True Life - Did it live up to the hype?

After watching 'True Life: I'm Allergic to Everything' last night on MTV, I was a little disappointed. Having watched 'True Life' before I'm not sure why, but I was expecting something different. I understand that they are looking for extreme situations, I was just hoping last nights episode would be a little more focused on the majority of those with food allergy. While trying to watch as an outsider not effected by food allergy, I was worried that it may have came across as exaggerated and unrealistic. My fear was that the show would portray those of us dealing with food allergies to be, for lack of a better word, "crazy". Not to say that I didn't feel for and understand what the teens on last nights episode where going through, it just may have been difficult to grasp for those who are not forced to live like we do and or lack any food allergy awareness and education. 

I would have liked to have seen some focus on what it is like to have to constantly read labels for everything you touch let alone put into your mouth. Maybe shed some light on the problems that exist with food labels such as the various names for one specific allergen or the lack of advisory labels that lead us to have to worry about cross contamination.

Speaking of cross contamination, how about the poor communication between the girl, Raelyn and her waitress while dining out? They made that look easy. Although it did show her having a reaction, it was hard to blame any of that on the miscommunication with the wait staff since she was suffering from idiopathic anaphylaxis. I do see where they may have been trying to get the message across about the difficulty and danger of eating out. However this message was failed in my opinion. Again, I was trying to watch as someone unaffected by food allergy.

I know a lot of you who watched voiced concern for Raelyn and her families poor  management of her food allergies. I was shocked to hear that she is on FAAN's teen council. I think the thing that sent me over the edge with her was after she realized she shouldn't have eaten the chinese food (that I thought her doctor made pretty clear was not a good idea earlier that day) her dad continued to praise her poor decision by telling her, "Yes you should [have eaten the chinese food] I think its so brave." What the hell?

Not to just pick on Raelyn or to say that we don't all make mistakes. After all there was Zeke's food challenge with the tuna that I disagreed with being done in the evening. Luckily he was still awake when his body ultimately reacted and it was treated. Was it treated correctly? I don't know. I think I would have used the epi after he started having stomach pain along with his rash or hives.

I did like that the show, though briefly, highlighted the situation between Zeke and one of his peers on the hockey rink picking fun at him for his food allergies. This is just another common and serious issue with food allergies that I was hoping to see a little more of, especially being that it is MTV and there is such a large young, or teen, audience.

In all, I do applaud their efforts in creating an awareness for food allergy and showing the dangers. I just think I was expecting something different and held my expectations of the show too high. What did you think? I'd love to hear your opinions on the show, though I fear some of my wording may have just set myself up for some lashings from some of you. Haha! Let me have it.

If you have not yet seen 'True Life: I'm Allergic to Everything' you can watch it this Saturday at 3:30pm on MTV or watch the entire episode here at mtv.com.

What's in your sunscreen?

This Memorial Day my son had a reaction to Banana Boat sunscreen. He broke out in a rash almost immediately after I applied the sunscreen. My first thought was of course tree nuts. However, after reading the label and calling Banana Boat I was assured that there was no use of tree nuts in the ingredients, BUT they still could not guarantee that the facility used to process and package their products was indeed a nut free facility. Based on his previous reactions I am almost certain though that this outbreak was from something other then tree nuts so I did some research and was shocked to find that most sunscreens, unfortunately, contain an active ingredient known to cause contact sensitivity such as an allergic response as well as several other potentially hazardous ingredients.

According to the European Journal of Dermatology the most common active ingredients in sunscreens reported to cause reactions are as follows:

Para aminobenzoic acid (PABA)

Benzophenones or Oxybenzone

Dibenzoylmethane derivatives

Cinnamates or *Octinoxate (octyl methoxycinnamate)

Octocrylene

*This was the chemical used in the Banana Boat sunscreen my son used. In Japan, use of octinoxate is limited in certain cosmetics.

Sunscreens containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are a good choice for people with allergy to sunscreen, concerns of developing allergy to sunscreen, and/or those who are looking for the best UVA protection without any sunscreen chemical considered to be a potential hormone disruptor such as those listed above.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), has recently released its fifth annual Sunscreen Guide where the Banana Boat sunscreen used on my son received an overall score of 6 including a HIGH health concern. What's worse is that EWG can only recommend one in five of more than 600 sunscreens in its guide.

Also, Laura at Living Gluten and Grain Free, has compiled a great list of gluten-free sunscreens which also includes an Allergen Column, listing those sunscreens that contain grain and nut ingredients. Review Laura's Gluten-Free Sunscreen list.

As recommended by my sons allergist, we are now using Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen which I was very happy to see received a overall score of 2 on the EWG Sunscreen Guide. The Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Sensitive, SPF 30+ and the Blue Lizard Baby Australian Sunscreen, SPF 30+ that we use both contain no Octinoxate which I believed to have caused my sons earlier reaction. I also happen to like that the bottle turns pink in UV light. Its the little things.

**The FDA hasn't issued any new sunscreen safety regulations for more than 30 years. EWG Action Fund is meeting with the FDA soon to tell them to finally do their job to protect the American people and  they need your help. 12,278 more signatures are needed by midnight tonight to take to the FDA. Visit the petition in the upper right hand side bar and sign today.

Food Allergies: Health and Healing Book Review

click on image to purchase

Food Allergies: Health and Healing 

By: Jo Stepaniak, MSEd
Vesanto Melina, MS, RD
Dina Aronson, MS, RD
Reviewed by Frank and Mary Hoffman

Review: I just finished reading Food Allergies: Health and Healing, a Natural Health Guide sent to me from Books Alive publishing for review. I found the book very informative and practical for those new to food allergies. With only 64 pages it is a quick afternoon or evening read covering the basics of food allergies including symptoms, causes, and diagnosing. I did find that the use of the terms "food allergy", "food intolerance" and "food sensitivity" used throughout the book to be a bit confusing for those new to food allergies although these terms where defined in the beginning of the book.

There is a section in the book that discusses a Do-It-Yourself Elimination Diet and Food Challenge that I felt to be misleading in that this self diagnosing approach should only be done if food intolerance is suspected or you are under strict orders from your physician. The severity of food allergy was, in my opinion, slightly downplayed.

I did like that the guide touched on the risk of cross-contamination and misleading labels. Dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, corn and wheat allergies where highlighted, while fish and shellfish, seeds, latex and other food culprits where briefly discussed.

Food Allergies: Health and Healing also provides a sampling of food allergy safe recipes based on a plant-centered diet. I found that the Berry Delicious "Ice Cream", Choco-Currant Cranberry Squares, and the Black Bean Tostadas, which are more of a black bean taco, to be about the only kid friendly recipes out of the eight included in the book.

Overall I would recommend the Food Allergies: Health and Healing natural health guide to anyone who may be new to food allergies and looking for a quick overview until other in depth material and education can be provided. Given the length, only 64 pages, this would make a great read for relatives or friends who may not be directly affected by food allergies but require the education. It will provide the basic understanding of the difference between a food intolerance and a food allergy, the range of symptoms associated with food allergy and how to recognize them as well as some hidden sources of food allergens and how to avoid them while preparing food, traveling, and eating out. 

*This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others.

Other related posts:

Allergy Safety Products by Onespot Allergy - Review 

Shabtai Gourmet Gluten Free Review

The link between Food Allergies and Migraines

A family history of asthma, eczema, hives, hay fever, or any type allergy are said to possibly increase ones risk of developing a food allergy. So, while discussing our family history at a recent consultation with my sons new allergist, I was asked if any of us suffered from migraines. I found the question rather odd since it wasn't clear to me at the time how my migraines could be related to my sons food allergy.

Turns out, some scientists attribute the cause of migraines to food allergy leaving many experts to believe that foods can worsen migraines through an allergic process involving the immune system. Thus causing complexes in the blood in which food proteins clump together with antibodies directed against these proteins. Unfortunately, this type of allergic reaction cannot be detected by conventional allergy testing. However, if you choose, IgG food allergy testing can be done to determine possible "trigger foods"

Studies have reported a possible association between migraine and various allergic disorders. It was observed that parents with migraines had a greater chance of having children with asthma and allergies. All of this leads to the importance of the question, "Does anyone in your family suffer from migraines?"

Parental history of migraine and bronchial asthma in children F. Gürkan*, A. Ece*, K. Haspolat** and B. Dikici***

Having suffered from migraine headaches myself, this all resulted in a brief period of mommy guilt, as if I gave my son his allergy. Of course, I know better and I hope that this doesn't place any guilt upon any of you who also suffer from migraines and have a child with asthma and/or allergies. There are many different possible causes, other then our own family history, that play a role in the development of food allergies. See also: Is there a connection between Genetically Modified Food and Food Allergies?, Are We Really Too Clean?, and Is there a connection between Vaccines and Food Allergies?

My Little Rant on Steve Ells and America's Next Great Restaurant

I love that Chipotle Mexican Grill is very allergy friendly, but what good does it do when they're food is so spicy my son cant eat it anyways. I have been watching America's Next Great Restaurant and becoming continuously annoyed with Steve Ells, the founder of Chipotle. Does it bother anyone else to see him as a judge on this show? How can he critique a kids meal while he serves up chicken in Chipotle's kids Taco Kits that is too spicy for even some adults? Maybe its just me, but I also find the red onions a little odd for a kids meal as well.

My rant doesnt stop there. I am tired of hearing how healthy Chipotle is because of their ingredients. It doesn't really matter how fresh your food is when your eating enough to feed an army. Hello? What is up with their mammoth portion sizes? They make a burrito the size of a football! Whats healthy about that? It also bothers me to hear Steve Ells critisize the originality of someones concept. Maybe its just California, but a taco/burrito take out restaurant? Not original. That is my rant on Steve Ells and America's Next Great Restaurant. Bobby Flay what where you thinking?

You can agree to disagree, but either way, **sigh** I feel better now :)

You can watch America's Next Great Restaurant Sunday nights on NBC.

Miracle-gro potting soil contains peanuts, tree nuts & coconut.

Spring and gardening seem to go hand in hand, but if you or your child has a peanut or tree nut allergy be sure to take extra caution when choosing your potting soil. There was a post on the Spokane Food Allergy Support Network (SpokaneFASN) Facebook page recently by Kimberly S. who wrote, "VERY IMPORTATNT!! PLEASE READ - Miracle-gro potting soil contains peanuts, tree nuts & coconut. The packages are NOT labeled. I spent 45 minutes on the phone today w/ a customer service rep. to confirm, please pass this along." This is yet another great example of why it is so important to call the manufacturer when using a new product or trying a new food regardless of what the label says!

Kimberly continued her post stating, "I went to Home Depot today & checked out ALL the pkgs & found NOT 1 single one to have any allergy warning or any nut product listed on the pkgs. I called the 800 # while I was there so I could read any pkg info if needed. The rep said all the soils that contain a moisture control have peanuts & tree nuts in them. I was interested in the seed starting soil & questioned him on this. He said he could not find any PN/TN in that particular soil BUT it is made & packaged in the same facility & he could not get any answers if the 2 different types of soils were processed in different areas of the facility and/or if they share the same equipment. He did also state that nothing was sterilized or cleaned after each batch was packaged. Therefore - any package can have the cross contamination or possible containment of peanuts, tree nuts & coconuts." Visit the SpokaneFASN Facebook page to see Kimberly's post.

Also wanting to get something in writing from Scotts Miracle Gro, I sent them an email confirming the presence of peanuts/tree nuts in their potting soil and the absence of the allergens listed on their packaging. This was their response:

Thank you for your interest in Scotts and for the opportunity to help you with your lawn and garden endeavors.

I am sorry that you found the Miracle-Gro Potting Mix label misleading. Miracle-Gro makes every effort to provide clear and accurate information on every product label. I will forward this information to our Marketing Department so that they can review the label.

The Potting Mix is formulated regionally using various materials that may include peanut or tree nut by-products.

Some of the compost can contain animal manures (all are bovine). Organic Choice Potting Mix uses the poultry litter as a fertilizer. Below are the ingredients in our potting mixes:

Organic Choice Potting Mix: * 50-55% Composted bark * Sphagnum Peat Moss * Pasteurized Poultry Litter (Organic certified source) * Organic Wetting agent (helps soil absorb water) - OMRI Certified Yucca Plant Extract.

POTTING SOIL: **Peat moss (the major component that is harvested from natural peat bogs) **compost (the compost may contain animal manures, composted leaves, grass clippings, and/or composted bark). **perlite (white volcanic rocks used for drainage and soil texture) **Some contain 'Osmocote' fertilizer that looks like small clear fluid-filled balls.

MOISTURE CONTROL POTTING SOIL: **Peat moss (the major component that is harvested from natural peat bogs) **compost (the compost may contain animal manures, composted leaves, grass clippings, and/or composted bark). **perlite (white volcanic rocks used for drainage and soil texture) ***composted hulls of coconuts to help absorbed more water than regular potting soil. This is the Aqua Coir (pronounced "core") component of the soil. ** 'Osmocote' fertilizer that look like small clear fluid-filled balls.

TOPSOIL & GARDEN SOIL **contain actual soil from the earth as well as compost. Some of our topsoil, lawn soils, and gardening soils contain Osmocote fertilizer.Thank you for your interest in Miracle-Gro. Ms. Ramirez, have you tried the new Miracle-Gro LiquaFeed? It's an all new garden feeder that uses easy to attach liquid Miracle-Gro plant food bottles. LiquaFeed makes feeding your garden as easy as watering. No measuring, mixing, or guessing. To learn more about new Miracle-Gro LiquaFeed visit http://liquafeed.com/.

Additionally, to learn more about how to have a beautiful lawn, or spectacular garden, go to http://scotts.com and be sure to sign up for our free email reminder services.

Again, thank you for your interest in Scotts. Please feel free to contact our company anytime we may be of assistance.

Karen Rausch
Consumer Response Representative
The Scotts Company and Subsidiaries
14111 Scottslawn Road
Marysville, OH 43041
800-645-8166

Ref # 9355663 

Not exactly what I was looking for, but at least it was acknowledged that their is a possibility of peanuts and/or tree nuts in their product. I was however pleased to hear that this would be forwarded as a concern to their Marketing Department for review and am hopeful that they will see the importance and need for the proper labeling of these allergens on their packaging. 

Other related posts:  
Finally some answers from Silk
Food Allergens In Unexpected Places
Could your Duraflame be more then just a fire hazard?
Reminder in the midst of the Hostess recall
Energy/Enhancement Drinks and Milk Allergies 
Beware: The Maraschino Cherry

For more information on how to read labels with food allergies read Label Reading

More Fruits and Veggies, Please!

By Anne Kolker MS Registered Dietitian

As a dietitian and a mom of three young children, I naturally have a bowl of fruit on the kitchen table. You may think that this has always been the case. The truth is that it wasn’t. The practice of having fresh fruit sitting out didn’t occur to me until I had a friend from out of town visit me. This was during the time when I only had one young child and was studying nutrition. The light bulb went off. I realized fruit wasn’t a big part of our diet. I concentrated on vegetables and whole grains because ironically, I am allergic to many fruits.
Of course placing a bowl of apples, pears, and bananas in a colorful bowl from Crate and Barrel isn’t enough. True to what I have learned about children’s eating habits, slicing fruit and placing it at an easy-to-reach location right after school does the trick. Serving dips like ranch dressing or peanut butter with carrots for dinner also works. This holds true for adults too. Imagine being served fresh slices of peaches and plums right before the end of dinner. Sounds yummy doesn’t it? That’s right, you’ll actually eat it vs. just staring at a lonely whole peach sitting in front of you. Please, try this experiment at home!
Lonely fruit and vegetables seems to be a national phenomenon. According to the USDA, fewer than 15 percent of elementary students eat the recommended 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Furthermore, average fruit and vegetable intake among 6-11 year olds is only 3.5 servings a day 1.
Does low fruit and vegetable intake really matter when children are young? Chronic illness such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer are usually concerns for adults. However, life-long positive eating habits (such as eating low fat foods, consuming foods with high fiber, eating less processed foods) are habit-forming when started young. Furthermore, certain diseases such as diabetes and high cholesterol are starting to appear in children who are overweight. Finally, fruits and vegetables have so many naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and fiber that are good for your health.
Are our busy lifestyles to blame? Certainly, if you have kids you are getting in the car to go somewhere (to a restaurant, to soccer practice, etc.). Packaged food such as chips or power bars are very convenient and there is something about opening up a package that seems so easy compared to slicing up that lonely piece of fruit. It really is just a mindset though. Once you start packing up the fruits and veggies in Tupperware containers you will get in the habit. Plus, fruits and veggies are low in calories and fill you up.
We are constantly bombarded with food advertisements and not necessarily for healthy food such as fruits and vegetables. In fact, children 2 to 11 years old are exposed to an average of 150 to 200 hours of commercial messages, or 20,000 commercials a year and the majority of these advertisement are for cereals, candies, or other sweets.
So, what is a parent to do? Role modeling is my motto. If you are eating your fruits and vegetables, your children will too. In 2002, researchers at Pennsylvania State University examined parental pressure (“finish your vegetables” or “do as I say”) vs. role modeling (“do as I do”) among 191 five year old girls. The results showed that a daughter’s fruit and vegetable intake was positively related to their parent’s reported fruit and vegetable intake.
So what can you do this week?
Get your kids involved:

• Have them choose the veggies and fruit they want when you are at the store.
• Let the kids create a fruit kebob for a snack. Lay out the different fruit in an assembly line. Try pineapple, grapes, sliced strawberries, and more.
• Create a rainbow chart with different colors representing the different fruit. When you eat blueberries, mark this down in the blue section.
• Plan to go to the farmers market this weekend.
• Have your kids create a fruit salad; this is great for building motor skills in young children (remember to slice grapes in half as they can be a choking hazard for young kids).
• Keep a chart and see how easy it is to get fruit and veggies into your diet. Here are examples of one serving of fruit or veggie: a small banana, 6 strawberries, ¼ cup of raisins, ½ cup of mini carrots or broccoli.
• Grow your own fruit and veggies. Go to your local nursery and purchase seeds. If you have a small back yard, just use pots. Home grown veggies really taste great.
• Buy one less packaged item (crackers) and replace it with kiwis or some sugar snap peas.
• Add sliced bananas on top of pancakes.
• Try making fresh applesauce (link to recipe?)
• Limit packaged fruit (Jell-O and fruit) or canned fruit with syrup.
• Plan the night before. If you are off to the zoo tomorrow, get the lunch boxes out, wash the grapes and mini carrots.
• When your kids get home from school, have the sliced fruit on the table and eat this snack together.
• Limit fruit juice as many brands have added sugar. Although 100% with added vitamin C seems like a good choice, real fruit is still a better choice (real fruit contains fiber, vitamins and minerals).
• Try something new: grilled asparagus with prosciutto.
• Try taste testing events with different veggies and dips and different varieties of fruit.

This family wellness article is provided by Nourish Interactive, visit www.nourishinteractive.com for nutrition articles, family wellness tips, free children's healthy games, and tools.  Available in English and Spanish.
Copyright ©2011 Nourish Interactive - All Rights Reserved.