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  “AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH”

9/8/2014

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Guest Blog by CS Challenge

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In March 2015, I will be trekking over 100kms in 18 days to a highpoint of 5,647m (18,526 ft). I will be battling with altitude and the extreme conditions that Mt Everest will throw at me.

You may think I am crazy but my challenge is simple, raise as much support and awareness for the Anaphylaxis Campaign as possible.

I was born with a severe nut allergy. My allergy is so severe that if I touch, smell, or taste nuts, I will have a reaction. The most severe form of reaction is Anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis causes restricted breathing. If an Epi-pen is not administered and urgent medical attention not sought (i.e. dial 999), my throat will close up, my heart will stop and I will die (sorry to be graphic, but that is what happens). Having an allergy is serious – it should not cost a life.

Unfortunately, I will never grow out of my allergy. This is something that I will have to live with for the rest of my life. Allergy sufferers know that this can be difficult. Take food for example, how many labels state “May contain traces of nuts” or “we cannot guarantee a nut free environment” when you dine at a restaurant. Imagine having to translate “nut allergy” into multiple foreign languages when you travel abroad, (hoping that that crispy duck you are about to tuck into in China has not been prepared next to the Satay Chicken). This is just the tip of the iceberg for allergy sufferers. This is why it is really important for people who do not have allergies to understand the severity. This is why I am trekking to Mt Everest Base Camp - to raise awareness of the severity of nut allergies.

The Anaphylaxis Campaign: "Our ultimate aim is to create a safe environment for all people with allergies by educating the food industry, schools, nurses, colleges, health professionals and other key audiences. Our focus is on medical facts, food labelling, risk reduction and allergen management."

If you like the idea of me trekking for days up a very big mountain in very cold temperatures, please be kind enough to sponsor me to do this adventure for such a great cause. It’s entirely self-funded, all donations will go directly to the Anaphylaxis Campaign so please sponsor me and give generously. If not for me, but for the rest of the group who will have to wait for me as I trek at the rear to Mt Everest Base Camp.

Thank-you

Christina

Follow my journey here:

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Sponsor Here

Anaphylaxis Campaign is the only UK wide charity to exclusively meet the needs of the growing numbers of people at risk from severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) by providing information and support relating to foods and other triggers such as latex, drugs and insect stings

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Alternatives to Food Celebrations and Rewards in the Classroom

8/22/2014

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There are so many alternatives to having food inside the classroom.  This allows every child to be safe and included and it also makes it so much easier on the teacher.  I have listed some suggestions for non-food celebrations and rewards.  You can also find additional ideas online. 

20 ways to have fun without the food:

1. Create a classroom treasure box filled with party favors, little toys and gadgets.  Let the birthday boy or girl take their pick on their special day.  (Party City, The Dollar Store or Oriental Trading Company)

2. If parents want to bring something in to share with the class then ask them to give non-food party favors. Such as matchbox cars, bouncy balls, stickers and activity books.

3. Ask parents to purchase a book for the classroom in the birthday child's name.  Read it to the class or  invite the child's parents to come in and read it to the class.

4. Play games or have the children create their own board game and share it with the class.

5. Children love show and tell.  Have the birthday child bring in something special to share with the class.

6. Offer extra recess time on special holidays.

7. During holiday parties, play games, make crafts and do fun activities. 

8. Children love to be silly and dance, so during a celebration have a dance party. 

9. Instead of a party, have the classroom plan a special community service project.

10. Have a special chair for the birthday child to sit in all day or let them be line leader for the day.

11. Watch a fun movie!

12. Eat lunch outside or have class outside.

13. No homework for the day.

14. Offer extra time on the computer.

15. Free choice time.

16. Arrange for a special guests to come into the classroom.

17. Allow a student to be the teacher's helper for the day.

18. Create a rewards chart and the person with the most rewards gets something special. Non-Food of course.

19. Reward children with a ribbon, certificate, plaque or a trophy.

20. Eat lunch with the teacher or the principal.
Check out my blog Food Free Celebrations in the Classroom.
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Join a Food Allergy Organization that Truly GETS IT! Join FAACT!

8/10/2014

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The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team

If you have never heard of FAACT or are just not sure what they are all about, then I am happy you are reading this blog.  I just recently joined the FAACT Team as Director of Education and Community Outreach and I am so thankful to be part of this team.  The entire FAACT team consists of mothers of children with food allergies, so they understand what it is like to have a child with life threatening allergies.  It is so great to have a connection with these ladies and know we are working towards the same goal.  All of us on the team want to make this world a better place for people suffering from food allergies through awareness and education.  I am a huge fan of any food allergy organization, but this organization is very special.  All of the ladies within the FAACT organization truly inspire me, and they are equally passionate about food allergies.  I am so honored to say I work with these ladies. 

Eleanor Garrow-Holding is the Founder and CEO of FAACT.  I first met Eleanor when she worked with the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) as Vice President of Education and Outreach.  From the very first moment I met her, I felt an immediate connection.  She was so warm and probably the most supportive and encouraging person I have ever met.  I was new to the world of food allergies and she welcomed me to the food allergy community with open arms.  After this first encounter, we continued a friendship via email and Facebook and I am confident it will continue to grow in the years to come.  You can read more about this fabulous lady here.  

Thanita Glancy is FAACT's Director of Civil Rights Advocacy.  My first meeting with her was at a FAAN Leader's Summit in Chicago, where she discussed 504 Plans in great detail.  This lady is a warrior and knows her stuff when it comes to the food allergic and their civil rights.  Her discussions helped me a great deal when it came to mapping out my son's 504 Plan for Kindergarten.  I am truly thankful for her knowledge and her compassion.  You can read more about Thanita here.

Karen Harris is the Vice President of Education and Outreach at FAACT.  If you just talk to Karen for a couple minutes you will want to be her friend.  She is such a kind and compassionate person and I am so grateful to be working alongside her.  I first met Karen via Facebook and we immediately connected and I was honored to have the opportunity to meet her at a FARE Leader's Summit in Chicago, IL.  Read more about Karen here.

Amelia Smith Murphee is General Council and Vice President of Civil Rights Advocacy at FAACT.  I have not yet had the opportunity to meet Amelia face to face, but I am looking forward to meeting her soon.  We have talked via Facebook and telephone and I am certainly glad to have this lady on our team.  She understands food allergies and the rights of food allergic individuals.  I can tell she is a very smart lady and has great knowledge regarding civil rights and advocacy.  You can read more about Amelia here.

How can you not want to support and join this team of amazing food allergic moms and advocates?  The FAACT team have so much planned for the future along with this year's Food Allergy Leadership Summits and Food Allergy Conferences in Anaheim, Atlanta, Denver and Philadelphia.  I really love FACCT's main focus, which is education, advocacy and awareness.  And most importantly a connection with people who truly understand what it is like to deal with food allergies on a day to day basis. 

To learn more about FAACT and how you can become a FAACT Patron, please visit the website here. 
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Special Offer: Back to school with The No Biggie Bunch

8/6/2014

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Kids are heading back to school and The No Biggie Bunch is ready to go, too!

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The No Biggie Bunch is extending an exclusive Back to School offer to No Nuts Moms Group members. With every book order by No Nuts Moms Group members, now through September 30th, The No Biggie Bunch will provide a copy of Everyday Cool with Food Allergies – FREE! Just use the coupon code NNMG1 at checkout on The No Biggie Bunch website.

Everyday Cool with Food Allergies is a resource for kids and caregivers alike, and part of The No Biggie Bunch children’s book series for kids creatively coping with food allergies. Created by a mom of kids with food allergies, The No Biggie Bunch stands for being prepared, staying safe and having a great attitude. It aims to engage, educate and empower children with food allergies and their friends.    

Start your school year off with The No Biggie Bunch and keep the food allergy conversation going!     


*Free gift available while supplies last through September 30, 2014.
*Offer available only through The No Biggie Bunch website.


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Learn more about Everyday Cool with Food Allergies.
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Tips for Traveling with Potentially Life-Threatening Allergies ‏

7/29/2014

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Travel Tips From Dr. Clifford Bassett

Clifford W. Bassett, M.D., Medical Director of Allergy and Asthma Care of New York is sharing some tips and best practices to consider as vacation time approaches.  For example:

  • Work with a travel agent to identify allergy-friendly hotels, airlines and restaurants
  • Pick accommodations that will offer you and your family control over food options and preparation
  • Research your destination and make sure to know the best way to get emergency help
  • Pack your Epipen (epinephrine) Auto-Injectors in original packaging, along with a copy of your anaphylaxis action plan and note from your doctor, in your carry-on bag
  • In advance and during your trip, communicate clearly with airline, hotel and restaurant staff about your or your child’s food allergies

To view and print these great travel tips, please visit this link.  Visit EpiPen.com for more information about severe allergies and anaphylaxis.
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GIVEAWAY from Nut Free Wear!

5/28/2014

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Since it is Food Allergy Awareness Month, Nut Free Wear is offering No Nuts Moms Group members a chance to win an allergy awareness t-shirt of their choice. Enter the contest below and to learn more about this great company, check out their website and products here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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To Coconut or To CocoNot! That is the question.

5/28/2014

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Since I have been part of the food allergy world, I have seen the question about coconut get posted often. The main question is usually, "Is this a tree nut and should we avoid?" Post this question on Facebook and you will get a ton of comments regarding this subject.

Coconut is classified by the FDA as a tree nut and therefore all foods containing coconut by law must be listed as containing coconut or containing a tree nut. Coconut is really not a tree nut, but the FDA decided to call it one and confuse everyone. Some allergist say to avoid and some say not to. There are true coconut allergies, but you shouldn't just assume you can't consume coconut if you are allergic to tree nuts. Get tested and discuss this further with your board certified allergist.
This brings me to the reason why I decided to write this post. It seems that there have been some cases where manufacturing companies have labeled themselves as being tree nut free and then not disclosing that the item actually contains coconut. Most of us know that coconut is not a tree nut and most tree nut allergic are perfectly fine consuming it, but since it is considered a tree nut by the FDA and a tree nut is one of the top eight allergens then it must be labeled on the package. My family doesn't avoid coconut, but we do have some members within our No Nuts Moms Group that are very allergic and this can lead to a very serious reaction. So whether or not you believe a coconut to be a tree nut or not, it still needs to be labeled on a food item containing coconut. PERIOD! It is the law. If you have a coconut allergy, please be sure to investigate items a little further even if they are labeled tree nut free. If you find out a company is not labeling then let them know and also consider reporting them to the FDA.  
Helpful Resources:

Question: Is Coconut a Tree Nut?

Is Coconut Safe For People With Tree Nut Allergies?

Tree Nut Allergies

Report a Problem
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Mother's Day Exclusive from AllerMates‏

5/11/2014

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Mother's Day Exclusive 20% discount on AllerMates ‏

In 2009 New Jersey mom, Iris Shamus founded AllerMates when her allergic son was starting kindergarten. She created fun characters and stories to safeguard him and give her the peace of mind of knowing her son was safe in school. Today, AllerMates has a line of allergy and health alert products kids love and parents value. Our lunch boxes, wristbands, and medicine cases feature kid-friendly characters and life-saving information. These products cover 25 food allergies as well as other health problems, such as autism and asthma.

In honor of Mother's Day AllerMates would like to offer you a 20% discount on their products. The coupon code is mothersday20 and the discount is good through May 17th. The link to their online store is store.allermates.com

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Tasterie's Special Offer

5/6/2014

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Tasterie offers No Nuts Moms Group a great discount! 

Tasterie is offering No Nuts Moms Group a great discount. Enter promo code "NNMG30" and receive a 30% discount. To learn more about Tasterie, check out their website.
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Tasterie wants to take the worry out of discovering new flavors by finding great foods that are safe regardless of your dietary preferences.
We provide a monthly subscription service of curated boxes filled with food and snacks based on your allergies. Tasterie ships directly to your home or to your loved ones.  It's delicious, convenient and food allergy friendly.

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Allergic Girl: Adventures in Living Well with Food Allergies

4/20/2014

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From Allergic Girl:

Want to know more about living well with food allergies like how to find a great allergist, create a support system that works and dine out with confidence? 

Sloane Miller's book: Allergic Girl: Adventures in Living Well with Food Allergies (Wiley, 2011) can help.

SPECIAL OFFER: 
No Nuts Moms FB members will receive 10% off the regular price ($18 + shipping) for a signed copy by the Author Sloane Miller. 
Contact Sloane Miller & mention No Nuts Moms Group.
Discount good through 4/30/14.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
sloane.miller@allergicgirl.com
allergicgirl.com

Watch Sloane Miller on FOX 5 TV!



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