The Super Allergy Girl Blog

Help with Getting Kids to Eat Healthier

This July I put out a news release on PRWeb with the same headline. You can read the full news release here: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/07/prweb2621614.htm

With skyrocketing obesity and dramatic increases in childhood health issues, there are more reasons than ever to make healthy eating for children a real priority. As a parent to three children (ages 7, 10 and 12), I know this can be challenging, which is why I put together my little tip sheet (with recipes) that is available FREE on my website. To download the FREE tip sheet, click on this link http://www.thesuperallergycookbook.com/articles.html

Once you are on the articles page, select the document titled "Getting Kids to Eat Healthier"! That will give you my top 10 tips along with some fast and easy recipes - that happen to be healthy! If you are having trouble getting your children to eat fruits and vegetables and healthy foods, by all means take a look at this document and the accompanying video. Let me know if you are helped by this information as that is my mission - to help empower other parents, educators and individuals.

Earlier this year the kids and I embarked on a "New Fruits and Vegetables Shopping Spree" - yes we went to the grocery store with the sole purpose of finding new fruits and vegetables to try! We went to Wegmans and there store employee Ann McCarthy, one of the experts in whipping up healthy foods, was giving out samples of Guacamole with gluten-free rice chips! The kids were delighted to try this organic and allergen-free product by the name of Wholly Guacamole. We purchased some Wholly Guacamole and as easy as that we were eating a new and reasonably healthy food! Here is our recipe for homemade Guacamole. You may want to kick up the spices with more seasonings, salt and or other ingredients, but for kids this plain version of Guacamole works well.

Easiest Guacamole

2 ripe avacados

2-3 teaspoons vinegar (or other liquid, as needed)

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (more as desired)

1/2 teaspoon onion powder (more as desired)

Salt & Pepper to taste

Peel avacados, remove seed and place in a food processor. Add vinegar or other liquid and spices. Pulse until smooth and creamy. Chill for a few minutes in the freezer if desired (my children like it chilled). Guacamole turns brown when exposed to air over time. Place any unused guacamole in a plastic bag with the air removed and freeze to avoid the guacamole turning brown.

A Healthy Key Lime Cheesecake

Laurette Janak gave me the original recipe for this non-dairy Key Lime Cheesecake when I was looking for a recipe to make a birthday cake for my husband who has dramatically reduce the amount of meats and dairy that he consumes. I simply took out the ingredients we had allergies to and substituted other ingredients. Since the first time I made this delight, I have modified the recipe yet again to mellow the key lime taste, which we felt was a bit on the strong side. The good news - all the kids really enjoy this recipe! And the even better news - it's the healthiest key lime cheesecake we could ever make. To reduce the calories, you can skip the crust all together. We took this dessert to a party last month and it received excellent reviews.

1-1/4 cup sweet crumbs, graham cracker crumbs or cookie crumbs(optional, but nice for effect)**

2 bananas

2 ripe avacados (medium to large)

1 cup mango (cut in slices or pieces)

1/2 cup agava nector or other liquid sweetener

1 T. oil

1 cup key lime juice

(optional - 1 teaspoon vanilla)

Place sweet crumbs in a 8-inch round baking pan, or other similar sized baking dish. **You can add some oil to the sweet crumbs to make more of a crust or leave them loose. I add a bit of oil to make more of a graham cracker crust. My children have requested that I increase the crust on the next batch. You may opt to increase the crumbs to two or three cups as you see fit. Place bananas, avacados, mango, agava nector or other sweetener, oil and lime juice in a food processor and process until smooth and creamy. Pour the creamy mixture into your prepared pan and freeze until solid. Let thaw only slightly before serving. Serve cold. Enjoy!

Let me know your thoughts and comments about what you do to get your kids to eat healthier! I'll be back soon with Noah's recipe for a delicious fruit smoothie as well as his comments! Have a wonderful week!

Love,
Lisa

Independent Review of My Super Allergy Girl™ Allergy & Celiac Cookbook

Recently I saw an Internet posting that was asking for products to be reviewed specifically for the autism community.  Since my cookbook is GFCF (gluten-free and casein-free) and is used in the autism community, I sent an e-mail to the address provided and waited.  I didn't have to wait long.  I was soon given a name and address to send the book to, which we promptly did.  I just got a link to the review of my cookbook and here is the review of my cookbook by Julie Fletcher, a writer for the NY Examiner website. 

I am so moved and touched by Julie's review.  I hope you will follow the link and let me know what you think.  Thank you Julie!  For as long as I can remember, all I have ever wanted to do was help people.  Little did I realize how many people there are with food allergies, celiac disease, food sensitivities or on special diets, and how many of these people needed real help.  It warms my heart and humbles me to be able to help.  Now, how can I help you with your food allergies, food sensitivities, gluten-free diet, celiac or GFCF diet?  I'm here to empower you to have a great life despite your food limitations.
Love,
Lisa

Gluten-free, Dairy-Free Party Meatballs

I attended a party a few years back and sampled some delicious meatballs.  When I asked the hostess what was in the sauce, she laughed and said it was the easiest sauce ever!!  Just combine grape jelly and chili sauce were her instructions.  Last year I found a recipe on the Heinz® Chili Sauce bottle on one of the recipe booklets attached to the lid that is simply fantastic!!!  I have made this recipe for large social gatherings many times over to rave reviews!!  Lesson here:  look for recipes everywhere!!  They are plentiful.  Thanks to Ocean Spray® and Heinz® for this fast and excellent dish.

Gluten-free, Dairy-Free Party Meatballs
1 - 16 ounce can Ocean Spray® Jellied Cranberry Sauce*
1 - 12 ounce bottle Heinz® Chili Sauce
2 pounds of meatballs (the kind you can tolerate)

*I have used whole berry cranberry sauce and jellied and can say that either one is fine.  Mix the chili sauce and cranberry sauce over medium heat smashing the cranberry sauce to combine with the chili sauce.  Heat until smooth and well combined.  Add cooked meatballs and cook for 15 minutes.  If you are using frozen meatballs, place sauce over meatballs and bake in an oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes or as instructions direct.  If you are using a slow cooker, place meatballs and sauce in slow cooker and cook on high for a minimum of 4 hours.  This is a dish that adults and children will enjoy!
Love,
Lisa

Traveling & Dining out with Gluten-Free & Food Allergy Children

Many people take dining out for granted and do it on a weekly basis without so much as a thought.  Today I traveled with my three gluten-free & food allergy children (that means gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free and peanut-free plus a few other miscellaneous foods) from Buffalo to State College, PA to visit Penn State University where I have meetings scheduled over the next two days.  And yes, I am, by the way, a Penn State graduate!  You wouldn't believe the foods I had to pack into the car to make sure that my daughter could have the foods that she needs without me having to spend the entire time in the kitchen!!  We had more food and food ingredients in the car than anything else!  I brought pre-made rolls, waffles, bagels, meatballs and more.

We also brought what Montel Williams referred to last month as our "industrial air purifier" with us.  No, it's not really "industrial", but it does have a high rating for the volume of air that it will purify.  All this to make sure that my daughter does not start with her asthma or have an allergic reaction to a food that puts her in the hospital or necessitates the use of Benadryl™ or an Epi-Pen™.  Is it worth it?  Well, if you watched your child nearly die from a food reaction, it would probably alter the actions you were willing to take to make sure they were safe.  But, I digress...

Tomorrow we are dining out for breakfast which is a treat for the kids and a lot of work for me.  Tonight I made the organic, nitrate-free, nitrite-free, hormone free, preservative-free bacon my daughter can have, which I will take to the restaurant for her to eat.  I also made her home fries with organic potatoes and the organic oil she can tolerate.  More work for me.  Then, amidst the hustle and bustle of getting out the door by 7:45 AM, I have to remember to TAKE her food with us!  And her beverages, too!  Sometime I should post a picture of my daughter's swollen eye which was caused by a preservative.  Who know preservatives could cause such havoc on a child?  I sure didn't know that.

Luckily, the two boys are not so sensitive or allergic.  They can have the bacon with nitrates and nitrites and some eggs.  Yes, it is a lot of work, which is why we don't do it very often.  Who would go out to eat if they had to prepare a whole meal before they went?  Not many people I suspect.  I look forward to the day when restaurants serve a soup and chili made by Kettle Cuisine™, which my daughter CAN have!! Then she could actually order off the menu!!  Now, wouldn't that be a dream come true!  It sure would be for me!  How do you manage going out to eat with your gluten-free and/or food allergic children?  I'd love to hear what you are doing!  Happy dining!

Love,
Lisa

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free CHILI ON THE GO-GO

This is a FAST and EASY vegetarian chili recipe that could easily be converted to be a hearty meat chili by throwing in some ground meat, poultry or turkey.  I have used canned beans here for speed, however if you have more time you can soak and cook dried beans.  The great thing about this vegetarian chili is that you can use any vegetables that you like or that you have on hand.  The beans are interchangeable for any beans that you have on hand also!  You can eat this plain in a bowl, or over rice or your favorite gluten-free grain.

CHILI ON THE GO-GO
1 Tablespoon oil
1 large onion, sliced
1 red pepper, cut into bite-sized chunks
4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into bite-sized chunks
1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 15-ounce can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 15-ounce tomato sauce
1 15-ounce diced tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1 Tablespoon chili powder
Dash of cinnamon
2 teaspoons of sugar, stevia or other sweetener
Dash cayenne pepper
Salt to taste
Optional: Any other vegetables that you like or want to use up!

Saute the onion slices in the oil over medium high heat until soft and carmelized.  Add the red peppers, carrots and any other vegetables you are using.  Saute for 10 minutes over medium heat.  Add the beans that have been rinsed well and drained, the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes and the spices.  Cook over medium low heat for 20 minutes.  This recipe as listed above will make 6-7 cups.  We liked this so well that when I made it again tonight, I doubled the recipe!  Enjoy and eat in good healtlh!

Love,
Lisa

A Mother's Dream Come True - From Kettle Cuisine

I can't tell you how delighted I am that a company by the name of Kettle Cuisine made my dreams come true last night.  O.K. they made part of my dreams come true!  As a mother of a highly food allergic child, it pains me to no end that there are no restaurants that Anne can eat at (save me bringing all of her foods), and any place that we go in public that offers foods have ingredients that Anne can't eat!  Even the celiac meetings that have gluten-free foods are off limits due to milk, eggs, nuts, etc.  Last night, I was able to take Anne (age 6-3/4 years) to a public gathering where she could eat TWO different foods -all thanks to Kettle Cuisine!

Kettle Cuisine is a company that was started over 20 years ago by a family whose daughter, Kate, was celiac and limited to the gluten-free diet.  I met Lorna, Kate's Mother, who was just as delightful as the soups!  Cuisine makes two products that my daughter can eat: Chicken Soup with Rice Noodles, and Angus Beef Steak Chili with Beans!  Both of these soups are free of gluten and dairy.  They are also free of eggs, tree nuts, peanuts and free of preservatives, chemicals and made with meat or poultry that is free of antibiotics.  And the soup and chili were delicious!  I can't tell you how my heart was filled with joy to see my daughter be able to go to an event where she could have even two foods!

It was a slice of heaven brought to me by the good folks at Kettle Cuisine!  It may have been their dream to make products that their daughter, Kate, could eat but they made a piece of my dreams come true last night as well! Their products are in the frozen food section and are packaged in single-serve bowls.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!  For more information on the great products made by Kettle Cuisine, go to www.kettlecuisine.com or call 1-800-969-SOUP.  God Bless these delightful people!

Love,
Lisa

What's in Your Water? Thoughts on your home water supply...

I can hardly believe that it was over three years ago that my dear husband first installed a GE Reverse Osmosis Water Filter in our kitchen!  According to the manufacturer's booklet: "Reverse osmosis removes Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and organic matter from water by diffusing it through a special membrane."  The filtration system my husband purchased has a Prefilter (carbon), reverse osmosis, and post-filter.  Basically the good news for such a system is that it takes all of the bad impurities out of your water or hopefully most of them.  The bad news is that it also strips your water of good minerals which you then need to add back into your water or get into your diet in some other fashion.  Does it make much of a difference?  Well, I think for most of us, a picture is worth a thousand words.  Here is a before and after picture of our filter from just 3 months of use.

White filter on the left is new.  Brown filter on the right has been in use for 3 months.

Let's look at the used filter more closely.

Are we sold on using a filter for our drinking water?  You bet!  Do you want to learn more about drinking water and quality issues?  One great organization that has done outstanding reports on water and quality issues is The Environmental Working Group, a Washington, DC based non-profit organization dedicated to consumers.  You can visit their website to learn more at: www.ewg.org  They have reports on food, cosmetics, water and other important topics for consumers.  Check out their website and download some of their reports.  Education is a powerful thing!  And, you can even support them with a donation or membership!!

Do you filter your water?  What have you learned?  Any suggestions?  We have a 3 gallon tank with our filtration system and I love it.  It does take time to fill up once it is empty.  The same goes for a Brita® pitcher type system.  I'd love to hear your comments on water filtering systems or water in general!  Be well!
Love,
Lisa

The Feingold Association U.S. - A Fabulous Organization for Parents & More

I'm about to blog about one of my favorite organizations of all time - the Feingold Association of the United States!  As a food expert, I feel that this is one terrific group that people need to know about particularly if you deal with food, food service, children, education and learning, or some aspect of health and well-being.  I took the following from the Feingold website for accuracy:  The Feingold Association U.S. was founded by professionals and families in 1976 (long before I even went to college) to help children and adults apply proven dietary techniques for better behavior, learning and health, and to generate public awareness of the potential role of foods and synthetic additives in behavior and learning problems.  It is a non-profit charity, 501(C) 3 of the IRS tax code.

Before I learned about the Feingold Association U.S., I had observed my son Noah, as a one year old and then toddler, have dramatic swings in behavior from eating dairy, gluten, and other foods.  He was a different child if he had foods that did not agree with him.  From my son Luke, who is 2-1/2 years older than Noah, I learned that gluten and dairy would affect Luke's ability to pay attention, focus and write his school work.  And certain colored drinks would make Noah lose control of his bladder, something that was not a problem for him normally.  Because I had never heard anyone else talk about this, I thought that I had invented the concept that food can affect your ability to learn, your behavior and your disposition!  I eventually learned about the Feingold Association U.S. from a woman in our local celiac support group who had been a member of the local Buffalo Feingold Assocation chapter for some 26 years. 

So, let's just say that I place extreme value on the mission and work that the Feingold Association U.S. does on any given day!  I have personally met Shula Edelkind, who is their webmaster, head librarian and a leader on their executive team, and she is a wonderfully talented woman beyond measure!  I speak about the Feingold Association U.S. every time I speak about food and the impact food can have on children and adults.  I highly recommend membership in this outstanding organization.  Check out their website:  www.feingold.org which is one of the best websites I have ever seen for articles and information on the impact of food on health and behavior. 

Or contact them using the following contact information:
Feingold Assocation of the United States
554 East Main Street, Suite 301
Riverhead, NY 11901
1-800-321-3287 (U.S. only)
1-631-369-9340
1-(631) 369-2988 (FAX)
help@feingold.org (e-mail)

Jane Hersey has been a Feingold Association Director since 1985 and has written books of value on the topic as well as editing their Pure Facts publication.  I have so much to say about this group, that quite frankly, I won't be able to do it all in one blog, so watch for more blogs about the Feingold Association U.S.  Looking for a great organization to support financially?  This is one of my top picks.  Looking for help with your child's behavior, learning or disposition?  I'd spend some time on their website and consider joining this excellent group!  The parents I have personally spoken with who are members of the Feingold Association have gotten extraordinary value.  What has your experience been with the Feingold Association?  Do you have anything to share on this topic?  I'm interested!
Love,
Lisa

Eliminate Your Plastic Water Bottle Use with a Klean Kanteen®

I want to start this blog by stating for the record, that I have no financial ties with the product or company I am about to blog about.  I have received no incentives or promises of incentives or kick-backs of any kind.  Now, with that out of the way, can I jump up and down and shout words of praise for an innovative product that has eliminated our family's use of plastic water bottles?  The product I am referring to is a stainless steel water bottle which is called Klean Kanteen®.  You can visit their website at: www.kleankanteen.com and take a peak at the variety of sizes, caps, and accessories they have to offer.

We have had our Klean Kanteen® stainless water bottles for over two years now.  I can honestly say that I am in LOVE with this product.  It is durable, portable and sustainable.  We have eliminated our plastic water bottle consumption and I could not be more pleased!  We fill up our Klean Kanteen® water bottles from our reverse osmosis tap or from our glass bottled mountain spring water.  In the two plus years that we have owned our 5 (yes, every person in our house has their own) Klean Kanteen® water bottles, we have only had to replace two of the plastic caps.  The plastic caps can break if you drop the water bottle at the right angle on a hard surface like concrete or stone!

What we ultimately did after a while was to mark the water bottles with stickers so we knew which bottle belonged to which family member.  Then we covered the stickers with clear tape.  Here are three of our below.  You can see the stickers and tape!  Lost water bottle?  Well, we all know whose is here and whose is not!

The one thing that people need to know and do, in my very humble opinion, is to wash their Klean Kanteen® with very hot, soapy water at least once a week.  That includes scrubbing the inside of the lid and cap.  Or you can put it in the dishwasher!

When I decided that the Klean Kanteen® was something I just had to share, I went on their website to see what is new!  Quite a bit in a nutshell.  They have new sizes, new sippy cup type lids, new caps, and other new accessories!  I was impressed and very happy!  I think I'll put a new sport cap or one of the carriers on my Christmas gift list.  What can you do to reduce your plastic water bottle or sport drink usage?  Do you have other ideas on sustainability that you can share with me?  I'd love to hear them.  What I have not included in this blog is the depressing and overwhelmingly dark statistics on plastics!Have a Blessed Week!
Love,
Lisa

P.S. Here is my Husband's Klean Kanteen®.  Notice, his is the one without stickers!

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Baking Class in Buffalo, Sept. 17th

In just about two weeks, I'll be teaching a gluten-free, dairy-free, and other allergen-free baking class at TOPS Cooking School!  I used to teach this type of baking class years ago at the Kitchen Stuff Unlimited Store on Union Road.  Once word got around, the classes always filled up.  Then the store closed and I didn't spend the time looking for a new location to teach the classes.  The Tops Cooking School is a beautiful place for cooking classes!  The classes offered by TOPS Cooking School are reasonably priced at $35.00.

What we'll be covering is my versatile recipe that you can use to make hamburger or hot dog rolls, cloverleaf rolls, pizza crust, waffles, danish, coffee rolls and bread sticks.  This is an entry level class for relatively new gluten-free bakers.  The class has limited seating, so here is the registration information:

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Baking Class at TOPS Cooking School
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Time: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Cost: $35.00
Location: 3980 Maple Road, Amherst, NY 14226
To Register, Call: (716) 515-2000
www.topsmarkets.com

In the class you'll get to see and taste what you can do with one easy recipe.  You will also get a chance to see the wide variety of baking pans available for specialty baking.  You will have the opportunity to see how rolls are formed, and get your baking questions answered.  I hope to see you there!
Love,
Lisa