ARCHIVES-Tips
Hold That Plate!
A Tip from the FAAN newsletter: When a restaurant makes a mistake and sends out the wrong food, keep the plate at the table while they prepare a new plate. This way an uninformed wait staff or cook won't be tempted to just pick off the offending allergen and assume that the meal is now safe.
From Food Allergy Fun: Here's a great tip for Traveling- visiting family and friends for summer vacation or holiday travel.
Take the Trainer with You!
If you're traveling or eating with family for the holidays, take the EpiPen trainer with you. You probably know how to use it, but teach your friends and family too. First, they may need to know how to administer the EpiPen one day. Second, if you explain the response (preloaded needle + 911) to eating an unsafe cookie, maybe they'll help prevent contact with unsafe cookies (or unsafe foods in general).
If you don't know how to use your EpiPen, there's a GREAT resource here: http://www.epipen.com/how-to-use-epipen
If you have expired EpiPens ~ take those too and let family give an Epi shot into an orange or grapefruit. Whoa! It's different from the trainer, because obviously there's a needle. PLEASE be careful (of course!). If you're not interested in triggering your expired EpiPen, but want to see what the needle looks like, you can watch this "Food Allergy" episode clip from a Dr. Oz show, here.
If you're traveling or eating with family for the holidays, take the EpiPen trainer with you. You probably know how to use it, but teach your friends and family too. First, they may need to know how to administer the EpiPen one day. Second, if you explain the response (preloaded needle + 911) to eating an unsafe cookie, maybe they'll help prevent contact with unsafe cookies (or unsafe foods in general).
If you don't know how to use your EpiPen, there's a GREAT resource here: http://www.epipen.com/how-to-use-epipen
If you have expired EpiPens ~ take those too and let family give an Epi shot into an orange or grapefruit. Whoa! It's different from the trainer, because obviously there's a needle. PLEASE be careful (of course!). If you're not interested in triggering your expired EpiPen, but want to see what the needle looks like, you can watch this "Food Allergy" episode clip from a Dr. Oz show, here.
This month, in addition to a tip, I've included some words of encouragement from our friends at Kids With Food Allergies.
To Those Beginning The Allergy Journey
"Hang in there. It does get better. It does get easier. Even if your child doesn't outgrow, YOU, and they, will grow into how to manage on a day to day basis. How to go to school. On a play date. On a vacation. Looking through some baby pictures tonight, I was reminded of the feeling a utter despair and complete hopelessness as I looked at my poor baby, miserable and covered in eczema. And then the blindsided feeling that came with our food allergy diagnosis. Today, that little baby is 11 years old."
"Hang in there. It does get better. It does get easier. Even if your child doesn't outgrow, YOU, and they, will grow into how to manage on a day to day basis. How to go to school. On a play date. On a vacation. Looking through some baby pictures tonight, I was reminded of the feeling a utter despair and complete hopelessness as I looked at my poor baby, miserable and covered in eczema. And then the blindsided feeling that came with our food allergy diagnosis. Today, that little baby is 11 years old."
Help from Epi and Twin Ject
I recently received an email reminder from Eip to renew my son's autoinjectors. I nearly forgot! Thanks Epi! Epi Pen also now has an App to help you ! Click Here To Find Out More. If you are a Twinject user, here is a site for you too!
Family Food Feud: Relatives and Allergies By: Allergic Living
When parents or in-laws or siblings refuse to ‘get’ food allergies, it’s a recipe for quarrels, anger and exasperation.
Following are a select excerpts from writer M. Carolyn Black’s thought-provoking cover article in Allergic Living’s Winter 2011 issue. It’s a feature that explores family dynamics, the meanings attached to food traditions and offers superb advice to help readers bring peace back to their own family gatherings.
If you wish to order the issue and get the full article, you can do so online here.
Excerpts from Winter 2011 Cover Article
Some Only Believe It
When They See It
…. A BIG part of the problem is the invisibility factor: people with food allergies look perfectly healthy, notes Dr. Eyal Shemesh, an associate professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. “On the one hand it’s a real thing, it could be life-threatening and it has to be accompanied by a significant change in lifestyle,” explains Shemesh, who works with families of kids with food allergies. “But on the other hand – and this is where it’s different from cancer or a major operation, for example – it’s not apparent.”
To Read On, Click Here
Following are a select excerpts from writer M. Carolyn Black’s thought-provoking cover article in Allergic Living’s Winter 2011 issue. It’s a feature that explores family dynamics, the meanings attached to food traditions and offers superb advice to help readers bring peace back to their own family gatherings.
If you wish to order the issue and get the full article, you can do so online here.
Excerpts from Winter 2011 Cover Article
Some Only Believe It
When They See It
…. A BIG part of the problem is the invisibility factor: people with food allergies look perfectly healthy, notes Dr. Eyal Shemesh, an associate professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. “On the one hand it’s a real thing, it could be life-threatening and it has to be accompanied by a significant change in lifestyle,” explains Shemesh, who works with families of kids with food allergies. “But on the other hand – and this is where it’s different from cancer or a major operation, for example – it’s not apparent.”
To Read On, Click Here
Free Holiday Guide from KidsWithFoodAllergies.Com
Check out this greatFREE down-loadable holiday guide from Kids With Food Allergies! Celebrate with Food Allergies and Have Fun Too!
Another Fantastic Resource is Kids With Food Allergies FREE pdf booklet Thanksgiving! Celebrating With Food Allergies and Have Fun Too! Click Here to Get Yours Today!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Thanksgiving Survival Tips From Kids With Food Allergies
Thanksgiving is a holiday in the United States notable for overindulging on a large spread of traditionally prepared foods, many of which are laced with wheat, eggs, milk and other allergenic ingredients. A perfect holiday for many Americans includes eating a butter-basted turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, traditional bread stuffing and Grandma’s pumpkin pie - followed by leaving the table stuffed, loosening one’s belt, and then falling asleep in front of a football game on the TV.
To read more click HERE
Thanksgiving is a holiday in the United States notable for overindulging on a large spread of traditionally prepared foods, many of which are laced with wheat, eggs, milk and other allergenic ingredients. A perfect holiday for many Americans includes eating a butter-basted turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, traditional bread stuffing and Grandma’s pumpkin pie - followed by leaving the table stuffed, loosening one’s belt, and then falling asleep in front of a football game on the TV.
To read more click HERE
October 2010
Have a SAFE and Happy Halloween!!
Here are a few Halloween Websites to help your family celebrate with fun and safe tricks and treats!
SPANGLERS! Allergen free candies at your grocery store!
http://www.spanglercandy.com/faqs/allergen-information
Allergic Living Magazine
Halloween School Tips http://www.allergicliving.com/?p=163
Allergy friendly candy and treats http://www.allergicliving.com/?p=122
Food Allergy and Halloween http://www.allergicliving.com/?p=784
One family’s solution- The Great Pumpkin
http://www.allergicliving.com/?p=165
FAAN Halloween Tips
http://www.foodallergywalk.org/site/PageServer?pagename=TrickorTreatforFoodAllergy2010
Trick or Treat fundraising kit, prizes, tips, activities
Kids with Food Allergies
http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/KFA-Celebrates-Halloween.pdf#search=%22halloween%22
8pg booklet- crafts, activites, games, safety tips, recipes
American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology
http://www.aaaai.org/patients/elements/1008/08halloween_checklist.stm
Halloween tips
I.M. Halloween
http://www.imhalloween.com/
Not FA but, a cute site with Halloween color pages, mazes, games, tips etc.
SPANGLERS! Allergen free candies at your grocery store!
http://www.spanglercandy.com/faqs/allergen-information
Allergic Living Magazine
Halloween School Tips http://www.allergicliving.com/?p=163
Allergy friendly candy and treats http://www.allergicliving.com/?p=122
Food Allergy and Halloween http://www.allergicliving.com/?p=784
One family’s solution- The Great Pumpkin
http://www.allergicliving.com/?p=165
FAAN Halloween Tips
http://www.foodallergywalk.org/site/PageServer?pagename=TrickorTreatforFoodAllergy2010
Trick or Treat fundraising kit, prizes, tips, activities
Kids with Food Allergies
http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/KFA-Celebrates-Halloween.pdf#search=%22halloween%22
8pg booklet- crafts, activites, games, safety tips, recipes
American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology
http://www.aaaai.org/patients/elements/1008/08halloween_checklist.stm
Halloween tips
I.M. Halloween
http://www.imhalloween.com/
Not FA but, a cute site with Halloween color pages, mazes, games, tips etc.
September 2010
Back to School Supplies for Food Allergies!
Kathryn Coleman spoke at this month's meeting and shared some great information about communicating with your child's classroom teacher. She shared the power point presentation that she gives to her son's teachers as well as a binder that his teacher keeps in the classroom filled with all sorts of great information.
You can make your own binder to give to your kid's teacher by including following:
(1) photo of child clearly labeled with name and allergies
(2) signed allergy action plan from doctor -- lends credibility
-see article for action plans in News section
(3) page from FAAN on how a child might describe a reaction
- FAAN site
(4) DVD on administering the epi pen from Dey (check with your pharmacy or allergist)
-Epi Pen website
(5) FAAN book/guide for teachers
-FAAN site
(6) suggested letters for teachers/principal to send to parents
-Safe@School Partners site
(7) FAAN paper on how to read a label
-FAAN site
(9) contact info for parents
(10) FAAN teacher's check list (added by me)
FAAN site
You can make your own binder to give to your kid's teacher by including following:
(1) photo of child clearly labeled with name and allergies
(2) signed allergy action plan from doctor -- lends credibility
-see article for action plans in News section
(3) page from FAAN on how a child might describe a reaction
- FAAN site
(4) DVD on administering the epi pen from Dey (check with your pharmacy or allergist)
-Epi Pen website
(5) FAAN book/guide for teachers
-FAAN site
(6) suggested letters for teachers/principal to send to parents
-Safe@School Partners site
(7) FAAN paper on how to read a label
-FAAN site
(9) contact info for parents
(10) FAAN teacher's check list (added by me)
FAAN site
August 2010
Happy Epi Day to You!
We changed my son's epi pen renewal date to correspond to his birthday so that we would not forget. When we have family over for his birthday party, we review how the epi works. We pass around trainer pens and watch the training video together. This way everyone gets a training refresher at the same time. Afterwords, we all enjoy an allergy free birthday cake!
July 2010
Tip- A Food Allergy Family Field Trip
One day, my family had a rare day off when we looked at each other over the breakfast table and said, "what are we going to do today?" My four-year old son is crazy about trucks and so we decided to go see the fire trucks at our local fire house. I gave them a call and they said we could come by anytime as long as there was no emergency. It happened to be valentine's day week so my sons took valentines to the firefighters and EMT's. The crew let my kids crawl all over and check everything out. The best part was when we explained that my son had food allergies, they showed him exactly what would happen if he had to ride in an ambulance to the ER. He thought this was so cool!!! (So did I) I'm sure it will alleviate a little anxiety if we ever have to make that 911call. Now, I see him playing with his Hot Wheels "rescuing" people and he knows if there is an emergency what to expect. I recommend everyone give their local emergency provider a call (not 911) and set up a reassuring field trip.
JuneParty Reminder
A couple of years ago, we had a big cookout. We had just moved into a new house and invited our new neighbors. Since they didn't know about our toddler's food allergies we wanted to make sure that no one would feed him something by mistake. We thought about buying a t-shirt that says, "Don't feed me, I have allergies!" Instead, my son and I made one using fabric paint and a plain white undershirt. Not only did it save us a little money, It made him feel like he was helping get ready for the party, it gave him and me the chance to talk about his allergy and how he should not take food from anyone other than Mom or Dad AND it opened the discussion with all the party goers, giving them the opportunity to learn or ask questions.
