Be Free For Me Blog

The honors of this week’s BeFreeForMe’s Friday Favorite was an easy choice… Kretschmar Deli Meats.

Not only are all of Kretschmar’s deli meats gluten free, they are also free of MSG and artificial flavors. What’s not a gluten-free gal to love?

Truthfully, the deli department at your local grocer can be one of the hardest places to navigate when shopping gluten-free. That is why I ask for Kretschmar deli meats… without hesitation or a question about its gluten-free status.

Kretschmar deli meats taste fantastic too. The turkey taste like the real-deal (think Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches) and the roast beef and hams taste like a thin-cut version of the meats you cook at home.

Fresh, tasty, 100% gluten-free… Pick a number, step up to the deli counter, and order away my gluten-free friends!

This article hit the nail on the head when it comes to celiac disease (as well as food allergies). The writer details how schools, restaurants and supermarkets everywhere are changing their ways and making it easier for those with celiac disease and food allergies to cope, exist and even become joyful when it comes to the simple things in life.

This article actually made me smile. It’s proof that I am not the only one that does a “happy dance” in a supermarket aisle when a new “gluten free” or “allergen free” food is found, or how “hugging a box of gluten free Chex Mix” seems like a totally normal thing to do.

Hey, gluten-free happiness is contagious… and I’m glad it’s being spread along.

BeFreeForMe has been nominated to the Shine A Light Initiative!

Shine A Light is a program that rewards everyday small businesses that inspires to help others, while keeping an entrepreneurial spirit.

The Shine A Light initiative is sponsored by American Express, in partnership with NBC Universal. They are inviting folks to nominate and vote for an inspiring small business that strives to assist others and give back to their community.

This is a perfect opportunity for those in the celiac and allergen free communities to make a difference and have others take notice! The three finalist judges are talk show host and entrepreneur Ellen DeGeneres, fashion designer and entrepreneur Diane von Furstenberg, and MSNBC’s small business expert and host JJ Ramberg.

To support BeFreeForMe’s nomination, click here, and read our profile. If you would like to support us, and further the awareness of food allergies and celiac disease, click on the “Support this Story” button in the left column. Please note that in order to submit your endorsement, you will have to register (it is quick and easy though and they promise not to spam!). 

BeFreeForMe would use the award grant money to further the awareness of celiac disease and food allergies, as well as provide medic alert bracelets / identifications to anyone financially in need.

Thanks ahead of time for your vote! Please note that you need to vote by September 13th (Sunday)!

It’s funny how condiments can make a gluten free or allergen free world that much… well, happier! Condiments can make the sometimes ho-hum world of gluten or allergen free living come to life.

This week’s Friday favorite is another old standby for me. Honeycup Mustard is the sunshine in my gluten-free pantry. Plus, the usefulness of this mustard makes it a staple that I can’t live without.

Honeycup Uniquely Sharp Mustard is gluten free, egg free, sesame free, nut free, dairy free, plus kosher. It is perfect smothered over chicken before baking or used as a dip for gluten-free pretzels.

My favorite though is as a topping for deli meat, cheese and veggies that is wrapped in large leaf lettuce. It gives just enough “zip” to turn it into a satisfying and tasty sandwich alternative.

Who needs the bread when a condiment like this can steal the show?

If you want to find out more about this mustard, or order some for yourself, you can find it at their distributor, World Foods or call the folks at Stone County Specialties at (416) 447-9664.

This week I am featuring recipes using one of my all time favorite products, Marconi Infused Oils. Since being diagnosed with celiac, I always keep a small 1.75 ounce bottle of an infused oil in my bag – it is great for when I eat out and need a flavorful salad dressing or need to spice up a piece of plain chicken, or veggies that are lacking and flavorless.

Now with the scare of allergens being found in olive oil (Read more here), it is even more important for those of us with allergies and intolerances to be weary of the olive oil served in restaurants.

Marconi Infused Olive Oils are made by Catania-Spagna Corporation. Their quality assurance program far exceeds industry standards and they pride themselves on superior quality oils.  I have had the pleasure of meeting the close-knit family that runs the company, which is over 100 years old and now has a fourth generation learning the business. They are all passionate about what they do, and it shows in their products.

I just love these infused oils!  They come in five flavors: Rosemary, basil, garlic, oregano & jalapeno (My favs are the rosemary and basil!).  I’ve been told that these products are made by placing herbs in a huge vat of oil for over a month at a time. This allows the herbal flavors to soak right into the oils. This infusion process makes the Marconi oils far superior than the cheaper copy-cat and less flavorful “flavored” oils. 

When I asked them if I, their biggest fan around, could feature the recipes found on their website on BeFreeForMe.com they were thrilled!  They wanted to offer the BeFreeForMe.com members special savings so for a limited time all purchases made through the Catania website will be 10% OFF when using the coupon code “Marconi” at check-out. Give them a try! But watch out – you may become addicted like me!

http://www.cataniausa.com
Use Coupon Code: Marconi