Meals/Snacks

I don't feel we suffer from lack of variety or taste when it comes to homemade food
(wanna come over tonight and see? [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img] ), but I do sometimes wish we had more options when it comes to eating out. If I ever complain about lack of variety, it has more to do with some picky eating habits, which they are fortunately passing out of.

I really can't complain - being PA, TNA, Sesame and Chickpea allergic is a walk in the park compared to dairy, egg or wheat. My friend's son has very severe celiac disease, and that is truly a nightmare.

Amy

[This message has been edited by Going Nuts (edited January 02, 2004).]

I have to agree with Amy--snacks, etc. are no problems for my son's peanut, some tree nuts, sesame seed and chickpea allergies. My son is growing up with lots of homemade goodies like I grew up with--cookies, potato chips, cakes, etc. However, if I didn't love to cook and have the knack for it, I think it would be very hard to vary the snacks and flavors.

When I retired and before I found out I was pregnant, I was going to start a business of teaching children to cook. My "business" became limited to one child who gets many, many "lessons!"

As to shopping, I've found a comfort level with many companies and/or items during the past 3+ years of dealing with food allergies. I love grocery shopping and reading labels just extends the pleasure! (Ok, so I'm strange...) The only item that I would love to find safe is Hoison Sauce, or safe ingredients to make it.

Eating out is another story, though...we rarely, rarely eat out. When we do, it's no longer a pleasure. Throughout the meal, I'm on edge because of the safety of my son and I also have to deal with DH's frustration in not being able to find good "low saturated fat" foods at restaurants. DH prefers to eat at home--he says my food is more tasty and he knows it won't kill him. I take my son to Wendy's for a treat/reward but hate it--I always, always ask to check the oils, cooking sprays, etc. and always, always have a problem getting someone to understand me. The Wendy's in my area all seem to be run by people whose language is not English!

All in all, there are food allergies, or combinations thereof, more difficult with which to deal. I count my blessings and am teaching my son to count his.

Quote:Originally posted by Donni:
[b] I love grocery shopping and reading labels just extends the pleasure! (Ok, so I'm strange...) [/b]

[i]You are in good company.[/i] [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Well, we have pn, tn, milk, egg, sesame, and shellfish, and I feel that we have a wonderful, varied, interesting, and very healthful diet. Granted, we have lived it for over 6 years now, so I have added and adapted recipes along the way. Yes, we make the majority of our foods from scratch, but we live in a time and place where food is varied and plentiful. We have meats (chicken, beef, turkey), fruits, veggies, and all of the raw goods available at the local stores. Milk can easily be replaced by soy. Eggs can usually be substituted by either apple sauce, egg replacer, or an oil/baking powder mixture. Peanuts and other nuts are just avoided. We have our tried and true products that we trust, add others when we feel they are safe. Yes, I would at times love the convenience of just stopping for a pizza or fast food, but I can rationalize the benefits to our health at not being able to do that.

Take care,
Andrea

We're dealing solely with PA (right now, touch wood). I haven't found there to be any problems as far as having a variety of interesting snacks/meals because of PA.

Unlike other people that have posted, I also haven't really found that much difficulty involved in eating out either (or getting take-out). There are a few eateries here in town (Montana's, Crabby Joe's, etc.) that I know are off limits because of the barrels of peanuts, but as far as fast food places and just regular restaurants, we've done quite well.

Again, we're solely dealing with PA and I think that has a lot to do with it. I know when I spoke with the other PA parent at Jesse's school who is also dealing with egg, milk and wheat allergies, along with PA, it really looks like my life (or Jesse's) is a walk in the park in comparison.

I've really found it quite easy, especially since things are so well labeled here (Canada).

To-day, in grocery shopping, the kids had wanted a frozen pizza. There was the choice between vegetarian and cheese and they opted for vegetarian. Well, in looking at it, it had pesto and in checking the pesto ingredients, of course, there were pine nuts.

So, of course, no frozen pizza. We ended up buying a Crazy Plates meal instead.

That's really convenience food as well compared to home cooked meals. But again, no I don't have any difficulties whatsoever.

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

------------------

Quote:Originally posted by MommaBear:
[b]If you do feel meals/snacks have no variety, uninteresting, or lacking in flavor is this because it is difficult or impossible to achieve interesting, flavorful meals/snacks with variety?

[/b]

No, actually it's because I'm a lousy cook. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/redface.gif[/img]

Tonight dh prepared a delicious chinese dinner. When I do it, it's tasteless.

I don't have a problem. I have always liked to cook, so I always baked everything from scratch. The only thing I buy is cake mixes. I buy bread from bakeries, but that is it.

I make almost everything from scratch, but it's because I like to cook. Dinner today was chicken stew and dumplings, salad, home made buns, and chocolate chip oatmeal cookies for dessert.

So no, I don't have a problem. What really annoys me though is that I've always LOVED ice cream, and always have a hard time when we go out for it. Especially now with a tighter comfort zone, I'm wary of the scoopers even.

I don't eat out much, if ever. We never did. Like mentioned earlier, dh likes my cooking better anyhow. :P

I consider myself pretty lucky, even when I am reading labels and cursing in the grocery store.

No, I feel like we might even have more variety than we otherwise might because we have to get creative. Also, I love to cook and try new things. I've been vegetarian in the past, and I've tried all sorts of ethnic cuisine too. I am a collector of cookbooks and a frequenter of allrecipes.com [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] The main impediment to variety is the children's pickiness, not the food allergy!

Quote:Originally posted by AnnaMarie:
[b] No, actually it's because I'm a lousy cook. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/redface.gif[/img]
[/b]

Ahhh I knew there were more reasons why I like you!!! LOL I just have no ambition to cook. I'm not creative with food. Just eat it to live. Sad to say, I suppose. I enjoy watching other people cook and it does look like fun but right now at this point in my life I have no time for it. Perhaps when I'm 60!!

So to answer your question, MB, my kids right now eat just about everything. At times I do feel like it's lacking but that's my fault not the food!! LOL One day, Ethan did beg me to stop making Chicken and Rice!!! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]

I do not feel, though, that our meal choices are limited. We have a wide variety of choices--I just need to have a live in chef with me [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img]

Quote:Originally posted by e-mom:
[b] I just need to have a live in chef with me [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img]

[/b]

I have two of them. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img] My oldest son has taken to the kitchen like his dad. Unfortuately, he leaves as big a mess, too.

Now, baking is a whole different story. That I can do, and do well. I did find it a bit difficult at first to leave nuts and pb out of EVERYTHING. But, I have collected more recipes, and discovered that many recipes don't really require the nuts. I either just omit them, or use choc chips or fruit instead.

I do find it much more expensive baking since developing pa. I usually have to buy brand name, and sometimes that does cost more.

Quote:Originally posted by AnnaMarie:
[b] Now, baking is a whole different story.
[/b]

Yet another thing in common!! hehe Yeah I love to bake as well--when I find the time. I always get compliments on my chocolate chip cookies.

When dh is home for dinner--usually only the weekends--he cooks, makes a HUGE mess because apparently he cannot clean as he goes along--and leaves me to clean everything up. Oh well, guess I have to deal with some give and take, eh? [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]

Quote:Originally posted by e-mom:
[b]

When dh is home for dinner--usually only the weekends--he cooks, makes a HUGE mess because apparently he cannot clean as he goes along--and leaves me to clean everything up. [/b]

And I can only assume that he absolutely [b]must[/b] use every pot in the house?

Could be that's part of my cooking problem. DH doesn't care how many pots pans and counters he makes a major mess of. I, on the other hand, much prefer a meal in one pot, served on one plate. each. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img]

Annamarie, yes he must use every pot AND every square inch of counter space as well. Also, he must spill or drop something on the floor or rugs--of course, leaving it for me to clean up!!

Quote:Originally posted by AnnaMarie: [b]
I, on the other hand, much prefer a meal in one pot, served on one plate. each. [/b]

Too funny--We are sooo much a like!!! LOL

[This message has been edited by e-mom (edited January 06, 2004).]

e-mom .. I think your DH and SWTSSBO must be related!! The reasons you gave about DH are the main reasons I keep her out of the kitchen!! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img]

I'll offer to be a live-in chef for you, as long as you can keep me supplied with Merlot / Malbec! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img] (Not sure what DH and SWTSSBO would say about that, though! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img] )

Quote:Originally posted by e-mom:
[b] Too funny--We are sooo much a like!!! LOL
[/b]

Have I finally found my twin? (I've been soooo jealous of [i]others[/i] here. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img]

Psst! Should we invite Nick to Mars?

AnnaMarie ... please do ... I'm housetrained, too [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]

Another bonus : I'd bring a huge consignment of SAFE KitKat Chunky with me as my first offering!! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]

Nick, all you need to bring is your sense of humour. You are really cracking me up today. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]

Oh, and, you better bring your cooking skills too, or we'll all be going hungry. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]

LOL!! Yes perhaps, AnnaMarie, we were separated at birth!! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img] BTW, I have no idea what you look like.

Hmmm, should we invite Nick? Well, I suppose, but as long as he wears a Chef's hat! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/tongue.gif[/img] I mean he DID say he was house trained--so perhaps that means he knows how not to splash in the bathroom when using the toilet! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]

Nick, you had better be a good cook! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/tongue.gif[/img]

reraising to compliment the "what foods do you miss due to pa" thread.

"Good cook"? Hmmm, well ... I don't know about that, but I can only remember one culinary disaster of mine !!

Does someone want to be brave & ask me about it?? [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img]

Quote:Originally posted by Nick:
[B
Does someone want to be brave & ask me about it?? [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img][/B]

I yield the floor to "Nick" of U.K.............

Chilli wasn't it?

Ummm! Chilli isn't that hard - how did you ruin that one? (Or is my memory off again?)

OK, AnnaMarie ... you win this time!

Yes, it was a chilli ... but ... unusual circumstances.

I had run out of fresh chilli-peppers, so I used dried, flaked ones. Sadly, they'd been in the jar a while and had stuck together a bit.

So, whilst stirring the pot, I tried to pour a few from the jar. Uh-uh!! No can do! All stuck! SOOO,I tapped the jar on the counter & tried again. No luck.

So, I tapped again, slightly harder. Tried to pour again! No luck. Still stirring! Got fed up. SLAMMED the jar this time, tipped it up over the pot!

THIS time, the ruddy lot came out, but as I was stirring, they all went in & got mixed before I could stop!! OUCH!!

I tried to retrieve some and succeeded to some extent! Tasted the mix! FLAME-THROWER!!
WOW!

I tried adding yogurt!!
I tried adding milk!!
I tried adding sugar!!

No way, Jose!! Still napalm-strength!!

So, in the end, I gave up & went to the take-away!! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]

You know, boring old "fish & chips" seemed good!! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]

My one & only disaster. OK, a few meals have been "less than wonderful", like my first attempt at making dough for Hot-Cross-Buns .. but that was mostly down to the wine [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]

Generally, I don't get any complaints!!

I feel like I have a hard time since my DS is allergic to nuts, eggs, kiwi, chicken and poultry. It is tough to find a variety and especially trying to find baked goods that taste good w/o egg!! We get tired of Beef and Pork all the time and would love to be able to eat chicken.

Quote:Originally posted by Nick:
[b]I had run out of fresh chilli-peppers, so I used dried, flaked ones. Sadly, they'd been in the jar a while and had stuck together a bit.

So, whilst stirring the pot, I tried to pour a few from the jar. Uh-uh!! No can do! All stuck! SOOO,I tapped the jar on the counter & tried again. No luck.

So, I tapped again, slightly harder. Tried to pour again! No luck. Still stirring! Got fed up. SLAMMED the jar this time, tipped it up over the pot!

THIS time, the ruddy lot came out, but as I was stirring, they all went in & got mixed before I could stop!! OUCH!!

I tried to retrieve some and succeeded to some extent! Tasted the mix! FLAME-THROWER!!
WOW![/b]

Ummm, you'd think that after the first two taps that you would have grabbed a utensil for a little help!! DOH [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/tongue.gif[/img]

Thing is, e-mom ... I only have two hands ... and I was stirring with the other & didn't want to stop! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]

Heck, anyway, I *was* young then ... it was in (thinking hard of date) 1985!!! Nowadays I'm older and more experienced, tho' not necessarily WISER!! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]

.

[This message has been edited by deegann (edited March 15, 2004).]

,

[This message has been edited by deegann (edited March 15, 2004).]

I don't find a lack of variety in snacks and preparing food a problem I love to cook and bake but the lack of variety is due to my ds only eating cheese sandwhiches (grilled cheese, cheese quesedilla sp?) and Kraft dinner(won't eat homemade) and cucumbers, carrots and fruit make a pretty boring diet [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/frown.gif[/img]

andrea