Race Linked to Childhood Food Allergies

I recently came across a study that suggested that there was a racial component to childhood food allergies. According to Haejim Kim, M.D, a Henry Ford allergist and lead author of the study,African Americans have a gene that makes them more susceptible to food allergen sensitization than white children at age 2.  Sensitization doesn't mean that the individual will necessarily experience allergy symptoms. The sensitized person's immune system produces a specific antibody to the allergen. More research is necessary to understand these findings. Interested in finding out more about race and food allergies read the source article for this blogpost here:  sciencedaily.com

Easy Frozen Treats

Frozen treats are just the ticket for a hot summer day. The easy recipes below are cool, refreshing, and allergy friendly. All recipes are dairy, soy, egg, wheat, and nut free. They're also super easy to make so you can grab one and go back to summer fun!

Kosher Pina Colada Sorbet (Kosher with Food Allergies)

(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

Watermelon Popsicles- from the kitchen.com
Strawberry/Lemonade Ice-Pops- allrecipes.com
Mint-Melon Pops- realsimple.com

BBQ Food Allergies

We all love a summer BBQ. Everything seems to taste better after it's been grilled!
Before you throw your food on the grill be aware of potential food allergy problems. Check all marinades and toppings for food allergens (such as wheat and fish). Also take precautions for cross contamination. Grills should be meticulously cleaned after allergenic foods have been broiled on them. Shared utensils can also pose a problem. Enjoy those summer BBQs safely!

Food Allergy BBQ Tips:
clean grill
clean utensils
check marinades/sauces
plan ahead (gluten free buns and sauces, separate grilling equipment and utensils if necessary)
check side dishes for allergens (nuts in salads and slaws, etc...)
bring your meds

Kosher Gluten Free Burritos

Summer is the perfect time for light meals. Who doesn't love a good wrap with all the fixins?
Well some of those fixins might get you into a fix if you have food allergies!
Shredded cheese, wheat based wraps, and sour cream can be very problematic ingredients.
Check out the tips below for awesome (and allergy friendly) burritos......

Gluten Free Wraps:
Food For Life Brown Rice Tortillas
Mission Corn Tortillas
Sonoma Gluten Free Wraps

Dairy Free Fillings:
Cubed Grilled Chicken
Avocado
Tomato
Black Beans
Mango Chunks
Sliced Red Onion
Shredded lettuce
Baby Spinach Leaves
Brown Rice (seasoned)

Dairy Free Toppings:
Salsa
Sliced Jalapenos
Black Olives
Soy based Sour Cream
Non Dairy Cheese like (Daiya)

Plum Allergy

Plums are in season! While plum allergies are not common having them may mean that you will also be sensitive to foods in the same botanical family. Plum relatives include: almond, apricot, cherry, peach, nectarine, and prunes (dried plums). Being allergic to one of these doesn't mean that you have to avoid all of its cousins. Consult your allergist about which foods are appropriate to avoid for your specific situation.

Allergen-Free Snack Bars

 
If you have multiple food allergies finding a snack bar that fits the bill is tough.

If it has to be kosher too it might seem impossible.

Impossible just became reality!

Enjoy Life Foods Natural Decadence bars are not only free of the 8 most common allergens they are cRc kosher pareve as well.

Dairy Free
Soy Free
Wheat Free
Peanut Free
Tree Nut Free
Egg Free
Fish Free
Shellfish Free

But how do they taste?

Yummy!Crunchy, yet moist and full of flavor.

The folks at Enjoy Life foods specialize in making kosher, allergy friendly foods in their dedicated facility. No worries about cross contamination or problematic ingredients.

Pack em in your kids backpack or grab some bars for the car or office.


disclosure #1: blogger has received samples of this product
disclosure #2: said product has been gobbled up by blogger's kids

Mango and Poison Ivy

Extremely Sensitive to poison ivy? If so be careful with mango skins! Did you know that mango and poison ivy are in the same botanical family? If you're allergic to poison Ivy you may experience a similar reaction to the skin and vine of the mango. While the mango skin can cause contact dermatitis the pulp should be fine. This is because the fruit of the mango doesn't contain urushiol (the poison ivy allergen).

Summer Fruit Allergies

Colorful, fragrant fruit fill the produce bins in the summer. Those luscious summer fruits may remain a feast for the eyes only if you suffer from food allergies. Whether you have true fruit allergies or oral allergy syndrome be careful. People with oral allergy syndrome can often enjoy their fruits cooked without incident. If you have a true food allergy you'll have to avoid the allergenic fruit.

 

What To Eat Before The Fast

                                                                                      Wondering what to prepare for the Pre-Tisha B'Av meal?
Read the article below for some nutritious suggestions that will help you
make it through this difficult day. Believe it or not studies have shown that high carb, high fat meals are best for storing energy before a fast. Don't forget to drink, drink, drink the entire day before the fast (preferably water).
http://kosherfoodallergies.blogspot.com/2012/07/pre-fasting-tips.html

Dairy-Free Meals for the 9 Days

Planning meals for the 9 days can be especially challenging when dealing with egg, dairy, soy, fish, or wheat allergies. Check out the links to previous posts on kosher with food allergies for ideas on how to get through this difficult period.
Dairy-Free Nine Days
Quinoa
Alternative Pastas

Be sure to checkout this
kosher with food allergies article featured in the Jewish Press
"Dairy-Free 9 Days"

Allergy Friendly Boyscout Experience

 
Kosherfoodallergies salutes troop 613 in Atlanta,GA for being extremely sensitive to the needs of their food allergic scouts/campers. Recently at a weeklong camping get away this troop safely fed 4 food allergic scouts. The allergies between the 4 of them included dairy, treenuts, soy, peas, kiwi, and beef. Efforts were made to keep the menu accessible to all campers whenever possible. During a special birthday celebration efforts were made that all scouts could have a special treat. Of course "they came prepared" with Benadryl and Epipens just in case.Congratulations on a fun filled, food allergy safe week. We salute the BSA Woodruff Scout Reservation as well for their peanut free tables in the dining room. Keep up the great work!!!

Summer Travel with Food Allergies

What are your travel plans this summer? Whether your road trip is local or cross-country you'll want to read up on tips for traveling with food allergies. Much is possible with preparation and planning.
Checkout out the travel/dining tab of this blog and also read this great blog post by Jenny Kales, The Nut-Free Mom

Shavuos- Napoleans

Napoleans can be made into eggless, dairy free Shavuos desserts!
Non-dairy napoleans can be made with pareve graham crackers or puff pastry. If you're avoiding gluten look for gluten free graham crackers. Graham crackers can be honey, cinnamon, or chocolate. Cream layers in between can be made with soy milk, rice milk, or rich's non-dairy whip. Add vanilla instant pudding mix to flavor the custard or cocoa and sugar for chocolatey layers.The napoleans above were made with pareve chocolate graham crackers and a chocolate "cheesecake filling" (rich's whip, tofutti sour cream, vanilla instant pudding mix, and pareve chocolate frosting).

Shavuos- Dairy Free Lasagne

If you can't serve dairy for Shavuos try serving dairy style! Lasagne is a great example. You can layer Lasagne with marinara sauce and vegetables or sauteed beef and onions. Frozen spinach and broccoli work especially well in lasagne. Preparation is easy.Simply cook lasgne noodles and set aside. Layer 3 noodles, desired filling, and sauce and repeat several times till a 9x13 pan is filled. Cover tightly and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Shavuos-Marble Pareve "Cheesecake" Brownie Recipe

These decadent treats taste dairy, but they're not. They look impressive, but are oh so easy to make.Perfect for Shavuos and the allergic palate.

1- Prepare 1 package of DH brownie mix* (a pareve variety such as chewy fudge)
2- Place brownie batter in a 9x13 pan sprayed with baking spray
3- Top brownie batter with 6 dollops of "cheesecake" batter (see below)
4- Swirl cheesecake with a knife through brownie batter creating a marbled effect
5- Bake at 350 for atleast 40 minutes (till mixture is set)

Cheesecake Batter (combine ingredients below)
1 container tofutti cream "cheese"
1 container tofutti sour "cream"
1/2 pkg vanilla pudding mix
1/4 cup sugar

*DH chewy fudge brownie mix has the following allergy statement:
"manufactured on equipment that also processes tree nuts and peanuts"

Counting Up to Shavuos

The lofty holiday of Shavuos is approaching. Having food allergies doesn't have to stand in the way of having delicious Yom Tov meals. I like to make dairy style foods (foods that aren't dairy but look and taste as if they are). Some examples are vegetable lasagne, caesar salad, broccoli quiche, and pareve cheesecake.

Getting Ready for Shavuos

Stay tuned for exciting dairy alternatives for Holiday Meals.....

Mexican Salad Bar

When the weather starts warming up I like to lighten up our dinner fare. Tonight at our house was "Mexican Night". Everything was super easy, delicious, fun, and of course allergy friendly. This meal is perfect for people with egg and nut allergies and is gluten friendly as well. Here are some ideas to get you started on your own Mexican Fiesta!
start with: wraps, tacos, or brown rice with taco seasonings
add: shredded salad, avocado, seasoned black beans, soy crumbles (check ingredients for wheat),
shredded cheese (dairy or soy) (ground beef when not using dairy ingredients)
toppings: diced chili peppers, black olives, salsa, etc...

Are Seasonal and Food Allergies Related?

If you're suffering from seasonal allergies you're not alone. 1 in 5 adults has seasonal allergies.You may be surprised to learn that there's a link between pollen sensitivity and oral allergy syndrome. When an allergic attack is triggered by pollen in grass,weeds, or trees, the immune system overproduces histamines. Fruits and vegetables that contain the same proteins as these plants(called profilins) can cause a similar localized reaction called oral allergy syndrome (different from a true food allergy). The body's immune system thinks you're eating pollen! (source:NBC News: "Hayfever? Don't forget to check your plate")

To learn more about Oral Allergy Syndrome: read Dr. Robert Cohen's interview on the topic

Passover Greeting

Best Wishes for a 
Liberating and Healthy Passover

from Kosherfoodallergies