The Next Paula Deen...

Ella loves to cook. She made supper for our entire family earlier this week. She made spaghetti with meatballs and cheese tortellini. It was SO good! Obviously, she needs help with setting the temperatures, taking hot things out of the oven, and reading the labels.

Some of you probably know about Ella's special situation. She is allergic to eggs, peanuts, and shellfish. It is extremely difficult to prepare a meal for our family that she can eat. Imagine going to the grocery store and reading the ingredients label on the back of everything you purchase. Imagine going out to eat and asking the chef to prepare something that does not contain or come in contact with any eggs, shellfish, or peanuts. She cannot have a flu shot. She cannot have birthday cake. Certain ice cream is made with egg. When she had her adenoids removed, the surgeon had to order special gloves because most surgical gloves contain a portion of peanut oil. They also had to put a warning on her chart that no beta dine could be used on her or anything touching her. Individuals with shellfish allergies are often times very sensitive to beta dine as well. Dealing with her allergies has literally taken over a portion of my life.


















So, I am thrilled that she has taken such an interest in cooking. She is learning all about how to prepare meals that are safe for her to eat. She also made these adorable monkey shaped rice treats for dessert. Her favorite channel is the food network, and her favorite shoe is Paula Deen's show. She keeps begging us to take her to eat at Paula Deen's restaurant.
I'm guessing all my readers know where we will be vacationing this summer....