Together Family Magazine 08/24/2011
  I was recently interviewed by the editor of Together Family Magazine, a publication distributed in daycares nationally. The article, "Living Allergic", focused on what it's like to live with food allergies and anaphylaxis. Overall, the interview went very well. It was nice to see our concerns are being taken seriously. I hope this creates more awareness about allergies and anaphylaxis in daycares across the country.  1 Comment New Allergies 06/06/2011
 The latest development in our little family's life involves the discovery of some new allergies. Well, we had suspected but it has been confirmed. After living in a constant state of suffering and misery, we have finally figured out what my husband is allergic to: dustmites. It turns out those little buggers were responsible for his hacking cough, lack of breathing, stuffy nose and a head that feels twice as big. On our second visit to T's allergist, I stepped outside for a minute to take my little girl to the bathroom. When we came back my poor husband had walked out of the doctor's office with one very swollen arm and a face as red as a beet. He was completely stuffed up, eyes watering and very miserable. The little marks on his arm read CRAB, LOBSTER, SHRIMP. I could see some serious hives next to all three, which later on spread and melded into one massive swollen area. It turns out he's allergic to shellfish - severely. What did the doctor call it... "profound reaction"! He always suspected that he was allergic to lobster, but not shrimp or crab, and not like this. He had always said it was just a mild reaction; he'd get sick after eating lobster. However, after the latest allergy test we have seen the light. And to think, all those times we ate at seafood restaurants and ignored shellfish warnings on labels. Close calls! Despite this recent discovery, we are still living our life unaffected really. Maya does not even like the smell of seafood, and T never liked it anyway. I do not eat lobster or crab; never have, never will. However, I have a lot of respect for people who do. I lack the courage to put those things in my mouth. Crabs especially, very much resemble the facehuggers from Aliens. And lobsters, well, they look like a cockroach on steroids. The only thing I might miss is shrimp, but I'd miss my husband more if he had to spend half the night in the ER because of a reaction to shrimp. Needless to say, after his profound reaction we promptly picked up an epipen. Ah, all is good in the world. Now, if only I could convince him to carry the darn thing.  Santa and his elves 12/20/2010
 Every year, Santa and his elves come to the mall. He sits on his big comfy chair, surrounded by Christmas trees and large stockings full of treats. Families gather around with their kids and people wait in line for hours to take pictures of their children sitting on Santa's lap, talking to him and receiving candy at the end of the visit. Our little girl loved this visit and looked forward to it every year. This year however, she was disappointed, and so were we. We went to the mall as usual, and Maya was so excited to see Santa, but could not go anywhere near him. Upon arrival to the area, we noticed that there was food everywhere and chocolate smeared on the ground, pillars and the walls. Apparently, the elves were doling out candy and chocolates to the kids while they were waiting in line to visit Santa. Normally, candy was given after the visit so that parents would escort the kids away and the chocolates were eaten elsewhere. This year, kids were hopped up on candy before they even got to Santa. I'm not entirely sure if Santa and his elves came up with that brilliant idea or if upper management at the North Pole issued a corporate wide policy change. In any case, what ensued was a disappointing experience. What would normally be an exciting time for most families, especially kids, was an absolute nightmare for us and treacherous for Maya. Navigating the mall was like walking into a minefield. Everywhere I turned there was ice cream, chocolate bars, coffee, etc. even in sitting areas that were far away from the food court. I was trying to formulate a thought in my head - how to tell Maya that she cannot visit with Santa this year, because his suit is covered in milk chocolate residue, and his chair has little hand prints of candy stains. It is sad that a child should have to understand this sort of thing at an early age but there was just no way I could put a positive spin on this one. Honey, Santa is contaminated and we can't approach him without hazardous materials suits. As I stood in front of Santa's house, held Maya's little hand and tried to absorb the magnitude of the danger I had just exposed my child to, I spotted an elf heading our way. But instead of talking to me, he simply smiled at Maya and pulled out a box of Smarties chocolates from the bag. Innocently, Maya put out her hand to grab the seemingly harmless gift and was startled by the loud "NO!" her father and I uttered in the same breath. The whole incident took less than a second. I was holding her hand, and using my other hand to keep kids away from her (with their chocolate covered faces and hands) as well as keep Maya from touching the walls that were also covered in smears of chocolates and coffee cups parked at the corners. In the same moment, my husband dove in to yank the chocolate out of her hand and remind her that she cannot have those because she is allergic to milk. I turned around to tell the elf that she is allergic and cannot have those. We proceeded to walk away when we noticed the elf behind us again and this time he pulled out a candy cane from the bag and gave it to Maya. Again, I took it out of her hand, as she cried, and I put it away and offered her a different kind of candy that is safe while her father tried to console her. ------------------------------- Santa, I know that this time of year you're probably busy getting stuck in chimneys and whatnot but I'm not at all impressed with the new policy, namely giving candy to kids before their visit. I don't want to be "shoulding" all over you but you "should" have considered at the very least, those who are allergic to nuts. And let's not even talk about the logistics of that decision and the repercussions. For example, isn't it a waste of financial resources to give all the kids candy without doing the necessary research first. There is insufficient evidence to prove that all those kids were nice. I'm certain that a small portion of them were naughty and deserved nothing but reindeer droppings (or coal). Not to mention, the lack of understanding we received from your elves (and other parents who rolled their eyes at me when I stated that Maya is allergic - those parents should be receiving droppings as well, perhaps even bear droppings). Even after I told the elf that she was allergic, he proceeded to give her something else that she could be allergic to. He just assumed that she is allergic to peanuts (and she is, but she's also deathly allergic to dairy and eggs) when he could have asked what her allergies are before giving her anything else. I'm not asking for much, Santa, just for your staff to be a little bit understanding and for upper management to be a little more creative. Santa, why give food at all? Wouldn't a little toy trinket be safer and better for everyone involved? Or simply stickers, Santa; everyone loves stickers, even adults love stickers (when they don't have to peel them off the walls, floors, sinks, and other important areas). Santa, I have been a loyal customer (and fan) of yours for the past 30 years and I feel that this latest incident has caused me to question your motives and the entire validity of Christmas. Before making any more policy changes, please take into account all your customers, not just a portion of them. My little girl is starting to doubt your existence (she's too young I know, but she's also quite clever - and your latest stunt did not help) and is not sure if you deserve a plate of cookies this year. Please pass my concerns onto the North Pole management team. Thank you for your cooperation and I look forward to seeing you soon with plenty of toys and no food. Sincerely, Allergy Mom CEO Twilight Zone Central  Cake Decorations 11/02/2010
 Someone visited my site today and asked a question about cake decorations. I'm compelled to share the information I've collected because so many people have asked the same question and because that's just the type of person I am... collect and distribute, fast and efficient, overworked and underappreciated, but that's a story for another time. Right now we need to focus on those sprinkles. The ones I've been using for the past two years are made by McCormick Canada and are called Cake Mate. After extensive research, the only brand that seems to be safe for dairy, egg, peanut, and tree nut allergies is Cake Mate. And don't even ask about the conversation I had with Wilton and the overly intelligent service rep who only answered each question after I repeated it twice; suffice to say, Wilton cake decorations are not safe. Okay, back to Cake Mate. Please be advised, Cake Mate made by Signature Brands in the USA is NOT safe. Some of their products contain nuts and eggs. I am not sure how they label their products. However, Cake Mate made by McCormick Canada is safe. A quick phone call this afternoon confirmed that they are still manufacturing their cake decorations, sprinkles and icings in a facility that is completely peanut and tree nut free. Also, eggs and dairy are not even processed on the same lines. In addition, McCormick Canada lists allergens on their products. Some of the Cake Mate decorations have egg allergy warning on them, but according to the McCormick Canada rep they are processed in an entirely different facility. So just make sure that the version of Cake Mate you buy, lists McCormick Canada on the packaging. It will also list Signature Brands because both marks are used under licence, but if it lists only Signature without McCormick, then you may want to call Signature to confirm that the product is safe. Here is the information for anyone wishing to call McCormick Canada and confirm allergen listing: 1-800-265-2600. Oh and if you get conflicting information please let me know. We're all in this together. Good luck and happy decorating. -- Allergy Mom out --  Banana 'Walnut' Chewies 08/17/2010
 OK, so if you've been following my blog, you know that I am absolutely bananas over bananas (pun intended), and that my mind is over ripe (again, pun intended) with ideas when it comes to baking. I could stand at the kitchen counter all day and imagine little bits of different recipes and how I could mash them (yeah.. I could keep going for ever) into one fantastic recipe. Peanuts and tree nuts have no place in our home. When I set out to make those banana chewies, my intention was to make a banana cookie that tasted like banana with a hint of peanut butter, kind of like a peanut butter and banana sandwich, only without peanuts or nuts of course. I use soynut butter in place of peanut butter for recipes that call for it. However, I had some Sunbutter (sunflower seed butter) samples lying around and I decided to give them a try. But I was slightly disappointed when the cookies came out of the oven. For starters, they looked uncooked even though they were in fact cooked all the way through. They just had this shiny doughy look. Also, they did not taste very banana-ey or peanutty for that matter. It just felt like a piece of under sweetened plain bread. I thought to myself, another flopper, but I resisted the urge to dump the entire batch in the garbage. I gave in to the little voice in my head that said "let's wait and see what they taste like the next day" (because sometimes - and it's that kind of wishful thinking that gets me in trouble often - that's what you do when you try a recipe that flops so hard it knocks your head sideways). In this case, however, I was glad I listened to the little voice, though I probably should not listen to it's other suggestions like shooting the neighbour's dog, who can't stop barking at her own tail day and night. Moving on... those banana walnut chewies are incredible the next day. Seriously, I could not call them by any another name. In fact, I'm going to recommend that you don't even taste them the first day; just store them in a box and stash them for 24 hours. There is a complete turn around in flavour - absolute, other end of the scale, 180 degrees different, kind of turn around. Those little darlings are completely dairy, egg and nut free. However, that nuttiness, especially walnuts, shines through in those gems. Today, I offered one to my little girl (who swiftly turned her nose at them yesterday) and she gobbled it up before I could blink, then asked for another. That prompted me to plop one in my mouth. Yes, I'm well aware that I'm supposed to be watching my weight and all, but hey, I had no choice. It is my obligation and duty to my fellow allergy moms to taste the evidence and analyze it... yes, I'm very giving that way. If I could afford it I would hire an entire forensic team but for now I'll settle for the neighbours and their families. Anyway, where was I... yes, so I plopped one in my mouth and oh my god, WHAT is that? Walnuts!? It must be the Sunbutter. Each cookie literally tastes like a bite of grandma's sweet banana bread, the kind filled with bits of chopped walnuts, only mine don't have any walnuts in them. Although they have a very unassuming look to them, I'm sure those cookies would be pure bliss to banana and walnut lovers everywhere. They are that good, people. In fact, upon tasting the first cookie, I grabbed the second one before I even downed the first bite. Then I had to close the box and quickly exit the premises before it was too late. It was the only way to prevent myself from wolfing down the entire container. The cookies have a cakey but chewy texture. Describing them doesn't do them justice. You really have to try those cookies for yourself, particularly if you are a banana bread lover like myself. In fact, I might just stop making banana bread altogether and stick with those little babies. Oh and best of all, they are so low in sugar and fat that it's a sin NOT to eat one (though I'm sure eating 6 of them, as opposed to just one, cancels any low fat intentions I might have had). Dairy, Egg, & Nut Free Banana "Walnut" Chewies Yields 3 and a half dozen cookies 2 Tbsp canola oil 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup brown sugar firmly packed 2 Tbsp soy milk or rice milk 1/2 sunbutter (or any sunflower seed butter) 1/4 cup honey 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 ripe bananas, mashed 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1/2 cup pastry flour or whole wheat flour 1/2 cup wheat germ 1 tsp baking powder 1/8 tsp salt Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. In a large bowl, combine oil and sugars. Beat until smooth. Add soy milk and mix until combined. Add sunbutter, honey and vanilla. Beat until well combined. Add the mashed bananas and mix until creamy. In a separate bowl, combine the flours, wheat germ, baking powder, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix gently until well blended, but do not over mix. Chill dough for 20 minutes. Using a small cookie scooper, drop mounds of dough onto prepared pans. Wet fingers and flatten them slightly. Bake for about 5-8 minutes, until bottoms are golden brown. Remove and let cool on a wire rack. Store in tightly sealed container and serve the next day. Note: In this recipe I specify sunbutter because it really helps give it that distinctive "walnut" nutty flavour. Soy nut butter will work too and the texture will not change but the flavour may be altered slightly. Nutritional Info (per cookie) Calories 77.31, Total Fat 2g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 33.83mg, Potassium 45.23mg, Total Carbohydrates 13.15g, Fiber 0.84g, Sugar 5.27g, Protein 1.88g Nutrition analysis is approximate and will vary depending on exact ingredients used. Calculations are based on the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for a 2000 calorie diet. Nutritional Facts are obtained from Radium Technologies' Living Cookbook. However, Allergymom.ca has no affiliation with Radium Technologies and does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.  DISCLAIMER: This article is not for the faint of heart. It goes without saying that the content on this web site is based on my opinion (except comments written by others, which reflect their opinions). I am aware that I have strong opinions and I understand that not everyone will agree with these opinions, or how I choose to express them. Others may think of me as pessimistic, but I'd like to think of myself as practical. The views and opinions expressed in this article are mine and in no way reflect the views of other families living with allergies. What I write is true for me and my family and is not meant as advice, legal or medical. If you are easily depressed please do not read this article. I accept no blame for misinterpretation or misuse of the written content. When a child is first diagnosed with an allergy typically the parents are told that the child is allergic to any X products and that strict avoidance is the only way to stay safe. That, and they are given a few pamphlets about the allergen along with a prescription for epinephrine. Some places provide epipen training but the majority don't. From what I hear, that is the extent of allergy education and information on behalf of medical professionals. At least that's the way it works in this province. After that, the responsibility falls on the shoulders of parents to find out more information through diligent and continuous research. The process of managing multiple life threatening allergies starts off with a progression of stages that are very similar to the stages of grief if you will: Denial - Parents are in total shock, especially if they have never been exposed to allergies or anaphylaxis previously. They don't believe this is happening to their child. They may seek a second opinion for fear that the doctor is inexperienced or made a mistake. Some will even continue to feed their child products containing the allergen in the hopes that it will "cure" the allergy. Anger - After the initial shock wears off, parents start looking for someone to blame. Upset by everything and everyone, they start looking into their family history to deflect blame (e.g. this didn't come from MY side of the family). They do not understand why this happened to their child and sometimes feel envy towards parents with non allergic kids. That coupled with their frustration that there is no cure for allergies often creates resentment towards parents who are not familiar with the world of allergies. In many cases, parents direct the anger towards each other especially if one is still angry while the other has accepted the chain of events. Bargaining - The parents of the allergic child start to doubt the severity of the allergy. They hope that their child can have a little bit of the allergen without reacting to it; that if they can at least have the allergen in something small that this will be okay. For some parents, eliminating the allergens and keeping reactions at bay means that their child does not have special needs and is "normal", and can pursue activities enjoyed by other children as well. Depression - Reality begins to sink in and parents realize that their child is special, especially if there were a few close calls. They withdraw and disconnect from others for fear that they might expose their child to the allergen. Some may even cut off ties with family and friends who do not understand the nature of allergies. They realize that they cannot do the things that other non allergic families do, such as going out to restaurants, to the movies, or play dates. They inadvertently isolate their child fearing for his/her safety, particularly if friends and family are not making an effort to create a safe environment for the child. If support within the local community is limited or nonexistent, this feeling of demoralization is compounded. Acceptance - Parents will eventually accept the dramatic change in lifestyle. Many will actively manage and deal with everyday situations through prior preparation and education. Some will become advocates for the rights of those with allergies and will dedicate all their time towards the spread of awareness and information about allergies. Others may choose to remain secluded after gathering the necessary information and take the us versus them approach. I'm aware that there are a large number of people involved in the allergy community who would like all allergy sufferers to believe that the world is a great place and that life, although altered, is still pretty much the same. They would have you believe that support is on every corner and that you're not alone. Perhaps that is true for some, but I would much rather have someone give me all the facts, good and bad, as opposed to only some of the facts. When you first stumble unto a support group, there is this sense of belonging and euphoria, if you will. It's almost like a drug high; it feels good while it lasts but then you come crashing afterward when you discover that all is not well. I think newly diagnosed (and seasoned) families may be interested in a different point of view. This article does not include "good news" - you can get that anywhere. There are plenty of people, web sites, books, and other venues that focus on nothing but the positives in the world of allergies. The food allergy battle may very well be a victorious one (someday), but this piece is about what takes place in the trenches. This is about one family's experience but try to think of it as part of the big picture. This is what I see when I take off those pink tinted glasses, and stop viewing the world through a field of roses: - No one cares more about your child than you. Your child's survival depends on you, the parent, not the doctor, not the babysitter, not family, not school, and not friends. You will meet people in personal and professional capacities who will come across as sincere but really their underlying motivation will often stem from self preservation and their fear of causing harm to your child. They are afraid of the liability and so refuse to be responsible for your child. That means daycare, babysitters, as well as family and friends. Do not be surprised if even your closest family members refuse to babysit your child or show no interest in easing your hardship. Ultimately, it is their best interest that they're looking after, not your child's. - Support is not available on every corner, not in this province. Perhaps larger provinces may have support for those living with anaphylaxis, but in small provinces things are quite different. At first, you will be inclined to move to a different country, where laws are more accommodating to those living with allergies and where education and awareness is more prevalent. Then you will come to the realization that this is not going to work for various reasons. Allergy organizations have their own agendas and work on things according to their convenience and set of priorities which may not match yours. - Get in the habit of hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. Most people are selfish, ignorant and suffer from tunnel vision. They have no desire to educate themselves on matters that do not have a direct impact on their life, even if their actions negatively affect others. Our actions are inherently self serving, even those that relate to our offspring such as protecting and providing for our children. Its purpose is to ensure the survival of our species, and to increase our share of the genetic "market" as it were. From a logical point of view, it makes total sense yet seems oddly disturbing. This is a philosophical discussion that perhaps belongs to another time. Nonetheless, what it boils down to is that for every one person who genuinely cares, you are likely to find 99 other people who just don't give a s**t. - Get accustomed to being ignored and let it roll off your back. Generally, people will not respond to your emails and will not return your calls (even within the allergy community). It's part of the process. You are unimportant and a nuisance to them and not someone they want to deal with. Expect ignorance and callousness. I've had daycare staff yell at me when I called to inquire about whether they take in kids with allergies. These are people I have not met or spoken to before, but as soon as they hear of severe food allergies they loudly bark at me "NOT INTERESTED!" and hang up. It's not personal; it's a liability issue to them. - Get with the program. Your child has special needs just like any other kid with a special need. If there is funding for special needs children, your child will be at the low end of the totem pole. If there are any special circumstances or accommodations for people with disabilities or special needs your child will not qualify because allergies are not seen as a disability. Even with government and institutional programs, your child will not be accommodated due to allergies. Take the CRA's decision to grant Gluten allergic individuals the ability to claim their gluten free foods under medical expenses. A child who is diagnosed with Celiac Disease can claim that expense, because according to the CRA, gluten free foods are hard to find and expensive and that creates undue hardship for the family. Yet, a child with a life threatening allergy to wheat and barley for example, cannot claim that expense, even though they buy the same gluten free food, and in fact if they were to consume those gluten foods they would suffer anaphylaxis. - Do not be surprised when parents of non allergic children take it upon themselves to educate you on proper parenting skills and what constitutes neglect. I've met many parents along the way who believe that I should be staying at home with my child and was even told flat out by one parent that I "should not let my daughter out of the house because of her allergies." Most parents will judge you, and some of them will be parents of allergic kids. Some parents expect you to quit your job and stay at home with your allergic child yet somehow still manage to magically make money. Those are the same people that send their child to school sick because they could not afford to take a day off work. - It's going to be shocking at first but get used to the fact that within the allergy community there is a multi-tiered system for allergies. It's not deliberate (though some might argue otherwise) but it's definitely present. Often children with only peanut allergies get preferential treatment. If an issue about peanut allergy arises, allergy organizations will gather and rally for support and advocacy. Any other allergy is parked on the sidelines. Many parents of peanut allergic children will tell you that peanut butter is especially hard to clean because it clings to everything and that is why banning it is a necessity. I beg to differ. Try wiping margarine off a surface without thoroughly soaping it. To a child with a severe milk allergy, dairy margarine is as poisonous as it gets. Yet parents, even ones with peanut allergic children, will be the first in line to protest if you even hint at banning milk products, and in that they have the backing of allergy organizations. - You will be exposed to all sorts of theories and ideas out there. There will always be one excuse after another for the reason why one allergy is treated different than another. You will commonly hear that peanut allergic families for example, have been fighting the allergy battle for a lot longer than other allergies and that is why they got what they have today, that this somehow justifies the type of preferential treatment they get. And you will keep hearing that, even though your child is also allergic to peanuts, yet they speak to you like an outsider, like your allergies don't fall under the same category. Most people are often just confused and misunderstand your intentions: that ALL allergy sufferers be treated equally. - As frustrating and offensive as it sounds, expect to be asked for photos. Get in the habit of taking pictures of every reaction and documenting in detail what you think led to the reaction and what medication was administered. Doctors will not trust your judgment or assessment of the situation. You don't have a medical degree and so they are inclined to believe that when it comes to allergies, you are either paranoid, exaggerating, or misunderstand the facts. Often, they do not see the reaction when it happens. They believe that you believe what you say is true but they will require proof to make an accurate assessment. That being said, do not take these people for granted. They work long and hard to make life better for you and your child. They see a lot of patients and because allergies are on the rise it's no surprise that they are diagnosing new patients every day. They may not be able to give you the time of day, but they often work very hard behind the scenes to advance the allergy cause. - Expect to hear nasty and unkind remarks about your child and their condition. You will be told that your child is a genetic anomaly that was never meant to develop into a human being, that survival of the fittest ensures our species remains strong by weeding out the weak and that by catering and protecting children with allergies we are allowing genetic defects to run rampant within our species thereby weakening it and diluting the strong genetic code. Do not let it bother you. Those people change their mind as soon as they get sick. - Do not be surprised if your child is labeled. I've seen (and heard) a number of people refer to my child in terms other than her name. I've heard a teacher call her "heat rash girl", and several friends and babysitters have referred to her as "allergy girl". Those are just a few of the things that have been said to her face. Do not let it bother you especially in front of your child. You don't want her to in any way perceive that she is a burden, because she is not. - You will meet at least one or two allergy parents who will see the silver lining in everything. They will be the ones who will be able to put a positive spin on even the most terrible of events. They will encourage you to learn from your mistakes and will try to find something positive in the negative. They can have very valuable advice and they are often very nice people, but be aware, they have been doing this longer than you and have acquired a bit of a thick skin. It's not that they don't care or aren't listening. On the contrary, they most likely understand exactly what you are going through because they have been there too, but this is their way of coping with the bad stuff. - Do not underestimate the power of the world wide web. I have gotten more information and support from internet sites such as Allergic Living's forum for example, as opposed to local support groups and official allergy organizations. You can reach a much wider group of people who have been exposed to many things in the allergy community and there is a wealth of information on allergy forums and other allergy sites. Pay special attention to blogs by other allergy parents. You will learn from their experiences (or mistakes) and generally speaking have no qualms providing information as they don't have liability issues beyond the disclaimer on their blog or web site. - Last but not least, understand that change does not happen at an exponential rate and that in most cases, for things to really improve, something dramatic has to happen. Unless a number of people in high public office have children with severe food allergies, laws and policies will not be easily implemented because no one in office cares enough to push for any change. In this province, a child will most likely have to die of anaphylaxis before any real action is taken to prevent it, especially for children with multiple food allergies. You just have to make sure that it's not your child. With the above in mind, I am not going to tell you that everything will be okay, but I ask you not to give up. Things get better because you learn to adapt quicker. Allergy parents are a special breed. We are strong, resilient and creative. Keep your chin up and refer to this whenever you have doubts.  The No Biggie Bunch 04/14/2010
 As many of my readers know, we have very few good allergy books that target preschoolers. Last week, I was able to take a look at The No Biggie Bunch series, which I received in the mail. Let me just start by saying that the authors have done a fabulous job of delivering the message to our dear little ones, all in a fun setting. I had been checking out the No Biggie Bunch web site with anticipation for the newest addition to the series: Dairy-Free Dino-Licious Dig. My little girl has a severe dairy allergy, among others, and she identified with this one right away. I am impressed by the books and I love the concept of inclusion. The entire series addresses the very issues that we struggle to work through with our kids. The No Biggie Bunch is written by Heather Mehra and Kerry McManama. It's about a group of six kids who have different food allergies, with the exception of one. The characters are comprised of Paige who's allergic to Peanuts, Eliot who's allergic to Eggs, Scotty who's allergic to Soy, Davis who's allergic to Dairy, Greta who's allergic to Gluten, and Natalie who has No allergies. Clever and playful, the stories teach kids that with prepared safe snacks and a ready response, the social challenges of food allergies can be easily overcome. The mission of the No Biggie Bunch is as follows (excerpt taken from the books): The No Biggie Bunch is a diverse group of kids who handle the social challenges of food allergies with poise and panache. The adventures of Davis, Natalie, Paige, Elliot, Scotty and Greta are neither technical nor medical. Their stories are meant to act as springboards for conversation among children, parents, teachers, friends and family members. The No Biggie Bunch doesn’t speak about limitations or medications. They focus on allergen-free celebrations and smart preparation. Focus on Fun and all you can do and pretty soon, you will be saying “No Biggie” too. As soon as the books arrived, Maya and I sat down to read them. The first thing that caught her eye was the amazing illustrations. With vibrant colours and beautiful artistic style, the book was able to capture her attention for the entire time, from start to finish. Maya particularly loved the Dairy-Free Dino-licious Dig, not only because she is allergic to dairy, but also because she absolutely LOVES anything dinosaur related. She was so excited as we read the story together and her eyes just lit up when she saw the picture of the dinosaur. She kept pointing at all the pretty pictures and most importantly she understood the story, which brings me to the next point. I liked the fact that the stories are simple, straightforward, and very engaging.  In the case of Dairy-Free Dino-Licious Dig, the story starts with Davis and Natalie who are going excavating to find a dinosaur. It shortly progresses to the main theme of the story, which is snack time. Natalie and Davis are hungry and each of them grabs a snack from their individual No Biggie Bags. Davis pulls out his dairy free snack while Natalie grabs her cheese crackers. The story focuses on Davis's dairy allergy and emphasizes that Davis is allergic to the milk in the cheese, something that I found lacking in other allergy books. The message that comes across is not that cheese causes an allergy but that the allergy is to the milk in the cheese, and so something like soy cheese or rice cheese can be safe, and that anything else (not just cheese) that contains milk is not safe for children with dairy allergies. The story goes on to explain that Davis cannot share snacks because he is allergic, something that most allergy parents try to teach their kids; sharing is a confusing issue for allergic children. One of the most important things about the story is the approach to the challenges of having an allergy in a social setting. It teaches children that food allergies will not dampen their experience if they are prepared with safe snacks and a positive attitude. Simple, yet brilliant.  In a similar fashion, Sports-Tastic Birthday Party addresses a common obstacle for allergy parents, namely birthday parties. The story is about Scotty (who's allergic to soy) and how he celebrates his birthday with the rest of the No Biggie Bunch. It starts off with them playing soccer and then focuses on the food theme: birthday cake. The children handle their respective allergies by showing the group what they each brought as a treat. The story also introduces a new idea; the premise that treats do not necessarily have to resemble the birthday cake, but can be anything else, like favourite fruits or safe candy. The lesson here is that the possibilities are endless. Just because everyone else is having a cupcake doesn't mean I can't have gummy bears instead.  Peanut-Free Tea for Three is about Paige, Eliot, and Greta who are having a tea party. What I liked about this one is that it addressed a common concern for children with allergies; cross contamination. At one point during the story, the children all agree that Paige cannot use the jar of jelly someone brought from home because it might be contaminated with peanut residue. In the end, they all enjoy drinking juice and having their safe snacks.  The other book in the series is Trade-or-Treat Halloween. My little girl took to that one right away. She really enjoys Halloween, trick or treating, costumes, pumpkins, spooky ghosts and all. So this book was right up her alley. The story starts off with the No Biggie Bunch going trick or treating together. It focuses on some of the individual allergies, but the main theme of the story is the fact that all the characters can trade their unsafe candy for safe treats. More unsafe candy means more safe treats and that's what the children are excited about, the possibilities of what they can get in return for trading. It teaches them that Halloween is still a fun event, even without candy. Some of the other things I loved about the entire series and what I thought were quite creative and unique, are the questions in the back of the book after the story ends. Questions such as "How would you trade-or-treat your Halloween candy?" and "Which safe snacks and supplies would you pack for your dinosaur dig?" with a picture of three items and the No Biggie Bag underneath, allow children the opportunity to identify what they think is the correct answer for them. It gives them a measure of control over their allergy and the opportunity to choose from among a variety of options. After reading the stories, Maya was able to guess the correct answer for her, which was the dairy free snacks. I am so proud of her. Another thing that I think is absolutely brilliant is the subtle but powerful image on the inside front flap which displays Nutritional Facts, and whimsically lists Ingredients and Contains warnings. It looks exactly like the label you would find on any food product, and it really gets kids familiar with the idea of reading labels and what they look like. In fact, I think that this should have been included in the actual book because sometimes the flap can be lost but the idea itself proves how much thought and care went into creating those books. Last but not least, is the quality of the paper and the fact that the book is in hardcover. I love children's books that are in hardcover because it makes them more durable. The paper does not feel cheap and has a nice glossy look to it which makes the illustrations more appealing, not that they needed any help in that department. Even I thought the illustrations were great, and I'm an adult. Maya fell in love with the books from the moment she looked at the first picture. The No Biggie Bunch series is a fantastic addition to any kid's library. For children with food allergies, I think it's essential. It teaches kids that anyone can have a food allergy, that it's not ethnicity or gender specific and most importantly, that they are not alone, that others suffer from food allergies as well. The books really put emphasis on the fact that although allergies make us different, they don't make us any less special, that although allergies are serious, it is possible to overcome the social challenges. What I like most about the series, is the inclusion of everyone, those who are allergic and those who aren't and the premise that food does not have to be the focus of any gathering, but that it is more important to focus on family, friends, and all the other good and fun things you can do. In summary, the style of the books is very simple and direct with great illustrations. My 3 year old understood the stories as I read them to her. It teaches kids to take control of their allergies and promotes their creativity by displaying how the characters are able to handle their allergies in different social settings that involve food. At $14.99 US each, the books are invaluable and a worthy addition to your child's collection. I intend to buy the entire collection for my little girl, and there is already some talk within our local community about suggesting the series for school classrooms and daycare facilities. As far as I know, the books can be ordered through Amazon.com though the prices of shipping and customs make it quite expensive for Canadian consumers and that's the only complaint I have. I really would like to see the books sold through Canadian bookstores. Other than that, the books are perfect. The fact that Maya would not put them down and asked me to read them to her over and over again is typically a sure sign that they have become a big hit. Note: In the spirit of full disclosure, the author has provided me with the entire series, free of charge, to review and pass along to the local allergy community as well as the AAIA.  The Food Allergy Mama's Baking Book 03/26/2010
 There is no doubt that living with anaphylaxis can make life challenging and at times even overwhelming, but what's even more challenging sometimes is the lack of books with allergen free recipes. There are very few books, in my opinion, that have edible recipes. Anybody can bake anything; the difference is whether you want to be able to bite into a soft, moist scone or a tough, leathery hockey puck. I have a number of trusted allergy friendly books that I refer to at least once a week. A recent addition to my kitchen repetoire is Kelly Rudnicki's The Food Allergy Mama's Baking Book. If you are allergic to dairy, eggs, or nuts, then it's time to check out this fabulous book. It's hockey puck free! The Food Allergy Mama's Baking Book is divided into two parts. Part one includes tips and advice from the author, a seasoned allergy mom, and perhaps even a veteran in the world of allergies. Part two of the book includes all the delicious and mouthwatering recipes. One of the main features of the book, which prompted me to buy a second copy for my mother, (and a third one for my mother-in-law) were the sections on ingredient substitutes and allergy friendly brands. There is also a section on the author's favourite baking tools and ones that make everyday baking that much easier. Some sections include tips on how to read product labels and tips for birthday parties and school celebrations. Not only that, but also Rudnicki makes sure to provide a list of common names for milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts and their derivatives. As if that wasn't enough, there is also a dedicated page with a list of the most common questions and answers about food allergies and anaphylaxis. This is the type of book that you can lend (or better yet, buy a copy and give) to family and friends. It's not a comprehensive medical journal, but it definitely introduces the topic of allergies in an informative and friendly tone. The Food Allergy Mama's Baking Book is perfect for family members and friends as well as teachers and kitchen staff in daycares and schools. If I had to choose one cookbook to keep in my kitchen, The Food Allergy Mama's Baking Book would be the one. The recipes are all egg, dairy, and nut free. I have tried many of them and every single one turned out fabulous. Moreover, for me, one of the biggest selling features of the book is the addition of colour pictures of the food, so it's visually appealing as well. I have read many food allergy recipe books and this one by far is the best when it comes to the quality of the recipes and the useful hints/tips about allergies. It's not simply a recipe book, rather it's tailored to families living with allergies and those who wish to include them in occasions that involve food. I would recommend this book to anyone living with dairy, egg, peanut, or tree nut allergies and at a price point of under $20, you can't go wrong by adding it to your kitchen bookshelf.  The Bugabees: Friends with Food Allergies 03/07/2010
 Most toddlers enjoy a good book with a simple story and colourful pictures. As a parent of a child with food allergies I also want to provide books that talk about allergies and help teach my little girl about her food allergies in a fun setting. I've been able to find a few allergy books for toddlers sold in Canadian bookstores. Among them was The Bugabees: Friends with Food Allergies by Amy Recob. This is a story about 8 friends with food allergies. The BugaBee characters are based on eight of the top food allergens - peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish. It focuses on the daily routines of best buggy friends and how they each deal with their food allergies. The entire tone of the book is very positive and teaches kids that they can enjoy life despite their food allergies. My little girl found the book quite entertaining. The beautiful pictures and vibrant colours are eye catching and kept her attention for the duration of the story. The rhyming verses kept her engaged and provided a very fun learning experience. I especially liked the additional activities in the back of the book, particularly the ones that pointed out examples of allergenic foods. It provides further learning and teaching opportunities for little children and their parents. Another bonus is the fact that the book is in hardcover, which makes it more durable in the hands of little toddlers. The Bugabees also has a web site that matches the theme of the book. The web site includes information about allergies and the different characters in the book. It also provides a dedicated section that describes symptoms of an allergic reaction. There is even a section for allergy friendly recipes. If you don't own the book, you may want to check out the web site or alternatively The Bugabees Facebook Group. I think The Bugabees is one of the best allergy books for toddlers, and highly recommend it for any child with a food allergy, particularly ones with multiple life-threatening food allergies.  Daycares & Discrimination - Round Two 02/21/2010
So I was finally able to get the low down on the menu approval system for daycares. To get to the bottom of things, I had to pressure directors to give me a reason for rejecting Maya. Ninety percent of the time the reason they gave was the fact that they would feel safer if they could eliminate dairy products from their menu for that classroom, but that Public Health Services would not approve the menu unless it had milk in it. Thus the problem. Last week, I had a conversation with one of the nutritionists at Public Health - the people responsible for approving daycare menus. She informed me that there is no such mandate that dictates milk must be present in the menu unless it's for children under 2 whereby that is indeed the case. However, for children over 2 (i.e. toddlers and preschoolers) there should be no reason why the daycare cannot replace milk/dairy items with things that contain the same nutritional values. She also said that they work with some daycares to help adjust the menu to accommodate lack of dairy and that it has been done successfully before. It's baffling as to why daycares are reluctant to implement something that they suggested in the first place. I do not ask daycares to ban milk, eggs, or otherwise, but there have been daycares that said they would feel more comfortable if they banned dairy. These are daycares that already eliminated nuts/peanuts, as well as eggs, from their menu. Many of the daycares I've visited have banned eggs from the entire centre for the sake of one child, yet when it comes to milk, they will not do the same for my child. I am confused as to why daycares would not simply replace dairy with soy derivatives that are already fortified with all the nutrients available in dairy products. In the past year, more than one daycare has mentioned that they think it's "unfair for the rest of the kids" to ban milk from the menu. Yet, they do not think it's unfair to ban eggs, peanuts, or sesame for the sake of one child. What's really unfair is that my daughter's life is put in danger because someone else would be happier consuming what's poison to her. My little girl is not allergic to sesame or wheat, but I had no problem with daycares that eliminated both of those foods. It's perfectly acceptable for her not to eat wheat or sesame if it means another child will be safe. She can eat those items at home. It's a small price to pay to make sure that children are safe. Is my child less worthy than those kids? I don't ask these daycares to ban any food items because I prefer education about cross contamination over banning, but if those daycares are the ones pushing to eliminate the item, what right do they have to decide that my daughter's safety is worth less than the safety of other kids? This, in and of itself is discrimination. It's simple; I believe any allergic child's safety is worth more than the convenience of eating an allergen. With that in mind, I believe any daycare that thinks otherwise has no business being in the child care industry.  |
