Ep.18 – Building a Support System
Relevant Episode Links Puzzle Board Main Topic(s) Why does this matter? Sometimes you need: a break to vent to have fun/be distracted an objective opinion comfort a cheerleader How to start building your support system Can be difficult, especially if you prefer to be...
Learning to Let Go… Giving your food allergy child independence, little by little.
In the 5 short years of my little guy's life, Shaun has shown a fierce desire to gain his independence at every milestone. Yes, he has a long way to go until he is ready to navigate this crazy world. Yet he is continually stretching the boundaries, reaching for...
Ep.17 – Leaving the House with Food Allergies
Relevant Episode Links Epi-Pen Carrying Case Full Med Bag Large Lunchbox YumBox Leakproof Lunch Box Monkey Business Allergy Bracelets (What we use for Shaun) AllerMates Allergy Bracelets FARE - Celiac v. Wheat Allergy Celiac.org Main Topic(s)...
Ep.16 – Not Letting Fear Rule
Happy New Year!! Welcome back to episode 16 of the Art of Allergies podcast! We hope everyone has had a great holiday break and some time to rest and recharge with your families 🙂 In this episode, we discuss fear and how it impacts food allergy life....
Ep.15 – Doctor’s Appointments
* * NOTICE ** We will be taking a brief holiday break, so this is the last episode for this year. We will be returning on January 1st, 2020. Welcome back to episode 15! This one is all about doctor's appointments (and there will be many). You can check out our...
Ep.14 – Auto-Injectors and Emergency Departments
Welcome back to episode 14! We have a bit of a different format this week, in that we don't have as curated an episode as we normally do. This is because we felt strongly that we wanted to talk about the reaction that Shaun had last week, and our experience using the...
Ep.13 – Thanksgiving
Welcome back to episode 13 where we talk all about Thanksgiving and navigating holidays in general with food allergies 🙂 Main Topic(s) Our Thanksgiving We talk about what our thanksgiving looks like and how it has evolved over the years How we plan and move...
Ep.12 – Special Guest: Amanda Orlando
Welcome back to episode 12! This week we're so excited to have another special guest on the show for you all. The fabulous Amanda Orlando! All Things Amanda: About PR and Past Work Instagram YouTube Buy her cookbook! Community Connection A couple of...
Ep.11 – Stock Epinephrine in CT
We're back with Episode 11! Thank you all for being patient as we worked through our first major technical hiccup, it is very much appreciated as we only want to bring you the best content we can! This episode follows-up our interview with Senator Lesser quite...
A Love Letter From a Food Allergy Mom *Updated*
Dearest friend, I write to you today because I love you! You are kind and understanding. Yet I hesitate to write this because experience has taught me that even the kindest people sometimes struggle to fully grasp what I am about to...
Ep.10 – A Chat on Capital Hill
This week we welcome our first special guest on the Art of Allergies podcast! We got a chance to meet with Senator Matt Lesser, who has been instrumental in getting several pieces of Connecticut state legislation passed, as well as having food allergies himself....
Ep.9 – Birthday Celebrations
Main Topic(s) Birthdays with food allergies Shaun's 1st Birthday UNO Party! 12 Food Allergies at the time So many foods that we had not tried yet (barely on solid food) Shaun's first cake was actually a waffle 🙂 Creative improvisation is key! Shaun's 2nd Birthday...
Ep.8 – All About Eczema
Welcome to Episode 8! This week it's all about eczema. We dive into our journey through it, what forms it can take, and some of our tips and tactics for dealing with it. As always, we're not doctors or trained medical professionals. All of the tools and things...
Ep.7 – Allergy Q.O.L & Relationship Impact
For episode 7, we're going to be diving a bit deeper into some quality of life impacts that come from an allergy diagnosis. Specifically, we go into how it can affect your relationship with your partner/spouse. **Disclaimer** - We understand that there...
Ep.6 – Halloween & Teal Pumpkins!
Welcome to episode 6! This one is going to be about Halloween and the Teal Pumpkin Project! We know it's a bit early, but we wanted to talk about it early enough that anyone who wanted to participate this year with the Teal Pumpkin Project would have the time...
Ep.5 – Reading Labels (Pt.2)
Here is part two of our Label Reading episodes! This second part focuses on non-top-8 food allergens. Main Topic(s) What are the Top 8 (quick recap) All of these are required by law to be identified on food labels Non-top-8 Allergens are not required to...
Ep.4 – Label Reading (Pt.1)
Welcome back to episode 4! This is going to be part one of a two-part segment about reading labels. We're starting off here focusing primarily on the Top-8 food allergens recognized by the FDA. In part two we will go more in-depth with foods that are outside...
Ep.3 Initial Diagnosis (and Life After It)
Welcome to our 3rd Episode! This one is all about receiving an initial allergy diagnosis, and some of the emotions involved, as well as coping with new life changes and routines. Two Key Take-Aways: You're not alone! Ideas about where to start Finally...
Ep.2 Back to School!
Welcome back to episode 2! We'll be talking about some of our back to school prep, and hear some of Shaun's perspective as well. Intro Main Topic: Back to School! Our second year Our school choice (why Montessori) Pros/Cons Child-lead learning Food in the...
Allergy Friendly Back to School Snack: WowButter Oat Bars
It has been a busy week here in our little blue house on the hill! Shaun and I have spent the week savoring … Savoring our slow, playful days together before he heads to kindergarten on Wednesday. And savoring little bites of all the food we...
Meet the Art of Allergies Family: Podcast Style
Welcome to our very first episode of The Art of Allergies Podcast! Thank you all for coming on this journey with us so far, and we hope to continue putting out valuable content now in Podcast form as well 🙂 This is mine and Linda's first foray into the...
Learning to Live With No Answers
Is that a hive? Eczema? Other unspecified rash? All of the above? Having food allergies involves numerous changes to your lifestyle and approach to everything. Especially if multiple food allergies are involved. After the months it took to get...
A Skin Test Follow-Up
A little over a week ago Shaun had his summer visit to his allergist. At this point, we typically check-in 4 times a year (not including food challenges or sick visits) with the intention of looking at his allergies, asthma and eczema condition. This allows us...
How to Meal Plan and Why It Matters!
It’s 4:30 in the afternoon on my way home from work. I slow down for a red light and Shaun pipes up from the back, “mom what’s for dinner tonight?” Nothing is defrosted. I haven’t been shopping in at least a week and a half. And we are out of...
When Planning Your Beach Trip Still Falls Short
What’s that saying about “the best-laid plans”...? As an allergy momma, I understand this sentiment intimately. Vigilance and planning make it so Shaun can have happy, healthy experiences out in the world. But you see sometimes even our best-laid plans...
How to Enjoy a Beach Day with Food Allergies
With the summer here in full swing, many people find themselves at, or wanting to go to, a beach! Hot temperatures and refreshing ocean are a perfect combination, but this becomes a little less carefree when you have allergies. So here’s how to enjoy a beach day with...
How to Get the Most Out of Your Doctors Appointments
Until I had an allergy child, I didn't realize the skill and planning required to have a successful and worthwhile visit to the doctor's office. It takes time to learn the skills and understand what you need to plan before each appointment! I know, it...
Food Challenges and What to Expect
Food challenges are part of allergy living, and like most things in allergy life, it is stressful, nuanced, and rewarding all at the same time! A food challenge is considered “the gold standard” test to determine if a person is allergic or not to a specific...
A Letter to My Food Allergy Child’s First School Teacher
Ms. Jackson, A year ago today Shaun’s name was 5th on the waiting list to get into your school, CREC Montessori Magnet. He was 3.5 years old and had a list of 8 food allergies. Unlike other parents, I did not obsessively check the progress on the...
Epinephrine Shortages and What You Can Do
As of at least August 2018 (though some sources mention it as early as May of last year), there has been a shortage of available epinephrine for consumers. This is a scary situation, as epinephrine is the single most crucial remedy for an...
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