Our Gluten-Free Adventures

Awkward Feelings During Social Sitaitons with a Child with Food Allergies

It's Food Allergy Awareness week. Please be mindful of other families when dealing with food. It is very awkward in social situations. If a child has a food allergy please work closely with the parents to make their child feel just like the other kids [AKA normal] at parties, in school settings, at restaurants, etc.

Also, if a school asks to be peanut-free or other food-free, please find alternative foods to send. Please stop griping about how inconvenienced you are that you can't send certain foods. These are serious, life-threatening allergies and could result in the DEATH of that child if you do not comply. How would like to live _daily_ with thoughts of the increased chance your child might not come home alive to you in the afternoon...all because of food?

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Gluten-Free Ruling...My Public Comment to the FDA

Dear FDA:

It is very frustrating when trying to read a label and there is not full disclosure.

 

The Food Allergy Labeling and Consumer Protection Act final ruling was promised to Americans in 2008. It has yet to be finalized.

 

This is a concern for our Senators and House of Representatives. The FALCPA became effective Jan. 1, 2006 and is still in the "proposed" ruling. The final ruling was to be passed in 2008, so it is more than 3 years overdue. There is no money tied to this final ruling, so it should be a simple vote.  Ironically, FALCPA is related to health care reform, so it should have been on the discussion table, but probably wasn't even brought up.

 

In 2009 at the national Gluten Intolerance Group conference (www.gluten.net) in Seattle I had the opportunity to visit with the office Staff Members of Senator Cantwell and Senator Murray to express our concern about the neglect of Congress on the final ruling of FALCPA as promised in 2008.

 

As a mom of a gluten-free and food allergic 4 year old and food sensitive 3 mo baby, I urge you to pass this ruling ASAP to help make my life easier! Parenting is difficult enough without the added stress of confusing food labels. Thank you.

 

Sheri Thompson

www.ourglutenfreeadventures.com

 

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My email to Joe's Crab Shack...Gluten-Free Menu

Dear Joe's Crab Shack:

We ate at Joe's on Saturday, March 5, 2011 on the Riverwalk in San Antonio. The waitress, Christy, and the GM, Joe, provided excellent service! They were able to print out a gluten-free menu for me to order from and take home.

My request: Can you please post the gluten-free menu on your website? I have alerted my local Celiac support group here in Dallas, www.dfwceliac.org, that Joe's Crab Shack has a GF menu, but the Celiac and gluten intolerant community would love it if the GF menu was available to look at before getting to the restaurant.

Additional kudos: Joe personally prepared a healthy and safe meal for my 3 1/2 year old food allergic daughter. She loved her tilapia, broccoli, and corn on the cob. Also, I am very happy that I have another option to dine at when going out. We will be coming to Joe's more often [last time was 2007], now that I know I can safely eat gluten-free! Thank you very much!!!

Sheri Thompson

**My notes: Joe's Crab Shack posted their gluten-free menu the next day!

Find it here: Menu listing.

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Doctor Letter for Airline and Other Travel Gluten-Free and Allergy-Free Versions

Traveling soon? Attending an event such as a concert or festival?

Here is sample wording to share with your doctor to write a letter for you to carry your own food to events where outside food is not allowed and for airline travel.

Show the office the following example. Have them write your letter on office letter head and have the doctor sign it.

Tip: Keep the original letter at home in a safe place and make a few photo copies to carry with you at all times. You never know when you might need to show your letter!

Feel free to use and share with others! Downloadable pdfs available at end of post.

 

To Whom It May Concern:

 First Name Last Name is a patient of XYZ in Wherever, Texas and has dietary restrictions based on medical needs. Strict food avoidance is essential to prevent debilitating medical reactions and cross-contamination with other foods.

Due to her/his medical condition s/he can only eat certain foods that are gluten-free. This means avoiding all wheat, barley, rye, and uncertified oat products and prepared foods.

Please allow First Name Last Name to carry her/his own food with her/him at all times. It is also necessary that my patient bring her/his own food during airline travel to avoid debilitating medical reactions.

Please contact our office with any further questions or concerns.

Download Doctor Letter for Gluten Free Food During Travels

Download Doctor Letter for Allergy Free Food During Travels

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Discounts to State Fair of Texas 2011

Ticket prices to the State Fair of Texas from www.bigtex.com

Fair dates are September 30 - October 23!

• General Admission: $16
• Kids under 48” tall: $12
• Seniors 60 and over: $12
• Children 2 and under: Free
• Seniors 60 and over: Free every Thursday
  (Oct. 6, Oct. 13 & Oct. 20)
• Dallas Fall Garden Getaway: $19
• Parking on official Fair lots: $15 per space

The State Fair of Texas is proud to announce that Kroger is the retail ticket outlet for general admission tickets ($14.50), season pass ($29.95 includes one buddy pass - good for one visit any Monday-Friday only - and one Cinemark movie pass valid Sun-Thur only expires Oct. 31) and the DART Combo ticket ($17). Tickets on sale now.

Visit the Fair's online store for even more savings.

Discounts to State Fair of Texas 2011

Thursday, October 6, only. Dickies Day. Anyone wearing a Dickies logo clothing item will receive a free voucher for admission to the Fair on same day.

Any Tuesday. Dr Pepper $4 Tuesdays. Bring an empty Dr Pepper can and enter for $4. Most rides (excluding the Thrillway and the Texas Star) are 5 coupons.

Any Wednesday.  Kroger Can Food Drive. Admission is $2 for each visitor bringing 3 cans of food for North Texas Food Bank.

Any Thursday. Free Senior Day. Senior Citizens 60 years and older get in to the State Fair FREE each Thursday.

Any Thursday. Coke $5 Thursdays. Bring an empty 20 oz. bottle of any Coca-Cola product and enter the Fair for $5 admission.

Any Thursday. Cinemark Thursdays. Present a Cinemark Movie Theatre ticket stub and receive free admission any Thursday.

Any Friday. KISS-FM “Fridays at the Fair" Half-price admission and rides after 5pm on any Friday. Must present coupon which can be printed from KISS-FM website for admission offer.  Half-price ride wristbands will be distributed ONLY at the Ticket Booths from 5 pm – 9 pm on Fridays.

Any Day. McDonald's offers $4 off General Admission with one of their State Fair coupons (available on tray liner or bag stuffer) any day of the Fair. A free child ticket (with purchase of general admission) coupon is also distributed by McDonald’s. Offer may not be combined with any other offer.

Any Day. Dr Pepper $5 after 5. Bring an empty Dr Pepper can and enter for $5 after 5 p.m.

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State Fair of Texas Gluten-Free Safe Foods

The State Fair of Texas starts today! It is one of my most favorite events to attend. I love food and the State Fair of Texas has plenty of it, especially deep fried __fill-in-the-blank__.

Now that I eat gluten-free, what is safe for me to eat? I have been scoping out the Fair and asking vendors over the past few years to share with me what items I can and cannot eat. Below is a list that I created last year. At the very end of the post is a downloadable pdf of this list.

If you are unsure or are very sensitive to gluten you may bring your own food to the State Fair of Texas. FAQ - What may I bring?

Other questions about the State Fair of Texas and the calendar of events, check out www.bigtex.com

Gluten-Free Safe Foods at the State Fair of Texas

[or bring your own food to the Fair]

 

Here is the link to the interactive State Fair food finder.

You can search by concession stand name, type of food, or keyword. http://216.197.122.150/ns/ff/ff.aspx

 

Here is a list by concession name, what is safe to eat, and a few notes:

1. Texas Caribbean Foods – Jerk Turkey Leg (jerk seasoning is safe**), Baked Yams

2. Hast Texas Nachos – Nachos

3. Jacks French Frys – French Fries (cooked in own fryer)

4. Tornado Taters – Taters (cooked in own fryer)

5. Pedro's Tamales – Tamales (FYI - contain soy), (ask again about salsa served with it-should be safe)

6. Newport Concessions - Sausage on a Stick, Fruit Cup

7. Darn Good Corn - Roasted Corn (ask to not dip in melted butter if eating dairy-free too.)

8. Ranchero Fajitas - Fruit Cup

9. Lupitas Gorditas – Fruit Cup

10. Lermas Gorditas – Fruit Cup

11. Ed Campbell Concessions – Fruit Cup

12. BWS Famous Fried Ribs – Fruit Cup

13.Pokey O’s Cookies and Ice Cream – Blue Bell Ice Cream (has some unsafe options such as cookie dough, but does serve 4 or 5 safe flavors.)

14. Turkey Legs by Dickel – (safe, huge, and the BEST!) Turkey Leg (served with gluten-free Head Country BBQ sauce request your free packet. ) My daughter and I have been eating the yummy Turkey Legs by Dickel since 2008.

15. A Taste of New Orleans – Red Beans and Rice, Dirty Rice

16. Bailey’s Deli and Catering – Black-eyed Pea Soup, Meatballs (don’t contain bread crumbs, but ask again to verify)

17. Nevin’s Concessions (only the location near Hans Mueller German tent) – Tater Twisters (cooked in own fryer)

18. Homestyle Foods – Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

19. Family Fun Foods – Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

20. Katie’s Café – Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

21. Shepps Dairy – Milk, other beverages

22. Yoakum – Sausage on a Stick – (serves Opa’s brand sausage)

23. Ed Campbell Concessions – Cotton Candy

24. Jim B. Conatser – Cotton Candy

25. Ruth’s Tamale House – Tamales, Chili, Hot Garlic Sausage (request without bun)

26. Velasquez – Kettle Corn

 

** To clarify #1…TX Caribbean Foods puts only the safe jerk seasoning on the turkey leg and the baked yams are safe to eat. Everything else is questionable. The jerk chicken wings have the jerk seasoning, but also Worcestershire sauce which contains soy sauce which is made with wheat.

 

FYI, Head Country has a sampling in the Food and Fiber pavilion every day of the fair. I skip tasting their sauce on whatever meat they choose and pick up a coupon and a free packet of their sauce. You can purchase extra packets of Head Country BBQ sauce at the Turkey Legs by Dickel stand mentioned in #14. Cost is one ticket. I usually get 6+ packets to stock up until next year. I carry these with me. I have used them many times in restaurants and other food venues.

 

Other Beverages: Home-made root beer next to the Bubble House which is near the Midway. They do not give you a lid or straw. Bring your own cup for transferring the root beer or come prepared to deal with honey bees landing in your open cup. Wine and margaritas are also sold for the 21+ crowd. 

 

Popcorn: Over 21 concession stands serve popcorn. Check with each stand to be sure.

 

I share this list with the disclaimer that these foods are not certified gluten-free and that I take no responsibility for positive or negative experiences. Always verify with the concession stands before you purchase a food item.

  Download Texas State Fair gluten free foods updated October 2011

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The Food Allergy Labeling and Consumer Protection Act Final Ruling Still Not in Place

The Food Allergy Labeling and Consumer Protection Act final ruling was promised to Americans in 2008. It has yet to be finalized.

This is a concern for our Senators and House of Representatives. The FALCPA became Jan. 1, 2006 and is still in the "proposed" ruling. The final ruling was to be passed in 2008, so it is more than 2 years overdue. There is no money tied to this final ruling, so it should be a simple vote.  Ironically, FALCPA is related to health care reform, so it should have been on the discussion table, but probably wasn't even brought up.

Last year at the national Gluten Intolerance Group conference (www.gluten.net) in Seattle I had the opportunity to visit with the office Staff Members of Senator Cantwell and Senator Murray to express our concern about the neglect of Congress on the final ruling of FALCPA as promised in 2008.

Readers, please visit http://www.capwiz.com/celiac/home at http://americanceliac.org American Celiac Disease Alliance (ACDA) is the organization that really helped get FALCPA passed in first place.

Once at their site you can easily contact Congress and President Obama about your concerns as a consumer and citizen who requires a special diet.

They even have pre-written paragraphs to choose from about the following 2 topics:

Include Dietitians in Health Reform

ASK Congress- Reimburse Schools for Special Diets

Thank you, readers, for taking an active part in getting the changes we require for our medically needed diets.

It takes effort to get out voices heard. Congress is paid to work for us and the squeakiest and most active voices can get their needs addressed.

"Life is either a great adventure or nothing." Helen Keller.

Sheri Thompson,

Mom to one adventurous gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free little girl. Oh, and I eat gluten-free too!

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