I would like to take this time and remember some of the recent and not so recent deaths that have occurred from food allergies. These are just some of the reported cases. It is very sad that there have been so many and yet we have not heard about most of them.

Thank you for reading and sharing. The more we talk about it, the more others around us will too.  If you scroll down to the bottom of this page, you can view some of their pictures.

 "Make yourself familiar with the angels, and behold them frequently in spirit; for without being seen, they are present with you.”

This list was updated on August 14, 2018. 

Food Allergy Deaths in 2018:

NAME UNKNOWN, 6, Perth girl dies from a severe allergic reaction to dairy. Full Story

Alexi Stafford, 15, died from a severe reaction to a cookie containing peanut. Full Story & Full Story

Maximillian McGlinchey, 19, died as a result of anaphylaxis to peanut exposure after eating a meal at a Chinese restaurant. Full Story

Amanda Huynh, 12, died of an allergic reaction after eating a granola bar. Full Story

James Turnball, 15, passed away due to anaphylaxis after consuming a take-out meal. Full Story

George Hodgkiss, 31, died after having an allergic reaction to cashews. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2017:

Elijah Silvera, 3, died after being a served a grilled cheese sandwich at his preschool. He had a severe milk allergy. Full Story

Justin Mathews, 33, died after being exposed to walnuts during sandblasting. Full Story

Nainika Tikoo, 9, died after eating pancakes topped with blackberries. Full Story & Full Story

Jacob MacDonald, 15, suffered an allergic reaction after eating a cookie containing peanuts. Full Story

Chloe Gilbert, 15, died after eating a food containing yogurt. She had a dairy allergy. Full Story

Khoo Siew Hong, 60, died after eating prawns. She was allergic to shellfish. Full Story

Alastair Watson, 3, suffered an anaphylactic reaction during a baked milk challenge. Full Story

Anthony Lyson, 18, died of an anaphylactic reaction after accidentally consuming nuts. Full Story

Michael Julian, 27, suffered an allergic reaction that caused his brain to swell. Full Story

Georgina Hickman, 24, died after eating a single peanut flavored crisp. Full Story

Karanbir Cheema, 13, died after suffering an allergic reaction to cheese. Full Story & Full Story

Nissan Hayuni, 32, died on board a flight after consuming a specially ordered kosher meal. Full Story &
Full Story

Owen Carey, 18, suffered an allergic reaction and passed away after eating a piece of chicken. Full Story
 
Anthony Maruca, 23, suffered an allergic reaction and passed away suddenly from anaphylactic shock.
Full Story

Megan Lee, 15, dies after suffering an allergic reaction to takeaway food from a restaurant. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2016:

Maleek Lawal, 10, died from a severe allergic reaction to an item containing dairy. Full Story

Nasar Ahmed, 14, died after suffering an allergic reaction from a school lunch containing milk.  Full Story

Domonic Prince, 32, suffered an allergic reaction after eating a salad purchased from a deli.

Tanner Sorensen, 14, had an allergic reaction to a cookie containing nuts. Full Story

Oakley Debbs, 11, died from an allergic reaction after eating a cake containing nut resin. Full Story

Ben Scott, 37, died from an allergic reaction to nuts. Full Story

Mariyah Pina, 14, had an allergic reaction to an unknown allergy. Full Story & Full Story

Breyton Horomona, 15, suffered a severe allergic reaction and died after eating calamari. Full Story

Paul Wilson, 38, died after eating a dish that contained peanuts. Full Story

Javier Avina, 10, died from asthma possibly caused by his peanut allergy. Full Story

Victor Lee, 10, tragically died after suffering an allergic reaction. Full Story

Abigail Raye Reiswitz, 13, died from asthma complications triggered by a reaction to milk. Full Story & Full Story

Bruce Kelly, 22, died after eating chocolates containing peanuts. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2015:

Georgia Murphy, 13, died from an allergic reaction after eating pizza. Full Story

Jermain Bourbon, 11, died from an anaphylactic reaction. Allergic to dairy, eggs and nuts. Full Story &
Full Story

Miles Bengco, 11, died from an allergic reaction to Mycoprotein. Full Story 

Katherine Schaefer, 18, died from an allergic reaction that led to a severe asthma attack. Full Story

Shalev Hazan, age unknown, died after eating a granola bar containing nuts. Full Story

Annie Legere, 13, died from anaphylactic shock after an unknown allergic reaction, likely to something she ate, according to her doctors. Full Story

Lois Tate, 13, died at the hospital while being treated for asthma. Parents suspect it was the food they served their food allergic child. Full Story, Full Story & Full Story

Cody Steven Kimball-Godfrey, 17, died from an allergic reaction. Full Story

Rachel Cole, 18, suffered an anaphylaxis reaction to peanut oil and died 6 days later. Full Story & Full Story

Cameron Wahid, 7, died after eating a dish that may have contained dairy. Full Story

Morgan Elizabeth Crutchfield, 17, died from an allergic reaction. Full Story & Full Story

Simon Katz, 16, died from an allergic reaction to peanut butter. Full Story

Andrea Mariano, 18, died from an anaphylactic allergic reaction. Full Story 

Amanda Thompson, 50, died after having an allergic reaction to a Sorbet. Full Story

Dylan Hill, 18, died after eating at an Indian restaurant. Full Story

Maisie Durant, 21, died after eating a cereal bar containing nuts. Full Story

Shahida Shahid, 18, died from an allergic reaction after eating at a local restaurant. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2014:

Caroline Lorette, 14, died from an allergic reaction to dairy. Full Story

Brandon Dixon, 13, died after eating a candy bar given to him at school. Full Story

Deborah Mary Molloy, 52, died from an allergic reaction to lentils. Full Story

Richard Hugh Goins, 23, died after exposure to a food containing peanut. Full Story & Obituary

Aaron O'Farrell, 11, died from anaphylactic reaction. Full Story & Full Story

Derek Landon Wood, 11, died after eating a cookie from a local grocery store. Full Story

Sergio Lopez, 24, died after eating a mole sauce containing peanuts. Full Story & Obituary

Scott Johnson, 16, died from a milk allergy after eating pancakes at a restaurant. Full Story

Nutan Ajay, 16, died from an allergic reaction to egg. Full Story

Casey Ryan, 29, died from an allergic reaction to peanut oil. Full Story

Edward Alfred Horan II, 24, died after exposure to a food he is allergic to. Full Story

Jaime E. Mendoza, 16, dies after allergic reaction to peanut butter cookie. Full Story

Chandler Swink, 19, dies from an allergic reaction to peanut. Full Story

Joseph DeNicola, 7, dies after suffering an allergic reaction on Halloween. Full Story

Jack Burden, 18, died from a severe allergic reaction. Partial Story

Paul Wilson, 38, died from anaphylaxis. He had a peanut allergy. Full Story

Lydia Lavoshan, age unknown, died after having an allergic reaction to tahini, which contained sesame. Full Story

Edward Debbage, 8, died from an anaphylaxis reaction. Allergies to various foods. Full Story 

Connor Donaldson, 12, dies after eating food containing peanut. Full Story 

Food Allergy Deaths in 2013:

Elin Wahlgren, 16, died from an allergic reaction after eating tacos. Full Story

Ronak Warty, 10, died after drinking a wrongly labelled drink containing dairy. Full Story

Cody Hardy, 17, died from an allergic reaction to milk. See comments section for full story.

Marcus Terranova, 8, died from an anaphylactic reaction caused by an unknown food allergy. Full Story

Dora Mae Coburn, 68, died from an allergic reaction to bananas. Full Story

Abbie Benford, 15, died from an anaphylaxis reaction. Full Story

Emma Slone, 14, died from a reaction to a nut based sauce. She had a peanut allergy. Full Story

Andrew Turner, 35, died from eating bread containing nuts. Full Story

Shimmer James, 6, died after an allergic reaction to peanut. Full Story

Taylor Brown, 11, died from an allergic reaction. Partial Story and Partial Story.

Marcus Sweet, 46, died after an allergic reaction to coconut. Full Story

Connor Donaldson, 12, died from a suspected allergic reaction from nut allergy. Full Story

Giovanni Cipriano, 14, died from an allergic reaction to peanuts. Full Story

Derek Stephenson, 31, died from an allergic reaction after eating a curry dish containing peanut. He had a peanut allergy. Full Story

Ethan Williams, 14, died from a suspected tree nut allergy. Full Story

Natalie Giorgi, 13, died from an allergic reaction to peanut butter. Full Story

Mason Wight, 11, died from an allergic reaction. Partial Story

Jackie Scott, 35, died from an allergic reaction caused by peanut allergy. Full Story

Tanner Henstra, 11, died from an allergic reaction to peanut butter. Full Story

Adrian Gutierrez, 8, died from a possible reaction to milk. Full Story

Maia Santarelli-Gallo, 12, died of an allergic reaction after eating ice cream at the mall. Full Story

Cameron Fitzpatrick, 19, died after eating a cookie that contained peanut oil. He had a peanut and tree nut allergy.  Full Story

Faith Tolbert, 2, died after from an allergic reaction to peanut. Partial story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2012:

Danika Rae, 17, died from complications related to an airborne allergic reaction and asthma attack. Full Story

Myriam Ducre-Lemay, 20, died after kissing her boyfriend that had eaten peanut butter. Full Story

Michael Saffioti, 22, died from dairy allergy after eating oatmeal containing dairy. Full Story

Jack Levee, 17, died from a severe allergic reaction and a asthma attack. Full Story

Jack Irvine, 15, died after eating a cookie containing nuts at camp. Full Story 

William Luckett, 15, died after eating Chinese takeaway. He had a peanut allergy. Full Story

Ethan Thomas, 11, died from an allergic reaction to curry. He had a nut allergy. Full Story

Natalia Green, 17, died from an allergic reaction to chicken satay containing peanut. Full Story

Diallo Robbins Brinson,15, died from of an allergic reaction after eating a cookie. Full Story 

Amaya Seraton, 8, died from an allergic reaction. Details are unknown. Full Story

Ammaria Johnson, 7, died at school after being exposed to something containing peanut. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2011:

Raymond Cho, 16, died after eating a cookie in class that contained walnuts. Full Story

Efrat Chen, 26, died after eating a dessert at a Tel Aviv restaurant. Full Story

Hayden Wileman, 9, died after eating a cereal. He had an unknown peanut allergy. Full Story 

Jharell Dillard, 15, lost his life after eating a chocolate chip cookie, which unknowingly contained nuts. Full Story  

Tyler Cody Davis, 20, died from an allergic reaction after eating at the KSU Campus Dining Hall. Full Story

Christopher Smith, 17, died after eating takeout food from a Wirral, England restaurant.  Full Story

Veronica Cirella, 8, died from allergic reaction. (undisclosed food allergy and cerebral palsy) food fed at home by mother (under investigation) Full Story

Mathew Lee, 26, died after eating a salad that contained nuts. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2010:

Ashley Frangella, 20, died from an allergic reaction to milk. Full Story

Megann Ayotte Lafort, 6, of Montreal died from asthma attack that is believed to be caused by a food allergic reaction. Full Story

Katelyn Carlson, 13, died after eating Chinese food with her class. Full Story

Yla Aquino, 17, died on prom night after accidentally digesting peanut butter. Full Story 

Poppy Harvey, 19, died after unknowingly eating a cake that contained peanut. Full Story 

Kevin Edouard, 21, died from suspected peanut allergy after eating on a cruise ship. Full Story

Emma Egerton, 18, died from takeaway curry. She had a peanut allergy. Full Story

Darren Taylor, 44, died from unknown fin-fish allergy. Full Story

Charlie Fidler, 8, died after an allergic reaction at a football barbecue. He was allergic to eggs, milk, wheat and certain nuts. Full Story

Molly Giles, 10, died from one spoonful of curry. She had a nut allergy. Full Story

Molly Dyer, 13, died from curry takeout. She had a nut allergy. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2009:

Danny Macpherson, 21, died from an allergic reaction after eating Indian takeout. Full Story  

Robert Anderson, 15, peanut, tree nut, egg allergy and asthma. Treated as asthma but later identified as anaphylaxis. (unconfirmed report) Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2008:

Mercedes Mears, 10, died after suffering an asthma attack. Food allergies are suspected to have played a part in her death. Full Story & Video

B.J. Hom, 18, died from an allergic reaction while on a family vacation. Full Story 

Andrew Michael Smith, 8, died from an allergic reaction while celebrating super bowl Sunday with family. Full Story

Daniel Sargent, 30, collapsed after taking a bite of a chocolate chip cookie. Full Story

Rodney Hawkins, 35, died from shellfish allergy after being served wrong. Full Story 

Dexter Skinner, 16, died after eating a chocolate bar. He had a peanut allergy. Full Story

Christopher Gould, 14, died after eating a cashew. Full Story 
 
Mark Nicholson, 28, died from peanut allergy after eating chili burgers. Full Story

Angus Myers, 32, nut allergy, died after eating take away curry. Full Story

Elizabeth Hoborough, 39, died days later after eating prawn soup. Full Story

Carol Lynn Winston Kiener, 66, died from a peanut allergy. Partial Story

Deja Vacey Hay, 7, died from milk allergy after drinking juice. Full Story

Paul Anthony Thurston, 30, died in jail when served a sandwich containing peanut butter. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2007:

Nathan Francis, 13, died after given a lunch of beef satay at camp. Full Story 
 
Karim Oughton, 13, died after eating a Brazil nut. He had never had a reaction before. Full Story

Carley Janelle Kohnen, 13, died from a burrito. She had a peanut, egg and milk allergy. Full Story

Grant  Freeman, 38, Collasped and died after eating a tomato entree. He was allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, seafood and chicken. Full Story

Mohsen Hussain, 9, died after having a sweet from the pick and mix candy section. He had a  nut allergy and asthma. Full Story

Jessica Cordoroy, 10, died after eating a pie at a restaurant. She had a peanut allergy and asthma. (unconfirmed story)

Stephanie Faulkner, 14, died from a dish at a restaurant that unknowingly contained nuts. Full Story

Kylie Lynch, 20, died after eating a dessert at a cafe that contained nuts. Full Story 

Francesca Sanna Mimmy, 19, Collasped and died minutes after brushing her teeth. She had several food allergies. Full Story

Michelle Bray, 21, died from seafood allergy. She had a severe anaphylactic reaction to a dim sim and collapsed. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2006:

Emily Vonder Meulen, 13, died at the mall after eating a sandwich she had eaten many times before. Full Story 

Amber Norman, 12, died after eating a sweet treat in school. Full Story

Paul Derrick Howard, 16, died from a sesame allergy most likely contained in a cereal bar he had eaten. Full Story

Brent Schivley, 16, died from a peanut reaction after eating a chocolate chip cookie. Full Story
 
Jane McVeigh, 17, died from nut allergy after unknowingly eating chicken satay at a birthday party. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2005:

Gina Marie Hunt, 14, died after having an allergic reaction after eating Chinese food at the mall with her friends. Full Story

Christina Desforges, 15, died after kissing her boyfriend, who had just eaten a peanut butter snack. Full Story

Thomas Schatten, 43, died an hour later after receiving treatment for his peanut allergy from an alternative medicine practitioner. Full Story 

David Joseph Boutot, 17, died from drinking a protein shake that contained whey. Full Story
 
Kailey Brianna Bowles, 7, died from a taste of hot cocoa in her room. She had a milk allergy. Full Story

Alison Armstrong, 11, died after eating a candy apple at the Grants Pass, OR Boatnik Festival. According to friends and family, Alison tasted peanut right away. The apple had been cooked in peanut oil. She was highly allergic to peanuts. (Can't locate full story)

Matthew Joseph Deluce, 24, died from peanut allergy after eating at a restaurant in Texas. Partial Story

Karen Lynn MacDonald, 27, died from accidential ingestion of peanut oil. Full Story

Chantelle Yambao, 13, died from peanut and nut allergy after eating a store-bought Nanaimo square. Full Story

Beverley Taylor, 37, died after eating a cashew that tasted like a peanut. She was allergic to peanuts, eggs, dairy, wheat and latex. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2004:

Jonathan Begley, 9, died from an allergic reaction to food while at school. Full Story

Amanda Mills, 19, died days after having an allergic reaction to a sandwich containing traces of nuts. Full Story. 

Alex Baptist, 4, died after being exposed to peanuts at school. Full Story.

Chris Clements, 17, died after eating chocolate that unknowingly contained hazelnut. He had a  tree nut allergy. Full Story
 
Habib Khan, 10, died at school after eating a meal from home. He had asthma and a dairy allergy. He died from an asthma attack, but it is believed to be triggered from the dairy allergy. Full Story

Amy Bauer Topic, 34, died from peanut allergy after accidental ingestion. Full Story

Phillip Heywood, 19, died from a peanut allergy after eating half a portion of curry. Full Story

Emily Givner, 38, died shortly after eating a sandwich wrap. She was allergic to chocolate, nuts, seeds and animals. Full Story
 
Prasad Gajare, 9, died from milk allergy. Partial Story

Sam Pettett, 22, died from eating a curry dish. Allergy unknow, but died from allergic reaction.  Full Story

Raya French, 37, died from tomato allergy after eating spaghetti bolognese for dinner. Full Story

Laura Benson, 19, died after eating a Rice Krispy Treat that unknowingly contained peanut butter. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths 2003:

Matt Schmauch, 29, died after eating at a Chinese buffet. Full Story

Kate Obertelli, 21, died after eating takeout food containing curry paste. Full Story 

Singh Bhamra, 49, died from egg allergy after unknowingly eating cake containing eggs. Full Story

Sabrina Shannon, 13, died from dairy protein that was still present on some school lunch tongs. The same tongs were used to pick up Sabrina's french fries. Sabrina's Law took effect on January 1, 2006. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2002:

Trent A. Hankins, 31, died after touching food containing peanut oil at a dinner party. Full Story  

Thomas Egna, 5 months, died from milk allergy after being fed milk in a daycare. Full Story

Richard Sobrino, 38, had an allergic reaction to a candy bar and later died at the hospital. He had a peanut allergy.  Full Story

Hamidur Rahman, 14, died from peanut allergy while on a school excursion. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2001:

Nathan Walters, 9, died on a class field trip after eating a sacked lunch offered to him which contained a peanut butter sandwich and cookies. Full Story

William Gallagher, 16, died after eating walnuts from his home economics class. Partial Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2000:

Sarah Hubert, 13, died from Milk Allergy. Partial Story.

Nicola Ratcliffe, 18, died from a nut allergy after eating Indian food. Full Story

Luisa Dennis, 28, died from walnut allergy after eating bread that unknowingly contained walnuts. Partial Story

Patrick Maxeiner, 24, death is suspected to have been caused from a peanut allergy. (unconfirmed)  Partial Story

Food Allergy Death in 1999:

Joseph Murphy, 18, died after eating pistachio nuts. He knew he was allergic to peanuts, but not aware of his nut allergy. Full Story

Food Allergy Death 1998:

Mark Villa, died after eating a sugar cookie containing peanut butter.  Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 1996:

Kristen Wyak Norris, 13, died from anaphylactic shock due to complications from asthma and
allergies. She was allergic to nuts. Full Story

Joshua Ramirez, 21, died from peanut allergy after eating a cookie in a vending machine in his dormitory. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 1991:

Johnny Robbins, 16, died after eating an egg roll containing peanut butter. See comments section for full story. 

Food Allergy Death in 1989:

Cheryl Winegardner, 10, died from a peanut allergy while on a school field trip. Full Story

Food Allergy Death in 1986:

Katherine Brodsky, 18, died after eating chili from a restaurant that was flavored with peanut butter. Full Story

"Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones
shine down to let us know they are happy."

One of my central goals is to motivate clients to push through challenges and learn to live, work, love and play despite them. Often, this doesn’t involve fixing a problem, but rather living fully in spite of it!

In 2008 my family’s passion for travel was threatened. My husband and I had travelled with our babies, since 1995, every opportunity we had - domestically and internationally. But when our youngest had an anaphylactic episode in Istanbul, Turkey, at only 18 months old, we almost lost our gumption to continue our family pastime. Eager to not succumb to the limitations fear imposes, I read voraciously about travelling with food allergies and learned how to always be as prepared as possible for an emergency.
​
I planned my trips based on different priorities and with a pragmatic lens. By way of example, my journeys can and do involve air travel, but I typically avoid islands where there are limited medical facilities. I like to rent homes or apartments, rather than hotels, so I may cook in a meal or two. Knowing “best practices” and “industry culture” is important to me. It’s not enough to just carry plenty of medicine, medical documentation, snacks for flights, wipes and other products (i.e. seat covers) to avoid cross contact. I try to stay current on airline culture (how much, when and to whom to discuss food allergies when travelling) and I try to select my destinations carefully, based on more than just my travel interests. I need to consider cooking practices and related allergen risk (hard to avoid hazelnuts in Turkey), communication (finding English speakers in Hungary was harder than Denmark) and general food safety practices (food labeling and laws, kitchen safety, etc…)
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This is the story of one recent journey to Western and Central Europe, which highlights my belief that being as informed, prepared and empowered as possible facilitates an easier, relaxing and more enjoyable journey. The experiences described can be relevant if your destination is global or right at home in the U.S.A.
​
We travelled to Denmark, Hungary and Poland and for the most part were staying in major cities. I knew that language and local cuisine would pose additional challenges on this trip. For instance, Danish specialities rely on eggs or mayonnaise (think Smørrebrød with Hønsesalat, traditional dark bread with a chicken salad spread on top), and when in Hungary or Poland, one can’t always be assured a server with skilled English or schooled in food allergy protocols. At home or abroad, servers don't always know that mayonnaise is made with eggs or what cross-contact is and how to avoid it. My research and planning led me to use food allergy translation /travel emergency cards and translation apps to make sure communication wasn't a barrier. Every year the market expands with more effective and helpful technology and I love working with clients to help them select the right cards or app for their needs.

When we get to a destination, we start our trip at the supermarket. We like to stock up on safe foods and snacks for our child with food allergies. In Copenhagen most people speak English splendidly so we simply asked folks to help us out when reading labels. Using the translated allergy cards, ensured our helpers understood how important their support was. In Hungary and Poland, finding English speakers isn’t as easy, but everyone is eager to be helpful. Tapping the under 30 crowd improves one's chances for bilingual support. My oldest child, a young adult herself, found an app for us that used the phone’s camera to literally read an ingredient list in another language and then translate it to English. These products and methods aren’t perfect, but they help. In my travel experiences, I have also found pharmacies that sell some food products, especially those specializing in health food products, to be fantastically helpful. Typically the pharmacist speaks English and sometimes the products there are produced with labels in 4 - 7 languages, including English!!!

Our most cherished travel experiences center around authentic cuisine! So when in Hungary, eat Langos (fried dough prepared with all kinds of ingredients), Palacsinta (crepes) or Gulyas (goulash)! Right? Well not necessarily if you or a loved one are allergic to gluten, eggs or milk. It takes determination, resourcefulness and sadly, a more flexible budget, to still eat authentically. On an early evening walk through Budapest’s District VII, the Jewish Quarter, exploring the neighborhood’s architecture, history and ruin pubs, we peeked into restaurants and asked for menus. We were determined to have an authentic, yet safe local meal. Restaurant staff tended to be more available and willing to answer questions before the busy dinner hour. This neighborhood had dozens of grungy old buildings that had been creatively renovated to maintain their bohemian charm while creating a chic dining experience. Our fourth or fifth stop was at a restaurant that looked like a bookstore. Konyvbar (Dob utca 45, Budapest, VII) loosely translated to Book Bar, was a tastefully decorated restaurant with wall to wall bookshelves, an inviting fireplace and very bilingual wait staff! They not only had various offerings that my entire family could eat, but they were also willing to customize whatever we needed. The restaurant’s literary themed menu offered diners an intellectual and linguistic spin on the experience, making it all the more fun. Our theme was Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho so we aptly chose from drinks such as blood orange sangria and martini madness and ate narcotic red pepper cream soup with murderous chicken and butcher’s sirloin.

Some cuisines don’t always lend themselves to customization, even when on a flexible budget. While we did delight in pierogi at a wonderful little restaurant called Pierozki u Vincenta, a Van Gogh-themed small restaurant serving meat, vegetable and fruit pierogi (ul. Juliusza Lea 114, Krakow), our other evenings in Krakow, we struggled to readily find what we needed. We couldn’t find allergen-free recipes or wait staff that could answer our questions. Feeling frustrated, our kids suggested we try an international cuisine, one we knew well enough to “vet” on our own - and our hunger and frustration tolerance led us to acquiesce! While this definitely challenged our traditional methods of experiencing a foreign destination and its culture, we discovered a tiny little Sushi restaurant in the heart of the Kazimierz district in Krakow, called Youmiko Sushi (Józefa 2, 33-332 Kraków.)

Youmiko Sushi, which had approximately 3 four-top tables and a sushi counter service area for 7 - 8 people ranked in the top 10 on typical travel rating sites. Unless you came off hours, you simply couldn’t get in without a reservation. We realized that if we came early, we could sit at the bar and watch our chef prepare our food. Our sushi chef’s English was very good and he followed our instructions fabulously… we were confident as we were able to sip sake, admire his culinary artistry and at the same time, make sure all knives and surfaces were wiped clean! And I must say that this sushi was some of the best and most beautifully presented we have ever had in all our domestic and international travels. In our 4 days in Krakow, we ate there twice, each time reserving the highly coveted bar stools to have the best food safety view in town! Most larger cities now have an assortment of international restaurants. Finding those that typically suit your family's eating needs is often a nice way to improve the odds that you will have a relaxing, if not culturally local-authentic, meal.

Over the course of our 18 day trip, things didn't always go so smoothly. At least 4 - 5 times in Hungary and Poland, we sat in restaurants, read menus and in the ordering process realized we needed to leave. We quickly learned to NOT order drinks until we got through the food allergy Q & A. This is where worry sat like heavy clouds around our heads. The waiter says, "I don't THINK there's mayonnaise in the sauce," or tells you not to worry because the chef RARELY puts nuts on salads. "No, I don't think he is cooking with them tonight." This is about when someone in my family gets a gut feeling, an intuitive reading that measures the reliability of what we are being told by our servers and the weight of those worry clouds. When either reaches a certain level, we just exit! Leaving a restaurant is frustrating - and often leaves you annoyed and hungry, but ultimately reflects you at your most EMPOWERED! We trust ourselves first and foremost and listen to our inner voice at all times!

It’s also important to plan for your own pleasures. Our youngest is the one with food allergies. On our European adventures before she was born, we typically ended each evening with a treat. In Italy, for instance, we never went a day without one or two scoops of gelato - our family nightcap. It was a cherished tradition. As a family of five, we now need to plan a little differently to create our own new traditions. For food treats, we take advantage of renting space with fully stocked kitchens so we can make our own sorbet and freeze it for when we get home from dinner. And we have also taken on new non-food rituals. One of our favorites has been listening to books together on tape. The first few Harry Potter novels created beautiful shared moments on recent trips introducing our baby to my older kids’ most cherished books!

We also scheduled separate time with our older children so that they could have culinary experiences without feeling badly under the sad, jealous and sometimes even worried eyes of their sister. Taking time separately, giving space for the other children to enjoy a meal or two without our typical food allergy inquiry regimen, built more tolerance for the frustrations we often experienced when together. This commonly occurs as a matter of course for families with children of different ages. This trip, for instance, we separated to experience the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, the former Nazi concentration and extermination camp. Nothing really prepares you for the emotional impact of witnessing man’s inhumanity to man, and our littlest wasn't ready for it. I had read that quiet and space for reflection are needed to sort through the grief, terror, anger and many other emotions that seize you on this visit prior to transitioning back to the the hustle and bustle of touristy Krakow.
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We planned therefore an entire special day long outing for our youngest to give the rest of the family time to visit the camp and to transition back at their own pace, peacefully. My husband and I split the visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau over two days, each planning an age appropriate outing for our child with food allergies on the other. He brought her to Wawel Castle, a handsome castle perched on a hill with splendid views of Krakow, towers with dungeons, a dragon’s den, and beautiful gardens. On my day, I planned a low tourist day, with interesting local child friendly experiences. With over 450 shows per year, children of all ages would enjoy a visit to Krakow’s famous Groteska Theater, for a puppet show. While they are typically in Polish, they are so visual that all theatergoers can enjoy the experience. There were no shows on our day together, so we chose to visit a local hangout for young families in the heart of Krakow, called Kocia Kawiarnia Kociarna, the Cat CAFE on ul. Krowoderska, just a short walk outside the pedestrian part of town. Upon entering the cafe, you order from baristas as you would expect in any good cafe with personalized drinks, pastries and smoothies. After ordering, you are given a hand painted wooden miniature cat, which connects your party to your food and drink order and you are invited to pass into the cafe’s seating area through a special door, which separates the food preparation area form the seating zones for customers and cats - of the feline sort!!! You are asked to not pick up the cats and to only pet and indeed cuddle with them should they ask it of you. There is an additional room in the back with a loft that you can actually climb up onto, but reservations are required. We sat in the main room, patiently, eagerly hoping a cat would choose us for play! The baristas spoke English well and understood my daughter’s food allergies. They washed a blender, especially for her and made her a fruit smoothie to enjoy. She sipped heartily and happily, gently appealing to the cats with toy mice and yarn, to join her for some lap time.
​
Traveling with food allergies takes extra planning, effort, flexible budgeting and scheduling, and requires a good amount of frustration tolerance, and courage. By being an avid learner and creative planner and through practiced interviewing and perseverance, you can access some authentic culinary experiences and some simply satisfying, if not culturally intriguing ones. These strategies align with the principles that inspire Food Allergy U, that of educating, supporting and empowering families with food allergies. Resuming international travel after our petrifying experience with anaphylaxis in Turkey, reaffirmed my family’s travel tradition and passion. We are again, living out our values and pastimes. I can’t guarantee allergen or reaction-free vacations, but I can be courageous, creative, resourceful and flexible.

Lori Moussapour is the founder of To Empower U.  She is a social worker, coach, public speaker, and educator - whose mission is to help people push through challenges to find both passion and balance in love, work and play. As a parent of a child with several food allergies, she is particularly dedicated to the food allergic community. She launched Food Allergy U, a division of To Empower U, to support, educate and empower those living with food allergies and to promote more sensitive, informed and inclusive communities. Lori offers one:one coaching and social work services in office or online. She is especially committed to helping individuals and families with food allergies manage worry and stress. She uses evidenced based programs to coach and counsel those whose anxieties take up too much emotional real estate. Lori writes a blog to inspire personal or professional growth and change and to empower the Food Allergic community. To learn more visit www.ToEmpowerU.com.

Guest Blog by Amanda Orlando, Founder of Everyday Allergen Free & Handled With Care

I'm so excited to announce the launch of my new allergy-friendly e-shop, Handled With Care. 

"As people with food allergies, we know that a little care goes a long way"

Why did I create the shop?
I've been allergic to peanuts, tree nuts (excluding coconut), dairy, soy, and certain legumes, my whole life. The idea for the Handled With Care was derived out of two sources of personal frustration. 

First, with online retailers that don't have a curated selection of allergy-friendly products available to browse. With so many wonderful allergy-friendly, family run companies popping up on the market, discoverability is so important! Everything in the shop is selected for people with food allergies, celiac disease, or other dietary restrictions in mind. 

The second, that outside of major cities where grocery options are limited, it can be difficult to find free-from foods. I was fortunate to have gone to university in Toronto, but many allergic teens outside of the city did not experience the same accessibility to safe foods that I did while away for school.

Given the strong focus on curation, there is also a wide selection of product bundles that make great care packages or gifts. I believe that safe products should be easily accessible and affordable for everyone, even if you don't live close to a natural foods store. 

Giving back
3% of all sales will be donated to The Walk for Andrea from now until the end of September, 2018. This charity supports food allergy research at Sick Kids hospital and the walk to raise awareness.

The Brand
The title, Handled With Care, has so much meaning for me personally. Yes, it’s a cute pun on the fact that our products are ordered and shipped, but it also reflects the thoughtfulness and care that I have put into curation, and that each customer puts into selecting products for themselves or as a gift. As people with food allergies, we know that a little care goes a long way. 

What can you find at Handled With Care?
Products from FreeYumm, Made Good, Enjoy Life, Super Seedz, Giddy Yo Yo, Zego, Vermints, Holy Crap, Kiss Freely, Da Lish cosmetics, No Nuts Beauty, Niu Body, and some exclusive accessories. And more brands coming soon!

Launch promotions
Customers will receive a free gift with purchase, graciously sponsored by FreeYumm foods, while supplies last. Shipping is only $5 on orders of $50 or more*, and free with purchases of $75 or more*

A bit more about myself:
I'm the author and photographer of Allergen-Free Desserts (2015) and Everyone's Welcome (2019) cookbooks, a long time allergy blogger, and not only do I have allergies myself, but I'm a food allergy aunt/sister/daughter and friend! I currently live in Toronto. 

Follow Handled With Care on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
Follow the Everyday Allergen-Free blog on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

*Before taxes, duties, and shipping. Within Canada and the continental United States.

Have you ever had one of those enlightened conversations where you start off as a stranger and at the end realized you just found a new tribe member who gets you? Well, meet Amy Feuerstein, the mom of Drew, who inspired her husband Leigh and co-owner of OWYN (Only What You Need) to get behind the new plant-based top eight allergen-free protein drink. OWYN hopes to turn food allergy stigma on its head, one sip at a time.

It’s more than a beverage to this family.

“We were completely devastated when our son was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), we felt the world was over,” Amy recalled.  Drew was diagnosed with EOE in first grade after he vomited for two straight weeks. With a family history of Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerated Colitis, this diagnosis was very unexpected as Amy had never heard of EoE.

Following doctor’s orders, Amy and the family, in solidarity with Drew, followed an elimination diet.  Amy chopped and cooked away using only limited ingredients as she followed the new diet closely while creating appetizing meals. 

Turning a negative into a positive, Amy explained to Drew, “we’re not taking things away, we’re adding in foods that are healthier for you and will make you feel better”. Tapping into her food and nutrition background, Amy closely managing her son’s diet as she zeroed in on high-flavor, nutrient-rich and allergen-free foods. 

Drew had been diagnosed with allergies to all fish and shellfish, “we carried two Epi Pens at all times: at home, traveling and school.” Amy also shared, “Drew loved sitting at the allergen-free table at school."  Allergy savvy Amy hosted many playdates, not only to calm her nerves but to provide safe and tasty snacks for all. 

“No one fully understands unless you live and breathe it yourself,” Amy explained, “you just can’t have a little.” A sentiment she remembered explaining to well-meaning family members. 

Fun in Amy's house included lively discussions about how to read and understand food labels and learning about the benefits of vitamins, minerals plus micro and macronutrients. Her kids chatted about proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. She presented food as an exciting journey to good health and growing up. These practices turned out to be a life-saver when Drew needed a special diet and food was a culinary adventure in her home with new twists and turns.

Munching away at the kitchen table, she'd point out, "this food is feeding your brain and organs." Happily, Amy described how different foods help develop muscles or regulate and strengthen the immune system to fight off disease. 

This foodie mom had tamed back the enemy and used it as a tool to heal and grow.

His EoE is currently in remission thanks to a therapy using Flovent, without it, he would be limited in his eating. “It’s been rollercoaster of emotions,” Amy reminisced thinking about the family’s early years of finding a new normal. 

"Drew is my life, it was the hardest time I have ever experienced" Amy reflected.

Looking forward, I asked Amy about the OWYN beverage, she said, "I never thought of it as a beverage." I was confused by her answer. She explained, "I think of it as fuel. Good for the body in the same way

you'd eat fruits and vegetables".  Amy indeed had turned lemons into lemonade.

A little OWYN secret: Amy’s husband Leigh confessed to wanting to erase the misconception that people with food allergies eat foods that taste like cardboard. He wants to see everyone eating healthy and nutritious foods that just happen to be allergen friendly and amazing.

The Giveaway runs from 12:00am PST on 5/13/18 to 12:00am PST 5/27/18

There is a "Made In The SAME FACILTIY" label on this product, however, they have intense testing and protocol. To learn more about OWYN's Allergen Testing Program visit their Allergen Testing Page. As always, call a manufacturer if you have questions and to find your personal comfort level with a company.

I received a package in the mail today from Organic Bread of Heaven. The box contained some very yummy looking items, which included their Rustic Sourdough, Apple Cake, Banana Bread, Chocolate Chip Cake and a bag of their Heavenly Cookie Crunch Granola. I tried the Apple Bread and it was so moist and delicious. I can't wait to try the other breads and I am very excited to dig into the Heavenly Cookie Crunch Granola. Granola has to be one of the hardest things to find without peanuts and nuts.

Organic Bread of Heaven is a family owned bakery located in Indiana. They offer a huge selection of organic, nut, peanut and soy free items.  Check out their website and look at their large selection of bakery items.  Please note that they do use coconut, so check with your allergist to make sure you are ok to eat coconut. My family is cleared for coconut, so their items are definitely an OK here for us. You can order online or call them at 219-883-5126. I received my items via Fedx and they were very fresh, however, they also offer local home delivery.

I am the father of five children, three of whom have food allergies (tree nut, dairy, egg, and sesame).  For years, I found myself in situations likely familiar to many of you – incredibly frustrated trying to find “allergy-friendly” restaurants for my family.  Whether our travels took us to nearby towns for my children’s sporting events or faraway cities for vacations, we often needed up to an hour or more just to find a restaurant that could accommodate us!  Needless to say, this constantly recurring process was challenging and emotionally taxing.

Eight years ago, I decided there had to be a way to solve this problem.  The result was AllergyEats, a website where the food allergy community came together to help each other find allergy-friendly restaurants by rating their own individual dining experiences. Since that time, AllergyEats has evolved into an app for both Apple and Android devices, as well as added sections to the website devoted to Disney World, a blog with insights about specific restaurants, dining out tips, and much more.  We also run multiple social media feeds across popular platforms.

While you may already have your “go to” restaurants, you might be surprised by the allergy-accommodating venues you’ll find by doing a search on the AllergyEats app or website. New restaurant reviews are added every day across the country, thanks to our loyal community of raters. It’s a great way to learn about an independent restaurant or a chain that you thought could never accommodate your allergies. To help our community and encourage other food-allergic diners to leave their reviews, you simply rate your restaurant experiences by answering three multiple-choice questions and add an optional comment to give more color about the details of your dining experiences. The process takes only a minute or two, but the more people who leave ratings on AllergyEats, the better for all of us when we’re searching for a place to eat.

After eight years, AllergyEats has amassed quite a database of restaurant ratings around the country.  Of course, there are still regions where AllergyEats could use greater support in terms of restaurant ratings.  Included on that list are some major markets and smaller towns in Michigan. With that in mind, we are excited to partner with No Nuts Moms Group in what we consider a win-win-win situation for the Michigan food allergy community and all AllergyEats’ users.

To help support No Nuts Moms Group’s activities in Michigan, AllergyEats will donate $5 for every restaurant rating you provide on the AllergyEats app or website from 3/26/18 through 4/30/18 using the reference code “NNMG” on the bottom of the restaurant ratings page.

By rating restaurants, you will:
1) Help other food-allergic diners find allergy-friendly restaurants (or avoid those that are not able to accommodate!)
2) Reward those restaurants that earn good ratings, and 
3) Raise funds for your local food allergy community

ALL restaurant ratings are helpful - fast food, casual dining, and fine dining; good experiences and bad; chain restaurants and mom & pops; and all allergies from the Top 8 to the hundreds of less common ones.  The important part is that you share your experiences for the benefit of others, knowing that the resource you’re helping improve might help you in the future too!

So get out and rate those restaurant experiences today!  We are all in this together!

Here’s my personal favorite recipe, our Butter Chocolate and Banana Smoothie. It’s a fantastic dessert that is both craveable and healthy.

Ingredients: 
1 Cup Milk or any Milk alternative
1 Banana
2 Tbsp 5 Seed Butter
1.5 tsp. dark Cocoa Powder
2 tsp. Honey
1/8 tsp. ground Cinnamon
1 Cup Ice

Directions:
1. Blend all ingredients together until it reaches the desired consistency.
2. Enjoy!
3. Optional: Be fancy and garnish with banana, mint, and chocolate shavings.

Written by Will Myers with the help of Kevin Bratcher and Carl Newton

Thank you so much Allergy Shmallergy for nominating No Nuts Moms Group for the Brotherhood of the World Blogger Award. It is always a nice feeling to be recognized by fellow food allergy advocates.

The Rules:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and post a link to his/her blog.
2. List the rules of the award and post a picture of the award.
3. Answer the questions from your nominator.
4. Nominate other bloggers and be sure to let them know.
   
5. Write a list of questions of your nominees to answer.

1. Caroline Moassessi of Gateful Foodie 
2. Tracy Bush of Nutrimom - Food Allergy Liason
3. Jenny Sprague of Multiple Food Allergy Help & FAB
4. Keeley McGuire of Keeley McGuire Blog
5. Sharon Wong of Nut Free Wok
6. Rachel Hayden of Mom Versus Food Allergy

My Questions for my Nominees:

1. What is your favorite vacation spot and why?
2. What are your top 2 favorite allergy friendly products that you cannot live without?
3. If you could pick any animal that you were in a past life, what would it be?
4. What is your motivation for continuing to be a resource to so many in the food allergy community?

Throughout my life, I’d never really thought twice about food allergies. I don’t have any food allergies, and neither did anyone in my immediate family. However, shortly after my daughter, Vivienne, started eating solid foods, I got very quickly acquainted with them.
 
As an infant, Vivienne suffered from eczema and what my husband and I thought was severe colic, but in hindsight, we now realize that her ailments were tied to my diet, since I was breastfeeding.  After a very scary Thanksgiving (& first birthday), we learned that Vivienne has FPIES to eggs, IgE allergies to bananas, corn, pistachios, and cashews, as well as an intolerance to wheat.
 
I resorted to making all of her meals and snacks from scratch, but quickly realized that was not a sustainable solution for our busy family.  I searched for meal and snack options that would meet her dietary restrictions, my nutritional standards, and still taste good, but I came away from store shelves feeling frustrated and disappointed. And that’s when the idea for Partake Foods was born.
 
My goal for Partake Foods is to provide a top 8 allergen free solution for every meal and snack occasion – one that is not only allergy friendly, but also tastes good and is made with simple, whole food ingredients.  Our first products are 3 flavors of mini cookies – Sprouted Grain Chocolate Chip, Carrot Oat, and Sweet Potato Millet – that are all Free of the Top 8 Allergens, Certified Gluten Free, Certified Vegan, and Non GMO Project Verified. They’re made with simple ingredients, and we skipped the rice flour, gums, and stabilizers that you find in so many allergy friendly products – We also threw in some real fruits and vegetables!
 
My hope is that Partake will not only be a part of the solution, but also will contribute to figuring out what’s causing the stark rise in food allergy incidence, so we donate a portion of revenue to food allergy research.

The giveaway will take place via No Nuts Moms Group's Facebook Page starting Wednesday, August 9th through Friday, August 11th. We will announce the winners on Saturday, August 12, 2017. The winners will have 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be selected. Good luck!

Now available to purchase on Amazon.

Long before marriage and kids, I had the desire to help children. As to what extent, I didn’t know. I just wanted to help children, millions of them all over the world. On July 6, 2002, I gave birth to the most precious baby boy who had a laugh that uplifted my soul. I named him Tristan. Little did I know he would be the start of my journey. I grew up in a family with no food allergies and no environmental allergies. Our skin was smooth as silk, our appetite as normal as the next kid, and our kitchen cabinet void of any allergy medications. The word “allergy” was never even muttered in my house.

When my son was three years old, I gave him a piece of toast with peanut butter. A minute later, he handed the toast back to me and he had hives all over his face. I didn’t know anything about hives. I just looked at him and thought he must be allergic to peanut butter. I didn’t feel any urgency to rush him to the ER because I didn’t know the magnitude of its consequence. Luckily, the hives dissipated, so I didn’t think of it again.

It wasn’t until we moved to Virginia that my life changed in so many directions. Tristan was four years old and I also had a five-month-old baby girl. I found a new pediatrician who tested Tristan for allergies because he had eczema. That’s when I found out he had food allergies. I was given an EpiPen, but I still didn’t feel the consequence because Tristan looked fine and acted like any other boy. However, when he was five years old, he came home from school scratching his arms. At first, I thought it was his eczema bothering him again, so I applied cortisone. After a few days of constant scratching, I noticed how voracious his scratching would get and how uncomfortable he was feeling. At that point, I knew something was wrong.

I brought him to an allergist who later told me he had multiple food allergies. He couldn’t eat peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, soy, wheat, shellfish, beef, chicken, watermelon, apples, carrots, and string beans. He was severely allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, and eggs. I had to put my son on an elimination diet to clear his system of these allergens. Suddenly, I felt like I was caught in a tornado sweeping me in crazy directions filled with fear, confusion, helplessness and disbelief. Sleepless nights became my new normal as he would wake me up with bloody arms and sheets from all the scratching, and I found myself cleaning him up every night.

Tristan’s schooling was affected. The social worker said Tristan was delayed developmentally and wasn’t focused in class. They referred me to a pediatric specialist who later told me he had Asperger’s and needed to take medicine to keep him focused at school. I was shocked and numbed with disbelief once again. I read all the literature about Asperger’s, but I couldn’t bring my heart to agree with the doctor. I felt something was not right and that the doctor had been too quick to diagnose and medicate my son without giving him a chance to heal and live. After numerous visits to the pediatrician and endless prescriptions for new steroidal medications, I cried out to Tristan’s pediatrician about how the medications were turning my son into a little monster. She told me the medications were just band-aid fixes—Tristan needed to heal from within. Looking straight into my eyes from one mom to the next, she said, “Go with your mama instincts. You know your son the best.” I decided to stop all medications except for one antihistamine that I gave Tristan once a day.

I tirelessly resorted to the internet and researched everything there was about eczema and food allergies. My pursuit was relentless as I tried to figure out what was going on with my son and what I needed to do to help him. I started a food allergy journal and wrote down every food, medicine, and activity he was exposed to. I was determined to get educated and to heal my son.

Meanwhile, my son’s condition worsened. His eczema spread all over his body with hives. Then his beautiful olive-colored skin became pale. His eyebrows were falling off and his stomach was always bloated. I was frightened because suddenly I saw a different child who was slowly deteriorating in front of me. Despite what was obviously happening on the surface, Tristan remained surprisingly happy and energetic. His little sister, Nina, made him laugh every day. The amazing thing about kids is their resilience and their spirit to live. God bless them!

I found an amazing woman online who wrote a book about eczema and how she had healed her body of it. She became instrumental in my learning. She was patient with me and gave me unlimited coaching whenever I needed to talk to her. I will be forever grateful to her for propelling me to learn more about food and its healing properties.

Through my journal, I learned Tristan had delayed reactions to wheat, which explained the nightly scratching that resulted in bloody sheets. I switched to gluten-free pastas and breads. I also learned that soy contributed to eczema, so I eliminated all the culprits and cooked his food from scratch.

I also took him to someone who analyzed his blood and found that he was not digesting his meals wells, so I started giving him enzymes. Then I learned about probiotics, so I focused on healing his gut while eliminating allergens.

His skin started to heal, his hair started to grow back, and he started to thrive once again. At ten years old, we celebrated when the social worker, his teachers, and special education coordinator all agreed he didn’t need special education anymore. His grades had earned him a place on the honor roll for the first time. Tristan was on top of the world when we told him he didn’t need to be pulled out of class for special education anymore. He started to excel in all his classes and in sports.

I finally understood my son. I accepted who he was and what he needed to eat in order to survive and grow into a handsome, happy young man. I remind Tristan that food allergies do not define who he is, and I encourage him to advocate for himself and for his little sister.

When my daughter, Nina, was ready to enter pre-school, I learned she had peanut and tree nut allergies as well. I wasn’t as nervous and unprepared as I had been with Tristan. She was ahead of the game because food allergies had become common knowledge in my family. Nina knew how important food choices were to the health of the family. My two kids are a dynamic duo as they remind each other to grab their EpiPens before we leave the house and to read all labels. They’ve also become my cooking assistants and are on their way to cooking full meals for the family.

Four years ago, I started to draft my first book. My daughter, a gifted artist, sketched out amazing characters with creative names for my story. I hired an illustrator to make them come to life. That first book is still in draft mode because I felt the characters were meant for a different purpose. I turned those characters into tags. I placed the tags on my kids’ lunch bags, athletic bags, and book bags. Other kids found them adorable and creative, and the tags allowed my kids to advocate for themselves in a non-threatening and fun way. I later created silicone bracelets to wear to school and athletic games too. Necklaces soon followed with various colors.

Because my creations were a hit with my kids and their friends, I knew many kids would benefit from them too. Suddenly, I started to receive custom orders. I realized kids needed support for various medical challenges as well. This was when “Allergy Kids Central” was born. This website serves as a resource and online store for kids and parents living with food allergies and other medical challenges. It has been an amazing journey watching my site develop and connect to many incredible families, peers, and similar support groups.

Empowering kids with safeguarding products is a first step to spreading awareness. However, providing knowledge, encouragement, and support will foster confidence, independence, and self-worth. Raising kids in a society of fast food chains can be challenging, but providing healthy substitutions can be just as rewarding. There can be challenges at school when certain events call for certain foods that are off-limits to my kids. It’s not always easy, but I’ve learned that planning ahead and communicating effectively can turn that dilemma into a success for everyone, including my kids.

This led me to writing my first book, Dear Diary, I’m Going to a Birthday Party! I felt kids living with food allergies needed a voice to express the emotional roller coaster they go through with food allergies. It begins with an “All About Me” page describing Nina Packer’s all-time favorites and the names of her school, her best friends, and her food allergies. I chose this beginning to let the reader know that kids with food allergies are no different than the next. It ends with a positive note and an empowering message.

It has been fifteen years since my journey began. It took ten years to figure it all out. But, today, I realize that in order to help my kids, I needed to learn and experience their way of life. One thing I know about all kids is they are unique individuals possessing different needs. My products are a reflection of those needs. My book is the first of a series I plan to write that will help kids to voice their feelings in this world full of uncertainty. But, one thing for certain is that this mama will continue to advocate, educate, and empower kids through her fun products, kid-friendly website, online resources, and encouraging books. Growing up, my mom always said, “Dream big!” However long it takes, my goal to help millions of kids will come true. Until that day happens, my heart will continue to overflow with love and gratitude for each child touched by my creations.