BBQ Picnic Giveaway Sponsored by Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery

As a huge fan of Rudi's Bakery, organic and gluten-free products, I am pleased to be promoting Rudi's most recent Facebook Happy Camper giveaway where 10 LUCKY winners will be chosen to win a weeklong 'Fun in the Sun' getaway without gluten, travel included!

In addition to what Rudi's is offering to kids living a gluten-free lifestyle, I am thrilled to be offering my own Rudi's GIVEAWAY!!

Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery's 'HAPPY CAMPER' Facebook Contest

Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery's 'HAPPY CAMPER' Facebook Contest~

If you are already a fan of Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery FB page, then you should be well aware of the "Happy Camper" Facebook Contest!  

During the ENTIRE month of May, in celebration of 'National Celiac Awareness Month', Rudi's Gluten-Free fans are encouraged to submit a 200 word essay from their child explaining 'What attending a 'Gluten-FREE Summer Camp' would mean to them!

Guest Blogger - Natalie Honodel is back!

As it is National Food Allergy Awareness Week, I am pleased to have Natalie Honodel back as my guest blogger. As a young woman managing food allergies in the social scene, she has come prepared with some great common sense tip for for her peers!

Welcome Back, Natalie!

Back in the Classroom Promoting Allergy Awareness Week

The past week has flown by as I've been busy helping to promote the 2013 FARE Boise Food Allergy Walk.  I have had a great experience speaking with allergy~friendly companies, both locally and nationally.  I can't wait to share more about the wonderful donors who are participating in sponsoring Saturday's walk.

However, I had a chance today to do what I love must.  Be in the classroom with kids!  I am a huge proponent of beginning to educate our kids at the preschool level.  Starting early just breeds acceptance, tolerance and knowledge from the get go.

Jolly Llama Sorbet Pops - A Delicious Gluten-Free and Dairy-free Sorbet Pop

While in San Diego a few weeks ago, I had a little time to meander around their local Whole Foods store.  I know I am NOT the only one who loves to take their time browsing through the aisles, ESPECIALLY when kid-free.

Eat at U-SWIRL on May 15th and support the Boise FARE Food Allergy Walk

Eat at U-SWIRL Wed, May 15th, 
7 - 9pm, & Support 
the Boise Food Allergy Walk 

20% of all proceeds go directly to the
Boise FARE Food Allergy Walk

Gluten Free, Dairy Free and Nut Free Sugar Cookies ~ Sun Flour Mills Offers Great Products

If you don't live in Boise, you may not be familiar with this local distributor.  I first discovered their products at the Boise Food Allergy Walk in 2011.  Their pumpkin bread and french bread samples were delicious.  I NEVER would have guessed they were gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free and can be egg-free too!  

Teachers, Peanuts and Frustration for All - Please Take our Food Allergies Seriously

20 to 30 years ago, I imagine managing food allergies wasn't very common in the classroom, especially for teachers.  I can't remember a single kid with food allergies growing up.  I can only imagine the challenges and frustrations this must present for teachers at times, especially when dealing with multiple children with multiple food allergies in one classroom.

However, the times have changed and our attitudes and awareness need to too.

Go Picnic Offers A Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Product

There I was... next to gate 46 in the San Diego airport.  My husband and son had just gotten on one flight while my daughter and I were left behind. What to do?  Find something to EAT, of course!  Have you ever tried eating in an airport when looking for something dairy-free? and tree-nut free?  

Sunflower Seeds - A Simple Food Allergy~Friendly Snack

Just took a trip with my family and threw in a bag of Sunflower Seeds!  They were a huge hit!!  They are dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, gluten-free, fish-free~  So many of us in the allergy world can enjoy this simple snack.

Dreyers Outshine Coconut Waters - A Refreshing Allergy~Friendly Option

Recently came across a refreshing, great tasting allergy~friendly snack, or 'delicious popsicle' as my kids would call them.  

American Flatbread offers Dairy-Free Pizzas

For those looking for an all-natural, dairy-free pizza option, you may like this possibility.  This thin and crispy, garlic and fresh herb wood-fried pizza was a hit with my daughter.  According to the ingredient list, it is also egg-free and nut-free, prerequisites in our home.

Looking for Allergy~Friendly Businesses - Boise FARE Walk on May 18th!

May 18th is Boise's FARE Walk for Food Allergy.  

In case you haven't heard, food allergies are 

ON THE RISE!  

It is predicted that 1 in 13 children have food allergies.  That will equal almost 2 students per class!!  If your kids don't have food allergies, consider yourself lucky.  However, chances are that one of your children's classmates will~  

Skeeter Snacks - TOTALLY NUT-FREE & NUT-FREE FACILITY

Last week I opened my door to find a package from Media Maison. Not exactly sure whom it was from, I couldn't wait to see what goody may be hiding inside.  I was thrilled to find a variety of NUT-FREE cookies to sample AND, would you believe, a personal note addressed to me?!  

Real Foods Organic Corn Thins - A New Allergy~Friendly Find

Came across a new rice cake type of snack my kids really enjoy.  This product promotes being gluten-free, fat-free, organic, GMO-free, kosher, pareve and all natural.  

Marie Callender's Razzleberry Pie - One of our Favorite Allergy~Friendly Desserts

Have you ever eaten a Marie Callender pie?  They are quite delicious!  A few years ago, we discovered that some of her frozen pies were acceptable in our dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free home, and we've NEVER looked back since.  As we sat down to yet ANOTHER one after dinner the other night, I realized I needed I should have shared this bit of information with my fans a LONG TIME AGO.

Maplehurst Bakeries 'Thaw and Sell Cupcakes' are PEANUT-FREE!

Managing peanut allergies in your home?  Then you will LOVE the peanut-free cupcakes sold by this company to retailers nationwide.  Don't believe me?  Check out this link to their peanut-free info!  Peanut Free Initiative Info

Lemon Mini Cakes found at Walmart - My favorite so far!

So Delicious Dairy-Free Coconut Fudge Bars

With all of the things we can't have in our home, my kids, especially my son, has a wicked sweet tooth.  Browsing through the freezer section at our local Huckleberry's he and I came across some dairy-free desserts which he loves.  They are also gluten-free, soy free, certified parve and vegan.    

Dairy Free Dessert - Delicious Allergy~Friendly Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Dairy-free, Egg-free, Nut-free, Gluten-free Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Once again, it's NOT that we can't eat in our house what others eat.  We just USE different ingredients and WE make them.  Here is our easy to make dairy-free (milk-free), egg-free, nut-free, gluten-free snack that anyone can easily throw together.

Allergy Product Awareness Class for Community Nurses - THANKS for everyone's support!

Tuesday night I had the pleasure of presenting to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center Faith Community Nurses.  As contacts in each of their faith communities, they have one-on-one contact with hundreds, maybe thousands, of individuals in their parishes who are in need of medical advice or guidance.