Be Free For Me Blog

Last week I attended a Whole Foods Market during a “local night” … a night featuring free samples and information about local food producers.
The event was absolutely amazing!

The premise of the evening is to introduce Whole Food shoppers to local companies. Companies that do business in our communities. Employ our neighbors. And farm our land. Entrepreneurs that live and breathe their businesses… day in and day out.

The event that I attended last week was held at the Hadley, Massachusetts store. The event was organized by Rachel Hackett – the Whole Foods Local Forager. She did an incredible job, and was a gracious and accommodating hostess. Cheers to Rachel for organizing such a fantastic event! The store was packed, and smiles were everywhere. I know that other Whole Foods Markets in the New England area also hold Local Nights, so I am not sure if it is just a (wicked) cool “New England thing” or if other Whole Foods around the country have similar events too. My advice is to ask your local Whole Food market if they have these Local Nights, and if they don’t have them – asks them to organize one!

The night had a “farmers market” type of feel to it, but featured everything from marinades, salad dressings, puddings, wines, cheeses, ice cream, strawberries, and local milk. Almost all of the items featured were gluten-free too, so I had a real field day when it came to the samples.

I also have to mention an unbelievably delicious product I tried at this event: Mom’s Munchies. These bars are to die for (SO good) and are not only gluten-free and dairy free, but vegan, organic and have no refined sugar. I love it when I find a new product that is unbelievably good! A must-have!

Good yummy, local food, smiling faces and fantastic New England hospitality are all the reasons that this week’s Friday Favorite goes to Whole Food’s Markets “Local Night”… Congrats!

P.S. Does your neighborhood Whole Food’s have a Local Night? Please let us know in the comments below!

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)

This week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com goes to a group of sassy sauces that will add a kick to your chicken, meat, veggies, tofu or noodles.

Stonehouse 27 sauces are the gluten-free solution to creating delicious Indian food at home without the effort of making them from scratch.

I love that the Stonehouse 27 sauces are a quick and easy dinner solution with a made-from-scratch taste. These sauces come in a variety of flavors including Tamarind & Garlic, Tomato & Chilies, Dates & Tamarind, Mild Cashews & Cream, Spicy Cashews & Cream, and my favorite – Cilantro & Coconut. Made with healthy and premium ingredients, all the sauces are gluten-free, vegan and less than 25mg of sodium per serving.

Need some recipe ideas for these must-have sauces? Check out the website of Stonehouse 27 and snag yourself some real recipe keepers.

Exotic taste, fantastic flavors and an array of delicious recipe ideas are the reasons why this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com goes to Stonehouse 27 Sauces. Congrats!

Salty & Sweet. My all time favorite taste combo that there is. There’s nothing like the contrast of tasting a sweet smoothness that is awakened by a snappy saltiness.

And The Whole Earth Kettle Corn is the benchmark when it comes to salty & sweet perfection.

The Whole Earth Kettle Corn is made with all natural organic ingredients, has no trans fat or gluten ingredients, is made with non-GMO ingredients, and has 16 grams of whole grain per serving.

So if you’re looking for something a little sweet that is punched-up with some saltiness reach for The Whole Earth Organic Kettle Corn.

Congrats to this sweet and salty little snack for being this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com!

Explaining celiac disease and the gluten-free diet to kids can be tough. After being diagnosed, many favorite foods including macaroni & cheese, pizza, and chicken nuggets are now off-limits, unless prepared gluten-free. Understanding celiac disease is tough enough for adults, never mind for children.

How can you explain eating gluten-free and celiac disease to a child whose whole world is centered around pizza parties at school, a best-friends birthday party, or favorite foods that include chicken nuggets and onion rings? How can a child look at the sunny side of being gluten-free?

Enter the book: “Mommy, What Is Celiac Disease?” by Katie Chalmers.

This is a one-of-a-kind book that is written by a Mom who was diagnosed with celiac disease over three years ago, along with her daughter. Since their diagnosis they have learned to make the best out of living gluten-free and have so graciously shared so much with the rest of the gluten-free community.

If you haven’t checked it out yet make sure that you click-by Katie’s new and updated blog, GFreeKid.com. Her blogs goal is to help gluten-free kids be happy & healthy.  She accomplishes this by sharing her family experiences of living a happy and healthy gluten-free lifestyle. What are some of my favorite sections that must be checked out? First off, and foremost, the resource collection of fun stuff for gluten-free kids – a must see for anyone raising a gluten-free kid. Some other pages to check out include the Recipe section full of kid-friendly dishes; reviews and giveaways… and more.

I am so very excited that “Mommy, What Is Celiac Disease?” by Katie Chalmers is this week’s WIN-It-Wednesday sponsor on BeFreeForMe.com.

A total of four (4) BeFreeForMe members will be selected to win a copy of “Mommy, What is Celiac Disease?” Two winners will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST, and two more winners will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, June 20 and Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 11:59PM. SO – make sure you enter to win two times!

How can you win?
Easy?

Reply to this blog and let us know how you look at the sunny side of being gluten-free. (Me? I find myself eating more fruits and vegetables since my celiac diagnosis which has resulted in me discovering local farmers markets and expanding my own backyard garden).

Good luck, Keep the sunny side up… and as always,

Be Free!

Note: Want to buy a copy of “Mommy, What is Celiac Disease?” then check out this link on Amazon.com: Mommy, What Is Celiac Disease?: A look at the sunny side of being a gluten-free kid

This week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com is awarded to little puffs that offer more that you ever thought they could!

Kay’s Naturals Protein Puffs. Tasty little gluten-free puffs that are full of flavor, high in fiber and protein, gluten-free, low glycemic and super low in calories.

I love that Protein Puffs come in a variety of flavors to satisfy those sweet or savory snacking moods you may be in. The Almond Delight is a sweet snack that I enjoy with my mid-afternoon tea, or even as a breakfast-on-the-go. The Tomato Basil and Veggie Pizza are savvy savory snack (say that three times fast!), while the Mac and Cheese is… well… Mac and Cheese – comfort food at it’s best, but without all the calories and guilt.

One single serve bag of the Protein Puffs delivers a heaping portion… which is awesome. And, best yet,  although the portion size is satisfying, it’s only a measly 110 to 120 calories per bag. (Note: For all of the Weight Watcher point counters…  these snacks are only 2 to 3 points per serving/ bag… Tasty, filling and low points!)

All these wonderful reasons are why Kay’s Naturals Protein Puffs are this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com. These snacks really are all they are puffed up to be!

Congratulations!

Want to buy? Check out this link on Amazon.com:
Kay’s Naturals Protein Puffs 12 – 12 oz bags (34 g) Al