shell? (this was troubling for Seniors who wanted an egg

Kids are imaginative. Why are there space ships in the ski, how can a refrigerator talk in a cartoon,  who can prove any of that? The writer, in my case is imaginative. The seashell will be told in future stories. Obviously this story CONTINUES……hence, the ending which leaves room for future books.

4.What was the inspiration for the book?

My own life and surrounding of a playful , creative and imaginative life I wish others to have and experience…..fun!

5. What is the significance of the RED sneakers and YELLOW backpack?

None. Simply a decision.

6.What is in the backpack?  (we kind of got caught up in the details and not your role as author—sorry)

You will find out in future stories.

7.       Why are the parents so accepting of a dragon?

It is a Good story, he is a good dragon…no demons and bad guys.

8. How and why did you choose the illustrator?

Long story but in a nutshell, she is European and in Latvia. Speaks no English and I adored her and decided I really wanted to work with her.

9.How long did it take to finish the book in its entirety?

approx. 2 years- NOT full time

10.What lesson, if any, was the book trying to teach?

I leave that open to the reader.

11.Does the theme have to do with manners?/…………..Why is the dragon so polite? That is his character.

I leave that up to the reader

12.Why doesn’t Danny act like the dragon (I’m not sure what they were asking here—I can ask for clarification)

Can not answer this………..this is sort fo a silly question, sorry.

13.Are you concerned with the logic of Danny shrinking in water?  (the discussion was Danny ate soup which is watery and yet he does not shrink from eating liquid—or must the water be salt water?) The explanationis is in the book and in this story.

14.Is there a significance to the pictures—7:10 for dinner clean-up, license plate FL-1, feather on the picture of a boat, grandparent picture in the background . . . ?

No significance at all.

Period 3 Class

1.Same as #4 in 5^th period

2. Same as #5

3. Why did you choose imaginary characters (dragon) rather than realistic (hermit crab)?

Boy, …..because I am a wtier / author and as a writer I make my decisions as I choose. I am able to create ideas and imagination and place this on paper for others to envision my words. That Iisan authors job and capability. This is what writing is all about.

4.       Was the book meant to be an independent reader or a “read-to” book?

From the Reviews all Lower School ages seem to be reading it as well as being read to.

5.Why is there no real conflict in the book? (we are High School and used to looking for conflict)

Smart point. In many books there are conflicts and especially at the middle, turning point. The turning point is the evolving from a shell.

Keep in mind this is a 32 page children picture book so they may look at the halfway point, or there-about.

6.How long did it take you to write the book? above

7. Is there a significance to choosing (the name) Danny the Dragon?  (They know Danny and the Dinosaur) above

8.Was the book written as a stream of consciousness?  No.

I tried not to answer their questions, or guess what your response would be.  They were inspired from your introduction of your own writing at 16 that they could illustrate and/or write their own best-selling children’s books! Good.  Thank you so much for willingness to share.       Thank you, Karon

Additional comments to teacher from me- my views: Hi Karon,  These answers above are short and sweet. With this many question there is usually a live phone interview. I tried to answer quickly as I just eloped a plane after a 18 day tour.   Many of these questions are goood. The spirit of writing, having fun, playing with your reader and in this case young children, is the main purpose. You can break some rules IF your story communicates. Never allow the students to fail in writing by getting so caught up in the “rules’.   The questions as to why does he act so nice, like a dinosaur and am I concerned with him shrinking….well, I can say that the magic did not convey to som fo these kids, maybe due to them be HS students? They are looking at a book trying to dissect it as an educational tool, which is terrific but due to the nature of the questions, they may loose sight of the magic of writing if they need a WHY to all points in a book and on its pages, especially a childrens’ picture book. Writing can be much simpler and fun.Working with my illustrator was a magical experience. I am an Author and love to write, my illustrator is an Award Wining illustrator and this particular book is the opening to Adventures. The rest is sure to come.   Thank you for your questions and time. I wish all the children in your classes with a true goal to be a writer all the best os success in their endeavor. Those with a goal to be a children’s picture book writer will need perseverance and stamina and I feel anyone with enough perseverance can make it.       All the Best, Tina Turbin, Author

When a simple call to a police official can get your pre-school or elementary school child handcuffed and placed in a mental institution, you know something is VERY wrong. What gives them the right to by-pass the parent’s authority of the child and by-pass the parent’s right of guardianship. Not that I agree with my 94 year old grandmother when she commented on this,What happened to the good old days with the simple spanking or slap on the back of the hands with a ruler” -but tell me, what has happened to our society? Can’t we expect and demand simple discipline to  child where we can be confident it is  safely applied? Isn’t this our right? My advice to you is “get involved”.

I deal a lot with teachers, children and moms as a children’s author and I can tell you the number of times I speak about kids and the school system is often. I welcome any radio station to have me on when it comes ot topics like this. I have a lot to share about actions like this. Please read this:

On FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2010 a young girl was sent to an adult mental institution for being unruly. This seems to be the way Port St. Lucie’s ( FL) school system has in dealing with disruptive students. This same school district allowed an autistic boy to be voted out of kindergarten class for unruly behavior.

Also, a Parkway Elementary School( FL) student was cuffed and sent to an adult mental institution earlier this month after she through a temper tantrum in the middle of class, reports TCPalm.com. The police report stated the cuffs were "for her safety and the safety of others”.The handcuffs calmed the little girl down after an hour in the tight silver handcuffs yet little did her and her family know what was ahead.

A few days later, this same girl had another “fit” and the school called the same deputy, who  tossed the little girl in the back of his patrol car and transported her to the local adult mental institution. “The girl’s mother said “These people are going to the extreme”.

5-year-old Alex Barton was voted out of class two years ago for being disruptive in class. Alex Barton had a form of autism and his mother is now suing the school board. The School Board official will most likely be looking into this one!

http://www.momlogic.com/2010/02/6-year-old_student_handcuffed.php#ixzz0fkdVvS0w

As American citizens we can not let things like this happen. I welcome your feedback and any involvement or situations you have witnessed like this. We can find many groups to help violations like this. See My Favorites as  a start. Contact me

Tina Turbin

Lauren is a gluten free teenager living in Canada, with a passion for good food and a care in her heart for those in Haiti! Lauren may be a teen but she is now deemed a humanitarian in my eyes as well as many others. As a children’s author, writer, humanitarian I do know how much time this must have taken to organize and get all this gathered to a completion. A lot!

Here is what Lauren has to share: “After all, that is what this is about: selling ebooks to donate money to Haiti. All proceeds will do to the Red Cross.  The Canadian Red Cross that is.  You see, I am Canadian so it only makes sense to donate to this one.  Also, it has been in Haiti for many years, so they will be able to use the funds to help as in the best areas possible.  And here’s the really important part: the Canadian Government will match all donations received by February 12th, that are marked for Haiti Relief (as I will be doing to these).  They are matching donations made by individuals as well as those made from fundraisers for Haiti (like this ebook) by schools, businesses, social groups (that is what I believe we are, as blogging is a community of people, in this case coming together around food), etc.”

Going back in time, Lauren started this project in January 2010- ”I don’t know how long it will be, or how much work it will take, but it will happen.  Relief is being sent there in bundles now, and in a few weeks, they will still need clean food and water.  Medical support will still be saving lives. Currently, some of the “big” bloggers are getting together to make a cookbook, but I’m sixteen.  With that said, if you’re a blogger, send me your favourite, most loved recipe that makes you feel at home with an email subject line of “Haiti Ebook” to mail at celiacteen. com.  Please also include a picture!  The recipe does not have to be gluten free.  It can be a baked good, a meal, a breakfast, a treat, anything.  Whatever it is though, make sure it makes you think of home.  They lost theirs, so a comforting dish is the best way in my eyes!”

The project is complete- Help support Lauren’s Cause.

http://www.celiacteen.com/2010/02/haiti-ebook.html

Tina Turbin

Again, I wrote this when first purchasing our East Coasthome and was bombarded with questions and calls after my many years in LA with working with the kids in our Burbank Studio and working with one of my sons, Jason in television shows and stage- Les Miserables and music.

You may purchase it on line on Amazon as well as read many reviews.

Thank you, Tina Turbin

Laura contacted me to ask to do a review on me and my site and of course we  got into the conversation of celiac and gluten-free, some of my favorite subjects. I have a new friend who loves food as much as I do and she is a phenomenal reviewer and writer on foods and restaurants. We have so much in common.

She previously reviewed Deerfield Bakery in the Schaumburg, Illinois and it just so happens that I just had a terrific conversation with Tim Schmitt, the owner and will be reviewing his products and his 3 bakeries next month!

Laura wrote and published an article released today about me and my website http://GlutenFreeHelp.info , the article is entitled  Entrepreneur spreads the word about wheat allergies.

You are even treated to my gluten-free flourless chocolate cake recipe!

Thanks you Laura!

Tina

Copper and iron deficiencies can also be the cause of sleepless nights among women. 5-Hydroxy L-tryptophan (5-HTP) and the amino acid tryptophan (the magic ingredient in turkey that puts everyone to sleep after Thanksgiving Dinner) help maintain healthy serotonin levels, resulting in better sleep.

I also recommend taking a regular B-complex, which can help to relax you. B vitamins help to relieve stress, enhance sleep, and increase relaxation. In particular, Vitamin B1 on its own can help decrease poor sleep quality or nightmares, helping you to remain in a deep sleep throughout the night. I recommend taking a B-complex during the day, not close to bedtime, as these vitamins can have an energizing effect at first. Vitamin C is also important in stress-reduction and can be taken with selenium, beta-carotene, vitamin E, and zinc to fight stress-causing free radicals.

Tina Turbin

Hi Tina,

I just thought I would forward to you a letter a wrote
and sent out to any and all CD research centers and organizations I
could! I guess if you read it, it tells it all, but I will briefly
recap for you.

We just got back form a road trip in which eating was
just way TOO hard! Mostly fruit and cheese ad nauseum—with the kids
eating a lot of candy. I guess I should have researched for weeks
before our trip to see what and where we could eat—but give me a
break. It shouldn’t be this hard! And my sister in law shouldn’t be
having SUCH a hard time getting a test for her daughter who is
suffering daily. Sheesh! I dont’ have much mobility in my life
right now—but I want to help. I want to help get the word out to
people, doctors and the nation—even the Govt so food companies start
complying too and there is MORE non-gluten filled food to eat in a
10,000 sq ft grocery store than just fruits and cheese!!! Katie

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing this letter to you to perhaps get some commentary from you as
to the state of CD in the USA. I personally have CD, along with my
husband and 2 children. Conventional testing through the doctor’s
office didn’t tell us much. We started with the Prometheus Labs
complete celiac panel for my husband and daughter, who had the most
obvious symptoms. Our daughter’s blood work suggested Celiac, but
said HLA testing would basically confirm it. My husband’s blood test
was completely negative. Since we have no health insurance coverage
due to the cost as self employed persons, we decided to test further
with Enterolab for the whole family, including HLA testing. Those
results showed 3 of us with DQ8 and our son with DQ1. I know that
apparently this test is not verified among the standard medical
community, but it was the test that showed us clearly what was going on
with our bodies. After those results came back glaringly positive in
2005, our entire family went GF with COMPLETE resolution of ALL
symptoms! Complete resolution of joint aches and pains, bloody noses
in the kids, headaches, bone pain, GERD, gas, stomach pains, eye
problems, psoriasis patches, bloating, brain fog, extreme crankiness in
the kids. But apparently, we don’t actually have ‘verified’ Celiac
Disease because of our testing lab—even though going GF completely
resolved us of our symptoms and now inadvertently eating even minute
amounts of gluten can bring back those symptoms very severely!
Right now, my sister-in-law has a daughter who writhes every day with
stomachaches and constipation, is very cranky, has ‘asthma’ and just
says daily “I don’t feel good. I hurt everywhere.” Because our
daugher, her cousin, HAS CD and had the exact same symptoms that were
misdiagnosed with the same excuses for 13 years, I sent my
sister-in-law to our local clinic with the Prometheus testing
information printed out AND an informational sheet from University of
Chicago Celiac Disease Center about how important it is to get regular
testing in first degree relatives and to do DNA testing. To
date—-this child has had 3 stomach x-rays, has been ordered repeated
enemas but the clinic WILL NOT order the Prometheus testing and
apparently there is a question as to whether insurance will pay for
testing—especially the DNA testing!!! WHY?! Apparently, the
numbers of CD in this country are at about 1/100—–with only 3 of
those 100 diagnosed. WHY?! Why is there STILL so much
misinformation like “CD is extremely rare”, or “She can’t have CD
because it doesn’t show up until. the 40′s”. Why will my
sister-in-laws insurance pay for repeated x-rays, enemas, drugs but NOT
CD testing??? Why will the Doctors test for everything else BUT
CD??? What has to happen in this country to get the word out about CD
and how common it is—especially to doctors??   My family and I
just got back from a driving trip from Idaho to Palm Desert, CA. We
chose to drive because we can bring our food and appliances with us and
use them at our destination because finding hot GF food is VERY
difficult in the USA. In fact, in just about every single town these
days there are all the same strip malls with all the same chain
restaurants that serve pretty much 100% gluten filled foods—-without
any accomodation or understanding or knowledge of not only what GF
is—but how to safely prepare GF foods. It seems ridiculous to me
and my family that as we travel, we can eat only the foods we bring,
and when we run out of those foods the only truly safe foods for us are
cold fruits, veggies and cheese from a grocery store—even though
there may be 10 different restaurants with wonderful smells coming from
them right in front of our faces. Because we know that hurdle we face
trying to educate a manager or food server or cook staff quickly on how
to prepare food safely for us—-especially if they have never heard of
CD. So—on this trip we ate cold food most of the time and finally
took a chance at In N Out Burger, the only place that only has 1 source
of gluten—the buns. I’m pretty sure we all got glutented, but that
was the chance that we had to take to eat a hot meal!! The grocery
stores had NO GF selections and a health food store that we visited
that claimed they could do GF was sadly ignorant that GF isn’t the same
as Vegetarian. So—my question to you is WHAT do we have to do to
raise awareness for those of us dealing with CD?! WHAT is it going to
take to get the word out in this country that gluten in EVERY SINGLE
FOOD ITEM FROM THE FOOD ITSELF TO ALL SEASONINGS AND OTHER
INGREDIENTS is a BAD thing? WHAT is it going to take to get the
Medical Community to understand that gluten is everywhere making most
people sick? WHY is it so hard to get a definitive diagnosis—even
using the “Gold” Standard of biopsy and blood testing due to high false
negative numbers?? Why is there little to no knowledge or
understanding of gluten intolerance—-or even that there could
possibly be Gluten Spectrum Disorders along the lines of Autism
Spectrum Disorders in which doctors understand that before CD actually
occurs—it can start with gluten intolerance that becomes gradually
worse until the damage of CD is visible?? I am a wife and a mother
who is FED UP with ignorance and silence about CD. I want to help get
the word out, I want to advocate loudly and proudly about this
‘disease’ my family suffers from. We suffer because it is SO hard to
eat out and travel in the USA with a food disease—because American
food is all about gluten. I would like to get the opinion of you that
are working in this field as to how to change this and how to advocate
for something that most people still think is a Mental Illness or
Psychosomatic, especially if we are going to have National Health Care!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this long letter. As
you can tell, I am frustrated and am looking for answers.

Katie Berry

Danny The Dragon Meets Jimmy on the shelves of wonderful book store .

Company: Imagination Publishing Group
Category: Children’s picture book – fiction
Offered: Free Promotional Materials

Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy – Nominee for Best Children’s Picture Book of 2009!

The first book in the HIT children’s series Danny the Dragon by multi award-winning author Tina Turbin has become an international sensation!

Filled with vivid illustrations and a captivating storyline, this delightful tale, chronicling the adventures of a traveling dragon named Danny, leaves all readers with a smile, while ever so subtly highlighting manners, positive social interactions and sharing, in a fun, creative, kid-friendly way.

Hailed by the “Midwest Book Review” Children’s Bookwatch as having “…definite attraction and value for children ages 4-8, all of whom will undoubtedly beg for the sequel and more tales of Danny the Dragon; by authors, including such notables as Judy Blume, school principals, teachers, mothers, Celebrities and literature specialists as being “a gentle story” and “such a delight”; “a wonderful book to read to children”; and a book that is “…accompanied by really beautiful drawings which will sparkle the imagination.”

BOOST Holiday Sales AND be prepared for “Dragon Appreciation Day” on Jan 16th

FIRST 100 booksellers to reply will receive:

1. FREE publicity and promotion of your bookstore via the Imagination Publishing Group network of websites, with a targeted audience of more than 100,000. 2. FREE promotional materials to provide to your customers and to decorate your store: Danny the Dragon themed pencils, bookmarks, door hangers and stickers.

Reply to info@DannyTheDragon.com to take advantage of the above LIMITED TIME offer!

Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy

AVAILABLE THROUGH BAKER AND TAYLOR: http://is.gd/4N7ts

Paperback: 978-0-9800-721-0-5 – retail $8.95
Hardcover:  978-0-9800-721-1-2 - retail $18.95

Thank you SIBA for all your help to get danny the Dragon ou there and known! To see full page go to http://www.sibaweb.com/creative.html and scroll down a bit.

Thanks! Tina Turbin

The news is in! MY children’s picture book, Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy took 2nd place in Children’s Literature in the Arizona Authors Association Literary Contest of 2009.

We are absolutely delighted with the results and are looking forward to yet even more awards and accolades for Danny.

I am thrilled to have been in this contest, become a nominee and now a winner. To receive 2nd place in the important category of Children’s Literature is my honor as a children’s author.                               Thank you Everyone!
Tina Turbin