Upcoming events, updates, and a giveaway! (Wanna win?)

Hey folks! So it’s been awhile but I had that throat thing lolling around, though I’ll blame my abundance of eating vegetables that it is the reason I didn’t have it as bad as some others did.

But it certainly put baking on the back burner for awhile, and I’ve been a little lazy in the kitchen and not seeing the sunshine as much as I would prefer and going a little stir crazy.

However, I certainly hope from today forward I can get back in action! So I have some news for you.

First, I’ve a pretty busy next four weeks booked with various speaking things. If you don’t know, I list them all over at The Allergy-Free Cook on the Events tab, but I’ll give you the run down here, as well.

Nature’s Emporium
Saturday, May 25th, 1:00pm to 4:00pm
16655 Yonge St, Newmarket, Ontario
I’ll be signing books and there to answer your questions all afternoon! Come visit and say hello. More info here.

Gluten-Free and Me
Thursday, May 30th, 7pm to 8pm
74 Rebecca St., Unit #1, Oakville, ON
Come listen to a presentation on gluten-free baking, get some discounts on my books and services, and check out this awesome, gluten-free-dedicated store!
More info here.

Niagara VegFest
Sunday, June 2nd, 10am to 6pm
Market Square, St. Catharines
I’ll be hanging out with Truly Organic Foods – visit me at their booth! More details to come.

Niagara Action for Animals Potluck
Friday, June 7th, 7pm to 9pm
Unitarian Church, 223 Church St., St. Catharines, ON
I’ll be here talking about tips on vegan baking with a specialty diet, and talk about baking resources in the area. More info here.

The Cookbook Store
Tuesday, June 11th, 7pm to 8pm
850 Yonge St. at Yorkville Ave. in Toronto, ON
I’ll be doing a presentation and short demo, along with a book signing. Reserve your seats for this one! Discounts will be available at that day at the store.
More info here.

Hamilton Veggie Fest
Saturday, June 15th, 11am to 7pm
Marritt Hall at the Ancaster Fairgrounds
630 Trinity Rd S, Hamilton, ON
I’ll be one of the speakers at the first annual Hamilton Veggie Fest! The line-up of speakers is fantastic, and I encourage loads of folks to come out, even if you aren’t a vegan or vegetarian. I’ll be speaking at 3:30pm on gluten-free vegan baking, and the rest of the time you’ll find me at Truly Organic Foods‘ booth. More info on the Veggie Fest can be found here, and details about the speakers’ line up here. I’m taking pre-orders for books; contact me here.

Toronto Public Library – Brentwood Branch
Wednesday, June 19th, 7pm to 8pm
36 Brentwood Road, North, Toronto, Ontario
Come learn all of the details on gluten-free, allergy-friendly baking. Bring your recipes, questions, and comments. More info here.

There might be another two squeezed in before July, but that is the first update. If you’re planning on attending any of these and want to reserve a book (or two), email me here and we’ll arrange it!

If you don’t HAVE a book, well, do you want to win one? Or two?

Check out my latest article from tuja wellness, where I talk about Celiac Awareness Month and some tips on dealing with celiac disease. AND THEN ENTER TO WIN! Woo-hoo!

I’m also booking private demos, talks, and cooking classes for late July and early August. If you would like to have me for your group, let me know and we can definitely arrange it! If you live in the hot US states down south, even better

 

Recipe SOS! I need your input! Chocolate and… what?!

I love chocolate. And you know, I’ve really come to terms with the whole “not eating dairy” thing and having to be super select with my chocolate choices.

(Side note: I stopped eating dairy because of my celiac disease, but don’t eat dairy, as well, because of my vegan diet. For former, however, puts an end to eating anything made on the same lines as dairy-based ingredients, unless I have a nice conversation with the manufacturer about their protocols… usually which end up with them telling me that, yeah, it may contain dairy.)

The point of all this, I suppose, is that I still love chocolate and the basis of all of my favourite things (both sweet and savory) is chocolate based.

And I know (and love) that chocolate goes with so many different flavors. I’m doing some current recipe development, and one is for a contest. Of course, I’m using chocolate and, yes, you’ll get the recipe beforehand! And because this is something I want my readers to love as well, I want to know what your favourite chocolate combination is!

You will get a recipe in return for your hard work offering your vote. The contest has nothing to do with chocolate, I just want to make a chocolate dessert. In fact, I’ll probably make a few things for the contest anyway…

Giveaway results!

I apologize for my tardiness of getting these giveaway results up, but I was away in Disney World so I have a viable excuse!

Winner of The Allergy-Free Cook Bakes Cakes and Cookies

Heidi! Please contact me via email!

Winner of The Allergy-Free Cook Bakes Cakes and Cookies

Killeenmcg! Please contact me via email!

Winner of GF Coaching session

Karen! Please contact me via email.

Winner of GF Coaching session

Rochelle! Please contact me via email!

Thanks everyone! What should I giveaway next?

I made a cake. Giveaways and discount extended!

Today I made a cake. It is so delicious. I’ve also eaten an awful lot of frosting. Here’s a bit of a sneak peek.

The recipe will be in my next Standard article, but note this: there is maple involved, and a lot of it.

That being said, I had a great day, so let’s celebrate with extending this giveaway.

You have ’til Monday (it IS a holiday, after all!) to enter.

You can win one of two copies of The Allergy-Free Cook Bakes Cakes and Cookies or one of two GF Coaching sessions.

In addition, I’m offering coaching sessions for half price until Monday. You don’t have to have your session between now and then, but as long as you book it, you get 50 percent off!

 

Book Launch and Giveaways!

Hey everyone!

So in honour of Saturday’s Book Launch for The Allergy-Free Cook Bakes Cakes and Cookies I’ve put together a few giveaways for the folks who couldn’t make it out.

This is my first giveaway that I’m running off the site, so hopefully I can make this happen with ease.

There are four prizes to be won. Two are copies of The Allergy-Free Cook Bakes Cakes and Cookies and two are GF Coaching sessions. In addition, I’m offering coaching sessions for half price until the giveaway is over (the sessions have to be booked during that time, though can be held at a later time).

To enter, leave me a comment below about which specific recipe you would make first from The Allergy-Free Cook Bakes Cakes and Cookies and how you would benefit from a GF Coaching session. The recipe index is here. This step is mandatory to enter the giveaway.

You can also gain more entries by:

• Follow me on Twitter and write an additional comment below that you did (otherwise, I may not see it).
• Like me on Facebook and write an additional comment below that you did (otherwise, I may not see it).
• Tweet about the giveaway with the phrase tagging me and mentioning this post and write an additional comment below that you did (otherwise, I may not see it).

So you can have up to four entries! Each comment will be a separate entry (and be sure to comment for each one). Be sure to include your email address when you register for your comment (it isn’t published) so I can contact you if you win.

Contest ends February 15th, 2013, midnight. No purchase necessary. Open to folks living in the US and Canada. GF Coaching winners must have FaceTime or Skype (local residents can be in person). Winners will be notified by email and response is required by February 19th. No response will result in a new winner being drawn.

Good luck!

To take advantage of the discounted GF Coaching session, email me to book an appointment.

Book launch! Next Saturday! (February 9th, 2013)

I’m very, very excited about the upcoming Book Launch for The Allergy-Free Cook Bakes Cakes and Cookies.

Mostly because I’m very, very much in love with cakes and cookies.

This book, I promise you, is fantastic. Fluffy, moist cakes, frosting loaded on cupcakes, so many cookies, and bars, squares, biscotti galore.

And they are all gluten, dairy, egg, and soy-free. Free of many other allergens. No nightshades. Minimal legumes (and no legume-based flours). Oh, and whole grain and free of refined sugar. AND vegan. AND taste just like the real thing. Trust me… I have picky eaters and picky testers (just the way I like it.)

So are you coming to the launch? You can meet me, if you haven’t. I’ll sign your book. It’ll be available for a discount. The Allergy-Free Cook Bakes Bread will also be there, discounted. I’ll have a few prizes, some samples from the book, and it is hosted at the most wonderful Bamboo Natural Food Market where you’ll definitely want to stay and shop.

For more info on the book and all of its details, visit http://theallergyfreecook.com/. I’ve included recipe lists, the table of contents, and photos to come early this week!

So next Saturday, the 9th of February, between 2pm and 4pm… I reckon you’ll be heading to 211 Martindale Road in the Huntington Square Plaza (at the corner of Erion) to come say hello.

Folks who preordered, you can pick up your book there!

Now… I still have to figure out what to bake for the event!

Input, please! (plus some updates, Disney included)

See this?

 

Pretty neat, eh?

So in light of this exciting launch, I’ve been working on redoing my website for my Allergy-Free Cook series. Please go visit my website and tell me anything you think needs changing, updating, adding, subtracting, and so on. I want to make it really user-friendly, as well as include details and info you’re looking for!

It’s over at theallergyfreecook.com

More updates on that coming soon.

Contact me with feedback, leave a comment, do whatever you’d like!

+++

Also, I have about 70 recipes waiting for you guys in my drafts. That’s terrible. I promise they are coming! Maybe I should list them all and you should tell me what you want to eat.

+++

Also, I’m going to Disney World soon and, man, am I excited to eat! I mean, visit. And have fun. Okay… and eat. I’ll update you soon on all my ADRs and details.

Finally! Blog and site changes.

I’m finally getting around to making changes and updating both this blog, as well as my website for The Allergy-Free Cook.

Please feel free to offer and suggestions of what you would like to see (on either site). I would love to hear them and integrate your ideas (if I have the skills!)

Also, I wish I was eating this right now. Man, I love the holidays!

Gluten-Free Shopping Spree – tonight in Oakville!

So tonight is the Gluten-Free Shopping Spree in Oakville, and I’ll be there as a vendor. I’ll have my books, services, and some details about book number, The Allergy-Free Cook Bakes Cakes and Cookies.

This is one of the CCA’s largest fundraisers and events. There are loads of great gluten-free vendors, and you definitely should come and check it out! I will be there at booth number 4. Admission is $5 and don’t forget your CCA membership card because it admits one person free! 7pm to 9pm, CAW 707 Galaxy Banquet Hall, 475 North Service Road, Oakville, ON

 

Interested in recipe testing?

I’m looking for a handful of recipe testers for my third book (The Allergy-Free Cook Bakes Pies and Desserts). If you’re interested, comment below and I’ll drop you an email (so please include your correct email!) with all of the details and to double check you’re okay with a few guidelines!

Cheers!