Update on Matthew's allergies...

Some good news---because of his wheat allergy he was never able to play with Play-Doh since it has wheat in it. Well, about 6 weeks ago he played with it at a children's museum and had no reaction so of course I went out and bought him a little bucket of it. He hasn't stopped playing with it since!!! And no reactions....even when he tries to "taste" it. LOL

So since then we've tried regular white saltines. His allergist suggested that we try wheat at some point, but to make sure it's white wheat and not whole wheat (which contains the gluten I guess). He hasn't had any reactions to Saltines and absolutely LOVES them. We then tried making pancakes with regular flour, no eggs and rice milk--he did well!!!

So we are feeling better that perhaps he is growing out of his wheat allergy at least. It'd be such a blessing to get rid of all of them, but we'll take what we can get.

Stuffed Tomatoes with Quinoa

Matthew helped grow a garden this year---tomatoes (cherry and the larger ones) along with green pepper, asparagus, rhubarb and onions.

With the abundance of tomatoes, I was in search for the perfect recipe. I found it!!

http://www.oprah.com/food/Warm-Quinoa-and-Zucchini-Stuffed-Tomatoes

NOTE: We left out the parm cheese and breadcrumbs

I would also recommend pairing with a smaller cut of meat, perhaps a small fillet. Matthew gobbled this stuff up!

Again, Quinoa is a grain that is VERY high in protein--perfect for those on restricted diets.

Pork tenderloins with a white cream sauce and pasta

I was looking for something different so decided to look at pork recipes--found one on Rachael Ray's website that I liked and made some switches of my own.

2 pork chops---cut them width-wise so they were thinner and then cut in medallion size pieces
Brown Rice Flour--dredge the pork chops in it
Olive Oil--heat and then place the pork chops in it--cook on both sides, remove and cover with foil

In the meantime....
Pasta---make the pasta of your choice. We use quinoa pasta

Cream sauce--
I used the "white cream sauce" that I had in an earlier post and added some garlic

Mushrooms---
Saute in soy-free, dairy free butter and add some garlic. Place in the cream sauce

Sweet potatoes---I pressure cooked them. Delicious! For an added treat, I used a mixer and combined the sweet potatoes, a little rice milk, a little allergy free butter and then some pumpkin pie spice. Matthew couldn't get enough of it!!

Voila!!! Dinner is served.
I put the white sauce over the noodles and the pork---delicious. Enjoy!

Happy 2nd Birthday Matthew!!!

It was one year ago during his first birthday party that we realized the severity of his food allergies. He almost went in to anaphylactic shock after consuming about a fingernail's size of cake during his cake smash. Since then it's been wheat, dairy, egg, peanut and nut free for him.

We decided to have his party at an indoor jumping arena--which he loves to go to. But the only food they allow is pizza. All I can say is "Thank you Amy's kitchen"---because of their rice crust/soy cheese pizza he was able to enjoy pizza just like the other kids. And boy, did he ever!!

Cake has been the other big issue when we go to other birthday parties. I found a recipe that I spoke about earlier in the blog called "wacky cake" and it's amazing!!! It was developed during the Great Depression when butter and eggs were rationed. Perfect for us! So for this birthday I decided to make one of those Wilton giant cupcakes, just like I did last year so we could redo his "first cake moment". He's not a huge cake eater, but he sure loves the candles and birthday song.

And lastly, as the other kids had their vanilla ice cream cups, Matthew got to enjoy some raspberry sorbet that I found that is gluten free and dairy free (not all sorbets are dairy free as I've learned, so check those labels). Mmmmm......

So it was a great allergy-free day---no need for Benadryl or the epi pen---hoooray!!!!!

Let him eat cake.....or pancakes at least.

Although I've found some recipes to use for pancakes that Matthew can eat, I've finally found a pancake mix to use that resulted in yummy, fluffy pancakes that the entire family could enjoy.

ORGRAN Apple and Cinnamon pancake mix
http://www.orgran.com/product-information/packet-mixes.html

You use the entire box and instead of using eggs, we just used water (it has instructions on how to do this right on the box). There are even dehydrated apples in it that add to the taste.

Thumbs up from mom and Matthew!!

Peanuts on airplanes----Breaking news!

Department of Transportation Docket Number DOT-OST-2010-0140 ---which basically is saying they are reconsidering peanuts on flights. However, BREAKING NEWS according to the site below indicates this is now off the docket. I'm so disapointed!! Do people REALLY need those insanely small packages of peanuts when it is potentially risking people's lives??

My thought is that those in charge have never been exposed or been witness to someone who has gone in to anaphylactic shock due to peanuts. It is one of the scariest things to see! And obviously even scarier to experience personally.

The DOT is soliciting public comment until 08/09/10 on three options to providing greater access to air travel for persons with peanut allergies:

1. Banning the serving of peanuts and all peanut products by both U.S. and foreign carriers on flights covered by DOT's disability rule;
2. Banning the serving of peanuts and all peanut products on all such flights where a passenger with a peanut allergy is on board and has requested a peanut-free flight in advance;
3. Requiring a peanut-free buffer zone in the immediate area of a passenger with a medically-documented severe allergy to peanuts if a passenger has requested a peanut-free flight in advance.

Here is the BREAKING NEWS that it's come off the docket----BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
http://www.ajc.com/business/dot-backs-off-on-555154.html


You can post comments here to the regulatory committe:

http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#searchResults?Ne=11+8+8053+8098+8074+8066+8084+1&Ntt=DOT-OST-2010-0140&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchall&N=8099+8061+8056+8057+8058

LIKE RIBS???

• Then here is a great rib rub recipe that is gluten free
  1/3 cup dark brown sugar
  1 tablespoon paprika
  1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder (see below for gluten free chili powder recipe
  1 1/2 teaspoon salt
  1 teaspoon ground cumin
  3/4 teaspoon black pepper
  3/4 teaspoon ground oregano
  1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  1/4 teaspoon sugar
  
  Mix all and then rub on the meat. Can be used for about 4 pounds of ribs.
  
  For BBQ sauce we use Organicville original organic BBQ sauce
  
  Chili powder recipe
  1 tsp oregano
  1 tsp cayenne pepper
  2 tsps ground cumin
  1 tsp paprika
  2 tsps garlic powder
  
  I make a bunch of this and keep in a jar for use at any time--we use it in tacos and chilis as well as rubs.