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! 

Free From Food Awards: And The Winners Were...

That’s right, the Free From Food Awards took place during the week and all the top class winners were announced and from the looks of it everyone had a brilliant time! Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get over to London this week to attend the awards (whimper whimper and woe is me’s!) but I can’t WAIT to try out all of the winning, running up and commended products from the categories that I didn’t get to judge myself!!




 So let’s get right into it.... The overall best in show number one winner in this year’s 2012 Free From Food Awards was none other than

... drum roll please....

  Vegusto Mild Aromatic Dairy-free cheese!!!!
You might remember me gushing about a fabulous nut based cheese after the judging was completed so you can imagine how thrilled I am that this manna from heaven swiped the top prize! -so deserving and I just simply can’t wait to start finding Vegusto in some Irish shops!!

The runner’s up for this very prestigious #1 award were:
- The Gluten Free Kitchen’s Ovencrust Chicken &amp
- Bacon Pie (Winner of the Pies, flans and ready meals category)
- Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour (Joint winner of the Ingredients category)
- Anila’s Sauces Goan Green Sauce (Joint winner of the Ingredients category)
- Daas – Ambre Beer (Winner of the Gluten-free Beer category)
- inSpiral’s Raw Dehydrated Kale Chips: Cheesie Purple Corn (Winner of the Raw food category)

...and the Innovation Award went to:
Bessant & Drury Fine Ice Cream Co. for their Lemon Ice Cream.  


The rest of the categories and their marvellous winners are listed below but if you would like to see all the fun award winning pictures, see who the very generous sponsors were and read some of what the judges had to say about the winners please see the links at the following links!
http://www.freefromfoodawards.co.uk/winners-12.html

http://www.freefromfoodawards.co.uk/index.html http://www.freefromfoodawards.co.uk/winners-12-

pics.html


Dairy-Free Animal Milk, Butter, Yogurt:
Woodlands Dairy Gooseberry & Elderflower with Natural Sheep Milk Yoghurt (would love to be able to try this one out!!)  


Plant 'Milk', Spreads & Cheese:
Joint Winners!
CoYo Natural yoghurt (TOTALLY amazingly yum!!!!)
Vegusto Mild Aromatic Dairy-Free Cheese (I think you already know how I feel about this one!)  


FreeFrom Breakfast Cereals:
Sainsbury’s – FreeFrom Oaty Granola  


Gluten-Free Breads and Bread Mixes:
Fria Grova Dark Seeded Sliced Loaf

Gluten-Free Pasta and Pizza Bases/Mixes:
Farabella Acini di Pepe/Pasta Grains  


Freefrom Foods Manufactured for Food Service:
Joint Winners! 
Red House Foods - Gluten Free Chicken Bites
Sauces of Choice - Sauces for Kids Tikka Sauce  


Freefrom Ingredients:
Joint Winners!
Anila’s Sauces Goan Green Sauce
Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour  


Raw Foods and Superfoods:
inSpiral Raw Dehydrated Kale Chips: Cheesie Purple Corn  


Savoury Pies, Sausages & Ready Meals:
Meat-based meal centres: Co-operative Truly Irresistible Minted Lamb Burgers

Pies, Flans & Pizzas: 
Gluten Free Kitchen Ovencrust Chicken & Bacon Pie  


Gluten-Free Savoury Biscuits and Snacks:
Joint Winners: Darling Spuds Tomato, Olive & Oregano Juvela Crostini Bites  


Gluten-Free Scones, Sweet Tarts, Bakewells, Muffins, etc:
Joint Winners!
Sugargrain Almond, Apricot and Tahini Flapjack
Sweetcheeks Almondies  


Gluten-Free Cakes and Mixes:
Joint Winners!
Sweetcheeks Maple & Pecan Cupcakes
The Cake Crusader Gluten, Wheat and Dairy Free Carrot Cake   (I saw these guy's van in Dublin! yum yum yuuummm)


Gluten-Free Puddings, Desserts & Cheesecakes:
Food Heaven Sicilian Lemon Cheesecake  


Dairy/Gluten-Free Chocolate and Snack Bars:
Booja Booja Rum Sozzled Sultana Chocolate Truffles (which I personally LOVED!!)  


Dairy/Gluten-Free Christmas Foods:
Foodamentalists Frangipane mince pies  


Gluten-Free Beer:
Daas Ambre Beer  


whew!

 ....Now all that’s left to do over here in Ireland is for all of us to start hounding our local suppliers and health food shops to please please please start stocking some of these amazing Food Allergy Friendly products!!! so get out there and get begging! ;)

New Allergy Free Finds in Dalkey's Select Stores

Last Saturday I finally took the trip out to Dalkey Select Stores. I’ve been meaning to do it for aaaaages but something always came up which left me wondering just what does go on down in Dalkey in the famous Select Stores?... So last Saturday I was happily educated with the answer! Select Stores is like a Health Food Shop but is more Food than Supplement... And as all we Food Allergic and Food Intolerant know, where there are ‘healthy’, 'alternative' foods there are sure to be Free From Allergy Friendly products to try! Dalkey Select Stores have a juice bar, a salad bar and savouries (courtesy of Blazing Salads), teas, some warm foods and a few tables amid the piled high shelves and massive windows which come together to make a really comfortable and positive ‘wholefood’ feel. Afterwards I was daydreaming about having my morning porridge in Select Stores, looking out into the waking village (the powerful nut filled porridge comes highly recommended by staff!).

What makes Dalkey Select Stores different and worth the trek, is that rather than being a ‘health food store’ they give me the impression of being more of a ‘lifestyle’ store. Sure, they have a few supplements in stock such as Higher Nature and Patrick Holford but they also have a very large Fruit & Veg section. People really gather in and happily chat away while sipping their smoothies (I got the Miller Mix-up Super Smoothie which I’ll tell you about later!) and munching on their salads and savouries.

image courtesy of F.

The shelves are made for browsing and rambling. Every corner contains something new and even though each section is not extensive, ie: I didn’t see Gluten Free Pizza Bases, but I did see a cross reference of Gluten Free and Spelt based pastas such as Doves Spiral Brown Rice pasta, Brown Rice Udon noodles and Spelt Spinach Tagliatelle. Tucked away in one corner were Health related books, another corner housed a healthy stock of Eco cleaners and up the front was a small natural cosmetics section containing brands such as Trilogy, Faith in Nature, Dr. Haushka, Burts Bees, Green People and Weleda. There were food brands and flavours that I'm yet to elsewhere in Dublin yet like Stevia Sugar Substitute sold by the jar and Ecomil Sesame Milk! There was even a little tasting table set out on the day we arrived with cheeses, bread, crackers and chorizo for sampling different oils and pestos. Of course I couldn’t try any but it all added to the overall happy, content vibe.

Top of the Pops was the cake table up front with Gluten Free Foodie and The Gluten Free Bakery goods (many of which are Dairy Free+ and otherwise Food Allergy Friendly). And of course the Smoothie Bar was a big hit too (see the Juice/Smoothies menu. Note: Many of the smoothies contain yoghurt which can easily be omitted but beware before ordering or accepting any taste testers - I had to abandon the taste tester which was offered to us filled with something pineapple and smelling amazing due to yoghurt ingredients. I was recommended to try the Miller Mix-Up Super Smoothie which sounded horrific but was actually quite tasty, albeit very green.

The Miller Mix-up contains:
Lime
Pineapple
Avocado
Ice
Apple
Cucumber
Wheatgrass
and Spirulina

Like I said, it doesn’t read well and if it hadn’t been recommended I NEVER would’ve ventured that direction but it was surprisingly better than expected and a massive size for it’s €5 price tag.

I would definitely recommend Dalkey Select Stores to locals, to day-trippers from the city looking for a resting spot and anybody looking for some unlikely or off the beaten track Allergy Free food products that you won’t find everywhere like the Curry Sauce Co. 9 which I’ll review next!), Jarred Clams, Cottage Cookies Ltd and Gertie’s squares/bars all of which I can’t vouch for other than their newness to the market! Obviously Select Stores isn’t bursting at the seems with Free From foods but there is a nice selection and you are bound to find something you haven’t tried yet.

The only downfall I could say, and it’s a very noteworthy, and somewhat serious one, is that the ingredients listings on the muffins and squares at the smoothie counter can’t be trusted. I almost bought the most amazing looking Spelt muffin only to find out that the ingredients taped to the cover were not what was inside... So do remember to ask the staff to confirm the ingredients before purchasing and eating!!! Other than that F. wanted me to mention that the aisles and definitely not buggy/pram-friendly being very narrow and twisty... which we noticed as we sipped our massive smoothies and watched a family of 5 maneuver themselves through the shelves and tables...

Have you been to Dalkey Select Stores? What do you think? What is your favourite smoothie!?

Dalkey Select Stores
1 Railway Road
Dalkey, Co. Dublin
Tel: 01 285 9611
web: www.selectstores.com
opening Times: Mon - Fri 07:30 -18:30; Sat 08:00 - 18:00; Sun 10:00 - 17:00; closed Bank holidays. Juice bar closes 1hour before closing

March: The Food Allergy Month in Review

Another month done and dusted... March is definitely going out like a lamb, although I can’t remember if it came in like a lion (as the saying goes) but I do hope that all of your allergies, restricted diets, health issues and intolerance are behaving like lambs as well! This month we had a few Free From staples added to the Allergy Free pantry as well as a couple new venues to go out and eat up a Free From storm in. On the whole it has been a very busy month for me, personally, and so that meant a bit of a chaotic month on Survival Guide. I hope that my posting date changes and sporadic nature didn’t annoy too many of you! and my apologies if they did. I think I will have to change my dates to Tuesdays and Saturdays at the least and I will strive to get Thursday posts out to you too! Which brings me to a question:

Is there anything at all that you would like me to work on? Would you like more product reviews? Cross-references? Recipes (I know I would! I HAVE to get into the kitchen!!)... or maybe you would like me to focus on some different food allergies/intolerances/restrictions? Your wish is my command as they say, because I write for you in the end of the day so please, do let me know what you think or what you’d like to see more of, etc, etc...

And now down to the link business of the past month:

RESTAURANTS, MARKETS & PUBS
March 14th 2012: Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Organic and Specialty Foods Found at the SuperNatural Food Market
March 16th 2012: Drinking Gluten Free Beer in an Irish Pub
March 21st 2012: If You’re Gluten Free Come into Havana’s

FREE FROM PRODUCTS
March 5h 2012: Delicious Chocolate Brownies - Gluten, Wheat & Dairy Free
March 12th 2012: Antoinette’s Gone Gluten Free: Let Them Eat Cake
March 27th 2012: Alpro’s New Dairy , Gluten & Soya Free Nut Milks ... & Sugar
March 29th 2012: The Best Gluten Free Bread on the Market?

WHAT’S GOING ON (FOOD ALLERGY-WISE)
March 10th 2012: Raw Soup & Tea Parties
March 24th 2012: What I’m Reading: March in the Free From Food Allergy World

RECIPES
March 7th 2012: Gluten Free Breakfast: (Tasty) Gluten Free Porridge

Raw Soup & Tea Parties

I was working in the city centre all last week which meant that I was keeping an eye out for affordable healthy Food Allergy Free lunches to tame my midday beast. Unfortunately I’m not used to having such a short lunchtime allotment so I kept ending up in Blazing Salads rotating between the Buckwheat burger and the Millet burger (I seriously can’t decide which I like more!) and sadly forgot all about the Blazing Salads stamp cards that have been tucked away in my wallet out of sight and out of mind for months… but one thing that I did spot was the Carrot & Avocado Living Soup now available in Cornucopia. I was thinking about it all week and really really wanting to try it out but the ingredient of raw garlic just didn’t seem a plausible lunchtime solution for fear of knocking my co-workers down with raw living garlic breath so at last, Saturday rolled around and when F. suggested a soup lunch I jumped at the opportunity!

- Wheat Free
- Gluten Free
- Dairy Free
- Raw
- Vegan
- Vegetarian

And boy, What a treat!! It was a luxuriously creamy blend of avocado and carrot with lemon and garlic - yum, Yum, YUM!!! But despite how much I loved it, sadly F. was not as impressed. He liked the taste but a bowl of cold soup is definitely not his thing (mental note to self: never make Gazpacho soup for F!). All of Cornucopia’s breads are Dairy Free and they have Gluten Free bread too but I chose the Spelt slice to accompany my living soup which was very rustic brown (resembling many moist rye breads) with whole seeds throughout. And can I take this moment to say that I LOVED it? Because I truly did... Perhaps I extra loved it because I had been refraining from Wheat and Gluten for so long that spelt bread was such a luxury, but I think the real reason is because it was the perfect partner for dipping each bite into the soup creating a full creamy wonderful taste with a soft moist bite. Now yes, yes, I know that dipping baked bread into a raw living soup is a bit of a contradiction but I’m not actually a Raw foodist so I think that I’m exempt from such rules ;)

However, if you are less interested in my Raw soup and baked bread combo and more interested in Raw food, Raw activities and Raw talks you should check out Sseduced’s Afternoon Tea Party. Síl, from Sseduced, is having a Raw Tea Party at in Clontarf on March 17th at 15:30 - 17:30 (a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day alternative might I say!).

image courtesy of sseduced

On the menu will be Banana Walnut Muffins, Carrot Goji Cake, Quiche, Waffles and more! And of course, everything that Síl makes is always

- Raw
- Sugar Free
- Gluten Free
- Dairy Free
- Yeast Free
- Soya Free
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Organic

So head on over to www.sseduced.com to read more about it and book your place! But hurry because there are limited places and it’s booking up fast.

**************************************************************************************

Cornucopia's Raw Living Carrot & Avocado soup is €3.50 for a small bowl and €5.00 for a large bowl (1 slice of bread included or €3 & €4.50 without bread)

Síl’s Afternoon Tea Party is €36 and you can book your place here: www.sseduced.com

What I’m Reading February: Food Allergies, Side-Effects, Being Sugar-Free & A Lot of Eye Candy

I’ve been doing loads of Food Allergy related (and more) reading this month! Maybe it’s my new wonderfully comfy work station in my lovely new room or maybe it’s just that there’s a lot of interesting stuff going on on the www. lately but whatever the reason I have a bundle of recipes, pictures, allergy related health & info not to mention a few links from 'The Nourishing Gourmet' related to going Sugar Free. That’s right folks... I’ve been trying to go completely Sugar Free (fruit & natural sweeteners included) for a couple months now but its just not happening so what better time than lent... of course, if duty calls, than that’s a different issue & this is definitely not a ‘rest-of-my life’ thing because I totally plan on nom-nomming on some Petite Treats come Easter morning, but in my day-to-day life, since Wednesday, I have unshackled myself from the Sugar world. The craving is tough but I’m feeling much stronger since my life got back in order (moving, etc.) ... The thing is, is that I have never given up ALL types of sweet before... only the pure sugar thing so this is a big one for me.. no dates.. no pear pureé.. no agave. The only sweet allowed in is in the form of Rice Milk. So wish me luck!
The Sugar related posts are not hard-fast ‘cut out all sweet’ posts, they are more just on the topic of sugar, the natural balance and some natural ways of avoiding the refined stuff. Anyway,

I hope you enjoy the reading - If you’re in a hurry, my favourite links which are 100% worth the read have asterisks (***)


FOR THE KIDS
- Allergy Awareness for Kids (Learning & laughing in funny clothes - the Elvis ariel shot is my favourite part!): www.avoidingmilkprotein.blogspot.com - Wiggles Allergy Song

GOING SUGAR FREE
- Sugar Cleanse & Chaos in Life (The Balance & Like-attracting Like): www.thenourishinggourmet.com - How a Bookcase Helped Me Eat Better
- ***Musings on honey, sweet food and moderation (Just some thoughts):www.thenourishinggourmet.com - Eat Honey For It Is Good
- Sugar free fruit-based Desserts (to help you get through): www.thenourishinggourmet.com - Fruit Centered Desserts with No or Little Added Sweetners

IN THE KITCHEN
- How to Make Vegan Sausages (She makes it sound so easy that i just might try it): www.theppk.com - Vegan Sausage
- ***A Cross-Reference of Grain-Free Pancakes (If you haven’t moved on to reservation and restriction and are still basking in pancake glory!): www.foodrenegade.com - Grain Free Pancake Recipe Links
- Tree Nut Free Nutella Recipe (Dairy substitute available) (possibly for one of your new pancake recipes!): www.nut-freemom.blogspot.com/ - Nut Free Nutella
- Creamy Dairy Free Potato Recipe (This looks pretty yum in a good old fashioned savoury kind of way):www.glutendairyfree.co.uk - Gluten Free, Dairy Free Potato Dauphinoise
- Gluten Free (and Dairy Free) Brioche (because in a sugary world brioche is king): www.simplysugarandglutenfree.com - Brioche Recipe
- Nutritional Content of Gluten Free Flours (in case you were wondering): www.simplysugarandglutenfree.com - Nutritional Content of Gluten Free Flours

LIFE & LIVING, FOOD ALLERGIES & GENERAL HEALTH
- Some Coeliac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity Coverage (A little piece from the Wall Street Journal: www.online.wsj.com - Celiac Disease & Gluten Sensitivity
- ***Fashion Victim Reality (how your clothes could be hurting your health): www.online.wsj.com - Fashion Victims
- Coeliac related health problems (Only Potential problems!): www.free-from.com - Accociated Gluten Sensitivity
- ***Life with eczema (An eye-opening account of living with eczema & eczema flare-ups): www.whatallergy.com - Eczema Flare Up
- ‘Go Dairy Free’ the Book (Top notch stuff for the people new to Dairy Free living: www.godairyfree.org - New to the Dairy Free Diet, Start Here
- Soy-Free & Dairy-Free Yoghurt (from the Rice Dream company):
www.godairyfree.org - A Whole New Class of Dairy Free & Soya Free Goodness
- ***The Craziness of Macdonald’s Fries (Read this if you thought it was just potatoes and oil!): www.foodsmatter.com - Are Macdonalds French Fries Safe

EYE CANDY (& MAKING BETTER EYE-CANDY)
- Taking better Food Photos (guest post on Kitchen Flavours): www.kitchenflavours.blogspot.in - Food Photography
- 'Photo a Day' projects (I just love them!): www.greenveganliving.com &
www.glutenfreephotos.blogspot.com
- ***Another 'Photo a Day' Project (My very favourite photo a day project, ever!): www.simplybreakfast.blogspot.com
- Some Taste-bud tempting photos (in the form of a tasty Raw recipe): www.loveraw.blogspot.com - Raw Hemp Brownies

Have you been reading anything interesting lately? Tell us all about it, throw us some links! that www. is so big it's hard to get around it all by myself!!

The 2012 Free From Food Awards Shortlist is Released!

Yesterday the Free From Food Awards Shortlist came out. What does that mean? That means that there is a wonderful list of almost 170 quality Food Allergy Friendly foods and products just waiting to be tried, be it Gluten Free, Nut Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free, Soya Free, Egg Free, etc, etc. I find that one of the biggest problems with the food allergy market is that some of the products can be a bit pricey which makes taste testing a gamble because nobody wants to fork out big bucks for something that might not taste worthy...but now, with the Free From Food Awards, our woes are behind us because the Shortlist is almost like a key to the food allergy friendly world! As one of the judges I can assure you that the tasting is rigorous and that although there can be split camps from time to time, all the products which get shortlisted are definitely worth a try...and of course the winners (which will be announced in April) are like gold dust - the stuff food allergy free dreams are made of, and therefore DEFINITELY worth a try!

The thing about judging is that there are at least 9 other judges all with different taste buds and different agendas, be it health, versatility, etc, so even if I absolutely loved something, that didn’t mean that it was going to win because the whole group had to agree... Therefore the below product comments are my opinion only and not a clue to any of the winning products - for that you will just have to wait until April 17th!!

The three categories I judged were:
Category 3: Plant Milk, Spread, ‘Yoghurt’, ‘Cheese’ & ‘Ice Cream’
Category 6: Pasta & Pizza Bases
Category 15: Chocolates, Snack Bars & Petite Fours

The most exciting of these categories, for me, was Category 3. There was an amazing Coconut-based Yoghurt from CoYo which blew my socks off! So, I definitely recommend trying that one!! (queue praying to the heavens that CoYo gets wide release in Ireland!) The wonderful thing is that it’s completely Soya Free but doesn’t taste like coconut (happy days!) making it a plain, reliable and versatile yoghurt with the perfect hint of tangy yoghurt sour making it ideal for cooking into savoury recipes or for flavouring to your own sweet desires. For me, this was the best thing in the yoghurt market since the pea protein yoghurt I tried once, but without the sugar!!

The category also made me re-think my stance on plant milks, previously I was not an oat milk lover but after having to taste them all side by side I actually had to praise Oat Milk for it’s top class taste... and of course I still think that Kara Coconut milk is an amazing substitute, despite my life-long love of sweet, light, refreshing Rice Dream rice milk! ;)

And then there were the cheeses.... Vegusto Melty Cheese was the first Dairy Free cheese that I have come by which actually melted nicely! It still didn’t loose it’s shape like traditional cheese but it didn’t shrivel into a dry lump, there was no overbearing taste of vinegar and the consistency was really nice and managed to keep it’s ‘softness’! It’s only downfall was that it tasted like average soya-based Dairy Free cheese when it wasn’t melted)... And then there was the nut based Soya Free Vegusto cheese made from Cashews and Rice Milk - YUUUUUUUM!!! I LOVED it, if you hadn’t already guessed... Unfortunately, it didn’t melt well at all, but who cares! It tasted REALLY nice. In fact I would even recommend dairy cheese eaters to eat it! It would be right at home sitting on a cheese board among the stilton, chevre and aged cheddar. Yum Yum Yum Yum... Savoury and hearty with an ‘I can’t stop eating it’ lure. Note: Vegusto’s packaging was a bit of a let down but don’t let that ward you off because by all signs they seem to be an awesome company with a tasty Dairy-Free cheese sauce too!

Category 6 was a joint category with Gluten Free pastas and pizza bases. The pastas disappointed me a bit because they were almost all corn based, which is not my cup of tea. I can’t understand why manufacturers keep making the same thing!? In my opinion, a mix of flours, is WAY better and corn based pastas tend towards being a bit rubbery and ever so slightly tangy in taste, not to mention the amount of people who actually have a corn allergy/intolerance!... but then again, I guess that that’s just my opinion. However, there was a cool little product from Farabella which were Gluten Free Pasta Grains intended for use in soups such as minestrone, but also a really neat product to use in place of bulgar. Cook it up, cool it down and make into a salad for a satisfying, healthy lunch! If I see it on the shelf I will definitely pick up a pack...despite it’s corn base ;)

On the topic of pizza bases I was more impressed. I like a thick base (my Canadian roots I suspect) and I quite liked the ciabatta-like thick oily pizza base made by Amisa, reminiscent of take-away pizza (which sadly didn’t make it to the shortlist). It was a bit crumbly but reminded me of the thick ciabatta squares of cheese-less pizza slices available from the bakery in Marks & Spencers. I have always felt that a lot of sauce and a thick base is essential for a cheese-free pizza...but I was alone on that one...
There were some other good products too, but what struck me most is how much the bases changed when tomato sauce was added! One of my favourites was the pizza base dough mix from Bob’s Red Mill which made a fresh Gluten Free Wholegrain pizza base of top quality...but then again, this probably isn’t surprising as Bob’s Red Mill products are the bees knees!

The last category, 15, chocolates, snack bars and petite fours was a sugar and caffeine attack! But The Booja Booja’s Rum Sozzled Sultana Chocolate Truffles and Tickety Boo Cakes’ Roo’s Crunch were sooooo delicious that I think I’m in love!...sorry F.

Previously I wasn’t familiar with Tickety Boo’s Roo’s Crunch (tongue twister alert!) brand but hopefully it’s shortlisted status will encourage Irish stockists to branch out! In fact, a lot of the chocolates were good but I’m not sure how many dark chocolate bars are necessary in the world. As a dairy free lifer I would like to see more milk chocolate alternatives, like the white chocolate alternatives, or flavoured bars substituting for ‘Double Deckers’ and ‘Twix’ etc... mmmm, I’m salivating at the thought!... Maybe next year!

Anyway, the list is extensive which goes to show how far the FreeFrom market is coming along! It’s so exciting to see really good quality foods available in mainstream shops for we Food Allergy Free shoppers. It can only serve to help people stay away from their poisons and show the world that alternatives sell so please keep making them!!...maybe one day the food allergy world will take over!? whahahha...

After reading the shortlist for the rest of the categories I was surprised by some products, such as Dee’s Omega 3 Vegetarian burgers which I haven’t had success with...perhaps F. is right, and I’m just not cooking them properly.... and boy, do I wish that I had a chance to try out Foodswild Gluten Free Cornish Stinger Nettle Beer!!..Bizarre - and curious! And what about the Mango & Passionfruit Non-Dairy Cheesecake bu Mamma Cucina - hello! that its definitely something that I want to be part of my life! ...and happily the other day I passed by a van marked ‘The Cake Crusader’ in Rathmines only to notice on the Shortlist that the very same Cake Crusader makes a Gluten Free, Wheat Free and Dairy Free Carrot Cake - I will have to put on my scouting suit to uncover this Cake Crusaders stockists in our wee little Dublin!

You can view the full Short-list below and try to remember it or you can keep an eye out for the Free From Shortlist or Free From Winner logos on the various products... And if you want to go to the source of the Shortlist see here which lists all the products with links to the shortlisted companies! www.freefromfoodawards.co.uk/shortlist_12.html

2012 FreeFrom Food Awards shortlist
(listed alphabetically)

1. The Innovation Award
Bessant & Drury Fine Ice Cream Co. – Lemon
Bessant & Drury Fine Ice Cream Co. – Chocolate
Bessant & Drury Fine Ice Cream Co. – Vanilla
BoojaBooja – Banoffee Toffee Truffles
Conscious Chocolates – Wild at Heart
CoYo – Coconut Milk Yoghurt – Natural
CoYo – Coconut Milk Yoghurt – Mixed Berry
Foodswild – Cornish Stinger Nettle Beer
Knead Bakery – Carrot Cake
Provamel Botanicals – Alternative to Yoghurt Apple & Green Tea
The Foodamentalists – Brown Bread Mix
Triano Brands – Tofutti Ricotta Soya Cheese Alternative

2. Dairy and/or Lactose-Free Animal Milk, Butter, Yogurt – sponsored by Swedish Glace
Delamere Dairy – Natural Goats Yoghurt
Delamere Dairy – Semi-Skimmed Goats Milk           
Delamere Dairy – Goats Butter          
Woodlands Dairy – Gooseberry & Elderflower with Natural Sheep Milk Yoghurt
Woodlands Dairy – Rhubarb & Ginger with Natural Sheep Milk Yoghurt
 
3. Plant 'Milk', Spread & Cheese – sponsored by Pure Dairy Free
Bessant & Drury Fine Ice Cream Co. – Chocolate
Bessant & Drury Fine Ice Cream Co. – Lemon
CoYo – Coconut Yoghurt Natural
CoYo – Coconut Yoghurt Mixed Berry
Delamere Dairy – Sweetened Soya Milk
Essence of Eden – Virgin Coconut Oil
Higher Nature – Omega Excellence Organic Virgin Coconut Butter
Its Only Natural – Fruit Freezies Orange and Mango
Kara Dairy Free – Alternative to Milk Original + Calcium
Vegusto – Melty Dairy-Free Cheese
Vegusto – Mild Aromatic Dairy-Free Cheese
Vegusto – Dairy-free cheese sauce

4. FreeFrom Breakfast Cereals – sponsored by Fria Gluten Free
Bob’s Red Mill – Pure Traditional Oats
Groovy Food Company – Corn Flakes
Groovy Food Company – Choco Crispies
Juvela – Fibre Flakes
Morrisons – FreeFrom Gluten Free Oats
Nature’s Path – Maple Sunrise
Sainsbury’s – FreeFrom Oaty Granola
Tesco – FreeFrom Special Flakes

5. Gluten-Free Breads & Bread Mixes – sponsored by Genius Gluten Free
Butterfly Snacks – Gluten Free Rottis (Naan/Bread Wrap)
Crazy Bakers Bundies Brothers – Brown Bread Rolls
Finax – Oat Bread Mix
Fria – Grova Dark Seeded Sliced Loaf
Fria – Grov Minibaguette Dark Seeded Roll
Glutafin – Gluten Free Wheat Free 4 Fibre Rolls
Juvela – Gluten-Free All Purpose White Mix
Sainsbury’s – FreeFrom Soft White Seeded Rolls

6. Gluten-Free Pasta & Pizza Bases/Mixes – sponsored by Tesco
Bob’s Red Mill – GF Wholegrain Pizza Crust Mix
Co-operative Foods – FreeFrom Fusilli
Doves Farm Foods – Organic Tricolore Pasta           
Eskal Foods – Corn Pasta
Farabella – Acini di Pepe/Pasta Grains
Molino di Ferro – La Veneziane Penne

7. Freefrom Foods Manufactured for Food Service – sponsored by Livwell
Costa  – Gluten Free Fruit Cake
Doves Farm Foods – Gluten Free Plain White Flour Blend without Buckwheat
Doves Farm Foods – Organic Brown Rice Penne
Foodamentalists – Golden Batter Mix
Red House Foods – Gluten Free Chicken Bites
Sauces of Choice – Sauces for Kids Tikka Sauce
Triano Brands – Tofutti Grated Mozzarella Soya Cheese Alternative

8. Freefrom Ingredients – sponsored by Juvela
Anila’s Sauces – Goan Green Sauce
Black Farmer – Spicy Muscovado sauce
Bob’s Red Mill – Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour
Clearspring – Kuzu Gluten Free Starch Thickener
Finax – Psyllium
Go Free Foods – Pancake Mix
Mesquite Company – Pure Mesquite Pod Flour
Pepper & Stew – Jollof  Sauce
Sauces of Choice – Balsamic & Garlic Sauce

9. Raw Foods & Superfoods – sponsored by Asda
Elements for Life – Raw Chocolate Making Kit
Elements for Life – Spiced Hot Chocolate
Higher Nature – Omega Excellence Raw Organic Walnut Butter
inSpiral – Raw Blackout Tart
inSpiral – Raw Dehydrated Kale Chips: Cheesie Purple Corn
James White Drinks – Beet It Organic Stamina Shot
Mesquite Company – Pure Mesquite Pod Flour
Pulsin' – Beond Organic Acai Berry Bar
Raw Health – Organic Chia & Flax Dippers
The Living Food Kitchen – Raw Hummus

10. Gluten-Free Savoury Pies, Flans, Sausages & Ready Meals – sponsored by Delamere Dairy
Meat-Based Meal Centres:
Black Farmer – Pork Meatballs
Black Farmer – Pork, Onion & Chive Sausages
Cloughbane Farm – Gluten Free Beef Sausages
Cloughbane Farm – Gluten Free Steak Burgers
Co-operative Foods – Truly Irresistible Pork Sausages
Co-operative Foods – Truly Irresistible Minted Lamb Burgers         

Pies, Flans, Pizzas, One Pot Meals:
Amy’s Kitchen – Gluten Free Vegetable Lasagne
Amy’s Kitchen – Gluten Free Bean and Rice Burrito
Butterfly Snacks – Gluten Free Chicken Spring Rolls
Dee's – Organic Omega Burger 
Dr Schar – Gluten Free Tortellini
Dr Schar – Gluten Free Bonta d’Italia Margherita Pizza
Easy Bean – New Mexican Chilli Fairtrade Red Bean with Sweet Pepper One Pot Meal
Foodamentalists – Pork, Black Pudding & Caramelised Red Onion Pie
Genius – Mozzarella Cheese & Tomato Pizza
Gluten Free Kitchen – Ovencrust Steak Pie
Gluten Free Kitchen – Ovencrust Chicken & Bacon Pie
stewed! – Chickpea, Sweet Potato & Feta One Pot Meal
The Food Resource – Fusilli al Funghi
Worthenshaws – Chicken Tikka with Brown Basmati Rice
Worthenshaws – Thai Green Vegetable Curry with Brown Basmati Rice

11. Gluten-Free Savoury Biscuits & Snacks – sponsored by Genon Laboratories
Amisa – Multiseed Crisp Bread
Conscious Foods – Millet Crackers with Rosemary
Crazy Bakers – Half Pipes Swedish Crispbreads
Darling Spuds – Fire Roasted Jalapeno Crisps
Darling Spuds – Sour Cream with a hint of Mexican Chilli
Darling Spuds – Tomato, Olive & Oregano
Juvela – Crostini Bites

12. Gluten-Free Scones, Sweet Tarts, Bakewells, Cake Bars, Muffins, etc. – sponsored by Tesco
Asda – FreeFrom All Butter Lemon Sicilian Shortbread
Conscious Foods – Ginger Thins
Co-operative Foods – FreeFrom Triple Chocolate Cookies
Co-operative Foods – FreeFrom Fruited Teacakes 4 Pack
Crazy Bakers – Oaties
Heavenly Cakes – Gluten & Wheat Free Millionaires
Molino di Ferro – La Veneziane Coconut Biscotti
Morrisons – FreeFrom 6 Assorted Jam Tarts
Sugargrain – Almond, Apricot and Tahini Flapjack
Sweetcheeks – Almondies
Tesco – FreeFrom Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tesco – FreeFrom Ginger Cookies

13. Gluten-Free Cakes & Mixes – sponsored by Mrs Crimbles
The Brilliant Bakers – Cupcake Gift Cake
Cake Angels – Traditional Cherry & Almond Cake
The Cake Crusader – Gluten, Wheat and Dairy Free Carrot Cake
The Cake Crusader– Rich Fruit Cake
Cakes Divine – Dairy & Gluten Free Carrot Cupcakes
Cariad Cakes – Gluten Free Orchard Plum & Ginger Cake
Fria – Kladdkaka Chocolate Brownie Cake
Incognito Cakes – Choc Fudge Cake
Incognito Cakes – White Choc Raspberry Muffins
Lewis & Cooper – Gluten-free Fruit Cake
Ms Cupcake – Cupcakes
Sainsbury’s – FreeFrom Chocolate Chip Muffins     
Steph’s Free From Cakes – Lemon Drizzle Cake
Sugargrain – Banana & Chocolate Chip Loaf
Sweetcheeks – Maple & Pecan Cupcakes

14. Gluten-Free Puddings, Desserts & Cheesecakes – sponsored by Hale & Hearty
Food Heaven – Summer Fruits Cheesecake
Food Heaven – Sicilian Lemon Cheesecake
Tideford Organics – Butterscotch Rice Pudding        
Mamma Cucina – Mango & Passionfruit Non-Dairy Cheesecake     

15. Dairy/Gluten-Free Chocolate & Snack Bars – sponsored by Tesco
Biona – Organic Sour Snakes
Booja Booja – Rum Sozzled Sultana Chocolate Truffles
Celtic Chocolates – Choices FreeFrom White Choc Easter Egg & Buttons   
Conscious Chocolates – Essential Orange
Eskal Foods – Chocolate Coated Pretzels
Eskal Foods – Yoghurt Coated Pretzels
Gourmelli – Secret Passion Organic Strawberry Dark Chocolate Bar 74%
Kinnerton – Dairy, Egg, Gluten and Nut Free Bar
Nut Free Chocolatier – Pomegranate & Elderflower Truffles
Pulsin’ – Raw Choc Brownie
Tickety Boo Cakes – Roo’s Crunch

16. Dairy/Gluten-Free Christmas Foods – sponsored by Produced in Italy
Cariad Cakes – Christmas Cake 
Conscious Chocolate – Cherry Christmas  
Christine’s Puddings – Rum and Ale Pudding 
Foodamentalists – Frangipane Mince Pies
Friendly Food and Drink – Xmas chutney
Genius – Gluten-free mince pies  
Lewis and Cooper – Plum Pudding
Livwell – Christmas cake    
Morrison's – FreeFrom Christmas pudding
OK Foods – FreeFrom Mince Pies     
Pyman Pates – Chickenliver with port, brandy and cranberries 
The Heavenly Cake Company – Christmas cake

17. Gluten-Free Beer – sponsored by Asda
Daas – Ambre Beer
Daas – Blond Beer
Foodswild – Cornish Stinger Nettle Beer 
Gluten-Free Shop – Ambar
Green’s – Bottle Refermented Blonde Ale
Green’s – Premium Golden Ale
Wold Top – Against the Grain

And thank you again to Michelle Berriedale-Johnson of Foods Matter, for making the Free From Foods Awards exist!!

The Month in Review: January’s New Reads, Food Allergy Warnings & Fun!

It’s already the 4th of February - high time to review what happened in January I should think.... Well, it was a bit of a chaotic month for me filled with new opportunities, life changes and buckling down. That was all well and good but then on the very last week I discovered that I was going to have to move house! Aghast! I’ve been in my house for more than 6 years and in the area for almost 10! But with the right tinted glasses I can see this as an opportunity to maybe move to the northside of Dublin. I have long felt Survival Guide to be a bit southside heavy purely because it’s my main drag and so, what better way to research the northside of the city than to move right into the middle of it!?
Other than my personal upheaval, January was a month of gossip and news flashes with some allergen free sweets to tempt your post-Christmas taste buds (not HALF as much as I had thought - my guilt must have been related to my own cravings & indulgences!) and some ideas and product tastings in hopes of finding Gluten Free (and Dairy Free, etc.) breakfasts worth waking up for!

RESTAURANTS
Jan 16: Going to Nando’s - Ask for the Ingredients Book for Full Allergen Listings!

FREE FROM PRODUCTS
Jan 9: A Worthy Repeat - Dairy Free Caramel Flavoured Choices
Jan 18: Siesta Carob Bars - Sugar Free, Tasty & Naturally Caffeine Free

LIFE, LIVING & TRAVELLING WITH FOOD ALLERGIES
Jan 4: ‘Medicinal Cookery’ by Dale Pinnock - The Real Scoop on Super Foods
Jan 11: All About Oreo & It’s Overseas Allergens
Jan 13: Gossip & Gatherings: What’s Been Going On Allergy-Wise
Jan 20: Gossip & Gatherings Cont... Raw Vegan Restaurant & Events
Jan 27: What I’m Reading: Fresh Starts, Free From Recipes & The World of Restricted Diets

BREAKFASTS & RECIPES
Jan 23: Gluten Free Breakfast (Vegan)
Jan 30: The Search Continues: Gluten Free Breakfast Worth Waking Up For

What I’m Reading: Fresh Starts, Free From Recipes & the World of Restricted Diets

Well, it’s that time of the month again where I try to share some of the wonderful, interesting and inspiring things that I have been perusing over the last 30 or so days. This month has been a see-saw of healthy foods, new years resolutions and dietary/allergic reactions/cures competing with holiday reminiscent indulgent recipes and lazy living. So now that January is almost over lets get down to work at making 2012 exactly the way we want it to be... So the menu is Copper Toxicity, Beginning an Allergy Free Diet, all the crazy Mental and Emotional stuff that can go along with Food Allergies, Getting your Fresh Starts on the road before January is out, A dose of healthy and wicked Recipes to tempt you whether your plans for 2012 are drink more, be healthy, or indulge yourself...My ordinary Extras and one little Question: Has anybody tried Flax Milk??

P.S. A little bit of bad news - the Valentines Raw Dinner I was all excited about last week has sadly been cancelled... woe is me! But there are still loads of courses and whatnot to get you Raw and active: www.sseduced.com

LIVING & LIFE WITH FOOD ALLERGIES, INTOLERANCES & RESTRICTED DIETS
- Copper Toxicity (fascinating & essential reading - it could be you): www.drlwilson.com - Copper toxicity Syndrome
- The Slow Oxidizer Eating Plan (getting your Yang on): www.drlwilson - The Slow Oxidizer
- Going Allergy Free 6 Step Plan: www.godairyfree.org - 6 Simple Steps
- Allergy Related Behaviour (Obsessive Compulsive): www.allergyfreecookery.blogspot.com
- And More Allergy Related Behaviour (Depression & Food Allergies): www.whatallergy.com & www.foodsmatter.com

DETOX & HEALTHY LIVING FOR 2012
- Eat More Greens (‘cause everyone should do it!): www.therparticularkitchen.com - How to Eat More Leafy Greens
- Sugar Cleanse (because I feel guilty after all the January sweets I posted about - and ate!): www.thenourishinggourmet.com - Sugar Detox Challenge Invite
- New Beginnings (it’s never too late to start fresh): www.loveraw.blogspot.com - Your Strategy for 2012

IN THE KITCHEN (TASTY LOOKING RECIPES - BOTH HEALTHFUL & INDULGENT)
- Sweet but Green Raw Drink (the pictures make me want to try it): www.loveraw.blogspot.com
- Caramelized Beets (I’m not a beet lover but these might be nice): www.theppk.com
- Tofu Scrambles (some helpful tips on perfecting the art): www.vegansaurus.com
- Gluten Free Upsidedown Cake: www.glutenfreephotos.blogspot.com
- Cake in a Cup (for those instant needs): www.glutenfreestudentcookbook.co.uk
- Kale Martini (sounds gross, might be good - only one way to find out!): www.celiacchicks.com

BLOGGING
- New Job Titles (interesting post on the term ‘food blogger’): www.kblog.lunchboxbrunch.com

THINGS I WANT
- A Wake-Up Light (the birds chirping sentence sold me!): www.eatinglikeahorse.wordpress.com
- Flax Milk to come to Ireland Please! (or have you seen it somewhere? Must hunt!): www.godairyfree.org

A TINY BIT OF EYE-CANDY
- Travel photos (from a free from blog): www.simplygluten-free.com

Happy Reading & Happy Weekend!

Gossip & Gatherings Cont... Raw Vegan Restaurant & Events

Moving & Grooving
A Little Update on Last Friday’s Post which you can see here
Word on the street is that Fresh is planning on re-locating but is just searching for a new venue. The biggest problem with Powerscourt is that they closed at 6pm which was no longer suitable to Fresh... possibly meaning some late night free from food on the menu?! ... but remember, these are still just rumours - I haven't heard anything direct from Fresh.

***********************************************************************************************

Also looking for a location is that much talked about Raw Vegan restaurant which I believe will be called ‘Aphrodisiac’. Síl from www.sseduced.com (and future proprietor of Aphrodisiac) confirmed for me that they are ready and waiting to open once they find an appropriate location, preferably in the Grafton Street or Temple Bar areas of Dublin 2. And to help Aphrodisiac get on its way here’s a tempting little offer from Sseduced: “We're looking for premises ready to go...If anybody sees anywhere suitable that they would like to recommend to us, they can kindly write to sil@sseduced.com. If we use the premises they recommend we'll reward them with a number of special meals and gifts from Sseduced!” So get your scouting hats on!

And if you can’t wait for that, then check out Sseduced’s monthly Raw Food Events (first one starting tomorrow, Jan 21st at 12:30pm. Also, Feb 2nd at 2pm!) which are like cooking-get-togethers and gives you a feel for what it’s like to be raw for a day with a cooking class, a demo, talk, gourmet meals! Check out the website for more information and booking: www.sseduced.com.

***********************************************************************************************

And yes, that ever important day is tight on our heels again. If you want your 2012 Valentine's to be a little more cool and a little less sappy (OR a little more fun and a little less lonely) check this out: Sseduced is also doing a Valentines Raw Vegan party for both singles and couples. Check out the video ad for it here www.sseduced.com - I love the boy bears voice! Now I’ll have to get on to F. and see if he would like a bossa nova filled February 14th this year!

P.S: When I refer to Aphrodisiac/Sseduced that means:

- Dairy Free
- Gluten free
- Wheat Free
- Sugar Free
- Soya Free
- Yeast Free
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Raw

Gossip & Gatherings: What’s Been Going On Allergy-Wise

The 2012 Free From Awards & Yours Truly!
My most exciting news is that I’m going to be a judge at the 5th Annual Free From Food Awards in London! I seriously can’t wait! Likewise, I can’t wait to tell you all about it and the wonderful products that will be competing (but of course, the later will come only after the shortlist is released in March). The winners will be announced in April and if you’re wondering what on earth I’m on about because you’ve never heard of the Free From Food Awards: They’re only the best thing since sliced Gluten Free Bread! They are the UK’s only awards for Free From excellence and obviously are a much needed force in the industry for food allergy/intolerant eaters everywhere because they set the bar and can only help the Free From world get better and bigger and tastier - which is what we all want after all, isn’t it?! The organisers conduct a blind taste test for the judges which are made up of food professionals, dietitians, nutritionists, people with food allergies, bloggers (like me!) and some ‘normals’ to benchmark against mainstream equivalents. They announce a shortlist in March and then in April award the winners in numerous categories with ‘Winner’, ‘Highly Commended’ and ‘Commended’ crowns plus an overall competition winner for the best Free From Food for the year. There are loads of sponsors (The 2012 Awards are being sponsored by Asda, Delamere Dairy, Fria Gluten Free, Genius Gluten Free, Genon Laboratories , Hale & Hearty, Juvela, Livwell, Mrs Crimbles, Produced in Italy, Pure Dairy Free, Swedish Glacé, Tesco). And they judge a whole range of foods which are one or all of the following: Wheat Free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Yeast Free, Soya Free, Sugar Free...Basically they’re only awesome so watch this space! For more on the awards, the sponsors, organisers, how to enter your free from food (which is closed for 2012) and all that, see: www.freefromawards.co.uk


Say Good-bye to Cafe Fresh in Powerscourt

In other news, Cafe Fresh which was located upstairs in the Powerscourt Townhouse is closed - My friend S. confirmed to me only this morning that the doors are closed and their Facebook page has been removed! This, so close on the heels of Juice’s abrupt closure makes for a dark time for vegetarians, vegans and free from eaters in Dublin, non? Supposedly there is hope of just a relocation with Fresh, but with no notices up it seems doubtful. All this definitely makes me hope that my next piece of gossip will be a successful reality!


The On-Going Vegan Restaurant Rumours
In other news I’ve been doing some digging with relation to the rumored Vegan Dublin City Centre restaurant meant to be coming our way but I have nothing solid yet. I THINK, the proprietor might be Síl from Sseduced?? Her website, www.sseduced.com has a hopeful little line on the restaurant page saying ‘Dublin’s 1st ever Raw Restaurant is now quickly becoming a reality right at the Heart of the City in early 2012!’
It seems that Sseduced has, in the past rented out The Joy of Chá located on Essex Street in Temple Bar two nights a week to serve vegan raw living food but this is no longer happening. I’m eagerly awaiting confirmation of a permanent location/opening because if it’s all true then we can look forward to: Wheat Free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free, Soya Free, Yeast Free, Egg Free, Organic, Vegan, Vegetarian and of course, RAW food in a sit down restaurant in the city centre and seriously, how great would that be?!

Free Raw Food Talk with Food Tasting, Recipes & More

Just a quick little note today because I heard that Natasha from Natasha’s Living Food is giving a **FREE** talk on Thursday, October 20th (that’s tomorrow).

It’s part of the Natasha’s Living Food Program and is promoting the Raw dietary lifestyle and Raw food courses in November and December. There will also be free food tasting with recipes! I won’t be able to make it myself but if I could I Definitely would go along. I’m not a raw foodist, as I’m sure you know, but I would definitely jump at the chance of a free talk with super tasty samples to bite on and the added bonus of a recipe or two which, as you know, will be Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy Free, Wheat Free, Gluten Free, Egg Free, and Free of Refined Sugar too!

Did I mention that it’s free? Because that means that there should be nothing to stop you from going along! ;)
And if you do go, which I hope, please tell us all about it!

Where?
Open Mind Yoga Studio (right across the lane from 'Melt')
26 Temple Lane South
Temple Bar, Dublin 2

When?
Thursday October 20th 2011
@ 18:30 - 19:30

Ukiyo Bar: Allergy Friendly Menu incl. Gluten Free, Dairy Free & Vegan Listings

The time has come to talk about one of my old favourite restaurant venues in Dublin. I love Asian food (mainly Japanese, Thai and Korean) but Korean is on top lately. Since their opening I have frequented Ukiyo Bar on Exchequer Street. The prices have never been too steep and I could always navigate my way around the menu to get something Dairy Free at least, but as all things come and go in my life I hadn’t actually darkened Ukiyo’s doors for quite some time so you can imagine my nostalgic glee when my sister suggested Ukiyo as our lunch venue last Sunday in between two plays from the Ulster Bank Theatre Festival!

I was surprised to find that Ukiyo had updated their menu to include food allergy navigation for vegan, coeliac and some dairy free (hip, hip hooray!!)
- Dairy Free
- Gluten Free / Coeliac
- Egg Free
- Vegetarian
- Vegan

...but I have a few very important warnings to highlight...

1st: The lunch menu on the weekends is heavily Mexican in feel and does not contain the food allergic options of the evening menu, with exception of the Caterpillar Sushi Roll which can be Vegan on request. However, the restaurant was quiet and our server was extremely lovely and managed to get us a meal from the dinner menu (thank you, thank you).

2nd: Although the menu states some dishes to be Vegan and/or Coeliac friendly Ukiyo request you to notify the staff if you are Coeliac so they can substitute any soya sauce with its Gluten Free partner Tamari.

3rd: Even though the menu only asks you to notify re: Coeliac and Gluten Free needs, I think that it is pretty clear that they need notification of Vegan too as some of the items clearly state egg, etc. as ingredients which can easily be left out.

4th, and most important (and heartbreaking): The dessert menu had two loudly labelled ‘Dairy Free’ desserts of Ginger Chocolate Ganache and Orange Chocolate Ganache both from Natasha’s living food range which means that they are also vegan, raw, gluten free and free from refined sugar! (€6.50). My sister and I were oh so excited to be having such a lovely meal and to be presented with the option of Dairy Free desserts that we decided to split a Ginger Chocolate Ganache. This is where our experience dampened... The second server, who was really really nice, and beautiful, was sadly not very fluent in English and although we ordered the ‘Dairy Free Ginger Ganache’ we were presented with the Ganache on a plate adorned with ice cream and syrups. We tried to ask if the side was Dairy Free as well but we were only told that it was a decoration (which we found somewhat funny). We opted to eat what we could and leave and touching parts in case the dessert was not actually fully dairy free as listed.

When our table was cleared both servers commented on our left ice cream so we tried again with the second server who said that, no, it was indeed dairy-FILLED...!

This is one of the most frustrating of allergy free events. Yes, the dish is originally Dairy Free or Allergy Friendly but the staff don’t fully understand why.. or forget.. or can’t answer our questions... anyway.

We made the right decision by surgically removing the contaminated pieces and very thoroughly enjoyed the remainder - seriously! It was truly DELICIOUS! But the moral of the story is yet again, that you can NEVER ask too many questions.. and if in doubt ask to speak to another server, or the owner, or the chef.... but always remember to be polite and friendly because our server did want to understand, she just couldn’t... and food allergies are not the norm, and even though someone seems to be in the know, they frequently aren’t and it is your health and well being so you are in charge of looking after it.

And if you go to Ukiyo, remember to make your dietary needs clear and if you order the ganache, ask for it to arrive without decoration! Because it truly is worth it.

Oh, and although we only indulged in Bi Bim Bap -yum yum yum!- (rice, assorted vegetable, a fried egg, soy sauce and spicy goghu jang chilli sauce designed to be combined at your table)

my sister would like me to recommend her other house favourite of Chap Che (marinated sweet potato noodle pan fried with vegetables and rice) which can also be made Vegan, but not Gluten Free.

In addition to that which is labelled, simple dairy allergies or egg only allergies can be easily avoided with some sensible caution and questioning from remaining items on the menu.

Do Venture, but venture with caution, always!

Ukiyo Bar
Location: 7-9 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2
Tel: (01) 633 4071
Web: www.ukiyobar.ie
Opening Times: mon-thurs, 12:00 - 16:00, evening 17:00 - 24:00; fri-sun 12:00 - 15:30, evening 17:00 - 03:00am


Ukiyo Bar is also featured on www.TravelGlutenFree.co.uk