We've been hearing about peanut desensitization studies in the news recently. I'm thrilled to report that Children's Hospital in Boston is conducting the first ever milk desensitization study. Check out this video and follow along each week as 11 year-old Brett goes through the study.
This is great news!
Monday, 31 August 2009
Friday, 28 August 2009
Friday Fare: Caramel Popcorn
Plan a movie night this week-end and pop up some sweet delicious popcorn!
Caramel Popcorn
free of dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and soy
4 quarts popped popcorn- use "natural" microwave popcorn or simply pop some kernels in a tablespoon of oil in a pan on your stove top.
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup margarine (I use Fleischmann's Unsalted sticks which are dairy-free but contain soy. Could use soy-free Earth Balance if soy allergic)
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Place the popped popcorn into a large brown paper bag. Set aside.
In a 2 quart microwave safe dish, combine the brown sugar, margarine, corn syrup, salt and vanilla. Heat for 3 minutes in the microwave, then take out and stir until well blended. Return to the microwave, and cook for 1 1/2 minutes. Remove from microwave, and stir in the baking soda.
Pour syrup over the popcorn in the bag. Roll down the top once or twice to close the bag, and shake to coat the corn. Place bag into the microwave, and cook for 1 minute and 10 seconds. Remove, shake, flip the bag over, and return it to the microwave. Cook for another 1 minute and 10 seconds.
Dump the popcorn out onto waxed paper, and let cool until coating is set.
Enjoy!
If there are any left-overs, store in an airtight container.
Caramel Popcorn
free of dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and soy
4 quarts popped popcorn- use "natural" microwave popcorn or simply pop some kernels in a tablespoon of oil in a pan on your stove top.
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup margarine (I use Fleischmann's Unsalted sticks which are dairy-free but contain soy. Could use soy-free Earth Balance if soy allergic)
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Place the popped popcorn into a large brown paper bag. Set aside.
In a 2 quart microwave safe dish, combine the brown sugar, margarine, corn syrup, salt and vanilla. Heat for 3 minutes in the microwave, then take out and stir until well blended. Return to the microwave, and cook for 1 1/2 minutes. Remove from microwave, and stir in the baking soda.
Pour syrup over the popcorn in the bag. Roll down the top once or twice to close the bag, and shake to coat the corn. Place bag into the microwave, and cook for 1 minute and 10 seconds. Remove, shake, flip the bag over, and return it to the microwave. Cook for another 1 minute and 10 seconds.
Dump the popcorn out onto waxed paper, and let cool until coating is set.
Enjoy!
If there are any left-overs, store in an airtight container.
Friday, 21 August 2009
Friday Fare: Banana Crumb-Topped Muffins
Just made a batch of these delicious muffins!
Banana Crumb Muffins
free of dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts
contains wheat and soy
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 bananas, mashed
3/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoon warm water, 1 1/2 tablespoon canola oil, 1 teaspoon baking powder mixed until bubbly
Topping:
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon margarine (I use Fleischmann's Unsalted sticks)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Prepare muffin cups.
In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, and water/oil/baking powder mixture. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened*. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
Topping:
In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean. Makes 10- 12 muffins.
*Can add dairy-free chocolate chips to batter*
Banana Crumb Muffins
free of dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts
contains wheat and soy
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 bananas, mashed
3/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoon warm water, 1 1/2 tablespoon canola oil, 1 teaspoon baking powder mixed until bubbly
Topping:
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon margarine (I use Fleischmann's Unsalted sticks)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Prepare muffin cups.
In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, and water/oil/baking powder mixture. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened*. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
Topping:
In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean. Makes 10- 12 muffins.
*Can add dairy-free chocolate chips to batter*
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Philly's Holding 1st Annual Food Allergy Fair
On Thursday, Sept. 24 from 11 am to 2 pm, Philadelphia will hold its first Food Allergy Fair. The fair is being hosted by Allergy and Asthma Specialists and Prototype Advertising. I contacted the organizers to find out the purpose of the event. Here's what I was told:
"This is an educational experience for adults with food allergies or caring for someone with food allergies. The adult with food allergies or the adult caring for individuals is often overlooked. We are trying to give Moms the opportunity to explore food allergy options without the kids around. Also, we hope to offer grown up food options to food allergy sufferers."
Area chefs, nutritionists and doctors will be on-hand to talk to visitors.
I plan to attend. Anyone want to meet up?
Here's the website for the Food Allergy Fair.
"This is an educational experience for adults with food allergies or caring for someone with food allergies. The adult with food allergies or the adult caring for individuals is often overlooked. We are trying to give Moms the opportunity to explore food allergy options without the kids around. Also, we hope to offer grown up food options to food allergy sufferers."
Area chefs, nutritionists and doctors will be on-hand to talk to visitors.
I plan to attend. Anyone want to meet up?
Here's the website for the Food Allergy Fair.
Monday, 17 August 2009
Food Allergy Twitter Party
The third Food Allergy Twitter Party is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2. If you've never participated in a Twitter party, they're fast, fun and filled with lots of great info. There are even prizes too!
Here's how to join us:
1. You'll need a Twitter account. Sign-up is free.
2. On Oct. 2 (time has not yet be decided- check back), you'll need to go to tweetgrid.com and type in #foodallergy.
3. You'll see the conversation on your screen. Jump in any time, but type #foodallergy in every message so everyone else can see it.
Hope to see you there!
Here's how to join us:
1. You'll need a Twitter account. Sign-up is free.
2. On Oct. 2 (time has not yet be decided- check back), you'll need to go to tweetgrid.com and type in #foodallergy.
3. You'll see the conversation on your screen. Jump in any time, but type #foodallergy in every message so everyone else can see it.
Hope to see you there!
Friday, 14 August 2009
Friday Fare: Granola Bars
We love these granola bars. As soon as the batch runs out, I make another. They're super easy to make and, believe me, after you eat these, you'll never go back to packaged granola bars filled with preservatives, chemicals, and lots of allergens again. Give them a try this week-end.
Granola Bars
free of dairy, eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts
Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup wheat germ
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup all-purpose flour (I use ¾ regular flour and ¼ whole wheat flour)
3/4 cup raisins, marshmallows, mini chocolate chips, or any other add-ins you prefer (check labels for allergens)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup honey
1 1/2 tablespoon warm water, 1 1/2 tablespoon canola oil, 1 teaspoon baking powder mixed until bubbly (this is the substitute for one egg)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup applesauce
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
How to Prepare:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, cinnamon, flour, raisins and salt.
Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, water/oil/baking powder mixture, oil and vanilla. Mix well.
Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges.
Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
You Can Make Dairy Free Pudding
I've tried it, so don't bother...you cannot substitute a non-dairy milk for the milk called for on the box of Jell-O® pudding. It doesn't "set".
But here's a recipe to try using Silk Soymilk, a staple in our house.
Sure, it's not as easy as mixing up some pudding using the powder from the box, but those of us who cook allergy-friendly foods are used to that, right? Happy cooking!
Monday, 10 August 2009
Mothers of Food Allergic Children Speak Up
Check out this six-part series of four mothers who have food allergic children. Part of a roundtable discussion with ABCNews Health, the moms talk about warning signs, coping, convincing others, school and special events, guilt and hurt and the bright side.
Those of us who deal with food allergies every day will really relate to what these women talk about. There may be a section or two that you may want to forward to a grandparent, baby-sitter or teacher. It sometimes help to have others back up your message.
Those of us who deal with food allergies every day will really relate to what these women talk about. There may be a section or two that you may want to forward to a grandparent, baby-sitter or teacher. It sometimes help to have others back up your message.
Friday, 7 August 2009
The Misconceptions of Food Allergy
In a news release from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Dr. Ruchi S. Gupta revealed that an online survey of 2148 U.S. adults shows many misconceptions about food allergy.
More than 66% of those surveyed believe that a daily medicine can be taken to prevent a food allergy reaction.
Nearly half of the respondents said there is a cure for food allergy.
Over 40% said that food allergy reactions could be prevented by means other than strict avoidance.
Hmmm...we're not doing a very good job of educating others about food allergy. These people are our teachers, principals, nurses, grandparents, bus drivers, neighbors, babysitters, coaches, scout leaders. Many of them are not getting it and that can be dangerous to our children.
Take every opportunity to inform others of the facts:
There is no cure for food allergy.
There are no medicines available to prevent a food allergy reaction.
Avoidance of the food is the only way to prevent a reaction.
Read the full news article here.
More than 66% of those surveyed believe that a daily medicine can be taken to prevent a food allergy reaction.
Nearly half of the respondents said there is a cure for food allergy.
Over 40% said that food allergy reactions could be prevented by means other than strict avoidance.
Hmmm...we're not doing a very good job of educating others about food allergy. These people are our teachers, principals, nurses, grandparents, bus drivers, neighbors, babysitters, coaches, scout leaders. Many of them are not getting it and that can be dangerous to our children.
Take every opportunity to inform others of the facts:
There is no cure for food allergy.
There are no medicines available to prevent a food allergy reaction.
Avoidance of the food is the only way to prevent a reaction.
Read the full news article here.
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Back to School With Food Allergies
Back to school is on my mind as we enter the final month of summer vacation. I plan to request a 504 plan for my FA 4th grader as I was unhappy with the communication (lack of) related to the Healthcare Plan we used last year. Anyone have any experience with 504 Plans for food allergy?
Also, take a look at Alison's all-inclusiveBack to School Tips for Gluten-Free and Allergy -Free Kids. It's a great checklist, especially if you're sending your FA child to school for the first time.
Also, take a look at Alison's all-inclusiveBack to School Tips for Gluten-Free and Allergy -Free Kids. It's a great checklist, especially if you're sending your FA child to school for the first time.
Monday, 3 August 2009
Food Allergy Quiz
Check out this true/false quiz from ACAAI (American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology). My readers may find it fairly elementary, but I think it would make for some great talking points with grandparents and older food allergic children.
Did any of the questions stump you? I got number 6 wrong. I knew that exercise could lead to anaphylaxis, but I didn't realize the food allergy link. Always learning...
Did any of the questions stump you? I got number 6 wrong. I knew that exercise could lead to anaphylaxis, but I didn't realize the food allergy link. Always learning...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)