So I've been missing yogurt most since I was diagnosed with my dairy allergies. I've tried to find replacements- soy yogurt, coconut milk yogurt...nothing really hit the spot. Then I decided to be brave and pick up Bellwether Farms sheep milk yogurt. Yes, sheep milk. I was so scared to try it, since I had a horrible experience when I first tried goat's milk yogurt (yuck) so I closed my eyes, stirred it up really well, and took a tiny bite. Now, I'm in love! This yogurt, which I tried in strawberry, has that sweet and tart kick that the old, full-fat Yoplait yogurts used to have! I am so shocked as to how good it is, I'm going to bring some to my mom and make her try it. I recommend this product completely!
Hey bloggers...sorry for being MIA lately, but I'll make it up to you with a new recommendation! In the February edition of Oprah magazine, the Healthwise section had an article about Laloo's (pronounced lay-looz) goats milk ice cream. This treat has half the fat of regular ice cream and also has more calcium, potassium, and magnesium...not to mention the goats are free of antibiotics and growth hormones! So is it worth a shot? It certainly sounds like it but I have been unable to find any locally so I can't give you my own opinion. Find it? Let me know what you think! Until then, check out all the awesome flavors at www.laloos.com
My brother and I took a trip to our local beach town the other day and with the sunny sky and the slight hint of spring, nothing sounded better than a smoothie. BUUUUUT so many smoothies rely on milk, ice cream, or frozen yogurt to give them that smooth texture. Thankfully, Jamba Juice has created a line of "All-Fruit" smoothies that are a healthier option...and great for those with dairy allergies! They have four flavors. We tried Strawberry Whirl and Peach Perfection. The Strawberry Whirl really tasted like your regular Jamba Juice. The Peach Perfection was a little more tart (one reason why I looooved it). Both had a slightly different texture. After taking a sip, you could feel a little remnants of the piece of fruit...but I don't consider that a bad thing! Trust me- these are a great option. Check out the flavors and ingredients below. 
In the hopes of finding a replacement for my intense love of pizza, I picked up Amy's spinach pizza made with rice crust and soy cheese. Bake it in the oven for 10-12 minutes, then broil for 2-3 to melt the cheese on top. I actually enjoyed it! The crust does NOT get extremely crispy, for those of you who like a crunchy pizza. It's softer and has a different texture than the typical doughy crust. The cheese does taste quite good and the spinach flavor really makes up for the lack in taste. Overall, I'd say this is a pretty good option for lunch or dinner but buy one and check it out. I have a feeling this is one of those hit-or-miss items...it's all up to personal taste.
I started eating these delicious little cookies waaaay before I knew I was allergic to dairy! You can buy them from any Trader Joe's and I can gaurantee you and your family will love them! In fact, they're my dad's favorites! Now, I have to be careful, as they are not gluten-free, but those of you lucky ducks without gluten sensitivities can eat as many as your heart desires! Careful though...each cookie comes at the price of 170 calories! So watch your portions or binge every once in awhile. Trust me, they are worth it!
DAIRY/CASEIN
EGGS
Cherrybrook Kitchen is another great company to keep an eye out for. Their products are always peanut free, dairy free, egg free, and nut free. In addition, they have an entire line of gluten-free mixes for cookies, pancakes, cakes, and brownies. I recently tried out the mix for Chocolate Chip cookies. Made with rice flower and non-dairy chocolate chips (sugar, chocolate liquor, dextrose, cocoa butter- don't be fooled, its not dairy- soy lecithin, and vanilla extract), this mix is combined with dairy-free margarine (I recommend Nucoa), water, and vanilla to make 20 delicious cookies. Now, these cookies don't taste exactly like regular chocolate chip cookies. Instead, they have a little bit more of a granulated texture with a salty crunch on the outside. I couldn't keep my family away. My brother, mom, AND dad wouldn't stop grabbing them off the cooling rack! Another bonus- the dough is YUMMY and since it contains no raw eggs, it's safe to lick the bowl! Check out their website
You'd never guess how many people in the world have issues with dairy. It wasn't until recently that I found out that my hair stylist, who has been doing my hair for over 8 years now, can't stomach dairy just like me! Luckily, she recommended this cookbook- The Ultimate Uncheese Cookbook by Jo Stepaniak. It has amazing recipes, not to mention important information, about life for cheese lovers who are dairy intolerant. I'm ordering mine on Amazon tonight...it has 4.5 stars! Not to mention, my hair stylist is awesome and I completely trust her opinion. Check this book out NOW or buy it as a gift for your dairy-free friends! Click here to order
These are a healthy and FILLING choice for lunch or dinner! I now live off them. You can make them in a snap- a must have for Mexican food lovers and kids!
Looking for a low-cal after dinner dessert? I recently wrote a review for Purely Decadent soy ice creams made by Turtle Mountain. Another great find by the company? 90 calorie So Delicious Minis...dairy free ice cream sandwiches that come in Vanilla, Chocolate, Neapolitan, Pomegranate and Mint. They are incredibly tasty- like a REAL ice cream sandwich! They also come in full size bars, as well as in an organic option. Here is the one thing: get them in the freezer! I bought two boxes at Safeway today and after the car ride home, they were a little warm and didn't taste as great as when they came fresh from the freezer. When they are really cold, I swear you will be hooked INSTANTANEOUSLY! As this is my SECOND five ♥ review for the Turtle Mountain company, they are the first to be placed on the "Udderly Amazing" list- your guide to companies that consistently provide the best in dairy-free foods!
Some people like to dip everything in ranch dressing...I myself am a fan of sour cream. When I found out I couldn't have a dollop of Daisy with every meal, I was crushed. As a picky eater, I used sour cream to hide the flavors of foods I didn't like or make a spicy dish a little more mild. So I was stoked when I found a dairy-free sour cream substitute- Tofutti's Sour Supreme. But don't get TOO excited, reader. My enthusiasm was brought to a screeching halt when I opened the tub. The consistency was rubbery, kind of like what you would expect a dried-out can of paint to look like. And taste wasn't much better. My baked potato and margarine was much better without this addition. I'd say do one of two things: cut out your sour cream consumption completely or keep looking for another alternative. Trust me, I've been searching but even "sour cream substitutes" like IMO have dairy in them. If you are not hugely allergic to dairy and just have a strong sensitivity, cut out dairy full time and allow yourself a small dollop (1 Tbsp) of a light sour cream (you'll avoid the richness that can often create an upset stomach) on special occasions. If you must avoid dairy at all costs, look at other products that can be used instead of creamy condiments. For example, to tone down spicy Mexican food, use some fresh guacamole. For a yummy baked potato, remove insides from skin after baking and mix with rice milk, margarine, and a dash of salt. Spoon it back into its skin and sprinkle with bacon bits, chives, or shredded veggie cheese. You'll find a way to get your sour cream fix, but trust me...Sour Supreme isn't it!
In my opinion, this margarine has the most "buttery" taste. It's not soft and soupy like the margarine I grew up on (Imperial Margarine...NOT dairy free) and feels more like the consistency of a normal tub of butter. It also melts very well, making my dairy- and gluten-free waffles much more enjoyable in the morning. This spread comes in several varieties including Original, Original Whipped (my favorite), Soy Garden (extra soy for increased health benefits), Soy Free, Original made with Olive Oil, and buttery sticks and shortening for baking. Other products by Earth Balance include natural vegan crunchy Peanut Butter and natural vegan creamy Almond Butter. Check out their website for details and recipes. 
I'm always one for a quick breakfast on the go. It's great to have "go to" items for those mornings you accidentally slept in or forgot you had an appointment first thing. I used to reach for cereal bars or, my favorite, the NutriGrain bar. When I found out about my dairy and gluten allergies, I couldn't find my quick breakfast solution. I was hopeful when I picked up Glutino's Breakfast Bars...but (I hoped I'd never have to write this) I was very disappointed. Made with chick pea flour, corn flour, and tapioca starch, these bars are too chewy and lack any taste. My vote- keep searching for your breakfast-on-the-go. Mine is currently my new staple item, LARABARS in Peanut Butter cookie. Got a better solution? Let me know!!!
