Be Free For Me Blog

It’s awesome when I find healthy snacks that are absolutely, positively, incredibly delicious. But it’s true love when the snacks are also low calorie, full of fruit, and contain all-natural ingredients.

That’s why it was true love when I tried Matt’s Munchies Premium Fruit Snacks.

I’ve tried a lot of fruit snacks, but Matt’s Munchies are different. These snacks are very, very much better in everyway possible. It’s almost like Matt’s Munchies are the Fruit Snack for the discerning adult (but are loved by kids too). These Fruit Snacks are for the folks that demand more from their fruit snacks than the typical corn-syrup ridden fruit pasted on a piece of plastic wrap.

I love the flavors too… they are exotic and tantalizing… Flavors made for adult taste-buds! Mango Acai; Apple Pie; Chili- Chocolate; Apple-Licious; Ginger Spice; Banana; Mango; Raspberry-Delight; Coco Nana; Tangy Apricot; and my favorite, Island Mango – packed with tiny coconut flakes that add a bit of “texture” and an unexpected burst of flavor.

I also like the way these fruit snacks are portioned into bite-sized squares, rather than rolled-out in one big piece; making snacking easy.

And if it couldn’t get any better these fruit snacks are also Certified Gluten-Free, Kosher, USDA Certified Organic (except for the three chocolate flavors), and free of peanuts, soy and preservatives, artificial colorings or flavorings.

These week’s BeFreeForMe Friday Favorite honor is bestowed upon Matt’s Munchies for creating a truly premium fruit snack… and showing us the way fruit snacks should be!  Congratulations!

Want to buy Matt’s Munchies Premium Fruit Snacks? Check them out on Amazon.com and take advantage of the FREE Super-Saver Shipping! Here is the link: Matt’s Munchies Premium Fruit Snacks

I usually eat “my bars”, as I fondly call my #1 go-to food item, as a snack… midway through the day, when I need a little pick-me-up, and when the stomach gets a growlin’.

But I recently found a bar that is perfect for breakfast. Quick, easy and portable. The name? BoBo’s Gluten-Free Oat Bars. They are filling, satisfying, tasty and absolutely perfect for that breakfast on the run.

BoBo’s Oat Bars is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado and founded by a gal named Beryl Stafford. She started the company due to her love for nutrition, wellness and life. What originally started out as super-tasty creation for her oldest daughter, whom she affectionately called “BoBo,” the BoBo products are now available nationwide and still are handmade with the same love and attention to quality that this Mom originally created for her daughter.

The gluten-free BoBo Bars come in some great flavors too: Chocolate Almond, Lemon Poppyseed, Peach and, my favorite, Maple Pecan. All these flavors are great any time of day… morning, mid-day and evening.

BoBo Bars can be found at retailers across the country, and also on Amazon.com.

Congratulations to BoBo Bars for being awarded this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com … we love the way you are amazing people making some amazing products!

Buy BoBo Glute-Free Oat Bars on Amazon.com. Check out these links:
BoBo Gluten-Free Maple Pecan Bars

BoBo Gluten-Free Lemon Poppyseed Bars

BoBo Gluten-Free Chocolate Almond Bars

BoBo Gluten-Free Peach Bars

Bakery on Main’s newest addition to their gluten-free line-up is a product I truly love. The True Bar.

And loving these bars so much has prompted me to add my own thoughts onto the phrase “Nothing to hide” True Bar’s  tagline .

My addition: “Nothing to hide… but SO much to seek.”

These gluten-free bars are made with natural ingredients and are a perfect choice for those seeking out a quick on-the-go snack. True Bars are also also a good source of fiber and Omega 3, made with many low-GI ingredients, non- GMO, dairy and casein free. Low in sodium and with no transfat or cholesterol, these bars are also certified gluten free and Kosher Parve.

Chew, yet crunchy, True Bars come in six fun, interesting and tantalizing flavors: Apricot Almond Chai, Walnut Cappuccino, Fruit & Nut, Hazelnut Chocolate Cherry, Raspberry Chocolate Almond and my personal favorite, Coconut Cashew. Nothing boring about these bars!

So seek them out for yourselves and see why this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe goes to Bakery on Main’s new Truebars!

Note: Enjoy FREE shipping on the Truebar’s for a limited time. Individual bars or by the sleeve of twelve for a 25% saving!

It’s Wednesday and time for yet another WIN-It-Wednesday! The sponsor of the next two week’s contest is one of my all time favorite snacks… riceworks Brown rice crisps.. and their newest addition… WILD riceworks – a combo of brown and wild rice.

I know by now many of you have had the opportunity to try riceworks® Gourmet Brown Rice Crisps, but if you haven’t tried them yet – or if you haven’t tried the new Wild riceworks…  you really need to!

The reason why I love these crisps so much is because they are a cross between a chip and a cracker. Crunchy and salty enough to replace potato chips, yet firm enough to handle any dip, hummus or piece of cheese – these crisps are rice – and they work!

They also come in six yummy flavors… Sea Salt, Sweet Chili, Salsa Fresca, Parmesan, Tangy BBQ and the new MUST TRY variety –  Wild riceworks.

The flavors have something for everyone… sweet, savory, and salty. Plus they are gluten-free, all natural, have no preservatives or artificial flavors, no trans fats, plus they are vegan and kosher friendly. They taste sinful… but aren’t!

The new Wild riceworks contain all natural whole grain wild & white rice… and has over 12 grams of whole grains per serving. This newest addition to the riceworks family is almost more flatbread-like than the other ricework varieties, so they are perfect for scooping, spreading and stacking your favorite toppings. They also have had a favorable “two-thumbs-up” review from every person I know that has tried them. I encourage you to give them a try!

And if you haven’t done so yet, check out riceworks page on Facebook. They have a great promotion going where folks can “Confess their snacking sins” and get a $1.00 off coupon for a bag of riceworks.

Another nice thing about riceworks® Brown Rice Crisps is that they work with my busy lifestyle. You can find them almost anywhere – Wal-Mart, Super Target, Costco, BJ’s Wholesale Clubs, Stop & Shop, Shaw’s and Pathmark, to name just some of the locations.

Needless, I was thrilled when the folks at riceworks® asked to sponsor the prize package for the next two week’s WIN-It-Wednesday. Six winners (three each week) will each win a gift pack containing 6 bags – one of each flavor, including the new Wild riceworks. Three (3) winners will be chosen from all entries received before Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 11:59 PM EST and another three (3) winners will be chosen from all entries received between Wednesday, October 12 and Tuesday October 18, 2011 at 11:59 PM EST. So make sure you enter to win two times!

How can you win?
Easy!

Reply to this blog (make sure you are a BeFreeForMe member if you want to win) and let us know your snacking sins (Me? I confess my candy guiltiness… Gummy Bears and caramels!)

Good luck, remember some things (like riceworks) can be sinful but still good for you, and… as always…

Be Free!

This week’s WIN-It-Wednesday is one of my go-to, quick & healthy snacks on the run  …  Vermont Smoke and Cure RealSticks. These snacking sticks, that need no refrigeration, are made with naturally grown meats without antibiotics or added hormones, and also contain NO preservatives or nitrates.

With 50% less fat and 45% less salt than the “Slim” convenient store snack stick (and please? How ironic is it that the word “Slim” is even in the name?) you can feel good about eating RealSticks.

RealSticks have been a favorite snack of mine for awhile. But I’m not the only one raving about this healthy snack… just a couple of weeks ago RealSticks were listed on Yahoo’s “13 Healthiest Snacks”.

Slim Jim vs. RealSticks? No question about it… RealSticks has it ALL… fantastic real flavor from natural spices, naturally grown meats without antibiotics or added hormones, and also NO preservatives or nitrates. PLUS… they are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and MSG-free!

My favorite is the BBQ RealStick that offers just the right amount of sweetness with a touch of hot pepper heat. But the Cracked Pepper RealSticks are equally as good, delivering a big, peppery flavor. Both are seasoned with real spices and contain no preservatives or nitrates.

All these reasons are why I was thrilled when Vermont Smoke and Cure contacted me about being the sponsor of  the next two week’s  WIN-It-Wednesdays on BeFreeForMe.com!

How can you win?
Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us what you do to keep things “real” in your world (spending time with your kids, day-trips with your sweetie, gardens, daily exercise… you name it… anything goes!)

A total of TWO (Yes… 2!)  BeFreeForMe members will be selected to win a RealStick Sampler, packed with 12 RealSticks (6 Barbeque and 6 Cracked Pepper). One (1) winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 11:59 PM EST, and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, August 31 and Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 11:59PM. SO – make sure you enter to win two times!

Good luck, Keep it real… and as always,
Be Free!

Savings Alert! ORDER NOW AND SAVE! Want to order Vermont Smoke & Cure products? Then take advantage of 10% OFF ALL ORDERS until 09/30/11 by using coupon code GF11 and discover RealSticks for yourself. This offer is good for ALL products on the Vermont Smoke and Cure website… so also make sure to check out their summer sausage, smoked pepperoni (delicious!), and also the ham and bacon.

Want some gluten-free chips that will be gone in a New York minute? Then try New York Style Risotto Chips!

If you’re on a gluten-free diet, or just looking for a good healthy chip alternative, these delicious chips are worth checking out!

What I like the most about the New York Style Risotto Chips is that they’re great for dipping into gluten-free dips, or enjoyed all by themselves. Made of Arborio rice (the same rice that Risotto is made with) these chips are packed with 11 grams of whole grains – plus they taste delicious.

And all of us over here at BeFreeForMe aren’t the only ones chatting up this new chip: New York Style Risotto Chips are also featured in the January/February 2011 Food Network Magazine , on The Rachael Ray Show, and also on the Lifetime Network’s The Balancing Act as a “delicious gluten-free snack”. But see for yourself what all the buzz is about… Pick-up a bag of New York Style Risotto Chips and you’ll eat ’em like they’re going out of style!

New York Style Risotto Chips comes in three varieties: Parmesan & Roasted Garlic, Sea Salt, and my personal favorite Spicy Marinara.

And lucky for all of us, New York Style Risotto Chips are BeFreeForMe’s WIN-It-Wednesday sponsor for the next two weeks! Six lucky winners (3 winners each week) will win a jam-packed gift full of a variety of New York Style Risotto Chips. Enough for you – and enough to share!

How can you win?
Easy!

Reply to this blog post and tell us what “style” (or flavor) of  the New York Style Risotto Chips sound the best to you  and/or your most memorable style or fashion! (Me? My most unforgettable style was my blue “wet-look” leather  vest when I was in kindergarten! Talk about styling… I loved that thing!)  .

Make sure you enter to win twice. Once before March 1, 2011 (12 midnight EST) and another between March 2 and March 8, 2011 (12 midnight EST).

Good Luck, Keep Stylin’ and as always…

Be Free!