People covered. Sessions covered. Let’s talk food! I mean, that’s what Wednesdays are for, right?
Unfortunately, I don’t have many (read: any) pictures of what I ate while I was at HLS. Womp, womp. My allergies make eating out a somewhat stressful experience, and because I’m not too keen on touring hospitals in the cities I visit, I tend to stick to things I know won’t send me there – namely packaged foods and the ever elusive nut-free restaurant. Maybe I’m being a tad bit overly cautious, but I’m pretty sure the couple of bad experiences I’ve had in the past left me paranoid and scarred for life 😯 Serious allergic reactions are not fun.
That being said, my weekend in Minneapolis consisted of a lot of Target and Chipotle runs, both of which were mercifully close to our hotel. You have no idea how badly I wish I could have tasted what the city and the summit had to offer…
… but such is a life plagued by allergies. Oddly enough, it doesn’t usually bother me all that much. I mean, sure, it’s inconvenient and requires a decent amount of planning, but I don’t think it’s quite bad enough to elicit the ever common “OMG how do you live like that?! I would die!” reaction that I seem to get from a lot of people. Honestly, it’s the only life I’ve ever known, and while, yes, it sucks when you can’t join friends for dinner at a Thai restaurant or eat over half of what you got in your HLS swag bag…
… it’s really not that bad, especially when you focus on the delicious things you can eat. So let’s take look at some of the wonderfully peanut-free meals I’ve been enjoying, shall we?
Breakfast… featuring peanut-free roasted almond butter from Maisie Jane’s.
It’s kind of ridiculous how much I missed oats while I was away, but at least I had my beloved almond butter (I never leave home without it). Now that I’m back, it’s been oats for breakfast every morning. These were banana oats layered with plain Greek yogurt and topped with roasted almond butter, buckwheat honey, and a healthy shake of cinnamon.
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Morning snack… featuring peanut-free caramel macchiato almonds from Blue Diamond.
I managed to snag a few packs of these while I was at HLS, and now my biggest concern is where I’m going to find more… I’m normally not a huge fan of eating nuts on their own, but holy.snap these are amazing. They’re crunchy, sweet, and so, SO satisfying. Canada… you better be on board with this!
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Lunch… featuring peanut-free Mountain Mambo trail mix from Enjoy Life Foods.
Don’t give me that look – it was a breakfast for lunch kind of day. This was a bowl of plain Greek yogurt mixed with coconut milk, frozen blueberries, and a banana, then topped with cinnamon Puffins, Kashi Honey Sunshine, almond butter, and trail mix. I’ve been a big fan of Enjoy Life products for a few years now, and I can always count on them for some delicious allergy-friendly foods. Plus, their trail mix has chocolate chips… and you can never go wrong with that 😉
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Afternoon snack… featuring peanut-free almond butter from Barney Butter.
Oops… so I had a moment of weakness and whipped up some more no-bake almond fudge protein bars. And then several subsequent moments of weakness where I proceeded to make a good dent in the batch. But kudos to Barney Butter for being peanut-free. I can’t even tell you how frustrating it is to come across almond butter jars that “may contain traces of peanuts.” Stank eye.
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Dinner… featuring peanut-free sunflower seed butter from Sunbutter.
I just realized that last week’s WIAW featured a stir fry as well, but this one has chicken instead of tofu, and noodles instead of rice. What can I say? I do love stir fries… They’ve pretty much become my go-to meal, not only because of how versatile they are, but because they give me an excuse to eat one of my favourite sauces. All it is is a spoonful of Sunbutter thinned out with water, with a spoon of soy sauce and sugar added, but it adds some pretty amazing depth and flavour to a lot of savoury dishes. A good substitute for that pesky peanut sauce that so many people seem to be a fan of…
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Evening snack… featuring peanut-free homemade applesauce 😉
Breakfast before bed has pretty much become a regular thing around these parts. This was a bowl of plain Greek yogurt topped with a Weetabix and homemade applesauce. I have to say that I’m super thankful that most cereals don’t have any sort of allergy warnings on them… Aside from things like granola, most boxes I come across are safe for me to eat. Thank goodness… I have no idea what I’d do without cereal in my life.
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So there ya have it – does that look deprived and lacking to you? Inconvenient, sure, but miserable? Not so much. That being said, I definitely wouldn’t mind being rid of my allergy, but it’s honestly hard to imagine a life without it. I mean, to be able to go out to eat and not have to fuss or worry? To be able to pick up anything at the grocery store and not be disappointed that I can’t have it after I read the ingredients? Holy.snap. Mind blowing…
Do you have any food related allergies? Any other peanut sufferers out there?!
Silly question, but… are you a big fan of peanut butter? No judgment if you are 😉
What was your after dinner snack/dessert last night?
this is like a torture esp that noodles and no bake bars!
That’s how I feel every Wednesday too 😉
That doesn’t look deprived at all! My friend’s uncle has so many food allergies, including a serious peanut allergy to the point where if an open jar of peanut butter is around he will feel its effects. Scary! Not worth the risk. You really aren’t missing anything what with all the yummy eats do you get to have!
The almond butter fudge protein bars look great!!! You should try cashew butter!
Your food ALWAYS looks SO good, especially on Wednesdays!!! I have 45 minutes left until lunchtime and thanks to you I don’t know if I’ll make it!! 🙂
Sorry to be one of “those” people but I LOVE me some peanut butter. I’m lucky enough not to have any food allergies.
After dinner last night I had some yogurt covered raisins. I like to pretend it’s a healthy dessert and not loaded with sugar. It’s fun to play pretend. 😉
I don’t have any food allergies (that I know of) but I feel so bad you have to read the labels of everything! I’m definitely a huge, HUGE fan of peanut butter or any nut butter, really! I’m so happy to see you’ve found a liking for Barney Butter. I didn’t like it at first, either, but it grew on me FAST. My dessert was the banana bread with chocolate glaze I whipped up the other day. SO good. It had a really authentic banana bread taste with no frills. Just plain ‘ole good!
Banana bread is amazing. I haven’t been able to make some in forever, though, because I always end up eating my bananas before they have a chance to ripen. Oops 😯
Yum to that homemade applesauce. Yep, I’m allergic to peanuts and pb too. I feel like I miss out on a lot of treats, but I also don’t really LIKE pb, so I feel like that was God’s way of having mercy on me. I can’t imagine how I’d feel if I suddenly became allergic to french fries or something.
I don’t really have any allergies but my sister has been having major stomach problems lately which doctors seem to think are an allergy to something. We’re wondering if it’s possibly gluten. My Mom and I aren’t real doctors though so I won’t speculate here. Heh. Love the look of your stir fry, I’d love to try making that sometime soon. Thanks for sharing!
All your food looks absolutely amazing! Caramel macchiato almonds? I would seriously die. I need to find these immediately. And your sauce for your stir fry? What a great idea! I’m always looking for healthier sauces to add to my food because I despise eating things plain, especially stir fries. Thanks, lady 🙂
That doesn’t look deprived in the slightest to me! 😀
I completely agree with your thoughts on eating out with food allergies too. My quick trip to Canada last weekend (heh… we switched places 😉 Me to Canada and You to the US) had me bringing food from home and while it was not nearly as tasty as what all of my friends partook in, it didn’t really make me feel like I was missing out on much.
What it did do though was elicit tons of sympathy in the form of “I could never do that” or “What CAN you eat?” or “How long do you think this will last?” or the worst ever “I am going to make you something that you can eat one of these days!” I eventually told them just to stop trying. Lol. They felt bad for me and I just felt bad that they felt bad… So unproductive.
Oh man, the comments and advice are always the worst. I mean, I know it’s all done with good intentions, but I really wish that people would just let me do my thing without bringing so much attention to it… just makes me feel like a freak 😆
you know I’m a peanut butter fan but I like AB just as much!!! I can’t even imagine having to live with a peanut allergy but you’re such a champ about everything. I don’t eat gluten but to my knowledge (I’ve never been tested) I’m not allergic, I just have terrible terrible stomach pains (and all of that other TMI stuff) so I try to avoid gluten when I’m out.
Oh my goodness, peanut butter is like…my THING! I love it, probably a little too much. Needless to say, if I had peanut allergies, I’d be one sad gal. It sounds like you deal with it pretty well though – I’m impressed! Your eats still look incredible!
What a bummer that your peanut allergy has to make you overly cautious of your food :/ I totally understand though – You would not have wanted to visit the downtown Minneapolis hospital… it’s a little sketch if ya know what I mean 😉
Oh I believe ya. We saw some… interesting… things walking around downtown 😆
The look of your meals would not make me miss non-peanut-allergy friendly foods! Those almonds look amazing so I’m crossing my fingers that we get to buy them here soon!
I can’t imagine how hard it is to be allergic to peanuts! That said, you’re right that there is still so much left to eat that’s amazing. Like that stir fry!! I love that you used sunflower butter: it looks amazing!
Well it’s good that since you are allergic to peanuts you can still eat other nuts. My roommate has to avoid all nuts and peanuts. Although I do her allergy is gone and she’s just too anxious to eat nuts again. Many reasons why I say that.
Anyway, it does suck that you have to deal with this but what can you do, there are thankfully tons of other things you CAN eat, as you said – like all of the yummy things you mentioned. And don’t worry, nothing at HLS was so good you HAD to have it. The chocolate cake was very good but it was also super duper sweet, like overly so, so you didn’t miss out.
xo
Expecting many “What I ate at HLS” posts on blogs this week I forgot about how tricky to navigate these trips have to be for you. Sorry to hear you had to miss out a lot while away. Chipotle runs and those almonds sound like they made up at least a little for that. I wish Germany would get on board with both of these [along with many, many other foods … and Sephore stores!], too.
Even though I’ve gone back to having peanut butter for a while I’m all back on the almond butter track now. After seeing it on your blog I switched to roasted for the first time recently – it’s so different from the white version I usually got and so so good. Actually, I just made some almond butter cups with it and can’t wait to try them.
Oh, and since you’re asking about snacks: a recent one of mine was popcorn for the first time in … forever?! Another one inspired by you – good idea to use coconut oil.
I totally didn’t put 2 and 2 together that you couldn’t eat a lot of the stuff that was served! That is hard! Luckily we have enough almonds to last us 6 years 😉
Yesssss. Totally fell in love with Blue Diamond so much more after this weekend 😆
I love peanut butter! I used to hate it. BUUUUTTTT if I eat too much (like more than a tablespoon) my stomach cramps really bad. No clue what that’s all about.
Bummer! I’ll be glad to take that packet of Dark Chocolate Dreams off your hands though… 😉
I’ve always felt bad for people allergic to peanuts because I know it must be stressful finding foods because it seems like everything is connected with peanuts these days. I know places are supposed to not but it’s still difficult. It does look you had a great time though.
I totally love the look of ALL your meals. I don’t have an allergy, but I am sensitive for gluten, which is not a big deal for me either – there are always great subsitutes, as you show it.
I don’t really understand the excitement about peanut butter, I don’t really like it that much. I mean if you can have almond and coconut butter…..
And now I love you even more for saying that <3
I need you to make me a batch of those almond butter bars 🙂 that does stink about the food allergy. I’m lucky enough not to have one, sounds like you deal with it pretty well though! I’d do the same as you and avoid anywhere you might accidentally eat something with peanut. Definitely not something fun to experience!!
Seriously, I remember when I was trying to put together your package. I seriously felt SO stressed out because literally everything is packaged in a peanut facility!! I don’t know how you do it lady! I for sure understand why you would be so cautious though. I couldn’t even imagine having an allergy like that! I do my best to stay away from white pasta, white rice and white bread because that definitely messes with my tummy, but that’s not hard to avoid at all most of the time!
Making the best of your peanut free situation with amazing meals! I like it! I saw your protein bars on instagram and instantly wanted to make them. They just look amazing every time! I run in to the same problem with my Celiac disease. There are so many things I can’t have but I try to focus on all the options available to me and there are some pretty amazing ones 🙂
I’m so sorry that you have to put up with all of the hassle that the peanut allergy creates. I like peanut butter, but I really love sunbutter. It’s great that with your allergy you’re still able to enjoy so many delicious foods!
The only food allergy I have is gluten so no eating out at Italian restaurants for me. Luckily a gluten reaction is not life threatening as peanuts. If I had a peanut allergy I would prob. double & triple check ingredients all the time. And for peanut butter, heck yes. No almond butter for this girl 😉
No judgment here. Well… not much anyways 😉
Peanut free looks pretty awesome to me! While you know I love my PB, I am constantly so impressed but all the nutty-ness you create sans peanuts. Um that trail mix cereal looks to die for!
OH MY!! Your homemade applesauce looks FABULOUS!! I can’t wait to try it! AND I don’t hate on anyone that likes breakfast for all 3 meals of the day!! That is my kind of girl!! I could eat breakfast foods all day!! 🙂
Aw that’s a bummer, especially not being able to enjoy a lot of the HLS swag 🙁 But at least you’ve got a whole bunch of other delicious eats!!
I can’t exactly relate because I don’t have allergies, but as someone who literally cannot tolerate any kind of nuts, I feel like I can. It’s not life or death for me by any means, but it does make going out difficult sometimes when you aren’t sure if there will be something you can find on the menu. Like you, though, I’ve made it work for me. I sometimes forget that it’s hard to find things that aren’t packaged in a nut-free facility even if they don’t directly contain nuts. That would be the hardest part for me! I don’t see deprivation either though. It’s one of those things you learn to live with.
I’m allergic to raw onions (only raw though…cooked is okay). The only time it every frustrates me is when I can’t have guacamole or fresh salsa. It’s not life threatening or anything…I just get sick.
I eat peanut butter at LEAST 3 times a day….but I have almond butter on hand too!
Even if I’m not hungry, I ALWAYS have a snack after dinner. I need something sweet! Last night I had an apple, and soy pudding with peanut butter. OBSESSED.
(side note: if Canada has decided to hate you and not sell those almonds, I will happily ship them up to you. They are TOO good…AND they have caffeine 😉 )
Thanks girl! I’ll be keeping my eyes open for ’em and let you know!
Looks like you get to eat heaps of delicious food even though you are allergic to peanuts 😉 I do prefer almond butter anyway, if it weren’t so much cheaper I would never go for peanut butter again. But for baking purpose I am just a tad to cheap to use 6€ a jar almond butter when I get the peanut variant for under 2€. And stir frys are such a nice satisfying meal. Haven’t had one in weeks, so it’s definitely time to get some Tofu and Butternut squash and make one!
I can totally relate to this! While I don’t have a peanut allergy, I do have a gluten sensitivity and peanut sensitivity. People often just don’t get it, but no food is worth the ill feeling I have the next three days after eating a food that upsets my body and makes my stomach feel like something is poking holes in it! I know what you mean about traveling and having to stick to certain places and packaged foods you like.
One summer I went to NYC for a photo shoot and literally brought frozen green smoothies in my carry on bag on the plane for the next three days because I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to find something where I was staying that I could eat. I’ve also been known to bring tons of safe packaged foods, or homemade versions to do the same.
Plus, there’s nothing like getting back home after a trip and having your favorite foods that you love! Great post and I’m so glad you had a good time<3
I’m the same way with packing ridiculous amounts of food with me when I travel. It’s inconvenient as heck and makes me feel kind of silly, but it’s worth the peace of mind.
Fortunately I don’t suffer from any known allergies but major kudos at how well you eat despite the number of warning labels! I always joke and say that I don’t know what I would do if I were allergic to yogurt but truth be told, you make do when need be! I love the stuff but if it meant risking my health, I sure as hell can find alternatives! And for what it’s worth, I ensure your dose of peanut butter is taken care of by yours truly…loooove the stuff ;)! Don’t judge, I have been chomping on almonds like it’s my job too lately. In fact I just whipped up another batch of roasted almonds this morning- that stuff goes way too quickly!
Amanda, I have to agree with Charlotte – I am sorry but I am a HYUUUUUGE peanut butter fan – the absence of peanut butter in my life would be like the absence of my tongue in my mouth! Gah!
But, you are truly amazing – you don’t seem to expect sumpathy..instead you make the most of it! These eats of yours look scrumptious and not fun to look at when all I have right now is a big bowl of grapes 🙁
Lately I’ve been eating chocolate/peanut butter oats as dessert or as dinner…breakfast for dinner/dessert ROCKS!
BTW, I saw the blue diamon coffee/caramel machiato almonds at a Target near me – would love to send you some if you dont find them near ya!
Awwr Shashi! You’re a gem 😀 I’ll keep my eyes out for them and let you know!
I’m glad you were able to find some things to eat at HLS. I love the blue diamond flavored nuts, such a good snack. It’s funny when I got back from a vacation this summer I was so excited to get to make oatmeal again. Like who gets excited over oatmeal? While I don’t have any known food allergies I’m horribly allergic to bees and have a panic whenever one comes near. I understand your being uncomfortable eating out when you don’t know for sure sine place is peanut free.
I get excited over oatmeal 😉 You should have seen me on the first morning I got back… giddy as a schoolgirl 😉
Definitely does not look like any deprivation on your behalf. I wouldn’t mind eating all that during the day. I know peanut allergies can be annoying, but definitely not anything to be complaining for life over. It sounds like you know that already though:)
No peanut allergy for me, but I have a mustard allergy. So random and weird.
I also think I need to make your applesauce, it seriously looks so delicious.
Oh wow, not to be one of those “I can’t imagine how you live” people, but wow i can’t imagine! Peanuts are everywhere, which is pretty ridiculous since soo many people have peanut allergies. Like, c’mon food manufacturers, why pick the only the food thats literally lethal to thousands (millions?) of people and put it in everything?? that should change. anyhoo, my after dinner snack/ dessert last night was a couple glasses of a white wine blend with one of my friends, it was so nice 🙂
Right!? I have no idea what companies are thinking since it literally -is- lethal to so many people. Unfortunately, gluten allergies are stealing the spotlight these days. Not that I’m bitter or anything…
Man-o-man, look at all them goodies you got! Such fun! I am loving Blue Diamond’s almonds lately, but have been enjoying the blueberry ones myself! The caramel macchiato sure would be tasty, too! And that homemade applesauce looks like the perfect pre-bedtime comfort treat! I love it.
And I am guilty of being a HUGE peanut butter fan, don’t hate! 😛
No judgment here. Well, not much anyways 😉