Only 2 hours after I came home from work on my first day of vacation, the boy vomited all over himself, my husband and I. This was our first experience with him throwing up, so I’ll leave it at that! This was not the quality boy time I was hoping for. I spent an entire night with his feet kicking my face while he tossed and turned. I woke up cranky and nauseous myself.
At breakfast, he refused to eat anything, every time I suggested a new food, his response was ‘cookie’. Since I took pity on the fact he had vommitted the previous night, and I had visions of his empty tummy, I gave in, and kept handing him arrowroot cookies until he stopped asking. I didn't want to give him milk, just in case it would upset his stomach, and he wasn’t at the point of needing pedialyte. I spiked his water with apple juice but I’m a bit of a sugarphobe, and this was the first time I have ever given him apple juice. He was devouring it...screaming for apple juice all day long, even trying to open the fridge himself at one point!
For our vacation, we planned to go to my in-laws country house that day, but instead we kept him home for the next 48 hours to avoid bringing any form of sickness to the house which was filled with my husband’s entire family including my 1,3 and 5 year old nephews, and my pregnant sister in law. The last thing I wanted was to be responsible for a gastro outbreak in Ivry. On Sunday, we went to the country, but after the first night, his nose started running, and the wheezing kicked in. I thought we were doomed, but I wasn’t going to let a little wheeze and cough keep him from having fun. We played outside, played inside, went sledding, went skating for the first time, watched movies, went for dinner, went to the indoor playground and had quality family time. If my husband had his way, the boy would be skiing as well! I have been able to relax a bit, which is not something I usually get to do. Since returning to work from maternity leave 9 months ago, any boy time is valuable time to me. Taking a step back from the demands of my everyday life has allowed me to focus on my family and realize how lucky I am. I still have a few more days left of vacation so maybe I’ll even be lucky enough to ski!
:)
J.
Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Vacation, Vacation
7 more days… I am looking forward to a full 13 days of boy time! Though we celebrated Hanukkah last week, over the vacation, we will spend lots of time with our nieces, nephews, and family. My husband grew up skiing, so we plan to put the boy on skies this winter. He’s young but very steady. He’s been walking for close to a year now, and I think he’ll be just fine being pulled around on a flat surface. For me, I prefer the real thing. I started skiing when I was dating my husband. A few months after we met, I invested in an entire new ski wardrobe, everything from the boots to the helmet. I took to it quite easily, and really enjoyed it. I complain a lot about the cold, but overall, I love skiing. We went on a family ski trip during our second winter together and I braved the slopes of Aspen, Snowmass and Vail quite well. It was the following year, just a few weeks after our wedding that I fell on the ‘fuddle duddle’, a green circle (beginner trail), and tore ligaments in my knee requiring surgery and a missed ski season. I fully recovered, but stayed off the slopes the following season for fear of falling again. The following winter I was pregnant, and last year I was breastfeeding, so being away for too many hours just made me uncomfortable (literally). All to say, that for the holidays I am looking forward to skiing, boy time, and relaxing. I have decided on all the activities we will do with the boy, and I am counting down the days. And yes, I realize this post has nothing to do with mine or the boy’s allergy!
Happy holiday’s to my 8 loyal followers (and anyone else who reads this!)
:)
J.
Happy holiday’s to my 8 loyal followers (and anyone else who reads this!)
:)
J.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Google It
I don’t know about you, but I am a huge fan of google, and I google everything. When I type peanut allergy into the search box, it says there are 767 000 results. Sites like medic alert, press releases, and other reputable organizations around peanut, nut or food allergies are listed first, But scrolling through the pages, I found blogs and other resources that I never knew existed. The internet is a tremendously valuable resource to most people on both a personal and professional level. I have been a member of peanutallergy.com for years. This website allows me to reach out to others when I have a simple question about a restaurant, product, travel etc... As you know from a recent post, I am also subscribed to anaphylaxis canada’s network, where I receive regular emails on peanut, nut and other food related recalls. There are so many helpful sites out there, and I can only speak for myself, but it’s nice to know I’m not alone. It’s amazing how the internet has changed the way I handle my allergy. I regularly contact companies to double check their products before I try something new. In fact, on the FAQ page, there is often a statement on how the company handles allergies. All to say, if you need more info, just ‘google it!’.
:)
J.
:)
J.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Happy Hanukkah!
Latkes- For those of you who don’t know what a Latke is, it is a Fried Potato Pancake. Latkes are a Hanukkah treat that are delicious. Usually they are accompanied by sour cream and/or apple sauce.
A few years ago I made homemade latkes for the first time, and they are so much better than store bought. Most people say that hand grating the potato’s is better, but I use the grater setting on my Cuisinart, and they always turn out to be a success. I often make 2 batches, sweet potato and regular. Of course there are risks associated with frying at home, but I use my biggest stock pot and filled the oil only about an inch deep and am very careful. I keep the fire extinguisher under my sink, so I am well prepared in the event of an accident. In perusing recipes, I have noticed that many call for peanut oil. It has been said that peanut oil is the ideal frying oil due to it’s capacity to reach a high smoke point, and it apparently makes the food crispier. Considering this is not an option, I use Canola oil, and it is just fine!
This is the recipe I’ve used over the past few years.
Latkes:
2 Cups peeled, grated potato’s (Yukon, OR Sweet)-about 6 potato's
1 Med grated onion
2 eggs
4 tbsp Flour
1 tbsp salt
½ cup canola oil
Drop about 2 tablespoons into the oil and let fry until golden brown on both sides.
Makes about a dozen latkes (to make more just double the recipe)
Happy Hanukkah!
:)
J.
A few years ago I made homemade latkes for the first time, and they are so much better than store bought. Most people say that hand grating the potato’s is better, but I use the grater setting on my Cuisinart, and they always turn out to be a success. I often make 2 batches, sweet potato and regular. Of course there are risks associated with frying at home, but I use my biggest stock pot and filled the oil only about an inch deep and am very careful. I keep the fire extinguisher under my sink, so I am well prepared in the event of an accident. In perusing recipes, I have noticed that many call for peanut oil. It has been said that peanut oil is the ideal frying oil due to it’s capacity to reach a high smoke point, and it apparently makes the food crispier. Considering this is not an option, I use Canola oil, and it is just fine!
This is the recipe I’ve used over the past few years.
Latkes:
2 Cups peeled, grated potato’s (Yukon, OR Sweet)-about 6 potato's
1 Med grated onion
2 eggs
4 tbsp Flour
1 tbsp salt
½ cup canola oil
Drop about 2 tablespoons into the oil and let fry until golden brown on both sides.
Makes about a dozen latkes (to make more just double the recipe)
Happy Hanukkah!
:)
J.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Mistakes...
This is a press release from Quaker Canada dated November 26, 2010 that I received via the Anaphylaxis Canada Newtwork:
PEANUT ALLERGY ALERT: QUAKER CANADA URGES PUBLIC TO TAKE NOTE OF RECALL OF 14 COUNT QUAKER CHEWY GRANOLA BARS VALUE PACKS
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 26 /CNW/ - Quaker Canada, a division of PepsiCo Foods Canada, urges Canadians who have purchased 14 count Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Value Pack cartons to be mindful and check the UPC bar code in light of a possible allergic reaction that occurred this week. No other packages of Quaker bars or Quaker products are affected.
Quaker Canada is investigating how the cartons were mis-labeled and is focused on actions to alert consumers and recover the product from the marketplace.
The recall was announced on November 24. Today, Quaker Canada is:
•Working with customers nationally to retrieve the affected product from store shelves as quickly as possible;
•Working with Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency;
•Working with Anaphylaxis Canada and other health groups to reach Canadians with peanut and tree nut allergies;
•Notifying school boards across Canada;
•Taking out newspaper advertisements advising of the recall to further raise awareness;
•Conducting a thorough investigation to understand how the mis-labeling took place.
"We are recovering these products as quickly as possible. We immediately halted our packaging operations at the location where this error occurred. Following our investigation of what took place, we will put an action plan in place to ensure this doesn't happen again," said Kathryn Matheson, Vice President, Quaker Canada.
The 14 count Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Value Pack cartons that were mis-labeled carry the UPC Bar Code 55577 10742. Consumers with the product should inspect the contents of the carton to ensure it contains the correct product - Chewy Chocolate Chip and Chewy S'mores bars. No other packages of Quaker bars or Quaker products are affected.
The company has recalled the 14 count Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Value Packs because the outside packaging erroneously states that the boxes should contain Chewy Chocolate Chip and Chewy S'mores bars, both of which are made in a peanut free facility. If the carton contains Dipps Chocolate Chip and Dipps Caramel Nut bars and a consumer has a peanut or tree nut allergy, they should return it to the retailer where it was purchased for a refund. There is no health risk associated with handling the mis-labeled carton for disposal or return, however this product should not be consumed by those in a peanut or tree nut-allergic household.
The company received a report of a consumer experiencing an anaphylactic reaction after consuming a granola bar that potentially came from a mis-labeled 14 count Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Value Pack. The individual was treated in hospital and is now recovering at home.
"We are relieved and glad to hear the consumer is stable. We urge Canadians to consider the seriousness of this recall and to make extra effort to check product labels every single time, something Quaker Canada wants to emphasize, particularly for those consumers who may have this product in their home," said Matheson.
Consumers with questions may contact Quaker Canada by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-800-267-6287.
For more information, please visit www.quakeroats.ca.
So obviously this is a MAJOR mistake, but as someone who is allergic to peanuts, and has a boy allergic to tree nuts mistakes like this can be fatal. I have always made it a habit to read labels each and every time. If I buy 2 boxes of the exact same cereal that I've been eating for 15 years, I’ll re-read both boxes before they go into the cart. Despite my efforts, I can sort of understand how a parent would buy the same product repeatedly and just open the box and place a bar in the child's lunch box without necessarily looking at the package. When we place our trust in reputable manufacturers there is an inherent assumption that if it states 'peanut free', that the product is in fact peanut free. I have always been a big fan of the Quaker granola bars, they seem to be doing their best at handling the situation. Unfortunately there has been one reported reaction. This has taught me to NEVER let my guard down.
Thoughts?
:)
J.
PEANUT ALLERGY ALERT: QUAKER CANADA URGES PUBLIC TO TAKE NOTE OF RECALL OF 14 COUNT QUAKER CHEWY GRANOLA BARS VALUE PACKS
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 26 /CNW/ - Quaker Canada, a division of PepsiCo Foods Canada, urges Canadians who have purchased 14 count Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Value Pack cartons to be mindful and check the UPC bar code in light of a possible allergic reaction that occurred this week. No other packages of Quaker bars or Quaker products are affected.
Quaker Canada is investigating how the cartons were mis-labeled and is focused on actions to alert consumers and recover the product from the marketplace.
The recall was announced on November 24. Today, Quaker Canada is:
•Working with customers nationally to retrieve the affected product from store shelves as quickly as possible;
•Working with Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency;
•Working with Anaphylaxis Canada and other health groups to reach Canadians with peanut and tree nut allergies;
•Notifying school boards across Canada;
•Taking out newspaper advertisements advising of the recall to further raise awareness;
•Conducting a thorough investigation to understand how the mis-labeling took place.
"We are recovering these products as quickly as possible. We immediately halted our packaging operations at the location where this error occurred. Following our investigation of what took place, we will put an action plan in place to ensure this doesn't happen again," said Kathryn Matheson, Vice President, Quaker Canada.
The 14 count Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Value Pack cartons that were mis-labeled carry the UPC Bar Code 55577 10742. Consumers with the product should inspect the contents of the carton to ensure it contains the correct product - Chewy Chocolate Chip and Chewy S'mores bars. No other packages of Quaker bars or Quaker products are affected.
The company has recalled the 14 count Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Value Packs because the outside packaging erroneously states that the boxes should contain Chewy Chocolate Chip and Chewy S'mores bars, both of which are made in a peanut free facility. If the carton contains Dipps Chocolate Chip and Dipps Caramel Nut bars and a consumer has a peanut or tree nut allergy, they should return it to the retailer where it was purchased for a refund. There is no health risk associated with handling the mis-labeled carton for disposal or return, however this product should not be consumed by those in a peanut or tree nut-allergic household.
The company received a report of a consumer experiencing an anaphylactic reaction after consuming a granola bar that potentially came from a mis-labeled 14 count Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Value Pack. The individual was treated in hospital and is now recovering at home.
"We are relieved and glad to hear the consumer is stable. We urge Canadians to consider the seriousness of this recall and to make extra effort to check product labels every single time, something Quaker Canada wants to emphasize, particularly for those consumers who may have this product in their home," said Matheson.
Consumers with questions may contact Quaker Canada by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-800-267-6287.
For more information, please visit www.quakeroats.ca.
So obviously this is a MAJOR mistake, but as someone who is allergic to peanuts, and has a boy allergic to tree nuts mistakes like this can be fatal. I have always made it a habit to read labels each and every time. If I buy 2 boxes of the exact same cereal that I've been eating for 15 years, I’ll re-read both boxes before they go into the cart. Despite my efforts, I can sort of understand how a parent would buy the same product repeatedly and just open the box and place a bar in the child's lunch box without necessarily looking at the package. When we place our trust in reputable manufacturers there is an inherent assumption that if it states 'peanut free', that the product is in fact peanut free. I have always been a big fan of the Quaker granola bars, they seem to be doing their best at handling the situation. Unfortunately there has been one reported reaction. This has taught me to NEVER let my guard down.
Thoughts?
:)
J.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Good Food, Good Friends
It seems I’ve been blogging a lot lately about new products, new places and my reviews. The world of peanut/nut allergies is evolving and it’s great to see all these companies following suit.
Tonight we had my husbands BF B, his wife M, and their 2 kids over for dinner. It was the first dinner we have had with them in a long time where we were all able to have a glass of wine. They have a 2 ½ year old and a 9 month old, so watching the kids play was nothing short of adorable. In fact B had allergies as a kid, and their son had a dairy intolerance for a long time that he has since outgrown, so they are all too familiar with the whole allergy routine.
They are always finding cool new products, and it’s so nice that they are often checking labels on my behalf. In fact it was M who first introduced me to Quinoa after having found a company that guaranteed no traces of nuts/peanuts. B and M always bring goodies whenever they come over. Along with some other stuff, tonight they brought 2 packages of delicious peanut free, dairy free, egg free, kosher (pareve) cookies. Chocolate Chip, and Double Chocolate. Of course I assumed they would taste like cardboard given the lack of ingredients, but I was fooled. They also brought an individual chocolate fudge cake and an Oatmeal Raison Cookie for me that I will try tomorrow as I’m all sugared out right now. The company is called ‘Sweets from the Earth’. The motto- Sweet, natural, simply delicious desserts. You know the old saying, don’t judge a book by it’s cover, we’ll in this case the packaging is quite nice and appealing but I still had my doubts. After tasting the cookies I felt like a total food snob for having judged them before even tasting them. It goes to show that anything is possible. I’ve had my fair share of cookies in the past, and I’m impressed. Now I’m really looking forward to trying the cheesecake!
P.s… they have a gluten free bakery as well!
:)
J.
Tonight we had my husbands BF B, his wife M, and their 2 kids over for dinner. It was the first dinner we have had with them in a long time where we were all able to have a glass of wine. They have a 2 ½ year old and a 9 month old, so watching the kids play was nothing short of adorable. In fact B had allergies as a kid, and their son had a dairy intolerance for a long time that he has since outgrown, so they are all too familiar with the whole allergy routine.
They are always finding cool new products, and it’s so nice that they are often checking labels on my behalf. In fact it was M who first introduced me to Quinoa after having found a company that guaranteed no traces of nuts/peanuts. B and M always bring goodies whenever they come over. Along with some other stuff, tonight they brought 2 packages of delicious peanut free, dairy free, egg free, kosher (pareve) cookies. Chocolate Chip, and Double Chocolate. Of course I assumed they would taste like cardboard given the lack of ingredients, but I was fooled. They also brought an individual chocolate fudge cake and an Oatmeal Raison Cookie for me that I will try tomorrow as I’m all sugared out right now. The company is called ‘Sweets from the Earth’. The motto- Sweet, natural, simply delicious desserts. You know the old saying, don’t judge a book by it’s cover, we’ll in this case the packaging is quite nice and appealing but I still had my doubts. After tasting the cookies I felt like a total food snob for having judged them before even tasting them. It goes to show that anything is possible. I’ve had my fair share of cookies in the past, and I’m impressed. Now I’m really looking forward to trying the cheesecake!
P.s… they have a gluten free bakery as well!
:)
J.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Gelt!
Finally Peanut Free Hanukkah Gelt! Chocolate coins for those who don’t know what I’m talking about. After years of may contain warnings, and having to eat extra latkes while the other's had the coins they finally came to their senses!
As I was shopping at a toy store today for Hanukkah gifts I noticed that they had the Paskesz Chocolate coins with a Peanut Free logo. I did some googling and saw these coins listed on peanutfreeplanet.com, where it also says they are dairy free. So for anyone out there looking for a little gift topper for the allergic person in your life, this is it!
:)
J.
As I was shopping at a toy store today for Hanukkah gifts I noticed that they had the Paskesz Chocolate coins with a Peanut Free logo. I did some googling and saw these coins listed on peanutfreeplanet.com, where it also says they are dairy free. So for anyone out there looking for a little gift topper for the allergic person in your life, this is it!
:)
J.
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