Oh do I have a delicious surprise for you today. Dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, vegan, White Chocolate Crispy Bars with my own unique twist.

Ever since food-grade cocoa butter started hitting store shelves, I've been having a ball making my own chocolates at home. Cocoa butter is such a wonderful product, because it is free of all major allergens. In fact, it's just a fat, and contrary to what the name implies, it contains absolutely no dairy whatsoever. Yes, there are many "butters" that have no relation at all to dairy butter, and fortunately, the base of chocolate is one of them!

But, if you can't get your hands on cocoa butter, it's less expensive and more readily available cousins, coconut oil and coconut butter will work in this recipe, too. So go ahead, head to my guest post on Attune Foods to see my Valentine-friendly White Chocolate Crispy Bar Recipe. 

Alisa Fleming ~ At times (okay, not a lot of times, but occasionally) I think the economic downturn was a blessing in disguise. For years it seemed the gifts were getting bigger, more expensive, and difficult to select. But now, as people cutback, the creativity and heart is truly emerging. Over the holidays I was overwhelmed to see all of the wonderful gifts that people made for their loved ones and friends, whether a hand-knitted scarf or a delicious gift from the kitchen.

But who says homemade gifts should only be given in the last month of the year? What about that precious holiday known as Valentine's Day? You know, the one where giving gifts from the heart means even more.

Of course, some of you, like me, may have been skipped when the crafty gene was passed on. So, I thought some simple but delicious recipes for Valentine gifts from the dairy-free kitchen might be just the kind of thing you have been looking for. Here are links to some of our favorites:

Bring the flavor on with these dairy-free dips! Parties that focus on appetizers can be a dairy minefield, and the Super Bowl is certainly no exception. Sour cream based dips, flavored chips, and nachos oozing with cheese make up the standard fare ... but who's to say "standard" is the best way to go? 

Swap the nacho cheese dip for a fresh salsa, bean dip, or some homemade guacamole.  Sway from the Mexican theme altogether and serve up different types of hummus with your choice of chips, crackers, or pita bread. 

I know what you are thinking, "But, what about that spinach dip?"  Of course, you can use store bought dairy substitutes in an attempt to mimic that popular party recipe, but really it just isn't the same.  So, why not take a totally new route, and make a spinach dip that is rich and creamy, but that never had any intentions to contain milk, sour cream, or cheese ... such as the following pesto-inspired recipe from Dr. Rebecca Coleman ...

Alisa Fleming ~ As we head toward Super Bowl Sunday, a weekend of pure indulgence and debauchery in so many households throughout the U.S., I thought it fitting to address those high calorie beverages that are so easy to mindlessly slurp while cheering on your favorite team.

Of course, healthier, lower sugar beverage options are great any time of year, so enjoy the drink ideas that follow whenever you are craving something a little more exciting or refreshing than plain old water. Some of these suggestions are also great for transitioning away from milk when going dairy free. Many people who are used to drinking a few glasses of milk a day replace that liquid with high-sugar juice drinks or soda pop. Some of my suggestions are sugar-free, while the rest are lower in sugar and might help to ease you into a milk-free diet without loading up on unwanted calories.

But first, for those of you who are looking at my reference to “pop” a little cross-eyed …