Yesterday was a day to remember. John celebrated his first communion and baby Michael received the sacrament of baptism. It was a gorgeous day filled with so much love, laughter and memories with old friends. As many of you know both of my parents passed away before any of my children were born. So often these types of family celebrations are difficult, and not just because I am always trying to figure out what to serve for food that won’t have everyone screaming… “oh great, ANOTHER allergen free creation” (cue the sarcasm here.)
But this time it was different. As much as I miss my beloved mother, and as much as I would have loved to have her there to share in my children’s special sacraments, I was profoundly grateful for everything I have. My family, my health and my children’s health…it’s all that really matters. NOTHING else matters. As a parent of a food allergic child, we are always worried to some extent for our children’s health and well being, because it could be seriously compromised at any given moment. But sometimes there are moments in my life where I forget all of that, and focus on the now. For me, yesterday, it was watching my son John walk down the aisle with his hands crossed, looking so happy. He looked like any other kid, and in that moment I forgot that he was the one who will have to live his life being more careful than most, that I will always worry a little more about him than my other children. It was truly one of those moments when I was overwhelmed with love and gratitude for all that I have.
Now, on to the party. It was a blast, and I have to give a huge kudos to Whole Foods who blew me away. I met with them prior to the event to discuss our dietary restrictions and John’s allergies. We carefully went through every label and discussed what would be safe and what wouldn’t. We discussed cross contamination issues and how it would be addressed. In the end I was so impressed with their gorgeous, delicious vegan trays. Everyone else was too, and raved about how fresh and yummy the food was. After this fantastic experience with WF, I would highly recommend them to anyone else looking to do a party, whether they have allergies or not. They GET it.
Finally, the desserts. I let John pick out whatever he wanted from my book. He chose Lemon Cake, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Russian Teacakes and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. Everyone devoured the treats…nothing was left. Not even a crumb or a lone chocolate chip. It was gone, and no one ever asked, does this have eggs, etc? They are so much better than store bought treats yet they are completely safe. I love that EVERYONE enjoys the treats, and just carries on with zero discussion of food allergies. It is nice to take break once in a while from the food allergy subject, and just enjoy good food with friends and family. It is a world I am still hopefully we will see someday….
Happy Baking everyone and I hope to post a yummy new recipe very soon…working on it!
Kelly,
I happened upon your site many months ago, and I have been so impressed with your contributions, from the kitchen and the heart. Just yesterday, I was distracted during mass as I contemplated if Eucharist would be safe for our food allergic daughters, an issue we won’t face for 4 or 5 more years! This post was a huge reminder that we are all in God’s hands. Thank you!
Bridget
Congrats on all fronts Kelly – sounds like a wonderful day and it sounds like Whole Foods did an amazing job – as did you! I’m home with Charlie today and I think we’ll be baking a treat on this rainy day – from your book of course!
kelly, beautiful story. thanks for sharing. very happy for you and for your fam! steph
Thank you for all your posts from your heart. I love reading them! I tried your oatmeal fudge bars and my entire family loved them! My 14 month has egg and peanut allergies and I am always looking for new treats to serve up! Keep them coming and you and yours are in my prayers.
As a mom of a 6-year-old with peanut and egg allergies, I deeply understood your sentiment:
“It is nice to take break once in a while from the food allergy subject, and just enjoy good food with friends and family.”
Of course, you were able to do so only after much planning, organizing, and baking. But still, it is nice to be able to feel relaxed when you’re in the midst of celebrating.
Food allergies take up so much of my mental energy, and I feel like there is always some new mountain or molehill to climb.
The two current issues:
1. My desire to host a big potluck brunch at our home for the first time in six years but fearing friends bringing over so many egg dishes.
2. My wish to let my daughter have her first playdate at a friend’s house without me being there.
Not sure either will happen….
Anyway, congratulations on the communion and baptism. Both are blessed events!
Congratulations to John and Michael! Sounds like the entire family had a very memorable celebration. From what you said, the food situation was perfect. Thank you for the helpful information on Whole Foods.
Congratulations to John and Michael. Sounds like a wonderful day with your family. Thanks for the heads up on Whole Foods.
The moments when we actually forget about our kids food allergies and enjoy ourselves are few and far between which makes them all the more precious. I’m so glad that your family had such a wonderful day.
Congratulations to you and your family on this momentous occasion.
It is so great to hear what a wonderful celebration you had! Thanks to you, my family had a mini-celebration of our own. Yesterday, I made my very first batch of “Food Allergy Mama” treats-the chocolate chip brownies to be specific. I know it sounds silly to some, but I, for the first time, was able to see my egg, dairy, and nut allergic kids lick the beaters from a mixer! It was a huge moment, and the video tape is precious (and messy!). It makes me tear up just thinking about it. I, too, lost my mother before I had my children, and seeing them having such a great time baking and enjoying homemade treats really connected me to childhood memories of doing the same with my mom. So, again, congrats to your two little one on their sacraments, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you do…it is truly appreciated.
Congrats Kelly on a wonderful day! Your hard work paid off for a successful and joyous occassion.
Hey Kelly, sounds like you guys had a great day. I am happy to hear you let Whole Foods take a load off of you and handle the food, they really are great at what they do. The desserts you made sound delicious too.
Blessings to you & your family. What good memories you are making.
We don’t have a Whole Foods in Oklahoma City, but I’m glad that you found a place that can cater to your needs. I love it when we find places that “get it”.
Congratulations on making a wonderful celebration for these two important milestones in the lives of your boys. Through all your prep work of investigating Whole Foods and baking your delicious treats you created a day for John to just enjoy, with no worries and no feelings of exclusion. It sounds like a great day was had by everyone, thanks to you. Happy Mother’s day!
Just finished Russian Tea Cakes for my daughters 1st Communion…They are delicious!!! That was the first time I made those!! So easy!!! Thanks!!
Thanks for sharing your experiences and your recipes. Can’t believe that I just found you after 8 years in allergy land with a son who has Milk, Egg, Peanut, Tree Nut, and Sesame…a friend read about your cookbook in a parenting magazine. I baked the brownies today, can’t wait to try them. Your reflections on your first communion experiences strike so true for all my family holiday/special occasion experiences.
It’s always good to hear we are not alone
Love what you wrote about your son fitting in with all of the other children, that really hit home, and so glad to hear you were able to enjoy food, family, and friends without worry on such a special day! We have a Whole Foods right down the road, can I ask you what types of foods they included on the trays? And did they have a list of options or did you come up with them together?
Love your blog and cookbook – last Christmas it was a gift for all of our extended family members! Thank you for everything you do!
thanks for your comment tricia! i ordered the aram wraps, with tofutti cream cheese, veggies and turkey. I also did a crudite and fruit tray, and asked for the dressings on the side. I also, of course, made all my desserts.
Good luck!
My son has all nuts, eggs and shellfish allergies – it is refreshing to see mothers out there doing all they can for there children who have allergies – my husband and i look at our sons allergies as a blessing to our whole family – it has me baking and making all of our food fresh – which in turns keeps us healthy. Just picked up your cookbook and made the brownies – all of my kids loved it – all of our parties are at home due to the food allergies – your blog has offered so much info and support thank you.
veronica, thank you so much for your kind words and support! so happy your kiddos loved the brownies!