There is no doubt that living with anaphylaxis can make life challenging and at times even overwhelming, but what's even more challenging sometimes is the lack of books with allergen free recipes. There are very few books, in my opinion, that have edible recipes. Anybody can bake anything; the difference is whether you want to be able to bite into a soft, moist scone or a tough, leathery hockey puck. I have a number of trusted allergy friendly books that I refer to at least once a week. A recent addition to my kitchen repetoire is Kelly Rudnicki's The Food Allergy Mama's Baking Book. If you are allergic to dairy, eggs, or nuts, then it's time to check out this fabulous book. It's hockey puck free!

The Food Allergy Mama's Baking Book is divided into two parts. Part one includes tips and advice from the author, a seasoned allergy mom, and perhaps even a veteran in the world of allergies. Part two of the book includes all the delicious and mouthwatering recipes. One of the main features of the book, which prompted me to buy a second copy for my mother, (and a third one for my mother-in-law) were the sections on ingredient substitutes and allergy friendly brands. There is also a section on the author's favourite baking tools and ones that make everyday baking that much easier. Some sections include tips on how to read product labels and tips for birthday parties and school celebrations. Not only that, but also Rudnicki makes sure to provide a list of common names for milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts and their derivatives. As if that wasn't enough, there is also a dedicated page with a list of the most common questions and answers about food allergies and anaphylaxis. This is the type of book that you can lend (or better yet, buy a copy and give) to family and friends. It's not a comprehensive medical journal, but it definitely introduces the topic of allergies in an informative and friendly tone. The Food Allergy Mama's Baking Book is perfect for family members and friends as well as teachers and kitchen staff in daycares and schools.

If I had to choose one cookbook to keep in my kitchen, The Food Allergy Mama's Baking Book would be the one. The recipes are all egg, dairy, and nut free. I have tried many of them and every single one turned out fabulous. Moreover, for me, one of the biggest selling features of the book is the addition of colour pictures of the food, so it's visually appealing as well. I have read many food allergy recipe books and this one by far is the best when it comes to the quality of the recipes and the useful hints/tips about allergies. It's not simply a recipe book, rather it's tailored to families living with allergies and those who wish to include them in occasions that involve food. I would recommend this book to anyone living with dairy, egg, peanut, or tree nut allergies and at a price point of under $20, you can't go wrong by adding it to your kitchen bookshelf. 

Most toddlers enjoy a good book with a simple story and colourful pictures. As a parent of a child with food allergies I also want to provide books that talk about allergies and help teach my little girl about her food allergies in a fun setting. I've been able to find a few allergy books for toddlers sold in Canadian bookstores. Among them was The Bugabees: Friends with Food Allergies by Amy Recob. This is a story about 8 friends with food allergies. The BugaBee characters are based on eight of the top food allergens - peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish. It focuses on the daily routines of best buggy friends and how they each deal with their food allergies. 

The entire tone of the book is very positive and teaches kids that they can enjoy life despite their food allergies. My little girl found the book quite entertaining. The beautiful pictures and vibrant colours are eye catching and kept her attention for the duration of the story. The rhyming verses kept her engaged and provided a very fun learning experience. I especially liked the additional activities in the back of the book, particularly the ones that pointed out examples of allergenic foods. It provides further learning and teaching opportunities for little children and their parents. Another bonus is the fact that the book is in hardcover, which makes it more durable in the hands of little toddlers.

The Bugabees also has a web site that matches the theme of the book. The web site includes information about allergies and the different characters in the book. It also provides a dedicated section that describes symptoms of an allergic reaction. There is even a section for allergy friendly recipes. If you don't own the book, you may want to check out the web site or alternatively The Bugabees Facebook Group.

I think The Bugabees is one of the best allergy books for toddlers, and highly recommend it for any child with a food allergy, particularly ones with multiple life-threatening food allergies.