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

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.  

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!

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!

I know this blog is for Matthew--but eventually it'll be shared with our youngest son who we know for sure has at least a dairy allergy.

So from time to time I'll add some foods that are 'baby safe' as well. We didn't know about Matthew's allergies until close to 12 months of age (although he was having reactions to some items prior to that point)

Here is one product I am IN LOVE with!

Super Puffs from Plum Organics---they are free of wheat. Adam has been happily eating these and I am so excited knowing we aren't introducing wheat yet (since there's certainly a good chance he's allergic to that as well).

They are available at Target amongst other stores.
http://www.plumorganics.com/for_super_puffs_panel.php

My go-to WHITE SAUCE recipe

This is my go-to recipe for a 'cream soup' base---I use it in things like pasta and cream sauce or even pot pie.

WHITE SAUCE:
1 cup rice milk
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons dairy free margarine
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Take your COLD rice milk in a small pan (on the stove of course) and whisk in the cornstarch. Add the margarine and other ingredients. Let get warm and then whisk until it gets thicker.

You can even chop up mushrooms and add in for extra flavor. Sometimes I add in a little more bouillon or salt for flavor. A great base for so much!

Tacos....and more!

What kid doesn't love to build their own taco?

I had never used a slow cooker to make tacos before but tried it one day and WOW!

THE HOW TO:

Take about 4-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (raw/thawed)
1 jar of salsa of your choice (they have several different gluten free varieties out there if needed)

Put both in a slowcooker on LOW for 8 hrs. Around 7.5 hours I shredded the chicken and placed it back in with the liquid. The two will mesh for 30 minutes and create the best tacos ever!

WAIT....THERE'S MORE!

What we did was the first night had chicken tacos, second night had a chicken taco salad (fried and baked taco shells) and then the third night you can make chicken enchiladas. Or if you are 'chickened out' you can always make an item and freeze for later....much much later.