Restaurant Food List ~ Mellow Mushroom

Today we tackle our favorite food to eat when your too tired to cook. That is right Pizza! But wait, how can we get pizza when we are to tired to cook it ourselves. The answer is Mellow Mushroom. Not only can you do dairy free their but they also have an amazing allergen sorting system that you can view here. This is a great tool if you have multiple food allergies.

Mellow Mushroom has been around a lot longer then you would think but I will admit I never knew they had a menu for the dairy free using Daiya Foods Cheeses.  As with all restaurants you still need to let the servers know that you have a dairy allergy even if you order the dairy free version of their food.

So here is the list of foods that Mellow Mushroom says is dairy free

• Tossed Salad
• Kids PB&J
• Kids Organic Apple
• Anchovies
• Andouille Sausage
• Applewood Smoked Bacon
• BBQ Chicken
• BBQ Tofu
• Buffalo Chicken
• Chicken Menu
• Crumbled Italian Sausage
• Curry Chicken
• Ground Beef
• Ham
• Herb Vinaigrette Chicken
• Jerk Chicken
• Jerk Shrimp
• Marinated Tempeh
• Pepperoni
• Salami
• Sausage Links
• Shrimp
• Steak
• Teriyaki Chicken
• Tofu
• VEGAN CHEESE
• Alfalfa Sprouts
• Artichoke Hearts
• Avocado
• Banana Peppers
• Black Olives
• Broccoli
• Caramelized Onions
• Caramelized Pecans
• Chives
• Cucumbers
• Dried Cherries
• Fresh Basil
• Garlic
• Green Olives
• Green Peppers
• Iceberg Lettuce
• Jalapeno Peppers
• Kalamata Olives
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Pepperoncini
• Pineapple
• Roasted Red Peppers
• Roasted Red Potatoes
• Roma Tomatoes
• Sun Dried Tomatoes
• Baked Pizza Crust
• Bavarian Sauerkraut
• Black Truffle Oil
• French Bread
• Multi Grain Bread
• Pretzel Bread
• Wheat Pullman Bread
• Bruschetta Tomato Topping
• Gluten Free Crust
• Italian Seasoning
• Olive Oil
• Romaine Lettuce
• Salad Mix
• Spinach
• Spring Mix
• BBQ Sauce
• Hot Sauce Swirl
• Jerk Sauce
• Mayo
• Red Sauce
• Sweet Chili Glaze
• Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
• Herb Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
• Esperanza Salad Dressing
• Honey Mustard Salad Dressing

Now some of these items are pretty obvious that they don't have dairy in it, but being a pizza based restaurant it is important to list all items that you can in fact put on your pizza. So instead of using orange to say the full meals it is going to be used to highlight the important aspects of the pizza you need to make sure you ask for. 

If you have a place you would like me to try to find the information for let me know in the comments.
Now, enjoy some pizza!

Unexpected benefits of being dairy free

So if your like me and have to now figure out how to take all the dairy out of your or your child's diet. I have been noticing that my child has started sleeping very quiet since I started taking dairy out of his diet. He used to snore and make these really weird noises while he slept and now it is so quiet and still that I have to check on him by putting my hand on his chest to feel him breathe. I wanted to know why, and after some research I found that when you remove dairy from your diet after having respiratory issues it lessens the problems rather quickly.

This got me thinking. What other benefits are associated with dairy free living.

1. The respiratory issues lessen rather quickly
2. loss of weight occurs
3. Your sense of taste will be stronger
4. decreased likelihood of developing osteoporosis, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and heart disease

I am not a doctor or claim to be. I have done a lot of research on this through the Internet as well as contacting a professional nutritionist on the subject.

Restaurant Food List ~ Seasons 52 SPRING menu only

Seasons 52 is a fresh grill and wine bar that lets you enjoy  a seasonally-inspired menu in a casually sophisticated ambiance. This means that their menu changes every season and bits and pieces every week are different specials. The restaurant has complied a list of safe foods to eat for the spring season for the non dairy community. You can find other list here. This is one of the few places I have found so far that actually has a good assortment of actual meals which is really great in my mind. They have been expanding rather quickly so odds are Seasons 52 might be closer to you then you think. 

• Flatbreads (can be made without cheese toppings) 
• Gengler Farms Organic Edamame
• Hummus Duo
• Tuna & Avocado Sushi Roll
• Organic Field Greens 
• Organic Baby Spinach  (request without gorgonzola cheese) 
• Sesame Grilled Salmon Salad (request without lemongrass mayonnaise)  
• Maui Tuna Crunch 
• Vegetarian Tasting quinoa (request without cheese on taco) 
• Rocky Mountain Buffalo Burger (request without truffle cream and without blue cheese)
• Grilled Turkey Burger (request without cheese) 
• Oak-Grilled Beef, Chicken Breast Market Fish can be made to order using salt, pepper,
   extra virgin olive oil, with new potatoes, roasted asparagus, baby carrots (request plain) 
• Cedar Plank Atlantic Salmon Red Bliss potatoes, vegetables (request without dill sauce)
• Grilled Boneless Rainbow Trout roasted potatoes, asparagus, baby carrots, grilled lemon
   (request without dill sauce) 
• Caramelized Grilled Sea Scallops roasted asparagus (request no risotto and no lemon butter)
• Plainville Farm Turkey Skewer grilled vegetable-farro pilaf, Zinfandel BBQ glaze 
• Oak-Grilled Filet Mignon fresh vegetables, roasted mushrooms (request roasted potatoes) 
• Roasted Asparagus
• Broccolini
• Cremini Mushrooms
• Roasted Baby Carrots
• Leaf Spinach
• Red Bliss Potatoes
• Fuji Apple Slaw
• Quinoa-Citrus Salad
• Fresh Fruit

The items listed in orange are actual meals. The other items are sides, and appitizers.  Remember the most important thing is to always tell the server that you have an allergy to dairy.

Restaurant Food List ~ Auntie Anne's Soft Pretzels

Auntie Anne's Allergen Statement
Please be advised that our products contain known food allergens and sensitivities. We strongly recommend that anyone with an allergic condition or sensitivity to nuts, gluten, or other food allergens NOT consume our products. 

This is from their site. You can view more information here, as well as how to contact them if you have any further questions. 

Dairy & Eczema

Did you know that dairy intolerance and allergy is the most common food related triggers that cause eczema?

But, what is eczema? It is a skin condition that produces welts and small blisters on the skin along with inflammation. Eczema is commonly found in infants and is most likely outgrown by adulthood. Children with eczema typically have parents that suffer from allergies or asthma, according to MedlinePlus. 

Eczema is not treatable, but it is manageable by eliminating the various triggers that cause it to flare-up.  

Minor cases of eczema are treated by applying hydrocortisone creams and taking an oral antihistamine. Extreme symptoms may require a prescription from a doctor for a corticosteroid lotion. 

I find that if my child has itchy skin from eczema applying a cool compress to the areas and putting the kid in loose fitting clothes helps.

Restaurant Food List ~ First Watch

This is one of my family's favorite places to eat on a weekend brunch. They don't use any heat lamps or fryers and all their food is made to order. This means that they can work with you more then other places on working on food for you. This pretty much means they can make your eggs, toast, and sandwiches dry(no butter) or without cheese.

Here is a list of items that the company has said is dairy free. They do have a full allergen list online here, so if you have more then one food allergy you can get a better idea of what it has to offer.

• Tri-Athlete
• Lean Machine
• Fruit Bowl
• Fresh, Seasoned Potatoes
• English Muffin (DRY)
• Ham
• Bacon
• Sausage
• Turkey Sausage

Remember the most important thing is to always tell the server that you have an allergy to dairy. The items listed in orange are actual meals, everything else is side items. Please note that on their website it says that they can not make their waffles or pancakes dairy free. And the sandwiches need to be cold, unpressed, and modified to become dairy free. 

If you have a restaurant you want me to compile a food list for let me know in the comments below. 

The Story of my son, Wes.

I figured since I started this blog for my son, so when he is older he has something that can help him, and something that can help others, I should probably tell you about my son. 

We were told that we needed to enjoy as much time as we could with him. That's right we were told that Wes COULD DIE. Being told that your child might not live is horrible, your whole life crashes down around you and it makes it hard to breathe let alone think.

This on top of my husband deploying was a really bad time. We knew that at 3 months old that when my husband deployed that it could have been the last time he saw him alive.When Wes was born he seemed fine a nice pink color, good set of lungs, all his fingers and toes. Then on his 1st full day of life he had his circumcision. Afterwards, things started to get a bit weird. He started to turn yellow, and became jaundice.

He also was having problems keeping his body temp. up. He stayed that way for about 2 weeks after we left the hospital but he was still perfect. Yellow, but perfect. Then something started happening. We were told to give him as much skin to skin time to try and raise his body temp. We always had him in just a diaper on my or my husband's chest wrapped in a blanket.
We just wanted him to get warm. Then the feedings started to go wonky. He started vomiting all his food up, he didn't eat, and he became really weak and just slept for close to 20 hours a day. The house, the chair, the sofa everything smelled of regurgitated milk. We were scared and horribly worried, and during all this we still had Alice to think about and take care of.
 Thank goodness my parents were close by. We had to go to the doctors at least every other day for weight checks and formula changes.

We stopped breast feeding, he went on I think 5 or 6 different formulas, but he just kept vomiting and in turn he just kept loosing weight. He soon became nothing but skin and bones, he couldn't even lift his arms.Every other day we would go to the doctor checking his weight changing his formula. We were sent to a pediatric surgeon, who in turn sent us to the ER for an MRI and a barium exam. It was discovered that Wes had an underdeveloped esophagus, which is why everything he had would come back up. He was given anti ulcer medication for his throat.  At 3 months old he had just gotten over his birth weight.

At 5 months old we found the first of the formulas that started to stay in his system. Similac Soy Formula. Then we switched it and started having even more success in Gerber Soy Concentrate formula. As it turns out liquid formula worked better then powder. He finally was able to go to the doctor once a week and then once every 2 weeks, and then once every 3 weeks. Through it all he was always smiling. At 8 months old Wes went to the doctors again and we were so happy to hear that he made a complete turn around. The doctors actually told me that they were not expecting him to make it as far as he did.
My little boy my little fighter was finally getting better. He was finally able to start eating baby food and he has been thriving since. So much so that my little guy is now in the 85% for weight.  At 11 months he started big people food, and working on using a sippy cup. Wes is now 13 months old and in 1-3 more months he will get to meet his daddy again and hold his hand, and interact with him other then just sleeping on his chest. 

So there it is there is the story. Sorry it was so long. We now know that he was born allergic to milk, even milk from me. I just wonder if he didn't have all these other problems that masked the allergy how much faster he would have gotten better. I know that I had done the best for him without knowing all the facts. He is now a happy little guy, chasing his big sister around the living room trying to get hugs. And chasing me with his bowl trying to get more snacks (dairy free of course). 

Restaurant Food List ~ Chick- fil- A

Though I am not really into fast food, or really agree with this companies ideals but the purpose of this blog is to help people with their dairy allergies. And I know at some point my son and my daughter will eat at Chick-fil-A when they are older. I just have a sodium issue and just really have to be careful with any fast food. I will say that the food at Chick-fi-A is so yummy, but just to much salt for me.

Anyway, below is the food listed as diary free for Chick-fil-A

• Hashbrowns
• Multigrain Oatmeal
• Multigran Oatmeal with Toppings
• Chick-fil-A Char grilled Chicken Sandwich
• Charred Tomato Crispy red Bell Peppers
• Honey Thai Almonds
• Chinese Garlic & Ginger Wontons
• Fruit Cup
• Cole Slaw
• Chick-fil-A Waffle Potato Fries
• Reduced Fat Berry Balsamic Dressing
• Honey Sesame Dressing
• Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette
• Light Italian Dressing
• Fat Free Honey Mustard Dressing
• Polynesian Sauce
• Barbecue Sauce
• Honey Mustard Sauce
• Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce
• Chick-fil-A Sauce
• Grilled Nuggets (kid meals)
• Buddy Fruits (kid meals)

Food marked orange is meals in the restaurant, everything else is sides and dressings.

Hope this helps. If you have a restaurant you want me to try to find the food list for let me know in the comments. 

Unexpected Sources of Milk

Today I bring you more information from the FARE website. You can view more information about FARE here.

When we go shopping we now know that we have to read labels really carefully to keep ourselves and our LOs (Little One) safe from milk by products, milk itself, and possiblities of cross contamination.

But, what about those shopping list items that may not be as easy to spot? Here is a few things to keep in mind when you go to the grocery store.

• Deli meat slicers are frequently used for both meat and cheese products.
• Some brands of canned tuna fish contain casein, a milk protein.
• Many non-dairy products contain casein (a milk derivative), listed on the ingredient labels.
• Some specialty products made with milk substitutes (i.e., soy-, nut- or rice-based dairy products) are manufactured on equipment shared with milk.
• Some meats may contain casein as a binder. Check all labels carefully.
• Some medications contain milk protein.
• Shellfish is sometimes dipped in milk to reduce the fishy odor. Ask questions about the risk of milk contact when purchasing shellfish. 

 And you also need to make sure when you go out to eat, always make sure that you say NO BUTTER!

• Many restaurants put butter on steaks after they have been grilled to add extra flavor. The butter is not visible after it melts.

When we ate out for Easter, we had to make sure that they cooked my son's eggs dry. This is not their normal practice but once I told them that he was allergic they even cooked his eggs on the gulten free side of kitchen and away from all other milk products. 

Restaurant Food List ~ Bob Evans

Hope everyone had a good Easter and I am happy to say that Passover ends today at noon. I have found it is even harder to do dairy free while also trying to follow the strict dietary laws of Passover. Needless to say we have had a lot of chicken in my house this past week.

On Easter Sunday we decided to try to venture out to a restaurant and see how we could do with my little guy, and finding him something to eat. My daughter enjoyed some grilled chicken (there is that chicken again) and some buttered corn nibblets. My son after an exhausting search of non dairy/ non breaded food had some dry (meaning no butter added) scrambled egg and some apple sauce.

I talked to one of the Managers at the restaurant and they printed me a copy of their allergen list. Below are all the food items inside the restaurant that are listed as dairy free. Hope this helps people.

image taken from google search.

• Bananna Nut Bread
• Mini Bun
• Rye Bread
• Sourdough Bread
• Texas Toast
• Wheat Bread
• Applesauce
• White Bread
• Oatmeal, Plain
• Turkey Sausage Breakfast
• Saltine Crackers
• Chicken Strips, Fried
• Slow-Roasted Chicken-N-Noodles
• Apple-Cranberry Spinach Salad w/ Reduced fat Raspberry Dressing
• Big Farm Burger (gluten free without bun)
• Honey Roasted Pecans
• Coleslaw
• Ciabatta &Garlic Ciabatta Bread
• Blueberry Bread
• Pumpkin Bread
• Garic Bread Crumb Crusted Whitefish
• Cinnamon Raisin Bread

Out of 6 pages of food items these are all the ones listed as safe to eat. All The ones in orange are the actual meals everything else is mostly bread and side items.

I plan on getting a hold of these list at all common restaurants so I can not only keep a file folder in my car for him but also try to help as many people as I can with this allergy that is so commonly overlooked.

If there is a restaurant your interested in post it in the comments and I will do my best to find the answers for you. 

O'Soy ~ Oh No!!

I was so happy when I saw at my local Winn-Dixie that they had a yogurt that was soy, dairy free and "vegan". Since my son loves creamy foods and now that he can't have them I picked up a set and couldn't wait to give it to him.

O' Soy is from Stonyfield company.

He loved it. I was happy, then he started having a bad reaction to it. I called the company number on their website which said they were open M-F 8-6pm, to see if there was any possibility of cross contamination since they make a lot of whole milk yogurts as well. 

The phone's computer said that no one was their due to them all being in training. So I wrote an email and waited I received an email about 4 hours later. This is what I received, remember I wanted to know about cross contamination.

Hello,

Thanks for reaching out with your question. Our O'Soy organic soy yogurt is
a lactose-free, non-dairy source of calcium and protein. It's great for
those who want a delicious way to enjoy the nutritional benefits of soy,
and one 6-oz serving of O’Soy provides 7g of soy protein. Additionally,
we're happy to say that O'Soy is certified vegan.

We hope this is helpful, please don’t hesitate to give us a shout if you
have any other questions. Thanks again for getting in touch.

Sincerely,

The folks at Stonyfield

Please note that this is what it says on the package of yogurt, hence why I purchased it to begin with. So I tried again.

Thank you for telling me what your package says, but as I originally asked I wanted to know about the possibility of cross contamination with dairy products. 

I wrote that email a few days ago. Considering that they responded the 1st time only 4 hours later and it was more then 4 hours till 5pm on a Thursday, and it is now Saturday. I take this as they do not want to answer in fear of ruining their "Vegan" status.

*Please note that the last statement is only my opinion and is not in anyway related to the company.*

So please be careful if you or your child is really allergic to dairy, in my own opinion I would not chance this product.

What is a Dairy Allergy?

On Monday my son went to an allergy specialist due to his age. He is 13 months old. We found out that a lot if not all his medical problems have been due to him having a severe dairy allergy. It is so horrible knowing that the food I have been feeding him has been making him so sick, I felt hopeless and just awful. I am sure every mother has those feelings when a food allergy is discovered in their child. I was handed so much paperwork and literature it was all so overwhelming.

Now, you may be asking what does a dairy allergy involve. Most people myself included just thought alright no milk, they have soy, almond, and coconut milk no big deal, right? WRONG!

Dairy allergies include but not limited to...

• Butter, butter fat, butter oil, butter acid, butter ester(s)
• Buttermilk
• Casein ---Found is Veggie Cheese Slices and other items
• Casein hydrolysate
• Caseinates (in all forms)
• Cheese
• Cottage cheese
• Cream
• Curds
• Custard
• Diacetyl
• Ghee
• Half-and-half
• Lactalbumin, lactalbumin phosphate
• Llactoferrin
• Lactose
• Lactulose
• Milk (in all forms, including condensed, derivative, dry, evaporated, goat’s milk and milk from other animals, lowfat, malted, milkfat, nonfat, powder, protein, skimmed, solids, whole)
• Milk protein hydrolysate
• Pudding
• Recaldent^(R)
• Rennet casein
• Sour cream, sour cream solids
• Sour milk solids
• Tagatose
• Whey (in all forms)
• Whey protein hydrolysate
• Yogurt

Fun huh, but wait there is more. Dairy can also be found in...

• Artificial butter flavor
• Baked goods
• Caramel candies
• Chocolate
• Lactic acid starter culture and other bacterial cultures
• Luncheon meat, hot dogs, sausages
• Margarine
• Nisin
• Nondairy products
• Nougat

So you may be asking what can people with dairy allergies eat. I can tell you that a lot of foods can be made dairy free, it just takes a lot more time then it would be to open a box of pancake mix, or running to the nearest store and grabbing a normal loaf of bread.

Hello. Friends, family, bloggers, and other people looking for support and answers. I hope that my blog here can help not only shed some light on this allergy but also help myself and others find ways of managing and helping those with dairy allergies.

You can also get more information about dairy allergies at FARE.