Be prepared. Almost everyone knows that is the boy scouts’ motto. But what does that mean? What are they prepared for? The motto means that scouts are trained to be prepared for anything. If someone is hurt in an accident, scouts have first aid training. If someone is lost on a hike, a scout can help them find their way. In a similar way, if you are the cook for a food-allergic child, you have to be prepared to make three safe meals each day of the week. That can be a daunting task. In a recent article on the website Kids With Food Allergies, allergy cooks are given some food prep advice. Here are several thoughtful steps to reduce the stress of cooking and to help you be better organized to cook for your child:

• Plan your menus. Advance planning can make the difference between getting dinner on the table in a calm and timely manner and making a last minute dash to the grocery store with two whining toddlers in tow.
  
  
• Buy in bulk and shop online. Specialty items with specific ingredients can be expensive. Expand your grocery shopping from the local store to online shopping and bulk stores. A simple online search can yield great results for special foods that you might not even have considered. You can save yourself a lot of shopping trips and hard earned dollars by purchasing non-perishable items in bulk.
  
  
• Always have a supply of safe food available. According to the article, you must keep at least a few days’ supply of “safe” foods in your house. Remember, even if illness or inclement weather stops you from leaving your house, your food allergic child still needs to eat.
  
  
• Cook double batches of food, freeze extras, and serve leftovers. Having ready-to-eat hypoallergenic meals in your freezer is like having money in the bank. Any time your menu includes foods that freeze well, you should consider doubling your recipe and freezing the extras. When my uncle barbecues, he cooks a prodigious amount of food and freezes all of the leftovers. Also, on Sunday nights, our family often cooks breakfast foods for the whole school week.
  
  
• Always be prepared for a party. When you have a young child, you are going to have a full party schedule. Whether it is a birthday or a stop at grandma’s house, be sure that your food supply includes some safe cupcakes or other appropriate treats that can be taken to a variety of social functions. Regardless of your child’s age, you should plan to have at least one frozen serving of his or her favorite entrée that can be taken to holiday dinners and other social gatherings.
  

Being prepared and organized can help reduce stress and make meal times great occasions for family bonding.