The Allergen-Free Baker's Handbook, Family Friendly

Perfect for holiday allergen-free baking is a new book, from another allergic girl and colleague, Cybele Pascal, The Allergen-free Baker's Handbook. Disclosure: I gave her a blurb and really enjoyed the book. Press release below from Cybele.

***

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

My new cookbook, The Allergen-free Baker's Handbook (Random House/Ten Speed) is now available for pre-order on Amazon.

This comprehensive baking guide is free of all top 8 allergens, as well as gluten and sesame. In addition to being a fabulous resource for those with food allergies and sensitivities, it's also a great looking coffee table book and makes a fantastic gift! You can order it now for the holidays and ensure a Christmas delivery by selecting 1 day shipping at checkout. (It's only $3.99 for 1 day shipping if you sign up for a free trial of Amazon Prime, which can always be canceled!)

***

More on Allergic Girl.

Ch-Ch-Ch Changes

During these last months of 2009, Worry-Free Dinners is taking some BIG and BOLD steps to improve the WFD experience. Our next events will be in 2010.

In the meantime, check out Allergic Girl's Recommendations for restaurants in New York City and keep those applications coming.

Families, Allergies

I’m looking for some stories of families who support your dietary restrictions. Whether parents, sibs, grands, in-laws, please share! With Thanksgiving soon approaching, we could all use some great supportive family stories. Please share in the comments section!

Earth Balance & WFD

Back in January, I asked a few WFD parents what dairy-free, gluten-free butter substitute they use for cooking and baking. Earth Balance came up again and again as the spread of GF/DF WFD members use and adore.

From the Earth Balance website: Earth Balance is the all-natural division of Smart Balance, Inc. While most of their products contain the same patented blend of oils shown to improve the important cholesterol ratio that Smart Balance® uses, they’re also made with only natural, expeller-pressed oils. They also never contain GMO’s, artificial preservatives, flavors, colors or emulsifiers. Not only that, all of the products are vegan and gluten-free.

So taking our cue from you, our loyal WFD members, Earth Balance became a WFD staple, usually for icing with Cherrybrook Kitchen icing mix. Specifically we utilize the SOY-BASED Vegan Buttery Sticks when appropriate.

The Vegan Buttery Sticks ingredients: Non-GMO INGREDIENTS: Expeller-pressed natural oil blend (soybean, palm fruit, canola and olive oils), filtered water, pure salt, natural flavor, (derived from corn, no MSG, no alcohol, no gluten), soy protein, soy lecithin, lactic acid (non-dairy, derived from sugar beets), colored with beta-carotene from natural sources. Contains soy.

Earth Balance supports the Worry-Free Dinners program with delicious GF/DF Earth Balance products.

Thank you Earth Balance team!

FAMILY WFD EVENT: Dos Caminos, October 4, 2009

*** SOLD OUT ***

Worry-Free Dinners® is a membership group and you MUST be a member to eat with us. It's super easy to join. Just send an email to worryfreedinners@gmail.com to request an application.

You may have read about our first event as BRGUEST’S DOS CAMINOS or even Allergymom Gina’s lovely story about her experiences with Dos Caminos 3rd Avenue.

Now you can experience it for yourself.

The FAMILY WFD Dos Caminos Soho menu will be: gluten free, peanut free, tree nut free, sesame seed free, fish free, shellfish free, dairy free and egg free. Please note this menu is corn heavy therefore NOT for anyone with corn sensitivities.

The meal will be served family style as in everyone gets a little bit of everything, with seconds and thirds when you want them. As always, beverages are on you.


***

INVITATION

WHEN: October 4, 2009, 530-730pm

WHERE:
Dos Caminos Soho
212.277.4300
475 W Broadway (at Houston Street)
New York, NY 10012

WHO: Anyone whose diet is gluten free, peanut free, tree-nut free, fish-free, shellfish free dairy free and egg free. Additional food allergies or other concerns *may* be accommodated with prior notice.

WHAT YOU'LL GET:
• Coaching around issues of food allergies/food intolerances by Allergic Girl, Sloane Miller, MFA, MSW, LMSW
• Group discussion tailored to your concerns
• Networking with families who understand your issues
• Chat time with Executive Chef Meghan Young
• A delicious Worry-Free Dinners® event at a top NYC restaurant

***

Dos Caminos Soho menu:

APPS
Guacamole with corn tortillas, fresh cut vegetables, trio of salsas
Plantain Empanadas - Plantain masa, ham & sweet potato, chipotle aioli

ENTREES
Al Carbon Tacos - Grilled chicken, orange salasita, guacamole
Asada Tacos - Grilled skirt steak, pico de gallo, guacamole
Dos Enchiladas - Pastor marinated chicken, roasted corn, tomatillo verde sauce

SIDES
Mexican Red Rice
Refried Black Beans

DESSERT
Sorbet TBA
Pineapple Banana Empanadas

Dining with Allergies, NYC

WFD Members:

Want to go back to Blue Smoke where you've experienced WFD goodness?

Just use www.opentable.com when booking and mention "Worry-Free Dinners" along with your dietary requests in the "Special Requests for the Maitre D'" section.

The restaurant will have your info on file.

Cool, right?

Going elsewhere? This Allergic Girl link has my BEST tips.

Ming Tsai, Blue Ginger

Ming Tsai, who is quickly becoming the voice for parents of food allergic kids and for the culinary community on how to take care of patrons with food allergies, writes in this month's Atlantic Monthly magazine.

And he's featured in Cookie magazine as well.

WFD FAMILY LUNCH: July 26, 2009 - Round Up

Yesterday's Family WFD at Blue Smoke was so much fun! Just look at some of pictorial highlights from Danielle Amedeo (©Allergic Girl Resources, Inc.) and you’ll see what I mean. Thank you WFD Families!

***
The next Blue Smoke WFD FAMILY LUNCH event is Sunday, September 13.

And we have our first WFD FAMILY DINNER event at Dos Caminos, Sunday, October 4.

Save the dates!

***

Wings of Wonder:


Raucous Ribs:


Free-From-Allergens Fries:


Bodacious Brisket & Brocs:


Fantastic Fruit:


Cherrybrook Kitchen Cupcakes & Frosting, Rid-ic!

WFD Adult Dos Caminos Dinner

Last night’s Worry-Free Dinners event was at Dos Caminos Soho, our first event with BRGUEST. They went above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of our meal was an allergen-free success - like a completely newly washed, scrubbed and new corn oil filled dedicated fryer just for our group. Heavenly.

I’d like to thank Chef Meghan Young who created, cooked and oversaw all of our dishes and talked to our group extensively about BRGUEST's restaurant policy regarding food allergies. Thank you as well to GM Amanda and sever Jason for their assistance throughout the evening.

(Please note: all this FA love is not only reserved for this Allergic Girl. Give BRGUEST notice, communicate your needs and they will do their best to accommodate you within their abilities. See Allergymoms' experience).

It was all so delicious - I’m definitely ready to do it all again. WFD families get ready for our September event!

Here’s last nights menu that was gluten free, peanut free, dairy free, treenut free, fish free and shellfish free. (Please note this menu is corn heavy):

APPS:
Guacamole with tortilla chips, fresh cut vegetables, trio of salsas
Plantain Empanadas - Plantain masa, ham & sweet potato, chipotle aioli

ENTREES
Al Carbon Tacos - Grilled chicken, orange salasita, guacamole
Asada Tacos - Grilled skirt steak, pico de gallo, guacamole
Dos Enchiladas - Pastor marinated chicken, roasted corn, tomatillo verde sauce

SIDES
Mexican Red Rice
Refried Black Beans

DESSERT
Prickly Pear Granita
Pineapple Banana Empanadas

And here’s the run down of what we ate in picture form. I’ll let the food speak for itself. (Pictures by Danielle).

***

Chef Meghan making our guac:


Our dedicated fryer tortilla chips:


Guac:


Ham & sweet potato empanada (we gobbled them up):


A special order of chicken without orange salsa. The allergy ticket is standard to BRGUEST policy:


Dos enchilladas:


Sides:


Pineapple Banana empanadas, oh my:

Adult WFD event, July 12, 2009

I have an excellent treat in store for you: Worry-Free Dinners event Mexican at Dos Caminos Soho. Come join us for an early Sunday dinner and then enjoy Soho at your leisure!

The menu will be: gluten free, peanut free, treenut free, fish free and shellfish free. (Please note this menu is corn heavy.) This will be served family style as in everyone gets a little bit of everything, with seconds and thirds etc. As always beverages are on you.

And something new. I’m going use a jumping off point for discussion: survival tips summer travel.

Worry-Free Dinners® is a membership group and you MUST be a member to eat with us. It's super easy to join. Just send an email to worryfreedinners@gmail.com to request an application.

***

INVITATION

WHEN: July 12, 2009, 6pm-8pm

WHERE:
Dos Caminos Soho
212.277.4300
475 W Broadway (at Houston Street)
New York, NY 10012

WHO: Anyone whose diet is gluten-free, fish/shellfish free, peanut-free and tree-nut free. Additional food allergies or other concerns *may* be accommodated with prior notice.

WHAT YOU'LL GET:
• Coaching around issues of food allergies/food intolerances by Allergic Girl, Sloane Miller, MFA, MSW, LMSW
• Group discussion tailored to your concerns
• Networking with people who understand your issues
• Chat time with General Manager and Executive Chef
• A delicious WWorry-Free Dinners® event at a top NYC restaurant

MENU:

APPS
Guacamole with corn tortillas, fresh cut vegetables, trio of salsas
Plantain Empanadas - Plantain masa, ham & sweet potato, chipotle aioli

ENTREES
Al Carbon Tacos - Grilled chicken, orange salasita, guacamole
Asada Tacos - Grilled skirt steak, pico de gallo, guacamole
Dos Enchiladas - Pastor marinated chicken, roasted corn, tomatillo verde sauce

SIDES
Mexican Red Rice
Refried Black Beans

DESSERT
Prickly Pear Granita
Pineapple Banana Empanadas

***

Questions or need an application? Just send an email to worryfreedinners@gmail.com.

WFD FAMILY LUNCH: July 26, 2009

*SOLD OUT & NOTE NEW DATE: JULY 26TH, 2009**

It’s that time again: Blue Smoke Worry-Free Dinners LUNCH. If you haven’t been yet, you simply must join us for some incredible BBQ. If you’ve been once, I know you wanna come back. Here are the details.

**

WHERE: Blue Smoke
116 East 27th Street (between Park and Lexington Avenues)
New York, NY 10016
(212) 447-7733

WHEN: Sunday, July 26, 2009, 1130am-130pm

WHAT YOU'LL GET:
• Coaching around issues of food allergies/food intolerances by Allergic Girl, Sloane Miller, MFA, MSW, LMSW
• Group discussion tailored to your concerns
• Networking with parents who understand your issues
• Chat time with a representative from Blue Smoke
• A delicious "Worry-Free Dinner" lunch at a great NYC kid-friendly restaurant

Fees are payable by Google Checkout on the Worry-Free Dinners® site. Remember: You must be a member to get your seat at the table (Please email at worryfreedinners@gmail.com for an application to join)!

**

LUNCH will be FAMILY STYLE and ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT.
*Beverages will be on a pay per drink basis.*

Menu will be FREE FROM: gluten/wheat, peanuts, tree-nuts, sesame, fish/shellfish, dairy and eggs.

STARTERS
Chipotle Chicken Wings
Arugula salad with roasted red peppers, radishes, and asparagus with your choice of pepper-apple vinaigrette or the house vinaigrette

MAIN COURSES
Sliced Texas-Style Beef Brisket
Texas Salt & Pepper Beef Ribs
Mini-burgers

SIDES
Gluten-Free French Fries
Sautéed Broccoli

DESSERT
Fruit plate and an allergen-friendly dessert by Cherrybrook Kitchen with Earth Balance vegan frosting


Come join us!

**

Not a member yet? Just send an email to worryfreedinners@gmail.com to request an application so you can join us.

(Wo)Men at Work

Hope you've all had a smooth transition from winter to spring.

You may have noticed that we’ve been quiet during the month of May. We've been hard at work:

-Creating partnerships with new restaurants groups to bring WFD members more choices in the NYC area and beyond

-Making structural program changes to increase members' positive takeaways

Watch for changes starting NOW.

Feel free to email with any questions: worryfreedinners@gmail.com.

Summer Adult WFD: QUESTION

Good afternoon WFD Adults,

We're planning two new events just for you this summer: Mexican and Italian (gluten-free and nut-free, TBA).

Here's the question: It's summer and many of you will go out of town or on vacation, so we just wanted to get a sense about these potential dates.

Tuesday June 30 or Tuesday July 21 - Italian

Sunday July 12 or Sunday August 2 - Mexican

Let us hear from you which date works (if any) and we will plan accordingly.

JFK = Jazz for Kids

Last Sunday was another wonderful afternoon with Blue Smoke allergen-friendly goodness and WFD kids. This time we were downstairs listening to jazz played by local NYC kids.

Thank you to the Discover Jazz Program for keeping this vital art form alive. And thank you to the Blue Smoke/Jazz Standard team for supporting Worry-free Dinners and our members!

Jazz & Kids, woo hoo!

Family WFD, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

**POSTPONED**

Join us for a special Worry-Free Dinners® Florida event sponsored by The Allergy Free Shop.

***

INVITATION

WHERE: Seasons 52
2428 E Sunrise Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
(954) 537-1052

WHEN: Sunday, November 8th, 2009

WHAT YOU'LL GET:
• Coaching around issues of food allergies/food intolerances by Allergic Girl, Sloane Miller, MFA, MSW, LMSW
• Group discussion tailored to your concerns
• Networking with parents who understand your issues
• Chat time with a representative from Seasons 52
• A delicious "Worry-Free" lunch at a great Ft. Lauderdale allergy-friendly restaurant
• A fantastic allergen-friendly goody bag sponsored The Allergy Free Shop.

PARENTS FEE: $50, includes tax and tip but not beverages.

CHILDREN'S FEE: $30, includes tax and tip but not beverages.

Fees are payable by Google Checkout on the Worry-Free Dinners® site. Remember: You must be a member to get your seat at the table!

***

Menu: FREE FROM: Tree-nuts, peanuts, gluten, dairy, egg, fish and shellfish.
*Beverages are on a pay per drink basis.*

Choice of APPS:
Steamed Edamame
Mixed green salad

Choice of ENTRÉE:
Chicken Skewers with vegetable trio
Tofu and vegetable plate
Turkey Burger

Choice of SIDES:
Vegetables with maple glaze reduction
Roasted bliss potatoes

Email worryfreedinners@gmail.com with any questions or for an application.

We look forward to dining with you Worry-Free soon!

WFD, One Year Old

Today marks the anniversary of our first Worry-Free Dinners® event: April 1st, 2008. I can't believe it's been a whole year since we launched. And what a year it's been.

We've been supported by allergy-friendly food/snacks/treat/sweet vendors all along the way: thank you.

Cherrybrook Kitchens has generously supplied dessert mixes for many of our events. What a delight to have a safe dessert in a restaurant. Thank you CBK.

Allergy-friendly chefs, managers, servers and restaurants have opened their doors to our community and continue to do so: thank you.

Danny Meyer's Blue Smoke committed to monthly events--wow, thank you.

Our national membership has grown by leaps and bounds and keeps growing every day! (Not yet a member? Just send an email to worryfreedinners@gmail.com to request an application.)

The media has taken notice giving us great local press and national press. Thank you to all of the journos who support the program.

Moving forward members can look forward to adult and family events in NYC, and family events in Ft. Lauderdale, Philadelphia, Washington DC and Boston.

And there's even more to come. Join NOW!

Worry-Free Dinners, March 29th Lunch, Wrap Up

(Jake and CBK cupcake. Photo credit © Alvin De Guzman)

What a lovely luncheon on a cold and misty day. Manager Ben, Chef Billy and server Doug made sure we were all safe during service, kept the meal running smoothly, answered all of our questions and packed up some serious doggy bags.

Thanks team Blue Smoke for your support!

Thank you too to dad of Jake (see above) who took some gorgeous pictures! Way better than my out of focus, is-that-rib-grease-on-the-camera-ones.

And Mom of Jake who penned this fab post-WFD event run down. Check out their FAAN video as well.

WFD & Jazz for Kids, April 26, 2009

***SOLD OUT***

Jazz, played by kids, while we are eating Worry-Free. How cool is that?

This will be a different kind of WFD event: less coaching (i.e. talking by me) and more cultural outing--all with the Blue Smoke allergy-friendly meaty goodness.

WHO: Worry-Free Dinners Family members of ALL AGES are invited. Non-allergic family members and friends are invited, we just need their completed apps. Just send an email to worryfreedinners@gmail.com to request an application

WHERE: DOWNSTAIRS at Blue Smoke/Jazz Standard
116 East 27th Street (between Park and Lexington Avenues)
New York, NY 10016
(212) 447-7733

WHEN: Sunday April 26th, 2009

TIME: 1-3pm

FEE: Adult: $65; Child: $45 (Please note: The WFD fee includes a cover for the musicians, the Discover Jazz Foundation.)

MENU: LUNCH will be FAMILY STYLE and ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT.
*Beverages will be on a pay per drink basis.*

Menu will be FREE FROM: gluten/wheat, peanuts, tree-nuts, sesame, fish/shellfish, dairy and eggs.

STARTERS
Chipotle Chicken Wings
Chopped Salad

MAIN COURSES
Sliced Texas-Style Beef Brisket
Texas Salt & Pepper Beef Ribs
Mini-burgers

SIDES
Gluten-Free French Fries
Sauteed Spinach

DESSERT
Fruit plate and an allergen-friendly dessert by Cherrybrook Kitchen

Come join us!

***

Not a member yet? Becoming a Worry-Free Dinners® member is super-easy and there's no obligation. Just send an email to worryfreedinners@gmail.com to request an application so you can join us for the next WFD event.

Bad Service Tips, Bon Appétit

Handling Bad service from Bon Appétit Magazine. Good suggestions even for parents of FA kids. Yes, really.

REMINDER: Sunday, March 29, 2009

**SOLD OUT**

WHERE: Blue Smoke
116 East 27th Street (between Park and Lexington Avenues)
New York, NY 10016
(212) 447-7733

The menu is FREE FROM: gluten/wheat, peanuts, tree-nuts, fish/shellfish, dairy and eggs.

WHEN: Sunday, March 29, 2009, 1130am-130pm

WHAT YOU'LL GET:
• Coaching around issues of food allergies/food intolerances by Allergic Girl, Sloane Miller, MFA, MSW, LMSW
• Group discussion tailored to your concerns
• Networking with parents who understand your issues
• Chat time with a representative from Blue Smoke
• A delicious "Worry-Free Dinner" lunch at a great NYC kid-friendly restaurant

LUNCH will be FAMILY STYLE and ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT.
*Beverages will be on a pay per drink basis.*

STARTERS
Chipotle Chicken Wings
Chopped Salad

MAIN COURSES
Sliced Texas-Style Beef Brisket
Texas Salt & Pepper Beef Ribs
Mini-burgers

SIDES
Gluten-Free French Fries
Sauteed Spinach

DESSERT
Fruit plate and an allergen-friendly dessert by Cherrybrook Kitchen with vegan frosting

WFD on Serious Eats

Well, more about this Allergic Girl actually but WFD is in there too! Enjoy Serious Eats.com!

WFD March 8, 2009 Wrap Up

OMG, so yummy.

This time we changed up the menu a little by adding the most succulent brisket and some sautéed spinach. And all the WFD faves were there: GF chicken wings, chopped salad with everything on the side, brontosaurus ribs, GF fries and Cherrybrook Kitchen for dessert.

Have a look at the pix and try not to drool on your 'puter.

***

Manager Ben, Chef Billy and server Doug made sure we were all safe during service, kept the meal running smoothly, answered all of our questions and packed up doggies bags. Thanks team Blue Smoke !

***
Wanna join us next time but not a member yet? Becoming a Worry-Free Dinners™ member is super-easy and there's no obligation. Just send an email to worryfreedinners@gmail.com to request an application so you can join us for the next WFD event.

***

One table view:

(© Allergic Girl Resources, Inc.)

The other end of the table:

(© Allergic Girl Resources, Inc.)

Ribs made for the Flintstones:

(© Allergic Girl Resources, Inc.)

Full on lunch mode at the WFD:

(© Allergic Girl Resources, Inc.)

Cherrybrook Kitchen cupcakes with Cherrybrook Kitchen frosting:

(© Allergic Girl Resources, Inc.)

The fruit plate was luscious:

(© Allergic Girl Resources, Inc.)

Do NOT get between a girl and her CBK frosting:

(© Allergic Girl Resources, Inc.)

John and his first dessert in a restaurant--oh yeah!

(© Allergic Girl Resources, Inc.)

Worry-Free Dinners™ & Blue Smoke

(© Allergic Girl Resources, Inc.) Allergic Girl and Danny Meyer this past Monday at the International Foodservice & Restaurant Show at the Javitz. (He's scrunching to be my height for the pic. How nice is that?)

I'm thrilled to announced that Worry-Free Dinners™ and Danny Meyer’s Blue Smoke (Blue Smoke, 116 East 27th St., New York City) are partnering to bring family-friendly, allergy-friendly monthly events beginning March 2009 through the rest of 2009.

Come join us!

Not a member yet? Becoming a Worry-Free Dinners™ member is super-easy and there's no obligation. Just send an email to worryfreedinners@gmail.com to request an application so you can join us for the next WFD event.

Washington DC Allergy-Friendly Restaurants

Hey DC families.

I’m coming down for the AAAAI conference March 13th and am looking for somewhere to dine at night.

Any suggestions in the conference zone would be so appreciated!

Conference Locations:
Washington Convention Center
801.Mount.Vernon.Place.NW
Washington,.DC.20001

Renaissance Washington, DC
999.9th.Street.NW
Washington,.DC.20001

Grand Hyatt Washington
1000.H.Street.NW
Washington,.DC.20001

Chain restaurants or high end: what are some of your faves?

NYC Food Allergy Bill To Pass

For NYC FA parents and food allergic adults: "NYC Council to pass life saving measure for food-allergic New Yorkers. Lappin bill would increase awareness among food preparers and handlers."

Yay!

WFD March 8, 2009, REMINDER

**SOLD OUT**

**NOTE MENU CHANGES**

WHERE: Blue Smoke
116 East 27th Street (between Park and Lexington Avenues)
New York, NY 10016
(212) 447-7733

The menu is FREE FROM: gluten/wheat, peanuts, tree-nuts, fish/shellfish, dairy and eggs. Other food allergies/sensitivities MAY be accommodated.

WHEN: LUNCH, Sunday, March 8, 2009 11:30am-1:30pm

WHAT YOU'LL GET:
• Coaching around issues of food allergies/food intolerances by Allergic Girl, Sloane Miller, MFA, MSW, LMSW
• Group discussion tailored to your concerns
• Networking with parents who understand your issues
• Chat time with a representative from Blue Smoke
• A delicious "Worry-Free Dinner" lunch at a great NYC kid-friendly restaurant

***

LUNCH will be FAMILY STYLE and ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT.
*Beverages will be on a pay per drink basis.*

STARTERS
Chipotle Chicken Wings
Chopped Salad

MAIN COURSES
Sliced Texas-Style Beef Brisket
Texas Salt & Pepper Beef Ribs

SIDES
Gluten-Free French Fries
Sauteed Spinach

DESSERT
Fruit plate and an allergen-friendly dessert by Cherrybrook Kitchen with vegan frosting

***
Not a member yet? Becoming a Worry-Free Dinners™ member is super-easy and there's no obligation. Just send an email to worryfreedinners@gmail.com to request an application so you can join us for the NEXT WFD Family event.

Private WFD Family Event

This past weekend, we had a private family Worry-Free Dinner for two families at Blue Smoke:



Didn't know we did private parties? We do and it was super fun! If this is something you'd like to do with your family, just email us at worryfreedinners@gmail.com .

Two kids, one in each family, have dietary restrictions. One has food allergies and one has celiac disease. For these two kids it's difficult to eat out as a family where everyone can get what they want--I know you understand as well as I do. So this WFD became all about them: everything and I mean everything on the table was tailored to their needs. It was a WFD party just for them!

Blue Smoke Manager Ben took care of us personally. Server Chris made sure all the food came out on time and that there was plenty of it. Sous chef Pierre was in the downstairs kitchen making all of our food separately.

Here we are as we practice talking to the chef:



Then Chef gave us a private tour of the kitchen. The tour prompted this question from a meat-loving 8 year old as we were admiring the pork butts turning in the smoker:

"Is pork pig? 'Cause I like pork!" (Classic).

"Yes," I said, "Pig and pork are one and the same."

"Wow, I like pig," he squealed.

Cherrybrook Kitchen provided the dessert mixes: GF/DF/Nut-Free all delish. (I love the dimpled hand reaching for one.)



Thanks CBK and thanks to everyone who helped to pull this night together to make it truly Worry-Free.

WFD Superbowl Sunday

Silly me. I had NO CLUE it was Super Bowl Sunday. But lots of parents did and made a Worry-Free Dinners event their first stop on a day of fun for the kiddies!

Here are some pictures of our WFD--enjoy. (Thank you Danielle for doing the honors with your new camera. You did a SUPER job!)

App of GF pork pot stickers:


GF Fried Shrimpies


GF Chicken Skewers


GF Cali roll (I think)


Entree of GF Chicken with glass noodle soup:


Entree of GF Boneless Ribs


Entree of GF Borneo Chicken (I call it candied chicken, very sweet & spicy)


Sadly no pictures of our GF CBK Brownies and fruit plate cos they disappeared!

Gustorganics Round up

I'm always somewhat ferklempt after a WFD, as in a loss for words. There is so much sharing, togetherness, community, eating, laughing and more eating: all safe, all fun. What can I say; Sunday at GustOrganics was simply greatness.

Here are some pictures. Notice the huge app portions--we were all full after starters but we ate on.

Smoothies with alcohol and without:


Starter of Gusto soup:


Starter salad with pears and strawberries and rummy smoothie:


Mushroom Risotto:



Blurry chit chat with dinner salads:

Allergic Girl, Martha Stewart Living Radio

Tune in TODAY at 130pm as I will be on Martha Stewart Living Radio on Sirius Radio.

I'll be talking all things food allergies, Superbowl, Valentine’s Day and how to keep it all worry-free!

WFD Family Event, March 29, 2009

**SOLD OUT & NOTE DATE CHANGE**

We've been very busy behind the scenes here at WFD. Yesterday, we announced the March 2009 event and it sold out in 30 minutes.

I know, lightening fast.

Many of you were effectively shut out. So I've added a special second date just for you and your little ones. The invitation is below. Come join us!

Not a member yet? Becoming a Worry-Free Dinners™ member is super-easy and there's no obligation. Just send an email to worryfreedinners@gmail.com to request an application so you can join us for the next WFD Family event.


***
WHERE: Blue Smoke
116 East 27th Street (between Park and Lexington Avenues)
New York, NY 10016
(212) 447-7733

The menu is FREE FROM: gluten/wheat, peanuts, tree-nuts, fish/shellfish, dairy and eggs. Other food allergies/sensitivities MAY be accommodated.

WHEN: Sunday, March 29, 2009, 1130am-130pm

WHAT YOU'LL GET:
• Coaching around issues of food allergies/food intolerances by Allergic Girl, Sloane Miller, MFA, MSW, LMSW
• Group discussion tailored to your concerns
• Networking with parents who understand your issues
• Chat time with a representative from Blue Smoke
• A delicious "Worry-Free Dinner" lunch at a great NYC kid-friendly restaurant
• A fantastic allergen-friendly goody bag

PARENTS FEE: $50, includes tax and tip but not beverages.

CHILDREN'S FEE: $30, includes tax and tip but not beverages.



***

EARLY SUPPER will be FAMILY STYLE and ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT.
*Beverages will be on a pay per drink basis.*

STARTERS
Chipotle Chicken Wings
Chopped Vegetable & Lettuce Salad

MAIN COURSES
Mini-burgers in lettuce
Texas Salt & Pepper Beef Ribs

SIDES
Gluten-Free French Fries
Gluten-Free Macaroni & Cheese
Seasonal Veggies

DESSERT
Fruit plate and an allergen-friendly dessert

Email worryfreedinners@gmail.com with any questions/concerns--we look forward to dining with you Worry-Free soon!

WFD Family Lunch, March 8, 2009

**SOLD OUT**

Our next WFD Family event is March 8th for lunch.

Not a member yet? Becoming a Worry-Free Dinners™ member is super-easy and there's no obligation. Just send an email to worryfreedinners@gmail.com to request an application so you can join us for the next WFD Family event.


***
WHERE: Blue Smoke
116 East 27th Street (between Park and Lexington Avenues)
New York, NY 10016
(212) 447-7733

The menu is FREE FROM: gluten/wheat, peanuts, tree-nuts, fish/shellfish, dairy and eggs. Other food allergies/sensitivities MAY be accommodated.

WHEN: LUNCH, Sunday, March 8, 2009 11:30am-1:30pm

WHAT YOU'LL GET:
• Coaching around issues of food allergies/food intolerances by Allergic Girl, Sloane Miller, MFA, MSW, LMSW
• Group discussion tailored to your concerns
• Networking with parents who understand your issues
• Chat time with a representative from Blue Smoke
• A delicious "Worry-Free Dinner" lunch at a great NYC kid-friendly restaurant
• A fantastic allergen-friendly goody bag

***

LUNCH will be FAMILY STYLE and ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT.
*Beverages will be on a pay per drink basis.*

STARTERS
Chipotle Chicken Wings
Chopped Vegetable & Lettuce Salad

MAIN COURSES
Mini-burgers in lettuce
Texas Salt & Pepper Beef Ribs

SIDES
Gluten-Free French Fries
Gluten-Free Macaroni & Cheese
Seasonal Veggies

DESSERT
Fruit plate and an allergen-friendly dessert