30 Days and Counting

         We made it!  Our first month going wheat, egg, dairy and soy free has just passed.  Okay, I confess, we have cheated a few times.  Come on, a Frugalista Mom can’t just throw 2 dozen eggs!  So my husband and I had to finish the whole batch.  I let my daughter no.2 finish the jar of peanut butter coz she has no allergy to it.  Plus, we did eat out a few times too.  After all my children’s food allergies aren’t life-threatening (I thought?). So what could go wrong if they’ll have a few bites of something with allergens.

         This week after a thorough consultation with my son’s allergist, my less cautious attitude towards Food Allergies changed. What I thought before as nothing unusual, might have already been a symptom of an allergic reaction. The one hour question and answer series has opened my eyes to the real world that families such as mine are challenged with everyday. 

         That day I learned that my son’s condition (He got 5 out of the 8 common food allergies) is not something to be taken lightly. Though I haven’t seen him with hives and swelling, he could have described an allergic reaction whenever he says:

              “This food is so spicy.”

              “My ears are itchy. Can you remove the bugs in my ears.”

              “I can’t remove the hair on my tongue.”

              “This food is too hot.”

              “It tastes funny.”          

           So far, there is no cure for food allergies. Over the years, a child may or may not outgrow it. The best way to prevent a reaction is Total Avoidance of the allergy causing food.  For our family, that means no more “cheating” and absolute overhaul of our home.

          Living with allergies is quite overwhelming but we are doing it one day at a time. Do you have any tips?  I would love to hear from you.  After all, it’s just been 30 days. So, let’s start counting towards an allergy friendly home.

-Roz