Heartache + Hope

This Valentine's Day, I'm hugging my kids a little tighter as my heart goes out to the family of Ammaria Johnson who died earlier this year from an allergic reaction to peanuts. While it's been just a few short months since her death, I remain hopeful that this tragic event has sparked a movement to provide more protection for the millions of kids just like her.

Since today is all about love, I'm sending out a special dose to the parents of Ammaria, and the friends and families of other young lives lost to food allergies, such as Katelyn Carlson, Megan Ayotte Lefort, and Sabrina Shannon. While the heartache of their loss remains, the hope they continue to give to the world lives on.

Wishing you all a safe and happy Valentine's Day....

If you haven't already done so, please sign the petition at www.change.org to support legislation requiring all schools to stock life-saving EpiPens. You can help make a difference!

The Thought That Counts

As 2011 comes to a close, I am filled with gratitude for yet another year of good health and well-being – for myself, my husband, our friends and family, but most of all, for the health and well-being of our children.

Food allergies are certainly a challenge every day of the year. And it comes as no surprise that with all the joys of the season, also come increased opportunities for accidental exposures and reactions. Through what seems like an endless supply of goodie bags, party treats, cookie platters and more, I feel extremely fortunate that we have been able to navigate our way through yet another magical holiday with the help of some very special people.

To our wonderful grandparents, aunts & uncles, neighbors, classmates, teachers, friends and family, we thank you for all your kind and caring ways of providing fun and festive options that keep our daughter Mollie safe! At 8 years old, she may not fully realize that it’s not really about the special nut-free treats you take the time to prepare and plan ahead for her…. it’s ultimately about the fact that she matters. And that her safety is priority. And that her happiness is important.

When it comes to receiving gifts, I have always been taught it is the thought that counts. This sentiment could not be more true, and its meaning extends well beyond any wrapped trinket or toy she could ever receive.

So on behalf of Mollie, and food allergic kids everywhere, this is a special thank you… to anyone who has been thoughtful enough to read a label, make the effort, and find the extra time it takes to bring a smile to a special child’s face. I promise you, those are the kind of gifts that will be forever appreciated … throughout the holidays and always. Wishing you peace, health and happiness in 2012!

FAHF-2

I was in Minneapolis last weekend attending AFAA’s annual conference and was so excited to meet their Keynote Speaker Dr. Xiu-Min Li. She shared some very inspiring news about the research she’s conducting at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York involving the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of food allergies.

Dr. Li explained that while TCM has a long history of human use in China and other Eastern Asia countries as part of mainstream medicine, the United States has not been as quick to follow --- until now. After a number of preliminary studies and testing phases, a new botanical drug called FAHF-2 (Food Allergy Herbal Formula – 2) is currently in Phase II clinical human trials. Containing 9 different herbs, FAHF-2 is proving to block peanut allergy anaphylaxis in an extremely safe and effective manner. Hurray!!Food Allergy Initiative is helping to fund this research, which has already been featured and revered in a wide variety of medical journals.

Additional research and regulation is required before FAHF-2 is widely available. Until that time, we have a very good reason to remain hopeful for the future of food allergy treatment and prevention!! Thank you Dr. Li and your awesome team of researchers and medical professionals.

Take the Time

After learning to manage my daughter's food allergies for many years now, I have to admit, I'm still surprised by the crazy places food allergen warnings pop up on labels.

This weekend it was on a package of carrots and ranch dip at the Target snack bar. It had been a long day of running errands and I was trying to find for something remotely healthy to feed the kids on the go. I actually bought the item first, but then thankfully remembered to check before we opened it. Sure enough, processed in a plant that also process peanuts. Wow! We also recently had a close call with some mango sorbet one of my most diligent friends brought over for a cookout. And the Culver's burgers we have been eating for years just recently popped up with a tree nut warning on their food allergen menu. That was a sad day for sure!!

If you're like me, with a million and one things to keep track of, it can be easy to forget to check ingredients from time to time. So while I am thanking my lucky stars we managed to stay safe on all of these occasions, and wanted to share this little reminder with others. When you're racing around trying to keep up with life, please remember to TAKE THE TIME. Read labels. Ask the waiter. Plan ahead. Keep your kids safe.

One of my favorite children's books of all time shares this universal message. "Is There Really a Human Race" by Jamie Lee Curtis reminds us all to SLOW DOWN and remember what's most important in life.

Sometimes it's better not to go fast.

There are beautiful sights to see when you're last.

Shouldn't it be that you just try your best?

And that's more important than beating the rest?

Shouldn't it be looking back at the end

that you judge your own race by the help that you lend?

Right on, Jamie. Thanks for helping remind me that time is precious and meant to be used well. I think I'll set some aside to read this story to my beautiful children tonight. :)

Fun with FAAW

Thanks to my friends at Food Allergy Association of Wisconsin for organizing a very fun event last Saturday with the Madison Mallards! Our family had a fabulous time at the baseball game and appreciated the extra steps taken by FAAW staff to create an allergy-friendly area for all to enjoy.

FAAW advocates on behalf of Madison and Dane County families with food allergies, holding events and coordinating educational efforts all throughout the year. The nonprofit organization's annual Food Allergy Awareness Walk is coming up Saturday, August 13th at Warner Park in Madison so mark your calendars!

Enjoy Life!

What better way to wrap up a fun week of food allergy awareness than with a tour of the Enjoy Life Foods facility!?! Like the BugaBees, the folks at Enjoy Life know how to stay safe and still have lots of fun! And their products make is so much easier for those of us living with food allergies and intolerances to do so.

May I just say, the new Crunchy Sugar Crisp and Chocolate Granola products pose some serious competition for our current family favorites, Snickerdoodle and Gingerbread Spice cookies. Luckily, we have enough shelf space in out pantry for all of them!

A special note to all my mates in Australia ... Enjoy Life is now being distributed in your corner of the world. Be sure to check out their Boom Choco Boom bars and other great products. I promise, you won't be disappointed!

Thanks so much to Joel, Kasey, Alina, Linsey and all the ELFers for your hospitality and dedication to making delicious products that so many of us can eat freely and enjoy!

FAAW Coloring Contest

Calling all Wisconsin Kids! Are you one of the 3 million U.S. children living with food allergies? Do you have a friend, classmate, or sibling who is? Whether you have a food allergy or not, this contest is for you! It's not too late to help the Food Allergy Association of Wisconsin (FAAW) promote education and awareness during national Food Allergy Awareness Week taking place May 8 to May 14. Join the millions of people all across the country who are participating in activities inspired by the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network and other organizations that share the same mission.

FAAW’s coloring contest is easy and fun. Simply draw a picture on the form provided of yourself and/or someone you know who is impacted by food allergies. It can be your best friend, your baseball team, your grandparents or anyone special! Knowing how to safely manage food allergies is always important, but remember, there are many other (more exciting) things to know and learn about too! Your artwork should show what other things are important in your life that help make you and your pals unique! Do you like horseback riding, swimming, or going to the park? Whatever it is, show us how you and your friends and family stay safe and have fun in spite of food allergies.

Win great prizes including movie passes, gift cards and more! All contest participants will be entered to win a random drawing of fun and exciting giveaway items.

Send your entries marked FAAW Color Contest to the Food Allergy Association of Wisconsin, 2722 Union Street, Madison, WI 53704 by MAY 15, 2011. Color scans can also be emailed to sheree@foodallergywis.org. Don’t forget to write your name, address and phone number on the back of your entry! We’ll call you if you are one of our lucky winners. (All winners will be posted on FAAW’s Facebook Fan page.)