Cross Contamination Warnings are Voluntary

I was at a birthday party today, and we were discussing food allergies and school.
Now that Ohio has passed House Bill 1, our school district has a new rule: all treats that are sent into classrooms have to be individually wrapped, with nutrition and ingredients listed on the package. I happened to mention that this was a Catch-22, because now foods being sent in will be from a bakery, where there is a higher chance of cross-contamination. Someone else said 'yeah, but that would be listed on the label'. Well, that's where it gets tricky.
Did you know that cross contamination warnings are voluntary? Even if a company makes cupcakes on shared equipment with cookies that contain nuts (or other allergens), they are not required to state this on their packaging.
So how can you tell if a product is safe for your child with food allergies? Please read Is Your Food Really Allergy Safe? from the Kids with Food Allergies website. And when in doubt, call the manufacturer!

A Nut Allergy Skeptic Learns the Hard Way

Joel Stein wrote this article about food allergies for the Los Angeles Times in 2009. The article started with: “Your kid doesn’t have an allergy to nuts. Your kid has a parent who needs to feel special. Your kid also spends recess running and screaming, “No! Stop! Don’t rub my head with peanut butter!”

He recently apologized in his Time Magazine column after finding out that his one-year old son Laszlo has a nut allergy. Check out the column here.

I'm glad that he apologized, but it's disheartening to know that there are so many people out there that think food allergies are made up by parents wanting attention. I've seen both of our kids have anaphylactic reactions, and for someone to say that allergies are 'mass hysteria' is just ridiculous. I try not to let negative or ignorant comments affect me, but sometimes it's hard not to get angry!

Chinese herbal therapy and food allergies

A Chinese herbal therapy that may prevent life-threatening reactions to food allergies will enter the next stage of the FDA approval process. This looks to be be very promising! Learn more about this research here.

Chicago Sun Times - Wrigley's first peanut-free zone and the efforts to make it happen

Article in Chicago Sun Times today: Allergic Cubs fans cheer peanut-free zone at ballpark

I'm so thrilled for Joyce Davis (and all the other allergy parents) that made this happen!

Great News for Cubs Fans with Allergies - Peanut Free section!

The Chicago Cubs are hosting their 1st ever PEANUT-FREE SECTION for Cubs fans with peanut allergies! This is fantastic - I know many Chicago-area parents have been working on this for some time.

Mon, August 30, The Batter's Eye Skybox
(an enclosed Skybox with private bathrooms)
$50 per ticket, contact: Samantha, 773-388-8273 or e-mail fanservicesassistant@cubs.com.
LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE

Please visit Chicago Cubs Fans for Peanut-Free Baseball on facebook for more info. 

I'm hoping the Reds can offer something similar next season.

Rowan turns 3!

Rowan turns 3 next week, so we're having a family party over the weekend. I'll be baking a wheat-free, dairy-free, egg-free and nut-free chocolate cake with chocolate icing. I know, it sounds like it couldn't possibly taste good. But it's actually delicious! I have a really good recipe from Cybele Pascal's Allergen-Free Bakers Handbook.
I made this cake a few weeks ago, and my Dad liked it so much that he requested it for his birthday. And he doesn't have food allergies!

The secret to making a chocolate cake without milk is using Cocoa Powder and Enjoy Life chocolate chips (allergy-free).

If you have kids with multiple food allergies, you really need to get this cookbook. It's hard to bake good treats without wheat - but Cybele has figured it out.

Happy Birthday Rowan!

Free Mommy Cards at Kodak Gallery

Right now Kodak Gallery is offering a set of 50 Mommy Cards for free! What is a 'Mommy Card' you ask? Whether you're a stay-at-home parent or a working parent, Mommy Cards are unique business cards for the business of parenting. Regardless of what you call them, they are essentially a beautifully designed card with your name, your children's names and your contact information. There are so many ways you could use them:

• Give a new friend your info.
• Set up play-dates and communicate availability.
• At-a-glance reference for childcare, teacher, instructor or coach: list food allergies, nicknames, bedtime routines, medical info, emergency contact info and more.
• A handy resource in kids’ backpacks, just in case.
• Introduction to new neighbors.
• For existing friends….they’re just too cute not to share with everyone. 

I like the idea of listing food allergies – for teachers, babysitters or new friends. Most people forget after you tell them, and they have to ask again later. (Unfortunately, Rowan's list is so long, I don't think it would fit on a card!)

The designs are pretty boring, but hey, they're free! You only pay for shipping.

If you're looking for something a little more upscale and well-designed, visit Moca Paper or Tiny Prints.