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Ease of Allergen Free living

January 26th 2009 04:05
This year is the first year that we have allowed our children to attend mainstream school. Up until now we have homeschooled the four of them due to the allergies that they have.

But this year they approached us in November and informed us that they wanted to try mainstream school. Well with work getting busier and me starting Uni full time we agreed, thinking that it would be easier to achieve all the goals that we have for the year.

Stupidly, I assumed that I would be able to purchase some allergen free foods for the children to take to school with them. How wrong I was! So far we have tried a number of products and none of them taste at all nice.


So at the moment the children will be having salad boxes and fruit salad for when school starts on Wednesday. Thank goodness the children will be attending a small school that allows them access to a fridge to keep things cool.

But it started me thinking. How do other parents cope with the allergies of their children. Up until now I have been able to tailor my work hours around cooking for the children but I can no longer do that. I just will not have the hours in the day to cook some school treat every day.

This weekend coming I will be baking a storm and freezing the produce but as I haven't frozen any of the produce before I'm unsure how it will go.

Anyway, next week I will post the recipe that survived freezing best.
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The diagnosis or suspicion of an allergy can be a difficult time. Especially if the allergy is for a baby or young child. But once you get use to reading labels and substituting ingredients it does get easier.

The common allergies to be diagnosed with are nuts, shellfish, wheat or gluten and lactose or dairy. If you're lucky you will be diagnosed with only one of these allergies. Some families have all of them in the one household (like ours).

Adopting an allergen free lifestyle can be crucial in some circumstances - life threatening allergies - or just recommended - for intolerances.


Regardless of why you need to adopt an allergen lifestyle the steps are the same.

Step One

Educate yourself and your family about the reason for the new lifestyle and the style of new food that is essential. Write a list of the foods that need to be avoided and place it somewhere prominent in the house.

Sample some of the foods and recipes that are available.

Step Two

Remove all allergen products from your home. This is only important if the allergen sufferer is a child. An adult will be able to avoid the foods but children will just grab whatever looks good.

Step Three

Replace the allergen food with non-allergen foods. This can be an expensive exercise, so spread the cost across a few weeks if necessary.

The cheapest way of adjusting to an allergen free lifestyle is to develop a love of cooking. Often the home cooked versions do taste significantly better.

Step Four

Be dedicated about the new lifestyle. And this is the hardest step.

Look for support groups if necessary. Feel free to connect with others through this blog is you like.

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Apple Butter Gnocchi Sauce

October 2nd 2008 09:51
Apple Butter Gnocchi Sauce

125 gram dairy free margarine
1 cup apple juice
1 apple sliced finely
chives
spinach very finely sliced

Melt the spread into the apple juice simmer gently for a few minutes (no more than 5 minutes).

Cool slightly and add the finely sliced apple and the very finely sliced spinach.

Return to the boiling point and turn off the heat.

Cool slightly again then pour over gnocchi of your choice. This sauce goes beautifully with the Rainbow Gnocchi.

Sprinkle chopped chives over the gnocchi and serve immediately.
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Pumpkin Gnocchi

October 2nd 2008 09:39
Rainbow Gnocchi

Steamed mixed vegetables. (I use 6 Desiree potatoes, 2 small sweet potatoes, pumpkin to taste


[ Click here to read more ]
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Mock Cream

September 1st 2008 01:51
One of the biggest problems I have found in adopting a dairy free diet is cream. I was complaining to my Grandmother about this problem and she gave me this recipe, which came from her grandmother.

I had to adjust it slightly but still it works well. Doesn't taste exactly the same but is nice


[ Click here to read more ]
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Chicken Soup

August 19th 2008 00:31
This recipe was developed recently to help deal with a rampant case of recurring flu in our house.

It definitely helped get our children to have enough fluids while sick


[ Click here to read more ]
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Turkey Rice

August 12th 2008 23:53
This recipe is a great, quick allergy free dinner that can be on the table in 25 Minutes.

Ingredients


[ Click here to read more ]
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Mums Savoury Rice.

August 12th 2008 23:49
This is a great standby to have in the cupboard. By adjusting the proportions you can make enough for you family for any length of time. Just store it in an air tight container. It’s also a great gift.

Ingredients


[ Click here to read more ]
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Turkey Pie

July 28th 2008 01:43
The turkey can be replaced with chicken or other meat of your choice.

Ingredients


[ Click here to read more ]
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All Purpose Pastry

July 18th 2008 00:42
Gluten Free, Dairy Free All Purpose Pastry

This pastry recipe is a life saver. It can be used for tarts, pies, crumble tops and biscuits


[ Click here to read more ]
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