Nut-Free Valentine's Day! A Roundup of Nut-Free Treats, Helpful Links, Ideas and More!

Valentine's Day, the season of love is nearly here. And as those of us coping with food allergies know, it's also the season of potentially unsafe food.

That's why I'm offering this convenient roundup of posts and links that provide some wonderful nut-free alternatives.

Important to note: Seasonal or holiday candy may be made on different lines depending on the brand, and those manufacturing differences may result in a previously "safe" brand becoming "unsafe" due to cross-contact risk. Read the labels, always, every time to make sure your candy is OK to use!

Now onto the links! You will find recipes, treats ideas, non-food crafts (perfect for school) and more. If you are a Pinner, I highly recommend you check out my Nut-Free Valentine's Day Pinterest board. I've been collecting some really good pins from other sites as well as this one. Lots of fun and creative ideas there! The Pinterest link is listed below.

Online Resources for a Nut-Free Valentine's Day

Food Allergies, Valentine's Day and School Party Tips

Pinterest Board for a Nut-Free Valentine's Day

Last Minute Valentine's Day Ideas plus an easy nut-free recipe!

I am proud to say that three of my site sponsors offer nut-free treats. Nutphree's Cupcakes, Surf Sweets and Dean's Sweets are favorite sources of nut-free sweets and goodies for my family. (I've got many more included in the link/posts above). It's nice to be able to count on a nut-free facility -- which these three great companies consistently provide.

And don't forget to click the two Valentine's Day images on the right side bar of the site: the cupid and the box of heart-shaped chocolates. These two images will take you to posts that hook you up with nut-free treats online as well as those you find at the supermarket.

A new one I found this year: Willy Wonka brand Everlasting Gobstoppers in a new heart shape. These may contain allergens other than nuts, but check the label. No nut allergen warnings and I've called this company in the past--they will mark for cross-contact risk. Have any of you found some new nut-free treats at the store? Let us know.

Happy Valentine's Day to you and your sweeties!

Nut-Free, Homemade Halloween Treats, Plus Last-Minute Ideas on Pinterest

These shortbread cookies can even be made dairy-free. Delicious!

Halloween is just a few days away so I want to post some links to two reader-favorite Halloween recipes that I created for my family:

Frankenstein Monster Toe Cookies

Candy Corn Cookies

These two recipes are pretty easy and definitely festive. I hope you enjoy them!

I hope you'll also check out my Pinterest boards -- I have nut-free Halloween recipes and fun Halloween ideas from a variety of sources.

Halloween Candy Exchange

What to do with all the Halloween candy you can't have? If you live near Chicago-area bakery, Nutphree's, bring your unusable Halloween candy to their bakery and they'll give you a free cupcake. They will send any unusable candy overseas to the military, so it's a win-win situation for everyone.

What do you do with the Halloween candy you can't use? Any candy exchanges like this in your area? Please share them! We'd love to hear your ideas.

Nut-Free News: French Macarons from Cakes for Occasions--Nut-FREE!

Nut-free French macarons...yes, NUT-FREE.

I don’t know about all of you, but while I can bake many things nut-free, French macarons made nut-free are just not in my repertoire. And that’s been kind of a shame for my daughter with severe nut allergies.

If you know anything about popular culture trends, then you know that French macarons have become the "new cupcake.” Macarons are now standard fare at local bakeries and macaron designs are even becoming a popular trend. Recently, I spotted macaron-themed items at the craft store Paper Source – they’ve got macaroon tea towels, pillboxes, aprons, thank you notes, etc. The new cupcake, indeed! 

Sandwich cookie (aka French-style) macarons like those pictured above are colorful, light, airy and culinary cute personified. However, they are normally made with pulverized almonds or some other tree nut. Obviously, tree nut allergic people can’t partake of these trendy little treats.

 

Well, until now. I was amazed when Cakes for Occasions nut-free bakery in Danvers,

 

Massachusetts, a longtime site partner of mine, told me that they now sell nut-free macarons in their storefront as well as in their online store. They asked if I wanted samples and of course the answer was YES.

 

I waited until my kids came home from school one day before I unveiled the treats. We were impressed by how well the delicate cookies traveled (from Massachusetts to Illinois), how fresh the cookies tasted and how delicious they were. The cream frosting in the center is just perfect and the cookies themselves are chewy and light—just as a macaron should be but without the pesky tree nuts for those of us who can’t have them.  These nut-free macarons would make a wonderful tea party treat for any girl aged 8 to 88 and, they are festive for birthdays, holidays or other special events.

 

My oldest daughter was very grateful because while she was interested in the whole French macaron craze, she could never actually enjoy a real, live macaron. Luckily, these were worth the wait. Thank you, Cakes for Occasions!

For information on ordering, visit the Cakes for Occasions web site or click here. They are located in Danvers, MA so if you live in the area, stop in and try them. Currently retailing for $24.95 for 15 French-style macarons. The bakery has many more online offerings so check out the website for info on cakes, cookies and other pastry items, all made nut-free.

Food Allergy News: We've Got the Auvi-Q (TM) Epinephrine Auto-Injector

I swear the fact that the purse matches the Auvi-Q (TM) is completely coincidental.

Ever since the Auvi-Q (TM) epinephrine auto-injector was introduced to consumers several months ago, my 13-year-old daughter with severe food allergies has been curious about these new compact devices. She liked the idea of a small auto-injector that would fit easily into a purse and she liked the fact that the device "talks" to you and guides you through the process.

 

It all sounded pretty awesome. However, we still had our pen-shaped epinephrine auto-injectors and they hadn't expired yet, so I suggested we wait until our next allergist appointment to ask for a prescription. Let me state up front that I have never been asked to review or endorse these products (and I'm not looking to do so), I am only speaking as a fellow consumer and giving my consumer opinion (and sharing my daughter's thoughts on the device).

 

OK, back to the allergy appointment. When we asked about it, our allergist was enthusiastic about the Auvi-Q (TM). She said it was a great choice for a teen. I was a little bit skeptical at first because we've been carrying a different auto-injector for so many years. 

 

After seeing the compact size of the Auvi-Q (TM) AND hearing how it guides you through the process, my daughter and I both agreed -- we wanted to carry it. It really is a great little device!

 

The allergist brought up some good points about the Auvi-Q that I hadn't considered, such as the fact that it might be a good choice for grandparents, teachers or other caregivers, given the fact that it has voice-guided instructions. (Please don't rely on those alone, though. For anyone caring for your child, of course you want to personally train them in how to use the device. Each package comes with a trainer for that very purpose.)

 

As the person with allergies who would ultimately need to carry it and/or use it, my daughter saw some other benefits. The small and convenient size is a huge bonus for her, because she self-carries her epinephrine everywhere she goes. She's  a girl, so she wants to be able to fit her epinephrine in a cute little purse. OK, that may sound trivial, but if kids feel good about carrying the epinephrine they are more likely to carry it. For boys, this device fits easily in a pocket. Here are the dimensions of the Auvi-Q, taken from the company web site: 3 3/8 inches wide, 2 inches high and 5/8 inches thick. It's smaller than a cell phone, for example.

 

 

Two Auvi-Q devices are inside this small purse, with lots of room
left over for a cell phone and other stuff.

The other point my daughter brought up was that the Auvi-Q does not seem "scary" to her. I get that.  This small, compact, card deck-shaped device is non-threatening to look at and my daughter thought it might encourage her to be less afraid in an emergency. She also said that the voice instructions were comforting and reassured her. Apparently, she's been afraid she might forget what to do in an emergency. This makes sense as any of us might go blank -- even if we are well-versed in epinephrine usage -- when faced with having to self-inject or having to inject our child in an emergency. 

 

Again, even with voice instructions, my doctor said to practice using the device via the trainer and to have an emergency plan available to caregivers. Just an FYI, the most recent food allergy emergency action plan from FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) has instructions on how to use the Auvi-Q (TM). Click here to find that document.

 

Now for the cost. It's basically the same as other epinephrine auto-injectors but your doctor can give you a $0 co-pay coupon that will also knock $100 off the price of a set of two auto-injectors if you are paying for prescriptions out-of-pocket. Again, read the fine print on the coupon, but it is effective until December 31, 2013. As with any new prescription, make sure your insurance covers these before ordering! You can access a coupon by clicking this link and registering on the site.

 

To find out more and to see a demo on how to use an Auvi-Q, visit the company web site by clicking this link. Many readers of this blog have been curious about the Auvi-Q (TM) device. If any of you have any questions about the best epinephrine device for your particular situation, I encourage you to speak to your doctor.

 

Whatever epinephrine auto-injector that you choose, be sure to carry at least two at all times. Epinephrine can't work if you don't have it with you!

 

Note: Please contact your allergist or physician with any questions about epinephrine, anaphylaxis and your specific medical needs. 

Coping with Sending Kids with Food Allergies Back to School: Who Needs a Pep Talk?

Let me start by saying that I think school is a wonderful thing and we've had some excellent experiences at school. School has been a positive experience for us in so many ways. For those of you getting ready to send your kids with severe allergies off to school for the first time, of course you must prepare the school, yourself and your child, but the rewards can be great.

Still, I remember so clearly that anxious feeling I had when sending my child to school for the first time. Kindergarten felt very challenging, maybe because preschool was when we discovered my daughter's allergies following an anaphylactic reaction. I was still learning about allergies when I sent my child off to school, just like many of you.

I feel like all of us need a pep talk right now, even those of us who have been sending kids with food allergies to school for years. Heck, I'd like a pep talk myself. With 8th grade approaching, my family will be dealing with new challenges and new adjustments that come with increasing independence. So even now, I can relate to those of you sending kids to school for the first time. For more about taking that leap of faith at the start of the school year, check out this article. It seemed to strike a chord with many readers.

Here's one positive thing I've observed: Food allergy awareness is at an all-time high in schools. When we began school nine years ago, it was not very well understood and I had to break a lot of new ground when my daughter first became a student. Now, most schools have had allergic students and have created some type of policy. You may need to work with your school to tweak the policy to your satisfaction, but it's highly unlikely that your school has never dealt with allergic students before. Your school district may even have a concrete policy on dealing with food allergy management. If you're not sure, ask them.

These days, kids in your child's classroom will be used to others having food allergies and dietary restrictions. This is positive if you are just sending a child to school. I've found that kids can be excellent advocates for their friends with allergies. This generation will hopefully be more tolerant and accepting.

Additionally, most parents are used to hearing about food restrictions. Do some of them grumble? Are some of them occasionally upset that they can't send peanut butter treats or what have you to a class party? Sure. It does happen but most of the time it's because parents don't understand why or if they do, they are busy and just don't want to be bothered. If you keep your cool and offer to be a resource, that is a big help. Your formal health plan at school can also reflect what is allowed in the classroom, so see this link for details on working with your school.

And here's one thing to keep in mind, a big thing. We may be adept at food allergy management and have it foremost in our minds, but that doesn't mean that other people do. It's probably not going to take one conversation or meeting to achieve perfect understanding between you and the school. If you know that going in and have prepared yourself with a school calendar so that you can check in periodically (especially around party or special event time), you will not feel as blindsided when somebody forgets something or there is a mishap regarding what is allowed in the classroom. Use it as a learning experience and always, always communicate.

Trust your gut. If something is not right, talk to your school about what you can do to make it better. Don't suffer in silence or have your child suffer. It's not worth it and may even endanger their health.

Finally, engage your child in food allergy management. Even little kids can learn to say no politely to an unknown food or food not approved by you. Make sure it's you who approves the food and no one else (remember, others don't have it foremost on their minds like you do). Help your child learn what foods may be risky (desserts, candy, certain snacks, bakery goods, some restaurant foods, etc.) and teach them to say "no, thank you." It will help their confidence and yours if they know what to avoid. For an article on teaching kids to manage nut allergies, click here.

As the school year nears, we will have stress. Take time for yourself and if you've completed all your allergy-related tasks, then know you are doing what you can. Try to relax so that you don't transmit anxiety to your child. Click this link for a parent's/caregiver's guide to managing nut allergies.

Please share with us any tips you have for managing food allergies at school by leaving a comment.  I wish all of us a safe and happy school year!

Note: for medical questions, please ask your doctor. For questions regarding your specific school, please contact them directly.

Nut-Free Summer 2013: A Roundup of Food Allergy Posts for a Fun, Safe Summer

 

Homemade ice cream break with my youngest. See below (and search the blog)
 for nut-free frozen treat recipes.

Summer is in full swing by now. Most of us have kids out of school and things like parties, road trips and seasonal treats like ice cream and barbecues are on the horizon.

I have written quite a bit about summer with food allergies, so I thought I would share some of my favorite and most useful summer blog posts for those who haven't seen them. For those who have, I hope these will serve as helpful reminders.

Going to a summer party or barbecue? Check out these tips.

Are you scheduling a road trip to visit family or friends? Here's some advice on travel with food allergies.

Sending a child to camp or thinking about it? Here is our day camp story, plus a link to the transcript of a talk I co-hosted on The Motherhood dealing with camp, sleepovers and play dates.

Looking for homemade ice cream? Here is a recipe for nut-free, egg-free basic vanilla. Making ice cream and frozen treats is a fun and easy summer project on a rainy day or for “bored” kiddos.

If you’re concerned about nut allergies and sunscreen, here is a popular post discussing some options. The comments box below this post has great suggestions from readers, too.

And for anyone looking for an overall approach to living the nut-free life, check out my e-book guide for parents and caregivers of kids with life-threatening nut allergies. Grandparents, family members and teachers find it helpful, too.  As always, I appreciate the great feedback I've received from readers of my book. Thank you!

 

Nut-Free Recipe: No Nuts 'Peanut Butter' Chocolate Squares

For anyone who has eliminated peanut butter from their home or other nut butters due to their child's peanut allergy or tree nut allergy, but who still craves it once in awhile, this recipe is for you. Using a peanut butter substitute in place of traditional peanut butter, these squares are so good. I found a similar recipe using Snickers candy bars and I thought--why not SunButter and chocolate chips instead? It turned out to be a good experiment and they have become a family fave.

 

I used the new Hershey brand "Baking Melts" in this recipe for a change of pace from chocolate chips and may I just say: Yum! The large chocolate discs stay soft and melty and are really delicious. A word about Hershey: they will mark their products for "may contains" and shared equipment. If you need more info, they recommend you call them. I've called them many times, use their products and feel comfortable doing so. As always, what product you use is totally up to you! I would also suggest using Enjoy Life Foods nut-free, soy-free, gluten-free and dairy-free mega chocolate chunks in these squares, or any of your favorite chips.

 

I've heard from so many of you that your husband or other family members have given up peanut butter at home (my DH has, too) so this would be a nice sweet treat to bake up for Father's Day. (But of course, they're good any time.)

 

One word of warning: these dessert/snack squares are NOT low-cal and they are addictive. But they have oatmeal in them, so they can't be all bad, right? Ok, you've been warned. :)

 

For those of you avoiding sunflower seed butter for allergy reasons, of course soy butter would work in this recipe. If you don't like to use peanut butter substitutes altogether, then why not treat Dad to my other reader favorite recipe?  Big Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies.

 

 

Nut-Free Mom's No Nuts "Peanut Butter" Chocolate Crumble Squares

 

1/2- 3/4cup (or more to taste) SunButter (TM) sunflower seed butter or soy butter

1/2 cup (or more to taste) of your favorite nut-free semi-sweet chocolate chips, chunks or baking melts. (I use Hershey or Enjoy Life)

2 sticks of butter or dairy-free (or regular) margarine, melted

1 tsp pure vanilla extract (I use McCormick)

1 tsp baking soda (Arm & Hammer)

2/3 cup dark brown sugar (I use Dominos's)

1 - 1/4 cup oats, uncooked (I use Quaker Oats)

2 cups all-purpose flour (I use Gold Medal)

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

 

Spray a 9 x 13 inch pan with baking spray (I use Pam with flour or regular Pam). In a large saucepan or in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl, melt the butter or margarine. Remove the pan from the heat (or microwave) and stir in the flour, baking soda, oats, brown sugar and vanilla until completely blended and crumbly.

 

 

Press about 2/3 of this mixture into your prepared pan. Alternate scoops of SunButter (I use a small ice cream scoop) and scatter your chocolate pieces evenly in the pan, about 1/2 inch from the edge of the pan. If you like, smooth out the scoops of SunButter a bit for a more even amount in each bite. (I usually do this.)

 

 

Crumble the rest of the oatmeal mixture evenly on top. Bake for 22-25 minutes until the edges are golden brown, then cool the pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars or squares to serve.

 

 

 

Makes 24 bars.

 

 Please note: You and your allergist are the best judges of what to serve your child. Any questions about whether or not the foods in this recipe are appropriate for your situation, please call your doctor. For product questions, please contact companies directly. Thank you!

 

 

Attention All Food Allergy Friends: Carry Your Epinephrine!

When my daughter was first diagnosed,
we had sticky notes like this all over the house.

When your child (or you!) received a food allergy diagnosis and you discovered a risk for anaphylaxis (potentially life-threatening allergic reaction), one of the first things you probably received was a script for an epinephrine auto-injector. You were likely told that you must carry the auto-injector with you at all times, you filled the prescription and then...life goes on. When you are first absorbing the many changes that food allergies bring, sometimes you can forget to pack the epinephrine. Or maybe you don't think you really need it everywhere, especially if you don't plan to eat.

The simple rule about epinephrine auto-injectors is that we never know when we'll need them. So always carry them! In fact, most allergists recommend carrying at least two at all times for a multitude of what-if reasons.

It's easy to forget these little life-saving doodads when you're rushing around fulfilling your life obligations. But--these things are too important to forget. They will save a life, period. To paraphrase an old TV ad: "Don't leave home without them." And in fact, even if you are at home, have them easily accessible at all times. Pick a cabinet and put a sticker on it or a sticky note--whatever you have to do. Tell everyone who cares for your kids where you either stored or packed the epinephrine. Truly, these small steps can make a difference by saving a life.

Tragic food allergy fatalities usually have one commonality that is heart-breaking: no epinephrine was available for the person suffering the reaction. This is reason enough to turn the car around and head home if you forget it. I've done it so many times and even if I've been late for something I've never regretted making sure I have the epinephrine. As my husband's late grandmother used to say "Better a red face than a broken heart." Amen to that! Carry the darn things.

I know it's a pain to remember to carry epinephrine auto-injectors, so I have some suggestions that worked for me. If some of these seem over the top, they are meant to be. Because, after all, the goal is having the auto-injector available at all times!

Whether you are using the EpiPen(R) or the new Auvi-Q(R) auto-injector, if you don't have them with you, they won't work. My daughter's first allergist held up the auto-injector and said "This is no good if you don't have it with you. Always have it with you." Point taken and I've always remembered that good advice no matter what.

Tricks for remembering/quickly locating your epinephrine auto-injector:

1. Use lots of sticky note reminders (see photo above). Place reminder notes on your front and back doors, the sink, your car dashboard, the kitchen cabinet, the TV screen--anywhere you think will be useful at helping you remember.

2. Wear it: OneSpot Allergy has auto-injector belts for both the EpiPen(R) and Auvi-Q(R). The company Olli Lolli even makes khaki pants that kids can carry it in. Whatever works--do it!

3. Have a special, recognizable case for the auto-injector. My daughter loves her carrying case from Epi-Essentials. If she doesn't have this visual reminder in her bag, then she knows not to leave without it.

4. Get your kids in the habit of remembering their auto-injectors. Practice having your kids bring you the auto-injector before you go somewhere; as they get older, have them carry it. (You carry a backup of course.) I'm so glad I did this; now my daughter is excellent at remembering and usually already has it packed before I ask "Do you have your auto-injector?

5. Practice drills for locating epinephrine. Pretend you need the auto-injector and time how long it takes to find it. It shouldn't take long--only seconds! If it takes too long to locate find a new spot for it.

I hope these tips help! And remember:

What works for you? How do you remind yourself to carry your epinephrine?

Nut-Free Supermaket Finds Friday: Enjoy Life Foods (TM) Granola!

 

Granola makes a healthy snack and a nutritious add-in to many recipes, but as you may have discovered, a good nut-free granola is hard to find. So that's why I chose this week's Nut-Free Supermarket Friday find: Enjoy Life Foods Nut and Gluten-Free Granola. This flavorful and healthy snack comes in three flavors: Cinnamon Raisin Crunch, Very Berry Crunch and Double Chocolate Crunch. (Double yum).

We love all three at my house, not only as a snack but as a great recipe add-in. For example, the Cinnamon Raisin Crunch makes a tasty addition to several recipes I have on this blog including as part of the streusel topping for my Nut-Free Sour Cream Coffee Cake (just add a half a cup to the streusel for flavor and crunch) and it's the granola I use for my Honey Granola Muffins.

You can also stir any of the flavor varieties into oatmeal or add it to my nut-free granola bars in place of chocolate chips.

The Enjoy Life Foods web site has nutritional and ingredients info for each variety. Here's some information on the Cinnamon Raisin Crunch flavor:

Crispy bites of brown rice granola sprinkled with raisins and a touch of cinnamon!


Ingredients:
Brown Rice Flakes, Evaporated Cane Juice, Brown Rice Syrup, Raisins*, Rice Crisps (Rice Flour, Rice Bran, Raisin Juice Concentrate, Honey, Salt), Inulin (Chicory Root Fiber), Ground Cinnamon, Ground Flaxseed, Salt, Natural Cinnamon Flavor, Rosemary Extract.
*Sulfite-Free


Allergen Info
Gluten Free, Wheat Free, Dairy Free, Peanut Free, Tree Nut Free, Egg Free, Soy Free, Fish Free, Shellfish Free.
Source: Enjoy Life Foods web site.

I buy Enjoy Life Nut and Gluten Free Granola at my local supermarket down the street ( a division of SuperValu); it is also widely available at Whole Foods and other natural foods stores. Enjoy Life's web site has a store locator. They also have a full list of recipes for each of their products on their site. Sign up for their newsletter to gain coupon savings, also on their site.

You can also check the Enjoy Life Foods web site for full nutritional/allergen info on their other granola flavors and products.

I hope you find it on your local supermarket shelves, but can also order online!

Note: Nut-free supermarket Friday finds products are chosen for their peanut and tree nut-free status. They may contain other top allergens; please evaluate your own allergy needs regarding any products mentioned here. Thank you!

All About Tree Nut Allergies: For One Thing, They're Not Peanuts

Tree nut allergies are not peanut allergies. But you can be severely allergic to
one or both. What are tree nuts? Read on...

When telling someone that you or your child has a nut allergy, you have probably discovered that many people take this to mean a peanut allergy, only. However, in recent years, studies have shown that an increasing number of people with peanut allergies have a tree nut allergy, too. (This is the case with my daughter and I know many of you share this.)

According to a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the prevalence of childhood tree nut allergy increased significantly in the last 10 years. (1.1% in 2008, 0.5% in 2002, and 0.2% in 1997). Here is a link to that article.

Tree nut allergies are sometimes difficult to explain and these allergens are often difficult to avoid. With their "super food" status, it seems that tree nuts like almonds, cashews and walnuts are now everywhere, being added to just about everything. Approach any new foods with caution and keep up on the labels/practices of your favorites in case of changes.

Of course, many people have a tree nut allergy -- only -- and no peanut allergy. So in this case, you really might have to be extra clear when explaining what you need to avoid.

I can think of several occasions when I described my child's nut allergy to someone and told them that she was allergic to both peanuts and tree nuts. Unfortunately, the message doesn't always get through. One time, a teacher at a park district class my daughter was enrolled in with a friend assured me that "no nuts are used--we know about allergies."  However, almond oil was one of the main ingredients in a project. (They were making glitter lotion.) Almond is a tree nut and one of my daughter's most sensitive tree nut allergies. She wisely avoided the product and everything was OK. But had she been younger/less informed, who knows? Obviously, when I found this out it was scary and disappointing. I realized that I needed to be more clear.

Part of the problem with communicating about tree nut allergies is that peanut allergies get so much press and buzz. If you don't deal with this issue daily, you won't always understand the nuances and that's understandable. So what are tree nut allergies? Here are some facts to help separate the peanuts from the tree nuts.

What the heck is a tree nut?

That's a good question and one I asked my allergist when my daughter was diagnosed with peanut and tree nut allergies. Tree nut allergies are one of the most common food allergies and unfortunately, they can also be one of the most lethal. Tree nut allergies tend to be a lifelong allergy.  Basically, tree nuts grow on trees so they include (but are not limited to) pecans, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, pistachios, pine nuts and cashews.

However, it's not that simple. Everything that grows on a tree is not a tree nut and every thing called a "nut" is not necessarily something to avoid. Seeds are not tree nuts. Sesame seeds and sunflower seeds are not tree nuts. Coconuts are not tree nuts--they are a fruit. Shea nuts (found in hair and skin products and sometimes as "butter" or oil in foods) are not considered allergenic tree nuts by most allergists. Nutmeg, a popular spice, is actually not a tree nut but the seed of a fruit. See this article about shea butter in an article from Allergic Living by clicking the link. You can read more about tree nut allergies at the FARE website.

Big word of caution here! You can be allergic to just about any substance so before serving any new foods to your child (or yourself) or using a skin/hair product, ask your allergist.

When telling someone about a tree nut allergy, I find it helps to list some as an example. "My daughter is allergic to tree nuts and peanuts. Tree nuts are things like cashews, almonds, pecans and walnuts and many others." It emphasizes that we are not talking about peanuts, but a separate food item.

When speaking to your kids or family members about tree nut allergies, it's really helpful to give a visual of what the types of tree nuts look like. If you don't keep them in the house, your kids might not know! To help educate them, check out this web site. It gives a visual photo for many types of tree nuts.

Peanut-free foods don't always mean tree nut-free

In recent years, many companies have chosen to place labels on their foods that say "peanut-free." (This is not required by law). But that does not necessarily mean "tree nut free." Keep in mind that the FDA calls coconuts "tree nuts" for reasons known only to them. So companies may or may not have tree nuts on the premises--however, if they have coconut, it can't say "tree nut free" on the label.

Peanut-free baked goods may also NOT be tree nut-free. Check into this before buying anything labeled "peanut-free" only if you need to avoid tree nuts, too. The best way to do this is by contacting the company. Never assume peanut-free means tree nut-free too. It doesn't. I talk more about this issue and how to navigate in my e-book since the labeling on nut-free vs. peanut-free is still pretty inconsistent.

What if I only deal with a peanut allergy? Do I need to avoid tree nuts, too?

Only your allergist can answer that question, but if they tell you to avoid with no evidence of a tree nut allergy, there are a few common reasons. One: cross-reactivity. Some studies have shown a significant percentage of cross-reactivity between peanuts and tree nuts in allergic people. Here is a link that explains this. Also, the processing and manufacturing of peanuts and tree nuts means that they may come into contact with one another, resulting in cross-contact risk. This is why you must carefully evaluate packaged/processed peanuts or tree nuts if you have allergies to only one of these foods.

With any food you're unsure of, ask your allergist.

What about you? Do you deal with tree nut allergies or just peanut? Or both? Have you ever had trouble explaining the two?

For more about managing daily life with peanut allergies and/or tree nut allergies, check out my e-book: The New Nut-Free Mom: A Crash Course in Caring for Your Nut-Allergic Child

Sources for this article:

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
FARE -- Food Allergy Research and Education
Allergic Living Magazine


Please note: This blog is not intended to be used as medical advice. Ask your doctor about safe or recommended foods or substances. Thank you!

Peanut Allergy and Tree Nut Allergy-Safe Easter Ideas for Parents!

Easter is coming up soon, so here is a roundup of peanut allergy and nut allergy safe links from past blog posts.

Looking for last-minute Easter basket ideas? Click this link for some of my favorites.

Confession time: Last year, I had I wanted to share my egg-shaped SunButter cups with you all, but while the taste was amazing, my SunButter eggs would not come out of my "deviled egg dish" without breaking. Lesson learned: you need paper liners to make SunButter cups! I am not even including the picture of this disaster, as it looks unappetizing (though my kids dug each SunButter cup egg out of the dish with a spoon and eating them with glee!)

So I am pretty thrilled to share this great recipe with you: Chocolate-Dipped SunButter Eggs. I found this recipe on Pinterest, so hopefully you (and I) will have greater luck this year!

Are you serving or attending a family brunch at a family home on Easter? Here is my recipe for old-fashioned sour cream coffee cake--I skip the traditional nut topping for a streusel that's nut-free. This one is a big hit with everyone and it's pretty easy to make.

And speaking of family homes, it's not always easy to navigate holiday parties. Here is a post that talks about how to safely enjoy holiday parties with food allergies.

Food Allergies and Allergic Teens: Taking the Next Big Step

Happy Birthday, dear Alex.

Today my daughter is a teenager! And while turning 13 is exciting and fun on many levels for her and for us, it also represents for me, at least, a new phase for our family. Food allergy management is no longer just the domain of parents or other adults; kids now step into a leadership role.

Our daughter was diagnosed with life-threatening nut allergies 9 years ago; it's hard to believe it's been that long. We've all learned a lot and grown a lot. No matter how old she gets, of course I will always be there for my daughter if she needs me. I'm always willing to advocate for her if she needs the help, which she will need, for awhile. However, more and more I'm seeing that it's time for me to begin to trust her, offer her the opportunity to self-advocate and make good decisions. This is what she will need to do the rest of her life and frankly, I've always had an eye on this fact. All through her childhood we've encouraged her to self-advocate and learn to self-manage. Now the real test begins, because she will need to do this for herself more and more frequently.

For parents of younger kids who are not yet in my shoes, let me tell you that it does give me a lot of hope and a feeling of security to know that I have taught her as well as I can. Whatever you are doing now to support and teach your child, it will give you more peace of mind when they get older and manage things on their own. I trust my daughter; she's given me no reason not to. But let's face it--kids are kids. They make mistakes. Teens are famous for pushing the envelope; in a way, it's their job to do that.

My daughter's pink "Groovy Girl" b-day cake when she was in kindergarten.
Yep, that seems like yesterday.

The goal is an independent, self-sufficient teen and young adult who can confidently manage their food allergies. But life isn't perfect and neither are we. How do we go forward and help kids get through the teen phase, safely, and healthy in both body and spirit with regard to life-threatening food allergies?

For me, a lot of unknowns still exist. We have a long way to go. But I feel confident (most of the time!) that my daughter can manage her allergies in just about any situation because we have done a lot of work together to get to that point.

A few things I can suggest that have helped me in this effort:

Try to stay positive about handling food allergies. Yes, food allergies rocked our daughter's world and occasionally prevented her from certain activities (ice cream shops, bakery birthday cakes, school treats) but we always focused on the positive as much as possible. Everyone has a challenge in life or multiple challenges; that's life. This is just one of them. If you approach food allergies with an attitude of  "you can handle this" I do believe it helps kids get through some potentially difficult situations.

Offer unconditional, calm support. Suppose your child makes a mistake about what to eat or is struggling with managing the allergy at school. Even if you are so upset (at the school, your child, another child) try not to freak out on this subject, at least in front of your child. They need to feel like they can share with you and so, be calm and offer solutions. If you need to vent, talk to your spouse or a friend. Some kids might feel like they don't want to burden you, so if you get really upset, they won't tell you what's up. And you don't want that. It's good to remember the motto: "Keep Calm and Carry On."

Give kids ownership of the allergy right from the beginning. Starting when they are young, have them be the one to remember to pack the epinephrine (of course, you'll double-check, but let them initiate), speak up in a restaurant or to a friend. We have always encouraged our daughter to do this and it's second nature to her now. I remember my daughter's kindergarten teacher telling me that my daughter always asked about foods, would say "no" to certain things and generally advocate for herself. Start young and it will pay off later. It also helps kids to feel more empowered and less shy when they can do this.

Be honest. This is life or death stuff, so you have to be honest about concerns and food allergy management requirements. In turn, kids should be able to feel comfortable sharing their feelings, good or bad, about food allergy management.

Remember that you are not your kid. If you don't have any food allergies yourself, you may not understand everything that your child is going through. Listen to them and sympathize and acknowledge that they may be experiencing things unknown to you. They will respect you and trust you for admitting that.

I'm not going to tell you I'm never scared about sending my daughter out there with allergies or that I don't have anxiety about certain things.  All I can do is trust that I have done what I can do and that I will continue to be a resource for her.

For more information on teens and food allergies, click the link for a great article on management and coping.

And visit Anaphylaxis Canada and the FARE web site for specific teen info. Allergic Living magazine has a lot of good information, too.

Nut-Free Recipes for Superbowl Sunday -- or Any Game Day Party!

 

Since it's Super Bowl Sunday this weekend and it is reaaaaally cold in many parts of the country (like Chicago), I'm sharing a family favorite recipe -- Mexican Meatball Soup. Something about Super Bowl Sunday makes me crave Mexican food -- maybe it's the traditional chips and guacamole usually on offer -- so this dish will pair nicely with salsa, chips, guac, even cornbread. Click here for a simple cornbread recipe I featured around Thanksgiving.

 

I love this recipe because it is easy to make, economical, tasty and healthy. Kids and adults love it and it is also a great recipe to make and carry along in a slow cooker if you are attending a party. (For tips on attending a party with nut allergies, click this link.) If your kids are reluctant to eat vegetables, this might get them to eat some because most kids love meatballs. Or fool them by chopping the veggies really small, so that they are less likely to notice them.

 

Once you've assembled the soup and cooked the meatballs in the simmering broth for 20 minutes, this soup only improves the longer it sits in the slow cooker. And of course, like all soups, this is even better the next day. You can easily double this recipe for a crowd.

 

Before I list my recipes, one note: This site mainly offers peanut-free and tree nut-free recipes. I'm not an expert in substitutions for other allergies (though many of my recipes will take to substitutions) and there is no way I can anticipate every food allergy with my recipes. So please, if you can't eat one or more of the foods that appear in the recipes in this post, feel free to substitute as you see fit, if you can. I know a lot of us need nut-free recipes and that's what I know best, so thanks for understanding!

 

Mexican Meatball Soup

 

1 lb lean ground beef (I use ground round)

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 grated yellow onion (use a hand grater right over the mixing bowl)

3/4 cup crushed tortilla chips

4 tablespoons (or to taste) fresh cilantro (skip cilantro if you/your kids don't like it--but if you like it, don't skip it! It is really good.)

2 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp black pepper

7-8 cups chicken or beef stock or broth, or a combo of both (I use Swanson's low-sodium or organic broth)

1 14 oz can diced tomatoes, with their juice

2 tsp sugar

1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

2 carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 onion, coarsely chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 bay leaf

 

In a large mixing bowl mix beef, eggs, onion, tortilla chips, cilantro, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper. Cover this mixture tightly and chill in the refrigerator for one hour to make it easy to scoop and to blend flavors

 

Place your stock in a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Add the tomatoes, sugar, red pepper flakes, if using, carrots, celery, onion and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a roiling boil, then turn down heat; simmer.

 

Form the beef mixture into 1 to 1-1/2 inch balls (use a small ice cream scoop for this, if you have one.) Place them in the simmering stock, carefully. Cover the dish and simmer gently about 20 minutes or until meatballs are cooked all the way through.

 

At this point you can place the soup in a slow cooker on low.

 

When ready to serve, top with fresh cilantro. You can also add shredded cheese if you like, avocado, or whatever garnish looks good!

 

Makes about 8 servings.

Game Day Recipes from SunButter

If you can have/like SunButter, each year SunButter break out some tasty and inventive recipes for Super Bowl Sunday (or any game day). This may be your chance to convert friends and family to a peanut butter substitute.

Click this link to find nut-free snacks, apps, sweets and more.

Online Nut-Free (and more) Valentine’s Day Resources

Valentine’s Day is just about three weeks away so I've compiled a list of online resources while you still have some time to order. It’s great to have these online resources that deliver straight to your door. Please note that some companies may have deadlines for Valentine’s Day delivery; check company websites for details. Costs run the gamut from the budget-friendly to the higher-end and shipping is usually additional, so keep that in mind while shopping.

If you have any questions about ingredients, please contact the company directly (I’ve given you a head start by providing links for each company.) Most of these companies offer nationwide shipping. Again, check with them for shipping details/product availability.

I’ve included some treats that are more geared to adults than kids. Maybe you’ve got nut allergies yourself (like an increasing number of adults) or maybe your kids do and you don’t want “nutty” foods in the house. Either way, the adults need their sweets, too!

Nut-Free Candy, Bakery Items and Sweet Treats:

Dean’s Sweets is a nut-free chocolatier offering rich handcrafted chocolate truffles in a gourmet variety of adult-friendly flavors (cayenne pepper and champagne, to name two!) These are special chocolates, no question! Order online or stop in their shop located in Portland, Maine. Address: 82 Middle Street Portland, Maine 04101 Phone: 207-899-3664 Dean’s Sweets now serves nut-free hot chocolate in the store, so if you’re in the area, bring your date!

Vermont Nut Free Chocolate is another favorite, creating everything from a box of delicious nut-free chocolate truffles, to seasonal chocolate lollipops and much more. They’ve got a beautiful selection for Valentine’s Day. We love pretty much everything from Vermont Nut Free and are huge fans of their new chocolate caramel pretzel bark. Plus, they’ve got baking chocolate! Order online at www.vermontnutfree.com and visit their store at 10 Island Circle Grand Isle, VT 05458

Nutphree’s Cupcakes. Serving the greater Chicago area, only. We LOVE Nutphree’s Cupcakes, Chicago’s only completely nut-free cupcake bakery! Beautiful creations to fit each season with new flavors arriving all the time. Order online orders@nutphrees.com or by phone (847) 754-4320 or stop in their new storefront: 259 E. Rand Rd. Mount Prospect, IL, 60056 Delivery is available; call for details.

Cakes for Occasions This nut-free bakery in Danvers, MA has many creations available for online ordering or stop in their shop for some amazingly artistic baked goods. Special order through their online store or stop in: 57 Maple Street, Danvers, MA 01923 • Tel: (978) 774-4545

Skeeter Snacks cookies are baked in a dedicated nut-free facility--hooray! Made with "real" ingredients and very yummy--for kids and adults alike.  You can order online ; Skeeter Snacks are becoming increasingly available in supermarkets and select Costco stores. We especially love the chocolate chip!

Eleni's Cookies. This nut-free, kosher cookie bakery in NYC is famous for its whimsical approach--these are definitely "designer" cookies! Click the link for a complete selection of Valentine's Day cookie gifts: http://elenis.com/store/category/shop-seasonal-sale/valentine-s-day/valentine-s-gift-boxes/   And check out their new Valentine's Day cookie decorating kit: http://elenis.com/store/category/gift/color_me_design_your_own/gift_sets/ STORES: Chelsea Market 75 Ninth Avenue @ 15th Street Madison Avenue 1266 Madison Avenue @ 90th Street

 

Nut-Free, Egg-Free, Dairy-Free Valentine’s Day Treats and Sweets

Divvies bakery offers baked goods and seasonal candy including a new chocolate “crispy” heart for Valentine’s Day. Visit Divvies online to see their complete Valentine’s Day assortment. (Many candies are gluten-free, too). Visit www.divvies.com for more info.

Sweet Alexis Bakery has nut-free, dairy-free and egg-free baked goods for every season including some wonderfully decorated cookies and cupcakes. Order online and save 10% on your order until January 31^st. Promo code: vday13 Expires 1/31/13 Or visit their store: 2085 10th Street, Los Osos, California 93402 (Just South of Morro Bay, CA)

Amanda’s Own Confections This nut-free, egg-free, dairy-free chocolate company has a big selection for Valentine’s Day. http://www.amandasown.com/valentines.html

Peanut Free Planet has a terrific peanut and tree nut-free selection for Valentine's Day including some of my faves like Surf Sweets Fruity Hearts and Seth Ellis Sun Cups (just like peanut butter cups--but nut-free AND so delicious). Plus, many items are free from other allergens and/or gluten, perfect if you are dealing with multiple food allergies.

 Non-edible Valentine’s Day treats and crafts and more, perfect for the classroom

Thank you notes that raise awareness!

Peanut Free Zone is a company that’s all about allergy awareness. Now they offer custom allergy-awareness thank-you cards for your the caregivers in your life. What a nice way to say "thank you" to a special teacher, friend or caregiver for Valentine's Day. Even better: These cards have a thank you message outside and on the back of each card is a concise list of food allergy safety tips. For more info see: http://www.peanutfreezone.com/products/thank-you-cards/

 Non-edible party favors and crafts

Oriental Trading Company has a wide variety of budget-friendly crafts and small toys. Much of their Valentine's Day selection is currently on sale. Click here to find out more: http://www.orientaltrading.com/api/search?Ntt=valentine%27s+day+toys

Valentine’s Day crafts:

Parents Magazine has a link filled with fun Valentine-inspired crafts. Share these for the class party if you want to cut down on food in the classroom.

http://www.parents.com/holiday/valentines-day/crafts/kid-friendly-valentines-day-crafts/

The gorgeous craft and recipe website, Whipperberry, has a beautiful Valentine's craft using old crayons. This is a good one to do at home with the kids if you are "craftily" -inclined.
http://whipperberry.com/2012/01/crayon-heart-valentines-with-lifestyle-crafts.html

Not an online shopper? Come back to the blog on Friday for some nut-free Valentine's Day supermarket finds.

What are your favorite online resources for nut-free sweets?

 Note: The consumer maintains responsibility for ensuring any product mentioned on this page is free from any or all allergens that pose a concern. If you have questions about foods you see mentioned here, please contact the companies directly for more info. If you are unsure if a food or ingredient is safe for your child, please ask your doctor.

 

New Year, New Food Allergy Diagnosis?

 

Click the link for more info on my e-book guide:

http://tinyurl.com/c57j2fy

The following article was posted previously, but its message is perennial.  If you are beginning a new year with a new nut allergy and/or other food allergy diagnosis, hang in there. You will learn what you need to know. What follows are some of my best tips for getting started. (And check out my e-book for lots more info and encouragement).

Each year around the winter holidays, I receive an increase in the number of e-mails and posts I've received from parents facing new nut allergy diagnoses in their kids and I've even heard from several young adults with new nut allergies.

The most frequent word I hear is "overwhelmed." This is so understandable. It is overwhelming. The wealth of information alone (often conflicting) can be hard to absorb. Plus, you may wonder if you'll ever have a normal life again, if you will ever learn to decipher food labels and if your child can even go to school. You wonder if every food has the potential to harm your child and/or you. Life can seem very scary and very surreal.

I've been there and I can tell you that things improve. But I can't sugar coat the facts: your life will change, sometimes in ways you may not even foresee now. Some of the changes will be hard to deal with; some may even be positive in the long run. I can think of two positive changes: becoming healthier in our family eating habits and learning to be more assertive in life and ask for what we need. I also have a truly compassionate daughter whose own struggles have made her want to be helpful to others facing different challenges.

Food allergies are never welcome and they make life more difficult at times. But you can live well with them. Here are some things that have helped me and my family:

Seek expert medical advice from an allergist. I've found the best people to handle the medical aspects of food allergy have been our allergists. Find a board-certified allergist and then follow their advice. Keep up on yearly visits, appropriate testing and keep in contact with them about medications. An allergist will be more knowledgeable on food allergies than most pediatricians, not to knock them because they're helpful, too. But an allergist will be more up-to-date on the constantly changing aspects of food allergies and this will be invaluable to you.

Always stand firm about food allergies. You'll meet people who don't take food allergies seriously, who may even blow them off completely. Sometimes those closest to you won't accept the situation. Be prepared for it. Usually, ignorance about food allergies is the key reason. If you know that something is not safe then avoid the food, situation or if need be, the person until they "get it." Risking an allergic reaction to preserve any relationship is never worth it. As we saw recently in Chicago, food allergies can be fatal when not clearly understood or properly respected.

Be informed but don't overload on random info. This is the hardest thing because Internet access can uncover some crazy stories and information. Overloading on stories of food allergy deaths or unproven medical information is never helpful and may be harmful.

Knowledge is half the battle. The good news is, if you're reading this you probably have received medication, medical advice and are just generally prepared to face a reaction if it occurs. Witnessing an allergic reaction without any knowledge of what may be causing it or without any medication to treat it is much, much worse. If you know what you're dealing with, you can avoid or safely adapt to potentially harmful situations and cut down on risk.

I want to wish a healthy and Happy New Year to you all! Let's be safe together and please continue to share your input and comments!

Winter Travel Tips for Food Allergies

Have epinephrine, will travel? Before you go, be prepared.

I hope you all have had a wonderful holiday season so far! Maybe you're in the midst of traveling right now, or maybe you've got a winter getaway planned. Either way, I thought now was a good time to review some tips for safe travel with food allergies. Travel with food allergies goes much, much more smoothly if you have all your ducks in a row before you leave. Hey, you're packing for the kids anyway, so here's just a few more things to remember. If you're kids are old enough, be sure to include them in the process. It's good practice for them.

The important thing is to be prepared for anything, so with that in mind, here goes:

- Bring extra medication. Asthma meds, epinephrine auto injectors, etc. -- have extra in case one goes missing. Most airlines allow these items through security without but a doctor's note will ensure that you can bring these necessary items with you if you leave the U.S.

- Make sure you've got your doctors' phone numbers and info easily accessible. Program this info into your cell phone to make sure you've got it if there is (hopefully not!) an emergency.

- Bring your food allergy action plan. In the event anything goes wrong, having this doctor-approved plan will help you stay calm and take the right steps in the event of an emergency. FAAN has a link to this action plan that you can download for free. Make sure it's completed by your doctor. (This is a great document for any caregiver, school, etc.)

- Bring a small cooler with a couple of meals (for car travel) or at least one meal in an insulated lunch bag (if necessary) for air travel. Traveling with food allergies is like a box of chocolates--you never know what you're gonna get. Eliminate the need for possibly unsafe food by being prepared with some of your own meals -- and pack some extra items to allow for travel delays. You also won't be forced into feeding your child a restaurant meal from a place you haven't researched. If you aren't sure about the availability of certain foods once you reach your destination, you may want to ship a box of allergy-safe items in advance.

- Stock up on safe snacks. Crackers, allergy-friendly granola or trail mix (Enjoy Life Foods makes both of these free of most top food allergens), cookies from Skeeter Snacks (found at many grocery stores) would be some things to keep on hand. Fresh fruits, raisins and cut up veggies are also good, healthy choices. SunButter in small packets is great if you can have it. Whatever your kids like--if you have some nut-free options on hand it will be hugely appreciated when hunger strikes or if you face the inevitable delays that seem to happen while traveling. A few safe sweet treats on hand are helpful when kids can't have bakery items and other things that pose cross-contact risk.

- Bring a place mat. A washable place mat is a great way to cut down on cross-contact when feeding your child away from home. Or use a paper towel to protect the table.

- Make sure you've got a couple of safe restaurant options at your destination. A quick Internet search and a couple of phone calls will ensure less "dining out drama" on your trip. A great place to start your search: Allergy Eats. I recently used this online restaurant resource for food allergies and it was a huge help in pointing us in the right direction.

- The grocery store is your friend. Eating every meal at a restaurant, fast food or otherwise, isn't only costly, it adds to the food allergy risk. If your room has a refrigerator, the fixings of a sandwich, a quick breakfast or snack will take the pressure off so you can focus on enjoying your trip, not constant restaurant navigation.