Allergy Bytes

graduation up and coming

2011-05-06T18:34:00.000-07:00

Unbelievably high school graduation is around the corner-- and who knew that every single solitary event is centered on food-- and who knew there were so many events...

Senior lunch, BBQ day, headmaster dinner, prom, pre-prom, post prom....graudation luncheon-- throw in an outside event or two and it's over the top asking about menus and making calls about safety.

And then there's the discussion of: when shall we talk to the food services folks at college, and how does one go about that-- there's the crowd who feels that single rooms make one safer and are a must; then there;s the group who feel that the in the real world there are no single rooms--so get used to it.

I just want to know that my child is safe, and can be safe and will be safe-- and then there's all that stuff about food-- just kidding, I mean I want my child safe from all harmful things, and in the big scheme of things, I think food can be pretty controllable even if it's hard to do and takes a serious lot of planning.

more late,

and Happy Mother's Day everyone out there.

college!!!

2011-04-11T16:42:00.000-07:00

College has been picked__ it's one where we were lucky enough to have eaten lunch. Lucky in that we know it and saw with our own six eyes that there is kosher and gluten-free and plain burgers and steamed veggie separate from other things and lots of people getting special meals.

YAY.

Plus website is terrific about it--so people must be too.

and anyway--it's a great place even if he has to keep a fridge with his own stuff --he'll be getting a phenomenal education with what looks like a bunch of bright engaged kids!

I think we-- and by that I mean the collective we-- have always tried to show our kids that the world is a wide open place where life is good and is not all about limits. Limits exist for everyone, and we shouldn't put them on ourselves, nor should we ignore their realities. But overall, we can choose many many options--even if one of them is always eating steak and potatoes because the company is good. As my son says "it's all good."

And, it is.

FAAN Teen Summit

2010-10-29T12:16:00.000-07:00

As usual-- wow-- Teen Summit was great. Lots of kids and parents sharing their ideas and anxieties and laughter. Mostly about the sharing, and the friendships-- I get to see a number of great friends only this once a year. We spend the time together and just hang out talking about our kids (no surprise) and watching the kids relax among friends. Everybody gets it!!!

and, it always reminds me that other families have it way harder than I do-- either more severe reactions, or school districts that are difficult, or they've just found out, or bullying-- really brings great perspective to my life.

exhausting, but so fun.

I learned that Bacon on a salad bar line is really SOY and flavorings.... who knew.

I learned lots of other things too-- about anxiety and distress and that peanuts don't aerosolize on airplanes (which have very good air circulation systems) and that keeping a kid home from a school trip isn't the best thing to do for protection. offer to go along, send food (obviously) and have the child advocate for self. isolation and withdrawal are not options!

college visiting

2010-10-16T06:40:00.000-07:00

Hi there all you parents of college seniors... or juniors. I'm here to tell you that while it's not always pretty (I'm not getting out of the car, I don't like the look of the place) college visiting is not bad --allergy wise.

All colleges we have looked at have been accommodating--at least on paper-- about allergies. The cafeterias have been easy to negotiate and most have Vegan and Veggie and kosher areas that offer a variety of foods without eggs and dairy which is good. Most places I've seen also have a gluten free area including toasters-- so that's good too.

We recently had lunch in one of the college cafs --my son ate from his previously packed lunch-- college visits are no time for accidents! As we inspected, I saw that the staff used separate utensils for each dish served; there was little spill over-- at the hot service bins, the salad bar was a different story. and there were a number of options for my multiple food allergic son: kosher roasted chicken, white rice, plain burgers and fries, roasted "steak" and steamed vegetables-- choice actually.

The salad bar was OK, but the dressings were a little sloppy -- ingredients were listed for every meal, including the allergens, on easily visible cards. And the servers were more than happy to help me with ingredients and with labels.

It was a relief, but also the slamming knowledge again of how every day these allergies are a negotiation in life, a task, a risk.

I know that our kids are up to it, just wish they didn't have to be.

Routine and last post vanished--

2010-10-04T10:19:00.000-07:00

Hi my last post vanished... just as I was publishing-- I was commenting that it's hard to get back into routine again, seems that lunch and dinner are just coming more quickly... I know I sound silly, but it's true. Last weekend had to do 2 dinner, 3 lunches and 2 breakfasts--for packable and nonperishable as there was a school trip and didn't think the pack was going in a refrigerator for most of the time. Chicken is good for that-- steak-- and LOTS of veggies--carrots, celery, olives, and lots of rice cakes too.

And it is hard to get back into the routine-- was summer just so carefree and laissez-faire? I guess so, food and bedtimes!

and I am searching for some hearty foods-- especially carbs-- that travel well and aren't too hard to pack or eat. my breads are pretty lame-- they never get browned and they are a bit spongey if not able to toast... there's rice and beans I do that a fair amount with a small thermos; and cereal plus rice cakes (ahh the proverbial rice cakes) . Need more-- and can't quite get the rhythm down of packing lunch that is different every day-- or at least varies..

more soon

how you feeling????

2010-08-23T13:25:00.000-07:00

Not been writing for a while-- busy on my cookbook--THAT NO ONE WILL ACQUIRE. If anyone knows a publisher out there looking for a great everyday allergy cookbook-- let me know!

I've gotten some nice comments and mostly some notes on how the marketplace is too niche ... but this is a great product, and crosses the line away from allergy too-- since the food's family oriented and made with regular (read "non-health-food -store- only") ingredients.

oh well, will keep on getting out there to hawk it. :)

new products, new ideas

2010-07-27T12:55:00.000-07:00

I've tried a few new products:
Mr. Krisper's rice crackers-- we use salt and pepper which can be a little spicy, but can't use the sour cream or bbq flavors-- but delicious and no gluten or wheat.
Vegetarian refried beans: Oy, I forget the company... will update later-- it's NOT Amy's since they use the same lines as other allergens.
Orgran Quick Bread mix-- easy easy easy and no eggs-- just water and margarine
Enjoy Life Bagels-- yummy . They're frozen, and they defrost well in a lunch pack (or an a plane ride!) and they warm up well. We don't have a toaster... don't ask... so wouldn't know about that, but really good. I know that Whole Foods carries them.

As for new ideas: Pasta primavera is a lovely summer dish esp in this heat. I use Tinkyada
Ok funny name, but delicious rice pasta-- cooks al dente, hold it's flavor and shape (use a healthy dose of salt) and is tasty. From an Italian, that's a rave.
I julienne carrotts, rough chop steamed broccolli(or asparagus) into small pieces, thin red or yellow pepper strips, chop garlic, julienne sweet onion, grape tomatoes halved (if you can have them) and frozen peas too. lots of chopped basil or parsely or both.
Drain the pasta, throw in all the veggies and about three tablespoons of olive oil for every pound of pasta, Toss, cover with a plate for a few minutes and then toss again and serve.
You want the tomatoes and onions to wilt, but not get too mushy. salt and a little fresh pepper good here too!
(I have been known to toss in julienne cooked chicken breast as well) We don't include cheese in our house, but a little grated pecorino romano would taste good on it as well.

cross country and a shout out

2010-07-12T06:27:00.000-07:00

Well, off he goes-- to a program on the other coast, excited, ready, going to be doing some interesting thinking -- and eating I hope.

The school has residential clusters for whom there is a food service which automatically makes vegan and veggie entrees-- and he can ask for anything anytime to be cooked his way, and they already have his box of Cheerios in the office for his use only.... sounds great, so am hoping that it works that way.

And anyway, my kid's ready to make do if he has to-- program attracted him not for the food service!

but enough about separation anxiety! that's a story we all know --whether it's the first time they stay at a birthday party alone or their first overnight trip with school or their first camp summer. the reaction is always YIKES! how'd that happen so fast.

Shout Out: B.R. Guest restaurants In NY there are about five of them-- and one of the principals spoke at the FAAN conference about their kitchens' allergy procedures-- and it was really impressive without being over the top or condescending.

AND-- my thousand -foods-allergic son went for lunch and had the exact experience described at the conference--right down to the little "flag" toothpick that said "allergies" stuck in his hamburger. BRAVO!!!

will keep you posted (bad pun) on progress et al.

cruise was great

2010-06-29T20:06:00.000-07:00

Cruise was great-- not only fun, but really a true vacation for me since I do not have to cook or even think about food (except on excursion days, and that's really easy too if you take a Ziploc bag or two)

there's salad all day-- which means lettuce and kidney beans and olives and celery-- and there's burgers and fries and taco chips too. and dinner was a plate of crudite --different every night mind you-- of broccoli, peppers, carrots, olives... then salad, soup and some delicious meat, like lamb chops or pork loin, and steamed veggies and potatoes! My kid ate like a king and I didn't have to lift a finger (except to bend an elbow!). verrry relaxing and SAFE SAFE SAFE,

He even got sorbet for dessert.

Now i'm starting to pack for summer program... sounds like a great group at this university-- they've been attentive and get it! ("oh we'll get separate Cheerios since won't do to have them in the tubes we use for other cereals...." that's getting it)

so wish me luck, hope I don't forget anything crucial... I'll make those lists and ship it out. (...Rawhide is echoing in my mind, gotta stop now)

food on a cruise

2010-06-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

End of school and summer weather. going on a cruise where whole family can be carefree-- one chat with the head of dining and viola, meals are cooked to perfection with choices and carrotts cut into shapes!
also so many choices of kinds of food: always burgers( made on separate grills from cheeseburgers!) and chips and soda and Jello and hot food and salad salad salad--which can be carried up to the room for knoshing before dinner! hey I have a teenager-- always hungry.
PLUS he can get it all himself-- no fuss no muss no worries-- for seven days all the same strict standards of preparation and presentation--that is, the sunflower seeds stay in their own closed containers on the salad bar and the dressings are at a different table.
that's a vacation! (Use Holland America cruise line, which on a trip to Alaska had the chef come chat with my son to see what/how his food --on a train!!!-- could be handled--also great medical services, should we ever need them) happy trails.

Packable, Easy to Find Individual Items

2010-05-23T17:46:00.000-07:00

I'm going to list :

Minute Rice "ready to Serve" rice (2 pack; microwaveable)

Motts Applesauces

Jello cups

Raisins

Cranberry (in raisin like packages)

Enjoy Life cookie packs (2 little cookies each, but eminently packable for lunch)

Cereals in a cup: Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Fruit Loops-- many 7-11s have them (convenience store in NE)

Instant cereals: Oatmeal and Grits-- makes for a great snack and most hotels have coffee pots that one can use for making hot water

Baby Food in jars-- don't laugh, they are terrific for older kids as well-- lots of nutrients and easy to carry around

Rice Dream in individual "juice" boxes-- protein in a box, plus a drink

Rice cakes

Enjoy Life Protein bars

Oh-- and I recently went "shopping" at a chain drugstore that has some food items: We can't eat yogurt, but they had, in their refrigerator section:

fresh salads in containers
individual containers for cut up vegetables
containers of cold Jello cubes
deli meats in packages

I did very nicely!

School Trip preparations

2010-05-22T16:13:00.000-07:00

yup-- my kid's off to Shelter Island for some rest and relaxation in the form of kayaking and hiking and cleaning up a camp for summer use--Class Trip!

These juniors could use the time off, but the kitchen--although extremely cooperative--cannot feed my son, so I am sitting here thinking of what I can make and pack and put into ZipLocs and label--stuff that won't taste gross after two days, and stuff that at least approximates dinner and lunch. They'll all be too sleepy to care at breakfast.

So I figure lunch on the bus is easy; then steak strips with some sort of cooked veggie and those individual RICE CUPS by Minute Rice--BTW Delicious and EASY and PACKABLE!!

Protein bars (Enjoy Life-- although more like dessert than protein bar) rice cakes, fruit leathers, individual applesauces (thank you Motts)

and .... ask me tomorrow when I finish cooking.

headlines!!!!

2010-05-13T10:36:00.000-07:00

headline on the front page of the NewYork Times yesterday(5/12)--
"Doubt Cast of Many Reports of Food Allergies"
I'm REALLY frustrated.
In that one headline, years of hard work getting people to believe that food allergies exist--Zip-- out the door.
No matter that the article says the doubt is cast on SELF-REPORTS, not diagnoses. Nope, most people glancing at the paper will say: "see, all those people complaining about peanuts are really just overreacting, like I thought..."
even though:

Not one researcher connected with any of the major food allergy medical institutes: Jaffe Center in New York, Duke University, Johns Hopkins... was quoted or even spoken to
title of original JAMA piece was called "Diagnosing and Managing Common Food Allergies"
Recent study from PEDIATRICS citing increase in food allergies was never mentioned
CDC studies which demonstrate statistically signifigant increases in food allergies in children never cited

oh so frustrating!!!

2010-05-11T05:33:00.001-07:00

the FAAN conference in Tarrytown was great-- so many people who GET IT and great people to meet and exchange stories with. Didn't hurt that my 17 yr old rocked the place with his presentation on how to eat out at restaurants--even with his laundry list of allergens.

Met people who make the walks happen, support group leaders, funny parents and scared parents, all sorts of folk who want to make this work.

heard about Daiya "cheese" a vegan product which actually melts!

felt great being among friends and community and all the amazing people from FAAN--you know who you are.

look for more on : small packable prepackeaged foods... question I got and wasn't on the top of my game to answer.

2010-05-03T07:32:00.000-07:00

FAI(Food Allergy Initiative) food allergy luncheon last week was phenomenal-- lots of money raised and real hope offered for lowering risk of anaphylaxis and food allergies in general. Some items are already in FDA human trials (phase 2 clinical)

So wow --lots of energy and wonderful people to meet-- movers and shakers from the midwest who are getting Epis on the ambulances there. The HUGE Ming Tsai poster-- to be put in restaurant kitchens etc-- so at least servers and restaurant workers will have heard of food allergies!!!

so much great stuff.

This weekend is the FAAN conference in NY area-- again, lots of community and good resources and information abound. More later.

2010-04-11T18:39:00.000-07:00

been a while--on vacation and took a break. am now refreshed and promising myself to be more timely. Have had my preliminary conversation--via email-- with the summer program my son is attending. far far away--the other coast! and while I feel light years more confident than last year this time, I do need to have the real life conversation and see a menu or two before I'm satisfied.

And I need to have the conversation with my son about -- might be broiled chicken and cold cuts with dull salad for three weeks, but them's the breaks!

I think he'll be OK--just as long as he's not hungry. ugh that's what's getting me.

I have sent my friends an email asking for their ideas, comfort, anti-anxiety strataegies and general good wishes for me at the moment, and hopefully most of them will laugh--they do know my stress levels can go through the roof! and help me out.

Any ideas, or suggestions or comfort from my friends in the ethernet will be greatly appreciated as well! :)

2010-03-21T15:56:00.000-07:00

There has been so much happening in the food allergy world that I see. possible peanut vaccine; possible connection to what mothers eat in the last trimester effects how allergy prone (and Asthma prone) a child is. Somehow, I feel like--always blame the mom. I am not convinced by the evidence as yet on these studies, and I wish they weren't reported until replicated. That's a lot of guilt for some --I can't even begin to feel guilty since no one knew that there might be a remote possibility of a baby's developing allergies dependent on what the mother ate.

And these studies make connections that seem too direct for the evidence the studies have uncovered. Can one really say, don't eat peanuts and your child won't be allergic? seems almost like science fiction. Like the direction it's all going in, this research, but feel the conclusions are premature.

Other than that, New York is experiencing a bit of summer--which was lovely.

Notes: LOVE the gluten, egg, dairy, nut, and sesame free bagels that ENJOY LIFE makes. They are tasty and stand up when heated (don;t have a toaster so don;t know about that)

and other winners: the Enjoy Life granola-type cereal-- nice warmed up with Rice Dream.

Still looking for good bread that is free of the Big Eight-- any ideas?

2010-03-01T19:11:00.000-08:00

Been away from the blogpost for a while-- been down for the count with the usual winter ills-- better now, but still not at the top of my game. What I mean is--don't expect too much!

So the summer program search is in full swing. far flung as well-- from East coast to West-- and I want my son to go for it-- why not. Soon enough be on his own, and this will be good practice. Worked well last summer and although I was a nervous nellie-- it all worked fine.

Looking forward to adding some links to the website and also being linked to some other sites-- take a look at mallergies.com out of Canada. Interesting friendly site that has recipes and lots of other information--esp for the newly diagnosed.

had the funny experience of re-living the words of my home-ed teacher (yes home ec... from a bygone era--I know and I'm not even that old!)

she was always saying that humidity and altitude have a lot to do with making a cake--well she was right. In the midst of a raging snow storm last week, my cakes did not rise as they usually do--hmmgjf and it was birthday cake too!

soon.....

2010-02-05T11:14:00.000-08:00

Friday before a supposed big snow in NY--we'll see! I wouldn't mind a blizzard, so relaxing , no responsibilities, no worries, just cook and watch a movie and go throw snowballs.

I have tried a new product-- the company graciously sent me some items-- Mixes from the Heartland. www.mixesfromtheheartland.net They are Gluten Free / Wheat Free for celiacs. Unfortunately some of the items I couldn't try-- too many eggs to substitute or packaged cream of celery soup with milk in it already. But what I did try was:

Italian Bean soup mix: good, a bit strong on the herbs--I think oregano and possibly tarragon-- but it was hearty and made a nice side dish over pasta.

Italian Veggie Dip: Well we can't make dip (no milk or soy products) at our house, but I mixed the packet with about a cup of water and poured it over chicken pieces and baked. YUM it was great! very tasty over the chicken and made a nice little sauce as it mixed with the chicken juices.

Microwave Brownie Mix: As I've said, I'm not a good baker. I mixed up the ingredients and made any egg substitutions--which was one egg I believe. I microwaved, and well, I got gooey delicious fudgey stuff. Not brownie at all, not really liquid, but a gooey goodness that I let harden a bit and then scooped into bowls to serve. Good tasting, just the form of the cooked mix did not --literally-- gel. We enjoyed, but maybe I did something wrong with the microwave... don't know.

I have others to try, and I'll let you know. For those of you out there without milk or egg allergies, these are nicely proportioned and interesting mixes made in a gluten, barely, egg, oat, peanut, rye, soy free facility.

2010-01-29T06:15:00.000-08:00

Interesting ... last night my husband had a reaction to a LIME Freezie. You know those little slush sticks you put in the freezer to harden up. I think the brand is Flaovr Ice.

For years we avoided Lime Jell-O because my son said it made his throat itch--although chips with lime in them or even lime in a selzer didn't bother him

Now I'm thinking that LIME flavoring --or whatever makes it green--is the problem. I wonder what it is.

So now I have thrown away all the LIME anythings, and will continue with the NO-Lime flavored items .

2010-01-13T17:38:00.000-08:00

Well my Polenta was a smashing B O R E. I certainly can make porridge--Italian or not--that;'s what it was like. Good texture just dull as, well, dirt!

So I think I have to sautee some onions first then mix it in-- or bacon-- or something. I made the whitest meal tonight-- roast chicken (OK skin looked good) stewed cabbage with onions, polenta --which looks like white if with everything else!

oh well, back to the proverbial drawing board.

I did make some great bread today though--Orgran Simple Bread Mix. Water and oil and that's it for ingredients (i use guar gum also to help it stick together). It's rice flour and tapioca and --I threw the box away-- but no corn and obviously no wheat or gluten.

nothing to eat

2010-01-05T18:27:00.000-08:00

I can't think of one thing to make for lunch... and a debate weekend coming up--have no clue: chicken breast; steak--fruit leathers.... but then what? a bag of mini rice cakes, rice cakes, apples...ugh I am stumped, probably because just off vacation where the kitchen was my domain and not much had to be carted around and because I, well, just relaxed and served chips with brownies the whole time.

bad mom-- nothing interesting, nothing out there to make, applesauce, cookies, lettuce--I can hear the "again" and it's true--again!

Nutritionist visit well super well-- not enough grains, but on the whole very healthy strong diet. glad to hear it out loud. and got a calcium /D supplement (powedered, Kirkman labs--hypoallergenic) . more grains... tough one for a baking challenged mom-- off to Whole Food tomorrow to find bread mix--or Fairway-- to find bread mix and other Enjoy Life products--bagels, granola(!) and the like--something to spice it up!

Trix cereal, Rice Chex(health valley) and some other things to mix it all up and serve like a grain product... more grains--got polenta too--but not exactly easy to put in a lunch pack!

off to try again, wish me luck!

2010-01-02T10:12:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year everyone-- I imagine a great year with lots of new adventures and fun awaiting me and my family. And--let's make a difference this year.

Ours was a lovely New Year's Eve--our house, friends, fun, food and fireworks courtesy of NYC. Very very nice. made my chicken drummys recipe--and hike up the heat to 400 degrees for that first 30 minutes! I will change on recipes, but really need to get it higher faster.

Thinking about the new year and trying to establish the parameters of what makes quality of life so different for food-allergic people: lack of control over environment (as much as we try) loss of choice, ineffability of the allergy--that absolute hard and fastness of the allergy as it stretches across time and into every space...

Well, that wasn't exactly uplifting! enough for now--out into the almost snowy very cold day.

2009-12-27T19:57:00.000-08:00

two days after Christmas-- wow had a great one, and now, it's Sunday and back to work, allergist appt and nutritionist tomorrow, and who knows what that brings. I get anxious that the doctors will take away a food or suggest that I don't use something I now cling to. Once I had to eliminate peas from our diets--and once it was chickpeas. the list narrows... --and who am I to talk--i just have to cook. If the list narrows any more, it's my son who suffers.

but perhaps we will find out that the numbers support lesser worrying about accidents--that if he ate a piece of meat that had touched cheese he would be ok.

been baking -- my usual lame baking, a small one layer cake with frosting that tastes really good, even a day or two old. and some Cherybrook Kitchen brownies--that I make as a chocolate cake, which I was just told is "too chocolatey"! oh well

Happy New Year to all- let's make it a good one.

2009-12-24T11:36:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas Eve--I love Christmas, growing up I had wonderful Christmases. Family.Big Seven fishes feasts with immediate family and my uncle Peter coming to check what kind of tomatoes my mother was using-- they never used the same type and always mock-argued about it. My mother was a phenomenal cook-- squid sauce, clams oreganata, fried calamari-- my mother could fry like noblody's business. Fried broccolli, fried smelts fried cauliflower... wow

Christmas Eve this year we are going out to dinner at a French bistro in our neighborhood with brothers -in-law--their neighborhood too, since all three of my husband's family lives in a three-block radius. ahh NYC. We love it.

No fish tonight, and probably just as well, since my cooking isn't up to that kind of task. It's in my blood, but not in my heart tonight. Tonight, maybe I'll have a token fish--

the reason by the way for fishes was that in Italain-Catholic (OK I;m not a Catholic, but that;s where it comes from) lore, you "fast" before midnight--hence fish -- and have meat after midnight! ( ya gotta love Italians, where "fasting" means eating fish and not doing without food!)

The city is white with snow and lots of ice, spent an hour in the fabulous grocery Zabars laughing with all the other patrons as we waited for our sliced meats and specialty items. I was number 86 in --and when I got there they were up to number 55! But fun atmosphere.

It's true-- It's a wonderful time of year.

Enjoy everyone--whatever faith you are-- it's a time for happiness and sharing and family and vacation from school--and fun. So enjoy my friends out there !

back from teen summit

2009-11-18T19:11:00.000-08:00

We laughed. We cried. We carried food packs and Epi-pens and saw our kids palling around with other kids who get it.

It was great--met some new people and learned some new stuff--like:

check out the health services when you go on a college tour (just you --no children necessary).
Or that many many school districts across US will not allow a kid to carry an Epi pen.
And that "surimi"* is actually fake crabmeat made with egg. of course--fake shellfish made with another really potent allergen-- everybody knew that.

Met some great folks from Anaphylaxsis Canada-- I respect that org. They get out there and tell the stories and get legislation passed and research accomplished: go AC.

So tonight I am making decent chocochip cookies--and having a riot becuase I get to eat the raw dough-- take that you non-egg allergic people. I can eat raw cookie dough because I make it without eggs! that's a plus if I ever heard one--yummy.

* I may be spelling/saying this wrong-- but it's fake crabmeat used in sushi found in delis and the like.

2009-11-09T16:04:00.000-08:00

Teen Summit is this weekend in Arlington-- 100 teens and parents gathered to think about, talk about, laugh about, vent about food allergies-- it's great!

was a good mom this weekend and made an individual sized cake so my teen would have something --we were hosting a 101st (yup!) birthday for great grandma-- she was loving every little minute of it--and the cake was beautiful--as was the individual one I made! so win win . Great Grandma blew out her candles (no not 101 of them) and my teen got a whole cake to himself--which I am pleased to say he did not eat all at once.

some days things are easier, some days things stink. Stinky day: Cafeteria served ribs and fries the other day--well I make that at home, but can't eat at school, and my son said that it's harder when the food served is something that he can eat(if I make it) and smells wonderful to boot. just want to rip phone books in half in frustration. These allergies are so random and so pervasive --that it just stinks. Stinks on ice is what my mom used to say!

gotta stop, barking dog downstairs is making me n u t s-- or since no nuts at our house, should I say crazy!

teen summit here we come

2009-10-25T18:56:00.000-07:00

OH man--just finsihed a post and hit the wrong button and whammo it's gone!

what i was saying was that I finally finished my presentation for the FAAN* Teen Summit

(*Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network) which is in DC in a couple of weeks. 100 teens and parental units gather for separate, but totally amazing, weekend of presentations, improvs, and plain old camraderie! It is so great to be in a room where everyone gets it when you say: just a minute --does that hamburger have cheese--or could you move those peanuts...

It is great--in fact life-changing --as you see kids who thought they were alone, open up when they realize everyone in the room is just like them!

yes, I'm teary eyed just thinking about it. Great for parents too as we laugh about the eye-rolls in restaurants when we ask our questions, or how we pack for airplane trips, or what type of gluten-free cookies do we buy--it's great!!!

next year in DC!

2009-10-08T18:49:00.001-07:00

9:49--about to make lunch-- still am not making lunches to write home about. meat, lettuce, some sort of carb and some cut up vegetables...

Found a website called the Happy Tiffin where you can purchase Bento boxes--or layered stainless tins that latch onto one another --to make a cute lunchpail type thingey. I want to get some --seems like you could put chicken and rice or stew or mixed salads in those and better than using baggies.

I guess I'm coming to these late in the game, but a friend of mine whose son is also allergic, is of Japanese descent and she pointed out the places to get these--before that all i knew was that the Chinese store on Canal Street sold plastic ones--but they were small and appetites were large.

enjoy the three day weekend! off to a playoff game tomorrow--go NY.

2009-10-03T12:26:00.000-07:00

my webmaster just had a baby boy! how wonderful. I remember those early days of no time to do anything but change, feed, put down to nap and start over! exhausting but luscious.

So nothing on the site will change for a while-- have to make do with those same old recipes for a while.

had a great chat with a young woman who has a third grader who is having some nervousness about having a reaction--had a couple of "unexplained" ones --possible Worcestershire sauce --and who also just became allergic to banannas. yuck I remember being told to take another food off the list-- I used to cry. Now I don't vary anything on the list--which brings me to what my friend and I were discussing--what to make for lunch. I have no ideas anymore and lunch in the pack in boring if nutritious-- have to send a lot! esp on days with sports. I'm thinking of Bento tins to layer up the lunchables-- that would be something different!

2009-09-16T19:47:00.001-07:00

Readying myself for making lunches every night--I had forgotten in the scheduless days of summer! I am flitting around like a butterfly without lighting long enough to buy what I need--indeed to even think about what I need. What I need--really-- is some organization. Maybe I should get one of those Mead 5-Star notebooks!

New York food stores are gettting lots of new products for gluten free. PAstas--that actually taste like pasta and don't get mushy. Cookies from Cherrybrook Kitchen nut-egg-wheat-dairy free; and energy bars from Enjoy Life... feeding a growing active 16-yr old can be a challenge sometimes.

2009-09-07T18:44:00.000-07:00

the school year begins anew. Am I ready for Junior year? I guess if I'm ready is irrelevant-- but it begins. Had a great summer, full of new thoughts, new ideas, new recipes and a new way of "hands off" life.

2009-08-31T12:07:00.000-07:00

one of those days where the week unfolds in front of you and all you can see is what you need at the supermarket. Turkey and roast beef and lots of finger veggies for us to take to the US Open; there's a party today-- all afternoon and dinner--so that's portable dinner and dessert (which I do badly, have I mentioned?) and then there's dinner tomorrow night--but thankfully I get home from office early enough to throw in lamb chops. Next week we're having a party and I have gotten the OK to make whatever I want as the party is not for my family, but for a theater group we are a part of.

if I say, 'whew' or "that make the party easier" I feel guilty--and well I should. I only have to cook the food, I don't have to live the life... that's the hard part.

Also, yesterday on the beach--we got fries and a handmade lemonade. Ten minutes later the sneezing, the runny nose, the eyes watering, the genreal miserableness. never progressed into anything else, thank goodness, but... We were on the beach-- so I figure it's the fries--can't be the lemonade--lemons and water?? so no going there anymore--I mean, it's a boardwalk, there's more than one place for fries. But the sneezing, and misery went on for a good few hours, Benedryl and all. just never know.

2009-08-27T19:11:00.000-07:00

late night, thinking if i should surprise the family and make chocolate chip cookies...it's ten o'clock am I up for it? I think I'll stick with ice pops since it is still warm out (and in). bad mom, I know, but I'm tired from the heat. BTW I use cherrybrook kitchen chocchip cookie mix--but usually I make it as a one layer cake in a round layer pan. only problem is that I eat a lot of it --I may even like it more than my kid.

2009-08-26T17:03:00.000-07:00

wow so much has happened in the past weeks. I finally finished my cookbook--can always add recipes but the structure and basics and intro etc are done. yay--anyone out there a publisher? haha and then I discovered herbs. For so long I'd been boring--yes boring--and then i decided to buy one of every green herb in the market and try them. OK so I don't know what to do with tarragon--it smells so sweeet. But rosemary in turkey rolls and cilantro in stuffed peppers and plain old parsely lemon and garlic heated up some nice roast chicken. I stuck a little scallion and chive in too. not as sweet as onions and kinda tangy.

school approaches and I know I will miss the easy summer cooking life. school lunches, every day and lots of food--teenagers can really eat. So I am thinking about new things to make and looking for a great thermos for soups/stews/rice and beans.

My teen's off to a dinner party--and downloaded the menu and checked ingredients and off he went. Salad and steak and lots of fun!

2009-07-27T12:44:00.000-07:00

So I did it again. I have accepted the "good enough" solution--the one where someone says, "I think I can manage that"--and I say "thanks." Sometimes I think I should say--as I would in business--that's not enough, need to make it better. But, at the program my child is at, the food service said they would provide X, Y and Z. Well I got the "I'm hungry " call and the "there's not what they said would be here" call. And, I checked in with food service-- and viola, some of it got fixed, and some--like "have to take some food off the line" stayed the same--rather unaccpetable--way. And, I said --sure, we'll make it work,.

And work it is--I haven't gotten a call about food or being hungry or not having any good snacks-- actually I haven't gotten a call so I guess all is good and fun and busy!

But I feel like I should press for the best of the best--or is good enough enough? (confusing huh?) I sometimes feel that if the solution is solid and safe, then go with it, and don't act like a ninny and ask for the moon. But, then again, is asking that food be plated and not taken off the line(cross contamination) acting like a ninny? No, it's safety .

ugh I really go crazy when this happens, I get so emotionally washed out from it-- and I hate that my kid has to negotiate, and work the system so much for something so basic.

But I'm happy that for three weeks, this kid o'mine is making it work and is living away at school --doing the laundry, making friends AND dealing with the food. gotta have the bright side!

oy!

2009-07-08T07:24:00.000-07:00

been a long long time--I have been enjoying the sun and surf.
Shout out to Wendy Mondello who wrote a great article in Living Without magazine about teens and food allergies and vulnerabilities. in depth and solid article.
other than that having lots of discussions at my house about how boring food is and how I need to change it up, but I seem out of ideas -- so anyone with a clue, let me know. Just click on comment and send me a message.

I've been wondering if allergies get easier to deal with as kids get older and make their own choices or harder because the limitations pinch more as time goes on. Does the pizza always smell that good? I guess that's the real question.
During adolescence, maturity helps me let go a little, but the adolescent identity struggle goes on, and allergies sometimes become the focus for that. will keep thinking on this, keep safe,

2009-06-18T17:54:00.000-07:00

What a month--end of school parties, end of school celebrations, lots of supplying hungry studiers with food-fuel. And lots of rain! Whew. looking forward to the lazier days of summer with some time to collect my thoughts and revamp my menus. Want to put a set of new recipes up . Upcoming summer program, going to talk with food services--which i consider a good thing-- and see how a college dining hall is run. Should be interesting and a good "starter kit" for looking at colleges which is also on the horizon, although we don't intend to look via food allergies, but rather find places that are a good fit academically, socially et al. then work on the kitchen stuff.

getting a bit stymied about what to serve as healthy snacks-- got the fruit, salad, crudite down pat--looking for some other ideas that are good to fill you up, but are still healthy--no wheat or dairy or nuts please.

been a while

2009-06-01T12:06:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've written. School had an allergy incident that was dealt with very nicely--undisclosed nuts in the sauce for a chicken dish. Kid had an Epi and went to hosptial accompanied by nurse; all other nut-allergic kids were spoken to in class and lunchroon to make sure that they knew not to eat the chicken. Sauce was removed. But just goes to show how easily one mistake can lead to something pretty scary. Kid was fine next day--but I'mthinking of his family--yikes I'd be super nervous. Any hopes of mine eating at the cafeteria went out the window even though never would have touched a sauce...but safer to eat what I send from home. Hey, I'll miss it when I don't have to make lunch anymore--just like we all miss the the things our kids did when they were little...like bathtime or playground or reading to them.

2009-05-12T18:16:00.000-07:00

I officially have the best pediatrician. In my time zone it is 9:00 pm and he just called to clarify why I needed a paper prescription for a medication. I had refills, and the message he got did not include my note that said the paper scrip was for Campus Meds which fulfills the everyday medications (not Epi-pens) for students attending a particular summer program. So my pediatrician called, asked me to clarify and then said sure--pick it up tomorrow.
It's 9:00 at night... that's overtime in anyone's book.
This is the pediatrician who, at two weeks, took one look at my baby and said--food allergies. The baby had eczema (atopic dermatitis, excuse me) and the Dr. said--the baby's nursing--what else could it be but what you're eating-- so no more: eggs, soy, corn, peanuts, oranges, and not too much milk and cheese. Guess what--eczema cleared up. and the Dr. who suggested RAST testing and plenty of other smart moves too.
I officially have the best pediatrician.

2009-05-10T17:48:00.000-07:00

This weekend went to the fabulous FAAN conference (www.foodallergy.org) and heard Hugh Sampson speak on new research toward tolerating foods; a nutrionist that made me certain I need to do a food diary for my child and a wonderful speech by a dad who has been there, done that and gotten the t-shirt!
All in all a great day to network with other parents about socializing, about how to do a food challenge--about how our kids are dealing with new foods and how they are willing to step in and take charge situations all across their lives because they know how to advocate for themselves about their allergies.
Pretty heady stuff-- and seeing old friends and watching the kids gravitate to each other like magnets. It was great-- everyone there is one of us-- with Epi-pens in one hand and a lunchpack in the other-- and it's easy to share the good and the bad and the everyday. I met a woman who has a 2 year old with the same allergies as my 16 year old. Well seeing me--having made it this far--and seeing my kid standing tall next to me, obviously in find health and welfare very nearly overwhelmed her. She was ready to go home and know that all would be OK. very moving.
check out the next conference in your neck of the woods.

2009-05-06T13:00:00.000-07:00

this is the second week my oven is broken. I shouldn't say broken--crippled. I can turn it on for about twenty minutes before it beeps and flashes a code that means I have to turn it off...or it turns itself (!) off...like some alien robot. I never knew I used my oven so much--of course the burners work--otherwise I'd be crippled-- but the oven. What about roasted zucchini and peppers; what about a roast chicken (FYI I forgot and started one, then when *F3* started flashing, I turned off oven and put chicken in huge stockpot with carrots and onions. I turned the flame up pretty high and tilted the pot top so air escaped--and cooked that chicken. Before serving I put in the oven again for about twenty minutes...just the time it took for my alien robot oven to shut off again. The chicken was browned and nicely juicy and cooked....but I was worn out!
so I continue to be ovenless--for anything over twenty minutes.

2009-04-30T19:11:00.000-07:00

hey all of you out there--it's 10PM and not only do I know where my children are--I'm still cooking!!!
Tomorrow's lunch menu will be sliced pork, cooked carrotts, and brown rice bread with an applesauce and an energy bar for afternoon sports... the bread mix is new, and never gets unsoggy in the middle so I have to brown it in the broiler every morning before it pops in the lunch pack. what happened to Orgran Quick White Bread??? I loved that--so easy and never even needed egg substitutes. I am not a "let's go in the kitchen and bake some bread" kind of gal--so that Quick Mix was awesome for me...oh well...
gotta get the pork off the stove.

2009-04-22T17:28:00.000-07:00

Went to a terrific food allergy luncheon today--that is a luncheon to raise money for a food allergy organization. Five hundred women--mostly--in the same room all for a common cause. Very moving and made me feel very Helen Reddy: I am Woman, hear me roar.
also, the sheer number of people there connected to someone with a food allergy really brings into sharper focus the rise in food allergies in the last 15-20 years. Most of the moms had little kids--and mine's a teenager. The increase is real; I didn't know but a few other food allergic families--and now there were 500 in one room. Granted this was in support of an organization, but the numbers are growing. And, the vast difference between now and when I had a young 'un is awareness. The public at large is more aware of food allergies (and the danger of them) than even 10 years ago. Thank goodness.
So, I will think on this large network that's out there, ready to raise awareness even more through education and ready to reach out a hand to help.

2009-04-17T07:50:00.000-07:00

hope everyone's well out there. Just been thinking about the phenomenon that I call the "cold food" phenom. I am so happy sometimes that a camp/school/party can feed my kid, that I don't ask for them to do the nice things--like heat up the food I send-- or vary the menu from chicken and rice. I accept what's offered and don't push, because so often there's nothing offered. I'll hang up the phone and realize that I just OKayed a cold meal right from the pack I sent --because so often things do NOT go as you have carefully planned.
on the other hand, we went to dinner at family this week--and the cook called about all the ingredients, made only food my kid could eat and lots of variety--so I guess the moral is, take the good with the cold.

2009-04-01T18:13:00.000-07:00

Been reading a few articles about food allergies, and while I like that food allergies are in the media, the slant that many of the pieces take is too negative for me. "oh woe is me" is not my kind of attitude. I surely know the extra effort food allergies take --with travel or for school and the stress food allergies add to everyday life. Call me Pollyanna here, but life is good. Spring comes, flowers bloom (alright so that comes with itchy eyes and runny noses...) our kids are learning to fend for themselves and we are more creative in our approach to life. see ya soon.

2009-03-09T19:25:00.000-07:00

I just made another rocking cake--with a gluten free cake mix and egg replacer (I like Orgran). Went over big as a Monday night dessert. And, being a NYer, I was happy to read that restaurants in NY will now have posters with the six major allergens/pictures and exhort cooks and servers alike to respect food allergies-- I think Ming Tsai had a hand in this, so a shout out to him!

2009-02-23T06:16:00.000-08:00

It's been while--you now how it is, life gets busy. I've been a boring cook these days and am trying to spice it up with different combinations of the foods I know--so instead of chickn thighs with garlic--I've added sliced hot or sweet Italian sausage--that went over big for dinner.
I have tried a few different cuts of meat too--did not like the chuck pot roast I got--too fatty and even when cooked for four hours, tough. But I liked "kebob" chunks--which are like first cut stew meat but in larger chunks--not a bad price tag either. And those I simply simmered with onions and garlic and salt and pepper over rice with some greens. That made a nice change from stew or meatloaf.
Also I made a great three layer birthday cake for my teen. Did I mention I am not a very good baker-- Three layers because without eggs the rice flour doesn't rise too high--and anyway who doesn't like that much frosting. Guests and all family liked it (witness second helpings) and I was pleased because aside from the thorny issue of how to get layers on top of one another without breaking --Any help out there???-- it looked, tasted great and wasn't too tough to make.

2009-01-26T05:55:00.000-08:00

weathered a few storms this week. class trip --lots of preparing foods, but the director of food services (lots of emails to him too!) was great and my teen got the meals I cooked, served hot on a plate with the other kids--you all know what a victory that is. I made lunches and dinners, put each meal in a zippered plastic baggie and labelled it with a name, meal time and school name (just in case). The biggest challenge was the third day when lunch was on the bus--thank goodness for prosciutto--stays delicious while refrigerated or not. that and individual applesauces. whew.

And and overnight debate trip that only meant two meals to store. What I think is a riot is on Sunday, we were going out to lunch with old friends who suggested a burger and fries place which is great for us--easy to eat a burger without bun and fries were purportedly great. Well my teen --who with the debate group had gone to a TGIFridays at midnight and ordered a burger and fries--my teen went nuts about how possibly unsafe the lunch place was (I had asked about dedicated fryers) and how it's tough to try a new place!!! Ah the teenage years.

I was glad about the "Fridays " dinner-- spontaneity is what is so hard with allergies --and the camaraderie of it. I suppose I should have anticipated the spillover anxiety/ tiredness the next day. Live and learn . Hope all's well out there with you.

2009-01-21T09:04:00.000-08:00

Well it's sumertime again--just kidding, but it is time to investigate summer programs for teens and just when one sounded really fun--friends going, fun program--whammo. The program can't provide meals for food allergies. Usually I would try to figure out a way, but this administrator was honest and honestly did not feel that the meals would work out well or safely, and I felt that a teenager shouldn't have all the responsibility of making meals or finding food--it's summer for pete's sake. So I hung up the phone feeling crushed. I felt angry that I had not called before my teen got interested-- that would have saved some heartache. Lots of anger --frustration--disappointment followed.
We always say that allergies shouldn't define these kids, shouldn't stop them from doing things,. Well, in reality, the allergies CAN redirect them, CAN even stop them in their tracks.

2008-11-23T18:38:00.000-08:00

Well Thanksgiving is around the corner and am busy making lists of what to get and what to do. Thanksgiving is possibly my favorite holiday, with people around the table with lots of good (and safe) food and laughter. We are having a cake for a 100th birthday and pies that my son can't eat.(wheat eggs dairy) But he is fine with that and I will make a couple of pies that are good for him, and good to share.
I made a great corn bread from a mix--but I changed what to put it in--two "eggs"(replacer) instead of one. and oil instead of the butter/margarine--I find that in quick bread and muffins adding oil instead of the shortening makes the item more moist and less likely to crumble . With a table laden with delicious food, I am so thankful for my bounty--happy thanksgiving all.

2008-11-02T14:04:00.000-08:00

so i am ready to go live with this website and i'm a little nervous how it will be received by friends and family. So take a look around and let me know what you find and don't find and what you think--thanks,
I really want to start a thread about NOT finding food in places like theme parks and hotels and other large venues that should have something as a go-to-last-resort type food, so that if you run out you can find something.

camp days

2008-07-28T07:30:00.000-07:00

welcome to the food allergy works blog--I imagined this as a place to share information and rants--today I am happy that the word from my son on the camp food has been ok. The kitchen staff make it specially for him and plate it for him and he goes up to the serving line to get it. He has never minded eating different food from everyone else, but has sometimes felt unsafe--not here. so that's great.