Tomato soup and grilled cheese—yes, it’s simple meal. But tonight we consumed it with complete happiness…

Why? Because at the end of July, we were told that our 2-year old was allergic to and could no longer eat tomatoes…or soy…or peanuts…or tree nuts…or coconut…or eggs. Considering that I cannot eat gluten, that made a total of seven foods that had to be eliminated from our diet. Or at least, that was the opinion of the doctor who ordered the testing.

At the same time that we were buying a house and moving, I had to completely change the way I prepared meals. All of the gluten free flours and grains that I use had a warning label that they were manufactured in the same facility with tree nuts and soy. So, I gave most of the items in my pantry to friends and family members. Grocery shopping became an even more exhausting, emotionally-draining event. I had to read every label very carefully. And time after time, I had to put things back on the shelf because they contained ingredients that she couldn’t have.

I felt so overwhelmed. I stopped menu planning because I couldn’t think of enough foods to make to fill a weekly menu plan. I cooked completely on the spur-of-the-moment, creating something to put on the table out of sheer necessity of eating. And because we had cut so many things out, we added lots of dairy back in—a food that we had previously eaten minimally because of intolerance issues with various members of the family. Basically, I had learned to replace dairy with nuts—yummy cashew cream sauces and nut milk and snacks of nuts…

At a church picnic, I talked to another mother whose children also have food allergies. She encouraged me to get a second opinion. Her children, although they test allergic to various foods, are actually allowed to eat those foods! I called soon to set up an appointment at the same practice. It took a few weeks to get in, but on October 16th, we received some of the best news ever!

The doctor giving a second opinion told me to add ALL of the six foods that we had eliminated from our diet for almost three months back into our diet! Have you ever had a moment where you literally felt stress melt away? I did at that time—I was so thankful…it seemed so surreal.

And now, whenever Em sees me preparing foods that she couldn’t have, she yells, “Tomatoes!” or asks in disbelief, “Can I eat it?”

So, yes, tonight’s grilled cheese and tomato soup brought many smiles…we are so very thankful that we followed the advice of the acquaintance who encouraged us to get a second opinion.

And later this week, you will be hearing about chocolate chip cookies!

Do you have to deal with food allergies? If so, please comment below…I may be able to share some helpful information or recipes with you.