Sun Cups

I love Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.  I'm going to go ahead and put them in my top two favorite candies, right behind Snickers.  But not everyone can eat peanuts and so far this post is just really rubbing that fact in their faces.  Enter Sun Cups!  All Sun Cups products are peanut free and gluten free.  To make this even sweeter, they are also soy free, tree nut free, certified Kosher, and all natural.  I was sent some samples recently and my roommate and I both really enjoyed them.  Not only do they have two flavors of sunflower butter cups, but they also have caramel and mint cups.  Each one has a funny name like "yummy in the tummy milk chocolate sunflower butter cups", "ooey-gooey goodness caramel cups", and "terrifically tingly mint cups".

The terrifically tingly mint cups are in fact terrifically tingly.  They are like a York Peppermint Patty but they aren't as sweet and you get two of them!  The caramel cups were really sweet and good.  I liked the milk and dark chocolate sunflower butter cups.  The chocolate shell is harder than a Reese's and they have a much nuttier flavor (i.e. more sunflower than sugar).

I would highly recommend all four flavors not only for folks that can't eat nuts, but for everyone.  They can be ordered online or found at stores around the county.

Halloween!

Hi Friends.  Tomorrow is Halloween and I'm already dreaming of free snickers and peanut butter cups.  Without an office to go to (oh hey, I quit my job last month!) or kids to hang out with, I'm worried this might be a bit of a challenge. Not that worried though, it is Halloween after all.

I like to take this time each year to remind you there are plenty of gluten free Halloween treats.  Click here to see my original post with a super helpful list of safe and unsafe candy.

Also, in case you are wondering, I'll be hitting up a Halloween party in Philly on Friday with my best friend Madeline.  In general, I refuse to spend more that $20 on Halloween.  This year I think I'll be a ninja because most of my clothes are already black and I just need to procure a sword.  Anyone that knows me should realize this will be a problem because I will be trying to slash people with my fake sword all night.  Get ready Madeline.

It's Halloween Again!

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Hey Folks.  It's Halloween again except this year I practically forgot because of a little storm named Sandy.  I was supposed to be in San Francisco right now trick or treating with my three year old nephew Gus and 6 month old niece Vivian.  Instead, I was home all day reading and cleaning because flights and public transportation just aren't happening.  Work was cancelled, which is great except that it means I didn't come across any fun sized Halloween treats.  I figured I better re-post my post from last year so you can remember how much I love candy and in case you need a reminder of what candy is gluten free what candy is in the danger zone.  Have a fun and safe day!

Muddy Buddies

Their picture was prettier than mine.

I love the Super Bowl. Mostly for the food, drinks, commercials, half time show, and feeling oh so very American. And did I mention the food?

I had the usual nachos and veggies with dip at this year's super bowl extravaganza, but I also made muddy buddies for the first time. I've been wanting to make these for a long time but I knew, without a doubt, I was not to be trusted with these myself. I don't think I've even had muddy buddies since middle school, they certainly never made an appearance at my house growing up, but I just knew I would love them (and eat excessive amounts of them).

Well, I was right. And for good reason. Muddy buddies are delicious, and addicting. I copied the recipe right off the corn chex box. I omitted the vanilla because I didn't have any on hand. I also used the whole box of cereal, because really, why not?


These are a great snack, especially for kids, or adults like myself that are basically kids.  One party attendee said she wanted to pour some milk on them and eat it like cereal.  This is honestly not a bad idea.  However you eat them - enjoy!


Chex Muddy Buddies

9	cups Rice Chex®, Corn Chex® or Chocolate Chex® cereal (or combination)
1	cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2	cup peanut butter
1/4	cup butter or margarine
1	teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2	cups powdered sugar

.

1.	Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
2.	In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
3.	Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Halloween and Gluten Free Candy

Candy!

As Halloween approaches I thought it would be appropriate to let you know that tons of candies are gluten free, including most of the good ones.  This is really handy year round, but especially relevant around Halloween.

Halloween brings back the following fond memories of my childhood:
1) Arguing with my parents about not wanting to put a winter coat over my super cool costume

2) Driving from area to area because we lived in the middle of nowhere and trick-or-treating wasn't possible on foot

3) Trying to find an almond joy for my mom and junior mints for my dad (their favorite candies, but not really the most popular Halloween giveaways, so this was always a bit of a struggle)

4) My brother and I dumping our pillow cases of candy on the floor after, sorting out our candy, and then trading (more snickers for me, more milk duds for him)

5) My brother being mean, taking candy that wasn't his, and me crying and/or whining

6) Getting a stomach ache from way too much candy

Ahh the good old days.  Don't worry, I still make a point of eating a lot of candy on and around Halloween.  I've found that adult Halloween parties are heavy on the booze and light on the candy.  I think adults have their priorities all wrong.

And now for the real point.  There are plenty of candies that are gluten free - at Halloween and all year round.  Halloween doesn't have to be yet another time for gluten free children (and candy addicted adults like me) to feel left out.  There is enough safe candy for everyone!

Gluten Free Candy:
3 Musketeers
Almond Joy
Baby Ruth
Butterfinger
Candy Corn
Dots
Hershey's Kisses, Milk Chocolate, Almond, Dark Chocolate, and Mr. Good Bars
Jelly Belly Jelly Beans
Jolly Ranchers
Jr. Mints
M&Ms (all kinds but pretzel)
Milk Duds
Milky Way Midnight or Simply Caramel (NOT regular)
Mounds
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Reese's Pieces
Rolos
Snickers
Skittles
Starburst
Sour Patch Kids
Swedish Fish
Tootsie Pops and Tootsie Rolls
York Peppermint Patties

Obviously Not Gluten Free Candy:
Butterfinger Crisp
Crunch Bars
Hershey's Cookies and Cream
Kit Kat
Reese's Sticks
Twix
Whoppers 

Surprisingly Not Gluten Free Candy:
100 Grand
Lindt Truffles
Milky Way original
Twizzlers

This list is by no means exhaustive, but rather some of the most popular candies.  For an extensive list, I suggest you check out this list I found.  This lady has really done her research.  So has this lady.  Happy candy eating :)