Okay…before you think I am talking 50-Shades-Of-Grey-type secrets, I will tell you now that I am going for something far more G-rated here…

I am changing it up a little today. Life has brought me a lot on a plate right now, some happy and some sad. So…I have not really had the time lately to tinker with recipe creations in the kitchen and then come here to share them with you.

So today, I would love to turn the tables a bit. I want you to have a chance to tell me your deepest darkest concerns, fears, worries, or triumphs about your life (or your child’s…or your spouse’s) with food allergies, Celiac Disease, or special diets in general.

Knowing what worries you most, my loyal Cook It Allergy Free community, will help me to continue in the best direction of giving you the recipes, the support, the information, and the stories that you want and that will benefit you the most.

So….if you feel so inclined to share what is like for your family living with food allergies and special diets, I would love to hear your voice.

Is the sadness that you see in your child’s face when he does not get to eat that fluorescent colored birthday cake at his best friend’s party perhaps the most difficult part for you?

Or is it that looking for recipes that your whole family can eat (and like) leaves you feeling like a short-order cook and dreading meal times?

Or is it that you feel excluded from events because of what you can and, more often, what you cannot eat?

Or does entertaining the thought of sending your child off to a school that is potentially teeming with their food allergens make you want to throw up a little in your mouth?

Or possibly, just possibly, have you discovered some joys and blessings in this journey that you would like to share with this community and give others some inspiration and hope?

Whatever it is, if you feel comfortable in doing so, I would be honored if you leave me a comment here explaining a little (or big) piece of your journey.  Trust me. I will totally be taking mental notes here and listening carefully to what you each share here.  

Each of our journeys are different…but yet so alike.

And maybe this will just help you to see how many others are on this same path.

Hang tight. You are about to find out what Vixi stands for…and then you will want to be Vixi too! 

According to the VixiBar Website:

“In Latin, the word VIXI means “to live; to be alive” At VixiBar™, we believe eating natural, pure, delicious food that your body can use leads to the extraordinary ability to do… anything! … Be Vixi Today!”

Not long ago, Kate, the founder of VixiBar, sent me a package of her line of amazing protein-packed natural food bars. I was excited to try them considering I already loved her philosophy on health, nutrition, and active living and figured her bars would represent this as well.

As Kate says on her website:

“As a Fitness Consultant and athlete, I had a hard time finding a bar to eat or recommend to my clients. I wanted something with only natural & pure ingredients. It had to be GREAT TASTING, with no added sugars, free of gluten, soy and lactose, but with whey protein (non-rBGH). It hit me one morning after a classic Colorado run… and the rest is history!”

Vixi Bars are an all natural food bars that contain 12 grams of natural whey protein.

They are also gluten free, grain free, soy free, lactose free, non GMO, rich in fiber, and free from any added sugar or preservatives.

Disclaimer for all of my DAIRY-Free friends here: Please note that while the bars are Lactose Free, these are NOT Dairy free. They do contain Whey Protein. 

Disclaimer for all of my NUT-free friends here: Please note that some, but not all, of the flavors do contain organic peanuts.

There are 10 different flavors to choose from:

• Chocolate Macaroon
• Coconut Bliss
• Apple Crisp
• Peanut Butter Cup
• Peanut Butter & Jelly
• Peppermint Patty
• Cherry Biscotti
• Cherry Brownie
• Pumpkin Pie
• Peanut Butter Banana

One of my favorite things about these bars is how short the ingredient list is on each bar. There are only 5 or 6 ingredients (depending on the flavor) in each bar…and each ingredient is an actual real food that you can feel good about eating.

You can see all of the ingredients in each of the flavors on the VixiBar Product Page where you can pick which ones you want! Then you can add your favorite flavors to your Shopping Cart!

Of course, how they taste is what is most important here. After all, if they do not taste good, my family is not going to eat them.

Thank goodness my two little self-declared starving munchkins volunteered to help as testers. I swear they act as if I don’t feed them. But I do. I promise.

My oldest took one look at the flavors and made absolute sure that the Cherry Brownie, Pumpkin Pie, and Peanut Butter and Jelly flavored bars were going to be his.

My youngest, as usual, just let his older brother tell him what to do and gladly accepted the Coconut Bliss and Apple Crisp flavors.

In the end, we really shared all of the bars and we each tasted all of the flavors. The boys kept fighting over who was going to get a taste of what. And any time they started fighting over them, Mom came in and saved the day by taking the bar in question to enjoy herself.

In the end, not only did we get to try some delicious and nutritious bars, but we also got a good lesson in the importance, fun, and benefits of sharing…

We loved all of the flavors that we tried, but my hands down favorite was the Coconut Bliss. I could eat that one every. single. day.

The boys, however, absolutely LOVED the:

• Peanut Butter and Jelly
• Cherry Brownie
• Pumpkin Pie

And except for the few flavors that contain peanuts, the rest are actually a perfect bar to send to a nut-free school as a treat in the lunch box as well. That is a huge plus in my book.

VixiBar is on a mission to let everyone know that they can have a natural food bar with both functional benefit and great taste – a bar without compromise! I think these bars are achieving that mission for sure!

So here is your chance to be Vixi too…

GIVEAWAY TIME!!

One lucky follower will win a Variety Pack of 10 VixiBars delivered straight to your doorstep.

You are allowed the chance to enter 3 times by doing each of the following. Just leave a separate comment for each thing you do so I can track your entries:

1. In one sentence, tell me which flavor sounds the best to you..(if you win, I will make sure that flavor is included in your package). 

2. Follow Cook It Allergy Free on Facebook (or tell me if you already do).

3. Follow VixiBar on Facebook (or tell me if you already do).

One winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday, April 25th at 7:00 am Pacific Standard Time. Winner will be contacted via email then. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older.

*Vixi Bars provided me with this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. I chose to do this review and giveaway because I really love these bars and I know you will too.*

I think this cute guy inherited his mother’s love of cookbook reading.

The other day, waiting for us on our doorstep, was our copy of the new cookbook Eat Like A Dinosaur, by the Paleo Parents, Matt and Stacy.

My oldest son, who had been anticipating the book’s arrival, was so excited that he never even took off his jacket or put away his lunchbox. He just tore open the package and plopped his tiny little behind down at the counter and read the entire book cover to cover.

After my son skipped over the “Boring Chapter for Parents” (the book calls it this, not me), he read the actual Eat Like A Dinosaur story out loud to his little brother. And then he read it again.

After that, he started pouring through recipes. This book has over 100 kid-approved recipes and projects that are free of grains, dairy, and legumes.

I think he had our entire menu planned for the next two weeks on that first afternoon.

We have had a blast cooking our way through the book…everything that we have made together has been a hit and has received a big two-thumbs-up each time.

So far, we have cooked up the following meals (all done with the help of my boys):

• Banana Chocolate Chip Bread
• Mini Egg Pizzas
• Maple Chicken Salad
• Fool’s Gold (aka Chicken Nuggets)
• Bacon Burgers
• Ten Tomato Ketchup (to use up our tomatoes from the garden and to satiate my youngest son’s abnormal affection for this condiment)
• Apple Bacon slaw
• Grain-free Granola
• Apple Rings and Cinnamon Apple Tidbits (thanks to my husband’s new dehydrating obsession and his purchase of the Excalibur 9-tray Dehydrator)

We have all loved everything that we have made so far. My son still has a number of recipes he wants to try, but I thought I better let you all know now how much we are already enjoying this book!

(note: I do have pictures of many of the dishes, but am experiencing an issue with my photo uploader – I will update our photos once it is remedied)

Some fun facts to note about this book:

• 288 pages – more than recipes, includes a “how to” chapter for parents and “projects” to get the family spending time together
• illustrated kids story aims to get kids excited and thinking positively about embracing food changes
• over 100 recipes and projects which are grain-, dairy-, legume- and refined sugar-free, but not lacking in flavor or fun!
• all recipes have full color, bright, fun layout with corresponding photo – enticing to kids
• allergy-friendly book has top 8 allergens on each page and easy index in the back
• written & photographed by normal suburban family who turned their health around with switching to a “real foods” diet (lost over 200lbs, kids no longer have asthma, eczema, allergies, behavioral issues, etc.)
• All recipes are Paleo, but it’s not a paleo specific book – it’s for all kinds of families with a wide range of food habits – including those with allergies, WAPF, GFCF or simply trying to eat better

Eat Like A Dinosaur receives 8 thumbs up in our house…since all four of us love it!!

AND NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY TIME…

IF YOU WANT TO EAT LIKE A DINOSAUR TOO…TWO OF YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN A COPY RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!!

You are allowed the chance to enter 3 times by doing each of the following. Just leave a separate comment for each thing you do so I can track your entries:

1. In one sentence, tell me why you want this book.

2. Follow Cook It Allergy Free on Facebook (or tell me if you already do).

3. Follow Paleo Parents on Facebook (or tell me if you already do).

Two winners will be chosen at random on Tuesday, April 17th at 7:00 am Pacific Time. Winners will be contacted via email then. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older.

…at least I hope they will eat it. Hmmm. Perhaps I better cross my fingers on this point.

But my kids seem to really like this…so I think yours could too!

The reasons I think my kids find this salad fun is because it is:

Sweet. Crunchy. Tangy. Purple. Did I already say Sweet? And Purple?

Oh. And parents will like it because:

It only has a few ingredients. It is super easy to throw together. And it is super-duper healthy.

Did you know about all of the health benefits of Cabbage? Especially Purple/Red Cabbage?

Well, here are just a few things to get you excited about the possibility (again, fingers crossed) of your kids eating this wonder food:

1. Cabbage is an amazing detoxifier due to abundant amounts of Vitamin C, Sulphur, and other minerals that help it to purify the blood and remove toxins (primarily free radicals and uric acid).

2. Cabbage has wonderful anti-cancer properties, due to over 30 different anti-cancer chemicals identified in it. The most beneficial property is due to the high content of anthocyanins, a class of flavonoids that has been linked to cancer protection.

3. Cabbage is known to boost immunity, due to the high levels of Vitamin E which are known to assist in DNA repair and other metabolic processes, along with developing immunity building properties.

4. Juice from the red Cabbage is known to aid in ulcer and digestive healing because of it’s high levels of the amino acid called glutamine.

Hopefully, some of those above reasons will encourage you to see if your kids will try this salad!

Okay, now tell me….do you think YOUR kids (or whoever your picky eater might be) would like this? 

Okay. I am going to try and convince you, once again, why you should at least try and grow a few of your own fruits and veggies…no matter what your climate is like or how much space you have to do it.

Are you ready for my Reasons for why I think you should (and Can) grow your own vegetables..I have 9 of them…

1. There is a type of garden available for any climate, any space, and any gardening ability. Trust me.

No space? How about Container Gardening for even the smallest of patios/porches? Here are some beautiful Cedar Raised Beds-you can pick your size and layout to fit your space.

No Yard? Not even a patio? How about some Vertical Gardening?

Outdoors not an option? How about some Indoor Gardening?

2….

Okay. I know I am teasing you here. But since, by now, I have hopefully piqued your interest, you need to go get my reasons #2-9 over on my post at The Balanced Platter today. 

I do promise you this one thing…I believe in you. You. Can. Do. It.

Because if I can….Mrs Black Thumb herself…then ANYONE CAN DO IT!

But. Go decide for yourself.

A simple post for you all today…

Below you will find my go-to lunch on a fairly regular basis – 5 Minute Swiss Chard and Kale Saute with Golden Raisins and Optional Pine Nuts.

But first…

I thought I would share some fun inspirational words that I am hanging around my house these days (and posting all over our vision boards as well).

Why?

Because…I am always thinking about how I am going to help my children to grow up to be the most confident, happy, joyful individuals/leaders that they can possibly be (and aren’t we all trying to do that these days?).

My husband and I try to focus our parenting on doing what we can to foster this, but I thought that keeping some of these simple words out in plain sight as reminders for us on a daily basis would also be fun.

So who knew you would come to my food blog today and gain a few happy reminders of what we should be focusing on each day…

Just note that I did not come up with the quotes written in rainbow colors – they are simply ones that I have collected over time. I am sorry, but I do not know who said them first.

My Path of Good Thoughts to take my children (and you) throughout the day…

“Wake up every morning with the thought that something Wonderful is about to happen. “

because when you look at each day this way, you will be able to…

 “Start Each Day With A Grateful Heart.”

 for that grateful heart will help you to…

 “Be so Happy that when others look at you they become happy too.” 

 then, hopefully, all of that happiness will give you the confidence to understand that when you…

 “Believe that you can, you are already halfway there.”

 and then once you get this you will…

 “Never lose your Sense of Wonder.”

 and with all of that wonder you will be able to…

 “Shine Your Light so that the Whole World can see it.”

 because that light will help you, most importantly, and above all…

 “Watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you. Because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” Roald Dahl

And as you find the hidden secrets in those unlikely places,

“Look up at the stars and truly believe who you are. Then BE PROUD, BE CONFIDENT, and most of all, BE HAPPY!”

Because, after all, THAT is the most important thing.

 Oh. And when all else fails….

Now, with all of this great perspective for your mind and soul to get you through your day, you must be aching to nourish your insides as well. So here is a great way to do that…

Swiss Chard and Kale Saute with Golden Raisins and Optional Pine Nuts (note that the pine nuts are totally optional and easily traded out or omitted).

This recipe is the easiest thing to whip up and it is a great way to put to use all of the greens that are piled high in the stores right now and, incidentally, growing rampant in my vegetable garden.

And yes. Please do not hate me. Here in Scottsdale, Arizona our winter weather is gentle enough to keep the fall gardens growing straight into spring (as long as you are diligent about covering them with frost cloths on many nights).

BUT, if it makes you feel any better, we melt in the summer here. I think we have 100+ DAYS (yes, days) of 100+ degree Temps! Not much is growing here in our gardens then as all of yours are probably flourishing during your more moderate summer temperatures.

Do you have any “happy thoughts” that you like to share with your children, or remind yourself of, on a daily basis?

This post is being shared with Superfood Sunday over at Pain free Pregnancy

Today, I have a something a little different for you.

I am sharing a fun video from Lillian’s Test Kitchen. The sweet and comical Lillian is allergic to gluten, dairy, cane sugar, and soy. She created her Vlog as a place to experiment and test recipes for the very first time, on camera, so we can see what it is really like to make a particular recipe for the first time. Her videos are always humorous and will never fail to make you laugh.

In this video she decided to make one of my recipes. She chose my Grain-Free, Dairy-Free Apple Puff Pancake as her recipe to test.

Go ahead and watch as she tries out the recipe and gives her opinion of the end result!!

I admit I was crossing my fingers the entire time to see if she actually liked it…watch it now and find out for yourself.

Now, hopefully you enjoyed the “adventurous spirit” of the ever-so-whimsical Lillian! And just possibly she inspired you to go and make this simple Puff Pancake Recipe for yourself!

Well, I suppose I would be remiss if I did not post a chocolate recipe in honor of Valentine’s Day.

So, I am going to share what I will be serving to all of my love bugs on this day of romance. I posted a version of this recipe a long time ago but it is one of those things that my children ask for again, and again, and…again.

And thank goodness for me…it involves chocolate.

I raised these boys right, I tell ya.

This in-demand Allergy-free Valentine’s Day dessert I am talking about is, of course, Gluten-free Dairy-free Chocolate Fondue (also easily made to be Nut-free as well)!

But do not thank me for this recipe posting. Thank my boys who reminded me of it as we were driving back from our family ski vacation yesterday.  I was quizzing them about what I should share with you all for an Allergy-free Valentine’s Day Dessert. This was what they came up with.

It was their choice. So, I declared them brilliant and called it a day. I hope you enjoy it as much as they will.

Oh, and here are some dipper ideas for your fondue:

Fruits: apples, pears, peaches, pineapples, citrus sections, strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blackberries, sliced bananas (can even grill or caramelize them first), dried apples, dried mangoes, or any other dried fruit.

Cakes and Other Treats (all allergy-friendly versions, of course): graham crackers, brownie pieces, marshmallows, cookies, shortbread, biscotti, crystallized ginger chunks, bacon (yup, I said it).

There is no wrong answer for what to dip. Use your imagination. Have fun. Go wild.

Well, not too wild. This is, after all, a family-friendly blog.

What are your favorite things to dip into fondue? Give me some new ideas!!

Maybe not the most romantic of meals, but this Drunken Garlic Chicken and Vegetables is packed full of good healthy goodies and would make a perfect Valentine’s Meal for you and your sweetie to eat together.

The best thing is that you will cancel each other’s stinky garlic breath out if you eat it together!

But have no fear, I have tips on how to get rid of that garlic breath as well as Health Benefits of Garlic, just in time for that Valentine’s Day KISS!!

SO..run (er..click) on over to The Balanced Platter and discover 10 Health Benefits of Garlic, how to get rid of that garlic breath, AND a wonderful immune-boosting Drunken Garlic Chicken and Vegetable Recipe.

SURPRISE!

IT’S A …….. BOY!

No not mine, sillies.

Although, I do already have two of them. Well, three, counting my husband. Geez…four, if you count my dog (who incidentally can be more mature at times than all three of the aforementioned boys).

No. This little boy I am talking about is Amy’s, of Simply Sugar and Gluten Free. Her little bambino is set to arrive any second. Literally. And today we are throwing her a SURPRISE virtual baby shower since we cannot give her one in person.

And I am making these Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Refined Sugar-Free Apple Streusel Squares with an amazing Maple Cinnamon Glaze in honor of the event.

These little bite-sized gems are such a treat, with a healthier twist (they lasted all about two seconds in my house). And can so easily be made safe for multiple types of modified diets. Definitely a perfect addition to a baby shower.

Oh. I am not sure if I mentioned this yet. But, this may be a good time to tell you that these treats are totally and completely addicting. Consider yourself warned. If you have no will power, you may not want to make these.

Now. If you just happen to be throwing a baby shower in real life any time soon, we have a rockin’ gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and allergy-friendly menu ready to go for you right here:

• Daily Bites Blog - Chocolate and Vanilla Pudding Parfaits
• She Let Them Eat Cake - Gluten-Free & Vegan Gingersnaps
• Tasty Eats At Home  - Grapefruit Salad with Avocado & Jicama
• Lexie’s Kitchen  - Dairy-Free Crepe Quiche
• The Spunky Coconut - Lime Pound Cake
• Simply..Gluten-Free - Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes
• Cara’s Cravings - Mushroom Pesto Pinwheels
• Diet, Dessert, and Dogs - “Wine and Cheese” Charlotte
• Alisa Cooks - Smoked Salmon Frittata Bites
• Cook It Allergy Free  - Apple Streusel Squares & Maple Glaze
• Gluten Free Life With Jen - Tomato Panzanella Salad
• Miz Helen’s Country Cottage - Cranberry Chicken Salad
• Cybele Pascal - Allergy Free Focaccia Bread
• Silvana’s Kitchen

Okay. Now for these Apple Streusel Squares. But like I said. If you have no self-control or will power…I will repeat what I said above. Do. Not. Make. These.

This post is being shared with Simply Sugar and Gluten’s Free Slightly Indulgent Tuesday.