Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
Allergy Awareness Month?
Spring seems to be the start of allergy season, when plants are starting to bloom and grow. Granted, I am excited for the little green shoots poking up from the ground, but it’s also a reminder that soon I’ll be taking several allergy medications. More when the plants first start to grow and even more when the pollen hits the breezes.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America sponsors National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month each May. And several organizations, such as the Celiac Sprue Association, sponsor Celiac Disease Awareness Month. But it’d also be nice to have a general allergy awareness month. I see it as an opportunity for celebrities with an allergy or celiac disease to step up to the plate and share their stories. It’d be a “who’s who of allergies and sensitivities.” Word travels fast when someone famous has a condition. Plus, the awareness month could encourage new labeling laws and allergy menus in every restaurant in America!
-Estelle
Wednesday, April 15th, 2009
Enterprising Women
Last month I traveled to Lake Buena Vista, Florida to be honored at the 2009 Enterprising Women of the Year Awards. The magazine recognizes entrepreneurial women from all over North America, and I was given an award in the “Up to $1 Million in Annual Revenues” category. Here I am pictured with other award winners Laura Lee Williams, Ann Kayman, and Patricia Massey.
Tuesday, April 14th, 2009
The Celiac Traveler
Mary posted some helpful “Tips for Travelers with Food Intolerances” back in February. I agree that food on the road is always a bit dicey for someone with Celiac disease.
I’m not a big fan of chain restaurants as they use many foods that are prepared in factories, which means potential “cross contamination.” Many a time I have asked the wait staff to check the ingredient list on a box only to find that the box has been thrown away! Then I have to review the menu all over again. However, if I do not do it right the first time, I will pay later, so patience is indeed a virtue in this situation.
One meal that is usually safe at chains is breakfast—eggs scrambled with spinach and mushrooms is great any time of day! On my last trip, we ate at Denny’s and, when I told our waiter about my Celiac situation, he produced their Allergy List—how handy! Many restaurants now have these lists. Twenty plus years ago, when I was diagnosed, the online and allergy menus were not available. Now, even Outback Steak House has a gluten-free menu! I am always delighted when this occurs as it shows not only awareness but much consideration on the restaurant management side.
Keeping some Apple’s Bakery individually wrapped cookies in my purse and bags, as well as some Atkins shakes, make traveling a great deal easier as well. Again, it is all about planning and foresight—if you were not a good planner before you had Celiac disease, you become one rather quickly!
-Estelle
Thursday, April 9th, 2009
Visit Us at the Thrive Allergy & Gluten-Free Expo
Apple’s Bakery’s Gluten-Free Kitchen will have a table at this year’s Thrive Allergy & Gluten-Free Expo, April 18th and 19th at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The expo—the only business-to-consumer expo of this kind—offers resources for those suffering from respiratory, food, skin, and other allergies. Thrive was formerly known as the Allergy Expo. This year they’ve added “Gluten-Free” to their title to highlight the growing number of people diagnosed with Celiac disease.
The event will feature a variety of speakers, including Carol Shilson, Executive Director of the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center on “Diagnosing & Understanding Celiac Disease” and Cynthia Kupper, RD, Executive Director of the Gluten Intolerance Group on “Working with Gluten-free Food Services: Searching for the ‘Grain’ of Truth.”
There will also be raffles, a cooking stage (check out Allergy-Free Cake & Cookie Magic with Jules Shepard!), activities for kids, and a number of great exhibitors. Stop by and visit us next weekend!
For tickets and more information, visit the Thrive website: http://www.thriveallergyexpo.com.
Tuesday, April 7th, 2009
Maintaining Relationships as a Celiac
Being a Celiac and trying to keep it all together in the world of friends, family, and dating can be tricky at best.
I see living gluten-free as my diet, and while I try not to expect people to remember every food that is safe for a Celiac to eat, I have found that it’s ten times easier to find out in advance which restaurant we will be lunching or dining in. With the Internet at the ready, I can “Google” the establishment and then review the menu well in advance! This way, when it comes time to order, I’m prepared and can avoid any issues with my meal. Also if I am asked to suggest a restaurant, I am able to look at my list of restaurants with gluten-free menus, making it easier all the way around.
Dating has its own drawbacks. Primarily, how to handle the food situation without looking as if I’m a food neurotic or some sort of high-maintenance nightmare! This is a fine line, let me tell you!
However, with increased global awareness of Celiac disease, and restaurants that designate menu items as gluten-free, outings with friends and dates have become much easier. Resources such as the Gluten Free Restaurant Awareness Program help those with Celiac disease find restaurants that have gluten-free menus. Other resources like CeliacHandbook.com offer guides to restaurants that have gluten-free items on their menus.
-Estelle