Teen Dating and Food Allergies

Oh dear,what a mix. Teen dating is already stressful and hard as it is now add celiac,food allergies,or other medical problems(or all of the above.) Dating if you think about it is scary,especially as a teen with food allergies. I mean you have to trust this person with not only your heart but now your life. But don't let it hold you back! It is possible I promise.

My Tips on Dating-

1. BE UPFRONT!! I cannot stress this enough,Tell your date before you even go out. I understand you may have a fear that your date might be ''scared away'' when you tell them,but your health is more important. If your date doesn't want to understand your medical problems then they don't deserve to go out with you.
2. Suggest the restaurant,pick somewhere you know is safe. 
3. Carry your epi pen/medication in case of an emergency.Explain to your date where you keep these and how to use them. Also, tell them what to do in case of an emergency. 

Don't forget to have fun!

Dates don't have to be dinner,you can think outside of the box. Go to a concert(this is probably my favorite!),play,sporting event,or museum.

I understand the one question on your mind,What's the guide to kissing? First kisses are nerve racking to everyone let alone some one with food allergies. The guide I have heard and used is to wait 4 hours after the other persons last meal with your allergen and to have them brush their teeth.

A tip for the gluten free guys out there,also be careful of your girls makeup. Some brands contain gluten!

Gluten Free Travels- Disney World

The most magical place in the word,is also extremely food allergy friendly. Hearing the word Disney makes everyone excited,am i right? When most people think of Disney World they think of the castle,the characters,and of course the food.

As someone with food allergies and celiac,when I hear the word travel...I have learned to dread what is to follow. For me it is always hard to travel,but with planing it is doable. But most of the time when I do it is to a place with a time schedule and I pack all of my own food.

With my trip for spring break,however I knew I packing all my meals was not an option,since I would be flying. I did my research as any good celiac/person with food allergies does for everything and everything. And I found out Disney would be extremely easy to be safe at.

I was still a little nervous,because I was traveling for the first time with people who were not my family,or my church youth group. I was traveling with my (at the time) boyfriend's family. Which in and of its self would make any girl nervous.

My Experience-

My vacation to Disney was an amazing experience. All of the restaurants I visited had extremely knowledgeable staff about food allergy safety. It was awesome to feel normal at a restaurant. Disney made me feel at home and welcome,not like an alien or a burden.

Where I stayed-

I stayed at the Wilderness Loge cabins on the Disney property in Florida. It was beautiful and very homey.

At the cabins there is an amazing restaurant that is a must try,The Trail's End Restaurant.  It is barbecue buffet. I know the celiac in you panics,but they have an amazing chef, Chef Michael! Who will make you anything on the buffet fresh to ensure safety. He understands gluten free needs first hand,since his girlfriend is gluten free.

If you eat here you will be treated well.

Day 1-

For my first day in the parks I went to Epcot.

I had lunch at The Electric Umbrella  in  Future World. I had the gluten free chicken tenders and french fries. It was pretty good!

For dinner we ate at the Liberty Inn. I had the New York Strip Steak with broccoli and fries. The steak was so good,nice and tender. The broccoli was perfectly steamed as well.

Day 2-

My second day in the parks  was spent in Magic Kingdom.

We went back to the cabins for lunch. And for dinner we ate at the restaurant located at the cabins,Trail's End.

Day 3-

 My third day i  the parks was spent in Hollywood Studios.

We ate lunch and dinner at our cabin.

I also on day three when to Downtown Disney,which has a gluten free,and vegan bakery,Babycakes NYC. The bakery was hard to find,but totally worth it.

Over All-

My vacation to Disney was amazing. I cannot wait to go again someday! I miss those Mickey shaped ice cream bars,which are gluten free by the way!

Vacation-Myrtle Beach

So I spent one day of my spring break trip in Myrtle Beach! It was so beautiful there. I was in love with the weather,it was warm compared to my home town back in Jersey.

That night we went to Jimmy Buffets Margritaville. It was absolutely amazing. It was the best gluten free and allergen free restaurant experience I have ever had! The servers were all so sweet and filled with knowledge! They have a pretty good amout of gluten free and fish/shellfish free food options! We decided to get the nachos for an appetizer(I've never been able to have an appetizer since being gluten free.) 

I had the grilled chicken sandwich with French fries! They had a dedicated fryer,which was a crazy thing to wrap my mind around. The roll was great,tasted very fresh! If you wanted it they even had desert(WOW!)

The next morning at my hotel they had a complementary breakfast. Which that even had safe options although I had my own oatmeal packets. Which was awesome to see.

This is the gluten free menu-

Gluten Free Travels

So for spring break this year I am traveling,like what most people do. I've traveled on different trips in the past(small weekend trips,retreats,and conferences for different things.) One thing I haven't done as a celiac and person with food allergies is go on vacation!

So for the next nine days I will be traveling to Myrtle beach(currently writing this on the plane!),a small town South Carolina,and Disney World!!!! 

So when it comes to me traveling I ️always have to bring certain things with me. I know I will need them,because some things I cannot depend that where I'm going will have or it is easier to bring them instead of buying them at my destination. I have one rule that these things must obey: they must travel well!

 

These items include:

Protein bars- I'm taking a few in my carry on bag for this trip( my favorites are the Luna bars and kind bars!)

Oatmeal packets- they are an easy meal on the go that travel extremely well! Plus they take up almost no space.

Nuts- another great snack(just double check that you are not on a nut free flight so you don't endanger anyone!)

Another must is to take your medication with you! If you are flying please take you them with you on the plane. You never know what might happen! With me in my carry on/purse for this trip are all my medications(especially Benadryl!) If you are traveling with other people it is helpful for those people to know where you keep your medicines,in case of an emergency! 

After School Snacks

After school snacks are important, with schedules getting more tight as school continues,it's even more important to eat healthier.

Easy heathy snacks that are my favorites-

Banana with nut butter "frosting"~ unpeel a banana and spread the top with a tablespoon of natural peanut butter,almond butter,or SunButter!

Celery with fresh salsa dip

Udis multi grain bread toasted and topped with chopped strawberries and a thin layer of nut butter

Pistachios with a sliced apple

Van's crackers with hummus and veggies

Hope your school year has been going well!

 

The Unexpected Happens, Especially On The Road

   We have all been in sticky situations we never could have expected. For me traveling to competitions hours away from home every weekend this past fall, I was bound for some right? Knowing my luck I was bound for a few this past season.

     On the day of my finale competition I hit a very unexpected situation. All day I had a killer migraine from stress and not sleeping.  After our show I felt really anxious about scores, since the performance was not our best. At pictures I was about to pass out. After awards, we placed third out of the whole coast! We had our typical speech, but I was really not doing so well. I ended up having a panic attack, throwing up, then passing out in the bathroom. I was incredibly dehydrated and my sugar was extremely low. Lets just say when we were stuck at burger king for almost 4 hours because they couldn't make food quickly for over 100 people I was not extremely happy.

    Lessons I hope you and I have learned from my mistakes drink more water, tell others(not just your bus buddy) you don't feel well ,and pack extra food.

Here are some great snacks that travel really well-

• Pretzels
• Apple sauce pouches
• Candy(not the best for you, but whateves! lol)
• Nut butter singles(love yah Sunbutter)

Things that don't pack well-

• Yogurt (please, take my word for it!)
• Bananas
• Chocolate

GF&AF Expo

So this past month I had the privilege to go as a blogger to the Gluten Free and Allergen Free Expo! It is defiantly one of my favorite weekends of the year!

One of my favorite booths was the Schar kids area! They had story time,gluten free play dough,and crafts for the kids. This expo is so family friendly,,which is a huge bonus!

What I love most of all is when you are waiting in line and see the children's faces when they are told that all the food in this place is safe. Young kids with allergies or celiac are taught that in most places the food won't be safe.

I even got to meet some of my readers!

Over all had an amazing time! That weekend marked my last free weekend before I started my competition/game season! (Might be currently writing this on my way to my first full show!)

Gluten Free Makeup-Red Apple Lipstick

Ahh,I miss the days when I could go to the Mac counter a buy the newest gem to add to my collection of lip products. I always loved lip gloss,lipstick,lip balm,and anything related makeup wise to your lips.

As a kindergartner my favorite thing to carry around was my lip smackers. I had the gloss, jelly,and balm in all colors and flavors.

When I went gluten free,the day after I went to the library and got a book on celiac. One the first page was a pictures of thing that have hidden gluten. One of those you guessed it.....lipstick! So not only did I learn I had to give up my beloved Chinese food but my lipstick too.

So as time went on,and my lip product  collection at an all time low,I found Red Apple Lipstick company!

Last year at the Gluten Free & Allergen Free Expo in NJ I got to experience there amazing products. Although they have lipstick in their name they offer so much more! Their products range from lipstick to now mascara! My favorite product from them is the Mint 2 Be lipgloss. It's not sticky or gooey. It has just the right amount of color and an amazing minty smell and taste! I own this lipgloss in Fuzzy Navle(a peachy color) but they have other fun colors to match your taste. 

I can't wait for this week end to visit one of my favorite tables at the GF&AF Expo... The Red Apple Lipstick Booth!

Learn more about Red Apple Lipstick-
http://www.redapplelipstick.com