Can't Have Candy with a Peanut Allergy?

Think again.

If you hanker for a Mounds Bar, or Peppermint Bark, never fear.

You can make them at home. Here are a few resources for making your own chocolates at home (and not on equipment used to manufacture products with peanuts, tree nuts, or any of the other top 8 allergens or otherwise).

Mounds Bar
Peppermint Bark
Peanut Butter Cups (substitute Sunbutter for Peanut Butter).
Peeps!
Milky Way
Peppermint Patties

I haven't made any of these, mind you, but it's nice to see the resources online. Can you tell I'm craving chocolate and candy today?!?

And a side note: If you want to recreate some restaurant recipes, check out this site. You have to pay for the recipes (all I believe - but they are only .79 each), but if you really want to recreate something at home (and allergen-free), this looks like the place to start!

Using Hand Sanitizer to Prevent Peanut Contamination? Think Again.

Something to keep in mind that was new to me:

If you think that a hand sanitizer, like Purell, can protect you against peanut proteins, think again.

Hand sanitizers shouldn't be used to clean the hands of someone who's just touched peanuts (or other food allergens for that matter). These products are made to kill germs only - they don't wash your hands and they can't always remove allergenic proteins like peanuts or shellfish from your hands.

Just something to keep in mind. Handwashing with soap and water is the best way to remove peanut residue or other food allergens from your hands (or body).

Not that I'm ever touching peanuts, but it's good to keep in mind.

Tim's Potato Chips

Ok, so I've got good news and bad news.

The BAD news is that Tim's Potato Chips (oh how I love you Wasabi flavor) are fried in peanut oil.

What type of oil do you use?
We start with the all natural goodness of premium quality peanut oil the add corn and sunflower oil for that perfect golden brown chip with real potato taste in every delicious bite.

I discovered this fact over the weekend while shoveling a few (hundred) chips into my mouth and casually reading the label. Luckily Bella didn't eat any since they were Wasabi, but after reading the label (amd confirming things on their website) I felt like I needed a Silkwood shower or something.

The good news is that since I wont be eating these chips, I may get to keep my girlish figure.

Oreo Cakester - So Close

I was in Target last night and saw these:



They're like whoopie pies - except like an Oreo! Chocolate cake, soft creamy white filling - oooh baby. Now, I love me an Oreo cookie, as does Bellaboo, so I grabbed a box for my cart. As a passing habit, I read the label and found:

"ALLERGY INFORMATION: MANUFACTURED ON EQUIPMENT THAT PROCESSES PEANUTS AND TREE NUTS."

Damn you Nabisco! Why do you tempt me so, only to pull the rug out from under me? Ah well, at least I still have regular Oreos.