Living with severe food allergies means that there are sure a lot of problems but in the last couple of weeks I am happy to say that I have had a couple of good experiences.
I think my best experience was being able to go back to a restaurant chain that I haven't been in for at least 5 years. Thanks to a very supportive husband who went and checked ingredients lists for me I returned and had a good time. The interesting thing about this restaurant is that Cottonseed is actually listed as an allergen and one of the major allergens which they show for food. Yes it is in a large number of the food they serve but I was able to go and eat without any problem.
The manager and server were both great and made sure that that kitchen staff were aware of all my food allergies. My food did some out before my husband's which wasn't bad as his came out quickly after. The biggest part was they wanted to ensure that there were no cross contamination issues while the food was sitting waiting to be served.
My other experience was at a favourite restaurant where we go and of course just doing the normal reminders about my allergies meant no issues.
Remember no matter how many times you go to a restaurant always remind them of your allergies as they may forget them when they are busy.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Good times
It has been a good few days for me and I am very thankful to people around me. Some of these people are servers that I have had before and others are people that I never met before.
Today I went to one of our usual restaurants and it was another good experience. it is so comforting to know that I can go out and not have too many problems at one restaurant. Tonight we had a different server (one who is usually a manager) but of course knowing him and his aware of my allergies makes eating there so easy.
This weekend we went out and to a restaurant that we go to maybe once or twice a year. Basically we go to the restaurant after the Air Show so it's not some place we frequent. The best part of this weekend was we had a server that totally understood how to handle my allergies. I know in some cases he may not have known my specific allergies but at least he was willing to assist me in ensuring that I had a good experience. The experience we had on Saturday meant that when we went back to the Air Show on Sunday we went back to the same restaurant and asked for the server again. Two excellent experiences this weekend meant that I smiled a lot more and was able to enjoy the entire long weekend. Thanks so much for helping me feel good and also being able to show you how to use an epi-pen.
What can I say other than every time you go out and eat you must mention all your food allergies and know that sometimes you will have excellent experiences and other times they may not be as well but always remember the good times.
Today I went to one of our usual restaurants and it was another good experience. it is so comforting to know that I can go out and not have too many problems at one restaurant. Tonight we had a different server (one who is usually a manager) but of course knowing him and his aware of my allergies makes eating there so easy.
This weekend we went out and to a restaurant that we go to maybe once or twice a year. Basically we go to the restaurant after the Air Show so it's not some place we frequent. The best part of this weekend was we had a server that totally understood how to handle my allergies. I know in some cases he may not have known my specific allergies but at least he was willing to assist me in ensuring that I had a good experience. The experience we had on Saturday meant that when we went back to the Air Show on Sunday we went back to the same restaurant and asked for the server again. Two excellent experiences this weekend meant that I smiled a lot more and was able to enjoy the entire long weekend. Thanks so much for helping me feel good and also being able to show you how to use an epi-pen.
What can I say other than every time you go out and eat you must mention all your food allergies and know that sometimes you will have excellent experiences and other times they may not be as well but always remember the good times.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Frustration
I have to say that dealing with these food allergies sure have the highs and lows and today I think I dealt with both. Yes we went out for dinner which I know can be difficult but we went to a restaurant where I trust most of the staff. It is also the a location where I had problems a couple of weeks ago with one of the servers.
It is nice being able to come into a restaurant and know that people understand my allergies and also are able to treat me like a normal guest. My experience started with having a server that totally understands my allergies and cares about people as well as seeing a manager that I really like and who also understands my allergies.
The low part of the dinner was seeing the server that I had a problem with a couple of weeks ago. He came over to the table and his comment was “oh you came back”, my husband said yes but we are out here (not his section) and will not have him as a server for a while. We explained what his comments resulted in, but he truly doesn't understand the fears of living with an allergy. I know it's hard for people to totally understand but at least people should respect that I have a fear and not make light of it. We explained that I hadn't eaten for two days after his comments and he never apologized for his words and he just said “Sorry it happened”. I don't think he understands what comments like that can do to someone.
I am so glad that I have people at restaurants that I can trust and who understand otherwise, I don't know what I would do. I am a co-owner of a business and it means that I do have to meet clients at restaurants, so if I could not deal with my fears I wouldn't be able to eat out or in come cases conduct my business.
Thanks Heather and Zo for being who you are.
Side note:
I wish people could see the real side of me and then they would see the emotional impact that I deal with. After writing most of this post at a place where I feel pretty safe except for that one server I get home and fall apart. People don't realize in a lot of cases that I have a strong front that everyone sees but a very emotional side that only my husband sees. I think for the server that has the problem he may only learn if he loses a customer in front of him but I am not sure even if that will help him, but it won't be me(it is too late).
I have to admit that it is extremely hard writing a blog when I am hurt like I currently am, and wish that I could yell and scream but I know that professionaly I can't. Maybe one day I will be able to say that I not longer have problems with dealing with my allergies, but right now that is a ways away so please support me through this and hopefully we will all get through it.
Time for me to hide and do my own screaming and yelling privately.
Thanks to my friends who stand by me, please know that I really appreciate your support.
It is nice being able to come into a restaurant and know that people understand my allergies and also are able to treat me like a normal guest. My experience started with having a server that totally understands my allergies and cares about people as well as seeing a manager that I really like and who also understands my allergies.
The low part of the dinner was seeing the server that I had a problem with a couple of weeks ago. He came over to the table and his comment was “oh you came back”, my husband said yes but we are out here (not his section) and will not have him as a server for a while. We explained what his comments resulted in, but he truly doesn't understand the fears of living with an allergy. I know it's hard for people to totally understand but at least people should respect that I have a fear and not make light of it. We explained that I hadn't eaten for two days after his comments and he never apologized for his words and he just said “Sorry it happened”. I don't think he understands what comments like that can do to someone.
I am so glad that I have people at restaurants that I can trust and who understand otherwise, I don't know what I would do. I am a co-owner of a business and it means that I do have to meet clients at restaurants, so if I could not deal with my fears I wouldn't be able to eat out or in come cases conduct my business.
Thanks Heather and Zo for being who you are.
Side note:
I wish people could see the real side of me and then they would see the emotional impact that I deal with. After writing most of this post at a place where I feel pretty safe except for that one server I get home and fall apart. People don't realize in a lot of cases that I have a strong front that everyone sees but a very emotional side that only my husband sees. I think for the server that has the problem he may only learn if he loses a customer in front of him but I am not sure even if that will help him, but it won't be me(it is too late).
I have to admit that it is extremely hard writing a blog when I am hurt like I currently am, and wish that I could yell and scream but I know that professionaly I can't. Maybe one day I will be able to say that I not longer have problems with dealing with my allergies, but right now that is a ways away so please support me through this and hopefully we will all get through it.
Time for me to hide and do my own screaming and yelling privately.
Thanks to my friends who stand by me, please know that I really appreciate your support.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Roller Coaster of emotions
Having food allergies sure means you go through some really good days and some really bad days. A couple of weeks ago I went through a couple of those really bad days. I know that I have to live with my allergy but having someone tell me to just get over my fear and forget it really upset me.
Eating out is a challenge for anyone with a food allergy but normally when you get to know a server/manager or kitchen staff in a restaurant it really does help. I have to say normally it does but sometimes when a server is having a bad time you can end up as the victim. I was in just that situation with someone that I thought I could trust. I was concerned with my dinner order and questions it only to be told to get over my fear and deal with it as there wasn't a problem with my food. How do I know this when it didn't come out the way I ordered it and that was what I was trying to inform the server.
The result of this situation meant that I really didn't want to eat any food for a couple of days as I was afraid of everything. I didn't even want to get food at home that I knew was safe. The end result of this was after talking to another restaurant manager and server I was able to deal with my fear correctly as I found out that what the problem server said to me was incorrect. I do owe a big thanks for the two of them for helping me deal with my fear and get back to living life like I should. Yes warning people of my allergies and knowing that I can trust most of them.
Now to sit and enjoy a glass of wine tonight while I work on some documentation that I want to do on dealing with allergies and restaurants.
Eating out is a challenge for anyone with a food allergy but normally when you get to know a server/manager or kitchen staff in a restaurant it really does help. I have to say normally it does but sometimes when a server is having a bad time you can end up as the victim. I was in just that situation with someone that I thought I could trust. I was concerned with my dinner order and questions it only to be told to get over my fear and deal with it as there wasn't a problem with my food. How do I know this when it didn't come out the way I ordered it and that was what I was trying to inform the server.
The result of this situation meant that I really didn't want to eat any food for a couple of days as I was afraid of everything. I didn't even want to get food at home that I knew was safe. The end result of this was after talking to another restaurant manager and server I was able to deal with my fear correctly as I found out that what the problem server said to me was incorrect. I do owe a big thanks for the two of them for helping me deal with my fear and get back to living life like I should. Yes warning people of my allergies and knowing that I can trust most of them.
Now to sit and enjoy a glass of wine tonight while I work on some documentation that I want to do on dealing with allergies and restaurants.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Trip to East Coast
I have just completed a week long trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia and the surrounding area. Considering my allergies to shellfish it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I was really worried before leaving home about dealing with my allergies but once I got down to Nova Soctia I found it wasn't so bad. The good news is that most people I dealt with understood my concerns and made it pretty easy. I only found one restaurant that asked why I was eating there but once I asked where they would suggest I eat they were very helpful and made our dinner enjoyable.
Having a shellfish allergy and traveling down the east coast isn't so bad as long as you inform the servers early on and your experience should be OK.
How heading back home and will see how I manage my allergies once I am back home.
Having a shellfish allergy and traveling down the east coast isn't so bad as long as you inform the servers early on and your experience should be OK.
How heading back home and will see how I manage my allergies once I am back home.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Triple A Run/Walk
It's hard to believe that I haven't posted for quite some time to this site. Part of why I haven't been posting is because I have been extremely busy getting organized for the Triple "A" Run/walk in Whitby on May 24th, 2009. This is the fifth year that the event is being held in Whitby. The money raised from this event goes towards research for allergies. Yes I am very involved in this because of what I deal with.
Here is the link to more information. http://www.aaia.ca/en/activities.htm
I know that it's important to get involved in something you are passionate about so that is why I am involved in this. I am hoping that one day I won't have to worry so much about having the severe reactions when I eat something that I shouldn't have.
Now to get back to working on some advertising and such for this event.
If you have time and would like to participate we would love to see you and if you would like to volunteer to help at the event there are still some need.
Bye for now
Here is the link to more information. http://www.aaia.ca/en/activities.htm
I know that it's important to get involved in something you are passionate about so that is why I am involved in this. I am hoping that one day I won't have to worry so much about having the severe reactions when I eat something that I shouldn't have.
Now to get back to working on some advertising and such for this event.
If you have time and would like to participate we would love to see you and if you would like to volunteer to help at the event there are still some need.
Bye for now
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