I think one of the most common comments we hear from people when we mention are allergies, is something along the lines of, "So...what do you eat?" It's true, our choices can sometimes seem rather limiting! But last night, enjoying chocolate cake with vanilla bean coconut ice cream, we hardly felt deprived! I've decided to make a point of posting some of our favorite foods, so you can all stop feeling sorry for us!
For most mornings I eat very simple -- a handful of dried apricots and cranberries, a handful of walnuts or almonds and a square of Lindt 85% or 90% dark chocolate. Dried fruit and nuts are just an amazing combination -- nuts also add protein, omega 3's and fiber. This particular brand of dark chocolate is dairy, corn and soy free. Since breakfast is my most limited meal, I find that adding a square of chocolate makes me feel like I'm having something special, rather than not allowed to eat anything! And, since it's so dark, there's an added benefit of all the anti-oxidants in chocolate without the sugar! Coffee has to be a part of any morning -- I add a splash of Silk almond milk in mine. It's a different taste than dairy, but we add all types of "nut" flavors to coffee and creamers -- hazelnut, almond, etc., so it actually goes very well!
Today for lunch I had my new favorite. I know it's supposed to be a diet killer to eat the same food everyday, but I look forward to it and will easily fall into "ruts" like that! My brother and sister introduced me to fish tacos this summer. They adapt very easy to my allergies, they taste great and I can cram a TON of nutrition into one quick meal.
Fish Tacos
Corn, Soy, Dairy, Egg, Lettuce free
Tortilla (I use La Flor flour tortillas -- like 3 ingredients, no soy or corn and you cook them yourself so they taste as close to homemade as you can get without the work!)
1 Tilapia fillet (or any mild fish)
Lemon Pepper seasoning (or any favorite!)
Small amount of olive oil for frying
Spinach
Avocado
Tomato
Goat Cheese
Salsa (chunky -- I use homemade)
Pretty self-explanatory directions -- sprinkle the fish with lemon pepper, fry in the olive oil. Cook the tortilla and load it up! Throw a big handful of spinach on, some avocado, tomato if you have it, a sprinkle of goat cheese...yum! Think over the nutrition packed in here -- protein, fiber, anti-oxidants, healthy fats, lycopene, omega 3's...
So, there you have it. Today's lunch. Now, my kids won't touch this (yet). But they do love the fish without the "taco" part. They also love avocado spread in sandwiches as a mayo substitute. Today for lunch, however, they had a variety of peanut butter/almond butter sandwiches.
Andrew had Almond butter and homemade crabapple jelly on a rice cake (he's allergic to wheat and peanuts, along with corn, soy and dairy) with fresh cherries.
Luke had Peanut butter and homemade cherry rhubarb jam on a rice cake and a banana (he's wheat, soy and dairy).
Isaac had a peanut butter and banana sandwich on some deli bread (dairy and corn free), the rest of banana and some cherries.
And they put it all away with a glass of cold coconut milk.
Hard to feel sorry them, isn't it? And before you grimace at the rice cake, try slapping your favorite nut butter and jelly on it and give it another try! My personal favorite is almond butter and homemade raspberry freezer jam. That's an addicting crunchy snack!