Double Trouble

Treenut allergic? Beware! Jif has a new product on the market made from hazelnuts.

What seems like an innocuous treat could be fatal for another. Think twice before spreading this on your child's sandwich (if he or anyone in his class is nut allergic).

Giveaway in progress...
enter by facebook or email (see below)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Failure to Thrive and Food Allergies

"Failure to thrive" is a general diagnosis characterized by a failure to gain weight as expected and is often accompanied by poor height and growth. Anyone who's had a child with a diagnosis of "failure to thrive" knows that finding causes and effective treatment to reverse the condition is imperative.

Kosher with Food Allergies Interview Series

Interview #3- Food Allergies and Failure to Thrive , Dr. Amy DeFelice

What is the link between food allergies and failure to thrive?

There are many different causes of Failure to Thrive and food allergies could be one of the causes

Do food intolerances play a role in failure to thrive as well?

Food intolerances can play a role in Failure to Thrive. For example, a child who has undiagnosed lactose intolerance  could have vomiting and diarrhea and not gain weight or grow well until the intolerance is diagnosed

What is malabsorption?

Malabsorption is what happens when food and other nutrients are not  absorbed normally across the gastrointestinal tract

What treatment options are available for a baby that's been diagnosed with failure to thrive and food allergies?

Every case must be taken individually. There are high calorie hypoallergenic formulas on the market like Neocate and Elecare which often do the trick in treating Failure to Thrive secondary to allergies. Sometimes however, we need to use nasogastric or gastric tube feeds to get in the proper nutrition if the child will not drink enough or eat enough by mouth. A good nutritionist knowledgeable in food allergies is very important to get the child back on the road to health

Amy R. DeFelice, MD Director of Nutrition Support Service, Babies Hospital Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Columbia University Dr. DeFelice is the Director of the Babies Hospital Nutrition Support Service, and serves as Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Columbia University, where she specializes in pediatric gastroenterology. She is an active participant in education at her institution, where she has lectured to numerous groups on the gastrointestinal manifestations of cystic fibrosis, nutrition in childhood diseases, and a host of other topics. Dr. DeFelice also served as an author and editor of the Babies Hospital Nutrition Support Service Manual of Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition. She has published articles on a range of topics within the field of pediatric gastroenterology, including diseases of the liver and biliary tract, and inflammatory bowel disease. She recently collaborated with other members of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University on a study investigating the effect of breast-feeding on the presentation of celiac disease in children

Most Sensitive Food Allergy Parent Award

It's easy to be sensitive to our own needs. We're pre-programmed to protect ourselves and the ones we love. I recently read an article written by a mom who's child doesn't have food allergies but "she gets it".
Her compassion is touching. She understands that not sending her child to school with a peanut butter sandwich is a small inconvenience when contrasted with the potentially fatal outcome of peanut exposure to a classmate.
The most sensitive food allergy parent award goes to....Debbie Dubrow 
Read about her approach to food allergies here 

Do you know another person who is extremely sensitive to others' food allergies?
Let me know about your hero in the comments section.

Giveaway in progress...
enter by facebook or email (see below)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Nuts in Honey

Ingredients:
Honey, Dried California Apricots, Dried Michigan Cherries (unsulfured), Cashews, Almonds, Filberts (Hazelnuts)

Nuts in gourmet honey? Yikes! Nothing sweet about that. Most jars of honey are fine and don't have any nuts but beware of some of the gourmet honey packages(sampler baskets etc..). Check that honey to make sure your Rosh Hashana is as sweet as can be.

Rosh Hashana Giveaway in progress...

Enter to win a pomegranate honeydish or

                                                      a $50 Judaica-mall  gift certificate
                                                   enter the contest on the widget below

                        a Rafflecopter giveaway

Judaica Giveaway

This superb non-tarnish item designed by artist Adi Sidler will surely dress up any Rosh Hashanah table. In the center of the silvery pomegranate-shaped brushed aluminum base is a skillfully laser-cut hole containing the durable glass honey dish. Flanking the dish are the words rimon (Hebrew for pomegranate) and pomegranate etched in fancy script. Made in Israel.

Time for another Giveaway. With Rosh Hashana approaching, who couldn't use a beautiful piece of Judaica to enhance their Yom Tov? One lucky winner will have a choice of receiving this beautiful silvery pomegranate honey dish (featured above) or a $50 gift certificate to Judaica-Mall.
This Giveaway is sponsored by Judaica-Mall.com. They have an extensive selection of special Judaica items.
Whether your looking to expand your own collection of Holiday pieces or searching for the perfect gift, Judaica-Mall has got it all! 

                                                                                              
a Rafflecopter giveaway 
This post contains affiliate links, which help to support kosherfoodallergies.blogspot.com.  

Back to School with Food Allergies- Tip #5

It's that time of year again. While you're busy prepping those backpacks for school and updating your child's Fall wardrobe don't forget to prep the school for your child's allergies.
All This Week I'll be highlighting school food allergy management tips:

Tip #5  Prevent Bullying

We talked about being proactive in the last post. Educating classmates is crucial.Research has shown that many food allergic children report being bullied in school. Over 40% of the children studied reported being threatened physically with acts such as being touched with their allergen or having the allergen thrown or waved at them(bullying study). Bullying is always wrong but when it happens to a food allergic child the outcome can be fatal.  
The school counselor/psychologist is a good contact person for finding out about your child's school's bullying policies (and prevention programs). In addition you can find specific resources for educating your child's classmates which hopefully will reduce bullying behavior.

Here are some resources for educating classmates 
from FAAN (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network)
1- Be a Pal Program (educational resource for classroom)
2- Bullying Prevention (and other lifesaving school info.)

Back to School with Food Allergies Tip #4

It's that time of year again. While you're busy prepping those backpacks for school and updating your child's Fall wardrobe don't forget to prep the school for your child's allergies.
All This Week I'll be highlighting school food allergy management tips:

Tip #4- Be Proactive

So you've got an Emergency Action plan mapped out (tip #1). Allergy meds are all readily available (tip#2).The teachers have been trained(tip#3). Everyone's prepared to react to an allergic emergency. Now, let's talk about preventing allergic accidents .

1- communicate with the school staff before school begins
2- keep the lines of communication going during the year
3- get involved in your child's class (chaperone school trips, room parent etc...)
4- be on the look out for food activities (class birthday parties, cooking projects, art projects)
5- keep classroom well stocked with allergy safe snacks and special treats (for parties)
6- educate classmates about food allergies (education as well as bullying prevention)

Here are some child-friendly resources for educating classmates 

This post contains affiliate links, which help to support kosherfoodallergies.blogspot.com.  

Back to School with Food Allergies- Tip #3

It's that time of year again. While you're busy prepping those backpacks for school and updating your child's Fall wardrobe don't forget to prep the school for your child's allergies.
All This Week I'll be highlighting school food allergy management tips:

Tip #3- Train School Staff

In the last 2 posts I discussed the importance of having a food allergy action plan as well as having accessible meds. Neither of these steps is sufficient without educating the school staff. Anyone dealing with your child should know the signs of an allergic reaction and be able to administer medications promptly and effectively. A simple epipen demonstration goes a long way. You can use an epipen trainer to demonstrate (trainer can be used multiple times). Another method is injecting an orange with an epipen (great use for those expired epipens). Yet another teaching tool is using an instructional video like the one below from the Online Allergist. FAAN has an epipen training DVD that is a fantastic teaching aide. 

If there's one thing you should convey it's don't be afraid to use the epipen. Kids have died when  adults hesitate to administer epinephrine. Take the time to help the teachers feel comfortable with the device and when to use it. Let them know that you appreciate all that they do and that you understand that having a food allergic student is a big responsibility. Your child is not the only student in the classroom, support your child's teacher and they'll support your child.
Collaboration and communication are essential for effective school food allergy management!
See the school tab of this site for valuable school allergy management resources

Back to School with Food Allergies- Tip #2

It's that time of year again. While you're busy prepping those backpacks for school and updating your child's Fall wardrobe don't forget to prep the school for your child's allergies.
All This Week I'll be highlighting school food allergy management tips:

Tip #2- Prepare Allergy Meds 

Got Benadryl?
Check those expiration dates. Be sure to include medicine dropper/or cup.
I like to place them in a medium slideloc bag with the child's name clearly marked.
Flavor matters. Yes, both flavors are equally effective but if your child prefers 1 flavor, get that one. No need for a teacher to have to struggle to get them to take it. My kids prefer the dye-free, Bubble gum flavor to the cherry. When its available, I always get that one!

Don't forget those epipens!
Check expirations on these too.
(don't be fooled into buying ones that are almost expired- buy dates atleast 1 year out if you can)If you truly want those epipens to follow your student everywhere you may want to purchase a clever holster epipen carrier  (to be worn by either the teacher or the child). The one below was designed by a food allergy Dad.

See the school tab of this site for valuable school allergy management resources

This post contains affiliate links, which help to support kosherfoodallergies.blogspot.com.  

Back to School with Food Allergies- Tip #1

It's that time of year again. While you're busy prepping those backpacks for school and updating your child's Fall wardrobe don't forget to prep the school for your child's allergies.
All This Week I'll be highlighting school food allergy management tips:

Tip #1- Have a Food Allergy Emergency Plan

A Food Allergy Emergency Plan should include:
student's allergies, medications, signs and symptoms of allergic reaction
contact numbers (parents and healthcare providers)
informed consent and insurance information.

FAAN (food allergy and anaphylaxis network) has a great document
that you can download from their site for free
Food Allergy Action Plan

Food Allergy Wristband Kit
How cool are these customizable food allergy bracelets?
Your kiddo can feel cool (and you can feel cool, calm, and collected)
*ordering info on side bar
See the school tab of this site for valuable school allergy management resources

Rosh Hashana Cookbook

Downloadable Rosh Hashana E-book

Just in time for the Jewish Holidays!

"A TASTE OF SWEETNESS"

Festive, Allergy Friendly Recipes for Rosh Hashana

By Tamar Warga

Illustrators: D.J.  and  Kaylie Warga

• Mouthwatering Recipes for challah,salads, soups, sides, main dishes, anddesserts
• Perfect hostess gift (link for the download delivered to her inbox)
• Meals the whole family can enjoy
• All recipes are dairy, peanut, and tree nut free.
• Most of the recipes are eggfree,gluten free, and fish free as well.
• Festive Recipes incorporate the Rosh Hashana symbolic foods, simanim
• Whimsical illustrations ( created by the author's children)

"A Feast for the body and soul"
Recipes include:
Eggless Challah, Pomegranate Leek Quinoa, Cranberry Apple Crisp, Honey Chicken,and more ...

Purchase Now

$5

Click on Buy Now Button to pay with Paypal

Allergy Meds Assistance

Managed care makes me want to growl sometimes. Whether you're a patient or a provider we've all experienced frustrations with the system. Recently, my daughter was prescribed a daily asthma medication that wasn't covered by our Health Insurance (at all). They were willing to pay for a generic, but there is no generic for this drug. I'm not one to take things lying down when it comes to my children's well being. I contacted the pharmaceutical company and sure enough they had a Patient Assistance Program. The story has a happy ending (no growling only purring). My daughter will be receiving allergy meds for free delivered to our doorstep.

A word of caution about Patient Assistance Programs, don't abuse them. Not everyone will qualify for the program. Income guidelines (that take family size into account) and type of/lack of insurance are qualifiers.If you have a prescribed medication that isn't covered (or is barely covered) consider contacting the pharmaceutical company directly. If you qualify, you'll be able to breathe easier knowing you're covered.

Breakfast for Dinner

Pancakes aren't just for breakfast anymore. Whether you have food allergies or you're just looking for creative dinner solutions, rewind to breakfast time. Chances are you're on the go and don't have a big breakfast anyway. In many countries, having a heavy lunch and lighter dinner is the norm. It makes sense, who wants a heavy meal in the evening? Be kind to your digestive system and eat lightly at night. You can buy frozen prepared pancakes or waffles likeVan's (eggless and gluten free varieties- get coupon here). There are some commercially available gluten free pancake/waffle mixes as well (like Gluten free Bisquick). Of course, you could make a batch from scratch (see recipes below).Throw some blueberries or chocolate chips into the batter for fun. A dollop of yogurt or sour cream (or the soy equivalents) and some fresh fruit and you're set! Presto, breakfast has been transformed into dinner.
Recipe #1 Gluten free pancakes from scratch
Recipe #2 Eggless, Dairy free pancakes from scratch
    
        
This post contains affiliate links, which help to support kosherfoodallergies.blogspot.com. 

Gratitude List

Jewish wisdom teaches us that gratitude is where it's at!

I've developed a new habit of thinking of 10 things I'm grateful for before I go to sleep (thanks to Rbtzn Tzipporah Heller)No recycling, 10 new things each day. It has been transformative!
Everyone, no matter their circumstance can find something to be grateful for. 

Lately, it's been easy coming up with my gratitude list.

I started this site just a few weeks ago and already the hits are in the thousands!

Thank you to the readers who follow this blog and share with others (facebook etc..). I really appreciate the encouraging feedback from  visitors, the Physicians who've done Q and A's on the blog as well as the generous giveaway sponsors. A special shout out to fellow bloggers who have taken the opportunity to spread the word about my new site. 

Foodallergybuzz, Koshereye, AsthmaAllergiesChildren,ItchyScratchy, Allergyfreekosher, and TheKosherChannel, KosherLikeMe, CookingOutsidetheBox, KosherOnABudget, and MyBabyhasEczema
You folks make the blogosphere a welcoming place to be!

Allergy Free Kosher Gift Certificate Winner

Our fist giveaway has come to an end.
Time to announce the winner.
Drum role please......
Winner was chosen by random.org
And the Winner is..........JuliePlusFive@...

Julie has won a $25 gift certificate to Allergy Free Kosher.
Lucky Julie. Enjoy your prize in good health!

Special Thanks to Allergy Free Kosher for sponsoring this awesome prize!
 
Stay tuned for our Rosh Hashana Judaica Giveaway.......
This post contains affiliate links, which help to support kosherfoodallergies.blogspot.com. 

Summer Epipen Safety

During the summer months we tend travel a bit and leave our usual routines. Some destinations can take us far from home. While being far from home can be exciting, being far from an epipen is a little too exciting. If you have life threatening allergies it's always a good idea to know where the closest Emergency Room is as well. (My husband, a scoutmaster, always checks out local hospital locations when planning camping trips).Checkout the tips below to maximize the summer fun and minimize the allergic emergencies.
Check the videos tab for an instructional video on how to use an epipen
Summer Safety With Epipens
1- Epipens are not waterproof (carrier tube has no rubber seal)
2- Epipens are temperature sensitive (should be kept at room temperature around  77°F)
3- Epipens expire (when purchasing make sure you have an expiration date that's at least a year out)
4- Epipens come in two dosage strengths (make sure you have the correct dosage (adult or Junior)
5- Epipen Junior is only appropriate for children (33-66 lbs.) (ask your allergist about a plan for your child under 33lbs)
6- Expired Epipens (can be used as practice injectors on oranges read here)
free expiration date reminder service
*Epipen Disposal-  Find your state's laws on needle disposal  
7- Epipen Carriers- The product below is an ingenious, rugged, epipen holster created by a food Allergy Dad

This post contains affiliate links, which help to support kosherfoodallergies.blogspot.com. 
RAFFLE ENDS THIS SUNDAY!!
Enter to win a $25 gift certificate.

 

Rules:

1. To Enter-Send an email from the contact us page.
One entry per household. Must be 18 or older to enter.Type "giveaway entry" in the subject heading.
2- Giveaway ends this Sunday 8/12 (at midnight).Winner will be picked randomly by raffle on 8/13. Check back here then for the "winner announcement"
3- $25 gift certificate will be issued to winner via email from allergyfreekosher

Pina Colada Sorbet Recipe

Long, hot summer days are ideal for enjoying cool drinks and sorbets.

Pina Colada is a traditional sweet Puerto Rican cocktail made with rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice.

This tropical delight an be made with full strength Rum or non-alcoholic rum extract. Garnish with fresh pineapple and a marashino cherry and you've really got something special!

Don't let hectic school days come too soon. Savor the last weeks of summer with this refreshing treat.

Pina Colada Sorbet

(this can be served as an appetizer, an intermezzo, as a dessert, or even as a slushie)

• 1  20oz can pineapple (tidbits, crushed or rings)
•  1 15oz can Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut
•  1 15oz can filled with water (use empty cream of coconut can)
•  1 T rum (or rum extract)
•  pineapple ring and marashino cherry for garnish

Blend all ingredients in Blender

*Freeze to make a sorbet (thaw and re-blend to optimize consistency)

serve in glasses and garnish with fresh pineapple

*Serve chilled in tall glasses as a drink

 

This post contains affiliate links, which help to support kosherfoodallergies.blogspot.com. 


Enter to win a $25 gift certificate.

 

Rules:

1. To Enter-Send an email from the contact us page.
One entry per household. Must be 18 or older to enter.Type "giveaway entry" in the subject heading.
2- Giveaway ends this Sunday 8/12 (at midnight).Winner will be picked randomly by raffle on 8/13. Check back here then for the "winner announcement"
3- $25 gift certificate will be issued to winner via email from allergyfreekosher

Kosher Allergy Supermarket

Now you can find the allergy free products you need and know they're kosher.
What a Pleasure!
AllergyFree Kosher has awesome shipping deals as well.
Kosher food allergy shopping couldn't be more convenient.
Shop by Allergy(milk, eggs, wheat, soy, nuts etc..)
Shop by Product(breads, baking mixes, pasta substitutes, dairy substitutes etc.)
Shop by Brand(Ancient Harvest, Arrowhead Mills,Glutino, Enjoy Life, Rice Dream,etc.)

I'm so thrilled to be offering a giveaway for allergy free kosher.

HURRY GIVEAWAY ENDS SOON!!!!

Enter to win a $25 gift certificate.

Rules:

1. To Enter-Send an email from the contact us page.
One entry per household. Must be 18 or older to enter.Type "giveaway entry" in the subject heading.
2- Giveaway ends on Sunday 8/12 (at midnight).Winner will be picked randomly by raffle on 8/13. Check back here then for the "winner announcement"
3- $25 gift certificate will be issued to winner via email from allergyfreekosher
This post contains affiliate links, which help to support kosherfoodallergies.blogspot.com. 

Multiples with Multiple Food Allergies

pre-neocate

                                                         post-neocate

The following is a sponsored post for Neocate (and a factual account of our experience)

Mothering multiples, while incredibly rewarding, is no easy feat. Double the diapers, double the laundry, and double the feedings. Throw multiple food allergies into the mix and you really have a challenging situation. We were thrilled to welcome twin boys into our family (especially after having 3 girls in a row). From the get go these guys were miserable, fussy, and adorable.

At first their diagnosis was uncertain. At 7 weeks of age they developed eczema
(a very itchy rash) that gradually spread from their face to their torso as the weeks and months went by in spite of multiple visits to dermatologists (and many topical  steroids). Our babies slept little, grew very slowly, and fussed a lot. One night, my husband and I left the boys for a much needed night out (3 whole hours). I let the babysitter know that if we weren’t back in time for the next feeding to give them Similac (a milk-based formula). We returned just as one of the babies had had 1 oz of formula. I noticed that he was breaking out in pea-sized hives all over his scalp (easily visible since all he had was blond fuzz up there).

Fast forward past a dramatic ambulance run to the ER to a new diagnosis of milk allergy. I immediately eliminated all dairy from my diet and was awaiting a dramatic transformation in our babies’ behavior, weight, skin. It didn’t happen. I was confused. After food allergy blood work, we discovered that the twins were allergic to milk, soy, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and other grains. The list would grow even longer when we introduced solids. Knowing the enormous benefits of breastfeeding, I was committed to nursing them and had to radically alter my own diet. I dutifully eliminated the offending allergens from my diet (and lived on chicken, rice, vegetables, and non-dairy chocolate). Voila, the transformation occurred. Their skin became baby soft and smooth (not a trace of eczema) and they were much more settled.

While the skin and fussiness symptoms improved, their weight was still in the “failure to thrive range.” What to do? All of the regular formulas were either milk- or soy-based?It was a Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Dr. Amy DeFelice at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia 

 who introduced us to a medical formula called “Neocate.” She taught me to nutritiously (and calorically)maximize every sip and every bite they took.

I continued to breastfeed and supplemented with Neocate. The boys gained weight beautifully and safely.  They began to thrive in all ways. They plumped up a bit. My friend, upon seeing their new rotund look,  nicknamed them “tweedle dee and twiddle dum.”

For all of you struggling with food allergic babies.. hang in there. It really does get easier.

Don't do it alone. Seek out proper medical care and lots of support from people who've been there!

*The London Beth Din Kashrut Division (LBDKD) has approved the following products based on a detailed correspondence with the manufacturers: Neocate-Active (pareve), Neocate Advance (pareve), Neocate LCP (pareve).Consult  a competent Rabbi knowledgeable in the laws of kashruth before purchasing. 

"Nutty"Israeli Olympic Mascot Changed

A few months ago there was much to do about the Israeli national mascot for the Olympics.The Olympics committee had chosen the Bamba baby as the mascot (associated with the peanut-flavored snack).The committee withdrew it's decision after the decision to use the popular character as an Olympics mascot drew criticism from social justice groups over the commercialism of using a single company's advertising character as a national symbol. Others criticized the committee as being insensitive to the millions of people worldwide who are severely peanut allergic.

As a mom of food allergic kids, I don't feel offended by an advertisement for a product my kids can't eat. Bamba is a popular snack in Israel. Most kids are not allergic to peanuts. Why can't they enjoy their peanut snacks? We need to take precautions to take care of our food allergic loved ones. Sometimes, an environment truly needs to be peanut free to be safe. On a limited basis (like a child's classroom) this can be practical. Ridding the world of peanuts is not practical. Just because we have food sensitivities doesn't mean we have to be overly sensitive. 

 Do you have opinion? Let us hear it in the comments section

Food Allergies at the Olympics

Food allergies don't define who we are. We have to learn to live with them but our capacities are still incredible. Not convinced? Check out this olympic athlete who is food allergic/intolerant....
Olympic swimmer, Dana Vollmer, has an egg allergy and is gluten intolerant.  The 24 yr old olympic swimmer says that the toughest part is traveling and trying to find foods that she can eat on the road. Tough, but not impossible. 
Even if you're not an athlete, just a food allergic fan, you'll be happy to know there are provisions for you.  Are you in London at the Olympic Games? If so, be sure to read this article about what food can be brought into the games and what's available for purchase