Pizza

For some reason homemade pizza for the dairy-free kid is just not easy.  If we have the Vegan Gourmet cheese that melts it goes bad before we use it all up. And I just haven't been happy with crusts.  English muffins work well, but you still have to have a sauce for a small portion.

Today I was walking through the new Hy-Vee grocery store in town and was pleasantly surprised by the selection of organic/dietary specific food.  I found this Tofutti Pizza and am so happy to have a simple pizza for my daughter.  Sometimes it really is just easier to use the pre-made version.  Especially when it's a small portion for a toddler who might not eat it for the first 10 times you give it to them.  Cost was just over $4 and there are three large slices.  I figure for the initial introduction of it, I'll cut those slices in half.  That makes six servings for $4, which isn't too bad.  I also liked that I knew all the ingredients listed.

Trying to get a toddler to eat Sunbutter

I was so excited to find Sunbutter for my peanut-allergic daughter.  Every time she puts her finger in it a little more and a little longer.  When I want to try something new or eat something else on her plate, we call them polite bites.  I'll say take a bite to be polite (no, I didn't make that up -- learned it a child care center I worked at).  If she brings it to her lips or licks it that's enough for me.

Here are the few ways I've introduced Sunbutter so far.

• Sunbutter and saltine crackers (some crackers have milk, so watch out)
• Ants on a log (celery, sunbutter and raisins)
• Sunbutter and Jelly pinwheels (see this great way to make sandwiches here)

Anyone got any other ideas?

H1N1 flu vaccine and egg allergy

Here's an article from the Mayo Clinic discussing the egg allergy and H1N1 flu vaccine.  What do I conclude after reading it...still not sure.

Dairy-Free Chicken and Rice

I had some leftover grilled BBQ chicken drumsticks in the freezer.  I pulled the chicken off and made this tasty meal for my family.  Love, love, love recipes without milk or cream soups -- makes preparations so much easier.   I really liked the flavors of the onion and peppers.  I wouldn't substitute green peppers here.  Yellow and red peppers were the best flavor.

Chicken and Rice

(I found the recipe on yahoo answers, but changed it a little)


1/4 cup red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup yellow bell pepper
1 medium onion diced
1 cup instant rice (I use Minute Rice)
1 cup chicken stock (make your own)
1 Tbsp minced garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil
Amount of leftover beef, pork or chicken (about a cup)

1. Make instant rice with chicken stock.  Boil stock, add rice, take off heat for 3 minutes.
2. Heat oil in pan. When oil is shimmering add peppers and onion.  Cook until softened about 5 minutes on medium heat.
3. Add garlic for about a minute.
4. Pour in rice and any stock not yet absorbed in rice.
5. Turn heat on low and cook for about 5 minutes.
6. Add meat and season with salt and pepper.  Warm on low for a couple minutes.


For more great recipes, check out the Grocery Cart Challenge!

More Snack ideas

Here's a link to some "pre-packaged" allergy-free snacks.  I haven't tried any of these, but they look enticing!

Dairy-Free Chicken Nuggets

Hooray! I just found chicken nuggets made by Earth's Best for my daughter. The nuggets do have wheat and soy in them, but no dairy or egg. I just haven't had luck making chicken nuggets on my own without egg. These seem like a great alternative. I found them in the organic frozen food section. The ingredients listed are all familiar -- no strange chemicals or anything (although chicken meat is always sorta vague).

I don't know about you but sometimes it's nice to just open a package and pop food in the oven for 15 minutes instead of making everything by scratch. These seem like they will work for us. There are 16 nuggets in a package, so I figure that is at least 4 meals. They were a little pricey -- more than $4, but Earth's Best often has coupons on its website. I've even e-mailed and asked for coupons from them. They have sent manufacturer coupons to me in the mail!

Just had to pass it along!