Tag: gluten free

The Nourished Festival – all things allergy-friendly and good for you

A couple years ago I had the pleasure of attending a live gluten-free and allergen friendly event in San Diego. There were tons of exhibitors from famous well-known brands to emerging companies ready to help you learn more about being gluten intelorant or having certain food allergies. With the ongoing crisis of food intolerances that could start as young as infancy, it’s no wonder that the gluten-free and allergy-friendly industry has quickly risen to the top.

But being intolerant or deathly allergic to certain ingredients and food is no joking matter. There are serious health consequences to those who can not abide with any kind of allergic ingredient. Add to that years ago when gluten intolerance was looked upon by medical professionals as merely just a “reaction”, the life saving new technology used by companies to detect certain food allergies has really helped many people. 

This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people and businesses are hesitant about hosting large events such as the Nourished Festival. Most events and festivals have become virtual events which give companies and customers a chance to still engage and learn from them. As with The Nourished Festival, this year will be completely online and will go live starting September 24, 2020.

This year, the virtual show will host live cooking demos, live chats with companies, and tons of fun prizes, coupons, and surprises. Here are just a few examples of exhibitors: BFree Foods, Bio-K Plus, Brazi Bites, Chomps, Enjoy Life Foods, Flax4Life, Gem City Fine Foods, Grab The Gold Inc., Jovial Foods, Love Corn, MYBREAD Gluten Free Bakery, Oteas, Peeled Snacks, RW Garcia, San-J, Simply Gluten-Free, Smart Chicken, Spinato’s, Swerve Sweetener, Taste Republic, The Soulfull Project, Yumbutter, and many more!

Even if you don’t have any known food allergy, The Nourished Festival is still a wonderful place to find new companies, new products, and learn how to live a healthier lifestyle. 

Register for The Nourished Festival (previously known as The Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo): https://online.nourishedfestival.com/

 

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm

suzanLeave a comment

Van’s Ultimate Giveaway

VANS IMAGE

A lot of cool things happen in the month of May but it’s also Celiac Awareness Month. For those who have sensitivity to gluten or gluten related products, Celiac disease can be extremely hard to deal with when it comes to food.

Van’s Foods has an entire line of certified gluten-free products for those who are gluten-intolerant, gluten sensitive, or just want to limit the amount of gluten products in their lives. Their gluten-free products include yummy breakfast items such as cereal snack bars, waffles, cereal, crackers, pasta, and their newest gluten-free granola. Their gluten-free granola are chewy and not too sweet so they’re great in milk, over yogurt, or just as they are. Delicious flavors include Banana Nut, Double Chocolate, Blueberry Walnut, and Cranberry Almond. For their entire lineup of gluten-free food, please visit their website: http://www.vansfoods.com/our-products-all-gluten-free.

And for some inspiration on how to jazz up Van’s Foods gluten-free products take a look at some of the recipes below:

Chocolate Rasberry Frozen Yogurt Bites:

http://www.vansfoods.com/Blog_Detail/id/462/Chocolate_Raspberry_Frozen_Yogurt_Bites

image002

Cherry Spinach Tart Smoothie Bowl:

http://www.vansfoods.com/Blog_Detail/id/461/Cherry_Spinach_Tart_Smoothie_Bowl

image003

Van’s Foods is hosting a very spectacular giveaway in May where the grand prize will be:

$100 Visa gift card, Van’s tote, Van’s water bottle, two cute, reusable snack sacks and coupons for free Van’s Foods. The winner will also receive an extra set of swag to give to a friend! 

Van’s Foods giveaway runs on all Van’s social media sites but you can enter directly through my blog. Be sure to enter by clicking on Happymomblogger to be counted as an contest entry. The Van’s giveaway runs from May 13, 2016 to May 29, 2016.

Enter here:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/45e72bd419/?

 

Best of Luck!

 

Disclaimer: The Van’s Foods giveaway is not hosted by Happymomblogger. Clicking on the giveaway link provided will take you to Van’s Foods giveaway site. For rules and regulations please contact Van’s Foods.

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm

 

suzanLeave a comment

National Nutrition Month with Van’s Foods

VEGETABLES - Copy

March marks the month as National Nutrition Month where companies focus on food and activities that help us live a healthier life. But most importantly, living a healthy life starts at home and teaching our children at an early age how clean eating affects our health forever.

Thankfully, I grew up with health conscious parents who believed in growing organic fruits and vegetables and that eating them on a daily basis not only help fight off many illnesses and diseases, but cultivates a natural tendency to eat healthier too. In essence, what we put into our bodies are what our bodies will output. It’s not difficult at all to eat healthier and to choose healthier foods on a daily basis. You just have to realize why eating healthy is important and avoiding harmful food when possible.

Now, temptation in food will always be around us. But to truly enjoy your life as you get older, you have to realize that resisting foods that can evidently and eventually harm us starts with making the right food choices. In order to do so, let’s look at what’s inside our refrigerator and pantry right now and get rid of those foods that are filled with artificial ingredients, too much sugar, and high in saturated fats. Of course many other factors attribute to poor health, but starting off on the right track can lead to a healthier eating habit.

*Six Common Nutrition Pitfalls:

Skipping Breakfast – we’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Well research shows that skipping breakfast may wreak havoc on the body’s hunger and appetite cues, possibly resulting in eating even more calories later in the day. To make sure our bodies stay on the right track, breakfast should include whole grains, vegetables and fruit. Anything from whole fruit, no sugar added smoothies to whole grain toast and eggs would be great choices for breakfast.

Not Eating Enough Fruits and Vegetables – unfortunately this is all too common in the US household and limiting fresh fruits and vegetables in our meals hinders our bodies from fighting off certain illnesses and diseases. We should strive to eat at least 2 1/2 cups of vegetables and 2 cups (preferably whole) fruits daily. Easy ways of doing so would be to just bring along a sweet and delicious apple in your lunch bag or chop up some veggies such as cucumbers, radishes, and cherry tomatoes to make a healthy and fun crudites platter.

The Late Night Snack Attack – we’ve all fallen into this pitfall at one time or another and although sometimes it may be necessary depending on the reason, we should really dive into the many reasons why we snack after regular bedtime. Are you truly bored or just hungry? Read a good book or work on a hobby you’ve set aside for awhile. Eat regular meals throughout the day. Eat smaller meals if eating larger meals make you full during the day and lead to being hungrier late at night. Eat wholesome, whole grain meals that include healthy protein. If you must snack, choose healthier foods such as fruit (although acidic fruits can leave you with an upset stomach), cut up vegetables, or a gluten-free type of bread product for fiber.

Not Enough Sleep – research found that sleeping less compared to well-rested results in low energy and your body feeling like it needs to refuel with food. With less energy, we may be inclined to eat higher-caloric type of foods or order takeout instead of cooking something healthy and delicious at home. To help you sleep better every night, avoid watching television or reading on a personal electronic device close to your bedtime, which may activate your brain instead of help you wind down. Avoid heavy meals, caffeine and alcohol in the evening, which may disrupt sleep. And stick to a schedule, sleeping and rising at the same times daily.

Not Planning Ahead – planning ahead of time is a great strategy and practice for all areas in our lives. When it comes to eating properly, try to make a meal plan that includes plenty of fruits and  vegetables, whole grains, and protein. Making it a weekly meal plan will help you shop better and be creative.

Old Habits Die Hard – we all succumb to convenience and routine in our lives. While some habits are good, eating poorly is one habit we want to eliminate and change. If you follow the steps above and realize why you’re stuck in the unhealthy eating route then you can find a path to become healthier and make healthier life choices forever.

VANS CRACKERS

During National Nutrition Month, Van’s Foods ( http://www.vansfoods.com/)had kindly given me free product coupons to help promote this very important awareness. Van’s Foods makes healthy and delicious breakfast products ranging from frozen waffles and pancakes to wholegrain cereals.But they also make delicious, gluten-free crackers which I picked up a few boxes to try just to see how gluten-free savory snacks would taste compared to their non-gluten-free versions.

VANS SAY CHEESE

The gluten-free crackers I tried were: Gluten-Free Crackers Fire Roasted Veggies and Gluten-Free Crackers Say Cheese! The Fire Roasted Veggies had a wonderful abundance of savory and tanginess while the Say Cheese! was filled with cheesy and buttery flavor. Both were quite different in flavor and taste yet had a good amount of crunch and substance. And although they are savory in flavor, they have very little amounts of sodium so they’re not too salty. Van’s Gluten-Free Crackers are made with their signature blend of whole grains which includes Brown Rice Flour, Oats, Millet, Quinoa, and Amaranth. The Say Cheese! is a great bite-sized variety and the Fire Roasted Veggies would be great for dips.

Although I’m more inclined to whole grain wheat crackers, my favorite out of the two was the Say Cheese! The Fire Roasted Veggies was a bit harder to the bite but pairing them with a dip really brought the crunch factor down. If you are trying to stay away from gluten products, Van’s Food also makes other gluten-free flavors such as Gluten-free Lots of Everything!, Gluten-free Multi Grain Crackers, and Perfect 10 with crackers that are a bit bigger in size than their other ones. Van’s Foods crackers and other products can be found in most natural grocery stores as well as traditional supermarkets.

So no matter how you decide to eat healthier this month, pick something that is easy to start with and go from there. It could be substituting a meal with a hearty vegetable soup and crackers or a bowl of fresh vegetables for a salad. Eating better and properly insures a healthier lifestyle as well as maintaining proper balance in our lives. It’s never too late to start on a healthier habit so change one meal a day and go from there.

 

*Some of these content are taken from the Whole Foods Market blog (http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/).

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm

suzanLeave a comment

ginnybakes – Products Worth Reviewing

GINNY BAKES

When I was going on a gluten-free or “gluten-less” program, I needed to know why it was important to reduce the intake of gluten type foods. On a personal level, eating less foods made with gluten made me feel lighter and I wasn’t prone to being so tired most of the time. I can just imagine how it would affect those who are completely gluten intolerant as it can be a very uncomfortable feeling. So when I was offered to try ginnybakes (www.ginnybakes.com) and review on my blog, I was very curious to how their gluten-free baked goods would taste.

I was sent their entire line of baked goods which ranged from chocolate chip cookies to their gluten-free baking mixes. I was quite surprised that ginnybakes had such an extensive lineup of products made with high quality ingredients and entirely without any traditional wheat flour. As a big fan of baked sweets, their cookies were actually quite delicious. My son’s favorite was their Butter Crisp cookies which I have to admit I liked as well even for a major chocolate lover as me. The Butter Crisp Love cookies as they are called were rich in buttery flavor, had a delicate crunch to them, and small enough in size where you could indulge in a few pieces. They are made with organic brown rice flour as the main ingredient and if we hadn’t known they were gluten-free cookies, we would not have tasted the difference. Their Chocolate Chip Love cookies were full of yummy organic dark chocolate chips and also had a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth crunch and it really was a toss-up as to which flavor was the best. But we tried them all just to give them a fair representation.

20140725_234833_resized_1

Ginnybakes baked goods are all made with organic ingredients, are gluten-free, non-GMO, and kosher. They believe that high quality and great tasting food should come together as one. As a family owned and operated company, Ginny Simon, the owner and founder of ginnybakes, wanted to bring delicious and all-natural baked sweets to those who live on a gluten-free lifestyle of just want something different than the traditional cookies you’d find in supermarkets. Their complete line of gourmet baked sweets are carefully formulated and tested for taste and can be found at most natural grocery stores and major supermarkets.

GINNYBARS

As a Moms Meet Ambassador I was very happy to have received ginnybakes to try and review. It has been hard trying to find really great tasting gluten-free products that doesn’t compromise taste and integrity. Most of the other gluten-free products were either really bland or dry in texture. With ginnybakes, their cookies were moist and crunchy and their ginnybars were moist and not too sweet and full of nuts and seeds. I’m not accustomed to having a lot of nuts in my snack bars but in the ginnybars they were blended into tiny pieces so you don’t get a mouthful of nuts and seeds. I have yet to try their baking mixes but I’m pretty sure they will turn out just as unique as their ready made baked goods. Judging by the gorgeous packaging alone they conjure up delicate homemade cookies ready to be enjoyed with a tall glass of frosty milk or a hot cup of green tea. And indeed the photos of the products actually represent how they look inside.

So for those who are on a gluten-free lifestyle or want to try something different, give ginnybakes a try. There are a great assortment of organic baked goods including Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bliss, Chocolate Chip Love, Butter Crisp Love, Coconut Oatmeal Bliss, ginnybakes Crumbles, ginnybars, ginnybakes mixes, and a few other delicious varieties.

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm

 

suzanLeave a comment

Rudi’s Organic Bakery – Products Worth Reviewing and Facebook Giveaways

Bread and baked goods are a regular staple in my household as I’m sure it is in most homes around the world. They’re filling, wholesome, and satisfying and they fulfill the basic dietary need. But when I was on the lookout for organic bread and baked goods they were really hard to find, unless I was making them myself. That’s when I discovered Rudi’s Organic Bakery not too long ago. Only thing is, they’ve been around for a very long time so I must have been sleepwalking while I was shopping at my natural grocery stores. Rudi’s Organic Bakery makes a delicious assortment of bread and baked goods and they are absolutely scrumptious! And most importantly, they make gluten-free versions for those who crave bread but can’t find anything that’s delicious and free of wheat gluten.

While we can eat regular bread made with wheat flour, I did try their gluten-free version and it was pretty good. Besides the chewy texture, the bread tasted like their regular versions – full of robust flavor and fulfilling. But we stuck with their regular versions because we’re not used to eating gluten-free bread. I have to say that I’ve tried almost all of their breads and our favorites are their Multigrain Oat, Honey Sweet Whole Wheat, Colorado Cracked Wheat, and Nut & Oat. We also enjoy their bagels which are super yummy with cream cheese and fresh fruit spreads. But Rudi’s makes more than just bread and bagels. They also make buns, rolls, tortillas, sandwich flats, and english muffins. And all of their baked goods are made with organic and natural ingredients without any added high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, or artificial colors and flavors. Because they have a great selection of flavors and varieties to choose from, you can really find something to your liking.

Rudi’s Organic Bakery began over 30 years ago in Boulder, Colorado after a need for finding healthy, delicious, and natural baked goods couldn’t be met. That’s when Rudi’s began their own company making wholesome, nutritious, and baked goods made from scratch. Soon their wholesome and natural baked goods became a hit in their town and their breads became popular throughout the nation. Today, you can find Rudi’s Organic Bakery baked goods at virtually every natural grocery store in the US and sometimes you can find their breads used in promotions with other natural and organic companies. Their baked goods are good for pretty much anyone of any age and they are so flavorful, you can eat them by itself – without any added condiments or toppings. And they are made with whole grains which is an important ingredient to consume for a healthier lifestyle. With Rudi’s baked goods, you get the whole grain and organic goodness, plus no unnecessary additives or preservatives.

Eating whole grains has proven to be effective in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Whole grains contains an assortment of vitamins and minerals and they help with digestion due to its high fiber content. When looking for baked goods such as bread and muffins, look for ones that are made with whole grains instead of enriched grains (although enriched grains have added vitamins in them). But since whole grains contain all the layers of the grain, you’re getting all of the important nutrients that come with them. Besides, I find that eating whole grain breads just taste so much better. Maybe it’s a bit sweeter in nature and a bit more exciting in texture, in my opinion, but if you try it yourself, then you’ll probably agree it tastes much different than regular enriched bread.

Since we’ve been enjoying Rudi’s Organic Bakery baked goods for awhile now, Rudi’s wanted me to try some of their most popular flavors. The products they sent me were Nut & Oat, Multigrain Oat, and 7 Grain with Flax. The Nut & Oat is truly delightful with chopped little pieces of hazelnuts nestled inside each slice of bread. It’s a little bit sweet and soft and the nut texture isn’t overwhelming. The Multigrain Oat contains many nutritious ingredients including organic rolled oats, organic cornmeal, and organic wheat bran. The texture is a bit stronger so you can make a really hearty sandwich if you want. The 7 Grain with Flax is incredibly unique in taste and texture with the sunflower seeds as the main highlight. I love sunflower seeds and this powerful bread also contains flaxseeds, quinoa, and kamut for additional nutritional benefits. We liked all 3 of the flavors that were sent to us, although the Multigrain Oat and Nut & Oat were our favorites. My husband thought the 7 Grain with Flax was a bit tough but that’s mostly because of all the grains inside the bread.

Rudi’s Organic Bakery is currently running several promotions on Facebook where you can enter to win several great prizes! Enter here: http://www.facebook.com/rudisorganicbakery. You can win prizes from Crofters Organic Jams, a Panini Press, a year’s supply of Rudi’s Organic Bakery, and many more. Each week there are different prizes to enter so be sure to visit their Facebook page weekly. And for more info about Rudi’s Organic Bakery please visit their website: http://www.rudisbakery.com/.

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products. 

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm

suzanLeave a comment