Love is In the Air… Valentine Ideas for Your Food Allergic Child

Great ideas from Guest Blogger, Melanie Potock of MyMunchbug.com.

Allergen-free Cookies from Cybele Pascal

Recipe from Cybele Pascal

This weekend,  kitchen tables everywhere will be piled high with home-made Valentine cards or frosted with flour and cookie cut-outs as everyone prepares for the traditional Valentine’s Day Party at school. For kids with food allergies or sensitivities, new ideas for alternative crafts or treats are plenty and I’d love to share some of them here with you!

Let’s get right to it: cookies, that is.  I mean, you have to have a heart shaped cookie on Valentine’s Day…I’m pretty sure there’s a law about that.  When I laid eyes on these delectable allergen-free “melt in your mouth” cookies from Cybele Pascal, I knew I had found the perfect little hearts to share with you. 

Fun Valentine Cards & Activities

MAMAGAGA

Speaking of little hearts, here’s a clever idea for a Valentine’s Day card that is not only from your child’s heart, but direct from his tiny hand!  Mamagaga.com created this easy tutorial where you take a photo of your child with their hand reaching toward the camera and then simply put the token of your choice in his hand as a special Valentine treat!  Allergy free options might include an organic lollypop, a Starbuck’s card (for teacher!) or a one-word, handwritten message in your child’s own lettering, such as “KISS”.

DOTTY VALENTINE

Another option for cards takes a bit more time and definitely adult supervision, but I loved these “dotty valentines” using precision Q-tips™.  The Crafty Crow recommends acrylic or tempura paints (contains egg) but another option would be Allergen Free Non-toxic finger paints either homemade or from  India Tree Natural Decorating Colors , which are made from vegetables.  As always, check ingredients to ensure that your child is safe and consult with kidswithfoodallergies.org for craft supplies that may contain allergens.

DEVELOP MOTOR SKILLS

Continue to challenge your kiddo’s fine motor skills with this lacing activity! Looking for an inexpensive class activity that doesn’t involve scooping up as much sugar and candy as little fists can hold and then piling it all on top of a processed cookie in less than 15 seconds?  This Valentine craft will keep tiny hands busy and the poor teacher won’t have to deal with 25 kids in a sugar coma after the party has ended.

Cupcakes!  GF, DF, Egg-free, Nut-free, Soy-free

Let’s do the teacher, the kids and the other parents a favor and bring in a sweet pink treat that can’t be beat…wait for it…yes, “Beet-iful Cupcakes” by Gluten Free Gigi.  Bright reddish-pink cushions of heaven, thanks to the natural color of a roasted beet!  These are gluten, dairy, egg, soy and nut free, sweetened with honey and delish!

Gifts of Service

What I loved most as I explored all the options for Valentine’s Day, was this post that I felt gave the best examples of how we can express our love, even to those that we have yet to know.  Reach out to an army family, visit a nursing home, bring art supplies for Valentines to your local children’s hospital or write a message to the kids to help them heal... just like someone did here in the freshly fallen snow in Colorado!

It will warm your heart…and theirs.  

"Get Well Kids" written in the snow....

Happy Valentine’s Day Tender Foodies!

About Melanie

Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLPMelanie is speech language pathologist who specializes in feeding.  Her work brings her into the homes and schools of her clients, kids, who for various reasons have difficulty with food or with eating. She works with kids and their parents to develop effective strategies that help children become “more adventurous eaters”.  At least 50% of her clients have food allergies or intolerances, and for them, “adventurous eating” takes on a special meaning.  Melanie is also the author of Happy Mealtimes with Happy Kids” and the executive producer of “Dancing in the Kitchen.”

More Posts from Melanie

How Can Parents Feel Less Stress with a Food Allergic Child in School?

Review:  The Magic of the BellyFULL Kit from the Hopeful Company

Review: The Magic of the BellyFULL Kit (from The Hopeful Company)

The Tender Foodie welcomes regular guest blogger, Melanie Potock of My Munch Bug.

The BellyFULL Kit

When the mailman recently delivered a box from The HopeFULL Company, it took a minute to recall what might be inside: “Oh, right” I pondered.  “This must be those funny shaped frozen pop molds from those gals in Minnesota…”  As a feeding therapist, I love to try new products that help kids be more adventurous eaters. Whether I am working with a medically fragile child or a garden variety “picky eater”, I am always thinking of how to make eating fun!

 

But, another frozen treat mold?  Really?  My father always taught me: Never judge a book by its cover.  There had to be more to this.  I opened the box and began to examine what new treasure had arrived that day while discovering how I might use this to help children be more adventurous eaters.  The box contained a complete BellyFULL Kit, which included…

  

1.       An adorable chef’s hat: the essential accessory.  I mean, who doesn’t love a good hat?

 

 It’s adjustable too!  I have a huge head and I suspect the hat is meant for kids, but of course, being 52 going on 5,  I had to try it on.  It didn’t quite fit sitting on my blockbuster noggin, but if you undo the Velcro in the back and slip it on like a pilgrim hat, it’s absolutely fabulous.  

Me in my "Pilgram" hat

 

2.       A silicone mold: if you’ve got kids, you know the absolute delight in anything wiggly and jiggly!

This bright orange flexible mold allows the 8 frozen pops to be well, “popped” out with ease.  In feeding therapy, we know the first step to interacting with new foods is being willing to handle the container.  For many kids, this can be as challenging as spooning out a Brussels sprout from a family serving bowl.  With the BellyFULL mold, the container is so enticing, kids will be eager to handle it, fill it and pop out the nutritious treats.  It’s irresistible!

 

3.       100 Birchwood spoons that your kids get to push into the pop with the bowl of the spoon sticking OUT, like a little handle.  

The spoons are just the right size for little fists and offer just enough of a handle that the pops won’t flip out of their grasp.  Have you ever noticed that a traditional frozen pop stick is just too narrow and too long for little fists to hang on to?  Plus, the curve of the spoon bowl fits nicely with the curve of your child’s thumb, adding extra stability while holding the pop.  Hesitant eaters don’t want their food waving in front of them.  They want to feel secure and stable with it before they put it in their mouths.  

4.       My favorite part: the coated recipe cards (easy clean!) on a ring (brilliant!) with fun, playful graphics that will elicit plenty of belly laughs!  

My favorite card was the recipe for “Applesauce-A-Saurus” pops, with a silly photo of a ferocious dinosaur about to devour an orange tray of frozen pops!

The photos are entertaining conversation starters to help kids decide which recipe they want to make that day.  When you have a hesitant eater, introducing a new food truly begins with something silly, like a dinosaur eating popsicles or putting on a chef’s hat upside down!  If you can engage them in the kitchen and get them involved in the preparation of the food, you are that much closer to that first taste.

 

More than just a ring full of recipes, each card includes a “Kids Can” text box with fantastic suggestions for helping kids experience all the sensory aspects of cooking.  The suggestions on each card are helpful reminders for parents to get their kids involved and include recommendations like, “Kids can…squeeze the pulp out of the halved avocado into the blender” and “Pack the spinach leaves to measure.”

 

Spinach?  Yes Popeye, spinach.  This isn’t an effort to hide healthy food in a sugary treat; this is a mission to get your kids involved in washing the spinach leaves, pulling off the stems, packing the measuring cup and dumping it in the blender along with the other wholesome ingredients for the “Raspberry Robot” pop.  Hear the blender whir and watch as the leaves disappear along with the avocado, almond butter, raspberries and yogurt.  Don’t be surprised if they announce that they love frozen spinach!

Substitutions for Food Allergies & Texture Works!

 

The result of this blenderized magic is a smooth, velvety frozen treat that offers just the right consistency for little munchbugs learning to tolerate frozen foods.  For example, the Raspberry Robot pop had a texture similar to a traditional fudge bar, easy to bite into and quick to melt in the mouth.  Because my job involves helping children learn to tolerate new textures, I experimented with this recipe a bit.  I substituted frozen cherries for the raspberries and blended just a tad less to keep some extra texture (cherry skins) in the mix.  Another time, because so many of my clients have food allergies, I substituted sunflower seed butter for the almond butter and tasted no difference.  A third time, I used orange juice instead of almond milk and the pop was a bit more like a traditional icy treat, requiring a bit more strength to bite into and providing a more solid chunk in my mouth.  For kids who are taking that next step in jaw strength, the ability to change the recipes in order to change the hardness and texture of the frozen pop is appealing.  Substitutions were always simple and tasted great!

 

Now, some kids have trouble with temperature, especially “frozen” foods.  My favorite therapy technique is to have a narrow glass filled with water to dip the frozen treat.  It makes the outer layer melt just enough to help a child take their first lick.  Kids love to watch the colored swirls in the glass as you twirl the frozen pop in the water and slowly, over time, adjust to the temperature.  

Gentle Eating for Those With Cancer

 

Know what I love best about The BellyFULL Kit?  That it came about quite unexpectedly from a random act of kindness.  Jessica and Stephanie, the two sisters who founded The HopeFULL Company, reached out to help a family friend who was diagnosed with cancer in 2009.  

BellyFull Founders, Jessica and Stephanie

They said “Like many people undergoing chemotherapy treatments, eating was no longer an enjoyable activity for our friend. She struggled to find foods that she could tolerate and that would give her enough calories and nutrition. Knowing we both made homemade baby food for our children, she asked us to make her meals which were small in portion, packed with nutrition and without strong flavors. We were thrilled to help and dove enthusiastically into the project.”

What began as an act of kindness to nurture a dear friend grew to include a new project:  The BellyFULL Kit. Jessica and Stephanie tell us that “this kit was inspired out of a desire to introduce whole foods to our young children in a way that nurtures their curiosity for food, fosters a love of whole foods and desire to eat healthy. The BellyFULL Kit makes it easy to introduce whole foods to young children in an adventurous, playful way. Our frozen BellyFULLs make eating whole foods fun for kids, and preparing them together can create memories which will last a lifetime! BellyFULLs are perfect for finicky little eaters, children with sensory issues, little chefs in the making, parents who made their own baby food, upcoming kid birthdays or mommy-to-be/baby showers!”

 

And to that I shout from my happy belly: “BRAVO Sisters! BRAVO!”

About Melanie

Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP, of www.mymunchbug.com.  Melanie is speech language pathologist who specializes in feeding.  Her work brings her into the homes and schools of her clients, kids, who for various reasons have difficulty with food or with eating. She works with kids and their parents to develop effective strategies that help children become “more adventurous eaters”.  At least 50% of her clients have food allergies or intolerances, and for them, “adventurous eating” takes on a special meaning.  Melanie is also the author of Happy Mealtimes with Happy Kids” and the executive producer of “Dancing in the Kitchen.”

More Posts from Melanie

Tips to Help Your Food Allergic Child Belong During the Holidays

How to Talk Turkey (and Food Allergies) at Thanksgiving

How Can Parents Feel Less Stress with a Food Allergic Child in School?

Finding Balance with Food in the Classroom

Guest Tender Blogger, Melanie Potock of My Munch Bug, gives lend her advice on food in the classroom after reading a   recent news article about the latest debate in Plymouth, MA schools.  Melanie is the kid expert for The Tender Palate.

According to the article:  "The proposal triggered some of the most heated debate the School Committee has seen in years, with some advocating for the ban in the name of student health and others complaining that the district was overstepping its bounds."

Physics 101

I was never very good in Physics 101,  except for the unit on balance.   Maybe that’s because I have always understood the principles of balance in our daily lives.  Achieving it isn’t a simple task, but I know what it feels like. When life is in balance, it feels smooth, steady and easy.  When life is out of balance, it feels inconsistent, erratic and even chaotic.  Change makes us suddenly lose our balance and no one, absolutely no one, likes that feeling.

Recently, changes in school district policies regarding food being allowed in classrooms has created controversy and upset among parents, teachers and students.  The pendulum has swung from allowing ALL food in the classroom to the recommendation by some that NO food be allowed in the classroom.  Whoa!  That’s one big push in the opposite direction.  Time to find a little balance, but that requires effort.  That’s why many of us don’t like change; returning to balance takes effort on our part.  We’d rather just stay where we are.

Where is All of This Drama Coming From?

To find the balance, consider the following viewpoints that prompted the massive swing of the pendulum:

In Plymouth, Massachusetts,  the food ban “was proposed at the start of the year to reflect changes in state and federal nutritional guidelines for schools.” 

Anne Powers, the nurse leader of the Plymouth school district, had views that were not supported by the majority of parents.  She cited the following reasons for banning food in all elementary classrooms:

•    Increasing childhood obesity statistics
•    Increasing food allergies in the student population

When the school district surveyed the parents, it was clear that the  elementary school parents felt strongly that food should be allowed in their child’s classrooms:

•    80 percent of respondents were opposed to a ban on allowing food in classes for celebrations like birthday parties
•    Parents felt there should  be no ban on offering food as a reward and limiting  the number of parties during the school day
•    Respondents narrowly supported a policy that would establish an allowable food list for school celebrations

If nutrition, the national obesity epidemic and increasing food allergies require changes in our classroom to keep our children healthy and safe, yet most parents prefer little to no change in policy, what is the most efficient and effective way to find the balance? 

Let's Simplify

What if we prioritized the individual issues?  Perhaps by classroom rather than by school?  If teachers are allowed to set the rules for their students’ needs, then the pendulum doesn’t need to swing so dramatically.  By setting ground rules based on the distinct needs of the children in each class, teachers, parents and students can adjust classroom rules accordingly if they consider these two questions:

#1 Does it keep the classroom safe for all?
#2 Does it foster learning in the classroom?

It’s not a perfect solution to a complicated problem.  It’s a reasonable solution.  It’s one that a smaller group of parents can ultimately support for 9 months of the year, until their child moves to another classroom.  Life is about compromise for the good of all.  That’s called being a good neighbor.

In her article on achieving balance, Terri Trespicio  writes: “Balance comes when we adapt to change, rather than try to resist it.” 

Adapting to new situations or challenging issues in our society such as childhood obesity and keeping children with food allergies safe requires effort and collaboration.  That feels achievable on a classroom by classroom basis.  No two groups of kids are alike and one, district-wide, sweeping rule “NO FOOD IN THE CLASSROOM” certainly does not foster collaboration among the community.  It creates resistance.

About Melanie

Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP, of www.mymunchbug.com.  Melanie is speech language pathologist who specializes in feeding.  Her work brings her into the homes and schools of her clients, kids, who for various reasons have difficulty with food or with eating. She works with kids and their parents to develop effective strategies that help children become “more adventurous eaters”.  At least 50% of her clients have food allergies or intolerances, and for them, “adventurous eating” takes on a special meaning.  Melanie is also the author of Happy Mealtimes with Happy Kids” and the executive producer of “Dancing in the Kitchen.”

Other Articles & Opinions On This Subject

Schools adapting, banning foods, for students with allergies

Why I Don't Believe Food Allergens Should Be Banned From Schools

Parents: The 12 Days of Christmas -- Pop Nutrition, Super Sprouts & Snot Hoovers (Part 3)

Welcoming Melanie Potock of My Munchbug with Part Three in her series on gifts for parents to help children eat (and play) more adventurously.  There are great ideas for any kid, and also for kids who have food allergies, autism, or other special needs.

What About Days 1 through 8?

In Part 1 of this 12 Day of Christmas series we looked at my favorite lunchitime things.  In Part 2. we discovered more great products for adventurous eating and play.   What's in store for Day 9?  Read on... we are counting down...

On the 9th day of Christmas my Tender Foodie asked of me - VitaRocks™!

Nine Packs of VitaRocks™…vitamins that pop!  VitaRocks are a sure-fire way for kids ages 4 and up to get more vitamins, because they are fun and easy to take!  Sweetened with evaporated cane juice and loaded with vitamins A, B, C, D, E and minerals, the tiny crystals come in individual packets that truly “POP” thanks to a little CO2 to create a party in your mouth. 

Oh, and forget the nine packs, because right now, you can get a “stocky stuffer special” of 56 packets for less than $40 in either Cherry Blast or Lemon Burst.  Sure, it’s not a “daily vitamin” at that cost, but it’s definitely worth a little assurance that your kiddo is getting the occasional, extra burst of vitamins because it's impossible to resist those little crackles and pops on your tongue!

Note: VitaRocks contain lactose and are not dairy free.   Be sure to read the ingredient list carefully against your child's particular allergies.  If you have any questions, contact the company.

On the  10th day of Christmas my Tender Foodie asked of me -- Vegucation!

10 heroes and villains from Super Sproutz where “vegucation is made easy…and fun.” The cast of characters includes Brian Broccoli, Colby Carrot, Suzy Sweet Pea and Radha Radish, also known as Radha Agrawal, founder and CEO of Super Sproutz.  Check out their video “All the Veggie Ladies” to learn more about Radha’s dream of helping children see vegetables and nutrition differently “through catchy music and lovable characters.”

On the 11th day of Christmas my Tender Foodie asked of me .... a Snot Hoover!

“The Snoover Snot Hoover” aka the BabyComfyNose nasal aspirator.  Now, what does this have to do with the number eleven?  Absolutely nothing.  And why are we bringing up mucous (gross!) when we were just talking about food?  Because, without being too nosey (great pun, right?) I’d like you to recall the last time you had a stuffy, snotty nose.  I know you didn’t feel like eating.  Kids with stuffy noses can’t smell, can barely taste anything and mucous makes it really difficulty to swallow completely.  And, if your tiny Tender Foodie becomes congested after reacting to a specific allergen or food sensitivity, you’ll be glad you own the BabyComfyNose.  Here’s the scoop from One Step Ahead, which chose this unique aspirator for its highly-selective catalogue:

•    Thanks to the nasal bulb's egg-shaped design (not to mention basic principles of physics), mucus is trapped inside the receptacle and can't advance up the tube. Crumple an ordinary tissue inside the bulb to enhance its filtering properties.
•    Each child should have their own personal nasal aspirator; we offer you a choice of colors for easy identification
•    BPA and phthalate-free

Okay, so now you are curious, right?  Check out the video that demonstrates this brilliant invention!

On the 12th day of Christmas my Tender Foodie asked of me ... MOMables!

A 12 month subscription to MOMables!  Mom-a-what?  MOM-ables!  Invented my yet another savvy mother, MOMables sends busy parents a weekly lunch menu with a shopping list every single Friday.  Each recipe includes a photo of exactly what the lunch will look like (these photos are variations to the "sword" lunches) and never includes processed food.  According to their website,  

“In nearly all recipes, you’ll be able to swap ingredients to accommodate for food allergies and ultra-picky eaters.” 

I perused through several recipe cards and it does appear to be quite easy to substitute as needed.  What parents love about this system is having a plan.  I love a good plan, don’t you?  A nice, easy plan that makes my life simpler, more organized and more fun.  That’s MOMables!

And to All a Good Night

And so the season of giving is upon us and I hope that you have a few ideas for keeping mealtimes joyful while you share this time with your precious family.  In the spirit of the season, 25% of profits from the sales of My Munch Bug's CD, Dancing in the Kitchen, will be donated to Allergy Kids Foundation until the 'twelfth night" or midnight, January 5th, 2012.

 Peace…


About Melanie

Melanie is speech language pathologist who specializes in feeding.  Her work brings her into the homes and schools of her clients, kids, who for various reasons have difficulty with food or with eating. She works with kids and their parents to develop effective strategies that help children become “more adventurous eaters”.  At least 50% of her clients have food allergies or intolerances, and for them, “adventurous eating” takes on a special meaning.  Melanie is also the author of Happy Mealtimes with Happy Kids” and the executive producer of “Dancing in the Kitchen.”

More Posts from Melanie

The 12 Days of Christmas -- My Favorite Lunchtime Things (Part 1)

The 12 Days of Christmas -- Gifts for Adventurous Eating (and Playing (Part 2)

Tips to Help Your Food Allergic Child Belong During the Holidays

How to Talk Turkey (and Food Allergies) at Thanksgiving

How Can Parents Feel Less Stress with a Food Allergic Child in School?

Parents: The 12 Days of Christmas -- My Favorite Lunchtime Things (part 1)

The Tender Foodie once again welcomes Melanie Potock of My Munch Bug.

My daily life as a feeding therapist is all about kids and food.  Kids with food allergies, intolerances, sensory issues, GI issues, picky eating issues …you name it, we got issues!  But, we’ve also got lots of love and most importantly, tools for making mealtimes joyful.  So, in the spirit of celebrating little munch bugs with tender tummies or not, here are my top 12 gifts or super-tools for encouraging adventurous eating!   Whether you celebrate Chanukah, Kwanza, Christmas or another December remembrance, my holiday wish for you and your family is peace, love and plenty of Dancing in the Kitchen.  Which brings me to my first shameless plug:

On the 1st Day of Christmas, My Tender Foodie Asked of Me:

A picnic under the Jewelberry Tree!

One of the most popular songs from Dancing in the Kitchen, Songs that Celebrate the Joy of Food is the second track: Picnic Under the Jewelberry Tree.  It’s all about eating together.  “It’s a picnic all day long, just singing, singing our happy song!”  So, perhaps your picnic is under a Christmas tree or a beautiful menorah,  but what our kids want most of all is time together.  I hope you will find time to picnic or dance, or both!   In the spirit of the season, 25% of profits will be donated to Allergy Kids Foundation until the 'twelfth night" or midnight, January 5th, 2012.

On the 2nd Day of Christmas, My Tender Foodie asked from Me:

An assortment of yummy foods in tiny cubes, hearts, triangles and half-moons…not too much to ask, right?

Right, if you have the coolest little cutter around known as Funbites!  It is truly bite-sized mealtime magic and works with most foods, including sandwiches (even with gluten-free bread), cantelope, watermelon,  tortillas (tested on my favorite: rice tortillas) and  it’s BPA free!

On the 3rd Day of Christmas, My Tender Foodie asked from Me . . .

Three boxes of granola from Purely Elizabeth!  (sing it baby!)

Dairy-free, gluten-free certified, sugar-free, soy-free, mostly organic and vegan, my new best friend Elizabeth (Well, she has actually never met me, but since I love her granola this much, I am sure she will want to be besties.) makes three different, delectable, delish granolas almost too yummy to waste on top of anything, except your bare hand.  Straight from the box, the original flavor is just right for little munch bugs.  If you can eat pecans, try the cranberry pecan for a slightly chewier texture.  My favorite is pumpkin fig, loaded with  protein rich quinoa and chia seeds as a super sources of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and antioxidants.  Purely Elizabeth – purely heaven!

On the 4th Day of Christmas, my Tender Foodie asked from me:

A set of four containers from Easy Lunch Box!  Parents love the easy-open, kid friendly lids and the BPA free containers that make packing lunches a snap.  I recommend these to all the kids I work with because they save valuable time in the chaotic school cafeteria.  Although parents care most about their child's nutrition during lunchtime, kids care most about making friends during those precious 25 minutes!  Cutting healthy food into bite-sized (remember the first day of Christmas?) pieces so that kids can “grab and gab” from these cute, 3-compartment, compact containers (say that 5 times fast) keeps everyone happy.  Parents know their kids are eating a healthy, easy to eat lunch and kids have time to munch and chat with their friends.  Teachers love it because they know the kids fill their bellies and also have a little down-time to blow off steam before heading back to the classroom.  When time is of the essence, you want the lunch time process to be easy-peasy.

Phew!  Four down, eight to go!  My next post includes my favorite foodie toys, an allergen free recipe for busy little hands, and an ingenious product invented and patented by a mom - gotta love that!  Until then, I hope you are humming the "Twelve Days of Christmas" because frankly, now I can't get that tune out of my head! 

What do you suppose number five will be...

About Melanie

Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP, of www.mymunchbug.com.  Melanie is speech language pathologist who specializes in feeding.  Her work brings her into the homes and schools of her clients, kids, who for various reasons have difficulty with food or with eating. She works with kids and their parents to develop effective strategies that help children become “more adventurous eaters”.  At least 50% of her clients have food allergies or intolerances, and for them, “adventurous eating” takes on a special meaning.  Melanie is also the author of Happy Mealtimes with Happy Kids” and the executive producer of “Dancing in the Kitchen.”

More Posts from Melanie

Tips to Help Your Food Allergic Child Belong During the Holidays

How to Talk Turkey (and Food Allergies) at Thanksgiving

How Can Parents Feel Less Stress with a Food Allergic Child in School?