I’m a die-hard music fan, and an even bigger fan of seeing bands live. So when the ultimate music fest Lollapalooza comes to Chicago every year, I’m the first in line to buy tickets. For the past two years, my husband and I bring our two older kids Chloe and John with us (kids under 10 are free). What many people don’t know is that Lollapalooza has an entire area and stage devoted to kids who rock…a style salon where kids can spike and color their hair, break-dancing lessons, drum jams, and the list goes on. What’s really cool are the musicians who come to play at Kidzpalooza; Perry Farrell, Slash, The Verve Pipe, Patti Smith, Chrissy Hynde. Chloe and John loved it all, and we loved sharing our passion for music with them.
But the coolest thing this year at Lollapalooza? Seeing my severely food allergic son walk up to a food vendor and order Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream, served in a waffle cone. Seriously, it happened and we’re still talking about it. Temptation Ice Cream, made by local vegan company ChicagoSoyDairy served up these amazing treats at the newly revamped “food court” at Lollapalooza. Their treats are made in dedicated facilities. Believe me, I asked these guys about 15 questions about their product, how it was made, how it was possible. Most of us food allergy mama’s don’t believe a word these people say, but my instinct said it was OK and to trust.
John ate that yummy waffle cone, as did me, my husband and my other dessert-obsessed child Chloe. It was a life-changing moment for us all; finally a chance for John to eat an ice cream cone purchased outside his home with his family. Millions of kids do this very thing every day, but not ours. So when that moment came, and passed, I vowed to remember it forever. Every little kid should get to eat freely the treats of childhood. My son, like so many of your children, can’t. But moments like this remind me that anything is possible.
I get a little teary-eyed when I can find a gluten-free, vegan, vanilla-free, soy-free baked good. My last trip down the Pacific coast I found 2 chocolate chip cookies, 1 loaf of buckwheat bread, a gingerbread bar, a brownie and a muffin. It took me through 4 Whole Foods(Seattle, Portland, Glendale and Beverly Hills), 1 New Season Market-Portland, Elephant’s Delicatessen-Portland, Sweet Pea Bakery-Portland.
Thank you for your postings. It makes me more aware not to bring peanut butter or add nuts to ingredients to a group with kids. I always write out recipes cards with ingredients as well.
Becca
I just got teary eyed reading this post. That’s great. I’ve wanted to write the food network about it. I think they would benefit from someone like you and more and more are missing a huge segment of people who love to cook/bake but can’t try any of their featured items. Have you ever thought about it?
can’t even swallow, so choked up, want that for my little ones, too, grab those moments and hold on…
We use temptations ice cream at home but have never seen them at an event. Will look thanks for sharing
Jean
Oh my…pass the TISSUES please! I love this! How great that they are set-up in such at high profile event too! We had a similar experience at our county fair last year. Both of my FA sons were able to enjoy french fries from the one vendor there. All they had in their trailer was potatoes, soybean oil, salt and soda
They even let me go inside to take a look around! They boys REALLY thought it was great, as did Mom and Dad!!!
I teared up as I imagined your family enjoying those safe ice cream cones. I can imagine how great it was for you son! I took my oldest son w/o FA out for ice cream on Saturday when my FA 2-year took his nap. I sat there eating my cone feeling so sad for my youngest. I pray every night he will out grow his allergies so he too can enjoy the simple pleasure of going out for a cone. I home Temptations comes to my area!
Kelly,
I loved reading your story about the Lollapalooze festival! We may have to venture up to Chicago, just for the allergy-free treats! Like your son, our son would be in paradise. Almost sounds too good to be true! Wish the vegan trend would move to Tulsa!
Oh, I can’t wait for that day with our family! I wish we had a company like that near us in Philadelphia!
I am so happy for you Kelly…….My son has egg and nut allergies and we love love love your cookbook it is our favorite. I just wanted to say to the one women Laurie F. If she is from Philadelphia, PA there are tons and tons of vegan and vegetarian restaurants and cafes in Philadelphia who totally have awesome sweets all she has to do is google vegan treats in Philly and tons and tons of places will pop up dunno if that helps but hope so.
This too made me teary eyed. Seems so minuscule to a parent who has no children with a food allergy but to one of us, it means the world. I am so happy for your son and I pray daily that it too will be my sons time soon.
Kelly,
I work for the company that makes Temptation ice cream. I also happen to be married to the owner. I absolutely loved reading your blog post. Some of our favorite moments are when we encounter parents and more importantly kids who realize they can enjoy our products without worry! We have had many requests for flavors with peanuts and or various tree nuts but it is important for us to continue to be able to offer a peanut/tree nut free product. We have even tried some various non-dairy, non-soy bases to open the market to those who have soy allergies as well.
Again, your post made all of our day! I am so glad you guys had a great time, at a great fest, in a GREAT city and that we could be part of making such a wonderful memory. Tell your little ones we will continue to make the ice cream as long as they continue to enjoy it!
Warmly,
Mary Howard
chicagosoydairy.com
Wow. #1. I’m jealous. #2. I’m so, so happy to see that more vendors are reaching out to the food allergy community. I pray one day both my sons will be able to enjoy ice cream cone at a community event like yours. How much fun and such an experience to treasure!!
Tina, I haven’t had much luck finding vegan restaurants in Philly that are kids friendy…would you mind giving me a few suggestions? Do you know of any places in the northwest suburbs (King of Prussia area). Thx, Laurie
What a great story, Kelly. My family and I enjoyed meeting you at the Printer’s Row book fair earlier this summer. What a relief to be able to walk up to a counter and know that every single item on that menu is safe for your child. I always get nervous when I take my allergic daughter along with her non-allergic sisters to a place that sells both ice cream and sorbet or italian ice. There’s such a big chance of cross-contamination. After explaining the situation to the person behind the counter, I then ask them to please thoroughly wash the ice cream scooper, and scoop the italian ice or sorbet from a section that hasn’t been touched by a previous scooper, and I watch them with this eagle eye, which makes for a very nerve-wracking experience for both me and the worker! Whether we go back to the place or not, is determined by how accomodating the person behind the counter was (did they roll their eyes in annoyance or did they seem sympathetic?).
We live in Chicago – where do they sell Temptation ice cream? Thanks!
I love your website and all of your blogs! I have told many of my friends about it. So nice to hear a similar family situation to mine go through the same things. We had a similar experience this summer at a outdoor concert that had vendors as well ….. my son with milk and egg allergies had a chocolate covered oreo! He was so proud to walk up to the vendor himself and buy it
When our other 3 children saw how yummy it looked, we had to go back and buy 3 more. It’s the simple things in life!
Wonderful!!! My daughter is allergic to milk, egg and nuts. SO looking forward to the day I can take her out to enjoy “ice cream.” Fantastic!!
I’m profoundly touched by all these incredible comments, because once again, all you food allergy mama’s “get” how important that was for us. I truly wish the same for each and every one of your FA children. And Mary, thank YOU for creating a company and product that truly changes lives. We are forever grateful. Thank you all, it just means so much. xoxo
Kelly, that is so awesome that you found that treat for John! I remember the first time we were able to serve our daughter a restaurant dessert (at a resto in Lake Geneva of all places that was allergy aware) and the whole family was almost in tears. You captured the feelings of food allergy moms with this post.
BTW, Love the photo! Go Cubs–esp. on the 30th!
My 22 month old FA son had his first safe ice cream cone at home this summer and I took 50 pictures to document the experience.
I loved reading your post about Lollapalooza and I would love to create that same kind of experience for him when he’s old enough to go. How wonderful for your son and your entire family!
The Whole Foods in the South Loop stopped carrying Temptations, I’m pretty sure. I haven’t seen it anywhere else…
Thank you for this post! I, too, got teary-eyed. Just the thought of having that bit of “normal” is almost beyond belief. I’m going to find out more about this company!
Temptation Ice Cream ROCKS!!
Hey Laurie F…..There are tons of places you can try out if you are looking for strickly Vegan i would recommend that you visit this website. http://www.happycow.net and you can search any area like Philadelphia, King of Prussia……We live in Norristown so this website helped us alot. Hope it helps.
That is just awesome! So happy for your son. We avoid ice cream events because my toddler doesn’t understand yet that he’s allergic to it. To him, soy cream is ice cream. I hope more companies start offering vegan/food allergy friendly options.
me too shannon!! thanks so much!