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St. Valentine’s Day, Book Contest

CONTEST NOW CLOSED

The winner chosen by random.org is comment number 12:

Melissa said...When it comes time for my now 8 year old daughter to date, my wish for her would be for her to be a strong self-advocate, who is both knowledgeable and secure in herself (including her allergies)...and follows in the lead of ladies like you Sloane, you are a great role model for my daughter, thanks so mcuh for all you do! 3:34 PM, February 15, 2011

Congrats Melissa, please contact me to get your fabulous prize!

**Extra, extra special treat: Lori Sandler of Divvies has generously offered to donate some of my favorites to the winner - yes the Benjamint Bar!** (Thanks Lori!)


I have a special treat: I'm running a St. Valentine’s Day Contest where you can win a FREE copy of Allergic Girl: Adventures in Living Well with Food Allergies.

Several lovely bloggers whom I feel very fortunate to call both friends and colleagues have also joined me in this contest: Erin; Kelly; Laurie; Silvana; Janeen; Cybele; Jenny B.; and Alisa with more on the way later today - keep an eye out.

To enter to win all you have to do is share:

• Any loving act you did for a food allergic family member or yourself,
• Your best date with food allergies,
• Your food allergic dream date,
• A date you planned for a loved one,
• Or what your dreams are for your food allergic child when they date.

Leave a comment on this blog OR on the Allergic Girl Facebook page OR anywhere else you read about the contest. And please, spread the news!

At the end of the week on February 18, 2011, I’ll use random.org to pick a winner on my blog and Facebook page. My blogger colleagues will do the same. I can’t wait to hear all of your stories!

PS: What's my positive love story? It is the book – and it’s my love letter to each of you.
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Unknown said…
Last year for my husband's birthday he and I were going to go out but decided to include our two daughters on our date. Our oldest is anaphylactic to peanuts. We went to Maggiano's and it was the most amazing experience and she was so happy to be somewhere that was safe and everyone was educated. As soon as we told our server about her allergy he brought out the chef, and they both were well aware of what items on the menu were processed in the same facility or had ingredients that were. She wanted a meatball but the server instantly knew that the breadcrumbs in it were processed in the same facility and recommended the Italian sausage instead, which she enjoyed. We had a WONDERFUL time without worry. It was so great. She's currently twelve and I don't even want to think about her dating! Ack! ;-)
9:55 AM, February 14, 2011
Anonymous said…
Just last night I went to Kona Grill and they were so understanding and knowledgable and even had gluten free soy sauce for my special made sushi! When I go there I never worry and have tons of allergy friend options.
11:13 AM, February 14, 2011
conntess said…
My greatest gift to my food allergic son was becoming a stay-at-home mom.
Well worth it.:-)
1:37 PM, February 14, 2011
Robin said…
For my sons, my husband and I worked for weeks to find an acceptable gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free pancake. This was years ago before the new gluten free Bisquik. My sons are now 13 and 14 and are terrified to admit to a friend - much less a date-- that they are allergic.
4:28 PM, February 14, 2011
Unknown said…
More than once, I’ve offered to take a date to a safe restaurant and he’s asked if I could make him his favorite homemade dish instead… There are worse things than a girlfriend who follows you around with homemade yummies. Sometimes our home cooking is the treat!
5:05 PM, February 14, 2011
sodium girl said…
For a first date, a lovely young fellow I had just met (who LOVES food) said he wanted to take me out to dinner. Which I thought was a death sentence. For almost four years, I had not stepped into a restaurant as the result of a strict sodium-restricted diet (due to kidney failure) and the added fun of nut allergies. Let's just say I wore my cutest jeans, packed a few Epi Pens into my purse, and prayed. Very hard.

But when we arrived, I was more than pleasantly surprised. He had not only called ahead, but gone into the restaurant with a list of everything I could not eat and suggested ingredients that I could safely consume as well. Why had I not thought of that?
I dined on freshly rolled gnocchi with herbs and browned butter; pan seared duck breast with pomegranate sauce; and crispy creme brulee to finish.

As a result, I now dine out, dine often, and dine well. From lessons like this, I was motivated to start a blog which is being turned into a cookbook next fall. I've become extremely passionate about food and I discovered that dietary restrictions do not have to be limiting. Plus, I decided to marry that nice fellow as well. Now how's that for a love story?
6:16 PM, February 14, 2011
a year til 30 said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
7:52 AM, February 15, 2011
a year til 30 said…
My dream date is to dine gluten free at all the restaurants on my mile long street.
7:53 AM, February 15, 2011
Unknown said…
My Gluten free dream date is to go to a romantic Italian restaurant. We will dine on tasty homemade Gluten free pasta and homemade sauce and drink a lovely red wine. Dessert will be a Gluten free tiramasu.
8:21 AM, February 15, 2011
Stephanie said…
My wish for when it comes time for my allergic and asthmatic toddler to date (yikes - not yet!) is that whomever she chooses to go out with won't be scared of her allergy and be informed enough to know it can be managed and she is worth it.
8:50 AM, February 15, 2011
Libby said…
Thanks for writing the book and sharing it with the giveaway!

Probably the most spectacular baked goods I've made for my son with food allergies are the egg/dairy/nut/etc free fully functioning chocolate volcano cakes, that have erupted with dry ice for his last two dinosaur themed birthdays.
1:23 PM, February 15, 2011
Unknown said…
This book looks great! I'll definitely request that my local library buys a copy.

My ideal allergic date and/or just dining out experience would be to find a restaurant that is not only free of common allergens but also guarantees that no genetically modified ingredients are used.

In lieu of this, how about a restaurant that provides an ingredient list to customers? It's not that I don't trust restaurant staff, but with so many exotic names under which allergens can hide, sometimes I just wish I could verify my safety for myself.

Oh, and this date/dining out experience would involve no eye-rolling on the part of my guest.

That's about it...piece o' cake, right? haha
3:28 PM, February 15, 2011
Unknown said…
When it comes time for my now 8 year old daughter to date, my wish for her would be for her to be a strong self-advocate, who is both knowledgeable and secure in herself (including her allergies)...and follows in the lead of ladies like you Sloane, you are a great role model for my daughter, thanks so mcuh for all you do!
3:34 PM, February 15, 2011
Anonymous said…
My favorite date since having Celiacs is every time that we go out to eat and he ensures to ask our server the appropriate questions sometimes before me. I also remember when he was ordering takeout and after about ten minutes of asking the person on the phone multiple questions, he thanked them and hung up because he wasn't comfortable with their lack of knowledge about gluten. I love him more than I could ever imagine or hope.
4:21 PM, February 15, 2011
Jen said…
I'm relatively new to food allergies - my fourteen month old son is allergic to milk, eggs, and peanut. The coolest thing that we've done for him so far was his first birthday cake. I was absolutely determined that he was going to have a cake like any other child. My husband and I spent about seven hours making and decorating him a (Wilton pan) Monkey birthday cake that was completely safe for him to eat.

Eat it he did - we had cake and icing on the other side of the room! I know that his life is going to be full of challenges that my older son's hasn't been, but I hope that we're able to accommodate them while at the same time making his life as normal as we can.
6:01 PM, February 15, 2011
Lindsay said…
I would LOVE to win your book since I'm also an adult with food allergies. I saw your video promo tonight on youtube, and couldn't help but break out into a big smile. Aaaahhh, the joys of dating with food allergies. My dream date would be to cook dinner together at my house. That way, I'd know that all ingredients are safe, there is absolutely no risks involved, and I can just kick back and be me. :) A dinner with NO questions and explanations? Sounds like heaven on earth to me.
12:25 AM, February 16, 2011
Unknown said…
Sloan, this is great. I'm so excited for your new book! But most of all I think that food allergies, no matter how hard they are, they have brought us together with some of the warmest, most understanding people around and our lives are better for it. Each day we get through safely is such a blessing. Thank you for being a great role model & guide.
Aly
www.AllerDine.com
1:51 AM, February 16, 2011
Unknown said…
Sloan, this is great. Thank you for all you do. Food allergies are so challenging, but it's a joy that they have brought together a community of some of the warmest and most understanding people around. I feel so fortunate to have found so many fabulous contacts & friends through the internet who understand each other's daily challenges. Thank you for being a role model and sharing your stories. Good luck with the book! I'm really looking forward to it!
Aly
www.AllerDine.com
1:58 AM, February 16, 2011
Kate said…
My son used to be allergic to dairy, egg, peanuts, and tree nuts, but we are just down to treat nuts now! I sill have to be so careful with baked goods and cross contamination. So I have a friend that lives in NYC and we took him on a special trip to Babycakes! I love it there too and I have no food allergies!
3:29 PM, February 16, 2011
Kate said…
My son was allergic to dairy, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts. We are now down to just tree nuts but still have to be so careful with baked goods. So I have a friend that lives in NYC and we took him to Babycakes. I love it there too and I have no allergies.
3:30 PM, February 16, 2011
MrsA said…
My husband decided to have a date night a little while after finding out I had to eat completely dairy free. I was a little nervous but decided to try it. We chose carrabba's and I explained right away to the waitress that I couldn't have any kind of dairy. She was so understanding and helpful! She checked with the chef many times about certain items, made lots of suggestions, and carefully watched my food. It was a great experience! To this day, carrabba's is still our favorite place to eat!
9:45 PM, February 16, 2011
Danielle Bryant said…
My best date with food allergies...was with my husband!When we started dating, he took my allergies very seriously. He did a little research on items I could have (I have life-threatening dairy allergy), and made the two of us dinner! He BBQ'd chicken, made baked potatoes, and fruit salad. After, we made dessert together. I knew he was a keeper when he showed how much he cared about my allergies. It really meant a lot that he would make a dairy free dinner for us. Now, he had learned everything about my allergies, and rarely eats dairy himself! He is such a sweetheart, and always takes care of me and my allergies.
9:50 PM, February 16, 2011
Unknown said…
I can't eat gluten so my husband sent me a cake for my 40th birthday that said: This is a "FLOWER" cake--not a "FLOUR" cake. It was so sweet and made me so happy. I also have another story on my blog as well as info about your contest...
Valentine's Love Contest to Win Copy of Allergic Girl Book I would love to win your book, but I couldn't wait--I had to purchase your book today! If I win I will give the book away or regift on a blog contest. THANKS!
10:02 PM, February 16, 2011
Linda Coss said…
I created two cookbooks full of delicious recipes that my food-allergic son can eat!
11:58 PM, February 16, 2011
Unknown said…
Any loving act you did for a food allergic family member or yourself,
• Your best date with food allergies,
• Your food allergic dream date,
• A date you planned for a loved one,
• Or what your dreams are for your food allergic child when they date.

The loving act that I did for myself was receiving my diagnosis of severe corn allergy and eating foods that do not hurt me. I have complied recipes that I have tried and I am going to make them into a cookbook to help others with my allergy. Being diagnosed was such a frightening experience and I want to help others out so they know just how amazing they can feel.
Also my best date with food allergies is when my boyfriend researched my diet and was able to cook me an amazing meal that was corn-free! I couldn't believe he took the time and effort to make me feel so special and loved.
2:36 PM, February 17, 2011
Janet said…
My four year old with a severe tree nut allergy loves all kinds of foods. We are woking hard to expose him to different cuisines and tastes in a safe way. My hope is that he will love to cook and will be able to retain his love for food and adventure.
7:10 PM, February 17, 2011
Unknown said…
My story has to do with what was done for me.... I was new to the area and was having problems finding things I could eat at the grocery stores. I would spend hours reading all the labels. One night my colleague from work came over and brought 5 boxes of ready made cake mixes (I am highly allergic to eggs so these were not easy to find). I was so touched I started to cry.
8:51 AM, February 18, 2011
What Allergy said…
My dream date would be to go to a fantastic London restaurant, peruse the menu, where I can eat everything and anything on it, and order a starter of pate on toast, followed by perhaps a chicken pie with delicious sauce and tasty pastry, followed by a gooey chocolatey pudding. All washed down with champagne and fine wine. Sadly this is a dream. There are some great restaurants out there but I would love to be able to visit a special one where I wasn't singled out as different, having to check everything and probably not quite enjoy the meal, that nagging fear at the back of my mind that something might slip into my meal unseen. Dream on hey! We can all dream ;o)
8:58 AM, February 18, 2011
Jane Anne said…
Thanks for tweeting about this again. It's been a busy week. I almost missed entering the contest.

A loving act I did for my food allergy child: I planned, coordinated and led his school Valentine party. The planning, calling other parents, and buying items was a little work but I didn't mind. The getting infront of the class to instruct them on the craft and the food prep we did (the class got to make a fruit dip) was outside of my comfort zone. My son loved me being there. And, we were all comfortable that he was safe.

On the flip side, I needed to provide snacks and make a visit to each of my other son's parties so they wouldn't feel left out. You know, that's part of parenting a child with food allergies, too, trying to give to the siblings at the same time. Whew! Valentine's day was a fun and very tiring day.
3:41 PM, February 18, 2011
Allergic Girl® said…
Sima wrote:
"Coulnd't post on blog :(
I'm a mom of 3 beautiful kids (2 have peanut/ tree nut allergies). My boys go to a "nut free school" and I love to surprise them and their friends with cupcakes and cookies. They love sweets and this positive deed outweighs all the negatives of when we go to places and they can't have any of the desserts. Thanks for all you do!!"
4:04 PM, February 18, 2011
Allergic Girl® said…
Nicole Hines: Every Sunday, I make something special for my four-year-old to eat after church so that we can still stay and socialize with all the donut-eating-church-goers, but avoid nuts. Last weekend, my mom (who never used to bake, but now will so her granddaughter isn't left out during holidays) delivered valentine cookies for my daughter to bring to mass.
4:05 PM, February 18, 2011
Allergic Girl® said…
Kelly: My son is the only child with a peanut/tree nut allergy at his school. One day I went to pick him up from school and there were home made posters on copy paper all over the school. They said things like, No Nuts Please! They were colorful and had drawings of peanuts and other nuts with a circle around them and the line through them. I found out that my sons first grade classmates made them to help others remember not to bring nuts to school. The day before they found peanuts in the gym and my son had to sit out and miss PE. Their thoughtfullness still brings tears to my eyes.
4:05 PM, February 18, 2011
Allergic Girl® said…
Danielle from FB: My best date with food allergies...was with my husband!When we started dating, he took my allergies very seriously. He did a little research on items I could have (I have life-threatening dairy allergy), and made the two of us dinner! He BBQ'd chicken, made baked potatoes, and fruit salad. After, we made dessert together. I knew he was a keeper when he showed how much he cared about my allergies. It really meant a lot that he would make a dairy free dinner for us. Now, he had learned everything about my allergies, and rarely eats dairy himself! He is such a sweetheart, and always takes care of me and my allergies.
4:06 PM, February 18, 2011
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