My Silver Award

As most of you probably know, I created this blog as part of my Silver Award project for Girl Scouts. I've been working really hard and as of yesterday, my final report has been handed in!!! Now I just have to wait for up to 6 weeks for the Girl Scout Council of Northern New Jersey to approve it! I'll let you know when I find out!

-Alli

Feedback Please!!!

I've had this blog for almost two months now, and I would really like some feedback! I've gotten a lot of positive comments ---which I really appreciate!!!! They honestly make my day every time I read them :)  Well anyway, I want to know what you really like reading. Do you like the recipes, advice, or maybe stories? or maybe you like it when I post pictures and then make a connection to it? What don't you like about my blog? Whatever it is, I want to know! I want to make my blog the best it can be, and the only way to do that is to listen to you! So please comment on this post or comment on my blog! Thanks for following me!

-Alli

It's Not You!

Okay, so I'm a teen -- and from some of my good friends, I get questions about what it will be like dating with food allergies. What if my date wants to go out to dinner with me, or the movies? What happens if he wants to kiss me and he's eaten something I'm allergic to? (Sorry for this mom, I know this scares you). Well, I haven't yet come across this problem, but I know one thing. I cannot be embarrassed about having food allergies with my date, because at some point, if he doesn't know, it could be the matter of life or death for me. So I've thought about it, and I realized I have to be upfront about my food allergies. When the date first starts, I have to immediately tell him, "I have food allergies. I keep an Epi-Pen and Benadryl in my purse. If I ever have an allergic reaction to something I eat, you have to give these to me. Maybe sometime I can teach you how to use the Epi-Pen so in an emergency you can help me?" Not only would this little question help you stay safe, but it will also give you another opportunity to hang out with him! If the boy really cares about you, he will do anything possible to keep you safe! If he doesn't care, then maybe you should take a second look at the reasons as to why you're going out with him. Your safety is number one when it comes to dating, so don't let yourself be embarrassed. Remember that it's not your fault!

-Alli

A Close Call

The other day, I had a very close call- but because of my little brother, a food allergy accident was avoided. My brother had just gotten back from camp, and there was a bag of lemon snap cookies on the counter in a bag. I went in and grabbed some after checking the label. I asked my little brother, "Hey, are these lemon cookies good?" He immediately replied, "I don't know, I can't have them". (My little brother has all of the same food allergies as I do--except he's not allergic to carrots). I looked at him like he's crazy because I always look very carefully at labels. But just in case, I double check. He was right. At the bottom of the ingredients in small but noticeably bold type, it said "Produced on a facility that manufactures peanuts."

My brother has always been there to help me, and its been great growing up with someone that had to go through the same problems that I have had to go through. I've been able to avoid any allergic reactions for probably around two years now, and thanks to him I've been able to keep that streak going! He's the BEST!!! :)

-Alli

Egg Substitute

Milk, Egg, Nut, Peanut, and Soy Free

One staple in any baking recipe is eggs. But when you're allergic to eggs, it becomes a big issue to find a dessert you're not allergic to! In a FA cook book my mom has always had, there are multiple egg substitutes, but this is the one I've always used, and I hope it helps you too!

ONE EGG:
1 1/2 TBL. Water
1 1/2 TBL. Oil (not peanut)
1 tsp. Baking Powder

TWO EGGS (just double):
3 TBL. Water
3 TBL. Oil (not peanut)
2 tsp. Baking Powder

Please remember to double check all ingredients for your food allergens. I hope you can use this to your benefit!

-Alli

Disturbing Experience.

Today I had an unusual experience, and I felt that it was something that needed to be shared with all of you.

I was in my gym after school waiting for my coach to arrive, as were a bunch of other students. A boy came up to a girl near me and asked for a sip of her water. The girl said no. So the boy comes up to my friend behind me and says I can't believe she didn't let me have just a sip of her water. So my friend picks up a random water by someone's abandoned backpack and says here. He asks her if its hers and she says no, but that it doesn't matter. I proceed to watch him take a gulp of this water bottle and then put it back down on the ground as if nothing had happened while my friend walks away. I turned to him in rage. I told him "You know if that person has food allergies and you ate something they're allergic to, they can get really sick!" He calmly told me that he didn't have any nuts that day so they would be fine. I said NO. I told him "There are other food allergies out there besides nuts! I'm allergic to milk, beef and egg and someone could get really sick  by drinking something that has been contaminated with any trace of their food allergen!" He just looked at me dumbly and said "You're allergic to steak?" I couldn't handle it any longer. I stomped away in rage knowing that the owner of that water bottle did not in fact have any food allergies, but stupefied that this person could not comprehend that someone could DIE if they came in contact with the allergen.

This whole situation frustrated and scared me at the same time. A person doesn't fully understand what a food allergy is unless they have it themselves, and that ISN'T RIGHT! People need to be aware of how dangerous food allergies are and realize its not that they can't eat a food, but if they do they become sick! I hope there are more people out there that aren't dealing with this problem or have never had to. I hope someday my whole school can really understand what food allergies are all about, and that schools across the globe learn the same.

-Alli

Potato Chip Cookies

Milk, Egg, Peanut, Nut and Soy Free

1 cup milk free, soy free margarine
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 cup flour
1 cup crushed potato chips

Roll into balls and bake at 350 degrees on ungreased sheet until golden. (About 8-10 minutes)

This is a very simple recipe, but as a salty snack lover, they are great!

Please remember to double check all ingredients for your food allergens. Enjoy!

-Alli

Misunderstood...

School has started back up again (I've only had two days and I already wish it was over!), and sometimes kids just don't understand what it's like to have food allergies.

When I was in first grade, there is one thing I clearly remember. It was my turn to play a computer game, and all I remember about it was that it involved ants stealing food from a picnic blanket. One boy came up behind me and in the most mocking-tone possible, he said something like "Make sure you don't eat the peanuts, Allison". Now for whatever reason, this made me cry uncontrollably. Looking back now, I don't exactly remember why, but I know it hurt my feelings.

My food allergies were misunderstood by this one kid. To him, I was the allergy girl. To myself, I am an ordinary girl who just happens to have food allergies. When people let food allergies define who they are, that is when they become misunderstood. Most of the time, when I eat around people and explain that I have food allergies, they are normally like "Really? I didn't know!". I make people remember me for who I am, not my food allergies. Don't get me wrong; I embrace my food allergies with confidence and do not shy away from situations that involves me explaining them. My Aunt shared this picture with me, and this is exactly what I've been trying to say.

My struggle is food allergies. But I am not food allergies. I will not let people define me for my food allergies, and neither should you! Best of luck!

-Alli

Turkey Meatballs

Milk, Egg, Nut, Peanut, and Soy Free

1 1/4 lb ground turkey
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 cup bread crumbs

Use hands to mix ingredients into the ground turkey. Take spoon-fulls of the meat and roll into balls. Put meatballs on a cooking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and put in oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Flip over and cook for another 10 minutes.

Please remember to double check all ingredients for your food allergens. Enjoy!

-Alli

Facebook Page

I just created a Facebook page to spread the word about my blog. Please visit and like the page! If you have any ideas for posts, let me know!

Visit Allergy Alli (on Facebook)

-Alli

More Than The Meter

About 1 year ago, my cousin was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. He was used to eating everything he wanted, whenever he wanted. But then suddenly, that was all taken away from him. To an 8 year old kid, that is a life changing disaster. He would sneak into his pantry at night just so he could have a snack he really wanted. My Aunt has had to struggle with her school system; trying to get them to understand the needs of her child. My Aunt has created a blog about her and her son's struggles with diabetes. I know this isn't exactly about food allergies, but I do know that diabetes is another struggle with food. Please look at her blog and spread the word if you know someone with diabetes!

Visit More Than The Meter

-Alli