Allergy Free Recipe Ideas for Kids

Having a child with food allergies can be quite frustrating. Especially when they are young and don't quite understand why they can't eat what everybody else is. My son is allergic to wheat, dairy, and corn products. The wheat is the easiest to avoid. There are many alternatives on the market. My boy loves gluten free tapioca flour bread. It is pricey, but worth every penny!
Now, as many people know, corn is the hardest allergen to avoid. It is in EVERYTHING!!! Corn syrup is added to cereal, lunchmeat, candy, soups, snacks, most processed food, and even many organic foods! It is even found in common OTC pain relievers! What's a Mom to do?
Well, for starters, make as much homemade food as possible. Glam up veggie and meat dishes with special seasonings such as cumin, garlic, chili pepper, or whatever your child might find tasty. There are also candy companies that make only allergen free treats! A favorite of mine is Surf Sweets Organic Candy. My boy loves the corn syrup/gluten free jelly beans and gummy worms. They are made with real sugar and fruit juice. A much healthier alternative to HFCS that plagues store bought candies.


As for dinner ideas, you just need to be creative. A favorite of everyone in my house is broccoli rice casserole that is gluten and dairy free. Mix 3 cups dry rice with 8 cups organic gluten free chicken broth. Add frozen broccoli and fresh onion. You can also add grated carrots, spinach, or chopped cooked chicken. I like to make mine a bit spicy, but you can add any seasoning your kids like. Cover and bake at 350F for 45 minutes. Delicious and healthy! You can also substitute plain soymilk for half the broth to make it creamier!

Desserts are always a challenge when avoiding wheat, dairy, and corn(syrup) products. My boy likes gluten free chocolate brownies. It is made with rice or tapioca flour, cocoa powder, water, oil, and sugar. Simple and delicious!

Allergen Free Chocolate Brownie
2cups rice or tapioca flour
2c sugar
1/2 c cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 c water
1 c canola oil
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp sea salt
Preheat oven to 350. Mix flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in bowl. Mix remaining ingredients separately and then add to flour mixture. Stir until well blended. Pour into 9x13 ungreased pan and bake for 30 minutes.
Let cool 10 minutes before cutting. Makes 16 brownies.

So have fun experimenting with ingredients, use fresh produce when possible, and ALWAYS read the labels! If you're lucky like me, your kids will enjoy a large variety of fruits and vegetables. Still picky? Try mixing up a simple fruit dip, such as plain soy yogurt with pureed strawberries. Or for veggie dip, mix up regular plain mayonaisse with chopped onion, garlic, sea salt, and pepper. Kids love to dip their food!

My New Obsession

My new obsession is making rings. I really enjoy it! I started making wire wrapped rings about a month ago and haven't looked back. The best part of making rings this way is the few needed supplies. My round nose pliers, wire cutters, a bag of interesting beads, and my finger! Yes, my finger. I use my fingers to wrap my rings. It sounds odd, but works really well! I am lucky to have fingers in the most popular ring size widths,lol. My pinky is a 5, my middle a 6, and my index a 7! Go figure!! So now when I take my kids to a park, I can whip up some rings while they play! Awesome!! Here is another one of my rings...Cherry quartz and silver



The hardest part is finishing up the end of the wire. I prefer to coil it or tuck it in. I also use my fingernails to push the wire where needed. My nails are hard as real nails (the construction kind) LOL!
I'm hoping to further advance my technique and really challenge myself to make more difficult designs. I tend to get bored with the same routine all the time. I am a fast learner and can usually make the images in my mind come to life in my designs.
I love making jewelry and love to learn new techniques. I even taught a jewelry class before. It was tons of fun! I will teach my daughter to make jewelry when she is a little older. She makes cute necklaces already, but a 7 year old doesn't quite have the coordination just yet to fanangle wire into a wearable piece.
I have been finding myself stashing cool gemstones and beads just for new rings! I guess it really is an obsession! But, I love it!!

Chrysoprase and copper ring

It's Better Handmade: It's Better Handmade

It's Better Handmade: It's Better Handmade

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Thursday, June 24, 2010

Handmade Really is Better

Have you ever bought something from one of those chain stores only to get it home and within a day it breaks or falls apart? I know everyone has had this happen at least once. Yes, you can exchange the product for a new one. But, why should you have to go through all that trouble just to save a few dollars? The trip back to the store costs money for vehicle fuel, right? So, in the long run, you're really not saving money. You may even end up spending more!
I believe buying handmade goods is the only option for home decor, clothing, jewelry, dishes, etc... Yes, there are some things that must be bought commercially, such as toilet paper, dish and laundry soap, medicine, and food. But, I'm certain that buying everything else handmade is a wise decision and an even better investment. Things that are handmade are simply made better!
Do you really think factory workers care whether or not a shirt or purse is made correctly only so they can earn slave labor wages? NO!!! They couldn't care less. I mean no offense to anyone who is forced to work in a factory as the only means of supporting a family. What bothers me is the factory as a whole certainly cannot be producing anything even close to the quality of a product that was lovingly hand cut, sewn, assembled, or created.
Any self respecting artisan takes real time to create not only a work of art, but also something that will last seemingly forever. Blood, sweat, tears, love, and true craftsmanship go into each and every piece of jewelry, clothing, dishware, artwork,etc... that is hand made!
I have several favorite handmade shops that sell reasonably priced every day needed items. One example is BPR Designs on Etsy .
They make beautiful dishes that are truly great quality at affordable prices.


What if you need an area rug? Would you rather spend $75 on a manufactured rug or $75 on a handmade rug made from recycled material? Debs Crochet has beautiful area rugs handmade with recycled tee shirts and fabrics.


What about drinking glasses? I know I've personally wasted over $100 on store bought glasses that break within a few months. This cool shop makes beautiful personalized glass sets for about the same price as a commercial retailer. And I am sure the handmade glasses with last 10 times as long! Visit Brain Tees for quality glass tumblers.



I could really go on and on about why buying handmade really is better. Why don't you give buying handmade a try and see for yourself! Handmade truly is better!

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Handmade Really is Better

Have you ever bought something from one of those chain stores only to get it home and within a day it breaks or falls apart? I know everyone has had this happen at least once. Yes, you can exchange the product for a new one. But, why should you have to go through all that trouble just to save a few dollars? The trip back to the store costs money for vehicle fuel, right? So, in the long run, you're really not saving money. You may even end up spending more!
I believe buying handmade goods is the only option for home decor, clothing, jewelry, dishes, etc... Yes, there are some things that must be bought commercially, such as toilet paper, dish and laundry soap, medicine, and food. But, I'm certain that buying everything else handmade is a wise decision and an even better investment. Things that are handmade are simply made better!
Do you really think factory workers care whether or not a shirt or purse is made correctly only so they can earn slave labor wages? NO!!! They couldn't care less. I mean no offense to anyone who is forced to work in a factory as the only means of supporting a family. What bothers me is the factory as a whole certainly cannot be producing anything even close to the quality of a product that was lovingly hand cut, sewn, assembled, or created.
Any self respecting artisan takes real time to create not only a work of art, but also something that will last seemingly forever. Blood, sweat, tears, love, and true craftsmanship go into each and every piece of jewelry, clothing, dishware, artwork,etc... that is hand made!
I have several favorite handmade shops that sell reasonably priced every day needed items. One example is BPR Designs on Etsy .
They make beautiful dishes that are truly great quality at affordable prices.


What if you need an area rug? Would you rather spend $75 on a manufactured rug or $75 on a handmade rug made from recycled material? Debs Crochet has beautiful area rugs handmade with recycled tee shirts and fabrics.


What about drinking glasses? I know I've personally wasted over $100 on store bought glasses that break within a few months. This cool shop makes beautiful personalized glass sets for about the same price as a commercial retailer. And I am sure the handmade glasses with last 10 times as long! Visit Brain Tees for quality glass tumblers.



I could really go on and on about why buying handmade really is better. Why don't you give buying handmade a try and see for yourself! Handmade truly is better!