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Navigating Food Allergies: Safe Halloween Treats and a Live Talk with Author Sandra Beasley
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- Emily 0 comments
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This is going to be such an interesting informative conversation. Thank you Lori and Sandra for hosting today!!!
7 months ago
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Talk Host- Sandra Beasley 8 comments
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I can't wait to chat with folks today! All holidays are tricky for those with allergies, but Halloween is one of the most food-centric. Let's share tips and stories, and talk about the larger issues too. See you at 1 PM~
7 months ago
JulieTrone
Yes, we have little to no stress at Halloween. I have always had piles of safe candy on the table when they came home so they could swap pieces. My husband gets to eat all of the good chocolates then the rest was donated. This year I want to eliminate this step and try something new and fun.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
I am going to answer this up at the top for all to see, Julie! I love that your sons are cool about the candy situation at this point. Do you agree that it reduces some stress?
7 months ago
JulieTrone
Yes, they are so excited to participate in the action than get candy. I am sure they will count their stash after the unsafe candy is taken away however after a few days the candy is not a priority. I feel very glad that they lose interest for many reasons. I have read that this age prefers money over candy but I didn't want to go that route since I feel it sends the wrong message. We are already planning on donating much of the candy to the local food bank. What have you done that was successful?
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
Twins! Are they at the stage where they are mostly interested in the appeal of socializing with friends while trick or treating OR is it still important that they actually "get something tangible" from Halloween?
I'm sorry to be asking questions before answering.....Our son, Benjamin, who is now 13 went through both those phases, and that is why I am asking.7 months ago
JulieTrone
Hi Lori, they are almost 10 (next month).
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
Hi Julie! How old are your sons?
7 months ago
JulieTrone
Hi to everyone today! I agree Halloween has many challenges. I would like to hear some tips for older children who are still going out trick or treating yet trading unsafe for safe candy is beginning to lose its appeal. My sons lose interest in the candy quickly.
7 months ago
Erin O
Good point, Sandra. And many of the pre-packaged candies handed out on Halloween contain at least trace amounts of nuts or other allergens. Can't wait to hear suggestions for alternative treats!
7 months ago
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Featured Guest- SusanWeissman 1 comment
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Halloween is definitely one of the more "treat centric" holidays. Looking forward to discussion how food plays into Halloween and the rest of the food allergy parts of our lives.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
Hi Susan ~ So glad you can join us today!
7 months ago
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Featured Guest- Barbara@FAI 5 comments
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Hi, everyone--looking forward to joining you this afternoon! It's great that our participants can share experiences from different perspectives -- whether as someone who has grown up with food allergies, or as parents of food-allergic children.
7 months ago
Featured Guest
Barbara@FAI
Terrific--thank you!
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
Hi Barbara ~ both links worked perfectly. aaai.org's got me there, but then there wasn't any information available on their page....it definitely got me to their page, though. all looks good!
7 months ago
Featured Guest
Barbara@FAI
Not sure why that didn't work...trying another. http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/resourcespre.php?id=42
7 months ago
Featured Guest
Barbara@FAI
Hi, Lori! I'm also taking a tour of the site to get acclimated. I'll have some links to useful resources to add later; am going to add one now to make sure I'm handling the hyperlinks properly! http://www.aaaai.org/Aaaai/media/MediaLibrary/PDF Documents/Libraries/EL-food-allergies-halloween-patient.pdf
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
Hi Barbara!
7 months ago
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Talk Host
- Lori ~ Divvies 3 comments
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Halloween is in the air! I can't wait to hear and learn from Sandra Beasley's experiences and perspectives. Sandra has written Don't Kill the Birthday Girl: Tales from an Allergic Life.
A big THANK YOU to Emily & Cooper for sponsoring today's Talk on TheMotherhood! And thank you to Erin at TheMotherhood for all of your enthusiasm and help.
A special thank you to co-hosts Barbara Rosenstein of the Food Allergy Initiative, and Susan Weissman, writer for Huffington Post.
Looking forward to a fantastic conversation at 1!7 months ago
Kayla S
I'm sure it's going to be a great conversation! Can't wait to learn more!
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
HI! It is a fantastic and user-friendly format. You will see, as we go, comments coming in. Scroll up and down in order to notice the in-coming comments on various conversation threads. Feel free to "bop" around and join various conversations....very much like you would do at a party!
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
Thanks for the welcome, Lori! I'm online, poking around the site and getting oriented. Let me know if there is anything specific you want me to look at in terms of The Motherhood's technology format. It seems very user-friendly.
7 months ago
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- Erin O 0 comments
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Hi everyone, and welcome to our live chat on Navigating Food Allergies for safe Halloween treats today! Lori gave a wonderful introduction below - a BIG thank you to Sandra, Lori, Barbara and Susan for hosting and co-hosting this important conversation! We can dive right in!
7 months ago
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Featured Guest
- SusanWeissman 1 comment
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Hello everyone. Ready to chat when you are!
7 months ago
Featured Guest
Barbara@FAI
Susan, you have a son with food allergies. How old is he, and how do you handle Halloween?
7 months ago
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Talk Host
- Lori ~ Divvies 4 comments
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Hi there! Let's get started!
Welcome, Sandra! Congratulations on your book, DON'T KILL THE BIRTHDAY GIRL, Tales from an Allergic Life!7 months ago
Erin O
Great idea, thank you, Sandra!!
7 months ago
Talk Host
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
Lately I've been hearing about some inventive ways to approach candy that's not safe. One parent suggests bringing in the tooth fairy to save the day! I'll link to her post on substituting non-food treats or $.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
Hello there! Just to break the ice: growing up with severe food allergies, trick-or-treating (and for that matter, candy Valentines...and Secret Santa gifting) was always a challenge. It seemed like 99% of what people offered up had dairy; even homemade treats that people swore were "safe," I couldn't trust. On the upside, I was always the most popular kid in class the day AFTER Halloween--because people knew I'd bring in a bag of candy I couldn't eat and needed to give away...I'm curious to hear about other people's experiences.
7 months ago
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- Erin O 3 comments
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Sandra, and others with food allergies, how did you deal with Halloween when you were growing up?
7 months ago
Featured Guest
SusanWeissman
But still very few safe treats for kids w/ multiple allergies....
7 months ago
Kayla S
And I feel like trick-or-treating is SO different now. Scheduled, parents always go...much different than even a few years ago.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
Erin, I was in an era when there were very few safe treats: Lifesavers, Jolly Ranchers, lollipops (but not ones with chocolate centers... I felt like the only kid excited to see boxes of raisins in the mix.
7 months ago
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Talk Host
- Lori ~ Divvies 1 comment
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Sandra, please jump in when you are ready! In the meantime, I'd love to start by sharing some tips for Navigating Halloween with Food Allergies!
7 months ago
Erin O
Sounds great, Lori!!!
7 months ago
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Talk Host
- Lori ~ Divvies 8 comments
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By now, all who know me won't be surprised by this first tip:
Take care of your child's heart. Remember your child's emotional needs and be careful about drawing unnecessary attention to his food allergies!7 months ago
JulieTrone
I agree with handing out the candy to the kids. We have many come to our door too and if we let them choose some kids take a handful or two then I have to remind them only one or two pieces. To me it is less stressful if I just give them a couple of pieces of candy. When it is all said and done the kids all have a bag full of candy and won't remember who gave out what.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
Julie you must live in a "hot" Halloween neighborhood. That's a lot of candy!
7 months ago
juliepippert
I like to have a mix, but I tend to hand it out myself, though I'll let them verbally pick. It's portion control. We get a TON of trick or treaters. I easily buy $40 worth and 10 lbs and run out every year!
7 months ago
Featured Guest
SusanWeissman
And I find that younger need our "language suggestions" for tricky situations. Son went on a spooky Halloween walk in a local botanical garden with friends and he needed me to tell him how to say "no thank you" to the spooks handing out candy if he didn't feel like touching it.
7 months ago
Kayla S
You're so right, Sandra. That should always be the case! And if you know you're going to have trick-or-treaters, it's definitely best to have choices that children with food allergies can choose.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
Oh, absolutely! That's why it is so good when you let the kids who come to your door pick their OWN treats, instead of picking out the candy for them. Give kids the power.
7 months ago
Featured Guest
SusanWeissman
Yes - we don't use Halloween as a time to raise food allergy awareness. We just navigate the challenges of that particular year.
7 months ago
Kayla S
Always a good reminder, Lori! Thank you!
7 months ago
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- Kim Tarver 4 comments
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Is there something to listen to? I was expecting a call in type meeting.
7 months ago
knmtwins
Thanks Kim, I was confused also
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
Hi Kim, so glad you are here with us. No, there is not something to listen to. It's all type-based. Feel free to scroll up and down, and join all parts of the conversations.
7 months ago
Erin O
It's a live text-based conversation, similar to posting and commenting on a blog in real time. You're in the right place! Welcome!
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
I think it is all typed, actually. At the moment I'm listening to Adele. = )
7 months ago
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- juliepippert 4 comments
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This year, for a variety of reasons -- food allergies, health, etc. -- I got little Halloween themed toys to hand out: erasers, pencils, sticky lizards and spiders, silly little things. My kids think it's cool, so it's kid approved. My neighbor just said I am going to bring the wrath of kids and teens down on myself. Seriously? Has anyone handed out allergy-safe treats, toys, etc. on Halloween and gotten grief about it?
7 months ago
JulieTrone
I wouldn't worry about the teens, they like toys too but don't like to admit it. If you get disgruntled comments engage in a conversation with them about how these toys have been popular with the other children and it helps keep your child safe. An honest approach should diffuse negativity.
7 months ago
juliepippert
That's what I thought -- kids love these silly little Oriental Trading Co themed toys. I think it's fine. They'll have plenty of other candy, most of which I bet is tossed, and this is a safe, allergy-safe, useful thing they can keep.
7 months ago
Kayla S
I agree with Erin! That's a great idea! It's something different and maybe a little more exciting for kids! Sometimes all the candy can be a bit of an overload.
7 months ago
Erin O
Avoid the food altogether - I think that's a great idea. They can get plenty of candy elsewhere on Halloween.
7 months ago
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Talk Host
- Sandra Beasley 6 comments
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Okay, here's one idea I had based on my own childhood: make a BINGO card for your child's Halloween experience that includes different brands, types of candy, "red wrapper," etc. For every row they complete they win a non-food or allergy-friendly prize. This means that even when they go to a house with nothing they can eat, they might be able to get excited about X-ing out a square.
7 months ago
JulieTrone
I have handed out safe bags of non-candy items for my sons when they were smaller to avoid the cross contamination. Over the last 2-3 years I stopped. I noticed that the homeowner usually places the candy in the bag so many hands do not find their way into the bowl. Still cross contamination issues can occur so we have a rule that candy cannot be eaten until we eliminate the unsafe candy, check the quality of the wrappers, and wash hands. Any wrappers that have been loosened get tossed.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
Ouch. Seems like some candies are particularly bad about cross-contamination. I hate how the foil is always coming off Hershey's kisses. Many a birthday treat bag was ruined for me because someone threw in a few kisses that coasted everything in chocolate.
7 months ago
knmtwins
I like this idea, but after spending Nov 1 and 2 in the Hospital a few years ago, I deliver safe treats to everyone we know double baged in Ziplocks. May be obsessive, but haven't had cross contam issues since.
7 months ago
juliepippert
Oh that's clever!
7 months ago
Featured Guest
SusanWeissman
That is kind of fascinating actually. My son also can get quite taken by the appearance of his "safe" candy even if he knows it won't taste good.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
When I was a kid I didn't really see the candy as FOOD at all--just as objects of various interesting colors and shapes. So I think I really would have gotten into the playful hunting aspect.
7 months ago
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- Becki 7 comments
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How do other parents with food allergic kids handle trick or treating? My strategy is to buy all nut-allergy safe candy and then, at the end of the night,. let my daughter trade the unsafe treats she's picked up from the goodies leftover in our candy bowl (all of which I've chosen to appeal to her).
7 months ago
Becki
Sandra, I do let my daughter trade with her brother if both of them want. But if she still has stuff that he doesn't want, I'll take it. My daughter adores York peppermint patties, which are safe for her, so she'll trade almost anything for those.
7 months ago
Featured Guest
SusanWeissman
Sandra - I don't think that any of the parents I know want my kid giving their kids more candy! These days candy is so "out" and back in our time parents played it far more loose about that stuff.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
I ask because it's nice to keep holidays that involve trading in the realm of kids, rather than making it about the parent/child relationships. Kids with food allergies tend to miss out on bonding with other kids over food.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
Yep, that's what I did growing up. But I'm curious as to why you don't let the kids have the option of giving/trading their candy away to other friends instead of to you as parents. Too unsafe?
7 months ago
Featured Guest
SusanWeissman
I do that do. Son ends up with a safe stash but gets to accept candy like all the other kids.
7 months ago
Erin O
LOL Becki! Win win situation!
7 months ago
Becki
Naturally, I remove the unsafe treats to a safe place...where I later consume them.
7 months ago
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- Erin O 5 comments
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What about Halloween baskets, similar to Easter baskets, stuffed with safe treats and Halloween toys, etc? That might be a fun way to get kids into the spirit (pun intended) of Halloween without focusing too much on the food aspect. :)
7 months ago
juliepippert
Oh I forgot the little stuffed pumpkins. Kids love these best of all!
7 months ago
juliepippert
Becki -- we call that Boo-ing, and we got Boo-ed last night. Kids are thrilled. I can tell it's someone who knows us because it was a careful selection of candy, just a few pieces, and otherwise neat little notepads and stickers. Kids went right past the candy to the fun stuff! I love this tradition.
7 months ago
Becki
Susan, my kids are the same. But we do have a tradition in my neighborhood where we take basket of treats to two neighbors in the days before Halloween, ring-and-run, and leave the baskets on the doorstep with a poem asking that they do the same. My kids love to do the "covert ops," and it's fun to watch the treats spread through the neighborhood (houses that have received a basket have to post a special picture on their door). We stuff our baskets with fun things like cookie cutters, glow sticks, etc., as well as a few nut-safe candies. That's a fun tradition that my kids love, and the emphasis is less on the food.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
I agree, putting emphasis on the costume really helps too. But I love seeing goody baskets that include little notepads, plastic spider rings, etc. Those are cheap & easy to mix in--just go to the party supply section of any dollar store.
7 months ago
Featured Guest
SusanWeissman
Could be. But I find the process of going door to door and letting everyone see their costume is what really gets my kids psyched up.
7 months ago
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Talk Host
- Lori ~ Divvies 12 comments
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I was asked how do I handle Halloween now that Benjamin is older (13).
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
Yes, that sounds awesome...though I think I'd get pretty sniffly from the hay. So many kids with food allergies have problems with pollen, mold, and grass too!
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
Benjamin would love that proposal, Julie!
7 months ago
JulieTrone
I like what you are doing Lori...I will add that to my 'To do list' for Halloween when the boys are in middle school. Has anyone tried trading a night out with friends in exchange for candy? I am leaning towards this idea.
7 months ago
JulieTrone
The hay rides sound fun, for all ages! I am hoping to have a spooky movie night for my sons and their friends once they reach 12 to 13, we will see how that happens in a couple of years. We are lucky that the teens in our neighborhood are great kids so there is no issue with hanging out or inappropriate behavior
7 months ago
Becki
Love the hayride idea!
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
Write a comment...That is so cool, Julie! I love that!
7 months ago
juliepippert
Oops sorry got distracted. The "progressive driveway parties" are several families close to one another hosting an event for older kids -- they label the food and you can ensure they are allergy safe.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
I always organized a pre-Trick-or-Treating dinner for our sons' friends and parents. Made all of their favorite foods and desserts.....totally allergen-safe for Benjamin and his other friends who have food allergies. This way, everyone felt that they had lots of treats before we even began Trick-or-treating!
7 months ago
juliepippert
I'm not too keen on the older teens (15 etc.) running around trick-or-treating. I see a lot of "not cool" behavior. But the best things I have seen are "progressive driveway parties" for teens to hang out, and hay rides. Every year a truck hauls a trailer of hay around and older kids ride around. In my neighborhood.
7 months ago
Featured Guest
SusanWeissman
That sounds right. My daughter is 12 and though she doesn't have food allergies she barely cares about the candy.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
It was much trickier between the ages of 6 and 11.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
It is actually getting much easier now since Trick-or-Treating has become much more about socializing than actually getting loads of candy.
7 months ago
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- Gabrielle 4 comments
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My peanut and egg allergic son loves the idea of trick or treating, so we take the kids out for a bit and let them have fun with the experience. At the end of the night they turn their candy into us and we take them to the toy store and let them pick out whatever (within) reason toy they would like in place of the candy. Of course, we always keep safe treats in the house for them to enjoy too! They have both already planned on what toy they will be getting! :)
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
It's interesting; I don't have a sweet tooth either. Since I could never eat baked goods or chocolate growing up, I never developed the taste. I did like fruit/gummy things, though--Swedish Fish, Starburst.
7 months ago
Gabrielle
It always seems to work out for everybody. Daddy gets to take the candy to work and share it and the kids get to enjoy a new toy that lasts much longer than candy!
7 months ago
Featured Guest
SusanWeissman
Toys are popular and in addition to that I recognize that my son had more of salt tooth than a sweet tooth anyway so I get him some of the salty snacks that we normally consider treats.
7 months ago
Kim Tarver
This is a great idea. My son is only 1 so I'm just looking for ideas for when he is older.
7 months ago
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- Kayla S 8 comments
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I think an important issue that I've definitely realized is that it's about more than just the allergic child...those who are giving out the trick-or-treat candy should be aware of allergies too! I think a great idea that we should all think about is having two bowls for your trick-or-treaters! One with candy and one with toys or goodies that the allergic kiddies can feel safe choosing from! What do you think?
7 months ago
JulieTrone
When my sons were 4 they went trick or treating for the first time. My tactic was to package toys in little bags with their names on it and gave out to the homes that I knew we would visit. It worked perfectly because by the time we visited the last home they were tired and ready to head home.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
An important point! Thank you for bringing this up. Everyone must act within their own comfort level.
7 months ago
knmtwins
I'd be worried some child who just finished a snickers bar would put their hands in the 'safe' bowl.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
I think a lot of kids will want to grab one handful from each bowl. = ) That is a great idea, and I agree (echoed in other threads) that kids are happy to have toys versus candy. When I lived on the Lawn at the University of Virginia, we entertained hundreds of trick-or-treaters who came from all over Charlottesville. I did exclusively toys as my treats--and furthermore, had kids do a basket toss to "win" their prize--and I had the longest line of all the Lawnies!
7 months ago
Kayla S
That's true, Julie. And I totally agree, Erin! I know that these talks have definitely taught me a few things!
7 months ago
Erin O
The education and awareness seems like a very important piece. I'm sure a lot of people don't take food allergies into consideration when they're buying Halloween treats to give away.
7 months ago
juliepippert
I used to divide up, but this year I just went 100% toys. That way it's not separate but equal or choosing, etc. I love the idea of two bowls but found it really perplexed a lot of kids.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
It's a fantastic idea, Kayla!
7 months ago
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- knmtwins 1 comment
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Sandra, since writing the book, will you now use an Epi-Pen. You know the symptoms will go away and you will feel much better. Heck, get your doctor to write you a script for dairy safe presnisolone also. That way it won't 'interfere' with other's events, as you seemed so concerned about. They won't have to be concerned about you dying in the bathroom. I was terrified reading it and had to keep reminding myself, you must have survived or else you wouldn't be able to write the book. Please use the epi, sometimes if you wait too long... Please Please Please
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
Thanks for your concern! I understand your point. The simple fact is, we give people much different advice than when I was a kid--my mother remembers reactions where even after I got to the hospital, no one opted to use the epi. But in the years since then I've come to understand much better why we need to use the different medications. We've also come a LONG way in knowing how to prescribe and properly dose Prednisone. I had to use it on my last bad reaction, but it made a huge difference--and without the nasty week-long side effects I remembered from childhood. It was a great moment.
7 months ago
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Talk Host
- Lori ~ Divvies 7 comments
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Here are some suggestions for Halloween parties!
Again, remember your child's emotional needs, and be careful about drawing unnecessary attention to his food allergies!
Be available as much as possible. Plan on attending classroom and out-of-school parties in order to check ingredients of all food being served, and to resolve safety concerns. If you can't stay for the entire party, be sure to stay long enough to check all of the food ingredients.7 months ago
JulieTrone
I agree Sandra, the child needs to know what is safe to eat and how to recognize the safe food before eating at a party. Serving can be tricky too, especially when many little hands are scooping out foods from a variety of bowls...cross contamination can occur.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
At the same time, I didn't want to be rude by refusing the parent's offer. There were some awkward moments. Color-coded plates or bowls that the child knows are "safe"--maybe serving ware they can recognize, with a distinct pattern from home--are also really helpful.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
If you're ever dropping a child off into a party environment and you've made special arrangements, make sure your kid sees you talking to the person who will be in charge. Sometimes a well-meaning parent would tell me "oh, you're fine," but I wasn't comfortable unless I knew my mother had actually talked to the adult.
7 months ago
Gabrielle
Thanks Lori! School and food allergies are so new to me, it takes some getting used to!
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
I am so grateful that you had a positive "speaking up" experience. I am sure you did so very graciously, Gabrielle. You are a role model!
7 months ago
Gabrielle
My son's preschool is amazing and totally nut and egg free for him. Yesterday I noticed some snacks on the table that I knew had a nut warning. Luckily I was there and mentioned it, even though my son brings his own personal snack everyday just to be safe. I still didn't want him being around it though. It ended up being for a different class, but they sent them home with the mother who made the mistake and brought them for that class. You can never totally depend on others! I felt bad speaking up, but they were actually glad that I did!
7 months ago
JulieTrone
Great advice for all parents who have school aged children who have food allergies. It helps to develop a relationship with the other parents in the class beyond friends parents and especially with any room parent. I happen to be a bit nervous with other people bringing in food for my sons so I tend to discuss the idea beforehand then ask if I can add to the classroom treats with safe treats for everyone. This way my children feel included. They typically hear friends comment on how much they like the safe treats too. This has been a great inclusion tactic for my sons.
7 months ago
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Featured Guest
- SusanWeissman 0 comments
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We also like to highlight the "spooky" part of Halloween by setting up a scary display by our door and scaring each other in little ways that day. Does any one else find use that emphasis to take attention away from the candy?
7 months ago
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- Becki 6 comments
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Thinking about doing a pre-trick-or-treating dinner Boo-fet at my house this year. Any allergy safe favorites that you all like to serve at Halloween parties?
7 months ago
JulieTrone
gluten free pumpkin bread has been a hit at our home, it is also dairy, peanut, tree nut, seed, and soy free.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
I love the idea of playing with color versus sugar. Roast a mix of purple potatoes and butternut squash! Just preheat the oven to 400 degrees, coat it all in olive oil and salt, and roast away.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
Whenever we made ours, I asked Benjamin to help plan the menu. It gave him a great sense of control and distracted him from thinking about what he may not be able to eat later in the evening. The Boo-fet is always totally DELICIOUS and allergy-friendly for Benjamin and his friends with food allergies.
7 months ago
Featured Guest
SusanWeissman
Kids like the color theme - things that are black and orange even if they aren't traditional Halloween fare. Could be tangerines and chopped up black licorice in bowls (we find Panda brand is safe)
7 months ago
juliepippert
Becki, I always figure there's so much sugar, I have done things with fruit and vegetables. HA! It took Google but I found it fast, this Jack O'Lantern fruit cup http://parentingteens.about.com/od/recipesforkids/r/halloween221.htm
7 months ago
Erin O
I bet Lori's cookbook has a bunch of great recipes! Particularly cookie dough that you could cut in Halloween shapes, bake and decorate.
7 months ago
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- Gabrielle 13 comments
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This is my son's first year in school and I volunteered to do the class Halloween party, since I figured it would be the one with the most risk! Any ideas on class treats that are safe?
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
Cutest Frankensteins ever!
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
My friend Meaghan does some amazing things with marshmallows, too...check out these Frankenstein monster ones! http://www.thedecoratedcookieblog.com/2011/09/halloween-frankenstein-marshmallows-and.html
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
Yes, there are so many more great products out there than their used to be. As someone with a super-serious milk allergy, it's important to remember that "nut-free" and "egg-free" doesn't equal "allergy friendly. Ideally, steer clear of all the Big 8 allergens...which is why I like the Jell-o idea.
7 months ago
Featured Guest
Barbara@FAI
Here are some companies (including Divvies) that offer allergy-friendly treats for Halloween and other holidays--.
7 months ago
JulieTrone
Cut fruit and veggies, safe chips, and one sweet has been popular with my sons' classroom since preschool. The treats depend on the collective allergies in the classroom. Enjoy Life cookies or Divvies cookies are excellent treats that are allergen safe, that is depending on the allergens you are trying to avoid. We also split the class into three groups. One is eating, the next group is doing a short craft, the third is playing bingo or other game. Then we rotate every 5 - 7 minutes. This way there is less emphasis on food. In second grade the teacher had a contest to see which group could wrap him like a mummy in 2 minutes. They had so much fun!
7 months ago
knmtwins
remember to check what the other allergies are. With the new numbers the average class should now have 2 allergic children. AND some parents don't tell the school.
7 months ago
Gabrielle
I love the cheese pumpkin idea! Healthy and safe! My son is the only one in the class with allergies, peanut and egg. Thanks!
7 months ago
Featured Guest
SusanWeissman
Me too! Love packaging!
7 months ago
Becki
As an allergy mom, I always appreciated it when the other moms brought in the packaging from their treats so I could check it myself, too.
7 months ago
Erin O
We did an allergy-friendly recipe swap on TheMotherhood a while back that you can check for recipes: http://www.themotherhood.com/talk/show/id/62182
7 months ago
Becki
Don't underestimate the appeal of cut-up veggies or fruit and a dip, either. I'm always amazed at the number of kids who bypass the cookies and sweets for those.
7 months ago
Featured Guest
SusanWeissman
I baked "safe" cupcakes and stuck these cool Halloween toothpicks that had ghosts ect. in them (if you don't want to bring candy.) Or then there is Divvies....
7 months ago
Becki
Safe depends on what allergies are around in the class, but we've always had luck with cheese and crackers (sometimes I cut the cheese into a pumpkin shape with a mini cookie cutter), and purple jello jigglers in bat shapes have always been a hit.
7 months ago
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Talk Host
- Sandra Beasley 2 comments
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Another Halloween-centric peril for the food allergic: haunted houses and trickster teenagers. I can remember being sent through houses that recreated freaky textures using foods (i.e. peeled grapes for eyeballs); they didn't realize that for me, the REAL terror was getting an unfamiliar food on my hands. And I remember one year there was runaway egging in the neighborhood, which is pretty scary when you're allergic to egg.
7 months ago
Erin O
That is a great point, Sandra.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
Wet spaghetti is another haunted house item that could cause problems for the wheat allergic...
7 months ago
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Talk Host
- Sandra Beasley 5 comments
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I'm curious: are Secret Santa exchanges still common in schools? That was always a bummer for me--so often, after the build-up of a week of small gifts, the big final thing would be food-based. One year it was a candy bar the size of my forearm. The other kids didn't know any better, but it was hard, especially when I'd put a lot of effort into picking out gifts for the other kid.
7 months ago
Erin O
I did the same thing in high school with my friends. Kids tend to overlook or forget about things like food allergies - maybe it's a gentle reminder to friends that food won't work as a gift or prize?
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
That's good to hear. People caught on.
7 months ago
Kayla S
When I was in school, we did secret santa exchanges, but they were supposed to all be toys...no food!
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
One thing I learned to do was write "food allergies" on the little slip of paper with my name on it, before we all drew names. That was a gentle reminder.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
Obviously I'm not suggesting this is a school-organized thing, but it is something girls tend to do in high school. Especially if they are on a common "team"--cheerleading, track, choir, etc.
7 months ago
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- Erin O 4 comments
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How many of you / your kids get really into carving pumpkins at Halloween? That seems like an allergy-friendly activity. What about roasting pumpkin seeds afterward?
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
Traditions , such as pumpkin carving, are a wonderful way to make holidays more special.
7 months ago
Kayla S
They're SO GOOD, Erin! We experimented with a few different flavors at my house! Cinnamon sugar, taco...and I'm sure there are others you could try!
7 months ago
Erin O
The first time I ever roasted the seeds was just a year or two ago. Very simple - oil, salt, bake on a cookie sheet.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
This is a favorite activity in our home!
7 months ago
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Talk Host
- Sandra Beasley 7 comments
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We can broaden the discussion to other holidays, too. Thanksgiving and the winter holidays will be here before we know it. We always had big family meals where, no matter how many times we asked, someone would try to "help" by bringing shrimp cocktail or a cheese platter. One thing I tell parents: though it IS smart to let your allergic child be first in the buffet line to avoid cross-contamination, try to be subtle about it. I always hated having my mother and aunts roam the house calling "Get Sandra! She needs to go first!"
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
Great point, Susan! Now our friend Robin MUST make her apple pie for Benjamin every eve of Yom Kippur!
7 months ago
Gabrielle
I totally agree Erin! We always host holidays at our home because it seems to be the safest and easiest for our son.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
We generally avoid buffets altogether, unless we know exactly how they have been prepared.
7 months ago
Featured Guest
SusanWeissman
I do have to add that when another family steps up makes a dish that is "Eden friendly" for everyone he is so so grateful and remembers it until the next year.
7 months ago
Erin O
Another instance where education is so important. People like to contribute, and don't necessarily realize that bringing food could be more harmful than helpful sometimes.
7 months ago
Featured Guest
SusanWeissman
Those big family meals are incredibly tough for kids with multiple allergies. The best we can seem to manage is to somehow make sure that my son as MANY things on his plate as other guests even if he's eating differently.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
We always take 1 or 2 portions and set them aside for Benjamin after he's had the first go-around-the-buffet table in order to keep him safe for the rest of the meal.
7 months ago
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Talk Host
- Lori ~ Divvies 6 comments
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Has anyone's child ever tried on a mask and gotten hives? Be cautious here!
7 months ago
Featured Guest
SusanWeissman
Sandra - you provide a great reminder to us mothers as to how much more food allergy awareness exists in school settings now - even with our challenges I'm grateful for that.
7 months ago
Kayla S
I can't imagine, Sandra! That had to be so difficult as a kid. It's so much to worry about!
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
Oh! One year the school had everyone make masks using...milk cartons (those plastic ones, cut in half). I was terrified. They were trying to be thrifty and recycle, but it was a drag worrying whether they were truly clean. Never had the guts to wear mine.
7 months ago
Erin O
I hate those masks. I'm not allergic to anything in them, but the smell of them still makes me dizzy.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
No, I think food!
7 months ago
Featured Guest
SusanWeissman
Oy. Did that happen to Benjamin? Latex? The chemicals? Those masks do smell sometimes...
7 months ago
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Talk Host
- Lori ~ Divvies 5 comments
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Sandra, looking back on your childhood, when and how did you feel most included when it came to eating and celebrating? I'd also love to hear everyone's answers on behalf of their children!
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
These kids cope every minute of every day! It's refreshing for them to get a break from coping once in a while!
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
That's probably true, Lori. But this is a point I try to make--when kids grow up and are advocating for themselves versus having a parent do it for them, the simple truth is that they will be more often in situations where those meals aren't possible. So it is important to teach a variety of coping skills.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
I think Benjamin feels most included when he knows the meal is absolutely allergen-free. Even if he doesn't care for what is being served, he knows he is absolutely safe and free to try anything at the table.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
That's a good question. Honestly? Toasting. My family toasts before every meal. And the rare times when the Sandra-friendly treat was actually the star of the show...my mother's apple-cinnamon spice cake or (forgive me here) homemade peanut brittle.
7 months ago
Featured Guest
SusanWeissman
I'm trying to guess how my son Eden would answer that one. I may have to ask him.
7 months ago
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- Erin O 6 comments
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Does anyone focus on Halloween crafting with kids rather than cooking? Great way to spend quality time together without being in the kitchen.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
That's a great idea! I also like the idea of constructing things out of felt--pumpkins to decorate (much less messy than carving the real thing) or making graveyard dioramas.
7 months ago
Featured Guest
SusanWeissman
Again - we "spook up" the joint and put stuff on our door (we live in an apt. building) Also we decorate pumpkins.
7 months ago
Erin O
For example, here's a link for making paper pumpkin ornaments.
7 months ago
Kayla S
I think scrapbooking could be a really fun activity! They could make a page for the year before and look back on their old costumes and you could share memories of how much fun they had! There are so many fun stickers and accessories that they could play with!
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
Yes! Benjamin and I always enjoyed decorating our home for Halloween!
7 months ago
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Talk Host
- Lori ~ Divvies 0 comments
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Erin brought up a fantastic point about Halloween crafting vs. cooking/eating!
7 months ago
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- Onespot Allergy 6 comments
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Elizabeth from Onespot Allergy here. I feel fortunate that my peanut/tree nut allergic son lost interest in trick or treating years ago. His brother is older and doesn't go out either, so he doesn't feel he's missing anything. We also always have candy in the house, so there's no motivation for him to horde it at Halloween. I'll be checking with his teacher tomorrow to check on any Halloween plans for in class.
7 months ago
Featured Guest
SusanWeissman
I can relate to that. Parents do a certain amount of withholding around their allergic kids. Although some of that has been good for me. I really didn't need to eat every piece of birthday cake handed to me at those hundreds of parties. Eden's stuff that I baked for him really tasted much better even if it didn't look so fancy.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
* laughing * I love the anecdote about your husband. That's a whole other conversation--how parents deal with letting go of favorite indulgences out of respect for a food-allergic child. OR, how they continue to sneak it on the side. Had a funny conversation at a book signing with a parent who admits going on a nut-spree (Thai, Chinese cashew chicken, etc.) whenever he is traveling from home.
7 months ago
Onespot Allergy
In contrast, my husband used to go out with an empty pillow case, return home several times to empty it out, and continue trick or treating. We also ate candy moderately at home, and my Halloween candy would last until Spring.
7 months ago
Featured Guest
SusanWeissman
True. We have certain kinds of candy and sugarless gum around all the time. In fact, we don't have any "forbidden" foods other than the allergic ones for Eden. That helps keep food in perspective.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
Hi Elizabeth, we are in a similar place with Benjamin, and feel very grateful to be here. I will never forget those times when he felt excluded during Halloween.
7 months ago
Erin O
Communication with teachers is so important, especially around big treat occasions like Halloween!
7 months ago
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Talk Host
- Lori ~ Divvies 4 comments
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This has been a fantastic conversation! Thank you so much Sandra, for sharing your personal insights and great suggestions with us today!
7 months ago
Featured Guest
Barbara@FAI
Thank you all--I learned so much from everyone here and look forward to sharing this talk when we send out our net e-mail blast!
7 months ago
Erin O
Great closing thought, Sandra. Thank you for being here!!! :)
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
My pleasure! I heard lots of great ideas here today. I hope everyone has a very happy Halloween with their families. Remember: no one is defined by what they can or can't eat. You just gotta get creative~
7 months ago
Kayla S
Thanks, ladies! And thank you, Lori! This has been a great conversation!
7 months ago
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Talk Host
- Lori ~ Divvies 0 comments
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I am so grateful to Susan, Barbara, and all who shared ideas about making Halloween inclusive, safe and fun for our children.
7 months ago
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Featured Guest
- SusanWeissman 3 comments
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Agreed. A wonderful conversation that has so many food allergy tangents! Looking forward to more chats.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
Food for thought!
7 months ago
Talk Host
Sandra Beasley
Thanks so much, both of you! Until next time. = ) I vote we do a whole other conversation on the teen and 20-something years...
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
Absolutely!
7 months ago
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- Erin O 0 comments
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These chats always go so quickly. Thank you to Sandra and Lori for being here with their wonderful insights and suggestions! Barbara and Susan, thank you for co-hosting, and it's been lovely chatting with all of you!!! Have a happy and safe Halloween!
7 months ago
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Talk Host
- Lori ~ Divvies 0 comments
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Thank YOU, once again, Erin!
I love all of your ideas, questions and links!7 months ago
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Talk Host
- Sandra Beasley 0 comments
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Thanks so much, everyone! I really appreciated the thoughtful dialogue. My memoir Don't Kill the Birthday Girl is filled with the small food-centric moments from childhood that might fly under a parent's radar, even the most alert parent. I hope you check it out, and use my experiences to open a conversation with your own kids about their experiences with allergy. Onwards~
7 months ago
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- Gabrielle 0 comments
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Thanks everyone for all the wonderful ideas!! Sandra, I love your book! I'm pregnant and can't sleep at night, so I wake my husband up with all my page turning!! It's my only quiet time! Thanks!
7 months ago
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- knmtwins 2 comments
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I don't see anything new and the pictures of the hosts are no longer on the right. Is this over?
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
A summary of this conversation will be posted here in a day or so. The conversation threads will all continue to be available as well.
7 months ago
Talk Host
Lori ~ Divvies
Yes, we have just ended. The photos of everyone are still up.
7 months ago
The Food Allergy Initiative is involved in this live chat.
Since childhood, Sandra Beasley, award-winning poet and author of the acclaimed memoir Don’t Kill the Birthday Girl: Tales from an Allergic Life, has been allergic to dairy, egg, soy, beef, shrimp, and a host of other foods. But that hasn’t stopped her from living a full, active life. Join Sandra and her co-hosts, including Barbara Rosenstein from the Food Allergy Initiative, www.faiusa.org (the world's largest private source of funding for food allergy research), for a live talk about growing up with food allergies – from childhood through the teen years and young adulthood.
Building on the Navigating Food Allergies series that was hosted by Lori Sandler of Divvies, this is a great opportunity to take part in a frank discussion about the challenges of dating, traveling, relationships with college roommates and friends, concerns about becoming a mom who has food allergies, and many other issues – from the perspective of a young adult who’s successfully coped with food allergies. Whether you’re a parent or have food allergies yourself, you’ll want to join us!
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