When I found out I had been nominated for an Allergy Blog Award, I was moved. “The Allergy Blog Awards recognise allergy bloggers across the UK including all allergies, eczema, asthma, hay fever & food nutrition.” (Twitter)
‘Le Coin de Mel’ has been shortlisted in 3 categories: Parent Allergy Blog, Free From Recipes & Environmental. I would love it if you could spare 2 minutes to vote for my little blog HERE. It is really quick and simple. All you have to do is enter your full name, email address and choose a blog in each category.
If you are not sure who to vote for in other categories, here are the names of the blogs I read regularly and who are in the shortlist too: The Intolerant Gourmand, The Free From Fairy, Free From Farmhouse, Allergy UK, Allergy Lifestyle and The Gluten Free Alchemist.
The plan to start this blog started forming in my head when I was at my lowest. My 6 month old baby was covered in angry patches of eczema from head to toe. She was so uncomfortable and itchy she barely slept. I suspected she might have food intolerances or even allergies. A violent allergic reaction saw us rushing to A&E and on that day, I decided to start this blog. It would not be solely about Jumpy and her allergies. It would be about our adventures as a family, living a normal life despite allergies and eczema.
My blog has evolved. It has been my creative outlet for the past couple of years, my way of sharing the fun I have with my four beautiful children. It has also been a recipe resource for myself and a few of my friends, with dishes and treats that are mostly allergy-friendly and for a large part gluten-free. It has given me confidence to innovate and introduce my little girl to a wide range of tastes, and not limit her dinners to plain, flavourless meals.
Allergies are scary. When your child blows up like a balloon and is covered in a mysterious rash, not even crying because she is struggling to breathe, you have experienced fear like never before. Forget about monsters hiding under beds, the Bogeyman, the Big Bad Wolf… Let me introduce you to Allergies.
Allergies are not my fault, your fault, their fault. They are there and we just have to live with them.
Allergies are not catching. Adults should not mention them to young, malleable minds in a hushed voice. “Why isn’t she allowed my birthday cake, mummy?” The good old “Shush darling, she has allergies…” mumbled in an quiet voice with a red, embarrassed face does not help.
Allergies are a mystery. They came out of nowhere for us, for Jumpy. We have no history of allergies in the family.
Allergies need not dictate your life.
Allergies are frowned upon. If I had £1 for every time someone said to me: “There were no allergies when I was growing up, now it seems everyone has allergies.”
Allergies are taken a bit more seriously when an Epipen is in sight or an action plan mentioned. You can see the person you are speaking to starting to focus as soon as you mention these two, especially if it is someone who is about to look after Jumpy. I sometimes wonder whether people even noticed my “she is allergic to wheat, eggs and nuts” before mention was made of the adrenalin auto-injector. Does it make allergies real? Definitely not! When Jumpy was allergic to milk protein, her allergy was very much real. It was not anaphylactic, but the symptoms were excruciatingly painful for her, the allergic response instantaneous and violent, her tummy in pieces for days after exposure to the allergen.
Allergies can leave you feeling isolated, especially when you are eating something different to everyone else.
Allergies are welcome in our house, despite all of the above.
Allergies taught me that yes, allergies are real and they no, they are not always just another way for fussy people to explain why they do not eat this or that (I am so sorry for ever thinking that!).
Allergies can be managed.
Allergies do not mean you are never allowed to eat anything.
Allergies are not a sentence to eat at home only forever and ever. We live, we go out, we eat out. There are more and more restaurants that accommodate people with intolerances and allergies.
Allergies do not mean eating bland, cardboard-like food.
Allergies and allergens must not to be stigmatised. One of the wisest things our little girl’s paediatrician always tells me is to keep Jumpy moderately exposed to allergens, because if we were to remove all wheat, eggs and nuts from our lives completely, not only wouldn’t we be going out much, but she would risk a violent reaction when eventually exposed to those.
Allergies are not that bad, really. In a way, I think they make my little girl stronger. She is a fighter, my little warrior.
Here is my favourite photo of Jumpy and I, when I first felt relaxed about her health. Her eczema was under control, I had a list of foods to avoid, an Epipen in my bag and I had emailed all my family and friends her action plan.
Thoroughly deserved my lovely. Keeping everything crossed for you xxx
Thanks sweetie. I have been nominated for awards before, but this is so special. xx
Such a great post Mel. I wish everyone knew all of those things about allergies xx
Thanks honey x
You are fabulous that’s why you’ve been nominated. I will be voting for you because your blog is inspiring and beautiful. Well done xxx
Thanks my lovely friend. It means a lot coming from an inspiring lady like you. I made 2 batches of pancakes for Ren and her brood yesterday morning with your flour and they scoffed them all in less than 5 minutes!
You deserve the nomination, Mel! Allergies and food intolerance are the diseases of the 21 Century. As person with allergic rhinitis I always sympathise all people suffering from allergies. Clean house, healthy food and positive thinking are the best cure for that.
Thanks a lot Violet, it means a lot.
Congratulations Mel, I shall be voting for you. Best of luck lovely. 🙂 xxx
Thanks Julie, it really means a lot! I was really surprised when I received a tweet telling me I’d been nominated for this award. I wish I knew who it was so I could thank them!
Congratulations on the nomination Mel!
Well deserved 🙂
Dani
X
Thanks Dani!
I personally have so far not found anything I am allergic too, but I imagine it cannot be easy whatsoever for those who have allergies. Congratulations on the nomination, keeping my fingers crossed for you xx
Thanks lovely x
The only thing I’m allergic to is cats and mosquitos that I’m aware of. Thankfully I don’t have any food related allergies as they can be difficult when you’re first dealing with it, as I’m finding out at the moment with my friend who cant have lactose and gluten. Thankfully, she’s finding a way around it and its actually helping her cook from scratch now xxx
It is, 100%! Before Jumpy was diagnosed, I went back to basics, making my own stock etc. so that I knew exactly what she was eating and I could write an accurate food diary. x
Well done on your nomination, keeping everything crossed for you x
Best of luck! I didn’t even know these were a thing
Me neither until I found out I’d been nominated!
Congratulations on your nomination and good luck 🙂
Congratulations on the nomination! Sounds like you are the best person placed to win 🙂 good luck!
Thanks lovely!
Well done on the nominations, definitely well deserved x
Congratulations! I’ve never really had allergies, but in the past few years have developed adult eczema and had no idea until then how much an allergy can have a huge effect on everyday living. Being able to read blogs online that help people who suffer is really important, so a very well deserved nomination!
Thank you so much Milly. I’m the same: until I was 30, I’d never had allergies but since my first girl pregnancy, the hormones triggered dust, grass, tree and shrub allergies in me, resulting in sinusitis / cold / flu-like symptoms all year round. It’s a real pain. Thank goodness for antihistamines!
Good luck I hope you win as you wtite a beautiful informative blog.
Thanks Nayna, your comment means a lot!
Congratulations on your nomination, it is thoroughly deserved. Living with allergies can be a nightmare at times, but as you said they don’t have to dictate your life.
That. Exactly!
I can’t imagine what it must be like to live with a serious allergy. It’s great that you’re raising awareness and you totally deserve to be nominated for this award 🙂
Thanks lovely. I just wish I’d known who to turn to when my baby was so poorly. Now she’s fine, we can raise awareness together 🙂
congrats on being shortlisted! I am not allergic to anything that I know of but can imagine its not easy, the more info everyone knows the better 🙂
Aaahhhh well done and well deserved. I hope you win!!!!
Thanks Melanie 🙂
Congratulations on your nomination, best of luck!! X
I never knew of these awards. Congrats and keep up the good work with your blog!
Congrats on the nomination! Allergies are such a big part of everyday life for most people.
Congratulations on getting nominated! I wish you all the best of luck! I have just voted 😀
Thank you so much Kira!
Congratulations on the nomination!! You must feel ecstatic!
It was a real surprise as I’d never heard of the awards before!
Congratulations on your award. It’s really important to share awareness of allergies so you’re doing an amazing thig
Thanks Rachael. Not quite an award, but being shortlisted is pretty exciting though!