Parkay Squeeze Butter
Blue Bonnet Light (comes as sticks and in small containers/tubs)
Monday, August 30, 2010
Kindergarten is around the corner
I can't believe Kindergarten is around the corner for our oldest child. I have been researching a lot about schools, our school district and others. Sadly we did not move into the district in the area with Peanut-free elementary schools. If only we had known what challenges lay ahead before we bought our home!
The school our children will attend serves a peanutbutter bar everyday for breakfast and a PB&J everyday for lunch. Sad:( But, they have a peanut-free table. They have a nurse 4 out of 5 days a week and they have 10-12 students this year with nut allergies. Our kids will certainly not be alone at the nut-free table! This is encouraging because the school staff is already familiar with the needs of children with peanut/treenut allergies. I felt less anxious today after talking with the nurse at the school. She answered the phone after 2 rings and she let me ask lots of questions and rattle on all while being completely patient with me.
The school our children will attend serves a peanutbutter bar everyday for breakfast and a PB&J everyday for lunch. Sad:( But, they have a peanut-free table. They have a nurse 4 out of 5 days a week and they have 10-12 students this year with nut allergies. Our kids will certainly not be alone at the nut-free table! This is encouraging because the school staff is already familiar with the needs of children with peanut/treenut allergies. I felt less anxious today after talking with the nurse at the school. She answered the phone after 2 rings and she let me ask lots of questions and rattle on all while being completely patient with me.
Baseball Game
We decided against taking the boys to the game. The Reds are in first place, so I knew it would be crowded and there would just be too many peanuts! The boys were happier to stay at home with grandma and watch cartoons and play games and my husband and I had a worries free date night. It was really a win-win.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Baseball Game
This article is a good one. I feel like I am nearly OCD at times, but it's not OCD because my constant cleaning, wiping and food preparing is purposeful and life-saving. I feel like I have normal, healthy children. But, we ( my husband and I and even our children's grandparents) do live in a different world than parents and grandparents of children without life-threatening food allergies to the dreaded peanut and treenuts.
I recently wrote to the Cincinnati Reds and asked if they had any accomadations for children with peanut allergies. There response was not sensitive, certainly far from accomodating. I am still considering how to respond. I'll let you know what I decide.
Ms. J,
Unfortunately, we do not have a peanut free zone at Great American Ball Park. We have previously looked into this idea, but even if we are able to create a peanut free suite, we cannot guarantee a peanut free path to the suite, nor could we guarantee that our ventilation system was free of any peanut dust. The same issues would arise if we established a seating area as peanut free. Even if we could guarantee a path into the ballpark, we could not keep a breeze from off the river from blowing peanut dust into the established peanut free zone.
Thanks,
Sean
Really? Does he think we live in a bubble. I would not have thought this response was rude if it had not been for the "we could not keep a breeze from off the river from blowing peanut dust into the est. pfz". I think what I want is a seat for the boys in the handicap section, where it would be less likely that peanut shells would be tossed there way. Maybe I will ask him if he can do that? What do you think? The National's have a peanut free zone, couldn't the Reds just offer special seats?
I recently wrote to the Cincinnati Reds and asked if they had any accomadations for children with peanut allergies. There response was not sensitive, certainly far from accomodating. I am still considering how to respond. I'll let you know what I decide.
Ms. J,
Unfortunately, we do not have a peanut free zone at Great American Ball Park. We have previously looked into this idea, but even if we are able to create a peanut free suite, we cannot guarantee a peanut free path to the suite, nor could we guarantee that our ventilation system was free of any peanut dust. The same issues would arise if we established a seating area as peanut free. Even if we could guarantee a path into the ballpark, we could not keep a breeze from off the river from blowing peanut dust into the established peanut free zone.
Thanks,
Sean
Really? Does he think we live in a bubble. I would not have thought this response was rude if it had not been for the "we could not keep a breeze from off the river from blowing peanut dust into the est. pfz". I think what I want is a seat for the boys in the handicap section, where it would be less likely that peanut shells would be tossed there way. Maybe I will ask him if he can do that? What do you think? The National's have a peanut free zone, couldn't the Reds just offer special seats?
Friday, March 12, 2010
Peanutbutter Cracker
The other day we enjoyed a nice visit to the park. We enjoyed the sunshine and 50 degree weather. But, we had a close call when B found a pb cracker half eaten on a picnic table. Luckily, I was able to grab it before he got his little paws on it and took a bite! I am sure some little 2 or 3 year old left it there innocently enough. But, sadly peanutbutter in the park is hardly innocent in today's world of Peanut Allergic little ones!
ZenSoy
L loves his soy pudding by ZenSoy. I got this letter explaining in detail their allergen information:
Hello,
This information sheet is in reply to many of the allergen questions asked about the ZenSoy
products; soy puddings and soy milks.
The ZenSoy puddings are produced in four flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, Banana and
Chocolate/Vanilla Swirl. The ZenSoy soy milks are produced in ½ gallon and quart sizes in four
flavors: Plain, Vanilla, Chocolate and Cappuccino; ½ gallons are not available in Cappuccino.
The ZenSoy soy milks with added Omega3 DHA are produced in 8.25oz sizes in three different
flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, and Cappuccino.
The ZenSoy soy puddings and soy milks are dairy free; (no eggs, milk, casein, milk protein).
There are no animal derivatives, nuts/peanuts, wheat/gluten used in the ZenSoy products. We
do manufacture at a plant that also produces dairy products, however, our machines are
cleaned and sterilized before we manufacture the soy products. Our products are Kosher
Certified Parve.
Some of our consumers are wondering where the lecithin is derived from; the lecithin is from
soy. We also have questions about carrageenan. Carrageenan is a generic term applied to
hydrocolloids extracts obtained from natural red seaweed grown around the northern Atlantic
coast. Throughout history, red seaweeds have been harvested and used for variety of products.
As a food source reference of its use in China goes back to 600 BC. It has been used in milk
puddings by the Irish, as salads and aspics in the Far East and in medicines in South Africa.
The mention of organic natural flavors lets the consumer know the natural flavors are the
actual real plant extractions; (vanilla bean, vanilla leaf, coco bean, banana plant…). Organic
products are grown without the use of herbicides or pesticides, using sustainable agricultural
methods such as crop rotation and water conservation.
The ZenSoy products have four certifications; OU Kosher Parve, Vegan, USDA and NOFA (North
East Organic Farming Association).
Up to date none of our equipment is used for any type of nut product, so there is no chance of
cross contamination with regards to nuts.
If there is anything more we may help you with concerning ZenSoy products please do not
hesitate to contact us.
Thank you for your interest in the ZenSoy product, we appreciate your patronage.
ZenSoy
Dora’s Naturals, Inc.
21 Empire Blvd
South Hackensack, N.J. 07606
I was very pleased with this response! L will keep eating pudding....and will soon earn the free ZenSoy tee-shirt:)
Hello,
This information sheet is in reply to many of the allergen questions asked about the ZenSoy
products; soy puddings and soy milks.
The ZenSoy puddings are produced in four flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, Banana and
Chocolate/Vanilla Swirl. The ZenSoy soy milks are produced in ½ gallon and quart sizes in four
flavors: Plain, Vanilla, Chocolate and Cappuccino; ½ gallons are not available in Cappuccino.
The ZenSoy soy milks with added Omega3 DHA are produced in 8.25oz sizes in three different
flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, and Cappuccino.
The ZenSoy soy puddings and soy milks are dairy free; (no eggs, milk, casein, milk protein).
There are no animal derivatives, nuts/peanuts, wheat/gluten used in the ZenSoy products. We
do manufacture at a plant that also produces dairy products, however, our machines are
cleaned and sterilized before we manufacture the soy products. Our products are Kosher
Certified Parve.
Some of our consumers are wondering where the lecithin is derived from; the lecithin is from
soy. We also have questions about carrageenan. Carrageenan is a generic term applied to
hydrocolloids extracts obtained from natural red seaweed grown around the northern Atlantic
coast. Throughout history, red seaweeds have been harvested and used for variety of products.
As a food source reference of its use in China goes back to 600 BC. It has been used in milk
puddings by the Irish, as salads and aspics in the Far East and in medicines in South Africa.
The mention of organic natural flavors lets the consumer know the natural flavors are the
actual real plant extractions; (vanilla bean, vanilla leaf, coco bean, banana plant…). Organic
products are grown without the use of herbicides or pesticides, using sustainable agricultural
methods such as crop rotation and water conservation.
The ZenSoy products have four certifications; OU Kosher Parve, Vegan, USDA and NOFA (North
East Organic Farming Association).
Up to date none of our equipment is used for any type of nut product, so there is no chance of
cross contamination with regards to nuts.
If there is anything more we may help you with concerning ZenSoy products please do not
hesitate to contact us.
Thank you for your interest in the ZenSoy product, we appreciate your patronage.
ZenSoy
Dora’s Naturals, Inc.
21 Empire Blvd
South Hackensack, N.J. 07606
I was very pleased with this response! L will keep eating pudding....and will soon earn the free ZenSoy tee-shirt:)
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Jelly Belly is kicking the peanuts out of the factory!
I found this on another mom's blog. Good News! You might not even think before eating a jelly bean that it could be containmanated with a peanut!
Starbucks is selling Dr. Lucy's cookies
Check out this site for more information on this nut-free, dairy free, egg free cookie! I will have to inform my dad, who loves Starbucks, to check for these cookies on his next trip!
****WARNING: I have read on other blogs that the peeled fruit at Starbucks is not peanut free. It is listed as nut-free but the back of the package states it is mfg. in a plant with peanut and nut products. ALWAYS READ LABELS!!! Scary stuff!
****WARNING: I have read on other blogs that the peeled fruit at Starbucks is not peanut free. It is listed as nut-free but the back of the package states it is mfg. in a plant with peanut and nut products. ALWAYS READ LABELS!!! Scary stuff!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
A nut-free Valentine's Day
L got a special delivery from here!
L was excited to receive his nut-free skippers, which are basically M&Ms, his granola bar and chocolate lollipop.
In case you are wondering, we do eat fruit too! It's just fruit and veggies come naturally nut-free:)
Allergen Friendly Chocolate Chip Cookies
I think these cookies are so yummy! And so do my boys and my taste testers. Taste testers that do not have food allergies!
Click here for the recipe!
I used shortening in place of the dairy-free margarine. I have heard dair-free margarine exists, but I have not found it yet! I also used Kroger Brand Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, which do contain some dairy. I left some without chocolate chips for B. L only eats one cookie at a time and the few chips don't seem to bother him. Our allergist is comfortable with this plan for L. Each person with food allergies needs there own plan:)
Enjoy these YUMMY Cookies!
Click here for the recipe!
I used shortening in place of the dairy-free margarine. I have heard dair-free margarine exists, but I have not found it yet! I also used Kroger Brand Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, which do contain some dairy. I left some without chocolate chips for B. L only eats one cookie at a time and the few chips don't seem to bother him. Our allergist is comfortable with this plan for L. Each person with food allergies needs there own plan:)
Enjoy these YUMMY Cookies!
Pumpkin Muffins
Recently I made some pumpkin muffins that are dairy, egg and nut free.
I used this recipe. I used Libby's Pumpkin Pie filling for the canned pumpkin and all the spices. I did this to avoid using my spices...since they are McCormick I did not add the optional nuts and raisins. I used Canola Oil and Ener-G Egg Replacer I made them into muffins, or as L calls them "cupcakes", for easy freezing and storing. We have been using them as treats for the boys.
I added a few semi-sweet chocolate chips to some of the muffins. They do contain some milk. But, L seems to tolerate a little milk...not much, but a little! I froze the chocolate chip muffins in there own bag. This recipe makes a lot!
You can use Vegatable oil is place of Canola Oil. I did not because B was recently diagnosed with Sesame Seed Allergy, which can be found in some Vegatable Oils. This is only from blood work and not skin testing. We are just going to avoid sesame seed for now. I now have found some safe Vegatable Oils.
ENJOY!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Our family rented Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs at my request over the weekend.I heard it was a good cartoon with a character who has a Peanut Allergy! I actually read about it on another mommy blog. I can't remember where or who to give the credit to for putting the word out about the movie having a PA character. I thought Sam Sparks, the weather lady with the peanut allery, was a wonderful character. Sam even goes into anaphylactic shock and requires an epipen during the movie. I think this is a great cartoon to watch with children who have food allergies. I enjoyed the opportunity to watch it with my 3 year old and talk to him about Sam! I give it two thumbs up!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
McCormick Spices maybe cross contaminated with peanut and tree nuts
I was making dinner and called about the spice packet from McCormick. They clearly marked the top 8 allergens in bold, but I am glad I called. They stated McCormick does not make any efforts to keep from cross contaminating their food. Bummer! I went through my spices and 85% are McCormick. Hopefully I can find some safe spices!
Friday, January 1, 2010
CiCi's Pizza Buffet is a Peanut and Nut Free Restaurant
We wanted to eat out last night. I researched the restaurant we wanted to go to. The online menu to the restaurant we almost went to stated no peanuts or tree nuts. But, when I called to speak to the manager he was very short with me and I was not convinced we would get quality service there.
However,during my research I found that Cici's Pizza Buffet is peanut and nut free. They also state clearly that they have eggs in there white salad dressing and brownies. NO.WHERE. ELSE. We were able to eat out, at a buffet no less, and not worry. You do need to talk to the manager about MILK. The noodles with speghetti sauce were out for us because they contain cheese.
Our kids menu: We double checked with the manager upon arrival about the nut-free environment. We informed him of our children's milk and egg allergy. He made special cheese-free breadsticks for L and B. He also assured us that the Cinnamon Rolls were safe. I am still in shock that the Cinnamon Rolls could be egg and dairy free, not to mention nut free.
It made our year! We are so happy to have a Cici's close to home! LJ was bouncing off the walls with excitement! He got to eat out with the family and choose from a buffet! AND to top it off he got to eat DESSERT!
Thanks CiCi's
Go HERE to learn more!
However,during my research I found that Cici's Pizza Buffet is peanut and nut free. They also state clearly that they have eggs in there white salad dressing and brownies. NO.WHERE. ELSE. We were able to eat out, at a buffet no less, and not worry. You do need to talk to the manager about MILK. The noodles with speghetti sauce were out for us because they contain cheese.
Our kids menu: We double checked with the manager upon arrival about the nut-free environment. We informed him of our children's milk and egg allergy. He made special cheese-free breadsticks for L and B. He also assured us that the Cinnamon Rolls were safe. I am still in shock that the Cinnamon Rolls could be egg and dairy free, not to mention nut free.
It made our year! We are so happy to have a Cici's close to home! LJ was bouncing off the walls with excitement! He got to eat out with the family and choose from a buffet! AND to top it off he got to eat DESSERT!
Thanks CiCi's
Go HERE to learn more!
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