Gel dessert Product Review

In our family, we have committed to avoiding artificial food coloring as much as is possible.  But, I'll be honest, I miss Jello, and so do a few of my children. It's such an easy treat to whip up, and perfect for sore throats.  One day, in the "natural" section of our grocery store, I saw "Jel Dessert" calling to me from the shelf! I purchased a box of strawberry flavor, and we tested it at home. 

Pros:  No artificial food coloring, gluten free, GMO free, kosher parve, and vegan!  (The vegan label is important to us simply because we know the product will be free from dairy and eggs!) The Strawberry Jel actually tasted like real strawberries!  There wasn't a chemical "fake" aftertaste. What an awesome bonus to give children fruit flavored dessert that actually tastes the fruit! There are only two steps to making the Jel, heat the water, stir in the powder. You can't get any simpler than that! The Jel also set very quickly, which is a plus when there are children anxiously waiting for it to be ready. 

Cons: No company phone number to contact, no website, no way to ask specific questions regarding allergens or manufacturing processes. There is an email for the distributor on the box, but no other contact information to be found on packaging or online.
Really, in this technological era, I can't imagine why this is! (If anyone can provided contact information, please share in the comments!) The only other con, which was a split vote in our house, is that the Jel dessert didn't set as firmly as it's artificial counterpart. Some preferred the softer texture and others wanted a firmer set. I am curious as to what would happen if I reduced the water, and I'll probably try that next time. 

Bottom Line: My 11 year old son, who is not usually a fan of gelatin desserts declared that this was "way better than regular Jello." The rest of the jury gave their thumbs up, and asked when we could have it again. We're all looking forward to trying the other flavors! I'll be stocking a few boxes in the pantry for special occasions and sore throats.

Don't forget to check out my cookbooks on Amazon!

 As always, from The Allergy Safe Kitchen, I wish you "Good Cooking, and Safe Eating"!

"Sushi Quik" Product Review

I first found a Youtube video about Sushi Quik when I did a Google search for "how to make sushi."  My 11 year old, son has been begging me to teach him how to make sushi.  He has multiple food allergies, and anytime he wants to learn a specific skill in the kitchen, I make sure to teach him.  (Click here to learn more about my philosophy on why children with food allergies should learn to cook.) I received the product for review, and we have had a blast using it! 

Enjoy Life Fruit and Seed Mix - Review

Enjoy Life Not Nuts! Seed and Fruit Mix is available in Mountain Mambo, and Beach Bash.  Both are available at our local grocery store, which is where I purchased the Mountain Mambo variety to review. 

Ian's Onion Rings - Review

I became aware of Ian's Natural Foods when I attended The Food Allergy Bloggers Conference. What impressed me most about this brand was the variety of MEAL offerings.  There are a lot of food allergy focused companies specializing in snacks, desserts, safe baking items, etc.  But, few focus on providing a kid friendly, busy-mom-friendly, simple meal.

Our family received a box of products from Ian's for review. I'll be honest, Ian's scored points with the kids right away - the cooler was packed with dry ice.  Well now, a homeschooling family can't let that opportunity go to waste, right?  Once we opened the box, we spent a good half hour making fog and talking about sublimation. Bonus!  Thanks Ian's!

Omission Gluten Free Beer - Review

Forget about Black Friday - It's Product Review Friday!  Today, I'm reviewing a beverage that I had the pleasure of sampling at the FABlog Conference in September. I found it at our local grocery store and brought it home for an assist from my husband! 

So Delicious Soy Frozen Dessert Review

I love ice cream.  LOVE ice cream.  When an ice cream lover is in a dairy-free family, a solution MUST be found. MUST!  So today, I'm reviewing a product that I bought at our local grocery store: So Delicious Soy Frozen Dessert - Chocolate Velvet.  Here we go!

Pros: The name is accurate, this soy ice cream is chocolaty, and the texture of the dessert is smooth, not gummy, like some other brands we have tried. The mouthfeel isn't as creamy as a full fat ice cream, but satisfies my craving nonetheless.  Everyone in the family has enjoyed this frozen dessert, and we even made homemade "Ice Cream" sandwiches with it!  It's organic, Non- GMO Project Verified!

Cons: As with any specialty item, it's pricey - and the containers are smallish (one quart), so for a larger family, that can add up. While So Delicious has high standards, and tests its batches for multiple allergens, it does produce a chocolate peanut butter flavor...which makes this allergy mama have to be very trusting in their process that cross contamination won't occur. 

Bottom Line: I'll buy So Delicious Soy Frozen Dessert again for special occasions for my family!  

For more information on all So Delicious products, including their almond, and coconut lines, click HERE to visit their website!

 As always, from The Allergy Safe Kitchen, I wish you "Good Cooking, and Safe Eating"!

Photo Credit: Aidan Van Horn

Sunbutter Review

Today, I am reviewing SunButter sunflower seed butter.  I received some in my swag from the Food Allergy Bloggers Conference, but we also purchase SunButter frequently on our own. 

First I'm going to start with a little story.  My husband and I both loved peanut butter.  One of my specialties used to be a wickedly decadent peanut-butter cream pie, with a chocolate and rice krispie crust...I'll just pause for a moment while you salivate.  

When we went cold turkey after my son was diagnosed with peanut allergies, it took a loooooong time for us to find something to fill that void.  We tried quite a few "butters" that really didn't taste very good.  After tasting one of them, (which shall remain nameless), my husband looked at me and said, "Please don't buy any more of these.  Give up.  Please."   So, I did.  Until I heard about one called "SunButter."  I'm going to be honest, I don't remember who recommended it to me all those years ago, but if it was you - THANK YOU!  

I brought some home, opened the jar and inhaled the roasted scent, startled that it smelled so good. My husband and I actually ate it with spoons, right out of the jar, standing in the kitchen, moaning. True story. 

So now that I've got you on the edge of your seat, wondering what kind of review I'll give SunButter...

Pros:  Peanut free, tree nut free, gluten free, dairy free, and egg free.  Here's a direct quote from their website: 
"Processed in a strictly nut-free facility (Our employees aren't even allowed to bring in peanut butter sandwiches for lunch!)"It's a direct substitute for peanut butter - in baking, and in daily life. Sandwiches, on crackers, on a spoon, using an Enjoy Life chocolate bar to scoop it out of the jar...(NOT that I would EVER do something like that...especially during pregnancy...ahem, back to the review). 

Cons: Just one - Cost.  This stuff is pricey. As a family of nine, we go through a lot of SunButter, but it does impact the food budget. You can order it online, in regular jars, and in a 5 pound size.  You can save a little bit by purchasing it that way.  

Bottom line: Our family loves SunButter so much, that several of the recipes in my first cookbook feature SunButter as a key ingredient. It is a staple in our pantry, and I still sometimes eat it from a spoon straight out the jar, in the middle of the kitchen.  (And so do my kids!) If you're craving a nutty tasting peanut butter replacement, go get some SunButter!  It comes in several varieties; we typically use Natural, and Crunch. 

Chocolate Layer Cake with SunButter frosting! Recipes
for both components of this cake are in my first cookbook
"Love Letters from My Kitchen"

Chocolate SunButter Krispie No Bakes....This recipe is in my 
mini-cookbook: 12 Cookies of Christmas (Vegan edition also available!)

For information on the full line of SunButter products, click HERE to visit their website!

 As always, from The Allergy Safe Kitchen, I wish you "Good Cooking, and Safe Eating"!

Veggetti Review

I have been eyeing this product for a while now.  I'll be honest, my initial reasons had nothing to do with food allergies, I just was looking for a way to cut down on carbs...my clothes are feeling a little tight. In a family of nine, pasta is an inexpensive weekly meal, but I was looking for something lighter for myself.  However, this is a way to have gluten free "spaghetti," and to get lots of good nutrition in any "free from" diet. This week, I took the plunge and tested out this kitchen gadget! Today's review: The Veggetti!

I used the recommended veggies: yellow squash, zucchini, and carrots, to make a veggie pasta.  I sauteed some garlic, leeks, peppers, tomatoes, and steamed baby broccoli in extra virgin olive oil, and added those to my veggie pasta. I also heated up some homemade spaghetti sauce to entice the reluctant veggie eaters. Here are my pros and cons:

Pros:  Easy to use, clear instructions.  My nine year old daughter, and 7 year old son both really wanted to try it, and they were able to manage it just fine.  Anything that helps to get allergy kids cooking deserves points in my book! The yellow squash and the zucchini ended up in colorful ribbons of veggie pasta.  Very appealing to the eye! The cooking time was short, I simply sauteed the veggie pasta in a skillet with extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper. 

The end result was tasty, and surprisingly filling!  I loved it, as did my husband.  

The Veggetti is small, and easily stored in my cabinet. 

Cons: Although the yellow squash and zucchini worked beautifully, the carrots did not.  We couldn't get a nice strip of carrot noodle, it ended up looking like shredded carrots, but was more frustrating.  (My daughter thinks our carrots were too skinny, and we should try thicker ones next time. Duly noted.) The kids' opinions ranged from "Just ok" to "Don't serve this again." 

One last con - more of a caution, really, is that although the kids had no trouble using it, there are exposed blades, so close parental supervision is a must. 

So, here's my bottom line:  The end result, the Veggetti pasta, was a hit for the adults, and so-so for most of the kids.  Instead of trying to serve it as a meal to the family, next time, I will use the Veggetti to create a side dish for the kids (main meal for me, I still need my clothes to fit better!) I'm happy with my purchase, and I'll be using it again.  

To purchase a Veggetti for your family, click HERE!

*Please read all labels when purchasing products for your food allergic family and friends, to ensure that the product meets your allergy needs.  

 As always, from The Allergy Safe Kitchen, I wish you "Good Cooking, and Safe Eating"!

Wegmans Pizza Crust - Review

It's "Product Review Friday," so it's time to share another product that we've tested in our kitchen!  Today, I'm reviewing "Wegmans White Flat Bread Pizza Crust."

Make your own pizza night is a favorite event in our home.  I love it too, and I love to make homemade dough, but this school year is kicking my butt with evening music lessons, gymnastics, Little Flowers, Blue Knights, social events...as the kids get older, I seem to be more of a chauffeur!  I recently came upon these ready made pizza crusts as I was cutting through an aisle I don't usually go down.  I noticed the "V" symbol, which - on Wegmans products - means Vegan.  That always catches my attention, because although we are an omnivorous family, Vegan means no dairy, no eggs!  After carefully reading the label, and finding no offending allergens, we gave these convenient crusts a try.  You can imagine what a hero I was upon arriving home, and announcing that we would have "make your own pizza night," commencing immediately! Just hand me my superhero cape. 

We topped ours with homemade sauce, which had been frozen earlier in the month, Follow Your Heart Vegan Mozzarella, and Hormel Turkey Pepperoni.  

Pros: The crusts come in two sizes, 12 inch, and 16 inch, so we can make several smaller ones with different toppings, or a couple large ones to get eating quickly.  The texture is great, they are pre-baked and soft, but after 12-15 minutes in the oven, the crust is crispy and golden.  The crust didn't get soggy with the copious amount of sauce my kids like to load on!  Also, it's a Wegmans "Food you feel good about," so there are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.  Easy convenience for an allergy family who consumes very few convenience foods on a regular basis! 

Cons: I'm not controlling all the individual ingredients as I would with homemade, and it isn't an organic, non-GMO product.

Bottom Line:  Although I'm still a huge fan of homemade, for a quick dinner, this got thumbs up all around! I'll be buying them again and again this year as we negotiate our busy evenings!  These crusts allowed us to have dinner together on a night that we normally wouldn't have time to bond over a meal! 

 As always, from The Allergy Safe Kitchen, I wish you "Good Cooking, and Safe Eating"!

Divvies Chocolate - Review

I recently attended the Food Allergy Bloggers Conference, in Las Vegas.  When I arrived to register at the conference, I was greeted with two bags of swag!  Coupons, pens, magnets, magazines, and oh so many samples of allergy friendly products!  Of course, I needed to do my duty to you, my dear readers, and try each sample...um, did I mention there were several varieties of chocolate?  Yum! So, I rolled up my sleeves and dug in. Today's review: Divvies Chocolate!

Included in our Swag, was a Divvies Crispy Rice Crunch Bar. I planned to just eat a little nibble, but...click here to see an Instagram of what was left of my Divvies wrapper as I was pulled into this divine treat!  (Don't forget to follow me on Instagram!) Here are my pros and cons:

Pros:  It's like a Nestle Crunch bar, but WAY better!  The Crispy Rice is delicate and just the right texture, and the chocolate has a creamy mouthfeel.  No waxiness in the chocolate, just rich and smooth! The chocolate is dairy-free, egg-free, and peanut-free. This unique little bar is divided up into parts: one for you, and one to share!  I love that concept in an allergy friendly food!  

Cons: I really don't have any cons for this one!  It's a winner all around! 

Bottom line:  This chocolate is top of the line and perfect for sharing!  I will most definitely be purchasing Divvies chocolate for my family! 

For more information on the whole line of Divvies products: click HERE to 

visit their website!  

Please read all labels when purchasing products for your food allergic family and friends, to ensure that the product meets your allergy needs.  

 As always, from The Allergy Safe Kitchen, I wish you "Good Cooking, and Safe Eating"!

Enjoy Life Plentils - Review

Hey everyone!  It's "Review Friday," so let's get down to the nitty gritty!  Today, I'm reviewing "Enjoy Life Plentils."

I recently attended the Food Allergy Bloggers Conference, in Las Vegas.  When I arrived to register at the conference, I was greeted with two bags of swag!  Coupons, pens, magnets, magazines, and oh so many samples of allergy friendly products, including Garlic & Parmesan Plentils! 

My children love Enjoy Life products and I really wanted them to try these, but I had a 4 hour wait at the airport on the way home from the conference...the Plentils were gone well before I got on the plane.  That should give you a hint as to their taste and quality....

Pros: Crunchy, flavorful, and satisfying!   Free of the top 8 allergens, Plentils are safe for every person in my household. And, these tasty chips are made from lentils, so they are packed with protein and deliver goodness that an ordinary potato chip can't.    

Cons: My local grocery store doesn't carry them. 

Bottom Line:  I'm a fan, and I'll be ordering some so my children can enjoy them too!

Click HERE to check out all the awesome products that Enjoy Life Foods has to offer!  All free of the Top 8 Allergens! 

 As always, from The Allergy Safe Kitchen, I wish you "Good Cooking, and Safe Eating"!

Suncups Review

I recently attended the Food Allergy Bloggers Conference, in Las Vegas.  When I arrived to register at the conference, I was greeted with two bags of swag!  Coupons, pens, magnets, magazines, and oh so many samples of allergy friendly products!  Of course, I needed to do my duty to you, my dear readers, and try each sample...um, did I mention there were several varieties of chocolate?  Yum! So, I rolled up my sleeves and dug in. First up? Suncups!

Suncups are a peanut free alternative to the Reese Cup. I tested the Dark Chocolate Variety, and let me tell you, it was heavenly!  Here are my pros and cons:

Pros:  Delicious, great texture, fantastic flavor, nostalgic (As a peanut allergy mom, with no peanut allergy myself, Reese cups were a favorite of mine growing up, but I haven't eaten one in almost 10 years.) Suncups are free of peanuts, tree nuts, corn, soy, eggs, and gluten. 

Cons: Just one: Contains dairy....BUT...after speaking to the Suncups representative at the conference, AND checking out the Suncups website, I am beyond excited to say that Suncups with be launching a DAIRY-FREE version later this year, or early in 2015. 

Bottom Line:  This product is great, as is, for me and my husband, who both sometimes long for a peanut butter cup. When the dairy free version launches, I'll be first in line to buy an obscene amount of these beauties for my children!  

For more information on Suncups: click HERE to 

visit their website!  

Please read all labels when purchasing products for your food allergic family and friends, to ensure that the product meets your allergy needs.  

 As always, from The Allergy Safe Kitchen, I wish you "Good Cooking, and Safe Eating"!