Authoring the food blog Are You Hungry has led me to discover a wide variety of communities, blogs, and networks passionate about food. Moreover, midlife women, mom bloggers, and foodie experts alike partake in the gluten free lifestyle. Whether their basis is overall improved health, gluten sensitivity, allergy, or the more severe gluten syndrome, baking gluten free has captured the foodie spotlight!

The skinny on the contest:

Now through June 30th, visit www.glutenfreely.com/bakerschallenge for the chance to win a Grand Prize of $5,000. The grand prizewinner will also have the possibility to be featured on a Betty Crocker^® Gluten Free dessert mix or Bisquick^® Gluten Free baking mix package and/or be featured in a Betty Crocker publication! Simply submit an original gluten free holiday-themed appetizer, bread, or dessert recipe, using any Betty Crocker Gluten Free dessert mix or Bisquick Gluten Free baking mix.

Recipes will be judged on five key categories: taste, creativity, ease of preparation, consumer appeal, and appearance. Ten selected finalists will receive a Betty Crocker Gluten Free Baking gift basket filled with baking items and Betty Crocker Gluten Free mixes. Even more exciting, finalists´ recipes will be featured on www.glutenfreely.com/bakerschallenge and voted on by the Gluten Freely community to determine the Grand Prize Winner!

About Gluten

Gluten is commonly incorrectly conceived to be a grain. In reality, it is a protein compound commonly found in wheat, rye, and barley however, it is not found in all grains.

• Composition – The compound of plant storage proteins (prolamin) and water-insoluble plant proteins (glutelin) which exist conjoined with starch such as the prolamin and glutelin from wheat. Together they compose about 80% of the protein contained in wheat seed. Being water insoluble, wheat seed can be purified by washing away the associated starch. Internationally, gluten is a source of protein, both in foods prepared directly from sources containing it, and as an additive to foods otherwise low in protein.
• Characteristics - Gluten is responsible for the flexible, chewy composition of breads. Due to its ability to retain gases in the baking process, it helps breads rise and expand. Gluten also promotes absorption, explaining why bread is good for mopping up that gravy!

Why Gluten Free?

According to numerous reports, Dr Rodney Ford believes up to one-third of all cases of chronic illness and fatigue could be caused through gluten sensitivity, and up to one in 10 people may be suffering from Gluten Syndrome.

“Gluten causes tiredness, stress, and anxiety. The medical world accepts it can damage the gut, but it can also damage the brain, skin, and nerves. Until now, many of these illnesses have been blamed on everything from stress at home to other medical conditions, including depression.”  The Doctor Gluten Project 2007

Now that you have the info, get on over there and submit your gluten free recipes!

Share the Betty Crocker contest with your gluten free baking friends on facebook and twitter too.

Stop by Monday for a chance to win this yummy gluten free prize pack!

Kathleen

Hey, there I'm Kathleen. My friends call me Kathy; to my kids I'm Momia. Life has afforded me many hats: Mom, wife, sister, friend, business owner... and most recently a midlife blogger. From college to marriage and babies, in the midst of business and wealthy boomers, midlife retrospection validates this extraordinary journey called life.

Website - Twitter - More Posts

You might also enjoy:

1. Midlife Woman|Gluten Free Baking Giveaway
2. Giveaway – Betty Crocker & Beautiful Bamboo Bowl
3. Delicious Dessert Giveaway – Mississippi Mud Supreme Bars

Yummy meal ideas that everyone will enjoy are just a click away. From May 12th through May 29th, visit GreatDealsOnGreatMeals.com to download $10.80 in coupons* valid exclusively at Publix. *Coupons are valid from May 9, 2011 through May 29, 2011.

Gather great savings on favorite brands perhaps to turn out an easy Pasta Night, Pillsbury® Ready to Bake!™ cookies for dessert, or simply stock up on featured products the family enjoys. Featured products include Yoplait Yogurt, Honey Nut Cheerios, Hellmann’s Mayonnaise, and Progresso Soup, to name just a few!

Great Meal Ideas

An avid baker of easy dessert and yogurt enthusiast, I stocked up on Yoplait yogurt. Did you know adding 1/2 cup of yogurt to any cake recipe with double the moisture value? In addition, low fat yogurt can be substituted for sour cream, milk, or buttermilk in most baking recipes, reducing fat and calories.

The mayo is great savings along with the salsa. Since Hubby and I enjoy Mexican Food, I also stocked up on the Pace Salsa. Salsa is as a base for numerous Mexican recipes that I prepare in addition to its most common uses. Our summertime Mexican infused favorite meals include this Pico De Gallo Shrimp & Avocado Salad and this Texas Two Step Chicken Picante.

The Giveaway

Being a member of MyBlogSpark, a patron of Publix, and a consumer of General Mills products I gladly agreed to participate in the “Great Deals on Great Meals” Savings promotion. “General Mills gave me one Publix gift card to keep and one to give away”!

To enter, tell me in a comment what product you will stock up on during Publix Great Deals on Great Meals Saving Event. Be sure to include a way to contact you.

For one additional entry, follow @womanmomfriend on twitter and tweet the following:

Enter to Win – $25 Publix Gift card http://asiteforwomen.com/?p=3983 @WomanMomFriend #myblogspark

This giveaway ends on Sunday May 22, 2011 at 10:00pm EST, open to US residents. Winner will be chose via random.org. Winner must respond via email or twitter within 48 hours.  Good Luck!

**HUGS**

Kathy

Kathleen

Hey, there I'm Kathleen. My friends call me Kathy; to my kids I'm Momia. Life has afforded me many hats: Mom, wife, sister, friend, business owner... and most recently a midlife blogger. From college to marriage and babies, in the midst of business and wealthy boomers, midlife retrospection validates this extraordinary journey called life.

Website - Twitter - More Posts

You might also enjoy:

1. The Best Meals Happen at Home with Publix
2. Yogurt ideas and $50 Safeway gift card giveaway(closed)
3. Pssst… Italian Days Sweepstakes

photo: Cherry Moon Farms

Are these not the most adorable and unique treat on a stick ever? I adore brownies and bake them often.  My favorite brownie recipe, Best Brownies, is quick and easy to bake but looks nothing like these sweet Brownie Pops! Cherry Moon Farms hand-decorates these brownie cuties transforming them into gourmet chocolate masterpieces. The company combines these Brownie Pops with their famous hand-dipped strawberries creating a unique gift combination for your special someone.

Cherry Moon Farms also offers elegant truffle pops with fancy berries almonds, coconut, and even extra drizzles along with brownies, cakes, and cookies by Mrs. Fields. Any combination of these will most definitely be an exquisite gift, not to mention a lasting memory!

The brownie pops and chocolate gifts start at about $30.00. The affordable price tag is designed to allow for sending these handmade sweets and chocolate gifts to more family and friends.

Cherry Moon Farms Gifts aims to meet all online customers requested delivery dates. They take pride in brownies arriving in the freshest and best condition almost as if you had baked them yourself! Whether it is gourmet brownies, truffle brownie pops, or a combination gift with berries, any of the brownie pops delivered will be the most raved about gift this year.

Please don’t just take my word for it visit Cherry Moon Farms website and see for yourself!

Related articles

• Mocha Brownies (bizchickblogs.com)
• Curt’s Nutter Butter Truffles Guest Post (pegasuslegend-whatscookin.blogspot.com)

Kathleen

Hey, there I'm Kathleen. My friends call me Kathy; to my kids I'm Momia. Life has afforded me many hats: Mom, wife, sister, friend, business owner... and most recently a midlife blogger. From college to marriage and babies, in the midst of business and wealthy boomers, midlife retrospection validates this extraordinary journey called life.

Website - Twitter - More Posts

You might also enjoy:

1. Heads Up Chocoholics – New Promo Codes
2. Silicone or Metal Baking Pans?
3. Kookie Kapers: Kids in the Kitchen