December Allergy Support Challenge

How Will You Spend Your December? 

While most of us are preparing for the holidays or trying to find the perfect gift for the perfect person, I wanted to share a new idea with all of you. It's a reverse holiday calendar- each day, you don't get a gift but rather, it gives you an option on how to share about food allergies. Those with food allergies sometimes feel even more stressed over the holidays, especially being surrounded by foods and anxious being invited to get togethers. This is my way of being able to ease some of those stresses. This is my way to give back and give someone else the reassurance that someone has their back. One idea for each day of December, will you take the December allergy support challenge with me?

Proudly Partnered with Red Sneakers For Oakley

December 1st Eat a Red Apple Day As you know, red is the official color for Red Sneakers For Oakley. Apples are rich in quercetin (a flavonoid that has anti-inflammatory properties and can sometimes help ease allergies).

December 2nd Special Education Day Food allergies are something that require additional support and knowledge, why not share your favorite materials with others to help them understand.

December 3rd Make a Gift Day Imagine the smile on a child's face when they get a gift out of the blue and it's safe for them? Unsure of what is safe to share- how about this allergy-friendly paperweight.

December 4th Dice Day 1 in 13 are diagnosed with a food allergy. Ease the conversation of food allergy statistics with a family-friendly game of dice and let someone win brand new dice.

December 5th International Ninja Day Yes, even with food allergies you can be a ninja! Much like a traditional ninja, you must be stealthy and have a very keen sense of how to react in all situations.

December 6th Put on Your Shoes Day It doesn't matter what brand, type or size- sport your pair of red shoes and tell everyone why Red Sneakers For Oakley loves red shoes.

December 7th Cotton Candy Day Sometimes, someone with food allergies needs a safe treat too! Fluffy Stuff Cotton Candy can be found for $1 a bag or go extreme and try a Cotton Candy Phillyswirl pop.

December 8th Pretend to Be a Timetraveler Day Embrace your food allergies! Take this day to go back to a time that you would have done or said something differently to make you even stronger.

December 9th Worldwide Candlelighting Day Is there someone that you would like to acknowledge or let them know they are not forgotten? Light a candle in the memory of the many children and young adults that we have lost to food allergies.

December 10th Human Rights Day You have choices and the right to choose what is best for your allergy needs. Exercise your rights- share your thoughts about health bills, write to a congressperson and let your voice be heard.

December 11th International Mountain Day Agriculture is important to our communities, especially with food allergies. Share how your family feels about the importance of sustaining natural resources.

December 12th Cocoa Day Many children with food allergies cannot enjoy hot cocoa because of cross contamination and allergens. Consider sharing a brand that may be safer for everyone to enjoy.

December 13th Violin Day Food allergies can be very stressful, why not use music to soothe anxiety? Researchers have documented that music can be effective for reducing pain in those with anxiety.

December 14th Lost & Found Day Have you been trying to hunt down ways to keep your food allergy items from getting lost? Visual reminders work best- personalized items can keep allergens from cross contact.

December 15th Cupcake Day DON'T be the person who tells someone it must be awful to not be able to eat a cupcake. Instead, ask them to share their favorite recipe and guide you to make it with them.

December 16th Chocolate Covered Everything Host a get together and ask friends to bring their favorite allergy-friendly chocolate and a side to cover it with. Be sure to use personalized skewers.

December 17th Clean Air Day Airborne allergic reactions are rare but they can occur. Consider where your foods are cooked and how to purify your air as this might affect someone with allergies.

December 18th Arabic Language Day Food allergies do not discriminate and they need to be conveyed in multiple languages. Food allergy translators are available for Arabic and most other languages.

December 19th Oatmeal Muffin Day You want to share an oatmeal muffin with your allergic friend but you know it's just not a safe thing to do. Try stocking up on some of their favorite safe brands.

December 20th Regifting Day Always consider where your gift came from before you regift it. Regifting is completely acceptable unless it is a bag of boiled peanuts or something else that was packed with other allergens or does not have a label listing ingredients.

December 21st Short Story Day Reading is an easy way to become friends with others, bond with your children or even educate about food allergies without added pressure. Choose a book that also has a mission behind it.

December 22nd Be A Lover of Silence Day Words can help or harm- use this day to choose when to speak and when not too. Sometimes those with food allergies don't want an opinion, just someone to listen.

December 23rd Roots Day Do you know if someone else in your family had food allergies? Research, ask questions and find out about your family's health. You may find some new answers.

December 24th Egg Nog Day Egg nog used to be an off-limits beverage for those with allergies. Be the host with the most and pick up some possible dairy free nog options instead of your usual brand.

December 25th Pumpkin Pie Day With food, there are no rules and this includes where you choose to use pumpkin. Rather than pie, why not have a no-bake donut holes that has pumpkin hidden inside?

December 26th Thank You Note Day Support and recognition to those who help with food allergies is always something to be grateful for. Write a note, send an email, post a tweet- just say thank you to whoever you feel needs to hear it.

December 27th Make a Cut Out Snowflake Day The perfect allergy-friendly craft for class activities or parties! Local dollar stores carry 500 coffee filters for $1 which makes the perfect snowflakes.

December 28th Chocolate Candy Day Purchase some new candy molds and start being creative with your candy! Don't let food allergies limit you but do let it inspire you to make a new kind of candy.

December 29th Tick Tock Day Truly, every moment that you don't live life to the fullest means that you lost that moment. Allergic reactions can happen at any time- stay prepared and do something to regain a moment that you feel may have been lost.

December 30th Bicarbonate of Soda Day Also known as baking soda, this product can be added to allergy-friendly recipes to fluff and plump your foods. Need a recipe? Try these pancakes.

December 31st Make Up Your Mind Day Today is the day- the last day of December and the last day of the year. How will you start the new year? Will it be positive or negative? Make up your mind~

We are in this together! Do you feel supported? Share the ways that you educate and strengthen the community so that others can try it too. As I have shared before,

"If you say that celebration and life is not all about food, you are wrong. It IS about finding the right foods that are healthy and safest. Food is not something that tears us apart, it brings us together. After all, this is how I have connected with all of you"

~ Tracy Bush, AllergyPhoods.com 

I am proudly partnered with Red Sneakers For Oakley. I highly recommend that you visit them on the web, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram to understand their mission and the story behind it. My partnership is not compensated in any way other than receiving good karma.