Eileen Goltz, author of Perfectly Pareve ~ The phrase "nothing new under the sun" could certainly apply to Passover recipes. Matzah this and farfel that and oh yeah, the flourless chocolate cake, gotta have the flourless chocolate cake and the macaroons. Seems like everyone has the same recipes and they serve them year after year after year after year. Some call it tradition. I call it boring. While I don’t want to cook any more than I already have to, the following recipes are different enough that they might make you think about bringing something new to the table ...

Foods Matter, April 2008 ~ Ann Marie Powell, Consultant Dermatologist at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, gave a hugely helpful talk at the Action Against Allergy eczema workshop in January. She suggests a management plan for eczematous children – although much of her advice is also suitable for adults ... Eczema is an itchy skin condition characterised by dry, red and inflamed skin. In eczema the normal skin barrier function is disrupted (dryness) leading to over-activation of the immune system within the skin (redness) and subsequently to stimulation of itch nerves ...

Red Bank, NJ – Blackwell’s Organic Gelato based in Red Bank, NJ has been voted a Local Hero/Food Artisan by the readers of Edible Jersey Magazine. “What makes the honor especially nice is that it comes from the readers and ultimately our customers.”  said Marcia Blackwell, owner.  “We are proud to be featured with such a great group of winners, Dreyer Farms, Small World Coffee, A Toute Heure Restaurant and the North Jersey Chapter of Slow Food.” ...

Alisa Fleming, www.GoDairyFree.org ~ Hannah Kaminsky has spent most of her teenage years connecting with the public, but until recently it was anonymously via her popular baking and crafting blog Bittersweet. Now, thanks to the release of her first full color cookbook, My Sweet Vegan: passionate about dessert, Hannah Kaminsky has been peaking out from behind her computer screen to meet her audience.  You can meet Hannah at the Borders Book Stores in Wilton Connecticut and Stamford Connecticut on April 12 and April 26, respectively.  Future “meet & greet” and book-signing events are being scheduled throughout Connecticut, in New York City, in central Massachusetts, and Portland Oregon. 

Allergic Girl ~ So last week a Worry Free Dinners participant, who has a dairy allergy, asked about casein in wine. I knew that egg was often used in the wine making process, but didn’t know where exactly and now I find out that dairy is in wine too? The next morning, I got on the case and emailed a colleague, noted wine expert Tyler Coleman, otherwise known as Dr.Vino. Tyler had this to say about eggs, casein [milk protein] and wine: “Yes, egg whites are a common fining agent and yes, casein is sometimes used. But there are no labeling standards to indicate which ones (but the Feds are talking about new labeling for wine). Until then, check for wines that are bottled ‘unfined and unfiltered’--they often taste better anyway.” ...

Alisa Fleming, www.GoDairyFree.org ~ Congratulations to Fran Weber, Cassidy Stockton, and Rebecca Godleski, the winners of the April Go Dairy Free e-Newsletter Giveaway!  Each month e-newsletter subscribers have the chance to win prizes, and this month we awarded $25 gift certificates to The Vegetarian Site.  To be eligible for all future giveaways, subscribe to the free Go Dairy Free e-newsletter.  Only your name and valid email is required, so that you may enjoy our once a month newsletter (filled with related news, dairy-free product review updates, and a feature recipe), and for the opportunity to win a different prize each month!  View the April e-newsletter or browse all Go Dairy Free e-newsletters online.

Alisa Fleming, www.GoDairyFree.org ~ April 1st was World Autism Awareness Day, but if you missed it there is no need to fret … the entire month of April is dedicated to autism awareness.  Several years ago the Autism Society of America deemed April to be Autism Awareness Month in an effort to educate our population on an autoimmune disease that is becoming more visible among our population, and to promote research in the areas of treatment and prevention.  According to the CDC, 1 in every 150 American children lives with autism ...

Eugene, OR - Luna & Larry's Bliss Unlimited, LLC, creator of Luna & Larry's Coconut Bliss creamy frozen dessert, has introduced two new flavors: Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge, a decadent chunky blend of their top-selling Dark Chocolate with nuts and fudge; and Strawberry Lemon Love, a refreshing sweet-tart blend of summertime fruits. The new flavors join other Coconut Bliss favorites Cherry Amaretto, Vanilla Island, Dark Chocolate, Mint Galactica, Cappuccino, and Naked Coconut at natural food chains, independent natural products retailers and conventional supermarkets.