Lake Forest, California ― When Linda Coss first self-published What’s to Eat? The Milk-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free Food Allergy Cookbook seven years ago, she only ordered 150 copies. Not sure if anyone outside her circle of friends and family would be interested, she didn’t want to be stuck with a garage full of unwanted books. As it turns out, Ms. Coss seriously underestimated demand. This week the 15,000th copy of the food allergy cookbook was sold. As an increasing number of children have been diagnosed with severe food allergy, What’s to Eat? has become a classic in the world of food allergy cooking.

They say that the quickest way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. Therefore, it seems only logical that something edible must take center stage on Valentine’s Day. Yet for many people, special occasions revolving around food can seem like a field of land mines.  Dodging ingredients for food allergies, lactose intolerance, veganism or other health and social reasons can put a roadblock in front of indulgence. But thanks to a new generation of can-do recipe creators, old favorites are coming back on the radar, and Valentine’s Day is certainly no exception.

Glenny’s, the manufacturer of Soy Crisps, has just unveiled their newest product, Brown Rice Marshmallow Treats. Marshmallow crispy treats are such a wonderfully simple concept of sugar meets texture, yet until now the convenient versions had actually been off-limits to various consumers.  Thanks to Glenny’s, a vegan, organic, dairy-free, gluten-free option now exists.  Avoiding gelatin, butter, egg whites, and ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup has allowed this new Glenny’s product to don both the certified vegan and certified organic seals ...

Divvies, the nut-, dairy-, and egg-free sweet treats company, has designed an on-line magazine which they call the battr featuring tips, articles and advice from respected experts in their field. Lori Sandler, founder of Divvies, wanted to create food that’s made to share, and also a community formed around supportive ideas about living well with food allergies. According to Sandler, Divvies battr is “a safe destination on the web designed to light up your screen with creative ideas.”

Back in the day when Hershey’s ruled the roost, the concept of pure, luxurious dark chocolate was reserved for adventurous connoisseurs.  But today, dozens of fine chocolatiers are using the Internet and those ever-expanding natural food stores to offer their delicious wares to the public at large.  In fact, with such great response they have expanded their pure, dairy-free offerings (because as you know, the best chocolate has no need for pesky milk fillers) to include exotic bars, truffles, and boxed chocolates.  So where can you find these Valentine’s Day worthy sweets?  Follow me …

Congratulations to Rikki Campbell and Denise Birney, the winners of our newsletter giveaway!  Autographed copies of My Sweet Vegan, the dairy-free dessert cookbook by Hannah Kaminsky, are coming your way.  Thank you to all of you who correctly responded to our monthly newsletter to enter to win ... the answer to the giveaway was in fact Strawberry Love Muffins!  Even if you didn't walk away with the prize, you can still order your copy of My Sweet Vegan from Amazon or Barnes & Noble for that perfect Valentine's Day gift (or to bake that perfect gift!).  For those of you who may have missed it, you can view all of our monthly newsletters online.  Sign up to receive our free e-newsletter in your inbox once a month, and to be eligible to win our monthly prize giveaway!

Martha Stewart Living has pooled ideas from their staff for future media, and narrowed the list down to 7 top contenders. Among the list is a special publication catering to those with food allergies and sensitivities that would include recipes. To find out what viewers want, they have opened up a poll on the Martha Blog where anyone can vote.  This Big Idea for food allergies is from Alexis, Deputy Home Editor at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and is summarized as follows:

It seems as though every month a major event or holiday pops up, giving us the green light to gorge ourselves silly.  While a little indulgence is a must in my opinion, there is no reason to go over the top and fall completely off that resolution wagon.  Trade in that high-fructose loaded soda pop and pass up the packaged foods!  This year, celebrate the Super Bowl with easy-to-make snacks that not only taste better, but are also a touch more virtuous …