Reply part II:

I don't know where you are nor the grocery chains.  When we were in
Michigan, at Kroger and Meijer, loyalty coupons were printed out at the cash
based on what we purchased and often for weeks we got coupons for our
preferred brand of soymilk or the competitor's.  It was great.  Check that
out.

If you are feeling really thrifty and creative, check out recipes online for
homemade non-dairy drinks.  I know of one member of this group that makes
her own milk for her boys using dates and soaked cashews (and, I assume, a
powerful blender).  There are many vegan websites out there to assist you (I
have made some nice cream of broccoli soup this way...only with chicken
broth as we are not vegan!).  If you do this route, you will have to modify
your diet to replace the calcium (beans, nuts, tofu, lots and lots and lots
of dark, leafy greens, canned sardines (due to the bones that you eat with
the sardines, etc.)).

My son's allergy is a blessing in disguise as I have become a much better
cook as I learn to cook without milk and from scratch more often than not.
I have even made doughnuts recently for my son, using oil and rice milk
instead of butter and milk.  They were good.

Soy cheese without casein is hard to find at the best of times and it is
prohibitively expensive.  I just don't bother.  But one day I will as I
promised my son we would make him a pizza one day...



On Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 2:07 PM, Megan Homan <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Thanks! I have ruled out LI, and I am trying to live dairy-free, as my son,
> my daughter and myself(daughter still nursing) can't have it. My husband is
> not fond of substitutes, although tolerant and thinks it is more expensive.
> I could use some advice on how to simply and affordably live milkless! Right
> now we do soymilk, for example, and this is pretty expensive. I can't buy
> the cheap store brand of many items because they contain milk, and often I
> make allowances for the sake of a low bill and peace in the home. I will
> start saving for the blood test, I was just afraid of a negative result! How
> accurate are they?> Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:53:49 -0400> From:
> [log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Allergy testing> To:
> [log in to unmask]> > Save up your pennies and tell your husband
> that it would give you great> peace of mind and possibly, further harmony in
> the house if you knew for> certain that there was a problem. Then get the
> test done.> > I am assuming that you have ruled out a lactose intolerance at
> this point.> That would not test positive on a prick test. (is there a test
> for lactose> intolerance?)> > Are you avoiding milk now? It is easily done
> once you know what to cut out> and substitute. Let me know if you want
> advice there. I actually find it> easier in Canada than when we were in the
> US to be dairy free. But, in> either country, a dairy-free margarine is hard
> to find and you will be> limited to a select few brands (many members here
> can tell you which ones> they prefer).> > Support from the family, even when
> there's ample evidence of an allergy, can> be slow in coming. But, after six
> years, I have now "trained" (LOL!) both> sets of grandparents and my
> in-laws, who we see often, now go out of their> way to make sure that food
> they prepare is safe or advise us if it isn't> (mashed potatoes made with
> coconut milk, very yummy!). Until you get the> support, keep bringing your
> own food to family events.> > I have met a child so severely allergic to
> milk that, yes, he had to avoid> beef and even products containing gelatin
> were suspect as you don't know> what kind of bones they used to make the
> gelatin (you can use beef, pork or> fish to make gelatin). They were big on
> pork. This is rare, from my> understanding.> > Good luck and hang in there.>
> > On Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 12:31 PM, Megan <[log in to unmask]> wrote:> >
> > New to the group, hoping to find a place where everyone doesn't think I'm>
> > crazy. My 4 year old son and 1.5 year old daughter have UNDIAGNOSED dairy>
> > allergy. When my son was almost 2, he had the skin[prick test, which was,>
> > of> > course, negative. But I know, whatever the doctors say, that dairy
> causes> > all> > kinds of problems for him. His reactions are delayed, not
> life-threatening> > or> > immediate, and I have heard that for this type the
> skin test is of no use.> > I> > know there is a blood test, but our
> insurance doesn't cover it and it would> > take a lot to convince my husband
> to do it. Any suggestions? I want a> > definitive answer, especially for
> more support in family. Unfortunately,> > the> > medical community has thus
> far not helped, telling me he has no allergy or> > that if I just continue
> to give him dairy he will grow out of it. Also,> > lately I am> > wondering
> if i should cut out beef, too, and of course everyone thinks I am> > crazier
> than before. Please help!!> >
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