We live in a society where making money has become our primary goal - and with good reason. Everything costs money – even air - albeit it for our tires 
However, sometimes we make a connection with someone on a social networking site that strikes a personal chord within us. I made such a connection on LInked in with a gentleman named Victor Silvestre. Victor posted a discussion on a LInkedin Group about a new website he has created called Vestres.
Vestres is a site for anyone that has special dietary needs. It's a great place to share recipes, suggestions and stories. Victor's inspiration for Vestres comes from his own personal experience raising a daughter, now an adult, with serious food allergies. I, too, have a daughter, also now an adult, with serious food allergies. Unless you have personally experienced these types of life-threatening allergies yourself or have a child who has, you might have a difficult time understanding how truly frightening and difficult something as basic as eating becomes. Eating out at a restaurant, food shopping, eating food served at a party, etc. becomes a major challenge.
I applaud Victor's endeavor to reach out and offer a platform for those who find themselves in similar situations and whose dietary restrictions impose on their everyday lives.
Take a look at Vestres and see if you have anything to contribute. Let's help Victor help others. I am not a big fan of the kitchen but certainly learned a trick or two along the way that I will be sharing.
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What's truly awesome about this website from a business standpoint is how niche specific it is. Too many businesses start out trying to grasp a whole piece of a larger market where, based on your description of Victor's business, it sounds like Victor is just trying to service people who can relate to one experience.
I read a book a while back called "Eat Right For Your Blood Type." In reality, we all have food allergies. Our bodies processes things differently. I know that I am addicted to Carbs and they are the worst thing for me whereas my fiance can eat Carbs all day long and not be affected by it, but he doesn't handle meats too well. Even Victor's Keywords in his title tag are awesome! Thanks for sharing.
So true Angie. The specific niche includes all types of food-related problems from allergies to diabetes, etc.
There is actually a big difference between true "allergies" and food "intolerance". The latter causes discomfort, bloating, weight gain, etc. but from what I have read (and I am NO expert), it isn't life-threatening whereas food allergies can be. BTW I think we are all addicted to carbs – and men seem to handle the calorie part of carbs better than we do – not fair! LOL
Julie
You have truly captured the purpose of social networking by sharing the expertise of someone in your network. Networking is about giving, the rewards will come back to you.
Julia M Lindsey
Our Little Books
Victor is doing such a great service with his site and I have passed his web address onto a friend who has been looking for something like this.
Thanks for sharing the story Julie.
Thanks so much for the kind words Julia. I wasn’t actually looking for rewards in this situation but I am certainly open to being rewarded in the future
You never know where you will build bridges with people. What a great story. Social Media is a learning experience for everyone.
That is great Susan – I am sure your friend will benefit from Vestres and I know that Victor will appreciate it. He has just recently launched the site and is looking for ideas on how to optimize its value.
Thanks Rob – you are right. Social media and life in general are learning experiences
Most people don't realize how fortunate they are not to have to deal with something like food allergies. Don't, to my knowledge have any, but do sometimes get allergies from suncreams. Happened first time when I was 14 and woke up one morning looking like a pig.
It really is a good aspect of social media that people can share their experiences for mutual benefit.
Catarina, you are so right. Unless you have had to deal with serious food allergies, either yourself or one of your loved ones, you can’t understand how such simple, normally-mindless things like eating become a major obstacle. Did you know that people can develop allergies to anything at any point in their lives? I hope you continue to remain allergy-free (except for sun creams). I have heard stories of people with allergies to trees, grass, etc. moving to Arizona and developing allergies to cactus. Go figure….
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your footprint
(http://blog.newhorizons123.com/footprints-in-the-sand/)
Thank you for all your kind words. I especially want to thank Julie for going out of her way to help spread the world and all of her support. Her help goes above and beyond anything that I would have expected. A lot of networkers' have the "What's in it for me" attitude, but Julie acted purely out of her heart without asking for anything in return. Rob, you are 150% right I never expected to build this bridge, ironically the ones I thought would back me are silent.
About a month ago we had a family reunion and my daughter is allergic to eggs & tree nuts, one niece has celiac disease, another has crohn's disease, my sister is allergic to tapioca, and my mother is diabetic. Well when I show the complications of just trying to feed everyone, I saw the need to have one place that everyone can go to and find good, tasty recipes that are safe for them.
Aw – thanks Victor – there is something about truly believing in the cause…..
Now we just need to get you a face on my blog LOL and talk about how we can spread your message even more. I know I owe you a recipe for vestries.com – will get to it soon
Yes, I do need to put my best face on. LoL, just let me know how. Thanks BTW we'll be adding a newsfeed like facebook soon the Vestres.com.
Don't worry about adding a recipe, I'm gona find a few easyyyyyyyyyyyyy ones for you.
Take Care