That's the title of this Time article. At least this article provided views from many reputable Allergists. No, I don't want my son to live in a bubble, far from it. But it isn't always easy finding a balance between normal and "food allergy normal". Food allergy parents struggle with what we know and especially with what we don't know. Like all parents, we do the best we can.
My son went to a play date today with out me (with friends of the family that are more than aware of his allergies and what to do to keep him safe). And I signed him up for T-Ball this summer (and the Little Man playing T-Ball is a scary thing by itself. The kid has NO coordination).
So we are trying to make things as normal as possible for him. But that doesn't mean I'd let him go on a field trip to a bread factory just because "all the cool kids are doing it". BALANCE. As with anything in life, balance is key. But like the mother in the article, that doesn't mean I don't wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat scared to death that something might go wrong with our plan. I just keep that fact to myself (or share it with the other 3 people that read this blog).
And for just one example of one of those unforeseen allergy traps, my husband went to visit one of his customers yesterday and they make biodegradable pots for planting similar to these. And what is this pot made out of? WHEAT. So there you go....
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
I find this concept a little bit insulting (Warning: I'm stepping into the pulpit on this one)
I get the concept, I do. But I find the logic behind it a bit insulting to women. What am I talking about?
This article in the NYT about how Frito Lay is going to market 100 cal. packs of baked chips only to women.
What do I find insulting? Well, the whole concept really. It's playing on a woman's need to feel thin. They can put lipstick on the "skinny pig" all they want and try to call it the "healthy pig" but Frito Lay isn't fooling anyone. They aren't expecting women to eat these because they want to be healthy, they expect women to eat these because they want to be thin (i.e. societies ideal of thin). They say so themselves:
If a woman wants a healthy snack she's going to eat fruit, low fat cheese, yogurt, nuts, etc. You can package it anyway you want to, but even baked chips aren't a healthy snack. They may be a better alternative, but they certainly aren't "healthy". And believe me, I'm the Queen of Chips so I'm not knocking potato chips (since I have no control, I gave them up for Lent). I'm just saying that this is another marketing ploy that on surface seems good, but really isn't helping anyone lose weight or stay healthy. Remember when SnackWells first came out? Oh baby, did I eat those. They were marketed as "diet food" right? And I gained weight.
For me the biggest insult came from the ad campaign. You can go to the article to see all of the current campaigns in the works, but here is the one that really got me:
Are you kidding me? Are all middle aged mom's supposed be stick skinny with perky girls? That is just not realistic and a bag of baked chips isn't going to help me achieve that. At this point, the only thing that is going to make me look like Cindy Crawford (back in the day) is Dr. Rey. And I'm not willing to go there (....yet). The fact they used Cindy Crawford proves that they are marketing to the 35 year old and up crowd. What 20 year old even knows who Cindy is?
I've worked in marketing, and I understand where they are coming from with this campaign. But as a woman, I think it just continues to perpetuate the stereotypes that many women fight so hard to break. We can't all be 20, we can't all be thin, and we can't all be Super Models. We need to learn to be healthy and happy with who we are and what we look like.
Want to lose weight and be healthy? Forget the chips and read this.
This article in the NYT about how Frito Lay is going to market 100 cal. packs of baked chips only to women.
What do I find insulting? Well, the whole concept really. It's playing on a woman's need to feel thin. They can put lipstick on the "skinny pig" all they want and try to call it the "healthy pig" but Frito Lay isn't fooling anyone. They aren't expecting women to eat these because they want to be healthy, they expect women to eat these because they want to be thin (i.e. societies ideal of thin). They say so themselves:
It has researched women’s feelings about snacking and guilt to produce new packaging, new flavors and a new ad campaign, all in an effort to get women to eat Frito-Lay snackAnd why do we feel guilty? Because society tells us that we should be thin and snacking will make you fat.
If a woman wants a healthy snack she's going to eat fruit, low fat cheese, yogurt, nuts, etc. You can package it anyway you want to, but even baked chips aren't a healthy snack. They may be a better alternative, but they certainly aren't "healthy". And believe me, I'm the Queen of Chips so I'm not knocking potato chips (since I have no control, I gave them up for Lent). I'm just saying that this is another marketing ploy that on surface seems good, but really isn't helping anyone lose weight or stay healthy. Remember when SnackWells first came out? Oh baby, did I eat those. They were marketed as "diet food" right? And I gained weight.
For me the biggest insult came from the ad campaign. You can go to the article to see all of the current campaigns in the works, but here is the one that really got me:
In one of the webisodes, two of the women stand with a swimsuit saleswoman, who is reviewing a chart of what bikini works on women with different body types — a trope familiar to readers of women’s magazine summer issues.
“Where’s the one that takes a middle-aged mom with some unwanted bulges and a chest that’s seen perkier days and makes her look like Cindy Crawford?” a character asks.
The saleswoman removes her glasses and says, dryly, “I’m not seeing that one.”
Are you kidding me? Are all middle aged mom's supposed be stick skinny with perky girls? That is just not realistic and a bag of baked chips isn't going to help me achieve that. At this point, the only thing that is going to make me look like Cindy Crawford (back in the day) is Dr. Rey. And I'm not willing to go there (....yet). The fact they used Cindy Crawford proves that they are marketing to the 35 year old and up crowd. What 20 year old even knows who Cindy is?
I've worked in marketing, and I understand where they are coming from with this campaign. But as a woman, I think it just continues to perpetuate the stereotypes that many women fight so hard to break. We can't all be 20, we can't all be thin, and we can't all be Super Models. We need to learn to be healthy and happy with who we are and what we look like.
Want to lose weight and be healthy? Forget the chips and read this.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Keepin' it healthy
I've read so much great "health, food news" today that I thought I would compile my favorites and put them here. They aren't really allergy related, but they apply to everyone.
13 things your grocer won't tell you - Just last week I reached way back for the milk. I felt a little sheepish, but I got a much better date than what was up front.
10 ways to save money on groceries - OK, coupons. I get it. I'll make the effort.
Worst healthy foods in the grocery store: This video was soooo interesting. I would have blown the very thing they showed. I never think to check sugar.
I'm off to put together this weeks grocery list. I just need to dig Sunday's paper out of the recycle bin for the coupons.
13 things your grocer won't tell you - Just last week I reached way back for the milk. I felt a little sheepish, but I got a much better date than what was up front.
10 ways to save money on groceries - OK, coupons. I get it. I'll make the effort.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Worst healthy foods in the grocery store: This video was soooo interesting. I would have blown the very thing they showed. I never think to check sugar.
I'm off to put together this weeks grocery list. I just need to dig Sunday's paper out of the recycle bin for the coupons.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Simple tricks to use when baking for someone with food allergies
Substitution tips for allergy baking from Health.com.
I've used some of these tricks for years. But they say it better than I could. I take a "normal recipe" and allergenize it by doing some of these things.
Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't depending on how much substituting you are doing, but most of the time something homemade and edible is the finished product.
Food allergies don't have to be an end to sweet gooey lovin from the oven. You just need to get creative and step outside of the white flour box.
For some of my own allergenized recipes see here
And for more food allergy cooking and baking see:
Yummy Allergen Free
Speedbump Kitchen
The Food Allergy Mama
The Good Eatah
Gluten Free Girl's recipe index
Sure Foods Living
The W.h.o.l.e. Gang
Go Dairy Free
Karina's Kitchen - recipes from a gluten free goddess
OK, that should get you started. Go Bake Something!! And Enjoy :)
I've used some of these tricks for years. But they say it better than I could. I take a "normal recipe" and allergenize it by doing some of these things.
Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't depending on how much substituting you are doing, but most of the time something homemade and edible is the finished product.
Food allergies don't have to be an end to sweet gooey lovin from the oven. You just need to get creative and step outside of the white flour box.
For some of my own allergenized recipes see here
And for more food allergy cooking and baking see:
Yummy Allergen Free
Speedbump Kitchen
The Food Allergy Mama
The Good Eatah
Gluten Free Girl's recipe index
Sure Foods Living
The W.h.o.l.e. Gang
Go Dairy Free
Karina's Kitchen - recipes from a gluten free goddess
OK, that should get you started. Go Bake Something!! And Enjoy :)
Monday, February 23, 2009
MPM
I made up my menu last week before I went grocery shopping and I totally forgot that Lent starts this week.
I've had to change the menu all around because this Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and for those of us that are Catholic, we practice strict abstinence and fasting.
So....
Thursday - Taco's
Friday - Sushi and bleu cheese stuffed olives that I picked up at the grocery store (I left at 6:30pm and didn't get home until 8 pm - no cooking for Hubs and I)
Saturday - Hubs and I went out to eat and the kids had hamburgers and green beans
Sunday - Crispy oven baked chicken and peas
Monday - Ham sandwiches and cheesy potatoes
Tuesday - Happy Mardis Gras: Slow Cooker Fire Cracker Chili
Wednesday - I've got nothing planned here. The kids do not fast but none of us eat meat on this day. Maybe Vegetable stir fry? We shall see...
For more Menu Plan Monday head over to Laura's
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Flying with food allergies
Elizabeth Landau shares an experience she had flying with nut allergies. And it wasn't a good experience. The whole article makes me sad, but the part that really got me was when the attendant
How is that acceptable? We don't ask handicapped people to travel another way because they "may inconvenience everyone else". No, as a society we've made accommodations for them. At the very least the flight attendant could have at least have been understanding.
When it comes to food allergies and flying I just can't comprehend the lack of understanding and education.
I'm sure that Ms. Landau did all of the right things that a food allergy passenger should do to keep herself safe.
For information on what you can do, Go to:
Flying Allergic from Allergic Living Magazine
Flying with a child with food allergies
Flying with food allergies from FAAN (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network)
(Thanks to Allergy Notes for the hat tip on this article).
questioned why I would be flying at all if I had such a problem.
How is that acceptable? We don't ask handicapped people to travel another way because they "may inconvenience everyone else". No, as a society we've made accommodations for them. At the very least the flight attendant could have at least have been understanding.
When it comes to food allergies and flying I just can't comprehend the lack of understanding and education.
I'm sure that Ms. Landau did all of the right things that a food allergy passenger should do to keep herself safe.
For information on what you can do, Go to:
Flying Allergic from Allergic Living Magazine
Flying with a child with food allergies
Flying with food allergies from FAAN (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network)
(Thanks to Allergy Notes for the hat tip on this article).
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
I think we live on $1500.00 per month
Ok, maybe it isn't that much, but our grocery bills are CRAZY!! I saw this story on Fox News today about a family that is living on a $1500.00 a year budget (actual blog) and I thought "Holy heck! What's her secret"? Well, there is a catch to this. They have been stock piling stuff since July, so they have an arsenal of things that they will be pulling from that will keep them from needing to go to the store, especially for toiletries and household items. But I would like to peruse her blog and try to learn some of her techniques. She uses coupons and weekly flyer's to get items for virtually nothing.
But here is my dilemma:
I am really choosy about the things that I use in my home and I'm not sure I can really save that much money without compromising that. Part of the issue is the Little Man's allergies. There are just not enough coupons to save money on the gluten free, allergy friendly pre-packaged things that he eats. I can't find these things at Sam's Club and I can't use weekly flyer's to find the best deals on them. There just aren't any. Putting that aside, then there are the cleaning products and paper products. Cleaning products: I have been buying things like Method, Seventh Generation or Mrs. Meyers. Most of these products seem to last longer than your typical cleaning products and have less "chemicals" in them. Is it a coincidence that my sons asthma seems better under control since I've stopped using harsh chemicals in the house? Maybe...Probably...I don't know...I'm not sure I want to switch and find out.... Again, not too many coupons out there for these things and you can't get them at Sam's Club. Paper products: This I may be able to compromise on and my husband will be happy. The kids and I have decided that we will only buy paper products from recycled material. Toilet paper, napkins, paper plates: a lot of trees are saved by using recycled paper products but maybe we can compromise on that. Even the kids would love non recycled tissues again.
We do visit Sam's Club (thank you Mom for the membership) for things like canned goods, condiments and toiletries that we use all the time (my husband veto'd the Tom's of Maine tooth paste I tried to switch us to. I liked it but he said NO WAY).
I've also looked into joining a CSA this year. I've contacted 3. One never got back to me, one only takes 3 people and is full and one said there is a meeting this month and they will contact me (hoping to hear something from the 3rd because I'd really like to do this!!). If we are able to join the CSA, it's a lot of money up front but we get fresh, local farm grown fruits and veggies from May-October so there will be no need to go to the grocery for those. Then I've been thinking of buying 1/2 a cow to load up the freezer. At that point, I can almost skip the grocery altogether. Again, a lot of money up front, but I think it would really save us in the long run.
I've also been doing weekly Menu Planning and that has helped and I've been trying to create meals from things I already have in my pantry and freezer (both allrecipes.com and kraftfood.com have recipe sections where you can enter specific ingredients and they will give you recipes to use those items).
So although I'm not seeing any big savings on the groceries at the moment, I'm hoping with a little more work we can knock down what we are spending each month. I don't think I can ever do $1500.00/year. That woman is my hero. But we can do better. And with the economy the way it is, we need to do better. I just need to find a balance between saving and living healthy. The good news is that because of the food allergies we deal with, we spend next to nothing each year on eating out. I guess there is a silver lining in every cloud :O)
Edited to add for more money saving ideas go to:
Money Saving Mom
Affluent Pauper
But here is my dilemma:
I am really choosy about the things that I use in my home and I'm not sure I can really save that much money without compromising that. Part of the issue is the Little Man's allergies. There are just not enough coupons to save money on the gluten free, allergy friendly pre-packaged things that he eats. I can't find these things at Sam's Club and I can't use weekly flyer's to find the best deals on them. There just aren't any. Putting that aside, then there are the cleaning products and paper products. Cleaning products: I have been buying things like Method, Seventh Generation or Mrs. Meyers. Most of these products seem to last longer than your typical cleaning products and have less "chemicals" in them. Is it a coincidence that my sons asthma seems better under control since I've stopped using harsh chemicals in the house? Maybe...Probably...I don't know...I'm not sure I want to switch and find out.... Again, not too many coupons out there for these things and you can't get them at Sam's Club. Paper products: This I may be able to compromise on and my husband will be happy. The kids and I have decided that we will only buy paper products from recycled material. Toilet paper, napkins, paper plates: a lot of trees are saved by using recycled paper products but maybe we can compromise on that. Even the kids would love non recycled tissues again.
We do visit Sam's Club (thank you Mom for the membership) for things like canned goods, condiments and toiletries that we use all the time (my husband veto'd the Tom's of Maine tooth paste I tried to switch us to. I liked it but he said NO WAY).
I've also looked into joining a CSA this year. I've contacted 3. One never got back to me, one only takes 3 people and is full and one said there is a meeting this month and they will contact me (hoping to hear something from the 3rd because I'd really like to do this!!). If we are able to join the CSA, it's a lot of money up front but we get fresh, local farm grown fruits and veggies from May-October so there will be no need to go to the grocery for those. Then I've been thinking of buying 1/2 a cow to load up the freezer. At that point, I can almost skip the grocery altogether. Again, a lot of money up front, but I think it would really save us in the long run.
I've also been doing weekly Menu Planning and that has helped and I've been trying to create meals from things I already have in my pantry and freezer (both allrecipes.com and kraftfood.com have recipe sections where you can enter specific ingredients and they will give you recipes to use those items).
So although I'm not seeing any big savings on the groceries at the moment, I'm hoping with a little more work we can knock down what we are spending each month. I don't think I can ever do $1500.00/year. That woman is my hero. But we can do better. And with the economy the way it is, we need to do better. I just need to find a balance between saving and living healthy. The good news is that because of the food allergies we deal with, we spend next to nothing each year on eating out. I guess there is a silver lining in every cloud :O)
Edited to add for more money saving ideas go to:
Money Saving Mom
Affluent Pauper
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
When all else fails, go shopping....
My credit card is sitting in front of me and it's smoking - lol. Hubs will be none too happy. Actually he won't know because I pay the bills (insert evil laugh here).
When the going gets tough the tough go shopping.
Actually I needed a few things (and I ordered them from here so I'm sure he won't be too mad) and I've also been doing some research on line.
Let's see, what's been going on here:
We have another appliance dying. Oh yes it is. If you've been keeping score that makes: Nov. 07 - Water softener system - died. 2008 - We lost: refrigerator, microwave, vacuum cleaner, pressure washer and now drum roll please.... the dryer is dying. It's on it's last leg. I'm not even sure it has a leg to stand on. The washer was bought at the same time and it has barely been hanging on so I'm currently looking for both because why prolong the pain? I might as well just rip that Band Aid right off now and get that pain over with.
After the Little Man's OT appointment today I stopped in at the place I bought my new microwave at Christmas time just to gauge prices of washers and dryers (Holy Price Tag Heart Attack Batman!) and I've been researching things all day. And let me just say "Thank you Consumer Reports". So far the dryer is still hanging. Even though it sounds like it might blow up and it smells like it's burning, none of those things are happening, so stay tuned for further appliance catastrophes (remember this nightmare?)
And later today I took the Older Son to the doctor because he has not been feeling well since Friday. We thought he was doing better yesterday, but last night he got worse. It turns out he has the flu and a double ear infection :( Poor baby! He's really sick and he is my child that never gets sick. It's hard to see him down.
He's sleeping right now and I hope he sleeps through the night and gets lots of rest. He needs it!
Hopefully everything stays together and healthy at our house from here on out. I'll be keeping the boy home from school the next few days so unless something catches fire (i.e. dryer) and makes good blog fodder I may be scarce the next few days.
When the going gets tough the tough go shopping.
Actually I needed a few things (and I ordered them from here so I'm sure he won't be too mad) and I've also been doing some research on line.
Let's see, what's been going on here:
We have another appliance dying. Oh yes it is. If you've been keeping score that makes: Nov. 07 - Water softener system - died. 2008 - We lost: refrigerator, microwave, vacuum cleaner, pressure washer and now drum roll please.... the dryer is dying. It's on it's last leg. I'm not even sure it has a leg to stand on. The washer was bought at the same time and it has barely been hanging on so I'm currently looking for both because why prolong the pain? I might as well just rip that Band Aid right off now and get that pain over with.
After the Little Man's OT appointment today I stopped in at the place I bought my new microwave at Christmas time just to gauge prices of washers and dryers (Holy Price Tag Heart Attack Batman!) and I've been researching things all day. And let me just say "Thank you Consumer Reports". So far the dryer is still hanging. Even though it sounds like it might blow up and it smells like it's burning, none of those things are happening, so stay tuned for further appliance catastrophes (remember this nightmare?)
And later today I took the Older Son to the doctor because he has not been feeling well since Friday. We thought he was doing better yesterday, but last night he got worse. It turns out he has the flu and a double ear infection :( Poor baby! He's really sick and he is my child that never gets sick. It's hard to see him down.
He's sleeping right now and I hope he sleeps through the night and gets lots of rest. He needs it!
Hopefully everything stays together and healthy at our house from here on out. I'll be keeping the boy home from school the next few days so unless something catches fire (i.e. dryer) and makes good blog fodder I may be scarce the next few days.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Happy Presidents Day and MPM
Happy Presidents Day!
And in case anyone was curious, you can find out facts about Presidents Day here
I missed doing my menu plan last week because things got too busy. I still did one, I just didn't post it. I have one for this week too but due to all the illness at our house, it's been getting changed up a bit.
Thursday: mini bbq turkey meatloaves and corn
Friday: Pasta with sausage and salad
Saturday: Chicken Au Champagne, Brown rice
Sunday: Pizza Day
Monday: Saucy Pan-Roasted Pork Chops over Pasta
Tuesday: Clean up day
Wednesday: Hamburgers
Visit Laura for more MPM!
And in case anyone was curious, you can find out facts about Presidents Day here
I missed doing my menu plan last week because things got too busy. I still did one, I just didn't post it. I have one for this week too but due to all the illness at our house, it's been getting changed up a bit.
Thursday: mini bbq turkey meatloaves and corn
Friday: Pasta with sausage and salad
Saturday: Chicken Au Champagne, Brown rice
Sunday: Pizza Day
Monday: Saucy Pan-Roasted Pork Chops over Pasta
Tuesday: Clean up day
Wednesday: Hamburgers
Visit Laura for more MPM!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
WEGO Health wants YOU
Are you a Health Activist?
WEGO Health is the home of Health Activists - vigorous advocates, avid connectors, daily contributors and social media opinion leaders who bring the expertise of having been there, survived that.
Health Activists are group leaders and forum moderators, bloggers and book authors, coaches and caregivers; a community of people who care deeply about others, with a passion for sharing knowledge and experience for the greater good. We work at large health sites, or for small non-profits; we publish blogs and web sites, or we use free tools; we manage teams of volunteers or we launch businesses; we fill conference halls or our own living rooms.
We don't replace our jobs or blogs or groups with WEGO Health - we come here to connect with each other, and to be empowered to follow our passion. Health Activists make WEGO Health a part of our overscheduled lives because we find what we need: voice to reach more people, access to information we need, the power to create what's missing, and the tools to be more effective.
Head on over to the WEGO Health blog to find out more about WEGO Health and to enter the contest they are having to win a copy of How Doctors Think by Jerome Groopman. But HURRY!! Today is the last day to win this wonderful book. But you can join WEGO Health anytime.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Hey America, welcome to the club
This editorial from the News Observer talks about how the FDA has not followed through with the job they were set up to do: keeping our food safe. This is in response to the recent salmonella outbreak and peanut butter. Those of us dealing with food allergies say "Hello? We've been shouting this from the roof tops for years now and you people have been making fun of us or worse (in some cases, threatening us)". No one should have to eat substandard food. Anyone supplying dangerous products should be held accountable and someone, whether government or private sector, should be out there playing the "food police". Another death was reported in Ohio today due to the outbreak and the owner of the peanut company that did all of this is taking the 5th (that guy better get some jail time for all of this). This is totally unacceptable. No one should die because they ate something bad. Whether the food is rancid or because it's mislabeled, food manufacturers have a responsibility to the public and now someone needs to make them see that. I hope you speak up America. I hope you stop accepting less than you deserve.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
We had an appointment at the allergist
to get the Little Man's asthma and medication reviewed. He's doing well. We can keep his meds the same since things seem to be under control. We also talked about any possible challenges. We reviewed the numbers from his last RAST Test. Every time the doctor sees that the numbers are a 6 (+ 100) for Wheat and 5 (97-rye and 92-barley) he says the same thing "I've just never seen grain numbers this high. It amazes me". Yes, we've drawn the short straw on that one. His egg numbers are quite high too. But the peanut numbers are actually quite low. They are a 2 (or .75). We've never seen a reaction to peanut. We have seen a reaction to egg and wheat. Both were similar: entire body swelling with hives, nose running like someone turned on a faucet and it runs so badly it goes down the back of his throat choking him [and this may or may not be breathing issues - we don't know], projectile vomiting, eyes turn beat red. But we don't know about peanut. Do I want to know if he would react to peanuts? I'm not sure. We talked about doing a possible peanut challenge. It is another protein that could be added to his diet. It's also another allergen that we could possibly stop worrying about. But we decided to wait until after we see the numbers from his yearly Rast test again to see if anything has moved. Nothing has really "moved" with the Little Man except to go UP. We did a milk challenge because we had seen a prior reaction to milk and it was a few hives. The testing and numbers don't predict how strongly he would react to peanut just how likely he is to react. The numbers tell us that for those showing allergic to peanut his likelihood to react is lower, but for all we know, the reaction could still be full blown anaphylaxis. So we'll wait for May to see what this years numbers tell us.
But in the meantime, I'm just happy to have milk back and I'm happy that his asthma is better under control. We've made great strides from where we've come!
(And there was no mention of his tree nut allergy so I guess we are concentrating on one nut at a time).
But in the meantime, I'm just happy to have milk back and I'm happy that his asthma is better under control. We've made great strides from where we've come!
(And there was no mention of his tree nut allergy so I guess we are concentrating on one nut at a time).
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Please tell me it's almost over
The birthday that is. The seven year olds second party starts in about an hour and a half. The family party was yesterday and today is the school friend party. I don't remember this much celebration for my birthday as a kid. Throw in Thursday's school celebration where I brought in cookies and read a book a to the class and this birthday has been a 3-4 day event. I don't think even Oprah's 50th lasted that long. Hubs is sick (literally) and I'm tired (completely) and we need to come up with a better plan for next year. The kids birthday's have taken on a life of their own. I feel like I'm living in this kitchen and it's not over yet. Today's menu is pizza so I've currently got a wheat, rye, barley, oat, egg, dairy (cause he doesn't like it), peanut, and tree nut free pizza cooking for the little guy.
Stick a fork in me, people. I'm DONE. I don't even want to hear the word BIRTHDAY mentioned after today. I'm all birthday'd out.
Stick a fork in me, people. I'm DONE. I don't even want to hear the word BIRTHDAY mentioned after today. I'm all birthday'd out.
Friday, February 06, 2009
You say it's your birthday...
I can't believe my baby turned seven. How did that happen? It seems just like yesterday he was born.
Here you are finally are after 18.5 hours of labor and 5 hours of pushing. Took you long enough to get here!
Around one year old
18 months
Such a cute baby you were. Now you are a handsome big boy.
The birthday boy
Doing what you do best: Tormenting your brother
What ever happened to brotherly love? All we get is WWF Smackdown
It's present time
It's Lego Star Wars (Doesn't shock me a bit. Can you say obsessed?)
And something else for your other obsession, the Wii.
It's Mario Kart
We can't leave little brother out
He got Lego's too. Happy building boys.
Little brother's fever came back and we had to sing Happy Birthday to you in his room.
Make a wish (and I hope it comes true)
The King being fed ice cream in bed
The birthday boys (Lego) lair.
Hope your seventh year is full of happiness, magic and wonder.
We love you son!!
Here you are finally are after 18.5 hours of labor and 5 hours of pushing. Took you long enough to get here!
Around one year old
18 months
Such a cute baby you were. Now you are a handsome big boy.
The birthday boy
Doing what you do best: Tormenting your brother
What ever happened to brotherly love? All we get is WWF Smackdown
It's present time
It's Lego Star Wars (Doesn't shock me a bit. Can you say obsessed?)
And something else for your other obsession, the Wii.
It's Mario Kart
We can't leave little brother out
He got Lego's too. Happy building boys.
Little brother's fever came back and we had to sing Happy Birthday to you in his room.
Make a wish (and I hope it comes true)
The King being fed ice cream in bed
The birthday boys (Lego) lair.
Hope your seventh year is full of happiness, magic and wonder.
We love you son!!
Get your RED on
Today is National Wear Red Day. Are you wearing red??
We are:
A couple of great places to visit today to support your healthy heart is:
Love Your Heart, Wear Red Rally on Facebook
Read more about the Rally and the Wear Red cause at the WEGO Health blog
and visit Go Red for Women
In honor of healthy hearts and wearing red, below are some recipes from American Heart Association Cookbook (I have the 5th addition, but the 7th addition is the new one)
Oh and yes, I will posting these safe for my sons allergies (wheat, rye, barley, oat, egg, peanut and tree nut)
Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
1. 1 cup finely chopped onion
2. 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
3. 1 tsp. grated lime rind
4. 1/4 cup low salt, gluten free soy sauce
5. 1/3 cup sherry
6. 2 Tbs. fresh grated ginger
7. 1/4 cup orange juice concentrate
8. 1 Tbs. sugar
9. 3 cloves garlic, minced
10. 1 Tbs. hot pepper oil
11. 6 chicken legs and 6 chicken thighs (approx. 3 lbs.), skinned, all visible fat removed
12. 1 Tbs. sesame seeds, toasted
Directions
1. In a bowl, combine onion, lime juice, rind, soy sauce, sherry, ginger, orange juice concentrate, sugar, garlic and oil. Set aside.
2. Rinse chicken pieces and pat dry. Arrange in a baking dish and pour lime mixture over all, turning each piece to coat completely. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate several hours or overnight, turning chicken pieces twice during that time.
3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
4. Bake chicken with marinade 35 minutes, or until done. Then broil 5 minutes, turning pieces in cooking juices to maximize flavor. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving (before we knew that my son wasn't allergic to sesame, I left these off and it was just as good).
Serves 6; 2 pieces per serving
Cal 284
protein 33 gm
Carb 9 gm
Chol 99 mg
Sodium 504 mg
total fat 13 gm
Sat fat 3 gm
poly unsat fat 4 gm
momo unsat fat 4 gm
Marinated Flank Steak
Ingredients
1. 2 pounds top sirloin steak, all visible fat removed
2. 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3. 3/4 cup acceptable vegetable oil
4. 3 Tbs. dry white wine (we use vegan wine)
5. 1/2 cup chopped onion
6. 2 Tbs. finely chopped rosemary
7. 2 Tbs. finely chopped sage
8. 1 Tbs. Dijon mustard
9. 3 cloves garlic, mined
10. 1/2 tsp. salt
Directions
1. Place steak in an oblong baking pan and set aside.
2. Combine all other ingredients in small bowl. Pour marinade over steak and turn to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight, turning meat occasionally.
3. Preheat grill. Grill marinated steak over hot coals.
**I've also done this under the broiler and it turns out good too. Just use your broiler pan and line the bottom of the pan with foil for easy clean up.
Serves 6
Cal 429
Protein 25 gm
Carb 1 gm
Chol 67 mg
sodium 272 mg
Total fat 36 gm
Sat fat 7 gm
Poly unsat fat 16 gm
mono unsat fat 10 gm
Enjoy!
Now I'm off to exercise (Although I despise exercise, I'm sure my heart will thank me later)
We are:
A couple of great places to visit today to support your healthy heart is:
Love Your Heart, Wear Red Rally on Facebook
Read more about the Rally and the Wear Red cause at the WEGO Health blog
and visit Go Red for Women
In honor of healthy hearts and wearing red, below are some recipes from American Heart Association Cookbook (I have the 5th addition, but the 7th addition is the new one)
Oh and yes, I will posting these safe for my sons allergies (wheat, rye, barley, oat, egg, peanut and tree nut)
Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
1. 1 cup finely chopped onion
2. 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
3. 1 tsp. grated lime rind
4. 1/4 cup low salt, gluten free soy sauce
5. 1/3 cup sherry
6. 2 Tbs. fresh grated ginger
7. 1/4 cup orange juice concentrate
8. 1 Tbs. sugar
9. 3 cloves garlic, minced
10. 1 Tbs. hot pepper oil
11. 6 chicken legs and 6 chicken thighs (approx. 3 lbs.), skinned, all visible fat removed
12. 1 Tbs. sesame seeds, toasted
Directions
1. In a bowl, combine onion, lime juice, rind, soy sauce, sherry, ginger, orange juice concentrate, sugar, garlic and oil. Set aside.
2. Rinse chicken pieces and pat dry. Arrange in a baking dish and pour lime mixture over all, turning each piece to coat completely. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate several hours or overnight, turning chicken pieces twice during that time.
3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
4. Bake chicken with marinade 35 minutes, or until done. Then broil 5 minutes, turning pieces in cooking juices to maximize flavor. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving (before we knew that my son wasn't allergic to sesame, I left these off and it was just as good).
Serves 6; 2 pieces per serving
Cal 284
protein 33 gm
Carb 9 gm
Chol 99 mg
Sodium 504 mg
total fat 13 gm
Sat fat 3 gm
poly unsat fat 4 gm
momo unsat fat 4 gm
Marinated Flank Steak
Ingredients
1. 2 pounds top sirloin steak, all visible fat removed
2. 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3. 3/4 cup acceptable vegetable oil
4. 3 Tbs. dry white wine (we use vegan wine)
5. 1/2 cup chopped onion
6. 2 Tbs. finely chopped rosemary
7. 2 Tbs. finely chopped sage
8. 1 Tbs. Dijon mustard
9. 3 cloves garlic, mined
10. 1/2 tsp. salt
Directions
1. Place steak in an oblong baking pan and set aside.
2. Combine all other ingredients in small bowl. Pour marinade over steak and turn to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight, turning meat occasionally.
3. Preheat grill. Grill marinated steak over hot coals.
**I've also done this under the broiler and it turns out good too. Just use your broiler pan and line the bottom of the pan with foil for easy clean up.
Serves 6
Cal 429
Protein 25 gm
Carb 1 gm
Chol 67 mg
sodium 272 mg
Total fat 36 gm
Sat fat 7 gm
Poly unsat fat 16 gm
mono unsat fat 10 gm
Enjoy!
Now I'm off to exercise (Although I despise exercise, I'm sure my heart will thank me later)
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Misdiagnosed food allergies?
This article appeared today in the NY Times. It makes a lot of sense. And this is the same reason we did an egg challenge on our son when he was 20 months old. He had tested positive but had never actually eaten eggs. We had to use the EPI on him after one bite so needless to say his was not a false positive. But the only way to know for sure is a food challenge.
There is a discussion on this topic going on at WEGO Health if you'd like to weigh in on this topic.
We'll be discussing a possible peanut challenge with our allergist next week. Will keep everyone posted on that one.
There is a discussion on this topic going on at WEGO Health if you'd like to weigh in on this topic.
We'll be discussing a possible peanut challenge with our allergist next week. Will keep everyone posted on that one.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Happy Groundhog day and MPM
Happy Groundhog day!! (And YAY Steelers!)
This weeks Menu Plan:
Friday: Italian Tuna Melts
Saturday: Tacos
Sunday: Pasta and Sauce with meatballs and sausage
Monday: Left over sauce and pasta with salad
Tuesday: Pizza Pancakes
Wednesday:Baked Chicken with Mashed potatoes and corn
Thursday: Hot dogs and Brats with mixed veggies
Visit Laura at MPM central to participate or find other menu plans. Have a great week and happy February!
Sunday, February 01, 2009
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