Be Free For Me Blog

If you’re looking for a something a little sweet for an afternoon pick-me-up, Gem Gem Chewy Ginger Candies are for you.

These kettle cooked chews are gluten-free, non-GMO, all natural and contain real Indonesian ginger.

Gem Gem says in their website that their chews are “a treat for the senses and the body”.  The spice, sweetness and chewy texture make for a tasty snack, while the ginger itself is known to help with many ailments including upset stomachs, morning sickness, motion sickness and nausea.

Their website continues to say that “Gem Gem use the highest standard to produce their candy. Most people believe that candy is junk food and unhealthy, but our company set out a goal to change that perspective. We believe candy can also be health benefiting product.”

And my favorite tagline on their website… these ginger chews are “Jam-Packed with Positivity”!

Gem Gem makes three varieties of Ginger Chews: Orange, Mango and my favorite, the good ‘ole Just Ginger.

For this week’s Win-It-Wednesday I picked up two bag of the Just Ginger Gem Gem Chews for two lucky winners for this contest!

One (1) winner will be randomly selected to win a bag from the entries received before Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at 11:59 PM EST, and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, August 30 and Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at 11:59PM. SO – make sure you enter two times to win!

How can you win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us what Gem Gem Chewy Ginger Candies looks the best to you. Is it the Orange? Mango? Or my favorite, the Just Ginger?

Good luck, keep yourself jam-packed with positivity, and, as always …

Be Free!

Those of you that have been following me on BeFreeForMe.com for a while just know that I love my jerky! Beef, pork chicken, or turkey… I just love them all. =)

Jerky to me is a quick and easy snack that is packed with protein. The tough part is finding a good quality jerky that is gluten free. And behold, I have found another favorite… Krave Jerky.

Krave Jerky is made in Sonoma, California with gourmet 100% lean cuts of meat and they have the absolute best flavors out there! Some of the flavors that are my favorites include: Garlic Chili Pepper beef, Basil Citrus Turkey, Black Cherry Barbeque Pork, and Honey Habanero Chicken, to name just a few. The best part… ALL are gluten free!

There will be two lucky winners of this Win-It-Wednesday contest. One (1) winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 11:59 PM EST, and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, August 16 and Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 11:59PM. SO – make sure you enter two times to win! Each winner will receive a bag of the Black Cherry Barbeque Pork Jerky.

How can you win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us what flavor of the Krave Beef Jerky looks the best to you! (Me? I love the Black Cherry Barbeque Pork Jerky… so yummy!)

Remember it’s okay to get a little (beef) jerky… and as always, Be Free!

Want to buy now? Check out these links on Amazon.com: Krave Beef Jerky Variety Pack

This week’s Win-It-Wednesday blog post is going to be quick… as in Instant Oatmeal!

If you are looking for a fast and hearty breakfast that will fill you up until lunch time – check out Bakery On Main Instant Oatmeal.

This certified gluten-free oatmeal is also full of whole grains (keeps your belly full!) and fiber. The flavors are awesome too:  Apple Pie, Strawberry Shortcake, Blueberry Scone, Maple Multigrain Muffin and an Unsweetened. Can’t make up your mind? They also have a Variety Pack!

Two (2) lucky winners will each receive a box of the Bakery On Main Instant Oatmeal with Ancient Grains. One (1) winner will be randomly selected from all comments/entries received before Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at 11:59 PM (EST) and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected from all comments/entries received between Wednesday, July 19 and Tuesday, July 25, 2017. So make sure you enter TWO TIMES to win!

How can you win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog post and tell us which variety of the oatmeal looks the best to you! (Me? I’m a Strawberry Shortcake gal all the way!)

Good Luck, Make it quick… but make it healthy… and as always,

Be Free!

Independence Day is almost here! During these dog-days of summer there is nothing better than an icy cold popsicle. When I was a kid I couldn’t wait for “Pony Boy” to come galloping down my Grandmother’s road so me and my two sisters could get an icy cold and sticky sweet Popsicle.

Nowadays I still crave these summertime treats, but was searching for a “big kid” version of the too sweet version of my childhood favorites. That is when I decided to take matters into my own hands and make my own gluten-free frozen treats… with a grown-up twist!

My inspiration to make my own Popsicles came from the Good Housekeeping website which features a bunch of recipes for make-your-own Popsicles… all in big-kid flavors, including Blackberry-Rose Ice Pops, Coconut Carrot Ice Pops, Melon Pops, Raspberry Buttermilk Ice Pops and, of course, the “Adult Only” Happy Hour Ice Pops!

The device that I used to make my own Popsicles was a Tovolo Rocket Pop Mold, which is the Cadillac, top-notch and big-gun variety when it comes to the world of iced pop molds. In fact, I loved my Tovolo Rocket Pop Molds so much I decided to go out and get two more for the winners of this Win-It-Wednesday on BeFreeForMe.com!

The Tovolo Rocket Pop Molds let you make homemade freeze pops so easily. They are dishwasher safe, food safe and are BPA free. They are also reusable, which reduces waste. But the best part about the Tovolo molds are the fun that you (and your kids too!) can have making your very own homemade gluten-free Popsicles. Plus, these pop molds are real money savers!  (And did I mention the super-cool rocket shape? What is better than a Popsicle shaped like a rocket?!)

All of these out of this world reasons are why I am so excited to share the Tovolo Rocket Pop Molds to two BeFreeForMe.com members. One (1) winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, July 4, 2017 at 11:59 PM EST, and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, July 5 and Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at 11:59PM. SO – make sure you enter two times to win!

How can you win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us a fun summer activity or memory you have (Me? Cape Cod beach visits!) Good luck, remember to relax, enjoy the rest of the summer, chill-out…and, as always …

Be Free!

Want to buy now? Check out these links on Amazon.com: Tovolo Rocket Pop Molds (Set of 6)

This week’s Win-It-Wednesday is a super sweet one… and we are featuring Gourmet Gummie Bears from Happy Yummies. Yes… you heard it right… GOURMET!

What makes these gummie bears gourmet are the irresistible and oh-so-yummy flavors. These gummie bears really kick those other gummie bears clear into the forest when it comes to the flavors offered. The flavors include Pink Grapefruit, Orange, Mango, Lemon, Green Apple, Lime, Blue Raspberry, Watermelon, Grape, Pineapple, Wild Cherry and Strawberry.

Happy Yummies Gourmet Gummie Bears are gluten free, as well as fat free (PLEASE NOTE: This product is manufactured in a plant that also processes wheat, soy, dairy, egg, peanut and tree nuts).

If you are a gummie bear lover… this Win-It-Wednesday is for you!

There will be two winners of this Win-It-Wednesday. Each of the two winners will receive a bag of the Happy Yummies Gourmet Gummie Bears. What a yummy prize!

One (1) winner will be randomly selected to win from the entries received before Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at 11:59 PM EST, and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, June 7 and Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 11:59PM. SO – make sure you enter two times to win!

How can you win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us what yummy flavor of the Happy Yummies Gourmet Gummie Bears looks the best to you. Is it the Grapefruit? Lemon? Grape? Or my favorite, the Mango?

Good luck, continue to keep your world yummy, and, as always …

Be Free!

If you love crunchy sweetness this Win-It-Wednesday is for you!

Natural Nectar makes these awesome crispy & crunchy chocolate filled sweets. Better than a cookie, or even a candy bar, these treats contain no trans fat, no artificial colors or flavors, and no high fructose corn syrup. They are also Certified Gluten-Free.

At only 58 calories per stick these are perfect for those looking for a little sweetness in their day.

I love to enjoy them with a cup of tea, but they are also great in lunchboxes or at snack time too.

All these reasons are why I am so very excited to have Natural Nectar Choco Dream Crispy Rice Stixs as the prize for this Win-It-Wednesday on BeFreeForMe.com.

Two (2) lucky winners will each receive a box of the Crispy Rice Stixs filled with cocoa spread. One (1) winner will be randomly selected from all comments/entries received before Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 11:59 PM (EST) and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected from all comments/entries received between Wednesday, May 24 and Tuesday, May 30, 2017. So make sure you enter TWO TIMES to win!

How Can You Win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us what Crispy Rice Stix variety looks the best to you (Is it the original or the double cocoa?). Good luck, Stay sweet, and, as always…

Be Free!

Finding a cookie that is gluten-free and free of the top 8 allergens can be tough. Throw into the quest a cookie that tastes good, and the hunt becomes almost impossible.

But thanks to Cybele’s Free-To-Eat Cookies everyone on a gluten-free diet or those that are concerned with the top 8 allergens – Dairy, Eggs, Wheat, Soy, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Fish and Shellfish – can enjoy a delicious, soft and sweet treat … worry free.

These cookies are made by a mom of a food allergic family, Cybele Pascal (on a side note… Cybele is a remarkable woman! Make sure you check out Cybele’s blog for some delicious recipes and her “Allergen-Free Bakers Handbook” cookbook for some great allergen-free baking tips and recipes!) The cookies are also vegan – and come in four flavors: Chocolate Chunk Brownie, Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, and my favorite, SnickerDoodle. Cybele’s Cookies are also baked in a dedicated gluten-free and allergy-friendly facility.

O.K. – I know by now many of you are also thinking that these cookies must be free of flavor too. But, a-ha, you are wrong my friends. These cookies are soft (like, really, really soft… which I love), moist, full of raisins, chocolate chips & chunks and all the other fixins’. So they are a perfect worry-free, tasty treat for those on a gluten-free diet, celiac disease, or with food allergies. But beware! The non-gluten-free and non-food-allergic peeps in your household will be gobbling them up too… they are just that good.

For being able to enjoy a super tasty cookie that is worry free when it comes to gluten and allergens, is the reason why I am so very excited to have Cybele’s Free-To-Eat Cookies as the prize for this Win-It-Wednesday on BeFreeForMe.com.

Two (2) lucky winners will each receive a box of Cybele’s Free To Eat Cookies. One (1) winner will be randomly selected from all comments/entries received before Tuesday, May 9, 2017at 11:59 PM (EST) and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected from all comments/entries received between Wednesday, May 10 and Tuesday, May 16, 2017. So make sure you enter TWO TIMES to win!

How Can You Win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us which Cybele’s Free To Eat Cookie looks the sweetest to you (Chocolate Chunk Brownie, SnickerDoodle, Chocolate Chip or Oatmeal Raisin). Good luck, sweetness to all of you, and, as always…

Be Free!

P.S. – Join me and connect with Cybele on Facebook and Twitter!

Let’s face it … everyone loves pretzels! They’re fun for snacking, soup toppings, appetizers and even for desserts (Yes… Desserts! More on that later!)

And if you haven’t tried Gratify Foods Gluten-Free product line, you must!

They make tons of gluten-free items, including Pretzels, Pretzel Crackers, Pretzel Thins, Baked Crackers, and my favorite the Covered Pretzels (YAY to chocolate and yogurt covered pretzels!).

All of their items are certified gluten-free, and many are also egg-free, dairy-free and Non-GMO (Check out their website for more details).

A total of two (2) BeFreeForMe members will be selected to win a pack of the Gratify Gluten-Free Sea Salt Pretzel Crackers.  One winners will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at 11:59 PM EST, and one more winners will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, April 26 and Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 11:59 PM. SO – make sure you enter to win two times!

How can you win?
Easy?

Reply to this blog and tell us your favorite type of Gratify snack! (Is it the traditional Sea Salt Pretzels? Or maybe the Milk Chocolate Covered Twists? Or maybe the Peanut Butter & Milk Chocolate Twists?)

Good luck, get snacking… and as always,
Be Free!

It’s cookbook giveaway time again! And this time it is sponsored by one of my favorite gluten-free cookbook authors, Carol Fenster!

Carol’s new gluten-free cookbook is genius. Living in a two-person household, Carol decided that enough was enough when it came to “over-making” recipes by preparing enough to feed a small army. So she wrote Gluten-Free Cooking for Two, a collection of 125 recipes, that are absolutely perfect for two.

Being in a household of two myself I love this cookbook. It is perfect for empty-nesters, newlyweds or even singles. Besides being convenient, this cookbook has allowed me to actually save money (and we all know I love to save!) since it allows me to cook only the portions that I need, and as a result reduce the amount of food I throw away. Why? Because having mega amount of leftovers is so overrated and wasteful most of the time! Let’s face it… the concept of eating that super-sized gluten-free casserole as leftovers for the whole week never, ever really happens!

Gluten-Free Cooking for Two focuses on those dishes that require real kitchen finesse to downsize. It may be easy to grill up two chicken breasts or steaming veggies for two, but as Carol says, sometimes “… it’s not always as simple as dividing a 4-serving recipe in half.” That’s where this cookbook comes into play!

Some of the recipes I loved in the cookbook are the Chicken Pot Pies with Rustic Biscuit Crust, Coconut-Curry Salmon, Chia Breakfast Pudding, Chicken Tikka Masala, Minestrone Soup and the Lemon Bars. All are delicious, easy to make and perfect for two! And as a bonus, Carol also includes the recipe for her signature Gluten-Free Flour Blend, plus tips for “small batch” grocery shopping & prepping.

And lucky for all of you, Carol Fenster and her team are providing us with TWO copies of the “Gluten-Free Cooking for Two” cookbook for two lucky winners of this contest!

One (1) winner will be randomly selected to win a cookbook from the entries received before Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at 11:59 PM EST, and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected to win a cookbook from the entries received between Wednesday, April 12 2017 and Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at 11:59PM. SO – make sure you enter two times to win!

How can you win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us your all-time favorite go-to recipe!

Good luck, happy cooking, and as always …

Be Free!

I love local products. And, I love chocolate. That is why I was so very, very thrilled to find the best chocolate in the whole wide world that is made right outside Boston. Let me introduce to you all… Taza Chocolate!

Said like a true Bostonian… Taza Chocolate is wicked good.

Made with stone ground chocolate, every single bite of Taza chocolate is bursting with flavorful organic cacao beans. The process of stone grounding the cacao beans produces a bold and unrefined chocolate experience.

I love the Taza Chocolate Disks. The flavors of the disks are out of this world too. Some of them include the 85% Super Dark, Chipotle Chili, Cinnamon, Coffee, Guajillo Chili, Salted Almond and Vanilla. But my all-time favorite is the Winter Warmer Spiked Eggnog! All flavors are Certified Gluten-Free.

And lucky for all of you, I picked up two packages of the Winter Warmer Eggnog Chocolate Disks for the two lucky winners of this contest!

One (1) winner will be randomly selected to win a lunchbox from the entries received before Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at 11:59 PM EST, and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected to win a lunchbox from the entries received between Wednesday, March 29, 2017 and Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at 11:59PM. SO – make sure you enter two times to win!

How can you win?

Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us what Taza Chocolate Disk flavor looks the best to you!

Good luck, be wicked good and, as always …

Be Free!