Be Free For Me Blog

After one bite these snacks will have you saying, “Dang, that’s good!” These toasted coconut chips are so unique, so incredibly tasty, crunchy and fun to eat. No more boring potato chips any more… coconut chips are just that dang good.

Dang Foods Coconut Chips are gluten free, vegan, dairy free, have no cholesterol, non-GMO and also a fantastic source of fiber.

I love that the ingredients are simple and natural too. My favorite variety, Caramel Sea Salt, is made with just three ingredients – Coconut, coconut sugar and sea salt.

Some other flavors include: Original, Lightly Salted & Unsweetened, Chili Lime and Savory Bacon. With such a vast array of sweet and savory flavors they are great for many uses including on ice cream, yogurt, cookie & cake toppings, trail mixes, salads and also crumbled on top a baked potato.

All these fabulous reasons are why I am sharing a bag of the Dang Foods Caramel Sea Salt Toasted Coconut Chips to two (yes 2!) randomly selected BeFreeForMe members who enter to win.

One (1) winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at 11:59 PM EST, and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, December 9 and Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at 11:59PM. SO – make sure you enter two times to win!

How can you win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us which flavor of the Dang Toasted Coconut Chip looks the best to you (is it the traditional Original? The Slightly Salted and Unsweetened? The sweet and salty Caramel Sea Salt?  Or the spicy Chili Lime or Savory Bacon?

Good luck, enjoy the holiday season, and, as always …

Be Free!

With the holidays quickly approaching dinners, cocktail parties, and get-togethers are going to be coming every week.

And a perfect addition to any of these soirees is a bountiful cheese & cracker tray with all the fixings like grapes, olives and roasted veggies.

But sometimes searching for a gluten-free cracker that is crispy, crunchy and tasty… a gluten-free cracker that will be love by all is hard to find.

That is why I was so thrilled to find Breton Gluten Free Crackers. These crackers are just like the traditional Breton crackers made by Dare.  I have served these crackers many a time, and even the non gluten-free people loved them and couldn’t tell the difference.

The varieties they come in are the Original with Flax, and Herb & Garlic. They also make a really nice Black Bean with Onion & Garlic Cracker and White Bean with Salt & Pepper Cracker that are both gluten-free too.

All of these delicious reasons are why I am offering up a prize pack of these delicious gluten-free crackers.

A total of two (yes, 2!) BeFreeForMe.com members will be randomly selected to win a prize pack of two boxes of the Breton Gluten-Free Crackers (one box each of the Original with Flax and the Herb & Garlic). One (1) winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at 11:59 PM EST, and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, November 25 and Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 11:59PM. SO – make sure you enter two times to win!

How can you win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us which Breton Gluten Free Crackers looks the best to you.

Good luck, enjoy the Season that is approaching us soon, and, as always …

Be Free!

If flavors like Cinnamon Raisin, Pumpkin Spice, Sugar Cookie and Gingerbread make you want to curl up with a good book, a comfy blanket and sweet treat, you must check out Wild Friends Peanut Butter.

Let me tell ya… this peanut butter isn’t your childhood ho-hum Skippy.

All-natural, non-GMO, and organic, the Wild Friend’s Nut Butter is made for big kids… but loved by all. The seasonal flavors such as Pumpkin Spice, Sugar Cookie, and Gingerbread make a gluten-free piece of toast into a masterpiece.

I was hooked two years ago when I met the two co-founders at a trade show. These two gals are remarkable. I love a good women entrepreneurial story, and by gosh do these two have one to tell. Wild Friends was started when the two founders were in college. They ran out of peanut butter so they decided to give it a whirl and make their own. The rest is history.

Four years have now past, and the two have left their college dorm behind and are now based in Portland, Oregon. They’ve developed dozens of new flavors and sell their product at thousands of stores across the country.

Also, the product is gluten-free and is tested to be under 20 PPM.

All these reasons are why I picked up a couple of extra jars of my favorite, Cinnamon Raisin, to offer up as prizes for this Win-It-Wednesday on BeFreeForMe.com.

A total of two (yes, 2!) BeFreeForMe.com members will be randomly selected to win a jar of Cinnamon Raisin Wild Friends Peanut Butter. One (1) winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, November 11, 2015 at 11:59 PM EST, and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, November 12 and Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 11:59PM. SO – make sure you enter two times to win!

How can you win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us what Wile Friends Peanut Butter flavor looks the best to you… is it the Seasonal Pumpkin Spice, Gingerbread or Sugar Cookie? Or how about my favorite the Cinnamon Raisin? Or the Traditional Peanut Butter or maybe even the Vanilla Expresso Almond Butter?

Good luck, remember that being a little nutty is a good thing, and, as always …

Be Free!

P.S. Join me in following Wild Friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Want to buy now? Check out these links on Amazon.com:

– Cinnamon Raisin Peanut Butter

– Sugar Cookie Peanut Butter

– Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter

– Gingerbread Peanut Butter

I love caramels! There is nothing like a good caramel melting in your mouth, or a fresh Caramel Apple after a day of apple picking. This time of year, with Halloween right around the corner, has me thinking about all of my favorite types of candy.

Two of my favorites are Caramels and Red Licorice. And I was always sad when I first got diagnosed with Celiac Disease because almost all of caramels and licorice contain gluten (as well as “other stuff” that we don’t want either – things like high fructose corn syrup and “fake” flavorings and ingredients).

That is why I was so super thrilled to find the Lovely Candy Company. All their candies are gluten free, kosher, non-GMO, have zero trans fats, and no high fructose corn syrup or artificial ingredients. Plus… they are delicious!

The Lovely Candy Company makes an array of Caramel flavors too. Flavors like Sea Salt, Caramel Apple, Original and Chocolate Swirl. They also make other gluten-free candies including Fruit Chews, Fudgee Rolls and also gluten-free (yes… GLUTEN FREE!) Licorice… both black and red!

All of these reasons are why I am so excited to share with two lucky BeFreeForMe a prize pack of two bags (Sea Salt and Caramel Apple) of Lovely Candy Company Caramels. A total of two (yes, 2!) BeFreeForMe.com members will be randomly selected to win. One (1) winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at 11:59 PM EST, and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, October 28 and Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at 11:59PM. SO – make sure you enter two times to win!

How can you win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us which Lovely Candy Company Caramels look the best to you? Is it the Original? Sea Salt? Caramel Apple? Or the Chocolate Swirl?

Good luck, have a lovely, lovely day… and, as always …

Be Free!

P.S. Join me in following Lovely Candy Company on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram!

Want to buy now? Check out these links for Amazon.com:

Gluten-Free Original Caramel

Gluten-Free Red Licorice

Gluten-Free Black Licorice

This Win-It-Wednesday on BeFreeForMe offers up a sweet treat with a punch of flavor… Crystallized Ginger!

One of my all-time favorite go-to’s for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up is crystallized ginger. Ginger is perfect in so many ways – both in taste and function. Ginger has been used for centuries to treat ailments such as nausea, morning sickness and inflammation.

I love that Gourmet on the Go Crystallized Ginger from the Gourmet Nut company is gluten-free, as well as vegan, cholesterol free, fat free, and all natural. Best yet, the ingredient list is simple: just ginger and cane sugar.  It is often called “candied ginger” since it is it is sweet like candy, but has a strong & spicy flavor.

You can eat the Crystallized Ginger right out of the bag, use it in cooking or even drop a few pieces in your tea for aromatic sweetness that can’t be beat.

All of these reasons are why I am so excited to offer up two lucky BeFreeForMe members a bag of Gourmet on the Go Crystallized Ginger.

A total of two (yes, 2!) BeFreeForMe.com members will be randomly selected to win a bag of Gourmet on the Go Crystallized Ginger. One (1) winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 11:59 PM EST, and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, October 14 and Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 11:59PM. SO – make sure you enter two times to win!

How can you win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us how you would enjoy Gourmet on the Go Crystalized Ginger… is it right out of the bag as a snack, in cooking, or maybe my favorite in a cup of hot tea?

Good luck, keep being sweet, yet always strong… and, as always …

Be Free!

P.S. Join me in following Gourmet Nut on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram!

Do you remember eating Cracker Jack’s as a kid? The sweet popped corn jumbled with the salty peanuts… and who could forget the prize nestled at the bottom of the box? Cracker Jacks were one of my all-time favorite snacks as a kid.

That is why I was so excited to find Popsalot Popcorn snacks! I like to nickname Popsalot “Cracker Jacks for Big Kids.

The concept of Popsalot is a lot like Cracker Jacks… the sweet glazed popcorn co-mingled with savory nuts. But the difference is in the “big-kid” flavors and tastes of Pop A Lot. Some of the flavors include: Southern Surprise: Air-popped popcorn and slow-roasted pecans nestled in pecan infused caramel; Honolulu Aloha: Air-popped popcorn and slow-roasted macadamia nuts nestled in macadamia infused caramel; or the Brazilian Samba: whole roasted cashews and air-popped popcorn folded in cashew-infused clandestine caramel.

The intricate flavor combos and blends of Popsalot will have you hooked at the first bite, PLUS all of the Popsalot varieties are certified gluten-free… which  beats any prize at a bottom of box!

On my last shopping excursion I picked up extra bags of my beloved Popsalot for this WIN-It-Wednesday prize on BeFreeForMe.com!

A total of two (yes, 2!) BeFreeForMe.com members will be randomly selected to win a TWO bags of Popsalot Gourmet Snacks. One (1) winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at 11:59 PM EST, and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, September 30 and Tuesday, October 6, 2015 at 11:59PM. SO – make sure you enter two times to win!

How can you win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us what Popsalot Gourmet Popcorn looks the best to you (my favorite? The Southern Surprise… I love the pecans and caramel!) Good luck, look for the prize in everything… and, as always …

Be Free!

P.S. Join me in following Popsalot on Facebook and Twitter!

If you ever thought about canning, but thought it was too hard or complicated you need to hear about the Home Canning Discovery Kit from Jarden Home Brands, the makers of Ball Canning Jars.

Once a couple of years ago, I tried canning. But it was difficult to know where to start, what recipes to try and how to navigate the jars full of veggies and fruits in and out of the boiling water without burning myself, breaking the jars or making a mess.

That is why I am so excited that Jarden Home Brands sent to me their new Home Canning Discovery Kit along with a cookbook packed with tons of fabulous canning recipes (Caribbean Peach Chutney, Zesty Zucchini Relish or Sweet Apple Cider Butter anyone?) .

The folks over at Jarden Home Brands are the experts when it comes to canning and preserving. I love the way they make things so simple and basic. There’s no getting overwhelmed! The have a super website that has everything you need to know about canning fruits and veggies. The website goes over it all…  from getting started with canning, recipes, figuring out how much pectin (a naturally occurring carb found in fruits and veggies that aids in the gelling of your jellies and jams) you’ll need, and more.

The Home Canning Discovery Kit includes three (3) jars for fresh preserving with the lids and bands, a Beginners Guide Book to Canning and Recipe Booklet and the super-duper patent pending canning rack with lifter. The kit makes canning super easy and effortless.

I LOVE the canning rack and lifter. It makes lifting the cans in and out of the boiling water stress-free. Plus, it is small enough to store compactly and neatly… so there is no cumbersome contraption that I have to find cabinet space for. (And if you’re like me… my cabinet space is precious space!)

This past weekend I had an overflow of cucumbers in my garden, so I dug out my family’s super easy Classical Pickle Recipe and made several jars of Dill Pickles (for the recipe, photos and how-to’s make sure to check out my blog post!) This recipe is a great recipe for beginner canners, since it is simple to prep and assemble.

And… lucky for us… Jarden Home Brands is sponsoring this Win-It-Wednesday on BeFreeForMe.com!

A total of two (yes, 2!) BeFreeForMe.com members will be randomly selected to win The Home Canning Discovery Kit packed with three canning jars, recipes and how-to’s, along with the nifty Canning Rack with lifter, that I love so much! One (1) winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 11:59 PM EST, and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, September 16 and Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at 11:59PM. SO – make sure you enter two times to win!

How can you win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us what you would like to try to can (is it pickles, salsa, relish, jam or jelly?) or what canning recipe on the Jarden Home’s FreshPreserving.com website looks the best to you (Maybe it’s the Apple Jam, Antipasto Relish or Bread & Butter Pickles?)

Good luck, Remember if you think you Can, you CAN! And, as always …

Be Free!

Finding a good gluten-free cookie can be tough. And finding a good gluten-free cookie beyond the “basic” varieties of the traditional chocolate chip and oatmeal, and the like, can be even tougher.

That is why I was so very excited to find Glutenetto Artisanal Italian Cookies. Reminiscent of the traditional Italian cookies that my great-grandmother, Nonna, used to make, these cookies and I were in love at first bite.

These cookies are made by a company named Cookies con Amore. The company was started by two childhood friends that lived in Italy and moved to the states. The love of the cookies their grandmother’s baked led them to the world of entrepreneurship, and eventually starting Cookie con Amore, in California in 2005. The company has grown to more than 20 employees, but all orders are still baked with love and in small batches at the company’s 8,000 square foot bakery in Vista, California.  Their philosophy is, “… great Italian cookies are a result of fresh, quality ingredients, a commitment and passion for excellence, love, and a desire to create a memorable taste experience that will leave you wanting more.”

The gluten-free Italian cookie varieties that Cookie Con Amore make are:  Ameretti, Bisconttini, Cuccidati Fig Cookies, Assorted Linzers and my favorite, the Wedding Cookie. All the gluten-free cookies are Certified Gluten-Free.

I love that Glutenetto Wedding Cookies are perfectly traditional.

These melt in your mouth cookies are made by using fresh ground pecans rather than almonds in the shortbread. Add to that a bit of lemon zest and sprinkle them with confectioners’ sugar – and you have a delicious gluten-free cookie, that makes you want more and more. I buy them all the time… and bought two extra boxes for the two lucky winner’s of this Win-It-Wednesday on BeFreeForMe.com.

A total of two (yes, 2!) BeFreeForMe.com members will be randomly selected to win a 6-ounce box of Glutenetto Artisanal Italian Wedding Cookies. One (1) winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at 11:59 PM EST, and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, September 2 and Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at 11:59PM. SO – make sure you enter two times to win!

How can you win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us what Glutenetto Artisanal Italian Cookie variety looks the best to you.  Good luck, enjoy cookies everyday… and, as always …

Be Free!

P.S. Join me in following Cookie Con Amore on Facebook and Twitter!

This week’s Win-It-Wednesday on BeFreeForme.com is super, super sweet!

Every once in a while I like a little sweetness in my life. One of my favorite types of candy is caramels, but unfortunately many, many brands contain gluten.

That’s why I was so over-the-top excited when I found these little squares of sweetness… Figueroa Brother’s Coconut Caramel Squares.

Packaged in a one-pound bag, these gluten-free caramel squares contain a flavor burst of sweet caramel and creamy coconut milk. The flavor combo is out of this world. It kind of reminds me of an old time favorite, Goetze’s Bulls Eye Caramels, those swirled caramel candies, which I haven’t been able to enjoy since being gluten-free, since they are packed with gluten.

A total of two (yes, 2!) BeFreeForMe.com members will be randomly selected to win a 1-pound bag of Figueroa Brothers Coconut Square Caramels. One (1) winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at 11:59 PM EST, and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, August 19 and Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 11:59PM. SO – make sure you enter two times to win!

How can you win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us something sweet in your life  (Me? My two dogs… Sadie (Boxer) & Bruschi (Puggle). Good luck, keep things sweet… and, as always …

Be Free!

I’ve been a fan of Seapoint Farms Dry Roasted Edamame for a long time. These dry roasted Edamame are a crunchy, tasty and healthy way to add more protein in your diet… all while enjoying a perfect snack.

I’ve tried all three of the varieties, including the Lightly Salted, which are great as a snack or a salad topper; the Goji Blend, dry roasted edamame mixed with Goji berries; and my new favorite, Wasabi, which adds a nice spiciness and kick to snacking.

I love that these all-natural dry roasted edamame contain simple all natural-ingredients. The Spicy Wasabi variety only has three ingredients – soybeans, sea salt and wasabi powder. So there’s no hidden ingredients – only all-natural goodness.

And not only are they packed with protein, they also contain all 8 essential amino acids and add no cholesterol or trans-fats to your diet. Plus all of the Seapoint Farms dry roasted and frozen products are gluten-free.

These super snacks are also versatile, since they make a great addition atop your salad or added to your favorite homemade trail mix. Make sure to check out all the recipe ideas on the Seapoint Farms website.

I was so excited to find my new favorite snack, the Spicy Wasabi Dry Roasted Edamame, in my local store so I picked-up an extra two boxes to feature on this week’s Win-It-Wednesday giveaway!

A total of two (yes, 2!) BeFreeForMe.com members will be randomly selected to win a 100 Calorie Snack package box of the Wasabi Seapoint Farms Dry Roasted Edamame. One (1) winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, August 4 2015 at 11:59 PM EST, and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, August 5 and Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at 11:59PM. SO – make sure you enter two times to win!

How can you win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us your favorite healthy snack-on-the-run. Good luck, keep snacking healthy… and, as always …

Be Free!

P.S. Want to buy Seapoint Farm Dry Roasted Edamame? Check out this link on Amazon.com