Good *Monday* morning!! :)

Awwh…  only 11 days until we leave!!  So excited/nervous!! 

I won’t be putting out many posts in the next 2 weeks, as I am crazy busy!   But stick around because once I get back, there will be a bunch of awesome recaps of our trip!!     And wedding details that I know a few of you are excited to hear!!  

Thanks to the ladies at school (who are amazing) for an awesome stagette! 

(little did I know, this wasn’t all I was getting dressed up in!)  

You all know I’d post pictures but many of them are highly incriminating haha…  we had a fantastic time though and I even got to go out dancing, which I haven’t done in forever!    And the food……  was so good!  Everyone made a dairy free dish for me (awwh)  There were salads, and salsas, and amazing noodles, fresh baked buns, dairy free deserts,  it was fantastic!

They also did (which is an amazing idea)  a money/wedding advice tree!

This was an amazing gift idea!!  I want to pass it onto anyone planning a baby or wedding shower.

Everyone submitted some wedding advice and anonymously gave some cash!   I love the anonymous part, because some people don’t like giving cash because they can only give a little, and my theory on this is no one should have to feel bad, so being able to do it anonymously is fantastic!!

I am for sure doing this for any stagettes/showers I do!!  Who doesn’t appreciate cash?    And the wedding advice was beautiful!   Plus we have a tree to plant to symbolize our wedding!

Anyways, that’s all the stagette pictures you get!!  You guys know my thing about not posting friend pictures without permission, so I don’t want to do that!!

Anywhoo have a great Monday!!!

Dairy Free over the Holidays

Christmas is fast approaching, and that can be a scary time for Dairy Free people.

I know that my first 2 Christmas’s dairy free were a total drag.  No deserts, no cheese plates, no mashed potatoes… ugg..

So here are some suggestions,  they won’t work everywhere, but you can try!

Please be cautious, these are things I have found to be dairy free, that doesn't mean that it still is 100%, products and labels change often.  You are best off reading boxes, or not eating something if you are unsure.

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At HOLIDAY PARTIES

Christmas Dinner

(source)

I wish I had better news here… 

Unless I know the person well (and ask them to let me know what I can and cannot eat) I bring my own plate of food.  Many people will accidently cook with margarine or put a splash of milk into things, which equals a turkey and a dairy hangover!

It’s just so much safer to bring your own, or if it’s a family ordeal, cook with them to do your own mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing etc. 

Some good alternatives

Bring Earth Balance Butter with you! (I even trek mine to Newfoundland)

Chicken or Veggie Stock in mashed potatoes and stuffing is awesome.

Safe Appetizers Eats

I am basing this on what usually shows up at my parties – if you have any questions let me know.

Shrimp Cocktail

Crackers – Triscuts (be aware there is 1 flavoured with parmesan), wheat thins, saltines, water crackers, “mary’s gone crackers” crackers, most rice crackers, graham crackers,

Anything pickled – onions, pickles, asparagus

Olives, antipasto,

Spinach dip is a no no, but it means there will be sourdough bread – which is dairy free.

Fruit or Veggies – beware of dips though.

Smoked Salmon is fine

Salsa and guacamole (usually ok)

Sushi

Bacon wrapped scallops

Meatballs* this is one I would check for sure, usually these are ok, but there are some people who put parmesan cheese in them.

Devilled Eggs are usually dairy free, but double check if you can.

Chips – nacho chips, plain, ripple, for Canadians, most ketchup chips are dairy free, pretzels,

Nuts

Stay away from or beware of; cold cuts (meat), any dips, crackers (except the ones listed above), chocolate anything, anything that looks deep fried or store bought, chicken wings, always ask before eating, quiche,

Candy & Treats

Junior Mints, wine gums, jube jubes, suckers, jelly beans, candy canes (I have never seen one with dairy, even the creamy sounding ones, again double check those ones), candy corn.

Stay away from – cookies of any and every variety (sorry), caramels, chocolate anything (including white chocolate), peanut brittle unless you check first!

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Starbucks drinks or goodies – Dairy Free

I don’t know about you guys, but I spend a lot of time at Starbucks over the holidays,  I think it’s because of all the visitors.  This list can work good at other coffee places too!

Soy Chai Latte

Soy Misto

Soy Cappuccino

Soy Toffee Nut Latte 

Soy Steamed Milk with Toffee Nut (my fav), Caramel, Vanilla.

Soy Peppermint Latte

Any of the Teas

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Lucy’s Cookies (in the little baggies)

Just Peeled Snacks

The Sahal Nut Snacks

Shaken Ice Tea Lemonade (the passion one is awesome)

BEWARE OF – anything egg nog, the crème brule, caramel, their smoothies have whey powder, but they are good about not adding it, and using soy milk.

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They are great (at my Starbucks at least) about helping me figure out what to order, so ask away – this goes for any coffee houses.

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I hope this helps, even a bit!   Feel free to leave a comment or contact me if you have any questions!!  I know I probably missed lots!

Cheers to a happy and healthy holiday season,

Jess