Out of my comfort zone to empower

Someone once told me that under estimate myself and have potential. Eight years ago, when I started having food issues, I felt defeated and of no control.

Today, I have control, for the most part, and am working on empowering others. Whether it be through showing them #foodallergy safe foods to bringing them up when they're down, my goal is to #empower them. Empowering myself and others is my goal for this year. I want to reach more people. I want to help.

No one likes feeling down and my goal is to make someone's day with a comment, picture, or gesture. It may sound simple but those random acts of kindness got me through some rough times.

Now is the time to empower 2014!

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FREE food allergy Kindle book today (Monday)

Dr. Donna DeCosta has her new book, A Little Bit Can Hurt: The Shocking Truth about Food Allergies -- Why We Should Care,What We Can Do, FREE on Amazon today. I have it waiting on my Kindle App to start! I met Dr. DeCosta at FABlogCon this past November and loved her book just looking at it. Who doesn't love free?

To learn more about the book or the author, visit Dr. DeCosta's website.

Amazon Link

Can't we all just get along and support one another?

Call it a case of the Mondays or just fed up business but I am sick of it. I am sick of people bashing others just because they don't agree with what someone does or does not do. Being apart of social media, it's a love/hate relationship. I see many people (on twitter) supporting and encouraging one another. I see, on other outlets (Facebook specifically), that people just don't support and are quick to judge.

Why judge when you haven't walked in that person's shoes? Why judge when you don't know their exact feelings? Why judge at all?

As a society, I feel the need to support and not judge. As a human, who makes mistakes, I see the need to give words of support and not discourage others.

As a person on social media, I ask you to support and lift people up. Be present and supportive. Give your opinion peacefully. Be open to ideas. Be open to support.

Just support one another! 

Peanuts allergies aren't the only allergies

Food allergies. It seems they are popping up everywhere. The common, or top 8, allergies include: soy, wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, milk, egg, fish, and shellfish {Source}. Most of the news stories seem to be about peanuts and accidental ingestion causing issues {Source}.

However, peanuts are not the only allergen that seems to affect people.

The Oliveira family knows about other allergies than peanuts full well. Their daughter is allergic to dairy and eggs and the school keeps her safe by not allowing dairy and eggs around her {Source}. Keeping a food allergic child safe at school is #1.

Not to ruffle any feathers but peanuts are not the only allergen. Yes, people are affected by it (as am I) but others deal with dairy, soy, and more allergies. The media covers peanuts and nut allergies like they are the only allergy. However, it's a misconception.

Unfortunately, food allergies are on the rise and aren't going anywhere any time soon. So, instead of just catering to peanuts and tree nuts, know that other allergies exist and be open to protecting each food allergic individual. 

It's not asking too much to be knowledgeable of other allergies. Just be aware. Peanuts and tree nuts are not the only allergies out there {Source}. Other allergies exist like other medical conditions. 

Official Dallas GFAF expo blogger

It's official!!! As of Friday, I am apart of the GFAF expo blogger team in Dallas (actually Plano), Texas this year! I am so, so psyched and can't wait to bring reviews and new products to your attention. I will host a giveaway of two tickets, this week, to the expo as well. 

Holy Crap Cereal is the Dallas Team sponsor and I'd like to thank them for this amazing opportunity!

Stay tuned for the ticket giveaway this week! 

What anaphylaxis feels like

The other day, a sweet kiddo asked me if I had ever had "anaphwaxis" like him when his mom and I started talking in the health food store. I was able to tell him yes, unfortunately, and we showed each other our Epi pens. It was an innocent moment where we connected through food allergies.

Food allergies can be scary and, unfortunately, anaphylaxis (life threatening allergic reactions) can occur from food. You can read symptoms all day long, however, I thought I would give a glimpse of what anaphylaxis feels like in real life. The only way to stop anaphylaxis is with the use of an epi pen. 

While an epi pen can be scary, don't hesitate its use. I've hesitated before and it is more of a mind thing. My allergist also had some thoughts too. I should have epi'd but hesitated. Never again.

What not to do during an allergic reaction 
A few years ago, my family and I went on vacation. We were eating dinner that had some cross contamination of fish, from a serving spoon, on my meal. I learned this after the reaction.

At first, my throat just felt like it tickled. Then, I started coughing. The cough got pretty severe and I got up to use my inhaler. Not knowing it was a food reaction, I excused myself. I started feeling really strange. No energy nor strength. I sat down and had a strange feeling. Later, we realized my blood pressure dropped. I should have used my epi pen. I didn't as I didn't think it was that bad.

I did use Benedryl and my inhaler but hesitated with my epi-pen. My allergist had other thoughts and I should have used my epi. I promised I would the next time.  

What to do if you think you're experiencing an allergic reaction
In college, I had a piece of candy during finals week from the library. I had it before and didn't think anything of it. However, the bag (which I didn't see) had a warning on it that I didn't see. I ate the piece of candy and within 15 minutes I started to feel funny. Hives started popping up and I started coughing. I am not talking just a cough that can be eased with water. This cough took my breath away and made me feel out of breath. I was miserable within a matter of minutes. A food allergy friend, who was working at the library, helped me epi and called for help. Within minutes, I started to feel better. Thank you epi pen! I spent lovely time in the ER and was watched after my anaphylactic reaction.

The difference between the two?
I acted and used my epi pen. I also followed my allergist's plan and used it as I had two systems (Coughing/throat irritation and hives) affected. Yes, the other time had two systems too, but I hesitated.

This isn't intended to scare anyone. It's to educate and tell you that an epi pen shouldn't be scary. It's lifesaving!

What not to say to a food allergic individual & catchy replies

If you deal with food allergies, you've probably dealt with some questions that just make you shake your head or laugh in someone's face. I've been there so I thought I'd share some questions I am asked on a weekly basis and some responses.

My favorite question after I list my allergies: "What do you eat?" My response: Food!

"I don't know how I would live without x." My response: I like living and breathing. That's kind of important. 

"I would die without peanut butter. I eat it everyday." My response: I would go into anaphylaxis and and could die if I ingest it. 

"No soy or fish? What is wrong with you?" My response: I am allergic. That means my body sees this as an invader and I react. I didn't choose food allergies. They actually just started occurring. 

"What's so wrong with you?" My response (so not so nice): Nothing is wrong with me. I just have life threatening food allergies. 

"How do you do it?" My response: I just do. 

"Are you sure you're allergic to all that? I know how you could get rid of those. My response: there is currently no sure for food allergies. I am not interested in trying anything experimental or "natural." Thanks though!

Granted, there are still days I get upset/angry but, after several years, it has gotten easier to respond.

Q&A for the Food Allergy Blogger conference

This year, I have the opportunity to travel to a Food Allergy Blogger conference in November and I can't wait. The conference has asked bloggers to answer three to five questions given so I thought I'd share with you as well.

** What motivated you to start blogging about food allergies?
Food allergies are apart of my everyday life. I remember what it was like when the food allergy world felt secluded and I don't want anyone to ever feel that way. I also learned to cook allergy friendly and like sharing my secrets and recipes with others. Just because I have food allergies, food allergies don't define me.

** Which blog posts are you most proud of and why?
I enjoy trying new recipes and experimenting so I love to share my creations with others. I am also proud of my posts about defining a person as a whole person and not just because they have x.

** What is the best thing about food allergies?
The people I find who "get it" and the community it brings. There are so many that deal with life threatening allergies and it's nice to connect with others who understand.

** Who do you look forward to seeing/meeting at FABC and why?
The people I have connected on twitter/facebook/email of course. These ladies and gentlemen rock my world on a daily basis and I can't wait to meet them in real life.

** What other blogger would you most like to meet and why?
I actually have two who talk with me daily and we've connected and joined in a friendship. Homa and Jenny truly rock my world and their friendships mean so much to me. Homa encourages me on a daily basis and she is a wonderful friend to have in my corner. Jenny understands the allergy walk of life and is a great friend who I can connect with outside of allergies as well. I am so looking forward to meeting them both!

I can't wait for November and to have this wonderful opportunity excites me.

Something good about 140 characters

Twitter. A social media site that allows you to say it all in 140 characters or less. Something about it just makes me smile. Twitter is like Facebook but without all the drama. People encourage and support. It's a nice check in spot as well as a fast answer. Occasionally  or maybe once a day, someone will post a head shaking post and you just move on. 

Not only is Twitter supportive, it also is used by many companies and brands as well as twitter chats. Want to ask the CMO of Enjoy Life Foods a question? Just @EnjoyLifeCMO and he answers his own tweets! Many food allergy friendly companies tweet too and there's a great deal of information through the hashtag #foodallergy. 

Follow your favorite stars and feel like you're a part of the group as you get some information or tweets before the media reports them. Ooh, don't forget to follow your favorite musicians, actors, producers too. 

The possibilities are endless & there's something good about 140 characters or less.

Vent: Modified starches

I am so tired of getting all excited about new products, only to find out that there is modified corn/tapioca/potato starch in the mix. Unmodified starches, just like corn starch, potato starch, or tapioca starch is fine for me. Modified starches trigger anaphylactic reactions for me. Why do things have to have modified starch? 

Apparently, modified food starches have a purpose in the food industry, though. Starches can be added to foods to help thicken and preserve. {Source}

Why not use the plain ol' starch? I do not have the answer. 

For now, I will try not to get excited and bummed in a single breath! 

The face makes me giggle

Every now and then, someone is truly interested in my allergies and wants to know more.

When I tell them of my allergies {soy (all forms), tree nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, gluten, and modified starches}, their face is a cross between total shock and a "how would I do that" look.

Honestly, it just makes me giggle these days. :)

Lately, I've been surprised that some want to know what I eat and how I eat full meals.

I am an open book and can usually list off full meals and ingredients easily. It gets easier over the years.

That face, that they make, of shock and panic, though, makes me giggle these days.

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Soy ink = an itchy me

Have you noticed that some paper products, especially notebooks and planners, have started going "green?"
While it is great for the environment, it is sucky (yes sucky) for me.
I am highly allergic to soy and experienced extreme hand itching after I touched the soy-inked planners while searching for the perfect one this afternoon.
While reading the fine print, I realized what I just touched had soy on it. Who would have known?
I needed a planner to schedule in. While I eventually found one without soy ink, I noticed that only two out of the twelve brands don't use soy ink.
It's not just food, anymore, that I have look out for. Apparently, it's paper and "green" products too.
Food allergies stink sometimes!

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If you give an adult food allergies...

If you give an adult food allergies, they may sulk and feel sorry for themselves about said allergies.

While sulking about food allergies, the adult may seclude themselves.

While in seclusion, they may get lonely and ask for a hug.

While giving them a hug, they may thank you.

While they thank you, you will realize they are just another person.

When you see them as just another person, you will realize they are just like you and I except they can't have x foods since they make them sick.

Living with food allergies isn't the end of the world. However, outsiders, who do not deal with them day in and out, don't always know.

Some are born with food allergies or have them at a young age but others develop them while teenagers or adults.

Food Allergies, however the severe, do not make adults or children alike less human.

I just deal with anaphylaxis and carry an epi pen.

So what?!

I'm still the spunky me and that is
how I want to be treated. I'm human, I have food allergies, & I'm okay with it.

Accept it!

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Happy being me

Life doesn't have a road map. It's not always black and white nor does it always make sense. But, there are lessons in each hurdle.

When I was first diagnosed with food allergies, I asked myself what will I eat? How can I survive without xyz? Then I discovered it wasn't the end of the world. Sure, I was not able to eat most, brand name foods but what did that really matter? I thought it was the end of the world but I was wrong. I ate different food. Who cares? Sure I get upset, some, when I can't have what everyone else is having but it's not the end of the world and I still have things I can eat.

 When I was 11, I went through some really rough patches and difficult times. I don't speak about it a bunch because it was one of my roughest times. But I got through and the people that helped me through that I am forever grateful for.

 To this day, I have lost 53 pounds and gained muscle that I've never seen before. Was I happy with those 53 pounds previously? Not necessarily with the weight but I was still me. I was still that person who smiled and was perky. Being THAT big was a reality and I can't believe I was that big. But was it the end of the world? No, I just took control.

Life throws curve balls but it's how you handle it is what proves most important. I've suffered but I am trying not to let it get me down.

Currently, I am happy being me with food allergies, sinus issues, more muscle, anxiety, asthma, and less weight. 

Life isn't a cakewalk but I'll take mine.

Living with food allergies, it gets easier

For the past six years, I have lived with food allergies. I will admit, it was VERY hard at first. Going from eating whatever I wanted to taking out soy, wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, and shellfish wasn't a walk in the park. However, I have gotten rid of the shock and devastation. I've also gotten rid of the constant hives, rashes, and other symptoms. I've learned how to cook without wheat/gluten/ect and love it. I've learned to experiment and accept who I am with food allergies. That first year was really rough but I survived. ;)

 Lately, I've found support through the internet. On twitter, I follow #foodallergy and post any questions/thoughts about what's going on. It gives you a common ground and it's helpful. On facebook, I follow multiple companies and support them. I am also in a few groups. I've also found help and guidance plus support with Kids with Food Allergies. Seriously, folks, if you're looking for an online support group, I HIGHLY recommend KFA.

 This week, it's Food Allergy Awareness Week (FAAW) and it's just cool to look back and see how far I've come along with the communication outputs and support systems. It's nice to have the constant support all around.

 Bottom line: Living with food allergies can be scary and difficult,, don't get me wrong, but it does get easier. Even though I don't wish any allergies on anyone, I've found that there is a major support system for people and kids with food allergies. It's a learning curve indeed.

Stream of Consciousness: Food allergies & formulation changes

I have had it with companies and changing formulations on products. It drives me bonkers. Why am I getting so upset? Living with food allergies means label reading, calling companies, and finding something that is safe for me to eat. Now there are nice treats out there that cater to the allergy community and I am very grateful. However, it requires several phone calls and emails to check on that.

When you live with multiple, life threatening food allergies (soy (all 3 forms), wheat/gluten, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, modified food starch), it is hard to find a company that suits your needs and is allergy aware. Case in point...read a food label. Find out what's in your food! You see that milk and soy may be present? For me, that soy could induce anaphylaxis. I am serious! Soy is one of my hardest allergens as it is in so much these days.

I am not trying to get anyone all riled up however I am tired of companies saying they are 100% of something and then have soy lecithin in a "100% whey protein" powder. Do you know how hard it has been to find a company that is allergy aware, free of my allergens, including soy lecithin (which some soy allergics can tolerate), and tastes good? It's hard! I recently lost my safe protein powder and now I am trying to stock up on the left safe versions out there before every store has the new formulation that contains soy lecithin.

Okay...off my soap box for the day! Thanks for listening!

Five minutes-that is the mission. No editing; just a raw post in the works. Hosted by All things Fadra. Great and FREE therapy in the making. ;)

Chocolate cinnamon pancakes

Tonight, I created one of my best ideas, I think, I've come up with in a long time. I get tired of just pancakes and when my family had pizza for dinner, I decided to experiment.

The outcome-chocolate cinnamon pancakes and they were awesome. I was asked to share the recipe with you and I was happy to.

Chocolate cinnamon pancakes
Makes: 24 2inch pancakes

Ingredients
1 cup white rice flour*
1 Tablespoon sugar (heaping)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 1/8 cup milk
2 Tablespoons oil
1/4 cup chocolate syrup
2 teaspoons cinnamon

{* This recipe is wheat free. If you can have wheat, feel free to sub it in for the rice flour.}

Directions
Heat skillet or pan on medium. Oil pan.*
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Be sure to get all the lumps out.

{* I've found that buttering a skillet is not as effective as oiling.}

With a small ladle, pour pancakes onto hot griddle. Depending on your thickness, cooking time will vary. Flip pancakes once.

Top with syrup and/or butter and enjoy.

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There's a difference between ignorance and curiosity

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening to you all.

Yesterday, I wrote about food allergies and how they impact my life on a daily basis. I listed some sayings that I'd rather not hear again. Some of you, okay most of you, said that you were guilty of saying some of the sayings.

Please understand that there is a HUGE difference between truly being curious about someone's life and their allergies & being an ignorant, closed-minded person who could care less what I eat and just is present to judge. Ignorance actually means lack of understanding or information {source} while curiosity means the desire to learn something new {source]. I am more than happy for people to ask questions and understand what/how I live with food allergies.

Truth be told, I enjoy talking to people about what I eat and my story with food allergies. My only two rules are that I will not feel put down with food allergies nor will I feel ashamed for how I handle my food allergies.

Food allergies are just a part of me and I've learned to accept that. Was I angry or frustrated at first? YES! Do I still get frustrated when ingredients change? Sometimes! Am I ashamed of food allergies? Absolutely not. In a perfect world, there would be no food allergies yet we are not perfect nor do we live in a perfect world.

The next time you encounter someone has food allergies; be that curious person and go into the conversation with an open mind.

Stream of Consciousness -- It's not an incurable disease

I have a beef to pick with some people but I'll just do it in five minutes.

I have life threatening food allergies and get the normal "what do you eat?" every few days. Sometimes I educate and other times I respond food. It gets old, though, when people think food allergies are an incurable disease or say "poor you" in the process.

Food Allergies are apart of me and I wouldn't have it any other way. Sometimes I get jealous that I just can't grab a taco from a stand but a reaction is not worth the risk. I have to read every label at least twice. Sure making 90% of my food can be difficult, at times, but that's just the way I roll. Grocery shopping takes me more time, now, since I re-read every label and scan for allergens.

Imagine if you had to read every food label and stay clear from: soy (all forms), wheat, gluten, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, & modified food starches. Would you know how to read a label and look out for allergens? Would you get used to label reading? YES but it takes time. Food allergies and cooking can be done. It just takes a little out of the box thinking and some creativity.

Here are some things I'd rather not hear come out of another person's mouth~

* "How do you live without wheat?" I just do!

* "I am so sorry for you" Why are you sorry? I am not bent out of shape about it.

* "I couldn't survive like you have" It's not really a choice. I just do it.

* "That's really unfortunate" It's not like I have an incurable disease. It's just food allergies.

* "Can't you just eat the food and then use your epi-pen?" No I can't and won't do something like that. Epi pen = a ride to the ER. Not happening if I can prevent it.

If you know someone with food allergies, think before you ask questions and know that your question may be the same one, for the third time, that day.

I am a human being with food allergies. I don't have a sign on my back that says food allergies. NOPE! Food Allergies do not rule my life; they are just a part of me.

Good and Tasty Tuesday-Scalloped potatoes

Good Tuesday morning to all! I am especially psyched today as it is the first day that I *get* to go back to work and feel "normal" after my sinus surgery last Monday. Granted, I still have some recovering to do. But I feel so much better.

Onto my dish of the week: Scalloped potatoes. Really simple to do and food allergy friendly.

Scalloped potatoes

Serves: 8+

Ingredients~

* 6 Large Russet potatoes-washed and sliced into think slices

* 2 cups shredded cheese-we are an extra sharp cheddar family :)

* 1/2 stick butter

* 1/2 cup Brown Rice flour (I am allergic to wheat. Use what you have on hand)

* Salt and Pepper

Directions~

Preheat oven to 375*. Either spray or butter a 9x13 pan. Slice potatoes. Place a layer of potatoes,brown rice flour, S&P, and cheese on the bottom of the pan. Just sprinkle the brown rice flour. Layer the rest of potatoes, cheese, and brown rice flour. On the second to last layer, cut butter into cubes and place around pan. Then layer the last of the pan. Be sure that it is potatoes, flour, S&P, and cheese.

Cover pan with foil and place in oven. It takes about 45-60 minutes to bake. In the last 15 minutes, uncover pan to allow the potatoes to brown.

Enjoy!

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