Mambo Sprouts Gluten-Free Giveaway!

There is still time to enter! As a way of celebrating May- Celiac Awareness Month, Mambo Sprouts is hosting a Gluten-Free Giveaway! By commenting on one of the participating sponsored brand pages below you can win a Gluten-Free gift pack of samples, coupons, and goodies!  

Barbara's Bakery

Rudi's Gluten-FreeBakery

Cocomama

Nature's Path

San-J

thinkThin

Udi's gluten Free Foods

Crunchmaster Crackers

So hurry and start commenting today for your chance to win!  A total of 10 winners will be selected!

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 5:00 AM 0 comments

Barbara's Bakery Puffins Cereal

To help celebrate Celiac Awareness Month I was asked by Mambo Sprouts to participate in a product review of Barbara's Bakery's Puffins Multigrain Cereal! I had already tried a couple of Barbara's cereals and loved them, so of course I jumped at the chance at trying this one! If you don't know much about Barbara's Bakery, it was founded as an organic bakery in 1971. Barbara's is committed to providing great tasting, all-natural products, free of artificial colors, preservatives, and additives. Barbara's also strives to make a positive contribution to the world with donations to national and local non-profit organizations involved in environmental, hunger, and children's issues, such as Petaluma's School Teaching Gardens, Audubon's Project Puffin, and Chef Ann Cooper's The Lunch Box Project through Barbara's for a Brighter Future program. And to support its commitment to the environment, all of Barbara's cartons feature 100% recycled carbon neutral Green Choice cardboard!

I love all of Barbara's Puffins Gluten-Free Cereals, including the Honey Rice and Brown Rice Crisp varieties. And now the new Multigrain Puffins are just as delicious! Aside from tasting yummy, they are nutritious as well containing a full 8g of whole grains and 3g of fiber per serving. As an added bonus, they don't get soggy sitting in the milk while you eat them! But the best part is they do not contain any species of the grains, wheat, rye or barley! Although the Multigrain Puffins do contain oats, they are certified to be gluten-free. The Multigrain Puffins are great straight out of the box as a quick snack or in a bowl with rice milk in the morning as part of a complete, balanced breakfast. You can also make a yummy trail mix with Barbara's Multigrain cereal, raisins, nuts, and a few dairy-free chocolate chips! So the next time you are looking for a gluten-free, healthy cereal, why not give Barbara's Bakery's Puffins Cereal a try. They not only taste great, but they are nutritious too! Oh, and I almost forgot, right now you can save $1 on any of Barbara's delicious products by downloading and printing this coupon!

If you would like to learn more about Barbara's Bakery or find a store near you that carries Barbara's products, check out their website at www.barbarasbakery.com. 

*The opinions in this post are mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything and I have benefited in no way by this review. 

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 3:41 PM 0 comments

1 in 1 33: It's a BIG DEAL!

On May 4th in Washington, D.C. leading members of the gluten free community will host Capital Hill legislators, noted celiac disease researchers, gluten free community leaders and food corporations in the first Gluten Free Food Labeling Summit. 1 in 133 is a day when all can come together and drive home the importance of establishing standards for gluten free labeling in the U.S. Coinciding with the newly recognized National Celiac Awareness Month-May, the event will feature the creation of the world's largest gluten free cake, symbolizing the big deal that clear, accurate, and reliable labeling plays in the lives of people dependent on proper labeling for their health. 

Under a 2004 law, Congress gave The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) until 2008 to define gluten free and establish labeling guidelines. Three years later, the deadline has come and gone, yet other countries such as Australia, Argentina and Canada have passed gluten free labeling laws; in the U.S. we failed to implement an enforceable standard. This means companies can apply the world "gluten free" to their packaging without having to meet a standard, so it can mean anything. To the millions of Americans who eat gluten free food, this inaction is a BIG DEAL. 

The 1 in 133 event was born out of the frustration of Jules Shepard, noted gluten free author, baking expert, and celiac community advocate, and John Forberger, a winning gluten free triathlete and active blogger, to draw attention to this inaction by the FDA and push the FDA into action. 

The evening reception and pre-event cake construction are open to the public; for more information go to 1in133.org. If you are unable to attend the event in Washington, D.C., then show your support for gluten labeling laws by signing a petition at 1in133.org. 

Together we can make a BIG difference!

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 3:02 PM 0 comments

Celiac Awareness Month

May is National Celiac Disease Awareness Month. It is a great time to spread the word about celiac disease and gluten intolerance. 

What is Celiac Disease you might ask? Celiac Disease is an auto-immune disorder in which the consumption of foods containing gluten (a form of protein found in some grains e.g. wheat, barley, and rye…) triggers an autoimmune response which damages the small intestine. The damage to the intestine makes it hard for the body to absorb nutrients from food, especially fat, calcium, iron, and folic acid, leading to malnutrition and a variety of other problems such as diarrhea, weight loss, and weakness, that those with celiac disease are all to familiar with.

In the United States, the exact number of people who have Celiac Disease is unknown. Recent screening tests have shown that as many as 1 in every 133 people, or 3 million people in the U.S. alone, may have the disease. Suporting research shows that an additional 17 million Americans are "gluten sensitive." Many of those people are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions that have similar symptoms. The only cure for celiac disease is to follow a gluten free diet. 

There are many websites with a wealth of information about celiac disease. Here are a few for you to check out if you would like more information on celiac disease. 

http://www.celiac.com/

http://csaceliacs.org/

http://www.celiaccentral.org/

http://celiac.org/

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/

Looking for a ideas for spreading the awareness about celiac disease? Here are a few for you to choose from:

• Try out a new restaurant where they have a special gluten free menu or where you have heard they are responsive to special dietary needs. A few of my favorites are; Outback Steakhouse - http://www.outback.com/menu/pdf/glutenfree.pdf, Chili's - http://www.brinker.com/gr/allergens/Chilis%20Allergen.PDF, Old Spaghetti Factory - http://www.osf.com/menu/gluten-free-menu.html, Olive Garden - http://www.olivegarden.com/menus/gluten_free/, and the Melting Pot - http://www.meltingpot.com/our-menu/gluten-free-menu.aspx. Be sure to check out their menus before you go and always talk to your server about any allergies and intolerances that you may have. 

• Bring your favorite gluten free treats to your work to share with co-workers. Share with others just how delicious gluten free can be! Here are a few of my favorite treats you can try: Super Yummy Cinnamon Rolls, Divinely Rich Mocha Chocolate Cake, and Yummy Chocolate Chip Cookies. Or if you don't have time to bake something from scratch, try out one of my favorite packaged mixes from The Cravings Place. Their delicious all natural baking mixes include; Ooey Gooey Chocolatey Chewy Brownie Mix, Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix, Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie and Muffin Mix, Peanut Butter Cookie Mix (does NOT contain peanuts, tree nuts or nuts of any kind!), Raisin Spice Cookie and Cake Mix, Cinnamon Crumble Coffeecake Mix, and Dutch Chocolate Cake Mix. All of these baking mixes are gluten, wheat, nut, dairy, and egg free.

• Host a gluten free party with your friends and family and only serve gluten free foods and beverages. One idea is to have a gluten free beer taste testing party. Taste test different brands of gluten free beer served along with some of your favorite gluten free appetizers. Some gluten free beers to look for and try are; Redbridge Beer, Bard's Tale Beer, New Grist Beer, Spreecher Brewery- Mbege and Shakparo Beers, Schnitzerbrau Gluten-Free Beer, New Planet Beer, Green's Gluten-Free Beer, St. Peter's Gluten Free Beer, Estrella Damm Daura, and Ramapo Valley Honey Beer. Bon appetit! 

What are some of your ideas for spreading the awareness about celiac disease during celiac awareness month?

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 2:58 PM 0 comments

Celebrate Arbor Day 2011

Arbor Day 2011 is held on April 29th this year. Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care.  Arbor Day began in 1872, prompted by the lack of trees in Nebraska. A pioneer named J. Sterling Morton proposed a tree-planting holiday named Arbor Day. It is estimated that one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. Due to J. Sterling Morton’s initial efforts, this day is now celebrated nationwide and in many other countries as well.

Why are trees such an important part of our lives that they deserve a national celebrated day of their own? For many reasons!  Trees improve our environment by increasing air and water quality, conserving energy, helping to control storm water and sequestering carbon. Trees increase property values, create wildlife habitat, and add beauty to any landscape. Arbor Day is a day to celebrate the importance of trees in our lives!

How can you celebrate Arbor Day? How about something that’s simple, inexpensive and good for all? By becoming a member of the Arbor Day Foundation and pledging as little as $10 you will be gifted with 10 trees that grow well in your vicinity http://www.arborday.org/shopping/memberships/memberships.cfm. Or, if you wish, you can also choose to have the trees sent to someone else. Another great option is to have the Arbor Day Foundation plant 10 trees in your honor in a forest in need. Our nation’s forests provide wood, habitat, clean air, and drinking water for millions of us. Your honorary trees will help preserve these precious resources for this and future generations.

You can also send FREE e-cards to your friends and family for Arbor Day. Check out all the different card options at http://www.arborday.org/cards/index.cfm.

Or if you don't have a green thumb, get your family out and enjoy the outdoors to celebrate Arbor Day! Go for a hike, bike ride, or even a picnic outdoors! Fresh air and exercise do a body good!

Happy Arbor Day!

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 4:35 PM 0 comments

Easy Natural Easter Egg Dyeing

As Easter Sunday is fast approaching it's time agin to dye Easter eggs! This year why not skip the pre-packaged dyes and make your own natural dyes! The prep time for making your own egg dye takes a little extra time but the results are so beautiful and a lot more natural not to mention much safer for you and your family to eat! And the best part is you probably already have most of the supplies in your pantry!

Follow these directions to prepare your dye in four beautiful natural colors!

PINK

1 15-ounce jar beets

1 cup water

1 teaspoon vinegar

Bring beets and water to boil, let simmer for 5 minutes. Pour through a colander into a bowl to retain the liquid. Cook, then stir in vinegar. 

YELLOW

1 tablespoon turmeric or curry powder

2 cups water

Bring spice and water to a boil, let simmer for 5 minutes. Cool.

GREEN

1 cup water

3 chlorophyll capsules (available at vitamin or health food stores)

Bring water to a boil, the remove from heat. Open up the capsules and stir the contents into the water. Cool 

BLUE

2 cups frozen blueberries

2 cups water

1 teaspoon vinegar

Bring blueberries and water to a boil, let simmer for 5 minutes. Pour through a colander into a to retain the liquid. Cool, then stir in vinegar. 

It will take about 5 to 15 minutes depending on how deep you want the colors for the dye to set. Remember you can wrap eggs with rubber bands or decorate them with stickers and peel them off after dyeing to leave beautiful white designs behind. 

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 5:43 PM 1 comments