Calling all Sunbutter lovers!! Help me!!

Not sure how old your older DD is, but today at Kindergarten, they are serving "ants on a log". Celery with Sunbutter spread inside (instead of PB), topped with raisins.

Puppy Chow (with Sunbutter)

9 cups Chex

Granola Bars

1 cup SunButter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/3 cup margarine (softened)
2 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 cups quick oats
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup choc. chips
1/3 cup wheat germ

Mix. Spread/press into greased 9x13 pan. Bake for 20-25 min at 350. Cool before cutting.

Here's my homemade soynut butter cookie recipe. I played around with it quite a bit to get it just right, and they are yummy if I do say so myself. I don't see why you couldn't substitute Sunbutter for the soynut butter. Good luck!

Soynut Butter Cookies

1 1/4 cup Crisco, butter flavored
2 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup milk
3 Tablespoons vanilla
3 eggs
1 jar (18 oz) Soynut Butter
5 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon baking soda

Mix first 5 ingredients, add soynut butter, mix well. Add dry ingredients, mix well. Drop by teaspoonful onto cookie sheet, flatten with fork, sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 375 degrees for 7-8 minutes. Yield: 6 dozen cookies.

If you were looking for something that is a real "showcase" for the substitute.... how about the "peanut butter kisses" recipe using puff pastry?

Cut thawed puff pastry into squares (about 3"?) Dock into bottom of muffin cups, place 1 tsp [i]Sunbutter[/i] in each and top with a chocolate Kiss!

Bake as instructed (I think it is 400 F for 8-10 min or something like that....)

These would be pretty "impressive/fancy" if that is what you were looking for.

The recipe is right on the side of the Pepperidge Farms frozen puff pastry box.

Sunbutter Rice Krispie treats?

Sunbutter Fudge?

Thumbprint cookies (same basic idea as the puff pastry one, obviously)

Fancy sandwiches? (Meaning, make them with the best jam you can find and use cookie cutters to cut them into shapes...) I like this one because it isn't "junk food" (since it is a sports snack, right?). Plus it will have the exact impact you are hoping for if people think about using it as a substitute for the thing they do most with the real thing... KWIM?

I don't have a recipe, but a thought. Have you run it by this PA-kid's parents about the "peanut resembling cookies"?? I would be freaked out if I didn't know it was coming...has this kid ever had Sunbutter before? It took me a long time (like 2 weeks) from buying Sunbutter, smelling it, to trying it...I couldn't get over the smell. Now though, it's super yummy!

Just a thought...

Adrienne

------------------
30-something survivor of severe peanut/tree nut allergy

Quote:I don't have a recipe, but a thought. Have you run it by this PA-kid's parents about the "peanut resembling cookies"?? I would be freaked out if I didn't know it was coming...has this kid ever had Sunbutter before? It took me a long time (like 2 weeks) from buying Sunbutter, smelling it, to trying it...I couldn't get over the smell. Now though, it's super yummy!

I actually didn't even think about it...... thanks, though.
I'll ask them, but I'm sure they'll be ok with it. They'll probably even roll their eyes at me and think I'm being obsessive. Not to be judgemental, I know we all have different comfort zones, but this family didn't even inform the teacher that their child has PA until A FEW DAYS AFTER SCHOOL STARTED.

I can't wait to make ALL this stuff. I might not make the kisses cookies, though. It was the PB version of those cookies that my PA dd had her big rxn to, the one that made us think "DUH- can u say peanut allergy!"

We found SunButter at the Hannaford in Rotterdam NY. They have both smooth and creamy. I'm so excited they carry it. Its such a great alternative to PB. [i]I might start crying[/]

Sounds like the parents have a "loose" comfort zone but honestly, if another parent did this because of my child, I personally would not be too pleased.

1. My son has never tried sunflower seeds so I don't know if he would react. Even if he wasn't allergic, I doubt I could ever get him to eat anything that looked remotely like peanutbutter.

2. Even if it didn't even contain sunbutter, I do not let my son eat anything baked at anyone else's house.

3. Even thought you are doing this with the best of intentions, bringing a sunbutter product may put the child's peanut allergy in the spotlight which may be embarrassing for him.

Sorry to be so frank but I would strongly suggest talking to the child's parent first before doing this.

I'm not sending in the SunButter [i]for[/i] the PA child. I'm sending it in for my non PA child.

We recently found it at our local store, and we've fallen in love with it. I'm excited about being able to make something for my dd's snack day out of Sunbutter.

As far as the PA child in her class... I have no idea if they allow him to eat other people's snacks or not. The only stipulation that the TEACHER (not the parents) asked for was that peanut and peanut containg products not be sent in.

See, I asked that my non PA dd be put in the same class as the PA child. I "assumed" that his class would be peanut-free. My 2 yo PA dd is contact sensitive. So, it makes life much more easier if I know that older dd isn't eating peanut snacks everyday at class. Well, I called the teacher the night before school started. I just wanted to explain to her that Marcela would have to wash up if she did happen to eat any peanut products. I then asked if the class was peanut free. She was confused- she said "is anyone peanut allergic?"

I was uneasy- I didn't want to "out" the child. I mean that's up to his parents. But I did. I told her "I thought &**&^ was PA, but maybe I'm wrong." This teacher kinda panicked. This is her 2nd? year of teaching. And to have this thrown at you the [i]night[/i] before school started. But I have to say, she did a pretty good job, all on her own.

She sent home a letter the 2nd day of school (she provided snack herself the first day) stating that all food sent in should be peanut free. The second week of school, I wanted to remind Marcela to wash up after lunch (serving peas) and I got a chance to talk to the teacher. She said she was so glad that I had told her about this child's allergy. When the parents mentioned his allergy, a few days later, she told them she already knew about it.

I honestly can't imagine how a parent could send a child to school- allowing him to be served breakfast, snack and lunch. and not letting those caring for him aware of his allergies. They also have not mentioned his allergy to the cafeteria. I know this because I've talked to the head of the cafeteria and some of the workers- trying to get a sense of how things are handled. Both of them had no idea that a PA child has been eating their meals for the last 4 years. I know this because they stated "We haven't had a PA kid since %^&^%&, and she's in high school." I know this child eats cafeteria food- I've seen it with my own eyes.
I'm apalled and scared at their "loose" comfort zone. Yes, my first instinct is to ask for their permission. But, they are not like me or most of us here at PA.com. They won't even understand my concerns about Sunbutter or homebaked goods. (BTW- we struggled over Sunbutter with our PAdd- but she hates it, so its not much of a problem. and she's not allowed to eat homebaked goods from others)

I WANT to talk to them about this, but its just gonna be pointless.

Quote:Originally posted by stephi13339:
[b]I'm not sending in the SunButter [i]for[/i] the PA child. I'm sending it in for my non PA child. [/b]

But isn't "bringing snack" for the whole team? This would include that child wouldn't it?

Even though the teacher's stipulation was only not to bring "peanut products", if this was the teacher of your PA child, wouldn't you want that to mean NUTS too, not just peanut? If the parents, as you said, are not good at making it known about the allergy, perhaps it's possible that the child has other allergies too (such as sesame or sunflower).

[b]I honestly can't imagine how a parent could send a child to school- allowing him to be served breakfast, snack and lunch. and not letting those caring for him aware of his allergies. They also have not mentioned his allergy to the cafeteria. I know this because I've talked to the head of the cafeteria and some of the workers- trying to get a sense of how things are handled. Both of them had no idea that a PA child has been eating their meals for the last 4 years. I know this because they stated "We haven't had a PA kid since %^&^%&, and she's in high school." I know this child eats cafeteria food- I've seen it with my own eyes.[/b]

I see what you are saying but it's possible that the parent has already examined the menu and found it to be safe. Maybe, he or she did tell one of them but they forgot or that worker was not there that day. You have only gotten their side of the story and not the parents'. Honestly, I let my son eat the cafeteria food too. He knows not to get any desserts even though no foods on the menu have outright nuts. He always gets the same thing pretty much so I feel comfortable with it.

[b]I'm apalled and scared at their "loose" comfort zone. Yes, my first instinct is to ask for their permission. But, they are not like me or most of us here at PA.com. They won't even understand my concerns about Sunbutter or homebaked goods.

I WANT to talk to them about this, but its just gonna be pointless.[/b]

I don't think it will be pointless at all. Even if they are completely careless, as you say, at least you will feel better knowing it from them and not from other sources. They may even feel grateful that you asked. Also, it will put your own mind at ease. Can you imagine if this kid had a reaction? This is obviously a concern to you as you started this thread for a reason right?

Quote:if this was the teacher of your PA child, wouldn't you want that to mean NUTS too, not just peanut?

are Sunflower kernals nuts? honestly, I know they aren't tree nuts but are they "nuts"? and they didn't ask for the peanut free class- the teacher chose to do it without any input from them.

Quote:Maybe, he or she did tell one of them but they forgot or that worker was not there that day. You have only gotten their side of the story and not the parents'.

My dd has been in this child's class for the 4 years they've been in school. This was even before we knew of my younger dd's PA. Of all those 4 years at school here's the parents record. year #1- was a nut free class, partly cuz of the child but also the teacher had a NUT allergy. year #2- no letter sent home to parents about PA AT ALL. year #3- no letter sent hme to parents about PA AT ALL. year #4 (this year) letter was sent home to parents because [b]I[/b] let it slip about his PA.

With the staff being in the dark about his PA- and PB being served everyday- its too similar to Nathan Walter's story. I'm afraid I'm gonna hear about somthing happening to this child.

He's not my child- as much as I wish I could change the situation, I can't.

Everything that has been done at this school to take care of this child (which is very little BTW) has been initiated and achieved by people other than the child's parents.

I'm hoping to get the school to switch to SunButter or something else [i]before[/i] my PA dd goes to school. As sad as it is, I need to focus on [i]my[/i] child's safety. Along the way, a few of things that I've done to protect my child have also helped this child. That is very sad.

Mimi- have you had to deal with a parent of a PA child that "doesn't get it?" Its an impossible situation. There's [i]nothing[/i] you can do to change their thoughts. Unfortunately, it will probably take ANOTHER (this child has already had some doozy ones) bad reaction before they get it.

Mimi- let me explain my situation a little more.

I have 3 kids. Marcela is 7- 2nd grade- non PA- has ALWAYS been in a class with this PA boy.

Sophia- is 2- PA- dx at Xmas last year.

I asked that Marcela be placed in the PA child's soccer team and classeoom this year cuz I "assumed" they would be peanut-free. Everyone in my family lives a peanut free lifestyle. Including Marcela. That is a sacrifice for a 7 yo to make, to live PA when you're not. But its what we do to keep Sophia safe.

Sunbutter is a wonderful alternative for us. We just recently found it at a local store, and I'm excited that we have a yummy substitute to offer Marcela and the other children at school. My hope is to get the school to switch before Sophia enters school.

BTW- I talk with this PA child's parents frequently. I mean, its a small town and our kids have always been in the same class, and now the same soccer team. We talk about PA- I heard about their "comfort zone" not from gossip but from their own mouths. I've tried to include them in my efforts to safeguard PA kids, but they don't really "get it."

As far as the other child possibly being allergic to sunflower. If I'm gonna ask those parents- then shouldn't I call ALL the parents in the class?

The parents should be letting the teacher know, and the teacher should be letting the other parents know not to send in anything that could kill their child.

Quote:Originally posted by stephi13339:
[b]As far as the other child possibly being allergic to sunflower. If I'm gonna ask those parents- then shouldn't I call ALL the parents in the class? [b/]

No, only his parents because he has a known food allergy. Food allergies tend to be pared with other food allergies. If you didn't know about it that would be one thing. But the fact is, you DO know about it.

[b]
The parents should be letting the teacher know, and the teacher should be letting the other parents know not to send in anything that could kill their child.[/b]

I totally agree with you on this and it seems like this kids parents are clueless. I also can certainly relate to the fact that sometimes it's the parents of other kids with food allergies that tend to create the biggest obstacles for us! Chances are they don't care at all but it just seems like such a small thing to just run it by his Mom especially since she knows you and you've talked to her before.

I probably will, in fact I'll see her today. Its just sooooooo frustrating.

By the way, I can also relate to the keeping peanut away from the non-PA allergic sibling although PA in our family is in reverse. It's my older one with the PA and my younger one who is not. I must admit that this is probably easier than your situation because my younger son has never been "used" to having peanut in his diet. He's used to a nut free home.

Right now he is in a nut free preschool (partially my doing from when my older one was there for Kindergarten) but he is in pre-K this year and will be in Kindergarten in the public school next year. Things may be different then.

Good luck! Let me know how it all works out. Who knows, maybe the Mom will start to "get it" because of your influences.

Just thought I'd add that if you're baking with Sunbutter you should add a tiny bit of lemon juice to the recipe. The sunbutter reacts with the baking soda (and something else I can't remember). Once it's baked the cookie or whatever has a greenish color to it. Still tastes fine and it's okay to eat, but doesn't look very appetizing.