Food Allergy Treatment News: FDA Approves Xolair February 20, 2024

Exciting treatment news!

The FDA has approved the use of Xolair as the first and only medication to help prevent allergic reactions in individuals with food allergies. Xolair isn’t a new medication – it comes with a 20 year track record of safety in use with severe asthma. Trials supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) showed this medication to be effective in children over 1 year of age (approved to age 55), helping patients to tolerate small amounts of peanut, dairy (milk), cashew, and egg without experiencing an allergic reaction (as compared to placebo).

Xolair is a product born from a collaboration between Genentech (a subsidiary of Roche) and Novartis. AllergyStrong lauds this type of partnership which brings together the expertise of both companies for the benefit of the patient.

The FDA’s approval of Xolair is an important step forward for the food allergy community for many reasons. It is reassuring for both patients and physicians who appropriately view this approval as validation of Xolair’s safety and efficacy. FDA approval also helps make this preventative treatment affordable as insurers may be willing to cover it more readily, extending the reach of this life-saving product.

Xolair comes with many benefits:

• Xolair helped patients decrease their sensitivity, allowing them to tolerate small amounts of their allergen(s). Even a small decrease in sensitivity to/increase in tolerance of allergens can protect patients from severe allergic reactions.
• Studies show that 40% of people with food allergies are allergic to multiple foods. Unlike some treatments, Xolair increases tolerance to several allergens simultaneously.
• Xolair allows people to increase their tolerance without ingesting their allergen. This decreases the risk of allergic reaction and adverse effects.
• Xolair may be an excellent option for those who cannot see their healthcare provider frequently or easily. Because of its safety profile as well as the fact that patients do not ingest their allergen and will require less monitoring, use of Xolair doesn’t require as many appointments with a healthcare provider – making this an appealing treatment option for patients and families who don’t have easy access to their physician. After initial healthcare appointments to establish a regimen, patients can self-inject with Xolair if they choose.
• Xolair is approved for adults! Xolair is the first FDA-treatment to be approved for use in adults to age 55 filling a major unmet need for this group. Of the 32 million Americans living with food allergies, approximately 26 millions (about 11% of all Americans) are adults.

Keep in mind:

Xolair is not a cure for food allergies – it is protective in the case of accidental ingestion or exposure. Despite using Xolair, people with food allergies will continue to need to avoid their allergen and carry epinephrine with them in case of emergency.

FDA approval may mean this treatment could be covered by insurance which is critically important to families already financially burdened by living with food allergies. Food allergies cost families over $20 billion in the US each year – an average of over $4,100 per child annually. Knowing that lower income families spend 2.5 times more on emergency department visits and hospitalizations than higher earning counterparts, investment in prevention should be highly desirable. Because food avoidance (the current standard of care) is fraught with challenges, insurers would be smart to consider coverage on preventative therapies to ease burden on the healthcare system as well as patients.

We are excited and grateful to Genentech and Novartis for their cooperative work on this important product. Xolair represents an important development in the treatment of food allergies and the protection of individuals living with food allergies. Use of Xolair may not only save lives by preventing severe reactions, but it may also improve quality of life by reducing anxiety and increasing food options for those with food allergies and their families.

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Click here to read more about the approval of Xolair.

Food Allergies on a Budget September 9, 2022

It is no shock for those of us who live with this condition to learn that food allergies are expensive. The cost of medical care on top of prescription auto-injectors, grocery bills, time away from work to manage our condition, special child care (and sometimes schooling) can add up quickly. According to a 2013 study out of Northwestern University by Dr. Ruchi Gupta and others, food allergies cost over $4,100 per child in the U.S. That’s a total of over $20 billion dollars a year carried by patients and their families; $25 billion when other costs are factored in. To reduce the expense of food allergies on an individual or families budget, we need to look at a few key areas:

Prevention

From the Northwestern study, it is clear that prevention saves money. Hospitalizations accounted for the largest direct medical cost with emergency department visits coming in third. One way to manage your medical costs is to check in with your healthcare provider annually. Be sure to discuss any changes in your allergy, realistic risk and lifestyle management as well as treatment options available to you. Treatment can help protect you from accidental exposure by potentially lessening the symptoms of a reaction and keep you from needing emergency services.

Epinephrine Devices

At that same yearly appointment, ask your healthcare provider which epinephrine device would be best for your lifestyle. Carrying a set of epinephrine devices is key to food allergy management and using it at the first signs of anaphylaxis can keep you out of the hospital and on the road to a quick recovery. There are many devices on the market to choose from, so finding one that fits your life should be easy. To make these more affordable:

• Check on manufacturers websites for coupons and other savings programs (for example, Viatris offers savings cards for EpiPen brand as well as their generic sets of auto-injectors and kaléo offers Auvi-Q for free to those who qualify).

• Call your insurance company to see which devices they cover and at what rate. Ask questions about how often you can renew prescriptions so that you can plan accordingly when you need a second (or third) set for work, school, or child care locations.

Food

Finding and buying allergy-friendly food can be a challenge. Dairy, egg, soy and wheat allergies – especially in combination – make purchasing safe food difficult and expensive. People with food allergies often need to shop at multiple supermarkets to find costly allergy-friendly products they can use. To save money on groceries, consider a few things:

1. Sign up for coupons on your favorite allergy-friendly manufacturers’ websites. While many stores don’t offer discounts on these “free-from” products directly, companies often offer. For example, if you scroll to the bottom of their homepages, Enjoy Life foods, Sunbutter, and others, offer coupons for both American and Canadian customers.
2. Use simple substitutions. Sure, you can bake with a speciality egg replacer at $6.50 a box. OR, you could use applesauce ($3.25 per jar), aquafaba (made from the chickpea water, $0.85 per can), or other similar substitutes.
3. Buy in bulk. We all know that bulk pricing lowers the cost per unit (ounce, pound, etc) than a product’s smaller counterparts. Consider buying food in bulk that you use often in larger quantities or that have long shelf lives. Also consider splitting the cost and contents of a bulk item (especially if it will spoil, like fruit, vegetables or meat) with a friend or member of your family – that way, you both get the best price!
4. Create a meal plan that utilizes leftovers from one meal to create another later in the week. You might have hamburgers one night and use the leftover ground meat to make tacos, meatballs, or chili another night.
5. Create a shopping list and stick with it. If you plan your meals, this is all you should need for the week or month.
6. Once you have your list, visit the website of the supermarkets near you to find the best prices. One store may be having a sale on just the item you need! And while you’re there, sign up for and take advantage of store loyalty cards. You can load coupons and discounts onto the card itself, so that all you need to do is enter your phone number at checkout to receive all the savings.
7. Pay in cash if you can. Create a grocery budget for the week or month and pay in cash. This makes you even more conscientious of your purchases so you don’t end up with a surprise at the check-out counter.
8. Save yourself a trip to a second or third store for those few allergy-friendly products they stock. Each stop means more time, more gas, and more temptation for impulse purchases. See if your item can be shipped to you via Amazon, Peapod, Walmart, Target, Costco, etc.

Food Assistance

Food assistance programs are a great way to get the food you need. Both the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infant, Children programs (WIC) are run by each state and offer a monthly stipend to be used on qualified products. Hint: your SNAP dollars go further at farmer’s markets!

Contact your local school to discuss availability of free breakfast and lunch programs. Some programs extend into the summer months, so be sure to inquire about how to access that benefit after school ends. These programs are available through the USDA and other non-profit organizations. While you’re there, also ask about weekend backpack programs run through food pantries and other non-profits.

If you need further assistance, contact a local food bank or food pantry. There are many tips for safely navigating the food pantry, so be sure to read through these suggestions. If possible, sign up to choose the items you need yourself (rather than having a box preprepared for you) – that way, you can pick food you like and read ingredient lists to make sure they are free from your allergen.

Medical Care

Contact your state to see if you qualify for Medicaid, an insurance program that provides medical coverage for individuals and families. If you do not, consider the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), also offered by each state. CHIP provides low-cost medical coverage to children (and sometimes to pregnant women) who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. Like Medicaid, CHIP covers routine check ups, vaccinations, dental and vision care, emergency services and more.

Some health providers will work with insurance on behalf of patients with medically-necessary diets, like food allergies. When presented with a convincing case, some insurers may cover the cost of specialty food and/or help with food assistance programs.

Larger healthcare systems sometimes offer Food Is Medicine programs which can include access to food pantries. Inquire whether your provider knows of one near you and/or check with your local hospital/healthcare system about availability and qualification.

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There’s no doubt that food allergies are expensive. But taking care of yourself, planning ahead, and reaching out for help when needed can go a long way in reducing cost AND stress.

The Beauty of Hampton Creek Mayo (and Bang Bang Chicken) January 18, 2016

Before I dole out this delicious allergy-friendly recipe for Bang Bang Chicken (dairy, egg, nut and sesame-free), I need to gush a little about Hampton Creek.

 

If you don’t know of this company, check them out.  They are revolutionizing the ingredients we use in some of our much beloved foods.  Hampton Creek aims to recreate foods (such as mayonnaise and cookies) with affordable, healthier, and more sustainable versions that are just as delicious!  They make dairy, egg and nut-free cookie dough that you can eat from the container carefree!  Need I say more?!  Okay, one more thing – their allergen menu identifies foods beyond the standard eight and they are very forthcoming about their equipment and facilities.

 

I’ve had my eye on this company for a long time.  So needless to say, I was thrilled when they sent me a mayo sampler.  Check it out:  who knew there were so many different flavors of mayonnaise?!  I was instantly hungry for a sandwich.  And, if you’re wondering (and I know I would be): yes, the mayo tastes the same even without the egg!

Just Mayo Sriracha caught my eye.  So I decided to create a recipe as an excuse to use it.  Thus, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Sesame-Free, Nut-Free Bang Bang Chicken was born!

 

Allergy Friendly Bang Bang Chicken with Hampton Creek Sriracha Dipping Sauce

 

Ingredients:

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 chunks

1 cup panko breadcrumbs

1/2 cup olive oil, preferably infused with minced garlic over low heat

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

 

For the sauce:

Hampton Creek Just Mayo Sriracha

 

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2.  Combine panko breadcrumbs, paprika and garlic powder on plate or in shallow bowl.

3.  Dip chicken chunks into infused olive oil, then coat with panko breadcrumbs.

4.  Place wire cooling rack on baking sheet and coat with cooking spray.

5.  Place coated chicken on wire rack.

6.  Bake for about 25 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink and any juice run clear.

7.  Place chicken on serving plate and either drizzle with Hampton Creek’s Sriracha mayo or serve sriracha mayonnaise as dipping sauce on the side.

 

Step 3: After dipping in garlic infused olive oil, coat chicken in panko breadcrumbs.

Step 5: Oven ready!  Place coated chicken on wire rack.

  

Baking at 375 degrees F.  Don’t they look good already?!

GET IN MY MOUTH!  These were crispy where they should be, juicy and with the right amount of tang and kick in the sauce.  Addition of green onions, optional.  Maybe next time – I couldn’t wait to eat them.

Mmmmm……

Chilly Outside? Warm Up with Allergy-Free Game Day Chili January 30, 2015

Just as scrumptious as when I originally posted several years ago….

In the mood for chili, I decided to adapt my mother’s already-delicious recipe to be allergy-free and to include a few more vegetables.  The result was a fantastic dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, gluten-free meal that everyone loved.  [NB:  I cut the chili powder, and red pepper by about 1/3 (so 1 Tbsp chili powder and slightly less than 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes) to appease the taste budettes of my kids.]

 

Ingredients:

1 lb ground turkey

2 large onions, minced

2-4 garlic cloves, crushed

olive oil cooking spray

1 zucchini, shredded

28 oz can diced tomatoes

6 oz can tomato paste

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp crushed pepper

1 bay leaf

1 1/2 Tbsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

1/4 cup fresh basil (chopped) or 1 Tbsp dried basil

16 oz can red kidney beans, rinsed

 

 

Spray large saute pan with cooking oil, saute onion and garlic for 2 minutes; then add turkey.  Cook , stirring and breaking up with a spoon, until the turkey is no longer pink (about 5 minutes).

Add chili powder, cumin, salt and red pepper flakes, stir and cook for 1 minute.  Add can of diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and zucchini and simmer for 10 minutes.  Add bay leaf, basil and beans; cover and simmer for 1 hour.

 

 

Serve with Whole Grain Tostita Chips.  Enjoy!

Sweetheart Sorbet Pie January 27, 2014

Hello, everyone!

Another candy-based holiday is around the corner.  A wonderful time, unless you have food allergies… and then creating a special treat can be quite a challenge!  And that’s where Sweetheart Sorbet Pie comes in!

 

I created this when my son announced that he didn’t really care for cake.  And that meant no more cupcakes either… (Sigh!)

 

Thinking about how much I loved ice cream cake, we invented sorbet pie!  It’s quick, easy, delicious and appropriate for all kinds of special occasions – or for no reason at all.

 

Ingredients:

 

2 pints of your favorite, safe sorbet

1 9-inch graham cracker pie crust

Berries, sprinkles, safe dairy-free chocolate chips (optional)

 

 Step 1:  Gather your ingredients and let your sorbet sit out for about 5-10 minutes.

 

Step 2:  When soft, stir the sorbet either in its container or in a bowl.

 

Step 3:  When slightly melted and malleable, scoop into the pie crust and spread using the back of a spoon or soft spatula.

 

Step 4:  Continue to add sorbet and spread until the pie crust is filled.  Smooth out top.

 

Step 5:  Should you wish, add berries, dairy-free chocolate chips, sprinkles or any other type of deliciousness you can think of… and then freeze for at least 2 hours.

 

Step 6:  Let thaw for a few minutes, slice and enjoy with your big and/or little sweethearts!

Hosting Guests with Food Allergies for the Holidays? No Problem! December 11, 2013

As if there isn’t enough to do to get ready for the holidays, preparing your house for visitors can be stressful.  And, treading into the unfamiliar territory of food allergies can completely overwhelm hosts.

 

Well, never fear!  Allergy Shmallergy is here to help and get you started to safely hosting a guest with food allergies.

 

1.  Speak with the food allergic guest or parent (if a child has food allergies) and understand the scope of his/her food allergies.

 

2.  Ask for a list of a few foods that would be helpful for the guest to have on hand.  For example, my parents always make sure there is soy milk in the fridge and safe cereal for my dairy and nut-allergic son.

 

3.  You may wish to consider keeping a basket or clearing out a small drawer to keep safe snacks and food for your guest.  This is especially helpful if your food allergic guest is a child. By knowing where to find safe food, this may reduce the chances that he/she will accidentally reach for something that could cause a reaction.

 

4.  As for the kitchen, if you regularly cook with your guest’s allergen, you’ll want to thoroughly wash the cutlery, cutting boards, counters, pots and pans that you plan on using to prepare food.  A run through the dishwasher should sanitize them, but a good scrub in the sink will work as well.

 

5.  Discuss your menu with your food allergic guest.  In a perfect world, everything would be safe for him/her, but try to ensure that he/she can make a meal out of what is on the table .  Check here for easy substitutions:

Baking Substitutions from the Pros

And, there are many options for dairy-free margarine and butter in the average supermarket.  Look for Smart Balance Organic and Earth’s Balance brands to name a few.

 

6.  Finally, be sure to learn how to use your guest’s emergency medications.  You probably won’t need to use them, but you’ll feel much more confident just knowing how.

  

For more tips on hosting a guest with food allergies, read here:

 

A Host’s Guide to Allergies

The Host’s Guide: Part II

The Host’s Guide: Part III

A Shore Bet: Philadelphia Water Ice July 22, 2013

 

Hello from the beach!

 

While grabbing some ice cream last night, my son ordered cotton candy water ice.  As he was peeling off the wrapper, my husband noticed something great to report to you all:  The brand Philadelphia Water Ice not only contains NO dairy, gluten or soy, but it’s also produced in a peanut-free plant.

 

Doesn’t that make this dessert a little sweeter?!

 

Enjoy!

You’ll Never Miss It Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes November 25, 2012

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

 

I know you guys may have found this recipe useful last week (my apologies), but I wanted to make sure it tested well for both food allergic as well as non-food allergic guests.  And, it did!  With a little tweaking, it was received to rave reviews!  And, nobody missed the traditional buttermilk.  So I hope you all can use this to pair with meatloaf, at Christmas, New Years and beyond…

 

Ingredients:

 

1 garlic

3 cups chicken broth

1 Tbsp Kosher salt

5 large potatoes (I used 10-11 medium-ish white potatoes), cut into 1 inch pieces

2-3 Tbsp chopped chives

2-3 Tbsp dairy-free butter/margarine

 

Cut the top off of garlic and place on a square of foil.  Drizzle with 1-2 Tbsp of chicken broth, wrap in foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

 

Place remaining broth, potatoes, and salt in large saucepan.  Heat to boil, cover and then cook over medium heat for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.  Drain, reserving broth.

 

Mash potatoes with approximately 1 1/4 cups broth and roasted garlic.  Mix in chives, dairy-free butter,  and add more broth if necessary.

 

Tip:  If you plan to bring the mashed potatoes elsewhere (say to a host’s house), you may wish to add a touch (1/4 cup or less) more broth so that the potatoes remain moist after reheating.

Halloweening With Food Allergies October 28, 2012

  

Halloween tends to make parents of food allergic children fairly tense.  And, with good reason:  allergic reactions tend skyrocket during this candy-filled holiday.  Parents of young children may be especially worried:  So many Halloween treats are peanut-laden and dairy-filled!  So much of it unlabeled in those small snack sizes!

 

Most of us aren’t used to our children being around such an abundant amount of their allergen(s) and we worry how they will feel in the face of so much exposure and temptation in the name of festivity.

 

But there are a few simple ways to keep kids safe and included during trick-or-treat time!

 

1.  Have a talk with your kids about the various candies that are not safe for them.  It’s important to have this discussion before heading out the door on their sugar scavenger hunt so they can make wise decisions when grabbing goodies from plastic pumpkins.

2.  Teach them about the Teal Pumpkin Project.  A teal pumpkin signifies that a house has non-food treats for those with food allergies.

 

3.  Also, remind your child not to eat ANY candy along the way.  All candy consumption should be done under your supervision and ideally, back at a house.

 

4.  If you’ll be trick-or-treating with your child, remember to bring their Emergency On-the-Go-Pack (with epinephrine auto-injectors) and a cellphone in addition to a flashlight. I have often brought a grocery bag to stick any peanutty (or other unsafe) treats in as we go.

 

5.  Stock up on allergy-friendly candy (or fun Halloween toys, like glow rings and plastic spiders) for your child and let them know you have their favorite treats on hand.  You have several options to work with here:

a.  If you know the neighbors well, it’s a great idea to plant some safe candy around the neighborhood so that your child can get the full experience of trick-or-treating and you get the peace of mind that they’re receiving treats they can enjoy.

b.  If you have a young child, you can follow them door to door and just slip one into your child’s bag in lieu of an allergic treat.

c.  In the case of older kids:  they can exchange their UNsafe loot for safe candy at the end of the night.  Knowing that they have a safe option at home will ensure they have a great time trick-or-treating and prevent them from feeling disappointed if house after house is handing out Peanut M&Ms, for example.

 

6.  Finally, make the fun and inevitable candy swap work for your child’s allergy!  A supervised candy swap can serve your food allergic child well!  Make a pile of all the candy he/she is allergic to and/or doesn’t prefer and let him trade away for things that are safe.  They can either trade with friends (again, under your supervision) or swap with the safe candy/treats you purchased!  Everyone wins!

 

PLEASE NOTE:  Miniaturized candy may contain different allergens than their full-sized counterparts. Please read ingredient labels carefully!

Additionally, individually wrapped candy (often in snack sizes) don’t always have ingredient information listed on the package.  Make the internet your friend by making sure candy is safe for your child:

• For Wonka products (including Nerds, Laffy Taffy, Sweetarts, etc):  Check http://www.wonka.com/home.aspx/products for a list of ingredients or call 1-800-358-1971 for more information.
• For Hershey products (including Reese’s, Twizzlers, KitKats, York, Jolly Ranchers and Mounds in addition to their chocolate bars, etc):  Check  http://www.thehersheycompany.com/brands.aspx
• Hersheys also lists their Gluten-Free products here:  http://www.thehersheycompany.com/brands/special-nutrition.aspx#/Gluten-Free
• For Wrigley products (including Skittles and Starburst, etc):  click on http://www.wrigley.com/global/brands/us-brands.aspx
• For Mars products (including Twix, M&Ms, 3 Musketeers, Snickers and Kudos, etc):  check out http://www.mars.com/global/brands/chocolate.aspx and click to the brand in question to get nutritional information.

 

Happy Halloween!

Fire Works Wood Fired Pizza Restaurant August 18, 2012

After keeping my tight schedule, relaying instructions to the babysitter in fast forward, beating traffic and getting the best possible parking in an area known for it’s rare spaces, my friend and I managed to miss the movie we have been so excited to see.  We didn’t exactly miss it…. In fact, the theater closed that wing of its building that morning for renovation.  The only theater in the metro area still playing it. Sigh…..

 

In any case, we decided to do dinner.  So, we walked around the corner to try Fire Works Restaurant  – a restaurant located in the Courthouse area of Arlington, VA that I had heard so much about.   What a find!

 

Here’s the skinny:

• First of all, we dined outdoors, right at sunset.  It was beautiful and once the sun dipped below the buildings they lit up a fire.  Great ambiance.
• Importantly, they serve gluten-free pizza.  And if the GF version is anything like the delicious Siciliana one I had, you’re in for a treat!
• They also serve a gluten-free Cookie Dough Sundae; a sundae that, in it’s regular version, is legendary.
• They also serve SORBET!   I believe the flavors vary.  Mine was pink lemonade that night  and so refreshing.
• And, last but definitely not least, our service was fantastic.  They were helpful, knowledgeable about their menu, and didn’t mind us lingering while we chatted.

 

My friend and I had a great time catching up while NOT watching a movie (the best way, generally).  We both felt Fire Works was such a coup given that her husband is gluten intolerant and my son is allergic to dairy that we can’t wait to come back with our families next time.

Baskin Robbins – 31 Flavors and a Few Well-Marked Allergens May 14, 2012

Did you know that Baskin Robbins lists each flavor’s allergens in their freezer window?!  Certainly makes choosing a safe option a whole lot easier!  Thank goodness, the weather’s heating up and we’re craving ice cream!

 

Dairy-Free Substitutes April 30, 2012

A few friends of mine recently found out they were lactose intolerant and others have discovered their children are allergic to dairy.  In response, I sent them my dairy-free cheat sheet so they could eat without problems.

 

If you find yourself in the same position or know someone who is, here’s a list of some dairy-free substitutes to help you out:

 

Margarine (also use for baking, etc):  

Earth’s Balance Buttery Spread (or Sticks) or

Smart Balance Organic (the vegan kind seen here:  

Both taste exactly the same as margarine and work well in baked goods.

 

Ice Cream:

We sub sorbet for ice cream as it is nearly always milk-free.  We buy either Haagen Dazs or Ben and Jerry’s variety, although there are probably others that work.  There are also many places to find sorbet (restaurants, ice cream shops, etc) in our area and elsewhere (see  https://shmallergy.wordpress.com/tag/sorbet/).

 

Cream Cheese:  

Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese (tastes almost exactly like regular cream cheese).  Tofutti also makes dairy-free sour cream which mimics regular sour cream and dairy-free cheese pizza (found in the frozen food section).

 

 

Chocolate Chips:  

A great way to satisfy that chocolate craving is with Chocolate Dream chocolate chips which are dairy-free.  So are Guittard Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips.

 

Frosting:

Pillsbury’s Cream Supreme frosting is amazingly dairy-free.  So, if you’re not interested in making it from scratch, here’s a great off-the-shelf option.

 

There are a few things that are surprisingly dairy-free “naturally” (using that VERY loosely), like Oreos (all sugar! no milk!) and Nabisco Sugar Wafers.  You may be surprised at what contains and doesn’t contain milk, so I would start reading the backs of everything without assumptions!

 

Best of all, I have found all of the above products in our local Safeway, Giant and Whole Foods!  Convenient and dairy-free!

 

Now here’s where you help me:  We’ve tried tons of soy yogurts but still haven’t found one that tastes similar to its dairy counterpart.  Let me know if you all come across one!  Also, looking for a decent tasting dairy-free cheese.  Would love to hear if anyone has had any luck with that?