May is Food Allergy Action Month. This initiative from the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) organization strives to raise awareness about food allergies and inspire actions to improve the lives of people with food allergies. One way that my food allergy family is taking action is by embracing the Slow Food movement. What is Slow Food? The Slow Food movement began in Italy in 1986 in protest of a popular fast food chain. The philosophy of the slow food movement is simple -- its back-to-basics. Its all about slowing down to enjoy life's simple pleasures, like gathering around a table to enjoy a good meal. It's about enjoying the kind of food your grandmother made. The Benefits of Slow Food There are three pillars to the Slow Food movement: good, clean and fair. For food allergy families, like yours, these pillars are key. Good food, the first pillar, means locally-grown, seasonal food, like strawberries harvested from a nearby farm in late spring rather than … [Read more...]