Posts from ‘Food Allergies’
how I freeze and store cupcakes
Every couple of months I bake up some cupcakes and freeze them. With food allergies, we always need to be prepared for parties and school events.
Today I posted this picture on my Marketing Mama Facebook page to share how I store them, in these cute Cup-a-Cake containers. There was so much excitement, I realized I should share here, too.
These handy little containers store cupcakes in the center of the unit so they don’t lose their frosting or get crushed. They are a big improvement over regular storage containers.
I freeze cupcakes for 3-4 months at a time, with the frosting on, and they still taste great. The frosting does get a little gritty (in a sugary-sort of way) from freezing, but is not a big deal.
I run them through the top rack of the dishwasher or wash by hand. They are very durable and run about $3 each or you can buy in groups. They come in many different colors. All families who need to bring their own cupcakes along for dietary reasons should have these – we love them!
You can find more of my food allergy posts, tips & recipes on my Food Allergy page. I’d also love to connect with you on my Marketing Mama facebook page and twitter. This post, and all posts on this blog, are written from my experiences as a parent of a child with food allergies. I am not a medical expert and encourage you to consult with a doctor on your personal medical situation.
EpiPens come in two strengths, regular and junior. The junior size is for children up to 66 lbs. Both strengths are eligible for the $0 co-pay promotion by Mylan Specialty.
If you or someone you know has food allergies or insect allergies, you should see an allergist (special doctor trained in allergies) to learn if you need to carry epinephrine (commonly known as the Epi Pen) with you. Most families I know with food allergies are told to carry epinephrine (2 doses at all times). When a severe reaction hits, this medication can be critical for survival.
I’ve learned you cannot predict the severity of a food allergy reaction based on previous reactions. I’ve witnessed reactions that are mild for one exposure and very serious the next. In other words, I can’t just expect it will be the same type of reaction each time and need to prepare for serious reactions.
Many people KNOW they should carry an Epi Pen for severe allergies, but don’t actually do it for a number of reasons. I’ve heard:
- It’s expired and I need a new prescription
- They are so expensive
- I’ll just give an antihistamine or call 911 if needed
- I keep forgetting it at home
Friends – NO MORE EXCUSES!
The reason the FDA gives average people like you and me auto-injector needles with epinephrine in them is because people suffering from a severe allergic reaction need the medicine administered IMMEDIATELY – survival rates are highest when the epi is given in under 2 minutes from onset of symptoms. This means we need to act quickly and not “wait for the paramedics” or try to drive the person to the hospital ourselves.
As my 5 year old daughter makes new social connections, she’s beginning to be more and more aware of how she is different from the other children when it comes to her food allergies. And while she often takes these differences in stride, she doesn’t like to feel singled out or “forced” to talk about them.
Today at a play area, another child asked her about her medical bracelet. She said, “I have food allergies.” Her new friend asked, “what are you allergic to?” to which she replied, “I’m allergic to a lot of things but I don’t want to talk about it” and then quickly changed the subject. They kept playing and had fun.
And I was proud. You see, about a month ago, my daughter told me she didn’t like how she felt the other kids were talking about her food allergies “too much” at preschool. She’d much rather talk about fun stuff, like animals and sports and coloring. And so I told her that it was her decision when to talk about it – and empowered her to set some boundaries, letting her know it’s OK to not get into a big conversation every time someone asks.
It can be challenging to stay on top of the latest news and information on food allergies. One thing I’ve appreciated about the local group I’m involved in, The Food Allergy Support of Minnesota, is the regular face-to-face meetings and, more recently, webinars, to allow me to learn about different food allergy topics.
Recently the group decided to offer access to past webinars for free for anyone who is interested. The only thing you need to do to access the webinars is register for a free account on the web site.
Archived webinars available to watch now:
School Basics Bonanza
Parents: Learn about all the food obstacles in a typical elementary school day, including lessons, celebrations, snacks, field trips, substitutes and lunch.
The Big Quack is the annual fundraiser for the Food Allergy Support Group of MN. We had a great time last year!
My kiddos and I have decided to put our heads and hearts together to raise money to help the Food Allergy Support Group of MN (link to fundraising page here). This group has made a significant difference in our lives. From the early days of my daughter’s diagnosis of life-threatening food allergies to years later, navigating school and social situations. This group is truly an emotional lifeline for children and parents with food allergies in the Twin Cities.
Our family participates in the meetings for both parents and kids and we go to the fun events throughout the year. This is a big part of our community and support system and I am so grateful for the group’s existence. In fact, I spend quite a few hours a month volunteering on the Board of Directors for the group – helping make decisions and lend time and support to make sure the group is sustainable moving forward.
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