Lying about food allergies does more harm than good

This week I saw another article about a mother lying about food allergies so that their vegan lifestyle would be taken seriously. This got me thinking.

Food allergies are a life threatening issue that causes major effects if a food is eaten that one is allergic to. Veganism is a personal choice that as one chooses not to eat any dairy or animal by product. That is a personal choice. No one chooses to have food allergies. No one chooses or likes to experience anaphylaxis.

Restaurants have the ability to accommodate those with food allergies. Some do it better than others though. Sometimes, though, it takes research. Planning, asking, calling, emailing, and inquiring about certain foods, cross contamination, ingredients, and methods used to cook. All that happens before one can eat out. It is a daunting experience, sometimes, to trust others to cook for a food allergic. However, most can effectively do that. Restaurants that are good with food allergies earn respect of others in the food allergy community. If someone says they are "allergic" when it's just a personal choice then that does not build the awareness of food allergies. It is just lying. It discredits the term "food allergy.
Pure, plain, and simple. There are both food allergy aware restaurants and vegan options available for all. Researching and asking questions can help.

Chef Keith Norman is no stranger to food allergies and has dedicated his career to providing options to those with food allergies. Norman presently serves as the food and safety manager and Assistant Executive chef at South Point hotel in Las Vegas. Having met Norman at the Food Allergy Bloggers conference last year, he truly "gets" food allergies and successfully fed many with sensitivities and anaphylactic allergens at the conference. He continues to work with the hotel to assure that those with food allergies and other food difficulties can eat safely. With his team of chefs, they successfully fed all without incident. That, in itself, is a huge accomplishment.

The bottom line is simple. Food allergies are severe and have the potential to cause anaphlyaxis even with the smallest bite. Veganism is a personal choice and will not cause anaphylaxis even with the smallest molecule. While vegans have a choice to avoid all animal derivatives, food allergics must take strict avoidance to the foods that could potentially kill them. The smallest molecule, for me, will cause anaphylaxis. Respect each others beliefs and their personal life choices, yes, but do not lie about food allergies just if you are choosing not to eat something.

Something has got to give

Not trying to be vague but I've been struggling with some decisions that will affect me and my personal life in the next few months. It is taking over my whole life and is a popular discussion.

I HATE this feeling. I want to be happy. I need to be secure.

This has taken several "extra" hours of my time and I am not abandoning my blog. Rest assured, I will continue to post when I can. Just working on a full time position somewhere and something has got to give.

It has been a pretty rough couple of weeks and I am sure the next will be rough too.

I will continue to post on Twitter and IG.

For now, something has got to give!

Anaphylaxis, it can happen

This week, May 11-17, 2014, is the #FAAW {Food Allergy Awareness week}. Food allergies can occur in anyone and I wanted to write about why I always carry Epi or Epinephrine at all times.

{Photo Credit: Kids with Food Allergies}

Food allergies, for me, did not develop until after the age of 15 or so for me. Don't get me wrong, I have many other allergies. Seasonal, environmental, medication, insects, pollen, and the list goes on. For many, food allergies can occur in children and some may outgrow their allergies. It totally depends on the person. Each case is different. 

Anyways, I did not develop food allergies until around 15. For me, they started as daily hives {later discovered to soy, wheat, and more} and my hands would swell {with shellfish|}. After doing my own research and working with my Allergist, I discovered I had many allergies to foods. Today, a single crumb or morsel can send me into anaphylaxis.

My current list of food allergies includes Soy (all forms), Wheat, Gluten, Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Fish, Shellfish, Modified Starches, and Coconut (all forms). That would be six of the Top 8.

I was thinking I was doing pretty good. I had Epi, I had a list of what I couldn't have, and all was dandy. I was wrong. 

Anaphylaxis happened even though I was careful! 

It happened to cross contamination and soy lecithin as well as fish. I had to use epi as well as have it given to me. Within minutes, my symptoms (hives, swelling, others) lessoned. If it wasn't for epinephrine, I can't think of what today would look like.

Accidents can occur and that is why you always have epi.

A label can be misread and anaphylaxis can occur. That's why you have epi! 

A company doesn't list a warning that items are run on the same lines (since warning labels are voluntary) and anaphylaxis occurs. 

Epinephrine is the only drug that can reverse Anaphylaxis (source). 

If you or someone you know has food allergies or any known anaphylactic allergy, they must carry it on them. 

Epinephrine saves lives. I know, I was one of those lives!

The power of the word no

I am a doer and a pleaser. There's no denying it. However, there was a time when I totally overwhelmed myself and said yes to everyone and everything. No more as I had no life other than in the car or on the road to the next event.

It's liberating, now. At the time when I said yes all the time, it was hard to switch to no. You may be thinking I've lost my mind but, in truth, I had to find a balance for what I wanted to do and others expected of me. 

Balance, for me, includes knowing my limits and when I need a break. Balance is way more than saying no. It is listening to that inner voice inside of you. It's knowing how much you can handle and moving forward. Balance is hard yet the word no is powerful! 

I had to know my limits and what I couldn't do is over give myself and then crash hard. It was a fine line, at first, but the power of no, for me, rocks lately. 

Have you found a balance for your life? 

Do you stay no to keep yourself in a balance?

Embracing life with baggage

We all have it. Baggage that is on our person or in our life. Whether it be food allergies, family issues, insecurities, or all of the above. We all have issues. We wouldn't be human without them.

So, I am saying it today. Embrace your baggage that makes you human. 

Don't be ashamed of what you've been given. Embrace it. Life does get better. We all have our days when we think we want someone else's life but, the simple truth is, we want a break from our own baggage. Our baggage can get overwhelming but it gets better. There are also days I embrace it and smile. 

Sometimes, we think we have so much baggage but, in reality, we over think and believe that others can see it all. We, as individuals, see more of our own baggage and it's how we live inside and out that plays a roll in our baggage.

Today, I embrace my own baggage and hope you do too. 

Incomplete work in progress

Last night, as I was fighting insomnia, I had a thought that hit me harder than when I would have been asleep. A thought that I have been processing all day.

As people, we live our personal lives day in and out. We start as babies, not knowing what we know now, and work our way into an adult world. A world that has no road map nor a written plan for what we will be. A world that can be harsh and unfair. A world that doesn't always make sense. 

As adults, we are supposed to make a living, live somewhere, provide for ourselves, and navigate life. Life without a road map. Life without teachers to guide us like in school. 

I will be honest. I've been slapped around by adult life. It is not easy. I was so looking forward to being an adult in college and then, after college, I am ready to be back as a kid. 

A kid has limits on how much control they have in their lives. A kid has a life that is sheltered, for the most part. A kid has limits and lives with others. A kid is pretty much carefree.

I wish I knew what I know now and wouldn't have been in a hurry to grow up. I was just mature and didn't truly live life until high school, college, and now. 

Today, I am an incomplete work in progress. I don't know when I will get a full time teaching job, I work for hopes to gain full time employment soon, and I dream to be a teacher. 

Dreams, as a child, are something that are not always reachable. It's like a wish. Something to happen eventually. As an adult, I truly believe dream jobs come true. Hard work and dedication pay off. I want my dream job, as a teacher, to come true and I will continue to dream and work on my incomplete work in progress of my life.

Life is all about making progress and, this incomplete work in progress isn't done with, moving forward. 

Struggling

I will have to admit that I am struggling with several issues right now. 

Job situations, unanswered questions, anxiety, my sister moving to Boston, and the fears I face. 

I am trying to put on a happy face and be happy but that deep pain in hard to overcome. 

It comes in waves. Waves that I can't control and that's really hard for me. Hard to understand how this all fits into a "master plan" that I have no control over. 

I am working on it daily but it is just hard. Hard to stay positive and upbeat when I don't understand. Hard to comprehend why I am not getting something I've worked really hard for. 

Right now, all I can do is talk it out, continue to seek out opportunities, and pray. Whether or not you are a praying person, I ask for good thoughts and prayers. 

My happy face is on but I am not completely happy. I want that back so bad. I want to be happy. 

I wish life had a manual. That would make it easier, right?

Life is just hard right now & I am struggling. 

A relationship strained with my sister

My sister and I do not have a perfect relationship. However, we do get along when there are more than 1000 miles separating us. When I went to college, our relationship got better. Summers were still difficult but it got better. Then, she went to college and I eventually graduated. Still, we had hundreds of miles in between us and we were okay. We are both type-A and pretty independent people. We have our faults, of course, but we have good relationships outside of the family. 

Then, we were home for an extended summer and things got very unsettling. I, along with our family, walk on egg shells around her some of the time. 

I don't claim to be perfect but she also goes for the jugular each, and every, time. Tonight was no different. I don't have as thick of skin and I let her get to me. She got to me and I spent the next three hours out of the house. 

Right now, our relationship is at an all time low. I try, really hard, to not let her get to me but she truly gets under my skin and plucks every nerve. However, she does this every day. She can be all cheery to other people and then I get the brunt of it. I don't do well when voices are raised and I am verbally attacked with curse words. I just don't.

She goes off to law school in less than 3 weeks and I am hoping our relationship gets better. I hope that we can grow it back to a civilized relationship. I hope she will see that words and actions hurt. I hope I can grow thicker skin. 

I hope our strained relationship becomes a relationship in progress. 

Looking & learning from by brother

My brother, lately, has been a total rock star for me. He typically is a guy of few words and isn't always the easiest to talk to. However, since my sinus surgery in early June, he has been my rock star. He checks on me, still, and makes sure I am okay. Usually, he is there when I need him most.

Tonight, I came to the realization that I need to take notes from him. 

I will admit it. I get grumpy around nine and brushed him off when he had a question. My heart swelled up, though, when he said "I'll check on her if she makes noise." 

You see, around 9 he is tired too and my parents or myself usually deal with the dogs. Well, I was ready to be done for the day, our parents are out of town, and his phrase"I'll check on her if she makes noise" refers to our Doberman who can bark and get crazy at random times. He said the right thing at the right time. He is actually listening to me and helping me. I nearly fell over. ;)

This boy drives me crazy on a daily basis. He is SO laid back and black and white. He is not easily bothered and doesn't get upset that often. Gosh, I would love to have a little of his laid back-ness. :) He is also seven years younger than me. He may be taller and wiser but he may never know how much I gain from him as a brother.

To be carefree and so laid back...a dream

He cares and it truly shows when you stop the craziness called life and just listen to him.

This weekend has been awesome. Actually, this month has been awesome and I am truly grateful for my brother. I am learning that I have to let go and be a little less structured then I am all the time. If he can do it, I can try. 

He allows me to be real around him, isn't afraid to tell me I am losing it, and is making me a better person. 

I don't claim to be perfect; I am only human

Lord willing, I can get my words out tonight. This post has been building for a while and I have finally decided to lay it all out. Please bear with me as I am not exactly sure what my underlying message is. I just need to lay it all out. 

I've got issues. Heck, I know we all do. I don't claim to be perfect. I am only human. 

However, I feel like we live in a perfect-driven world. I see it on the televisions and in magazines. Some strive to have those perfect lives. Perfect on the outside and they try on the inside and when the cameras are off too. 

However, as humans, they fail. 

Humans are imperfect. The whole giving 100% is a great theory. However, many can't give 100% as that would mean perfection. 

I feel like our world, even country, is filled with wanna bees. People who strive to do their best and then try to be perfect. Best and perfect are two separate entities. Best refers to the highest quality or standing (source) while perfect refers to a flawless entity (source). 

I am not flawless by any means. If you saw what is not on screen, it may shock you. I have a few, okay several right now, piles and I get frustrated at the drop of a hat lately. I don't always get to what I say I will and I have issues letting things go. For me, I am imperfect but give my best effort when necessary.

Instead of looking at what the magazines and media is trying to sell. Look within and put your, not the magazine's idea, best foot forward. 

Bottom line: We are humans living in a society filled with notions that we have to be perfect. We can't be. We won't be. Humans are imperfect. 

Don't judge a student by their past

Today, I nearly lost it with a teacher. This doesn't happen much. However, she crossed that imaginary line that one has about a student's behavior. 

I was in the behavior unit today and things can go crazy to quiet at the drop of a hat. There's no preparation and I truly love each minute. The teacher entered the room.

The teacher interrupted my class, introduced herself in my class, and to the student she would be working with next week. At lunch, she then proceeded to tell me that she isn't sure how well this would work since she's seen the student at her worse and has heard things about her. 

Seriously?! Have you lost your mind lady? 

We ALL have our issues. We ALL have our meltdowns. We are human. 

Don't judge a book, or in this case student, by their cover. 

Give people a chance. They may surprise you!

Dealing with tragedy of today's world

My sister will be attending Law School in Boston. She will be starting in the fall. Once I heard of the explosions during the Boston Marathon, my heart sunk for the many families affected by the explosions that occurred during the race today. We had a few family friends at the race. Their 20 year old daughter was running it. One of my church members ran it too. Everything was hunky-dory until the first explosion went off.

Insert panic

Cell lines shut down, mass emergency personnel went running. Chaos occurred. Hell unfolded before people's eyes. I can't imagine the senses some have seen today. I can't imagine what went through their minds. I can imagine, though, my sister being in Boston and me not getting a hold of her. I can imagine being so scared that I can't talk with her.  

Relationships may not be the best but panic ensues when explosions occur. Panic of not hearing from your loved ones, not being able to communicate with them, and not having that instant communication. That, in itself, is just hard and unbearable. 

My heart goes out to those who were affected by today's chaos. My heart goes out to the families that are dealing with this event. My heart goes out to all who have to process and deal with this tragedy  This wasn't random. It was personal and planned. I hope justice is served and people are able to live their lives once they deal with the tragedy their own way. 

Hug your loved ones tonight. Say "I love you" and pray. No one can fully prepare for tragedy or panic before it occurs. How you respond can be remembered though.   

Staycation bliss

Spring break, for my family, usually means a trip out of town. This year, however, we decided to stay home and are actually enjoying it.

It's nice to wake up and lounge.

It's nice to not have to rush to get on the road.

It's nice to be able to organize and sort out things without worrying about being late.

It's nice to not have to worry about homework and lesson plans this week.

It's nice to not have any scheduled meetings for school this week.

It's nice to have time to organize.

It's nice to just be home and not in a rush. The alarm clock may still go off, either by a dog or electronically, but it's just nice to be home and not in a rush.

For this week, I'm letting loose and trying to chill a little. For Miss type A, that's hard. ;) But I'm happy to give it a shot.

Have a great week!!!!

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Ditch the drama

My PSA of the day...

I just have to say it. I dislike drama with a passion. It creates tension and can hurt feelings. 

There's a time to have a conversation and there's a time to stop. There's a time to send an email and clarify a situation and there's a time to stop. There's a time to tweet and there's a time to take a step back and breathe. There's a time to talk and there's a time to listen. 

Drama is natural with women. Don't deny it. 

BUT you have to know when to read a situation. You have to distinguish if it's funny or hurtful. Know when enough is enough and move on. No one likes to feel bad when drama is started. 

Ditch the drama at the door and enjoy life without drama! 

Kindness counts

Have you ever had a bad day and someone's kind words, or better yet a smile, helped? What about crummy news and then someone did something nice, with no strings attached, for you?

Kindness is possible for anyone to give. Kindness doesn't have to include money. It can be a kind gesture or simple act that will make someone's day. 

The definition of kind is "friendly feeling or favor" (Dictionary.com). No where does it say strings attached. Kindness acts are from the goodness of one's heart. 

Think about things that people do to build you up? Then think about things you can do to build others up. 

Kindness does not have to be extravagant. Just a gesture or simple act can go a long way.

A few examples of acts of kindness that can go a long way...

When you are in the grocery store and a little old lady can't reach a salad dressing, try asking her if she needs help. She'll probably call you sugar or honey and thank you for being sweet.

When you merge into a lane, wave at the person who let you in. Just that little wave can help someone feel appreciated. 

When a friend loses a good job or an opportunity, just listen and be present. Kindness and listening go a long way.

When a friend has had a rough day, get them what they love as a treat. 

When you get a gift, write a thank you note and mail it. Handwritten notes are just awesome and they make the giver know that you care.

When someone goes out of their way to help, tell them thank you and write them a note and/or email. 

Kindness counts! No matter how small or large the act, a kind act goes a long way. When someone shows kindness, be sure to return the kind favor.

Be kind to one another!!

Serious case of the crankies

I will tell you now, I am cranky. I am not sure what exactly sparked it but I'm moody today.

The weather is up & down and it's chilly out.

I couldn't give it my all in workout since I just couldn't get moving.

I can't nap nor can I get comfy.

I am spending the day around as few people as possible. That's probably best.

I've got a severe case of the crankies and am glad to spend it at home.

I'm sure it'll be better tomorrow.
Today, though, I am cranky!

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By 8 p.m.

I am an early riser by nature & love my sleep. However, I've struggled to get enough lately. Blame stress, dogs, and deadlines. It's been a long few weeks. I am not a nice person, so I know and have been told, without my sleep. So, I am just done by 8 most nights. 

By 8, I will not answer important questions. 

By 8, I will start to feel foggy & tired.

By 8, the pep in my step will be disappearing.

By 8, my demeanor will totally change.

By 8, I am just tired.

By 8, I don't need to be told to remember things.

By 8, I just want a shower and my bed. 

By 8, I am just done!

Devotional share: Always with us

Currently, I am doing Billy Graham's Hope for each day devotional. My eyes have been opened and I am put back in my place each day I do this devotional. It's short and sweet but very powerful. I thought I'd share what touched me yesterday. Text is in purple.

Certainly, God is with us in times of distress, and that is a comforting truth. But listen: Jesus wants to be part of every experience and every moment in our lives.

God wants to be apart of the good times and the bad. Most of the time, people turn to Him when something is wrong. Why not celebrate the GOOD too?

But God  is with us in the good times also, and we should thank HIM for them and commit them  to Him just as surely as we do the hard times.

To me, this means that we should have God on our speed dial in good times and in bad. HE is ever present and always with you.

Psalm 84:11 states "No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly."

Include God in your whole life and turn to Him always. 

I am my family's Sheldon Cooper

Sheldon Cooper, played by Jim Parsons, is a hit on the Big Bang Theory. My family watches it daily and it is a riot. At first, I didn't get into it. But, since my family watches it nightly, it grew on me. 

(Photo Credit)

Sheldon Cooper portrays a uber geek-like character who is so black and white. He also portrays an Autism spectrum disorder and does it so well. Parsons does not have Autism in real life but portrays the characteristics so well in the show. Things like change, crowds, humor, and inconsistencies drive Cooper up the wall. He doesn't understand metaphors and brings up subjects that are not everyday conversations. This includes psychiatric issues and personal issues as well as relationship status' and conversations.

My mom has started calling me Shelton and/or Jim Parsons. I, too, notice that we are alike in a few ways. Some of the humor I don't get and sarcasm isn't always read too well. I don't always get jokes and think something is funny when it is not. I will admit that I need sarcastic comments explained frequently. Change and I are complete opposites and it takes me a while to warm up to something new.

So I admit it...

I am my family's Sheldon and I am proud of it.

You mess with my dog then you mess with me

This morning on my walk with Lola (our Doberman), I encountered a lady who decided to yell at my dog. 

This did not sit well with me. 

You see, we have a neighborhood park that includes a large pond and there are houses on the other side of the pond/land that back up to the area. Every day, we let Lola run at the park and it's heaven for her. She runs free but we still have control. She wears a shocker collar just in case and we don't use it much anymore. She still wears it daily, though. 

She runs, leaps, and is FREE for a few minutes. She sniffs and does circles. She can't get into the houses' backyard but there are occasionally dogs outside who bark. She doesn't bark back though; she's busy running. 

This morning, a lady went bats*** crazy on Lola. Apparently, the lady was doing something in her backyard and saw Lola. She was yelling at her, saying (at the top of her lungs) there's a dog loose with a lead. I responded back that she was fine. We do this daily and she just runs. 

Lord, help me. The women went on to say I needed to control my "damn dog" and not let her run. Totally caught me off guard. I, also, have news for the woman. We run her to let her get energy out. She needs to run. The park is in our neighborhood, not hers.

So, I called her and Lola was, to her advantage, on the other side. So I shocked her once and she came right to me and sat. She didn't try to go in someone else's yard; she just ran. 

Lola knows the expectations and we've never had an incident. I always crouch down to watch her leap over to the other side and can normally see her standing up too. When she's done running, she comes and sits at my side. She does this day in and out. She's so black and white that she never deviates. 

So, the moral of the story is, if you mess with my dog then you mess with me!