Allergy Baby

 

Lachie had an allergic reaction about three weeks ago. His little face and ear swelled up and he got hives and tummy cramps. It was quite scary to see and the Dr was called out at night. I had given him a Milk Arrowroot Biscuit (but the allergist thinks it wasn't necessarily the biscuit it was traces of a Butternut Snap biscuit (peanut) on his milk arrowroot which caused it.

 We took him to a specialist and she did the skin prick test and it came up as allergic to Eggs, Peanuts, milk, soy, potato and wheat! I felt quite down and overwhelmed by it when I found out and really just feeling so sorry for him and wondering how we are going to adjust as a family. 

We went back to the allergist last week to get the confirmation from his blood test results and they confirmed it all (not allowed to give him any nuts even though it's only peanut he's allergic to ?!?). The allergist gave me a list of all the foods he CAN eat! He's going to be very healthy with lots of fruit and veg that's for sure.

There is a good chance that by about 5 or 6 he'll grow out of all but the peanuts.

The allergist warned us about when he starts crawling and especially at parties and events where there are other kids and unsafe food around. She said it would be good to bring a playpen or port-a-cot to put him and and she also suggested I get a T-Shirt made that says 'I have allergies. Do not feed me'. I was waiting for her to laugh like it was a joke but she didn't.

So I googled Allergy T-Shirt and look what I found! hehehehe.

Maybe it is a good idea....?!?!?!

Does anyone else have food allergies or allergy kids? How has your family adjusted?

All I can say is thank the Lord for Google... recipes, advice etc all over the net.

So that's what's been going on in our little family at the moment.

Have a great day,
Janette xx

In the Kitchen

From Costal Living
from Elle Decor

From House Beautiful

These are some beautiful kitchen images I've had saved in my 'Kitchen Inspiration Folder' on my computer which I thought I'd share today.

I have been trying to stay motivated with my cooking lately but I've been finding it quite hard. You see our kitchen is enclosed and doesn't open up to the main living areas like the beautiful kitchens above. And now that Will is crawling and pulling himself up on things it's become a big danger zone. So when it comes to preparing dinner he has to stay out of the kitchen but he gets upset about being away from me or being put into his highchair! Ahhh dramas!

It's hard not to get frustrated every evening but I know it's just for a season in my life.

So I'm trying to think differently about which meals to make for dinner. Things that I can prepare earlier put aside then just cook quickly when Hubby gets home and can mind Will.

So last night I made Corn Fritters with Sunday morning's leftover bacon, low fat cottage cheese and a salad on the side. (I know, very breakfasty but who cares!)

It was delicious!
(sorry photo not great)

Here is the recipe which I got from Women's Weekly Super Light Cooking recipe book.

2 eggs
2 x 310g cans of corn kernels, rinsed, drained
1 small red onion (100g), sliced thinly
1 cup (160g) wholemeal self-raising flour
2/3 cup (160g) skim milk
2/3 cup (130g) low-fat cottage cheese

1. Whisk eggs in medium bowl; stir in corn, onion, flour and milk.
2. Lightly spray a large frying pan with oil. Pour 1/3 cup batter into heated pan; cook about 2 minutes or until bubbles appear. Turn fritters; cook until browned lightly on the other side.
3. Serve warm fritters dolloped with cheese; sprinkle with fresh dill or parsley, if you like.

So I hope I can stay inspired to find recipes which can cater to 'this stage of life/motherhood/crappy kitchen etc' :-)

Also, thank you everyone for your comments about my vertical stripes idea, I really appreciate the comments and feedback! And I think you're right, the prep time will be the tricky key issue but I'm keen to give it a go and our walls are pretty straight which is good news. I will post photos when it's done, it may take a while to get to though.

Have a lovely Tuesday,

Ceviche Delights

We had some friends stay over the weekend who are travelling around Australia at the moment. Fabbyy who is from Ecuador showed me how to make Ceviche for dinner! Yum!

Hubby and I have both had Ceviche once before, over 10 years ago and the flavour and freshness was still etched in our minds. So it was a real treat to have a wonderful feast of it for dinner. We went to the fish markets to buy the prawns (and have a beautiful seafood lunch there too of course).

The prawns are cooked for a short time on the stove in boiling water, just till you get the slight orange tinge then you take them off the boil and they cook in a bowl of lemon juice! You use lots of coriander, tomatoes both diced and pureed, a bit of orange juice, olive oil, salt and pepper and Spanish onions chopped finely. Served with rice... it's Heaven!!!!

It was such a nice time spent with them and we were sad to see them head back on the road today. Here is a picture of Will and their little boy Blythe playing together in the backyard. So cute!
Try one of these recipes when you're in a summer seafood mood:

Prawn ceviche with guacamole and white corn tortillas

Prawn Ceviche

Have a great day,