Allergies on the Red Carpet! Allergy-safe lunch and travel kits will be shared with Celebrities at the Academy Awards!

Local women heading to the Academy Awards

Local women heading to the Academy Awards. Crystal Paulitzki (right) and Nicole McMullen of NFYC (Nutrition for Your Condition) display a sampling of the lunch bags they will be taking to L.A. in February 2011, to be used as part of the goodie bags for Oscar recipients. Ted Brown

Two local women will be in Los Angeles schmoozing with the Hollywood stars and getting some valuable exposure for their company’s products in February.
Crystal Paulitzki and Nicole McMullen, owners of Nutrition for your Condition, will be taking part in the Secret Room Events Academy Awards Red Carpet Style Lounge Feb. 26 at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
Oscar nominees and other celebrities, musicians, directors etc. will be invited to visit the lounge to get their gowns, jewelry, spa services and drop by an exclusive trade-type show featuring booths from approximately 20 different companies including Paulitzki’s and McMullen’s to check out their products.
The women launched their company in 2009 selling travel kits for families that have children with severe or life threatening allergies. They have expanded their product line, which now also includes their eco-friendly litter-less lunch kits, selling them online at www.nutritionforyourcondition.com, some retailers, school fundraisers and trade shows in the GTA.
Amy Boatwright, an owner of Secret Room Events, said Nutrition for Your Condition, was invited to exhibit at the Red Carpet Style Lounge after she found it on the Internet.
“I was searching Google for new and different products and found that their product line was different,” said Boatwright. “A lot of celebrities have children, so kids’ products are very popular.”
Many of them are also interested in the environment. Boatwright thought the Georgetown women’s products, including their litter-less lunch bag, were different and “liked their idea”.
So she sent the company an e-mail. Paulitzki said she didn’t know what to make of the e-mail and initially ignored it suspecting it might be junk mail, until they researched a little further and discovered the offer was a legitimate opportunity for them.
They’re both excited to be taking part.
“We feel it’s going to be an amazing opportunity to promote our business and showcase a product that’s needed in the marketplace right now.”
And meeting some celebrities is a plus.
“It’s right up our alley,” joked Paulitzki. “We’re very excited about meeting the stars,” she added.
Boatwright said the Georgetown company will be announced in press releases promoting the event, and the women will have the opportunity to show their products to the celebrities and give them to those they want to.
Boatwright said the ideal outcome would be for Paulitzki and McMullen to see their product featured in a publication like OK magazine for example in the hand of the child of a celebrity.
She welcomes inquiries from other Canadian companies interested in having their products included in this Style Lounge or other events. Contact secretroomevents@yahoo.com.

Allergy Moms and Dads! We need your help to IMPROVE CANADA's FOOD LABELING REGULATIONS BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR!

In response to the appeal from Anaphylaxis Canada, I am asking allergy moms, dads and advocates to please contact Minister Aglukkaq immediately regarding the need to pass the proposed food labeling regulations.  I tried to contact his office today by phone but was referred to email by reception.  The email address is: minister-ministre@hc-sc.gc.ca
If this is not done by the end of the month, we will have to start all over again!




This appeal from Anaphylaxis Canada:

Dear Registrant,

As you know Anaphylaxis Canada, together with other members of the allergy community, have been actively lobbying the federal government and the Ministry of Health to act on the proposed food labelling regulations. These regulations were first put forth in July 2008 and have still not been passed.

Thank you to all of you who have written to the Prime Minister's office and the Health Minister as part of our campaign. However, we still need your help. To date, we have not received reassurance from Health Minister Aglukkaq that these regulations will be passed as promised and this is not acceptable.

We encourage you to act today and ask Health Minister Aglukkaq when these regulations will be passed. "As soon as possible" is not an acceptable answer.

Here's what you can do:

· Call the Health Minister's office directly at 1-613-957-0200 AND
· Join the letter writing campaign on the Allergic Living website: http://www.allergicliving.com/petitions/food-labelling/

Accurate and clear food labelling is such a critical part of keeping allergic individuals safe. Help Health Minister Aglukkaq understand she needs to do her part and take action today!

Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,

Anaphylaxis Canada

My letter to MPs to gain support for Motion 546

Today, December 7th, my letter to MPs was shared in the House of Commons by Debbie Bruce to gain support for Motion 546. It was an honour to know that my daughter's story would be shared in hopes of shedding some light on the realities of anaphylaxis for our children.  I thought I would share my letter here:

Dear Mr Szabo,
I am writing to you to bring to your awareness a motion (#546) that will be presented at the House of Commons this Fall.
*Motion 546 reads:

That in the opinion of the House, anaphylaxis is a serious concern for an increasing number of Canadians and the government should take the appropriate measures necessary to ensure these Canadians are able to maintain a high quality of life.

I am requesting your support for this Motion. At 9 months of age, my daughter was diagnosed with anaphylactic allergies to milk (including all dairy products, milk, cheese, etc), eggs, tree nuts and peanuts.  As an infant she was exposed to these allergens through nursing because I was ingesting these foods.  Her skin was raw with eczema and she would break out into hives after nursing.  The doctors did not identify the allergies immediately but after a severe reaction that landed us in the emergency room, she was diagnosed by skin testing. 

Our daughter is now 4 years old and the impact of these allergies on our daily life is immense.  The anxiety that it causes our family and the accommodations that we make on a daily basis are challenging. Our daughter had a near death reaction shortly before her 3rd birthday after ingesting one bite of a food that had tree nuts in it.  I was driving in the car when she began to react with sneezing and then passing out.  I pulled over and called 9-1-1.  She began vomiting.  When the ambulance finally arrived, the attendants were not knowledgeable about food allergies and anaphylaxis.  They advised me to take my daughter home and to give her some benadryl if I was concerned. I questioned them regarding her fainting and if that should be a cause for concern.  They told me that fainting is not a symptom of an anaphylactic reaction.  I mentioned that I had read that a dramatic drop in blood pressure can result from the anaphylactic response and so they agreed to take her into the ambulance for assessment.  Once we were in the back of the truck, she began to pass out again and they decided that in fact, she should be transported to hospital.  They insisted that I drive my own car and would not allow me to travel with her in the back. So I followed behind, and upon arriving at the hospital, the ambulance driver rolled down his window and told me to park the car in the parking garage and meet them inside.  By the time I parked 4 stories up and made my way to the Emergency ward (assuming all must be fine as the Ambulance driver was so calm), my daughter was in acute resuscitation.  I had nurses yelling at me for not administering the epi-pen and I was shocked because the ambulance attendants had told me to take her home.  You would not have believed the sight before you to look at how my daughter had deteriorated over the course of that ambulance ride.  When I saw her in the E.R. she looked like she had been in a boxing ring with Mike Tyson.  Her face was bright red and swollen, with eyes completely swollen shut like she had been beaten.  Her armpits and groin were covered in hives that she had scratched raw while in the ambulance.  Her voice was hoarse and her breathing laboured. It was the most frightening experience to see my child in that state....and all from one bite of a food that she is allergic to. 

I think it is so important to raise awareness to the real medical issue that anaphylaxis represents for Canadians.  We need to teach the public, educators and the medical community how to recognize, diagnose and respond to these reactions. We need to spread awareness that anaphylaxis does not just mean uncomfortable gastrointestinal upset or itchy hives, it can mean a life-threatening drop in blood pressure that can result in heart attack or a swelling of the airway that can cause the child to stop breathing. 

I have had incidents flying with Air Canada, where my daughter reacted to cross-contamination from touching the movie screen and the chair handles. You can imagine how terrifying it is to know that an epi-pen may only work for 5-20 minutes and you are up in the air with your child wondering if the plane would be able to land in time if there was an anaphylactic emergency. 

I recently paid $350 for lab tests that are not covered (RAST blood testing) only to find out that the results are inconclusive and not predictive of future reactions!

I have been amazed at the lack of education that doctors, nurses and ambulance attendees have had.

The facts are clear that allergies and anaphylaxis are increasing at an alarming rate in our country.

I hope that you will share in my passion for raising awareness of Anaphylaxis at the federal level.

Thank you so much for your time.

Sincerely,

Melissa Pearson

What next? I am anxiously awaiting news to see how the motion was supported and will post as soon as I know more.  In the meantime, please see my post on contacting the Canadian Health Minister to help get important food labeling regulations passed before the end of the year.  We need your help to accomplish this!

Allergy Safe Advent Calendar!

I am beyond excited about this one!  For the past few years, we have done the non-chocolate variety ...we have an advent calendar with little decorations which is really quite cute.  Low and behold, EVERY YEAR, without fail, someone would buy our kids the chocolate kind!  How do you tell one child he can't have it because it isn't fair for his sister with food allergies?  We would offer her other treats in lieu of the hidden chocolates behind the doors but who were we kidding?  We all know the excitement and fun of an advent calendar isn't the actual chocolate as much as the thrill of getting to open it every day and then eating the chocolate!  In fact, I've never found the chocolate to be that good in one of those things (not that I wouldn't eat it anyways!).

Blah, blah, blah...(hence the name of my blog!).....the point is...this year my milk, egg, peanut, tree-nut allergic daughter gets to have an advent calendar!!!! yay!!!  Only an allergy mom can relate to this kind of excitement!

The last time I was this excited was when she got that Easter bunny from Blue Bear Aware on Easter morning....that is still a great memory!

I have just ordered 2 calendars from Guardian Angel Foods and I can't wait for them to arrive!  The shipping charges are reasonable (they come from Quebec) and will ship within Canada.  Not sure about the U.S...  Check out their site and see all the great stuff they have cooking there:

GUARDIAN ANGEL FOODS

(Love the slogan: "May Contain Traces of ....happiness").

I bought one for my son as well so that they both have the same (sibling rivalry and all) and for safety reasons so that I don't have to worry about them getting mixed up!

Well that's my first gift of the season!  :)

Melissa
The Allergy Mom

P.S.  Check this out!  Blue Bear Aware has a special promotion on right now:  Buy anything from Blue Bear Aware for $45 or more and you can purchase one of these Allergy Safe Advent Calendars for only $1.99!

Here's a copy of their ad from their blog:

Chocolate Advent Calendars have arrived!

Behind every door on your Advent Calendar is a peanut free, nut free, egg free and dairy free chocolate! A wonderful way to count down the Holiday Season, especially if your son or daughter has never been able to have such a calendar in the past!

When you place an order of $45.00+, purchase an advent calendar for $1.99 at Blue Bear Aware. This offer is valid until November 8th, 2010. Place the code XAC10 in the coupon box at the check-out.

RAST Testing for Allergies....What's the Point?

This is my rant about the RAST test....

What's the Point?!

 When my children were diagnosed with allergies (both environmental and food allergies), these diagnoses were made with the skin test.  I had heard other parents talking about their child's RAST numbers from blood testing and asked my doctor why she was not recommending these tests for my children.  Her explanation was that the skin test in itself was a reliable, accurate test for allergies and the positive skin test was enough of an indication to diagnose the allergy.  She explained that the RAST test would not really provide any more valuable information.  Apparently, the numbers are meaningless in that they cannot predict the severity of future reactions.  

Over the last year, we have been through a lot with my daughter's food allergies.  A life-threatening anaphylactic reaction to almonds really shook us as a family and we were humbled by the threat that these types of allergies pose.  We met with our peadiatric allergist for retesting (apparently the negative skin test to tree nuts was inaccurate)...the retest confirmed her allergy.  We tried several BIE treatments through our naturopath to "clear" her allergies.  I will write another post about that experience soon!....  Even skin contact causes our daughter to react and she has had hives on several occasions from touching something that was contaminated.  So...at our last peadiatric allergist appointment we decided it was time to do the RAST test.  

We were unclear as to the severity of her allergies with the skin tests...the doctor explained that for some children with very sensitive skin and eczema, they can have false positive skin tests because their skin simply over-reacts.  Even the negative control scratch would have some reaction.  Hopeful that perhaps one of her food allergies could be negative after the BIE and another year passing, I said "Let's do it".   My doctor prescribed EMLA cream to numb the area prior to the blood testing.  Unfortunately, the pharmacist convinced me not to use the cream because she said the bandaid type sticker that you put on with the application of the cream is actually more painful when removed than the needle would be itself.  This was bad advice according to my friends who have used the cream for their children and found that they didn't even flinch when given their needle.  My poor daughter found the blood test excruciating.  7 viles of blood were taken, a bill of $315 (can you believe that this is not covered by OHIP for a life-threatening condition?), and a three week wait for the results.....

Finally, the doctor called with the results....and guess what?!  They were USELESS!  The test provided me with a bunch of numbers that basically mean nothing and although some foods that we believed she was allergic to came up negative, new ones that we didn't think were a problem were positive.  How disappointing.  My doctor explained that her numbers were considered moderate and that meant that there is a chance she can outgrow the allergies perhaps in her teens....

Frustrated with the seemingly wasted effort and pain of getting this test performed, I googled for information regarding the results of these tests and their significance.  I found a site called Lab Tests Online: A Public Resource on Clinical Lab testing from the laboratory professionals who do the testing.  Here are some snippets of the article on RAST testing: (for the full article CLICK HERE)

Allergy Blood Testing

---

Also known as: RAST test; Radioallergosorbent test; Allergy screen

Formal name: Allergen-specific IgE antibody test

How is it used?

The allergen-specific IgE antibody test is a blood test used to screen for an allergy to a specific substance or substances if a person presents with acute or chronic allergy-like symptoms. This is especially true if symptoms are recurrent and appear to be tied to triggers, such as exposures to particular foods or environments, and if other family members are known to have allergies. A variety of different types of allergy tests may be performed by exposing a person to different substances under careful medical supervision (see Common Questions). The usefulness of these tests, however, can be affected by skin conditions, such as significant dermatitis or eczema, and by medications, such as histamines and some anti-depressants. With some tests there is also the potential for severe reactions, including a severe reaction that may be life-threatening. In these cases, the allergen-specific IgE antibody test may be ordered as an alternative, as it is performed on a blood sample and does not have an effect on the person being tested.

 A test may also be ordered occasionally to help evaluate the effectiveness of immunotherapy or to determine whether a child has outgrown an allergy.

The allergen-specific IgE antibody test may also be done to monitor immunotherapy (desensitization) or to see if a child has outgrown an allergy. It can only be used in a general way, however, as the level of IgE present does not correlate to the severity of an allergic reaction, and someone who has outgrown an allergy may have a positive IgE for many years afterward.  So what's the point?

What does the test result mean?

Negative results indicate that a person probably does not have a "true allergy," an IgE-mediated response to that specific allergen, but the results of allergen-specific IgE antibody tests must always be interpreted and used with caution and the advice of the doctor. Even if an IgE test is negative, there is still a small chance that a person does have an allergy. Elevated results usually indicate an allergy, but even if the specific IgE test is positive, a person may or may not ever have an actual physical allergic reaction when exposed to that substance. The amount of specific IgE present does not necessarily predict the potential severity of a reaction. A person's clinical history and additional medically supervised allergy tests may be necessary to confirm an allergy diagnosis.

If you can explain to me the point of this testing, please leave a comment to share!  I would love more information! 

Don't be scared of Hallowe'en!

Hallowe'en can be especially scary for parents of children with food allergies.  This year, you need not be afraid...check out these amazing treats for Hallowe'en.  They are DAIRY, EGG, GLUTEN and NUT free!!!!

Now that's not so scary is it?

Click here to find these treats online

The Environment & Our Children

A Focus on the Environment and our Children

We all went the best for our children -the best schools, the best doctors, the best foods...
As our Planet becomes more toxic, we must consider the environment where our children live and the quality of the air they breathe and the water they drink.

All things are interdependent....what we do has consequences.  If we make positive choices, we are able to affect the future.  Also, by teaching our children about caring for the environment...we are influencing their actions as they grow into decision-making, independent adults.

There are more than a billion households on earth.  Homes surpass industry in how they contribute to water pollution.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that the toxic chemicals in household cleaners are 3x more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air.  In the last 50 years, over 80 000 new chemicals have been produced and the majority of them have not been tested for their long-term impact. A consumer product safety commission study in the U.S. found that 150 chemicals found in the average home are linked to allergies, birth defects, cancers, psychological abnormalities, etc.

Toxins that enter our environment are ravaging our lives -and even more so the lives of our children.
Because children are smaller and still developing, they are far more vulnerable to toxic exposure than adults.

Knowing that Norwex offers a healthier alternative for cleaning and knowing that children mimic every action...  has led to the development of the new Norwex kids line!

Kids love to help out and now you can provide them with their own cleaning tools that are safe and non-toxic.  With Norwex, it is actually safe and educational to let your child touch the cleaning supplies!

When you share your passion for chemical-free cleaning with your children, you are teaching them about making educated decisions as a future consumer, how to protect the environment and how to make decisions that affect health and well-being.

Our mission to save the planet can start with children by offering kid-focused products.  This early focus will teach them to grow up cleaning without chemicals.  Cleaning with microfiber and water is how you clean.

Happy Cleaning!

The Allergy Mom

Is My Apple Washed?

Fruits and vegetables are sprayed with toxic chemicals to protect them from pests and fungal attacks.  They are coated with a wax/oil to prevent the produce from decaying and to preserve the quality and appearance of the produce during transportation.  This waxy layer is also a host for microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Also of note for persons with food allergies...the wax that is used on fruit may contain SOY or MILK ingredients.  

The Norwex Veggie cloth is back!  It has a rough side for scrubbing and smooth side for polishing.  It cleans the dirt off potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, and debris from fruits and vegetables.  This cloth has been scientifically proven to remove the coating and nasties from  your fruit and veggies!

Norwex also offers a Fruit and Veggie Wash called Fresh Wash.  This specifically formulated fruit and veggie wash is a safe, effective alternative for cleaning fruit and vegetables.  This product will also protect fruit from damage during storage or transport and extends produce shelf life by 2 to 3 times. To use: Mix one capful in 500 ml of water, soak your fruits or veggies for 5-10 minutes, rinse well and enjoy!

Want these products?  Check out my Norwex website:  http://melissascheichl.norwex.biz

Check out the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's information on their

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Chemical Residue Sampling Program.

 

Now go and enjoy the wonderful Fall season and pick some apples!

Sincerely,

The Allergy Mom

Fall Cleaning

Did you know there is such a thing as 
"Fall Cleaning?"   

....  it seems that with the change of seasons we are inspired to refresh our spaces and clean house!   I personally am feeling the itch to get out my Autumn decorations and put away the Summer clothes, shoes and toys.



Have you ever heard of Norwex?   I am a huge fan of their chemical-free, non-toxic, natural cleaning products.  If you are a fan or have been wanting to try Green cleaning without chemicals, this is  a great time to try it out!  Check out my norwex website at:  http://melissascheichl.norwex.biz

Traditional chemical cleaning products are expensive, TOXIC and less effective than Norwex

I was very excited and proud to see the interest in Norwex at my friend Carrie's "Women's Expo" that she hosted last week.  As always, Carrie threw a great event with fun, prizes and of course yummy nibblies and bevies!   Thanks Carrie!   Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not a salesperson and my approach as a Norwex consultant has always been as a teacher to share my love and passion for chemical-free and allergy-free living.   Carrie's event was great because the guests were so interested in Norwex and had heard of it before.

The word is out....Norwex rocks!!!  

The hot items were the mop (if you have hardwood floors you will LOVE the mop!), the Fall Dishpack (which I am recommending as a teacher gift for Christmas this year because it is such a great deal! and great bang for the buck), and the Fall Cleaning Pack (my favourite!).

Interested in FREE NORWEX? 

Host a party!  A Norwex party is simple to organize and it is a lot of fun!  My friend Carrie earned all of these items FREE for having me at her Women's Expo:

• 1 Makeup Removal Package
  
• 1 Car Wash Mitt
•  1 Spirisponge
• 1 Washing Net
•  1 Grey Kitchen Scrub Cloth
•  1 Superior Cloth (Green/Blue) 40cm x 40cm
• 1 Travel Pack, antibac  enviro cloths(set of 4)
  
• 1 Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent

She also earned a credit of over $50 to buy anything she wants from Norwex! Don't have time to host a party?  Have a Virtual Party!   You can bring a catalogue and order forms to work, when you visit family or friends, or advertise on your Facebook page and email, etc., and any orders you receive will allow you to earn FREE NORWEX products and Norwex credit!

Please contact me if you are interested in finding out how you can host a real or virtual party!

Road Trip with a Food Allergic Child ~Part 4: What did your dog have for dinner?

The final leg of our trip:  Bar Harbor, Maine.   Fortunately we had a microwave at this hotel so we didn't have to worry about setting off any more fire alarms!   At this point in the trip I had become frustrated with cooking out of hotel rooms and trying to create appealing dishes while balancing my tools and ingredients on the limited counter space beside the hotel bathroom sink!  The rest of us were feeling very tired of restaurant food which once again sealed the deal that next time we travel, we will get accommodations with a kitchen.

On our way to Bar Harbor we stopped for lunch and my son had a bowl of clam chowder which came with a package of oyster crackers.   My daughter loves crackers and remembered having them in Florida so she immediately reequested her own pack.  She was very excited as she waited for the waitress to bring her crackers and we were happy that she was able to share in something from a restaurant.   When the crackers came, they were in fact the same ones that she has had before and the ingredients were fine but then I noticed that little U (Kosher Symbol that I often cross-reference with the ingredients for confirmation that something is dairy-free) and it had a D beside it.   I had recently written a blog post about the kosher symbols and now knew that this meant the presence of Dairy.   Even though we knew she had eaten the crackers before without incident and the ingredients read safe, I did not feel comfortable giving them to her with the little D there.  You can imagine that she was very upset and she started bawling in the restaurant.  Other people were looking over wondering what was causing our daughter to throw a fit and they heard us trying to appease her by promising to get her different crackers from the store later etc.   It was a big scene and ruined lunch for everyone.  To make things worse, my husband and I got into an argument afterwards because of this issue because he feels that I am too paranoid at times and that the crackers would have been fine.  I argued that I could not give her something that I felt could be risky and especially when we were in a different country, unsure of where the closest hospital is.  I was very upset...it really is exhausting having to scrutinize over every thing she might eat and ingredient labels and then it was causing us to fight which was more upsetting.  We were both tired and frustrated and sad to see her so upset.  It really isn't fair that her brother gets to have the crackers and she doesn't.   We explain to her that fair doesn't mean the same for everybody, and that different people have different needs and circumstances.   Sometimes these explanations just don't help when you are 4 years old.

We had a great time in Bar Harbor despite the food allergy issues and I would highly recommend going there if you ever get the chance.  It is just beautiful and there is lots for a family to do.  On our last day we went for lunch and then took a boat trip to see lobster fishing in action, harbor seals and a lighthouse.   Bar Harbor is a great place to travel to if you have a dog as well.   There are many shops in town that cater to dogs and their owners and they are welcomed in many businesses and hotels.   They are also welcome at the Acadia National Park. 

Kate just loves dogs and on our last evening as we walked to dinner she was happy to see so many dogs out walking and made sure to say hello to all of them.   She was wearing her brown and white polka dot dress that I love and we came across a dog with a coat that matched her dress!  The dog, named Bella, was very friendly and Kate was more than happy to befriend Bella.   Unfortunately, the dog kept licking Kate's face and I had just learned in my allergy safety training course that this can be dangerous for children with food allergies if the dog has eaten something that is not safe for the child.  We went off to dinner and sure enough within a few minutes, Kate had a huge hive on her face.   I am pretty confident that this came from Bella but do not know whether it is because the dog had in fact eaten something with milk, egg or nuts in it or perhaps Kate is allergic to dogs like her brother?   We will find out soon as she is getting her annual allergy testing this week (skin tests) and for the first time ever we are going to do the RAST (blood) testing as well.  I will keep you updated on how that goes!






We are back home now and happy to be eating home-cooked meals!  We have great memories of our trip overall and brought back an adorable little jingle bell lobster ornament that will remind us every year at Christmas of our wonderful trip to Maine.  Nothing beats time together as a family and I am truly grateful that we had such a happy, safe, vacation experience.


Thanks for following me on my journey as we did our Road Trip with a Food Allergic Child!

Road Trip with a Food Allergic Child ~ Part 3: Did someone call the Fire Department?

How embarassing but bound to happen....I set off the fire alarm in our hotel room in Ogunquit Maine by using the hot plate in the room!   I was soooo careful to make sure that I didn't let anything get too smoky while cooking and I was diligent about confirming everything was shut off and unplugged after use but one little slip and I was busted!  

Cooking in a hotel room is not the ideal situation but as an allergy mom to a child with life-threatening food allergies, I was not taking any chances with restaurant food for my daughter.    Breakfasts were easy as our daughter LOVES cereal but lunch and dinner warranted a hot meal and since the rest of the family was able to order off the  menu and have their pick of anything they wanted, I had to make sure that the food I was whipping up on my hot plate was yummy.

Over the 4 days we spent in Ogunquit, on our dreamy beach location, I was cooking spaghetti with caramelized onions and pepper and organic chicken sausage, brown rice with chicken breasts and peas, and of course K's favourite....hot dogs.   I was worried that passerby's would smell the aroma of cooking wafting out of my room and that I would be caught doing the unthinkable....cooking in my room! 

Long story short (to save time and further embarassment to me)....I left the pan on the burner and it may or may not have been entirely turned off and next thing I knew, my sunbathing on the lounge outside our room was interrupted by my daughter informing me that some strange man was in our hotel room!   I turned around to see that the fire chief was in there investigating a very burnt pan!   Mortification!!!!

I apologized profusely and was relieved to find that the fire chief, fire fighter and hotel manager were all more than understanding of my need to cook for my allergic daughter and they told me not to apologize.  I was asked if I carry an epi-pen for her allergies (to which I responded, yes -6 of them!) and they were more than sympathetic to her needs.   It was surprising and helped to soothe some of my embarassment.

A few of the neighbours questioned me later (Are you the lady trying to burn this place down?)....

So far the trip has been good ...beautiful beach, great weather and the best part -time together as a family.   I am not going to lie though- eating out every day is taking a toll on all of us....I never fully relax in a restaurant with my daughter and worrying about her touching the tables and chairs and getting hives from skin contact which she does from time to time.   I feel guilty that she has to eat from her lunch box rather than getting to order off the menu like the rest of us and it breaks my heart even as I am telling her to stop complaining and to be happy that she is healthy otherwise and able to run and play and have a wonderful vacation with her family.   My husband and I both agree that next time we travel, we will rent a cottage or somewhere with a kitchen so that we can cook for ourselves rather than having to eat out all the time.   We are making it work but it is exhausting and takes some of the fun out of the trip.

Next stop:  Bar Harbor (at least we will have a microwave in that hotel to use so I don't have to risk any more visits from the fire department!!!)

Road Trip with a Food Allergic Child ~ Part 2: Preparing Food in a hotel room

Day 1:  Our first full day on vacation!  We spent the day in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  Had a lovely day but we could not have spent a week at this spot -not a lot to do with the kids.   Fortunately we are off to the beach at Ogunquit tomorrow! 

Our son was excited to eat the free continental breakfast downstairs while my daughter stayed up in the room with me (much to her disappointment).   She was not happy to be stuck with me while her brother and dad got to explore the hotel.   She was hungry however and ate her breakfast in the room.   This room is the DREAM set-up for us but unfortunately, our other rooms will not be this well-equipped.   We are in a suite with a full kitchen and table.  

I am mentally preparing myself for the reality that our next hotel will not have the space we have here and am just hoping for a dresser or desk to set up my portable kitchen! 

Here's what K ate today (not my proudest parenting accomplishment that she ate nitrites all day :( but at least she was happy and we all don't eat quite as healthy on vacation!)....


Breakfast:

• P.C. Organics Apple Cinnamon Muffin (I usually make my own muffins but these are great when you need some in a rush and I was able to make them quickly while packing for our trip).
• Bowl of Vector Cereal with rice milk (I like that it has protein in it which is hard to find for breakfast when you are allergic to milk, eggs and nuts!)
• Orange Juice
 

**Kate was delighted when her brother returned from breakfast with 2 boxes of cereal for her (the mini fun kind that I never buy!   He brought her Raisin Bran and Frosted Flakes -she ate both!)

Lunch: 
We were out in Portsmouth exploring the town for lunch so Kate ate her packed lunch that we brought along.

• Hot dog and bun
• Cucumbers with poppy seed dressing
• Lemonade (Nantucket Lemonade)
• Cape Cod Potato Chips

Snack:

• Chocolate Soy Pudding

Dinner:

• Ham Sandwich with Whole Wheat Bread
• Organic Cream of Tomato Soup (dairy-free)
• Crackers
• Juice

Day 2:   We are leaving our wonderful suite today (I am going to miss the kitchen!!!)

Kate had her usual breakfast of Vector and Rice Milk along with some extra cereal from the breakfast downstairs -today they had Fruit loops and Rice Krispies so K was in heaven

I am packing her lunch for on the road:

She will have a Sunflower Seed butter and honey sandwich and apple sauce for lunch. 

We plan to get some groceries once we arrive at Ogunquit so that she can have a hot meal for dinner tonight.

Off we go to Ogunquit....yay!

The Allergy Mom
Kate was happy with her food and we had a great day and that's really all I can ask for!

Road Trip with a Food Allergic Child ~ Part 1: Packing

We are leaving today for our family vacation to Maine. Any parent knows there is a lot to pack when traveling with young children but when you add a food allergic child to the mix the packing can be stressful. As I mentally prepared for the trip (I often lay in bed thinking about these things), I decided to share the process on my blog. I plan to write throughout my trip to document our travel with a child who is anaphylactic to milk, eggs and nuts.


What I packed:

• medic alert bracelet (she never takes it off)
• epi-pens (talk to your physician about how many epi-pens you should carry and what dosage is safe for your child)
• benadryl (for skin contact)
• insulated travel case for epi-pens and benadryl (I use the drawstring insulated drink/bottle bag that came with my diaper bag -it works perfectly)
• Norwex travel enviro cloth for wiping down surfaces to avoid risk of cross-contamination
• Norwex dish detergent (I also use this for laundry if I need to wash something by hand)
• pillow with 2 cases (I remove one if it gets dirty and then have another)
• sleeping bag
• hot plate with double burner
• pot with lid (for cooking rice, soup, etc.) - I prepare all of her meals myself as I prefer her not to eat at restaurants
• frying pan
• sharp knife
• her own cutlery
• her own plate, bowl and cup
• napkins and papertowels
• her own placemat to put down when eating her packed food at restaurants (to prevent cross-contamination from the restaurant tables)
• Pyrex dishes for transporting food to restaurants and out and about
• lunch box with Mabel's label indicating her allergies
• cartons of rice milk
• cereal
• rice
• crackers and other safe snack foods
• canned beans, chick peas
• Bragg's soy seasoning (some soy sauces have caramel colour and we prefer the bragg's as it is healthier than reg. Soy sauce so I bring it along)
• Imagine brand Organic cream of tomato soup carton (dairy free)
• safe hot dog buns
• Shopsy's all beef weiner (sometimes it is hard to find dairy free weiners and buns and these ate a good treat for lunch when we are eating out so that she is happy to have a treat for lunch too)
• apple sauce (the only fruit k eats - I suspect she is allergic to fruits as well)
• Sunbutter (Organic Sunflower Seed butter that does not contain traces of nuts)

We leave this afternoon and will drive ten hours straight so that we are traveling when the children are sleeping rather than during the day when they are less likely to want to sit for that long! I will have snacks for the car and our stainless steel water bottles. We will be stopping for dinner so I am packing one of K's favourite dinners - chicken legs, peas and noodles with olive oil. She is such a trouper and never complains about not being able to eat off the menu like the rest of us. She is amazing and I am so proud if her and how responsible
she is at the young age of four.

Epi-pens and passports ready...as my husband keeps reminding me, if I have those than anything else can be purchased en route if needed... I still can't help asking myself, am I forgetting anything?!

The Allergy Mom

Airline Travel and Food Allergies

As I plan our family vacation to Maine this summer, I am thinking a lot about travel and food allergies.  Our upcoming trip is a road-trip but last January, I traveled with the kids to Florida by airplane.  I was surprised that nut products are still served on-board and that there are no restrictions on passengers with regards to the snacks they carry-on.  Sure enough, my daughter (who was 3 at the time and couldn't keep her hands off everything!) broke out into hives on her hands and face.  When my mother met us at the airport after the flight she could not believe the reaction my girl had just from coming into skin contact with allergens.

I have just written the following email to a representative at Air Canada (I will keep you posted on the response):

Dear Sir,

My name is Melissa Scheichl (f.Pearson) and I run a website called http://www.theallergymom.com where I offer advice for parents of children with severe allergies and/or anaphylaxis.  

I am currently writing an article for the site on Food Allergies and Travel and am hoping to get the most current information from you regarding how Air Canada plans to accommodate and ensure the safety of travellers with these types of allergies. 

On a recent flight to Florida, my daughter broke out in hives all over her face and hands after boarding the plane. She is allergic to milk, egg and nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios and peanuts to name a few)...   Her allergies are so severe that even skin contact is dangerous for her.   Ingestion could be fatal.  After eating one bite of a product that contained almond, my daughter was rushed to emergency with life-threatening anaphylaxis.  

Epi-pens last for approximately 10 minutes, so when I travel I pack 4 or 5 to bring on the plane along with Benadryl.  It is terrifying as a parent to imagine what could happen if my daughter suffered a reaction while we were in the air that required medical attention.   I would like to know what the protocol would be in that case and what plans are being made to reduce the risk of cross-contamination on the plane from other passengers who may have eaten  foods that are unsafe to others.

I believe my daughter reacted after touching the television screen and hand-rests on the plane.  For future travel I plan to bring lanolin wipes that destroy protein to wipe down her seat and surfaces that she will be in contact with.   As  mentioned on the Air Canada website, there still lies the risk of the fabric and foods falling in the cracks of the seat and on the carpeting.   It would be beneficial if the planes had wipeable seating and flooring so that this was an easier issue to deal with.

I have heard rumours of Nut-free sections and would like confirmation about this.  Unfortunately, inhaled allergens can be a problem and even 1/70 000th of a peanut can illicit a reaction in a food allergic person.   It is my personal opinion that peanuts and tree nuts should be banned completely from the planes and passengers' snacks could be checked as they board just as containers with liquids are).  This is what schools are now doing all across the country and it would not be a surprising policy to most travellers.

The prevalence of allergies is rising at a dramatic pace and it would be horrible to wait for a tragedy before dealing with the reality of the need to accommodate Food Allergic passengers.

Thank you,

Melissa Scheichl

Here is what Air Canada currently has on their website regarding travel with Food Allergies on their planes: http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/onboard/dining/nutritional.html

Please write to your MP to enable Motion 546 to be passed at the House of Commons this Fall.  Awareness of the severity of Anaphylaxis and Food Allergies is an important first step towards future legislation to protect our allergic children. 

Kosher Labeling Demystified

Kosher Labels and their Significance for Food Allergies

Is it meat, dairy or pareve?

Source: 

Kosher Food

Often there are letters or words printed next to the kosher certification symbol on food packages. These are added to inform the consumer of the product's kosher category.

Kosher categories are Meat (Fleishig in Yiddish, Basari in Hebrew), Dairy (Milchig in Yiddish, Chalavi in Hebrew) or neither meat or dairy (Pareve in Yiddish, Parve in Hebrew). According to Jewish Dietary Laws, meat and dairy food must be prepared and consumed separately, and pareve food can be eaten with either meat or dairy dishes.

Meat:

"Meat", "M" or "Glatt" printed near the kosher symbol on the food package indicates the product is kosher and contains some meat or meat derivative.

Dairy:

"Dairy" or "D" printed near the kosher symbol on the food package indicates the product is kosher and contains some milk or milk derivative.

Fish:

"F" printed near the kosher symbol on the food package indicates the product is kosher and contains fish ingredients.

Pareve:

"Pareve", "Parev", or "Parve" printed near the kosher symbol on the food package indicates the item is neither meat or dairy.

Passover:

"P" printed near the kosher symbol on the food package does not stand for pareve, but instead it means the product is kosher for Passover and all year round.

Furthermore, D-P means dairy and kosher for Passover and all year round. M-P or Glatt-P means meat and kosher for Passover and all year round. F-P means fish and kosher for Passover and all year round.

**Be very careful not to confuse "P" with Pareve....."P" means that the product is kosher  not that it is Pareve.

In today's world of prepared foods, ingredients and processing methods are often unclear. For those interested in buying kosher products, it is helpful to have a rabbi who is knowledgeable about Jewish Dietary Laws examine the food to make sure it is kosher. The process of kosher certification assists kosher consumers by differentiating between kosher and non-kosher items.

Kosher certification agencies examine the ingredients used to make the food, supervise the process by which the food is prepared, and periodically inspect the processing facilities to make sure that kosher standards are maintained. Different kosher certifying agencies tend to follow different kosher certification standards, some more strict and others more lenient.

Products that have been certified as kosher are labeled with kosher symbols. The symbols are printed on the food's package. Kosher symbols are registered trademarks of kosher certification organizations, and cannot be placed on a food label without the organization's permission.

Kosher symbols not only ensure that the food is kosher, they also identify the kosher certifying organization that issued the certification. This guide identifies the kosher certifying agencies behind the most commonly used kosher symbols in the United States. More information about each agency, and the kosher standards it maintains, can be found on the agency's site.

What does this mean for children with Food Allergies?

Kosher labeling and milk or dairy allergy

Source: http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/resourcespre.php?id=100

"Kosher" foods are foods which meet Jewish dietary laws. These dietary laws prohibit the consumption of certain foods, require that foods be processed in certain ways, and, most importantly for the food allergic, prohibit the mixing of dairy products and meat products. Although many parents of dairy-allergic children find it convenient to check for the Kosher labeling of a product to see if the product contains dairy ingredients, Kosher labeling is not an accurate way to determine if a product is safe from a food allergy standpoint. A basic explanation of Kosher labeling from the standpoint of the food allergic is as follows:

• In the Kosher system, foods are classified as being either "dairy," "meat" or "neutral" (neither dairy nor meat).
• Foods that meet the Kosher dietary laws are labeled with one of the Kosher symbols, including: K, , and . You can usually find these symbols in small type on the bottom front of the package.
• Kosher foods that contain dairy products usually contain a "D" or the word "Dairy" after the Kosher symbol.
• Kosher foods that are processed on "dairy equipment" (i.e., equipment that is also currently used to process items which contain dairy, or that has been used in the past to process dairy products and has not undergone a ritualized cleaning process since then) may have a "D" or "DE" after the Kosher symbol. From the food allergy perspective, these foods may be cross-contaminated with dairy ingredients.
• Kosher foods that are considered neutral (i.e. not "dairy" or "meat") have the word "Pareve" or "Parve" after the Kosher symbol. Note: under Kosher laws, fish is considered to be "neutral".
• The letter "P" in Kosher labeling never denotes "Pareve".  "P" designates "Kosher for Passover" (a Jewish holiday which has its own dietary laws).  Note: for a discussion of "Kosher for Passover" foods and how this affects the food allergy community, see our FAQ on What does "Kosher for Passover" mean? which includes a helpful listing of “What foods should I stock up on before Passover?” as recommended by KFA members.
• Not all foods are Kosher, and therefore not all foods contain a Kosher label.

Some Take Away Points:

• Kosher labeling in general cannot be used as a guide to determining whether a product does or does not contain milk.¹ However, many parents find they can save time in the supermarket by simply assuming that foods marked as "Kosher dairy" are not safe for a dairy-allergic child.
• A dairy-allergic person cannot rely on the Kosher Pareve designation or the lack of a Kosher Dairy designation in determining the safety of a particular food. This is because it is possible for a food to contain a trace level of dairy contamination (something which might be a problem for a dairy-allergic child) and still be considered "dairy-free" from the standpoint of the Jewish dietary laws.
• Kosher labeling does not address cross-contamination issues.  Therefore it is possible that traces of allergens may be in Kosher foods, just like any other manufactured foods. As always, be sure to read the ingredient statement on every item purchased and contact the manufacturers to determine its safety just like any other food you would buy.

¹ Hahn, M and McKnight, M.  Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About FALCPA. Retrieved on December 30, 2007 from http://www.foodallergy.org/advocacy/FALCPA_FAQ.pdf

Approved by KFA Medical Advisory Team, February 2008.

Hail to the Kale -Yummy Summer Salad Recipe

Looking for a yummy new salad to try this summer?   This is sure to be one of your new faves!  It is absolutely delicious and not as much work as it sounds like!   Definitely worth it!

Loblaws sells Bragg's Soy Sauce....look for it in the natural foods section.  It is a delicious, healthy alternative to regular soy sauce.   No wheat (great for gluten sensitivities or wheat allergies), no alcohol and tastes just like any other soy sauce. 

Enjoy!

Hail-to-the-Kale Salad

This salad is loaded with crunch. The combination of kale, carrots, cabbage and seeds makes a salad that is audibly delicious. Kale is extremely good for you, but make sure you chop it finely.

 

Allergy Warning:  It is often hard to find seeds that do not say "May contain traces of nuts" on the package.  Be very careful when including seeds. Omit seeds altogether if you have a seed allergy or are in doubt about traces of nuts.

Ingredients:

1 bunch	Kale, chopped	1 bunch
3 cups	Carrots, grated	750 ml
1/2 head	Red cabbage, thinly sliced	1/2 head
1/2 cup	Tamari pumpkin seeds (see method below)	125 ml
1/2 cup	Tamari sunflower seeds (see method below)	125 ml
1/2 cup	Flax or hemp oil	125 ml
1/3 cup	Bragg Liquid Aminos	80 ml
5 tbsp	Balsamic vinegar	75 ml
1 tsp	Oregano, dried	5 ml

Method

Wash kale and chop. Be careful to rinse the leaves to remove dirt and grit.

In a cast iron skillet over medium to high heat, stir sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Remove from heat when they’re toasted golden brown. While the skillet is hot, add in a few drops of tamari, which will sear onto the seeds. Remove and let cool.

In a large bowl combine chopped kale, carrots, cabbage and seeds. Set aside.

In a small bowl whisk together oil, Bragg Liquid Aminos, vinegar and oregano and pour over kale mixture. Toss until evenly coated and chill 2 hours before serving. This salad keeps well refrigerated 2-3 days.

Yields 8 - 10 servings.

Ingredient Labelling

What's in my food?!!  Food Labeling Laws that are not protecting us....

Annex 2-3 Ingredients Exempt from Component Declaration
[B.01.009(1)]

The following table lists foods which, when used as ingredients in other foods, are exempt from a declaration of their components (ingredients of ingredients).

However, a pre-packaged food product labelled with a list of ingredients is unsafe for people with food allergies if some of those ingredients or components are priority allergens and are not declared on the label. Failure to declare allergenic components may be contrary to Subsection 5(1) of the Food and Drugs Act and Subsection 7(1) of the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act. These products may therefore be subject to regulatory measures taken by the CFIA, including a product recall.

(Not sure what this means??)

Item	Ingredient
1.	butter
2.	margarine
3.	shortening
4.	lard
5.	leaf lard
6.	monoglycerides
7.	diglycerides
8.	rice
9.	starches or modified starches
10.	breads subject to compositional standards in Sections B.13.021 to B.13.029
11.	flour
12.	soy flour
13.	graham flour
14.	whole wheat flour
15.	baking powder
16.	milks subject to compositional standards in Sections B.08.003 to B.08.027
17.	chewing gum base
18.	sweetening agents subject to compositional standards in Sections B.18.001 to B.18.018
19.	cocoa, low-fat cocoa
20.	salt
21.	vinegars subject to compositional standards in Sections B.19.003 to B.19.007
22.	alcoholic beverages subject to compositional standards in Sections B.02.001 to B.02.134
23.	cheese for which a standard is prescribed in Division 8, if the total amount of cheese in a prepackaged product is less 10 percent of that packaged product
24.	jams, marmalades and jellies subject to compositional standards in Sections B.11.201 to B.11.241 when the total amount of those ingredients is less than 5 percent of a prepackaged product
25.	olives, pickles, relish and horseradish when the total amount of those ingredients is less than 10 percent of a prepackaged product
26.	one or more vegetable or animal fats or oils for which a standard is prescribed in Division 9, and hydrogenated, modified or interesterified vegetable or animal fats or oils, if the total of those fats and oils contained in a prepackaged product is less than 15 percent of that prepackaged product
27.	prepared or preserved meat, fish, poultry meat, meat by-product or poultry by-product when the total amount of those ingredients is less than 10 percent of a prepackaged product that consists of an unstandardized food
28.	alimentary paste that does not contain egg in any form or any flour other than wheat flour
29.	bacterial culture
30.	hydrolysed plant protein
31.	carbonated water
32.	whey, whey powder, concentrated whey, whey butter and whey butter oil
33.	mould culture
34.	chlorinated water and fluorinated water
35.	gelatin
36.	toasted wheat crumbs used in or as a binder, filler or breading in or on a food product

Chocolate Monkey Fudgesicles

These are absolutely delicious and fun to make with the kids!   So creamy and yummy, you'd never know they were dairy-free!
Ingredients:

• banana
• chocolate rice milk

Directions:

Blend banana and chocolate rice milk with a hand blender.
Pour into popsicle molds and freeze.

Let your little monkeys enjoy!!

It's the little things in life....

After 3 weeks of having the children home (March Break, then croup and last week Chicken pox!)....I am happy to say that I am still standing!   I was thankful for the lovely weather so that the children could get some fresh air and play outside!   We had a lovely Easter weekend and I thought I would share this little story which only a parent of an allergy kid could really understand how special it was...

Last Tuesday we had a family party to celebrate Easter with my side of the family and my "cousin" who was in town from Vancouver.  On the way to the party the kids were chatting in the backseat about the upcoming visit of the Easter Bunny.  My 3 year old daughter commented that the Easter Bunny brings everyone chocolate bunnies and that wasn't fair because she couldn't have one.  My sweet 5 year old son responded that she would get something else yummy instead "like Starburst or something" and I confirmed this as well.     In my heart I was so excited because I had purchased 2 chocolate easter bunnies from Blue Bear Aware that are egg, nut and dairy free and I knew that my daughter would be soo happy to find her bunny on Easter morning.
When you have a child with allergies, it's the little things in life that you realize are often taken for granted.   Like getting a chocolate bunny on Easter Morning....

Wondermoms.ca

The Allergy Mom is proud to have been included in the Wonder Moms' blog section!   Wondermoms.ca is a fabulous site for parents ...a resource for families in Oakville, Mississauga, Milton, Burlington and the surrounding area.   http://www.wondermoms.ca

Reading labels -The Allergy Mom's Cross to Bear

Maybe it's just me, but after having a child with food allergies I READ EVERY LABEL on EVERYTHING!   Not just food labels, but hand soaps, lotions, dishwashing liquid, silly putty....literally everything that has ingredients!    I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing but it has made me VERY AWARE of what is in the products we use on a daily basis.   Some of it is disgusting!    I have ranted in the past about the warning labels on household cleaners....super toxic!!   (that's why I love Norwex....check it out: http://melissascheichl.norwex.biz).     (Have to plug by beloved Norwex!).....   

Last night my hubby came home with some dishwasher detergent powder (upon my request) and once again, I felt the need to read the label.   I have been experimenting with different green dishwashing powders but haven't been happy with the results....but when I read what is in the regular stuff...I can't do it!   I'm taking it back to the store today.   The warnings on the package are insane.   Why would I want to wash my dishes in a product that should not be touched, inhaled, allowed to come in contact with skin or clothing, and can create harmful fumes if mixed with dishwashing liquid!!   There is a good chance that could happen since I AM WASHING DISHES for goodness sakes!!!!     Craziness!!! 

My mom told me a little tip yesterday that I plan to try this afternoon with my green dishwashing detergent that I will buy today.....add vinegar to the rinse agent receptacle (I do not use rinse agents anymore b/c they are super toxic).....   she said this should help improve the performance of the natural dishwashing products.   

At the end of the day, I would rather my forks looked spotty then sparkling with chemical soup all over them.   YUCK.   It's enough to make you sick.   Really.

Dairy Free Ingredient Listings

http://www.godairyfree.org/Food-to-Eat/Food-Label-Info/Dairy-Ingredient-List.html

My belated Rant on the Chatelaine Magazine Article

I consider myself to be laid back when it comes to others' opinions, in fact I rather love a good debate.  I am not easily offended either and see differing opinions as a way to learn from others and potentially gain an alternative perspective (for example the H1N1 vaccination debate).   This being said, I was ABSOLUTELY APPALLED by a recent article in Chatelaine Magazine.   I can't remember the last time I had such a strong reaction to something in print.   I can't locate the article as it has been taken off their website but check out some of the reactions at the links below.    I have heard time and time again, parents complaining about what their kids can't bring for lunch and I understand that it is hard to realize how life threatening allergies can be if you have not experienced it.  I myself did not realize the full extent of the risks until my daughter had her anaphylactic reaction in June.   Media like this that dismisses the severity of food allergies is not ok.   People need to be informed that even minimal contact with an offensive food is like poison to that child.   My daughter ate ONE SMALL BITE of a food containing almonds and it nearly killed her.   I am happy to see that there has been a strong reaction to this article and I hope that Chatelaine has taken appropriate steps to inform their readers of the TRUE DANGERS and realities for children with food allergies!!




http://thepeanutpatrol.blogspot.com/2009/10/lame-ass-article-in-chatelaine.html

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=8416897875&topic=13620

Allergy safe Chocolate Easter Bunnies

I just bought 2 bunnies for my kids for Easter...this way my allergy kid gets the same as her big bro and I don't have to worry about cross-contamination.
Can't wait to see their chocolatey faces at Easter!

How I became the Allergy Mom

My long-winded story of how I became the Allergy Mom....
http://www.theallergymom.com/one-moms-story