'The Lucky Latvians' - Every Once In A While We Need to Be Reminded How Lucky Most of Us Truly Are

As a flight attendant who has traveled the world, I have found the people I have met along the way keep me realistic and grounded about how fortunate I am to LIVE in the county I do AND to HAVE the freedoms I have.  I hope this story causes more to pause and be thankful this holiday season.

As usual, I chose to work in the main cabin on my way home from Europe.  I preferred this, as I enjoyed joking and having fun with the crowd in the back.  As I entered the gatehouse, I saw a large group of children wearing green shirts, boisterous and running around.  

‘Oh geez, ‘ I thought to myself.  Maybe I SHOULD have worked in business class today.  Looks like a rowdy bunch. 

Smart Allergy~Friendly Education - The Lucky Latvians

Confessions of a Careless Food Allergy Mom

Almost 13 years of managing multiple food allergies, including a life threatening one to peanuts and tree nuts.  Label reading is second nature.  MOST of THE TIME.  But even diligent moms screw up sometimes.  Like me.  

Smart Allergy~Friendly Education article

In a hurry.  Somewhere else to be.  Stopped by the grocery store to pick up a few of OUR allergy-friendly staples.   Sabra hummus.. check!  Philly Swirl popsicles.. check! AND a 4 pack of our favorite Zen Chocolate SOY pudding.  Not another thought.  Snack time.  They go for what they hadn’t had in a long time.. their FAVORITE pudding. 

Advocating Made Simple - Small Steps for Creating a Safer World

Advocating for something you're passionate about can be life-changing on so many levels.  I have discovered that although our initial 'WHY's'  may vary, our end goals are very similar.  Greater awareness, education and safety for our loved ones is on ALL of our agendas.  

Wanting to begin your OWN advocacy journey but not sure where to begin?  I have 4 basic tips I know will help get you on your way.

Smart Allergy Friendly Education FAACT article

4 Simple Tips for Making Your Kitchen Allergy~Friendly

Follow me on twitter, instagram and FB

Being a peanut-free and tree nut-free mom, I take great pride in being an official SunButter blogger. 


Back in September, I had the opportunity to share with their readers some simple steps for making any kitchen allergy~friendly.  And what kitchen wouldn't be complete without your OWN stash of SunButter, and a few of my very own designed and trademarked S.A.F.E. Food Allergy Labels?! 


Make Your Kitchen Allergy~Friendly - 09/18/15 - SunButter Blog




The 4 steps are easy... good luck and get to work~

Below is the article in it's entirety.

10 Tips For Talking To Your School About Food Allergies

As an Ambassador for SunButter, I have the privilege of being a featured blogger for them throughout the year.  As 'Back to School' preparations are in full swing, I thought this is the perfect time to share 10 tips I personally follow with our family's 'Back to School Prep'.   

To read the original article, visit here: 10 Tips for Talking To Your School About Food Allergies - May 15, 2015

10 Back To School Tips When Managing Food Allergies

Food Allergy Encouragement - "Overcome Your Greatest Fears.. And You Can Overcome Anything"

“Overcome your Greatest Fears and you can overcome anything”

I heard this quote at a recent business conference I attended and was amazed at how it impacted me.  The truth in this statement is simplistic and inspirational.  As I pondered what message I wanted to share during Food Allergy Awareness Week, this quote wouldn’t leave my head.  Coming across this picture of my son brought clarity to my thoughts.   

   

S.A.F.E. - "Overcoming Your Greatest Fears"

Allergies Suck... But It Could Be Worse - Lessons from an Unknown Soldier and George Samerjan

Have you ever had something happen to you which was life changing?  I mean... TRULY... personality, mentally, life altering?  I have been blessed to have such a thing happen.

For almost 12 years I have been managing food allergies with my kids.  Trying to keep them safe in their daily lives, school and in outside social settings.  And, I have complained, whined and felt sadness for my kids.  And then I met an Unknown Soldier and George.

Allergies Suck.. But It Could Be Worse.. Lessens from An Unknown Soldier

I am a flight attendant in my day job.  Am ready to complete 24 years of flying.  Last fall two men changed my life.  One a Vet from Vietnam... one from a much more recent war.  

FOR BETTER AND FOREVER. 

'Lactose intolerant vs Milk Allergy' - How My Young Camper is Educating Adults one Grown-up at a Time

As I was preparing to send off of my 11 year old, 6th grader with milk and tree nut allergies to an outdoor science camp, this food allergy Mama was a bit nervous.  Although I could attend the last 2 1/2 days as a chaperone, that left her with 2 1/2 days to be in charge of advocating for herself, if need be.  She proved that I had little to worry about.

Here's the story she told me, almost ONE WEEK after camp was over.  

As she was sitting down to have lunch, one of the counselors joined her.  This young lady struck up a conversation with my daughter about her allergies.  It went something like this:

S.A.F.E. - Sending my Food Allergic Daughter Off to Camp

Counselor:  " So you are gluten intolerant?".
Daughter:  "No, I have a milk allergy".  
Counselor:  "Oh, so you're lactose intolerant".
Daughter: "No, I am milk allergic".
Counselor: "Well, they are the same thing".
Daughter: "No, they're not". 
Counselor: "Yeah, they are the same thing".
Daughter: "No, they're not.  Lactose intolerant has to do with sugars in the milk.  Milk Allergy has to do with proteins in the milk".  
Counselor:  "Oh. How do you know so much about this?"
Daughter:  "Well, I am milk allergic and my mom is really on top of my allergies".

Food Allergies and Outdoor Camp - They Can Go Together

It's amazing to my daughter and me how often when people hear she has 'food allergies' they immediately ask her "are you gluten intolerant?", OR "so you're lactose intolerant?".  

INTOLERANCES AND ALLERGIES ARE NOT THE SAME THING.  

Lactose intolerance  means you can NOT digest the milk sugar (lactose) in products.  It's usually NOT dangerous but symptoms can be uncomfortable.  You may have intestinal problems - bloating, diarrhea, stomach aches.  Some individuals can even take pills so that they can still eat dairy products with minimal side effects.

Milk Allergy is an abnormal response by the body's immune system to milk and products containing milk.  Cow's milk is the usual cause, but milk from sheep, goats and buffalo and other mammals can cause a reaction.  Signs and symptoms of milk allergies can range from mild to severe, sometimes causing anaphylaxis - a life-threatening reaction.

I can NOT tell you how proud I am of my daughter and how she so graciously handled this situation.  She then casually told me how she had a similar conversation with yet another adult at her school who works in the kitchen.  

I reminded her that it's NOT really about me being on top of it.  She IS the one who LIVES with the milk allergy EVERY. DAY. OF. HER. LIFE. 

Embracing our differences and being educated on our challenges makes us better prepared individuals.  My daughter now realizes that when it comes to food allergies, she sometimes DOES know more than others.  She is learning life lessons that even some adults have trouble grasping.  

• Our Elders do NOT always know better.
• Don't be afraid to speak up for your needs.
• Being and Advocate for yourself is necessary, and could be life saving.
• There are educational moments at the most unexpected times.

In the big picture, we ONLY have these kids for a short period of time and we need to equip them with the tools and confidence to know they can take care of themselves. What a relief it is to know that my food allergy kids are becoming adept at advocating for themselves. I wish the same for you ~

Living with Food Allergies - Doing my part to help my kids take the 'NO BIGGIE' Approach

Preschool.. Back to school.. parties.. holidays... SOO  many reasons to be afraid of living with food allergies.  SOO many opportunities to raise awareness.

Kindergarteners - October 2014

Last week I was back in the classroom offering allergy awareness classes to two groups of kindergarteners.  I LOVE working with these age groups because we have SO much to learn from them.  They were open, caring and wanting to take care of their peers.  They are not yet afraid.  They speak back to the video as if Alexander the Elephant is truly speaking to them.  

Alexander the Elephant and his Mom

It's refreshing.  Encouraging.  And, Enlightening.

Allergies, Intolerances and Braces - Enjoying Being Together During the Holidays

Holiday Fun With Allergies - S.A.F.E. Tips

Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas!  Holiday festivities, fun and FOOD!  Lots of FOOD!!  For many, dining with family and friends is the highlight of their holiday season. 

If you’re one of the many living with food allergies and intolerances, this may NOT be your favorite time of year.  Increased work and family get togethers often multiplies one’s worries associated with accidental food exposures, ER visits and keeping your loved ones safe.  Just when you thought it couldn’t get any more stressful, imagine having to now manage BRACES! 

Here's to More Fun and Less Fright at Halloween

Thanks to Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery  for another opportunity to Guest Blog for them:  Here's to More Fun and Less Fright for a Gluten-Free Halloween

For many, Halloween is their favorite American holiday!  Spooky costumes, scary decorations and LOTS and LOTS of CANDY containing MILK, EGG, NUTS  and GLUTEN!  
 

An Allergy~Friendly S.A.F.E. Fun Filled Halloween

 

As many of you already know, the CANDY factor can make this much marketed holiday MORE FRIGHTENING THAN FUN!

Food Allergy Binder - Some Simple Ideas to Make Your Back to School Transition Easier

Many of us have been focused on 'Back to School' preparations during the past few weeks.  As much as I wish it wasn't true, having kids with food allergies, especially life-threatening ones, adds additional stresses.  Besides new supplies, new clothes and new schedules, we add in annual meetings with the teachers, the Principal and the school nurse.  

Food Allergy Preparedness For School

No matter what age your kids are, a food allergy binder will be an invaluable asset to your student's teachers.  Having paperwork is what most parents think about first but I can't emphasize enough about having a simple binder for your child's teacher.  This is what has typically gone in ours:

Teachers, Peanuts and Frustration for All - Please Take our Food Allergies Seriously

20 to 30 years ago, I imagine managing food allergies wasn't very common in the classroom, especially for teachers.  I can't remember a single kid with food allergies growing up.  I can only imagine the challenges and frustrations this must present for teachers at times, especially when dealing with multiple children with multiple food allergies in one classroom.

However, the times have changed and our attitudes and awareness need to too.

Focusing on what you CAN HAVE or CAN'T? It's ALL About ATTITUDE

Valentines Day. St. Patty's Day. Easter. Tired of feeling left out because of your dietary restrictions? Frustrated you can't eat what you really want to? Wish people would be more accomodating to your needs?

'LET YOUR ATTITUDE GO'. Focus on what you CAN HAVE rather than what you CAN'T HAVE. You and your friends JUST may have an absolutely amazing time!

Imagine the disaster Valentines Day could have been; 5 kids with multiple allergies, classroom parties with food included and Valentines Day chocolate grams sent from parents. Instead, it was a truly delightful time for them all.

Focusing on Food Allergy Fun - Smart Allergy~Friendly Education

Our simple strategy will work for anyone.

1. Talk to people – Find out what activities are being planned; will food be included? Don't worry about being an inconvenience. Communication helps everyone.
2. Get involved – Ask how you can help out. Most others will love extra hands, particularly when planning for those with food allergies.
3. Offer alternatives – Whether providing for yourself or others, know you are creating an inclusive environment for everyone. Need I say more?

Although it took a bit of pre-planning, the results were fabulous.

• 4 dozen allergy~friendly cookies provided for 2 classrooms in which everyone enjoyed~

• 

  EF, DF, NF Sugar Cookies from Smart Allergy~Friendly Education

  
  
  Watermelon hearts and orange arrows for a class of 22. Healthy, fun and NOT ENOUGH. Go figure!
• Valentines Candy Grams with chocolates? Alternative chocolates were pre-made, pre-wrapped and sent in.

In my opinion, there is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON to NOT be a part of the celebration fun. We are fortunate to be managing food allergies during a time where there are so many options available, and allergy awareness and education are rampant. Food alternatives are everywhere!

Can't have milk? You may consider soy, coconut or flax milk. No eggs? Replacers include applesauce, gelatin or flax meal. No wheat or gluten? Grocery stores are carrying a multitude of gluten-free products.  The biggest challenge is figuring out which ones are best for you!

Celebrating with food? Provide alternatives everyone can enjoy. Dying to eat some Reeses Peanut Butter cups but you're allergic to milk and/or chocolate? Make your own. Want to be a part of the Candy Gram fun? Find out who is in charge, and send alternatives!

Your ATTITUDE really is everything! 

Tips For Vacationing WITHOUT Your Food Allergic Kids

Vacationing WITHOUT 

your Food Allergic Kids?

Basic Tips which can make this possibility a reality~

S.A.F.E. Traveling Tips

Vacationing with food allergic kids can be challenging; at times, daunting. However, can you imagine going without them? Trusting others to make sure they don't eat something they shouldn't? Who will pack their lunches correctly? Who, besides you, knows where to go in case of an emergency?

Unimaginable. ALMOST... but not impossible!

Having just returned from a week long getaway WITHOUT our food allergic kids, we realized that with the right resources, there ARE others who can successfully take care of our children.  After rummaging through the very large packet of information I left for my mother-in-law, here are the resources she found the most helpful.

Our Top 4 Food Allergy MUST HAVE Resources 

Milk, Tree Nuts and Peanuts, OH MY! - Handling Gatherings with Poise

MILK, TREE NUTS and PEANUTS , OH MY!!  

Nothing like an invite to spend a hot afternoon swimming, playing baseball and grilling with dear friends. Is there really any better way to kick off a hot summer season? But what if your child has numerous allergies? And foods with those allergies are all over the serving table?

Smart Allergy Inspiration - Milk, Tree Nuts and Peanuts, OH MY!

The kids hit the water and my husband quickly got comfortable socializing and relaxing poolside. I, to my embarrassment, found myself entering a type of twilight zone. The dining room table was covered in a mass of eye-catching food items. Almonds in a bowl, tempting cream cheese filled strawberries and many enticing and unusual snacks.

Sounds delightful, doesn't it?  Unless, of course, your children are allergic to items such as milk, eggs, tree nuts and peanuts. 

Keeping Nuts Out of the Classroom... Goodwill to All Managing Life-Threatening Food Allergies

I have had some incredibly positive learning experiences throughout the past year.  However, the one that has impacted me the most profoundly included my first allergy bullies.  

Above and beyond everything else I have learned, is the  understanding that we can all benefit from more knowledge and education about managing food allergies.

I have come to realize that unless allergies are a part of your personal world, they can be quite difficult to understand, especially when one is being asked to make concessions for someone else's child.  Although milk is the most common allergy out there, to date,  nuts are the most life threatening. 

'Keeping nuts out of the classroom' is just one small part of managing food allergies, particularly once children are of preschool or kindergarten age.   Every person is different.  Some have sensitivities; some have intolerances; while others have systemic reactions, meaning one or more systems in their body will react strongly to an allergen they should be avoiding.  This is where the life-threatening aspect can come in, and the worries increase ten fold. 

Does your child with Food Allergies have a story to tell? Looking for guest bloggers from a younger perspective...

If your child is going to school with food allergies, I imagine they have a great story to tell!

Starting in October, I would like to present guest blogger stories from kids with food allergies on a bi-weekly or monthly basis.  There are so many adults out here telling their stories and sharing advice.  I am always amazed to hear from the kids themselves who are LIVING with food allergies.

I tell my children constantly that 'everyone has some kind of challenge in their life'.   Theirs just happens to be food allergies.  I believe that having differences should not be seen as a reason for embarrassment but as a lucky opportunity to educate others.

I would like to share your children's stories.  No full names would be used.  No pictures, unless you want to include one.  I, personally, post no pictures of my own children but I know that is a very personal decision.  I would love to hear from any age, kindergarten through 12th grade.

Here's how it will work:

1.  You send me a story your child has written or you have helped them write.  If they write it themselves, I will write it just as they have, spelling and grammatical errors included.  I think this adds to the authenticity of the writer.

Here are a few topic ideas:

• What I like/don't like about having food allergies
• The positives and/or negatives of having food allergies
• What I would like my friends to know about food allergies
• Eating in the school cafeteria with food allergies
• What it is like to go to school with food allergies
• How I am treated because I have food allergies
• A personal story
• A fiction story about a character with food allergies
• A motivational article from an an older kid to younger kids about managing food allergies

There are an endless array of possible topics!

2.  I get the story.
3.  Post it.
4.  They get to see their story in print and are filled with pride!

If you are interested, or have further questions, contact me through this blog or directly at foodallergymom@gmail.com

With school just beginning, especially for those just sending their children off to school for the first time, I want to share positive, success stories of how families and kids successfully have navigated their food allergy challenges!

Am I ready to send my kindergartener with food allergies to school?

Recently returned from a weekend getaway which was much needed by all!  Myself included.  Am I the only one who has difficulty unplugging from it all?  No phones, computers, texting... well, maybe a DVD player.  And two movies... ONLY two.  As much as we love to travel, I'm a strong believer in being prepared for the unexpected.  Travel time can be one of those questionable events. 

3 1/2 hours later, we began settling in for our weekend retreat.  As usual, we picked a spot far from other campers.  We had the sent of pines all around us.  The shade from aspens.  Just the right amount of breeze blowing and a fabulous setup for our newly purchased hammock. 

Hour one.  BORED.  The kids didn't have any of their usual escapes handy.  It appears they need time to decompress just as much as we do.  An hour later, they were catching Swallowtail and Skipper butterflies with nets and bare hands, wearing out their new puppy (a hypoallergenic, absolutely adorable Cairn Terrier), and happily discovering a hidden path to our own private fishing hole.  Double perfection.

The past few weeks have been incredibly busy.  Family for 10 days and preparation in the middle of it all for my second national telephone workshop with Kristin Beltaos, owner of A Gift of Miles.  This successful 'Back to School' workshop was as much of a learning experience for me as it probably was for others.

I realized how much more I needed to better prepare myself, my son and the people who would now be taking care of him on a daily basis.  Prep for my daughter's allergies had been a cake walk. My son's allergies can be life-threatening.  This was a bit different. Or was it?

What better way to really think things through than to remove yourself from the daily chaos of all other distractions.  The chattering squirrels woke me in the morning.  The stream lulled me to sleep.  We saw constellations clearly by the full moon.  We told stories and caught up on personal details we had missed in the busyness of the past few weeks.  We went to bed way too late and slept in.  And I slowed down.  Finally.

Having children with food allergies can be overwhelming if one lets it be.  But here we were, in the mountains far away if something happened.  We were prepared for 3 days in the middle of nowhere.  Benadryl and epipens.  3 days worth of our favorite allergy~friendly foods.  We even had S'mores... OHHH, what a treat by the fire!

My mind returned to 'Back to school' thoughts.  

Catching butterflies!



• Open communication with the nurse and teachers... check!  As a matter of fact, we have great working relationships. 
• Letter to the parents... check.
• Snack lists to share with teachers and classroom families... check. 
• Individual classroom snack bin... check.
• IHP - Individual Health Plan prepared... check.
• Epis for school... check.
• ID or bracelet... in the mail.
• Peanut/tree nut-free posters/lunchroom posters... ready to go.
• Allergy Awareness Class arranged... in the works.

Then reality hit me.  I thought about where we were and what resources we had available.  If we could go away into the mountains for a long weekend, with limited contact to the outside world, then we could send him off to kindergarten.  Medical help and resources would be much more readily available there than it was where were currently vacationing.



We can't stop him from growing up.  We can't always protect him.  We can only guide him on awareness and making good choices.  We are a bit nervous with the increased freedom he will have compared to preschool.  After two visits to the ER due to anaphylactic reactions to foods, he is probably more aware than other 5 1/2 year olds regarding the precautions he needs to follow. 



Having food allergies doesn't have to stop one from living.  I tell my children regularly that everyone has their own challenges.  Some differences you can see, others are in the inside.  They see people whose challenges are external and they count their blessings.  They have their arms, legs and hair.  They know their challenges are internal.  Their challenge is a bit of a gift in that it forces them to make more cautious choices.  Not such a bad thing. 

I try not to live my life worrying about WHAT IF something happens.  I try to focus on knowing that IF the WHAT IF happens, will I or my children know what to do. 



And, we all do.



Yes, I am ready to send him off to kindergarten with new caretakers.  Almost.



Did I tell you who wanted to stay an extra day up in the mountains, miles away from it all?  We all did.

Here's to an allergy family who inspires me every day to continue evolving to be the best mother, wife and person I can be.

Confessions of a Food Allergy Mom

Thank you to the Boise COOP for their continual support of Smart Allergy~Friendly Education and my efforts in raising allergy awareness locally.

During the past few months I have offered allergy awareness classes for adults and children in the Boise community.  The Boise COOP has been one of the local businesses which has never hesitated in offering donations when I presented any sort of presentation such as at the St. Alphonsus Family Center and the First Ever Allergy Bake Sale at St. Mark's School.  It is local allergy~friendly businesses such as this one who willingly share the products they carry that makes managing food allergies less stress free for those new to the allergy world.

Below are the links they have posted about my efforts in raising allergy awareness in the local community.  I don't believe my business could be as successful as it has been without the support of local allergy~friendly businesses such as the Boise COOP.

http://www.boisecoop.com/ - Boise COOP homepage

http://www.boisecoop.com/daniella-knell-confessions-of-a-food-allergy-mom - Individual article

https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Boise-Co-op/48511983037 - Boise COOP facebook page

An extra special thank you goes out to Michael Boss and Linda Ledbetter!!