Oh how I wish this was about any decor or improvement project that was going on in my kitchen. It is not. This post is about feeding my family and what is really going on here. I've blogged before about my daughter's allergies.
This little girl is allergic to wheat, eggs, peanuts, tree nut, and shell fish. Phew - you thought that was a complicated list. I'll keep going.
This past summer, my favorite little dude was diagnosed with Crohn's disease and the doctor has put him on a special diet. He can no longer eat any nuts or seeds (including berries, popcorn, etc.) and only low lactose foods.
This cutie pie has just started eating solids, but for months now, he seems to be unable to tolerate any type of dairy that I eat. He gets a rash on those sweet cheeks - the same sign we noticed that M. had when we were diagnosing her allergies.
Did you keep track of all that? My oldest has no issues, but she has to make several sacrifices because of her siblings. Plus, she's 10 and although I wouldn't call her picky, she definitely has her likes and dislikes. Four kids and four different diets. I have been in the kitchen a lot lately - honestly, it isn't my favorite place to be. I am determined to still keep these kids eating healthy foods. I am having to cook almost everything from scratch and am constantly making substitutions.
While the rest of you are pinning apple pies and pumpkin bars this fall, I'll be scrambling to try variations of meat and veggies. We've been thrown into a world with soy milk, coconut oil, xanthum gum, rice flour, almond butter, etc. It is an adventure.
So that is where my mind is lately and since this blog is a reflection of my life, you might see a lot of allergy-free type recipes and learning to live with-out. We are looking forward to fall, but have to learn to adapt so many of our fun traditions that are wrapped around food.
But, I can't think of a better reason than these kiddos! Wish me luck!
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7 comments:
Laurel, while our girls are not "that" allergic, we have had to deal with our fair share of food issues. Elie, our oldest, is lactose intolerant...she has also recently been diagnosed with migraines like her younger sister. She is living on her own and manages her own meals now, but I remember the days of being sure things like mashed potatoes and such were made using Lactaid milk. She also was diagnosed at a young age with a slight allergy to strawberries (she would get a rash around her mouth if she ate too many)
Katie, as you know suffers from migraines. She is also "slightly" lactose intolerant (she can tolerate some cheeses, yogurt and ice cream), but we try to avoid those things when we can. She can no longer have chocolate and things containing caffeine (occassionally she has a little, such as her favorite sweet tea). She cannot tolerate nitrites and nitrates. Whey protein unsettles her stomach. And, most recently we have found that sunflower seeds trigger her migraines as well. So we are avoiding ALL seeds for now. Her taste buds also changed due to a medication she was on. Fruits and veggies she used to eat without any problem now sometimes cause a reaction ( mouth and surrounding area get itchy).
She is now away at college (12 hours away)...we are helping her manage her diet as best as we can from afar and she has really learned to ask questions and read labels.
I should also mention that BOTH of our girls have been allergic to sulfa and cephalosporin drugs since they were little. We try to avoid antibiotics at all costs, so that if and when they may really be needed they will work since they can't take those two classes of drugs.
I am sure you feel a short order cook!
what a huge challenge for you! I don't know if I could do that. It's amazing what we can do for our kids though. Your kids are super blessed to have a Mom willing to try all kinds of new things so they can be healthy. Good luck!
Your children look happy and healthy! You must be doing a great job! What a challenge for you! May God bless you and yours!
My mom was diagnosed as a Celiac in her mid-20's, severely allergic to wheat, rye, oats, and barley. My whole life growing up we've always had to check labels and ask questions about sauces, soups, etc wherever we go. This started back before there wad a gluten free section at the grocery store, and she would have to make her own bread on a weekly basis, and most of the meals she made for us were gluten free, because she didn't have the time to make two seperate melas everyday.
It is very hard with those extra allergies your kids have, but there are so many more resources these days that I hope you are able to use.
Good luck, you will do well!
Yes, I know exactly how you feel. My 3.5 yo has wheat, egg, peanut, and dairy allergies. We have been working with this info for a year now and I have learned so much!
Cybele Pascal's Whole Foods Allergy Cookbook is amazing. I cook for the whole family from that (even my picky husband ooohhhs and aaahhhs at these). Her website is www.cybelepascal.com. My son's favorite adapted recipe from her cookbook is below:
Pizza
Brown Rice Tortillas
Red Sauce (he loves Emeril's Tomato and Basil)
Daiya Shredded Mozzarella
Place tortilla on cookie sheet and cover with red sauce of your choice. Cover with cheese and any other toppings you may want. Bake at 350 for 10 to 15 minutes until cheese melts.
I hope you find balance and happiness in the kitchen again!
Yes, I know exactly how you feel. My 3.5 yo has wheat, egg, peanut, and dairy allergies. We have been working with this info for a year now and I have learned so much!
Cybele Pascal's Whole Foods Allergy Cookbook is amazing. I cook for the whole family from that (even my picky husband ooohhhs and aaahhhs at these). Her website is www.cybelepascal.com. My son's favorite adapted recipe from her cookbook is below:
Pizza
Brown Rice Tortillas
Red Sauce (he loves Emeril's Tomato and Basil)
Daiya Shredded Mozzarella
Place tortilla on cookie sheet and cover with red sauce of your choice. Cover with cheese and any other toppings you may want. Bake at 350 for 10 to 15 minutes until cheese melts.
I hope you find balance and happiness in the kitchen again!
Sorry to hear that you think J is developing similar allergies to M, and about G's new diet. But you are an awesome mama, so I'm sure you're handling it beautifully. We deal with the peanut allergy over here and are fully entrenched in the world of almond butter. Looking forward to the rest of your recipes!
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