Category Archives: Gluten-Free

Salba Smart Chia Seed Spring Giveaway!

Salba Smart Chia Seed Giveaway

When I think of Spring the first thing that comes to mind is all the seedlings that are planted and begin to sprout. Spring is a season of renewal and a season of change,and for many people this also means changing our diets.

I live about a stones throw to the beach, and since i am so close I see a good amount of foot traffic. I often hear people chatting about changes and changes in their lives. There are many way that people can make changes, one of the simpler ways is to adjust your diet.

Back in January I had the opportunity to review a 12.7 oz bag of Whole Salba Chia Seeds from Salba Smart Natural Products and after learning about Chia, there are little thing that are so tiny and pack a healthy punch! Continue reading →

Sun Bum Lip Balm Review

Sun Bum Lip Balm Review and Giveaway

As I have gotten older I have realized that life is full of coincidence, and how timing can really make the difference. I want to share with you a great example this coincidences. Back in February I had the opportunity to review Sun Bum’s Shampoo and Conditioner. One of the things that have remained with me is the Sun Bum logo.

The Sun Bum logo is a hefty, sunglasses wearing gorilla – something that stays with you and stands out in a sea of generic logos. So, with this memorable and recently seen logo, it was easy to notice it when I saw it out my car window one day. I squealed with delight and immediately when home and investigated further. I was excited to learn that their West Coast Office is going to be within 2 miles of my house.

The new West Coast office is going to house offices and a concept store! I am very excited to see this in my community. So it probably goes without saying that when I had the opportunity to review Sun Balm Lip Balm, I was excited!

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Milton’s Gluten Free Baked Chips Review

Milton’s Gluten Free Baked Chips Review & Giveaway

When i was growing up my father loved a good Jewish deli, which were in short supply here in San Diego. The closest deli was no less than 40 minutes from our home, and honestly out of the question most days despite his cravings. Some time in my teens a new restaurant popped up that was only about 20 minutes from out house, and we began patronizing this deli.

Flash forward 20 plus years later and what started out as selling bread out of the store front’s become a household name -Milton’s/Milton’s Craft Bakers. Going into this restaurant is a treat, and as soon as you step down the stairs and enter the front area you are met with pastries and bread. The sandwiches are just as good as a Jewish deli should be, and there are pickles on the table.

When I started this blog I never imagined that I would be come familiar with gluten-free brands, and that I would be watching if companies ventured down the gluten-free path. Yesterday I was in the store doing our weekly shipping and i noticed that many companies are starting to offer gluten-free alternatives to their gluten filled counterparts. Milton’s has continues the gluten-free wave with the arrival of Milton’s Gluten Free Baked Chips that come in 6 varieties and are crispy as well as tasty!

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NeoCell: Beauty Bursts Review

NeoCell: Beauty Bursts Review and Giveaway

It is funny how one moment can not only change your look, but also your life – let me explain. For some unknown reason, about 6 months ago I decided it would be a good idea to cut my hair – no problem right? Wrong, I decided to take my scissors in the bathroom and grab a clump of hair and began cutting. The big problem is that I have no training, formal or informal, for hair design. What resulted was about 9 inches eliminated and my husband asking if we needed to go to the salon in the morning to repair the damage I had caused.

There have been few times in my adult life that my hair is short enough to sit on my shoulders. This has been an adjustment because I was fond of tying my hair up in an easy knot. My hair is growing back, but not at the speed or length I prefer. I am always looking for that added supplement to give my body the bump it needs.

Back in December of 2015 I had the opportunity to review NeoCell Laboratories Biotin Bursts, and I have seen such positive results that when I was approached for another review I accepted. I got the opportunity to review NeoCell Laboratories Beauty Bursts Chewable’s in Super Fruit Punch flavor.

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Crafted Gluten Free Monthly Subscription Review

Crafted Gluten Free Monthly Subscription Review and Giveaway – 1st Box

One of the things that I love about monthly boxes is the constant sampling of items and the opportunity to support a business that otherwise may go unknown.

The other thing that I really love about monthly boxes are that many times they are supporting the small businesses by providing product but may times the box itself is a small business themselves. I appreciate local items and the reason for this is that i live in a small town within a large city and to keep the appeal and the “funkiness” of our town, small business must prevail. Even my husband works for a small local business, and while part of a multi-location company, they are also supporters of other small business.

The way I see it, for the cycle of commerce to spin, all spokes must be turning at once. It takes companies and monthly boxes to assist in bringing awareness and support to other small companies and it takes consumers purchasing the boxes supporting the small companies. It all spins and all comes back together with the overriding theme of support.

I love when I am approached by a company or box subscription service that I have not previously heard of. I also love when I receive the box and it exceeds my expectations. I recently received the first months box from Crafted Gluten Free. Let me just say that this is not your typical box offering. The first box you will receive from Crafted Gluten Free will include 9 full size items that will range from snacks, to main dish to dessert.

Crafted Gluten Free was generous enough to send me the first box that you will typically receive to sample and review.

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Crickers Crackers Review

Crickers Crackers: Cricket Flour Crackers Review & Giveaway

Regular readers will know that many times I get my review items from items I see on television (what can I say, the television is on a lot around here with me being a blogger). One night Jason and I were watching a show called Food Fortunes and saw a company that was making crackers from crickets. All of a sudden Jason began to give me random cricket facts.

I will be honest when I tell you that I know little to nothing about crickets other than their 150 decibel noise that the make, which is the males mating call for the female. I decided to do some research about crickets and I learned a couple more interesting facts. One of the things that I learned was that you can hear a cricket chirp up to 500 meters away and they can

I have noticed a trend that is leaning towards the sustainable food, and the renewable nature of certain ingredients. When we saw crackers made from cricket flour we knew we had to try them. Crickers Crackers come in 3 varieties and are surprisingly tasty.

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Salba Smart Natural Products Review

Salba Smart Whole Seeds – Review and Giveaway

One of my favorite things about doing reviews is hearing Jason’s initial reaction because more often then not they are funny. I am happy to say that this review was no exception, but more mainstream than I expect normally. The first question that I was asked was if we could grow these into a pet of some variety, then the song that we all know was heard in his sarcastic tone.

While I had to break the news to Jason that these were not the chia seeds that could sprout green stems, these are the seeds that will replace our current supplements. Chia has been around since around 3500BC and the Aztec’s thought of it as a superfood.

I had recently tried a chia based drink and I was interested in a different delivery method of the chia since I could see the benefits. I was sent a 12.7 oz bag of Whole Salba Chia Seeds from Salba Smart Natural Products. Salba Chia is an amazing seed that contains so much goodness in each tablespoon.

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Goodie Girl: 2016 Valentines Day Giveaway

Goodie Girl: Chocolate Lovers Giveaway!!!!

I have become quite the cookie connoisseur in the past couple years and I know a good gluten-free cookie and Goodie Girl cookies are among the best of the best I have tried. Back in July 2015 I originally reviewed a cookie company, based out of the Tribeca Neighborhood in New York City – this company was called Goodie Girl. The thing that makes Goodie Girl cookies special is that they are gluten-free, but do not taste gluten-free.

Goodie Girl takes the cookies we know and love but makes them safe for those with gluten issues. I would have to say that my favorite cookie is still the Mint Slims, the taste is identical to the yearly Girl Scout treat. My second favorite was the Chocolate Chip and it reminds me of a classic chocolate chip cookie and was similar in taste to Famous Amos cookies.

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Send Me Gluten Free Monthly Subscription Review – January 2016

Send Me Gluten Free Monthly Subscription Review and Giveaway – January 2016

I have a confession – when I started this blog I was not the most knowledgeable about the gluten-free world. In the past year and change I have learned so much about gluten, why gluten is bad and why it could enter life threatening levels for Celiacs. This has been an invaluable education and one that while I did not necessarily choose at first it is one that I am thankful for learning about. I have a new appreciation for the gluten-sensitive community, as luck would have it I am also now a sufferer of gluten sensitivities.

It is also nice to know that in combination with the learning, I have been given the opportunity to sample different gluten-free foods and drink products. I am happy to know that somebody is curating a box with gluten consciousness in mind. Send Me Gluten Free’s monthly box is doing just that for the Gluten-Free community. Each month Send Me Gluten Free (SMGF) includes 8-12 full size items to include in their monthly box, which allow’s for greater sampling of the available offerings for those with gluten sensitivity.

Send Me Gluten Free were generous enough to send me the January 2016 box to sample and review and included in the box were the following products.

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Nick’s Sticks 2016 Winter Giveaway

*Nick’s Stick’s 2016 Winter Giveaway*

I have mentioned in the past but Jason is a born and bred San Diego Charger fan and despite the Bolts not making an appearance in Super Bowl 50, we will probably still watch. Just as important as the game and commercials are the snacks. Jason loves meat sticks with cheese so that will be making an appearance at the annual party!

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