Be Free For Me Blog

One of my favorite memories as a little girl was visiting my “Mom” (Grandmother) & Grandpa Green in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The summer days were hot, steamy and sticky and the highlight of the day was “Pony Boy”, the ice cream man that came by in his cart, pulled by a pony, providing Popsicles to all of us anxious and enthusiastic kids that were patiently waiting, quarter in hand, for his musical entrance on mid-summer night evenings.

The grand entrance of Pony Boy could never be compared today to the opening of my side-by-side freezer after dinner. But when I reach in for an Edy’s Fruit Bar, it sure does come close.

Let’s face it. Simple “frozen delicacies on a wooden stick” bring back fun summer memories. So simple, yet so emotionally powerful.

And Edy’s Fruit Bars are basically, in a frozen memory nutshell, the Popsicle for the big-girl.

Gluten-free, nut-free and only 80 calories per bar, my favorite is the new Pineapple Fruit Bar. Juicy, packed with tiny bits of pineapple and just enough of an after-dinner dessert to satisfy, but not make me feel guilty, Edy’s Pineapple Fruit Bars are my go-to summer favorite.

A fantastic mid-summer dessert, only 80 calories, and the ability to bring back some of the best memories of my life are the reasons why this week’s Friday Favorite goes to Edy’s Fruit Bars… even if they aren’t delivered by Pony-Boy.

I love it when I find those little jewels that I can’t live without at Whole Foods. And just last week sittin’ all pretty on the deli cheese case shelves I found Ciolo Spreads.

I purchased a package of the Jalapeno Pimento Cheese Spread with the excitement of spreading it on my gluten-free bread topped high with smoked turkey and fresh veggies from the garden.

But once I opened the package, I realized that this spread is just not for spreading. This dip is also great for dipping, smothering, coating, finishing, sandwiching and smearing on anything & everything that that is edible.

Along with the Pimento Cheese Varieties, they also offer Tapenades (with flavors such as Mediterranean, Lemon Artichoke and Kalamata), Pesto (these all sound so good… Sundried Tomato, Artichoke, and even a Jalapeno Pecan Pesto!), and cream cheeses (including sweet varieties such as Pumpkin, Cranberry Nut, Pomegranate and Apricot Pecan; as well as savory cream cheese flavors like Martini Olive, Garlic Basil Blast, and Artichoke Parmesan).

These items are all gluten-free.

For more info check out the Ciolo Foods website, and join me as a Fan of theirs on Facebook!

Once again, Lindsey from BeFreeForMe offices whipped up an unbelievable dish that is full of vegetables and flavor, and is free of most major allergens.

This dish is prepared with A Taste of Thai Straight Cut Rice Noodles. These noodles are authentic Thai style and inspired noodles, which are so quick and easy to prepare.

Lindsey’s recipe, Warm Asian Noodle Salad, was a hit with my friends that I hosted tonight for a birthday dinner. The dish is packed with veggies and requires no boiling to cook the noodles. Absolutely perfect on a hot summer night.

The Taste of Thai Rice Noodles are a perfect way to prepare many Asian, Thai or vegetarian dishes. A must have for any gluten free pantry.

All these reasons are why this week’s BeFreeForMe Friday Favorite goes to A taste of Thai Rice Noodles!

Yes that’s right… you read the heading correctly! Gluteen-Free Burritos!

I tried these a while back at a trade show and was mesmerized at the thought of actually eating a burrito once again. In fact, I circled my way back to the GlutenFreeda Booth a number of times to get more samples of these burritos, since they are THAT good!

These burritos come in 4 glutenfree-licious varieties: Vegetable Bean and Cheese; Breakfast Beef; Non-Dairy Vegetarian and Chicken & Cheese.

The best part about these burritos is that they are perfect for a quick little meal. My favorite, the Chicken & Cheese, has only 227 calories and 9 grams of protein. Plus, they are made with all natural and organic ingredients; and manufactured in a dedicated gluten-free facility. And did I mention that they can be microwaved right in their own wrapper, and are ready in mere minutes?

All of these reasons, and mucho more, are why GlutenFreeda’s Gluten-free Burritos are this week’s BeFreeForMe’s Friday Favorite!

This time of year when the weather is hot, and the afternoons get lazy, I like to grab a glass of fresh-brewed, chilled and iced tea.

But sometimes, my days get crazy and I don’t have the time to brew a pitcher early in the morning to have it chilled and ready-to-pour when my afternoon break time rolls around.

That is why I am so glad I discovered Pacific Natural Foods Simply Tea, a convenient tea that is clean, crisp and ready to be poured.

The best part about Pacific Natural Foods Simply Tea is that it tastes just like the real fresh brewed tea I make myself. Plus it is organic, and is from Fair Trade Certified green tea. A great source of antioxidants, this tea comes in five great gluten-free flavors: Unsweetened, Peach, Kiwi Mango, Wild Berry, and Tangerine. Normally, I would reach for the unsweetened tea, but in my favorite is the Peach – which tastes like fresh brewed tea with a hint of juicy garden fresh peaches.

I also like that the Simply Tea comes in an eco-friendly aseptic packaging that doesn’t need to be refrigerated until opening. Plus, it locks out air and light for added freshness. This way, just in case you don’t drink this refreshing tea all in one sitting, you’ll always get a more flavorful, fresher tasting tea.

Fresh, full-of-flavor, and just like real home-brewed, but without the hassle, are all the reasons why Pacific Natural Foods Simply Tea is BeFreeForMe’s Friday Favorite.

I just discovered my new all-time favorite Lara Bar variety: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip.

Chewy, nutty and sweet, this brand new Lara Bar flavor reminds me of eating rich chocolate ice cream with chocolate chips, drizzled with tons and tons of peanut butter sauce. Although this is not a bar I would eat for breakfast, it is the perfect gluten-free and good-for-you snack when you are looking for something sweet for a mid-day pick-me-up, or after a meal as a substitute gluten-free (and guilt free) dessert.

I love that the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Lara Bar has only 4 ingredients: Dates, Peanuts, Chocolate Chips and Salt. A simple snack that truly knocks your socks off.

Simple, pure and tasty snacking. All these sweet reasons are why Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Lara Bar’s are this week’s BeFreeForMe Friday favorite pick.

I heard the buzz start several months ago. People were chatting, blogging and spreading gluten-free love about the most unbelievable bread they have ever tasted. I thought that it was just hype, gluten-free hysteria gone viral. In the back of my mind, I thought, “Really Folks…. Come on, R-E-A-L-L-Y?  How can gluten-free bread taste JUST like the real deal?”

But after trying Udi’s White Sandwich bread it was love at first slice.

Udi’s not only taste different than other gluten-free breads, it looks and feels different than other gluten-free breads too. Why, you ask, is Udi’s different than other gluten-free breads? Let me list some of the ways:

It can not be confused with a cinder block: The first think I noticed is the weight of a loaf of Udi’s bread. It’s light as air and picking it up doesn’t take two hands, and more muscle than one can muster… or is worth. 

Udi’s gluten-free bread is dairy, nut and soy free too: Great for everyone with multiple allergies.

Light, fluffy texture: This is the most important pointer in this list. The texture is like real white bread, soft and airy. Use it for sandwiches, French Toast or butter and jam. The list is endless – which brings up the next point…

Perfect for dipping into herbed olive oil: I miss bread that is capable of dipping into and soaking up perfectly herbed good quality olive oil. Thank you Udi for giving me back this simple pleasure.

No Defrosting: With Udi’s planning to have a piece of toast in the morning or a quick sandwich mid-day doesn’t require defrosting bread the night before. With Udi’s you take the loaf out of the freezer and easily pop-off (no chiseling off each slice with a knife) the bread slices. Place them on the counter for only about 5 minutes for a perfect piece of fresh bread. Simple.

Toasts-up perfect: Udi’s bread toasts-up even and light brown, and keeps soft in the middle. Toasting perfection.

The heels are even good: Yup. I even eat the heels of Udi’s gluten-free breads. Toasting them up and adding a smear of peanut butter is a perfect snack. Enjoying the heels of any loaf of bread is the ultimate compliment, and a reminder to buy two loaves next time instead of one. 

All these reasons are why Udi’s Gluten-Free Bread is this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com. Give Udi’s a try and you’ll see for yourself, why you’ll be hooked after the first slice too.

Sometimes you just feel like a little cookie. Just a little bit of something to satisfy your sweet tooth.

That’s when I reach for a Orgran Dinosaur Whole Fruit Cookies.

Packed with 25%  fruit, these vegan gluten-free cookies also contain no cane sugar and have less than 5% fat content. They are also free of nuts, soy, egg, yeast and dairy.

These fun little fruit-packed Orgran gluten-free cookies are BeFreeForMe’s Friday Favorite because they are small enough for little hands, but satisfying enough for the big kids.

Trust me… these cookies will never become extinct from your families favorites list.

Now on SALE at Amazon.com: Buy some now! Orgran Dinosaur Wholefruit Cookies, Wildbery Flavour, (8 pack) 6.2-Ounce Boxes

The buttery and sweet shortbread cookie is a cookie that I love.

That’s why I was so excited to find Orgran’s Premium Shortbread Hearts. Petite and fittingly heart-shaped, these gluten and dairy free cookies taste every bit as good as the shortbread cookies I remember prior to going gluten-free.

These traditional shortbread biscuit cookies are made without the butter and gluten of traditional shortbread cookies, but you won’t even miss it. Plus, besides being gluten and dairy free these cookies are also vegetarian, and casein-free.

The Orgran Shortbread Hearts receive this week’s Friday Favorite honor since they are just so lovable. Made for sharing with a friend, over a fresh brewed pot of tea, enjoy these heart-shaped cookies over some good conversation and company. Sweet.

Want to try some Orgran’s Shortbread Hearts? Check them out on Amazon.com:
Orgran Shortbread Hearts, 5.2-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 7)

Cheese, Cheese, I love Cheese!

Cheese is such an awesome go-to snack. Full of protein, healthy and satisfying, it seems that I am always reaching for a piece of cheese when I get hungry and need a bit of protein to hold me over until my next meal.

But what is a girl like me who is always on the run to do? Just The Cheese Crunchy Baked Natural Cheese Snacks to the rescue!

These crispy little snacks are almost too cheesy to be true! Made of 100% real Wisconsin Cheese with a sprinkle of seasonings, these gluten-free, and MSG free snacks are just what a cheese-loving gluten free gal like me loves.

At only 75 calories per pack, with 1 gram of carbs (ideal for those on a low-carb diet) these are snacks that I can feel good about crunching on.

Good taste, good for you and tons of cheesiness are all of the reasons that Just the Cheese Crunchy Baked Cheese Snacks are being recognized as this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com.