Exercise and Asthma

After moving to the Central Coast nearly 5 years ago, I was introduced to running by a neighbor and personal trainer, Liz Wilson of Fun and Fit Personal Training. Without any prior experience, I suddenly found myself training for 5ks, 10ks, a half-marathon and triathlon. However, it took me a long time to realize that I have “exercised induced asthma” which not only affect my performance but confidence as well. Since learning this (and opening the shop), my focus has been taken from running for a bit but the New Year has me inspired and there is no better time to get back on track and discuss exercise and Asthma.

What are the symptoms of Exercise Induced Asthma?
According to http://www.kidshealth.org/, symptoms of exercise induced asthma include wheezing, tightness of chest, coughing and shortness of breath. Some symptoms are more noticeable than others making it tough to diagnose. If you suspect any of these symptoms contact your physician and ask to be tested.

One very important symptom to watch out for, those with Exercise Induced Asthma can experience symptoms within the first 5 to 10 minutes of beginning exercise and take longer than an hour to subside.

What are the best exercises for people with Asthma?
According to WebMD, look for activities that have short intermittent periods of activity such as walking, jogging, hiking, golf, gymnastics, wrestling and baseball.

Swimming is also a good option because although it is a strong endurance sport, it is performed in a warm, moist air environment that most folks with asthma can tolerate. Not to mention, swimming is an excellent activity for maintaining fitness.

Other beneficial activities include biking and indoor activities such as aerobics, running on the treadmill and interactive home videos.

What exercises should you avoid with Asthma?
Activities and involve long periods of exertion such as soccer, long distance running and field hockey. Also avoid cold weather sports such as ice hockey and ice skating, or wear a scarf or mask to avoid cold air inhalation with can trigger an asthmatic attack and please check with your physician.

Tips to take if you have Exercised Induced Asthma:
If you suspect that you do have asthma, it is always recommended to consult with a physician. However, there are some recommended tips that one can do prior to exercise:
1. Warm up before exercising
2. Breathe through the nose or wear a scarf or mask especially on cold and poor air quality days.
3. Rest periodically – Exercise at a level that is appropriate for you.
4. Cool down properly after exercising.
5. Consult your doctor regarding recommended medications to help control asthma and emergency rescue inhalers.

Now of course, there is a difference between someone with Asthma and one who is out of shape, the out of shape person can catch their breath within a few minutes whereas Asthmatics can not. However, with a help of a physician and proper care there is no reason why folks with Asthma should not partake in normal physical activities.

Hopefully this has inspired you and you are on your way to a Healthy and Happy 2010!

Sweet Alexis Lands on Peanut Free Planet!

Did you hear the news?

Peanut Free Planet Proudly Presents Individually Wrapped Fresh Baked Cookies Peanut Free, Tree Nut Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free from Sweet Alexis!!!

Use Coupon Code Sweet1Coupon for $1 offup to 10 cookie packs, combos or variety packs!Coupon code good through 12-14-2009
Sweet Alexis Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sweet Alexis Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies
Can't decide on one or the other? We understand.The Sweet Alexis Cookie Combo Packs are just what you need!
The Sweet Alexis Variety Pack has both the wonderful Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Cookies along with Chocolate Cake Zucchini Bread Applesauce Raisin Loaf Blueberry Loaf Banana Bread and Pumpkin Raisin Bread!
Peanut Free Planet 15252 Stony Creek WaySuite 103 Noblesville, IN 46060-4930

Phone: 317-910-2335 Email: info@peanutfreeplanet.com

Dave Congalton KVEC talks Food Allergies

Tune in tomorrow to 920 KVEC AM or www.920kvec.com between 4:15 and 5pm. Michele Fellows, owner of Sweet Alexis Dairy, Egg, Tree nut and Peanut free bakery will be the in studio guest along with fill-in host, Robyn O'Leary. Dave won't be there but he is a huge Sweet Alexis fan and supporter and I'll be sure to leave him basket of goodies. Robyn and I have lot's to discuss including our new store hours, distribution on Peanut Free Planet (www.peanutfreeplanet.com), Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Networks (www.foodallergy.org) new membership only e-discount page, march on Congress with the Food Allergy Initiative (www.fai-usa.org), and 4-year-old Cooper's peanut sniffing dog through Angel Service Dogs (www.angelserivedogs.com). If you would like to call in, please do so at 805) 543-8830.

Allergy Friendly Samples Sent to Texas School Nurses

Samples of Sweet Alexis dairy, egg, tree nut and peanut free products were sent to Texas! The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (http://www.foodallergy.org/) will be making a presentation introducing FAAN ’s food allergy programming to the 54 Lead Nurse Administrators for the Texas Education Agency’s Region 4. According to FAAN, these Lead Nurse Administrators are from 54 school districts representing over 1,000,000 students, 1,400 campuses, and more than 83,000 professional educators – roughly 25% of the public school population in the State of Texas . Sweet Alexis samples will be included in a gift basket that will be presented to each nurse. As food allergies can be life-threatening, it falls under the disabilities act and school districts must learn to accommodate these children. Thanks to FAAN, schools are learning how to do just that including sampling safe food options such as Sweet Alexis. Hopefully soon, food safe products will be in the schools so the 4% of children with food allergies (according to the L.A. Times) can have a safe and delicious treats like everyone else.

No Flu Shot for Children Allergic to Egg, Now What?

Due to Alexis and Ryan's allergy to egg, they are not able to get flu shots, mists, etc. because the vaccine is cured in egg. Initially, I'll admit, I was very concerned since there are so many cases of H1N1 across the country, how can I keep them from being exposed. Alexis especially is at high risk with her compromised immune system and chronic asthma. At first I did contemplate keeping her home from school, but for how long. Months?

Now I believe my food allergic children must live within the world as it exists. There is no possible human way to eliminate all of their allergens from any given situation because there are so many; dairy, egg, tree nut, peanut, coconut, shellfish, mustard and cherries. As tough as it seems, they must learn to identify each of the allergens so they can not only keep themselves safe and to gain independence. As the flu virus spread, the realization came over me that there is no way to keep them from being exposed to this as well.

How do we keep them safe? Well, one thing that we have done is find "safe" vitamins that help boost their immune system. We found a great product at http://www.naturesplus.com/, that not only is gluten free, but hypo-allergenic and vegetarian. Not to mention free from yeast, wheat, soy and milk. Please check ingredients and with your doctor before using, but so far my kids are extremely healthy and I know they have been exposed to the flu.

In addition, my allergist also recommended we take vitamin D3. Again, please check with your doctor or log onto http://www.webmd.com/ before using, but I have felt flu symptoms coming on and once I took D3 it was gone. However, I do not give this particular vitamin to the kids as it does contain lactose.

Sweet Alexis Now Available at Peanut Free Planet!

Sweet Alexis Gift Pack featuring all eight of our delicious Dairy, Egg, Tree nut and Peanut free goodies, not available at Peanut Free Planet, log onto www.peanutfreeplanet.com. Shop now for the holidays!

The Guilt of a Food Allergic Mom

By the grace of God, our son Ryan's food allergies are not nearly what Alexis' are. Yes, he is allergic to the same food but will only develop eczema, stomach cramps and diarrhea should he ingest any of them - he has never gone into anaphylactic shock, thankfully.

Ryan is in Kindergarten and doing extremely well. Because of the extreme measures we had to take with Alexis, his teachers are prepared and aware of his situation. Fortunately, he does not need and epipen and the staff know he can not share food and must never eat anything that is brought in by another parent. And although we talked to the other parents to call us should they want to bring in cupcakes, etc. they often don't. Therefore, we always keep a stash of Sweet Alexis Chocolate Chip cookies in the room fridge should something come up.

Today was a learning experience. When dropping Ryan at school, we discovered he had a substitute teacher. She had been to the class previously, knew of Ryan's allergies and everyone seemed comforatable - we have a strict rule, if our kids to not feel safe or the caregiver/teacher/sub doesn't "get it", we pull them out. But, he was happy so I proceeded to remind her about Ryan's allergies and those of one other child in the class room. I gave him loves and I went about my morning.

Upon picking Ryan up, I saw that he was huddled in a ball with his head hung low between his knees, very upset. Aparently, one mom brought in cupcakes and Tootsie Roll lollypops which both contain milk. The substitute was unaware of the stash of safe cookies in the fridge and Ryan sat and watched the other children eat cupcakes while he had nothing (the other child with allergies was able to eat the lollypop). He was devestated. I was heartbroken.

Immediately, I reminded Ryan about his secret stash and allowed him to eat two cookies! I told him how proud I was that he kept himself safe and apologized that he had that experience. My poor boy.

We try to do all we can for our children, but sometimes things fall through the cracks. We are both a little worse for wear today, but we will learn and move on. Now, I'm off to write a reminder note to all the parents about Ryan and his food allergies - hopefully next time someone will remember his secret stash in the fridge.

Food Allergy Gift of Hope!

As I sit down to write this article for the holiday season, my initial intent was to provide a holiday shopping gift guide. However that all changed when I was recently approached by Food Allergy Initiative, a national non-profit organization that has contributed more than $60 million dollars towards finding the cause and cure for food allergies. They asked if I would participate in a letter writing campaign to Congresswoman Capps, asking for her support. Eureka! The prefect gift for the holiday season, the gift of “hope”, that each of us as a friend, relative, neighbor or community member can easily give.

Why should you care? Well, whether you know it or not, this “hidden disability” affect’s everyone. According to FAI, more than 12 million Americans suffer from food allergies and the number of children under age five with food allergies doubled from 1997-2002. Those children are now students in our school system and they require extra attention and care due to the severity of the situation. Schools must hire specially trained health staff, sanitize supplies and classroom implements, and train staff for emergencies that are inevitable not improbable. Every child deserves an education in a safe and secure environment but the schools need financial assistance managing and educating others regarding this potentially fatal disability.

The time couldn’t be more perfect for our voices to be heard. With all the discussion on Capital Hill regarding healthcare, it is time for our Congress and the Administration to devote more of their attention towards food allergies and how we can assist our communities and schools. Although the Government has allocated $17 million to the research and study of treatments to prevent these allergies, this pales in comparison to what has been provided to non fatal disabilities such as Attention Deficit Disorder which receives $107 million. It has become apparent that not enough Americans know about the importance of this issue or why it important as a community.

Yet another reason to act now, we are so close. According to FAI-USA, although researchers do not understand why rates are increasing so rapidly, specifically among children, they do believe they are about 10 years away from discovering treatments or even cures if they are able to continue their work. What we need to do is help ensure that our government representatives understand how serious this problem is, how much we need this research to continue and how imperative it is to support the school districts in which our children attend.

What you can do; Sign up as a supporter and learn more about increasing awareness by logging onto www.faiusa.org. Write a letter or call your elected officials to educate them on food allergy issues. Become an FAI regional coordinator. Ask five friends to join FAI’s advocacy team and follow FAI on Facebook and Twitter.

Give the gift of “hope”. Thank you from the food allergic community and have a Happy Holiday Season!

Allergy Free Pumpkin Pie!

As I have always said, baking is a chemistry experiment and ever since Alexis was diagnosed with life threatening food allergies, I have tried in vein each year to make a pumpkin pie that resembles the original. Below is this years attempt found at www.diaryfreecooking.about.com and although I have yet to try it, the reviews say it tastes just like the original. Happy baking!!!
Ingredients:
· 1 Prepared 9" allergy free pie crust
· ¼ cup Egg Replacer powder
· 1/3 cup hot water (not boiling)
· 1 15-oz can organic pumpkin puree
· ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
· ¼ cup maple syrup
· 2 T. canola oil
· 1 T. cornstarch
· ½ t. salt
· 1 t. cinnamon
· ½ t. ground ginger
· 1 ½ cup soy/rice milk, plus more for brushing
· ½ cup soy/rice milk powder
· Sugar, for sprinkling
Preparation:
1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Grease a 9” pie plate with margarine or oil. Roll out the pie dough to about ¼” thick and place in the pie plate. Using your fingers, pinch a crust so that it is flush with the plate as desired. Place in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.
2. Place a small sack of beans or pie weights on the crust and bake for 10 minutes. Transfer the pie plate to a wire wrack and let cool while making the filling.
3. Turn down the oven to 350 F.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the Egg Replacer powder and the hot water until mixture is smooth and thick, without any lumps. Set aside.
5. In a food processor, combine the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, maple syrup, canola oil, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon and ground ginger, and pulse until just combined. Add the Egg Replacer mixture and pulse until combined.
6. In a small bowl, mix together ½ cup of the soy/rice milk with the soy/rice milk powder until well combined. Add this to the pumpkin mixture and process until smooth. With the machine still running, add the remaining soy/rice milk gradually until the mixture is well combined.
7. Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust. Brush the crust with soy/rice milk and sprinkle the crust and filling lightly with sugar. Bake for approximately 1 hour, or until the crust is golden and the filling is just a little jiggly. Allow pie to cool completely before serving. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Allergy Free Pie Crust
This recipe was also found at www.diaryfreecooking.about.com . To achieve the flakiest crust, they recommend to use a food processor, keep your ingredients as cold as possible and to handle the dough as little as possible. Makes enough 1 double-crust 9" pie or 2 single-crust 9" pie crusts
Ingredients:
· 2 ½ cups all-purpose wheat or gluten free flour
· ¾ t. salt
· 2 t. sugar
· ½ cup (1 stick) cold soy margarine
· 8 oz. (1 tub) cold dairy-free cream cheese, such as tofutti
· about 1/3 cup ice cold water, more if needed
Preparation:
1. In a food processor, combine the flour, salt and sugar. Add the soy margarine and dairy-free cream cheese and pulse until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. While the machine is still running, gradually add the water until the dough just holds together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
2. Divide dough in half, wrap each half in plastic and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes before using, or up to overnight.

Happy Halloween From the Sweet Alexis Pumpkin!

Thank you to a special friend!

In the past few years, there have been some companies out there trying to capitalize on the allergy community by claiming that they are "allergy free" or "safe" when they are not. Some of these companies claim to make allergen safe goods and do not claim that there are cross contaminates in their facility. This puts those that anaphylax to contact or airborne allergens at extreme risk (not to mention risk of cross contamination) yet these companies do it for profit, with disregard to our safety. In talking with owners of other "allergy companies", this is something we are seeing all too often in each of our specialties.

On the other hand there are some companies that have complete and total integrity - one being Amy of www.amybakescupcakes.com. Amy is a local cupcake connoisseur who makes amazing and delicious cupcakes. Amy has never claimed to be an allergy free company and when asked recently (I was not present) what she did in regards to peanut free goods, I am told she explained about the allergens in her facility and about cross contaminates. Amy apparently when on to promote Sweet Alexis, www.sweetalexis.com, and suggested if one is in need of peanut free products to contact us. Amazing!

Amy and I have had the pleasure of becoming friends and supporting one another however, when hearing of this it brought tears of joy to my eyes. Thank you Amy from the Sweet Alexis family for not only your support but also from the allergy community for keeping us safe! Good luck to you and God Bless.

Angel Service Dog Graduation featuring Sweet Alexis!

One of our favorite allergy conscious companies, Angel Service Dogs (http://www.angelservicedogs.com/), is holding their first graduation ceremony this weekend in Colorado where Sweet Alexis products are being enjoyed by all. We first met "Rocko" the peanut sniffing dog and his adorable owner Riley, at the Thrive Expo in Chicago this past April where Riley fell in love with our chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin raisin bread.

Typical of the allergy community, Angel Service Dogs was created by Riley's parents out of necessity. Now they've made it their mission to help other food allergic families in need. As a "food allergic mom", Sherry completely understands the in's and out's of living with this life threatening disability and what is necessary to keep her safe. The two week long event will include everything from learning about "safe" dog foods and products, to eating out, going to school, to trips to the grocery store and more.


Thinking about getting an Angel Service dog? Angel Service Dogs is so completely dedicated that they offer to assist with fundraising, training, follow up visits and consultations. Contact them immediately if your are evening considering it, as the process takes time and requests are many.

Unfortunately, Alexis was not with me in Chicago to meet Riley but we hope to get the girls together very soon. The two of them are amazing and would take the world by storm. For now, Riley calls me "the cookie lady" and I am so thrilled to provide safe treats that her, her family and the other food allergic families have on hand can enjoy.

Tips For a Safe Halloween with Food Allergies

Here is my recent article for Central Coast Family Newspaper...enjoy!

Halloween is a great time for kids and adults alike. My husband and I dress up every year and the children get a kick out of it! However, as you can imagine, a holiday filled with candy can make the event a bit tricky when dealing with food allergies. How do you allow the kids to enjoy the holiday and keep them safe at the same time? Thanks to my friends in the allergen community, there are many alterative plans to making this a safe and fun Halloween for all. Listed below are a few sites worth checking out.

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network’s annual Trick-or-Treat for Food Allergy gets the kids involved with the cause. By collecting coins instead of candy, kids raise funds for FAAN’s food allergy education and research programs. Parents can get involved too by taking a collection bag to work, the gym, local stores, etc. Last year, this event raised over $17,000 and every bit helps! To register go to www.foodallery.org/Support/Halloween or call 1-800-929-4040.

Halloween Food Allergy Twitter Party – Join hosts Jennifer B. of Food Allergy Buzz (www.foodallergybuzz.com) and Ruth Smith of Best Allergy Sites (www.bestallergysites.com) on October 2nd, 9:30pm – 10:30pm (EST) for a great discussion from experienced parents on how to make a fun and safe Halloween. These are amazing women that are extremely involved and knowledgeable in the allergen community so I am sure it will be an extremely informative event. Follow the link to http://www.socializr.com/event/foodallergies/halloween and join the fun. All are welcome so if you can’t attend, please encourage a friend or relative. Prizes will also be given at the event so don’t miss out!

Kids with Food Allergies (www.kidswithfoodallergies.org) have numerous tips including an eight page downloadable guide to help families have a safe Halloween both at home and at school. Included are suggested activities, crafts and games that are fun for everyone. My favorite part is the recipes which include a Carmel Apple Dip which can be made virtually allergen free. In addition there is an amazing gluten free pumpkin cookie which I will have to make for my gluten free friends. Yum! KFA is an amazing source for all things food allergic that has helped my family through the years.

Here are some suggestions that we have found to be very successful in our own home:
1. Look for community events at your local church, community center or lodge that promote games, rides, etc.
2. Host a Halloween party such as pumpkin carving contest that would include safe treats and snacks.
3. Candy Swap – Carry safe candy with you to swap immediately or when you get home. Presents such as toys and coins in exchange for the unsafe candy always does well in my home.

With a little bit of planning and creative thinking, Halloween can be a great event for all. As mentioned, my kids love that we dress up – this year fairies for the girls and Star Wars for the boys. Hope you all have a safe and happy Halloween!

Another great Food Allergy Link!

Prior to learning of Alexis' food allergies, I considered myself to be a rather good cook and I loved it. Baking, ironically, not so much. After she was diagnosed, I lost all desire to cook and create recipes. It was as if I was fearful and the fun of creating recipes was taken away from me. I just couldn't imagine that I could create delicious meals without dairy, eggs and nuts.
When Alexis turned three and Ryan was just a year, my mother came across a book that changed our lives...What's To Eat? by Linda Coss. This was the first cookbook that I had ever seen that taught me how to cook without using dairy, eggs, tree nuts or peanuts - and the recipes were delicious! Not only that, included are menus and suggestions to help you in the kitchen when dealing with food allergies. This book literally changed my life and I am so grateful as this book gave me the desire to create again (and look where we are now)!
Linda Coss also has a great website that not only has here amazing cookbooks, general tips and information regarding food allergies, but also a comprehensive list of food allergy sites. For more information go to http://www.foodallergybooks.com/. Thanks Linda, your amazing!!!

New Favorite Added to our Links...

ActiveAide is a manufacturer of Auto Injector Pouches & Epipen Holders and other aides for anaphylaxis sufferers Worldwide and new to our list. There are two things that we particularly like are the pouches that have a hook to attach to the outside of the backpack and the photo ID card.

Alexis is now in 3rd grade and has two medical bags; one large for the classroom that the teacher and other educational staff can access, and one small medical holder that she carries in her lunch bag that contains one Epipen and two individual liquid Benedryl pouches (they are tough to get out of the packaging so I open them ahead of time). The holder she carries now is meant to be placed on her waist but we have found that this gets in they way of her physical activities. The waist carrier would move around and annoy her not to mention look awkward with her clothing.
We plan to order the holder that clips to the backpack and will let you know how we like it.

You can review their site at www.activeaide.com.

Helping Grandparents Understand Food Allergies

It is almost impossible to convey, unless you or an immediate family member has food allergies, how dangerous the disability can be. Teaching the severity of the situation to relatives including grandparents, some experts say, can be extremely difficult. This is especially true between in-laws if there is already tension as the strain of food allergies can only make things worse.

Unfortunately, this is a common situation in the allergen community. I have spoken with many families across the nation whom has shared similar experiences. All too often grandparents discount the seriousness of the situation, think the parent is being over protective and get offended by our countless attempts to inform them on the subject. This, of course, will cause stress and anxiety in the relationship. I have heard numerous tales of relatives (including mine) brining unsafe food into the home, such as cheese balls covered in nuts, or giving the children candy without considering if the are made in an allergen free facility.

Part of the reason for the difficulty could be the notion that “just a little” won’t hurt the child when in fact it could kill them. Possibly this misunderstanding comes from grandparents equating food allergies to diabetes where (in some cases) a little sugar won’t hurt the diabetic so therefore a little peanut butter should be fine. Another possibility is the simple fact that when our parents and grandparents were young, food allergies were almost unheard of and they just don’t understand how or why this is all happening. Unfortunately, know one does but nonetheless food allergies are rising, especially in children, at an alarming rate.

So, how do we get our point across regarding the severity of the situation without offending anyone? Start with the basics; give the grandparents a list of all the allergies your child has, including alternate names, such as whey. Explain to them about cross contamination and the need to be extremely cautious when cooking and cleaning. Provide them with a video of a person going into anaphylactic shock (as they may not read the material you give to them) and watch it together so you can answer any questions. Tell them that re-reading labels is not a trust issue, but standard practice (my husband and I do this daily). Buy “safe” food for them to keep in their fridge or freezer when the child comes to visit.

In addition, provide grandparents with a list of common allergic reactions and an emergency action plan should any of the following occur:
Coughing – like there is a tickle in your throat
Hives
Trouble breathing/Wheezing
Swelling in the face and lips
Stomach cramps
Vomiting
Ears and throat itching

Although it can be challenging, try to keep the dialog open. Grandparents are a treasured part of the family and have much to offer. For more information on food allergies, guide grandparents to www.AARP.org and search “food allergies” or go to The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network at www.foodallergy.org.

New Food Allergy site AllerRama.com rated the Sweet Alexis Chocolate Chip Cookie!

The new food allergy site http://www.allerrama.com/ rates the Sweet Alexis Chocolate Chip cookies. Log on to see what the panel thought about our dairy free, egg free, peanut free and tree nut free cookie. For more information regarding our cookies, log onto http://www.sweetalexis.com/!

Traveling...Translation cards by Selectwisely.com

For all of us with family members suffering from food allergies, traveling can be a major challenge even in our own towns let alone a different county. Thanks to a new website featured in the Los Angeles Times on July 9th, Selectwisely.com offers food allergy cards in more than 25 languages. There are also emergency cards for those who can not eat gluten, have diabetes, asthma, are lactose intolerant or are vegetarian. Prices of the cards vary from $6.50 to $9.50 plus shipping. According to the article, the site also has a "Travelers Tip" page that cautions folks about potentially hidden ingredients in preparations of foods.

PeaButter and Jelly Sandwiches at Last!

While shopping at www.peanutfreeplanet.com, I discovered our new favorite spread...Golden Pea Butter! For the first time, my children had an allergen free version of a PB&J (minus the B, of course - as well as sunflowers due to allergies). Alexis loved it and was elated to have something similar to the very popular sandwich she has seen for years. Ryan, although it was very cute to watch him try and eat this new treat, did not like the stickiness on the roof of his mouth. Give him a few more tries.

Give Golden Peabutter a try! It's delicious and the kids will love it.

OC Family Magazine Article

Many thanks to OC Family Magazine for the following article! To see the OC Family website please follow the following link:

http://www.ocfamily.com/t-KidHealth_food_allergies_sensitivities0709.aspx

Food allergies: What can your child eat?
By Emily Watson Published: July, 2009
When passing out candy to each child during a preschool party, 4-year-old Alexis Fellows’ teacher instead hands her, for whatever reason, a pencil. Why can’t Alexis enjoy a snack? Alexis, along with an estimated 12 million Americans, suffers from food allergies. It’s easy for children with allergies and food sensitivities – which currently don’t have a definitive cause or cure – to feel singled out and deprived of a normal childhood. Each meal can be filled with danger for children with food allergies; severity levels range from mildly vexing to life threatening. The eight most common food allergens are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat.

Does your child suffer from a food allergy or a food sensitivity/intolerance? And what is the difference between the two? Dr. Gin Lee-Hong, a pediatrician at Columbia Pediatrics in Long Beach, makes the distinction between them. Food allergies elicit an immune system response, while a food intolerance – the more common of the two – disrupts the digestive system. Research shows that 8 percent of children under age 10 have a food sensitivity/intolerance, while 2 to 4 percent have a true allergy. “There are patients who may have a positive blood test to a certain food item, but clinically they don’t show any symptoms,” says Lee-Hong. “In that case, I don’t say they have allergies to that food item.”

The symptoms of a food allergy may be as subtle as nasal congestion or as severe as anaphylaxis, a reaction characterized by fainting, hives, and facial and throat swelling. While doctors are recognizing more allergy cases, many children experience the subtle symptoms of colic behavior, acid reflux and hives without being diagnosed.

“Almost every story I’ve heard of a parent learning about food allergies is when their child is receiving treatment for a severe allergic reaction in the emergency room,” says Michele Fellows, mother of Alexis – now a second-grader – and founder of Sweet Alexis, an allergy-conscious bakery.

Food allergies have been linked to “genetic components, environmental factors and infections that comprise the immune system, triggering reactions,” says Robin De-Ivy Allen, nutritional wellness and life-design expert.

According to Lee-Hong, many medical and nutritional specialists believe that our culture is too clean; in fact, food allergies are less prevalent in Third World countries. While the safest treatment for a food allergy or sensitivity is avoidance of the offending foods, De-Ivy Allen encourages nutritional remedies to help build the body’s defenses. She recommends that children take supplements and consume flavonoid-rich foods, a compound with a high antioxidant capacity commonly found in plants.

Flavonoids, known for their anti-allergic effects, inhibit the development of histamines (compounds released during allergic reactions that cause the dilation of capillaries and contraction of smooth muscle) and prevent anaphylaxis. Good flavonoid sources include citrus fruits, berries, yellow fruits and vegetables, parsley, tea (especially white and green tea), red beans and dark chocolate. De-Ivy Allen also suggests taking probiotics, glutamine and vitamin C to build up the body. When introducing new foods to children, Lee-Hong encourages parents to introduce them one at a time, particularly if food allergies run in the family.

“For infants, we go very slowly,” she says. “I would say wait 10 days between foods. If you see a reaction, you know.” Parents can find hope in the fact that in 80 to 90 percent of cases, the child outgrows the food allergy by age 5, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. For children with persistent allergies, finding alternative food choices may be challenging, but it is getting easier.

Allergy-conscious Sweet Alexis, Fellows’ enterprise, makes homemade cookies, muffins and cakes without eggs, dairy products, tree nuts or peanuts. “The kids in Alexis’ school class literally beg her for her special cookies,” she says. “So instead of being singled out, it’s actually made Alexis well-known in a very positive way. It’s increased her confidence and boosted her self-esteem.” For more information about Sweet Alexis products, go to sweetalexis.com.

Emily Watson is an intern for OC Family magazine.KEEP 'EM SAFE!Millions of kids have food allergies.

Here are tips for avoiding reactions:> Keep food simple. Whole foods, without lots of additional ingredients, make it easier to identify trouble. Allergens can hide in dips and homemade goodies.> Check food labels. It’s important to check food labels every time, because manufacturers occasionally change ingredients. > Remind kids to think. Let them know that they have to ask themselves, “Is this food safe for me to eat?” > Know the symptoms. Kids should ask for help at the first sign of allergic symptoms. Make sure they know what they are. Source: Iowa State University Extension

Hurray for Chili's Bar & Grill!!!

Last week I took the kids to my mother's in Southern California. On one of our day trips, we visited the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. It was an amazingly beautiful day, and of course I brought food for the kids to eat not knowing the parks food situation. Unfortunately, I did not pack enough for my mother and I so after petting the sharks and seeing all the interesting sea life, we ventured to Chili's Bar & Grill for a quick snack. As usual I ordered the kids french fries, as I've never had problem with cross contamination or allergen content.

Chili's Bar & Grill has been an all time favorite for my husband and myself, but we don't take the kids much. Nonetheless, I decided to study the menu since it was a brand new version. To my surprise, the children's menu had many healthy choices including a grilled chicken sandwich and platter.

Upon returning home, I decided to check out Chili's website at http://www.chilis.com/ to see if there was some type of ingredient list or allergen disclaimer. Although I did not see a list of actual ingredients, the website does have suggested menus for the top allergens and dietary concerns. Very nicely done. I will have to spend some more time studying the site as my kids multiple allergies, but it's nice to see the effort and support the company is trying to give. Hurray for Chili's Bar & Grill!

Please note; according to the site, the menu can change every month so check back often. Also, it's always best to consult with the manager on duty to make sure every effort is made to keep your family safe. Happy eating!!!

Some people still don't get it...even in my world!

You think after starting a company based on my children's life-threatening food allergies and becoming a food allergy advocate, my inner circle would remember to be more careful. Not true. In fact, two recent incidents occurred that leave me to believe that we in the allergy community need more help in regards to educating those on the severity of the situation. We are just not taken seriously. I have heard this from people in our allergic community coast to coast.

Part of the reason for starting our website www.sweetalexis.com was not only to offer delicious dairy, egg, tree nut and peanut free treats but to offer support to other food allergic families. I have heard endless stories of how each of us in our respective communities must not only educate ever person that comes in contact with our precious children but we must also be a constant advocate for them reminding everyone in reach about the stituation. Not to mention we must do it in a way where we are not ostracizing our children and alienating ourselves. Over time (depending on my baking schedule), I plan to offer advice on we our community handle food allergies in a way that seems to be working not only well for us but for our friends and neighbors, educators and business community alike.

Now back to what happen. We were having a large potluck barbecue prior to Mother's Day at our home. Now, I don't expect new friends or acquaintances to always bring "safe" food, after all our kids are allergic to pretty much everything and dangerous foods are a constant. We've decided to start at home teaching them to protect themselves by not taking food and always asking if the food is safe regardless of who prepares it. In fact, my husband and I constantly double check ingredients even to this day. Nonetheless, one of our immediate family members prepared and brought a fruit salad containing one of their main allergens. Imagine my children's dismay at seeing the other children eat the fruit and they were not able to especially since it was brought by a family member. The relative, when reminded about the allergy, got upset with us. You're right, my bad...bring a loaded gun with the safety off, give it to my child to play with and I won't say anything that might embarrass you. Sorry.

Then a couple of days later my daughter was at a friends house who decided to cook shrimp while she was there playing. The friend didn't realize the mere smell of the shrimp cooking would send her into shock. Luckily, we got her out of there quickly and after much medication and a shower she was fine...physically.

After the shower, Alexis sat on my bed and cried for the first time in a long time about her food allergies. She said "it's hard and it's not fair". I told her that it's okay to get mad...let it all out. She looked at me puzzled, "You mean I can get mad about my food allergies?" I said sure, you can get mad today but I won't let you be mad everyday and get yourself down. I gave her permission to cry and told her when she was done we would give her a manicure. She was so happy to hear that it was okay to get mad once in awhile that she was in my arms in minutes and we were off to pick her nail color.

As promised, I do plan to share my personal experiences in hopes someone will find them helpful and realize "we too can have a great life with food allergies!"

For the Adults!

Food allergies don't have to be all doom and gloom...not in our house, anyway! Here on the Central Coast of California is not only surf and rolling hills, but also wine country. In fact, this region is becoming world renowned and attracting wine makers from across the globe. With our share of amazing wines, we have learned much about tasting and the fun of food pairing. Therefore, we were thrilled to discover last night that our Sweet Alexis Chocolate Chip cookies are an excellent pairing with Merlot and Cabernet! So next time you order your stash for the children at http://www.sweetalexis.com/, be sure to hide some away in the freezer for yourself. And don't be shy about presenting them for dessert at your next dinner party...your guests will be amazed. Enjoy!

Thriving with Food Allergies

Last month, Chicago was the host city for the first ever THRIVE Allergy Expo at the McCormick Place the weekend of April 18-19, 2009. THRIVE’S mission is to bring together people with life threatening food allergies, environmental allergies, gluten intolerance and Celiac disease and provide one place to come together, become informed, live better and thrive! THRIVE is the only allergy and gluten free expo in North America, but similar shows have taken place in Europe. The expo was focused on the education and simplification of lives affected by food allergies through product sampling, seminars, expert panels and cooking classes.

My dairy, egg, tree nut and peanut free bakery Sweet Alexis attended the two day expo. We provided samples and information regarding our products and were able to meet hundreds of families across the region suffering from life threatening food allergies. In addition, THRIVE invited me to sit on their national advisory board to provide them with insight and expert knowledge of the everyday accounts of living and raising children with multiple food allergies. This is an incredible honor as I am able to share information on how we are raising happy and well adjusted children with the help of community and school support and offer this as hope to other families struggling with this issue.

In addition, I was asked to sit on MedicAlert’s panel of experts comprised of MedicAlert members and professionals. Here we shared stories and personal experiences on how life threatening food allergies has affected our lives and the crucial lifesaving service MedicAlert provides to us. As a member and supporter of MedicAlert, it is part of my mission that anyone with a hidden disability utilizing this amazing service.

As a MedicAlert member, first responders are able to call a 24 hour hotline to be provided with all the critical information pertaining to one’s hidden disability. If you are in an accident and not able to respond to questions, the information provided can be the difference between life and death. In addition, MedicAlert will notify a designated family member if an accident has occurred. This type of security has offered Alexis a priceless sense of independence and freedom.

Other companies in attendance included Angel Service Dogs represented by Riley and her dog Rocco. Riley suffers from life threatening peanut allergies and her dog Rocco is trained to alert if any peanuts are in her presence. Also there was Peanut Free Planet which is an online store of all things allergen free. This is excellent for the consumer as one can purchase products from various companies such as ours and Vermont Nut free Chocolates, for example, with one shipping charge.

In addition were two of the nation’s first “brick and mortar” allergy free shops, Free From in Chicago and Allergy Free Shop in Miami. Both stores provide not only allergen free foods, but apparel, bath and body items, household items and all things necessary for the allergen and gluten free communities.

Next year, THRIVE plans to be in Atlanta, Georgia and Denver, Colorado. For more information you can go online to the THRIVE website at www.thriveallergyexpo.com or to www.sweetalexis.com. Together we can provide awareness, simplify our lives, be happy, well adjusted and thrive!

Allergy Article April '09

Easter time is great for family and friends to gather to share a meal and make fun art projects. For the food allergic child this can be a time of anxiety and stress - but it doesn’t have to be. With a little imagination and a search or two on the Internet, one can find great projects the entire family will enjoy.

For example, a fun alternative to coloring Easter eggs, try painting wooden or foam eggs instead. You could also make eggs from construction paper, paper mache or even colorful pipe cleaners. Cut pictures of eggs out of magazines and make a collage or create a beautiful Easter hat. My kids love anything to do with glitter and glue…the messier the better. Let your imagination run wild and have fun!

Don’t want to put candy in the Easter basket - that’s okay. Here are few suggestions that don’t involve all of that sugar and allergen risk. Try a garden theme basket with gloves, hat, shovel and seeds. Or, a beach theme with a chair, towels, sun screen, new bathing suit and a kite. My family has been known to fill plastic eggs with coins, raisins and even allergy free marshmallows. Don’t want to spend a lot of money - you’d be surprised what is available at your local dollar or art store.

Is family coming for dinner? Here is a fantastic diary free alternative to the traditional potato bake by my friend Barb Nicoletti at www.godairyfree.org.

Dairy Free Potato Bake - Ingredients:
6 - 8 pieces of bacon cooked crunchy and crumbled. Reserve 4 Tablespoons of bacon fat or us 4 Tablespoons of olive oil.
1 small onion, minced
2 heaping Tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon salt
1 - 1.5 cups broth or water
2-3 Tablespoons of milk alternative
3 lbs. potatoes peeled, cubed and parboiled (partially boiled to finish cooking in later process).

Cooking instructions:
Using the skillet you cooked the bacon in, heat the pan on med-low and add minced onion. Saute until soft. Add flour and stir until roux forms. Slowly add broth, garlic powder, and continue stirring until desired thickness occurs (approx. 4-5 minutes). Stir in milk alternative; turn off heat to prevent scalding.

In a treated casserole dish, place potatoes on the bottom of the dish and pour “cream” mixture over the top. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon bits over the top and bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender. Garnish with slivered green onions. Enjoy!

Just a reminder, “THRIVE Allergy Expo - the only Allergy and Gluten Free Expo in North America” is coming to Chicago April 18th - 19th at Chicago’s McCormick Place. THRIVE activities will include allergen and gluten free cooking classes, seminars including cutting edge information on Celiac detection from the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center, exhibitor demonstrations, product sampling of allergen free foods and much more. For more information, go to www.thriveallergyexpo.com.
Another great event - “Angel Service Dogs” is a non-profit organization dedicated to help children with ‘Hidden Disabilities’, including Seizure Alert Dogs. Now, they are successfully training dogs to detect food allergies - known as Allergy Alert Dogs. A graduation of the first Allergy Alert Dog group is scheduled at Disneyland this June. There is a week long schedule of seminars and events with major preparations being done for the food allergic community at numerous Disneyland restaurants. This would be a great time to safely visit the park! For more information, email angelservicedogs@gmail.com.

Thrive Allergy & Gluten-free Expo invites Michele Fellows, owner of Sweet Alexis - wholesale manufacturer and distributor of allergen free baked goods, to join advisory board to share her experiences with parents of severely allergic children.

Join Sweet Alexis at the Thrive Allergy & Gluten-free Expo on April 18-19, 2009 in Chicago’s McCormick Place - booth #1017. Thrive Tickets are on sale at www.thriveallergyexpo.com. Adults are $10 or $15 for a 2-day pass, children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult. This is an opportunity to help families learn about these conditions from credible sources, yet not spend a fortune to do it. In order to further lend support to the not for profit effort, Thrive will donate back to participating non-profits the full face value of tickets purchased by their members.

Allergy Article March '09

Spring Allergies are Coming! By Michele Fellows

Spring time is here and so is the time for seasonal allergies. As the sun starts to warm the skies and flowers and trees start to bloom so begins the annual ritual of sneezing and watery eyes. Now is the time to prepare and take precautions.

First of all, what causes spring time allergies? According to WebMD, the biggest spring allergy trigger is pollen - tiny grains released into the air by trees, grass and weeds to fertilize other plants. When someone who is allergic comes in contact with the allergen, their immune system goes into overdrive. The immune system mistakenly thinks the pollen is a dangerous foreign matter releasing antibodies in defense. The antibodies attack the allergens by releasing histamines into the blood. Histamines cause the nose to run, itchy watery eyes, etc. - symptoms of allergy.

How do you avoid it? Well my mother has always told me regardless of how much money you have or not, it costs nothing to be clean and keeping your environment clean is a great place to start. Here are a few additional suggestions to help you avoid the spring time sneeze:

· Clean, Clean, Clean. Start with the air filters, vents, bookshelves and other places pollens and dust may collect.
· Vacuum twice a week - wear a mask if necessary.
· Wash your hands, hair and face after outdoor activities. It is especially important to do this before bedtime as the allergens from your hair and face can easily transfer and remain in your sheets.
· Give your family pet a bath and wash their beds especially if they sleep indoors.
· Try to limit outdoor activities, especially during the morning hours when pollens are at their peak.
· Although it’s tempting, try to keep windows and doors closed to keep pollens and allergens out.
· Avoid windy days! Pollens can travel for miles so watch your local weather forecast for the daily pollen count.
· Another one of my mother’s favorites - hose down the patio. Giving your decks and patios a quick clean can keep the pollens out of your house.
· Check your local newspaper for coupons on allergy products and tissues. It’s time to stock up!

Although there are numerous over the counter antihistamines, allergy eye and nose drops that will help quell the spring time sniffles, please check with your local physician or allergist for proper treatment. Personally, I like to also talk with my local pharmacist, Joe, who knows the status on medications and can get you them at the best price.

In other allergy news, the first ever “THRIVE Allergy Expo - the only Allergy and Gluten Free Expo in North America” is coming to Chicago this fall. There will be special events and features that the entire family will enjoy. THRIVE activities will include free lung screenings, allergen and gluten free cooking classes, seminars including cutting edge information on Celiac detection from the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center, exhibitor demonstrations, product sampling of allergen free foods and much more.

The Thrive Allergy Expo will be held the weekend of April 18-19th, 2009 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. Please check their website at www.thriveallergyexpo.com for more information.

Allergy Article Feb. '09

Starting in February '09, I 've been asked to be a contributing writer for both the Central Coast Family Newspaper (http://www.centralcoastfamily.com/) here in California and the LV Kids Magazine (http://www.lvkids.net/) in Las Vegas. Both publications respect and support the allergy community and understand the need to create awareness. Below is my inaugural piece and I will continue to post my monthly contributions. Thanks for reading.



Allergies 101:

As parents know, raising children with manners, respect for others, tolerance for differences and acceptance of one another is a challenging yet necessary job. For children with social differences or disabilities the job of that parent is magnified by the fact that other’s who may not understand the given situation fully, must be taught this as well.

As the mother of two children (Alexis 7 and Ryan 5) who have not only environmental allergies, asthma and most serious for us, multiple food allergies, it is my constant job to educate and create awareness within our social circle, schools and community. Although Ryan’s food allergies are not as severe, Alexis’ are life threatening. If one of her allergens (all dairy, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, cherries and mustard) is ingested she will go into anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis is a severe form of allergic reaction that can involve many body organs and may develop rapidly with little warning. Anaphylaxis must be treated as a medical emergency as it could lead to unconsciousness or even death.

Parents dealing with a dangerous situation become hyper vigilant to safeguard your child from potential hazardous or threats. Educating those around you about the severity of the situation and how to handle it becomes almost a full time job. Teaching friends, neighbors and relatives what is safe to eat and what to do in an emergency without creating hysteria can be a challenge.

Allergies, both food and environmental, even asthma are extremely prevalent today. So much so, it seems everyone is affected whether you have allergies in your family or not. Children are taught in school about safe zones and parents are asked to read ingredients. Airplanes and ballparks are asked to have peanut free areas or not have nuts at all. This may seem extreme, but to a parent of a child that could potentially die from this allergen, it is not much to ask. It is about tolerance.

As with any parent, we want our children to experience life with as much normalcy as any other child. After all, we are teaching them to respect and accept differences in others. They are not so different. Parents want to teach our children to protect themselves and grow to be productive citizens. To live well adjusted, healthy lives and enjoy all that life has to offer.

I often tell my children - everyone has something, you just may not be able to see it on the outside. Therefore respect and accept because you would not want someone teasing you or treating you badly because you can’t eat pizza or ice cream. Focus on what you can eat and what you can do because there is so much to be grateful for.

In upcoming articles we will explore the world of allergies and asthma. The ins and outs of what it is to live with them without going crazy. What are allergies and why are they so prevalent. We will discuss laws, schools, medical updates and product research. In addition, I will include various recipes, travel tips, thoughts and suggestions. Hopefully, this will encourage, educate or inspire someone you know dealing with this situation. If not maybe it will help teach tolerance and respect for what others must deal with on a daily basis.

Thank you for this opportunity, if you have any comments or suggestions please do not hesitate to contact me via email at www.sweetalexis.com.