Tuesday, September 2, 2014
StateFoodSafety.com Spotlight
StateFoodSafety.com did a spotlight for us on their blog about our book and how it came about! Check out the post! Also, if you ever need to take a food handler training course for your job, take it from www.statefoodsafety.com! Not only will you get THE BEST online food handler experience, but you'll get to see more of Matt Watts' illustrations.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Avoiding Cross-Contact & Cross-Contamination
Cross-Contact is what happens when one food touches another food.
Cross-Contamination is what happens when a food touches a different surface that has food particles/residues remaining on it from a different food.
It is very important to avoid cross-contact/
~ Be sure to wash all surfaces in the kitchen before you prep any allergen-free foods.
~ Don't use any of the same utensils/equipment for preparing or mixing allergen-free foods that you have used for non allergen-free foods without washing them first.
~ Make sure everyone washes their hands before handling food or eating the foods.
~ Be weary of bulk foods if the person with allergies is especially sensitive. You never know who has stuck their hands inside the bins and what they have touched.
In Restaurants:
~ Ask for the table to be cleaned before you are seated or bring your own sanitizing wipes to wipe it down yourself.
~ Ask for a menu that might cater to your specific food restrictions. Or ask about certain menu items you are interested in. I know there are several restaurants that offer a gluten-free menu now.
~ Make sure the cook/chef knows that your order is to be prepared for an individual with allergies so they can change gloves/wash hands and clean their equipment.
Cross-Contamination is what happens when a food touches a different surface that has food particles/residues remaining on it from a different food.
It is very important to avoid cross-contact/
~ Be sure to wash all surfaces in the kitchen before you prep any allergen-free foods.
~ Don't use any of the same utensils/equipment for preparing or mixing allergen-free foods that you have used for non allergen-free foods without washing them first.
~ Make sure everyone washes their hands before handling food or eating the foods.
~ Be weary of bulk foods if the person with allergies is especially sensitive. You never know who has stuck their hands inside the bins and what they have touched.
In Restaurants:
~ Ask for the table to be cleaned before you are seated or bring your own sanitizing wipes to wipe it down yourself.
~ Ask for a menu that might cater to your specific food restrictions. Or ask about certain menu items you are interested in. I know there are several restaurants that offer a gluten-free menu now.
~ Make sure the cook/chef knows that your order is to be prepared for an individual with allergies so they can change gloves/wash hands and clean their equipment.
Our Start on the Gluten-Free Journey
So, as people find out that our Daughter has a gluten sensitivity, the always ask "How did you find out that she has a gluten sensitivity?"
Well, when she was one year old she started to have horrible diarrhea. It was nearly pure water consistency. And it had such a strong acid-like smell. This nasty side effect left her with intense diaper rashes all the time. After somewhere between 6-9 months I decided enough was enough. I took her in for blood work testing for food allergies. The doctors ran the IgG and IgE Immunoglobulins tests. These tests were able to tell us which antibodies were high. High antibodies mean the body is trying to fight specific things.
These tests told us that she is allergic/sensitive to eggs, peanuts, bananas, and wheat/gluten. And there are other tests that can be done to find out about allergies. These were just the ones we used.
It's been a little over 2 years since we found out about the allergies. It took some time to adjust to the sensitivities. But after a few weeks her bowl movements started to firm up. And now (unless she eats something she shouldn't) she has no problems when going potty!
Feel free to ask if you have any questions! Or share your comments or stories with us!
Well, when she was one year old she started to have horrible diarrhea. It was nearly pure water consistency. And it had such a strong acid-like smell. This nasty side effect left her with intense diaper rashes all the time. After somewhere between 6-9 months I decided enough was enough. I took her in for blood work testing for food allergies. The doctors ran the IgG and IgE Immunoglobulins tests. These tests were able to tell us which antibodies were high. High antibodies mean the body is trying to fight specific things.
These tests told us that she is allergic/sensitive to eggs, peanuts, bananas, and wheat/gluten. And there are other tests that can be done to find out about allergies. These were just the ones we used.
It's been a little over 2 years since we found out about the allergies. It took some time to adjust to the sensitivities. But after a few weeks her bowl movements started to firm up. And now (unless she eats something she shouldn't) she has no problems when going potty!
Feel free to ask if you have any questions! Or share your comments or stories with us!
The Wheat-Free Princess
In 2011, Marcie Witham and Matt Watts saw a need for a children's book teaching kids simple principles about dealing with gluten allergies. 3 years later, we are ready to show the world what we've done!
The Wheat-Free Princess e-book is now available via Amazon. Buy it for your PC, mobile device, or tablet!
Written by Marcie Christian Witham, Illustrated by Matt Watts.
Chances are that you or your children know someone with a food allergy. The last thing you want to do is make that friend sick. Join the Wheat-Free Princess as she learns how to feel healthy by avoiding foods containing gluten. This charming 12 page book gives children a basic understanding of what it's like to have a friend with celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity.
Click here to buy your copy today!!!!!
And you can Find us on Facebook!
The Wheat-Free Princess e-book is now available via Amazon. Buy it for your PC, mobile device, or tablet!
Written by Marcie Christian Witham, Illustrated by Matt Watts.
Chances are that you or your children know someone with a food allergy. The last thing you want to do is make that friend sick. Join the Wheat-Free Princess as she learns how to feel healthy by avoiding foods containing gluten. This charming 12 page book gives children a basic understanding of what it's like to have a friend with celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity.
Click here to buy your copy today!!!!!
And you can Find us on Facebook!
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