Exciting stuff!! I was nominated by Eileen, the super mom behind Allergy Superheroes, for the 2018 Brotherhood of the World Blogger Award.

While I’ve only ‘met’ Eileen over email, she seems to fit the description of a typical allergy mom: kind, passionate and full of brilliant ideas to make the world a better place for her food-allergic kids. I am honoured and grateful that she nominated AllergyBites for this award. Thank you, Eileen. I’m so glad we crossed (virtual) paths.

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The Rules:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and post a link to his/her blog.

2. List the rules of the award and post a picture of the award.

3. Answer the questions from your nominator.

4. Nominate other bloggers and be sure to let them know.

5. Write a list of questions for your nominees to answer.

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The questions Eileen asked me:

1. What positives have you taken away from the food-allergic life?

The wonderfully supportive group of people who make up the food allergy community is definitely at the top of my list of positives. I also think this life has made me super aware of the ingredients we choose to put in our bodies. And because I am forced to read labels like never before, I feel that I am making healthier choices for myself and my family. It’s also resulted in me stepping outside my comfort zone to do crazy things like bake bread(!!).

2. What is your biggest motivation to continue blogging/working in this community?

I think it’s the thought of making life easier for food allergy families like mine. I know how stressful and exhausting it can be to circle the grocery store looking for safe items only to leave empty handed and utterly defeated. I know how disappointing it feels to opt out of a social gathering because it wouldn’t be safe for my son. I’ve heard the exasperated sighs on airplanes and at restaurants. One of my goals with AllergyBites is to make life with food allergies a little more enjoyable and a lot less stressful.

3. What is your favorite allergy-friendly restaurant, and have you rated it on Allergy Eats?

Famoso Neopolitan Pizzeria is amazing when it comes to accommodating allergies. They make you feel safe AND normal (even when you’re listing multiple food allergies!). And their pizza is pretty yummy too.

I’m located in Canada so I haven’t rated Famoso on AllergyEats, but I have reviewed them on AllergyBites.

4. What do you love most about the state you live in?

(I hope it’s okay if I switch state to city? I’m not in the US, and the province of Ontario is just too darn big.)

Previous to becoming an allergy mom, the thing I loved most about Toronto was how wonderfully diverse the FOOD scene was. There were new and delicious restaurants opening up every day. Authentic international cuisine to drool over. Local craft beer to sip on. And mouth-watering bakeries that could ruin any diet. You name it… We had it. Now I’m loving how many of these eating spots are allergy-aware to boot! The only problem is that TO restaurants don’t do a great job of advertising themselves as allergy-friendly… which is why I started AllergyBites to begin with!

5. If your/your family’s dietary restrictions magically disappeared tomorrow, would you still contribute to this community?

Yes! I feel like I’ve learned SO MUCH since my son’s diagnosis. I’m embarrassed to admit how little I knew about food allergies previous to this. Food allergies are still largely misunderstood by society and, for that reason, there still isn’t a whole lot of compassion or empathy for food-allergic individuals. Now I want to do everything I can to help spread awareness… so that children with food allergies can feel safe and included.

6. Describe your perfect day.

Okay, fun!

I wake up to a perfectly cleaned house, and we head out to an allergy-friendly brunch spot. Once back home, my husband and I play with our little guy until nap time, and then I sneak out to meet up with some old friends for coffee and a catch-up. When I get home, my husband and son are playing and laughing in the backyard and I join them. Soon after, my parents show up to babysit their grandson while my husband and I enjoy a date at one of our favourite restaurants. When we get home, the little guy is fast asleep (yeah, right!) and we chat with my parents about life over a glass of red wine.

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My Nominees:

1. Corinna of Friendly Pantry Consulting
2. Elly of No Nuts About Us
3. Jyoti of Our Allergic Life
4. Kyle Dine of Food Allergies Rock
5. Pauline of HypeFoodie

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My Questions:

1. What’s the #1 way your life has changed since the food allergy diagnosis?
2. (If you are dealing with multiple food allergies), which one is the most challenging to live with and why?
3. What types of accommodation does a restaurant need to offer you / your family in order for you to feel safe eating there?
4. If there was one thing you could ask friends and families to understand about life with food allergies, what would it be?
5. What inspiring person / book / organization has made life with food allergies a little bit easier for you?

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Friendly. Supportive. Encouraging.

Want to join a community of like-minded food allergy folk? Join the AllergyBites Community on Facebook. 

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