A Published Book and a Funny Story

So, I have some exciting news to share with you! I have a published book about our food allergy journey with Bee. You can find the book, Hives in the Kitchen, on Amazon. Within a few weeks you can purchase the book to read on Kindle.

But before I tell you more about the book I have to tell you the story behind the book.

Did you know I was writing a book?

Neither did I.

Feel free to be as surprised as I was when I found out.

Last week, my hubby quietly slipped a cute book into my hand. It looked quite a bit like my blog design and even had the same title. Just before I angrily asked him who was stealing my ideas, my eyes glanced at the bottom of the cover. My name was printed across the bottom. I quickly flipped through the book and recognized the typed words from my journal. This was my book.

You see, my blog, Hives in the Kitchen, had an unpublished side of it. I had written about our journey when Bee was a baby, yet I never published it for anyone to read. It was personal and written mainly so I would never forget about the challenges we had overcome. One day I wanted to be able to read through it with Bee so she could know her own story. I hoped it would help her take her food allergies seriously and also take ownership of her diagnosis as she learns to advocate for herself. But mostly I prayed it would provide hope for her as she faced the future. I wanted to communicate how we had advocated for her as an infant with the hope that she would tirelessly advocate for herself and others with allergies.

So, to sort through my thoughts and my emotions on days when I felt especially discouraged about the allergies, I wrote about the past. I cried out tears of frustration as I typed every word and somehow my heart felt more settled and I was once again ready to step into my role as advocate and care taker.

My husband had seen these pages detailing our journey and we often read them together to rekindle our hope and to encourage us in our prayers for a cure and for healing.

I never planned to do anything with those pages, really. They were so close to my heart and I couldn't imagine anyone else wanting to read the details of our journey to find a diagnosis for Bee.

My husband always felt differently. He wanted me to publish the little journal as a book for others who were also dealing with food allergies, believing that others could benefit from reading about the misdiagnoses, challenges, and emotions that filled the first years of Bee's life. I never believed the writings to be good enough for anyone to care to read. Whenever he mentioned publication I just nodded and said, "Maybe someday..." However, I never thought that "someday" would ever arrive.

Well it is that "someday" now. As an early Christmas present my husband had the story about Bee published into a small book that we can share with our friends and family and with others who are walking their own food allergy journey. I will always believe that the story is not "good enough." However, despite any imperfections I pray that it will be an encouragement to others who face the same diagnosis.

The book details Bee's early symptoms as a baby as well as the multiple misdiagnoses given us by the various doctors that we visited. It includes the stories of Bee's first allergic reactions and our quest to find a doctor to support us as we worked toward healing her little body. The book is also filled with my thoughts and how the allergies impacted me as a mother - the fear, frustration, anger, discouragement, and loneliness that followed me through those early years. However, the book ends with hope in finding support through friends, family, and doctors as well as peace in discovering a new normal in our family - a normal that is now our life while managing the multiple life-threatening food allergies of our daughter Bee.

Linked up with Hip Homeschool Moms

Effects of Anaphylaxis

I wanted to share this graphic of the 17 Effects of Anaphylaxis on the Body. While I've seen little Bee have many of these symptoms I was not fully aware of all the different internal effects of anaphylaxis. I learned a thing or two about Bee's reactions and I plan to share this with family and friends so everyone can better understand what happens during an allergic reaction.

Gluten Free, Dairy Free, and Egg Free Resource

Here's a resource I recently discovered for those who are gluten, dairy, and egg free.  There looks to be some good recipes on the Fork and Beans website but I really love the info on gluten free grains!

The Link Between Food and What Ails Your Child

If you had asked me several years ago the role food played in children's sicknesses and behavior issues, I probably would have thought you were crazy.  Well, if you asked me now, I'd tell you that I absolutely feel that food plays a huge role in just about everything! 

Here's a book on my wishlist:

Cure Your Child With Food

The author draws connections between various foods and childhood illnesses and includes information about treatment.

I can personally vouch for the connection between dairy consumption and ear infections and gluten consumption and rashes.  What a difference our crazy diet makes for us!

Allergy Action Plan

We have an allergy action plan.  Do you?

What's an action plan?
This is an explanation of what to do in the event of an allergic reaction.

• Our action plan has Bee's information: her name, her birthdate, and a list of her allergies.

• The plan also has our information: our contact information and our insurance information.

• The plan details what to do if Bee has a reaction: what to do if she's itchy, has a rash, breaks out in hives, is wheezing, or has trouble breathing.

• The plan also includes a list of her meds with instructions on dosage and how to use them.

• Our plan has our doctors contact information and is signed by our doctor.  

Why an action plan?
It's true-we don't often leave Bee.  She's usually close by.  But we always have an action plan with her in her Epi bag.  This is for Sunday school teachers or any other caregiver.  I feel more comfortable leaving Bee in someone's care (I still stay in the building), if they have a list of allergies to avoid and a protocol to follow if Bee has problems.  The plan spells out what to do and who to contact if there are questions or a problem.  It contains specific directions for all her meds and how to administer the Epi pen.

It's also for any emergency worker.  I learned the hard way that sometimes the emergency response team or the ER doctors may think you're crazy.  They might even have the gall to argue with you.  But now, I just hand over my action plan and they can see all of Bee's important information.  It keeps me from having to repeat the information a dozen times in an emergency and it also validates the information I tell them.  If they argue with me, I tell them to take it up with our doctor-her numbers on the page and her signature's at the bottom.

You can make your own plan or use one of the plans online.
Here's a food allergy action plan and here is one for asthma.  Here's a combined form for asthma and allergies and this form is from FARE's website.  

Allergy Free Easter Part 2

If porcelain eggs are too fragile, try some wooden eggs which can be painted and then sprayed with a sealant.  These can then be keepsakes to use in future egg hunts over the years.

Allergy Free Easter

What do you do at Easter time if you are egg-allergic?  You dye porcelain eggs, of course!

Allergy Alert Bracelets

I found a new type of allergy alert bracelet that is very kid friendly.  The site also has necklaces and will soon be shipping bracelets that can hold more than one charm if a child has multiple allergies.
The site does have some good allergy info and is geared for kids.  I'll be saving this for Bee and we might think about ordering her a bracelet.  You can never have too many reminders!

Another site has Allerbling bracelets that allow you to customize the allergy list with charms as well as regular customized medical ID bracelets.  This site also offers cute allergy tattoos.  The Allerbling site is found here.

Here's a site with sport bracelets that can be engraved.

 Bee would love these bracelets but they aren't exactly easy on the wallet for a kids' bracelet.  But they sure are cute!

And here's another site with multiple options and another.........

Ok, we're going to have to sort through our options but I think Bee may need a bracelet for part of her birthday present in April. 

Eating Out with Food Allergies

Is it possible to eat out with food allergies?  Yes, technically it is possible.  I'm not sure it's exactly advisable, but it sure is nice to entertain the thought of having someone else cook dinner for you and then clean it up.

So, if you're brave enough to eat out with food allergies, here are my suggestions:

Call first-Eating out with allergies takes planning ahead and should not be a last minute venture.  Always call the restaurant ahead of time to discuss options and make sure they can accommodate you.

Talk with the manager and the chef-Don't pose your questions to the hostess or even a member of the wait staff.  Ask to speak directly to the manager and also the chef.

Have your allergen list handy while you talk to the restaurant-Go over each item on your list and ask the manager and chef if there are menu items that would be safe for you or if they can prepare something especially for you.

Stress proper preparation to avoid cross-contamination-I always mention to the manager that the food must be prepared using clean and dedicated cookware and utensils.

Ask questions-If the manager mentions that steamed vegetables are safe for you ask exactly how they are prepared.  (What seasonings are used?  Is butter used?)  If they mention a certain meat dish ask questions about marinades and spices and sauces.  Think about how you would prepare that particular dish at home and question the manager to make sure he's not forgetting an ingredient or a step in the preparation process.

Be prepared to educate the staff-You might need to give the manager or chef a crash course in food allergies and safe preparation.

Take notes-Write down the menu items that are mentioned as well as any special steps the restaurant said they would need to make in order to prepare the meal for you.  Make sure you keep names of each person you spoke with over the phone.

Usually you can get a feel for if the restaurant can truly accommodate your dietary needs just through the responses of the manager and chef.  If they seem clueless, take the hint and try somewhere else.  If they seem educated and willing to work around some obstacles, you might be brave enough to give that place a try.

If you do head to a restaurant you might want to consider a few tips:

Take wipes to wipe down the table and chairs yourself-If the person before you ate something with your allergen, you don't want to take the chance that the table might not be clean enough for you.

Bring a typed list of your allergens-Keep a list of your allergens with you at all times to give out to anyone who might be preparing food for you.

Speak directly to the manager and the chef-Remind the manager and the chef about your phone conversation and about the menu items available for you.  Go over your allergens, safe preparations, and your order with both.

Keep your wait person in the loop-Make sure the wait staff is aware of the allergies and inform them that you have already discussed your order with the manager and chef.  When they bring your food, ask questions to verify that your order is correct.

And if you are able to find a few safe places to eat, cultivate a relationship with the managers and staff, maybe even bringing them some allergy-free cupcakes as a thank you.

We have been fortunate to find a couple of restaurants with knowledgeable managers, helpful chefs, and a wait staff willing to work with us.  It is such a blessing to be able to eat out on occasion and not worry because of we have excellent communication with the restaurant staff.

Allergy Detection Dogs

I've recently been made aware of a new kind of service dog-allergy detection dogs.  These dogs are trained like a service animal but also to detect the scent of food allergens.  All dogs recognize the scent of peanut but can be trained to alert to additional allergens as well-such as tree nuts, milk protein, eggs, or fish.

I've found two companies that offer service dogs for allergic individuals:

Angel Service Dogs


Allergen Detection Service Dogs

We're currently discussing the possibility of an allergen alert dog as well as evaluating Bee's possible allergy to dogs. 

Allergy Free Cookbook Fun

I've mentioned the Allergen Free Baker's Handbook which is a favorite.  But I'm now armed with 3 others that I'll be trying out in the upcoming months.  Here's my new lineup:

Fresh From Elizabeth's Kitchen-These recipes are gluten free but contain some information on substitutions for some recipes.
Free for All Cooking-These recipes are gluten free and offer dairy and egg free alternatives as well as other allergy-free substitutions that can be made.
Cooking for Isaiah-These recipes are all gluten and dairy free but many contain other big allergens.  I'll be making substitutions where I can and we'll see where that takes me.

The Food Allergy Life

It's nice to know you're not the only one out there and it's so encouraging to read others' creative ideas regarding food allergies and how they cope.  Food allergies is a growing problem, an expensive lifestyle, and can be so isolating for the child or individual with the allergies.

Allergy Free Recipes

Here's a site for some quick searches for allergy-free recipes.  It never hurts to have some new ideas!

Food Allergy Treatment

If there was a potential treatment for food allergies, would you be in a clinical trial?

According to a journal article, some research is being done with white blood cells and peanut protein.  By attaching the protein to white blood cells and putting those cells back in the body, researchers were able to deactivate the allergic reaction because the body recognized the peanut protein as harmless rather than an allergen. 

This could be exciting new research.  But would I ever feel comfortable if my child was one of the "test subjects."  I don't know...........If she could be allergy-free, imagine the possibilities.  But also the risks.........
Praying for a cure!

Gluten Free Cookbook

Amazon is offering the e-reader version of this gluten free cookbook right now-for free.

Allergy Free Halloween Candy

Halloween can be such a nightmare!  And I don't mean the hunt for the perfect costume (and the scary costumes out there).  I mean the candy!  How do you find safe candy?  How do you trick-or-treat?  Well, Halloween is not my favorite holiday but this list will get you started on some safe allergen-free candy.  Because it does exist and this blogger has done the research to get you started.  I think I might need some candy corn or jelly beans now. 

Food Allergy Symptoms

Here is a great article that lists the common food allergens and the food allergy symptoms.  Perfect for sharing with family and friends who are unfamiliar with food allergies.

Yeast and Eczema

What causes eczema?

There are five intolerances that are believed to be the main culprits behind eczema:

Casein or Lactose (dairy)
Yeast
Gluten (wheat, barley, oats, rye, spelt)
Sugar or Fructose
Other Food Allergy

While we know that casein, gluten, and other food allergies contribute to Bee's allergies.  No doctor has yet mentioned yeast or sugar.  After talking with some other parents and doing some brief research, I've decided that we will try cutting back on both yeast and sugar in Bee's diets. 

An overgrowth of yeast can contribute to eczema outbreaks.  When I spoke with a local naturopath, his first recommendation for Bee was to begin a yeast-free diet and avoid sugars.  This seems to make sense because Bee has battled multiple topical yeast infections in addition to her eczema.  Many times I've felt her "eczema patches" were actually a yeast infection.  No amount of steroid cream would keep them clear.  Only an anti-fungal cleared up her skin.  I definitely believe in the connection. 

Yet another thing to try.......

Eczema Patches

Bee has been so much better lately, very few outbreaks and only occasional hives.  Our only problem is the eczema patches behind her knees and on the inside of her elbows.  I feel like we cannot get rid of them!

We are avoiding all her known allergens (as best we can) which should lower her number of outbreaks.


We use Vanicream lotion each night.  


She does tub soaks followed by lotion to keep her skin hydrated.


She drinks plenty of water.


We work hard to keep her from itching-she lives in footie pj's to make it difficult for her to scratch.

Next on our list is to add in some probiotics which might help.

Apparently there are widely differing opinions on the use of probiotics for those with eczema.

To use them or to not?

But it seems like no matter what we do, the eczema still pops up when we least expect it.  Unbelievably frustrating!!!!

Vitamin D and Reducing Chronic Hives

I am all too familiar with hives.  No fun!  But there is some new research out that links an increase in Vitamin D levels to a reduction of chronic hives.  I've been giving Bee daily drops of Vitamin D and she has been holding pretty steady lately with very few rashes.  I don't know if they've helped Bee or not, but they certainly haven't hurt, so we're going to keep it up.