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!

Allergy-Free Jelly Beans

If you are looking for an allergy-free jelly bean that won't break your bank, check out Starburst Jelly Beans. There are several flavors and most bags are ranged from $1.50 to $2.50 and you can find them at just about any grocery store.

Nutrtional label here online.  As always double check the packaging to make sure there are no allergens listed.

Allergy-Free Snack -- Fruit Crisps

I stumbled across Brothers All Natural Fruit Crisps on a Wal-Mart trip.  I was so excited to see that they had a little fiber in them and that it specifically states: Peanut/Tree Nut Free, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Dairy Free, non GMO, Vegan, Kosher.  These are great for an on-the-go snack.

These fruit crisps are all natural with no added sugar or preservatives. There are several flavors.

• Strawberry Banana
• Fuji Apple
• Asian Pear
• White and Yellow Peach
• Pinneapple
• Banana
• Oraganic Strawberry

Dairy-Free S'mores

Oooey gooey s'mores are so much fun to eat.  You don't need a campfire to make them.  You can easily make them in the microwave in under a minute.  You can even sneak in a quick math lesson while having your child help.

Dairy-Free S'mores
Graham crackers
Dairy-free chocolate chips
marshmallows

1. Break graham cracker in half to have two squares.

2. Put about 20 chocolate chips on one side.
3. Put 5 marshmallows on the other side.
4. Microwave chocolate chip side for 40 seconds.  Microwave marshmallow side for the last 20 seconds.  (Note microwaving may vary -- test to see what works best for you).

5. Spread melted chocolate and melted marshmallow on graham cracker.
6. Place crackers together. Enjoy!

In the Dairy-Free (and Nut-Free) Pantry

It's been a while since I've talked about some of the meal and snack strategies for our toddler who is allergic to milk, eggs, peanuts and some tree nuts.  (although we do use eggs in baked goods.)  Here's a peek into some products we keep around for either on-the go or for everyday cooking.  I could have gone link crazy with this list.  If you have further questions about a product or use that I have for it feel free to contact me in the comments or e-mail  I am very happy to help!!

• Enjoy Life Chewy Bars (quick snacks)
• Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips (trail mix, making candy, baking)
• Enjoy Life Chocolate bar (snack or we have a dessert she can't eat)
• Tofutti Pizzaz pizza (lunch)
• Earth's Best Chicken nuggets (lunch)
• Tofutti Better than Cream Cheese (dips, bagels, frostings, misc. meals)
• Toffuti Better than Sour Cream (dips, misc. meals)
• Tofutti American style cheese (meals, snacks)
• Teddy Grahams (snack)
• Marshmallows (snacks)
• Jello (dessert, gummy snacks)
• Animal Crackers (snacks)
• Quaker Instant Oatmeal (breakfast)
• Earth's Best Cookies or Crackers (snacks)
• Graham Crackers (snacks)
• Ritz crackers (spread soybutter on top for snack)
• Soybutter (snacks, meals, baking)
• Sunbutter (snacks, meals, baking)
• Saltine crackers (snacks)
• Frozen fruit (snacks, meals)
• Frozen veggies (meals)
• Kashi Cereal (I mix with dried fruit  for snack, breakfast)
• Rice Krispies (breakfast, treats)
• Rice Chex (breakfast, puppy chow)
• Life Cereal (breakfast, snack)
• Cheerios (breakfast, snacks)
• Kellogs or Welchs's Fruit Snacks (snacks - we use these sparingly)
• Dried fruit - SunMaid Raisins, Ocean Spray Craisins, Sun Sweet Apricots are favorites right now **Make sure to check labels for these they are often processed in faciities with peanuts and tree nuts**
• Eden Organic Alphabet pasta (meals)
• 8 oz jar Hunts tomato sauce (meals)
• Small containers of Rice Dream Rice Milk and Soy Dream Soy Milk (baking, meals)
• Cricso shortenting (bakings, cooking)
• Store brand blended oil (baking cooking)
• Quick and Old Fashioned Oats (bakings)
• Canned fruit -- I usually buy Dole or Del-Monte no sugar added.  Although I noticed recently they are sneaking Splenda into the Del-Monte brand.  No sugar but still a sweetener, gotta love those marketing people.

This list is really just a peek into some of the things we use.  We always have fresh fruits and vegetables around for snacks and meals, too.  

Fun Snack-- Dairy-Free Banana Boats

Here's a recipe for a really fun snack.  We used to make these at the Girl Scout camp that I worked at years ago.  They are originally made to put on a campfire, but you can get the same taste from the oven.  They are so oooey and gooey and yummy.  I can't imagine any kid not liking them (unless they don't like bananas).

Banana Boats (see photos here)
(You can make one or a half a dozen at a time.  Prep time is about 5 minutes and baking is about 5 to 10 minutes)

Bananas
mini marshmallows
Enjoy Life Chocolate chips
Aluminum foil

1. Carefully slit open each banana the long way with a sharp knife.  Be careful not to cut all the way through.
2. Gently stuff the  as many chocolate chips and marshmallow under the peal of the banana.  It's okay if it doesn't close.
3. Wrap each banana in foil.  No need to wrap really tight. I placed ours on a baking sheet so it is easy to put in and take out of the oven.
4. Place in 350 degree oven for 5 to 10 minutes or until marshmallows and chocolate chips are melted.
5. Let cool for a minute or two before diving into the tasty snack.

Allergy-Free Easter Treats

Oh, it's so hard to figure out what to do for holidays for a food allergic toddler.  I envy the people that just buy a couple bags of candy and an chocolate bunny without thinking.  With food allergies you have to be a little creative.  It's good to exercise that muscle.

Here are some of my ideas for this year's Easter Basket.

(in photo)

• Fruit Snacks (these are pretty much candy in my book)
• Chocolate eggs (I'll adapt this recipe into an egg mold)
• Chocolate suckers (bought an Easter mold at Michaels and will simply melt Enjoy Life chocolate chips)
• Enjoy Life Candy bar (find coupon here)

(not in photo)

• Marshmallow Peeps (so far these have been safe for her)
• Homemade gummy snacks (check out recipe here!)

**Note that even when we have holiday treats, I tend to spread the snacks out over time.  We still have Heart Peeps in our pantry (not sure if they will be gone by Easter).

Snack idea -- Chocolate No-Bake Crunchies

When my daughter was first diagnosed with a milk allergy, I was so disappointed that she might not have chocolate.  Well, of course I have now educated myself and have found several productes with chocolate that are dairy-free.  Here is a very simple snack idea that I read in Prevention magazine.  The original recipe calls for semi-sweet chocolate chips, which are usually milk-based.  I used Enjoy Life dairy-free chocolate chips and frankly I think they taste better.

Dairy-Free Chocolate No-Bake Crunchies

1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips, melted (use regular chocolate chips if no allergy)
1 cup corn flakes
1/4 cup raisins

1. Melt chocolate chips in microwave for 1 minute.
2. Gently stir in raisins and cornflakes. Be careful not to crush the cornflakes.
3. Spoon onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper.  The recipe says it makes 36 pieces, but we made about 24.  It all depends on how large you make them.  Your choice.
4. Put in fridge for  45 minutes (we ran to the grocery store instead of waiting at home).

We really enjoyed making these and my daughter loved them.

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!

Soy Yogurt

For some time now I've wanted to give my daughter soy yogurt, but I just couldn't seem to find any that were truly dairy-free. After posting on a message board I read that Silk Soy Yogurt is in fact dairy free. At my trip to Whole Foods this week I picked up a 32 oz container (I bought the large container because I knew it would take a couple tastes before she would embrace it and buying the larger container was cheaper than buying the 6 oz containers). And for afternoon snack my daughter has been eating it up! I put some frozen strawberries (I unthaw them first) and a couple graham crackers. She just loves it. I'm so happy to have another healthy snack for her.

New Snack idea

I actually haven't tried this on my daughter yet, but I'm almost certain it will be a winner. I came up with this idea while making this Taco Bell-like Mexican Pizza, which by the way was excellent. (I even made a dairy free version using dairy-free cheese!)

Cinnamon Tortilla (there probably is some fancy name out there)

1/4 cup vegetable oil

tortilla shells, as many as you want

1/2 cup sugar

1 Tbsp cinnamon

1. Heat oil in 8 inch skillet to 350 degrees.

2.Mix together sugar and cinammon. This will be more than you need for this snack. I keep some in a shaker for future use. Set aside.

3. When oil is hot, dip tortilla shell into the skillet for 20 to 30 seconds. I flip half-way through. The tortilla should crisp up and turn light brown.

4. Take tortilla out of oil and set on paper towel.

5. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon mixture. Cut into strips or triangles!

Fruit Snack

So, we've been buying the Gerber fruit snacks.  Not a lot of nutrition in those and yes they are expensive.  In fact all fruit snacks are expensive.  Today, I decided to break down and find some that weren't too costly and had some nutritional benefit.  

Here's what I chose:  Welch's Fruit Snacks -- Mixed Fruit

This is why I chose them: 

• no fat/no saturated fat
  
• 1 g protein
  
• 25% Vitamin A
  
• 25% Vitamin E
  
• 100% Vitamin C
  

The only down fall is that there is 6% carbohydrates, but the packaging claims made with real fruits. I paid $2.50 for 10 pouches.  So I guess for a once in a while snack it will be okay.  I also like that they are not messy for snacks in the car, which we are going to need this summer.  Plus, my toddler just loves chewy snacks and this is a little bit better than a gummy candy.    

But she can't have chocolate

Well, my daughter can't have milk chocolate, but she can have dairy-free chocolate chips.  I made chocolate chip cookies this weekend and they actually taste really good.  You wouldn't know they were dairy-free unless you were told.  

These are the dairy free chocolate chips that I used.  Go here and you can get a 55 cent off coupon. 

As a chocolate lover, I'm so glad she can have some chocolate!

Snacks

Snacks at times have been really easy to find and at times a big challenge.  Mostly because my daughter gets bored eating the same thing.  The "nutritional" rule with snacks is that there are at least two food groups included.  That limits us a little when you take out the dairy and you normally don't eat meat at snack.  Also veggies need to be cooked at softened at this age.  Our snacks are typically fruit and grain.  My daughter only drinks water or soy milk for snack.

Here are some simple snack suggestions:

• Cheerios and dried fruit, such as raisins, craisins, apricots
  
• Gerber puffs and dried fruit
  
• Saltine crackers and apples or grapes
  
• Graham crackers and bananas
  
• Banana muffins (use dairy-free margarine)
  
• Toddler trail mix
  
• Earth's best Oatmeal Cinnamon cookies
  
• Pumpkin-Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
  
• Gerber dried apples, strawberries, bananas and crackers or Cheerios
• Strawberry Smoothie with animal cookies or crackers