[What might be hiding under this neatly wrapped tissue? Read on to find out!]
I’ve been thinking about the perfect giveaway for Mother’s Day. Something that would make life easier for Mum. Something filled with good food that everyone could eat.
With this Tasterie box, I think I’ve found it. (Disclosure: I received a free Tasterie box and am on the Tasterie advisory board. Tasterie is also providing a prize for one of my readers. The opinions in this post are my own). Even though I lost my own mom years ago, there are still many moms in my life that I love and value. And I know that all mothers out there appreciate a little help–and recognition for what they do!
I first learned about Tasterie last year when I was contacted by the company’s owner, Lama Rimawi, to see if I’d be interested in sitting on the advisory board for her new company. Tasterie is an allergy-safe food and snack box that is delivered right to your door each month. They have a dozen (yes, 12!) different types of boxes to cover virtually any kind of allergies or diets, from simply “gluten and wheat” or “egg” allergies to “top 8″ or “vegan and gluten-free” (the one I got). And each box is packed by hand and overseen by their attentive and educated staff.
Rimawi is herself a pediatrician and mom. She created the company as an antidote to endless hours scouring the store shelves to find safe foods for her two young sons with multiple allergies. As she says,”The lack of allergy-safe and great tasting food products available is ridiculous! I can remember standing in the aisles of supermarkets trying to read labels, sleep deprived, with a newborn at home and a toddler running around my legs wanting an easier and better option. All I wanted was to find something to eat that wouldn’t cause a reaction in my little son.” The result was Tasterie, which has been growing steadily since its inception.
Can you trust the foods you receive in a Tasterie box? Absolutely. Again, I think Rimawi says it best when she describes the procedure her company uses to source and pack the items in each Tasterie box. She points out, “We search the globe to find the most amazing foods and snacks that fit your food allergy and dietary needs. As a food allergy mom, I place safety as our top priority.” They also have in place a “rigorous selection process developed by physicians and industry experts. This quality controlled, multistep process has been peer reviewed to make sure that it is as thorough as possible.” Rimawi also taste-tests every item in the box first, with her family, to ensure that the foods and snacks are delicious and will appeal to kids. (It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it!).
My May box contained seven items:
- Farmstand Split Pea Soup (a dry mix to which you add water or vegetable broth);
- Really Great Foods Vanilla Muffin Mix (the mix itself is vegan; can be made with egg or egg substitutes);
- Ener-G Crackers (a great gluten-free version of saltines);
- MiniPops – itty bitty butter (popped sorghum grain–like mini popcorn!);
- Tasty Brand Fruit Snacks;
- Barney Butter Almond Butter; and
- Bumble Bars – chocolate flavor (a sesame/seed bar).
- Bonus: coupons for most of the items in the box!
I should note that this is not a sugar-free box, so I couldn’t taste everything, but the items I did sample were terrific. I’m going to make the muffins for the HH so will report back! I tried a nibble of the cracker (just like those saltines of yore), the mini-pops (a fantastic snack for just 100 calories), the Barney Butter (which I’ve been pining after since I first heard about it–not available in Canada), and the Bumble Bars (yum). Each month is a different selection, so you’ll have the chance to try out different foods from these as well, of course.
I think a delivery of a Tasterie box would be a great gift to help ease the pressure on Mom, don’t you?
If you’d like to win a free sample Tasterie box for June, enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter form below. I’ll choose a winner on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12, so check back on that day to see if you’ve won for your mom!
Eligibility: US residents (apologies to my Canadian and international friends!)
How to Enter: Use the Rafflecopter form to leave a comment (required), below. Click on the green +1 to open the box, then leave a comment in the comments section below the post. Clicking on “I commented!” allows you to access the other options. Then, increase your chances with any of the other options, if desired (not required).
Deadline: Contest ends at 11:59 PM EST on May 11th. Winner announced Mother’s Day, May 12th.
Good luck, everyone, and enjoy the special day with Mom this Sunday! 
["Sounds great, Mum! We're happy to help you eat your vegan and gluten-free snacks, but wouldn't it be great if they started a Canine Treat Box, too?"]
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I hope to be back up and running by next week’s event.
And now, for this week’s news. . . .
