Classic Fun Center is FUN!!!

Well, if you read my post on Chuck E Cheese you're probably wondering where we ended up for dinner. Well we went to Classic Fun Center. It's an indoor bounce house extravaganza with party rooms, arcade/game/skeeball, and a roller rink you can bring scooters to. It also has a snack bar which I have always avoided! However, shame on me for not taking the time before to ask if they would make our special pizza. We love to go there in the summer. I was so judgmental I figured there was no way that teenagers would be understanding or even get what I was asking. I was so WRONG!!! The staff there was incredible. In fact, Paysons' GF pizza had started to thaw by the time we got there and some of the cheese and toppings had started to slide off and so the young kid asked me if it would contaminate his pizza if he added sauce, cheese, and toppings to it to make it look like a pizza again. They also drew a diagram on a piece of paper showing how much to leave cheese free add topping. As she wrote it. I thought that is going the extra mile!!! When they brought the pizzas to the table Paysons' was on his very own plate all cut and ready to go. We had one of the funnest nights as a family. So if you live in the Davis County area and are ever looking for some fun I highly suggest Classic Fun Center!! We might even do a birthday party there.

Chuck E Cheese Please!!

On Monday night after recovering from a week of Strep throat at our house we decided to go check out the new Chuck E. Cheese in Layton. Of course I tried to call the number that was on the side of the building that you can see from the freeway and that was a universal number to direct you to another number for that location. I finally got a manager and surprise she was great!!! I'll admit I had very low expectations that a huge franchise like that would care about a food allergy family. We went over a couple of contamination concerns and she even told me if I was still concerned I could bring my own foil. Which was not an insult I assure you. So if you want to go there bring you're own GF pizza or pizza crust and call ahead! She said it really is helpful to them to know when families with special needs are coming so they can brief the staff or inform the next shifts manager. We told her about when to expect us. She even agreed to keep a couple of pieces of the pizza free of cheese and still put toppings on it. That would be for my dairy free child. We expected a great night of family fun until we got there and realized every other family in Davis County had the same idea. So we will try again in a couple of weeks but I feel good knowing Chuck E. Cheese is a place where my kids can kids even if their pizza is different.

make your own lunchables!

How to make your own Lunchable
First of all you have to have the right containers. When I was at Walmart I found these little round containers with lids that come with. They're a little bigger than a nut cup so about the size of a fruit cup. We love the Glutino crackers that look like Ritz. They're just a plain cracker flavor that makes them perfect for making Lunchables.


1. place 4 crackers in 1 container.

2. Take a piece of lunch meat and cut it into small rectangles. 1 piece of meat can make 4 pieces. I like to use 2 pieces of meat so he can double it up. Put into another container.

3. Do the same thing with cheese. Place in it's own container.

I know you could just put them in sandwich bags but the containers just make it more lunchablish. They are also reusable so you're being much more cost effective.

Wendy's GF kid's meal

I am on a roll!!!! We went to Wendy's today ( it was chiropractor, dance, tumble and Daddy's football practice night and we were tired of Mc Donald's ). I asked for the manager right away and told her our food allergy situation. I mentioned that across the street at You know who's they would provide me a substitution in the kid's meal to make it allergy friendly for us. I was shocked when she told me that Her daughter and herself had just been diagnosed in June. Does God work miracles or what!!!! She asked if there was anything we could substitute that kids would like. My kids love the baked potatoes and even the chili so it was easy!!! But, they have the choice between a mandarin orange cup or a yogurt and milk or soft drink and a frosty is included plus a toy. Talk about a value. Plus it was only 2.69!!!! So here's how we ordered them

Payson ( celiac )
Baked potato (Chili next time he said)
yogurt
frosty

Karson (dairy/egg allergy )
baked potato ( even though he can eat the burger he loves the potato )
mandarin oranges
he gave me the frosty in trade for a bedtime cookie treat

Of course they both wanted a soft drink.

Later when I was picking up Kaylyn from her tap class I drove thru for her food and she said it was so nice of them to do all of that for her brothers and how good it made her feel that we had another place to go to eat as a family. She wanted her kid's meal the same way.

I hope you can talk to your managers to see what they will do. I will try to find out how we can get this to maybe become a policy at some of these big chains.
Happy Eating!!

Happy meals make me happy!

Happy Meals Make Me HAPPY!!!!!!

Score one for the kids!! I do have to gloat for a minute, it did take a couple of phone calls and some explaining but a GF happy meal can be bought!!! Yes, you heard me right. You can request a parfait instead of a hamburger in the meal at NO EXTRA CHARGE~Although, I would gladly pay it if they asked. It all started with Payson asking an innocent question about why I always bought a Parfait and gave it to him and never bought a Happy Meal for him. " because they don't make gluten free Happy Meals." I said with some disappointment his response was a full blown meltdown (which he does not have very often when he's told he can't eat something). Looking back I wasn't being very considerate, I just figured he'd be excited just to eat out somewhere. Anyways, I started brainstorming. I knew their menu and what my limited options were but the answer was right there staring at me for months and I hadn't put the pieces together until just a few weeks ago. Of course I politely asked the girl at the counter to replace the hamburger with a parfait. I even offered to pay the extra or buy it separately as long as the parfait was placed in the happy meal box. That of course came back with a "let me ask my manager" The first couple of times the managers recognized me ( Yes, we eat there that often) and did it no problem then one day my mother in law goes in asks for the happy meal the same way I do and gets a "no, we don't do that" My mother in law throws a hissy calls the "Is there something we can do better" hot line and leaves my info! So long story short I talked to a wonderful store manager, district manager and at one point some Mc Donald's corp. people and they have assured me that ANYONE who asks for a gluten free Happy Meal made with a Fruit and yogurt parfait instead of the hamburger will receive it at no extra charge! So go girls demand your child have a gluten free Happy Meal! I explained to her that to a child it makes a difference whether your happy meal comes like everyone else. The look on Paysons' face the first time he opened up the box and saw EVERYTHING was SAFE was PRICELESS!!! You would have thought he was eating a happy meal for the first time. I suggest you make nice with the manager at your local McD's first and educate them on why and how to do it. They loved the fact that they were the only fast food restaurant in our area that had GF fries. They don't realize what an a blessing it is to be able to have a spot to drive thru between activities. So from the manager work you're way up to the big boys. Kissing but never hurts and they want you to be loyal which us food allergy mom's are. Let me know what you're MC D's tells you!

Bread Experiment

This week I will be testing bread!!!! My son attends a charter school and they do a gf lunch for him. Since Payson only likes homemade bread I offered to make the bread and provide it to them if they bought the mix. I've been using a recipe mix which he really enjoys however, I'm always open to finding alternatives. I've never used a mix or a bread machine so this week will be interesting!!

Last night I made Bob's Red Mill Mix. In my random poll of people at the Health Food Store this seemed to be a common tried and liked or had heard of someone who used it. The bread turned out well in the bread machine however after I had the mix etc.. in the machine I read on the machine direction manual that you should make a small indentation in the dry mix to place the yeast so that it does not touch the wet ingredients which can make the bread not rise as much.
Next time I'll read all the directions first. I think it still turned out OK. i DID NOT like the fact I had to use about 8 eggs to get the needed amount of egg whites. Holy cow!!! Now I have to make sure that my youngest doesn't get a hold of it. If he ate a piece of it he'd be sick for days.
I also found it hard to make sure all my stuff was at room temp. So I got it all out and measured and left it on the counter for a couple of hours and then got sidetracked so then I started worrying that bacteria was growing. I don't know I'm a little to OCD for leaving my milk and eggs on the counter to warm up. Today I will try it again egg free version style and we'll see!!!
At least he has bread for school. They keep it in their freezer and use it on sub sandwich day so it last about a month depending on what else they use it for that month.
The bread machine is convenient though

My favorite cookbooks (so far)

I am a 3rd generation cookbook collector. SO now most of my collection is just for display. But, I have found some new cookbooks that I will actually use not just look at. Here are my most loved:

1. The Kid Friendly Food Allergy Cookbook- I found this one by accident at a place called Bukos it's a discount store in Ogden and Farmington for you Utahns. But, try Amazon. It has more than 150 recipes that are Wheat free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free, Egg Free, and Low in sugar. I love, love it

2. The Incredible Edible Gluten Free Cookbook for kids- Almost as used as the other but with it you have to assume that you need to adapt the recipe for other allergies but it gave me great help with information about having a gluten free kitchen and other helpful resources.

3. The Gluten Free Cookbook For Dummies- Yes, the good old dummies books. My sweet Grandma got it for me. Has alot of good family recipes and conversion how to.

GF chocolate chip cookies (we call them chippies)

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES GLUTEN FREE STYLE

INGREDIENTS
1/2 C. margarine or butter ( i like to use butter @ room temp)
1/2 C. shortening ( i like butter flavor from crisco )
3/4 C packed brown sugar
3/4 C sugar
2 eggs or replacement equiv.
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp baking POWDER
2 C RICE flour
3/4 C TAPIOCA flour
1/2 C POTATO STARCH flour
1 tsp xanthan gum
1 tsp salt
1 12oz package of milk chocolate chips or you can use the enjoy life brand of chips for egg/dairy/gf version

* You can add caramel chips or even heath bar pieces etc. if you want to. It even works with M&M's.

DIRECTIONS
*You can make these in a bowl W/ hand mixer or with a standing mixer

Preheat to 375
1. Beat shortening and butter with mixer on med. speed for 30 seconds

2. Add the brown sugar, sugar eggs, vanilla, baking powder, and RICE flour. beat until creamy and combined. I add a little bit at a time. it seems to combine better that way.

3. Beat in the TAPIOCA flour, POTATO starch flour, XANTHAN gum, and salt.

4. With a spoon, stir in the chips or whatever you're adding

5. Drop the dough onto the ungreased cookie sheet. ( i do actually spray a little butter flavored Pam on mine or you can use parchment paper for no cleanup.)

6. Bake for 9 to 12 min until the edges are lightly brown . * i bake closer to 9 until the center looks almost done and then I take them out and let them sit on the sheet on top of the stove until cool. You're oven might be different then mine but if I wait until they're looking almost done they seem to be overdone.

IF YOU WANT TO FREEZE THEM!!!

Make them the same way except don't bake (obviously) and instead make a dough log and wrap with plastic wrap and them place in a freezer bag and label them. When you're ready to bake just take them out slice the log and bake. You might have to increase the baking time doing it this way. Otherwise, take the log out and let it thaw and then bake the next day.

Quickie snack organization

You may be thinking to yourself now what? We've got a diagnosis where do I go from here in the quickest, simplest way? Organization is key my dear girls! Plus it's time to put some routine into your life! Organizing your pantry, cabinets and fridge is going to save you sooo many headaches! Let alone, it let's visitors, babysitters, family members and Dad know what is. Here are some quick thoughts that will get you started in the right direction. Each of these ideas takes at the most 20 minutes to get into place so get started right away!

Sticker System

We have a sticker system in our home. The gf (gluten free) jars of peanut butter, mayo, butter, jelly, basically anything that could be "poisoned"(contaminated) or I didn't buy in a squeezy bottle gets a sticker. I bought a couple of boxes of the colored dots used normally at yard sales at Walmart. When the groceries come home Payson gets to put the stickers on his food. Gets too is the key word here. It's not a punishment to have celiac nor is it a punishment or a chore to assist in helping prepare his food for the pantry. He has told me he enjoys having his "own food", must be a middle child thing. I think he also likes being alone with me in the kitchen doing something that's all about him even if it is placing stickers on jars. It also gives him the freedom of being able to make some of his own food. I'm reminded daily that he's almost 7 and can make PBJ all by his self if he doesn't use the pokey knife.

Snack Jars

OMG! Why didn't I do this years ago with all of my kids! I had some huge Costco size containers from biscotti that i used to eat BFA ( before food allergies)
I was a Brownie Girl Scout Leader and thought some day I might use them for a craft. Being the scrapbooker that I am I covered the label and made HUGE snack jars. I only put a weeks worth at a time in them otherwise they seem to dwindle down faster even if they're only supposed to have X amount per day. One is the gf snacks the other one is for the non gf kids in the house. They have different colored lids so even my 4 yr old knows which is his.

Fridge basket

I know it seems a little too organized but prove me wrong girlies! So you get the cheap white baskets from the dollar store or walmart or use a tupperware container if you think the lid will actually get put back on. In the basket you put the fridge snacks for each kid or allergy type in your home.
Example:

Payson's GF basket has: gogurt, pudding,string cheese,fruit cup, and jello

Karson's EF/DF (egg free/ dairy free) basket has: jello, soy string cheese, and a fruit cup.

Ladies we all know what it's like when they're all screaming for a snack it' s so much easier to let them get it themselves after asking then having to stop and find a snack for each of them. This also is teaching them personal responsibility. They live in a world that does not cater to their "food disiabliliy" all the time and when they grow up and go on missions or off to college we can't go and cook and decontaminate their dorm rooms. The sooner you get your systems in place the sooner your life will get back to a new normal!

Need Support?

Are you overwhelmed with the challenges of having a celiac child or other children with food allergies? Well I'm here for you. I've started a support group for mothers with our issues! Whether you are in the first few days of a diagnosis, have known for a while or your intuition is telling you something isn't quite right with your child I would love to help you. Other moms' are where you are now or have been there. Email me at foodallergymom4U@yahoo.com and I'll contact you with further information. You can find more support at www.gfutah.org
Let's start a food allergy awareness revolution!

Symptoms of Celiac Disease May Include One or More of the Following:
Recurring bloating, gas, or abdominal pain
Chronic diarrhea or constipation or both
Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
Pale, foul-smelling stool
Unexplained anemia
Bone or joint pain
Behavior changes/depression/irritability
Vitamin K Deficiency
Fatigue, weakness or lack of energy
Delayed growth or onset of puberty
Failure to thrive (in infants)
Missed mentrual periods
Infertility male & female
Spontaneous miscarriages
Canker sores inside the mouth
Tooth discoloration or loss of enamel
Have You or a Family Member Been Diagnosed With the Following?
Type 1 Diabetes
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Fibromyalgia
IBS
Eczema
Sjogren's Syndrome
Peripheral Neuropathy
Thyroid Disease
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Osteoporosis

does your child have celiac?

As I have learned doctors don't always take mothers concerns seriously when it comes to us complaining our child has tummy aches and constant diarrhea and is cranky most of the time. I'm sure many Doctors were suspicious of my frequent visits with the same issues. Most physicians recognize the classic symptoms of celiac disease : diarrhea, bloating, weight loss, anemia, chronic fatigue, weakness, bone pain, and muscle cramps.Doctors may not be aware that celiac has other symptoms, some that do not involve the small intestine. More often, symptoms can include constipation, constipation alternating with diarrhea, or premature osteoporosis. Overweight persons may also have undiagnosed celiac disease. Children may exhibit behavioral, learning or concentration problems, similar to ADD. Irritability, diarrhea, a bloated abdomen, growth failure,
Projectile vomiting can also be a symptom even in babies. My son had "chronic reflux" as one doctor told me which could bave been partially true but untill the age of 2? Others will have symptoms such as anemia, chronic fatigue, weakness, migraine headaches, nerve problems such as tingling of hands or difficulty walking, or other conditions that are unexplained and/or do not respond to the usual treatment a doctor might try. You could have a couple of these symptoms or most. People are frequently misdiagnosed as having 'irritable bowel syndrome', 'spastic colon/bowel', or Crohn's disease'. My sons' GI Dr. said there is no such thing as IBS just undiagnosed celiacs! Could one of them be you or your child?

Welcome to my blog about having children with food allergies and how to feed them!

Welcome to my blog! Just to warn you I'm new to the blogging world so please be patient.

I've started this blog as a way to connect and hopefully help other moms' who understand what it is like to have children with "food disabilities", meaning kids with food allergies. I just happen to have more than one "food disability" in my home. My 6 year old boy last Jan. was diagnosed with celiac disease after several years of symptoms. Many of you can relate to the frustration of the process of getting an acurate diagnosis. But, I also have a 4 year old who is allergic to dairy and eggs. Did I mention he also has outdoor allergies and asthma? I remember what it was like that first time trying to come up with a meal plan that would work for 2 difficult food allergies and yet be tasty for the 1 child and 3 adults in our home that had no food allergies. Did I mention one of those adults is my husband who is the pickiest man I've ever known. He only uses BBQ sauce or ketchup to flavor anything and doesn't eat fruit or vegetables unless it's corn or potatoes. So being the generous soul and wanna be book author/advacote I thought I would share our familys' story and experiences with you. So let's talk. Let's share our favorite kid/allergy friendly places to eat, our best "Oh know I'm out of gluten free bread"lunch ideas, and how we manage to have busy lives and yet feed our children nutruitious not toxic (as I call it) food and get the rest of the family to eat it! PS. tell me your favorite cook books, and recipes also. You can never have enough of either.

-melissa the gluten free mama