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!

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! 

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

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

Nine Things Everyone Should Know

Hear are nine things everyone should know about people with allergies or celiac.

1) We are just like you!- 

Even if we can't eat a slice of bread or fish,doesn't mean we are subhuman or not as good as you! 

2) We can't help it!-

We don't have control over what we can't and can't have. So stop giving us a hard time. 

3) We have working eyes and ears!-

Yes we see your looks in the store when we buy a gluten free product or allergen free one. We hear your comments and snickering. We don't like it, get over yourself(and see number 2.)

4) We have lives!-

Yep we can go to parties,movie,and date others. We don't live under rocks! 

5) The AF/GF community is not a cult or gang!-

This is self explanatory! :D

6) We can be anything we want to be!-

 Hard to believe right, we can be teachers,moms and dads,kids,doctors,chefs, anything!

7) It's not a FAD!-

OMG! The people that think this....you need education!

8) Look out for us!- 

Nothing is more sweet than a friend looking out for another! It makes our day(most of the time.)

9) We don't hate you!-

We only dislike you when you mess with us directly or our AF/GF family! So don't mess with the "gang." 

Great Breakfast Ideas and Tips

Well is summer for most people( I still have seven days of school.)On that note congrats to all the grads! I can't believe that I'm graduating from middle school in a few days!

With summer starting a lot of teens and kids go to camp,or have summer sports(or lay on the couch, not a bad plan! I would if I could.) With summer activities many are more active and in the hot sun, so breakfast can make or break your day. 

This summer I will have really early band practice.We practice in the hot summer heat. Marching band is a very strenuous sport believe it or not. On average we burn more calories in our shows than football players in a game. So therefore a great breakfast is the key to success!(FYI,look you probably learned something before you even got half way through.)

Just a few reminders-

-DO NOT EAT/DRINK MILK PROUDUCTS(it will make you sick with the heat!!!)

-Don't drink sugary or carbonated drinks with breakfast

-Eat some protien and carbs(Energy peoples!)

Some ideas-

-Gluten free pancakes(made the night before) with a little PB or nut butter(I love Justin's Almond butter) and a piece of fruit.

-Eggs with spinach and tomatoes,and a piece of fruit.

It doesn't even have to be breakfast food!

-Brown rice,veggies,and some chicken breast! Add a piece of fruit and you set.

Who says you can't have healthy leftovers from the night before,right!

 Comment below some of your own ideas!

Recipe Wednesday-Playdough

One known terror to all wheat allergic or celiac kid is..... Playdough!!! Here is a simple recipe for Playdough.I would  have pictures but the Playdough was put in a hot moist container and got moldy/turned into a science project over the weekend.I didn't think you needed pictures of that!

Playdough-

Around 2-4 cups of gf flour(it depends on the flour)

2 tbsp of oil

Around 1-2 cups of water(it depends on the flour)

1 cup of sugar

Food coloring or leave it plain

Vanilla extract

Combine until a dough and enjoy! Even eat it (doesn't taste bad.)