Be Free For Me Blog

It’s not very often that I love, love, love a product. The kind of love that I want to sing my praises from the highest rooftop.

A product that has ingredients, packaging, ease of prep, and most important, a taste that I love.

And Vigilant Eats Organic Superfood Cereal has it all.

This organic cereal is also (certified) gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and has no additives, preservatives or refined sugar. It is also Non-GMO certified, and is vegan certified too.

The cereal comes ready-to-eat in a cardboard cup. The prep is easy too. Just add a little bit of cold water (no boiling required!) and mix with the portable spoon that is included in the package. And Voila! Breakfast is served!

A hefty portion at 3-ounces, this gluten-free cereal is filling and delicious. My favorite variety is the Coconut Maple Vanilla – and no wonder since coconut, maple and vanilla rank up there when it comes to three of my favorite foods (and scents!).

Other delicious flavors are Goji Cacao, Espresso Maca Mulberry, and Maca Double Chocolate.

A congratulatory shout-out from the highest rooftop to Vigilant Eats on being awarded this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com!

I love a good root beer. But I’m not one to drink tons of soda, usually because all of the chemicals and stuff. That’s why I was so excited to find Virgil’s All Natural Root Beer.

Virgil’s Root Beer is a micro-brewed, unlike most all other root beers out there. Virgil’s root beer is really brewed. In fact Virgil’s says that they are what Ben & Jerry’s is to ice cream, what Dom Perignon is to champagne. And you know what? They are absolutely correct. Their root beer is one-of-a-kind deliciousness.

Virgil’s is also gluten-free, is made with all natural herbs and spices (vanilla from Madagascar? Cinnamon from Ceylon? Or clove from Indonesia, anyone?), and it comes in some fabulous flavors including Cream Soda, Black Cherry Cream Soda, Orange Cream Soda, Real Cola and Dr. Better.

All these all-natural, delicious and refreshing reasons are why Virgil’s Root Beer is awarded this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com. Congratulations!

P.S. Speaking of Ben & Jerry’s… how good would a root beer float be with Virgil’s Root Beer and a scoop of Ben & Jerry’s Vanilla Ice Cream? Yum!

If you’re looking for some awesome recipes for gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free and soy-free cakes & cookies you have to check out Laurie Sadowski’s newest cookbook “The Allergy-Free Cook Bakes Cakes & Cookies”.

Laurie Sadowski, a food enthusiast with celiac disease (who is also a vegan) wrote this cookbook to share with us her sweet side of baking. Her newest cookbook is a collection of to-die-for cakes, cookies, bars and squares – all of which are perfect for those with celiac disease / a gluten-free lifestyle, dairy allergies, egg allergies, and also a vegan-life style, ADHD and autism.

Just looking at these recipes make me want to dig out my baking pans and rolling pin. They range from the decadent (Triple-Chocolate Layer Cake or Two-Bite Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cupcakes, anyone?), to the traditional (comfort foods like New Old-Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake or Autumn Apple Cake with Cider Sauce), to the dinner-party daring desserts  (Molten Lava Mini Cakes with Raspberry Sauce or Hazelnut Biscotti, to name just a couple).

I really like this cookbook because there are also a lot of tips and tricks to make gluten-free baking a success… something we all can use every so often. =)

This “The Allergy-Free Cook Bakes Cakes & Cookies” Cookbook by Laurie Sadowski is the perfect answer to those that mistakenly believe that they can no longer enjoy desserts after being diagnosed with celiac disease and other food allergies.

All of the delicious recipes and tons of useful info regarding gluten-free and allergen-free baking (like dairy free substitutions for milk and butter; nutritional content and calorie comparison of gluten-free flours; and tips and techniques baking gluten, egg and dairy free) are the reasons I am so excited that “The Allergy-Free Cook Bakes Cakes & Cookies” Cookbook is the sponsor of BeFreeForMe’s WIN-It-Wednesday contest for the next two weeks.

One (1) winner will be randomly selected to win a copy of the cookbook from the entries received before Tuesday, March 12, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST, and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, March 13 and Tuesday, March 19, 2012 at 11:59PM. SO – make sure you enter two times to win!

How can you win?
Easy!

Reply to this blog and let us know your favorite cake and or cookie. (Me? Since being a little girl, I’ve had a love affair with Pecan Sandy Cookies… especially dipped into tea).

Good luck, remember the gluten-free cookie absolutely does not need to crumble =) … and as always …

Be Free!

Note: Want to order this cookbook? Check out this link on Amazon.com: The Allergy-Free Cook Bakes Cakes & Cookies: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free (As of 03/05/13 the cookbook is on special and is only $9.96… and participates with FREE Super Saver Shipping!)

It seems that everyone you talk to is trying to eat less. Trying to eat less fatty foods. Trying to try to lose weight.

But instead of giving up the low-fat, low-calorie (and, as a result, low-flavor) foods I’ve chosen to become more aware of the foods that I am eating. To make my food choices simpler, and to really “get to know” my food – what is in it, where it came from, how it benefits and fuels my body.

Basically to clean-up my act when it comes to eating.

But I had questions about this buzzword “Clean Eating”. What does clean-eating really mean? Is it easy to follow? Is it expensive? Does clean eating fit into a gluten-free diet?

After a little research, I discovered that eating clean means eating foods that are whole and unprocessed. Foods like whole grains, lean meats, fruits, veggies and any food free of artificial ingredients, preservatives, sugars or trans and saturated fats. In other words – foods that are minimally processed.

Needless, I was thrilled to get an email from Attune Foods with link to their “Eat Clean: Gluten-Free Menu Guide” last month. This guide prepared by Alysa Bajenaru, RD is a great guideline and way to start off a gluten-free clean eating plan.

So… for the last few weeks I have been eating clean thanks to Attune Foods. They’ve come up with several clean eating diet plans specific to different dietary requirements:  A “basic” real food plan (for those with no allergies / intolerances), a vegetarian real food plan, and also a gluten-free real food plan (the plan that I followed).

I found the gluten-free clean eating diet easy to shop for, easy to prepare, and also easy to eat, thanks to the printable shopping list, recipes and tips to keep on track!  In fact I have found a few recipes (and the blogs that they came from!) that are now on my “keepers” list… recipes I will make over and over again.

“Eating clean” is also easier than expected, I think mostly because I am so use to reading labels and not being able to eat many processed foods due to celiac disease. I guess that celiacs are half-way there when it comes to following a clean eating lifestyle.

Some of my favorite recipes included the Colorful Stir Fry (my all-time favorite! ), Meyer Lemon Slow-Cooker Chicken with Sweet Potatoes, Maple Dijon Pork Tenderloin, and making up Breakfast Parfaits layered with Yogurt, Erewhon Buckwheat & Hemp cereal and Blackberries.

Come clean! Go ahead and give the Eat Clean Menu a try! Here are a few of my tips for those who want to follow this real food menu plan:
–    Consider shopping daily if only one or two people will be following the plan. You’ll find that you’ll have leftovers, and may not have to make a dinner each night.
–    Invest in a citrus press (see photo below).  This gadget is my new “must have” gadget! I love, love this thing! The best $10 I ever spent. =) It was a godsend when making the Meyer Lemon Slow Cooker Chick Dish, and came in quite handy for adding a citrus zip into the numerous glasses of water I drank while on the plan. Which leads me to the next tip…
–    Make sure you drink tons of water while on the plan. It helps flush any leftover toxins out of your body, and as an added bonus, it will make your skin glow!
–    As always, read the labels when buying items from the shopping list. Items, such as the almond milk, can contain gluten.
–    Definitely splurge and spend the extra when it comes to buying the grass-feed beef. It makes SUCH a difference in flavor, compared to “regular” beef. The grass-feed beef tastes like beef use to taste when I was younger. It makes such a difference!
–    Don’t feel that you have to buy everything on the shopping list. Improvise and make substitutions! I couldn’t bring myself to spend $11.99 for the hemp hearts, so I passed on them; I bought regular almond butter that cost $5.99, instead of the organic at $13.99; I don’t really like mushrooms, so the cremini mushrooms didn’t make the cut to get into my shopping cart; Use soy yogurt if you have dairy allergies. Feel free to get creative with the recipes and customize them to fit your tastes, budget & allergies.

I love a good crunch with my gluten-free sandwich for lunch. But sometimes plain ole’ potato chips can be so ho-hum. That’s why I was so very happy to discover Glories Maple Chipotle Sweet Potato Chips made by Good Health Natural Foods.

Not only do these chips have a great crunch to them, they also have a sweetened zip of maple chipotle spiciness.

Glories Maple Chipotle Sweet Potato Chips are all natural chips that are made kettle-style. They are are gluten-free, as well as GMO free, and have 0 grams of trans fat.

Good Health Natural Foods also make a bunch of other gluten-free products including Chilean Lime Avocado Oil Potato Chips, Rosemary Olive Oil Potato Chips, and for all you chocolate lovers out there’s a Popcorn Pop Chocolate. All of these yummy & good for you reasons are why Good Health Natural Foods is awarded this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com. Congratulations!

This week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe is awarded to a must-have pantry staple – Eden Organic Quinoa.

Quinoa is a keeper. It’s as versatile and as easy to make as rice, yet it’s a whole grain that is packed with fiber. Once you give quinoa a try, you’ll keep coming back for more. Check out the quinoa recipes that Eden Foods has on their website… so tasty! Here are just a few:

Quinoa Blueberry Walnut & Garbanzo Salad
Quinoa Fruit Salad with Herb Dressing
Roasted Quinoa Stuffed Onions

Eden Foods also offers over 220+ food items that are Gluten Free – including rice, condiments, teas and beans (their beans are packed in BPA cans… I love that!). Also, Eden’s products are never adulterated with chemicals, preservatives, irradiation, colorings, refined sugars, or genetically engineered ingredients…. all things that are important to many.

Congratulations to Eden Foods for being named this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com!

Want to buy Eden Organic Quinoa? Check them out on Amazon.com!

If you’re looking for an all-natural gluten-free cereal that your whole family will fall in love with, you’re going to really like this week’s Win-It-Wednesday sponsor on BeFreeForMe.com.

Kimberley’s Own All Natural Granola has pure (gluten-free!) goodness in every bite! So many gluten-free granola’s are mostly made up of gluten-free grains, sprinkled here and there with a couple of nuts, pieces of dried fruit or seeds. How Borrring!

But Kimberly’s Own All Natural Granola is different. Each bag is packed with OVER 40% of the good stuff. You know… things like dried apricots, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, Goji berries, almonds and even raw cacao nibs.  This is a true artisanal line of gourmet cereal that are great by the handful, as cereal, a topping for yogurt and ice cream, and also in recipes.

Made in Canada under the strictest of guidelines, Kimberley’s Own Granola guarantees the use of PURE oats (Pure oats means that they are sourced from a manufacturer that only produces oats thus avoiding cross contamination from gluten – wheat, spelt, kamut, rye, barley or triticale.)

Kimberley’s Own come in three (3) varieties: Just Seeds, which contains over a 40% blend of a variety of seeds – including chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds; Original Blend, which contains over 40% nuts, seeds and fruit – including dried apricots & cranberries, Goji berries, almonds, and sunflower seeds; and my favorite, Nibs & Nuts, which contains over 40% raw cacao nibs and walnut (who said a girl can’t enjoy a little chocolate in the morning for breakfast?)

More bonuses? Kimberley’s Own Granolas are also free of corn and dairy, and are vegan. They also don’t contain any oil or water (yes… no oil!) or refined sugars. They’re nutrient dense, high in fiber & protein, cholesterol free and do not have any added sodium. All this… yet they so delicious. =) Pure goodness.

All these reasons are why I am so very excited that Kimberly’s Own All Natural Granolas are this week’s WIN-It-Wednesday sponsor on BeFreeForMe.com.

A total of four (4) BeFreeForMe members will be selected to win a prize pack of the three (3) varieties of Kimberly’s Own All Natural Granolas, plus a bonus pack of recipe cards. Two winners will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 11:59 PM EST, and two more winners will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, February 27 and Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 11:59 PM. SO – make sure you enter two times to win!

How can you win?
Easy?

Reply to this blog post and tell us what variety of Kimberley’s Own All Natural Granolas you think you’d like the best (Me? I’m still sticking with the Nibs & Nuts… the cacao nibs and walnuts remind me of the chocolaty taste of a hot fudge sundae sprinkled with walnuts!)

Good Luck, remember to believe in pure goodness, and as always…
Be Free!

It’s time again for another National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) webinar!

Coming tomorrow, Wednesday, 02/20/13, at 8:30 PM EST (5:30PM PST) the webinar, “Sex and the Celiac: A Focus on Reproductive Health” will focus how celiac disease and reproductive health are commonly associated.

Let’s face it… when people think of celiac disease, they often just think of gastrointestinal health issues (aka: what goes on in the bathroom). But what many don’t know is that celiac disease can also impact what goes on in the bedroom too! Celiac disease can go hand-in-hand with reproductive system issues – complications such as infertility, miscarriages, stillbirths and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Plus, celiac disease can even have an impact on sexual libido.

Stephanie M. Moleski, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals discusses this popular topic, along with questions direct from the attendees of the webinar.

This webinar is a must attend for anyone with celiac disease that is planning for a family now, or will be in the future.

Can’t attend? A recording of each webinar will be posted along with the webinar slides within 72 hours after the live event ends. Download recorded webinars and slides at:http://www.celiaccentral.org/webinars/archive/

As with all of the NFCA webinars it is FREE to attend! And registering is easy… Just click on the button below:

It you’re looking for a low-cal tasty gluten-free snack to munch on, look no further than Popcorn Indiana’s new Fit Popcorn.

I love munching on fiber-full popcorn, but often it is packed with artificial colors and flavors, fat, and sweeteners. Fit Popcorn has less than 37 calories per cup, is certified gluten-free, has no Trans Fat, and is made with all natural ingredients. Plus, it is made with non-GMO corn.

The flavors of Fit Popcorn are awesome too… Sea Salt, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Onion Dijon and Parmesan & Herb.

Congratulations Popcorn Indiana on having your Fit Popcorn being awarded this week’s Friday Favorite on BeFreeForMe.com!

Question: Valentine’s Day is here and I want to make some healthier gluten-free baked goods. Do you have any suggestions?

Answer: With Valentine’s Day just a couple of days away, many of us want to bake sweet gluten-free treats. Fortunately it’s possible to make gluten-free desserts more nutritious and just as tasty as their gluten-containing counterparts!

Check out the following baking tips and discover how your gluten-free bake goods can be made with less sugar, saturated fats and refined carbohydrates. Now that’s sweet!

Yogurt… It’s not just for breakfast: To reduce calories and fat, yogurt can be used as a substitute in baked goods for sour cream, butter and buttermilk. Yogurt, especially creamier low-fat Greek Yogurt, is a fantastic substitution for whipped cream. Try this Gluten-Free Yogurt Dip recipe for your sliced fruit!

Keep your baking well oiled: Looking to get rid of the oil in your baked goods? A great healthy substitute for cooking oil in baking is unsweetened applesauce. Use 3/4 to 1 cup of applesauce for every 1 cup of oil. Want inspiration? Try this Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake recipe.

Refine yourself: When baking gluten-free, choose whole grain or bean flours instead of refined white rice flour. Some gluten-free flours that are healthy alternatives for baking include: Brown rice, pea flour, white bean flour, amaranth or gluten-free oats. Try these Best Chocolate Brownies made with pea flour… Delicious!

Use your bean: Black beans make a smooth, rich base for baked goods! An extra bonus? The fiber the beans provide. Check out this recipe… so rich & chocolaty: Black Bean Brownies with Espresso Ganache.

Sweet substitutes: Consider sweetening baked goods with fruit, such as mashed bananas, apple sauce, pineapple, chopped dates, raisins or pears. The fruit adds a pleasant sweetness as well as added fiber and nutrients.  Want to try sweetening your baked goods with fruit? Then check out this Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe.

Fruit frenzy: Fruit makes a healthy dessert when sliced and topped with a dollop of vanilla low-fat yogurt, or drizzled with honey. Get innovative and serve grapes, pineapple chunks, strawberries and melon balls on skewers, and serve with a sweetened low-fat yogurt dip. Think beyond the basic fruits of apples, bananas and pears, and experiment with tropical, more exotic, fruits such as mangos, kiwis, and papayas. Your taste buds will thank you! Check out these recipes… Creamy Apple Cinnamon Fruit Dip and Exotic Broiled Fruit Plate.

Think dark chocolate: If using chocolate in your baking recipes opt to use dark chocolate, opposed to milk or white chocolate. Dark chocolate contains more cacao which is full of antioxidants and may play a role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Like Dark Chocolate? Check out these recipes: Flourless Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes with Vegan Chocolate Frosting and this Flourless Chocolate Cake.

Just a little will do it! Consider desserts as a special treat. Appreciate your gluten-free dessert creation by eating slowly and enjoying every single bite.

Ask Shelley Case is a feature of BeFreeForMe.com. It is published the second Tuesday of each month. Shelley Case is a Registered Dietitian, Consulting Dietitian, Speaker and Author of Gluten-Free Diet: A Comprehensive Resource Guide. Visit Shelley and get more gluten-free tips & info at: www.glutenfreediet.ca