• About
  • Sun’s SOCIAL MEDIA PORTFOLIO 

sun in austin

Tag Archives: Food Allergy

Food Allergy fatalities…

11 Thursday Dec 2014

Posted by sunconnor in Food Allergies

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Austin Families with Food Allergies, FARE, food allergies, food allergiy deaths, Food Allergy, food allergy research & education, parents

This is why I hover…that is all.

This is FARE's list of reported (and confirmed) food allergy deaths within the last 20 months.

This is FARE’s list of reported (and confirmed) food allergy deaths within the last 20 months. http://www.foodallergy.org

Food Allergy Awareness Week is May 11-17th!

12 Monday May 2014

Posted by sunconnor in Food Allergies

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

advocacy, Austin, awareness, Central Texas, Danny's Pantry, families, FARE, Food Allergy, Food Allergy Awareness Week, food allergy research & education, Food Allergy-Friendly Food Pantry, gluten free, kids with food allergies, peanut allergy, Texas, vegan

This week is the 18th Annual Food Allergy Awareness Week, from May 11 – 17, 2014.  Austin Families with Food Allergies (AFFA) has shared a few ways you can get involved:

Monday, May 12:

  • Wear teal today in support of food allergy awareness! ‪#‎TealTakeover www.foodallergy.org/tealtakeover Post your photos on our Facebook page!
  • Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) Twitter Party! To kick off Food Allergy Awareness Week, FARE will be hosting a Twitter chat that will allow you to “Ask the Experts” your questions about food allergies. With members of FARE staff moderating, Ruchi Gupta, MD, PhD and Wayne Shreffler, MD, PhD will answer questions submitted by parents or individuals with food allergies, or anyone else interested in the topic.  Click the link below for details – http://ow.ly/wIZ2y
  • Challenge your friends or family to “subtract” an allergen from their diet for a week!
  • In honor of Food Allergy Awareness Week – Support Danny’s Pantry’s FIRST Food Drive ending May 17, 2014.  Please donate food FREE of the following: Dairy, Egg, Wheat, Peanut, Soy, Gluten, and Shellfish.   Location: Cameron Road Church of Christ (East Austin).  For more information, contact Sun at sunconnor (at)gmail (dot)com.

Tuesday, May 13:

  • School Awareness Day!  Make a food allergy presentation or hang an Awareness Poster at a local school.
  • #TealTakeover – Bake food allergy friendly cookies for friatends, co-workers and family.  Here’s the recipe!  http://ow.ly/wIZoU
  • The Austin Walk for Food Allergy is November 1, 2014.  Register here!  http://ow.ly/wJ26h

Wednesday, May 14:

  • Anaphylaxis Awareness Day! Learn how to use an epinephrine auto-injector or train someone else.
  • 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 FAAN’s website.

Thursday, May 15:

  • 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.
  • Host or Create your own Fundraiser to support this year’s Austin Walk for Food Allergy.

Friday, May 16:

  • 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.
  • Jennifer B-Food Allergy Buzz’s – ANNUAL Food Allergy Awareness Week (FAAW) Twitter Party! Use #foodallergy to tweet and participate! Let’s make #foodallergy #1 trending topic again! (Twitter @foodallergybuzz)  Learn more here.

Saturday, May 17:

  • Learning at Libraries Day!  Donate a Food Allergy Book to your local library.
  • Don’t forget to register for the Austin Walk for Food Allergy! http://ow.ly/wJ2oB
  • 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.

For more information on Food Allergy Awareness Week (and giveaways), visit our 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 The Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE).

FARE is a non-profit organization that provides services nationwide, funds research of food allergies and has been at the forefront of progress in food allergy awareness, advocacy, education, and research.  Findings from FARE-sponsored studies have been used to change laws here in Texas, improve school policies, raise public awareness, and provide education for patients, caregivers and health professionals.  Funds from programs like the FARE Walk for Food Allergy support FARE’s efforts to achieve these feats.

Travel checklist with food allergies

25 Wednesday Dec 2013

Posted by sunconnor in Food Allergies, Travel

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Allergies, Allergy, asthma, Benadryl, children, christmas, Conditions and Diseases, eczema, epipen, FARE, Food, food allergies, Food Allergy, foodallergy, grandparents house, Health, holiday, holiday season, holidays, Home, kid with food allergies, kitchen sink, travel

155801_4964868757859_166030356_n

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)

  • Epipens **
  • QVAR inhaler
  • Albuterol **
  • Nebulizer with mask **
  • Allegra
  • Benadryl **
  • Vitamin drops
  • Cherry bark cough syrup **
  • Gummy bear vitamins
  • Sambucas
  • loaf of freshly baked (food allergy friendly) bread
  • coconut butter and strawberry fruit preserve
  • fresh fruit
  • frozen broccoli
  • natural pork chops – cooked
  • organic cranberry sauce
  • animal crackers
  • sandwich cookies
  • lollipops **
  • underclothes
  • shirts
  • pants
  • light jacket
  • heavy coat **
  • hat **
  • car activities
  • coloring books
  • reading books
  • crayons
  • iPad
  • blanket
  • tot sleeping cot
    **you know….just in case.

    OH!  and for us???  A small bag with changing clothes and toiletries.  I also juiced before leaving, so I brought along my own veggie juice!

THIS IS FOR 3 DAYS!!

Related articles

  • When in Doubt, Give Epinephrine (health.usnews.com)
  • Food allergies can be fatal (goerie.com)
  • Food Allergy Research & Education Announces Partnership with ResearchMatch To Help Connect Patients with Food Allergy Research Studies (prweb.com)
  • Surviving the Holidays With Allergies (freshwaddabrooks.com)

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

28 Friday Jun 2013

Posted by sunconnor in Food Allergies

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Allergen, Allergies, Allergy, Austin, baked egg challenge, breast milk, chronic diseases, Conditions and Diseases, Danny, egg allergy, Food, food allergies, Food Allergy, Health, leaky gut, lieberman, Natural Grocers, No Gmo, no sneezes, sensitive child, Sun Connor, sun in austin, Texas

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.

Related articles
  • Food Allergy Facts (nutallergycomm.wordpress.com)
  • The New Thinking on Allergens (plumorganics.com)
  • Bullied With Food: Another Risk For Kids With Food Allergies (npr.org)
  • Top 10 Food Allergy Misconceptions (expertspages.com)
  • Viaskin ‘Peanut Patch’ Could Be The Answer To Peanut Allergies In Children (medicaldaily.com)

Help for families with food allergies in Oklahoma

26 Sunday May 2013

Posted by sunconnor in Food Allergies

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Donation, Food, Food Allergy, Food bank, Moore Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Soy allergy

Prayers to the victims of the May 20th tornadoes which plummeted Moore, Oklahoma.

Please see below if you are at all able to help:

1. (Email from support group leader in Oklahoma) “Hey leaders need some help! We are in Oklahoma. We are getting together donations of food for those with special dietary needs. I have contacted the food bank and the salvation army who have told me we will be in touch. Well I know this is a huge need because parents in our support group have already been contacted. Right now if anyone would like to send donations we are having them sent to me and we are distributing. If the food bank decides it is a need then we will take to them as well. If you can help in anyway please let me know.

Here is my info.Cami Simunek 13125 Oak Hill DrivePiedmont, OK 73078I have 20 + people in our group ready to go out and distribute. Thank you!!!!”

 
2.  (Email from a mom on another list serv in response to that email) “I  contacted the head of communications at FARE (formerly FAAN) and received this email:”We’re going to be posting a blog post shortly with a variety of resources, but I wanted to let you know we’ve been in touch with the food bank in the area and they are accepting donations of allergy-friendly foods.  We’re recommending people send food directly to them.

Their address is: Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma3355 S Purdue Oklahoma City, OK 73137-0968They are most in need of peanut butter replacements, and shelf-stable, easy-prep food such as canned meats/fish and soups. Many of shelf stable products are tough for our families who are managing milk, egg, wheat and soy allergies. Gluten-Free Café has chicken noodle and vegetable noodle soups that are allergy friendly, Trader Joe’s and Bumblebee low-sodium tuna in water does not contain soy (most other tunas do), and Imagine and Pacific Natural are both good brands, too.”

 
3. It seems Peanut Free Planet is giving free shipping for donations. Their post on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/peanutfreeplanet ):

“If you would like to send a food donation to the food allergy families that have been victims of the Oaklahoma Tornado you can order on our site. PFP will cover the shipping of the gift to the Oaklahoma Food bank. If you would like to donate $ to purchase products to fill in the gaps of other donations please purchase a gift certificate. When you order enter our address as the shipping address. 15252 Stony Creek Way Noblesville IN and choose in-store pick up and put “Oaklahoma” in the comments section. The donations will be shipped Thursday morning. The more people that SHARE this post the more we can SHARE with the food allergy families that are in dire need.”  http://www.peanutfreeplanet.com/

 
4.Food Allergy Food Donations for Moore, OK

http://goo.gl/5mzn0

Related articles
  • Moore, Oklahoma Tornado, Food Allergy Food Donations (healthyallergynut.wordpress.com)
  • Food Allergy-Friendly Food Pantry (suninaustin.com)
  • Valley food bank stepping in to aid Oklahoma ()
  • Food Allergies…and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) (suninaustin.com)
  • Food Allergy Awareness Week Begins Today! (thefoodallergymom.wordpress.com)
  • Soy Allergy: Symptoms and Management (allergies.answers.com)

Food Allergy-Friendly Food Pantry

18 Saturday May 2013

Posted by sunconnor in Food Allergies

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

#FAAW, Austin Community Foundation, Dee Valdez, Food Allergy, Food Allergy Awareness Week, Food Allergy-Friendly Food Pantry, food pantry, Gluten-free diet, Living Without, Louise Walker Memorial Fund, Sun Connor, sun in austin

I came across an article called “Special Diet Food Banks” from Living Without Magazine a couple of years ago.  I read about a young girl with Celiac disease having to eat the gluten-containing macaroni and cheese from the food bank, even though it would cause her a great deal of agony.  I’ve never been able to get that article out of my head.  It made me think about just how many families have issues securing food  and have life threatening food allergies.  I decided to reach out to Dee Valdez for inspiration.  Here are some shocking statistics I learned:

  • In the United States, Texas is the second state with the most food insecurities. Suffering from food insecurity simply means that you have such limited resources when it comes to obtaining food that your children and family are forced to eat a reduced quality of food. It is estimated that 17.1 percent of the population of Texas suffers from food insecurities.
  • In the state of Texas, approximately 24.3 percent of the children population is living in poverty. This means that one in every four children in the state of Texas is suffering from food insecurities.
  • Almost have of the families who suffer from food insecurities are forced to choose all the time between food and other basic needed items. Approximately 48 percent of these families have to choose between paying for their light bill, their heat bill, or food. Approximately 47 percent are being forced to choose between paying their rent or buying food. Approximately 39 percent are being forced to choose between buying gas for their vehicles or buying food.

In 2007, I decided to create the Louise Walker Memorial Fund in honor of my grandmother. In 2010, I changed  the mission of my fund to focus its energies on food allergy awareness programs and organizations.  Thanks to the assistance of Capital Area Food Bank, Natural Grocers and Cameron Road Church of Christ (among other local churches) I’ve also been able to create a food pantry that’s food allergy friendly.   It’s still growing and being developed, but it’s definitely making progress!  Stay tuned…by following this blog and following me on twitter!

Related articles
  • Food Allergy Awareness Week is May 12-18th! (suninaustin.com)
  • 2013-05-10 Fabulous Friday Food Allergy Awareness Week (survivingthefoodallergyapocalypse.wordpress.com)
  • Food Allergy Awareness Week 2013 (ctworkingmoms.com)
  • FARE Weighs In On Food Allergy Awareness Week (thefoodallergymom.wordpress.com)

Chef Alain Braux’s new cookbook, Living Gluten and Dairy-Free with French Food

18 Saturday May 2013

Posted by sunconnor in Recipes and Reviews

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

ADHD, Allergy, anemia, Autism, Chef Alain Braux, Coeliac disease, Eating, fatigue, Food, food allergies, Food Allergy, Gluten, Gluten-free diet, Grocery store, hypothyroidism, iron deficiency, special diet, Sun Connor, sun in austin, thyroid

Let me start by saying that I am not the easiest eater.  My food allergic son’s also selective about what he eats.   I have a gluten sensitivity and I generally don’t have any interest in bread, cheese and milk.  I also try to avoid red meat.  We buy mostly organic and enjoy drinking fresh orange or green juice.  I cook with coconut and olive oils.  So because I do the majority of the grocery shopping and cooking in my house, my family ends up eating similarly.   Will my husband eat regular frozen pizza and milk?  Does my son eat cookies and occasional treats?  Obviously.  Will I have a meltdown if they do?  Of course not!

Earlier this year, I received Chef Alain Braux’s new cookbook, Living Gluten and Dairy-Free with French Food.  It has become my “go to” in such a short period of time.  It’s a fantastic book for anyone who has  food allergies, gluten intolerance or celiac disease, or for someone looking to understand and educate themselves around whether they may have one of these conditions.  The book is written by a phenomenal French chef, who shares with his readers how to enjoy cooking and eating regardless of their dietary restrictions.  His mission in this book is clear: to ensure that his readers understand that a special diet does not mean they should ever feel restricted from enjoying delicious meals.

Chef Alain Braux’s writing style comes across as genuine and full of personality, making the non-recipe portions of the book a pleasure to read.  Sensitive to gluten himself, he can easily relate to his readers, understand their dietary restrictions and associated struggles, and ultimately help better their daily eating experience.

The book begins by discussing Gluten and Dairy dietary restrictions and how these intolerances or sensitivities become apparent, and tapping in to personal accounts of various people regarding their own personal experiences with food intolerances, allergies and sensitivities.  He carefully touches upon what people with such dietary situations might experience including behavioral problems, feeling ill and bloated, and addresses the issue around the problems with self-diagnosis versus having a specialist examine one’s situation.  Braux also ensures that his readers have a thorough understanding of each condition, what it means, and what potential causes are.  He takes a responsible approach in giving all of the necessary background information that a reader needs to make a smart decision in whether or not they should seek medical attention to validate or disprove their dietary condition concerns.

Braux gives recommendations throughout the book that teach readers how to live with their dietary restrictions including how to organize their kitchens, what key ingredients to stock up on, and how to tweak their favourite recipes to meet their dietary needs.  Furthermore, he explores lifestyle tricks to help readers when eating outside of the home and grocery shopping.

Lastly, of course, the book outlines all sorts of delicious foods and recipes that readers can prepare that fall within the guidelines of their dietary restrictions.  There is an extremely wide assortment of tasty options from sweets to meats that would satisfy any craving one might have.  As you can imagine, being a French chef, Braux has significant expertise in preparing fine foods and shares decadent yet practical recipes for creating culinary delights.  I was born and raised in New Orleans, so I was excited to see French cuisine recipes specifically for people with food allergies.

This book literally teaches its readers everything that they need to know to live and eat happily with a gluten and dairy-free diet.  From how to understand their condition, to lifestyle changes, to cooking amazing meals, this is an extremely comprehensive guide for anyone looking to live better with their dietary restriction or even just educate themselves better around whether or not they may have one in the first place.

Food Allergy Awareness Week is May 12-18th!

14 Tuesday May 2013

Posted by sunconnor in Food Allergies

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

2013, Allergies, Allergy, Austin, Conditions and Diseases, Food, Food Allergy, Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, Food Allergy Awareness Week, Health, Natural Grocers, People's Pharmacy, Sun Connor, TX

May 13, 2013

923556_527561730633893_1383156080_n

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).

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Sun in Austin

Sun in Austin

Recent Posts

  • My Second born…FIRST!
  • Food Allergy fatalities…
  • “A woman of strength, and courage.  She was beautiful, and now peaceful and free as a dove….”
  • Gate A-4
  • Way back Wednesday…

Recent Comments

sunconnor on Food Allergy fatalities…
Share Joys! Project on Food Allergy fatalities…
Desktop Allergy Test… on Food Allergy Awareness Week is…
sunconnor on Food Allergy Awareness Week is…
foodallergyfare on Food Allergy Awareness Week is…

Archives

  • October 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • August 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013

Categories

  • Austin Adventures
  • Coolin' and Homeschoolin' the kid!
  • Family
  • Food Allergies
  • Healthy Eating
  • Holidays
  • Lagniappe
  • Ramblings
  • Recipes and Reviews
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Volunteerism

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • sun in austin
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • sun in austin
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...