Milk allergies- stay encouraged

Hi All,

It’s been over 1 year since I mysteriously developed milk allergies and I have to say that it was a tough hard year but I really enjoy living dairy free.

The Food allergy was a total surprise.  At the age of 30 to develop such a life threatening food allergy seemed strange.  But I am glad that I did and here is why:  It gave me a chance to slow down and think about my life.

I’ve learned to cook new and exciting dishes, which in turn has made me and my family healthier people and a closer family.  I’ve learned a ton about nutrition and how our bodies worked and I’ve discovered and enjoyed dairy free chocolate ( lots of it.)  The other great thing is that I don’t even have to try to lose weight! the only down side is that it’s not easy to eat out and my guest think it’s a little strange but I don’t care.

Dairy free living has opened up my world, even though on the onset it seems like my world would have gotten smaller.

Ironically, my allergies have been medically “cured” I had a baby ( was trying for a year) and after her birth I went to my allergiest who did 2 skin test, a Rast test and had me drink milk in his office to proof that I was no longer allergic.

I didn’t go back to dairy, although I took more liberties in my diet and added goat milk.  a few months into a looser lifestyle I began to have reactions again.

My nutritionsit says that there is hope. As it is rare for some one with life threatening allergies to ever go backwards, meaning that my cyclic allergies are trying to heal it’s self.  So with some more work and prayers  I believe that the dairy allergy that appeared can go away ( and has.)

Even when I am totally healed I won’t put dairy back in my diet. Not when there are so many fantastic alternatives.

3 John 1:2
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

I will write more post about what I have done to be restored of food allergies

Posted in Food Allergies by Melody B

Easy Chicken & Chili bean -Gluten & dairy free

This is a super easy Chicken and Chili bean gluten and dairy free recipe. I made it with left over chicken.

1-Garlic clove

1 can of Northern white beans ( gluten and dairy free)

6oz of chicken, cubed ( I used left overs)

3 tsb of gluten free flour( love bob’s red mill all purpose)

6 tbs of oil-I used olive oil can use Earth’s best vegan butter sticks

8oz of chicken broth ( used beef and it was just as tasty)

1- green zuchinni

1-yellow zuchinni

1-onion

2 tbs of agave syrup

2 tsp of cumin

2 tbp of Chili powder

In a frying pan saute the onion and garlic in oil for about 4 mins.

Then add the flour, cumin, chili powder and beans and broth.  Stir the flour in first until it begans to thicken then add the powders, beans and broth. Allow to boil and stir frequently.  Lower the temp to simmer and add the chicken.

I then started the rice ( brown rice) but I recommend starting this first as it takes longer.

Once the rice is ready the food is ready to serve!

We topped ours with Salsa and tofutti sour cream! yummy!

Posted in Food Allergies, Food- Recipes, recipes by Melody B

Thankfully living with Milk allergy?

In an odd turn of events, I presented with an anaphylactic reaction to milk in early oct.

 I was eating a piece of wheat bread with a slice of cheese on top and all of a sudden my throat began to close ( a symptom of milk allergy) and I was scared.   Being 30 and never having experience any sort of food allergies this was perplexing ( not to mention scary & terrifying event.)

General MD’s will tell you that it’s not uncommon to present with a milk allergy but I don’t believe. I think it’s an underling cause that creates milk allergies ( to be discussed later.)

Regardless, a month later and a few trips to ER ( it took awhile to figure out that it was the milk causing the allergy) I’m ready to move forward.

 With Epi-pen in hand I am learning to explore the world with Milk allergy and dairy free living.

 Step one: I have to learn what is dairy free living and how to I do it.

 The interesting thing is that milk or milk by products are in EVERTHING… Chicken from the grocery has  it, chips, chocolate, anything prepacked . It makes it difficult for someone with Milk allergies to eat out or buy prepackaged foods.

The first thing I did was lol- to research chocolate! I mean less face it everyone woman needs a source of chocolate.  I’ve sampled a few but my favorite is Amanda’s own. http://www.amandasown.com/

Those people are great! They absolutely have no milk products in their facility ( I asked, repeatedly)

 Step 2:  Figuring how to avoid cross contamination.   

In my house, we have a 3 yr old, my husband and grandma.  So that means lots of mac n’ cheese, bottles of milk, half & half for the coffee and cheese on every piece of meat that my husband touches, which makes the kitchen a danger zone for someone with Milk Allergies.

The first thing I did was explain to each of them how just a little bit of milk sends Mom straight to the ER.   Once I washed my hands with a milk and rose soap, ate some carrots with my just washed hands and had an reaction- so this milk allergy is serious for me.

We eventually worked out a system of color coding plates and utensils that and I wear gloves when I touch or fix food for my family. 

Step 3:  Learning how to eat dairy free. What Can I eat now with dairy allergy?

Because we live in rural South Texas there are no super cool whole foods or trader joes’ or even local health food stores so I hit the net looking for recipes.

Really living without butter is not as bad as it seems, olive oil works great.

I even made my own Rice milk !  ( not difficult as it seems.)  

Living & eating with an acute Milk allergy is tough for certain, but I have a wide selection of fruits, vegetables & lean meats.   

To be continued….

milk allergy, milk allergy symptoms, what can i eat with a dairy allergy

Posted in Food Allergies by Melody B