Food For People Who Can't Eat Food

In this day and age, there is a rapidly growing number of people with food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances. There are so many people with Celiac's Disease or Crohn's Disease or other health issues that restrict their diets. There are also more and more people who, because of health reasons, restrict their own diets. People with these afflictions can't simply run to the nearest grocery store and pick up just anything off the shelf for a meal or a snack. They must scrutinize the labels, check all the ingredients, decypher some manfuacturers "secret" ingredient codes, or simply suffer through painful trial and error.
Fortunatly (in a world of shrinking immunity), I only suffer from an onion allergy and a minor lactose intolerance. Despite having to read ingredient lists to check for onion use, I am fortunate enough to be able to eat most anything.

I am noticing that manufacturers are putting labels on their products, such as Gluten Free, Celiac Safe, Peanut Free, etc. Those labels weren't even a thought five, ten years ago. It's so refreshing to see companies taking responsibility to not only inform the consumer, but to create products that the "new majority" can eat.

I've been thinking a lot lately, about people who are on restricted diets. Whether their diets be by choice or due to a medical issue, because I love to cook and bake (and share with friends and coworkers), I am reminded more and more about the different lifestyles that are out there. This drives me to want to create amazing, great-tasting recipes that everyone can enjoy! I have a strong desire to recreate some of my friends' favorite foods to fit back into their lifestyle. For instance, I have a friend whose son loves grasshopper cookies (chocolate and mint), but he can't eat them because he has a peanut allergy, and they are made in a factory, on equipment, that uses peanuts. I am determined to bake him some chocolate mint cookies, using all peanut free ingredients, so he can enjoy his favorite cookies again. Why should a 2 year old boy have to give up his favorite cookie because he can't eat peanuts?

To that end, I have taken on a personal challange to create some vegetarian and vegan recipes, peanut free recipes, and gluten and wheat free recipes. It's my firm belief, being a self-proclaimed foodie, that people should not have to give up taste for health, and should not have to give up their favorite foods under any circumstance (well, to an extent!)

I am on a mission to create food for people who can't eat food!