Gluten-free products are now found more frequently in stores, especially those with an organic or health foods emphasis, and now restaurants are beginning to follow suit.

In Salem, Garlic Jim's began offering gluten-free pizzas in late July. Marco Polo Global Restaurant also boasts a gluten-free menu, offering approximately 36 items, including vegetarian dishes, chicken, shrimp, and beef with many featuring noodles or rice.

On September 13, National Celiac Awareness Day aims to have "celiacs help celiacs." As such, support groups abound. Two groups exist here in Salem, Gluten Intolerance Group of Salem and the Salem chapter of Raising our Celiac Kids (ROCK) with many others available throughout Oregon.

For sufferers of the disease, favorite carbohydrate-based meals like pasta and pizza are being made with other healthy, albeit more expensive, alternatives. These range from almonds and buckwheat to sorghum and a variety of beans. Local restaurants that offer gluten-free items may charge a few extra dollars for their efforts but they are available.

Lifesource wins award
Vitamin Retailer Magazine, which touts itself as the dietary supplement industry's leading magazine, for the first time went in search of a "retailer of the year."

Out of the thousands of possibilities throughout the country, LifeSource Natural Foods, located on Commercial Street in South Salem, won the honor exceeding expectations according to the publication.

The editorial staff polled prominent industry members, associations, suppliers and distributors to ask who they thought deserved the title of Retailer of the Year. Editors took into consideration sales growth, how the store enhanced their product mix, the knowledge of the staff, store appearance and if the retailer made a difference in its community.

"I think we're proud of what we do. When we get an award then people see the quality of what we're doing. [The staff and I] feel honored," said Alex Beamer, owner of LifeSource.

The magazine cited several reasons why LifeSource was ranked the best, including that since opening in 1994 the retailer has met 100 percent of its electrical load with clean wind power and offers its employees a livable wage, a 40-hour work week, and weekly staff appreciation awards among much more.

A walk for women in need
Salem's local YWCA boasts a women's resource center, which is hosting a walk for local awareness in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month coming up in October.

In its fourth consecutive year, the Discover Pink Walk for Awareness is mainly for the benefit of women under 40 who have little or no insurance. Event organizers, including Women's Health Resource Center Director Karla Iverson, hope to better their turnout of 550 people from last year's event.

On October 4, the race is scheduled for a 9 a.m. start at Willson Park, located at 775 Court St. NE next to the capitol building. Registration can be done online or in person before the race beginning at 8 a.m. Cost for adults is $15, children 12-17 are $10, and those under 11 are free. Participants receive a T-shirt.

Discover Pink Walk for Awareness is two miles over sidewalks and park trails. This design is meant to be conducive to walkers who may be in recovery. Liquid Assets, a classic rock/blues band from Keizer, will provide live music.

The proceeds from this race go toward vouchers from providers for screening and diagnosis. Referrals are also given to women over 40 who are in the same low-income, uninsured state.