I remember, there was one year where I went to summer camp, my leaders couldn’t believe the amount of allergies I had. I am not only allergic to peanuts and nuts, but other severe allergies to sesame seeds, eggplant, cats, shellfish, some seafood and even avocadoes. The less severe allergies are grass, trees, dust, pollen, and the list continues.  With all these allergies, my camp leaders gave me the nickname “Peanut Girl”.

I choose to go with the “Peanut Free Girl”.  If you are laughing and think maybe I'm a freak or something that’s okay, I’ve learned to live with all of these allergies, so don’t feel bad. I’m used to it! Oh I may be allergic to nuts, but doesn't mean I am not one myself!

Now back to some research that I found out over the past few days….

Over the years, I have been baking things myself, trying to find replacements for nuts and peanuts. I think if I would be able to eat nuts, I would be a nut lover but unfortunately my allergies have chosen otherwise.   I, sometimes feel bad, since my family no longer allows any sort of peanuts or nuts in the house, or even at our usual family get together.

So what can someone with peanut allergies make themselves instead? Well, toasting your own oats may be one way. They can replace the nuts and are actually healthier for you.  I haven’t tried the recipe yet, and will do soon. I have place the recipe in the recipe section.

According to www.chow.com, you can buy the rolled up oats in the form of a granola bar, but it is also incredibly easy to make yourself.   You can either make the oats into a granola bar or you can crush them up and use them as snacks. It’s a great replacement to nuts, and you can always get creative with them and add dried fruits and seeds.  There’s always the option of adding soy nuts. That is of course you are not allergic to soy as well.

If you have any other ideas to share with us regarding this topic on other ways we can replace the crunchy nuts, we would be glad to hear it.  Peanut Free Girl can use your opinion on this one!