We had the good fortune of connecting with Diva G. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Diva, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
The most important thing I’ve done as a parent in terms of the impact on my children has been to follow my intuition. When our son was around 6 months old, we discovered our son had anaphylactic food allergies to 4 of the top 8 allergens (and 5 of the top 11). The first thing my husband and I were told was to avoid those foods at all costs. We were given an Epi-Pen and pushed out of the door unaware of how our lives would be forever changed. However, intuitively I knew that we had to do more. I began to blog and research everything I could about food allergies. I realized we might have a chance to conquer them. Armed with this knowledge, we went to the allergist for over 25 food challenges (a definitive procedure for testing whether someone can eat a specific food), and we tried to determine ways we could potentially create a tolerance to the foods we were avoiding. Since that time and because we followed my intuition, we managed to tackle all of my son’s anaphylactic food allergies.

My intuition has not only led me to keep my son safe, but it has allowed me to discover a community where I have been able to advocate for others. As an attorney, being an advocate is not new to me, but this experience has motivated me to apply my skills in new ways that help push for important changes for food allergy families. This includes things like requesting signage at playgrounds, advocating for the FASTER Act in my state, and finding ways to educate others about the challenges of caring for a loved one with food allergies.

One of the most important ways to care for a child with food allergies is to help them to feel included. Shortly after starting my blog, I started an Instagram page where I provide tips for other food allergy moms on parenting with food allergies as well as create fun recipes for kids. I love to show that eating with food allergies doesn’t have to be boring!

If I could give one piece of advice to any mom – food allergy mom or not – it would be to trust your intuition because nothing has a bigger impact on your kids than you!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I definitely consider myself a foodie and the first thing I would do is to take them to my favorite allergy friendly spots. I’ve compiled a list on my blog of my favorite allergy friend restaurants here: https://www.foodallergydiva.com/post/allergy-friendly-restaurant-guide-scottsdale-az

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my kids! They are the reason I do what I do and be the best me I can be!

Website: http://www.foodallergydiva.com

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/foodallergydiva

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