Gluten-free products for your summertime needs
Summer is here and with it comes opportunity for entertaining guests, going camping or on outdoor adventures, and for those with school-aged children, it’s almost time to send them back to school!
That said, here are some products to help you with all your summer needs.
Entertaining Guests:
Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur
Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur is a honey-based liqueur that is sweet as honey but with a bit of a kick! And here’s a fun fact for you: dating back to 18th Century Germany, this honey liqueur recipe was formulated to lure bears out of their dwellings by hunters. Well, now it lures people out of their dwellings and to the liquor store to buy it!
You can definitely taste the honey in Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur, making it a good option to use in place of simple syrup, or even as a sweetener in hot or cold tea to give it a bit of a spike. While not as sweet as simple syrup, it’s still a good alternative. This is a unique liqueur that will pique your guests’ interest.
KC Natural No-Nightshade Sauces
For those on an AIP (autoimmune protocol) diet or those avoiding nightshades (tomatoes, eggplant, etc.), it’s difficult to be able to make easy summer foods like barbecue ribs or a hamburger with ketchup because condiments like barbecue sauce, ketchup, salsa, or mustard (mustard is a no-no on AIP but is fine for those who avoid nightshades). Luckily, KC Natural makes no-nightshade, AIP- and Paleo-friendly products like carrot marinara, cherry barbecue sauce, cherry salsa, carrot ketchup, and mustard made from butternut squash. This is great news for people who want to celebrate summer with others while not feeling left out of the traditional summer foods.
Entertaining just got easier and more inclusive with KC Natural!
Coconut Bliss Ice Cream
Pints of delicious ice cream, satisfying ice cream sandwiches, and melt in your mouth ice cream bars – they’re what summer is all about and they are the many options that Coconut Bliss offers. With flavors like Sweet Cherry Amaretto, Ginger Cookie + Caramel, Madagascan Vanilla Bean, Chocolate Hazelnut Decadence, Golden Banana Brownie Swirl, and so much more, you’re bound to find several flavors to enjoy. Their ice cream sandwiches are gluten-free like the rest of their products, which is great for those who have been missing this classic favorite!
But here’s the biggest draw for Coconut Bliss ice cream: they are not just gluten-free, but dairy-free and plant-based, making them perfect for those who avoid lactose or dairy altogether. You can satisfy a number of guests with Coconut Bliss ice cream because of their allergen-friendliness and wide variety of flavors.
You can get fun variety packs of Coconut Bliss so you can try many flavors in one pack, build your own mini cup package, or try their “One For Everyone” variety pack, it’s perfect for an ice cream social and includes 6 different pints.
Breton Crackers
Crackers are a mainstay at parties, for children to snack on, for road trips and camping, and so much more. At parties and get togethers, make the whole menu gluten-free and serve Breton gluten-free crackers with your charcuterie board. If you’re serving crackers and dip to your children and their friends, serve them Breton gluten-free crackers. No matter the occasion or the audience, Breton gluten-free crackers are perfect for the task.
Breton gluten-free crackers are certified gluten-free by the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, contain 0g of trans fat, no artificial colors or flavors, no cholesterol, and are peanut-free. Available in Original with Flax, Herb and Garlic, White Bean with Salt and Pepper, and Black Bean with Onion and Garlic, there’s something for everyone and for every spread.
Gem City Desserts
Gem City Fine Foods has a collection of decadently rich chocolate cake, smooth and creamy cheesecake, vegan cake and cupcakes, and more that are sure to satisfy your every craving. And best of all, they are made with high quality ingredients, without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and in a dedicated gluten-free and nut-free facility. Plus, they are certified gluten-free by the Gluten Free Certification Organization.
What I love about these desserts is that they are ready-made for entertaining, special events, or a romantic date night, and many of them come in multiple sizes, so you can share with one or share with many. Keep some of these stocked in the freezer and you can thaw them for any summer gathering.
Mozart Chocolate Liqueur
Cheers to summer! Whip up some delicious drinks for your guests that will surely impress them. Mozart chocolate liqueurs hail from Austria and are made with the highest quality, natural ingredients like cocoa, sugar, and vanilla. Behind every bottle is 150 years of experience of the spirits industry. It’s one of those brands that just exudes quality at every step, from the packaging to the product itself.
They come in a variety of flavors, from milk chocolate to dark chocolate to strawberry white chocolate, and more, so the options for cocktails are absolutely endless. Chocolate doesn’t need to be a romantic, evening-only drink – you can certainly lighten up the flavor combination to create something that’s perfect for a warm summer day, just make sure it’s on the rocks because there’s nothing like a cold drink on a warm day.
Family Time:
Paleo Valley Bars and Meat Sticks
Whether you’re planning a road trip, camping trip, day trip, or thinking about what to pack in the kids’ lunches when it’s time for them to go back to school, Paleo Valley has you covered with Paleo-friendly beef/turkey sticks and protein bars. The turkey sticks are available in two flavors – original and cranberry orange – and the beef sticks are available in five flavors – original, jalapeño, summer sausage, teriyaki, and garlic summer sausage. The original ones are fantastic – perfectly savory and seasoned with a blend of spices – and the garlic summer sausage and cranberry orange are also delicious! As far as the bars, they have dark chocolate chip and apple cinnamon – I personally like the apple cinnamon best but both are tasty, chewy, and offer 9 grams of protein per bar. The ingredients in their products are high quality and they are minimally processed so that they remain Paleo-friendly, making them a great choice for parents and kids alike.
Olivia Superfree Breads and More
If you’re packing a sandwich for the kids’ lunches or planning a day trip to the beach, you’re going to need a good quality gluten-free bread that can stand up to the task. If you need to not only be gluten-free but have other allergies, food intolerances, or dietary preferences to consider, try Olivia Superfree breads. Olivia Superfree’s breads and baked goods are not just super allergen friendly, they’re super yummy, too! The texture is amazing, especially considering that they are made from limited ingredients (they are free of gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, corn, rice, potato, coconut, nuts, and are completely vegan). And what’s really great is their sourdough bread – it tastes amazing and is made with sauerkraut.
Olivia Superfree also makes brownies, cupcakes, pies, and more!
King Arthur Pancake Mixes
With summer comes more free time, and that means time to make a big breakfast for the family! King Arthur pancake mixes allow you to do so much easier and they allow you to fit different diets – from traditional gluten-free pancake mix to keto-friendly pancake mix to protein-packed pancake mix – whatever your family needs or wants, they’ve got you covered. King Arthur’s gluten-free pancake mixes are just as good as “regular” (i.e. non-gluten-free) pancake mixes, so you can satisfy everyone in your household, gluten-free or not! Their mixes are Certified Gluten Free by the GFCO and non-GMO verified, plus their protein-packed and regular mixes are non-dairy and their keto mix is grain-free.
Breakfast just got easier and more delicious!
Summerhill Dairy Goat Milk
Milk and cereal for the kids before sending them off to school, baking with the family on a slow summer day, or fueling up with a protein shake before a summertime exercise session – no matter what you’re up to, you can rely on Summerhill Dairy for your milk needs. If you or someone you know has allergies or sensitivities to cow’s milk, or perhaps if your child has difficulty digesting cow’s milk, then you should give Summerhill Dairy goat milk a try. Goat’s milk contains lower levels of casein protein than cow’s milk, plus it’s a different type of casein. Goat’s milk has A-2 beta casein, versus the A1-beta casein found in cow’s milk. And, it contains less of the alpha s-1 casein. Goat’s milk also contains less lactose than cow’s milk and has smaller fat particles. These differences in goat’s milk make it much more tolerable than cow’s milk for individuals with allergies or sensitivities.
Flax4Life Muffins and Granola
Filled with omega-3s from flax but as delicious as any treat, Flax4Life muffins are perfect for rushed mornings or afternoon snacks. Whether you’re going camping with the family or rushing the kids to a swim class or perhaps just heading to work or school, Flax4Life muffins are a great choice. Their granola is equally delicious and also contains omega-3s from flax. Whip up some parfaits with tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, and toasted coconut and sprinkle with granola for a tasty summer-inspired snack.
Flax4Life also makes cakes in case you’re having a special event that needs some celebration!
Mrs. Bickel’s Cookies and Brownies
If your kids are having friends over or you’re having a movie night with your significant other, some cookies or brownies will surely sweeten the occasion! Mrs. Bickel’s Gluten Free Bakery has a very wide selection of gluten-free baked goods – everything you’ll need to satisfy your sweet tooth like blondies, brownies, and cookies. Plus, if you’re planning a get-together like a pizza party, pasta night, or a barbecue, Mrs. Bickel’s also carries breadsticks, pizza crusts, and breads like burger buns and slider rolls.
What’s really great is that they offer low-glycemic goodies for those watching their blood sugar in addition to being gluten-free.
Gluten Free Prairie Oats
Oatmeal is one of the best breakfasts, in my opinion. It keeps you full for a good amount of time but not overly so. You’ll have just the right amount of energy with a bowl of oatmeal – and add a spoonful of peanut butter or almond butter for some added protein or pair it with a protein shake. Oatmeal is good all year round – in the summer when you’ve made a lot of plans to do family activities or when back-to-school season rolls around and you need to send the kids off to school with a full belly and an energy-fueled brain. Although oats are naturally gluten free, they can often be cross contaminated, so it’s important to get oats that are certified gluten free, or even better if they are purity protocol oats. Gluten Free Prairie products purity protocol oats. What that means is they are grown in clean fields (fields that haven’t had wheat, rye, or barley grown on them in at least 4 years), they use designated equipment to harvest the oats, and they are processed in a facility that only works with those oats.
Starlite Cuisine Taquitos and Enchiladas
After a long day out on the water or at the beach, the last thing you want is to come home and have to cook a full meal. This is where high-quality frozen prepared foods like taquitos and enchiladas from Starlite Cuisine come in handy! Adult and kid approved, Starlite Cuisine’s taquitos and enchiladas are not just gluten free but also dairy free, vegan, and soy free. They are delicious and have the same taste and texture as “traditional” taquitos and enchiladas. For those who aren’t vegan, you’re not giving anything up by eating these. They are still just as tasty and you get the experience of meat and cheese, without either! These are the perfect dish to have on hand when you have people over who aren’t meat eaters or people who cannot have dairy.
Self Care:
LivOn Labs Liposomal Supplements
If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that you should focus on your health year-round, not just during cold and flu season. Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins for immune support, and that’s why we at Gluten Free & More love LivOn Labs’ liposomal vitamin C. If you’re wondering what liposomal means, let’s bypass some of the science talk and I’ll explain it to you simply – it’s a form of supplement delivery that you swallow but it bypasses the usual absorption mechanisms and goes straight to where it needs to go. It’s great for people who have issues with malabsorption, which is often the case with newly diagnosed celiacs. LivOn offers other supplements in liposomal form, but the vitamin C is our favorite!
True Nutrition Custom Protein Powder
Stay fueled all summer long with protein shakes in between meals. True Nutrition is a great brand of protein because it comes in a variety of types – vegan protein like pea protein, pumpkin protein, and more; conventional proteins like whey; insect proteins, egg white protein, and more. What’s even better about their protein is that you can get “boosts” like ashwagandha, amino acids, digestive enzymes, collagen, and more, plus you get to pick from at least 20 flavors. Our editor regularly buys their protein – her favorite is the pea protein with an essential amino acid boost in fudge brownie. You can also make custom oatmeals and smoothie powders. Traditional store-bought protein powders often contain fillers and random ingredients that you don’t need, like food colorings or artificial flavors, but True Nutrition gives you clean, pure protein.
Paleo Pro Bone Broth Collagen
Support your joints, hair, skin, and nails throughout all those summer activities with a good quality collagen. If you’re older than 25, your collagen levels have started to decrease – yes, it happens that soon! In my humble opinion, supplementing with collagen is a great idea for most people but of course you’ll want to check with your doctor if you have any specific health concerns. When supplementing with collagen, look for a good quality brand, like the bone broth collagen from Paleo Pro. Theirs comes from grass fed beef and is extremely clean and produced without chemicals, solvents, abrasive processes and is overall very minimally processed. Plus, theirs has turmeric added, which has fantastic anti-inflammatory properties, making this even better for your joints! It’s available in plain, vanilla, and cacao.
Dr. Liia Cosmetics
A sultry summer evening out on the town with your significant other, a fun ladies’ night with your closest girlfriends, a parent-teacher conference when the little ones go back to school – Dr. Liia cosmetics is there for any occasion where you want to put your best face forward. If you didn’t think cosmetics need to be gluten free, think again! If you have celiac disease and you wear lipstick or mascara that can get into your mouth and eyes, respectively, then you should be using gluten-free makeup. Although the gluten protein is too large to get absorbed into your skin, all it takes is a blemish or a cut to get makeup from your skin into your body. Dr. Liia (formerly Epilynx) has luxurious creams and serums and bold, bright makeup that you’ll love. Their line is not just gluten-free but also free from parabens and phthalates, and is cruelty free.
