letter to a friend

I'm quick-posting this letter as a record for me to refer to and share with other friends if needed in the future...a little about Camille's ear situation and dairy allergy....a little on Graham's past food allergies....a lot on corn-free.
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Hi friend!

I'm so sorry about the food allergies!  I checked your blog and read up on you guys.  :)  Gosh those babies are getting big, girl!  *** looking more like a little boy instead of a baby.  :)  Cutie pies.  I noticed that you said *** having trouble with his ears.  We actually had the tube surgery scheduled for Camille for "eustachian tube disorder" as the ENT put it.  She had SO many ear infections in her first year.  Her ears were just full of nastiness.  We too, went to a pediatric chiro.  and the first thing she told us was to eliminate dairy.  Well, we didn't notice a huge difference until the second month.  By the end of the second month, plus the chiro. treatments. The fluid had cleared!  I could not believe it.  So grateful!  I'm so glad  *** ears are getting better.

Anyway, here are some of the resources I promised.  Do y'all have a Trader Joe's?  I know there are several in **** so you may have to travel a bit, but most of their snacks and such are corn free.  They have many "convenience" foods that are minimally processed and without preservatives that contain corn. Also, we found that the little market near the exit at IKEA has lots of snacks and most (if not all) are also corn free.  I guess they don't grow much corn in Sweden.  ;)  Both of those places have economical choices.  And of course Whole Foods is a good bet, too-just sometimes a bit pricey.  G. loved it when I'd take him to Whole Foods for a "treat" from their bakery...lots of corn free stuff there and the folks are SUPER helpful. Enjoy Life is a great brand-I'm almost certain that ALL of their products are corn free.  Graham loved their snack bars and mini-cookies.

I'm sure you noticed this, but often "gluten free" contains corn products, as corn gluten is an readily available and cheap substitute for wheat gluten. Stay away also from any drinks other than water, milk and 100% fruit juice.  Popsicles and ice cream are another major offender, try the Edy's (or maybe breyers?) juice pops-my kids love those.  Another thing I wanted to mention, since know you love to bake, is that baking powder contains cornstarch, you can find some at Whole Foods (and maybe TJ's) that is corn free.  Also, typical vanilla extract contains corn syrup-just pick up the "pure" vanilla extract next time you go to Wal-Mart, sometimes it even says "no corn syrup" on the front.  Chicken.  Yes, most chicken is corn fed.  For those truly sensitive to corn, this can be a big deal.  Many labels say what type of feed is used, but you can also ask the butcher at the grocery store, or try ordering from a local butcher if you have a hard time finding some.

I've enjoyed these websites in my quest to "allergen-free":
-  this is one of my favorites-simple ingredients, not all corn free, but most are.  Many "whole" ingredients here:  http://blog.superhealthykids.com/

-another whole-foods goodie  http://www.raisehealthyeaters.com/

-http://paleodietlifestyle.com/paleo-diet-recipes/   lots of corn-free recipes here for the whole family

-http://angelaskitchen.com/recipes/have-other-allergies/corn-free-recipes/

Oh ***, I wish I could give you a big hug right now, you can do this momma!  I am praying that the Holy Spirit would undergird your efforts and strengthen your mind, body and spirit now.  I hope this message doesn't come across as bossy or know-it-all.  It's written with love knowing full-well how overwhelming this process can be.  I so wish I could go grocery shopping with you.  I remember I just wanted someone to walk down the aisles with me and show me what to buy.  :)


Love y'all!
Sarah

Snap, Crackle, Pop!

Millie has a new favorite snack...Gluten Free Brown Rice Krispies (got 'em BOGO at Publix!) and Rice milk.  She wanted more and more, I refilled her suction cupped bowl 3 times!  Cute little thing.

Banana Nut Winter Smoothie

(taken from the foil yogurt lid...with a few tweaks)

Ingredients:

1 banana, frozen
1 cup lowfat vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. honey (only use this if you like your smoothie extra sweet!)
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. ground flaxseed (I added this healthy extra, it goes well with the "nutty" flavor of this smoothie)

Directions:
Cut the frozen banana into 3 or 4 chunks. Place in blender with vanilla yogurt, walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, flaxseed and optional honey. Blend on high for 2 minutes or until smooth. Pour into glass and top with a dusting of cinnamon.

*Note: When my bananas get to that extra-ripe, not-yet-rotten stage (you know when they're just a little to squishy to eat all by themselves) I peel them and wrap them individually in plastic wrap or foil in the freezer. Then they'll be all ready to toss into muffins or smoothies when it's time.

Allergy-Friendly Pumkin Pie

I do love to bake...but could NOT resist this Pumpkin Pie for our "pumpkin" this Thanksgiving. Found it in the freezer section at Wh*le Fo*ds for $6.99! For the time and energy it will save, I felt the price was well-worth it!

This pie is Dairy-free, egg-free, and dare I say...pretty HEALTH-Y!

Ingredients: Pumpkin, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Water, Organic Wheat Flour, Vegetable Oil (palm, soybean), Organic Whole Wheat Flour, Organic Tapioca Starch, Soy Flour, Rice Flour, Sea Salt, Cinnamon, Cloves, Ginger, Calcium Sulfate (thickener)

made in a facility that uses dairy products and tree nuts.

Black Beans and Rice

This is absolutely one of our favorite in-a-hurry, low budget, good for you, satisfying lunches/dinners! Believe it or not, this is one of the FEW things sweet-pea will enjoy down to the very last bite.

• first, cook some brown rice (follow the pkg. instructions)
• heat up a can of black beans (I chose store-brand organic), add finely chopped onion and minced garlic, or other spices, if desired (I usually don't)
• add favorite toppings...and you're done!

I've even served this to guests by having a variety of toppings available (chopped up bell pepper, onion, tomato) and chips and salsa.

Other great toppings are salsa, shredded cheese, and a dollup of sour cream.

Banana "Kisses"

Concocted this one today for an after-school snack: thick slices of banana, topped with a dollup of peanut butter and a chocolate-covered raisin on the top.

I'm thinkin' this would be great with any number of toppings...soft cream cheese with strawberry bits; sunflower seed butter with a raisin on top, the possibilities are endless! These little treats disappeared in about 2 minutes FLAT!

A Yummy After-School Treat...

Sliced apples with peanut butter (slightly softened for about 10 seconds in the microwave) make a yummy, filling after-school snack. Though we are out right now, we also enjoy softened almond butter for dipping. Pumpkin gets all happy when the food looks cool on the plate. :) For this easy treat I was rewarded with "momma, you are the bestest food maker".

Snackin' Soybeans

Found this one in the T*rg*t freezer section a few days ago...Pumpkin actually asked me if I was gonna put some "Dora peas" in his lunchbox today! Still working on sweetpea, hopefully the "Dora" gimmick will be appealing?

Soybeans are a complete protein, and a good source of essential fatty acids, they contain (among other nutrients) vitamin A, C and Iron.


They had two kinds on the shelf: Spongebob unshelled Soybeans (still in the pods) and Dora shelled soybeans. These come frozen, and I just pop one in the lunchbox-it's all thawed out by lunchtime. These can also be served warm-just steam them to your desired texture, or nuke 'em in the microwave. Enjoy!

Creamy Chicken & Rice Soup

(courtesy of: Allrecipes.com)

Preparation: fairly easy, only took about 20 minutes to prep, and about 25 minutes to cook)

Serves: about 6
My review:
Sweetpea has been suffering from a really long cold/cough, so I decided to try the old chicken soup trick. She liked it, especially having the freedom to add her own little oyster crackers. Sweetpea loves rice, and noodley soup can get so messy, this was a good one for her to manage independently.

Surprisingly, Pumpkin was not too impressed. He's a texture guy and doesn't too much enjoy food of the soup/casserole variety. Likes his foods separated, thank you very much.

I really enjoyed the flavors of lemon and white cooking wine, these gave it a little kick! Not super creamy, but overall good. I give it 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c. chopped carrot
• 1/3 c. finely chopped onion
• 1/3 c. chopped celery (omitted this)
• 2 T. butter
• 1/4 c. All-purpose flour ( used unbleached)
• 2-14.5 oz cans reduced sodium chicken broth (used one carton) (some varieties are gluten-free and some are not)
• 2 c. cooked long-grain (used brown) rice
• 1 c. cooked and cubed (cut to same size as chopped carrots) boneless-skinless chicken breasts (about 2)
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1/4 t. pepper
• 1/8 t. garlic powder
• 1 c. 2% milk
• 2 T. lemon juice
• 1 T. white wine

Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan, saute the carrot, onion and celery in butter until tender.
2. Stir in the flour until blended (to coat veggies).
3. Gradually stir in broth.
4. Add rice, chicken, salt, pepper, garlic powder; bring to a boil.
5. Reduceheat, cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or untl vegetables are tender. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the milk, lemon juice and wine, if desired. Cook and stir for 5 minutes or until heated through.