My friend made this cake recipe for her sons birthday party knowing that my son could have it....so sweet it made me cry. The cake was amazing! She gave me the extra cupcakes and I would never have known they were dairy free if she hadn't had told me! I am so excited to find a good tasting recipe that everyone wouldn't mind eating at the next party!
Milk Free Egg Free Nut Free Chocolate Cake Recipe
The Icing she used was Vanilla Silk Frosting:
3 c confectioners sugar
1/2 c soy margarine
3 Tbs water
1 tsp vanilla
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
2 year update
So, I need to back up a little...
It was Alex's actual 2nd birthday.
We came home from the park for lunch and I decided to try peanut butter and jelly as a special birthday treat- really, there was another mom at the park who was asking her little girl if thats what she wanted for lunch and it just sounded good. Well, Alex wanted nothing to do with it as expected but I thought I would try. He did touch it and then pretend to taste it by touching his lip. God was on his side that day. Unfortunately his lip swelled up like a grape! Super! I quickly gave him Benedryl,which we are so familiar with in this house. I wasn't too concerned since it was just his lip but called the doctor anyway- they said we had to go to the ER. Alex was playing and acting totally normal so I tried to stay calm but the thought of going to the ER sent me off. I was so upset...upset with myself for giving it to him, upset that it was his birthday and he was going to the ER, and upset that he was allergic to peanuts. I actually have to say that I thought he would be allergic since he is allergic to milk and they say that they go hand in hand often. I was thinking he wasnt though because he has had the french fries from chick fil a and everyone always says that they cook in peanut oil so if they can eat that then they aren't allergic. (Later to find out, that is a myth. When allergic to peanuts, you are not necessarily allergic to peanut oil.) I called my mom and had her come over to stay with Eliana so that I could be focused on Alex. She dropped everything to rush over (so thankful for this!). I wanted to leave right away so I ran over to the neighbors house to ask if they could just wait in the house for my mom. Eliana was sleeping so it wasn't a big deal. The man was there but he said his wife was gone but he gladly said he would do it and was walking with me in a heartbeat. Super sweet man. I didnt even give him any info (like where she was sleeping even) because I knew my mom would be there in a few minutes. After I got home my mom laughed and asked me "how old was that man, like a hundred?!" LOL! Its true he is old. But I didn't care. She said that he insisted she check on the baby because he didnt even know where she was. My mom laughed and said she was sure the baby was okay. No worries. She found her in bed.
So at the ER....there is all this rush to get there quick but then you get there and wait. What a let down. I also quickly realized that there were a lot of people in the waiting room and not much movement....super. I then realized that I was super mom and didn't have anything in my diaper bag for Alex. Not sure why I brought it- no diapers, no snack, no drink. Thankfully there was a tv and some books there. I started to worry though when the lady next to me said she had been there 2 hours! Are you kidding me?! Terrible two will not last 2 hours without any supplies in a sterile waiting room!! His lip didn't seem to be getting any worse and maybe slightly getting better. It was slow but after some time I realized that he was fine, it was going down, and I should just leave. I was glad that I was there to make sure that he was safe though.
A couple of weeks ago we headed to the allergist. We were planning on going anyway because we have been wanting to get him tested for eggs and peanuts. It's also been a year since we have been and they say to go and follow up every year anyway. We see Dr. Liberman and he is wonderful. One of the best and only pediatric allergists in Austin.
So we found out after doing the scratch tests on his back that he is in fact allergic to peanuts AND eggs (in addition to his allergy to milk). We plan on also doing blood tests soon to find out the likelihood of a reaction. I am not looking forward to this because I am not sure how they will draw blood from a two year old. Alex is now "ruined" from his last doctors appointment where he got shots. He is now old enough to remember and cries when he sees any nurse (and climbs up my body to get away!).
So, what does this mean. Well, it means that he can't eat anything with milk, eggs, or nuts in it. It really won't change too much of what we already do. I will still take food with us where ever we go. I will still read labels before giving food. I will still have my epi pen with me where ever we go. So really, the hard part is just the reality of it. I have a hard time with the idea that I have to tell him "no, you can't have that". It breaks. my. heart. I cry when I have these kinds of days where I have to face the truth and talk about the allergies. He has no idea, singing in the backseat to twinkle twinkle, so it's really my sadness for him. I have to protect him from more things now and that seems tiring and just scarier. It makes it more serious to me. Before, I felt like "oh, its just milk." but now I feel like he has some serious allergies (silly really, because the milk IS serious). And I know that the older he gets, the harder it will be for him. It is really hard to travel and eating out is not easy. Travis and I have to just embrace the fact that we will have to handle things a little differently.
I have my pity party and then I have to move on. The positive side to this heartache for me is that there are so many children with allergies 1)worse off and with more things- thank the Lord that he can have soy and wheat! really!! 2) there is such an awareness for allergies today which makes it a little easier. There are so many food products at my local grocery store! and It is easy to get information, talk with others like us, and get help on the internet. 3) there are SO many worse things/sicknesses he could have. This is not the end of the world. I praise God that he is healthy and happy!
Really the hardest allergy to deal with that Alex has is to Dogs. We know so many people with dogs and he can't even be in their homes without having some major reactions. Zyrtec helps but I don't always know ahead of time and it does seem to effect him (more tired, out of it). I also think that because I have always kept him away from dogs, he is now scared of them. I hate that. The doc did say that shots would be an option when he is older to help with this allergy if we want to.
So we will survive. I have to have hope that the Lord will take care of it. I pray that he will grow out of them but I realize that the chances are slim. I pray that someday (if he doesn't outgrow it) that desensitization will be researched enough to be an option to overcome the allergies. It is still very new right now. By the time he is old enough (around 5) to do it, hopefully it will be the practice. I also just pray that the Lord takes care of him. Keeps him from harm.
The other part of this trip that really hit me hard was that Eliana is at high risk for these or other allergies. I had thought of it but I just assumed that the chance was low that she would have them. But of course, its genetic- same genes. So really, if she does, it wont change much of what we do anyway (because I want Alex safe she was going to be given soy milk and dairy free food anyway). But it was the thought that she wouldn't have to battle this same issue - she could have real cake at her friends birthday parties. We will see. I pray she doesn't.
It was Alex's actual 2nd birthday.
We came home from the park for lunch and I decided to try peanut butter and jelly as a special birthday treat- really, there was another mom at the park who was asking her little girl if thats what she wanted for lunch and it just sounded good. Well, Alex wanted nothing to do with it as expected but I thought I would try. He did touch it and then pretend to taste it by touching his lip. God was on his side that day. Unfortunately his lip swelled up like a grape! Super! I quickly gave him Benedryl,which we are so familiar with in this house. I wasn't too concerned since it was just his lip but called the doctor anyway- they said we had to go to the ER. Alex was playing and acting totally normal so I tried to stay calm but the thought of going to the ER sent me off. I was so upset...upset with myself for giving it to him, upset that it was his birthday and he was going to the ER, and upset that he was allergic to peanuts. I actually have to say that I thought he would be allergic since he is allergic to milk and they say that they go hand in hand often. I was thinking he wasnt though because he has had the french fries from chick fil a and everyone always says that they cook in peanut oil so if they can eat that then they aren't allergic. (Later to find out, that is a myth. When allergic to peanuts, you are not necessarily allergic to peanut oil.) I called my mom and had her come over to stay with Eliana so that I could be focused on Alex. She dropped everything to rush over (so thankful for this!). I wanted to leave right away so I ran over to the neighbors house to ask if they could just wait in the house for my mom. Eliana was sleeping so it wasn't a big deal. The man was there but he said his wife was gone but he gladly said he would do it and was walking with me in a heartbeat. Super sweet man. I didnt even give him any info (like where she was sleeping even) because I knew my mom would be there in a few minutes. After I got home my mom laughed and asked me "how old was that man, like a hundred?!" LOL! Its true he is old. But I didn't care. She said that he insisted she check on the baby because he didnt even know where she was. My mom laughed and said she was sure the baby was okay. No worries. She found her in bed.
So at the ER....there is all this rush to get there quick but then you get there and wait. What a let down. I also quickly realized that there were a lot of people in the waiting room and not much movement....super. I then realized that I was super mom and didn't have anything in my diaper bag for Alex. Not sure why I brought it- no diapers, no snack, no drink. Thankfully there was a tv and some books there. I started to worry though when the lady next to me said she had been there 2 hours! Are you kidding me?! Terrible two will not last 2 hours without any supplies in a sterile waiting room!! His lip didn't seem to be getting any worse and maybe slightly getting better. It was slow but after some time I realized that he was fine, it was going down, and I should just leave. I was glad that I was there to make sure that he was safe though.
snapped this before I went to the ER
A couple of weeks ago we headed to the allergist. We were planning on going anyway because we have been wanting to get him tested for eggs and peanuts. It's also been a year since we have been and they say to go and follow up every year anyway. We see Dr. Liberman and he is wonderful. One of the best and only pediatric allergists in Austin.
So we found out after doing the scratch tests on his back that he is in fact allergic to peanuts AND eggs (in addition to his allergy to milk). We plan on also doing blood tests soon to find out the likelihood of a reaction. I am not looking forward to this because I am not sure how they will draw blood from a two year old. Alex is now "ruined" from his last doctors appointment where he got shots. He is now old enough to remember and cries when he sees any nurse (and climbs up my body to get away!).
So, what does this mean. Well, it means that he can't eat anything with milk, eggs, or nuts in it. It really won't change too much of what we already do. I will still take food with us where ever we go. I will still read labels before giving food. I will still have my epi pen with me where ever we go. So really, the hard part is just the reality of it. I have a hard time with the idea that I have to tell him "no, you can't have that". It breaks. my. heart. I cry when I have these kinds of days where I have to face the truth and talk about the allergies. He has no idea, singing in the backseat to twinkle twinkle, so it's really my sadness for him. I have to protect him from more things now and that seems tiring and just scarier. It makes it more serious to me. Before, I felt like "oh, its just milk." but now I feel like he has some serious allergies (silly really, because the milk IS serious). And I know that the older he gets, the harder it will be for him. It is really hard to travel and eating out is not easy. Travis and I have to just embrace the fact that we will have to handle things a little differently.
I have my pity party and then I have to move on. The positive side to this heartache for me is that there are so many children with allergies 1)worse off and with more things- thank the Lord that he can have soy and wheat! really!! 2) there is such an awareness for allergies today which makes it a little easier. There are so many food products at my local grocery store! and It is easy to get information, talk with others like us, and get help on the internet. 3) there are SO many worse things/sicknesses he could have. This is not the end of the world. I praise God that he is healthy and happy!
Really the hardest allergy to deal with that Alex has is to Dogs. We know so many people with dogs and he can't even be in their homes without having some major reactions. Zyrtec helps but I don't always know ahead of time and it does seem to effect him (more tired, out of it). I also think that because I have always kept him away from dogs, he is now scared of them. I hate that. The doc did say that shots would be an option when he is older to help with this allergy if we want to.
So we will survive. I have to have hope that the Lord will take care of it. I pray that he will grow out of them but I realize that the chances are slim. I pray that someday (if he doesn't outgrow it) that desensitization will be researched enough to be an option to overcome the allergies. It is still very new right now. By the time he is old enough (around 5) to do it, hopefully it will be the practice. I also just pray that the Lord takes care of him. Keeps him from harm.
The other part of this trip that really hit me hard was that Eliana is at high risk for these or other allergies. I had thought of it but I just assumed that the chance was low that she would have them. But of course, its genetic- same genes. So really, if she does, it wont change much of what we do anyway (because I want Alex safe she was going to be given soy milk and dairy free food anyway). But it was the thought that she wouldn't have to battle this same issue - she could have real cake at her friends birthday parties. We will see. I pray she doesn't.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Desserts and Special Treats
So this is one of the saddest topics for me to write about. For some reason, a mother looks forward to giving her child special treats from minute one. Especially a mom like me who never turns down candy or dessert, for it is a staple in my opinion! The other hard part is seeing other children eat whatever desserts they want and knowing my child can't and may never be able to. Birthday parties are very hard and I know will only get harder.
So...to pick up my bootstraps and make the best of it, I have tried to find sweets he can eat.
Here is what I have come up with. The list is short because really my son doesn't even like sweets yet. He just doesn't seem to be a big fan. ??? Go figure! But it does make it easier right now.
I found Soy Delicious Mini Ice Cream Bars and LOVE THEM!! You would never know that it is soy. I ate them myself when I gave up milk while nursing. I have heard that their other products are just as delicious.
Rice Krispie Treats! Not the prepackaged store bought ones though! Make them yourself and use a non-dairy butter. Easy and my sons fave!! He also realized that he loves marshmallows while helping me make them. I actually noticed that the generic brand at my grocery store are milk free, so you could try that out if you didn't feel like making them.
We have tried several of the Cherrybrooke Lane cake mix boxes. I am not a fan of these and neither is my son apparently. The taste is just not up to par. I have seen that Betty Crocker has come out with a Gluten Free line that seems to be dairy free also. We haven't tried them yet, but I am guessing they may be pretty good being Betty Crocker. Let me know if you have tried them!
Did you know that Oreo cookies are dairy free?! Wowza!! Thats weird, right?! What a great treat!!
Iced Animal Cookies are dairy free and just pure greatness! :) I keep eating them all! Oops!!
Jelly Beans, peppermints, lollipops, and other sugar based candies seem to be a-okay too!
I found this website, Divies, that sells dairy free treats- looks great! I love when I find great companies like this! They will even ship you cupcakes for your next party! Anyone ever tried them?
So...to pick up my bootstraps and make the best of it, I have tried to find sweets he can eat.
Here is what I have come up with. The list is short because really my son doesn't even like sweets yet. He just doesn't seem to be a big fan. ??? Go figure! But it does make it easier right now.
I found Soy Delicious Mini Ice Cream Bars and LOVE THEM!! You would never know that it is soy. I ate them myself when I gave up milk while nursing. I have heard that their other products are just as delicious.
Rice Krispie Treats! Not the prepackaged store bought ones though! Make them yourself and use a non-dairy butter. Easy and my sons fave!! He also realized that he loves marshmallows while helping me make them. I actually noticed that the generic brand at my grocery store are milk free, so you could try that out if you didn't feel like making them.
We have tried several of the Cherrybrooke Lane cake mix boxes. I am not a fan of these and neither is my son apparently. The taste is just not up to par. I have seen that Betty Crocker has come out with a Gluten Free line that seems to be dairy free also. We haven't tried them yet, but I am guessing they may be pretty good being Betty Crocker. Let me know if you have tried them!
Did you know that Oreo cookies are dairy free?! Wowza!! Thats weird, right?! What a great treat!!
Iced Animal Cookies are dairy free and just pure greatness! :) I keep eating them all! Oops!!
Jelly Beans, peppermints, lollipops, and other sugar based candies seem to be a-okay too!
I found this website, Divies, that sells dairy free treats- looks great! I love when I find great companies like this! They will even ship you cupcakes for your next party! Anyone ever tried them?
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Like me
I stumbled upon some blogs last night....there are so many other moms who have similar blogs and similar situations. Its crazy. I look at them and feel a little overwhelmed and sad, but at the same time I feel inspired and more informed- which is empowering.
I will put these on my sidebar too. Here are just a few...
Milk Allergy Mom
Life with a Dairy Free Toddler
Dairy Free Tried and True
Avoiding Milk Blog
I will put these on my sidebar too. Here are just a few...
Milk Allergy Mom
Life with a Dairy Free Toddler
Dairy Free Tried and True
Avoiding Milk Blog
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Breakfast
Well, I actually don't have a lot on the menu right now. Partly because Alex is picky and partly because I dont know what to feed him.
We always have dry cereal first. I listed some of the kinds in the previous post.
Sometimes we have these waffles- he really likes these and they happen to be dairy free! (Sadly the french toast sticks are not)
Sometimes we have banana (with mixed berry, strawberry, or orange) baby food (yes, he will still eat it! and he refuses to eat a real banana!)
Sometimes I can get him to eat soy yogurt
And sometimes its a cereal bar on the go
I am afraid to try eggs till we get him tested again soon. He did like bacon when we gave him some on a random Sunday as a treat. And I should probably try pancakes again (the first time, he wouldn't eat them and I am not going to all that trouble to have him not eat them!)
Any other suggestions??
We always have dry cereal first. I listed some of the kinds in the previous post.
Sometimes we have these waffles- he really likes these and they happen to be dairy free! (Sadly the french toast sticks are not)
Sometimes we have banana (with mixed berry, strawberry, or orange) baby food (yes, he will still eat it! and he refuses to eat a real banana!)Sometimes I can get him to eat soy yogurt
And sometimes its a cereal bar on the go
I am afraid to try eggs till we get him tested again soon. He did like bacon when we gave him some on a random Sunday as a treat. And I should probably try pancakes again (the first time, he wouldn't eat them and I am not going to all that trouble to have him not eat them!)
Any other suggestions??
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Favorite Snack Foods
I am not sure how to start this blog so I am going to start with my son's favorite...snacks. When everyone else is eating Goldfish crackers, which ALL contain milk, what will my kid eat?!
*I am in no way affiliated with any of these companies or products.
Here are a few of our favorites that are dairy free! My son won't eat raw veggies so I save my veggies for meals. He is also funny about texture of foods so he likes to stick with the carbs.
I like that I can find these snacks all at my local HEB and I don't have to travel to a specialty grocery store. A lot of my snack tips have come from a friend that is Vegan- a great friend to have since their diet is so similar!
Animal Crackers- be careful because not all brands are milk free, we like Stauffer's
(In the chip isle) Roberts Original Tings (they are like "Cheetos" without the cheese! yum!)
and Roberts Pirates Booty Veggie Flavor * Be careful because not all the flavors are dairy free!
Cereal- Kix, Cheerios, Apple Jacks, Pops, Honeycomb, Cinnamon Toast Crunch (this could go on and on! I haven't given it to my kid yet, but even Cookie Crisp is dairy free! It just isn't the healthiest)
of course FRUIT- raisins, dried cranberries, grapes, strawberries, oranges...you get the idea ;)
pretzels (another one to be careful of the brand)
Triscuits
Club Crackers Snack Sticks- my son likes the Honey Wheat
Whole Soy and Co soy yogurt- this is just the only one they sell at HEB. It is expensive too at about a 1$ a single serving container.
Kashi Cereal and Fruit Bar (these are mainly a breakfast on the go for us, but occasionally a good snack)
Earths Best Letter of the Day Oatmeal Cinnamon Cookies (other graham cracker cookies are dairy free too but my son just likes these)- I do have to get these somewhere else like Babies R Us or sometimes Target.
Beech Nut Banana Cookies
I used to also buy the Sweet Potato flavor BeechNut Nibbles but they are a little expensive since my kid can down a box in two sittings now.
I am on the hunt for a dairy free granola bar that isn't too pricey, tastes good, and is soft for a toddler. I also have not started my son on peanut butter yet so that's why I don't have anything with that in it.
Let me know any of your kiddos favorites that you have found! Next will be breakfast finds!
*I am in no way affiliated with any of these companies or products.
Here are a few of our favorites that are dairy free! My son won't eat raw veggies so I save my veggies for meals. He is also funny about texture of foods so he likes to stick with the carbs.
I like that I can find these snacks all at my local HEB and I don't have to travel to a specialty grocery store. A lot of my snack tips have come from a friend that is Vegan- a great friend to have since their diet is so similar!
Animal Crackers- be careful because not all brands are milk free, we like Stauffer's
(In the chip isle) Roberts Original Tings (they are like "Cheetos" without the cheese! yum!)
and Roberts Pirates Booty Veggie Flavor * Be careful because not all the flavors are dairy free!
Cereal- Kix, Cheerios, Apple Jacks, Pops, Honeycomb, Cinnamon Toast Crunch (this could go on and on! I haven't given it to my kid yet, but even Cookie Crisp is dairy free! It just isn't the healthiest)
of course FRUIT- raisins, dried cranberries, grapes, strawberries, oranges...you get the idea ;)
pretzels (another one to be careful of the brand)
Triscuits
Club Crackers Snack Sticks- my son likes the Honey Wheat
Whole Soy and Co soy yogurt- this is just the only one they sell at HEB. It is expensive too at about a 1$ a single serving container.
Kashi Cereal and Fruit Bar (these are mainly a breakfast on the go for us, but occasionally a good snack)
Earths Best Letter of the Day Oatmeal Cinnamon Cookies (other graham cracker cookies are dairy free too but my son just likes these)- I do have to get these somewhere else like Babies R Us or sometimes Target.
Beech Nut Banana Cookies
I used to also buy the Sweet Potato flavor BeechNut Nibbles but they are a little expensive since my kid can down a box in two sittings now.
I am on the hunt for a dairy free granola bar that isn't too pricey, tastes good, and is soft for a toddler. I also have not started my son on peanut butter yet so that's why I don't have anything with that in it.
Let me know any of your kiddos favorites that you have found! Next will be breakfast finds!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Welcome to the Blog!
So, I had this idea in the middle of the night to do a milk allergy blog. I am really excited about it and I hope that it will be successful. I want it to be a place to post products, foods, companies, and websites that I like that help with having a dairy-free little one. I also want this to be a place where other moms dealing with the same issue can meet and discuss. I hope that they can help me with the tips too! Lord knows, I need them just as much. So, I ask you to please pass this site on to anyone you know that has kids that are allergic to milk or have to be dairy free. I know there are many other allergies out there but I would like to try and focus mainly on dairy. Hopefully, with the magic of the internet we can reach many more like me! Thanks, in advance, for you help!
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