Wow!! Fall is in the air. I love the cool, crisp weather, mums, pumpkins, and falling leaves. However, one holiday I used to dread was Halloween. With all the candy that my child couldn't enjoy and the fear that she might get into something that she shouldn't, I was always glad when October 31st passed. As she got older, I learned some great tips that I would like to pass along for enjoying all those wonderful fall festivals and trick-or-treating, if you decide to participate.
One year, rather than collecting candy, we collected donations for the Food Allergy Network. I went door to door with my daughter to share about food allergies and how a donation would help. We also set out a box with information at my family's business and people would drop in change from their purchases. My daughter really enjoyed knowing that she was helping other kids with food allergies.
Another tip would be to allow your child to trade their candy for a safe treat, or better yet, a toy or special trip to the movie with mom and/or dad. This is definitely the healthier alternative.
On a side note...all that sugar suppresses the immune system and is partly responsible for all the illness that we see from October to April. Think about all the sugary holidays...Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentines, Easter. We finally get a break in the summer when our kids are eating more fresh fruits and vegetables.
Either way you look at it, the holidays are challenging times for us and our children with food allergies. Plan ahead. Being prepared will make the holiday time much more enjoyable.
About Me
- Diane Reis
- I am a wife and mother of 3 amazing children. I have a degree in secondary education from Texas A&M University. After teaching Junior High for a few years,I returned to the family floral business. I now specialize in weddings and events as an event planner and floral designer. My website is www.twodandelions.com. I also have a passion for healthy living which was born out of necessity when our first child was diagnosed with severe food allergies.I began studying nutrition 17 years ago and have found ways to turn around our family's health. I feel blessed to work in an industry of creativity both with my floral design business and educating others about health and nutrition.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Vanilla Frosting (No egg, milk, or nuts)
1 3/4 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 cup dairy free margarine
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 T. rice (or soy milk )
Combine 1 1/4 c. sugar, margarine, salt, and vanilla with electric mixer. Add rice or soy milk. Slowly add remaining 1/2 cup sugar. May be refrigerated for up to 1 week.
(taken from Divvies on Martha Stewart Site)
1/2 cup dairy free margarine
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 T. rice (or soy milk )
Combine 1 1/4 c. sugar, margarine, salt, and vanilla with electric mixer. Add rice or soy milk. Slowly add remaining 1/2 cup sugar. May be refrigerated for up to 1 week.
(taken from Divvies on Martha Stewart Site)
Chocolate Cupcake Recipe (No milk, egg, or nuts)
1 1/2 cup cake flour (not self rising)
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
5 T. vegetable oil
1 T. white vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup water
Preheat oven to 350 F. Wisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt and set aside.
With an electric mixer, mix oil, vinegar, vanilla extract, and water until well combined. Gradually add flour mixture and mix until smooth, scraping down the sides if necessary. Batter should feel more watery than normal cake batter.
Pour into 12 cup muffin pan that has been lined with paper muffin cups, filling each 1/2 to 3/4 full. Rotate pan 1/2 way through baking. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until cake tester comes out clean. Remove immediately from pan and cool on a wire cooling rack.
(Recipe from Divvies off Martha Stewart site)
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
5 T. vegetable oil
1 T. white vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup water
Preheat oven to 350 F. Wisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt and set aside.
With an electric mixer, mix oil, vinegar, vanilla extract, and water until well combined. Gradually add flour mixture and mix until smooth, scraping down the sides if necessary. Batter should feel more watery than normal cake batter.
Pour into 12 cup muffin pan that has been lined with paper muffin cups, filling each 1/2 to 3/4 full. Rotate pan 1/2 way through baking. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until cake tester comes out clean. Remove immediately from pan and cool on a wire cooling rack.
(Recipe from Divvies off Martha Stewart site)
Back to School
Many of you may be experiencing the quiet in the house that I have today. I actually have some time to sit and work on this blog. All 3 of my children are now in school. For those of you experiencing sending your child with food allergies to school for the first time, I can definitely relate to you. Turning our children over to another adult to care for them can bring a bit of anxiety. The key to a bit of peace lies in your preparation.
It is important to prepare your child's teacher, school nurse, and school staff by giving them the appropriate information on your child's allergy and an emergency treatment plan. It may sometimes be difficult to communicate the seriousness of your child's allergy. People who have not had experience with a child that has food allergies often see us as over reacting and may not even take our situation seriously. In these cases, the first step lies in educating and providing the resources that explain what food allergies are and how a reaction can look. The second step begins with training on how to protect your child from an allergic reaction and how to respond in a situation where your child has a reaction.
Remember that communication is two-way, so as a parent, you will want to listen and allow your child's teacher and others to ask questions. Check for their understanding by asking your own questions as well. Being prepared will make this transition much easier and give you some peace of mind.
It is important to prepare your child's teacher, school nurse, and school staff by giving them the appropriate information on your child's allergy and an emergency treatment plan. It may sometimes be difficult to communicate the seriousness of your child's allergy. People who have not had experience with a child that has food allergies often see us as over reacting and may not even take our situation seriously. In these cases, the first step lies in educating and providing the resources that explain what food allergies are and how a reaction can look. The second step begins with training on how to protect your child from an allergic reaction and how to respond in a situation where your child has a reaction.
Remember that communication is two-way, so as a parent, you will want to listen and allow your child's teacher and others to ask questions. Check for their understanding by asking your own questions as well. Being prepared will make this transition much easier and give you some peace of mind.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Tip of the Day #1
Are you finding that your allergic child is also very picky about what they will eat? If this hasn't happened yet, it probably will. For children with food allergies, food can also become a power struggle. Naturally, our children will test us. It is part of growing up and learning boundaries.
One way to avoid this struggle and get your child eating more healthy and safe foods is to create a food passport. You can do this my creating a notebook for your child to carry with them to the grocery store. List a variety of foods, especially fruits and vegetables, that you would like for them to try. You can draw a picture of this item in their book if you like. Help them find this food in the store and then, after they try it, give them a special stamp in their book. After 5 or so stamps, you might consider getting them a treat as a reward. A trip to the movie might be a good reward.
You will find that your child is enjoying this activity and adding variety to their diet as well. This might be a good tip for some of you picky parents as well. :)
One way to avoid this struggle and get your child eating more healthy and safe foods is to create a food passport. You can do this my creating a notebook for your child to carry with them to the grocery store. List a variety of foods, especially fruits and vegetables, that you would like for them to try. You can draw a picture of this item in their book if you like. Help them find this food in the store and then, after they try it, give them a special stamp in their book. After 5 or so stamps, you might consider getting them a treat as a reward. A trip to the movie might be a good reward.
You will find that your child is enjoying this activity and adding variety to their diet as well. This might be a good tip for some of you picky parents as well. :)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Welcome
Welcome to my blog...
I'm glad you took the time to stop, read and comment if you like. This blog site exists to give support for families struggling with food allergies and for those who would like to get nutrition tips. The suggestions and advice that I give are based on my own research and experience. I am not a doctor, just a mom wanting to share what she has learned. If you have a food allergy question, you are welcome to ask. If I don't know the answer, I will do my best to get you the resources that you need.
I'm glad you took the time to stop, read and comment if you like. This blog site exists to give support for families struggling with food allergies and for those who would like to get nutrition tips. The suggestions and advice that I give are based on my own research and experience. I am not a doctor, just a mom wanting to share what she has learned. If you have a food allergy question, you are welcome to ask. If I don't know the answer, I will do my best to get you the resources that you need.
Discovering Food Allergies
It certainly seems that in my 14 years experience of dealing with food allergies, we are seeing a definite rise in their occurance in children. Thankfully education and resources are also following this pattern.
When my daughter was diagnosed with a milk allergy 14 years ago, I faced the challenge of learning about hidden ingredients and decifering the strange names that were associated with milk products. As she developed a peanut and tree nut allergy 3 years later, I was learning about cross contamination. I was also learning to read labels carefully, speak with food manufacturers, and cook from scratch. When my daughter started school, I became the class baker so the I could be assured that all the birthday snacks would be safe for her to eat. I became the educator, sharing the food allergy information that I was discovering.
I know the frustration that many face in dealing with a child's food allergies. I have cried the tears when it seemed too difficult. I have been able to face the challenge of helping my child overcome these food obstacles and lead a healthy and happy life. I have also experienced the celebration of overcoming food allergies. My daughter no longer has her milk and nut allergies. However, I will face this challenge once again with my third child who currently has peanut and tree nut allergies.
I am wiser now and able to share with others that they will be able to handle the challenge that lies ahead of them. Looking back, I see our family's experience was a blessing in disguise.
When my daughter was diagnosed with a milk allergy 14 years ago, I faced the challenge of learning about hidden ingredients and decifering the strange names that were associated with milk products. As she developed a peanut and tree nut allergy 3 years later, I was learning about cross contamination. I was also learning to read labels carefully, speak with food manufacturers, and cook from scratch. When my daughter started school, I became the class baker so the I could be assured that all the birthday snacks would be safe for her to eat. I became the educator, sharing the food allergy information that I was discovering.
I know the frustration that many face in dealing with a child's food allergies. I have cried the tears when it seemed too difficult. I have been able to face the challenge of helping my child overcome these food obstacles and lead a healthy and happy life. I have also experienced the celebration of overcoming food allergies. My daughter no longer has her milk and nut allergies. However, I will face this challenge once again with my third child who currently has peanut and tree nut allergies.
I am wiser now and able to share with others that they will be able to handle the challenge that lies ahead of them. Looking back, I see our family's experience was a blessing in disguise.
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