10 GOOD GLUTEN & DAIRY FREE SNACKS

Let’s just get it out there right now, I was skeptical of people who cut out gluten in their diets. The dairy I could understand because I have a son who is lactose intolerant and I dealt with irritable bowel in college and would cut back on dairy at times. That is extremely hard because I do love my dairy. However, the gluten thing was another issue. For a long time. I thought it was a made-up thing until I knew couple people with celiac disease and a handful who assumed a gluten free diet and it helped them feel so much better. I admit, I was very mis-informed.

 

Enter menopause, and while I had no problems with bloating the first year after my surgery, the bloating came back along with extreme gas, so I had to do something. My first source of attack was going to be cutting out the gluten and dairy, which made me so sad. I sometimes I ask myself if all those peppermint chip shakes from Chick-fil-A around the holidays did me in, lol 

 

Anyway, while there are days I have eaten some gluten and maybe had a smidge of sour cream or some kind of dairy, for the most part I’d say it’s been 95% cut out and I do feel a little bit better, and my symptoms are somewhat better. Now I am not going to be a person who is going to stay gluten free, dairy free all my life, but I will do what it takes to feel my best!  

 

Before I get to the satisfying snacks, and I have been researching a lot of them, I want to tell you that none of these are substitutes for wholesome raw foods and lean proteins. My diet is primarily those, but sometimes a girl’s got to have her snacks you know so this list of 10 is my primary my repertoire right now for easy snacks in the gluten-free dairy-free world! And I did include my fav whole foods snacks: Berries and Nuts!

 

Here is the good news: whether you are gluten-free, dairy-free or not these products are yummy! 

 

I tried to link some of these where I can as many people have said they can’t always find some of these in the stores. 

 

Heavenly Hunks 

Hunka Hunka Yumminess! I was overjoyed when I found these. My first ones for the peanut butter chocolate and I was panicking because I couldn’t remember where I got them or if I could find them again after researching, I heard that these and these were really yummy and I was happy to not only get a big bag on Amazon, but find them in another local Target. These satisfy the sweet tooth like you would not believe. Get them HERE.



Air Popped Popcorn

I love popcorn, microwave popcorn is filled with a yucky process stuff. I especially love kettle corn, so I was so happy to find Lesser Evil sweet popcorn, with only blank grams of sugar, of course gluten and dairy free. 




Made Good Products

Made Good products are indeed GOOOOD! Last year I had tried the chocolate chip granola bars, and those little bars are wonderful. Also good at the granola bites in a little pouches. However, my favorite Has to be these Crispy Squares. At only 80 cal, dare I say, they are even better than rice, crispy treats. 




English Muffins

I love a good English muffin, but man talk about finding gluten-free dairy. Free bread that’s yummy, that’s almost impossible. That is until canyon bakery. The only thing I’ve tried so far is their English Muffins but their consistency is amazing and they toast so well. I like to add no sugar added apple butter or almond butter. I’m going to make egg McMuffins this week for Mr. Nine and I, mine without cheese, of course. I can’t wait to try more of their products. 





Berries 

Well, I am primarily talking about prepackaged foods of convenience that are gluten or dairy free, I will tell you that I eat the top 4 berries, at least one of the varieties every single day for a snack. Several doctors have said that strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are the top four fruits of all time packed with antioxidants and to me, they are just the best snack. Go ahead and throw in some grapes and watermelon my two other favorite fruits also in the top 10!



Nuts & Nut Butters

The great thing about nuts is you totally can get them in conveniently prepackaged! If I don’t have them portioned I tend to eat way to many. With nuts being high in calories that’s not what I want to do but I do eat them everyday so I try not to eat too many. My favs are cashews, pecans, pistachios and almonds. 

 


Along those same lines: nut butters. My favorite is almond butter; ideally Justin's Vanilla Almond Butter. My favorite is just on a spoon or a lil inside a date or on apple slices. Stella LOVES almond butter.


Crackers & Cheese

Sometimes you just neeeeeed crackers and cheese and man, when you’re trying to eat gf/do that’s tough! BUT I found a satisfying solution. I was loving the Simple Mills Crackers anyway but when I finally found the Boursin Dairy Free spreadable goodness in garlic and herb, it was a whole new WOW and great snack.



Cookies 

Let’s be honest, a manufactured cookie, whether gluten-free and dairy, free or not, will never hold a candle to homemade cookies. Mr. Nine even says that my cookies are better than crumble cookies, lol! With my sweet tooth, though sometimes I just want a cookie and I have not yet attempted to bake any that are gluten-free or dairy free. Enter these Partake Chocolate Chip Cookies, two of them are perfect with my afternoon tea or decaf coffee.


These Good Girl Birthday Cake  vanilla sandwich cookies are the ones I shared with you on a Friday Favorites and I mean OH SO yummy! I’m super excited because this company.


 

Tortilla Chips and Salsa 

Can you believe that I had no idea that most corn tortillas and chips were gluten-free? Therefore not only do I like getting the grain free Siete Brand, but I can pretty much do most regular tortilla chips as long as they’re corn. Low cal salsa is also a great choice to dip them in. And hummus.


Coconut Rolls 

Can you believe I got these at the dollar store for what is now $1.25, lol. These Tahitian rolls of goodness are so amazing and the black sesame seeds really good for you. They have the perfect amount of sweetness and crunch.  

 



Now why can’t there be better cheeses alternatives? I’m craving a yummy pizza so bad. That was actually the last meal I had before my bloating came back with a vengeance on December 14. Who knows but there will be a day soon after being on this diet for a month that I will try Pizza again. Wish me luck, lol. 






If this post gets lots of love, I'll be back with meal ideas and other non-repacked and more convenient options. 


AND tell me: any prepackaged yummy gluten/dairy free snacks you’ve tried and loved? 


 LINKING-UP with Style on the Daily // Metamorphosis Monday // Thursday Fashion Files // 

Love your Creativity // Hello Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday


xoxo





WHAT'S UP WEDNESDAY ALL THE LOVE

Like I said last week, January is going kind of fast. We are getting a big snowstorm today and I’m hibernating, lol. I’m not completely sure if Shay and Sheaffer are continuing this link up in the new year but since I brought it back last month, I’m going with it. It’s kind of like my Friday favorites on steroids, lol!

1: WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS WEEK: 

I'm cooking normal but a little healthier for Mr. Nine. But I’ve been eating very healthy, whole food, gluten and Dairy Free. Last Friday I shared the yummy gf cookies, but next Monday I will have an entire post dedicated to gluten and dairy free eats.


And of course, I had to share my Galentine’s Tray. See how I did it HERE 


2. WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT: 

My Daddy. He has been in and out of the hospital recently and I’ve been so worried. Pray for him especially to break up the clot on his lung (Pulmonary Embolism). I normally keep other's health quite private but I need your prayers.

Here are a couple favorite pics. 




3: WHAT I’M LOVING: 

A more laid back January, organizing all the things and hanging with my sweet Girl, Stella Mae. 



SEROVITAL

I know I completely sound like a broken record here, but I can’t stop won’t stop with my favorite Beauty brand Serovital, especially when they come out with new products that WOW me. This RetinAll serum is fragrance free friends! And you will noticeably see a difference in fine lines, wrinkles, and texture of your skin. Tons of my friends and followers have bought their products and are loving them! Get Serovital HERE.


4: WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO:

Went to Ball State this past weekend for a swim meet for our son’s girlfriend. She is a senior and it was a last home meet! She’s so good. 



5: WHAT I’M DREADING:My Parents aging ie: the decline in health. 

 

6: WHAT I’M WORKING ON: Content for the Blog and socials, Decor freshen up, organizing, showed you my Valentine's Porch on Monday. Click HERE to see the whole thing.



7: WHAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT:

Possibly planning some trips.  


8: WHAT I’M WATCHING & READING: 

Ginny & Georgia, Inside Man (so good), The Last of Us 





READING: The Quarry Girls GET IT HERE



9: WHAT I'M WEARING:

My cashmere camel coat lots lately and this was a favorite outfit for lunch with a friend. 

Top HERE // Loafers HERE

Camel Coat HERE

And HOT PINK! 
Sweater HERE // Top HERE // Leggings HERE // Boots HERE

Vest HERE // Sneakers HERE


11: WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND:

Quiet one. Making food for my daddy and hanging with Mr. Nine and Stella.

 

12: WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH:

Valentine’s Day, a trip to a Friend's house for a couple nights, maybe getting away with Mr. Nine...

 

13: FAVORITE AMAZON FIND:

This MUGThe first couple that got engaged of our sons, I immediately got on Amazon and got her this MUG for a Christmas present. A couple weeks ago she sent me this picture that she got her nails done to match the mug, so stinking cute. Great find for the engaged girlie in your life!



 HAPPY MIDDLE OF THE WEEK MY LOVES!!

  

  LINKING-UP with Style on the Daily // Metamorphosis Monday // Thursday Fashion Files // 

Love your Creativity // Hello Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday


xoxo




VALENTINE’S DAY ON THE FRONT PORCH

Hi lovelies! I wasn’t planning on continuing with front porch holiday decorating, but everyone has said they LOVE it so much that the first week of January it was game on for Valentine’s Day! While I absolutely love pink, this year I decided to decorate the front porch in simple red hearts, and some white! 



I was hoping I could find some big white felt hearts to go with the red ones but with the white trim around the door I think the red ones worked just fine. I was happy to find a couple more styles like these Placemats at Michael's for the upper windows and another set of placemats by Isaac Mizrahi that I found at HomeGoods and found a new sets on eBay HERE. Some bigger red felt hearts HERE.


Links for most things are scattered throughout the post.



Note I couldn’t get a good shot on the front step topiaries I made because it snowed and the concrete and mesh red ribbon was all wet around them. Indiana weather NEVER cooperates at the right times. 
This was the best I could get of one. 

But look how I change out the Lanterns with each holiday too. I really get my bang for my buck! Black flower urns that i love all year round HERE! White hearts are picks from Hobby Lobby.


I kept the Red Velvet Pillow Covers in the Rocking Chairs from Grandin Road and included the HEART Sherpa Pillows. I was tickled pink to find some red and white bows on clearance at Michael’s from Christmas that didn’t have the Christmasy feel. LOVE these HEART BOWS!



Rockers HERE // Round Middle Table HERE //
Round Lantern HERE // Hanging Glitter Heart HERE

 

I also kept the red and white buffalo plaid doormat as it looks so good with the LOVE sisal mat on top. 


My favorite feature is the HEART on the front door that I repurposed from the metal one I bought last year on Etsy. You should see her Selection! I simply painted it white over the pale and then covered it in an opal glitter spray paint. Then I just added one of those clearance bows and some red ribbon for a hanger. 

What I love about this Heart Door Hanger is that now every season I can change it if I want to, next year, I just might paint it red.

Let me know what you think. I like the simplicity of it and maybe I’ll decorate for St. Patrick’s Day, not sure yet, lol.

 

See last year’s valentine porch HERE including how the door hanger used to look.

 

All the LOVE to you friends!


  LINKING-UP with Style on the Daily // Metamorphosis Monday // Thursday Fashion Files // 

Love your Creativity // Hello Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday


xoxo



FRIDAY FAVORITES...Pinks and Hearts Edition

Hi friends, and happy Friday! Usually, January doesn’t go by very fast, but man it’s flying. Here, we thought Indiana was going to have one of the worst winters ever, but these past few weeks have been very mild, and I’m actually aching for some snow, lol! Had a fun day with one of my besties yesterday and Heading to Ball State University this weekend to see our youngest son’s girlfriend in one of her last swim meets. She is an amazing swimmer and is wrapping up her senior year.

 

1. Laura Turns 50!
Today, January 20th is such a glorious day because one of my besties, Miss Laura Horton turns 50 years old. Happy to welcome her to the 50s club. I met this sweet friend through blogging many years ago and while she doesn’t blog very much anymore, she is a constant and delight in my life! Truly don't know what I would do with out her.
Making the year 2023 extra special is that her daughter, Alise is a Senior in High School and Having a great Basketball Season..
look at these cuties for Pink Night!



2. Last Weekend's Trip
Still thinking about the fabulous trip to San Diego for cabi fashion week. Very blessed to have Annie as a friend. Her and her sweet husband took me to Indianapolis to meet Mr. Nine for my return home after letting me stay the night in their beautiful home. Proud to be a cabi ambassador with her.
AND you must check our her blog, Blessings and Sass



3. Let's Wear Sweet Pink

Oh, give me the sweet pink! I just thought the shade of pinks were so pretty on This Sweater  and the booties can we talk about the Booties? They are on sale for 75% off and the most comfortable smaller heal. Just perfect. I thought it looks great with the slightly flare denim and silver skirt. I love wearing pink, especially around Valentines! That White Button Up underneath is  huge favorite too..no wrinkles!

ON MAJOR SALE...THESE BOOTS

Sweater HERE & HERE // Skirt HERE // Jeans HERE // My FAVORITE White Button Up HERE

4. Heart Necklaces 
My heart necklaces or some of my most worn. I’ve got a great round up some pretty pieces. Great Valentines gift, but hearts are to wear all year!


5. Misc. Fun 
Post of the Week 


Goodie Girl Cookies
In my Post on Menopause I wrote about how I was trying a diet to see if it helped with some of my symptoms, including cutting out gluten and dairy. I had heard about these Goodie Girl cookies on Mix and Match mama’s blog as she has a daughter with celiac disease and oh my goodness are they ever tasty. I’m going to admit most gluten-free and dairy free items do not taste as good as the real stuff but these might be the best vanilla sandwich cookies I have ever eaten! The company is sending me several more varieties so I will try them all out for ya. 
Get the Birthday Cake ones HERE.


Memes




Have a Fabulous weekend Friends!!



Linking up with  Friday Favorites  // Metamorphosis Monday
xoxo 







BLOG DESIGN BY DESIGNER BLOGS