The Food Allergy Mama’s Baking Book
Written by: AllergyMom
I've heard many times a saying "There's no limit to what parents of kids with food allergies can achieve." And, this latest book by Kelly Rudnicki speaks true to this saying. Upon learning that Kelly's oldest son had food allergies at a very young age, Kelly took matters into her own hands. She didn't want him to be excluded from birthday parties and other fun social events. So, she took her energy to the kitchen and started baking. Every recipe in this cookbook is dairy free, egg free and nut free. As Bakers know, removing one critical ingredient from a recipe can dramatically change both the texture and taste of the finished product, thus Kelly tested and retested all of her recipes. She knew she had perfected them when the kids in the neighbourhood all devoured plates of sweets without looking back.
Food Allergy Cookbook - Dairy Free, Egg Free & Nut Free
For parents of kids with an egg allergy, Kelly offers a list of her substitutes which is really helpful. We love (and have used) unsweetened applesauce often in our recipes. She also provides a list of her favorite dairy free, egg free and nut free ingredients, items she knows are readily available at grocery stores.
Two of our favorite recipes in the book are the Cinnamon Bread (simply divine) and Snickeroos. I remember eating Snickeroos years ago before I myself learned that I had a nut allergy. I used to devour more squares than I would ever admit to. These Snickeroos as absolutely delicious and will quickly become a family favorite. Kelly suggests storing them in an airtight container, but trust me, they won't last long enough to make it to the container!
So next time you are having kids over who have food alleriges, or if you have food allergies in your family, check out this cookbook and make a recipe with the kids they they can not only help to prepare but that they can also enjoy! The cookbook can be purchased through Amazon or where books are sold.
Ten Best Valentines Gifts – No Food Required
Written by: Lisa_MacColl
Valentine's Day has long been thought of as the "chocolate holiday". For people with food allergies, especially nut allergies, there are so many more amazing companies now offering peanut free and nut free chocolate options, dairy free chocolates and other delicious alternatives. Columnist Lisa MacColl shares her ideas for Valentine's Day - no food required - therefore No Epipen required!
1. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to tell your partner why s/he matters to you. Does he bring you coffee on his way home from work on days you’re having a “run away and hide” day? Does your tree nut/garlic/wheat/dairy/egg loving spouse forego favorite foods because of your allergies? Every relationship has those little nothings that add up to big signs of love. Tell them how much those little nothings mean.
2. Memories. Rekindle the romance of your relationship with some reminders of special events or places you have shared. When my friend’s boyfriend was trying to impress her at the beginning of their relationship (he lived in Australia, she lived in Canada) he kept reminders of places they visited while he was in Canada. Back in Australia, he would periodically mail a coaster from a favorite restaurant, a ticket stub from a movie they’d seen together with a note about why it was important. She married him. Make your own memories. Read more
Enjoy An Allergy Friendly Valentine’s Day In Calgary
Written by: AllergySense
Calgary’s favourite meal delivery service is once again offering a fresh three course gourmet Valentine’s meal…in the comfort of your own home. Celiac Chef Chris Niddrie enjoys the challenge of preparing a multi-course meal to suit nearly everyone. “We provide people with safe and delicious meals that they can enjoy in their own home. Even if you don’t have food allergies it’s great to be able to have the option to stay in and enjoy a great meal” says Niddrie. This year’s Valentine’s menu consists of a wonderful Roasted Tomato & Tarragon Bisque followed by Butternut Squash & Spinach stuffed Chicken Breast with Red Pepper Coulis, Brown & Wild Rice Pilaf with Vegetable Medley and finishes with a homemade Coconut Ice Cream & Tropical Fruit Caramel finale for just $35.99 per person including delivery!
This special meal must be pre-ordered by Feb. 11th and will be delivered or available for pickup on Sat. Feb. 13th just in time for Valentine’s Day! All items are fully prepared, cooked and ready to heat and serve within 20 minutes.
Copper Pot Creations boasts being the only food allergy friendly meal service in Calgary: 100% free of the most common food allergens in Canada- wheat, gluten, eggs, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, sesame, fish, shellfish and added sulphites. Customers can visit the retail store at 11229 30 Street SW Monday to Saturday 10am-6pm, or shop online at www.copperpotcreations.com and take advantage of the free delivery service to Calgary residents.
For further information please contact co-owner Crystal Niddrie (403)585-4717, info@copperpotcreations.com
Purely Elizabeth – Gluten Free Mixes
Written by: AllergyMom
Created in September 2009, purely elizabeth was created out of one woman's passion for sharing healthy a healthy lifestyle with others. The journey began many years ago when Elizabeth grew up on homemade baked goods. She didn't drink soda nor did she like salty chips, but moist, sweet baked goods were her thing. She loved to eat and many years later when she became a Holistic Nutritionist, she decided it was time to create her own line of home made gluten free products that not only tasted great, but are also full of vitamins, minerals and nutrients.
purely elizabeth - gluten free, wheat free, sugar free, dairy free baking mixes
Hence, purely elizabeth launched featuring a line of gluten free products containing whole grains, flax, hemp and chia seeds. Products are wheat free, dairy free and sugar free. Currently featuring 4 baking mixes, the company offers: ultimate cacao muffin mix, blueberry maple muffin mix, apple spice muffin mix and the perfect pancake mix. Here's what the company says about being gluten free "Our products are packaged on equipment used exclusively for gluten-free products. All of our raw ingredients come certified by our suppliers to be free of gluten."
All products are GMO free and they freeze really well. Readers should be aware that the products are manufactured in a facility that uses tree nuts and soy.
Check then out and let us know what you think!
The Day I Met The Nuts – Book Review
Written by: AllergyMom
We recently received a copy of this book, The Day I Met The Nuts, to review and when it came, my 6 year old immediately opened it and asked if she could read it to me. Hearing her voice speak the words of the book was truly priceless for me. This book, by Mary Rand Hess, begins at a birthday party. For so many parents of kids with food allergies, their child's first reaction was at a birthday party so the story is immediately easy to relate to.
The book follows through with things that need to be done after one learns they have a nut allergy, such as reading the labels in one's pantry. We were both laughing (out loud) when the main character even changes the name of his pet hamster Peanut.
And, with a great finish the book outlines some other changes that take place as a result of this new nut allergy. As a parent of a children with nut allergies, I felt good with my daughter reading the book. The message was positive and strong. My daughter who has nut allergies herself could really relate to the story. It was real (and she did learn a few new big words too!)
The book can be ordered through Amazon.com or other bookstores. If you choose to order through Earth Day Publishing, 45% of the proceeds of the book are being donated to Dr. Robert Wood of Johns Hopkins in his efforts to find a cure for food allergies. Purchasers should know that not only are they giving a gift of encouragement and entertainment to a child; they are also investing in food allergy research!
We give this book two Allergy Sense thumbs up. A great read for kids with food allergies, especially peanut allergies and treenut allergies such as a pecan allergy, cashew allergy, pistachio allergy or and also for kids who know someone with food allergies.
America’s Historic Landmarks Are Now Nut Free
Written by: AllergyMom
We were very excited to find this amazing company called the Historical Chocolate Company that creates masterpiece replicas of America's historic landmarks and monuments all in nut free milk, dark and white chocolate. What a great gift for people with food allergies, specifically nut allergies or peanut allergies. You can also feel confident bringing these pieces into classrooms to show the kids and help with history lessons!
What a great idea if you are celebrating a wedding or special event at a historical site, you can give your guests a replica chocolate to remember the event.
Chocolates can be purchased in a variety of ways: individual chocolates, a boxed collection, or gift baskets with customized packaging options including personalized boxes, tags and ribbons to match your wedding, special event, fundraiser, or as a corporate gift. To learn more about the historic sites and landmarks offered in their collection, click here. As always, confirm with the company that their allergen policy will meet your family's needs.
With President's Day just a few weeks away, its a great time to order a special treat for the Historian in your family.
Food Allergies Are On The Rise
Written by: AllergyMom
In a recent article published on Oprah.com, author Fritz Lenneman sites the findings by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and showing that between 1997 and 2007, cases of childhood food allergies rose 18 percent. Another key finding from that article is that children with food allergies are two to four times more likely to have other related conditions such as asthma and other allergies, compared to children without food allergies.
There's no question that food allergies are receiving more media attention and as a parent of a child with food allergies, I couldn't be happier. To me, the more people know and read about food allergies, the better it is for kids and families like mine. However, I have to say I also can't believe how many kids I know who are being diagnosed with food allergies and who are having reactions later. While some allergies are diagnosed very early, a few friends of ours have kids that are 4, 7, 9 who have recently been diagnosed with nut allergies. While these kids may not have been exposed to pistachios or almonds previously, they are reacting to the nuts now (or at least more cases are being reported now).
It really makes me wonder about food allergies in general. For example, my younger daughter has been eating foods that say "may contain traces of" and "may contain" tree nuts long before we knew she had a tree nut allergy. Does this mean she has a higher tolerance to tree nuts than others who also have the allergy?
As an allergic parent, this world of food allergies is just so confusing. How much is considered "traces of" and is that enough to cause a reaction? Its likely you will get different answers depending on who your Allergist is and what they believe. Should kids still eat those food they previously enjoyed even after knowing they now have an allergy? We'd love to hear from you about how you found out about the allergy and what has changed for you since then.
Food Should Taste Good – Product Review
Written by: Julie Stallman
Food Should Taste Good is a perfect name for the huge box of chips I received. They are a company that is looking out for you health while making delicious salted snacks to fix any craving you have from sweet to salty. Food Should Taste Good has 11 different flavors to snack on. The company offers a terrific variety of flavors, but some of our favorites include Sweet Potato, Chocolate, Cinnamon, and Lime.
If you check out the website you will see I am not alone with how great these chips are. They have a review section where you can voice your love of them as well. You can also get great recipes to eat with your favorite chip. Always a bonus to find a great recipe to enhance a product you love. I am a firm believer that we the consumers need to speak up to get more healthy food options. I have done my fair share of eating chips over the years, and have the evidence to prove it, but I do not know of any other company with such diverse taste bud pleasers. If you are a spicy lover the Jalapeno or Buffalo chip may be your choice and if you just want a great dipping chip you have The Works, Multigrain, and Yellow Corn that will scope a wide variety dips.
A Variety Of Products From Food Should Taste Good
Food Should Taste Good is a natural salted snack that is Kosher,Vegan, Gluten-Free, MSG-Free,Trans-Fat-Free, Cholesterol-Free,Trans-Fat-Free, Lactose-Free, and is made in the USA. They also free of artificial colorings,flavorings or preservatives, which is a huge plus for our family with food allergies and allergies to many dyes. The chips come in two convenient size packages 5.5 ounces bags and a handy single serve bag (1.5 ounce) perfect for on the go. My personal favorite was the Chocolate, it satisfied my sweet tooth and my chocolate craving and I got a bonus of 3 grams of fiber. My son who is 4 was a huge fan of the Sweet Potato flavor. I think this would be a great crunchy snack for toddlers just learning to chew as the chips are very light and crunchy. Parents also have the comfort of knowing what they are putting in there bodies is All Natural. I have been able to find them at several local grocers and health food stores.
The cost is a minimal amount more than a traditional chip, but so worth it knowing you are doing good for your body. I know everything should be consumed in moderation, however if it is free of preservatives and dyes, I say eat up! I am sure if you try a bag you will find them just as satisfying as your snack choices now, but with a lot less guilt!
Testers: Lora (41) , Scott (41) , Olivia (6), Vincent, Troy, Brooke, Larry, Myself (41), Grandma and Grandpa.
Register Your Epinephrine Devices – Get Notified Of Expiry Dates
Written by: AllergyMom
When you are first diagnosed with a food allergy, all of the information you receive is like information overload. You're not sure what to listen to, what you can filter out and specifically where to start. At Allergy Sense, we know what its like to live with food allergies, and we remember what it was like to be newly diagnosed and walk out of your Allergists office with a prescription for 5 auto-injectors! Its overwhelming, scary and totally unknown. We're here to make life easier for you! We want to introduce you to a few great, FREE services that are highly beneficial for busy families with food allergies. Read more
Nut Free, Egg Free, Dairy Free Treats – On Sale For Valentine’s Day
Written by: AllergySense
Sweet Alexis treats are baked with love by a Mother of a child with severe food allergies. Meet Michele Fellows. She created a company called "Sweet Alexis" in honor of her daughter. Her amazing treats are peanut free, egg free, dairy free and treenut free. Click here to see our product review on the cookies, breads and other treats.
Now, you can enjoy Sweet Alexis treats at a discount. From now until February 14, 2010, enter code heart10 to save 20% on your next order.
