gfe--gluten free easily

Living gluten free easily by eating real food and a few gf processed foods

iHerb $50 Shopping Spree

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This post is linked to Gluten-Free Wednesdays.

Update: This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to the winner, Valerie, who blogs gluten free, dairy free, egg free, and usually vegan over at City Life Eats! Thanks to all who entered the giveaway. I enjoyed reading your wish lists and comments. Another gfe birthday celebration giveaway is up here.

I’m a lucky girl … in so many ways. In my Cavemen Cookies review, I mentioned that I’d first sampled the product after winning a giveaway at Gluten Free Food Rocks. I’ve won several other giveaways, too. But, honestly, it’s not that I’m extraordinarily lucky in giveaways, it’s just that someone has to win and sometimes the odds are simply in one’s favor. If you take the time to enter (usually leaving a comment is sufficient for an entry), you will win giveaways. There’s no doubt that giveaways are controversial in the blogging world and while I won’t wade too deep into that discussion, I’ll just say that as a reader I find them to be a great way to try out new products or obtain valuable services. As a blogger who hosts occasional giveaways, my intention is to offer you the same opportunity. Of course, the giveaways that I’ve entered and offered have been for gfe products and services. So I was thrilled when I won a $50 shopping spree to iHerb over at Simply Sugar & Gluten-Free where my good friend, Amy, “resides.”  iHerb features so many real food, real ingredient products. I had so much fun deciding what I’d get with my $50. My order included chia seed, hemp seed, brown rice flour, millet flour, raw cacao powder, and two bags of flax seed meal. I even received a free bottle of D3 supplements. And, guess what … there’s still some left of most of these products. (Don’t worry … the food products are staying fresh in my refrigerator.)

Now as a new iHerb affiliate, I get to offer a $50 shopping spree here at gfe! (Note: This giveaway is only open to U.S. residents.) I decided to become an affiliate because iHerb has so many products I believe in. Plus, I admire the company. For one thing, their service is top notch. If you order before 1:00 pm, your order goes out that very same day, and arrives in just a few days. And, if you are in the U.S. and your order is $40 or over, there’s no shipping charge. I’d rather not pay shipping, so that’s important to me. iHerb offers many quality products, including organic and natural choices. Full disclaimer: As an affiliate, I do get a small percentage of sales (very small, which incidentally does not increase the price of your order; affiliate sales never do). But, it’s still nice when you can recommend a company that you’d recommend to a friend any time. I’ve recommended iHerb to my support group members ever since I tried its products (long before this affiliation), and the members who have ordered have been very pleased. I also like that you can take $5 off your first order when you use a valid affiliate coupon code. Just enter my coupon code, LUT179, when placing your order.

As a new affiliate and a blogger offering a $50 shopping spree, I was offered a $50 spree myself. I keep a running list of specialty items I can’t find at my own basic grocery store, so filling my virtual shopping cart was not hard. This time there was grapeseed oil, which I’ve come to appreciate for its health benefits, flavorless taste, and high heating point, plus palm sugar (also known as coconut sugar, or coconut sap, which Kelly discussed here), date sugar, and yacon syrup.

As I shared in my 30 Days to My Own Food Revolution post, I’m trying to eat dairy free (with one exception so far-—more in a minute) and refined sugar free. The grapeseed oil helps with the dairy-free commitment. Instead of using butter in baking or frying, a little grapeseed oil can be used. Elana (Elana’s Pantry) uses grapeseed oil in a lot of her baking, including her now famous gluten-free, dairy-free chocolate chip cookies, which so many of us inhaled (as demurely as possible!) at BlogHer Food ’09. If you want your oil or shortening to add flavor, grapeseed oil may not be the best choice, but my doctor recommends three types of fat/oil for baking and cooking: organic butter, coconut oil, and grapeseed oil. Yes, she recommends living gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free, but she believes organic butter is part of a healthy diet unless one is completely dairy/casein intolerant. (So, I admit that I’ve still been eating some organic butter and some European butter.)

As far as the non-refined sugars, I’ve already baked with the palm sugar several times. I used palm sugar to make Cherry Upside-Down Cake and another version of that same cake, using both cherries and blueberries. I even made a version of my Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies using a combination of palm sugar and dark brown sugar, instead of granulated sugar and brown sugar, and the cookies were better than ever. I really don’t know why I waited so long to try palm sugar … I’m thrilled with this product! Palm sugar has a caramel flavor and sort of a ground coffee texture. I really like it. A lot. I’m not sure it can be used in all of my sweetening applications, but I’m going to give it a try as often as possible. Incidentally, the terms palm sugar and coconut sugar, and even palm coconut sugar are often used interchangeably. But, there are differences, as is explained here. For my eating and baking purposes, I’m not sure that the difference matters. The main thing is that I’m eating a non-refined, lower glycemic sugar (I feel better if I use lower glycemic), which provides a final product that tastes good. Finally, an FYI, technically, palm or coconut sugars are saps. Kelly shared that information in this post over at The Spunky Coconut. Be sure to see what she has to say because she also shares the “green” benefits of eating coconut sugar, as well as other nutritional benefits.

As far as the rest of my recent order, I haven’t tried the date sugar or the yacon syrup yet, but I’ll report back when I do.

Those are just a few examples of the products that iHerb offers. You may enter the giveaway following the guidelines below. Please remember that this giveaway is only open to U.S. residents, and note that the first requirement listed below is a strict one. You must be registered on iHerb’s sit to participate in this giveaway. That’s not a bad thing though; iHerb will not fill your In Box with unsolicited emails like many companies do. Oh, and the giveaway will end next Tuesday, July 20, at midnight, EST.

1. Register at iHerb website (required).
2. Leave a comment telling me what you are interested in ordering from iHerb. Are you like me? Do you have a “wish” list at the ready?
3. Subscribe to my feed either via RSS or e-mail, and leave a comment.
4. “Like” my Facebook page and leave a comment.
3. Follow me on Twitter and leave a comment.
5.  Tweet about the giveaway, and leave a comment saying that you did.
7. Post a message on your Facebook page about the giveaway, and leave a comment saying that you did.
8. Post about the giveaway on your blog and leave a comment saying that you did, with your link.
9. Follow iHerb on Twitter (iHerb has great, informative tweets!), and leave a comment.

Hey, you may just get a chance to go on your own $50 shopping spree. A shopping spree that involves food, but is online and free—now that’s definitely one of my favorite ways to shop! I’ll be celebrating my upcoming birthday all week long (at least!) so look for more giveaways, information posts, and, of course, recipes. 🙂 For those who want to conceive and/or have had gynecological/obstetric issues, you may want to check out this post on the gluten connection and enter to win a scholarship to Donielle Baker’s Fertility E-Course.  

Shirley
Not just gf, but gfe!

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Comments

  1. Christie says

    I see some of our families supplements at a much better price, Oceans of Life, and love the shipping price.

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Hi Christie–Just wanted to say welcome to gfe! 🙂 Sorry you didn’t win, but glad you discovered some good info about iHerb.

      Best,
      Shirley

      Reply

  2. Stephanie Mckenzie says

    I love the palm sugar! I love all the raw food products that you can buy at iherb, thier prices are the best! I would love to win the giveaway!

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Hi Stephanie–Welcome to gfe! 🙂 I’ a fan of palm sugar now, too. No idea why I waited so long to try it. 😉 So sorry you didn’t win the giveaway, but thanks for stopping by and entering.

      Best,
      Shirley

      Reply

  3. Lacy says

    I like iherb because it is much less expensive than Amazon and other places.Plus they carry Now brands of supplements.

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Hi Lacy–Welcome to gfe! 🙂 Thanks for entering the giveaway. Hope you’ll stop by again and check out other posts and giveaways. 🙂

      Best to you,

      Shirley

      Reply

  4. Jessica says

    I love iHerb. They have most of my son’s supplements for a great price. I keep wanting to get some chia seeds, though, and every yummy flavor of sweetleaf stevia.

    Reply

  5. Janice says

    already have an account with iherb…I would like to try the palm sugar, raw cacao powder, coconut oil and nori sheets

    Reply

  11. Kahri says

    Just made an account at iherb! Looks like a great place. I would love to try the quinoa and the Gluten Free Pantry Old Fashioned Cake and Cookie Mix.

    Reply

  17. Kimberly says

    I have an iHerb account– they have great products and awesome customer service! I definitely have a wish list: digestive enzymes, protein powder, chia seeds, gf flours, prenatal vitamins, the list goes on!!!

    Reply

  19. glutenfreeforgood says

    Very informative post, Shirley, but I wish you’d slow down on your posting pace. I have a hard time keeping up with you!

    I have some palm sugar and have used it on occasion, with success. I like the caramel-ish taste. I also gave a bag to my diabetic mom for her birthday (in a birthday bag full of random goodies). Thanks for the info link about the differences in coconut and palm sugar. Great resource!

    Keep up the good work (but slow down, would you please?).
    =)
    Melissa
    xo

    Reply

  20. Heather @ Life Gluten, Free says

    I have been ordering from iHerb since 2007! I like them because they have great prices on certain supplements that we use.

    If I got a shopping spree, I would like to try the Yacon syrup by navitas naturals. Also, a CQ10 by Now.

    so glad that you got to try some products from iHerb! My last order consisted of Ultima Replenisher (electrolytes), Kids Weleda Toothpaste and a couple products by Badger Balm.

    Reply

  22. Anne says

    I’ve just used Palm sugar for the first time this weekend to make a gluten-free nectarine and blueberry crumble. Not sure about the flours I used, but it was nicely sweet.

    Reply

  24. Julie R says

    I’d like to order from oats & i’d like to try the palm sugar you mentioned … I’d probably also get some of the supplements i order on a regular basis

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Hi Evan–Belated, but I wanted to welcome you to gfe! It’s always great to find another gluten-free blogger. I like your Food Makes Fun Fuel. 🙂 And, I wholeheartedly agree on the cocoa powder! Sorry you didn’t win the giveaway, but hope you’ll be back. 😉

      Shirley

      Reply

    • Shirley says

      Hi CC–Belatedly, I just wanted to welcome you to gfe! 🙂 Sorry you didn’t win the giveaway, but there will be lots of other opportunities in the future. Plus, I hope you’ll visit gfe for recipes and info, too. 😉

      Best,
      Shirley

      Reply

  32. CC says

    If I were to order from this website, I would order many of the gluten free foods that aren’t available in my local store, such as Chocolate Truffle Brownie Mix.

    Reply

  41. Sharon says

    I have an iherb account already. If I won I’d order chia seeds, hemp seeds, more sweetleaf stevia flavors, and coconut oil.

    Reply

  44. Aubree Cherie says

    Uh oh… someone has a sweet tooth! That’s okay, me too 😀 Any time I have extra money (not too often of an occurrence) I like to spend it on fun things like date and palm sugar and other natural sweeteners. I’d likely buy some of those supplied from iHerb 🙂

    ~Aubree Cherie

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Aubree–Belated, but LOL! These sweeteners will last me for months. 😉 But, guess what … the brand name of the organic palm sugar is Sweet Tooth! 🙂 Sorry you didn’t win the giveaway this time, but you know there will be more gfe opportunities. 🙂

      Have a great weekend!

      Shirley

      Reply

    • Shirley says

      Carolyn–Still playing catch up after my birthday. 😉 Had to google Astaxanthin … you educated me!

      Thanks and better luck next time on the giveaway!

      Shirley

      Reply

  46. Carole says

    I LOVE YOUR WEBSITE SO MUCH. I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM YOU. I WOULD LOVE TO WIN THE $50.00 SHOPPING SPREE SO I COULD AFFORD THE NEW ITEMS OF BAKING GLUTEN FREE. THANK YOU.

    Reply

  47. Maggie says

    Hi Shirley – Another great post. You always give us soooo much, and now another giveaway! iHerb sounds like an interesting site. I just registered. I really want to try the palm sugar (I especially like the package in your picture – I love good design!). Kelly is a wealth of information! Amazing. Thanks.

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Hey Maggie–Belated, but thanks so much … you’re a true sweetheart! Thanks for the kind feedback on the photo, too. I actually have another one I took of my first package of goodies from iHerb, but coudn’t find it. 😉 If I do, I’ll still put it up. I like to see photos of what I’m ordering and I know others will, too. Even without a giveaway, iHerb is a great place to get products from. Yes, Kelly is the best … I love her!

      Hugsss,
      Shirley

      Reply

  48. Kristine Stevens says

    Already registered at iHerb.com. Love it! Ordered Stevia Glycerite, MCT oil recently among other things. Would love to get Palm sugar

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Hi Kristine–Even though I’m playing catch up, I did want to welcome you to gfe! Sorry you didn’t win the giveaway, but there will be other gfe-type giveaways in the future. Love the palm sugar. I’ve been using it a lot of late and have been really pleased every time. 🙂 Now I have to check out the stevia glycerite and MCT oil as I’m not familiar with those. 😉

      Hugs,
      Shirley

      Reply

  51. Katrina says

    Hi there! Found you from Kelly’s tweet today about your giveaway and what an awesome site! I signed up for IHerb, “liked” your Facebook, am following you on Twitter, AND subscribed to your newsletter…whew! lol I’m pretty excited! I have been wanting to order from IHerb for a while!! Our toddler (who led us to healthy eating through her allergies and medical conditions) is costing us an out of pocket of $4,000 PER MONTH right now…yes, we are dying financially, but she is finally turning the corner and becoming a healthier, happier girl! We appreciate the medical advances for her care, but are working away at helping her by researching and making dietary changes to help her along! I would order supplements, Palm Sugar, Nutiva products, Stevia and much more from IHerb! I look forward to following your blog and getting more fabulous tips! Blessings!

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Hi Katrina–I’m a little late on this, but wanted to welcome you to gfe! So glad you found me through the kind tweet of my dear friend, Kelly. 🙂 Thanks so much for your very sweet words on my site. I’m so sorry that you didn’t win the giveaway, but stay posted for more gfe-type giveaways. My heart goes out to you and your family with your struggles, but I’m thrilled to read that your daughter is turning the corner and getting healthier.

      Many hugs,
      Shirley

      Reply

  54. Emily says

    Hi, I have posted on Twitter and also liked your FB page. I am new to eating gluten and sugar free and I LOVE iherb and their prices on coconut flour, oil, yacon syrup and stevia. I would love to win a gift certificate as it gets expensive eating this way! Thanks so much.

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Hi Emily–Just wanted to give you a belated welcome to gfe! 🙂 Sorry you didn’t win the iHerb giveaway, but there will always be more gfe-type giveaways. In fact being new to gf eating, you might want to check out my current giveaway here. Any one of the ebooks I’m giving away could be a good choice for you.

      All the best,
      Shirley

      Reply

  57. Alisa - Frugal Foodie says

    I’m already registered on iHerb, I bought from them once before. I wasn’t happy with their shipping (took three weeks from order!) so I hadn’t ordered from them since, but since I haven’t found another good go-to site, I’d like to give them another go.

    Yep, already have a list – Shikai Mist & Go (detangler), palm sugar, nutritional yeast, shea butter, I could go on 🙂

    Reply

  62. Arlyn says

    Found your blog on The Spunky Coconut =) I clicked “like” on your FB and will post this on my wall and leave a message on your FB post.I am already signed up with iHerb and I subscribed to get email updates.Hope I win!!!
    Arlyn

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Hi Arlyn–A belated welcome, but a warm welcome to gfe nonetheless! Thanks for all the connections. 🙂 Sorry you didn’t win this giveaway, but there will be more that fit the gfe approach. So glad you found gfe through my wonderful friend, Kelly, at The Spunky Coconut.

      Happy Saturday!

      Shirley

      Reply

  63. Alta says

    I’ve already enjoyed the wonders of iherb.com before, but I’d love an incentive to get more goods! I already bought sucanat and carob powder from there.

    Reply

  64. Wendy says

    I registered at iHerb.com as glutenfreegreenie.

    I could really use some more Grapeseed Oil, and I’d love to try the Stevia that Amy talks so highly of on Simply Sugar and Gluten Free.

    Reply

  72. Linda says

    I really like iHerb. Don’t enter me in the giveaway as I’ve already received a shopping spree from them, but I just wanted to say thanks for linking up.

    Reply

  73. Iris says

    Ok, I registered. 🙂 And what would I get if I won? I don’t know…so many options to choose from! Definitely chia seeds since everyone’s blogging about them and I’ve never tried them. They also carry my favorite brand of vitamins so that might be fun.

    Reply

  74. Sharon M. says

    iherb seems to be the place to shop! I too have a wish list. I think I would purchase some coconut oil, chia seed, and cocoa powder. I might have to exceed the $50 and spend more! Great giveaway.

    Reply

    • Shirley says

      Hi Deanna–Welcome to gfe … albeit a little late! 😉 Thanks so much for all the connections, too. 🙂 Sorry you didn’t win this giveaway, but check back for more gfe giveaways. And, there’s a great e-book giveaway right now on my Out and About page. Three terrific e-books to choose from!

      Best to you,
      Shirley

      Reply

  77. Deanna G. says

    I’m interested in getting the Kashi, TLC, All Natural Cheese Snack Crackers, Country Cheddar & the Garden of Life, Whole Food Antioxidant Matrix Bar, Summer Berry!

    Reply

  83. Valerie @ City|Life|Eats says

    I love iherb – I am registered on their site. My current wishlist is lots of Navitas items like their yacon syrup, other natural sweeteners, fish oil (love the Metagenics one) and Bob’s Red Mill flaxseeds. Thank you for entering me in the giveaway!

    Reply

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