Having been born with life-threatening food allergies, I have faced disappointments that those without allergies would not understand. I’ve sat at the nut-free table from kindergarten through eighth grade. I’ve been to countless parties where I couldn’t eat a thing. I’ve been excluded from parties and occasions because people didn’t want to “deal” with my…Continue Reading “5 Tips to Face the Disappointment of Food Allergies”
Dear Mom, I know I don’t say it enough, but thank you. Thank you for protecting me and caring for me before I even entered this world. I am sure you didn’t imagine how much you would have to care for me and protect me after I was born. We know that babies come with…Continue Reading “Thank You Letter to my Food Allergy Parents”
Being a part of the food allergy community, I have found that there are many resources for parents of young children with food allergies -which is wonderful! But what happens when these little ones grow up? I hope to be a voice that can lend some advice and help not only for young children and…Continue Reading “Six Tips To Enjoy Wine Tasting with Food Allergies”
I have to say, my struggle with anxiety is not one of my favorite topics to discuss, or to even think about. In the last two and a half years, I have struggled like I never imagined. This post is not entirely about my food allergies, but I am posting this for two reasons. To share…Continue Reading “A Personal Note: My Life with Anxiety”
The start of the school year can be an exciting time: the smell of fresh pencils and crayons, recess with friends, and new ideas to learn. As a parent, it is important to focus on and encourage excitement in your child with the new school year. This, however, can be very difficult for families with…Continue Reading “6 Tips to Keep the Allergic Child Safe in School”
To a person with life threatening food allergies – places like fairs and carnivals can be pretty overwhelming. I just got back from the Orange County Fair, and I must have walked past hundreds of people with chocolate bananas covered in peanuts, Reese’s donuts, and bags of peanuts. Safety is extremely important, but I also…Continue Reading “Enjoying Fairs, Carnivals, and Festivals with Food Allergies”
It’s springtime – and love is in the air. There seems to be no better way to celebrate the season of love than with a wedding! While weddings are meant to be wonderful celebrations of love, these events can cause anxiety and pose a risk to people suffering from severe food allergies. I have been…Continue Reading “How To Enjoy Weddings (and other special events) with Severe Food Allergies”
I so clearly remember standing on the playground with a little boy standing a foot away from me, waving his peanut snack in front of my face. “Caitlin, look! I can kill you with this!” As a small, shy elementary school girl, I would not stand up for myself when I was bullied for my…Continue Reading “5 Tips to Fight Food Allergy Bullies”
Here we are on New Year’s Day again, feeling full, exhausted, and thinking about all of the changes we need to make with the start of the year. I have to say, however, that I am not the biggest fan of New Years’ resolutions. I feel that people tend to make outlandish resolutions, and set…Continue Reading “5 Food Allergy Resolutions to Ring in the New Year”
Christmas time is officially here! And even though it is the most wonderful time of year, my stress level during the holidays goes through the roof. Along with traffic, masses of people in the stores, and the rush to get everything done, I have to worry about making or finding allergy-safe food. This Christmas we…Continue Reading “Have a Merry, Allergy-Safe Christmas”
