Living on Cloud Nine: 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.

Heavenly Hunks // Popcorn // Partake Cookies // Made Good Crispy Squares // Almond Butter // Boursin Spread // Birthday Cake Cookies // English Muffins // Tortilla Chips // Simple Mills Crackers // 1.25 Coconut Rolls at Dollar Tree

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?

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Hi Fun Friday babes! Ok, even if you don't like football, I hope you'll find something you like in this favorite’s edition. You see, it is in honor of our son and his senior year of football. His High School team kicks off Tonight!!!! We love football around here. Let's Go Irish!! However only HS and college ball, we kind of feel once they start getting big bucks to play, it's not as fun, but that's just our opinion. If you're eating dips on Sunday, in a stadium, or wearing a Colt's jersey, we'll still join ya! However, Friday Night Lights and Saturday Tailgates and watching our beloved Notre Dame are our jams. LINKING UP WITH SPIEL THE BEANS for football FUN!

Hope you're weekend is full of great moments and lots of laughter!!!

1. FOOTBALL PUMPKIN
I LOVE to decorate for Fall. While, I do not pull out the Fall decorations until September, a few footballs do make their appearance for kick off. How excited was I to get this baby at Hobby Lobby this week.

You can also make your own. Get one of those hollow pumpkins at Hobby Lobby, paint brown with white "football" markings, cut a small hole in the top, Add a filler and finish with a gorgeous chevron bow. I can make these but I like to buy the pre-made ones in a pinch as they look sooo much better then mine. Add a middle embellishment and how pretty is this!!

2. GAME DAY ATTIRE
It's fun dressing for football games because it means comfort. Now, I do know ladies who wear heels to the games but I choose to be comfy. If I consume an adult beverage, I do not want to get stuck in the grass and spill it. My favorite attire would have to be the team jersey. Since many of our games tend to be rainy, who wouldn't love some Leprechaun or your college mascot choice rain boots!!

When the season first starts, it is usually still warm during games played in the afternoon. I am in love with the ease of this outfit.

Off the shoulder and flared jeans is awful darn cute too.

3. ALL THINGS SWEET

Game day makes me want all things sweet. On Friday nights, I must try the popcorn at all the away schools and we rate which school has the best. Ha! However on Saturdays I'm all about sweet and savory snacks. To start with sweet, how cute are these cookies from Etsy!? Our local bakery does a cute shortbread cookie decorated however you want. And you could certainly make your own with cookie cutters.

How about these? I wish one was in my mouth right now!!

Awe, heck let's just throw in 100+ ideas for yummies and your season is set!

Go Here

4. ALL THINGS SAVORY
Oh yeah, dippin', chippin', a whole lot of finger lickin'; that's what happens on game day. Whether you're tailgating or in your living room with the big screen, football snacking is a MUST!!

So many good game day Recipes Here

And here is my new concoction of ooey gooey deliciousness as suggested to me by my mama. Lay Ritz crackers on a plate, top with a pepperoni slice. Cut small marinated mozerella balls in half and microwave the plate of goodness for about 25 seconds until the cheese melts. I made a plate last weekend for the fam and they were gone in about 60 seconds.

These 3 ingredients are all you need!!

To all you "Bama" fans!
Isn't branding of a favorite college team on a HOT DOG; Well, Genius!

5. THE BOYS OF FALL
Two of our sons played football, one still does and gets varsity time as a sophomore. Our team was lucky enough to make it all the way to Semi-State, a feat which we had never even come close to in the school's history.