As many of you know by now, I got into food allergies, intolerance, and awareness because of my son's milk protein intolerance. But what many of you don't know is that I am also allergic to a food. Not as common, but just as scary. Inspired by Tami's comment on my blog last week, I'll tell you the story of a close encounter with my food allergen.... strawberries.
I don't eat strawberries. I'm afraid to. Just touching them gives me swollen hands and arms, with a bumpy rash to boot. I was told by my allergist as a child, just don't eat them. I do not carry an epi-pen, but am diligent about checking and re-checking food when I'm out to eat.
But Tami's post on my blog last week (you can read it entirely here) reminded me of how frustrating it can be when your life is potentially on the line. So, I will tell you the story of my trip to a P.F. Chang's and my wonderful friend who grabbed my hand.
The Thing About Desserts...
Luckily, strawberries are one of those things that are pretty easy to identify. They are usually the talked about, lush staple in a food or dessert. Or they are the pretty little thing that gives it an accent. Either way, pretty simply to spot. I was out to dinner with a large group of co-workers and friends, and when it came time for dessert, I decided to indulge in a huge slice of chocolate cake. I saw in the photograph on the menu a huge red strawberry, and swirly sauce decorating the plate. I advised our server that I am very allergic to strawberries, and she repeated back to me the understanding that I could not have strawberry garnish whatsoever.
The first plate comes out. Giant strawberry sitting on the plate. Ugh. So, I send it back.
Next plate comes out. Red saucy swirls all over the white dish and under the decadent dessert. Ugh. I send it back again and really stress the importance of being berry-free.
When my new, shiny white plate with a 4 layer chocolate cake upon it, I finally dig in and take my first forkful. That's when my friend Maryanne grabbed by arm and said, "Jan, put the fork down." Maryanne could see what I couldn't... the red strawberry sauce under the cake. Evidently, the server merely picked up the slice of cake, and re-plated it, even though it had been sitting in the sauce.
Yes... I had to complain...
At this point, I had but no choice to get this young lady in trouble. Not only could I have become really sick, or worse, but she needed to understand there are repercussions to her uncaring attitude and actions.
I tell this story because it is important to remember how hard it can be for people with allergies to go through life, even with something as simple as having dessert with friends. So maybe when you are frustrated with that co-worker who needs a special meal, or the child in your child's school who forces your son or daughter to forgo peanut butter, that it really isn't that easy. In fact, it can be down right emotional, sad, and even scary.
For more information on the emotional part of living with food allergies, visit these links:
Kids with Food Allergies
Living Without
National Health Publication
But Tami's post on my blog last week (you can read it entirely here) reminded me of how frustrating it can be when your life is potentially on the line. So, I will tell you the story of my trip to a P.F. Chang's and my wonderful friend who grabbed my hand.
The Thing About Desserts...
Luckily, strawberries are one of those things that are pretty easy to identify. They are usually the talked about, lush staple in a food or dessert. Or they are the pretty little thing that gives it an accent. Either way, pretty simply to spot. I was out to dinner with a large group of co-workers and friends, and when it came time for dessert, I decided to indulge in a huge slice of chocolate cake. I saw in the photograph on the menu a huge red strawberry, and swirly sauce decorating the plate. I advised our server that I am very allergic to strawberries, and she repeated back to me the understanding that I could not have strawberry garnish whatsoever.
The first plate comes out. Giant strawberry sitting on the plate. Ugh. So, I send it back.
Next plate comes out. Red saucy swirls all over the white dish and under the decadent dessert. Ugh. I send it back again and really stress the importance of being berry-free.
When my new, shiny white plate with a 4 layer chocolate cake upon it, I finally dig in and take my first forkful. That's when my friend Maryanne grabbed by arm and said, "Jan, put the fork down." Maryanne could see what I couldn't... the red strawberry sauce under the cake. Evidently, the server merely picked up the slice of cake, and re-plated it, even though it had been sitting in the sauce.
Yes... I had to complain...
At this point, I had but no choice to get this young lady in trouble. Not only could I have become really sick, or worse, but she needed to understand there are repercussions to her uncaring attitude and actions.
I tell this story because it is important to remember how hard it can be for people with allergies to go through life, even with something as simple as having dessert with friends. So maybe when you are frustrated with that co-worker who needs a special meal, or the child in your child's school who forces your son or daughter to forgo peanut butter, that it really isn't that easy. In fact, it can be down right emotional, sad, and even scary.
For more information on the emotional part of living with food allergies, visit these links:
Kids with Food Allergies
Living Without
National Health Publication
RSS Feed