Let's play a game - Where are the peanuts hiding today?

I received an update from
Kids With Food Allergies this morning:

First, Target has packages of flower seed in its $1.00 section that contain crushed peanuts and tree nuts. The packages are labeled, but the warning is very, very tiny and hard to read. You can see the packages and labels in our newsletter here:
http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/enews/food-allergy-friendly-family-events.html

Well isn't that special?? And why is that necessary? I have no freaking fracking idea.

We hit over 80 degrees yesterday! (Yay Ohio)

Oh my word! Living in Northeast Ohio is great, but our weather isn't always the best. Winter seems like it will NEVER leave. But yesterday (and today) the weather was gorgeous!


I went out to get some yard work done and I did manage to get some of my flower beds cleared out, but the Little Man wanted to have a "snack picnic". So how could I refuse?



It was really sunny.



We filled our basket with some snacks and the EPI pen and headed to back (the WAY back yard cause that's what he wanted)



And we just enjoyed the day.



The sky was the perfect shade of blue.



And the company was good. Notice all the scratches on him? He's such a boy.



We had lots of visitors.



I think they were waiting for him to drop some food.



Watching ants (because that's what you do when you are 4).



I tossed my apple core in the woods for the 7 deer to eat (that we saw earlier that morning) but this little mouse wanted it instead - look to the right of the apple and you can see an eye.



He was afraid of us, but he really wanted that apple.





Then the Older Boy came home from school and joined in on the fun.







As we were packing up our things to go back up to the house these guys came swooping in. They were not afraid of us at all. The boys wanted to chase them but the geese looked none to happy with us and I had to drag the boys away before the geese attacked them.



Today should be even better!! I'm off the computer and getting ready to go and finish cleaning out my flower beds.

Just a little food allergy business

Over the last week a couple of interesting things came over my e-mail, but I just didn't have time to post them. Well, today I'm making time.

A video about food allergies from J & J:



An e-mail from the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness about a recipe contest:

I wanted to let you know about the new National Foundation for Celiac Awareness Online Recipe Box. Each week a new gluten-free recipe is featured, and if yours is chosen the recipe will be credited back to your blog.

Simply email your favorite gluten-free recipe to recipes@celiaccentral.org with “Gluten-Free Recipe of the Week” in the headline and your mouth-watering creations could be featured on the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness web site! We’re working to collect as many recipes as possible, so encourage your readers to submit their favorite gluten-free recipes as well.

And this next one doesn't HAVE to deal strictly with food allergies. Anyone can make a video about their local educational experience (good or bad), but it would be nice to feature food allergies, wouldn't it??

I am helping CNN iReport solicit video submissions that are right up your alley. Here’s a boilerplate version of the idea:
We all share so much about all parts of our lives, including our kids’ schools. If you’ve been involved in either making change or pushing for change that’s been difficult to implement, or are just very happy or unhappy with education in your community, this opportunity should interest you.
CNN’s Campbell Brown: No Bias. No Bull is asking its viewers to submit reports on the state of education in the U.S.
At iReport.com , CNN’s user-generated news community site, the show is inviting viewers to submit a video that describes their view of the state of our nation’s education system – whether it uncovers problems and shortcomings in the community, highlights success stories or proposes ideas for potential solutions. In some cases, the program will come to the iReporter’s town to do more reporting on the story!
You can find examples of iReports on other subjects here and can submit an iReport for consideration at www.iReport.com/ClassProject.
If you have any questions or would like additional information, feel free to contact me, (202-236-1844, csamuels@cobblestone-associates.com) and I’ll get the answers immediately.

Menu Plan Monday & it's finally spring (in pictures)

First, let's start off with this weeks menu plan. I haven't done one in the last few weeks on the blog, but I've still been doing it. But not well enough. My grocery bill has creeped back up again because although I do a menu plan in my head, I'm not writing everything down. I need to get back on track.

Thursday: Turkey Sandwiches and fruit salad
Friday: Hot dogs on the grill and baked beans
Saturday: Hamburgers on the grill, green beans
Sunday: Pioneer Woman's Ginger Steak Salad
Monday: pizza night
Tuesday: Firecracker Chili in the slow cooker
Wednesday: Chicken Dijon

For more Menu Plan Monday hop on over to Laura's . Have a wonderful week!!

At the end of last week, it seems that spring finally decided to arrive here.



We have 2 robins that have taken up residence in our yard. I think this one is the daddy robin. The mommy robin was quite large and I haven't seen her lately.



The boys were excited to see this guy. I couldn't get a good shot of him because...



He didn't really didn't want his picture taken



All types of sweet little birds have come back. And I think they are all mad because I haven't refilled the bird feeder lately.



The boys got hair cuts on Friday. It was the last official day of spring break.



For some reason this one seems to need to make a goofy face in every picture. I will make him pay for this one day.



The weather was so nice on Friday that I had my first glass of wine of the season on the deck while reading my book (and I was grilling too. I can multitask).



And the men-folk planted a tree.

This weekend was just gorgeous. The boys played outside all weekend and it was just nice to be outside and not be cold. Of course it's raining and 48 degrees F today and it's supposed to snow this week, but at least we had the weekend. Hopefully spring will come back soon. This is Northeast Ohio. We certainly didn't expect the snow to be gone for good yet. This past weekend was just a teaser.

Twitter and WEGO Health

Are you a health activist? Do you use Twitter? Do you want to or do you just want to learn more about how to use Twitter more effectively?



WEGO Health will be holding two Webinars this Monday, April 20th on Twitter Fundamentals for Health Activists. One Webinar will be at Noon and the other Webinar will be at 4 pm. They are both FREE and last for about an hour.

- The presentation will last approximately 45 minutes with Q&A directly following
- The session will last no longer than one hour
- Please note that this event will be held remotely
- Participants can join from anywhere in the country, but will be required to be online

I attended the webinar that was held last Monday and found it to be VERY helpful.

If you are on Facebook, the information for the Webinars is featured there as well.

And what type of health activist are you?? I'm a Broadcaster (big shock there, huh?). You can take the quiz to find out what type of health activist you are (just click on the quiz picture to go to the quiz):

Gluten Free BISCOTTEA®

Visit the Gluten Free Biscottea webpage for more information.

A few weeks before Easter I received some samples of gluten free BISCOTTEA® to try (they also make a non gluten free version). It came in 3 flavors: Blueberry Tea Shortbread, Chai Tea Shortbread, and Earl Gray Tea Shortbread. I was so excited to try these and was hopeful that by the look of them that they would really taste like shortbread (I love shortbread cookies and have missed those!).

The information says:

BISCOTTEA® is baked with organic and all-natural ingredients and combines the richness of a traditional Scottish shortbread recipe with the health attributes of the teas which are baked into each BISCOTTEA® square.

The ingredients listed are gluten free, but it does say that the cookies are manufactured on shared equipment. Due to the severity of my sons wheat, rye, barley, and oat allergies, I decided that it was better if he didn't eat these. So I had them all to myself (insert evil laugh here).

They were really good and really did taste like a shortbread cookie. The first one I tried was the blueberry and I really enjoyed them and wished I had more. The cookies had a buttery flavor to them even though there is no butter or dairy in them. They were light and just a really tasty cookie.

The next flavor to try was the Chai Tea. Again very tasty and I'm sad that they are gone.

I saved the Earl Grey for last and although still tasty, these were my least favorite of the flavors.
For a second opinion, I did let the husband have a bite and he thought they were delicious too.

I really enjoyed these cookies and highly recommend them! I will be getting more of these. Even though my son can't eat them due to shared equipment, they are a safe treat that I can have on hand that I enjoy and I don't have to worry eggs or nuts being a cross contamination issue either (they are also free of those allergens).

Now that I'm gluten free, I will be keeping these on hand for a treat for myself for sure.

The EPA and Mt. Sinai Hospital team up to take on the "whys" of food allergies

The EPA and Mt. Sinai will investigate food allergy triggers. The "EPA regulates the proteins used as pesticides that are introduced to our food supply and aims to ensure that these do not have adverse health impacts".

To date, no adverse health effects attributed to genetically engineered foods have been documented in the human population. However, the majority of soybeans, as well as large proportions of corn, canola, and cotton crops produced worldwide are genetically engineered with custom made proteins for resistance to pests. The results of the EPA funded research will be used to better predict if the development of dietary allergens is connected with genetic engineering of foods.

Maybe this will finally shed some light on the why there is an increase in food allergies.

To read the entire news release, Visit the EPA website.

Easter, food and just random stuff

Easter was wonderful! The boys had a blast. I cooked for 13 hours on Saturday. But it made Sunday a mostly "heat and eat" kind of day.
Below are some wonderful recipes I used for Easter and just some wonderful recipes I've used for my menu plan that I never posted:

Roasted Easter Ham from All Recipes

Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes from All Recipes

Garlic Lovers Greek Lamb Shanks from Recipezaar

steamed fresh green beans

Cut Out Cookies

Cinnamon Rolls from the Gluten Free Homemaker - a big ol' pan of Y.U.M.

And some non Easter but truly yummy stuff:

Veggie Sandwich from Pioneer Woman Cooks - only I made mine on a gluten free roll from Ener-G

Pioneer Woman's Chicken Scallopine - this was the best!!! I used Bob's Redmill all purpose gluten free baking mix in place of the white flour and used Tinkyada gluten free fettuccine noodles and it was a hit!

Pasta Alla Marlboro Man - and the men loved this. I used Tinkyada gluten free pasta and they were stuffed.

Now for pictures:



Painting wooden eggs (can't use the real thing when you have an egg allergy). They look intense don't they?



One side had a face (?) the other a cross. Everyone interprets their egg decorating differently.



He not only painted his eggs, but himself and his jammies too. He's 4. It's to be expected.



Hunting for eggs. Some people use cute little baskets. We use Wal-Mart bags. What can I say?



The big one "out hunted" the little one by 2 to 1.



The Easter Bunny was up until Midnight hiding these. Then the little one came in at 2 AM asking if it was time yet? No son, not yet.



Checking out their baskets.



Hope you all had a wonderful Easter!!

The boys are on spring break this week. It's 47 degrees and raining today. Not much of a spring, that's for sure.

Sneeking in for a quick update

I feel overly busy. There's much to do before Easter and not enough time left to get it all done. I know my spring cleaning will NOT get completed before Easter. It's actually on hold until after Easter. There is just NO.WAY. to get it all done.

But I did manage to do this today:




The little one was SOOOOO excited to see the bunny. I'm glad that at age 4.5 he still floated through the mall until we got there. I hate to see him lose that child like wonder.

So I still have baking and cooking and cleaning and I need to do an at-home-pedi ( I am part of the Washing of the Feet at church tomorrow night for re-enacting the Last Supper. I haven't had a pedicure since I don't know when and I don't want to freak out the priest). So if I'm not around much until after Easter, know that I'm busy trying to prepare. But I'm trying not to be
Martha, but trying to remember to be more like Mary.

HR 875

What is HR 875? Read the summary here

Want to read the long version? Click here

A non-political take on the HR 875

Organic Consumers Associations take on HR 875

I'm not a fan of Monsanto, but to be fair and balanced (because I am) Monsanto's take on HR 875 (although I'm leaving out the opinion of the total outer fringe. Sorry it's my blog and if you want to read conspiracy theory that will give you nightmares, you can google it).

Cornicopia Institute and HR 875 - Very well written and well researched

And a short piece from the Moderate Voice (that does link some anti HR 875 pieces)


Whatever your take on HR 875, read up on it. One way or the other, it will affect you.

More on the Indians and healthy menus

Seems I must not be the only one inquiring about menu items for restricted diets at Progressive Field. In one of our local papers today (how ironic!), there is an article entitled
Progressive Field Pitches New Menu and it talks about how in conjunction with the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute they've developed healthy menu items and other specialty items for special dietary needs. Two things that caught my eye: gluten free Cracker Jack and Red Bridge gluten free beer. Neither will work for the Little Man since the Cracker Jack more than likely has peanuts and he's a little young for the beer, but if you have celiac disease and visit Progressive Field, more menu items will be available to you. And you'll be happy to know it's more than just a hot dog without a bun. Kudos to you Progressive Field, Cleveland Clinic, Executive Chef James Major,and Dan Smith, Indians vice president for food and beverages. Thank you for seeing a need and for filling it!!

Cleveland Clinics News article featuring an explanation of GO!Foods and why they teamed up with the Indians to help create healthier menu options.

Take me out to the ball game....safely

My husbands company has fantastic season tickets for the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. They use them mostly for business but when they can't get customers to take them, the employees get dibs. He's hoping to take the boys to a few games this summer (they have 3 seats so I'm the odd man out). The Indians aren't having any peanut free games, but we navigated that well last summer when we went and we think we can manage to do that again this year.

But these are different seats. These are Club Seats. And that means they come with the Club Lounge all inclusive dining option. The menu is extensive and looks delicious. But what about the Little Man?

Well I got my answer today in the form of a phone call from the Executive Chef at Progressive Field. What a nice man!! We discussed the Little Man's food allergies and he completely understands and wants to make sure that our son has a fantastic, safe and complete baseball experience. So we kind of touched on what would be safe for him to eat, and he gave me his desk phone number, his cell phone number and his e-mail address and told me to call him a few days before we are going to a game (since I have no idea ahead of time when this will be). By doing this, he can make sure to have safe options on hand and make them the day we will be there (and keep them from getting cross contaminated). He'll personally bring them out for the Little Man and even make sure he gets an extra special gift (How cool is that?? Older Boy is going to be mad, but I can't ask for one for him too. They are already going above and beyond for us. I'll just casually mention that another child will be there too). So it looks like he'll be able to have hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries, meat from the carving station, nachos, fruit, sausage, ice cream, cotton candy, and he said he'll try and find some other special items for him too. Sounds like he'll be getting the royal treatment!

I had also sent an e-mail to the head of the food service company that supplies all of the prepackaged food at Progressive Field and I asked for an ingredient list of all of their prepacked foods and he wanted to know seat numbers so he could better supply the answers for the nearest kiosks. I'm waiting to hear from him too.

Looks like the boys will be able to fully enjoy a great summer past time this year... all 3 of them. It makes my heart happy that the Little Man doesn't have to be left out.

I'm good at multitasking

I'm still painting the laundry room. I'm almost done. I have a 1/2 a wall left, but I ran out of paint. DRAT! So back to the paint store after I give the Little Man lunch. He's having gluten free mac and Chreese. Even though he can have dairy now, he doesn't like it.

And while I've been painting I've also been working. I've had the pleasure of interviewing Amy Leger from the Savvy Celiac. Her blog is fantastic and she's a wonderful advocate for those with celiac disease. To see the interview click here to go to the WEGO Health Blog.

And if you're a health advocate and would like to be a part a spotlight interview, please feel free to e-mail me.

FAAN responds to recent OTC food allergy claim

A direct quote from FAAN about the recent claims of an OTC treatment to cure food allergies:


FAAN Medical Advisory Board Responds to Over the Counter Allergy Treatment
A recent nationwide press release promotes an over-the-counter homeopathic allergy treatment called Allertherapy™ that is touted without evidence as a way to build immunity to food allergens.

Clinical trial results for Allertherapy™ are not apparent. It is an over-the-counter unsubstantiated homeopathic remedy. Unlike conventional prescription drugs, homeopathic remedies and over-the-counter drugs are not required to undergo thorough testing and review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety and effectiveness before they can be sold. The Allertherapy™ website does not present clinical trial data.

There is no link between Allertherapy™ and a study recently presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. The company’s attempt to connect its treatment to a recently publicized peanut immunotherapy study at Duke University Medical Center and Arkansas Children’s Hospital that was conducted under strict medical supervision is of great concern due to the potential harm that the unknown effects of Allertherapy™ may inflict. Moreover, referring to this study in materials to promote an unrelated homeopathic product is misleading and, as noted above, potentially dangerous.

The recently-reported Duke and Arkansas peanut immunotherapy findings need to be confirmed in larger studies with more patients before such a therapy is used clinically.

Food allergy treatment should be medically supervised. The treatments reported in the Duke study are strictly experimental, limited, and under the strict supervision of the National Institutes of Health and the FDA. The use of any immunotherapeutic treatment, oral or injection, must be conducted under the supervision of a trained physician.

What Does This Mean for You? For those with food allergies, it may be tempting to try a product that promises to reduce allergy symptoms. However, it is important not to take a shortcut and try something that could endanger you or your child. The diagnosis and management of food allergies require a team effort between the patient, family, and doctor. Currently, there is no FDA-approved treatment for food allergies. Strict avoidance of the allergy-causing food is the only way to avoid a reaction. It is critical that you read ingredient labels to avoid the allergy-causing food. If your doctor recommends medication, such as antihistamines or epinephrine to control reactions, carry it with you at all times. Speak to your doctor before making any changes in your diet or before starting any over-the-counter treatments for your child’s food allergy.

FAAN Medical Advisory Board Members
Hugh Sampson, M.D., Director
Allan Bock, M.D.
Wesley Burks, M.D.
Clifton Furukawa, M.D.
John James, M.D.
Stacie Jones , M.D.
Todd A. Mahr, M.D.
James Rosen, M.D.
Scott Sicherer, M.D.
F. Estelle R. Simons, M.D.
Steve Taylor, Ph.D.
Robert Wood, M.D.
John Yunginger, M.D.
Robert Zeiger, M.D., Ph.D.

References

1. Food and Drug Administration. "Homeopathy: Real Medicine or Empty Promises?” Available at: http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/096_home.html.

2. Food and Drug Administration. "Conditions Under Which Homeopathic Drugs May Be Marketed." Compliance Policy Guides Manual, Sec. 400.400. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/ora/compliance_ref/cpg/cpgdrg/cpg400-400.html.

I think there's something living under there!

I am sore today. I've been in cramped spaces the last few days and let me tell you, my body is not loving it. It started on Sunday when I decided that it really was time to start spring cleaning. Because, well, spring has been here for a few weeks now and I really need to stop procrastinating. So I got my olive oil and lemon juice cleaner ready and a tooth brush and went to town cleaning my bedroom furniture. It has a lot of detail, so it took me ALL DAY just to do the furniture. Note to self: In next lifetime, buy plain furniture. Then Monday, I used the EZ Moves to pull the furniture away from the wall to clean all the molding around the bottom of the walls and vacuum. HELLO???? EZ Moves work nicely if you have two people to lift the furniture and get it on top of the EZ Moves. Not so much if you are one woman trying to do this all by herself. I think I broke something. On me, not the furniture.


King sized solid wood bed pulled away on the not so EZ Moves



Why did I start this project? Oh yea, because it needed cleaned, desperately.



Moving that nightstand was a breeze. But that dresser is another story.



And moving only one side will have to do. That sucker is heavy and here's where I think I broke myself.

But that room is D.O.N.E.

Except for the actual bedding which will get done this weekend when the new washer and dryer get delivered.

And I also figured that I better paint the laundry room since once the new machines are delivered, I probably won't want to move them again. So....



AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! What the heck is that?? That is just nasty. I think something is living under that dryer. Ok, maybe not but it could have had a nice home if it wanted to. ACK! Those British Ladies from How Clean if Your House would have a field day with that. But it's gone now. Thank goodness!

It's not easy painting or cleaning the laundry room. It's small.



Here's what it normally looks like



Not much room to that wall in front of the appliances (please pray that the new ones fit. Yes, we've measured but it is so close that they may not). To paint and clean under them, I have the washer and dryer pulled out up to that wall and then I have to climb over them to the other side. FUN! Or not. I made sure I took the phone with me so in case I got stuck back there I could call for help.

Today the painting will continue. FUN! Or not.

FYI

Just in case anyone was wondering, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. I've been spring cleaning and today I started to paint the laundry room in anticipation of the new washer and dryer. I want them to have a nice clean home. And believe me, the laundry room was anything but clean before today. OH MY WORD the things that were under that washer and dryer when I pulled them out. Y.U.C.K (and I took pictures of it and will gross you out with them when I get a chance). But at the moment I am out from behind them, covered in "Antique White" paint (left overs from the dining room) and I need to make tacos for dinner.

I'll be back soon (with recipes and gross pictures... and just for the record EZ Moves really aren't that easy to move your furniture when it's just you. Maybe if your Billy Bob and Bubba, but not if you're just me. I'm just sayin'....)