We know that this year, Easter festivities may be more difficult to celebrate than ever. Because many are practicing social distancing, we aren't able to host the big family events that we may be used to. Why not pick up some allergy-friendly Easter treats from Kardish to make sure everyone can feel included?

Best of all, you can use our free home delivery and curbside pickup program if you don't want to come into the store yourself! Just call your local Kardish at 613-224-1414 or click here to order online.

In this post we’ll share some of the fun and delicious treats we have at Kardish that make Easter just a bit more inclusive. (PS. Pass it on to the Easter Bunny so he knows what to bring!) 
 

Moo Free Chocolate Rosie Rabbit and Chocolate Eggs

Dairy-free, gluten-free and soya-free 
Moo Free's chocolates are made from their multi-award winning, dairy-free rice milk chocolate, and taste just like a delicious, quality milk chocolate. Their organic chocolate rabbit bars and Easter eggs are also dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free and soya-free. Let everyone feel included and pick some treats from Moo Free up this year!

Enjoy Life Chocolate Bars & Snack Bars

Free from wheat/gluten, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, soy, fish, shellfish, casein, potato, sesame, sulfites
Enjoy Life is a go-to brand for parents who have children with allergies or food sensitivities. All products make by Enjoy Life contain absolutely no wheat/gluten, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, soy, fish and shellfish. Products are also made without casein, potato, sesame, sulfites and artificial ingredients. They have recently produced three versions of their dairy-free chocolate bars - dark chocolate, rice milk chocolate and rice milk crunch. 

Annie's Homegrown Bunny-Shaped Pasta

No artificial flavours, synthetic colours or preservatives 
Annie's has created a variety of bunny shaped treats that are perfect for Easter, like these Bunny Shaped Pasta with Yummy Cheese. All products by Annie's Homegrown are free from artificial flavours, colours and synthetic preservative and are always made without genetically modified ingredients.

MadeGood Snacks

Free from peanuts, wheat, dairy, sesame, tree nuts, soy, egg, fish and shellfish. Organic and NON-GMO project verified
MadeGood granola bars and granola minis are wildly popular among little Kardish shoppers. With a variety of awesome flavours like chocolate banana and mixed berry they are sure to be a hit at your Easter egg hunt!

Dandies Marshmallows

Free from peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat/gluten, fish,
shellfish, and corn. NON-GMO Project verified & vegan certified

Finding marshmallows that are free from harmful additives can be hard enough without factoring in allergies and a vegan diet. Thanks to Dandies this is no longer a struggle! Try making these Dandies Classic Crispy Treats for the little ones at your Easter dinner.

You would be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't enjoy rich dark chocolate, and we're pretty sure that you'll be enjoying plenty of it over the Easter holidays too! So, as you gnaw on the ear of your chocolate bunny why not read five things you probably didn't know about this beloved treat! 

1. Chocolate is a product of fermentation.

When cocoa beans are removed from their pods they are coated in a white slimy pulp. These white coated beans are stored in large wooden boxes where they ferment for 3 to 7 days. The beans rise in temperature and excess liquid begins to drain. Beans eventually turn their signature brown tone and take on a true chocolate flavour. It looks like chocolate and wine have more in common than we thought! 

2. White chocolate is not chocolate.

The magic of chocolate making happens when cocoa is combined with cocoa butter, the off-white coloured fat from cocoa beans. We then throw in sugar, various flavourings and usually milk fat to make the chocolate we are familiar with. A high quality white chocolate is basically sweetened cocoa butter. Most white chocolate (including the kind mixed with cookies) is often a blend of vegetable oils and sugar.

3. There is a difference between cocao and cocoa.

Some people believe that there is no difference between cacao and cocoa and that both can be used interchangeably, but in fact, there is a tangible difference! Cacao is completely raw and contains antioxidants along with nourishing minerals. Cocoa on the other hand is heavily processed and contains much less nutritional value. Find raw cacao at your local Kardish!

4. Chocolate may protect your skin from the sun.

The flavanols found in chocolate are plant-based nutrients that provide a number of health benifits. Among these benefits is its ability to improve the health of our skin. A study showed that a group of women fed a high-flavanol chocolate had a 25% reduction in sunburns after exposure to a solar simulator. 

5. Chocolate can improve the efficacy of your probiotic supplement.

Our intestinal tract is filled with trillions of healthy bacteria that work hard to support digestion, and they get really hungry. Prebiotics are food for these bacteria, allowing them to thrive in the environment of our colon. The flavanols in chocolate (mentioned above) can be utilized as a source of prebiotics.

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Learn more about the many types of chocolate sold at your local Kardish! Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below, as well as on Twitter and Facebook.

About 25 percent of Canadians suffer from allergic rhinitis, commonly referred to as seasonal allergies or hay fever. Environmental triggers that bring about seasonal allergies are grass, pollen and mold. Seasonal allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to something (i.e. grass, pollen and mold) that would typically not effect the average person. This immune response causes symptoms like nasal congestion, burning/itching eyes and excessive sneezing. Keeping your immune system strong and robust is a key factor in surviving allergy season; luckily there are many ways to do this. We'll provide diet, supplementation and lifestyle related tips to help you thrive throughout the whole year!

Try these supplements

Quercetin

Histamine is produced during an allergic response and causes inflammation. Quercetin is a powerful natural antihistamine that can reduce inflammation and symptoms associated with seasonal allergies.
 

Vitamin C

We have all heard that vitamin C is important when suffering with a cold or flu, and that is because this vitamin promotes immune health. Like quercetin it is also a natural antihistamine.
 

Astragalus

Astragalus is known for its ability to protect and support the immune system. It has been shown to reduce symptoms in people who suffer from seasonal allergies.

Probiotics

The beneficial bacteria in probiotic supplements help to support digestion. As humans we are more bacteria than we are human cells, making friendly gut bacteria a crucial aspects of living a healthy life. Our gut bacteria is also directly linked to our immune function.

Eat and drink more of this

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is one of the best sources of vitamin C, a vitamin that we mentioned earlier is important for promoting immune health. Add lemon juice to water and enjoy first thing in the morning.

Turmeric

Turmeric is also referred to as curcumin, the active ingredient extracted from turmeric root. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory that sooths inflammation throughout the body that can worsen allergy symptoms.

Bee Pollen + Raw Honey

The key to this tip is to purchase locally produced honey or pollen. There is some evidence to support that the consumption of raw honey can improve symptoms of seasonal allergies in some people (source). Raw honey is also anti-bacterial and therefore can help to protect the immune system. To learn more about this super-food, see our previous post on the benefits of raw honey.

Water

This one is simple, drink more water! When we are properly hydrated our air passages stay moist. When we are not, more mucus is produced to protect these areas, leaving us more prone to congestion. 
 

Kimchi

Consuming more of this fermented cabbage dish will not only liven up you dinner plate but also provides beneficial bacteria, like those found in probiotics. Kimchi contains chili pepper, making it fantastic for blood circulation, which will support healthy immune function by allowing nutrients and white blood cells to travel efficiently.

Make a few lifestyle changes 

Nasal Irrigation

Using a Neti Pot and salt solution to flush nasal passages will help to clear sinuses and decrease congestion. It can also help to flush allergens from the nostrils and sinuses before you immune system has the opportunity to react. 

Essential Oils

Breathing in essential oils like peppermint and eucalyptus can help to open sinuses and improve circulation. Add a few drops to an oil diffuser within your home. 

Air Purification

Using an air purifier in your home will help to remove pollen from the air and improve your breathing quality while reducing overall symptoms.

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