Chocolate Chunk Banana Sheet Cake - A Variation of Enjoy Life's Recipe

About a month ago I was lucky enough to receive some samples of Enjoy Life's Baking Mixes for sampling.  Now that school is back into full swing for us, I am having fun experimenting with these products.  This is my busiest time of year because I am back in our local classrooms offering allergy education classes.  For my kids, I always bring in treats so their friends can see how TASTY allergy~friendly products can be.  Besides having three nut-free kids, there were also wheat-free and gluten-free restrictions in the class.

S.A.F.E. Recipe and Product Review

Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free Delicious Donuts!

Made about four dozen of these dairy-free, egg-free, totally peanut-free, tree-nut free (does CONTAIN COCONUT) donuts in the past few days, and they were a HUGE HIT!  I have made some changes from the original recipe, Heart-Shaped Donuts from Chockababy.  

Having kids who ALSO had NEVER had donuts,  these have become a staple in our home over the past few years. 

S.A.F.E. Dairy-free, Egg-free, Nut-free Donuts

Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Totally Nut-Free Blueberry Banana Muffins

NOT being a gluten-free Mama with many gluten-free friends, I am always looking for quality mixes to ease my gluten-free baking challenges.  These mixes are ALSO free of top 8 allergens.

S.A.F.E. Blueberry Banana Muffin Recipe

Blueberry Banana Muffins

gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-free and tree nut-free

Easter Fun with Food Allergies and Food in the Classroom

Easter parties... food in the classroom.. and food allergies.  A stressful combination for many. Having food allergies stinks.  Often one is ostracized and left out.  Made to feel as though there's something wrong with them because they can't eat what everyone else does.  But it doesn't have to be that way.

S.A.F.E. Easter Treats

SunButter Protein Bars

Having trouble finding egg-free, dairy-free, peanut-free, tree-nut free protein bars?  With the help of Arbonne Essentials Nutrition line and SunButter, my family has an option they can't get enough of these days. 

Smart Allergy Friendly Education SunButter Protein Bars

Allergy~Friendly Fun for Valentines Day

Here's to another fabulous year of allergy~friendly Valentines Day celebrations! 

Enjoying the holiday parties with food allergies can seem impossible, but it doesn't have to be!  I do my best to ensure my kids can partake in all the fun 

WITH their egg, dairy and nut allergies.  

4th grade Chocolate Covered Pretzels

It certainly takes a little extra planning and participation on my end, but it's worth every second of the inclusion they experience.  

FUN was had by ALL!!

2nd grade SAFE Spread!

Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Morsels - FREE of the TOP 8 Allergens and Gluten-Free

Managing dairy allergies or lactose intolerance can really get in the way of truly enjoying the fun of holiday baking.  If you’re a dark chocolate fan, up until now, it may have even seemed as though it was an impossibility.  Imagine being able to whip up some of your favorite dark chocolate cookies, cakes and  family delights.  

Enjoy Life has done it again!  FREE of the TOP 8 most common ALLERGENS, gluten-Free, pareve AND made without casein, potato, sesame and sulfites.  I can't tell you how thrilled I was to receive this package from them a few weeks ago~

Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Morsels, manufactured by Enjoy Life Natural Brands, LLC, Schiller Park, IL, 60176. 

Ginger Molasses Cookies - Egg-free, Dairy-free and Nut-Free

As an 'okay' baker, I have challenged myself this holiday season to expand my baking and cooking skills.  I was absolutely thrilled with the results of my first experiment.  These cookies are egg-free, dairy-free, nut-free and pretty tasty, if I must say so myself.  This IS based on the speed at which they disappeared.  

Ginger Molasses EF, DF, NF Cookies - Recipe from S.A.F.E.

The only problem was that I now how to hurry up and make some more for my kids' Thanksgiving celebrations!  To be sure I would have enough this time around, I made a double batch! 

Zebra Cupcakes - Our GO-TO Allergy Friendly Cupcakes Everyone ENJOYS!!

Just had our last baseball game last night, and this allergy~friendly recipe was a hit AGAIN!  Thank you to Amy Quilici for making these so that ALL the kids could enjoy a cupcakes in celebration!!  They are dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, peanut-free, tree-nut free and DELICIOUS! She even used our favorite Cream Cheese Pillsbury Icing Pillsbury Icing!  

Smart Allergy~Friendly Education Zebra Cupcakes

Food Allergies, Food And Fun in the Classroom for Valentines Day

What you will need - Smart Allergy~Friendly Education

There are many people who think food should be banned completely from the classrooms, especially those managing food allergies.  I say, think outside the box and you can still have a great party!

As homeroom mom for my son, here is what he and I did last night to prepare for his Valentine's Day celebration today.  He LOVED getting all of this together.  

Even better is the pride I know he feels when we bring things in that EVERYONE can enjoy!

Top Ten S.A.F.E. Allergy Blogs

December 31st, 2007 was the day I wrote my first blog for 'smartallergy'.  It has been a wonderful 4 years and I decided it was time to evaluate what entries drew the most readers. 
I was pleasantly surprised at the true variety which made it to my ALL-TIME top ten list.  

You will find:  non-food products, food-products,  a recipe and two guest blogger entries.  

Although my main focus has been highlighting product ideas for those managing egg, milk and nut allergies, you will find product ideas available for everyone, and TWO inspirational blogs from young women living their life with life-threatening food allergies!


Smart Allergy~Friendly Education's (S.A.F.E.) ALL TIME TOP TEN BLOGS


1.  Walgreens 'Benadryl' Substitute 
     A product WE can't live without! - October 4, 2011

#1 - Walgreens 'benadryl' alternative

2.  Jelly Belly Candy Corn - Peanut Free and Tree Nut Free? - October 4, 2011
     Consumer Feedback on how 'nut-free' this product is guaranteed to be.

#2 - Jelly Belly Candy Corn

3.  Ghost Poop for the Holidays - Homemade Halloween Treats - October 21, 2011

#3 - Homemade Ghost Poop

     Need I say more?  You will love this fun idea on making 'allergy~friendly' treats for your kids and their friends.  

An Allergy~Friendly Pumpkin Pie MANY will enjoy~

Just made this pumpkin pie again and I think it was better this year than last year! It is egg-free, nut-free and/or dairy free pumpkin pie recipe. Just so happens, I just found one that I think is pretty darn awesome! And just in the nick of time, because my daughter had been asking me for two weeks to make a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving!

S.A.F.E. Recipe for Dairy-free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free Pumpkin Pie

I can't take any claim for this Pumpkin Pie recipe. It was given to me from a fellow Boise allergy advocate and mom, Starla Higdon.  

Scrumptious EF, DF, NF Chocolate Cupcakes

As a parent of children with multiple food allergies, I have spent a lot of time of the past 9 years experimenting with cooking and baking recipes.  Without a doubt, the following is the BEST egg-free, dairy-free, nut-free chocolate cupcake I have found to date.

I have altered it from a book my daughter loves, Peace, Love and Cupcakes, THE CUPCAKE CLUB, by Sheryl and Carrie Berk.

Smart Allergy~Friendly Education EF, DF, NF Cupcakes

Here is my version of the 'Eco-licious Chocolate Cupcakes'.

Allergy~Friendly Crepes - What a fun and tasty way to celebrate the 4th~

I can claim NO origination for the following recipe.  I borrowed it from the first allergy cookbook I ever bought, The Food Allergy News Cookbook.   This particular recipe is milk-free, egg-free, peanut-free, soy-free, and nut-free.  It can also be wheat-free and gluten-free.

Smart Allergy~Friendly Crepes 

EF, DF, SF & NF Cinnamon Rolls

My family loves the following cinnamon rolls.  I have adapted a recipe which was already dairy-free and nut-free to also being soy-free and egg-free.  The batch I made last Saturday were delicious and the request has already been put in to make sure I have some available for Easter morning.

Smart Allergy~Friendly Education Cinnamon Rolls

Have Tofu? Dairy-Free Brownies are a breeze!

DairyFree Brownies from S.A.F.E.

I can't lay any claim to the following recipe but feel it is worth sharing with others.    These dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, vegan brownies are delicious.  In my opinion, they have just the right amount of moisture without being gooey.  It is this particular recipe which made me realize that I need to bake and cook more with tofu.

My friend, Stephanie, made these brownies just so that my daughter could join in the fun of her child's birthday celebration at school.  I followed this recipe (highlighted in green below) exactly and my brownies turned out great.

Milk-free, Egg-free Gingerbread

At this time of year, I love the aroma of gingerbreads baking throughout the house.  It's something which gets me quickly into the holiday spirit.

As I tend to bake everything from scratch, I was thrilled a few years ago to find this simple recipe which I have adapted to our milk-free, egg-free, nut-free needs.  The best part is that it tastes great!

Dairy-free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free Gingerbread - from S.A.F.E.

Holiday Ginger Bread 
1/2 C sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 C flour
1/2 C milk-free margarine (ie, Nucoa or Earth Balance), room temperature

1 egg substitute - *2 alternatives (for this recipe, I prefer the flax substitute)

• 1/4 of flax (1 T flax + 3 T water; bring to a boil and let simmer 5 min., let cool and use);
• OR   1 1/2 T oil + 1 1/2 T water + 1 t baking powder (mixed well)

1 C molasses
1 C hot water
Powdered sugar

1.  Preheat over to 350 degrees.  Use shortening/milk-free margarine and flour to prep a rectangular cake pan.
2.  In a large bowl, combine sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, salt and flour.  Stir together. 
3.  Form a well in the center of the mixture and add milk-free margarine, egg substitute, molasses and hot water.  Stir until well blended and smooth.
4.  Pour into prepared pan and bake 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5.  Dust with powdered sugar after bread has partially cooled and Enjoy!
Happy Holidays and Happy Baking!

Egg-Free, Milk-Free, Nut-Free Royal Icing

Looking for an egg-free, milk-free, nut-free royal icing for gingerbread houses?  I was given a great recipe from my fellow friend and allergy-mom, Kristin Beltaos, owner of A Gift of Miles.  I tried it out and it was a total success!

Egg-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free Royal Icing - from S.A.F.E.

Milk-free, Egg-free, Nut-free, Soy-free Cut-Out Sugar Cookies for Any Occasion

Here's the milk-free, egg-free, nut-free and possibly soy-free Cut-Out Sugar Cookie recipe that we have been using regularly throughout the holidays.  Throw on your favorite icing and some holiday sprinkles and you've got a delicious holiday treat!  These Christmas Trees were a household hit!

S.A.F.E. All Occasion Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

This sugar cookie recipe rises nicely without flattening out and tastes good. Once the dough is chilled, the dough is easy to handle. It isn't sticky or crumbly like some recipes without eggs or milk.  If you want cakier cookies, use the flax mixture in place of the egg.  For cookies that are crispier and flatten out a bit more, use the oil/water/baking powder combination instead.  Both options work well.

All Occasion Allergy~Friendly Cut-Out Sugar Cookies


3 C sifted flour (2 white/1 whole wheat)
1 C sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 C softened dairy free margarine (soy free, if needed )
1 egg substitute - (2 possibilities)

• 1/4 of flax (1 T flax + 3 T water; bring to a boil and let simmer 5 min., let cool and use);
• OR  1 1/2 T oil + 1 1/2 T water + 1 t baking powder (mixed well)

3 T soy or rice milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Sift together the flour, sugar,salt and baking powder. Then add the softened (not runny or melted) margarine and cut in with a pastry blender until fine. Then add egg substitute, milk and vanilla.

Chill the dough for at least an hour.

Roll out on floured cloth or surface.

Cut out, decorate and bake at 400 degrees for 6 - 8 minutes, depending on the size of the cookie.

Hint: Use the floured cloth/surface and touch the dough as little as possible.  I place a piece of parchment/wax paper over the dough and roll it out this way.  I found the dough stays much more malleable if my bare hands don't touch it. Otherwise, it seems to soften too much, get sticky and becomes harder to roll out.  I also don't have to worry about constantly flouring my rolling pin.

Eat them with icing and sprinkles, rolled in sugar or just plain.  At our local Hobby Lobby, I just came across a new brand of sprinkles, Festival Sparkling Sugar, RED & WHITE.  It states on the packaging:  PEANUT FREE, GLUTEN FREE.  YEAH!!

Happy  Decorating!


Visit my Amazon Store for more Allergy~Friendly Product Recommendations

Ghost in the Graveyard- Vienna Fingers, Rich Whip, Oreos and Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips make this Allergy~Friendly Halloween Treat a Sugary Delight for Kids!

Being homeroom mom with a child with food allergies is turning out to be a fun experience!
It's amazing how one can alter a recipe to meet your allergy needs.  This one is from Mrs. Jensen, a teacher who is NOT afraid of a little sugar.  She is smart enough to wait till the end of the day to send these treats home to us parents!

Ghost in the Graveyard - EF, NF, DF

Ghost in the Graveyard
    *milk-free, egg-free, nut-free

Ingredients to serve 4-5 kids
Plastic 9 oz. clear cups
Jell-O brand instant Chocolate pudding -1 small package chocolate pudding
      (4 - 5 per students)
1 3/4 Cups of soy milk
Rich Whip Non-Dairy Topping
      (1 container per 3 students)
Oreo Cookies - 4 per student
Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Keebler Vienna Fingers