After spending a blissful, kid-free hour and a half at Chapters bookstore yesterday, I have to tell you about a book I read. Obviously I wasn't able to read all of Ms. Miller's book, but within the chapters I delved, there was a bravery I have never had. With her severe allergies to nuts and fish, she remains steady in eating out in NYC's restaurants, speaking up for herself and her "requirements", and even allowing friends to eat these allergens in her home.
The closest I ever got to this were my daily breakfasts in first-year University, where my best -friend ate peanut butter on his bagels across from me at the table. I always considered myself foolish in my choice of morning camaraderie over safety, but never regretted it. In Allergic Girl, Adventures in Living Well with Food Allergies, Sloane Miller encourages allergy sufferers to be brave, yet cautious, and to not be afraid of trying out these situations. She promotes the need to have fun, and enjoy your life, with the emphasis on being smart, having a game plan, and speaking up.
I was never in the dating scene long, and living in a small city, expensive restaurants were not an option. Miller talks of several of her dates with great humour, and pride in her ability to handle "the kiss." I was asked about this topic once, and honestly couldn't answer it. I wish I'd had the chapter to pass on. This chapter, in fact, sells the whole book for me.
If Mr. and I ever decide to go back to NYC, Ms. Miller's list of nut-friendly restaurants will be stuck to the inside front cover of my tourist map. No more dingy fast-food places on Fifth Avenue for us!
So, at this point in my post, if I were an actual book critic, had any credentials, and serious followers, I would loudly give Allergic Girl two thumbs up, five stars, and an epi-pen.
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