Friday, August 22, 2008 Allergy free Chicke Pie. Posted in Food Allergies wheat, egg, dairy, nut free. Peel some spuds & boil - when cooked mash. Put a nob or two of dairy free margarine in - I use Olivani. - Mash again. Chop up one onion & about 3 rinds of bacon. Place in microwave dish & cook for 2 minutes. (onion just softens) Place in oven pie dish - add shredded chicken. mushrooms & I would of put in frozen corn kernels if I had any, Next make a gravy, You want to make a white sauce - so I use a nob of Olivani & about 2 tablespoons of cornflour - pop in microwave for about 1 minute. Stir - should be like a paste, Then add some chicken stock - add less rather than more! Whisk - place in microwave for 1 minute. Should be quite thick & pasty add more chicken stock - again not much as you can always add more - but once runny you have to start mucking around adding cornflour to thicken it again. Add a bit of water if too thick & is tating too chicken stockish. It really is just try & see Once you have a thickish texture & enough to go in your pie - add it to the chicken, bacon, mushroom mixture Add pepper - some fresh herbs eg parsley, chives & small amount of thyme. Top with mashed potatoes. Place in oven & reheat through. You could add nobs of olivani on top & grill to give a brown top. Serve with green beans, I could of thickened James' pie a bit more - but he said it was nice. • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Friday, August 8, 2008 Is this what Chocolate really tastes like? Posted in Food Allergies Being a mum of a child with very severe life threatening food allergies has many daily challenges. We had a wonderful moment yesterday - while at the hospital I picked up a free magazine for allergy families called Allergy Today I was a support member at one stage, & even been on TV re allergies - but well life got in the way.... Any way in the mag was a chocolate bar that by label James could eat. - It is processed in a nut free factory HUGE, HUGE, HUGE BONUS Dairy free, egg free, wheat free, Lactose free. It does have soya which James also can not eat - but as only intolerant he can sneak a bit in his diet It is made by Sweet William Abbey & I got the taste test & it does taste like chocolate - James was in heaven - he kept asking us if it really is what Chocolate tastes like. I tell you a mums heart drops as a child with severe allergies tries a new food! It even has a NUT in it - it is actually a roasted soya bean - the lady in Commonsense Organics saw my fear as soon as James mentioned nut & quickly reassured me. I tend not to blog much about James' issues - I think it is because we try not to focus on them & if you stop & think about things they seem too real - I cope better by just getting on with what life has dealt. His pediatrician is awesome & I am soo thankful for every step of our journey we have had the most excellent dr's come into our path. He said James was one of his special cases - another one of his kids he has cared for just invited him to his child's christening - obviously another very thankful family for having such a wonderful Dr in their life. We also have a wonderful child educational specialist in our life - we go to see her next week, again James is one of her special cases - She told me he was one of her worst cases she had come across - and told me to be prepared that he may never read or write due to his dyslexia - Well that got a bee in my bonnet (see I have my personality for a reason!) We proved her wrong! - Way wrong. We also got lead to a wonderful speld tutor who was the most amazing woman who helped me, help James. Ask & you shall receive! • Comments (4) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Sunday, March 9, 2008 Chocolate Zucchini cakes - gluten, egg, dairy & nut free Posted in Food Allergies I adapt recipes to suit James' allergies. This is how I did the chocolate Zucchini cake. First I  make his cakes in muffin pans as I can freeze them & a whole cake is too much for James to eat - not that I have any doubt he could eat the whole cake. Getting the moist texture is an issue so using apple, banana, carrot & zucchini is a good thing. 125g olivani (dairy substitute) 1 cup brown sugar 2 cups rice flour (use wheat flour if you haven't got an allergy to wheat) 2 teaspoons baking powder (wheat free) 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 cup cocoa (I used more than recipe posted below as want the flour texture cocoa helps give the mix) 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 cups of zucchini - or like me I filled up the grater with using a large zucchini 1/2 - 1 cup of chocolate rice milk - again add - more less to get the right texture - when cooking like this be prepared to have flops when learning to cook with out eggs & wheat - but once you look for the right texture - I look for a muffin texture in James' baking. - You too will have success at adapting recipes. Fill the muffin tins & bake 170 deg c - I find this food takes longer to cook - so about 55 mins approx. • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Friday, February 8, 2008 We really are an allergy house Posted in Food Allergies James had an allergic reaction yesterday - his face broke out in welts & was very unwell. We were blaming his chippies as the packet does say may contain traces of peanuts - man everything says this & we only stick to brands we have been ok with before. BUT Abbey worked out James had had his bird on his shoulder when the welts appeared & was joking he may be allergic to his bird. THEN the penny dropped. His bird has peanuts in her seed & James had taught his bird to kiss his lips. Just as with humans he can not kiss a anyone who has been eating peanuts/butter - so Brent has gone through all the bird seed & the bird is now peanut free too! I had to take Abbey to Dr yesterday - she was savaged by the Tom cat - she had him on the cat lead taking him for a walk. The dog got envious and jumped his fence - hence - cat/dog issues & Abbey thankfully grabbed the cat but got scratched badly. So she is on antibiotics. I tell you life is never boring at our place. TODAY I plan to be home all day - my life runs soo much smoother if I don't have to go out every day. I missed quilt group last night - but thats ok. My years of doing what I want will come fast enough. I had a kitten owner picking up her kittens & that threw me behind to cook dinner & do cattery. • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Thursday, February 7, 2008 a Home School mums day out Posted in Food Allergies My friend Catherine picked me up at 6.45am - now she was the driver as I don't enjoy driving and have no sense of direction at all - hence why I always get lost. Catherine asked ME where we were going. We needed to get on the road - so asked Abbey to find on computer where we were going & she text me details. FUN! I didn't get home until 11.15pm - one very tired girl! Highlight of my day was going to lunch at Starbucks and having a f rappacission (now I have this wrong - have to get back on net later & fix this - but it was like a cold coffee milkshake and its just devine!!!)- Raewyn goes on & on about these on her blog -we have no Starbucks in our town (and I have to stay just as well) They are well just to die for!!! I am an addict. Worst past of my day - just wondering does anyone play with their kids when they are being tucked in bed - what is the best part of your day? - Sometimes we throw in the worst part too. - I digress (what's new) All our local mums met up at a restaurant for dinner - I plucked up the courage to tell waitress peanut & shellfish allergies - and ordered a SAFE bean & taco dip entree as we had been sitting all day & there was no way I could eat a full meal. So what happens I get an allergy reaction - I took myself off to the loo - and thought what a dumb idea - Did go to table & all the ladies showed concern - I popped a couple of allergy pills & Catherine asked if I wanted to go - I was just sooo embarrassed & felt like a drama Queen. Plus was not feeling well at all. Catherine paid & asked what was in my meal - they didn't think such an allergy reaction could ever happen like that & the YOUNG waitress said it wasn't from their food - Fast forward - I felt better once pills began to work. But very embarrassed! I will write a very strong letter of complaint! (iI must be feeling better aye) I am pleased I went to IEW day - I learned lots - came away feeling YES I am a good home school mum & am pleased with the direction we are going - and as always what I want to add & change in how we are doing school. Have to start my day - so will blog tomorrow or later in day if get a chance of all the wonderful things I learned. • Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Thursday, January 31, 2008 Crayfish Mornay & Dr's visit Posted in Food Allergies Brent brought home a crayfish & paua given to him by a work mate. Crayfish is my all time favourite item to eat - over the years Brent has given me crayfish for my birthday & I have eaten & sucked every inch. Last year I became allergic to many things & one of them is shellfish. So no crayfish for me. SOB! James is also deadly allergic to fish & shellfish. I made Brent crayfish mornay - sadly photo didn't turn out You just make a cheese sauce cut up crayfish meat & put back into crayfish shell. Top with parsley & paprika and grill. When cooking with allergies as severe as ours food hygiene is a must.  I prepared food for James & I first before even touching the crayfish.  Then the crayfish meal was made & a full wash down of bench & all tools. Tonight I will make Brent Paua fritters Dr's Visit I had a Dr visit yesterday and I have 4 kgs to loose and I will be in healthy weight range for my height wacko The nurse said "You have lost a Lot of weight well done" Gee I think my favourite words at the moment is A Lot! I have only lost 1/2 a kilo this month so seem to of hit a plato - February I need to hit walking and moving more. My goal is 10,000 steps a day. Need to get that counter on & try not to drop it down the loo • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Monday, January 21, 2008 BBq Meal - wheat,egg, fish, dairy free. Posted in Food Allergies I know there are folks that read our blog who also have food allergy issues in their homes. I'll try & blog about what our family eats & how we survive the food allergies issues - it does get easier over the years - it just becomes a way of life really. Cut up spuds into small cubes - add sea salt fresh rosemary olive oil & garlic. Wrap up into a parcel & pop on bbq. Whip up a coleslaw - finely chopped cabbage, grated carrot, chopped celery, spring onion, red onion, cucumber & tomato. I grate cheese on a new board (if you have food allergies you have to be very good re food contamination) & have that in a separate bowl for family members who can eat cheese or who like it. Same with dressings I don't put any dressing on food that is separate for people to add if allowed or want. Meat is Canadian T Bones - I put soya sauce, pepper & garlic on these & let sit in fridge until ready. Brent then cooks them on BBQ with a little olive oil if needed. - Very tender!!! Bread I made a rosemary loaf it does have wheat in but no dairy or eggs so James can have a little bit but not everyday or week. Yell if you want recipe. I really need to get my new camera - sorry for quality of photos but gives you an idea of how we eat with so many food allergies. • Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Friday, December 7, 2007 Allergy Nurse visit Posted in Food Allergies James & I went to an appointment with an allergy nurse & as I just knew it was the same lady we dealt with when James was 4 years old. I can not believe the grace I had - I was like a different person - I really don't tolerate fools well - but yesterday I did. The women admitted her wet wrap treatment doesn't suit everyone 100%. I did say that we had been to her before & it had not worked - which she then rubbished me & said it should (SIGH) She commented she found James an interesting case as not many of her excema kids have soo many severe allergies as James. She got James to put some cream on his left hand - it is the most greasy cream emmoulement one of the few creams he is not allergic to . But very greasy  - he had to sit there for 1/5 hours putting this one cream on his left hand - near the end she looked at his right hand & tried to get us to agree how much better his hand was . I can't believe my attitude - I said nothing nor did I laugh in her face - but James & my eyes were twinkling. I complained last time to my Dr about this women & I know she got spoken to by the hospital - she is very much out of line. I should do a formal complaint about her again - but I honestly can't be bothered. She wants another appointment with James but I will just cancel when it arrives. She told James to stop taking his medication & throw away the cream our Dr & specialist have given him. To go & buy steriod cream over the counter - as stop she is a nurse & fancy that can not prescribe meds....... She also informed James he could try eating egg when he is a teenager as often your body changes & the protein is changed in cooking - I was shaking my head trying to get her to stop speaking like this - she wouldn't so I ever so calm (not me at all) Spoke gently & slowly - And Said NO! His specialist has said he is not to try any new food until he says so & then it will be in a hospital controlled situation. Her treatment plan of wet wrapping kid hasn't changed in 10 years - it might work for some but when we did it James was a total mess & I was just about a cot case. I am ever so greatful to my GP & specialist who told me to listen to what I feel is right & we stopped this womens treatment. I am greatful James does listen to Brent & I and we have been able to talk through her advise eg throwing away meds - wait till my GP hears this as I will tell her this one! The damage this women could do vent, vent , vent - there I am back to my normal self! A waste of 3 hours out of our day & petrol! James & I didn't get time to stop & have a picnic lunch we just ate in the car (I always pack our own lunch) • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Monday, December 3, 2007 Food allergies Posted in Food Allergies I found out yesterday afternoon I am allergic to peanuts. I had a handful or raw peanuts, about 10 minutes later I felt unwell. My tongue swelled, roof of mouth went funny, top lip went numb, whole top of head went tingley. So had some antihistimine tablet (2) Told Brent. Vomited Face swelled up Went to bed & slept. This morning I'm still not feeling well just had another antihistemine  will try & get into Dr today = not that she can do much but I will get an epi pen for me & a medic alert pendant. So in 42 years I am now allergic to peanuts, shell fish, red wine & bee stings. I have soo many things to do today - post overseas mail, finish some assignments, ......... I really don't need to feel unwell. Thankfully James has allergies so I knew what to do - it's scary enough knowing what to do - imagine someone having an allergic reaction and never experienced symptoms before...... I'm going back to bed - Brent will buy lunch today, not often I don't make his lunch or breakfast. • Comments (2) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Thursday, November 1, 2007 Eczema Posted in Food Allergies James woke up & his eczema was YUCK – James is on such a strict diet – no eggs, fish, nuts or peanuts as this gives emergency anaphylactic – no milk, dairy as gives bad asthmatic attack & possibly anaphylactic – he has never tried it. Very little wheat – I mean little – He can tolerate my homemade bread one slice once a fortnight but that’s it. As least sugar as I can as this feeds the eczema. James has been on a real strict no wheat – no sugar or jam – no sweets for about 3 weeks hoping he could attend swimming lessons with the local homeschool group. James hasn’t had the opportunity to learn to swim as the lessons are very expensive & you have to pay wether you attend or not. So yesterday am both James & I were oh no! His eczema is all infected. Thankfully I was able to get into our GP – Poor old Abbey was still asleep – I woke her & told her we were off to DR – she still is unwell. So James back on antibiotics & poor man has a boil on his butt all caused from the infected eczema. I’m not a fan on antibiotics but sometimes you just got to have them – James can’t have the good yogert to help the lining of his tummy either so it adds to more issues…. I asked Dr about how Abbey has been sick a lot this year & she said there is a nasty virus that if you get it, it just keeps coming back. So no school done at our house yesterday – We are going to be referred to a new eczema specialist we haven’t been since James was 4 or 5 years old – they got us wet wrapping him – he used to have full body bandages – this time was very stressful as if actually made him worse. A lot of the creams they give James he is allergic to & I just hate putting them on him & seeing him in pain with the reaction. But we will try again. I hope we get someone who has dealt with the severity of James’ allergies before so he isn’t their test case like in the past. • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link