Fresh The Movie

I recently watched Fresh The Movie not directly allergy related but an interesting watch as far as GMOs and Organic foods learning goes. It Celebrates and interviews the farmers, thinkers and business people who are re-inventing our food system. It clearly shows how organic farming can work, economically as well as many of the health benefits to both people and our planet. I enjoyed the conversation on Mono-cropping, but felt the effects of pesticides and possible connections to food allergies could have been explored.

Full disclosure: I borrowed this DVD from my local library, another movie I enjoyed from my local library is The Movie Dirt.

What Are You Watching? Reading?

Enjoy Life New Trail Mixes

Enjoy life Foods have added two more products, they are busy people. Two new not nuts nut free trail mixes Mountain Mambo and Beach Bash. All Enjoy Life products contain no wheat, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, soy fish or shellfish.



The Mountain Mambo had a crunch with sunflower seeds and hulled pumpkin seeds, chewy with dried raisins and apples.

Beach Bash also had both crunch and chew, but more fruits like cranberries and apricots, We thought the pineapple really made the Beach Bash.

We had a side by side comparison the Beach bash won out, but only slightly in our house. Trail mixes are usually a no go or only made at home food. Thanks to Enjoy Life people with multiple food allergies can once again enjoy trail mixes. We look forward to seeing these new products in stores.

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Wedderspoon

The people at Wedderspoon sent me some Organic Honey Manuka Lozenges. Nut gluten dairy and egg free.

We have a cold running through our house, so the timing is perfect. Hubby and I enjoyed the flavour, the kids found them a little strong. I usually prefere a little more taste to foods than my kids do. They have a very clear allergy policy on their website.

Their allergy policy "Our nut-free lozenges are made in a 100% NUT FREE facility.For your peace of mind, our production facility is also free of glutens (wheat, barley, rye), sulphites, artificial preservatives, trans fats and GMO’s. In the high boil area where the lozenges are produced, there are no dairy or egg products."

They come in three flavours Lemon with bee propolis, Eucalyptus and bee propolis and Ground Ginger.



Wedderspoon.ca
Wedderspoon.com
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Fruit Streusel Crisp

Frontier Soups sent me Oatmeal Breakfast Cereal This product can be made into a full hot breakfast.

After some Mommy and child discussion we decided to make the recipe listed on the tag. We followed the recipe for Fruit Streusel Crisp. I did change the recipe slightly, in that I used a dairy free butter.


It was gobbled up, by husband myself and children. The next day my allergic child was looking though my sample shelf, looking for more of the Oatmeal breakfast mix. This is dairy free however does contain walnuts.

Full disclosure: blogger was fed

Sausage & Lental Soup

Frontier Soups sent me
Indiana Sausage & Lentil Soup. I followed the directions adding precooked sausage and beef broth and I had an extremely hearty soup. The soup lasted us two dinners with dipping bread on the side, our family has two adults two kids. Most of their products are gluten free.

They had this to say about their soups regarding milk allergy: None of the packaged dried mixes contain milk or milk products. Frontier Soups also sent me South of the Boarder Tortilla Soup, you can read my review here

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Tortilla Soup

Tortilla Soups sent samples of their products including Tortilla Soup.

The soup was much more homemade in it's flavour, than a store bought soup usually is. I followed the instructions on the back adding precooked chicken, chicken broth, water and salsa. I choose a milder salsa, my children don't like food as spicy as I do, having said that I would use a medium spicy salsa if it where just me, because the soup had plenty of flavour.

The package said meal serves four to five people, it did us for dinner and a school lunch in a thermos. If I planed it out, I could have had chicken one meal then the next used the soup mix, I did use a store bought chicken broth. A great thing about this product is you can make it more or less home made, in thirty minutes.


Frontier Soups confirmed for me that "None of the packaged dried mixes contain milk or milk products". Tortilla has a list of gluten free soups on it's website.

Frontier Soups had to say this about their products and allergies:
A key advantage of Frontier Soups mixes is that the cook can control the additions according to taste preferences or dietary needs. None of the packaged dried mixes contain milk or milk products. When milk or cream is called for as a fresh addition soy milk or other substitutions can be made. A customer who is a runner avoids cream. For the Illinois Prairie Corn Chowder, she uses canned corn and purees it until is creamy, then uses that instead of cream in the recipe. Mashed potato is another way to achieve a creamy texture without using cream.

A majority of Frontier Soups 37 varieties are gluten free. Only soups with pasta packets, or barley as an ingredient or wheat berries contain gluten, and those soups have barley or wheat berries in their names. Soups that have a pasta packet can be prepared leaving out the pasta, and perhaps a bit less broth. Consumers will find gluten free soups clearly listed at frontiersoups.com



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Enjoy Life Foods

Enjoy Life Foods make some really good allergen free foods being free from dairy, egg, nuts, and gluten.

We have wanted to try their chocolate bars for some time. The chocolate bars are not available in Canada. Enjoy Life has told me that getting their chocolates into Canada "is on their short list" and that they hope to have them in Canadian stores in the spring of 2010.

I was extremely fortunate to have some sent to me by Enjoy Life. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Enjoy Life Foods.

My daughter happy to recieve them. Over the last few days we tried all three flavours; Crispy Rice Bar, Dark Chocolate Bar and Rice milk Bar.. her favourite was the Crispy Rice Bar. having chocolate bars free of common allergens is something that is wanted and needed even in Canada.

You can follow Enjoy Life Foods on facebook, Twitter and their new blog.

Enjoy Life Foods Facebook

Enjoy Life CEO Scott Mandell on Twitter

Enjoy Life Blog

Tortilla Factory

I found some wrapes that are dairy free, some being gluten free as well La Tortilla Factory their website says "We use absolutely no animal by-products lard or dairy in any of our tortillas".

I like the fact they have clear allergy information, they also have different wraps and tortilla for different needs. They have a line of gluten free wraps, low carb, high fiber, low fat / low sodium each one for different health needs.

A simple salad wrap, is one of my favorite lunches, and sometimes I pack them in my kids lunches as well.

Tropical Traditions

Tropical Traditions sent me a giant jar of virgin coconut oil. Coconut oil is sometimes used as a dairy substitute, that I have been ignoring till now. Having never experimented with Coconut oil before, I tried it in everything I could think of.

First up I tried it in stir fries, one meat stir fry, one vegetarian stir fry. I was impressed with both stirfrys. The oil did not over power the vegetables, and blended with the chicken very well.

Next up coconut oil in cookies, Oatmeal and cranberry cookies with a hint of coconut oil. We ate a sheet of cookies in ten minutes, I'll have to use coconut oil in coconut cookies at some point.

Then I made pancakes with coconut oil, this was very good and I recommend this use of coconut oil. I microwaved a couple tablespoons for a few seconds in the microwave, then mixed it into my pancake batter.

Tropical Traditions has on it's website Coconut Oil Recipes I am more of a recipe reader, then I create my own dish.

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Kenzoil

I recently received a bottle of Kenzoil, from the Kenzoil company.

For a lunch I had a salad with Kenzoil oil, it was one of the better salad dressings I have had, the herbs meshed perfectly with the salad.

We dipped bread, in this wonderful oil, the extra virgin olive oil, flavour was not over powering and the herb taste was very nice. The Kenzoil Oil is seasoned with fresh basil, fresh garlic and spices.

For dinner I used left overs, fresh vegetables and Kenzoil Oil to make a stir fry. Again this oil was very light, the oil added to the flavour, of the fresh vegetables in the stir fry with out taking over.

Like most olive oil based luxury oils a little goes a long way, I prefer it as a dipping oil for bread or with a salad, than in a stir fry.


I like their allergy statement on their FAQ Page "Kenzoil is free of the following allergens: eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, fish, shellfish, wheat, milk, corn, potato, rice and yeast. We only produce Kenzoil in our facility and on our equipment."

I recommend this product for people who are samplers and lovers of olive oil, and give this company full credit for such a clear allergy statement.

You can follow this company on Facebook.

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Spicy Black Bean Soup

Review of Pacific Foods
Spicy Black Bean Soup
it is both gluten free, and vegan.

I used some to thicken a casserole, it gave the casserole both thickness and added taste. I heated some up in a bowl with a little water, and ate it as a soup, it was very filling. I packed some in a Thermos with noodles in my child's lunch and the thermos came back empty. I would of liked to put some on some plain rice, but I don't have any more.

I really like how Pacific Foods has clear allergy information on it's website,though not all of their soups are dairy free, they provide clear information on other food allergens so i give them full credit.

I have also used their dairy free soups to thicken Sheppard's pies and other casseroles.

See their web site here for coupons.

Sencha Naturals

Sencha Naturals sent me samples of their loose leaf mints, and Green Tea Bars.

Their bars are vegan all gluten & wheat Free (original, Delicate Pear, Lively Lemongrass and Morning Lychee) they are fairly very large in size for a "free from" bar 2.0 oz or 56g. We found them to be more chewy that crunchy, very satisfying. I like that many of their ingredients are organic, and are all non-genetically modified. My milk allergic daughter soon was asking for "Those bars that came in the mail." Each bar equals three cups of green tea, made with ingredients like fruits nuts and seeds.

They do have a precautionary labelling that they are manufactured in a plant also processes milk, eggs, fish tree nuts and peanuts. They emailed me to confirm "our bars are made on a line that doesn’t use milk."


Sencha Naturals also sent me packets of their mints. I enjoyed them and will keep them in by purse / belly bag for after those strong spicy foods I enjoy so much. The mints also come in the same great flavours as the bars. The mints are also available in canisters.

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Arbonne

At the Allergy Convention I went to last weekend I meet Arbonne consultant Karen Arthur for a long time I have been a fan of Arbonne's policy regarding allergies. All their products are made in a vegan facility. This is especially important for families with a history of contact reactions with dairy or egg, and those who react to trace amounts of allergens.

Arbonne’s catalogue has over 400 products that are vegan- no milk, no egg, no shellfish, no animal products and no animal testing.

Karen showed me her products, and Arbonne's allergy friendly policies, and stories of her allergic customers. Arbonne has a full disclosure of all ingredients, and go beyond in allergy awareness as a company.

All Arbonne's consultants can look up any ingredient and tell you what products contain or may contain that allergen. I especially like that they can look up unusual allergies, as not everyone is allergic to the top ten allergens.

She gave me samples of Nourishing Daily Conditioner with fresh carrot cell extracts as well as Nourishing Daily Cell extracts with fresh kiwi cells. I loved the smell of the kiwi shampoo, and the conditioner made is possible to comb out my impossibly thick curly hair.

You can reach Karen Arthur at tarthur1@sympatico.ca

Arbonne website home is www.arbonne.com

Oliver's Labels

Oliver's Labels sent me this really neat allergy tag. On it, is my child's fist name, and her allergy information being No Dairy.

Their found it code, is optional. Found-it allows lost items to be found then returned. The finder is prompted to enter Oliver's Labels web site, then enter a nine digit code. Then Oliver's Labels acts as a intermediary between you and the finder, so you don't have to share your personal information, and still get your item back.



Oliver's Labels also sent me these self adhesive labels. They also have Oliver's found it system, clear allergy warning and my child's first name.


Also available
No Nuts
No Dairy
No Gluten
No Seafood

You can follow Oliver's labels on Twitter and Oliver's Blog

(I made our child's name on our pictures fuzzy for her privacy, it is clear on actual product.)


Olivers is offering Avoiding Milk Protein readers 10% off their purchase on the Oliver’s Labels website. Code is “Oliversfriends” (one word, no apostrophe).

expiry is on August 31st, 2009

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Blue Bear Review

Blue Bear also sent me a sample of their Allergy Alert Play cards, they come in general allergy alert, dairy allergy, nut allergy and tree nut allergy. The set of cards are for play dates and birthday parties with simple instructions, and information:

Please do not feed me..
My allergic reaction will look like...
Do the following immediately...
Then call...

The cards have a large and clear allergy alert symbol link

Blue Bear also sent me a sample of their no nut stickers. These practical stickers can be put on lunches, shirts or party dresses, students desk and other places for those quick reminders, especially in new situations. They are availible in other major allergens as well.

Our favorite product is the dairy free shirt!


More from Blue Bear Aware

Blue Bear Aware is offering Avoiding Milk Protein readers 10% off their order of 30$ or more. Place the code "AMP P69" in the coupon box at the check-out (Valid until July 31, 2009).

Blue Bear can be found on both Twitter and Facebook and their blog Kids + Allergies or visit them at www.bluebearaware.com

Full disclosure: blogger was given sample

Product Review World Foods, Stir Fry

I tried Cambodian Pineapple Lemon grass stir fry by World Foods


We all enjoyed the stir fry, we actually used the stir fry sauce for two different dinners this week. I enjoy both pineapple and lemongrass and they mixed the flavours in a beautiful way. Marked as mild the flavour was not to intense for shy taste buds, namely me children. Yet the complex tastes enchanted me, with thoughts of Island life.

World Food products do not contain artificial preservatives, colouring, flavouring, MSG, gluten or genetically modified ingredients.

The products are marketed as:
Suitable for vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs.

World Foods Stir Fry line of products:

Indochina Burmese Pineapple Stir-Fry Sauce
Indochina Cambodian Pineapple Lemon Grass Stir-Fry Sauce
Oriental Pineapple Lemon Stir-Fry Sauce
Oriental Spicy Sweet & Sour Stir-Fry Sauce
Thai Basil Curry Stir-Fry Sauce
Thai Coconut Galangal Stir-Fry Sauce
Thai Creamy Kaffir Lime Stir-Fry Sauce
Thai Galangal Lemon Grass Stir-Fry Sauce
Thai Ginger Lemon Grass Stir-Fry Sauce
Vietnamese Sweet & Sour Stir-Fry Sauce

Hillside Candy

I have a mild cold, and wanted a hard candy to suck on. I usually go for Pure Fun Candies, and will still buy them again.

For a change I picked up Go Naturally Organic hard Candies (Ginger Flavour) by Hillside Candy. I liked the ginger flavour, first it actually was ginger not artifictial ginger. The hard candies are both gluten and dairy free. The ingredients are mostly organic, no high fructose corn syrup or other yucky things I try to avoid.

Premium Chocolatiers

I received a wonderful Premium Chocolatiers package yesterday. Presented in a chocolate brown box with a pink ribbon, wonderful chocolates that are both dairy and nut free! The chocolates had creamy insides and solid chocolate on the outside. The tastes were complex and satisfying.

Chocolate Valentines are available on line as well as their truffle collection, with more dairy and nut free products to follow.

It was a challenge to share with my allergic child, as dairy free chocolates are typically hard to find, and not presented in such a luxurious manner.

These chocolates would please any allergic, vegan or just any special Valentine or for that manner be an excellent treat for no reason for oneself.

You can also go to Alisa’s blog one frugal foodie and enter her contest Valentine’s giveaway gourmet boxed chocolates and try to win a box.

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