Valentines Day @ Our House '12 edition

So I did it.
I've planned enough ahead to be able to post BEFORE a holiday, ABOUT a holiday!
We cheated a little.
We had a Mixed Berry Smoothie with Drip Dropping Chocolate Topping a night early, that's how we do it here. Can't wait when there's something good to be had!

Here's what it looked like:

I know.
I went a little crazy with the hearts.
But...
IT'S VALENTINE'S DAY!
(virtually).

I dumped a bag of frozen mixed berries in my new food processor along with ice cubes, apple sauce, apple juice, & rice milk.

But first- I made this wonderful hot fudge to drip drop on the top!

Martha Stewart's Hot Fudge

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
pinch of salt
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup whipping cream
1 1/2 T butter
1 tsp vanilla

In medium saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa and salt. Add corn syrup and whipping cream. Bring to a boil and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes.

Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla; stir until butter melts. Cool slightly before serving.

I subbed rice milk straight across for the whipping cream and used Earth Balance Soy-Free spread.

SO GOOD!

Who knew when I topped the smoothie with the hot fudge it would drip so beautifully?!

That's not the end. I have a little game up my sleeve.
Don't tell Boomba, it's a surprise.

We will be Heart Hunting tomorrow!
I covered a cocoa container with pink paper and cut out cookie cutter-traced hearts from colored paper too. I will tell Boomba he has to hunt for 10 hearts. I'll hide them like this:

So.... What's for dinner?

Living in the Know

It is such a relief to know what we know now.
Boomba eats Milk, Beef, Soy, Gluten/Wheat, Coconut, and Garlic free these days.
No wonder we couldn't control his reactions.
We are expecting our Environmental Oral Drops to come in a few weeks and we've heard nothing but promising things about those.

We were straight up told that reactions would be a regular part of our life. Now that we know Boomba is not only reacting to Casein, we can also know that many of his reactions will not be because of casein, and therefore less likely to be Anaphylactic.

So. Though our diet has changed drastically to say the least, and though our grocery bills have increased, we are very pleased.

We are pleased to be living in the know.

It was such a scary place to be, wondering "Why is he reacting?", "What can he eat?", "What do we do now?".

It is an interesting thing though, to be pregnant and to deal with cravings in this limited diet. Oh yeah.

WE'RE PREGNANT!!!!

We are currently sneaking up on 15 weeks and due near July 23rd.

For all of you wondering, yes that is the -day- we were planning making our move back to Husband's Grad School. The one that's over 1,ooo miles away.

They said I was crazy moving 7oo miles when I was 32 weeks pregnant with Boomba.
Ya'll ain't seen crazy yet.

We're gunna take this boat train magic show on the road pregnant(or newly not pregnant) and allergy free!

Stay tuned.

God has surely blessed us.

GFCF Bean Chilaquiles Casserole

Due to the stack of three pages worth of allergies Boomba has tested positive to, our diet is transforming, to say the least.

In addition to the Casein Free home we have kept for two years, we are also all of a sudden living a Gluten Free life as well as Soy free and Beef and Coconut Free!
God Help Us.
Hahahaaa.

Dropping the Soy has improved the constant reactions incredibly.
I have tried one GF bread and have to work up the nerve (quickly) to try it again.
In the mean time I decided to go all out for lunch today with a recipe I adapted that originally was inspired by this site.

GFCF Bean Chilaquiles Casserole
1 Onion- Saute' in oil
Add:
1 can Navy Beans (drained/ rinsed)
1 can Kidney Beans (drained/ rinsed)
1 can tomatoes (leave un-drained to add moisture)
1 can corn (drained)
1 tsp Cumin
Salt and Pepper to taste
Heat Through

Quarter GF 6 Corn Tortillas- Layer in bottom of 8x8 casserole dish

Bake the casserole in a 400 degree oven for about 15-20 minutes.

Layer your skillet goodness onto the tortilla chips and then repeat, topping with more skillet goodness!

I was surprised at the wonderful flavor of this dish!
It's got a special sweetness and it's not abrasive like some Mexican dishes can be.

Want a sweet treat?
Try these GFCF Sweet Crunchies!

GFCF Sweet Crunchies

Want a sweet treat?
Try these GFCF Sweet Crunchies!

Easy peasy.
Cut up some GF corn tortillas and drizzle oil on them in a bowl.
Make sure they are well coated.
Sprinkle generously with sugar and cinnamon.

Bake at 400 degrees for 10 mins.

That's all!

These are not your typical FLOUR tortilla chips, these are CRUNCHY, like chips.

I'm excited to make these with different seasonings- garlic, herbs... YUM!

I can't handle anymore, God.

I've been saying this a lot. "A lot" does not even describe it. He's probably so sick of hearing it, I'm saying it so often.

Two more weeks and I'm not sure I can do it.
Two more weeks and we should have the 2nd screening of Boomba's allergy tests back. In two week Boomba is expected to start his oral drops and that's when I'm expecting the magic to happen. Since we've been told of Boomba's whopping 20 allergen list, we've made a few changes to our diet only to see an INCREASE of reactions.

I can't handle anymore, God.

It was first Boomba's birthday a time of family and friends sitting together, laughing, sharing, and eating in our house. Then, Thanksgiving. Family came to our home to sit, laugh, and share. Oh and eat. Lastly Christmas. It's not just what happened with Christmas- the whole family coming to sit, laugh, share...and eat. It's the well-intentioned home baked (casein and allergy-filled) delights that were piled upon our counters one by one. Not to mention the fact Boomba reacted to a class 0 allergy on Christmas like it was a class III.

Point is it's been a long, allergy building season. And oh yeah,
I can't handle anymore, God.

Then Boomba got a fever. For three days. Then he got a rash. Was it the chicken pox? Was it Roseola- probably. That day every single thing I fed him, he reacted to. His unpleasant demeanor, him rubbing his head, and then him grabbing is throat was the last straw. We called the local clinic on a Friday at 4pm to see if they could squeeze him in. Thank God they could.

The rash, I'd never had guessed, was a reaction.

You'd think I would know a reaction when I saw it after 2 years of Allergy Momming.
Nope.
Steroid shot.
Oral steroids for a week.

The relief in our household was tactile.
Light hearts.
Smiles.
Dancing.
Praises.

Saturday morning we stuck with one of our 5 "safe foods" Rice. Warm rice with sugar and soy milk and craisins and raisins. MMmmmmmMMMmmm.
Go ahead.
Try it.

We slowly got dressed at our leisure, taking it easy and then when it was time I did the monthly grocery run all by myself.
Could this day get any better?

I returned home to a seemingly starving Boomba and a 20 minute wait on lunch, we served up a simple sliced cucumber as a hold-em-over and even splashed a little French dressing to dip!

And then he reacted.

To what? I suppose the answer is "french dressing". The real answer is "I don't know what ingredient it was and....
I can't handle ANYMORE, God!"

After a long talk.
After being showered with encouragement.
It seems true.
The devil is a tough opponent in a battle already won.

I've been feeling like a horrible wife and mother. Truth is I am. I'm a sinner. I couldn't save myself if I tried. Good thing I don't have to.

I don't know why God thinks(knows) we can live this way. But the only thing that I really do know- He's right.
God is omniscient.
Omnipresent.
Omnipotent.

This world is proof of the ugliness of sin. The corrupted disintegrating effects of sin.

It's hard living here (I want to be very pointed in saying that "here" means this world). But I think that's what makes Heaven so sweet.
We are forced to rely on our God and what beauty is that.

Everyone is talking about 2011 and what is to come in 2012, seeing it *is* after all, New Years Eve. All I can think about is the next snack/meal time.
2012 will come eventually.
God's got it handled.

So even though *I* can't handle anymore, God can. He knows what I can handle. It is purely through His grace I can "handle" anything at all. I don't know what 2012 will bring. It will most likely bring more reactions. God willing, it will bring good times too. The important thing is, soon all believers will be living in a much different place than this. I cannot even understand what a picture of perfection is. But I'm going to see it.
I think I'm going to like it too.

Everyone is baring a heavy cross of their own right now. I pray God's peace and deliverance for you. May God bless you as we see another worldly year plugging past.

"It's the Most Horible Time of the Year"

Today is the day before Christmas Eve.
Christmas Eve Eve.
Our door bell has rung multiple times today with thoughtful and loving people stopping by to bring thoughtful and loving Casein-Filled treats into our home.
As our Casein Pile grows and we wonder how to keep Climby Climberson out of it, I was inspired to write this version of the ole time favorite "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year".
Please sit back, relax and enjoy...

An Allergy Mom's Rendition of
"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

It's the most horrific time of the year.
It's the worst time of the year,
... It's the scare-Scariest time of the year!
It's the most horrific time
It's the scare-Scariest time of the year!

It's the most horrific time of the year

There'll be buttery baked goods and
Casein-y taste-goods
And contaminates on ev'ry plate.
There'll be scary reactions
and tales of survival
And we'll try'er again in a year!

It's the most horrific time of the year.
It's the worst time of the year,
It's the scare-Scariest time of the year!
It's the most horrific time
It's the scare-Scariest time of the year!

There'll be much Bendryl-ing
And throats will be swelling
When loved ones are near!
It's the Scare- scariest time of the year!

Banana Hors D'oeuvres

This has been sitting in a file waiting to be published for a while now.
Let's get on it!

When sweet craves salty.
When toddlers want fancy.
We make Banana Hors Doeuvres!

Ps- I'm not so familiar with fanciness in toddlers but I'm assuming daughters might appreciate that. Boomba, all boy and all, likes 'em too.

(I am hoping to soon learn how to spell "Hors Doeuvres").
Hors Doeuvres
Hors Doeuvres
Hors Doeuvres......

Hors Doeuvres.

Those letters don't even belong together.

Here's what I'm talking about.

Oh jeez. I mispelled the title on the picture!
Those letters -don't- even belong together!

The fancy How To:
1. Slice a banana.
2. Stick it with a (Casein Free) pretzel stick.

Wheeeew! After all of that, you deserve an Hors Doeuvres!
Hey! I spelled that one without looking!

And Then There Were 20

It's been much too long.

There are so many Blog-Abouts listed on my To Do list but first thing is first.

Yesterday was Boomba's Allergist Appointment. The appointment in which we would find out his test results!

We drove the almost 2 hours to get to town.
We walked around Wal-mart and the mall and finally it was time.
Appointment time!!!! We've been waiting 6 weeks for this!

We were called into the room sooner than later the Dr opened a folder to a sheet of unreadables as if we could understand what it said.

I searched the paper looking for words I knew among all of the symbols and numbers.

Casein of course jumped out first. What else? Beef?
What does this mean?

He sat back in his chair and said "You have a very allergic kid." He continued "See this number? It's the specific number as to how allergic Boomba is to these things- his allergy number."

The number meant nothing to me. Was is high for a 2 yr old?

"This number is higher then a very allergic adult's number would be."

Ah. That was simple. Wow.

As we asked questions we discovered more and more. There were 20 allergens he tested positive to in this screening.

They are each asigned a "count"-a specific number that explains how allergic Boomba is to it. Those "counts" as classified into a "class" to denote how severe the allergy is. Classes are as follows from least to highest: 0, 0/I, II, III, IIII, V. I don't know if it gets worse than a class V.

As predicted Boomba's worst allergy is to Casein. The question was how severe is it?
Class III is the answer. Class III allergies are very severe and it is something we cannot allow him to come in contact with. This isn't new information- but I'm glad to know it's not a IIII or a V.

Second is his Beef allergy which is described as a Class II.
Beef?
Beef.

We eat beef a few times a week and we asked if it was something we needed to wipe from our diet too. Dr explained it's not about treating numbers, it's about treating a sick child and depending on how sick Boomba is will determine if we are eating beef or not. Makes sense.

So that's 2 of 20....

There were 2 Class I's:
Kentucky Blue Grass
Gluten

Next are his Class 0/I:
Box Elder Maple
Cat hair
2 grass molds
Egg
Wheat
Dog

I'm soon going to be googling the difference between Wheat and Gluten especially because wheat was not listed as a plant but as a food.

Class 0 allergies were:
Johnson Grass
Common Short Ragweed
English Plantain
White Oak
American Elm
Mites
Chocolate
Corn
White Potato

This is all a lot to take in. They drew four vials of blood last time and so they confirmed they have enough blood left over to do additional testing without having to draw more. They will test for additional common environmental allergies along with 20 additional food allergies. We were responsible to picking out the 20 food allergies to test for.
WHOA!
Where do we start?
We looked at the paper and asked how to choose 20 out of the three columns looking back at us. The trick was to choose the things we most commonly eat and enjoy eating. Black pepper, chili powder, garlic, chicken, pork, bananas, apples, grapes, on and on.

That was the weirdest feeling- putting an "x" next to a food we wanted him test for. I wished I could check all of them.

After they get the results from this second test Dr will order an Oral Drop that will protect Boomba against the environmental allergens he's allergic to and thus make his food allergies more tolerable. His body wont constantly be fighting the environmental allergens and they wont be built up in his system, leaving more leeway for his food allergy exposure. I'm glad this is all happening during the winter months as we're inside most of the time anyway.

We ran through a lot of possibilities anticipating the results we would read. We did not anticipate learning of 19 additional allergies to be aware of. We will get the results of this next run in about a month.
Will they have a list of 20 more allergies for us?
Will the do ADDITIONAL testing?

Interesting fact:
Human milk does not contain casein like goat and cow's milk. That's why casein-allergic kids can be breastfed as long as the mother does not eat casein products.
Cool, huh?

Casein Free Chocolate Chips Recipe Sneak Peek

Introducing Momuporgohome's 1st Original CF Recipe:

CHOCOLATE CHIPS!

This is just a teaser taste! Recipe will be published SOON!
I'll say these taste -just like- Hersey's brand chocolate chips!

Casein Free Chocolate Fudge Topping Recipe

This post was formally known as the "Casein Free Chocolate CHIP Recipe". But after some careful consideration I decided that it wasn't good enough.

This recipe as "chips" are tasty, but other than that- they are MELTY. So melty that they cannot be used in place of Casein Contaminated Chocolate chips. I'm not suggesting using Casein Chips. I'm suggesting a NEW and BETTER recipe! A recipe that will soon be linked to this vary page after a few more "tests" to make sure it's good enough to be on Mom Up or Go Home.
Stay tuned for the link!
Till then, enjoy some FUDGEy goodness!

I was thrilled when I found a recipe for Home Made Chocolate Chips here. Today was my second attempt at the recipe.

To make these into a Casein Free treat, you just have to use Casein Free "butter". I've recently discovered that Parkay Lite is Casein Free! Check the labels for your self, every time to be sure though. I would encourage writing to a company to let them know you appreciate that they are serving your family with an allergy safe product. I would even recommended writing a thank you note to a company that correctly labels their products so you know they are not safe for your family due to allergens. These links lead right to the email format- I did all the work for ya, you just gotta send a note now. Great Value from Wal Mart is VERY good at labeling for allergens.

ANYWAY:

The first time I made these I used salted Margarine (the only CF "butter" we had) and they were SALTY! This time I used my Parkay Lite and it tasted a lot better.

My only complaint about this recipe is that the chips melt VERY quickly. So quickly they make only "ugly cookies" as the original blogger describes.
I'll take ugly and safe compared to casein chips any day. But why, when you can have a better recipe? Use this as a fudge to pour over desserts! It's sooo good!

Here we go, another stab at
Photo-Recipeism!

First thing is first- get a double broiler going. This overwhelmed me the first time I made this, but it's EASY! You can put the ingredients into a glass jar and set in it a pot of boiling water. I, however, put a metal mixing bowl on top of a boiling pot of water. This is so your ingredients don't scorch.

Pictured below is Boomba sneaking an early taste. It's also to show that even though it look that way, I didn't fill a casserole dish up to the brim. I lined my casserole pan and it's lid with wax paper and this picture is of the lid, filled with Chocolate Chip Yummy Goodness. The reason I over flowed into the lid? I made a double batch! heheheheeee.
Who's sneaky now?

Because this recipe is best for fudge topping, you could pour the mixture directly into a Tupperware container and set it in the fridge to cool. Store it in the freezer, lidded once cooled completely. If you don't have the patience, your lid might pop as it cools!

CF Vegan Cheddar Alternative

My prized possession. This block of not-cheese holds so many possibilities. My son could enjoy his first bowl of mac n' "cheese" or he could have an omelet that includes shredded "cheese".

In fact, I did use this to make Boomba Mac N "Cheese" Honestly, it was horrible. BUT I was a little silly with the preparation. Noodles, Soy Milk, and "Cheese".
Eww.
I really should have added a seasoning or two, or even some bacon bits. I've discovered that bacon bits really help add a smokey flavor to the "cheese".

After I tried and failed at Mac N "Cheese" I shredded the remains and froze them for future use. It takes courage to try new things. Especially when they taste like coagulated vegetable oil...

Next was the Omelet. That, my friends, was De-Lish!
The omelet also included onions, green peppers, paprika and BACON BITS!
I fooled myself and thought I was eating real cheese!

Most recently was the wonderment of Pumpkin Pasta! The dish probably could have gone without the small addition of the "cheese", but I'd also like to think it was a positive experience with the Veagn-"Cheese" weirdness.

Not bias at all, feel that?
(sarcasm to the max)

Casein Free Caramelized Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

Aren't those just lovely?
Imagine the taste.
Here's the recipe.

I used this site as a guide for how to go about preparing and drying the seeds out.

I'm not a pumpkin seed professional by any means. That's why I needed that second site to even tell me what to do to the seeds, but I will commit to this: These are the BEST pumpkin seeds EVER!

Sugar, Cumin, Cinnamon, Ginger, Cayenne....MmmmMMmmmm Doggie!
You gotta get you some of these! If you do make some, make sure there's plenty to share too.

Casein Free Quick N Easy Dinner Rolls

No seriously.
These are Quick AND Easy! The quick part is relative. This is a yeast recipe, but I've read that you don't really have to wait to let them rise. If you go that route this is a 25 minute recipe INCLUDING 18 minutes of cook time. Did you catch that? I had to let mine cook for 18 minutes. The 15 suggested left them just a bit doughy in the middle, even though the toothpick came out clean.

I recently tried skipping the wait time and I think it's well worth making sure to include it. Also- don't mistake tsp for TB when it comes to salt, like I did! Whoa!

These dinner rolls are so soft and a little bit flaky, too. They are made in a muffin tin so that means easy, Easy, EASY!

If you're interested click here for the recipe.

Casein Free Pumpkin Pasties & "Evaporated Milk"

As mentioned in my post about Pumpkin Pasta, I found a great website with 100 Pumpkin Recipes.

Pumpkin Pasties are a dessert talked about in Harry Potter, and happen to be a great fall pastry to serve up. I'm planning on making them again for Thanksgiving. You can also get creative and fill them with other flavors to create a personal pie for any occasion!

The main substitution here is for Evaporated Milk.

I found a very helpful site KidswithFoodAllergies.org. By scrolling down to the "Substituting for Evaporated Milk" section, you will discover the secret!

All you have to do is simmer a safe milk alternative (Rice or Soy Milk) without scorching it. Carefully simmer 3 cups of safe milk alternative until it's 1 cup! This did take a while and I did scorch it... no biggie...

When there is about 1 cup remaining add 1 1/4 Cup of sugar and completely dissolve in the sauce pan.

Here's what the final product looked like.

Note: Don't just brush the pastie with beaten egg, add a bit of water to the wash to get a smoother golden top!

Casein Free Pumpkin Pasta

I found a few recipes on this site after I googled "pumpkin recipe". To be precise, I found 100! But I specifically was drawn to Pumpkin Pasties, Pumpkin Chili, and Pumpkin Pasta.

This is Pumpkin Pasta.

It was very easy to make this recipe into a Casein friendly meal. I keep a dish of shredded "cheddar" in the freezer for such occasions. This recipe calls for a lot of Parmesan and other various cheeses, but I just sprinkled a bit of our safe "cheddar" and let 'er cook! We used soy milk instead of cream. I usually use Coconut creamer instead of cream (like in my Scone recipe) but we work with what we have, and we had Silk!

I have to tell you. With every bite my husband was "MmmmMmm"-ing and he never does that! It was an easy, festive, savory dish.

We Must be Our Own Advocates

Here is Husband walking Boomba up and down the ER hallways. Give a 2 year old a steroid and try to have him sit nicely for 3 hours... This brings us to today's story:

We went to the ER recently because after Benadryl and a breathing treatment Boomba's reaction worsened. We were unable to control it at home and it was going down hill quickly.

We were slowly admitted into an unnamed hospital and asked over and over again "He's allergic to what?!"

Finally a nurse phoned the on call Dr. who would be driving over shortly "He's allergic to Case Tracein" she said. I made sure to correct her "Casein. Trace Casein, Ma'am."

The nursed looked at him, lobster red, eyes swollen shut and giggled "poor thing...wonder what he got into?"

It took everything in me not to yell, I instead asserted "Casein. He's anephelactically allergic" (for the 10th time).

He was finally given a steroid shot and we were told to wait it out for an hour in the waiting room.

His condition worsened, thankfully the breathing treatment seemed to be holding. His airways were getting clear even though his poor little body was getting worse.

FINALLY the Dr walked out with a cheater book and asked (again) how much Bendryl I had given him. "1/2 teaspoon" I explained for the -literally- 7th time. "Oh. He can have 1 teaspoon."

It was my fault. I didn't realize Boomba had grown enough to be able to take a full teaspoon dose yet. This whole thing may have been avoided if I would have just given him the correct amount in the first place! Mom fail. I can't help but wonder why in the world no nurse or Dr gave him the full does as soon as we were admitted. They should have known. I should have known.

There were several instances that made it clear that the nurses and Drs did not know much at all about allergic reactions. You drive fearfully and helplessly to an ER and expect not only that they will take care of everything, but that you wont have to teach them what an allergic reaction is.

I asked the Dr at discharge if he would prescribe a steroid to ward off any reactions in the next few days. See, after a reaction the allergen is still in your system and you can have a flare at any time. Not only that, if you're exposed again, the reaction can be worse 7 fold. Dr's reply. "Well... he's had Casein before and was fine, hasn't he?"

TIME OUT

Were you here for the last 3 hours while I waited and talked to you in your waiting room? Do you know that you've been "watching" my son for 3 hours BECAUSE he was exposed to casein?

EXPLODE

Rewind to when we were first talking to the Dr:
"It's prime allergy season, could we give him a general daily antihistamine to head off these reactions- in case he's also allergic to an environmental allergen that's making his especially susceptible"? we ask.

Dr answers "well....uh. Those are pollens. He's allergic to....uhhhh.... food- right?"

I'll have you know we called his new allergist (we've recently moved) the day after this visit and the first thing they said is "Isn't he on a daily antihistamine?!" We have been to the ER two times, to two doctors and a nurse practitioner and this is the 1st time we've gotten a go ahead for a daily antihistamine!

I could go on. Seriously, "well trained" "professionals" have dropped the ball so many times it's disheartening. I hate being that person. I hate being that mom. It's not in my nature to be over protective. To prove this further, I won't even call to order a pizza. I just don't like it. I am not that person.

We must be our own advocates. It's sad. But we must. We must take responsibility. We must double and triple check. We must be the catalyst. By handling these situations with grace and appreciation we may be able to help raise awareness and education for this widely growing problem.

I know this is a more than HUGE vent. I don't blame you if you're not reading anymore- hahaha get it? It's funny because you ARE still reading... anyway.

But it really proves that this is a learning experience and if it weren't for God's grace and power we would be and have nothing. He is our sustainer. He is our comforter. He is our rock.

LUTHER'S MORNING PRAYER

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

I wonder if there's a limit as to how much I can type in one post? I'm sure I'll have another chance to try again.

Milk can be found WHERE?

First of all, click here.
This website isn't aesthetically appealing and for a studio arts major it was almost an instant turn off. But, major BUT here! The information this link provides is eye opening and may be life saving to a severely casein allergic person!

The list goes on and On and ON!

Milk Protein can be found in several Dentistry products, Toothpastes, in some latex gloves, gums, sunscreens, cosmetics, lotions, medications, trans fats, and vegetable wax too. Scary.

This site explains that companies are not regulated to label for allergen traces. The warning "May Contain" is voluntary, not mandatory. That's why I have been known to spend whole nap times writing Thank You e-mails to companies that provide safe and efficient labeled products.

Duncan Hines box cakes are generally safe (I say generally because you can't just assume they are and not read the label every time). Companies change their recipes quite often. Companies manufacture in different facilities.

Oreos are a favorite that are casein free!

Pillsbury Aerosol Icing Cans seem to be safe.

Marshmallows are a favorite safe splurge.

Hershey's Chocolate Syrup- casein free!


This is an ill organized post. I was just trying to get the infomation down- quick.
For more information make sure to click on the link at the top of the page.

If you'd like to read about how We Must be Our Own Advocates, give it a click too!

Casein Free Hot Cocoa

Soy milk
+ Hershey's Chocolate Syrup
+ HEAT
= not so good

We've tried a few casein free hot cocoa recipes and adventures but I have to admit, Kelly Rudnicki's recipe is so far my favorite. Kelly's website is a great resource.
She describes her life's purpose as this: "To raise awareness and increase funding for food allergy research. Please give her a click and search!"

It has become my life’s purpose to raise awareness and increase funding for food allergy research.

-Kelly Rudnicki


This was a simple recipe and very very rich! In fact if we were to change it we would adjust the soy milk by 1/2 and add water instead! What a joy it is to have a Hot Chocolate Movie Night BEFORE Boomba goes to bed! We don't have to be worried about any "spilled milk" with this one!

Never Too Early: When a Parent Loses a Child

Husband just read aloud this article "Notes from a Dragon Mom" from the New York Times.

Grab a box of tissues for this'n. Emily Rapp writes a blunt and fierce reminder of what our true priorities and goals are as parents. Our goal should not be primarily to raise an award gaining child. Our goal is to love and teach our children. Enjoy the short time we have with them.

I've always feared that Husband and I would lose Boomba. I know if sounds extreme, but I'm also sure this is a fear most parents have. There's been a couple of close calls and he's only on the early side of two. Reading this article is a great shock of perspective.

A food allergy is not a death sentence. Tay-Sachs is. "Food allergies cause approximately 150 to 200 fatalities per year" but when you think about it, that's not that many. With the science of Epi-Pens and antihistamines ranging from creams, oral medications, shots, sprays, and more- even anaphylaxis can be treated in time to save a life.

My strength has always come from two statements of reasoning:

1. It's not a disease.
2. Boomba is God's child, and God wont take him "too early".

When ever anyone dies it's never "too early". People who say that are wrong. God's timing is perfect. Though God's timing and ours is rarely (never) in sync (in the same imaginable range), we know that it is God's timing that is perfect.

Why do we continue to toil in worry when we know God is all powerful and has our best interests in His (PERFECT!) hands?

Lord, please bless the Rapp family and all who are dealing with the sting of death. Please assure us that it is your timing that is perfect, by no means is it ours. Please give us comfort in this, knowing we are all your children and we are but strangers in this place, waiting to return to the perfect home in which you've prepared specifically for us.
Amen.

Casein Free Donuts or "Doughnuts"?

Sister in law came over for a long weekend visit and we couldn't help ourselves, but make DONUTS!

We searched for a recipe. We searched for a recipe that did not include waiting for yeast work. We wanted to make these! But the recipe didn't meet our short list of requirements:

1. Casein Free
2. QUICK

So the search continued and turned up an interesting find "My Dad's Secret Donut Recipe". It's a video recipe. If you watch it you can go back and scroll through to the recipe as you cook. There is also two glaze recipes under the youtube video that we tried- the chocolate is REALLY good. The donuts are amazing fresh but don't keep well too long. We made a double batch and ate and ate and ate on them.

No regrets.

Here's a little "taste" of how it all went down.