Severe Food Allergies: A Blessing In Disguise?

This is a snapshot of the latest addition to my freezer. Ice-cream. Homemade treats are front and center because I have a child with food allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, rice and corn - (think corn syrup) which is in everything including hotdogs and deli meat. Every since she was tested and our fears confirmed, we've carried an epi-pen everywhere, learned to read food labels and ask questions. She's only six now and claims that these allergies have already ruined her life. She even cries about it sometimes. She shows self-restraint now because she knows what happens if she ingests those foods. So in an attempt to make it better and safer for her to enjoy eating, I make as many things as practical.  It's not easy, but it's worth it. Otherwise I buy lots of organic products and spend most of my time dissing processed foods in general.

Once I got her to try the home version of things she began to smile. Then the light bulb came on with the rest of us. We realized that thanks to Lauren we're actually eating better. Although the rest of the family doesn't share her allergies we try to buy things that she can eat too or we cook and bake things together. The result is no allergic reactions for our girl and pleasant, healthy meals and treats for us! Lauren still feels jipped at times because there's something she can't have. But she's knows I've got her covered with some type of delicious alternative or new recipe that we can try out. No mystery ingredients or suprise allergens to ruin her day, just the blessing of being well fed.

Here's to good eats,

Polly

Allergy Suffers Beware!

Spring is finally here. But while cherry blossoms and daffodils are blooming all around us, allergy suffers beware. Pollen is lurking. If you're wondering how to cope when the sunshine is beckoning, then I've got a tip for you. The pollen numbers started rising several weeks ago, you know getting cranked up for the main event, so you have to follow suit. Start taking your allergy meds NOW! Even if your're not feeling the effects of hay fever yet, you need to get your body ready to do battle. Nowadays you can purchase allergy medicine over-the-counter. And here's the best news yet, brands like Claritin and Zyrtec are available in a children's formula. So get the whole family out and enjoy the fresh spring air without fear of the yellow stuff and don't forget to stop and smell the flowers.

Blessings,

Polly

Book Review: The Day I Met THE NUTS

"The Day I Met THE NUTS," is a story is about a young boy who discovers he is allergic to nuts while at a friend's birthday party. Being that birthday parties are top-notch events in a child's life, author Mary Rand Hess grabs her audience from page one. As an added treat, the illustrations in the book blend perfectly with the text, providing even more entertainment to the reader's delight.

I read the story to my son and daughters ages 3, 4 and 6. They enjoyed it so much that they asked me to read it twice! My little ones couldn't wait to find out how the boy would survive such a huge change in his life and still be all right. Of course they knew he would be all right because Mary, a mother of two young boys herself, expertly places just the right amount of love and support in the the mother's character in the story. You hear the mom urging her son along, as he gradually takes his life back from the nuts.

There is a comical tone in much of the book and my 6 year old didn't hesitate to chuckle throughout. My 4 year old loved the animal pictures and my 3 year old was totally in tune with the boy's feelings, as he had recently had an allergic reaction to skin cream. "The Day I Met THE NUTS" is a fun read and an inspiring tale. It captures the true essence of childhood emotion. To find out more about the book or order copies, visit http://www.earthdaypublishing.com/.