I Don't Think So

I have been starting to plan Nathan's 4th birthday birthday party and I called one of the local play places. Seemed like a good ideal, not a lot of work or food prep. The kids can play and we can use a party room.

So, I called them to get some more information. They have a party menu choice of Pizza or Subs (neither that my allergic son can have) so I asked them about it and the man's response was: "You can choose Pizza or Subs for the party and serve your allergic child (aka the birthday boy) something different." Ummm, I don't think so. This is a party for him, why would I make him eat something different, it is bad enough his cake is different. I was not happy with the answer and I said, "I know you sell hot dogs there, my son is not allergic, can we serve those?" He said that would be ok.

Really, was that so hard. Why didn't he offer us something else.

Team Snacks, What to do?

Nathan will be starting T-Ball and each week a parent is assigned to bring a snack and/or a drink for the team. I am not too worried about the drinks, most will bring juice or water, I don't think too many parents will bring milk, but the snack is my concern. If it is fruit it will be fine but what about the crackers or cookies or other snacks that parents will bring that my son is allergic too. Will most parents bring healthy foods, such as fruit? So here is my question....

Which of the following would you do if you were me?

A. Bring a snack for Nathan every week just in case the snack is something he can't have.

OR

B. Email the parents on the list to let them know that I have a child with food allergies.

After I typed this out, I think I answered my own question. My answer is A. I don't want to draw attention to us and I don't want any parents to feel obligated to bring something that my child CAN have.

They will be having an ice cream social at the end of the season. We will bring our own Soy ice cream. Stay tuned for how this all plays out.

Email from a Reader

I love getting emails from readers, so please feel free to send me an email.

Here is one I received recently...

Dear Jeanette,

While I was surfing the internet, I found your blog. I have a 10 year-old son who has severe food allergies to wheat, eggs, milk, peanuts and hazelnut. He was diagnosed to food allergies at about 8 months-old to soy, milk, oats, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and eggs (looks like he had the same allergies as your son). He has asthma since 18 months-old. Now he is a happy 10 year-old boy, who loves to play soccer and to talk to his friends. I have an older son who doesn't have food allergies, but has a lot of seasonal allergies. It has been very hard to manage my son's food allergies at school, but I am happy he didn't have any reaction there and I try to be very involved as much as possible with the activities at school.

Mari

Parents Speak about Their Children's Food Allergies

Allergies and the Ball Park

We had tickets to a baseball game last tonight. It was a minor league game so not as busy as a regular game. I know they have peanuts at these games (which Nathan is allergic too) but I just hope that I can keep his hands clean and bring our own food. I can't or don't want to keep from doing normal kid things so I try as hard as I can to do it without having any allergy problems.

Well it happened.....towards the end of the game I noticed a hive on his chin. I thought of two things it could be, peanut residue that is on the chairs and in the air OR his little friend that kept licking his face - they are 3.5years and being silly. I cringed every time he did it.

As we walked to the car he started coughing and kind of gagging so I gave him the Benadryl. By the time he was in bed, he was all better.

I don't really know what the reaction was but I don't want to keep him from going to a baseball game. I do wish there were more peanut free games in our area.

Nathan's Summer Starbucks Drink

Nathan and I went into Starbucks today to get my coffee that I needed so badly. They were giving out samples of their Strawberry Frappuccino's and Nathan wanted some but he couldn't because the sample was made with milk and I told him he was allergic, etc. The lady working there overheard me and said we make them with soy and just leave out the whip. I was thinking great, a strawberry milkshake with soy milk, perfect. She offers to make one on the house for Nathan. I kept asking her if she was sure that it was dairy free - they don't put cream or milk - other then soy and she said "completely dairy free."

Nathan loved it and so did I. No reactions!! I am so happy that he can get something that is somewhat good for him and we can get it Starbucks. He calls it a strawberry shake!!!

Homemade Granola - No Nuts

I am going to attempt to make homemade granola. I need a good quick morning snack. Nathan likes oatmeal so much so hopefully he will like this.

4 cups of old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup of pure maple syrup

2 tablespoons canola oil

1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt

1 cup of dried fruits (raisins, cranberries, cherries, etc)

Heat oven to 350F One rimmed cookie sheet toss the oats, oil, salt and syrup.

Bake tossing once until golden and crisp, 25-30 minutes

Add dried fruit and toss. Let cool.

I will also add some non-dairy chocolate chips and even sunflower seeds.

Should keep in airtight container for up to 3 weeks.