Tip of the Day: Alcohol Can Contain Egg Whites

Many people are not aware that some alcoholic beverages are clarified with egg whites, especially wines. However, beers and spirits can be clarified with egg whites as well. If you are allergic to eggs you will want to avoid all alcoholic beverages because they do not list their ingredients or their beverage making process. But if you would really like to know if there is something out there you are able to sip on I suggest calling the manufacturer and speaking with someone on their staff who has the exact knowledge of each step of their alcohol making process. My suggestion is to ask the representative if they carry any vegan products (make sure they know that vegan means no animal products and also let the person know you have an allergy to eggs).


Nicolle Avery

Tip of the Day: Quick and Easy Egg-free & Dairy-free Tuna Snack

How to make a quick and easy egg-free and dairy-free snack:

Lightly toast half of an egg-free and dairy-free English muffin. Combine 1 (7 ounce) can of tuna in water (drain) with 2 teaspoons olive oil, 3 teaspoons red wine vinegar, 1 finely chopped green onion, 1 finely chopped celery stalk. Add salt, pepper and fresh herbs to taste. Mix well and spoon over lightly toasted egg-free and dairy-free English muffin half.

Libby Avery

Tip of the Day: Leaving Babysitters with your Severely Allergic Child

How to handle hiring a babysitter for your child who has severe food allergies:

When you hire a babysitter you will need to make sure that the babysitter is mature enough to handle severe food allergies and would feel comfortable using an Epi Pen or administering Benadryl. This is especially true if you are looking to hire a teenager.
Many teens may say they would be able to handle your child's allergic reaction or would keep certain foods away from your allergic child or dial 911 in case of an emergency or use the Epi Pen if it was necessary, but they may not actually take it seriously or feel comfortable doing any of these things. It is up to you to judge the character of the babysitter and if the babysitter agrees to all of the things you need her to be able to do for your child the next step is to consult the parents of the babysitter. Make sure the parents of the babysitter do not object to any of the things you are asking their child to be able to do.
Ask your babysitter to practice using an Epi Pen with you. And make sure the babysitter has done it enough times until they know exactly what to do in case of an emergency. The pharmacy has practice Epi Pens.

Libby Avery

Tip of the Day: How to Handle Birthday Parties with Severe Food Allergies

How to handle birthday parties when your child has severe food allergies:

I always called or spoke in person with the parents who were hosting the party. I would explain Nicolle's food allergies to them and ask if I could bring Nicolle's food and a treat for her to have so that she would not feel left out when others were eating the cake. I would also stay close by, but not hovering over her either. I just wanted to let her know that I was there in case she did have an allergic reaction.

Try not to make your child feel like they have to be worried about the possibility of having a reaction. You also don't want to make your child feel like all eyes are on her. If you just let him or her be like all the others and not make a big deal out of the fact he or she can't eat what the other children can eat, then everyone will feel comfortable and have fun.

Libby Avery

Tip if the Day: A Quick and Easy Egg-free & Dairy-free Snack

How to make a very yummy egg-free and dairy-free snack:

Spread sunflower-seed butter over an egg-free and dairy-free rice cake, top with sliced bananas and sliced strawberries. Easy to make and delicious.

Libby Avery

Tip of the Day: How to Make a Quick & Easy Egg-free and Dairy-free Appetizer

How to make a quick & easy egg-free and dairy-free appetizer:

Using dairy-free and egg-free tortilla corn chips, spread some out on an ovenproof plate. Sprinkle with some dairy-free shredded mozzarella cheese substitute and some dairy-free shredded cheddar cheese substitute. Drain a 4oz can of chopped green chilies and sprinkle some over the cheese substitutes. Top with a minced jalapeno. Place in a 350 degree oven for a few minutes, just until cheese substitutes are melted. Remove from oven and serve with salsa is desired.

Libby Avery

Tip of the Day: The Best Time to Dine Out With Food Allergies

The best time I have found to dine out with my severe food allergies is around 3:00 in the afternoon. This is true especially if it is the first time you have tried to eat at this restaurant. You will want a lot of time to go over the menu and ask questions of the server. Around this time you will most likely be able to speak with the chef and perhaps be given a tour of the kitchen. This is a good time because the lunch rush is over and the dinner rush has not yet begun. It will be a time when the server and the kitchen staff will be able to best assist you in your needs; cleaning kitchen wares, scraping down a section of the grill just for you, reading product labels. Hopefully you will have a great experience and will know of one more place that is safe for you to eat.

Nicolle Avery

Tip of the Day: How to Handle Sleepovers When Your Child Has Severe Food Allergies

How to handle spending the night with friends when your child has severe food allergies:

Before your child sleeps over at her friends house talk to the parents. Let the parents know about your child's food allergies, what happens when your child has an allergic reaction and how to handle the allergic reaction if it happens.
I would always offer to bring Nicolle's food if that would make it easier for them. And most times that is what I did. Unless their child has the exact same allergies as your child, most people do not know all of the words that can be used on the list of ingredients that mean milk and/or eggs are present. It's very easy to make a mistake when reading product labels. I have always said it is better to be safe than sorry.

Libby Avery

Tip of the Day: Quick & Easy Dessert Topping

Tip of the Day

How to make a quick and easy dessert topping:
Use 1 1/2 cups dairy-free whipped topping, stir in 1/4 cup of fruit preserves (any fruit you desire) and 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon liqueur (perhaps a flavor that compliments your fruit preserves or use the same flavor as the fruit preserves). Place a few scoops on top of a piece of egg and dairy-free chocolate or white cake. Also great for dipping fresh fruit.

Libby Avery `

Tip of the Day: How to Prepare Your Child Who Has Severe Food Allergies

How do you prepare your child to handle people who challenge the validity of their food allergies?
Believe it or not parents, friends, and even Doctor's and nurses have been known to question and challenge the validity of Nicolle's severe food allergies.
My best advice is to talk to your child and make sure he or she understands as much about his or her allergies as possible; what are his or her allergies, what happens if he or she eats or comes in contact with the food he or she is allergic to, and what does he or she need to do in case of an allergic reaction? Your child should also know how to call an ambulance in case of an emergency. It is also a very good idea to order and purchase a medic alert bracelet for your son or daughter.
Having all of this knowledge and being prepared will help your child when responding to questions from others.

Enjoy another 'Tip of the Day' tomorrow.

Libby Avery

Tip of the Day: Egg & Dairy-free Travel

How to travel with a child who is allergic to milk and eggs:

When we traveled I always packed food for Nicolle. We would not always find restaurants that would be safe for her so I packed a cooler with soy milk (now you can use powdered soy milk; it would be easier). I packed a bag with egg and dairy-free breakfast foods. I also packed lunch food; egg and dairy-free bread and crackers, almond butter or cashew butter (Nicolle also had peanut allergies). The cooler contained sliced turkey or ham, carrots, celery sticks, grapes or apples. Most of this could be dinner too if we weren't able to find something for her.

I also did this when we visited family or friends. Even knowing Nicolle's allergies, many family members and friends didn't really understand just how dangerous food could be to Nicolle, so we always played it safe by taking food with us.

Look for another 'Tip of the Day' tomorrow!

Libby Avery

Tip of The Day

Quick & Easy Lunch

For a quick and easy lunch use an egg-free and milk-free mini pizza crust, spread with 2 to 3 tablespoons of tomato puree (purchased) and sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of Italian herbs on top. Top with a few pieces of dairy-free pepperoni and some dairy-free shredded mozzarella cheese substitute. Bake in a preheated 450 degree oven for 5 to 6 minutes. (It's easy to use a toaster oven, so you don't have to heat up the large oven.) You can also make several of these at a time. Wrap the ones you don't use in a plastic wrap, then in heavy duty foil and freeze.

Enjoy our 'Tip of the Day' each and every day!