If You Have Food Allergies Say This!

Be BOLD like a cicada-pipe the heck up!  ~Maureen Connolly

I love this quote about speaking up- and when you have food allergies you have to learn to speak up.  Speaking up is one of the best tools you have to keep yourself or your kiddo safe.  I learned very early in our food allergy journey that advocating for yourself is so important. Even when it might seem scary or even intimidating, speaking up will help to keep you safe and thrive on with food allergies!

If you have food allergies here are four things you should be saying:

"I have food allergies"
If people don't know that you are managing food allergies they may inadvertently put you at risk.  I have found that most people are willing to help or make accommodations if you let them know, but people sometimes just don't know what they don't know.  Sharing your food allergies and stay safe strategies with an attitude of cooperation and collaboration will keep people aware and ultimately keep you safe. 

"Can I read the label?"
Label reading is critical- if you have food allergies you need to be reading labels.  ALL.THE.TIME.  Don't be afraid to ask to see a package or label so you can verify if it is safe.  If there is no label or you are unable to verify ingredients or processing (if you manage for that too) skip it!  When in doubt go without!  And, check out one of my #thriveonthursday posts about label reading here.  

"Do I/we have my epis?"
Wherever you go, whatever you do, you should have your epis with you!  How many?  Two, yes two.  They send them as a 2-pack for a reason because you should always have two with you at all times.  Develop a strategy for you or your family to always remember your medicine.  We have opted to hang a hook by our door.  My daughter's epis hang there all of the time.  As soon as we enter the house they go on the hook, and when we leave we have to walk by them so is a reminder to grab them as we head out of the house.  And, we always know where they are when we are in the house because they are always on the hook. 

"I can!"
When you have food allergies it can be easy to focus on the things that you can't have or can't do.  But, the reality is you can eat and do so much!  Even if your list of allergens exceeds 15 there are still hundreds of other foods you CAN have.  Make an "I can eat" list and refer to it often, especially when you feel like you are getting in a rut and eating the same things over and over.  Apply "I can" to activities too.  Yes parties, social activities like dining out, and travel can present some challenges but it is possible with a little advanced planning, prep and creativity to do all of those things.  Check out my blog post about dining out for one strategy to turn eating out into an "I Can" activity. 

So, friends, speak up and Thrive On!

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Need help living your best life with food allergies?  I can help you Thrive On! 
Learn more about me and my company, Thrive On Consulting, which provides food allergy coaching and training.  You can also follow me on Facebook for tips to Thrive On with food allergies.


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Check out #thriveonthursday - Every Thursday check out my Facebook page where I share a tip for thriving on with food allergies!

3 Things You Can Do Now to Keep Easter with Food Allergies Safe!

Every week my husband and I sit down at some point for what we call out calendar synch up- between work, kids activities, sports and family events we are forever updating and adjusting our calendars.  This weekend as we rolled through upcoming events and activities, it hit me- Easter is less than a month away!! As with most things with food allergies, getting ahead of the ball is always a good strategy...so here are a few things you can do now to keep Easter safe!

1.  Party Prep
Start the conversation now with party hosts, classroom moms, and egg hunt hosts.  Get an understanding of menus, planned activities, and food based treats that will be a part of these events.  Having these conversations now will allow possible adjustments to keep it safe - waiting until the week, or just days, before an event to reach out leaves hosts in a jam to make adjustments to menu or plans.  Starting the conversation now may give you the opportunity to make safe suggestions or offer to bring safe options.  And, call don't text or email - a conversation goes a long way to show the host you are concerned and willing to partner with them to keep it safe.

2. Show Me the Bunny! 
Finding my Easter basket with the chocolate bunny centerpiece is one of my favorite Easter memories.  But, when you have food allergies sometimes that bunny is not as easy to get as running down to the local grocery store.  You can order safe bunnies from a number of companies...but you have to factor in the delivery time.  Order now so that you have your bunny ready for the big day.  Our go-to safe bunny company is Vermont Nut Free Chocolate- they have nut free bunnies and lots of other really fun Easter treats.  And, if you are dealing with more than just nut allergies check out the Easter treats by Amanda's Own Confections.  Her treats are free of the top 14 allergens!!!

3. Egg Dying Dilemma 
If you manage an egg allergy dying eggs, one of the more common Easter activities, may not be an option in the traditional sense.  But, there are a number of "fake" eggs out there that you can use to still enjoy this colorful tradition.  eggnots are a great option!! You can check out my previous review of these great egg alternatives when we dyed them.  Another fun allergy friendly option, get wooden eggs to paint.  Amazon offers a number of great wooden egg options like these.

So don't wait...getting hopping to keep this Easter safe!  Thrive On!!

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Need help living your best life with food allergies?  I can help you Thrive On! 
Learn more about me and my company, Thrive On Consulting, which provides food allergy coaching and training.  You can also follow me on Facebook for tips to Thrive On with food allergies.

Product Disclaimer:
Thrive On Consulting was not paid to promote these products.  Products mentioned here are provided as ideas and suggestions to help you Thrive On with food allergies.

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Check out #thriveonthursday - Every Thursday check out my Facebook page where I share a tip for thriving on with food allergies!

What Every Food Allergy Kiddo Needs to Know

What is your food allergy parenting style?  Some of us are pretty intense (myself included!!) taking a very watchful and hands-on approach to managing life with food allergies, while others are a little more laid-back.  From the clients I work with, to the Facebook groups I participate in as a food allergy mom,  I have seen it all from super conservative to extremely hands-off.  There is no right answer, and while it may be hard to grasp the "other way" the reality is we all need to find an approach to safely manage food allergies that works for us, and for our families.  And, this approach may ebb and flow depending on the season of food allergies you are in.  For me, I will always be Type A, about everything, but as we have grown into our food allergies over the last decade I have adjusted my intensity (although some would laugh at that statement!).

Your approach has to work for you, and others may not understand the how or the why behind your actions, but as long as you are working to keep your child safe and help them move closer to being able to manage their own allergies you are on the right track!

How you do it may differ from how I do it, but here is my list of the key things we need to be teaching our food allergy kiddos so one day they will be able to successfully self-manage their food allergies.  After you read my list, comment below if you have others you would add.

Epi Etiquette
Simply stated- take it everywhere you go, keep it on you, and keep it temperature controlled.  So many tragic food allergy stories start with the fact the the person did not have their epinephrine with them.

Label Reading 
Make sure they know how to read a label, how their allergens may appear on the label- which may be different if you are managing a non-top 8 allergen, and any other names their allergen may appear as on labels, for example botanical names.

It's Not Just the Food
Highlight non-food risks and places where their allergens could be found, for example in personal care products or pet foods.

Be Your Own Advocate
Help them develop the skills they need to be able to advocate for themselves.  Food allergy parents do a lot of the behind scenes work, but as they get older involve them in the meetings and conversations that you have so they can see how to structure a conversation about keeping it safe.

Cooking School
If you have food allergies there is some level of cooking you will need to do to keep it safe, so be sure your kiddo has some basic cooking skills in their back pocket.  We don't need to raise gourmet cooks, but a few basic skills will go along way to boosting their confidence and making sure they can cook for themselves when you are no longer there to prepare all those safe meals.  Check out my previous blog post with advice from Chef Laura Holland about getting your kids in the kitchen for some great ideas on inspiring your little chef.

Attitude is Everything
It has been proven time and time again that your attitude will shape your experience. While food allergies can be scary and limiting, help your kiddo find the joy in their situation and model positive behaviors while managing their food allergies.  For example, approach conversations about keeping it safe with a collaborative mindset and make the best of situations even if it is not exactly how you would want it.  If you missed my blog post a few weeks ago about food allergy silver linings give it a read and see if you can relate or get some additional perspective to shape your attitude about food allergies.

What else would you add to the list?

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Need help living your best life with food allergies?  I can help you Thrive On! 
Learn more about me and my company, Thrive On Consulting, which provides food allergy coaching and training.  You can also follow me on Facebook for tips to Thrive On with food allergies.

Check out #thriveonthursday - Every Thursday check out my Facebook page -I share a tip for thriving on with food allergies!

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Should I Stay or Should I Go?? A famous line from a song by The Clash (cue the fun music) and the question I found myself asking over and over again as my daughter with food allergies got older.  Parties, when she was little, were hard for all the normal reasons when you have food allergies (cakes full of allergens, hosts who may not be familiar with food allergy management, party favor bags full of unsafe candy…the list goes on), but there was one component that was easier when she was little…the moms stayed.  I was there to monitor what was going on, to help her navigate the food table, and get her that safe cupcake at just the right moment.  I blended right in with the gaggle of moms who were there happily chatting and eating delicious looking bakery cake.  

But, as she got older, fewer and fewer moms hung around for the parties until one day I realized I was the only crazy food allergy mom left hanging out at parties.  I wasn’t ready to turn her loose in food filled parties, but at some point we talked and she told me that she wanted me to go.  She wanted to be there with her friends- without her mom, like her other friends.

It has been one of the many transitions we have made on this food allergy journey.  But, one that we needed to make because, after all, my job is to equip her to manage her own allergies some day and attending parties on her own is a part of that process.  That said, it took a lot for me to drop her off at that first party.  And truth be told, the first few parties I “dropped” her off at I just sat outside in my car counting the minutes until I had her back in the car.

I still take steps to keep her safe including talking with the party host in advance about the menu and what foods she will be able to eat or not eat, and then talking with my daughter about them.  We also always make sure that the host is trained on how to administer her Auvi-q. I still walk her into parties and together we look at the food and talk specifically about what she can and cannot have…and of course her individual cupcake carrier is still getting some miles on it as we transport her safe cupcake to parties.  Unfortunately, there have been a few times that we made the difficult decision to not go to a party because it was just not going to be a safe situation, but these days I generally join the moms who run to Target and the grocery store during the party. 

This was before she flew solo at parties, but we are always prepared for parties with a safe cupcake and snacks! 

One of the most important conversations I have had with her about parties, besides what to do if she is not feeling well at a party, has been about how we think about parties. Our mantra has always been “At parties we focus on family, fun and friends, not food”. We talk about how we can enjoy the party even if we can’t enjoy all of the food.  I don’t know for certain, but I think this has helped her to think about parties in the context of people and activities rather than the food that often takes center stage at parties.

Parties can be stressful, but they are a huge part of being a kid.  Finding the right approach for your family will be important….should you stay or should you go?  That is up to you and each party will be different- sometimes you will stay, sometime you will go…but at the end of the day hopefully you will find a way to focus on family, friends and fun, not the food and Thrive On! 

For more tips on managing parties with food allergies check out the blog post I wrote for FAACT, Celebrating Safely.

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Need help living your best life with food allergies?  I can help you Thrive On! 
Learn more about me and my company, Thrive On Consulting, which provides food allergy coaching and training.  You can also follow me on Facebook for tips to Thrive On with food allergies.

First Communion with Food Allergies: How to Keep it Safe

We are gearing up for First Communion again at our house.  This year our youngest will be celebrating the sacrament, and two years ago our food allergic daughter made her First Communion.  It is an exciting time, but food allergies add another layer of planning and preparation to ensure one of the holiest days for your child is also a safe one.

If your little one will be making First Communion this year, now is the time to start planning to make the day about the sacrament and not a reaction.

I have said it before, and I will say it again, but most things work out just fine with advanced planning and prep.  Waiting until the last minute to raise concerns or make special requests can add to the stress of managing a food allergy- First Communion is no different.  Here are the things we did- hopefully with advance conversions and thoughtful requests your First Communion will go as smoothly as possible.

Start the Conversation With Your Church Now
Most churches have someone assigned to manage all the arrangements for First Communion for the parish.  If you do not know that person, reach out now and introduce yourself.  Explain your child’s food allergies and express the desire to partner with them to make the day safe.  Reaching out now, a few months before the event, will give everyone a chance to prepare accordingly and not lead to the stress of last minute requests that fly in the face of all of the planning that has already been done by the church.

Develop a Plan
Work with your church to develop your stay safe plan.  First, determine if they have had to manage food allergies in the past for the sacrament, and if so, how has it been handled.  There may be lessons learned from those who have gone before you or practices that are already in place.

As we developed the stay safe plan for my daughter, it included calling the providers of the Host and the Wine to check ingredients and processing.  The church provided me with the contact information and I made the calls and did the research.  Once I had the information, I met with our church and we mapped out a plan- well in advance of the First Communion mass.

Day of Logistics
Often, there are special seating assignments for the First Communion mass.  We worked with our church to ensure that my daughter was the first to receive communion.  While we had determined through our earlier research that the Host was safe for her, I had major concerns about her drinking from the Chalice after others....what if someone had had peanut butter for breakfast- would that be enough to trigger a reaction?

By talking about our concerns early it was easy to arrange the seating chart so that my daughter would be the first to drink from the Chalice in her aisle.

We also made sure that the Eucharistic minister in her aisle was aware of her allergens and was sure to wash hands before the mass.

Pre-Events
Many churches have special retreats or events leading up to the big day.  Be sure to also talk through these events with your First Communion coordinator to understand what, if any food, will be at these events and how to keep it safe.

This is one where I dropped the ball.  The invitation we got for our retreat indicated there would be no food served so I assumed we were in the clear.  However, when we showed up for the retreat our Priest informed the kids that he was going to make bread during the retreat and when it was ready each child would get to practice taking communion by eating the bread.  One of the ingredients he used to make the bread contained one of her allergens.  I had to find a time to pull him aside during the retreat and explain that she could not eat the bread.  He understood, but I feel things would have been better for everyone if I had been able to have the conversation ahead of time.

After Party
Some people choose to celebrate this special day with a party afterwards.  Be sure to think though your menu and prep any special foods ahead of time.  I opted to make a simple and safe chocolate chip cookie cake.  There are some allergy-friendly bakeries that can prepare special cookies or cakes, but remember to order ahead and factor in shipping time to get it there for your child’s special day.  One of my favorite allergy-friendly bakeries is Annie May’s Sweet Cafe.

To everyone out there preparing for First Communion, I hope these tips are helpful in planning a joyful and safe celebration!  Thrive On!

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Need help living your best life with food allergies?  I can help you Thrive On! 
Learn more about me and my company, Thrive On Consulting, which provides food allergy coaching and training.  You can also follow me on Facebook for tips to Thrive On with food allergies.


Product Disclaimer:
Thrive On Consulting was not paid to promote these products.  Products mentioned here are provided as ideas and suggestions to help you Thrive On with food allergies.

Food Allergy Fun on Chinese New Year

Before kids and before food allergies, celebrating holidays like the Chinese New Year were an excuse to head out to a fun restaurant for the night- yummy food and drinks, yes please!  Once kids entered the scene, it seemed these holidays also presented an opportunity for my kids to learn about different cultures and foods.  But with food allergies, heading out the local Chinese restaurant on the New Year just wasn't an option.

So, what is a food allergy mom to do?  Get creative and bring the celebration to life at home!  I want my kids to know that even with food restrictions we can still celebrate and learn about other cultures even if we aren't able to go out to eat or make all of the traditional dishes.  I have said it before, and I will say it again, I am not a Pinterest mom....but with a few quick internet searches and some basic decorating you can have a fun Chinese New Year celebration at home!

Decorate your table to spark interest and up the fun factor:  
For our Chinese New Year meals, I use red placemats (I bought a pack of paper placemats at Walmart about 4 years ago and am still using them each year).  I also set our our chopsticks.  When my kids were really little we let them use forks (back then even eating properly with a fork was a challenge!) but as they have gotten older it so fun to see everyone try to eat their meal with chopsticks.

I also find out what animal is representing the New Year and incorporate that into our table decorations- silly things like finding stickers of the animal to put on the corner of the placemats or digging through our toy bin and find small plastic animals to place on the table.  This coming year is the Year of the Pig...what do you have in your house that can be used to decorate your table?

A few of our tables from past Chinese New Year celebrations!

Some other fun non-food ideas:
Print out a translation of everyone's name in Chinese to use as place cards for the table.  There are a ton of translation websites that allow you to type in your name and it will give your name in Chinese.

For older kids, read through your predictions for the new year. Click here for a link to a page with this coming year's predictions.

For younger kids, print out coloring sheets or do simple crafts (that may be to be used as table decorations).  Click here for a link to some awesome and simple ideas.  One year, I printed a coloring sheet and we let the kids decorate the table- so fun to see their "design".

Food is there, but not the focus:
For our celebration, I focus more on the non-food aspects, although I do try to make foods that are tied to the Asian culture.  One of my favorite go-to resources for nut-free Asian fare is Nut Free Wok- she has so many great recipe options.  Check her out to get inspiration for your Chinese New Year meal.

So get ready, Chinese New Year is February 5th.  Our mantra to celebrate safely is that we focus on family, friends and fun, not food.  This Chinese New Year will be no exception...I have already dug out my trusty red placemats and chopsticks.  What will you do to show your kids that celebrating can be about so much more than the food?


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Need help living your best life with food allergies?
I can help you Thrive On!

Learn more about me and my company, Thrive On Consulting, which provides food allergy coaching and training.  You can also follow me on Facebook for tips to Thrive On with food allergies.

Dining Out With Food Allergies- The One Thing You Need

Going out to eat and food allergies can be tricky combination.  For us, the decision to trust others with our food prep has been one we take very seriously.  There are so many questions that arise when we relinquish control of our food prep….

• Will the restaurant take our food allergies seriously?

• Will our allergies be communicated clearly to the kitchen staff? (think the game of telephone...we all know how that ends!!)

• Will the kitchen staff take the proper steps to ensure there is no cross-contact? (do they even understand the concept of cross-contact?!)

The key to all of these is clear communication with the restaurant.  We take lots of steps to ensure safety and communicate our allergens to a restaurant, but my number one tip for dining safely with food allergies is to have a chef card to communicate your allergies.

What is a Chef Card? Chef cards are small business card sized documents that list your allergens. You should present these to servers, managers or chefs.  This ensures that the entire restaurant team is on the same page (literally!) about your allergens.  

When we do dine out, restaurant staff are always so appreciative of the fact that we provide the card- and it gives us some piece of mind knowing there will be no question about the foods we need to avoid.  

Thrive On! And.....always be sure to take your epi with you....so technically you need 2 things :)

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If you want to get a custom designed chef cards reach out!  I design custom cards with allergens, contact information and stay safe directives for kitchen staff.  

Heading out now to a restaurant and need a card ASAP? You can use the generic template below.

No matter if you work with me to design your cards, or download the version below, be sure you never dine out without a chef card! 

Generic Chef Card Template from FARE

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Need help living your best life with food allergies?  
I can help you Thrive On! 

Learn more about me and my company, Thrive On Consulting, which provides food allergy coaching and training.  You can also follow me on Facebook for tips to Thrive On with food allergies.

Tips and Gift Ideas for a Safe and Fun Valentine's Day with Food Allergies

I feel like I am just catching my breath from the holidays….but it’s time to start thinking about Valentine’s Day!  One of the many things I have learned in my years as a food allergy coach and mom, planning ahead is key.  So, stuff those last holiday decorations away and join me as we prepare to Thrive On this Valentine’s Day! 

Party Prep

Most schools and day cares plan a Valentines party so get ahead of the curve and start conversations now about how to keep it safe.

• Discuss food allergies with teachers and room parents so everyone is aware.
• Offer to help in any way that you can- I always offered to bring snacks for parties when my girls were in preschool so that I could control the food.
• Make a list of safe candies for parents- or highlight those that should not be brought into the classroom- check out snacksafely.com for their annual list of allergy friendly treats!
• Offer fun non-food alternatives for the party and valentines – I love this bog post from My Gluten Free Kitchen with lots of fun and creative ideas.

Gifts that Cause the Right Kind of Reaction- Joy!

Often times allergy friendly treats require some time because they are being shipped from all over the country.  Here are few of my absolute favorite gifts to order now so they are here in time for your Valentine (plus some great deals!!):

• Chocolate? Did someone say nut-free chocolate? If you are looking for nut-free chocolates Vermont Nut Free is the best! They have great Valentine’s Day themed gifts…and their chocolate tastes amazing!  Our fave: Skippers!!  And, here is a cool deal.  Vermont Nut Free has partnered with FAACT.  If you place your order by 2/27 and enter the code FAACT at checkout you will receive 10% off your order and a part of the proceeds from the sale will go to support FAACT!  
• Kiss Freely has the cutest heart shaped lip glosses perfect for your Valentine.  We got these for my daughter a few years ago and she loves them!  
• If sweet treats are your thing check out Annie Mays Sweet Café for a full array of baked goods- including their box of 12 rose cupcakes….how romantic….and safe as they are free of the top 8 allergens!  They have a full Valentine's Day Menu and if you order before February 1st you will get 10% off your order! 

Share your other stay-safe tips and great gift ideas in the comments below so we can call Thrive On this Valentine's Day! ❤



Need help living your best life with food allergies?  I can help you Thrive On! 
Learn more about me and my company, Thrive On Consulting, which provides food allergy coaching and training.  You can also follow me on Facebook for tips to Thrive On with food allergies.


Product Disclaimer:
Thrive On Consulting was not paid to promote these products.  Products mentioned here are provided as ideas and suggestions to help you Thrive On with food allergies.

Feeling Stressed about Back to School and Food Allergies? Try This!

My kids are staying up too late, sun kissed and loving life as our summer days roll on.  But, I know it’s coming, soon it will be back to school.  Part of me craves the routine and structure our school days bring, but part of me is already feeling very anxious about the new year because, well, food allergies add an insane wrinkle to the start of a school year- new teachers, new classrooms, new friends…will they get it?  I can easily start to spiral into a swirl of negative thoughts about the upcoming year which can lead to me being all stressed out and not able to focus on what is front of me- the fun of summer.  But, I have found a simple solution for managing this stress!

I have recently started listening to a number of wellness focused podcasts, part of an effort to help with my own stress management, about food allergies and life in general.  I had to share a strategy I recently picked up that is intended for mindfulness and to help refocus your attention so negative thoughts don’t take over.  I was at the gym as I listened to the podcast so I didn’t have a pen to write down the author of the blog that was being narrated (more on this great podcast soon) but the idea is so simple and genius and I think can help us all out as we navigate the stressful waters of back to school with food allergies. 

The concept is this- get a bracelet, any bracelet.  It could even be a hair tie or rubber band if that is all you can grab.  Put it in your wrist.  When you feel yourself starting to stress out about back to school, you know the worry, the what ifs- mindfully take the bracelet and switch it to your other wrist.  As you switch the bracelet, think of the things you are doing to keep your child safe- the meetings you will have with staff, the gear you will send to school, the confidence you are building in your child that will allow him to advocate for himself.  As you switch your bracelet and your thoughts, you regain control and start to think about the positive steps you are taking to keep your child safe rather than letting the what ifs get you down. 

There may be days you switch that bracelet multiple times, especially on days when bad food allergy news fills your Facebook feed or a back to school night looms, but you can control your thoughts and the simple mindful act of switching your bracelet can help put you in a better place to not only manage some of the inevitable food allergy stress that comes with a new school year, but allowing you to stay focused on the summer fun at hand and not the what ifs of the Fall. 

I am wearing my bracelet now – it felt strange at first, but I am finding it really does help me re-center and stop thoughts that would otherwise spiral out of control.  Some days I switch it a lot, others the bracelet just fades into my look and no one really knows the purpose it serves.  But, it is a constant reminder to me that we can thrive on with food allergies!

I encourage you to try it out too and share your experience!  Does it work for you?  We would love to hear! 

And, let me tell you about this awesome podcast.  I posted yesterday on my Facebook page about it- Optimal Daily Living. Each and every day, Justin, the host of the podcast, reads from the best blogs and books all focused on mindfulness, minimalism and living your most optimal life.  I have found so many amazing strategies for managing stress, focusing on what is important and reframing my view of life and managing food allergies.  I encourage everyone to check it out! 

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Learn more about Tami and her company, Thrive On Consulting, which provides food allergy coaching and training.  You can also follow her on Facebook for tips to Thrive On with food allergies.