Adventures with Heather

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Trust's Food Allergies & Allergen Free Lasagna Recipe

We recently had quite the ordeal taking my son Trust back & fourth to the doctor for various ailments. He kept complaining about his tummy hurting, was acting SUPER whinny, was not eating very much & had chronic diarrhea. After a few blood tests the doctor figured out that Trust has low iron AND Allergies to Gluten, Egg and Milk (and possibly other things). 

My jaw dropped to the floor as I realized many of his favorite foods contain these items. I cried for a day, then got myself together and went into fix-it mode.

If you've ever been in fix-it mode you'll know what it's like. Researching at all hours of the night, asking questions to people who have allergen free diets, obsessively inspecting every label before anything touches your grocery cart... it is exhausting!!

I have since found some REALLY good alternatives to Milk & Cheese. Almond milk & Almond Cheese are our favorites so far! The almond cheese is tricky to find, but my husband Brett found Mozzarella Almond Cheese (in a block) at Whole Foods. It is mild and very much like Mozzarella to my surprise.

We also found some killer Pretzels (Glutino Brand) at Giant Eagle that taste better than real pretzels in my opinion! And Amy's Graham Bunnies has allergen free bunnies at Whole Foods that Trust loves too. Trust also loves yogurt and cried when he couldn't have any, but I found some Soy Yogurt at Giant Eagle that he gulped down. SCORE.

To be honest, we are a LOT healthier these days. I am eating the same things Trust is eating and most of our diet is, meat, fruits, & Veggies. So maybe the verse that I cling to "All things work together for good" really does stand to be true! 

I am slowly noticing a difference in Trust's overall mood (although it will take some time for him to get all the bad stuff in his system). I still suspect he is allergic to some other things though because he had some diarrhea today, but we are taking it a day at a time you know?


I adventurously made some DELICIOUS Organic milk free, gluten free, egg free, soy free Lasagna the other night and want to share the recipe with whoever can use it!! The sad part about having so many allergies is not being able to enjoy comfort foods, but now you can!

Ingredients:
Brown Rice Lasagna Noodles (Tinkyada Pasta Joy-Giant Eagle)

Pasta Sauce (I used the kind with Basil in it from Trader Joe's)
**Optional- I added Diced Red Peppers, Spinach & Onion to the Pasta Sauce
-Splash of Almond milk (or soy) 
Ground Turkey or Ground Beef (All Natural, hormone free is best)

Almond Mozzarella Cheese (Lisanatti Foods- The Original Almond-Mozzarella Style)
Lasagna Glass Pan (Long Brownie pan)
-------------------------------------

-PRE Heat oven to 375 degrees
-Shred Almond Mozzarella Cheese with Cheese Grater (do the whole block or more if you like lots of cheese) & set to the side
-Boil Brown Rice Noodles for 12-15 Minutes- add Olive oil so they down stick
-Brown Ground meat in Deep Pan (deep enough to add sauce later)
-Once Meat is cooked through, add Pasta Sauce, Splash of Almond Milk & desired Chopped Veggies to Meat
-Strain Brown Rice Noodles when they are done 

-Spray Olive Oil (or desired oil) on Glass Lasagna Pan (Long brownie one)
-Put thin layer of Pasta Sauce Mixture on bottom of Glass Lasagna Pan
-Layer Noodles on top of Sauce (3 long ways on the Long Brownie/Lasagna Pan work great)
-Add Sauce Mixture on top of Noodles (thin layer so you have enough)
-Add Almond Cheese on top of sauce 
-Repeat Noodles, Sauce, Almond Cheese until noodles or sauce is gone.
-Add Almond Cheese to the top
-Place Lasagna in preheated (375 degrees) Oven for 20-25 minutes.
-Check to see if it is bubbling and hot in the middle
**EAT IT!**

*Yummy to serve with Rice Bread (Whole Foods) with Olive oil, sea salt & Garlic powder on top. place in already preheated oven for 5-7 minutes and you are good to go!




No comments: