Disclosure: I received free product samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
One of D’s favorite dessert combinations is raspberries and chocolate. Something about the tartness of raspberries and the sweetness of chocolate just goes together. If you agree, then Tru Fru is a must-try frozen treat.
Tryazon gave us the opportunity to try the Tru Fru Raspberries with White & Dark Chocolate. They start out with frozen raspberries, which are immersed in both white and dark chocolate and then hyperchilled (-300 degrees). The concept is simple and unique, and the result is deliciousness.
Tru Fru products do not contain any artificial ingredients–just fruit and chocolate. They are gluten-free, made in the USA, and only have 90 calories per serving.
We shared samples of Tru Fru with k’s basketball team and their parents and they were a hit!
Tru Fru also comes in other varieties such as raspberries with white chocolate and milk chocolate and cherries with white chocolate and dark chocolate. To find Tru Fru at a store near you, go to the store locator here. I found Tru Fru at our local Target.
Disclosure: I received a sample box in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
One of the fun things about visiting Japan is trying all of their different snacks and candy. When D and I went in 2011, we would go to 7-11 and just pick out random snacks that caught our eye. I know that my kids are definitely looking forward to doing the same during our planned trip to Japan next year.
Japan Candy Box is a subscription box that delivers that experience to your front door!
We had the opportunity to try out the October Japan Candy Box, which naturally has a Halloween theme.
This helpful guide has information in English regarding all ten items that come in the box. I thought it was interesting that the product packaging of this month’s snacks are either cute (kawaii) or creepy scary. Personally, I am a much bigger fan of the cute packaging, but I guess there is something for everyone!
The Kawaii Snacks
Tohato Caramel Corn Halloween Mini Pack-sweet corn puff snacks
Monstro Frankenstein Gum-soda and cola-flavored gum
Pokemon Halloween Party Chocolate Snack-chocolate coated corn snack pieces shaped like a Pikachu face
Overall, I like how there is an interesting variety of snacks and the sizes are large enough to share. My personal favorites in this box are the Koala Halloween Biscuits and the Black Thunder Halloween Chocolate Bar. The Japan Candy Box is the perfect way to have a taste (literally) of a different culture and would make a unique gift this holiday season. Go here to subscribe (there are 1 month, 6 month, and 12 month plans available).
Disclosure: I received samples in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Have you tried overnight oats yet? If you are looking for a quick, easy and nutritious breakfast, overnight oats may be your answer. I was excited to discover Maker Overnight Oats at Expo West earlier this year.
Maker Oats comes in three delicious flavors:
Apple & Coconut
Banana & Coffee
Mulberry & Chia
I was able to try the Apple & Coconut flavor. Check out the “clean” ingredient list: Organic whole grain rolled oats, organic dried diced apples, organic raisins, organic dried coconut, organic sliced almonds, organic diced dates, organic chia seeds, organic ground cinnamon, organic ground ginger.
I especially appreciate that the only sugar it contains is that found in the dried organic fruits and nuts. Most packaged oatmeal I have tried has too much added sugar!
The directions for these overnight oats are simple. Just pour in milk (soy, nut, dairy) or water to cover the oats, stir, and let soak overnight in the refrigerator. It will be ready to eat the next morning!
I really enjoyed the Apple & Coconut flavor. The abundant dried fruit really plumps up after soaking overnight and adds just the right amount of sweetness. Each packet contains 7 g of fiber, and the portion kept me satisfied throughout the morning.
Maker Overnight Oats can be found at natural food stores and online at Walmart here. Hopefully they will become more widely available soon!
Disclosure: I received sample products in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
I am so excited to welcome the first week of fall! Although it seems like I will have to wait a few more weeks for the temperatures to cool down around here, I am looking forward to cozy afternoons at home with a warm drink in hand. One of my favorite hot drinks (other than coffee, of course!) is chai tea. The following is a simple tutorial for chai tea using a couple of handy kitchen tools from Zulay Kitchen.
Pictured here are the Zulay KitchenMilk Boss Electric Milk Frother and Stainless Steel Frothing Pitcher. I had so much fun testing out these high-quality kitchen tools-they made me feel like a real barista! Both the milk frother and pitcher can be used to make various drinks, including coffee, matcha, cappuccinos, lattes, hot chocolate. and chai tea.
Chai Tea Tutorial
First, make a chai tea mix using sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and cardamom (exact recipe below).
Store the chai tea mix in a labelled air-tight container to keep on hand in the cupboard.
Brew a strong cup of your favorite black tea.
Measure out cold milk (could also be warm) in a frothing pitcher. The measurements inside the Zulay Frothing Pitcher are quite useful!
Froth the milk using the Zulay Milk Boss Electric Milk Frother. This battery-operated frother could not be easier to use. I also like that it comes with its own stand.
Within a few seconds, you will have a small pitcher full of frothy milk!
Top off your cup of tea with the foamy milk.
Enjoy your cup of chai tea!
Instant Chai Tea Mix Recipe
Ingredients:
1 c. sugar
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. ground ginger
1/2 t. ground cardamom
1/2 t. ground cloves
Stir all of the ingredients together in a bowl. Store the mix in an air-tight container.
Brew a cup of black tea. Add 1-2 teaspoons of the Instant Chai Tea Mix to the cup of tea (depending on how sweet you want it) and stir well. Froth 1/4 c. of milk (can be hot or cold) and top off the cup of tea with some of the frothy milk (this should be enough frothy milk for two cups of tea). Sprinkle with a dash of cinnamon if you’re feeling extra fancy.
Check out some of the other innovative kitchen products that Zulay Kitchen offers here.
Giveaway Time
I am excited to announce that one of my readers has the opportunity to win a Zulay Kitchen Milk Boss Electric Milk Frother & Stainless Steel Frothing Pitcher!
Disclosure: I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
If you watch the Food Network at all, you have probably seen Chef Robert Irvine on one of many shows, including Chopped and Worst Cooks in America. Well, did you know that he has also created a snack called FITCRUNCH Cheddar Cheese High Protein Puffs?
These high protein puffs are loaded with 20 grams of protein, which is 40% of the recommended daily value. They also contain only 2 g of Total Carbohydrates. The ingredients include milk protein isolate, sunflower oil, whey solids and cheddar cheese.
These FITCRUNCH puffs look similar to other cheese puffs that you may find at the store. However, they are made with actual milk and cheese, and no artificial colors. Both my kids and I loved them at first bite! They are cheesy, light and crispy, and are great to snack on straight from the bag. Other suggested uses are to add them in salads, soups, tacos, wraps, etc.
Save $5 when you purchase FITCRUNCH Cheddar Cheese High Protein Puffs on Amazon with the promo code 50FF4FITMOM. Offer ends Novemer 14, 2019.
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
One of my favorite booths at Expo West was the one for The Daily Crave. I had never heard of this company before, but the newspaper-like packaging caught my eye. Once I tried these plant-based snacks, I understood why the company is called “The Daily Crave”!
The Daily Crave has an impressive line-up of products. I was so excited to receive a variety pack that included:
Himalayan Pink Salt Lentil Chips
Aged White Cheddar Lentil Chips
Organic Veggie Straws
Spicy Sriracha Veggie Straws
Spicy Thai Chili Quinoa Chips
Himalayan Pink Salt Quinoa Chips
Barbecue Veggie Chips
Veggie Chips
I really like how these light and crunchy snacks contain plant protein and fiber. I am glad to find snacks with natural ingredients that my whole family actually enjoys eating!
n’s 5th grade teacher allows them to eat snacks in class, but only if they are “better-for-you” and not junk food. She specifically allows the kids to eat veggie straws, since that is her favorite snack! I think we will have to gift her a bag of The Daily Crave Veggie Straws so she can try them out!
Go here to see if The Daily Crave snacks are carried at a store near you. They are also available on Amazon.
GIVEAWAY
Thank you to The Daily Crave for offering my readers a chance to win a case of The Daily Crave snacks!
I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.
Once Again Organic Amoré Almond Spread With Milk Chocolate is a smart product to have on hand for when you need a chocolate fix. The ingredient list is simple: organic cane sugar, organic roasted peeled almond paste, organic skim milk powder, organic low fat cocoa powder, organic sunflower oil. I also like that this spread is organic, fair trade, and gluten-free. The Once Again Amore Spreads, which also comes in hazelnut, can be used in many ways. For example, they make a tasty dip for fruit, or can be used as a topping for ice cream, waffles, or crepes.
Here is a recipe I adapted to make “energy bites” using the Once Again Amore Almond Spread With Milk Chocolate:
Once Again Almond Amore Energy Bites
3/4 c. rolled oats
1/4 c. unsweetened coconut flakes
2 T. ground flax seed
1/2 c. Once Again Amore Almond Spread With Milk Chocolate
(Makes about 9 Bites)
Stir the dry ingredients (rolled oats, coconut flakes, flax seed) together in a bowl.
Stir in the Once Again Amore Almond Spread With Milk Chocolate.
Form into golf ball sized balls and store in the refrigerator.
Once Again makes several other delicious organic products, including peanut butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, almond butter and tahini. Click here to find Once Again products at a store near you.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Santa Cruz Organic but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
It is hard to believe, but it is officially back to school time in our household. For us, going back to school means packing lunches everyday. It was just last school year that I started having my kids pack their own lunches for school. I am trying to gradually give them more responsibilities so that they are able to become more independent. (Plus, it allows me to have more time to get ready for work: win-win!) Even though I give my kids a certain amount of freedom to choose what they put in their lunches, it is important for me to stock up on foods I actually want them to eat.
Santa Cruz Organic is a line of products that I can feel good about being part of my kids’ lunchboxes. Santa Cruz Organic products use only the highest quality Certified Organic and Non-GMO ingredients. Santa Cruz Organic has been committed to producing organic products since 1972 and I appreciate that they are also committed to sustainability. Today I am sharing about how Santa Cruz Organic applesauce and fruit spreads are the perfect choice for back to school lunches.
Santa Cruz Organic Applesauce
The individual Santa Cruz Organic applesauce cups are such a convenient product to make sure my kids have a serving of fruit in their lunchbox–no prep necessary! I like to stock up and keep them in a separate container in the refrigerator for easy access. (No refrigeration is necessary, but my kids like to eat their applesauce cold!) Each 4-ounce cup of Santa Cruz Organic applesauce provides 100% RDI (Reference Daily Intake) of Vitamin C and my kids think it tastes really good!
Santa Cruz Organic Fruit Spread
The first ingredient in Santa Cruz Organic fruit spreads is organic fruit. My kids are huge mango fans, so they were excited that Santa Cruz Organic makes a mango fruit spread. When my son tasted it, he said it was very “mango-y”! Santa Cruz Organic also makes other kid-friendly flavors such as strawberry and seedless red raspberry.
Here is a super simple recipe for Mango Cream Cheese that can be used as either a spread or a dip:
Combine the Santa Cruz Mango Fruit Spread and the whipped cream cheese until fully incorporated. Be sure to use whipped cream cheese, which makes it really easy to mix with a spoon by hand. Serves 2.
This mango cream cheese can be served many ways. Some ideas are to use it as spread on a mini bagel, a tortilla roll-up, or crackers. It can also be used as a dip for apple slices or mini waffles. The combinations are endless, and it works for breakfast, lunch, or an after-school snack.
Prevent School Lunch Boredom With Santa Cruz Organic
If your kids are like mine, they become bored if they have to pack the same ol’ sandwich everyday. Santa Cruz Organic products make it easy to come up with simple lunch ideas that are sure to brighten your kids’ day.
This cute lunch features mini waffles to dip in the mango cream cheese (which can be made ahead of time with the above-featured recipe). Served with a hard-boiled egg, some sliced cucumbers and an individual Santa Cruz Organic applesauce cup, this is a lunch that is sure to please. Some other ideas would be to swap out the mini waffles for crackers, mini pancakes or a mini bagel, carrots or bell peppers for the cucumbers and a cheese stick instead of the egg. Choose foods that your kids actually enjoy eating so it does not go to waste!
As you start stocking up for back to school lunches, be sure to look for Santa Cruz Organic products at a store near you.
Disclosure: I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.
Do you have olive fans in your house? Lindsay Snack and Go! Olives make it easy to add olives to a lunchbox or take them along as a snack for your next outing. The individual packaging contains BPA-free lining, and eliminates the liquid and mess that is usually associated with olives. No refrigeration is necessary until after the package is opened.
Lindsay Olives are a good choice for snacking. They fit into a keto, Whole30, paleo, vegan, and gluten-free diet, do not contain artificial flavors. and are non-GMO.
n had fun using the Lindsay sliced black olives and red bell pepper to make English muffin pizza faces.
Aren’t these mini pizzas fun in a cute/creepy sort of way? Kids could get more creative by adding hair and ears, etc.
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
We are back from a ten day vacation to Walt Disney World and a cruise to the Bahamas and still recovering! Whenever we travel, we are always prepared with plenty of snacks. Today I want to share about one of the snacks we brought with us: Fusions.
Fusions are unique trail mixes with elevated flavor profiles. For our plane ride, D and I brought the Hill Country BBQ Blend, which consists of maple bacon glazed pecans with bbq CrrrunchBites almonds. These snacks combine just the right amount of salty and sweet and are a good way to tide you over in between meals.
This is not your ordinary trail mix! The other interesting flavors include:
Bangkok Backpack Blend: candied ginger cashews, diced pineapple, spicy chili lime CrrrunchBites™ almonds and toasted coconut chips
Cabo Catamaran Crunch: kettle roasted chipotle almonds, sweet and salty cashews and mango-infused cranberries
Denali Mountain Mix: sweet and spicy glazed pecans, Fuji and Gala apple chips, tart Montmorency cherries and orange-infused cranberries
Fusions are Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified GF, OU Kosher and vegetarian. They come in handy resealable 3.25 oz bags, perfect for sharing! Fusions can be purchased on Amazon.
Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win three bags of Fusions trail mix (3 winners)!
