Cascadian Farms

I'm always on the look-out for organic products, especially peanut allergy safe organic products.  Even better is when I can find them reasonably priced and at one of the grocery stores I already shop at.  So, when I came across a few varieties of organic cereal for kids, competitively priced at $2.82 a box at Wal-mart, I was excited, and thought I would share my find.
 

I purchased the Cascadian Farms Cinnamon Crunch cereal, and the whole family liked it. I'm not sure we even ate it with milk. I think we finished the entire box just eating it by the handful for snacks. Of course, I contacted the company regarding their allergen labeling.  Here's what they had to say:

If one of our products contains any of the top 8 allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, dairy products, eggs, soy, wheat, crustaceans, and fish) or if it contains sesame, sunflower or mollusks, that ingredient is always listed in the ingredient panel, and also in bold letters just below the list of ingredients.  If a product is exposed to any of these allergens in the manufacturing facility the allergen will be listed in bold in the ′Contains Statement′ just below the list of ingredients.  This list is your ingredient assurance for that package.  It is not intended for other packaging of the same product.  Ingredients may vary from one package to another due to product reformulation.  If you have allergy concerns, please read each package ingredient panel.

I feel good about letting Abigail eat the Cascadian Farm products that do not have peanuts/tree nuts listed in the ingredients.  After reviewing their website and hearing back from their customer service, it appears, that Cascadian Farms is one of the few food manufacturers that are committed to protecting our health and the environment.

FYI - This post expresses my own opinions.  I was not asked by Cascadian Farms to review their products.

Last Day of School

Today was Abigail's last day of 1st grade. It's hard to believe another school year has come and gone

I would deem it a very successful year.  Abigail grew tremendously academically, emotionally and socially.  Also, just importantly, if not more so, we made it through the year without a single allergy mishap!! Yeah!!  Thanks to her great teachers, vigilant school staff and some wonderful friends, Abigail had a safe school year.

Just last weekend I was talking to a mom of one of Abigail's classmates. She said that she hadn't purchased peanut butter or peanut butter snacks the entire year. She said her daughter was super protective of her friend, Abigail, and wasn't going to take a peanut butter snack to school.  That almost brought tears to my eyes. This is a family with 4 children, 2 of them school aged, and they haven't had peanut butter sandwiches or crackers the whole year. How incredible is that??

The kids in her class learned to read labels.  They understood that products manufactured in the same plant or using the same equipment were also not safe.  If they brought a snack that wasn't safe, they moved to a different table to eat it. Abigail's teacher had a great idea.  She took all of the extra cupcakes (from Freed's Bakery which is nut free) left from the holiday parties, put them in baggies and stored them in the freezer in the teacher's lounge. That way Abigail had safe treats throughout the year.

Just recently, I read about some moms doing a PAL (Protect A Life) Hero session at the start of the school year.  They went into the class, talked about their son or daughter's food allergy, reviewed the steps to being a PAL and then handed out special certificates. I loved this idea and will definitely approach Abigail's teacher next year about doing something similar.  Knowing how great Abigail's classmates have been this year, I wanted to make sure they were properly thanked and wanted Abigail to do that herself.

Using the PAL Hero certificates from the FAAN website, I printed one for each member of the class.  I thought it would be nice if Abigail got up in front of the class, explain what the certificates were, tell the class thank you and then hand them out.  She freaked out when I told her my idea.  While she doesn't make a huge fuss about having a food allergy, this was obviously a sensitive issue and getting up in front of the class to discuss it was beyond her comfort level.  Again, her teacher came to the rescue.  She allowed Abigail to call 2 classmates over at a time to tell them thank you and to give them their certificate.  I asked Abigail what she said to them.  She said she told them thank you, said it was nice when they moved to a different table if they had an unsafe snack and then asked them if they wanted to hear more (I thought that was pretty cute). I had given her a "Be A Pal" brochure, again from the FAAN website, and she shared the 5 steps to being a PAL.  I was so proud of her. What a big girl thing to do!

FYI, the 5 steps are:
1. Never take food allergies lightly.
2. Don't share your food with friends who have food allergies.
3. Wash hands after eating.
4. Ask what your friends are allergic to and help them avoid it.
5. If a friend who has food allergies becomes ill, get help immediately.

And, here's a big thank you from me to everyone that made Abigail's 1st grade year one to remember...for all the right reasons!

Now at McDonalds - McFlurrys with Reese's Cups

My last 2 posts were about healthy living so now it's time to touch on a serious peanut issue or at least a very hot topic right now on the online allergy forums.  In it's 100 Days of Summer promotion, McDonald's has introduced a McFlurry with Reese's Peanut Butter Cup topping.  And, if the promotion goes well, restaurants can choose to make it a permanent menu item.

We don't eat at McDonald's often, but on occasion, as a treat, we'll let the kids get a Happy Meal or Hot Fudge Sundaes.  And, when traveling, it's often the only place to eat.  Obviously, the Sundaes are definitely out, but what about the cheeseburgers and french fries?

I stopped by my local McDonald's to check it out.  From a few of the horror stories I read online about people seeing Reese's Cup topping spilling out over the counter into other areas, including the floor, I wasn't sure what to expect.  The Reese's Cup topping was in a covered plastic container in the ice cream stand which is a free standing unit over by itself no where near the burger station or fries. Isn't that no different than when my daughter eats at one end of the cafeteria table and another child with a peanut butter sandwich sits at the other?

It was only 10:00 in the morning so it was probably the wrong time to visit.  Maybe I should stop by at the end of the day and see what the topping container looks like then.  Or, see what would happen if I ordered a McFlurry along with some fries, burger and a drink.  Would the cashier scoop the topping on the dessert getting residue on her hand, then go grab my fries and burger, take my money, pull out a drinking cup, press the button on the drink machine, handle the food tray and give me change?  So, now I'm seeing lots and lots of opportunities for cross-contamination.

Bottom line, if I won't serve my daughter food that has been processed in a plant or manufactured on the same equipment, then why would I risk eating at an establishment that presents the same or even greater risk.  At least a food manufacturer has strict standards.  Who's working with the hourly employees at McDonald's to explain the risks and teach them safe handling?

What's McDonald's saying?  Again, according to the message boards, McDonald's is sending the same form letter to everyone regardless of the type of inquiry.  Here's a summary....it contains one of the top 8 allergens....the safety and well-being of our customers is a priority...the decision to purchase a McFlurry is left to the consumers discretion....we look forward to serving you again under the Golden Arches.  Priceless!  So, if I had any doubts about my decision to not eat at McDonald's, at least during the promotion, they've been confirmed.

Just something else disappointing to have to tell my daughter.

2010 Sunscreen Guide

Just in time for summer, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released an in depth look at sunscreens.  Here are a few very surprising and note-worthy conclusions:

• Both the FDA and the International Agency for Research on Cancer agree that there is no evidence that sunscreen prevents cancer.  Hats, shirts and shade are the primary barriers.

• There is some evidence that sunscreens may actually increase the risk of skin cancer.  It's unclear why, but researchers speculate that it could be that sunscreen consumers stay out in the sun too long or that the sunscreen product is inferior.

• While there are more products than ever with a SPF higher than 50, there is no proof that they are better. In fact, they may encourage consumers to stay out in the sun too long.

• Vitamin A, a common sunscreen ingredient (in as many as 41% of sunscreens), may actually speed the development of cancer.  The FDA recently conducted a study of vitamin A’s photocarcinogenic properties, and there is a possibility that it results in cancerous tumors when used on skin exposed to sunlight.

You can read the full report in the EWG's 2010 Sunscreen Guide found on their website. It's a fantastic site. The EWG has included information on 1,400 sunscreens, lip balms and moisturizers. For those of us with allergy concerns they even point out ingredients that might be troublesome. They list their top picks and have a "Hall of Shame." There's a "Find Your Sunscreen" link so you can check what's on your shelf. They've even partnered with Amazon to create a store front where you can purchase some of the top brands.

Please take the time to check out the guide, read the dangers of some of the most common sunscreens on the store shelves and find out why the FDA has yet to wrap up sunscreen regulations that they started 32 years ago in 1978.

And, yes there is still a recommendation by the FDA to get 10 minutes of sunshine several times a week to help boost Vitamin D.  Happy Summer!  Enjoy the sun...just enjoy it wisely!

My Gardens

It's in full bloom. My yard that is. Last year, I tried my hand at gardening, organic, of course, and found I really enjoyed it. Knowing that I had time and space constraints, I chose to try my hand at square foot gardening. It was the perfect solution. This year in my 3 foot by 12 foot space, I am growing 4 types of heirloom tomatoes, green peppers, jalapeno peppers, okra, squash, zucchini, spinach, broccoli, swiss chard, basil and dill. In pots around my garden, I'm growing pickling cucumbers, bush cucumbers, habanero peppers and cherry tomatoes. I wanted more squash and zucchini this year so I added another small 2 foot by 6 foot garden put in each of those as well as a cantaloupe and several banana pepper plants.

My herb garden is on my deck. I have dill, basil, rosemary, thyme, lemon thyme, parsley, bee balm, chives and lettuce. After several years, this is the first year that my blueberry plant flowered and produced berries.  I'm watching to make sure I get the ripened berries before the birds do. This spring, my mom gave me a blackberry bush to add to my collection. Told you. I'm loving it.

And a surprise this year...I have a few plants growing in my make-shift compost pile. I'm guessing they're squash and from the looks of them, they really like it there.


We ate fresh veggies all summer last year, and I even had enough to put a few things in the freezer. I think I'm going to try my hand at pickling and canning this summer.  I found several recipes for pickles that call for freezing your jars instead of using a hot water bath or a pressure cooker. Sounds perfect!

If you haven't started a vegetable garden, and want to, it's not too late. You really should check out square foot gardening. It's fast and easy. We made our raised bed frames with a couple of inexpensive 2 x 6 boards. I put up a fence for protection against the rabbits and my 2 year old (he likes to help....maybe a bit too much). If you have no inclination for gardening, then check out this guide to pesticides. It tells which fruits and vegetables you should purchase organic and which ones are the lowest in pesticides. Did you know that only 5% of the world's farmland is dedicated to organic farming?  So, if you can, support your local organic farmers by shopping your Farmer's Markets and local produce stands.

More on Bloodprinting and Food Sensitivities

I'm really intrigued by the Bloodprinting test that I discovered after doing some research several weeks ago. I have made several inquiries and am thinking about having this test done.  Unfortunately, after a call to my insurance company this morning, it looks like I'm going to have to wait a while.

If you didn't catch an earlier post, you're probably wondering just what is this Bloodprint test. In simple terms, it's a test to determine which foods you are sensitive to. Traditionally, the way to figure out what foods are bothersome to your digestive system is to do a dreaded elimination diet. However, according to the literature that Immuno Laboratories of Florida sent me, your Bloodprint is as individual as your fingerprint.  Their testing can determine your food sensitivities (with a 95% rate of accuracy and reproducibility), and they provide an individualized computer printout of all foods that you should start eliminating from your diet.  The lab just needs a small sample of blood, and within a week, the report is back in the hands of your doctor.  I even called Immuno Laboratories to find a doctor in my area, and was excited to hear that there is a local MD that has been in practice for 23 years, went to school at Duke and University of CT and specializes in Integrative and Family Medicine.  However, the laboratory in Florida is out-of-network which means a $500 deductible, and I'm responsible for 35% of the bill which isn't cheap.  For the complete panel, 154 foods, it's approximately $1,500.

Again, if you haven't been following my interest in Bloodprinting, you're probably also wondering why.  That takes me into the topic of food sensitivities. If you're reading my blog, you're probably very familiar with food allergies. If you eat something that you are allergic to, there is an immediate, and in many cases, quite a strong even life-threatening reaction.  With food sensitivities, there is a delayed reaction that can occur hours to days after eating a reactive food.  Symptoms of food sensitivities include, but not limited to, weight gain, headaches, sinus problems, skin rashes, joint pain, depression, fatigue, indigestion and bloating.

I can eat scrambled eggs and feel nauseous an hour later.  I can drink a milk shake and feel like I gained 10 lbs. from bloating, but I tested negative to everything on the basic IgE food allergy panel.  Those are obvious, but there are other foods that I can't narrow down.  So, now I'm researching food sensitivities which brings me back to the Immuno Bloodprint IgG ELISA Food Sensitivity Assay.

The Immuno Laboratories literature gives a good explanation of what causes food sensitivities.  From their brochure... "Medical literature suggests that food sensitivities result when foods and their protein components are not completely digested.  When these components are absorbed by your body, your immune system does not recognize them as nutritional.  It responds protectively by producing antibodies, starting a series of reactions which can affect many tissues and organs."

The positive side of food sensitivities, according to the Immuno Lab literature, is that they are usually just temporary and typically disappear when you eliminate the specific food for 60 to 90 days.  They state that you can reintroduce the food back into your diet and prevent reoccurring food sensitivities by rotating, combining and cooking foods properly.  The individual report that comes back from the lab provides all of those preventive measures.

I'd really like to have this test done.  Or, I can start an elimination diet.  It's free, but definitely not as easy.  I've also discovered an elimination diet program that guarantees results in 21 days.  It's cheaper at around $100.  Can anybody offer up any suggestions?  I'd love to hear your comments.

Food Allergies in the News

Last week was a very busy week for food allergy news.  The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) released a new study in their May 12th issue that was picked up by a ton of major news outlets including my own local paper. The objective of the study as written in the article, "Diagnosing and Managing Common Food Allergies", was to review all available evidence regarding the prevalence, diagnosis, management and prevention of food allergies.  Using 72 pre-qualified studies indexed between 1988 and 2009, the conclusion was made that "the evidence for the prevalence and management of food allergy is greatly limited by the lack of uniformity of criteria for making a food allergy diagnosis, severely limiting conclusions about best practices for management and prevention." Wow....tell me something I didn't know!  Sorry, just a little sarcasm there.

Here are a few of my thoughts from combing through the various news articles related to the JAMA study.  The study concludes that 1 to 2 percent of the population have a food allergy, but not more than 10%.  The JAMA abstract states that "it is unclear if the prevalence of food allergies is increasing."  Ever ask yourself why it is that you didn't know anyone with a food allergy growing up, nor do you or your spouse have a food allergy...so why is it your child does?  Not very scientific, but I'd conclude that food allergies have increased over the last 10 years!

Another study conclusion was that food challenges, skin prick tests and blood tests for IgE are all valuable in diagnosing a food allergy, however there is not just one test that can be solely recommended to use by itself or even over the other.  Again, there's no surprise there.  Our poor kids are being pricked and poked, and yet we still don't know the true severity of their reaction....unless of course they've actually had one that's rushed us to the hospital! 

Here's another finding, "immunotherapy is promising but data are insufficient to recommend use."  Speaking as a mother with a daughter participating in a sublingual immunotherapy clinical trial, how can a study recommend not using a "promising" therapy simply because data is insufficient.  If it looks promising, then wouldn't you think that the recommendation would be for more people to participate in these types of trials so that a more conclusive finding can be published??

And my last comment, it turns out they found there to be no universally accepted definition for "food allergy" leaving the public in a state of confusion regarding the difference between food intolerances, food allergies, and life-threatening food allergies.  I think we'd all have to agree that there is a general lack of appreciation for the risk that our children live with on a daily basis doing something as routine as eating a meal.

The upside of the study is that The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which funded it, is working on guidelines for the diagnosis and management of food allergies to be released this fall. If the average, non-allergic reader took the time to read the articles, then all of the press that circulated last week did a good job of raising food allergy awareness.  I thought CNN Health wrote a particularly good article.  Regardless of how good the article is though, with headlines like "Doubt is Cast on Many Reports of Food Allergies" from The New York Times, or "Are Your Food Allergies for Real?  Many Mistakenly Think They are Allergic" by abc NEWS  there is a downside if a reader stops there.

I can truly appreciate how wonderful it would be to find out that your mild food allergy doesn't require a strict elimination of that food from your diet, or that after all this time, you don't have a food allergy at all.  But...please, please...don't muddy the water for those that do have a severe, life threatening allergy!!