Mary’s Gone Crackers love Cookies! and a give away

If you have been a member of the gluten free community for very long, then you may already know about Mary’s Gone Crackers. They make some of the best crackers around. Well, now they have come out with cookies! The Mary’s Love Cookies product line includes Chocolate Chip, Ginger Snap, and “N’Oatmeal” Raisin  flavors.

All  flavors of Mary’s Love Cookies are wheat free, gluten free, organic, kosher, non-GMO, and have no hydrogenated oils and no trans-fats. On top of all that, they are made with low glycemic sweeteners and chia seeds.  And, they taste good!

You can find these cookies in Whole Foods, and most health food stores around the country. If you can’t find them in your area, you can order them online from Mary’s Gone Crackers website.

Mary’s Love Cookies come in a 5.5 oz box, with two inner packages to make sure they stay fresh to the last cookie.

If you’d like to win a box to try them out for yourself, just leave a comment here to enter the give away. One box of your choice of flavor is the prize. I’ll pick a winner at random from all the entries on April 26.

Kozy Shack Puddings

If you’re a Mets fan and eat gluten free, you can now get gluten free snackes at Citifield!

A partner of the Mets since 2008, and official pudding of the team, all Kozy Shack® puddings and gels are gluten-free and will now be available along with additional food products in a branded gluten-free food cart for easier recognition by fans. The Mets developed the stand-alone cart in response to one of the most common requests from fans, who asked for a gluten-free concession. In addition to Kozy Shack® gluten-free snacks, the cart will also feature hot dogs and hamburgers with gluten-free buns and gluten-free beer. Baseball fans can locate the cart on Field Level in the right field corner, just outside the World’s Fare Market.

But even if you don’t get to Citifield, you can get Kozy Shack puddings in the dairy case of your local grocery store. They sent me several flavors to try–my husband and I were pleasantly surprised at how very good they are.  The Original Rice pudding was delicious. It tasted like home made!

I took some of the Chocolate to a cook out, and everyone there loved it.  It was very smooth, and had a very good chocolate flavor.

Kozy Shack has been making pudding since 1967. You can enjoy their all natural, kettle cooked puddings guilt free knowing that each is made with real dairy milk, is a good source of calcium and has no hydrogenated oils or preservatives.  That they are gluten free is an added bonus for those of us who must eat a gluten free diet.

Kozy Shack puddings come in a wide variety of flavors: The Original Rice, Chocolate, Banana, Tapioca, Eurpean Style Rice, and Cinnamon Raisin Rice.  The No Sugar Added flavors include Chocolate, Rice, and Tapioca. And the Simplywell line offers Dark Chocolate, Mangosteen Pear, Lemon Ginger, Green Tea Chai, and FrenchVanilla.

For more information on Kozy Shack puddings, including recipes and their full product line, visit their website.

On The Job Hand Lotion

On The Job hand lotion is the first over the counter  antiseptic, moisturizer created to protect and repair hands. On The Job is skin repair for guys who don’t think about skin care. It helps healing of damaged hands by combining active ingredients on contact. It contains a powerful antiseptic that kills 99% of germs and bacteria. It also has a deep penetrating  moisturizer.

Since On The Job  is described as being for men who work outdoors with their hands, when it arrived, I gave to my husband to try out.  He really liked it because it is not greasy feeling, it absorbs into his skin right away, and has no scent at all. He does not use anything that is scented because he has allergies to scents. He was very impressed with On The Job hand lotion, and asked me to buy him some more.

I like it because I work outdoors in a dry climate, usually less than 30% humidity. My skin gets so dried out! My duty station does not have water available for washing hands, and after a morning of handling money, I want something to sanitize my hands before eating lunch.  I am going to be keeping a container of it on my shelf at my work station this summer.I was impressed with how fast it absorbs, and it really does not leave a greasy feel to your hands.

On The Job hand lotion sells for $8.99 at their website.

Southern Recipe Pork Rinds From Rudolph Foods

Looking for a crunchy, salty snack that is delicious and gluten free?  Southern Recipe Pork Rinds are just the thing for you!  Pork rinds are a family tradition around the world. Generations of families have grown up enjoying pork rind snacks.

Southern Recipe Pork Rinds were created from a family recipe at Rudolph Foods in 1955. Since then, Rudolph Foods has grown to be the world’s largest producer of pork rinds. In blind label consumer testing in four cities, pork rinds from Rudolph Foods were preferred by a wide margin over other brands because of their taste and appealing crispness.  I wasn’t a part of those tests, but I agree that these pork rinds are better tasting than others I have tried. They don’t taste “greasy” or heavy at all. They just have a crispy, crunchiness that I love.

These pork rinds come in five flavors–Sweet BBQ,  Bar-B-Q, Salt & Vinegar, Spicy Hot, and Original. While I am not so much a fan of hot things, I love the Original and the Salt & Vinegar flavors. My friend, Rob, tried the Spicy Hot and Bar-B-Q flavors and says they are great, too!

High in protein, low in cholesterol and carbohydrate-free, a serving of pork rinds has approximately 80 calories, 9 grams o protein, 10 mg of cholesterol, and 5 grams of fat, most of which is unsaturated fat. That means a serving of pork rinds is higher in protein and lower in fat than a serving o peanuts! And, they are gluten free, which is the #1 thing I look for in snacks for myself.

You can learn more about Rudolph Foods and Southern Recipe Pork Rinds at their website.  Be sure to check out the Man Cave–a fun site to explore with a chance to win a T-shirt.

Applegate Farms Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets

If you are a someone who eats gluten free, when was the last time you had some chicken nuggets? For me, it has been since April 2007. That changed yesterday when my samples of Applegate Farms Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets arrived.

These nuggets are delicious! Even my non-gluten free husband enjoyed them. And they were so easy to prepare: Just pop them in the oven for 12 minutes, turn them over one time half way through the cooking time, and they are done. They can also be cooked in the microwave. The package says “Our gluten free chicken nuggets are ready to heat, so you can spend more time tickling your kids.” Don’t you just love that?

Applegate Farms Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets would be a perfect choice for hot hors d’œuvres  at a party, as an after school snack, or served with vegetables for dinner. I served mine with a homemade honey mustard sauce, and sides of steamed spinach and potatoes.

These chicken nuggets are all natural, contain no nitrates or nitrites, no fillers or preservatives, no artificial colors or flavors, and no MSG. They are produced from vegetarian grain fed chickens, and no antibiotics are used. All these healthy details have created a delicious, good for you chicken nugget that you will be able to feed your family with confidence.

For more information on Applegate Farms products, check out their website. You’ll find lots of information about their products, a store locator, some great recipes, and a printable coupon for $1.00 off any of their products. Some of their products DO contain gluten so be sure to read all label information carefully.  Suggested retail price is $6.59 for an 8 oz box containing approximately 18 nuggets.

Coca-Cola’s new 90 Calorie Mini Can

I love COKE!  Coca-Cola that is. It’s by far my favorite beverage of choice-behind H2O of course.  And now, thanks to Coca-Cola, my favorite soft drink is now available in convenient Mini cans.   The new 90-calorie Mini cans are truly cute, stylish and a great way to manage all  the calories we drink!  The cans are slimmer, smaller and about 7.5 ounces and 90 calories compared to 12 ounces and 140 calories of the regular sized cans. I, myself, would welcome 90 calories over 140 calories any day.   I must admit…I love the stuff!  and nothing else really satisfies my taste buds.  I’m not sure what it is but I’m almost to the point of being addicted…Really! 

I realize that some would say soda is NOT at all good for you and I get that… but for those of us who do enjoy a little can of happiness every now and then,  the new Mini can’s are a great option for a quick treat and a great way to cut back.

The new Mini’s will be available in Sprite, Fanta Orange, Cherry Coca-Cola and Barq’s Root Beer – sold in packs of eight.  I received samples of the new Mini’s  from The Coca-Cola Company and they tasted great.  A new look but same great taste!  The new cans work great for me since I’ve been trying to cut back and incorporate a much healthier diet. I am definitely enjoying these – maybe you will too!

I recently had a conversation with registered dietician, Jan Tilley about the new Coca-Cola Mini cans and how they can fit into one’s diet.   Jan was a pleasure to speak with .  Jan suggests that part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not feeling deprived and  feels that deprivation has been the ruin of many healthier eating plans.   I cannot agree with her more – that’s why I believe the new Mini cans will help out folks like me who are not totally ready to give up their favorite beverage.   Portion control is also the key to any successful diet , Jan explained , and believes the new 90 calorie cans will go a long way to help people who love Coca-Cola but also want to manage their calories. 

For more information,  watch the promotional video here to see what else Jan has to say about the new 90-calorie Mini cans.

“The size of the packaging really reinforces moderation,” Jan says in the video. “And calling out the calorie content on the front of the label helps people to understand how this will fit into their calorie allotment for the day. Plus it’s fun, it’s cute, it’s portable. People still like to enjoy what they eat and drink, it’s one of the small pleasures in life.”

More about Jan Tilley
Jan Tilley, MS RD LD is President of Jan Tilley & Associates, a nutrition consulting firm promoting healthy living through nutrition and fitness. Tilley has written a new wellness book entitled Getting Your Second Wind.  The book focuses on how to build a healthy, balanced life based on healthy eating, physical activity, and a positive attitude.  In the book, she blends healthy living information with real life stories to create a motivating experience for all who are looking for their path to wellness.www.myappetiteforlife.com

Give Wink Children’s Furniture and Accessories

When my kids were little, I don’t think they had such cute furniture options as the ones at Wink. Wink is a Miami based company that specializes in personalized gifts, educational toys, bedding and children’s home décor.  There are lots of cute, useful items for children of all ages, such as their Minky fitted crib sheets and their bedding sets for boys’ and girls’ rooms.

I love the abstract, modern look of their furniture pieces. How cute is this table and chair set for the little ones?

or this toy chest?

And their bedroom furniture is just as modern:

While their furniture can help create a one of a kind feel to your child’s room, your purchase will also help a child in Columbia receive a much needed pair of glasses. For every sale of $100, WINK donates a full eye exam and eyeglasses to a child in need.

My favorite item from their website catalog is this adorable toy sewing machine. I love that it has a bobbin–most toy ones don’t. It even comes with fabric and instructions for making a wrap skirt!

While their prices are kind of on the high end, their products look like good quality merchandise that would stand up to daily use.  Wink is creative, fun, and would make a very cheerful room for any child.

Wink is located at is located at 2570 N.E. Miami Gardens Drive, North Miami Beach, Florida 33180. All their products can also be ordered online at  Give Wink.

Angies List – Helping find reputable service providers in your area

Angie’s List is a company that aggregates consumer reviews of local service companies and which have been described by the New York Times as a way to "capture word-of-mouth wisdom."Angie’s List is unique, however, in that it charges consumers to see reviews,reflecting their belief that charging consumers "adds credibility to the information." Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, the company was founded by Bill Oesterle while Angie Hicks worked as an intern in 1995. The company modeled the list after Indianapolis’ Unified Neighbors.Angie Hicks, who earned an MBA in 2000, went door-to-door in Columbus, Ohio signing up members and collecting ratings on local contractors. In 1996, Angie’s List purchased Unified Neighbors and relocated the company from Columbus to Indianapolis. As of January 2007, the company serves 124 U.S cities and provides reviews of companies in more than 250 categories. 2008 brought the addition of the medical industry to the List, including doctors, dentists, hospitals, and insurers.

Angie’s List grades companies using a report card style A through F scale using consumer reviews. Revenue for Angie’s List comes from fees paid by its members and from advertising. It claims to only accept advertising from companies that have a "B" rating or higher. Not all reports submitted by members are used in establishing a company’s rating as Angie’s List employees "are skilled at picking out would-be saboteurs" who would distort a company’s rating by submitting a negative review.

Angie’s List comes in handy for anyone who moves to a new location and hasn’t made the connections to refer them to various service providers. If you’re looking for a good mechanic, plumber, contractor or even a birthday party clown – Angie’s List should be your first stop.

Mead Johnson, Maker of Enfamil, Loses Multi-Million Dollar False Advertising Case Against Store-Bran

This is a sponsored guest post written by a Press Release on behalf of PBM Products. Post powered by Sponzai.

GORDONSVILLE, VA., December  2 , 2009—PBM Products, LLC, a leading infant formula company that supplies store-brand infant formulas to Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, and other retailers, has received a favorable jury verdict and a $13.5 million damages award in its false advertising lawsuit against Mead Johnson & Co., the operating subsidiary of   Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (NYSE: MJN) (“Mead Johnson”), the makers of the national-brand Enfamil® LIPIL® Infant Formula.  Mead Johnson is 83 percent-owned by Bristol-Myers Squibb.

PBM’s lawsuit claimed that Mead Johnson engaged in false and misleading campaigns against PBM’s competing store-brand of infant formulas, suggesting they do not provide the same nutrition as Mead Johnson’s brands.  PBM’s store-brand infant formulas cost up to 50 percent less than Enfamil® LIPIL®.  The $13.5 million in damages awarded by the jury in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia is one of the largest damages awards ever for a false advertising case.

“This decision by a jury of the people confirms that Mead Johnson’s ads have been false in suggesting that there is a nutritional difference between our store-brand formula products and their products, when in fact the only major difference is price,” said PBM CEO Paul B. Manning.  “Despite Mead Johnson’s scare tactics, parents are assured that PBM’s formula products are as high quality and nutritious as Mead Johnson’s.”

U.S. District Court Judge James R. Spencer issued his written rulings yesterday following the November 10^th jury verdict. Judge Spencer’s written rulings permanently enjoined Mead Johnson from making any false statements concerning PBM’s infant formula, including the claims Mead Johnson previously made in Enfamil advertising that "It may be tempting to try a less expensive store brand, but only Enfamil LIPIL is clinically proven to improve brain and eye development," and "there are plenty of other ways to save on baby expenses without cutting back on nutrition."  The Court also ordered Mead Johnson to retrieve from the public domain all advertising or promotional materials containing these or any other false claims about PBM’s store brand infant formula.  

The details of the decision and the complaint are posted online in full at:

 

·      http://www.pbmproducts.com/docs/Order_Laches.pdf

·      http://www.pbmproducts.com/docs/PBM_Complaint_MJ_III_LIPIL.pdf

 

The nutritional supplements under examination in the case are two fats, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid), which Mead Johnson calls “LIPIL®” solely for marketing purposes and touts as promoting infant brain and eye development. PBM’s claim focused on Mead Johnson’s direct mailing to more than 1.6 million parents of an alarming blurry picture of a child’s cartoon duck next to a clear picture of the same image which suggested that anything other than the Enfamil LIPIL® blend of ingredients is inferior and will result in poor eye and brain development.  Other parts of the false advertising campaign consist of statements that only Enfamil LIPIL has been proven to confer visual and mental benefits on infants, and store-brand formulas are a “cut-back in nutrition” compared to Enfamil. 

PBM successfully argued that these advertisements were false and misleading especially since PBM store- brand infant formulas have the same nutrients at the same levels as Enfamil.  PBM infant formulas are formulated to contain DHA and ARA, and are sourced from the same supplier in amounts which equal or exceed the DHA and ARA in Mead Johnson’s Enfamil LIPIL®. 

This decision marks the third time PBM Products has sued Mead Johnson for false advertising claims. On the prior occasions Mead Johnson admitted that it made false claims about PBM’s products.  It is also the first false advertising case to focus on the issue of DHA and ARA nutritional ingredients in formula, which were introduced into the market in 2003 and have become a staple in recent years by many brands as key components for infant development.

“This jury verdict should send a significant and clear message to Mead Johnson about the way it conducts marketing and advertising for its brands,” said Manning.  “This lawsuit also demonstrates our complete commitment to defending our products and the valuable brands of our retail partners.”

“As a parent and supporter of children’s medical research, I take a personal responsibility in assuring our customers that the products we produce are healthy and nutritionally equivalent to brand names like Enfamil® LIPIL®.  It is important, especially now, for parents to know that there are lower priced yet highly nutritious store-brand formulas that will provide the same benefit to their children as any national brand name formula product,” Manning added.  

The U.S. infant formula market is estimated at $3.4 billion and the global market is estimated at $7.9 billion.

All of PBM’s formulas, and for that matter all of U.S. infant formulas, are subject to the exacting standards of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), pursuant to the Infant Formula Act of 1980.  This legislation vested FDA with the authority to ensure that all infant formula products sold in the United States provide the necessary levels of identified nutrients required for the growth of healthy babies. For more information, visit this FDA link.

PBM Products was represented by the law firm Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP.  Partners from the firm’s advertising practice, Harold P. Weinberger and Jonathan M. Wagner in New York, led the team.  

 

About PBM

PBM is privately owned and based in Gordonsville, VA.  PBM companies specialize in manufacturing, distributing, and marketing consumer food, nutritional, and pharmaceutical products. For more information, visit www.pbmproducts.com.

 

Enfamil® LIPIL® are registered trademarks of Mead Johnson & Co.