Beyond the Label: #SeedtoSunButter

I was given the opportunity to travel to North Dakota to visit Red River Commodities and the sunflower fields that make  Top 8 Allergen & Gluten Free SunButter Sunflower Butter and to learn about their processes, as well as, commitment to allergen control.  Below is the sponsored post as it relates to the brand and my trip. All opinions are my own. Disclosure.
I've been fortunate over the past few years to get to know many food allergy and gluten free brands on a deeper level. Having been afforded the opportunity to attend meetings, talk to the owners, and even travel on their behalf.
Although they're doing great things by providing us with a product, there are few out there that truly care about our community with drive and passion. It's not just a profit, they realize they're a part of something much greater going on. They're changing lives... saving lives. For me, SunButter saved ours almost ten years ago. 

Halloween Made Easy: Cupcakes for Two #Recipe with @EnjoyLifeFoods Baking Chocolate Snack Packs + Giveaway! #SnackFreely

Gluten Free & Top 8 Allergen Free "Cupcakes for Two" Recipe + Baking Chocolate Snack Packs Giveaway! This post is sponsored by Enjoy Life Foods. All opinions are my own. Read full disclosure here.
Anyone who has tried Enjoy Life Foods #1 Selling Allergy-Friendly Baking Chocolate knows it's hard to resist not eating them straight from the bag.
That's why their new Baking Chocolate Snack Packs are perfect for those chocolate cravings. Throw them in your purse, pack them for lunch, or bake up something delicious. Like my "Cupcakes for Two" recipe that is gluten free & top 8 allergen free. Just grab one Snack Pack and follow my easy steps!
{Giveaway} Make sure you enter below for a chance to win some for yourself! 

SunButter & Jelly French Toast Sandwiches {Egg Free #Recipe}

SunButter & Jelly French Toast Sandwiches are a fun treat for kids for breakfast or lunches! This recipe is allergen-friendly & egg-free, depending on the brand of bread you use.
Making french toast for breakfast is always a fun change-up in our household. We are typically a pancake or eggs kind of family. 
However, I always challenge myself to make things as allergen-friendly (and gluten free) as possible when I'm working on new recipes or ideas to share here. 
Years ago, I was playing around with my own recipe for egg-free/ dairy-free apple cinnamon french toast. I decided to circle back around and find a way to amp that up + make a fun recipe that could be used for both breakfast or lunches!

Sandwich Thins Recipe {Gluten & Top 8 Allergen Free}

Over the years I have followed amazing gluten free and food allergy free-from blogs. Some of the authors have even become personal friends. 
I look at their recipes. I drool. I want to make them. But I don't. And it's meant to no offense to them. 
Sometimes they contain a nut based flour. Or sometimes a flour that can't be purchased locally. Or more often than not, it's a flour blend where I have to literally go out and buy six bags of different flours just to create a special blend they want for the recipe.
I understand that it's what makes it "just perfect". But, for me, it's just not happening. 
If I can't make it with an all-purpose flour, then I'm not going to bother. I just don't have the money or pantry space to invest in the others. It's also sometimes difficult to find top 8 free alternative flours that are needed for those special blends. Many contain CC warnings. 
Thus why I started testing this Sandwich Thin recipe to begin with. I wanted it to be easy. I wanted it to use a gluten free AP flour, I wanted it to be top 8 allergen free, and I wanted it to be something geared towards my readers - something you could use in the lunch box, of course! 

Enjoy #LunchFreely + a HUGE Sweepstakes! #BacktoSchool

This post and sweepstakes is sponsored by Enjoy Life Foods. All opinions are my own. Disclosure.
I've been keeping a secret from you all.
For some time now, I've been working with our friends at Enjoy Life Foods on a fun video and some lunch recipes that are free-from the top allergens and gluten!
Not only that, but today launches Enjoy Life Food's HUGE Sweepstakes and LunchFreely.com website! 
There will be ONE GRAND PRIZE and there will be FIVE Runner-Up Prizes each week!! New recipes and sweepstakes details are in the post below.

Lunchbox SunButter Spice Bars {Top 8 Allergen Free}

This post is sponsored by SunButter Sunflower Butter. All opinions are my own. Read our full disclosure here. 
It's that time of year again... back to school! Time to get those lunch boxes ready.
Little Miss started a school that follows a "balanced calendar" -  meaning, she is on an almost "all year school" calendar and school began back on July 18th. Crazy, but it's let her start developing friendships right away, which is great.
I'm always looking for simple lunchbox ideas and recipes that allow me to pack in protein and yummy allergy friendly ingredients she can enjoy at school. Just like these SunButter Spice Bars. They're gluten free and top 8 allergen free. 

Cybele's Free-To-Eat Cookie Giveaway!

Years ago, when Little Miss was first diagnosed with food allergies, there were not all the resources we have today. Looking online, I'd find little information that was reliable and what this mother needed in order to feed her baby and feel secure.
One person I did come across during that research, was Cybele Pascal. Her books were some of my first comforts during a new scary time of our life.
Fast forward, now Cybele is sharing her experiences through baking and food allergy motherhood in her line of delicious Free-To-Eat Cookies. 
We've shared about these gems before, but I don't mind taking some time to do it again... and while we're at it GIVE SOME AWAY to FIVE lucky people!

Nut Free {No Bake} SunButter Energy Bites

There are a number of recipes I've made so frequently over the years that I no longer measure them. Just get out the bowl and start eyeballing the ingredients needed. 
Our Allergy Friendly {No Bake} SunButter Energy Ball Bites are one of those recipes.
Each time I share about them or pack them in a lunch I post on Facebook or Instagram, I get messages or comments asking for the recipe. And each time I tell myself, "Next time I'll measure!" ... but I never do. 
WELL, I FINALLY DID! While Snapchatting last night about dinner and knowing I needed to make more of these bites, I made sure to measure so I could *finally* share them here. 
They're gluten free and top 8 allergen free (that means they're nut free and great for school snacks)! 

Lunch Made Easy: Thanksgiving Bento for My Little Turkey

Life has been so incredibly busy (and great) lately that Thanksgiving completely snuck up on me!
While at the Food Allergy Bloggers Conference the weekend before last (#FABlogCon), I was talking to Allison of Allie's GF Goodies and she made mention of needing to get back right after the conference to begin all her Thanksgiving baking. I must have given her a funny look, because she then went on and said "uh yeah, Thanksgiving is a week and half away!" *begins fanning self* How did that happen? Wasn't it *just* Halloween?? Oy.
Anyways, since I got back it's been work work work and in my spare time planning for the big Turkey day for my little family. However, I couldn't let the year go by without some Thanksgiving lunch box fun!

#UdisGlutenFree Banana Berry Crunch Muffin Recipe

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Udi's Gluten Free. The opinions and text are all mine.
I love baking muffins! They're great for grab & go breakfasts or throwing in the lunch box for a nice change up.
One of my favorite combinations is banana & blueberries. I admit that before I stopped eating gluten, I would regularly get my Starbucks on my drive to work + a blueberry muffin. So expensive and so unhealthy... but they were so delicious! 
So making muffin recipes of my own now, that are gluten free & allergy friendly, are something I love to create and do! And Little Miss loves to help.

Mini GF Baked Meatball Subs #UdisGlutenFree

My daughter loves when I make homemade meatballs. We eat them for supper with gluten free spaghetti and then pack the leftovers for lunches with marinara for dipping.
It had been a while since I've made Meatball Subs at home but was inspired to make a cute mini version when I purchased my last package of Udi's Gluten Free French Dinner Rolls! The rolls are not only gluten free but dairy, soy, and nut free too.
These Mini GF Baked Meatball Subs are perfect for parties, dinner, or packed for work and school lunch: 

Lunch Made Easy: Food Allergy Awareness Love #TealTakeover

This week, May 10th-16th, marks Food Allergy Awareness week for 2015. This is something we actively participate in each year. 
There are great ways to get involved within your community to raise awareness, including handing out bracelets, information sheets, reading an allergy-friendly book to your child's class, sharing information on social media, and May 12th is #TealTakeover Day.
Teal is the color of food allergy awareness. By wearing teal today, you can help support your friends and family by raising awareness for food allergies. Little Miss loves sporting her teal and I love making her a sweet lunch to go with it. 

Lunch Made Easy: DIY Mini Pizzas {Build Your Own Gluten Free Pizzas}

Each time I visit my daughter at school during a lunch period or while chaperoning a field trip, I can't help but look and notice what all the other kids have packed/ are eating. Many of them pull a Lunchables from their backpack. Some even accompanied by a can of soda.
I get it - it's easy. And the labels are so deceiving... "Whole Grains", "Great Source of Calcium", "100% White Meat", etc.
It's when you actually flip the container over and read what's really in those items that it makes you shake your head.  That was me. I use to buy those things. Especially when they were on sale. 
Super easy, right!? But oh, so, wrong for your health.  Then trying to explain to your child why they can't have them is difficult. Granted Little Miss cannot because of the allergens & gluten, but it's still tough since she feels like she's missing out.
That's why we make our own! For years now, we've done our own homemade cracker stackers, nachos, nuggets, etc. 
Today is no exception! Little Miss was so thrilled to have her DIY Mini Pizzas packed for school, just like her friends.

Zucchini Oat & Flax Seed Chocolate Chip Cookies {Gluten & Top 8 Free}

Last week on our Facebook page, I asked everyone what their tips & tricks were for getting more fiber into their family's diet. 
It can be tricky when eating gluten free to ensure you're getting enough. Especially with kids -- Veggies aren't exactly the first thing they reach for in the fridge for a snack.
I'm thankful my Little Miss does a good job eating her vegetables, but that doesn't mean I don't still worry about getting her a good balance of insoluble & soluble fibers (beside the other nutritional values). 
I love making baked goods packed with Fiber and Omegas! Like these Zucchini Oat & Flax Seed Chocolate Chip Cookies. They're Gluten Free & Top 8 Allergen Free. Little Miss said they were the "best cookies you've ever made"! Seriously. 

Fall Baking: Chunky Apple Pumpkin Muffins #Recipe {Gluten Free & Top 8 Allergen Free}

Once those temperatures drop and the leaves start to change, there's a new feeling in the air... a crisp, fresh start to each day.
I can't think of anything else other than baking. And not just any baking... it has to involve apples, pumpkin, and warm spices. 
Thankfully, my little sous chef agrees.  We usually set aside time on the weekends to head into the kitchen and start mixing and creating. This recipe was from one of those weekend adventures. 
Gluten free and free from the Top 8 most common allergens, these allergy friendly delights are sure to warm your belly and your home with their delicious smells and taste!

Lunch Made Easy: Microwave "Bread" Sandwiches {Gluten, Dairy, Nut, & Soy Free}

Pinterest scrolling always turns up interesting finds... like this one: "Gluten Free Bread in Seconds".
It's for a microwave, instant gluten free bread (that can also be made dairy free, as well as, nut & soy free). I was curious... so I gave it a try! 
The result... I'll explain more below, but I'd really call this a "Gluten Free Pancake in Seconds" rather than "Bread" since that's more the texture and consistency. Either way, fun to try in a pinch.

Lunch Made Easy: Back to School Bus!

Do you subscribe to Parents Magazine?  If so, you might have read the great article in the September 2014 issue about Food Allergies in Schools. If you don't have the hard copy, you can read the article online by clicking here. 
I was honored to be interviewed for the article and share a few personal experiences dealing with food allergies at school for my Little Miss.
While checking out the issue, there was a snippet inside for Family Fun Magazine and their Treat of the Month which happened to be a fun school bus lunch for back-to-school called "Miles of Smiles". I couldn't think of a more fun way to celebrate Little Miss' first full day of the new school year than with an extra special school bento lunch!

{Semi} Homemade Moon Pies #GlutenFree #AllergyFriendly

When's the last time you had a Moon Pie? 

The delicious treat typically consists of two graham crackers cookies, marshmallow filling, and dipped in chocolate.

It wasn't until planning my sister's baby shower, I realized Little Miss had never had one before - since the store bought variety has allergen warnings and they're definitely not gluten free.

That needed to be rectified... so we made some ourselves! Gluten Free & Allergy Friendly, of course. ;)

Pack a Healthier Lunch: Tomato Soup & GF Toasted Sandwich #PacificFoods #Giveaway

Day 4 of our Pack a Healthier Lunch week thanks to Pacific Foods,USA Pears, Franz Bakery, & ECOlunchboxes. 
Today let's discuss toasted sandwiches.  There are so many ways to fill and make them: Cheese (dairy or non-dairy), avocado, bacon, tomatoes, deli meat, nut-free spread & banana slices (oh yes!), chicken parm... and well, the possibilities are endless.
Little Miss' favorite? The traditional toasted cheese with tomato soup for dunking! It was always my favorite as a kid, too. 
Thanks to Pacific Foods, I can whip her up some Gluten Free, Soy Free Organic Tomato Soup in no-time + using our Franz Bakery Gluten, Dairy, Soy, & Nut Free 7-Grains Bread to make her sandwich.

Pack a Healthier Lunch: Pear & Seed Chicken Salad #GlutenFree #Top8Free #USAPears #Giveaway

Day 3 of our Pack a Healthier Lunch week & Giveaway thanks to Pacific Foods, USA Pears, Franz Bakery, & ECOlunchboxes!
One thing we love packing for lunches are salads. I'm very blessed that my Little Miss loves a salad as much as I do (so long as I don't pack them every day for her, lol). This began by setting an example - I would eat mine and "ooo" and "ahh" over how good it was, all the vitamins I was getting, etc. 
She eventually became curious and wanted to try for herself. Guess what? She loved it. At that time, she actually preferred spinach salads over romaine but will now eat both. I usually mix her greens when I make them now. 
I, too, pack salads frequently for work. I don't want to eat the same one every.single.day so it's good to mix it up with new toppings and variety. That's where today's lunch idea comes in! A yummy Pear & Seed Chicken Salad packed in our ECOlunchbox cube.