Okay, I really wanted to this headline to say: Food Allergy Mamas/Papas whatcha doing to stay sane during busy times? The last several weeks have been super busy with school finals, graduations, a wedding and celebrations of all sorts. In the past, this would have been my biggest food allergy nightmare. I’ve come to realize that saying NO to over doing it and saying YES to taking care has made a ridiculously incredible change in my life. If you missed it, I was honored to write a short piece for Allergic Living Magazine, “Food Allergies at the Holidays: 12 Ways to Just Say No”. I had attended one of those life changing workshops (I know this sounds corny, but it is true) presented by communication expert, Jill Tolles, focusing on the importance of saying no in business, in your home life and relationships. I took those Just Say NO skills out for a spin and…THEY WORK!
3 Tips Staying Food Allergy and Asthma healthy, aware and sane during busy times strategies…
- Avoid Exhaustion and Errors. It broke my heart to not attend every single graduation party that we were invited too, but I realized that burning the candle on both ends was going to thoroughly wipe us out and invite making life threatening errors. I used those JUST SAY NO skills. I still cheered on graduates, bought gifts and will be hosting a few graduates soon at my house to celebrate their successes while enjoying that luscious gluten free, dairy free and nut free chocolate decadence cake!
- Eat Home or Pack a Meal. This year, we tossed out working with restaurants and food service ahead of time and decided to eat at home and pack my kid’s meals! Of course, we always ask our hosts if allergens will be served so we can determine the safety of the venue. There were too many events that were so special that the risk was not worth it. Oddly enough, at one venue, the executive chef told me that his property had dropped nuts from their menu and only include them if asked! This was a very pleasant surprise! At another event, there were three kids at our table with life threatening food allergies and when dinner was served they all filled their plates with delicious safe foods discreetly packed and served. I also carried various energy bars in my purse and made sure I was aware of easy to locate safe food sources. NOTE: some venues will not allow outside food, so do ask about this.
- Carry Two with Style. As I posted the other day, “Moves Like Jagger…” I spotted a Buddy Pouch on a junior groomsman and my daughter carried her EpiPens® and asthma inhaler in her red leather Epi-Essentials Grab and Go Bag while my son packed his Auvi-Qs® in his pant pockets. The confidence of being prepared is gold. I also carried an extra Auvi-Q® and inhaler in my teeny tiny evening bag! Big gratitude and love to Epi-Essentials for the great bag. That darling purse worked overtime this weekend and my daughter looked so grownup and elegant!
The only struggle during our exciting, tiring fun time was that every time I danced, my daughter asked who was the designated driver? Really?! Sadly enough, I’m a light weight, so I only had about one glass of champagne in my belly each time.
Disclaimer: any people or products mentioned here are included since I just love ’em. No other reason. No payment. Nada. Just undying love.
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..