A few of our favorite things

I haven't posted here in a very long time and I am still working on changing this format so as I get more stuff on here the site is easier to navigate but we went shopping today and I thought I needed to post a list of some of our favorite things. I have been talking to another gluten free mommy who is now looking at taking out dairy and soy... it reminded me that I haven't really said too much about this aspect of our diet.
Anyhow, in honor of the super hot heatwave we are having here in WA I thought I would post something here about our favorite keep cool treats and eats that we just purchased today from Whole Foods :-)

Coconut Milk Products:

So Delicious! (by Turtle Mountain) makes coconut Milk Ice Cream that is so so good! Some flavors are not soy free and some So Delicious! products are made from soy milk so be sure you get the ones that say coconut milk. Our favorite soy free, gluten free flavors are vanilla bean, coconut, and chocolate. This company also makes coconut milk in the carton (our fav is the vanilla), yogurts, and a new coconut kefir we just bought today. The boys and I purchased the strawberry- reminds me of those Dannimal yogurt drinks from our pre-dairy free days (though this one doesn't have any funky additives). This is not as sweet as the yogurts and on the slightly tart side but a nice change.
So delicious also makes some Popsicle type ice creams- we bought a raspberry flavor to try. We'll let you know how we like it! They also make chocolate covered coconut bars (like a Dove bar) and ice cream sandwiches. These last 2 do have so and the ice cream sandwiches are not all gluten free- so as always read labels before you buy! For a link to their site click here: http://www.turtlemountain.com/

Another Brand of Coconut Milk ice cream we like is Luna and Larry's Coconut Bliss. The mint galactica is the boys' new favorite and it is soy free! (Think mint chocolate chip ice cream). Really, I don't think you can go wrong with these guys' flavors. You can check out their site here: http://www.coconutbliss.com/

Hemp Milk Ice Cream

Tempt (by Living Harvest)! is just as it is named. Oh, so super good! We've tried the vanilla and the chocolate brownie (yes, soy free!). We also picked up a mint one today. Even better, they were on sale at WF today. Yippee! This company also makes other yummy hemp products including hemp milk. You can check them out here: http://www.worldpantry.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce/ExecMacro/livingharvest/home.d2w/report

Last time we were at Manna Mills we picked up some gluten free ice cream cones from Let's Do Organic. (They make wheat ones too so be sure you have the right ones). So for the first time in a really long time the boys have been loving being able to have ice cream in a cone!

We also like to buy Popsicles. Since we don't do artificial colors or flavors we just buy whatever brand has only natural ingredients and is free of corn syrup. Sometimes we make our own, too with Popsicle molds.

Enjoy the heat while it lasts and stay cool with some summer treats!

Changing Format of Blog

As you can probably guess I am not all that computer savvy- I am new to the idea of creating a blog. My husband had to help me with the zebra background on here. Over the next couple weeks I am hoping to reformat this site so I have tabs and it will be easier to find the information you are looking for more quickly. I will also add several more resources I have learned about from some of the Yahoo! groups I subscribe to. Thanks, everyone who have emailed me about their favorite places to shop and eat out. (Keep em' comin!) I am so excited to add them and really happy that there are more and more places out there for people with multiple food sensitivities. I am hoping to add some links for friends of the autism community (meaning companies that care and support us locally) and I will put links to where we do our therapies and activities. I also hope to make a link to some online resources just in case there are things you can't find locally or wish to order in bulk.

Announcment! Gluten Free Gala!

I forgot to mention this!!! Manna Mills is having a gluten free gala this weekend!
Sat., April 25th 10-6 pm. Here's a link to their events page: http://www.mannanaturalmarket.com/calendar.html
For more info you can call them at 425-775-3479.
This is a great opportunity to try different products. You will still have to read labels as not everything at the demo will be casein and soy free.

South End Shops

South End Resources

I will add to this list as I learn about more places. Since I don't live on the south end of the state I have not had an opportunity to go to these places myself yet.

G.F. Joe's Market

http://gfjoes.com/

5739 Littlerock Road SWSuite 103Tumwater, WA 98512

Phone: (360) 628-8010

I can't wait to go here someday. I have heard fabulous things about this place! It looks like they have a great selection and they are a family owned business! Yay for supporting our local economy :-)

Washington State Local Resources for GFCFSF Foods

Edited on 3/12/12:
There are so many new GF places and products out there now, I can't keep up! I think this is fantastic. I will keep up my old links for anyone that is new and feeling lost or looking for some ideas, but this list is not comprehensive.

I am starting this blog to direct others to local GFCFSF resources in our area. (GFCFSF stands for gluten free, casein free, soy free). There are many excellent GFCF (and SF) websites with recipes and tips. When I first started my boys on this diet I felt like I lived in the grocery stores, searching desperately and reading label after label to find acceptable foods. It does get easier. Going GF can be really expensive when you first start, especially if you are like I was. I really didn't cook much and relied on ready-made foods. It actually is much easier (and much simpler and healthier) if you cook a lot of your own foods- that way you know what is in them and they are better tasting as well as better for you (and you will not go crazy trying to figure out all the stealthy secret names for wheat, dairy, gluten, and soy).
I will add to this blog as I learn more about local resources. My other post is just a starting point!