Archive for April, 2011

Expired! Amazon: Organic Chia Seeds $4.99/lb!

Did you know you can use chia seeds to replace eggs in recipes?  Just mix 2 Tbsp chia with 1/2 cup cold water and let it sit for 10-15 minutes to gel. Use 1/4 cup of chia gel to replace 1 egg.  Right now there is an excellent sale on chia seeds through Amazon.

Nutiva Organic Chia Seeds, 14-Ounce Bags (Pack of 2) $11.53 ($.41/oz)

Nutiva Organic Chia Seeds, 3-Pound Bags $14.96 ($.31/oz)

Here’s how the deal works:

  • Click one of the links above and select subscribe and save to save 15%
  • Use promo code NUTICHIA to save an additional 10%

When you select subscribe and save you not only get a discount but you also get FREE shipping!  I usually select delivery for every 6 months.  Once I receive the item, I log into Amazon, go to my account, click on “manage subscribe and save items” and cancel the subscription.

Thanks Taste is Trump!

Want to see more allergy friendly recipes and deals?  Be sure to subscribe to RealFoodAllergyFree.com email updates in the side bar so you don’t miss out on anything new.

Amazon: Organic Gluten Free Cereal as low as $1.36/box!

This month Nature’s Path cereal is 25% off if you use subscribe and save and promo code NATPATH5.  All of these do not list wheat, nuts or soy in the ingredients.  One reader kindly pointed out that while these allergens are not listed on the ingredient list, they are likely manufactured in facilities that process these allergens.  Please take this in consideration when placing your order.  As always, make sure you double check the ingredient label on the box when you receive the product. 

Nature’s Path Organic Corn Puffs Cereal, 6-Ounce Bags (Pack of 12) $1.36 each

Nature’s Path Organic Millet Puffs Cereal, 6-Ounce Bags (Pack of 12) $1.41 each

Nature’s Path Organic Rice Puffs Cereal, 6-Ounce Bags (Pack of 12) $1.44 each

Nature’s Path Organic Instant Hot Cereal, Apple Cinnamon, 8-Count Boxes (Pack of 6) $2.03/box

Nature’s Path Organic Whole O’s, Gluten Free Cereal, 11.5-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 6) $2.37 each

Nature’s Path Organic Corn Flakes, Fruit Juice Sweetened Cereal, 10.6-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 6) $2.38 each

Nature’s Path Organic Mesa Sunrise Cereal, 10.6-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 6) $2.53 each

Nature’s Path Organic Honey’d Corn Flakes Cereal, 10.6-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 6) $2.76 each

Here’s how the deal works:

  • Click one of the links above and select subscribe and save to save 15%
  • Use promo code NATPATH5 to save an additional 10%

When you select subscribe and save you not only get a discount but you also get FREE shipping!  If you don’t want to receive the item every 6 months, you can always cancel by simply logging into Amazon, go to “My Account”, click “manage subscribe and save items” and cancel the subscription.

Want to see more allergy friendly recipes and deals?  Be sure to subscribe to RealFoodAllergyFree.com email updates in the side bar so you don’t miss out on anything new.

Dairy-Free Caramel Dip/Sauce

The kids and I met my nephew at the McDonald’s playplace today.  As my dairy eating kids devoured their apples and caramel dip, I decided I was going to make a version Bella can enjoy.  It turned out awesome!  The dairy eating kids said it was as good as McDonald’s.  I think the hint of maple syrup makes it even better than McDonald’s.  Don’t worry about the coconut milk.  You can’t taste it.  This caramel is good hot and cold.  It is delicious with apples and pears and it would be awesome on dairyfree ice cream.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup canned coconut milk
3/4 cup sucanat/rapaduraor brown sugar
1/3 cup maple syrup
1Tbsp water
1 Tbsp arrowroot powder
2 Tbsp soy free earth balance
1 tsp vanilla

 

1. Whisk coconut milk, sucanat, and maple syrup in a small saucepan.

2. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally,  for 3 minutes.

3. Whisk water and arrowroot together in a small bowl.

4. Stir the arrowroot and water into the coconut milk mixture.

5. Cook and wisk another 3 minutes or so until the mixture thickens.

6.  Transfer caramel to an airtight jar and store in the refrigerator.

You may also enjoy egg-free, dairy-free Mayonnaise or dairy-free Chocolate Frosted Rice Krispie Treats.

Special thanks to Vegan Chef for this recipe!

This post is part of Slightly Induglent Tuesday, Just Another Meatless Monday, Meatless Mondays, My Meatless Mondays, Ultimate Recipe Swap.

Gluten-Free Taco Seasoning Recipe

Did you know most taco seasoning mixes contain wheat and MSG?  Making your own taco seasoning is not only easy but cheap!  In fact, in order to save money, I started making this mix long before we had allergy issues to deal with.  I purchase large bottles of spices from Costco or Sam’s for $3 to $5 each.

The Ingredients:
1/4 Cup plus 1 Tbsp chili powder
1 1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 1/4 tsp onion powder
1 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/4 tsp Oregano
2 1/2 tsp Paprika
2 Tbsp plus 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 Tbsp plus 2 tsp sea salt
1 Tbsp plus 2 tsp Black Pepper (optional)

Directions:
Measure all of the ingredients into an air tight container and shake it up.  Add 2 Tbsp of taco seasoning to 1 pound of cooked ground beef.  This works well in all things Mexican including taco soup and taco potatoes.

Photo credit: Elin B

Taco Soup Recipe

This soup is a great way to stretch a pound of meat.  It is delicious served with cheddar or Daiya cheese, salsa, corn chips and sour cream if you can tolerate dairy.  This makes a huge pot full.  This recipe is easy to adapt to what you have on hand.  Adjust the corn and rice amounts to how thick you want your soup.

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
1 chopped onion or a couple Tbsp dried onion
8 cups chicken or beef broth
2 (16 oz) cans of beans (black, pinto, chili, kidney) with liquid
1/2 (10 oz) bag of frozen corn
1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
1 cup cooked rice (optional)
1 (4 oz) can green chile peppers (optional)
4 Tbsp (2 packet) gluten free taco seasoning mix
salt and pepper to taste

 

1. In a large saucepan, cook ground beef and onions.

2. Stir in the rest of the ingredients.

3. Bring to a boil.

4. Reduce heat and simmer 20-30 minutes.

This post is part of Penny Wise Platter Thursday.

Gratituesday: Homeschool Convention

This weekend the hubby and I had the privilege of attending the Midwest Homeschool Convention in Cincinnati.  This is our first year homeschooling and our first time attending the conference.  We had a blast!  The hubster hung out with the big guys (Jay Wile, John Stonestreet, Sean McDowell, Ted Tripp) in the Grand ballroom discussing apologetics and world view.  I spent most of my time in break out sessions covering practical advice for homeschooling.  The highlight of our weekend was hearing Tim Hawkins.  He has got to be one of the funniest people in the world.  The whole weekend was refreshing.  Especially refreshing was that part about sleeping in a hotel without any screaming children to wake us.  Thank you grandparents!

For your viewing enjoyment:  Tim Hawkins “Things not to say to your wife.”

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

Taco Potato

We love Mexican food around here.  In fact, we usually eat taco meat in one form or another at least once a week.  One of my favorite allergen free mexican meal is filling a potato with taco fixings.  Not only is this delicious but potatoes are cheap!  Taco potatoes really need no recipe but I’ll list the ingredients we use to make ours.

Ingredients:
Baked potato (Yellow potatoes have a buttery taste without the butter!)
Taco meat
Beans
Salsa
Daiya or cheddar cheese
Ketchup (We use this as a cooling agent since sour cream is out.)

Enjoy!

You may also enjoy Barbecue Chicken Potato.

Amazon: Funky Monkey Snacks $1.56/packet

Get Funky Monkey Snacks Bananamon, Banana with Cinnamon, Freeze-Dried Fruit, 1-Ounce Bags (Pack of 12)for $1.56 per packet through subscribe and save at Amazon.

Listed Ingredients: Freeze-Dried Organic Banana And Organic Cinnamon (Make sure you double-check the label when you receive the product!)

Here’s how it works.  When you select subscribe and save you not only get a discount but you also get FREE shipping!  If you don’t want to receive the item every 6 months, you can always cancel by simply logging into Amazon, go to “My Account”, click “manage subscribe and save items” and cancel the subscription.

Food Allergy Statistics

Previous: What is a food allergy?

In the United States, it is estimated that 12 million people have food allergies.  That includes 4% of adults and 6-8% of children under 3. 

Ninety percent of food allergies are caused by eight foods.  They are milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat.

Seventy five percent of children with milk allergies can tolerate milk in baked goods.

Fifty percent of children who are allergic to milk, egg, soy and/or wheat are expected to outgrow their allergies by age six. Only 8% of children who have not outgrown their allergies by age 12 will outgrow them. 

Children are very unlikely to outgrow nut allergies.

For more statisitics see Wikipedia:Food Allergy:Epidemiology

What is a food allergy?

An allergic reaction to food is usually your immune system overreacting to a protein.   Immunoglobulin E (IGE) tags the protein as destructive and starts attacking.  The reaction could range from mild to severe and can include skin issues (rash, hives), digestive issues (stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea) and/or respiratory issues (cold symptoms, wheezing, anaphylaxis).  In the United States, allergic reactions to food account for 30,000 emergency room visits and 100-200 deaths per year.

Next: Food allergy statistics