Tis the Season....

To be honest with you, I have been struggling this holiday season with working around the food allergies. It seems that so many activities center around food, which of course I love, but it does create some stress when trying to avoid allergens for my two-year old son.

In the past week, Brody has had two reactions due to cross-contamination. Not life-threatingening, but enough to scare us and have the epi-pen in hand (thank goodness for Benedryl, we don't leave home without that or our epi-pen). It is stressful when you think you are keeping your child away from the potential "dangers" and they still have reactions and you are not exactly sure how it happened.

We are preparing to go on a Polar Express train ride with my family a couple hours away. This will be the first time that we have traveled somewhere that wasn't to family's house where things were bought and prepared that were safe. We are not going away long, but I have felt anxiety as I have been getting things ready to go. It is in these times, that I feel sadness that I can't just pack up our clothes, etc and eat out at any restaurant we want and just enjoy being away from home. As a mom who has a child with food allergies, I have to think about what I can pack for him for meals, etc and feel as though I can't just fully relax.

On the Polar Express train, they will be serving the children cookies and hot chocolate as they ride to the "North Pole" in their pj's. This is great for my four year old, but Brody is now at the age that he understands and wants to have what his big brother is having. I have to make sure that I deliver very close to (or better than) what everyone else is having.

I went on a mission yesterday to find some non -dairy hot chocolate (also without partially hydrogenated oils, which is trans fat). I know I could probably make homemade mix, but things have been so busy that I do not have time to buy a ton of ingredients and it turn out bad. Hot chocolate is not complete without marshmallows, so I was also looking for some that do not have dyes in them (we try to avoid dyes).

The last special item that I that I wanted to find was safe candy canes that didn't have dyes (red #40 in them).

Whole Foods delivered with all three items!

I almost cried as I saw the non-dairy hot chocolate mix...I don't know if it was the excitement, or the price :) I have learned that it is necessary to splurge on some items so Brody can feel included and be a part of what we are doing.

AH!LASKA Organic Cocoa Non-Dairy Chocolate Mix

-I am having a cup as I write this blog, and I will tell you that is not as sweet as other dairy-filled brands, but what a wonderful option to have, and I fill much better about the ingredients list (even for the rest of my family).

Besides being non-dairy, it is also wheat and gluten free.

-It is made in a facility that processes peanuts, sesame, dairy, eggs, fish and soy.

(for my family, I have been comfortable that it is made in a facility with....I am not as comfortable when it is made on shared equipment and there is not a note stating that the venders follow good manufacturing practices to segregate ingredients to avoid cross contact with allergens). Make sure you do what makes you feel comfortable.

Eylon Marshmallows

-In my opinion, I think they are better than regular marshmallows. They are sweeter so you might not need as many. They come in small sizes for hot chocolate and baking and larger sizers for making smores, etc.

They are Gluten Free, Kosher and Parve (dairy free), but they are made with kosher fish gelatin, which would not be appropriate for someone who is allergic to fish.

tru sweet organic candy canes

-the red stripe on the candy cane is not as pronounced, but there are perfect!Fruit juice is used instead of the dyes, which I LOVE!

They are gluten free, vegan kosher and also organic and corn syrup free.

Produced on dedicated nut-free and gluten-free equipment in a segregated area of a facility that also processes diary, eggs, peanuts, soy, tree nuts and wheat.

I hope that these simple items can make it easier for you to make memories with your family and allow you or you or your child to feel included :)

Anyone else feel more stressed around the holidays in regards to food allergies?

Bolthouse Farms...Feel Good About What's In This Bottle

We make our own smoothies at least twice a day, but I have found a drink/smoothie that is ready to drink that is SUPER yummy if you do not have time to make one yourself.

Bolthouse Farms has varieties of fruit smoothie drinks that are delicious on their own or you can use them in your own homemade smoothie and add even more nutritious ingredients to it.

So far, my favorite is C-Boost Fruit Smoothie because I love mango, but I have to say that I like the Green Goodness. I think because it is green, I feel like it packs a nutritional punch; it includes veggies (broccoli and spinach). In the Green Goodness, one bottle contains 3 3/4 servings of fruits and veggies. The USDA recommends that we eat 7-13 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, so this helps towards the daily goal. I am always looking for a way to get in our servings, since I am learning how important fruits and vegetables are to the health of my family.

Bolthouse Farms is 100% Juice/Puree (the three smoothies that have the below information are Green Goodness, C-Boost and Berry Boost...these are the ones that I bought)

• Gluten Free
• No Preservatives
• No Artificial Flavors
• No Genetically Modified Ingredients (LOVE THIS!!!!!!)

On the back of the bottle, it tells you what is in the bottle, for example, in the C-Boost it has 3/4 mango, 29 acerola cherries and 2 3/4 apples. I am such a visual person; I think this is so cool!

HERE IS A DEAL: if you have a Kroger nearby, you can stock up on some! A 15.2 FL oz bottle is $3.29, but they are buy one, get one FREE. So it comes out to $1.65 per bottle (which is a great deal for this smoothie). I have been looking for the bottles with the expiration dates that are farther out and I am stocking up. WE LOVE THESE! I think I am addicted. Grab some and tell me what you think! This deal expires on 9/11 so you still have time :)

An Easy Way to Add Calcium

When I first found out that Brody was allergic to milk, I questioned where he would get his calcium from. It was ingrained in my head that my kids move to whole milk when they turn a year old and that is where their calcium comes from (and also from other dairy products). The more I learn, the more I know that he is getting calcium from other sources.

For our family, besides eating other sources high in calcium, we have added a calcium (and vitamin D) fortified orange juice. This has been a simple step that we have taken.

There are a few on the market, just make sure that it is 100% juice :)

Keep getting a wide variety fruits and vegetables into your family!

Fruit Tea

Easter has really snuck up on me. Today I will be doing resurrection eggs with the boys, grabbing last minute items at the store to cook for this weekend and putting Easter Baskets together.

We have a beautiful weather forecast here in TN on Sunday and I am looking forward to a light Easter dinner followed by an egg hunt outside and flying kites.

I wanted to share this Fruit Tea recipe (from my friend Lyndi), I love having a "special" drink to serve in pretty glasses for Easter dinner.

Fruit Tea

This recipe is free of milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish

Ingredients
3/4 cup sugar (OR 3/4 cup of unprocessed, local honey as a natural sweetener...we love this!)
1 cup water
3 cups strong tea (I always use decaffeinated)
1 cup lemon juice (I will be using fresh lemon juice)
2 cups orange juice
2 cups of pineapple juice
OR 4 cups of pineapple/orange juice mixture

*Optional: steep some fresh mint when you make your simple syrup (I love having mint in our garden, it makes the fruit tea taste extra special). Throw mint away when your simple syrup is done.

Directions
In a small pot, mix sugar and 1 cup water together and heat until it makes a simple syrup (sugar has dissolved). Meanwhile, put 3 cups of water in a pot, bring to a boil and then add 3 large teabags (double this if using small teabags) and let it sit for about 6-8 minutes (until it is dark and strong). In a gallon container add sugar mixture, strong tea, lemon juice, orange/pineapple juice and then add water to make a gallon. Stir. Put in refrigerator to chill before serving.

Optional garnish: fresh mint, lemon or orange

*Another idea I like: pour some of the fruit tea into an ice cube tray and freeze. Add to the "tea" so it doesn't get watered down.

credit: image is from http://www.bfeedme.com

Rompin' Rudolph Slush

Don't you love the name (I am sure the kids will love it too)? My aunt made this one Christmas Eve when I was young, and it has been part of our tradition ever since. I don't think our menu would be the same without Rudolph Slush. This is such a fun, yummy drink!

This recipe is free of milk, eggs, soy, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish

Rompin' Rudolph Slush

1 ripe banana, sliced

12 oz can of orange/pineapple juice concentrate (or other combination that you like)

12 oz can of orange juice concentrate

A couple handfuls of frozen or fresh strawberries

1 two liter lemon/lime flavored carbonated beverage

Directions

In a blender (or food processor) combine banana, pineapple/orange juice, orange juice concentrate and strawberries. Process until smooth. Pour into a shallow dish. Cover and freeze at least 5 hours. To serve, pour (or scoop) slush into a punch bowl and add the 2 liter of Sprite. Mix together well before serving. Serve in pretty glasses :)

*Instead of pineapple/orange concentrate, you can use any combo that you like. Example: strawberry, orange, banana, etc.

Here's to making Christmas traditions!

Homemade Marshmallows

I have posted a few recipes with marshmallows and one of my readers asked me which ones I use. I use Kraft Jet Puffed Marshmallows (see what Be Free for Me Blog says about them). Even though they are safe for my son, I just hate that they have some unhealthy stuff in them. I tell my kiddos they are a "sometimes" treat.

BUT...I might have a solution...why not make your own marshmallows? How fun! You could even use little cookies cutters to make them into fun shapes. I'm LOVING this idea! Plus, you know what is going into it...EVEN BETTER!

Make and Takes has the recipe for homemade marshmallows and the steps on how to make them HERE. Need some Dairy Free hot chocolate to go with your marshmallows? Check out The Food Allergy Mama's recipe HERE. Stay Warm!

Hot Apple Cider

It is COLD today..BRRR! It got me thinking about a crockpot full of hot apple cider. YUM! I love having these ingredients on hand throughout the winter. Another plus...it makes the house smell wonderful while it is cooking.

This recipe is free of milk, eggs, soy, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts and shellfish

Ingredients

64 oz container of fresh apple cider (in the produce section) or apple juice
2 pt 100% cranberry juice
2 cups orange juice (not from concentrate)
1/2 cup lemon juice (I used the bottled kind from Whole Foods, but you could use fresh)
1 cup natural sugar (it is less processed than regular, white sugar)

1 tsp whole allspice
1 tsp whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks

Directions

Put all ingredients in crock pot and cook on low for 8-10 hours (it tastes better the longer it cooks). Before serving, remove allspice, cloves and cinnamon sticks. Store leftovers (after cooled) in a container in the refrigerator and then pour single servings and heat in microwave.