We Found SO MANY New Gluten Free Foods at the Nourished Festival

Over the summer, we began traveling again. We booked airline tickets and jumped on the plane to visit Washington, DC and then Atlanta, GA (which is one of our favorite locations). We LOVE public transportation and we absolutely love the fact that you can jump on the Metro (from the airport) to almost every location in Atlanta.

While traveling during COVID19, we learned that our FAVORITE hotel feature, the lounges, were not typically open during breakfast and dinner. We rely on this for a reliable hot meal (with eggs and other proteins) and we had to pack a few items for our packable pantry. Why do we have a packable pantry you ask? Well, I am gluten free, my husband relies on protein rich meals, and my daughter...well, she likes snacks! 

I began our packable pantry journey when I began traveling for business years ago and I became gluten free. I had to pack everything - from breakfast to lunch to dinner (and snacks). I started to rely on shelf stable (and low sodium meals) and this approach SAVED me so many times.

So, this week, I was invited to attend the Nourished Festival - "The Gluten-Free Expo" in a virtual format and I was EXCITED to do so. Usually, I attended this expo in Dallas and my daughter referred to it as "snack world". She sampled EVERYONE and we had the opportunity to try many different foods from companies we met at expo. 

This year included the following brands and I cannot wait to interact with them (and to try their products). I have a work trip coming up and it would be great to sample these on-to-go. Also, Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming up soon and it would be great to try these products before purchasing them for Thanksgiving. Also, many of these companies offer the opportunity to order the items and to have them shipped to your door. This is GREAT for rural, gluten free individuals and families. 

• Allergic Traveler
• Bare Life
• BEAM Minerals
• Bedrock Bakers, Inc.
• BFree Foods - I actually eat their tortillas with sunbutter. AMAZING travel treat!

• Blue Dinosaur
• Bread SRSLY
• Camino Spice
• Camp Zeke
• Celestial Cocoa Company
• Celiac Disease Foundation
• Chomps - My husband loves these! Remember's he's the carnivore. 

• COCINA 54 - I cannot WAIT to try these. Gluten free empanadas! VERY exciting!

• Diet Cheesecakes
• Drs. Nutrition Bar
• Eban's Bakehouse
• Epicure - She is Gutsy
• EpiLynx LLC
• Etalia Foods
• Fusion Jerky
• Gluten Intolerance Group
• Great Gluten Escape Summer Camp
• Homefree, LLC
• Honestly Cranberry
• Jack's Paleo Kitchen
• Juice Plus/Tower Garden
• Kalifornia Keto
• Keli's Hawaiian Sauces
• Lorraine's Gluten Free
• Lovely Day Bars
• Mama Stoen's Gluten Free
• Mom's Place Gluten Free
• Mor's Nutrition and More
• Namaste Foods
• Nantucket Pasta Goddess
• Nomato by Norine
• Odd Bagel
• Parma!
• Schar Gluten Free - I absolutely LOVE Schar Gluten Free foods! If I could find these in a rural area, I would DEFINITELY purchase these more often! They've been at the expo for years!

• Supernola
• The Cloud Bread Company
• The Good Crisp Company
• Vana's Meal Options
• Vegetarian Traveler, LLC
• Yumbana Gluten Free

I cannot wait to check out these companies! Join me in connecting with these amazing Nourished Festival Vendors.

Discovering Ready-to-Go Gluten Free and Allergen Friendly Meal Ideas in Dallas at the #GFAFExpo in Dallas!

When you find a free weekend away from work that will TEACH you something new, you have to SEIZE the opportunity! We seized the opportunity to learn about healthy food in a fun atmosphere, we decided to visit the Gluten Free and Allergen Free Expo at the Dallas Market Center in Dallas, Texas.

It was a neat experience to learn about the newest gluten free products while sampling and talking to the company representatives and owners. It was absolutely perfect.

Brazi Bites

Monster Meli's Cookies!

Kinnikinnick Foods

Partake Foods

Check out our last blog post!
https://www.weekendscount.com/2018/10/glutenfreetravel.html 

For our traveling family on our 24 Hour Family Travel Adventures, we try to seize opportunities to cook while we travel. So, we travel with a water kettle from Bodum that fits in my suitcase and we also plan to travel with a small lunch crockpot. This leaves our family with many oatmeal breakfasts, rice filled lunches, and soup filled dinners. Despite the predictability of our meals, we always plan ahead and pack the items that we need in advance (in gallon-sized plastic bags).

Have a great week and plan for the weekend!

Sincerely,

The @WeekendsCount Family!

About Weekends Count - Weekends Count is a Millennial Family Travel, Fun, Food and Activities blog based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in Texas. We review hotels, travel and household items, and millennial family experiences!

Authors - Jennifer and Tony Edwards

Here's a link to our press kit/media kit - http://www.weekendscount.com/p/our-media-kit.html

Contact Information:
1030 East Highway 377 Suite 110
Box #145
Granbury TX 76048
817-382-8475
Send us an Email! We are PR friendly! - weekendscount@gmail.com

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Remember to Purchase or Download Our Family Travel Book on Amazon! - Family Travel Hacks and Tips for Any Budget!

Discovering Foods at the Gluten Free and Allergen Friendly Expo in Dallas

Recently, I discovered that I have a wheat allergy. Yes, our family attends the Gluten Free and Allergen Friendly Expo each year, BUT I have always focused on the Allergen Friendly foods. 

This year, it is definitely different for our family. Since June, I've been cooking with chickpea pasta, rice noodles, rice dishes for travel, and many Schar snacks! This has truly been one of the most different personal challenges that I have ever taken. It is SO DIFFICULT to find dishes that do not have wheat. 

I've attended the expo in the past, but now I am attending the expo with a fresh outlook! A fresh, gluten free outlook! YES! Also, engage with the companies listed below on social media if you have any questions.

Seriously, EVERYTHING has wheat! From cereal and cookies to soy sauce and some restaurant foods, it is very important to read the ingredients BEFORE you consume the product.

I've also discovered the importance of connecting with Gluten Free companies on social media (Facebook and Twitter). You can discover some great deals while learning more about the gluten free goodies they offer.

Speaking of which, check out these amazing gluten free and allergen friendly products! 

Aleia's Foods (@aleiasgf) - Almond Horns, Chocolate Chip Cookies, and my daughter's favorite... Coconut Macaroons!

BFree (@BFreeFoods) - Gluten free, wheat free & vegan breads and rolls!

Biena (@BienaSnacks) - I have these on REPEAT (Amazon Subscribe and Save Repeat - that is).

Blake's Seed Based (@blakeseedbased) - YASS! These are amazing too! I cannot wait to try these! TRAVEL SNACKS!!!

Blue Diamond (@BlueDiamond) - Gluten free crackers and snacks!!

Bob's Red Mill (@BobsRedMill) - Travel-friendly OATMEAL! My travel staple!!!

Brazi Bites (@BraziBites) - Our family, especially me (the gluten free one) LOVE(S) these! They are great travel food as well!

Deliciousness

DoTerra

Bone Broth Soups

Enjoy Life - Eat Freely (I love this company as well! Plentils have been in my little one's daily lunch snack packs for WEEKS. These and hummus dip? Have MERCY!)

Explore Cuisine (@explorecuisine) - Lentil Pasta, Spaghetti!

Forno Minas (@amofornodeminas) - (These have been GREAT travel food as well!)

Freedom (Instagram - @freedomfoodsus) - From Messy Monkeys Pizza and Cheese Snacks to the most DELICIOUS cereal ever! From Cocoa Crunch and Tropico's to Maple Crunch and Pro-Teen Crunch), check these out now!

Garlic Expressions

Gem City - Fine Foods (Gluten Free)

Go Veggie - (These are available at Kroger and MOST of the time on iBotta. My FAV!)

Good Karma

Handfulls

Hannah's Gluten Free Bakery

Hello Fresh (@HelloFresh) - (Our family subscribed to Hello Fresh YEARS ago and we loved it! It actually inspired us to cook more and to spend more time together). We cannot wait to try this Thanksgiving box)!

Honey Stinger (@HoneyStinger) - (I'll admit, United Airlines made me HOOKED on Wafel crackers!)

Ka-Pop Ancient Grains

Kay's Naturals - Cereal and Pretzels

Kinnikinnick - Gluten Free (Cookies, Bread, and Cake Mix) (@KinnikinnickYEG) - Those boxed crackers and sweet treats with BREAD? Ordering these now!

Liteful (@LifefulFoods) - From breakfast, sweets, breads, pies, cakes, and SAMPLERS? Girls and guys - We have to try this! By the way, they have CARROT CAKE!!!

Lundberg Family Farms (@lundbergfarms) - (We are such fans of their rice! We eat rice 5-6 days a week and we LOVE their products!)

Manni's Foods

Monster Meli's (Instagram - @melismonstercookies) - That mix though, plus they have a Wal-Mart partnership? Of course, I am trying these cookies!

Mikey's Muffins (@MikeysMuffins) - Paleo, Keto, and Gluten Free Breads, Crusts, and Baked Goods? Have mercy!!! 

Milton's Craft Bakers

Mozaics Chips (@MozaicsChips) - Ya'll, chips made with peas! Sign me up! Plus, this is a great travel "with protein" snack!

Natural Grocers (@NaturalGrocers) - (We love Natural Grocers! Especially the one in Tyler, Texas. We want to officially THANK THEM for choosing small towns in Texas). We need access to amazing food!

Nima Sensor (@NimaSensor) - Food sensors for on-the-go and travel dining???

YamaChan Ramen

Norwex (@Norwex) - (My late mother LOVE their products and she said that I HAD to use Norwex products with my daughter). From laundry detergent and wash cloths, this company has it all. Check it out! 

Pamela's Products - (I love their products! WAFFLE Mix...YAAAS!)

Partake Foods (@PartakeFoods) - (I love the fact that this company was created by a multicultural entrepreneur! I hope to emphasize this diversity-focused fact as I introduce this company to daughter)! We talk about WHY food were created and WHERE the food came from!

Path of Life (@PathofLifeBrand) - O, Frozen Gluten Free Food that even has KALE???? Oh, goodness yess! 

San-J Tamari (@SanJTamari) (Oh, you guys.. This soy sauce is AMAZING and I love it so much. I was happy to discover it a few months ago while dining a PF Changs in Seattle). Their gluten free menu was AMAZING! 

Sauce Goddess (@SauceGoddess)

Smart Flour Foods (@SmartFlourFoods)

Sprouts Farmers Market (@SproutsFM) - (That grilled peach recipe though...)

Sunbutter (@SunButter) - (I first learned about Sunbutter in Go Picnic packs. These are DELICIOUS with bananas!!!)

Swerve

Taste Republic (@taste_republic) - GRAIN FREE and GLUTEN FREE Pasta!!!

Terra Wash - Do Laundry with No Detergent

The Good Crisp Company (@thegoodcrisp) - CHIPS!!!!

The Salad Spice Company - (I cannot wait to try this company)

The Vitamin Shoppe - (@VitaminShoppe)

Veggicopia (@Veggicopia)

Peanut Free Wow Butter (@WOWButterUK) - (I just have one word to say.. PROTEIN!)

Xochitl (@XochitlChips) - (Chips and Salsa - Oh my!!!!)

Yum Butter - (We love these too and I cannot WAIT to finally make a REAL "peanut butter" and jelly!)

Zego - Delicious Allergy Friendly Snacks

The Gluten Free and Allergen Friendly Expo (October 27-28) in Dallas is a MUST attend event for families who have children with food allergies OR who are gluten free.

Do you want to know some additional information about the GFAF Expo. Discover more here: http://www.weekendscount.com/2014/11/the-top-gluten-and-allergen-free-travel.html

Have a great week and plan for the weekend!

Sincerely,

The @WeekendsCount Family!

About Weekends Count - Weekends Count is a Millennial Family Travel, Fun, Food and Activities blog based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in Texas. We review hotels, travel and household items, and millennial family experiences!

Authors - Jennifer and Tony Edwards

Here's a link to our press kit/media kit - http://www.weekendscount.com/p/our-media-kit.html

Contact Information:
1030 East Highway 377 Suite 110
Box #145
Granbury TX 76048
817-382-8475
Send us an Email! We are PR friendly! - weekendscount@gmail.com

Our Social Media Channels:
Check Us Out on YouTube! - http://www.youtube.com/weekendscount/
Become a Fan of Facebook! - http://www.facebook.com/weekendscount/
Follow Us on Twitter! - http://www.twitter.com/weekendscount/
Look for Us on Instagram! - http://www.instagram.com/weekendscount/
Discover the Weekends Count Blog! - http://www.weekendscount.com

Remember to Purchase or Download Our Family Travel Book on Amazon! - Family Travel Hacks and Tips for Any Budget!

Welcome to Our New Travel Foods (Gluten Friendly) and Finance Focused Amazon Store!

Everyone - Guess What?

We have an AMAZON Influencer store! I've decided to focus on two categories:

Easy and Healthy Items to Cook on School Nights

Financial Fitness for Families

Here's a preview of the financial fitness items! I'll admit, these lists are also Pinterest worthy! I cannot wait to see how these storefronts evolve!

All of these items are gluten free and travel friendly! Check them out! Is there anything that I am missing?

Have a great week and plan for the weekend!

Sincerely,

The @WeekendsCount Family!

About Weekends Count - Weekends Count is a Millennial Family Travel, Fun, Food and Activities blog based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in Texas. We review hotels, travel and household items, and millennial family experiences!

Authors - Jennifer and Tony Edwards

Here's a link to our press kit/media kit - http://www.weekendscount.com/p/our-media-kit.html

Mailing Address: 1030 East Highway 377 Suite 110; Box #145; Granbury TX 76048
Phone Number - 817-382-8475

Did You Watch Our Videos on YouTube, Yet? Remember to Subscribe! - http://www.youtube.com/weekendscount/
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Send us an Email! We are PR friendly! - weekendscount@gmail.com

Remember to Check Out Our Book - Family Travel Hacks and Tips for Any Budget!

The Selectivor: An Allergen & Gluten and Communication Tool for Parents, Families, and Individuals

The Selectivor is an amazing app for parents and millennials, especially those with food allergies. This app will help our family communicate with the parents of my little one's friends and others (especially when we are traveling) about her food allergies.

This post contains affiliate links to help you build your shopping list and travel list for your family. We are passionate about the product and the experiences listed in this post, but we also wanted to provide easy links you can click to purchase products for your busy lifestyle.

The user pinpoints these allergies and/or preferences in the app and they select or create upcoming events that will serve as the "food event" for which the users need to be notified of the allergy.

This is a great app for families who have allergies, celiac disease, or are gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, and/or food preferences. Our little one began school this year and I would definitely use this app as a communication starter next year when we meet her new teacher.

Definitely, check out this app, especially in situations in which if is difficult to bring up certain subjects.

Learn more about the Selectivor, by clicking here: https://www.selectivor.com

Interact with the Selectivor's hashtags as well. - #selectivor #eattogether

Definitely, check out this app, especially in situations in which if is difficult to bring up certain subjects.

###

About Weekends Count - Weekends Count is a Millennial Family Travel, Fun, Food and Activities blog based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in Texas. We review hotels, travel and household items, and millennial family experiences!

Authors - Jennifer and Tony Edwards

Here's a link to our press kit/media kit - http://www.weekendscount.com/p/our-media-kit.html

Mailing Address: 1030 East Highway 377 Suite 110; Box #145; Granbury TX 76048
Phone Number - 817-382-8475

Send us an Email! We are PR friendly! - weekendscount@gmail.com
Watch Our Videos on YouTube! - http://www.youtube.com/weekendscount/
Become a fan of Facebook! - http://www.facebook.com/weekendscount/
Follow Us on Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/weekendscount/
Look for Us on Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/weekendscount/
Discover the Weekends Count Blog - http://www.weekendscount.com

Our Favorite Gluten Free and Allergen Free Foods! GFAF Expo Giveaway!

Since mom and daughter have food allergies, it's difficult to find foods that taste good that they can eat.  In addition, finding healthy foods can break the family budget.  Also, searching for gluten free and allergen free foods can be time consuming.  Here are some of the products we enjoy in our family.  We hope this list saves you time and money in the long run.

Which Wich - One of the Best Texas Sandwich Chains for Travelers

I learned about Which Wich from one of my students at Sam Houston State University. This business student was enamored with the different options that were available to customers and the fact that the sandwiches could be warmed and PLUS he loved the shakes available to customers.

Now, I am enamored with Which Wich as well. The customizable sandwich options are AMAZING! You have 10+ types of sandwiches at this fast casual restaurant and you can customize almost anything.

Which Wich also has one of my favorite features that is not present in any other restaurant. That's right, newspapers that are available on metal clips! I decided that I would adopt this concept when I built my business because it is a great way to get people engaged and to keep millennials informed of what is happening around them.

My favorite Which Wich restaurant is in The Woodlands in Texas, which is walking distance of the Woodlands Waterway Marriott by Conroe, Texas. This restaurant has an amazing team, a very clean restaurant, and access to your local sports! Also, it is located by the Woodlands Trolley Stop and you can grab and sandwich on your way to a concert at the Woodlands Pavilion.

Have a great week and plan for the weekend!

About Weekends Count - Weekends Count is a Millennial Family Travel, Fun, Food and Activities blog based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in Texas. We review hotels, travel and household items, and millennial family experiences! Our mission at Weekends Count is to provide fun weekend activities for busy frugal families, kids' learning activities for busy parents, parenting tips for busy parents, communication tips for busy couples, money saving tips for frugal families, work/life balance tips for busy working parents, frugal family vacation ideas for millennial couples, and home organizing tips for busy families.

Authors - Jennifer and Tony Edwards

Here's a link to our press kit/media kit - http://www.weekendscount.com/p/our-media-kit.html

Mailing Address: 1030 East Highway 377 Suite 110; Box #145; Granbury TX 76048
Phone Number - 817-382-8475

Send us an Email! We are PR friendly! - weekendscount@gmail.com
Watch Our Videos on YouTube! - http://www.youtube.com/weekendscount/
Become a fan of Facebook! - http://www.facebook.com/weekendscount/
Follow Us on Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/weekendscount/
Look for Us on Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/weekendscount/
Discover the Weekends Count Blog - http://www.weekendscount.com

Seven Ways to Make Allergen and Gluten Free Living Easier by Attending the Gluten Free and Allergen Free Expo

Each fall, we look forward to attending the Gluten and Allergen Free Expo in Dallas, Texas. This expo is a great way for you and your family new products for the fall (especially if you have gluten or allergen free needs).

Our family has various food allergies and this expo is the BEST thing that has happened to our family. Through this expo, we are able to discover new brands and get our questions answered! Plus, it is a great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday!

This post contains affiliate links to help you build your shopping list and travel list for your family. We are passionate about the product and the experiences listed in this post, but we also wanted to provide easy links you can click to purchase products for your busy lifestyle.

Here are Seven Ways to Make Allergen and Gluten Free Living Easier
1 - Get Your Gluten and Allergen Free Questions Answered By a Company Representative.

2 - Compare Similar Gluten and Allergen Free Products

3 - Try/Taste the Products Before Purchasing

4 - Connect with Other Individuals at the Booths

5 - Discover New Gluten and Allergen Free Products

6 - Learn MORE about Living a Gluten and Allergen Free Lifestyle

7 - Discover New Gluten & Allergen Free Recipes

Where is the Gluten Free and Allergen Free Expo? When is it?
This year's expo will take place on Saturday, September 10th and Sunday, August 11th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Dallas Market Hall (North Hall). Here's the best thing...parking is free!

How much are the tickets? Is there a special code?
The normal price for adults is $15.00 a day, but use the code ADVANCE (until September 9th) to experience 20% off the list price! Amazing deal for you and your family! Use our special code (ADVANCE) at this link:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/dallas-tx-gluten-free-allergen-friendly-expo-sept-10-11-10am-4pm-daily-tickets-19810250994?aff=TXAFFILIATE&afu=127908645563

Interested in FREE TICKETS for the expo? Leave a comment in the space below this post and make a Twitter video telling us WHY you are interested in attending the expo and include @gfafexpo and @weekendscount in your post.
*We will randomly choose THREE individuals to receive FREE tickets for the expo. The MORE you participate, the GREATER your chances!

Discover MORE information about the #GFAF Expo here:

https://www.facebook.com/gfafexpo
https://twitter.com/gfafexpo
https://instagram.com/gfafexpo/

Please let us know if you have ANY questions about this event! It is one of our favorite events in Texas and we love the atmosphere! Watch our video from last year to find out why!

Have a great week and plan for the weekend!

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When We Travel, We Always Take a "Love with Food" Box!

We hope you are having a great week!

This post contains affiliate links to help you build your shopping list and travel list for your family. We are passionate about the product and the experiences listed in this post, but we also wanted to provide easy links you can click to purchase products for your busy lifestyle.

As busy parents who work full-time outside of the home, we are always looking for creative ways to discover new, healthy, allergen-free products for our family. The Love with Food Company definitely helps us meet our nutritional needs as a family.

If YOU are interested in gaining a GLIMPSE into the Love with Box subscription, you can get 40% off your first Tasting Box!

Just try it and let us know your favorite products!

Follow Us! 

Instagram/Twitter/Periscope - @WeekendsCount 

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/weekendscount/ 

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Unboxing It - "Send Me Gluten Free Mail Order Snacks for Healthy Families

Last fall, we attended the Allergen and Gluten Free Expo in Dallas! Here's our post from the event - . While attending the event, we discovered the "Send Me Gluten Free" subscription box program. We LOVE subscriptions and here's our unboxing video!

Which product did you like the most?

Thanks!

J. Edwards

Hail Merry Snacks and Your Next Family Trip! - Gluten Free and Travel Friendly!

We absolutely love Hail Merry snacks. They are vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, made with raw oils, and are paleo friendly! They are the best travel foods for our family (especially the delicious macaroons) and we love the company's story.

The Top Gluten and Allergen Free Travel Friendly Foods - Gluten and Allergen Free Expo in Dallas. #gfafexpo

Each year, we attend the Gluten and Allergen Free Expo in Dallas. This was a great event that I discovered on Twitter.  It seemed like such a great event and the bloggers definitely covered the event well. I wanted the Weekends Count blog to be selected as one of the event bloggers and we were! I said to myself, "Gluten and Allergen Free Expo - Here we come"!  It's a great event that you should definitely consider if you like healthy snacks or someone in your family has food allergies.