Q: Thomas ~ I had a reader ask me about dairy free, soy free cream cheese - do you know of any brands?

A: Alisa ~ There are a couple of brands on the market that are both dairy-free and soy-free, but unfortunately, they aren't widely distributed at this time:

• Dr. Cow Cashew Nut Cream Cheese - This brand is made simply with cashews, acidophilus (probiotic) and himalayan pink salt. It is sold in some vegan stores and natural food stores, and can be bought online in just a few spots. See their website for product details and information on where to purchase: www.dr-cow.com
• Awesome Foods Cream Cheeze - This brand is made with organic sunflower seeds, filtered water, lemon juice, garlic, and himalayan salt. It can be found in some natural food stores in the U.S., or purchased directly from their website. See their website for product details and information on where to purchase: www.awesomefoods.com

Both of these options are quite expensive, and difficult to locate, which is why I usually make my own at home. For an easy and relatively inexpensive homemade recipe, see the Cashew Creme "Cheese" recipe on p122 of Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook (pictured above). It is 100% dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and soy-free. I use it regularly in recipes (1:1 substitute for regular cream cheese), and atop bagels. It works like a dream!

Alisa Fleming is the founder of GoDairyFree.org and author of Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living. In addition to her own dairy-free lifestyle, Alisa has experience in catering to the needs of various special diets, including gluten-free, soy-free, egg-free, vegan, and multiple food allergies.

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