5 Allergy Free Lunch Ideas

Another week, another round of "What to pack in the lunch box?".  Anyone else have a tough time with this? 

One of the tougher parts of my lunch box packing is that I have children with food allergies or food sensitivities. Taking that into account each day - as well thinking of the sweet children in my kids classrooms that have severe allergies - can make the art of lunch box packing tedious. Trust me, it's an art. 

KEEPING IT REAL
I try to keep lunch as simple as possible since each child has different allergies or classroom restrictions. While I would love to create amazing themed lunches, it's not always the easiest with limitations. Label checking has become a habit I don't even think of any more, and I've been super lucky that over the last few years more brands are becoming allergy conscious. I've stumbled upon, or been introduced to a few yummy kid-free options that help make allergy free lunches an easier part of my school prep. 

You can read about some of my easy allergy free lunch ideas on Savvy Sassy Moms HERE.

PIN-WORTHY
Aside from my own easy ideas, we've found some other fabulous suggestions.  We did the research and created a fun allergy free lunch idea board on Pinterest. It's definitely a great resource if you are looking for allergy free lunch or snack suggestions.

ADD IT TO THE SHOPPING LIST

Since all three of my children have presented allergies out of the womb, while nursing I have to eliminate allergens from my diet as well. Over the years both the kids and I have done some major taste testing in regards to allergy free brands. Some are winners in the taste department, and some my taste buds would rather forget coming in contact with. Some of my favorite allergy free brands are: 

• Enjoy Life - Our favorite brand allergy-free brand to date. Everything we have tried is yummy (seriously, I eat some of these even when I don't have to eliminate allergens from my diet), and they have some amazing lunch box portioned options now. The crunchy cookies, snack bars, and chips are just some of our favorites. 
• Annie's Homegrown - Probably the most kid friendly of the bunch. We love their fruit snacks, granola bars, and their grahams. 
• Udi's - Has a ton of great options - especially gluten-free breads that actually taste good!
• Go Raw - The cookies remind me slightly of a slightly thicker rice cake, but they are yummy! The Ginger Snap flavor is our favorite. 
• Go Organically - Again, yummy fruit snacks!
• Lucy's - Makes mostly cookies, but they are tasty. Almost too tasty. ;) 

Do you have a child you have to pack allergy-free for? What are some of your favorite lunch box ideas to pack? 

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Kitchen Confessions: Coconut Peanut Butter Bars

Coconut. Peanut butter. Chocolate. 

Need I say more? 

I'm not one to turn down a sweet treat, and most definitely not a sweet no-bake treat. These little squares of yummy are about to blow your mind.  

I found this yummy recipe a few weeks ago, when I was looking for an easy dairy-free dessert, and we cannot stop eating them. Literally the second I make a batch they are gone!

 The moment I saw coconut I was in love - its a serious addition people. But once I read these no-bake bars were also gluten-free, and refined sugar free I was all in. 

We've given them quite the test run - rumor is I might have eaten it as breakfast one day (hey, it's healthier than a donut). I even made a few batches at the beach. Listen, if I am going to bake (or no-bake) on vacation, you know it has got to be tasty. 

These Coconut Peanut Butter Bars are super easy to make and I promise you will be thanking me every sweet bite you take. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of old fashioned oats (gluten-free)
• 1 cup of unsweetened, shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup of almond meal
• 3/4 cup of natural creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup of honey
• 1/4 tsp of salt
• 1 tsp of vanilla 

For the topping: 

• 1/4 cup of chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon of peanut butter

** For the refined sugar free topping use:

•  1/4 cup of unsweetened chocolate chips, chopped
• 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
• 1-2 tablespoons of honey

Instructions:

For the bars: 

1. In a small bowl mix coconut, almond meal, and oats. Set aside.
2. In a large, microwave safe bowl gently melt peanut butter and honey together until smooth. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between. 
3. Add vanilla and salt. 
4. Add the dry ingredients and mix together. 
5. Spread into an 8x8 pan. 

For the topping & putting it all together: 

1. Melt the peanut butter and chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between. Cook until chocolate is melted and smooth.
2. Drizzle and spread the topping mixture over the bar mixture. 
3. Set aside to cool until hard. (Place in refrigerator to cool faster.

Then it's time to serve and enjoy!

Make sure to store any leftovers in the refrigerator so that they don't "melt". 

I have yet to make it to this stage. 

#goals #willpower

Let me know how you like this yummy no bake treat!

Or do you have a favorite no bake recipe that I need to try - sharing is caring! 

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