Banana Swirl

We recently watched an episode of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood.  There was a recipe for banana swirl.  They showed how to make it, but it seemed way to easy.  I had to give it a try.  Sure enough it is that easy.  I think it is a great option for food allergic people because it is one single ingredient -- Bananas. Granted you are no allergic to bananas.

Banana Swirl (aka banana ice cream)
2 frozen bananas

1. Freeze bananas for a few hours.
2. Place frozen bananas in blender. Blend on medium-low for about a minute or two.
3. The mixture will resemble ice cream in texture.
4. Add sprinkles, chocolate sauce or honey (or anything you think goes with bananas).

You will be so impressed with this -- you have to try it.  Enjoy!

Food Allergies and Preschool

Well, it's been about 2 1/2 months since our little food allergic daughter has been in preschool.  She is allergic to milk, egg, peanuts and tree nuts.  Her little bubble of safe food and never being around a potential hazard has been altered.  And I can honestly say all is going very well.  She eats snack and lunch at school.  Her teachers know to read the labels and have a stash of snack bars (Enjoy Life and Glutino) and some snack size Teddy Grahams and Oreos that I stocked up on after Halloween.

Lunch is a little different story.  It took a couple months to get the ingredient lists for the items from the school district.  And some of those are even a year old.  But if I don't think it will be safe, she eats something else.  She really likes soybutter and jelly sandwiches.  Typically there is fresh fruit and veggies (way to go!) from the school district lunch, so we just make up the rest later in the day if need be.  She's a typical 3-year-old who eats when she wants to eat.  Lucky for us, I work in the same building that she attends preschool.  That's a load off my worried shoulders (and for her teachers, too).  Her teachers have told me that she knows about her food allergies and doesn't mind eating something else.

On a side note; we were eating a chips and salsa at a restaurant last week.  Our daughter asked if she could have a tortilla chip.  I handed it to her and told I wasn't sure if it had food allergies, but it's probably okay (I carry Benadryl everywhere we go just in case).  She pulled back and said "no" and decided not to eat because it could have food allergies.  What a smart little 3-year-old!

While her reactions thus far are fairly mild (as far as we have seen), you never really know what may happen if another child spills milk or touches her after eating peanut butter.  There are days I pick her up and her face is rashy.  But she's a rashy kid.  She could have rubbed her face on a toy that was cleaned with soap that made her rash up.  She sometimes is rashy while eating a completely allergy free meal at home.  There just is no rhyme or reason.  But I wanted to share our slow transition to the real world and dangers for a food allergic child.  And to those of you just starting out on this journey, it does get easier.  It does.

Quick update

So far lunch has been going really well for our 3-year-old at preschool.  While she's not eating a lot (normally she eats what she wants), I'm happy she hasn't had any food allergic reactions.  So happy.  I'm going to try to take some pictures of lunches soon and share what's working for us.  In the meantime, check out this lunch link (even if you don't have one in school -- it's pretty helpful).  Of course, you need to adapt a little for food allergies.


Also, we are using these Ziploc containers and they are working wonderfully.  They have three sections (2 small and 1 large) and the seal tight.  Even if placed upside down the food doesn't mix.  Very easy for her teacher to put on the table in front of her.  And a lot less worry about food allergy cross contamination.  These are cost effective, just under $3 for two and clean up really easily.

Calling all Moms with School-Age Children with Food Allergies

I have decided that it is time for me to go back to work.  I'm so excited.  I accepted a position at an Early Head Start center (read more here).  But this means our daughter is going to have expand from our "food" safe bubble. She's going to be going to a preschool daily.  I'm not so worried about her having a reaction or the teachers not knowing how to handle a reaction.  I think just the overall idea that I have to trust someone else to keep her safe is the challenge.

I think we are going to bring lunches and snacks from home in the beginning until I can go through and read labels.  Any suggestions or links would be really helpful. So far I have a pretty good list of foods and snacks, but am open to more ideas.  Also, any tips or resources to give to the staff that you have found useful would be appreciated.  Thank you in advance!