High school or college student? Help us go International!!

FoodAllergyTalk is partaking in a HUGE CHANGE that is going to blow you away! If you're currently in high school or college, then I'm looking at YOU!  

"FoodAllergyTalk.com has been through many changes over the past 7+ years since I've been working on it-starting when I was in middle school. Please allow me to introduce to you our next mission!
FoodAllergyTalk is the one and only online international support group that is dedicated towards working with Universities and High school students across the U.S. and around the world to create chapters and clubs, which act as support and awareness groups for students in high school and college. These groups are created through FoodAllergyTalk, and together we will form an original, collective international level of support for teens and young adults. " 

-Read more!!

Visit our homepage (or http://www.foodallergytalk.com/startachapterclub.htm ) for the new announcement as FoodAllergyTalk embarks on an INTERNATIONAL mission!!!

Email me with any questions, and if you're interested in starting a club or chapter at YOUR school!
RAN BY STUDENTS | FOR STUDENTS | PREPARING FOR OUR FUTURE
-Andrea

Hardest Experience At College

Hello!

Again, I apologize for not having blogged for some time. I am finally on summer break, and I've been enjoying being able to just relax!

Recently, I was asked a question: "What has been your biggest challenge as a student with food allergy on a college campus?"

That's an interesting question, and one that is entirely relevant to FoodAllergyTalk.com. I would say it's hard to think of just one instance. I could also answer that from two perspectives:

1) As a student, I would say my hardest experience was trying to get the dining halls to cater to my very restricted diet. It took almost a month of constantly approaching the chefs and managers at my dining hall in order to finally get the right people's attention. It took dedication and standing up for myself, but I was finally provided with very wonderful meals that were safe to eat and worth the big bucks I had to spend for the meal plan.

2) As the creator of FoodAllergyTalk, and the founder and president of the FoodAllergyTalk club at [ASU], my biggest challenge there is getting people to take me and my club seriously. It turns out, this may take more time than I even have at ASU, but hopefully soon people will not let out a smile/snicker when I tell them the club that I am a part of. When I, or anybody else, tell people about this club, I want them to know the seriousness off it all. I want them to know that food allergies constantly effect the lives of those who have them, as well as their families and friends. Above all, I want them to realize that it can even be life threatening, and is no laughing matter. Having a support group, people to rely on, and a group that can educate others at ASU and in the community can greatly help those individuals to live a happy and save allergy-free life. As me and my club continues to tackle this challenge, we just have to keep our heads up and stay strong.

Finals Week...

So, it's finals week. This is going to be insane! The fact that I'm almost done with this year keeps me going. I'm having a much deserved break this summer. I need the recharge so I can come to my Junior year with more pizazz, spirit, enthusiasm, and dedication than I've EVER had! Let's go!

P.S.

I would like to say, that if I could live off of these, I would.

Arizona Diamondbacks Peanut Controlled Game!

The 2011 Dbacks Peanut-Free Games are HERE!!

The Arizona Diamondbacks are excited to welcome families, friends,

and D-back fans with food allergies to our Peanut Controlled Night at Chase Field.

Tickets located in our newly renovated Legends Suite!

-----------------------------------------------------
MEMORIAL DAY
THIS MONDAY
MAY 30, 2011
5:10PM

Vs FLORIDA MARLINS
-----------------------------------------------------

To purchase tickets, log on to:

HTTP://DBACKS.TICKETLEAP.COM/2011

PEANUT - CONTROLLED SUITE - $37 PER PERSON

Supported locally by Arizona Food Allergy Alliance, Food Allergy Talk, and Phoenix Allergy Network

Study Dinner at the Library

You know those times when you are so close to something awesome? That's how I felt yesterday, the day before Spring Break! I was stuck at the ASU Hayden Library studying for my physics exam...but now, I'm CELEBRATING! Haha--I'm pretty sure I did well, and now I'm at home anxiously awaiting my first road trip to Cali.

Anyways--when you're in study-mode at ASU, I was able to take a 5 minute break and head right across the library to the Memorial Union to grab some warm rice and a great, [natural] energy drink by Odwalla.

Hopefully I get a chance to blog once I arrive in California... and we'll see how I do w/the food situation! (Which I know won't be that much of a problem--it's not stopping me! :)

-Andrea G.

Healthy, Allergy-free snacks!

This is one of my favorite healthy snacks!

It's a "Three Grain Edamame Salad" from Whole Foods--my favorite place of all time, and it's only about a 10 minute drive from the ASU Tempe campus!  I also love their fresh made "Quinoa" salad--both of which are available in easy-to-go containers!

[don't look too close...that's physics lurking in the background! haha]

Enjoy! :)

College [allergy] food?

Hey everyone!  It's been some time... how's everyone doing???  (leave me comments please! I love hearing from everyone :)

So I was just about to sit down here in my residence hall at ASU, and I read a comment from someone encouraging me to keep posting!  One of my initial goals was to be able to help young adults make the transition to college life (thus, the FoodAllergyTalk [ASU] club!). 

I know there are many people interested in college life with allergies...whether it be parents, young adults, or even kids.  So here is the first step on a sort of documentary of my college life at ASU with food allergies :)

Here's a pic of my most common meal whenever I go out-- "two hamburger patties with no bread, nothing on it, only lettuce and tomato."  That's my spiel for almost anywhere I go, that is, unless I'm feeling like having salad :)

It may not be most fancy thing ever, but what college food is? haha.  Hey, you can't complain when the diner workers know your order.  It makes life easier when you're super stressed from finals/midterms/etc.  Plus, it's nice having ASU's Devils Diner right in your own backyard!

-Andrea

Walk for Food Allergy pictures!

Yes!  The official Walk for Food Allergy pictures are HERE!


http://s1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc372/hcphotovideo/Tempe2010%20FAANFood%20AllergyWalkPics/


There are a lot of cute ones!  Check them out to see if you got in some!


Here are some hi-lights :)

Me and Kyle Dine!

Our Walk chair, Lisa Horne

2010 Walk Ambassadors 

Arizona Twirling Athletes!

The (soon-to-be) famous mascot race!  (Sparky wins of course haha, GO DEVILS!)

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the first annual Walk for Food Allergy in Arizona!  As logistics chair, I am extremely excited for this year's walk- it's going to be even bigger and better!


We had 746 people attend, and we raised $42,135!  FANTASTIC!

Nationally FAAN Walks raised $2,469,082 to fund research, education, awareness, and find a cure!

Don't forget to check out the article from the Arizona State Press: http://www.statepress.com/2010/12/05/walk-raises-food-allergy-awareness/

Thank you Thank you Thank you everyone for your dedication and support!!!

-Andrea Garza

New Anaphylaxis Canada Teen Video Series

My great friend Kyle Dine from Anaphylaxis Canada (and also the one and only allergy musician at kyledine.com) has published a new video series that reaches out to teens!

Kyle and I met virtually about 6 years ago, and I finally got to meet him in person this year at the Arizona Walk for Food Allergy! We have always been fascinated in each other's work- him being the youth Coordinator for Anaphylaxis Canada, and me wanting to create FoodAllergyTalk.com for all ages with an emphasis on teens (since I am one!)

Anyways, check out the youtube videos- they are fantastic! http://www.youtube.com/anaphylaxiscanada

King Arthur Flour

Hello everyone!

Happy New Year! :D  I hope everyone is off to a great start.

My mom found a great video featuring www.kingarthurflour.com (if you still have a sweet tooth!)

Please check out this video for more information about celiac disease and if you want some great recipe ideas: http://www.thebalancingact.com/story/?id=2321

Christmas Cookies

Christmas is almost here! We all know what that means :) Shoppers fulfilling last minute wishes, Santa visiting the malls and making wishes come true, a sparkle in children's eyes, Christmas songs playing all around, family near and dear.  I love it!  My favorite time of year :)

I'm spending most of the night cooking some allergy-free cookies with my sister.  This is a batch of Cherrybrook Kitchen's sugar cookies.  This was the first time we bought them, and they are delish!  We should have probably doubled the recipe though hehe.

Now we're cooking up some oatmeal cookies from thepurepantry.  Oop, the oven is buzzing, I'll let you know how they turn out! :D

Welcome back ;)

Hello everyone!

It has been quite some time, and I am very excited to introduce some fantastic new developments!!

First of, allow me to (re)introduce myself... because I've felt kind of distant from all of you--my beloved food allergy family! After all, that's what we are- all here for each other: here to learn, grow, share, develop, and connect!

Also, please read the new "About Me" box to your right.

As some of you may have noticed, I've redesigned this blog. It matches the main website now (www.foodallergytalk.com) and it is hopefully more easy to read (please leave your comments below)!

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, I have decided on a new "style" for the FoodAllergyTalk blog. As demonstrated by this entry, I am going to be writing more from the heart :)

I want to be able to share my ideas, thoughts, and experiences with you without having to filter what I say, and without having to "dress" it up before presenting it.
This way, I'll be able to post more frequently, even when I'm extremely busy with school work, etc. In the end, everybody wins! :D

Please let me know your thoughts on these new changes! I want to hear from you!

Thank you,
-Andrea Garza

Information about GMO's

Hello everyone! An individual emailed me a link about GMO (genetically modified organisms) and I thought I would share the link with all of you. The website explains the process, as well as other concerns about GMO products. They make it very easy to understand. Enjoy! Feel free to email me with any questions at foodallergytalk@gmail.com

http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/SG/AboutGMOs/index.cfm