Be Free For Me Blog

Happy Friday… Happy Memorial Day…  And Happy Summer everyone!

Summer is officially here and it is time to slow-down on the baking and dig into some nice cool refreshing desserts!

One of my new favorite finds is Ciao Bella Gelatos & Sorbets. For those of you who don’t know what a gelato is, it is an Italian style ice-cream that contains less butterfat and less air by volume. Most of the Ciao Bella Flavors are gluten-free; and their sorbets are dairy-free and fat-free too. 

The knock your socks off flavors that Ciao Bella has come up with makes it so very difficult to select just one while standing at your grocer’s freezer. My solution? Buy two!

Some of the flavors they offer are: Triple Espresso, Chocolate Jalapeno, Roasted Hazelnut, Pistachio and Honey Toasted Pecan. My favorite? Believe it or not… the Tahitian Vanilla. I am usually not a “vanilla” type of gal, but I love the deep intense authentic vanilla essence of this gelato, combined with the specs of real vanilla beans in every cool spoonful.

Ciao Bella also offers sorbets for those looking for a dairy/lactose and gluten free dessert. Some of the distinctive flavors of the sorbets are: Lemon Zest Sorbet, Sicilian Blood Orange (which was featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things show!) and Prickly Pear.

I haven’t tried all of the Ciao Bella flavors yet, but plan on making this a goal to accomplish this summer! Note: No need to wish me luck.

Fantastic flavors, tastes that tantalize and ingredients that intrigue are all the fabulous reasons why Ciao Bella Gelatos and Sorbets take this weeks honors of BeFreeForMe’s Friday Favorite!

Sometimes it’s the little things that bring the most joy to your life… and to me finding Gluten-free red licorice was one of those “life is good” moments.

One of the things I missed the most after going gluten-free was red licorice. The sad day I discovered that my beloved red licorice twists contained gluten I remember thinking, “who in the world would have EVER thought that red licorice contained gluten?”

That is why I was so very excited when the folks over at Candy Tree heard about my licorice demise and straight-away sent to the BeFreeForMe offices a big package jam-packed with Candy Tree Gluten Free Red Licorice twists and ropes!

Gluten-free joy for me!

Plus, the Candy Tree products are 100% organic and contain no added sugar. At zero-grams of fat per serving, and only 143 calories for about 7 twists – this is a gluten-free candy treat that I don’t feel guilty about enjoying! The ingredients are simple too: Organic corn syrup, organic rice flour, organic rice starch, organic concentrated fruit juices and organic fruit flavors. Nothing artificial and nothing I can’t pronounce. I like that.

Thanks Candy Tree for making red licorice gluten-free for me! Life is indeed good!

Note: Many BeFreeForMe Members have contacted us on how to buy the products featured on the website and blog. Starting today we will offer links to “buy” these products on Amazon.com, if available. Be sure to check out the Super-Saver Shipping offered on orders of $25 and more!

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I can’t believe that I haven’t recognized Mary Gone Cracker’s Organic Gluten-free crackers as BeFreeForMe’s Friday Favorite before now.

This just goes to prove that sometimes you take the things you love the most for granted!

Everyone I know, both gluten free and gluten eating, folks love these crackers. With just the right amount of quinoa, brown rice, flax seed and sesame seeds these crackers are unique. There’s nothing else like them out there. And with the name “Mary Gone Crackers” you know that they are just a little quirky and atypical of all other gluten free crackers on the market.

An extra bonus is that these organic, gluten free crackers are also vegan, dairy free and contain no hydrogenated oils or trans-fats.

My favorite is the Black Pepper flavor, since it is a slightly peppery-hot and has a mild kick.

How do I enjoy these yummy crispy disks of gluten-free joy? First thing in the morning, I love them with a hard boiled egg; at lunch they pair perfect with soup; and at snack time they are great spread with fresh butter or with a big chunk of extra sharp cheddar.

The unique delicious one-of-a-kind taste is why this week’s Friday Favorite honors are bestowed to Mary Gone Crackers!

Snacking is big for me. And any snack that is low-calorie, plus good for me is even bigger. That’s why I love to grab a cheese stick for a quick protein boost on the go.

My favorite is the Sorrento Stringsters Reduced Fat Mozzarella String Cheese. Because they are individually wrapped I can take these healthy gluten-free snacks anywhere I go.

I also like that these cheese sticks are only 70 calories each, high in calcium, and 25% less fat than low moisture part skim string cheese.

Say cheese… and smile!

There are so many things that bring back happy memories that include the sweet and sticky marshmallow…Making S’mores on hot summer nights, Congo Bars packed with care in my school time Road Runner lunchbox, and mini-marshmallows topping a steaming cup of hot chocolate after making snow men (and ladies!) with my two sisters many years ago on Cape Cod.

What’s not to love about the marshmallow? Full of fun… Full of memories… and NOT full of gluten!

Simply stated and most definitely under-rated… Kraft’s Jet-Puffed marshmallow gets my vote for the most fun-packed gluten-free food, as well as this week’s BeFreeForMe Friday Favorite honor!

Additional Note: Please notice Kraft Food’s policy on listing gluten in their products. It is straightforward, easy to read… and understand! Thanks Kraft Foods!

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!

Anything quick and easy, plus tasty, is good for me! That’s why this week’s Friday Favorite is Pamela’s Products Baking & Pancake Mix.

A bag of this mix should be a staple in any gluten-free cabinet.

The absolute beauty of this gluten-free mix is that it can be made into anything… cookies, crepes, waffles, pancakes, muffins, breads and cakes… and more.

In fact this mix is so versatile it kinda reminds me of the Bisquick for the gluten-free set! This mix really can make it all – all the while making you look like the Queen of Gluten-Free Baking.

My favorite use of Pamela’s Baking & Pancake Mix? The pancake recipe, which is on the bag of the mix, as well as Pamela’s website.  

Why do I love these pancakes so much that I made them this week’s Friday Favorite? Well, they are delicious, convenient and practical! On Sunday Mornings I make up a batch of the batter and cook-up a dozen or so silver-dollar pancakes. I then place 2 to 3 of the cooked pancakes in individual freezer bags and toss them in the freezer. During the crazy weekday mornings, I grab a single-serve bag out of the freezer, pop the pancakes into the toaster, and enjoy… all with no mixing, fussing or pans to wash!

Perfect! =)

I eat tons of salads. I know that there are plenty of other gluten and allergen free meal options out there, but salads are my old stand-by for the main course when I just don’t feel like cooking.

Many salads can be ho-hum, as boring as iceberg lettuce can get. But I am a true-believer that a good salad dressing can spruce up any salad green.

That’s why Brianna’s Salad Dressings are my pick for this week’s Friday Favorite.

Brianna’s comes in flavors such as Rich Poppy Seed (My all-time favorite. Is it possible to be addicted to salad dressing?), Champagne Caper Vinaigrette and Rich Santa Fe Blend. 

The Brianna’s website also, has some fantastic recipes that are worth checking out. Many are gluten and allergen free, and others can be easily adapted to be.

All of the dressings are nut free, vegetarian and have no MSG added; and MOST are free of gluten & lactose. To find out specifics on each individual type of dressing send an email to info@BriannasSaladDressing.com.

Send Brianna’s an email today… Because salads don’t have to be boring!

Quick and easy is the name of the game for me. That is why this week’s pick for the Friday Favorite is Valley Fresh canned chicken breast.

The only ingredients are: White chicken, water and sea salt. 

When things get hectic I want to reach for a few “go to” pantry items that are staples in my cabinet. No cooking and prepping involved, Valley Fresh chicken is my quick and easy lunch or dinner.

Gluten and allergen free the http://www.valleyfresh.com website has lots of recipe ideas. 

So simple. Yet such a life saver!

This week’s Friday Favorite is also a family favorite! My sister (the super-awesome birthday girl!) is the one that actually turned me on to the Against the Grain Baguettes. The flavor I tried was the Fresh Rosemary, and they smelled just as good as they tasted.

This baguette was the way a baguette should be: crusty and flaky on the outside, and soft and airy in the inside. Deliciously yummy. After the first bite I knew why my sister raved about these baguettes.

These baguettes were served by my sister at a dinner to both gluten-free and glutenous family members. They were a huge, huge hit with everyone.

Against The Grain manufactures their products in a 100% gluten-free, peanut and tree-nut free, 7,200 square foot facility located in Brattleboro, Vermont. They also use local eggs and milk from nearby farmers in all their products. Their products also contain no yeast, corn, soy, rice or sugar. As well as the baguettes, they also make bagels, rolls, and pizza shells. They are all sold frozen. 

I haven’t tried the rolls yet, but my sister tells me that turkey burgers are awesome on the rosemary rolls. I can’t wait to try them for myself. Look forward to a recipe coming soon!

Against The Grain also just recently won the Vermont Grilled Cheese Cook-Off. Their winning sandwich called the “South-of-the Border Grilled Flatbread, Vermont Style,” also has Cabot Cheese as an ingredient, which is another one of BeFreeForMe Friday Favorites! The gluten free recipe is as follows:

SOUTH-OF-THE-BORDER GRILLED FLATBREAD, VERMONT STYLE (Serves 4)
A gluten free sandwich

Ingredients:

1 Gluten Free 12-inch, 3-Cheese Pizza Shell (Against The Grain Gourmet)
4 oz Chipotle Cheddar Cheese (Neighborly Farms of Vermont,) grated
2 Tbsp refried black beans
4 Slices bacon (Vermont Smoke and Cure, Thick Sliced,) cooked and crumbled
2-3 Tbsp Cilantro Vinaigrette (1Tbsp fresh chopped cilantro, 2 parts oil, 1 part white balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to taste)

Directions:

1.) Prepare cilantro vinaigrette ahead of time for optimum flavor.
2.) Cut pizza shell into halves.  Brush the top surface of each half liberally with cilantro vinaigrette.
3.) Spread a thin layer of refried black beans on the bottom surface of one half, and top with grated cheese and bacon crumbles.
4.) Close the flatbread sandwich and place on grill.  Grill for 4-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and the shell is toasted with golden grill marks.
5.) Cut into 4ths with pizza cutter to serve.