If you are seeking ideas for your child's allergies...

There are some great links to fantastic organizations over to the right---I recommend checkign them out, getting on to their email lists and just soaking all of the support in.

You can also take a look back at the posts I made in the past--mainly from 2010 and 2011 as those were the years that were the worst for Matthew's allergies.  On the right hand side of this blog you can view by date--take a look at some of the recipes, including egg free, dairy free, gluten free CAKE!  Even cookies.

Allermates on zulily today!

Allermates are on zulily today.  A GREAT product in my honest opinion.  It's a fun way to help kids have fun with their allergies, while giving them an easy way to communicate exactly what those are.  Also a great product for smaller kids who perhaps can't communicate well.
http://www.zulily.com/invite/acern435/e/allermates-022513.html?tid=social_email_ref_shareviaicon_na_modal_d6de6c535cbe0386a8c001666ff4a2c6&eid=41487

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

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.

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).

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). 

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