Getting Your Kids in the Kitchen: Advice from Chef Lara Holland

Cooking is a life skill.  It is something we all should learn, but when you have a child with food allergies it becomes even more critical that they have some sense of how to operate in the kitchen.  Safe meals don’t cook themselves, so getting your kids in the kitchen, having fun and learning those basic cooking skills will be an important building block in helping them to effectively manage their own food allergy.

Chef Lara Holland, Centered Table CEO, and also known as Food Allergy Gal, spent some time with me sharing ways to get your kids in the kitchen- and having fun while doing it.

Chef Lara Holland

Early Exposure

Chef Lara recommends getting your kids in the kitchen as early as possible.  Every exposure opens their eyes to what is happening in the kitchen.  Even children in a high chair can be pulled over to the cooking prep area to see what is happening.  She suggests passing safe foods to your child so they can feel, smell and possibly taste the foods you are preparing.  As children get older, pull bar stools up to the countertops and create a “chef’s table” where young cooks can be a part of meal prep.  Also, eating meals as a family is an important part of creating a positive experience in the kitchen.  “Try to have at least one meal each day as a family”, says Chef Lara.  Sitting down to enjoy the food you made is a great reward and creates positive feelings about cooking and sharing meals. 

Making Your Kitchen Cool

Some kids are naturally excited to be in the kitchen, others may take a little encouragement to jump in.  Holland suggests lots of great ways to make your kitchen “the place to be”.  First, make your kitchen accessible.  Designate shelves and drawers that contain kid-friendly and age appropriate kitchenware.  This might mean pots and plastic containers for younger cooks, and as they get older, access to their own baking or measuring supplies.  This also means being comfortable with the crazy.  Cooking can get messy when kids are involved, but Chef Lara says, “embrace the mess and go in with realistic expectations”. This is one area I have really had to work on- when you put a Type A mama (me!!!) in the kitchen with kids it can be stressful, but I have learned to let go (a little) and they always have more fun when I let the mess happen. 

 

Second, make your time in the kitchen a sensory experience.  As you cook let your child sample foods and talk about where they come from.  Taste them raw and cooked, compare the difference. Holland also suggests incorporating music into cooking.  Pick upbeat music for cooking and transition to something softer as you sit down to enjoy your meal. 

Third, have your child help you get needed supplies and ingredients.  This not only teaches them the names of these things, but also helps them to learn their way around the kitchen.  As kids get older, have them be a part of recipe and menu development.  Let them take the lead and see where it leads you in the kitchen!

Inspiration

Find inspiration and ideas from some of these great sources suggested by Chef Lara.  Check out magazines for pictures of food (younger kids) and recipes (older kids) to find new things you would like to try.  Look to other cultures and try to recreate “safe” versions of these meals at home.  Our family does this every year on the Chinese New Year.  We make a safe Asian dish and decorate for the holiday.  We may not be able to eat out at an Asian restaurant, but we have a blast cooking and eating together. 

Chef Lara also suggests finding ideas at markets and food fairs.   Take your kids to a farmer’s market or cultural market where you can find new foods to try, new recipes to explore, and it is a great way to start the conversation about finding substitutes to still make certain recipes or try certain cuisines, even if at first look they seem off limits due to your allergens.  And, one of my favorite suggestions, attend a food fair for inspiration.  Typically, I would avoid these type of events but Chef Lara suggests framing it as a way to find new foods you want to cook at home.  Visit the booths and review the menus- start making a list of the things you want to make at home.  “Set expectations about what you will be able to do at the event and be sure to bring your own snacks”, she says.  The benefit, beyond finding inspiration for your home kitchen is that you get to have a food experience outside of the house. 

Look in your area to see if there are camps or cooking classes that can accommodate your allergens.  Chef Lara leads a cooking experience at a camp in Atlanta, Truly LivingWell, aimed at teaching kids from all backgrounds about the true source of foods and how to prepare them.  They accommodate all food allergens and ensure campers have a safe and fun experience as they prep meals in an outdoor kitchen.  In my neck of the woods, Cooking at the Cottage offers a small number of allergy-friendly class options throughout the year.  Finding places that can offer a safe cooking experience is another great way to grow your child’s skills and help them enjoy cooking.  Just be sure to do your own research and make sure you feel comfortable with the way the camp or store manages food allergies. 

Armed with all of these wonderful ideas I hope you are making plans to get in the kitchen with your kids to make your next meal!  Thanks, Chef Lara, for the great advice!  And, stay connected, there is more to come on the blog this week about cooking with kids.  And, if you haven't done it yet- like our Facebook page for more great info this week on cooking with food allergies!

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Learn more about Tami and her company, Thrive On Consulting, which provides food allergy coaching and training.  You can also follow her on Facebook for tips to Thrive On with food allergies.

Keeping it Simple and Fun In the Kitchen with Food Allergies: Advice from Colette Martin, The Allergen-Free Baker

Cooking, I love it- until I hate it.  As a food allergy mom, I spend a lot of my time in my kitchen cooking. Generally, I really love to cook and spending time in my kitchen.  But, let’s be honest, sometimes the need to cook so often makes it not so fun.  Who is with me?

That is what inspired me to do a week focused on cooking with food allergies.  Being able to cook, and having an arsenal of safe recipes and finding ways to enjoy your kitchen are a must for anyone managing a food allergy. So, all week on my Facebook page and blog, I will be sharing great information on cooking skills, advice, and recipe resources so we can all Thrive On in the kitchen!

To kick it off, I had the awesome opportunity to interview Colette Martin, The Allergen-Free Baker.  She is a food allergy mom, cookbook author and all around great advocate for those with food allergies.  She offers all of us some great advice for making cooking simple, fun and safe whether you are new to food allergies or a veteran food allergy family.  And best of all, she is partnering with me to give away an autographed copy of her book, The Allergy-Free Pantry!  Details about the giveaway are at the end of the post, so take in all of her great advice and then enter to win!

Colette Martin, Cookbook author, Allergen-free baker, Food allergy advocate

New To Food Allergy Cooking
If you have recently been diagnosed with food allergies, there is a lot to learn and do to keep you or your family safe, and cooking safe foods will be at the top of that list.  Martin recommends that once you know the foods you need to avoid the first step is to do a sweep of your pantry to ensure you remove all foods that could trigger a reaction.  Once the unsafe items are removed, “start simple, get a handle on a few basic recipes and find safe alternatives to replace your basic staples,” she says.  For example, if you are dealing with a wheat or gluten issue, try to find a bread replacement that you can buy.  Once you have some basics down and a few staple alternatives you will have the building blocks for developing your cooking skills and adding additional items to your safe foods menu.

Cooking Everyday
It happens to the best of us, even if we love to cook, doing it day in and day out can wear on you.  You fall into a rut, cook the same things over and over, and generally feel bored, if not annoyed, in the kitchen.  Martin suggests, to the extent possible, be adventurous in the kitchen and continually try new things to keep the kitchen, and your menus, interesting.  She suggests implementing a “new food night” where you and your family try a new recipe or ingredient.  My girls always get a kick out of our attempts at new ingredients, and as a result we have added red quinoa and zucchini noodles to our meal options.

If you have a child with food allergies, another important component to your culinary adventures will be to ensure your child learns how to cook.   Someday you won’t be around to prepare all of their meals so start equipping them now with the skills they will need to stay safe.  Martin suggests, “get your kids cooking with you and let them lead you into new areas”.  If they express interest in cooking a certain food or trying a certain recipe – go for it!  It helps to keep it fun in the kitchen, and along the way you can teach cooking skills they will need to know.

Kitchen Tools You “Need”
Cooking is a very personal endeavor and you will find what works best for you.  Someone else’s favorite kitchen tool may sit unused in your kitchen. Resist the urge to buy every kitchen gadget and figure out what you will really use, and need, to make your safe foods.  Martin says for her, two must haves are her Kitchen Aid Mixer and parchment paper.  “If you will be doing a lot of baking, having a good mixer is important,” says Martin.  She also loves parchment paper because it helps to create a barrier and prevent cross contact on baking sheets and on surfaces when she is rolling out dough.  As my family has developed our cooking style, our must have items include our ice cream maker and lots of cutting boards and colanders.

 

Getting Some Guidance
Colette has published two books on allergy free cooking and baking that are a great resource for anyone newly diagnosed or seasoned food allergy cooks looking to add new recipes to their menus.  You can learn more about her books here.  (Don’t forget to check out the details below about how to win a copy of The Allergy-Free Pantry).  In addition to her books, Martin recommends checking out Kids With Food Allergies Foundation Recipe Database and Freedible for other great resources, recipes, and advice on keeping your kitchen safe and your menus interesting.

Thanks, Colette, for sharing all of this great information, your book, and helping us Thrive On in the kitchen!

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Follow me all week long on Facebook as I share tips, tricks and tools for cooking with food allergies!!

                                                                                                                                 

GIVEAWAY!!!

Win a copy of The Allergy-Free Pantry!  Head over to our Facebook Page for a chance to enter and win!  The winner will be announced June 2!  Good Luck!!!

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Read more about Colette's books! Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram too!

Learning to Bake Allergen-Free: A Crash Course for Busy Parents on Baking without Wheat, Gluten, Dairy, Eggs, Soy or Nuts

Published by The Experiment, June 2012

An essential guide to delicious baking for multiple food allergies—with over dozens of recipes that take the whole family from breakfast through dinner

As more and more parents are discovering, the instant a child is diagnosed with severe or multiple allergies, food can’t be taken for granted anymore. Shopping turns into a frustrating hunt through ingredient lists, and every school lunch and birthday party becomes a potential nightmare. Whether parents love to bake or hate it, with most packaged foods and bakery treats suddenly off-limits, they’ll need to learn. Colette Martin overcame this challenge when her son was diagnosed with wheat, milk, soy, egg, and peanut allergies—and in Learning to Bake Allergen-Free, she gives parents the confidence to embrace new foods that are safe for their children, arming them with:

• Info on how to avoid the top eight food allergens, plus gluten
• Substitutions and techniques to make favorite recipes allergen-free
• Simple tips on how to use new ingredients for the best results
• Over 75 recipes—some from scratch, some from mixes—for Cinnamon Rolls, Spicy Cornbread, Chocolate Chunk Cookies, and more!

With this thorough, accessible manual in hand, parents will be baking allergen-free by the time the oven finishes pre-heating.


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The Allergy-Free Pantry: Make Your Own Staples, Snacks, and More Without Wheat, Gluten, Dairy, Eggs, Soy or Nuts

Published by The Experiment, September 2014

Make your own affordable, delicious, and allergy-free staples, snacks, and meals!

After the cupboards are cleared of problem foods, most people coping with new food allergies (their own or their kids’) are missing staples they have relied on for years. And even though stores are stocking more allergen-free brands, shoppers with severe or multiple allergies can read every label and still strike out—especially if they’re after a particular craving or on a budget.

The good news for the 15 million Americans with food allergies is that classic treats and pantry staples can be made easily and affordably at home. From Colette Martin, the author of Learning to Bake Allergen-Free, comes The Allergy-Free Pantry—with over 100 recipes free of gluten and the top eight allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish), including:


• Basic staples (flour blends, non-dairy milks, Sandwich Bread, Biscuits, Strawberry Jam, and Sunflower Seed Butter)
• Condiments and salad dressings (Flaxseed Mayonnaise, Ketchup, Ranch Dressing, Barbeque Sauce)
• Breakfast (Pancakes, Honey Blueberry Granola, Apple Oatmeal Scones)
• Crackers and cookies (Flax Crackers, Pita Chips, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Snickerdoodles)
• Pasta, pizza, and freezer meals (Spinach Pasta, Cheesy Sauce, Shepherd’s Pie, Meatloaf)
• Desserts (Brownie Bites, Chocolate Pudding, Raspberry Fruit Roll Ups, Caramel Sauce)

Full-color photographs of every recipe and simple instructions (no advanced kitchen skills required!) make this a must-have guide to allergy-free home cooking. Refill your cupboards, and reclaim peace of mind!

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Disclaimer: I was not paid to write this post, but was provided with products to use for the purpose of the giveaway.  The opinions expressed in this post are mine and not influenced by the company.


Learn more about Tami and her company, Thrive On Consulting, which provides food allergy coaching and training.  You can also follow her on Facebook for tips to Thrive On with food allergies.

Allergy Friendly Banana "Guacamole"- Top 8 Free Healthy Snacking

After school snack time is always a mess!  The kids are hungry- like more hungry than a kid should be who just ate a few hours ago- scouring for food as soon as they walk in the door.  Our pantry, while generally pretty healthy (and always free of our allergens), still packs some fun treats and generally unhealthy items- and of course these are my girls go-to requests for their after school nosh fest.

I was trying to sell bananas the other day as the best snack option - to which they laughed in my face and continued to push for cookies and sweets.  I was desperate for them to eat a healthy snack...and knew those bananas had only about a day left before I would be forced to turn them into banana muffins. It was going to take some creative mom magic to make bananas the snack du jour.   And then it hit me- my youngest daughter loves guacamole, especially mashing up the avocado in the bowl.  I thought, hey bananas are mash-able, and that is how my idea for banana guacamole was born!

As the words banana guacamole came out of my mouth I still didn't know what we were going to actually make, but I knew we were going to mash some bananas and add some cinnamon!  My girls were excited...about eating bananas (insert happy mom dance here)! They were all giggles as we cut and mashed the banana.  We added our spices and our version of banana guacamole was ready!

Here is our recipe:
2 bananas (diced)
1/2 tsp brown sugar
1/8 tsp cinnamon (add more if you love cinnamon- we probably do close to 1/4 tsp)
Splash of lemon juice

Place all ingredients in a bowl and mash with a fork.  If you wish, leave some larger chunks of banana- we do and it is really tasty!  Serve with graham crackers or homemade cinnamon tortilla chips (check out my Facebook Post for that recipe!)

Banana Guacamole was a hit at our house!  This healthy snack is a definite add to our after school snack routine.  I hope you enjoy it too!

Happy Healthy Snacking!  Thrive On!


Learn more about Tami and her company, Thrive On Consulting, which provides food allergy coaching and training.  You can also follow her on Facebook for tips to Thrive On with food allergies.

Eggnots- Easter "Eggs" Made Safe!

Our Easter Basket filled with eggnots!

Check out my review of eggnots® and see below 

for how to enter to win your own 12 pack!

Eggs. They are a integral part of Easter- from stuffing to hiding to dying- they have become a centerpiece of the holiday.  But what happens if you have an egg allergy?  All of those egg activities become impossible, if not downright dangerous.  But one company, eggnots®, has the perfect solution to keep eggs in the picture and reactions at bay.

Eggnots® are a ceramic dyeable egg alternative.  We got a 12 pack and when we opened them up to dye them my daughter exclaimed, “they look real!”  She is right!

After ogling over the “eggs” in the carton we got down to the business of dying them.  We had the dye kit from eggnots®, but you can use other dyes as well.  Eggnots® includes recipes and links for other dye options.

The dye kit from eggnots® included four colors- blue, green, yellow and red and cute cups to hold each dye.  They were easy to prepare- just add the dye packet to ½ cup of boiling water and 1 tsp of white vinegar.  We had our colors mixed up in no time and were ready to dye our eggnots®.

The eggnots® do float in the dye so you have to either weight them down or keep them moving so you get even color coverage.  The directions suggest keeping the “eggs” in the dye for 3-5 minutes.  On our first round, we pulled the "eggs" out after just one minute and they were very pale.  We dropped them back in, and by the five-minute mark they were vibrant!  We did a few of them for 3 minutes, and while lighter than the ones we colored for five minutes, still had great color.  I didn’t blot the first batch of eggnots® before we dried them so ended up with a darker spot on a few of them, but once I remembered to blot them we got a nice even color.

My girls had a blast dunking and swirling the "eggs".  I used the crate they came in to make a “drying station” which worked great, but in hindsight wish I had left the crate intact to use for storage after Easter.  One of the best parts about these “eggs”, they are non-perishable so I will be able to use them for Easters to come (now I just need to get a new container to store them in!).

We do not have an egg allergy in our family so we can dye eggs each Easter, but the experience of dying the eggnots® was exactly like dying real eggs.  And, now we can put these on display for the entire Easter season- no worries about refrigeration or spoiling.  So, whether you have an egg allergy or are looking for a fun Easter keepsake, eggnots® are a great option for adding a little color and egg dying fun to your holiday!

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GIVEAWAY!!!

Want to win your own 12 pack of eggnots?  Head over to our Facebook Page for a chance to enter and win!  The winner will be announced March 31st!  Good Luck!!!

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Disclaimer: I was not paid to write this review, but eggnots did provide me with products to use for the purpose of this review and giveaway.  The opinions expressed in this post are mine and not influenced by the company.


Learn more about Tami and her company, Thrive On Consulting, which provides food allergy coaching and training.  You can also follow her on Facebook for tips to Thrive On with food allergies.

Review of the Easter Treat Box from Vermont Nut Free Chocolates

When you think of Easter, one of the first things that comes to mind is that chocolate bunny you find in your basket.  I still remember as a little girl searching frantically for my basket, grabbing that bunny, and partaking in a chocolate breakfast I was only allowed on that one special morning.

As a mom now, I delight in prepping my daughters' baskets- knowing they too will have that same memory of a sugary, creamy we-get-to-have-chocolate-for-breakfast experience.  But, when my daughter was first diagnosed with her nut allergy, I was not sure we would have a chocolate bunny that was safe for her.  Bunny after bunny had an allergy warning that they were produced in a facility with nuts.

And then, we discovered the Easter treats from Vermont Nut Free Chocolates.

Thanks to Vermont Nut Free Chocolates, whose products are completely peanut and tree nut free, our Easter.. and other holidays, and quite honestly regular days...are filled with safe nut-free chocolate treats.

One of the many yummy Easter options from Vermont Nut Free Chocolates is the Easter Treat Box.  This box is brimming with yummy treats to make Easter chocolatey, sweet and safe! The box includes one Baby Bunny (1.5 oz), one Bunny Pop (2.5 oz), one bag of Easter Miniatures (3 oz) one Easter Pop (1 oz), and one bag of Jelly Beans (2 oz).

My chocolate loving daughters couldn't wait to get their hands on the treat box.  Although, the wrapping was so cute it was almost a shame to rip into it, until we started eating all of the yummy chocolate- then it was a shame to stop!

The Baby Bunny was my youngest daughter's favorite, while my older daughter liked the colorfully wrapped Easter Miniatures (and she was excited to share one with her friend who also has a nut allergy).  My husband liked the Jelly Beans the best.  The Jelly Beans add a great pop of color and sugary sweetness to the treat box.  My personal favorite was the Bunny Pop.  Who can resist biting the big ears off a chocolate bunny?

From the cute packaging (a real plus if you are traveling for the holiday- no need to pack extra supplies for your basket, it is already perfectly packaged!) to the delicious confections inside, this treat box has all you need for a great Easter gift!  And, if the treat box doesn't have enough chocolate for you check out the other Easter options they offer- you will surely find a safe and tasty option to satisfy your nut free Easter chocolate cravings!

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Disclaimer: I was not paid to write this review, but Vermont Nut Free Chocolates did provide me with a free Easter Treat Box to use for purposes of this review.  The opinions expressed in this post are mine and not influenced by the company.  


Learn more about Tami and her company, Thrive On Consulting, which provides food allergy coaching and training.  You can also follow her on Facebook for tips to Thrive On with food allergies.

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta (and Ways to Make it Top 8 Free!)

Lately, I am all about recipes!  Today I am sharing one of my favorite meatless meals.  As a Catholic family, we observe Lent and that means no meat on Fridays.  Here is a recipe I came up with for one of our Friday meals during Lent.

Often times I just throw stuff together and see what happens, and this is exactly how this meatless meal was born!  Check out the recipe below, and if you need to keep your meals Top 8 free check out some great substitutions listed at the end of the recipe.

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Ingredients:
Whole Wheat Spaghetti*
Butter*
1-2 Cloves of Garlic, chopped
1 lb Shrimp*
2 cups Frozen Peas (thawed)*
White Wine
Lemon
1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Parmesan Cheese- to garnish (optional)
Parsley- to garnish (optional)

Directions
Prepare pasta according to package directions and set aside.

In a large skillet melt 2-3 Tablespoons of butter.  Sauté garlic for 1 min, add shrimp and cook until done.  Add in pasta and peas.  Add another 3 Tablespoons of butter, juice of half a lemon, a few splashes of white wine and toss well to ensure everything is coated.  Season with red pepper, salt and pepper.  Heat over medium heat until pasta is heated through.  Serve immediately- garnish with parmesan cheese and parsley, if desired.

*Need ideas to keep it free of your allergens?  Check out these substitutes:

No Wheat:  Use gluten free pasta

No Dairy: Use a butter alternative and omit the parmesan cheese as a garnish

No Shellfish: Replace shrimp with asparagus

No Peas: Use spinach

Happy Friday and Happy Eating!  Thrive On!


Learn more about Tami and her company, Thrive On Consulting, which provides food allergy coaching and training.  You can also follow her on Facebook for tips to Thrive On with food allergies.

Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers- Top 8 Free, Gluten Free and Delicious!

We have had a few crazy weeks at our house between afterschool activities, work demands and visitors we are rocking!  Despite our busy schedule, I still want us to be eating healthy and most importantly- safe!  To make sure that happens it takes some planning and prep.  Creating a meal plan and prepping things ahead of time has really saved us from being stressed at meal time.  My meal plan helps me to have good, healthy and safe meals ready to keep us going through these busy weeks.

Today, I want to share one of my favorite recipes when we have a busy week.  It is a meal free of the top 8 allergens, one that can be prepped ahead of time, and packed with healthy veggies.  It is my recipe for Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers.  When I was a little girl my mom would make stuffed peppers and I always loved the nights when they were on the table.  My recipe is slightly updated from my childhood favorite, but my version gets rave reviews from my girls- even with all of the veggies!

This recipe calls for ground turkey, but if you are currently celebrating Lent or prefer vegetarian meals you can easily double the veggies and leave out the meat for a great meatless meal option!

I hope your family will enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

Ingredients:
Rice
4 Red Peppers
1 lb Ground Turkey
1 Yellow or Orange Pepper, diced
1 Medium Onion, diced
1 Yellow Squash, diced
10-15 Mushrooms, diced
1 tsp Garlic Powder
¼ tsp Cayenne Powder
1 14.5 oz can Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper

Directions:
Prepare rice according to directions.  Keep warm.

Preheat oven to 400F. Slice the “sides” off of the red peppers so you have large pieces.  Brush both sides of pepper with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Roast in oven for 10-15 minutes, flipping once in the process.

While peppers are roasting brown turkey meat in the skillet.    Remove the meat.  Add a small amount of olive oil to the pan.  Add in onion and pepper.  Sautee for 2 minutes then add squash and mushrooms. Sautee for an additional 3-4 minutes.  Add tomatoes and spices and mix thoroughly, cook for 2 minutes.  Add in the turkey meat.  Let mixture cook on medium low heat until are ingredients are cooked.

Remove peppers from the oven.  Top with meat mixture and serve with rice on the side.

We do not have a dairy allergy so we sprinkle a little parmesan cheese on top- but it is delicious without the cheese as well.

Enjoy and Thrive On!

Learn more about Tami and her company, Thrive On Consulting, which provides food allergy coaching and training.  You can also follow her on Facebook for tips to Thrive On with food allergies.

A Food Allergy Friend in Need

Meal Train.  If you had said those words to me 10 years ago, before kids and life in the suburbs, I am pretty sure I would have told you it was a fancy dinner excursion on a train.  But now, knee deep in motherhood and minivan ownership, I know a meal train is what you do when your friends need you.  A meal for a friend who just had a baby, a meal for a friend who had surgery, a meal for a grieving friend.  I have been a part of the meal train numerous times, gladly preparing meals for friends in need.

But what about a food allergy friend in need?  When I broke my foot a handful of years ago, a friend suggested setting up a meal train for us.  While I loved the idea of having the extra help, the sheer thought of food coming into my house that I had not made was more anxiety producing than having to deal with two toddlers on crutches.

For a food allergy family, the meal train may not be the best way to help.  So many chances for unsafe ingredients or cross contact occur when meals are prepared by others, who may not be as well versed in how to manage food allergies and prepare safe meals.  So what can you do?  Here are a few suggestions for how you can help a food allergy friend in need.

Offer to Cook at Their House
If your friend really needs help with meals, offer to prepare them at her house.  That way she can read all ingredient labels and you can use her kitchen gear, which will be safe. You can plan a meal with her to ensure you know safe ingredients to include and verify which brands are safe.  Preparing the meal at her house also gives you the added benefit of spending time with your friend while you cook!

Gift Cards
Simply providing a gift card to a grocery store, so she can buy her own safe ingredients, is a great way to help.  Many stores now offer online shopping and in-car pick up.  Get her the gift card and offer to pick up the groceries.  She may still wish to do some of the cooking, but you can help get the food to her.

Another gift card option, see if there are any restaurants that the family eats at regularly because they know they manage food allergies effectively.  Some families with food allergies eat out very rarely, so be certain to talk with your friend to ensure you get a card that they will actually use.  If you can find a restaurant that works take out can be a beautiful thing!

Non-food Ways to Help
If providing food is just not practical for food allergy reasons, offer your assistance in other ways.  Perhaps chipping in to have a cleaning service, offering to watch the children, or take care of pets.  You know your friend and you know what she might need- talk to her about the ways you can help outside of food.  And, sometimes just spending time with her is the best gift!

We would love to hear what other suggestions you have for helping a food allergy friend in need- post them in the comments below.




Learn more about Tami and her company, Thrive On Consulting, which provides food allergy coaching and training.  You can also follow her on Facebook for tips to Thrive On with food allergies.

Food Free Ideas for Valentine's Day Parties

The Winter Holiday party went off without a hitch.  Fun games, lots of laughs and safe for those with food allergies.  Woo-hoo another food allergy mom success in the books!!! The holidays are over, parties are over, and the decorations are packed up- I am quite enjoying the slower pace that January brings.  But, as I flipped through my calendar this morning it hit me- Valentine’s Day is not that far off.  Another round of holiday parties is lurking just around the corner, and it is time to start thinking safe games and treats.

A Pinterest mom I am not- sure in my head I can execute those amazing things- but in reality I fall into the always hilarious #nailedit category.  As such, I like to keep our parties simple, but simple doesn’t have to mean boring!  Here are a few simple, yet fun, ideas to get your creative juices flowing and thinking about adding some food-free fun to your party so that everyone can celebrate safely!

GAMES:

• Valentine Bingo: There are a number of free printable online- just search for free valentine bingo.  Instead of using heart candy as bingo markers use heart shaped beads, buttons or stickers.

• Broken Hearts: Cut hearts in half in different ways and/or patterns.  Separate the hearts and pass out to the kids and have them their match.  You could also use uppercase/lowercase letters or words and definitions on the hearts and have the kids match them.  

• Find the Hearts: Hide and/or hang 6-8 different colored hearts around the room.  Give each child a sheet that has all of the same color hearts on it and send them on a hunt to find all of the hearts.  The first person or team to find all of the hearts wins.  We did this with my daughter’s preschool class and it was a big hit!

TREATS:

• Pencils
• Erasers
• Combs
• Bouncy Balls
• Heart Stress “Balls”
• Small Heart Pillows
• Bubbles
• Love Coupons

Comment below with some of your favorite non-food games or treats!  Thrive On!

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