Peanut Butter Parties

I came across this article about mothers in Australia who take their kids to organized ‘parties’ to test for a peanut allergy.

http://m.news.com.au/TopStories/pg/0/fi916927.htm

There appears to be a heightened awareness of peanut allergies amongst new parents compared to years ago. It seems everyone fears their child may be allergic to peanut butter and worries about the first time they introduce it. A recent study I read showed that 8% of children in the United States under 18 years old suffer from food allergies. The most common allergen was peanuts. Of the 8% with food allergies, about 39% had a history of severe reaction and 30% were allergic to multiple foods. The number of kids with food allergies went up 18% between 1997-2007. Considering these numbers, it comes as no surprise that parents have this fear.

As you know, we have been introducing nuts very slowly, and we have been actively doing this near the hospital in the event of an emergency. I’ve never heard of such a party here in Montreal, but perhaps Australian moms are onto something. I have heard that there is a room at the Montreal Children's hospital for parents to bring their kids to introduce peanuts. I asked an allergist at the hospital about this, and he laughed at this rumor. Yes, there is a room for allergists to do food challenges on kids known to have allergies, but not for random people to come and introduce their kids to food for the first time. Perhaps the hospital cafeteria would be a good public venue for this sort of party!

:)
J.

The Boy who Ate Almonds

Round two of our nut introductions was successful. We gave him slivered almonds which rumor has it are not so tasty on their own, but he ate them all up! No reaction … next cashews. Stay tuned.

Are there any good chocolate bars with cashews?

:)
J.

The Best Peanut/Nut Free Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever!

I make these cookies all the time. The recipe yields a lot of dough, so I often freeze half and use it when I have impromptu company, or when I give the boy a really special treat.

2/3 C. Butter or margarine (Melted)
2C. Lightly packed brown sugar
2 Eggs
2 tbsp Water
1 tsp Vanilla
2 1/2 C. Flour (plus 2 tablespoons)
1 Tsp Baking Powder
1 Tsp Baking Soda

¾ C. Milk Chocolate Chips or Semi Sweet
¾ C. White Chocolate Chips
(OR 1 1/2 C. of swirl chocolate chips which are half milk/half white-Presidents Choice makes these)

Beat the melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, water, and vanilla
Stir in the flour, baking powder, and baking soda
Mix the chocolate chips and cranberries

Bake at 375f for approximately 10 minutes

Makes about 50-60 cookies (depending on size)

Enjoy :)

J.

Peanuts and Medication

The other day I had a close call. I was prescribed a medication that had peanut oil in it. Luckily, I have a habit of double checking EVERYTHING that goes into my mouth, including medication. While I was waiting for the pharmacist to check his book of medications, I googled the medication, and to my surprise there was in fact peanut oil in it.

This situation reminded me that I can never be too careful. It is my responsibility to double check everything including medication. So for all you allergic people, double check!

:)

J.

The Boy who ate Nutella

Since the test results came back negative a couple months ago we have been talking about introducing nuts. I have had almond milk and nutella in my grocery cart at least six times, and each time I get to the cashier I freak out and give the product back. Something about having these products under my roof seems wrong to me.

Today was a beautiful fall day, and we were heading to the market to buy some pumpkins. Since it was early, we had no plans, and the market is down the street from the Children's Hospital, I decided today was going to be the day! I called my neighbor and she made a nutella sandwich for the boy in her house, double bagged it, and off we went. When we arrived at the market, I insisted we take a parking spot that had quick access to the road in case we had to drive up the hill to the Emergency room. Armed with the Epipen Jr, we gave him his nutella sandwich on the corner about 25 feet from the car (I didn't want any to get on the car seat).

This stuff must taste good because the boy loooved it! He devoured his sandwich. We were checking his body for hives and making sure he was breathing every 10 seconds. He chose 3 little pumpkins, and we went back to the car. On our way home, he fell asleep which is not uncommon for him, but of course we kept checking if he was breathing. He was 100% fine.

Next week...Almond Milk.

:)

J.

Trick or Treat!

As a kid Halloween is one of the most exciting days of the year. Dressing up and eating candy freely! I remember the minute we walked through the door my siblings and I had to empty our bags so my mother can filter out the peanut snacks. At the time, it was not uncommon for people to give peanuts as treats. I walked away from those houses! Nowadays, Reeces Pieces, Peanut M & M’s, along with countless other treats are still very popular choices and parents need to be on top of their children with allergies before they dig into their stash. Every year there seems to be a new company declaring themselves peanut free, meaning more to choose from for those allergic. My personal favorites are the mini-chips ahoy, mini mars bars, and the mini Hershey’s variety pack (with the cookies and cream, milk chocolate and caramel chocolate bars).

What is your personal favorite Halloween treat?

Have a safe Halloween!

:)

J.

School Board Bans Peanut Butter Substitute

http://www.canada.com/health/peanut+butter+substitutes+sticks+parents+craw/5549994/story.html

In my opinion, this is going too far. Parents of allergic children should be happy the school board is peanut free to begin with. I could understand if it was banned because it is not considered a well-balanced meal (this is a topic for another post altogether!). I understand that the two products may smell similar, and cause cnfusion, however tf the parents are writing 'peanut free', then it should be acceptable.

Thoughts?

:)

J.