Alana Elliott, Founder of Libre Naturals, Shares Her Thoughts on ‘Back to School’

Is it Really the Most Wonderful Time of the Year? by Alana Elliot, Libre Natural Inc.

school allergies

Do you remember the Staples back to school commercial from a few years back where the parent was happily rolling through the store on a cart followed by 2 drooping kids while the song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” played? If not – view it here!

While many parents feel that way, those of us with food allergic or Celiac kids often don’t.  Whether your child is going to school or daycare for the first time or heading to college, the thought of putting them into another’s care is a real source of anxiety.  Luckily, there are many wonderful resources available so this newsletter is dedicated to providing you links to a wide variety of tools to help you get back to school with flying colours.

For Schools If you’re looking for resources to provide to your child’s school, check out these great tools from Food Allergy Canada (formerly Anaphylaxis Canada) including everything from printable pdfs and posters for teachers to how to create an allergy action plan. See Resources for Educators

For Parents Going back to school isn’t just about dealing with the school.  It’s also about keeping you and your child safe and healthy with everything from what goes into the lunchbox to how to manage anxiety.

Brand Name Safe Food Guide (it’s an American site so not all companies may offer the same safe food in Canada but it’s a good starting point)

Food Anxiety and Tips for Coping from Allergic Living

For Students As your food allergic child gets older, the challenges aren’t eliminated, their scope just changes.  Here’s a great site for older students from Anaphylaxis Canada called Why Risk It.  Written specifically in language for young adults, the site includes tools such as:  how to read food labels, eating out, high school, travel, college communication, dating with a food allergy and more.

alana elliott libre naturalsAlana Elliott is the founder of Libre Naturals, previously known as Nonuttin’ Foods. In 1992, Alana married Rob Elliott and had 2 beautiful baby girls in 1995 and 1996.  With Rob’s food allergies to shrimp and clams and Alana’s animal and environmental allergies plus asthma, the chances of having food allergic children were greater than average. Sarah, born in 1995, was allergic to dairy and Alana adjusted her cooking habits accordingly.  Luckily, Sarah outgrew that allergy at the age of 1. Megan followed 19 months after Sarah and was also allergic to dairy which she outgrew.  But just as she outgrew that, she had a severe reaction to her first taste of peanut butter.  That was followed by reactions to kiwi and chickpeas and an allergy test diagnosis for almonds.  None of those allergies have been outgrown to date.

Like many allergy moms, Alana felt a great deal of stress in the knowledge that what she fed her family had the ability to keep them healthy but also the potential to kill.  Rather than let that stress dominate, she decided to turn it into a positive. Read more about Alana here.

Libre Naturals
About Libre Naturals 
In August 2004, the first 3 granola bar flavours were brought to market under the name Nonuttin’ Foods: raisin, chocolate chip and apple cinnamon.  Over the years, additional products were developed including granolas, trail mixes and oatmeal cups.  In 2005, Nonuttin’ Foods became certified Kosher.  In 2007, Nonuttin’ Foods was the first to begin making granola products with gluten free oats and got gluten free certification in 2010.  After going soy free in June 2012, all products are now manufactured in a dedicated facility that is free of the top 11 food allergens, gluten, preservatives, colours, artificial flavours and GMOs. Products are manufactured or packaged in a dedicated facility that is free of all of the top 11 food allergens.  And because the only grain we use is wheat, barley, and rye-free pure oats, those with gluten sensitivities and most Celiacs can delight in every product we make. View product page here.

Libre NaturalsLibre Naturals Inc.
info@librenaturals.com
Online Store USA:  www.librenaturals.com
Online Store Canada:  www.librenaturals.ca
Phone: (250)715-1481
Fax:  (613)248-4942
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Read Alana’s original post here.