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

FREE On-Line FOOD ALLERGY SUMMIT Nov 3 - 6th - 12 PHENOMENAL SPEAKERS & TOPICS

Living with food allergies and stressed in so many areas it's overwhelming?  Still trying to understand your recent diagnosis?  Not knowing how to handle your new nutrition needs?  NO idea on how to manage child care/school needs with your kids?  Join me and 11 others as we offer invaluable ideas and suggestions to help you STOP FEELING ISOLATED AND LIMITED with your FOOD ALLERGIES.

November 3 - 6th  

Food Allergy Wellness - Powerful Paths to Courageous Living With Food Allergies  

For 4 DAYS ONLY, FREE ON-LINE SUMMIT

Listen WORLDWIDE from any location

12 Phenomenal Speakers 

12 Impactful Food Allergy Topics

FOOD ALLERGY WELLNESS SUMMIT - 4 DAYS - 12 AWESOME SPEAKERS & TOPICS - NOV 3 - 6, 2014

New Mom Managing Food Allergies? Join Me at the 'Baby and Me Support Group' August 12th!

Are you sensing it's something a BIT more than colic with your newborn?   Is he/she crying for hours on end at certain times of the day?  Especially after nursing?  Scratching their scalp till it's raw? Tired of hearing everyone's ideas and suggestions, especially since they ARE NOT working?  Maybe it is simply that your newborn has food allergies.  

Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center 'Baby and Me' Class - Resources for Food Allergies

Thanks to U-Swirl For Supporting the Boise FARE Food Allergy Walk!

On behalf of the  FARE, (Food Allergy Research and Education) AND the Treasure Valley Food Allergy Network Support Group, (TV-FAN), a HUGE thank you goes out to the U-Swirl in Meridian, and Ben Poulson for supporting the Boise FARE Food Allergy Walk!

U-Swirl was kind enough to offer a 20% GIVEBACK last Wednesday, May 15th at their store located on Eagle Road in Meridian.  20% of all the proceeds earned between 7pm to 9pm would be donated to FARE in support of the Boise FARE Walk.

Looking for Allergy~Friendly Businesses - Boise FARE Walk on May 18th!

May 18th is Boise's FARE Walk for Food Allergy.  

In case you haven't heard, food allergies are 

ON THE RISE!  

It is predicted that 1 in 13 children have food allergies.  That will equal almost 2 students per class!!  If your kids don't have food allergies, consider yourself lucky.  However, chances are that one of your children's classmates will~  

Allergy Product Awareness Class for Community Nurses - THANKS for everyone's support!

Tuesday night I had the pleasure of presenting to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center Faith Community Nurses.  As contacts in each of their faith communities, they have one-on-one contact with hundreds, maybe thousands, of individuals in their parishes who are in need of medical advice or guidance.

Great Local and National Support for Food Allergy Product Support Class

Thank you to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center!  Just last week, I once again had the opportunity to present a Food Allergy Product Awareness class for some new moms at their Baby and Me Support Group.  I can never believe how quickly these classes fly by.  Intros, 40 minutes of sharing local and national support resources as well as 10 minutes of Q & A!  

It was an outstanding turnout!  17 moms and their infants AND 4 visitors wanting to increase their allergy knowledge.  According to one of the employees, 'it was one of the best turnouts for these support classes in weeks'.  

At the end of every class, there are products raffled off to the participants from allergy~friendly local and national companies.  I can't thank these companies enough for their support over the years with my allergy education efforts:

• Rudi's Gluten Free
• Jolly Time
• WOWButter
• SunButter
• Sun Flour Mills
• Flatbread Community Oven 

THANK YOU to all of you for your continued support of Allergy Awareness and Education, and all the products your offer to food allergy families to help make their homes SAFER environments for their loved ones!

Heart Filled Holidays and Sandy Fowler

Sandy Fowler - Heart Filled Holidays

As a woman working hard to de-stress my life, Sandy Fowler's encouraging and uplifting LIVE internet radio show, Heart Filled Holidays , is a much appreciated break to my Monday mornings!  The taped podcasts are a life saver for those days I can't listen to her live.  

This past Monday I had the pleasure of joining her as we talked about FUN with Food Allergies.   Our VERY fast paced discussion (hope everyone can keep up with us fast talkers!) touched on 
various ideas such as:

• Better preparing children for school parties and entertaining with friends 
• Communicating and NOT worrying about being an imposition
• The true benefits of sometimes being able to have food in the classroom for celebrations and special occasions 

I touched on my personal philosophy that rather than preparing for 'IF' something happens, I am more concerned with knowing that I or anyone else in charge of my children will know what to do 'WHEN' something happens.  As one listener commented, 'kind of like having a disaster prevention' plan in order.  This made me laugh, but, yes, that is the idea.

Fun with Food Allergies - MP3 link
FUN with Food Allergies - Description, Bio and Link
FUN with Food Allergies iTunes Link

Sandy's focus is sharing ideas, thoughts and insights for bringing more joy and meaning into your life.  Every Monday at 12 NOON, EST, she presents us with a different expert who shares their individual tips and tricks anyone can use to better enjoy your holidays and every day events.  

Are you looking to surround yourself with a little more happiness in your every day life?   

Then be sure to stop by and visit this amazingly motivating wife, mom and business owner, Sandy Fowler, on Heart Filled Holidays, Mondays at 12pm, EST!  She can also be followed on Facebook, twitter, and Pinterest (and WHAT an amazing page she has!).

Thanks Sandy, for a wonderful visit!

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!

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
 

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

When milk, eggs, nuts and fish became off-limits to her kids, a Boise mom vowed to help other parents

BY KATY MOELLER - kmoeller@idahostatesman.com Copyright: © 2011 Idaho Statesman
Published: 05/16/11


Daniella Knell will give a class on “Food Allergies — Resources for Parents” from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Tuesday, May 24, at St. Alphonsus Family Center, 900 N. Liberty St., Suite 100. The class, offered through St. Al’s Baby and Me Support Group, is free and open to the public. Registration is not necessary.


Daniella Knell doesn’t want her kids to be labeled “special,” and it would break her heart if they were forced to sit at a separate table at lunch because of their food allergies.

“It doesn’t have to be like that,” says the Boise mom, who believes children with food allergies can be protected without being treated like the boy in the bubble.

Knell, a longtime flight attendant and instructor with Delta Airlines, doesn’t have food allergies. But both of her children, 5 and 7, do.

The first time her daughter tried yogurt — when she was about 6 months old — she had a severe reaction.

“Her entire face broke out in hives,” Knell said. “I immediately called the pediatrician’s office in a panic.”

The doctor’s advice was to give her some Benadryl. That was the beginning of a lifelong education in dealing with food allergies. Her kids’ allergies include milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, avocados, kiwi and bananas.

Knell said she and her husband weren’t completely surprised their kids had allergies because there is a history of allergies on his side of the family. She believes the horrible colic her children had as babies may have been early signs of allergies.

Knell’s son, who has the most severe allergies, had cradle cap as a baby, scratching his head raw. The pediatrician was unable to diagnose it.

“Another parent said, ‘‘Maybe it’s soy,’ ” Knell said. “I switched to rice milk. His entire scalp cleared up.”

Knell said pediatricians and other doctors are helpful, but parents facing the same challenges are an invaluable help. She offers classes in local schools and hospitals through her business Smart Allergy-Friendly Education.

“I want to help people embrace the challenge,” she said.

And it is big challenge. For example, eating out can be a mine field. Knell scouts out restaurants a few weeks before she takes her kids there, making sure she knows what ingredients are used.

She also makes cupcakes that are stored in the freezer at her kids’ school, so they can enjoy a safe treat when the other kids get one.

The curriculum she uses for her classes comes from Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network and personal experience. She talks about products available locally and where you can get them; newsletters and online resources; cooking alternatives and cookbooks.

Knell offers families a “tool kit” for family and friends that includes strategies for coping with a child’s food allergies. One example is creating an allergy-free cabinet and using color-coded stickers.

“It helps to give kids control over the allergy,” Knell said.


Katy Moeller: 377-6413
Read more: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/05/16/1650262/taking-on-food-allergies.html?story_link=email_msg#ixzz1MXW1Jb6p