Does your memory of Halloween days look like roaming about the streets in cute little costumes and getting candies for trick-o-treat? Because same!

But that was until 2021, last year. When my 2-year-old son was ready to celebrate Halloween with his friends and neighbors. With his gluten, dairy, corn, peanut, legumes, and sugar allergies, I had to make sure he was enjoying his day just like other kids but also keeping away from the food he mustn't consume. While I gave him different options to go about it, he wanted people to just give him the candies that were safe for him!

But let me tell you... we both had the time of our lives last Halloween. And we’re all set for it this year too. Wonder how I made it with all his different allergies? It was no easy game but we did it together! PS. It’s no secret – I’m discussing all of it in today’s episode!

Tiny takeaways:

>> Try making allergy-free candies at home for your littles.>> Try telling your neighbors about your kids’ allergies as I did. I explained everything to them, gave them my home-made candies, and asked them to give them to my son.>> Have a conversation with your kids about how they want to go about trick-o-treating this Halloween. Help them come up with suggestions on their own, so they are a part of the process. 

If you’ve been doing these things already, congratulations! I’m happy you’re starting this necessary conversation on food allergies. If not, what’s the wait? This is your time to get started! This is also a good opportunity for you to educate your community about food allergies and to be mindful of not just your kid but other children with food allergies as well. 

 

Tag Me in your Halloween Post! Can't wait to see all the fun! 

Etsy: @foodallergyawesomeneIG: @foodallergyawesomeness 

TikTok: @foodallergyawesomeness

Halloween makes me a little anxious. If you're also an allergy mom, you sure will know. It's a tough gig allowing your kids to walk around houses (possibly) getting allergens in their bucket! But though you cannot avoid the time, you can definitely avoid problems this Halloween. But let's start the day with an affirmation.

Repeat after me: I can do anything, one step at a time!

It might feel like a mammoth task to have your kids avoid allergic food no matter the situation and, at the same time, make sure they are involved and getting childhood memories, like trick or treating at Halloween. But hey, I hear you! Breathe. Let's take it one step at a time. Okay?

Halloween feels big. There's so much to it. So if you're feeling overwhelmed, start with this simple affirmation: I can do ANYTHING, one step at a time!

 

Let's Connect online!

Etsy: @foodallergyawesomeneIG: @foodallergyawesomeness 

TikTok: @foodallergyawesomeness

We are nearing this year’s Halloween! Another year for wonderful dress-ups, togetherness, and of course, lots of trick-o-treating for kids!

But that’s where the challenge lies when your littles have food allergies. How do you help them make the most of this Halloween yet stay cautious about the treats they receive?

That’s where you come in and be a Halloween ally with us! Help our littles know they are seen, validated, and celebrated!

In today’s episode, I’m discussing how to help our littles with food allergies feel less disconnected this Halloween. Tune in!

Key Takeaways:

● Approximately 32 million Americans today are living with food allergies. That means 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 13 children have food allergies!

●  If your little one has food allergies, it helps to keep a bag packed with essentials like food, epi-pens, phone charger, coloring books, and stuff to keep them busy in case of an emergency.

●  This Halloween, you can make children with food allergies feel accepted by gifting them just about anything like stickers, glow sticks, or small toys that don’t cause them reactions, and posting a little note somewhere on the house to show you are an allergy-friendly family. Believe it or not, simple things like these could mean the world to children.

Find me online!

Etsy: @foodallergyawesomeneIG: @foodallergyawesomeness 

TikTok: @foodallergyawesomeness

Most of us are used to negative self-talk. But what if we flipped the switch on ourselves, what if we switched to saying something like: "I love myself for who I am"?

This is your affirmation for today. It might feel very simple, but I want to remind you and everyone out there: The loudest voice that we always hear is our own voice inside our head — and it's a it is not fair to talk to ourselves any other way than positive and kind.

Love yourself for being silly. Love yourself for being serious. Love yourself for your spelling errors, and love yourself for not being the best at math. Because all of it together makes you. And everything about you is amazing. It makes you unique. The world needs you and your uniqueness.

Find me online!

Etsy: @foodallergyawesomeneIG: @foodallergyawesomeness

TikTok: @foodallergyawesomeness

The way we talk to our children about food allergies shapes their relationship with allergies and food for the rest of their lives. What are the words you are saying to your children? 

The first time Devyn had an allergic reaction to a food allergy, she was traumatized. Her body reacted, yes, but the reason for her trauma was not only the physical impact but the mental impact triggered by a lack of proper knowledge about food allergies! Devyn developed nervous eating habits, and her parents restricted her from eating anything they weren’t certain wouldn’t cause allergies… because there wasn’t much they knew about it. So for them, they were just trying to keep her safe. 

In today’s episode of the Food Allergy Awesomeness podcast, Devyn joins me for a discussion on the influential role of your mind in managing food allergies. Drawing lessons from her own experience, she expresses that she grew up with parents who projected fear, and helplessness which could be overcome with proper knowledge about the condition and uncovering its root causes.

It is good to be vigilant; it always has been that way. But it’s important to not let your vigilance take the form of fear.

Allergies could be a part of your existence but don’t define you!

 

We’ll discuss:

The turning point in Devyn’s life with food allergy: Consulting an allergist. Devin was 18 when she did that. The experience didn’t feel like owning her power but helped her make sense of everything happening to her body because of the allergy.

Live less in fear and more in retrospect: Switch from the lack mentality to an abundance mindset. Instead of looking at all that you can’t have, focus on the many things you can have.

Do not panic: Train your mind to believe it will be fine.

The way we talk to our children about food allergies shapes how their relationship with allergies and food. 

About Devyn:

 

Devyn Derksen is a nutrition coach who helps people live healthy and happy lives with their nutrition issues or food allergies.

 

Find Devyn online!

Podcast: Weight Neutral Nutrition 

Instagram: @devyn.derkson

Tiktok: @devynderksen 

 

Find Food Allergy Awesomeness online!

Etsy: @foodallergyawesomeness

IG: @foodallergyawesomeness

TikTok@foodallergyawesomeness

Pinterest: @foodallergyawesomeness

#9 Food Allergy Awesomeness - My Heart Is Grateful

 

You might not realize this, but gratitude is a subtle but powerful emotion – one that can captivate your mind in just a matter of seconds.

 

And in this short affirmation episode, I’m helping you gently feel that transformative power.

 

So here it goes:

 

Repeat after me: MY HEART IS GRATEFUL. Say it aloud; say it again. Say it until you can feel it inside.

 

Amid the challenges of everyday life, we often forget to see, acknowledge and be grateful for the things we are fortunate to have.

 

Especially with the unwavering stare of food allergies.

 

So take your focus out of the things you lack, observe all you have, and bring your kids to witness the same. Gratitude is an effective cure for most of our worries!

 

Until we talk again, 

 

Find me online!

 

Etsy: @foodallergyawesomeness

IG: @foodallergyawesomeness

TikTok: @foodallergyawesomeness

Pinterest: @foodallergyawesomeness

Navigating life with allergies: her own and her kids

 

A mom, cyber security analyst, and aromatherapy yoga coach, Corinna Dunn Stone’s wellness journey began wonderfully in 2011. After welcoming her fifth baby, she grew to become a group exercise fitness instructor, teaching up to 8 classes a week! While she kept amping up her professional career, her health took a toll when she was diagnosed with Lupus in 2019. After years of debilitating fatigue and unexplained pain, she realized that western Medicine couldn’t always be relied upon.

 

She became infinitely more intentional about yoga and meditation, a thought that took her forward in life incredibly. Not only this, but she has multiple other food allergies – shellfish, eggs, bell peppers, almonds, and even bees, as well as some of her children, who have food allergies. Wonder how she manages her nutrition and lives happily… Tune in!

 

We’ll explore:

How food allergies show up and how to check if a food you’re allergic to can be eaten in another way: While highly sensitive people cannot have certain foods to any degree, others can consume them if the composition has changed.

Having your kids take their Epipens everywhere: It’s hard to convince your kids of that. But if you put in the effort to explain to them clearly why it has to be done, things could become a lot easier!

It’s difficult finding places for people with food allergies, in order to avoid last-minute confusion, pre-research restaurants in your area that can accommodate all of your family's allergies too.

Do not create a "good food, bad food" mentality in your kids’ minds. Focus on how you talk about food even their allergies as it will shape their relationship with food.

 

About Corinna:

Corinna Dunn Stone is an aromatherapy yoga coach.

Find Corinna online and work with her!

Instagram: @corinadunnwellness

 

Find me online!

Etsy: @foodallergyawesomeness

IG: @foodallergyawesomeness

TikTok: @foodallergyawesomeness

Pinterest: @foodallergyawesomeness

#7 Food Allergy Awesomeness - I will be kind to myself and others today

Some days are good, full of positive vibes, and a joy to traverse. At the same time, some others cause an air of negative emotions to blow in.

 

And while it’s difficult to be kind to anyone on tough days, it’s often the toughest to be kind to ourselves.

 

So, for today’s affirmation, I want you to ask yourself to be kind to yourself and others.

 

I know you might be having a hard day. But despite anything that’s happening around you, I want you to treat yourself with kindness. You are the loudest voice you will ever hear. Make sure you communicate knowing how you are talking to yourself and others.

 

Lean into love whenever possible.

 

Again, say it with me: I will be kind to myself and others today.

 

Until next time!

 

 

Find me online!

 

Etsy: @foodallergyawesomeness

IG: @foodallergyawesomeness

TikTok: @foodallergyawesomeness

Pinterest: @foodallergyawesomeness

Anyone who’s known FPIES knows how painfully hard it is to have a balanced diet despite it. Veronica Lamb, my guest for today’s episode, has dealt with her children’s food FPIES sensitivities ever since they were babies. She recollects her time from diagnosing and realizing hers and her children’s food sensitivities to adjusting food habits at home and empowering her children to live their lives happily despite the problems.

On the professional front, Veronica is a holistic health & life coach who helps high-achieving women transform their lives with a simple five-minute daily practice, her own signature “TRUE PRESCRIPTION FRAMEWORK”. Her approach is always holistic - involving spirit, mind, and body to get sustainable life-long results. Plus, she comes with 14 years of experience in the game.

Listen in to learn how this mamma progressed through her kids’ food journey and how she’s helped one of them even overcome it over time!

We’ll discuss:

What FPies sensitivities are and how they affect your daily life: Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome refers to a sensitivity to cow’s milk, soy, coconut milk, and related foods. It causes diarrhoea, vomiting, and related issues.

Listening to your body to understand what food suits and doesn’t: Veronica uses her daughter’s example to share how important it is to listen to what our body says it cannot have.

Dealing with the stress of managing her kids’ different food sensitivities and related health issues: Veronica resorted to CBD oil to get proper sleep. She also sought the help of an online virtual community.

How do you manage a social life with all your insensitivities? Bring your own food wherever you go. Let your friends know the seriousness of your condition.

How to encourage kids with insensitivities to live their life happily without fear: Tell them how common it is. Many people in the world have small or big insensitivities; while some know of it, others don't.

 

 

About Veronica:

 

Veronica is a holistic health & life coach. With 14 years of experience coaching women, she developed her own signature “TRUE PRESCRIPTION FRAMEWORK” to help female leaders transform their life with a simple 5-minute daily practice.

Podcast listeners can get a FREE Diagnostic Discovery Session. We talk about where you are & the strategy to get you healed, whole, and thriving. Book your free call here:

https://calendly.com/veronicalambhnl/free-call

*Spots limited, August only*

 

 

Find Veronica online!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veronicalambhnl/

Website: https://www.veronicalamb.com

 

Find me online!

Etsy: @foodallergyawesomeness

IG: @foodallergyawesomeness

TikTok: @foodallergyawesomeness

Food allergies are no joke. It’s challenging to stay healthy while managing to stay away from the things that could potentially wreak havoc in your or your child's body.

 

You might not feel it some days, but you are thriving. You’ve made it this far, and you’re taking a step forward in your journey with every passing moment, every day.

 

Be proud of yourself. That’s it. That’s your affirmation for today.

 

Let me remind you to give yourself enough appreciation for making it through the tiny, big events of the day in this episode of Food Allergy Awesomeness.

 

Let us appreciate and reflect on those times when you were your BEST self for YOUrself!

 

Find me online!

Etsy: @foodallergyawesomeness

IG: @foodallergyawesomeness

TikTok: @foodallergyawesomeness

Pinterest: @foodallergyawesomeness