Q: Anita – My son has an allergy to casein. I am trying to find foods that he can eat, but the labels are a bit confusing. If a product is labeled as dairy-free, is it safe for him, or does it need to be casein-free specifically?

A: Alisa – The most important thing is to read the ingredients. Labels can be misleading, so always check the ingredient list for the potential allergen. Also, if your son’s allergy is severe, and potential cross-contamination is a concern, contact the company to confirm ingredients and manufacturing processes prior to consumption, even if it appears to be dairy-ingredient-free and even if it is labeled as “dairy-free” or “casein-free.”

But in direct response to your question on the labeling, the term dairy-free indicates that there are no dairy ingredients (see this article where I address the terms ‘non-dairy’ vs ‘dairy-free’), this would include lactose, casein, whey, etc.

Sweet Sundays: When my good friend Ricki said that I could share a recipe from her new e-cookbook, Desserts without Compromise, it took me all of five seconds to pick the Apple Pumpkin Crumble Bars. I had many reasons for my selection ... back to school and work means a demand for packable healthy treats, prepping for the upcoming season with delicious guilt-free desserts, and, quite frankly, I am a fall foodie. I love the flavors of fall and seriously can't wait for the produce of September to arrive.  

But regardless of my reasons, this recipe, and all of the recipes in Desserts without Compromise, are amazing. The entire ecookbook is low glycemic, refined sugar free, egg free, dairy free, gluten free, and as Ricki points out, delicious! Within Desserts without Compromise you will find 44 pages of information and recipes; 19 delectable dessert recipes (see below), most with beautiful full-color photographs; An introduction outlining the basics of the anti-candida (low glycemic) diet; and a section outlining key ingredients used in these anti-candida desserts. And remember, this is an ebook, so you can download it instantly (for an awesome price no less), anywhere in the world!

Frugal Foodie Friday: Ah, the things I do to taste the latest dairy-free foods. Cooler box packed into the car, we headed down to Reno, and the nearest Whole Foods. Of course, the trip to a town that is 45 minutes (and an "over-the-mountain" trip) away was about more than Whole Foods, we had errands to run. But I never pass up the chance to stop in to buy a few things since we visit less than once a month.

On this trip, I opted to pick up some hemp-based ice cream as a special treat. I was leary when I first heard about it, but it seems to be getting rave reviews, even from dairy-consuming columnists. We decided to get two pints, and I let my husband pick. He chose Mint-Chip (yes!) and Chocolate Fudge (Really? Are you sure you don't want the Vanilla Bean?). After silently whining about his choice for a few minutes, I realized I could dress up the chocolate ice cream with ... hmmm, some peanut butter perhaps? ...

We asked Kim, the founder of Cook it Allergy Free, to tell us about her popular new recipe app, which is now available to iPad and iPhone users. Not only did she send detailed information about the app, but she also sent a demo video so that you can see how it works. Take it away Kim ...

The Cook It Allergy Free iPhone and iPad App provides the cookbook solution for those living with Celiac Disease, Autism, or Food Allergies.  This App has more than 200 gluten-free recipes that can all be customized to meet each user's individual food allergy and dietary restriction needs.

Recipes have been contributed by many of the leading bloggers in the gluten-free and allergy-free community.  Lexie (of Lexie’s Kitchen), Shirley (of gfe-gluten free easily), Zoe (of Z’s Cup of Tea), Amy (of Simply Sugar and Gluten Free), Jenny (of Creative Cooking: Gluten Free), Rhonda (of Allergy Sense), Michelle (of Allergy Sense),  Sarah (of Sarah B Designs), and Alisa (of Go Dairy Free and One Frugal Foodie) …. these women have helped to create an invaluable resource and have given a gift to this project.