Allerfree Recipes

This season has been very hectic for us as we prepare to visit family in New York. Yup, a 9 or 10 hour car ride with a two year old and a 7 month old. We are crazy! At any rate, as I have been busy figuring out how not to pack clothes in the winter, to save room, and how to possibly make cookies to make everyone happy and potentially that Jake can eat, I have not had a moment to post new recipies. I do however, have one coming that is meatloaf, except with beans. I know, does not sound fabulous, but even my husband (again!) enjoyed it! Until then, think it would be bad for the kids to wear their blankets for a week? OH, I may throw in some cookie recipies too! I have been experimenting with good egg substitutes. Eggs, in my opinion, are the hardest thing to replace. I am open to new ideas too. I do not like to use Ener-G (not because it's not good, but i prefer to use "real food".

To Moonsand! Whomever invented the stuff should have two year olds run around their whole house with it! We had a Moonsand disaster on the rug. In case you haven't had the joy of coming into contact with this substance, it's sand with some sort of playdough like, dry, crumbly stuff it's packed in. Jake said "oh no, what appened on da boor?" (his "f"'s tend to come out as b's) Let's just said I was not thrilled to check it out, he pretended he didn't dump it all over. We both knew.....

Just thought I'd share part of what makes Jake Jake. While he may not be in control of what he can eat, he is in control of the household. Don't let the huge smile fool you! This child also loves, as most kids do, bubbles. Everyone's good at bubbles, right?! During last night's bath daddy got the honor of blowing bubbles. Jakey loudly proclaimed "dat's not a good one!" Which made daddy laugh too hard to blow!

*Disclaimer: I actually disagree. That's my husband's opinion. While this is delicious, I have always been a huge fan of ice cream; previous to going dairy free in April. Why mess with a good thing? Although SoDelicious makes a great alternative. Still... Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie/Pie A fabulous dessert for entertaining! Vegan and can be completely allergy free with the substitution of the peanut butter. Crust: 1/2 c. non-dairy margarine (i.e. soy-free Earth Balance) 1c. Natural Peanut Butter (if you aren't using Natural, you are likely using soy and extra sugar)      substitution: any other nut butter 1/4c. brown sugar 1c. organic raw sugar 1t. vanilla 1t. baking powder 1/2t. baking soda 1/2 t. salt 1 1/2c. wheat flour 1c. chocolate chips (check to make sure there isn't milk or milk products) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream first five ingredients. stir together dry ingredients add to wet. stir. Mixture will look like sand (don't frea

Between the holiday, sick children, and children who don't sleep.... I know my posts have been pretty short. I may add to the previous. And it's certainly time to add a recipe. I will get the "best dessert ever" (according to my super picky husband) up soon. Thanksgiving, though slightly logistically tough to conjure without adding anything my son is allergic to, went quite well! I am so thankful for my family! They are wonderful! Just the four of us this year, but it was nice. I am also thankful for Earth Balance products!! Especially the soy free one! They do everything butter does, have great taste, without the dairy. Between that, rice milk, specially picked bread, and some kitchen magic, I was able to make stuffing, green bean casserole, and mashed potatoes all safe for Jake. Which, in hindsight, was only a slight waste of time since a certain two year old is ridiculously picky right now, and hardly eats a thing! Though he did a couple beans! But, having given up

After learning Jake is allergic to eggs and speaking with his allergist, the doctor decided that the risk of him getting the flu shot (which is created using eggs) is greater than not. Yikees! Enter mom who runs screaming whenever we are near someone who coughs, as she douses her children and self in hand sanitizer! Just another thing to think about at Gymboree or in the grocery store! But, the best prevention is hand washing. Is there enough soap and water?!

Holiday's can be tough to navigate for those with allergies, or their parents. Unless I cook everything myself I never quite trust. Hence why I bring all Jake's food to restaurants at this point. Having asked enough questions to try to find him something, I've come to realize that it's nearly impossible to eat out under the conditions of being 1. allergic to anything 2. not really interested in meat and 3. watching what one eats (having learned that a lot of restaurants grill their chicken with butter!!). That being said, there are typically a few "safe" foods. One being turkey. Often a staple at many holiday gatherings. However, the same cannot be said about ham or other processed meats. These often contain fillers, many of which are soy or milk by products. Yummy! Any fresh veggies are also safe, obviously, unless they have toppings. Almost all baked goods contain an allergen. In the near future I will share my recipe for what my husbad considers the "b

Trick or treating... a tough time for children with allergies. We don't really give our two year old candy, but we do like to give him experiences, and he was an adorable puppy for Halloween. This was the first year he really got the whole Trick or Treat thing, and although he only wanted to go to his favorite neighbor's house over and over, he did enjoy the process. (Well not so much the getting in the costume, but once he was there...) Unfortunately, there was no candy that he was able to eat. Most candy has milk, eggs, nuts, or something that he cannot have. The candy without major allergens are generally choking hazards! (and tend to be my favorite!) I did have the foresight to pull out a lollipop for him to pull and bait and switch. However, that really doesn't work once he eats said lollipop! What does everybody else do for children who have allergies? I'm thinking it may be slightly easier once he understands what he cannot have, though still pushing for him to g

Our breakfasts are not quite the eggs and toast they use to be! But there are plenty of ways to make them exciting! Jake loves oatmeal and sometimes his "milk cereal" (which are now usually organic O's, Chex or Kix). At some point I will post some of our favorite pankcake recipies which are our usual Saturday treat. Until then... I love Fall for a few reasons; Halloween (both for the candy and my mom's birthday), apple picking, and pumpkin everything!! Back pre-allergy I would eagerly await the day that the pumpkin lattes showed up, and the pumpkin ice cream. Now, instead of pumpkin latte that costs at least $5 and has caffeine and milk I invented one of my own. Much cheaper and much more delicious! Mix: 8 oz (or more in my favorite mug!) of "milk" (rice, almond, soy) 2 Tablespoons pumpkin puree (canned or make your own!) 1/4 t. vanilla sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice sprinkle of nutmeg and/or cinnamon sweeter (maple syrup is good- or marshmallows if

I hope this blog is able to give ideas and help to those of you affected by food allergies! It is difficult at first to figure out how to change a diet. Pretty much all packaged foods have some allergen. You will notice I use mostly "real foods", foods created by nature. I do not always have a perfect diet. I am a completely undecided vegan, meat eater, organic, non organic eater. I prefer not to buy meat but due to Jake's allergies, I am having him eat more chicken (the only meat he will eat) for protein. I also have a husband who, goes with the flow with my food whims, but not without a complaint. Hence my sharp cooking skills! He actually admitted to liking a bean "meatloaf" the other day to other people! If anyone has any requests for a recipie I will do my best to create one. I enjoy working to create healthy and delicious food that people can eat. When I print a recipie, I will also add substitutions if possible. I also would love feedback and comments!