Tasty Tidbits  - The Allergiesandme.com Blog

Drum Roll Please....the winners of our First Annual "Allergy Free" Food Recipe Contest have been announced.

We received so many fantastic entries and look forward to more of these fun contests in the future.
Here are the lucky winners:

Lori Zook of Pennsylvania took Grand Prize with her "PennyMint Patties". After I told her the good news, Lori said "Wow, what an honor! I love to share my recipes with others that have food allergies so that they can realize it is completely possible to still eat the yummy foods they desire even with food allergies." We are glad she shared them too!

Our second prize went to Kimberly Hammond of Texas. She shared her family favorite, Lemonade Cookies. Rounding out our third place winners was Suzanne Banfield from New Jersey with her Apple-Butter Nut Muffins.

Please check out the winning recipes and their stories on our Allergy Free Food Recipe Contest Winners page.

I am a Texas-born Girl ...and love my barbeque! I just stocked a new group of sauces from Steel's Gourmet Foods and I think you will love them. They are made with Agave nectar, so have no sugar added...and Cholesterol free. We have several of these Gluten-Free sauces to choose from: Agave Barbeque Sauce, Agave Chipotle Barbeque Sauce, Agave Mango Curry Sauce, Agave Teriyaki Sauce , Agave Wasabi Teriyaki Sauce .

    Remember, everything tastes better on a grill!

Have a wonderful weekend.

I found this video collection on the website for American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. There is one from Dr. Scott Sicherer, MD on Food Allergic Children, as well as a video on reactions to Peanut Butter by Dr. Michael Pistiner. Check out the Food Allergy link and share with others you think would benefit from seeing them.

I'll check back in a couple of days with more interesting things...short on time for now.
Have a wonderful evening!

Jamie

Hope this finds you back at the gym...working off all those Thanksgiving desserts! We have to get ready for the next holiday feeding! You don't want to look like this guy!!!
Lot's of things going on here at Allergiesandme.com. I am starting a blog site that will allow me to do some creative cooking, using all the wonderful products I sell in the store. I am excited about the concept and would love your feedback. The website address is www.allergyfreerecipe.com. Just threw on my first dish and will be adding more quickly. My wonderful manufacturers are also contributing their own recipe creations...should be lot's of fun! Please feel free to share any of your own favorite dishes too.

I had an interesting conversation with Jack's mom yesterday. She informed me that some insurance carriers may allow allergen-free food to be deducted from the Flexible Healthcare Spending accounts that many of you participate in at work. I just released a new article outlining this option. Please check with your own carriers or human resource contact to explore. You only have until the end of the month to take action on this!

Just saw a new article review of a product from one of the manufacturers we represent Shiloh Farms Sprouted Flour, on the website, GoodLifer. We don't have this flour yet, but will get it on the shelves so you can experience it.

Don't forget to sign up for the Food Allergy Holiday Twitter Party tonight. We are giving a dozen of the fantastic "Cookies..for Me?" cookies to a lucky participant. The proceeds from our sponsor fees will go toward a food allergy non-profit charity. If you have never participated in one of these, it is fast-paced and lot's of fun. You can connect and learn from others in the same situation.

Guess that's enough for now. Hope all of you have a wonderful weekend...

Jamie

The walk last Saturday was awesome.
 
We ended up with close to 430 walkers ( final numbers tbd) and think we are near $40,000 raised!
It was such a wonderful atmosphere with happy kids, relaxed parents and supportive family members. As the co-chair, I ran around like a "chicken with my head falling off", but managed to get some great video of some of these gorgeous kids. As soon as I have my video edited, I will share this as well.
Andrea of FAAN was a great support and really pitched in to help.

Here's a couple photos that my Walk Chair sent me...I look a little "worn" at this point!

 
Wearing my FAAN award on my head...it had been a long day!

 
Wrangled my hubby to help us with the "bouncy houses"...it was hard keeping him out of them!



Thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors that participated!

Have a wonderful and happy weekend!

Jamie

That day the Walk Chair and I have been waiting for is this Saturday, FAAN Walk Toward a Cure in Tampa, Florida. We have a great lineup of sponsors and entertainment...I am sure all the kids will love it!  It's not too late to join us, so come on down. The website for information is www.foodallergywalk.org/tampa_fl.

I am featuring a new cookbook author in our recipe page on the website too...The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook. Check out the Pumpkin Cheesecake and Cranberry Sauce - Gluten Free and Vegan!

Here's a picture just to make you hungry       

Have a great week...and eat healthy!

Jamie

We can't emphasize enough the need to be careful during this "food intensive" holiday!

I just finished an article for Examiner.com that highlights some of the great tips provided by Kidswithfoodallergies.com.

Check it out here: Trick or Treat! The Top Tips to Enjoy it with Food Allergies

If you are looking for some suggestions for your "treat bowl", click here.

Have a safe and fun holiday!

Jamie

Local chapters of Food Allergy support groups had a fundraiser this past weekend for the FAAN Walk for Food Allergy: Moving Toward a Cure in Tampa, Florida. The family fundraiser provided a “food and drink free” play day at a local Gymboree Play & Music.

I was a "worker bee" and also provided a big "Allergy Friendly" basket for the raffle. I had such fun and really enjoyed watching all these wonderful kids have such a good time. I took tons of photos and got a great one of our Cute Corporate Mascot, Jack!

The event raised almost $800 dollars and hosted more than 50 families. There were over 65 children enjoying the play floor during the afternoon. We had a brief visit from an honored guest celebrity, a “peanut dog”. This trained service animal helps a local boy to avoid a potential deadly exposure to peanuts. The dog will be one of the ambassadors at the FAAN Walk on November 14th.

A special thanks goes out to Gymboree and their employees for donating the space and their whole Saturday to support this great cause.Just as a reminder, the Tampa FAAN Walk will be November 14th in Lowry Park, at Lowry Park Zoo, at 9:00 a.m. The website is www.foodallergywalk.org/tampa_fl.

One more reminder, if you are local (or feel like taking a long drive!) we are having a " FAAN 5% Day" at Whole Foods on Dale Mabry. The store is donating 5% of their sales on November 11th to the FAAN Walk! Come hungry! I will be there to introduce you to the "Peanut Dog" and pass out information.

Please show your support for these great kids!

Have a safe and wonderful weekend.

Jamie

FAAN recently came out with some great tips for having a safer Halloween for all those families dealing with the scary prospect of Trick-or-Treating.
Check out here and for even more information, go to their website at www.foodallergy.org.

Enjoy the upcoming goblin filled evening, but be vigilant!

Jamie

As you may know, I live in Florida....so no fall weather yet.

However, some of you may have been experiencing some cooling temperatures and starting to think about that scary holiday...Halloween.

Now, for the rest of the world, they would think I am talking about ghosts and goblins...but for those families with Food Allergies, the scary thoughts are about their children being exposed to dangerous foods and candies. Vigilance is key and I know of groups locally that have their own "Allergen Free" Halloween events for their kids. I participated in one last year and it was awesome!

My wonderful friends at FoodAllergyBuzz.com and BestAllergySites.com are putting on a Halloween Twitter Party. Allergiesandme.com is sponsoring the event and will be giving a lucky winner $50 in shopping money to use in our online store. A portion of the sponsored event proceeds go to various food allergy related non-profits.

The event is Friday, October 2nd. These ladies have put together an informative panel of people to provide informative discussions.
Please join us if you can...Halloween with Food Allergies Twitter Party

Have a wonderful weekend!
Jamie