Many of the people, came to the Gluten Free Allergen Free expo seeking help for themselves or a family member. Finding safe foods for we with food allergies is a big deal. The people who came really wanted to be there.
Families working together to help themselves and each other was a theme echoed in the companies presenting at the show as well. Many of the companies at the Gluten Free Allergen Free Expol started with a loved one needing choice and help. They grew from there to offer innovative and delicious products to help others. People needing help and wanting to help, a match made in heaven.
Some of the products were artisan in nature, others mass produced for supermarkets all over the world. The diversity of offerings was huge. Kale chips, bread, flour, dumplings desserts of every kind, artificial crab, windows even a hyperbaric chamber. Other than wheat, You name it you could find it at the Expo.
I want to share with you companies that I really peeked my interest. The expo was crowded and you could tell the most delicious offerings by an inability to get anywhere near the sample table. I had to circle around 3 times to get close to Otto’s Naturals. Sadie Olsen was making Cassava flour tortillas.
-Gluten Free, Grain Free, Nut Free wow-
After all the effort to get close I wanted to try one. I don’t eat much grain, occasional rice, so I can honestly tell you I haven’t had anything remotely as good as this tortilla in years. Coconut wraps don’t come close. Cruchy on the outside and chewy on the inside, the sample evoked memories of flour tortillas gone by. It was really delicious and had no inflammatory ingredients. I got a bag of Cassava flour to try at home and even better I could make them taste good too. www.ottotnaturals.com
Aleias, run by a husband and wife, at the Gluten free expo on their anniversary, because they love what they do. They got into the business to stay healthy and it worked. They are so good at it too. Aleias is local New England company, based in Branford Connecticut. Another crowded booth, I finally got close late in the day with my hubby. He tried their almond cookies and yum! Really nice people, who know who they are and why they do what they do. She is the recipe gal and he is the salesman with a result of delicious treats and a thriving successful business. www.Aleias.com
Stock rocks!
Anyone who cooks knows the value, the depth of flavor provided by broth and stock. Massel a company founded by a husband and wife developed products at the ready to punch up flavor in a healthy way. The company has grown from this family idea to an international success. Massel generously sponsored the bloggers for the Expo and gave me samples to try. Clean Flavor or a make a quick soup on the road. www.massel.com
Just so you know, not everything at the expo was food. Community Hyperbaric was one non food vendor who had a booth to talk about the benefits of oxygen therapy to those with food intolerance due to Lyme and other chronic illness. The chamber looks like a big heavy duty pressurized tank, that is made of reinforced cloth. Time in the chamber increases oxygen tissue saturation and speeds waste removal and healing. I plan to head up to Vermont to try it out. CommunityHyperbaric.com
I’ll be honest, not everything my husband and I tasted was a perfect drop in substitute. A number of desert products had a cloying after taste or funky texture. Those experiences were in the distinct minority. The products available at the expo provided a rare opportunity for people like me (no wheat or dairy) to taste & try delicious treat foods. Whether for a party or once in a while indulgence, eating healthy can include many of the foods of our family and childhood made without the allergens that cause problems.
The companies at the GF&AF Expo largely came into being and stay successful by injecting real life wisdom in dealing with food allergies into the foods they create. Instead of wheat and dairy, they build their products with creativity, and a bit of love. Pretty good day at the Expo, full of learning fun and food!