5 Great Cartoon Mompreneurs

I have been subjected to watching cartoons for the last 8 years.  I realized the other day that many of the creators of these cartoons have made wise decisions to portray the Moms as very capable women.  As a Mompreneur these are the 5 that stand out to me.

Allergy Friendly Snacks (Kid Approved)

**Please note: These are snacks that my daughter it is able to eat, and she doesn't seem to have a reaction after eating them. Please check all product ingredients as some may have trace amounts of soy, sunflower, or corn oil.

1. Rice cereal ( brand names: Rice Krispies, Rice Chex): I should buy stock in any company that makes this type of cereal. This is my daughter's #1 breakfast choice and after school snack.
   
2. Crispy Rice Treats/Marshmallow Bars (brand name Rice Krispie Treats)
   
3. Rice Crackers: Usually found in the Asian section of the grocery store. (may contain soy by-products)
   
4. Apples with Cinnamon:  This is a great breakfast choice. I slice the apple and heat it up in the microwave for about 2 minutes and then sprinkle on some cinnamon. I also give this breakfast on testing days because cinnamon is known to help with test taking anxiety.
   
5. Lunch Meat Wraps: This is my daughter's recipe.  She takes deli sliced lunch meat, adds ranch dressing, adds a baby carrot, and then rolls up each individual wrap. Turn it into a lettuce wrap by taking the lunch meat wrap and then wrapping it inside a lettuce leaf.
   
6. Fresh Fruits and Veggies: We can never go wrong with a variety of  fresh fruits and vegetables that my daughter is not allergic to. Some of our favorites are apples, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, carrots, cucumbers, and green peppers.

Share your great allergy friendly snack recipes for kids.

Wheat Allergy Diet Tips

Many everyday food & drink items contain wheat

When you or your child is diagnosed with a wheat allergy it can be overwhelming.  So many questions come up, and it can leave your head spinning trying to find answers that make sense. Here are a few great tips and resources that have become invaluable to me as the mother of a child with wheat allergies.

Is gluten-free the same as wheat free?

No. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other cereal grains. So an item marked “Gluten-free” (GF) may still contain wheat by-products such as albumin and globulins. 

Read ingredient labels carefully, even on GF foods. Check out Whole Foods' website for great information and recipes for a wheat free diet.
(http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/healthy-eating/special-diets/wheat-free)

What everyday foods do I have in my cupboard that may contain wheat or wheat by-products?

The list can be shocking when you learn how many products we use daily that may contain wheat.  This is just a partial list based on the extensive list I found on the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford website.  

1. Instant chocolate drink mix
2. Cereals made from farina
3. Products with malt added
4. Semolina
5. Spelt
6. Commercial frosting & icing
7. Ice cream & sherbet
8. Ice cream cones
9. Prepared mixes or packaged pudding containing wheat flour
10. Worcestershire sauce
11. Soy Sauce
12. Chocolates
13. Chocolate candy containing malt
14. Graham crackers

To see the full list go to: http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/allergy/wheat.html 

My next blog post will provide a list of some of my daughter’s favorite wheat free and wheat substitute foods. You can share below the wheat free foods you love and it may be featured on the list.

Corn, Wheat, Soy or Nut Allergy?

A simple side dish can become an allergy sufferer's nightmare

I have learned a lot over the last few months about products that seem safe for those with corn, wheat, soy, or nut allergies.  Many products are developed using corn or add wheat or wheat by-products.  Others are “normal” foods that you may not realize are related to either corn, wheat, soy, or nuts.

Nuts & Soy

My daughter is severly allergic to peanuts and soy.  After her allergy diagnosis we restricted her diet to better control her allergy attacks. During dinner one night I made a kidney bean and brown rice side dish.  She had a severe allergy attack and I was baffled. I looked at her plate desperately trying to figure out what triggered the attacked.  Then it hit me, peanuts are a legume; are kidney beans legumes also?  A quick Google search answered my question.  It may have been an obvious association to some, but not to this everyday Mom.

According to Livestrong.com  “A kidney bean allergy is rare, but you may be at greater risk if you're allergic to other foods in the legume family. Peanuts and soy beans are two of the most common legumes that cause an allergic reaction.” (Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/368375-kidney-beans-and-allergies/#ixzz2MLFkzDpG)
The article on Livestrong.com is a must read for anyone with legume allergies.

Xanthan Gum (used in foods, such as bread, as a gelling agent and thickener)

This substance is made by fermenting corn sugar with a bacteria.  If you have a corn allergy this could become problematic.  If you are a baker with a corn allergy there is a great article on Xanthan Gum substitutes (http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2008/12/baking-cooking-substitutions-for-gluten.html)

Wheat & Gluten

Our pediatrician warned me about ingredients that may contain wheat such as whey. According to Livestrong.com, “Certain whey proteins may contain wheat as an added ingredient.” (Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/445889-does-whey-have-gluten-in-it/#ixzz2MLOFtyhX )  

100% whey is usually gluten-free, but be sure that any products containing whey say they are gluten-free. 

Additional resources: http://injust10pages.com/blog/gluten_intolerance_blog/2012/7/12/is-whey-gluten-free/176678#