Be Free For Me Blog

It’s that time of year again when the melons are ripe, the price for them is great, and a bit of fruit juice running down your chin after that the first juicy bite is totally acceptable and downright savored.

But after visiting my local farmers market and the supermarket over the past few weeks, I’ve seen firsthand the tons and tons of melon varieties available. It is then that I realized I am a melon bore.

Being gluten-free I have found that my diet, at times, can be quite limited. That’s why I always love to try new foods whenever possible. But for some funny reason I find myself reaching for, squeezing, and only purchasing the three basic melons that have been in my life since my childhood: Watermelon, Cantaloupe and Honeydew.

This summer I decided to “break out of the same old rind”, broaden my melon-knowledge and get myself out of this melon-slump. My goal: To try as many new types of melon as possible. And to assist all of you gluten-free, melon-seeking folks that would also like to partake on this journey I have put together the following “Melon 101”:

Watermelon: The juiciest and most popular melon in the United States, this melon is 92% water (hence, the name)! A cousin to cucumbers, pumpkins and squash, the redder the flesh the sweeter the taste. They come in tons of varieties, including seeded, seedless and even a personal size watermelon. Want to find out some fun watermelon facts? Check out the National Watermelon Board for tons of “everything watermelon” information!

Cantaloupe: To contain the juices avoid cutting into this thick netted skinned melon, until just ready to eat. Very juicy, and so sweet, this melon is a favorite served in fruit salads and breakfast buffets. Not sure when a cantaloupe is ripe? Look for one that is heavy for its size!

Honeydew: There are two types of honeydew melons – one with green flesh and the other with orange flesh. Perfect for those on a gluten-free diet that are watching their weight (ahummm – that would be me!) these low-calorie melons contain no fat, no sodium and are high in vitamin C. I like to cut honeydews in half, scoop out the flesh and use the shell as a “salad bowl” filled with a nice diced chicken and melon salad.

Crenshaw: With a salmon colored orangish-pink flesh, Crenshaw melons make a statement in any salad or dessert. Slightly spice and fragrant, they are a great addition to a fruit salads too.

Santa Claus: This mild flavored melon resembles a small watermelon at first glance. The green flesh is similar to the honeydew melon, but not as sweet. Perfect for melon salsas, chutneys and fruit salads.

Casaba: This pumpkin shaped melon with a thick, hard, grooved rind has a unique mild cucumber flavor. I love this melon chopped in a salad instead of using cucumber!

Canary: With a firm & crisp whitish to light green flesh, this melon is shaped like a football. While it is not as sweet as many other melons, it is still great for snacking and tossing in salads.

Once again, Lindsey from BeFreeForMe offices whipped up an unbelievable dish that is full of vegetables and flavor, and is free of most major allergens.

This dish is prepared with A Taste of Thai Straight Cut Rice Noodles. These noodles are authentic Thai style and inspired noodles, which are so quick and easy to prepare.

Lindsey’s recipe, Warm Asian Noodle Salad, was a hit with my friends that I hosted tonight for a birthday dinner. The dish is packed with veggies and requires no boiling to cook the noodles. Absolutely perfect on a hot summer night.

The Taste of Thai Rice Noodles are a perfect way to prepare many Asian, Thai or vegetarian dishes. A must have for any gluten free pantry.

All these reasons are why this week’s BeFreeForMe Friday Favorite goes to A taste of Thai Rice Noodles!

Seasoned and spicy potato chips can often be off-limits to those with celiac disease or food allergies. Hidden among the tasty seasonings and flavorings, gluten and other allergens can lurk and hide.

That’s why I’m a fan of Michael Season’s Snacks. Gluten-free with no preservatives, artificial colorings, flavorings or MSG, these snacks are full of flavor but not full of the stuff you don’t need.

The newest edition of the Michael Season’s line-up is the Mediterranean Thin & Crispy Potato Chips. Perfectly seasoned with black pepper, oregano, basil and rosemary these chips are not only delicious, but have 30% less fat than other chips. The other Thin & Crispy Chip (that are all reduced fat as well) varieties include: Honey Barbeque, Salt & Pepper, Unsalted and Lightly Salted (perfect for those of you watching your sodium levels). They also make a reduced fat Ripple Chip that is perfect for dipping.

Michael Season’s also makes Baked Puffs and Curls. These come in fab flavors such as Jalapeno and Hot Chili Pepper. And just two weeks ago, Rachael Ray selected the Baked Puffs as her Snack of the Day! How delish is that?

Another product line Michael Season makes is the Baked Potato Crisps. These crunchy chips that stand up to even the biggest of dippers have 70% less fat than potato crisps.  

All-natural and reduced fat snacking choices, paired up with fun and tasty flavors, are reasons why BeFreeForMe is excited to announce that Michael Season’s Mediterranean Potato Chips are featured in this week’s WIN-It-Wednesday prize package!

Two lucky BeFreeForMe members will win a prize pack that includes a re-usable tote packed with the new Mediterranean Chips,  plus Chip-Clips.

How can you win?

Easy?

These Mediterranean Chips got me thinking about the Mediterranean Islands – one of my most favorite places in the world for some rest and relaxation. Reply to this blog and tell us the place in your life that provides your sanctuary-away-from-it-all. All entries must be received by Tuesday, August 10th at 12:00 midnight EST.

Good luck, Remember a little rest and relaxation is good for the soul… and as always,

Be Free!

When the weather is hot outside, and even hotter inside, who in the heck wants to even think about melting over a hot stove?

When I was a little girl and the weather was hot hazy n’ humid, my Mom would make her way out to the garden and pick, rather than cook, our supper. Topped with a can of chilled tuna salad, our dinner plate was complete. The perfect ending to steamy hot summer day.

Seasonal herbs and vegetables can be the fantastic starting ground for a gluten and allergen free meal. Top these seasonal gems with a can of quick and easy tuna (or canned chicken or beans, if seafood allergies are a concern) and you have a no-cook supper that is full of protein, fiber, nutrition and healthy ingredients.

I find it amazing how “my” fond childhood memories of a cold tuna salad plate on a hot and steamy summer night are also shared by so many other people. And for us all, even in our adult lives, cold tuna salad plates are triggers of happy summer food memories alongside the all-time classic favorites such as popsicles, s’mores, hotdogs and lemonade.

And because of these happy memories this tradition thankfully carries on for many of us today.

Many associate the smell, warmth and complexity of meal preparation as the components of their most comforting food memories; however, the ease and utilitarian nature of effortlessly whipping together this summertime dish make this meal one of my most favorite food memories. A sweet memory that’s so simply unique and dependent on the current pantry stock, and what’s ripe in the garden, each of these meal becomes even more mystifying because it could never exactly be duplicated again.

I’ve decided that my childhood memories of these cold salad plates are the result of the perfect storm: Hot, sticky New England weather with thunder clouds threatening in the distance; ripe vegetables hand-plucked from the garden; canned tuna, chicken or beans dug out from the back of the pantry, and three hungry pony-tailed little girls eating a simple supper from paper plates that will become a meal engraved in their memories forever.

Simple, no-frill, practical meals and memories are the ones you somehow hold closest to your heart; the ones that can never be duplicated again. A once in a lifetime event.

Funny how life sometimes whips-up the best it can offer on a simple paper plate.

Yes that’s right… you read the heading correctly! Gluteen-Free Burritos!

I tried these a while back at a trade show and was mesmerized at the thought of actually eating a burrito once again. In fact, I circled my way back to the GlutenFreeda Booth a number of times to get more samples of these burritos, since they are THAT good!

These burritos come in 4 glutenfree-licious varieties: Vegetable Bean and Cheese; Breakfast Beef; Non-Dairy Vegetarian and Chicken & Cheese.

The best part about these burritos is that they are perfect for a quick little meal. My favorite, the Chicken & Cheese, has only 227 calories and 9 grams of protein. Plus, they are made with all natural and organic ingredients; and manufactured in a dedicated gluten-free facility. And did I mention that they can be microwaved right in their own wrapper, and are ready in mere minutes?

All of these reasons, and mucho more, are why GlutenFreeda’s Gluten-free Burritos are this week’s BeFreeForMe’s Friday Favorite!

Fire-up those grills my friends, and let the parties begin! Sometimes barbeque-time can be a stressful time for those with food allergies since so many hot dogs and sausages are notorious for containing numerous allergens.

But worry no more!

This summer John Morrell has come out with Worry-Free Meat products. The hot dogs, smoked sausage and bologna are free of milk, nuts, soy, fish, eggs and gluten.

These products are great to have on hand during all summer barbeques, since they’re free of so many allergens. I had a small get together a few weekends back and three of the children at my house, each having three different allergies, all were able to enjoy these Worry-Free hot dogs. Cheers to John Morrell!

BeFreeForMe is so excited to have John Morrell’s worry-free meats be the sponsor of this week’s WIN-It-Wednesday… and the prizes are so awesome! With even a second BONUS Chance to WIN! Here are the prize details:

TWO Winners’ will each receive… a $10 certificate for the John Morrell Worry-Free Meats of your choice!

A THIRD Bonus Winner will receive a $25 certificate for the John Morrell’s Worry-Free Meats of your choice! But… this winner also has to also be a fan of John Morrell’s Worry-Free Meats on Facebook… PLUS leave a comment on this blog as instructed below. (Click here to become a fan of John Morrell’s Worry-Free Meats on Facebook.)

How do you win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and let us know how you make your life less stressful and worry-free. (Me? I talk things through with my Mom or sisters and thing’s just don’t seem as troubling anymore!).

Also, if you want to save some money, make sure you download this $1.00 OFF Coupon for John Morrell’s Worry-Free Products. Also, become a fan on John Morrell’s Facebook page, and while your visiting stop by their Expert Tab and send a note to say hello to me!

All entries must be received by Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at 12:00 midnight EST.

Good Luck, Be Worry-Free…and, as always…

Be Free!

Summer is a time when fruits and veggies are in abundance. Backyard gardens are bursting at the seams with the bounty of the good earth, with a new harvest arriving each day. Fruit and vegetables are falling off the vines, ripening to perfection and begging to be picked.

And every day as I am filling up my garden basket with more and more lettuce, tomatoes, blueberries, blackberries, green beans, zucchini and squash (plus more!) I laugh to myself.  What seemed like a ridiculously small and “definitely not big enough” garden plot last April is now producing enough fruit and veggies to feed a small, but well-fed and health-conscious army.

Not a bad problem for a super-frugal gluten and allergen free gal like me to have.

This abundance of fruits and veggies got me thinking of new ways to incorporate the rewards of my garden into every meal. My mission? To eat and enjoy healthy gluten and allergen free dishes made with as many fruits and vegetables as possible, every single time I prepare a meal, without getting tired of the same old thing day after day.

This mission means that I have to start thinking beyond a boring tossed salad, ho-hum rabbit food and leafy greens drenched in salad dressing. Just like the Kool and the Gang song of the 80’s, I need to makes sure that my summer produce is not only fresh… but also exciting. (And yes… that song is now stuck in my head every time I go into my garden!).

Here are some of my ideas on ways to incorporate and enjoy summer fruits and vegetables throughout the season, while keeping things fresh, exciting and so inviting to me:

Enjoy local flavor: Don’t have your own garden? Visit a local farm stand or farmers market instead. One visit will get you hook on just-picked produce and healthier eating!

Get fruity: Get crazy with your fruits! Toss some sliced peaches on top of a dinner salad; Add a sprinkle of berries to your gluten-free cereal; Make a fruit-smoothie for breakfast… better yet make two, freeze one and enjoy it for an after dinner dessert.

Spice it up: Use fresh herbs to season and flavor your food. A sprinkle of chopped cilantro gives a boring chicken breast a southwestern flair; Rosemary sprigs chopped and tossed with olive oil and potatoes gives instant sophistication and complexity to an unexpected side dish. Fresh herbs are often the secret ingredient some dishes crave. Think fresh herbs instead of salt and pepper to healthily season any gluten and allergen free recipe.

Beyond butter: Those with  a dairy allergy or intolerance need to skip butter altogether, but even those that can indulge, should look beyond the butter dish when in comes to seasoning vegetables. Try spraying olive oil or balsamic dressing on fresh steamed veggies. Better yet, try white balsamic vinegar instead of regular balsamic vinegar to enjoy a milder and cleaner flavor.

Build a salad with a base of lower calorie options and work your way up: If you want to enjoy tons and tons of fresh vegetables, make sure that you base the bulk of your meals around the lowest calorie ingredients, and then sparingly incorporate the higher calorie add-ins. Some example? Build a salad using fresh lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, peppers and other fresh picked produce, then sprinkle with lactose-free cheeses, nuts (if nut allergies are not an issue), and gluten-free croutons; or, steam some fresh picked zucchini and summer squash, top with chopped basil and a dusting of Parmesan cheese.

Make it a meal deal: Fresh produce and fruit can be the main course of any meal, if you add in a bit of protein to tie-it all together. Some options to add to your steamed dinner veggie platter include meat, seafood, cheeses and beans.

It’s in the presentation: All salads don’t have to be tossed. All vegetables don’t have to be diced and boiled before serving. Try serving your salad “salad-bar style” on a large platter – let your family pick-and-choose the topping they want on their own individual salads; Use the grill to cook a zucchini that is halved lengthwise and brushed with olive oil, cracked pepper and fresh herbs.

Get creative: Use fresh seasonal vegetables in unexpected ways. In a veggie omelet for a healthy breakfast, or even dinner; chop up tons of summer vegetables for a wide assortment of toppings on a taco salad.

This time of year when the weather is hot, and the afternoons get lazy, I like to grab a glass of fresh-brewed, chilled and iced tea.

But sometimes, my days get crazy and I don’t have the time to brew a pitcher early in the morning to have it chilled and ready-to-pour when my afternoon break time rolls around.

That is why I am so glad I discovered Pacific Natural Foods Simply Tea, a convenient tea that is clean, crisp and ready to be poured.

The best part about Pacific Natural Foods Simply Tea is that it tastes just like the real fresh brewed tea I make myself. Plus it is organic, and is from Fair Trade Certified green tea. A great source of antioxidants, this tea comes in five great gluten-free flavors: Unsweetened, Peach, Kiwi Mango, Wild Berry, and Tangerine. Normally, I would reach for the unsweetened tea, but in my favorite is the Peach – which tastes like fresh brewed tea with a hint of juicy garden fresh peaches.

I also like that the Simply Tea comes in an eco-friendly aseptic packaging that doesn’t need to be refrigerated until opening. Plus, it locks out air and light for added freshness. This way, just in case you don’t drink this refreshing tea all in one sitting, you’ll always get a more flavorful, fresher tasting tea.

Fresh, full-of-flavor, and just like real home-brewed, but without the hassle, are all the reasons why Pacific Natural Foods Simply Tea is BeFreeForMe’s Friday Favorite.

Do you have questions about celiac disease or the gluten-free diet that you need quick and easy to understand answers? Do you wish that for once a doctor and dietitian were partners in helping you solve problems and issues concerning the gluten-free lifestyle?

Well fret no more my gluten-free friends! Dr. Daniel Leffler, MD, MS and Melinda Dennis, MS, RD and LDN have teamed up and co-authored a new book published by the (AGA). American Gastroenterological Association“Real Life with Celiac Disease: Troubleshooting & Thriving Gluten Free” is packed with usable and must-know information about living and thriving on a gluten-free diet.

In their book, Dr. Leffler and Ms. Dennis, both from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, have teamed up with over 50 international experts on celiac disease that share stories of patients who have questions or problems related to celiac and gluten-related disorders.

Even though I read this book while laying on the Rhode Island beachside, the wealth of knowledge and useful information included in this book made me feel as if I were attending an international celiac conference, where each contributor on the agenda speaks about engaging and important information about celiac disease in easy-to-understand terminology.

If you want to get a sneak-peak and listen to Dr. Leffler speak about celiac disease and the gluten-free diet click on this link to hear an audio-post of the webinar featuring Dr. Leffler that was hosted by riceworks Brown Rice Crisps.

Also, to get a copy of the book “Real Life with Celiac Disease: Troubleshooting & Thriving Gluten Free” click here to order your copy. It really is a great addition to any gluten-free or celiac personal library.

Good information from fantastic contributors all compiled into one fabulous book are all reasons why I am so happy to have the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and “Real Life with Celiac Disease: Troubleshooting & Thriving Gluten Free” be this weeks WIN-It-Wednesday sponsor on BeFreeForMe.com

Two (Yes, 2!) LUCKY BeFreeForMe members will receive a free copy of the book, “Real Life with Celiac Disease: Troubleshooting & Thriving Gluten Free”.

How can you win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us a little pointer, piece of advice or inspirational tidbit you would pass along to someone just diagnosed with celiac disease to help them troubleshoot and thrive with their new lifestyle (or if you are just diagnosed, something you would love to learn about). My tidbit? Don’t worry… trips to the supermarket WILL get shorter as you learn your gluten-free way around supermarkets!

All entries must be received by Tuesday, July 27th at 12:00 midnight.

Good luck, Keep thrivin’… and as always,

Be Free!

I just discovered my new all-time favorite Lara Bar variety: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip.

Chewy, nutty and sweet, this brand new Lara Bar flavor reminds me of eating rich chocolate ice cream with chocolate chips, drizzled with tons and tons of peanut butter sauce. Although this is not a bar I would eat for breakfast, it is the perfect gluten-free and good-for-you snack when you are looking for something sweet for a mid-day pick-me-up, or after a meal as a substitute gluten-free (and guilt free) dessert.

I love that the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Lara Bar has only 4 ingredients: Dates, Peanuts, Chocolate Chips and Salt. A simple snack that truly knocks your socks off.

Simple, pure and tasty snacking. All these sweet reasons are why Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Lara Bar’s are this week’s BeFreeForMe Friday favorite pick.