Wise words in this column from the Boulder Daily Camera:

I often hear from people who are upset that others have not catered to their allergenic needs. It really is up to all of us to take care of ourselves. By taking a step with positive behavior (and delicious food) you just might educate some people how easy it is to make delicious, non-allergenic foods.

Do you disclose your allergies at work? Have you ever had a negative (or a surprisingly positive) reaction from a supervisor or coworker?

Some batches of the swine flu vaccine being prepared by Novartis for the 2009 flu season will not include eggs in their production. Rather, they will use a so-called cell-culture process, which doesn't require eggs during any stage of the manufacturing process. However, due to high demand for the new vaccine, it is almost certain that existing manufacturing plants that use eggs to culture inactive viruses for vaccines will continue to produce some doses of flu vaccines for the upcoming flu season.

It is, as yet, unclear whether doctors will be able to specifically request egg-free vaccines for patients with egg allergies. If you do have a severe egg allergy, you and your doctor will need to decide whether the potential risks of a flu vaccine outweigh the benefits of protection against the flu. Some possible alternatives include skin testing to the vaccine itself to see whether a reaction is likely, getting the vaccine in an allergist's office to ensure that emergency treatment is available in the event of a reaction, or having close contacts vaccinated to lower the likelihood of contracting the flu and taking an antiviral such as Tamiflu or Relenza at the first sign of flu symptoms. Your doctor can help you decide which option is best in your particular case.

I attended a wedding this weekend where guests' allergies were addressed in a discreet -- yet effective -- way. The caterers had marked the place cards with codes for different dietary needs (PA for peanut allergy, GF for gluten-free, V for vegetarian) so that at a glance, everyone who served anything to someone at a seat could tell whether there were any unique needs at the table.

While I've been to catered events that were responsive to dietary needs and worked with caterers that were unusually knowledgeable about allergies and other restricted diets, this was one of the most clever and effective solutions I've seen for balancing the need to get meals out efficiently and to indicate who needed the few special plates the kitchen had prepared. Highly recommended if you're planning a wedding where not everyone can eat off a set menu!

I can't seem to turn around on the Interweb these days without reading a breathless essay about how there's a spate of "revolutionary books!" about parents being daring and confessing just how bad they are because they a.) let their kids watch a ton of television, b.) put headphones on their bellies so their kids can listen to the Ramones in the womb, c.) fail to sign their kids up for five million classes, d.) all of the above and more. It's all a little silly from my (decidedly unscientific) perspective because I don't know a perfect parent and I don't know a parent who isn't at least trying their best.

I was thinking about that phenomenon when I read Heather Legg's recent essay on Beyond Allergy about how her own precautions with her child had changed over the years. I thought it was both an interesting take on letting go as kids get older and the worries every single parent has over the decisions they make that affect their kids' futures. Go read it!

• Via the Washington Post, an explanation of food allergy immunotherapy featuring interviews with Robert Wood, Hugh Sampson, Wesley Burks, plus families who have undergone experimental immunotherapy treatments: Peanuts, Anyone?
• Via the Times Herald-Record, another for the "articles to send people who need to understand more about food allergies" file: a concise FAQ about everything from whether (and why) the prevalence of food allergies is rising to common warning signs of an allergic reaction: Pediatrician on Allergies: 'Parents Need to Watch Their Children Closely'.

A recent USDA report announced that one in nine Americans are on food stamps, and of course countless more of us are finding ways to cut back, whether due to pay cuts, benefit cuts, or fears that a job that looked stable a couple years ago might not be so rock-solid. And cuts to food budgets can range from difficult to disastrous for families with food allergies. Many common allergens are inexpensive, otherwise healthful sources of protein or fiber -- the very foods budget eating websites often tell families to stock up on in times of crisis (think large jars of peanut butter, bags of powdered milk, or bulk quantities of pasta).

There are some tried-and-true ways to reduce your grocery bill without sacrificing fresh healthful choices -- we've found that a local CSA is far less expensive than buying the same amount of produce at the supermarket, and we've begun making foods (sausage, allergy-friendly bread, and the like) that we used to buy and spend a lot more on. Have you cut your food budget back? If so, how are you managing?

A new study in the May 2009 Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology shows a possible correlation between childhood obesity and later development of atopic symptoms like hay fever, eczema, and food allergies. The study followed 4,000 children and found a clear relationship between BMI (body mass index) percentile and the amount of IgE -- the antibodies responsible for allergic reactions -- circulating in the bloodstream. In this study, the effect was strongest among girls.

What is far less clear, however, is why there should be a relationship between obesity and allergic status. Researchers considered the possibility that levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP), a protein associated with inflammation, might be related to atopy. In this study there did seem to be higher levels of CRP in children with higher levels of BMI and higher levels of IgE and food allergies, but it is unknown at this time what the cause-effect relationships between these factors is. While this study covered a large population, the researchers caution that different explanations for their findings -- including hormones, intestinal microbes, or some as-yet unknown factor -- may explain the differences among the children studied.

Visness, Cynthia M., et al. "Association of obesity with IgE levels and allergy symptoms in children and adolescents: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006." Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology May 2009. 123(5): 1163-69.

I've recently updated my Peanut-Free Baseball directory with games in St. Louis, Detroit, and a new season-long section in Camden, NJ. The Detroit games in particular are happening very soon, so be sure to jump on them if you live in the area and are looking for peanut-free baseball. Thanks to the teams and food allergy organizations who make these events happen!

Starbucks in my area have recently started offering a gluten-free Valencia Orange cake along with their other baked goods, and being as I am a fan of sugar and a fan of baked goods that don't get my kitchen all messy, I picked one up.

Based on the ingredients, the cake seems to be based on almond cakes that are popular throughout the Mediterranean. It's a wise move -- it's always easier to successfully make a dish that's naturally free of the allergens you're trying to avoid than to use "better living through chemistry" to create a taste or texture you otherwise couldn't. As far as other major allergens, the cake includes almonds, eggs, and citrus and mentions peanuts and other tree nuts in a cross-contamination warning on the package. The ingredients include no dairy or soy, though there is no mention of cross-contamination one way or the other for these allergens. And the cakes come pre-wrapped, so there's no chance of cross-contamination in the bakery rack.

I split the cake four ways -- among myself, two non-celiacs, and a non-celiac child who will generally eat anything if it has a sufficient amount of sugar. The verdict? Unanimously positive. The orange flavor could perhaps be a bit stronger, but the texture and moisture level are spot-on.

Allergy-friendliness is a constant request at My Starbucks Idea. Peanut and tree nut-free pastries, dairy-free pastries, or other such cakes and cookies baked in dedicated facilities and packaged to avoid contamination would be great additions to this experiment.

• What are your "little luxuries" -- convenient allergy-friendly foods you pick up at the grocery store or while you're out and about? Share them here!
• Flourless Orange and Almond Cake recipe
• Nancy Lapid's (About.com Celiac Disease Guide) take on the Valencia Orange Cake

It's that time of year again -- Food Allergy Awareness Week runs from May 10 - 16 here (and is currently running in Canada). This year marks the twelfth annual observance, aimed at increasing awareness of allergies among all segments of the general public.

There are all kinds of ways you can teach people about allergies, from the potentially scary to the less intimidating. Among the simpler -- but not necessarily less effective -- ways you can get involved are writing your state representative about food allergy issues (especially if you live in a state that hasn't yet officially proclaimed Food Allergy Awareness Week, write a letter to your local paper about allergies in schools or about food labeling, or post on your blog or on Facebook. (Food Allergy Awareness Week has a new Facebook group this year for sharing ideas and photos.)

Several bloggers have had inspired ideas, and one effective yet low-pressure idea for teaching friends about food allergies or other chronic conditions is to invite them to spend a day (or a week) in your shoes. Explain what's necessary to manage your allergies and have your readers share their experiences eating an allergen-free diet.

If you've got a great idea for this week, or if you've had any interesting experiences surrounding Food Allergy Awareness Week, feel free to share them in the comments!