UPDATE: Successful Support of A Food Allergy Cooking Show

Wow!!!! Scratch Test Kitchen by Stephanie Crugnola reached their fundraising goal through the +Kickstarter fundraiser.  I couldn't be more excited for them right now. I believe that their goals are realistic and reachable in order to produce a professional show series.  I think that this show can help so many people.  It's official, this show WILL begin production this fall.  

They really couldn't have done it without the constant support of each and everyone who shared the link and donated.  THANK YOU to everyone who supported the Kickstarter campaign to make Stephanie Crugnola's dream a reality!!!!

Scratch Test Kitchen plans produce a cooking show geared towards helping people affected by food allergies find easy, fun and delicious recipes that they can make at home. They know how hard it can be to work around food allergies in the kitchen, especially when you’re a young adult living on your own or a parent who has more than one hungry and unique stomach to think about. They want to help people create meals that everyone can enjoy whether they have allergies or not! 

An online search for cooking with food allergies will yield many groups, websites, and blogs that give recipes and support, but no cooking shows that guide you step by step through meals. No television network offers a show of its kind either! It seems crazy to think that with the recent dramatic rise in food allergies and intolerances that there is still this void, but I am confident that they can fill it. 

Their show is not just for people with food allergies—it’s a chance to raise awareness as a community that includes friends and families. If you’ve ever tried to cook for someone with food allergies, it can be just as stressful as if you have them yourself. Scratch Test Kitchen will help. 

Each episode will take your requests for what specific allergies they focus on, favorite foods that you miss, or ideas for party foods that you can make and share with a whole group of people. 

Their Goals: 

All donations will go towards producing their first season which will include a full scale pilot episode that can be proposed to networks and to allergy-friendly food companies for support, while continuing to create shorter online episodes. 

Their budget goals are in place so they can maintain a level of professional quality that will allow Scratch Test Kitchen to grow and become the standard in food allergy cooking. The film crew is comprised of professionals who have worked on national and international broadcast commercials and films. They have already donated their time to help make this Kickstarter video, and this budget will allow them to keep working with this talented crew. Along with the crew, they have food to buy, a studio kitchen to rent, guest chefs to bring in, as well as other marketing costs.

Scratch Test Kitchen on Facebook
Scratch Test Kitchen on Tumbler
Scratch Test Kitchen on Twitter

UPDATE on Call to Action: Food Allergy Children’s Literature

The #FoodAllergy Awareness and Resources Campaign to donate "The No Biggie Bunch" series to 500 Libraries throughout 50 States was a resounding success. They raised the money to send the series of  four children's books to over 500 libraries and schools.  These four books help kids with and without food allergies to realize that their situation is just another aspect of what makes them uniquely special. The characters are kids who look just like any child in the classroom with their own styles and interests. 

Each state in the US is at a different level of food allergy awareness, education and advocacy, however, every state has public libraries where all can access resources for free. The vital piece is ensuring that resources are available. That’s how we can made a difference! 

The No Biggie Bunch 50 States – 500 Libraries campaign offset the shipping and postage costs to deliver a bundle of 4 No Biggie Bunch books to each of 500 libraries across the 50 United States, timed to coincide with the American Library Association’s 2014 National Library Week. This year, the ALA is recognizing that “Lives Change @ your Library.” Lives of kids with food allergies and their friends can change at their libraries. Having this food allergy resource accessible to the little hands that might need them most is in your hands! 

Here is the link to learn more: No Biggie Bunch Website
 #makeadifference:

Children's Food Allergy Author wins Mom's Choice Award 2013

Stephanie Sorkin has a degree in English Literature and lives in New York. As a mom of a child with multiple food allergies, she wrote Nutley, about an adorable squirrel who doesn't let his nut allergy slow him down. He inspires children with food allergies to live their lives to the fullest.  She is proud to donate 100% of the book proceeds to +Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) because she wants to give back to the food allergy community so we will be closer to answers and solutions!

While allergies have become so common in so many classrooms, this book is a great tool to inform students and parents.  I love the writing and illustrations which are so easy to identify with. The fact that the author and her daughter collaborated to write the book is so special. I highly recommend it as a resource for discussion about food allergies in any home or elementary classroom setting.

So join Nutley on his journey to stay healthy and safe with the help of his friends while supporting advocacy & research about food allergies.

You can find it on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Nutley-Nut-Free-Squirrel-Stephanie-Sorkin/dp/1620861585

Peanut Butter Alternatives - There are Choices!

FROM WWW.ALLERGYFREETABLE.COM

Thanks to +DaniellaKnell,Smart Allergy Friendly Education, for creating a list of Peanut Butter Alternatives with SO Many Delicious Choices! 
If you're new to peanut allergies, and worried about how you are going to live peanut-free or tree-nut free, RELAX!  There are a variety of choices available at budget-friendly prices in your local supermarkets.  The list that Smart Allergy Friendly Education has put together is a helpful guide to 6 different alternative brands with links to each of those products:

1) No-Nut Butter, Nut-free, Gluten-free, Soy-free and 100% Nut-free facility from the Sneaky Chef - No Nut Butter S.A.F.E.Review

2) I.M. Healthy, Nut-free, egg-free, dairy-free, gluten-free Soybutter

3) SunButter, Nut-free Sunflower Butter and 100% Nut-free facility - SunButter S.A.F.E.Review

4) Don'tGoNuts, Nut-free, Gluten-free, Vegan and 'Field to Fingers' Nut-free Processing from Nut Free Foods - Don't Go Nuts S.A.F.E. Review

5) Biscoff Spread, Vegan and Nut-free from Lotus - Biscoff Spread Review

6) WowButter, Nut-free Soybutter - WowButter S.A.F.E. Review

There are actually a couple more options out there that are also safe for those with peanut & tree nut allergies that my family enjoys and buys on a weekly basis:

7) Trader Joe's Sunflower Seed Butter (a family favorite) 

                                   and

8) Swanson Organic Sunbutter: http://bit.ly/1oNJ7F8.

Lastly, I would recommend one other product, but would make the distinction with this IMPORTANT NOTE Blue Mountain Organics Sunflower Seed Butter: http://bit.ly/1jD06Gg IS MADE IN A PEANUT-FREE FACILITY BUT they do PROCESS TREE NUTS in THEIR facility SO there is a chance for cross contamination. THEY do THEIR best to control any possibility of cross-contamination in THEIR factory - THEY are extremely sensitive to this issue and very, very careful. Completely different machines are used in separate parts of the factory for grinding the nut butters and milling the grains, and THEIR machinery is broken down and thoroughly cleaned between production runs.

NutriMom gives back to the community with her Valentine Giveaway

14 Days of Love Giveaway

Valentine's Day is fast approaching.

+Tracy Bush  loves and appreciates everyone who is a part of what she does and her Valentine giveaway proves it! 

February 1 - 14th, She will choose one daily winner to receive one or more allergy-friendly products. She has many generous,  wonderful companies who are participating to let all of you know that they care too! 

How to enter – 1) "Like" the announcement on her Facebook.com/NutrimomFAL page 2) Send an email to info@allergyphoods.com with your name & shipping information 3) That’s it, you have entered! You may enter once daily. Please share as this contest is open to everyone and sharing is caring.

Who and what, you ask? Check out all of these goodies~ 

• A copy of her book "The Stepping Stones to Food Allergies" - How many? It's a surprise!
• Amanda's Own Confections - 1 Heart Cello Bag  & 1 Heart Bag  
• Andean Dream - 1 Box of Vegetarian Quinoa Soup & 1 box of Coffee Quinoa Cookies
• Annie’s HomeGrown - 1 Box Organic Cheddar Bunnies, 1 Box Bunny Berry Patch Snacks, 1 Box Organic Cheddar Snack Mix, 1 Box Gluten Free Oatmeal Cookie Granola Bars & 3 Boxes Shells and Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese 
• Caja Popcorn - (1) 1-Gallon Tin of Popcorn 
• Crispy Green - 1 Variety Box  
• Explore Asian - A Sampler Box to include: Udon Wheat Noodles, Brown Rice noodles, Soba Noodles, Lomein, Black Bean Spaghetti, Soy Bean Spaghetti, Mung Bean Pasta, Soybean Pasta, Soybean Soup (chicken & beef) 
• FAACT (Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team) - (2) 1-Year Memberships to FAACT 
• Gratefulfoodie - (2) Trust Your Journey Bracelets 
• Home Free  - 1 Box of Gluten Free Double Chocolate Chip Mini Cookies & 1 10-Bag Grab & Go 
• Peanut Free Planet - (1) $50 PFP Gift Certificate 
• RW Garcia - 1 Case of MixtBag Chips 
• SAFE (Smart Allergy-Friendly Education) - 2 Sets of SAFE Labels (1 large, 1 small) 
• Sue Schmitt- 1 Autographed Copy of "The Princess and the Peanut " 
• Surf Sweets -2 Bags of Fruity Hearts

 And it doesn't stop there! Each daily winner that she chooses will ALSO

automatically receive a sampler pack of Suncups with a coupon as well as a bag of popcorn from Gaslamp Popcorn!

Good luck to all that enter and as always, thank you for being part of what we do.

*Please note that all items listed in this giveaway may not be safe for everyone as we all have different allergy needs. Please check all package labels and contact the companies to ensure your safety. Items that are given cannot be returned or exchanged. 

Hosted by Nutrimom - Food Allergy Liason