Keep the Faith

Holiday season is officially here, bringing with it endless opportunities for all kinds of celebrations and let’s face it, challenges, for those living with food allergies. In the last month alone, my second grader has had numerous “close calls” with impromptu treats served at school and beyond. It’s enough to turn me into Ebenezer Scrooge some days and wish for it all to go away. I’m sure there are many of you out there who know exactly what I’m mean. Some days it feels like a never ending battle that you will just never win, but I’m here to remind you there are always ways to try and find a little faith.

I did, most recently when I had the privilege to attend the AFAA Food Allergy Conference earlier this month in Minneapolis, MN. What a great lineup of optimistic speakers addressing real life topics and sharing exciting possibilities for food allergy sufferers in the very near future.

For example, Steve Rice from the Food Allergy Initiative announced that a comprehensive new training program for educators (developed in collaboration with FAAN ) is scheduled to be rolled out in 2011. Another great speaker with the Food and Drug Administration announced that an FDA-sponsored restaurant guide to food allergies (which has been years in the making) may also be implemented as soon as next year. And within five years, treatments like the Chinese Herbal Remedy now in 2nd phase trials may be available by prescription or possibly over the counter.

These major milestones in food allergy advocacy and research are most definitely cause for celebration, with the promise of many more advancements to come. So in those moments when you’re ready to say “Ba Humbug” to potential health scares caused by holiday cheer, remember that real progress is being made in big and small ways. And when it comes to my daughter's food allergies, any level of progress most definitely makes my days both merry and bright!

Gimbal's Candies

I'm always on the lookout for good, food allergy friendly treats, and with Halloween just around the corner, I am very excited to be offering Gimbal's Candies at a few upcoming BugaBees events this month!

With products like Gourmet Jelly Beans, Cherry Lovers and Honey Lovers Fruit Chews, Gimbal's candies are produced in a facility that is completely free of peanuts, tree nuts, egg, gluten, soy and dairy. (And fish and shellfish too.) Not only are they safe for kids with any and all of the Top 8 food allergens, they are also gelatin and trans fat free. Most importantly, they are YUMMY.

To sample a few of these tasty treats, stop by Oompa Toys in Middleton, WI on Saturday, Oct. 23rd from 2 to 4PM or Flourish Studios in Chicago, IL on Saturday 30th from 10 AM to Noon. And don't forget to wear your costumes!! We hope to see you there.

Upcoming BugaBees Appearances

Book Signing
Saturday, September 25, 2010
9 AM to Noon
FOOD ALLERGY RESOURCE FAIR
Hopkins, Minnesota
Sponsored by Food Allergy Support Group of MN

Book Raffle
Saturday, October 2, 2010
FAMILY FUN EVENT
Katy, Texas
Sponsored by Kids with Food Allergies

Storytime & Book Signing
Saturday, October 23, 2010

2 to 4 PM
HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY
Middleton, Wisconsin
Sponsored by The BugaBees and Oompa Toys

Storytime & Book Signing
Saturday, October 30, 2010
10 AM to Noon
HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY

Chicago, IL
Sponsored by The BugaBees and Flourish Studios

Book Signing
Friday, November 5, 2010
SCHOOL NURSES OF MN ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE
Bloomington, Minnesota
Sponsored by the School Nurses of MN

Book Signing

Saturday, November 6, 2010

FOOD ALLERGY CONFERENCE & EXPO

8 AM to 4 PM

University of Minnesota - Minneapolis Campus

Sponsored by Anaphylaxis & Food Allergy Association of Minnesota

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!