Review of "Binky Goes Nuts"

It is hard for kids of any age to fully comprehend a peanut allergy. Part of the problem is speaking on a level they can fully understand. So, when I heard there was a cartoon that was about a peanut allergy, I had to get it for Tyler!

If you have seen the "Arthur" series on PBS, you know what a high quality show it is. Tyler already liked it before we found "Binky Goes Nuts."

The story is simple and opens with Binky being diagnosed (via a skin test) with a peanut allergy. Binky does not fully understand all of the implications of the allergy but his mother does.

His mother teaches him the importance of reading all labels (she finds peanut oil in chili!) and talks about all of the precautions he must take to keep himself safe.

One important moment in the show is when Binky picks out a snack for himself at the store. His choice is cashews. Since he does not have a cashew allergy he does not give it a second thought. However within moments of eating his snack, he breaks out in hives. After a trip to the ER, he discovers the very real possibility of cross contamination.

This show is fairly short (maybe 10 minutes?) and could easily be shown to a classroom or a group of friends. Its interesting enough that they would stay engaged but truly learn something valuable about peanut allergies.

Tyler's Opinion

Tyler loved the fact there was a show about peanut allergies! He watched it several times in a row (it's very short). He kept saying, "I want to watch the peanut allergy show!"

The show also gave us a great opportunity to talk about his allergy. This child was in school and we talked about how to deal with his allergies at school.

There was one part in the movie that was a little unnerving to Tyler. (He is 4 and a rather sensitive child.) Binky has a nightmare where a peanut butter sandwich is trying to attack him. In the end, a super hero rescues him. This would probably not bother a child ages 5 and above, and might not even bother some younger children.

Recommendation

I do highly recommend this video for anyone that has a child with a peanut allergy. It is a great video to have in your collection for your child to view or to educate others (particularly other children) about their allergy.

On the Peanut Free Menu this Week

I can't believe I have gone an entire week without blogging! It's been a rather intense week and hopefully things will get back to normal soon. I am recovering from a a sinus infection, bronchitis and a 2 week long migraine. Yuck-o!

Since I am still not 100%, I will only blogging 3 times this week (not counting this little preview). Here is what to expect:

*Tuesday: A review of Binky Goes Nuts (a cartoon about peanut allergy)

* Wednesday: Another installment of "A Healthy PA Kid," this week we will be talking about finding safe organic grains and pasta in bulk.

*Friday: I will be starting a series called "Taking Care of PA Mom." I need this series more than anyone! But I know I am not the only one that sometimes needs a little care due to the stress of caring for a child with a peanut allergy.

I also hope to start previewing what is coming up each week (like this little post), give links to interesting posts I have read throughout the week, as well as also get back to weekend discussions.

Happy Peanut Free Week!

Communication is Key

If you read this blog regularly, you know that I like to focus from time to time on the benefits of having a peanut allergy. Yes, it sounds crazy to actually say there are benefits, but there are!!

A life-threatening food allergy turns communication into a life saving skill.

Tyler was slightly speech delayed until this past year. I had to work even harder with him to teach him how to protect himself. Pronouncing things like "No peanuts" and "I'm allergic" were difficult. With lots of practice, he's an expert now.

Tyler is four and a half now and has become his own advocate since this time last year. We are constantly talking. We don't always just talk about his allergies, of course! Sometimes we talk about important things like Sesame Street and playing outside.

The point is, however, his allergy keeps the dialogue open. His survival depends on it. I am not the type of person that doesn't talk but if I were, I would simply have to change.

The communication we establish now will last a lifetime. As he gets older, we will keep talking to help him to further understand his allergy. And, as he enters his teenage years in eight and a half years (shudder), that dialogue and bond that we have established now will still be there.

Would we be as close as we are now if it weren't for his food allergies? I certainly hope so! But, his allergies have created a unique advocacy bond between us that I don't have with my non food allergy child (Dylan and I have our own "special things.")

Do you find a special level of communication with your food allergic child?

The Organic Challenge

This post is the first in a series of posts called "A PA Healthy Kid." It will chronicle my journey to help my PA get healthy despite the fact that his allergies and eczema have caused him to have a compromised immune system. Please join me each Wednesday as I chronicle our journey.

Have you ever wondered how the chemicals that we consume in and on our food affects our health? This has been a big focus of mine for the last month or two. I admit I never gave it much thought until I was introduced to Tyler's recent health problems.

Could these chemicals (in the form of pesticides, preservatives, etc) be contributing to Tyler's continuous allergy and eczema problems?

Could Organic be a Better Choice?

For some reason since organic products became all the rage in recent years, I admit I thought these were for people that were a little more "hippy like" (sorry if you have used organic for years, I'm a little slow to catch on to "good" trends!).

The more I have read about organics in the last few months, the more I wondered about Tyler. Could cutting back on the bad stuff really make a difference? I read tons of stuff online and offline and started to believe this might be part of the answer to better health for him and, really, our whole house.

So, what exactly is "organic?"

According to the The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) defines organic as follows:

Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations.

Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.

Before a product can be labeled "organic," a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.

I'm not expert in this but I think things like pesticides, sewage sludge, bioengineering, and other things just don't sound healthy. Maybe its just me...

The Challenge of It All

There are a few challenges to going organic. The thing that has prevented me initially is cost. We are a one income family and cost has been a big factor. I am, however, splurging on things that aren't outrageously priced for produce.

A few weeks ago, I started wanting to expand to things like grains and dried beans. After much research, I discovered food coops. These are a great way to buy in bulk, save money, yet buy organic.

Could there be any downfalls to this??

Ummm..yes. Unfortunately "organic" seems (in most cases of bulk grains) to translate into "processed in a facility with nuts."

Ugghh!! I can't tell you the frustration I have encountered in my research. One sweet company offered to be extra careful if I ordered from them. Unfortunately I just couldn't feel entirely at ease with that. If there were nuts on the same lines, it freaked me out!!

I have found another coop with different suppliers that I will be researching soon. However, I am not getting my hopes up. (If you would like to check out organic coops in your area, click here.)

Where to Go from Here?

Even if I am unable to find safe grains and dried beans, I can switch on some produce, particularly those with an edible skin (i.e. grapes, apples, etc).

The good news is that I have found some large companies carried by most major grocery store chains that are safe. I have also found a way to purchase those things in bulk (translation: "cheaper").

With lots of dedication, going healthier, and organic at times, is possible. It amazes me that eating a healthier diet has a level of challenges I was not anticipating for someone with nut allergies. I will not give up, though. I might not be able to make all of the changes I want, but I will make changes when they are what I deem "safe."

Next Week

If you want to embark on this journey with me, don't loose heart! I did contact some large "regular grocery store" companies that are safe. I also found a way to buy them in bulk. We will cover those things next week!

Michigan Governor Recognizes Food Allergies

I can't believe it has taken me this to blog about this (well, I've been sick for over two weeks so maybe its not that shocking!) but being an advocate for food allergies really pays off.

Remember when I asked you in April to contact your state's Governor to recognize Food Allergy Awareness Week in your state in early May? (It's OK if you forgot, you can refresh your memory here.)

Well, in the midst of illness in the middle of May, I got a special certificate from our Governor here in Michigan. Woo hoo!

Advocating for awareness really makes a difference. Before Tyler was born in 2005, food allergies were something I never thought about. Now, not a day goes by when they don't cross my mind frequently throughout the day. Instead of fretting about it all, I decided to be an advocate for him. The certificate below is just one thing to remind me that it truly does pay off.


(Sorry this is a little difficult to read. It was too big for my scanner so I had to actually take a picture of it! Click on it to see it in detail.)

Getting Healthy

Have you ever met the "sick kid" at school? You know the kid that catches everything that goes around. He misses lots of school. Always has a runny nose. You know you're near him when you hear that incessant cough.

Well, I have that kid.

Honestly, I cannot count how many times Tyler has been sick since Christmas time. We are in the double digits, I'm quite sure.

His weak immune system has eventually trickled down to the entire family. Our bodies are all exhausted from fighting each little bug that come in the house.

(If you're wondering why I haven't blogged as much lately, now you understand! I've had a sinus infection for nearly 2 weeks!!)

I consider myself a mom that is pretty health aware. I cook relatively healthy. I limit junk food and sweets. We do vitamins most of the time. Yet, my PA kid is not healthy!

Even though I know starting preschool will bring some of this on, I think we are beyond that at this point. I am concerned about the amount of antibiotics he has been on.

I think that the allergies and eczema he is constantly battling weaken his immune system considerably. My challenge has become how do I strengthen that immune system so that his body can fight every little bug that comes his way?

This summer I will be embarking on a bit of a journey to get him as healthy as possible in next 3 months so that his body is strong enough to have a healthier fall and winter once school gets under way again.

Here are some things I will be doing:

1. Keeping him home with me during the week, away from multiple children he might encounter in a preschool/daycare environment so his immune system can rest a little. (This does not include occasional play dates, zoo trips, park trips, etc. and church each week.)

2. Spend time outdoors, as I think there is a lot of healing just being outside in the sun (this will be limited somewhat due to his environmental allergies).

3. Eat mainly organic fruits and vegetables this summer. (I will be growing my own organic vegetable garden for some of these, the others I will get from our local farmer's market).

4. Incorporate multiple types of whole grains into his diet. (This will require lots of research on my part but the fact I have switched to more whole wheat is not doing the trick.)

5. Make sure he is eating several servings of both fruit and veggies each day. (This will require diligent menu and snack planning on my part...not a bad thing!).

6. Limit "junk food" to only a couple of times a week. (I think taking it out totally would backfire, but I can even make wise choices in the "bad" stuff I allow him to eat.)

7. Allergy proof our home, particularly his room, as much as possible.

I'm sure there are more things I should do but I think a list of seven is a bit overwhelming! I will be blogging about this. This will be a series throughout the summer each Wednesday that will be called "A Healthy PA Kid." I would love for others to join me!!

Goodbye Nut Buddy!

Every couple of months my husband and I sneak away on a date night and I almost always request that we get something with nuts!

We all do avoid peanuts and cashews since those are Tyler's most severe allergies but the allergist gave us the OK to sneak an almond or pecan on occasion when we are away. I absolutely love nuts but admit I feel guilty about it sometimes.

One tradition for Brad and I has been to eat the delicious roasted almonds they sell at Detroit Pistons games, our local NBA team. I'm not sure if I enjoy the almonds or the game more!

About a month or two ago, it was no different. Brad brought some almonds home from a game he went to with a friend. The kids were in bed and we ate our beloved nuts. Brad abruptly stopped eating them without saying much. About 15 minutes later, he told me he was having a reaction to something. (He has other food allergies so he knows "that feeling.")

Being the nut allergy mom I am, I realized it was to probably to the almonds and I freaked out. He took Benadryl and I knew right where Tyler's Epi Pens were if we needed them (two Epi Jr.'s equal one adult dose.)

He insisted he did not have a nut allergy but the Benadryl helped stop the reaction. I insisited he go in for allergy testing. Finally (after lots and lots of begging!), last week he did.

The verdict? An allergy to almonds and hazelnuts!!

He is now a member of the Epi Pen toting club. Tyler thinks its pretty cool that Daddy has a nut allergy and an Epi Pen now. (I'm not feeling so happy about it!)

Nothing really changes around our house, except that now I have no one in the house that I can sneak out of the house and safely eat nuts with!

This is proof that food allergies, including nuts, can develop at any age.

While part of me is relieved to have an answer about the "itchy throat issue," I have my own little bit of grief to deal with. Now I have two nut allergy people to worry about in our house!

Mystery Reaction

Chances are if you have a child with severe allergies, you have had the "mystery reaction." Our home is no different.

Yesterday morning when I walked into Tyler's room, it appeared that he had a black eye. When I turned the lights on, his entire left eye was swollen. The eyelid was so swollen it was half shut. The white of his eye was very blood shot. The area below the eye was purple. I was alarmed but thought it was a bad case of pink eye. (Man, I can be clueless sometimes!)

I rushed him the to the doctor and it was actually an allergic reaction. To what? I have no idea! His meal the night before (meatloaf and baked potatoes) was made entirely from scratch by me.

After dinner, he played outside with his brother and dad. My guess is that one of the plants in our backyard (or possibly even the grass) caused the reaction. What is a little perplexing is the fact that he had a bath before bed.

This is the most dramatic "mystery reaction" we have had to date. I'm not going to forbid him to play outside. That would be cruel. But, I will play close attention to what he comes into contact with.

What is your most recent "mystery reaction?"

Amazon Sale on Enjoy Life Foods

I'm back! Little by little, we are all recovering from our illness last week. Thank you for all of your prayers and concerns.

I've got some misc tidbits today to play catch up on today.

Amazon Sale

Have you tried Enjoy Life Foods? They have incredible food even if you don't have food allergies! Amazon has all of their products 20% off right now. They are made in a dedicated nut free facility. Plus, they are free of all 8 major allergens, as well potato, sesame and sulfites.

A few things you can find are:

Remember, buying in bulk is key in food allergies (like these items are sold). They will certainly last a year or more. You will always have a safe (and delicious!) treat.

You can find the complete line of their products here. Just enter ENJOYLIF at checkout.

(Remember, purchasing these products or anything from Amazon through a link on this blog helps support it!!)


Food Allergy Week

Did you remember it was food allergy awareness last week? I nearly did. Did you hear about food allergies from an unexpected place? Something really exciting happened in the midst of my crazy week that reminded how reward food allergy work truly can be. You will have to wait until tomorrow for that, though!


Detroit Support Group Meeting

Finally, if you are in the Detroit area, the next support group meeting is tonight. (Yes, no notice is better than none!). If you are interested, you can visit the website. If you are in the Detroit area and would like to be added to the mailing list, please email me cofafmichigan AT yahoo DOT com.

Round Three & A Break

The stomach flu is making its third appearance in our home since January. But, who's counting, right? This usually hits everyone very hard and leaves me one tired Mommy! Last week was my turn to have my own health issues. Thankfully I got some rest so I can care for everyone.

As a result of all of this "fun," I will be taking a blogging break this week. I will return next Monday when hopefully everyone in the home will be healthy.