In 1998, the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, now FARE, created Food Allergy Awareness Week to educate the public about food allergies, a potentially life-threatening disease.

As my community knows I have several severe food allergies. So for obvious reasons this week is important to me. I am a grown woman who has lived with these allergies since birth. I am fighting for the kids being diagnosed everyday with food allergies. It is important that people understand the importance of food safety so that they can grow up and have all the experiences I had and more. I traveled with my parents all over the world, had sleep overs at friends houses, attended plenty of birthday parties and ate at all sorts of great restaurants. My parents made sure not to treat me any different than my sister who had no allergies. I have known of my allergies since I can remember thanks to my amazing parents and my allergist .

Related: SUNBUTTER IS MY FAVORITE NUT BUTTER FOR OBVIOUS REASONS

Now there are many more substitutes for foods that people are allergic to and this week on this blog I am going to shine the light on my favorites. What I think will pleasantly surprise many of you is that many of the substitutes are healthier than the original food.

Related: HOW DID 3-YEAR OLD BOY DIE AFTER HARLEM PRE-K FED HIM A GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH?

Use #TealTakeover and update your social profile picture to help us spread the word.

Please share your food allergies and experiences with substitutes and eating in the comments below.