Tag Archives: Conditions and Diseases

Travel checklist with food allergies

25 Wednesday Dec 2013

Posted by in Food Allergies, Travel

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Merry Christmas!

CHRISTMAS EVE we decided to spend Xmas day with the in-laws.  Although staying home would’ve been easier, the kid loves it there and it’s been our usual “thing” for years now.  With travel, comes packing…and ever since we received the multiple food allergy diagnosis, we usually pack –

EVERYTHING, BUT THE KITCHEN SINK!

kitchen_sink

Hundreds of miles from home – we tend to overpack!  (see below)

THIS IS FOR 3 DAYS!!

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Here’s a brief summary on my intro into the food allergy world…

28 Friday Jun 2013

Posted by in Food Allergies

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Back in 2009, at the tender age of 11 months, my tenacious, adorably cute son was diagnosed with food allergies by his doctor. Mind you, they discovered this after I had already removed the top 8 allergens from my diet. He was reacting to my breast milk of all things. Severe eczema, recurrent ear infections and acid reflux issues had us at the doctor’s office quite often during the first year of my son’s life. I became adamant about finding the root cause of all of my son’s health issues.

We were referred to allergist, Dr. Lieberman who diagnosed our son with dairy, peanut, egg, and wheat allergies. We got a diagnosis of asthma two years later. Dr. Lieberman told us to remove all peanut butter products from our home. It terrified me to think that something my husband and I enjoyed could make my son really sick. I learned to spot hidden food allergens and read nutrition labels more closely. At night, I would read about anaphylaxis and food allergies. While I was going through all of this, I did not have anyone around me that understood what we were dealing with.

I started going to Vitamin Cottage’s Natural Grocers religiously to find stuff Danny could eat. I met with our helpful nutritionist, Trevida Trevino to discuss allergy friendly meal options. She suggested many helpful things including finding a local food allergy group on meetup.com. I met some wonderful ladies that helped me manage my son’s food allergies like Stephanie Miller, Beth Martinez, and many other moms who were dealing with similar situations. I am so thankful for all of the advice and support I have received from the ladies in this group. It truly does take a village, especially when you are dealing with a child with food allergies.
BTW, my son has a “baked egg challenge” this morning…say a prayer, cross your fingers and toes!

 

About Me?

Nah…it’s bigger than that.

This blog will of course be filled with random thoughts, trips around Austin and of course…FOOD ALLERGY related content.

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Food Allergy Awareness Week is May 12-18th!

14 Tuesday May 2013

Posted by in Food Allergies

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May 13, 2013

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Researchers estimate that up to 15 million Americans have food allergies with nearly 6 million being children.  This week is the 17th Annual Food Allergy Awareness Week, from May  12 – 18, 2013.  Austin Families with Food Allergies (AFFA) has shared a few ways you can get involved:

Monday, May 13:

  • Challenge your friends or family to “subtract” an allergen from their diet for a week!
  • Complete this survey for a chance to win a ½ dozen food allergy friendly cupcakes from Sugartooth Bakery!  To enter you must navigate to the Austin Families with Food Allergies Survey located at: ( http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YCRV9YL ), take and complete the Survey, and at the end of the survey submit your email between 7:00 am CST on Monday, May 13, 2013 and 11:59 pm CST on Thursday, May 16, 2013.  The winner will be announced at the end of the week!

Tuesday, May 14:

  • Food Allergy Awareness Week at Natural Grocers (May 14-18, all day).Visit the activity table and mention Austin Families with Food Allergies to receive a prize. 3901 Guadalupe location only.
  • The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, in cooperation with the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital (GSCNC), offers the Be a PAL Patch Program. Girl Scouts from any council can earn the patch. Information located on their website.

Wednesday, May 15:

  • Food Allergy Awareness Day at Natural Grocers (May 14-18, all day).Visit the activity table and mention Austin Families with Food Allergies to receive a prize. 3901 Guadalupe location only.
  • Check out our Facebook page this week for local sponsor GIVEAWAYS!

 

Thursday, May 16:

  • Food Allergy Awareness Day at Natural Grocers (May 14-18, all day).Visit the activity table and mention Austin Families with Food Allergies to receive a prize. 3901 Guadalupe location only.
  • Food Allergy Awareness Week (FAAW) Twitter Party! RSVP here
    (Hashtag is #foodallergy)

Friday, May 17:

  • Contact your legislators. You can help to get important legislation passed by simply contacting your representatives and asking for their support. Visit www.foodallergy.org for all the information you’ll need to easily do this.
  • Read a food allergy story at your local library, go into your child’s classroom, do a social media blitz to your friends, family, co-workers.  Visit www.foodallergy.org for video links, story ideas, coloring pages & more.


Saturday, May 18:

  • 10:30 a.m. – Food-free Family Story time at the Round Rock Library (216 East Main Street, Round Rock, Texas 78664). This interactive program includes a variety of activities such as books, fingerplay, music, movies, and puppets.
  • “Healthy Gluten-Free Living” Seminar and Health Fair at Natural Grocers (10515 N. Mopac Expressway). Seminar from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and Tasting Fair from 11:30-2:30 p.m. Pam Grove will be teaching basics for the healthiest approach to gluten/allergen free living with meal planning and shopping tips. Door prizes and free samples!
  • Last chance to catch the Art Contest art on display at Natural Grocers- Guadalupe location only.

P. S.  the following week, Monday, May 20:

  • Food Allergies: The Hidden Epidemic. Do you have digestive problems? Celiac disease? Autoimmune conditions like MS, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus? Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis? Headaches or weight gain? These are just a few of the symptoms of hidden food allergies.  Join Dr. Victor Carsrud & Jim Meyer, PharmD, MS, CCN to learn about the different types of food allergies, how they can affect your health, and what you can do about it.  Call 512.219.8600 to RSVP.

For more information on Food Allergy Awareness Week, visit the Facebook page here.

Austin Families with Food Allergies is a support group of parents located throughout the Austin-metro area raising children with food allergies.  The Austin Walk for Food Allergy is organized by Austin Families with Food Allergies in conjunction with Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE).