A Terrible, Horrible Food Allergy Day

Aiden closed the front door with a bang. Dragging his coat and feet across the floor, he slumped his way into the kitchen. His mother greeted him with an after school snack.

“How was school today?” His mother asked as she set apple slices on the counter in front of him along with a glass of juice.

“Horrible,” Aiden replied, pushing the apples away and ignoring the juice.

“Oh? What happened?” His mother asked taking a seat next to him.

“Tommy brought cupcakes in for his birthday and chocolate milk, too! I couldn’t have any.” Aiden muttered the last with his chin tucked sullenly in his hands.

“Did your teacher give you one of your special cookies?”

“Yes, but it wasn’t the same. It wasn’t a cupcake and it didn’t have frosting.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, sweetie,” his mother said as she patted him on the back.

“Mom, why can’t I eat what everyone else eats?”

His mother looked at him thoughtfully for a moment before replying, “You know when you play toy soldiers and your troops send out for reinforcements? Well, when you have wheat or dairy your body thinks it is being attacked, so the hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing are your body’s reinforcements.”

“I hate feeling different, and the kids at school tease me when they get a treat I can’t have.”

“Have you tried explaining to your classmates that you could get really sick if you eat certain foods?”

“No.”

“Have you told them how much it hurts when they tease you?”

“No.”

“Maybe they don’t realize how much it upsets you. If it happens again, tell them. Let them know how much it hurts your feelings when they tease you.”

“Will they listen to me?”

“You’ll never know unless you try. I’m sure your teacher would want to know about if they don’t.”

“I guess so.”

Snapping her fingers, Aiden’s mom went over to the kitchen cupboards. Flinging open one of the doors, she took out a box of cake mix. “You know what grandma would do to cheer me up after a bad day?”

“What?” Aiden eyed the box suspiciously.

“She would bake cookies!” His mother grinned.

“Um, mom, I can’t have cookies,” Pointing at the box in his mother’s hand, “Or cake.”

“I know, silly, but this is made without wheat. When I’m done, you’ll have a yummy treat for after dinner.”

“I can’t have dairy either.” Aiden reminded his mom with his arms crossed over his stomach.

“I didn’t forget. We can use a substitute ingredient instead.”

“Really?” Aiden looked hopefully up at his mother.

“Really. Want to help?” His mother asked handing him the box of cake mix.

Aiden jumped out of his seat, “Yes!”

Wheat and Dairy Free Vanilla Honey Cake

Ingredients:

1. 1 Box Commercial Brand Gluten-Free Cake Mix

2. 3 Eggs

3. 2 Teaspoons Gluten-Free Vanilla

4. ½ Cup Applesauce

5. 2 Tbs Safflower oil

6. 1 Strawberry

7. Honey

8. Two 8” round cake pans

Directions:

Follow the recipe on the back of the box substituting applesauce and oil for the butter (olive oil, canola oil or safflower oil are all acceptable substitutions). After the cake has cooled for about 15 to 20 minutes after baking garnish the cake with a strawberry fan on top and drizzle with honey.

This recipe is very versatile. Try adding fresh fruit (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc.) to the batter. Be creative with the garnish. Instead of a strawberry fan, try ringing the cake with blueberries with a single blueberry on top of the cake, or add a filling of fruit preserves between the two layers of cake. The possibilities are many.