Ham Roll Ups {Egg-Free, Dairy-Free}

My kids LOVE these! And I love them because they are quick and easy to make. My mom used to make these when I was young and I remember them being one of my favorite meals. These are normally served with homemade cheese sauce {recipe below} but my allergy girl loves these without the cheese. She begs for more!

Ham Roll Ups {Egg-Free, Dairy-Free}

1 pkg Pillsbury Crescent Rolls {contains wheat}
ham slices {or leftover chicken}
steamed broccoli

Cheese Sauce {dairy-free}
2 Tbsp Smart Balance Light
2 Tbsp Flour
1 cup Almond Milk
1 cup Daiya Vegan Cheese, shredded
{I make regular cheese sauce because my allergy girl does not like the dairy-free cheese sauce and prefers to eat them plain, but the above recipe will work for a dairy-free cheese sauce.}

Rotisserie Chicken Salad {Egg-Free, Dairy-Free}

Sorry for the lack of posts this past week! We've had sickness going through our house every few days for the past two weeks. {Hoping it's gone - WAY GONE - now!} Today I decided I was hungry for something yummy for lunch so I looked through the fridge and realized I had all the 'stuff' to make Chicken Salad! I love a good, fresh chicken salad. This one is quick and very yummy!

Rotisserie Chicken Salad {Egg-Free, Dairy-Free}

Rotisserie Chicken leftovers from last night {or canned chicken or other cooked chicken will do}
Red Seedless Grapes, washed and sliced in half
Garlic Powder
Granulated Onion or Onion Powder
Salt
Black Pepper
Chopped Green Onions {optional, but oh-so-good!}
1/4 cup to 1/2 cup Vegenaise {or Mayo if you are not allergic to eggs}

Cut your chicken into small pieces {if you are using canned, just shred it with a fork}. Add sliced grapes, seasonings {to your taste}, onions and Vegenaise. Stir until thoroughly combined and spoon onto your favorite egg-free, dairy-free bread. Simple and delicious.

Have a great weekend!

Giant Cookie {Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Peanut-Free}

If you've ever walked through the food court at the mall, you've been tempted by those huge, scrumptious cookies with icing all over them. One time, (in college) I bought the sandwich kind with thick icing in the middle of two chocolate chip cookies the size of my hand. Mmm. That was good. As my hips can still attest to several years later. It was worth every bite. And I remember the time long ago that my mom found a recipe for making one at home with a cake mix, and yes, it was so good. It's been awhile since I've thought about making one, but as I was standing here in the kitchen wondering what in the world I was going to make so my daughter could have her alternative snack in her Truth Trackers Valentine's party tonight, I remembered them. And I just so happened to have a cake mix on hand. So, here's to hoping she likes it! {I'm making a large one and then using a heart shaped cookie cutter to make smaller ones from it.}

Giant Cookie {Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Peanut-Free}

1 cake mix {read the labels to find one your child can eat. I bought Duncan Hines Strawberry Supreme which contains wheat and soy and has been processed around tree nuts. This one is okay for her.}
3 tsp Ener-G Egg Replacer + 4 Tablespoons warm water, mixed well {OR 2 Eggs if you are not allergic}
1/3 cup vegetable oil
Vegan Chocolate Chips, optional - I chose not to use them this time.

Mix all ingredients well. Roll out onto a cookie sheet in the shape you want. You can bake it and then cut shapes or cut shapes first. Frost as desired. Serve!

Wasn't that easy??

Fun Valentine's Day Treat! {Allergy Free}

Last week I was doing some Valentine's Day shopping for my girls and came across something fun! I almost walked past them because I was SURE they'd have milk in them, but I stopped anyway and read the label...no allergens! YAY! There are 6 in a pack, so I decided to surprise my 3 girls this morning at breakfast with one each and then we'll still have 3 left for Valentine's Day. After their reaction, I decided to share this fun treat with all of you.

Got Milk? Milk Straws! They have other flavors, too, but with Valentine's Day coming, I decided pink {strawberry} was best for us.

15 Minute Caramel Popcorn {Allergy-Free}

Tonight is movie night at our house and you know what that means....popcorn! I decided to jazz it up a little since we're watching one of my all-time favorite Disney movies - Lady and the Tramp. Can't wait to watch this with my girls - and Hubs! Here's the low-down:

15 Minute Caramel Popcorn {Allergy-Free}

{I use Orville Reddenbacher in a jar. Air pop a 1/2 cup kernels = 3-5 quarts popcorn}

In a microwave safe bowl, heat 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup Smart Balance Light, 1/4 cup corn syrup, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 tsp salt for 2 min. Stir, heat another minute. Stir. Then, add 1 tsp baking soda and heat another minute. Stir.

 

How do you eat your popcorn??

For more yummy popcorn flavors try this and this.

OREO Cookie Balls {Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Egg-Free}

Let me introduce you to Milk's favorite cookie ball! Yes, it is made with OREOs. {I used Whole Foods brand because I was there and didn't want to make another stop just to get OREO brand, but OREO brand is still free of dairy, nuts and eggs.} It's my turn to send snacks to school for my girl's class on Friday, and when I saw these, my mind was made up. They are very rich and delicious! Here's the how-to in pictures:
You'll want to have these things on hand:

Then:

Next:

Then, you'll want to freeze these cookie balls for about 10 minutes. While they are setting up, melt your vegan chocolate chips {for every 6 oz of chips, add 1T shortening - this will aid in the dipping process} in a microwave safe bowl on high for 1 minute. Stir, then continue heating/stirring every 15 seconds until completely melted and liquid. Dip the cookie balls in the melted chocolate and immediately sprinkle with fun sprinkles. Once done, put them back in the fridge for about 1 hour.

Monkey Cupcakes

Tonight we were having a special snack in our children's class at church so I had to come up with an allergy-friendly version for my daughter. The theme was monkeys and the rest of the class was having cupcakes/cake, so naturally I chose to make my girl a monkey cupcake. It was actually fun and turned out pretty good, so I thought I'd share it with you. {Just don't pay too much attention to my lack of artistic ability in the cupcake decorating!}

Use your favorite cupcake recipe. I used a boxed yellow cake mix from Duncan Hines because it contains no milk or nuts and I substitute the 2 eggs with Ener-G Egg Replacer.

Buy or make your favorite chocolate frosting. I used Pillsbury Milk Chocolate which actually has no milk in it....go figure. Always check the label, don't take my word for it.

After you bake and frost your cupcakes, get out 3 solid color cookies that are allergy-friendly. I used graham crackers because that is all I had on hand. Round cookies are ready for use, but if you are using graham crackers, carve out two small half circles and one larger circle to use for ears and the nose/mouth area. See pic.

Next, use white frosting or mini marshmallows to make the whites of the eyes. Then, add a dark pupil on each side. {I used tiny hot chocolate style marshmallows because that's all I had on hand.} You can make the nose and mouth by piping chocolate frosting accordingly or by melting chocolate chips like I did and using a toothpick to draw it on. I didn't have much time, so I went the easy route.

I'm sure you could do a better job, so if you make these, post them on our facebook wall here. I'd love to see your version!

"Like" Us On Facebook!

Well, I decided it was high time to create a Facebook page for this website so you can find it HERE. It's called 'Living the Allergic Life'. Go there and click 'Like' to get frequent updates on food recalls due to allergens, great food-allergy related articles from some other insightful sources and a link to each new blog post that goes live from this site. I come in contact with lots of info and resources that I know would be helpful to you all, but I don't always have time to post about it on my blog. So, Facebook will be a great way for me to share those things with you in a timely manner.

I really hope you'll come and 'Like' me on Facebook! As soon as I get 100 'Likes', I will be having a giveaway! So, please stop by!