Fun, delightful, easy and fresh. This is what I seek on Valentine’s Day. My family likes to use this day to celebrate our love for each other and our community, plus being grateful for all things that work in our lives. Which much of my gratitude this year is for all of the incredible allergy savvy choices we have available. If you are stuck for fresh ideas, here are some to rev up that creativity and good times.
Note: this is a list of non-food treats, recipes and links to fabulously yummy companies who offer items that might just meet your food allergy and/or special dietary needs. As always, call the company to confirm free from ingredients and to confirm their manufacturing protocol meet your health requirements.
Boxes of Chocolates and Hearts Rule…
No Whey Foods – I found a nice selection online of heart shaped chocolate and heart shaped red boxes full of fabulous sweet treats. *top 8 free
Divvies Snap Crackle Crush Chocolate Hearts – If my kids send me some of these and a few Benjamin Crunch Chocolate Bars, I probably would give up all parental nagging for quite some time. Just say’n. *Nut – egg – dairy free
Amanda’s Own Confections– heart shaped chocolate lollipops and individual solid chocolate hearts, which have been a Moassessi family favorite for over a decade. Yes, we’re that old. *top 8 free except suncups
Vermont Nut Free – Simply adorable gift boxes, chocolate covered pretzels (the fanciest I’ve ever seen) all presented gorgeous and screaming Valentine’s Day is Special for us no nut types. *nut free
Huey’s Nut Free Chocolate – Not only can you find red boxes, but chocolate angels! *nut free
Simply Nut Free – gorgeous and elegant, no red box, but so pretty it doesn’t matter. *nut free
Rich Art Nut Free Gourmet Chocolates – indulgence, that word is just not strong enough! *nut free
Amanda’s Own Confections– heart shaped chocolate lollipops and individual solid chocolate hearts, which have been a Moassessi family favorite for over a decade. Yes, we’re that old. *top 8 free except suncups
Bakery (with online ordering) inspiration…
Sensitive Sweets Bakery – They ship and are baking up festive cupcake cups just in time for Valentine’s Day. This was the first allergy friendly bakery we ever visited. *top 8 free plus sesame
Sweet Alexis – This California bakery ships pink and pretty heart shaped cookies.*nut – dairy – egg and some wheat free
Just good fun…
Valentine’s Day Gift Box from 88 Acres – oh goodness gracious, if anyone wants to surprise me with this one, I’ll take it, I promise to have a shocked and grateful look on my face. I have a new addiction to the sunbutter seed spreads that is not even remotely healthy.
Be a P.A.L Valentine’s Day Pack – Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) is offering a kit containing Valentine’s Day cards, pencils, stickers and even a poster to help raise awareness while celebrating.
1000+ Images of Non-Candy Valentine’s Day Ideas on Pintrest – It’s easy to get lost on this page of creativity. I found ideas ranging from drinking straws with darling Valentine greetings to homemade bracelets.
Get in the kitchen and make it, bake it or fake it (sugar cubes look really hard, but they are not)
Dairy Free Chocolate Pudding with a Raspberry Infusion – dish it up in a Martini glass for some adult elegance. Thanks Alisa Fleming, author of Go Dairy Free and Allergic Living Magazine for this little divine treat
Valentine’s Day Cupcakes – The magic lies within a heart shaped baking pan! Use your favorite recipe and decorate!
Heart Shaped Banana Muffins – These were my first ever school Valentine’s Day treat that I ever made and to this day, I make these at least once a month. The magic: letting your bananas brown and using a heart shaped pan.
Raspberry Dairy Free Milkshake – Just the photos on the Pretty Bee’s website make me want to bake right now!
Flavored Sugar Cubes (image is above) work for tea lovers and sugar lovers – like both of my kids! They’ll eat a sugar cube anyday, especially a flavored one. Rose flavor was to impress my mother in-law, but you can have fun with lemon, peppermint or rootbeer extracts!
Get creative with that heart shaped treats…
Wild Zora meat and veggie bars – I just discovered these today and just had to share this adorable image from Instagram (with permission)! I am a sucker for heart shaped foods on Valentine’s Day and it looks like someone took a heart shaped cookie cutter to a Wild Zora bar!
Heart Shaped Cucumber and “Cheese” Slices – One year, I was flat out of time and patience for a class Valentine’s Day Party, so I dragged out my Dollar Tree silver trays and cut cucumber and non-dairy (and dairy) cheese into little hearts. The kids went bonkers over them. Can we say, affordable, fast and easy?
Strawberry Hill Lollipops – You can even order a teddy bear lolli with a “be my Honey” heart in his/her hand. *top 8 free
Surf Sweets Fruity Hearts -These are a MUST in my house. Gummy and Yummy *Top 8 free
Gimbals’s Cherry Lovers fruit chews – Another Moassessi family go to. I usually buy and extra bag and hide it for myself. But, shhhh, don’t tell. *top 8 free
A little crafty…
Using Gimbal’s Cherry Lovers Candies to make a game! Too Adorable, right?
Recycled Heart Shaped Crayons – my pal April made these one year and I thought they were just brilliant. She melted crayons worn down to nubs in heart shaped pans!
Healthy Food Allergy Friendly Robots – I made these for Leila’s class years ago and they remain a favorite. The robots are ridiculously adorable. Hot glue gun skill required!
These TIPS will help to keep you healthy and happy…
Nice ‘n Clean Anti-bacterial hand wipes are a staple. The small compact size is perfect and makes for a fast hand wipe before eating something or to discreetly use at a party. They are a must in my world.
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Action Plan– Parties and celebrations should be that one moment in time, when we all pause and make sure we are prepared to label read, call manufacturers and ready for an emergency.
Mylar Balloons – Avoid putting those with latex allergies at risk by enjoying non-latex containing Mylar. My local Dollar Tree store usually offers a nice assortment for the great price of $1.00.
Always Carry Two – Make sure you have two epinephrine auto-injectors available at all times!
Meet With Your Child’s Teacher – Schedule a quick meeting to discuss how Valentine’s Day will be managed and have your school policy and 504 plan (if applicable) in hand. If possible volunteer to help at the party and be ready to offer non-food ideas.
Have something to add to this list? Please share below!
Disclaimer: Other than Allergic Living Magazine, I do not work with any of the companies mentioned above. My hope is to inspire you this Valentine’s Day by sharing recipes, ideas and some maybe something so fun you want to cry.
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..