egg free
29 October 2019
(Gifted Complimentary Voucher)
Until recently I'd never step foot inside Patisserie Valerie as I naturally assumed it was off limits due to my dietary requirements. There have been Vegan launches everywhere on the high street and Patisserie Valerie have followed trend with their Raw Vegan Cakes. These are hand made, plant based cakes that are naturally free from egg, dairy, gluten, preservatives, additives, soy and refined sugar. There is a lovely range of flavour options - Chocolate & Raspberry, Chocolate, Tiramisu, Strawberry, Orange & Turmeric, Peanut Butter, Pineapple & Matcha, Raspberry and Lemon & Blueberry. I think you'd agree it's an impressive selection and a flavour to suit almost everyone.
13 November 2018
I've been doing this free from food thing now for a long time, like 30+ years long. For those of you who are new to my blog, I'm allergic to milk and eggs and I choose not to eat meat. I'm super excited for all the new vegan products that have hit the supermarkets in recent months especially pizza. I've been making my own pizzas for years but it's such a dream to be able to grab something ready made. I thought it might be nice to show you what is available starting with my favourites.
31 July 2018
A while back I had to write a bio for myself, not the easiest thing to do and recently those very words came up in conversation with my hubby. I had written “Sarah dreams of a world where dairy free ice cream is on every restaurant menu” and the other day I was thinking my goal no longer feels like a dream it’s starting to become a reality. For too many years when I went out for a meal I watched everyone else eat dessert whilst I missed out but more recently, depending on the location of course, I get to join in. Thanks to the rise in Veganism and the power of Twitter I’m discovering local destinations that are bringing on board dedicated Vegan menus and one such place is The White Hart in Pirbright. No longer do you have to ask for alterations to your meal, these are dishes you can order straight off the menu.
3 October 2017
Top to Bottom Left to Right - Tesco Free From Mac & Cheese, Ben & Jerry's, The White Rabbit Pizza Co, Booja Booja, Liberty Loves Brownie, Liberty Loves Raw Tart, Norah's Brownies, Livia's Kitchen, Freaks of Nature |
Tesco Free From Mac & Cheese - its nice to see Tesco add a vegan/vegetarian option to their free from ready meal range. Personally, I found the sauce a little on the runny side and the taste was ok, mildly cheese-y at best but it could be better. Before now the only other vegan mac & cheese I have eaten regularly is from Amy's Kitchen and in comparison I think it's richer in flavour.
Ben & Jerry's Non-Dairy Ice Cream - its been a long wait but finally these have launched in the UK, at time of writing I think Tesco is the only stockist? We've got three flavours to choose from chocolate fudge brownie, chunky monkey and peanut butter & cookies. The latter I got my hands on and it's simply the stuff of dreams, I love it but at £5.50 a tub this is a real treat. The downside is the ethical dilemma that Ben & Jerry's is part of Unilever and I can't decide how I feel about this. I've lusted over dairy Ben & Jerry since it first came to the UK. It's the creativity of flavours that captures my interest. You have to remember that for a long time there was no dairy free ice cream and then there was only vanilla. I can live without the two other flavours but someone from a more ethical brand needs to get on the non-dairy PB cookie so I can buy guilt free.
The White Rabbit Pizza Co - when news of a Vegan pizza was coming to Sainsbury's I've pretty much been stalking my store. Sadly, I was really disappointed and it was the base that let me down. It was too hard on the edge and soggy in the middle. I cooked it exactly to the instructions. The toppings and tomato sauce were ok. Sorry White Rabbit but I'll continue making my own.
Booja Booja Ice Cream - I've never been a fan of the original ice cream but this new Caramel Pecan Praline is delicious and creamy. The small tubs are fab because it's a little treat on the go. I bought this at Country Foods Health Food Shop in Swanage and enjoyed eating it on the beach. The simple pleasures, normally I watch my husband enjoy a 99 while I cry on the inside.
Booja Booja Ice Cream - I've never been a fan of the original ice cream but this new Caramel Pecan Praline is delicious and creamy. The small tubs are fab because it's a little treat on the go. I bought this at Country Foods Health Food Shop in Swanage and enjoyed eating it on the beach. The simple pleasures, normally I watch my husband enjoy a 99 while I cry on the inside.
Liberty Loves from Cariad Wholefoods - Annie opened her shop a year ago and I finally got to visit. Cariad Wholefoods stock organic, natural, eco-friendly and cruelty free products plus everything is Vegan. I've lusted over the instagrams for Liberty Loves so I knew I had to try them. I bought the Raspberry Brownie and Raw Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart. Raspberry and chocolate is my favourite combination so the brownie was an obvious choice and it was absolutely delicious. I found the tart a little too rich for me but tasty.
Norah's Brownies - I've met some lovely people in my blogging journey and when Emma won a comp (which Nicola had tagged us in) she was such a sweetheart and shared her winnings with us. My brownies were gluten free and vegan and absolutely delicious, super rich and moist. The Raspberry & Sesame and Banoffee were my favourites from the four in my box.
Livia's Kitchen - I'd heard a lot about this brand so was interested to see Sainsbury's stocking snack packs of Salted Date Caramel Millionaire Bites and Biccy Boms (which I am yet to try). The millionaire bites were a really nice treat, not an exact dupe for the real ones but a close match given the ingredients. There were 3 bites in the packet. These are gluten free and Vegan.
Freaks of Nature - I had previously tried the Mango Fandango and Zingy Thingy and whilst enjoyable I hadn't gone back for more. I thought I'd give Cocoa Loca a whirl and this is definitely my favourite. Reminds me a little of Pudology as it's a rich chocolate ganache. Freaks of Nature desserts are vegan and free from gluten, dairy, eggs and soya. They do contain nuts as made from cashews. I buy these products at Tesco.
Have you tried any of the foods I've mentioned? What are your favourites?
Sarah x
Livia's Kitchen - I'd heard a lot about this brand so was interested to see Sainsbury's stocking snack packs of Salted Date Caramel Millionaire Bites and Biccy Boms (which I am yet to try). The millionaire bites were a really nice treat, not an exact dupe for the real ones but a close match given the ingredients. There were 3 bites in the packet. These are gluten free and Vegan.
Freaks of Nature - I had previously tried the Mango Fandango and Zingy Thingy and whilst enjoyable I hadn't gone back for more. I thought I'd give Cocoa Loca a whirl and this is definitely my favourite. Reminds me a little of Pudology as it's a rich chocolate ganache. Freaks of Nature desserts are vegan and free from gluten, dairy, eggs and soya. They do contain nuts as made from cashews. I buy these products at Tesco.
Have you tried any of the foods I've mentioned? What are your favourites?
Sarah x
24 August 2017
Back in April I discovered Strong Roots Kale & Quinoa burgers at Waitrose and since then repurchased a number of times. I really love the flavour and it makes a pleasant change from the usual vegetable burgers I pick out at Sainsbury's. Coincidentally I was recently contacted about Strong Roots and because I'd already bought the burgers I happily accepted an offer to receive the entire range.
"We’re a new start-up food company from Dublin in Ireland bringing frozen food back from the dead. We’re keeping it simple, tasty and delicious"
28 July 2016
I was recently invited for Afternoon tea at The Aviator Hotel in Farnborough, Hampshire. For those not familiar with Farnborough it is best known for its history with aviation. The hotel is a short walk from the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum and overlooks the airport. I recently accepted an invitation to try The Aviator’s Afternoon Tea and was delighted to learn that they can cater for specific dietary requirements – vegetarian, gluten free, nut free and dairy free. With my allergies I opted for a Vegan menu, sadly my sister (who is coeliac) was unable to join me so a friend, Kate stepped in to sample the Gluten free.
Afternoon tea is served in the Sky Bar which is contemporary and stylish in decor. The room has a luxurious feel and relaxing environment. The Staff were friendly and welcoming throughout our stay and talked us through everything stage of the afternoon tea experience.
Afternoon tea is served in the Sky Bar which is contemporary and stylish in decor. The room has a luxurious feel and relaxing environment. The Staff were friendly and welcoming throughout our stay and talked us through everything stage of the afternoon tea experience.
Afternoon tea is served in the Sky Bar which is contemporary and stylish in decor. The room has a luxurious feel and relaxing environment. The Staff were friendly and welcoming throughout our stay and talked us through everything stage of the afternoon tea experience.
After a glass of champagne we were offered a choice of teas ranging from traditional black tea to herbal fruit infusions. I’ll admit I’m not much of a tea drinker but when taking part in occasions like this I prefer fruit teas. After being guided through the Jing tea selection I opted for Blackcurrant and Hibiscus. The teas are loose leaf and served in contemporary glass teapots.
We were given time to enjoy a cup and then sandwiches arrived. For my friend, gluten free bread with traditional fillings of ham, fish and of course cucumber. Whereas, I had fillings of tomato chutney, onion jam, beetroot and cucumber. We did feel that the sandwiches didn’t quite match up to the contemporary feel of the hotel and were expecting something a little bit more adventurous but none the less they were tasty. The only criticism I have at this stage would be the delay in getting a second serving, staff explained the time being taken was due to the sandwiches being made fresh to order.
Top Right - Gluten Free Sandwiches; Botton Right - a selection of Jing teas; Bottom Left - Vegan Sandwiches |
When it comes to dietary needs, dessert is certainly where the challenge is for most chefs and I have to say the Aviator did an impressive job. Remember we were being offered milk, egg, vegetarian and gluten free. It was nice to see that between myself and my friend our choices only varied a little. This I assume may also help from a cross contamination perspective. We both agreed that the brownie was our favourite. It was a rich indulgent chocolate and wonderfully moist. As someone with a milk allergy, I was delighted to see “cream” on my desserts, that’s an attention to detail which makes me very happy. Kate says she enjoyed the macaroon and chocolate mousse topped with pistachios. For me, the panna cotta was an interesting addition to the dessert plate, having never tried the traditional version I have little to compare it to but was enjoyable. If I am honest, I would have quite liked to have seen a vegan version of the chocolate dessert, after all Pudology make one.
Sadly the scones were disappointing but to be fair I have yet to find any establishment that can achieve like for like when it comes to making dairy and gluten free scones. It’s a tricky one but what I have noticed is that “free from” scones are best served straight from the oven as I think they lose moistness when left to cool. At another hotel the scones were wrapped in cloth napkins to retain the warmth and that did help. Alternatively, my advice would be to eat your scones as soon as they are served and not leave them to the end as we did.
Top Right & Left - Vegan Desserts; Bottom Right & Left - Gluten Free Desserts |
Overall, we enjoyed our Afternoon Tea at The Aviator Hotel and whilst there is room for improvement, I am always pleased to see more venues catering for those who require special diets. It is nice to feel welcomed when dining out because it can be a nervous experience for many, a great deal of trust is placed with the Chef and catering staff. If you have allergies or are coeliac it is always advisable to call ahead and discuss your needs so you can feel confident that you will be look after. Based on my experience, I am happy to suggest a visit to the Aviator Hotel whether you have dietary needs or not.
Sarah x
Disclaimer – Afternoon Tea was provided free of charge
14 July 2016
Another year has past and I find myself writing my 5th post about these 3 shows - The Allergy & Free From Show, Love Natural, Love You & Just V. I had a few twitter messages asking me for my highlights and for me it's actually the Free From Skincare Awards presentation which takes place on Friday.
Thanks to Alex and Michelle for springing on me the task of collecting a few awards for brands who couldn't make the show. I ended up having my picture taken with the lovely Janey Lee Grace no less than four times! I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate some of my personal favourites on their awards; well done to Balmology, Lyonsleaf, Myroo, Bathing Beauty, Beeutiful and Terri Verdi. If you'd like to see the full list of Gold, Silver and Bronze winners then visit www.skinsmatter.com.
Thanks to Alex and Michelle for springing on me the task of collecting a few awards for brands who couldn't make the show. I ended up having my picture taken with the lovely Janey Lee Grace no less than four times! I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate some of my personal favourites on their awards; well done to Balmology, Lyonsleaf, Myroo, Bathing Beauty, Beeutiful and Terri Verdi. If you'd like to see the full list of Gold, Silver and Bronze winners then visit www.skinsmatter.com.
Food glorious food is my priority at the shows and there is always so much to see. My allergy dietary needs are milk and egg free plus I am vegetarian. There is a strong gluten free presence each year but I'm seeing a little more attention to other allergies. For instance Wellaby's have launched Simply Bakes which are Vegan (manufacturing warning for may contain trace milk) which I welcome as their other products are not suitable for me. I think my favourite dairy free chocolate find was courtesy of Hephzibah spotting Loving Earth (available at planetorganic.com). Wonderfully creamy and some stand out flavours which I think made them a little different to other brands. I also enjoyed the new Perkier Coconut & Chia Bar and hope to see those on supermarket shelves soon. I'm a creature of habit and once again came home with a box full of Nakd bars and a cool bag of Pudology. I was very excited to be reunited with Ruby's who I discovered back in 2014. I had to indulged in a vegan cinnamon doughnut and pistachio cupcake.
Similar to past years there is always a small selection of natural skincare brands. This year I found a few new to me brands (Pinwheel Balms, Neek Skin Organics Australia) and some familiar ones (Little Ondine, Green People, Saaf, Hippy Paste, The Green Woman, Living Naturally).
One final shout out to Jen and Hephzibah for keeping me company, we finished off the day with a Wagamamas, always our go to restaurant. I had a great day out and look forward to next year.
One final shout out to Jen and Hephzibah for keeping me company, we finished off the day with a Wagamamas, always our go to restaurant. I had a great day out and look forward to next year.
Did you attend the shows? Any highlights and product recommendations?
Sarah x
P.S Awards winners Beeutiful and Terri Verdi are attending our event Gorgeously Green so make sure buy a ticket to find out more about them.
24 March 2016
I decided to gather a few friends and have a little pre-wedding celebration and we had Afternoon Tea at Great Fosters in Egham. When selecting where to visit it was our dietary requirements that lead the way. My group included of course me with allergies along with two coeliacs. With my dietary needs I often find it easier to request Vegan food so that’s what I booked. I found a number of places who were willing to cater for us and Great Fosters won simply because they had availability on the day we had chosen.
(Pictured above the Vegan options and below Gluten Free)
As you can tell from the photos the food was great. My sister and friend who are coeliacs enjoyed their sandwiches and cakes as did I with my Vegan options. I had some lovely sandwiches, with interesting fillings and different flavoured breads. My cake selection consisted of two chocolate, one sponge cake, scones and a little fruit compote which I wash down with fruit tea.
(Pictured above the Vegan options and below Gluten Free)
As you can tell from the photos the food was great. My sister and friend who are coeliacs enjoyed their sandwiches and cakes as did I with my Vegan options. I had some lovely sandwiches, with interesting fillings and different flavoured breads. My cake selection consisted of two chocolate, one sponge cake, scones and a little fruit compote which I wash down with fruit tea.
We did have a little hiccup with slow service and then we were informed staff had dropped our cakes so a new batch had to be made. When the cakes did arrive sadly one of my scones was burnt so I wasn't able to eat it. I also felt that the second round of sandwiches came out too quick as we were nowhere near done with the first plate. I sent mine away and then regretted it as I missed out, I had expected to be offered more when I was finished. The Staff were apologetic, we were given complimentary champagne and they waived service charge. I know afternoon tea is supposed to be a relax experience but on trying to leave we did struggle finding staff to produce a bill and then to take payment.
Great Fosters is a lovely historic location and it was a pleasant experience despite the hiccups. You do need to book your table in advance along with any dietary requirements. We paid £25.50 each which I found to be an average price for the area.
Sarah x
3 November 2015
Christmas is once again becoming an exciting time of year for me because with the rise in free from trends there is very little I get to miss out on. I don't know about you but Holland & Barrett is fast becoming my favourite place to shop for free from treats. If you are looking for gifts and festive foods here are some ideas for you all.
23 September 2015
You all know I'm a Nakd bar addict but there is a new snack bar which has been competing for my money. The Primal Pantry make raw paleo bars which are free from gluten, grain, refined sugar, soya, dairy, GMO and vegetable oil. They are also suitable for Vegans and Vegetarians. The bars are handmade, cold pressed and contain 4 - 5 ingredients.
The flavour options are almond & cashew, apple & pecan, brazil nut & cherry, coconut & macadamia and hazelnut & cocoa. My absolute favourite is the coconut & macadamia, two of my top favourite ingredients in one place so for me this is simply food heaven. This bar is soft, chewy and creamy.
If you would like to try these for yourself, you can buy direct from www.primalpantry.com or other stockists listed on the website including Waitrose and Holland & Barrett.
Have you tried The Primal Pantry raw paleo bars? Which is your favourite flavour?
Sarah x
Disclaimer - Samples were sent for our Gorgeously Green Gathering but I do buy these on a regular basis hence why I asked them to get involved in our event.
13 August 2015
I have been meaning to write this blog post since July, oops! At the Allergy & Free From Show I bought Ananda coconut marshmallows and Round Up, both were a delight to eat. Their products are suitable for Vegetarians, Vegans and Gluten Free.
7 July 2015
I guess this is Part two to my weekend, with the Free From Skincare Awards winners announcement being the first installment. Every year the Allergy & Free From Show is top of my agenda. I pretty much empty out my bank account and hit up my favourite brands for show bargains and hopefully discover a few new ones along the way.
Lets start with old favourites. I stocked up on Pudology's dairy free puds and coconut yoghurt, Nakd Bakewell Tart bars and Ms Cupcakes. Said hello to Cocoa Libre, Amy's Kitchen, Fry's Food, Everything But The Cow, Rebel Kitchen, Smooze, Violife and I caught up with skincare brands Bloom Remedies, Bathing Beauty, Mount Purious, Nom Nom, Saaf, Soothe-Me, Greenfrog, Speiza, Bria and Itha.
I did discover some new to me free from foods which is always exciting and what I enjoy most from the show. I finally managed to get my hands on the legendary Vegan Marshmallows & Round Ups (Wagon Wheels) from Ananda. I enjoyed sampling chocolate Nana Nice Cream, a dairy free frozen desert made from banana, avocados and dates (plus a few other healthy ingredients). Sensitive Souls has an impressive free from list (gluten, nut, dairy, egg, wheat, soya, sulphite & vegan) and when someone can sell me a tasty egg free brownie and vegan rocky road they have a customer for life. I also stocked up on Moral Fibre snack pots which are gluten and dairy free and more importantly delicious. A thank you to Marie of Bloom Remedies for recommending I sample Dee's Wholefoods Vegan sausages, yummy, I need to locate a stockist for those. Coconut chips seem to be the new trend in snacking and I am loving the ones from Inspiral and Coconut Merchant.
Lets start with old favourites. I stocked up on Pudology's dairy free puds and coconut yoghurt, Nakd Bakewell Tart bars and Ms Cupcakes. Said hello to Cocoa Libre, Amy's Kitchen, Fry's Food, Everything But The Cow, Rebel Kitchen, Smooze, Violife and I caught up with skincare brands Bloom Remedies, Bathing Beauty, Mount Purious, Nom Nom, Saaf, Soothe-Me, Greenfrog, Speiza, Bria and Itha.
I did discover some new to me free from foods which is always exciting and what I enjoy most from the show. I finally managed to get my hands on the legendary Vegan Marshmallows & Round Ups (Wagon Wheels) from Ananda. I enjoyed sampling chocolate Nana Nice Cream, a dairy free frozen desert made from banana, avocados and dates (plus a few other healthy ingredients). Sensitive Souls has an impressive free from list (gluten, nut, dairy, egg, wheat, soya, sulphite & vegan) and when someone can sell me a tasty egg free brownie and vegan rocky road they have a customer for life. I also stocked up on Moral Fibre snack pots which are gluten and dairy free and more importantly delicious. A thank you to Marie of Bloom Remedies for recommending I sample Dee's Wholefoods Vegan sausages, yummy, I need to locate a stockist for those. Coconut chips seem to be the new trend in snacking and I am loving the ones from Inspiral and Coconut Merchant.
Now I am always positive about the show but I do feel there are areas which could be improved upon. Even though you can fill your belly on free samples it is nice to sit down and have a sandwich or meal. Sadly, the cafes at the venue seem to lack the ability to provide a decent feed which is ironic given that this is the Allergy Show. In the end Vegan Sweet Tooth London came to my rescue with a big slice of pizza bread. Browsing through the show booklet I now see "Free From Cafe" on the map.....um! Why did I not know this? Why is that not promoted better? Could it have made a difference in my experience? I shall know for next year.
I guess the other disappoint is seeing brands, which in my opinion are "greenwashed", sneak into the Love Natural Love Organic show. I guess organisers are looking to sell stands so they probably are not as fussy as I am. I do find it frustrating to see Arbonne and Forever Living alongside amazing natural brands that enter the Free From Skincare Awards.
The show is also a great opportunity to catch up with people I've come to know on Twitter or through my blog. I spent my day with Jen (Jen's Green Skincare), Rachael (Myroo) and Hephzibah (Good For Me, Good For You). Thank you to everyone who said hello to me. A big shout out to the amazing Hailey of Allergy Adventures who gives the best free from hugs and high five for her amazing work helping children understand allergies.
Did you attend the show this year? Did you have fun and find some new brands?
I guess the other disappoint is seeing brands, which in my opinion are "greenwashed", sneak into the Love Natural Love Organic show. I guess organisers are looking to sell stands so they probably are not as fussy as I am. I do find it frustrating to see Arbonne and Forever Living alongside amazing natural brands that enter the Free From Skincare Awards.
The show is also a great opportunity to catch up with people I've come to know on Twitter or through my blog. I spent my day with Jen (Jen's Green Skincare), Rachael (Myroo) and Hephzibah (Good For Me, Good For You). Thank you to everyone who said hello to me. A big shout out to the amazing Hailey of Allergy Adventures who gives the best free from hugs and high five for her amazing work helping children understand allergies.
Did you attend the show this year? Did you have fun and find some new brands?
Sarah x
28 May 2015
I have been taking vitamin supplements on and off over the years because I can’t escape the fact that I have food allergies and my diet lacks in certain areas. Back in December I visited a Dietitian who suggested I monitor my calcium, vitamin C and D intake as I may be lacking due to my allergy to milk, OAS to fruit and I do not eat meat.
Reviewing supplements is a bit tricky because we are all different and performance of a supplement is an individual experience. So the alternative is to explain what I look out for in a brand. I want to buy the best quality I can afford and my supplements need to be free from food allergens and suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Viridian is the leading brand of ethical vitamins. A UK based, family owned business that is committed to pure ingredients, environmental awareness and charity donation programme. They guarantee no GMOs and additives or binders and the ingredients and products are not tested on animals. More than 40% of the range is certified organic by the Soil Association. The product range is extensive from vitamins to beauty. I normally take a high street Vegan multi vitamin but since the end of April, I have been taking the Viridian Essential Female Multi.
“Formulated specifically for the needs of the 18-39 age group. Iron contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, supports normal cognitive function, the formation of red blood cells and the immune system. B6 contributes to the regulation of hormone activity. A unique blend of high quality nutrients and botanical extracts to move beyond a basic multivitamin and support optimal health and vitality.”
Viridian is the leading brand of ethical vitamins. A UK based, family owned business that is committed to pure ingredients, environmental awareness and charity donation programme. They guarantee no GMOs and additives or binders and the ingredients and products are not tested on animals. More than 40% of the range is certified organic by the Soil Association. The product range is extensive from vitamins to beauty. I normally take a high street Vegan multi vitamin but since the end of April, I have been taking the Viridian Essential Female Multi.
“Formulated specifically for the needs of the 18-39 age group. Iron contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, supports normal cognitive function, the formation of red blood cells and the immune system. B6 contributes to the regulation of hormone activity. A unique blend of high quality nutrients and botanical extracts to move beyond a basic multivitamin and support optimal health and vitality.”
One thing I will mention is the capsule size is a bit large for me, I would prefer smaller. I am someone who struggles with swallowing tablets. I have been coping okay but it takes a bit of concentration and calm thoughts (that will make sense to anyone who has the same issues). I am at the top end of the recommended age bracket for the Essential Female Multi. For reference, I noticed on the website that there is a similar supplement for ladies above this age (Woman 40+ Multi Veg Caps).
I am happy to recommend Viridian Nutrition on my blog because I like what they offer in terms of product choice and company ethos. I will also say they are one of the few brands I could find that have Vegan suitable supplements especially when it comes to Vitamin D.
Sarah x
Disclaimer - PR sample, links are not affiliated
21 April 2015
On Sunday I was able to attend the Natural & Organic Products Europe Event thanks to Viridian. It’s a trade only show which covers everything from skincare, wellbeing and food. This was my idea of heaven and in keeping with my blog theme so it was worth the trip up to Excel, London. I was also able to spend the day with fellow Green Bloggers Amber and Ailish.
18 April 2015
2 April 2015
I have tried a Cadbury creme egg, not the wisest of decisions I ever made but I was a desperate fool in my youth. Thanks to the increased popularity of vegan food a whole new world of dairy free treats have become available to me. Every Easter I am making up for lost time by treating myself to a dairy free egg and now I can add dairy free/vegan creme eggs to my shopping list.
I bought my first creme egg from Vegan Tuck Box and at a random guess they were probably supplied by The Chocolate Wendy House. The fondant was sweet with a good consistency but the chocolate was a little on the dark and bitter side for my personal taste. The second egg came from Consider It. I am already a fan of their truffle bars having bought from them a couple of times. For me the chocolate on their egg was better quality and a softer taste. The fondant also had a good consistency and a nicer taste than the first egg.
In the Vegan creme egg crackdown it’s definitely no yoke Consider It is egg-cellent :D
Sarah x
26 January 2015
Last week Bodhi Luxe published my article titled "How To Read Ingredients Labels & Understand New Food Labelling Laws" In this post, I am giving a brief overview of the new EU Regulations regarding labelling of food allergens for pre-packaged foods, eating out and food served loose (non-prepackaged).
The Bodhi Luxe website has been removed so I have posted my original article below.
When it comes to our food most people are likely to take an interest in what they consume and will read labels. I assume most of us are now familiar with nutritional information, but the way in which allergens are identified has recently changed.
Companies have been preparing for new EU regulations (‘Food Information for Consumers Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011′), which have been adopted into UK law and officially came into effect on 13th December 2014. The regulation affects pre-packaged foods, eating out and food served loose (non-prepackaged).
There are fourteen major allergens which need to be highlighted: Cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soybeans, milk, nuts, celery, mustard, sesame, sulphur dioxide, lupin and molluscs.
Allergens need to be identified according to these names and emphasised on the label; this could be in bold, italics or underlined. For example, you should see allergens listed as tofu (soya), tahini (sesame seed) and whey powder (milk).
A ‘contains X’ allergy statement will no longer be allowed. A ‘may contain’ warning (for cross contamination risks or production methods) is voluntary information which should be taken seriously, yet the new regulations do not control how this information is provided by businesses.
When it comes to making consumers aware about gluten, it’s the cereal that needs to be identified e.g. wheat, rye, barley. There are existing regulations for labelling products ‘gluten free’ (a threshold exists and these products must not contain more than 20ppm gluten). If Coeliacs have any questions about food labels, further information is available from Coeliac UK.
Another major change affects businesses selling unpackaged foods, such as those sold on market stalls, restaurants or deli counters. These sellers will no longer be allowed to say they do not know if the product contains allergens. However, the new regulations are not asking chefs to specifically cater for allergies or remove allergens from their kitchens, it is simply to provide information which can assist allergic customers to identify safe dishes.
Allergen information could be written down on a chalk board or chart, or provided orally by a member of staff. When allergen information is not provided upfront, clear signposting to where this information could be obtained must be provided. If you struggle to obtain the information you require, then report the establishment to your local authority (Trading Standards).
The year ahead is going to be an interesting one for food labelling. Old and new styles will co-exist for the time-being until older stocks are depleted. Not everyone has been ‘getting’ the labels and mistakes are being picked up by consumers.
If you have any questions The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is your port of call for further information.
Sarah x
Sarah x
17 January 2015
The New Year always gives you the motivation to start over and try new things. I love cooking, well mostly baking and can easily spend a Sunday afternoon pinning recipes to my Pinterest Vegan & Free From Board. I thought it may be of interest to some to share the recipes I have tried making and give you feedback.
- Two Peas and their Pod Almond Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies - these came out a little dry so I would adapt the recipe if I made again. I ended up serving with a pouring of Alpro soya cream over top, naughty but nice
- Minimalist Baker 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Granola Bars - this is a no bake fridge/freezer recipe, really easy to make, great for snacking and lunch boxes, reminded me of Nakd Bars
- Oh She Glows Indian Cauliflower Lentil Soup - this was a recipe from the cookbook rather than website. Delicious and budget friendly as I made it stretch for three meals.
- Simple Veganista Curried Chickpea Salad - I loved this as a sandwich filler with lots of salad
- Stir Fry Rice & Peanut Butter dressing - I love satay/peanut sauce on stir fry and my go to recipe is from Nigella's Sesame Peanut Noodle
19 December 2014
There has been something which has been bugging me for a little while. Tesco own brand Free From range recently had a little make over. I do like the new bold allergy labels (pictured above) but I have been scratching my head over the dairy free and milk free logo. As far as I am concerned dairy and milk free means the same e.g exclusion of milk, so I am curious why Tesco are labelling products in this way.
It crossed my mind if it had something to do with a common misconception that egg falls under dairy. This is certainly a misunderstanding which I have encountered over the years. Tesco are using a separate logo for egg free/contains egg. As someone with an egg allergy, I am very pleased to finally see labelling which is upfront and a quick reference to guide me to products. Could it be that free from dairy is another way of saying there is no animal milk in a product, a catch all term for anyone not only avoiding cows milk but also sheep and goat etc? I have been considering if this logo confuses non-allergic shoppers, if a friend bought me the chocolate bar would they worry about whether it was suitable for me?
What do you think? Am I making a fuss over nothing or are you as confused as I am?
Sarah x
10 December 2014
Back in September 2013 I wrote about the preparations companies were making for new European labelling aka Food Information for Consumers Regulation No. 1169/2011. It finally comes into force this weekend (13 December 2014). These new regulations affect the way allergens are labelled on pre-packaged and loose foods.
When I first heard about the changes I was initially critical. I think my reaction was understandable. I have been reading labels in a certain way since the day I left home (long time ago!) and here I am now having to re-learn my ways. Of course as with most things you slowly adjust and I have become familiar with recognising new labelling. Whilst I still think there are issues which need ironing out, on the whole I can see the reasoning behind the new rules. I still think that some brands need to work on how they highlight the allergens as there are occasions when the font colour or style just isn't clear enough for me.
The new legislation also affects restaurants, deli counters, cafe, basically anywhere selling unpackaged/loose foods. These types of businesses must be able to provide allergen information to customers. Sadly, judging from social media this particular element of the regulations has not been warmly accepted by some. Many appear to be critical about the added cost to their business and the leg work involved. Lets remember the regulation did not come in over night, this has been on the table since 2011 so people have had plenty of time to prepare. On Monday, BBC Breakfast aired a segment about labelling changes and invited a conversation on their Facebook page. Sadly, the thread was full of "nasty" comments directed at people with allergies and coeliac disease. For a brief overview the conversation has people without allergies saying they are paying the price for the new regulations, people with allergies should stay at home and not eat out, allergies and gluten free are fad diets, no one had allergies 40 years ago blah blah blah. Someone who makes /sells sandwiches left the following comment
Barbara Kent - "I make sandwiches for the general public in a small store , apparently I will have to list all ingredients , this means buying some kind of posh labeling machine that we can ill afford . We will probably stop making them ,thereby stopping all the locals who rely on us for their lunch , they will have nowhere to go . They say that 2 million people have food allergies , that leaves a huge amount that don't and now we are all penalised . Is it too much to hope that people take care of themselves and leave the other 58 million to eat in peace?" (BBC Breakfast - Facebook page)
What puzzles me is why chefs/cooks (and sandwich makers) seem to be struggling with the concept. Why is it so difficult for them to be knowledgeable about the ingredients of the meals they are making? Is it really that difficult to breakdown the allergens in a ham, cheese and pickle sandwich? There is no need for posh labelling machines, just a requirement to know if a sandwich contains one or more of the 14 allergens*. The advice from the FSA is "... information on any of the 14 allergens used as ingredients will need to be provided for foods sold without packaging or wrapped on site. This information could be written down on a chalk board or chart, or provided orally by a member of staff. Where the specific allergen information is not provided upfront, clear signposting to where this information could be obtained must be provided."
As for the concern that the new regulations are penalising those who don't have allergies I am lost for words. Seriously, I don't get it, would someone like to explain how this is affecting non-allergy folks? I'm guessing most won't even notice the new changes as they go about their daily lives. I bang my head against the wall with some attitudes. I hope this is just a small portion of the population who appear to have no common sense. Saying that, these are probably the same people who make a fuss about it being their human right to eat peanuts on a flight.
As far as I'm concerned, from Saturday I am hoping to sit down in a cafe or visit a deli counter and have confidence in ordering food. No longer will wait staff be able to say they don't know the allergens and can't advise me. If you can't cater for me, I have no issue with that, there are a number of places that are capable of accommodating my dietary requirements. For the businesses that see this as an expense, I would ask them to see this as an investment for the future. Think of the number of new customers you are about to receive. People with allergies/intolerance/coeliac disease are a supportive group who rely on one another for recommendations of safe places to eat. I am confident you will be rewarded with loyal customers who will shout about you from the roof tops.
If you would like to help promote awareness about the new allergen information, join the FSA's (Food Standards Agency) Thunderclap campaign.
Sarah x
Sarah x
*The 14 Allergens are - cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soybeans, milk, nuts, celery, mustard, sesame, sulphur dioxide, lupin and molluscs
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