The Plantiful Blonde website is an attainable approach to clean eating, living and more. Centered around a passion and purpose to pay it forward, The Plantiful Blonde focuses on teaching how to develop and keep healthy relationships with food with a mission to give back to causes close to our hearts.
One of those causes is childhood allergies. According to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), an estimated 12% of the world’s population is living with diagnosed food allergies—and 8% of them are children. The most common allergens are milk, egg, peanut, treenut, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish. Although a plant-based diet will help greatly in avoiding highly allergic foods, it is not enough. Peanuts and treenuts are two of the most common and severe allergies, but often a staple in many vegan and vegetarian diets. Plus, many foods are often mislabeled and mishandled.
Outside of the typical effects of allergies, those suffering from severe cases can also experience traumatic disorders. For example, children can suffer from anxiety, post-traumatic stress and feelings of loneliness when it comes to their peers. When you suffer from a life-threatening allergy, one small bite of food could be deadly. That worry carries a large amount of anxiety, especially in children.
Fortunately, there are programs, education and awareness today that has helped increase the public’s understanding of what it’s like to live with food allergies. Afterschool programs, events and even day and overnight camps have been developed with a purpose to keep children with food allergies safe but included. However, for some families, finding an overnight camp to send their child with severe food allergies is not easy, whether the burden be financial or distance to travel.
As The Plantiful Blonde continues to develop innovative, plant-based recipes, I will always do it with a purpose of paying it forward to causes that I believe in and know affect people worldwide. I’m looking forward to seeing how The Plantiful Blonde readers embrace what’s to come, elevate food allergy awareness and empower tomorrow’s children.
XO, Corey
