Food Allergy Made Easy | Food Allergy Education Using Research & Experience, Living With Food Allergies, Food Allergy Awareness & Safety

Hey food allergy mom! Is there really such a thing as an allergy-friendly resort? You want a vacation where you can actually relax, knowing your child is safe. But searching online can feel overwhelming. It’s hard to find anything about allergies, and even then, it’s hard to know what allergy-aware actually looks like in practice. Are they talking about a chef who understands cross contact… or is...

Hey food allergy mama! This episode might be controversial, but today I’m talking about why I think celebrations with food like birthday cupcakes, donuts, and cookies don’t belong in the classroom.  Neither of my kids had food-free classroom celebrations, but this has been something I hoped for, for many years.  And for different reasons than you might think! In this episode, I’m sharing my astoni...

Hey Food Allergy Mom, One question I hear from food allergy parents is: “Is my child ready to self-carry epinephrine at school?” Sometimes we think they’re ready, but the school or maybe their doctor isn’t convinced. We all know that having that epinephrine available right away is important, which makes self-carrying an important option. So, how do you know they’re ready, and what can you do to sh...

Hey Food Allergy Mama, As always, summer has FLOWN by, and here we are looking at going back to school.  How are we staring down school supply lists, and wondering what happened to July?? If you’re like I used to be, back-to-school prep probably feels like this scramble of shopping runs, half-checked lists, and the panicked thought: How do I keep my child safe at school this year? But I want thing...

Hey food allergy mama! Need food allergy camp tips this summer? The first time I sent my kid to summer day camp, I honestly didn’t know what I didn’t know. I had the EpiPens packed, the forms filled out, the snacks labeled... but I still had that pit in my stomach wondering—did I forget something that matters? If you’re feeling that too—or you’re just trying to figure out if camp with food allergi...

Hey food allergy mama! Travel days with food allergies can feel like packing for a survival mission — meds, meals, backup plans… all before you’ve had your coffee. In this episode, I’m sharing exactly what I bring when I fly with food allergies so you don’t have to figure it out from scratch. Even if flying isn’t on your agenda right now, don’t skip this one — everything I share works for road tri...

Hey Food Allergy Mama, If you're traveling with food allergies, there's a good chance you've had this thought: “I guess that means I’ll be cooking the whole time.” And of course, you’d do anything to keep your loved one or child safe. But let’s be honest: it can feel easier to just stay home instead of finding ways to cook, plan, and be the food safety officer on vacation. In today’s episode, we’r...

Hey food allergy mama! Have you ever turned down a BBQ or potluck invite just because it felt like too much? The planning, the label-checking, the explaining, the watching—it can all feel so overwhelming. Honestly, there were summers when I skipped more events than I went to. Not because I didn’t want to go, but because it just felt easier to stay home than to manage all the moving pieces. In toda...

Hey Food Allergy Mama! It’s a summer Saturday. The family is heading to a splash pad picnic with some friends. Sunscreen? Check. Towels? Check. Cooler full of snacks? Double check. They even remembered the epinephrine! They get to the park, unload everything, and start setting up. The kids run off squealing into the water, and the grownups get busy laying out blankets and trying to find a bit of s...

Hey Food Allergy Mama, If you’ve been running on empty, pushing through the never-ending list of what your child needs to stay safe, this episode is for you. I’m not here to talk about bubble baths or mani-pedis—because let’s be honest, that kind of self-care doesn’t touch the mental weight we carry. I’m sharing what happened when my body finally told me to slow down. I got sick with more than a c...

Hey Food Allergy Mama! Today, we’re diving into a big one—how to find and train a babysitter or nanny when your child has food allergies. I know it can feel like a huge leap to leave your child in someone else’s care, especially when food allergies are part of the equation. But with the right steps, you can do it—and even feel okay about it too. Whether you're heading to a much-needed date night,...

Hey there, food allergy mama! After 18 years of navigating food allergies and 15 years of school experience, I know just how overwhelming it can feel to hand your little one over to someone else. Trust me, I’ve been there. Add food allergies to the mix, and it can feel like the most stressful decision ever. But you don’t have to figure this out alone. Today, I’m sharing the exact questions I would...

Hey Food Allergy Mama, School may feel like it’s months away, but trust me—what you do now can make ALL the difference when that first bell rings. Whether you’re sending your little one to preschool for the first time or navigating middle school with food allergies, the steps you take today can make the transition smoother, safer, and way less stressful. In this episode, I’m sharing the 3 things y...

Hey Food Allergy Moms Traveling with food allergies is always an adventure, but what happens when your child is on a school trip—far from home, surrounded by people who might not get it, and eating food you didn’t prepare? That’s what I recently experienced on an international band trip and let me tell you, it was enlightening! In this episode I’m sharing our experience, what went right, what went...

Hey Food Allergy Mama, You thought you did everything right—you researched, checked reviews, even got recommendations from other food allergy families. But when you finally arrive at the restaurant, something feels off. The staff looks unsure, their answers are vague, and suddenly, you’re questioning if this place is actually allergy safe. And the worst part? You don’t have a backup plan. Now you’...

Hey Food Allergy Mama, If you’re traveling with food allergies, the idea of planning your trip can feel totally overwhelming. Where should you go? How do you make sure it’s as safe as possible? And how do you enjoy it instead of stressing the whole time?  In this episode, I’m breaking it all down—how to choose a destination, what to look for, and what to avoid. And be sure to stick around until th...

Hey Food Allergy Mama, I can’t wait for you to listen to this episode. I have some big news to share today—something that’s going to make a real difference for food allergy families who love (or want to love) traveling.  If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the thought of planning a safe trip with food allergies, or maybe you’re not at the travel stage yet, but you want to build confidence & pre...

Hey Food Allergy Mama, If you’ve ever wondered when to start teaching your child the skills they need to manage their food allergies independently, let me tell you—you’re on the right track by asking! The truth is, you can’t start too soon. Kids who grow up seeing smart, safe food allergy habits in action are so much more likely to carry those habits into their teen years and beyond. That’s why wh...

Hey Food Allergy Mama, This is not an easy episode.  To prepare for these episodes about food allergy myths and mistakes I’ve made, it means I have to to remember some of the worst times we’ve had with food allergies.  Knowing that things I did (even though they were accidents) may have caused these situations, makes my heartache.  The mom guilt is real.  And exposing my incompetence to the world...

Hey Food Allergy Mama, You prepped. You planned. You walked into that oral food challenge hopeful—even if a little nervous. And then… it didn’t go the way you wanted. Your child reacted, the test was stopped, and now you’re left feeling defeated, frustrated, and maybe even scared for what this means going forward.  Mama, I see you.  I know how hard this is, and today we’re going to talk about it....

Hey Food Allergy Mama, How often does that little voice in your head spiral into what-ifs? What if my child eats something unsafe? What if I’m not prepared? What if something happens when I’m not there? If your worry feels like it’s always on high alert, you're NOT alone. I know how heavy this responsibility can feel, but here’s the good news: there are ways to dial back that constant worry and fe...

Hey Food Allergy Mom, This episode is a little different than usual, but oh so valuable!  Today I’m sharing an interview I did with Heather Schalk Parenting on HER podcast, called The Toddler Toolkit.  After the interview, I immediately asked Heather if I could share the audio with you on my podcast because it's PACKED with valuable information that I know you’ll love. In this eye-opening chat, He...

Hey Food Allergy Mom, I know that many of you may feel like traveling with food allergies is daunting and hard because you just don’t know where to start. Or maybe you’re stuck believing some myths that are stopping you from making memories with your family through travel. Today I’m sharing 3 myths about traveling with food allergies because these myths can create unnecessary fear and worry. Thay...

Dear Food Allergy Mom, Are you feeling anxious about managing food allergies at 30,000 feet? In this episode, we’re breaking down what you need to know to make flying with allergies safer and less stressful—from packing smart to handling airline policies like a pro. PLUS I'll tell the story about how we handled angry fliers who didn't understand food allergies. Whether you're planning a family get...

Hey Food Allergy Mama, When it comes to managing food allergies, it sometimes means that you’re doing it all alone. I recently went to the FAACT Food Allergy Influencer’s Conference. There was a session about the value of building a team approach to help make food allergy life safer and easier for families and patients.   I love this because a team approach is helpful and even essential.  So today...