Food Allergy Assistant

Auvi Q Re-Launch

2017-02-15T11:12:00.001-05:00

The Auvi-Q is back on the market! It's roughly the size of a credit card and must be carried by people at risk of an anaphylactic allergic reactions. While high costs for epi-injectors like the Auvi-Q and the EpiPen have been in the news a lot lately, there are programs to help with affordability. Check out Affordable Auvi-Q Access for more information. Check out the FAQ's to learn more.

Return Those Auvi-Q's!

2015-11-13T11:24:00.003-05:00

By now you undoubtedly know about the Auvi-Q recall. If you need to carry an epinephrine injector, be sure you've gotten a prescription from your healthcare provider for a prescription for EpiPen or Adrenaclick.

I participated in a phone call last week with a representative from Sanofi (maker of Auvi-Q) and their Chief Medical Director, Dr. Chew. While they are unclear about

the future of the Auvi-Q device, they are clear that customer safety is their top priority. They've asked us to get the word out that they want everyone to return their Auvi-Q devices so they can check them. Even if you used the $0 co-pay card and didn't pay a dime for them, please call Sanofi (1-877-319-8963 or 1-866-726-6340, 8 am-8 pm ET) for a pre-paid mailer to return them. They will also refund costs for the devices or issue reimbursement for new injectors.

This recall has been a challenge for many in the food allergy community. Let's keep working together to keep all at risk for anaphylaxis safe.

Getting Easier to Eat at Restaurants with Food Allergies!

2015-03-04T11:09:00.001-05:00

"We've come a long way, baby!" was my thought recently when we settled in to a lunch at a nearby Red Robin. As soon as we said "food allergy", we were given an electronic tablet with their fully customizable Allergen Menu.

Awesome!

I couldn't help thinking back to another lunch with my food allergic child 12 years earlier. A lunch we walked out of before our food was served. This was after the waitress came back to our table and burst into tears, saying the kitchen staff was making fun of food allergies and hinting that they may "do something" to the meal we ordered.

Seriously, this really happened.

Now, restaurants are on the hook for taking food allergies seriously. Legislation in several states, such

as Virginia, Rhode Island and Massachusetts require food allergy training for restaurant employees. While there is not a national mandate for restaurants, work continues on the local and state levels to make restaurants accountable when notified of food allergies. Right now, it's still often a hit-or-miss prospect when eating out.

That's why I am so happy to see that AllergyEats, has released its 2015 list of Most Allergy-Friendly Restaurant Chains nationwide. These chains have the highest ratings on the AllergyEats’ website and smartphone app, which is based on feedback from the food allergy community about how restaurants accommodated food-allergic diners.

And the winners are:

Most allergy-friendly large chains (50 or more restaurants):

Chipotle Mexican Grill (4.41 rating)
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro (4.39 rating)
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers (4.39 rating)
Outback Steakhouse (4.32 rating)
Mellow Mushroom (4.29 rating)

Most allergy-friendly small chains (fewer than 50 restaurants):

Maggiano’s Little Italy (4.74 rating)
Burtons Grill (4.69 rating)
Legal Sea Foods (4.64 rating)
Joe’s American Bar & Grill (4.63 rating)
Not Your Average Joe’s (4.63 rating)

I'm thrilled to see some of our favorites on here. Overall, though, we've found that with proper planning- talking to manager/chef in advance, bringing a chef card to the restaurant and clearly explaining what is needed for a safe meal- many restaurants today are quite accommodating and well-educated.

Where have you eaten recently?

For more information, or to rate or search restaurants, please visit www.AllergyEats.com.

Please note that I am not endorsing any particular restaurant and I encourage those with food allergies to talk to their doctor about the risks of dining in restaurants.

Auvi-Q Coupon

2015-02-11T11:03:00.002-05:00

Auvi-Q Coupon

Sanofi has announced that they are continuing their Zero dollar co-pay program for the Auvi-Q, which will benefit most insured patients. This is great news for many who need to carry this life-saving medical device. The program runs through December 31, 2015. If you're not familiar with the Auvi-Q, check out their FAQ's to learn more.
And, if you're looking for some trendy ways to carry epinephrine, my friend Caroline at Grateful Foodie has a fantastic write-up about EpiPen, Allerject, & Auvi-Q cases and skins products from Carry-Nine. There will be no excuse for kids and teens, or anyone for that matter, to leave their life-saving epinephrine at home.

Zero Dollar Co-Pay for EpiPens!

2015-01-12T19:21:00.000-05:00

I'm thrilled to share that Mylan has extended their $0 co-pay plan until Dec. 31, 2015. I know this makes the difference for many families between not having epinephrine easily accessible and having the life-saving medication their family needs. Thank you to Mylan for helping families!

Go to epipen.com and activate your card now. While you're on the site, check out some of the other resources, like "Have a Plan" and personal stories to share

with others.

And don't forget, practice with expired pens by plunging them into an orange or grapefruit (or lemon!) so that everyone sees and hears what to expect when using an Epipen. You can drop off the used pen to your allergist or other doctor for disposal.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake Recipe

2014-11-11T10:27:00.000-05:00

Leftover zucchini? No problem! At the end of the zucchini harvest, I throw all the leftovers in the food processor and shred it. I then measure out two-cup portions and put in containers to be used in my favorite chocolate cake recipe.

Sshhh...there's no need to tell the kids about the nutritious benefits of the zucchini- let them eat cake!

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

• 1/2 cup canola oil

• 1 1/2 cups white sugar

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup liquid (water, rice milk, soy milk)

• 2 cups shredded zucchini

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan (or two 9 inch pans).

2. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, baking soda and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Add one cup of liquid. Fold in the zucchini. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.

3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until cake springs back when gently touched.

• To make frosting, melt together 6 tablespoons of cocoa and 1/4 cup margarine (Fleischmann's unsalted margarine sticks are dairy free, but contain soy at this writing); set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, blend together 2 cups confectioners' sugar, 1/4 cup liquid (water, rice milk, soy milk) and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in the cocoa mixture. Spread over cooled cake before cutting.

*Sometimes I throw in some dairy-free chocolate chips into the batter for a Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Cake with Chocolate Frosting (I like to see how often I can use the word "chocolate" in the recipe title:)

Enjoy!

Great Product for Eczema!

2014-08-15T13:16:00.004-04:00

I remember it well. My baby's constant scratching; the marks raked up and down the newborn skin; the blood droplets on the sheets and pillowcases in the morning. Eczema is tough to figure out and treat- especially for a baby or young child.

I love the Flip Mitten Sleeve from Scratch-Me-Not! It so soft and, well, quite brilliant. No matter how short we cut our baby's fingernails, it wasn't short enough. By covering the fingers, with the soft mitten, there will be less damage to the skin from constant scratching and picking. The sleeve is worn across the shoulders so babies and little ones can't easily remove it. Lotions and ointments stay put when the sleeve is on.

There is a 15% discount on their website when you subscribe to the Scratch-Me-Not newsletter, so take a look to see if their products may help may life a little less itchy.

Disclosure: I received a free sample of this product to review. I was not pressured to give a positive review, but I really think it's a great product, so I did:)

Food Allergy Recipe Books Now Electronic

2014-06-16T09:28:00.000-04:00

I have long credited Linda Coss with teaching me how to bake great allergy friendly cookies, waffles, pancakes, desserts and more. My copies of her books, What's to Eat and What Else is to Eat are stained and dog-eared due to overuse. That's why I was so excited to hear from Linda that her books are now available as e-books at Amazon.com, iBooks, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and most other major e-book retailers! It will be far easier to wipe off a batter splatter from my screen than from a paper page:) If you need to cook and bake without dairy, eggs or peanuts, these recipes are for you.

Linda has kindly allowed me to share two of my family's favorites from her books to celebrate their electronic release. Enjoy!

Wheat Germ Baking Powder Biscuits

These biscuits are a little sweeter and a little healthier than my basic Baking Powder Biscuit.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 12 minutes

Makes 15 (2-inch diameter) biscuits.

1-2/3 cups flour
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ (i.e. buy the variety called “toasted”)
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, wheat germ, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a 1- or 2-cup measuring cup, mix the water and oil together; add to dry mixture and mix well.

Knead dough 20 to 25 times on a floured board. Roll the dough on a floured board until it is 1⁄2-inch thick. Using a cookie cutter or an overturned glass, cut dough into 2-inch circles; place on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for approximately 12 minutes, or until done. Serve hot, with honey, jam, or dairy-free margarine.

Reprinted with permission from “What’s to Eat? The Milk-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free Food Allergy Cookbook” by Linda Marienhoff Coss, www.FoodAllergyBooks.com.

Spaghetti and Meatball Soup

Okay, I’ll admit it – this doesn’t actually call for spaghetti, because when I tested the recipe with spaghetti noodles the pasta kept falling off the spoon. But “spiral pasta and meatball soup” just didn’t sound as good!

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 10 minutes

Makes 4 servings (about 1-1/3 cups each).

2 (14.5 ounce) cans dairy- and egg-free fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth (3-1/2 cups broth)
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried sage leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 of a small brown onion
3 large cloves fresh garlic
1/2 pound extra lean ground beef or ground turkey
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley leaves
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (8 ounce) package dairy-, egg-, and nut-free spiral pasta

Place chicken broth, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, sage, thyme, and pepper in a 4-quart pot; mix well. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered.

Peel and chop onion; you should have 1/4 cup. Peel garlic and press through garlic press. Set aside.

Place ground meat, parsley, and seasoned salt in a medium mixing bowl; mix well. Form mixture into 1/2-inch-diameter mini meatballs. Heat olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat.

Add meatballs and cook, occasionally stirring gently, until browned on all sides, about 2 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove meatballs from skillet and add to simmering soup. Add prepared onion and garlic to skillet and sauté over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until onions are soft, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove onions and garlic from skillet and add to soup. Add pasta to soup. Cover and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes or until pasta is cooked, stirring once or twice during cooking time. Serve hot.

Reprinted with permission from “What Else is to Eat? The Dairy-, Egg- and Nut-Free Food Allergy Cookbook” by Linda Marienhoff Coss, www.FoodAllergyBooks.com.

Ready2Go With Food Allergies

2014-06-05T10:48:00.002-04:00

Have you heard about the new campaign? Pro-football player Adrian Peterson has teamed up with Mylan to talk about his food allergies and his anaphylaxis action plan in a new campaign, Ready2Go. Check out his video for inspiration and then let you kids upload their own 30 second video to share with Adrian. Three winners will be chosen and those kids will get to make an educational film with Adrian.

This is such a cool way to show kids that adults and famous people have to deal with avoiding certain foods due to allergies and also need to carry life-saving medications. Hurry! The draft closes on July 15, 2014.

Adrian Peterson of Minnesota Vikings

It's Easter Time!

2014-04-15T15:50:00.000-04:00

The commercialized aspect of Easter revolves around chocolate and bunnies (made of chocolate) and eggs (hard-boiled or made of chocolate and filled with peanut butter) and marshmallow chicks (that now carry an allergen label warning of possible contact with dairy). This time of year can be a minefield of mishaps and misunderstandings when food allergies are involved- especially for young children.

Here are a few of my favorites ways to celebrate the treat part of this holiday:

Easter Bunny Cake
Chocolate Molds
Plastic eggs with toys and money inside.

Happy Easter!

Six Food Allergy Happenings You May Have Missed Over the Holidays

2014-01-03T16:54:00.001-05:00

New Year's Eve

So, the decorating and present buying and singing of Auld Lang Syne is done. While you've been enjoying the holiday season with family and friends, here are a few items related to food allergies that you may have missed:

Epi Injectors

The date has been set for the 2nd Annual 2014 Food Allergy Bloggers Conference. Start saving your frequent flier miles for a trip to Las Vegas Sept. 26-28.
Mylan is extending their $0 copay for EpiPens through 2014. Go to Epipen.com for details.
Sanofi is also extending their $0 copay program for Auvi-Q through 2014. Go to their website for details.
The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Team has formed to educate, advocate, and raise awareness for all individuals and families affected by food allergies and life-threatening anaphylaxis.
KFA is offering a free webinar on 504 Plans and Individualized Halthcare plans. Sign up for the January 14 event and learn how laws protect food allergic students.
FARE has partnered with Research Match to help connect patients with food allergy studies.

Did I miss anything? My mind may still be a bit fuzzy after too

Chocolate Chip Cookies

much "sparkling cider" and too many holiday cookies....

Debunking Food Allergy Myths

2013-11-15T07:17:00.000-05:00

There has been some great information coming out of last week's Conference of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). One of the speakers, Dr. David Stukus, presented on the outdated information related to allergies that still circulates. Among the myths:

"I can't get the flu shot because I'm allergic to eggs."
"I'm allergic to food dyes."
"I can take an at-home blood test to find out which foods I'm allergic to."
Avoid giving highly allergenic foods to babies for their first 12 months of life.

It is difficult to stay on top of the latest research, but it is important for families to be aware of the changing conversations about food allergies. Reach out to your allergist if you have any questions about how to manage food allergy. You can read the complete news release of Dr. Stukus's presentation here.

Dairy Free Dark Chocolate

2013-11-13T09:58:00.001-05:00

I do enjoy dark chocolate. I like that slight bitter to the sweet and there are so many health benefits (doesn't it help you lose weight, sleep better, give you more energy and make you resistant to all illness and disease?:)

I was thrilled when Enjoy Life recently asked if I wanted to try their new dairy-free dark chocolate chips. I thought dark chocolate would need to stay out of my family dairy-free recipes, but those days are now over. These dark chocolate chips are dairy-free and delicious...especially in my dark chocolate chip cookies. I love a product with two ingredients- in this case unsweetened chocolate and cane sugar. That's it! So simple. There's a coupon on the Enjoy Life homepage for their products. Print it before heading to the grocery store.

Teaching ALL Kids About Food Allergies

2013-10-29T06:30:00.000-04:00

Have you seen the adorable Supermarket Search game at Anaphylaxis101.com? It's a great way to share the importance of reading ingredient labels with kids, and you get to print out an allergy friendly recipe at the end. While you're on the site, download the free ebook about Ana & Phyl Axis, narrated by Modern Family's Julie Bowen.

I love that there are so many resources about food allergies for ALL kids!

Homemade Candy Corn and Halloween Goodies

2013-10-22T06:39:00.000-04:00

It's that time of year again! The witch/ghost/bat decorations are out of the attic and adorning the house and I've pulled out some favorite seasonal recipes like homemade candy corn and pumpkin apple muffins.

I recently had the opportunity to participate in a webinar with Jo Frost in which she shared her experience with her own food allergies, as well as some Halloween tips for food allergy families. Here are some of her seasonal ideas:

focus on the non-food festivities like mask making, pumpkin decorating, face paint, spooky scavenger hunts.
remember that different sized treats may contain different ingredients. If you can't read the label, assume it's unsafe (that piece of advice is mine).
give your child something to eat before going out trick or treating or to a party. That removes some of the temptation to eat without thinking or because of hunger.

For more information about Jo's work on behalf of food allergy families, check out 25 Years of EpiPen, and while you're there, upload a photo showing how you carry your EpiPen and Mylan will donate $25 to leading allergy non-profit groups.

How to Make Food Challenges Easier for Food Allergic Patients

2013-10-03T09:18:00.001-04:00

Another food challenge is on the calendar for later this month. This one is for eggs. After going through multiple challenges for wheat, milk, baked milk and baked egg, we've learned a few things and I plan to make some changes that will hopefully help relieve some of the anxiety and uncertainty heading into this one.

This time:

I will bring a variety of foods. Since this is an egg challenge, I will bring french toast, scrambled eggs and a hard boiled egg. This gives us several options and a back-up plan in case something goes wrong (food gets contaminated at the allergist's office- oh yes, it's happened!)
I will bring our toaster from home. French toast heated in the microwave multiple times is a soggy, mushy mess. The idea is to make the food appealing after we've referred to it as "dangerous" for over a decade.
I will bring plates, utensils and condiments from home. French toast just tastes better with a silver fork and a little honey or syrup.
I will bring a laptop and a Redbox movie we've been waiting to see. No more watching a movie from home for the seventeenth time- this truly needs to be a distraction!

I also think the clinical setting could be better adapted for people going through food challenges, so I have a few suggestions for the allergists out there who conduct challenges in their offices.

I wish allergists would:

designate a space for food challenges. Must we sit in a regular exam room, on a bed staring at tongue depressors and a disposal case for medical waste? This is not a space conducive to relaxed eating.
create a homey atmosphere in the challenge room. How about a table, comfortable chairs, a microwave and toaster oven we can use? A big screen TV and some board games would be a nice touch. We're trying to forget that we're sitting in a doctor's office waiting to see if there is going to an anaphylactic reaction. An inviting, calming environment would be helpful.

Do you have other ideas for families or allergists heading into a food challenge? I'd love to hear what works for you!

2013-09-23T06:58:00.000-04:00

Allergy Friendly Bars

Enjoy Life has improved the taste of their chewy bars and added ancient grains like quinoa, amaranth and buckwheat flour to the recipe. I appreciate food products from Enjoy Life because they are made in a dedicated factory, so there is no risk of cross contamination of the top 8 most common allergens. Their products are also free of casein, sesame and sulfites.

Cute Vera Bradley Lunch Bag!

The chewy bars make a great lunchbox addition and travel well for an anytime snack. They come in four flavors: SunButter Crunch (my personal favorite!), Cocoa Loco, Caramel Apple and Mixed Berry. There are five in a box, and since they have a long shelf life, feel free to order several boxes to take advantage of Enjoy Life's free shipping offer (on orders over $49).

Food Allergy Assistant readers have a special incentive to try the new bars- a 10% discount! Simply go to Shop Enjoy Life Foods and enter CHEWY10 at checkout. I'd love to hear your thoughts after trying them.

Food Allergy Documentary

2013-09-09T06:30:00.000-04:00

Discovery Channel Documentary

Did you get a chance to watch the Discovery documentary, "An Emerging Epidemic: Food Allergies in America"? If not, you can view the 53 minute show online when you get a chance. A word of caution: it is graphic and may not be appropriate for kids. I would advise parents to preview it first.

I do think the documentary was well-done, but it is tricky to produce an educational film for different populations. It is a great piece for adults directly impacted by food allergies. It is also a learning opportunity for those not directly impacted by food allergies. This documentary can raise awareness about anaphylaxis and the dangers of food allergies. It can educate grandparents, teachers, coaches, babysitters and others who may come in contact with people with food allergies.

Eating out with Food Allergy

It is a hopeful piece. To hear teens and adults talk about how they don't let food allergies "define them" and that you can "overcome obstacles" is a wonderful message for parents and young people who deal with food allergies. It is a thought-provoking piece. Why is it that food allergy rates have doubled in children since the late 1990's? There has been much research into causes and treatments, but there is still a long way to go to determine why more people are allergic to foods and how to best manage living with food allergy.

I also appreciated the term "threshold" used in the documentary to describe that everyone with food allergy has a different level of tolerance. This makes sense to me as a way to specifically address food allergy to others like the school nurse, restaurant staff, the school cafeteria, or caretakers. Every person with food allergies has different needs and it is up to parents, and eventually the food allergic person, to articulate those needs to others.

Dr. Gupta

A shout out to Dr. Ruchi Gupta who was interviewed in this documentary. She is a strong food allergy advocate in her roles as a doctor and a parent of a food allergic child. Thank you to FARE and Mylan for their support of this show. Education and awareness is the key to keeping everyone with food allergies safe. After you watch the documentary, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below!

Food Allergy Blogger Summit

2013-08-30T09:47:00.001-04:00

Last week, I had the honor of spending time with an inspiring group of food allergy advocates, bloggers and researchers. Mylan Specialty, maker of EpiPen^®hosted a Blogger Summit* to lead an open discussion to share information and brainstorm ideas.

Click on linked names to visit the food allergy bloggers of this inspiring group.

Back row, from left: Keeley McGuire, Liana Burns of Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Jenny Sprague, Cybele Pascal, Lindsey Steffensen, Elizabeth DiBurro, Tracy Bush
Middle row, from left: Libby Ilson, Siobhan Cavanaugh of Mylan Specialty L.P., Kelly Rudnicki, Judy Morgitan of National Association of School Nurses, Dr. Ruchi Gupta, Lynda Mitchell of Kids With Food Allergies Foundation, Tonya Winders of Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics, George Dahlman of Food Allergy Research & Education
Front row, from left: Joanne LaSpina, Ruth LovettSmith, Lauren Kashtan of Mylan Specialty L.P., Lisa Rutter, Sloane Miller, Heidi Bayer, Caroline Moassessi.

The focus on the summit was back-to-school, but any topic related to food allergies was fair game. The highlights for me included:

Dr. Gupta

hearing from Dr. Rucci Gupta about efforts to establish a national registry to record anaphylactic reactions. Often these reactions may be documented as "wheezing" or "respiratory distress". Until we have accurate records, it is difficult to determine how many people are affected by anaphylaxis.
discussing 504 plans with Judy Morgitan from the National Association of School Nurses and Lynda Mitchell from Kids With Food Allergies . Any student has the right to request a

Judy Morgitan and Lynda Mitchell

504 Hearing to determine eligibility. Accommodations at school may include guidelines for hand-washing and/or a safe zone in the cafeteria.
Updates from Tonya Winders, COO, of Allergy and Asthma Network (AANMA), Liana Burns, Manager of Policy and Programs at Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and George Dahlman, Vice president of Advocacy for Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE). We learned how states vary in terms of access to epinephrine in schools and community

http://www.aanma.org/advocacy/usanaphylaxis/

emergency services. Check out AAFA's map to find out which US schools require stock epinephrine. Join in AANMA's advocacy efforts on behalf of all states and be on the lookout for news (and ways to get involved) of FARE's efforts in restaurant training, emergency services protocols and access to epinephrine in schools.
reminders from Mylan Specialty of their continuing work to bring together people affected by anaphylaxis through programs like 25 Years of EpiPen^® featuring Adrian Peterson and Jo Frost, EpiPens4Schools and the Zero Dollar Co-pay Plan.

Lauren Kashtan, Senior Manager
Communications, Mylan Specialty

(Isn't it terrifying to imagine dealing with food allergies before EpiPen®??? Twenty-five years ago, patients were told to avoid their allergic food, but in the case of accidental ingestion, get to a hospital immediately for treatment. Yikes!)

Besides all the learning, we enjoyed a fantastic dinner by Chef Kelvin at the Strand Hotel, insightful conversation with one another and a general feeling of hope and empowerment when it comes to food allergies.

Thank you to Mylan Specialty for sponsoring this event and to Chandler Chicco Agency as well.

View of Empire State Building from The Strand Hotel Rooftop deck

*The information I share about the Mylan Summit is at my own discretion and based on my own opinion. My travel expenses for the summit were compensated by Mylan Specialty in exchange for evaluation and feedback on information presented during the meeting.

Back to School with Food Allergies

2013-08-22T08:00:00.000-04:00

I've headed out on the information highway to bring you some of the best information about going back to school with food allergies. While we still have a few weeks until the first day, I realize that many of you have already sent your kids off on the big yellow bus. I'm busy pulling together all my 504 plan documentation and making sure I have physician signatures on all necessary forms. Here are some great back-to-school resources for food allergy families:

My Food Allergy Back-to-School Checklist

Grateful Foodie's Back to School Everything

Kids With Food Allergies- School Planning for Food Allergic Children

Food Allergy Kids of Atlanta's Tips for Back to School with Food Allergies

Allergy Ready's Allergy Ready Back to School

Living Without's Back to School: Tips for Your Food Allergic Child

FARE's What Every Parent Needs to Know About 504 Plans
The Nut-Free Mom- Resources and Links for a New School Year

Here's to a safe learning year for all students! Please let me know if I've missed any of your favorite back-to-school resources.

MA Restaurants and Food Allergies

2013-08-09T13:05:00.002-04:00

Food Allergy Signs

Our family recently visited the great state of Massachusetts and found a posting about food allergies in every restaurant we saw. From fast food to fine dining, some statement about food allergies was apparent. When we spoke to restaurant staff, nearly everyone was well-versed about food allergies and needed little coaching from us in discussing and preparing allergy safe foods. From the guy at Subway® who immediately washed his hands, changed his gloves and took out fresh utensils, to our server at the Omni Parker House Hotel who took the time to write down our allergen concerns and then discussed safe options, it was delightful to dine out in MA.

This may not be big news in MA as they've had
food allergy legislation since 2010 requiring all restaurants in the state to adhere to certain guidelines, but it's a big deal to those of us from out of state. While a few other states have passed similar regulations (RI and perhaps soon MD), most states lag far behind, making eating out with food allergies very challenging. Anyone interested in helping to enact similar legislation in their state is encouraged to contact FARE.

Everyone should have the right to walk into a restaurant and have a safe dining experience. Paul Antico, founder of Allergy Eats is sponsoring the second annual Food Allergy Conference for Restauranteurs this November. Share registration information with your favorite restaurants and encourage them to become food allergy savvy. It's good for everyone.

Enjoy Life Decadent Bars

2013-07-01T08:50:00.002-04:00

I recently had the opportunity to sample Enjoy Life's new Decadent Soft Baked Bars.

Let me first say that I always feel very comfortable recommending Enjoy Life products because I know their focus is on making good-tasting food that is also safe for people with food allergies and celiac disease. All of their products are free of wheat, dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, fish, shellfish, sesame and sulfites.

As anyone with multiple dietary concerns knows, it is priceless to be able to turn to a ready-made product that you know will be safe and tasty.

That brings us to enjoy Life's Decadent Bars. They come in four flavors: Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Sunbutter, Cinnamon Bun and S'Mores. Each bar is drizzled with chocolate or white chocolate- honestly, they look beautiful.

I really like the texture- soft, with a little crisp in them- and I thought they tasted great (admittedly, the Chocolate Sunbutter was my favorite!). These bars are perfect to have on-hand for a quick snack or to serve during a playdate. They are small and easy to carry, which makes them ideal for travel too.

If you want to try them out, grab a coupon and head over to your favorite grocery store that carries Enjoy Life products (check out the store locator to find one near you). They can also be ordered right from the Enjoy Life Online store for single boxes or a 6-pack. The shelf life of the bars is approximately 9 months and there is currently a free shipping offer on orders over $49.

I'm happy to add Enjoy Life's Decadent Bars to my list of easy, delicious and safe foods. I love a product that makes life a bit easier!

Disclaimer: While I was not paid for my review of this product, I was provided with a complimentary sample pack. The opinions shared are my own.

Generic Epi Injectors for Allergic Reactions

2013-06-28T10:17:00.000-04:00

There is growing concern among those in the food allergy community about the rising number of epinephrine auto-injectors coming into the market. Now, you may remember that I expressed much excitement when Auvi-Q joined EpiPen as another option for people requiring an epi-injector. I liked the idea of choice and competition. I'm not going back on that, but with two more units ready to hit store shelves, we need to make sure that parents, teachers, school nurses, coaches and others are educated about what an epi-injector looks like and how to use it.

To start, I'd like to direct you to a well-written post over at Kids With Food Allergies. "Important News about Epinephrine Auto Injectors", written by Dr. Angela Nace, of Jefferson University School of Pharmacy, clearly outlines the differences between the types of auto-injectors that will be available. I particularly appreciate the easy-to-read chart included in the report.

After you've digested the information by Dr. Nace, there are a few other things to consider:

which epinephrine injector works best for your family?
will you have more than one type of injector on hand?
what are the out-of-pocket costs associated with each type?
how will you make sure that care-takers are aware of the different types and how to use them?

One other thing to think about is that with the availability of a generic epi-injector, doctors and pharmacies may be obliged to give out the generic, depending upon insurance or the way the prescription is written. Be clear with the doctor and pharmacy about the type of epinephrine auto-injector you want.

Angela Nace is Field Coordinator for Experiential Education, Department of Pharmacy Practice, at Jefferson University School of Pharmacy. - See more at: http://community.kidswithfoodallergies.org/blog/available-epinephrine-auto-injectors-new-generic#sthash.Q0OaWZpA.dpuf

Chicken-less Eggs Benefit People With Egg Allergy

2013-06-18T08:59:00.002-04:00

Beyond Eggs may be just what the doctor ordered for egg allergic consumers. For those of us in my family not allergic to eggs, I spend the extra money for free-range eggs, as I don't want to contribute to the practice of hens in tiny cages. Finally there's an alternative that deals with the egg allergy and the humane issues.

A report on NPR's "All Things Considered" caught my attention last week. "Why Bill Gates is Investing in Chicken-less Eggs", talked about how Hampton Creek Foods has come up with a plant-based substitute for eggs.

Why mess with Mother Nature, you ask? Well, there is growing concern that in the coming decades the demand for animal meat and by-products will surpass the supply. In addition, these substitute eggs:

reduce our carbon footprint
are less expensive
have no risk of salmonella
contain no cholesterol
and, most important to me, are safe for those with egg allergies. They are also free of soy, lactose and gluten.

In a recent taste test, cookies baked with chicken eggs were compared to cookies baked with Beyond Eggs. Tasters did not notice a difference. And watch this video using Beyond Eggs to make scrambled eggs.

I did contact Hampton Fooods to inquire about nutrition information and I am very pleased with the response. Chicken eggs and Beyond Eggs are pretty comparable in terms of protein. Beyond Eggs also contains a good amount of calcium, less fat and no cholesterol.

While I've adapted many of my recipes and find a mixture of baking soda, oil and water to work in many of my homemade cookies and cakes, I love the idea of this nutrition boost and I'm hopeful that Beyond Eggs will work in some of the recipes I've had to abandon for now (traditional brownies, pound cake and angel food cake to name a few).

Check out Hampton Food's Facebook and Twitter pages to keep up

with the release date and latest news. It's eggcellent (insert groan

here) news and I can't wait to try it out!

Auvi-Q Carriers

2013-06-04T08:25:00.002-04:00

Auvi-Q Holders

I've been on the look-out for Auvi-Q carriers to make self-carrying easier. Auvi-Q offers a great shape for adults- fits in most handbags for women and in most pockets in menswear. However, active kids often need something on their person that will stay put. Here's what I've found so far:

Allergy Apparel offers a variety of pouches. They come with a carabiner clip to attach to a belt loop or backpack. Two sizes are available for carrying one Auvi-Q or two. There is also an expandable Youth EpiBelt that accommodates Auvi-Q or EpiPen.
KoziEpi has pouches and belts to hold one or two Auvi-Q devices.
EpiCarriers offers a Leg Buddy Holster and a Waist Buddy that holds Auvi-Q or EpiPen.

Epi Carriers

Has anyone found an Auvi-Q carrier they prefer? Please share!

Food Allergy Assistant

Auvi Q Re-Launch

Return Those Auvi-Q's!

Getting Easier to Eat at Restaurants with Food Allergies!

Auvi-Q Coupon

Zero Dollar Co-Pay for EpiPens!

Chocolate Zucchini Cake Recipe

Great Product for Eczema!

Food Allergy Recipe Books Now Electronic

Wheat Germ Baking Powder Biscuits

These biscuits are a little sweeter and a little healthier than my basic Baking Powder Biscuit.

Spaghetti and Meatball Soup

Okay, I’ll admit it – this doesn’t actually call for spaghetti, because when I tested the recipe with spaghetti noodles the pasta kept falling off the spoon. But “spiral pasta and meatball soup” just didn’t sound as good!

Ready2Go With Food Allergies

It's Easter Time!

Six Food Allergy Happenings You May Have Missed Over the Holidays

Debunking Food Allergy Myths

Dairy Free Dark Chocolate

Teaching ALL Kids About Food Allergies

Homemade Candy Corn and Halloween Goodies

How to Make Food Challenges Easier for Food Allergic Patients

Food Allergy Documentary

Food Allergy Blogger Summit

hearing from Dr. Rucci Gupta about efforts to establish a national registry to record anaphylactic reactions. Often these reactions may be documented as "wheezing" or "respiratory distress". Until we have accurate records, it is difficult to determine how many people are affected by anaphylaxis.

reminders from Mylan Specialty of their continuing work to bring together people affected by anaphylaxis through programs like 25 Years of EpiPen® featuring Adrian Peterson and Jo Frost, EpiPens4Schools and the Zero Dollar Co-pay Plan. Lauren Kashtan, Senior Manager Communications, Mylan Specialty

Back to School with Food Allergies

MA Restaurants and Food Allergies

Enjoy Life Decadent Bars

Generic Epi Injectors for Allergic Reactions

Chicken-less Eggs Benefit People With Egg Allergy

Auvi-Q Carriers