Edible cookie dough is shaped into festive Easter eggs and then dipped in chocolate. These no-bake, allergy-friendly holiday treats are deliciously addictive. These Chocolate Covered Cookie Dough Easter Eggs are free of: gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanut & tree nuts. They are top-8-free and vegan as well. Read on to not only find the recipe, but hear touching stories from other allergy moms as they express gratitude for those who have given them hope and compassion on their food allergy journey. #PrinceOfPeace

This post was sponsored by mormon.org. All opinions expressed are mine.

I know the above photo makes you drool, and you can’t wait to get your sugar on. So, I’ll give you one more photo to enjoy, and then onto an important story…

The Ripple Effect of Hope & Compassion

I think as allergy moms we often get a bad rep (or, at least I worry we do). We’re seen as complaining or asking for a lot of accommodations. But, I hope that people also know that we are incredibly grateful for one another, and for others who show compassion on our crazy, and often uncertain food allergy journey.

With Easter around the corner, and after being inspired by the Prince of Peace campaign I was reminded of beautiful characteristics like hope and compassion. I got to thinking about those who have shown me those very things during our EOE (my son’s rare disease) and food allergy journey.

Of the many people (this could be a novel!) one person that came to the front of my mind was a special lady named Tammy Zundel. Back when I was first learning how to even properly say my son’s rare allergic disease–eosinophilic esophagitis–I found her local support group for Salt Lake City. This was indeed a miracle in and of itself, as I know so, so many people who don’t have any local support. Her daughter had the same condition and she took it upon herself to start a support group that met every other month.

I remember going the first time and being so nervous. It was like joining a new club–albeit a club I didn’t ever plan on joining, and kind of went kicking and screaming to. Tammy was positive, bubbly and seemed to really care. She asked for topics that we’d like discussed. She was willing to share and be open about her journey. I was able to meet two other incredible EOE moms, Melissa and Anna, who have also been instrumental in our story.

There was one meeting where she brought her teenaged daughter in to talk about the struggles she had personally faced growing up with the disease and how she dealt with them. I remember calling my mom on the way home just crying. I was so touched, and thought of my little 1 and 1/2 year old, being all grown up like her daughter was. I remember deciding that I would raise my son to be an advocate as well, and someone who was brave enough to stand in front of adults and talk about his condition. I wanted to raise someone resilient and show through example, like I felt Tammy had, how to face things head on. And not just for your family, but to turn around and help others as well.

Excuse the bad phone photo, but I love this photo of us from a trip we all took together to the FARE conference in California.

Since then, I’ve been able to serve with Tammy, as her support group was adopted into the larger, local non-profit, Utah Food Allergy Network (UFAN). There, I’ve met so many other amazing allergy and EOE moms who have lifted me, answered questions that I forgot (or ran out of time) to ask my doctor. I’ve been able to get practical advice you don’t always get from your physician, like–how do you handle birthday parties?

Michelle, Kimberly, Julie and the host of other amazing. COMPLETELY volunteer, allergy moms in this non-profit have made me into the allergy mom I am today. They have given me confidence.

Michelle sent me several PDFs of substitutions to get me started when I had NO IDEA how to cook, let alone bake for my son. Julie gave me the amazing cornbread recipe I have on my site. And, I could go on and on.

The point of my story, is that even though there are hard and even scary times with food allergies there is so much good. Sure, there are teachers, coaches, neighbors and sometimes, even painfully, family members who won’t get it. But, there are also many people full of compassion who are willing to say “What can your kid eat?” Or, “how can I help?”

So, you may feel new to this medical condition. You may feel lost. But, I promise you, you will get this learning curve. You will learn to read labels. You will find your voice (I hate confrontation, and have had to learn to advocate for my child). And when you do, you can turn around and help the next, new allergy parent up the steep slopes and navigate their way on their journey too.

Thank you to the Tammy’s, Melissa’s, Anna’s, Julie’s, Kimberly’s, and Michelle’s of the world. Thank you for exemplifying what the Savior taught, to show kindness, compassion and share hope to others.

I hope that this recipe is able to include others as it is free of the top allergens. I hope that this is a fun, new holiday tradition maybe some families can make together. I hope that this will give a “new normal” for those who are sad they can’t dye Easter eggs this year because of a new allergy to eggs.

If you have time, I’d encourage you to share some of these delectable treats with someone who has shown you compassion or hope. Or, find your own way to give a shout out and let someone know they made a difference for you, or your child! You can never say enough thank-yous.

VIDEO SHOUT OUTS!

I recently went to UFAN’s yearly allergy food conference (which is amazing by the way–if you’re ever near Utah, you should attend!) and grabbed a few, short interviews with different moms. They each told me of touching stories of people who have shown them compassion and hope. I applaud them for thinking of good stories and for giving shout outs to in return for such kind favors.

Watch the video by clicking the picture below:

May we all be the good in the world!

If you’d like to watch some inspiring Easter videos, about the #PrinceOfPeace campaign, you can do so, by clicking on the image below:

Here’s the recipe. None of the products are sponsored, but I did put links to some of the ingredients that are harder to find, so that you can see what I’m talking about.