Love Hot Dogs, Can't Eat Pork?

If there was ever an ideal day for a BBQ in Ireland it was today! SO warm, So sunny, SO absolutely perfect ... it’s days like this that make us put up with all the rain and wind the rest of the year. But what if you are a BBQ fan and your favourite item is the infamous hotdog but you are Allergic or Intolerant to Pork.. or your values restrict pork.. or your religion forbids it.. what if you have skin trouble like eczema etc, and are trying a Pork Free diet?? There’s nothing worse than sitting in a circle surrounded by people eating something that you love but can’t have! 

That is why I was so surprised and intrigued when I fell upon these: Doux’s Chicken Franks. Now bear with me for a moment because I know that they sound horrendous - Chicken Hot Dogs! seriously?? Yes! I kid you not ... What’s more is that they actually taste, look and have the consistency of real hotdogs - you know, the extremely processed ones popular on the streets of New York, Austria, Germany... We’re not talking about a chicken kebab, or a vegan tofu sausage, but a genuine frankfurter only made with chicken instead of pork. I was VERY doubtful and despite not actually being the biggest hotdog fan in the world (apart from the occasional  dog here or there) am a true convert. They really surprised me and make a top quality substitute.

• Pork free
• Halal
• Fish Free
• Dairy Free (Note: may contain traces of milk)
• Egg Free (Note: may contain traces of egg)

I found Doux’s Chicken Franks in the freezer section of an Indian shop called ‘Oasis’ located on Phibsborough Rd. 

Cheap, Cheerful and Pork Free!

Ingredients: Mechanically deboned chicken meat and chicken fat: 71%, water, wheat starch, vegetable proteins and fibres, salt, emulsifier E451, flavour enhancer E621, spices, aromatic plant, antioxidant E301, colouring E120, natural flavouring, preservative E250.

Contains: Wheat, Soya.

May contain traces of: Milk, Celery, Egg, Barley, Rye, Mustard.

Oasis

Phibsborough Rd

Phibsborough, Dublin 7

What I'm Reading: May in the Free From Food Allergy World

Lately it’s all about health related reading for me with a sprinkling of entertaining recipes thrown in. I have been very preoccupied with metal toxicity, poor digestion, and fluid retention and the on-going battle with modern living! But it’s not all bad news.. there’s a lovely interview with Pippa Kendrick (The Intolerant Gourmet) and a hopeful story featuring none other than Macdonalds, and let’s not forget that this week is Allergy Awareness Week in some parts of the world so don’t say that I don’t supply silver linings too! ;)

IN THE KITCHEN

Fruit Leather (that North American love): 

http://www.foodallergyqueen.com/2012/04/recipe-how-to-make-fruit-leather-from.html

Vegan Mexican Chickpea Fajitas with some Eye Candy pics!:

http://tongueticklers.com/2012/04/mexican-chickpea-fajitas-with-veronika/

Fennel Syrup (Anything with Fennel must be good!):

http://glutenfreegirl.com/fennel-syrup/

LIVE, LIVING & FOOD ALLERGIES

Metal Toxicity, my new obsession:

http://drlwilson.com/articles/TOXIC%20METALS.htm

Hello Fluid Retention, my old friend:

http://www.freewebs.com/jumblebox/healthF/tidbit1b2.html 

TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT, THAT IS THE QUESTION:

Digestive problems and Hidden Food Allergen Dangers:

http://www.cbn.com/health/nutrition/DrLen_031207.aspx

All about avoiding allergens to avoid allergies later on & the possible myths attached:

http://www.mssm.edu/research/programs/jaffe-food-allergy-institute/news/reuters-no-need-to-hold-back-on-milk-nuts-in-babies-dr-sicherer-explains

The woes of a milky world - Added benefits of being Dairy Free, Vegan and/or Vegetarian:

http://milk.elehost.com/html/why_does_calcuim_leave_the_bon.html

Food Allergy Awareness Week, YAY!:

http://foodallergyassistant.blogspot.com/2012/05/food-allergy-awareness-week-plans.html

McDonalds - I don’t generally support them but this little quip gives me some hope & faith for the food allergic world:

http://foodallergyassistant.blogspot.com/2012/04/mcdonalds-and-food-allergies-few-

fast.html

A nice little interview with Pippa Kendrick:

http://www.piginthekitchen.co.uk/2012/04/interview-with-pippa-kendrick-author-of.html

EYE CANDY:

...and in honour of the horrible fevery cold/flu/mess that I was 'dealing with' over the the last  week...  I love this little picture of sick in bed:

http://katieboo85.blogspot.com/2012/05/twas-crohn-christmas-and-epileptic-new.html

Recent Allergy Friendly Finds in Fallon & Byrne

I’ve been having lunch in the city 5 days a week for the last 2 and a half months now and boy does it ever get drab when you are following a restricted diet. Needless to say I am always on the lookout for something slightly exciting, new or satisfying whilst also being Food Allergy Friendly and Free From my major problem foods. 

Today I was browsing in Fallon & Byrne (on Exchequer St, Dublin 2) looking to see if I could find anything to tempt my taste buds with when I noticed a couple new additions in the fridge/freezer section... 

First, among the Dairy Free, Raw, Gluten Free and Refined Sugar Free Booja Booja ice creams I found ‘Pink Grapefruit’ sorbet made in Co. Kilkenny for Fallon & Byrne. Predominately a ‘Real Dairy’ ice cream company, I was delighted to see a few sorbet flavours which were

• Dairy Free (beware of possible cross contamination. No warnings but I would recommend caution due to nature of the company)
• Gluten Free
• Egg Free
• Soya Free
• Vegan
• Vegetarian

There was an Orange flavour as well but it was the Pink Grapefruit which stole my imagination. So refreshingly sweet. It was a bit soft and maybe a bit on the crystalized side but still a had great flavour and overall a completely yum ‘pick up’ dessert to brighten any Allergen Free day.

Ingredients: Pink Grapefruit Juice (38%), Water, Sugar, Glucose, Natural Thickening Agent (Locust Bean Gum)

Allergy warnings: May Contain nut traces

The other happy thing that I noticed  in the fridge/freezer section of Fallon & Byrne was many many flavours of Sojade Yoghurts. Of course all the old faithfuls were there like Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, Plain, Raspberry, etc, but what got be pulling out my money at the cash register was the new Apple flavour and the Lemon flavour. I immediately thought of the Lime and Lemongrass Provamel yoghurt I found in Salzburg last year that made me amazingly happy and I am happy to report that, although not as amazing, the lemon flavour did come up trumps. Fresh, sweet, and just enough lemon kick to keep this lemon addict wanting more. 

Tomorrow I will try the Apple - I am so curious! I’ve never had Apple flavoured yoghurt before so I will be sure to Tweet about it tomorrow to inform any other tempted soya fans....

• Dairy Free
• Gluten Free
• Wheat Free
• Egg Free
• Vegan
• Vegetarian
• GMO Free

Ingredients (lemon flavour): Soya Drink (water, hukked soya beans 9.2%), cane sugar, lemon puree 6%, lemon natural flavouring, lemon juice 2% (from concentrated juice), acidity regulator,: calcium citrate, thickeners: locust bean gum - pectin - xanthan gum, selected live cultures of which Bifidus & Acidophilus

Nutritional Information per 100g:

Energy 78kcal/330kJ

Protein 3.8g

Carbohydrates 11g

Fat 2.1g

What’s your favourite comfort food in the city? Or what do you eat for lunch? That most difficult of meals! 

April: The Food Allergy Month in Review

So this is May-Day... can I just ask where are the cotton dresses and ribbons being wound around the maypole?! Today must have been the worst May 1st in over 30 years!... rain rain rain and more rain... but I hope that you didn’t let it get you down because if there is anything that the Food Allergic/Restricted lifestyle requires it’s positive thoughts and an optimistic outlook, and that is just what Survival Guide: Dublin with Food Allergies tries to help you with by telling you about any awesome Allergen Free finds, Alergy Friendly place tos shop and eat and of course all important Allergy warnings about Hidden Allergens etc.  


So here’s what happened last month....

SHOPS

April 17th 2012:  New Allergy Free Finds in Dalkey’s Select Stores

RESTAURANTS

April 4th 2012: When it Comes to Food Allergies ‘The Pig’s Tale’ is on the Pig’s Back

PRODUCTS

April 13th 2012: Getting Your Dairy Free Chocoholic Fix

April 11th 2012: Moo Free’s Vegan Pralines Rock My World!

NEWS, WARNING & INFO

April 27th 2012: Where to Buy Dairy Free & Egg Free Treats This Saturday!!

April 24th 2012: Check Your Chicken for Hidden Food Allergens!

April 20th 2012: Free From Food Awards: And the Winners Were...