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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

2 meals in 1

This is taken from my other "mommy" blog.  I just started it to give myself some mental stimulation.  It's true.   That and I haven't had a diary since I was like 8 years old.

But on with the reason for this post.  To share a recipe that I've used for my kids.  You may need to make some changes if there is a gluten intolerance (from the shells).  But in that case, you can use the shredded chicken and make actual tacos from it using corn tortillas.

Take a look:  Link to my recipe

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Realization

I made a realization the other day.  Since Matthew has begun growing out of his food allergies he's truly eating like every other American boy.  Like crap.  Yes, I know that it's my fault as his mother--however after not being allowed so much for so long, it's like a part of me feels like he "deserves" these foods.  Mac N Cheese, hot dogs...even the occasional ice cream. 

His latest love is for Pepperidge Farm Goldfish.  He and his brother can't get enough of them.  To think that just a year ago he could never eat those.   And now we use them as a negotiator....a five minute break for mom....and a snack for the road.  Yes.  It's true.  Snacks that the rest of the world takes for granted are TRULY a treat for him.  And they are a treat for me too.  I haven't had to make special trips to markets that specialize in allergy-free foods.  It's also been a treat for my wallet since now he can consume much less expensive items.  BUT the trade-off is that these less expensive items are not as healthy.  I almost "miss" the old foods.  Yet I'm beyond happy that he can eat what his friends are eating (for the most part and with much less reaction).   

So for those who haven't yet grown out of the allergies, just think that someday these forbidden treats will be "the best thing ever"...for both of you.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Mac N Cheese....it's what's for dinner!

So the other night I made WAY too much pasta....like WAY too much.  So after looking at it in the fridge for a couple of days, I decided to try adding Velveeta spread to it to make mac n cheese.  We've tried Kraft mac n cheese for Matthew previously without any success but wondered what the non-powdered kind might do.

To our amazement, he didn't seem to have any type of reaction!!!  No rash...nothing.  And man...was it tasty.

I'd be interested to find what others have experienced with this kind of "experiment" (obviously be smart about it...our son's milk allergy isn't as dangerously high as it once was).


Thursday, July 5, 2012

Not gonna lie....

I'm not going to lie.  We went out to dinner last week and this was the first time I ordered a meal for our youngest son (he normally would just share with one of us or we would bring his own).  We've been thoroughly testing everything under the sun and from what I can tell, he doesn't seem to have any serious reactions.  I do think he has some type of allergy either to dairy or wheat (thinking more with the wheat), but again nothing crazy like with Matthew.

So we not only ordered REGULAR milk for him (which he loved practicing drinking out of the straw), but also mac n cheese.  Yes....regular mac n cheese! 

Is THIS what we have been missing all of these years??  You just order a meal, it gets brought to your table, they eat it, you go home and that's it??  No need to think super far ahead, pre-cook a meal in order to eat out, heat it up and put it in a special thermos so it stays warm, pack up rice milk to drink and some bread since the bread basket is also off limits?? 

Wow....it was AWESOME!!!!  And now Matthew is able to eat a few more items off of the menus so it's really been more of a treat to go out and eat (yes, even with two in tow). 

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Updates and a couple product finds....

I know....I know.....I haven't been around a lot.  I knew life would be crazier with two but didn't realize just how much.  But we are extremely blessed.  Matthew has been growing out of some of his allergies a bit.  I wouldn't say they are gone by any means--but they are less intense for sure.  In fact, the boys (Adam is now 13 mos and Matthew almost 4) just had real ice cream and LOVED it!!!  Adam didn't have any reaction but Matthew did get a rash.  But for the first time it didn't really spread and did go away without using benadryl.  We watched him very closely and I even brought the benadryl with to the ice cream shop.  (Yup....I'm that nervous)

Things are looking pretty good for Adam, our youngest in terms of allergies.  My gut is saying that he has a slight wheat allergy in looking at his skin, but nothing that is alarming to me or causing any kind of rashes or other issues.  

For Matthew, we've been testing lots of different milk-based foods.  In fact, we actually tested mac n cheese the other day--and yet, that gave him a horrible rash within seconds--and with just a teaspoonful.  So you can understand, it's still nerve-wracking.
  
A COUPLE PRODUCT FINDS:
I do love this product from Amy's kitchen--it's a dairy free mac n cheese (also gluten free).  We send it to Matthew's daycare on mac n cheese day so he can eat what the other kids are having.  http://www.amys.com/products/product-detail/entrees/000043

I also found this at Super Target last week and am very excited as this is a great "emergency" meal for both us and the daycare to have on hand.  Again, dairy and gluten free.  http://www.amys.com/products/product-detail/kids-meals/000270


Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Awesome Product For Dairy Allergic!!

So last year I was watching the Today Show and saw them highlight this new-fangled device called the Yonanas machine that you stuff frozen bananas in to and kazaaaaaam.....out comes "ice cream".  They raved how it was awesome for those who were allergic to dairy but wanted something super close to ice cream.  OK.  My ears perked up since I had a little one who I dreamed could have 'real' ice cream someday.

Well, I recently make the plunge and bought one.  They really aren't that expensive actually.  They sell them everywhere now.  We finally used it last weekend and I'm pretty sure the exact words out of my mouth after I turned the machine off were "ok, this thing is possibly the coolest machine EVER."

So here's the "scoop"...

  • You use over ripe bananas that you freeze, but you also can make without bananas (you just get a less creamy consistency)
  • It comes with a recipe book that literally has oodles of ideas
  • YES.  You can use chocolate with this thing!!!  I know!!!  I couldn't believe it either.  I will say that I haven't personally tried it yet but I have some frozen and plan on doing so.  
  • I warn you that your kids will go bonkers over this thing.  As soon as I start putting ingredients in with the  help of my 3 yr old (who is the master of this blog.....) my 1 year old son who is also dairy allergic comes running full force.  He's an addict already!!
  • Cleaning it is super simple.  I was scared of that part, but it's really easy.  
The real bonus here:
  • Nothing else is added.  It's literally ONLY fruit.  I love that!  I love the fact that I'm handing over what appears to be a bowl of ice cream to my kids and yet, it's only fruit.  They think they are pulling one over on ME...but truthfully, it's the other way around.
Like I said, it's available virtually everywhere now so look for coupons and such.  I actually saw it on zulily.com which is a site I really like for the kids.   You will have to go to their search box and type in "yonanas" but then you can actually order it from there. http://www.zulily.com/invite/acern435  It's the deluxe version which is actually a step up from what I got and even cheaper than what I paid.  Check it out!!  You seriously will NOT be sorry.  A great way to eat healthy, lose weight, cool off, and the list goes on and on.  I really am liking this product.  


Wednesday, April 18, 2012

GROW it and they will EAT it....

Yes...we planted our seeds to start our garden a couple of weeks ago.
We planted them inside to germinate so that around Mother's Day we can go ahead and plant them outside. Because we are in the Midwest, we are still prone to frost until around mid-May.

So many people are amazed at how much Matthew loves vegetables! In fact, my uncle bought a veggie tray for him as a 'gag gift' and in fact, Matthew was beyond excited!!! There have been many times that he will actually choose a cucumber over something else. It's great! And I attribute it to:

1. The fact that early on he could not eat so many "traditional" foods, so we HAD to give him mainly fruits and veggies

2. We involved him in the entire process of gardening.

When I say entire process--I mean ENTIRE. We go to the store to purchase the supplies, plant the seeds together, water them, monitor them, etc. We make sure the soil is ready outside and transplant the plants outdoors and there we also monitor their water intake. And finally, when they produce lots of fabulous veggies---Matthew gets his buckets handy and picks away.

This year we are hoping to grow tomatoes (red, yellow and orange) zucchini, cucumber, peppers (sweet, green, orange), watermelon, asparagus and artichoke. We have greeen onion already growing in the garden--it's wild. We may even try our hand at growing some veggies in planters as well this year.

Our biggest obstacle---the bunnies! If anyone knows a great way to keep them away, I'd love ot hear it. We put up a small wire fence already, but they are very eager.

So involve your children in growing their own foods--and I can almost guarantee that they WILL eat it!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Allergy Friendly "peanut butter and jelly" sandwich

Yes--it's true!!!!
I remember the day I found out about Matthew's peanut allergy. Of course the initial thought of ever having to use the epi pen popped in to my head---but after that, the thought of him never being able to have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich followed. I wanted to cry. I probably did.

Well, over two years later--I'm happy to tell you that he's eaten his fair share of "allergy friendly" sunbutter sandwiches. And at first glance, no one would ever know the difference!

I introduce you to Sunbutter --sunflower seed spread. It is available at many grocery stores, health food stores and even on amazon (we got it on their direct ship at a great discount!!). It tastes just like sunflower seeds and is very healthy for you. It is not a nut or a peanut--and is allergy friendly.

We pair this up with Ener-G Light Tapioca bread--which again is available at the above-mentioned locations. It isn't cheap, but we all know that anything allergy-friendly isn't. It is very dry--but I have found that it's one bread that my son will eat "plain", which says a lot!