Be Free For Me Blog

It’s tough enough to get kids to eat right, but if you add food allergies or celiac disease into the mix the challenge become even greater.

That is why I was more than peas (whoop, I mean pleased!) when I stumbled across the Peas of Mind booth at a local food show a few months ago.

Made by a mom, Peas of Mind Puffets offer a perfectly balanced nutritious meal for growing kids. Puffets are also super easy to prepare, delicious and perfect for lunchboxes and as a grab-and-go or hand-held meal. The Puffet’s come in six fabulous flavors; three of them are gluten-free (Eat Your Greens, Carrot Risotto and Black Bean Polenta) and two are dairy-free (Mamma’s Pasta & Dalai Lentil).

Although packed with nutrients that are fit for kids, Puffets are also a hit with adults looking for an organic & healthy snack or side dish. They are perfect accompanied with a cup of fresh homemade steaming soup or a crisp from the garden salad.

Peas of Mind also make Veggie Wedgies, which are baked crispy French fries made from real vegetables! Ingenious & delicious! The baked carrot fries, baked cauliflower fries, baked apple fries and the baked broccoli fries are a wonderfully sneaky way to get veggies into your little ones tummies. Containing all organic & vegan ingredients, these fries are packed with vitamins and nutrients – not oil and sodium like regular French fries. They are also gluten, dairy, egg, and soy free.

And at only 20- 25 calories and zero fat per serving, one taste of the Veggie Wedgies had this calorie conscious big girl asking, “Can I super-size that?”.  Again, here is another Peas of Mind product that’s made with kids in mind, but perfect for adults too. 

The convenience, organic and natural ingredients, and the way the vegetables have been snuck into these delicious gluten and allergen-free products makes me happy to have Peas of Mind as this weeks WIN-It-Wednesday sponsor. One lucky winner will be the recipient of a Peas of Mind FREE Coupon gift pack redeemable for various Peas of Mind products!

How can you WIN?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us how you get your kids, yourself, and/or your family to eat or be healthier. (Me? I try to buy local produce and dairy as much as I can… it’s fresher, taste better, and it’s better for the environment & local economy too!)

All entries must be received by Wednesday, February 3, 2010 by 12 Midnight EST.

Good Luck, Be sneakily healthy, and as always…

Be Free!

At the Natural Product Expo East, that took place in Boston from September 23 – 26th, I discovered many, many new products that the BeFreeForMe member’s just need to hear about!

I was pleasantly surprised at how many “fun” gluten and allergen-free products I found at the show that catered to kids. The marketing and the packaging of these products are outstanding, and for the most part, make gluten and allergen-free products for kid’s mainstream. Following are a few of the phenomenal kid’s products I found:

Ian’s Maple Sausage & Egg Waffle Sandwich: (Wheat, Gluten, Milk, Casein & Nut Free): Although this product is made for the kids – it is delicious and substantial enough for a big kid like me! Ian’s, as always, hit yet another homerun with this product. Quick, easy and microwavable – this delicious & nutritious sandwich quickly becomes a “solution” during those hectic mornings! (P.S. Ian’s has some other awesome products coming up in the near future – I will share more once these new products are available). Get Ian’s coupons here.

Revolution Foods Mashups Squeezable Fruit: This 100% organic unsweetened fruit puree is gluten free and has no trans fats or high fructose syrup. Basically this is squeezable, eatable fruit – that is ideal for the lunchbox or on the go snacking. Cool to eat, and good for you too. At 50-60 calories per pouch – these may be the hippest snacks for the Moms too.

Organic B.R.A.T. Tummy-Soother: (Gluten, Lactose, Soy, Corn and Casein free) This product, which was voted the Most Innovative Product at Natural Product Expo East, is designed to naturally promote electrolyte balance to aid in childrens re-hydration. Packed with calcium and vitamins it helps build strength and promote health. The four flavors are all gluten, corn, soy and preservative free. Although the B.R.A.T. (banana, rice, apples, toast) diet has traditionally been used for when people get sick, this product taste so good, and is nutritious enough to be enjoyed on a regular basis. I think this product would be perfect for those kids that are recently diagnosed with celiac, and have a hard time finding foods that make their tummies feel well.

Peas of Mind: (Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Soy free – plus vegan) These baked crispy French fries made from real vegetables are delicious! The baked carrot fries, cauliflower fries, baked apple fries and the baked broccoli fries are a wonderfully sneaky way to get veggies onto your little ones tummies. Containing all organic ingredients,  these fries are packed with vitamins and nutrients – not oil and sodium like regular French fries. Can I super-size that?

Tasty Baby Frozen Organic Foods for Babies & Kids: These gluten free baby foods, and perfect for the gluten-intolerant. Although they are packaged for babies these products also are great for the whole family in smoothies, recipes and snacks.