Karen Fine is an avid writer and has written three children's picture books on healthy eating, been published in several trade magazines and newsletters and keeps an active blog.  

She believes that children are never too young to start learning about nutrition and understanding how different foods make them feel inside.  As an advocate for children's health, Ms. Fine visits schools to speak about the importance of doing three things every day: eat fruits and veggies, drink lots of water and exercise.  She emphasizes to the children to learn to make good choices on their own and how eating well can make you feel well.  She says, "If my children can name every Star Wars character at the age of 4, then they can learn about what's healthy for their body and what's not."  

Does that mean "no junk food ever?"  Not quite, Ms. Fine says. "It's about teaching them all about different foods and learning to take responsibility for their choices. The premise is that this will help set up healthy habit patterns for when they are older, while taking ownership for how they take care of their body."

How I Eat Without Wheat was her first children's picture book in 2007, and the first in a series she has created to help children become inspired to live a healthy life.  Her second book, Nature's Candy, was published a year later in 2008. It focuses on eating fruit for snacks and continues to emphasize healthy eating.  Her third picture book that depicts the healthy benefits of vegetables (as told by dinosaurs), Veggiesaurus Lex, was released in October of 2009.

Her oldest son was diagnosed with celiac disease in January of 2004. Inspired by his unwavering positive approach towards his diet, she has conducted extensive research in order to educate those with celiac disease and/or gluten intolerance on how they can live a normal, happy life.  Karen has also been gluten free since June 2008 and has recently penned a book for all ages that provides a unique approach to living gluten free.  She conducts gluten free cooking demonstrations, as well as gluten free speaking engagements, to help increase awareness of the benefits to a gluten free lifestyle. Publishing date on her latest "how to live gluten free" book is forthcoming!

She holds a Master's degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Computer Resource and Information Management, and a Bachelor's degree in Journalism, with an emphasis in Advertising and Commercial Art. She currently works as a Senior Program Manager at Qualcomm, Inc. In between earning her two degrees, she flew search and rescue helicopters as a pilot in the U.S. Navy.

Karen continues to stay involved in her community through focused volunteer/philanthropy efforts.  Additionally, she is currently the Executive Director of the Gluten Free Foundation.  She and her husband co-founded the nonprofit organization in 2006. Gluten Free Foundation exists to facilitate gluten free living by raising public awareness and funding for the purpose of providing resources to enhance the lives of people living a gluten free lifestyle.

Other Karen Fine-related sites:

• Nonprofit - Gluten Free Foundation, http://www.jackshouse.org/
• Blog - Mom Cooks Gluten Free, http://www.momcooksglutenfree.blogspot.com/
• Social Network - Mom Cooks Gluten Free, http://www.momcooksglutenfree.ning.com/
• Twitter: @momcooksgf