Be Free For Me Blog

If you’re a lover of the half popped kernels of popcorn at the bottom of a bucket of popcorn, fret no more – you can now enjoy these little curious and crunchy nuggets of joy… handfuls at a time.

HalfPops are fun little crunchy popcorn snacks that are full of flavor. Being the traditional gal that I am I love the  Butter and Pure Ocean Sea Salt flavor, but the cheesy-ness in me loves the Aged White Cheddar variety too.

HalfPops are also gluten-free, nut-free, and contain no corn syrup, Trans fat, artificial flavors, hydrogenated oils or preservatives. So they are good for you and full of fiber, as well.

All of these curiously & crunchy reasons are why this week’s Friday Favorite is awarded to HalfPops! Congratulations!

Everywhere I look restaurants are featuring items made with powerhouse vegetables such as kale, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and arugula. And with good reason.

These vegetables, called brassicas, also include broccoli, mustard greens, cabbage, collard greens, radish, Bok choy and many others. They are  packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals, so it is no wonder that folks everywhere are enjoying them in salads, side dishes, starters and smoothies.

I personally love many brassicas. Some of my favorites include arugula, Brussels sprouts and broccoli. But lately I have been using the same ho-hum method of preparation which usually consists of boringly steaming, boiling or broiling.

That is why I was so thrilled to receive a copy of Laura B. Russell’s new cookbook, “Brassicas: Cooking the World’s Healthiest Vegetables”. (Laura is one of my favorite cookbook authors who also has published another one of my all-time favorite go-to cookbooks,  “The Gluten-Free Asian Kitchen: Recipes for Noodles, Dumplings, Sauces, and More” ).

The Brassicas cookbook is cleverly arranged by devoting a single vegetable or class of brassica – such as leafy greens, Asian brassicas (like bok choy or napa cabbage) or root brassicas (radish, turnip, rutabaga) to each chapter. Laura then touches upon key information on preparation and nutrition of each vegetable followed with tantalizing recipes (80 total) and beautiful photographs for many of the dishes. All the recipes are either gluten free or easily adapted to be gluten-free (ie substitute a gluten-free pizza crust, or gluten-free soy sauce, etc.)

Some of the single vegetables that take center stage and have a whole chapter all to themselves thankfully include some of my favorites … and the recipes are to die for.  I now have a whole new reason to love and rekindle my stand-by recipe repertoire with the addition of the gems in this cookbook. My classic favorites like broccoli, cauliflower, kale and Brussels sprouts will never, ever become boring again. Thank you, Laura!

Some of my favorite recipes include Charred Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta and Fig Glaze; Roasted Radish Salad with Blue Cheese; Romanesco Summer Salad and Mizuna Salad with Cumin-Roasted Cauliflower.

All these healthy and tasty reasons are why I am so happy that Laura B. Russell has offered her new cookbook “Brassica: Cooking the World’s Healthiest Vegetables” as the prizes for this Win-It-Wednesday on BeFreeForMe.com.

A total of two BeFreeForMe members will be selected to win a copy of “Brassica: Cooking the World’s Healthiest Vegetables” Cookbook. One (1) winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 11:59 PM EST, and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, April 30 and Tuesday, May 6, 2012 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 your favorite brassica vegetable is! (Is it broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, bok choy, kale, arugula, radish, turnip, wasabi, collard greens, mustard greens, broccoli rabe, cress, Chinese broccoli, or another???)

Good luck, remember to eat your (brassicas!) vegetables… and as always,

Be Free!

Order your copy of “Brassicas: Cooking the World’s Healthiest Vegetables” on Amazon.com and take advantage of FREE Shipping on orders over $35.

I know that many of you have allergies to color dyes that are included in foods that we eat. Yellow #6, Blue #1, Green #3… And even for those that don’t have an allergic reaction to these dyes, who wants them anyway?

The synthetic ingredients in these food dyes has become a major concern when it comes to health issues.

If you’re looking for a good old fashioned cookie you have to check out Pamela’s Product’s Figgies and Jammies.

Fashioned after the old standby cookie – the Fig Newton – this gluten-free version will knock your socks off. But with one difference… this cookie is far, far better. I love that the “cookie” portion of the Figgies & Jammies is soft, chewy and sweet. One bite and you’ll know what I am talking about!

I also am loving the size of this cookie. An extra-large version of a traditional fig cookie, you’ll need only one to satisfy that sweet tooth.

Figgies & Jammies (I just love the name… so cute!) come in four flavors: The traditional Mission Fig, Blueberry & Fig, Strawberry & Fig, and my favorite, Raspberry & Fig.

Super-sized cookie goodness, which brings you back to days long ago, are the reasons why this week’s Friday Favorite is awarded to Pamela’s Figgies & Jammies. Congratulations!

YES…. Spring is finally here in New England and Easter is just around the corner, so now is the time to start thinking about CANDY! Easter is one of the times  that I allow myself to make up basketfuls of treats, and even sneak a few for myself.

But those of us that are gluten free, as well as dairy free, need to watch what candy we eat.

Why?

So many types of candy contain gluten – including most types of caramels. And many of those caramels not only include gluten, but tons of other “junk” like corn syrup, additives and preservatives too.

So if you’re looking for a gluten-free and dairy-free caramel that tastes delicious, check out, Cocomels, a “melt-in-your-mouth-you-can’t have-just-one” caramel that I recently discovered at a trade show.

Cocomels are made by JJ’s Sweets, a Boulder, Colorado based company that is dedicated to new ideas in the world of treats.  They create their coconut milk caramels using sustainable practices and artisan quality ingredients. Cocomels are batch-cooked in copper kettles with dairy-free ingredients to create delicious, smooth and creamy caramels, which are also vegan, non-GMO and USDA certified organic. How good can you get?!

I love the smooth, creamy coconut milk that makes Cocomels like no other caramel. And take your pick, because they come in four flavors: The traditional Original; my favorite, the Sea Salt; the coffee-lovers dream come true, Java: and also the aromatic Vanilla.

After one bite you can see that inspiration, creativity and love go into each blissfully delicious treat!

All of these melt-in-your-mouth reasons are why I am so excited that Cocomels is sponsoring this Win-It-Wednesday on BeFreeForMe.com!

Four (Yes…4!) lucky winners will each win a prize pack containing a 3.75 ounce boxes of the Sea Salt Caramels and a 3.75 ounce boxes of the Vanilla Caramels.

Two (2) winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at 11:59 PM EST, and two (2) more winner will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, April 16 and Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 11:59PM EST. SO – make sure you enter to win two times!

How can you win?
Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us how you know springtime is here. (Me? The street sweepers come out to get ready for the Boston Marathon runners! The first sure sign around Boston!)

Good luck, always keep a spring in your step, a sweetness in your soul … and as always,

Be Free!

Want to hear more about Cocomels contest, coupons, giveaways and more? Follow them on Facebook and Twitter!

Want to try a new spin on chips? Try Eatrageous baked chip! This all-natural, extra crunchy gluten-free snack is like no other.

How do I love these chips? Let me count the ways.

I love the shape of Eatrageous chips… which is a penne pasta like shape. It’s tube shaped, fun, quirky and packed with a big crunch which is perfect for snacking and dipping.

I also love that that these chips are baked, all-natural, non-GMO, vegan, and of course, gluten-free.

And the flavors! I really do have a hard time choosing my favorite since they are all so original and full of flavor: Wasabi Ranch, Crunchy Mac & Cheese, Sweet & Smokey BBQ , and the all-time favorite Original Sea Salt.

And the best part? These chips are only 100 CALORIES PER SERVING!

All these reasons are why I am so thrilled that this week’s Friday Favorite is awarded to Eatrageous chips. Crunch away…. And Congratulations!