Happy New Year, Peanut Allergy Peeps!

Another year has passed and we've gotten more and more used to living the peanut free life. It's just, dare I say, the norm for us.

As I mentioned before, B goes back to the allergist next month for another skin test (and possibly a food challenge - not holding my breath though). B is adamant that she doesn't want one. She's ok the way things are.

I keep pushing - 'but don't you WANT to try peanut butter??'. 'Nope,' says she.

I want her to. I need to keep reminding myself that it's not about ME though. Gah.

Oh, and the biggie? B is eating almonds now (safe ones with no cross contamination issues). She LOVES them. That's why her not wanting to eat peanuts just drives me - dare I say it? - nuts! Next up: pecans from a farm in Georgia who assures me that their equipment "has never, ever seen a peanut!". I'll keep you posted.

By the way, the prime rib we had on Christmas Eve? Fabulous! I'll be making that again for another Christmas definitely. And all of the Christmas scurrying around was worth it - sort of. I still wish we could get away with escaping to Maui, just the three of us one Christmas. Sometimes family and all the associated obligations of the holidays are just way too much for me!

All in all, it's been a strange year. Good at times, bad at times. Sad at times.

I turned 40 - and it really sucked. I'm nowhere near where I thought I would be at this age (but still pretty close I guess) and it's becoming more and more apparent that unless a miracle happens, B will be an only child. I know, I know, it's not the end of the world, but there's a HUGE difference between not WANTING another child and not being able to have another child. I guess it wasn't in the cards for us, which sucks! And it really doesn't help when people keep reminding me that she's an only child.

So 2010, bring it. Whatever you want to throw at me, I can take it.

And I hope you ALL have a safe and happy new year and that you reach out to me whenever you feel the need in 2010. I love hearing from you all - it makes me realize that we're all in this together. The support I get from you guys is powerful and I appreciate it!!! Remember I'm on twitter and on facebook, so follow and friend away :)

Big love and kisses (MWAH!) to you all!

p.s. B and I were at the animal shelter this afternoon and we fell in love with this little boy. I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to convince Mark that he needs to come home to live with us, but no doubt I'll have to bring out the big guns.
Wish us luck.

Things I've Been Doing....

Things I've Been Making:
- Fruit cake
- Fleur de Sel Caramels
- A List (and checking it twice) - Ha Ha! Sorry I had to throw that one in for the holidays.

Things I've Been Contemplating:
- The 6 rib prime rib (only about 10 pounds of 49 grams of fat per serving MEAT) I just ordered for Christmas Eve Dinner. I've never made prime rib before. Is it easy? Please assure me that I'm not setting myself up for disaster! This is the recipe I think I'm using. Gah!
- Making B's annual allergy checkup in January. She's been begging NOT to have one. Can't say I blame her - those skin test are itchy mo flickers!
- the last day of school was today: NO REACTIONS even though there were plenty of opportunities for it. so thankful.

Things I've Been Doing:
- Letting B taste Nutella for the first time (her eyes just about BUGGED out of her head). Don't worry, her doctor said it was ok to try a small taste and go from there. She has tested negative in both blood and skin tests. No reaction. Whew.
- Ice skating in Union Square, San Francisco

Things I'm Regretting:
- The 10 lbs I've gained since I turned 40. Back on the Shred this week now that I don't have to hustle B off to school in the mornings for the next two weeks.
- Letting B taste Nutella for the first time. What can of worms did I open up???

What are you guys up to?

Thanksgiving Oops #1 to watch out for....

Imagine this greeting you at the table when you're allergic to tree nuts?

It's a super crafty idea from the folks at Pottery Barn, don't get me wrong (although I wonder what you're supposed to do with the nuts and place cards when you want a glass of wine?), but what a big oops! It greeted me this week when my PB catalog came in the mail. It's funny what you notice first when you are sensitive to these things, huh?

I don't mean to harp on PB, but it just goes to show that during the holidays you need to be prepared for anything.

Including leaves in your glass (I sure hope they cleaned those first).

Merry Christmas Everyone!

We're getting ready for Christmas Eve at our place tonight, but we would be remiss if we didn't wish you all a very Merry Christmas (and Hanukah)! We hope all your holiday wishes come true!

I'm Alive!

That posting once a day thing really took it out of me and I've been taking a wee break from the blog (I hope you don't desert me). I'm at a conference all week, but Christmas is underway in the PFMama household, you can be sure of it!

I'll be back soon with more posts. In the meantime, enjoy your families, stay safe, and for goodness sake, get off the computer!

Black Friday

Today is the traditional day to go out and spend money on Christmas gifts. We wont be participating since we'll be driving from Phoenix to California, for the first leg of our drive home from Thanksgiving with Mark's dad.

I was listening to NPR this week and heard a local story about the state of food banks in the San Francisco Bay Area - how the need for food is increasing (some folks have been turned away!) and the amount of donations are decreasing.

Mark and I support our local Second Harvest throughout the year, but I'm sure there are groups close to you that do the same thing.

I know we all worry about our children eating peanuts or wheat or shellfish or dairy, but what if we had to worry if they were going to eat at all?

This isn't the best year for a lot of us, I realize that, but even a can or two of food at your local supermarket donation bin will make a difference.

Gobble Gobble.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you're chowing down on something tasty (and peanut free) today. I'm in Arizona enjoying a bird and all the trimmings with family.

This year I'm thankful for my family, my friends, hope for the future of our country (any change is what we needed), and of course that B's peanut allergy may have turned a corner.

I'm also thankful for all of you. You all inspire me! We're a nice little community and I'm so glad I've touched your lives. You've definitely touched mine.

Mwah!

Craft Idea for the kids

We were at my folks place yesterday. They have some big pine trees and B and I walked around the yard and picked up pine cones while Mark was inside doing some work.

But what to do with the pine cones? Well, when I was a kid in Connecticut, we used to make bird feeders out of pine cones. I immediately decided that that's what we'd do when we got home. You cover the pine cone with something sticky, roll it in bird seed, and then hang it from a tree for the birds to enjoy. What a great afternoon activity!

And then I stopped myself. Memories came flooding back and I remembered that the bird seed stuck on the pine cone with...

peanut butter. Hmmm. Back to the drawing board.

But then I had another thought. What's in my fridge at home that's made from something that birds love? Sunflower Butter!

Bella HATES sunflower butter. I think if I want to punish her, I could threaten her with a Sunbutter sandwich (seriously). So I've had a jar of Sunbutter sitting in my fridge for, oh I don't know, 9 months now. So no time like the present - let's use it up.

So we laid out a cutting board, tied a string (I used kitchen twine) around the top, and I smeared Sunbutter (actually a mixture of sunbutter and shortening, see below) all over the pine cones. We had a glass pie plate filled with bird seed, and after I smeared, I lowered it into the pie plate, where B proceeded to roll it around and sprinkle the seed on top until it was completely covered. I wont lie, it took her a while to get used to the idea of touching something that looked and smelled like peanut butter AND touching something with sunflower seeds (she avoids all nuts and seeds, although she only has the peanut allergy), but after I told her she wouldn't be eating it she was gung ho.

Mark looked at us like we was crazy when we were making these. He's a California boy so he hadn't ever done this. Oh well, I'm sure this isn't the last time :)

But after we were done she was so proud of herself and we had a nice little treat for the birds in our yard. As I write this, though, I can see some squirrels trying to figure out how they are going to get these down from the trees (those rascals)!

Here are some instructions I found online that include photos of the whole process (this is messy, so I wasn't about to break out my camera). We basically followed these directions, although when I was looking online for instructions, lots of folks gave a warning about using straight peanut butter (or in this case, sunflower butter), that it would choke the birds. Not wanting to explain the circle of life to B this early, or wanting to clean up dead birds, we mixed the sunbutter 1/2 and 1/2 with vegetable shortening.

All in all, it was a nice (not too long) crafty endeavor for us.

Premade Mixes from Mall Stores

Halloween JUST came to an end, but not before I received more than one Christmas catalog.

The Crate and Barrel catalog caught my eye, not only for the great gift ideas, but for their allergen warnings in the catalog for their food products, like their Peppermint Bark (which is yummy by the way):

Crate and Barrel Exclusive

The cool flavor and crunch of candy canes mingle with rich dark fudge and sweet white chocolate fudge in this old-fashioned treat.

• Contains dark chocolate, white chocolate and crushed candy canes
• Produced in a facility that processes nuts
• Made in the USA

I think I found one food item in the catalog that didn't carry the warning. Suffice it to say, you'll have a tough time finding something in the Crate & Barrel catalog that you can have (well, that your peanut allergic self or peanut allergic child can have). But at least they list the allergen warning in their catalog (and on their website)!

Can't say the same for Williams-Sonoma. And believe me, NONE of their items are safe for nut allergy sufferers. They all carry a CYA warning.

So be careful if you come across these branded items at a party. Their labels are removable from the pretty tin, so you might not see that warnings they carry. They may look innocent, but might be dangerous for allergy sufferers.

How We Spent Our Holiday Weekend

I tell you, we're in summer mode at Casa Peanut Free. Bella's still in preschool and I'm still working, but we're making the most of the weather and any excuse for a get together and/or party when we're not stuck inside learning our ABC's or working for the man. :->

Last weekend was no exception. We made our way down to LA to visit family and catch some spectacular fireworks in Marina Del Rey.

I'm happy to say that it was another reaction-free holiday (I could really get used to this!). Our only foray out to eat was at Jerry's Famous Deli and, per usual, they were REALLY accomodating with Bella's allergy. I highly recommend them - but beware of the HUMONGOUS portions. It is definitely NOT a place for a diet.

I did want to share a neat find of mine. Before we left, I wanted to find a few activities to occupy Bella on the drive down and while we were at my parent's place. I'm not anti-tv, but I didn't want her watching tv while we were there.

I bought the obligatory crayons and packed the portable DVD player for the car. But one of my finds was a great book from the Klutz company (a girlfriend of mine used to work for them - I wish I would have taken advantage of her employee discount more back then!) called Hand Art. Basically you trace your hand and then make a picture out of the resulting shape (I've scanned a page from the book at the left - please don't sue me Klutz!).

This book was such a HUGE hit with Bella. We literally made every drawing in the book. And it comes with these little fuzzballs for the nose and tails and little googlie-eyes you can glue on. Her 6 year old cousin thought it was pretty great too. Needless to say, Nana and Grandpa had quite an 'art' collection when we left. And they could tell what each animal was, which was a bonus.

But I also saw something in this book that just made me smile so wide. Bella was doing the dog picture. In the bottom corner of each page, they show the child how to hold their hand when making the drawing. Can you see what's on that little wrist? I've blown it up so you can tell a little better.

It's a medic alert bracelet! I thought it was so neat that they included that in the photo, when they obviously could have photoshopped it out. Kudos to Klutz for keeping it in!

All in all the weekend was great. We made it down to LA on one tank of gas (and the same back up home) and that's something else to smile about. We ate way too much, I read gobs of magazines and cookbooks, and Bella wore herself out each and every night from swimming, running around, and playing all sorts of imaginary games with her grandpa.

I hope your 4th was just as good.

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)?

Valentine's Treats for Peanut Allergic Kids

So I was browsing around at a chi-chi, upscale grocery store near my office this week, looking for a few peanut-free Valentine Treats for Bella. I figured I could find a little heart shaped box of plain chocolates for her.

Guess what I found?

Nothing.

There's slim pickings for Peanut Allergic Kids for Valentine's Day! Everything is made on equipment that manufactures peanut products, or made in the same facility - both of those no-no's for the vigilant mom.

So how can you fill a Valentine's Basket with safe treats WITHOUT resorting to mail-order?

Here are some options (most of which you can buy at Target or a drugstore near you):

• Sweethearts in 2 oz boxes (in regular, tart, and chocolate flavors)
• Hershey's Kisses (they even have cute, big heart shaped boxes of them without an allergy warning!)
• Hershey's Chocolate Bars (some of the larger ones have a warning though)
• Twizzlers
• Madeleines from Starbucks
• Rice Krispie Treats
• Mike & Ike's
• Gummi Bears
• Oreo Snack Packs
• Whoppers
• Marshmallow Peeps (as long as they don't have chocolate in them)
• Animal crackers
• Hostess Twinkies or Cupcakes (some have warnings i hear, beware)
• Sweet tarts
• Fruitabu
  

At Target, quite a few of these were in Valentine themed cases (i.e. hearts) so it still gets the kids in the spirit. I'll likely get Bella a few of these plus a stuffed animal and some coloring books/pens/stickers.

I must say that not being able to find chocolates and candies is ok with me. I feel a lot better about Bella eating 'real' food like fruit instead of chocolate/sweets for dessert. Is this a bright side of having a peanut allergy? Maybe!

So what would you add to my list?

p.s. Here's a list that details a TON of peanut free/safe foods (note: this list is a year old and originates in Canada, where some products are safe THAT ARE NOT SAFE IN THE USA). NEVER stop reading labels, even if it's a food on this list. Depending on where a product is made (different factory or different country) they could have different manufacturing practices.

Gung Hay Fat Choy! (may prosperity be with you)

Happy Chinese New Year!

Living in the Bay Area we get to celebrate a multitude of cultures. We're especially lucky to have such a large Chinese population (and great Chinese Food)!

Now we all know that Chinese Food can be a scary encounter for someone with a food allergy - so much of the food contains peanuts. But do you know why? Here's a little something I discovered when I was reading about the Chinese New Year this morning:

Dumplings
On New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, it is customary to eat dumplings, known as "jiaozi" in Chinese, which represent the progression of the years. They are filled and then boiled or steamed. In northern China they make "shui-chiao," shaping them like horseshoes, which is meant to bring riches to those who eat them. Plump half-moon shaped dumplings evoke "yuanbao," a 50 ounce silver ingot. Eating them is supposed to bring wealth and good luck.

Dumplings can contain a piece of sugar, a coin, a peanut or a chestnut, each signifying a different omen. Did you just bite into a sweet dumpling? Happiness will be knocking at your door. Did it contain a coin? Luck will smile on you. Is it stuffed with a chestnut? You'll soon have a boy. Is it filled with peanuts? That's a sign of longevity (in Chinese, peanuts are also called longevity fruit.)

Longevity? Not in our house I'm afraid.

But we'll be eating Chinese food this week without a doubt (luckily we have a great relationship with a local place who know about our food allergy and accomodate us).

Don't want to head out to Chinese Food? Try to make some yourself to celebrate the year of the rat!

Out with a Bang (and a tip)!

I suppose this will be the last post of 2007 for me (I cannot believe how fast 2007 flew by), so I thought I would leave you with the best discovery I made just a few weeks ago. I think it might just be something that you folks will appreciate.

So, every year since I can remember, my mother has made this thing called simnal cake. It's kind of like fruit cake, and usually served at easter but she makes it for Christmas, except it's lighter than traditional fruitcake and it has gorgeous marzipan in it and dried fruits and it just hits the spot. I used to make it myself every year (well, as an adult) up until the dreaded diagnosis. So what's a girl to do? Well, I for one have been looking for a fruit cake recipe that I can make that I can adapt without nuts. And to be honest, they've all been failures. There's something about the nuttiness that makes the fruit cake a fruit cake.

Right about now you're thinking to yourself, Peanut Free Mama is perhaps the only person in the world who likes fruitcake - that stuff is terrible! Can I send her mine? Ok, now before you click over to another blog, give me a chance.

This Christmas I managed to find a delicious fruitcake (that I served to my 18 guests for Christmas Eve - they loved it!) that I was able to adapt with a suitable and workable replacement for almonds. I don't expect you to go out and make this fruitcake, but when you're reading a recipe that calls for ground almonds, give this a shot.

So here's the recipe I found in Gourmet in the December 2007 issue. It's a gorgeous recipe, all boozy and full of fruits. Maybe since it's called a pound cake with fruit you'll be tempted to try it.

HOLIDAY FRUIT-FILLED POUND CAKE
Gourmet | December 2007

Unlike traditional fruitcakes, which are usually soaked in liquor and can be prepared weeks in advance, this version is best eaten within five days of baking. Makes 12 servings Gina Marie Miraglia Eriquez 3/4 cup Cognac or other brandy 2/3 cup golden raisins 2/3 cup currants 2/3 cup dried apricots, finely chopped 2/3 cup dried cranberries 3/4 cup whole blanched almonds plus 1/3 cup for top of cake (6 ouncecs total) 1 cup sugar, divided 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 3/4 teaspoon salt 2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened 4 large eggs 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 tablespoon grated orange zest 3 tablespoons sweet orange marmalade or apricot preserves 1 tablespoon orange-flavored liqueur Equipment: a 9-inch springform pan Heat brandy in a 1-quart saucepan over low heat until warm, then remove from heat and stir in dried fruit. Cover and let stand 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 325°F with rack in middle. Invert bottom of springform pan and lock on side. Generously butter pan and dust with flour, knocking out excess. Finely grind 3/4 cup almonds with 1/4 cup sugar in a food processor, then whisk together with flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Beat butter and remaining 3/4 cup sugar with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well

after each addition (batter will appear curdled), then add vanilla, zest, and fruit with brandy and beat until thoroughly combined, about 2 minutes.

At low speed, mix in flour mixture until incorporated.

Spoon batter into pan, smoothing it, and top with remaining 1/3 cup almonds.

Bake until a long wooden pick inserted into center of cake comes out clean, 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours.

Run a thin metal spatula around side of cake, then cool in pan on a rack 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt marmalade with liqueur in a small heavy saucepan over medium

heat, stirring, then strain glaze through a sieve into a small bowl, discarding solids.

Loosen side of cake with thin metal spatula again, then remove side of pan and loosen bottom of cake.

Transfer cake from pan to rack and brush glaze over top of cake.

Cool cake completely, about 3 hours.

Cooks' notes:

• Cake improves in flavor if made 1 day ahead.
• Cake keeps, wrapped in parchment paper, then foil, and put in a sealed bag, at room temperature 5 days or frozen 2 weeks (bring to room temperature before serving).

after each addition (batter will appear curdled), then add vanilla, zest, and fruit with brandy and beat until thoroughly combined, about 2 minutes.

At low speed, mix in flour mixture until incorporated.

Spoon batter into pan, smoothing it, and top with remaining 1/3 cup almonds.

Bake until a long wooden pick inserted into center of cake comes out clean, 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours.

Run a thin metal spatula around side of cake, then cool in pan on a rack 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt marmalade with liqueur in a small heavy saucepan over mediumheat, stirring, then strain glaze through a sieve into a small bowl, discarding solids.

Loosen side of cake with thin metal spatula again, then remove side of pan and loosen bottom of cake.

Transfer cake from pan to rack and brush glaze over top of cake.

Cool cake completely, about 3 hours.

Cooks' notes:

• Cake improves in flavor if made 1 day ahead.
• Cake keeps, wrapped in parchment paper, then foil, and put in a sealed bag, at room temperature 5 days or frozen 2 weeks (bring to room temperature before serving).

And after first reading it, I think, I'm in the clear, no nuts! But then I read it again. Ground almonds in the cake (and whole almonds on top). The almonds on top I can omit, but what about the ground almonds? I emailed Gourmet and (of course) got no response. Was I going to let this recipe get the better of me? There HAD to be a solution (other than omitting them).

And then it came to me.

Coconut.

I'd use coconut and I just KNEW it would work. And it did, it really did! I found a bag of raw coconut (definitely not the sweetened kind) in the hippie section of my supermarket (you know the area - with all the bulk bins of flax seed). I did the exact same measurement of coconut as was called for almonds - 3/4 of a cup, and I omitted the almonds on the top of the cake. When you blitz the coconut with the sugar, the consistency isn't as wet as if it were with almonds, but it is very close. I would suggest using a little more brandy to soak the fruit if you want a moister cake (that's what I did - but don't worry, the smell of booze alone will keep the kids away).

The verdict - this cake tasted like it had almonds in it, but it was the coconut. It was SO good and I was SO pleased. I am thinking that this switcheroo could be used for a variety of recipes that call for almonds in ground form.

I hope this tip helps you in some way. Have any of you ever tried this substitution? The whole time I was making this, I was thinking - wait until I tell everyone online how it turned out!

Happy New Year Everyone. Have a safe and happy entry into 2008 - I'll be back with more regularity next week...

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone! I hope you are having a wonderful holiday with your family (or friends) - whoever you celebrate with.

I am about to hit the hay. Present are wrapped. Santa just came and the dishwasher is running after a fun and boisterous Christmas Eve dinner with 18 of our family members (yes - 18!). Life is good.

I know I've been MIA the last few weeks, sorry about that. Christmas has been so fun (and for some reason not as overwhelming as seasons past) so I've just been enjoying the ride. I should be back in action this week so come back!

That being said, I hope Santa brings you all everything you want and especially a reaction free Christmas!

p.s. I made a great baking discovery this season - I'll be sharing it with you this week (I'm off until the 3rd of January so I'll have more time to write - woo hoo!)

Happy Chanukah!

Chanukah begins tonight at sunset. Bella asked what Chanukah (or Hanukkah) was so I explained to her that it was the Festival of Lights and it lasted 8 days and that a candle on the menorah was lit each night to symbolize a one-day supply of oil lasting for eight days (I didn't go into much more detail - she's only 3). I told her that they would be making latkes at school tomorrow and she would learn more about it. She was so excited!

You might be asking yourself - I didn't know Peanut Free Mama was Jewish? Well, I'm not. But growing up on the east coast, Chanukah was a big part of the holidays for kids. Heck, Noodle Kugel is a big holiday food in our household (we eat it with beef bourginon which I believe is a jewish no-no though). And I'm all about diversity and Bella learning all about other faiths, so.....where was I?

When we were talking about Chanukah, I was thinking to myself - I wonder if eating nut-free is hard at Chanukah as well? Are there traditional foods that a nut-allergic person needs to avoid? So I did a little research. Here's a list of some foods associated with Chanukah:

• Latkes (and Cheese Latkes)
• Noodle Kugel (I thought this was more for Yom Kippur than Chanukah - either way it is amazingly good - I found this recipe and it's almost identical to the one my Auntie Phyllis Zeldman used to make - yum!)
  
• Applesauce
• Doughnuts (or Sufganiyot)
• Rugelach (a no-no for nut allergy sufferers)
• Mandelbrot (also a no-no for nut allergy sufferers)
  

Why so many oily foods? This ties in with the one-day supply of oil! Apparently, dairy plays a large part in Chanukah as well (although I couldn't find any specific recipes save for the cheese latke and the noodle kugel).

As far as I can tell, eating nut free looks fairly easy (just avoid using peanut oil for frying and stay away from the rugelach and mandelbrot). Although I am stumped as to how one finds safe gelt (the little chocolate coins). Every package I pick up in the store has a nut warning. Are there any you can buy in the store (not mail order) that you can guide me to?

I am sure I am not doing Chanukah justice with this short post, but my intentions are good. Did I miss anything? If you have anything to add, leave it in the comments and I will update the post.

To all my visitors who celebrate Chanukah, I wish you a safe and happy holiday.

Completely Off Topic...But Holiday Related!

Hey there everyone. Just thinking about Christmas shopping. Mark and I have gotten to the point where we pretty much have everything we need/want (oh, except for that lear jet - hee hee), and anything we are really wanting we save for (oh who am I kidding we usually charge it and spend the next month or two paying for it) and buy it ourselves.

Where was I?

This time of year always makes me anxious, as there really isn't anything I want or need. So when folks and family start talking about what we're doing for gifts each year I just get uncomfortable. I know it sounds all hippie dippie, but I really would rather you make a donation in my name to a good cause. Rather than being burdened by something else I don't need (even if it's a nice gift) or something I really don't want, I suggested not giving anything to the adults in the family and just buying for the kids.

This was met with some - ahem- resistance. I guess I am in the minority. But I would rather folks spend $25 to help towards feeding someone, clothing someone, educating someone, or teaching them how to support themselves.

How do you feel?

I found a great list on Work It Mom! today with charity/donation gift ideas. Check it out. There's a charity for just about anyone on the list (and don't forget about local food banks in your area).

So this year, I am going to compromise. Each person will get a small gift from us, but along with it I will make a donation. I think some of my family members will be in for a shock when they get what to them will look like a donation to the Human Fund in their name. Here's hoping they'll feel all warm and fuzzy instead.

disclaimer: don't get me wrong - i like getting presents! i just don't like the feeling of going overboard each year (both receiving and giving).

Slow Week, So Let's Bake!

Just discovered two more yummy looking recipes to try for the holidays:

Ginger-Honey Pumpkin Pie
(note: the image attached to the recipe on the epicurious site is wrong - that's a pie with a walnut streusel topping - it's definitely not nut free - this is the correct photo)
and

4-Ingredient Favorite Coconut Cookies (no photo, sorry)

These, coupled with the chocolate cake recipe from allergic girl will make for one sweet Christmas.

What are you baking this year?

Gobble Gobble

We had a great Thanksgiving - hope you did too!

We're busy around Casa Peanut Free with post-Thanksgiving activities including the SF Auto Show and the local Festival of Lights Parade, mixed in with family time, movies and trips to the park. I haven't done a lick of shopping yet, and I don't plan on it.

Most importantly, we've gone a year plus with no serious peanut reactions. And this spring we found that Bella's tree nut allergy is gone. For this we are TRULY thankful.

Hope your holiday weekend is just as full and happy. Back on Monday with more posts.

p.s. the cheeseball was a big hit! instead of making a ball (for some reason it was too soft), i spread it in a shallow oval dish and sprinkled the bacon over it. mmmm. more surface area meant more bacon. hee hee. try it folks , it's awesome.

Do Your Part to End Hunger

Sometimes I go on and on about how difficult it can be to negotiate the world of food with a peanut allergy, oftentimes forgetting that some folks aren't as lucky as we are. Some folks don't wonder what they will eat, they wonder if they will eat.

Noone should ever be hungry, especially kids, so we donate as much as we can to this local organization. Can you spare a few dollars for some hungry folks in your area? It doesn't take much. Check out how far it goes at Second Harvest. I bet if you Google 'food bank+yourcity' something will pop up. Go ahead, try it.

It's just a few lattes (or burgers or a CD) for you. But it will help calm a little (or big) kid's rumbling belly.

We all need to take care of each other. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Hope yours is safe and happy (and reaction free).