Why Miss Lemon Lime Is Awesome

This is a great story that I just had to share...

I went to Wade's parent-teacher conference, and she told me the funniest thing.  In October the class went on a field trip to the pumpkin patch, and while we had packed a special lunch for Wade, they left it at school because nobody else had lunches and Mrs. Miss Lemon Lime didn't think there would be time to sit and eat anyway. 

And then someone broke out some cookies to share for a snack. 

"OH NO!" Miss Lemon Lime says, "Wade can't eat those!" 

So she sent one of the parents to the store to go buy Wade a gluten free snack, while her and Wade went off on their own little excursion by themselves so that Wade didn't see everyone else eating cookies and feel all excluded.  And yes, the parent returned with PRETZELS!

"HE CAN"T EAT THOSE!!!" she exclaimed.  So she went to plan B. 

Miss Lemon Lime quietly ushered Wade into her car and they drove to the store together to buy Skittles.  So while the other kids were doing whatever you do at a pumpkin patch, Wade was off at the store with his teacher. 

Was it totally legal for her to drive off with him like that?  Oh, I'm sure it's frowned upon.  But the fact that she went out of her way to get him a gluten free snack just makes me smile.  She's so darn cute, I just want to punch her or something, I don't know. 

And the best part is that Wade never mentioned ANY of this to us.  This is the kid who we ask how school went and he answers "Uh, I don't remember."

This made me laugh.  Best parent-teacher conference ever. 

What's Up With Coconut Milk?

New favorite!  You have got to try Almond Breeze Dark Chcoolate milk.  I've been hooked on almond milk since I decided that soy was slimy feeling and rice tasted like paper, but now they're selling Dark Chocolate in the refrigerated section at the store.  They also have regular Almond Breeze Chocolate Milk in the 32 oz boxes that you buy from the shelf unrefrigerated, but the dark chocolate is NOM! 

It literally tastes like the leftover milk from a bowl of Cocoa Pebbles, which for all intents and purposes is also gluten free as Post's official statement on the glutenosity of their cereals is "if the ingredients do not say wheat, barley, oats or rye, it's gluten free."  (Cross contamination is still a possibility so take the regular precautions with this one.)

So anyways, as much as I love Almond breeze (and Silk's version which is called Pure Almond,) I did notice that Turtle Mountain is also refrigerating a new lactose free alternative:  So Delicious Coconut Milk. 

I've seen So Delicious around for a while, as they also make a delicious soy based ice cream sandwich.  And about two months ago, I noticed coconut milk based So Delicious ice cream products.  But now they're selling this stuff as a milk alternative for the anti-milk crowd, and I'm a little bit concerned about it for one reason. 

Isn't coconut milk mother nature's laxative? 

Coconut milk is well known for its use in aiding constipation, as coconut products have laxative effects.  I personally avoid milk because it causes me to have horrible diarrhea, stomach cramps, and vomiting.  Even Lactaid causes me to barf, as I found out last Christmas with the Lactaid-Nog.  So the idea of switching to something that's also going to give me the runs is not my cuppa. 

Turtle Mountain's website says this about their coconut milk:

NEW! The world's first (that we know of) coconut milk beverage is now So Delicious!
Slide over soy milk and move over dairy milk, something new and exciting is coming to the milk aisle, So Delicious® Coconut Milk Beverage! Enjoy it on cereal, in coffee, in recipes or just in a tall glass. One sip and you will say, "Wow, that is So Delicious!"

• Dairy Free / Lactose Free
• Soy Free
• Gluten Free
• Rich in Medium Chain Fatty Acids
• Excellent Source of Vitamin B12 (vegetarian friendly)
• Formulated for Maximum Calcium Absorption
• Cholesterol Free
• No Trans Fats
• Certified Vegan

 Great.  But I'm scared.  I'm wondering if anyone has tried this? 

Looking around the internet at reviews, I'm hearing that it tastes great.  The vanilla version is slightly sweet with a hint of coconut, and the plain version isn't very fragrant or coconutty at all.  Both are said to be smooth and without funky aftertaste.  It is also surprisingly similar to real whole milk, which is why I prefer the almond milk because it is more milky to me than rice or soy. 

So we know how it goes down, but how does it come out?  Does it give us the milk turds?  What's the deal?  All I see are screamingly positive reviews about the act of drinking it and how it can be used, but does it still do that thing that coconut milk does so well?  That's what I'd like to know!

I'm far too burned to potentially give myself the runs by trying this product.  But if anyone who has tried it, whether they liked the taste or not, would please let me know if it subsequently lived up to its name "mother nature's laxative," I'd be interested to hear your story.  Not too detailed, of course.  A simple "it made me crap for days" would be fine. 

Gluten Free Halloween Candy

Halloween was pretty fun this year, lots of candy, but naturally when we got back we had to dig through and find all of the gluten free stuff that Wade could have. 

Hat tip to the Skittles people. Thanks for being awesome. 

Anyway, I found a 2010 list of the Halloween candies that are gluten free.  The more shockingly gluten free candies I found on the list are Butterfinger, Jelly Bellies, and Peeps.  Seems like everything has malt-o-something or "natural flavoring" these days.  Thanks to all candymakers who offer gluten free goodies. 

*please note that not every candy on the list is processed in a gluten free facility.