Labels: How Far Do You Go?

I try not to single out B with too much peanut free paraphernalia.

She has a medic alert bracelet (or if she isn't wearing that, she's got a shoe tag and a dog tag necklace), a button on her backpack, and that's about it.

I have a few cute shirts that say things like "Some Bunny Doesn't Eat Peanuts", but not much else.

I don't label her jacket. I don't have a bright colored lunch box for her that says "NO Peanuts!".

I'm not criticizing other parents for doing this. I'm actually wondering if I'm doing her a disservice by being quiet about it. But I also don't want to single her out to bullying by going overboard.

How are you all finding a balance with this? What's working for you?

How much is too much? Too little?

It's a Jungle out there...

A quick Monday morning post....

For those of you who love Mother's Circus Animal Cookies but don't give them to your child because of the may contain warning, have I got some good news for you.

Nabisco makes iced animal cookies too! Same look, just as tasty. And no warnings! (note: I tend to trust Nabisco since they have other products that do carry the may contain or manufactured on equipment warnings). These are perfect for the holidays too - kids love them.

So there, Mother's. There's a new sweetie in town.

Refusal

B has been to two birthday parties in as many weeks and hasn't had a piece of cake at either.

And not because I told her she couldn't. It was quite the opposite. I told her the cake was ok to eat - safe in fact and to go ahead a dig in!

She wouldn't budge. She had a slice at each event in front of her but made excuses at each (my response? I ate the cake for her - what else was I to do?).

But why did she really refuse?

Was it her sixth sense? Fear?

I'm thinking the latter. I think she's stuck in between being polite to her host and being her own advocate.

My heart breaks that she even has to THINK about this stuff at the ripe old age of 5. That she worries an innocent piece of cake could do her in. Even one her mom says is ok.

I hope and pray she grows out of this.

Thanksgiving Foods to Watch Out For with a Peanut and Nut Allergy

With Thanksgiving coming up, I thought I'd give you just a few ideas of where nuts can be lurking (besides in your wine glass):

• Pie Crusts - many of the pie crusts I've see of late in cooking magazines (and online) utilize ground nuts in the crust. This wouldn't be apparent to the naked eye in say, a pumpkin pie, and could send you into a reaction (which is never fun, especially during the holiday celebrations). Always ask about ingredients if you aren't completely sure. And if you still aren't convinced it's safe, then abstain.
  
• Stuffing - watch out for almonds and pecans (and chestnuts) in stuffing.
• Green Beans/Brussels Sprouts - I've been seeing lots of recipes for these greens either garnished with nuts (like hazelnuts and almonds or pine nuts) or in compound butters composed of these nuts in their ground up form.
• Sweet Potatoes - again, this veggie goes hand in hand with brown sugar and - you guessed it - nuts! Look for pecans and/or walnuts as a pairing typically either mixed in or part of a crumble on top.
  
• Cookies - this is a no brainer in some respects, but the holidays are definitely a time for nuts! Marzipan (ground almond/sugar paste) abounds in baked goods as well as walnuts, pecans, pine nuts, and peanut butter.
  
• Extracts - Lastly, keep in mind with ANY baked goods that people use almond extract a lot to replace vanilla. If you are going to take a chance and have a sugar cookie, you just might want to ask about almond extract.

So what did I miss? Readers, comment away!

Thanksgiving Oops #1 to watch out for....

Imagine this greeting you at the table when you're allergic to tree nuts?

It's a super crafty idea from the folks at Pottery Barn, don't get me wrong (although I wonder what you're supposed to do with the nuts and place cards when you want a glass of wine?), but what a big oops! It greeted me this week when my PB catalog came in the mail. It's funny what you notice first when you are sensitive to these things, huh?

I don't mean to harp on PB, but it just goes to show that during the holidays you need to be prepared for anything.

Including leaves in your glass (I sure hope they cleaned those first).

PF Mama's Favorite Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

We love us some Chocolate Chip cookies around these parts. Add oatmeal to the mix and we're in heaven!

I don't think I've posted the most awesome chocolate chip oatmeal cookie recipe in my arsenal (sounds painful, doesn't it)?

I found this recipe online and adjusted it for peanut allergy (meaning I replaced the nuts with coconut and used Enjoy Life Chips). These are so good (but I have a little problem with my addiction to coconut, so be forewarned).

I hope you like them too!

Here's my revised recipe:

QUICK AND EASY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

DRY INGREDIENTS:
1 c. old fashioned oatmeal
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. Enjoy Life chocolate chips
1 c. shredded unsweetened flaked coconut
1 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

LIQUID INGREDIENTS:
1 stick butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 med. sized egg
1 tbsp. Half and Half (or milk)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Soften butter at room temperature (or in microwave) until very soft, but not melted.
3. Measure and place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, starting with the dry ingredients and finishing with the liquid ingredients on top.
4. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until dry ingredients are all completely moistened.
5. For easier handling, dough may be chilled for 20 minutes prior to shaping, but this is not necessary.
6. Form into walnut-sized balls (approximately 1 heaping tablespoon).
7. Place on ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart.
8. Bake at 375 degrees for 9 minutes on top rack of oven.
9. Remove immediately from oven and place sheet on wire rack.
10. After 5 minutes, remove cookies from sheet with metal spatula and place directly on wire racks to finish cooling.

Cookies will be very soft when hot. They will break if removed from sheet immediately. Do not bake until firm or they will be hard when cooled.

note: this isn't an ad for Enjoy Life Chips. they didn't ask me to write about or mention them. i just really like the chips - they are a great substitute for other baking chips that aren't safe for B.

Peanut Allergy Friendly Snacks While Flying: US Airways

When we went to San Diego last month we stopped by to visit my brother and sister-in-law. I LOVE them and wished they lived closer (but that's another post on another blog, huh?)!

While we were there visiting, my little niece freaked out a little. Eyes wide, she asked her mom something I couldn't hear, sounding a little scared....

Why the nerves, you might wonder?

She had eaten some trail mix and got worried because of B's allergy to peanuts.

"Don't worry," her mom said to her, "this doesn't have peanuts or nuts in it. B will be just fine".

Of course I had to take a look. It sure looked like it had nuts in it.

But she was right. It was Sunbutter trail mix! I'd never seen it in the flesh - this was exciting! But why did they have it??

Apparently my brother flew US Airways and in one of their snack boxes (their chicken salad one on this page) for sale they include Sunbutter Snackwave Golden Deluxe Trail Mix. I mean, their peanut policy sucks big time, but isn't this possibly a step in the right direction for US Airways??

Well, needless to say I told Bella it was safe for her and she dug in - and she loved it!

A little background: B has been given some of the 'leading' peanut free brand's trail mix and gave it the supreme two thumbs down. So did I - talk about dirt sandwich - blech. I was expecting the same from this. But again - she loved it! I think the fact that her cousin was snarfing it down helped a bit.

And then I ate some. Tasty! I've ordered a dozen from Peanut Free Planet for something like $6. Totally worth it. These will be great for road trips, lunches, snacks, and field trips. (If you are interested, I also bought some quaker oat granola bars from Canada that are peanut free and some enjoy life chocolate chips - yummy!).

My brother flies alot on US Airways and had another bag that he kindly gave to B. Is he a great Uncle or what?

I can't vouch that the rest of the snack boxes on US Airways are good, or peanut free for that matter, heck the snack box in question's other elements may have nuts, but if you are traveling with a non airborne reactive PA person, this might just be a snack option you can actually eat in flight.

Good job US Airways - it's a great start!