Don't Kill the Birthday Girl: Tales from an Allergic Life

Dont kill the birthday girl
Mickey mouse pancakes
Sabina Law
Dr Moreau
Rail Vodka
Midori
Mustum
Stingray cocktail

I know of pollen allergies, over heard of rashes caused by eggplants, read of matrix tests done to identify allergy sources, JLo's allergic reaction in MIL movie but did not know that vaccines are cultured in eggs and hence cannot be used by those with egg allergies.

When I look at the list of things the author Sandra Beasley is allergic to, it can be a nightmare for anyone to think of a non-allergic edible menu. Even if you do, thats all good on paper but what of all the contaminations that you have to take care as to not let even traces of allergens into the food. Such is the tough life that Beasley calls her own but that has turned her into an expert scrutiniser of contents of a prepared food and a foodie.

This book has a timeline of breakthroughs in allergy studies, extra paperwork that parents have to go through for the special care allergic children need, changes in laws and health plans for the allergic, peanutpedia, media perception of those who suffer with allergies, the rise of soy, current research towards solution and the extent to which parents go while taking care of kids with food allergies.

I liked the chapter on ritual of eating, how allergies much like 'to follow' diets wont let you mix well with people. The author's disapproval of a 'allergen-centric' mentality chef inspite of the limited food field available to her, brings out her passion for food even if Sandra-friendly without having to make substitutions. For someone with no 'Achilles heel' in food, the book shows you how having a food allergy dictates a person's life as part of society, more so in teenage life. Beasley's participation in various social gatherings is like Cindrella's clock ticking to 12 anytime.

Declaring ingredients for safety Vs secret recipes.

The book is a good balance of statistics, research studies, food trends, vital role of food in culture and personal experience.


Ferris Bueller's Day off
sunflower margarine
Youth allergies
Red Rover game
Biphasic reaction and Anaphylaxis
Stramonium
Leukotriene
Mast cell
504 plan
IHP
EAP
asthma in school
Nut free mom
Wheat in play doh
Soy Doh
Pyrazine
Allergy service dogs
Flint napping

In every family, at some point you must face your ability to disappoint one another
- Sandra Beasley
National peanut board
Skink
American vegeterian society
The road to Wellville
OAS
peapod
Shout
Allerglobal
Selectwisely