Be Free For Me Blog

O Boy! Many newly diagnosed celiacs find themselves craving the “standard” breakfast cereals. That is why Nature’s Path Organic Whole O’s are a must-have for any gluten-free cupboard.

Made by Nature’s Path, the Whole O’s cereal taste just like Cherrios… only they are gluten free and good for you too. Made with organic corn and whole grain rice, Whole O’s are crunchy & delicious.  

This all-time favorite breakfast cereal (or right-out-of-the-box by-the-handful snack) is healthy and gluten-free, which is why Nature’s Path Organic Whole O’s gets this week’s BeFreeForMe Friday Favorite nomination… and a standing O-vation!

Cheers!

This week’s Friday Favorite goes to a super-convenient, healthy and simple snack: Bare Fruit 100% Organic Fruit Snacks.

Bare Fruit snacks are “baked-dried” organic fruits that are so simple, yet so delicious. What I love the most about these snacks is the ingredient list. The only ingredient is the organic fruit itself (and natural organic cinnamon for the Cinnamon Apple Chips) and nothing more.

Full of flavor and fiber, yet no gluten, allergens, fat or preservatives these snacks are the perfect “go-to-snack” for work, traveling, school or after-school activities.

My favorites are the Cinnamon Apple Chips and the Pear Chips. I also like to mix these in with my yogurt, or as a topping on my gluten-free oatmeal.

Bare Fruit Snacks are a snack you can feel good about eating!

When I am looking for a low-cal and satisfying snack, that is also good for me, I un-wrap a Laughing Cow Light Cheese Wedge. Spread on celery sticks, or gluten-free crackers it is one of my favorites. 

According to the Laughing Cow website, all of the Laughing Cow products are gluten-free.

And although it is suggested to keep the wedges refrigerated for the “best taste & texture”, the Laughing Cow website says that “they can be safely stored in cool, dry conditions for a limited length of time…”. Making the Laughing Cow Wedges a perfect choice for lunch boxes and snacks on the go.

And at only 35 calories a wedge, I can laugh my way all the way to the gym knowing that I only need to work-out half as hard… =) Isn’t that the way it works?

I love peanut butter. But when I need to watch the calories and fat in my diet, I really do have to limit myself on how much peanut butter I can enjoy. 

That is why I was thrilled when I found Better n Peanut Butter, a natural peanut butter spread that is gluten and dairy free. With only 2.5 grams of fat (85% less fat then regular peanut butter) and 100 calories (40% less than regular peanut butter) per serving, I can enjoy peanut butter more often, even when watching my calories! 

I love this peanut butter spread on sliced pears or smeared on gluten-free toast. Perfect for breakfast, lunch or snack time.

Also, check out the recipes that are on the Better n Peanut Butter website and enjoy!

When I was growing up fish and chips on Fridays, especially during the Lenten season, was a weekly staple. But since being on a gluten-free diet most anything that is labeled as “crispy” and “battered” have been off limits. That is why I was more than thrilled when I found the battered Starfish haddock.

This all-natural gluten-free, soy-free, milk-free and egg-free “ready-for-your-oven” fish is delicious. And coming from a gal that grew-up on Cape Cod I have discriminating tastes when it comes to my seafood!

I was surprised at just how crispy the batter was and the flakiness of the fish.

Fish and Chips on Friday’s are again on my gluten-free menu! Rejoice!

Snacking is big for me. And any snack that is low-calorie, plus good for me is even bigger. That’s why I love to grab a cheese stick for a quick protein boost on the go.

My favorite is the Sorrento Stringsters Reduced Fat Mozzarella String Cheese. Because they are individually wrapped I can take these healthy gluten-free snacks anywhere I go.

I also like that these cheese sticks are only 70 calories each, high in calcium, and 25% less fat than low moisture part skim string cheese.

Say cheese… and smile!

When I am on the go & traveling to and fro, I like to grab a handful of Gin-Gin’s Ginger Candies and throw them in my bag.

I love the spicy & fresh taste of the ginger. My favorites are the hard candies or the soft chews since they are wrapped in their own individual wrapper and so easy to transport. But I am also a huge fan of the sweet, yet spicy, crystallized ginger too.

I like the fact that they have a whole gluten-free section on their website, and also offer tons of products like spreads, syrups and sauces… all made with, you guessed it, ginger!

They say that ginger has medicinal purposes. Fondly called the “potion of motion” ginger has been known as a soothing remedy for any type of motion sickness. Ginger has also been linked to helping with nausea, nixing pain and also promoting digestion.

But beware Gin-Gin candies are addictive. Once you try them you’ll be a fan for life.

One of my favorite ready-to-eat desserts is Kozy Shack Tapioca. I loved this stuff even before being diagnosed as a celiac.

Rich and creamy, with just enough sweetness – I’ll even grab a cup as a morning snack, while checking my emails or planning my day.

And the best part is that all of Kozy Shacks puddings, flans, and gels are gluten-free; as well as manufactured in facilities that are free of peanuts and tree nuts. (However, according to the company website Most Kozy Shack products contain milk, eggs, or other milk derivatives. So they recommend that you read each ingredient statement that clearly states any known allergens.)

My favorite is the 70 calorie No Sugar Added Tapioca… any dessert good for my middle is good for me!

With Kozy Shack, you can have your dessert and diet too!

I love to have a little sweet snack here and there. But sometimes, I don’t have the time to bake or go shopping for gluten-free desserts. This is when Jell-O puddings jump into my day!

The convenience of the pudding cups (my favorites are the fat-free 100 calorie packs) make anytime be dessert-time. I like that I can throw a gluten-free pudding cup in my lunch cooler and enjoy a little sweetness in my day, almost effortlessly.

The convenience of a sweet and tasty dessert-on-the-run (almost guilt-free too with only 100 calories!) is why this weeks Friday Favorite honors go to Jell-O Pudding cups.

Note: To see the gluten-free labeling statement from Kraft Foods (the manufacturer of Jell-O) click here.

This week’s Friday Favorite is one of the most versatile items in my pantry: Mission White Corn Tortillas.

These gluten, egg, dairy, soy and nut free tortillas can do it all.

These tortillas can wrap up any meal right before your eyes – especially when bread is sometimes scarce or nowhere to be found.

I love these tortillas as a Breakfast Burrito; as a Corn Quesadilla snack; in  main course Jalapeno Chicken Enchiladas or Baked Chimichangas recipes; and even as an ingredient in a dessert when making Chocolate Raspberry Burritos with Raspberry Glaze or N’more Graham Cracker S’mores.

Another reason why these allergen-free tortillas receive BeFreeForMe’s Friday Favorite honors is that they are just 110 calories for 2 tortillas, and only about .13¢ per tortillas (the retail price I paid was $1.50 for 12 tortillas); just two more reasons why these should be a staple in any allergen or gluten-free kitchen.

With Mission White Corn tortillas… meals are simply a wrap!