Goldbaum's Gluten Free Chocolate Sugar Cones: Ice Cream Cone Bliss

On a hot summer day like today where the heat was unbearable and the humidity so thick you could slice it with a knife, the perfect end to a day is an ice cream cone. Now, in our house - gluten and dairy free.. of course. A while ago I ran across Goldbaum's Natural Foods Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cones at my local Christmas Tree Shoppe and I stocked up on them. They were a huge hit with the kids and my husband, so I planned to buy more of them. So, I was thrilled when I found that they had these now at my local Stop N Shop store. And, not just the plain wafer cone style - they also had a Chocolate Sugar Cone -- Goldbaum's Natural Foods Gluten-Free Sugar Ice Cream Cones also Gluten Free and Vegan - so yes.. Dairy Free, too! Even better the boxes were $2.99 a box. So, I bought 3 boxes of them, and will be buying more.

The kids devouring their chocolate sugar cones with dairy free Vanilla ice cream (from So Delicious). It looked so good, that I cheated on my diet and even had one myself. You would have no idea these cones are gluten free - they are sweet, crispy, and sturdy too (in other words they didn't leak or fall apart on the kids).

Yummy!

Goldbaums gluten free sugar cones are: Gluten Free, Kosher, GMO-Free, Vegan. Ingredients: Potato starch, sugar, corn starch, Palm oil, dietary fibers, emulsifier (lecithin), salt, cocoa powder, xanthan gum, natural vanilla.

Goldbaums gluten free cones are: Kosher, gluten free, vegan, gmo-free, and "low calorie". Ingredients: Potato starch, cornstarch, demerara sugar, water, expeller-pressed palm oil, salt, cocoa powder, xanthan gum, baking soda

Run to your local Stop N Shop and snag these up right now at under $3 a box. If they aren't in your area, you can also get them at the Gluten Free Mall or Amazon.com


Related links:
GFCF Friday: Goldbaums Gluten Free Ice Cream Cones make for happy kids
We all scream for gluten-free ice cream cones

The Jersey Shore Boardwalk - Conquered!

Here at the Jersey Shore, the boardwalk has been hot or cold with Alex since we moved here 5 years ago. When he was younger he enjoyed the rides, especially the train - and so we stocked up on the 2for1 ticket books over Easter weekend. But then all of Alex's sensory issues really started to come to a head and the boardwalk was simply too overstimulating. Heck, on a crowded summer night - it is overstimulating for me as well - the crowds, the noise, the scents - just all of it.

There was a time, when we couldn't go to the boardwalk at all with Alex. Considering we live just a few miles away.. I felt like we were robbing his younger typical little sister of this experience because it made her brother upset. Coupled with the location issue that this is where they had held the annual Jersey Shore Autism walk - we wanted to get over the hurdle of the boardwalk. It seemed that the hardest part was getting him from the municipal parking lot and up the wooden ramp to the boards. Once we'd get him up to the boards he would usually do ok and enjoyed walking down the end past the Aquarium and to the inlet, to watch the boats - this is the "quiet" end, away from the hustle and bustle of the carnival rides. We realized that simply parking away from the crowded municipal lot and opting to park on a side street (added bonus - free parking) made things easier on Alex - despite a longer walk to get there. They took school and camp trips to the Boardwalk and Aquarium and the teachers would report that he did fine aside from walking up the ramp. Each time we'd go and it would get easier, and eventually we didn't need to use the big ear muffs - though we do try to attend during the week when it is slightly less crowded.

Over the weekend we went to the Boardwalk to meet up with a close family friend. Despite it being a hot Saturday night in July - the peak of busy time, we braved it. The hardest part seemed to be finding parking without paying a fortune, but my husband worked it out.

And, for the first time ever - BOTH of my kids were able to enjoy the rides. Alex covered his ears a bit when we passed a few of the louder attractions but aside from that he was pretty darn good. He asked to go on the "hot air balloon" ferris wheel with his father and while he did that I took his little sister on a whole bunch of the kiddy rides. Last year, she was going through a particularly fearful stage (that now I think had to do with her vision issues) and she wouldn't dream of going on a merry go round, or any ride.

But now, the sky is the limit.

Alex loved the helicopters, and probably will be too tall for them next year so we are enjoying it while we can!










Belle took Dumbo for a spin all by herself - some of the kids had parents squeezed in with them - so glad she was a big girl!










And this, I wish I had taken the next picture but the kids Auntie and I were just in awe of the kids at this moment. After they got off the alligators - Belle was stuck and couldn't get down. So Alex went to her and she put her arms around his neck and he lifted her down and then held her hand to the exit. They do love each other, when they aren't killing each other - that is! What a good big brother Alex is.

Swimming Pool Progress Report

Alex has always loved the water and been a little fish. Favorite summertime activities have included the pool at his summer camp, and swimming with friends.

Well, this year we have had a lot of rain and less chances to swim, but when we have.. Alex has baffled me.

Early in the summer when we were at a friend's house he refused to go in their pool claiming he was afraid (and it was a very small and not deep pool - my 4 year old could stand up in it!). He did this at camp, also. On day 1, he wouldn't go in the pool and refused - the rest of the week he went in

Now, since then we have gotten him into our neighbor's and friend's pool but it has not been without a lot of effort. He is very slow to get in, then insists on using multiple inflatable devices (that he doesn't really need) and his latest (yuck) is that he is swallowing the pool water. He also is overly obsessed with if there are any bugs in the water - he isn't afraid of bugs (this kid likes to play with ants and talk to them). Still, once he is in there - he loves the pool!











His sister, she is the first one in and last one out. She is our tiny tadpole this summer and is getting close to swimming without needing her lifejacket.

Observing them in the pool and how they deal, adapt, act, and react in the water -- it becomes so very apparent the differences between my two children - 1 with autism and 1 without.

We are hoping for more summery days without rain to be able to work on improving both of their swimming skills. They are both very close to swimming independently - maybe this will be the summer!

Gluten Free Items We Crave

When I hosted the Betty Crocker Gluten Free Desserts Giveaway I asked for input from readers..

What Gluten Free item would you love to see on grocery store shelves?

Now, when I say "grocery store shelves" I was thinking "main stream" grocery stores and not necessarily health food or specialty "natural" grocers like Trader Joes, Whole Foods etc.

I am really thrilled to see more and more items being more readily available like Betty Crocker baking mixes, Chex cereals, etc.

A definite need was expressed, and I wholeheartedly agree with the need for better marking of items that are gluten free. I'd add better marking of items for food allergens (like milk, casein, nuts, soy, egg, etc)

I love these suggestions:

This is what you'd like to see gluten free:

• Pizza Dough (mix and pre-made frozen)
• Pie crust (ready made frozen)
• Blueberry Muffin Mix
• Apple Crisp Mix - I have made an apple crisp and gluten free peach crisp before
  
• Peanut Butter Crackers
• GoldFish Crackers
• Cheeze-its
• Doughnuts (We do like the Kinnikinnick Donuts quite a bit here)
• Bagels (There are several brands of these - Do you have a favorite?)
  
• Breadmixes for the Bread Machine
• Flavored Pasta (Pasta is actually the one thing we have plenty of. My son loves the rice and also quinoa pastas)
  
• Taquitos
• Tortillas
• Rice Crispy Cereal (My son doesn't like the gluten free versions of Rice Puffs)
  
• Rice Crispy Treats We like Glenny's: http://www.glennys.com/marshmallow-treats-c-26.html
  

Something not on this list???? What do YOU want to buy gluten free at the grocery store . Let me know in comments!

Betty Crocker Gluten Free Giveaway Winner

Congrats to Rosemarie for winning the

Betty Crocker Gluten Free Desserts Giveaway

Happy Baking!

If you didn't win you can call 1-800-446-1898 to request a coupon for one free gluten free mix! (USA Only)

Happy Birthday to Wall-E - a movie by Alex

Alex has completed another Small Factory movie.. starring Wall-E, of course. He started this one, the day after my birthday, so I can say with a fair amount of certainty that this was done for me. I had asked him what he was going to make a movie of and he first told me "Wall-E makes a cake" (which is what I had done with the kids that day). During challenger bowling, he made the Wall-E bowling movie. When baseball season came along - Wall-E Baseball. And then as soon as we started in going to the beach, Wall-E was going surfing. See the trend? Everything Alex does, Wall-E does!

Alex loves (and is obsessed) with Wall-E, so much that at times I think Wall-E is my 3rd child.

With no further ado.. the Wall-E Birthday party by Alex
Starring:
Wall-E
Eve
Clip (microsoft clip)
Cat (a black kitty that I am pretty sure is my friend's cat Cookie)
and a last minute arrival...
The Pixar Lamp




Learn more about Small Factory, my son's favorite place to go!

POAC Autism Surfing at Brick Beach 7/7/09

Despite a stressful day and getting injured at school, Alex was very excited to be able to go surfing. We are spoiled living at the Jersey shore to have great beaches and opportunities for our kids with autism to get out there and experience the waves. Alex loves the water - especially the ocean. And, with the weather having not been all that great lately the ocean water is currently icy cold. It doesn't stop him. We had rain during the week and the skies were looking a bit ominous with some thunderstorm warnings. So, we were lucky that the event was still able to take place with just a little bit of rain on and off.

On Tuesday July 7th, 2009 - POAC (Parents of Autistic Children) in conjunction with Brick Recreation/Challenger league sponsored this fun Autism surf event. They had a bounce house set up, refreshments, and plenty of surfers and lifeguards all set up on Brick municipal beach #3. Siblings were welcome to join in on the fun. The kids all got T-shirts and a medal -- awesome!

My daughter spent her time playing in the sand and also in the bouncy house. The surfers asked her if she wanted a turn on the board, but she was still too afraid. Maybe next year!


















Alex, on the other hand - basically can't get enough of the ocean. Fat lip and all - he went out in the icy surf wearing nothing but Wall-E trunks and a lifevest. First they did a lesson up in the sand where he got to stand on the board and lift his arms, as well as pretend to paddle out. When he got into the water he did a pretty good job of balancing and also lifting his arms up when the wave came in. Mind you - they basically had the board resting on the sand and then the lifeguards/instructors lift it up when the wave comes in. After a few times Alex commanded them to "Paddle out" which wasn't exactly happening with the rough waves or this particular event. This was the same reaction that he had last year (wow, look how small he was then) because he is such a thrill seeker and loves the water so much he just wants to get right in there. Some of the kids were going out on the back of a waverunner but I felt that the water seemed really too rough and the skies a bit too grey... maybe next year for Alex with the waverunner!

Times like these I feel so blessed to live near the ocean and so lucky to have a great organizations such as POAC and Brick Challenger providing events for kids like Alex.

Thanks to POAC and Brick Challenger for the great day.
2009 Brick Beach POAC Surf:














Video of Autism Surf Day at Brick Beach III:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxM1TNEriEU

Related Posts:
POAC Autism Surf Outreach in Seaside Park, NJ
The magic of the sea
Just Add Water - Aspergers can't stop Surfer Clay Marzo
Surfers Healing calls it quits early to keep kids safe in Belmar NJ
Autism Surfing Blog Entry - Surfer's Healing
Autism Surfing Blog Entry - POAC Surf Camp at Brick Beach
POAC Surfing Event -Seaside Park August 2008
Surfer's Healing Autistic Children & Their Families
Surfer's Healing Surf Camp Review
Surfer's Healing Surf Camp Review - A Dad's Perspective

Videos my son made about surfing:
Wall-E and Friends Go Surfing and Wall-E Goes Surfing

All posts tagged Autism & Surfing

Extended School Year casualty

Today was day 2 of Extended School Year (ESY) for Alex. He loves school, has an awesome teacher and happily boarded that 7:40am bus. Summer vacation? What the heck is that, anyways? Alex has gone to school year round since he started at age 3. While it stinks to lose our summers, the therapy and structure is definitely what is best for him.

Day 2 of ESY was back to business as usual for us. I went and worked out with my personal trainer and spent some quality time (at the grocery store) with my daughter. We were finishing up our lunch and packing our bags for a family trip to the beach (for the POAC autism surf day) when the phone rang. Caller ID said it was the township, so I thought it could be the surf getting called off on account of Thunderstorm warnings.. as it was partly sponsored by Brick Challenger league. Good news was - it wasn't about the surf and weather. Bad news was.. it was the school.

When the school calls - my throat goes into a lump. I go into Mama Lion mode, my kid is sick or hurt. Well, in this case - hurt. Exact quote: "Your son got hurt and there is a lot of blood, we are going to call an ambulance to take him to the hospital unless you want to come and take him". I got in the car and burned it to the school - thankfully all of 5 minutes away.

When I got there, he was actually much better than I had envisioned in my mind. Blood everywhere.. not really - though it was bloody.

What happened: Alex likes to put his arms inside of his shirt and sometimes pull his knees up into his shirt also. This is definitely something sensory going on. Well, he'd just gotten back from OT and got back to his class where they were watching a movie (per Alex it was Sing A longs). He was doing as Alex does and putting his arms into his shirt and had his legs up - managed to fall off his chair and Face-planted into his desk.

He banged his nose, thankfully did not break his new glasses - and bit into his lip so far that he almost bit completely through it.

Mouths bleed a lot.

The nurse was certain that he broke his nose and needed stitches.

We have a doctor in the family, so that is where we headed instead of the stress of dealing with the hospital.

Good news: His nose isn't broken nor did ne need stitches. He gets to have unlimited ice pops and cold drinks.

Bad news: He is drooling, has some bruising and a fat lip. He is clearly agitated by this and upset about it. It hurts for ME to look at it and I am sure he hurts too.







Who would have thought that sing-a-long songs could be so dangerous?

Now, we need to figure out a stop to this arms inside of the shirt behavior. Not only is it stretching out his clothes, inappropriate, it apparently isn't as "harmless" as I thought it was.

Any thoughts?

Betty Crocker Gluten Free Desserts Giveaway

I'm very excited to be able to offer this giveaway to my Bon Bon Gazette readers in cooperation with Betty Crocker and their new line of Gluten Free dessert mixes.

One lucky reader will receive this Betty Crocker “Sweet Treats” prize pack (pictured below) that includes:

- all four (4) samples of the dessert mixes:

• Betty Crocker Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix
• Betty Crocker Gluten Free Devil’s Food Cake Mix
• Betty Crocker Gluten Free Brownie Mix
• Betty Crocker Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

- two (2) Free coupons for any of the varieties
- a re-usable grocery tote bag
- a magnetic grocery list and a pen to make shopping easier!















To enter, simply leave a comment on this blog post sharing what gluten free item you would love to see on grocery store shelves. and be sure to include an email address so that I can contact you to let you know that you won.

This giveaway is only open to winners from the United States and the prize pack will be sent to you from Betty Crocker. There will be just one winner, but many ways to enter.

1 entry per comment

Plus - you can get up to 10 bonus entries for the following (please leave one comment for each of your bonus entries to make it easier for me to do the random.org winner)

• Blog about my giveaway with a link back to this blog post. Be sure to leave the link to your blog post in my comments
• Grab my button (from my sidebar) and add it to your blogroll
  
• Subscribe to my blog via RSS reader
• Follow me on Twitter
• Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter (copy it to @hellokittiemama)
• Digg this post using the button below this post.
• Become a blogger follower for the Bon Bon Gazette
  
• Post the giveaway on your Facebook
• Add this blog to your Technorati favorites

The giveaway will close on July 15th, 2009 at 12:00pm eastern standard time and the winner will be selected randomly.

Good Luck!

If you didn't win you can call 1-800-446-1898 to request a coupon for one free gluten free mix! (USA Only)

UPDATE - THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Congrats to RoseMarie for winning the Betty Crocker items!!!

Betty Crocker makes Gluten Free baking Easy with 4 new mixes!

How cool is it that Betty Crocker has come out with not just 1 but FOUR baking mixes that are Gluten Free and on mainstream grocery store shelves!

This will make the GFCF birthday party dilemma all that much easier. How convenient, for everyone AND Betty Crocker easy.

I'm also happy to share that these mixes are not just gluten free but also dairy free. Of course, they call for butter to be added - but you can use your favorite butter substitute. Today we used a soy margarine - but I often use a soy free spread. Betty Crocker has provided instructions for suggested substitutions to make each of their gluten free baking mixes with "no butter" instructions here

The varieties available are: Brownies, Devils Food Cake, Chocolate Chip Cookies, and a Yellow Cake.

One thing that I'm excited about is that the boxes have Boxtops for Education on them. The schools collect the boxtops & I always feel guilty not having very many to send in since most of our food we purchase isn't pre-packaged, or if it is - its not a mainstream brand. So now - between these Betty Crocker mixes and the new gluten free Chex cereal.. I actually have a few boxtops to contribute!

Today for the 4th of July we went to a party at a friend's house. It also happened to be that friend's birthday - and he was having an ice cream cake. So, we brought along a cake of our own courtesy of one of these Betty Crocker mixes. My daughter and I made up the Devils Food Cake as well as the Chocolate Chip Cookies. The mixes are quick and easy to make and the boxes look just like a 'regular' boxed mix. Look for these with the rest of the Betty Crocker mixes on your store shelves. Or you can buy them in a quantity of 6 (case) from Amazon with free shipping and save. They are definitely worth buying to have a few on hand! Also, I'll be featuring a giveaway from Betty Crocker where one lucky reader here will win a set of the mixes to try.

Both the cookies and the cake came out tasty and were well received by my gluten casein free kid as well as the rest of the party goers who ate it and enjoyed. I did let them know it was gluten free but I bet I could have gotten away without telling them! I can't wait to make the brownies and yellow cake next!

Pictures of our chocolate chip cookies & devils food cake from Betty Crocker Gluten free:










Purchase from Amazon in bulk and $save$:
Betty Crocker Gluten Free Brownie Mix, 16-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 6)
Betty Crocker Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix, 15-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 6)
Betty Crocker Gluten Free Devil's Food Cake Mix, 15-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 6)
Betty Crocker Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix, 19-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 6)





For more info: http://www.bettycrocker.com/products/gluten-free/

Baking GFCF Bread from Sisters Three Gluten Free

I'm not embarrassed to admit... I consider myself pretty much a gluten free bread flunky. I've tried a few times to make my son gluten free bread and it has come out inedible. I even received the gift of a Bread Machine with a Gluten Free Setting and the highly recommended The Gluten-Free Gourmet Bakes Bread recipe book by Bette Hagman. My results have been pitiful at best. I've purchase pre-made gluten free loaves of bread from the freezer section of Whole Foods and my son isn't a fan. I can't really blame him because the consistency of most of them is somewhat like Styrofoam. Because of so many strike-outs in the bread department.. my son now eats his sandwiches on rice cakes and corn thins. He misses bread, and so I keep trying.

Today's bread experiment is brought to you by Sisters Three Gluten Free, a brand new bread gluten free bread mix that looked very promising to me.

About the mix:
Bread Mix Ingredients: Rice Flour, Tapioca Starch, Sugar, Salt, Xanthan gum

Ingredients you will need to add: Yeast (Dry), Shortening (suggested Crisco), Water, Eggs, Vinegar (Apple Cider)

My 4 year old daughter and I mixed up the ingredients and did it by hand per the easy instructions. The dough then needed to rise - which said it could take between 30 minutes and 2 hours. After 2 hours, I decided it had risen pretty much all that it was going to - which didn't seem like as much as it should have.. but I wasn't totally sure. I used my Pampered Chef loaf pan to make it. I pre-heated my oven and loaded it in for the suggested baking time of 65 minutes. Wow did my house smell amazing while this baked up. When the timer went off I wanted to try it right away, but I was good and waited the full 6 hours of cooling time before cutting into it.

My loaf didn't rise up as I expected it too. Now, I'm wondering about the true temperature of my oven.. or if the eggs I used were not quite room temperature (too chilly?), or if using the stone loaf pan attributed to it... or could it have been the brand of dry yeast? I also noted that as it cooled it settled a bit. This discouraged me but it smelled so good and actually looked pretty good too. The proof would be in the taste.

So, I got out my serrated bread knife and sliced it up...














It looks like bread!

I served up a slice to my husband first, with a little margarine on it. He reported that it tasted great. I asked Alex if he wanted a slice of bread with "butter" (dairy free margarine) on it. He looked at me like I had 3 heads!!! He knows he isn't "allowed" to have bread. I told him it was special gluten free and dairy free bread just for him. He said "Yes!". I served him up a slice.. He took it, he sniffed it, and he devoured it. Gone! Before I could get his picture the whole piece was gone!

I put away the rest of the sliced loaf in my fridge and estimate it will be eaten quite quickly. We have sandwiches and french toast on the menu for this holiday weekend.

Yes! yes! yes.

I am thrilled to report...

Finally, a gluten free bread that actually looks and tastes like bread should.

More info:
http://www.sistersthreeglutenfree.com/
http://twitter.com/sistersthreegf

Costco now carrying Go Picnic Gluten Free lunches & Kids Meals - NOT all are GFCF safe!

I was excited to see that Costco is now carrying gluten free kids meals and gluten free pre-packaged lunches. The "ready to eat" lunches are 24 lunches for $114 and the kids meals are priced at 12 for $52.99. Both are available from the Costco website in addition to the warehouse stores.

Unfortunately... my excitement was shortlived when I looked a bit closer....

VERY IMPORTANT --- The ready to serve lunches are gluten free but not dairy free. I crossed them off my Costco list completely. Also, not all of the meals in the kids meal pack are GFCF safe. The 12 pack contains 4 ExploreMunch packs, 4 SafariMunch packs, and 4 SportsMunch packs. ONLY the safarimunch packs are suitable for a child on the gluten and casein free diet. The other kids meals in the box contain dairy. As always... I cannot stress enough... the importance of label reading! It would be nice to be able to purchase the meals in separate boxes vs a combo pack. I'd only buy these at Costco if I could get just the SafariMunch box and not the others.

Updated to add:

These can be ordered directly from the manufacturer, Go Picnic, also! And... you can just order the SafariMunch kit which IS GFCF for $5.99 - good to know!

http://www.gopicnic.com/

Related Links:
Gluten Free finds at Costco
Are you saving money by buying Gluten free foods at Costco?

Are you saving money by buying Gluten free foods at Costco?

I get excited when I find Gluten Free offerings in 'everyday' places, like Costco. Now, in addition to being sold in Costco warehouse stores as well as the Costco.com website.

Lately they started carrying a favorite gluten free pasta that my son loves.
Click here to read my review of Tinkyada Brown Rice Spagetti


Tinkyada brown rice spaghetti or brown rice penne - sold by the 12pk for $42.99 at Costco...






Costco may be convenient and slightly cheaper than buying the pasta by the single package at the grocery store or health food store. BUT, the deal is not all that great. Better savings can be had and you don't even have to leave your house!

Verdict: Still cheaper to buy on Amazon with free shipping. Subscribe "subscribe & save" and you'll save even more. Currently the same case quantity (12 pack) is $36 - a significant savings.





Related Links:
Gluten Free finds at Costco
Review of Tinkyada Spaghetti

Camp week - A visit from the Therapy Dogs

Tomorrow wraps up Alex's first week at Camp Bridge for this summer. This is his 3rd year attending this camp - he loves it there. He'll do another week in August after ESY (extended school year) is over.

The weather this week has been good. It seems I picked the better of the june weeks for camp as last week it poured all week. Since the camp spends a lot of time outdoors and has a great pool - it is a bummer when it rains. Yesterday it did rain briefly and thunderstormed - I contemplated driving over and grabbing him because he is afraid of thunder and lightning. By the time I got Belle ready to go over there the sun was out and it was clear -- it turned into a gorgeous day.

On the first day of Camp - Alex didn't want to go into the swimming pool. This was surprising because he always is such a fish when it comes to water. But, at a friend's house recently he refused to go in their pool too. On day 2 the camp leader worked him through getting into the pool and he had a great time. No problems since then! Phew!

I can't believe the week is over tomorrow for summer camp. He's had such a good time - making crafts, swimming, taking a trip to a local park for a Train ride, and even a visit from therapy dogs.

As pictured...















Related posts:
Camp Bridge - Taking Autism To Camp

We want our Allergy Free Foods Chicken!

Last summer I sang the praises of Alex's favorite GFCF allergy free foods chicken nuggets. I was so happy and thrilled because I was able to buy them from of all places, my local stop & shop. Hands down - these were our favorite chicken product for taste, convenience and price. Nothing beat being able to buy a great big bag of this without having to drive far and pay a ton on a small box at a health food store or specialty supermarket. Well, it would seem 'all good things come to an end' because shortly after that I could no longer find this chicken in my store. Then, I started getting comments and emails from my dear readers and searches in my logs - people want this chicken! Anyone with an allergy free child, especially!

Well, thanks to the power of social networking I was able to connect with Allergy Free Foods on Twitter at @AFFKellie and you can too!

Where to Buy AllergyFree Foods Chicken
I am thrilled to report that even though I can't get my AFF chicken at my local supermarket like I used to - it IS available from both The Gluten-Free Mall and QVC's Stuffin Gourmet. They are also part of Angel Food Ministries which is now carrying an allergy-free box as part of their food distribution program.

Buy it from The Gluten-Free Mall here:
AllergyFree Foods Boneless Country Fried Gluten-Free Chicken Breast Fillet (Frozen - 1.5 Units)
AllergyFree Foods Country Fried Gluten-Free Chicken Tenderloins (Frozen - 1.5 Units)
AllergyFree Foods Country Fried Gluten-Free Chicken Wings (Frozen - 1.5 Units)
AllergyFree Foods Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets (Frozen - 1.5 Units)



To help get Allergy Free Foods chicken back into your local supermarket read this!

What follows is a statement from the CEO of Allergy Free Foods, Kellie Young:

To all of the Bon Bon Gazette readers, thank you for letting me share my thoughts and my requests with you today. When I took over as President of AllergyFree Foods in late 2008, my first order of business was to re-establish our retail presence.

As both a mother and a executive, I understand why its crucial that our products be available to the families that need them. I've gone through the trials and tribulations of trying to find the right foods that my family will actually eat. It can be heart-breaking. This is why every day I ask my staff the same question ' what are you doing today to take care of our friends?'

We have been able to use the power of the internet to close the gap for those who have been missing our protein products. Both The Gluten-Free Mall and QVC's Stuffin Gourmet are distributing our products in sizes that start at 1lb that go to 4lbs. Of course, the rest of our product line is still available at our website www.allergyfreefoods.com. These solutions may feel like a band aid. But it was important to me to find ways to get these products into your home immediately.

But I'm a very upfront person and I would like to ask you all for your help. As a community we all need each other. Whether you buy our food because you are lactose intolerance, have autistic children, battle with Celiac Disease, can't eat soy, deal with nut and tree-nut issues or can't take in shell fish products, we are all one community with the same needs.

This is where I ask for your help. PLEASE go to the FAQ section of www.allergyfreefoods.com and download the printable grocer form. I want you to make copies of it and hand it out to your friends, family members, neighbors and anybody that you can get to take it to your local grocer.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE AND BUY THE FOOD THAT YOU NEED. I say this not only on behalf of my company but on behalf of my family and yours. Its time to change things. And its time to make the grocers listen loud and clear. We are doing everything that we can to get to your store. Join us in the fight and they will understand that we really do have strength in numbers.

Always At Your Service,

Kellie Young

President

AllergyFree Foods

What mom wants is a nightgown

July 01, 2009

What mom wants is a nightgown

I'm hard to buy gifts for. This is no secret. The truth is that, while I love gifts - I also have a hard time receiving them. I've always been this way and it is just the way I am. But, the problem has gotten significantly worse over the years. And, after this latest birthday I believe I am headed on my way to becoming a better receiver. Credit and thanks go to my four year old.

As a mother, I try to teach my children to be generous givers and gracious receivers. Yet, I seem to be unable to do the same for myself. Always one to blame myself, (I have a martyr complex) this time I refuse to do so entirely. Well, I will take partial responsibility for this but I am here and now going to rat out my partner in crime.

I blame my Amazon.com wishlist.

It all started quite innocently when we started keeping wishlists of gift ideas for the kids. My son received so many duplicate gifts from his adoring grandparents in his first few years of life that the wishlist was birthed out of a necessity. Looking back, I should have stopped while I was ahead and stuck with only doing a wishlist for the kids. Life was much simpler before I had a wishlist of my own. Can I take it all back?

But, when my mother in law asked my husband and I to make lists for ourselves - of course we did. My husband has done a good job of keeping his list at hand. He fills it with expensive gadgets and geekery that makes giving him a gift much easier (especially for those of us who are less technical than he is). Me, on the other hand - I have no idea what to put on the list. I am afraid to put on items that might make me look selfish or "wierd". So, I start using my wishlist as a shopping list of practical things that I need - a new vacuum, some exercise DVDs, books and therapy aids for my autistic child). Yes, these are things I want but they aren't exactly "gift worthy".

I ask for these things - so I have no right to get mad when an in-law purchases me a dustbuster or a cardio DVD. Still, I get mad. I tell myself that she isn't calling me fat or my house dirty by gifting these to me - or is she? On one hand, the items were on my wishlist which means I wanted people to buy me them. But then I think she could have chosen not to give them to me - some things you just don't give to other people. I told my husband that I felt her giving me these things would be like me choosing to give her a jar of wrinkle cream. But, she didn't ask for wrinkle cream - that's the difference.

My husband, oh wise one - knows better than to gift said offensive items from the wishlist. This means that I'll have to cave and buy my own dustbuster filters it would seem (unless I want to wait til Christmas and hope that dear mother in law delivers again). My husband knows better than to buy me items from my wishlist. Instead I leave him hanging and don't tell him what I want - expecting for him to be a mind reader. This year he came through with a win of treating me to day spa certificate. Now, lets hope he holds me accountable to actually schedule and redeem that sucker. I'm glad he didn't buy from my wishlist.

However, he also opted to ignore our 4 year old daughter's suggestion of gifting me a nightgown which made her quite upset (and dramatic).

Now haven't owned a nightgown since I was 4 years old. Until today. I let my 4 year old pick one out for me. And, I love it.

New Jersey Moms Blog post by MaryTara. MT blogs her adventures in parenting two beautiful children on the Jersey Shore, life with autism & without it, the gluten & casein free diet, and vaccination choice issues at The Bon Bon Gazette and raising a child with amblyopia at Adventures in Amblyopia.