Been away for a while

A lot has been going on in my life and head with our little bug. We have been enjoying time on my parents boat and the kids are quite the fish in the water! Mike and I do not know where they get this! Okay maybe a tiny bit from me, but I think it's from mikes dad who loved canoes and my dad of course who is a boater and water skier.

We have discovered that our little guy is highly allergic to the life jacket that is considered like wet suit material. His face breaks out terribly in hives, so back to the drawing board because he LOVES the water.

 

On another note found two restaurants that have been AMAZING about my son's food allergies! PF CHANGS and CHIPOLTE.

Pf changs:

We ordered to go and they were so amazing took the order then had me go over it again and his allergies with the manager who directly went over it with the chef. He had a successful meal and loved it! No reactions! If you know how our life has been, you would know it is amazing to make it thru a meal without a reaction.

Props to the customer service they were amazing! They are rated very highly with how they handle their procedures for allergies. They met my husband at the door and knew of the allergies and marked all of my sons food with orange stickers indicating it and also prepared his entirely separately.

Chipolte:

Amazing customer service we went and they made everyone wait behind us until his order was completely made to avoid any cross contamination, they changed gloves, opened fresh ingredients and washes all the counters and the manager made his meal.

He even checked on us twice to make sure we were satisfied and that he was okay. He even gave us a free meal next time we come in.

Thanks for making my family feel out of the bubble for a night!

 

On another note been back to the allergist for a large amount of testing for 16 different foods. They did this because he was reacting quite frequently to who knows what at that point. The good news is he is able to have coconut! We were thrilled. They did not perform the rest of the tree nuts yet. We were shocked to find he is allergic too all fish and shellfish. Chicken also showed up but was small, so they asked us to trial it for two weeks and keep a diary. We are entering day three and so far so good!

Prayer is what gets us thru and also our sweet boy who does not let it define him. We have our moments of tears and frustration for him that he cannot enjoy the little things sometimes but we try to go on without letting it stop us.

Another thing we have been doing is taking an adventure into the canning world. We are trying to elimate any ingredients for freshness etc. we have done dill and sweet pickles which they love and no reactions!

 

We have also been buying local at there farmers markets and buying local grass fed beef and chicken and it tastes amazing and is so much better for us. This has changed our health as a family for the better for sure.

Thank you for joining sorry it's been so long!

 

 

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Buy Local!

This weekend we went to our local market in Cazenovia, NY to get some of the local grass fed organic beef and grass fed soy free chickens.

My son has still been reacting and now the allergist is going to do more testing next week. The gut feeling is pork.

We have done quite a bit of research and after talking with our allergist we decided to give local grass fed meat a try.

We bought grass fed beef steaks and grass fed soy free chickens that were also raised locally. The cost is much higher for a whole chicken it was $20 and a half chicken $11.59 the beef was for two small steaks $40.

We are willing to try anything at this point for our child and thru our research have found that it helps kids with multiple allergies due to the local control of it.

I was disappointed to find wegmans does not have the ability to tell you what their organic meat is fed or what farms they come from. They tell you they are organic and from PA but that's all they know.

I don't know about you, but I like to know where my meat is coming from!

We will let you know how it tastes!

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Mother's kiss become potentially dangerous?

While putting my son down for nap he says "momma sleep" and points to his pillow and leans into give me many kisses on the cheek. As he does this, I lean in to give him many kisses also. I realize for a moment how I don't get to just kiss him when I want to anymore. I have to think did I eat anything before that could harm him? Have to think how unfair that is, that I cannot just kiss him innocently anymore.

 

I hope those days continue forever where he wants to cuddle and kiss momma and I pray he grows out of all this so we can enjoy the little moments just that much more.

 

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Happy birthday to me!

Tonight we celebrated my birthday 30 years...little did I ever dream I would be a mom to two glorious boys at 30 & have a child with multiple food allergies. I wouldn't change any of it though I love every part of my life. Thank you to all for the birthday wishes. Here is a glimpse into my dinner last evening

 

 

 

 

 

• Marinated pork tenderloin (orange juice, cilantro, lime juice of two likes, salt, pepper and olive oil baked for one hour at 425
• Rice
• Green beans
• Baked beans
• Dessert: homemade chocolate chip ice cream (2cups whole organic milk, 2 cups heavy cream, splash of vanilla extract, one full bag of mini enjoy life chocolate chips)
• Cake: chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting allergy free

Frosting was excellent here is the link to the website of the company I used:

http://www.cherrybrookkitchen.com/products/frosting.php

 

 

 

Cake is the wacky cake I have made before eggless, wheat free, nut free, soy free, dairy free if you use the cup 4 cup flour that is the green package.

 

 

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First dinner out! @Brix!

Tonight the family decided to go out to eat. Since we have found out about the multiple allergies six to be exact, we haven't felt safe to eat out. In fact we have had a huge fear about it. Well tonight we took the plunge!

We went to a place called Brix in cortland,ny that has a gluten free pizza that we have heard from my sister is pretty good. So here's what I did to try to keep him as safe as possible:

• Called ahead and asked them to tell me what was in their crust, cheese & sauce for their gluten free pizza
• The chef and owner called me back within 10minutes to let me know the ingredients of the crust.
• I pushed a bit but politely, because you will find your child's life is more important then worrying about being nice. He had said I'm sure the sauce and cheese are fine. I asked him nicely to find out a for sure by looking up the ingredients for the sauce and cheese, which he did.
• When we got there the staff was remarkable and wonderful. They went above and beyond and my son pretty much had his own waiter. They cleaned the booths down cushions and table tops, cleaned the high chair like I have never seen done and alerted the staff. They also wrote down the allergies when I got there for the chef so he could check once more the ingredients. AMAZING service.
• We sat at two booths there were 11 of us. My family was also great extended family that is. The kids also were great. Because we were going to order gluten free pizza and wheat pizzas at the tables, we separated into the two tables so that no one eating wheat would be near my son. My family went above and beyond to make him feel safe by washing their hands and faces immediately after eating and the kids not older than 8, were so good about not touching my son or the high chair.
• The staff even brought out the ingredients to have me double check the ingredients as well.
• They have a oven dedicated to gluten free which is also amazing
• We were able to go out to a social gathering and not only attend but actually feel a part of it. My happiness was through the roof and so was my relief, because my son was included and he loved loved the pizza and so did mommy and daddy.
• The best part of the night was no reaction! What a successful night. This is huge to take the first step of eating out, and to experience this was awesome.

If you are in the area you need to check this place out and go give them your business worth the drive and beautiful town with awesome shops!

 

 

 

Here is the web link for their website! http://brixpubaria.com

 

The food was amazing and prices were very reasonable. Let me know what you think and go enjoy a allergy free meal with ease!

 

 

 

 

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Left out: please learn to yes go out of your way to include my child

Please think about how it must feel to live every second of every day having to worry your child may have a reaction to something they are allergic to....let alone I have to worry like many others about not just one allergen they may come into contact with, but six.

Please realize my child deserves to be a child just like yours and will have to deal enough with popularity and fitting in without all this

Please realize it is becoming a epidemic, so educate yourself

Please realize there are little lives at stake when you complain that your child has been put into a peanut free classroom for example

Please realize you have no idea what it's like to walk in our shoes as mothers of allergic children

Please go out of your way to include my child. Feeling left out stinks, I will let you know first hand.

Why can't you all realize that this is not a game of fair or unfair. I hear all the time being a school nurse that well my child doesn't have allergies so why should they have to go without? Really!? I used to and still now that I have my own child with allergies say the same thing. My response is always this " why should anyone have to worry for a moment that they could loose their life?" That should be the worry not whether your non allergic child has to go without for one moment of their whole life.

Here's another favorite: your child's snack is not working out because the other kids want what he's having.

My respons for this while being in a school setting both self and the professional side is the same. "This is simple, too bad they are upset. We have to keep this child safe and they go without more than the other children know and welcome to the new world of allergies being a huge epidemic. You tell the other kids that life is not fair and that we all have to eat what is safe for us.

A third that angered me as a school nurse is parties: well before my child was diagnosed with allergies this instance fired me up. There was a school party for a holiday in a preschool setting and the parents were planning the party. A child who was there half day who had the allergens was going to miss the party because they purposely planned it in an afternoon when the child wouldn't be there so they could have ice cream. Really.....?

My response to this: how about we plan a party when your child is not there? How about you grow up and be the example a parent should be and teach what sharing, giving and taking means and have something other than ice cream.

Please seriously just educate yourselves and realize this is not a fad or a diet or a lifestyle choice for my child and many others, this is their only way they will live safely. To eliminate these poisons to their bodies. Get it? It's never been a choice so stop punishing these kids!

 

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Birthday party ideas

The kids birthdays are drawing near....what do you guys do with food allergies when it relates to birthday parties?

Here are some ideas so far for us....pick a theme...Legos and balloons and bubbles....our children's birthdays are two years apart by only three days so for guests we try to do one party. (Explains the two themes)

Wacky cake is going to be the cake but my sister and mother are going to assist me in making a lego cake of some sort. Also will try to make a balloon shaped one as well.

Frosting?! Have not quite figured that out yet still need to do my research on this

Food: think I am going to do chicken on the grill and salt potatoes and corn on the cob

Treat bags: little toys non food related

 

It is possible to have a party without the allergens....I was so afraid for so long about tackling this but I know now it is possible and I shouldn't be afraid or dread it.

My allergic son will be so happy having balloons!

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Took a little time way

Sorry it has taken me so long to get back on here. We just had some busy family time the past few nights!

Father's Day:

We had a great celebration of the dad's in my family by hanging out together getting my fathers boat ready to be put in the water. The kids had a blast cleaning and helping!

My mother did a great meal and was so kind to include Brian best she could.

Here was the menu:

Ribs that they put brown sugar and salt and pepper and olive oil and roasted them in the oven they were delicious. Those of you unaware Brian cannot even have simple BBQ suce or marinade due to the soy allergy. These were great!

Chicken cooked on the grill they did the whole chickens and put olive oil salt and pepper and again was so moist and yummy!

Broccoli steamed yum!

Baked beans

Watermelon

Tomato, basil, mozzarella salad yum!

For dessert: my parents made homemade vanilla ice cream using the old fashioned machine that had rock salt use it was soooooo good.

We exchanged the gifts and played some more in the yard before it was time to go!

 

Here's a few ideas for fun with food:

go to your local farmers market during the season of summer and get your children into picking fresh foods and helping make them yummy at home

Make ice cream

Cotton candy or snow cones!

Take a trip to pick some local strawberries etc.

 

Lesson learned: make sure you really explain to people who come into your home bringing their own foods what you feel comfortable having in your home. For us, we don't allow bread or peanut butter here because of the crumbs and the chance of the peanut butter bothering Brian just having it in the house. You really need to set up your own ground rules and people will follow.

Hope you all had a great Father's Day as well with your loved ones!

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Taking a trip to the book store

Last night we decided to take a trip to Barnes and noble to check out some lego sets and books. The husband and I decided to get coffee first at their little coffee area. Our allergic child in the stroller and non allergic child walking I quickly realized we were in somewhat of a danger zone due to the many people sitting and eating sweet treats and coffees at all of the tables. There were crumbs everywhere and no one in sight of washing any of the tables off. I grew concerned realizing we needed to move on quickly. My oldest was walking and touching everything like a normal three year Old and I had to explain the need to not touch anything because of his brothers allergies.

I realized this was the first time in a long time we have gotten anything food related out of the house and how you really have to be on your toes and be aware every minute of your surroundings.

Positive: we learned with extreme caution it is possible to get out to places that surround us with allergens if you are on target and paying attention to the risks

Negative note: shame on Barnes and noble for their lack of cleanliness and lack of hygiene.

 

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Homemade ice cream!

We have taken a few adventures now in making our own homemade ice cream using the cuisinart ice cream maker from William Sonoma. Here it is:

We made both chocolate and vanilla. Due to cross contamination and egg ingredients used in ice creams we decided to make our own.

Recipe: 2 cups whole organic milk

2 cups heavy cream

1/3 cup sugar

2 tablespoons organic vanilla extract

Mix together with a whisk until sugar is dissolved

Pour into the ice cream maker and follow your manufacturer's instructions.

When almost to the consistency you choose add 1/2 cup enjoy life mini chocolate chips

Adding the chocolate chips last is key so they don't get stuck to the bottom

Here you can transfer to another container and freeze.

Enjoy!

 

Chocolate:

2 cups organic whole milk

2 cups heavy cream

2 tablespoons vanilla

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup coca

Mix with the whisk until sugar dissolved and cocoa blended

Pour into ice cream maker follow your manufacturers directions

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Wheat free household

Just a quick share.

Tonight we had organic chicken hotdogs that we have had before many times. The only change in our meal was we have gotten rid of all of the wheat products etc in the house except we had two Italian rolls left in the fridge.

The husband and I decided we would use them up just us ourselves. We were all eating everything was good until we noticed Brian's face get very flared with many hives.

How could we do this! We know better! What were we thinking? It had to be that we must have touched him or something like this. Poor kid and what a bad parent I felt like. This is why I never can break the rules....it rules against me. I feel horrible this happened tonight. So it just reaffirms to us we cannot keep any of his allergens in our house.

So tonight was project vacumm out cupboards, garbage bag every allergen we had left in the house, Clorox counters, wash table linens and vacuum the chairs.

Tonight's example is just a learning lesson thank god it was nothing more.

The scary thing for us is we only ever see him react on his face no where else...is that good or is that bad because it's so close to his throat?

Tough night in our house and a moment where we both feel like we failed. So we quickly fixed it and feel like if anything it makes us realize we have to be firm, stick to the standards being high and not get too relaxed about it because his safety is more important than having those rolls.

 

Thank god he is fine and is sleeping now

Xoxox Mary

 

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Welcome to the club you never wanted to be a part of

Today I read an article that describes our life fully. http://www.wral.com/allergy-mom-try-please-try-/13664225/

 

I couldn't tell you how much of this is exactly how I feel and probably many of you all feel. We stay as positive as we can 24hours a day 7days a week and many people give you great advice, but when it comes down to it it's your child and your child's life every second of their life.

This article explains so much please take the time to read it.

Education is huge for anyone who suffers from a severe allergy or not. I think it's even more important for those that don't this is the world we now live in...why? We have no idea why besides various theories but it is our society's reality.

If we educate each other and learn what we can we can help prevent an anaphylaxis occurrence.

Please remember when you think a parent is overboard, that they care too much about their child to worry about what you think of their paranoia and that they love and protect their child just as you want to for your own.

This life is not one you choose, but it is a life that you have to learn to live with.

In the end of the day it's him that matters more than anything

God bless you all and please educate educate educate!

 

 

 

 

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Let's work that brain

What do you think about peanut trials?

How many of you still eat wheat and nuts around your allergic child?

How hard is it to feel like dinner is not always on you every night?.....we haven't gone to a restaurant except chipolte in longer than I can remember. We are healthier because of this experience as I have lost five pounds recently. I think it's the lack of a lot of carbs in our diet.
How many of you buy everything organic? We do and because of it our grocery budget has gone from around $200/2weeks to almost $200-250/week! My husband feels it is okay because it's the best way to spend our money.
How many of you purchase processed foods? We do not buy more than I would say less than 2% now that we have to make everything we eat due to fears of cross contamination.
Those of you with allergies multiple ones that have had a complete life change like this....if you were told tomorrow that you were no longer allergic would you go back to eating out and ice cream stands and holidays with tons of candy and processed foods? I think that is the biggest lesson I've learned thus far is I wouldn't change it. I don't miss a lot of it. When you have a child with things that are like poison to them it's amazing how you can give up your favorite things sooooo fast!
Hope this brings up some discussions...alot of what has gone through my head lately
Thanks for joining us so far on this journey. Please subscribe to my blog and Facebook page!

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Cake=Success!

Last night the kiddos and husband and I attempted the first baked good.....wacky cake. This cake is a recipe that my mom made a lot when I was a kid. My grandfather Carmen loved the cake and my mother talks about his love for this recipe a lot. Here is the picture of us making it and a picture and recipe out of the book my mother made me when I got married.

 

The best part about this recipe is that it does not have eggs. This recipe calls for vegetable oil which we used canola because my son is allergic to soy. In case you were not aware vegetable oil is made of soybean oil. Another ingredient is of course flour. So due to being allergic to wheat, we used the cup 4 cup flour which is wheat free. This flour is a must if you do not have a lot of time for baking and if you have a wheat allergy and the best part of this flour is it's exactly what it says a cup 4 a cup. There is no need for conversion for recipes. I love that part you are able to make your family recipes using this flour.

 

Here we are making it

 

 

Ready to bake! It was super easy and quick and best of all It actually came out with following the recipe exact! What a relief! If you are like me it seems a lot of the wheat free products taste like corn muffins...the best part of the night was it does NOT taste that way it actually was amazing and it was not flat! Another thing I notice with wheat free is a lot of the baked goods do not rise. This did!

 

Yum! Those of you who know my husband he never eats seconds of dessert and he not only had

Seconds, but he said here kids have more right before bed!

 

 

Later we regretted the before bed having seconds thing because they were pretty awake for a while!

 

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Another Singer in the family

Our youngest who has the multiple food allergies has quite the talent already....he is quite the singer for not even two years old! At bedtime,mealtime, nap time and anywhere else if there is music on he not only dances but sings and is on tune!

 

He knows a lot of the words to the Frozen movie also it's quite amazing actually to see him learning all the bedtime music that I sing. I have met my match completely as he sings over me and is quite able to complete a song!

 

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First day at the dentist

Today we went to the dentist and it was my three year olds first visit. He did amazing and loved it.

We were a bit excited that he handled it so well. We are trying to teach them young the importance of dental hygiene and explain what happens with lack of dental hygiene.

Yes the husband and I also got ours cleaned and so did papa! He was there right before us but we missed out on seeing him.

 

Just a champ!

How do your kids do at the dentist? Our youngest was very interested in the dentist and the process himself!

 

Those of you with children with food allergies ever have any issues with the toothpaste used or anything?

 

 

 

 

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Dinner for momma

Since we did not have enough of the dinner I made for the family....I have given into trying the cream of rice. Hesitant I definitely was because it says it's like grits.

Those of you who know me this is not something I like grits! So I tried it. It called for water but I used organic milk and brown sugar on top. I have to say it was excellent surprisingly and the husband asked me to make a second bowl! Hit in this house....so we will see how the kids like it soon.

 

And no I fail I did not volunteer to make the husband a second helping!

This kitchen is closed!

 

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Quick dinner

Tonight we had to make dinner quickly as we were at a birthday party today.

Steak with salt potatoes & Brussel sprouts & strawberries too!

Do your kids eat the Brussel sprouts? Our kids love them with basting oil since we cannot use vegetable oil.

A allergy free meal!

Sorry no picture it is all gone! Yum Yum!

 

Brussel Sprout recipe:

Bake at 375 toss them with basting oil, salt and pepper. Then bake for 20 minutes.

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Lunch with Daddy as chef

Ready....set....cook!

• organic apple brown sugar pork sausage
• Stoneyfield kids yogurt
• Banana & blackberries
• Colby Jack cheese stick
• Honest Kids Juice

Here is the chef himself cooking!

 

 

 

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