SunButterElizabeth spreads delicious food allergy solutions

I'm delighted to share this guest post today from SunButterElizabeth. For those of you who may not know about SunButterElizabeth, she's the real person who represents SunButter. I met Elizabeth at the Food Allergy Blogger Conference (FABlogCon) in September. She's just as nice in person as she is online. And isn't it appropriate that she represents a sunny brand like SunButter!?

We use SunButter EVERY DAY in our house since Little Guy has multiple food allergies, including peanuts. Out of all the peanut-free spreads, SunButter is our favorite. I think it has the most similar consistency and taste to peanut butter. It also offers a similar amount of protein and less sugar than many peanut butter brands. Thankfully it's safe for Little Guy and widely available in our local stores!

In case you haven't tried SunButter yet (gasp!), I encourage you to do so. 

Now, I give you today's guest blogger, SunButterElizabeth!

SunButterElizabeth spreads delicious food allergy solutions

How can such a serious challenge be so enjoyable? It’s all about the people! That’s the view of SunButterElizabeth, a real person who represents the SunButter brand of sunflower seed spread in the food allergy, nutrition, paleo, fitness and other communities. She shares some of the SunButter story, and her own experiences in representing this delicious solution.

SunButter was actually “invented” for a young lady who has a peanut allergy. She is the company founder’s niece! Here’s more of the story: 

The number of U.S. children with peanut allergies more than tripled from 1997 - 2008. About that same time, SunButter’s founder and others were curious about the rise in peanut allergies. He imagined a peanut butter substitute made from sunflower seeds, grown by farmers in the Upper Midwestern United States. SunButter’s processing facility, in Fargo, N.D., was already handling sunflower seeds for other uses.

He started working with folks at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. At first, he figured the product would be for other food companies to use in their products. Then, it became clear the spread would safely take the place of peanut butter! SunButter was born.

We're especially proud to be involved in the food allergy community. We’re also active in the fitness, paleo, gluten-free and other custom eating communities. We’ve met smart, creative people who have sparked many ideas. As a fellow parent to three kids (including two teenagers, yikes!), I especially appreciate parents’ efforts to fuel their kids with the right foods—including food sensitivities. Some of SunButter’s most successful initiatives have come right from these parents and their kids, such as:

• The elementary school student who continually had to talk her way to the “Peanut Free” table in her cafeteria because the lunch room staff members thought her SunButter sandwich was made with peanut butter. We created these SunButter downloadableID stickers!
• Parents of kids newly diagnosed with allergies to peanuts and or tree nuts, who need tangible solutions. We distribute thousands of SunButter Snack Packs through physicians, allergists and others each year.
• School-lunch-packing parents looking to make allergy friendly eating fun like Keeley McGuire
• Fitness-minded folks looking for nut-free protein sources, including those on Paleo or Detox eating plans (peanut butter is typically not allowed; SunButter is!)

A Few of Our Favorite Things

We’ve tried SunButter with nearly everything (some epic fails included). Lately, our favorite creations are (all recipes on the SunButter blog):

Pretzels coated with a blend of SunButter, nut-free caramels and a tiny bit of apple juice. 

Photo credit: SunButter

SunBlossoms
SunButter is a direct substitute for peanut butter in this recipe, so even those with nut allergies can enjoy these traditional favorites! (We do adapt recipes with less baking soda and/or powder to accommodate the potential “green” when baking. See, the chlorophyll in sunflower seeds can interact with baking soda/powder when baked and create a green hue. That’s fun for St. Patrick’s Day, but not the rest of the year!)

Photo credit: SunButter / Recipe Link Here

SunButterBird Feeder

Photo credit: SunButter / Recipe Link Here

SunButter Hummus

Photo credit: SunButter / Recipe Link Here

We’re always looking for new recipes and ideas. Feel free to email them to SunButterElizabeth@gmail.com. 

Meanwhile, we’re happy to help keep spreading the sunshine!

Photo credit: SunButter

SunButter Baked Oatmeal Cups

Hello to my peanut free and nut free friends! Are you in the mood for a new SunButter recipe?  I know I'm ALWAYS ready for new allergy friendly recipes, as are my kiddos. These SunButter Baked Oatmeal Cups are perfect to eat for breakfast or a snack, pop in a lunchbox, or take to the beach or pool. They are gluten free, dairy free, egg free and of course, nut free!

You can include whatever add-ins or toppings you'd like. This time I included dairy free chocolate chips, and also pumpkin seeds for some crunch.

They're honestly really tasty without anything on them. The recipe includes a little sugar and maple syrup, but not TOO much.  They're just sweet enough.  And I'd call them rather healthy too!

SunButter Baked Oatmeal Cups Recipe
*Recipe adapted from Gluten-Free Living Magazine

PRINT THIS RECIPE

Makes 18
Time: About 40 minutes prepping + cooking time

Ingredients:

4 cups oats (I've used both old-fashioned and quick oats)
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/3 cup non-dairy milk (I used unsweetened coconut milk)
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup maple syrup
3 mashed bananas
1/2 cup SunButter (I used Creamy, but any kind will do!)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• Mix all of dry ingredients in bowl (oats, cinnamon, baking powder and salt)
• Mix all of wet ingredients in larger bowl
• Add mashed bananas and SunButter to wet ingredients, and beat with electric mixer until evenly incorporated.
• Pour dry mixture into wet mixture and stir until combined.
• Scoop mixture into muffin tin lined with muffin cups (or make sure the muffin tin is greased!). Fill each cup to top.
• Bake for 20 - 25 minutes or until set/slightly brown on top

I store these SunButter Baked Oatmeal Cups in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. My kids love them cold, right out of the fridge, or warmed slightly in microwave. I also freeze them for future use in lunchboxes and school snacks!

You might also like these SunButter recipes - all are dairy free, egg free, nut free and sesame free:

Chocolate Cookie SunButter Ice Cream Cupcakes

SunButter Chocolate Cups

SunButter Baked Oatmeal: Dairy-free, egg-free and nut-free

SunButter Overnight Oats

Easy SunButter Breakfast Cookies

No Bake Oat Balls

Want to save this for later?  Here's a great pinnable image for Pinterest!

I am a SunButter blogger, and I'm SO excited to share SunButter recipes with you since we TRULY use this product every day in our family. It's really been a go-to source of protein for us since Little Guy is allergy to dairy, eggs, nuts and sesame.

Thank you to SunButter for sponsoring this post. 

Don't forget to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook. There's a lot of daily fun going on!

Ode to Sunbutter

I wrote this post in advance of baby's birthday. I'll give a baby update soon!

Oh Sunbutter, how I love thee.

When my son was first diagnosed with a peanut allergy at 4 months old, I was still nursing and eliminated all forms of peanuts from my diet.  I missed my beloved peanut butter for a long time as I especially love it for breakfast on toast or in oatmeal.  I tried a few different soynut butters, but didn’t care for them.

Then after much searching I found Sunbutter!  For those who have never had it, it’s made from sunflower seeds.  I think it tastes very similar to natural PB, which is the kind of PB I used to eat.  We don’t keep PB in our house any longer since it’s such a messy food that sticks to so much, so Sunbutter is what we eat instead.

Here are details of where I buy Sunbutter and price comparisons:

• Wegmans: Our local Wegmans carries it for $6/jar which is rather expensive (definitely more than the $2 jar of Crazy Richard’s PB I used to buy).  However, they don’t carry organic Sunbutter.
• Whole Foods: Also carries Sunbutter for a little more than $6.  They also carry the organic kind, but I believe it’s close to $8/jar!
• Giant: Carries crunchy Sunbutter only for $7.70 a jar. For some reason they stock it in the PB aisle instead of the organic aisle where the other alternative nut butters are located.  I’m surprised Giant sells it for more than Wegmans, but it’s a nice option since Giant is 5 minutes from our house.
• Online: I’ve heard that you can sometimes find cases of Sunbutter on Amazon for great deals.  I’ve never done this, but it does look like this case of Sunbutter on Amazon would be cheaper than buying it per jar...SunButter Natural Sunflower Seed Spread, 16-Ounce Plastic Jars (Pack of 6). I also found this $1 Sunbutter coupon online, but I’m not sure if it will actually work at the register. I will certainly try!  

How do we use Sunbutter?  Just as you would use peanut butter!  My toddler and I both love Sunbutter and banana sandwiches....

I also spread it on pancakes for a protein fueled breakfast, or even put it in oatmeal.  We also put Sunbutter on bananas, apples or celery as a healthy snack.

My son just LOVES these No Bake Oat Balls made with Sunbutter, and these Banana Sunbutter Frozen Pops.

Since my son is now almost 2 1/2 I felt comfortable giving him the crunchy Sunbutter you see below.  Any kind of nut butter is a choking hazard, but for some reason I thought crunchy might be even more difficult to swallow for a little one.  I LOVE the crunchy kind, and he seems to handle it pretty well, but of course we always try to be careful!

Leave a comment if you have any great Sunbutter recipes (or recipes that can easily use PB substitutions!).

Our New Fun Summer Snack with SunButter

Thanks to SunButter for sponsoring this post! 

I discovered a fun "trick" recently using SunButter On the Go Single Cups. If you've read this blog before, you KNOW how much we love and appreciate SunButter. It's one of our go-to sources of protein since Little Guy is allergic to dairy, eggs, nuts and sesame. So what's the trick?

Check it out below! 

The new SunButter On the Go Single Cups are perfectly sized to be used as mason jar tops.

SO cool, right!?

All you have to do is:

1. Fill the mason jars with your favorite SunButter dipping snack.

2. Put the SunButter On the Go Single Cup on top of the snack filled mason jar.

3. Screw on the mason jar outer lid (without the middle of the lid, since the SunButter covers the top perfectly!).

And voila! You have the perfect, portable and allergy-friendly snack!

We filled one mason jar with apples, one with pretzels and a few chocolate chips, and one with carrots and celery sticks.

I'd say that's a pretty well-balanced snack for the kiddos (or even adults!).

I'm so excited that we now have this fun way to take along our allergy-friendly snacks and SunButter On the Go Single Cups on summer excursions. 

Little Gal is excited too!

You may also like these posts:

SunButter Baked Oatmeal Cups

Healthy Snack Ideas with SunButter

SunButter Caramel Apple Dip

SunButter Baked Oatmeal (great for brunch!)

Chocolate Cookie SunButter Ice Cream Cupcakes

Fun Easter and Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids with SunButter On the Go Single Cups

Thanks to SunButter for sponsoring this post!

As a parent of a child with food allergies, I've found that it's important to get creative with food. You not only have to get creative with WHAT you make (substituting eggs, dairy, nuts and sesame are not always easy!), but HOW you present it. I've found that even though Little Guy does eat a lot of the same foods over and over again, he's happy to eat them when they're presented in a fun way. Presentation is also important when you're trying to get your kids to eat more HEALTHY foods, right?

Well, with Spring and Easter coming soon (thank goodness), I thought it would be fun to come up with a few ideas of how to creatively use SunButter On the Go Single Cups for healthy after-school or anytime snacks! The snacks are of course nutfree, dairyfree, eggfree and sesamefree for Little Guy!

We truly love these SunButter on the Go Single Cups and use them all the time for school lunches and easy throw-in-a-bag snacks.

But you can also dress them up. And what kid doesn't like to play dress up!? ;)

You can make a healthy snack with lots of fruit, veggies and pretzels and tell your kiddo it's a spring flower!







You could make a fun plate of healthy (and just a few sugary) "dippies" to let your kiddo choose what they want to dip: celery, carrots, apples, pretzels, graham crackers and even a few marshmallows and dairy free chocolate chips!





And what about a bunny? You could present it as an Easter snack if you celebrate Easter, OR a spring bunny would do too!

And how about a SMORES inspired sweet snack? Offer some graham crackers, dairy free chocolate and marshmallows. Plus, add a few strawberries in there to make it pretty AND healthy. All you need now is a cozy campfire :)

And when YOU have a chocolate craving? Why not try to swirl a little dairy free chocolate sauce on top and dip in some salty pretzels? I know I'd even enjoy this as an "after the kids bedtime" snack just for mommy to enjoy! 

But don't forget to just keep it simple too. I can't tell you how many times I've given the kiddos apples and SunButter as a healthy snack, but presenting it in this pretty way makes it so much more fun and tempting for kids to eat!

Look at this beautiful blank canvas. How would you dress up your SunButter?

#DressUpYourSunButter

Want more SunButter-iffic ideas? Check out these posts!

SunButter Baked Oatmeal Cups
SunButter Baked Oatmeal
SunButter Caramel Apple Dip
Easy SunButter Breakfast Cookies
Chocolate Cookie SunButter Ice Cream Cupcakes
SunButter Chocolate Cups

I only work with companies that I support and use in our own family. I hope you enjoy hearing about allergy-friendly products and snack/food ideas like this!

Don't forget to Pin this post for use later on:

SunButter Baked Oatmeal: Dairy-free and Egg-free

I'm always looking for new and healthy breakfast and snack ideas for the kiddos. Of course, it needs to be dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free and sesame-free, which isn't always easy. This SunButter Baked Oatmeal recipe is free of all those things, and VERY tasty too.

I didn't know what to name this great dish. It's really a mix between banana bread, oatmeal cake, and baked oatmeal. It's a hearty bread-like texture, but it's filled with healthy protein like SunButter and oatmeal. I toyed with a few names, but decided to keep it simple because it IS simple.

Why do I love this recipe so much?

• It's food allergy friendly for our family: Dairy-free and egg-free unlike usual baked oatmeal
• It's full of protein from the SunButter and oats, which it makes it extra hearty and filling
• It includes no added refined sugar - only sugar from the honey and dates!

Plus, it's a recipe that's great for a Sunday morning brunch, or a quick on-the-go breakfast or snack.

You can serve SunButter Baked oatmeal any style you want: In squares, bars or as a piece of breakfast cake! Some fresh fruit and yogurt on the side would also taste fantastic.

Don't ya just want to take a big bite? It's moist, hearty and a little sweet. Yum.

 

So, here's how you make this wonderful SunButter Baked Oatmeal recipe.

SunButter Baked Oatmeal
*Print this recipe

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups old fashioned oats
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup chopped dates (I used these chopped dates (affiliate link). If you don't add them, add 1 Tbsp more honey to sweeten the recipe).

Wet Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups milk (I used rice milk but use whatever kind you wish)
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 2 Tbsp SunButter
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1 flax egg: 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 Tbsp water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 large chopped banana

Directions:

• Mix your flax egg and set aside
• Stir together the dry ingredients with a whisk
• Stir together the wet ingredients
• Pour the dry ingredients into the wet and gently stir to combine. 
• Pour into an 8x8 greased pan (I love my Misto (affiliate link) for easy and healthy greasing!)
• Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean

*Recipe adapted from Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

By the way, I'm now a SunButter Blogger! You may see a few more SunButter-focused recipes on the blog, but that's not too much of a change. I've depended on SunButter for 4 years so, so I hope to share some new fun SunButter recipes with you!

What's your favorite SunButter recipe? Are there are any new recipes you'd like to see with SunButter?

SunButter Caramel Apple Dip: Dairyfree and Allergy Friendly!

Halloween has to be one of my favorite holidays. Why? I think it's because Halloween falls during the most beautiful season, autumn, but also because there are so many fun activities for kids and adults who are kids-at-heart! And today, I have a FUN treat for you that's perfect for autumn AND Halloween! 

This SunButter Caramel Apple Dip is SO yummy...and you know it has to be dairy free, egg free, nut free and sesame free for my Little Guy!

When I told Little Guy I was making it, he said, "what's caramel"?  Well, that broke my heart a little, just realizing he's never had caramel before. So, I was even more determined to make a delicious recipe that he would love!

Here are my kiddos in action TOTALLY enjoying this treat (and actually, this is almost a healthy snack depending on the toppings you use!). Pay no attention to the Christmas shirt Little Gal picked out to wear that day. Sigh. Sometimes I have no control over outfit choices (I'm sure you parents can relate!).

Here's the recipe!

SunButter Caramel Apple Dip Recipe

*Adapted from TheVegan8

PRINT THIS RECIPE

SunButter Caramel Apple Dip Ingredients

• 1/4 cup SunButter (I used Natural flavor)
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Allergy-Friendly Toppings (for your dipped apples):

• Nut free granola
• Dairy free chocolate chips
• Mini marshmallows
• Safe cereal like Rice Krispies or another safe brand
• Sprinkles
• Crushed cookies
• Sunflower or pumpkin seeds
• Crushed pretzels

Directions

• Combine all apple dip ingredients in a small sauce pan
• Heat to a boil for about 1 -2 minutes while whisking
• The longer you heat, the thicker it will become. I've also found it becomes thicker after sitting in the fridge for a day.

Enjoy!

As a SunButter Blog Ambassador, I come up with SunButter focused recipes a few times throughout the year and feature them on my blog and/or SunButter's blog. In return, SunButter sponsors these new recipe posts. Thanks to SunButter for your partnership. We truly use SunButter every day and depend on it as a great nut-free source of protein for our family!

Chocolate Cookie SunButter Ice Cream Cupcakes and *Special Giveaway*

I'm excited to share a fun and delicious SunButter recipe with you today. These Chocolate Cookie SunButter Ice Cream Cupcakes are the perfect fun treat for a hot summer's day...like a 4th of July picnic dessert maybe? But what's even better?  They're a dairy free, nut free and allergy friendly dessert of course! 

Also, be sure to read to the bottom of this post for an awesome SunButter giveaway!

These ice cream cupcakes so easy peasy to make because this is a no bake recipe. NOT having to turn on the oven for a delicious summertime dessert is great news, right?

Plus, you can customize them any way you want. You can use your favorite ice cream flavor or frozen whipped topping.  Just make sure it's dairy and nut free if you're dealing with food allergies.

You can eat it with a fork....

Or your hands! Doesn't this look yummy?  Layers of tasty goodness, ya know?

Chocolate SunButter Ice Cream Cupcakes
Makes 12 ice cream cupcakes.

Ingredients:
Cookie crust:
14 crushed Oreos (Or try your favorite crunchy chocolate cookie)
4 Tbsp melted dairy free butter (I used Earth Balance)

SunButter filling:
3/4 cup SunButter (I used Natural flavor)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
4 Tbsp soft dairy free butter (again, Early Balance)

Ice cream:
3 cups dairy free ice cream or frozen whipped topping (I used SoDelicious)

Recipe:
1. Line a cupcake pan with foil cupcake wrappers. Include the paper wrappers if they come in the foil. This makes it easier to peel off when the cupcake is frozen.

2. Crush Oreos in food processor. Combine with melted dairy-free butter.

3. Firmly press 1 Tbsp of Oreo mixture into the bottom of each cupcake liner.

4. Beat SunButter, powdered sugar and dairy-free butter with electric mixer until combined. Spread 1 heaping Tbsp of SunButter mixture in each cupcake liner as next layer.

5. Scoop 1/4 cup of slightly soft dairy-free ice cream into each cupcake liner and smooth on top.  The cupcake should be filled to the top of the cupcake liner.

6. Top with your favorites. We like crushed Oreos, Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips, or India Tree Sprinkles.

I'm sure you love SunButter as much as we do. I mean, it's one of Little Guy's main sources of protein due to his food allergies. If you depend on it as much as we do I'm sure you're going to love this giveaway. One lucky reader will win a CASE of SunButter. That's 6 jars, 16 oz. each, and you can choose your favorite flavor! Enter here today.

Entry-Form

Don't forget to check out more SunButter recipes on my blog, and the fun recipe booklet on the SunButter website.

This post contains affiliate links. Also, thanks to SunButter for sponsoring this post and giveaway, and partnering with me to bring you new ideas for fun allergy friendly eating!

Sunbutter Chocolate Cups: Taste Just Like Reese's

I've been wanting to make peanut free and dairy free Reese's Peanut Butter Cups for awhile now. I've had the candy molds sitting in the deep dark depths of my kitchen cabinets for about a year!  In preparation for Halloween festivities, I thought I'd try out a recipe for Sunbutter Chocolate Cups. Let me tell you, they are DIVINE. The Hubs and I both think they taste just like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

At FABlogCon (Food Allergy Bloggers Conference), SunCups said they are working on a dairy free version of their tasty nut free sunbutter filled chocolate cups. OH BOY! Until then, I'm excited that I can make these for Little Guy!

Also, one note if you're making these for kids with food allergies. Since these are "look-alike" candies, make sure you emphasize that these are DIFFERENT than Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Just to make sure kids with food allergies realize they have to be careful if they eat something that looks like this.

Thanks to Sunbutter for their amazing and easy recipe. I didn't have the exact ingredients in my kitchen, so I thought I'd share my version with you that worked out perfectly too.

I mean, just take a look at this mouthwatering treat.

It's so exciting making fun recipes for your family that are safe for EVERYONE to eat, you know?

So how do you make this sweet nut free and dairy free treat?

Slowly melt 1 cup of dairy and nut free chocolate chips in a double broiler. You can see I made my own using a glass bowl and small pan.

Can you say YUM?

Pour about 1/4 - 1/2 tsp of melted chocolate in the bottom of your candy mold (depending on the size). Make sure it covers the bottom of your mold.  Put the mold in the freezer for 5 minutes and freeze the chocolate.

While the chocolate is freezing, mix up the Sunbutter filling. You can see here that I tried it two ways.  One with vanilla extract and one without. The vanilla extract makes the Sunbutter filling a little more moist when you're working with it. As for taste and texture when eating it, I didn't notice a difference with or without it!

Roll the filling into small balls, about 1/2 tsp size, and press balls down slightly into frozen chocolate cups.

Cover with rest of melted chocolate. Next time I may try to make them a little flatter on top, but this way turned out great too!

Sunbutter Chocolate Cups
Adapted from Sunbutter's awesome recipe

Ingredients

Filling:

• 6 Tbsp smooth sunflower seed butter (try other types of "butters" if you can't eat sunflower!)
• 2 Tbsp powdered sugar/confectioner's sugar
• 4 tsp organic corn syrup (as Sunbutter recommends, you can also use agave syrup, brown rice syrup or cane syrup)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract (This makes the inside Sunbutter filling a little more moist when you're working with it. I tried one batch with it and one without. As for taste and texture when eating it, I didn't notice a difference with or without it!)

Outer Chocolate Coating:

• 1 cup chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life which are free of the top 8 allergens. Pascha chocolate also now offers dairy free chocolate chips!)
• 1 Tbsp Sunbutter (This helps thicken the chocolate. Other recipes suggest palm shortening as an option too).

Directions

• Melt your chocolate in a double broiler (I used a glass bowl on top of a sauce pan) on low heat. Stir until chocolate is melted.
• Pour about 1/4 - 1/2 tsp of melted chocolate in the bottom of your candy mold (depending on the size). Make sure it covers the bottom of your mold.
• Put the mold in the freezer for 5 minutes and freeze the chocolate.
• While chocolate is freezing, mix up the Sunbutter filling. Roll the filling into small balls, about 1/2 tsp size, and press balls down slightly into frozen chocolate cups.
• Cover with rest of melted chocolate.
• Makes about 24 small Sunbutter Chocolate Cups

Recommendations

• I used small candy molds. It would be fun to try others themed candy molds like this Small Pumpkin Chocolate Candy Mold or Small Heart Shape Silicon Candy Mold too!
• Store these in the freezer. This chocolate is not tempered (it will melt at room temperature) and eat them soon after you get them out of the freezer!
• HIDE these in the freezer. If I didn't hide them, then I know we wouldn't have any left for Halloween! (yes, this is a direct reference to my Sunbutter Chocolate Cup loving Hubs <3)

Here are some of the basics you need to make this recipe!  Choose your favorite chocolate (I used a mix of Enjoy Life mini chips and dark chocolate chips).

This post includes affiliate links.