Dairy & Soy Free Snack: Veggie Straws

UPDATE: Please make sure to double check ingredients each time you buy. I hope I never overlook anything but it’s possible and ingredients can change. A lot of my posts are over two years old and since I have gone back dairy soy free I have discovered a few items I use to buy all the time that now have soy in them.

I came across a neat little snack to toss in my purse for Bel in place of chips. They are called Veggie Straws and they taste like regular salted chips and look like fries. The snack itself is dairy & soy free but they are manufactured in a facility that also processes wheat, soy & milk.

Normally that would not bother an intolerance (if you have a true allergy I would not risk it). I did not try things processed in a facility that processes dairy & soy until Bel was one. She never had an issue with it but tred lightly until you see how reactive you or your baby are.

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

Making The Transition Out Of The No Dairy No Soy Life

I want to apologize for taking so long between posts. With an active toddler, summer has been non stop for us this year. We have been making the transition out of the dairy soy free life this summer. I wanted to share our experience so far and the positives & negatives.

On March 1st I started introducing Bel to dairy and soy. Since we were still nursing I stayed dairy soy free in case she still had an intolerance, that way I would not need to detox too. We started with freeze dried yogurt bites (found in the baby food section). Bel seemed to do ok with them for a few days, but then she started vomiting and stopped wanting to eat them. We backed off of the dairy & soy for awhile. After a few weeks we tried string cheese sticks. Bel did not seem to like them much but did not get sick.

Next we tried yogurt covered raisins, which had dairy & soy in the ingredients. She did fine with these. We just slowly added different foods (grilled cheese, pizza, breads, chips, candy, etc). By May, Bel seemed to be able to eat most things. Days when she had a lot of dairy, especially cheese, she was a little constipated but that was expected. I think her getting sick in the beginning was her body reacting to dairy after not having it since she was 6 weeks old.

On May 1st I started eating dairy & soy again to see if having dairy & soy in my breast milk would make a difference to Bel. It did not, but it sure made a difference to me. In one months time I gained 20lbs, seriously I'm not exaggerating 20lbs from May 1st to June 1st! Plus I have less energy and feel bloated all the time.

Cooking dairy soy free was fun for me, it gave me a challenge and was healthy. Where I felt a void was in baking dairy soy free. I love to bake. Sure I learned to make some great cookies, brownies, and fudge dairy soy free but nothing beats baking with real butter, milk, whipping cream, and I love cream cheese frosting on cupcakes. So now I'm in a position of figuring out if I want to go dairy free (I think I'm ok with soy) again, not for Bel who seems to have outgrown her intolerance, but for me. Being dairy free means a healthier life style for us, but it also means a more expensive (dairy free foods cost more) and less convenient life style (harder to eat out or at other people's houses). So now I'm in a position of eating the rest of the dairy in the house then making my decision if we are going dairy free again.

I will continue to post dairy & soy free meals and foods as I make or find them.

Here are some cupcakes I made for Bel's 2nd birthday party. My first time baking with dairy in two years!

Chocolate Peanut Buttercream Filled with Chocolate Ganache, Chocolate with Oreo Cream Cheese Frosting, and Chocolate with Cream Cheese Frosting.


You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

Eating Out Dairy Soy Free

Eating out while trying to stick to a dairy soy free life can be almost impossible. I only ate out twice in the 631 days we were dairy soy free and both times were at Genghis Grill. Since you pick your own raw food and then choose sauces I felt like I could control what I was eating. I stayed away from anything that said marinated on the food line and crab (imitation crab has soy in it). I asked management for a menu that listed the ingredients in their sauces. They had two that were dairy soy free the Dragon Sauce & Tomato Basil. I also asked what kind of oil and spray they use on their grill and asked them to cook mine on a cleaned service with no cooking spray. Both Genghis Grill's I ate at were very accommodating. I called ahead before I went to check if they could accommodate my allergies.

One of my Pintrest followers said that Buffalo Wild Wings has two boneless wing sauces that are dairy soy free their Honey BBQ & Jamin' Jalapeno (thanks for the tip Lori). I bet they have a sauces ingredients list you can read too. Make sure to ask about their oil and sprays too.

Bottom line if you are going to eat out call ahead see if they can accommodate your allergy requirements. Ask about ingredients lists, what cooking oils & sprays they use, and if your meal can be cooked in a separate clean area.

It took me until Bel was 18 months old to risk eating where I could not control the cooking myself and even then I only did it twice. Use your judgment and do your research.

You can also find me on  Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

Part 3: Quick Lists of Dairy Free & Soy Free Foods

UPDATE: Please make sure to double check ingredients each time you buy. I hope I never overlook anything but it’s possible and ingredients can change. A lot of my posts are over two years old and since I have gone back dairy soy free I have discovered a few items I use to buy all the time that now have soy in them.

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. We have started trying out dairy & soy on our daughter to see if she has outgrown her intolerance. I will do a few blog posts on our journey back into the dairy soy world too. I have continued to keep dairy and soy free, since I'm still nursing, until we are sure Bel can handle dairy & soy.

In this post you will find some foods I have listed before and some new foods i've recently found.

Frozen Fries:

Alexia makes a few frozen fries that are dairy soy free (be careful not everything by Alexia is dairy soy free). We love the sweet potatoe fries, the waffle cut seasoned fries (they taste like curly fries), the 98% fat free straight cut fries, and the hash browns.

Cereals:

We enjoy Reese's Puffs, Cherrios, Fruity Cherrios, Cap'n Crunch, and Cap'n Crunch Berries.

Beef Tamales:

If you like canned beef tamales the Hormel brand and the Senora Verde brand are dairy soy free.

La Choy Chow Mein Noodles are a great snack (I eat them like chips). They are also like crackers if you're sick and need something easy on your stomach.

Seasonings:
Here are a few more spices I've found to be dairy soy free.

From McCormick: Pinch Perfect: Lemon & Pepper & Cajun. Grill Mates: Molasses Bacon, Worcestershire Pub Burger, & Steakhouse Onion burger. The burger spices are great for grilling out.

From Webber: Kick'n Chicken, Gourmet Burger, Chicago Steak, & Mango Lime. From Morton Season All Season Salt

Breads:

Udis maked dairy soy free breads found in the frozen section of the grocery store. They are expensive and not the most delicious bread you have ever eaten but if you don't want to make your own then options for dairy & soy free breads are limited. They make hamburger, hot dog, white & wheat breads, and raisin bread.

This will probably be my last dairy soy free post as we are in the process of transitioning into dairy soy foods. I will post on our progress into the dairy & soy world. Also if I find something dairy soy free of interest I will post it. I am still open to questions if anyone has them please don't hesitate to ask.

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

Dairy Free Soy Free Homemade Biscuits

Here is an easy recipe for homemade biscuits. We eat them with everything from jelly, sausage, and bacon to fried chicken. For the fried chicken I use my wing recipe just without the sauce (just the breading). Just cut your chicken into thin cutlets instead of wing shapes. Here's the recipe Dairy Soy Free Fried Chicken

I also make them with the dairy soy free buttery spread on top.

Dairy Soy Free Biscuits

Ingredients:

Pam for Grilling Cooking Spray or Non Stick Foil

2 Cups Self-Rising Flour

1/2 Cups Spectrum Dairy Soy Free Shortening or Lard (I might even use more, I eye it)

2/3 to 3/4 Cups Water (I use 3/4)

*Optional: Earth's Balance No Dairy No Soy Buttery Spread

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 500°F. Coat baking sheet with no-stick cooking spray or foil.

2. Measure flour into large bowl. Cut in shortening with pastry blender or 2 knives until crumbs are the size of peas. Blend in just enough water with fork until dough leaves sides of bowl.

3.Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead gently 2 to 3 times. Roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut using floured 2-inch biscuit cutter. Place on prepared baking sheet 1 inch apart for crisp sides or almost touching for soft sides.

4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.

*Optional: Melt buttery spread in microwave and at the end of cook time for biscuits brush on butter. Put back in oven on broil for 2 minutes. Keep your eye on them they burn fast!

UPDATE: Please make sure to double check ingredients each time you buy. I hope I never overlook anything but it’s possible and ingredients can change. A lot of my posts are over two years old and since I have gone back dairy soy free I have discovered a few items I use to buy all the time that now have soy in them.

*If you use All-Purpose Flour: Combine 2 cups flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt before cutting in shortening. Follow directions above.

Original Recipe: White Lily Biscuits

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

Dairy Free Soy Free Garlic Crusted Chicken & Mashed Potatoes

UPDATE: Please make sure to double check ingredients each time you buy. I hope I never overlook anything but it’s possible and ingredients can change. A lot of my posts are over two years old and since I have gone back dairy soy free I have discovered a few items I use to buy all the time that now have soy in them.

Dairy Free Soy Free Garlic Crusted Chicken & Mashed Potatoes

This chicken came out juicy and delicious!

Ingredients:

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup Panko Bread Crumbs (I use Emeril's Original, check your ingredients for dairy & soy)

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

ground black pepper to taste

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1/2 cup butter, cut into pieces (I use dairy & soy free Earth's Balance Buttery Spread)


Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Place eggs and Panko crumbs in two separate shallow bowls.
Mix panko crumbs with garlic salt and pepper.
Dip chicken in the eggs, then dredge in the crumb mixture to coat.

Arrange coated chicken in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Place pieces of butter around the chicken.

Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.

Original Recipe: Famous Butter Chicken

*If you use a glass baking dish read all care instructions, and never broil food in them or place on cold surface out of hot oven.

Dairy Free Soy Free Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

8 potatoes, peeled and quartered
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/4 cup coconut oil or Dairy Soy Free Earths Balance Buttery Spread
2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
salt to taste
1 pinch ground pepper
2 tablespoons green onions, chopped (optional)

Directions:

Bring a large pot of water to boil; add potatoes, and boil until soft, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Drain, and place in a large bowl.

Combine potatoes with coconut milk, coconut oil (or buttery spread), garlic (optional), salt, and pepper.

Mash with a potato masher to your desired consistency. Sprinkle with chopped green onions (optional).

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

Dairy Free Soy Free Ice Cream

UPDATE: Please make sure to double check ingredients each time you buy. I hope I never overlook anything but it’s possible and ingredients can change. A lot of my posts are over two years old and since I have gone back dairy soy free I have discovered a few items I use to buy all the time that now have soy in them.

So Delicious makes a dairy free soy free ice cream. I tried the chocolate and it was pretty good. To me it tasted like chocolate ice cream mixed with chocolate whipped frosting. So if you have a craving for ice cream you are in luck. I have found this ice cream at Publix and Food City. The downside is it is not cheap. A pint cost over five dollars. I only tried the chocolate but they had mint and vanilla too.

*Be careful when buying this because there are larger containers for a better price but they are not soy free. Make sure you get the containers that say dairy and soy free.

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

Dairy Free Soy Free Waffles (or Pancakes)

*they look a little off because I add syurp to my batter, see alterations below

UPDATE: Please make sure to double check ingredients each time you buy. I hope I never overlook anything but it’s possible and ingredients can change. A lot of my posts are over two years old and since I have gone back dairy soy free I have discovered a few items I use to buy all the time that now have soy in them.

I received a waffle maker for Christmas and ever since then I have been making waffles like crazy. I put the basic recipe then listed some alterations I've tried out. *You can also use this recipe for Pancakes.

Basic Pancake or Waffle Mix

4 Cups Self Rising Flour
1/2 Cup Sugar
2 Beaten Eggs
2 Cups Water
2 Tablespoons Oil (I Use Corn Oil)

Makes 16 Waffles or 20 Pancakes (16 waffles might sound like a lot but these freeze and can be reheated in the toaster easy & fast, great go to breakfast or snack).

Directions

Mix dry ingredients first.

Then add in beaten eggs, oil, & water.

Spray waffle maker or pan with spray (I use Pam for Grilling, check yours for dairy & soy). Pour into waffle maker or pan. My waffles take around 6 minutes but your waffle maker might be different. Flip pancakes after they start to bubble.

Alterations:

*My husband came up with the idea to pour the syrup right in with the batter. This is a great way to feed toddlers waffles or eat them on the go, no sticky mess. I did this in the picture above.

*Another alteration I can give my husband credit for is cooking sausage and crumbling it up in the batter along with the syrup. So good! This is my favorite way to eat them. Probably would work with cooked crumbled bacon too. Also a great grab and go meal.

*Add of course you can add fruit (blueberries, strawberries, apples, etc) or chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life Mini Chips).

*Ok this one might sound odd but it was also good and your kids will love it. Pizza Waffles! What you do is cut the sugar in half or even more. Add garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and pepperoni chopped up. Then heat up some pizza sauce for dipping. My husband liked adding chopped red onion and green peppers but that might be too much for most kids.

Waffles are fun, easy, and very customizable.

Make sure to check all your ingredients (including syrups, butters, and anything you add into the mix like sausage, bacon, pepperoni, chocolate, etc.). *I use Earth Balance Soy Free Buttery Spread for butter.

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

Dairy Free Soy Free Brownies

UPDATE: Please make sure to double check ingredients each time you buy. I hope I never overlook anything but it’s possible and ingredients can change. A lot of my posts are over two years old and since I have gone back dairy soy free I have discovered a few items I use to buy all the time that now have soy in them.

These are excellent somewhere between chewy and cake brownies.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter (I use Dairy Free Soy Free Earth Balance Natural Buttery Spread)
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (if you use self-rising flour you do not need the salt or baking powder)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour (or spray, I use Pam for Grilling, check your spray for dairy & soy) an 8-inch square pan.

In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs (beat before mixing in), and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

In separate bowl mix 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder (omit salt & baking powder if using self-rising flour).Then beat dry ingredients into wet ingredients until it all looks wet.

Spread batter into prepared pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook, brownies will continue to cook out of oven. Let sit for about an hour before cutting.

Here is the original recipe: Best Brownies

*If you use a glass baking dish read all care instructions, and never broil food in them or place on cold surface out of hot oven.

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom