our little sunshine

we discovered the allergy walk through a sb newspress article. we read it to evia and she immediately took interest with the realization that others have food allergies just like her!! her reaction was heartwarming really. i didn't realize just how "alone" she felt...when at birthday parties, she can't have the princess decorated cake or the pizza crust at a restaurant happens to be brushed with egg. she always takes it like a champ and i've learned to always have a back-up treat for her or know that something is on the menu wherever we go where she can enjoy a special evening out too! some friends of ours are even so kind to always make evia a special egg-free option set aside at events or when we stay with overnight. but this was the event that was going to show her that she had some camaraderie in her food allergy challenge. the walk was being put on by f.a.r.e (food allergy research & education). we created a team the day we read the article and committed to raising funds and walking in the chase palm park course. unfortunately, there was not enough interest by the santa barbara community with only a few teams created and it was cancelled. 

we were encouraged to come down to the los angeles walk and boy are we glad we did! evia had received a letter from alexander the elephant, who has a peanut allergy expressing his enthusiasm in her participation. the walk was mc'd by jo frost, the infamous super nanny and she walked the course with all of us, which was fun. they had great vendors. we learned of a new epi-pen (administers the same drug, voice activated and so easy for care givers who aren't as familiar with the epi training). we also walked away with some great allergy-free swag (mama and papa especially enjoyed the LARGE vegan 70% dark chocolate bar by pascha).

our friends and family were so generous to sponsor evia and help in our efforts to raise funds for research and education which will hopefully bring an end to life threatening food allergies or a cure in our lifetime! in the process we learned about friends that have allergies - which is always so comforting to know there are others that can relate to our own challenges. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!! our team alone came in with just under $600!

check out the photos below, of team sunny side up (d came up with the cute name): 

in our team sunny side up tshirts - go team!

there was no food allowed in the walk "area," so the girls ate their lunch on the outskirts with their sunglass-swag from the lb children's hospital

pre-walk fun!

walking the 5 mile course with papa

hitchin' a ride!

jo frost, f.a.r.e's national ambassador at the course turn-around

such great vendors: enjoy life (yummy snackies free of the 8 most common allergies), auvi-q (voice activated epinephrine auto injector), cool new ap contentchecked (scan any bar code and see if it contains your allergy ingredient and alternative options suggested!)

saved this swag for mama and papa! gluten, wheat, soy, eggs, dairy, nuts and peanut free!! soooooooo yummy!