Living with Food Allergies - Back to School Guest Speaker, Natalie Honodel

I am pleased to share the following story from a young lady who lives with nut and peanut allergies.  She recently contacted me to see if I was still interested in having young guest bloggers who were willing to share their personal stories.  Of course!     

As 'back to school prep' is upon many of us, Natalie's story and pictures are perfect timing.  This week alone has offered me two opportunities with Kristin Beltaos, owner of A Gift of Miles, to speak on this very topic, but in very different venues.  Yesterday we spoke with Sandy Fowler from Heart Filled Holidays about Back To School Prep and on Saturday, we present our webinar How To Keep Your Food Allergic Child Safe At School.  

Now, I have the wonderful opportunity to present this personal story from someone living with food allergies.  Natalie is 18, has finished all of her public schooling and feels that her personal experiences motivate her to write about the social aspects of having food allergies from two perspectives: 

1. Being the ONLY individual among friends WITH food allergies

2.  How friends react to having a friend with food allergies

 Greetings everyone! My name is Natalie and I am so very excited to be sharing my story with you! I have grown up with a number of food allergies including a tree nut allergy and a peanut allergy. What better way to introduce myself to you than to show you a picture of one of my skin tests! 

A LITTLE skin testing - unbelievable!

Well now that we are acquainted, I want to share with you the most valuable thing my parents instilled in me during school. Any guesses? It was probably the hardest thing for them to do and yet the best thing they could have done.

 INDEPENDENCE.

How To Keep Your Food Allergic Children SAFE at School Webinar

Does your family manage food allergies?  How about life-threatening ones?  Are you up to date on 504s, IHPs, lunchroom/classroom protocol and resources available to help you prepare for the expected and unexpected school events which are sure to come your way?


If not, I suggest you join myself and Kristin Beltaos, owner of A Gift of Miles for:   

• HOW TO KEEP FOOD ALLERGIC CHILDREN SAFE AT SCHOOL 

From the comfort of your living room, you can join us via phone or internet on Saturday, August 4th, 2012!  


Bring a friend, some coffee and relax with us as we help prepare you for your upcoming school year!

'THANK YOU' to the Smart Allergy~Friendly Education and A Gift of Miles supporters

On Saturday, November 12th, Kristin Beltaos with A Gift of Miles and I celebrated the completion of our 3rd national telephone workshop for the 2011 calendar year. 

As two individuals passionate about allergy awareness and education, little did we realize how willing others would be to share our efforts via linked in, twitter and facebook. 

I want to personally thank the support received from many personal and business connections.   

A HUGE 'thank you' goes to the local and national companies who supported our efforts through sponsoring giveaways during the 6 weeks prior to the workshop itself.  Enjoy Life even added a large gift giveaway for one of our workshop participants.  All of the following supporters provide allergy~friendly products we both used and/or applaud. 

The exposure and success of this workshop is in large part due to the following businesses:

• Enjoy Life Foods
• Rudi's Organic and Gluten Free Bakery
• Earth Cafe Living
• Black Barn Bakery
• Earth Balance
• SunButter

Many of our fans were thrilled to be able to try out products they had never purchased before.  It is with events such as these which help make living with food allergies or any dietary restrictions more enjoyable.  

My final, heartfelt 'thank you' goes out to my dear friend and colleague, Kristin Beltaos.  Thanks for not giving up on me after one phone call!  You are an incredible mentor, unfatigueable worker (ie, slave driver!), and constant source of encouragement and support.

Can you imagine the Griswold vacation these two allergy moms and their clan of allergy kids would have together? I can only wish for that much laughter ahead of us!!

We look forward to starting up our series again in the new year!

Until then, remember to LIVE LIFE FULLY and don't let having allergies hold you back.  Enjoy the fun in discovering new products which will make your day to day living easier!

SunButter Giveaway in Support of our National Telephone Workshop

Week 6;  Final GIVEAWAY QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Have you tried Organic SunButter?  If yes, what is your favorite way to eat it?  If no, what will be your first way to try it out?

 

Here's how to win:

Like the A Gift of Miles or Smart Allergy~Friendly Education's Facebook pages and answer the above questions. One winner will win a FREE jar of Organic SunButter and another will win a SunButter coupon.  

Kristin will choose two winners from her A Gift of Miles fans and I will choose two winners from my Smart Allergy~Friendly Education fans! Winners will be chosen via Random.org on Friday morning, November 11th.

Thanks SunButter!!

We want to thank SunButter for their support of our national telephone workshop, Holiday & Celebration FUN with Dietary Restrictions on November 12th.

Want to learn more about this fabulous nut and soy butter alternative?  Their website, http://www.sunbutter.com/ , shares the following information:

• Sunbutter products are completely peanut-free, tree nut-free, and gluten-free.  It is made from roasted sunflower seeds.  The sunflower seed spread products are all processed in a peanut-free and tree-nut free facility, making them an excellent choice for people with peanut allergies or gluten intolerance. 

They have quite the variety available!  Here are just a few samples:  Creamy, Natural Crunch, Natural N0-Stir Creamy, 5 lb pails and check out their On-The-Go Snack Packs!  These are great for lunches!! 

We love the Creamy SunButter by the spoonful with our favorite dairy-free chocolate chips!  Our homemade SunButter cups are even better than Reese's!

On behalf of Kristin and I, GOOD LUCK!

Don't forget to register for our workshop: Holiday & Celebration FUN with Dietary Restrictions on November 12th.


Want to learn more about our workshop? Here's our link: http://foodallergies103.eventbrite.com

Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery Supports our 5th Giveaway-

GIVEAWAY QUESTION OF THE WEEK

If you could have a loaf of Rudi's Gluten-Free or Organic Bread, which one would it be and why? 

Here's how to win:

Like the A Gift of Miles or Smart Allergy~Friendly Education's Facebook pages and answer the above question. One winner will win a FREE loaf coupon and the other will win a FREE Rudi's Sandwich Box.  Kristin will choose two winners from her A Gift of Miles fans and I will choose two winners from my Smart Allergy~Friendly Education fans! Winners will be chosen via Random.org on Friday morning, November 4th.

Thanks Rudi's!!

We want to thank Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery for their support of our national telephone workshop, Holiday & Celebration FUN with Dietary Restrictions on November 12th.

If by chance you have never heard of them, Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery and Organic Bakery are MORE than just about being GLUTEN-FREE.  Depending on what your dietary/allergy needs are, their products also appeal to those who are looking for MILK-FREE, EGG-FREE, SOY-FREE, NUT-FREE and KOSHER options.  Besides breads, you can also find pizza crusts, hamburger and hot dog buns, bagels, english muffins and tortillas.

My personal favorite is their Organic Cinnamon  Raisin bread.  Delicious!

On behalf of Kristin and I,
GOOD LUCK! 

Don't forget to register for our workshop: Holiday & Celebration FUN with Dietary Restrictions on November 12th.

Want to learn more about our workshop?  Here's our link: http://foodallergies103.eventbrite.com

Earth Balance Giveaway in Support of a National Telephone Workshop by Smart Allergy~Friendly Education and A Gift of Miles

GIVEAWAY FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 22 

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Earth Balance!

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

What is your favorite holiday dish or dessert to make with an Earth Balance product?

A person from each of our Facebook pages, A Gift of Miles and Smart Allergy~Friendly Education, will win coupons for Earth Balance’s newest products: Coconut Spread and MindfulMayo Dressing & Sandwich Spread! I have heard that both products, particularly the MindfulMayo, is DELISH!

Their products are VEGAN and free of many of the top allergens!

Here's a link to their webpage to find out more info:
http://www.earthbalancenatural.com

HOW TO ENTER?

Like each of our Facebook pages, and answer the “QUESTION OF THE WEEK” on at least one of our pages!  Want to double your chances of winning?  Respond on both of our pages!! 

The countdown continues,  and we are barely three weeks out from our National Telephone Workshop:

Holiday & Celebration FUN with Dietary Restrictions.

Don’t forget to register, before the price goes up one last time!

http://foodallergies103.eventbrite.com
 

3rd Giveaway Question of the Week... Earth Cafe supports our National Telephone Workshop!

If you could eat any flavored cheesecake, 

what would it be? 
 

Here's How to Win!

Like the A Gift of Miles or Smart Allergy~Friendly Education's Facebook pages and answer the above question. Kristin will choose one fan winner from her A Gift of Miles facebook page and and I will choose ONE fan winner from my Smart Allergy~Friendly Education facebook page.  You will win a 20% off coupon for any on-line cheesecake orders.  Winners will be chosen via Random.org on Friday morning, October 21st.

2nd Giveaway 'Question of the Week'... Four Weeks till our National Telephone Workshop!

GIVEAWAY QUESTION OF THE WEEK  

Black Barn Bakery
pancakes

What is your family's favorite additional added ingredient when making pancakes for your household? 

Here's How to Win!

Like the A Gift of Miles or Smart Allergy~Friendly Education's Facebook pages and answer the above question. Kristin will choose one winner from her A Gift of Miles fans and I will choose one winner from my Smart Allergy~Friendly Education fans! Winners will be chosen via Random.com on Friday morning, October 14th.

Enjoy Life Foods Giveaway to Kick-Off our 6 Week Workshop Countdown!

On November 12th A Gift of Miles and Smart Allergy~Friendly Education, will be offering our 3rd in a series of National Telephone Workshops, Holiday & Celebration FUN with Dietary Restrictions.  

Interested in learning more about our workshop? Here is our link:  http://foodallergies103.eventbrite.com/

For the next 6 weeks we will be offering giveaways to 'our fans' of our website, blog and facebook pages.  We are pleased to have a mix of supporters from both nationally and regionally known allergy~friendly companies. 

 

Our first giveaway comes frome Enjoy Life Foods! 

 

If you manage any of the top 8 allergens, especially for those managing multiple food allergens, you know how valuable it is to have manufacturers such as Enjoy Life.  I, personally, love their Mega Chunks, as my video promoting their product will show!

 

https://www.facebook.com/SmartAllergyFriendlyEducation#!/photo.php?v=2028080216799 - Mega Chunks Video via the Boise COOP