Tag Archives: lactose free

Could Horcheta be the ultimate free from drink?

Posted on 25 April, 2013 by | Leave a comment

I was surprised to see Plamil selling a drink at all,  until I realised what it was…

tigernut horcheta

This milk alternative is rich in vitamins and minerals

Plamil are a free-from company who specialise in vegan chocolate.

And the drink, organic Horchata, fits the bill (almost) entirely. It’s a dairy-free milk alternative which has been popular for centuries in Spain, plus it’s lauded for its health benefits as it is rich in vitamins and minerals.

Made from tigernuts (a vegetable, no nuts included) the drink has a sweet creamy taste and looks like a glass of golden Jersey milk.

The bottle seems expensive for its size until you realise you can dilute it to make five times as much. But the main thing is it’s delicious and those looking for a gluten free, possibly soya-free and rice free, alternative to milk may well find they hit the jackpot with this.

Horchata already has a bit of a following, so they know what they’re doing these Plamil guys. All that remains is for you to try it out yourself.

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Posted in Coeliac (Gluten-Free), Dairy-Free, Organic, Vegan

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Here are the winners of the 2013 Free From Food Awards

Posted on 17 April, 2013 by | 2 Comments

This is great news! The awards have been announced for the latest  Free From Food Awards.

Congratulations to Bessant & Drury ice creams for winning the best free from food with their Lemon Dairy Free Frozen Dessert.

You are about to review the complete list of the very best in free from foods in the UK (and so many of them are sold at GoodnessDirect!) Many foods here will be gluten, wheat or dairy (cow’s milk) free – and possibly all three, or they may be absent of eggs, nuts and other major allergens.

See the Free From Food Awards website for more info.

FAIR Trophy for the best free-from food 2013
Winner: Bessant & Drury – Lemon Dairy Free Frozen Dessert.
Runner up: Christine’s Puddings – Frangipane Tart
Runner up: The Indian Coeliac – Paratha
Runner up: Lifestyle Catering – Catalan Pork

1. The Innovation Award – sponsored by Warburtons
Winner: Dell’Ugo – Chickpea Fusilli
Highly Commended: Lactofree – Spreadable
Highly Commended: La Zaragozana – Ambar Green (apta para celiàcos) 0.0% (non-alcoholic)
Commended: Good Wine Online – So Lo SO2 2009 Navitas
Commended: Tesco – Free From Crème Caramel

2. Plant ‘milk’, spread, cheese & desserts – sponsored by Sainsbury’s
Coconut oil and Milks:
Winner: Bessant & Drury – Lemon Dairy Free Frozen Dessert
Highly Commended: Koko Dairy Free – Original+Calcium (formerly Kara Dairy Free)
Highly Commended: Lucy Bee – Extra Virgin Fair Trade Organic Coconut Oil
Highly Commended: Provamel – Orange & Redbush Yogurt Alternative
Highly Commended: Pudology – Banoffee Pud
Highly Commended: Vivesoy – Cappuccino/Soy Milk
Commended: Clearspring – Sweet Grains Dessert Amazake
Commended: Provamel – Rice-Coconut Drink

3. Free From Breakfast Cereals – sponsored by GoodnessDirect
Winner: Doves Farm – Fibre Flakes
Winner: Hale & Hearty – Choco Jungle Cereal
Commended: Doves Farm – Cereal Flakes
Commended: Perkier – Ginger and Raisin Porridge
Commended: Sainsbury’s – FreeFrom Cornflakes

4. Breads and bread mixes – sponsored by Tesco
Winner: Sainsbury’s – FreeFrom Soft Brown Seeded Bread
Winner: The Indian Coeliac – Paratha
Highly Commended: Mum’s Mill – Quick bread Mix/Bread Flour Mix
Highly Commended: Waitrose – LOVE Life GF Seeded Sliced Loaf
Highly Commended: Newburn Bakehouse – Fruit Loaf
Highly Commended: Newburn Bakehouse – Gluten Free Brown Bread Loaf
Highly Commended: Yes You Can! – Seeded Brown Bread Roll
Commended: Biona – Organic Rye Bread with Chia Flax
Commended: Fria – Gluten Free Vallmofralla Poppy Seed Roll
Commended: Yes You Can! – Fresh White Bread

5. Grocery ambient/store cupboard – sponsored by Tesco

– pasta
Winner: Riso Gallo – 3 cereali Spaghe tti
Winner: Rizopia – Organic Brown Rice Pasta Elbows
Highly Commended: Cornito – Sea Waves Pasta
Highly Commended: Eat Water – Slim Noodles
Highly Commended: Riso Gallo – 3 cereali Fusilli
Commended: Le Veneziane – GF Tagliatelle
Commended: Rizopia – Organic Brown Rice Pasta Fusilli

– sauces, pizza bases, flour stock etc
Winner: Hale & Hearty – GF Breadcrumbs
Winner: Sanchi – Tamari Soy Sauce
Highly Commended: DS-gluten free – Yorkshire Puddings
Highly Commended: Mortimer Chocolate Company – White Couverture Powder
Highly Commended: Orgran – Buckwheat Pancake Mix
Highly Commended: Orgran – No Egg Natural Egg Replacer
Highly Commended: Saladworx – Hebridean Seaweed & Lemon Dressing, Marinade & Drizzle
Highly Commended: Sukrin – Gold
Highly Commended: Womersley – Raspberry Vinegar
Commended: Innovative Solutions – GF Multi-purpose Flour
Commended: Sainsbury’s – FreeFrom Tikka Sauce
Commended: Sanchi – Instant Miso Soup
Commended: Tesco – Free From Pizza Bases

6. Free from foods manufactured for food service – sponsored by Livwell

– Savoury
Winner: Hotch Potch Eggs – Savoury Scotch Eggs
Winner: Pizza Hut – GF Pizza
Highly Commended: Proceli – Burger Baps
Highly Commended: Red House Foods – Georgia’s Choice GF Fish Cake

– Sweet
Winner: Glamourpuds – Hot Chocolate Fudge Pudding Pot
Highly Commended: Almondy – Tårta with DAIM
Highly Commended: Glamourpuds – Banoffee Sponge Pudding Pot
Highly Commended: We Love Cake – Apricot Macaroon Slice
Commended: Glamourpuds – Raspberry Jam Sponge Pudding Pot

7. Ready Meals – sponsored by Food Heaven

– pizzas, pies & pasties
Winner: Freedom Deli – Ham & Cheese Panini
Commended: Mamma Cucina – Vegetable Pizza

– one pot meals – to include ‘world food’
Winner: Lifestyle Catering – Catalan Pork
Highly Commended: Amy’s Kitchen – Mexican Tortilla Bake
Highly Commended: Amy’s Kitchen – Mushroom Risotto Bowl
Highly Commended: Lifestyle Catering – Boeuf Bourguignon
Highly Commended: Tideford Organics – Organic Beetroot Soup with Crème Fraiche & Dill
Commended: Afia’s – Spicy Beef Samosa
Commended: Dee’s – Quinoa Pots with Thai Spiced Vegetables and little lentils
Commended: Tesco – Free From Three Cheese Pasta Bake

– meat meal centres (sausages, meat balls, burgers etc):
Winner: Pig & Co – Lucanian Roman Sausage
Highly Commended: Pig & Co – Hey Pesto!
Highly Commended: Red House Foods – Georgia’s Choice Chicken Bites
Highly Commended: Sainsbury’s – Taste the Difference Pork & Bramley Apple Sausages (Gluten Free)

8. Raw foods and superfoods – sponsored by Delamere Dairy
Winner: Orgran – Multigrain Crispbread with Quinoa
Highly Commended: Raw Health – Raw Sauerkraut
Commended: Raw Ecstasy – Activated Walnuts – Raw Chocolate

9.  Children’s food – sponsored by Asda
Winner: Bessant & Drury – Dairy Free Frozen Dessert – Chocolate
Winner: Rizopia – Organic Brown Rice Pasta Fantasia
Highly Commended: Bessant & Drury – Dairy Free Frozen Dessert – Strawberry
Highly Commended: Doves Farm – Chocolate Stars Organic and Gluten Free
Highly Commended: Glamourpuds – Hot Chocolate Fudge Pudding Pot
Highly Commended: Pulsin’ – Beond Organic Açai Berry Bar
Highly Commended: Red House Foods – Georgia’s Choice Chicken Bites
Highly Commended: Tesco – Free From Chocolate Dessert Shakes
Commended: Eskal – Ice Cream Party Tubs
Commended: It’s Only Natural – Moshi Monster Poppet Raspberry Ice Lolly
Commended: Nim’s Fruit Crisps – Apple Crisps

10. Savoury biscuits and snacks – sponsored by the Food & Drink Innovation Network
Winner: Conscious Foods – Finger Millet Dippers
Highly Commended: Le Pain des Fleurs – Organic Chestnut Crispbread
Commendedb Cornito – Crackers Pikant
Commended: Le Pain des Fleurs – Organic Buckwheat Crispbread
Commended: Le Pain des Fleurs – Organic Quinoa Crispbread
Commended: The FreeFrom Bakehouse – Jalapeño Pepper & Sweetcorn Muffins
Commended: The Indian Coeliac – Vegetable Samosa

11. Scones, sweet tarts, Bakewells, sweet biscuits and cookies – sponsored by Yes! You Can
Winner: Christine’s Puddings – Frangipane Tart
Highly Commended: The FreeFrom Bakehouse – Chocolate Macaroons
Highly Commended: Lovemore – O’Chocos
Highly Commended: Perkier – Popping Tiffin
Commended: Lazy Day Foods – Ginger Truffle Slice
Commended: Lazy Day Foods – Belgian Chocolate Rocky Road
Commended: Lovemore – Chocolate Chip Cookies
Commended: Peace of Cake – Raspberry Abricotines

11. Cakes, cake mixes and cupcakes – sponsored by Mrs Crimbles
Winner: Waitrose – LOVE Life GF Millionaire Blondies
Highly Commended: Heavenly Cakes – Eton Mess
Highly Commended: Melsie Jane Bakes – Victoria Sandwich
Highly Commended: Sweetcheeks – Pistachio & Lemon Zest Loaf
Commended: Cakes Divine – Carrot Cupcakes
Commended: Mummy’s Yummys – Indulgent Chocolate Brownies
Commended: Rebel Bakery’s – GF Big Apple Pie
Commended: Silver Box Bakery – Brownies
Commended: Warburtons – Lemon and Poppyseed Muffins

12. Chocolate and snack bars – sponsored by Amy’s Kitchen
Winner: Sainsbury’s – FreeFrom Mint Crisps
Highly Commended: BoojaBooja – Around Midnight Espresso Chocolate Truffles
Highly Commended: Winning Ways Fine Foods Ltd – Dairy Free Chocovered Raisins
Commended: Kinnerton – Luxury Dark Chocolate

13. Christmas foods – sponsored by Genon Laboratories
Winner: Hale & Hearty – Luxury Mince Pies
Highly Commended: Tesco – Free From Christmas Cake
Commended: Sainsbury’s – FreeFrom Iced Rich Fruit Slice
Commended: The Foodamentalists – Toasted Top Mince Pies
Commended: The Heavenly Cake Company – Jamaican Rum Cake
Commended: The Nut Free Chocolatier – Christmas Mulled Wine Chocolates

14. Gluten-free beer – sponsored by Orgran

– non-barley beer
Winner: Green’s – Lager Dry Hopped
Highly Commended: Green’s – IPA
Highly Commended: Oak & Barrel – Schnitzer Bräu Organic German Hirse Premium GF Beer
Highly Commended: St Peter’s Brewery – G-Free
Commended: Oak & Barrel – Schnitzer Bräu Organic Lemon GF Beer

– barley-based beer
Winner: Celia – Premium Czech Lager
Highly Commended: Daas – Blond
Highly Commended: Estrella Damm – Daura
Highly Commended: Wold Top Brewery – Scarborough Fair IPA
Commended: Green’s – Export Lager Lite
Commended: Daas – Ambré
Commended: Hop Back Brewery – Crop Circle
Commended: La Zaragozana – Ambar Gluten Free

15. Products manufactured in a nut free environment – sponsored by RSSL
Winner: Eskal – FreeNut Butter
Highly Commended: D&D – Mixed Chocolate Fondants
Highly Commended: Doves Farm – Lemon Zest Cookies
Highly Commended: The Nut Free Chocolatier – Mint Delight
Commended: The Nut Free Chocolatier – After Dinner Orange Crisps

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Posted in Chocolate, Coeliac (Gluten-Free), Dairy-Free, Diet, General Food, Raw, Vegan

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These bites taste so good, you wouldn’t believe you were eating something so healthy

Posted on 25 March, 2013 by | Leave a comment
Nature's Store Rice Milk Covered Rice Cakes

incredibly good taste

Oh my goodness!

I just wolfed down a pack of the tastiest ricecakes ever!

Yes, I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but the good food revolution has hit the puffed up world of ricecakes with a vengeance.

Okay, the ricecakes were mini-bites and yes, they were covered with chocolate, but I’ve tasted chocolate rice cakes before and they weren’t half as enjoyable as these Rice Milk Chocolate Coated Mini Rice Cakes.

The real fulfilment came from the purity of the experience. The chocolate had been made with rice milk keeping it lactose free and adding a symbiosm to each delightful bite. Cocoa and air-bubbles, sweetness and rice – it was near heaven.

The makers, Nature’s Store, source the finest ingredients and add nothing artificial, in this case utilising organic rice from paddy fields in Italy.

I can only hope that their other products, obviously all gluten free:

… are equally as good.

(I’ll soon find out…)

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Posted in Chocolate, Coeliac (Gluten-Free), Diet, Organic

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The 2013 Free From Food Awards shortlist is out

Posted on 25 February, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Exciting news! This year’s shortlist for the Free From Food Awards is out.

Below is a list of the very best in free from foods. Everything listed here will be gluten, wheat or dairy (cow’s milk) free – and many are free of all three plus eggs, nuts and other major allergens.

But the fun doesn’t stop here. The final winners will be announced on 16th April. See the Free From Food Awards website for more info.

1. The Innovation Award – sponsored by Warburtons
CoYo Natural
Dell’Ugo Chickpea Fusilli
Esgir Crunchy Crumb
Eskal Ice Cream Party Tubs
Good Wine Online So Lo SO2 2009 Navitas
Hale & Hearty Agave Syrup – Maple Flavoured
It’s Only Natural Mango Orb
Lactofree Fresh Semi-Skimmed Dairy Drink
Lactofree Spreadable
La Zaragozana Ambar Green (apta para celiàcos) 0.0% (non-alcoholic)
Nutritious Delicious Truffles – Orange Chocolate
Tesco Free From Crème Caramel

2. Plant ‘milk’, spread & cheese – sponsored by Sainsbury’s
Coconut oil and Milks:
Koko Dairy Free Original+Calcium (formerly Kara Dairy Free)
Lucy Bee Extra Virgin Fair Trade Organic Coconut Oil
Oatly Oat Drink
Provamel Rice-Coconut Drink
Vivesoy Cappuccino/Soy Milk
Desserts:
Bessant & Drury Dairy Free Frozen Dessert – Lemon
Clearspring Sweet Grains Dessert Amazake
Provamel Orange & Redbush Yogurt Alternative
Pudology Banoffee Pud
Pudology Chocolate Pud
Zen Zen Mango

3. FreeFrom Breakfast Cereals – sponsored by GoodnessDirect
Doves Farm Cereal Flakes
Doves Farm Fibre Flakes
Esgir Corn Flakes Classic
Hale & Hearty Choco Jungle Cereal
Perkier Ginger and Raisin Porridge
Sainsbury’s FreeFrom Cornflakes

4. Breads and bread mixes – sponsored by Tesco
Annapanni Mum’s Mill Quick bread Mix/Bread Flour Mix
Fria Gluten Free Fiber/Fibre Loaf
Fria Gluten Free Vallmofralla Poppy Seed Roll
Knead Bakery Fresh Seeded Batch
Sainsbury’s FreeFrom Soft Brown Seeded Bread
The Foodamentalists Perfect Vegan Bread Mix
The Indian Coeliac Paratha
Waitrose LOVE Life GF Seeded Sliced Loaf
Warburtons Fruit Loaf
Warburtons Gluten Free Brown Bread Loaf
Warburtons Gluten Free White Bread
Warburtons 3 Gluten Free Brown Rolls
Biona Organic Rye Bread with Chia Flax
Yes You Can! Fresh Brown Bread
Yes You Can! Fresh White Bread
Yes You Can! Seeded Brown Bread Roll

5. Grocery ambient/store cupboard – pasta, sauces, pizza bases, flour stock etc – sponsored by Tesco
Pasta:
Cornito Sea Waves Pasta
Doves Farm Organic Maize & Rice Penne
Eat Water Slim Noodles
Farabella Cicatelli
Le Veneziane GF Tagliatelle
Orgran Buckwheat Pasta Spirals
Riso Gallo 3 Cereali Fusilli
Riso Gallo 3 Cereali Penne
Riso Gallo 3 Cereali Spaghetti
Rizopia Organic Brown Rice Pasta Elbows
Rizopia Organic Brown Rice Pasta Fettucine
Rizopia Organic Brown Rice Pasta Fusilli
Rizopia Organic Brown Rice Pasta Lasagne
Other grocery ambient entries:
Amy’s Kitchen Chunky Tomato Soup
Delicious Sauces Mint Chilli Mild
Delicious Sauces Piri Piri Chilli Hot
Doves Farm Gluten & Wheat Free Plain White Flour
DS-gluten free Yorkshire Puddings
Hale & Hearty GF Breadcrumbs
Innovative Solutions GF Bread Flour
Sainsbury’s FreeFrom Tikka Sauce
Saladworx Hebridean Seaweed & Lemon Dressing & Marinade & Drizzle
Sanchi Instant Miso Soup
Sanchi Tamari Soy Sauce
Sweet Mandarin Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce
Tesco Free From Pizza Bases
Wellfoods GF Pizza Bases
Womersley Raspberry Vinegar
Sweet products:
Innovative Solutions GF Multipurpose Flour
Mortimer Chocolate Company White Couverture Powder
Orgran Buckwheat Pancake Mix
Orgran No Egg Natural Egg Replacer
Sukrin Gold

6. Freefrom foods manufactured for food service – sponsored by Livwell
Savoury:
Domino’s GF Pizza
DS-gluten free Pizza Base
Hotch Potch Eggs Savoury Scotch Eggs
Pizza Hut GF Pizza
Proceli Burger Baps
Red House Foods Georgia’s Choice GF Fish Cake
Sweet:
Almondy Tårta with DAIM
Christine’s Puddings Ready Baked Pastry Cases
Delice de France GF Blueberry Muffin
Delice de France GF Chocolate Chip Muffin
Glamourpuds Banoffee Sponge Pudding Pot
Glamourpuds Hot Chocolate Fudge Pudding Pot
Glamourpuds Raspberry Jam Sponge Pudding Pot
Sainsbury’s Café FreeFrom Cherry and Almond Slice
We Love Cake Apricot Macaroon Slice

7. Ready Meals – sponsored by Food Heaven
Pizzas, pies & pasties:
Freedom Deli Gourmet Fish Pie
Freedom Deli Ham & Cheese Panini
Freedom Deli Pepperoni & Cheese Panini
Freedom Deli Tuna Melt Panini
Mamma Cucina Vegetable Pizza
Sainsbury’s FreeFrom Margherita Pizza
Tesco Free From Cheese & Tomato Pizza
One pot meals – to include ‘world food’:
Afia’s Spicy Beef Samosa
Amy’s Kitchen Mexican Tortilla Bake
Amy’s Kitchen Mushroom Risotto Bowl
Dee’s Quinoa Pots with Thai Spiced Vegetables and little lentils
Dee’s Thai Butternut Squash and Lentil Meal
Lifestyle Catering Boeuf Bourguignon
Lifestyle Catering Catalan Pork
Tesco Free From Three Cheese Pasta Bake
Tideford Organics Organic Beetroot Soup with Crème Fraiche & Dill
Tideford Organics Spicy Butternut Squash Soup with Sweet Potato
Meat meal centres (sausages, meat balls, burgers etc):
Pig & Co Hey Pesto!
Pig & Co Lucanian Roman Sausage
Pig & Co Sizzling Sugarbush
Red House Foods Georgia’s Choice Chicken Bites
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Pork & Bramley Apple Sausages (Gluten Free)
The Black Farmer Premium Pork Sausages
The Good Little Company Sausages

8. Raw foods and superfoods – sponsored by Delamere Dairy
BoojaBooja Ecuadorian Dark Chocolate Truffles
Essence of Eden Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Lucy Bee Extra Virgin Fair Trade Organic Coconut Oil
Orgran Multigrain Crispbread with Quinoa
Orgran Multigrain Pasta with Quinoa
Raw Ecstasy Activated Walnuts – Raw Chocolate
Raw Health Raw Almond Butter
Raw Health Raw Sauerkraut
The Raw Chocolate Company Raw Chocolate Covered Organic Mulberries

9.  Children’s food – sponsored by Asda
Bessant & Drury Dairy Free Frozen Dessert – Chocolate
Bessant & Drury Dairy Free Frozen Dessert – Strawberry
CoYo Cacao (Raw Chocolate) Coconut Yoghurt
Doves Farm Chocolate Stars Organic and Gluten Free
Eat Water Slim Pasta Spaghetti
Eskal Ice Cream Party Tubs
Glamourpuds Banoffee Sponge Pudding Pot
Glamourpuds Hot Chocolate Fudge Pudding Pot
Glamourpuds Raspberry Jam Sponge Pudding Pot
It’s Only Natural Moshi Monster Poppet Raspberry Ice Lolly
Nim’s Fruit Crisps Apple Crisps
Nim’s Fruit Crisps Pineapple Crisps
Orgran Itsy Bitsy Bears
Pulsin’ Beond Organic Açai Berry Bar
Red House Foods Georgia’s Choice Chicken Bites
Rizopia Organic Brown Rice Pasta Fantasia
Tesco Free From Chocolate Dessert Shakes

10. Savoury biscuits and snacks – sponsored by the Food & Drink Innovation Network
Afia’s Spicy Mix Vegetable Samosa
Conscious Foods Finger Millet Dippers
Cornito Crackers Pikant
Le Pain des Fleurs Organic Buckwheat Crispbread
Le Pain des Fleurs Organic Chestnut Crispbread
Le Pain des Fleurs Organic Quinoa Crispbread
Orgran Toasted Buckwheat Crispibread
Scrubby’s Vegetable Crisps with Character
The FreeFrom Bakehouse Jalapeño Pepper & Sweetcorn Muffins
The Indian Coeliac Vegetable Samosa

11. Scones, sweet tarts, Bakewells, sweet biscuits and cookies – sponsored by Yes! You Can
Against the Grain Almond Cookies
Against the Grain Chocolate Chip & Hazelnut Cookies
Angelic Gluten Free Reduced Fat Orange Chocolate Cookies
Christine’s Puddings Frangipane Tart
Doves Farm Stem Ginger Cookies
Lazy Day Foods Ginger Truffle Slice
Lazy Day Foods Belgian Chocolate Rocky Road
Lovemore Chocolate Chip Cookies
Lovemore O’Chocos
Peace of Cake Raspberry Abricotines
Perkier Popping Tiffin
Sweetcheeks Chilli Chocolate Snickerdoodles
The FreeFrom Bakehouse Chocolate Macaroons
Warburtons Fruity Tea Cakes

11. Cakes, cake mixes and cupcakes – sponsored by Mrs Crimbles
Cakes Divine Carrot Cupcakes
Heavenly Cakes Eton Mess
Melsie Jane Bakes Victoria Sandwich
Mummy’s Yummys Indulgent Chocolate Brownies
Silver Box Bakery Brownies
Sweetcheeks Pistachio & Lemon Zest Loaf
The Rebel Bakery GF Big Apple Pie
Waitrose LOVE Life GF Millionaire Blondies
Warburtons Blueberry & Cranberry Muffins
Warburtons Lemon and Poppyseed Muffins
We Love Cake Chocolate Pecan Brownies
Yes! You Can Lemon Muffin

12. Chocolate and snack bars – sponsored by Amy’s Kitchen
Beenies Hawaiian Splash
BoojaBooja Around Midnight Espresso Chocolate Truffles
Goody Good Stuff Strawberry Cream
Kinnerton Luxury Dark Chocolate
Natural Balance Nãkd Berry Delight
Natural Balance Nãkd Cocoa Orange
Nutritious Delicious Truffles – Orange Chocolate
Sainsbury’s FreeFrom Mint Crisps
Winning Ways Fine Foods Ltd Dairy Free Chocovered Raisins

13. Christmas foods – sponsored by Genon Laboratories
Celtic Chocolates Choices Advent Calendar
Hale & Hearty Luxury Mince Pies
Heavenly Cakes Chocolate Christmas Cake
Peace of Cake Christmas Cake
Sainsbury’s FreeFrom Iced Rich Fruit Slice
Tesco Free From Christmas Cake
The Foodamentalists Toasted Top Mince Pies
The Heavenly Cake Company Jamaican Rum Cake
The Nut Free Chocolatier Christmas Mulled Wine Chocolates

14. Gluten-free beer – sponsored by Orgran
Celia Premium Czech Lager
Daas Ambré
Daas Blond
Estrella Damm Daura
Green’s Export Lager Lite
Green’s IPA
Green’s Lager Dry Hopped
Hop Back Brewery Crop Circle
La Zaragozana Ambar Gluten Free
Oak & Barrel Schnitzer Bräu Organic German Hirse Premium GF Beer
Oak & Barrel Schnitzer Bräu Organic Lemon GF Beer
St Peter’s Brewery G-Free
Wold Top Brewery Scarborough Fair IPA

15. Products manufactured in a nut free environment – sponsored by RSSL
D&D Mixed Chocolate Fondants
Doves Farm Lemon Zest Cookies
Eskal FreeNut Butter
Orgran Kids Mini Outback Animals Chocolate Cookies 8 Fun Packs Multipack
Rizopia Organic Brown Rice Pasta Fusilli
The Nut Free Chocolatier After Dinner Orange Crisps
The Nut Free Chocolatier Mint Delight
Wellfoods GF Pizza Bases

 

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Posted in Chocolate, Coeliac (Gluten-Free), Dairy-Free, Diet, Nuts, Organic, Raw, Uncategorized

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If you like goat’s cheese you’ll love goat’s butter

Posted on 5 December, 2012 by | Leave a comment
goat's butter

Sensational goat’s butter

My friend was talking about goat’s butter the other night.

Not the normal topic of conversation you may think…

But that’s what fascinated him.

You see, he lives in a shared house and he was talking about how amazing the goat’s butter taste is plus the big advantage of no one else touching his butter because it came from, well.. goats.

We can be a bit too risk averse sometimes. I think goat’s milk tastes more creamy and lasts longer than normal milk and while we all go wild about goat’s cheese, how many of us would be willing to try goat’s yoghurt?  This is in spite of the fact that goat’s milk is far more widely used around the world than cow’s milk is and can also be more healthy for the many of us in the UK sensitive to the effects of cow’s milk on our bodies.

Luxurious milkshakes

Dairy-free chocolate milkshake

Delamere Dairy seem determined to overcome this prejudice towards cows. While they do farm cows, you can buy goat’s milk, butter and various flavoured yoghurts (honeyed, strawberry, raspberry or plain) from them too.

Plus Delamere are taking their dairy knowhow one step further and producing luxurious Vanilla Soya or  Chocolate Soya shakes and chocolate dessert pots too. Perfect for those who need to avoid lactose altogether.

 

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Posted in Chocolate, Dairy-Free, General Food, Vegan

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More dairy free milk coming onto the market

Posted on 17 September, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Whenever there is a need to use a milk alternative, it always seems to be soya milk that comes to people’s mind first. But those who have explored alternative options a bit more will know that there’s a lot more out there.

A new dairy free milk

A new dairy free milk

Rice Dream has proved a valuable alternative to some people with its lack of aftertaste and pleasant natural sweetness. But there are many other milk alternatives out there besides rice and the demand for quality milk alternatives is growing.

Rice Dream have developed variations with a vanilla version and a hazelnut and almond flavoured Rice Dream which is loved by vegan friends. But now, there are even more dreamy options with an Almond Dream made from almonds rather than rice and an Oat Dream coming onto the market too. Like the enriched Rice Dream they have added vitamins A, D & B12, with the same calcium as milk.

The best solution is to work out which type of dairy free milk tastes best in different cooking environments. For example, while oat milk may taste good with cereals, almond milk adds a delicious sweetener to tea, and of course, there’s always the pleasure of just drinking rice milk straight from the glass.

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Posted in Dairy-Free, Vegan

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Dairy free chocolate now available in snack size bars

Posted on 9 August, 2012 by | Leave a comment
Moo Free's dairy milk chocolate alternative now comes in an even smaller size

Moo Free chocolate now in an even smaller size

My wife eyed up the new Mini Moo chocolate bars.

Delight spread over her face.

There’s nothing better than something you love being delivered in an even smaller package.

The thing about Moo Free chocolate is that, not only is it Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Lactose Free, Wheat Free, Vegetarian and Vegan. According to our Slimming World calculations it’s also a lighter calorie chocolate bar.

However, what my true love has not noticed is that these new smaller versions of Moo Free chocolates are not yet available in her favourite flavour: Milk Choc with Caramelised Hazelnut Nibs.

What you do get is a choice of 3 snack size bars of either Rosie’s Crunchy Hunny-Comb, Mungo’s Juicy Sultana Bars or Hammy’s Original dairy free.

But, given the popularity of Moo Free’s highly successful rice milk alternative to dairy milk chocolate, I have no doubt that the hazelnut flavour will be soon to follow.

And my wife will be shouting with joy.

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Posted in Chocolate, Coeliac (Gluten-Free), Dairy-Free, General Food, Vegan

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Announcing the winners of the Free From Food Awards 2012

Posted on 18 April, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Once again, Lesley Cutts, GoodnessDirect manager, had the privilege of helping to judge for the Free From Food Awards 2012. She really loves tasting new and innovative food – it’s in her job description!

Hot off the press, here are the awards – top ‘free from’ food and drink in a diverse range of categories. Well done to everyone who won recognition for all their hard work.

Full details of the judges’ verdicts can be found on the Freedom Food Awards website.

FAIR Trophy for the best free-from food 2012
Winner: Vegusto – Mild Aromatic Dairy-Free Cheese
Runner up: Anila’s Sauces – Goan Green Sauce
Runner up: Bob’s Red Mill – Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour
Runner up: Daas – Ambre Beer
Runner up: Gluten Free Kitchen – Ovencrust Chicken & Bacon Pie
Runner up: inSpiral – Raw Dehydrated Kale Chips: Cheesie Purple Corn

Innovation Award
Winner: Bessant & Drury Fine Ice Cream Co. – Lemon
Highly Commended: Bessant & Drury Fine Ice Cream Co. – Chocolate
Highly Commended: CoYo – Coconut Yoghurt Natural
Highly Commended: Foodswild – Cornish Stingers Nettle Beer
Highly Commended: Tofutti – Ricotta Soya Cheese Alternative
Commended: The Foodamentalists – Brown Bread Mix
Commended: Provamel Botanicals – Alternative to Yoghurt Apple & Green Tea

Dairy and/or lactose free animal milk, butter and yogurt
- Sponsored by Swedish Glace
Winner: Woodlands Dairy – Gooseberry & Elderflower with Natural Sheep Milk Yoghurt
Highly commended: Delamere Dairy – Natural Goats Yoghurt
Commended: Delamere Dairy – Goats Butter

Plant (soya, rice,oat, nut) ‘milk’, spread and ‘cheese’
- Sponsored by Pure Dairy Free
Joint Winner: CoYo – Coconut Yoghurt Natural
Joint Winner: Vegusto – Mild Aromatic Dairy-Free Cheese
Highly commended: Kara Dairy Free – Alternative to Milk Original + Calcium
Highly commended: Vegusto – Melty Dairy-Free Cheese
Commended: Bessant & Drury Fine Ice Cream Co. – Chocolate
Commended: Bessant & Drury Fine Ice Cream Co. – Lemon
Commended: Higher Nature – Omega Excellence Organic Virgin Coconut Butter
Commended: Vegusto – Dairy-free cheese sauce

Breakfast cereals
- Sponsored by Fria Gluten Free
Winner: Sainsbury’s – FreeFrom Oaty Granola
Commended: Bob’s Red Mill – Pure Traditional Oats
Commended: Groovy Food Company – Choco Crispies
Commended: Juvela – Fibre Flakes

Breads and bread mixes
- Sponsored by Genius Gluten Free
Winner: Fria – Grova Dark Seeded Sliced Loaf
Highly commended: Finax – Oat Bread Mix
Highly commended: Fria – Grov Minibaguette Dark Seeded Roll

Pasta and pizza bases/mixes
- Sponsored by Tesco
Winner: Farabella – Acini di Pepe/Pasta Grains
Highly commended: Bob’s Red Mill – GF Wholegrain Pizza Crust Mix
Highly commended: Co-operative Foods – FreeFrom Fusilli
Commended: Molino di Ferro – La Veneziane Penne

Foods manufactured for food service
- Sponsored by Livwell
Joint Winner: Red House Foods – Gluten Free Chicken Bites
Joint Winner: Sauces of Choice – Sauces for Kids Tikka Sauce
Highly commended: Costa Coffee – Gluten Free Fruit Cake
Highly commended: Doves Farm Foods – Gluten Free Plain White Flour Blend without Buckwheat
Highly commended: Foodamentalists – Golden Batter Mix
Commended: Doves Farm Foods – Organic Brown Rice Penne
Commended: Triano Brands – Tofutti Grated Mozzarella Soya Cheese Alternative

Ingredients: flour, stock, pastry, sauces
- Sponsored by Juvela
Joint Winner: Anila’s Sauces – Goan Green Sauce
Joint Winner: Bob’s Red Mill – Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour
Highly commended: Mesquite Company – Pure Mesquite Pod Flour
Commended: Clearspring – Kuzu Gluten Free Starch Thickener

Raw foods and superfoods
- Sponsored by Asda
Winner: inSpiral – Raw Dehydrated Kale Chips: Cheesie Purple Corn
Highly commended: Mesquite Company – Pure Mesquite Pod Flour
Commended: Pulsin’ – Beond Organic Acai Berry Bar
Commended: James White Drinks – Beet It Organic Stamina Shot

Savoury pies, flans, pizzas  and ready meals
- Sponsored by Delamere Dairy

Meat-based meal centres:
Winner: Co-operative Foods – Truly Irresistible Minted Lamb Burgers
Highly commended: Black Farmer – Pork Meatballs
Commended: Co-operative Foods – Truly Irresistible Pork Sausages

Pies, flans, pizzas, one pot meals:
Winner: Gluten Free Kitchen – Ovencrust Chicken & Bacon Pie
Highly commended: Amy’s Kitchen – Gluten Free Vegetable Lasagne
Highly commended: DS-gluten free – Gluten Free Bonta d’Italia Margherita Pizza
Highly commended: The Food Resource – Fusilli al Funghi
Commended: Easy Bean – New Mexican Chilli Fairtrade Red Bean with Sweet Pepper One Pot Meal
Commended: Foodamentalists – Pork, Black Pudding & Caramelised Red Onion Pie
Commended: stewed! – Chickpea, Sweet Potato & Feta One Pot Meal

Savoury biscuits and snacks
- Sponsored by Genon Laboratories
Joint Winner: Darling Spuds – Tomato, Olive & Oregano Crisps
Joint Winner: Juvela – Crostini Bites
Highly commended: Conscious Foods – Millet Crackers with Rosemary
Highly commended: Darling Spuds – Sour Cream with a hint of Mexican Chilli

Scones, sweet tarts and brownies
- Sponsored by the Tesco
Joint Winner: Sugargrain – Almond, Apricot and Tahini Flapjack
Joint Winner: Sweetcheeks – Almondies
Highly commended: Asda – Gluten-free All Butter Lemon Sicilian Shortbread
Highly commended: Co-operative Foods – FreeFrom Triple Chocolate Cookies
Commended: Heavenly Cakes – Gluten & Wheat Free Millionaires
Commended: Molino di Ferro – La Veneziane Coconut Biscotti
Commended: Tesco – FreeFrom Ginger Cookies

Cakes and cake mixes
- Sponsored by Mrs Crimble’s
Joint Winner: The Cake Crusader – Gluten, Wheat and Dairy Free Carrot Cake
Joint Winner: Sweetcheeks – Maple & Pecan Cupcakes
Highly commended: Incognito Cakes – Choc Fudge Cake
Highly commended: The Cake Crusader– Rich Fruit Cake
Commended: Cakes Divine – Dairy & Gluten Free Carrot Cupcakes
Commended: Fria – Kladdkaka Chocolate Brownie Cake
Commended: Steph’s Free From Cakes – Lemon Drizzle Cake

Puddings, sweet pies, desserts and cheesecakes
- Sponsored by Hale & Hearty
Winner: Food Heaven – Sicilian Lemon Cheesecake
Highly commended: Mamma Cucina – Mango & Passionfruit Non-Dairy Cheesecake
Commended: Tideford Organics – Butterscotch Rice Pudding

Chocolate and sweet snacks
- Sponsored by Tesco
Winner: Booja Booja – Rum Sozzled Sultana Chocolate Truffles
Highly commended: Kinnerton – Dairy, Egg, Gluten and Nut Free Bar
Commended: Conscious Chocolates – Essential Orange
Commended: Eskal Foods – Gluten-free Chocolate Coated Pretzels
Commended: Tickety Boo Cakes – Roo’s Crunch

Christmas products
- Sponsored by Produced in Italy
Winner: Foodamentalists – Gluten, wheat and dairy-free Frangipane Mince Pies
Highly commended: Christine’s Puddings – Gluten-free Rum and Ale Pudding
Highly commended: Livwell – Iced Christmas cake
Highly commended: Morrison’s – FreeFrom Christmas pudding
Commended: Conscious Chocolates – Cherry Christmas
Commended: Friendly Food and Drink – Xmas chutney
Commended: OK Foods – Freefrom mince pies
Commended: Pyman Pates – Chicken liver with port, brandy and cranberries

Gluten-free beer
- Sponsored by Asda
Winner: Daas – Ambre Beer
Highly commended: Daas – Blond Beer
Highly commended: Green’s – Bottle Refermented Dark Ale
Commended: Green’s – Bottle Refermented Blonde Ale
Commended: Green’s – Premium Golden Ale

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Posted in Anti-Candida, Coeliac (Gluten-Free), Dairy-Free, Diet, Raw, Vegan

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Free tickets to The Allergy and Free From Show: 18-20 May 2012

Posted on 6 April, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Got an allergy? Is your diet Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Casein Free, Lactose Free, Wheat Free, Yeast Free?

The Allergy & Free From Show 2012 has teamed up with GoodnessDirect to give you unlimited FREE tickets (worth £10 each)!

Taking place from 18 – 20 May at London’s Olympia, this is Europe’s largest public event dedicated to delivering solutions for free from lives. If you suffer from asthma, eczema, sensitive skin, hay fever, chemical sensitivities, food intolerance, coeliac disease or other allergies or intolerances then this is for you.

Last year’s event was an enormous success…


This year there are more free from features and exhibitors than ever before:

  • Try and buy the latest free from foods, skincare and household products
  • Consultations, seminars and workshops with the UK’s top Allergists, Dieticians and other specialists
  • Free from cooking demonstrations
  • Charities, support groups and thousands of like-minded attendees

And a host of additional exciting content!

Come and see us there (Stand 135) for free…

Book unlimited free tickets for you, your friends, family and colleagues at www.allergyshow.co.uk/go/GoodnessDirect

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Posted in Allergy, Anti-Candida, Asthma, Coeliac (Gluten-Free), Coeliac Disease, Competitions, Complementary Health, Dairy-Free, Digestion, GoodnessDirect, Hayfever, Skin, Vegan

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Co Yo has arrived, a vegan yoghurt that is heaven in a mouthful (receipe)

Posted on 20 March, 2012 by | 2 Comments

Co Yo has to be one of the most highly anticipated coconut desserts this season.

It is, quite simply, a coconut milk yoghurt, making it a delicious alternative for vegan and dairy-free palates. But it has to be tasted to be believed.

Some say it’s better than normal yoghurt because it has a superior creamy and fresh taste – something you’d expect from coconut. But the flavour is also light and gently nutty and, mixed to make other varieties, like Pineapple Co Yo or Mixed Berry Co Yo, well let’s just say it’s not unappropriate to describe it as “Heaven in a Mouthful”.

But whether it’s the fruit flavours or the Natural Co Yo you get a surprisingly filling probiotic delicacy, perfect for cereals or with fruit or as a combination for savoury meals too.

It’s also gluten free with no artificial preservatives or colouring. In fact it’s 100% natural – employing the benefits of coconut: full of minerals and healthy fats, particularly lauric acid which boosts the immune system.

Co Yo.. Heaven in a Mouthful

Co Yo.. Heaven in a Mouthful

Just to entice your tastebuds, here’s a recipe to try:

CO YO Cherries
This special treat contrasts the slight bite of coconut yoghurt with the sweetness of cherries.

Ingredients:
450g fresh cherries
Piece of fresh ginger about 6-8 cm long, or substitute ginger syrup
50-100g coconut sugar, to taste
400g CO YO coconut milk yoghurt, natural flavour
25g chopped nuts

1. Place cherries in small saucepan with sugar and 60ml cup water. Chop fresh ginger into pieces then squeeze each in a garlic crush to capture the juice. (Alternatively leave out the sugar and add 120ml ginger syrup to cherries.)
2. Heat the cherries, sugar, ginger (or ginger syrup) and simmer until cherries soften. Mash lightly with a fork and allow to cool.
3. Add your choice of chopped nuts (macadamias or brazil nuts are excellent), stir into a generous serving of CO YO and serve.

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Posted in Coeliac (Gluten-Free), Dairy Free, Dairy-Free, Egg free, General Food, Gluten-Free, recipe, Vegan, Vegetarian

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