Food Allergy Bag

Nebo Restaurant - Boston

2009-07-30T08:59:00.007-04:00

We received the e-mail below from Nebo Restaurant in Boston. We have never been to Nebo so we cannot give a review but we would love to hear from people who have tried their Gluten Free Menu. For those of you who would like more info check out their Gluten Free Menu or go to http://neborestaurant.com/ for more information.

I am writing to inform you of our new Gluten free menu. About 4 yrs ago my sister Christine and I opened nebo restaurant at 90 N. Washington St. in Boston’s North End. Nebo is a traditional Italian restaurant offering dishes based on recipes that were passed down from our mother and grandmother. After being open for about a year, two of our closest friends were told they had Celiac disease. We then realized just how many people this disease has affected and the need for an alternative for their dining restrictions. Determined to serve our friends their favorites, we set upon making our menu available in a gluten free form. We are thrilled to say that we have now produced 90% of our menu with the same great taste as our regular menu. We don’t think there has been an accomplishment that has brought us more pleasure.

Camp T.A.G.

2009-07-28T16:44:00.002-04:00

The following is an e-mail that was forwarded us by the founder of Mommies of Food Allergic Children (MOFAC).

INTRODUCING CAMP T.A.G. - A Safe Place for Food-Allergic Children and Their Siblings
My name is Eleanor Garrow-Majka, President and Founder of "Camp T.A.G. - A Safe Place for Food-Allergic Children and Their Siblings!" Camp T.A.G. was named after my two children, Thomas Andrew and Anne Garrow. They share the "A" as they share their lives and this bonding experience of living with food allergies. Thomas has life-threatening food allergies, eosinophilic esophagitis (EE), and asthma; Anne does not.

Forming a nonprofit organization and providing a safe place for our food-allergic children and siblings to attend camp has been a dream of mine, which is now coming true! Camp T.A.G. will be 95% FUN and 5% educational with a curriculum designed by medical, ley, and restaurant professionals who specialize in food allergies.

* This 1-week camp will be a 4-hour camp for 5 days, from 8:30am-12:30pm.
* Ages to attend Camp T.A.G. are ages 3-12 (Age groups: 3-4, 5-7, 8-9, 10-12)
* Camp T.A.G. will be held at a local venue in your area, where the children may be inside, weather-permitting.
* Camp T.A.G. will be held near a hospital and ambulance service.
* A Registered Nurse will be on staff the entire week.
* Only fresh fruit and juice/water will be provided for snack.
* Educational activities, games, sports, and crafts will be age-appropriate for each group.
* There will be a Parent Education Day PRIOR to their camp site for those interested in attending to learn the curriculum their children are learning throughout the week, FREE of charge.
* Entertainer, Kyle Dine, has committed to work with ages 8-12 on Day 4 and providing Live Music on Day 5. Kyle Dine has life-threatening food allergies and composes/performs food allergy music for children. Please visit his website for more information: www.kyledine.com

There will be opportunities for Teen Camp Counselors at each camp site. Teen Camp Counselors must be between ages 13-19 and must have either food allergies, EE, celiac disease, or be a non-allergic sibling.

This nationwide research survey will help to determine both the desire for and the need of a special camp for children with life-threatening food allergies, eosinophilic esophagitis (EE), and celiac disease along with non-allergic siblings.

Camp T.A.G. will launch Summer 2011 in Illinois, Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland, and Texas. Depending on the survey results, other locations may be added to the launch. As Camp T.A.G. grows, locations will be added every year and expand into a National Camp.

Please take a minute to fill out this survey on Survey Monkey for Camp T.A.G.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=9m7shuRS9SQEUTlw4_2fG_2fdA_3d_3d

* Please insert your name, address, email address, and/or phone number in the last question if you are interested in getting on Camp T.A.G.'s email distribution list, mailing list, and receiving more information when the website becomes available.

Thank you very much for taking the time to complete this survey. I look forward to meeting all of you and your children in the very near future and hope we can all benefit from Camp T.A.G.!

Kind Regards,

Eleanor Garrow-Majka
President and Founder, Camp T.A.G.
Founder, Parents of Children Having Allergies of Will County (POCHA)
www.pochaofwillcounty.com

Day 9 & 10 - The Christmas Farm Inn

2009-07-17T16:40:00.001-04:00

In Jackson, NH there is an inn that has the charm and history that one would expect from an inn in New Hampshire. The Christmas Farm Inn I last visited as a child and was excited to go back.

Before checking in we decided to drive up nearby Mt. Washington - a precarious drive that is well worth the nail biting turns and lack of guard rails. It was 75 degrees at the base of the mountain and by the time we got to the top the temperature was 36 with 65 mph winds. I had seriously underestimated the temperature change and had not dressed myself or the kids properly. So much for shorts and flip flops. Thankfully we picked a day that was clear on top of the mountain - an event that is extremely rare.

The Christmas Farm Inn (www.christmasfarminn) is a charming place with a wide array of different types of rooms and cottages. It is essentially a sprawling compound that has accommodations for all tastes and budgets. Breakfast was included in our stay and I expected a typical muffin and egg buffet. To my surprise it was a full breakfast menu with the type of hearty, Eggs Benedict/yummy pancakes with all the fixin's that is not the usual when a hotel says "breakfast included". The food was phenomenal and the staff was very concerned and accommodating to my son's peanut allergy. As I've stated in previous posts my son also has mild wheat, corn , soy and egg allergies that I thankfully can overlook on occasion with no repercussions and on this day my son "really, really wanted pancakes". Who could blame him...they were awesome.

Day 5-8 Portsmouth

2009-07-15T16:38:00.000-04:00

For those of you who have never been to Portsmouth, NH you are truly missing out. The small town located on the coast of New Hampshire is loaded with charm, history and great restaurants. You can spend your day taking a boat ride out to the historic Isle of Shoals, relaxing on nearby beaches or browsing through the many shops and galleries.

One of our favorite places to go for food in town is a row of restaurants known as the decks. All the restaurants have outdoor seating on the water overlooking the Piscataqua River. Tugboats dot the shoreline and lobster meals are plentiful.

Not being a fan of shellfish I can't comment on the seafood but you know it is good. I have taken to searching for meals that can accommodate my son's food allergies and compared to a visit a couple years ago I was pleasantly surprised. We ate at The River House which is located along the decks and I found it very accommodating to special diets. Our waitress was a vegan and her knowledge of the food and preparation was outstanding. She was able to handle my sons special dietary needs with ease.

Portsmouth is a town loaded with artists, students, fishermen and professionals. It's eclectic style allows for a diverse array of food and fun for everyone...with or without food allergies.

Day 3 & 4 - Driving, Triathlon, Driving

2009-07-12T16:36:00.000-04:00

At the end of Day 2 we were in western Maryland visiting with friends. It was great because they have kids of similar age to mine so the kids were happy to be out of the car and running. My husband and I got to enjoy some adult conversation with someone other than each other which was necessary for the marriage after two long days of driving.

That evening we had a small birthday party for one of the children we were visiting, complete with cake and ice cream. I had packed a Liberty Bakery (www.libertybakeryonline.com) cupcake for my son which he promptly gobbled up. He is always disappointed when he can't eat what every one else is eating but Liberty Bakery puts out such great products it is hard to be sad for too long. Since their products are free of the big eight allergens and made in a completely dedicated facility their products are worry free.

The kids bunked together that evening and then we were up and heading over to the Baltimore area to stay at another Hampton Inn. My husband was doing a triathlon in Perryville, MD the following day so we stayed close by since we had to get there for 6:30 check in.

I am certainly no expert on triathlons but this one was set up in a park that was perfect for kids. There was plenty of room for the kids to play without interfering with any of the athletes. There was a play structure, baseball fields and tons of empty space, all over looking the Chesapeake Bay. It was a nice day and my husband achieved his goal of successfully completing an Olympic Triathlon. Congrats!

Upon completion of the race we hopped in the car and headed north with a destination of Portsmouth, NH. It was a long drive and we knew we weren't going to get there until almost midnight so we were prepared for any meltdowns that may occur. Fortunately for us the kids were amazing and handled the drive with ease.

In Connecticut we stopped at Bertucci's for some dinner and were very happy with how knowledgeable the staff was with food allergies. The waitress easily answered all my questions and informed the kitchen of our concerns. I am finding that most restaurants have really stepped up their staff training on food allergies which makes such a big difference when eating out. I am adding Bertucci's to our list of favorites and since they are all over the place I know I will be stopping at another one before our trip is over.

Day 2 - Sore Butts and Dirty Restrooms

2009-07-10T16:34:00.000-04:00

Day 2 started with difficulty. We didn't get to our hotel until almost midnight the night before and the kids were bouncing off the wall. It was 12:30 AM before we settled in for the night. We had two queen beds and a roll away bed. My 3 year old daughter wanted me to sleep with her while my son was in the roll away and my husband in the other queen.

I will never understand how such a small child can take up an entire queen size bed. My daughter spent the night putting her feet into the small of my back and pushing - as if to push me out of bed. She succeeded around 4:00 AM when I moved over to the other queen. I think I got about 3 hours of half way decent sleep before my kids, unable to ever sleep past 7:30, woke up. I knew it was going to be a long day.

We were heading to St. Leonard, Maryland, about 6 1/2 hours away. Before leaving we grabbed a quick breakfast in the hotel. We were at a new Hampton Inn in Florence, SC that I would highly recommend for its cleanliness and convenient location right off I-95 . There was a small breakfast area that had pastries etc. which is included in your overnight stay. For my son I packed a ton of Sunbutter 1.5oz individual cups that are invaluable when traveling. I also brought along some yummy Wunder Bread from Liberty Bakery (www.liberybakeryonline.com). My son happily had Sunbutter and jelly toast before we hit the road.

Two back to back heavy travel days is never easy with kids but they did remarkable well...until hour five. It was at this point that the "How many more minutes?" started. Shortly thereafter I looked back at my daughter who had tears streaming down her face, grimacing with a look of pain. When I asked what was wrong her mouth opened wide as she yelled "My butt hurts!" I could sympathize because mine did as well. We were all suffering from the "I've been sitting on my ass for too long" syndrome and it was starting to take its toll. We were in the middle of no where in Maryland (absolutely gorgeous though) complete with Amish horse and buggies so pulling over to stretch would be difficult. So when we spotted a small gas station with a "Clean Restrooms" sign we pulled in.

A new general rule I am going to live by is when you are in a rural area (and perhaps urban as well) and see a sign for "Clean Restrooms" don't believe it. I brought the kids in and my son exclaimed, "This is disgusting!!!" which it was but also embarrassing due to the fact the owner was manning the cash register. Oh well, out of the mouths of babes...right?

Day 1 - Mysterious Disappearance of Crocs and Medic Alert Bracelet

2009-07-09T16:32:00.000-04:00

I have spent the past two days packing, cleaning and stressing. As anyone with kids knows travel is no longer easy or simple and when you throw in some food allergies it gets complicated. We are driving up I-95 from Orlando with the ultimate destination of northern New Hampshire with many stops in between.

When I left the house I knew I had food, clothes and most necessities. I also had the nagging issue of two mysteriously missing items that could not be located anywhere in the house, cars or yard...my son's Crocs, the ultimate travel shoe for a 6 year old and, more importantly, my son's Medic Alert Bracelet. The bracelet tells of my son Owen's anaphylaxisto peanuts with milder wheat, corn, soy and egg allergies. It always bothers me when he doesn't have it since I feel it is an extra level of protection in case he has a reaction. So needless to say, leaving on vacation without it was troubling.

I kept going over in my mind where the items may have been left. We were getting a late start as it was and had to forgo a stop at Pizza Fusion for lunch due to the time. If you are unfamiliar with Pizza Fusion you are truly missing out...check out the review in our Restaurant Reviews category.

Our first stop after Orlando was Florence, SC a 6 1/2 hour drive. After a late start and massive traffic we were set to get in to Florence at about 11:30pm including a stop for dinner. Way too long and incredibly boring we decided to stop less than half way at a Cracker Barrel. While Cracker Barrel cannot accommodate most allergies (I think there is wheat or gluten in just about everything) they do an excellent job with peanut allergies...in my experience. Thankfully my son's wheat allergy is very mild so a grill cheese every now and then does not affect him.

After dinner I got a text from a friend whose house my son went to last week for a play date. She let me know she found his medic alert bracelet. Unbeknownst to me it had been missing it for almost a week. She had found it and assumed it was her son's, who has hemophilia, which was lost several years ago. It was hysterical to hear she had had her son wear it until they figured out it wasn't his. I figured I'd ask her about the Crocs in case we left them as well but she had not seen them. She did mention that she saw a pair of blue (right color) Crocs at our neighborhood's golf club snack bar. Hmmm. Could the solving of the medic alert bracelet mystery also solve the Crocs disapperance?

The snack bar confirmed they have the Crocs which, nearest I can tell, we left by the pool at the annual July 4th bash. Two mystery's solved.

Pizza Fusion

2009-07-09T16:30:00.000-04:00

Living in Orlando we get access to tons of great restaurants. However it was a pleasant surprise when I added to my own personal favorite list of great restaurants - a pizza place. Pizza Fusion is unlike any traditional pizza. It is all fresh, natural and organic. And all very yummy. I lived in New York for 10 years and have yet to find pizza that can rival a New York slice of pizza. But Pizza Fusion doesn't try to do that. It's a different kind of pizza that is more about health and "Saving the Earth One Pizza at a Time".

Using all natural, fresh, organic ingredients Pizza Fusion creates pizza that allows you to truly appreciate the flavor of fresh organic tomatoes, herbs and whatever else you choose to put on your pizza. It is my children's favorite and when a 6 year old and 3 year old would rather go to Pizza Fusion then Chuck-e-Cheese you know it's good. Not to mention they have fantastic Gluten Free Pizza (and beer!) as well as Lactose Free Cheese, Vegan and Vegetarian items.

Check out their website (www.pizzafusion.com) to see if there is a location near you. Let us know what you think!

They'll say, "I love these doughnuts!"

2009-07-04T09:24:00.001-04:00

This recipe will have the whole family smiling. They're allergen free, absolutely yummy and Fabulously healthy.

1/2 cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar
1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/2 cup sweet potato puree
1 large egg white or egg substitute
1/2 cup nonfat skim, rice or soy milk
1 tablespoon trans fat free soft tub margarine MELTED margarine spread
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup gluten free all purpose flour (we like Bob's Red Mill)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup confectioner's sugar

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a doughnut mold or mini muffin tin with cooking spray.

2) In a large bowl, beat together the sugar, pumpkin and sweet potato puree, egg white (or substitute), milk, margarine and vanilla. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder and spice and mix.

3) Divide the batter among the cups. Bake until tops are lightly brown and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted, about 20-25 minutes. Put doughnuts out on a wire rack to cool. Once cool dust with confectioner’s sugar.

Chef Ming Tsai's Groundbreaking Food Allergy Law Passes in Massachusetts

2009-02-24T14:14:00.004-05:00

We are so happy and inspired by Chef Ming in Massachusetts and the ground breaking law he helped to pass. Congratulations Chef Ming! http://www.ming.com/blueginger/FoodAllergyBill.htm

Vegetarian Chili with Roasted Squash

2009-02-24T10:03:00.006-05:00

To say this chili is fantastic is an understatement. It was published in the Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter in October of 2008. For those with gluten allergies use the quinoa and for those with corn allergies just omit the corn.

A robust chili is an excellent candidate for a vegetarian entree because the beans provide both protein and fiber, while the spice blend contributes complex flavor. we serve this hearty chili in an edible bowl of roasted squash. Not only does this make an attractive presentation, the squash tastes great with the chili and packs even more nutrient-rich produce into your dinner. (If you are pressed for time, omit the squash; the chili makes a satisfying meal all on its own and the leftovers taste even better the next day.)

3 large acorn or buttercup squash
2 tsp canola oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp chili powder or 1 tsp chipotle chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth or reduced sodium chicken broth
1 cup water
1 (15-oz)can black bean, drained and rinsed
1 (14-oz)can no-salt-added diced tomatoes
1 (4-oz)can chopped mild green chiles
1/2 cup quick-cooking barley or quinoa, rinsed thoroughly
1/4 cup dried tomatoes (not oil-packed), chopped
1 cup frozen corn niblets, rinsed under cold water to thaw
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar (or soy/rice) cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Cut squash in half along the equator. Scoop out seeds. Cut a small slice off the bottom of each squash half, so it sits firmly. Place squash halves, hollowed-out side down, on prepared baking sheet. Bake until squash flesh is tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 40 to 45 minutes for buttercup, or 50-55 minutes for acorn.

Meanwhile, make chili: Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell pepper; cook, stirring often, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin and oregano; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add broth, water, beans, canned tomatoes, green chiles, barley (or qunioa) and dried tomatoes; bring to simmer. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer until barley (or quinoa) is tender and chili has thickened, about 20 minutes. Stir in corn and cilantro; heat through.

To serve: Spoon chili into each roasted squash half. Sprinkle with cheese.

SunButter® and Jelly Muffins with Carrots

2009-02-09T13:33:00.017-05:00

We love this recipe! They are not only yummy but healthy!

Note for Cooking with SunButter®
These are a favorite of little ones since the SunButter® tends to turn the muffins green as they cool. If you want to avoid this effect you can reduce the amount of baking soda and baking powder or add a few drops of lemon juice. This discoloration is the result of sunflower seeds being rich in Chlorogenic acid which is found naturally in all plants. Most plants only have Chlorogenic acid in the stems and leaves, but sunflower also has it in the seeds. This is one of the reasons sunflower is so good for you.

1/2 cup SunButter®, Creamy or Natural
1/2 cup light or dark brown sugar
2 TBS trans-fat free margarine
1/2 cup carrot puree (steam carrots then puree in food processor)
1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt (soy or regular)
1 large egg white or comparable egg substitute
1 cup gluten free all purpose baking flour (we like Bob's Red Mill)
1 tsp gluten free baking powder
1 tsp gluten free baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup low sugar preserves (strawberry, blueberry....whatever you prefer)

1) Preheat oven to 350.

2) Line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper baking cups.

3) In a large bowl, beat the SunButter®, margarine, carrot puree and sugar with a spoon until combined.

4) Stir in yogurt and egg white.

5) Add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and stir until combined. Batter may be slightly lumpy.

6) Fill muffin cups half full with batter.

7) Put a spoonful of preserves in the center of each muffin. It is recommended to try to hollow out a small hole in the top of the batter to keep the preserved from sliding off during cooking.

8) Bake about 20-25 minutes or until muffin tops are slightly brown.

9) Enjoy!

Tell Us What's In Your FAB

2009-02-06T15:18:00.004-05:00

Food Allergy Bag, Inc. was founded on the premise that living with food allergies should be easier...and tastier! We understand that once you or someone in your family is diagnosed with food allergies or special dietary needs the packing begins. Every day you pack a bag for yourself, your child or a loved one just to make it through the day without the stress of trying to find a safe snack or meal. We've named it the Food Allergy Bag and know how hard it is to fill it with great tasting allergen free food. Tell us what's in your FAB!