Kansas City Northland Food Allergy Support Group

Junior Iron Chef Contest!

2012-02-09T07:09:00.000-08:00

Junior Iron Chef Contest!
April 14, 2012 at Union Station

Junior Iron Chef, hosted by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Greater Kansas City Chapter (AAFA-KC), is a metro-wide competition that gives children an opportunity to experience healthy eating through the preparation and cooking of nutritious foods, highlighting food allergies. In this competition, teams of middle or high school students are invited to create delicious and creative dishes using healthy ingredients. Recipes should be replicable and will have a chance to be featured in the 2012 Junior Iron Chef Cook Book. Three awards will be given in each age group: Best in Show, Most Creative and Best Food Allergy Recipe.

Stay Vigilant

2011-08-22T08:42:00.000-07:00

It is so hard to tote an Epipen around 24/7 isn't it? Especially when your child hasn't had a reaction in several years. But it is crucial to have it when an accident happens. The recent deaths of young people from food allergies serves as a somber reminder. IN EACH CASE, THEY DID NOT HAVE ONE. Click here to hear their stories: http://www.wsbtv.com/news/28919309/detail.html http://www.suntimes.com/2966858-417/reaction-according-allergic-allergy-examiner.html

FREE Food Allergy Symposium at Truman Medical Center East, May 14th

2011-04-13T09:35:00.000-07:00

The theme is "What to Expect." Invited speakers include a school nurse, a life flight nurse, ER nurse, and an allergist. Click here to learn more and to register for this informative event. Want to carpool? Let me know. http://facstkc.weebly.com/

Food Allergy Walk in KC, September 10th

2011-04-13T09:06:00.000-07:00

Let's go walking!! This event is so much fun for me and my family because we get to meet other families who live like we do. Click on this link to register, create a walk team, join my team, or to donate. http://www.foodallergywalk.org/site/TR/2011Walks/2011Walks?fr_id=1955&pg=entry

Peanut Free Seats at the K!!

2011-01-25T06:33:00.000-08:00

The Royals have once again graciously offered children with peanut allergies a safe place to watch the games at the K!! Just like last year, the tickets are $36.00 each and include a suite just for us. This is a great opportunity for our kids to meet others just like themselves. Contact Alex at the number below for tickets. Let's fill up these suites!! Jenny Sunday 5/8 Tuesday 5/17 Wednesday 6/8 Sunday 7/24 For tickets contact: Alex Janowiak Premium Services Coordinator Kansas City Royals p: 816.504.4434

Staying Vigilant

2011-01-20T14:55:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I get tired of being so vigilant all of the time. I also get tired of facing people who think my vigilance in petty. This is why I find sharing stories so important because it keeps me focused on why I have to work hard and stay focused. The story of the young girl in Chicago breaks my heart, scares me, and at the same time, stirs me into action. These stories serve to remind and to reassure that the actions taken by parents and loved ones of children with life-threatening allergies are not without warrant. We have to stay vigilant no matter how silly others try to make us feel. I am also grateful that I have my food allergy friends who understand and share my feelings. Whether we meet face to face or simply e-mail periodically, just knowing you are out there keeps me strong.

2010-10-01T11:01:00.000-07:00

Food Allergy Goblin

2010-09-26T08:25:00.000-07:00

As Halloween approaches I am once again grateful for learning about the "Peanut Goblin" and wanted to share this idea with everyone who is new to trick-or-treating with a food allergy. You may have the "Milk Goblin" or the "Soy Goblin" come to your house depending on your child's allergy. At our house the "Peanut Goblin" is a creature that LOVES peanut-containing treats and candy and if you leave him some, he'll leave you a present in exchange.

We let my daughter and her little sister trick-or-treat with their friends and when we get home, we dump their candy out and toss all those containing peanuts inside the "Peanut Goblins" bag. They then place the bag on the front door step just before bed. In the morning, the bag of candy has been replaced with a present for each girl.

It is so much fun! It definitely takes the sting out of taking candy away.

Last year we went to an event where a beautiful chocolate candy containing peanuts was passed out. Instead of getting upset, my daughter said, "Wow, the Peanut Goblin is going to love this one!"

I wish each of you and your families a happy and safe Halloween.

~ Jenny

Food Allergy Walk in KC!

2010-05-20T15:40:00.000-07:00

The FAAN Walk for Food Allergy - Moving Toward a Cure is a 2 mile walk taking place September 25th at the Mid-America Sports Complex, Baseball Fields Parking Lot, 20000 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS. Check in is at 9am walk begins at 10am.

Let's walk together: join the Kansas City Northland Food Allergy Support Group Team!!

Check out FAAN's site for more info and to sign-up: http://www.foodallergywalk.org/site/TR/2010Walk/2010Walks?fr_id=1650&pg=entry

Peanut Free Suite at the "K"!

2010-05-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

WOW!! Kauffman stadium has arranged a peanut free area for three game dates. The dates are: May 25, June 15 and July 21. A suite has been reserved on these dates to accommodate families that have a member with peanut allergies to come watch a baseball game safely.

I believe this is a first!! I think it would be great to fill this suite so they see the important need for this awesome service.

Tickets can be purchased through Alex Janowaik with a Credit Card over the phone and are at the much discounted price of $29 each. (Children under 32” do not require a ticket).

Alex Janowiak

Premium Services Coordinator | Kansas City Royals

p: 816.504.4434 | f: 816.504.4142

Kauffman Stadium | One Royal Way | Kansas City, MO 64129

Food Allergy Awareness Week

2010-03-24T12:20:00.000-07:00

May 9-15, 2010 is Food Allergy Awareness Week. FAAN has many activities and suggestions that you may want to use. Check it out:

http://www.foodallergy.org/section/food-allergy-awareness-week1

Spangler Candy Company Reaches Out to Allergy Community

2010-02-22T19:04:00.000-08:00

Wow - what a great allergen-free brochure the Spangler Candy Company created to reach out to those of us with food allergy and celiac issues. Check it out here: http://www.spanglercandy.com/spangler/newspr/allergens.php
Let's buy their stuff!!

FAAN's New Site

2010-01-05T10:40:00.000-08:00

FAAN updated it Website. It is much easier to navigate and much prettier to look at - check it out.

http://www.foodallergy.org

NEW! FAAN's College Network

2009-11-10T10:52:00.000-08:00

Newly launched: FAAN's College Network (http://www.faancollegenetwork.org/) a web-based program that allows prospective students to research the food allergy management policies of colleges and universities across the nation.

Contact information for representatives from those colleges is readily available on the website, as well as contact information for “Student Ambassadors,” who are current college students with food allergies.

The Peanut Goblin

2009-10-29T06:13:00.000-07:00

Cool Food Allergy Video by Nick News

2009-10-13T09:32:00.000-07:00

http://www.nick.com/videos/clip/allergic-to-my-world-clip.html

Movie Depicts Peanut Allergy Reaction

2009-10-13T09:30:00.001-07:00

FYI - The animated movie, "Cloudy with A Chance of Meatballs" includes a peanut allergy reaction. Check out what FAAN has to say. My 8-year old daughter saw it and thought it was kind of cool because the character got an Epi shot and was fine and her friends took care of her .. I haven't seen it.

http://www.foodallergy.org/media/HotTopics/cloudymeatballs.html

Have any of you heard of this?

2009-09-11T12:08:00.001-07:00

This is an interesting concept but I don't know enough about it to comment on it. It is an application you can download on your phone that reviews top fast food restaurants menu's and screens them for your specific allergy. Sounds interesting .. ..check it out here:

http://www.allergyfreepassport.com/apps/iCanEatOnTheGo.html

Food Allergy Action Plan

2009-08-10T09:59:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the year to get your allergist to complete and/or update your Food Allergy Action Plan. I use mine everywhere - in with my Epi-pens, one with the teacher, nurse, cheerleading coach, babysitter folder, etc. Click here to download it: http://www.foodallergy.org/actionplan.pdf

Family Asthma and Allergy Education Day

2009-07-23T05:29:00.000-07:00

Mark your calenders: Saturday, March 6, 2010 is the 15th Annual Family Asthma and Allergy Education Day. This is an interactive opportunity for families to learn about asthma and allergies and how to control the affects on their lives. Check out more information on their website!

New Members

2009-07-14T14:45:00.000-07:00

It seems like so much is going on in the food allergy world. I get e-mails daily about camps, surveys, trainings, research, new books, new legislation, etc. It is fantastic to see that the community is really getting connected. We need to get Kansas City food allergy folks connected somehow so we can have a much larger voice -- that would be AWESOME!

I've also been contacted by several newly diagnosed familes who are interested in talking to us and plan to come to our gatherings. See you soon.

In The News

2009-03-31T08:57:00.000-07:00

A reporter for the St. Joseph Press called last week and asked me some questions about living with food allergies for an article she was writting. The article was published today: http://www.stjoenews.net/news/2009/mar/31/allergies-change-everything/?diem

Also, Avery received her "Food Allergy News for Kids" last night and her picture and comments were included. She is very excited to show her friends at school. FAAN doesn't include the Newsletter on their Website so I took a picture of it.

Peanut Sniffing Dogs

2009-03-01T14:30:00.000-08:00

One of our group members has become involved with (and adopted a dog from) an organization called, "Angel Service Dogs" that provides and trains dogs to respond to and alert to the scent of a particular allergen. They have been featured on several national broadcasts including NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#26978414

It is my hope that once our member's dog has completed his training, she will bring it to one of our meetings so we can see him in action!

New Epipen Case

2009-02-04T08:51:00.001-08:00

This is an interesting invention that I think will be very handy for many of us - especially boys. The case can attach under your pants or shirt like a sock. Check it out here: http://www.takeincase.com/