Allergy Awesomeness

Why I Made “An Allergy Mom’s Lifesaving Instant Pot Cookbook” + Giveaway!

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Why I poured my heart and soul and months and months into “An Allergy Mom’s Lifesaving Instant Pot Cookbook”, the table of contents, what you can expect in it and where to buy it! Be sure to enter the giveaway for a singed copy at the end!

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It’s here, it’s here, HOT DOG (just kidding–we can’t do beef) it’s HEEEERRREEE! Cookbook launch day is upon us and man has April 30 felt like a long time coming.

I’ve given birth three times (about to do it a 4th time, eeek!), and I’m not sure what has felt longer–growing a human being, or producing a cookbook. Both feel agonizingly long, and both feel as if they’ll never come, as well as the excitement and pride you have once it’s here!

I developed the recipes, wrote every inch of the book and took the photography all in less than six months–while raising three kids. Talk about a whirlwind! (And, before you can say: “how did she do it?” well, my mom literally moved in for a month to take care of my kids so I could make the deadline. Bless her!)  I’ll be showing off recipe pics from the cookbook throughout this post. Get ready to get hungry. 

Let’s get onto all the questions you may have about this soon to be beloved cookbook of yours!

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Why did I write “An Allergy Mom’s Lifesaving Instant Pot Cookbook”?

I wrote it for all of the newly diagnosed that have no idea what to feed their family.

I wrote it for the veteran allergy mom who’s sick of all of her recipes.

I wrote it for the busy allergy parent that needs an easy weeknight meal.

I wrote it for those with eosinophilic esophagitis like my oldest son.

I wrote it for those who have to give up foods, but still want crave-worthy foods.

I wrote it for the allergy family that still likes to entertain and wants dishes they’ll be proud to serve to non-allergy friends and family.

I wrote it because I wish I had one like it when we were starting out! I seriously would tear up looking at other mom’s shopping carts full of food while I wandered the grocery store wondering “WHAT IN THE HECK DO I FEED MY FAMILY!???”

I centered it around dinner, because that can be the hardest meal of the day. It’s when everyone is tired, hungry and wants to sit down to a satisfying meal. It’s when usually everyone is home, so you’re having to cook to the lowest common denominator. This will be your new dinner bible!

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What is included in “An Allergy Mom’s Lifesaving Instant Pot Cookbook”?

This cookbook has 60 recipes, all top-8-free (meaning free of: wheat/gluten, dairy, egg, soy, fish, shellfish, peanut and tree nuts). It includes:

  • 25 main dishes
  • 15 side dishes
  • 15 soups
  • 5 desserts

Throughout, I tried to include all of the classics likes a Sunday roast, chili lime tacos (for Taco Tuesday!), comfort foods like Creamy Italian Pasta as well as some meat-free options (hi Quinoa Nachos!) and plenty of variety so you can cook from this again and again.

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Are there hard to find ingredients in “An Allergy Mom’s Lifesaving Instant Pot Cookbook”?

I don’t think so! I hate it when you have to special order a food, or when you live in a smaller town that doesn’t have a Whole Foods (like we do now). I tried to stick to regular ingredients, whole foods and easy-to-find things like gluten-free pasta which are even accessible at regular box stores like Wal-Mart. 

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Do you have to have an instant pot for this allergy-friendly cookbook?

Yes. At least an electric pressure cooker. It’s OK if it’s off brand. I have two versions of the Instant Pot brand, and have noticed that even among the Instant Pot brand, different models vary. I prefer this model. I find it’s less likely to scorch and is easier to use. 

If you’re an advanced cook, I’m sure you could figure out how to make the recipes into slow cooker versions, but all recipes have only been tested, calibrated and timed according to pressure cooking methods. And, why would you want a roast to take 6-8 hours, when it can be done in one???

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I love it! What can I do to support this cookbook for food allergies?

Please tag me when you make recipes you love from it on social media. Please rate it on Amazon. And please, give a copy to the new allergy mom in your life. I have honestly prayed from the beginning that it would be a tool and a help and would reach all of the people who truly need it. Your word of mouth does so much!

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What if I don’t have all eight of the top-8-allergies? Can I swap things out?

This is so simple! If you don’t have wheat/gluten allergies, swap out regular pasta. If you can do dairy, go ahead and use regular cream cheese and milk. All of the recipes should be able to withstand you swapping in regular ingredients so you don’t have to purchase things you don’t normally buy.

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Stop talking! Let me buy Allergy Awesomeness’ cookbook right now!

You can purchase it here:

 
 
 
 

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What are people saying about “An Allergy Mom’s Lifesaving Instant Pot Cookbook”?

“Megan’s recipes are great … she truly gets the unique struggles and daily pressures an allergy mom goes through!” -Michelle Fogg, founder of the Utah Food Allergy Network

“This is a must-have for families leading busy lifestyles! These easy, delicious recipes will soon be a favorite in your kitchen.” -Chrystal Carver, author of Sweet & Simple Gluten-Free Baking and owner of GlutenFreePalate.com

“Megan is a go-to for allergy-friendly recipes that always work while tasting awesome. These recipes are must-haves for your allergy kitchen, serving comfort, love and safety in a beautiful bowl.” -Erica Dermer, author of Celiac and the Beast and owner of CeliacAndTheBeast.com

“Megan’s recipes are the allergy-friendly lifesaver you’ve been looking for! Her dishes are easy, flavorful and perfect for busy families. Everyone will enjoy these recipes regardless of if they have food allergies!” -Erin Collins, owner of MeaningfulEats.com

“This is the quintessential cookbook for food allergy families. It’s filled with comforting meals that promise delicious results in minutes―perfect for those busy weekdays!” -Alisa Fleming, author and founder of Go Dairy Free

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Win Your Own Signed Copy of “An Allergy Mom’s Lifesaving Instant Pot Cookbook”

To enter: Required: simply look through the Table of Contents picture below and then leave a comment on this blog post stating which recipe you would try first! The winner may reside anywhere in the US or Canada. The contest ends one week from today, Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at noon MST and will be contacted via email–so make sure your comment contains a valid email.

For extra entries–go comment on my Facebook or Instagram post which talks about this giveaway and leave the comment “I commented”. For each person you tag in the comments, that will count as an additional entry as well! 

GOOD LUCK!

An Allergy Mom's Lifesaving Instant Pot Cookbook Table of Contents

 

*A special thanks to Canary Jane for doing my tablescape for the pictures of my family. And for Elisabeth Kate Photography for taking the pictures of my family and the tablescape in the cookbook. The rest of the photos are mine. Reprinted with permission from An Allergy Mom’s Lifesaving Instant Pot Cookbook by Megan Lavin, Page Street Publishing Co. 2019.*

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. I would absolutely try the Mac n Cheese first!!!! We have never found a safe and actually yummy recipe. My daughter would DIE for a good Mac n Cheese!!! Soooo hope I win!

  5. Oh my gosh they all sound wonderful! I’d probably try the vegan nut and gluten free Mac n cheese first since no one in the family has found a yummy one since eliminating regular Mac n cheese.

  8. Your vegan, nut and gluten free mac and cheese for sure. This is my special vice, and something I want to share with my twins with food allergies!!

  9. The chicken and wild rice soup will 100% be my first recipe!! This cookbook looks absolutely amazing and is such a life line for allergy families. Thank you for writing it!!

  13. All of the recipes look delicious!
    My daughter who is a Celiac thinks the Vegan, Nut, and Gluten free Mac n cheese sounds wonderful.
    I think the Tuscan White Bean Quinoa Salad sounds great!! I would totally make the chocolate pudding cake while the kids are in school…..shhhh!!

  15. I know I should pick something healthy, but I totally want to try the chocolate pudding cake!

  16. Shellfish free jambalaya. Jambalaya is one of our favorite dishes. This would be amazing to have again.

  18. Congrats on your new cookbook! We just got an Instant Pot as a gift, and my son is allergic to 4 out of top 8, so this book would be great! I’d love to try the Honey Garlic Chicken & Broccoli recipe.

  19. It would be a toss up for me to try the apricot pork chops or the Mac and cheese! Yum!!!

  20. I am so excited about this cookbook!! I can’t wait to make the cheese free scalloped potatoes and the dripping balsamic pork roast! Definitely have to get a copy of this gem soon!!

  24. So excited to get mine! They all sound amazing but the No Butter Indian “Butter” Chicken is calling my name! 🙂

  27. Tomatillo Pork Tacos
    Congratulations on the book! Your recipes have brought joy to this food allergy family; I wish you great success!

  30. No Butter Indian Butter Chicken?!?! YES, PLEASE!!! So happy for you, Megan! Congrats! 👏😁

  32. No Butter Indian Butter Chicken?!?! YES, PLEASE!! So happy for you, Megan! Congrats!

  34. There are so many yummy looking recipes! I think I’m going to make the Mac and Cheese first!

  36. The egg free meatballs for sure and pretty much every single recipe because they all sound amazing!!

  37. I keep going back and forth between the No butter Indian “butter” chicken and the sweet and tangy pineapple chicken…I think I will go with the Indian “butter” chicken. The table of contents looks amazing! Recipes I need for our busy nights!

  39. Congratulations on your book!
    All the recipes look delicious, but I think the first one I will cook will be the honey garlic chicken and broccoli.

  40. Congratulations on your book!
    All the recipes look delicious, but I think the first one I will cook will be the honey garlic chicken and broccoli.

  42. I’d love to make the vegan, nut free Mac n cheese. My son loved mac and cheese before he was diagnosed with a dairy allergy. I’d really like for him to be able to have the comfort food that he misses back in his life.

  43. Healthier-For-You Orange Chicken all the way!!!
    🙌🏻 God bless you for all your work!! I’ve missed Chinese food in a big way.

  44. Megan you should be so proud of your accomplishments! I’m excited to try the orange chicken since Chinese restaurants a kind of off limits for my allergic family. I got an insta pot for my birthday but haven’t quite mastered it yet. I’m looking for some other well tested crowd pleasers.

    God bless you and your growing family,
    Adrienne

  45. I’m making the chili lime tacos first! But let’s be honest, I’m gonna make everything 🙂

  46. The Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta sounds amazing. I miss being able to eat stuff like that since my son was diagnosed with EOE.

  47. The Raspberry Orange rice pudding sounds divine! I think my kids would love it. We often have rice pudding for breakfast.

  49. The chicken and Mexican rice soup sounds delicious!! I love a soup that’s flavorful but not too spicy. My kids love Soups and I love something that my family can eat safely.

    [email protected]

  50. Chocolate pudding cake!! And many more. I have struggled to find good, affordable and family friendly recipes that are allergy friendly.This cookbook looks amazing.

  51. Definitely would love to try the Mac and cheese! Best comfort food ever. Thanks for the opportunity and congratulations on your book. You are amazing.

  56. Definitely going to try the Sweet Barbacoa recipe first! I’m so excited for this cookbook. I bought an insta-pot last summer but it’s been hard to find allergy friendly recipes so I’ve not used it very often. Looking forward to being able to cut the cooking time down with recipes my whole family can eat! Thank you!!

  59. I’d have to try the Lemon herbed quinoa, I have had zero success cooking quinoa in the past and would love a great recipe!! The book sounds amazing!

  62. Oh, all of these look and sound amazing! I’m having a hard time just picking one… but I think I’ll do the Chili Lime Chicken Tacos. 😀 I just ordered the book and can’t WAIT to give these a shot! The Instant Pot meals are totally my thing and I need to get my family free of gluten. Thank you, thank you for doing this work!!

  64. Apricot glazed pork chops or Mac n cheese. But, honestly, everything sounds delicious! Congrats on the new cookbook!

  70. Orange chicken or the Cajun Chicken pasta. It all looks delicious though! Super excited to get my hands on the cookbook. Congrats!!

  74. It is such a great sounding like up of recipes! I would have to try either the tomato bisque or the tomatillo pork tacos first. Yum!

  75. Creamy rice milk cajun chicken pasta sounds like something my family would love! Thanks so much for making these recipes and sharing them with the world. When you or your child have that many allergies it seems like you are drowning in a world of “no” it’s good to have recipes that are a definite “yes”. Plus, you help with all odd substitutions we have to learn to make. I might have to go buy an instant pot now, lol. Thank you.

  76. Wow! So many yummy choices. I’m thinking the sweet and tangy pineapple chicken might be my first one to try.

  78. Congratulations on your book! I’ve been following you for a while and I found you after I started looking into changing my diet for my EoE diagnosis instead of medicating and “hoping for the best.” I’m torn between the tomatillo pork (yum!) and the Mac and cheese! I haven’t had that in years.

  80. All of these recipes sound amazing! I can’t decide if I would make the vegan, nut, and gluten free mac n cheese or the chocolate pudding cake! Oh! I know! I’ll make both, dinner and dessert! Yum!

  82. My kids love orange chicken so I’d love to try the healthy for you orange chicken recipe. But really… it ALL sounds good! Thanks for sharing your gifts Megan!

  84. I want to try the classic Sunday roast. I’m hoping to win this cookbook for my mom. ❤️❤️

  85. Congrats on your book- can’t imagine writing a book with small children and expecting another!! I would try the Peach Cobbler, because I loved my mother’s when I was a child, but haven’t had one since going GF. Your recipes are always delicious, so I would try that first. After all, who says dessert can’t be the first course? Not I!

  86. Oh my so many nice looking recipes. I had a hard time reading the contents (a little blurry on my laptop), but from what I think I saw (LOL) I would first make the Dripping Balsamic Pork Roast. I’m still learning to use my Instant Pot and am loving it more each time.

  92. Chocolate pudding cake! My youngest daughter has newly diagnosed Celiacs and is also off dairy while she heals and my oldest daughter has Hashimotos with gluten intolerance and she feels better without dairy so rarely eats it. They’d love this!!