PBS KIDS DVD: ALL ABOUT ALLERGIES

May is Food Allergy Awareness Month, a topic of particular interest to our family as my daughter has a severe peanut allergy. I have to embarrassingly admit not knowing much on the topic before the fateful day when we discovered my daughter's medical condition after she went into anaphylactic shock and came very close to dying. If you haven't previously read about our family's experience with food allergies, here is my post about it.

With 1 in 13 children now suffering from food allergies it really is important for people to have a basic understanding of the condition and understand this is is not a joking matter even though you often see television and shows use it as the topic of comedy sketches. Yes I'm talking about you Big Bang Theory!  There is a really good chance that even if someone in your direct circle of friends and families doesn't have a food allergy you will be interacting with someone at some point who does.  Food allergies are a series, potentially life threatening medical condition.  Since I didn't know much about food allergies until they impacted my family, I  understand how easily others can be in the dark about them as well.  So please take a moment to learn some tips about dealing with food allergies this month as a favor to this food allergy dad.

As part of Food Allergy Awareness Month, PBS KIDS is releasing ALL ABOUT ALLERGIES a DVD collection of shows from some of its most popular animated series that all have allergies as a topic. These episodes are a great way for children and their parents to learn about food allergies. Young viewers can join Binky as he works to understand his peanut allergy in an ARTHUR story, and Daniel Tiger as he tries a peach for the first time and gets hives leading to the discovery he's allergic to the fruit.

The DVD also features a WORD WORLD story in which Pig struggles to tell his friends that he is allergice to peaches after Sheep and Dog bring over a bag of fruit for him to make into pies. I was a bit disappointed PBS included a PEG + CAT episode on pet allergies because it can cause confusion with the food allergy messages.  Also the WORD WORLD episode doesn't really explain food allergies correctly which is troubling because people don't sneeze in those circumstances when having a reaction they break out in hives or start having issues with their body swelling up. Overall though this is a very nice collection of shows that provide very valuable information in an entertaining format.

ALL ABOUT ALLERGIES will be available at retailers across the United States beginning May 9, 2017. It has a run time of approximately 70 minutes. The DVD features five stories from four of PBS KIDS television including these two standout episodes:

ARTHUR --  Binky Goes Nuts

When Binky discovers that he’s allergic to peanuts, he has so many questions: will he be forced to live without Chinese food? Will he ever again be able to eat with his friends? And most importantly, will his Mom ever calm down? Binky learns that the best way not to go nuts is to be well informed, and to understand his allergy.

PBS KIDS also has a special website filled with peanut allergy information and tips revolving around the episode.  CLICK HERE to check it out.  They also partnered with Cherrybrook Kitchen to create a line of ARTHUR themed snacks including brownies and cookies that are peanut allergy safe to eat.

DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD -- Daniel's Allergy
When Daniel tries a peach for the first time, he learns he is allergic to the fruit. Dad and Doctor Anna take care of him, and Doctor Anna tells Daniel how he can take care of himself, too.

For more useful information about food allergies, please visit Kids With Food Allergies or FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education).  Plus here is an informative video on the topic:

WHIFFER SNIFFERS ARE A SWEET TREAT FOR EASTER

** A Geek Daddy received the featured product for free to review **

My daughter loves Whiffer Sniffers!  She's covered her backpack with these amusing plush caricatures of sweet treats when school started last fall. They aren't just fun to look at but also are great to sniff as each one is slightly scented to smell like its featured treat.  The school year is almost half over and kids still excitedly run up to her before and after school to get a smell of the Whiffer Sniffers decorating her backpack.  The scents on these backpack clips last for about a year but are also designed so the smell is only noticeable up close so as not to be prominent or overpowering when carried around.  These really are a great way for a child to personalize his or her backpack.

A new Spring collection of Whiffer Sniffers has been released just in time to make for a great addition to a child's Easter Basket, especially for those who suffer from food allergies.  My daughter has a severe peanut allergy and most of the Easter candy sold in store holiday aisles isn't safe for her to have either because of ingredient or contamination issues.  So the Easter Bunny avoids bringing candy and leaves a basket filled with non-edible goodies for her each year.  This year there will be a bit of a twist on that theme though as my daughter will find some sweet treats in her Easter basket that don't present a risk to her --> the newest Whiffer Sniffers to add to her collection.

The whimsical designs and variety of smells incorporated into these plush backpack clips have delighted my daughter so I'm sure she'll be thrilled to find some additions to her collection.  In addition to showing them off, kids also have fun collecting these cute plush creations.  Whiffer Sniffers release new product in waves and retires older versions after awhile so you should be on the lookout and pick up the ones you are really interested in before they can't be found anymore.  The Spring 2017 wave includes a red jelly bean (Jay Bean), cinnamon roll (Howie Roll), bottle of grape soda (Izzy Sodalicious),  ice cream cone (May B. Minty),  jelly doughnut (Phil O'Jelly), orange (Sonny Shine), green apple (Sour Saul), macaron (Maci Macaron) and chocolate milkshake (Mikey Milkshake).  Keep an eye out for Jay Bean as he'll only be distributed around Easter time.

You can purchase Whiffer Sniffers individually either in clear sealed tube that identifies the character or by getting a blacked-out mystery pack container where you can get a randomly selected plush which you won't know what you have until the package is open.  In addition to the fun of being surprised, mystery packs often are the only place to find certain characters.  For example in the Spring 2017 wave Maci Macaron and Mikey Milkshake are exclusive characters that can only be had by finding them in a mystery pack.  If you open a mystery pack and find a sealed bag inside you've really struck gold.  In this case you've got yourself a really rare Sniffer Mix which is a combination of two Whiffer Sniffer characters and are also exclusively found within mystery packs.  The two newest Sniffer Mixers are a Strawberry Milkshake (Bitsy Shakin) and Mint Macaron (Minty Macaron).

CLICK HERE to find a retailer near you who sells Whiffer Sniffers.  They can also be purchased online at WhifferSniffers.com.  If you want to give a child a sweet treat that won't contribute to giving them cavities pick up a Whiffer Sniffer.

A Family Night Dining Out @ nkd pizza

Having children that not only are picky eaters but also suffer from severe food allergies can often make something as seemingly simple as going out to eat a grueling experience.  I am pleased to say neither of these problems were an issue for our family during a recent evening dining out at nkd pizza's newest Michigan location in the city of Sterling Heights at the corner of 16 Mile Road and Dequindre.  nkd pizza creates a new standard for the term "comfort food" as in addition to its offerings being great tasting their food is also prepared with healthy ingredients in a thoughtful manner that will give people with food allergies some comforting peace of mind about eating items from there.

What kid doesn't like pizza?! Well my son apparently is the odd one out because he won't even try the stuff.  Fortunately, nkd pizza also has chicken tenders on their menu that my son really enjoyed.

When it comes to their pizza there are 10 house selections to choose from, such as Margherita, Road-House & Oahu, or you can build your own customized pie.  We built our own pizzas and they were delicious!  You know nkd pizza passed the taste test when my daughter scarfed down a whole pizza by herself.  My wife and I particularly enjoyed nkd pizza's unique crust combined with their house made tomato sauce.

The reason nkd pizza's crust is so good is because it is made from an Ancestral Blend® of 10 grains plus agave fiber and probiotics (healthful bacteria like the ones found in yogurt for balance and digestive health) bound by water and made by hand at the restaurant. The grains they use include oats, brown rice, buckwheat, quinoa, amaranth, teff, spelt, tapioca, and two kinds of wheat. This combination of grains, fiber and probiotics creates a satisfying feeling when eating it because the ingredients provide a slow, sustained release of energy compared to the crash you may experience when eating other single grain, highly processed pizzas.

nkd pizza really has a focus on healthy eating.  They make your pizza by hand using fresh, all-natural ingredients.  No artificial colors, additive or preservatives involved with making up these pizzas.  This focus on healthy eating also means that nkd pizza takes addressing food allergies very seriously which is appreciated by this family who deals with that topic on a daily basis.  In fact, nkd pizza provided us a tour of the restaurant's kitchen to demonstrate their commitment to addressing allergy concerns and cooking with all natural ingredients.

Often times restaurants just provide lip service in regard to customer concerns about food allergies but from talking to the staff and touring the kitchen, A Geek Daddy could tell that nkd pizza really gets it.  They clearly understand that contamination is as important as ingredients are when it comes to food preparation safety.  They've made sure that their primary menu is peanut / tree nut ingredient and contamination free.  Dairy free options are also available.  Also there is a gluten free option for almost every pizza option on the menu.

Of course when dealing with food allergies nothing can ever be easy.  Unlike its main menu dough which is made on-site, nkd pizza purchases the gluten free dough from a vendor that processes it in a facility with tree nuts.  So the utensils, pans, and ingredients need to be segregated to avoid contaminating the gluten free food with wheat used to make the customized Ancestral Blend® breads and crusts in the kitchen and to avoid the main menu food coming into contact with the dough used for the gluten free pizzas which  was made in a facility that also processes tree nuts.  nkd pizza does a nice job of accomplishing this by having separate preparation areas and not allowing equipment to be co-mingled within the kitchen.  At last a restaurant that understands the concept of avoiding food allergy contamination within the kitchen!

Understanding that people with food allergies are often suspicious of baked goods for deserts, nkd pizza only provides packaged treats that contain ingredient labels and allergy warnings on them.  Catering to a food allergy clientele, their deserts are gluten, peanut and tree nut free.  While their pizza and salad menu can accommodate most food allergies, the desert option does contain milk and egg as a heads up for people with those allergies.  Also if you have a soy allergy both the main course pizzas and the gluten free options have it as an ingredient so this probably isn't a restaurant for you. All in all though, nk pizza does a very nice job of trying to be an accessible restaurant for most people with food allergies based upon all the variations of this medical condition.  They also provide a very thorough allergen alert listing on their menu to assist consumers with food sensitivities.

When dining in while you are waiting for your order to be prepared have some fun playing the word find game by the cash register.  If you can find all 20 words you can get 10% off a future order!

If you don't feel like going out for dinner, nkd pizza delivers.  They will bring your meal to you for just a $1.50 delivery charge + optional driver tip.  Currently there are two Metro Detroit locations, Sterling Heights and Shelby Township, with plans for additional restaurants in the near future.  Both the Shelby Twp. and Sterling Heights restaurants will deliver within a 2 mile radius of their location.

nkd pizza isn't marketing itself as a gluten free or food allergy friendly restaurant.  It's focus is being a healthy eating destination and part of that motif is making sure their food is accessible and edible for as many people as possible.  So you don't need to have a food allergy to find a visit worthwhile! Their being proactive to these constituencies is a value added bonus to the restaurant's commitment to a health-conscious menu.

nkd pizza delivers, not just to your home or office, but in providing great tasting food with a focus on fresh, natural ingredients that people with a variety of food allergies can feel comfortable  partaking in.  The best part about the place though is that my family just flat out enjoyed our meal during this family night dining out. For more information, sign up for their e-club which will send information about promotions and special insider perks to your email inbox by visiting www.nkdpizza.com/eclub.

A Geek Daddy was invited to nkd pizza for a complimentary family dinner and tour of the newly opened Sterling Heights location to assist with facilitating a blog review.  Opinions expressed in this review are honest and my own.

P.S. nkd stands for "Naked" because the pizzas are au naturale when it comes to their preparation and ingredients.

5 Most Peanut Allergy Friendly Major League Teams

Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd;

Just buy me some PEANUTS and Cracker Jack,

I don't care if I never get back.

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

If they don't win, it's a shame.

For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,

At the old ball game. 

I've been a passionate baseball fan since my family took me to watch my first game at the old Tiger Stadium at the intersection of Michigan and Trumbull in downtown Detroit.  In my opinion you just can't beat being outside on a nice day enjoying watching a good baseball game.  Going to games was always a thrill when I was a kid and as an adult I've regularly visited the ballpark to take in our national pastime even going to a handful of games in 2003 when our hometown Detroit Tigers set a record for losing more games in a season than any other team in American League history. Unfortunately sharing my love for the ballpark isn't something I can easily pass along to my children.  You see they have a severe, life-threatening food allergy to peanuts and taking them to a game without any special accommodations is just asking for trouble.

I always use to sing along "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" during the 7th Inning Stretch at games without much thought to its lyrics but if you think about it that 1908 song, which really is the sport's anthem, highlights the strong multi-generational association between peanuts and baseball.  Take a look around the next time you go to a stadium for a ball game and you'll see more people than you might have expected snacking on peanuts.  Then look at the ground.  Wow! I never realized just how littered with peanut shells ballparks are until it became an issue for our family but those darn things are everywhere.  So while our family loves the game it's not often we get the chance to go out to root, root, root for the home team because it just isn't worth the risk of exposing our children to a situation that could put them into anaphylactic shock.

Sometimes an opportunity does present itself though for us to safely take our kids to a ball game.  Recently we took a road trip to Toronto to see the Blue Jays take on the Tigers from a peanut allergy friendly section.  The Toronto Blue Jays really did a nice job with making some accommodations for fans suffering from food allergies so that they could feel comfortable going to the stadium to go see a game live from the stands. Everyone with tickets to the peanut allergy friendly section were allowed to enter an entrance to the stadium that took you directly to the seating area to reduce any potential contact with allergens.  The section was power washed and checked to make sure it was cleaned of any peanut shells prior to the game.  The concessions closest to the section took a break from selling peanuts that game.  A few extra staff policed the area to make sure no one brought any peanuts within the restricted area plus one of the medical teams normally on duty was re-situated to be close by just in case someone did have an allergic reaction.  These weren't overly expensive or difficult accommodations to make but they made a big difference in allowing the people with peanut allergies and their families to have a fun and safe outing at the ball park.  Efforts like those by the Toronto Blue Jays show that peanuts don't need to be banned from a stadium to avoid disenfranchising baseball fans who suffer from this food allergy but rather showing a little consideration can make a big difference in providing an opportunity for a dad or mom to take their kid to a game for a family outing they might not otherwise been able to have.

When it comes to Major League Baseball teams providing access to games for people with peanut allergies it runs the gamut of not providing any sort of accommodation at all to taking advantage of these consumer's disability to price gouge them for tickets  to special sections that make an honest, concerted effort in providing opportunities for affordable and enjoyable outing for people suffering from this medical condition. A Geek Daddy has done some research and selected our 5 Most Peanut Friendly Teams in Major League Baseball for 2015.  Criteria for the selection included hosting a peanut allergy friendly section at their stadium, the ease of finding information online about a team's efforts to cater to people suffering from peanut allergies, the affordability of ticket prices, the availability of tickets and number of games offered, and going above and beyond to provide an excellent experience.  So without further ado here our top selections:

1.  Boston Red Sox

This is the 11th year that the Red Sox have made peanut allergy friendly accommodations available to fans.  Every team home stand one of the areas in Fenway Park's Media Booth is allocated to a family that has a child with a severe peanut allergy.  A doctor's note confirming a child's severe peanut allergy is required to be placed on the waiting list.  Booth F holds six people with tickets at $55 each including a Red Sox goody bag along with the priority seating arrangements and a view similar to the one the play-by-play broadcasters have from a secure window enclosed area.

Additionally, the Red Sox host several games blocking off outdoor sections that hold from 70 to 200 people in a peanut restricted zone.  In 2015 they hosted four of these peanut allergy friendly sections on Sundays throughout the months of July and August including a game versus our hometown team the Detroit Tigers.  In addition to cleaning peanut residue from the area and restricting peanuts during the game around this section, these games have a few extra welcoming touches to them.  The team displays a scoreboard message during the game "The Boston Red Sox Welcome Our Peanut Allergy Families to Fenway Park" plus their mascot Wally the Green Monster devotes a half inning to swing by the peanut allergy friendly section to greet and interact with attendees.  Plus like the people who are able to sit in Booth F for a game each person gets a special Red Sox goody bag.

The Red Sox were given top billing this year for their continued and sustained efforts to accommodate fans with food allergies, their hosting food allergy friendly sections during summer weekend games when attendance is at its peak, and for their efforts to provide access to games to children with severe food allergies through making Booth F available throughout the entire season.

2.  Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays made the list this year because our family experienced their event first hand and had a wonderful time.  The only bad part of the game was watching the Tigers get pecked apart 9-2 by those feisty birds but we did get some nice complimentary Blue Jays jerseys out of our visit.  The information was easy to find online as that was how our family found out about the section and purchased our tickets.  They didn't care we were driving over from the opposing team's hometown in another country to attend the game either as the Blue Jays staff we dealt with were as friendly and helpful as people could be.  The team hosted the peanut allergy friendly section six times throughout the season and tickets were affordable at $32 each.

3.  Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies let peanut allergy fans watch the game in style from specially designated suites.  During seven games this season the team hosted what they call Peanut Reduced Suites which were specially cleaned and where peanuts were banned.  They call them "reduced" because you never know if wind might blow some peanut debris or dust someone's way from another section of the ball park - but that really is a minimal risk for this and the peanut allergy friendly sections located at other MLB stadiums for most though not all people with peanut allergies - so that is meant to be a disclaimer on potential liability. In fact none of these fan sections are ever labeled as "safe" but rather as "reduced" peanut zones or allergy "friendly" areas, so just as when out in public anywhere else people with peanut allergies need to be prepared for the possibility of incidental exposure from being out and about.  Locations that provide suites like the Phillies do provide a bit of extra peace of mind because if the wind does really pick up people know they can go inside. For $60 you get a great view of the field plus a food and non-alcoholic beverage buffet.  If you've priced out MLB tickets recently you know that for a suite seat and sweet buffet that's not a bad deal.

4.  Minnesota Twins

The Twins have coordinated Peanut Controlled Days the last few years with the Anaphylaxis & Food Allergy Association to provide zones at select games catering to people with peanut allergies.  In 2015, Target Field provided two private open air balconies in left field at twelve games throughout the season that took special precautions to provide a safe and comfortable atmosphere for fans with peanut allergies.  Tickets were also very affordable at $24 each. It's nice to see a sports team working together with a food allergy advocacy and research organization like AFAA to address stadium accessibility and safety concerns.

5.  San Diego Padres

Speaking of working with a food allergy advocacy and research group not only did the San Diego Padres do that in organizing their food allergy friendly zone at Petco Park this year but they also donated a percentage of those ticket sales to F.A.R.E. (Food Allergy Research & Education).  Way to go Padres!

If your local Major League baseball team wasn't included on the list, contact them and see if they offer a peanut allergy friendly section anytime during the season.  If not, ask them why not?

CLICK HERE for more information about peanut allergies.

Food Allergy Awareness Month Twitter Chat - Thursday May 14, 2015

 In recognition of National Food Allergy Awareness Month, A Geek Daddy Blog will be co-hosting with the Life of Dad Bloggers Network a special Twitter Chat to promote awareness and information on the topic of food allergies.  Join us on Thursday, May 14, 2015 from 9 to 10pm ET as we are joined by special guest Doctor Dave Stukus, pediatric allergy and asthma specialist at Nationwide Childen's Hospital in Columbus Ohio.

During this chat about food allergies and kids, A Geek Daddy Blog will randomly be giving out four $10 iTunes gift cards to participants who are actively participating in the conversation throughout the hour.  To eligible for winning one of the gift cards that we'll be giving out every 15 minutes during the chat, participants must be following the Twitter accounts of @LifeOfDadShow & @Geekdad248 , use the hashtag #LifeofDad in their tweets, and be a United States resident over 18 years old.  No RSVP for this event just show up and engage in the conversation.

In addition to the #LifeofDad Food Allergy Awareness Twitter Chat make sure to participate in A Geek Daddy Blog's Food Allergy Trivia Contest for a chance to win a great gift pack courtesy of Comcast #Xfinity.  Answer some trivia questions for a chance to win a backpack filled with a mobile recharging kit for smart phones and tablets, coffee mug, baseball cap, and a water bottle. Must be a US resident and over 18 years old to participate in the trivia contest. CLICK HERE to give it a shot.

You can become a food allergy action hero this month by taking a moment to educate yourself on this matter and pledging to make an effort to be considerate of those who suffer from this medical condition.  If you are up to the challenge CLICK HERE to download the template to create your very own food allergy action hero costume.  Print a teal mask and a hero emblem for your shirt then cut out and wear them to have fun as you show your food allergy spirit.  Take a picture of you in your action hero outfit and tag it with #FoodAllergyMonth on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. There are adult and children's sizes of the masks available to download.

Once you have your food allergy action hero gear, take a moment to read this one page handout that contains facts about food allergies that can be shared and used to help educate others about this growing public health issue.  Download Now.

 

For more information about food allergies visit FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) at www.foodallergy.org.

DISCLAIMER:  A Geek Daddy Blog will be responsible for selecting the winner of these contests and delivery of the prizes. By participating in this contest, you waive any and all liability to A Geek Daddy Blog and its publisher that may arise from your involvement with this promotion.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification. No P.O. Boxes are allowed as mailing addresses.  A Geek Daddy Blog is hosting this contest as a benefit to our readers and as a public service to promote awareness on the topic of food allergies. Any opinions in this post are my own.

Food Allergy Action Month Trivia Contest

I grew up eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches almost every day at school. As a first time parent, I didn't think there was any cause for alarm in giving my children food that I ate myself as a kid. Having no friends, family or work colleagues with food allergies, the topic actually didn't even come to mind. Than one nice summer day, I took the afternoon off work to enjoy some time with my kids. I fed my daughter a banana slice with a very small amount of peanut butter rubbed on it. She was only a toddler and had never had peanut butter before; my wife had read something about food allergies a few days earlier and asked me to give our 18 month old twins a small sample so just in case a negative reaction occurred I was the one dealing with the situation and not a baby sitter or day care. I didn't think much of it...what was the worst that could happen? Maybe a rash or some itching? Twenty minutes later we were in the ER at a local hospital with my toddler's eyes, nose and throat swelled shut. She was going into something called "anaphylactic shock" and was surrounded by a half dozen or more doctors and nurses urgently rushing in efforts to save her life. It's an experience I'd like to help make sure hopefully others never have to go through.

Fortunately, my daughter survived the experience. Our lives have changed now though. My daughter has a severe food allergy to peanuts and we always have to be on guard to her coming into contact with them now. Her twin brother has a more moderate allergy to them, but we have been warned by our doctor that additional exposures could enhance the condition to a more dangerous level. So we screen all the food they eat now for its ingredients and potential contamination, wipe down surfaces that could have residue on them that could be absorbed into the skin, and try to avoid situations that could put our kids at risk. May is Food Allergy Action Month and since I know from personal experience both how the subject isn't a top of mind issue for most people and also how people without food allergies can expose those who do to risk, injury, and sometimes even death, A Geek Daddy Blog is sharing our story to promote awareness and provide information on this topic.

Our friends at Comcast Xfinity have generously donated a great gift bag as a prize for A Geek Daddy Blog's Food Allergy Action Month Trivia Contest. Answer the trivia question below for a chance to win a backpack filled with a mobile recharging kit for smart phones and tablets, coffee mug, baseball cap, and a water bottle. Must be a US resident and over 18 years old to participate in the trivia contest.

Unfortunately, the number of children with food allergies is an increasing trend with most school now averaging 2 kids per class room with a moderate to severe food allergy compared to that number being a fraction of a percent a generation ago. No one knows what is causing this escalation in food allergy cases and there is no cure. Watch this short informational video from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, to learn more about food allergies and to find the answer to our trivia contest question.

For a chance to win the Comcast #Xfinity prize pack submit one or both of the following entry methods to earn up to 3 entries prior to 11:59 pm EST on Sunday May 24, 2015:

Congrats to Kev from Maplewood, Minnesota on winning the Trivia Contest! Thank you to everyone who participated.

E-mail thegeekdaddy [at] yahoo [dot] com your name and mailing address plus correctly answer this question: In what year did an expert panel issue "Guidelines for the Diagnosis & Management of Food Allergy in the United State"? Email subject line should be ALLERGY ACTION HERO. (1 Entry)

For additional entries, visit our Facebook Food Allergy Action Month Trivia Contest post and leave a comment mentioning one of the eight most common food allergies (2 Entries)

A special thank you to Comcast Cable Heartland Region for generously providing our trivia contest prize.

We've encountered many people over the last few years who don't think that our daughter's food allergy is "a big deal", don't want any restrictions placed on them to help protect children with food allergies, or just don't care and believe it is just our family's issue to deal with and if something bad happens it is my daughter or our family's own fault.  While we understand that our daughter's medical condition is our burden to deal with we also believe that when it comes to school and public spaces that there should be some level of safeguards in place to allow people with food allergies to be able to live healthy and productive lives without fear that someone else's actions could hurt them. We're not trying to rid the world of peanuts, our family is just asking people show some consideration and compassion for those people who are facing a life threatening medical condition.

You can become a food allergy action hero this month by taking a moment to educate yourself on this matter and pledging to make an effort to be considerate of those who suffer from this medical condition.  If you are up to the challenge CLICK HERE to download the template to create your very own food allergy action hero costume.  Print a teal mask and a hero emblem for your shirt then cut out and wear them to have fun as you show your food allergy spirit.  Take a picture of you in your action hero outfit and tag it with #FoodAllergyMonth on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. There are adult and children's sizes of the masks available to download.

Once you have your food allergy action hero gear, take a moment to read this one page handout that contains facts about food allergies that can be shared and used to help educate others about this growing public health issue.  Download Now.

 

For more information about food allergies visit FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) at www.foodallergy.org.

DISCLAIMER:  A Geek Daddy Blog will be responsible for selecting the winner of this contest and delivery of the prize. By participating in this contest, you waive any liability to the publisher that may arise from your involvement with this promotion.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification. No P.O. Boxes are allowed as mailing addresses.  A Geek Daddy Blog is hosting this contest as a benefit to our readers. Any opinions in this post are my own.

Tips for Creating a Food Allergy Friendly Easter Basket

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DisneyEaster  #CollectiveBias

According to the non-profit group FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) 1 in 13 children suffer from food allergies.  A statistic my daughter joined when she was 18 months old and went into life threatening anaphylactic shock after eating some peanut butter which resulted in her being rushed to the ER and a three day hospital stay.  Prior to that incident our family didn't know much about food allergies or understand how dangerous and severe of a medical condition it can be, now taking protective steps regarding food and products has become part of our daily routine. 

What is a food allergy? FARE describes it like this, "the job of the body’s immune system is to identify and destroy germs (such as bacteria or viruses) that make you sick. A food allergy results when the immune system mistakenly targets a harmless food protein – an allergen – as a threat and attacks it." What makes dealing with a food allergy especially challenging is that the trigger is microscopic (you can't see a protein) and even if a food or product like shampoo doesn't have the allergen as an ingredient if it is bakes, created, or processed with the same equipment or utensils that have handled those ingredients the contamination can cause a reaction.

Holidays like Easter can be very difficult for children with food allergies because many of the treats associated with it, like candy from the Easter Bunny, are off limits due to their ingredients or contamination issues.  To make it up to my daughter, we work to make these days extra special with non-food treats.  My daughter, like most 6 year old girls, is enamored with FROZEN so we went to our local Walmart and created a #DisneyEaster basket for her.  Here are some tips on making a food allergy friendly Easter Basket.

In addition to large assortments of candy on stock, Walmart has a nice selection of fun non-food related Disney FROZEN items that can be used to fill an Easter basket ranging from activity sets to clothing to toys.  Even if a child in your life doesn't have a food allergy you may want to check out some of these items if you're  looking to cut down on the sweets they are eating.  Here are some food allergy friendly categories of items to look out for and examples of products we purchased during our shopping trip.

CLOTHES

My kids are often just as thrilled and excited to get some cool clothing items as they are to get candy.  Plus a fun t-shirt or hat lasts longer and is more useful compared to candy for a treat.  We picked up an adorable cap and a hair accessory set that included barrettes, terries, snap clips and elastics to put in my little girl's Olaf basket.

ACTIVITIES & CRAFTS

Art supplies, temporary tattoos, and stickers can be creative and imaginative treats to use as prizes for Easter egg or basket hunts instead of jelly beans and chocolates.  You'll never have to worry about putting a kid at risk at a family gathering, school function or community event by providing these types of items as a treat.  Walmart has available a #Disney FROZEN 3-in-1 Activity Set and sticker books that we picked up for our Food Allergy Friendly Easter Basket.

TOYS

Toys are always a safe option to candy as a treat when it comes to food allergies.  They often times will be a more expensive option than candy but provide peace of mind when it comes to a child's safety for parents and of course always put a smile on a kid's face.  Walmart has a great selection of #FROZEN toys for budget conscious shoppers - keep an eye out for them rolling back those prices too!  We picked up a trio of Anna, Elsa and Olaf plush toys to fill our daughter's #DisneyEaster basket.

SNACKS & TREATS

Whether it is filling Easter Baskets, hiding Easter Eggs for a hunt, or entertaining a party providing candy, snacks and food can be a touchy subject.  While the numbers of people suffering from food allergies is growing, it is still a relatively small percentage of the overall population which means that many people aren't aware of the seriousness of the problem and the difficulties associated with the medical condition because they don't have to deal with it on a daily basis so food allergies just isn't a top of mind issue.  The fact is though that most schools average two children per classroom with a severe food allergy that once triggered could cause them to go into life threatening anaphlyactic shock so it is likely that someone you know is impacted.  My daughter's class for example has two girls with peanut allergies and another girl with a milk allergy. That makes it important to be considerate of the problem when planning snack or treats for events and parties, especially ones where children are involved.  Please keep the following points in mind:

READ THE INGREDIENTS - In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires food manufacturers to list the eight most common ingredients that trigger food allergies: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.  The label should include any specific allergen included in the food as well as any ingredient, coloring, flavoring or other additive that contains a protein from the eight major food allergens.  Carefully reading labels is a good way to be proactive in avoiding food allergy problems.

CONTAMINATION IS AS BIG AN ISSUE AS INGREDIENTS - Microscopic contamination of food or candy can make treats unsafe even if they don't have the allergen in their actual ingredients.  Don't just look at the ingredients on labels but also watch out for warningss that identify if a treat was processed, prepared or packaged in a facility with the allergens.  Note though that contamination warnings are voluntary and not mandated by the FDA so if something looks like it may be produced with other products that contain allergens but doesn't have a warning on the label it is best to still be cautious.

HOME BAKED & BAKERY MADE ITEMS ARE A NO NO - Unfortunately, even with washing, if the same bowls, pans, utensils and other kitchen tools are used to make and prepare items that contain allergens there is a significant risk of contamination though the food itself may not have the allergen as an ingredient.  That often makes most home baked goods from other people and items from bakeries off-limits for kids with food allergies.  If you bake or cook at home using any of the eight most common allergens in your kitchen, it is probably in every one's best interest not to include home made items as Easter treats unless you are certain no one has a food allergy.

For our daughter's food allergy friendly FROZEN Easter basket, after reviewing the label we picked up some movie themed Kellog's fruit snacks that are shaped in form of various Disney princesses including Anna and Elsa.  In the food/snack category we also picked up a 2-in-1 Snack & Drink cup so our daughter can conveniently enjoy her food allergy safe snacks at home while watching her favorite movie, FROZEN on the TV.

FARE cites on their website the stat "every 3 minutes, a food allergy reaction sends someone to the ER – that's more than 200,000 visits per year."  Nobody wants a holiday ruined by a trip to the hospital and by taking some precaution and consideration for this serious medical condition that outcome can very easily be avoided.  As we've demonstrated in this #CollectiveBias shop at Walmart there are numerous safe and fun items that can be used for Easter Baskets, egg hunts, and holiday celebrations that are food allergy friendly and don't put people's health and lives at risk.

Have a wonderful Easter everyone.  For more information on the products listed in this post, please visit www.walmart.com and for more information about food allergies go to www.foodallergy.org

Halloween is a Tricky Time for those with Food Allergies

I had never had any experiences with any friends, family, co-workers or acquaintances suffering from food allergies until the day my daughter ate some peanut butter and we found ourselves in a hospital ER not sure if she was going to live or die after going into anaphylactic shock.  Fortunately everything turned out all right but now everyday is a challenge to avoid food and situations that could put her in peril.

I didn't realize just how much food I'd taken for granted over the years was dangerous for people suffering from food allergies either from ingredients or contamination during the manufacturing, baking or packaging of the product until we had to start monitoring what we fed our family.  The feeling of loneliness and exclusion when dealing with others that don't provide compassion or consideration, and in some cases even express hostility, towards your situation is a factor that I hadn't taken into consideration until food allergies started impacting our daily lives and we experienced these situations first hand.  We've already encountered our kids not being invited to play dates and birthday parties because the other students' parents didn't want to deal with our "food allergy" children being at their function.  On another occasion, we had to sit in the back of the room at a school holiday concert  away from everyone else because the event featured a pot luck buffet full of things that weren't safe for my daughter to eat and they fed everyone before instead of after the students performance of songs that my children had practiced for weeks and were very excited to participate in.

Holidays in particular can be a tricky time with so many parties and events that have a focus on food, especially Halloween.  Halloween was always one of my favorite times of year as a child.  I loved the spooky vibe of the season filled with costumes and decorations and of course trick-or-treating was a huge thrill.  While we stay away from many of the trick-or-treat type events surrounding the holiday, we do go out on Halloween night because I just didn't feel that it was fair for my kids to see all the other children in the neighborhood running around having fun and have to make them stay in the house.  We only go to a few houses in our neighborhood though and our kids don't touch or eat any of the candy.  When they get home my son and daughter trade in their candy for a treat bundle that my wife and I put together for them that includes toys and Halloween themed trinkets.  This year they are getting some Disney Infinity video game figures, Crayola coloring sets, and Scholastic books for their candy trade in. As we are imposing on others by visiting their homes asking for treats we take the responsibility on ourselves to be safe but awareness and consideration regarding food allergies by our neighbors is always appreciated.

My children's allergy doctor participates in the Metro Detroit Food Allergy Friendly Trick-or-Treasure event

Our kids are also lucky in that our community has been generous enough to adopt a Food Allergy Friendly Trick-or-Treasure event for children in the Metro Detroit area to attend the Saturday before Halloween that we enjoy going to.  The organizers screen candy labels for ingredient or contamination warnings and only purchase items identifies as safe for kids with peanut or tree nut allergies, though they do make an effort to accommodate for the eight top allergens impacting children.  They than distribute this candy and some other non-food treats (including comic books from Halloween Comic Fest) to businesses in our downtown who are participating sponsors along the trick or treat route so everyone has pre-screened goodies to hand out.

While the number of children with food allergies is still a small percentage of the population, the numbers are unfortunately growing.  Today, 1 in 12 children, approximately 8 million children living in the United States, are allergic to peanuts, tree nuts or milk, ingredients commonly found in candy.  What is really scary is that cases of the most life-threatening allergy, peanuts, have doubled in the last five years.  So there really are quite a few families dealing with food allergies at Halloween, more than you may have been aware of.

1. CONTAMINATION IS AS BIG AN ISSUE AS INGREDIENTS

Microscopic contamination of food or candy can make treats unsafe even if they don't have the allergen in their actual ingredients.  Don't just look at the ingredients on labels but also watch out for labels that identify if a treat was processed, prepared or packaged in a facility with the allergens.

2.  HOME BAKED & BAKERY MADE ITEMS ARE A NO NO

Unfortunately, even with washing, if the same bowls, pans, utensils and other kitchen tools are used to make and prepare items that contain allergens there is a significant risk of contamination though the food itself may not have the allergen as an ingredient.  That often makes home baked goods and items from bakeries off-limits for kids with food allergies. 

3.  IT IS NOT JUST EATING - TOUCHING ALLERGENS CAN CAUSE REACTIONS

In the case of my daughter, peanut or tree nut oil can be absorbed into her skin causing a reaction.  A child with peanut butter on their hands touching her skin or someone inadvertently contaminating a toy, seat, or desktop by handling something containing peanuts or tree nuts than her handling the same item creates a potential hazard.  Being wary of multiple types of exposures is so important.  The simple act of the wrapper from a piece of candy being torn and thrown into a goodie bag or trick-or-treat sack could contaminate the wrappers of every other item included with it.

4.  LET KIDS GRAB TREATS THEMSELVES OR PUT ITEMS IN THEIR BUCKETS - DON'T TRY TO HAND THEM CANDY

It can be really scary to have a food allergy and someone is trying to force candy you know you shouldn't be touching in your hand.  Every year we have well-meaning people trying to force my daughter to take Reese's Peanut Butter Cups from them by handing them to her even when she says no thank you.  Let the kids grab treats from a bowl or drop them in their trick or treat bucket just to be safe.

5.  LISTEN TO THE KIDS

If a child has a food allergy and sees that you are giving out something they shouldn't have they'll probably tell you and say thanks but I can't have that. Often times my kids just won't take unsafe candy from a bowl or will simply let someone drop it in their bag and not say anything knowing they are trading it to us at the end of the night.  It is when people start trying to force my kids to handle unsafe candy from them where problems occur though.  Every year I witness people telling my kids that food allergies aren't that big of a deal and go ahead and try it.  Than I have to step in!

It amazes me that my kids are always polite and say "thank you but I can't have that because of a food allergy so no thanks" yet adults get angry and argue with them.  Really?!!! 

6.  EVERY CHILD SHOULD HAVE A FUN HALLOWEEN

Try to provide treats at Halloween that are safe for everyone so no child is excluded from Halloween fun.  If you feel it is a necessity to include treats that aren't safe for everyone than provide other options and make sure you keep things segregated.  Many of the food allergy deaths reported within the United States the last few years have been from accidents involving safe and non-safe foods being intermingled.

The charity Kids With Food Allergies has provided a nice digital booklet with tips on trick or treating and other fun activities for food allergic children titled Celebrating Halloween With Food Allergies.  CLICK HERE to download it.

 7. SPREAD THE WORD

Because a majority of people do not have food allergies it just doesn't occur to them how important it is to make their home an allergy-friendly stop on the trick-or-treat trail or to take precautions at parties or community events.  Please share this post with friends and families to help make everyone aware!

This Halloween, the charity Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) is encouraging people to start a new tradition that will help make this holiday season less scary for children with food allergies: the TEAL PUMPKIN PROJECT.  This campaign encourages people to raise awareness of food allergies by providing non-food or food allergy safe treats for trick-or-treaters and painting a pumpkin teal - the color of food allergy awareness - to place in front of their house or display a free printable sign from FARE featuring a teal pumpkin on their front door.

VALU HOME CENTERS has a nice post on their website about how to create a teal pumpkin and participate in the  #TealPumpkinProject.  CLICK HERE to check it out.

For more information about food allergies please visit the FARE website at www.foodallergy.org