Food Allergies and Luck

It is March- shamrocks, leprechauns and wishes for good luck are everywhere.  But what does this have to do with food allergies?  I think it is a lesson in luck.  Luck is defined as, “success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions”.  One thing is certain, when it comes to food allergies you cannot leave your safety to luck.  Being thoughtful, prepared and taking intentional action will help you Thrive On.  This week my Thrive On 3 is all about steps you need to take to stay safe- don’t leave it to luck!

Carry 2 EpiPens® at All Times
No matter where you are going or what you are doing, if you have a food allergy you have to have your EpiPen® with you.  Severe reactions can escalate in minutes and being without your epinephrine could have dire consequences.  Don’t risk it- keep your emergency medications with you.

Last year, there were multiple times that I was scrolling through my Facebook feed and learned of yet another food allergy related death. As I read these stories with tears streaming down my face from sorrow for the families to fear about my own daughter’s safety, one thing frequently struck me in these stories- often the person did not have their epinephrine with them.

Yes, there are challenges to carrying around medicines, but at the end of the day I would rather have an inconvenience than an irreversible outcome.  There are a number of great carriers out there.  We use the AllerMates Allergy Medicine Case.  It fits two EpiPens®, our antihistamine and includes an ID card with contact information.  We have had the case for two years and it is still in great condition despite the fact that it is transported everywhere and passed off multiple times throughout the day at school to teachers, cafeteria staff, and car pool monitors.  Frio offers a great insulated bag for summer time heat when it is essential to keep your epinephrine temperature controlled.  Some other great carrier options are offered by Allergy Apparel and Epi Essentials (check these out for older girls- so stylish and functional!).  Also, if you register for the My EpiPen® Program through Mylan they will send you a free carrying case.

These are just a few of the many options available.  No matter how you choose to carry your emergency medications, a fancy carrier or a simple bag or pocket, the important thing is that you carry two EpiPens® – everywhere, all of the time.

Be Your Own Advocate
One of my favorite songs is Brave by Sarah Bereilles.  In it she sings, “Say what you wanna say, And let the words fall out, Honestly I wanna see you be brave.”  I love these lines and think this is so true when you have food allergies.  Sometimes you have to be brave to speak up and make a situation safe.  It can be uncomfortable, but you have to advocate for yourself or your child.  No one else will do it, or do it in the way that you can armed with information about your allergens, medicines and strategies for keeping you safe.

Don’t apologize for your allergies, speak the truth and inform people about what needs to happen, or not happen, to keep you safe.  Do it in a way that promotes collaboration and partnership.  Going in defensive, which admittedly is extremely difficult not to do sometimes, will ultimately work against you.  Yes, you may be frustrated, scared, and sometimes even mad that things are the way they are, but take the time to advocate in a positive and productive way.

Come prepared to discuss facts, offer alternative solutions and go in with the attitude that a positive outcome is possible.  Most importantly, do it- advocate for yourself or your child.  Say what you need to say- I want to see you be brave!

Educate and Build Your Village
We have all heard the African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child”.  I have found this to be true time and time again, and especially since our food allergy diagnosis.  As much as I like to think of myself as a “superwoman”, I have learned you cannot manage your food allergies in isolation.  You need support from your village!

I have also learned that people just don’t know what they don’t know.  I think back to before our diagnosis- I am sure I took unsafe foods to the park and didn’t wash my daughter’s hands after eating all of the time.  All things that are unthinkable to me now.  I do the right thing now because I am aware, because I am educated.  Part of building your village is making sure that people know what they need to know- about your allergies and how to keep you safe.

It has often been my experience that when I take the time to educate on food allergies people are more than willing to help make accommodations or be thoughtful about what foods they serve.  It can be as simple as a call to someone before an event to training your caregivers on how to keep your child safe while you are away (Need help with that? Check out my blog post for FAACT on Food Allergies and Caregivers).

Brainstorm who is in your village- family, friends, school personnel, babysitters, neighbors, restaurant staff, camp counselors….develop your list.  Once this list is defined make sure your village is aware and prepared to help you and your child Thrive On!

Luck is great, but your safety is not a game of chance.  To Thrive On with food allergies, you need to be prepared and have people around you who are also educated and ready to assist in managing your food allergies.  If you need help educating your village or developing ways to advocate for yourself let me know- I am here to help you Thrive On!

Product Disclaimer:
Thrive On Consulting does not sponsor or endorse the products listed.  Nor has Thrive On Consulting been paid to include these products.  Products mentioned here are provided as ideas and suggestions to help you Thrive On with food allergies.

If you find this post helpful learn more about Tami and her company, Thrive On Consulting, which helps families and individuals dealing with food allergies, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter

I Just Don’t Want to Cook

I love to cook, I really do.  Which is a good thing since as a food allergy mom I do it ALL. OF. THE. TIME.  But, this past week was a rough one.  I got sick.   When mama goes down it is never good, but when a food allergy mama goes down there is a lot left to be done in the kitchen. 

There were two days in particular that I laid on the couch cuddled up with my girls while they basked in the never ending glow of the TV.  I think they were quite pleased.  I was in and out of sleep all afternoon but when the clock hit 5:00 I knew I had to start thinking about dinner. 

I shop every week with a meal plan in mind so I had a fridge full of the ingredients to make things like pork chops with loaded baked potatoes and chicken rice bowls with homemade salsa, but just the thought of standing up and cooking was overwhelmingly exhausting.  I just couldn’t pull it together.  Instead of hearty home cooked meals, I surveyed my pantry for safe, quick, and somewhat nourishing foods I could feed my kids so I could get back to my happy place on the couch under the blanket.

Coming up with quick convenience meals can be challenging when you have food allergies, as many processed foods contain allergens.  But, I was able to pair together some of my pantry staples and keep my family eating even though I couldn’t pull off my nightly display of food-allergy-mom-cooking-awesomeness.

As the week rolled on and I cuddled under my covers, willing my health to return, I got to thinking about easy convenience meals and the foods to have on hand for quick meals.  Because let’s face it, whether you are sick, or not, there are just some nights you don’t have it in you to pull off amazing culinary feats.  And so, this edition of Thrive On 3: Three easy meals for nights when you just don’t want to cook.

Meal One: Soup, Salad or Fruit and Bread

One pantry staple we always have is soup.  This may not be the healthiest option, but you can heat up a bowl of soup in minutes.  Add some bagged salad or fruit and you aren’t doing too badly.  Depending on your allergens, you may not be able to eat canned soup.  So, make up batches of homemade soup and freeze them in individual serving sizes. You can defrost as needed for a safe and healthy bowl of soup.  Amy’s brand soups are also a good and healthy choice for some.  For example, Amy’s Chunky Tomato Bisque is gluten, dairy, corn and soy free.

We pair our soup with what my girls have coined in our house as “cheesy bread”.  It is essentially any form of bread that I can find in my pantry with any kind of cheese I can find in my fridge toasted under the broiler for a few minutes.  We don’t have a dairy allergy so cheese is a staple in our house, but if you do have a dairy allergy you could make garlic toasts.  Toast slices of bread, pita, etc. sprinkled with a little olive oil, salt and garlic powder.  Or, sprinkle bread with olive oil and a splash of balsamic vinegar for a savory toast bite.

Meal Two: Breakfast-for-Dinner

This is another go-to quick meal for me, and one that I made this week.  I was able to drag myself off the couch long enough to scramble some eggs, toast some bread and cut up some fruit.  My girls love breakfast for dinner and so it was a win all around.  If you can eat eggs, this is a great quick meal and you can throw veggies into your scramble to up the health factor. 

If you can’t eat eggs, another great breakfast-for-dinner option is frozen waffles and fruit.  Van’s offers a variety of tasty waffles that are gluten free and Ian’s Natural Foods has a number of frozen breakfast items including French Toast Sticks that are free of egg, milk, nuts, soy and gluten.

If you aren’t comfortable eating pre-packaged waffles be sure to make a double batch of your safe recipe the next time you make them for breakfast and freeze some for a breakfast-for-dinner night.

Meal Three: Chicken Patties, Frozen Veggies and Fruit

If I cooked this meal every night my girls would probably call me the best cook, and mom, in America.  I don’t do it often, but on nights when I need a quick meal it is a good option.  We use Applegate chicken patties.  Another good allergy friendly option is Ian’s.  They have chicken patties, nuggets and other frozen entrées free of many of the major allergens.

I keep lots of frozen veggie options in my freezer and while those chicken patties are baking away I make a helping of frozen veggies and cut up some fruit (if not open a can of fruit) and in less than 20 minutes dinner is ready and I am done.

 Here are some other tips for nights when you just don’t want to cook:

•    Buy safe pantry staples in multiples so that you always have extras on hand.

•    If you are not comfortable, or able, to buy a lot of pre-packaged goods make bulk batches of things like soup, waffles and homemade chicken strips and freeze in individual portions for easy meals.

•    Freeze a loaf of your safe bread so that you always have some on hand.

•    Let yourself have a night or two off and use easy meals when you need them.  I often feel guilty if I am not cooking a hearty and well-balanced meal, but some nights you just need a break!

I am feeling better now and have already started thinking about my meal plan for next week.  The girls might actually be more disappointed when I am back to my normal love-to-cook self and don’t put chicken patties on the menu.  But, I will be restocking those, as I know there will be another night, in the not too distant future, when I just don’t want to cook.

Thrive On and stay healthy!

Product Disclaimer:
Thrive On Consulting does not sponsor or endorse the products listed.  Nor has Thrive On Consulting been paid to include these products.  Products mentioned here are provided as ideas and suggestions to help you Thrive On with food allergies.

If you find this post helpful learn more about Tami and her company, Thrive On Consulting, which helps families and individuals dealing with food allergies, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter

Tips for a Safe and Reaction-Free Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is just around the corner- are you prepared to celebrate safely?  I am excited this week to have a blog post in partnership with my fellow AllerCoaches on staying safe this Valentine's Day.  I completed the AllerCoach certification course in 2015 and now work with a wonderful group of smart, talented and food allergy savvy coaches. Our joint post shares great ways to stay safe and have fun on Valentine's Day.

I love the helpful tips provided to make your Valentine's Day a safe and sweet one.  Be sure to share this post with others who have food allergies, or those who need ideas about how to keep it safe for people with food allergies on Valentine's Day.  You can also stay connected to me on Facebook and Twitter for more great stay-safe tips and information on Thriving On with Food Allergies!

When you have food allergies, holidays are a particularly important time to be aware, vigilant and prepared. Valentine’s Day is no exception. This holiday is filled with love, but it is also filled with treats.  To get you ready for the holiday, the experienced food allergy coaches from AllerCoach want to offer you some stay-safe tips and ideas for Valentines to ensure that everyone has a sweet and reaction-free holiday.

AllerCoaches are located across the United States and not only have personal experience managing food allergies, but have also completed an intense course in all aspects of food allergy management. If you are in need of support, resources, or guidance in your food allergy journey, reach out to an AllerCoach today!

Valentine Safety Tips from the AllerCoaches

Tami Pyles is the owner of Thrive On Consulting in Louisville, KY.  

Tami’s Stay-Safe Tip: Label reading is always important when you have food allergies, but it is especially important on the holidays.  Often times, candies and other holiday themed items can be produced in different facilities from the normal product.  Or, special holiday flavors may use different ingredients than the safe version you are normally able to eat without issue. As a result, some holiday products will have a new label or “may contain” statement.  Avoid consuming unsafe candy or food by always checking the package labeling, even if it is a food you have safely consumed in the past.  A good motto to follow is “when in doubt, throw it out!”.  If you are not able to read the label or a food is not individually labeled, do not take a chance.

Tami’s Non-Food Valentine Idea: If you are looking for an inexpensive and cute idea for classmates, here is one that rules. Head to the dollar store or search online (Oriental Trading is a great spot for bulk items) for multi-packs of rulers.  Print a simple card that says “Valentine You Rule”.  You can affix the paper to the ruler or if the ruler is short enough, stuff both the ruler and the card into an envelope. You can decorate the card or envelope for a personal touch.  We made these last year for my daughter’s class.  We found cute jungle themed rulers online and she had fun decorating the cards for each of her classmates. Happy Valentine’s Day and Thrive On!

Tiffany Brunetti Monroe is the owner of Ingredients for You in Columbus, OH.

Tiffany’s Stay-Safe Tip:  Valentine’s Day is a time to show someone you care.  Working around their allergies and restrictions to create a surprise is a thoughtful way to share your love.  It is important to understand that everyone’s allergies are different.  “Safe” products are not always safe for every individual.  Some may have allergies beyond the “Top 8”, or may be manufactured in facilities with other allergens, causing potential for cross-reaction.  Personally, my daughter and I have received some very thoughtful valentines, including speciality chocolate from Amanda’s Own Confections, corn-free and dye-free jelly beans from the Natural Candy Store, and multiple-allergen free baked goods from Soodles Bake Shop, and other specialty providers. I’ve also received some lovely and special non-treats with sentimental value.  Further, treats and projects/crafts made at home to avoid allergens are especially thoughtful and can include treats customized around your loved ones’ allergies.  This special effort is a big win, even if the final product turns out to be a fail (you pinterest users know what I’m talking about).  It’s always the thought that counts, especially when creating custom Ingredients for You (or your loved one).

Tiffany’s Non-Food Valentine Idea:  If you are like me, you may be limited on time and need to avoid the black hole of internet ideas, supplies, glue, and packaging of a homemade creation.  As such, I have researched several cute valentines that are ready to go, but are a step above the traditional cards (although these are totally fine, but more and more come with candy and treats which aren’t suitable for an entire class).  I have included these non-food valentines in my Amazon store for your convenience.  This year, my daughter selected paper airplane valentines, and we are very excited to make some ourselves!

Jillian Dalton is the owner of Food For Thought | Food Allergy Solutions in New Milford, CT.  

Jillian’s Stay-Safe Tip: Just like any Valentine’s gift or loving gesture, going out for a romantic dinner for two will take some extra planning and thoughtful consideration when someone has food allergies.  This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a weekend.  Because it can be a busy night for restaurants and other event venues, it may be more challenging for staff to accommodate special requests and pay close attention to the important details.  Be sure to plan ahead by selecting restaurants that are not only accommodating, but also are not heavily focused on the particular foods that should be avoided.  For example, if you or your date have a peanut allergy, you might want to avoid that new Thai place that everyone is raving about.  Many restaurant menus can be found online.  Calling ahead to discuss the allergy with the manager is a great idea, and ask about the date that you plan on going.  Sometimes restaurants offer a fixed or holiday menu, or different dinner hours.  If the menu will be special, it might be a good idea to review it in advance.  Going during an off-peak time will hopefully allow the staff to be more attentive to your needs.  It is wise to notify the host(ess), server, and manager on staff about the allergy at your arrival.  No one should feel embarrassed to make the staff aware, because most likely everyone wants you to enjoy your evening and feel comfortable.  If you have a chef card detailing your allergies, ask the server to share it with the kitchen staff.  If you feel more comfortable speaking with the chef directly, go ahead and ask.  When the food arrives, confirm again with the server how it was prepared and what has been excluded.  While dim lighting can be romantic and set the mood, it’s always smart to take advantage of your other senses to inspect your food before digging in.  As always, make sure to bring all medications (especially epinephrine) and your allergist’s phone number.

Jillian’s Non-Food Valentine Idea:  Who doesn’t love to be pampered?  Although people often associate food with love, a thoughtful gesture will often go further and last longer than a sweet treat!  Any mother, father, or hard-working adult would love a massage.  But what about just doing something simple to make that person’s day easier?  Doing their chores for a day or taking care of the kids while they enjoy some time to themselves not only shows that person how much you love them, but also communicates that you value all that they do.

Jenn DiMercurio is the owner of Compassion LED Food Allergy Consulting in Red Lion, PA.

Jenn’s Stay-Safe Tip: On Valentine’s Day or any holiday, I have found role play helpful in preparing my children for an event. Whether a school party, a drop in group (i.e. library class) or a trip to the store (with the possibility of a food giveaway); preparing your child (or children) will help them navigate the world of food we live in. Having an age appropriate conversation and role play has helped my allergy and non-allergy child many times. It builds confidence, teaches them compassion, patience and most importantly how to stay safe. You may not be able to avoid or plan for every scenario, but giving them an idea of what to expect is helpful. It may also alleviate stress and help them when faced with unaccommodating circumstances. As a parent, it can also help you to know how aware they are of their allergens (or their sibling’s allergens) and give you an opportunity to share about it as a family. I learned the hard way during a preschool holiday party for my daughter without allergies (her brother was a guest). A parent surprised us all with homemade cookies and I had to take them away. It was a disaster. I had two children in tears, a horrified preschool mom (she didn’t know my son was coming) and no safe backup treats. Having a plan, talking to your child (children) and planning ahead can be key to having a fun, safe holiday.

Jenn’s Non-Food Valentine Idea: Every Valentine’s Day I enjoy making a homemade card for my children. I like to share the specific things I love about each of them. Once they were old enough to make their own, they began to make one for each other. It’s a great time to express our creativity and love for one another. The kids also began to create cards to send or share with other special people in their lives. Who doesn’t love a personal Valentine’s Day card? They are fun to make and the smiles of the recipient are priceless!

Meg Nohe is the owner of Food Allergy Partners in Leawood, KS. 

Meg’s Stay-Safe Tip: I’ve found that holidays with food allergies aren’t just about planning and preparing for ourselves/our children, they’re about planning WITH those around us to ensure our gatherings and celebrations are safe and inclusive. This means talking with teachers, co-workers, family and friends (whatever the celebration may be)! to ensure we pre-plan TOGETHER for a safe holiday. In the classroom scenario, this could mean working with the teacher to come up with a fun activity that doesn’t involve food, and planning safe snacks that accommodate every child’s special dietary need. In the workplace, this could mean becoming part of the team that plans the celebration to ensure it will work with your needs (and you can likely be a good voice for others at your office that may have special dietary needs)! I’ve found that family and friends want to be accommodating so everyone can participate. If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and pitch in on the planning, everyone can partake in the festivities.  

Meg’s Non-Food Valentine Idea: I love putting together holiday celebration baskets (Valentines Day included)! These don’t have to be fancy or expensive to put together, but a thoughtful way to celebrate and indulge those you care about. The baskets can involve the holiday as a theme, or simply include some of that person’s favorite things. This idea works for children and adults alike. We put these together for our children for holidays like Valentines, Easter and Halloween. They look forward to them every year! 

Wishing you a sweet and safe Valentine's Day!  Thrive On!

Tami

Making (Allergy-Friendly) Snacking Healthy in 2016

As we launch into a new year, many of us take this opportunity to make changes. Every year eating healthier is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. When you have food allergies, eating healthy may seem challenging- especially when it comes to snacking- as many go to snacks like yogurt and nuts may be on your restricted foods list.  Even with food allergies, there are multiple options for healthy and safe snacking.  Thrive On Consulting has teamed up with Lisa Musician, of Food Allergy Dietitian, to bring you our first Thrive On 3 in 2016- healthy and allergy-friendly snacking- to get your new year started off right.

The Importance of Snacking

When people decide to eat healthy they often think that cutting out snacks is essential.  While it is important to choose wisely when snacking, eliminating them all together can actually be detrimental to your healthy eating goals.  The key is to choose nutrient rich snacks that fill you up until your next meal, rather than sugary or overly processed snacks that leave you wanting more. 

Snacking can and should be a part of your day, but preparing to snack healthy is key.  Often times, I find that if my family is not prepared and we do not have safe snacks with us we have to delay eating.  One benefit of food allergies is that often unhealthy fare offered in vending machines is off limits for us so we don’t get it, but snacks are not as easily accessible. 

Just like meal planning for the week can help you stay on target, snack planning can as well.  Think about your week and be certain you are stocking up on safe snack options.  Before you leave for the day, think about how long you will be gone and what snacks you may need.  You may want to carry a small cooler to keep perishable snacks cold.

I also always keep a stash of non-perishable safe snacks in the car as you never know when you may need to grab an extra snack- especially with kids- one traffic jam can send your world swirling into a fit of hangry children.

Age Appropriate Snacking

If your kids are anything like mine they are constantly asking for snacks.  Similarly, with my busy schedule, I find myself reaching for snacks frequently to keep me moving.  We snack a lot, and I often wonder if this is the right choice.

We know that snacking, if done right, can be healthy, but how much snacking is OK?  Lisa says it depends on age and also energy needs.   For instance, your child may need more energy/calories during growth spurts or if they are active in sports.  In general, the younger the child, the more snacks they will require.

Lisa recommends using the chart below as a guide to help you understand “child-size” portions, keeping in mind that each child is unique in their own development for growth, appetite and activity level.

What to Look for in a Snack

So what makes a good snack? First and foremost, you need your snacks to be safe and free of your allergens.  We all know that label reading for allergens is key, but it is also important to read nutrition labels to ensure your snack is a healthy one too.  Learn to read and understand the nutrition label.  This is where the true information is found, not on the clever marketing packaged on the front of the box or bag.

According to a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, dietary fiber intake is too low in the majority toddlers and preschoolers in the United States.  This is true for most adults as well.  You should view the nutrition facts and look for 3 grams or more for fiber. Fiber helps keep bellies full for a longer period of time, as does protein.

What are other important things to look for in a snack?  Lisa emphasizes two things for healthy snacking.  First, keep in mind that snacks should only be between 100-150 calories. Second, it’s always best to snack on fresh foods versus processed foods.  Processed foods usually have added sugar, higher fat and more sodium.  And, processed foods can often be a risk for cross-contact with allergens.

Snacking can be safe and good for you with the right approach and proper planning.   Your healthy eating goals can actually be enhanced with the right snacks; so take time to plan and make smart and safe snack decisions for a healthy start to 2016.  

Need help identifying healthy and safe snack ideas?  No problem!  Lisa and I will be posting healthy and allergy-friendly snack ideas all week to our Facebook and Twitter pages.  Follow along to get some great snack ideas to add to your 2016 safe snack plan.

Follow us here:

Tami- Thrive On Consulting          Lisa- Food Allergy Dietitian

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If you find this post helpful, learn more about Tami and her company, Thrive On Consulting, which helps families and individuals dealing with food allergies.  You can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter

Great Finds at the Gluten Free Food Allergy Fest

When you have food allergies, trips to the grocery store can sometimes be frustrating as many foods you see contain allergens or are processed in a facility where cross-contact can occur.  Often times, I pick up a new package intrigued by what I see only to quickly replace it on the shelf after reading the ingredient list and realizing that it is unsafe for our family.  I had a totally different experience at the Gluten Free Food Allergy Fest hosted by Living Without’s Gluten Free and More- it was like an amazing trip to the food allergy friendly grocery store!

The Gluten Free Food Allergy Fest, held in multiple locations throughout the year, is a public show that brings together vendors, speakers, chefs and members of the gluten-free and food allergy community for two days of sharing, learning and tasting!  I was at the show in Indianapolis on October 24^th and 25^th.  Aisles of vendors touting gluten free and allergy friendly items filled the Indiana State Fairgrounds Expo Hall.  I talked to so many great vendors dedicated to making safe and tasty products.  Here are a few of my favorite finds from the Fest to help you Thrive On with food allergies.

I.M. Healthy Granola

We love granola at our house and I often make it from scratch since what I find at the store is unsafe for us.  I was so excited to see a nut-free granola option! We use I.M. Healthy Soy Butter as our go-to peanut butter alternative so I was intrigued when I saw other products at their table.  They now have granola and it comes in four different varieties: Original, Blueberry, Apple, and Raisin Cranberry.  In addition to granola, they are also making variety of gluten free cornflake crumbs- just like bread crumbs but gluten free!

I brought some of the granola home and after only a few days were out!  My daughters have been adding it to yogurt and eating it plain.  It is great to know we have a safe and yummy option for granola!

Living Now Mixes and Pasta

Now Foods offers a number of food products under a series of four different names and their Living Now line is gluten free and free of the top 8 allergens.  They offer boxed mixes, grains, flours and a new line of quinoa pasta.  I spoke to the rep and he said that while they do offer other products that contain allergens their Living Now line is produced in a dedicated allergy friendly facility, and their products are non-GMO.

I got to try the new quinoa pasta and it was delicious!

Freedom Foods Cereal and Granola Bars

I knew about Freedom Foods before I attended the GFFAFest in Columbus, OH earlier this year as they sell their free-from top 8 products at our grocery store.  While in Columbus, I fell even more in love with these products as I learned that they test multiple times throughout the manufacturing process for the presence of allergens and that they source locally for ingredients.  So in Indy, I was thrilled to see new cereal options – including All Round Goodness (think safe maple syrup flavored cheerios) and Fruity Rainbow Rocks (think a healthy and safe version of Fruity Pebbles).  Freedom Foods is now also offering granola bars- a great safe option for grab and go snacking.  All of their products are free from: gluten, wheat, nuts, dairy, eggs, soy and sesame.

Brooke’s Mixes

Brooke’s is an Indiana based candy company that offers a line of cake, cookie and brownie mixes.  All of their mixes are gluten and rice free.  I was intrigued by this brand because so many people I have met that cannot eat rice often have an issue finding safe options as a lot of allergy friendly options use rice flour as an alternative.   These mixes tout a small ingredient list and are so tasty!  If you are dealing with other allergens be sure to read labels as the mixes are produced in a facility where other allergens are present. 

I had such a great time in Indy finding new products and meeting others in the food allergy and gluten free community!  I also had the opportunity to speak at the Fest on how to celebrate the holidays safely with food allergies and Celiac disease.  I loved sharing tips and tricks for safely navigating the holiday season.  If you missed it, don’t worry!  I am offering a special session this holiday season on how to keep the holidays safe.  You get a 30-minute education session on staying safe during the holidays, a holiday allergy action plan template, and 2 allergy friendly recipes.  Contact me today to schedule your session and be ready to safely navigate the holidays!

If you find this post helpful learn more about Tami and her company, Thrive On Consulting, which helps families and individuals dealing with food allergies at www.thriveonconsulting.net and follow her on Facebook and Twitter

Teal is Terrific- But Safety Measures are Still a Must

Halloween is coming- a scary holiday in its own right, but when you add in food allergies it can make the night downright frightening.  The Teal Pumpkin Project has taken off like a storm, which is so fabulous.  But, the reality is despite the proliferation of teal pumpkins across the country there will still be candy- lots and lots of candy- on Halloween night (not to mention the numerous parties and events that occur before the actual night), and much of it will be unsafe for our food allergic kiddos.  

Three years ago, I had an awesome opportunity to write a post for the Kids with Food Allergies Foundation Blog about staying safe at Halloween with food allergies. My post for KFA was before teal pumpkins had hit the scene and so it was critical to discuss how to stay safe at Halloween. While I am thrilled that we will be visiting more and more houses this year that will be displaying a teal pumpkin and offering non-food treats, I know we will still have to be smart and safe to Thrive On this Halloween.

My Thrive On 3 features the three “tricks” that I provided in my KFA post to stay safe for Halloween. I hope that you will find them useful as you prepare for Halloween this year. 

Trick #1: Making School Parties Safe

Most schools celebrate the holiday with a class party.  This can be scary because of the unknown. The key to a safe party is partnership and advanced planning.  Be sure to contact the teacher/room parent/ party host well in advance to discuss plans for the event.

Encourage a focus on non-food items such as crafts, Halloween stories, or a spooky scavenger hunt if the teacher is planning a party.  If food will be involved, discuss safe options and/or offer to bring in the “big treat”.  I find myself volunteering to bring in the party snack often to ensure my daughter can enjoy the special party treat.  It is worth it to me to see her enjoy the same treat as her classmates and know she will be safe.  Another option that could work is to send in an alternate safe treat for your child so he/she can still have food at the party, but you know for certain it will be safe.  I have an individual cupcake carrier that gets its fair share of use as my daughter takes in her own cupcake for parties.  I try to talk to the party planner ahead of time so I can decorate her cupcake in the same color or theme as the party cake.  If you are sending in food for your child, make certain with the room monitor that this is the only food that your child will consume at the party.

If it works with your schedule, try to attend the party.  This will not always be possible, but can give you a little extra peace of mind to be there to ensure that things go smoothly.  If you volunteer to be there, you might also have an opportunity to have an active role in party planning and demonstrate broad advocacy for children with food allergies.

Trick #2: Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet, Give Me Something I Can Eat!

Trick or treating is, no doubt, complicated by food allergies.  Making the decision to go out trick or treating can be difficult depending on the number and severity of your child’s allergies and health in general.  So far, we have made the decision to go out, but we have a plan in place to keep our daughter safe.  First, we talk with her beforehand about the night and what will happen— including not eating any candy until we are home.  Setting expectations up front is always better— even with a preschooler! 

Second, decide whether you want to allow your child to accept treats from homes or if you would like your child to do something else like collect donations for a charity instead.  We do allow our daughter to collect candy while trick or treating, but we monitor her very closely to ensure that no candy containing nuts as an ingredient makes its way into her bag.

Third, once we are home we empty her bag and sort the treats. Even though we make sure there are not any treats with nuts in her bag, there are a number of other treats we know she cannot have because of risk of cross-contact. For example, we know that certain pretzels and chocolate candies are produced in facilities with nuts.  While she may get those in her bag, we want to separate them out from the other safe treats. 

If you do sort treats with your child, be sure to do some research ahead of time on what is safe for your child.  This is a great way to model for your child how to preplan for food events and always read labels. Sometimes candy that is normally safe is produced in different plants for the “holiday” version which may render it unsafe.  That is why we must read the labels every time. We then place the unsafe candy, into a special plastic pumpkin that we leave out on the front porch.  The “Great Pumpkin” visits our house overnight and exchanges the unsafe candy for a non-food treat.  It is a big deal at our house to get a visit from the “Great Pumpkin,” and we have yet to have tears about surrendering the unsafe candy.

Other tricks for keeping the night safe include sending safe treats to neighbors houses ahead of time so when you knock on the door you know there will be a safe treat waiting.  You can hit just those houses and then plan another fun event that evening.  Or, you can skip trick or treating all together and plan a fun night in with a Halloween movie, making a safe Halloween treat, or hosting your own Halloween party with safe treats.

Trick #3: Be Prepared and Bring Your Supplies

Whether you are attending a party or taking a stroll around the neighborhood to collect candy, it is imperative that you have your emergency supplies ready.  Do not leave without your epinephrine auto-injector and any medications that your health care provider recommends - even if you are only walking a few houses down the street.  Pack wipes for hands if contact issues may present a problem; or for friends’ hands and mouths if they consume candy containing allergens.

As we leave the house for Halloween or other events, we talk about the supplies we are taking to begin to educate our daughter about what we need to have with us.  Some day, when she is old enough to be on her own, we want to make sure the epinephrine auto-injector is a part of her natural routine when leaving.  We have a simple checklist that we verbally go over - keys, phone, epinephrine auto-injector, and any other items we may need for our outing (safe snacks, water, etc).  It is amazing how quickly she has picked up on the list, at just three years old.  She now sometimes asks me before we leave if we have everything before I even go through our list.

To read the full post as it appeared with KFA and access their great resources for staying safe at Halloween click here.

Wishing you a safe, happy and Teal-Pumpkin-filled Halloween!

If you find this post helpful learn more about Tami and her company, Thrive On Consulting, which helps families and individuals dealing with food allergies at www.thriveonconsulting.net and follow her on Facebook and Twitter

Stress Management- You Can't Thrive On Without It!

If you find this post helpful learn more about Tami and her company, Thrive On Consulting, which helps families and individuals dealing with food allergies at www.thriveonconsulting.net

Dealing with food allergies means that you are dealing with stress.

There is rarely a moment of down time when you are dealing with food allergies.  The cooking, the planning, the constant thinking ahead so that you or your child can stay safe, can take its toll mentally. 

This week I am feeling particularly stressed.   About a week ago, I was feeling like I could breathe a little easier – we had made the transition back to school and the new teachers and the new plans seem to be going well.  Our extra curricular activities are squared away, with awareness and education communicated, Epi training done and plans in place for safe snacks.  Things seemed to be as good as they could be and then, I open my Facebook feed to learn not of one, but two, deaths of food allergic teens.  My heart breaks for these families, and my stress level once again sky rockets as we are once again reminded how serious food allergies can be and the devastating reality that food can kill.

I can’t eradicate the allergies and I can’t change the fact that I will have stress about them, but I can take steps to manage my stress – we all can and should so that whether you depend on yourself or someone depends on you to help manage food allergies you can Thrive On.

I am not a psychologist or therapist, but I am a Type A food allergy mom who has worked to keep my stress in check the better part of my life.  The three stress management ideas I suggest are not new or ground-breaking.  They are simple things that you can do starting right now to make this food allergy life more manageable.  These are ideas for how to take a step back to regain the strength needed to carry on our daily attempts to stay safe. 

I encourage you to do one, do all, find some other strategy – but most importantly remember that stress management is a critical part of thriving with food allergies. Small steps taken each day, week or month to manage your stress will go a long way to keep you mentally strong for all of the inherent stress-inducing moments life with food allergies brings.

Breathe

As simple as it sounds, and is, taking a deep breath can help in moments of stress.  Breathing is free, can be done anywhere, does not require special equipment or a great deal of time to have an immediate impact on your stress level.  Years ago, I bought the book Instant Calm by Paul Wilson.  It offers great strategies for relaxing your mind and body.  In the book, he details many strategies for finding calm and one of my favorites is Power Breathing:

Take a deep breath through your nostrils.  Do this without exertion – neither raising your shoulders or puffing out your chest.  Hold it for a second.  ‘Force’ the oxygen into the extremities of your body – your  hands, feet, skull.  Slowly breathe out , noisily, through your lips.  Repeat a few times.   As you breathe out feel the tension melting from your body into the floor.  As breathing becomes more automatic, concentrate on the tension passing from your body, through the soles of your feet if you are standing, or through the skin of your back (if you are reclining) into the floor.

                                                                                  Instant Calm pg. 69

Find a Food Allergy Friend

Unless you have a food allergy it is very hard to understand the true day-to-day reality – constant vigilance, constant food prep and planning, constant exposure to potentially life-threatening situations.  Finding support with other food allergy friends can be a real relief.  Being able to talk to someone else who experiences life in the same way can go a long way to help you feel less isolated or alone.  Sharing strategies and stories and successes is great, but also having someone to vent to when things don’t go as you had hoped can be cathartic as well.

Online groups and communities can be a good source of connection.  But, there is something to be said for direct personal contact.   See if there is a support group in your area, both FARE and FAACT offer resources to find or start a support group in your area.  Also, seek out other food allergy families at school or in your community or neighborhood – 1:13  children have a food allergy so they are out there!

Find an Escape

Take a mental break – do  something fun, relaxing or challenging and let yourself become immersed.  Hit the gym, go for a run or walk, knit, read, try one of those new adult coloring books that seem to be all the rage.  Find something that does not have to do with food.  Something you can lose yourself in, even if it is only for 30 minutes.  Meet up with or call a friend and talk about something other than food allergies.  As wonderful as it is to have food allergy friends to discuss everything food allergy with, it is equally important to have a friend that you can talk with about anything but food allergies.  I often find that somehow many of my conversations come back to food allergies.  Make a point to talk about anything but food allergies.  The escape will help you realize that there is more to your life than food allergies.

Stress is a part of life, and even more so when you are dealing with food allergies.  Taking steps to manage stress are so important to maintain your mental and physical wellbeing.

After a stressful week I am off to find an escape.  What will you do today to manage your stress?