Be Free For Me Blog

This weeks WIN-It-Wednesday is Jessica’s Granola, a great tasting gluten-free granola that is made with certified gluten-free oats, other high quality ingredients and lots of passion and love!

I had the chance to meet Jessica at the Gluten Free Culinary Summit that took place in Providence, Rhode Island just over a year ago. Jessica had traveled far from her home state of Michigan to find out more about gluten-free cooking and baking, but she also found many friends there as well. Jessica and I hit it off immediately and since our meeting that September day a year ago, we have been keeping in touch and following each others progress in our business endeavors.

That is why I am thrilled that Jessica, this spirited entrepreneur that manufacturers a phenomenal granola is this week’s sponsor of BeFreeForMe’s WIN-It-Wednesday.

All granolas are made with no trans fat, cholesterol or preservatives. The product is also made in a designated gluten-free area of a facility using dedicated gluten-free equipment. The oven is brand new and has only been used to bake gluten-free products. There are no wheat, barley or rye flours stored on premise.

Jessica’s Granola comes in three varieties: Almond Cherry, for a fruit burst; Vanilla Maple, for a comforting morning lift; and Chocolate Chip for a sweetness that is just as good in the morning as it is for a mid-afternoon snack.

And as a special offer (until 10/31/09) Jessica’s Granola is offering a sample pack which contain three 12-ounce bags – one of each flavor! They also have a $5 flat rate shipping for all orders within the contiguous United States.

Jessica’s Granola is offering TWO (Yes – 2!) LUCKY BeFreeForMe members a chance to win a choice of any two 12-ounce bags of granola (Flavors of the winners choice!).

How can you win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us what starts your day with a bounce in your step & smile on your face (Me? Watching Sadie, my incredibly sweet boxer, do her wiggle dance)! Winners must be BeFreeForMe members and all entries must be received by Sunday, October 11th at 12:00 PM midnight EST.

Happy Mornings, and as always!

Be Free!

At the Natural Product Expo East, that took place in Boston from September 23 – 26th, I discovered many, many new products that the BeFreeForMe member’s just need to hear about!

I was pleasantly surprised at how many “fun” gluten and allergen-free products I found at the show that catered to kids. The marketing and the packaging of these products are outstanding, and for the most part, make gluten and allergen-free products for kid’s mainstream. Following are a few of the phenomenal kid’s products I found:

Ian’s Maple Sausage & Egg Waffle Sandwich: (Wheat, Gluten, Milk, Casein & Nut Free): Although this product is made for the kids – it is delicious and substantial enough for a big kid like me! Ian’s, as always, hit yet another homerun with this product. Quick, easy and microwavable – this delicious & nutritious sandwich quickly becomes a “solution” during those hectic mornings! (P.S. Ian’s has some other awesome products coming up in the near future – I will share more once these new products are available). Get Ian’s coupons here.

Revolution Foods Mashups Squeezable Fruit: This 100% organic unsweetened fruit puree is gluten free and has no trans fats or high fructose syrup. Basically this is squeezable, eatable fruit – that is ideal for the lunchbox or on the go snacking. Cool to eat, and good for you too. At 50-60 calories per pouch – these may be the hippest snacks for the Moms too.

Organic B.R.A.T. Tummy-Soother: (Gluten, Lactose, Soy, Corn and Casein free) This product, which was voted the Most Innovative Product at Natural Product Expo East, is designed to naturally promote electrolyte balance to aid in childrens re-hydration. Packed with calcium and vitamins it helps build strength and promote health. The four flavors are all gluten, corn, soy and preservative free. Although the B.R.A.T. (banana, rice, apples, toast) diet has traditionally been used for when people get sick, this product taste so good, and is nutritious enough to be enjoyed on a regular basis. I think this product would be perfect for those kids that are recently diagnosed with celiac, and have a hard time finding foods that make their tummies feel well.

Peas of Mind: (Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Soy free – plus vegan) These baked crispy French fries made from real vegetables are delicious! The baked carrot fries, cauliflower fries, baked apple fries and the baked broccoli fries are a wonderfully sneaky way to get veggies onto your little ones tummies. Containing all organic ingredients,  these fries are packed with vitamins and nutrients – not oil and sodium like regular French fries. Can I super-size that?

Tasty Baby Frozen Organic Foods for Babies & Kids: These gluten free baby foods, and perfect for the gluten-intolerant. Although they are packaged for babies these products also are great for the whole family in smoothies, recipes and snacks.

Breakfast can be tough on a gluten-free diet. We all know that you just can’t reach for the basic breakfast items that everyone else in the world is eating. Sometimes it’s hard just to keep up.

On the days that I make myself a bigger breakfast, I reach for Jones’ Canadian Bacon slices. Whether I am fixing gluten-free pancakes, waffles or eggs, the Canadian Bacon is gluten-free, delicious, and a perfect side.

My favorite breakfast special though is a McGluten-Free Muffin: A toasted Joan’s gluten-free English muffin, a fried egg and Cabot cheese, all topped with a slice of the Jones’ Canadian Bacon.

Now that’s what I call keeping up with the Jones’.