Betty Lou's Fruit Bars

Have you heard of Betty Lou’s?  NO!  Available in Cherry, Apple and Blueberry flavors.  If the soft gooey fruited texture wasn’t enough get you hooked, each bar has 5 grams of fiber but you won’t know it!  See her full line at: http://www.bettylousinc.com

Gluten-Free Getaways

Summer time brings fun in the sun activities and stress-free relaxation.  However, traveling gluten-free away from familiar territory can cause some unwanted stress and put a damper on your vacation plans.

Have no fear; there are now several websites you can visit to help navigate gluten-free where ever you may choose to roam.

• www.glutenfreetravelsite.com provides vacation reviews, featured cities, and gluten-free restaurant menus.  The site is sponsored by the Celiac Disease Foundation, Celiac Sprue Association, and the Gluten Intolerance Group.  They also provide several links to helpful hints and tips as well as other websites dedicated to vacationing gluten-free with ease. Featured vacation spots include Sandals and Beaches Resorts, Disney World, Timeshares and Rentals, and Cruise lines just to name a few.
• http://thesavvyceliac.com is also a great resource for planning your summer vacations.  Information for romantic/honeymoon vacations, gluten-free family vacations, and the best gluten-free vacations in the U.S. and abroad.

Of course, whenever in doubt or to help calm pre-vacation concerns, never hesitate to call your destination hotel and/or surrounding restaurants to see if they provide gluten-free options.  Chances are they do or are helpful in suggesting gluten-free options.  With over 3000 gluten-free products available you can always visit a close by supermarket to stock up on necessities and store them in you hotel fridge or bring along for the day’s adventures. 

When dining at a restaurant that doesn’t offer gluten-free menu, safe choices are always plain fruits, vegetables, meats and rice.  Tell your waiter to hold the seasoning, spices, broths and gravies.  Your waiter might just surprise you and have Celiac Disease too.  Never hesitate to speak up...ultimately restaurants want to make their customers happy and are often willing to step outside the box to do so.

10 Facts About Celiac Disease

From celebrities joining the bandwagon as the new fad diet to the real positive effect seen with Autistic children, Celiac Disease has been the hot topic with the media. Until more education is provided about CD, myths and misconstrued facts will continue to run wild.  To help clear the air, here are ten facts about Celiac Disease:

1:  One in 133 people have Celiac Disease.  Autism is currently one in 110.

2. 95% of CD cases go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

3. Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease- not a food allergy.

4.  Currently there is no cure for Celiac Disease

5. 50-60% is the estimated diagnosis rate of Celiac Disease by 2019.  Thanks to efforts of public awareness.

6. Gluten-free sales reached more than $2.6 billion by the end of 2010 and are expected to reach more than $5 billion by 2015.

7. Celiac Disease affects the nutrient absorbing villi located in the small intestines.

8. Damage to the villi contributes to malnutrition, diarrhea and constipation, neurological defects, short stature, brittle bones, anemia, cancers, infertility and more.

9. Children with Autism and Aspergers have been shown function better while on a gluten-free diet.

10. Celiac Disease is one of the easiest diseases to manage…just eat gluten free.  With over 3000 gluten-free products now on the market eating gluten-free is easier than ever.

Win-It! 125 Gluten Free Recipes Cookbook by Carol Fenster

The summer is here, the gardens are giving us plenty and we are all looking for some tasty and delicious gluten-free recipes to use up the excess tomatoes, squashes, peppers and herbs that are bursting out of the garden gates.
That’s why I was so excited when I received a copy of Carol Fenster’s new cookbook, 125 Gluten-Free Vegetarian Recipes: Quick and Delicious Mouthwatering Dishes for the Healthy Cook along with 2 extra copies to be awarded to two lucky BeFreeForMe members for this WIN-It-Wednesday.
Before I tell you about the cookbook, let me tell you about Carol Fenster, the author of this and many other gluten-free cookbooks that are a life-line in my kitchen. Carol is one of the foremost experts on gluten-free cooking and the author of several popular gluten-free cookbooks including: Gluten-Free Quick & Easy, 1000 Gluten-Free Recipes, Gluten-Free 101, and 100 Best Gluten-Free Recipes. Carol also consults worldwide and speaks frequently at national conferences. Carol Fenster is one-of-a-kind. I only wish I had her talent and culinary expertise. (Note: Make sure you follow Carol on her blog CarolFensterCooks.com)
Now…let me tell you a little about this cookbook, the prize that two lucky BeFreeForMe winners will claim after this WIN-It-Wednesday contest ends. 125 Gluten-Free Vegetarian Recipes: Quick and Delicious Mouthwatering Dishes for the Healthy Cook Cookbook will be a staple for anyone that is following a gluten-free and a vegetarian lifestyles. I personally am not a “full-time” vegetarian, but understand the importance and strive to make vegetables, fruits, gluten-free grains and tofu the “main course” of many of the meals that I make for myself and my family.
I figure if I can make more meals with vegetables without missing meat AND the meals taste delicious… why not? This cookbook has given me tons of ideas and recipes to get me on this track of healthy eating. (Smothered Bean Burrito with Green Chili Salsa or Old-Fashioned Vegetable Pot Pie with Savory Pastry Crust, anyone?)
All these delicious reasons and recipes are why I am thrilled that this week’s WIN-It-Wednesday on BeFreeForMe.com is sponsored by Carol Fenster – the author of “125 Gluten-Free Vegetarian Recipes”.

How can you win?
Easy!

Reply to this blog and tell us what vegetable you’d like to discover more recipes for. (Me? Eggplants. I love them… but sometimes, I’m not sure what to do with them besides the basic Parmesan.)
A total of TWO BeFreeForMe members will be selected to win the “125 Gluten-Free Vegetarian Recipes” Cookbook. One (1) winner will be randomly selected from the entries received before Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 11:59 PM EST, and one (1) more winner will be randomly selected to win from the entries received between Wednesday, July 20 and Tuesday, July 27, 2011 at 11:59PM. SO – make sure you enter to win two times!
Good luck, remember to eat your veggies… and as always,
Be Free!

Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Goes Gluten Free

Part of an ongoing commitment to provide customers with fresher, healthier and more natural foods
SALT LAKE CITY (May 18, 2011) – Costa Vida Restaurants, one of the nation's fastest growing fast casual dining concepts, announced today the addition of all new gluten-free menu options. Glutens have been removed from all sauces, dressings, meats and selected deserts.
"We are listening to our guests and are responding to their needs when it comes to freshness, quality and dietary requirements," said Sean Collins, Costa Vida Chairman and Partner. "That's why we've added the new gluten-free menu offerings."
"Our food and recipes are among the cleanest and most natural, and we will continue to strive to eliminate preservatives and allergen causing ingredients wherever possible," said Costa Vida executive chef, Dave Prows.
"This announcement is very exciting for anyone who suffers from Celiac Disease or gluten intolerance," said Roxanne Weir, mentor from the Utah County Gluten Intolerant Group UC GIG. "This move helps to raise the bar for all restaurants chains nationwide." May is Celiac Awareness Month throughout the country.
Costa Vida uses only the freshest, all-natural ingredients, and prides itself on its intensely flavored, unique recipes that leave guests energized, inspired and satisfied. "We believe that eating healthier starts with the freshest ingredients, such as our juicy tomatoes, jalapenos, onions, garlic, red chilies, cilantro and tangy mangoes," said Chef Prows.
The complete list of new menu items available May 18 nation-wide includes: sauces, dressings, meats and desert.
To learn more about Costa Vida visit www.costavida.net. To become a true "Costa Vidan," become a friend at the Costa Vida Facebook page and receive special discounts and offers.
ABOUT COSTA VIDA
Costa Vida is a fast casual restaurant inspired by the fresh tasting foods and vibrant lifestyle of the Baja Peninsula. Costa Vida's food is created every day from scratch using only hand-selected, quality ingredients. The menu offers a variety of made-to-order items such as tacos, burritos, enchiladas, salads and desserts. As a growing and successful brand, Costa Vida also offers exciting and fun franchise business opportunities. For more information, visit www.costavida.net.