Be Free For Me Blog

Cheese, Cheese, I love Cheese!

Cheese is such an awesome go-to snack. Full of protein, healthy and satisfying, it seems that I am always reaching for a piece of cheese when I get hungry and need a bit of protein to hold me over until my next meal.

But what is a girl like me who is always on the run to do? Just The Cheese Crunchy Baked Natural Cheese Snacks to the rescue!

These crispy little snacks are almost too cheesy to be true! Made of 100% real Wisconsin Cheese with a sprinkle of seasonings, these gluten-free, and MSG free snacks are just what a cheese-loving gluten free gal like me loves.

At only 75 calories per pack, with 1 gram of carbs (ideal for those on a low-carb diet) these are snacks that I can feel good about crunching on.

Good taste, good for you and tons of cheesiness are all of the reasons that Just the Cheese Crunchy Baked Cheese Snacks are being recognized as this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com.

It’s no trick… Glutino Chocolate Covered Wafer Cookies are a fantastic replacement for all of us Twix candy bar lovers that are now on a gluten free diet!

I have a couple of favorite candy bars and Twix is one of them. But they are loaded with gluten. That’s why I was so excited to have found these gluten-free cookies (aka: Twix substitute) from Glutino.

They come in two varieties: Milk Chocolate covered chocolate or vanilla wafers. I personally like the vanilla covered wafers the best, but for all the chocolate lovers out there, you may want to reach for the double chocolate variety.

And these cookies are also great in recipes. Looking for a chocolate pie crust? Then check out this recipe made with the Chocolate Wafer cookies. 

Because they are fantastic replacement for one of my favorite candy bars; taste so good that non-gluten-free folks love’em too, and because they make the best Chocolate Crumb Crust, are the reasons why Glutino Chocolate Covered Wafer Cookies receive the honors of this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe!

No Twix! Just Treats!

Eating gluten & allergen free can sometimes make lunchtime at home ho-hum. That’s why I turn to condiments to help make my sandwiches as good as any sub shop!

Kraft Sandwich Shop Reduced-Fat Chipotle Mayonnaise is one of my new must-haves, and this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com. What’s my favorite way to enjoy this new gluten-free find? I love to spread this on my brown rice wraps and then pile on the roast beef, and low-fat Cabot Creamery cheddar.

Watch out Subway!

And with only half the fat and calories of regular mayonnaise I can spread the chipotle-love every day of the week.

It adds a kick that I love and a taste that reminds me of a typical sub shop sandwich spread, like the Chipotle Southwest topping at Subway, but with far less fat & calories. Plus making lunch at home saves tons of money!

I wonder if Jared has tried it yet?!

Note: This item is so new it’s not even listed on the Kraft website. However, if you want to find out more information about the Kraft Sandwich Shop Mayo Reduced-Fat Chipotle Mayonnaise, call Kraft at: 1-800-323-0768 to find out where to buy or to answer any other questions about the product.

Note: To see the gluten-free labeling statement from Kraft Foods, click here.

This week’s Friday Favorite goes to an item that can be eaten at breakfast, or as a quick and easy snack. It is also an item that can be found in any supermarket – Yoplait Light Thick & Creamy yogurt.

At only 100 calories, this super-rich and super-creamy yogurt must be tried. Plus it is fat free, packed with Vitamin D … and marked right on the label as gluten-free too.

My favorite flavor is Cinnamon Bun. O-kay, o-kay… I know that the name is what first drew me in, but after one taste I was in love. The flavor is spicy, and sweet, and this yogurt is just delicious when mixed in gluten-free granola.

Convenience, taste and only 100 calories give Yoplait Light Thick & Creamy yogurt a thumbs up and recognition of this week’s BeFreeForMe’s Friday Favorite.

P.S. Check out the Yoplait website for coupons too!

This week’s Friday Favorite goes to Gillian’s Foods – the makers of some mighty fine bread crumbs!

Quick, easy and convenient these breadcrumbs are a “go-to” on those days that I just don’t have the time (or enough gluten-free bread heels!) to make my own.

I use Gillian’s Plain Bread Crumbs on chicken and baked fish. I also use these crumbs in my meatloaf, and as a crispy topping on baked macaroni and cheese. The plain bread crumbs are great because you can spice them up any which way you fancy (sage and thyme enhance the crumbs for my chicken, when dill and a touch of parsley work wonders on my baked haddock). There are also some great recipes on the Gillian’s website too.

Gillian Foods also has some other fabulous items, including brownies (these are deliciously dangerous!), pasta, garlic bread and hamburger rolls that taste like the real deal. Plus, all of Gillian’s Foods are gluten AND dairy free.

Making my dinner time prep speedy and easy is why this week’s Friday Favorite is awarded to Gillian’s Foods!

When I’m “good” and have a tossed salad for lunch, I sometimes need a little extra “something” on the side.

And I found a new product that fits the bill perfectly… Garden Lites Frozen Souffles. Gluten, lactose and nut free these soufflés are  pockets of scrumptious veggies puffed to perfection.

Packed with tons of vegetables, egg whites and just the right amount of spices, these soufflés have only all natural ingredients and microwave in just minutes. They come in 6 flavors (Broccoli, Roasted Vegetable, Zucchini, Spinach, Cauliflower and Butternut Squash).

Best yet… most of the Garden Lites soufflés are only 140 calories and 15 grams of fat (the Butternut Squash soufflé is the only one that has 180 calories and 0 grams of fat).

My favorite is the gluten-free Roasted Vegetable Souffle; and complemented with a tossed salad the combo is like a garden party right on my lunch table.

And with only 2 Weight Watchers point per serving, my new motto is “A soufflé a day, and the weight won’t stay”!

All these healthy, delicious, low-calorie and low-fat reasons are why this week’s Friday Favorite goes to Garden Lites Souffles. Enjoy!

Easter time is candy time… and thankfully two all-time favorite Easter candies are also gluten free (as well as free of other allergens too).

Peeps, the best selling non-chocolate Easter candy for the last decade; and Jelly Bellies, the jelly bean with intense and authentic flavors made for the sophisticated palate, share the honor of this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com.

Peeps, which come in 6 fun colors, are gluten-free. They also clearly mark on their labels any of the eight major allergens that may be in the candy (read more here). The peep website is fun and interactive. It has a page of fun peep facts, and more… it is a great website for the kids.

Missing Strawberry Cheesecake, Pina Coladas or Caramel Corn? Or just want a small taste of something sweet without breaking you diet? Than give Jelly Bellies a try! These gluten, peanut and dairy free jelly beans come in over 50 flavors. But beware they are additive!

Enjoy and have a sweet Easter!

Good Gravy!

I couldn’t believe it when I was told by the Customer Service Rep at Butterball that the gravy packet included in my Boneless Breast of Turkey Roast was gluten free! What a treat for me! (I called Butterball at 1-800-BUTTERBALL or 800-288-8372).

Besides the bonus gluten-free gravy pack (which is included in a separate pouch) the boneless turkey breast is also delicious…. Moist, flavorful and juicy…. without the hassle of preparing, prepping and cooking a whole turkey.

In fact, the Butterball Boneless Turkey Breast was a snap to prepare. Just pop it in the oven and it is done. No mess. No fuss.

This turkey breast is a welcoming change to weeknight dinners, and will make a fantastic addition to my Easter buffet.

The convenience, taste, and of course that awesome, out of-this world gluten-free gravy packet makes Butterball’s Boneless Breast of Turkey Roast this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe!

Gobble Gobble!

O Boy! Many newly diagnosed celiacs find themselves craving the “standard” breakfast cereals. That is why Nature’s Path Organic Whole O’s are a must-have for any gluten-free cupboard.

Made by Nature’s Path, the Whole O’s cereal taste just like Cherrios… only they are gluten free and good for you too. Made with organic corn and whole grain rice, Whole O’s are crunchy & delicious.  

This all-time favorite breakfast cereal (or right-out-of-the-box by-the-handful snack) is healthy and gluten-free, which is why Nature’s Path Organic Whole O’s gets this week’s BeFreeForMe Friday Favorite nomination… and a standing O-vation!

Cheers!

This week’s Friday Favorite goes to a super-convenient, healthy and simple snack: Bare Fruit 100% Organic Fruit Snacks.

Bare Fruit snacks are “baked-dried” organic fruits that are so simple, yet so delicious. What I love the most about these snacks is the ingredient list. The only ingredient is the organic fruit itself (and natural organic cinnamon for the Cinnamon Apple Chips) and nothing more.

Full of flavor and fiber, yet no gluten, allergens, fat or preservatives these snacks are the perfect “go-to-snack” for work, traveling, school or after-school activities.

My favorites are the Cinnamon Apple Chips and the Pear Chips. I also like to mix these in with my yogurt, or as a topping on my gluten-free oatmeal.

Bare Fruit Snacks are a snack you can feel good about eating!