So, I had no luck with Twitter. Lots of stuff going on in the U.S., but the EpiPen/AAIA Take Action event is all I can find in Canada! Next year, that's going to have to change. I hate waiting.
But, Allergic Living's handy newsletter arrived in my email inbox this morning. (It's not possible to express how much I love that mag and website.) According to them, it is Food Allergy Awareness Month. So, I'm very slightly vindicated.
There seems to be so much stuff going on in the U.S. and I hope we can get up to that level. Since I'm new to the allergy community in general (strange considering my background) I'd love to hear about anything going on anywhere. If I'm missing something in Canada, please let me know, too.
On a vaguely related note, thank you to Bell Canada for your $10 million donation to Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)! That's community involvement! To read one of the many articles, click here. Everyone benefits from that kind of contribution whether they use CAMH's services or not.
On that note, I'm going to try and enjoy the sunny (and "pollinated") day! Apparently we only have about 90 days of summer; so, I have to take all the sunshine I can get. Technically, it's still spring...
A Canadian girl's guide to dealing with allergies, asthma, eczema and living with it all.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Food Allergy Awareness Week (In Canada)
Created by The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) in 1997, this is the 14th Annual Food Allergy Awareness Week (FAAW). The posts on Twitter and FB are plentiful and helpful. The Allergy-Free Boston Cream Pie recipe posted by Cybele Pascale, award-winning author of two allergy-free cookbooks, looks amazing.
So, what's going on in Canada? FAAN is well-known up here, but it is primarily American. While the information is useful, the programs don't apply to allergic and atopic Canadians. FAAN is a member of the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Alliance (FAAA). Here in Canada, we have two organizations which are also members - Anaphylaxis Canada (AC) and the Quebec Food Allergy Association (AQAA).
So, I searched on Google (apparently they don't want their name to be used as a verb anymore) for events. For Canadians, FAAW was actually last week, May 1-7, according to the Allergy Foundation of Canada, which doesn't really exist anymore. Last year, May was Food Allergy Awareness Month (FAAM) according to Anaphylaxis Canada. But, this year...no mention of it. Even the link on Health Canada's website has generic info. AC hosted their Spring Conference at the Ontario Science Centre on May 7th, which I missed, unfortunately (Next year!).
EpiPen and AAIA have food allergy walks planned across Canada, but other than that I'm stumped!
There's no mention of FAAW or FAAM on either site.
At this point, I'll admit my confusion. So, I'm taking this to Twitter to see what I can find. Feel free to comment, too.
So, what's going on in Canada? FAAN is well-known up here, but it is primarily American. While the information is useful, the programs don't apply to allergic and atopic Canadians. FAAN is a member of the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Alliance (FAAA). Here in Canada, we have two organizations which are also members - Anaphylaxis Canada (AC) and the Quebec Food Allergy Association (AQAA).
So, I searched on Google (apparently they don't want their name to be used as a verb anymore) for events. For Canadians, FAAW was actually last week, May 1-7, according to the Allergy Foundation of Canada, which doesn't really exist anymore. Last year, May was Food Allergy Awareness Month (FAAM) according to Anaphylaxis Canada. But, this year...no mention of it. Even the link on Health Canada's website has generic info. AC hosted their Spring Conference at the Ontario Science Centre on May 7th, which I missed, unfortunately (Next year!).
EpiPen and AAIA have food allergy walks planned across Canada, but other than that I'm stumped!
There's no mention of FAAW or FAAM on either site.
At this point, I'll admit my confusion. So, I'm taking this to Twitter to see what I can find. Feel free to comment, too.
I Lied...But I've Made Amends
I promised I'd put up some more reviews on restaurants and the like. However, since that post, so long ago, I've found someone else who's doing a far better job than I could ever do.
AllergyTrails (check out the link on the right side of the page), founded by Robert Kania, is an international review website for restaurants and airlines. So, I've started putting up my restaurant reviews on his site.
I encourage everyone who reads this (there's got to be a couple of you) to visit the site and review a restaurant, any restaurant. This is an invaluable resource for all allergic people in the world. I'd also like to hope that it will bring attention to a serious issue and hopefully force delinquent restaurants into changing their practices and recognize great restaurants for their dedication and care.
In future, if I've had an amazing experience (like Zero8), I will post here and there, but other than that, I'll focus on the million other things related to being atopic in Canada. I'm trying out a bunch of new creams and cleansers right now as a result of my visit to AvantDerm (see the post "Toronto in the Spring") and trying to manage the lovely blooms with a combination of topical and systemic meds. So, those two things alone are worthy of a couple of blog posts.
And, I've finally figured out how to get the allergy-card template up for download; so, that will be posted shortly! In the event any Americans are reading, Happy Food Allergy Awareness Week!
AllergyTrails (check out the link on the right side of the page), founded by Robert Kania, is an international review website for restaurants and airlines. So, I've started putting up my restaurant reviews on his site.
I encourage everyone who reads this (there's got to be a couple of you) to visit the site and review a restaurant, any restaurant. This is an invaluable resource for all allergic people in the world. I'd also like to hope that it will bring attention to a serious issue and hopefully force delinquent restaurants into changing their practices and recognize great restaurants for their dedication and care.
In future, if I've had an amazing experience (like Zero8), I will post here and there, but other than that, I'll focus on the million other things related to being atopic in Canada. I'm trying out a bunch of new creams and cleansers right now as a result of my visit to AvantDerm (see the post "Toronto in the Spring") and trying to manage the lovely blooms with a combination of topical and systemic meds. So, those two things alone are worthy of a couple of blog posts.
And, I've finally figured out how to get the allergy-card template up for download; so, that will be posted shortly! In the event any Americans are reading, Happy Food Allergy Awareness Week!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
EpiPen® TAKE ACTION Event
EpiPen, in support of the Allergy/Asthma Information Association (AAIA), is holding a series of Canadian food allergy walks to raise money for anaphylaxis research and education.
For more information, to register or donate, please visit http://aaia.raiseapp.ca
The EpiPen® TAKE ACTION Event Locations and Dates are:
For more information, to register or donate, please visit http://aaia.raiseapp.ca
The EpiPen® TAKE ACTION Event Locations and Dates are:
- Kelowna – City Park - Saturday May 7
- Ottawa – Ottawa River Parkway Trail at Tunney’s Pasture - Saturday May 7
- Whitby – Heydenshore Pavilion, adjacent to Whitby Waterfront Trail - Saturday May 14
- Vancouver – Stanley Park (Ceperley Park by Second Beach) - Saturday May 14
- Winnipeg – Assiniboine Park - Saturday May 14
- Windsor – Riverfront Trail (Dieppe Gardens) - Saturday May 28
- Mississauga – Erindale Park - Sunday May 29
Mental Health Week - May 1-7, 2011
I've posted about depression and its connection to allergies, asthma and eczema, especially for those who have all three conditions. It's the fourth disease that is often included for people with multiple atopic conditions. Discussing mental health is becoming more mainstream, finally, and this week is Mental Health Week. While it seems to be starting off small, it's a great start for a crippling condition that affects people across Canada, regardless of other underlying conditions.
Check out the website and find out how you can participate in your area.
Check out the website and find out how you can participate in your area.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Toronto in the Spring
Okay, this isn't really about my seasonal allergies. Actually, they're much better in Toronto than they are in some cities in Southwestern Ontario that will remain nameless.
Instead, this is a quickie blog about the new dermatologist I'm trying out. Well, I've pretty much decided he's the one.
Briefly, I had one for about 20 years. He retired. They don't make doctors like him anymore which is sad. He was simply brilliant. My first attempt at finding a new dermatologist ended badly. While I got an appointment in one business day, that singular appointment was enough for me to never go back. Didn't look at me, didn't look at my skin. That's like going to a dentist who never asks you to open your mouth.
Enter, CBC Radio 1. A brief, but totally worthwhile, radio interview later, I emailed my family doctor and asked for a referral to AvantDerm, located at 45 Mill Street in Toronto. They have an ethnic skin focus (I'm brown), but also focus on the traditional stuff like eczema. Plus, they have a cosmetic practice, which interests me since I'd like to do the whole laser hair removal thing one day (that's another blog for another day).
Anyway, the clinic is beautiful. Everything is custom and the atmosphere is lovely. Plus, the staff clearly know what customer service is about. It's been a long time since I've been in an office with that kind of vibe. On top of it, the doctors are quite nice. Attentive, kind and they looked at my skin!
After my quick tour of the facilities, I was even more hooked. I'm not the kind of girl who gets swayed by superficial things like distressed wood and chandeliers. But, pair that with customer service and sound medical knowledge and I'm there.
One more bonus, they give you printouts describing your condition as well as ways to treat it. Simple but stellar.
If you're interested or know someone who might be, check out the site.
In the next blog, I'll get back to the food allergy thing.
Instead, this is a quickie blog about the new dermatologist I'm trying out. Well, I've pretty much decided he's the one.
Briefly, I had one for about 20 years. He retired. They don't make doctors like him anymore which is sad. He was simply brilliant. My first attempt at finding a new dermatologist ended badly. While I got an appointment in one business day, that singular appointment was enough for me to never go back. Didn't look at me, didn't look at my skin. That's like going to a dentist who never asks you to open your mouth.
Enter, CBC Radio 1. A brief, but totally worthwhile, radio interview later, I emailed my family doctor and asked for a referral to AvantDerm, located at 45 Mill Street in Toronto. They have an ethnic skin focus (I'm brown), but also focus on the traditional stuff like eczema. Plus, they have a cosmetic practice, which interests me since I'd like to do the whole laser hair removal thing one day (that's another blog for another day).
Anyway, the clinic is beautiful. Everything is custom and the atmosphere is lovely. Plus, the staff clearly know what customer service is about. It's been a long time since I've been in an office with that kind of vibe. On top of it, the doctors are quite nice. Attentive, kind and they looked at my skin!
After my quick tour of the facilities, I was even more hooked. I'm not the kind of girl who gets swayed by superficial things like distressed wood and chandeliers. But, pair that with customer service and sound medical knowledge and I'm there.
One more bonus, they give you printouts describing your condition as well as ways to treat it. Simple but stellar.
If you're interested or know someone who might be, check out the site.
In the next blog, I'll get back to the food allergy thing.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Eating Out (and Well) with Allergies
I have been travelling across Ontario and a bit of Quebec for the past little while. Nothing extensive, but I've hit Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal on a few occasions over the past year.
Why this is relevant is because I'm a devotee to the following restaurants and bakery which are both allergy-friendly (depending on your allergy) and vegan/vegetarian-friendly.
Restaurant No. 1
Fresh On Bloor, Toronto
No eggs. Dairy- and nut-free options. Dairy and nuts on-site.
Fresh on Bloor (there are two others in Toronto, but that's the best one) is free of most animal products. They have cheese and milk on-site, but there is no hidden dairy. If you have a nut-allergy, they have some nuts on site, like most vegetarian & vegan restaurants. However, they are much more accommodating than a restaurant like Fressen which is heavy on the nuts. If you have a severe nut allergy, it may not be worth the risk.
Restaurant No. 2
Zero 8, Montreal
No fish/seafood, peanuts, nuts, sesame seeds, milk, eggs, soy, wheat.
Okay, it's a bit of a trek if you don't live in Montreal, but totally worth it. They do not have any of the main eight allergens - as defined by Health Canada, on-site. Not even vinegar because it has gluten. It's a bit of an upscale vibe, but still a great place to bring kids or have a nice date. I've been four times. It was good, better, amazing and better, in that order. In other words, the quality is a bit inconsistent, but it's never anything less than good. The portions are large and the dessert choices are plentiful and amazing. The wine and drinks list is great and I must recommend the caipirinhas. My only issue with Zero 8 is that it's in Montreal. Like their Facebook page for information about their take-out menu and feel free to email them and beg them to expand into Ontario. The website has an English version, but the Facebook page is in French.
Bakery No. 1
Auntie Loo's Treats, Ottawa
No dairy or egg. Gluten-free and nut-free options. Nuts on site.
Oh, Auntie Loo, I'd move to Ottawa for you. This vegan bakery is a haven for those of us with dairy and egg allergies. She does have nuts on the premises, but there are plenty of recipes without nuts. While she's very careful about orders, if you do have a severe nut allergy, best not to risk it. If you don't, have fun trying all the different kinds of cupcakes as well as cinnamon buns, Nanaimo bars, cakes, croissants and so much more. She even has gluten-free options! Auntie Loo (a.k.a Amanda Lunan) is friendly and brilliant and I love visiting her cute and heavenly-smelling shop on Bronson Avenue. While she's only been open for a little over a year, I have become a devoted customer. No occasion (real or made up) is complete without one of her treats. Like her Facebook page for info about new desserts and chances to Take the Cake at an amazing price.
In my next post, I'll list a few more great (and not great) restaurants and how I manage to survive eating out. I'll include a snazzy template too!
C'est tout! Enjoy!
Why this is relevant is because I'm a devotee to the following restaurants and bakery which are both allergy-friendly (depending on your allergy) and vegan/vegetarian-friendly.
Restaurant No. 1
Fresh On Bloor, Toronto
No eggs. Dairy- and nut-free options. Dairy and nuts on-site.
Fresh on Bloor (there are two others in Toronto, but that's the best one) is free of most animal products. They have cheese and milk on-site, but there is no hidden dairy. If you have a nut-allergy, they have some nuts on site, like most vegetarian & vegan restaurants. However, they are much more accommodating than a restaurant like Fressen which is heavy on the nuts. If you have a severe nut allergy, it may not be worth the risk.
Restaurant No. 2
Zero 8, Montreal
No fish/seafood, peanuts, nuts, sesame seeds, milk, eggs, soy, wheat.
Okay, it's a bit of a trek if you don't live in Montreal, but totally worth it. They do not have any of the main eight allergens - as defined by Health Canada, on-site. Not even vinegar because it has gluten. It's a bit of an upscale vibe, but still a great place to bring kids or have a nice date. I've been four times. It was good, better, amazing and better, in that order. In other words, the quality is a bit inconsistent, but it's never anything less than good. The portions are large and the dessert choices are plentiful and amazing. The wine and drinks list is great and I must recommend the caipirinhas. My only issue with Zero 8 is that it's in Montreal. Like their Facebook page for information about their take-out menu and feel free to email them and beg them to expand into Ontario. The website has an English version, but the Facebook page is in French.
Bakery No. 1
Auntie Loo's Treats, Ottawa
No dairy or egg. Gluten-free and nut-free options. Nuts on site.
Oh, Auntie Loo, I'd move to Ottawa for you. This vegan bakery is a haven for those of us with dairy and egg allergies. She does have nuts on the premises, but there are plenty of recipes without nuts. While she's very careful about orders, if you do have a severe nut allergy, best not to risk it. If you don't, have fun trying all the different kinds of cupcakes as well as cinnamon buns, Nanaimo bars, cakes, croissants and so much more. She even has gluten-free options! Auntie Loo (a.k.a Amanda Lunan) is friendly and brilliant and I love visiting her cute and heavenly-smelling shop on Bronson Avenue. While she's only been open for a little over a year, I have become a devoted customer. No occasion (real or made up) is complete without one of her treats. Like her Facebook page for info about new desserts and chances to Take the Cake at an amazing price.
In my next post, I'll list a few more great (and not great) restaurants and how I manage to survive eating out. I'll include a snazzy template too!
C'est tout! Enjoy!
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