As busy parents of two teenage boys with multiple food allergies (dairy, eggs, beef, lamb, sesame, peanut/tree nuts, fish, shellfish, mustard and raspberries)…my husband and I look forward to our Victoria Weekend Getaway…a time to recharge, reconnect and to be honest… take a break from food allergies.
Re-connecting as a couple is very important to me. I tend to get lost in my roles of housewife, mother, and caregiver of two boys with multiple food allergies…sometimes, the relationship that started it all gets pushed to the side….forgotten.
Food allergies and cross-contamination issues are a main focus in our house. Getting away…gives my husband and I the chance to focus on…just us!
Before my husband and I headed off on our trip…there were a few things to take care of:
1) Making sure Nana had the weekend free to spend time with her grandsons. My mother has also been trained to use the new auto-injector, Allerject, the boys now carry.
2) Set an allergy free menu for the weekend…my mother is also aware of the ‘safe pots and pans’ to use for cooking the boys’ meals…as are the boys themselves.
3) Grocery shop for allergen free foods to stock the house…bake any allergy free treats…fresh fruit for snacks and dessert. The boys could, if need be, walk to the grocery store for anything I have forgotten or they need.
Luckily, Nana was available for this years Victoria Weekend Getaway. As Nana loves to golf…Saturday they all went for a round of 9 holes. The boys spent the rest of the beautiful long weekend outside playing road hockey or basketball with their neighbourhood friends while Nana attacked all my overgrown bushes and vines in the garden. Thanks Mom!
Menu Plan
– Friday Dinner: Homemade Pizza
Friday night dinners in our house are well-known…homemade pizza. Our family has been making these for years now…so the boys have learned how to make their own pizzas…much to the delight of my mother, as homemade pizza is not in her repertoire.
I left the dough to come on in the bread machine, the homemade sauce was left to thaw, the boys are able to retrieve their own pizza stones and mozzarella cheese, Daiya Mozzarella Style Shreds, mushrooms, onions, bacon and ham were all available for their favourite topping combinations. Click here for my post on pizza night.
– Saturday Dinner: Ribs, Rice and Corn
Saturday night dinners are also routine…the boys love their Saturday Night Ribs, Rice and Corn. My mom is well versed in cooking the ribs on the stove (it’s her recipe)…while Michael has perfected his barbecuing skills. Click here for my post on our ribs.
The ribs were left to thaw…while the rice and sauce are staples in our house.
– Sunday Dinner: Rotisserie Chicken, Rice and Broccoli
Sunday night’s dinner was one of the boys’ favourite quick dinners…rotisserie chicken from our local grocery store. With some rice and steamed broccoli…it makes for an easy meal for Nana and the boys to put together for themselves.
Note: some grocery stores have allergy alert warnings for their rotisserie chicken…make sure you enquire about the grocery stores specific spices that they use (mustard allergy) and any cross-contamination issues with food allergens before you purchase.
– Monday Dinner: Thick Pork Chops, Rice and Peas
Nana picked up some lovely thick pork chops for the boys. Andy and I were home in time to treat Nana to Monday’s dinner. The boys enjoyed their dinner while Andy pulled out some shrimp from the freezer to marinade in his homemade spicy garlic, cilantro and lime marinade, while I made a pasta dish with extra-virgin olive oil, fresh chives and oregano from the garden and steamed asparagus. Nana was able to put up her feet and relax with a glass of Niagara wine and cheeses. Thanks Mom!
Even though I try to leave the house well-stocked with allergy friendly food for the boys…they still managed to eat me out of house and home! Especially, the batch of Dairy, Soy and Peanut/Tree Nut Free Rice Krispie Squares! It has been a week of catching up after being away…hence, the lack of posts this week.
Our Victoria Weekend Getaway
Andy and I enjoyed a beautiful Victoria Weekend Getaway in beautiful Niagara-On-The-Lake… biking along the Welland Canal .
There is a great path that follows the canal from Lock 1 to Lock 7, to Thorald. Yes, we rode it right to the end! On our way to Port Dalhousie for lunch…Andy’s tire literally blew up! Thank goodness for Canadian Tire…Andy had it changed in no time.
The next day we rode the beautiful scenic ride along the Niagara Parkway to Niagara Falls.
Along the Niagara Parkway route, we love to stop at Brock Monument and of course…Niagara Parks Floral Clock.
But it is Niagara Falls itself that really takes one’s breath away!
Niagara Falls never ceases to amaze me!
How do you keep your relationship in check when food allergies take centre stage? How do you find a balance?
P.S. Would you believe…the next day, the very same tire went flat for Andy…thankfully, at the end of our road trip! Makes for a great story!
Looks & sounds like a wonderful weekend!! 🙂 So glad you were able to get away!! Love the pics! 🙂
For me, I’m the one with food allergies & it’s made me very unlikely to eat anywhere but at home unfortunately…
Thank you! 🙂 When we travel as a family it is much easier to find a place where we can make our own meals…whether it be at friends, family or room with a kitchenette. Then we bring the ‘kitchen’ along with us! 🙂