Peatnut Free Planet

Anyone who attended the November support group meeting had the opportunity to pick up some samples that Peanut Free Planet was kind enough to send us, including packets of Sunbutter, Doctor Kracker spelt crackers, and Honey Nutz which are honey roasted soy nuts. After visiting the website I was very pleased to find a one-stop shop which carried such a large variety of allergy friendly manufacturers and products. It was also nice to see that they strive to go the extra mile to reassure customers that they are getting a personalized shopping experience such as being able to shop by specific allergens, brands, or even price. And of course all products available from PFP are manufactured in facilities that are peanut free and tree nut free!

This would be an excellent site to keep in mind with holidays fast approaching!
http://www.peanutfreeplanet.com/


Here's what another member of our group had to say about Peanut Free Planet:

"Peanut Free Planet is a terrific company. Ordering from them is a breeze and I am never dissatisfied. Twice a year my friends and I group an order together and easily place it online. It is a joy to find such a plethora of peanut and nut free items that look and more importantly TASTE the same as the nut contaminated ones we have locally. Our favorite is the Quaker Oats chocolate chip granola bars. Others are the mass number of candy bars that are allergy friendly, too. Peanut Free Planet is one of the only places I can order Kit Kat candy bars for my daughter...and they are peanut/nut free, which is what she needs. My non-allergic son can go to the local store and eat any candy bar off the shelf. My daughter can't. What is so 'big' about a sugary, sweet candy bar? To me, not that much... but to my daughter, it's everything. Just to have the same as all the other kids, especially her brother.
Just to be the same, that is where I fell in love with PFP! They have the exact same allergy-friendly items that I need. Last year my daughter got a Kit Kat in her stocking, she knew right away....Santa shopped at Peanut Free Planet!"

Happy Halloween 2009!

This year for Halloween Brody was Ninja Boy (of course) with his trusty sidekick the Kungfu Pup and Josh dressed up as Dr. Josh, Pediatric Allergist!


Notice the black belt...don't cross the Kungfu Pup!


We had a great time at the annual Food-Free Fall Carnival put on by the Food Allergy Association of Wisconsin!

The Blizzard Wizard and Tinkerbell stopped over to say "Hi"!

Movin' On Up (Karate Style!)

Earlier this month Brody participated in a promotion test and earned his brown belt in Karate! It's amazing to think how far he has come over the past 3-4 years and how dedicated and determined he still is to earn his black belt. Brody has always been the kind of person who sets his mind on something and won't stop until he achieves that goal.

Congratulations Brody! We are so proud of you!!

Brody's favorite part of the graduation ceremony was breaking a board. Watch the action in this video!

Preparing to Spar!

Sparring Mr. Griffey

Brody and Mrs. Hyke

Brody with his former instructors, Mr. Griffey and Ms. Genrich

Brown Belt Ninja Boy!

**************************************************

Coupons, Discounts, & Special Offers

Many children (or adults) with food allergies also have environmental and/or seasonal allergies, asthma, and eczema. Which usually translates into lots of different medications! For example, both of my sons and myself suffer from all of the above ailments, so between the three of us we use about 20 prescription medications consisting of inhalers, nasal sprays, antihistamines, medicated creams/lotions/ointments, etc...which really puts a dent in the wallet. However, I have found that many medication websites offer great money-saving coupons! So next time you're given a prescription, be sure to check the affiliated website for special offers before heading to the pharmacy!

Here are the special offers that I have found so far. If you know of any others, please leave a comment!

~Nasal Sprays~

Nasonex:
https://www.nasonex.com/nasx/application?namespace=coupon&event=coupon&event_input=
Save up to $15 per refill.

Veramyst:
https://www.veramyst.com/optin/savings.jsp
Up to $25 off your prescription and refills. Can use up to 6 coupons per year.

~Inhalers~

Ventolin:
http://www.ventolin.com/coupon_special_offers.jsp
Offer limited to 4 prescription refills per year.

Advair:
https://www.advair.com/asthma/coupons-and-special-offers/coupons-and-special-offers.jsp
The coupon states it is for the Advair Discus (which contains a milk ingredient!), but I have verified with the company that the coupon is also good towards the Advair HFA inhaler. This coupon can be used monthly.

Xopenex:
https://secure.xopenex.com/xopenexPromos/xopenex-offer.cfm
Not a coupon for the actual medication, but sign up here for a free Xopenex inhaler holder.


Proventil:
https://www.proventilhfa.com/phfa/application?namespace=coupon&event=coupon&web_program_id=00000304
$15 instant savings coupon

~Antihistamines~

Zyrtec:
http://www.zyrtec.com/econsumer/zyrtec/utility.view?body=/zyrtec/pages/special_offers.jsp
$2 and $4 coupons


Xyzal:
http://www.xyzal.com/patient_resources/freetrialoffer.aspx
5 day free trial prescription

Allegra:

http://www.allegra.com/rebate.aspx

$24 rebate

Claritin:
http://www.claritin.com/claritin/offers/index.jspa
$2 coupons


~Autoinjectable Epinephrine~

Twinject:
http://www.twinject.com/allergy-treatment-resources/injector-rebate.asp
$20 rebate

~Antileukotriene~

Singulair:
http://www.singulair.com/montelukast_sodium/singulair/consumer/r/for_adults/savings_offer_for_singulair/index.jsp Save up to $20.


************************************************

Nick News online

The entire Nick News show, "I'm Allergic to my World", is now available to watch online!

Description:
What is it like to have a deadly allergy? Nick News investigates.

http://www.nick.com/videos/clip/nick-news-allergic-to-my-world-full-episode.html


***********************************************

I'm Allergic To My World

On September 27, Dr. Robert Wood of Johns Hopkins will appear on "Nick News with Linda Ellerbee" to talk about kids living with food allergies.

Learn more here: I'm Allergic To My World

***********************************************

Here We Go Again!

It’s back to school time again which means purchasing new school supplies, backpacks, clothing, shoes, etc… But for those of us with food allergic children it also means renewing all emergency medication to be kept at school such as EpiPens, rescue inhaler, and Benadryl and just as importantly, it means meeting with our children’s new teachers and making sure they fully understand the seriousness of food allergies, including how to handle an allergic reaction should it happen while your child is at school and hopefully how to prevent an allergic reaction from happening in the first place!

Linda Coss, author of several food allergy cookbooks, has written an excellent article about why it is important for schools to implement food allergy policies to keep our children safe. It also is written in a way so that parents of “all the other kids” can hopefully understand why these safety measures are needed rather then simply telling the food allergic children “just don’t eat what you’re allergic to”. I personally plan on forwarding this article to the principal at my son’s school in hopes that she will send copies home with all of the children in his class to pass on to their parents.

Click here to read "Attack of the Killer Peanut Butter Sandwiches" :
http://www.foodallergybooks.com/Media_Files/attack_pb_sandwich.htm

**************************************************