Food Allergies Rock! – Kyle Dine's Blog

The Cover Art for "Porcelain Christmas"

I am so excited to announce the launch of a new songwriting endeavor that I have been working hard at for the last few weeks.

Porcelain Christmas on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/porcelain-christmas/id489863409?i=489863424&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

I wrote a Christmas song a few years ago and realized quite quickly that it was way beyond the range of my own voice. I put it on the back shelf and actually forgot about it! Then a good friend of mine was in touch about creating a Christmas cover CD with his sister Anwyn. They wanted to include an original song and they decided upon my “Porcelain Christmas”. Her voice is truly remarkable. Anwyn Musico has a lot of theatre experience and was even a part of The Sound of Music during its Toronto run.

The song is nostalgic piece that describes that ideal Christmas that we all have in our minds. It reverberates the fact that as we get older, it’s family that truly makes Christmas special and picture perfect.

I really hope you enjoy the song.  I admit that it’s much different then my typical “allergy music”, but it’s a very exciting prospect for me to start writing in different genres in hopes of making more inroads of making music a steady career.

Hey folks! From now until December 6th I will be having a 50% off sale on both of my food allergy music CDs: “You Must Be Nuts!” and “Food Allergies Rock!” 

For only $7.50 you can get a copy for yourself, your school, library, or a friend who might value the empowering allergy messages for their child.

As an extra bonus, I will throw in a “Food Allergies Rock!” guitar pick into your package for your little aspiring rock star!

www.kyledine.com/Purchase.htm

Thank you Tina Rose from www.realage.com on this insightful piece on how far we’ve come in raising allergy awareness.

***

Raising Food Allergy Awareness

In the dark days before the information age, people didn’t always know about the power of food allergies. You could go your whole life without getting an “allergy alert” about a company that found a rogue peanut in an allegedly peanut-free zone. But these days, with the online world always at our fingertips, more and more companies, restaurants and people are becoming aware of food allergies – which is good for those of us who struggle to breathe (or itch, or worse) when greeted by peanuts, a dose of shrimp stock or even a bite of egg.

Obviously places like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have helped raise awareness about allergies, but there are a lot of advocacy groups and grassroots organizations whose members have pounded the pavement, lobbied food manufacturers and government agencies to make sure that we all have the option to enjoy delicious foods safely.

Organizations like FANN (Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network), Food Allergy Initiative, Kids with Food Allergies Foundation, and American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology have all worked to raise awareness and create an environment that helps keep allergy sufferers safe. Just a few of the things we should thank them for either demanding or developing include:

• More comprehensive food labeling
• Special allergy alert notices that go out online, on mobile devices, television and radio when food is mislabeled, recalled or an ingredient has changed
• Pamphlets, brochures and classes – online and in person – for educators, health professionals and just everyday individuals who are interested in keeping someone they love safe

Outside of alerts and education, one of the best things to happen to allergy sufferers in decades is the “foodie” movement. Whether you love Nigella Lawson, Jamie Oliver, Rachael Ray or the Barefoot Contessa, there’s no denying that these people have helped springboard the whole idea of “food love” and passion for entertaining into the mainstream. Along with that also came gluten-free recipes, homemade baby food, allergy-friendly substitutions and a whole slew of recipes, books, blogs and TV shows about the importance of eating well – and eating safely.

Of course, you still have to be aware, wear your medic alert bracelet, and be prepared in case of an emergency, but thanks to the power of the Web and the rise of the “foodie” culture, it’s a safer – and tastier – world for all of us.

Happy eating!

Tina Rose writes for RealAge.com, a health and wellness website focusing on allergies and health tips to help you live life to the youngest.

That’s right! On August 27th, 2011, I married my long time sweetheart in a beautiful ceremony in her home country of Slovenia. We are flying high these days after our perfect day. I am taking a break from my blog for the next while to focus on a busy fall including our big wedding reception in my hometown with all of my family and friends. Thanks everyone for all of your kind wishes and congrats! This allergy musician is a hubby!

The following is taken from a blog post I wrote for The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) blog.

****

It wasn’t until I was 19 years old, when I was first immersed in a summer camp setting, that I encountered “camp magic” – something that I missed out on as a child. I seemed to overcompensate for this childhood loss by working at that camp for the next five consecutive summers. These five summers at camp helped shape the person I am today, and also helped lead me down the path to becoming a musician who writes music for children with food allergies

Camp magic does not involve card tricks or rabbits coming out of a hat. This magical experience occurs when you can go to camp as one person, and leave camp as another. This transformation happens because kids are given the chance to try and excel at new things, make new friends, and become more confident in themselves and their abilities.

I had the opportunity to revisit that “camp magic” twice this summer at FAAN’s inaugural Camp TAG (The Allergy Gang). I was so excited to be a part of it, as it seemed like such a natural fit to have a special camp for children with food allergies and their siblings. The premise of having children connect with others with food allergies in an environment where they can play, share, learn, and grow together, was amazing to see firsthand.

I wrote a theme song for the campers to sing at the end of the week for their parents. The song titled “Camp TAG” can be heard at www.kyledine.com/MP3s/camptagsong.mp3. I wrote it as a simple jingle that would be fun for the older campers, as well as easy enough for the younger ones to remember and sing. I was so happy to hear the children make up their own hand gestures while belting out some of my favorite lines:

Camp TAG, you’re it, Camp TAG you’re there,
Where friends and fun are everywhere.
Camp TAG, it’s me, Camp TAG, it’s you,
Where no one worries about food!
Camp TAG, We’re the allergy gang!

To hear the song come alive with a choir of up to 90 voices blew me away. I was humbled hearing so many children with food allergies singing passionately in unity as part of a “gang” — feeling included, supported, and normal. I did not know anyone else with allergies when I was growing up, which made it hard for me to feel normal and be comfortable admitting that I had allergies to others.

Once the final camp song was performed to a standing ovation of parents, the faces of all of the campers were beaming huge smiles. They really felt like they were part of something big that week. It was easy to see the “camp magic” had rubbed off as new friends hugged goodbye, the camp song was being sung in breakout groups heading to the parking lot, and the sentiment that “this week went by too fast!” and “I can’t wait for Camp TAG next year!” could be heard across the camp grounds.

Cool Bracelet!

I absolutely love my new MedicAlert bracelet that came yesterday! The Canadian MedicAlert Foundation teamed up with Roots to make these sleek genuine leather cuffs. I’ve always worn MedicAlert bracelets and necklaces, but this is my favourite one so far. It is super soft leather that doesn’t require a “break in” period and it isn’t bulky like some leather bracelets. If you are looking for a modern bracelet (they have options for both men and women) I highly recommend it.

Check out all of their new leather bands at: http://www.medicalert.ca/en/join/products/listProducts.asp?matId=8

So every time I put on this bracelet, all I can think of is the song “Cool Bracelet”. If you haven’t heard this song before, click below and try to sing along at the end….

Click to listen to free Mp3

Click to Play Camp TAG Song

Reading "The Bugabees" to campers

Congratulations to the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) for launching their first camp for children with food allergies – Camp TAG (The Allergy Gang). This camp has been a longtime dream of Eleanor Garrow who is their Director of Education at FAAN, and something I support 100% as I am a big camp guy! I spent five summers working at a camp which made me realize how much I wish I went to camp when I was young.

I was invited to perform at their first camp in Williamstown, New Jersey on a hot Friday morning at a beautiful venue – Tall Pines Day Camp. There will also be one more Camp TAG Aug. 15-19th in Sandy Spring, Maryland.

From the moment I arrived on Friday morning, there was a buzz in the air. It was the last day of camp and the kids were excited for a big morning filled with games, a bouncy castle, and of course, a food allergy concert!!  I also took part in some of the programming for the camp by running two sessions for the younger and older campers. For the younger ones, I read them a great educational food allergy book titled The Bugabees. This is a really great resource, especially if you are looking for a book that a teacher could read to a classroom about food allergies. For more information, see the cute Bugabees website.

For the older campers, I put on my Alex Trebek  persona and ran a game of Food Allergy Jeopardy which I have created for Anaphylaxis Canada’s teen program. The kids did a great job with the questions which ranged from symptoms, allergens, epinephrine, as well as an tricky daily double about allergies around the globe.

The morning wrapped up with the big concert where I performed an interactive food allergy concert for the campers. My set list was:

1) I Wrote a Song About my Allergies
2) I’ve Got Allergies Under Control
3) The Symptom Shakedown
4) My Epineph-Friend
5) Stop! Please Don’t Feed Me
6) Food Allergies Rock!
7) Camp TAG Theme Song

Yes….there was a Camp TAG Theme Song, or maybe it’s considered a jingle, either way it is a catchy little song I wrote for Camp TAG that I have not been able to get out of my head this weekend!!! Please click on the big “Play” button above to hear the song with all 50 children singing it. Hearing a choir of kids singing a song that I wrote blows me away – it puts a big smile on my face each time I hear it.

I hope these two Camp TAG’s are only the beginning for this initiative. Hopefully someday this camp will be all over the country allowing kids with allergies everywhere to enjoy the full summer camp experience together. Way to go FAAN!

PS – Here are the lyrics to the “Camp TAG” Song

Camp Tag, you’re itCamp TAG, you’re there
Where friends and fun are everywhereCamp TAG, it’s me
Camp TAG, it’s you
Where no one worries about food
Camp TAG, we’re the allergy gang (x3)
So give me a T (T!), A (A!), G (G!) what’s that spell? TAG!

What a whirlwind weekend to say the least! After leaving Toronto Thursday morning, I had no idea what to expect on this 3,000km journey down to North Carolina.  When I returned Monday night, I came back feeling somehow completely refreshed, energized, and full of memories that will last a lifetime.

I love the open road. It’s that sense of adventure filled with new places and people that really gets me going. The drive took my fiancee and I through six states including (in order from my bumper being bug free to completely disgusting…): New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia.

My first performance was for the Loudoun Allergy Network which had a great crowd in the most beautiful library I’ve ever been in. There was a very informal vibe throughout which made it super fun and relaxing. I even tried teaching a few of the kids how to juggle before the show began!

Next up was NCFACES based out of Cary, North Carolina. This was a fun filled show filled with laughs and nearly non-stop dancing by the kids. Tricia Gavankar who is one of the outstanding coordinators for the group provided the most creative introduction I have ever received which got everyone super excited at the beginning. For more on this performance, read the very nice review given by my friend and talented writer Wendy Mondello on her blog.

Kyle rocking out for NCFACES

Believe it or not, after this performance I managed to squeeze in a wedding of a good friend of mine in Chapel Hill, NC. It was a beautiful ceremony and one heck of a party afterwards!

With a handful of hours sleep in the bank, we headed down to Charlotte for the last performance which was a great cap to the weekend. PAK Charlotte had over 100 people on hand to be a part of an old fashion hand clappin’ foot stompin’ good time! I was blown away by how much everyone appreciated the performance. It seemed the intensity grew during each song until the epic ending where all of the kids were screaming “FOOD ALLERGIES ROCK!” during my finale.

Best part of all….FOX NEWS was there to video tape and featured a news segment of the concert on the news that night. Check it out by clicking here or the picture below.

The trip ended with a special stop on the way North to Pittsburgh. This was an absolute thrill as I am a huge Steelers fan and I got to see Heinz Field. We rented bikes and toured the city and reminisced about all of the incredible moments in a few gorgeous parks. It was a great trip, one that my head is still stuck in. I look forward to going back down south someday and trying to relive this trip! Thank you to everyone who helped make this trip a reality including all of the support group coordinators, families who attended, and my new GPS system!

f

Total of 30 hours of driving and 2,750 kilometres

I am just days away from my annual “big road trip” where I try to see as much of new territory in the U.S. as possible, combined with performances for food allergy support groups. This year I have a short road trip as I have a busy summer ahead with my wedding, but it is looking to be an incredible trip packed into 5 days.

Day 1 – Depart Toronto and stay with my family in Maryland.

Day 2 – Performance for Loudoun Allergy Network - Virginia.

Day 3 am- Performance for NCFACES (Food Allergic Children Eating Safely), Cary, NC

Day 3 pm – Wedding of one of my good friends from University, Chapel Hill, NC

Day 4 – Performance for PAK Charlotte (Parents of Allergic Kids), NC.

Day 5 – Visit Pittsburgh, PA and then head home

I love travelling through the U.S. and can’t wait to leave for this trip. I’m hoping for sunny weather, new friends and connections, and an incredible first encounter with North Carolina, a state I have heard so many incredible things about.

The only thing left to do is make some awesome mix CDs! ….Heading down the highway….looking for adventure!
 

Over the past few weeks I have been taking 5 seconds out of nearly every day to do something so simple that can potentially make a huge difference for those of us who deal with food allergies. I have been voting for Kids with Food Allergies Foundation in the Vivint Gives Back Project, a contest that awards up to $250,000 in grants to participating charities.  Through working with this exceptional organization at several of their community events, I know this grant would help KFA do more incredible work to help keep food allergic kids safe and healthy.

However, I am just one guy, and this contest will only let you vote once per day. That is why it is so important that we all take those 5 seconds a day to vote – and another 10 seconds (if you have them during this busy summer to spread the word to others.

How can you help?

1) Go here: http://www.vivint.com/givesbackproject/charity/1548

2) Login to Facebook

3) “Like” the vivant app

4) Scroll down and click “Vote“

5) Repeat steps 1&4 daily (until Aug 27)

Thank you.

For more information, please visit  http://www.vivint.com/givesbackproject