Stretch Your Gluten-Free Dollar With These Tips

1 .  Buy In Bulk

You can save a lot of money with a membership to a club store such as Costco. If you don't want to pay for a membership, many regular grocery stores offer family packs or club size items as well. Keep an eye out for those "stock up and save" promotions as well.

2 .  Bargain Hunt

This is worth making the extra time for. 

• Look at flyers to find sales
• Visit clearance racks
• Price match
• Take advantage of discount produce with minor imperfections
• Buy private label brands

3 .  Frequent Discount Stores

There are actually a lot of places you can find gluten-free food with a price cut. 

Almost Perfect deals directly with major manufacturers. Prices are kept cheap as items are the result of overproduction, cosmetic imperfections and or packaging changes.

Marshalls, HomeSense and Winners sell brand name gluten-free items at 20%-60% less than you would see in other stores.

Dollaramma has many gluten-free items including cereal, snacks and beverages. 

4 .  Use Coupons

There are several ways to find coupons for gluten-free items. Some companies offer printable coupons direct from their website. Signing up for an email newsletter is another great way to get coupons. You can also visit the sites below, to either print coupons and or have them mailed to your home.

GlutenFreeCoupons.ca

WebSaver.ca

Save.ca

SmartSource.ca

5 .  Shop Online

There is an abundance of gluten-free shopping to be done online! Many online retailers even offer free shipping with a minimum order. Not sure where to get gluten-free goods online? Read up on Where To Find Gluten-Free Groceries Online here.

6 .  Use Your Freezer

Once a month, prepare several freezer friendly meals. If you don't have time to do that, make a little bit extra with every meal. This way, you will have food to put aside for freezing. Having something available that can be effortlessly popped in the oven will save you money in the long run. By transforming leftovers, you will also be less tempted to head out to eat.

7 .  Look For Naturally Gluten-Free Food

Fresh fruits
Vegetables
Seeds 
Nuts
Eggs
Brown Rice
Lean Meats
Popcorn

8 .  Keep Those Receipts

Canadian's who have been diagnosed with Celiac can submit a Doctor's note with their taxes. They can then claim the incremental cost of gluten-free food as a medical expense every tax season. Please visit the Canada Revenue Agency for more information.

9 .  Grow Your Own Produce

There are several benefits to starting a garden. 

• Taking care of a garden involves exercise and time outdoors
• You will be more likely to eat healthy
• It's a great family activity
• You will learn something
• Gardening is a great way to relax
• You will also save money

Save Money With Gluten Free Coupons

Gluten-free food is expensive. We all know that. It also doesn't help that most gluten free baked goods are best developed as mini versions of their gluten counterparts.This is where Gluten Free Coupons Canada comes in. I cannot begin to express how wonderful it is to see coupons for gluten-free products, available to Canadians! It's a big move forward seeing as most coupons, in general, are strictly available to our American friends.

Gluten Free Coupons Canada sends out two coupon mailings a year. All you need to do is sign up here and you will be added to the coupon mailing list. Once signed up, you will automatically be on the list for future coupon mailings. Pretty awesome, right? Well, it gets better! When used, each coupon provides financial support to the Canadian Celiac Association. It's a win-win situation.


I received coupons for a pretty good variety of items. Check out what I got in the mail, below.

• Save $1.25 off any All But Gluten product
• Save $3.00 on Butterball Turkey Burgers
• Save $3.00 on the purchase of a Dempsters Bakery Gluten Zero product
• Save $2.00 off any Mary's Organic Crackers product
• Save $1.00 on purchase of any 1 box of Breton Popped! Beans, Breton Bean and Breton Gluten Free
• Save $1.00 on any Catelli Gluten Free Pasta product
• Save $1.00 on any one Enjoy Life product over $3.00
• $2.00 off Promise Gluten Free Chia Seed Loaf
• $2.00 off Promise Gluten Free Hamburger Buns
• $2.00 off Promise Gluten Free Seeded High Fibre Multigrain Bread
• $2.00 off Promise Gluten Free Seeded Wholegrain Sandwich Rolls
• $2.00 off Promise Gluten Free English Muffins
• $2.00 off Promise Gluten Free Raisin Bread
• 50% off a 1-year subscription to Delight Gluten-Free Magazine

Overall, I feel that I received a great selection of coupons. While I have been a long time purchaser of most of the products, there were two which were new to me. These are the Butterball Turkey Burgers and the Breton products. I'm going to have to look for these on my next grocery run. It's a lot easier (and more exciting) to chance unknown territory and purchase a different product when you have a coupon for it! My favourite coupon would have to be the 50% off a 1- year subscription to Delight Gluten-Free Magazine!!! Holy crow that is an awesome deal and a big surprise!

Brands Which Are Part Of This Coupon Installment 

The coupons received will vary slightly, depending on where you live in Canada. Why? Well, some items are regionally based and thus not available across the country. The availability of particular coupons also depend  on  numerous other things, so please don't fret if you don't land a specific one.

Promise Gluten Free - Can I please recommend the  Double Chocolate Muffins?! If chocolate is not your thing, no worries. Promise Gluten Free offers a variety of gluten-free goods ranging from various breads, and rolls to muffins, english muffins, and even pancakes.

Catelli Gluten Free -  I'm already a huge fan of Catelli Gluten Free pasta! It cooks up perfect in under 10 minutes. It also reheats nicely, without falling apart.

Dempster's Gluten Zero - This gluten-free bread is available in both white and whole grain. One of a handful of gluten-free bread's, that I enjoy this product has a nice sweetness to it.

Breton Gluten Free - I have not tried this product yet. Various Cracker and Popped Bean snacks are available.

All But Gluten - Some really great products come from this company! My personal favourites include the Chocolate Snack Cakes, Chocolate Chip Granola Bars and the amazing white hamburger buns. You will not be disappointed.

Flamingo - This brand is based out of Quebec and offers up three of gluten-free  breaded chicken products: fillets, strips and burgers.

Enjoy Life -  Enjoy Life is one of my go-to favourite brands! They provide a large roster of items. All of which are wheat, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, soy, fish and shellfish free.

Mary's Organic Crackers -  I have tried the crackers which are lovely with a cheese spread. Did you know that you can also buy Cocoa MiNis, Chocolate Chip Cookies and Chipotle Tomato Pretzels from this company? I sure didn't and will now be on the look out for them.

Butterball - I had no idea until I got my coupon that Butterball sells gluten-free turkey burgers. Boxes are clearly labeled gluten-free and these lean burgers can be cooked either by skillet or bbq.

Nature's Path Organic - This brand offers many gluten-free options. They range from cereal and frozen waffles to crispy rice bars and superfood snack bars.

Pop Chips - These are a great alternative to potato chips. Pop Chips are not fried. Instead, they are heated in a pressurized chamber and then quickly released. This results in a POP.

Freybe - Freybe offers a wide range of meat products that are both lactose-free and gluten-free, with no liquid smoke or mechanically separated meat.

Summer Fresh -  Summer Fresh has over 25 gluten-free products available. This includes Tzatziki Dip, Artichoke & Asiago Dip Bruschetta, Crab & 4 Cheese Dip and Spinach & Artichoke Dip.

Grimm's Fine Foods - This company has a lot to offer gluten-free consumers. 
Products include Gluten-Free Tortillas, Smoked Turkey Breast, Black Forest Ham, Honey & Maple Flavour Ham, Pastrami and more!

SunRype -  SunRype provides gluten-free fruit and vegetable juices along with various 100% fruit snacks.

Piller's - This is a great choice. Piller's offer a wide array of gluten-free meat products through their Simply Free line.

Are you on the Gluten Free Coupons Canada mailing list? If you received your coupons, feel free to answer the following questions in the comments:

Which coupons did you receive?

Did you discover anything new?

Was there a particular coupon that was your favourite?

What brands/coupons would you like to see offered in future mailings?

****   This is a sponsored post. Although I have received compensation, my opinion is entirely my own.  ****

Catelli Gluten Free Pastabilities Challenge

Celiac Awareness month takes place in May. The great folks at Catelli asked me if I would like to participate in their Gluten Free Pastabilities Challenge to help celebrate. The task - to create an original gluten free pasta recipe, using any cut of Catelli Gluten Free pasta. I chose to work with Penne, which Catelli then graciously supplied me with.

Catelli Gluten Free Pasta is made from a unique four-grain blend of white rice, brown rice, corn & quinoa. It is is produced in a dedicated gluten-free facility. Certified by the Canadian Celiac Association’s Gluten-Free Certification Program, it is available in Spaghetti, Fusilli, Penne, and Macaroni. The pasta is made with ingredients that are declared GMO-free as well as Cholesterol and preservative free. You can find Catelli Gluten Free Pasta at all major retailers across Canada

After playing around with some ideas, I came up with a recipe which I have dubbed "Maple Brunch Penne". I'm a big fan of comfort food and for me, this really hit the spot. I hope you will enjoy this as it has quickly become a family favourite in my home of picky eaters.

" Maple Brunch Penne "

Serves 4

Core Ingredients

1     box Catelli Gluten Free Penne     
4     eggs
5     strips of bacon cut into 1-inch pieces
2     tablespoons maple syrup
      shaved parmesan cheese and pepper to taste 

Marinara Sauce Ingredients

3      tablespoons olive oil
1/2   cup finely diced onion
4      cloves garlic, minced
1      jalapeno pepper, finely diced
1      teaspoon brown sugar
1      tablespoon white sugar
1      teaspoon salt

3      tablespoons tomato paste

1      796ml can crushed tomato
    



Directions

1) Heat olive oil in large saucepan or wok, on medium-low heat
2) Add onion, garlic and jalapeno pepper. Cook until soft, but not brown. Stir frequently
3) Mix in brown sugar, white sugar, salt, and  tomato paste. Continue to stir frequently
4) Separate juices from crushed tomato and set the juice aside
5) Add crushed tomato and stir. Bring sauce to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until sauce reduces. About 15-20 minutes. Occasionally stir mixture
6) While sauce is simmering, bring pot of water to boil and cook Catelli Gluten Free Penne per directions on box
7) While pasta is cooking, fry bacon until slightly crisp and drain. Place bacon in a bowl and drizzle with maple syrup. Add the maple syrup coated bacon to sauce
8) Add the reserved juices from crushed tomatoes to sauce and stir
9) Fry eggs sunnyside up in bacon grease
10) While eggs cook, drain pasta (do not rinse!!!) and add to sauce
11) Place finished pasta mixture in 4 bowls and top each with fried egg. Add shaved parmesan and pepper to your liking. Serve and enjoy!


You can use an egg ring like I did, to produce a nice rounded shape.

Like what I have created here? Feeling up for a challenge? 

Visit Websaver.ca and grab a coupon for $1.00 off of any one Catelli Gluten Free 340g product. Then, create your own Catelli Gluten Free pasta recipe and share it here on Catelli's Facebook page. The recipe can be for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert! The choice is yours. Catelli's Gluten Free Pastabilities Challenge will be held for the public from May 4-31, 2015, and Catelli is offering major prizes for delicious, out-of-the-box gluten free pasta ideas. The three people whose recipes get selected and have the highest number of likes on Catelli’s Facebook page will receive a year’s supply of gluten free pasta, courtesy of Catelli! How cool is that?!



**Disclosure: I received compensation in the form of  product for this post

Save Money With Gluten Free Coupons Canada

We all know that eating gluten free can be both daunting and very costly. Fortunately, there is a silver lining in the form of gluten free coupons.

Head to GlutenFreeCoupons.ca and sign up to have amazing Gluten Free coupons, mailed directly to your home (Canada only). You will receive a selection of coupons from brands such as Enjoy Life, Pillers, Rudis, Pillsbury and many more! Depending on the region you live in, you could get coupons from more than 16 brands.

By signing up, you will also be able to stay up to date on new gluten free products in the grocery store.


The Canadian Celiac Association endorses this program. Each coupon you use provides much needed financial support to further the hard work done by the CCA.