Be Free For Me Blog

Sometimes a little fizziness is just what a girl needs. A little bit of fizz in your drink to add some sparkle to your day.

That is why I fell in love with the newest addition of the Honest Tea family – Honest Fizz… a zero calorie, naturally sweetened soda that has no caffeine and is sweetened with stevia. It’s no wonder it is described as “so-da-licious” on their website!

The flavors are great for adults and kids too: Old-time Root Beer, citrusy Lemon Limey, a cherry Professor Fizz and the classic Orange Pop.

Good taste, no sugar, free of calories & caffeine… and full of sparkle…  are why this week’s Friday Favorite is awarded to Honest Fizz! Congrats on being so dazzling!

This week’s Friday Favorite is a repeat of a past Friday Favorite honoree. Why? Because it is truly one of my all-time favorite products that I really, really can’t live without! My fruit infusion pitcher.

When there is a heat wave and the temperature is pushing the 100 degree mark, there’s nothing like a tall, cold glass of water. But let’s face it… plain water can be just that… plain old boring.

That is why I snagged myself one of these pitchers on Amazon.com that lets you infuse your own real fruit, herbs and veggies – quickly and easily.

The concept is easy & inexpensive. You cut up your own fruit, veggies, herbs… creativeness at its best… and add them to the infuser section in the pitcher. Within a few hours (but it can take up to 24 hours for some fruits/veggies) you have crisp, flavored water that is super yummy, super healthy (since you have control over the ingredients you put in) and super cheap to make!

I can’t say enough about this pitcher and have been dreaming-up different flavor-concoctions since I got it. Some of my favorites so far? Apple & Mint; Basil-Cucumber; Lemon-Ginger; Strawberry-Kiwi; Green Tea & Tangerine; and Honeydew-Mint. In fact, I like so many mixtures I think I might have to get a second pitcher to have two flavors going at the same time!

The fruit/veggies that I add to the infuser lasts for about 1-week, but I find it helpful to add more water to the pitcher every time I pour myself a glass, to keep the water continually infused and nicely flavored.

I just checked and it is now on sale on Amazon.com for $19.99 (Regular price is $25) and qualifies for free Super Saver Shipping.

It’s not too often I rave about something other than food on my Friday Favorite column, but this pitcher is must-have for anyone trying to drink more water! So this week I lift my glass of fruit infused water and congratulate Prodyne Fruit Infusion Pitcher for being this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com!

Want to buy on Amazon.com? Check out this link: Prodyne Fruit Infusion 93-Ounce Natural Fruit Flavor Pitcher

This week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com is awarded to Niagara Natural’s Simply Fruit Real Fruit Bites… the perfect grab-and-go snack that is made from 100% real fruit.

I love that these snacks have no corn syrup or sugars, are non-GMO and contain no artificial colors flavors or preservatives. They also have no trans fat or cholesterol.

These nut-free, gluten-free and vegetarian real fruit snacks are perfect for the beach, camp, or snack times.

Congrats to Niagara Natural’s Simply Fruit for being a guilt-free and tasty snack… and also for being awarded this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com!

Today has been a long day. A crazy, hectic, irrational, nutty, chaotic, wacky day. One of those days that your brain just stops working… but unfortunately your stomach does not.

This is when eating gluten-free can become yet another task that I just don’t want to think about. Don’t get me wrong. I love my food, and I love to cook it. But sometimes I need something quick, easy and fast to eat. You know… no cooking or thinking required.  

That is why I was so thrilled to find Evol Food’s new gluten-free burritos.  Just pop these gluten-free and dairy-free burritos in the microwave for 2 minutes – and they are done. Pair one up with a handful of salad greens topped with chopped olives & salsa, and you have a meal. Just like that.

I’ve been a fan of Evol Food’s entrees (My favorite is the Fire Grilled Steak for a long time (read about that love-story here), and with the addition of the gluten-free burritos, they have created gluten-free goodness again. The gluten-free burritos come in three flavors – Shredded Beef, Chicken, and Chicken & Guacamole. All natural, packed with 10-11 grams of fiber and certified gluten-free – these burritos rock.

Quick, convenient, and tasty… this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com is awarded to Evol Food’s Gluten-Free Burritos. Cheers & congratulations!

This week’s Friday Favorite is awarded to a go-to favorite of mine…. A creamy and tasty Gorgonzola Pear Salad Dressing by Vino de Milo.

Made in small batches this dressing is gluten-free, all natural, and made from local ingredients. It’s a perfect addition to a toss salad, and also a fantastic gluten-free marinade for beef strips and chicken tenders.

I love the creative flavor of this dressing. The gorgonzola and pears mate perfectly with a sweet Riesling wine and tangy stone-ground mustard to create perfection. I also like that the calorie count on this dressing is super, super low… only 30 calories for a 1-ounce serving… not loaded with calories like so many other dressings out there.

As well as gluten-free this dressing is also vegetarian, diabetic-friendly, has no sugars added, is low in carbohydrates, low fat, low sodium, no cholesterol… and 100% natural. What’s not to love?!

Good taste, excellent flavors, low calories, and perfect on a salad or as a marinade are the reasons why this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com is awarded to Vino de Milo Gorgonzola Pear Dressing. Congratulations!

I love to start my day with a hot herbal tea, but often I crave the taste of a good cup of coffee. Now I can have the best of both worlds thanks to this week’s Friday Favorite – Teeccino Dandelion Herbal Coffee Alternative.

This dandelion- based coffee alternative “brings the health benefits of roasted dandelion root including its inulin content, antioxidants, and stimulating effects on liver function to your cup” according to the Teeccino website. The Dandelion Herbal Coffee comes in two flavors: Dandelion Dark Roast and, my favorite, Dandelion Caramel Nut.

The health-benefits of the herbs, combined with the rich coffee flavor make this a perfect coffee alternative to start my day. It is also the only gluten-free, barley-free & caffeine-free certified organic coffee alternative on the market.

All these reasons make Teeccino Dandelion Herbal Coffee Alternative this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com. Congratulations!

Want to buy now? Check out these links on Amazon.com and take advantage of FREE Super-Saver Shipping!

Teeccino Dandelion Caramel Nut

Teeccino Dandelion Dark Roast

If you’re looking for a crunchy snack that is full of fiber, flavor and fun you’re going to love Mary’s Gone Crackers Sticks & Twigs Pretzels.

Made with gluten-free whole grains (whole grain brown rice, quinoa, flax seeds, sesame seeds, amaranth, millet and chia seeds ) these vegan and dairy-free pretzels are proof that those on a gluten-free & dairy-free diet can enjoy a healthy snappy treat that makes snacking fun!

I love the really different flavors of the Sticks and Twigs too: Chipote Tomato; Curry; and Sea Salt. And an  added bonus? These snacks are organic and made with non-GMO products.

Made for those on a gluten-free diet, but loved by all – Mary’s Gone Crackers Sticks ‘n Twigs are this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com. Congratulations!

Want to buy? Check out this link on Amazon.com and get FREE Super Saver Shipping! Mary Gone Cracker’s Sea Salt Sticks ‘n Twigs .

Cookies for a snack. Cookies dipped in tea. Cookies to top off a bagged lunch for a sweet dessert.

Anyway you enjoy them, cookies are a treat that everyone on a gluten-free diet should be able to enjoy… and love.

And if you’re looking for a moist, chewy and delicious gluten-free cookie treat that will knock your socks off you need to check out Nana’s Cookie Bars.

These individually wrapped gluten-free cookie bars come in some great flavors like Berry Vanilla, Chocolate Crunch and my favorite Nana Banana.

These cookie bars are also dairy free, egg free and have no refined sugars. Nana’s Cookie Bars have been a favorite of mine for a long time and I am honored to have them be the recipient of this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com. Congratulations Nana!

Note: Want to buy Nana’s Banana Cookie Bar’s? Check out this link.

A little sprinkle here… a little snacking there. That is how I like to enjoy Eden Food’s Organic Pumpkin Seeds.

Sprinkled on top of my salad at lunch time for an extra crunch, or eaten by the handful as a snck, these pumpkin seeds pack a healthy dose of flavor, protein, and fiber.

I was so happy when I found dry-roasted pumpkin seeds that are gluten-free, since so many dry-roasted products contain wheat. I also like that they are low sodium, and also made with sea salt.

Providing good healthy snacking is the reason why this week’s Friday Favorite is awarded to Eden Foods for their Dry-Roasted Organic Pumpkin Seeds! (Like ‘em hot? Be sure to check out Eden’s Spicy Pumpkin Seeds too!). Congratulations, Eden Foods!

Normally the Friday Favorites on BeFreeForMe.com are awarded to food products… Delicious gluten and/or allergen free must-try’s.

But this week is an exception. Why? Because this week’s Friday Favorite honoree is a product that I am so in love with. It is one of those products that once you have it, you can’t believe you lived without it. It is one of those products that make you say: “Daahhh! Why the heck didn’t I think of inventing that myself?”

And the best part about this product is that you can get it on Amazon.com for only $5.99.

What is this miraculous product? The Pro Beauty Tools Beauty Spatula.

This must-have beauty tool is a mini spatula with a cleverly shaped head that allows you to swipe along the sides, the bottom and under the shoulders of beauty product bottles. Yup… inside all of your pricey gluten-free beauty products… make-up, creams, shampoos, conditioners. The Pro Beauty Tools Beauty Spatula is washable too… so you can use it over and over again.

If you’re like me, I tip all my beauty product bottles upside down after they are “empty”… so I can get out every single last drop. But realistically this doesn’t work. BUT… the Pro Beauty Tools Beauty Spatula does!  All you need to do is swipe the mini-spatula around the hard to reach crevices and spots inside the bottle and voilà… you get up to 25% more product out of each bottle that normally you’d be throwing away.

All of these cost saving & “how did I live without this in the past” reasons are why this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com goes to the Pro Beauty Tools Beauty Spatula!

Want to buy one for yourself? Check out this link on Amazon.com!