At long last, I am finally starting to think about our annual summer trip. It's about a 10 hour drive each way and we stop about halfway to give ourselves and the kids a break, and to see something educational and/or entertaining that we don't ordinarily do at home the rest of the year. Each year, I try something new with regard to meals too. Although it's more work for me personally, I feel less stressed if I bring as much food as I can for my peanut allergic son (and the rest of us) to eat since unfamiliar restaurants can be more challenging than familiar ones at home. He seems to react to invisible trace amounts of peanut, and hard to find a restaurant that is peanut-free. We do eat out a few times on the road, and it's been fine, but there is very little to choose from at our destination and to some degree, I feel like we've just been lucky more than anything.
To make matters worse, the relatives we visit do not understand food allergies at all. They believe he will just grow out of the peanut allergy--and wouldn't it be nice?--and they definitely do not understand that an allergic reaction could be fatal. I plan to cook some meals there at their house so I can control what my son eats and monitor food preparation. These relatives are serious peanut butter eaters--last summer, I saw auntie with a huge spoon full of peanut butter in one hand and a jar of Jiff in the other. I would have felt better if she'd at least waited till we went to the hotel for the night so I hadn't seen it!
So here's my question: are any of you avid campers? If so, what are some easy kid-friendly recipes with few ingredients that would be easy to whip up in the summer heat on the road? We do a crock-pot meal at our relative's house but that takes care of only one meal and frankly, it's almost too hot and steamy in the summer to use that thing. Mac n'cheese comes to mind, sandwiches, but what else? I need to get my mind in a camping /picnic sort of mindset for a week's worth of meals, I think, and I'm coming up blank right now. Got any quick n'easy camp recipes or names of camping/picnic recipe books to get me started?
Sunday, May 17 1:07 vs Chicago White Sox (long weekend)
Thursday, June 4 12:37 vs Los Angeles Angels
Saturday, July 18 1:07 vs Boston Red Sox
Saturday, August 8 1:07 vs Baltimore Orioles
Saturday, September 5 1:07 vs New York Yankees (long weekend)
Note: The executive lounge may not be available for all the games. If not a suitable replacement site will be selected. Other dates could be added depending on demand.
Here is an interesting article, The Peanut Detectives, about how some companies--like Kinnerton--go to great lengths to prevent cross-contact with nuts. The only company I can think of in the U.S. which makes similar efforts is Clabber Girl. Can you think of some others?
Have you heard about our new group on Facebook, You Don't Need Nuts to Fly? Inspired by Allergic Living's campaign, Jenny of the Nut-Free Mom Blog and I decided to join forces to put together this group in protest of Northwest Airlines' switch to peanuts. It's hard to believe that in these times, an airline would decide to re-introduce peanuts as their in-flight snack. Yes, you heard right--Northwest Airlines has begun serving peanuts again following their purchase by Atlanta-based Delta Airlines. If this policy affects you, your loved ones or your friends, you'll be interested to read the Northwest Airlines policy as outlined in their Tips for Passengers with Peanut Allergies. It's not exactly peanut allergy friendly.
It's really a bit silly because there are so many great alternatives to peanuts! Many airlines serve pretzels instead. That's a fine, agreeable, salty, crunchy snack. Don't like pretzels? How about potato chips? They're crunchy and salty, and many are completely peanut-free and nut-free too. Several companies make wonderful trail mixes free of peanuts and tree nuts, and a few are free of eggs, dairy, wheat, gluten, sesame, even soy. Not only are they tasty, but it's safe for almost everyone. There are plenty of options!
If you're visiting Food Allergy Buzz, you are probably aware of all this already! We want to gather as many supporters as we can in our Facebook group, in an effort to make our voices hear by Northwest and other airlines with similar policies. Please consider joining our group, making a statement there and/or contacting Northwest Airlines directly. Tell everyone you know about it--let's make a little noise! Be that squeaky wheel! Northwest's policy affects a lot of people.
Below is the press release for the upcoming FAAN (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network) conferences.
"Take Action, Prevent Reactions" at FAAN's Annual Food Allergy Conferences
FAIRFAX, Va. (February 20, 2009) – Registration for the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network's (FAAN) 16th annual Food Allergy Conferences is now open. Anyone who has a food allergy or takes care of someone with a food allergy will benefit from learning how to "Take Action, Prevent Reactions."
The conferences will be held in Baltimore, Md., on March 28, in Rosemont, Ill., on April 18, and in Tarrytown, N.Y., on May 9. The prevalence of food allergies among children under age 18 is on the rise, according to a study released last fall by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that showed an 18 percent increase between 1997 and 2007. Whether attendees have been living with food allergies for years or are dealing with a new diagnosis, these conferences will help.
FAAN's conferences offer insight on the most recent research findings about food allergy as well as enhanced discussion and networking among medical leaders in the field, caregivers, teachers, child care providers, families, and school staff. There are even special sessions for teens (ages 11 and up), nurses, and registered dietitians at the conference. Attendees will learn how to take action to prevent reactions from leading experts in the field as well as others who are living with food allergies. Topics will include:
• Causes and symptoms of food-allergic reactions
• How food allergies are diagnosed
• Strategies for avoiding reactions
• How and when to use epinephrine
• How to eat well with food allergies
• How to be prepared for an allergic emergency
• Tips for dining out with food allergies
• Ways to prepare a child to manage food allergies
• Latest news on food allergy research.
"These conferences provide a unique opportunity to not only learn the latest information on living with food allergies, but to also meet others who can relate," said Julia Bradsher, FAAN CEO. "Until there is a cure, education is the key to avoiding a reaction, which is the goal of this year's conferences – to help people 'Take Action, Prevent Reactions.'"
Past conference attendees, particularly parents of young children, have gained a new sense of confidence about their level of preparedness for food allergy management. The Baltimore conference will feature Robert A. Wood, M.D. He is a professor of pediatrics and international health and the director of pediatric allergy and immunology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, as well as the author of Food Allergies for Dummies. The Rosemont, Ill. conference will feature Wesley Burks, M.D. He is a professor and chief of pediatric allergy and immunology at Duke University Medical Center. The Tarrytown, N.Y. conference will feature Hugh Sampson, M.D. and Anna Nowak-Wegrzyn, M.D. Dr. Sampson is a professor of pediatrics and immunobiology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, as well as chief of the division of allergy & immunology in the department of pediatrics, director of the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute, and dean of translational biomedical science at the Mount Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Nowak-Wegrzyn is an assistant professor of pediatric allergy and immunology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, as well as a clinician and a researcher in the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at the Mount Sinai Medical Center.
For more information or to register for one of FAAN's Food Allergy Conferences, visit www.foodallergy.org or call (800) 929-4040.
Recently, I had the good fortune to view an excellent documentary, I'm Not Nuts:Living with Food Allergies, by Kevin Lindenmuth. I actually watched it several times! Aside from a television program, Edible Enemies, this is the first film or video about food allergies I have seen in my family's food allergy journey. Perhaps you have already heard about the film. I recall reading about it a few months back on Robyn A's wonderful blog, The Peanut Allergy Kid. I am very excited to share my thoughts on the film here on Food Allergy Buzz.
I am so glad that he made this film, and that I've had an opportunity to see it. It is a great primer on living with food allergies, especially for those just beginning their food allergy journey. 84 minutes in length, it gives a thorough overview of food allergies in laymen's terms, with commentary from experts and medical professionals such as Dr. Scott Sicherer of the Jaffee Food Allergy Institute, and Drs. Harvey Leo and Ben Song of Allergy & Immunology Associates of Ann Arbor. There are interviews with support group members as well as food allergic children, adults and their families. It's divided into twenty-two "chapters" that break food allergies into easily digested topics, such as First Allergic Reactions, The Diagnosis, Reading Labels, and Can You Outgrow Allergies. I wish this documentary had been available when we first received the peanut allergy diagnosis! It gives all the basics in an accurate, reasonable, and reassuring way.
I recall as we left the allergist's office the day of the skin test and confirmation of the allergy diagnosis, we were handed a list of resources. I remember seeing information on how to order Vermont Nut Free Chocolate and that was about it. I hope allergists' offices will begin to include I'm Not Nuts on their lists of resources. It would also be useful for support groups to have a few copies on hand if they have a lending library. In fact, as I type these words, I am thinking I ought to look into donating a copy to our town library. I remember going to the library looking for information and finding little. This documentary would be a great addition!
Indeed, I'm Not Nuts: Living with Food Allergies would make an excellent addition to any food allergy family's library and should be required for everyone beginning the food allergy journey. If you are new to life with food allergies--as an allergic adult or as a caregiver for an allergic child--I highly recommend you see this documentary. For those of you already accustomed to life with food allergies, I'm Not Nuts may provide you with some new information as well as confirmation of information you already possess. It also may be a helpful tool to educate relatives and friends, making the basics of food allergies more accessible to everyone. A shortened 1-hour version of the documentary will air on PBS in May 2009, and the full 84 minute version is available on amazon.com and also directly from Kevin Lindenmuth, www.lindenmuth.com/documentaries. Thank you, Kevin, for this wonderful documentary--perfect timing and a job well done!
Read below for more information and to find out how you can request your local PBS station to air I'm Not Nuts: Living with Food Allergies.
PRESS RELEASE on “I’m Not Nuts”: Living with Food Allergies
Kevin Lindenmuth has recently completed a new 84 minute documentary on food allergies entitled“I’m Not Nuts”: Living with Food Allergies.
This is Lindenmuth’s seventh documentary and he cites that one of the reasons he embarked on this project is because his two nieces have various food allergies. The program is independently produced and self-financed. His previous documentaries include “But You Look So Well...” (2001) and “But You Still Look So Well...”: Living with Multiple Sclerosis (2005), both which were broadcast nationally on PBS.
PBS Broadcasts:
A one-hour version will premiere on Detroit Public Television in March, followed by the National PBS broadcasts beginning in April/May of 2009, to coincide with “Food Allergy Awareness Week” May 11-17th, 2009. The one-hour version will be 25 minutes shorter than the DVD version.
As the program is sent to the individual PBS stations via satellite ahead of time (March) it is up to the individual PBS stations to decide if they are picking up the program and also when they schedule to broadcast it. The more the stations know about the program ahead of time the better, especially with “Food Allergy Awareness Week” being in May. This is the most opportune time for them to broadcast it.
How to make sure your PBS station shows this documentary:
If you wish to make certain your local PBS station broadcasts the program in May of 2009 please contact the programming department at your station directly, during the next several months. The program is being supplied by NETA, a company which supplies programming to PBS, and they will be offering the program in April via satellite. NETA does limited publicity so the best way for the stations to hear about this is through their viewers.
Also, email FAAN and The Food Allergy Initiative to include information on this production. We have sent them DVDS, emailed them numerous times, but they are mysteriously silent about the program. And FAAN is featured in the program!
Synopsis of the documentary:
In recent years the word “allergy” has become a catch-all phrase. The term “food allergy” is misinterpreted as anything from a stomach ache to a rash, most often confused with a food intolerance. What many people do not understand is that food allergies are serious and can be life-threatening, just as an allergy to bee stings can be fatal.
Through the experience of several families consisting of both children and adults with food allergies, this program clarifies the misinformation people commonly have about food allergies. Most importantly, it illustrates that food allergies are something a person can live with. Several medical professionals such as Dr. Scott Sicherer of the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute and doctors Harvey Leo and Ben Song of the Allergy & Immunology Associates of Ann Arbor discuss the possible causes of food allergies and its impact on the parents, the allergic child, and siblings. Other topics include the daily routine of an allergic individual; the time and energy that goes into preparing to eat out, going to the park, visiting family and friends, and addressing the lack of understanding and education of people who are unaware of the danger of this condition.
Supports groups include founder Melissa Dalton, of COFAF (Circle of Food Allergic Families) and Terry Furlong, co-founder of FAAN (Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network), the largest advocacy organization for food allergies in the world.
The various coping challenges and strategies--medical, emotional and social—are addressed as are the positive insights people have gained from learning to effectively live with food allergies on a daily basis.
Where to buy the DVD:
The DVD (84 minutes) is now available directly from
Thursday, May 14th, 2009 The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network and the Bowie Baysox are proud to present FOOD ALLERGY AWARENESS NIGHT!! Come watch America’s Pastime in a Safe and Healthy setting for those affected by Food Allergies and Anaphylaxis. We’re designating a very special section as our “FOOD-FREE ZONE” - Section will be extensively cleaned prior to the game - Section will be kept clear of food during the game - Bottled water and soda WILL be allowed Gates Open @ 6:00 pm $11.00/seat 7:05 pm First Pitch FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND SEAT RESERVATIONS crogers@baysox.com 301-464-4855
Peanut Free Night; Thirsty Thursday Call 301-815-9900 to find out about Thirsty Thursday in the Keys Cafe. We recognize our fans with peanut allergies by making the stadium peanut-free tonight! Find out about all our Cafe theme nights.
Individual game tickets aren't available for purchase (at least online) yet. From Loudoun County (or western Fairfax), it's only about an hour to the ballpark.
I just came across a brief online magazine article regarding kids and food allergy friendly options in New York city. Here is the link to the article: All You Can Eat: Allergen-Free Treats.
On Tuesday, we ate at a restaurant--part of a national chain--not far from home. We've had good luck at other locations and thought we'd give it a try here at home. (See A Food Allergy Friendly Restaurant Tip.) It was a good learning experience because I was reminded of an important piece of information--an allergy menu is only one part of what makes a restaurant a food allergy friendly destination. Without a food allergy conscious staff, the allergy menu is useless.
I might even go a step further and question whether allergy menus are even a good idea at all. They do help the diner sort through the meal options, but is that where their usefulness ends? Using the same arguments as those against peanut bans and peanut free zones, are allergy menus counter-productive? Do allergy menus create a false perception by restaurant management and diners that a restaurant is more aware of food allergies when the staff's knowledge and awareness of cross-contact might not match the care that was taken to create those allergy menus? I'm still trying to make up my mind. The one thing I am sure of is that many restaurant staffs need more training and education on food allergies and associated the risks of cross-contact.
Among the websites I visit from time to time is cookiemag.com. If you are a parent, relative or friend of a child with food allergies, take a peek--they've just added their content for March and have included a listing of online resources for parents of food allergic children, which is especially helpful for those just beginning the food allergy journey: resources to help manage kids food allergies.
Thanks to Debbie Bruce for sending us all the important info and dates for the 2009 Toronto Bluejays games offering a peanut and nut reduced zone. I am cutting and pasting it below for your reference. One game in particular caught my eye--the July 18 game against the Red Sox. What a fun way to catch the Sox away from Fenway for peanut and nut allergic fans. There are six tempting dates this year, including the Yankees, the Red Sox, the White Sox...so act fast! (I do not have the form here, so email Andrew asap if you are interested.)
Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club announce Six Dates
for Peanut/ Nut Reduced Zone at Rogers Centre.
Thanks to a tremendous response to games in 2008, the Toronto Blue Jays are pleased to once again offer families dealing with life threatening allergies a dedicated, comfortable and safe seating zone from which to enjoy the game. Returning for six games in 2009 is the Peanut/Nut Reduced Zone seating at Rogers Centre. The games are highlighted by a Boston Red Sox match-up in July and a New York Yankee visit in September.
The Executive Lounge, which holds up to 80 people, will be cleaned in advance and devoted to the exclusive use of families who live with peanut/nut and other severe allergies. When the program was first announced in 2008, 40% of tickets for the first three dates sold out in two days.
Tickets for the Executive Lounge, located near Gate 3, are $45 per person (tax included). Families will be allowed to bring some approved snacks into the suite, as well as have the option to purchase specially selected food and beverage items. During these games, peanut and nut-based snacks will not be permitted into the Executive Lounge.
We look forward to sharing the day with you…
Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club
To reserve your tickets now, contact Andrew Haley with the Blue Jays (order form attached):
Andrew.haley@bluejays.com
Sunday, April 19 1:07 vs Oakland Athletics
Sunday, May 17 1:07 vs Chicago White Sox (long weekend)
Thursday, June 4 12:37 vs Los Angeles Angels
Saturday, July 18 1:07 vs Boston Red Sox
Saturday, August 8 1:07 vs Baltimore Orioles
Saturday, September 5 1:07 vs New York Yankees (long weekend)
Note: The executive lounge may not be available for all the games. If not a suitable replacement site will be selected. Other dates could be added depending on demand.
We're still reviewing the results of the recent FAB pizza survey. 92 individuals completed the survey in its entirety. A number of the respondents hail from Massachusetts, which may be due in part to the fact that Food Allergy Buzz was featured on the Boston.com home page for a weekend with a link directly to the pizza post. While we finish sorting through the responses to the open-ended questions, here are the responses to the multiple-choice questions. It was not the most scientific of surveys, but the responses are interesting nonetheless. I was especially surprised by how often the respondents eat at restaurants or order take-out--46.7% eat out or buy take-out every week and 40.2% every month. Perhaps it's a kernel of evidence that families and individuals with food allergies are not as "hysterical" as some would have us believe.
Q.2 What is your relationship to the food allergic individual in your family? (select all that apply)
Answer
Count
your child(ren)
80 (83.3%)
self
8 (8.3%)
your spouse or partner
5 (5.2%)
your parent(s)
3 (3.1%)
People who answered question:
93(101.1%)
Q.3 To which major food allergens is the food allergic individual allergic? (check all that apply)
Answer
Count
soy
9 (3.6%)
peanuts
82 (32.5%)
nuts
61 (24.2%)
wheat
6 (2.4%)
fish
5 (2%)
eggs
36 (14.3%)
seeds (such as sesame)
20 (7.9%)
dairy
18 (7.1%)
shellfish
15 (6%)
People who answered question:
93(101.1%)
Q.4 Do you ever dine out or buy take-out?
Answer
Count
yes
90 (96.8%)
no
3 (3.2%)
People who answered question:
93(101.1%)
Q.5 How frequently do you dine out or buy take-out? (choose the closest answer)
