Last week saw Spring Allergy Awareness Week that focussed this year on Hayfever. a condition which affects millions in the UK, making spring and summer an uncomfortable time and causing more serious conditions in some people. Plus next week is Coeliac Awareness Week, both of which are very important to me as I am affected by allergies and coeliac disease.
Growing up in a house where asthma, eczema and hayfever in various combinations was no fun….as an adult now I find the season transitions the most tricky:
Summer to Autumn becomes damp therefore my asthma needs more medication...it settles down (hopefully)
Autumn to Winter is better when it is dry and cold assuming all was well at the start of Autumn.
Winter to Spring asthma then starts to battle with the
beginning of hayfever season, kicking off with the beautiful keys.
Spring to Summer now adds itchy eyes and throat in the mix
Although Hayfever, Asthma and Eczema are not specifically food allergies, the symptoms can be eased for many people by looking at your diet, I know from experience with my brother that reducing or swapping to a dairy-free diet or even sheep or goats milk really improved his symptoms.
Coeliac disease
Technically not an allergy but it seems more easily understood with that description rather than autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks your own tissues when you eat gluten and damages your gut (small intestine) so you are unable to take in nutrients. Although the stomach aches etc might seem insignificant, it really is about the unseen damage that causes many problems if gluten is continued to be eaten.
For several years, the Coeliac UK. have had 'The Gluten Free Challenge' in which people are encouraged to eat gluten free for just a week. The aim is to encourage people to think about how foods which contain gluten can affect people with coeliac disease. This challenge also aims to highlight difficulties people with coeliac disease may have when trying to maintain a gluten free diet. The tricky bit is going out and being able to choose what you’d like to eat as opposed to what is on offer, that depends on availability. Checking those labels as they really do sneak in wheat, barley or rye in its many formats into more than you bargained for even without the may contains (stock, marmite, coated chips, cross-contamination from items cooked with etc).
For more information visit Coeliac UK and Allergy UK plus for anyone changing their diet significantly where you are removing a whole food group should seek nutritional advice from a registered professional. I would highly recommend Alex Allan Nutrition
Although I find it incredibly frustrating to go out for food at times, I know that I can cook the most amazing foods that never make me feel like I am missing out.
Food is incredibly important and everyone should get to fully experience the enjoyment of food and maybe recapture a favourite that they once had therefore I continue to strive to show that in my food deliveries, cooking courses and supper clubs.
Enjoy food whatever your story.
Jo x
Details as follows:
Table Stories Cichetti Supper Club - 22 May, 7.30pm (FULLY BOOKED)
Table Stories Persian Summer Supper Club - 18 June, 7.30pm (FULLY BOOKED)
Gather and enjoy an evening without boundaries, allergy friendly food your friends and family will love. More to come in the autumn.
Cooking Courses:
Allergy Friendly Cooking Courses (3 week courses) - Starts 10 May and 21 June, 7.30pm
Build an Edible Hamper - 30 June, 7.30pm
France - Summer Entertaining - 26 July, 7.30pm
GF Choux - 1 August, 10am
GF Pasta Making - 21 August, 2pm
GF Afternoon Tea - 27 August, 2pm
Having allergies is not as tricky as you think…learn how to prepare quick tasty and nutritious allergy friendly (100% Gluten Free), vegetarian meals using simple and seasonal ingredients. Each evening will include quick and tasty recipes, plus ideas to tweak ingredients to create new recipes. You will get to sample each week’s menu and take home recipes to make your own.
This is the perfect gift idea for the budding cooks in your life!
Book here
Cooking Social - 28 May, 7.30pm
Not only will you learn a new dish (that’s sure to become a family favourite), and have a family weekday meal and lunch already prepared, but you’ll also get a chance to have a sociable chat with us and the other parents over a drink while you try some of what you’ve cooked.
Private Dining *(directly or via Create 98)
I am also now cooking for private dining events in your home or at Create 98,
Please get in touch with me, if you'd like to know more.
DELIVERIES
And as always, Lovely Bread and Stuff are baking and supplying you with the best allergy-friendly goods. Easter menu is out but here is a sample of our Monday menus - follow on Instagram or Facebook to see latest menus, subscribe or get in touch if you'd like to know more:
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