... just to another site!  I feel like the topic in which this blog is about will get more exposure being somewhere else.  We will still have our homeschool blog with homeschoolblogger (I love the community here!), but if you wish to read future posts about our food allergy journey please feel free to visit at www.livingwithourallergies.blogspot.com.  The new site does not have a mailng list, so you will have to make a point of visiting regularly to read the news.

Apparently there was something on Good Morning America this morning about peanut allergies.  I think this story is related.  Nonetheless, it is informative.

My husband found this article on Cnn.com/health.  We thought it worthy to share here because it somewhat parallels what we go through with Randy, though he is not allergic to wheat or milk.

CNN-Food Allergies

     We had a birthday party to go to last night, and of course I wanted to make sure we had safe cake of our own to eat.  I do have a chocolate cake recipe that works pretty well, especially for cupcakes.  But, we, (or rather I) am getting tired of plain chocolate cake.  So, I decide that I was going to try something new.

     I have come across some posts that have suggested using a mix of gelatin and some other things (I cannot remember exactly how to do it off the top of my head), in place of using eggs.  Let me just say, baking without eggs is almost impossible!

     I started out yesterday with a box cake mix and this gelatin mixture.  At first, based on what the batter looked like once I mixed it, I thought it was actually going to work!  But, when the timer beeped and I pulled the pans out of the oven, they immediately sank!  I stuck them in the refrigerater, mainly because I know Jello will solidify when it gets cold.  But, low and behold, in my opinion it was a failure!

     I then got on the internet to try to search for an eggless cake recipe that was not chocolate.  I found many, but some of them I could tell would probably not turn out right.  I settled for one that included a ton of butter along with raisins, and many spices like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger.  Again, I had high hopes.

     I pulled the spice/raisin cake out of the oven.  It appeared to look like it might work.  The only problem this time was that we had to go, but the cake had to cool before we could cut it!  (Yes, it was a bad moment in the Perry house!) 

     I decided to check on the gelatin cupcakes that I had stuffed in the fridge.  I tasted one, and YUCK!  To me it tasted like a sticky, squishy, muck with barely any flavor!  Randy happened to be in the kitchen and witnessed this.  He begged me for a cupcake.  I tried to tell him that they were no good, but he wouldn't give in.  So, I slapped some chocolate icing on top of one and gave it to him.  He actually told me that he liked it a lot!  He told me that he had to take this kind to the party. 

     I guess this is where the blessing in disguise part comes in.  Had Randy experience any kind of good cake, (or just any other cake for that matter), he probably would have never been able to settle on my gooey failure.  That is the thought I am going to leave with.  I am so done with baking without eggs!  (For now, anyway. . .)

     I have come to realize that I don't need to use this site for information only, but that it can serve as a great place to spill out my thoughts and fears as I gain them.  I also figure that by sharing my feelings with you, it will help to clarify our personal journey in the unfortunate world of food allergies.

     I watched the documentary that I just posted about early this morning.  Everytime I come across someting like that, it serves as a great reminder to me just how serious are Randy's food allergies.  His allergy to peanut is definitely a fatal one.  Egg I can only suspect based on the testing he has done and how badly he has reacted in the past based only on coming into contact with it.  He has only been fed egg in its plain form once, and that was when he was just a year old.  He was fed the egg the same day he had the anaphylactic reaction to the peanut butter.  So, I don't know 100% if he is or is not anaphylactic to egg.  But, I do know that by feeding him the egg that one time his body is now sensitized to it. 

     We have made many recent changes in our lives, as you have come to learn.  In retrospect, I realize that we should have made many of these changes long ago.  I guess that I was either living in denial, or I was just plain stupid about certain situations.  Again, every time I learn of another food allergy kid, especially one that has lost their life to a reaction, I am reminded completely of just how careful we must be...AT ALL TIMES!

     This is easier said than done.  In the past we would dine out from time to time.  I no longer feel safe doing so.  Even though some of the restraunts appear to be safe, the possibility of cross-contamination is enough of a hazard that it is a threat to Randy.  It is sometimes hard to explain to Randy why we can no longer go to these places.  (you can read about a recent experience here)  For a kid, McDonald's has become almost a right of passage in our culture! 

     Another example is our decision to homeschool.  Even though there is a lot of progress being made in the schools, due to the fact that Randy's peanut allergy is life threatening, we do not feel safe sending him there.  (I have to add here, though, that I am proud to have made this decision for other reasons than keeping him safe.  I have learned so much about homeschooling that I now realize there are many other benefits in doing so.) 

     These are just two of the aspects of our lives that are effected.  I could write more about other things such as birthday parties, family reunions, and everything else in our culture that includes food.  But, I would be here all day.  The thing is, sometimes I get overwhelmed and start second guessing myself.  I start asking myself questions like, "Am I being overprotective?," or "Am I ruining his life by making so many restrictions on our/his life style?" 

     These questions may seem ridiculous to some of you, but they are examples of the struggles I deal with on a daily basis.  Some days are better than others.  Like I said before, much thanks to the other families out there who are sharing their heart wrenching stories. It is because of you, I do get stopped in my tracks and am forced to reckon with the reality that this is our life.  I am doing the right thing! 

     This is a link to a documentary that was aired in Canada on November 3rd, 2007.  When you click on the link, it will start a short clip of the documentary, but you can watch the entire documentary by clicking to do so on the main page.

     It is well worth watching if you want to learn more about the dangers of food allergies.  Sabrina lost her life when she ate something that she tought was safe.  The food she ate was cross-contaminated by a food in which she was anaphylactic.  Unfortunately, this happens far too often!

     Some time before she had her fatal reaction, she made her own documentary with help from her aunt in hopes of advocating the seriousness of food allergies to others. 

     I am very excited!  I sent an email to the Just Born company asking about their Mike & Ike candy, and they sent a response with the following email...

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Dear Ms. Perry,

Thank you for your interest in our MIKE AND IKE® Brand Candies. We strive to be aware and responsive to food allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities and are happy to provide as much information as we can to help consumers make informed decisions about the products they eat.

Because product formulations can change at any time, we encourage consumers to refer to our package labels for the most up-to-date ingredient and allergen information. We are required by law to declare major food allergens on our label. Moreover, it is our policy to voluntarily add an advisory statement to our packages to alert consumers to potential cross contamination risks.

Should you have additional questions about our products, please contact us toll-free at 1-888-645-3453 between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm Eastern Time.

Regards,

Aubrecia D. Cooper
Consumer Relations Representative

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From: Bakin' Without Eggs by Rosemarie Emro

*egg free  *peanut free  *tree nut free 

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup butter

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. vanilla extract

3 tbls. veg. oil

1-2 tbls water (as needed)

6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips (Hershey's is usually safe ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK LABEL!)

DIRECTIONS:         Preheat oven to 350

     Mix butter and sugars until creamy. 

     Slowly add in flour and baking soda.

     Add vanilla and oil, and mix until completey combined.  For a flatter cookie, or if dough is still too dry you can start to add some of the water.

     Fold in chocolate chips.

     Bake each batch in the oven for approx. 10 minutes each!

     Halloween is over so we officially sealed our FAAN Trick or Treat envelope.  I thought you would all like to know how we did.  Randy raised over $100 to turn in for help with education and research!  A HUGE thank you to everyone who participated!  You are all wonderful!

     I found this video on the allergy support forum that I belong to.  I thought it was well done and felt that you might be interested in seeing it.  You should be able to click on the link below, but if it doesn't work you can copy and paste it in your browser.

     I have added some of you to my mailing list so that when I add things to this blog that I think you might be interested in you will recieve this email to let you know.  Feel free to look at my blog whenever you wish. I welcome all comments and feedback as well.

     Paul Vonder Muellen is scheduled to appear on the Today Show tomorrow morning to talk about food allergies and to share Emily's story.  I am sorry for the late notice.  Apparently they don't plan too far ahead when puttiing their shows together.

     For those of you who may not be familiar with Emily Vonder Muellen, you can read her story here.

     I just recieved my newsletter from KFA (Kids with Food Allergies).  I love getting this newsletter because it is full of information.  There are always links to awesome websites in regards to everything from research to newspaper articles.  I get great ideas of how to handle our food allergy situation as well as information that helps in advocating.

     You have to sign up on the website in order to recieve this newsletter.  I cannot remember what the cost is, if there is one.  There is also a great forum as part of this site to share in topic discussion with other parents who have children with food allergies.

     I found this link to a news story done on a small girl's particular food allergy.  I found it interesting because the doctor focuses on the chemicals we are exposed to on a daily basis.  The ongoing question about food allergies is "Why?"  Could chemicals be part of the problem.  I bet they are.  This poor family........

     Today was the day!  I have been planning for awhile to speak during a training session for the early childhood volunteers at our church.  I had about 15 minutes to spend.  I was so nervous, I am not even sure if I even used all of my allotted time!  

     But, it is now over, or at least this first step is over.  I do feel like my message was heard.  My hope was to educate these volunteers so that they were more aware of how dangerous food can be for a person with food allergies.  Unfortunately, the number of children with serious food allergies is on the rise.  

     There were only about 15 people there, but 2 of them spoke to me at the end.  As it turns out, these 2 people have first hand connections to someone they are close to who has a severe food allergy!  Statistically, I think that says a lot.  

     For those of you reading who might have been at the meeting, I would like to say thank you for listening.  Please feel to respond to this blog site or send me an email.  I would love to answer any questions you may now have. 

     Halloween is upon us, which is almost unbelievable to me.  I sometimes cannot believe how fast time flies!  Some of you might already be aware of our yearly "Trick or Treat for Food Allergy" fundraiser.  FAAN sends us a box in late September, and it becomes Randy's chance to collect donations for education and research regarding food allergies.

     We appreciate all the help we can get.  I have to mail in the money we raise by November 30th.  Yes, he can earn prizes, but he is unaware of this.  For now, I just want the focus to be on working for a good cause.

************************************************************************

     So, if you would like to help, you could:

     -mail a check to us

     -take the box to work or to people you know (or collect donations and send it to me)

     -we are up for other ideas you might have!

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     Thank you all in advance!

     I just learned that Breyer's Brand Ice cream is very trustworthy in many flavors!  Finally, something other than plain old vanilla!  But, of course, always read the label!

     As most of you know, we have been using soynut butter for a peanut butter substitute.  We have gotten use to the taste, and Randy and Carson of course have no idea what peanut butter tastes like anyway.

     I recently bought a different substitute, Sunbutter.  It is made from sunflower seeds.  It is just as safe as the soynut butter, but it tastes almost identical to peanut butter!  I thought some of you might like to give it a try.  It might be more convenient to have around your house if you are worried about peanut residue upon Randy's visits.  ONLY A SUGGESTION!  I am in no way implying that I want you to do this.