Allergen-Free, Gluten-Free Halloween: Safe Candy

I'm way excited about finally living in a place where I'll have trick-or-treaters without a doubt! For the last four years, I've been bouncing around university housing and I've just settled into a place in a cozy neighborhood filled with families and small children. This year, I'm handing out completely allergen-free candy (free of the top 8 allergens and gluten). The percentage of kids with food allergies is on the rise, and according to an article by CNN, it could keep increasing. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the number of kids with food allergies went up 18 percent from 1997 to 2007. Though the cause is still debatable, it doesn't change the numbers. Since I'm allergic to what my coworkers call "the world and then some", I totally understand how difficult a time Halloween can be for parents and kids with food allergies--no candy swapping with friends and triple-checking ingredients can be stressful. But with these safe treats, rest assured no one's going to need the Epipen injection during the party.

Shown Above:

1. Yummy Earth Organic Gummy Bears -- Yummy Earth has many other allergen-free options.
2. Grape Bat Lollipops by Strawberry Hill -- Non-GMO sugar, Free of the top 8, gluten, & corn.
3. Dark Chocolate Jack-O-Lantern Lollipop by Strawberry Hill
4. Glee Gum Fruit Flavors -- No artificial coloring, flavors, GMOs, or artifical sweeteners & free of the top 8
5. Creepy Brains Cherry Lollipops by Strawberry Hill
6. Surf Sweets Spooky Gummy Spiders -- Surf Sweets has many other allergen-free options.
7. Gummi Jack-O-Lanterns by Indie Candy -- Indie Candy has other allergen-free options.
8. Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Boom-Choco-Boom Bar
9. Enjoy Life Ricemilk Crunch Chocolate Bar

Other Great Brands:

• Gimbals Fine Candies -- Allergen-free
• Haribo Gold Bears -- Allergen-free. Note: Some of their other candy contains allergens.
• Jelly Belly Jelly Beans --Allergen-free. (They discontinued the Peanut Butter flavors and do not process any peanuts in their facilities as of 2011).
• Annie's Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks

Popular Candies that are Allergen-free & Gluten-free: For complete allergen-info breakdowns, see last year's brilliant listing by Sure Foods Living, which I consulted for some of the following.

Sour Patch Kids
Sweedish Fish
Necco Wafers
Original Dots
Welch's Fruit Snacks
LifeSavers Gummies (Note: the hard candies contain soy oil)
Original Starburst
Original Skittles, Skittles Sour, & Skittles Crazy Core
Wonka: Bottlecaps, Nerds, Everlasting Gobstopper, Runts, Fun Dip, Pixie Stix, Spree Original, Sweet Tarts Original
Note/Disclaimer: It's always best to check allergen statements with the companies themselves as ingredients can change, as well as manufacturing practices. This listing is meant as a guide only and not medical advice. I am not held liable for any reaction that may occur due to consuming these products.

~Have a safe and allergy friendly Halloween!~

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Sweet Tooth

From time to time, it's nice to indulge--in moderation of course. Most of these sweet allergen free treats can be found in my pantry on a rotating basis. Many of them are actually lower in sugar or organic sweeteners than normal sweets found in the grocery store. So you can satisfy that occasional craving while not setting your health back. Agave nectar, stevia, and organic fruit juices are some of the sweeteners that can be found in some of my favorite yums...I support a health conscious, and very moderate sweet tooth. The following items are gluten, soy, wheat, peanut, fish, shellfish, egg, and dairy free.

1. Navitas Naturals Cacao powder--I add this to my Brown Rice protein shakes for a healthy boost of flavor with no added sugar. Just pure antioxidants.
2. Navitas Naturals Raw Cacao Nibs--A strong source of healthy antioxidants. Add them to daily shakes, trail mixes flax cereals, gluten free oatmeal, and more. Read about the benefits of Cacao here, at the bottom of the page.
3. Yummy Earth Organic Gummy Bears--All organic and natural gummies. NO artificial colors or anything! Some are even colored with beet juice--but trust me, they taste better than the super sugar laden versions you'd usually find in the candy aisle. Made in an allergen free facility.
4. Enjoy life Crunchy Double Chocolate Cookies--Delectable! I compared the sugar content to Chips Ahoy (a popular "regular" allergy laden standard cookie brand) and found it to be about 2 times less sugar per serving size.
5. Glee Gum, Bubblegum Flavor--I am so happy to finally find allergen free chewing gum! About to feel like a 5th grader again in 5..4...3..2...1...
6. Surf Sweets Jelly Beans--Made in a facility free of the top 8 allergens.
7. Luna and Larry's Coconut Bliss Ice Cream in Dark Chocolate--They have so many awesome flavors to choose from, and what I especially love is that they use Agave nectar instead of processed sugar. They also refrain from using legumes like Locust bean gum and Carob bean gum (which I react to having soy and legume allergies). I LOVE this brand.
8. and 9. VerMints, in Peppermint, Chai, and many other flavors--Free of the top 8 allergens, and made in a dedicated allergen free facility.

10.  Surf Sweets Gummy Fruity Hearts--Such a cute gift for your allergen free sweetie. No hints here at all.
11. Navitas Naturals Organic Goji Berries--Just raw goji berries and nothing else. A naturally sweet and healthy treat.
12. Enjoy Life Snickdoodle Cookies--Soft baked, chewy, cinnaminny goodness! My personal favorite of the moment.

Remember to indulge responsibly and moderately with all sweet treats.

Wishing you a naturally sweet and magical weekend.

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