Summer is here. The weather is hot and your kids want some yummy, cool treats. SO what do you give them that is healthy, safe and tastes good? Here are some good ideas you may like to try:

• Instead of drinks laden with sugar and food dye (a common allergen), try flavoring up some water with different fruits, herbs, even veggies. Some good combos to try:
- add a few different berries, muddle them a bit and add ice and water
- use some mint, lemon and cucumber to flavor a pitcher full of water
- add colorful citrus slices to your water
• Make your own popsicles, any fruit juice will do. Use paper cups and add popsicle sticks as the liquid freezes of find cute popsicle kits to create your own.
• Smoothies are good and refreshing and loaded with vitamins. You can alternate cow’s milk to soy milk depending on your needs, and use fruits, even veggies that are your favorites.
• There are lots of dairy free ice creams out there to try made with soy or rice milk.
• Freeze fruit. Grapes are a big favorite and they are easy to transport. Just pop them in the freezer and you have a ready to go refreshing snack.

Alison on Sure Foods Living has some other great ideas for cooling treats worth checking out, too.

Here is a recipe from Go Dairy Free for fried chicken that is allergy free. What is summer after all, without some fried chicken!!

Oven Fried Chicken

Contains NO: wheat, gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, soy or dairy

Ingredients:
•    3 Enjoy Life® Original Bagels
•    1 tsp poultry seasoning
•    1 tsp onion powder
•    1 tsp garlic powder
•    1 tsp salt
•    1 tsp parsley flakes
•    2 tsp vegetable oil
•    1/4 cup water
•    3 tbsp tapioca flour
•    2 whole boneless chicken breasts, cut in half (4 pieces total)

Split bagels in half. Dry out bagels. Let them air out over night or heat in the oven. For the oven method, preheat oven to 200° F. Place bagels on cookie sheet. Bake for 30 minutes or until bagels are crunchy. Cool. Increase oven temperature to 375° F. Place the dried bagels in a food processor and blend into fine crumbs. If you prefer, some larger pieces can be left (about pea-size) for added texture. Add seasonings to bagel crumbs. Mix in oil with fork until coated. Place the crumb mixture in a shallow pan or plate and set aside. In a separate bowl, mix together water and tapioca starch. Dip chicken into the liquid mixture, letting any extra drip off. Roll chicken in crumb mixture until coated. Place coated chicken pieces in a shallow lightly greased pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until chicken is tender and juices run clear. The internal temperature should be a minimum of 165° F. Enjoy!