Be Free For Me Blog

Being nut-free sometimes means having to forgo some of the simpler things in life.

Things like the excitement of being at a major league baseball park with family and friends on a warm Sunday afternoon.

That is why I was so very, very excited to receive an email from the folks over at the AAFA (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America– New England Chapter) and Fenway Park announcing 2010 games that will have a designated peanut-free section at this season’s Red Sox games.

And for those that are nut-free fans of teams other than the Red Sox, check out this website from Food Allergy Buzz that lists peanut-free baseball games around the USA and Canada that have peanut-free sections at select ballparks throughout the 2010 season, as well as information about attending these games.

Because the seats are limited at the Fenway Park games, make sure you call right away and find out the availability for the peanut-free sections at the games on May 30th, July 18th and September 19th (at last checking standing room only was available at the 09/19 game).

The contact info to get seats for these games ($75 per person for seats and $25 per person for standing room only) is Mike Lawlor at the Red Sox by email (mlawlor@redsox.com) or phone: 617-226-6027.

When you contact Mike, please leave the following information,
1. Your Name
2. Phone number(s) where you can be reached day and evening
3. Date of game you want to attend
4. Number of tickets you want
5. Specify Seats or Standing Room. Tell Mike if you will accept Standing Room if all seats are sold out.
On the email your subject line should say: Game Date (the date you want tickets for) – Peanut Friendly
Mike will call you back to confirm your tickets and take your payment by credit card.  Please be patient, it may take him about two weeks to respond to your request.

Tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis.  

In an effort to find the safest and most enjoyable area of Fenway Park, Fenway Park has decided to use the Coca-Cola Left Field Pavilion. This is the same section the Red Sox used last year for peanut-allergy-friendly games. This seating area is highlighted by its majestic view of the game and the city, as well as its proximity to the Green Monster. This section will ensure a comfortable visit to Fenway Park with many amenities close by in one of the more private areas of the ballpark.

Enjoy… May the best team win… and as always…
Be Free!

Many of us have been following the ricework’s Brown Rice Crisps “Show Us Your Goodness” program which will award an inspirational charitable cause a $20,000 grant to assist them in promoting their mission and cause.

Just recently a panel of judges has selected 33 finalists from all of the entries and it is now up to all of us to VOTE for the People’s Pick Award charitable group winner!

I am happy to announce that the Canadian Celiac Association – Vancouver is one of the People Pick’s Finalists! If you want to vote for them… click this link, scroll down to #8 on the list (please note that the list of finalists is in alphabetical order only), and then click on the blue “Vote for this Charity” link.

Some of my other favorite finalists include:

Danny’s Farm – A group that provides vocational training and meaningful employment and volunteer opportunities for adults and teenagers with disabilities, especially autism. (Danny’s Farm is #11 on the Finalist List).

Spoons Across America – Works to influence the eating habits of children through hands-on education that celebrates the connection to local farmers and the important tradition of sharing meals around the family table. (Spoons Across America is #22 on the Finalist List).

A World For Fit Kids – Located in Los Angeles, this group is a leading nonprofit provider of after school physical activity and youth development programs for children and teens. (A world For Fit Kids is #1 on the Finalist List).

Show YOUR goodness… VOTE today for the cause that YOU support! Thank you riceworks, for your support and generosity!

BONUS: Download the $1.00 OFF coupon (USA Coupon and the Canadian Coupon) for riceworks gourmet brown rice crisps too! They are gluten-free and yummy!

Tara Taft’s daughter, Erica, was diagnosed with celiac disease several years ago. Over these years, Tara and her whole family has made Erica’s diagnosis a family-affair. The outcome? A healthy and happy Erica, and the whole Taft family learning the true meaning of community and giving.

There were a lot of experiences I could relate to after reading this article that appeared in Thrive, Children Hospital of Boston’s Health & Science Blog.

One of these experiences is the sense of community with those with celiac disease or food allergies share. I have a saying, “Once a Celiac, Never a Stranger”. Seeing someone in the grocery store with Van’s Waffles, Glutino Pretzels & Bob’s Red Mill GF Flour in their carts or a fellow restaurant patron beaming happily at a gluten-free menu just begs me to start-up a conversation!

I have discovered a healthier and happier me; complete strangers that have become lifelong friends; the true appreciation of food, family and friend and most importantly, the sheer joy in sharing simple basic things (even hugs!)… all because of my diagnosis of celiac disease.

Tara’s article should remind us all that a positive outlook and attitude is contagious.

Yup… life is good.

Awhile back USA Today ran an article that discusses real-life stories of folks living with food allergies, celiac disease and food intolerances.

The article is great.  Why? It was definitely an article that I could relate too. I “got” what almost every person had experienced or felt when eating out in restaurants, going to an event or party, or traveling.

I especially connected with hurting the feelings of well-meaning friends and relatives that have made food-preparation mistakes, the statement that a food allergy or celiac can be “socially isolating” and the difficulty in managing a normal social life in food-centric world.

Every time I pick up a newspaper or magazine there are more and more articles about food allergies and celiac disease, which is enormous for all of us. The more that every member of our society reads, hears and, most importantly, understands food allergies & celiac disease, the better and safer all of our lives will be.

It looks as if America’s oldest flour company is learning some new tricks: Gluten-free flours and mixes.

King Arthur Flour, founded more than 200 years ago and known for their premium baking flours and mixes will introduce their new gluten-free products today, March 1, 2010 on the King Arthur website and soon in supermarkets across the country.

The King Arthur gluten-free line consists of: Gluten-free Multi-Purpose Flour (I can’t wait to try it in some of my favorite recipes!), along with convenient mixes for gluten-free bread, pizza crust, cookies, brownies, chocolate cake, muffins, and pancakes. 

Best yet, all of their gluten-free products will be made in a dedicated allergen-free facility and guaranteed to be free of the top eight allergens. Their products are also third-party certified by the Gluten Free Certification Organization, whose standards are twice as stringent as those set by the FDA.

I am really excited about King Arthur launching these new gluten-free products since their company is known for consistency in products, educating consumers in using their baking products and for being a resource of useful information, including recipes.

I’m looking forward to King Arthur, a classic in baking legend, teaching me some new baking tricks too!

Those of us with dietary concerns due to food allergies, intolerances or celiac disease know that eating out in restaurants can often require more effort than it’s worth and can also be a very scary experience.

We all have experienced that “deer in the headlights” look from wait staff, and even restaurant management, after requesting meals free of certain allergens or gluten.

But thanks to the precedential Food Allergy Awareness Act in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, restaurant patrons will no longer have to endure those blank stares and the uneasiness of wondering if someone in the restaurant actually “gets it” when it comes to food allergies, intolerances and gluten-free dining.

The goal of this Act regarding food allergies is simple: To educate restaurant staff throughout state of Massachusetts on food allergy awareness and increase their knowledge on best practices in order to minimize the risk of illness, or even death, due to the accidental ingestion of food allergens.

Although it will always be important for those concerned with food allergies to use extra diligence, make sure they ask restaurant staff a lot of questions and carry an EpiPen if required, the law states, “… it is a shared responsibility between the consumer… and the food establishment operator” to make sure that allergen free foods are served to consumers. This law is a step in the right direction when it comes to addressing the importance of knowledge and education regarding the seriousness of food allergies to those in the restaurant industry.

Spearheaded by The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network and Ming Tsai, executive producer of public television’s Simply Ming, celebrity chef and owner of Blue Ginger Restaurant in Massachusetts, there are three (3) mandatory portions of the Food Allergy Awareness Act. They are:

1.) Menu Statement: Menus must include a statement that the customer should inform the wait staff of any food allergy issue.

2.) Poster Requirement: Posters, detailing information about the 8 most common food allergens, including the threat of cross-contamination during food preparation, cooking and serving; must be posted in each dining establishment.

3.) Training Video: The certified person in charge of food safety and various management personnel will be required to view a training video and become certified on food allergens. 

Thanks to Ming Tsai, the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on this uniquely exceptional law. May this law become the benchmark and may every state in the nation follow in your lead!

Looks like Drew Brees, the winning quarterback of Super Bowl XLIV, won’t be on the front of a Wheaties box anytime soon.

Brees is allergic to wheat & gluten, as well as eggs and dairy.

Full of spirit and spunk, this winning quarterback is a role-model in showing those with food allergies and intolerances what can be achieved with determination and persistence.

So I got to thinking… what does a gluten-free, dairy-free and egg-free sports superstar eat? With a little research I found a Sports Illustrated article from January 2007 that details a typical nongame day meal plan that Drew may eat. It looks something like this:

7:30 a.m. Two wheat- and gluten-free waffles or pancakes. Four strips bacon or two links sausage. Side of corn grits or potato hash browns. A peach, pear or four slices of cantaloupe or honeydew.

Mid-morning (postworkout) AdvoCare recovery shake. About 10 ounces and 230 calories, it’s vitamin-packed and high in soy protein. He drinks a second shake in the afternoon after the Saints practice.

2 p.m. Grilled chicken breast or grilled redfish fillet with a side of rice or green beans. Or shrimp and sausage gumbo.

7 p.m. “I love the New Orleans flavor,” says Brees. “We go out a lot.” A typical restaurant order: turtle soup, shrimp rémoulade and fried green tomatoes, green beans, spinach or broccoli. At home Brittany often makes wheat- and gluten-free pasta with marinara sauce, with a soyburger chopped in it. “She’s big on soy products,” says Brees. “I’ll have soy milk, soy yogurt, soybeans.”

9 p.m. XanGo mangosteen fruit-based juice. “I just take it out of the fridge and chugalug three ounces. It’s supposed to have a lot of antioxidants.”

Drew, cheers and congratulations from the whole gluten-free and allergen-free community on your super Super Bowl win!

The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has advised Air Canada to come up with an adequate section of seats where passengers with severe nut allergies would be seated. This ruling, which must be addressed in 30 days, was determine by the CTA since passenger’s nut allergies should be considered a disability and must be accommodated by the airline.

Although Air Canada stopped serving peanuts years ago, the airline still serves cashews and other snacks that contain nuts.

My thoughts? For an airline to designate a nut-free zone on their airplanes will take very little to no extra effort or money. In fact maybe there will be more people that will decide to fly on airlines that offer these nut-free zones.

But is a nut-free section on a plane enough? Or should the whole plane become a nut-free zone?

Then comes the question of how would an airline prevent passengers from bringing their own nutty-snacks on a plane?

I think that this ruling is a step in the right direction. It addresses the severity of food allergies, and the life and death consequences of a simple snack. But, I say let’s get rid of the nutty-snacks altogether, on all airplanes and maybe someday we will all be able to fly the (nut-allergy) friendly skies!

What are your thoughts? Reply to this blog and let us know!

P.S. If you want to send an email to Air Canada contact their Customer Care department.

On Monday, January 11, 2010 from 8:00 – 9:00 PM (EST) Glutino Foods (a brand we all know and love!) will be hosting a Gluten-Free Twitter Party… and you’re invited!

I am excited to be a part of this Glutino Twitter Party alongside Elisabeth Hasselbeck, co-host of “The View”, fellow celiac, and author of “The G-Free Diet”; the folks over at Ian’s Natural Foods, that make all natural, organic (plus allergen-free and gluten-free!) meals for kids; and Chad Hines, from GlutenFreeFaces, the gluten-free and celiac social network. During the party we will “chat” about living the gluten-free lifestyle, ways to make living gluten-free more manageable, tips & tricks, and also have some phenomenal gluten-free give-aways and prizes.

In order to RSVP to the party check out the invitation from Glutino. The hashtag for the party is #GF. (Note: A few days before the party, I will post another blog regarding specifics & tips on joining this Gluten-free twitter party).

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Twitter, or just haven’t gotten around to checking it out, NOW is the time!

In a nut-shell, Twitter is a free social networking or micro-blogging service that allows you to “tweet” or chat, back and forth, with other like-minded people (or “peeps” as they are know as on Twitter!). These tweets can conveniently be up to 140-characters – so they are short, but are packed with tons of information, links, ideas and thoughts. Those that subscribe to, or “follow”, you receive your tweets. In return, tweets from anyone you “follow” are delivered to your twitter account. You are able to send and receive tweets from the Twitter website, SMS messaging, or from other website applications (like tweetdeck.com or Twhirl.com).

Tony Hsieh, the CEO of Zappos, the on-line shoe superstore, says that although twitter seems a bit awkward at first, it will eventually be as common place as text messaging in your life. In fact, he goes on to say that if you and your friends all use Twitter for a 2 week period, it will “change your life”, and you will “wonder how you ever lived without it”. By the way, Tony has over 1,639,877 followers!

If you aren’t sure where to start join once you join Twitter, log on and start following me!

If you want to find out more about Twitter, how to join and tips on getting involved, check out the website and blog links listed at the end of this blog post. Get tweeting today!

On January 11th, crack open a bag of Glutino gluten-free pretzels, log-on to your Twitter account and join us for the first ever Glutino’s Gluten-free Twitter party! See you then!

Good Twitter Resources:

Zappos.com’s CEO, Tony Hsieh, “Beginner’s Quick Start Guide and Tutorial to Using Twitter”

PurpleCar.com: Great blog on “How to Start Using Twitter”

About.com: Information on Twitter

Having a child with food allergies can be scary. Letting them go off to school, camp, or after-school activities can be a challenge, since a reaction to an allergic food can be deadly.

Now some parents are enlisting “Man’s Best Friend”, the trustworthy four-legged dog, to buddy up with their children and keep them safe from the deadly dangers of food allergies.

More commonly known as assisting people with vision, hearing, diabetic reactions, or mobility assistance – having dogs assist in keeping kids safe from potentially deadly food allergies is relatively new, but makes perfect sense.

One of the organizations that provide, train and certify these service dogs is Angel Service Dogs. Based out of Monument, Colorado, this non-profit group places Allergy Alert Dogs with individuals and families that are limited in daily activities due to life-threatening, anaphylactic food allergies. 

The Allergy Alert Dogs are trained to detect certain allergens, just like the dogs at the airports and borders that are trained to detect the scent of drugs and explosives. If a potentially dangerous scent is detected, the dogs will alert their owner to avoid contact or ingestion.

Check out more information about the Angel Service Dog organization, how they screen and train their dogs, as well as ways you can help – either by being a “puppy raiser” or by donating to a family raising money for a much needed service dog. Its worth checking out and learning more about how placing services dogs with needy families help prevent unintended exposure to life threatening food allergies!

*  NOTE: Photos are from the Angel Service Dogs website. These are pictures of Riley, the founder’s daughter that has food allergies, with her service dog, Rock-O.