Why I Write About Stuff Other Than Food

This is a foodie blog, yes. And I’m an allergic girl, yes, yes.

But if you’re new here, or just curious, you might wonder why posts about food and allergies and restaurants sometimes take a backseat to a mini-review about a good movie or provoking play or a fun trip.

If had you a childhood similar to mine health-wise, or if you're raising children with allergies now, you know that sometimes, often times, you can’t do the thing that everyone else is doing: pony rides, petting zoos, hay rides, playing tag in tall grass, or eating whatever an adult puts in front of you however well intentioned they are.

I spent a childhood reading books about the wonderful adventures everyone else was having with their trusted dog or wolf or dolphin. As a child, I lived a life of the mind.

However, after this childhood of staying in, my adulthood’s been about going out, trying new things, challenging myself, pushing my boundaries and expanding my perceived abilities. Part of living a full-life in spite of some sniggly restrictions is challenging myself on a daily basis. Of course there are days when I feel like a homebody, where I don’t feel like pushing myself to try something new. So I hunker down with a good book or a DVR’d show. But mostly, when I’m feeling healthy I get out there and do something fun, try something new.

Please Don’t Pass The Nuts is a testament to going out despite being afraid of getting allergic to something; leaving my safe zone to try something new despite the risk that I may get sick. So the movie reviews, the cocktail parties, the plays, the adventures are all about yes, I left my house, and I didn’t get allergic, yippee!

I hope that these non-food posts are helpful, even encouraging to those of you who struggle with the same issues. I hope that you derive some comfort knowing that I feel the same way, have the same fears and worries about going out but that leaving the house, having some trust is also important and necessary and very often works out okay!

Comments

allergic diner said…
The posts are helpful. It's funny sometimes, non-allergic people (if you will) don't really seem to grasp the amount of anxiety that comes with everyday things - it's something we don't talk about, outside of perhaps parenting a child with a food allergy, but all of us go through, daily. So thanks :)
And here I was thinking I was the only kid who couldn't go on the hayrides.....
Allergic Girl® said…
yay! thanks righterlady.

and totally about the hay-on a 4th grade school trip to an upstate farm, i discovered jumping in a hayloft = mucho asthma. obviously. but as a kid away from home i had to try it out. that whole trip, with cows and goats and cats and dogs, i was basically one big hive/multi-asthma attacks. sigh.
They are VERY helpful!! I send more people from the BabyCenter Food Allergy Board to your blog than any other place for information. The moms of newly diagnosed children are saddened by the fact their child "can't" do normal things like other kids. But I always tell them to come here and see what Allergic Girl is doing. She leads a normal life and goes out to eat, and on vacation, and to the theatre etc. At first we think our kids will live in a bubble forever, but you've shown us that it will not always be that way. That one day they can advocate for themselves and live a normal life (whatever that means). For that, I thank you!!
Allergic Girl® said…
THANK YOU janeen, really good to know b/c that is totally the point.

BTW i just loved your post about traveling with allergic kids. so poignant about all the adjustments you make so your children will have a safe fun trip. excellent!
Gab said…
Amen sister! You have to live your life to the fullest. I want my daughter to control her allergy, not the other way around - life is way too short!

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