Be Free For Me Blog

Halloween is here! And to me Halloween is the “official” start of the Holiday Season… my favorite season of the year! I love the holidays since they are full of comfort foods, good memories and family get-togethers.

But sometimes those comfort foods end up not being very healthy and are full of things like corn syrup, additives, preservatives and artificial sweeteners. It’s funny how being gluten or allergen-free awakens you to the ingredient labels of the products that you eat. Since becoming gluten-free I found that I really scrutinize and question every ingredient on the label… not just the ones that contain gluten.

That is why I am a fan of Pacific Natural Food products. I love that they use wholesome, all-natural and organic ingredients. Plus they make it easy for those with food allergies or Celiac disease to easily understand and read their product’s labels. They also have an easy to read chart on their website that lists each of their products allergens. No guessing. No searching. Just simple basic info right at your computer keyboard or Smartphones fingertips.

Pacific Natural Foods makes two varieties of Cranberry Sauce – a jellied and a whole berry – both Thanksgiving holiday favorites.

One of the biggest difference between Pacific Natural Foods Cranberry Sauces and other brands is that there is NO HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP in the Pacific Natural Brand Cranberry Sauces. The only ingredients in Pacific Naturals Cranberry Sauces are: Organic cranberries, organic cane sugar and water. That’s it.

Pure and simple goodness.

I also like that Pacific Natural Cranberry Sauces come in BPA-free packaging and no can opener is required to open and enjoy.

Buh-bye ridged-tin-can-shaped jelly cranberry sauce! It’s been nice knowing ya… but I’ve found a new saucy holiday favorite. =)

And lucky for all of us at BeFreeForMe and just in time for Thanksgiving, this week’s WIN-It-Wednesday is sponsored by Pacific Natural Foods.

A total of four (4) BeFreeForMe members will be selected to win a prize pack that includes one of each of the Jellied and the Whole Cranberry Sauce. Two winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, November 6, 2012  at 11:59 PM EST, and two more winners will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, November 7 and Tuesday, November 13 at 11:59 PM. SO – make sure you enter to win two times to win!

How can you win?
Easy?

Reply to this blog and let us know your favorite Thanksgiving recipe, memory or tradition. (Me? My favorite Thanksgiving memory is waking up on Thanksgiving Day to the smell of a turkey in the oven and the sounds of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on the television).

Good luck, Cherish your memories… and as always,
Be Free!

Keep in touch and join me in following Pacific Natural Foods on Facebook and Twitter!

Want to Buy? Check out these links on Amazon.com:
Pacific Natural Foods Organic Sauce, Jellied Cranberry, 15.6 Ounce (Pack of 12)
Pacific Natural Foods Organic Sauce, Whole Berry Cranberry, 15.6 Ounce (Pack of 12)

This week’s sponsor for the Win-It-Wednesday on BeFreeForMe.com is a new tasty and nutritious gluten-free cereal that has made it’s way into a Whole Food’s Market near you…Erewhon’s Buckwheat & Hemp Cereal.

First off, let me clarify one common misconception about buckwheat: Despite it’s name buckwheat IS free of gluten! Plus, Erewhon Buckwheat & Hemp cereal is not only gluten-free, but also free of nuts, dairy and eggs.

Erewhon, which was founded in 1966, has been making gluten-free cereal for years. They’re philosophy is “Simple Ingredients. Simply Made” and their newest addition to their gluten-free cereal line-up also holds true to that philosophy as well. I love the crunchy simplicity of this cereal. When I toss in a handful of raisins, I think it taste just like a healthy version of Raisin Bran. Which is awesome since Raisin Bran was once one of my favorite cereals.

Buckwheat and hemp are both nutrient dense ingredients – so enjoying a bowl of this cereal with milk, using it as a mix-in with yogurt, or even using it as a crunchy-fried-chicken-like coating on chicken (or even fish) are all fabulous ways to get the 5 grams of fiber, 6 grams of protein and 42 grams of whole grains that each serving of this cereal delivers.

I also like that this cereal is non-GMO project verified, something that is important to me, and has been in the spotlight recently. All of the Erewhon’s gluten-free cereals are also certified by GIG (Gluten Intolerance Group).

In other words, I can feel healthy and good about eating this cereal.

All these simple, healthy and tasty reasons are why I am so happy to have Erewhon Buckwheat & Hemp cereal sponsor the next two week’s WIN-It-Wednesdays on BeFreeForMe.com.

How can you win?
Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us a simple thing in life that makes you happy. Me? Two things come to mind… sitting on my front porch enjoying the crisp New England evenings… with no cell phones, computers et al; and my clothesline…. Not only is it simple, but it saves me money and I love the way my clothes smell after drying in the fresh air all day.  =)

A total of SIX (Yes… 6!) BeFreeForMe members will be selected to win a prize pack containing two boxes of the new Erewhon Buckwheat and Hemp cereal. And for this WIN-It-Wednesday you have THREE (Yes…3!) chances to win! Two (2) winners will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST; Two (2) more winners will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, October 24 and Tuesday, October 30, 2011 at 11:59 PM and, finally, two (2) more winners will be selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, October 31 and November 6 at 11:59 PM. SO make sure that you enter to win three times!

Good luck, Keep things simple… and as always…
Be Free!

P.S. If you haven’t done so yet, make sure you download the $1.00 OFF Coupon for the Buckwheat & Hemp cereal!

Check out the awesome Healthy Holiday’s Recipe Contest taking place on the Erewhon’s FaceBook Page! Also, follow them on Twitter for more recipes, tips, savings and more!

If you’re looking to say goodbye to gluten and hello to good tasting bread you’ve got to try Goodbye Gluten, a new gluten-free bread.

Goodbye Gluten Bread is soft (yes… really, really, really soft), not crumbly and tasty to beat. My first bite had me concocting images of grilled cheese sandwiches, French toast, and lunch boxes sandwiches that would make my lunch-time yum-time.

The best part about this bread is that it is found in the real bread aisle in the supermarket. Yes. The REAL BREAD AISLE. Not the frozen food section. I like this since fresh-baked bread belongs in the bread aisle, not the frozen aisle hanging out with the frozen peas, pizzas and popsicles.

This shelf-stable bread comes in two types – Goodbye Gluten White Bread & Goodbye Gluten Multigrain Bread – both are freshly-baked in certified gluten-free bakeries. The breads also carry the Gluten-Free Certification seal from the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (www.gfco.org).

The breads are now just available in the Midwest in retailers such as Giant Eagle, Jewel-Osco, Cub Foods, Roundy’s, Kowalski’s, Lunds & Byerly’s, Super One and Hornbachers across the Midwest. But this is just Goodbye Gluten’s first phase of the brands launch. So be on the look out for these delicious breads soon in a store, in the real bread aisle, in a store near you!

All these delicious and non-frozen reasons are why I am so excited that Goodbye Gluten is this WIN-It-Wednesday’s sponsor on BeFreeForMe.com.

A total of four (4) BeFreeForMe members will be selected to win a prize for this contest. The prize is a loaf of each of two types of the Goodbye Gluten Breads. Two winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST, and two more winners will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, October 10 and Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 11:59 PM. SO – make sure you enter to win two times!

How can you win?
Easy?

Reply to this blog and let us know how you would enjoy this soft, chewy, shelf-stable bread the most. Me? Grilled Cheese the whole way.

Good luck, Goodbye Gluten … and as always,
Be Free!

Keep in touch and join me in following Goodbye Gluten on Facebook!

This Win-It-Wednesday on BeFreeForMe’s is sponsored by one of my all-time favorite bars …. KIND Bars. I’ve been a fan of KIND Bars for a long time, but just recently tried their newest bars… KIND Nuts & Spices, which are now my all-time favorite variety of them all.

These news bars are an exotic blend of flavors, nestled amongst the nuts and fruit that KIND Bars are famous for. The new flavors are: Madagascar Vanilla & Almond, Cashew & Ginger Spice, Dark Chocolate Cinnamon Pecan, and my favorite… Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt. All are full of surprising spiciness and crunchy nuts.

The dark chocolate in some of these bars make them to die for!

As always this newest addition to the KIND Snacks family are gluten-free, kosher and perfect for a breakfast on the run or for snacking. Plus, all KIND Bars offer the essential nutrients often lacking in gluten free diets including fiber, protein, magnesium and vitamin B12.

All these wonderful, healthy and tasty reasons are why I am so thrilled that KIND Snacks is this week’s Win-It-Wednesday sponsor on BeFreeForMe.com.

A total of two (2) BeFreeForMe members will be selected to win a prize exclusive for this contest on BeFreeForMe. This prize, which is currently not available to purchase, is packed with five bars of EACH of the four KIND Nuts & Spices flavors – Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt, Cashew & Ginger Spice, Madagascar Vanilla Almond and Dark Chocolate Cinnamon Pecan– for a total of 20 KIND bars (retail value of $42.95). One winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST, and one more winners will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, September 26 and Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 11:59 PM. SO – make sure you enter to win two times!

How can you win?
Easy?

Reply to this blog and let us know which new KIND Nuts & Spices Bar sounds best to you. And if you want…. let us know something kind that someone has shared / done for you lately.

Good luck, remember to be KIND … and as always,
Be Free!

Keep in touch and join me in following KIND Snacks on Facebook & Twitter!

Back-to-school time should be an exciting time. But for many kid’s (and their parents) with food allergies, food intolerances and other medical conditions back-to-school time can be a scary time too.

That’s why I was so excited to find out about an awesome company called AllerMates, a company founded by a Mom, Iris Shamus, whose was frustrated by the lack of allergy-related and kid friendly items for her child that has food allergies. This frustration lead her to start AllerMates, a line of bright, fun and kid-friendly lunch bags, wristbands and dog tags that young kids want to use and wear – all while keeping them safe.

I love that the AllerMates lunch bag is sturdy and features an outside pocket, ample room inside and an allergy info card located in a clear pocket on the side of the bag. The bright, colorful characters on the bag are fun and kid-friendly. This lunch bag will remind & alert teachers, play group monitors and any other adults, that your child has food allergies – especially during the times that you are not there.

Most of you know that I am a huge advocate of wearing a medical alert bracelet (I wear mine all the time). The AllerMates wristbands are a must-have for kids that have food allergies, as well as asthma, insect sting allergies, cat allergies, pollen, latex, penicillin allergies… plus more. Unlike some of the “I’m too big, I’m made for an adult” medical alert bracelets – these bracelets are made for kids… they are fun, colorful, whimsical and have “kids just love us so they’ll wear us” written all over them. =) These bracelets are also hypo-allergenic (latex-free), waterproof and thoroughly tested for safety and quality. Got more than one allergy? No problem. These bracelets can be worn stacked or AllerMates has a multi-allergy customizable wristband too.

I also love that these wristbands will grow with the child since they all come with three adjustable snaps, that should fit most kids from the age of 2 and up, providing ample room for the kids to grow.

Also, AllerMates can now be found and purchased at Walgreen’s for back-to-school and Halloween. Or buy AllerMates on Amazon.com

All these fun, safe and kid-friendly reasons are why I am so thrilled that AllerMates is this week’s Win-It-Wednesday sponsor on BeFreeForMe.com.

A total of two (2) BeFreeForMe members will be selected to win an AllerMates Insulated Lunch Bag and single Wristband, of their choice.

One winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST, and one more winners will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, September 12 and Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 11:59 PM. SO – make sure you enter to win two times!

How can you win?
Easy?

Reply to this blog and let us know which AllerMates allergy / medical alert wristband you’d like if you are a winner.

Good luck, remember you never can be safe enough when it comes to food allergies or medical conditions … and as always,
Be Free!

Keep in touch and join me in following AllerMates on Facebook & Twitter!

I love, love, love this week’s WIN-It-Wednesday sponsor on BeFreeForMe.com – Musco Family Olive Company.

First of all, olives are one of my all time favorite foods. Ask any of my friends. Olives are by far one of my first go-to snacks and also a quick and easy appetizer. What’s not to love about a big plate full of olives being shared with friends? No cooking, no grilling, no fussing, no mixing. Just olives. Pure and simply good.

Musco Family Olive Company makes some of the best olives around. No wonder they’re the leading supplier of olives in America. Most of us recognize their super-fun logo of a hand with olive-topped fingers – something that my sisters and I use to do with the olives in my Mom’s “relish dish” when we were younger (and o.k., I admit, maybe not so younger too!). To add to the story, we thought is was super amusing that we had an Aunt Olive (No lie). Every holiday my sisters and I would vie to ask “Aunt Olive… would like an olive?” To this day we still laugh about that. I’m convinced that the only reason we left some olives in that relish dish was so that we had a chance to offer poor Aunty an olive. =)

Besides bringing back memories, I love Musco Family Pearls and Early California Olives (depending on the store you will find one or the other) because they are gluten-free, all-natural, vegan and kosher. They also have some great recipes on their website.

Musco Family Olive Company offers a wide variety of olives, and just recently came out with two new product lines. The first new line is Fresh Cured Olives that are hand-picked and then cured immediately to retain their firm texture & natural color. The second line is a Reduced Salt offering that features pimento stuffed olives, with 75% less salt, and black pitted olives, with 25% less salt, than their traditional counterparts. So many people will benefit from these reduced salt olives.

All these healthy, delicious, and fun reasons are why I am so thrilled that Musco Family Olive Company is this week’s Win-It-Wednesday sponsor on BeFreeForMe.com.

And check out the BeFreeForMe Win-It-Wednesday Musco Family Prize Pack! It is AWESOME!  A total of two (2) BeFreeForMe members will be selected to win this Prize Pack that is packaged so pretty and perfect! Each Prize Pack contains the following:

•    1 can Early California Fresh Cured Green Olives
•    1 can Pearls Fresh Cured Green Olives
•    1 can Early California Reduced Salt Black Olives
•    1 can Pearls Reduced Salt Black Olives
•    1 Jar Early California Reduced Salt Pimento Stuffed Olives
•    1 Jar Pearls Reduced Salt Pimento Stuffed Olives
•    1 Musco Family Olive Company can opener
•    Musco Toothpicks and napkins

One winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST, and one more winners will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, August 29 and Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at 11:59 PM. SO – make sure you enter to win two times!

How can you win?
Easy?

Reply to this blog and let us know your favorite way to eat olives or your favorite olive memory. Is it in a recipe? By the handful? Sprinkled over a salad? Did your Mom have a relish dish too? Please let us know! (Another one of my fond olive memories is a Cream Cheese and Olive Sandwich… did anyone else get those as kids?)

Good luck, remember that fun is usually right at your fingertips … and as always,
Be Free!

Keep in touch and follow Musco Family Olive Companies on Facebook!

Facebook.com/EarlyCaliforniaOlives

Facebook.com/PearlsOlives

This week’s Win-It-Wednesday on BeFreeForMe.com is sponsored by Sahale Crunchers, the newest gluten-free product made by Sahale Snacks – a company that makes some of my favorite gluten-free snacks.

And although the new Crunchers can be eaten as a crunchy snack… they are so very much more. These snacks are versatile. They are perfect by-the-handful, but also as a secret ingredient that can pack a flavorful and crunchy punch to any cup of yogurt, cereal, veggies, pasta and recipes too.

Almonds are one of my go-to snacks when I need a burst of protein to get me through the day, that’s why I was excited when I discovered these lightly salted sliced almonds that are combined with awesome spices and fruit combinations.

These snacks kick my love of almonds up a few notches!

Sahale Crunchers come in three (3) amazing flavors: Almonds, with Cherry, Apples + Maple – which is perfect blended with vanilla yogurt or sprinkled over French Toast; Almonds with Cranberries, Sesame Seeds + Honey – a perfect combo that is phenomenal used as a crunchy topping on gluten-free muffins right before baking or sprinkled on my gluten-free oatmeal; and Almonds with Parmesan Cheese & Herbs – can you say ‘yum’ as a crunching flavorful salad topping?

Sahale products are all made in a gluten-free facility too.

All the flavors and the mouthwatering possibilities that await them are the reasons why I am super excited to announce that Sahale Crunchers are this week’s WIN-It-Wednesday on BeFreeForMe.com.

Two lucky winners will each win a prize pack of Sahale Crunchers. The prize pack consists of three bags of Sahale Crunchers (one of each flavor), recipe cards, a recipe stand, a bowl and spoon.

How can you win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and let us know which of the three flavors of the new Sahale Crunchers sounds the best to you. And if you’d like, also share how you plan on eating them (maybe to add a crunch to your famous gluten-free coffee cake? Toss over the top of your baked green bean casserole? Or maybe even simply eaten by the glorious handful?)

One luck winner will be randomly chosen from the entries received before Tuesday, 08/14/12 at 11:59 PM EST and a second winner will be randomly chosen from all entries received between Wednesday, 08/15/12 – 12:00 AM EST and Tuesday 08/21/12 –  12:00 midnight EST.

Make sure you enter twice to win!

Good luck, enjoy crunch time…

And as always,
Be Free!

Like Sahale on Facebook for more recipe ideas, promotions and fun!

Follow Sahale on Twitter for instant updates and more!

Want to buy Sahale Crunchers now? Check out these links on Amazon.com:
Sahale Snacks Crunchers, Cherries, Apples + Maple, 4-Ounce
Sahale Snacks Crunchers, Cranberries, Sesame Seeds + Honey, 4-Ounce
Sahale Snacks Crunchers, Parmesan Cheese + Herbs, 4-Ounce

This week’s Win-It-Wednesday is sponsored by a product I LOVE! Garden Lites Souffles.

If you’ve already tried these soufflés, you can understand my love for them; and if you haven’t tried them yet, you must.

Garden Lites Souffles are perfection both for the taste buds, your health and your waist line. Packed with tons of vegetables, egg whites and just the right amount of spices, these soufflés have only all natural ingredients and microwave in just minutes. They come in 9 flavors – including the flavors I have loved for years –  Broccoli, Roasted Vegetable, Zucchini, Spinach, Cauliflower, Butternut Squash and the newest flavors –  Carrot Raisin, Pizza and Southwestern.  These gluten & nut-free soufflés are pockets of scrumptious veggies puffed to perfection.

Watching your points? No worries! These soufflés are 4 or 5 Weight Watcher Point Plus points per soufflé. =)

I love having one of these all natural soufflés for lunch with a small tossed salad. They are filling, healthy and contribute to a tasty lunch that I can feel good about eating. My favorite is the Roasted Vegetable Souffle; and paired with my tossed salad it’s like having a garden party right on my lunch table.

I also love that each Garden Lites soufflé offers up two whole servings of vegetables. What a delicious way to eat your veggies!

All these healthy, delicious, low-calorie and low-fat reasons are why I am so thrilled that Garden Lites is this week’s Win-It-Wednesday sponsor on BeFreeForMe.com.

And check out these prizes! A total of two (2) BeFreeForMe members will be selected to win a Garden Lite Tote Bag packed with 9 … Yes! nine…  (one of each flavor) of the Garden Lite Souffles. One winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST, and one more winners will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, August 1 and Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at 11:59 PM. SO – make sure you enter to win two times!

How can you win?
Easy?

Reply to this blog and let us know what flavor of the Garden Lite Souffle sounds the best to you.
Good luck, find delicious ways to eat those veggies =) … and as always,
Be Free!

P.S. Want to buy? Click here to find a store near you. Also, keep in touch and follow Garden Lite on Facebook!

One of my all-time favorite go-to’s during the summer months is Marconi Infused Olive Oils, the sponsor of this week’s WIN-It-Wednesday on BeFreeForMe.com.
Marconi Italian Herb Dipping Oil is the perfect complement to a tossed salad, grilled meats and vegetables and roasted potatoes. My list on how I use this dipping oil just gets longer and longer with ever recipe that I whip-up.

But what is my favorite way to enjoy Marconi Italian Herb Dipping Oil? Dipping my favorite gluten-free bread that is warmed ever so slightly in a shallow dish brimming with this herb oil. Dippity doo da! Who needs a fancy-pants Italian Restaurant when you can enjoy delicious gluten-free bread dipping right at home?

Being an all-time fan makes it a pleasure for me to randomly select 4 (yes… FOUR!) lucky BeFreeForMe members to receive a FREE product coupon for any one Marconi Oil item of their choice at their local grocer (up to a $20 value!).

Two winners will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST, and two more winners will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, July 18 and Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at 11:59 PM. SO – make sure you enter to win two times!

How can you win?
Easy?

Reply to this blog and tell us how you would use the Marconi Italian Herb Dipping Oil. Are you a purist and would just use it for dipping? On pasta? On eggs? Share your fancy!

Good luck, remember it’s o.k. to be a little dippy… and as always,
Be Free!

This week’s WIN-It-Wednesday on BeFreeForMe.com is sponsored by Lucy’s Gluten-Free Cookies… one of my favorite gluten-free cookie companies that is founded by one smart cookie herself, Dr. Lucy Gibney.

Lucy’s is founded by a doctor that got down to some serious medical research – in the kitchen – because her child had severe food allergies.  What began as a mother’s tasty recipe for her child has developed into a delicious alternative for people with (or even without!) special dietary considerations. Not only are Lucy’s Cookies gluten-free, they are also free of peanuts, tree nuts, milk and eggs. They are also vegan.

And even though Lucy’s Cookies are free of gluten and other common allergens, they aren’t missing out on flavor and tastiness. They are full of crunchy, airy cookie goodness, that makes them perfect for old-school milk dipping or classic ice cream sandwiches.

My most recent craveable dessert is sandwiching one of my favorite ice cream flavors, Black Raspberry, between two of Lucy’s Ginger Snap cookies. The spiciness of the cookies and the berry-creaminess of the ice cream is a match made in gluten-free heaven.

And with only 120 calorie for three (YES 3!) cookies, 0 mg cholesterol, and 0 g tans fat – my most recent favorite  dessert can become a tradition all sweet summer long!

The flavors of Lucy’s cookies goes beyond the ordinary too. As well as toting a bake sheet of traditional favorites, Lucy’s also offers some tantalizing flavors for the adult palate. Along with the three new flavors – Ginger Snap, Maple Bliss, and Chocolate – they also have an Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon Thin and Sugar.

All of these reasons are why I am so thrilled that Lucy’s Cookies is this week’s WIN-It-Wednesday sponsor on BeFreeForMe.com.

A total of four (4) BeFreeForMe members will be selected to win a gift-pack of  Lucy’s Cookies.  Two winners will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST, and two more winners will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, July 4 and Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 11:59 PM. SO – make sure you enter to win two times!

How can you win?
Easy?

Reply to this blog and share a tip, suggestion, hint, or recipe idea about being gluten-free and / or allergen free that makes you a smart-cookie (Me? Using my smartphone at the supermarket to take photos of (and to remember!) new gluten-free products I discover to research reviews online. and always making double of recipes to have extra for lunches!)

Good luck, remember always to be that one smart-cookie you just know you are… and as always,
Be Free!

Follow Lucy’s Cookies on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrLucys

Follow Lucy’s Cookies on Twitter @lucys_tweets

Want to buy Lucy’s Cookies? Check out this link on Amazon.com and take advantage of free SuperSaver Shipping:
Lucy’s Cookies Grab and Go Combo Case, 1.25-Ounce bags (Pack of 16)