Blog - My DairyFree GlutenFree Life

March Madness $300 CASH Giveaway

March 8, 2016 By Colleen 179 Comments

Have you heard of March Madness? I’m sure most people associate March with basketball tournaments, but March is a magical month that contains quite a few other events. March is known St. Patrick’s Day which brings up images of all sorts of beer drinking. March also ushers in the 1st day of Spring and school Spring Breaks which are themselves a bit of madness. March also begins daylight savings time which can make us all crazy. But living in Alaska, March madness brings cheers because we have gone through the dead of winter and daily we are gaining more sunlight! I get the gardening itch and also want to get outside and do “normal” things minus the snow!

What does March Madness mean to you?

March Madness $300 CASH Giveaway

$300 Amazon GC OR PayPal Cash

Organized by My Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Life

This giveaway ends March 23, 2016 at 11:59 PM EST

A group of fabulous bloggers have come together to bring one lucky reader a $300 Amazon GC or PayPal Cash March Madness Giveaway! This is a blogger sponsored giveaway which means the bloggers have donated towards the cost of this giveaway! You will these bloggers as entries on the Rafflecopter.

This giveaway is open worldwide and ends March 23, 2016 at 11:59 PM EST. Please read our Terms and Conditions at the end of this post.

Enter on the Rafflecopter below and good luck:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: This blog and any participating blogs did not receive compensation for the published material in this post. No purchase required to enter this giveaway and there is a limit of one entrant per household. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning are determined by the number of valid entries received. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be emailed via the email address used to enter the contest. New winner(s) will be chosen if original winner(s) has not responded within 48 hours of email notification. My Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Life is responsible for shipment of prize(s). This giveaway is not administered, sponsored, endorsed by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or other social media outlet. Disclaimer is posted in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Roasted Rosemary Sweet Potatoes

March 7, 2016 By Colleen 28 Comments

Looking for a great veggie side dish that your kids will love and so will the adults? This recipe for Roasted Rosemary Sweet Potatoes will fit the bill.

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Roasted Rosemary Sweet Potatoes

My daughter in law is sharing another treasure of a recipe with us! She made this when we visited a few weeks ago. She made a double batch so the potatoes weren’t on a single layer. Some of the potatoes were soft and some were slightly crunchy. My husband gobbled them like candy! He loved the slightly crunchy texture and begged me to make them that way from now on. I tend to like sweet potatoes more soft so keep the cooking time in mind if you want them a bit crunchier. My grandkids also ate these without much fuss! I think I will try making a potato salad using the roasted rosemary sweet potatoes just to see what they will taste like! I love this dish, but then I love anything rosemary flavored.

Print Recipe

4 from 1 vote

Roasted Rosemary Sweet Potatoes

Looking for a great veggie side dish that your kids will love and so will the adults? This recipe for Roasted Rosemary Sweet Potatoes will fit the bill.

Prep Time15

Cook Time45

Total Time1

Course: Side Dish

Servings: servings

Calories: 163kcal

Author: My Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Life

Ingredients

3 large sweet potatoes
4 Tbsp olive oil
3 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp fresh rosemary chopped
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp black pepper
½ tsp paprika

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400.
Peel and cut sweet potatoes into ½ inch cubes.
Mix all other ingredients.
Put potatoes in a plastic bag. Add other ingredients and mix well to coat.
Spread out in single layer on a sheet pan. Bake for 45 minutes or until potatoes are soft when pierced with a fork.
Turn potatoes about halfway through cooking time.

Notes

Nutritional values are based on one serving

Nutrition

Want a Healthy Heart? Satisfy Your Chocolate Cravings!

March 2, 2016 By Colleen 18 Comments

Want a Healthy Heart? Satisfy Your Chocolate Cravings!

Are you having chocolate cravings? Cool your jets if you are about to rush off to purchase an unhealthy, chocolate-filled candy bar after reading that headline! Because not all chocolates are created equal. There are a lot of reasons that processed, sugar- loaded, trans fat-filled and chemical-laden chocolate coated candy bars are not good for you.

However, one type of chocolate treat is heart-friendly.

Dark chocolate comes from the cacao plant. When you consume natural dark chocolate, with no additives, preservatives, sugar and other man-made nasties present, you actually do your heart a favor. This is because of the flavonols in the cacao plant. These natural heart helpers can lower your blood pressure and even prevent blood clots which can lead to a stroke or heart attack.

Dark chocolate also boosts your immune system. It has antioxidant properties which keep your LDL cholesterol moving through your system, instead of sticking to the walls of your arteries. This limits your risk of arterial diseases, just one more heart friendly property that delicious, rich dark chocolate offers.

Make sure you choose dark chocolate which is at least 70% cocoa to limit the amount of unhealthy ingredients like sugar. Choosing natural, organic cocoa powder or unsweetened cacao nibs ramps up the amount of heart healthy flavonols you ingest, for an even healthier heart.

YES!

25 Gluten-Free Dairy-Free St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

February 29, 2016 By Colleen

I love sharing these 25 recipes for Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free St. Patrick’s Day Recipes! I know how hard it can be to find theme related recipes for holiday cooking. This should help you out! Check through these recipes and find yourself a few yummy ones for your St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. Enjoy

1. Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread | Around My Family Table
2. Vegan Green Tea Pancakes | Healthy Nibbles and Bits
3. Mint Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding | Tried and Tasty
4. Healthy Shamrock Shake | Well Plated
5. Key Lime Quinoa Flakes | Strength and Sunshine
6. Protein-Packed Shamrock Shake | Pancake Warriors
7. Avocado Ice Cream | Elephantastic Vegan
8. Green Smoothie Bowl | Ahead of Thyme
9. Vegan Matcha Green Tea Cookies | Everyday Starlet
10. Fruity Cauliflower Rice | Strength and Sunshine
11. Green Coconut Chutney | Kushiís Kitchen
12. A Very Green Soup | Nourish Atelier
13. The Best Matcha Latte | Honestly Fitness
14. Spinach Artichoke Dip | Kleinworth & Co.
15. Zucchini Hummus | Feasting at Home
16. Hint of Green Pancakes | Pancake Warriors
17. Paleo Colcannon Recipe | Confessions of an Over-worked Mom
18. Matcha Green Tea Soft Serve | Inspired Edibles
19. Matcha Chocolate | Elephantastic Vegan
20. Irish Cream Macarons | Blahnik Baker
21. Matcha Fig and Vanilla Oatmeal | The Green Dietician
22. Greena Colada Smoothie | A Million Miles
23. Lucky Pineapple Smoothie | Breakfast Drama Queen
24. Raw Chocolate Mint Tarts | Gluten-Free Vegan Pantry
25. Grain Free Shamrock Shake Protein Bites | Cotter Crunch

What Is The Coenzyme Q10 And Why Is It Important For Heart Health?

February 24, 2016 By Colleen 11 Comments

What Is The Coenzyme Q10 And Why Is It Important For Heart Health?

In keeping with our heart health for February, lets take a look at CoQ10. CoQ10 is the abbreviation for Coenzyme Q10, which is also known by several other names, including ubiquinone and ubidecarenone. CoQ10 is considered by some researchers to be almost like a vitamin and is known to contribute to heart health.

CoQ10 is found in all the tissues and organs of your body, as it is needed by your cells for energy, which in turn helps all of your organs and tissues stay healthy and do their jobs properly. CoQ10 also helps defend the body against free radicals that attack and oxidize your cells. Oxidation is thought to be one of the main causes of aging and disease in the body, so a diet high in antioxidants such as berries and green tea can help fight illness.

CoQ10 also lessens the damage to the cells in your body caused by oxidation, particularly in relation to protecting your blood vessels. It has been shown to slow the progression of buildup of plaque in your arteries of your body from LDL or bad cholesterol.

In terms of heart health, it has been found to be low in people with heart problems, particularly congestive heart failure. Research showing the effects of adding it to the diet have been promising.

Ironically, one of the main drug classes taken with a view to improving heart health actually strips out CoQ10 from the body. Statins are prescribed to lower cholesterol, but have a range of potentially serious side effects, including muscle pain and weakness, liver and kidney problems, and Type 2 diabetes.

CoQ10 is important for digestive health and aids muscles and your bones as well. A study of cancer patients showed they had very little CoQ10 in their blood.

With so many different beneficial effects, why donít we hear more about it?

This might be due to the fact that it is natural substance, so it is just taken for granted as being present in the body. However, research shows that as we age, our levels of CoQ10 decline. Some studies show that your levels can start to decline as early as your 20s. It is present in certain foods, including organ meats (liver, kidneys), sardines (a heart-healthy fatty fish) and peanuts, which are high in monounsaturated fat and therefore heart-healthy as well as full of fiber and very filling.

If you can’t add enough to your diet, it might be time to consider a supplement. There are many inexpensive brands available online or in your local drugstore. Try one and see if it makes a difference to your health.

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Keurig 2.0 K250 Coffee Brewing System Giveaway

February 23, 2016 By Colleen 2 Comments

Keurig 2.0 K250 Coffee Brewing System Giveaway

Could you use a new coffee maker? We have a great giveaway for Coffee Lovers! Enter to win a Keurig 2.0 K250 Coffee Brewing System! One lucky reader will win this, but you have to enter for a chance to win!
Giveaway Details:

Features include a 40 ounce water reservoir, 2 inch black and white touch display, and a strength control setting for brewing bolder coffee
Touch-screen LCD Makes operation simple
Brew strength control Lets you prepare beverages to your liking
Removable water reservoir allows easy refilling; Water level window lets you see how much water is available
Removable drip tray simplifies cleaning
————————
The giveaway is open worldwide *
* Prize is available in the United States only. Cash equivalent of $100 via PayPal will be awarded if the winner is outside of the United States.

Giveaway begins Wednesday, February 24th at 12:01am ET and will end on Tuesday, March 8th at 11:59pm ET.

Enter for a chance to win a Keurig 2.0 K250 Coffee Brewing System.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: This blog did not receive compensation for the published material in this post. No purchase required to enter this giveaway and there is a limit of one entrant per household. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning are determined by the number of valid entries received. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be emailed via the email address used to enter the contest. New winner(s) will be chosen if original winner(s) has not responded within 48 hours of email notification. This blog and other participating bloggers are not responsible for shipment of prize(s). Giveaway Promote is responsible for all shipping costs related to prize(s). This giveaway is not administered, sponsored, endorsed by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or other social media outlet. Disclaimer is posted in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Green Apple Turnover Gluten-free Dairy-free

February 22, 2016 By Colleen 18 Comments

OH do I love pies and turnovers, and I have a great recipe for a Green Apple Turnover for you! Yes it’s Gluten Free, doesn’t it look mouth watering and tender?

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Green Apple Turnover

Gluten-free & Dairy-free

Since I have found that Bob’s Red Mill is making a Gluten Free Pie Crust Mix, my baking has gotten so much easier! I love this mix and it makes wonderful pies and crusts.

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No ratings yet

Green Apple Turnover Gluten-free Dairy-free

OH do I love pies and turnovers, and I have a great recipe for a Green Apple Turnover for you! Yes it's Gluten Free, doesn't it look mouth watering and tender?

Prep Time30

Cook Time10

Total Time40

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: turnovers

Calories: 505kcal

Author: My Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Life

Ingredients

Pastry

1 Bag Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Pie Crust
12 Tbsp COLD Butter alternative
8 Tbsp COLD shortening

Filling

1 TBS Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 TSP Lemon Juice
1 1/2 Cups Organic Sugar
1/2 TSP Sea Salt
4 Granny Smith Apples Shredded

Topping

Wholesome Organic Powdered Confectioners’ Sugar
Cinnamon

Instructions

-Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
-Prepare pie crust according to package directions.
-Mix filling ingredients in a bowl, let set for 10 minutes and then drain*
(You can save juice for use with other recipes such as oatmeal for breakfast. In fact, any of your leftover filling can be added in oatmeal for your breakfast)
*While the apple mixture is draining, roll out your dough. Cut into squares using a pizza cutter or a knife. You can also roll out perfect squares using parchment paper as a package. Place squares of dough on parchment paper on the baking pan.
-Put filling in middle of each square. Fold over carefully sealing by pressing with the tines of a fork. If there is any breakage don’t panic, just use some left over dough to patch the holes. The dough is very delicate but pliable.
-Bake for 10 minutes until lightly brown. Do not overcook.
-Allow to cool for about 10 minutes, right on the pan. Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar and cinnamon on top or a dollop of dairy free ice cream! Enjoy.

Notes

If you want a more cooked gooey center of apples, you can put the filling in a stove top cook pan, add 2 Tbsp corn starch and cook until apples are thickened and tender. Then just add that filling on the prepared pastry squares and proceed to crimp shut and bake.

Nutritional values are based on one serving

Nutrition

How to Choose Heart Healthy Fats

February 17, 2016 By Colleen 12 Comments

How to Choose Heart Healthy Fats

February is Heart Healthy month! So we are looking at ways to live a heart healthy lifestyle with healthy fats!

One of the easiest ways to live a heart-healthy lifestyle is to get your bad cholesterol (LDL) lower and boost your good cholesterol (HLD) higher. The best ways to do both is to choose the right fats in your diet.

There are 4 main kinds of fat:

*Monounsaturated ( Good Fat )
* Polyunsaturated ( Fair )
* Saturated ( BAD)
* Trans fats (BAD)

Your goal is to add more of Monounsaturated fats and cut the other 3 fats whenever possible. You should also limit your overall intake of fat to around 25% of your overall calorie intake each day. In a 1600 calorie a day diet, that would be no more than 400 calories. Dietary fat is not only linked with weight issues, it is linked with cardiovascular health as well, particularly in relation to cholesterol and how it can block arteries and lead to heart attack and stroke.

Cholesterol is formed naturally in the body, but we also consume it in animal-based products we eat such as butter, meat and milk. Butter is one of the most common fats most people consume, but it is full of saturated fat, which has been linked to hardening of the arteries. Olive oil may look less healthy in terms of calories if you compare the 2 side by side in a food database, but olive oil is plant-based and has no cholesterol. It is also a heart-healthy fat because it can boost good HDL cholesterol, which can help bad LDL cholesterol from sticking to artery walls.

A lot of people think margarine is healthier for them than butter, but this is often a mistake, for a couple of reasons. Some are made with milk, which has saturated fat. Others are made with corn oil, which sounds natural but can form clogs in the arteries as well. Plus most all corn in the US is GMO corn and that is something you want to avoid! But the main reason it is so unhealthy is the process of hydrogenation, which forms trans fatty acids. Think about it. Oil in its natural form is liquid. Hydrogen molecules added make it solid and spreadable. But just think how much more that can clog your arteries. So if you want to eat butter, choose organic butter and NOT margarine!

Many people avoid nuts because they are high in calories per ounce. The truth is that their fats are monounsaturated. They are also full of fiber and filling. In addition, walnuts and almonds have been found to lower LDL and boost HDL.

Avocados are also high in fat, but have the same heart-healthy benefits when eaten fresh or the oil is used.

Start using healthier fats such as nuts, avocados, flax and olive oil and see what a difference it can make to your heart health!

Spa Kit Giveaway with Keep Calm Hop On

February 15, 2016 By Colleen 2 Comments

My Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Life is joining with Hosts The Kids Did It and The Mommy Island and many other bloggers in bringing you this fun Keep Calm and Hop On Giveaway Hop! All the bloggers listed below on the linky below are offering all kinds of fun prizes. After you enter our giveaway hop around to see what others are offering!

In keeping with “Keeping Calm”, My Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Life thought it would be fun to offer a $79 Spa Kit that will help you turn your bath into a spa! Enter our giveaway below:

Relax Your Cares Away

Keep Calm Hop On

This giveaway is open to US only

Giveaway ends on March 1, 2016 at 12:01 AM EST

Enter on the Rafflecopter below: ( Giveaway Over )

Participating Bloggers in the Keep Calm and Hop On Giveaway Hop:

Disclaimer: This blog did not receive compensation for the published material in this post. No purchase required to enter this giveaway and there is a limit of one entrant per household. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning are determined by the number of valid entries received. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be emailed via the email address used to enter the contest. New winner(s) will be chosen if original winner(s) has not responded within 48 hours of email notification. My Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Life is responsible for all shipping costs related to prize(s). This giveaway is not administered, sponsored, endorsed by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or other social media outlet. Disclaimer is posted in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Touch Coffee Brewer Easter Giveaway – $249 Value!

February 15, 2016 By Colleen 20 Comments

Heads up Coffee Lovers! Who would like a new brewer for Easter? I’m not a coffee drinker, but everyone else in our family is and I know how hard these coffee brewers get used. We have 2 on the counter actually for just one coffee drinker! I’m very happy to join with Host New Age Mama and a group of fantastic bloggers to bring you this great Touch Coffee Brewer Easter Giveaway!

About the Touch Brewer and Touch Company:

While single-serve coffee systems continue to gain popularity, there have always been drawbacks: weak coffee, the ability to brew only a small cup at a time, and most notably, flawed coffee capsule designs and water heating systems. Touch Coffee & Beverages is re-inventing the single-serve coffee platform with the release of its ground-breaking Touch® T526S brewer and re-engineered capsules. Not only do Touch’s easy-to-use systems brew superior-tasting, coffee shop-quality coffee in significantly less time than current machines, but they are also open platform. This means that the brewers are fully compatible with any cup at all—from existing Keurig K-Cups® to generic cups, in addition to Touch’s ground-breaking XBold Cups™, XLarge Cups™ and reusable Refill Jumbo Cup™.

According to the National Coffee Association USA, the brewing water temperature for a good cup of coffee is “between 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal extraction.” The Touch® T526S brewer reaches this ideal temperature by using its Flash Heating system and starts brewing in under 20 seconds after being off all night. Plus, Touch heats just enough water for the selected cup size as opposed to the entire tank of water, and the machine turns itself off after using, making it more energy efficient than its competitors.

Touch’s superior coffee quality is also due to the fact that the hot water has more contact with the coffee grounds, which ensures that all of the coffee flavor is extracted. Other machines take much longer to warm up and then shoot water through the coffee grounds too quickly, so you end up throwing away untapped flavor with the used capsule. Even with a slower, more deliberate brew, when factoring in the warm-up time, the Touch® T526S still turns out a cup of joe in a fraction of the time.

Compared to most K-Cups®, which only fit up to 12.5 grams of coffee, XBold Cups ™ pack up to 15 grams of coffee and XLARGE CUPS™ provide up to 18 grams of coffee. Flavor Grooves swirl the coffee grinds to release bold aromas and flavors. The Refill Jumbo Cup™ packs up to 40 grams of your favorite coffee grounds—ideal for filling a carafe or large travel mug.

With Touch, you can customize your coffee experience and brew larger cups of coffee without sacrificing flavor. The T526S brewer allows you to choose from eight cup sizes (6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, or 18 ounces and carafe). Plus, its removable 90-ounce water tank has a greater capacity and is shorter in height than its counterparts, meaning you will be refilling less often, and it will be less awkward when you do.

The Touch® T526S brewer, which comes with a reusable Refill Jumbo Cup™ and 26-ounce carafe, is currently available online and has an MSRP of $249.99. For additional information about Touch’s brewers, accessories and coffee, please visit www.TouchBeverages.com.

Touch Coffee Brewer Easter Giveaway

One lucky winner is going to receive a Touch® T526S brewer.

This giveaway will end on 03/06/16. Open to the US only.

The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply.

To enter, just fill in the Giveaway Tools form below:

Entry -Form

Disclaimer: This blog did not receive compensation for the published material in this post. No purchase required to enter this giveaway and there is a limit of one entrant per household. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning are determined by the number of valid entries received. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be emailed via the email address used to enter the contest. New winner(s) will be chosen if original winner(s) has not responded within 48 hours of email notification. This blog is not responsible for shipment of prize(s). Sponsor(s) are responsible for all shipping costs related to prize(s). This giveaway is not administered, sponsored, endorsed by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or other social media outlet. Disclaimer is posted in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

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