Are You Ready for Me to Rock Your Peanut Allergic World?

So when your child is diagnosed with a peanut allergy, like most folks, you clear your house of peanut products. Why take a chance on having it around if your child could die as a result of accidental exposure?

But maybe you've been used to having peanut butter on toast in the morning, all melty and delicious. Or maybe a secret spoonful at night as a treat?

Ah, I remember it well.

And I thought those days were gone.

But guess what? I've reclaimed that glory and I want to share it with you.

I'd like to introduce you to my new crush: Barney Butter.

I know, kind of a funny name (until you learn it's the name of the founder) - Barney reminds me of that big purple dinosaur and I used to shudder a little when I heard it.

But no more.

I've tried all the spreads that claim to be a great substitute for peanut butter: Sunbutter, soy butter, pea butter, other almond butters. But they never came close. Until now.

Barney Butter is peanut free, all natural almond butter. It is so eerily close to peanut butter that you might REALLY fool someone (and let's face it - anyone who says they've fooled someone with Sunbutter is suffering from a case of wishful thinking - it's good, but it's not THAT good). I think my husband may have actually had tears in his eyes when he tasted this - he was never expecting to have anything as good as this in our cupboards to slather on apple slices or soft white processed bread (yeah, I buy it, so what?!?).

Now if you have a tree nut allergy then this has just been a big tease (and for that I apologize). But if you've been given the go ahead from your allergist to incorporate safe tree nut butters then I highly encourage you to try this. The color is spot on, the consistency is identical (no stirring needed!) and, the taste, oh lordy!

This is so good that I've turned other folks on to this who's kids have a peanut allergy (but were told no tree nuts unless they were free from cross contamination) who stash this in their cupboards just for those times when you just need a little taste of the sweet stuff.

I sound like a pusher, huh?

I just want as many folks to try it as possible so it never goes away. Honestly, it's not the cheapest - it's almost $8 at my local high-end grocery, but it's SO worth it. I can't wait to cook with it - I'm sure the results will be phenomenal.

And what about little miss B - what does she think? She wont touch it - too close to the real thing. I don't think they intended to be a safe alternative for peanut allergy sufferers, but they have found a HUGE fan with me. Thanks Barney Butter!!!

OK, enough gushing on my part.

Have any of you tried it??

p.s. The folks at Barney Butter didn't ask me to write this post, haven't sent me this to review - heck, they don't know me from Adam. This post is truly from the heart.

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?

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.