tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12548851592332393512024-03-13T10:54:09.445-04:00Fun Without FoodUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-11925818875895319652011-10-20T22:48:00.001-04:002012-02-10T21:06:05.293-05:00Seeking Medical Help or AdviceSeeking medical help when you think your child has food allergies or intolerances can become quite complicated, if you let it. Diagnosing allergies becomes even more complicated when your child is still an infant. It's important that you do your homework first and remember that the process may take months to resolve.<br />
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I can not stress enough how important it is to keep a food journal for you child for at least 3 days, before you bring your case to the doctor. When I say food journal, I mean a journal that includes everything your child eats, the time they ate it at, and a record of any symptoms you may be concerned about, when they occur, and for how long. The journal must also include all bowel movements, their consistency, and frequency. Note when symptoms improve or worsen. Study your journal and highlight any patterns you see. If there are no patterns, still bring it to your doctor, he/she may find them.<br />
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When you feel confident that you have a case, make an appointment with your pediatrician, and discuss your concerns. Always remember a parent knows their child best.<br />
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Your pediatrician may choose one of several directions to pursue, if he is concerned that your child has an allergy problem. His choice may be greatly influenced by the child's age. Infants and children under the age of two can be very difficult to diagnose. Allergy testing can be false positive or false negative.<br />
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Remember a doctor diagnoses by symptom. As they obtain information, they must be sure to eliminate every other option. Sometimes they do this first, before even referring a child to an allergist. Two out of three of my children, were referred to a gastroenterologist before seeing an allergist. Both were infants. Both children ended up receiving upper endoscopies to rule out other digestive issues such as celiac disease etc... One child was sent to another specialist to have a swallowing study done to ensure that his mouth was working correctly. The first test all of them received was a barium study. Each baby was fed a bottle of this thick white powdery liquid. Then, x-rays of their stomachs were taken to determine if the liquid was moving through their digestive tracks correctly. Acid reflux is diagnosed using this study. During the barium study it was discovered that one of my children had a hiatal hernia. The referral may not be to a gastroenterologist, but to another specialist depending on your child's symptoms. There may be other tests involved. Be patient with the process, as frustrating as it may be. Eventually, there will be results!<br />
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When discussing food allergies in regards to my other child, my pediatrician immediately ordered blood testing for their allergies. He explained it may not be accurate, but it would be a start. That child was 2 years old. The blood tests did show some allergies. He was then referred to an allergist.<br />
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In other cases, the pediatrician may feel confident that he can handle it in house. When one of my children, just two weeks old, was having significant problems with feedings, our doctor did a simple stool test in office. It was discovered there was blood in the urine and that he had a milk protein allergy. His formula was changed and that was that.<br />
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Once your child has been referred to an allergist, be prepared for more testing. If blood tests have already been done, you may avoid that, but most often, and in fact all cases with my children, more testing will be done. Most likely it will be skin prick testing. It's not fun, but doesn't hurt as much as one might think. (I've gone through it myself.) If skin prick testing isn't enough, some doctors move forward and try to test for intolerances, feeding the child an item that will prompt the reaction specified.<br />
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Receiving results is bittersweet. You learn what's been causing so many problems with your child, but now there's a set of new problems. What do I feed my child? Worst case scenario, you receive no answers and move on to another specialist. It took doctors 15 months to diagnose my son with all of his allergies. Keep in mind that specialists always have waiting lists and it may take anywhere from one to six months to get an appointment. As long as your child is thriving (gaining weight and growing) there will be no rush to have your child seen unless a reaction is quite severe, in that case, you go to the hospital immediately.<br />
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As an end to this article I must make note, if you child is experiencing SEVERE symptoms, as noted in the previous article, do not wait to seek medical assistance. There are times when doctors in the hospital will diagnose an allergy due to it's severe symptoms, and then will refer you to an allergist.<br />
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Questions and Discussion<br />
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1. What was your journey like as you went through the process of getting your children diagnosed and treated? Any stories of heroic pediatricians or specialists out there?<br />
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2. This all sounds really intimidating and overwhelming, but it has helped us to know other people have gone through it. This gave us confidence in ourselves. Any words of advice for anyone reading who might be just starting out?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-40424603277440702662011-09-30T22:11:00.000-04:002011-09-30T22:11:13.911-04:00Signs and Symptoms of Food AllergiesThe most popular questions sent to Fun Without Food are in regards to food allergies, their signs, symptoms, how to seek medical help and advice, and how to make changes to the diet. Consider this Part One: Signs and Symptoms.<br />
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Signs of food allergies are not cut and dry. There can be multiple symptoms. Some children show all symptoms, others show only one or two. In some cases, children may not show any visible symptoms.<br />
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There are many websites that explain what I am about to explain, click on <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/food-allergy/DS00082">this</a> to see my favorite. But, it's also nice to read it, written by someone who has experienced almost all of it and then some. Remember symptoms may take up to two hours to show themselves after contact or ingestion. In rare cases symptoms may take more time to appear.<br />
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<b>The most common food allergy symptoms include:</b><br />
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<u>1. Tingling or itching in the mouth.</u><br />
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Make a note, that as a parent, we can not see this reaction in our children. If they are infants and/or toddlers they will not be able to communicate this symptom. Most often as a parent, you will notice extreme irritability and perhaps a refusal to eat. If the child is older, they may try to itch their mouths or express that it hurts or feels funny.<br />
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<u>2. Hives Itching or Eczema</u>.<br />
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In my experience, eczema is one of the number one indicators that an infant has food allergies, especially if they are extremely irritable. It may be hard to discover what food is causing the eczema, but once it's found, improvements in the skin are amazing. Eczema can just be eczema too, and is not always an indicator, but I have only met one person who had eczema who hadn't been diagnosed with food allergies, especially in children. Eczema can occur anywhere on the body. My first child had eczema. At two he was diagnosed with allergies.<br />
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Hives is a very popular reaction in children. Usually it is the first sign that is taken seriously by parents and caregivers. Still at times it can be confused with other rashes on the skin. Hives do not always occur where the food allergen makes contact with skin.<br />
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Itching can occur without hives. The itchy spot can be anywhere on the body. There are many other reasons a child may be itching, but once you have eliminated environmental and emotional factors, food allergies can be the reason. Infants may not be able to itch, and may only show extreme irritability.<br />
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Though, not listed, I would like to add diaper rashes to this section. Five out of six babies I have cared for have had food allergies. The first symptom visible was a reoccurring diaper rash. After switching diapers, trying all lotions and ointments, it was discovered that food was the cause.<br />
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<u>3. Swelling of lips, face, tongue, and throat, or other parts of the body.</u><br />
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Beware! Swelling of the lips, face, throat, and especially the eyes can lead to an anaphylaxis reaction in a matter of seconds and should be taken very seriously. Benadryl is usually the best way to stop the reaction from worsening. Check with your doctor for dosage amounts.<br />
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Parents often don't catch the swelling of the tongue and throat, because they aren't visible. If you child starts to speak differently or their voice changes in any way, these may be indicators of this type of reaction. Often times a child will have difficulty swallowing and/or breathing. At times their voice may become hoarse.<br />
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My second child has swelling of his internal digestive track every time he has an allergic reaction to a food. As an infant, when this would occur, he would arch back and become as stiff as a board. Similar symptoms occur in reflux babies and children having seizures. It was only after those were ruled out that his food allergies were discovered. Swelling of the internal digestive track can and did lead to vomiting in my second child.<br />
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<u>4. Wheezing, nasal congestion, or trouble breathing.</u><br />
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These symptoms are most commonly associated with environmental allergies, but they can also be signs of food allergies. My third child was constantly sick, with what appeared to be colds. She did show other symptoms of food allergies. We were surprised at how quickly her cold like symptoms disappeared when she was diagnosed, the food was removed from her diet, and she started using an inhaler twice a day.<br />
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<u>5. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.</u><br />
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This symptom is usually associated more with food intolerances, but should be taken more seriously in regards to food allergies. In less than 24 hours after birth my second child was having massive diarrhea bowel movements every hour. The smell was obnoxious. He could not sleep because of his abdominal pain. When he started solids he instantly began vomiting. After two weeks of no sleep and a very irritable baby, we went to the doctor and had his stool tested. This was our first indication of a milk protein allergy.<br />
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At six months, my third child was having six to ten bowel movements a day. The smell was foul! Her only other symptoms of food allergies were diaper rashes and nasal congestion. She was referred to a gastroenterologist first. They ran tests and had an upper GI scope done. It was there they noticed eosinophils in her stomach. Eosinophils are a sign of food allergies. We were then referred to an allergist where they discovered multiple food allergies. Within a matter of days her bowel movements were reduced to one to two a day.<br />
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Remember, as a parent you can not see abdominal pain or nausea in infants and sometimes toddlers. Instead you will mostly likely notice a hard stomach and/or extreme irritability.<br />
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<u>6. Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting</u><br />
The only experience I have with this symptom is in regards to my second child. When he has an allergic reaction he is the most clumsy kid I have ever seen. At times he appears to be staring into space. Other times he can barely walk straight.<br />
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This symptom can lead to anaphylaxis in a matter of seconds so it is important to treat it immediately.<br />
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<u>7. Anaphylaxis</u><br />
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In some people, a food allergy can trigger a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Untreated anaphylaxis can cause comma or death. The Mayo Clinic lists these life threatening symptoms:<br />
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A. Constriction and tightening of airways<br />
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B. A swollen throat or the sensation of a lump in your throat that makes it difficult to breathe.<br />
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C. Shock, with a severe drop in blood pressure.<br />
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D. Rapid pulse.<br />
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E. Dizziness, lightheadedness, or loss of consciousness.<br />
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In children it may be very difficult to notice the onset of some of these symptoms. Other times the child's face may swell extensively. It is extremely important to carry a prescription Epi-pen at all times if there is possibility that a child may have a severe reaction.<br />
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Questions and Discussion:<br />
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1. How did you first discover that your child was having an allergic reaction to a food? Did someone else notice symptoms first? How long had the symptoms been occurring before you made the connection to food?<br />
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2. Has your child ever gone into an anaphylaxis reaction due to something he or she ate or inhaled? How quickly did the reaction come on and how long did it take to recover from it? Ever had to use your Epi-pen?<br />
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3. Are there any other symptoms that you saw in your child that alerted you to a possible food allergy, not listed above?<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-79051298910380132832011-09-07T23:55:00.002-04:002012-02-10T21:11:01.327-05:00Back to School Safety<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My second son starts preschool tomorrow. Not too long ago, we didn't think it was possible for him to even attend school. It was a very long road, filled with frustration and tears, but it paid off. Along the way we learned MANY important lessons. It's only seems fair to share our experience in hopes that it will benefit another parent and their child. And since we're not as experienced as some, we hope for more ideas and added advice from other parents.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our journey began with a simple conversation with our pediatrician, who just happened to be the medical director of the school we wanted our son to attend. He then initiated a conversation with the education director of the school. I was asked to bring in a list of my son's allergies. A meeting was scheduled between the education director and the teaching faculty of the preschool. My son's case was presented. I was not permitted to be present. There was much hesitancy, to the extent that a meeting was called between the education director and medical director. The education director was very obvious in making sure I was not a part of this meeting. Unfortunately her efforts failed. The medical director, our pediatrician, made certain I was in attendance.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At first the answer was no. It was too dangerous. Preschools are allowed to deny enrollment. Then our pediatrician stepped up to the plate and convinced the education director to allow Adam to attend school for one hour two times a week during the most regulated times of the day. If he could remain safe during those times, his time at school would increase.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were elated. A few months later our pediatrician reported to us that another meeting was to be held. He had not heard details but the ordeal was far from over.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, my second son was diagnosed with Autism. He was transitioning from Early Intervention Services (EI) to services provided through the school district. To date, the school district had not been involved in my son's case and enrollment into preschool.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After several evaluations and the new diagnosis, a CPSE meeting was to be held. This meeting would determine the education my son would receive for the next year before entering PreK. I spoke with the head of the CPSE board. She was unaware of my son's allergies. She requested that I bring a list of every allergy and it's reaction, along with medical proof of all allergies from a specialist, not our pediatrician.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Contention was building between staff members at the preschool we wanted our son to attend. There was talk of not modifying the classroom to meet our son's allergy needs. Allergies do not count as a disability and therefore a one-to-one aid cannot be provided, unless paid for by the parents. If the classroom was not modified there would be no way to keep our son safe. More importantly, if everyone wasn't on the same page... It was a very dangerous situation.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our pediatrician, the medical director of the school, was once again summoned to attend the meeting, and asked to bring our's medical records. My husband and I sat down with our Early Intervention team to review our son's case and suggested IEP goals written by our son's occupational therapist a few days before the big meeting. We discussed EI's position and requests in regards to our son's transition and next year of school. His test scores and diagnosis of Autism would suggest that our son be considered a special education student and attend preschool five days a week. Yet with his allergies... The meeting would be interesting. We discussed best and worst case scenarios, and our rights as our son's parents and his right to a public education. The EI team encouraged us to write down all our questions in advance and have them answered during the meeting. Our son's IEP would be developed during this meeting and needed to include address all concerns in regards to our son. That evening I did so, but then remembered I had read somewhere that children with food allergies should have a 504 Plan. What was the difference? Did he need both plans? What was a 504 Plan? What was an IEP exactly? I found the perfect explanation <a href="http://www.slc.sevier.org/iepv504.htm">HERE</a>. I've shared some of it below.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are two types of written plans, which must be developed and implemented by public schools regarding students with disabilities. First, students with disabilities requiring only reasonable accommodation must have a written plan under Section 504; this is commonly referred to as a 504 plan. Each public school should have a person (usually an assistant principal or a guidance counselor, but not a special educator) who serves as the school's "504 coordinator." This person should coordinate the development, maintenance, and implementation of 504 plans.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">504 plans should be developed by a committee, consisting of the student with a disability (if appropriate), the student's parent(s)/guardian(s), the student's teacher(s), the student's counselor, and the 504 coordinator.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Additionally, special educators often serve as advisors to 504 committees. The student's disability and corresponding need for reasonable accommodation are identified and documented in the plan. Likewise, the plan delineates the specific accommodations, which will be implemented by the school. All school staff involved in the provision of accommodations should be contacted by the 504 coordinator and made aware of their duties and responsibilities. The plan itself should be updated at least annually.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For students with disabilities who require specialized instruction, the IDEA controls the procedural requirements. The IDEA process is more involved than that required under Section 504. Instruction and accommodation under the IDEA are provided in accord with a plan called an Individualized Education Program, known as an IEP. A student's IEP is a legal document which, in part, sets forth the duties and responsibilities of the school district and staff regarding that student. It is the responsibility of special educators, regular education teachers, administrators, counselors, and other professional educators to be thoroughly familiar with the provisions of the IEP for EACH of their students with disabilities.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our son did not need a 504 Plan because he has an IEP.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The meeting went very well. Our pediatrician, later speaking of the event said, "If you get enough people in one room, things happen!" Our son was granted a five day a week special education program in a classroom modified to fit his allergy needs. He was also purposely enrolled in the smallest class (made of seven students) with five adults present at all times to help keep him safe. All of our questions were answered and documented in the notes of the meeting.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below is a list of questions to help you assess the situation at your school and examine school's policies. It is taken from <a href="http://drrobertwood.com/504-plan-for-food-allergies.shtml">THIS</a> article.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<ul style="list-style-image: url(http://drrobertwood.com/images/li.jpg); padding-left: 4em;"><li style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-top: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where medications are stored</span></li>
<li style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-top: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where each student's emergency healthcare form is filed</span></li>
<li style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-top: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who is trained to deal with emergency reactions and how they will be trained</span></li>
<li style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-top: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How substitute teachers will be trained to identify and treat reactions</span></li>
<li style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-top: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where students eat lunch and snacks</span></li>
<li style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-top: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who provides snacks</span></li>
<li style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-top: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether the classroom can be made allergen free</span></li>
<li style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-top: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cafeteria procedures, including food preparation and the cleaning of tables</span></li>
<li style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-top: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hand-washing policies for students</span></li>
<li style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-top: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Food policy on buses (can students eat on buses)</span></li>
<li style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-top: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Field trip planning, including who is in charge of the medications</span></li>
<li style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-top: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After school activities—how are teachers and coaches trained to deal with food allergies and how they gain access to medications when necessary</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also taken from the same article are questions that will help you and your school write your Emergency Action Plan.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<ul style="list-style-image: url(http://drrobertwood.com/images/li.jpg); padding-left: 4em;"><li style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-top: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">What are the potential symptoms of a reaction?</span></li>
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<li style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-top: 5px;">Where should the student go for help?</li>
<li style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-top: 5px;">Which medications should be administered and in what dosage?</li>
<li style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-top: 5px;">Who should accompany the child?</li>
<li style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-top: 5px;">Who is to stay with the other students?</li>
<li style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-top: 5px;">What should be done if the student is in the lunch room, classroom, or gym?</li>
<li style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-top: 5px;">Who's responsible for calling the nurse?</li>
<li style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-top: 5px;">If the nurse is not present, who's next in line for action?</li>
<li style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-top: 5px;">When should the person in charge call 911?</li>
</span></ul><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Besides addressing all concerns and questions, the school requested that we, as our son's parents, write a letter to the parents of the children in our son's class, explaining our son's allergies and requesting their help to keep him safe. It will be distributed the first day of classes. The school is not permitted to share information about our son with other parents. Therefore the letter was crucial for creating awareness and safety in the classroom.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We hope for a great year!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. What has been your experience working with school official and teachers with regards to special dietary needs or allergy issues? Have you met much resistance or have others been cooperative? Any issues related to classmates or (more likely) parents of classmates?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. What does your child's school do to accommodate students with special dietary needs? A lot of these guidelines come from the state or federal level, but have there been any unique initiatives in your community that have contributed to improved understanding, acceptance, and overall safety in your schools? What would you like your school district to do that isn't being done currently?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. The federal and state guidelines for education, especially for special education, can be quite murky and incomprehensible to most parents. That, combined with feeling intimidated or alienated by school personnel can be hard to navigate. Have you found any resources or information that has helped you to understand your child's educational rights? Any good war stories out there of parent-teacher meetings or IEP meetings? Does it help to know that you are not alone in feeling overwhelmed or frustrated by this process? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can't wait to hear your comments!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-45473168847407178872011-08-13T20:49:00.000-04:002011-08-13T20:49:45.912-04:00Recipes On the GoLast month our family went on an unplanned vacation. We were planning on staying at our destination for a day or two, but ended up staying there six days. A stomach bug hit our family hard. Traveling home was impossible. Each day we woke up someone new had the bug.<br />
<br />
We had packed enough food for our family for two days, but definitely not for six days. I had to shop at an unfamiliar grocery store. Thankfully they had some items my children could eat. At one point I went to this blog to find recipes I could prepare for my kiddos. I quickly realized my staple recipes were not here. What was I going to do?<br />
<br />
Our family did make it through the week. Looking on the bright side, it was a good thing that my children had a stomach bug because they didn't eat as much as they usually do. If they had... It's time to put these recipes on my blog, if for no other reason than they will be accessible to me when I need them away from home!<br />
<br />
<b>Pancakes</b><br />
<br />
1 cup flour<br />
3 tablespoons sugar<br />
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder<br />
1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
2 1/2 tablespoons oil<br />
3/4 cup water<br />
<br />
Mix all ingredients together in mixing bowl. Heat frying pan or griddle. Cook pancakes until tops are bubbly and the bottoms browned. Flip and cook. Serve.<br />
<br />
<b>Chocolate Cake</b><br />
<br />
1 1/2 cups flour<br />
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder<br />
1 teaspoon baking powder<br />
1.4 teaspoon salt<br />
3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed<br />
1/3 cup oil<br />
1 cup water<br />
1/2 teaspoon vanilla<br />
<br />
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9-inch round or an 8-inch square pan. Sift the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt together into a bowl. Measure the brown sugar and add it. Stir the dry ingredients well. Mix the oil, water and vanilla together, then add them to the dry ingredients and stir just until all of the dry bits are wet. Turn the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the cake for 30 minutes or cupcakes for 15 minutes.<br />
<br />
<b>Taco Seasoning</b><br />
<br />
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika<br />
1 teaspoon chili powder (optional)<br />
1/2 teaspoon oregano<br />
1/2 teaspoon salt or garlic salt<br />
<br />
Stir seasoning and 3/4 cup water into 1 pound browned and drained hamburger or turkey burger; simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.<br />
<br />
These recipes are my staple recipes because they require no "special" ingredients. I can find the ingredients anywhere and I can make them anywhere.<br />
<br />
Do you have any recipes like this? We'd love you to share!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-38570324616733177892011-04-28T21:58:00.000-04:002011-04-28T21:58:52.154-04:00Fun for Siblings?Having one child with a special dietary need is a challenge. Adding siblings to the mix with or without special dietary needs of their own can be extremely difficult.<br />
<br />
Currently, in our home, there are many children with special dietary needs of varying natures. Some of these needs are life threatening and/or conflicting with special dietary needs of others in the house. One child has a severe milk protein allergy, which reacts with simple contact. This child also reacts to rice milk, almond milk, soy milk, etc... Two other children have milk allergies, but not as severe. Three children have no milk/dairy allergies, and one has a Vitamin D deficiency. Surprisingly, except for a few baby bottle mishaps, we've been able to keep everyone safe.<br />
<br />
One child is allergic to many vegetables. But one he's NOT allergic to and LOVES, is one that another child IS allergic to, yet still loves. Both are toddlers and very skilled at throwing food on the floor and across the table.<br />
<br />
When our son was first diagnosed with 30 food allergies, I was on a quest to find as many recipes as I could that our entire family could enjoy. Many items were removed from our home. Some still are today. But as time has passed, and more children come, I'm learning it's very difficult to juggle every one's diets and nutritional needs. The children who don't have special dietary needs may not eat the foods that our son can. One of our children has Asperger's and will only eat very specific foods, some of which his brother is allergic to.<br />
<br />
Over time we've come up with some basic rules and routines in our home to keep people safe.<br />
<br />
1. Only water is allowed in sippy cups and/or, which can be taken anywhere in the house.<br />
2. Food and drinks are served at the table only.<br />
3. One must ask an adult for permission before opening the refrigerator.<br />
4. Children are positioned at the table based on their special dietary needs.<br />
5. All snacks and meals are served by adults, at times with some assistance from children.<br />
<br />
We've found it very helpful to have a raised table top and to store all food in cupboards above the counter. With so many young children, it's been wonderful to have a routine eating schedule of meals and snacks, so there is no munching in between.<br />
<br />
There are still MANY Foods omitted from our home: eggs, oats, sweet potatoes, beef, pork, etc... But we do have milk and cheese, peanut butter, strawberries, and peas. At meal time I find myself cooking at least two meals, if not three, with a choice of vegetable and side dish. I've found that options keeps everyone happy.<br />
<br />
We still have occasional meltdowns over broccoli and macaroni and cheese, but we've come a long way. When we have special treats, most often they are allergy friendly for everyone. At times we do have ice cream sundae nights though. Those allergic to dairy/milk usually get special allergy friendly chocolate bars or cookies. (Even alternative ice creams aren't safe for everyone. And one child in particular, suffering from sensory issues, will not eat anything cold.) It's a real juggling act.<br />
<br />
As you can tell, the solutions we have come up with are very specific to our situation, and it may not be advisable to do things the same way we have done them, since every situation is unique. We may also find new challenges presenting themselves as the kids get older, and the potential changes in tastes and tolerances that come with growing up. Introducing new kids could also present new challenges, especially older kids who might not be so willing to give up on some favorite things out of concern for another's special dietary needs. The keys to continued success will be flexibility and quick adjustments before potential problems present themselves and get out of hand. Lots of communication, negotiation, and praise will be important components as well. As always, reducing the emphasis of food and eating as a central part of the day and shifting the focus to family fun and activities will aid in the process as well.<br />
<br />
Now it's your turn:<br />
<br />
1. How have you managed the challenge of keeping your child with special dietary needs safe while also being sensitive to the tastes and preferences of others (especially siblings) who may be asked to do without a favorite food? What was the most difficult thing about this and what has been the most rewarding aspect of trying to find this very delicate balance in your family?<br />
<br />
2. Our experience is primarily with children ages 5 and under, so we are interested in learning how things change or have changed for your family's food needs as the children have grown older. Do things get easier because the kids can communicate more clearly and be kept safe more easily? Or, do tastes and preferences become stronger and less negotiable? How have you adapted to these changes and were there any surprises that you have encountered along the way?<br />
<br />
One final note on posting comments: we appreciate all the input and feedback we receive in these discussions, and we invite you all to post as often as you would like, even if just to ask a question. We have found that especially lengthy comments (200 words or more) do not get posted in the comments section, due to some sort of technical issue with Blogger (we still love you Blogger!) So, if you have a lot to contribute on this or any other discussion in the future, you can either:<br />
A) Divide it up into smaller posts or<br />
B) Email it to renaemarienae@gmail.com and we will make sure your entire comment gets posted in the discussion.<br />
<br />
Thanks again for all your support and feedback. We are learning a lot from all of you.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-89045911574766227862011-03-23T21:18:00.001-04:002011-03-23T22:03:43.245-04:0060 Fun Without Food Easter IdeasIt's that time of year again. I'm not sure which holiday is more difficult-Christmas, Halloween, or Easter when it comes to special dietary needs. Coming up with Easter basket and tradition alternatives can be difficult. Easter was a pretty exciting day in my family growing up. The Easter Bunny would leave trails of jelly beans all over the house leading to where our Easter baskets were hidden. Our baskets were filled with candy and gifts of jewelry, music, and a few other miscellaneous items. I received a gift from my parents too. Most often it was a new item to play with outside.<br />
<br />
After eating candy all morning and our annual Easter egg hunt with Dad, we'd get ready and head to my aunt's house for a HUGE buffet of meats, summer salads, fruit salads, veggies and desserts. There was always so much food. Sometimes we'd have another Easter egg hunt there. The eggs would be the ones we'd decorated a few days before.<br />
<br />
There were a few variations in the holiday tradition, but the eggs, candy, and food were always present. Last year was our first Easter celebration since the kids' diagnoses. Click <a href="http://funwithoutfood.blogspot.com/search/label/Easter">here</a> to see the post from last year. This year we're changing things up a bit. And honestly, there are still many things to plan, BUT since Easter is only a month away, it's time for Fun Without Food's Easter Ideas!<br />
<br />
<b>Decorating Easter Eggs</b><br />
<br />
Adam's egg and adhesive allergies are life threatening, so the tradition of decorating Easter eggs is a tough one for us. I've worked hard to come up with some alternatives. Here are some I really like. Some activities are not appropriate for younger children, others will bore older children. Click on links for instructions.<br />
<br />
1. <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/easter/easter-crafts/easter-egg-decorating/a-herd-of-eggimals-675231/">A Herd of (Plastic) Eggimals</a><br />
2. <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/easter/easter-crafts/easter-egg-decorating/ballpoint-eggs-668414/">Ballpoint Eggs</a><br />
3. <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/easter/easter-crafts/easter-egg-decorating/papier-mache-eggs-665975/">Papier-Mache Eggs</a> (This project does require wheat flour, although I suppose you could use a different flour)<br />
4. Foam Sticker Eggs (<a href="http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/search/processRequest.do?requestURI=searchMain&Ntx=mode%2bmatchallpartial&Ntt=easter%20egg%20craft&N=0&Ntk=all&searchTerm=easter+egg+craft&BP=8884&source=google&cm_mmc=google-_-OTC+Easter-_-Easter+egg+craft-_-5d0b4c95edfd4d9abac9bd00354cbbb2&ms=search">Oriental Trading</a> has a lot of foam egg craft options)<br />
5. <a href="http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/browse/processRequest.do?demandPrefix=12&sku=48/3541&mode=Searching&erec=10&D=easter+egg+craft&Ntx=mode%2bmatchallpartial&source=google&Ntk=all&searchTerm=easter+egg+craft&ms=search&requestURI=processProductsCatalog&N=0&BP=8884&Ntt=easter+egg+craft&Dx=mode%2bmatchallpartial&cm_mmc=google-_-OTC+Easter-_-Easter+egg+craft-_-5d0b4c95edfd4d9abac9bd00354cbbb2&sd=Magic+Color+Scratch+Egg+Ornaments#RL10">Magic Color Scratch Eggs</a><br />
6. <a href="http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/browse/processRequest.do?demandPrefix=12&sku=56/9077&mode=Searching&erec=2&D=easter+egg+craft&Ntk=all&ms=search&N=0&No=16&Ntt=easter+egg+craft&Dx=mode%2bmatchallpartial&Ntx=mode%2bmatchallpartial&source=google&searchTerm=easter+egg+craft&requestURI=processProductsCatalog&Ipp=16&BP=8884&cm_mmc=google-_-OTC+Easter-_-Easter+egg+craft-_-5d0b4c95edfd4d9abac9bd00354cbbb2&sd=12+Paint+Your+Own%21+Ceramic+Eggs#RL2">Paint Your Own Ceramic Eggs</a> (Ceramic Eggs can be replaced with wooden eggs.)<br />
7. <a href="http://www.dltk-holidays.com/easter/mstainedglass.htm">Stained Glass Easter Egg</a><br />
8. <a href="http://www.dltk-holidays.com/easter/mscissor-skills.htm">Easter Egg Scissors Skills Project</a><br />
9. <a href="http://crafts.kaboose.com/bunny1.html">Cotton Ball Easter Bunny</a> Egg<br />
10. <a href="http://crafts.kaboose.com/yarn-balloon-egg.html">Yarn Balloon Egg</a><br />
11. <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/pop-up-eggs-841040/">Pop Up Eggs</a><br />
12. For really young children print out template for Easter Egg Scissors Skills Project and just have children color or paint the egg, and/or add stickers.<br />
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If you have other ideas PLEASE share!<br />
<br />
<b>Easter Egg Fillers</b><br />
<br />
The Easter Egg Hunt is one of the most favorite events of the day around here. Before special dietary needs were introduce to the family, we stuffed plastic eggs with candy. Now we use non food Easter Egg Fillers. Here are some ideas that we've used and plan to use in the future. Some require a larger plastic egg.<br />
<br />
1. Lego or Lego Duplo Pieces<br />
2. Finger Puppets<br />
3. Miniature Dinosaur and Animal Figurines<br />
4. Magnets<br />
5. Beads<br />
6. Matchbox or Hot Wheels Cars<br />
7. Jewelry<br />
8. Hair Barrettes & Bows<br />
9. Barbie Accessories<br />
10. Mr. Potato Head Pieces<br />
12. Crayons<br />
13. Stickers<br />
14. Miniature Play Do containers<br />
15. Stamps<br />
16. Scrapbooking Accessories<br />
17. Chalk<br />
18. Fisher Price Little People or Imaginex Accessories<br />
19. Mini Paint Containers<br />
20. Cash or Coins<br />
21. Playmobile or Action Figure Accessories<br />
22. Puzzle Pieces<br />
23. Seeds<br />
24. Shoelaces or socks<br />
<br />
Obviously Oriental Trading, along with many other stores have plenty of little toys that fit in plastic Easter eggs, BUT I'm one to prefer toys or items that the kids will actually use for a long time and won't break within 24 hours. We color code the eggs for each child so they will know which ones are their eggs.<br />
<br />
What do you put in your Easter Eggs? PLEASE share any other ideas that you have!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Other Way of Celebrating</b></div><br />
There are many websites about Easter Craft Ideas, so I don't want to go into much detail about that, but besides crafts, Easter Eggs, Easter Egg Hunts, Easter baskets, and FOOD, how do you celebrate the holiday? How do you have fun without food? Do you celebrate the religious aspect of the holiday? How so?<br />
<br />
Since having children Easter is a two part celebration in our home. The day before Easter our family celebrates the secular part of the holiday. We call it the Day of the Easter Bunny. Then on Sunday, we devote the day to the religious aspect of the holiday. I've always directed the choir in my congregation, up until this year. My 2 1/2 year old has also been a baby up until this year. Unfortunately because of safety risks, we're having to stay home from religious services. This is really upsetting to me, but I'm working hard to find other ways to make the day special.<br />
<br />
<b>Some Fun Without Food Secular Celebration Ideas include:</b><br />
1. (Non Food) Easter Egg Hunt<br />
2. Relay Races and Games<br />
3. Planting a tree of flowers<br />
4. Learn how to weave a basket<br />
5. Visit a farm where there are new baby animals<br />
6. Nature walk or hike<br />
7. Signs of Spring Scavenger Hunt<br />
8. Easter Crafts<br />
9. Make & Send Easter Cards to Family & Friends<br />
10. Go shopping for spring and summer wardrobes<br />
11. Visit the Easter Bunny at your local Mall<br />
12. Deliver flowers to friends and neighbors<br />
<br />
<b>Some Fun Without Food Religious Celebration Ideas include:</b><br />
1. Attend religious services (Make sure they are safe for those with special dietary needs!)<br />
2. Attend or participate in a performance of an Easter Oratorio<br />
3. Read scripture passages about the life of Jesus Christ, His miracles, and/or events leading up to and after His Crucifixion.<br />
4. Watch a movie about the life of Jesus Christ, His Crucifixion, and/or His Resurrection.<br />
5. Write in a journal<br />
6. Religious Easter Crafts<br />
7. Visit a sacred place or religious historical site<br />
8. Write letters of gratitude to loved ones<br />
9. Listen to and/or sing hymns of praise and/or other sacred music<br />
10. Pray<br />
11. Create and play trivia games about the religious events surrounding the Easter holiday.<br />
12. Serve those in need.<br />
<br />
What are some fun without food secular and/or religious celebration ideas that your family has?<br />
<br />
We hope you have a very fun, safe, and happy Easter holiday!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-41326964653432829112011-03-20T22:27:00.000-04:002011-03-20T22:27:40.227-04:00Special Dietary Needs and Autism Spectrum DisordersBefore I had children, I was of the mentality that a child eats what's put on the table or they go without. Eventually they will get hungry enough and give in. Then my son Owen was born. After a week he refused to breastfeed. I pumped for six weeks and then switched to formula. With every bottle we would fight him it seemed. At times he had projectile vomiting.<br />
<br />
As he grew in age, and transitioned to solids, the challenge of getting him to eat became harder. The first two foods I introduced to him, carrots and peaches, seemed to make him miserable and sick. I called the doctor's office, frantic, questioning my abilities as a mother. Why couldn't I get my son to eat?<br />
<br />
Finally at 8 months, we introduced him to Yo Baby Yogurt, per our pediatrician's recommendation. He hadn't been gaining weight. Thankfully he loved it. There were VERY few foods we could get him to eat. For the longest time it seemed that Owen lived off of this yogurt. On occasion he would eat something else, but it was rare. As he became mobile, we resorted to sticking snacks in his toy dump trucks, hoping he would see them and eat them. It worked at times.<br />
<br />
By the age of two, Owen would eat whole wheat pasta with sauce, grilled cheese sandwiches, homemade breads, crackers, pizza, and a few other items. Fruits and vegetables were rare, in fact I believe Owen has only eaten vegetables less than a handful of times throughout his entire existence. Still, it seemed Owen would eat one day, and then eat nothing for three days. This pattern seemed endless.<br />
<br />
It was at age two that we learned Owen had allergies/intolerances to dairy, wheat, pork, and beef. I was devastated, his entire diet consisted of foods that made him sick. Slowly, I found alternatives that he would eat, and he became free of the allergens. He became a different child, although his eating habits continued to challenge us as parents. We found more allergies/intolerances.<br />
<br />
Between the ages of two and three, Owen became extremely particular about his food. Everything he ate was a shade of brown, ranging from cream colored to dark chocolate. Most foods were crunchy. They had to be a specific name brand, or he wouldn't touch them. Thankfully by the age of three, Owen grew out of his wheat allergy/intolerance and that provided us with many more options. Still his eating habits worsened.<br />
<br />
When Owen turned four, we said enough was enough. We had learned long ago that we couldn't say eat what's in front of you or go without, because Owen needed to gain weight. Instead we decided that for one week we would have Owen take one bite of one item on his plate, that we were eating, and then he could have whatever he wanted.<br />
<br />
Our experiment went horribly wrong. Owen screamed for 90 minutes. He then decided he would take a bite. As the tiniest piece of food touched his tongue he would gag to the point of vomiting. This same scenario continued for a week straight. We gave up and realized something was very wrong.<br />
<br />
After making a list of concerns regarding Owen, we took them to our pediatrician. We made a special appointment with him, without children present. It was then that he referred Owen to a Developmental Pediatrician, explaining that we could be looking at something as minor as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or as serious as Autism.<br />
<br />
On February 16th of this year, Owen was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. An Autism Spectrum Disorder comes with a completely different kind of special dietary needs. I remember one night going to the grocery store at 11:30 PM because I realized we were out of foods Owen would eat. My cart was filled with Wegman's Berry Corn Crunch, Tyson's Fun Nuggets, Jif Peanut Butter, Smuckers Seedless Strawberry Jam, Ritz Crackers, and Freihofer's White Bread. I felt embarrassed shopping so late at night for such items. I explained to the cashier apologetically that my son had an Autism Spectrum Disorder and these were the only foods he would eat.<br />
<br />
His response was a surprise. He nodded with a huge grin, and said knowingly,<br />
<br />
"I understand COMPLETELY. My sister has an Autism Spectrum Disorder."<br />
<br />
We continued our conversation. It turns out his sister will only eat foods that are green in color. He shared specific name brands, etc...<br />
<br />
It turned a very stressful situation into a comforting conversation.<br />
<br />
A couple months ago I was told about the movie, <i>Adam. </i>It's about a young single adult with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. I remember watching the scene where it showed his freezer and cupboards filled with the same three items that he ate day after day. Part of me laughed and cried all at once. There were a couple other scenes that directly related to food that caused the same reaction.<br />
<br />
There are many aspects of Autism Spectrum Disorders that are very difficult at times, but personally, I feel the diet is the hardest. Owen will starve himself for three days before he'd ever consider trying something new, and then he still wouldn't try it.<br />
<br />
The sight of food causes him stress. I honestly believe if he could avoid food all together he would.<br />
<br />
And then comes the controversy of the gluten free, casein free diet. There are other versions of it too. Some doctors recommend it. Some parents swear by it. Others believe they have proof that it makes no difference. Many who don't understand the prescription of it and it's possible benefits think parents of Autism Spectrum Disorder kids are crazy.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile parents work endlessly trying to get their Autism Spectrum child to eat.<br />
<br />
<br />
Questions:<br />
<br />
How did you "discover" the special dietary needs of your child? How did you handle the process of finding things that were, (1) safe and (2) appealing to your child? What has been the hardest part about this process for you? What has been the biggest surprise?<br />
<br />
If you have a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, please share your story, especially as it relates to food issues. What has your experience been with adjusting your child's food intake to modify his or her health/moods/behaviors? What has worked for you? What is still challenging?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-36304513500007031202011-03-14T22:52:00.001-04:002011-03-14T22:53:43.419-04:00Irrational Versus Rational ResponseDirections: The link below is a blog post discussing the Florida parent protests against procedures put in place to protect a child with a life threatening peanut allergy. Please read it and then be prepared to join us in considering some ways to respond to this situation or a similar situation that you may face with a child who has special dietary needs.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://allergickid.blogspot.com/2011/03/todays-lesson-hate-and-intolerance.html">http://allergickid.blogspot.com/2011/03/todays-lesson-hate-and-intolerance.html</a><br />
<br />
Here are some initial responses and our attempts to sort them out.<br />
<br />
1. This isn't fair! Why do people have SUCH a hard time understanding food allergies?<br />
2. It's not fair to the other kids in the class? How about life being fair for the kid with the allergy?<br />
3. Why is it so hard for people to accommodate people with food allergies or any special dietary need for that matter? It's JUST food! Have you taken notice of our obesity epidemic?<br />
4. Since when is school focused around food? I didn't know learning math or reading skills required peanut butter!<br />
5. Why must a parent of a child with food allergies need to fight so much for the safety of their child?<br />
6. How can people be so mean and so hurtful?<br />
7. Do you think a parent asks for their child to have food allergies?<br />
8. Boy, do I feel good about homeschooling my kids!<br />
<br />
In addition to our emotional response and outrage, we want to keep thinking about this and try to come up with more rational responses. This situation is completely wrong, but the first priority must always be keeping your child safe. The question is: if this happened to your child, what would be the best way to respond?<br />
<br />
A few thoughts (and a quick disclaimer first)<br />
<br />
Disclaimer: we do not know the entire story. We don't know how the school has responded to this- Have any statements been issued? Any efforts made to educate the parents and children? That might provide answers to some of our thoughts below:<br />
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1. The parents of the little girl with the peanut allergy clearly have legal rights here. They pulled her from school apparently due to threats made by other parents, but they have every right to keep that kid in her school. That said, safety has to come first, so their actions are understandable.<br />
<br />
2. The cause to stay in school is important, because it would definitely set a bad precedent for other kids in other school districts if no one stands up and fights. The burden would seem to be on the school to: provide this kid with the services in her educational plan, provide safety for each and every student, and protect the confidential educational and health information of each student from being leaked to the public. If the school district is negligent in this regard, legal action could easily be pursued and a pretty strong case could be made that they are not doing this.<br />
<br />
3. On a public policy level, it would be interesting to see if any steam could be gathered behind some legislation that would treat someone who harms or threatens to harm someone with a life-threatening allergy as a hate crime or something to that effect. I would hate to think that someone would have to be hurt in order for something to happen, but unfortunately, that seems to be the only way something like this gets done.<br />
<br />
4. The parents of the other first graders have the right to protest things that they think are violating their children's rights to adequate education. However, wouldn't it serve everyone best if the school hosted a public forum about this issue, to educate about the real dangers of food allergies? They could invite one or more allergy experts to talk about the reality of the threat of peanuts to this little girl, and open up the floor for questions. A little awareness and understanding never hurts in a situation like this. Also, it would be of interest to find out if these parents voiced their concerns to faculty and administrators within the school before the protests. What was the school's response?<br />
<br />
5. It might be helpful to publicize stories of school districts or individual classrooms in which reasonable accommodations to protect a student have been made successfully, to illustrate that this can be done, and no one would really miss out on anything. In fact, isn't there potential for a lot to be gained in a classroom in which tolerance and understanding are practiced on a daily basis?<br />
<br />
What do you think? Are you familiar with any "success stories" that are comparable to this situation? How would you deal with the type of opposition that these folks face in Florida?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-9275215967732704372011-03-12T20:53:00.002-05:002011-03-12T21:04:13.117-05:00Some of My VERY Favorite Dinner Recipes<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I LOVE to cook and bake. But I HATE spending lots of money on ingredients. When our kids were diagnosed with food allergies our grocery bill tripled. Living gluten free, dairy free, egg free, and so many other "frees" was extremely frustrating. I don't understand why children with allergies and other special dietary needs don't get any type of disability. Just the cost of feeding them is enough to break the bank. After two months of insanely high priced grocery shopping trips I was determined to find recipes for meals that were still "free" of all of the ingredients we needed to avoid, but not expensive. I hosted a recipe contest on facebook where I challenged friends to find recipes that were safe for our family. My grandmother started saving me all the magazines she subscribes to. I searched every one looking for recipes that would work. I also purchased a few special diet cook books, but most of the recipes were too expensive to make and called for ingredients I didn't even know existed, or they were free of one or two things, but then required the use of other things I couldn't use.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A year later, I have compiled an entire binder full of recipes that are safe and inexpensive for our family to eat. I still search through every magazine I see, but for the most part we eat very well. There are only a few ingredients that I need to buy in the health food section of the grocery store.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I keep meaning to share some of our favorite dinner recipes. Today is the day! I hope you enjoy! They are delicious and can be altered easily to fit any diet. The best thing is that they don't require "special" ingredients!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">All the recipes are gluten free, dairy free, egg free, and... They are free of A LOT of stuff!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Chicken Enchiladas with Green Salsa</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsl602rZa46VZSFC3dYjqjvIu7ld13nEg9tUJ3N_cHFnSv3iXH4InoJ9Z03QX4E0l_7f5nXzA1-rUhs-yZrWP3hujeIpehOKGBVMraPo6wK1mGxtiqZnRd-zHhkqhSvBk6AU9dRFBKyM/s1600/chicken-enchiladas_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsl602rZa46VZSFC3dYjqjvIu7ld13nEg9tUJ3N_cHFnSv3iXH4InoJ9Z03QX4E0l_7f5nXzA1-rUhs-yZrWP3hujeIpehOKGBVMraPo6wK1mGxtiqZnRd-zHhkqhSvBk6AU9dRFBKyM/s320/chicken-enchiladas_300.jpg" width="268" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(This recipe does call for cheese and sour cream, but we leave it out, and offer it on the side to those who are able to eat it. We use a fryer chicken instead of a rotisserie chicken to omit possible allergens. You can substitute the green salsa for any kind of salsa if you'd like or eat it without, which we've done too!)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div class="recipeIngred" style="margin-bottom: 30px;"><h3 style="font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Ingredients</span></h3><ul style="list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4 tablespoons <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/oils-00000000039335/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">canola oil</a></span></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/zucchini-00000000039389/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">small zucchini, diced</a></span></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/onions-00000000039337/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">small red onion, chopped</a></span></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 cup <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/corn-00000000039301/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">corn kernels (from 1 ear, or frozen and thawed)</a></span></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 2- to 2 1/2 pound <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/chicken-00000000039292/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">rotisserie chicken, meat shredded</a></span></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack (6 ounces)</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">kosher salt and black pepper</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">12 6-inch corn tortillas</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 pound tomatillos, papery husks removed</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/jalapeno-peppers-00000000039320/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">jalapeño, seeded</a></span></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 cup <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/cilantro-00000000039295/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">fresh cilantro</a></span></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 tablespoon <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/limes-00000000039326/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">fresh lime juice</a></span></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 cup <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/sour-cream-00000000039369/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">sour cream (optional)</a></span></li>
</ul></div><div class="recipeDirections"><h3 style="font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Directions</span></h3><ol style="margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 1.75em;"><li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Heat oven to 400° F. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat.</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Add zucchini, onion, and corn and cook, stirring, until onion begins to soften, 3 to 5 minutes.</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Transfer vegetables to a large bowl. Add chicken, Monterey Jack, 1 teaspoon salt, and ÂĽ teaspoon pepper. Mix to combine.</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wipe out the skillet and heat remaining oil over medium heat. Cook each tortilla until softened, 10 to 15 seconds per side. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate.</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Divide chicken mixture among the tortillas, roll them up, and place them in a baking dish, seam-side down. Bake until heated through, 8 to 10 minutes.</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Meanwhile, in a food processor, pulse the tomatillos, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and ½ teaspoon salt until finely chopped. Serve the enchiladas with the salsa and sour cream, if using.</span></li>
</ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><b>Chicken with Acorn Squash and Tomatoes</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdIUxnbbBFlR-tA3Ljyuk3IwX-DCkLNAaswkxVXEKZt5lAQGZJP9WVzmNBzYv4XhtH9OnDzH65nd0YnDWuCYpsKS8ENSrsGiNnI53JXsSTDgNK3DcO9TYgzNHF3rSla33sGFj6EEH9cE/s1600/chicken-squash_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdIUxnbbBFlR-tA3Ljyuk3IwX-DCkLNAaswkxVXEKZt5lAQGZJP9WVzmNBzYv4XhtH9OnDzH65nd0YnDWuCYpsKS8ENSrsGiNnI53JXsSTDgNK3DcO9TYgzNHF3rSla33sGFj6EEH9cE/s320/chicken-squash_300.jpg" width="268" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<div class="recipeIngred" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 30px;"><h3 style="font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ingredients</span></h3><ul style="list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/winter-squash-00000000039373/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">small acorn squash (about 1 1/2 pounds), halved, seeded, and sliced 1/4 inch thick</a></span></li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/tomatoes-00000000039381/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">pint grape tomatoes, halved</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">4 <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/garlic-00000000039310/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">cloves garlic, sliced</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">3 tablespoons <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/oils-00000000039335/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">olive oil</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">kosher salt and black pepper</li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">4 <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/chicken-00000000039292/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">6-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1/2 teaspoon ground coriander</li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano</li>
</span></ul></div><div class="recipeDirections"><h3 style="font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Directions</span></h3><ol style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 1.75em;"><li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Heat oven to 425° F.</span></li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss the squash, tomatoes, and garlic with 2 tablespoons of the oil, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.</li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Roast the vegetables until the squash is tender, 20 to 25 minutes.</li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Meanwhile, heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.</li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Season the chicken with the coriander, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, 6 to 7 minutes per side.</li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Serve the chicken with the squash and tomatoes and sprinkle with the oregano.</li>
</span></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><b>Columbian Chicken and Potato Soup</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SqT5SzMosRFlJXJaIX3WRJquMtJPf9jDB_Qan5hgtAwDBz87X7dKgYywLnZteuSHcKvbMgBOBbWDuThnR7amCIzylVzPi6BWTQp72u6x5uB-b2kmurKmR-_dK9EPPswY-cgAL5JtdVQ/s1600/corn-soup_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SqT5SzMosRFlJXJaIX3WRJquMtJPf9jDB_Qan5hgtAwDBz87X7dKgYywLnZteuSHcKvbMgBOBbWDuThnR7amCIzylVzPi6BWTQp72u6x5uB-b2kmurKmR-_dK9EPPswY-cgAL5JtdVQ/s320/corn-soup_300.jpg" width="268" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">(I use 2 cups frozen corn kernels instead of cobs, omit celery and onion, and serve lime juice on the side.)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><div class="recipeIngred" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 30px;"><h3 style="font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ingredients</span></h3><ul style="list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4 cups low-sodium chicken broth</span></li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 pound <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/chicken-00000000039292/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 4)</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">4 <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/corn-00000000039301/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">frozen corn-on-the-cob pieces (sometimes called “cobbettes”)</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 tablespoon <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/oils-00000000039335/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">olive oil</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/onions-00000000039337/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">small onion, thinly sliced</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 celery stalk, thinly sliced</li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">4 <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/garlic-00000000039310/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">garlic cloves, thinly sliced</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/potatoes-00000000039352/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">medium russet potatoes (about 1 pound), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 tablespoons <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/limes-00000000039326/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">fresh lime juice, plus wedges for serving</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1/4 teaspoon dried oregano</li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">kosher salt and black pepper</li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">cut-up avocado, fresh cilantro sprigs, and capers, for serving</li>
</span></ul></div><div class="recipeDirections"><h3 style="font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Directions</span></h3><ol style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 1.75em;"><li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, combine the chicken broth and 1 cup water and bring to a boil. Add the chicken and corn and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes.</span></li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Remove the chicken and corn from the saucepan and reserve.</li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Strain the cooking liquid into a large bowl or measuring cup and reserve.</li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Wipe out the saucepan and heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the potatoes and the reserved cooking liquid and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the pota-toes are cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.</li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Meanwhile, shred the chicken and cut the corn pieces into 1-inch-thick rounds. Return the chicken and corn to the soup. Add the lime juice, oregano, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper and cook until heated through, about 1 minute. Serve the soup with the avocado, cilantro, capers, and lime wedges</li>
</span></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><b>Homemade Taco Seasoning Packet Replacement</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">I'm not sure where this recipe came from, it was given to me by a friend, but it has been a LIFE SAVER! There are only four ingredients, no preservatives, no sugar, no msg, etc.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">(We omit chili powder and add 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes because of Adam's allergies.)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">1 packet</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">1 1/2 teaspoon paprika</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">1 teaspoon chili powder</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">1/2 teaspoon oregano</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">1/2 teaspoon salt or garlic salt</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">1. Stir seasoning and 3/4 cup water into 1 pound browned and drained hamburger or any other meat, simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><div class="recipeIngred" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 30px;"><h3 style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Kale With Roasted Peppers and Olives</b></span></h3><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCPskM5Qr631AKJc5N2uWxc7EA7N9sI3C7E0B8LAamtsdsYfQFK8Xek1fZWr2k0fn0VvrmvNghWeLeF-dIja70b2wPooWDFw6Z_BpNt1guAknplXKLosldBG6SmrAMe8_lRF_6rqNhpw/s1600/green-salad_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCPskM5Qr631AKJc5N2uWxc7EA7N9sI3C7E0B8LAamtsdsYfQFK8Xek1fZWr2k0fn0VvrmvNghWeLeF-dIja70b2wPooWDFw6Z_BpNt1guAknplXKLosldBG6SmrAMe8_lRF_6rqNhpw/s320/green-salad_300.jpg" width="268" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(We use red wine vinegar instead of balsamic vinegar and black olives instead of Kalamata olives. Any type of pepper can be used.)</span></div><h3 style="font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></h3><h3 style="font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ingredients</span></h3><ul style="list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/kale-00000000039321/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">large bunches kale</a></span></li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 tablespoons <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/oils-00000000039335/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">olive oil</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/garlic-00000000039310/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">cloves garlic, thinly sliced</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 teaspoons sugar</li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 teaspoon salt</li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">12 <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/olives-00000000039336/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 4-ounce jar roasted red peppers</li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 tablespoons <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/vinegar-00000000039385/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;">aged balsamic vinegar</a></li>
</span></ul></div><div class="recipeDirections"><h3 style="font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Directions</span></h3><ol style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 1.75em;"><li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cut the kale into bite-size pieces, removing any tough stems. Rinse and shake dry.</span></li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Warm the oil and garlic in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Remove the garlic as soon as it browns (don't let it burn). Add the kale and stir-fry 5 minutes. Add 1/4 cup water, cover, and cook 8 to 10 minutes or until tender. Uncover and add the sugar, salt, olives, and peppers. Cook over medium-high heat until the liquid has evaporated.</li>
<li style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Spoon into a serving dish; scatter the garlic over the top. Drizzle with the balsamic vinegar. Serve warm or at room temperature.</li>
</span></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">All recipes and images are from <i>Real Simple </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15px;">magazine, except for the taco seasoning. I hope you enjoy!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15px;">What is your favorite inexpensive special dietary needs recipe? We'd love for you to share it in the comments section of the blog!</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-6951067671442994602011-03-10T21:56:00.002-05:002011-03-12T21:04:46.817-05:00I Want to Quit!I received a call from school today. Owen's teacher noticed a rash on his face and tummy. The nurse called to see if I wanted her to administer Benadryl. I explained that Owen has had the rash for four days now. It had appeared better this morning and so I wasn't as worried, hence why I sent him to school.<br />
<br />
When Owen returned home the rash had definitely worsened. After nap time it had spread to his arms and legs. Originally I thought perhaps it was Roseola or maybe Fifth Disease. Owen had been sick. I was wrong. It turns out, Owen had broken out in hives. He was having an allergic reaction to the antibiotics the doctor was giving him. This is what I learned at 4:30 PM today at his doctor's appointment.<br />
<br />
ANOTHER ALLERGY.<br />
<br />
I took Baby L to his Communications Disorders Unit appointment on February 28th. As I explained some of Baby L's symptoms to the CDU Specialist, she proclaims, "It sounds like he may have food allergies." Just those two words, "food allergies" seem to haunt me EVERYWHERE I go, with EVERY CHILD I care for, whether they are my own biological children or foster/adoptive children. How does that happen?<br />
<br />
Lydia broke out in hives during her last antibiotic treatment as well, not because of the antibiotic, but because it was flavored with orange, one of her food allergies. When I smelled the prescription I knew it would be trouble. I called the pharmacy and asked for the ingredients. They were unable to tell me the ingredients for the flavoring, other than to say it was orange flavoring. Of course you can't take back antibiotics and get new ones. So I took the chance and gave them to her. Thankfully it was only a minor reaction, because the orange content was so small, but still... ENOUGH!<br />
<br />
Baby L started steroid nebulizer treatments two or three months ago. I don't remember specifically. The day he took his first treatment was the same day I gave him Tylenol for the first time. About 4 hours after the first dose of Tylenol, I went to changed him and realized he had broken out in hives that were starting to blister. They were all over his front and back, neck and spreading to his head. Immediately I called the doctor, administered Benadryl and waited. I took pictures of his back and tummy, just so I could believe what I was seeing.<br />
<br />
Fast forward a couple of months and I decided to administer Tylenol a second time to see if in fact that was what caused the reaction. Sure enough, as I stripped him at his doctor's appointment that very afternoon, only about an hour after the dose, he was covered in hives.<br />
<br />
Benadryl is a staple in our home. Just yesterday Adam received a dose. He had somehow gotten a hold of Owen's Life cereal. Thankfully there was no milk in it, or else we would have definitely been in far more trouble, but Adam is allergic to oats, which is one of the first ingredients. Adam doesn't understand his food allergies. He's two years old. As I immediately move the cereal away from him, he exclaims,<br />
<br />
"Mommy! Yummy Life!" Trying to stay calm I hold him and explain that life is "danger" as we put it in our home. I tell him that it makes him sick. This is on my way to the medicine cabinet to grab the Benadryl. Adam sees is and shouts,<br />
<br />
"YAY! PINK MEDICINE!"<br />
<br />
There is something wrong with this picture. Adam LOVES Benadryl. I'm sure it makes him feel great, but I worry that he likes it so much there may come a time where he does really stupid things just to get some.<br />
<br />
Just a week before, Adam had another dose of Benadryl because he got a hold of a sticker that was sent home on one of Owen's papers from preschool. Seriously, does anyone else live like this?<br />
<br />
I am exhausted. I want to quit. One can't quit being a Mom of a child with food allergies, or any other special dietary need or special medical need, but sometimes, on days like today, I really wish I could. What I would give to just take it all away. I forget what it's like to live a life free of food, medicine, and an adhesive allergy.<br />
<br />
The highlight of my day was finding out that the special needs preschool in our town is officially accepting Adam on a trial basis of one hour, two days a week next fall. They won't accept him as a full time student or as a part time student. It's too dangerous for him and his allergies. The school would have to rearrange a whole room for Adam and eliminate many of the activities they do throughout the day. Teachers feel it's not fair to the other children, to limit them so much.<br />
<br />
What about Adam? He doesn't even get a choice in what's fair for him. His life isn't fair. It is so sad to me that Adam's trial to preschool is the highlight of the day. I am grateful, don't get me wrong. We were pretty sure we would have to home school him, until our pediatrician, the medical director of the special needs school, arranged a meeting with the head administrator, the nurse, him, and myself to advocate on Adam's behalf.<br />
<br />
The children's allergies are overwhelming at times, especially as more and more are discovered. I feel like a crazy woman to others, even to the nurses at the doctor's office every time I call about another reaction from one of the kids. They know I'm telling the truth, it's just that it's so unbelievable. One of the nurses said to me last week,<br />
<br />
"I can understand your own children, but the younger two aren't even yours! I mean, come on!"<br />
<br />
Anyways, I needed to vent and shed a few tears. I truly am in mourning over Owen's allergic reaction today. Part of me feels stupid for not knowing what it was, but then another part of me is in so much denial about there being more allergies to diagnose, that until our doctors says it's an allergy, I won't believe it. Hopefully I'm not the only one that's felt this way, perhaps the allergies or diagnoses are different, but I mean the wanting to quit part.<br />
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Please share your story, if you have one!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-40870358434200877152011-03-07T22:34:00.001-05:002011-03-12T21:05:00.375-05:00When Life Throws You Lemons...When one thinks of a tradition, most often it is directly related to food. When one thinks of a celebration, the food takes center stage. When we attend a meeting, training, or other business event how often is there food there? How often does the food help us feel more excited about the dreaded event?<br />
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What would happen if you couldn't eat the food that's part of the tradition, celebration, meeting, training, or other business event?<br />
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When one thinks of dating, social activities, and friendly gatherings, where do these events take place? What do people do for fun? Most people go to restaurants, movie theaters, and parties where food again takes center stage.<br />
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What would happen if you couldn't eat the food that's part of dating, social activities, and friendly gatherings?<br />
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Life changes for the individual and their family, when one is diagnosed with a special dietary need, especially a life threatening one.<br />
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I remember Adam was about 18 months old. Our family of four had been shopping for the afternoon and it was around dinner time. My husband suggested that we go out to eat. Almost immediately after he suggested the idea he realized that we couldn't. Finding a place that would serve food for Adam was almost impossible. To this day we have only found two places, KFC and Unos. It is rare that we go to these places. Most often we pack food from home for all excursions,visits, and vacations.<br />
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It's easier to accommodate special dietary needs in babies. Once they become toddlers it becomes a bit more difficult. Naturally they see food and want to eat it. They have no knowledge of their special needs. We as parents become life guards. Everywhere we go we must keep them safe.<br />
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Going out is possible, but must be well planned. I can remember the first birthday party we went to when Adam was little. Thankfully the host was my best friend and she was more than supportive as I asked a million questions about the event, food being served, where the food would be located, how many people were coming, and so forth. The event was a success.<br />
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However, there have been many times where we have had to opt out of special events with extended family and friends because we couldn't keep Adam safe. On many of those occasions there were people who didn't understand and took offense. At times we've been ridiculed because of this.<br />
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And then there are those moments that almost tear your heart into pieces as you grieve for your child's loss. Like the first time Owen wasn't invited to a friend's birthday party because of his food allergies. I cried.<br />
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So, how do you prepare yourself for such drastic, life-altering changes and continue to have some sort of social life? Here are a few thoughts:<br />
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First, it might be helpful to take a step back and appreciate the enormity and complexity of the challenges that await you and your child, for a long time into the future. Any attempts you make at trying to attend a party or day trip in which you are doing your best to make things as safe as possible, are great successes and you should feel great about that! In counseling, this is called normalizing. Counselors use this tool to help their clients who are getting overwhelmed, either by the size and scope of a challenge, or burned out be being too critical of themselves. Raising a kid with special dietary needs is a tough job, and you are doing the best you can, so that should be acknowledged and celebrated! For example, we had a great experience taking our three kids (each with multiple food allergies) on a week's vacation to the beach. Even our faithful pediatrician shed some doubt on whether this was even possible. But, with sufficient planning and preparations, and great support from willing family members who agreed to "follow the rules" about what was allowed (or not) around the kids, we pulled it off. Necessity is the mother of invention, and you have probably come up with many great ideas for having fun with your kids in safe environments as well. This is not easy, and your child will certainly appreciate your efforts as they grow up.<br />
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Second, some perspective taking, beyond the normalizing step, might be helpful, to allow you to understand where people might be coming from if they seem insensitive or uncaring about your child's situation. Remember that someone who doesn't live with a major dietary challenge goes on with life not ever really thinking about what they can or can't safely eat, except maybe when you or your child are around. (not to mention that, most likely, if you don't suffer from a special dietary need yourself, you probably didn't think about them either before you had a child with one). Give people the benefit of the doubt, and try to consider their perspective before declaring open war on your Aunt Matilda for serving up a plate of cookies at her last gathering, right under the nose of your lactose or wheat intolerant child.<br />
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Questions:<br />
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How has the adjustment to life with special dietary needs been for you? Do you feel supported or unsupported by others? What has helped you to overcome those feelings of rejection or hurt?<br />
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Have you had any success in planning or participating in an event to make it accessible to your child with special dietary needs? What helped the most in getting people "on board" with making the needed changes?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-7852162000394842582011-02-11T21:03:00.001-05:002011-02-24T13:52:41.273-05:00Grieving the Diagnosis<span class="Apple-style-span">Everyone grieves at one time or another in their life time. Whether it be over the loss of a loved one, an illness, relationship challenges, or the loss of a prized possession. Most often people experience the same emotions. One can sympathize with another because most likely they've experienced the same or very similar loss.</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">There are five steps in the grieving process according to Dr. Elizabeth Kubler Ross.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">1. <b>Denial and Isolation</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">2. <b>Anger</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">3.<b>Bargaining</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">4. <b>Depression</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">5. <b>Acceptance</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The steps may not go in any specific order, but the ultimate resolution is acceptance of the loss.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">When a loved one is diagnosed with a special dietary need, immediate family members grieve. But unlike the death of a loved one, that others have experienced, families with children of special dietary needs are often left to grieve by themselves. Others can not sympathize or relate (unless they too have the specific dietary need). Often times the lack of ability by others to sympathize or even empathize results in misunderstanding, lack of support, and often times frustration.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">This can be extremely difficult for the family with a child who has special dietary needs. Often times they lose friends. They are viewed as "different" or "paranoid" or sometimes even "crazy." This particular kind of grief has been called disenfranchised grief, since there typically aren't any culturally-accepted practices for grieving this kind of loss. (When was the last time you went to a wake for wheat products for someone diagnosed with Celiac disease? Did you get a Hallmark card expressing condolences for your child's lactose intolerance? Didn't think so.)</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">So, knowing that other people might not be able to relate to, or even be willing to relate to, your grief over your child's diagnosis, the question becomes, how do you move through the grief cycle and arrive towards acceptance?</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">A suggested first step would be to identify where you are in the process. Allowing yourself to be in touch with whatever you might be feeling (and it might be many different feelings), is vital to the process of healing and arriving at some kind of peace about the diagnosis. It is also not easy, since it requires honest self-reflection and the feelings might not be exactly pleasant to experience. This sort of honest self-assessment is needed in order to begin moving through the stages, since failing to do this could result in being "stuck" in one of the stages and the grief will continue to be an overwhelming presence in your life for a long time. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Kubler-Ross believed that going through the stages in order (as they are listed above) was important, since the patients she studied seemed to do best when they followed that order. Other researchers have noted that not only are there perhaps fewer or different stages altogether, but that movement through each stage in a particular order is not necessary or even optimal. Furthermore, some research has suggested that is is quite normal to revisit one or more of the stages once or even several times each before arriving at some sort of acceptance, or to completely skip over some stages entirely. The key is doing whatever you need to do to move forward (slowly and unsteadily, most often), until the loss is manageable. (A great article in Time Magazine dated January 29, 2011 provides a good overview of some of the challenges to the Kubler-Ross model). </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Despite the criticisms, however, the Kubler-Ross stages are useful for our discussion here, so a brief overview of each stage and how it might be experienced is provided below, along with ideas for how to move through each stage successfully. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">1. Denial- The most well-known and obvious stage, and one that has some real potential for problems now and in the future if it is not dealt with somehow. With food allergies, we have found that this happens most when there hasn't been an "incident" with the allergen in a while, and the parents start to question how severe the reaction really was, or if it was real at all, or continued attempts to think that "maybe my child will grow out of it." The dangers here are obvious, so the key to dealing with this stage is to confront the doubt and uncertainty. This tip from the Mayo Clinic website sums it up well:</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"></span></span></div><ul style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Honestly ask yourself what you fear.</span></li>
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<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Think about the potential negative consequences of not taking action.</li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Allow yourself to express your fears and emotions.</li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Try to identify irrational beliefs about your situation.</li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Journal about your experience.</li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Open up to a trusted confidante.</li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Find a support group.</li>
</span></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">2. Anger- This one again is fairly self-explanatory, but also has a lot of potential for causing problems in your life if left unaddressed. This one can come quickly after getting through the denial, and with dietary needs, this can take the form of anger against God, or nature, (the "why me?" response), anger against people who are careless around your child with food, or unwilling to take it seriously, or the declining rate of invitations to birthday parties, holiday celebrations, family gatherings, etc. (lots of dairy and wheat products involved in those, aren't there?) There are many, many approaches to dealing with anger in general, but the main idea here is to acknowledge that it is okay to feel angry about the diagnosis, about the situations that arise, and people's attitude, but to not get stuck in that anger and take it out on others, etc. This one can be brief and healthy, if needed.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">3. Bargaining- This one may or may not apply as often as the others, and is relatively short-lived, since it almost always leads the person to stage 4 (depression). The idea here is that you try to strike a deal with God or whomever or whatever force for good in the universe that you believe is "out there", offering to do good deeds, or quit smoking, or appreciate the small things, etc. in exchange for a remission of your child's special dietary issues. The quickest way through this stage is to realize that, well, it probably won't work, and so, you give up the pleading and continue on to...</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">4. Depression- This can take two main forms. One, depression about the specific things that you or your child lost upon arrival of the special dietary need. So, for someone with a severe peanut allergy, it's good-bye PB&Js, forever. The second form takes hold as the person with the special dietary need grows up and the implications and consequences of that need play out day to day, over the lifespan of the person. This stage is processed in a similar way to the anger stage, in that the key is to be aware of and in touch with the feelings of sadness and deal with them as they surface. This is not to be confused with clinical depression, which is the result of neurochemical interactions in the brain. However, if left to linger long enough, unresolved feelings of depression about your loss can lead to a depressive episode, so if this happens, it may be necessary to seek out professional help though a doctor of mental health worker. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">5. Acceptance- peace, resolution, recovery, reconciliation- it has many different names, and when "it" finally arrives, the feelings associated with it are just as varied. As noted above, some form of acceptance might be experienced early on in the course of the special dietary need, but something could happen to you or your child along the way (loss of relationships, close calls with allergens, feeling different or isolated over time, the accumulation of related health issues, the high price of allergy-friendly living, etc.) that could trigger the onset or recurrence of one of the first four stages. The key again is openness about the feelings, communicating and a desire to move forward towards acceptance. A sense of humor doesn't hurt either ;)</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Questions to consider and discuss:</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">So, what has your experience been with these stages? Have you been through any or all of them? Have you felt stuck on any? What have you done to help move yourself through them? </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">As mentioned earlier, this is a sort of disenfranchised grief, and you might have to go it alone, with little support from family, friends, schools, etc. So what has your experience been in those kinds of situations? How have you increased awareness or sensitivity towards your child's needs?</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Remember, some folks have found that not everyone goes through (or even needs to go through) all five of the "classic" stages of grief, and there is no set pattern for moving through them that is perfect for everyone, so your experience with the grief process may be entirely different than anyone else's...and that is OK!</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-56110877624859762532011-01-27T20:44:00.000-05:002011-02-03T13:55:54.404-05:00Favorite Cake Recipes<span class="Apple-style-span">Last month was Owen's birthday. We celebrated with a delicious cake. I must admit, our cakes have come a LONG way from when the kids were first diagnosed with their allergies. Of course it helps that Owen can now have wheat.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I decided it appropriate to post our favorite cake recipes. One of my friends from college wrote a post about her daughter's first birthday and how they didn't have cake because they couldn't find one she could eat. I felt horrible, knowing that I have so many different recipes. Here goes!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><b>Banana Cupcakes</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><br />3/4 cup sugar (OR 1 tsp stevia)<br />1/2 cup butter, margarine or oil<br />2 eggs (OR 3 tsp egg replacer mixed with 4 TB water OR an extra banana)<br />1 cup mashed bananas with 1 tsp baking soda mixed in<br />2 Tb milk (cow, soy, rice) or water<br />1 tsp baking powder (OR 1/4 tsp baking soda mixed with 1/2 tsp of lemon juice)<br />1 3/4 cup flour (wh. or br. wheat, spelt, or rice flour OR my favorite mix: 1 cup br. rice flour, 2/3 cup chickpea flour, 1/3 cup tapioca flour – this mix can be used in place of wheat in almost all recipes)<br />pinch of salt</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; ">Bake cupcakes at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">This recipe is so versatile for almost every diet. Originally this was a banana bread recipe, and can be made in loaf form, however I found if I added some vanilla frosting, it made great cupcakes.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><strong>Vanilla Cupcakes<br /></strong><br />3 eggs (or 4.5 tsp egg replacer mixed with 6 TB water)<br />1 1/2 cups sugar (or 1 1/2 tsp stevia)<br />2 sticks of butter (or the equivalent of oil or margarine)<br />3 cups of rice flour<br />2 tsp baking powder (or 1/2 tsp baking soda mixed with 1 tsp lemon juice)<br />1 tsp baking soda<br />1/2 tsp salt<br />1/2 cup buttermilk (or 1 1/4 cups rice milk mixed with 1 1/2 TB lemon juice)<br /><br />Bake at 350 degrees. 10-12 minutes for cupcakes.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">This recipe comes from <em>The Kid Friendly Food Allergy Cookbook</em> by Leslie Hammond and Lynne Marie Rominger.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Yellow Cake</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">1/2 cup margarine or oil</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">1 1/2 cups sugar</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">1 tsp. vanilla</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">1/2 teaspoon lemon extract (optional)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">2 eggs (or 2 bananas or 2/3 cup pumpkin puree or 1 tbsp. egg replacer with 4 tbsp. water)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">2 1/2 cups wheat flour (or gluten free flour mix)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">1 1/2 tsp. baking powder</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">3/4 tsp. salt</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">3/4 cup water</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and grease and flour the bottoms (not the sides) of three 8-inch round, two 9-inch round, or one 10-by 15-inch oblong cake pan(s). (I have only made cupcakes with this recipe, if you have to omit the egg, I'm uncertain if the cake will turn out.)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Cream the margarine (or substitute), sugar, and vanilla and lemon extracts well together; add the eggs (or substitute) and beat and beat until very light and fluffy. Sift the flour, salt, and baking powder together.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Add the water to the batter along with the sifted dry ingredients, and stir only until well mixed. Turn the batter into the prepared cake pans.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Bake until done; the layers take about 25 minutes, the oblong cake takes about 30 to 35 minutes. Cupcakes take 15 to 20 minutes.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">This recipe is from <i>The Milk-Free Kitchen</i> by Beth Kidder, with substitutes added by me.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">This is a delicious cake! We love to add allergy friendly chocolate chips to the batter or allergy friendly sprinkles to make it extra special.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Quick Chocolate Cake</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">1 1/2 cups flour</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">1 tsp. baking soda</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">1/4 tsp. salt</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">1/3 cup oil</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">1 cup water</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">1/2 tsp. vanilla</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">2 tbsp. almond liqueur (optional)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9-inch round or an 8-inch square pan. Sift the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt together into a bowl. Measure the brown sugar and add it. (If the brown sugar is very lumpy, you may want to break the clumps up with your fingers.) Stir the dry ingredients well. Mix the oil, water, and vanilla together, then add them to the dry ingredients and stir just until all the dry bits are wet. Turn the batter into the prepared pan or cupcake liners. Bake the cake for 30 minutes. Bake cupcakes for 15 to 20 minutes.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; ">This recipe is from <i>The Milk-Free Kitchen</i> by Beth Kidder.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; ">We also love to add chocolate chips to this recipe too!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">When it comes to frosting our cakes we use a basic recipe.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Frosting</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">3 cups sifted confectionery sugar</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">1/2 cup margarine</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">3-4 tbsp. water</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">If you want to make chocolate frosting subtract 1/3 cup sugar for 1/3 cup cocoa.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">If you can't use any type or margarine, subtract it from the recipe, add more water a tbsp. at a time until desired consistency and add safe vanilla for flavor.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">We are unable to use dyes at our home so instead I'll add fruit juices instead of water to make desired colors.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I do have many more cake recipes but these are the ones that I have tried myself and can guarantee results.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">A couple things to remember:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Cakes made without eggs usually have difficulties cooking all the way through. It's easier to make cupcakes.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Cakes made with non wheat flours cook differently. Double check to make sure cake is done before removing it from the oven.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Margarine and oil can usually be used interchangeably. When oil is called for, applesauce can be used in its place.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Milk of any kind and water can usually be used interchangeably, although cakes with water tend to be a little bit more dense and dry.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Eggs can be replaced with egg replacer (a potato powder), bananas (one for one), pumpkin (1/3 cup per egg), and sometimes other fruits.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Enjoy!</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-32634581450121682932011-01-27T13:51:00.000-05:002011-02-03T13:56:10.375-05:00Web Based SupportOur support group has been going for 4 months now. Attendance is sporadic. The main reason being the distance between those who want to come and the actual place the meetings are held. We know many people with special dietary needs, and come in contact with more and more every day. Yet, they all tend to live at least 30 minutes away if not more.<div><br /></div><div>I had an epiphany today about how to make our <i>Fun Without Food</i> Support efforts more successful. It's time for web based support! Each month I will make it a priority to post a support post full of information, comfort, ideas, and more about specific topics parents of children with special needs diets encounter. If readers would like to hear about specific topics please leave a comment and tell us!</div><div><br /></div><div>We will still continue our efforts in expanding our local support group. Meetings will continue to be scheduled and held in hopes that we can reach more people. Activities will continue as they are one of our main priorities. It is important to provide family fun without the worries. We welcome anyone and everyone to attend the Valentine's dance coming up in February.</div><div><br /></div><div>Besides one support post once a month, I will post recipes I have found, celebration and holiday ideas, personal experiences, recommendations, and sometimes just random thoughts and stories. I welcome all comments and feedback. We are looking for blog followers to help make our efforts a success. This blog is not just about allergies, but about every type of special dietary need. We don't want to leave anyone out!</div><div><br /></div><div>Each month we will showcase a specific dietary need. It is my hope that we can start reaching families, not just in our county or state, but across the United States and beyond!</div><div><br /></div><div>Wish us luck!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-79754238955870849532011-01-15T20:02:00.000-05:002011-02-03T13:56:49.843-05:00PizzaLast weekend Jason and I decided it was time to start educating our 2 year old about his food allergies. We prepared allergy friendly chicken nuggets for the kids and ordered a pizza for ourselves. Believe it or not, our 2 year old has never seen a pizza, except for in a book or on a cartoon which wouldn't phase him that much.<div><br /></div><div>We knew the dinner could be disastrous, but we had to start somewhere and it was best to start in our own home. I called Adam to the table as I brought the box into the house. Once he was up in his seat I opened the lid, making sure he was quite a distance away.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Adam, this is pizza. Pizza is DANGER for Adam. It will make you sick." Adam just looked at me.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Pizza?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Yes. Pizza is DANGER. DO NOT TOUCH! DO NOT EAT!" All three older children have an allergy to dairy or intolerance to lactose. Owen, 4, already understood. Although before his diagnosis, pizza used to be one of his favorite foods, even if it made him sick. Thankfully, tonight he was okay. Jason and I actually told Owen that if he wanted to try a piece he could, but it would probably make him sick. We haven't tested out his minor dairy allergy in about 6 months, so we figured this would be a good trial for him if he started to melt down about not being able to eat it.</div><div><br /></div><div>To our surprise he helped in making sure that Adam didn't touch the pizza and refused it himself. He kept telling Adam how dangerous it was and how it would make him sick. Owen explained to Adam that it was okay for Mommy and Daddy to eat the pizza because they don't get sick. I was so impressed with my little learner/teacher.</div><div><br /></div><div>Adam wanted the pizza box lid up the entire time so he could stare at the pizza. He licked his lips over and over, desperately wanting a bite. At times he would call it pasta. I guess it does look like pasta in a way. Both dishes have the same coloring. Adam is our Italian boy.</div><div><br /></div><div>There were moments when I had to pull his hands back, so he wouldn't touch the cheese. It was then that we realized it would be very difficult to keep Adam safe. Even though he was sick for the first year of his life and then some afterwards, he doesn't understand what food does to him. This process of teaching him what he can and can not eat is going to take YEARS!</div><div><br /></div><div>After dinner I was determined to find an alternative for the boys. Owen was missing out on one of the very few foods he will eat. You could tell Adam wanted desperately to eat pizza too. Finally I came across a cheese that could possibly work. Ingredients included pea protein and tapioca OR arrow root flour. I wasn't sure how Adam would respond to those, but we'd just have to see.</div><div><br /></div><div>At 2:30 PM this afternoon Jason started clearing the kitchen so I could make homemade pizza dough. It had been YEARS since we had done that. Owen asked what Mommy was doing. I explained that I had found a way to make a pizza that would be safe for everyone. I continued to tell him that once the kitchen counter was clear I would start making it. The pizza would be ready to eat at dinner.</div><div><br /></div><div>The process of making the dough and kneading it brought back so many wonderful memories of years past. The scent of the yeast filled the house. Jason and I reminisced about times past. Excitement filled my entire being thinking that we would all be able to eat pizza as a family regularly. Owen was so happy. Adam begged and begged for the pizza as I was preparing the dough. Strangely Lydia didn't fuss tonight while I was making dinner. It was all too good to be true.</div><div><br /></div><div>It really was. As the freshly baked pizza came out of the oven I cut it into pieces and distributed them on the kids' plates. Carefully I cut up Lydia and Adam's slices into bite size pieces. Owen wanted his whole. The moment was here. It was time for everyone to sit down.</div><div><br /></div><div>The minute Owen looked at his pizza he started to whine. Adam tried taking a bite. Jason and I believe that perhaps the pizza was still too hot, although I find that hard to believe. I had put each piece in the freezer to cool down. No matter what the problem was Adam spit the pizza out and started to cry. By this time Owen was screaming.</div><div><br /></div><div>"It has cheese on it! I don't want cheese on it!" Calmly I tried to explain to Owen that pizza does have cheese on it. He couldn't grasp it. I took a knife and scraped the cheese off. Owen was still not satisfied. He continued to scream. Jason and I tried all that we could to calm him down. Finally, we took him to his room, where he continued to scream for 30 minutes. Adam threw his plate across the table begging for "Pops." Lydia actually did take a few bites, but didn't finish her slice.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was about ready to cry. So many emotions were running through me at that moment. If it hadn't been for the memories and happy times the smells of the kitchen evoked... If Owen hadn't been so excited for me to make pizza he could eat... If I hadn't just spent over $10 trying to make a pizza that the kids could eat. I had just spent an entire afternoon in the kitchen, and for what? The sound of screaming children.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once I had my own emotions under control I was ready to go up to Owen's room and talk to him. Owen has these expectations in his head about how things should be ALL the time. When something doesn't go as planned he loses it. When I say lose it, I mean LOSE it. He screams. The look in his eyes is as a mad man. His whole body shakes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jason and I had talked about what had happened. I didn't have time to make another pizza tonight. Honestly, I'm not sure how one would turn out without cheese, or if it would be what he expected. All I knew was that Owen's tantrum had come from his unmet expectations, not my slaving in the kitchen all afternoon to make a pizza.</div><div><br /></div><div>Owen still needed to eat. I couldn't imagine how crushed he was about his pizza. He had been waiting for it for hours. I pulled out Lucky Charms I was storing, waiting for his birthday and some Finding Nemo Fruit Snacks I had just purchased to hand out to his class for his birthday at school this week. With the food in hand I went and talked to Owen. Thankfully he was able to move on and get past his pizza.</div><div><br /></div><div>He LOVED his dinner of Lucky Charms and fruit snacks, although afterwards he said he didn't like the fruit snacks.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lydia tried some fruit snacks and loved them. Feeling bad for Adam, since he can't eat them, I pulled out miniature marshmallows. They are one of Adam's favorite treats. He ate Corn Pops and marshmallows for dinner.</div><div><br /></div><div>As Owen was eating his Lucky Charms I realized a difference between the cheese on his pizza and the real cheese on my pizza. His cheese had melted, but not all the way. You could still see each and every strand of cheese. That's the way it goes with non-dairy cheese. On Jason and my pizza, the cheese had completely melted with no lines. I had the idea to ask Owen if our pizza had cheese on it. He replied,</div><div><br /></div><div>"No." It wasn't the actual cheese itself that bothered him, it was the presentation of it. So much for pizza in this house. You've gotta love typical Asberger Syndrome behaviors!</div><div><br /></div><div>My reason for writing about this on this blog...</div><div><br /></div><div>I feel this experience definitely encompasses why <i>Fun Without Food</i> is so important. With every child that has special dietary needs, food tends to bring out behaviors that we'd rather not see, especially in public. It can be just plain dangerous. More than anything having food around is not fun for the parent who plays life guard or referee.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pizza will definitely not be in the house for a long time. I prefer to be happy.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-87637645492952343352010-11-29T13:29:00.000-05:002011-02-03T13:57:27.802-05:00Taking the Danger Out of ChristmasNovember's support group meeting went well, although I'd really love to see attendance triple or possibly quadruple for our next meeting. It's my Christmas wish! If you know of anyone interested in attending PLEASE share this blog with them. We welcome anyone with children who have any special dietary needs.<div><br /></div><div>Our next support group is scheduled for Thursday, December 16th at 6:00 PM. I will be sharing MANY ways to enjoy the Christmas season without worrying about food. Please bring any nonfood ideas and/or traditions that your family has to share.</div><div><br /></div><div>We will also be having an allergy friendly Christmas Cookie recipe exchange. Please bring copies of your favorite allergy friendly Christmas treat(s) recipe(s).</div><div><br /></div><div>On Friday December 31st at 3 PM-5PM we will be having a Winter Wonderland Party. The event will be held outside if there is snow. Activities will include sledding, building snowmen, snow caves, and snowball fights. Please wear appropriate attire and bring sleds and nonfood items to make your snowman! If there is no snow, we will have a New Year's Eve Party, held at the same time.</div><div><br /></div><div>We hope to see you there!!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-55508292090835993562010-11-01T20:49:00.000-04:002011-02-03T13:57:45.334-05:00Fun Without Food Halloweeen Trunk or Treat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ua4BWWqQ8R5SAv98QTvBMp7Fa5wyPN5t-AKOzjcjGAR8fzoXssZup0pLuNUj-8JgVKnqm-nIlS8LLmZcly7hY-Y4BFTjf2-8UOf1IDfR4AQtzX4OTVNJ7terWBdCse7yb5D2hTo5Izg/s1600/IMG_2547.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ua4BWWqQ8R5SAv98QTvBMp7Fa5wyPN5t-AKOzjcjGAR8fzoXssZup0pLuNUj-8JgVKnqm-nIlS8LLmZcly7hY-Y4BFTjf2-8UOf1IDfR4AQtzX4OTVNJ7terWBdCse7yb5D2hTo5Izg/s320/IMG_2547.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534750247383006706" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wWs_btxG_UWH1sS98HKzBekKElauRqQ7e-y6MYFrLxyL0ER-qzzg_wzFaNCNHNjN_gziDSWHSzaWQSALIN0zuphjksiLBYdKcLcheBT8VX-2bFPZJA6cb3o_vG1VYaRwFQw-_p_2QRA/s1600/IMG_2546.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wWs_btxG_UWH1sS98HKzBekKElauRqQ7e-y6MYFrLxyL0ER-qzzg_wzFaNCNHNjN_gziDSWHSzaWQSALIN0zuphjksiLBYdKcLcheBT8VX-2bFPZJA6cb3o_vG1VYaRwFQw-_p_2QRA/s320/IMG_2546.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534750243592034514" /></a>Thank you to all who made our Fun Without Food Halloween Trunk or Treat a success! We had 15 children attend. Next year we hope to triple that number!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWc70gFofFBeyGF1fjz80KER7YdtK5dmkiAr0pDpWMSsqLrpvhkE0qLhWxigrnRHhuL01wpAapNt2rx2nw9Zv91CVENkDndmmnQk-Hk_h3mJVxqARuwt8AK_PRn017H9wac7Wm2ufldBc/s1600/IMG_2545.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWc70gFofFBeyGF1fjz80KER7YdtK5dmkiAr0pDpWMSsqLrpvhkE0qLhWxigrnRHhuL01wpAapNt2rx2nw9Zv91CVENkDndmmnQk-Hk_h3mJVxqARuwt8AK_PRn017H9wac7Wm2ufldBc/s320/IMG_2545.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534749772311731490" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4W1L4rMKHaZsbyodqVVruyyw4Vl3r4lcFvd6JhZvKnEst6B0bZ7ZcK9k8NtnyLsoKnAvErTaGjYswicxgR_CIkySJbG5Fo6l2cbgJBvfIyZ1OiUQMuRvGMLWBX1P7qeRW5WoYb1dbQ9I/s1600/IMG_2544.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4W1L4rMKHaZsbyodqVVruyyw4Vl3r4lcFvd6JhZvKnEst6B0bZ7ZcK9k8NtnyLsoKnAvErTaGjYswicxgR_CIkySJbG5Fo6l2cbgJBvfIyZ1OiUQMuRvGMLWBX1P7qeRW5WoYb1dbQ9I/s320/IMG_2544.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534749766303135218" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCU_Vaga4vvAsT1t35wB-0CdjzlH5IxM6RxHsPj6T3BikQrF4rbFTuM-NT3HHzSc0I1fWmcB-qsoTtylVbFuAUKu8F5dXvUjoML28GxX6NQ7o59AkgIdscD-AAYVcqnMKDt2jOTyOST4U/s1600/IMG_2543.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCU_Vaga4vvAsT1t35wB-0CdjzlH5IxM6RxHsPj6T3BikQrF4rbFTuM-NT3HHzSc0I1fWmcB-qsoTtylVbFuAUKu8F5dXvUjoML28GxX6NQ7o59AkgIdscD-AAYVcqnMKDt2jOTyOST4U/s320/IMG_2543.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534749760115773970" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi201WsF6prOy7v9g7egpGUgj4Kto0jACY9CVqMXJTw1ASCQdN4RBoAVy2Gi-J5JJS0gRt7Kijarr-BSihI466Jucol0mtB6QXXB_oLPDZFCnvNTZesDdXrsvHDkrTEx11hw2sLMqggbDg/s1600/IMG_2541.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi201WsF6prOy7v9g7egpGUgj4Kto0jACY9CVqMXJTw1ASCQdN4RBoAVy2Gi-J5JJS0gRt7Kijarr-BSihI466Jucol0mtB6QXXB_oLPDZFCnvNTZesDdXrsvHDkrTEx11hw2sLMqggbDg/s320/IMG_2541.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534749758780737650" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJBGMPmXeUctpfyxS9e1Mbh0CSoBh7Tvz_q4i8PSOnGWv-IYAjM8NxBCHqENy1lhYcw-brqONCl6PmremefvculhuulSAW_L7HPV8_4_M6xfzi_OzI6dERCCKaxBvgEmBp_EaR-ho3Mw/s1600/IMG_2536.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJBGMPmXeUctpfyxS9e1Mbh0CSoBh7Tvz_q4i8PSOnGWv-IYAjM8NxBCHqENy1lhYcw-brqONCl6PmremefvculhuulSAW_L7HPV8_4_M6xfzi_OzI6dERCCKaxBvgEmBp_EaR-ho3Mw/s320/IMG_2536.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534749441873485282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidH3zdPMwDCulUsuUTIB6VBjs90cWt2ZC-I_Ovt43OVau0l7V51vqH2jO9PzbNBZrrUHOzSTh0sIFMcmri1mqe_1V1arp5zlmp-yHru0vheJ4TpbsHJQT1NNf8QYceEadGLIwViENRaa8/s1600/IMG_2535.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidH3zdPMwDCulUsuUTIB6VBjs90cWt2ZC-I_Ovt43OVau0l7V51vqH2jO9PzbNBZrrUHOzSTh0sIFMcmri1mqe_1V1arp5zlmp-yHru0vheJ4TpbsHJQT1NNf8QYceEadGLIwViENRaa8/s320/IMG_2535.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534749433713809410" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxT6e5J2s_f0eo2NOO34u8x4AdajRDNzEmQAZW04jSOOp4cPDRrIfRBan6YTvc18sktAVKq-TNWqlKNZu9MPBNqG6TR_0_k2Ly3d7oX42E-e6bFa7FFLVmM0U8GQYpBRLxk5v8J86OMYg/s1600/IMG_2534.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxT6e5J2s_f0eo2NOO34u8x4AdajRDNzEmQAZW04jSOOp4cPDRrIfRBan6YTvc18sktAVKq-TNWqlKNZu9MPBNqG6TR_0_k2Ly3d7oX42E-e6bFa7FFLVmM0U8GQYpBRLxk5v8J86OMYg/s320/IMG_2534.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534749430158138130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBUCK_BMcLhdHfYtUHKUFSs9m0CwGLIXmxKjc0uxfb-eIG8s8xXgUBHCwJSe13htMDHEqLcOqd_ii2qkqnDW8LZ1wB5KKy5tEBnUhF7Q-QFomwABV6Yb4YV3VZahFq84l0M5QoujNL1g/s1600/IMG_2530.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBUCK_BMcLhdHfYtUHKUFSs9m0CwGLIXmxKjc0uxfb-eIG8s8xXgUBHCwJSe13htMDHEqLcOqd_ii2qkqnDW8LZ1wB5KKy5tEBnUhF7Q-QFomwABV6Yb4YV3VZahFq84l0M5QoujNL1g/s320/IMG_2530.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534749014572576706" /></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ta3wvXx72vKXTUDyzfDkI-qOgx8JpMyfPAbz2W7hIBoojoxObus3o0BohhaXeqaz2_LU9517PpM_nb-bAz5QMR-TPbxBmWtysdJhW6X7X2jk1_xfOnFrHLdLa-wweg-DPbDfFdpisso/s320/IMG_2539.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534749749172950306" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZu-BjKDJVGYTDcexlcd_mjPC1MA_QCk3SZ1yr5SLls4VM3YdumrW3RgOIIBbTvH0GCSLtBUgEzmwGXc1OTa6TuDL8M7PXbd33mtaeXSLYXFuOoWpVDG9E4YuwqT13d9X7aGLC0ewipXQ/s1600/IMG_2528.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZHPkMi_axXJWQsPTlwluPeMdSWVAS4wM79eMUKUsYRS8GhZ_qW__VQOqxkH0Y_tAFmGA3qDuegOJxg4myNCwdNP-4YBkj9gl1HBylVfvl5oOEv86za24tR4XG3N8syiMSx6NpPoxcfI/s320/IMG_2529.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534749008074707410" /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnPE0izEtQGrLKsqS2QbFV4bICh8mGPX4MHQCFA2xqfA_4TSf1GmoRSHQ7nTOLbyctg94tNdo3y949omgowlROvdpOTNs1Q0IaOOGY3GAc57ArlgOxPRQ3w-rtwTB31XiEnBRaSjqtBw/s320/IMG_2538.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534749458066621810" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-33291556990037717482010-09-28T14:52:00.000-04:002011-02-03T13:57:57.336-05:00LAUNCHING...After months of deliberation, research, and planning, Jason and I are organizing a support group for families with children of special dietary needs. The support group will meet once a month. Day care will be provided for children. Most importantly, NO FOOD will be at any of these meetings. Each meeting will provide parents of children with special dietary needs the opportunity to socialize with other parents of children with similar needs. Meanwhile children will be able to play with one another in a safe environment without worrying about safety. There will be an education component to each meeting lasting approximately 30 minutes. Many subject areas will be addressed ranging from coping with the challenge of children with special dietary needs to dietary education. Speakers with the appropriate education and background will be presenting the education components.<br /><br />The name of our new unofficial organization will be <strong>Fun Without Food</strong>. This blog will be changed and updated to reflect this name. More details will follow. If our trial run is successful we will go through the proper channels to make our organization official. Besides providing support for parents of children with these special needs, we are also striving to provide one Fun Without Food activity for families each month. All are welcome to attend!<br /><br />Our first <strong>Fun Without Food</strong> support group will take place Thursday, October 14, 2010 from 6-7:30 PM. The leaders at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have given us permission to use their building located at 63 Kearney Ave, Auburn, NY 13021. Child care will be provided. An EMT will be on site in case of any unplanned emergency. No food is permitted. The theme of the meeting will be "My Child is Different. Now What?" Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) Jason Eddy will discuss topics including the grieving process parents go through when a child is diagnosed with a special dietary need, how it differs from other grieving processes and how to cope with the loss and/or lack of support from extended family and friends. Please e-mail us at <a href="mailto:funwithoutfood@yahoo.com">funwithoutfood@yahoo.com</a> or leave a comment on this blog if you are interested in attending.<br /><br />Our first <strong>Fun Without Food</strong> family activity will be a Halloween Trunk or Treat. It will take place Saturday, October 30, 2010 from 6-8 PM. Once again the LDS church has allowed us to use their facilities. Families will decorate their vehicles and hand out non food items to children with special dietary needs and all others who choose to attend. Children, accompanied by an adult will be able to go to each decorated vehicle and trick or treat, receiving safe items to enjoy this Halloween season.<br /><br />All vehicles must be registered by Sat., Oct. 23, 2010. Please make sure vehicles are clear of all food and wrappers. No masks, face paint, and/or hair dyes permitted. Treats can not include food, adhesive/latex items and/or foam crafts. For ideas, questions and/or concerns contact Renae Eddy at <a href="mailto:funwithoutfood@yahoo.com">funwithoutfood@yahoo.com</a> or you may leave a comment on this blog. An EMT will be on site to ensure children’s safety in case of an unexpected emergency.<br /><br />Further detailed information about this event will be posted on the blog, including non food item ideas and places to purchase them. Please share this information with anyone and everyone you know who has a child with special dietary needs. We really want this event to be a success. We have spoken with the Auburn City School District Health Office and Superintendent, several doctor's offices, and <em>The Citizen</em>, Auburn's newspaper, and several other organizations in the community who are excited, supportive, and willing to advertise our events!<br /><br />Can't wait to see you there!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-41812874981144495432010-09-24T20:29:00.001-04:002011-02-03T13:58:20.226-05:00Yummy! Yummy!Once again, I've been a huge slacker on this blog. So, to make up for it here are a few of our favorite allergy friendly recipes!<br /><br /><strong>Chicken Enchiladas</strong><br /><br />This recipe has been revised from a Real Simple Recipe.<br /><br />4 tbsp. canola oil or just plain water<br />2 small zucchini, diced<br />1 ear of corn or 1/2 cup corn<br />2 cups shredded chicken<br />Salt & Pepper<br />12 6-inch corn tortillas<br /><br />Salsa of choice<br /><br />Optional: shredded Monterey Jack Cheese and Sour Cream<br /><br />Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Heat 1 tbsp. of the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and corn and cook, stirring, until zucchini begins to soften (about 3-5 minutes). Transfer to large bowl.<br /><br />Add the chicken, 1 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Mix to combine.<br /><br />Wipe out the skillet and heat the remaining oil on medium heat. One at a time, cook the tortillas in the skillet until softened, 10-15 seconds per side. Transfer paper towel-lined plate.<br /><br />Divide the chicken mixture among the tortillas, fold them up, and place seam-side down in a large baking dish. Bake until heated through, 8-10 minutes.<br /><br />Serve enchiladas with cheese, salsa, and sour cream if using.<br /><br /><strong>Chicken and Corn Chili</strong><br /><br />Recipe revised. Originally from Family Circle.<br /><br />1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts<br />2 cups low sodium chicken broth<br />1 green pepper, seeded and chopped<br />1 1/2 teaspoons paprika<br />1/2 teaspoon oregano<br />3/4 tsp. salt<br />1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes<br />1 1/2 cups frozen corn, thawed<br />2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, drained and rinsed<br />2 tablespoons stone-ground cornmeal<br /><br />Combine chicken, broth, green pepper, an spices in slow cooker bowl. Cover and cook for 4 hours on HIGH or 6 hours on LOW.<br /><br />Remove the chicken to a cutting board and allow to cool slightly. Shred the chicken and return to the slow cooker with tomatoes, corn and beans.<br /><br />Stir in the cornmeal and let sit for 5 minutes to soften cornmeal.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-48877458745705032422010-07-25T14:56:00.001-04:002011-02-03T13:58:52.897-05:00Out of the House!It's summer time and it feels like most often I'm stuck in the house. Lots of families are having picnics, BBQs, family reunions, birthday parties, etc... Friends and extended family members of mine are doing the same. Each time we're invited, the answer always has to be the same. No.<br /><br />Sometimes I think they understand, other times I know they don't. At times I try to explain what they would need to do to accommodate us, but most often it's just too hard or impossible. Containing food to one place while outdoors and then trying to monitor young children with plates and drinks everywhere... Just the thought stresses me out.<br /><br />I used to think that summer would be the easiest season when it comes to food allergies, but I was wrong. Food is everywhere! In the winter it's too cold for people to be outside with food. Playing in the snow, for us, was the best activity ever!<br /><br />We're coming up on August now, and I must admit July felt no different than any other month out of the year. The kids have played in the backyard. We've gone to the same safe places we did all winter. I was getting tired of the same old thing. And so I've come up with some plans to get us OUT OF THE HOUSE!!!<br /><br />One of the biggest challenges we've faced as a family, since our boys were diagnosed with food allergies is changing our mind set about food. Almost every holiday and occasion had a food association with it. Most traditions we had or wanted to start were food oriented. I remember fantasizing about going apple picking with my boys or strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry picking. Adam is allergic to all four. Tears came with the realization that they would never share that experience. What I'd give to host a pie party or any party for that matter and ask people to bring their favorite dish. Even simple occasions like Conference Sunday shout out Monkey Bread!<br /><br />Having dealt with this life for over a year now, I'm getting better about all of that stuff. I host Thanksgiving Dinner for my husband's family and Easter Dinner for my family. Everything we eat is allergy friendly for everyone and tastes very yummy. BUT on every other occasion we've changed things up! AND we're starting to change things up in our regular daily, weekly, and monthly lives.<br /><br />I was trying to think of something to take the place of food traditions and holiday celebrations. Gifts and toys work well, BUT it wasn't enough, and honestly it's quite expensive. So, we've decided to embark on a journey together as a family. Instead of centering life around food we're changing our focus to physical activity. It's the one thing that I can think of that's not food oriented, just because it doesn't make sense to be eating at the same time. There may be food after or before, but we can avoid that.<br /><br />This week I applied for a family scholarship at our local YMCA. After speaking with many staff at the facility and to our doctor, we're eager to receive word that our application has been accepted. There is a referral coming from our doctor too. He knows more than anyone that it's impossible for us to participate in so many other events. I can't put the kids in the YMCA day care, but we can participate in physical activities they offer there of all kinds, all year round. I've signed the boys up for swimming lessons and can't wait to be able to participate in more events.<br /><br />We're planning a nature hike at our local Wild Life Refuge too. This fall we hope to enroll Owen in either Karate or Soccer. For Christmas we're asking for sleds for everyone in the family. Of course the hot cocoa afterwards will be non existent, but we don't HAVE to have it.<br /><br />I'm really excited about this new challenge. I love exercise and have always been an outdoor person, being raised on the water, etc... But to try these things with toddlers is different. And to get the courage up to actually try new things...<br /><br />It will be an adventure, but an adventure we're excited to have. We'll get OUT OF THE HOUSE and have lots of fun! And, hopefully it will instill a love for activity in our kids and keep them healthy longer!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-60284985163872409982010-07-10T20:34:00.000-04:002010-07-10T22:08:03.408-04:00Vacation Part III: The FoodOur successful vacation became a reality mostly because of the food prep before hand. I've mentioned previously we stayed at a beach house where I had a real kitchen. None of this would have worked otherwise.<br /><div><div></div><div>So...</div><div></div><div>Here's what we ate. There are links to some recipes. Others are listed below. Enjoy!<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492442372466442146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 357px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVFCG321cXVT3axwZnhAcCgwkqlooleHvSOPSyfnu_SQm23BEbepBBFIWU1AlEqFE2o7C5A5vUfrw6DcPK9ugQp_9C0oe01UfXdaTalvA_CEiRxGJAf085SsGqaYq8IIYf5FvDdNHa5Y/s400/Honey+Chicken+Skewers.jpg" border="0" /> <strong>Meal 1: Honey Chicken Skewers with Pasta Salad & Fruit<br /></strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492442618320747570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DD4l3qgbUqqc9TPdBMi07cdmABryPEog3n8xnZbO5jXiGEnLfV7c2Qw0ZNh-swuLq3plMclvIjwqCTy4REw7CCl50FpaAZ9J8ytjXJ5-WaFDe3iy4y46Jbl1PMV0Lih-FxaiAPHkNA4/s400/Easter+2010+036.JPG" border="0" />The recipes for this meal are located in my <a href="http://funwithfoodallergies.blogspot.com/2010/04/allergy-friendly-easter-celebration.html">Easter Post</a>.<br /><br /><div></div><div><strong>Meal 2: Italian Chicken Burgers with Two Potato Salad & Fruit</strong></div><br /><div></div><div>Italian Chicken Burgers are my own invention, but anyone will tell you they prefer them over real hamburgers. At least that's been my experience with people who actually taste them.</div><br /><div></div><div>Start off with a 1 lb. uncooked ground chicken. Add about 1 tsp. of Oregano, Basil, Italian Seasonings, and Garlic Powder. Mix well and shape into hamburgers. Grill.</div><br /><div></div><div>They're VERY easy to make, and are delicious. You can add as many toppings as you'd like. But they taste just fine with ketchup too.</div><br /><div></div><div>The recipe Two Potato Salad comes from the book, <em>The Kid Friendly Food Allergy Cookbook</em>. Can I just say that I LOVE this book!</div><br /><div></div><div>Here's the recipe:</div><div></div><div>3 purple potatoes, cooked, cooled, and cubed</div><div>3 Yukon Gold potatoes, cooked, cooled, and cubed</div><div>1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced</div><div>1/2 red onion, thinly sliced (we omitted this ingredient)</div><div>1/3 cup rice or red wine vinegar</div><div>1/4 cup olive or canola oil</div><div>1/3 cup fresh chopped parsley</div><div>Salt & Pepper to taste</div><div>1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional) (we omitted this ingredient)</div><div>2 tablespoons chopped fresh or dried basil</div><div>2 tablespoons chopped olives (optional) </div><br /><div></div><div>1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. If using purchased dressing, omit vinegar and oil.</div><br /><div></div><div>This recipe is super yummy and tastes SO fresh. One thing to be careful of-overcooking the potatoes. They turn to mush if you cook them too long.</div><br /><div></div><div><strong>Meal 3: Taco Bar</strong></div><br /><div></div><div>The taco is a fun meal for everyone. It's very flexible and versatile and will work for picky eaters.</div><br /><div></div><div>The biggest allergy friendly adjustment I have to make here is making sure the meat is seasoned. Not being able to use packets from the store, I found my own recipe. Actually someone sent it to me.</div><br /><div></div><div>Homemade Taco Seasoning Packet Replacement</div><br /><div></div><div>Makes 1 packet</div><br /><div></div><div>1 1/2 teaspoons paprika</div><div>1 teaspoon chili powder (we had to omit because it has cumin in it)</div><div>1/2 teaspoon oregano</div><div>1/2 teaspoon salt or garlic salt</div><br /><div></div><div>1. Stir seasoning and 3/4 cup water into 1 lb. browned and drained hamburger (we used ground chicken); simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.</div><br /><div></div><div>*Because we can't use chili powder I usually add about 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes.</div><br /><div></div><div>Besides meat at the taco bar I also have:</div><div></div><div>Black Beans</div><div>Rice</div><div>Corn Tortillas</div><div>Tortilla Chips</div><div>Tomatoes</div><div>Green & Red Peppers</div><div>Olives</div><div>Avocados</div><div>Salsa</div><br /><div></div><div>And for those not allergic to dairy products and other ingredients:</div><div>Cheese</div><div>Sour Cream</div><div>Lettuce</div><br /><div></div><div>With so many mixing options: Tacos, Burritos, Taco Salad, Beans & Rice, etc... no one goes hungry. It's always a winner and perfect for lots of people.</div><br /><div><strong>Meal 4: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce</strong></div></div><br /><div></div><div>I would like to say I make my own sauce, and I have before, but for vacation purposes, this meal was just a jar of Prego Traditional Spaghetti Sauce. The sauce contains no dairy, no soy, and is all natural. It's great! The pasta was organic wheat. This could easily be substituted with rice pasta. Finally the meat was just ground chicken, although I prefer ground turkey. This is Adam's favorite meal!<br /><br /><strong>Meal 5: Chili Rice</strong></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492448167747377986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 120px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh013NdXPLP0F7Dkwjui5K-FEKOlSnJ1wnty-ZHn07cQdsYPOLpbRdVOU9myrHMK3To8qr7SsZT_iuM6BCan-m97mdopQorNQ1sGNL-Jtp9HZkFmebcOMXex6gpUN0Oabo6HLS8l90Pa8I/s400/Chili+Rice.jpg" border="0" />This meal is divine! Again, I haven't found a single person we've served it to who didn't like it. Click <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/guy-fieri/chili-rice-recipe/index.html">HERE</a> for the recipe.<br /><br />Now, we did make some changes to accommodate Adam that I should mention. Honestly I haven't tried the real version. We omitted the onions, jalapenos, and chili powder. Instead of using kidney beans we used black beans. Lastly, we chose to use ground chicken instead of hamburger or ground turkey. We have used ground turkey before and it's very yummy too.<br /><br /><strong>Meal 6: Hot dogs, Salt Potatoes, & Corn on the Cob</strong><br /><br />Hot dogs are a staple at our home. When Adam was younger, it was all he would eat. Finding allergy friendly hot dogs for him was really difficult, but we have succeeded. Wegmans carries Applegate Farms Organic Turkey Hot dogs. Besides being delicious, they are super healthy. I don't ever have to wonder what I'm eating either, which is a plus. You may laugh, but we actually order these in bulk. We don't have much food storage at all, but at any given time we have up to 12 packages of these hot dogs. Obviously we brought them with us on vacation.<br /><br />Salt Potatoes are a central and upstate New York thing, but I've heard they're spreading. If you can't purchase salt potatoes, just buy 5 lbs of tiny potatoes and cook them in boiling water with at least 1 cup of salt. Serve with melted butter. They are really yummy!<br /><br />Well... That's it for dinners. Next comes desserts!<br /><br /><strong>Dessert 1: Oreo Fest</strong><br /><br />Both of my children can eat Oreos now, perhaps not all kinds, but the basics. We purchased Golden Oreos, Traditional Oreos, Mint Oreos, and Chocolate Filled Oreos. Adam lives off of these cookies! Quite the yummy treat!<br /><br /><strong>Dessert 2: Mexican S'mores</strong><br /><br />Enjoy Life has dairy free, soy free, nut free, and I think gluten free chocolate bars now. They are to die for! Our local Wegmans carries them. Both of my boys can eat Honey Maid Original Graham Crackers and marshmallows. So... During vacation they were introduced to s'mores.<br /><br />Not only that, but they were introduced to Mexican S'mores, my personal favorite. Instead of milk chocolate, use dark chocolate. Instead of Original Graham Crackers use Cinnamon Graham Crackers. The marshmallow is still the same. So YUMMY!<br /><br /><strong>Dessert 3: Ice Cream Bar</strong><br /><br />Adam doesn't like foods that are extremely cold, but Owen does. He still remembers the day when he had real ice cream. For him we now buy Good Karma Organic Rice Divine Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Creamy Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert. He LOVES it! For Baby A we buy dairy free vanilla ice cream.<br /><br /><strong>Dessert 4: Popcorn Party</strong><br /><br />I LOVE popcorn. On average I think I eat it at least 4 times a week. The boys love popcorn too, especially Adam. Since corn is a safe food we've thrived on popcorn recipes. You can find them on my other blog <a href="http://basicfives.blogspot.com/2009/10/cheap-treats.html">Basic Fives</a>. I have many other popcorn recipes too that will probably show up in future posts. Obviously I make alterations for the kids' allergies, but all in all it's a huge hit!<br /><br />Besides meals we had lots of snack foods around but I won't go into to much detail about that. All I can say is that I gained at least 5 lbs on this trip eating so much yummy food! Hope you enjoy it too!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-55507459361602823472010-07-09T21:38:00.000-04:002010-07-10T13:32:49.234-04:00Vacation Part II: ActivitiesWe left on a Friday. Our first stop-Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA. Our final destination was Bethany Beach, DE. Sesame Place was just about half way. We weren't sure how the trip would go with a 3 1/2 year old, almost 2 year old, and almost 1 year old. The only place we stopped on the way to Sesame Place was a rest stop. It was one of the simple ones, with only bathrooms, a picnic area, and a place to run around. Unfortunately these rarely exist anymore. It was a lucky find!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSYSDsB319QfU8Q2lMTvcV7lqO1HXatIBN3Eh_2ygJaxHEqiQK5yiXTYJ60J7eB7qE4rCT8qT38gwZ_GJJFNXBeesotnj0PjASs6LlhZiksGYqOhHhLyBs7b8egXPcbR5wHg2tcvn4cM/s1600/Bethany+Beach+2010+002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492088395611704386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSYSDsB319QfU8Q2lMTvcV7lqO1HXatIBN3Eh_2ygJaxHEqiQK5yiXTYJ60J7eB7qE4rCT8qT38gwZ_GJJFNXBeesotnj0PjASs6LlhZiksGYqOhHhLyBs7b8egXPcbR5wHg2tcvn4cM/s400/Bethany+Beach+2010+002.JPG" border="0" /></a> Sesame Place was fantastic! I had called ahead inquiring about accommodating Adam and they assured me he'd be fine. We were given permission to bring our own food into the park too. (They check all your bags before you enter.)<br /><br />No food is permitted on any of the rides. I only remember one outdoor area where food is located. Nearby are deck chairs where people were eating various snacks, including ice cream. We could avoid that area all together. All other food was located in restaurants around the park, but nothing outdoors. It was wonderful not having to worry! I HIGHLY recommend Sesame Place to anyone with young children!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaeN44xudJohGFVEcTZAbHhslYJ1k2hmTZ1Ck_NRhVHDRG6nCZbvHjxnv0cpN6ULTva7R-TyE1b7BpGV5CJ7J8bT15V47MccDxatynKbe2jJ-4v5Fh8AE4A4DGNbxtn-OpAlW644i1dI/s1600/Bethany+Beach+2010+036.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492088259846108834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaeN44xudJohGFVEcTZAbHhslYJ1k2hmTZ1Ck_NRhVHDRG6nCZbvHjxnv0cpN6ULTva7R-TyE1b7BpGV5CJ7J8bT15V47MccDxatynKbe2jJ-4v5Fh8AE4A4DGNbxtn-OpAlW644i1dI/s400/Bethany+Beach+2010+036.JPG" border="0" /></a> We stayed in a Suite 5 miles from Sesame Place that night. After calling almost 10 suite/hotels, I finally found one with a full kitchen, including a cook top stove. This was crucial for us. I had packed a cooler with our meals for that night and next morning. Obviously free breakfasts are out. The kids loved the suite and thought it was really fun to eat their meals there. We know now that whenever we stay in a hotel we always need to book a suite. There's just no other way to do it.</div><div></div><div>On Saturday morning we headed to Camden, New Jersey to the Adventure Aquarium. This too seemed to be an allergy friendly place. No food or drink was permitted, except for in designated cafeteria and restaurant areas. What a HUGE relief! We had a lot of fun. Adam even touched star fish!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnL0Tspao9l0nt9Lvp2p1p-C16Aj2b9Vs0CjsMB05Z6tP4PUpBb-bB5tvr3ArA12GdldP-2xJeYEmTLCycmZlYKwflt54p2takKLz81-6OYTHAL_bGEaCL37Y7Ts0qJI2aLNX-T4No0k/s1600/Bethany+Beach+2010+2+006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492088254537344530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnL0Tspao9l0nt9Lvp2p1p-C16Aj2b9Vs0CjsMB05Z6tP4PUpBb-bB5tvr3ArA12GdldP-2xJeYEmTLCycmZlYKwflt54p2takKLz81-6OYTHAL_bGEaCL37Y7Ts0qJI2aLNX-T4No0k/s400/Bethany+Beach+2010+2+006.JPG" border="0" /></a> Saturday afternoon we arrived in Bethany Beach, DE, our vacation spot for the next week. We were staying in a beach house with my husband's father and his significant other. They were absolutely wonderful about keeping Adam safe. I had prepared a menu and grocery list. Joanne and I went grocery shopping together. Each day I'd prepare the meals, using recipes from home. (I'll be sure to share those soon!) Before the trip I was really stressing out about the food, but I don't think it could have gone any better. It was worth the stress before hand.</div><div></div><div>While in Bethany Beach we visited the beach, went to the pool, and visited the local play grounds.</div><div></div><div>I think the beach was the least conducive to the food allergies, just because there were SO MANY people there. But, we kept Adam safe.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EZSzrs1xr7qsWB4_hvYTmKf-4tHsUWHGZzI7LR8WyIOwDBYNd1DKc_R3lCo9S5n6KabWnKJWby7diTtXtCJBajSJMJbi7iml2_yDPE6AJZAAXoY3gaWzihH1Q7l0FK9qB5D0HSsApaw/s1600/Bethany+Beach+2010+2+077.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492088233423279906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EZSzrs1xr7qsWB4_hvYTmKf-4tHsUWHGZzI7LR8WyIOwDBYNd1DKc_R3lCo9S5n6KabWnKJWby7diTtXtCJBajSJMJbi7iml2_yDPE6AJZAAXoY3gaWzihH1Q7l0FK9qB5D0HSsApaw/s400/Bethany+Beach+2010+2+077.JPG" border="0" /></a> At the local pool, there was a gated kiddy pool sectioned off. No food or drink was permitted beyond the gate. The pool was the perfect size for the kids. We didn't have to worry about a thing! I've never been so grateful for rules regarding foods and beverages.<br /></div><div></div><div>When we went to the local playgrounds we always made sure it was in the morning when food would least likely be around. This also ensured that the equipment wasn't too hot to play on.</div><div></div><div>The kids' most favorite place and activity during the vacation was Fun Land located in Rehoboth Beach about 15 minutes away. Fun Land is a mini amusement park designed for young children. It has numerous rides for children of all ages. The best part about this amusement park, which was actually more like a fair, was that each ride was a maximum of 3 tickets each for the boys. You could purchase 90 tickets for just $20!<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhM_1UiBfe_p_5bG5xz07oXmFMypUUAFv1cRaK_eU6dvxOlUd_d98UBE8wT5JxQH0XKn1Bm0uPjQQY8jgjD5qDJEpoHT8nQbB3Sif33Ti_ZwxjG8Y1xFtK9D7nvjh2qNqakkOJzymtd_8/s1600/Bethany+Beach+2010+2+149.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492088224345700754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhM_1UiBfe_p_5bG5xz07oXmFMypUUAFv1cRaK_eU6dvxOlUd_d98UBE8wT5JxQH0XKn1Bm0uPjQQY8jgjD5qDJEpoHT8nQbB3Sif33Ti_ZwxjG8Y1xFtK9D7nvjh2qNqakkOJzymtd_8/s400/Bethany+Beach+2010+2+149.JPG" border="0" /></a> Again, no food was permitted on the rides. Honestly I didn't even know food was there until I saw one person carrying around cotton candy. Still it was VERY easy to keep Adam safe. He walked around and around.<br /><br /><div>This being our first real trip away from home since Adam's diagnoses, I'm beginning to really appreciate measures restaurants and vendors take to ensure the safety of their customers. Jason and I went on a date one afternoon while at Bethany Beach. We went to the board walk. It really surprised us when we saw HUGE signs posting that foods were made with peanut oil at certain restaurants and vendors. Jason and I decided to eat lunch at Five Guys. It was my first time there. As we were waiting for our food, I couldn't help but notice the signs about peanuts again, but also another sign that stated no peanuts were permitted out of the restaurant due to a danger they posed to those with allergies. THANK YOU FIVE GUYS!</div><div></div><div>Little things like signs on the board walk help me remember that there are people out there who care and slowly the world is starting to accommodate those with food allergies.</div><div></div><div>After staying a week at the beach, we headed back to New York. We made the trip in one day and actually only stopped once during the 7 hour drive. That one stop though was the biggest challenge we faced during the entire vacation. It was a rest stop, a deluxe rest stop, and it was packed! I ran in first to scope things out and to run to the restroom. Immediately I knew we couldn't bring Adam inside. There were people everywhere carrying ice cream and other treats. You couldn't help but run into people. Not a single table was free. So, we walked around the building on the sidewalk, making sure the kids got their wiggles out and then made lunch in the car and continued on.</div><div></div><div>This vacation will go down as one of the best vacations ever. It was proof that we can have fun and be safe outside the confines of our little bubble home! Here's to having more fun with food allergies next year on vacation!</div><div></div><div>Read Vacation Part I below.</div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-26625785498758747632010-07-09T21:17:00.000-04:002010-07-10T13:32:22.866-04:00Vacation Part I: SecretsI have been neglecting this blog lately. Reasons...<br />1. Adam has almost gone into Anaphlactic shock 3 times in the last 6 months. (Definitely not fun times to write about.)<br />2. I have too many posts to write about how much fun we've been having despite the food allergies. (Guilt and feeling overwhelmed.)<br />3. I'm dealing with the not so nice side of having a child with food allergies and want to make sure I control my tongue. (I really wish people could just get it!)<br />4. My computer crashed. (My children adore the power button.)<br /><br />So there you have it.<br /><br />I think it's time to get started again though.<br /><br />Oh, I forgot one more reason for not blogging-<br />5. We have had a foster child in our home, Baby A, for the past 5 months. She has just been diagnosed with a milk allergy. (Why do these children come to me?)<br /><br />What to blog about first...<br /><br />VACATION!!!<br /><br />Our family took our first real vacation since the diagnoses of Adam's allergies. It was fantastic! Adam didn't have a single allergic reaction. We were gone for 8 days.<br /><br />How did we do it?<br /><br />LOTS of planning!<br /><br />But now I finally feel like I can share our secrets to having fun with food allergies, while still enjoying vacation.<br /><br />Secret 1: Stay in a location where you can prepare all of your meals. We stayed at a beach house.<br /><br />Secret 2: Create a meal plan and grocery list before leaving home. The meal plan must include all meals, snacks, and even the unplanned. Make the grocery list as specific as possible.<br /><br />Secret 3: Purchase specialty allergy friendly foods before you leave and pack them with you. This will not only keep you sane but will ensure you have what you need when you need it.<br /><br />Secret 4: Bring plenty of reusable snack and lunch containers to use as you are on the go. We brought food with us everywhere. Restaurants were out of the question.<br /><br />Secret 5: Make a detailed itinerary for your vacation. Any unexpected stops, visits, etc... can lead to reactions. Once at the beach house we made a plan for the week. It ensured we'd know how much food to have with us at all times.<br /><br />Secret 6: ALWAYS carry Epi-pens and Benadryl with you. Hopefully this one is a given.<br /><br />Secret 7: Call ahead to all major attractions to ensure they can accommodate your allergy needs. Ask as many questions as you can to ensure your safety.<br /><br />Secret 8: Plan places to stop while traveling that will be safe. Food courts aren't recommended. We found the most dangerous places we encountered were the deluxe gas/food/restroom stops. One we weren't even able to enter because of the dangers.<br /><br />Secret 9: Inform everyone that will be with you about your child's allergy needs and rules of the house while you are there. We could have never had such success if it weren't for such supportive Grandparents.<br /><br />Secret 10: Allow yourself to have fun!<br /><br />Where did we go? What did we do? Stay tuned for Vacation Part II!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-47560322308418709542010-05-26T22:39:00.000-04:002010-07-10T13:31:46.869-04:00Adam's StoryI've been asked several times to share Adam's story about how we discovered he had food allergies. Wanting to include this in the book I'm writing, I've decided to finally attack this monster of a task. One would think I have everything recorded, and I do, just not all in the same place. So here goes nothing...<br /><br /><br />Adam was born on August 28. 2008 by c-section. The first 24 hours after his birth nurses took care of him for the majority of the time. I was too drugged with pain killers to care for him by myself. Jason was home with Owen.<br /><br /><br />The second night I was in the hospital, Adam roomed with me. This is when I first noticed he was different. Adam was up EVERY hour, cranky and supposedly hungry. He would have diarrhea bowel movements. I specifically remember a nurse saying, "Looks like he might have a milk allergy."<br /><br /><br />The first two weeks of Adam's life I slept on the couch downstairs (because of the c-section). Adam slept in a bassinet in the living room. It became apparent very quickly that something was wrong. He would grunt in pain ALL night long. During the day he constantly had to be held and was VERY irritable. Adam would arch backward and become as stiff as a board. Nothing could help him resume a regular position until he was finished arching. His face began to break out in a rash and then his body. Every bowel movement he had was a blow out.<br /><br /><br />After two and a half weeks of holding Adam upright on the couch all night long to stop the grunting and arching we took him to the doctor's. His stool was tested and was positive for blood. Adam's formula was switched to Similac Alimentum due to a milk protein allergy. He was prescribed Axid for supposed reflux which was determined based on his constant arching.<br /><br /><br />Life became a little more tolerable. Adam took an hour to take a bottle. He lived in his swing, which was the only place he would sleep well. Still the arching continued along with irritability, discomfort, etc...<br /><br /><br />At about 4 months Adam started solid foods. He began to digress, vomiting on a regular basis. Adam was constantly irritable. We found ourselves on the couch again holding him upright all night. He rarely slept unless he was in his swing. We returned to the doctor's office.<br /><br /><br />Adam was diagnosed with a severe milk protein and switched to a prescription formula called Elecare. His reflux medication was also switched to adult Prevacid. The doctor decided to have an x-ray done of Adam's digestive system as he drank this white powdery stuff. I don't remember the name of the test. It was discovered that Adam had a Hiatal Hernia. We were referred to a pediatric gastric specialist in Syracuse.<br /><br /><br />Meanwhile, Adam was taken off of all solid foods. Once removed from his diet he began to improve. A pH probe test was done on February 5, 2009. While taking medication his reflux levels were normal. Although his dosage of Prevacid was increased to 14.5 mg per day because Adam was still doing very poorly. It was the day we received results from the pH probe test that the gastro specialist saw the arching and stiffening we had been talking about for so long. His reply, "That's not a gastro problem, that's neurological!"<br /><br />Adam was sent for an EEG and CAT Scan. The initial thought was that he may have Cerebral Palsy or was having mini seizures. All tests were completed by the end of February. All results came back normal. With no questions answered still, our pediatrician decided to press forward. He always jokes that Adam has caused some of his grey hairs.<br /><br /><br />Adam was referred to an allergy specialist next. On May 4, 2009, at only 8 months old Adam received his first round of skin pricking tests. The results were overwhelming, showing that he was allergic to 30 out of 35 foods tested. Retesting was ordered. Previous to this point our pediatrician had asked us to introduce solid foods at 4 months and again at 6 months. Each time the experiments had gone horribly wrong. After viewing the results of the allergy testing, our pediatrician suggested we try again, using the results from the tests. The results showed Adam could have cantaloupe, watermelon, peaches, chicken, rice, and bananas. The experiment was successful and Adam could finally eat solid foods, if only 5 items.<br /><br /><br />Due to all of the medical struggles Adam had been enduring, he wasn't reaching his physical milestones. Our pediatrician had no other choice but to call Early Intervention to have him evaluated by physical and occupational specialists. Adam's evaluation took place on May 1, 2009. He qualified for occupational therapy due to his inability to eat solid foods and meet physical milestone markers.<br /><br /><br />Our pediatrician and gastro specialist decided to refer Adam to have a clinical feeding/swallowing evaluation performed by the CDU unit. Their thinking was that perhaps Adam's difficulties eating were caused by something working incorrectly as he tried to eat and swallow his foods. The testing was performed on June 29, 2009. Results were negative. Everything was normal.<br /><br /><br />Adam's second round of allergy skin testing was performed July 23, 2009 only to determine that all results were inaccurate due to Adam's age. All foods must be tested through trial and error.<br /><br /><br />After receiving results of first allergy testing and clinical feeding/swallowing studies, our gastro specialist decided it best to perform a colonoscopy and endoscopy on Adam. Results showed negative for every biopsy they took including celiac disease. The hiatal hernia was gone and there were no signs of reflux.<br /><br /><br />At this point we were pretty hopeless at finding the cause for all of Adam's struggles. We knew he had food allergies but there were SO MANY and they appeared to be worsening. Adam was taken off all of his reflux medication because there was no need for it. He remained on his Elecare formula. At home life was rough. Adam was almost a year old. He would not sleep through the night and was up at least twice a night. We were slowly introducing new foods, but with the trial and error method, it was a painful process. By 1 year old we knew Adam was allergic to apples, oranges, berries of all kinds, milk, Casein, eggs, oats, buckwheat, wheat, peanuts, soy, string beans, carrots, celery, peas, and sweet potatoes. Adam was NOT allergic to rice, corn, chicken, turkey, bananas, cantaloupes, plums, grapes, and potatoes. Our pediatrician had given us Epi-pens and Adam was already using Benedryl on a regular basis. The arching episodes had subsided, but we were still taking turns holding Adam upright almost every night on the couch for at least half of the night. Most likely this was caused by the reactions he was having while trying new foods.<br /><br />December 1, 2009, Adam had his 15 month well baby visit. Life was still much less than acceptable. Adam's allergies were worsening. There were SO many of them. Just a few weeks before this visit we had been speaking with our pediatrician who had brought up Adam's case with a colleague. His colleague had mentioned that Adam may have Angioedema. If so, it would explain why Adam has so many allergies and where they came from. A simple blood test would determine results. Adam had the blood test done. It came back negative.<br /><br />At this well baby visit we were all discouraged. Our pediatrician decided it was time to send Adam to Boston to meet with some of the best specialists in the world. Our appointment was scheduled for January 6, 2010.<br /><br />On December 18, 2009, Adam had an appointment with a new allergist, a pediatric specialist. He received skin testing for 33 foods. Results were determined incorrect by the allergist. Our pediatrician, along with Jason and I were becoming very frustrated. If Adam had all of these allergies, why weren't they showing up when he was tested?<br /><br />Adam and I made the trek to Boston alone. We had a foster baby at the time that couldn't leave the state so Jason stayed home with Owen and the baby. Our appointment was in the morning. We met with a wonderful doctor. She ordered blood tests to be done immediately. Another appointment was set up with her later that afternoon, along with an appointment with a dietitian.<br /><br />After reviewing the blood test results that were in, along with all of the records that had been sent from NY, the doctor determined that Adam's only diagnoses was food allergies and nothing else. They are a different type of food allergies, which is why the allergy testing had been incorrect. Most of Adam's allergy attacks are internal where they can't be seen. The swelling occurs on the inside of his body, not above the skin, except for in some cases. There are foods that cause Adam to develop hives and diarrhea, but others only attack him internally, hence the arching and intense pain that we couldn't understand, causing so much irritability. His vomiting reactions can be compared to someone going into anaphalactic shock. In fact they are our warning signs. All of the doctors from the gastro unit in Boston studied Adam's chart. We met with two doctors. They assured us that they had seen several cases just like Adam's. They have no explanation as to why these cases are increasing in number, but they are. We did receive a few treatment suggestions, but the only way to avoid reactions is to avoid the foods entirely.<br /><br />I find this hilarious and quite annoying since the only way we can discover Adam is allergic to a new food is if we give it to him. As you can see from the side of this blog, we've had to deal with many allergic reactions since. Fortunately with the Elecare Prescription formula that Adam will be on for years to come, along with the foods he can eat, he is thriving and doing extremely well. His fine motor skills and eating skills are about 6 months behind, but we're gaining slowly. Adam was able to walk at 15 months and talks all the time! Most often he is a happy, go lucky, toddler, until he has a reaction. That's when everything changes.<br /><br />Adam currently takes allergy medication every night before bed. At 16 months he finally was able to stay in his own bed all night long without us holding him upright on the couch. He still wakes up at least once a night for a bottle, but that's usually at 5:30 AM. He goes to bed around 8 PM, so I'm not going to complain.<br /><br />At times I feel like we live in a bubble, trying to keep Adam safe, but life is good. I have over 75 allergy friendly meals that our family can eat together for dinner. I now have almost 200 recipes total if you include snacks and treats. The doctors in Boston confirmed what we already thought; Adam will most likely never grow out of these allergies. So, finding peace of mind in a final diagnoses and explanation, we have accepted our lot and are really trying to make life as FUN as possible. It's taken a lot of work, but I can honestly say we're happy!<br /><br />As time goes on, it appears that Adam's allergies are worsening. His milk allergy has gone from only reactions from ingestion to reactions of touch. Adam has almost gone into Anaphalactic Shock 3 times in the last six months. His face has swollen to twice the size, especially his eyes and lips. We have been to the ER once.<br /><br />Wow! So that's the story. Obviously it needs lots of revisions and probably a million explanations and definitions, but there you have it. Please feel free to ask questions as you comment, because I really want to make sure this makes sense to all who read it!<br /><br />Still having fun with food allergies!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1254885159233239351.post-51998603323431814792010-05-10T15:11:00.001-04:002010-07-10T13:23:26.994-04:00Food Allergy Awareness WeekMore than 12 million Americans, including three million children, suffer from food allergies that can result in potentially fatal reactions. The federal government spends about $26 million a year on research to find a cure for food allergies--far less than on other... important diseases. Give up a favorite food this week and make a difference!<br /><br />You can also write letters to Congress by going to the <em>Food Allergy Initiative</em> website. I just did!<br /><br />Help find a cure for Adam and Owen.<br /><br />Other ways you can support the cause:<br /><br />-Wear a teal ribbon or display them on your vehicle or home.<br />-Give out PAL Hero Awards to those who have helped Protect A Life from food allergies. (Found on <a href="http://www.foodallergy.org/"><em>The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network</em></a><em>.)</em><br /><em>-</em>Give presentations at school, work, or in public settings<br />-Donate money to the cause or hold fundraisers<br /><br />This year we're giving out PAL awards and educating the boys about the foods they can and can't eat. Next year I think we'll venture into the fundraising atmosphere!<br /><br />Have Fun!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0