Book Reprint

If you've tried to order a BugaBees book online in the last few weeks, you may have been disappointed to find that they are completely out of stock!

The good news: Cricket and the gang are in high demand. The bad news: We won't be able to meet that demand until September 24 when the new inventory hits our warehouse.

So, in appreciation for your patience, we are inviting you to take $5 off the cost when you order at Bookhouse Fulfillment by October 15th. Enter "SAVE5" in the coupon code box before checkout, with our thanks for your understanding. Enjoy!

'Lil Foodies

Who doesn't love a free lunch? My youngest friends in the Chicago-area have a chance to enjoy Qdoba's kids menu for free, and so much more on Saturday, August 21st. Kids eat free all day at the restaurant's newest location in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. But there's more! Stop by between 11 AM to 1 PM and hear a reading of "The BugaBees: Friends with Food Allergies" by yours truly. Participate in other fun kiddie activities and learn how to customize an allergy-safe Qdoba meal for your 'Lil Foodie. Don't miss out ... we'd love to see you there!

Epi Keys

Hey! Here is something really cool that I am excited about: The Epinephrine Key. TCB Medical recently introduced a new epinephrine auto-injector to replace the bigger and bulkier pen-shaped injectors currently available. Designed by an allergist to be a small, portable device that attaches to a keychain, your epiniphrine goes everywhere your keys go, and is more likely to be available for emergency use when the need arises.

The Epinephrine Key injector is also much more user friendly than pen shaped auto-injectors. Once the cap is removed, the safety buttons can be depressed and the device can be activated by compressing the tip against the leg in one fluid motion. This design significantly reduces the risk of improper injections into the thumb which can cause further problems in an already stressful situation.

The Epi Key is not yet available, but a fully functioning prototype has been developed and is in the testing phases. TCB Medical Devices expects fast-track approval through the FDA, meaning the Epinephrine Key could be on the market and available to allergy patients in as little as four months. Read more about it here.

School Nurses Conference

Okay, I admit it. I've been busy enjoying the summer, and perhaps neglecting my blog, Facebook & Twitter updates more than I should. Even so, I have managed to work in a few BugaBees activites, including the National Association of School Nurses convention last month in Chicago. Friend and fellow author Susie Bazil (of The Sick Bug) joined me and all I can say is we love those school nurses! I so appreciated the opportunity to hear their stories and help support their efforts in promoting food allergy awareness in schools.

One school nurse that continues to inspire me personally is Karen Leister from Southern Boulevard School in New Jersey. In 2006 along with her school psychologist, Karen created an incredible program for her district called FAST Friends (FAST standing for Food Allergy Support Team). Established with a grant from the Chatham Education Foundation, this group meets five or six times a year on various topics designed to help elementary school children better understand their food allergies. The goal of this group is three-fold: to offer support to children who are learning to eat differently at school and beyond, to equip these children to (eventually) assume their own care through education and to raise awareness in the community by teaching others and by thanking those who are most helpful in supporting kids with food allergies.

Karen's program has been so successful that in 2009, she received an honorable mention for the national Muriel C. Furlong Award for Making a Difference from FAAN. Kudos to Karen! And on behalf of all the grateful parents out there, kudos to all of the school nurses who are working hard on the front lines to keep our children safe. We couldn't do it without you!

Peanuts on Planes

A few months ago, I took a much needed vacation with my girlfriends to collectively celebrate our 40th birthdays. Our travel plans required airline transportation, and while I was overjoyed with ability to “get away”, I still could not get away from thoughts of my daughter and her nut allergies.

During the course of my flight to my vacation destination, I just kept thinking “How will she ever do this?” as the flight attendant went aisle by aisle passing out peanuts and pretzels. On my return flight home with a different airline, snacks were not provided of any kind, but there was a passenger across the aisle from me that pulled out her own little lunch, which appeared to me to be a peanut butter and banana sandwich. Sigh. “I’m never taking her on a plane,” I said to myself at that moment. Road trips are just as fun, right?

I know there are other families that do travel on airlines with food allergies. Some have great success stories. Others have horror stories. For me, I guess I fall on the conservative side. I would rather not take the risk. Why add stress to an activity intended to remove stress from your life?

BUT CHECK THIS OUT … The United States Department of Transportation has recently proposed new wide-ranging consumer protections for air travelers, Including Peanut-Free Airlines!

Can it possible be that someone is finally, actually getting it? Of course, the proposal is controversial, and of course, may not amount to anything in the end. But I am very encouraged by the fact that it is even being discussed. And if a ban does in fact become enforced, I offer my apologies to the peanut farmers of America. I know this has a negative impact on your livelihood, but it obviously has an overwhelmingly positive impact on my daughter’s life. In my world, “living” (as in not dying) trumps “earning a living” every single time.

The public is currently invited to comment on this issue at the Regulation Room. In the meantime, if you or your family MUST travel on an airplane and food allergies are a concern, FAAN has some great information and advice about how to do so safely. Happy trails to you, one and all!

Fun Stuff

It's always so much fun to visit with students of all ages and last week was no exception! Thanks to all the kids for being such great listeners and food allergy advocates during my most recent classroom visits. You are all precious and wonderful and make the world a better place to be with your open hearts and minds.

And last but not least, it was very, very fun to hold our first ever BugaBees Book-A-Day Giveaway contest in honor of Food Allergy Awareness Week! Congrats to all of our winners, from England and all across the U.S.: Maria Musicka, Carol Nockels Depke, Melinda Olson, Jennifer Haldeman, Sarah Suarez, Julie Henning and Melody Krouse.

I hope you will enjoy the book and continue to share its optimistic message with others.

The BugaBees Book-a-Day Giveaway for Food Allergy Awareness Week!

The BugaBees know that missing out on certain foods, doesn't mean you have to miss out on all the fun. So in honor of Food Allergy Awareness Week, we have a fun little giveaway contest planned! Here's what you need to do:

• Post a comment on the BugaBees blog (right here) or on the BugaBees Facebook page anytime between May 9-15th
• EACH DAY one participant will be randomly selected to win an autographed copy of "The BugaBees: Friends with Food Allergies"
• All winners will announced on May 16th
• One comment per person, per day please :)

Good luck and go to it ... Help spread a little extra food allery awareness this week! I know of a few million kids who will be glad you did.