Allergy Baby’s First Word

Posted on May 7, 2013 by

food-allergies_thumbYesterday afternoon—a notable day because for the first time in, well, a while Seattle was the hottest major city in the country, the poor little Washingtonians weren’t quite sure how to handle all that foreign sunshine—was spent catching up with my friend Aubrey.  She told me about her retro-themed wedding, their hippie landlords, gardening, and eating gluten-free (something we both share).  I tried to convince her to start a crunchy, foodie-ish blog.  Even promised to comment.  But we’ll see what happens.

Anyway, the story that stood out to me the most as we got caught up was about a little baby Aubrey knows. 

He’s a year old now but when he was only a couple of months old he had food allergy testing done because he’d been having some unusual skin irritation and general health oddities.  The poor little guy came up with 10 food allergies (exactly how many new ones I found out about when I had testing done back in September). 

Aubrey showed me a picture on her phone of Allergy Baby’s back after the testing—so many bright red, itching-looking bumps from where he’d reacted to the test.  Poor little guy.  I remember exactly what that feels like; at least I was big enough though to understand what was happening.

His first word was even … drumroll please … allergic.  As in, “No, baby you can’t have [insert yummy-looking food].” 

“Allergic?”

“Yes, allergic.”

In his little mind allergic might just be a shorthand for “not for babies” or “not for you,” but soon enough he’ll know how in addition to being disappointing the word can also be frustrating, annoying, and even scary.  I hope he also learns though how to stand up for himself and keep himself safe even when people think he’s just being dramatic or weird, to not be embarrassed about being the only allergic kid and to define himself apart from his allergies, and that a limited diet—and all of the other limitations food allergies impose on him—doesn’t mean he can’t live a full, satisfying life.   

What would you want someone new to the allergic life to know?

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Allergy Girl Rides the Bus

I realized only after the woman sitting next to me on the bus shot me a funny look that I must have seemed like quite the foodie as I read my new Moroccan cookbook on the way home from work, marking pages with green polka dotted sticky notes.  Despite appearances, I’m not a foodie; just an allergic girl trying to figure out what the heck to eat for dinner.  The chicken kebabs recipe sure looks nice!  Might give that a go sometime when Mr. Munger comes over for dinner. 

Tonight’s dinner is still undecided.  The kebabs are definitely going to happen at some point in the hopefully-not-too-distant future but not until I make a run to the grocery store.  And I’m feeling too lazy for that.  What are the rest of you eating?

Aside | Posted on May 6, 2013 by | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Swan Lake Success!

Posted on April 22, 2013 by

I not only survived the ballet last night but I had a wonderful time!  I’d felt pretty nervous about going again but it went well.  A couple of the employees actually remembered me from the previous weekend as “the girl with the peanut allergy” (sometimes I feel like my allergy has become my most notable feature) and said they were glad we were finally going to be able to see the rest of the ballet.

I’m very glad the Pacific Northwest Ballet gave Mom, Shannon, and I replacement tickets too because Swan Lake was stunning. Breathtaking.  And we had great seats!  The best part though was that I didn’t see anything peanut-y the entire time.

I was amazed that going later in the day and on a school night made such a difference when it came to food.  The first time, when we went to a matinee, tons of people were pulling out food they’d brought with them during intermission but this time everyone bought bottles of water, coffee, or whine.  Much, much safer for me.

It’s interesting how time of day impacts that sort of thing.  I know that due to celiac and food allergies I tend to feel safer going out to eat at off times because the wait staff can pay more attention and Friday nights at the movies, due to peanuts, is totally out. Have you noticed any places that it’s safer to eat at or visit during particular times of day?

Posted in General Life, General Updates

Swan Lake, Second Attempt

Posted on April 21, 2013 by

SwanWell, my mom, Shannon, and I are going to give Swan Lake at the Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle a second try this evening.

The ballet contacted me earlier in the week to apologize for how badly last week’s attempt went (the man sitting right behind me decided to crack open the PB and J he’d snuck into the theater and I nearly ended up in the ER, very scary).  There’s something sad about the fact we never even saw a single swan.  In order to help make it up to use though the ballet offered to give us free tickets to whatever performance we wanted and whatever day or time we preferred.  And I still wanted to see a swan, so we’re going to give it a second try tonight.

I’m looking forward to seeing more than the first act but also feeling a little nervous.  Last week was terrifying.  Hopefully the fact that it’s an evening show on a school night (won’t get out until 10pm) will help insure people aren’t eating homemade sandwiches in the theater.  It’s also after dinner, so in theory people should’ve already eaten.

I guess the lesson learned is that when you have airborne allergies, lunchtime matinees aren’t an option even when the theater has a no food policy.

Posted in General Life, General Updates

Allergy Girl is Getting Married!

Posted on April 18, 2013 by

302570_2510820009289_356814861_nThis picture was taken in September 2011 while on a vacation to Disneyland with Mr. Munger and his family (we’re on the Dumbo ride).  We’d just gotten engaged a few weeks before and were feeling pretty darn happy. 

Mr. Munger was still attending Western Washington University at the time, so we knew it’d be a while before we were finally able to tie the knot but it was a nice change to say “when” instead of “if.” (Although, the fact that our families had already transitioned to “when” makes me fairly confident our engagement didn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone.)

Well, Mr. Munger graduated in December 2012, got himself all employed, and we just recently set the date for last August! 

The wedding will be simple and safe (safety is an important consideration when you live with food allergies, and I also don’t want to get glutened on my wedding day).  Just immediate family and my grandparents (a whopping twelve people total).  It’ll be at a local park by the water since hopefully the weather will be nice, but you can never be sure you’ll get sunshine in the Seattle area so we’ll also bring umbrellas, sweaters if it looks chilly, and we’re renting a picnic shelter.  The ceremony itself will only last a couple of minutes, and then the family picnic will carry on (if you’re feeling curious, check out the Pinterest board!).  

While it’s fun to finally know when exactly we’re getting married and be able to start buying things like red and white gingham table clothes, what I’m really enjoying is planning out how we’ll decorate our apartment (and, yes, there’s a Pinterest board for that, too).  It’ll be so fun to go buy a kitchen table and dishware.  Exciting!

Only four months and six days until I get married.  Not that I’m counting, of course.

Posted in General Life, General Updates | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

What to Never Say to Someone with Allergies

Posted on April 17, 2013 by

PeanutsAfter informing me how she’d forgotten about my peanut allergy and had almost brought peanuts to class (despite the fact that DSS has plastered the door and front of the classroom with peanut-free signs on my behalf), the student next to me proceeded to tell me a terrifying story.  A teenage girl she’d known of had died at prom as a result of a peanut allergy.

The story came to a jarringly conclusion with something to the effect of: “Her family looked frantically for her Epi-Pen and, when they couldn’t find it, decided to take her to the ER. But she was already dead.”

Holy crap! How does someone forget about their classmate’s life-threatening airborne peanut allergy when they know of someone who has died from one? Ugh.

And before you worry, yes, I always carry my Epi-Pen.  My sister Shannon, who will be the maid of honor at my August wedding, has been given the extremely important task of carrying my Benadryl and Epi-Pen on her person.  The only thing that’d be scarier than having to use my Epi-Pen at my wedding would be not having my Epi-Pen if I needed it.

I still can’t believe someone felt the need to tell me a death-by-peanuts story.  I spend my life running in fear of peanuts, not because they’ll make me feel yucky (although they certainly do a great job of that) but because I could die.  I could be anywhere—strolling through a local park, enjoying the ballet, or studying in the university library—when I hear the frightening hushed crinkle of a wrapper opening.  If it’s peanuts, I go into crisis mode and get out of there ASAP.  If my throat starts to close up and I start gagging, which almost always happens if I’m that close to peanuts, I remind myself to be calm and handle things careful and quickly because, otherwise, I could die.  Dying from peanuts is a regular, realistic nightmare; I don’t need to be reminded of it.

After the traumatic story was over, I made my way outside only to run into three separate students chowing down on a PB & J.  I almost cried.

Please, for the sake of those of us with life-threatening allergies, don’t eat peanuts in public.

Other Articles of Interest:

Posted in Food Allergies, Living Allergy-Free | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Swan Lake & Peanut Butter: When the Ballet Isn’t Safe

Posted on April 14, 2013 by

SwanLake2I’m so, so thankful I didn’t end up in the ER yesterday!

The original plan was to watch a friend of mine who I’ve known since I was about five-years-old marry the love of her life.  But due to the potluck nature of the reception and too much of a risk of having a run-in with peanuts or mushrooms (didn’t want to be the party guest who left in an ambulance), I had to settle for sending them happy thoughts and congratulations from elsewhere.  The tagged pics on Facebook are beginning to make their way into my feed, and the new Mr. and Mrs. look happy and adorable.

Plan B: a girls’ date to the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s production of Swan Lake.  While the main reason I wanted to go to the ballet was because I’d never seen Swan Lake performed, it seemed like a safe option for me due to the no-eating-anytime-anywhere-during-the-performance rule.  Unfortunately, the older gentleman sitting directly behind me thought this rule didn’t apply to him as he uncouthly cracked open is Tupperware and chowed down on his PB and J as the orchestra began to play the music for the second act.

I darted around in my seat to confront the offender.  “Is that PEANUTBUTTER?  I’m allergic!”

He began to close the lid while looking puzzled, but by then it was too late.  I tore out of the theater as I felt my throat beginning to close up, Mom and Shannon following close behind.  We wouldn’t be seeing Swan Lake, after all.

I took a Benadryl (the liquid kind, kicks in faster if you put them under your tough) as Mom, Shannon, and several of the employees stood with me in the lobby.  Waiting.  Waiting.  Waiting.  First one didn’t work; means it’s a serious allergy.  Second pill didn’t work; anaphylactic shock is of real concern.  Third one, taking its time; now we’re in crisis mode, and it means using the Epi-Pen followed by a call to 911 and a ride in an ambulance are the next step if things don’t improve.  And quickly.

Shannon later told me that she was so scared all she could pray was, “HELP!”

Finally, the third Benadryl hit with full force—my throat relaxed, I stopped gagging, and I felt like I was about to fall asleep standing up.  To everyone’s relief, we were able to go home instead of visiting with the doctor in the ER.  A major bummer that I still haven’t seen Swan Lake (only made it through the first act), but I felt so thankful to be going home.  Thankful to be alive.

Skipped out on the wedding to avoid peanuts but the day still ended up involving a major allergic reaction.  Drat.  Makes me feel scared to go anywhere.

As for the gentleman who couldn’t wait to eat his sandwich, I wish I could explain to him how even though some of those seemingly arbitrary rules like don’t eat in the ballet, opera, or library might seem dumb and optional, it’s those very rules that make them safe for people with food allergies.  I have to choose my outing based not where I’d most like to go but on where there won’t be food.  Food-free locations are the only places I can safely go.  So, please, just wait to eat your sandwich next time.  Cracking it open can not only ruin someone’s trip to the ballet and put their very life in danger, but when people don’t follow rules about food I can feel my world, where I can safely go, tightening in on me.  My options becoming more and more limited because you can’t wait a few minutes to eat.

Other Articles of Interest:

Posted in Food Allergies, Hidden Gluten, Traveling with Allergies | Tagged , , , , , ,

Is a Peanut Allergy a Disability?

Posted on January 9, 2013 by

PeanutsWhen a lot of folks hear the word “allergy” they picture someone from a Claritin commercial–sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes.  While sneezing isn’t exactly how I want to spend my day, it’s also not life-threatening.  But a anaphylaxis is a whole different animal.        

I’m allergic to peanuts, but this isn’t your watery-eye-level allergy.  Once, while standing in line at Disneyland, the woman in front of me opened a jar of peanut butter.  I got my butt out of there as quickly as possible, took fast-acting allergies meds.  But I still had to use my Epi-Pen and call 911 to come escort me off to the ER.  And all because of a jar of peanut butter that I didn’t eat or even touch.

It Effects My Whole Life

The impact my peanut allergy has on life is not limited to vacations.  Due to displays of peanuts, most of the grocery stores are so unsafe for me that I can’t even walk in the door.  And when I want to shop at one of the “safer” stores I have to bring someone who is trained on how to operate my Epi-Pen and the importance of calling 911 to act as lookout and bodyguard; they scout out the grocery store, checking for peanuts and figuring out the safest route for me through the store, before I’m even able to venture inside.  And, once inside, they have to literally stay at my side while I figure out what kind of shampoo or veggies I want. 

I even have to bring a scout or call ahead if I want to swing by a coffee shop.  I’m unable to go to most people’s houses, due to the likeliness of running into peanut products.  Going to holiday or birthday parties aren’t options (unless I’m the one hosting it).  If I go to the movies, I have to bring Epi-Pen trained friends or family members and I have to wait until the movie has been out for a bit and go to a morning showing to make sure there will be less people.  And going to my university is the scariest of all (see Food Allergies: When College Isn’t Safe). 

In short, my peanut allergy has gotten to the point of being disabling.  It impacts where I can go, when I can go places, what I can do, and even if I can go grocery shopping by myself.  Personally, I feel like my allergy is a disability but having it “officially” count as one as far as my school is concerned is another matter.  But as of today I’m starting the processes.

Allergy Prevention

I talked with a very helpful woman at Disability Support Services (DSS) at my university about having my peanut allergy count as an official disability.  This would mean that I wouldn’t just be pleading with my classmates to not eat peanut-y products in class; it’d be required.  It also means that if someone cracked open a bag of peanuts behind me while in the middle of a test (something that’s actually happened before), I’d possibly have a better chance of being able to reschedule my test. 

But the main thing I’m looking for is allergy prevention.   And some support.  It’d be so helpful to not be at the mercy of my teacher understanding that when I say I have a life-threatening airborne peanut allergy I’m not saying it’ll make me sneeze (how seriously the teacher treats my allergy impacts how seriously the whole class treats it). 

The first step is getting my regular doctor to write a note explaining the severity of my peanut allergy and what accommodations he recommends (peanut-free classroom).  Once I get that letter, which will hopefully be very soon, I get to plead my case to DSS.  Wish me luck!

Other Articles of Interest:

Posted in Food Allergies, Food Allergies & College, General Life, General Updates, Living Allergy-Free, What is Anaphylaxis? | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Allergy Bulling: When Food is a Weapon

Posted on January 8, 2013 by

Allergy bullyingAccording to CNN’s article, Allergy Bulling: When Food is a Weapon, “35% of kids over age 5 with food allergies have endured bullying, teasing or harassment. Parents of children with food allergies reported in the study that these incidents—both physical and verbal—happened because of food allergies” (Landau).

Thanks to my own life-threatening peanut allergy (anaphylaxis) I spend a lot of time and brain energy at college trying to keep myself safe.  It’s challenging and scary.  But at least, as an adult, school isn’t nearly as dangerous for me as it could be for a child with my allergy because I don’t deal will allergy bulling.  I can’t even imagine how scary that’d be.

“It’s hard for parents of food-allergic children to keep them safe at school when there are so many opportunities to eat snacks and meals with unsafe ingredients.  For some kids, just touching a certain food or inhaling particles of it could cause a reaction” (Landau).  That’s something Mr. Munger and I have talked about before.  Hopefully, if/when we have kids they won’t share my peanut allergy but if they do, school would be a very unsafe place for them.

Elementary schools are unsafe even for me as an adult. I used to volunteer to read with second graders, but I can’t risk it anymore because so many of the kids have peanut products for lunch.  If I read with a child who’d just eaten something with peanuts, I could end up in the ER.  So I can’t even imagine how scary it’d be as a kid to be bullied with something that could literally kill you.

Do you or your kids have any experience with allergy bullying?  Thankfully, my peanut allergy started later (I was 21 when it decided to join my list of food foes), so I never experienced living with a life-threatening allergy as a child.  It sounds terrifying for both the child and the parents.

Posted in Food Allergies, Living Allergy-Free, What Are Food Allergies? | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Year in the Life of a Food Blogger

Posted on December 31, 2012 by

New YearsBreak started off at such a brisk pace I’d expected it to be full (maybe too full) with get-togethers, holiday-related outings, and attempting new recipes.

Well, that’s what I’d thought it’d be like.  But then everyone came down with the flu right over Christmas.  Thankfully, family was flexible and presents keep, because the festivities had to be put on hold for a couple of days this year.  And that’s the long-ish explanation as to where I’ve been.

Now that I’m feeling quite a bit better (managing to eat solid food providing it’s mild and relatively soft), I’ve been thinking about what a lot has happened in the last year.  And how quickly it’s gone by!  The Crunchy Cook was my new years resolution from last year (this was when I  had a very small handful of food foes), which means my blog is almost exactly a year old.

Biggest Changes:
1. Discovered I have 10 additional food allergies (including eggs, soy, dairy).  This was a HUGE challenge that impacted my entire family.  And it’s still something I’m learning how to work with.

2. Graduated from community college with a two-year transfer degree.

3. Completed my first quarter at the University of Washington (I swear, it’s not nearly as hard as figuring out how to cook with food allergies).

Favorite Foodie Reads:
1. Gluten-Free Girl: How I Found Food that Loves Me Back … And How You Can Too by Shauna James Ahern.  I found this book very encouraging.

I don’t know that I’d love it quite as much now that I can’t eat the majority of food mentioned, but Shauna’s advice to use food restrictions as a reason to say “Yes!” to foods you’ve never tried has been very helpful in my own food journey.  And a good reminder that there is still a world of flavors out there waiting to be tasted.  Even for allergy girls like me.

Firsts:
1. Started my food blog, The Crunchy Cook.

2. Went on a cruise and was actually able to eat (I got to hand it to Disney, they sure do handle dietary restrictions well).

3. Took a junior-level class at the university (it was awesome, and also not nearly as mentally challenging as figuring out what to cook for dinner when you have a whole collection of food allergies).

Goals/Hopes for 2013:
1. Learn to cook more gluten-free/allergen-free food.  I’m hoping to attempt a new recipe every weekend (not all of them will show up on the blog because not everything will work, but it’ll get me in the habit of trying out new things and being fearless in the kitchen).

2. Blog more regularly about the food I’m learning to cook; I want to have a record of all the recipes that have worked.  And just generally what it’s like being gluten-free/allergen-free.  I’m new to the blogging community, but loving it already.

3. Finally be able to set the date for the wedding (fingers crossed!).

Well, what about you?  What are your goals, hopes, or resolutions for the coming year?  Anything you’re hoping to learn or cook?

Posted in General Life, General Updates | Tagged , , , , , , , | 17 Comments