Allergy Kid

Speaking of allergies, Izzie had her skin prick re-test a few weeks back with Paediatric Allergist
George Du Toit at Guy's & St Thomas' Hospitals.

The test involves putting tiny bits of food or synthetic substitutes on her arm then pricking it with a pin to see if a hive comes up - if a hive does appear it means that she is allergic to the substance. Nurse Linda made it really fun!

Photo's = Mushroom reaction about 9 months (She literally blew up like a mushrooms with hives everywhere including her eye lids & ears!, Skin prick test on her arm & Banana reaction about 21 months.

Izzie's allergy list continues to grow with the addition of apple, banana, pineapple & kiwifruit. I used to get upset that she didn't eat my wonderful apple puree but now I know why!

Currently Allergy List

Peanuts, Cashews, Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Pea's, Wheat, Rye, Spelt, Cow's Milk - Raw, Cow's Milk -Boiled, Raw Egg White, Cooked Egg White, Egg Yolk, Soy, Mushrooms, Blueberries, Watermelon, Tuna, Salmon, Tomato, Grass Pollen Mix, Kiwifruit, Apple, Banana & Pineapple

The doctor advised that people will think I am an overprotective weirdo saying that my daughter has so many allergies. One or two allergies is acceptable & believable but not a shopping list worth : ) Hope she grows out of some soon!

Crazy Cup Cakes

This morning Izzie and I made wheat free, dairy free, egg free chocolate cupcakes. I was a little hesitant due to past baking failures but this recipe had over 200 rave reviews so we dusted off the mixing bowls and got to it.

Izzie enjoyed standing up at the bench measuring and mixing and making a huge mess but the end result was a huge success as you can see from the photo. They were so soft & even rose!

I substituted Doves Farm gluten free flour, Oatly Oat milk instead of the water and an extra scoop of cocoa instead of the chocolate chips. I cooked the cupcakes for 20 mins as this recipe was originally for a cake. What a fab recipe for kids with allergies!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 5 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup cold water
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 
  

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8x8 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, sugar, cocoa powder, and baking soda. Mix well with a fork, then stir in oil, vinegar, and vanilla extract. When dry ingredients are thoroughly moistened, pour in cold water and stir until batter is smooth. Stir in chocolate chips and pour batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on a rack

Meat and Wine Steakhouse

Today we went to the Meat and Wine Co. Steakhouse near Westfields for lunch. They were really fantastic with Izzie and gave her the royal treatment with special dishes made especially for her.

http://www.themeatandwineco.com/uk/london/westfield_london/

The waitress warned me against having the full rack of ribs but I easily demolished it and could have gone another thanks to my Uni training days at the Lone Star's "All You Can Eat Rib Tuesdays" YUM!

After lunch we went summer shoe shopping for Izzie - what a Carrie Bradshaw she is!! We are in for a whole world of trouble : )

First Sleep Over

Izzie had a friend to stay for the first time last night. Her name is Georgia and her Mum and Dad were attending a ball where work was putting them up in a hotel after the party (oh how nice!)

It was fun to see them together having a bath, brushing teeth, eating breakfast etc. Izzie was very excited but Georgia naturally was a bit unsure - probably thought what the hell am I doing here?!

Georgia is very well behaved so hopefully some of that will rub off on Miss Izzie who is full of mischief. Getting her dressed is the equivalent of dressing a slippery eel in a large muddy pond

Snowy Cotswold's

"Jack's House" was our home in the beautiful Cotswold's last weekend. We would really recommend it if your ever planning a trip around there. It's in the village of Burton-on-the water which is called the "Venice" of the Cotswold's.

The cottage has been lovingly renovated and is just a few minutes walk to the cute little shops & restaurants.

http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/bourton-on-the-water/71672.

There is a small cake shop on the high street which has the best Caramel Slice (Millionaires Shortbread) I have ever tasted!

We were even lucky enough to wake up to snow two mornings. The little thatched houses were extra cute with a dusting of snow.

Mullets

Izzie came along on my haircut adventure today and was very good - mostly she sat in her pram in shock as scissors snipped, pages turned, cups of tea chinked and hairdressers gossiped .... that was until the hairdresser accidently turned the hot hair dryer on her and it was all over red rover.

The hairdresser ever so politely asked if I would like Izzie's mullet trimmed (it was getting to the point where she was being stopped in the street & asked if she was an Aussie Rules player : ) so up she hopped on my lap like a seasoned pro and 3 snips later she has a little bob. I got to take home 3 pieces of blond hair in an envelope ... aaah my little girl is growing up : ).

Today is pancake day and I made wheat free, dairy free, egg free pancakes - what's left? sugar??!! Needless to say they were disgusting and Izzie refused to eat my teddy shaped creations - don't blame her really : )

3.5 Bambina's

Today we had an excursion to Crystal Palace to see Katie, Rosie, Boy Bump, Scarlett & Amélie.

Rosie will be two next week and Amélie is coming up 5 months already!

Izzie loved playing with all Rosie's toys and we managed to destroy Katie's tidy living room.

I can just imagine these 3 cheeky girls heading up the east coast of Australia in a combie van in 20 years time : )