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| February 18, 2009 |
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The Rising Costs of Food
The economy is having a real impact on many of us raising kids with food allergies. "Allergen-free" foods often cost more than other brands on sale at the grocery store, and many of us are now struggling to make ends meet even more so than a year ago. A recent hot topic on our support forums centered on members sharing tips on how to cut food costs and lower grocery bills. We're definitely feeling the pinch.
For those of us struggling to buy safe foods, this issue includes information about a new nationwide reduced-cost program available for those unable to afford the cost of allergen-free foods.
If you've decided to start making more foods from scratch to lower your grocery bill, you've likely figured out that two of the hardest ingredients to learn to cook "without" are wheat and milk. Any of us challenged with making a wheat-free cake or a dairy-free casserole know that using substitutes in recipes can be tricky. Learning what works is the key to success in cooking food allergen-free.
In this issue, we're sharing three cooking guides with you: substituting milk, substituting wheat, and menu-planning for the food allergy cook. We will be sharing updated cooking articles and recipe substitution guides for egg and soy in the near future.
Lastly, keep supporting your favorite allergy-friendly companies to the extent that you can - they need our business to stay in business so we have safe options for our kids.
Kind regards,
Lynda Mitchell and the KFA Team
 Basic Recipe Substitutions for Milk Allergy
This general guide analyzes replacements for milk, butter, cheese, cream, yogurt, cream cheese, sour cream, evaporated milk and buttermilk. Additionally, a taste-test comparison of milk substitutes (soy milk, rice milk, oat milk) has been provided by author Alisa Fleming.
 Basic Recipe Substitutions for Wheat Allergy
Need help with wheat-free cooking and baking? This guide explains 1:1 substitutions for wheat, multi-ingredient substitutions for wheat, tips for wheat-free baking, and the different types of rice flours.
 How to Plan Food Allergy Safe Meals
Planning menus for a child with food allergies can seem like a daunting task. Couple this with some children's natural fussiness, and many parents become understandably overwhelmed. These tips will help relieve meal-time stress for the food allergy cook.
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Thrive Allergy & Gluten-Free Food Expo: April 18-19, 2009
Save the date! This expo in Chicago will feature special events and activities the whole family will enjoy. It will include two days of cooking demonstrations, educational presentations and activities for children all focused on living gluten-free or allergy-free lifestyles.
Order your tickets online, select KFA as your designated charity when you check out, and all proceeds of your ticket purchase will be donated to support Kids With Food Allergies!
KFA's Allergen Advisory Labeling Survey Results
Thanks to all of you who participated in KFA's labeling survey last November. KFA used your survey responses to compose a lengthy comment to the FDA on allergen advisory labeling. KFA's submission is now available on the FDA Web site: Download KFA's Comment 
Fundraising and Donations for KFA
KFA would like to thank the following member for his contribution to fund our mission:
Alex D., 6 years old: For his sixth birthday, Alex and his family hosted a "KFA Benefit Birthday Party" and gave guests the option to make a donation to KFA instead of bringing gifts. Alex was excited to raise money for KFA and was able to tell his friends about how much KFA has helped his family. After the party, he sent the donations his guests brought as well as the birthday money his relatives sent him. His mother enclosed a note to KFA that read, "Please accept Alex's birthday present money. My little 6 year-old is a big man... happily donating what could have been presents. We are very proud of him."
Thanks so much, Alex! We are proud of you too and appreciate your donations to support Kids With Food Allergies!
Angel Food Ministries Announces AllergyFree Foods™ Grocery Packages
Angel Food Ministries, an organization dedicated to providing affordable, quality brand name food to those in need, is proud to be able to offer participants a food package containing items from the AllergyFree Foods™ brand of products. This special box of food is designed to accommodate those with the eight most common food allergies: peanuts, soy, dairy, eggs, fish, shellfish, gluten and tree nuts. The allergy-free box costs $25 each, and there is no limit per person or family and no pre-qualification to order food. The AllergyFree Foods™ Company utilizes a revolutionary process that helps eliminate many of the top food allergies in common family favorites.
Food Allergy Herbal Formula-2 (FAHF-2) Silences Peanut-Induced Anaphylaxis
A new study finds that a botanical drug could provide the key to new treatments for peanut allergies. Xiu-Min Li, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Director of Center for Chinese Herbal Therapy for Allergy and Asthma at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and colleagues found FAHF-2 treatment protected peanut allergic mice from anaphylaxis for more than 36 weeks after treatment was discontinued. Currently, human clinical trials are being conducted at Mount Sinai to evaluate the safety and early efficacy of FAHF-2 on multiple food allergies including peanut, tree nut, fish and shellfish. "This study reinforces previous studies showing that this botanical drug has the potential to be developed into the first available and effective treatment for patients with peanut allergies and other food allergies," said study co-author Hugh Sampson, MD, Professor of Pediatrics at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
Trace Adkins' Family Talks About Food Allergies
"Most of us recognize Trace Adkins as a platinum-selling country star, but to 6 year-old Brianna, he's “Dad.” Brianna was diagnosed with severe peanut and other food allergies when she was less than a year old. When Trace and his wife Rhonda got the news, they reacted in the same way any parents would —a combination of shock, disbelief and a firm resolution to keep their daughter safe."
A Message from our Sponsor
Sign up for a free Associate Membership to read the messages posted in our "Main" online support group forum. Better yet, become a Family Member and join the discussion!
Is it just me, or is food getting really expensive?
"My husband and I have been talking about how much we spend on groceries lately. Since my son was diagnosed with multiple food allergies, I have had to get some items from the health food stores, and I explained to him that they are more expensive. Food prices in general seem to be going way up, plus when you figure in health foods that are allergy-free, it goes up more. We are finding that we spend a lot more each week than we used to. Do you notice it too, and do any of you have any tips on how you save money when you are grocery shopping?"
Members share their tips on how you can cut food costs and lower your grocery bill.
The Safe Eats™ Recipe Database can be accessed in full, 24 hours a day, by our Family Membership Subscribers. To get a preview of Safe Eats™, free featured recipes are available to all Web site visitors and are included in this issue of eNews.
Reminder: Safe Eats™ recipes are donated by members and have not been tested in a test kitchen. Be sure to verify the safety of all ingredients.
Be sure to visit the Allergy Buyer's Guide section of our Web site to see a growing list of businesses that provide allergy-friendly products and services!
Advertisements
Click on the banner to visit the Food Allergy Bag Web site.
Sweet Alexis
Sweet Alexis brings back simple pleasures. People with food allergies can safely and easily enjoy mouth-watering cookies and moist, delectable breads. Our foods are Dairy, Egg and Nut Free. Sweet Alexis: Keeping simple pleasure simple for people with food allergies.
NoNuttin' Foods
Nonuttin' Foods is home of the original peanut free granola bar and so much more! Created for our food allergic child, Nonuttin' products are free of most common allergens, gluten free, GMO free and all natural. Toll free 1-866-714-5411.
Sunbutter
SUNBUTTER® is made from sunflower seeds, contains NO peanuts or tree nuts and is produced in a peanut and tree nut free facility. We even test every batch for any traces of peanuts. SunButter is healthier than peanut butter with 1/3 less saturated fat and is high in vitamin E. Tastes great too!
Pamela's Products
Pamela's Products makes the best gluten-free foods. Try our delicious cookies like crunchy Ginger Mini Snapz, chewy Peanut Butter or decadent Chunky Chocolate Chip. Enjoy fast, easy & delicious baking mixes that bake up easily. Available in natural food and grocery stores, or check www.pamelasproducts.com for online retailers.
The following foods were recently recalled. Check our Allergy Recall Alerts for complete details:
U.S. allergy recalls
- Aqua Star: Shrimp Appetizers (undeclared peanuts)
- Bumble Bee Foods: Bumble Bee Chicken In Barbecue Sauce With Crackers Ready To Eat Kits (undeclared milk)
- Osem USA: Meals-on-the-Go Creamy Pasta Chicken Flavor (undeclared milk)
Canadian allergy recalls
- No new alerts at this time
Disclaimer
This newsletter is provided to you as a member and subscriber benefit and your use of it is in accordance with our Web site's terms of service.
Recipes are shared for your personal use only. You are welcome to forward this e-newsletter to others, but please don't reprint, electronically reproduce, repost or redistribute recipes elsewhere without obtaining permission. For more information, see our terms of service.
Kids With Food Allergies Inc. makes no representation, whatsoever, for the contents that may be contained in any of the sponsors or advertisers in this newsletter or the quality of any products, information, or other materials displayed, purchased or obtained by you as a result of an offer in connection with any advertisement.
Please follow the instructions at the bottom of the newsletter to unsubscribe if you no longer wish to be on our distribution list.
This newsletter is sent to all newsletter subscribers and registered members of Kids With Food Allergies, Inc.
Copyright © 2009, Kids With Food Allergies, Inc., all rights reserved.
ISSN 1939-8166
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Project Manager: Lynda Mitchell
Editor: Melanie Carver
Proofreaders: Tanya Bumgardner, Melanie Croft and Jen Blanford
Go to Kids With Food Allergies Web site |
