Puppy Chow ~ Peanut Free, Dairy Free, Wheat Free and Gluten Free

Nathan has a limited snack choice with all of his food allergies and he takes a snack to school everyday, so I came up with this recipe for Puppy Chow!

The best part is you can't taste the difference between using real Peanut butter or using the Soy Butter, so it is a great safe snack even for those not allergic to peanuts. Great for a Peanut Free classroom.

"Specialty" Ingredients I use

Ingredients

9 cups Corn Chex™, Rice Chex™, Wheat Chex™ or Chocolate Chex™ cereal (or combination)

1 cup Enjoy Life chocolate chips 

1/2 cup SunButter or WOW Butter

1/4 cup UNSALTED Fleischmann's margarine (it is dairy free) 

1 teaspoon vanilla (gluten free) 

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 

Directions 

In a large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
In a 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave Enjoy Life chocolate chips, Soy butter and margarine uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla.

Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag. 

Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

LIFE HAPPENS. Be Prepared. ®

LIFE HAPPENS. Be Prepared. ^®  is a patient/caregiver video series. We invite you to view the videos at EpiPen.com. 

Through this unique series, we bring to life seven patient/caregiver stories that emphasize key aspects of managing potentially life-threatening (severe) allergies and a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), such as preparedness and avoidance. Each story is educational, helping the broader community understand that whether school, work, travel or life happens, those at risk for anaphylaxis must always be prepared.

The videos reinforce that being prepared means having an anaphylaxis action plan to:

·         Avoid known allergens

·         Know what symptoms to watch for

·         Use an EpiPen^® (epinephrine) Auto-Injector if anaphylaxis occurs

·         Get emergency medical help right away

As you know, the risk of anaphylaxis can be scary, but it is our hope that this collection of videos can help support those managing severe allergies in a meaningful way.

We hope you will find these videos valuable.

#Teal Pumpkin Project

We are participated in the #TealPumpkinProject and I wanted to share some photos on a teal pumpkin I made.

I didn't want to use a real pumpkin because I wanted to be able to use this pumpkin every year so I bought a white craft pumpkin at Target ($13) and  acrylic paint from Walmart  (.50 a bottle). I painted the pumpkin a Tuscan Teal color.

Pictured below is my finished teal pumpkin and in the middle picture is the blue pumpkin I used to hold all my non-candy treats for the little Trick-or-Treaters. The non-candy treats included: erasers, eyeball bounce balls, rubber bracelets, beaded necklaces, army men and spider rings. I posted this sign on our front door.  We had Trick or Treat last weekend and kids loved the non-candy treats.

eBook: An Overview of Food Allergies for Parents in Need of Answers

Are you new to food allergies or do you have questions about food allergies that you would like answers to? Well, there is a very resourceful eBook titled: An Overview of Food Allergies for Parents in Need of Answers by Kathy Penrod and Mary Ellen Ellis. 

I read this book and found it a very helpful resource. The book has many different topics from what is a food allergy, to dealing with everyday life and food allergies.  There are food allergy myths,  graphs and even statistics. We have been living with food allergies for almost 8 years and there was so much more I learned about allergies after reading this very informative eBook. I recommend this book to all my readers.

You can download the FREE book here.

I  did not receive any compensation for this review.  I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

2014 Food Allergy Conference Wisconsin

Registration is now open for the 2014 Food Allergy Conference Wisconsin being held Saturday, November 15th.

Please go to the link below to see more details and to register.

www.2014foodallergyconferencewi.eventbrite.com

Please share with anyone you think may be interested. Registration is required and seats are limited.

This project was made possible through a community grant from Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) and through the generous donation of venue and resources at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. being held Saturday, November 15th.

Please go to the link below to see more details and to register.

www.2014foodallergyconferencewi.eventbrite.com

Please share with anyone you think may be interested. Registration is required and seats are limited.

This project was made possible through a community grant from Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) and through the generous donation of venue and resources at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.

Back to School

Today was the first day of school, Nathan is in the 2nd grade. Wishing everyone a safe school year!!

Nail Wraps for Food Allergy Awareness

I ordered mine, did you order yours?

Your next mani/pedi could raise food allergy awareness! A portion of proceeds from these nail wraps (custom-designed by a food allergy mom and FARE volunteer) will be donated to FARE. Sheets are $25 each, 2 for $40 and 3 for $60. Each sheet is good for up to two manicures and pedicures. Wraps are non-toxic, vegan, gluten and latex free. Go to http://aguilara.jamberrynails.net/home/GiftCertificate.aspx to purchase your gift card and then just email your name, address and giftcard number to FARE volunteer Alyssa at aguilara1313@gmail.com


 I love these, can't wait until I get them. I will post a picture!

Happy 8th Birthday to N8

Where did the time go? I started this blog with Nathan was about one and now he is 8 years. He hasn't outgrown many of his Food Allergies but he is the best boy and so happy.

Another Broken Arm

This is the 2nd summer in a row that Nathan broke his arm, this year he fell off his new bike. It was broken so bad that we could see the bone sticking up...he needed surgery.

He was such a trooper, it is going to be a long summer of no swimming, bike riding, golfing or anything else that he needs his arm to do.

After surgery, resting...

The 2014 FARE Milwaukee Allergy Walk

The Milwaukee FARE Walk was really a great event this year. There were so many vendors and fun things to do with the family. I am so happy that there is an allergy walk in my area.

Thanks to all that helped out make it a great success. 

6 Days Until the Milwaukee FARE Food Allergy Walk

There are six days until the 2014 Milwauke FARE walk. So far $14,525 was raised and the goal is $30,000.  They need more donations, teams and walkers.

There is still time to sign up or donate HERE.

EVENT DETAILS

Parking Information:

Parking is available on E. Lagoon Dr. and in the Parking lot next to the Kite Shop.  Make sure to turn at the Lagoon Drive, Lincoln Memorial Drive Intersection. 

 

Walk Schedule: 

 

Registration opens:  9:00 am

 

Walk Ceremony: 10:00 am

• Scout Flag Bearers - Pack 72 from St. Agnes School, Butler
• Singing of the National Anthem - Breanna Orzel

 

Walk Length:

2 miles long.  Strollers are permitted but no bikes or scooters.  Walk will take place rain or shine. 

 

 

Walk Day Fun!

• Move and Groove to the sounds of Pulse Entertainment
• Milwaukee Art Museum presents Kohl's Color Wheels
• SHE BEADS
• FARE Signing Banner
• Art Project by Andrea Skyberg
• Bounce house & T-ball inflatables
• Fire Truck/Ambulance
• Epi-Pen representatives from Mylan
• Auvi-Q representatives from Sanofi
• Samples and information from our sponsors
• "Ask the Doc(s)" from Allergy & Asthma Centers, S. C.

 

Honorary Medical Chair

James A. Cranberg, MD

Allergy & Asthma Centers, S.C. 

 

 

Exciting Raffle!

 

Grand Prize - Flat Screen TV

Tickets are $20 each

 

Regular Raffle Prizes such as a Movie basket, Great America tickets, Lego basket,  Irishfest tickets, 3 month membership to Planet Fitness, Donald Driver signed book. 

Tickets are 6 for $5 or $20 for an arms length. 

Sign up Here.

Free Children's E-Book: The Carnival - Narrated by Julie Bowen

An educational and fun e-book for children about Food Allergies and Anaphylaxis titled 

The Carnival - narrated by Julie Bowen.

Get your free copy of the e-book clicking on the book here. 

Be sure to visit https://www.anaphylaxis101.com to learn more about Anaphylaxis. 

Have You Heard About SafeFARE?

Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) has a new online resource for families dining out with food allergies called SafeFARE. SafeFARE offers tools and resources for diners with food allergies, including tips for before and during your visit to a restaurant, a customizable “Food Allergy Alert” chef card, and a “Find a Restaurant” feature that enables visitors to locate allergy aware restaurants in their area. As a parent to a child with allergies, I know how difficult dining out can be so I hope you can take a few minutes to explore the SafeFARE website by visiting www.SafeFARE.org. You can also learn more about the program by checking out FARE’s special new PSA featuring top chefs Bryan Voltaggio and Mike Isabella.

In honor of Food Allergy Awareness Week I hope my readers can help spread the word about the program with your friends and family. The SafeFARE database of food allergy aware restaurants is just getting started and together we can help it grow! FARE urges families with food allergies to tell their local restaurants about the SafeFARE program and has created a flyer that can be downloaded and shared with restaurant staff and managers to let them know how to become a food allergy aware restaurant. 

Thank you!

2014 Milwaukee Brewers Peanut Controlled Games

If you are in the Milwaukee area and want to attend a Peanut Controlled Game,
you can find the schedule here. 

Peanut Controlled games are a reserved area that peanuts are not served, there are six games to attend in 2014 and you must sign a waiver. 

Limited seats available so order your tickets today!

Food Allergy Awareness Week May 11-17th

How to get involved?  Visit FARE

Milk Leak in Local Neighborhood

Photo by:

There was a powdered milk spill in our town, a local food manufacturing company had a malfunction in production resulting in powdered milk overflowing.  Residents woke up to cars, streets and houses covered in powdered milk. Then there was some rain overnight so the streets were literally covered in milk. 

We are lucky we are a couple of miles away from this but the first thing I thought of is this is not good for someone (like my son) with a Dairy allergy.

As I was reading an article from a local newspaper, this sentence I did not agree with:

"I explained to him that we all drink milk, but if too much of this organic material gets into the water, it's not good for the fish," Mueller said.

We do NOT all drink milk and it can be harmful when you have a dairy allergy. I guess this can happen when you live in the dairy state.

FARE Food Allergy Action Month

The Dum Dum Pop V.S. The Tootsie Roll Pop = Allergic Reaction

Nathan had an allergic reaction at school today. Very scary! I am disappointed that a teacher gave him a piece of candy and I am disappointed that Nathan thought it was ok to eat - even though he never ate this kind of candy before. I never drove to school so fast in my life.

It wasn't his normal teacher, this teacher gave them lollipops. 1/2 were Dum Dums and 1/2 were Tootsie Roll Pops. Nathan is NOT allergic to Dum Dums but he IS allergic to Tootsie Roll Pops (they have milk). Nathan was given the Tootsie Roll Pop. I did not ok any candy and why are they giving the kids candy? He gets way too much candy at school. In his 504 Plan I am to approve all food and candy that is given to him, they can call me. The nurse called and said "Nathan ate a Dum Dum pop and his throat and tongue were itchy". I said, "I can't believe that he is having an allergic reaction to a Dum Dum Pop"...as she is telling me this I am driving to the school to see exactly what is happening. The story made no sense. After questioning 3 adults, I found out what happened. He ate a Tootsie Roll pop that has Milk in it. Nathan is allergic to Dairy.

Coloring Easter Eggs.....The Safe Way.

Every year we try to dye eggs, Nathan has an Asthma attack because he is so allergic to eggs. Even touching them or being around them cooked in a shell will give him a reaction.

 I

 

I found dyeable eggs online, but when I contacted the company, I never heard back. I found these eggs at Walmart so I figured I would give them a try.

They were only $1.97 and looked so real that my husband thought they were real.

We used the Paas Egg Coloring Kit, the eggs came out a pastel color.

For the first time we were able to dye eggs with no Asthma issues.

FARE Milwaukee Food Allergy Walk 2014

No Dogs Allowed!

Nathan has been asking about a dog lately, but I know he has a dog allergy. I am not sure if hypoallergenic dogs are better for him or not. When our neighbor got a new dog (a poodle) I thought it would be a good time to see if he is still allergic.

He loved playing with the dog and I saw so much joy in Nathan's face that I never saw before. He really liked playing with the dog. He asked if we could get one but after we got home he started to get itchy on his back. I looked and he had some hives (pictured in upper right corner). I gave him some Benadryl and a shower.

Today we went to all allergist and they did a scratch test on Nathan's back and one of the allergens they tested for was dog and he got a big welt (pictured in the lower right corner).

No dogs or any furry pet for us in the near feature....we are sad.

Basketball Sweatbands

 Nathan joined a local basketball league in town. During the games the players wear sweat wristbands that are passed from player to player - team to team - all game day long. They are different colors so the players know who they are guarding on the other team.  They are washed once a week, which made me very concerned. 

Here is why: If a child is wearing one and he recently ate peanut butter for breakfast or a Reese Peanut Butter Cup from the concession stand, and then they wipe on the wristband and then my son (who is very allergic to Peanuts) wears this same sweat wristband, that is not good.  Not to mention is a child has a cold or something and wipes their dripping nose and then my child wears the band....ick.

So I took it upon myself to make some with Nathan's name on them. I just used some iron on printable paper and they turned out great. Luckily, we have a great coach who is very good about making sure Nathan is wearing HIS own wristband 

Valentines Party at School

Nathan had a Valentines party at school on Friday, he decorated a shoe box and sent Valentines to school. This year I allowed him to send Ring Pops.
I don't usually allow him to send candy for Valentines, in the past we have done
bounce balls, Legos, etc.

At school they had a party
with treats, they had yogurt, fruit,
cake pops and sugar cookies.
Then the kids could eat something from their valentine box.  Nathan ate a cake pop that I
made at home and sent to school. I sent a sugar cookie but he doesn't like them. He doesn't like
fruit and he can't have yogurt because of his dairy allergy so he just ate the cake pop I sent. The teacher told him that he couldn't eat a piece of candy from his Valentine box until I looked at it.  It is good that she said that but then my child is sitting there watching kids in his class eat a treat: Fun Dips, Skittles, Lollipops, etc.  I didn't know they would be able to eat candy on top of all the sugar they ate already. If I did, I would have sent some "safe" candy with him.

When Nathan came home with his box, I was shocked and suspicious because there was not a single piece of chocolate in his box, hard to believe. Then this weekend I talked to another mom and she asked me if Nathan came home with a Reese Peanut Butter cup? I said "NO, and there shouldn't be because the classroom is Peanut Free." She said, that is what she thought but her son came home with one. They are in the same class!!  So the teacher took that out of Nathan's box!! Good, but this makes me wonder.....How much Peanut stuff is in the classroom that they are hiding from me??

I talked to friends that have kids in school in other states and they don't allow candy treats. Are Valentines with candy allowed at your child's school?

Shopping for Pasta at Target

I was shopping at Target the other day and found that it is very hard to find pasta that is gluten free and allergy friendly.

This first one Simply Pasta is Targets brand. It states that it may contain EGG, well that isn't good for us as Nathan is severely allergic to egg.

This 2nd box of pasta that I picked up contains Lupin-which is not recommended for people with PEANUT allergies....which is my child.

It is disappointing that I can't find a good pasta at Target for my son. I love to shop there and would like to be able to get most items on my list in one stop.


I guess I will have to go to my local grocery store and get Ronzoni Pasta. It is more affordable then other gluten free pastas.

What kind of pasta do you buy?

ER Trip

Nathan has had a little cold, nothing too bad. He just was sniffling, coughing, etc. I don't even think he had a fever. He has had the Flu Shot too.

Well, today I noticed he was coughing more and seemed to have lough breathing. I saw his stomach contracting. I gave him all his asthma inhalers/nebulizer - he didn't seem to be improving.

Once I saw him on the couch and I heard him wheezing, I knew we had to go to the ER.....ASAP.

They took him in right away and checked his vitals and his oxygen was lower, they listened to his breathing and said he was having an Acute Asthma Attack.  They gave him Prednisone. 

They called in the Respiratory Therapist and they gave him continuous Albuterol nebulizer treatments - which I didn't know you could do.

After a while Nathan was feeling better and his breathing improved. He is on a 5 day treatment of the steroid.

Hopefully he is feeling better soon!

Why I Can't Volunteer to Cut Box Tops for School Anymore...

I love helping to earn money for our school, so when I found out there was a position open with the PTO to be a Box Top Coordinator, I was all for it. I mean I could do most of it at home. I could cut and count Box Tops in my spare time. 

What I didn't think of or even expect is what I would find in my bags of Box Tops that needed to be cut. I found Box Tops that came off of Peanut butter cookies that were dirty - residue of the back. This meant I was bringing Peanut allergens in to my home!! Families from school would turn in full bags of garbage that I would need to cut the Box Top out of, some of these items contained Peanuts!!! EEEEKKK!

We also count and send in Milk caps. This means dirty Milk caps with Dairy protein in my house (Nathan is allergic to dairy). Dried Milk flakes would fall off these caps.

Some of the Box Tops are located on the tops of butter containers, which also contain Dairy. Parents would send in the whole top of a butter container with butter still on the back. They were oily, never even washed. 

Then there is the gross and random things I would find in the baggies of Box Tops that are sent to school that I pick up and bring into my house. I would find beads, crumbs, notes, grocery lists and hair!! GROSS! Not only human hair but animal hair - another allergen for my son.

I wasn't aware of all this or I would not have signed up. I will continue to fulfill my commitment for the rest of the year - I will cut these when Nathan is at school and wash down the table before he gets home. I have to store the Box Tops/Milk caps in the garage so it is not in the house. 

I know I will not be able to volunteer to do this again.

Happy New Year!!

Hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday season. December went fast, sorry I didn't get more posts on this blog. With my husband taking off of work and Nathan's school concert and winter break...time just flew by.

Thank you for reading my blog, I plan to have some changes on my blog in the new year, not only writing about Nathan's allergies but also our life and family.

I  hope you will continue to read my posts and please comment or send me an email. I love hearing from all my readers. 

Wishing all of you a Happy and Healthy 2014