Be Free For Me Blog

Since we had such a tremendous response to the Finishing Salt WIN-It-Wednesday last week, BeFreeForMe staffers decided to keep up the theme on flavorful cooking for this week too!

The sponsor of this week’s WIN-It-Wednesday is Marconi Infused Oils. These oils are one of my all time favorites to cook with and they have been for many years. Why? They are a perfect f”lavor-picker-upper”.

As mentioned in past blogs, food can be crazy fun because of these infused oils! I use them on everything, from grilled chicken, fish and white rice. (Some great recipes using Marconi Infused Oils can be found on BeFreeForMe and include: Rosemary Infused Roasted Chicken, Shrimp and Pepper Rosemary Skewers and Sauteed Broccoli and Feta with Jalapeno Olives).

But my preferred and most ingenious use of these infused olive oils is as an all-time stand-by salad dressing on the run…I actually keep one of the small sample pack sizes in my purse! (Note: A sample pack of 3 only cost $4.50 through the Marconi website!)

The Marconi Infused Oils come in six (6) varieties:
• Marconi GARLIC Infused Oil
• Marconi BASIL Infused Oil
• Marconi OREGANO Infused Oil
• Marconi ROSEMARY Infused Oil
• Marconi JALAPENO Infused Oil
• Marconi DIPPING Oil

Being an all-time fan makes it a pleasure for me to pick 7 (yes… SEVEN!) lucky BeFreeForMe members to receive a FREE coupon for any one Marconi Oil item of their choice at their local grocer (up to a $40 value!).

How can you WIN?
Easy!

Just reply to this blog and let me know which Marconi infused oil you would most like to try. Also, feel free to share and let the rest of us know how you like to use olive oil in your recipes / cooking too! (Me? I like to use the Basil Infused Oil drizzled over garden fresh tomatoes, basil leaves & goat milk mozzarella).

All entries must be received by Tuesday, April 20th at 12:00 Midnight EST.

Good Luck, Infuse flavor into your life daily… and as always…

Be Free!

Q: I’m usually running late in the morning so I often skip breakfast. Can you give me some healthy and quick breakfast tips?

A: I’m sure you have heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It literally means break the fast. In order to jump start your day both mentally and physically you need to fuel your body with food. Healthy breakfast foods provide key nutrients such as protein, iron, B vitamins, carbohydrates and fiber. Many traditional breakfast items are made with gluten-containing grains, especially wheat and barley. But not to worry- there are plenty of great gluten-free breakfast options in the chart below.

The chart includes examples of products from various companies. There are many more products available, especially baked items from gluten-free specialty bakeries across North America. The Gluten-Free Diet: A Comprehensive Resource Guide by Shelley Case, RD, features over 3100 gluten-free products listed by company name, product name and package size and a directory of more than 270 American, Canadian and international companies. The book has a chapter on gluten-free specialty bakeries in North America. It also contains detailed information about the gluten-free diet including safe foods/ingredients and those to avoid; meal plans; recipes; cooking hints; substitutions; nutrition information and practical strategies for healthy gluten-free living and resources. See www.glutenfreediet.ca

The above information was excerpted from Gluten-Free Diet: A Comprehensive Resource Guide by Shelley Case, RD. See www.glutenfreediet.ca

Last Wednesday, April 7th, must have been gluten-free / food allergy day for the Boston Globe.

In this daily issue there were two articles on gluten-free and food-allergic living. I was both shocked and thrilled to find them both!

The articles touched upon how the educational sector and big businesses are realizing the need to adapt their strategies in order to assist those with food allergies, gluten-intolerances or celiac disease.

The first article details the ways that colleges are responding to the challenge of students with food allergies or celiac disease.  I was diagnosed with celiac disease after graduating from college, but I have to imagine that the college years must be the hardest for anyone being on a restricted diet. However, this article explains how colleges are assisting students with food intolerances. Some ways that colleges are catering to these students include supplying small kitchenettes stocked-full of convenient gluten and allergen-free meals, as well as having chefs and dieticians assist these students with meal planning and preparation.

The article is interesting, especially for those involved in applying for and making college enrollment decisions.

The second article was the about the new gluten-free baking mixes and flours that Norwich, Vermont based King Arthur Flour has introduced. This interesting article details how King Arthur developed their gluten-free product line (which includes multipurpose flour, cake, brownie, pizza crust and cookie mixes) “basically by trial and error”. The article also states that the King Arthur test kitchen is working on developing a higher fiber gluten-free product in the near future. Something I am looking forward to trying.

Do you often find articles on celiac disease and food allergies in your local newspaper? If so, please share any articles that you find by commenting below and including a link to the article. We all love reading new and interesting articles… so let’s keep sharing!

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!

I’ve been told by many that cooking gluten and allergen free is boring and bland. For those of you in this vanilla-frame-of-mind, I invite you to give Didi Davis Foods Blended Finishing Salts a shake. 

Created from Flor de Sal (a moist Portuguese sea salt) and fresh herbs, these salt blends add flare, crunch and piazza to any fresh and cooked gluten and allergen free dishes.

I love using natural sea salt on my foods, because of it’s briny, strong and earthy taste compared to regular white table salt. Plus, because of the fuller flavor in sea salt, I use way less salt in my dishes as well. 

Didi Davis’ finishing salts can work wonders on any dish. One small sprinkle can craft even the most novice cook into a gourmet chef.  For recipe and usage ideas you can also check out Didi Davis Food blog, appropriately named, The Salty Dog blog.

Some of the blends that these finishing salts come in are: Fennel Thyme Salt, which is great on oven poached salmon; Porcini Salt, wonderful used in gluten-free broths and gravies; Sagemary Salt, a blend of sage & rosemary and my personal favorite; Caraway Salt, perfect accompanied over sweet Italian sausage tossed with olive oil over penne pasta; Vanilla Salt, a sweet addition when speckled over in-season buttered corn-on-the-cob; Sumac Pepper Salt, ideal as a topping for fresh seasonal steamed vegetables; Aleppo Chile Salt, to flavor for chili and tacos, and Smoked Spicy Paprika Salt, great over smoked beef and charcoal grilled burgers.

All these fabulous salt blend creations are why I am so very excited that DiDi Davis’ Foods is this weeks WIN-It-Wednesday sponsor.

Two (Yes 2!) Lucky BeFreeForMe members will win a Didi Davis Food Salt Blend Collection, which consists of a sampler pack of the eight salt blends listed above.

How can you WIN?
Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us which of the salt blends listed above sound the best to you… as well as how you would use it. (Me? I would love to try the Vanilla salt over Green Bean Almondine, or the Aleppo Chile Salt in Bloody Marys!). All entries must be received by Tuesday, April 13th at 12:00 midnight EST.  

Good Luck, remember to add lots of spice into your lives (and cooking!), and, as always…

Be Free!

Being nut-free sometimes means having to forgo some of the simpler things in life.

Things like the excitement of being at a major league baseball park with family and friends on a warm Sunday afternoon.

That is why I was so very, very excited to receive an email from the folks over at the AAFA (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America– New England Chapter) and Fenway Park announcing 2010 games that will have a designated peanut-free section at this season’s Red Sox games.

And for those that are nut-free fans of teams other than the Red Sox, check out this website from Food Allergy Buzz that lists peanut-free baseball games around the USA and Canada that have peanut-free sections at select ballparks throughout the 2010 season, as well as information about attending these games.

Because the seats are limited at the Fenway Park games, make sure you call right away and find out the availability for the peanut-free sections at the games on May 30th, July 18th and September 19th (at last checking standing room only was available at the 09/19 game).

The contact info to get seats for these games ($75 per person for seats and $25 per person for standing room only) is Mike Lawlor at the Red Sox by email (mlawlor@redsox.com) or phone: 617-226-6027.

When you contact Mike, please leave the following information,
1. Your Name
2. Phone number(s) where you can be reached day and evening
3. Date of game you want to attend
4. Number of tickets you want
5. Specify Seats or Standing Room. Tell Mike if you will accept Standing Room if all seats are sold out.
On the email your subject line should say: Game Date (the date you want tickets for) – Peanut Friendly
Mike will call you back to confirm your tickets and take your payment by credit card.  Please be patient, it may take him about two weeks to respond to your request.

Tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis.  

In an effort to find the safest and most enjoyable area of Fenway Park, Fenway Park has decided to use the Coca-Cola Left Field Pavilion. This is the same section the Red Sox used last year for peanut-allergy-friendly games. This seating area is highlighted by its majestic view of the game and the city, as well as its proximity to the Green Monster. This section will ensure a comfortable visit to Fenway Park with many amenities close by in one of the more private areas of the ballpark.

Enjoy… May the best team win… and as always…
Be Free!

Many of us have been following the ricework’s Brown Rice Crisps “Show Us Your Goodness” program which will award an inspirational charitable cause a $20,000 grant to assist them in promoting their mission and cause.

Just recently a panel of judges has selected 33 finalists from all of the entries and it is now up to all of us to VOTE for the People’s Pick Award charitable group winner!

I am happy to announce that the Canadian Celiac Association – Vancouver is one of the People Pick’s Finalists! If you want to vote for them… click this link, scroll down to #8 on the list (please note that the list of finalists is in alphabetical order only), and then click on the blue “Vote for this Charity” link.

Some of my other favorite finalists include:

Danny’s Farm – A group that provides vocational training and meaningful employment and volunteer opportunities for adults and teenagers with disabilities, especially autism. (Danny’s Farm is #11 on the Finalist List).

Spoons Across America – Works to influence the eating habits of children through hands-on education that celebrates the connection to local farmers and the important tradition of sharing meals around the family table. (Spoons Across America is #22 on the Finalist List).

A World For Fit Kids – Located in Los Angeles, this group is a leading nonprofit provider of after school physical activity and youth development programs for children and teens. (A world For Fit Kids is #1 on the Finalist List).

Show YOUR goodness… VOTE today for the cause that YOU support! Thank you riceworks, for your support and generosity!

BONUS: Download the $1.00 OFF coupon (USA Coupon and the Canadian Coupon) for riceworks gourmet brown rice crisps too! They are gluten-free and yummy!

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!

Let’s get down to the basics. Peanut butter is good, and it’s good for you – but it has way too many calories and fat for a gal like me to eat every day.

That’s why I am more than thrilled to have found a new and improved alternative… Better N’ Peanut Butter.

Better N’ Peanut Butter is gluten-free, dairy-free, and contains no cholesterol or trans or saturated fats.

Better yet … it has 85% less fat and 40% less calories than regular peanut butter.

The three varieties that Better N’ Peanut Butter comes in is: Original (with less than 3 grams of fat per serving vs. regular peanut butter that has 16 grams of fat), Low-Sodium (with 95 mg of sodium per serving), and Chocolate (a unique rich & creamy blend of chocolate & peanut butter that, believe it or not,  still has 85% less fat and 40% fewer calories than regular peanut butter! Yummy!)

Better N’ Peanut Butter is just what a gluten-free gal like me needs, especially when bathing suit season is just a few short months away.

Any way you spread it, Better N’ Peanut Butter is just plain better.

That is why I am happy to report that Better N’ Peanut Butter is this week’s WIN-It-Wednesday sponsor on BeFreeForMe. Two (yes 2!) LUCKY BeFreeForMe members will win a variety pack of Better N’ Peanut Butters (one of each flavor).

How can you win?

Easy?

Reply to this blog and tell us how you stick to staying in shape (I am really looking forward to seeing these answers!) and/or your favorite way to enjoy peanut butter. (Me? I try to hit the treadmill every day while I watch Dr. Oz to pick-up a few pointers on staying well, and I love my peanut butter on gluten-free toast).

All entries must be received by Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 12 midnight EST.

Good Luck, Learn from peanut butter and stick with it… and, as always…

Be Free!

Passover is a fantastic time to scoop up some phenomenal gluten-free products at some great prices!

What distinguishes food that is eaten at Passover? During this religious holiday observing the Hebrews’ exodus from Egypt, observers eat matzo instead of bread. They also refrain from eating “chometz” during the weeklong holiday – that includes barley, wheat, rye and oats (plus leavening).

I found a blog, Gluten-Free Nosh, run by a gal named Eve, whose youngest daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease three years ago. In her blog Eve shares how to create gluten-free versions of her family’s favorite and traditional Jewish foods, along with tips and pointers to navigate your way through a gluten-free lifestyle.

Just recently Eve wrote a blog post that includes a comprehensive list of gluten-free foods found during Passover.  Her blog posting is a must read for everyone! So make sure you check it out, and bring it with you during this week’s grocery shopping trip.

P.S. I also am dying to try Eve’s Gluten-Free Matzo Ball Soup recipe.

Thanks Eve for this great blog post!