Cooking for Food Allergies

Tip of the Day: Where to Get Your Calcium When You're Allergic to Milk

2010-03-19T13:20:00.002-04:00

How to get the calcium you need when you are allergic to milk:

I have been allergic to milk my entire life. I have never had a drop of it. Therefore, I had to find a way to get the calcium my body needs. I found the best way to do this is through eating foods that are rich in calcium. My weekly diet consists of almonds, sunflower seeds, green vegetables, soy products like soy milk and tofu and a piece of salmon at least once a week. I also sit in the sun for a little bit every day in order to soak up the much needed vitamin D that helps you absorb calcium.

My MD told me I needed to have 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day. At my last physical he asked me how I have been getting my calcium all of these years and I told him, "by my diet". He said that it wasn't enough and gave me a supplement to take every day.

My tip for you today is to say that if you are allergic to milk, make sure to ask your doctor if you are getting enough calcium to maintain healthy and strong bones.
Evidently, for me, my diet was not enough, so I hope you make sure you are getting what your body needs.

Nicolle Avery

Tip of the Day: The Importance of Reading Labels with Food Allergies

2010-03-18T14:51:00.003-04:00

It is imperative to read every label and the entire list of ingredients of every product you buy, every time you buy it.

To ensure your safety and health you must read the list of ingredients of every product you purchase and intend on eating. Even if you have bought a product 1,000 times and you have the list of ingredients memorized, you must read it again if you plan on ingesting it. This is because a company can at any time choose to enhance a product by using milk or egg. They have also been known to announce this change by very fine print on a package and of course, adding it to the ingredient list. This is why you must read the list of ingredients every time.
I suggest this even if the product you're buying says that it is 'vegan' or 'milk-free' or 'egg-free'. Make sure they really are what they say they are.
It is also important to know that there are many more words to describe the presence of egg and milk besides the words egg and milk. You will want to go to the library and look up all the words that mean egg and/or milk are present in a product. Your doctor should also have a list to share with you so that when you are reading labels, you are informed and prepared. And if for any reason you have doubt about a specific ingredient, call the manufacturer and ask.
For those of you who are allergic to wheat and gluten, you have probably found out that those allergens can be hidden in words like 'natural flavorings'. 'Natural flavoring' can also be code for the fact that egg is present in some form.
These are the kind of things you need to avoid when shopping.
Talk to your doctor and do your research at the library.
And above all, be educated about ingredients and what they mean and then read every label and list of ingredients every time you buy a product.

Nicolle Avery

Tip of the Day: Overcoming Fears About Food Allergies

2010-03-17T14:14:00.002-04:00

How do you overcome your fears about food allergies:

I don't know about you, but sometimes I have let my fears about food allergies hold me back from doing the things I love to do, like eating out and vacationing. The fear I have especially flares up after having a severe allergic reaction. I have experienced a few near death moments and sometimes I have been too scared to eat for weeks after one of those.
I also have been known to be afraid of large crowds where I can't see an easy and quick way out to get to a hospital if I need one in an emergency. And even the thought of getting on a plane where I am 35,000 feet above a hospital has been known to scare me to the point of crying and begging the flight attendant to open the plane door to let me off.
But it really doesn't need to be like this. Living with severe food allergies can easily cause panic, fear and stress, but I believe there are ways to cope and handle these issues surrounding allergic reactions and food allergies.
1. Always carry your Benadryl and Epi Pens.
2. Wear a Medic Alert bracelet or necklace at all times.
3. Tell every friend, relative and co-worker about your food allergies and what to do in case of an emergency (If your friend or relative is not interested in being aware or helping you in an emergency then I think you should let that person go. Co-workers need to be informed regardless of their interest in your health.)
4. Dine in restaurants where the wait staff and kitchen staff care and cater to food allergies.
5. When making travel arrangements call the airline and hotel and inform them of your food allergies and ask what they are able to do to ensure your safety.
6. When you go to a large concert or event buy seat tickets near an exit. Never put yourself in a position where it would take you pushing your way through a crowd of 100 or more people to get help if by chance someone dropped a peanut on you at a ball game.
7. Mentally prepare yourself when dining out, taking a trip or going to a concert. Think of your action plan of how you will handle an emergency before you leave your house. Be prepared.
8. In case of an allergic reaction, remember to always stay calm. Going into panic mode during a reaction will only make the reaction worse. Just breathe and take the steps you need to in order to survive.

Thinking about all of this can be overwhelming for someone who has just been diagnosed or has lived with it for years, but it's necessary.

If you have a plan and are prepared, your fears should subside. I can't say they will be eliminated, but I think being prepared and feeling safe wherever you go is a big help in healing your fears.

Nicolle Avery

Tip of the Day: allergiesandme.com is a Website You Must Check Out

2010-03-12T16:25:00.007-05:00

If you are living with food allergies then I strongly suggest you take some time to discover what allergiesandme.com has to offer you.

I did and I am thoroughly impressed. The website offers products, recipes, a blog site and current news updates about important allergy information.
The site is easy to navigate and beautifully designed.

After walking into health food stores or local markets I am lucky if I can find a few aisles dedicated to egg-free, milk-free, wheat-free and gluten-free food items and baking products; but this website offers you an online store that feels like it's aisle after aisle of safe products.

I encourage you to check out this wonderful website designed for people who suffer from a single food allergy to multiple food allergies.

allergiesandme.com
235 Apollo Beach Boulevard, Ste. 101
Apollo Beach, Florida 33572
813.641.7850
Owner: Jamie Stern

Thank you and enjoy!

Nicolle Avery

Tip of the Day: Great Egg, Milk & Wheat-Free Cracker

2010-03-11T15:11:00.002-05:00

Does anyone make a great cracker that is egg, milk and wheat-free:

When making spreads, dips and layered appetizers that will only work with the perfect cracker it can be hard to find a milk, egg and wheat-free cracker that is tasty and safe to eat. However, at my local health food store I have found one! It is made by Ener-G and the product is called Wheat-Free Crackers. But it gets better; the box lists that they are gluten-free, wheat-free, milk-free, lactose-free and egg-free. This is a great tasting cracker.

I highly recommend checking out:
Ener-G Foods, Inc
P.O. Box 84487
Seattle, WA 98124-5787
1-800-33-5222
www.ener-g.com

Nicolle Avery

Tip of the Day: Planning a Wedding with Severe Food Allergies to Egg & Dairy

2010-03-10T12:56:00.002-05:00

How to plan a safe wedding when you have severe food allergies:

Currently, I am planning my wedding that will be this Spring. The toughest aspect we have had to face is choosing a catering company that is right for my food allergies.

We started planning our wedding over a year ago and we didn't realize that we would have problems finding a caterer that would be able to handle severe food allergies.
However, we certainly have been shocked to find out what some had to say to us over the course of planning our big event. We found the perfect location only to discover the one caterer contracted for this venue would not take on our event because they thought my food allergies were a liability. They asked if I would have my mom make me a plate of food that was safe for me to eat and bring it to the event. My heart sank because I have done that my whole life and this time it was different because it was my wedding and I felt I shouldn't have to do that.
It took a while but we finally found a caterer that listened to me and understood what I wanted my day to be like. The sales staff and kitchen staff at Puff n' Stuff located in Maitland, Florida are knowledgeable, accommodating and are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that I will be able to safely eat what I want to on our big day.

Make sure you schedule a meeting with the head chef of each catering company you are interested in for your event. Let the chef know what you are allergic to and how safe they have to be in the kitchen to ensure your safety. If at that time the chef feels he can accommodate you then you will want to create your menu and from there meet with him again. You will need to go over each menu item and the ingredients within the item. Let him or her know that every label needs to be read for the things you are allergic to and if a substitution needs to be made, the chef should know what would work best. For example, they were planning to serve a yogurt sauce with the fresh fruit and since I am allergic to milk they will be using a soy yogurt instead. They did this with many things on the menu.

It can be done. You just need to do your homework and leave yourself plenty of time to find the right caterer who will accommodate your food allergies before you set a date.

Thank you Puff n' Stuff!

Nicolle Avery

Tip of the Day: Orlando Restaurants that Cater to Egg & Milk Food Allergies

2010-03-04T13:44:00.002-05:00

If you are ever in Orlando and need a bite to eat in a place that will help you find an egg and milk-free menu item I have a few suggestions:

I love to eat out. I have found a few restaurants in Orlando that are always kind and help me find something on the menu that is safe for me to eat. Now I will say, if you are dining in an establishment that also serves food items you are allergic to there is always the possibility of cross contamination leading to an allergic reaction, but these are places I have felt care about their customers and their food allergies.

Ethos Vegan Kitchen
1235 North Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32804
407.228.3899

This kitchen serves up some incredible vegan dishes. Everything in their kitchen is vegan. My favorite is their Fire Chili served up every Friday.

Stardust Video and Coffee
1842 E. Winter Park Rd.
Winter Park, FL. 32789
407.623.3393

This is one of my favorite places to eat. They have the most delicious salads. Stardust Video and Coffee has a variety of vegan and vegetarian options and if you love meat you can always add a side of chicken or pork to your dish. Everything is made fresh each day in the kitchen. They do serve items that contain milk and eggs, but if you let them know you have food allergies they will be very careful and honest with you about what they can offer you that is safe for you to eat.

Cityfish Restaurant
617 East Central Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32801
407.849.9779

If you like fish I think this is a great place to go. When I informed the server about my severe egg and dairy food allergies he took it very seriously and let me know what would be safe for me to eat. He read ingredients to me and notified the chef of my condition. I ordered the salmon and boiled potatoes and have been back many times to do it again. It was delicious. They also serve food items with egg and milk so you need to make sure you let the server and kitchen staff know about your food allergies and see if they can offer you something that is safe for you to eat.

My Allergist has often told me that my food allergies are so severe that it is not wise for me to dine out. However, over the years I have come to find out that there are some establishments that will bend over backwards to help me eat safely. If you have food allergies and you dine out in a place that uses egg and milk in their kitchen, there is always a risk of having an allergic reaction. Talk with you doctor before you venture out to eat; ask your doctor to advise you on dining out. Make sure that dining out is right for you.

Nicolle Avery

Tip of the Day: Airplane Travel with Food Allergies

2010-03-03T11:18:00.002-05:00

How to make flight travel easier with food allergies:

I'd like to write several pieces on air travel with food allergies but today I will start with this simple tip.
If you are severely allergic to certain foods and have to carry Benadryl and Epi Pen's with you at all times then before you embark on your air travel make sure to have your doctor write you a letter stating that you or your child must carry Benadryl and Epi Pens at all times during the flight due to the serious nature of your food allergies.
When your purse or bag is being searched and security personnel asks about these items you will be able to quickly address the question with the letter and be on your way in no time.

Nicolle Avery

Tip of the Day: Great Vegan Cheese Options

2010-03-02T14:48:00.002-05:00

If you are allergic to milk, but would love to make cheesy recipes I have a few suggestions.

Over the years there have been a few products that say they are dairy-free and throughout the life of the product they have changed their ingredients and added a milk protein or something else that took them off of my 'favorite list' due to my dairy allergy. Even if you find a product that says it is vegan or egg-free or dairy-free you must read the label each time you buy the product because the list of ingredients may change from time to time.

With that being said, there are two kinds of vegan cheese I love. I use vegan cheese from Follow Your Heart and vegan Sheese 'cheese' from buteisland.com. If you decide to try these products make sure you read the list of ingredients every time you buy them. But for now, these cheese substitutions are vegan and great!

I have found these products in Whole Foods Market and local health food stores.

Nicolle Avery

Tip of the Day: Always Play It Safe When You Have Food Allergies

2010-03-01T15:10:00.002-05:00

Always play it safe when you have food allergies:

After working hard all day yesterday I was hungry and tired. I just wanted something quick and easy that I did not have to make so I drove to a fast food restaurant and ordered 2 plain hamburger patties. And because I was tired I did not take the time to ask the questions I normally ask, like what other food items are on the grill and do the French fries have a coating and if so may I read the ingredients?
Instead I ordered the food and ran home to eat the patties. Within minutes I was having an allergic reaction.
I do not blame the fast food restaurant; I do however blame myself for not playing it safe and taking the time to ask the questions I needed to ask.
Even when you are hungry and want something fast it is important to not take your health for granted. To ensure your safety it is always best to follow the procedure you have in place for dining out every time, even if you are tired and just want to eat. When it's a matter of life and death like it is in my situation, it is better to take your time and do it the right way even if that means dinner is delayed.

Nicolle Avery

Tip of the Day: Alcohol Can Contain Egg Whites

2010-02-26T11:44:00.004-05:00

Many people are not aware that some alcoholic beverages are clarified with egg whites, especially wines. However, beers and spirits can be clarified with egg whites as well. If you are allergic to eggs you will want to avoid all alcoholic beverages because they do not list their ingredients or their beverage making process. But if you would really like to know if there is something out there you are able to sip on I suggest calling the manufacturer and speaking with someone on their staff who has the exact knowledge of each step of their alcohol making process. My suggestion is to ask the representative if they carry any vegan products (make sure they know that vegan means no animal products and also let the person know you have an allergy to eggs).

Nicolle Avery

Tip of the Day: Quick and Easy Egg-free & Dairy-free Tuna Snack

2010-02-25T13:09:00.002-05:00

How to make a quick and easy egg-free and dairy-free snack:

Lightly toast half of an egg-free and dairy-free English muffin. Combine 1 (7 ounce) can of tuna in water (drain) with 2 teaspoons olive oil, 3 teaspoons red wine vinegar, 1 finely chopped green onion, 1 finely chopped celery stalk. Add salt, pepper and fresh herbs to taste. Mix well and spoon over lightly toasted egg-free and dairy-free English muffin half.

Libby Avery

Tip of the Day: Leaving Babysitters with your Severely Allergic Child

2010-02-24T11:48:00.003-05:00

How to handle hiring a babysitter for your child who has severe food allergies:

When you hire a babysitter you will need to make sure that the babysitter is mature enough to handle severe food allergies and would feel comfortable using an Epi Pen or administering Benadryl. This is especially true if you are looking to hire a teenager.
Many teens may say they would be able to handle your child's allergic reaction or would keep certain foods away from your allergic child or dial 911 in case of an emergency or use the Epi Pen if it was necessary, but they may not actually take it seriously or feel comfortable doing any of these things. It is up to you to judge the character of the babysitter and if the babysitter agrees to all of the things you need her to be able to do for your child the next step is to consult the parents of the babysitter. Make sure the parents of the babysitter do not object to any of the things you are asking their child to be able to do.
Ask your babysitter to practice using an Epi Pen with you. And make sure the babysitter has done it enough times until they know exactly what to do in case of an emergency. The pharmacy has practice Epi Pens.

Libby Avery

Tip of the Day: How to Handle Birthday Parties with Severe Food Allergies

2010-02-22T10:52:00.002-05:00

How to handle birthday parties when your child has severe food allergies:

I always called or spoke in person with the parents who were hosting the party. I would explain Nicolle's food allergies to them and ask if I could bring Nicolle's food and a treat for her to have so that she would not feel left out when others were eating the cake. I would also stay close by, but not hovering over her either. I just wanted to let her know that I was there in case she did have an allergic reaction.

Try not to make your child feel like they have to be worried about the possibility of having a reaction. You also don't want to make your child feel like all eyes are on her. If you just let him or her be like all the others and not make a big deal out of the fact he or she can't eat what the other children can eat, then everyone will feel comfortable and have fun.

Libby Avery

Tip if the Day: A Quick and Easy Egg-free & Dairy-free Snack

2010-02-19T17:30:00.002-05:00

How to make a very yummy egg-free and dairy-free snack:

Spread sunflower-seed butter over an egg-free and dairy-free rice cake, top with sliced bananas and sliced strawberries. Easy to make and delicious.

Libby Avery

Tip of the Day: How to Make a Quick & Easy Egg-free and Dairy-free Appetizer

2010-02-18T14:46:00.003-05:00

How to make a quick & easy egg-free and dairy-free appetizer:

Using dairy-free and egg-free tortilla corn chips, spread some out on an ovenproof plate. Sprinkle with some dairy-free shredded mozzarella cheese substitute and some dairy-free shredded cheddar cheese substitute. Drain a 4oz can of chopped green chilies and sprinkle some over the cheese substitutes. Top with a minced jalapeno. Place in a 350 degree oven for a few minutes, just until cheese substitutes are melted. Remove from oven and serve with salsa is desired.

Libby Avery

Tip of the Day: The Best Time to Dine Out With Food Allergies

2010-02-17T17:26:00.003-05:00

The best time I have found to dine out with my severe food allergies is around 3:00 in the afternoon. This is true especially if it is the first time you have tried to eat at this restaurant. You will want a lot of time to go over the menu and ask questions of the server. Around this time you will most likely be able to speak with the chef and perhaps be given a tour of the kitchen. This is a good time because the lunch rush is over and the dinner rush has not yet begun. It will be a time when the server and the kitchen staff will be able to best assist you in your needs; cleaning kitchen wares, scraping down a section of the grill just for you, reading product labels. Hopefully you will have a great experience and will know of one more place that is safe for you to eat.

Nicolle Avery

Tip of the Day: How to Handle Sleepovers When Your Child Has Severe Food Allergies

2010-02-16T17:34:00.002-05:00

How to handle spending the night with friends when your child has severe food allergies:

Before your child sleeps over at her friends house talk to the parents. Let the parents know about your child's food allergies, what happens when your child has an allergic reaction and how to handle the allergic reaction if it happens.
I would always offer to bring Nicolle's food if that would make it easier for them. And most times that is what I did. Unless their child has the exact same allergies as your child, most people do not know all of the words that can be used on the list of ingredients that mean milk and/or eggs are present. It's very easy to make a mistake when reading product labels. I have always said it is better to be safe than sorry.

Libby Avery

Tip of the Day: Quick & Easy Dessert Topping

2010-02-15T13:34:00.003-05:00

Tip of the Day

How to make a quick and easy dessert topping:
Use 1 1/2 cups dairy-free whipped topping, stir in 1/4 cup of fruit preserves (any fruit you desire) and 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon liqueur (perhaps a flavor that compliments your fruit preserves or use the same flavor as the fruit preserves). Place a few scoops on top of a piece of egg and dairy-free chocolate or white cake. Also great for dipping fresh fruit.

Libby Avery `

Tip of the Day: How to Prepare Your Child Who Has Severe Food Allergies

2010-02-13T13:08:00.002-05:00

How do you prepare your child to handle people who challenge the validity of their food allergies?
Believe it or not parents, friends, and even Doctor's and nurses have been known to question and challenge the validity of Nicolle's severe food allergies.
My best advice is to talk to your child and make sure he or she understands as much about his or her allergies as possible; what are his or her allergies, what happens if he or she eats or comes in contact with the food he or she is allergic to, and what does he or she need to do in case of an allergic reaction? Your child should also know how to call an ambulance in case of an emergency. It is also a very good idea to order and purchase a medic alert bracelet for your son or daughter.
Having all of this knowledge and being prepared will help your child when responding to questions from others.

Enjoy another 'Tip of the Day' tomorrow.

Libby Avery

Tip of the Day: Egg & Dairy-free Travel

2010-02-12T10:35:00.002-05:00

How to travel with a child who is allergic to milk and eggs:

When we traveled I always packed food for Nicolle. We would not always find restaurants that would be safe for her so I packed a cooler with soy milk (now you can use powdered soy milk; it would be easier). I packed a bag with egg and dairy-free breakfast foods. I also packed lunch food; egg and dairy-free bread and crackers, almond butter or cashew butter (Nicolle also had peanut allergies). The cooler contained sliced turkey or ham, carrots, celery sticks, grapes or apples. Most of this could be dinner too if we weren't able to find something for her.

I also did this when we visited family or friends. Even knowing Nicolle's allergies, many family members and friends didn't really understand just how dangerous food could be to Nicolle, so we always played it safe by taking food with us.

Look for another 'Tip of the Day' tomorrow!

Libby Avery

Tip of The Day

2010-02-11T12:40:00.002-05:00

Quick & Easy Lunch

For a quick and easy lunch use an egg-free and milk-free mini pizza crust, spread with 2 to 3 tablespoons of tomato puree (purchased) and sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of Italian herbs on top. Top with a few pieces of dairy-free pepperoni and some dairy-free shredded mozzarella cheese substitute. Bake in a preheated 450 degree oven for 5 to 6 minutes. (It's easy to use a toaster oven, so you don't have to heat up the large oven.) You can also make several of these at a time. Wrap the ones you don't use in a plastic wrap, then in heavy duty foil and freeze.

Enjoy our 'Tip of the Day' each and every day!

Egg & Dairy-free Thanksgiving & Holiday Dinners

2009-10-27T14:51:00.003-04:00

Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner are two dinners that most people look forward to once the leaves begin to change and the cool air blows in to refresh all of us after a hot summer. I can't help myself, the first time I get to break out one of my cute sweaters or colorful scarves I get all giddy inside. Before the first pumpkin is carved I have already had several conversations with my mom about the Thanksgiving menu. I love the holidays.

For those of you who have food allergies or for those of you who are cooking for your little ones who were just diagnosed with severe food allergies you may be a little less excited about the thought of planning Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. You may even have a twinge of nervousness running through your body, thinking to yourself, what am I going to feed my little boy? How do I make my little girl feel like she's not getting left out this year? Should I just steam some vegetables, make a roast and scoop out a bit of non-dairy frozen dessert? Well, this is one way and still a very good way to enjoy the holidays, but there is so much more you can do. In fact, you can make a beautiful feast for the entire family and your friends that is all egg and dairy-free and no one will even know that you have left something out. I promise.

Every year my mom has created amazing holiday menus that were entirely egg and dairy-free. This year my mom and I are going to put together a complete Thanksgiving and Christmas menu for our fans and readers to use and enjoy. We are also going to create an egg and dairy-free cookie tray to share with you. We will post the recipes and the instructional videos in a few weeks. We are so excited about sharing these recipes with all of you.

If you have any questions, please write in to us. And if you have any suggestions, we would love to hear them.

Enjoy! Have Fun! Eat well always!

Nicolle Avery

Planning a Dinner Party for Severe Food Allergies, Celiac Disease, Vegetarians & Vegans

2009-10-13T13:38:00.007-04:00

Nowadays when setting out to plan a dinner party it seems that we need to be somewhat familiar with our guests and their medical history before we can put pen to paper to plan our menu and make our grocery list. There are so many issues to be aware of when creating the menu for the guest list. It is a good idea to be aware of any food sensitivities, allergies, Celiac disease or food lifestyles like vegetarianism and veganism before planning the big event.

It's a lot, but it can be done with just a bit of extra thought and planning. My friend Karen is vegan and she plans dinner parties all of the time and is able to accommodate many food and health issues with ease. Her guests always walk away full and happy; even meat lovers. She serves vegan and vegetarian entrees and appetizers that could fool any omnivore into thinking they just ate something with meat in it. She knows her guests and is able to serve all of them.

This year I am planning a holiday party for December. I want it to be a feast where no matter what your food preference or health issue might be, you will be able to eat and drink and be merry! I am already planning the menu, taking into account all the dietary needs of each guest.

There are many ways to approach menu planning for parties with multiple food issues and lifestyles. You could cater the dinner towards the food lifestyle you have chosen and introduce your friends and family to new foods. And If you know there are people coming who have severe food allergies prepare a hearty appetizer that accommodates their needs so that there is something for them to eat. Also, a fun way to get conversations started about food and health is to make pretty cards to be placed in or next to each dish that lists all ingredients used and where the recipe comes from. This will allow your guests to choose what is right for them based on their dietary needs and without having to ask the host a million questions.

Another great way to plan a large dinner party is to ask a few of the vegetarians, vegans, meat lovers, specific food allergy sufferers from the guest list to prepare an appetizer and main dish to share at the party and ask them to make a card listing the ingredients and recipe they used.

I love all of my friends and family and I want them to know that I can take care of them as much as they have taken care of me all of these years.

If you have any great dinner party ideas or questions that you think I might be able to answer, please send them to us.

Enjoy! Have fun! Eat well aways!

Nicolle Avery

Kissing with Severe Egg & Dairy Food Allergies

2009-09-08T12:59:00.004-04:00

Those of us who are severely allergic to certain foods, where contact with these foods can result in anaphylaxis, know that kissing can be a serious thing. If we aren't careful, kissing can even be fatal.

When I was sixteen I was completely crazy about boys. I dated several boys in high school and I loved to kiss them all. The only problem is that I hated talking about my food allergies and I did not want to tell these really cute boys that if they wanted to kiss me at the end of the date, they couldn't eat a whole list of things for the entire day. How romantic is that? Not romantic at all in my opinion.

I figured I would take my chances and casually ask the boy what he had for dinner and if it did get to that crucial moment when the boy leans in for a kiss, then I would know I could kiss him instead of having to say goodnight before that awkward moment when I would have to tell him I couldn't kiss him because I might die if I do. Dating at that age was already hard and having food allergies made it ten times harder.

But it took a near death experience to realize I shouldn't play this kind of Russian roulette with myself anymore. I was on a dinner and a movie date with a boy I really liked and I was so excited because if the kissing moment occurred I knew I could do it because all he ate was a Caesar salad! After the movie he took my hand and moved in for a kiss which I completely embraced. No more than two minutes later my lips were bubbling, my chest was tight, I couldn't catch my breath and my throat started to close up. It was horrible, but thank God I did not die.

I had no idea that Caesar dressing can contain egg and this one certainly did. From that day on I never had a problem telling a date right upfront that if we decide we want to kiss he can't eat anything with egg or dairy. I made it very clear by always ending the conversation with "I could die if you do." Even today my fiance will tell me he had a tuna melt for lunch and so we will go in for a big squeeze instead of a kiss.

People have died from kissing someone who has eaten something they are severely allergic to and that is a tragedy. My heart and prayers go out to those families who have lost someone because of an allergic reaction. I learned from my experience that I needed to know more about foods and what is in them, learn the early signs of a serious allergic reaction, know how to handle a reaction and keep all of my friends and family informed about my food allergies. I am blessed to still be here and I believe it is because I take kissing and my food allergies seriously.

Nicolle Avery

Bringing Outside Food Inside a Restaurant-- Is it a Good Idea?

2009-08-28T20:22:00.005-04:00

In 1998 I moved to New York City to attend acting school and live out my dream. To say the least, I was beaming inside and out. However, my mother was a little less excited about this move. Not only was I moving to New York City, alone, I have severe food allergies and she feared I would not eat well. Concerned about how I would deal with my food allergies in college she actually prepared dinners for me and shipped them to my apartment door on dry ice.

I quickly learned my peers lived off of cheap food and local dives around Washington Square Park. Friendships and great ideas were born bonding over quick lunches and late dinners. A few weeks into school I started to get to know a great group of people. After class one day we decided to get a bite to eat together. A friend of mine pointed to a restaurant across the way and I knew just by glancing at the name, which was in a foreign language, it was probably going to be out of the question for me. I learned long ago that if I cannot communicate with the servers or the owner, I can't eat there.

I told the group I would pop over to Wendy's to get a hamburger patty and join them in a few minutes. I decided to get the patty to-go and head over to the restaurant to eat with my friends. By the time I arrived they were being served. I sat down at the end of the table and pulled out my hamburger patty in a Wendy's potato boat. Before I took the first bite, a man came over and demanded I leave his restaurant immediately. He was irate and offended. I was mortified. I ran out of the restaurant as he followed behind me pointing and shouting.

I sat on the curb outside and nibbled on my patty while I shed a few tears.

But I learned an important lesson. It does not matter if I am going to dine at a mom and pop joint or a four star restaurant, I call ahead, around three o'clock in the afternoon, and ask to speak with the manager or chef. I explain my food allergies and politely ask if there is something he or she could make for me from the menu. Some are rude and tell me they don't have time to deal with me, but the majority are very happy to help. And a few have special ordered something for me so that I could dine with my friends and family.

If I prepare for the dining occasion in advance, I find I do not have to bring food with me to a restaurant. It's really a good rule to live by.

Nicolle Avery

Egg & Dairy-free Italian Cooking-- Is it Possible?

2009-08-27T12:11:00.003-04:00

I was seven and my mom and dad took my brother and I out to an upscale Italian restaurant. I remember the tables were dressed with linens, little vases with fresh flowers, and water glasses. The dining room was barely lit with candles and I just knew we were in for something special.

When it came time for the server to take our orders I had to order a meat patty and steamed vegetables. Being allergic to so many things as a child, a hamburger patty was the extent of my fine dining experience.

The food arrived and I looked around at all of the yummy pasta dishes with red sauce and white sauce. I imagined what a bite of rolled up pasta and red sauce would taste like together. I loved ketchup and it's red, so this stuff had to be good.

I enjoyed my patty, but I sat there and dreamed of the day I could try Italian cuisine.

Not too many years later, my mom started experimenting with substitutions to create egg-free and dairy-free Italian dinners for me to try. I don't want to be too dramatic, but I fell in love with Italian cuisine. This stuff is amazing. My mom learned how to make lasagna, stuffed shells, pasta and sauce, and so many other great dishes. There were new tastes and sensations in my mouth that I had never experienced before. The words creamy, rich and cheesy took on a whole new meaning for me. Some of these delicious recipes are in her cookbook, Cooking for Food Allergies Everyday & Gourmet. They had to be in there!

To this day, I prepare something from the Italian variety at least once a week.

Nicolle Avery

Dining In v Dining Out with Severe Food Allergies to Egg & Dairy

2009-08-26T14:06:00.008-04:00

I grew up having to say, "no, I can't have that because I am allergic, but thank you for offering" more times than I can count. When I turned 16 I learned that friends and boyfriends wanted to go out to eat to socialize. That was a frightening thing for me to realize. Benadryl and epi pens were always stashed away in my purse, strapped to my being every time.

Now I'm 30 and it's still hard. My friends and family are very aware of my food allergies and for the most part they go out of their way to think of me when planning parties and dinner outings. None of my friends have food allergies so they end up accommodating me when we meet for lunch or dinner. Sweet for me, but limited for them. There are about 5 places in Orlando that I trust to serve me.

What I mean by "trust" is that when I go to a place I look at their whole menu and take into account the size of their kitchen and how easily it would be to cross contaminate my food with something that could cause me to have an allergic reaction. If half the menu is made up of omelets and eggs galore, then I will have to keep moving along. I have come to find out that there is only so much a kitchen staff can do to make sure my food will be safe for me to eat.

Over the years however, I have grown to love dining out and being with friends and family over dinner and drinks. I love it. There is not much else in the world that can compare to a lovely table, white linens, glasses half filled, forks and knives scattered on plates, surrounded by the people I love to talk with and laugh with.

Except for me, no matter what, even if I have been to a restaurant 100 times, there is still part of me that is on guard, nervous, after every bite wondering if it's just the pepper that's making my throat tickle and itch a bit or is it an allergic reaction? And because my reaction can happen fast and be so severe, the slightest change in feeling can cause me to put my fork down, drink a few sips of water, look around at my friends and smile, hoping they don't notice the change in me. Then I take a brief step out of the conversation to check in with my body; asking all the questions. After I realize there are no other symptoms I reassure myself that I'm okay and that it's just pepper. I don't want my friends and family to recognize I'm doing this, because the fact that we're at this particular restaurant in the first place is because of my food allergies. The last thing I want to do is bring more focus to these darn food allergies.

But since it's a life or death thing, I usually look at someone if I'm in question and ask, "Can you take a look at my throat?" It's truly so embarrassing, but the people who are around me love me.

So, even though I absolutely love dining out, I prefer to dine in over a fabulous meal I have prepared by my own hands. I know I have read every label and I know every thing that is in my kitchen. When I take a bite into something scrumptious, I'm not worried about the tickle I feel in the back of my throat, I know it's the pepper.

Nicolle Avery