Hazel's Allergy Journey - Part 3

This is the good stuff. I'm going to give you my very favorite websites, recipes and advice now.

Support

If you haven't noticed, I'm a huge advocate of reaching out for help. I promise you that I would still be a sobbing heap in the corner had I never contacted UFAN and gotten in touch with the events and group meetings.  If you are in Utah, visit the UFAN website as quickly as you can.  If you are in another state, there is a way to find an allergy support group near you.  You can find it by visiting the FAAN website.  FAAN is the national network. 

UFAN
FAAN
Kids on the Move (early intervention really helped Hazel's development)

Some other great resources for parents of children with food allergies:

Allergy Moms
Allergic Living
Kids With Food Allergies
Cybele Pascal Blog

Recipes

You'll have to get used to cooking things from scratch.  There are two reasons this is important.  First, you'll always know exactly what's in the food you're serving and second, there is a shortage of allergy free (processed) foods in the regular grocery stores.

Cybele Pascal has written cookbooks and is one of the best allergy cookbook authors.  Check out her books here.

I make these chocolate cupcakes and freeze them for special occasions for Hazel to eat whenever I know there will be cake.  If you substitute rice or potato flour they can even be gluten free!

Here are some other recipe websites that are not necessarily allergy free but are easy to substitute or leave out ingredients that are allergens:

Delightful Delicacies
Totally Healthy Recipes
Green Smoothie Girl

Medical Bracelet

If the allergies are bad enough to lead to an anaphylactic reaction, I recommend getting a medical bracelet to identify your child and his/her allergies.  Here is a sample of what Hazel's says and some of the companies we've used and like.

Front:
Hazel Becar

Back:
Allergies to:  Tree Nuts
Milk, Eggs, Meat
Use EPI, call 911
EoE, Asthma
my cell number

Fiddledee ID's
Petite Baubles

Other Stuff

This book is adorable and I plan to use it as a read-aloud in my preschool when Hazel is in class to explain a little bit about her allergies.  It's a rhyming story with the cutest illustrations.  Hazel requests it as her bedtime story at least twice a week. 

This is a great article to send to friends and family.

A great allergy free/gluten free bakery in Salt Lake City.

I do a lot of shopping at Whole Foods and Good Earth.

Neocate
Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Doctors

To find a BOARD CERTIFIED food allergist in your area, use this website.

Dr. Hendershot (our doctor)
Dr. Walker (another great allergist)
Dr. Broadbent (we've heard good things about her)

Products I never leave home without:

Epipen
Sanitizing Wipes
Enjoy Life Foods
Peanut Free Planet
Benadryl
Vanicream lotion (we buy it at Walgreens.  It's great for eczema.)


I hope this helps.  I plan on adding links as I find other helpful products/informaiton/services.  If you want to contact me directly, feel free to email me at ashleybecar(at)yahoo(dot)com.  Good luck!