Anyone from Vancouver BC

Hello, yes I am also from Vancouver(Delta). My 4 1/2 year old DD has MFA the worst being peanuts and my almost 2 year old DS is allergic to peanuts and soy, both are milder for him. My DD was diagnosed at 7 months, so I have been doing this for abit and know of a few local places to try. What kind of info are you looking for?

Yes, it's somewhat comforting to find similar people in this situation (even though other circumstances would obviously be better...)
Our nearly 3 year old son was just diagnosed with Peanut and tree nut allergy. Not exactly sure of the 'level' so we've booked a followup consultation with the allergist. When we first found out, it was a barage of info, but to be honest, not all that helpful. There was nothing specific provided to us such as products to purchase, etc, but rather, "don't eat peanuts or nuts, avoid alder and birch trees, and don't buy european chocolate"....OK.....
What we're really looking for is specific info on what products are safe to purchase, if there are any bakeries or shops in Vancouver that carry no-nut products, and generally what we need to be doing, like how far removed from a nut source should food products be.
It's been an overwhelming couple of days since finding out. Additionally, we have a 3 week old newborn, so this news has really hit us hard.
Any info on products or stores or recipes or advice (everything basically) that we can pick up here will really help us out.
Thanks - it's been great to browse thus far.
BTW, we're in Vancouver.
Matthew

Gail, I won't be much help on the food end of things because my DD has a PA, DA, EA, soy (all legumes), citrus fruits, and melons. That pretty much limits us on buying food that is processed. I usually make all of her food. I have found that either Choices or Capers are the best because most of their products do have less ingrients, so I can usually find a few things. The only thing that my DD can eat out is McDonalds french fries. Also, some products are made differently in the US and Canada. We can not have McD french fries in the US as they contain soy. One thing that we have had are Allen's candies from Ontario, they have many different kinds of candies.
We carry 2 epi pens because you may need the second one. After 10-15 minutes if the reaction continues or gets worse and the ambulance has not arrived you may need to give the second one. I use the protector tubes right now because I still have the old cases but when I get my new ones I think the new cases look pretty good.
I just registered by DD for kindergarden yesterday. I have found that ususlly the schools seem pretty good at accomodating for your needs. No, I have not heard of a peanut free school. We will have a peanut free classroom and there will be a peanut free table in the lunchroom for her. By the time you get to this place you will have gained a great deal of knowledge that will help you in educating the school. For the most part they mean well but do not get everything. I am going to meet with the principal, teacher, and nurse soon to educate and let them know what I need to happen. I discussed alot of it on the phone with the nurse and there does not seem to be a problem. There are just different comfort levels for different parents, mine is different from what others may have had in the past. Most schools seem to have had PA kids in the past so are somewhat aware. When you get to that point you will know what you need. Ontario has Sabrina's law now and I have heard that Alberta is on its way, nothing for BC.
Anaphalaxis Canada has a good website with lots of info.
I hope that helps, just do your best. The stress level does go down eventually.

Dare cookies/crackers - the safe ones are well labelled, I think they're the company that makes the Breton cracker. The cookies come in many types/flavours.

Gail, enjoy the playdate. We go out everywhere to everything. We have never had a problem yet. All the different kids and moms that we have run into have been very understanding. It seems to be more common now, people aren't too shocked. Yes, I always have my peanut radar on but overall we have been very lucky with the people that we meet.
Good luck on Wed.
Tracy

Gail, yes my DD had eczema from about a year. At about 3 years it got really bad. She would be up for 2-3 hours every night crying and scratching. She would scratch her legs until they bled. I went to every kind of doctor there was for help. One told me that it was all in her head, she just wanted attention! My aunt is into alternative things, its not really my thing but I was desperate. I went to her homeopath (who is also a Doctor that worked in emergency for years and also a pharmacist- that helped me abit). He did some electrodiagnostic testing, through this he told me all of the things that she was allergic to. He did not know before hand. She has alot and he was correct on everything plus some that I did not know about. Through elimating some and he gave her some drops to boost her immune system and natural antihistamines her skin is now clear. It has never been clear. Last summer was the first time she has ever worn shorts, a bathing suit, and dresses. It worked for us.
I would do some more testing, there may be some other foods that are bothering him. You can also pinpoint some through elimation diets. Does your DS eat other legumes? Some can not tolerate any, mine can't. Good luck at the dr. I hope that made some sense.
Tracy