Happy Valentines! Experiences and insights shared by Amanda

 Happy Valentine's Weekend, everyone! I hope you all have a safe, reaction free, happy weekend! Since treats are always sought after for this holiday, I thought I would give out a few recipe ideas. Here we go!

1.Coconut macaroons:
 http://www.thehealthycookingcoach.com/2010/04/eggless-coconut-macaroons.html
(see here http://babybeesfpiestestkitchen.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-love-sharing-check-out-this-coconut.html for my photos and alterations)


This is a great recipe if coconut is safe for you! The only other ingredient you need (aside from coconut ingredients) is a starch--- either arrowroot or potato starch. I am confident that tapioca starch or corn starch would work as well, though you might need a little less than the recipe requires. If food dyes are safe for your child, you could even dye the coconut flakes with red food coloring in a Ziploc bag before using them in the recipe!

2.Simply sorbet!
http://babybeesfpiestestkitchen.blogspot.com/p/recipes-that-have-passed.html (third recipe from the top)


If you have one safe fruit, you can make this sorbet! It is essentially fruit puree, water and sugar. For added fun, add some food coloring to the fruit puree (works best with banana, apple, or pear) and create an extra festive look! Just be sure to start making this a day in advance of when you want to serve it, as it requires being frozen, re-blended and then being refrozen before eating (for best texture!)

3.Heart Shaped Pancakes:
http://babybeesfpiestestkitchen.blogspot.com/2011/02/inspired-by-yet-another-mama.html


You can use different flours in place of the ones mentioned in the recipe-- wheat or corn flours would work exceptionally well, and I am fairly confident nut flours (like almond) or bean flours (like garbanzo) would do nicely in this recipe as well. See below the recipe for added information.

4.Dum Dums, smarties and sweet tart hearts are allergen friendly for most! As always, check the labels!

5.Puddings! You can create pudding from elemental formula, or simply from a safe milk and a safe starch or flour. Add food coloring or serve in a valentine's day cup for fun! See the following links! http://www.neocate.com/aaa_neocate/_download/products/FoodAllergy_Cookbook.pdf
(page 27)
http://babybeesfpiestestkitchen.blogspot.com/p/recipes-that-have-passed-part-2.html
(see 8.25.10 recipe)

6.Food free Valentine's Day fun!
~Engage your LO in a project making valentines (age appropriate of course-- best for toddlers and up)

~Make your child a no-sew pink and red fleece “lovey” (if they are old enough, they can make it with you)
http://www.instructables.com/id/No-Sew-Fleece-Blanket/

~Make your child a fleece heart pillow with two fleece heart cutouts and funky yarn to whip stitch it together (if you aren't a sewer). Stuff with batting.

~With projects #2 and #3, you can then curl up and watch a favorite movie together, snuggling with pillow and lovey. What a nice way to spend the holiday, with the ones you love!

I hope these ideas get the wheels turning! Be sure to check out the many allergy friendly pages online for more ideas! Happy valentine's day everyone!!!!

http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/resourcespre.php?id=96&title=Celebrating_Valentines_Day_with_food_allergies_%28safe_activities%29

http://www.livingwithout.com/

http://www.cookingallergyfree.com/