After a rash that wouldn’t go away…except for when we coincidentally took away some dairy products to help ease her sinus issues, we began to wonder if perhaps the rash she had was totally unrelated to her other sickness.  We began to wonder if perhaps it was an allergy, or an “intolerance.”

So, beginning yesterday – we decided to take Lorelei off of Dairy.  Completely.  For 1-2 weeks (depending on how it goes.  2 weeks if it’s not cleared up by one week.)  Once the rash goes away – if it does – we plan to slowly re-introduce dairy to see if the rash appears.  You know, just to be sure.

I’m not really sure either of us fully realized how HARD it would be to take her off of dairy.  It didn’t SEEM like a big deal.  She doesn’t LIKE milk and she mostly only eats cheese and yogurt.

We didn’t think about the bread made with milk.  Or, the crackers.  Or, the kashi roasted vegetable snack chips that she eats.  We didn’t think about the main dishes we eat which had cheese in them, or the creamy sauces…or anything that would say “contains dairy products” because at some point they may have TOUCHED dairy.

Oy.

So, I sent out emails, letting the people who would be most likely to be around during snack and meal times know about our new endeavor for the next couple of weeks.  And then, I spent hours searching for adequate supplements to some of the things we’ve grown accustomed to feeding her.  There was a catch, though:  I needed to find recipes where I had most or all of the ingredients on hand.  And, I needed to NOT use soy products.

Oh gaw, I REALLY hope this is NOT a dairy allergy.  Please let it not be.  Because, really?  Dairy allergies are no fun.

ALTHOUGH, I did make some kick arse fruit bread last night.  At midnight.

It’s a dairy-free whole-wheat alternative with no sugar added (just honey!) and it’s YUMMY.  Except, Lorelei won’t eat it because guess what?  She didn’t like the TEXTURE!  ARGH.

So, here’s the recipe if anyone would like it:

Whole Wheat Dairy Free Banana Apple Bread

Ingredients:

* 2 cups whole wheat flour
* 1/4 cup wheat germ or ground flaxseed (optional)
* 1/4 teaspoon salt

* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1  1/4 c mashed banana
* 1/4 c. applesauce
* 1/4 cup extra light olive oil
* 1/2 cup honey
* 2 eggs
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Grease a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan & preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Add all of the dry ingredients to a bowl, then make a well and add the wet ingredients.  Mix well.

Bake for 50-60 minutes. Bread is done once a toothpick or knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

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