We’ve faced a lot of these same problems with my son. His allergy is a 4 on a scale of 1-4…so we’re pretty vigilant. We read labels, and don’t bring any nut products into our house at all. We carry an epi pen at all times, as well as a pre-measured dose of Benadryl. We keep nut free treats in the car so that we always have something safe to feed him, and we teach all of his caretakers and family members about his allergy so that they understands how severe it is. Most people get it, but a great many don’t.

But when it comes to a blanket ban on peanuts, I’m just not sure.

I’ve heard the argument for nut-free schools and I have to say that I’m still a bit on the fence about it. I definitely think that ALL daycare centers, pre-schools and kindergarten classes should be completely nut free…and I’m quite surprised that many in my area aren’t nut free already. Because, at that age, it’s difficult to teach children the importance of being careful. Hell, at that age, kids are picking their noses without a care in the world for spreading germs. A three-year old kid just doesn’t understand that if he eats a peanut butter sandwich, it could potentially cause a life threatening reaction if he were to touch my child with his grimy hands. Plus, at three, my child still has difficultly expressing pains and illnesses. He could easily suffer a reaction and lack the ability to tell his teachers. By the time they realize what’s happened, it could be too late.

But, nut free schools…I’m just not sure. While I think it would be great to know that my child would be free from this horrible monster, I sort of feel like it’s a bit unfair to the other kids. I can’t really expect the school system to change everything because one or two children have an allergy. Yes, they should not serve products that have hidden nuts, but ban them completely? I think that’s a bit harsh. If you ban nuts, then you should also ban fish, soy, eggs, wheat and dairy too–as those are the biggest threats when it comes to food allergies. At that point, what are the kids going to eat?

Plus, what about life outside of school? I can’t keep him in a bubble and there’s no way for me to know if the sales lady at Build A Bear ate a Reece’s cup before starting her shift. I can’t go to the mall and ask Mrs. Fields to stop selling cookies, or expect Dairy Queen to halt blizzard sales. All I can do is be cautious and ready for the possibility that he might have a reaction, and be prepared to handle it.

Now there are some things I would advocate when it comes to food allergies.

1. Restaurants should be required to give ingredient information that pertains to allergies. According to the The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, food manufacturers must include any of the top eight allergens, by common name, in the ingredients list if the allergen is in the food item. This includes peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, soy, dairy, wheat, fish and shellfish. I think the same regulation should be extended to restaurants. And, if it isn’t already, allergy information should be included in food safety training for those who handle food (cooks, servers, etc). More awareness on the severity would help food workers understand how important it is to be safe.

2. I love the idea of nut-free sections at ball parks and other major attractions. That would open a world of opportunity for our family. While my husband and I love going to football and baseball games, I’m not sure that I’ll ever feel safe taking my son. It would be like walking through fire and hoping not to get burned. I would love the chance to take my son without worrying about the guy next to us shelling through a bag of roasted peanuts. It would give us a great opportunity to enjoy one of life’s greatest pass times without the worry of a possible ride in an ambulance.

What about you? Do you think schools should be nut free? Or, are you secretly irked that you need to adjust your life because the kid next door has an allergy? Have you had to deal with a child who has a severe allergy? Or do you know someone who does, and wonder if they’re just a bit neurotic? I’d love to hear your feedback.

The reason this website is called The Average Parent is because I consider myself to be just that…very average. I do a decent job cleaning the house, although there are definitely some areas I’d like to keep hidden. I try to be a good mom, but there are certainly times when I use the TV as a babysitter a bit more than I should. And, when it comes to cooking…well, it’s just average. I have a few signature dishes, but that’s about it. The problem is that I don’t really enjoy cooking. It doesn’t hold my attention, and quite frankly, there are just other things I would rather do.

As a result, when we evaluated our family budget at the beginning of the year, we realized that we spend far too much money eating out. Not only was this a major expense, it was also very unhealthy. So, we set a goal to cook more while bulking up the nutritional value of our meals. I was on board with this new plan, but with only a few signature dishes to call my own, I was at a loss for what to do.

Enter Aviva Goldfarb’s SOS! The Six O’Clock Scramble to the Rescue: Earth-Friendly, Kid-Pleasing Dinners for Busy Families. I love the term rescue in this cookbook’s title, because it has done just that…it has rescued us from a cycle of unhealthy take out and a limited selection of meals to cook. This cookbook is designed for busy parents who are interested in taking the hassle out of meal time, while still providing an affordable, tasty, nutritious meal…which also happen to be easy on the environment.

I had been hearing some buzz about this book from other bloggers, so I was pretty excited for the chance to review it. When it arrived, I sat down to look it over and mark the recipes I wanted to try. Before long, I realized that I was marking all of them! Everything looked so good.

The recipes are broken down by season, allowing you to take full advantage of ingredients that are in season, at their peak flavor and best price. I started working through the Spring section and so far I’ve prepared about 10 recipes. Each meal was incredibly easy to make, and I was pleasantly surprised at how delicious the end result was. Not once did I have to resort to ham sandwiches or pizza delivery to replace a botched dinner. Even my uber-picky hubby loved all of the new dishes…and that’s saying something!

The best part is that while each meal is super easy to make (you can prepare most of them in less than 30 minutes), every recipe uses simple, basic ingredients that I already have on hand, or could easily find at any local grocery store. Yes, that’s right; these are easy, healthy AND eco-friendly dishes that have regular everyday ingredients.

This really is an unbelievably good cookbook. Without a doubt, it’s been the best cookbook I’ve ever used. It is now one of my go-to gifts for new parents. Each recipe is listed with complete nutritional information, possible side dish suggestions, as well as tips to shake it up. Plus, Aviva covers all types of meals, from traditional to slightly ethnic, giving you a chance to broaden your family’s taste buds without breaking the bank (or slaving in the kitchen). You can also mix up your weekly menu with dishes that are vegetarian or include beef, pork, poultry or fish.

One thing I do want to point out is that while I say this is an eco-friendly cookbook, Aviva does not ram it down your throat. This is important to me because while I try to be as green as possible, sometimes finances and convenience trump the environmental impact of my purchase. It’s not that I don’t care about the environment; it’s just that life sometimes gets in the way. Aviva doesn’t hammer readers with feelings of guilt nor does she make you feel like you’re doing your family an injustice if you don’t go organic. Instead, she strategically places helpful tips for maintaining a more eco-friendly diet and how to save money going green, as well as advice for when it just doesn’t matter all that much. She gives readers the tools to live green, without pushing it.

In addition to the Six O’Clock Scramble cookbook, Aviva also offers readers a chance to streamline their weekly menus with the Scramble Weekly Plan. For less than $3 a month, you can sign up to get an email every Wednesday with a newsletter, five family-tested healthy meals with side dish suggestions and a corresponding grocery list. You can use all the meals in your weekly newsletter, or swap any recipe for one in their database that fits your fancy. The grocery list is automatically updated with your choices. It just doesn’t get any easier than that! The best part is that the Six O’Clock Scramble cookbook comes with a code for a free one-month trial for the website. One more reason to check it out.

SOS! The Six O’Clock Scramble to the Rescue: Earth-Friendly, Kid-Pleasing Dinners for Busy Families is available through Amazon for $12.23 and most other major book retailers.

You can also have a chance to win it here on The Average Parent. Click here for details.

Review Disclaimer:
The Average Parent has pledged to Blog with Integrity. What this means is that although we occasionally receive free products from PR and marketing reps, the recommendations we make are based on our own experience in the real world. We promise to only provide reviews on the products and services we absolutely love, and we define this as something we would purchase for ourselves or as a gift for others. For more details about our review policy please visit the Disclaimer Page.

My little man started having chronic ear infections around age 1 when we switched him from soy formula to whole milk. We went through rounds and rounds of antibiotics, including a three day series of shots at the local hospital. Even after tubes were inserted, he continued to have infections on a monthly basis. When a friend told me about the link between dairy and ear infections, I was floored. It made perfect sense to me, and I wondered why the doctor had never suggested a dietary change before surgery and drugs. Dr. Sears points out that one carefully controlled study showed that 75 percent of infants under one year of age were allergic to cow’s milk. Luckily many of these kids will outgrow the allergy by the time they are two or three-years-old. Yet many doctors continue to take a skeptical view of the allergy. When I approached our pediatrician about my findings, he fell into the skeptical group. He downplayed the chance of an allergy by letting me know that food allergies don’t present that way and that my son’s ear infections were just a result of immature ear development. Ah, OK, doc. All I know is that the ear infections started when we switched to cow’s milk, and they ended when we stopped giving him cow’s milk. You can call it an allergy, a sensitivity or pure coincidence, but that’s what worked.

Around the same time, my son was also battling a chronic cough. It wasn’t a major illness, but every night he’d wake up hacking. Doc told us he had asthma and gave us a prescription for a breathing treatment. Yet, he insisted that the little man did not have allergies…because “babies don’t have allergies.” I knew he was wrong. However, there really wasn’t much else we could do, so we continued with the breathing treatment. (Of course, we also continue to limit his dairy, because we know it causes an increase in mucus production and often causes asthma to become worse.) Now that he’s pushing 3–and we have a new doc–I’m being told that he probably has allergies. Oh, really, I could have told you that two years ago. He now takes Singulair (along with the puffer) to better control his cough.

Then came the peanut problem. Shortly after his first birthday I thought it was time to give him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Upon eating it, he instantly broke out in hives. OK, maybe this was a fluke, because he does have tremendously sensitive skin. (Did I mention his eczema?) The next time, I was the one eating peanuts and when I picked him up, he had an instant reaction everywhere I touched him. That was enough evidence for me. At his next well-baby appointment, I told the doc what happened and he ordered a blood allergy test. When it came back negative, I was shocked. Doc said he was clear and we could give him peanuts again. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you what happened the next time he encountered peanuts…yep, instant hives. So, although the $800 blood test said he wasn’t allergic, I knew that he was. I fought with the doc for more than a year to convince him the blood test was wrong and my son had an allergy. Finally he issued us a prescription for an epi pen and sent us to an allergist for a skin test. With that, we learned that his allergy is a 4 on a scale of 1-4 and that he also has a slight allergy to almonds. Unfortunately, we didn’t learn anything else about the allergy, how to manage it, or how to control it. Nor did I have the proper information to convey the severity of the condition to other family members or care takers. I did find a great article through Dr. Greene, which provided some great insight…but I still felt like I was battling an invisible monster. To add to the problem, I’m constantly reading about studies or theories that suggest different things. One recommendation says to wait till the child is three before introducing peanuts…yet another says waiting that long is the reason kids are allergic. I’ve read that the allergy can be a result of the mother eating the food while pregnant or nursing, yet another says there is a link to the way our food is processed now. I’ve also read conflicting opinions on the ability to outgrow the allergy or build up a tolerance. Like I said…they don’t know shit.

So, while I’ve read countless articles about allergies and the impact diet has on both behavior and overall health, I’m still no more knowledgeable than I was three years ago. I’m also continually amazed at how eager doctors are to prescribe medicine without first exploring dietary changes. The only thing I do know is that when it comes to a child’s health, mom often knows best…even when the doctor says nothing’s wrong.

Additional Resources:

Asthma explained by common allergy to milk and dairy products

Link Between Milk Allergy and Chronic Ear Infections

Dr. Greene: Food Allergies

Kids with Food Allergies (facebook page)

To make sure you and your kids are covered for the summer, I put together a simple tip sheet to get your started. For ideas on products I like, check out my post Top Sunscreens for the Average Parent.

1. Thorough and frequent application is essential. According to Coppertone Solar Research Center fellow Patricia Agin, a product’s SPF rating is determined by controlled laboratory-based testing. Therefore, if the sunscreen is not used properly the protection level decreases accordingly. Put simply: if you’re not applying generously and frequently, you’re not getting the full SPF on the label.

2. Applying sunscreen in the morning is not enough protection, no matter which product you use. Experts tend to agree that sunscreen should be reapplied at least every two hours, and even more frequently after swimming or excessive perspiration. And, just because a sunscreen is “water proof” or carries a high SPF rating doesn’t mean you don’t need to reapply.

3. The Skin Cancer Foundation also recommends using at least 1 ounce or enough sunscreen to fill a shot glass to maintain the SPF level. What this means is that an average person should use around one half to one quarter of an 8 oz. bottle during a long day at the beach.

4. It takes time. Most sunscreens take 20-30 minutes to be fully absorbed into the skin, so make sure to check the label and be patient when necessary.

5. Don’t forget the often missed spots. Make sure to use sunscreen on the ears, tops of feet, neck and hair part, as well as a lip balm with SPF protection.

6. Children need extra protection. Not only do children have more delicate skin, but they also spend more time in the sun than the average adult. Before your child becomes a teenager and develops the desire to tan, it’s important to protect him while you can. By using a high-level sun protection in the early years, you can set the tone for good skin care and reduce the risk of skin cancer and other damaging effects from the sun.

In addition to sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and specially-designed SPF clothing can dramatically reduce the effects of sun without compromising comfort or style.

7. Young babies need protection too. In the past, the American Academy of Pediatrics has discouraged the use of sunscreen on infants under the age of 6 months. That’s changed. They still recommend using proper shade and avoiding the sun when possible, but they also say that: “for babies under 6 months of age, sunscreen may be used on small areas of the body such as the face and the backs of the hands if adequate clothing and shade are not available.” They suggest testing the sunscreen on a small area of the back for sensitivity.

8. Tackling the kids with SPF doesn’t have to ruin the day. There is a wide range of products available for kids, including manual and continuous sprays, SPF wipes, sticks and traditional lotions. It might take a little trial and error, but the trick is to find a product that is easy to apply AND the kids don’t hate. For babies and toddlers it may be easier to apply sunscreen before you get them dressed and then reapply with a SPF spray every hour.

KINeSYS recommends allowing each person in the family to claim ownership of their own bottle of sunscreen and getting involved when it comes time to apply. “We have found the most effective way to promote sunscreen use in kids is to let them be part of the process,” they say. “In general, if sunscreen application time is fun and not forced, this makes it much easier to protect sensitive skin.”

9. Know when to toss the bottle. I used to think sunscreen needed to be replaced every year. Come to find out, that’s not actually the case. Energizer Personal Care, of which Banana Boat is a brand, says the active ingredients in most sunscreens are actually very stable, even under stressed storage conditions. However, it’s the inactive ingredients such as the lotions and bonding materials that might deteriorate similar to the way salad dressing separates over time. Their recommendation is to toss a sunscreen that has passed its expiration date or if it’s texture is compromised.

For Babies and Kids

Coppertone Water Babies Pure & Simple (SPF 50) – Water Babies has been a summer mainstay for more than 50 years because of its gentle formula. Now, Coppertone has taken a good product and made it even better. The new Pure and Simple product goes on thicker and whiter, allowing for more even distribution. Some parents have commented that they don’t like the thick formula. But I think the thicker formula keeps the lotion in place—helping to avoid eye irritation. Pure and Simple absorbs quickly and leaves no sticky, chalky or greasy residue on baby’s skin or clothes. It retails for about $10 for an 8oz bottle and is available at most retailers nationwide.

Some key features you can find with this product: Tear free; Oil, fragrance, and dye free; Hypoallergenic; Gentle, zinc oxide sun protection formula; Special moisturizers and aloe to help keep babies’ skin soft and smooth; Dermatologist, ophthalmologist, and pediatrician tested; Waterproof; and Broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

baby silk babysafe sunscreen towelettes from MD Moms (SPF 30) – These towelettes retail for about $26.00 for 15, which I understand is a bit of a splurge, but trust me on this one. Baby Silk is the first pediatrician-developed personal care line especially for babies…so you know where their focus is. Because the application is so fast, easy and gentle they’re an ideal choice for parents with infants or children suffering from hyperactivity, sensory disorders and even autism. The MD Moms products have a fragrance that irritated my son when I used their lotion. However, the scent is so subtle in these towels, that I didn’t even realize it was there.

According to the company website, each wipe is saturated with a gentle, sweat-proof, broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen that’s enriched with Vitamins E and B5, marine silk, aloe and oat. It’s gentle enough for even the youngest baby’s skin. Each wipe contains enough sunscreen to cover baby from head to toe, with no fuss and no mess. It’s so easy to apply that I actually had to contact a company rep to make sure I was doing it correctly.

Some key features you can find with this product: Contains no phthalates, lanolin, mineral oil, petroleum or waxes; Contains physical sunscreens, titanium and zinc oxide, as the only active ingredients; Protects against UVA and UVB rays; Clinically tested & hypoallergenic; Made in the USA; No animal testing

Mad Gab’s Face Stick (SPF 30) – Coppertone and Banana Boat offer comparable SPF face sticks, but they’re not as good. I just love Mad Gab’s. Check out their website and you’ll understand what I mean. With an eco-friendly, community-minded approach, it’s hard not to fall in love with their all-natural products. The face stick is especially great for families on the go, as well as itty bitty infants. As you may already know, the American Acadamy of Pediatrics now recommends limited sunscreen use on babies under 6 months (opposed to a previous recommendation of no sunscreen at all). Mad Gab’s face stick is ideal for applying all-natural, non-irritating protection to those tiny noses and hands. It’s super easy to apply and perfect for delicate skin. My son actually enjoys it when I apply the product to his face…and we’ve already started using it this summer. The sticks sell for about $6.50 a stick and are available at select locations nationwide and online atwww.madgabs.com.

Some key features you can find with this product: The Face Stick with SPF 30 is packed with cocoa butter and jojoba that moisturizes skin while providing strong protection against the sun’s harmful rays. Just throw it in the diaper bag and off you go.

SAFE BABY Waterproof Sun Protection SPF 50, from Skin by Monica Olson – I tested tons and tons of sunscreens in search of an all-natural alternative to chemical-based lotions. Before I tried SAFE BABY, I was beginning to think I wasn’t going to find one that was worth recommending. Unlike other all-natural lotions, SAFE BABY is extremely easy to apply, has a pleasant smell, goes on smooth and doesn’t leave any sticky residue behind. This lotion sells for $23 for a 4oz bottle and is available at select locationsnationwide, in Canada and online at skinbymonica.com.

Some key features you can find with this product: no harsh chemicals; gentle even on the most sensitive skin; derived from organic ingredients; dermatologist tested.

SunBrellas Family Block SPF 36 by Jason – I’m a big fan of the skin care products by Jason. In fact, we use their Kids Only! Extra Gentle Shampoo for my son and LOVE it. Their sunscreen line is just as good. It was one more lucky find in the all natural arena. This product goes on smoothly, doesn’t leave a sticky residue and has a very pleasant smell that just reminds me of the beach. It’s perfect for my families delicate skin and super sensitive allergies. SunBrellas Family Block sells for about $10 for a 4oz tube and is available at select retailers, through their webstore or on Amazon.

Key features for this product: Their entire line of sunscreen is PABA-free, alcohol-free and water resistant. Each formulation provides the best possible defense from the sun without irritation. Sunbrellas Family Block SPF36 offers full spectrum skin protection while combining powerful anti-oxidants and natural ingredients to protect, nourish and reduce premature aging of the skin.

For Mom (and even Dad)

Banana Boat Ultra Defense Faces (SPF 30) –  With lifelong allergies and the most sensitive skin, I’ve searched high and low for a good sunscreen I could wear on my face without irritating my skin and eyes. For most of my life I either went without protection on my face (eek!) or I used a greasy, all-purpose lotion that did the job, but wasn’t exactly my ideal choice. Finally I’ve found a product that goes on light, is oil free, sweat resistant and non-irritating. I put it on before makeup and you can’t even tell it’s there. Ultra Defense Faces retails for about $10 for a 3oz tube and is available at most retailers nationwide

Some key features you can find with this product: enriched with vitamins and complete with AvoTriplex technology; oil free; hypoallergenic; fragrance free; everyday protection that hydrates skin; new non-greasy formula; very water resistant; absorbs quickly; also available in SPF 15, 30 and 50 lotion and UltraMist 30, 50 and 85 for allover protection.

Coppertone NutraShield SPF 30 with Dual Defense – Along with Banana Boat’s Ultra Defense, Coppertone’s Dual Defense is another hot product that hit shelves last season. NutraSheild is my top pick for overall sun protection for the average parent because this incredibly light lotion absorbs quickly, doesn’t leave any sticky residue behind and carries a very light and pleasant fragrance. According to Coppertone’s website, it was especially designed for women to be hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores). However, I don’t see why the average dad couldn’t also benefit from using this amazing lotion. This lotion retails for about $10 for a 6oz tube and is available at retailers nationwide

Some key features you can find with this product: helps prevent premature skin aging caused by the sun; enriched with specially selected antioxidants to promote natural skin repair; appropriate for everyday use; water resistant; durable broad spectrum, photostable UVA/UVB protection; dermatologist tested; also available in SPF 70 lotion and a SPF 70 face lotion.

Review Disclaimer: During the summer of 2009 The Average Parent tested more than 30 different sunscreen products from mainstream companies, independent small businesses, high-end boutiques and environmentally-conscious manufacturers. Many of the products, with the exception of a few, were provide free of charge by the respective manufacturers or vendors. This is not a scientific review to test the effectiveness of protection or the integrity of ingredients—we simply looked for the best feeling and easiest to use products. To maintain integrity, The Average Parent has a review policy in effect that promises to only post reviews on products we absolutely love. So, you likely won’t hear about the products we didn’t like, and you can be guaranteed that we won’t post a review just because we got a product for free.

If you’re anything like me, your pants are getting a bit snug from all the holiday treats and the New Year has served up a perfect opportunity to turn things around. This usually means healthier eating and some form of exercise. Before plunking down your hard-earned cash for a new gym membership, check out these tips and deals to make sure you get the best bang for your buck. According to MSN Money, “everything’s negotiable,” especially when it comes to comes to shopping for a gym membership. Deals will be even better this year because gyms are looking to boost sales to make up for a lackluster 2009. However, the heavy sales push will still be strong on all fronts, so you’ll want to be prepared. Check out MSN.com’s It’s time to get a deal on a gym membership to learn tips for picking the best gym membership. You can also check out the New York Times piece, Resolution: Get a Deal on a Gym Membership for even more helpful information.

For now, here are some options you can check out:

Churches and Community Centers tend to offer the most economical option for members, however you can sometimes sacrifice some ammentis as a result. For example, my local community center offers a one-year family membership for just $125.00. A few other local churches offer similar deals as well. Typically, the facility is very clean and the equipment is great, but they lack extra perks such as flexible childcare (which is a necessity for my family).

The YMCA network is one of the nation’s largest providers of health and well-being programs. You can find a YMCA center in just about any town and the amount of services varies by location. My local Y offers a family membership for $73 a month or an individual membership for $50. Membership includes free child care, a variety of free classes and discounts on specialty classes such as CPR/First Aid, swimming lessons and gymnastics.

24 Hour Fitness has over 400 locations nationwide and offers group exercise classes, personal training, mind body fitness and much more. They are currently running a discount as well. Sign up online with code CPY1KASU53 and pay just $179.99 for a one-year membership. You can also get a three-year membership with three free personal training sessions for $549.99 via code AMTBB3EAV4 or take advantage of no initiation fee on monthly memberships. Restrictions apply, so check out their website for details.

Gold’s Gym is currently waiving enrollment fees, which are normally $149. With more than 500 locations across the country, Gold’s Gym strives to help people realize their goals and find their inner strength. You’ll find all of the latest cardio and strength training equipment along with classes like yoga, group cycling, mixed martial arts, muscle endurance training and pilates.

Curves was created specifically for women, offering a 30-minute workout that uses strength training, cardio and stretching to exercise every major muscle group and burns up to 500 calories. In addition, club promotions and events encourage women to support charitable causes, learn about health-related issues and forge lasting friendships as part of the global Curves community. If you join now, you’ll get one month FREE.

LA Fitness has a mission to help as many people as possible achieve the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. By doing this, they offer a wide range of amenities to accommodate just about everybody’s needs and wants. You can find state-of-the-art equipment, a variety of group exercise classes, a heated lap pool, Jacuzzi and saunas, racquetball, tennis and basketball courts (with tournament and league availability at some locations), personal trainers and a top-notch kids club for babysitting.

Bally Total Fitness — In addition to offering a ton of high-tech equipment, a variety of group classes and well-trained, experienced personal trainers, Bally Total fitness offers a collection of affordable membership plans to fit anyone’s budget. You can pay as you go to avoid long term commitments, pay a year’s dues all at once for maximum savings, or find a payment plan somewhere in the middle. Bally Total Fitness is a pioneer in designing and building world-class health clubs, so each of its 300 nationwide facilities is the result of decades of fitness experience.