Yesterday morning I made my second phone call to Baja Fresh Corporate. I asked them why it was so hard to get allergen information on their food. They would not give me any generals, only specifics. So here is what I got out of them for the second time. They claim that the only products containing eggs are the breaded fish and shrimp and the creamy sauces. But when it comes to peanuts, they are extremely vague. The answer they give is this: none of their products contain peanuts to their knowledge. HOWEVER, any or all of their products may be produced in a factory that contains peanuts so their products may contain peanuts. WOW!

I asked to speak to someone in upper management and was shot down (no surprise there). The customer service representative did tell me that several people have called recently and that upper management is considering doing “something” about the allergy situation.  So here is what I suggest. If you are as disturbed as I am then call Baja Fresh and ask them to post the allergen info for their food. Here is their toll free customer service  number: 1-877-225-2373 ext.1

Just so you know. We are not going back to Baja Fresh. Not until they post the allergen information.

I know it’s been a while since my last post. I have been really busy dealing with my son. Anyone else out there got a kid who doesn’t poop? (I know one day he will absolutely die when he finds out I have blogged  about this issue) Well with Little J, it has gotten so bad that it has caused acid reflux (yes his esophagus is eroding at age three) which has caused a sinus infection that even six months worth of antibiotics can’t fix. Little J is supposed to go to Special Education preschool five days a week and he spends about a third of the time at home sick. It is a never ending battle. I am kinda beside myself. But we are working on it. And he is still my sweet little angel.  I am so sorry that I have neglected SPEWD Free..

One of the questions/comments I have been getting lately is about how I can call my website SPEWD Free and then talk about soy butter or write a recipe that contains dairy.  Well here is the thing. I have always wanted SPEWD Free to be a little fluid. My life is ever changing and so is the website. Don’t get me wrong. I try to remember to put all the substitutions in my recipes (please fell free to email me if you notice that I have missed one). But sometimes I want to be able to blog about soy butter instead of sun butter or veganaisse (there really isn’t another sub for mayo). We all have different allergies and I want everyone to be comfortable here. Food allergies are not just limited to Soy, Peanuts, Eggs, Wheat and Dairy (or any combo of those) . So lets talk about all kinds of substitutes, and I will try not to offend anyone. And don’t worry…. I won’t be bringing in the dreaded peanuts anytime soon.

The Saints won the Super Bowl! And while I don’t know too much about Super Bowl winning, MVP Drew Brees, I know he has food allergies. According to Sports Illustrated, his allergies include : Dairy, Wheat, Gluten, Eggs and Nuts.  Wow! It may be challenging to keep a three year old with food allergies healthy, being an athlete with food allergies is a whole different story.  I would love to know what Drew Brees eats everyday, how he avoids the foods he is allergic to, and what his favorite substitutes are.

Congratulations to the Saints and Drew Brees!!

Little J will be three soon and so he will probably be starting preschool. For me, it’s a mixed feeling kind of thing. Little J is going to love preschool, I just know it! Little J has never had a problem being left with people and usually doesn’t want to go home. So I am happy because he will get to make new friends and have fun experiences. On the other hand, it makes me a bit sad because it will be the end of him staying home with me all day. I enjoy hearing him laugh and “talk” all day. I’m going to miss my little guy.

And then there is the elephant in the room. Little J doesn’t speak much and he has life threatening food allergies. He is going to be in a room with a bunch of little kids who have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! It makes me a bit nervous, to say the least. So I thought I would find Little J a medical alert bracelet that he could wear to school. That way his teachers will be reminded of his allergies and if anything happens, they will have his food allergies on hand.

My DH, on the other hand, thinks I am being overprotective. He doesn’t want Little J to stick out. I understand not wanting Little J to be the “different” child in the class, but I also think it is important to keep everyone constantly informed. Neither of us wants Little J to have a reaction at school.

Maybe I am being overprotective. But I am just trying to keep Little J safe….what do you think?? Overprotective or safe?

The other day I had a craving for Cracker Jacks. I loved Cracker Jacks as a child….they are kind of a comfort food. But alas, Cracker Jacks have peanuts, and Little J is so allergic to peanuts that I won’t eat them. So I decided to make SPEWD Free Cracker Jacks. No peanuts, still yummy. Little J loves popcorn and he loves raisins so I put the raisins in for him.  Check out the recipe here: Mock Cracker Jacks and let me know what you think!