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Foods can often be the trigger for chronic conditions

So it’s begun. The Elimination Diet. But I must admit, I’ve gone for the simple approach this time. Less foods to cut out, which makes it easier to keep a balanced approach the whole family can enjoy.

You see the elimination diet is based on a set of charts, with foods listed as having low, medium, high or very high levels of natural chemicals. The higher the levels, the more likely you are to react (or the less you need before you do). So by cutting out just the foods that are very high in chemicals, Sofia can have a balanced diet while still avoiding likely triggers for her eczema and maybe even asthma….

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My baby takes a trip to hospital, lucky they have lemonade ice blocks!

Have you ever taken your little one to hospital? That smell of disinfectant, yet still you’re scared to touch anything… your child so sick and you so worried, but immediately you feel relieved once you’re there, knowing you’ll be helped soon. Well that was us a few days ago, with little 2 year old Sofia. Sick again with croup and asthma, something she’s had regular bouts of since the beginning of the year (and the start of daycare). Not to mention chronic eczema, which also flared up when she started daycare. She’s ok now, but on a lot more medication than is good or right for such a young person (and isn’t that so common these days!?).

So here’s me, once again, knowing that there must be a cause for my baby to be so sick (other than my faulty genes I passed on), and desperate to work out what it is, so we can get rid of it! …

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Yummy and healthy weekend breakfast idea

Looking for an intolerance-friendly brekky idea? Something that’s gluten-free but also made from whole grains, to keep you and the kids fuller for longer? Then this is the one for you! Hidden vegetables? Tick. Fruit as a natural, high fibre sweetener? Tick. No dairy but still light and fluffy? Tick, tick and tick.

This one is easily adjusted for a salicylates intolerance – just leave out the spices. If amines are a problem, make sure your banana isn’t too ripe and don’t use any coconut. Easy and done.

Takes about 10 minutes to whip up, plus frying time, so it can even be done on a Sunday morning while the hungry troops are waiting. Double the mixture and freeze uncooked leftovers for next weekend! Serves four, but if you’ve got a really hungry husband like me, might be good to cook up some extra!

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moist and delicious carob cake

Gluten-free, dairy-free, low amines & salicylates (with modifications)

I have made this cake so many times and it is always delicious. I’ve taken it to grown up parties, and served it with berries and yoghurt or ice cream, or slathered it with healthy frosting – avocado, carob powder and maple syrup to taste. It’s always well received because it’s moist and light, so doesn’t seem gluten-free and is 100% ok for my little dairy-free and amine-sensitive kids! It is adapted from a Nigella Lawson recipe, so you know it’s going to be easy and yummy.

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