Be Free For Me Blog

One morning last week a college student that works with me came to work with a tall glass full of an icy, frothy baby-blue drink. It looked delicious. Between sips he explained that this “drink” was his breakfast and he had, literally, whipped it up that morning. Packed with fresh blueberries, coconut water, chia seeds and pineapple, the drink, he explained,was not only gluten-free, but full of nutrients, and was a refreshing & convenient breakfast on the run. Intrigued, I set out to find out more information about “juicing” – the practice of extracting juice from fruits and vegetables.

My search to discover  juicing basics, the do’s & don’ts, and fantastic recipes lead me to the new cookbook, “Juice: Recipes for Juicing, Cleansing & Living Well” by Carly de Castro, Hedi Gores and Hayden Slater – the three founders of Pressed Juicery – one of America’s most successful emerging juice companies with nearly 20 locations throughout California (they also offer nationwide shipping.)

Along with all the juicing how-to’s and recipes, this book made me realize the health benefits of fresh juice is astonishing and an important part of a fit & healthy lifestyle. Fresh juice is a great energy booster, replenishes nutrients in your body and is great for youthful and glowing skin.

I was also shocked at how easy juicing can be… and fun too! Following & making the recipes are quick and easy. In no-time you’ll be whipping up your very own breakfast, snacks, smoothies and more. Two of my favorite recipes are the Coconut Mint Chip Smoothie (this tastes just like Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream) and the sweet Pineapple, Beet, Pear, Ginger blended juice.

I also love the chapter on Elizers and Flavored Waters (you must try the Infused Blackberry Sage Water – YUM!). To make things simple I use my water pitcher infuser (I LOVE THIS! And they are only $19.90 on Amazon.com) and PRESTO I am drinking my daily allowance of water with no problem at all! (Or check out the singe serve infusion water bottles!)

All of these healthy and delicious reasons are why I am so excited that “Juice: Recipes for Juicing, Cleansing & Living Well” Cook Book is the prize sponsor of this Win-It-Wednesday on BeFreeForme.com

The prize (drumroll, please!) is a copy of this phenomenal cookbook on Juicing! One (1) winners will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at 11:59 PM EST, and one more winners will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, August 6 and Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at 11:59 PM. SO – make sure you’re a BeFreeForMe member and enter to win two times!

How can you win?
Easy?

Reply to this blog and let us know one way you stay healthy and well. Me? Trying to get my daily walk in first thing in the morning… when my day is not yet hectic and excuses don’t exist!

Good luck, remember to eat (or juice!) your fruits and veggies… and as always,
Be Free!

P.S. Want to buy the cookbook today? Check out this link on Amazon.com!

When you want a salt and satisfying snack that is only 100 calories reach for a bag of Snyder’s of Hanover Gluten Free 100 Calorie Pack Pretzel Sticks.

These gluten-free pretzel sticks are perfect for lunchtime, a mid-day snack or for dipping into hummus or your other favorite dips. I love that Snyder’s of Hanover has a “snack size” bag of pretzels. They are great for when you’re on the go, or those times when you need some “portion-control”  (let’s face it… these pretzels are so good, it is easy to eat way to many!)

Snyder’s of Hanover Gluten-Free Pretzels are also low-fat, dairy-free, casein-free and egg-free. They are also Certified Gluten-Free.

All of these wonderful snacking reasons are why Snyder’s of Hanover Gluten Free Pretzels are this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com.  Congratulations!

Want to buy Snyder’s of Hanover Gluten Free 100 Calorie Pack Pretzels? Check out this link on Amazon.com!

It’s summertime, and it seems that every day I have at least one salad as a main course meal. But sometimes vegetables tossed with ho-hum dressing  is just so boring. That’s why I was so excited and couldn’t wait to try the Terrapin Ridge Farms gluten-free salad dressings & marinades (with awesome flavors!) that I found in my local grocery store today.

The flavors of Terrapin Ridge Dressings are pure joy: Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette; Cilantro Lime Ranch Dressing; Creamy Italian White Balsamic Vinaigrette; Sweet Red Onion White Balsamic Dressing; Tangerine & Soy Gourmet Salad Dressing; and my favorite,  Toasted Sesame & Ginger Vinaigrette.

The dressings I listed are all gluten-free, and many are vegan, fat free and sweetened with agave. They are also perfect for marinades, dips and pasta salad mix-ins. I love that the ingredients are all items you can pronounce and these dressings do not contain any corn syrup. For all of these healthy and flavorful reasons this week’s Friday favorite is awarded to Terrapin Ridge Farms! Congratulations!

It’s summertime and the living is easy! And thanks to Bakery on Main summertime is also an easy time to find snacks that are also gluten-free, dairy-free, casein-free and yummy!

All summer long Bakery On Main is celebrating Gluten Free in the Summer Sun!   Celebrating Bakery On Main style means that you may see the Bakery On Main Street Teams handing out gluten-free granola samples at a park, beach or even local farmers markets. It’s all about enjoying, sunshine and sharing their products and recipes… all summer long! Check out where the Bakery On Main team is headed here.

And even if Bakery On Main doesn’t come to your neighborhood, you can still join in on the fun and share your adventures of hiking, camping, road trips, making family memories, or anything that makes your summer fun, while enjoying Bakery On Main products. All you have to do is snap a photo while enjoying Bakery on Main’s gluten-free granola or bars, and share it with Bakery On Main on Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #gfsummerfun or by tagging Bakery on Main in your post.

Bakery on Main is also the sponsor of BeFreeForMe’s Win-It-Wednesday on BeFreeForMe.com where four (yes, 4!) winners can snag a prize pack of two (2) bags of granola (you get to pick the flavor!) plus some SuRpRiSe samples!

Two winners will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at 11:59 PM EST, and two more winners will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, July 23 and Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at 11:59 PM. SO – make sure you’re a BeFreeForMe member and enter to win two times!

How can you win?
Easy?

Reply to this blog and let us know how you have fun in the summer, PLUS the variety of granola that you would like if you are a winner. Me? Heading to the beaches of Maine or Cape Cod is summertime fun for me… And my favorite Bakery on Main Granola variety is Rainforest Banana Nut. (Note: you can check out all of the yummy granola varieties on the Bakery On Main website).

Good luck, remember to have fun, fun, fun in the summertime … and as always,
Be Free!

Yes! Yes! YES!!!  KIND Bars has two new flavors to expand their Nuts & Spices line… Plus, three new varieties to their Healthy Grains Clusters line!

If you’re in love with KIND Nut & Spice bars because they have the most awesome flavor combinations ever, contain premium all-natural ingredients that you actually pronounce, or have 5 grams of sugar (or less!), you now have yet another reason to crave for and rave about – two delicious new flavors.

The two new flavors KIND has created for their Nuts & Spices line are (drum-roll, please!) Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond and Caramel Almond & Sea Salt.

Joining the first four varieties of the Nuts & Spice lines (includes Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt, Madagascar Vanilla Almond, Dark Chocolate Cinnamon Pecan, and Cashew Ginger & Spice) these two newcomers will have all of us sweet, savory, nut loving, and even you coffee-crazies begging for more.  The Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond bar is made with dark roasted coffee and whole almonds. It is then blended with honey, before being drizzled with dark chocolate. The Caramel Almond & Sea Salt is touched with sea salt and drizzled caramel over almonds, which creates a sweet and savory bar that leaves you begging for more.

More exciting news from KIND is the new addition to their Healthy Grain Clusters line. Three new varieties have been added to this line of gluten-free granola. The new flavors are: Fruit & Nut Clusters; Raspberry Clusters with Chia Seeds; and, my favorite, Banana Nut Clusters.

All of the varieties of Healthy Grain Clusters are made with a unique blend of 5 super gluten-free grains including gluten free oats, millet, quinoa, amaranth, and buckwheat. Packed with whole grains, essential nutrients and minerals, KIND clusters can be enjoyed snack time, breakfast time, or anytime. I love that the Banana Nut Clusters and the Raspberry Clusters with Chia Seeds are also low in fat and sugar… and taste delicious.

All these wonderful, healthy and tasty reasons are why I am so thrilled that KIND Snacks is this week’s Win-It-Wednesday sponsor on BeFreeForMe.com.

A total of two(2) BeFreeForMe members will be selected to win a prize pack of KIND Snacks loaded with 5 bars of each (!) of the new Nuts & Spices Bars (Caramel Almond & Sea Salt AND Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond) and 2 bags EACH of the three new Cluster flavors (Banana Nut Clusters, Fruit & Nut Clusters, and Raspberry Clusters with Chia Seeds).

One winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at 11:59 PM EST, and one more winners will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, July 9 and Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at 11:59 PM. SO – make sure you’re a BeFreeForMe member and enter to win two times!

How can you win?
Easy?

Reply to this blog and let us know which new KIND Nut & Spices Bar OR Clusters variety sounds the best to you. And if you want…. let us know something kind that someone has shared / done for you lately. (Me? My sister brought me a huge bouquet of peonies from her garden… just because!)

Good luck, remember to be KIND … and as always,
Be Free!