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!

My Food Allergy Silver Linings

I have been reading a lot about gratitude lately and how good it is for your mental state. Gratitude puts you in the state of mind to appreciate what you have, and feeling thankful leads to more positive feelings…which all sounds great.  But, can you really be grateful for food allergies?  I mean let’s be honest, there have been multiple days that food allergies have brought me to my knees- when I had to pull off the highway when my daughter was having a reaction and I had to rush her to the closest hospital, when she came home in kindergarten in tears because she had to sit alone at the peanut free table, when I had to tell her no to a fun social event with all of her friends because it was just not a safe situation for her- yep, those were pretty terrible days.  If I could, I would give anything to take her allergies away.

But, when I stop and reflect on this food allergy life that we live there are things to be grateful for despite the intensity with which we live everyday to keep her safe.  When the day-to-day stress of food allergy management starts to bring me down, I try to think about these things, my silver linings to our food allergy life.

Healthy Eating 
I cook a lot and I buy a lot of fresh ingredients that have one or only a few ingredients.  I’d like to think that I would still cook this way if we didn’t have food allergies, but I know the lure of the drive-thru and packaged convenience foods would be too strong on busy nights and weeks with hectic schedules.  Because of our food allergies, we cook almost every night (and my daughter is becoming a pretty good cook herself!), we keep ingredients simple- and our entire family is healthier for it.

Developing the Ability to Really Talk to My Daughter
Food allergies force you to be aware and vigilant and our sweet little babies learn at a very young age how to tell people about their allergens, ask about ingredients, and advocate for themselves.  This doesn’t happen on its own, it happens because of the many conversations we have with our kids.  I feel like my daughter has learned, very early on, that I am her champion and her sounding board.  She and I have been able to work together to solve her food allergy issues and I am hopeful that as we head into the waters of the tween and teen years she will know that she can count on me for not just food allergy support, but for anything she needs.  Food allergies have forced us into hard conversations and the need to come up with creative solutions- we are a team and for that I am grateful.

Friendships That Sustain Me in Tough Times
I am so grateful for the friends we have the truly get our food allergy life.  Even if they don’t fully get it, because they don’t walk in our food allergy shoes every day, they make every attempt to understand it and support us.  Friends who call to check ingredients, who keep it safe so no one is excluded, who check in on me to see how I am doing.  When I am feeling drained and exhausted from the ongoing slog of daily food allergy management a simple act from a friend can bring me to tears of gratitude.

Finding the Courage to Do the Things I Need to Do
More than a few times I have had that awful pit in my stomach in anticipation of what I was about to do…make that request, ask for something to be changed, say no…all to keep things safe.  I am not generally a shy person, but food allergies have given me tremendous courage to use my voice and say what I need to say.  With a shaky voice and sweaty hands, I have done it! I have had the hard conversations, made the difficult requests and I have done it because there is no other option- her safety is the most important thing.  I am grateful for the courage I have mustered to do the things I need to do.

Will I say that I am grateful for food allergies?  Never. But what I can say is that I am grateful for some of the dimensions food allergies have added to our lives.  What are your food allergy silver linings?



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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.

Keeping it Simple and Fun In the Kitchen with Food Allergies: Advice from Colette Martin, The Allergen-Free Baker

Cooking, I love it- until I hate it.  As a food allergy mom, I spend a lot of my time in my kitchen cooking. Generally, I really love to cook and spending time in my kitchen.  But, let’s be honest, sometimes the need to cook so often makes it not so fun.  Who is with me?

That is what inspired me to do a week focused on cooking with food allergies.  Being able to cook, and having an arsenal of safe recipes and finding ways to enjoy your kitchen are a must for anyone managing a food allergy. So, all week on my Facebook page and blog, I will be sharing great information on cooking skills, advice, and recipe resources so we can all Thrive On in the kitchen!

To kick it off, I had the awesome opportunity to interview Colette Martin, The Allergen-Free Baker.  She is a food allergy mom, cookbook author and all around great advocate for those with food allergies.  She offers all of us some great advice for making cooking simple, fun and safe whether you are new to food allergies or a veteran food allergy family.  And best of all, she is partnering with me to give away an autographed copy of her book, The Allergy-Free Pantry!  Details about the giveaway are at the end of the post, so take in all of her great advice and then enter to win!

Colette Martin, Cookbook author, Allergen-free baker, Food allergy advocate

New To Food Allergy Cooking
If you have recently been diagnosed with food allergies, there is a lot to learn and do to keep you or your family safe, and cooking safe foods will be at the top of that list.  Martin recommends that once you know the foods you need to avoid the first step is to do a sweep of your pantry to ensure you remove all foods that could trigger a reaction.  Once the unsafe items are removed, “start simple, get a handle on a few basic recipes and find safe alternatives to replace your basic staples,” she says.  For example, if you are dealing with a wheat or gluten issue, try to find a bread replacement that you can buy.  Once you have some basics down and a few staple alternatives you will have the building blocks for developing your cooking skills and adding additional items to your safe foods menu.

Cooking Everyday
It happens to the best of us, even if we love to cook, doing it day in and day out can wear on you.  You fall into a rut, cook the same things over and over, and generally feel bored, if not annoyed, in the kitchen.  Martin suggests, to the extent possible, be adventurous in the kitchen and continually try new things to keep the kitchen, and your menus, interesting.  She suggests implementing a “new food night” where you and your family try a new recipe or ingredient.  My girls always get a kick out of our attempts at new ingredients, and as a result we have added red quinoa and zucchini noodles to our meal options.

If you have a child with food allergies, another important component to your culinary adventures will be to ensure your child learns how to cook.   Someday you won’t be around to prepare all of their meals so start equipping them now with the skills they will need to stay safe.  Martin suggests, “get your kids cooking with you and let them lead you into new areas”.  If they express interest in cooking a certain food or trying a certain recipe – go for it!  It helps to keep it fun in the kitchen, and along the way you can teach cooking skills they will need to know.

Kitchen Tools You “Need”
Cooking is a very personal endeavor and you will find what works best for you.  Someone else’s favorite kitchen tool may sit unused in your kitchen. Resist the urge to buy every kitchen gadget and figure out what you will really use, and need, to make your safe foods.  Martin says for her, two must haves are her Kitchen Aid Mixer and parchment paper.  “If you will be doing a lot of baking, having a good mixer is important,” says Martin.  She also loves parchment paper because it helps to create a barrier and prevent cross contact on baking sheets and on surfaces when she is rolling out dough.  As my family has developed our cooking style, our must have items include our ice cream maker and lots of cutting boards and colanders.

 

Getting Some Guidance
Colette has published two books on allergy free cooking and baking that are a great resource for anyone newly diagnosed or seasoned food allergy cooks looking to add new recipes to their menus.  You can learn more about her books here.  (Don’t forget to check out the details below about how to win a copy of The Allergy-Free Pantry).  In addition to her books, Martin recommends checking out Kids With Food Allergies Foundation Recipe Database and Freedible for other great resources, recipes, and advice on keeping your kitchen safe and your menus interesting.

Thanks, Colette, for sharing all of this great information, your book, and helping us Thrive On in the kitchen!

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Follow me all week long on Facebook as I share tips, tricks and tools for cooking with food allergies!!

                                                                                                                                 

GIVEAWAY!!!

Win a copy of The Allergy-Free Pantry!  Head over to our Facebook Page for a chance to enter and win!  The winner will be announced June 2!  Good Luck!!!

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Read more about Colette's books! Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram too!

Learning to Bake Allergen-Free: A Crash Course for Busy Parents on Baking without Wheat, Gluten, Dairy, Eggs, Soy or Nuts

Published by The Experiment, June 2012

An essential guide to delicious baking for multiple food allergies—with over dozens of recipes that take the whole family from breakfast through dinner

As more and more parents are discovering, the instant a child is diagnosed with severe or multiple allergies, food can’t be taken for granted anymore. Shopping turns into a frustrating hunt through ingredient lists, and every school lunch and birthday party becomes a potential nightmare. Whether parents love to bake or hate it, with most packaged foods and bakery treats suddenly off-limits, they’ll need to learn. Colette Martin overcame this challenge when her son was diagnosed with wheat, milk, soy, egg, and peanut allergies—and in Learning to Bake Allergen-Free, she gives parents the confidence to embrace new foods that are safe for their children, arming them with:

• Info on how to avoid the top eight food allergens, plus gluten
• Substitutions and techniques to make favorite recipes allergen-free
• Simple tips on how to use new ingredients for the best results
• Over 75 recipes—some from scratch, some from mixes—for Cinnamon Rolls, Spicy Cornbread, Chocolate Chunk Cookies, and more!

With this thorough, accessible manual in hand, parents will be baking allergen-free by the time the oven finishes pre-heating.


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The Allergy-Free Pantry: Make Your Own Staples, Snacks, and More Without Wheat, Gluten, Dairy, Eggs, Soy or Nuts

Published by The Experiment, September 2014

Make your own affordable, delicious, and allergy-free staples, snacks, and meals!

After the cupboards are cleared of problem foods, most people coping with new food allergies (their own or their kids’) are missing staples they have relied on for years. And even though stores are stocking more allergen-free brands, shoppers with severe or multiple allergies can read every label and still strike out—especially if they’re after a particular craving or on a budget.

The good news for the 15 million Americans with food allergies is that classic treats and pantry staples can be made easily and affordably at home. From Colette Martin, the author of Learning to Bake Allergen-Free, comes The Allergy-Free Pantry—with over 100 recipes free of gluten and the top eight allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish), including:


• Basic staples (flour blends, non-dairy milks, Sandwich Bread, Biscuits, Strawberry Jam, and Sunflower Seed Butter)
• Condiments and salad dressings (Flaxseed Mayonnaise, Ketchup, Ranch Dressing, Barbeque Sauce)
• Breakfast (Pancakes, Honey Blueberry Granola, Apple Oatmeal Scones)
• Crackers and cookies (Flax Crackers, Pita Chips, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Snickerdoodles)
• Pasta, pizza, and freezer meals (Spinach Pasta, Cheesy Sauce, Shepherd’s Pie, Meatloaf)
• Desserts (Brownie Bites, Chocolate Pudding, Raspberry Fruit Roll Ups, Caramel Sauce)

Full-color photographs of every recipe and simple instructions (no advanced kitchen skills required!) make this a must-have guide to allergy-free home cooking. Refill your cupboards, and reclaim peace of mind!

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Disclaimer: I was not paid to write this post, but was provided with products to use for the purpose of the giveaway.  The opinions expressed in this post are mine and not influenced by the company.


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.

Three Thriving On- Three Ages and Three Views on Living with Food Allergies

We started our food allergy journey six years ago when our daughter was diagnosed with multiple life-threatening allergies.  In that time, we have learned how to stay safe, developed strategies for living in our new normal, had good days, had bad days, realized the positive side of food allergies in the form of healthier eating and struggled as our bubble of control continues to shrink as she has more and more opportunities to be on her own and away from the allergen free home we have created.  I often wonder what it will be like as she gets older- what does and will she think about her allergies?  What will her challenges and successes be as she navigates life with food allergies?  What will she worry about when it comes to her food allergies? What path will her food allergy journey take her down. So, I decided to interview a few people at different stages of life with food allergies about their journey. 

I asked the same questions of three people.  My daughter, who is seven.  She is allergic to all nuts, sesame, chickpea and sunflower.  Cameron, an active high school student, who is living with allergies to peanuts, tree nuts and legumes since he was three.  He was also allergic to chocolate but has recently outgrown this allergy (yay!).  Sarah, a twenty nine year old working adult, who was diagnosed with fish and shellfish allergies when she was in her mid-twenties. 

It was interesting to see what strikes each person as important and meaningful in their own food allergy journey.  We all forge our own paths and make our own decisions about what is right and how to stay safe, but I hope you will enjoy reading this look at food allergies across three different ages and stages of life.  And, a special thanks to my daughter, Cameron and Sarah for sharing their stories and how they thrive on with food allergies!

  

What are two things you wish that people without food allergies
understood about food allergies?

• My Daughter: That you should always carry an EpiPen® if you are near a person with a food allergy.  There should be an allergy free table at every school to keep everyone safe.

• Cameron: The first would be that allergens can be very well hidden inside of food. Just because the allergens aren't obvious, such as nuts being sprinkled on food, doesn't mean they aren't there. I've found nuts in packaged shredded cheese, pasta sauce, and many bread products. You can never really tell what's in a food item until you read the label, which is a valuable skill you have to master for living with food allergies. The second thing that should be understood by those without food allergies is understanding why a person with food allergies may be uncomfortable eating your food. We don't mean to be rude when we turn down offered food. On the other side, people with food allergies need to communicate their concerns well, to ensure safety and explain why we can't eat certain things.

• Sarah: I wish people without food allergies understood that having food allergies is not a choice or a trend, that we're not making it up or exaggerating how serious it is.

 What is the most challenging thing about having food allergies?

• My Daughter: To have ask about food before grabbing it in a public place.

• Cameron:  The most challenging part of having a food allergy is its way of acting as a social barrier. When I was in grade school I was subject to bullying because my parents chose to have me sit at a designated peanut free table, which alienated me from the rest of my class. I also wore my EpiPen® on my belt a big bulky flashlight holster. While the younger kids were in awe at what they perceived to be a light saber, some of the kids in my own class gave me endless torment for my differences. As I grew older, I lost my fear of my food allergies, and instead developed a wary respect for them. This development came through becoming comfortable with my ability to control what I eat and successfully avoiding my allergens for so long. This transition took place around eighth grade, when I stopped eating at the peanut free table at lunch. I started sitting with my friends, who understood my food allergies and tried to sit away from me if they ate food that I couldn't eat. Currently, my food allergies don't set me apart socially any more, but if something comes up that could lead to exclusion, I've gotten very good at explaining what was going on to foster understanding. One particular situation where food allergies have been difficult in high school is dating. It's pretty awkward to try to explain why you can't kiss someone because you don't know what they have eaten recently. But as with all of my other food allergy related obstacles, I've been able overcome this issue through good communication.

• Sarah: The most challenging thing about having food allergies is the lack of freedom to eat whatever and wherever I want. There is a lot of planning involved: reading labels, calling companies to ask questions about their ingredients and policies, checking online allergen information if it's available, etc. If my go-to safe foods become unsafe for me or if they're out of stock, it can be a real setback and letdown.

What is the best thing about having food allergies?  

• My Daughter: I get to sit at the peanut free table.  I like that I get to sit next to the hallway window and watch people walk by.

• Cameron: I've been able to grow as a communicator because of my food allergies. People with food allergies have to be able to voice their concerns for their safety, and learn to talk to people. My experience with communicating about food allergies has transferred itself into strong public speaking skills, which have been very helpful. I also was able to go to Washington D.C. to lobby for the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management Act. This gave me the opportunity to sit down with Senators, the Speaker of the House, and Representatives to discuss food allergies and how we can pass legislation to make life with food allergies safer. That was one of the most profound experiences I've had in my life, but it wouldn't have been possible if I didn't have food allergies.

• Sarah: The best thing about having food allergies is that I make healthier choices when I eat. I can't rely on processed convenience foods, so I mostly cook homemade meals. Bonus: I've learned to love cooking and get creative in the kitchen!

 What have people done (or not done) related to your
food allergies that has impacted you?

• My Daughter: My mom makes treats for birthday parties that I go to so I have a dessert if I can’t have the dessert there.

• Cameron: Cameron chose not to answer this question.

• Sarah: My husband hasn't eaten seafood since I became allergic to it. I didn't ask him to avoid it, but the solidarity means a lot to me and makes me feel less alone when it comes to food. My mom has spent hours cooking allergen-friendly meals for me, and my dad has gone out of his way to find the specific foods that I use. I also have a friend who never complains about eating at the same restaurant when we go out. I could tell you dozens of other ways that people have supported me with my food allergies, and I'm grateful for every single one. They make the burden of having food allergies easier to bear.

 

 What do you worry about most as it relates to your food allergies?

• My Daughter: I worry about not knowing when I might have a reaction.

• Cameron: I worry about improper labeling and poor transparency within restaurants. While labeling is required by law, contamination and recalls are fairly common and worrisome. Restaurants can assure you that something will be safe, but you can never really know what goes on in the kitchen when your food is being prepared. But with all things in life, there is an element of risk, and you have to learn how to balance risk management with living you life.

• Sarah: I worry that foods I eat will be mislabeled and cause me to have a reaction via cross-contact.

 Do you carry your epinephrine with you at all times? 
Why or why not?

• My Daughter: I don’t carry it, but my mom or teacher carries it for me.  They do it so  I can carry other things and so in case I have a reaction my medicine is right there.

• Cameron: Yes I do. It's the only way to reverse an anaphylactic reaction. To not carry one with my severity of food allergies would simply be foolhardy.

• Sarah: I carry my epinephrine with me at all times because you never know when you might be exposed to your food allergens or develop new ones. Better safe than sorry!

If someone you knew were to be diagnosed with food allergies what
advice would you share with them? 

• My Daughter: Read labels, ask before eating, and stay away from things that might have your allergens in them.

• Cameron: I would tell them to research their condition, and practice how to communicate your needs and concerns in restaurants. Learning what food to avoid and how to read food labels is also extremely important. Also, they need to understand that they shouldn't try to put themselves in a bubble. They have to learn how to have a full life without being overly burdened by their allergies.

• Sarah: If someone I knew were to be diagnosed with food allergies, this would be my advice: Research and learn everything you can about food allergies, especially yours. Sign up for newsletters and subscribe to magazines about food allergies. Follow people, companies, and organizations in the food allergy community online. Join a support group for people who have food allergies or who care for someone with food allergies. Get involved in the food allergy community in other ways, like the FARE Walk. Always carry your epinephrine with you. Never compromise when it comes to your food allergies! Right after I developed my food allergies, the best advice I got came from a message board, and I've followed it ever since: "If I don't know, I don't eat it."

I love all of their advice and hope you will share it with others too!  Thrive On!

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 

Fourth of July - Tips for Keeping it Safe

When you have a food allergy, attending a birthday party requires some extra planning to make sure you stay safe.  America’s birthday is no exception.  This Fourth of July, be patriotic and prepared with my three tips for thriving on this holiday. 

Grill Master

Burgers and hot dogs on the grill are a big part of Fourth of July festivities for many people.  But, grills can pose a risk for cross-contact.  Cross-contact occurs when proteins of two foods mix because they have touched.  Cross-contact is dangerous for those with food allergies, as even a trace amount of an allergen can trigger a reaction.  If you will be grilling for someone with a food allergy, be sure that their food is completely wrapped in foil while on the grill, and plate food allergy friendly grill items separate from those that have come in contact with the grill.  Be sure to also use separate utensils when handling allergen free foods.

Don’t Leave Potlucks to Luck

Another popular Fourth of July activity is the potluck picnic- bring a dish and share with all.  Potlucks are a minefield for those with food allergies.  So many questions about ingredients, how things were prepared, and again concern about cross contact.  If you have an allergy and will be attending a potluck, be sure to pack safe snacks in case you are unable to eat food offered at the party.  And of course, bring a food allergy friendly option to share.

If you are hosting a potluck, talk to food allergic guests about supplying a few safe dishes. I think I speak for most when I say that we are happy to bring safe foods and reaching out to us means more than you know.  Or, work with guests to ensure that a few allergy friendly options will be available.  For example, forgo the homemade cookies and provide an allergy friendly option like Enjoy Life cookies which are free of the top 8 allergens.  Stick with simple options like fresh fruit and veggies that may be safer for food allergic guests.  

Another food allergy friendly potluck tip, organize the food so that allergen free items are on a separate table so that serving utensils are not accidentally used in the wrong dish or inadvertent cross-contact happens from foods being dropped or spilled as they are dished out.

Medicine Musts

When you have a food allergy you must always have your emergency medications with you.  Be sure to pack emergency medicines in a way that will keep them easily accessible and in a temperature controlled environment, EpiPens® should be kept within 68° - 77°F.  

Never leave your medicine in a car.  Heading to a picnic or firework show, make sure your medicine goes with you- for two reasons.  First, you need to maintain the appropriate temperature and we all know how sweltering a car can become.  Temperatures inside a closed car can quickly climb and compromise your medicine.  Second, in an emergency, you want to be able to retrieve your medicines quickly so that you can get your reaction under control.  Seconds count in a food allergy emergency so have your medicines with you at all times. 

Also, be sure to inform your friends or family members about what to do in an emergency.  Most children will be under the watchful eye of a parent at events so will have assistance immediately if there is an emergency.  But, if you are an adult or teen with food allergies, make sure someone else knows the location of your medicines and how to respond should you need assistance.

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy 4^th!

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 managing food allergies, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter