I was very late to work this morning because I was making chicken nuggets. I was in the shower, and Bella woke up crying, because she wanted to take chicken nuggets for lunch like the rest of her friends. Holy cow!!! Soppy wet, I ran to the kitchen, and started defrosting chicken (could be allergy mom guilt). 24 minutes of defrosting, I finished my shower... I cubed 2 chicken breasts, breaded, and fried!!! They were so good. Her eyes lit up!!! I missed a meeting, sigh, but these could pass for fast food chicken nuggets!
2 organic chicken breasts
1 egg
½ c organic whole wheat flour
1 tbsp wheat germ
½ tsp organic poultry seasoning
½ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp pepper
dash paprika
organic corn oil
Cube the chicken breast into nugget size pieces. Mix all dry ingredients, and separate into two bowls, beat egg in separate bowl. Line up bowls: flour mix, egg, flour mix. Roll chicken in flour mix, dip in egg, and roll in flour mix. Fry in small frying pan. Approx. 10 minutes on each side.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Allergy Friendly Food Products
New parent resource from KFA!!!
http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/New_Allergy_Friendly_Foods_Fall2008.pdf
Condensed product list (peanut, tree-nut, soy free sites) For full list, please refer to source.
New Products for 2008-2009:
Enjoy Life boom Choco boom Bars
Company: Enjoy Life Natural Brands, http://www.EnjoyLifeFoods.com
Namaste Biscuits, Piecrust and More Baking Mix
Namaste Perfect Flour Blend
Namaste Frosting Mixes
Company: Namaste Foods, www.namastefoods.com
Eden Foods Red Quinoa
Company: Eden Foods, www.edenfoods.com
People Pops and People Drops
Company: Healthy People Products, LTD., www.peoplepops.net, www.Amazon.com
New Allergy-Friendly Food Products Special Report:
November 2008
SOURCE:November 2008
http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/New_Allergy_Friendly_Foods_Fall2008.pdf
Condensed product list (peanut, tree-nut, soy free sites) For full list, please refer to source.
New Products for 2008-2009:
Enjoy Life boom Choco boom Bars
Company: Enjoy Life Natural Brands, http://www.EnjoyLifeFoods.com
Namaste Biscuits, Piecrust and More Baking Mix
Namaste Perfect Flour Blend
Namaste Frosting Mixes
Company: Namaste Foods, www.namastefoods.com
Eden Foods Red Quinoa
Company: Eden Foods, www.edenfoods.com
People Pops and People Drops
Company: Healthy People Products, LTD., www.peoplepops.net, www.Amazon.com
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Parent Warning: Hidden Soy Allergies
I am eliminating all soy from my daughter's diet because she has a severe peanut allergy. This is a great challenge because it means a lifestyle change... This is just not a risk I'm willing to take.
Here is what it boils down to:
SOURCE
http://www.allergies-asthma-sinus-relief.org/allergy/soy-allergens.php
1. If your child is allergic to peanuts, you must eliminate all soy as well as all peanuts from your child's diet. Your child's life may depend upon it.
2. Because the numbers of children with allergies to peanuts are increasing, we can expect to see greater numbers of children and adults reacting severely to soy. Peanuts and soybeans are members of the same botanical family, the grain-legume type and scientists have known for years that people allergic to one are often allergic to the other. Other children at risk for an undetected but potentially life-threatening soy allergy include those with allergies to peas, lima beans or other beans, a diagnosis of asthma, rhinitis, eczema or dermatitis, or family members with a history of any of those diseases. Reactions to foods in the same botanical family can be cumulative, resulting in symptoms far more severe than either alone.
3. Even Soy-Lecithin (which is considered hypoallergenic) can cause a reaction.
The industry newsletter The Soy Connection states that highly refined oils and lecithin "are safe for the soy-allergic consumer." Unfortunately, many allergic persons who have trusted such reassurances have ended up in the hospital. Highly susceptible people cannot use either safely. Adverse reactions to soy oils -- taken either by mouth as food or via tube feeding -- range from the nuisance of sneezing to the threat of anaphylactic shock.
4. There is strong evidence that soy allergies are on the rise because of genetic engineering.
5. The Mayo Clinic concurs that soy induced anaphylaxis is more likely to occur in those who have a peanut allergy. http://www.foodallergyangel.com/documents/FoodAllergy/Mayo%20Clinic%20Soy%20Allergy.pdf
6. The only way to avoid reaction is through avoidance.
7. In January 2006, the American Heart Association reversed its endorsement and position on soy.
Please read this: http://allergykids.wordpress.com/2007/10/29/soys-role-in-the-peanut-allergy-what-european-mothers-already-know/
Here is what it boils down to:
SOURCE
http://www.allergies-asthma-sinus-relief.org/allergy/soy-allergens.php
1. If your child is allergic to peanuts, you must eliminate all soy as well as all peanuts from your child's diet. Your child's life may depend upon it.
2. Because the numbers of children with allergies to peanuts are increasing, we can expect to see greater numbers of children and adults reacting severely to soy. Peanuts and soybeans are members of the same botanical family, the grain-legume type and scientists have known for years that people allergic to one are often allergic to the other. Other children at risk for an undetected but potentially life-threatening soy allergy include those with allergies to peas, lima beans or other beans, a diagnosis of asthma, rhinitis, eczema or dermatitis, or family members with a history of any of those diseases. Reactions to foods in the same botanical family can be cumulative, resulting in symptoms far more severe than either alone.
3. Even Soy-Lecithin (which is considered hypoallergenic) can cause a reaction.
The industry newsletter The Soy Connection states that highly refined oils and lecithin "are safe for the soy-allergic consumer." Unfortunately, many allergic persons who have trusted such reassurances have ended up in the hospital. Highly susceptible people cannot use either safely. Adverse reactions to soy oils -- taken either by mouth as food or via tube feeding -- range from the nuisance of sneezing to the threat of anaphylactic shock.
4. There is strong evidence that soy allergies are on the rise because of genetic engineering.
5. The Mayo Clinic concurs that soy induced anaphylaxis is more likely to occur in those who have a peanut allergy. http://www.foodallergyangel.com/documents/FoodAllergy/Mayo%20Clinic%20Soy%20Allergy.pdf
6. The only way to avoid reaction is through avoidance.
7. In January 2006, the American Heart Association reversed its endorsement and position on soy.
Please read this: http://allergykids.wordpress.com/2007/10/29/soys-role-in-the-peanut-allergy-what-european-mothers-already-know/
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
What you may not know about peanut allergy
If your child has a peanut allergy s/he could react to soy as well. The news of this cross-reactivity was eye-opening and I've researched further and contacted my allergist. Everything points to eliminating all soy from her diet.
I copied the following from www.allergyware.com
How could soy cause an allergic reaction in my child with peanut allergy?In scientific terms, soybean allergens are “homologous” to known peanut allergens and can be recognized by 44% of peanut-allergic patients.
What that means is that a child with a peanut allergy can have an allergic reaction and even go into anaphylaxis after eating soy. Because this cross-reactivity is rarely mentioned in the press, many parents are unaware of the potential health risks that soy may present to children with peanut allergies.
What are the Signs of a Cross-Reaction to Soy?According to Ingrid Yman, PhD of the Swedish National Food Administration, these deaths initially appear as an asthma attack, with no or very mild symptoms for the first 30-90 minutes after the consumption of food containing soy. Then, the children suffer fatal asthma attacks.
What Can I Do to Protect My Child with Peanut Allergy?According to Dr. Yman, PhD of the Swedish National Food Administration, “If your child is allergic to peanuts, you should consider eliminating soy as well as all peanuts from your child’s diet, even if your child has never reacted poorly to soy in the past. Some sensitive children have “hidden” soy allergies that manifest for the first time with a severe – even fatal – reaction to even the low levels of “hidden” soy commonly found in processed food products. Those at the highest risk suffer from asthma as well as peanut allergy.”
The Swedish National Food Administration study analyzed severe food allergy reactions of children that died after consuming soy. These children had known allergies to peanuts but not to soy.
What products contain soy?Soy can be found in soy milk, tofu, soy sauce, baby formula and other soy products.
Soy is also used in many processed foods, as soy lecithin, soy lecithin, soybean oil and other soy derivatives.
I copied the following from www.allergyware.com
How could soy cause an allergic reaction in my child with peanut allergy?In scientific terms, soybean allergens are “homologous” to known peanut allergens and can be recognized by 44% of peanut-allergic patients.
What that means is that a child with a peanut allergy can have an allergic reaction and even go into anaphylaxis after eating soy. Because this cross-reactivity is rarely mentioned in the press, many parents are unaware of the potential health risks that soy may present to children with peanut allergies.
What are the Signs of a Cross-Reaction to Soy?According to Ingrid Yman, PhD of the Swedish National Food Administration, these deaths initially appear as an asthma attack, with no or very mild symptoms for the first 30-90 minutes after the consumption of food containing soy. Then, the children suffer fatal asthma attacks.
What Can I Do to Protect My Child with Peanut Allergy?According to Dr. Yman, PhD of the Swedish National Food Administration, “If your child is allergic to peanuts, you should consider eliminating soy as well as all peanuts from your child’s diet, even if your child has never reacted poorly to soy in the past. Some sensitive children have “hidden” soy allergies that manifest for the first time with a severe – even fatal – reaction to even the low levels of “hidden” soy commonly found in processed food products. Those at the highest risk suffer from asthma as well as peanut allergy.”
The Swedish National Food Administration study analyzed severe food allergy reactions of children that died after consuming soy. These children had known allergies to peanuts but not to soy.
What products contain soy?Soy can be found in soy milk, tofu, soy sauce, baby formula and other soy products.
Soy is also used in many processed foods, as soy lecithin, soy lecithin, soybean oil and other soy derivatives.
Friday, November 7, 2008
What We Wish We Knew
Just when I think I have exhausted myself researching, reading, and thinking it through, I realize there is so much more...
I have learned so, so much from this wonderful community of bloggers. As I was looking reading through blogs I came across this site : http://www.foodallergyangel.com/WhatWeWishWeKnew.aspx
It was just completely overwhelming to me. Cross-reactivity can occur; people with peanut allergies should avoid soy.
I have learned so, so much from this wonderful community of bloggers. As I was looking reading through blogs I came across this site : http://www.foodallergyangel.com/WhatWeWishWeKnew.aspx
It was just completely overwhelming to me. Cross-reactivity can occur; people with peanut allergies should avoid soy.
Fairs & Festivals
I am struggling with how safe it is for us to attend fairs & festivals. The night before Halloween there was an animal festival for kids. They were to have booths of crafts, music, & fun and all the kids were to dress up like animals.
We went to the parade and I explained to her how she was not to touch anything without asking, and I stocked up on antibacterial wipes. I sometimes felt like a dope wiping down each table that we went to. I was very vigilant about our surroundings. At at the mask making table, I wiped down the table and the scissors. I don't want to explain it to every person at every booth because I don't think that it would be beneficial to B to have to listen to it over and over.
When I took B for her allergy testing they used a scale rating of 0-4 with 4 being most severe. She was a 4+. The peanut allergy we manage is severe. I was also told that she has a tree nut allergy, but it's not severe.
We went to the parade and I explained to her how she was not to touch anything without asking, and I stocked up on antibacterial wipes. I sometimes felt like a dope wiping down each table that we went to. I was very vigilant about our surroundings. At at the mask making table, I wiped down the table and the scissors. I don't want to explain it to every person at every booth because I don't think that it would be beneficial to B to have to listen to it over and over.
B participated in the parade, had a great time, and was really excited about the night overall. I want her to have the experiences, but am I being unsafe?
We also went to the Pumpkin patch/Corn Maze, which is also festival style with food booths, activities, hay ride, etc. The thing that got me here was the Turkey Leg... Before we knew of her allergy we'd shared many turkey legs at festivals, Disneyland...
I asked all the questions about ingredients and possible cross-contamination from on the grill, and he assured me it was plain turkey legs, showed me the package, and said he didn't grill anything else on there, ever. We kept talking, now about the weather, the view... I asked if he ever used BBQ sauce on the grill, he said no, it burned the meat. We continued talking, and then he casually mentioned that he used pecan wood to grill. I don't know if this could be dangerous or not, but I was shocked by the fact that had I not ever considered to ask what kind of wood was used to grill. Is using tree nut wood a danger when grilling?
Candy Girl
I was overwhelmed by October! I was trying to manage B's safety at her preschool, after a parent letter went out stating that "Halloween was all about candy". There was also a parent that was insistent about bringing in "goodies" for the class, because it was her daughter's birthday. The preschool owner couldn't see how it was fair to deny her the right to celebrate her daughter's birthday at school.
I was weighing the pros and cons of being out in public around that time. I want B to have all the "normal" childhood experiences... I sometimes feel like I'm being overprotective. B had this grandiose idea of what trick-or-treating is. When I explained why we couldn't, I was again awed by her mature acceptance.
I prepared a candy bag for her filled with jellybeans and chocolate from http://www.vermontnutfree.com/ Vermont Nut Free chocolates. I have to say that this is the best tasting chocolate. It is great quality, delicious, and a staple in our home. She especially loved the marshmallow pop.
I use the baking chocolate to make other treats. Smurtles were a HUGE hit!
Smurtles
Ingredients:
Rice Krispies
Vermont Nut Free Chocolate Candy Melts
Marshmallows
Caramel
Using a mini cupcake baking pan fill cups halfway. Melt caramel according to package directions. Pour one spoon full onto Krispies. Add two small marshmallows in each cup, and top with one chocolate candy melt. Place in oven at 275 for approx. 5 minutes or until chocolate melts. Let cool in refrigerator until chocolate is hard again.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Beware of Benadryl
I took B to her allergist. He told me he had just returned from two allergy conferences and had learned that Benadryl can cause learning delays in children. He said to be sure not to use it for seasonal allergy symptoms. He gave the green light on using it for a severe food allergy reaction.
Hope for a Peanut Free School
Are you like me? Are there nights where you dream of reading endless ingredient lists? Do worry incessantly about keeping your child ALIVE at school? Do you feel like you may be putting your child’s life in risk when you eat out? Do you feel overwhelmed by the daily struggle that is living with a severe food allergy? This is me, now.
Recently another teacher was late to a meeting. She walked in visibly upset, and announced that her 1 year-old was diagnosed with a peanut allergy. My heart caved into my stomach because I new that life for her as she new it would forever be changed. She would never again have the freedom to order freely from a menu at a restaurant. She would never be able to make a quick trip to the grocery store, because now she would have to read every label on every product she was going to bring into her home. If she was like me, she would be losing her sense of freedom.
I quickly jotted down a list of ingredients for her to watch for… Examine food labels for these nut and peanut-based ingredients:
Arachis
Bouillon
Emulsified ingredients
Food Additive 322
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
Lecithin (soy lecithin is OK)
Mandolenas
Natural and Artificial Flavors (natural flavors is OK, artificial flavors is OK, but beware when they are listed together)
These ingredients are listed on food labels and can contain peanuts, and peanuts may not actually be listed on the label. The more I research the scarier this becomes.
My little one was diagnosed at 2 years-old, she was with my sister who was babysitting while I was at work. When I arrived she was covered in red, puffy, swollen hives from her little neck to her ankles. She kept telling my sister that she was thirsty (which I later learned is a symptom of anaphylaxis- throat rapidly closing). I gave her Benadryl and rushed her to the ER. She was given more antihistamine and a shot. The hives came back in waves for 3 days. My sister told me she had eaten a bite of a girl-scout peanut butter cookie. She didn’t like it, so she didn’t eat more, thank God.
We were referred to an allergist who did testing and found she has a severe peanut allergy. She is also allergic to tree-nuts, tomatoes, grass, weeds, and trees, but those are not severe. Which I learned makes a BIG difference.
When I first started sharing my story I felt that others were downplaying my situation. Everyone new someone that had some sort of food allergy or food intolerance. What has helped me gain empathy is bringing awareness to what truly constitutes a food allergy. It is an immune disorder in which the body believes that a particular type of food is harmful, and reacts by releasing massive amounts of chemicals and histamines. Reactions can be potentially fatal. During a reaction a child’s throat can swell shut, their blood pressure can drop, and they can die all within minutes of coming into contact with the tiniest amount of the allergen.
My little one is now 4. She will be starting kindergarten Fall ‘09. This has brought on a whole new set of challenges. I will chronicle my plight.
Recently another teacher was late to a meeting. She walked in visibly upset, and announced that her 1 year-old was diagnosed with a peanut allergy. My heart caved into my stomach because I new that life for her as she new it would forever be changed. She would never again have the freedom to order freely from a menu at a restaurant. She would never be able to make a quick trip to the grocery store, because now she would have to read every label on every product she was going to bring into her home. If she was like me, she would be losing her sense of freedom.
I quickly jotted down a list of ingredients for her to watch for… Examine food labels for these nut and peanut-based ingredients:
Arachis
Bouillon
Emulsified ingredients
Food Additive 322
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
Lecithin (soy lecithin is OK)
Mandolenas
Natural and Artificial Flavors (natural flavors is OK, artificial flavors is OK, but beware when they are listed together)
These ingredients are listed on food labels and can contain peanuts, and peanuts may not actually be listed on the label. The more I research the scarier this becomes.
My little one was diagnosed at 2 years-old, she was with my sister who was babysitting while I was at work. When I arrived she was covered in red, puffy, swollen hives from her little neck to her ankles. She kept telling my sister that she was thirsty (which I later learned is a symptom of anaphylaxis- throat rapidly closing). I gave her Benadryl and rushed her to the ER. She was given more antihistamine and a shot. The hives came back in waves for 3 days. My sister told me she had eaten a bite of a girl-scout peanut butter cookie. She didn’t like it, so she didn’t eat more, thank God.
We were referred to an allergist who did testing and found she has a severe peanut allergy. She is also allergic to tree-nuts, tomatoes, grass, weeds, and trees, but those are not severe. Which I learned makes a BIG difference.
When I first started sharing my story I felt that others were downplaying my situation. Everyone new someone that had some sort of food allergy or food intolerance. What has helped me gain empathy is bringing awareness to what truly constitutes a food allergy. It is an immune disorder in which the body believes that a particular type of food is harmful, and reacts by releasing massive amounts of chemicals and histamines. Reactions can be potentially fatal. During a reaction a child’s throat can swell shut, their blood pressure can drop, and they can die all within minutes of coming into contact with the tiniest amount of the allergen.
My little one is now 4. She will be starting kindergarten Fall ‘09. This has brought on a whole new set of challenges. I will chronicle my plight.
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