In the first post of this series, I shared one of our experiences with our oldest daughter and an allergic reaction to some food I gave her. In that story, I explained how I debated giving the EpiPen® injection, and then decided to use it. What I didn't mention in that post, however, was the … [Read more...]
Allergy-free Breakfasts at Our House
Our weekday breakfasts are pretty simple around here. I've never been one to make elaborate breakfast foods during the work week; though I LOVE large, lazy, gather around the table affairs on Saturday mornings. :) Kids especially seem to make the morning routine even more hectic, am I right? … [Read more...]
Ready Mixes for Cupcakes, Cookies, & Brownies: Aldi liveGfree Product Review
When Izzy was first diagnosed with multiple food allergies, I researched how to bake treats like cookies, cupcakes, and brownies. I had grand plans of finding her favorite recipes and making batches of treats ahead of time so I'd always have some on hand (or in the freezer). Since then, reality … [Read more...]
An Allergy-free Daddy Daughter Night
Izzy finished preschool last spring. She's our oldest child, so this past year has been our first experience of regularly working around food allergies in school and for school related events. As we approach the start of kindergarten in a couple short weeks (August 12th is the first day...ack!), … [Read more...]
Carrying the EpiPen – Epinephrine Dilemma #2
Here's a little quandry we've encountered with our two daughters and the four EpiPens that we need to carry everywhere. How to carry them? Where to carry them? When children are younger and not yet potty trained, carrying an auto-injector is not really a problem. You are already hauling around … [Read more...]
Four Unexpected Eczema Triggers and Your Child
As part of the food allergy thing, our oldest daughter also deals with eczema and mild, intermittent asthma. As many of you probably know, food allergies, eczema, and asthma often go hand-in-hand. Each condition seems to egg the other on, in a vicious cycle. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is … [Read more...]
Our Allergy-free Bread Solution & Routine
Obviously, having kids with multiple food allergies has drastically changed our cooking, baking, and shopping routines. I'm sure you can all relate! My biggest issue by far has been how to keep our kitchen stocked with basics (like bread, snacks, cookies) that don't break the bank or eat up all my … [Read more...]
Do I Use the EpiPen®? – Epinephrine Dilemma #1
All of us food allergy folks carry them: the famous EpiPen® (or Auvi-Q or Adrenaclick). For those with severe allergies of any kind, this is a life-saving drug and device. But my family has had some struggles using and understanding our auto-injectors. In this series, I'll share three practical … [Read more...]
5 Reasons to Be Thankful for Food Allergies!
Yes, you read that correctly! Call me weird, I don't care. I want my family to be thankful for the food allergies we have, and I'm completely serious. While there are lots of scary things about food allergies, I do get weary of the bemoaning I read and hear about them. I realize that it IS … [Read more...]
Bars, Granola, and Cookies – Aldi liveGfree Product Review Series
Okay, folks. I know the cost of allergen-free specialty products and ingredients can really hit the wallet hard, especially prepackaged convenience foods. Yes, it would be safest (and healthiest) to make allergy-free snacks and treats from scratch. Well, I do that, but I also work part-time, … [Read more...]