As we're starting to think about pushing the fledgling from the nest, one of the things on my "to do" list has been to compile a list of EVERYTHING we shop for that is (currently) safe.
Has anyone ever done this? Are there any tools, other than Excel, to make this easier? I thought of this because I saw this item on the "Never Buy This For Mother's Day" list:
http://www.amazon.com/SmartShopper-SS-301-Voice-Recognition-Grocery-List-Organizer/dp/B00375MP9O (http://www.amazon.com/SmartShopper-SS-301-Voice-Recognition-Grocery-List-Organizer/dp/B00375MP9O)
...and thought "how cool is that?" However, what I really want is something that will scan product bar codes and enter information automatically into a spreadsheet.
Anyone? Anyone? (Mods, feel free to move this to cooking if more appropriate - I couldn't decide.)
I once hand wrote a four or five page list of products for a friend who's son was diagnosed with peanut and sesame seed allergy. (Unfortunately, though she did say thank you, she didn't really appreciate it and felt avoiding trace amounts for a child who had obvious reactions from smelling pb or from heating sesame in the toaster, was such a waste of her time. :-/ )
Anyway....have you checked if there's an app for whatyou want?
I did a cursory search (iPhone app store) last night and found a few apps that might work.
I first just searched "grocery list". Grocery IQ (free) seemed to be the most popular that included a bar code feature, but it doesn't allow for manual bar code additions that aren't in their database. It does allow you to share your master list online with others, though.
There were two (low cost) that popped up when I searched "grocery list bar code" that seemed less polished, but perhaps more useable for your needs - WychList and Supermarket Companion - which both include an image of the item as well as manual entry capabilities.
Since ingredients change so often would it not be easier to make them learn to read the ingredients off food packages for themselves. Take them along shopping with you and make them read it for themselves or you can read to them and say some fake ingredients that they are allergic to keep them on their toes about it.
My fear with a data base would be that if an ingredient changed they might still buy without looking at the ingredient list since it is on a safe list.
We have a (mental) list of "trusted" manufacturers, and we have a list of "UN-trusted" ones. These lists are (obviously) highly personal and depend heavily on the nature and identity of specific allergens. I mention that because I know at least one other member here who has a "safe" company which we personally have on our "un-trustworthy" list; the difference is sesame and policies about cleaned lines.
Both lists are pretty short, and DD knows how to investigate safety with items that are not on either list. I've had her make a few manufacturer phone calls over the past year or so. I really recommend that when our teens are 12-14 yo; it's a crucial life-skill as much as understanding how to drive, vote, or get a haircut.
I'd think, Boo, that an app like those Reb mentions is good, but probably not enough in isolation.
I plan to put together a BINDER for DD which includes contact info for a series of companies (probably 15-20 or so, with instructions on how to search out contact info using the web), commando-dining options (that is, how to put together nutritionally adequate meals WITHOUT contacting manufacturers or using anything more than a hotel microwave or hot-pot), a list of particularly "low-risk" foods, and a list of particularly HIGH risk ones.
A list of questions to ask of manufacturers during phone calls.
A list of questions and suggested wording for use at restaurants.
A set of VERY simple recipes that rely mostly on unprocessed foods, and a short shopping list for each of them, along with a one week 'meal plan' rotation and necessary grocery list.
The latter seems to be along the same lines as what you're thinking, right?
Quote from: CMdeux on May 09, 2012, 11:47:14 AM
I plan to put together a BINDER for DD which includes contact info for a series of companies (probably 15-20 or so, with instructions on how to search out contact info using the web), commando-dining options (that is, how to put together nutritionally adequate meals WITHOUT contacting manufacturers or using anything more than a hotel microwave or hot-pot), a list of particularly "low-risk" foods, and a list of particularly HIGH risk ones.
A list of questions to ask of manufacturers during phone calls.
A list of questions and suggested wording for use at restaurants.
A set of VERY simple recipes that rely mostly on unprocessed foods, and a short shopping list for each of them, along with a one week 'meal plan' rotation and necessary grocery list.
Would you consider posting that here or elsewhere online as well? That would be an amazing resource.
Also: Have we considered a stickied thread / shared doc of manufacturer contact info?
Quote from: AllergyMum on May 09, 2012, 11:31:53 AM
Since ingredients change so often would it not be easier to make them learn to read the ingredients off food packages for themselves. Take them along shopping with you and make them read it for themselves or you can read to them and say some fake ingredients that they are allergic to keep them on their toes about it.
My fear with a data base would be that if an ingredient changed they might still buy without looking at the ingredient list since it is on a safe list.
I think what boo is looking for is in addition to, not instead of. Just a bit of a starting point.
Quote from: AllergyMum on May 09, 2012, 11:31:53 AM
Since ingredients change so often would it not be easier to make them learn to read the ingredients off food packages for themselves. Take them along shopping with you and make them read it for themselves or you can read to them and say some fake ingredients that they are allergic to keep them on their toes about it.
My fear with a data base would be that if an ingredient changed they might still buy without looking at the ingredient list since it is on a safe list.
I can whole-heartedly agree with this. If the soon-from-nest person hasn't been out reading food labels at the grocery store --- it's a habit to get into quickly. This is coming my past 18 years living on my own w/ severe food allergies. Every label, every time. It takes me longer to go food shopping than my friends. Pain-in-the--ss really, but necessary and not to be skipped. It's part of the fabric of who I am :)
It is nice to have a starter list though --- brands to look for first off the shelf, and then read the label. Otherwise - it is very overwhelming, very overwhelming indeed. Just can't get lax about it is all -- something to drill into your young adult's head. I personally like that I have a procedure at the store to read labels --- every label every time --- b/c then once it hits home and in my cupboard/fridge, I don't have to worry about it. I don't read labels a second time once I'm home. It's nice to not have to think about it, b/c I was thorough in the first place. Just something that works for me after many many many years at this.
Good luck! Unfortunately I don't have any grocery apps to recommend.
Adrienne :)
We are currently in the process of turning our mental lists into paper lists.
Will use a binder (as we once did, but it is outdated), most likely for starters.
Then was going to just use MSWord (fairly easy to keep up for us). Hadn't even considered Excel (I'm not fluent there) . . .
and yes, some sort of App would be nice too.
But for us, we're starting the way of the cavemen:
with paper and pencil. (HA! Guess I could have had the kids start out on it using charcoal and sidewalk?)
This is one of our homeschool projects as part of "life skills". ;)
You guys are way more organized than I am
I just read labels and have some mental notes about certain food/manufacturers.
Well, that's what most of US have done for years, too, I suspect. It's just that now that it's time to start handing things over to our adolescents, we suddenly are realizing that our kids may have only a sort of nebulous sense of HOW we do all those things for them. KWIM?
The binder thing for us seems to be good way to start. Where we shop there are lots of families in the stores -- and there is little "not cool" factor to deal with, so that helps.
The binder thing is a way to have our kids take a short grocery list (for starters) and use the binder to accomplish the list. For us we have the luxury of using military commissary, so I can really turn kids loose in the store to some extent and keep tabs fairly easily. Not sure how this will work on Wegman's (shudder!) for us. Step-by-step is how we'll accomplish.
Since I don't even own a smart phone yet, the whole app thing is not in play for us now.
It may be that a "cheat sheet" that is easy to pull out of a purse or pocket/wallet would be good idea. If list can be short enough, then a laminated card. This is all so individual, though as to which allergens to avoid, manufacturers available, and region/nation.
"Shop Card" vs "Chef Card" -- KWIM?
OH MY STARS!!!!
I just came up with a great (I think) idea for this!!
These are trademarked, FYI.
http://www.theflippers.biz/index.php?p=catalog&parent=5&pg=1 (http://www.theflippers.biz/index.php?p=catalog&parent=5&pg=1)
We had discovered their products these past few months for study needs and aids. (There is a FIRST AID one, FYI.)
You can get the pre-made, laminated flipper and then write it up yourself. Not hard to update unless tons of new allergens added to your life.
I think this product, or something similar, might work for a NONdigital form.
That is a great idea, Ajas. LOVE the flippers.
CM, I'd pay you to make that binder for us went the time comes!!
I'm a fan of redundant systems (pilot wife and all).
I like having something on the phone/gadget AND the manual available too.
Might be great to do one of these up too for RESTAURANTS when you travel, KWIM?
You never know when you cannot log on and research here or review.
It needs to be simple, clear, and not overwhelming for the learning child, or the new caregiver, or the grandma who wants to help with the shopping or get shopping done before a visit.
Lots of uses here, I think.
:thumbsup:
Quote from: yelloww on May 09, 2012, 06:56:42 PM
CM, I'd pay you to make that binder for us went the time comes!!
Awww, you're really sweet...
<profound, Taoist moment with sonorous voiceover>Here: a picture to go with this statement:
(http://data.whicdn.com/images/23844984/mysterious-forest_thumb.jpg)
Each of us must forge our own unique path through the wilderness...er-- binder.
;)
Seriously, though-- I think that everyone's binder would be different. I'll be happy to share templates of what I make for DD, of course. Anyone can adapt them to suit their own needs-- for free, like everything else around here. :heart:
Wow, lot of great ideas! But to clarify, my son is very adept at reading labels. We all read every label, every time, even if the food is open because we've had so many near misses and outright mistakes. (Bad Mom! Bad Dad!) We've been doing the "did you read it" reminders for the last two years with him in preparation.
With MFA though, he needs a quick list of possible foods so, if he's ordering from PeaPod or a local store, he knows what he's even looking for. It's taken us years in some cases to find sources for hard things like soup. My husband and I have an impossible-to-communicate routine by now. We have NINE stores we shop at and, in many cases, only one store carries a particular brand. Gotta go to Trader Joe's for the only safe soup we can find...locally owned store for the Rich's Rich Whip, etc. He's probably going to need to order on-line for some of this stuff or have us ship it, but I'd like him to know what we've found over the years.
I don't have a Smartphone either so I'll probably just do it in Excel. (And of course I'd be happy to share it with anyone who would find a milk/soy/peanut/bean/pea free list of Midwest brands helpful with the REAL disclaimer.)
I'm also starting to compile the basic recipes. It's amazing what you can do if you have vegetables from a clean salad bar, Amy's Sausage or Boar's Head bacon, a starch, a salad dressing and an electric skillet. He could make it through freshman year with just that if he had to.
Oh, and about 12 pounds of Scharffen Berger chocolate.
boo, I think you've got the right idea!
I've got a cookbook going for my two kids. For the last few years I've been typing our allergy-free recipes and I currently have a binder of the recipes that I have printed for my use --- but when it's time I will print those recipes and make a binder for each of them to take with them when they leave home.
Quote from: CMdeux on May 09, 2012, 05:41:56 PM
Well, that's what most of US have done for years, too, I suspect. It's just that now that it's time to start handing things over to our adolescents, we suddenly are realizing that our kids may have only a sort of nebulous sense of HOW we do all those things for them. KWIM?
This.
I thought dd got it, but I get alot of "But I have had these before." She made a few risky choices this weekend(Grandma foods). Grandma's house is chock full of "May contain and manufactured on same equipment" labelling.
So, anyway, I thought dd knew to ask to see a label or package. So we practiced some things to ask, so as to not offend, but get the needed info. But clearly, we need to do more training in this area. This is tricky with people who are bothered or do not respect the allergy properly, like MIL. She will be vague when answering me or dd about a baked item, not offerring up the box or label. It is so strange. Why wouldn't she? But that is a different thread entirely.
I do bring her grocery shopping from time to time and have her look at labels of things she wants.
Definitely, becca-- there is a whole 'nother set of super-tricky social navigations there.
It's one thing to ask AFTER you've "tasted" something, but for a FA person, that is too dangerous. Asking beforehand is obviously "I don't trust you to be honest enough or smart enough" no matter how else you dress it up. Because that, uh... is kind of what it means, really. It's just that most of us have ample evidence for the frequency of errors being at least an order of magnitude HIGHER among people who don't live with a food allergy.
That might be another good section for the binder-- some social tips, such as they are.
We've found that it takes about two years of drills for each new behavior. Carrying the Epi wherever he goes is taking more for some reason. I think it's because where he goes and how he carries (med bag vs. pocket, bike vs. car) change every two years, so the patterns and reminders are different.
I'm just about sure my son is reading every label every time now. The next project is to assign him to cook one meal a week, starting this summer. He's done it occasionally but resists the routine thing.
Maybe girls are easier? I'm afraid I'm going to be texting him at college every morning, saying "do you have your Epi? Did you take your meds? Did you pack a lunch and read the labels?"
Boo, I think that girls self-carry more readily (no young man wants to carry a "purse"), but that girls are probably FAR less assertive socially in many instances ("But my friends will HATE me if I rain on their parade all the time"). :-[
It's six of one, half-a-dozen of the other, really.
Please, please do not take this the wrong way!
After all your efforts if you create something like a binder - will your child actually use it?
What if something changed, how would you update it?
My DD would have a lot of excuses why she didn't have time, or forgot, or was already out and did not want to go "home" to check, blah blah and then there's me, banging my head against the wall.
My opinion is the more portable and convenient, the better. Which leads me to think an app on a phone or itouch would be more likely to be used/referenced.
Here's one that works on all kinds of smart phones and syncs with other devices. Just a thought - I've not personally used it.
http://grocerygadgets.com/how-grocery-gadgets-work.aspx (http://grocerygadgets.com/how-grocery-gadgets-work.aspx)
Quote from: PurpleCat on May 10, 2012, 01:46:39 PM
Please, please do not take this the wrong way!
After all your efforts if you create something like a binder - will your child actually use it?
What if something changed, how would you update it?
My DD would have a lot of excuses why she didn't have time, or forgot, or was already out and did not want to go "home" to check, blah blah and then there's me, banging my head against the wall.
No way to guarantee this--but I'd imagine having the resouce on-hand would significantly affect the odds of them using it. It's about risk reduction, or the tools for it--no one's offering or asking for guarantees.
Yeah-- I actually see this as a study guide as much as anything else.
Just as I don't expect that safer-sex literature is something I can make my daughter use and keep in mind when she's navigating real-world interactions (I certainly don't expect her to dig it out of her purse and say, "Hang on a sec-- I need to remember how I'm supposed to ask you to wear a condom,")... I still will provide it so that she has a chance to educate herself to the extent that she prefers, and I may even be a little assertive about that educational process at times.
I don't think that a "pocket" tool is likely to be used much, to be honest. Either the information has been internalized, or it's available if she has questions (which is where the binder comes into things), or it's available if she PANICS because of the newness of the situation (again-- binder as security blanket)... or she's going to make haphazard/bad choices. All I can do is hope for the best, really.
Y'know--the more I think about this, the more I think it would make sense to set up a wiki with manufacturer information. Would anyone else be interested in participating in something like that?
Thanks,
R
I actually think that participating in the shopping and making calls is a great exercise for our kids. My ds is label reader like no other. He reads the labels a lot and has caught a few of my mistakes. (once almond flour in a cereal and a few other things).
I don't call every manufacturer and I am okay with some of the manufacturers that others don't like (kraft for one :hiding:)
I buy a lot of the same things every week, still look at the label and try to keep up with changes (like a new flavor etc).
That's worked for us...I just don't know if I could keep up with a binder/list.
Gosh, R -- as to wiki,
that sounds like great resource set up, however,
I'd think it would be very hard to post there and not end up with big-fat-lawsuit from a food manufacturer, especially WRT comments that might be needed as to the perceived honesty/trustworthiness. . . .
I just don't know.
But, YES, portability for older/high school/college/young adult is a MUST.
Just like the new epi (the credit card size) is going to be the BOMB (due to portability) -- the grocery/shopping THING needs to be ultra-easy and,
oh I hate to say this . . .
COOL.