Sprinkles & Allergies now on Bloglovin

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I’m popping in for a quick minute to let everyone know you can now find me on Bloglovin.com for your blog following convenience! I just started using bloglovin to follow all my lovely blogging friends in one place and let me tell you, it’s much easier than typing in the different urls each day and sorting through bookmarks. For some reason, I was never big on google reader, so this is ideal for me. Follow Sprinkles and Allergies over on bloglovin to start streamlining your blog reading!

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Wednesday

May 2012

Allergic to the News?

This is news to me. According to this article, almost all newspapers printed in the U.S. now use Soy based ink. Luckily, I usually do my news reading online these days. At first I thought it was shocking that one of the top 8 allergens was chosen to base such a large market but quickly realized that it’s all about the money–not the safety of the few million who might die from reading the paper. The only other place I’ve heard this mentioned was from a tour of a newspaper archival company that regularly handled newspapers and thought it was an interesting fact to share.

Beware this label:

I doubt you’ll be biting into the newspaper very often to go along with your morning cup of joe, unless of course you’re a goat or a giraffe. Or my dog. But to be honest, I find myself still fearful of this “soy-ink” as substances you touch or put on your skin are absorbed through your skin into your body.

What do you think?

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Monday

April 2012

DELICARDO Food Cards Spring Giveaway

I recently learned of a great company based out of Germany called DELICARDO Foodcards. They have some really amazing products that I haven’t really seen done before that I think everyone should know about. To shortly summarize, the Foodcards list your various food allergies, intolerance, dining philosophies or aversions such as Celiac Disease in a format that can be easily read for safe dining out and traveling. I’ve listed all the information just below, so be sure to check them out!

DELICARDO foodcards is hosting a Spring Giveaway which I am super excited for! (The company contacted me with the information, but I was not compensated for promoting or helping host the giveaway. My honest opinion of the products is all I can offer). To enter the Spring Giveaway, click here and sign up for the newsletter. That’s it! You’re entered into the drawing automatically, which has some awesome prizes.

PRIZE 1: A Niederegger Marzipan Easter Bunny

PRIZE 2: 5 Plastic DELICARDO foodcards of your choice

(Those with adverse reactions to the Marizpan Easter Bunny will be given an option of a different prize. But seriously…who doesn’t love German chocolate?!) Be sure to enter by the April 15th deadline!

Have fun and good luck! May the odds be ever in your favor! (Hunger Games pun intended )

Also, the information I received from DELICARDO about their products was so good, I’m just going to list it all here for everyone.

Here’s a quick run through of what DELICARDO foodcards are and how they help people with dietary restrictions, either from food allergies and intolerances or because of a lifestyle choice.

The Problem: Eating. For people with food allergies this is a huge problem. At home you can be certain of what is going into your food as you are the one preparing it. But when someone else is in control there is a greater chance of mistakes being made that can have adverse affects on your health.

The Solution: It is absolutely necessary that the person preparing the food is well informed of what your dietary restrictions are. In a restaurant this can be done by telling a waiter who then informs the cook of your dietary restrictions. This leaves too much up to chance however, therefore we recommend the DELICARDO foodcard, a business card sized card that can be presented when dining out, abroad or at any other catered for functions. The cards clearly state what you can eat, can’t eat and where certain allergens or ingredients may be contained.

For Hotels and Restaurants: The DELICARDO Foodfan has been specifically created for the gastronomy industry. Do you find it more difficult to serve guests with food allergies and intolerances than other guests? The DELICARDO Foodfan contains -

·         An info booklet with helpful information on preparing food for people with adverse food reactions

·         The DELICARDO Foodfan with precise details for 17 allergies and intolerances informing staff of which ingredients are allowed and not allowed for the respective allergies

·         A poster so that staff can quickly inform themselves of the respective allergies and intolerances.

Currently this info pack is available in German and can be translated on request.

Some key points about DELICARDO foodcards include:

1.       Multiple allergies can be combined on one DELICARDO foodcard by using the online configurator or by contacting us directly.

2.       The food intolerances or allergies are conveyed to the person preparing the food in a clear and practical manner under the categories “NOT ALLOWED TO EAT” “CAN BE FOUND IN” and “ALLOWED TO EAT”.

3.       DELICARDO foodcards are available in 10 different chic designs. Two designs have been especially made for children.

4.       DELICARDO foodcards are available in 3 formats; paperboard cards, plastic cards and as a PDF document to be printed at home.

5.       Enomis GmbH, the creator of DELICARDO foodcards, was the recipient of the aha!award 2010 and has the ECARF Quality Seal

6.       DELICARDO foodcards are available in various languages. The standard cards have been translated into French, German, English, Spanish and Italian plus there is the option of having a special translation made.

There are two options available when ordering cards, Standard Foodcards and Personalised Foodcards.

Standard, or Catalogue Foodcards, are for the major allergies and intolerances. They are best for people who don’t have multiple allergies or other special requirements.

Personalised, or Configurator Foodcards, are for people who have multiple adverse food reactions such as celiac disease and lactose intolerance or would like to edit the cards for some other reason. This can be done online in the foodcard Configurator.

Businesses are steadily catching on to the demand from consumers for free from foods and a clear, structured and peace of mind giving allergen policy. This is definitely a high growth area and we are glad to see that life is being made easier for people who suffer from adverse food reactions.

Happy Giveaway everyone!

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Saturday

February 2012

Sweet Tooth

From time to time, it’s nice to indulge–in moderation of course. Most of these sweet allergen free treats can be found in my pantry on a rotating basis. Many of them are actually lower in sugar or organic sweeteners than normal sweets found in the grocery store. So you can satisfy that occasional craving while not setting your health back. Agave nectar, stevia, and organic fruit juices are some of the sweeteners that can be found in some of my favorite yums…I support a health conscious, and very moderate sweet tooth. The following items are gluten, soy, wheat, peanut, fish, shellfish, egg, and dairy free.

Navitas Naturals Cacao powder–I add this to my Brown Rice protein shakes for a healthy boost of flavor with no added sugar. Just pure antioxidants.
Navitas Naturals Raw Cacao Nibs–A strong source of healthy antioxidants. Add them to daily shakes, trail mixes flax cereals, gluten free oatmeal, and more. Read about the benefits of Cacao here, at the bottom of the page.
Yummy Earth Organic Gummy Bears–All organic and natural gummies. NO artificial colors or anything! Some are even colored with beet juice–but trust me, they taste better than the super sugar laden versions you’d usually find in the candy aisle. Made in an allergen free facility.
Enjoy life Crunchy Double Chocolate Cookies–Delectable! I compared the sugar content to Chips Ahoy (a popular “regular” allergy laden standard cookie brand) and found it to be about 2 times less sugar per serving size.
Glee Gum, Bubblegum Flavor–I am so happy to finally find allergen free chewing gum! About to feel like a 5th grader again in 5..4…3..2…1…
Surf Sweets Jelly Beans–Made in a facility free of the top 8 allergens.
Luna and Larry’s Coconut Bliss Ice Cream in Dark Chocolate–They have so many awesome flavors to choose from, and what I especially love is that they use Agave nectar instead of processed sugar. They also refrain from using legumes like Locust bean gum and Carob bean gum (which I react to having soy and legume allergies). I LOVE this brand.
and 9. VerMints, in Peppermint, Chai, and many other flavors–Free of the top 8 allergens, and made in a dedicated allergen free facility.

10. Surf Sweets Gummy Fruity Hearts–Such a cute gift for your allergen free sweetie. No hints here at all.

11. Navitas Naturals Organic Goji Berries–Just raw goji berries and nothing else. A naturally sweet and healthy treat.

12. Enjoy Life Snickdoodle Cookies–Soft baked, chewy, cinnaminny goodness! My personal favorite of the moment.

Remember to indulge responsibly and moderately with all sweet treats.

Wishing you a naturally sweet and magical weekend.

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Tuesday

January 2012

Food Allergies in the Air

http://www.dreamstime.com/morning-with-cappuccino-imagefree3364307

Are you breathing in your food allergy? (Photo credit: Dreamstime.com Free)

For the second time at my new job, I’ve been thrown into a full blown soy allergy reaction by breathing in hot cocoa powder which contains soy. The hot chocolate and coffee station is located directly next my desk in a busy hotel lobby and there’s not much hope of moving the entire large station. I didn’t expect when I took the job that I would be in such close and dangerous proximity to my life threatening allergy, and am wondering if anyone else has experienced a similar situation.

Each time, I’ve been able to control the reaction with medication but am feeling a bit vulnerable to say the least. I would advise those suffering from severe food allergies to review their spaces at work, play, and home to be sure they are not accidentally breathing in their food allergies by airborne particles.

What do you think? Have you ever reacted to your food allergy via airborne particles?