{Enjoy Life Foods Friday} Our Trip to the #EatFreely Factory

Today is a special edition of {Enjoy Life Foods Friday}! It's all about our trip last week to the factory in Schiller Park, Illinois. 
In today's post, I talk about our trip and awesome day we had with our food allergy friends visiting Enjoy Life, as well as, photos and yummy details about the company themselves.
First, I wanted to start off with something special which is a video of Little Miss and I (yes, a video! Something I have been wanting to do more of and there's no time like the present). Unrehearsed and unedited, lol, so forgive our silliness in some parts. ;) 
As you'll see, Little Miss was nervous at first but turned into a goof ball at the end like she normally is. Love her, silly girl. 
The reason I wanted to share this was to give Little Miss' perspective about Enjoy Life and our trip. Obviously, as parents' we know how great it is to have a company you can rely on for gluten & top 8 allergen free products - but what does that mean to a kid and what did she learn from our trip?
Check it out and see for yourself:  

Join Me at the Expo! #GFAFexpo Chicago + WIN A FREE ONE DAY PASS!

You might remember my posts last year about the Gluten Free Allergen Free Expo (GFAF Expo) in Chicago. 
I had such a great experience and am thrilled to be attending again this year as an invited Media Blogger for the weekend.
The Chicago Expo will be held April 12th & 13th, 2014. They'll be making in stops in other cities too throughout the year! Including Atlanta, Secaucus, Springfield, and Dallas. 

Lunch Made Easy: SunButter & Honey Apple Sandwich #AllergyFriendly

It's been a beautiful weekend. I spent it with my best girl, Little Miss, on Saturday in the Ann Arbor & Detroit area for the day. Sunday is always filled with praise, worship, and reflection... and now once again, football. Yes, I'm an NFL junkie - sorry!  
Sunday is also the day Little Miss and I love spending time in the kitchen together creating and coming up with yummy foods. Her SunButter & Honey Apple Sandwich is one of those delicious ideas. 
{Allergy Friendly} Gluten, Peanut, Tree Nut, Dairy, & Soy Free:

Giveaways for Days: @SurfSweets All-Natural Gummy Candy #Top10Free #GlutenFree

{Day 9} GIVEAWAYS FOR DAYS! Helping you win goodies for back-to-school & beyond!

There are companies that exist that not only make wonderful allergy friendly products, but go out of their way to also help support the food allergy community. Surf Sweets being one of them. 
I recognized Surf Sweets from store shelves but didn't know specifics about them until last year at our Food Allergy Walk, where they graciously provided samples and information to walkers and families. They are a proud supporter of numerous causes. I love promoting companies like this!
Surf Sweets is an all-natural, organic gummy candy & jelly bean company. They are Top 10 Allergen Free, Non-GMO, Free from Corn Syrup, Gluten, Artificial Colors, and Artificial Flavors. And delicious!
Day 9: WIN Surf Sweets All-Natural Organic Gummy Candies One Snack Pack Multi-Pack Box of Gummy Bears &  One Snack Pack Multi-Pack Box of Sour Berry Bears  Each Box Contains Five .9oz Snack Packs

Giveaways for Days: @CybelesFTE Cookies! {Day 8} #Top8Free #GlutenFree #Vegan

{Day 8} GIVEAWAYS FOR DAYS! Helping you win goodies for back-to-school & beyond!
I'm blessed to have had the opportunity to meet Cybele Pascal at the GFAF Expo back in April. It was at that time she let me sample and take home boxes of her new line of cookies for Little Miss and I to enjoy! And also share a giveaway with all of you!
Let me tell you, they didn't last long... And now whenever we're within a short distance from Whole Foods, Little Miss begs me to buy her more. She declared them the best tasting and most "real" cookie she's had!
Day 8: WIN Cybele's Free-to-Eat Cookies One Box of Each: Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chunk Brownies, & Oatmeal Raisin

Giveaways for Days: @KingAthurFlour NEW #GlutenFree AP Baking Mix {Day 5} #Top8Free

{Day 5} GIVEAWAYS FOR DAYS! Helping you win goodies for back-to-school & beyond!
It's no secret that my favorite gluten free flour is made my King Arthur Flour. In fact, I love their entire gluten free line of products: Pancake Mix, Chocolate Cake, Yellow Cake, Brownies, Bread & Pizza Mix, Muffin Mix, & Cookie Mix. No they do not pay me to say that, I mean it! It's the best.  Did you know that their gluten free line of mixes are made in Top 8 Free facility? That's right, buddy! *Swoon!* One more reason to love them... actually, 8 more reasons!
I was beyond thrilled when my friends at KAF emailed to tell me about their brand new Gluten Free All-Purpose Baking Mix that was coming out! The one item missing from their arsenal. I was fortunate to get a box to try for myself AND give one away to you! Woo!
Day 5: WIN a box of King Arthur Flour's BRAND NEW All-Purpose GLUTEN FREE Baking Mix!  Giveaway is for One 24oz Box

Giveaways for Days: @WinkDesserts Variety Pack {Day 4} #Vegan #AllergyFree

{Day 4} of GIVEAWAYS FOR DAYS!! Helping you win goodies for back-to-school & beyond!

Today's giveaway is for a yummy Vegan, Sugar Free, & Allergy Free dessert by Wink Frozen Desserts. Their philosophy is "Less is More", meaning you don't need all the sugar and "bad stuff" to have a delicious treat. Plus it's only 25 guiltless calories per serving! Win!
Day 4: WIN a Variety Pack from Wink Frozen Desserts Includes Four Flavors: Iced Latte, Cocoa-Dough, Cake Batter, & Cinnamon Bun

My Weekend at the GFAF Expo in Chicago

Whew! Sorry this has taken so long to post - It has been nonstop around here since... well, Easter it feels like!
I was fortunate to be invited the weekend of April 20th & 21st to the GFAF (Gluten & Allergy Free) Expo in Chicago as an official blogger for the event.
It was a weekend of education, friendships, delicious food, and fun!

Join Me at the Expo! {GFAF Expo Chicago}

I announced on Facebook about a week and a half ago that KeeleyMcGuire.com was selected as an Official Blogger for the GFAF Expo in Chicago! 

What is the Gluten Free Allergy Free Expo and why is this exciting?? I'll tell you!!

Food for Thought: Treat Your Valentine to Maplehurst Bakery {Peanut Free} Cupcakes!

Last fall, I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to review Maplehurst Bakery {Peanut Free} Cupcakes. Well, you can only guess my enthusiasm when they asked me to do a write-up again and try their seasonal Valentine's Day cupcakes currently for sale. Umm, yes please! (A woman does not turn down cupcakes, no sir!) 

#NutFree Spread Facebook Photo Contest!

January 24th is "National Peanut Butter Day". Not exactly something we look forward to in our household, lol...
So, I thought, why not have a little fun to celebrate all those amazing NUT FREE spreads out there instead!! Woo!

A @Savorfull December to Remember! #AllergyFriendlyFoods (Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Included in Post!)

Each month Little Miss anxiously awaits for her green box of {allergy free} goodies from Savorfull!

Just like past boxes, December did not disappoint on the deliciousness.

 

Skeeter Snacks ~ Totally Nut Free. Totally Delicious. {Review & Giveaway}

Meet Skeeter.

Skeeter is a squirrel who is allergic to nuts!

 

When you are a squirrel it seems nuts are the most important thing in the world.
Skeeter felt left out, so he decided to do something about it.
Skeeter created a line of snacks that taste awesome and are safe for everyone who is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts.
Guess what happened? The snacks were so good that all of the other squirrels wanted to eat them too.
Now everyone has a great snack to share. And nobody feels left out.
Anytime you see Skeeter on the package you know that what’s inside is COMPLETELY NUT-FREE and made in a facility that is COMPLETELY NUT-FREE.
No peanuts or tree nuts anywhere.

Food for Thought: Pay It Forward - Holiday Food Pantry Donations

I love nothing more this time of year then really focusing on all the ways we can give back and pay it forward.

 

Many schools, churches, and towns hold food drives to support local food banks and pantries around the holidays. It's something Little Miss and I have always enjoyed giving to over the years, even in times we didn't have much to spare.

 

In the last couple years, we have also made it our goal to really focus on allergy free families in need. Think about it: A family in need. Their kids have food allergies - dairy, soy, eggs, or more. What options are available to them? Does that child go without? Or do they eat what's available and suffer because of it, perhaps more?

 

 

Food for Thought: Maplehurst Bakeries {Peanut Free} Cupcakes

With Halloween next week, many classrooms will be having parties and treats. For those with children in peanut free schools or classrooms, finding ready-made fun snacks can often be a challenge.

 

I was so thrilled when I was contacted about doing a review of Maplehurst Bakeries {Peanut Free} Cupcakes. Even though Little Miss is now gluten free, I thought back to her first few years of school and how I would have *loved* to have been able to quick run into a store and buy a guaranteed peanut free cupcake from the bakery department. Something my fellow food allergy parents understand, it's a luxury we do not get to enjoy freely.

 

Circle of Moms Top 25 Food Allergy Blogs of 2012!!

Hello friends!!

I shared this on facebook already, but wanted to make sure everyone knew the amazing news:

 

While I was on my mini-vacay, I received an email that Keeley McGuire Blog was nominated for Top 25 Food Allergy Blogs of 2012 by Circle of Moms! YAY!!

 

September Savorfull Review + Recipe Ideas!

Where did the month go!?

For us, it was filled with back to school, a mini-vacation, and Little Miss' seventh birthday! Busy. Stressful. Fun. Fast.

 

One thing that was enjoyed throughout the month was our September Savorfull box of Allergy Friendly foods and snacks!

 

Lunch Made Easy: Cooking With Trader Joe's Cookbook, EasyLunchboxes Edition

You asked and I'm so pleased to finally announce... IT'S HERE, IT'S HERE!! OUR COOKBOOK!!

I am overjoyed to have been a part of this project with some of the most amazing contributors, and not to mention the fabulous Kelly Lester (CEO of EasyLunchboxes).

This is the 7th book in the Cooking With Trader Joe's Series. The EasyLunchboxes edition is filled with our stories, favorite recipes, and time-saving tips to make lunch-packing fresh and fast!

If you don't have a TJ's in your city, don't worry - the  ingredients in this book can be swapped with items available at your local grocer!

{Allergy Friendly} Savorfull August Box Review + Chicken & Mushrooms Recipe!

Each month, I'm planning on compiling a wrap-up review post of my monthly Savorfull boxes!

A one stop shop, if you will, to check out all the goodies it has to offer. (I will try to get this up sooner in the month, going forward.)

Little Miss is in love with her monthly "special green box of goodies". She practically barrels down the UPS guy when he comes with her special Savorfull delivery!

SunWise Foods Giveaway Winner!

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to enter the SunWise Foods Giveaway!

A big thank you, as well, to Gretchen with SunWise for being such a wonderful supporter of the food allergy community and FAAN walks. *HUGS*