Sorry for the cancellation of this month’s support group meeting…but an important opportunity has come up and space is extremely limited.  Please read on….

At Sensitive Sweets next week (Thursday, August 15th at 5:30PM to 7:00 PM) Kelly Rudnicki (author of The Food Allergy Mama’s Baking Book) will be speaking on the topic of 504 plans.  This means….find a sitter, get off work a little early and come learn from Kelly on this very important topic.

Kelly has spoken at our Saddleback Church food allergy support group before and is quite knowledgeable when it comes to the topic of 504 plans.  Rather than make you choose which event to attend (this event or our support group), we thought we would make the choice easy for you and meet you there.  We will be attending this great presentation, so please come join us.

Additionally, the event is also a mini-fund raiser for FARE Walk – Los Angeles.  20% of the sales that evening at Sensitive Sweets will be donated to FARE.  Plus, if you have never been to Sensitive Sweets in Fountain Valley, you are in for a real treat (an allergy-free treat that is) and will want to purchase a couple of treats before leaving.  Melanie Hohman is an amazing baker with a huge heart for making the most amazing allergy-free treats on the planet.

As with our group, leave the kids at home and come ready to learn.  For those of you who cannot make it, I am planning on video recording it (with Kelly’s approval) so the content may still be available if you cannot attend..

The event is limited to 35 adults so you will want to make sure you sign up immediately so that Melanie can get an accurate head count.    Once again, YOU MUST RSVP VIA FACEBOOK to reserve your spot for this event.

To reserve your spot for the 504 plan event, please click here.
 

Once again, NO Support Group meeting this month. Our next meeting will be in October, after school has started so we look forward to seeing everyone in the fall.  In the meantime, you can visit us online on Facebook if you have any questions, concerns or prayer requests.

Hopefully the Lord is bringing blessing to your summer and protection to your kids and family.

Posted by OCFoodallergy on Aug 14, 2012 in Support Group | 0 comments

Come learn what you need to know about the 504 Plans

What exciting news we have for the month of August and just in time for back to school.  For those of you who have been attending for a while, everyone knows that you cannot talk about food allergy recipes without talking about Kelly Rudnicki’s book, The Food Allergy Mama’s Baking Book: Great Dairy-, Egg-, and Nut-Free Treats for the Whole Family”  As blessings for us go, Kelly has moved from the suburbs of Chicago to Orange County, where the climate for food allergies is apparently drastically different then on the east coast.

Graciously, Kelly has agreed to come speak with us at our August 21 support group meeting, just in time for school, in order to share her experiences with the importance of 504 plans.  In one of her most recent blog posts, Kelly writes about some of her own experiences with life in Southern California and what we as parents should now.  This is going to be a very exciting evening to come and listen to what Kelly has to say on such an important topic as it pertains to parents of kids with food allergies.

Once again, mark your calendars today, get a sitter, bring a friend and don’t miss this wonderful opportunity.

Our next meeting will be:

• Date: Tuesday, August 21, 2012 – (One Week Away)
• Location: Room 407
• Venue: Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA
• Time: 6:30 to 8:00 PM (please arrive a few minutes early so we can start on time)
• Who:  Parents only (no childcare provided)
• https://www.ocfoodallergy.com/when-we-meet/

About the Better Parents of Kids with Food Allergies Support Group

We are a Christian-based support group that is designed to support parents of kids who suffer from food allergies. This support group is designed to be a safe place where you can come and share your fears with other parents that understand what you are going through. If you are a parent that lives in Orange County, CA, we hope that you will come and join our next meeting. We do not offer childcare and the group is designed for adults. We meet the third Tuesday of every month at 6:30 PM at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA.

Posted by OCFoodallergy on Sep 13, 2014 in Support Group | 0 comments

The FARE Walk for Food Allergy brings together thousands of people who are seeking a safer world for the 15 million Americans living with food allergies. The Walk is a family-friendly event that takes place in communities nationwide to raise funds for food allergy research, education, advocacy and awareness. This special day will include fun activities for the entire family. Register today as an individual or start a team and invite your friends, family and co-workers to help us say FAREwell to food allergies!

The walk will commence in Long Beach at Marina Green Park.  Check-in time is 11:00am, with the walk ceremony beginning at 12:00 pm.  The Food Allergy Walk is a food allergy friendly, not a food allergy free event. Please remember to read all labels. We respectfully ask you take all of your samples home to enjoy.

Event Contact Info:

FARE Western Regional Office Anna Ryan – Western Region Director

Phone: 424-672-3263

Email: [email protected]

For more information on the event, please visit:  http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1102593

Posted by OCFoodallergy on May 26, 2014 in Support Group | 0 comments

In September 2014 , the FAACT (Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team) will be holding their first event at the Disneyland Hotel.  The conference is designed for those with food allergies as full day of food allergy education.  The conference covers all aspects of food allergies, from food allergy management, food diet, best selling food allergy authors and food allergy research.    The full day event will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2014 at the Disneyland Hotel.

The cost for the conference is $150 for adults/guests (for Non-FAACT Patrons) and $100 for teens.  FAACT Patrons can attend at a discounted rate.   There is also a discounted Disneyland Hotel rate of $184 per night for attendees who register before Augugst 13, 2014.  More information can be found at the FAACT website.

• FAACT Conference Flyer
• FAACT Conference Schedule

About the Food Allergy Conference
FAACT’s annual Food Allergy Conferences provide full day of educational sessions led by leading medical professionals and food allergy advocates. The conferences offer education and support for parents, grandparents, school personnel, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and teens. Each conference will include specialized breakout sessions, including a session specifically for adults who have food allergies. Keynote speakers will be members of FAACT’s Medical Advisory Board presenting on food allergy and anaphylaxis management, as well as the latest food allergy research. There will be sessions for parents, nurses, school personnel, as well as a session about the psychosocial aspect of living with food allergies, restaurant training workshops, baking demo sessions with leading allergy cookbook authors, and much, much more. Teens and Teen Siblings (ages 11-18) will be together the entire day, sharing experiences, participating in team-building activities, and learning from leading healthcare professionals and advocates.

For more information on the conference, please visit FAACT at:  http://www.foodallergyawareness.org/programs/FAACTs-Annual-Food-Allergy-Conference/locations_and_hotel_information-17/

For more information on becoming a FAACT Patron, please visit:  http://www.foodallergyawareness.org/patron/

Posted by OCFoodallergy on Mar 16, 2014 in Support Group | 0 comments

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If you live in the San Diego area (or even Orange County), the FARE Walk San Diego will be on Sunday, June 29, 2014.    The FARE Walk for Food Allergy brings together thousands of people who are seeking a safer world for the 15 million Americans living with food allergies.  The funds from the walk go to raise money for food allergy research, education, advocacy and awareness.

Walk Schedule
Registration/Check-in: 11:00am – 12:00pm
Walk Ceremony: 12:00pm
Walk Begins: Immediately Following Ceremony

Walk Location
The San Diego NTC Park at Liberty Station 2455 Cushing Road San Diego CA 92106.

For more information on this event, please contact:

FARE West Regional Office Alice Gordon – Regional Development Director Phone: 310-883-8644

Email: [email protected]

Posted by OCFoodallergy on Dec 31, 2013 in Support Group | 0 comments

Looks like there is a new Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis program launching.  Eleanor Garrow-Holding, who was once a part of FARE, is now the CEO of Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team or FAACT. FAACT’s goal is to educate, advocate, and raise awareness for families and individuals affected by food allergies and life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Garrow-Holding provides leadership for all of FAACT’s initiatives and programs, including conferences across the country, education for school and restaurant staff, and statewide legislation  and civil rights advocacy for students. FAACT will also grow the very successful Camp TAG (The Allergy Gang) – a summer camp for children with food allergies and their siblings that Garrow-Holding founded in 2009.

By networking with other food allergy organizations, FAACT is also able to supply the most up-to-date resources and provide a more cohesive level of support to patients and families by some of the nation’s most dedicated advocates, all with personal connections to allergic disease. 

The leadership base of FAACT includes attorney Amelia Smith Murphree, founder of “Food Allergic Children’s Education in Tupelo;” Karen Underwood Harris, president and founder at “Food Allergy Kids of Atlanta;” Thanita Glancey, president of the “Loudoun Allergy Network;” author Nicole Smith, president and CEO of “Allergic Child;” and Los Angeles media producer Yael Kozar, who leads “CA, Allergy Support & Anaphylaxis Prevention” and created “The Anaphylactic Allergy Podcast”.

For more information about FAACT, please visit www.foodallergyawareness.org.

Posted by OCFoodallergy on May 11, 2013 in Support Group | 0 comments

Orange County, Food Allergy Awareness Week is upon us.  In 1998, the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (now FARE), started Food Allergy Awareness Week to help educate families, schools, about the dangers of food allergies and how important it is keep our children safe.

Food Allergy is a real medical condition that impacts 1 in 13 kids.  If you think about this in terms of Orange County schools, that is on average 2 kids in every classroom.  To help spread the word, FARE has a number of different materials that are extremely useful in educating others on the serious nature of a food allergy condition.

Here are just some of the materials:

Posters

Brochures

​For more information, please visit FARE at http://www.foodallergy.org/food-allergy-awareness-week/activities

Posted by OCFoodallergy on Sep 14, 2014 in Support Group | 0 comments

So the family decided to check out Sub Zero Ice Cream and Yogart in Laguna Niguel, CA this evening.  Our oldest has a life threatening food allergy to milk, so our typical options when going out for after dinner treats usually involve those in the sorbet variety.  But tonight was different.

The good news is that this place really paid special attention to our food allergy.  Additionally, they use Almond Milk in many of their options.   Additionally, this is nice if you are concerned about calories and trying to make healthier choices.

Sub Zero is a great option for those who have food allergies.  In fact one of their posters even mention the wood “food allergies” in the print….nice.  Additionally, it is fun.  Basically after your ingredients are selected, the real fun begins.  -321 degrees of pure Nitrogen turning your bowl into custom ice cream before your eyes.

The only Orange County location is in Laguna Niguel, about 2 miles off the 5 freeway at the Oso exit.

SubZero Ice Cream and Yogart 27281 La Paz Road, Ste Q

Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Check it out for yourself: http://www.subzeroicecream.com/store-locator-2/

Posted by OCFoodallergy on Apr 20, 2013 in Support Group | 0 comments

The FARE Conference (previously FAAN) is returning to Anaheim this year on June 1, 2013.  The conference, held at the Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, is a full day program that allows teens and adults with food allergies, families, caregivers, and school personnel to gather to learn the latest in food allergy research, best practices, and to network with one another. 

Registration for the event varies betwen $50 and $125 for the event.  Additionally, attendees can receive discounted rooms at the Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel & Spa for $194 per night (normally over $400 per night).  Last year, the family was able to attend the event and enjoy the resort.

Food Allergy topics this year include:

• Understanding Food Allergies
• Emerging Therapies for Food Allergy
• Breakout A: Safely Navigating the Restaurant Scene 
• Coping with Food Allergies: The Importance of Mental Wellness 
• Safety and Inclusion in Schools 
• Raising the Bar for Allergy-free Energy Bars
• Maintaining a Healthy Diet with Food Allergies
• Partnering with Your School’s Nurse
• Living and Thriving with Food Allergies: A Teen Success Panel

For questions on the event or to find out more, please visit the FARE website at: http://www.foodallergy.org/conferences/anaheim, call 1-800-929-4040 or email [email protected].

Posted by OCFoodallergy on Nov 22, 2014 in Support Group | 0 comments

The FARE National Food Allergy Conference will be held May 16-17, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach in Long Beach, CA, gathering the country’s leading food allergy experts and members of the food allergy community together for a weekend of world-class programming. The conference provides a unique opportunity for individuals and families managing food allergies, caregivers, school staff, health care professionals and others interested in the field to gather as a community and learn about advances in food allergy research and advocacy, best practices and practical skills for living well with food allergies, and much more. Individuals 11 years and older are invited to join. Both full conference and single-day registrations will be available.

For more information, please visit:  http://www.foodallergy.org/CONFERENCE