Seven Things to Do for Food Allergy and Intolerance Awareness Week

January 23-29, 2012 is Food Allergy and Intolerance Week (not to be confused with FAAN's Food Allergy Awareness Week, scheduled May 13-19, 2012). Many people say they have a food allergy when they actually have a much more common condition- a food intolerance. Here is a list of seven things to do this week to learn more about the differences between food allergy and food intolerance:

Monday, January 23- Check out this quiz to see what you know about the differences between food allergy and food intolerances.
Tuesday, January 24- Watch this HealthWatch MD video. Send the video to someone you think may benefit from learning more.
Wednesday, January 25- Take a look at Living Without, the magazine for people with food allergies and intolerances.
Thursday, January 26- Catch the Food Allergy Blog Carnival at The Allergic Kid.
Friday, January 27- Learn more about lactose intolerance, which is something many people refer to as a food allergy.
Saturday, January 28- Read the Food Allergy and Intolerances Resource List for Consumers.
Sunday, January 29- Seek support if you need it. FAAN offers a support group look-up tool and the Food Intolerance Network has a list of free e-mail support groups.

Invest some time this week educating yourself and others on the topics of food allergy and intolerances.

Have a great week!

Easy Fundraising for Food Allergy Research

Here's an easy way to raise money for FAAN (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network)- rate restaurants.  AllergyEats counts on peer review to provide a listing of allergy-friendly restaurants across the United States. The more people who participate in the ratings, the more valuable it will be for all of us. The database currently lists over 600,000 eating establishments.

To help, simply go to AllergyEats, sign up, and rate restaurants. For every restaurant rated, AllergyEats donates money to FAAN.

Simple and effective. I like it!

Another great thing to do today- CampTag is currently #32 in the Pepsi Good Idea Contest. Vote every day until the end of October for the "good idea" of opening food allergy friendly camps across the country!

Now, don't you feel empowered about all the good things you can do for those with food allergies?

Enjoy your day.

Food Allergy Friendly Basball Games and Food Allergy Contest

More and more peanut allergic individuals can sing, "Take me out to the ball game!" thanks to efforts of many to encourage ballparks to provide seating free of peanuts at some games. The Cleveland Indians are the latest to offer this opportunity. They're even power-washing and thoroughly cleaning that are of the stadium prior to the start of the game.

Part of the money from the tickets sold at the Indians Sept. 26 game will go to FAAN for food allergy research.

Go team! For more peanut-aware games, visit my friend Jennifer B's list.

Last day to enter: Ian's Party Give-Away. Be sure to join in the fun for an opportunity to throw a party with treats from Ian's.

Food Allergy Awareness Week

It's that time of year again. Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) is holding the 13th annual awareness week May 9-15. This year's title is Respect Every Bite and FAAN's site offers some great ways to commemorate Food Allergy Awareness Week. Check it out for sample presentations directed to elementary schools, teens or corporate settings. Find a link to petition your state for a proclamation. Download and print resources to educate others about food allergy.

Go ahead...May 9 will be here before you know it. Plan now!

Food Allergy Website Gets an Update

It's colorful, trendy and sleek.

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) has launched a brand new website. It's much more user friendly for those of us who have been at this food allergy thing for awhile. I also think the links for the top eight allergens listed across the top will be more helpful for people who are new to food allergy.

Check it out. What do you think?

Biking for Food Allergies

I love this story! Bill Arendt (Willie) is pedaling for food allergies. Willie left Los Angeles on May 10 and he plans to bike to Boston- 3415 miles to benefit FAAN (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network). He charts his progress online every night. Make a monetary pledge or just leave a note of encouragement. Check out the full story.

How cool is that????