The following is a collaborative effort from Alicia Woodward, Editor of Living Without Magazine and Jennifer Slack, LCSW, The Food Allergy Therapist

1. Alicia- Communicate.  Call well before the party to alert your host to your food sensitivities.  Be specific about your food “triggers,” clearly explaining what you can (and can’t) eat.

Jenn-Take a deep breath and think about what you would do if you were the host of the situation.  My guess is you would try and do something to accommodate.  Most people, especially people that care about you, don’t want you to get sick and will try their best to help out…or at least let you know ahead of time if there won’t be something safe, so you can eat ahead of time. 

2. A- Embrace the potluck.  Bring a favorite dish to the party.  That way, there will definitely be something safe for you to eat.

J- Make the dish you bring something that you would be happy with, even if it’s the only thing on your plate.

by Andrea M. Risi

Many adolescents journey through an identity crisis of sorts in their early teens, but how do you know if your child is experiencing teen angst or diagnosable depression?

One in five young people have at least one mental, emotional, or behavioral challenges.  One in ten youth have challenges that are severe enough to impair how they function at home, school, or in the community.  And unbelievably, four out of five children do not receive the mental health care they need to overcome their diagnosis.  With suicide being the 3rd leading cause of death in adolescents, it’s important to know the signs of depression and be ready to help.

By Victoria Bresee, MA, MAR, CHt
Technologies of the Self

Are you or a loved one a cancer survivor? If so, then you just celebrated National Cancer Survivors Day, the worldwide Celebration of Life, held the first Sunday of June.

Many people have found that life after a cancer diagnosis can be meaningful and even more satisfying and enjoyable.Survivors often experience the crisis as a major turning point in life’s journey. 

Research shows that survivors of serious illnesses usually demonstrate these 3 characteristics-