Milk Allergy Companion

Visit with Dr. Wood and update on allergies

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:11:00 +0000

We finally got to see Dr. Wood last week at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Our baby tested negative for a milk allergy, and I have slowly been reintroducing dairy into my diet while nursing her. So far I have seen no negative reactions. The test is only 50%-60% accurate, though, as she is only 5 months old. I will introduce solids at a slow pace and watch her closely to make sure that she's okay. The good news is that I was told that food allergies are much more common in boys, so the likelihood of her following in her brother's footsteps is much smaller.

Both of my boys who get chronic ear infections tested negative to a dairy allergy as well. That said, I was told that they could still have an intolerance to milk, thus creating the environment for ear infections. (As far as I know, milk products can cause more mucus in your system which can block the eustachian tubes from draining. They have had NO infections or ruptures since removing all dairy from their diet.) Dr. Wood suggested that I can try to slowly reintroduce dairy (like casein, whey, or in baked goods) and see what happens. If they show no reactions, then perhaps I can be less strict with their dairy avoidance, though they will most likely not be able to have straight cheese or cow's milk, at least not at this time.

My oldest son, who has been highly allergic/anaphylactic to milk products, got blood work done to test the severity of his milk allergy. We are currently awaiting the results. Dr. Wood suggested that if his milk allergy is under a certain percentage, then we can try a food challenge where I bake 1/4 cow's milk to 3/4 rice milk and see if he has any reaction. I will get the results soon, and will post them as we go along. I have to admit that I'm a little bit scared to try dairy with him, but in looking towards the future, it would be a lot easier if I didn't have to worry everywhere we went about whether or not an item contained dairy products in it. He was last tested when he was 7 and had not outgrown his milk allergy at all (that said, he had, however, outgrown his egg allergy). He is now 12, so we are hopeful to see what the results are. My hope is that he will be able to tolerate certain levels of dairy by the time he goes off to college. If not, then at least he has the skills necessary to live a happy and healthy life regardless of his allergy.

As far as my soy allergy goes, I asked Dr. Wood about it, and he said that people who are allergic to certain types of trees (which I am highly allergic to as well as many grasses, cats, dust, etc.) can have a higher chance of having a soy allergy as well as an allergy to other legumes. He suggested that I would probably be okay with soy lecithin, soy oil, and soy sauce. As of right now, I have tried all three and have had NO adverse reactions. Yeah!!! I did, however, have a flat bread roll up that had high fiber and protein (from soy), and my throat started to feel like it was swelling shut. Although I love a lot of the healthier options, I suppose that my body can't tolerate soy in that high concentration. We have been cooking a lot with rice milk and almond milk with a lot of success. All of the recipes thus far in my cookbook have been easily adapted to be soy-free (excluding soy sauce and soy lecithin), which makes me happy:) I bought some coconut milk, and am hoping to come up with a dairy-free/soy-free whipping cream. If I have success, then I will post the recipe:)

What solid food can I feed my baby?

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:42:00 +0000

Someone asked me what solid food they could feed their babies who were intolerant to milk/dairy. Here's what I shared with her:

This is a list of foods to introduce to your baby with recommended ages that I got from one of my cookbooks ("Set For Life"):

0 - 6 months - breast milk, formula, or goat's milk

7-8 months - cereals (brown rice, millet, oatmeal, barley) You can buy the Gerber-type baby cereal and mix it with water and applesauce to flavor it, or you can make your own (healthier, but not fortified with iron). Make the cereal by putting the whole grain into the blender until it's a fine meal consistency. This cereal cooks in minutes using about a one tablespoon of the grain to one-third cup water.

8-10 months - in addition to the cereals, add vegetables and fruits, such as: squash, carrots, potatoes, green beans, peas, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, applesauce (unsweetened), bananas, peaches, pears, etc. These items are easy to cook up and mash or puree in the blender. I've also tried Cheerios later on as a finger food, and my babies have loved chewing and sucking on them with no problems.

10-11 months - add cooked eggs and legumes (NOTE: My oldest son was allergic to both eggs and milk, so if you are worried about that, then wait to introduce the eggs until you see an allergist or until they are 1 year old.) Black beans might make a nice finger food. Just rinse, heat, and serve, otherwise, mash up to a fine consistency.

11-12 months - add lean meats (cut up really small or pureed) and bread, cubed or diced

A few things that we did were when my kids were old enough, I gave them little bits of what we were eating for dinner (provided you are making dairy-free dinners). If we had steamed veggies, then I pureed some for them or let them try a couple of peas. If I had chicken, then I would puree or cut up a little bit for them to try (when they were older or could chew okay). To grind foods up quickly, I used a baby food grinder (like this: http://www.amazon.com/BabySteps-Food-Mill-by-Kidco/dp/B000067Q6J/ref=tag_dpp_lp_edpp_img_ex). That said, a blender or food processor can work just as well, just add a little bit of water if it's dry. You could also try brown rice on the side either ground up or see how they do. I have some free recipes (like a dairy-free chocolate cake for the 1st birthday:)) on my website: www.milkallergycompanion.com and also on my blog.

As far as the teething biscuits go, I found these recipes, but haven't tried them yet:

http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/teethingbiscuits.htm

Although I love whole wheat, I would wait until your babies are 1 year old before introducing it if you are worried about other food allergies. Stick with oats and rice. The same goes for strawberries, peanuts, honey, fish, etc.

Here are a few "meal" ideas that you could let them taste as soon as they are old enough or can chew well enough:

Chicken with rice and steamed veggies (make sure you flavor your chicken dairy-free or just salt and pepper theirs...you can boil the chicken and it will be tender.)
Cooked Macaroni Noodles with tomato-based spaghetti sauce and hamburger (you may have to cut this up; also the tomato sauce is a little bit acidic, so you'll have to see how they do. You could also offer plain pasta cut up very small.)
Oat pancakes with blueberry syrup (diced really small to try as a finger food. If you're worried about wheat allergy, then use white flour. If you don't have oat milk available, you can use rice milk or make your own.)
Turkey (cut up small) with peas and a baked potato, mashed up
Chicken 'n rice soup (you'd have to make sure that everything is cut up really small, or puree it in the blender)
Chicken Pot Pie (a little more of a complex meal)
Shepherd's Pie (another more complex meal)

Your babies will be just fine with fruits, veggies, and whole grains. They really don't need anything complicated at this point. Just try adding a new food every week and see how they do. Good luck!!!

Juventa

A few costume ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:31:00 +0000

Here are pictures of the bee costume and Mario and Luigi.

Dairy-free Halloween Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:17:00 +0000

I know that Halloween has already passed, but I wanted to post what we did for Halloween to make it fun AND safe for my kids.

1. I purchased extra candy that was dairy-free. I let the kids go door to door and accept the candy given. When they got home, I went through all their candy and sorted out the dairy-free candy and the non-dairy-free candy. I then let them trade for dairy-free candy. This way they didn't feel left out or excluded and still had fun. Some neighbors know of our allergy and were very kind to provide something extra special for my kids:) I love great neighbors!!! (Note: Due to too many dental bills, I keep their candy up high and give them a little bit each day. At this rate, we may never get through it!!! Maybe I'll send some with my husband to work:))

2. Make meal time fun! For our Halloween festivities, we celebrated the entire day. (I LOVE Saturdays!!!) Here was our menu:

Breakfast: Pumpkin Pancakes with chopped pecans and Apple Spice Syrup (found in my cookbook: www.milkallergycompanion.com)

Lunch: Tomato Soup ("blood"), Bone Breadsticks, Fingers (carrots with hummus and almonds as finger nails), Spiders (cucumber slices with pretzel sticks stuck on with hummus), Swamp Juice (green Kiwi/Strawberry Juice with swedish fish)

Dinner: Toes (hot dogs with ketchup as toe nails), Monkey Brains (potato salad), Salad, and Water

Dessert: Dairy-free Chocolate cupcakes with fun decorations (recipe on my website)

Other ideas: "Teeth" - apple slices cut in teeth shapes stuck together with peanut butter, "Bats" - baby carrots with lettuce wings, grape tomato head stuck together with toothpicks.

3. Focus on the fun of dressing up and making fun family memories! For costumes, I made a Mario and Luigi costume for my boys. My daughter was Princess Leia. We also had a bee and a spiderman (store bought). We carved pumpkins and played the Bone game (we cut out a skeleton and hid the different pieces). We also watched some Disney Halloween short movies on You Tube. Overall it was a great day!!!

A new chapter

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:11:00 +0000

Over the last few weeks, I have seen a remarkable difference in my baby. We have been able to take her off of all of her medication for reflux. I have also tried little bits of dairy (yogurt, cheese - occasionally) and thus far she has been fine. She no longer screams all day and I have been able to meet her needs better. I am so grateful for this change in her temperament. I am still off of all soy products (allergic), however, I have tried soy lecithin, soy oil, and soy sauce with no adverse reactions. I really like using Rice Milk and Oat Milk and like baking some things with Almond Milk. Since Earth Balance has the soy protein in it, we have switched to using Fleischmann's Unsalted Margarine (dairy-free) as well as Smart Balance Light. I also heard that Smart Balance Organic is dairy-free, so I'll have to keep a look out for that to try it out. We had a great Halloween (too much candy...) and are looking forward to the fall/winter holidays:) I'll post what we did for Halloween to keep it safe!!!

Soy & Dairy allergy update

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:26:00 +0000

I've been off soy now for over a month. Thus far we have been trying out alternative forms of milk for my family. My favorites thus far are rice milk and oat milk. Almond milk is okay alone, but DELICIOUS in blueberry muffins. I also liked it with Honey Nut Cheerios and bananas. I didn't really care for goat milk. Our favorite pancakes thus far have been made using oat milk. I'll post the recipe soon!!! As of right now, I've been able to tolerate Soy Lecithin and Soy Oil just fine. I also had soy sauce with no adverse reactions (yeah!!!). I tried dairy the other day and my baby (now 4 months old) had no reactions that I could tell. She has developed a small rash, however, under her chin. I think it's from the constant drooling, but if it doesn't go away, then I will continue to stay off of dairy for a little while longer to see if it goes away. As far as dairy-free and soy-free margarines go, I tried to order the soy-free and dairy-free Earth Balance, but my store hasn't gotten it in yet. Right now I am using Fleischmann's Unsalted Margarine (has soy lecithin) for baking and Smart Balance LIGHT (regular has dairy) for spreading on toast, etc. So far, so good!!!

Camp T.A.G.

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:17:00 +0000

Just passing along this information:)

Hello VA/MD/DC Groups,

I hope all is well. I know many of you have wondered about Camp T.A.G.'S future since I made the move to FAAN. I'm so happy to share with you that Camp T.A.G. has been approved by our Board of Directors and will be a FAAN program.

Camp T.A.G. will launch Summer 2011 in 10 locations. The locations are:

NOVA
Silver Spring, MD
Raleigh, NC
Philadelphia, PA
North NJ/NYC
Long Island, NY
Oak Brook, IL
Joliet, IL
San Francisco, CA
Houston, TX

Also, in Summer 2012, we will pilot a one-week sleep-away camp for ages 10-17. The sleep-away camps will be held at colleges and universities in 3-4 locations throughout the country. The kids can stay in the dorms, it is less contained, and closer to a hospital should we need one. We are planning on doing the pilot sleep-away camp at Johns Hopkins University and then add areas to the midwest and west.

This is very exciting news! I will be sending out a formal announcement to all US Support Groups soon, but I wanted to give you all the heads up.

Please let me know if you have any questions. I'm happy to come speak to your groups to tell you more about Camp T.A.G. and the other educational programs we are working on, including the 2010 Food Allergy Conferences. They have been totally revamped, and we'll be giving the members more of what they want. There is also a 4th location that has been added for our conferences...Las Vegas. The conferences are going to be GREAT!

I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Best,
Eleanor

In the News

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:41:00 +0000

I got this from another group I belong to and thought I'd pass it along:

In the News

The Johns Hopkins Children's Center on Facebook sent out the follow link on an upcoming episode on Nickelodeon, Sept 27th.
It features/references Dr. Wood.
http://www.nick.com/all_nick/tv_supersites/nick_news/stories_weekly.jhtml?pollId=470824536&wstory=0

Oprah.com, addressing the increase in food allergies in our children.
http://www.oprah.com/article/relationships/parenting/20090918-orig-food-allergies-children

FAAN responds to Slate article by Meredith Broussard
http://foodallergy.org/media/HotTopics/slate.html

Protein post-workout drink options

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:30:00 +0000

As I've been looking for more ways to increase my protein (without dairy and soy), I have run across a few options for a quick post-workout drink.

1. 1/4-1/3 c egg whites (you can buy pasteurized egg whites for safety) + 1 c orange juice or pineapple juice. Blend together. You can add fresh fruit and ice to make a thicker drink (banana, strawberries, blueberries, etc.)

2. Buy a pea, hemp, or rice based protein mix from a health food store or online at www.vitacost.com.

Soy allergy invades our dairy-free home

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:49:00 +0000

I went to the allergist last week and found out that I have developed a soy allergy. It was a 3+ on the skin prick test (the same size as the histamine test). I suspected it because my throat got a lump in it after eating soy yogurt and started tightening. I felt the same thing after drinking a cup of soymilk...lump in throat, tight chest, difficulty swallowing. I know that adults developing allergies was possible, however, I never thought it would happen to me, especially since we suffer with so many dairy allergies in our home. I found myself angry, bitter, and then devastated this past week. That said, I am determined to make lemonade. There are many people out there who suffer from both a dairy and a soy allergy, and if they can do it, then so can I! Since soy has been a major source of protein for me since I currently can't have dairy (it upsets my nursing baby), I will begin by finding ways to get my protein needs met. Although the cookbook that I wrote contains soy in many of the recipes, most are easily adaptable to be both dairy-free and soy-free. I will list the adaptations on my website as soon as I can. One success we had was a Lemon Barbecue Grilled Chicken dish (delicious!!!). I will post the recipe on my website www.milkallergycompanion.com under the "Free Recipes" section.

I did a little bit of research on www.calorieking.com to find out the nutritional content of various milk substitutes. It looks like almond milk can vary immensely depending upon brand. I included goat's milk, but since I don't know if goat's milk is safe for children with a dairy allergy, I am going to do more research before introducing it into their diet. I don't want to introduce something that will hurt my anaphylactic son.

Here's the list:

*Food Item:* Serving Size: Protein (g): Carbohydrate (g): Calories: Fat (g): Dietary Fiber (g):

*Almond Milk (West Soy)* 1 c; 9; 5; 90; 4.5; 4

*Almond Milk (Blue Diamond)* 1 c; 1; 8; 60; 2.5; 1

*Almond Dream* 1 c; 1; 6; 50; 2.5; 0.5

*Hemp Bliss, Manitoba Harvest* 1 c; 5; 7; 110; 7; 1

*Oat Milk, Pacific Foods* 1 c; 4; 24; 130; 2.5; 2

*Goat’s Milk, whole* 1 c; 8.7; 11; 169; 10; 0

*Goat’s Milk, Low-fat* 1 c; 7.4; 9.4; 89; 2.4; 0

*Rice Milk* 1 c; 1; 23; 120; 2.5; 0

Almond milk by West Soy and Low-fat Goat's Milk seem to have the best nutrients and highest protein sources, however, if they taste bad then it's back to square one! I do love Rice Milk, just wish it had more protein:) I'll continue to blog more as I gain more experience with a soy allergy. From what I've read so far, there's a good chance that I can still have Soy Lecithin and Soy Oil, although I still need to do a little bit more research:)

Quick and healthy dairy-free snack ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 13:20:00 +0000

Here is a list of some balanced snacks that are healthy and dairy-free (with a protein and a produce and sometimes a whole grain):

- 1/4 c almonds with a fruit smoothie and toast, if desired
- Chicken salad with Triscuits and veggie sticks
- Apple slices dipped in peanut butter
- Kashi Bar (granola...check for dairy!!!) with grapes
- Deli-meat roll-up, veggies dipped in hummus, and fruit
- 1/4 c walnuts with apples and celery (or make a Waldorf salad)
- Fruit smoothie with a scoop of dairy-free protein powder added
- 1/4 cup cashews with 3 c popcorn and grapes
- Hummus and Triscuits, 1/4 c nuts, fresh fruit
- Beef Jerky with fresh fruit or natural fruit leather

Even though there are dairy allergies, it is still possible to eat a balanced meal:) If you have any more quick snack ideas, feel free to post them here!!!!

Quick and portable LUNCH ideas that are dairy-free!

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 12:48:00 +0000

Here is a list of some quick and easy lunch ideas that are dairy-free and balanced (including a whole grain, produce, and protein). Keep in mind that we do not have any nut allergies, and that I am aware that many children who have dairy allergies are also allergic to nuts. Also, ALWAYS double check the labels to ensure that they are dairy-free!!! To make these meals portable, I use little tupperware containers (there are so many sizes now) or ziplock bags. I typically drink water with all my meals, but you can also get 100% juice boxes to go with them. You can also add dried fruit or nuts.

- Whole wheat tortilla with peanut butter and sliced banana rolled into a wrap (so simple, tasty, and satisfying!)
- Chicken salad (cooked, finely chopped chicken with dairy-free mayonnaise - you can use the canned chicken), 6 Triscuits (I LOVE the flavored kind...olive oil and cracked pepper, fire roasted tomato, rosemary and olive oil...), Veggie sticks and hummus as dip
- Black beans or refried beans, whole wheat tortilla, salsa, and lettuce with a side of fruit
- Whole wheat tortilla with hummus, sliced turkey or chicken, lettuce or baby spinach, and tomato or salsa rolled into a wrap (These wraps came in very handy on a picnic, and I was amazed at how tasty the hummus was used instead of mayonnaise. I pre-made them and put them into ziplock bags. I then had water and little natural applesauce cups with disposable plastic spoons. These worked perfectly at the park and were filling.)
- Calzone or empanada (kind of like a pizza pocket without the cheese...I like to make them ahead of time and freeze them for a quick meal. If making the empanadas, put some of the spaghetti sauce on the inside so that it's not as messy), Salad or veggie sticks
- Whole wheat bread (I like using the little Arnold's rounds as a special treat. They are a fun shape and you can make a sandwich with them or make a quick pizza using sauce and any toppings you want), Tuna or Egg Salad, carrots and grapes
- Chili (in a tupperware) and cornbread (make your own, dairy-free)
- Pasta served with a spaghetti meat sauce with a fruit or vegetable on the side
- Classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich with fruit or veggie sticks

If you have any more quick lunch ideas, please feel free to post them here! The more, the merrier!!!

Working with a fussy baby

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 12:35:00 +0000

I have quickly learned that going dairy-free doesn't solve everything for my 2 month old nursing baby. We have tried gripe water and Mylicon, however, she still spit up a lot and was fussy. We finally took her back to the pediatrician and we suspect reflux. We were prescribed Zantac and it has seemed to help quite a lot. Because of that, I decided to try some ice cream and chocolate cake. The next day, she screamed all day and spit up all day, even with the Zantac. She also broke out in a very light rash (not sure what from). So, I'm back off of all dairy while nursing in addition to the Zantac. She still fusses a little bit, but it is much more manageable. My biggest challenge now is trying to get my protein in and calcium in. Having fortified Orange Juice, Soy Milk and Rice Milk has helped a lot. Also, including nuts (thankfully we have no allergies there), beans, and meat (I'm enjoying making chicken salad and eating it with Triscuits) has helped a lot. Cooking from scratch and eating whole foods has its benefits, not only with the budget, but on our health as well:) I just need to look at it as having the glass half full rather than half empty, and in so doing will have a lovely cup of lemonade!

Allergy Friendly Camp coming to VA

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:51:00 +0000

Camp T.A.G. Coming to NoVA 2011

If you are interested in having your children attend an allergy friendly camp in VA, please consider filling out the survey at the link below. We will be getting a camp in VA - fantastic news!!! There's no mention of exactly where yet.

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.

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 READ MORE ABOUT CAMP T.A.G...:
http://www.pochaofwillcounty.com/camptag.shtml

Dairy-free While Nursing

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:51:00 +0000

With the arrival of our sixth baby, I am once again going completely dairy-free while I nurse her. I am hoping that this will help her with her gassy symptoms as well as decrease her chances of a severe milk allergy like her older brother has (this is not proven, but I have friends who have had much success). In addition to going dairy-free while nursing, I'm also using Mylicon drops as needed as well as Little Tummies gripe water. Both seem to be helping her colicky symptoms tremendously. I have found it quite easy going dairy-free this time as I pretty much cook dairy-free all the time anyway for my other children. That said, I have found a new love in Rice Dream original flavor for my cereal. I much prefer it over soy milk right now and love adding blueberries and walnuts or pecans on top of my cereal. We made homemade pizza the other night and I barely even missed the cheese. I added extra sauce and lots of toppings to compensate. (I don't miss the extra calories either:)). I love using the grill this time of year to grill garden vegetables and discovered a pumpkin cake that is just heavenly! (My mother-in-law created the recipe as she was experimenting with the ingredients that we had on hand in the house. So moist! I'll have to post the recipe next month on my website www.milkallergycompanion.com.) Although I miss ice cream (have to get some Soy Ice Cream or Cuties on hand...), overall eating dairy-free has been just fine and I am happy to make the sacrifice if it will help my little baby. For a quick list of menu ideas that are dairy-free, visit this section of my blog: http://milkallergycompanion.blogspot.com/2008/10/quick-list-of-menu-ideas-for-nursing.html

Earth Balance now dairy and soy free!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:44:00 +0000

I got this information off of an allergy support group. Great news for those looking for a soy-free as well as a dairy-free margarine!

Maybe some of you have heard but Earth Balance now offers a dairy and soy-free spread, but note that they do include pea protein and sunflower lecithin in the product.

More info at http://www.earthbalancenatural.com/#/products/soy-free/

And there's a review at:
http://nowheymama.blogspot.com/2009/05/earth-balance-soy-free.html

Other margarine's that can be used for a dairy and soy free diet (as long as soy oil and lecithin are permitted) are Fleischmann's UNSALTED and Smart Balance LIGHT. I've found Fleischmann's has been best in baking because it has a higher fat content. That was a tip from Linda Coss' cookbooks.

A few free dairy-free recipes:)

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:49:00 +0000

Although living with a food allergy can be a very daunting and difficult task, as you empower yourself with
knowledge and skills, you truly can embrace and savor life, in spite of your food allergy. Enjoy! (For more free
recipes, visit: www.milkallergycompanion.com)

DOTIE’S CHOCOLATE CAKE

3 c flour
2 c white sugar
6 T cocoa (unsweetened)
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
2/3 c vegetable oil
2 c water
2 T distilled white vinegar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2-3/4 tsp. salt

In large bowl mix all dry ingredients. In
another bowl mix all wet ingredients.
Add to dry ingredients. Beat until
smooth. Bake in a greased 9” x 13” pan
at 350° F. for 20-25 minutes, or until
toothpick comes out clean. Top with
desired frosting. Yield: 10 - 12 servings

COCOA BUTTER CREAM FROSTING

1/3 c soymilk or rice milk
1 tsp. vanilla
6 T dairy-free margarine
2 2/3 c confectioner’s sugar, sifted
1/2 - 2/3 c cocoa powder

Cream dairy-free margarine in small
mixer bowl. Add cocoa and
confectioner’s sugar alternately with
soymilk. Beat to spreading consistency
(additional T of soymilk may be needed.)
Blend in vanilla. Yield: 2 cups frosting

STRAWBERRY BALSAMIC SALAD

3 T olive oil
2 T Balsamic vinegar
1 T honey or sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
Dash of pepper
1/4 tsp. poppy seeds
8 c spring salad mix (baby greens)
1/3 c roasted almonds, sliced
2 green onions, sliced
2 c strawberries, washed and sliced

In a small bowl, whisk together oil,
vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
In a salad bowl, combine spring salad
mix, almonds, onions, and strawberries.
Pour dressing mixture over salad just
before serving. Yield: 6 servings

BASIC SMOOTHIE

2 c pineapple juice
1 frozen banana
1 c blueberries, fresh or frozen
1 c strawberries, fresh or frozen
Ice, as needed

Combine the juice and fruit in a blender.
Blend until smooth. Add ice until
smoothie is at desired consistency (this
will not be necessary if all the fruit was
originally frozen – if smoothie is too
thick, thin with a little water
or juice). Yield: 2 - 4 servings Variations:
You can make any smoothie using the 2 c
pineapple juice and frozen banana as a
base. Replace frozen fruit with apples,
frozen grapes, raspberries, peaches,
mangoes, kiwi, oranges, pears, etc.

BANANA BREAD RING

1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
3/4 c sugar
1/2 c plus 2 T dairy-free margarine,
softened
1/3 c soymilk, regular
2 eggs
2 medium bananas, sliced
1 T lemon juice
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c chopped nuts, divided in half

Place all ingredients except 1/4 c nuts
into a large mixing bowl. Mix well.
Grease the bottom and sides of a ring
mold with dairy-free margarine, then
sprinkle 1/4 c chopped nuts on dairy-free
margarine. Pour batter into ring mold
and bake at 350º F for 40 – 50 minutes,
or until completely cooked on the inside.
(Test with toothpick). Let stand 5 minutes,
and then turn out onto plate. (Note: You
can also cook this in a loaf pan. Adjust
bake time as needed.) Yield: 8-10 servings

GREEK PASTA SALAD

1 pkg. (16 oz.) penne pasta
1/4 c olive oil
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. basil, dried
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. garlic salt
1 – 2 tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1 green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1 onion, coarsely chopped
1 cucumber, coarsely chopped
1 c black olives, sliced

Cook pasta according to package
directions. In small bowl, mix together
olive oil, lemon juice, basil, pepper,
and garlic salt. In large bowl, combine
pasta, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion,
cucumber, and olives. Add oil
mixture. Stir to coat evenly. Chill before
serving. For more flavor, add Italian Salad
Dressing, if desired. Yield: 8 servings

Top 5 Ways to Have a Balanced Diet Without Dairy PLUS cooking tips

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:47:00 +0000

TOP 5 WAYS TO HAVE A BALANCED DIET WITHOUT DAIRY

Milk often fills an important nutritional
niche. It's rich in protein, vitamins and
minerals, and many toddlers will drink milk
even when they're not enthusiastic about
solid foods. Many families worry about
staying healthy and maintaining adequate
nutrition when they remove dairy products
from the diet. Happily, though, all the
beneficial components of milk are found in a
variety of common foods. Read on to learn
how to balance your milk-free diet.

1. Protein
Adults and teens require fifty to sixty grams
of protein daily. Children's needs range from
nine to 34 grams, depending on age. People
who eat meat even infrequently are likely to
far exceed their minimum protein needs. Six
ounces of lean ground beef has over 45
grams of protein. It's not difficult for
vegetarians to get enough, either. Great
vegetarian sources of protein include:
• Tofu (ten grams per serving);
• Legumes like kidney beans,
chickpeas, or nuts (seven to nine
grams per serving);
• Eggs (six grams per egg);
• Whole grains (quinoa has thirteen
grams per serving; wheat and oats
have six each)

2. Calcium
Calcium is a vital mineral for building bone
mass, and milk is a rich source. Adult
women have the highest calcium needs, at
1,000 to 1,500 mg per day, while children
require between 500 and 1,300 mg. There
are two ways to replace dairy calcium in the
diet. The first is to eat foods that have been
supplemented with calcium or to take
supplements. The second is to eat nondairy
foods that are especially high in calcium.
Here is a list of some good sources of
Calcium (Amount needed to consume listed
first; mg of calcium received listed second):
Fortified Rice Milk - 1 c - 300 mg
Fortified Apple Juice - 1 c - 300-350 mg
Calcium-fortified soymilk - 1 c - 350 mg
Calcium-fortified orange juice - 1 c - 350 mg
Oatmeal made with alt. milk - 1 c - 300 mg
Calcium-fortified cereal - 1 oz. - 200-300 mg
Collards, cooked - 1 c - 266 mg
Spinach - 1 c - 291 mg
Blackstrap molasses - 1 Tbsp. - 172 mg
Turnip greens, cooked - ½ c - 124 mg
Cowpeas, cooked - ½ c - 106 mg
Kale, cooked - 1 c - 90 mg
Broccoli, cooked - 1 c - 71 mg
Other veggies and most fruit - 1 c -10-60 mg
(List given by Anne Gibbens’ nutritionist,
www.loudounallergynetwork.org)

3. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is used in the body to help absorb
dietary calcium. Vitamin D deficiency can
cause serious disorders of the bones like
rickets and osteomalacia. These are very
rare disorders, however, since vitamin D can
be produced naturally by the body upon
exposure to the sun. Ten to 15 minutes per
day of direct sunlight is sufficient to prevent
vitamin D deficiency. Good nondairy
dietary sources of vitamin D include eggs,
fish, oysters, fortified cereals, and cod liver
oil.

4. Riboflavin
Riboflavin, or vitamin B2, is one of the Bcomplex
of vitamins vital for processing
carbohydrates in the body. It has recently
become popular as a treatment for migraine
headaches, as it has been clinically shown to
reduce their frequency. While riboflavin is
available in supplement form, it is not
particularly difficult to get vitamin B2 from
an otherwise well-balanced diet. The RDA
(recommended daily allowance) for
riboflavin is 0.5 mg per thousand calories
eaten on a daily basis. Leafy greens, sweet
potatoes, whole grains, and meat are good
sources. Some cereals and breads are
enriched with riboflavin as well.

5. Phosphorus
Milk is among the richest dietary sources of
phosphorus, a mineral that helps regulate
cell function in the body. It is a major
component of bones and teeth. Meat eaters
should easily get adequate phosphorus in the
diet without dairy; fatty fish, in particular,
are an efficient way to meet your phosphorus
needs. Vegetarians' best options for
phosphorus are legumes, which are high in
phosphorus but not absorbed as easily in the
body as the phosphorus found in animal
products. Another good source is bread,
especially if the bread has been leavened
with yeast.
Information taken in part from: http://
foodallergies.about.com/od/dairy/tp/
balanceddairy.htm

DAIRY-FREE
COOKING TIPS
It has been so much fun adapting recipes
and creating new ones that are dairy-free.
Here are a few tips you can use in adapting
your personal favorites:
• Try substituting rice milk or soymilk for
ordinary cow’s milk or buttermilk (for 1 c
buttermilk use 1 cup soymilk + 1 tsp. lemon
juice)
• Use dairy-free margarine or olive oil in
place of butter or regular margarine (Earth
Balance® dairy-free margarine (sold at
health food stores and some grocery stores) is
BY FAR the best dairy-free margarine I've
tried.).
• To substitute 1 can of cream of chicken or
mushroom soup in a recipe, take 1 T dairyfree
margarine and 1 T flour. Melt the dairyfree
margarine in a sauce pan. Add the flour
and whisk together. Slowly add 1 c soymilk
and 1 tsp. chicken bouillon (double check
label). Stir constantly over medium heat
until thick. This makes 1 can of condensed
soup. For cream of mushroom soup, add
chopped mushrooms at the end.
• To substitute a 12 oz. can of evaporated
milk, mix together 1 1/4 c water, 3/4 c + 1
T powdered soymilk and 1 1/2 tsp. dairyfree
margarine. Mix together over medium
heat until dairy-free margarine is melted and
mixture is smooth. Store in fridge. Use in
recipes calling for evaporated milk. (Note: A
lot of powdered soymilk has casein in it.
We’ve been pleased with Better Than Soy®
powdered soymilk.)
• In working with dairy-free cheeses, my
children have not liked any of the brands
we’ve tried. I’ve found it easiest to just go
without at this time. That said, I do
sometimes like using Tofutti’s Better Than
Sour Cream® and Tofutti’s Better Than Cream Cheese.

Dairy Allergy Signs, Symptoms, and ingredient listings

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:45:00 +0000

Dairy allergy, or milk allergy, refers to any allergic reaction
caused by a component of cow's milk. The three
components of cow's milk that cause dietary reactions are
casein protein, whey protein, and lactose sugar. Casein and
whey are considered more likely to cause true allergies,
while lactose causes a well-known intolerance in many
adults (and some children) due to the body's lack of an
enzyme known as lactase.

CROSS-REACTIONS
Similar components to cow's milk are found in the milk of other
ruminants, including goats and sheep, so any patient with a dairy
allergy who is considering using other animal milk as a substitute
for cow's milk should talk to their allergist before proceeding.

DAIRY/MILK ALLERGY SYMPTOMS
Dairy allergies may appear with a wide variety of symptoms,
including hives (urticaria), eczema, chronic congestion, and
diarrhea. Lactose intolerance, like many other dietary intolerances,
causes gastrointestinal symptoms, such as bloating, cramping, and
diarrhea. As always, if you suspect you or your child has a food
allergy, contact your physician.

SPECIAL CONCERNS FOR INFANTS
Because dairy allergies are especially prevalent among babies,
parents with atopic families - that is, families with a history of
severe allergies - should discuss feeding options with their
pediatricians before delivery, if at all possible. There is some
evidence that nursing exclusively until six months and delaying the
introduction of solid foods until that time can help prevent the
development of allergies. Bottle-feeding families have a few
options for feeding infants who either have dairy allergies or are
considered to be at high-risk for developing them. The preferred
option, especially in families with a history of eczema, is formula
that is hydrolyzed, meaning that the proteins have been processed
to break them down. These formulas are often preferred to soy
because soy itself is a common allergen and hydrolyzed formula is
tolerated by more babies. Your doctor will help you select the
appropriate formula. Insurance can help defray the high costs.

FOODS/INGREDIENTS CONTAINING DAIRY:
“Butter, butter fat, butter oil, buttermilk, artificial butter flavor,
casein, caseinates (ammonium, calcium, magnesium, potassium,
sodium) cheese, cream, cottage cheese, curds, custard, Ghee, Half
& Half, hydrolysates (casein, milk protein, protein, whey, whey
protein), lactalbumin, lactalbumin phosphate, lactoglobulin,
lactose, lactulose, milk (derivative powder, protein, solids, malted,
condensed, evaporated, dry, whole, low-fat, milkfat, non-fat,
skimmed, and goat's milk) , nougat, pudding, rennet casein, sour
cream, sour cream solids, whey (in all forms including sweet,
delactosed, protein concentrate), yogurt, malted milk. The
following may contain milk products - flavorings (natural and
artificial), luncheon meat, hot dogs, sausages, high protein flour,
margarine, Simplesse ®” http://www.mda.state.mn.us/food/
safety/allergingred.htm Cheese, butter, yogurt, cream, kefir, sour
cream, and ice cream, unless specifically formulated to be dairyfree,
always contain milk. Milk is also present in many types of
processed food. Processed foods that are likely to contain dairy
products include chocolate, salad dressings, pastries, snack foods
with butter or cheese flavorings (even if they're artificial), soups,
and even canned tuna and deli meats. As with any food allergy,
never eat any processed food unless you have read the label, and
always be aware of cross-contamination risks from utensils or
surfaces where dairy products may have been prepared.

DAIRY AND LABELING LAWS
Dairy is one of the eight most common allergens in the United
States, and as such, current food labeling laws require that the
presence of milk be clearly marked on ingredient labels. However,
it's best to learn the myriad names dairy products appear on in
labels. While FDA laws require that the presence of milk be
marked in plain English, it's safest to rely on that in conjunction
with your own knowledge of dairy-containing ingredients.

PREVENTING LACTOSE INTOLERANCE
Lactose intolerance symptoms can be prevented, at least
temporarily, by replacing the lactase enzyme the body lacks. This is
done in one of two ways: through dietary supplements, which are
available over-the-counter, or by adding lactase directly to dairy
products. The latter is how lactose-free milk is made.

LIVING WITH DAIRY ALLERGIES
You'll find substitutes for milk products in many supermarkets and
health-food stores. Always check these for the presence of dairy,
however; some may include traces of milk and thus be unsuitable
for someone with allergies. With that caveat, try the many milk
substitutes on the market for baking, drinking, and cooking. Soy
milk, rice milk, and nut milks are but a few of the varieties
available, and each has different properties. Rice milk is low in
protein (so it acts quite differently than cow's milk in baking) but
has a mild taste; in its vanilla flavor it is delicious on cereal and
good for drinking plain. Soy milk and nut milks have a stronger
flavor and can work well in baked goods. Milk has a somewhat
outsized reputation as a nutritional powerhouse. However, with
planning, you can easily replace the nutrients in milk. Be especially
aware of calcium, protein, and vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are
found in abundance in dairy products.

Information taken from: http://foodallergies.about.com/od/
dairy/p/dairyallergies.htm

Allergy website resources

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:39:00 +0000

This was posted on a support group that I belong to and I thought it was worth passing on:)

There are a lot of websites online now that can help you and your family manage food allergies, but this was published by Cookie Magazine and re posted by KFA.com I thought it would be a good start for those who are new to the group and just being diagnosed.

Here is the link with direct links to websites, but I'm posting text too in case the link is inactive in the future.

http://www.cookiemag.com/brain/kidhealth/2009/02/allergies

Best All-Around Sites for Info
and Resources

Make sure you're up to speed on the latest allergy findings, product recalls, and advocacy issues.

• Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network: The go-to guide for the latest info on food allergies. Sign up for allergy alerts so you know when a product has been recalled, and check out recipes and products, which include children's books, cookbooks, epinephrine auto-injector carriers, and more.

• Food Allergy Initiative: Tons of tips on how to manage food allergies at home, in school, and at camp. It also offers strategies for eating out and traveling, as well as genius restaurant cards that explain a specific allergy and who to call in an emergency—in different languages.

• Kids with Food Allergies: Find an allergy buyer's guide, links to allergy articles and research, support forums, and more.

• Food Allergy Website Just for Kids: Part of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network this site for kids has allergy-related projects, coloring pages, and activities.

• Beyond a Peanut: Created by a mother whose child has allergies, this site sells allergy flashcards with simple explanations and images—perfect for bringing grandparents, caregivers, and friends up to speed on food allergies.

• Allergy Haven: Listings of recommended allergy-related books.

Allergy-Related Products and Accessories

Kids with allergies need to carry their medication at all times, but let's give them something cooler than a plastic baggie:

• Take in Case: Invented by a mom, this new carrier straps onto your (or an older child's) leg, so you can forgo the bag altogether.

• KozyEpi: Find a fun selection of cute, whimsical pouches for one or two EpiPens.

• Allergypack: This site carries cool, rugged carriers.

• Epi-Access International: Buy a carrier with space for one inhaler plus a photo and emergency-contact information.

• Medicine Bags: If you're carrying more than just epinephrine, then opt for either a bright red medicine bag that holds a lot and stands out in your bag, or choose the heavy-duty, clear nylon medicine bags—sort of a fancy resealable baggie that comes with an emergency card.

• Lunch bags: If your child brings lunch or snacks to school or day camp, try these red cooler bags, which can be customized with your child's name and allergy.

• Allergy stickers: Avoid the risk of having someone feed your child the wrong food with pantry stickers that clearly indicate which food is safe and which is off-limits. You can also get allergy alert stickers that indicate your child's specific allergies.

Allergy Bracelets and IDs

When you're away from your child, a medical bracelet ensures that a caregiver, teacher, or friend's parent has easy access to emergency information.

• Lauren's Hope: Choose from a large selection of tasteful "medical jewelry," including sports bracelets on subtle black bands and color-changing mood beads with Swarovski crystals.

• Well Alarm: Make the allergy obvious with a bracelet or necklace that features either a peanut, a bee, or a shellfish charm, or customize a dog-tag necklace with your information.

• STAT Kids: Check out the bright red silicone wristbands with eye-catching white lettering identifying your child's food allergy, in sizes to fit toddlers through teens. You can choose from a variety of food allergies or pick one that says "multiple food allergies."
Safe Desserts

Kids with allergies love sweets too! Now, they can have their pick of healthy, allergy-safe cookies, candy, and chocolates.

• Divvies: Pick up homemade cookies and cupcakes, as well as a wide selection of chocolate bars, chocolate chips, jelly beans, and popcorn. Great for gifts.

• Home Free: Started by a mom, Home Free sells cookies and coffee cake that do not contain peanuts, tree nuts, and dairy—and all are made in a dedicated facility.

• Vermont Nut Free Chocolate Company: This site is a savior for chocoholic tots with allergies. Load up on chocolate bugs, snowflakes, flowers, and footballs—as well as chocolate lollipops and the most amazing dark-, white-, and milk-chocolate pretzels.

Appointment with Dr. Robert Wood

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:49:00 +0000

After many recommendations, I have finally scheduled my children to see Dr. Wood at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. It is an 8 month waiting list, and a bit of a drive, but he does in office challenge testing and has received the highest of recommendations.

As a side note, with the upcoming birth of my sixth child, I am preparing myself to once again go completely dairy-free while nursing and I will reintroduce cow's milk a little bit at a time to see if she has any adverse reactions.

Allergen Alert

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:07:00 +0000

I got this e-mail today and thought I would post it. I'll post an update as soon as I hear one:)

March 16th, 2009

Attached is a Manufacturer Allergen Ingredient Labeling (MAIL) ALERT for Imagine Foods/Hain Celestial Group Rice Dream Rice Drink (Vanilla, Enriched).

A child suffered an anaphylactic reaction immediately following ingestion of this product. Note the following product code: Mar 03 09 03MAR09P5FNA 21:24 29-260. The product was purchased in Michigan.

Cross-contamination with milk in the processing of the product is suspected. The product will be tested by FAARP, an independent food allergy testing laboratory at the University of Nebraska to validate the presence of allergen ingredients.

The manufacturer has been notified of this incident and invited to post a response on the ELL website.

Regards,

Kathleen Silverman

Eat, Learn, Live (ELL)

ksilverman@ellfoundation.org

630-262-1154

www.ellfoundation.org

Gluten and Dairy-Free 72-Hr Kit Food List

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:55:00 +0000

My friend Donna sent this to me. It is a list of food items for a 72-hr emergency kit. This is a great kit to have on hand in case you lose all power, have to evacuate due to weather conditions, or come across any other emergencies. Especially with food allergies, emergency shelters will be hard pressed to be able to accommodate your needs (especially if you are also allergic to gluten...I can't imagine!). I plan on updating my 72-hr kit this month:) (Note: With a dairy-only allergy, you can add things like graham crackers or teddy grahams (double check labels!!!), saltine crackers, dairy-free granola bars and the like, if you want to supplement your food. You can also substitute soymilk or rice milk for the almond milk.)

Gluten & Dairy Free 72 hour kit (Compiled by J. Dalley)

Contents:

3 Larabars
1 pkg Lundberg Rice Cakes
1 bag of GF Granola (like Bakery on Main)
4 Beef Jerky
1 Can of Chicken or Tuna
1 box of Mary’s Gone Crackers
2 cans of Dinty Moore Beef Stew
1 can of Hormel Chili
2 Applesauce
2 Canned Fruit
3 Fruit Leather
3 Fruit Roll-up or Fruit Snacks
2 boxes of raisins
2 boxes of Pacific Almond Milk
1 juice box
1 container of Country Time Lemonade
1 jar of Peanut or other Nut Butter
1 small jar of Honey
1 gallon of water
1 Big-E Cup of Eclipse Gum
Condiments: Jelly, Mayo, Mustard, Pickle Relish

Menu:
Day 1
Breakfast: 1 Larabar, 1 Applesauce
Lunch: 2 Beef Jerky, 1 Canned Fruit
Dinner: 1 can of Beef Stew, 4 crackers
Snack: 1 box of raisins, 1 fruit leather, peanut butter & honey, gum
Drink: Almond Milk, Lemonade/Water

Day 2
Breakfast: 3 Rice Cakes w/ Jelly, GF Granola
Lunch: Chicken Salad w/ crackers
Dinner: Chili, 4 crackers
Snack: 2 fruit roll-up/fruit snacks, peanut butter & honey, gum
Drink: 1 juice box, Lemonade/Water

Day 3
Breakfast: 1 Larabar. 1 Applesauce
Lunch: 2 Beef Jerky, 1 Canned Fruit
Dinner: 1 can of Beef Stew, 4 crackers
Snack, 1 box of raisins, rice cakes with peanut butter & honey, gum
Drink: Almond Milk, Lemonade/Water

McDonald's French Fries Contain Dairy

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:22:00 +0000

I just recently learned that McDonald's french fries contain dairy in them. Also, their chicken nuggets contain dairy as do the chicken nuggets at Wendy's (they must have changed their recipe in the last year or so). Although my son has not had an anaphylactic reaction with the fries prior to my finding out, he has gotten rashes that we had no idea where they came from. If you go to my website: www.milkallergycompanion.com and click on the Eating Out Guide, there are links to the nutritional information for these and other restaurants. Always double check labels as companies are constantly changing their recipes. If nothing else, at least my family will be a little bit healthier now that we can't have their fries:)

Alternative sources of calcium with dairy allergy

noreply@blogger.com (Juventa) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:36:00 +0000

Here is a list of the amount of calcium everyone needs (by age), and sources of where we can get it. I got this list from Anne Gibbens, who got it from her nutritionist:

Calcium

100 grams = about 1/2 cup

Daily Recommendations for Calcium
(Age - Calcium (mg))
0 to 6 months - 210 mg
7 to 12 months - 270 mg
1 to 3 years - 500 mg
4 to 8 years - 800 mg
9 to 18 years - 1,300* mg
19 to 50 years - 1,000 mg
Over 50 years - 1,200 mg

Non-Dairy Sources of Calcium (Amount needed to consume listed first; mg of calcium received listed second)

Fortified Rice Milk - 1 cup - 300 mg
Fortified Apple Juice - 1 cup
Calcium-fortified soymilk - 1 cup - 350 mg
Calcium-fortified orange juice - 1 cup - 350 mg
Oatmeal made with alt. milk - 1 cup - 300 mg
Calcium-fortified dry cereal - 1 oz. - 200-300 mg
Collards, cooked - 1 cup - 266 mg
Spinach - 1 cup - 291 mg
Blackstrap molasses - 1 Tbsp. - 172 mg
Turnip greens, cooked - ½ cup - 124 mg
Cowpeas, cooked - ½ cup - 106 mg
Kale, cooked - 1 cup - 90 mg
Broccoli, cooked - 1 cup - 71 mg
Other veggies and most fruit - 1 cup - 10-60 mg

I made her broccoli soup and she loved it. To thicken the soup, I use potatoes instead of cream/milk. It made for a very hearty soup that added to her calcium count.

Anne Gibbens
Webmaster
Loudoun Allergy Network
www.loudounallergynetwork.org