Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks (gluten free!) and a contest
One of the Little Man's favorite snacks is fruit snacks. He.love.these.things. Did you know that Betty Crocker has gluten free fruit snacks? Although I may not be thrilled with the dyes in the fruit snacks, I am so grateful for something safe that he can eat that comes from the regular grocery and that I can tell non allergy moms about. A few times this year a really caring mom has called me to ask what she can bring to school for a birthday snack for the Little Man. These snacks are on the top of my list.
Betty Crocker contacted me to ask me if I (really the boys) would try some new snacks (yes, they sent me a FREE package of fruit snacks {giving a wave to the FTC}). The Little Man was highly excited. His reaction on Halloween made us a little leery of gummie type snacks but he's always eaten Betty Crocker snacks with no issue so we let him have these over the weekend. He had NO issues with the Betty Crocker snacks (thank goodness!). And both boys gave two thumbs up to the fruit snacks.
Along with the fruit snacks, BC sent some really neat toys that the boys have enjoyed. The light up yo you was their favorite.
The package included the following:
There are 2 boxes of gluten free fruit snacks, a Frisbee, a retro Pick ‘em Up Sticks game, and a light-up yo-yo. For more information on other allergens you can go
here.
The nice people at Betty Crocker have also offered the same package for me to give away. So I'm having a contest to give away the above package. Just leave your name and e-mail address in comments here on the blog and I will announce a winner on Saturday.
Betty Crocker contacted me to ask me if I (really the boys) would try some new snacks (yes, they sent me a FREE package of fruit snacks {giving a wave to the FTC}). The Little Man was highly excited. His reaction on Halloween made us a little leery of gummie type snacks but he's always eaten Betty Crocker snacks with no issue so we let him have these over the weekend. He had NO issues with the Betty Crocker snacks (thank goodness!). And both boys gave two thumbs up to the fruit snacks.
Along with the fruit snacks, BC sent some really neat toys that the boys have enjoyed. The light up yo you was their favorite.
The package included the following:
There are 2 boxes of gluten free fruit snacks, a Frisbee, a retro Pick ‘em Up Sticks game, and a light-up yo-yo. For more information on other allergens you can go
here.
The nice people at Betty Crocker have also offered the same package for me to give away. So I'm having a contest to give away the above package. Just leave your name and e-mail address in comments here on the blog and I will announce a winner on Saturday.
Labels: Betty Crocker, contest, Food Allergies, fruit snacks, gluten free
Monday, November 09, 2009
I survived swine flu 2009
I need a shirt or a bumper sticker. When I last left you, the Little Man had strep throat. By the end of the week, the rest of us got knocked down by H1N1. Today is my first day out of bed since Friday. My husband didn't go to work Thursday or Friday and anyone who knows him knows that this is so not like him. He'd drag his deathbed into the office if he could. He's very dedicated. But someone in his office recently had a baby and once he started not feeling well, he realized that it was going to be bad and he didn't want to give to the baby. Older Boy went down fighting also. But he lost the fight and is still home from school today. I took him to the pediatrician because he is still coughing and he also has a double ear infection and a sinus infection.
So I'm very behind in everything. Except that I started to get my Thanksgiving and Christmas recipes together. Food Allergies keep the holidays interesting, so since the flu confined me to bed for 3 days I had nothing better to do except watch trash TV (Those crazy Housewives and ANTM kept me company) and catch up on my magazine reading. Thanks to all my back issues, I've got lots of new recipes to try out this holiday season and most involve cheese (surprise, surprise).
Speaking of cheese (my usual fat catalyst), who gains 4 pounds with H1N1? Yea, that'd be me. How the heck did that happen?? I was and still am nauseous, but potato chips were my friend and my main food group. They lessened the nausea. Chips should be banned...from the world.
I really hope that this takes care of our flu/H1N1 for the 2009/2010 season. Once you get it, can you get it again? And the total irony is that I signed us up on line for the H1N1 vac. I signed us up Wednesday night, and we fell down with it on Thursday. Go figure.
But we are recovering and I took down the "caution tape" and the Hazmat tent that surrounded our house. The mailman can stop throwing our packages in the bushes and running like heck (oh yea, he does that anyway).
So I'm very behind in everything. Except that I started to get my Thanksgiving and Christmas recipes together. Food Allergies keep the holidays interesting, so since the flu confined me to bed for 3 days I had nothing better to do except watch trash TV (Those crazy Housewives and ANTM kept me company) and catch up on my magazine reading. Thanks to all my back issues, I've got lots of new recipes to try out this holiday season and most involve cheese (surprise, surprise).
Speaking of cheese (my usual fat catalyst), who gains 4 pounds with H1N1? Yea, that'd be me. How the heck did that happen?? I was and still am nauseous, but potato chips were my friend and my main food group. They lessened the nausea. Chips should be banned...from the world.
I really hope that this takes care of our flu/H1N1 for the 2009/2010 season. Once you get it, can you get it again? And the total irony is that I signed us up on line for the H1N1 vac. I signed us up Wednesday night, and we fell down with it on Thursday. Go figure.
But we are recovering and I took down the "caution tape" and the Hazmat tent that surrounded our house. The mailman can stop throwing our packages in the bushes and running like heck (oh yea, he does that anyway).
Labels: Flu, H1N1, recovering, Swine Flu
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
WEGO Health webinar tomorrow: Join us
Join us on Wednesday, November 4th for an exclusive, Health Activist-only event: "When to See a Reproductive Endocrinologist: 7 Key Factors".
Our speaker, Dr. Glenn Schatmman of Cornell University, is one of the country's leading reproductive endocrinologists.
Health Activist participants will gain:
- Valuable insight to help women online to make informed decisions
- In-depth medical updates - usually reserved for physicians - about the factors that all TTC women should consider
- Exclusive direct access to Dr. Schattman during our live Q&A session
This event is free and made possible by one of WEGO Health's sponsors.
We'll be offering this one-hour webinar at four different times on Wednesday, November 4th: Noon, 4PM, 6PM and 9PM (please note: all times are Eastern Standard Time)
Earn $5 for RESOLVE:
WEGO Health is always looking to improve the quality of our Health Activist events. To help us incorporate your ideas and feedback into later programs, WEGO Health will invite all webinar attendees to participate in a brief follow-up survey.
For every attendee who completes this short survey, WEGO Health will make a $5 donation to RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. Your time helps us learn where we can improve and helps RESOLVE reach more families coping with infertility.
To receive your invite to this exclusive event, please complete this brief survey: Fertility Webinar Survey.
A member of the WEGO Health team will email you if you qualify for this event.
Please contact us at community@wegohealth.com if you have any questions about attending "When to See a Reproductive Endocrinologist: 7 Key Factors".
Labels: Wego Health
Monday, November 02, 2009
A quick update
I took the Little Man to the pediatrician today. He woke up screaming last night because his throat hurt and he had hives on his hand again:(
They did a strep test and he's positive. And as they put it, "He's not a little positive, it came back full blown".
I asked that ER doc on Saturday to do a strep test and he said "Nope, no need to. He's fine". This was after a 2 second peek in his throat. Now I wish I would have demanded one. He could have been on antibiotics for 24 hours already.
The pediatrician said her first thought on the hives is that they were caused by the strep. That was my first thought when it happened (viral hives)because he hadn't been feeling well but he did eat the candy and then they just appeared. Also, he was sneezing more and lots and lots of "stuff" was coming out of his nose that wasn't coming out before. Maybe a combo of both? I don't think we'll ever really know what caused the reaction. Lynda from Kids with Food Allergies was kind enough to send me information on where I can send the candy to have it tested for allergens. I think I'll be doing that.... just to see.
But he's better now. He's on antibiotics and Orapred (oh why oh why the steroids??? He's like the energizer bunny on speed...) and Zyrtec.
Now I'm just waiting for the older one to fall. You know it's coming...
I'm cleaning the whole house with hydrogen peroxide trying to stave off the inevitable.
They did a strep test and he's positive. And as they put it, "He's not a little positive, it came back full blown".
I asked that ER doc on Saturday to do a strep test and he said "Nope, no need to. He's fine". This was after a 2 second peek in his throat. Now I wish I would have demanded one. He could have been on antibiotics for 24 hours already.
The pediatrician said her first thought on the hives is that they were caused by the strep. That was my first thought when it happened (viral hives)because he hadn't been feeling well but he did eat the candy and then they just appeared. Also, he was sneezing more and lots and lots of "stuff" was coming out of his nose that wasn't coming out before. Maybe a combo of both? I don't think we'll ever really know what caused the reaction. Lynda from Kids with Food Allergies was kind enough to send me information on where I can send the candy to have it tested for allergens. I think I'll be doing that.... just to see.
But he's better now. He's on antibiotics and Orapred (oh why oh why the steroids??? He's like the energizer bunny on speed...) and Zyrtec.
Now I'm just waiting for the older one to fall. You know it's coming...
I'm cleaning the whole house with hydrogen peroxide trying to stave off the inevitable.
Labels: Food Allergies, sick baby, strep
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Halloween in the ER
Ah Halloween, Thank Goodness It's Over! What a nightmare.
Like I said in the previous post, the Little Man hasn't been feeling 100%. We let him Trick or Treat at just a few houses and really *most* of the candy he got was safe. I gave him all safe candy [or so I assumed] and so did one other neighbor who has a child with a peanut allergy.
He's not allowed to eat anything until he gets home and we check it. My candy and the neighbors candy are in "gift bags" so it doesn't touch anything else. Because he wasn't feeling well, we told him he could eat ONE thing and he picked Starburst Gummibursts from my bag. He had these once before and I double checked the ingredients with the company.
But things started to go down hill. His nose got clogged even more than it was. And he became very itchy. I checked his skin and it looked really dry (not unusual for him) so I put on some Vanicream. Then I noticed that some of the dry skin started to look raised. In a matter of minutes he was covered in full body hives (neck to toes). I gave him 2 tsp. of Benadryl but after a minute or two it didn't seem to be working. Things weren't escalating, but they weren't getting any better either. So off to the ER we went.
I rode in the backseat of the car sandwiched between 2 booster seats with EPI Pen in hand just in case his breathing became affected, but his breathing was fine and we kept telling stories on the way there to keep him talking so we could gauge his voice and breathing.
The first thing they did was check oxygen levels and his oxygen levels were perfect so thankfully his breathing wasn't affected. The ER didn't give him a shot either. But they did give him Orapred (steroid) to help the Benadryl along. And he and his brother got cherry Popsicles as a treat for being in the ER on Halloween (and surprisingly it was quiet for Halloween and a Saturday night).
So we are home. And he's much better hive-wise. He still isn't feeling well. He's got a virus that is messing with his digestive system. I asked the ER doc if he thought the hives could have been viral hives, but he said no. We had him check his throat and it doesn't look like strep. And his ears did look red, but that could have been from the reaction and not an ear infection so we have a script for antibiotics "just in case" he starts complaining of ear pain.
He keeps asking for candy this morning, but the answer there is NO WAY!! I'm terrified to give him anything. The candy he ate should have been safe. I checked it out and the ingredients appear to be safe (the ER doc read it and thought so too). So what caused this? Mystery ingredient? Even though he washed his hands after Trick or Treating was there a residue that got on the candy and cross contaminated it when he ate it? Next year's Halloween will have to be handled differently for sure. I'm thinking that he's going to wear gloves (because he doesn't listen when we tell him not to touch anything), and the candy he gets goes right in the trash and I'll swap it out for money. Then he can go to the store and buy something. Maybe Older Boy will like that idea too and that will cut down on the candy we have in the house.
Before ER:
ER on Halloween:
(he's trying to wave but is exhausted)
Hope your Halloween was less eventful~
Like I said in the previous post, the Little Man hasn't been feeling 100%. We let him Trick or Treat at just a few houses and really *most* of the candy he got was safe. I gave him all safe candy [or so I assumed] and so did one other neighbor who has a child with a peanut allergy.
He's not allowed to eat anything until he gets home and we check it. My candy and the neighbors candy are in "gift bags" so it doesn't touch anything else. Because he wasn't feeling well, we told him he could eat ONE thing and he picked Starburst Gummibursts from my bag. He had these once before and I double checked the ingredients with the company.
But things started to go down hill. His nose got clogged even more than it was. And he became very itchy. I checked his skin and it looked really dry (not unusual for him) so I put on some Vanicream. Then I noticed that some of the dry skin started to look raised. In a matter of minutes he was covered in full body hives (neck to toes). I gave him 2 tsp. of Benadryl but after a minute or two it didn't seem to be working. Things weren't escalating, but they weren't getting any better either. So off to the ER we went.
I rode in the backseat of the car sandwiched between 2 booster seats with EPI Pen in hand just in case his breathing became affected, but his breathing was fine and we kept telling stories on the way there to keep him talking so we could gauge his voice and breathing.
The first thing they did was check oxygen levels and his oxygen levels were perfect so thankfully his breathing wasn't affected. The ER didn't give him a shot either. But they did give him Orapred (steroid) to help the Benadryl along. And he and his brother got cherry Popsicles as a treat for being in the ER on Halloween (and surprisingly it was quiet for Halloween and a Saturday night).
So we are home. And he's much better hive-wise. He still isn't feeling well. He's got a virus that is messing with his digestive system. I asked the ER doc if he thought the hives could have been viral hives, but he said no. We had him check his throat and it doesn't look like strep. And his ears did look red, but that could have been from the reaction and not an ear infection so we have a script for antibiotics "just in case" he starts complaining of ear pain.
He keeps asking for candy this morning, but the answer there is NO WAY!! I'm terrified to give him anything. The candy he ate should have been safe. I checked it out and the ingredients appear to be safe (the ER doc read it and thought so too). So what caused this? Mystery ingredient? Even though he washed his hands after Trick or Treating was there a residue that got on the candy and cross contaminated it when he ate it? Next year's Halloween will have to be handled differently for sure. I'm thinking that he's going to wear gloves (because he doesn't listen when we tell him not to touch anything), and the candy he gets goes right in the trash and I'll swap it out for money. Then he can go to the store and buy something. Maybe Older Boy will like that idea too and that will cut down on the candy we have in the house.
Before ER:
ER on Halloween:
(he's trying to wave but is exhausted)
Hope your Halloween was less eventful~
Labels: ER, Food Allergies, Food Allergy, Halloween 2009, reaction
Saturday, October 31, 2009
This past week has been a blur
I can't believe it's Saturday and the week is behind us. I have no idea what I actually got done this past week but I know it was a lot and I went through it all at about 70 MPH with no rear view mirror. I had projects at the school Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. That really threw me off and left me with little time for anything else. Throw in work, kids activities, getting ready for Halloween, a smidgen of laundry (I'm so behind!), cooking and I guess that was my week. I logged into bloglines yesterday for the first time since last week and had 576 feeds. I may not have commented, but I did skim/read all of you (call it speed reading and cherry picking).
Yesterday around 11:30 am I was baking cookies so that the Little Man would have a treat at his school Halloween party, putting together the Boo BINGO game that I was in charge of for his class, getting the prizes in bags, and trying to get the candy ready for trick or treating in our neighborhood when I got the call that the Little Man vomited in school again and I had to go get him. I hadn't even showered yet (Nice! The song "I feel pretty, oh so pretty..." kept going through my head"). So I packed up the Halloween game and gifts to leave for the class, picked up the Little Man and came home to frantically dial for back up for the Halloween party. Luckily I found a mom that was able to fill in for me.
So I guess that means I really only worked at the school Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (I feel like I should be on the payroll - lol).
Tonight is Trick or Treating in our neighborhood. The Little Man is hoping he feels better enough to go. I hope so too but I'm trying to convince him that it's "totally cool" to stay home with mom and hand out candy. I'm not sure he's buying it, but he still looks like he might be swayed. It's great when they are little enough to still think that you know everything. He's 5 and he still thinks I know everything. His Older Brother is 7 and he looks at me like I have 3 heads and am the dumbest woman on the planet. Believe me... I don't have 3 heads.
Oh I also forgot to mention that I'm planning a corporate Christmas party for 35 at our house. Yes, AT.OUR.HOUSE. Can you say "Highly Stressed"? So I'll take any tips or suggestions you might have on party planning too. Anything. Throw me a bone, won't you?
So with all that updating, I'll leave you some photos. The photos from Thursday's field trip of the Halloween program at the Alzheimer's care facility are still in my camera but I'll bore you with these instead:
Corn maze at the pumpkin/apple farm
Children of the corn
The Halloween parade that the Little Man should have been in too (if not for the whole up-chucking thing). Sent from Hubs Blackberry. Mine is technically the 3rd child in the pic although it looks like the 2nd (looks like he's behind the lady bug but someone else is hidden behind her or she has 3 legs). He's the scary gray dude, AKA bloody zombie.
And lastly, Commander Fox and bloody zombie from last weeks Halloween party
If you made it this far, thanks for still reading.
Happy Halloween!!!
Yesterday around 11:30 am I was baking cookies so that the Little Man would have a treat at his school Halloween party, putting together the Boo BINGO game that I was in charge of for his class, getting the prizes in bags, and trying to get the candy ready for trick or treating in our neighborhood when I got the call that the Little Man vomited in school again and I had to go get him. I hadn't even showered yet (Nice! The song "I feel pretty, oh so pretty..." kept going through my head"). So I packed up the Halloween game and gifts to leave for the class, picked up the Little Man and came home to frantically dial for back up for the Halloween party. Luckily I found a mom that was able to fill in for me.
So I guess that means I really only worked at the school Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (I feel like I should be on the payroll - lol).
Tonight is Trick or Treating in our neighborhood. The Little Man is hoping he feels better enough to go. I hope so too but I'm trying to convince him that it's "totally cool" to stay home with mom and hand out candy. I'm not sure he's buying it, but he still looks like he might be swayed. It's great when they are little enough to still think that you know everything. He's 5 and he still thinks I know everything. His Older Brother is 7 and he looks at me like I have 3 heads and am the dumbest woman on the planet. Believe me... I don't have 3 heads.
Oh I also forgot to mention that I'm planning a corporate Christmas party for 35 at our house. Yes, AT.OUR.HOUSE. Can you say "Highly Stressed"? So I'll take any tips or suggestions you might have on party planning too. Anything. Throw me a bone, won't you?
So with all that updating, I'll leave you some photos. The photos from Thursday's field trip of the Halloween program at the Alzheimer's care facility are still in my camera but I'll bore you with these instead:
Corn maze at the pumpkin/apple farm
Children of the corn
The Halloween parade that the Little Man should have been in too (if not for the whole up-chucking thing). Sent from Hubs Blackberry. Mine is technically the 3rd child in the pic although it looks like the 2nd (looks like he's behind the lady bug but someone else is hidden behind her or she has 3 legs). He's the scary gray dude, AKA bloody zombie.
And lastly, Commander Fox and bloody zombie from last weeks Halloween party
If you made it this far, thanks for still reading.
Happy Halloween!!!
Labels: busy week, Happy Halloween, Illness, ramblings of a crazed momma
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wheat Allergy Alert from FAAN
WHEAT ALLERGY ALERT
October 29, 2009
Pinnacle Foods Group LLC is recalling “ARMOUR Chili with Beans, Original” due to undeclared wheat.
The product was distributed to retail stores in Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The 15-oz. cans come in a case of six with a plastic over-wrap that incorrectly states the product is "Gluten Free," while the product actually contains wheat. The label bears an “EST. 2AD” number inside the USDA mark of inspection with dates ranging from August 26, 2009 to October 28, 2009.
Consumers with questions may call (800) 253-5882.
October 29, 2009
Pinnacle Foods Group LLC is recalling “ARMOUR Chili with Beans, Original” due to undeclared wheat.
The product was distributed to retail stores in Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The 15-oz. cans come in a case of six with a plastic over-wrap that incorrectly states the product is "Gluten Free," while the product actually contains wheat. The label bears an “EST. 2AD” number inside the USDA mark of inspection with dates ranging from August 26, 2009 to October 28, 2009.
Consumers with questions may call (800) 253-5882.
Labels: Alert, FAAN, Food Allergies, wheat allergy
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