Be a Super Hero this summer when it comes to Food Allergies

With summer starting children will be breaking from the normal day-to-day school routine.  This can be a challenging time for kids with food allergies as they begin to interact with new people and visit out of the ordinary places during summer camps, family vacations, amusement park excursions or trips to the zoo where there may not be a familiarity with dealing with this medical condition.  FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), one of the leading non-profit advocacy groups for the 15 million Americans with food allergies, wants to help educate those who aren't afflicted with food allergies to have an understanding of the safety issues important for those who do have them. Plus FARE wishes to remind those with food allergies (especially children) along with their family and friends not to let your guard down when it comes to maintaining safety practices over the summer break.  You can be a FARE super hero this summer by being cautious and considerate regarding food allergies!



As an educational tool, safety kit, and fundraiser, FARE is offering a special Summer Pack for $29.95 (plus shipping) to help children with food allergies during the summer break from school.  It is a simple, fun way to store and carry all your favorite summer allergy-friendly products.  Plus all proceeds support FARE's mission!

The FARE Summer Pack includes a cinch bag, a medicine storage kit, a food allergy restaurant card, a food allergy tip sheet and a common symptoms of anaphylaxis magnet:

FARE cinch bag:  big enough to carry a water bottle, epi-pens, and all the other stuff kids haul around with them during the summer months.  It also displays foodallergy.org to encourage people to learn more about the topic and give them a heads up that this is an issue to be cautious about.

Medicine Storage Kit:  Can accommodate two epinephrine auto-injectors, a large bottle of antihistamine, and a list of emergency phone numbers.  It is bright red so it is easy to spot!

A Food Allergy Restaurant Card to present to the chef while dining out to outline the foods and ingredients you must avoid.

Common Symptoms of Anaphylaxis Magnet lists the most common symptoms of anaphylaxis and what to do in an emergency so that camp counselors, coaches, babysitters, and other people who may be supervising a child with food allergies can have easy access to the information.

Parents who have a child with food allergies that will be outside a lot in hot weather may also want to consider purchasing a FRIO Epinephrine Cooling Bag which isn't included in the FARE Summer Pack.  It keeps epinephrine at a stable room temperature during the hot summer months! This reusable 5.5” x 7” wallet has insulating qualities that are activated by water – no refrigeration or ice needed – and holds 2 epinephrine auto-injectors. When activated, the FRIO cooling pack keeps its low temperature for a minimum of two days, even in temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a great item to add to your emergency supply kit, travel kit or camping kit as there is no refrigeration needed. 

FARE has also posted a special SAFE FOR THE SUMMER section on its website.  It includes tips on emergency preparedness, traveling, summer camp, and barbeques.  Summer Barbeque Tips for Hosts & Guest and Managing Food Allergies at Camp are two very informative articles I'd recommend everyone take a moment to read.  This special educational section of the FARE website also highlights four important points for families dealing with food allergies to remember over the summer months:

1. Avoid the heat: Epinephrine is sensitive to light and should be stored at room temperature. Never leave your auto-injectors in a vehicle, where temperatures can rise to the triple digits. 
2. Prevent: Make sure you remain vigilant about reading labels and never take chances with foods you're unsure are safe.
3. Prepare: Summer is a great time to prepare for the school year, including learning how to advocate for your child and about the guidelines and laws that help ensure the safety and inclusion of students with food allergies. 
4. Practice: Using a trainer or expired auto-injector, practice how to use the device. Review your Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan with the entire family and all caregivers.

Dealing with my own children's food allergies is something that our family has to be constantly vigilant about.  I shared my story about being a food allergy dad on the FARE blog which you can read here.  We're lucky in that my children attend a school with a peanut free campus which provides a lot of peace of mind regarding their safety while they are attending classes but have to admit it can be easy to become complacent when they aren't guaranteed as protective an environment during the summer months when out and about.  Please be a Super Hero this summer by being cautious and considerate about food allergies.  Your actions could save a life!

Give DAD a treat for Fathers Day from GourmetGiftBaskets.com

** A Geek Daddy received the featured products for free**

As Fathers Day approaches, it was nice of GourmetGiftBaskets.com to send some special treats our way out of respect for A Geek Daddy being one of their favorite dad blogs.  The Belgian chocolate-dipped Oreo® cookies they surprised me with were delicious and what father wouldn't appreciate that they spelled out #1 DAD.  Neck ties are a popular Fathers Day gift, but take my word on it after having devoured a yummy box of Oreo Cookies for Dad from GourmetGiftBaskets.com, one of these decorated cookies is the type of "tie" I'd prefer to get. This gift pack includes 12 classic Oreo cookies each individually dipped in gourmet chocolate and are decorated to let the dad in your life know how special he is to you.

GourmetGiftBaskets.com also sent us a Deluxe Meat & Cheese Sampler to try out which was simply delicious.  I enjoyed this assortment of artisan meats, cheeses and crackers along with a Strongbow Hard Apple Cider while lounging on the back deck enjoying listening to a Detroit Tigers baseball game on the radio.  Enjoying this gift basket, that included applewood smoked garlic summer sausage along with Chipotle Cheddar, Jalapeno Jack and Wisconsin Swiss, while listening to a ball game made for a wonderfully relaxing weekend afternoon.

Fathers Day is June 19th and GourmetGiftBaskets.com has a huge variety of present ideas to select from.  From golfing to fishing and barbecuing to gardening, GourmetGiftBaskets.com has something that will appeal to all interests and tastes!  Summer Seasonal Beer Bucket, Caught the BIG One - Fishing Gift Basket, Hole in ONE Golf Gift Pack, Gardening Gift Basket, and Barbecue Enthusiast Gift Basket and the Gourmet Breakfast are some of the most popular Fathers Day gift suggestions available.

I love popcorn!  So  I have to say I'd be delighted if my wife and kids surprised me on Fathers Day with the Backyard BBQ Popcorn Sampler.  HINT! HINT!  This gift pack is one of my favorites from the Fathers Day Gift Idea List at GourmetGiftBaskets.com as it contains a variety of interesting and unique flavors of popcorn Honey Mustard, Hickory Maple Bacon, BBQ Ribs, Chipotle BBQ, Cajun, Buttered Corn On The Cob, Dill Pickle, Zesty Ranch, Sun Dried Tomato, and Watermelon.  Each flavor is packed in its own sealed bag for freshness and contains two cups of popcorn.  Oh yeah! I want to try this out!

 

What dad wouldn't appreciate being surprised by finding a tasty treat at his door step?!  Don't get your dad a tie, socks or underwear for Fathers Day! Show him you care by sending something special from GourmetGiftBaskets.com.

Two of my favorite things: BBQs & Sweepstakes

As we wrap up the last few weeks of summer, I'm going to be doing a lot of one of my favorite things: barbecuing on my back deck.  Can't beat enjoying some good food and family time lounging around on the back deck on a nice warm summer evening.  So when I saw Apartments.com is hosting a contest where you just need to take a photo of one of your summer BBQs to win prizes I jumped on the chance to snap a photo and shoot it on over to their Sizzling Summer sweepstakes.  If you want to get into the action, Apartments.com is hosting the contest through August 13th so go ahead and check it out!

To enter the sweepstakes, just send in a picture or video that shows why your grilling skills or summer party hosting put others to shame.  While you are submitting your own entry, you can also enjoy the gallery of fun pictures and videos submitted by all the entrants before you.  One grand prize winner will receive a brand-new grill, $500 Home Depot gift card and set of new grilling tools.  5 runner up winners will receive a $100 gift card.  Here are the official rules if you want to know more and to submit your photo/video go to renters.apartments.com/video.  Get those entries in before August 13th!

Good luck and good grilling everyone!  ...and if your entry beats mine than you own me dinner! I like ribs and pulled pork with some potato salad on the side  :-)