I love Yinz newscasters…
http://twitter.com/#!/WPXIScott/status/104649492908875776
http://twitter.com/#!/AiXeLsyD13/status/104649783972597760
http://twitter.com/#!/WPXIScott/status/104650184226639872
http://twitter.com/#!/WPXIScott/status/104650840765247488
http://twitter.com/#!/AiXeLsyD13/status/104650558513745921
http://twitter.com/#!/PittsburghNews4/status/104651986217086976
http://twitter.com/#!/astockey/status/104650086373531649
…not that they’re sensationalizing or anything.
I read about this a while ago, and kind of put it in the back of my mind, and now it’s snuck up on me again. Being a food allergy advocate (or annoyance depending on your point of view) of sorts, I really ought to go to this.
I was excited to see this article today via the Food Allergy Daily: FAAN Walk for Food Allergy: Moving Toward A Cure Coming Back to Pittsburgh
This especially caught my attention:
The Walk is a non-competitive 2-mile course and participation is free. Families can enjoy samples from allergen-free food vendors, music and children’s activities. Joining us this year will be Sally Wiggin (WTAE-TV), and singer and songwriter Kyle Dine (http://kyledine.com), to educate and entertain with his songs about food allergies.
FoodAllergyWalk.org
Kyle Dine rules! Kyle is also a soldier in the #FoodAllergyDudeArmy (a covert special ops branch of the #FoodAllergyMomArmy) on Twitter. Of course, Sally Wiggin is also a local legend. The walk is taking place at Hartwood Acres.
At any rate… I know there are many many walks for many many reasons, but I see this as an opportunity to do something other than whine about food allergies on the internet and send restaurants annoying (and hopefully entertaining) emails about deathfish.
The article above also drops these fascinating facts:
Food allergy is the leading cause of anaphylaxis outside the hospital setting and the CDC reports that food allergies result in over 300,000 ambulatory care visits each year among children. Eight foods account for 90 percent of all allergic reactions in the U.S.: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios, pecans, etc.), wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish. Food allergy afflicts one in 25 Americans overall, and one in 17 under age 3.
The official FAAN page for Pittsburgh is here: FoodAllergyWalk.org | 2011 Walk in Pittsburgh, PA
I’ll sign up to walk as an individual, or I can put together a team if anyone’s interested. The individual suggested goal is $300. The suggested team goal is $1,500.00.
So, here’s where I ask for help. Does anyone want to donate, or walk with me?
Think “Team Deathfish” sounds like a good name?
Image via Wikipedia
I haven’t blogged much about food allergies lately, so I’ll let this be a substitute post… with tips compiled from the experts. This is a great list, & I agree with everything stated, though I have my own personal way of going about things.
So, do you have a separate fryer for fish & shellfish?
What do I do different? I don’t like phone calls. Sometimes, the wife calls for me. Sometimes, I peep the menu online. Sometimes, I break down & call ahead.
Shellfish on a menu jumps out at me like this.
My favorite anecdote on this subject… I called an Amish restaurant in Ohio and asked if they had shellfish, and was told that they had lobster, shrimp, and oysters… but nothing was served in a shell.
I’ll let you think about that for a minute.
Anyway, I can’t stress enough… ask the right questions, to the right people. Don’t trust people telling you “oh, they don’t have any [whatever you’re allergic to] on the menu”. Happens to me all the time. 90% of the time, they’re wrong. Check yourself! Ask if there’s any daily specials that don’t show up on a regular or online menu. To relax, it helps to surround yourself with supportive friends & family. It helps to go back to places that you know are safe. Don’t eat w/o your Epi Pen close by. (I have been guilty of this. It’s dumb – like riding a motorcycle without a helmet.)
Allergy Eats, AllerDine, & Eating With Food Allergies are great resources. There are many other resources out there too. Use ’em!
What do you think about the tips? What do you do before dining out with food allergies? What advice would you pass on to the food allergic?
I recently had some correspondence with Panera Bread (The Great Panera Bread Swindle & Panera responds to my insanity, so I write back…), and I still have no reply to my last email. I assume they think I’m an idiot and will not continue any further correspondence. The experience reminded me of being bombarded with catering advertisements when I’m already at a restaurant. I called out a few other places, but Boston Market does the same thing with the catering barrage. I have a long history with them & letters, pre-dating my WordPress blogging days even.
At any rate, it struck me that they both seem to be fighting (or at least nagging) for catering business. If we’re already in the store, and signed up for your mailing lists… we probably know that you will cater if needed. How about focusing the catering advertising on local businesses around each location?
Or, I have a more interesting solution…
From: Waldo Lunar <world.and.lunar.domination@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Aug 10, 2011
Subject: So, do you guys cater?
To: RCordova1@bost.com, isabella.contactus@panerabread.comCiao Colossal Catering Czars!
I can’t help but feel overwhelmed lately when I visit any of your fine establishments. I just go there to get a meal, but you have mercilessly force-fed your catering services to me and throngs of other customers in the form of signage on the wall, window-clings, pamphlets, menus, table signage, place-mats, tweets, & emails. I get it. I feel like I’m in a giant commercial every time I walk into one of your previously welcoming establishments. (Bob Evans is highly annoying with the take-out mantra too, but they’re not quite as relentless in their efforts.) I applaud your tenacity, Panera Bread and Boston Market. Despite your valiant and exasperating efforts, I have not yet used either of you to fill my catering needs. In fact, I don’t have any catering needs. I’m able to make a sandwich spread, some soup, a salad, & even prepare a holiday meal… all for less money than what you can offer, and it has the added bonus of being homemade.
Your incessant plugging of your catering service smacks of so much desperation, that it struck me with an idea. You’re both figuratively fighting for my dollar, why not an actual fight for my dollar? I’m not suggesting fisticuffs, although your frequency of mentioning catering services suggest that you may indeed jump right in. I’m suggesting you each prepare a meal for a party, and I will only pay the not-quite-fast-food chain that makes the best meal. Fight for my dollar! Sorry, I can’t really contain my excitement at the prospect of such a tournament. I bet we could get a reality TV show in on this. If not, I could certainly get someone with a digital camera, and we could post the contest & the results on YouTube. I’m sure it would go viral. Can you imagine the bragging rights?
The judges would be those in attendance to my party. You can certainly do your own background checks and interviews to ensure no partiality or preconceived bias. I can even leave myself out of the proceedings, as I find you both equally annoying with the catering propaganda. I could write up a review/summary at the end of the experience. The only thing you would have to lose is the cost of catering a small party… but the potential to gain respect and more advertising for your catering services. I’m enabling you, my friends. I can feel the hunger dwelling deep within you.
I can assure you of my impartiality, as I have hosted several Chili Cook-off events at my home, and have photos to prove it. I can provide you with copies of our ballots to show our proficiency in scoring food vs. food on several points. We would of course have to devise a system to compare the proverbial Boston Market apples to Panera Bread oranges, but you can trust my ingenuity on the matter, and can employ a crack team of analysts.
This would be epic, my friends. Imagine being a pioneer in this type of event! What would be next? Qdoba vs. the Honey Baked Ham Co.? The KFC bucket vs. your local grocery store’s prepared foods? If you don’t like my idea, I may sign you up for my mailing list under the guise of getting coupons for my awesome letter-writing and ingenious idea services… only to solicit and re-solicit this very idea ad nasueam. Using your own logic, you will have no choice but to comply!
Or, you could just have your CEO’s arrange a fist-fight in some parking lot, and I’ll literally give the winner a dollar.
Thank you for your time, I really hope that you give my idea serious consideration. I will be ready when you say yes to the event. We can work out the event and the details quite easily. I actually have a “Batman movie night” coming up, and it would be great to cater that. (Although, my wife may be making some Batman logo cookies… but we’ll make sure no one can vote for her catering services, she would most likely win hands-down with Batman cookies at a Batman movie party.)
May the best chain win!
-ERiC AiXeLsyD
Vaunted food contest professional.
Panera wrote back first…
Date: Wed, Aug 10, 2011
Subject: RE: Contact Us [Something not on this list] — MESSAGEID(288118)
To: world.and.lunar.domination@gmail.comDear Waldo,
Thank you for taking the time to contact Panera Bread. We are sorry to hear about your disappointment with our catering advertising. The current promotion is simply one way to let our catering customers know that the option is available. We always strive to provide a wonderful meal, great service and a welcoming environment for our all our customers and hope that you will continue to enjoy Panera Bread. I will let our Marketing decision makers know how you feel, so that your opinion will be considered.
Thanks again for contacting us. We appreciate your business and value your comments.
Sincerely,
Isabella
Customer Comment Coordinator
Oh yeah, Waldo? With Google+ getting all crazy & stuff, I didn’t want to merge my “regular” Gmail address with the fake one, so I change the W(aL)D email name to Waldo Lunar. So, my email comes as Waldo Lunar, but I still signed it “Eric AiXeLsyD”.
From: Waldo Lunar <world.and.lunar.domination@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Aug 11, 2011
Subject: Re: Contact Us [Something not on this list] — MESSAGEID(288118)
To: Isabella <isabella.contactus@panerabread.com>Thanks Isabella,
I’m glad that you understand my frustration at being pummeled with advertising, and that you’re willing to pass the sentiment along to the appropriate parties. I applaud you for your efforts, and the swiftness with which you replied! I’m on the fence with Panera bread due to this whole “holding the dressing” thing, and the “healthy” chicken noodle soup debacle. I mean, those homemade-looking noodles were awesome. The little square things lying sparsely in the greasy broth are sad little stabs into my heart. Perhaps I must move on to the broccoli soup.
Has anyone else written to you in regards to the barrage of advertising? More importantly — Is Panera interested in the catering “battle royale” that I proposed? If we can get Boston Market on board, I think this will be a stellar time. You were much more expeditious with your reply. I trust that you believe in your brand/product enough to put it to the test? I can try to get some TV people on board once I get confirmation from the principal parties. I’m sure you can see from my first email that I’ve already put much thought into the logistics. The prospect of it all has me quite excited.
Thank you once again for your time and diligent response. Have a great day, and I hope to hear from you again soon!
Hungry,
-ERiC AiXeLsyD
Vaunted food contest professional.
I sort of got a response from Boston Market…
From: <sbrooks1@bost.com>
Date: Thu, Aug 11, 2011
Subject: Boston Market suggestion response
To: world.and.lunar.domination@gmail.comGood Afternoon
Thank you for submitting your suggestion to our catering department. We certainly appreciate the time you took to write and do value all customer feedback. Upon receipt of this information, I will create a report and forward your comments to the Market Leader for your region and our Marketing Department for consideration.
Again thank you for your feedback
Syrenia Brooks
Guest Contact Center Specialist
Huh? I smell a standard “please don’t bother us” email here. I still think my idea has merit, and I want a catering throw-down. Think I can push it any further? I’ll certainly try.
I have pretty much no mechanical ability. I know this. There are certainly things that I can do… like change the oil, but where we’re at now with on-street parking it’s not worth the minimal difference in price for the convenience. That’s about the extent of my ability though. I can change batteries, air filters, maybe an oil filter, and am now confident I could install an alternator… but that’s about it. I won’t do brakes.
Shouldn't there be a belt there?
This morning, on my way to work, I ‘m going down a side street in Mt. Lebanon and the battery light & Brake warning light both come on at the same time. I know this usually isn’t good. Two lights generally = “oh shit”. My power steering was gone. I checked that level, and the brake fluid level… both were in the good range. I had pulled over in front of a nice large house on a side street in Mt. Lebanon.
I called my wife to come get me, took her to work, & commandeered her car for the day… so I could figure out what was going on. In having no mechanical knowledge… I have “a guy” that I trust with all my auto repairs. Only problem being the auto place is where I grew up, not where I currently live. I called the guy to ask what the meaning of the battery charge & brake warning light combo could be. (My wife Googled it on her phone, but I wanted to confirm.) He was thinking alternator too… I thought I was going to have to learn to replace an alternator today. Towing the car to where I grew up and paying a professional to install an alternator weren’t in the budget this week.
After getting prices from several local auto places (& after posting on Facebook/Twitter and maybe Google+ asking for advice, and looking around online on how to install an alternator), I decided to go check my car out again before buying an alternator. Luckily… I noticed something was missing: a belt. I have no idea what it’s called… but it connects the alternator & power steering. (Which I found out after a 2nd call to my “guy” to confirm that all the symptoms would be the same.)
So, a belt seemed easier & cheaper than the alternator. Sadly, I have no idea where the first belt went. I traced my route several times… no belt on the road, or on the side of the road. Someone must have grabbed it minutes after I dropped it. I had to go on the advice of the helpful guys at Advanced Auto. I’ve had good experiences with them in the past… their pro-rated battery warranty is killer.
No fit good.
I go to Advanced Auto location one… and get the belt that’s recomended for my car. I never questioned if it was the belt I needed… I mean, their database wouldn’t be wrong, would it?
An interesting aside, that I will chuckle about until the end of time… The guy at Advanced Auto location1 tried to sell me a belt that was $18.99, but even thought the computer said there were 2 in stock… he couldn’t find them. So, he said there was one for $11.99. I asked if I should be worried about the difference in price… if it meant a great deal of difference in quality. He said “Well, yeah… but this is all we have. Basically, the cheap one is made overseas and the expensive one is made here.” That made me feel better. It’s a Subaru. I don’t care where the parts came from. They’re all probably from Japan or Mexico even though it was all assembled in Indiana. When I got the cheaper belt… and went to install it, it said “MADE IN U.S.A.” in big white letters. I literally laughed out loud. Can we get over this “other countries are inferior to us in making stuff” thing? It’s 2011. Advanced Auto ought to put a bullshit meter on that guy.
Well, the physical removal of the bolts, the belt cover, and loosening of the alternator was ridiculously simple. The belt wouldn’t quite go on. No biggie, I thought. There’s got to be something else I can loosen… or maybe I’m not thinking of something else. I called by uncle who’s a tinkerer and who has shown me how to replace a starter for some advice. I figured there’s some magic shoehorn kind of move where I can slip the belt on, no problem. After a chat, we assumed that I had done everything… I just needed a bigger belt. He even looked up the part number for me online. Armed with knowledge and confidence, I headed back to Advance Auto location one. I described my new dilemma, asked for & received the larger belt, and headed back to my ghetto Subaru broken down in a fancy neighborhood.
The new longer belt went on with little effort, and then… wouldn’t pull taught even when the alternator was lifted the while way up. My patience was being tested today. I called Advanced Auto… and asked… if there was a size in between the two sizes I had. I was told that there was, but that I probably didn’t want it. The guy told me to un-bolt the pulley from the power steering, and move it to make the smaller belt fit. I could tell that even if I got the smaller belt to fit, there wouldn’t be enough slack to lift the alternator off of the close by A/C belt. (I learned some new terms today.)
I went to Advanced Auto location #2, also thankfully close by… and asked for the in-between belt. I was again told that I probably wanted the smaller one again if the bigger one didn’t fit. I went through my explanation of why I wanted the middle size… and was advised to buy both the smaller and middle size (that all said made in the USA and were the cheaper brand by the way), and to really try to make the smaller one fit “because that’s what the computer says belongs on the car”. Good logic, but we’re past that.
For poops n’ giggles, I tried the smaller one… again… and ran into the same problem… again. I used the in-between size, and it fit perfectly. There’s enough room to loosen it if I need to, and there’s enough room to tighten it if I need to. It’d Goldilocks’ proverbial “just right”. Thanks to Advanced Auto’s awesome return policy, I was able to return/exchange all the belts I didn’t use. I returned the last one again to Advanced Auto location 2.
(Odd aside #2 – the longer belt was $1.07 cheaper than the shorter belt – but also “MADE IN U.S.A.”.)
That’s 4 trips to 2 different Advanced Autos to buy 3 different sized belts to find the 1 that fit.
So, what should have taken me about 5 minutes took all day. and probably half a tank of gas. At any rate, it’s done. $11-ish for a belt is cheaper than $129-ish for an alternator and me doing it = more savings.
If you have a 1998 Subaru Legacy Outback and need to replace the belt that goes from the Alternator to the Power Steering… and the prescribed 345K5 doesn’t fit. Try the 350K5 before you try the 355K5. I’m not arguing with Advanced Auto’s HAL 9000 or “made in ‘Merica” employees. I’m just sayin’.
Thanks to everyone who helped today… with comments, advice, and moral support… whether it was by phone or social networking. I really appreciate it and am glad I had so many people willing to help out! If you ever need auto advice, don’t call me. You can call me for cooking or PC advice… maybe even general electronic gadgetry.
Check this post out, and RECOGNIZE the pizza delivery dude.
He takes pride in his service.
via blogdramedy
So after my last Panera-related post, I went a little goofy. I put a post on their Facebook wall…
http://www.facebook.com/panerabread/posts/124723480954835
Found this part of that amusing:
…the corporate office (or in your case the corporate office for our franchise partner who operates bakery-cafes in the Pittsburgh area) reviews your email before contacting and working closely with the general manager to try to resolve the issue.
I also tweeted a few times…
http://twitter.com/#!/AiXeLsyD13/status/96920982714990592
http://twitter.com/#!/AiXeLsyD13/status/96949713940643841
…and got this DM from them:
panerabread Hey, thx for sharing feedback through website. Sorry about your disappointing experience, our CS team is looking into & will be in touch.
Heh.
I got this email from the local general manager…
From: 3497 <panera3497@covelli.com>
To: [me]
Sent: Friday, July 29, 2011 10:50 AM
Subject: Contact Us
Dear Mr. Carroll,I would like to introduce myself as Carrie Janota, the General Manager at the Greentree Panera Bread. I appreciate all your feedback and coaching. Your response will definitely help us with current and future training to associates, especially this time of year. The company has made several changes with menu items that you expressed in your comments. First, our turkey is now presliced so the consistency is different than when we sliced it in house. We also changed the recipe of our chicken noodle soup, which makes it all natural. Another healthy initiative we have taken is the removal of sauces on all cafe sandwiches. We offer packets of mayo and mustard at the condiment bar or you are welcomed to inform the cashier that you would like the condiments on the sandwich and we will gladly put them on for you. The “no onions” is our mistake and I would like to compensate you for a free meal next time you visit a Panera Bread. If you could please send me your address, I will gladly put the coupon in the mail for you. Again, thank you for your input, I use all issues as a learning tools for our associates.Carrie JanotaGeneral Manager
So, this is what I wrote back to them…
-餧馕馒-
Boston Market is annoying/obnoxious with advertising their catering too. I get it. You guys cater. I know this. I’m here for dinner. You don’t need to advertise for a place that I’m already in. Imagine going into Walmart & seeing a sign in every aisle that advertises the stuff in the next aisle. This could get quote old quite quickly.
Thank you for your time, I hope you can use my input to your advantage… for your team, and perhaps passed on to a corporate level. I’d like to respectfully decline a free meal. I don’t write these sort of emails in order to get free food… and I’m skeptical of any coupons/certificates flagging me as “oh, here’s that guy”. I may even be done with Panera bread for a while. Bedsides the potentially scary cross-contamination and general utensil-cleanliness issues, our philosophies don’t seem to mesh well. I don’t need you to make health decisions for me, I need you to give me quality meals at the prices you demand. Your new more healthy less tasty soup and lack of condiments disturbs me, and apparently your quality standards aren’t the same as mine at your current menu prices.
-餧馕馒-
I for one can’t wait for a reply.
The last two times I have been to Panera Bread, it’s been a debacle. Okay, I’m exaggerating a bit… but it’s still ridiculous when compared to the price. At the Robinson (Settler’s Ridge?) location, I got the wrong sandwich entirely… but tonight’s experience was absolutely ridiculous. I actually just reviewed my experience at PaneraListens.com (as per the receipt), and through the contact form on their website.
This is what I shared…
I paid $6.69 for a half of a sandwich, which is now lunch meat & used to be actual pieces of turkey. There were onions on the sandwich, and the receipt says “no onions” like I asked. No big deal in itself. There was no mustard/mayo/sauce on the sandwich, except for a thumbprint of something on the top/outside that shouldn’t be there. Didn’t it used to come with a mustard? 1 of the 2 pieces of lettuce had brown edges. The center of the tomato was hard & green. The chicken noodle soup was ridiculously sparse as far as the noodles and/or chicken. I had about 4 or 5 spoonfuls of actual ingredients, and about a half bowl of broth. The (lack of) quality of the meal was astounding. How far has a once-great restaurant fallen? I expect crappy food/service from McDonald’s… but not from Panera Bread.
You can improve by instructing employees to read their screens or receipts or whatever they read to make the orders. You can then teach them how to make sandwiches without using brown lettuce or green tomatoes… and how to not put mustard thumb-prints on the outside of mustard-less sandwiches. (Cross-contamination is a nightmare for people with food-allergies, have you considered this?) You can also teach them how to ladle proper portions of chicken noodle soup… now with lame little noodles instead of the homemade-looking ones of yesteryear.
You can also stop subbing turkey lunch meat for real turkey in your $6 turkey sandwiches. A friggin’ POUND of turkey at the grocery store doesn’t even cost $6, and YOU should be getting restaurant/wholesale prices. Not that I would deny you profit… but REALLY? Do the turkeys that you buy use gold nuggets in their gizzards? Do they drink fine wine?
I neglected to go complain, because everyone working seemed to really care less if my order was correct or not… I also fear some sort of retaliation if I need a re-made sandwich or an actual bowl (not cup) of soup.
My wife had a cream of broccoli soup & a salad that looked spectacular. No brown lettuce even… and it was a whole bowl! She did get a knife that had rust on the handle though… sort of unappetizing. I’d rather see plastic flatware than rusty flatware.
Something was really wrong here today, or I just had some bad karma all around my order.
I know I sound insane, and it’s really not that big of a deal… but this kind of stuff drives me absolutely nuts. I just can’t imagine serving a half-assed sandwich… with a thumbprint on it, either in my house to a guest, or especially not at a job where I’m being paid to do it. Also, you go to a chain for consistency… which I have never received at Panera.
I think I’m most disappointed with the apparent swindling of turkey lunch meat for actual turkey… and whatever those tiny little pasta squares were compared to the old homemade style noodles. Panrea bread… we’re not stupid. I doubt I’ll be back.
So, check this out… It’s shellfish/seafood allergy information from the Food Allergy Daily:
Shellfish Allergy Information
An estimated 2.3% of Americans – that’s nearly 7 million people – are allergic to seafood, including fish and shellfish. Shrimp, crab, and lobster cause most shellfish allergies.
Allergy to shellfish is considered lifelong; once a person develops the allergy, it is unlikely that they will lose it.
Approximately 60% of those with shellfish allergy first experienced an allergic reaction as an adult. To avoid a reaction, strict avoidance of seafood and seafood products is essential. Always read ingredient labels to identify shellfish ingredients. In addition, avoid touching shellfish, going to the fish market, and being in an area where shellfish are being cooked (the protein in the steam may present a risk).
Keep In Mind!
- If you have seafood allergy, avoid seafood restaurants. Even if you order a non-seafood item off of the menu, it is safer to always assume that cross-contact is possible.
- Asian restaurants often serve dishes that use fish sauce as a flavoring base. Exercise caution or avoid eating there altogether.
- Shellfish protein can become airborne in the steam released during cooking and may be a risk. Stay away from cooking areas.
- Many people who are allergic to shellfish are allergic to more than one kind. Talk to your doctor so that you know for sure what foods to avoid.
Frequently asked questions
Should carrageenan be avoided by a shellfish-allergic individual?
Carrageenan is not fish. Carrageenan, or “Irish moss,” is a red marine algae. This food product is used in a wide variety of foods, particularly dairy foods, as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and thickener. It appears safe for most individuals with food allergies. Carrageenan is not related to shellfish and does not need to be avoided by those with food allergies.
Should iodine be avoided by a shellfish-allergic individual?
Allergy to iodine, allergy to radiocontrast material (used in some radiographic procedures), and allergy to fish or shellfish are not related. If you have an allergy to shellfish, you do not need to worry about cross reactions with radiocontrast material or iodine
Yeah, there’s a lot there, but I can’t get past “An estimated 2.3% of Americans – that’s nearly 7 million people – are allergic to seafood, including fish and shellfish”.
DEAD from LOBSTER (AllergyMonkey.com)
<rant> Where the hell are you people? Not to sound like a whiner… but all the Food Allergy “press” seems to go to peanuts, dairy, & wheat… and “Gluten Free” menu/options crap seems almost like the new Atkins. All of a sudden, Celiac is Chic. We have peanut-free baseball games and airplane flights, where are my shellfish-free beaches and cruises, or where’s my “no contact with shellfish” menu, or separate no-shellfish fryer? Why is Lent my own personal hell every year when a favorite restaurant adds shrimp or crab-legs or a lobster sub to their menu? It’s even more of a pain when it becomes permanent. (I’m taking to you; Texas Roadhouse, Buffalo Wild Wings, & Quiznos.)
Celiac disease isn’t even an allergy in the traditional sense, but it’s gobbling up all the press. It’s an autoimmune disorder, and from my understanding… makes you poop a lot if you eat wheat. Terrible, yes. But, I don’t get diarrhea when I eat shellfish. I get anaphylaxis. Diarrhea may come along with the choking & swelling though.
I wish Shellfish Free had another user or 2 out of the apparent SEVEN MILLION of us out here.
That being said, awareness needs to be raised for ALL food allergies, whether in the top 8 or not. So, Celiac people… throw us a gluten-free bone here, will you? When a restaurant offers a gluten-free menu, how about a “That’s cool… but you know, there are so many allergies out there like peanut, milk, egg, shellfish, corn, peppers, and all kinds of crazy stuff. Maybe you ought to look at your cross-contamination practices in all areas & cooking surfaces with all ingredients.” (See this: http://www.foodallergy.org/page/restaurants-guests-with-food-allergies) </rant>
"No shellfish for me!"
At any rate, where are my shellfish-allergic peeps? This is your time & place to bitch about finding a good death-free and anxiety-free meal. Stand up and be counted! This is a roll call & we need a list 7-million freaking people long. Please, leave your comments below with your story, your frustrations, or even with a positive experience related to your shellfish allergy… as well as links to any support groups or allergy resources that you hold dear.
World (and Lunar) Domination 