I’m a hard core foodie and I love food presentation just as much as I enjoy the actual food. The first thing I learned about life with food allergies is that if food looks fabulous, then it tastes fabulous. True story. To be honest, there have been studies proving that good looking food is perceived to be good tasting. When my son was first diagnosed with food allergies all I heard was, “what does he eat? Can he eat ANYTHING”? I swear people thought he ate cardboard. I also didn’t fully understand the flavor power of soy and over did it, so sometimes his desserts were bad tasting. Thankfully, in my previous life before marriage, I earned a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management and even apprenticed as a baker briefly. As a result, I could make average food look great. Last week, I used a dirty little trick to make popcorn for a class party utterly awesome! My secret weapon…
30 bags of popcorn filled and ready for delivery!
A visit to the local Cash and Carry store that sells in large quantities to restaurants. For a mere $16.95 I am the proud owner of 1,000 popcorn bags! It will take me a few years to work my way through this giant stack, but it’s worth every penny. For a special party, the teacher purchased allergen safe popcorn that I popped at home and then my husband and I filled the bags. Simple but adorable. The popcorn looked and felt “fun and festive”. It was simple and met everyone’s food allergy needs in the classroom without jacking up the kids on sugar or excluding anyone.
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..
This is all so true! I find great things to use at the Dollar Store as well. I’ve never had a complaint yet. Plus, food allergies or not who doesn’t appreciate good looking food, right?
I LOVE the Dollar Tree!!!!! I buy those darling silver platters! I am using them tomorrow for goodies for our school nurses. We are celebrating our Epi pens arriving.
Nutrimom,
I’m using my Dollar Store plates today to celebrate the arrival of EpiPens to my school district!
I so know all about the “What do you eat?!?!?!” thing. So silly that they think you live on water, and then wonder if you can have that! Utter silliness. 🙂
I love the festive food idea! I have done that, too. Simple food that is allergy-friendly presented in a fun way is always a winner! Such fun! 🙂
Julie,
Agreed! It’s all about the fun foods. The card board comments would just crack me up. My son eats so well that when I took him to a nutritionist worried about his health, I was told they had never seen a kid so healthy.
I love this idea! You were the hero of the day.
Kathryn,
How doesn’t like to be called a food fun hero? Thanks. Those bags are darling! I’ve been sharing with a friend who has movie night every week!
I love this! I feel a movie night coming on. lol
Fun and fantastic!
Caroline my husband and i run a food business he owned it way before he met me… But One of the things he taught me is “people eat with their eyes first”. I used to think it was silly but I’ve been working with him for over five years and he’s right people want to see what they’re buying and determine whether they want to eat it by looking at it!! For children making it look fun is half the battle. Love the popcorn bags!!!!
Thanks Joy, I’m vindicated! It’s so true, our eyes tell read the story right? I really do love a well presented meal myself.