Nathan's Chocolate Pancakes

On Christmas morning, Nathan and his cousin (who also has some food allergies)  were eating pancakes and his cousin likes chocolate syrup on his pancakes. Nathan asked if he could have some. It was Hershey's Chocolate syrup (which has no dairy), I said "sure!" Nathan loved them!! Thank you Hershey's for making a chocolate syrup that is dairy free and Nathan can enjoy. I know it is made with corn syrup but I would rather have that then it having dairy. 

Nathan also drinks Hershey's chocolate syrup in his soy milk for chocolate milk or in hot soy milk for hot chocolate.

Flying with a Peanut Allergy.

When we made the flight reservations for our trip to Florida we talked to the airline Customer Service Representative and my husband told her that we had a son with a "peanut allergy." She said she would make a note of it (whatever that meant).

Fast forward to our first flight today to Florida, we are on the plane and I hear the flight attendant a few rows ahead asking the passengers if they would like: cookies, pretzels or peanuts. I cringed. I called the flight attendant over to us and said that we have a son with peanut allergies and we stated this when we made the reservations. She said, "oh I am sorry, I don't have that information" and said she would be right back. She went and talked to the other flight attendants and then came back to us and said: "I am sorry, we will make sure that the 3 rows in front and the 3 rows behind you are not served peanuts and on your next flight be sure to let them know at the gate before you board that you have a peanut allergy." This must be the airlines policy. I said "fine, thank you."

Luckily Nathan's peanut allergy is not so severe that he needed the whole plane free of peanuts. Would the airline do that if that was the case?

The Donuts

I made donuts!! They are free of Dairy, Eggs, Wheat and Nuts. I used the pancake mix that I make for Nathan and I bought a donut maker. Then I frosted them and added sprinkles. Nathan loved them!! It was so easy and now I have all these different ideas for flavors and decorating donuts. I could do powder sugar, glazes, cinnamon sugar and more.

Nathan Loves his Inhaler

The last couple of days Nathan has seemed wheezy so I have been giving him his ProAir Inhaler. Every time I give it to him he tells me he loves it. In fact he will ask me if he can have a puff from his inhaler. Can it be addictve?

Yesterday he tells me his heart ( he means his lungs) tightened up while at school and he went to the school nurse. He said she just put something on his finger (probably an oxygen monitor) and said he was fine.  He said he didn't need or get the inhaler.

I am not sure if he is now "faking" or "crying wolf" to get to use his inhaler. I think I need to start listening to his lungs.

Birthday Party at a Friends House

Nathan was invited to a birthday party that was today, a few weeks ago I called the mom and asked if there were any pets and she said no. Then I told her that I would pack Nathan's cupcake and a hot dog because Nathan can't have pizza he doesn't even like pizza that is allergy free.

We took Nathan to the friends house and dropped him off, all the parents were dropping off. As much as I wanted to stay because of Nathan's allergies and asthma, I left him there. I didn't even pack any meds because I didn't want to freak out the mom and I had all his food, what could go wrong? We live so close and I gave her my cell number.

Well 1/2 hours before it was time the mom called us and said we needed to pick up Nathan. She said he wasn't feeling good. She said he was laying on the floor crying, coughing, his lips were chapped and the kids were bothering him. My husband was on his way.

When Nathan and my husband got home, Nathan was still crying. He was coughing and it sounded like Asthma, but from what...I don't know. After some Benadryl, his inhaler and a nap - he was fine.

Need to find allergy free donuts.

I get an email from Nathan's teacher requesting donuts for Nathan for their Christmas Party next week at school. The other children must be having donuts. Is she really going to give Nathan donuts if I send them in??

I have never found a donut that Nathan can eat, most Gluten Free ones have eggs. We need no eggs, no wheat, no diary and no nuts. I call our local GF bakery to see if they have donuts but they do not. So I call my best allergy friend. She has a boy with the same allergies as Nathan and the same age. She gave me an idea on how to make my own donuts. We will see if it works. Stay posted...

The teacher calls...

Tonight I get a phone call from the teacher in regards to the email I sent (see post below this).

She is immediately is defensive and turns it all around as she was trying not to be wasteful and gave Nathan choices on what to use for his food projects. If the other children don't have choices, then I don't want Nathan to have choices. She went on to say that she was using the chocolate frosting I sent in a month ago - to use it up - before she would open the new white frosting that I just sent. No! Use what I send when I send it. That is all I ask. Let Nathan have the same as the rest of children. She did apologize. We went over and over on this topic but I just wanted to cry and changed the subject.

I understand it is hard to be a teacher you have all those parents sometimes against you and you feel the need to be defensive, I like her as a teacher and just have one request. Use the food I send in.

Email to Nathan's teacher...

I sent an email to Nathan's teacher today because when they make food in class Nathan comes home with different stuff then what they are making and I send the items in for him to be like the other children. I just want Nathan to feel normal. Maybe it is time for a 504 Plan. Here is the email:

Dear Teacher,


Nathan came home from school today with the decorated cookies that he made in class but I noticed they had chocolate frosting.  I am not sure why as I sent a brand new container of white frosting for him to use, it was requested on your ingredient list.  


This also wasn't the first time this has happened.  For the turkey cupcakes he had decorated a chocolate cupcake and not the vanilla that I sent (and you requested on the sign up sheet). I appreciate the fact that you asked me for white bread for the reindeer sandwiches but at the same time Nathan said he had chocolate frosting and the recipe you sent home called for peanut butter. I would have been happy to have sent soy nut butter for Nathan so his could look the same.


When I see you requesting different foods for the "math cooking" projects I go and find those items so Nathan can feel like the other children, this may mean I am up after hours baking yellow cupcakes or driving miles to get a food that is comparable to your request.


I hope you understand how important this is to us. I am always willing to send foods as close as possible to what the other children are having as I want Nathan to feel as normal as possible.


Thanks.
Nathans mom

Results from Nathan's Surgey

Nathan was diagnosis is Eosinophilic Esophagitis or EE or EOE. A type of white blood cell (eosinophil) builds up in the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach (esophagus) as a reaction to foods, allergens or acid reflux. When that happens, the eosinophils can inflame or injure the esophageal tissue. Symptoms of EE in Children may vary from stomach ache, loss of appetite, throwing up and failure to thrive. Nathan has now been prescribed more medicines to help with this issue.


He also has some gastritis in the lining of his stomach in which he will need to take some medications for that. 


A new issue that recently has started with Nathan is horrible smelling gas and bowels to be hard and loose. The doctor has requested an x-ray of Nathan's abdomen. We are waiting for those results.

Nathan had surgery today.

Today Nathan had surgery at children's hospital. It was a two for one. The ENT doctor had requested to bring him in to remove a cyst in one of Nathan's ears. He had showed it to us on a camera at an appointment months ago. Nathan has had a few surgeries on his ears and has had tubes put in and taken out in the past. Then the Gastroenterologist doctor wanted to look at Nathan's esophagus because he coughs a lot when he eats and sometimes will throw up or have a foaming acid come up.

After the surgery the ENT doctor told us everything is good, there was no cysts in his ears and he is fine. He just cleaned them up. Nathan had no bleeding, didn't need any plain meds or anything. They didn't even go that far in. This puzzles me. If the Gastro Dr. didn't need to also look at Nathan we would have put him under for nothing. Where did this cysts go?

The Gastroenterologist told us she would have results in two weeks, so we will wait.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to be Thankful for everyone and everything in your life. I am very Thankful for my wonderful family, friends and my beautiful home.

I am also thankful to all my wonderful blog readers and wish you all a very Happy and Safe Thanksgiving.

The Great Pumpkin

Nathan was really excited for the great pumpkin to come visit again this year. The Great Pumpkin will take all the unsafe Trick or Treat candy from Nathan's pumpkin while he is sleeping and leave him something else. This year the great pumpkin left Nathan five gold dollars. Nathan was so happy he didn't even miss his Trick or Treat candy.

Please Vote for this Blog

Circle of Moms website is going to be a picking the top 25 Food Allergy Mom blogs, I am hoping my readers can vote for me. You can vote once a day here (or go to the Vote for Me button on the right side of this page) until November 16th. Just scroll down until you find my blog and click vote.
Thanks so much!!

Made Spider Cookies at School.

An email was sent out looking for volunteers to help with a food project. I immediately signed up for two reasons.
(1) It was on a Wednesday (my day off)
(2) It involved food, all the ingredients Nathan is allergic too. The wonderful teacher told me ahead of time so I could find items that are close and safe for Nathan.

We made spider cookies made from Oreo cookies, chocolate frosting, MMs and licorice. For Nathan's spider, I used cookies that are just like Oreos but are dairy, egg, wheat and nut free, then I brought chocolate frosting, Skittles (instead of MMs) and a Gluten/Wheat free licorice. Nathan had fun and didn't feel left out, he even loved the taste. I was happy that I could be there when he made then to make sure that he used only his ingredients.

Doesn't Your Child Like Pizza?

We were at a birthday party last weekend and they were serving pizza and cake at this inflatables place. Nathan is allergic to the pizza they were serving so I purchased 2 hot dogs with no buns and gave them to him. A little girl sitting across him apparently doesn't like pizza and wanted a hot dog. The dad told her she can only have pizza and told her to eat her pizza." Then the dad gave me a strange look. "Whatever."

A few minutes later the mom of the little girl walks over by me and says "doesn't your child like pizza?" "He is ALLERGIC," I answered. Maybe she thought I spoil my child and will buy whatever he likes. Then another mom joined in the conversation and the pity party started along with questions.  "Oh poor guy, What is allergic too?, Will he outgrow them?" How long has he been allergic, etc.?

No More GROUPON for me.

It seems that Groupon makes light of a child with peanut allergies. Well after this I am no longer a customer of groupon and hope others in the Food Allergy Community will follow....Here is the post on Groupon:

The Groupon Kidz Quorner: Your Ultimate Tree House

Hey, kids who have unlocked the awesome secret of reading! Here's your guide to building the ultimate tree house, tree fort, or awkward tree duplex you share with your former best friend who changed during summer camp. Let's get started!

Find a tree in the backyard that can support your ambitious plans and the growth spurt your lying mother insists is coming "any day now."

A well-armed tree fort needs plenty of ammunition. Fill your tin buckets with as many collected chestnuts, pine cones, dog bones, unseasonal snowballs, and dad tools as you can find lying around.

A good fort layout is still available in the 1952 Dennis The Menace story arc entitled A Few Good Menace, where noted terrible boy Dennis the Menace starts a counterfeit money ring.

Ditch that outdated "No girls allowed" sign in favor of the modern "No peanut allergies allowed."


Why go up into a tree, when you could go down into a well and become a TV star?!

http://www.groupon.com/groupon_says/groupon-says-47268927

Our House Nathan and I Drew.

Indie Candy

Nathan tried some new candies called Indie Candy, he really liked the candy and better yet it was all natural and safe for him. Indie Candy is gourmet candies that are naturally allergen free. They make seasonal/holiday candy, Nathan likes the chocolate lollipops (seen eating here), Watermelon Zoo Animals and their Pineapple Flower Lollipops, I don't think there is much sweet stuff he doesn't like.


Visit Indie Candy at www.indiecandy.com.

Allergy Hot Lunch and Peanut Free Table

A few nights ago, I got a call from Nathan’s new teacher. We discussed the hot lunch plan available to children with gluten or food allergies at school. I told her I wanted to try the allergy-free hot lunch choice with Nathan. I also discussed this earlier with the district nurse at our meeting. The lunch is prepared at another location and then brought to the school. We would start the hot lunch today. I know many allergy parents would probably not trust a hot lunch and feel safer with making a child’s lunch but with Nathan he is very picky. If I sent cold lunch everyday he would eat the same thing…..everyday. I want him to have a variety of foods to eat.

Then we discussed the peanut free table. Nathan has an Allergy Care Plan for School. One question on the plan is:

Does child need to sit at an allergy free table? I left this field blank.

Nathan sat at a regular lunch table at daycare with the teacher and kids. I feel I needed more information on this topic before I answered the question. The table at school is only peanut free, Nathan is allergic to more then just peanuts, what about a milk free table, or an egg free table?? I can’t have him sit by himself. Nathan’s teacher told me that Nathan does sit with a teacher - just him and a teacher - I told his teacher that I don’t want that arrangement; I can’t believe he is the only allergy child in this elementary school? I would like other kids to sit with Nathan, how lonely it would be to just be with a teacher. She suggested that they could maybe sit one friend with him if that friends’ lunch is peanut free. She said they checked and it hasn’t been. She then said she was going to talk to the nurse and try to make other arrangements.

Today the district nurse called and we talked about the seating arrangements for lunch. She couldn’t believe that Nathan was the only allergy child and there is more but maybe not sitting at the table. I told her that I would fine with Nathan sitting at the end of a table and a teacher also at that table. She is going to look into it and let me know.

What do you do? Does your child sit at an allergy table? Does your child sit alone? Please leave a comment.

Why me? Why do I have Food Allergies?

I knew this question would be coming....

 Last week I asked Nathan about lunch time in kindergarten, I asked him how he likes it, is everything going good? He replied “its fine, I sit at the allergy table with a teacher.” I asked if there were other children at the table and he replied “no, just me.” This really hurt me.

Then Nathan told me that he wanted to eat chicken nuggets like the rest of the hot lunch kids? And then came more questions, why do I have food allergies, when am I going to grow out of these allergies, why can’t I eat all foods other kids eat? Why, why, why? My heart was broke and I was in tears. I wasn’t ready to answer these questions - I didn’t know how to answer them - I didn’t know what to say – I only had tears.

First Day of Kindergarten

Today is the first day of kindergarten for Nathan. He is excited to go, I am nervous. His backpack is full of allergy free snacks, juice boxes, birthday treats and his lunch. All of his stuff is labeled and his has a new red band for his allergy bracelet.

School ID Cards

I made these Photo ID cards for Nathan since he is starting Kindergarten this week. I hope it can help all the new teachers and staff identify him. I plan to laminate one and put it in his backpack, give some to his teacher to keep on her desk (in case they have a substitute teacher). I will give one to the health room so they can also identify Nathan.


The information that I printed on the cards (removed from picture above) is Nathan's full name, date of birth, grade and teachers name.

Last year I made labels that I will use again this year to place on his snacks and treats that he will be bringing to school.

I hate putting so many labels on Nathan but we really need keep him safe. I will do it as long as I can because when he is older, it will be harder to do.

School Supply Shopping

Time for school shopping and in kindergarten they share most of the supplies including sleeping mats. As a mom to an allergy child this makes me nervous. What if one day a child lays on the mat after eating peanut butter, ice cream or eggs and the next day my allergy child lays on that same mat? I made an "executive decision" and labeled Nathan's mat. When I meet the teacher this week at open house I am going to ask that Nathan uses his OWN mat. I hope that this request will be fine with her and I am also going to talk to the district nurse about it.

Back from our mini getaway.

We are home from our overnight getaway to a Waterpark resort. Nathan ate lunch in the car on the way up to our resort, I made him a Soynut butter and Jelly sandwich on his wheat free bread along with chips. While we were at the pool around 3pm, he was hungry again (swimming will do that) so I ordered him a big beef frank with no bun. This was an outside bar and grill and they were limited foods and utensils at this grill. I asked the lady to please use a different utensil for Nathan's hot dog when cooking it. At first she was like "I only have this one tongs to use." Really, I said, I will have to go inside and find something else and talk to someone else as I was looking at her name tag. Next thing I know she washed the tongs and cooked Nathan's hot dog and I said "great, thanks so much for doing that." I didn't know they had a sink. Brilliant. I brought chips and a drink from home for Nathan.
We were with friends and I don't want to make all the choices on where to eat but on the other hand it is hard to find places. So they were so nice to let us pick a place for dinner because of Nathan's food allergies, we picked Famous Daves. I know they have a great food allergy menu at the restaurant. I ordered Nathan a burger with fries, no bun. I brought snacks and sweets/desserts for Nathan.
The next morning for breakfast I made him oatmeal in the hotel room with the microwave and asked room service for a bowl and spoon. for lunch the next day it was back to the pool and his hot dog with no bun again for lunch. He was happy.
We are home now and glad to be back in my kitchen where I can make foods from him that I know are safe and healthier.

8th Continent Soy milk Winners

The winners of the 8th Continent soy milk coupons are:

Cheryl D.
Brooke C.
Sue M.
Ryan R.
Jennifer S.

Congratulations to the winners!!

All the winners were notified via email and will be recieving their coupons shortly.

Thank you to 8th Continent for sponsoring this giveaway and thank you to everyone who entered. I will have more contests soon, keep reading.

Overnight Getaway

We are planning a family overnight trip to a Waterpark lodge and immediately I begin to panic. What are we going to feed Nathan, will we bring food, will they have a fridge and microwave? Should we just spend tons a money and get a condo that has a kitchen so we can make food?

As I continued reading on their website FAQ I noticed a topic of food allergies.

FAQ:
Food Allergies

Answer:
We have specially trained chefs that can offer a variety of special items for your family to enjoy. Please contact the lodge directly to speak with a Food and Beverage Management team member.

I was relieved that we may be able to have food made, then my next thought was "do we trust them?"

GIVEAWAY - WIN two Half Gallons of 8th Continent Soymilk!!

As you may have read on my blog before, 8th Continent, is a delicious soymilk is made from beans grown right here in the USA and that have not been genetically engineered. All varieties and flavors of 8th Continent Soymilk are Gluten and Lactose Free and Certified Vegan.

Win 2 coupons for free 8th Continent Soymilk half gallons any variety. The coupons don't expire until 12/31/11 so you will have plenty of time to use them.

Please complete the entry form below.
Your email will only be used for this contest and will not be sold or used for any other reason. This giveaway will close on August 9th, 2011 at 11:59 CT time. I will pick 5 winners (receiving 2 coupons each) using random.org After 5 winners are picked, I will email the winners and each winner must respond within 72 hours with their mailing information. Winner must have a US address. Must be 18 years or older to enter.

If you can't view the form below, you can email me at momtofoodallergykid at gmail dot com with your name and subject line use "Coupon Giveaway". Please only enter once.

5th Birthday | Hives

What would a birthday be like for Nathan without hives, well we won't find out this year.

Nathan had a great birthday spending the day with mom and dad. We went to lunch, shopping and bowling. It wasn't until the evening when the hives came.
We were at a friends house and Nathan was playing on the Slip N Slide with his friends. They have a dog that was also outside in the yard, I noticed Nathan picking up the dogs ball and throwing it. Then he would wipe his hands in his chest. Within a few minutes he was scratching his chest. I looked at him and his chest and stomach were red and just full of hives, he even had hives on his back.  I took him home and gave him Benadryl. He was then fine.

Hot Summer Treat

I came up with this hot summer treat idea. I took Nathan's soy pudding, added some marshmallows and some Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips to it and then put it in a popsicle container and froze it. He had a Rocky Road pudding pop. He loved it!!

Emergency 911

We are in a new neighborhood and haven't had to use 911, thankfully - but what I just witnessed has me a little  nervous. Someone needed 911 in our neighborhood today,  I was outside on the deck and noticed the emergency vehicles going down all different streets and getting lost. Our street names are a little confusing when you have two streets the same name and the only difference is East and West. This is not something you want to see when you have an emergency like an anaphylactic reaction and seconds count. 

Birthday Month

With Nathan's 5th Birthday coming up this month, I really liked this picture.

MTV True Life Episode - I am allergic to everything

I am looking forward to watching the MTV True Life Episode - I am allergic to everything. It airs this Thursday, June 23rd at 9PM Central Time on MTV. For my family and friends it give you an idea of what we go through with Nathan's food allergies. Nathan isn't allergic to everything, but being allergic to four foods sure seems like it when these foods are in most foods we eat.

Itchy Tongue

Two times this week Nathan has told me that his tongue itches. One time was while we were grocery shopping, he didn't eat anything, he was just sitting in the cart. He started grabbing his tongue and was almost trying to tear it out of his mouth, I immediately gave him some Benadryl and he was fine. It was scary, it may have been something he touched on the cart.
Then tonight while we were eating at a restaurant he said his tongue was itching again. It is food that he has eaten before but you never know if there was cross contamination. My husband said that he just says that, so I waited a few minutes to see if I would see anymore symptoms and I didn't - Nathan kept eating so I held off on giving the Benadryl. He was fine.

Coupon Collecting - Soy Milk

As much as I am an allergy mom I am also a big coupon clipper, I love coupons and I love to save money. It is not often that you find coupons for allergy safe coupons like Sun Butter spread, Soy Milk or Yogurts, Soy Puddings, Better Crocker GF mixes and I could go on. But recently in our Red Plum insert there was a coupon for 8th Continent Soy Milk $1.00 off (it is the only brand of soy milk we buy and trust with our allergy son).  I was so excited that I posted to Facebook and emailed my local moms group to see if anyone had the coupon and didn't need it, if so, I would pick it up or send a SASE. I received so many responses, I have been receiving coupons in the mail and picking them up at neighbors houses. I want to thank all of you for helping an allergy mom out!!

Is it an allergy?

We were over at a neighbors house outside and Nathan was playing in the yard. A German Shepherd dog from another neighbor came over and rubbed up against Nathan and he didn't touch him at all - the dog did sniff him. He also went into a neighbors house for a few minutes that used to have a pet but doesn't any longer. When we got him, I noticed Nathan's eye was watering and it swelled shut. So bad I didn't even recognize him, I rush to get some Benadryl and his allergy eye drops. It started to go down but all night he had a puffy eye.
What could it be an allergy to the dog or some say a bug bite?

Schools Out for the Summer

Nathan is out of school and done for the summer, the question we are pondering is does he repeat 4k or do we send him to Kindergarten (K5) and hold him back there. Either way we do agree he needs to be held back and even his 4K teacher agrees because she suggested it. Nathan is young a "summer birthday boy", the youngest in his class, he has some immaturities. But for mostly non academic reasons we want to move him into full day school (which is K5) and even more reasons because of his food allergies.
What does food allergies have to do with it? If he goes to 4k again he will be at daycare in the morning and the public school in the afternoon. We are more confident in Nathan being at one place all day and that one place being the public school. The public school has a wonderful nurse there all day that knows Nathan by name (and he likes her too) she is fully trained in food allergies and they have a good food allergy plan so that all the teachers and staff can identify Nathan and his allergies. They are willing to have his classroom nut free and we can request to put him at an allergy free table for lunch. They have a nutritious hot lunch menu that is safe for Nathan to eat everyday.
As for non-allergy reasons there is a "rest time" at K5 where they get to rest and Nathan needs rest. When he was doing daycare and 4k, he would tell me how long the day was and fall asleep in the couch at night.
We have a little time to think about our decision and even meet with the principle to get some insight.

Benadryl Perfect Measure Spoons

As most may know when you deal with food allergies you always need to have an antihistamine with you at all times, well I used to carry the Benadryl Perfect Measure until the recall. I have run out and they are not being sold at any store yet, I even wrote the company. I have resorted to carrying a full size bottle and plastic cup in my purse. 

Effectively relieve your child’s allergies with Children’s BENADRYL^® Allergy PERFECT MEASURE^® pre-filled spoons — on-the-go antihistamine relief in individually wrapped, pre-measured spoons.

Yum....Chocolate Easter Bunny

The Chocolate Easter Bunny was Nathan's favorite candy in his basket. Peeps came in 2nd.

Nathan at the ears first. Did you know that 76% of people eat the ears first?
Happy Easter Everyone!!

Coloring Easter Eggs

Yes my son is allergic to eggs and yes he colored Easter Eggs. 

We have been coloring eggs every year, I just feel like coloring eggs is a tradition that I want to do for him. I just don't want him to feel left out.

He never touches the eggs, I do most of it. I put the egg on the spoon and he puts it in the die or take it out and I take it off the spoon. Even though he doesn't do much, he still enjoys it and is proud of his eggs. Since he brought home a stinky hard boiled egg from school he hasn't had any interest in them, he says "mommy, eggs are stinky."

Nathan came home with an Egg.

I really don't understand why this happened. Everyone knows that Nathan is allergic to eggs (severely) and yet he comes home from school with a hard boiled egg. I am so thankful he didn't try to eat it. After asking him about it, he told me he got it from his daycare which was in the morning before school. I just am tired of talking to these providers and switching providers because they just can't follow directions.

Yes, he has colored Easter eggs at home with me but I am right there with him and he never touches the eggs.

The school nurse.

I was volunteering at Nathan's school today and then when we left we had to go through the school office to sign out and the nurse was there - she said "Good-Bye Nathan".  I didn't realized that she knew his name or remembered him. It made me feel good, I am sure she is familiar with him because of all his allergies. I think he has been to her office twice this year. His school is a pretty big school with over 500 kids and grades 4k to 4th grade.

School sent us an invoice for milk.

Nathan has been in 4k since September at a public school. They have snack time and all the kids have milk except for Nathan, I send juice for him.

A few days ago I got an invoice from the school stating we owe $8 for the milk for the school year. I am not paying for milk that my son isn't drinking and why would I pay for something that could kill my child? (That is what I wanted to say on the phone, when I called). I got their voice mail and I simply stated he was severely allergic to milk,  he hasn't drank the milk and he will not be drinking the milk. They never called me back. I am sure it was a mistake, they must assume all the kids get milk at snack time.

The Chocolate Easter Bunny

The Easter bunny AKA Mom (me) just ordered a chocolate bunny for Nathan for his Easter basket. I was really happy to know that Divvies  has chocolate Easter bunnies that are Dairy and Peanut free. This is so wonderful  because Nathan really loves chocolate and with all his food allergies, I can't just walk into a store and buy him a chocolate bunny. He will have some normalcies in his life and the Easter bunny can't wait for Easter. Thank You Divvies!!


And at Nathan's daycare one of the teachers has a daughter who is 13 and has dairy allergies and really didn't know about the dairy free chocolates available for dairy allergies. I gave her the link to Divvies and Enjoy Life ( our favorite chocolate bars) she was so grateful for the information and I am happy that her daughter can enjoy some chocolate.

I Ate Peanuts.

Today is opening day for baseball and baseball and peanuts go together. At the office we like to celebrate with food, no one in my department has any allergies or intolerances, so I brought shelled "Brewer" peanuts. We all loved them and I don't eat them at home because of my son's peanut allergy. They were good, but made me feel so guilty for even having the bag open and peanut shells all over my desk.

Cake Balls ~ Allergy Friendly

It seems that cake balls are all the craze lately and I had the ones Starbucks and they are good and so cute.
I thought I would try and make some for Nathan that are allergy friendly, he loved them.  They are not the easiest to make but so fun to eat.

No more Silk Soy Milk for us

No more Silk Soy milk for us. I have heard that Silk Soy milk now makes their Almond milk on the same line which now means the soy milk may be contaminated with almonds. Not good when you have a nut allergy too.  So I went to their website and here is what I found. 

Does Silk soymilk contain almond and/or coconut?

No, Silk soymilk does not contain nut ingredients, including almond and coconut. However, our soymilk may be manufactured on equipment that also handles foods containing these ingredients. To help ensure against the risk of unintentional contamination, allergen clean-up procedures are standard in all of our manufacturing facilities. Those with severe allergies should always consult a doctor before introducing new foods.

Not safe enough for us to use so we will be finding a new line of soy milk.

Green Oatmeal and Ham?

Today Nathan's class is celebrating Dr. Seuss and they are having green eggs and ham. Nathan is allergic to eggs so I made him green oatmeal instead of green eggs. Sometimes being a mom of a food allergy kid means you need to be creative.

Juice at Snack Time

I received an email from Nathan's 4k teacher, he stopped drinking the juice that the school provides at snack time. The rest of the kids get milk so Nathan gets juice. I wrote back to the teacher to find out what kind of juice they give him and it was orange juice. She said he used to get apple but they recently switched to orange. That explained it, he doesn't like orange juice.
She asked if I could send juice to school and I said  "sure". I already send his own snack because he can't eat the snacks they provide. I am going to send Fruitables hoping that at least he will get some of his veggies that he needs since he is being a very picky eater lately.

Blog Makeover

My blog finally has had a long over due make-over. I lost my domain so I am back to my Blogger domain, be sure to book mark it.

I haven't been posting as much due to our move and the holidays but I am back - and with a new look.

The Circus is in Town....

But We Did Not Go.

We were asked by friends to go to the circus since it is here in town. My first response was "yes" we would love to go, then I thought about it. All the peanuts and animals that are at a circus is a place that is potential for a allergy reaction. So then I thought "No, not a good idea." I then remembered to the last time we went to a place with peanuts which was a baseball game and how Nathan started coughing and gagging because of the peanuts around him. It was a bad night.

So no circus for us :( Or at least until they offer a peanut free section.

Super-bowl Food

Nathan's daycare is having a Packer party because our local team is in the Super-bowl. They asked if families could bring foods or treats for the party that are our teams colors (Green and Yellow) and that are store bought. I can't think of a single food item that can be store bought, colored green and yellow, that 4 yr. old like and most importantly is free of Dairy, Eggs, Wheat and Nuts. We are not required to bring anything, but I do like to participate and foods that Nathan and all his friends can enjoy together. She told us to just bring him a cupcake and that is what we did. I decorated it green and gold. GO PACKERS.

Is it normal to wash Jello?

Ok, don't answer until you read on.....we were at the grocery store today and in the deli they had Jello squares. Nathan saw them and wanted some, no problem because he isn't allergic to them but I worried about other mayo salads near by the jello may have dripped on the jello so before Nathan could eat the jello squares I rinsed them in water. No I didn't use soap.

Enter to Win an iPad and Children's Books

Go to Frugal Family Fun Blog to enter to win an iPad and an assortment of children’s books courtesy of Target!

Happy New Year

Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy and Allergy Free New Year!!