I Attended the Gluten Free Summit at the General Mills Headquarters in Minneapolis!

The General Mills Visitor's Reception Area

When I started my Gluten Free Taste of Home blog a year and a half ago, I never dreamed it would take me to the General Mills headquarters in Minneapolis Minnesota, to serve as a voice for my daughter with Celiac Disease, and the greater gluten free community.  Unbelievably, that it precisely what happened!  Myself and 9 other gluten free bloggers were invited to attend a gluten free summit on behalf of General Mills.  Danna Korn, author of the book Kids with Celiac Disease and Founder of the R.O.C.K. support group has been working with General Mills developing their gluten free division, and was given the responsibility of choosing a group of gluten free bloggers to travel to the General Mills headquarters for an intensive one day gluten free summit.  By some amazing twist of fate, she invited me.

The gluten free bloggers and General Mills staff members at the gluten free summit.   I'm in the back row, 5th from the left. This photo was taken in the Betty Crocker kitchens by Jill of the Hey, That Tastes Good! blog.  Thanks Jill!  

It was a whirlwind of a trip, flying from my home in Washington to Minneapolis early in the morning and finally arriving to the hotel in the late afternoon.  I had the privilege of visiting with relatives from Minnesota that I haven't seen in over twenty years in the two spare hours between arriving at the hotel and meeting up with the other bloggers and General Mills staff.  What a gift that was!

The gluten free bloggers all attended  a "get to know you" dinner at Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano in Minneapolis later that evening.  Gluten Free bread, pasta, pizza, and even chocolate cake was served to the gluten free bloggers.  I tried the gluten free pizza, bread, and chocolate cake; all were quite good, with the pizza being my favorite of the three.  Dear Biaggi's, please open a location in the greater Seattle area soon!

Here are the gluten free bloggers who attended the gluten free summit at General Mills:

Amanda from A Few Short Cuts

Lynn from Lynn's Kitchen Adventures

Jill from Hey, That Tastes Good!

Shirley from Gluten Free Easily

Linda from The Gluten Free Homemaker

Amy from The Savvy Celiac

Rachel from The Crispy Cook

Cinde from Gluten Free Taste of Home (that's me!)

Maureen from Hold the Gluten 

Vanessa from The Celiac Princess

and

Shelly from the Minneapolis Chapter R.O.C.K support group

It was my sincere pleasure to be in the company of this amazing group of gluten free bloggers!  I was truly sad when I had to say good by to them!  They are all dedicated, strong women, with a true passion for making a difference in the gluten free world.

I am not at liberty to say much regarding General Mills' plans for their gluten free division yet.  What I can tell you is that General Mills has shown genuine interest in servicing the gluten free consumer in more ways than one.  They were eager to hear the opinions of the gluten free bloggers at the summit, be it positive or negative. Being that General Mills is the 6th largest food company in the world, it is exciting to imagine the magnitude of the impact that their involvement in the gluten free community could bring.  As soon as I am at liberty to share more details, you will be the first to know. :)  For now, you can visit General Mills Live Gluten Freely website for gluten free recipes and resources.

Oil Painting of "Betty" herself,  from the Betty Crocker Kitchens in Minneapolis.  This was one of a series of framed oil paintings of Betty Crocker from the 1940's all the way through the present.  I chose to post this particular photo because this is the image I remember from my Mom's Betty Crocker cookbook when I was a girl; it takes me right back to my childhood (bell bottoms and all).

What I can share with you now is that I had the unique experience of baking with my fellow gluten free bloggers in the Betty Crocker Kitchens!  You may remember from past posts that I have been a Betty Crocker fan since I was a little girl.  In fact, back in the 1970's when I was in elementary school, I was crowned the "Betty Crocker Coupon Queen."  Seriously.  I still have the trophy to this day! If your scratching your head wondering how that came about, let me explain. My Sunday school class had a contest to see who could collect the most Betty Crocker Coupons for the church.  My Mom was an avid Betty Crocker consumer, and as a result I brought in the most Betty Crocker coupons.  In addition to receiving a big trophy, a handmade paper crown adorned with plastic spoons and forks was placed upon my head.  I was queen for a day.  A proud, 7 year old, plastic-fork n' spoon-crown-wearing queen. :)  From that moment forward, I have always felt bonded to Betty Crocker.  

Left to right: Linda from The Gluten Free Homemaker, Shirley from Gluten Free Easily, and I baking gluten free desserts in the Betty Crocker kitchens.  The Betty Crocker Gluten Free Dessert Mixes and the new Gluten Free Bisquick were the core ingredients used in the recipes.  

A big hello to my new gluten free blogger friends, I miss you and hope to see you again! Also a huge thank you to all of the wonderful General Mills staff and gluten free summit organizers who gave me this unforgettable opportunity to be a part of something very special.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was not compensated for this post, nor was I compensated to attend the gluten free summit.  The opinions I have expressed are solely my own.  Others who attended may have different opinions.  General Mills paid for my airfare, ground transportation, lodging and meals for the purpose of having me attend the gluten free summit.  Airport parking, baggage fees and meals at the airport/airplane were paid by me.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Coming December 2010: THE CAKE MIX DOCTOR BAKES GLUTEN-FREE & a Cake Recipe from the Book!

I am absolutely thrilled to announce the highly anticipated upcoming release of The Cake Mix Doctor Bakes Gluten-Free by Anne Byrn (one of my all time favorite cookbook authors!)

I will be reviewing the cookbook closer to it's December release... this is just announcement to let you know that it is coming!  I am literally counting the days until December when I can get my hands on a copy of this book; you will be the first to know!

I had the honor of testing a few of the gluten free cake recipes in this book for Anne Byrn while she was writing it, and even had the pleasure of chatting with her about gluten free baking on the phone.  She is such a warm and friendly person, no wonder every recipe I have ever made from her cookbooks tastes so comforting!

Much to my delight, I was recently asked to sample a recipe from The Cake Mix Doctor Bakes Gluten-Free called Kitchen Sink Gingerbread Cake, and was provided with a box of gluten free yellow cake mix for use in the recipe.  The aroma of ginger and cinnamon made my house smell like the holidays when it was baking, and the final product was moist and tasted divine.  

Recipe Sneak Peek:

Gluten Free Kitchen Sink Gingerbread Cake Recipe (Courtesy of The Cake Mix Doctor):

Vegetable oil spray, for misting the pan

1 package (15 ounces) yellow gluten free cake mix
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
8 tablespoons (1stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 large eggs, 2/3 cup apple cider or water
2 tablespoons molasses
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, or 1 teaspoon grated orange zest

1. Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly mist an 8-inch square pan with vegetable oil spray and set the pan aside.

2. Place the cake mix, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Cut the butter into tablespoons, then add it and the eggs, apple cider or water, molasses, and vanilla or zest and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are just incorporated, 30 seconds. Stop the machine and scrape down the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat the batter until smooth, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes longer, scraping down the side of the bowl again if needed. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with the rubber spatula, and place the pan in the oven.

3. Bake the cake until the top springs back when lightly pressed with a finger, 52 to 57 minutes.. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the cake cool completely, 15 to 20 minutes. if desired.

Keep It Fresh! Store the cake in the pan, covered with plastic wrap at room temperature for up to three days. Freeze the cake, wrapped in aluminum foil, for up to one month. To serve the cake warm, reheat it, partially covered with aluminum foil, in a 300 F oven until warmed through, 30 minutes.

The Cake Mix Doctor Says: 

Try a variation with 1 chopped, peeled apple stirred in once the batter is blended.

*My adjustments to this recipe:

I substituted Earth Balance Buttery Spread instead of butter to make this cake dairy free, with excellent results.  My oven runs hot, so I reduced the baking time to 48 minutes.  My cake was completely done in 48 minutes; next time I will check the cake after 40 minutes. 

ABOUT THE CAKE MIX DOCTOR BAKES GLUTEN-FREE:

"Thirty million Americans are gluten-intolerant or have a gluten sensitivity, eliminating it from their diets because gluten—a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley—has been implicated in health issues ranging from respiratory problems and abdominal discomfort to anemia, anxiety, and infertility. The food industry has bullishly taken notice. Gluten-free baking products, including cake mixes from Betty Crocker, King Arthur, Whole Foods, and others, have increased sevenfold on grocery shelves in recent years, and the number of other gluten-free products has grown as well—832 were introduced in 2008 alone. And gluten-free options are on the menu of national restaurants like Boston Market, Chili’s, Ruby Tuesday, Outback Steakhouse, and others."

"Now comes even sweeter news for people looking to cut gluten from their diets: Anne Byrn shows how to transform gluten-free cake mixes into 76 rich, decadent, easy-to-make, impossible-to-resist desserts. Performing the magic that’s made her a bestselling baking author with over 33 million copies of her books in print, she doctors mixes with additions like almond extract, fresh berries, cocoa powder, grated coconut, cinnamon, lime zest, and more—naturally, all gluten-free ingredients—and voilà: Tres Leches Cake with Whipped Cream and Summer Berries, Almond Cream Cheese Pound Cake, Chocolate Cupcakes with Milk Chocolate Ganache, Caramel Melted Ice Cream Cake, Warm Tarte Tatin Apple Cake, plus brownies, bars, muffins, and cookies. Dessert is back on the menu." 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

"Anne Byrn is the author of the bestselling Cake Mix Doctor series, with over 3.3 million copies in print. She makes frequent appearances on Good Morning America and QVC. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her family, and her website is www.cakemixdoctor.com."

PRE-ORDER THIS BOOK:

The Cake Mix Doctor Bakes Gluten-Free will be available for purchase from Workman.com on Dec 8, 2010. For now you can pre-order from one of these online retailers: 

• AMAZON.COM  

• BARNES AND NOBLE  

• POWELL'S BOOKS  

• INDIEBOUND

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was not compensated for this post; I received a complimentary box of gluten free cake mix and 3 recipes for review purposes courtesy of Workman Publishing.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Giveaway & Product Review - Attune Gluten Free Chocolate Probiotic Bars

Do you love chocolate? I do! I thought I had hit the jackpot when I discovered that I could eat a delicious chocolate bar everyday that was actually good for me! A company named Attune had the brilliant idea to make gluten free chocolate bars that each have a full days supply of probiotics in them! You heard right... healthy, "gut-loving" probiotics hidden in an all natural gluten free chocolate bar. The best part is Attune is GIVING AWAY a one months supply of their gluten free Chocolate Probiotic Bars to (1) very lucky Gluten Free Taste of Home follower (winner will receive 4 boxes containing 7 bars each = 28 bars).

Attune says:

"You might not think much about digestion until you have discomfort or digestive issues. Busy lifestyles, large meals, late dinners and other stresses can result in an overworked digestive system that could use a little help. Attune’s clinically proven probiotics help promote digestive health, so you can forget about feeling uncomfortable and focus on feeling your best.

Attune is a great way to help promote digestive balance, but remember, it's important to eat a balanced diet with 25-30 grams of fiber each day. Also, make sure you drink plenty of water or other liquids, reduce stress, and plan regular meals and exercise. If you continue to experience discomfort, talk with your healthcare provider. *Sources Danisco HOWARU Probiotic Research Library - read all the available scientific literature on HOWARU probiotic strains, Bifido and Acidophilus"

My 2 cents:

You might be wondering if a chocolate that is good for you actually tastes good; you bet! My 7 year old regularly asks for an Attune gluten free Chocolate Probiotic Bar for dessert, even when other dessert choices are available for her to choose from. It makes me feel great that my daughter with Celiac Disease is getting her daily probiotics... and it makes her happy that she gets a tasty chocolate treat! Although all of the flavors tasted wonderful I am especially partial to the Raspberry Dark Chocolate, my daughters favorites are the Chocolate Crisp and the Mint Chocolate.

Some beneficial facts about Attune gluten free Chocolate Probiotic Bars:

- Most clinically tested probiotic strains
- 3-8 grams of sugar
- Excellent source of calcium
- Only 80-90 calories
- 3 grams of fiber
- Take it on the go

You can purchase Attune gluten free Chocolate Probiotic Bars online, or find them in the refrigerator case of many natural foods markets (near the yogurt products).

WIN IT!

Attune is GIVING (1) lucky Gluten Free Taste of Home follower (28) Attune gluten free Chocolate Probiotic Bars (4 packs containing 7 bars each)! Winner may chose the flavors of the 4 packs!

TO ENTER GIVEAWAY (mandatory):
Become a Gluten Free Taste of Home follower (must follow PUBLICLY via Google Friend Connect in the side bar of this website) AND Visit the Attune website; LEAVE ME A COMMENT telling me that you are now following gluten Free Taste of Home PUBLICLY via Google Friend Connect, AND also tell me the flavors of the Attune Bars you would like to receive if you are chosen as winner (4 flavors maximum please). *Please take your time choosing the flavors, as the flavors you list really will be the ones you receive if you win! (1 entry)
BONUS ENTRIES: (each entry comment must be entered separately to be a valid entry):
1) Vote for my Gluten Free Pumpkin Doughnuts AND my Gluten Free Vegetarian Spring Roll Recipe in the Foodista Best of Food Blogs Cookbook contest (click on the Foodista "Vote for me" buttons for BOTH recipes; you will find the buttons in the sidebar of this website, not far from the top.) LEAVE ME A COMMENT telling me that you have placed your votes for BOTH of my recipes ON THE FOODISTA WEBSITE. (5 entries)
2) Grab my Freebie Fairy button and display it on your website/blog (copy the html code for my button from the sidebar of my Freebie Fairy giveaway website and paste the code into your website), and LEAVE ME A COMMENT telling me you did it. (2 entries)

3) Follow Attune on Twitter and tweet this giveaway; LEAVE ME A COMMENT with the link. (1 entry)
4) Blog about this giveaway linking it back to my Freebie Fairy website AND the Attune website. Please LEAVE ME A COMMENT with THE LINK TO YOUR POST or it will not count. (5 entries)
5) Follow me on Twitter and tweet the giveaway; LEAVE ME A COMMENT with the link. MAXIMUM 1 tweet/RT per hour please! (1 entry PER tweet/RT)
6) Follow my Freebie Fairy blog and LEAVE ME A COMMENT telling me you did it. (2 entries)
7) Grab my Gluten Free Taste of Home button and display it on your website/blog (copy the html code in the side bar of my Gluten Free Taste of Home website and paste the code into your website), and LEAVE ME A COMMENT telling me you did it. (2 entries)
8.) Subscribe to the Attune newsletter. (1 entry)
*GIVEAWAY OPEN TO US ONLY*
Giveaway ends on Thursday January 7, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. PST. Winner will be selected by random.org. I will announce the winner by January 9, 2009. Winner will be notified by e-mail and will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected.
*REMEMBER... please leave your e-mail address with EACH entry so I can contact you if you win.
*“I received products for this review on behalf of Attune. All opinions are solely my own. Others who may use this product or service may have different opinions.”
Best of luck!

Giveaway & Product Review - Gluten Free Handcrafted Vegan Truffles from Missionary Chocolates

WOW! Do I have a yummy giveaway for you! If you like Truffles then you will love these delicious, handcrafted, gluten free, vegan truffles by Missionary Chocolates. This is your chance to savor a collection of rich, uniquely flavored truffles made by hand from the artisans at Missionary Chocolates. The first lucky Gluten Free Taste of Home follower chosen will win an 8 piece box of Missionary Chocolates and the second Gluten Free Taste of Home follower will win a 4 piece box of Missionary Chocolates! What a sweet way to bring in the New Year!

The flavor selection that Missionary Chocolates has to offer is cutting edge, and oh so tempting! You will find scrumptious flavor combinations such as: Meyer Lemon Explosion, Glorious Ginger, Smooth Espresso Squares, Spicy Cinnamon Chipolte, Dark Chocolate Delight, Peanut Butter Perfection, Coconut Silk, Sweet Raspberry Hearts, Peppermint Perfection, Salted Vanilla Caramels and Coconut Curry Lemongrass.

A message for you from Missionary Chocolates:

"Our vision at Missionary Chocolates is to create vegan truffles that surpass all expectations whether you are specifically seeking a non-dairy confection, or you just love excellent chocolate! Our truffles are so incredibly rich and creamy that they satisfy even the most elevated chocolate-connoisseur palate!

We want to enthrall you with our wonderful dairy-free, gluten-free confections. All of our truffles are made by hand in Portland, and are created using the freshest local and organic products available to us. We use only Oregon-grown berries, and take pride in using organic coffee, locally-grown peppermint oil and superior quality Fair-Trade Guittard chocolate.
We have some of the most unique and exciting flavors to be found in any chocolate confections, and are thrilled to be able to share these exceptional truffles with you.

Our product lines vary with the influence of the seasons, so visit us often to experience innovative new flavors that surprise and delight!"

I was so excited when I received my sample truffles from Missionary Chocolates; I couldn't wait to open the pretty purple box and taste one! From the very first bite I was in "truffle heaven". I was amazed at how velvety smooth and rich these truffles were! Don't let the words vegan or dairy-free fool you... Missionary Chocolates has perfected the art of making gluten free, vegan, truffles that have the same smooth silky rich taste and texture that you would expect from a non-vegan truffle.

My favorite flavors? Hmmmmm.... that's a really tough choice because they were all fabulous! If I had to narrow it down, my top 5 favorite flavors would be: Meyer Lemon Explosion, Sweet Raspberry Hearts, and Spicy Cinnamon Chipolte. What? You have never tasted spicy chocolate? It's time to try it! Talk about a wonderful marriage of flavors, Spicy Cinnamon Chipolte truffles from Misioanry Chocolates taste truly amazing!

You can order these decadent gluten free, vegan, handcrafted Chocolates directly from the Missionary Chocolates website. They are also available at several locations throughout Oregon, and in New York. California locations are coming soon.

WIN IT!

Missionary Chocolates is giving away an 8 piece box of gluten free, vegan, handcrafted truffles to the first Gluten Free Taste of Home winner chosen, and a 4 piece box of gluten free, vegan, handcrafted truffles to the second Gluten Free Taste of Home winner chosen!

TO ENTER GIVEAWAY (mandatory): Become a follower of my Gluten Free Taste of Home website AND Visit the Missionary Chocolates website; LEAVE ME A COMMENT describing the flavors/ingredients of the Missionary Chocolate truffle you would most like to taste.

BONUS ENTRIES: (each entry comment must be entered separately to be a valid entry):

1) Grab my Freebie Fairy button and display it on your website/blog (copy the html code for my button from the sidebar of my Freebie Fairy giveaway website and paste the code into your website), and LEAVE ME A COMMENT telling me you did it.

2) Follow Missionary Chocolates on Twitter and tweet this giveaway; LEAVE ME A COMMENT with the link.

3) Get (5) bonus entries if you: Blog about this giveaway linking it back to my Freebie Fairy website AND the Missionary Chocolates website. Please LEAVE ME A COMMENT with THE LINK TO YOUR POST or it will not count.

4) Follow me on Twitter and tweet the giveaway; LEAVE ME A COMMENT wit the link.

5) Follow my Freebie Fairy blog and LEAVE ME A COMMENT telling me you did it.

6) Grab my Gluten Free Taste of Home button and display it on your website/blog (copy the html code in the side bar of my Gluten Free Taste of Home website and paste the code into your website), and LEAVE ME A COMMENT telling me you did it.

7.) Visit the Missionary Chocolates blog and leave a comment after one of their posts.

*GIVEAWAY OPEN TO US ONLY*

Giveaway ends on Wednesday December 29, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. PST. Winners will be selected by random.org. I will announce the winners by December 31, 2009.Winners will be notified by e-mail and will have 48 hours to respond before new winners are selected.

*REMEMBER... please leave your e-mail address with EACH entry so I can contact you if you win.

*“I received products for this review on behalf of Missionary Chocolates. All opinions are solely my own. Others who may use this product or service may have different opinions.”

Best of luck!

Giveaway & Product Review - Gluten Free, Vegan, Artichoke Burgers & Gluten Free, Vegan, "Save a Chicken Salad" from Five Star Foodies

I recently heard that a company called Five Star Foodies was making gluten free, vegan, all natural Artichoke Burgers and a wildly intriguing gluten free, vegan, item named "Save-a-Chicken-Salad." Valerie Williams from Five Star Foodies was kind enough to send me samples of each to experience for myself. Know what's even better? She kindly offered to GIVEAWAY a package of gluten free, vegan, Artichoke Burgers and a carton of gluten free, vegan, Save-a-Chicken-Salad to (2) lucky Gluten Free Taste of Home readers.!

I must be honest, I really had no idea what to expect with the gluten free, vegan, "Save-a-Chicken-Salad." But let me tell you friends... I thought it was phenomenally delicious! I kept reading the ingredient label, wondering how in the world they were able to create this vegan product to taste so much like traditional chicken salad. This is definitely a "must try."

Check out the details:

Now, for the Five Star Foodies gluten free, vegan, Artichoke Burgers. Come on guys, it's artichoke hearts made into burger patties... you know that has to be yummy! In my household, we are artichoke fanatics. Even my kids scan the grocery store produce isles and Sunday paper for sales on artichokes. ;-) When I served these fabulous artichoke burgers to my family for dinner they were thrilled. We just put them on the grill and in minutes we were in artichoke burger heaven. You can also prepare them on the stove top with equally delicious results. If you like artichokes, and are tiring of the same old gluten free veggie burger patties I HIGHLY recommend you give these gluten free, vegan, Artichoke from Five Star Foodies a try.

Check out the details:

Want to buy them?

You can visit your local Whole foods Market or other speciality health food store, OR you can order directly from the Five Star Foodies website and have your food delivered to your front door (gotta love that!).


Win Them!

Five Star Foodies is GIVING AWAY a package of gluten free, vegan, Artichoke Burgers and a carton of gluten free, vegan, Save-a-Chicken-Salad to (2) lucky Gluten Free Taste of Home readers!

TO ENTER GIVEAWAY:

Visit the Five Star Foodies website and leave me a comment at the end of this post telling me which Five Star Foodie all natural beverage sounds the most refreshing.

BONUS ENTRIES:

1) Become a follower of Five Star Foodies on Twitter and tweet the giveaway.

2) Subscribe to the Five Star Foodies blog.

3) Subscribe to my Freebie Fairy giveaway blog by e-mail or reader.

4) Become a follower of my Freebie Fairy giveaway blog.

5) Grab my Freebie Fairy button and display it on your website/blog (copy the html code for my button from the sidebar of my Freebie Fairy website and paste the code into your website).

6) Get (5) bonus entries if you: Blog about this giveaway linking it back to my Gluten Free Taste of Home and the Five Star Foodies website. PLEASE LEAVE ME THE LINK TO YOUR POST WITH YOUR ENTRY or it will not count.

7) Follow me on Twitter and tweet the giveaway.

Giveaway ends December 10, 2009 at 7:00 p.s.t. Winners will be announced by December 12, 2009. Winners will be chosen by Random.org. Winners will have 48 hours to respond, or new winners will be chosen.

Important: Remember to leave your e-mail address with EACH ENTRY COMMENT so I can contact you if you win.

Open to US only.

Best of Luck!

*“I received these products for this review on behalf of Five Star Foodies. All opinions are solely my own. Others who may use this product or service may have different opinions.”

Giveaway - Betty Crocker "Simple Joys" Prize Pack

Hey Moms and Dads... Betty Crocker is giving away a really yummy assortment of gluten free fruit snacks and a collection of cool, retro toys that make PERFECT stocking stuffers! One of my lucky readers will receive a Betty Crocker "Simple Joys" Prize Pack containing:

- Two packages of *Gluten Free Betty Crocker Fruit-Flavored Snacks: You can feel good about these, as they are made with real fruit and each serving is less than 100 calories! Now every kid can enjoy the simple joy of a fun, great tasting gluten free snack.

- A retro Pick ‘em Up Sticks game (my personal favorite when I was a kid!)

- A light-up yo-yo

- A classic Frisbee

*You can also print a coupon good for .50 cents off Betty Crocker fruit snacks by clicking here!!

Want to WIN the Betty Crocker Simple Joys Prize Pack for your child? Betty Crocker has kindly offered to GIVEAWAY a Simple Joys Prize Pack to (1) of my lucky readers!

TO ENTER GIVEAWAY: Visit my Freebie Fairy giveaway website and follow the easy entry instructions.

*GIVEAWAY OPEN TO US ONLY*

Giveaway ends on Sunday November 22, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. PST.

*A note to my vegetarian readers: As many of you know I am a vegetarian, but my family members are not. Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks are not a vegetarian product; I am reviewing them on behalf of my non-vegetarian/gluten free children, who enjoy eating them.

Product Review - Gluten Free Cafe - All Natural Frozen Fettucini Alfredo

I recently received coupons from the folks at the Celestial-Hain Group, asking me to sample and review their new line of Gluten Free Cafe All Natural Frozen Entrees. Out of the 4 available varieties I was only able to locate the Gluten Free Cafe Fettuccini Alfredo in my local grocery store; it is that which I will review today.

I was impressed with the fact that the Gluten Free Cafe frozen entrees boasts the following benefits:

Fortified 3 Ways for Your Health

Gluten Free Café is the only line of all natural frozen foods that are certified gluten free—and fortified with essential nutrients to address vitamin, mineral, and fiber deficiencies that commonly affect those following gluten-free diets.

1. B Vitamins & Iron The absence of enriched wheat flour or whole wheat flour in gluten free food products results in a loss of valuable dietary nutrients, including B Vitamins and Iron. Our Gluten Free Cafe items are enriched according to the FDA’s nutritional requirements for enriched flour and provide a good source of Iron and B Vitamins and also include Vitamins Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, and Folic Acid.

2. Fiber Since the gluten free diet relies on the replacement of fiber-rich wheat flours with other “digestive-friendly” grains, you may experience some dietary fiber loss. But not with Gluten Free Café entrees! We’ve taken care to ensure that you don’t lose the all-important benefits of fiber by adding Inulin, a non-digestible carbohydrate, to each of our delightful entrees. Since they contain Inulin, all Gluten Free Café meals provide you with the valuable qualities of fiber, while also functioning as a prebiotic to support the growth of “good” digestive tract bacteria. Plus, Inulin helps improve your body’s ability to absorb calcium – another valuable plus.

3. Vitamin D and Calcium If you have gluten intolerance or celiac disease, there’s a 30% chance that you are also lactose intolerant…which means you may not be getting sufficient Vitamin D and Calcium in your diet. Deficiencies can also be caused by poor nutrient absorption, a common effect of your condition. Due to these factors, it is generally recommended that patients with gluten intolerance be screened for osteoporosis. To help ensure against deficiencies, we’ve fortified each of our Gluten Free Café entrees with Vitamin D and Calcium…in amounts equivalent to those found in an 8-ounce glass of whole milk!

All Gluten Free Café products are certified by the GFCO.

In fact, we are proud to be the only line of all natural gluten free frozen food entrees that are certified by the GFCO.

What is the “GFCO”?
The Gluten Free Certification Organization (GFCO), a program of The Gluten Intolerance Group®, supervises gluten free food production according to consistent, stringent, science-based standards to ensure safety and instill confidence in both consumers and manufacturers. Certification is rigorous, involving annual on-site facility inspection and product testing.

The Gluten Free Cafe Fettucini Alfredo entree was perfect for my young child with Celiac Disease; she is very picky and prefers simple foods, especially pasta dishes. I prepared it for her for lunch and she really enjoyed it, finishing nearly the entire thing!

Will I purchase frozen Gluten Free Cafe Fettucini Alfredo in the future? If the price point becomes a bit lower, I would definitely keep it on hand for my child for the occasional quick weekend lunch. I do appreciate the convenience that the frozen Gluten Free Cafe entrees offer my busy family.

The other Gluten Free Cafe varieties available are: Asian Noodles, Pasta Primavera (meatless), and Lemon Basil Chicken.

If you would like to try any of the Gluten Free Cafe entrees for yourself, click here to receive a coupon from their website.

Giveaway - Gluten Free Savory Stuffing Mix & Cookies from Aleia's Gluten Free AND Sweet Pumpkin Dip Recipe

My friends at Aleia's Gluten Free are giving one of my lucky readers (1) bag of gluten free Savory Stuffing Mix AND (1) bag of their tasty gluten free cookies (winner chooses flavor) just in time for Thanksgiving! I also have a yummy recipe for my Gluten Free Sweet Pumpkin Dip to share. Whip it up in minutes, and serve with Aleia's Gluten Free Ginger Snap Cookie's to your loved one's this holiday season.


You may remember when I introduced you to Aleia's Gluten Free in this September post. Since then, Aleia's Gluten Free has asked me to try some more of their delicious baked goods.

I had the pleasure of sampling these Aleia's Gluten Free foods:

Chocolate Coconut Macaroons - soft, chewy, coconut bliss with a twist... cocoa has been added for an out of this world chocolate coconut flavor. So good with tea or coffee!

Savory Stuffing Mix - Ready to go, pre-cut and seasoned bread cubes complete with Aleia's special recipe for gluten free Savory Stuffing. Aleia's Stuffing is part of their "Single Cooking solution" line of products, which also includes gluten free, time saving, bread crumbs and croutons. I can't wait to serve this stuffing on Thanksgiving, I know it will be a real time saver.

Ginger Snap Cookies - From Aleia's Gluten Free "Life is Sweet Without Wheat" line of cookies, these Ginger Snaps taste great alone or with a glass of milk or tea, crush and use in place of graham crackers for a festive holiday cookie crumb crust for pumpkin pie or pumpkin cheesecake. Try serving these crunchy, sparkling gingersnaps with my easy to prepare Gluten Free Sweet Pumpkin Dip (recipe provided below).

Aleia's Gluten Free Foods can be purchased on the East Coast in natural Foods Markets, as well as online at http://www.svtea.com/New-Food/products/139/

Want to try Aleia's Gluten Free Savory Stuffing and a bag of Aleia's gluten free cookies (flavor of your choice)? Aleia's Gluten Free has generously offered to GIVEAWAY (1) bag of Savory Stuffing AND (1) bag of Aleia's Cookies to (1) lucky Gluten Free Taste of Home reader!

TO ENTER GIVEAWAY: Visit the Aleia's Gluten Free website and leave me a comment at the end of this post naming (1) product you would like to try from Aleia's "Single Cooking Solution" line AND (1) product you would like to try from Aleia's "Life is Sweet Without Wheat" line.

BONUS ENTRIES:

1) Become a follower of Aleia's Gluten Free Blog.

2) Subscribe to Aleia's Gluten Free Blog.

3) Follow Aleia's Gluten Free on Twitter AND tweet this giveaway.

4) Subscribe to my Freebie Fairy blog by e-mail or reader.

5) Become a follower of my Freebie Fairy blog

6) Grab my Freebie Fairy button and display it on your website/blog (copy the html code for my button from the sidebar of my Freebie Fairy website and paste the code into your website).

7) Get (5) bonus entries if you: Blog about this giveaway linking it back to my Gluten Free Taste of Home and the Aleia's Gluten Free website. PLEASE LEAVE ME THE LINK TO YOUR POST WITH YOUR ENTRY or it will not count.

8) Follow me on Twitter and tweet the giveaway.

Giveaway ends November 13 2009 at 7:00 p.s.t. Open to US only.

GLUTEN FREE SWEET PUMPKIN DIP RECIPE with GLUTEN FREE GINGER SNAP COOKIES

(1) 8-oz package cream cheese, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

15-oz can pumpkin puree
1-1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

Aleia's Gluten Free Ginger Snap Cookies (or homemade ginger snaps)

Mix cream cheese and powdered sugar in a large bowl. Blend in pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice; cover and chill. Serve with Aleia's Gluten Free Ginger Snap Cookies (or homemade ginger snaps). Yield: about 4 1/2 cups of pumpkin dip.

*Recipe adapted from the Gooseberry Patch Autumn in the Country cookbook.

Enjoy!

Gluten Free Vegetarian Probiotic Supplements - Ultra Jarro-Dophilus Review

As you know, finding gluten free, vegetarian supplements can be challenging. In my search for a gluten free, vegetarian, probiotic I was lucky to find Ultra Jarro-Dophilus. Jarrow Formulas were nice enough to send me a bottle to review so I could share the news with my readers.

The benefits of taking probiotics are said to be many, but for individuals with Celiac Disease probiotics have been deemed especially helpful. This article on Celiac.com describes medical research that suggests gut healing capabilities for Celiacs using probiotics while following a gluten free diet.

What does Ultra Jarro-Dophilus® do?

According to Jarrow Formulas, the maker of Ultra Jarro-Dophilus: "Jarrow FORMULAS® ULTRA Jarro-Dophilus®  is especially designed to maintain, protect and restore intestinal flora.* The probiotic bacteria are combined with a gel forming matrix that helps protect them during transit through the stomach.* Each capsule contains 40 billion total probiotic bacteria."

Here's a complete list of the beneficial bacteria in each botle of Ultra Jarro-Dophilus:

Other Ingredients:

Sodium alginate, rice maltodextrin, tapioca starch, magnesium stearate (vegetable source), silicon dioxide, vitamin C and tricalcium phosphate. Vegetarian capsule consists of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.

Contains: Dairy (milk) and soy (in trace amounts).
No wheat, no gluten, no egg, no fish/shellfish, no peanuts/tree nuts.

Pretty impressive, don't you think? I like knowing that all of those gut loving bacteria are hard at work for my family! I will definitely stick with the Ultra Jarro-Dophilus probiotics. They meet the needs of every member of my family just perfectly.

If you would like to learn more or find out where you can purchase a bottle of Ultra Jarro-Dophilus visit http://www.jarrow.com.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Gluten Free So Delicious Coconut Milk Yogurt, Kefir, Ice Cream, & Beverage

Coconut... oh the possibilities! Not just for dessert anymore, coconut is fast becoming a favorite food of health conscious consumers everywhere. A natural foods company by the name of Turtle Mountain offers So Delicious Coconut Milk products. Their unique product line of coconut milk products includes yogurt, kefir, ice cream and beverages that are gluten free, dairy free, soy free, and vegan.


I had the pleasure (and yes, it was truly a pleasure!) to sample some fantastic coconut milk products courtesy of Turtle Mountain, so I could share my opinion of them with you. I was more than interested in reviewing these products... I couldn't wait! I have been trying to cut down on my dairy intake, and was hoping that the So Delicious Coconut Milk products would help me do that.





The first product I tried was the So Delicious Coconut Milk Yogurt. It was smooth and creamy, and had all of the flavor and texture you would expect to find in yogurt, but with no gluten, dairy, soy or animal products (some companies put gelatin in their yogurt!). I love the health benefits of yogurt... the live active cultures it contains are so good for us! I was happy to find a way to reap those benefits and add additional benefits from the coconut.


So Delicious Coconut Milk Yogurt is available in Plain, Blueberry, Raspberry, Vanilla, Strawberry Banana, Passionate Mango, Pina Colada, Strawberry, and Chocolate. I have tried all but the chocolate (which they don't carry near my home), and I think they taste wonderful. My favorites are the Passionate Mango, Pina Colada, and Raspberry.


Turtle Mountain has this to say regarding the health benefits of coconut:

"For centuries coconut has been a staple for cultures around the world. Tradition attributes healing and life-giving properties to the coconut, which is why the palm is often called, "Tree of Life". In Western society, the health benefits of coconuts are just beginning to be understood. The mystery appears to be in the type of fats found in coconut milk, namely Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFA). MCFA's such as lauric and capric acid are recognized for their anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. Unlike long chain fatty acids, which are stored in the body as fat, MFCA's are utilized as energy in the body."


I have always loved coconut... now I can actually feel good about eating it!

Chock full probiotics, So Delicious Coconut Milk Kefir is now a staple in my refrigerator. Kefir is basically a drinkable yogurt, usually made from cows milk. Now we can have gluten free, dairy free, vegan, kefir that tastes great and offers a great number of health benefits.

Check this out...

So Delicious Coconut Milk Kefir:

Enhances the immune system

Stimulates digestion

Controls the spread of harmful yeast overgrowth

Lowers cholesterol

Protest against cancer

Because the So Delicious Coconut Milk Kefir is also rich in medium chain fatty acids (MFCA's) it:

Protects against heart disease, cancer, and other degenerative diseases

Helps those with digestive diseases

Provides energy to the body instead of being stored as fat

Offers anti-viral/anti-microbial properties that strengthen the immune system and enhance intestinal health

Gluten Free, naturally cholesterol free, soy free, and dairy free So Delicious Coconut Milk Kefir is available in original, vanilla and strawberry. I prefer the strawberry for drinking straight, and use the Vanilla and plain in smoothies.

Of all of the coconut products that my family tried, the So Delicious Coconut Milk Cookie Dough Ice Cream created the most excitement. It is GLUTEN FREE (when was the last time you had cookie dough ice cream??), dairy free and soy free. My kids and I nearly cried tears of joy when we were eating this. I adored watching my 7 year old who has Celiac Disease dance around the kitchen after taking her first bite of gluten free cookie dough ice cream since her Celiac Disease diagnosis, 2 years ago.

So Delicious Coconut Milk Ice cream comes in 8 rich and decadent gluten free flavors: Vanilla Bean, Chocolate, Cookie Dough, Mint Chocolate Chip, Coconut, Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl, Mocha almond Fudge, and Passionate Mango. All are made with organic coconut milk instead of dairy or soy milk, and contain fewer calories, less sugar and even less fat than most super premium ice creams. All of that and gluten free to boot! Yippee!!

I have been thrilled with the So Delicious Coconut Milk Beverage! I no longer use cows milk in my cereal, and have also started using it with great success in many baked goods recipes that call for milk. This is the perfect option for people who are dairy free, soy free, and vegan. it has a smooth, naturally rich and creamy taste, with out tasting overwhelmingly like coconut.

I was amazed at the versatility and neutral flavor of the So Delicious Coconut Milk Beverage. I have tried nearly every cow's milk alternative on the market and this is my favorite without a doubt. It comes in Plain, Vanilla, and Unsweetened flavors. I drink the Unsweetened, but have also tried and enjoyed the Plain flavor.

So Delicious Coconut Milk Beverage is made with organic coconut milk and fortified with essential nutrients such as Calcium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin D, Magnesium, and Vitamin B-12. the beverage is also naturally cholesterol free and contains no gluten , soy, or dairy, making this a fabulous choice of a milk alternative!

Turtle Mountain is proud to offer healthy, delicious foods dairy free foods made from coconut. they also know the importance of giving back. Turtle Mountain is dedicated to giving back to the environment. As a sponsor of the Sea Turtle Restoration Project (STRP) they provide much needed funds to help save the shrinking habitat of sea turtles.

Ready to go Coconut? You can find Turtle Mountain's extensive line of So Delicious Coconut Milk products at Whole Foods and other natural food retailers.

Cinde's Gluten Free Spotlight - Light Life Tempeh & Odwalla Wholly Grains Tropical Smoothie - Gluten Free

I am so thrilled every time I discover a new gluten free product that actually tastes good! Today I am featuring two new healthy and delicious gluten free foods.

Light Life Gluten Free Tempeh

AND

Odwalla Wholly Grains Gluten Free Smoothie

Let's start with the Light Life Tempeh. Here's the situation friends... I am a vegetarian with a tofu aversion. The protein choices for someone in my predicament are pretty slim, especially if you are also following a gluten free diet! Nearly every meat substitute on the market contains wheat starch. Because the texture of tofu gives me the willies, I am limited to cheese (animal rennet free), eggs, nuts and nut butters, plant based protein powders and Amy's Gluten Free-Vegetarian Bistro Burgers.


I had heard of tempeh.... but because it was a soy product my tofu antennae went up. I figured they had to be the same texture so I avoided tempeh. Light Life was kind enough to send me some coupons for their gluten free tempeh. It is quite possibly the only way I would have ever tried it.

Boy, was I ever wrong about tempeh! It tasted NOTHING like tofu! Totally different texture and flavor. Tempeh actually has texture, which you have to chew (yeah!). It is not slimy at all. It does not taste strange in any way. In fact, it is actually delicious! The true test? When I sliced up some Light Life Tempeh and sauteed it in a little olive oil and Gluten free Tamari sauce. My 12 year old came barreling in the kitchen saying "Ummm... what's that good smell?" When I told him it was tempeh I got a puzzled glance. All of that changed at dinner time. My two oldest children each took seconds. My 7 year old was tempeh shy... but who could blame her? I only ate hot dogs and Bumble Bee Tuna (yes, it had to be Bumble Bee) for two years straight when I was that age. According to the prophesies of my Mother when I was but a lass, I should be a 42 year old hot dog right now. ;-) Thank goodness Moms aren't always right!

Light Life only uses natural ingredients in their tempeh. Check this out:

"Tempeh is a wonderful soy food, rich in protein and B vitamins, low in calories and fat and is completely free of any cholesterol. Mild in flavor and easy to digest, tempeh is a great meat substitute in any meal. We use organically grown soybeans in all of our tempeh. All of our tempeh products are Kosher and Pareve. Organic Garden Veggie Tempeh gives you a fresh, garden taste."

Want to see what's in it?

Nutrition Facts
Per Single Serving
Serving Size 4oz. (113g)
Nutrition:
Amount per Serving
Percentage Daily Value
Calories
240

Calories from Fat
90

Fat, g
10
15%
Saturated Fat, g
1.5
8%
Trans Fatty Acids, g*
0

Polyunsaturated Fat, g*
5

Monounsaturated Fat, g*
3

Cholesterol, mg
0
0%
Sodium, mg
10
0%
Potassium, mg*
300
9%
Carbohydrate, g
17
6%
Fiber, g
10
40%
Sugars, g
1

Protein, g
19
38%
Vitamin A, %

0%
Vitamin C, %

0%
Calcium, %

10%
Iron, %

15%

Ingredients
CULTURED ORGANIC SOYBEANS, WATER, ORGANIC CARROTS, LACTIC ACID (FROM PLANT SOURCES), ORGANIC RED & GREEN PEPPERS, ORGANIC ONIONS, YEAST EXTRACT, ORGANIC CELERY SEED, ORGANIC BROWN RICE.

Impressive, huh?

You can purchase Light Life Tempeh at natural markets in the following gluten free flavors:

Organic Soy Tempeh, Organic Garden Veggie Tempeh, Organic Flax Tempeh, and Organic Wild Rice Tempeh. (I am partial to the Wild Rice and Veggie Tempeh).

Now lets talk smoothies.

Odwalla has been a strong presence in the smoothie world for many years. It was pretty cool of them to develop a tropical fruit juice smoothie that contains gluten free whole grains (from brown rice). With two-thirds of the recommended daily intake of essential vitamins you need, Odwalla is a healthful choice a a light breakfast, lunch, or afternoon snack. The gluten free Odwalla Wholly Grains Tropical Medley Smoothie supplies a ton of whole grains, fiber, Vitamins B1 and B2, and antioxidant Vitamins A, C and E. Wholly Grain is has no added sugar and is available in 450 ml (15.2 fl.oz) grab-n-go recyclable plastic bottles.

Odwalla recently sent me a few bottles of their Wholly Grains Tropical Medley Smoothie to sample. I thought it had a delicious taste, and it was very filling. To me it was satisfying enough to be a meal. My youngest child especially loved it. The only downside in my opinion? It is pretty pricey, coming in at just under $4.00 a bottle. If they ever lower the price, it will make regular appearances in my refrigerator.

You can purchase the fiber-filled Odwalla Wholly Grains Tropical Medley smoothie at grocery stores and natural foods stores everywhere.

Enjoy!