Food Allergy Friendly Lunch Box Blogs, Websites, and Ideas

Still catching up on emails, reading, and blogging here among other things when I happened to read a recent post over at A propos des allergies alimentaires, a wonderful French Canadian blog I enjoy reading. Lise's latest post, Du Nouveau A La Boite de Lunch, is a review of a new French language recipe book for lunches. Speaking for myself, we're definitely in need of new ideas here. Lunch has become far too ho-hum! I have a few websites for lunch ideas and even quick dinner ideas which I visit from time to time, picking out food allergy friendly recipes that suit our needs. Two of my favorites are The Allergic Kid and 5 Dollar Dinners, and there are a few others as well.

I need some more inspiration and thought I'd throw my question to the masses. What are your favorite go-to online sources for food allergy friendly lunchtime ideas?

National Eczema Association Workshop for Children in Boston April 17

From our friends at the National Eczema Association, a workshop for children with eczema at Children's Hospital Boston:

National Eczema Association

Support & Information Group Meeting

Children’s Hospital Boston

Saturday, April 17, 2010

10 am - 12 noon 

Speaker: Jennifer LeBovidge, Ph.D.

Psychologist at Children’s Hospital Boston

Eczema Workshop

For Children ages 11-17 years 

Wonderful opportunity for children to:

*Meet their peers who also have eczema

*Learn techniques to cope with itching and scratching

*Share experiences and learn from others

*Discuss ways to handle eczema at school

*Get tips to help you follow your skincare routine 

Children’s Hospital Boston

300 Longwood Avenue

Pavilion Conference Room

Upstairs on the left

Boston, MA 02115 

*To reserve a spot

RSVP:  Lisa Boyon, NEA Support Group Leader

603-425-1968    Email: LisaBoyon@aol.com

Good Allergen Labeling

It is so easy to find poor labeling for allergens and allergies on food packages. There is a brand that always brings a smile to my face when I am at the supermarket--Amy's Kitchen. I like Amy's frozen entrees and I love their allergen labeling.

The box of Mattar Tofu I enjoyed yesterday states:

"Individuals with Food Allergies: This product is made in a facility that processes foods containing wheat, milk, tree nuts and seeds. Amy's Kitchen does not use any peanuts, shellfish or eggs."

Wouldn't it be fantastic if all food manufacturers included that level of detail on the packages? That would be great! It would make shopping a snap.

Which food manufacturers are your favorites for allergen labeling?

A & J Bakery Easter Specials (choose Nut free, Egg free, Dairy free and/or Gluten free)

From our friends at A & J Bakery in Rhode Island: "Easter is less than two weeks away. This is a friendly reminder to order your favorite pastries today!  A& J Bakery is home to "The World's Best Biscotti".  We also carry a variety of   Nut Free products ♦Egg and Dairy Free products ♦Gluten Free products
	Nut Free Easter Specials Rice and Ricotta Pie Apple Pie (Struesel, and Double Crust) Blueberry Pie Apple Berry (Apple, Cranberry and Blueberry) Chocolate Cream Pie Chocolate Bunny Cakes (serving 6-8 people)in Vanilla nd Chocolate Large Chocolate Egg Cakes (serving 6-8 people) in Vanilla and Chocolate Individual Chocolate Egg Cakes in Vanilla or Chocolate Assorted 2lb and 4lb Biscotti or Cookie trays Assorted Easter basket candies to complete your Easter basket (jelly beans, chocolate lolli-pops, solid chocolate bunnies and much more...)             Nut and Gluten Free Specials   Rice and Ricotta Pie Apple Pie (Struesel, and Double Crust) Blueberry Pie Apple Berry (Apple, Cranberry and Blueberry) Chocolate Cream Pie Large Chocolate Egg Cakes (serving 6-8 people) in Vanilla and Chocolate Individual Chocolate Egg Cakes in Vanilla or Chocolate Assorted Easter basket candies to complete your Easter basket (jelly beans, chocolate lolli-pops, solid chocolate bunnies and much more...) "

The Baltimore FAAN Conference is This Saturday, March 27!

From our friends at FAAN: 

FAAN’s Annual Food Allergy Conference Comes to Baltimore

Learn How to “Respect Every Bite” at this Daylong Educational Conference

FAIRFAX, Va. (March 17, 2010) – The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) is bringing together parents, physicians, dietitians, caregivers, and others for its 17th Annual Food Allergy Conferences, the first of which will be held in Baltimore and promises to give attendees new insights and strategies about food allergies and anaphylaxis.

The daylong conference on March 27 will urge everyone to “Respect Every Bite” and feature topics such as the psychosocial impact of living with food allergies, safety at school, food allergy basics, and a research update from one of the nation’s top allergists. It is the first of FAAN’s four spring conferences, which have long been known to offer a unique opportunity for individuals managing food allergies to gain a top-notch learning experience while connecting with others who share similar challenges.

This year’s conferences, to be held also in Las Vegas (April 24), Tarrytown, N.Y. (May 8), and Oak Brook, Ill. (May 22), now offer attendees more choices in the form of multiple breakout sessions from which to choose.

“We have planned a fantastic program this year that is designed to provide everyone from parents to school nurses to babysitters with the knowledge they need to avoid food allergy reactions, which can be potentially fatal,” said Julia Bradsher, CEO of FAAN. “It doesn’t matter if someone has managed food allergies for years or is newly diagnosed – everyone will gain valuable information.”

Top food allergy researcher Robert A. Wood, M.D., will be one of the featured speakers in Baltimore. Wood is a professor of pediatrics and international health and the director of pediatric allergy and immunology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

The Baltimore conference will run from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel, 300 S. Charles St.

For more information or to register for one of FAAN’s Food Allergy Conferences, visit www.foodallergy.org or call (800) 929-4040. 

Peanut-Free Baseball 2010

 

Another item we're catching up on is peanut-free baseball seating at baseball games around the U.S. and Canada. I've just added the San Diego Padres to peanutfreebaseball.com and know there are a few others which need to be added as well. Feel free to send me a reminder by email or comment here if you don't see your event listed on peanutfreebaseball.com or foodallergybuzz.com yet. Thank you for your patience and assistance!

The March 18, 2010 Edition of the Living with Food Allergies Blog Carnival (on March 22!)

This edition covers a variety of topics which I hope you will enjoy and find interesting, as I have!  Thanks so much to the bloggers for sharing their posts, and for your patience with the delayed posting of the carnival.

ERiC AiXeLsyD presents A little background on my shellfish allergy before I write my next rant of a blog… « World (and Lunar) Domination posted at World (and Lunar) Domination.

Jane Anne presents Monster Cookies (without the scary peanut butter) posted at Gravity of Motion.

Elizabeth Goldenberg presents Top 10 Safety Tips at School posted at Onespot Allergy.

Food Allergy Assistant presents Food Allergy Research Findings Presented at Conference posted at Food Allergy Assistant.

Thanita Glancey presents Survey Results - Epipen Experience posted at Vicky's Ickies

If you are interested in sharing a food allergy related blog post for the next edition, please submit here. Or, if you would like to host a future edition of the Living with Food Allergies Blog Carnival, leave a comment to the post or email me at jenniferATfoodallergybuzz.com. Any and all bloggers/writers with an interest in food allergies are welcome!

What do I do with all these lemons?

What's that old saying? "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade?" I have been absent quite a bit from Food Allergy Buzz, peanutfreebaseball.com, Twitter, etc., while focusing on some matters here locally. I'm back now now, though, and I must say, I now have a number of new topics I am looking forward to writing about and hearing your thoughts on.

First things first, we'll get the Living with Food Allergies Blog Carnival posted. Thanks to all of you who submitted posts and my sincerest apologies for the delay. We always need more hosts for future editions the blog carnival, so if you are interested, please submit a comment here or send me an email at jenniferATfoodallergybuzz.com and I will get you on the calendar ASAP.

Amazing Allergy Friendly Easter Treats From Allergy Grocer

     Take a look at Allergy Grocer's selection of allergy friendly Easter treats! So many to choose from...

Whizzer’s Chocolate Speckled Eggs - Delicious rich chocolate "egg" shaped candies with a crisp candy shell.  Vegan treats with no gluten, wheat, dairy or artificial colors or preservatives.

 

Whizzer’s Chocolate Beans - The vegan answer to many of those chocolate favorites. These delicious vegan treats with no gluten, dairy, or artificial colors or preservatives will delight chocoholics everywhere. Imported from England and made with non-bone-char-processed beet sugar.

Gimbal's Assorted Gourmet Jelly Beans - Gimbal's "41 Flavors" Gourmet Jelly Beans from Gimbal's Fine Candies in Easter cellophane bag.  Gimbal's plant and products are free of nuts, gluten, dairy, egg, gelatin, and trans fat.

Honey Acres Chocolate Honey Mints - Chocolate Honey Mints Wrapped in spring ribbon; a delicious combination of honey and chocolate. This product does not contain milk or soy, but the chocolate comes from a facility that uses milk and soy ingredients in other products.  Produced in a nut free environment.

Kettle Valley Organic Fruit Snacks – Great tasting treat and healthy too…  Kettle Valley Organic Fruit Snacks contain no preservatives or added sugar, no artificial flavors or colors. Available in 6 flavors.  Each snack is made with 100% fruit and contains 1 organic apple.

College Farms Naturepops -  College Farms Organic Naturepops are tasty lollipops made with real fruit flavors and natural colors. Nothing artificial, no preservatives, and free from Wheat, Gluten, Dairy, Soy and Nuts.

FAAN's Food Allergy Award Winners

Congratulations to the award winners! Here is the press release from our friends at FAAN:

FAAN Announces Food Allergy Award Winners

FAIRFAX, Va. (March 11, 2010) – The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) is thrilled to honor more than a dozen individuals and institutions that have shown an admirable commitment to food allergy safety, awareness, and education, through its 14th Annual Mariel C. Furlong Awards for Making a Difference (MCF), Second Annual Grandparent Awards, and Seventh Annual Special Achievement Awards.

This year’s group of award winners includes a child nutrition services director who revamped the school district’s hot lunch menu in order to include children with food allergies, a school nurse whose quick thinking saved the life of a child experiencing an allergic reaction, and an allergy-friendly preschool.

FAAN’s MCF and Grandparent awards are given annually and selected from nominees singled out for their actions, going above and beyond in their efforts to protect and support individuals with food allergies.

FAAN also selected two children who increased food allergy awareness in their communities while raising funds for ongoing research studies as recipients of the Youth Special Achievement Awards. Michael Pistiner, M.D., and the Campbell Soup Company were honored with Special Achievement Awards for their work in helping pass landmark restaurant legislation Massachusetts and for implementing a special scanning technology to improve allergen labeling, respectively.  

“We commend these honorees for their hard work and special efforts, all of which raise food allergy awareness in some way,” said Julia Bradsher, CEO of FAAN. “These individuals are role models – we would encourage more people to come forward and help us educate others about food allergy, a potentially fatal medical condition that is widely misunderstood.”

The annual Mariel C. Furlong Awards for Making a Difference were created in 1996 to honor individuals and corporations who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make a difference in the lives of individuals with food allergies. The awards are named after Mariel Christine Furlong, daughter of Anne Muñoz-Furlong, the founder of FAAN.

This year’s award winners were recognized for their efforts in the following categories: Community Service, Food Industry, Health Professional, and School. FAAN also selected a grandmother who has made broad impact by educating community members about food allergies as the recipient of its Grandparent Award.

The awards will be presented to the winners at FAAN’s upcoming Food Allergy Conferences in Maryland (March 27), Nevada (April 24), New York (May 8), and Illinois (May 22).

Winners:

Community Service/Support Group: Kathy Franklin and Caren Sanger, Parents of Asthmatic and Allergic Children (PAAC), New York, N.Y.

Angie Norton, Phoenix Allergy Network (PAN), Chandler, Ariz.

Andria Youngberg, NC FACES (Food Allergic Children Excelling Safely), Raleigh/Cary, N.C.  

Camp: Ed Collins, The Center for Courageous Kids, Scottsville, Ky.

Food Industry: Bruce Gibbens, Bonsall, Calif.

Health Professional: Lawrence Larson, D.O., Tacoma, Wash.

                Maribeth Feuling, R.D., Wauwatosa, Wisc.

School: St. Stephen ECD & Preschool, Inc., St. Louis, Mo.

School Principal: Rick Hanebutt, Hope Lutheran School, Shawnee, Kan.

School Nurse: Cathy Miller, R.N., Henrico, Va.

School Dining Services: Brenda Klamert, R.D., Oconomowoc, Wisc.

School Staff: Elaine Goodwin, R.N., Yorktown Heights, N.Y.

Timothy Rourke, Woodbridge, Conn. 

Grandparent Award: Elinor Black, Marshfield, Mass.

Youth Special Achievement Award: Hunter Hampton, Osprey, Fla.,

Emily Zauzmer, Dresher, Pa.

Special Achievement Award: Michael Pistiner, M.D., Leominster, Mass.,

Campbell Soup Company, Camden, N.J. 

Don't Miss It! Today is Cutoff for Collector's Edition Issue of Allergic Living!

From Allergic Living Magazine:

On behalf of our friends at Allergic Living magazine, just a reminder that tomorrow – Friday, March 12 – is the cutoff date to get the magazine's Collector’s Edition 5th Anniversary issue as part of a new subscription.

The issue’s theme is of high interest: “The Future of Allergies”. Allergic Living’s journalists investigate not just one, but several new therapies for food allergies and celiac disease being developed by world-leading researchers. The future looks bright!

To sign up for an Allergic Living subscription, simply go to www.allergicliving.com and click the “Subscribe/Renew” tab. 

Note: If you have an up-to-date subscription with the magazine, you will receive this special issue. If you received a renewal notice: the same cutoff date applies.

AL’s media release

Future of Allergies– the Therapies Are Coming

In May 2005, Allergic Living magazine published its inaugural issue. Now this spring, Canada’s magazine dedicated to lifestyle and health news coverage of allergies will turn 5 years old.

To mark the occasion, Allergic Living’s Spring 2010 issue will be its 5th Anniversary Collector’s Edition. The theme is “The Future of Allergies,” looking 10 years ahead to find out where food allergy, celiac disease and environmental allergy research will be.

Allergic Living turns to its investigative team, who report from the front lines of research. The resulting articles show very good news ahead. There will be therapies for food allergies and celiac disease – and not just one. If all goes to plan, there should be pills, vaccines and immunotherapy. Considering avoidance is the only “treatment” at the moment – a therapy revolution is literally coming.


The Spring 2010 Allergic Living also features:
- New statistics on food allergies in North America.
- A celebration of the 5th anniversary of Ontario’s groundbreaking Sabrina’s Law – protecting students with anaphylaxis.
- Article on neurological disorders in kids and celiac disease.
- Fabulous Southwest cuisine recipes by Chef Simon. Free of top allergens and gluten.
- 5th Anniversary Allergy Contest: test your knowledge and win one of 4 copies of The Allergen-Free Baker’s Handbook by Cybele Pascal.
- Coverage of the 2010 AAAAI conference in New Orleans.

Those with allergies or celiac disease won’t want to miss this issue.

Direct inquiries to info@allergicliving.com or 1-888-771-7747 (416-604-0110). 

"Severe Nut Allergies Are A Disability"

The debate continues on Cape Cod. Are food allergies a disability? Should schools ban peanuts and peanut butter? I personally have mixed feelings about bans in middle and high schools, though I think they may be fitting for young elementary grades, when children are too young to read on their own, rendering label reading impossible. More frightening than a lack of a ban are the actions of those strongly opposed to the bans--purposefully exposing anaphylactic and severely allergic children to potentially fatal foods. To a child with a life threatening allergy, isn't that almost akin to carrying a gun to school?

Check out this article: Severe Nut Allergies Are a Disability, DOE Says

Care to Help a European Food Allergy Book Author?

A while ago, I received an email from Danish food allergy cookbook author and mom, Charlotte Peyk. Charlotte wrote a cookbook for egg-free and milk-free several years ago and is now working on a new book. She is requesting some assistance with her new book from U.S. and Canadian moms and other food allergy bakers on a volunteer basis. Specifically, she is looking for volunteers to test her recipes with "American ingredients and measurements together with some proofreading". A few people here have volunteered--thanks!--but she needs a couple more. Charlotte says "I can unfortunately not offer any reward for the testing/proofreading but I have a "Thanks to-page" in my book and I can mention names at that page."

You can contact Charlotte directly at postATmorgenfrue.dk. (don't forget to replace the "AT" with @ in the email address!)

Thanks Food Allergy Buzz Readers and Supporters

Premium Chocolatiers is a new sponsor of Food Allergy Buzz. We are are extremely grateful to them and all of our sponsors/advertisers. Their support of this blog makes it possible for us to continue to share ways to enjoy "the good things in life allergen-free"--like how to find peanut free/allergy friendly baseball tickets and food allergy friendly consumer info such as labeling clarification and new products. Please support our food allergy friendly business friends. The economy is tough on everyone, and we need these specialty stores and businesses for those with food allergies to thrive.

Thanks also to the amazing people who stop by Food Allergy Buzz and read the posts, share a comment, or send an email. Your support and friendship are greatly appreciated, and are a huge part of what makes writing Food Allergy Buzz so gratifying!

peanutfreebaseball.com

It's Spring Training and tickets are on sale for regular season seats. It's time to start thinking about peanut-free and allergy friendly baseball!

My goal is to collect all the peanut-free, peanut-safe, and food allergy friendly baseball games in one centralized location on peanutfreebaseball.com. If you have information about an allergy friendly game you'd like to share, please email the information to me at jenniferATfoodallergybuzz.com. I'll include it on peanutfreebaseball.com and will be sure to give you the credit.

Thank you!