Parent Education Resources: Allergy Information

This recipe competition will have a twist from our previous "KFA Iron Chef" competitions, which were modeled after the Iron Chef television show on the Food Network. KFA Iron Chef competitions have challenged competitors to create a delicious recipe that adheres to a secret theme and "without" certain allergens.

This time, we are updating the competition as a special national "KFA Recipe Showdown" event. Here is how it will work:

First: Members will create and submit original recipes for the competition.

Next: Following recipe submissions, we will invite KFA supporters to host house parties to prepare and vote on the recipes and collect donations for KFA. House parties will be a fun way to raise awareness about what it's like to live with food allergies while supporting Kids With Food Allergies, a tax-exempt nonprofit charity!

The theme for this competition is "Grillin' and Chillin'." Challengers are invited to submit one hot grilled recipe and/or one chilled recipe.

You can get involved in this national event as a Recipe Challenger, a Party Host, or both!

More information about participating in this event as a challenger or as a party host is available on a special Creating Better Lives Today™ for Kids With Food Allergies Web page.

Bloggers and Web site owners are welcome to grab our new Fundraising Calendar widget to help share our events with family, friends, and site visitors.

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Finding the Right Preschool or Daycare for Your Child with Food Allergies

Safety comes first for parents of children with food allergies

For most parents, finding an affordable, reputable center is the main concern when sending a child to preschool or daycare. But safety comes first for parents of children with food allergies, who have to do a lot of planning to make sure the center can safeguard against exposure.

Because food allergies have become more common, some preschools and daycares already have experience working with food allergic children. However, if you find a center that has never dealt with food allergies before, make sure they are willing to work with you and learn what needs to be done to keep your child safe.

Read the full article, which includes tips to keep in mind when evaluating potential caregivers for your child.


Bitty Banquet Fundraiser Held to Benefit KFA

We want to extend a sincere "thank you" to KFA volunteer Kristin Johnson for hosting a "Bitty Banquet" Fundraiser this past weekend that raised $650 for Kids With Food Allergies. We have so much on our "to do" list waiting for funding; these donations will be put to good use to provide more educational and program support for families raising kids with food allergies.

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News

Half of Kids with Peanut Allergy Don't Have Epi-Pen

The June 2008 Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology included a Canadian study that revealed that children with peanut allergies may run the risk of not receiving prompt treatment for life-threatening anaphylactic reaction because they don't have their epinephrine autoinjector with them at school.


Epinephrine: The Drug of Choice for Anaphylaxis. A Statement of the World Allergy Organization

The August 2008 Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology includes a statement from the World Allergy Organization following a review of the medical literature regarding the appropriate use of epinephrine for anaphylaxis. The Committee "strongly believes" that:
- Epinephrine is currently underutilized and often dosed suboptimally to treat anaphylaxis
- Epinephrine is under-prescribed for potential future self-administration
- Most of the reasons proposed to withhold its clinical use are flawed
- The therapeutic benefits of epinephrine exceed the risk when given in appropriate doses by intramuscular injection.


Allergic Reactions to Peanuts, Tree Nuts, and Seeds Aboard Commercial Airliners

The July 2008 Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology includes a report of a telephone survey regarding the prevalence and characteristics of in-flight reactions to peanuts, tree nuts and seeds. The survey of mostly adults found that 9% reported experiencing an allergic reaction to food while on board an airplane, some of which were serious and potentially life-threatening. Individuals commonly did not inform airline personnel about their reactions.

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July - August Peanut-Free Baseball Games

The following ball clubs are offering peanut-free sections or peanut-free stands for these upcoming games. Check with each respective ball club to find out the details:

• July 16, Kane County (IL) Cougars, sponsored by Enjoy Life Foods [more info]
  
• July 21, St. Louis (MO) Cardinals [more info]
  
• July 23, River City (MO) Rascals [more info]
  
• July 25, Reading (PA) Phillies, sponsored by Enjoy Life Foods [more info]
  
• July 26, Toronto (Canada) Blue Jays [more info]
  
• July 29, Minnesota (MN) Twins [more info]
  
• July 29, Cedar Rapids (IA) Kernels along with with The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network [more info]
  
• August 3, Mahoning Valley (OH) Scrappers [more info]
  
• August 3, New Hampshire Fisher Cats [more info]
  
• August 5th, Seattle (WA) Mariners [more info]
  
• August 6, River City (MO) Rascals [more info]
  
• August 6, New Britain (CT) Rock Cats [more info]
  
• August 15, Reading (PA) Phillies, sponsored by Enjoy Life Foods [more info]
  
• August 18, Minnesota (MN) Twins [more info]
  
• August 27th, Brooklyn (NY) Cyclones [more info]
  
• August 27, River City (MO) Rascals [more info]

In addition, the Nashua (NH) Pride now reserves a peanut-free section of 100 seats for every game.

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"Must Read" Discussions on Our Online Support Forums

Sign up for a free Associate Membership to read the messages posted in our "Main" online support group forum.


Trying to Change Our Comfort Level......Please Weigh In

"We are super over protective of our son. We are working towards changing our level of over protectiveness.....not easy!! I SO want to be more relaxed but at this point."

An interesting thread where parents share how each has various approaches to establishing comfort zones about what precautions to take around the home and when venturing out for visits elsewhere.

Groceries, How to Be Frugal

"I think we spend too much on groceries, and its just getting worse. I'm not sure how to cut back. I make a lot of our meals. We buy lots of fresh fruits and veggies. Milk kills us between DS's rice milk and my organic milk."

Does the cost of grocery shopping when you have to buy allergen-friendly foods pinch your weekly budget? Parents share strategies for saving and smart shopping to reduce weekly grocery bills.

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A Message from Our Sponsor

Click on the banner to visit the Web site of Cherrybrook Kitchen.

New Items: Cherrybrook Kitchen is very excited to introduce 5 new varieties of ready to eat cookies! All five varieties are peanut-free, dairy-free, egg-free and nut-free. Two of them are also wheat- and gluten-free. The flavors are chocolate chip (available in gluten-free too), snickerdoodle, fudge brownie, and vanilla graham.

Cookies are available online at www.cherrybrookkitchen.com and will be in the stores for back to school! CBK Rewards: You can get great prizes just for eating Cherrybrook Kitchen products! CBK Rewards is a UPC redemption program for great prizes like t-shirts, lunch bags, iPods and even more Cherrybrook Kitchen products! Visit www.cherrybrookkitchen.com for order form and details. Will Cherrybrook Kitchen be at an event near you? Visit www.cherrybrookkitchen.com to see exactly where our team is headed next! A full list of events is available for the end of the summer and the beginning of autumn.

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Safe Eats™ Recipes

The Safe Eats Recipe Database is one of a number of benefits for our Family Membership Subscribers. The following are two sample recipes from Safe Eats for you to enjoy. Beating the Heat with Cool Summer Fruit Recipes What better way to enjoy wonderful summer fruits than to make a yummy fruit pie and a frosty fruit drink your whole family can enjoy. Our Safe Eats Recipe Database is full of good ideas to make a quick and safe meal for your family. For more recipes to make your cooking easier, from breakfast through dessert, visit our Safe Eats Recipe Database. Reminder: These are recipes donated by members and have not been tested in a test kitchen. Be sure to verify the safety of all ingredients. Annika's Peach & Berry Pie What a yummy summertime treat to enjoy with juicy fresh ripened peaches and berries! Recipe created by Amy H Made without milk, soy, peanut, egg, tree nut, wheat, gluten, fish, shellfish, sesame. Category: Desserts # of Servings: 10 Ingredients 1 cup gluten-free flour blend 1 tsp xanthan gum 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 3 Tbsp soy-free shortening 1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp whipping cream or alternative whipped topping 2 Tbsp sugar mixed with 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup water 2 Tbsp cornstarch or sweet rice flour 5 fresh peaches, chopped 4 cups frozen blueberries Instructions Stir together gluten-free flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, and 1/4 cup sugar. Cut in shortening. Stir in 1/2 cup whipped topping with a fork until dough pulls into a ball. Knead lightly to catch in the rest of the dry crumbs. Lay out wax paper. Dust with additional gluten-free flour blend. Put dough ball on wax paper, and dust on additional gluten-free flour. Flatten with hands, adding flour as needed so that the dough doesn't stick. Roll out dough so that it's big enough to cover the top of a 3 quart deep casserole dish. Carefully pick up wax paper and set crust in refrigerator. Meanwhile, in large pan, stir together 1/2 cup sugar, water, and cornstarch. When the cornstarch is completely dissolved, stir in peaches and blueberries. Heat to boiling over medium heat, and then turn heat down and simmer for several minutes, stirring often so it doesn't stick. Pour fruit filling into dish. Take crust from refrigerator, and invert over fruit. Pull wax paper off. The crust will likely tear some; this is okay, just set the pieces back in place. Spread remaining tablespoon whipped topping on crust, and then sprinkle crust with the cinnamon-sugar. Bake at 375 degrees F for an hour or so until crust browns. Comments Copyright 2006 Amy Hugon, all rights reserved. Substitutions For brand recommendations of soy-free shortening and dairy, corn and soy-free whipped topping, Family Membership subscribers can ask for suggestions in our Food & Cooking Forum. Pina Colada Paletas Recipe Created By: Kathy P. Made without milk, soy, peanut, egg, tree nut, wheat, gluten, corn, fish, shellfish, sesame. Category: Frozen Desserts Ingredients 1 8 ounce can pineapple chunks, in juice 1/2 cup coconut milk 1/3 cup sugar 1 tsp vanilla Instructions Combine all ingredients in a blender jar. Blend on high until smooth and creamy. Divide evenly among 6 fruit bar molds, and follow manufacturer's directions for setting sticks. Freeze until solid, at least 3 hours. Unmold according to manufacturer's directions. Comments Copyright Kathy Przywara 2001, all rights reserved. Substitutions For corn free, be sure to find canned pineapple that does not contain ascorbic or citric acid. Family Membership subscribers can check out the new recipes added this month by entering the Recipe Database and clicking on "new recipes" in the left navigation menu.

Click on the banner to visit the Maggietales Web site

Waiting Time is Storytime™
When doctor's visits take longer than you expect, turn to Maggie Tales™, Instant Storytime™ for Kids. Your kids can enjoy picture books on your iPod, phone or other mobile device. Currently free at iTunes or www.maggietales.com.


Enjoy Life Foods
At Enjoy Life, our whole business is making smile-good foods that keep your insides happy too. Gluten-free and made without any of the eight most common allergens, our cookies, snack bars, granola, trail mix, chocolate chips and bagels are yum-alicious. With Enjoy Life, everyone can eat freely and smile inside out! www.enjoylifefoods.com


Simple Soynut Butter
Five delicious flavors of Simple Soynut Butter created especially for kids. Guaranteed peanut-free, tree-nut-free, gluten-free, organic, vegan and kosher. Simple Soynut Butter is carefully produced in its very own dedicated facility. www.simplefood.com


Cookies...For Me?
Our cookies are delicious!!! We specialize in oversized gourmet cookies that are gluten free, egg free and nut free. Now selling at fine stores in Bucks County, PA and shipping fresh orders nationwide. You won't believe these cookies are for you....they're scrumptious! www.cookiesforme.com



Peanut Free Planet
Have you visited our new website? We have over 150 products that are both peanut and tree nut free and many cover other allergies as well. Until July 31, receive 10% off your order up to $100 with coupon code KWFA01101, plus free shipping over $100!



Divvies
Divvies bakery cookies, gourmet popcorns, and cupcakes are baked and popped without peanuts, tree nuts, eggs and milk in Divvies' own dedicated facility. As seen on the Martha Stewart Show! www.divvies.com

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Food Allergy Recalls

The following foods were recently recalled. Check our Web site for complete details:

U.S. allergy recalls

• Domega International Co., Ltd.: Korica Brand Mut Gung Sweetened Ginger (undeclared sulfites)

Canadian allergy recalls

• Paradise Bakery: Paradise Bakery brand Apple Flip and various fruit pies: (undeclared milk and eggs)
  
• Coboss Canada Inc.: Coboss brand No Sugar Added Dark Chocolate (undeclared milk)
  
• Sofina Foods Inc.: President’s Choice brand Tandoori Extra Lean Chicken Breast and Compliments brand Chicken Breast Roast low fat (undeclared egg)

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KFA Logo Clothing and Gifts

KFA clothing has been designed with colorful allergy awareness messages ("Please Do Not Feed Me, I Have Food Allergies") and our logo ("Kids With Food Allergies, A World of Support"). Different colors are available. Logo items such as coffee mugs, totes, mousepads and buttons are also available.

Infant & Toddler Clothing "Please do not feed me, I have food allergies" bibs, t-shirts and onesies

Children's Apparel "Please do not feed me" and KFA logo shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies for kids

Adult Apparel KFA logo T-shirts, sweatshirts, golf shirts, aprons

 

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KFA relies on friends like you for support

Your tax-deductible donation, small or large, make a huge difference! Kids With Food Allergies does not raise money to find a cure. Instead, Kids With Food Allergies, a nonprofit charity, uses all donations to create better lives for children today by providing education and a caring support community for their families and caregivers.

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Copyright (c) 2008, Kids With Food Allergies, Inc., all rights reserved.
ISSN 1939-8166

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Project Manager: Lynda Mitchell
Editor: Melanie Carver
Proofreaders: Amy Hugon and Becca Godleski


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