Suffering from Allergies?

It’s allergy awareness week in  England . (https://picagardi.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/aaw15poster.jpg?w=211&h=300) A subject that has become more and more important to my family over the past few years. My grandson Callum was born with severe allergies , which appear at the slightest opportunity, so much so that my daughter Nathalie has developed a huge number of allergy free recipes, started a company to help others with young children with allergies, has been featured in the newspapers, magazines and on television. You can read more here – The Intolerant Gourmand (https://intolerantgourmand.wordpress.com/) This prompted Ann and I to start some research to see how many children and adults are affected. We were really surprised at how many people suffer severe allergic reactions, how this has exploded across the whole of the USA, partly it seems due to the demise of the Elm trees. You can hear more about this from Tom Ogren in our latest interview. Nathalie  had explained  Callum, was a baby boy with severe eczema & food allergies,makes for an interesting journey of discovery! (https://picagardi.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/cropped-cropped-381352_10150993423326157_773607328_n22.jpg?w=300&h=176) We found only one food pantry offering  exclusively gluten free and allergy free food in the USA. in OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – It’s opening next month in Overland Park, Kan. The ReNewed Health Food Pantry, it’s located at 87th and Antioch, will be holding its grand opening on May 13th. In England rules for premises selling food changed back in December 2014, This has resulted in all premises selling food, whether freshly made or packaged, to provide details of any of the top 14 allergens used. It is still early days, and there has been some resistance, but there are signs that eating out with allergies is improving. The medical profession in England is also beginning to realise the prevalence of allergies and how many more people are now presenting with serious allergic reactions in hospital – 20,000 attendances last year alone, with over 12,500 of those being an emergency situation! Here in the USA , Ann and I were fortunate to interview Tom Ogren about his fascinating , very informative book  about Allergies in the garden, this is a must read for avid gardeners everywhere. (https://picagardi.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/allergy-fighting-garden-cover.jpg?w=246&h=300) You can hear our interview with Tom  at www.growingtrends.org (http://www.growingtrends.org/) or on iTunes at Growing Trends (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/growing-trends/id959387230?mt=2) We would love to hear your thoughts and comments,