Author: Alisa Fleming

Alisa is the founder of GoDairyFree.org, Food Editor for Allergic Living magazine, and author of the best-selling dairy-free book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living, and the new cookbook, Eat Dairy Free: Your Essential Cookbook for Everyday Meals, Snacks, and Sweets. Alisa is also a professional recipe creator and product ambassador for the natural food industry.

If you’re looking for an easy, healthy, naturally allergy-friendly meal that kids and adults well love, then look no further! These Turkey Sloppy Joes are filled with good-for-you ingredients, and are easy to whip up on a weeknight. Healthy Turkey Sloppy Joes with Homemade Wheat or Gluten-Free Buns Even the homemade hamburger buns can be from scratch before dinner! Of course, you can look for dairy-free hamburger buns at the store. But once you’ve made my Speedy Homemade Wheat Hamburger Buns or Skinny Gluten-Free Hamburger Buns, you won’t buy another bag again. This healthy sloppy joe recipe is adapted from one…

Read More

At various times in my life, instant oatmeal has been a breakfast staple. As a kid growing up in the rainy northwest, hot cereal was a delicious way to warm up on cold wet mornings. And then, as an adult, when I discovered Nature’s Path Instant Oatmeal, I was hooked again. Tasting Notes for Nature’s Path Instant Oatmeal This quick hot oatmeal is similar to Quaker, but with slightly more wholesome, certified organic ingredients. And unlike their big competitor, they don’t have any flavors with milk powder or other dairy ingredients. Every flavor of Nature’s Path Instant Oatmeal is dairy-free…

Read More

Special Diet Notes: Dairy Free Whipped Cream By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free,  peanut-free, vegan, plant-based, vegetarian, and optionally nut-free. 5.0 from 1 reviews Dairy Free Whipped ‘Cream’ Print Author: Alisa Fleming Serves: 4 Ingredients 225g/8oz firm silken tofu 75g/3oz demarera sugar 2 tablespoon dairy-free milk beverage 1-2 tablespoon vanilla extract Instructions Place all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and process until very smooth. Chill for at least one hour. Serve in place of normal whipped cream with pies, fruit, puddings. 3.5.3229

Read More

This easy enchilada sauce is the perfect ingredient for this vegan enchilada bake! But it can be used in any of your favorite enchilada recipes that call for a red sauce. It’s super-fast to prepare and it uses ingredients that you might already have in your pantry. If you want a little more seasoning in your enchilada sauce, you can double the cumin, garlic powder, or onion salt (or all three). Or you can increase the chili powder by up to 1 tablespoon. But taste test it before adding more fire to the mix! Special Diet Notes: Easy Enchilada Sauce By…

Read More

When you need a hearty snack on the go, you can turn to these fruit-sweetened, no sugar added, sesame raisin breakfast cookies. They’re naturally vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly, so almost anyone can enjoy them. This recipe was shared with us by a reader quite a while ago, but I later discovered it on Allrecipes. Our version has more options for you to modify the cookies to taste. Special Diet Notes: Sesame Raisin Breakfast Cookies By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian. Sesame Raisin Breakfast Cookies Print Prep time 20…

Read More

Researchers at Tohoku University in Japan set out to prove a dietary link to their longevity.  In a three-week study they fed mice freeze-dried and powdered meals that were representative of common foods from the United States and Japan. Based on markers of health, the Japanese diet of raw fish and rice porridge outperformed the American diet of hamburgers and fried chicken. The study showed that certain genes responsible for breaking down cholesterol and fat were 1.5 times more active in the Japanese fed mice than the mice who were living on the Standard American Diet (SAD).  The American fed…

Read More

Homemade Marshmallows are much easier than you might think, and the delicious results are so much better than store-bought. They actually taste “fresh” and have a more pure flavor. Special Diet Notes: Homemade Marshmallows By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, gluten-free, peanut-free, nut-free, and soy-free. Homemade Marshmallows Print Prep time 20 mins Cook time 15 mins Total time 35 mins Author: Contributor Serves: about 18 marshmallows Ingredients 1 cup powdered confectioners’ sugar for dusting 2 cups white sugar 1 tablespoon light corn syrup ¾ cup + ½ cup cups cold water, divided ¼ cup unflavored gelatin…

Read More

Janet L. Doane, released Almond Essence in August 2005. It’s a unique cookbook of dairy substitutes focused on almonds and other nuts and nut milks. Her collection spans ice cream to kefir to bisques. And I’m excited to share this sunflower seed cheese recipe from the book. This cheese is different than most dairy-free cheeses because it has a probiotic boost from dairy-free kefir! The kefir makes the sunflower seed cheese tangy, adds even more enzymes, and tastes reminiscent of sour cream. This makes it great to use for dips or salad dressings. If you don’t have any dairy-free kefir,…

Read More

This simple vegan herb seed cheese is another healthy creation from Janet L. Doane, and her cookbook Almond Essence.  Janet uses half cashews, half sunflower seeds in this herb seed cheese for a creamier finish. It also gives this alternative a more versatile taste that works in Italian dishes. But if you need nut-free, you can use all seeds, or try her Sunflower Seed Cheese Recipe, which is already nut-free. Special Diet Notes: Herb Seed Cheese By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, and vegetarian. It’s also paleo-friendly and keto-friendly. Vegan Herb Seed Cheese…

Read More

Interestingly enough, this vegan sunflower seed cheese recipe is a sample recipe from Almond Essence by Janet L. Doane. Janet uses almond milk in the original recipe, but gives water as an option to keep it completely nut-free. And here are her notes on this recipe: We use sunflower seed cheese in any recipe that normally would call for sour cream, cheese, or yoghurt. It has found its way to roasted veggies, salads, soups, crackers, fruits, green chilies, and much more. Sprouted seed cheese is an enzyme-rich food that will last 2 – 3 days, covered, in the refrigerator.  Sometimes…

Read More

Special Diet Notes: Simple Melty Cheese Sauce By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, peanut-free, nut-free, soy-free, vegan, vegetarian, and optionally gluten-free. Simple Melty Cheese Sauce Print Author: Alisa Fleming Ingredients ½ cup nutritional yeast flakes ½ cup cornstarch or arrowroot powder 2 tablespoons flour (your choice on the type, can be GF) 1 teaspoon sea salt 2 cups water 1 teaspoon prepared mustard Instructions Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Cook and stir until the sauce thickens and bubbles. It will thicken the longer it cooks. This is a kid approved recipe for spreads, sauces, and…

Read More

This raw cheese sauce recipe is altered from “May All be Fed” by John Robbins. Special Diet Notes: Bold & Raw Cheese Sauce By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, vegan, and vegetarian. Bold & Raw “Cheese” Sauce Print Author: Alisa Fleming Ingredients 1-8 ounce package firm tofu, crumbled ⅓ cup lemon juice ⅓ cup nutritional yeast flakes ⅓ cup raw tahini 3 tablespoons wheat-free tamari or low sodium soy sauce 3 tablespoons water 1 teaspoon dried basil ⅛ teaspoon turmeric 1 garlic clove, minced ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper or paprika Instructions…

Read More

Making your own dairy-free cheese is not only more affordable than store bought, but also more wholesome. Plus it’s easy to prepare! This vegan melty cheese has a lovely creamy texture that melts nicely into pasta or casseroles and on top of pizza or nachos. It’s versatile and incredibly delicious! Special Diet Notes: Vegan Melty Cheese By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, and vegetarian. Melty Vegan Cheese II Print Author: Contributed Ingredients 1-16 ounce package of silken tofu ½ cup nutritional yeast flakes ½ cup raw cashews 1 cup dairy-free milk beverage…

Read More

This simple tofu cream cheese alternative reminds us of the old-school alternatives. The original uses firm silken tofu and olive or vegetable oil. That does produce softer results, so we’ve updated the recipe with ingredients that make it a little firmer, but still very spreadable. Tofu Cream Cheese Alternative: The Classic Dairy-Free Recipe There are a few brands of silken tofu on the market, but the shelf-stable ones by Morinu seem to work best. They aren’t as heavily soaked in water, and still blend into a nice puree. You can also adjust the seasoning to taste. The original contributed recipe…

Read More

There are the obvious dairy foods such as cow’s milk (chocolate, whole, skim, malted, evaporated, etc.), buttermilk, half and half, cream, butter, cheese, ice cream, milk shakes, and yogurt. However, did you know that the majority of processed foods also contain dairy? Some are fairly easy to spot, such as that good old macaroni and cheese or creamy ranch salad dressing. But milk proteins and lactose, the culprits of milk allergies and lactose intolerance respectively, often lurk in some of the strangest places. Below we have a partial list of manufactured foods where dairy ingredients may be hiding, check out…

Read More

Here it is – Our handy guide to identifying milk ingredients on food labels, from the obvious to the downright obscure! The list below is from my book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living. Please do not rely solely on this list, as it is intended for informational purposes only. If you are dealing with a severe milk allergy or intolerance, always check with the manufacturer prior to consumption of any food product. Ingredients and processes are subject to change at anytime, which means a once “safe” product or ingredient may…

Read More

This collection of Dairy-Free Grocery Shopping List Suggestions is from Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living. The 2nd edition of my flagship book includes over 250 recipes, including homemade dairy alternatives, and quick guides for everyday needs. This shopping list guide has been updated a bit in the 2nd edition. The one below is from the 1st edition. Dairy-Free Grocery Shopping List Suggestions Navigating the aisles can be somewhat daunting for special diet consumers.  Start with the basics. Our descriptive grocery shopping list offers suggestions for “almost always” dairy free foods…

Read More

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (otherwise known as IBS) is a common, yet vague disorder of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. IBS is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and bloating, accompanied by diarrhea, constipation, or an alternating combination of both. These symptoms tend to be chronic, but may come and go over a period of several months or years. Research estimates that 10 to 20% of adults within the United States alone suffer from IBS, placing it at the top of the list for the most common functional GI disorders. Dairy is a potential offender for many IBS sufferers, and it may attack…

Read More

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is the name given to a group of disorders, which cause the intestines to become inflamed. Although less common than Irritable Bowel Syndrome, it is estimated that more than a half a million adults in the United States suffer from IBD each year. General symptoms tend to “flare-up” periodically, and may include abdominal cramping, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and bleeding from the intestines. The two most well-known types of IBD are Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative colitis. Diagnosis by a physician is essential for IBD. The cause of IBD is still quite a mystery, however, many…

Read More

Who doesn’t swoon over creamy macaroni & cheese casserole with that golden, bubbly top? This baked macaroni and cheese is ultra rich and full of cheesy flavor. BUT it’s made without any cheese substitutes! It’s a from-scratch recipe that keeps it real with a roux-based dairy-free sauce and all the right seasonings. Unlike many other cheesy recipes, this one doesn’t contain any lemon or vinegar. So it has more of a savory “cheese” flavor without the tang. It was originally shared with us by PETA back in 2006, but we’ve given the post a big update! Special Diet Notes: Vegan…

Read More