Breaking News....More Allergy-Free Veggie Sticks On Deck!

Introducing...The Daily Crave Veggie Sticks 

A fellow allergy-free mama found these allergy-free veggie sticks at a local Marshall's store. Marshall's, the home goods store, you ask? Yeppers, that's right. It looks like we need to be on the lookout at stores like this for great snack finds considering we have found some great snacks & cake mixes at Home Goods stores as well. She describes these as "Melt in your mouth, puffy and delicious." My munchkin can't have them because of the tomato powder but it definitely sound like these babies are worth a try!

I reached out to The Daily Crave on Facebook to find out where we can find their products locally. I received a very prompt and pleasant response. Here it is below:

Good Morning Jordyn! We hope you had a great weekend. So we just looked into the best way to get The Daily Crave in your area. One way would be to find our product on Amazon and buy it online! Here's a link to some of our products (Click here). Also, HEB markets carry our products! If they don't have it at that store, we would truly appreciate if you asked them if they could carry it, by our name! Let us know if there is anything else we can help you with J.

We have HEB stores around Houston so this is great news! And aren't they just helpful? This allergy-free journey is a hard one. It's riddled with many failures, much frustration and many blank trips to stores looking for food the little ones can eat. So it is always, I repeat ALWAYS, a breath of fresh air when you come across a vendor who stands ready and willing to help make your life just a wee bit easier. So kudos and a big shout out to The Daily Crave!!!! *insert hand claps here*

Learn more about The Daily Crave on their website here, and please go LIKE them on Facebook. Tell them Allergy Moms Unite sent ya.

So check your local HEB stores for these products, and if you can't find them don't fret, just click that online ordering link above and get-ta-ordering!

Please post a comment if and when you try their products, to keep our little community informed.

Is There Really Such A Thing As Cheese Heaven? Yes.

Daiya Cheeses and Turkey Panini Recipe

I recall once in my life saying, "Oh my God I could never live without cheese." You know how they say, never say never? Well I should have never said never because cheese has been one of the things Jace and I have had to give up on this allergy free journey. And guess what? I didn't die like I thought, but I did dream up some interesting ways of committing suicide by cheese overdose. Of course I'm kidding.

Giving up cheese was not as hard as I thought because we had to also give up many of the things I used to eat cheese with. So it was more overwhelming just having to let go of the seeming millions of foods that I loved. But... 

 

  

One day. One hot and humid summer day in Houston, as I surfed the web for reasons not to commit suicide by cheese, and after growing more and more dissatisfied with the veggie cheeses I dared to try, I came across Daiya brand non-dairy cheese. At the time they only had shreds. I was in love. They had me at "melts and stretches." I mean this opened up a world of nachos and tacos like never before.

Then...they came out with wedges. These babies opened up the door for a good 'ole macaroni and cheese, and a plethora of other sauces and soups.

And then...oh. my. gaw. They came out with slices. That's right, I said it...SLICES!!!! Oh, we're cookin' with hot grease now! I don't know if there is anything else I need to say about that, other than they come in Cheddar, Provolone and Swiss.

And the taste, well...let's just say I've been in cheese slice heaven for the last week. In fact I have turned into quite the magician. I turned what you see above...

Turkey panini served with Terra Exotic Vegetable Chips

 into THIS - a turkey panini with melted cheese erupting from the sides like hot lava, baby! *burp*

Well...my work here is done *brushing hands*. Now you, go eat, be well, and burp! Is that gross? Sorry. I'm happy right now.

You can go here to find a list of retail stores that sell Daiya products and restaurants that cook with Daiya cheeses. Just enter your city in the criteria box.

In Houston, I have only been successful so far finding the slices at Whole Foods on Bellaire. I am an advocate for calling the stores before I go, so that I don't make any blank trips. Life is hard enough. So don't rule that out. Once time passes, they will be stocked in more stores, so this very statement will become obsolete...kinda like me eating cow's milk cheese. That was funny, I know.

Learn more about Daiya products here.

Turkey Panini

George Foreman Grill
1/4 t. Olive Oil

2 Slices of Gluten free bread*

2 Slices of Applegate Farms Natural Roasted Turkey Breast (I used organic roasted turkey breast above)

1 Slice of Applegate Farms Natural Turkey Bacon (optional)

1 Slice of Daiya Cheddar cheese

Earth Balance Buttery Spread

Dijon mustard (or sandwich spread of choice)

* Pictured above is the homemade gluten free beer bread in The Allergen-Free Baker's Handbook by Cybele Pascal. I have a detailed post on the book here.

Cook bacon in the microwave (or on the stove/in the oven if that is your preference). Heat the George Foreman Grill. Coat the grill surface with the olive oil. Slather a bit of buttery spread on each slice of bread. Add some Dijon mustard. Layer with two slices of turkey breast (I break my meat into large shredded chunks for some personality :-). Break the slice of turkey bacon in half and layer it on top of the turkey. Add a slice of cheese. Put the other slice on top and put the sandwich on the George Foreman Grill for 5-8 minutes, until the cheese in running over like a mini volcano. Serve with a side of veggie chips.

Tip: While your panini is grilling, wash up your dishes and put all of your supplies away. While it is cooling (because it takes a little while to cool), dampen a dish cloth and wipe your grill down (it's easier when it's warm). Then you can really sit down in peace knowing that after you finish eating you are DONE (that is, if you use a paper plate :-)!

Bon apétit!

The Allergen-Free Baker's Handbook (Cybele Pascal) - A Book to Save Your Allergen-Free/Vegan Baking Life!

So far on this 3 ½ year allergy journey I have read, studied, and tried recipes from countless blogs and cookbooks. There is only one that I have come across that hasn’t failed me yet. Any allergy mom knows all too well the excitement that builds when you see a recipe that looks perfect for your needs; the determination to find those foreign named ingredients that she has never heard of and the pressure of making multiple trips to different stores to piece them together; as well as the trepidation she feels as she crafts recipes that seem so far out of her gluten/wheat/dairy/egg/soy/tree nut-filled cooking comfort zone. Lord knows I have disgustedly trashed my share of finished dishes, watching my money go down the drain. My head has exploded countless times with frustration, and I have cried many tears.

But...along came a jewel, and from that point this allergy mama’s life was changed!! Thank you Cybele Pascal! If you were not married with two beautiful boys with allergies, I promise I would marry you and figure out a way for us to conceive some allergy laden kids just so we could cook your recipes. I know, that sounds crazy right? But what allergy mom isn’t already crazy!!!??? After all, we endure so much. So without further ado I introduce to you, Cybele Pascal’s, The Allergen-Free Baker’s Handbook. The allergy mom’s bible.

There is not one recipe in this book that I have tried that was not delicious. I mean that. I’m a foodie who loves to cook, and who truly knows the taste of great food. I am not in any way affiliated with Mrs. Pascal or her work. I am independent of it all. I'm just a groupie. I have had this book for two years and I reach for it at all times. And I vouch for it and her and each and every finger-lickin’ recipe you will dare to try.

Her gluten free beer bread is my go to bread recipe. It is quick and EASY and good. I like to enjoy turkey and cheese paninis on it while my picky munchkin enjoys cinnamon or jelly toast.

Her blueberry muffins are slap-your-mama good. Moist (almost too moist), rich and full of blueberry yumminess.

Her treats are what I reach for when I want to allow Jace a REAL treat. Her brownies make you forget you’re on an allergen-free diet and her cupcakes, well let’s just say you can never go wrong. The only downside is how I feel when I’ve become the glutton who relentlessly attacks the treats, only to sit in a guilty stooper after.

Mrs. Pascal also generously chocks the book with an extremely helpful, resource-filled section on how to stock your allergen-free pantry and a separate full section thoroughly detailing the ins-and-outs of allergen-free baking. So on top of the make-you-feel-normal-tempt-your-tummy goodness, she gives you an education that money just can’t buy. I guess you will buy the book, but you get it, right?

So, if you are an allergy mama and haven’t done so already, GET THIS BOOK! Then get your baking groove on. Feed your allergy babe some amazingly tantalizing baked goods. And then feed your own face as you smile because mama’s got a brand new bag! Well, we’re not talking bags here, but you get the point. Heck, you won’t need a reason to smile because when all is said and done, you will be in baked good heaven, and whoever wouldn’t smile about that is just crazy-ER than your average allergy mom (hee hee hee).

I purchased my book from Amazon here. Take a look and read through the reviews; there are over a hundred, giving it 4.5 stars out of 5. So...I’m not the only one tooting this horn.

Learn more about Cybele, subscribe to get her recipes, and find links to her video tutorials here.

Enjoy!

By Bye, Baby (Mama's Tired!!!)

So much goes into managing the day to day life of a child with allergies that many would not understand. Many people don't realize just how your life comes to a halt in many ways, just for the sake of your child's allergies. I get many invitations to do social activities, and in my heart of hearts I wish I could oblige. But the reality of my days - struggling to create meals that will inspire a 3 1/2 year old to eat, or trying to be courageous enough to introduce new things into an allergy laden diet in the hopes of expanding food options, while at the same time playing the starring role of MOMMY to a vibrant, active and fully energized little boy...exhausting is an understatement. As such, my answer is often a very reluctant and defeated, "Sorry, I can't make it. Maybe next time."

It's often assumed that every mom has a babysitter network that she can tap into any time she wants. That is often not the case for moms of kids with allergies. Personally, I have spent many a night in the emergency room because of allergies; a baby who rolled around like the exorcist, scratched so badly I had to cover his hands, endless crying, with my blood pressure elevated because I had no clue what was going on. No one was around for these occasions except for my dear mother (God bless her soul). There is no word to describe what a mother feels being in such a helpless place while her child is absolutely out of control with discomfort.

All of that to say, for me there are no baby sitters. My munchkin spends the occasional few hours with his MiMi (grandmother) and every other weekend with his dad. That's it. It's all my conscience, and blood pressure, can stand. I would never want to impose the amount of labor it takes to keep my little Jace safe onto anyone else. Further, it's far too much to expect me to educate individuals on what I have learned as well as what I continue to learn on a daily basis.

I envy single moms who can hit the scene the minute their kiddos leave on 1st, 3rd and 5th weekend. They have so much energy and such a desire to connect with others socially. Not me. All I want to do when Jace leaves is climb in the bed and get some rest. Kids with allergies often do not sleep well. That means mom doesn't sleep well either, which is often the case for me.

I begin prepping for Jace's time away on Thursday, washing and folding laundry, grocery shopping, baking and preparing things I can prepare in advance. It is an all day affair on Friday, as that is when I do actual food prep. I have heard many comments insinuating that away visits are his dad's responsibility, "so let him do all of that." I have started to laugh at the audacity of people to impose their ways of thinking onto my situation, never having been in my shoes. But the reality for me is this, I am the one who works on this diet day in and day out. I am the one who experiments, pushes the envelope, pulls Jace to try new things, and ultimately deals with the allergic fall out of it all. As a mom who cares, who is invested in my child's safety and well being, and who understands that his father is not privy to all of my hard learned lessons, I take on the burden of making sure that my munchkin is SAFE and able to be FED when he is away. This means I give his dad the highlights, because that's all I have time and energy for. I send every item that will be ingested by Jace over the course of the weekend, that way I don't have to anticipate a call from the ER as I try to unravel on my weekend to myself, and I can enjoy my time in peace. 

So, once done cooking I package everything up in a way that Munchkin's dad is able to make sense of what's available for the weekend. It all takes so much time, and it's the reason I am usually worn out when jace leaves. Hence, no hitting the scene for this mama! Here are some pics of what everything looks like when I'm done.

Snap pea crisps, homemade muffins, homemade bread, cereal, two kinds of chips,
treats and snacks, fruit sticks (for fruit intake)

Daiya cheese (for nachos and quesadillas), organic tator tots, organic green beans, pre-made smoothie packs (4 - banana and strawberry), taco meat with homemade seasoning, organic grape jelly, earth balance soy free buttery spread, sunbutter, coconut milk yogurt,
organic chicken chili

Organic juice, vitamin enriched rice milk, vanilla coconut milk

Homemade seasoning mixes - Paula Deen's house seasoning and cinnamon sugar (for his toast)

The old faithful little baggie of medicines for each kind of allergy reaction - itching, nasal/coughing, eczema flare on the body, eczema flare on the face, coughing/runny nose (being highly allergic he is prone to spontaneous eruptions of cold like symptoms that are not a cold, but that have on a few occasions turned into sinus/bronchial infections), and the awesome Advil fever reducer

This is the majority of what was sent this visit. It's worth all the hard work to ensure I don't get a call from Texas Children's in the middle of the night. BUT...on the night that he leaves, I just want to crawl under the cover and disappear...until Saturday that is. And I think I deserve that, right? A moment to rebuild and replenish what I have put out? Yes, I do. So if I can't seem to drag myself out with a smile and funky fresh look, ready to have a little fun, well please do forgive me. You can best believe that when my life lets up on me, I promise I will join you for fun. But for now, have a little mercy on me because Mama is tired!!!