I don't know about you, but I am constantly looking for inspiration for meals to suit Bella's peanut allergy and our tastes that run beyond meatloaf and spaghetti each night.
Here are some of my long term go-to sites for inspiration as well as a few new finds.
Meal Outlaw
"Meal Outlaw is a meal calendar, tracking, and journaling site. You can enter your future meals into your own calendar, look to the calendars of other users for ideas, and comment on any meal you see. It's 100% free."
Sweet Fine Day
This is a new read of mine - but I'm totally hooked. A family in Brooklyn, starting a new food business (swoon), documents the meals they make for their family.
Serious Eats
This is where I get my food geek news on, but they also have a 'dinner tonight' feature that inspires me at least once a month. Their 'talk' section is great too.
Epicurious
All the recipes from Bon Appetit and Gourmet in one place, with an excellent recipe box feature to which you can save and reference recipes from the vault. Need I say more?
Lunch in a Box
This woman makes amazing bento lunches for her son. I get lots of inspiration for Bella's lunches here.
The Kitchn
Yeah, the spelling of that is right. The Kitchn is part of the Apartment Therapy family, which, if you live in a small place, is someplace you need to look at NOW. Part product resources, part recipes, part food p@rn, I keep coming back when I just can't think of what to have for din dins.
What are your favorite sites?
p.s. thanks for all the comments regarding the challenges you are facing as a peanut allergic individual or the parent of one. you gave me a lot of inspiration!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
OK So I thought of something...
I'd like to put together an FAQ of sorts for new parents to allergic kids.
But I'd like your help. This would be a resource that parents of newly diagnosed kids could reference to help them navigate the first few days, weeks, and months of handling a peanut allergy (or any food allergy for that matter). This will ideally be a 'quick guide' of sorts.
I'm thinking under 10 pages.
But here's where you come in. In the comments section, let me know what your biggest question/concern/issue was when you starting making your child's world 'allergy safe'. Note that I didn't say allergy free - can anyone really protect their child from the allergen at all times? I don't think I can.
So back to your feedback. What did you NEED to know, but didn't have time to read in one of the other great, albeit thick, books out there?
Was it:
I look forward to your comments. If you'd prefer to email me, send your suggestions on to peanutfreemamaATgmailDOTcom.
Thanks!
But I'd like your help. This would be a resource that parents of newly diagnosed kids could reference to help them navigate the first few days, weeks, and months of handling a peanut allergy (or any food allergy for that matter). This will ideally be a 'quick guide' of sorts.
I'm thinking under 10 pages.
But here's where you come in. In the comments section, let me know what your biggest question/concern/issue was when you starting making your child's world 'allergy safe'. Note that I didn't say allergy free - can anyone really protect their child from the allergen at all times? I don't think I can.
So back to your feedback. What did you NEED to know, but didn't have time to read in one of the other great, albeit thick, books out there?
Was it:
- How to tell your family?
- Preparing meals?
- Eating Out?
- Educating your caregiver/schools/teachers?
- Traveling?
- Learning about what foods and products to avoid?
- How to find websites or support groups that could help?
- Learning about the different tests out there for allergies?
I look forward to your comments. If you'd prefer to email me, send your suggestions on to peanutfreemamaATgmailDOTcom.
Thanks!
Under the Weather
It feels like forever since I last posted. My apologies! I'm feeling a bit under the weather today. I should be back in action and blogging more about Peanut Allergy tomorrow.
In the meantime, check out the website that my friend Connie made for our SF Allergy Support Group. Nice job Connie!
Talk to you all tomorrow~
In the meantime, check out the website that my friend Connie made for our SF Allergy Support Group. Nice job Connie!
Talk to you all tomorrow~
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Warning - Peeps and Mini Cadbury Eggs
I just saw a warning about Canadian Mini Cadbury Eggs:
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Cadbury Adams Canada are warning consumers with an allergy to hazelnut protein about some Cadbury regular milk chocolate Mini Eggs.
Read More
Also, a nice reader of mine named Melissa alerted me that the Peep in a Chocolate Egg she bought for her child had a may contain peanuts/tree nuts warning on it (hidden in the ingredient listing so she didn't notice it at first). Yikes! Sneaky!
I just checked Bella's and it doesn't say anything in the ingredient list or on the package about may contain peanuts, but I'm withholding it from her Easter treats just in case.
If you have either of these candies, please take another look at the label just in case!
Have a Safe and Happy Easter!
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Cadbury Adams Canada are warning consumers with an allergy to hazelnut protein about some Cadbury regular milk chocolate Mini Eggs.
Read More
Also, a nice reader of mine named Melissa alerted me that the Peep in a Chocolate Egg she bought for her child had a may contain peanuts/tree nuts warning on it (hidden in the ingredient listing so she didn't notice it at first). Yikes! Sneaky!
I just checked Bella's and it doesn't say anything in the ingredient list or on the package about may contain peanuts, but I'm withholding it from her Easter treats just in case.
If you have either of these candies, please take another look at the label just in case!
Have a Safe and Happy Easter!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
A Message from the Easter Bunny...
I don't usually post too many photos of Bella on the site, but this one was too good not to share.Bella's school is really good about crafts and activities for all the holidays. This came home with her yesterday.
I almost cried. Where did that little baby of mine go?
I wish there was a little pause button on her to capture this moment for a little while longer. She's still small enough that I can carry her around fairly easily, but she's big enough to do most things on her own now.
She's transitioning out of the terrible 3's and has been awfully sweet lately. She even cleaned her room last night (I almost fell off my chair when I saw her doing it). I wont count on seeing a repeat performance of that.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
More News from the AAAAI
Kids’ Food Allergies Damper Dining Out
Study Shows Children With Peanut Allergies Often Don’t Get Lifesaving Medication
And as for kids not having their Epi-Pens with them when they have an attack (the second part of the article) - I am baffled. I must have 12 of these floating around the house, a diaper bag, family members' homes. How can we get it into parents' heads that they need to keep these nearby at all times and NOT be afraid to use them? I'm sure it isn't fun to give your child an epi, but it's less fun to bury them.
What if we created a poster that we could post in every doctor's office around the country to remind parents to fill, keep nearby, and use an epi pen? This is so important!
March 17, 2008 (Philadelphia) -- Even though most parents alert restaurant staff if their children have food allergies, a sizable number of the kids still suffer allergic reactions when dining out, a new survey shows.
Adding insult to injury, a second study suggests that children who suffer peanut allergies often don't get lifesaving medication.
Both studies were presented here at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).
-------------------------
Eating out has definitely become more of a challenge for us, but we still do it. We just find places that we are comfortable with - many of them don't have peanuts on the menu at all, but some do.
Do you guys eat out a lot? What's your favorite place? How do you determine if a restaurant is safe for you?
We usually check out the restaurant ourselves before we take Bella or give the place a call (or email) and ask about the prevalence of nuts, frying oil, etc. And most places are more than happy to talk to you about it (if they aren't, DON'T GO!).
We have a great hamburger place nearby that is peanut free, and we go to places like Chili's. We go lots of places. Really the only places we avoid are Vietnamese and Thai places. We've been able to find safe places near us for all other nationalities of foods (yes, even Chinese Food!).
And I always keep my eyes open. For example, I just found a new restaurant to try: Phil's Fish Market in Moss Landing, CA via a parenting blog. It sounded great so I emailed the owner and asked him all about their menu and practices. He sent me a great response - so great that I feel comfortable trying it out with Bella.
Bottom line: It's not impossible.And as for kids not having their Epi-Pens with them when they have an attack (the second part of the article) - I am baffled. I must have 12 of these floating around the house, a diaper bag, family members' homes. How can we get it into parents' heads that they need to keep these nearby at all times and NOT be afraid to use them? I'm sure it isn't fun to give your child an epi, but it's less fun to bury them.
What if we created a poster that we could post in every doctor's office around the country to remind parents to fill, keep nearby, and use an epi pen? This is so important!
Monday, March 17, 2008
News from the AAAAI Annual Meeting
AAAAI: Gradual Exposure Reduces Kids' Peanut Allergy
PHILADELPHIA, March 17 -- Children with clinical peanut allergies became at least modestly tolerant after a program of oral immunotherapy, a researcher said here.Of 20 children, 18 were eventually able to eat the equivalent of 13 peanuts with few or no allergy symptoms, reported Scott Nash, M.D., of Duke University, at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
Read More
----------------------------
This is so encouraging! I wish so badly that there were clinical trials going on in California (or even the West Coast). I would enroll Bella in a second.
What about you guys?
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Close Call at Whole Foods
So I guess there is someone up there (or out in the universe, depending upon how you look at it) that likes to make sure that I never let my guard down regarding Bella's peanut allergy. And it just so happens they decided to keep me on my toes in a fancy pants grocery store.
I took Bella out of school early yesterday. Before Nap! Am I crazy? Yes!
But back to the story.
So we had a date night last night and one of Bella's teachers (who has a shellfish allergy, so she just 'gets it') needed dinner, as did Bella. So I stopped in to the local Whole Foods (aka Whole Paycheck) for a chicken Caesar salad and some cupcake mix for them to make as their evening activity.
Bella was an absolute doll in the store. She sat in the cart (moms out there will appreciate that she didn't! want! to walk! yay!) and was just as good as gold. I gave her a snack to chew on while we were in the store and she was having a grand ole time, telling me everything she wanted.
So we grab a salad and one of those vitamin water drinks for the babysitter, and then I realize I need half and half for our morning coffee (hey, if you're gonna have cream in your coffee, you might as well do it right. am i right or am i right?). So we head to the back of the store to the dairy section. And that's where it happened.
I know what you're saying. In the dairy section you had a close call with Peanuts? YES.
So I turn to reach for the half and half. I am on this kind of annoying kick where I am trying to buy local. So there I am examining all the flipping labels to see where the closest organic half and half came from, not really paying attention to Bella. I choose one, and I turn around and I swear in slow motion, Bella says to me...
"momma, i think we need some of this".
This is when you cue the mission impossible soundtrack.
It's a tub of the store ground peanut butter. there's a big pile of them on the endcap.
and of all the things in the store, this is what she grabbed.
so I freaked out a little, i'm ashamed to say. first I put it back and say (without trying to sound like a high pitched squirrel), "that's peanut butter honey, and even though it's in a tub, you shouldn't touch that!"
So then i try to assess the situation. What should I do? I take her snack from her.
She starts to freak out, because she thinks she's in trouble (from me I mean). Crying commences. Great!
So I inspect her hand. No visible residue.
So then I smell it (typing that sounds so weird).
I swear to God it smells like she hand cranked those peanuts into her hand.
Now I am almost crying, but I am trying to hide it so she doesn't know I am terrified that she might have a contact reaction.
So I say, "sweetie, you didn't do anything wrong. there shouldn't be peanut butter near the milk, so you had no idea, but we need to wash your hands again" (we had just gone to the potty). And she flips out even more. She's 3 - need I say more?
So I find my way to the diaper section and tear open the closest pack of wipes I could find. I swear I practically gave her a silkwood shower with those babies right in the aisle. There were other folks there and they must have thought I was insane, so I kept saying to her "Bella I need to wash your hand because you touched something that you are allergic to."
Ugh. It was so stressful.
Needless to say, I bought her a toy in the store. I felt so guilty for letting her get into that situation.
Then we hightailed it out of there (via the checkout of course). I watched her like a hawk for the next 3 hours.
She's ok. I'm ok.
But it goes to show that those darn peanuts can show up anywhere, any time, when you least expect them.
I need a glass of wine after typing this. The stress!
Have you had a close call lately?
I took Bella out of school early yesterday. Before Nap! Am I crazy? Yes!
But back to the story.
So we had a date night last night and one of Bella's teachers (who has a shellfish allergy, so she just 'gets it') needed dinner, as did Bella. So I stopped in to the local Whole Foods (aka Whole Paycheck) for a chicken Caesar salad and some cupcake mix for them to make as their evening activity.
Bella was an absolute doll in the store. She sat in the cart (moms out there will appreciate that she didn't! want! to walk! yay!) and was just as good as gold. I gave her a snack to chew on while we were in the store and she was having a grand ole time, telling me everything she wanted.
So we grab a salad and one of those vitamin water drinks for the babysitter, and then I realize I need half and half for our morning coffee (hey, if you're gonna have cream in your coffee, you might as well do it right. am i right or am i right?). So we head to the back of the store to the dairy section. And that's where it happened.
I know what you're saying. In the dairy section you had a close call with Peanuts? YES.
So I turn to reach for the half and half. I am on this kind of annoying kick where I am trying to buy local. So there I am examining all the flipping labels to see where the closest organic half and half came from, not really paying attention to Bella. I choose one, and I turn around and I swear in slow motion, Bella says to me...
"momma, i think we need some of this".
This is when you cue the mission impossible soundtrack.
It's a tub of the store ground peanut butter. there's a big pile of them on the endcap.
and of all the things in the store, this is what she grabbed.
so I freaked out a little, i'm ashamed to say. first I put it back and say (without trying to sound like a high pitched squirrel), "that's peanut butter honey, and even though it's in a tub, you shouldn't touch that!"
So then i try to assess the situation. What should I do? I take her snack from her.
She starts to freak out, because she thinks she's in trouble (from me I mean). Crying commences. Great!
So I inspect her hand. No visible residue.
So then I smell it (typing that sounds so weird).
I swear to God it smells like she hand cranked those peanuts into her hand.
Now I am almost crying, but I am trying to hide it so she doesn't know I am terrified that she might have a contact reaction.
So I say, "sweetie, you didn't do anything wrong. there shouldn't be peanut butter near the milk, so you had no idea, but we need to wash your hands again" (we had just gone to the potty). And she flips out even more. She's 3 - need I say more?
So I find my way to the diaper section and tear open the closest pack of wipes I could find. I swear I practically gave her a silkwood shower with those babies right in the aisle. There were other folks there and they must have thought I was insane, so I kept saying to her "Bella I need to wash your hand because you touched something that you are allergic to."
Ugh. It was so stressful.
Needless to say, I bought her a toy in the store. I felt so guilty for letting her get into that situation.
Then we hightailed it out of there (via the checkout of course). I watched her like a hawk for the next 3 hours.
She's ok. I'm ok.
But it goes to show that those darn peanuts can show up anywhere, any time, when you least expect them.
I need a glass of wine after typing this. The stress!
Have you had a close call lately?
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Anatomy of Peanut Allergic Easter Basket
Update: After the comments (and direct emails I got), I decided to dump the Jelly Bellys. And by dump I mean that I'm bringing them to my office to keep in my desk. Sheesh!So mommy (aka the Easter Bunny - but don't tell Bella that) went a leeeeetle overboard on the Easter Basket this year. Check it out:
Clockwise from far left. In Basket: Easter card, Hershey's hollow chocolate bunny, sidewalk chalk, a Hershey's egg pack; On couch: Dora coloring book; Peter Rabbit story book, pens and post its; jelly belly's; Cadbury creme eggs; Cadbury mini eggs; peep filled chocolate egg; and a my little pony toy.
Whew! Not sure all that will even fit in her basket. I guess I am a lot like other PA parents, trying to overcompensate for the fact that she can't have most candy - so I overdo it by buying too much of what she CAN have. Oh well.
Ok, ok, I KNOW the jelly belly's aren't technically safe for Bella. But here's the thing. These jelly beans are for the easter eggs outside and she isn't really a fan of jelly beans. So I'm taking my chances since they aren't a 'may contain' food, only a 'made in a facility'. I know, I know - you don't need to scold me! Everything else is safe for her, though.
I figure she'll get through one of the creme eggs and be bored with the candy (just like she did for Valentine's Day and Christmas).
So what's in your kids' basket(s)?
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Interested in Following Primary Research Regarding Food Allergies?
If you'd like to be notified when new primary research literature (research papers) surfaces regarding food allergies (or any other medical condition for that matter), you can set up a notification from PubMed.
What's PubMed?
PubMed is a free search engine for accessing the MEDLINE database of citations and abstracts of biomedical research articles.
By entering a search term and creating an update, you'll be notified when new articles are published that include your search term(s).
It's easy to do.
Visit the PubMed site and follow the instructions on the screen. Note: Registration is required.
What's PubMed?
PubMed is a free search engine for accessing the MEDLINE database of citations and abstracts of biomedical research articles.
By entering a search term and creating an update, you'll be notified when new articles are published that include your search term(s).
It's easy to do.
Visit the PubMed site and follow the instructions on the screen. Note: Registration is required.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Homeschooling Your Child with a Food Allergy? Not for long if you live in California...
Looks like California has an issue with folks homeschooling their kids. If the state has its way, anyone homeschooling their kids must be credentialed. Here's an article in the SF Chronicle that talks more about the impact of the ruling:
Homeschoolers' setback sends shock waves through state
I must admit, the thought of homeschooling Bella has crossed my mind due to her allergy, but her schools so far have been accomodating. Not sure I'm disciplined enough though. Plus, living in the Bay Area makes it difficult to live solely on one salary.
How about you guys? Do any of you homeschool your kids? Is it due to their allergies or just because you feel you can give them a better education?
Homeschoolers' setback sends shock waves through state
A California appeals court ruling clamping down on homeschooling by parents without teaching credentials sent shock waves across the state this week, leaving an estimated 166,000 children as possible truants and their parents at risk of prosecution.
The homeschooling movement never saw the case coming.
-------------------
I must admit, the thought of homeschooling Bella has crossed my mind due to her allergy, but her schools so far have been accomodating. Not sure I'm disciplined enough though. Plus, living in the Bay Area makes it difficult to live solely on one salary.How about you guys? Do any of you homeschool your kids? Is it due to their allergies or just because you feel you can give them a better education?
Friday, March 7, 2008
Exercise Induced Food Allergies?
This article came up a Google alert of mine:
Dr. Collins: Watch out for exercise-induced food allergies
We have all heard that statement, "You are what you eat." For some athletes, it should be "You are as fast as you eat."
Food allergies are often difficult to investigate and identify. In athletes, there can be an even more complex syndrome where they tolerate a particular food in their daily life, but have an allergic reaction if they consume that food in conjunction with intense exercise.
Read More Here.
Dr. Collins: Watch out for exercise-induced food allergies
We have all heard that statement, "You are what you eat." For some athletes, it should be "You are as fast as you eat."
Food allergies are often difficult to investigate and identify. In athletes, there can be an even more complex syndrome where they tolerate a particular food in their daily life, but have an allergic reaction if they consume that food in conjunction with intense exercise.
Read More Here.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
A Good Peanut Free Day
When I picked up Bella from daycare today, her teacher pulled me aside.
She proceeded to tell me how they were making a collage today, with all sorts of pictures cut out of magazines, that they glued to construction paper. This week is "N" week, so each picture had to do with that letter.
Apparently, while they were busy sorting and pasting, Bella turned one of her photos and told her teacher, "These are almonds. I can't eat these." Just matter-of-fact.
Her teacher was quite impressed that she could identify something beyond peanut butter. She's never had a PA or TNA kid in her class (and she's been teaching for a long time) who could do this. Most can recite what they are allergic to, but can't pick them out of a lineup.
Bella looked so proud of herself.
I couldn't help but beam a little too. My little PA genius.
(And no, I don't sit and make her memorize flash cards of different nuts)
She proceeded to tell me how they were making a collage today, with all sorts of pictures cut out of magazines, that they glued to construction paper. This week is "N" week, so each picture had to do with that letter.
Apparently, while they were busy sorting and pasting, Bella turned one of her photos and told her teacher, "These are almonds. I can't eat these." Just matter-of-fact.
Her teacher was quite impressed that she could identify something beyond peanut butter. She's never had a PA or TNA kid in her class (and she's been teaching for a long time) who could do this. Most can recite what they are allergic to, but can't pick them out of a lineup.
Bella looked so proud of herself.
I couldn't help but beam a little too. My little PA genius.
(And no, I don't sit and make her memorize flash cards of different nuts)
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
1st Peanut Free Parent Meeting This Friday...
If you live on or near the SF Peninsula, I am meeting with another mom to try and get a support group going. If you'd like to join us, we're meeting this Friday (March 7th) at 10 am. Email me at peanutfreemamaATgmailDOTcom for the location if you are interested.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Can't Have Candy with a Peanut Allergy?
Think again.
If you hanker for a Mounds Bar, or Peppermint Bark, never fear.
You can make them at home. Here are a few resources for making your own chocolates at home (and not on equipment used to manufacture products with peanuts, tree nuts, or any of the other top 8 allergens or otherwise).
Mounds Bar
Peppermint Bark
Peanut Butter Cups (substitute Sunbutter for Peanut Butter).
Peeps!
Milky Way
Peppermint Patties
I haven't made any of these, mind you, but it's nice to see the resources online. Can you tell I'm craving chocolate and candy today?!?
And a side note: If you want to recreate some restaurant recipes, check out this site. You have to pay for the recipes (all I believe - but they are only .79 each), but if you really want to recreate something at home (and allergen-free), this looks like the place to start!
If you hanker for a Mounds Bar, or Peppermint Bark, never fear.
You can make them at home. Here are a few resources for making your own chocolates at home (and not on equipment used to manufacture products with peanuts, tree nuts, or any of the other top 8 allergens or otherwise).
Mounds Bar
Peppermint Bark
Peanut Butter Cups (substitute Sunbutter for Peanut Butter).
Peeps!
Milky Way
Peppermint Patties
I haven't made any of these, mind you, but it's nice to see the resources online. Can you tell I'm craving chocolate and candy today?!?
And a side note: If you want to recreate some restaurant recipes, check out this site. You have to pay for the recipes (all I believe - but they are only .79 each), but if you really want to recreate something at home (and allergen-free), this looks like the place to start!
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