dairy-free, nut-free, egg-free easter
Hi,
Well Easter is fast approaching. The shops are filled with chocolate eggs, rabbits and ducks. For most that is wonderful. For some, it is not so good to walk past with your toddlers wanting to grab the rabbit in its bright, glittering, foil wrapper. For those who can tolerate dairy, but not nuts, this year heralds an array of products that will suit you. One company in particular has gone to great lengths to ensure its products are nut free. We always live in hope that one day we can purchase off the shelf products, that are trusted to be safe.
Easter time three years ago, we bought Declan a small bag of “Dairy Free” chocolate eggs, that had no dairy warning. He thought that was great. Five seconds after having one in his mouth, he spat it out, was making a dreadful hacking sound and was scratching at his tongue with two hands at the same time. The hives followed, all over his neck and trunk. The eggs were obviously not completely dairy free. This year the same bag carries a “May contain” statement and is branded as “Lactose Free”.
Needless to say, Declan will not touch anything chocolate-looking. Even if I make a chocolate cake, myself, with all safe ingredients, he will not touch it. We of course don’t force the issue, we neither want to traumatise or confuse him. My daughter on the other hand, would have cocoa in everything if she could.
So for Easter this year, we will have fun making our own sweets and treats to give to friends and relatives. The Easter Bunny will of course be delivering an assortment of non-food and food related easter gifts choosing from a repertoire of dairy-free, nut-free, egg-free easter treats.
Past surprises have been, egg-shaped lolly-pops, Little Golden books, home-made bunny biscuits, home-made dairy-free chocolates, plush bunnies and many other things. The kids never miss out on anything, it just requires a little imagination, some time and a lot of fun. It would be nice to have it the easy way, but I also thrive on the challenge to come up with new ideas to keep it all fresh and interesting.
If anyone has some great Easter ideas, please feel free to share them.
Thanks for your diary — our 5 year old has just had a severe nut reaction and we’re readjusting our lifestyle and trying to get the emergency plans organised with the school. I was anxious about what to do about Easter as my son is quite a chocoholic — but you have given me some great alternative ideas.
Good luck with the book, and thankyou!
hi,
we have a son almost one who has a severe allergic reaction to eggs, dairy and penuts and mild, yet still allergic to beef, fish, wheat and soy…. As it is his party soon i have just begun looking for recipes so perhaps he could enjoy some different foods other than plain sandwhiches and fruit and bday parties.
I was wondering if you could tell me where you hot the receipes for the foods you are making for easter , if there is a book or something.
thankyou looking forward to your response
Rebecca
i also have a young child who is lactose intolerant and find it very disheartening that I cannot find her any easter eggs!! I have however purchased in Taregt, a basket of plastic eggs which are full of jelly beans. She is at the age of understanding about the Easter Bunny- not about the fact that he doesn’t make lactose free easter eggs. My 5 year old told me to write the easter bunny a letter telling him to make eggs for his little sister- what is even harder is when people who know that she is lactose intollerant give her milk chocolates!!! Try taking chocolate off her!!! The arrogance in people is unbelievable!!