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.
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
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