100th Post & a Giveaway!

This GIVEAWAY has ended. CONGRATS to SARAH!

When I started writing this blog, I did it because I wanted to document the things I was learning about food allergies so that as my daughter gets older she can use this as a reference and also find some of her favorite recipes that are free of dairy, egg and peanuts. But I also wanted to write the blog because I found it very hard to find info from real, live people about living this life with food allergies. It would have been a tremendous help to me to read someone's own online journal of what they've experienced as a result of food allergies, but I just couldn't find one. My goal for this blog is to help those of you who are walking this road and encourage you that you are not alone. I hope to be more faithful in blogging and finding more useful information, tips, and recipes to help you along your journey. If there is anything specific you'd like to know more about, let me know!

Last year, my daughter was re-tested for her specific allergies {I wrote about that here.} and found out she still had all of them. While that was not exactly what I wanted to hear, we learned that none of hers are now considered life-threatening. I was glad to hear that, but also very skeptical. I was told that it was up to me whether to carry EpiPens or not now that they were not life-threatening and for months I thought about whether I should or not. I still hadn't made my mind up until yesterday when I read about two kids that died just in the past week from food allergies. One was 16 and ate something that didn't have peanuts in it, but he was unaware that it has been processed around peanuts. That one bite took his life. Until then, he had never had an allergic reaction, even though he was aware of his allergy. That settled it for me. The fact is you just never know when a severe allergic reaction will occur. One exposure may be mild and then the next time it could be the last time. Food allergies are very serious on every level. They cannot be taken lightly. When I read that article about this boy, I cried my heart out for that family. I cannot imagine living through this kind of loss. Their situation was purely accidental and no one ever imagined this kind of reaction would have taken place. So, today I had the pediatrician refill my daughter's EpiPen Jr. prescription. Our deductible is very high, so it was all out of pocket expense and I nearly choked when I found out it was $170. No matter what the cost, though, I have to realize this is a small price to pay for saving my daughter's life if it comes down to it. EpiPens are like a life insurance policy. Don't leave home without yours. It isn't worth the risk.

So, to celebrate 100 posts on my allergy blog I am giving away personalized food allergy labels!

You can choose between 6 - 3 inch round labels, 12 - 2.5 inch round labels, OR 20 - 2 inch round labels! These are very cute and the colors make them stand out and be noticed {which is the whole point anyway!}. If you decide you can't wait to have some, you can go here and purchase your own.

Giveaway Facts:

Starts NOW and ends Sunday 8/28/11 at midnight (EST). Winner will be chosen at random through Random.com. And I will announce the winner Monday, 8/29/11. Winner will have 48 hours to respond or I will have to choose someone else.

To Enter:

Leave a comment telling what you specific allergy topic you would like to know more about OR leave a favorite tip for the rest of us.

Extra Entries:

Post the giveaway on Facebook OR blog about it and leave a comment telling you did. (1 entry for each)

If you link your comment to your blog, I will contact you that way. Otherwise, please leave your email address in the comment so that I have a way to contact you if you win!

Good luck and THANKS for stopping by!