Category Archives: Dairy Free

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Sweet & Savory Energy Bars

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1 Cup lightly salted peanutsNCES Nutrition Energy Bars

½ Cup crispy rice cereal

½ Cup old fashioned oats

1/3 Cup sunflower seeds (or your favorite seed)

¼ dried blueberries

6 dried apricots (chopped)

3 tbsp. mini chocolate chips

½ Cup honey

  1. While preheating your over to 325°F, line an 8-inch baking pan with foil. Coat with cooking spray.
  2. Combine all ingredients, except the honey in a medium sized mixing bowl. Pour the honey over the top and mix well.
  3. Spread this mixture in your lined baking pan. Press mixture down in to the pan firmly. It may help to spray another piece of foil and use this to press down evenly on the energy bars.
  4. Bake for approximately 30 minutes. Keep a close eye on the energy bars and remove them whenever the edges begin to turn golden. Do not remove from pan and cool for 10 minutes.
  5. This recipe makes 6 servings. You can cut and store them in the pan. Or remove them the pan, cut them and store them in a separate container. Enjoy!
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Is Medication the only Answer to your Allergies?

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Do you have a runny, stuffy and itchy nose? Of course you do, it’s Spring! Unless you’re one of the lucky few who don’t suffer spring allergies, I would recommend that you keep reading to learn more about allergies and the many different causes; some that you may not even be thinking of!

When you flip on the news every morning, you hear the local weatherman talking about the pollen and ragweed counts so you know what to expect from your allergies for the day. But, did you know that your runny nose may not have anything to do with what’s going on outside your body? Instead, it may have everything to do with what’s going on inside your body. For many people, food allergies or sensitivities can cause allergic reactions very similar to your common seasonal allergy. If this is the case, instead of resorting to allergy medication, simply adjusting the foods that you eat could cure the allergy symptoms that keep you inside on these beautiful spring days.

Here are a couple of clues that you may be suffering from food allergies: If you feel like you’re constantly taking medication and never feeling better, this is usually a sign that your allergies may be food related. Also, keep in mind that you shouldn’t discount food allergies if they only show up during this time of year. For many, eating habits change when spring arrives because of the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables, which are sometimes the cause of food allergies. If this is you, we recommended speaking with a dietitian to decide what’s right for you. With their expertise in this field, your dietitian can point you in the right direction and help you enjoy an allergy free life no matter the season! For more information, you can also check out The Total Food Allergy Health & Diet Guide at the NCES website. As always, our products are hand selected and approved by dietitians, so you’re sure to get the best information available!

5208 Total Food Allergy Health and Diet Guide

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What Makes Soy SOYummy!

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Enjoy SoyThere’s no doubt that soy foods are becoming more and more popular. Today, soyfood products can be found in almost every aisle of the grocery store. From the pharmacy aisle to the dairy fridge, you’re sure to find soy based foods that are, most likely, lower in fat than their counterparts made without soy.

But, what is it about soyfoods that make them so appealing to a health conscious audience? One of the biggest benefits of soy is that it’s a great alternative to dairy for anyone with lactose allergies or sensitivities. Most products that contain lactose can be found in the grocery store with a soy substitute, giving your lactose-free clients the option to still enjoy many foods we take for granted, including ice cream, yogurt, etc.

Soyfoods also provide a great meat alternative. From chicken and deli slices to sausage and bacon, there are soyfoods option that are made to closely resemble these food items. They’ve developed quite a reputation over the years. But, you can’t really judge them until you give them a shot! Many of these foods taste just as a good as the originals. Plus, you can enjoy them without any guilt since their fat content is typically much lower.

Since April is National Soyfoods Month, we thought it was appropriate to take a minute to highlight the importance of soyfoods and why they are so popular today. Soyfoods can be found all over your local grocery store, you don’t have to go to a specialty store to find these great products. Although, if you do, you may find that you have a bigger selection to choose from. Soyfoods.org has put together a great chart for finding soy in the grocery store (http://www.soyfoods.org/soy-products/soyfoods-in-the-supermarket). So, when you make your next trip to the grocery store, print out the guide and challenge yourself to pick up at least one soy item. You never know, you’re next favorite food may be made from soy!