Carol Kicinski, Simply... Gluten Free ~ Many people who can’t tolerate gluten can’t tolerate dairy either. Like my famous sister the author of steamy chick-lit historical romance novels.  While I can tolerate dairy (thank God, I have enough problems as it is!) I wanted to experiment with some dairy free recipes so that I could properly entertain others who aren’t so lucky. There is nothing worse for your reputation than putting someone into an anaphylactic shock as a result of your wonderful home cooking! I came up with this recipe for my sister whose creative efforts run more to the written word than the culinary. This dish is super easy and it took less than 15 minutes to prepare. It has a nice gourmet feel to it and most importantly contains nothing to cause an allergic reaction for her.

Alisa Fleming, www.GoDairyFree.org ~ There is no other way to introduce this dessert then to say that it was one of the best cookies I have ever had in my entire life, homemade, store-bought, vegan, non-vegan, or otherwise!  Do you remember those wonderfully soft, jumbo-sized cookies available at the corner store?  You know, the ones that you begrudgingly said goodbye to when you began a diet free of dairy and/or eggs.  Well, Liz Lovely has recreated them, only … without dairy … without eggs … on steroids … and ten times better ... Read On

Alisa Fleming, www.GoDairyFree.org ~ One would think that raw food, essentially food in its most simplistic form, would be so incredibly simple to make. Yet, for some reason the very idea of eating raw just sounds so darn complicated.  Soaking nuts for hours and even days, purchasing pricey juicers, slowly dehydrating fruits and veggies ... who has the time or space?  Luckily, there are some raw food chefs and companies who are ready and willing to baby step me through the process.  I subscribe to hundreds of foodie newsletters from both non-profit organizations and profiteering companies, but one I have really been enjoying as of late is the eclectic update from Manitoba Harvest.  Each month they feature some insanely basic (and delicious!) recipes from Kristen Suzanne, a former competitive bodybuilder turned raw foods chef ...

By Alisa Fleming - While most conventional dyes are boasted as non-toxic, many food-grade, FDA approved dyes are made with toxins such as coal, tar, and other petroleum based products.  For those with sensitivities this can be a huge issue ... and for those who have just gone out of their way to purchase only organic eggs for their family, these harsh dyes can be an eco-friendly buzz kill.  Luckily, the earth-kind people at Pangea Organics have enlightened us with easy, natural, edible dyes that will leave your eggs with brilliant Easter hues while easing your mind about what might be entering your children’s mouths…

Alisa Fleming, Go Dairy Free - Gina Clowes at Allergy Moms never fails to offer an abundance of food allergy-friendly ideas and recipes for every kid-centric holiday.  This month she has three easy and fun recipes to share (dairy, egg, and peanut/tree nut-free) that will fill those Easter baskets with joy and of course, sugar!  Enjoy the following ideas for edible Bird Nests, Easter Basket Cupcakes, and Chocolate Dipped Eggs ...

Hannah Kaminsky, My Sweet Vegan & Bittersweet - As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, an excitement fills the air. People are preparing their most impressive green outfits, planning meals of “traditional” corned beef and cabbage (bleh), and most importantly, stocking up on the libations. Of course, I don’t drink and am not even the least bit Irish, so this holiday has typically fallen through the cracks for me. To be perfectly honest, I still don’t know what it’s all about or how one is supposed to celebrate without imbibing great quantities of alcohol, but I’ve decided that I want to pay my respects to the celebration in the only way I know how: By baking! ...