Cook for yourself....always.

Sounds a bit extreme & dramatic with a hint of doomsday, right?

And yet this is the message most of society portrays, to those with Food Allergies;

Most times, this is unintentional.

Yet sometimes, those with Food Allergies are turned away at restaurants.

You might ask yourself- why?

This blog, will help answer that & find a solution.

I'm here to say, it doesn't have to limit your life- truly!

I understand why you might feel avoiding dining out is the best way, depending on the severity of your Food Allergies.

I'm here to provide some solutions...

Describe why some restaurants may say this,

Give tips on what to ask & more!

My husband is an Executive Chef, so I do have a unique insiders view.

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The Emotional Rollercoaster

One of life's greatest excitements, is flavor. Trying something new.

Memories are connected with these experiences.

The warmth you feel joking with your friends...

The contagious joy, when grandparents leak all of the parent's childhood hijinks.

Everyone's moods lift, as the aroma of food fills the air.

You are filled with relief that you don't have to do the mountain of dishes that would be rising if you hosted tonight.

Your eyes light up with the excitement of what you might do with your "bonus time"-time saved from not prepping & cooking this meal,...or cleaning after.

Dining is something that unites us at our core. It marks our celebratory moments, & seals our memories of cities visited.

Yet, life with Food Allergies changes our perspective on all of these experiences.

For every event we hear of, the wheels in our mind start spinning so fast, it's a wonder we keep our head straight.

From ingredients, to cross contact, to the emotional rollercoaster that can ensue (especially dealing with others who are clueless, or unkind...yes, I have dealt with restaurants this way)

Even though it seems countless calls & emails to restaurants & loved ones may turn up with people who just don't "get it," I'm here to share that- Whatever you choose is right.

Because, it's your life on the line.

Feel more comfortable bringing your own food?

Great- I will share places that support this.

You'd rather just go to a place that is safe?

Great- I will share places that have procedures in place. You can decide if those work for your needs & comfort level.

This is all about:

-Showing support to the Food Allergy Community

-Sharing experiences you may relate to

-Sharing mistakes I've learned along the way to save you time.

Food Allergies most of all, have forced me to find what is most important in my life.

How I travel, where I spend my hard earned money, & most importantly, how I spend my time.

Food Allergies have helped me find myself.

In being the wife of a Chef, it has also made me appreciate what my husband does more, but also any cook or chef that we visit.

Before, I viewed Food as Fuel.

Now, my eyes are opened to the whole experience; the effort placed, by everyone down the line-farmers, manufacturers, businesses dedicated to transparency to the consumer, every element, contributing to the freshness, the flavor, & the final result.

From farm to fork, or Factory to family, all of the minutiae, matters.

So, whether you want to cook for yourself more for your comfort, or dine out more with confidence, my hope with this blog, is you can find one thing to help you find yourself, too.