snack Archives - MomStart

Taste Testing Video & Review: Chia Coconut Bites

June 5, 2017 by Momstart 3 Comments

We received samples from Bare snacks to create this video taste test and review.

I hope that recently you saw our gluten free road trip round up that included Bare Snacks.

Today we are trying a new product, bare Chia Coconut Bites. We received three different flavors.

Chia + Vanilla – Thin slices of coconut slow-baked with authentic Madagascar vanilla and a coating of chia seeds for an exotically satisfying and crunchy bite.
Chia + Pineapple – Tropical pineapple complements the naturally sweet flavor of coconut, all finished with a dusting of chia seeds before being baked to perfection.
Chia + Flax – A nutrient-dense combination of two powerful seeds, these delicious bites are baked crunchy with chia and flax, resulting in a super healthy flavor duo.

My adorable daughter did the taste test on video and she surprisingly enjoyed them.

She found them to be the perfect crunch, just sweet enough and that the Chia wasn’t bad. She was really worried that chia wasn’t a good thing to eat. You know healthy stuff or things we think are healthy “can’t taste good” but these do. I think they would be great in salads or as a pre- or post- workout.

The new bites combine the superfood power of chia and coconut and are great for fueling people’s spring wellness routines and giving everyone sustainable energy on-the-go or between meals. A good source of fiber, bare Chia Coconut Bites are baked and made with real, whole food ingredients, all with no GMOs, gluten, trans fats, added oils or preservatives. Flavors include Chia + Pineapple, Chia + Vanilla and Chia + Flax.

Snack Time with Partners Crackers: Making A Snack Tray

June 2, 2017 by Momstart 9 Comments

We received samples from Partners Crackers.

We are often looking for different snack options for the kids. They try something , fall in love with it and then get tired of it. So I work really hard to rotate some healthy, wholesome and good for you snacks in between some other things that they love.

Partners Gourmet Snack Crackers

Thin, crispy, flavorful. PARTNERS Gourmet Snack Crackers complement everything from traditional cheeses and soups to the most exotic dips and spread. These smaller cut crackers are great for party appetizers, snacks, or part of a full meal.

When I received samples from Partners Crackers I was quite happy with what I received. They sent me so many samples I had to share them. So we donated some to the nurses at the hospital which I’m sure they also enjoyed. Because we sure did. We received one of every flavor.

Traditional

Black Pepper

Sweet Onion

Olive Oil & Herb

Olive Oil & Sea Salt

HOW TO MAKE A SNACK TRAY

Cut Cheese

Put out Crackers

Put out some deli meats or pepperoni

Add Veggies

Enjoy

About Partners Crackers:

The company employs around 85 people in a 50,000 square foot eco-friendly facility outside of Seattle. PARTNERS offers six different tasteful choice brands and more than 35 varieties of crackers, cookies and granola, including organic and low-fat options. PARTNERS’ award-winning products are sold in all 50 states and around the world. Through it all, Marian, Cara and Greg have remained committed to sourcing wholesome, high quality ingredients, and when they can’t find just exactly what they want, they make it themselves.

FamilyFun Leprechaun Hat Snack Recipe for St Patrick’s Day

March 16, 2014 by Momstart 1 Comment

FamilyFun magazine has a very cute and easy recipe such as this Leprechaun Hat Snack. It’s a fun and healthy idea for a snack on St. Patrick’s Day.

Leprechaun Hats

Ingredients

English cucumber
Sliced cheese
Hummus

Directions

Celebrate Saint Pat’s with a crunchy cucumber treat. Cut 1-inch sections of an English cucumber. Halve them lengthwise and lay the pieces flat on a plate, as shown. Trim a cucumber brim for each hat and set it in place. Finish with a sliced cheese band and buckle, attached with dots of hummus or dip.

On The Go Snack I Trust For My Kids: The Mojo Cliff Bar

February 10, 2014 by Momstart Leave a Comment

(samples received)

You know what we’ve been doing? We’ve been having family days in Seattle every week. The kids are taking classes and in between classes the kids need a snack and getting a snack at the mall can be tricky to keep it in the healthy range. Plus since we’re in a downtown area we do a lot of walking and between the brain power needed for their class and the energy we need something that gives them a good kind of energy. I like using the Mojo Cliff Bar because they only have 200 calories and are packed full of protein.

Good food provides health, joy, energy, and is a delight to the senses. And when food is made right, it can make the world a better place. That’s why at CLIF BAR only organic ingredients are used in all the products! Food grown organically without any pesticides or chemicals so it’s better for the planet, body and soul. From our friends at the All You Magazine we received 24 Mojo Cliff Bars.

· 12 Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars

· 12 Dark Chocolate Almond Coconut Bars

The kids also love having these bars on piano days when we don’t have time to eat before starting our long Monday nights of activities.

I can’t eat them yet, I have two more weeks with my braces on and I’m so excited about what I’m going to be able to eat. It’s chock full of whole nuts, pretzel pieces and other tasty morsels. Crunchy and chewy, with a sweet and salty taste, it’s a perfect snack. And since it’s made with 70% organic ingredients, it’s good for the planet too. Sometimes we get a craving for something sweet… and salty. That’s why we make CLIF Mojo™. It’s all about different flavors and textures to satisfy your sweet (and salty) tooth. Add in some crunchy nuts and you get a delicious snack your body will dig. They are available at Walmart!

GoPicnic Picnic in a Box with Ginger Zip!

November 27, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

Go Picnic picnic in a box

By Lynn

This is a great idea! We received a full size box to try out. For my daughter (6) we chose a gluten free option The Tuna & Crackers. It came with a lemon pepper tuna spread, applesauce, multigrain crackers (GF), fruit and nut mix, and a caramel lollipop.

One thing I liked about this was that the box could be used to eat from if you are on the go, and in my case, give something to your child to eat in the car between activities – not the ideal situation I know! But sometimes it happens. The box even had a Sudoku game in it!

These do not have to be refrigerated so you can keep a couple of boxes in your car if needed, but probably not when it’s super hot over summer! J Each box is a single serving, so each person can have their own. Not everyone has to have to tuna, or you can share as you go. What is also nice for me as a busy mom (brain always at 100%), I don’t have to think about making a complete meal, the Go Picnic box already contains a variety of foods (meat, crackers, fruit, even a sweet treet if they’re good J). I tried out the fruit and nut mix as well as the tuna and they were both super tasty!

You can find more information at www.gopicnic.com . In addition to Gluten Free they also have vegan, kosher and all-natural, amongst other choices. The box has nutrition information per box, and also allergen information per item (i.e. Which package in the box has milk and/or peanuts etc).

I think the next flavor I’d like to try is the turkey pepperoni and cheese! Or the Sunbutter and crackers…hmmm I can’t decide! I’ll have to get a few and hope someone in my family shares with me so I can try a few out!

About Lynn:

I met Lynn in MOMS Club and she has two children. One of which is the same age as my daughter and they love to giggle and play together. Lynn Hooper is also a local Mary Kay Consultant while also being a full time mom. “A lot of what the business stands for is true to my heart. Mary Kay Inc. has a foundation that donates funds to help end domestic violence and also funds research into cancers that affect women. Mary Kay also has what’s called "The Golden Rule" which means God (faith) first, family second and business third. A great principal for me and nice to know I am part of a team that believes in this too.”

The Perfect Playdate Veggie Tray Includes Tribe Hummus

May 4, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

The Perfect Playdate Veggie Tray Includes Tribe Hummus

By Rachel:

As the President of my local MOMS Club (which is how I met Louise), I like to attend or host as many events as possible. Most of these are playgroups at people’s houses, and it’s customary to bring a dish or snack to share. And then we all stand around and chat and munch while the kids play.

I have recently become OBSESSED with hummus. Every playgroup I attend, I bring a veggie tray and a tub of hummus. I can’t stop eating it! I do have a tendency to get stuck in a rut with it, and just buy the same brand and flavor every time.

I got to try out 3 different varieties of Tribe All-Natural Hummus, and I got them for an evening that I was hosting a MOMS Club evening event at my house. I opted for the Roasted Garlic, the Spicy Red Pepper, and the Mediterranean Style.

I set out some broccoli, carrots, celery, and cucumbers to try them with, and we also used some tortilla chips and pita chips that someone else brought. They were all VERY yummy. I think the roasted garlic was the favorite, of the three, but the Mediterranean Style was a close second. Apparently we are all spice wimps, because the Spicy Red Pepper, although good, was a little on the hot side, it seemed, and that one had the most left in it at the end of the night.

Just now, I went and looked at Tribe’s website, and saw that they have 16 varieties of their all-natural hummus. Just a few that I’m dying to try are the Cilantro Chimichurri, the Spicy Chipotle, and (oh goodness!) the Kalamata Olive. I go weak in the knees for Kalamata Olives, and obviously, the store I was shopping at didn’t have any of this or it would have been the first to go in my basket.

Maybe I will have to continue the veggies and hummus tradition at playgroups from now on, but each time, bring a different one of the 16 flavors of Tribe’s hummus!

About Rachel

Rachel is also a MOMS club member. She is thankful for the blessing of staying home to raise her three crazy, wonderful kids. In addition to scrapbooking, she likes knitting, gardening, reading, blogging and otherwise avoiding the housework she should be doing. You can read about her adventures and disasters at rachel’s ramblings.

Tasty Treat: Snack Happy Bars Recipe A Salty Sweet Snack

May 17, 2012 by Momstart 30 Comments

By Summer:

Who doesn’t love a salty sweet snack? That’s where this creation came from! I thought about adding other ingredients, but this is all I did. I was thinking of peanuts, peanut butter, white chocolate chips, or coconut; all of which I think would be nice additions.

Snack Happy Bars Recipe

Ingredients:

6 cups chocolate cereal*
2 cups crushed pretzels
20 (5.5 ounces) caramel cubes, chopped (or if you can find the bite size nibs)
¼ cup butter + extra to grease dishes
40 ounces marshmallows

1. In an extremely-large buttered bowl, combine cereal, pretzels, and caramel and mix.

2. Over medium-low heat melt butter and marshmallows together. When melted together and gooey pour into dry mixture.

3. Stir until dry mix is coated in marshmallow cream. Dump into buttered glassware to set. Firmly press into glassware to cohesive bars form. Allow to cool 30-minutes and cut into bars. Allow to continue to cool and harden together. Serve when desired.

* I used Three Sisters’ Cocoa-Snapz because I was shopping at Whole Foods and that’s what they had. Three Sisters does use corn syrup. Cocoa-Snapz is similar to Cocoa Pebbles, which to me looks like chocolate covered corn flakes.

About Summer:

Summer is very active in our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living while cooking up a storm.

Summertime Strawberry Smoothie Recipe

June 24, 2011 by Momstart 7 Comments

Yesterday my daughter had to visit the dentist and wasn’t able to eat anything for lunch, so we decided a drinkable meal was in order. I made Smoothies for the first time from scratch and suddenly realized how easy they are.

This is my Summertime Strawberry Smoothie Recipe:

5.0 from 1 reviews

Summertime Strawberry Smoothie Recipe

Author: Louise Bishop

Recipe type: Snack, Appetiser, Dessert

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 1 min

Total time: 11 mins

Serves: 4-5

A quick snack for all, perfect for summertime, easy to make strawberry smoothie recipe

Ingredients

1 cup milk
2 cups nonfat yogurt
4 cups cut strawberries
2 teaspoons vanilla

Instructions

Using a blender put in the milk first
Then add all the other ingredients
Blend until well blended

Wordpress Recipe Plugin by EasyRecipe

Enjoying Beanfields Chips

May 1, 2011 by Momstart Leave a Comment

I love chips, and I try to stay away from them because I have a tendency of eating a whole back all by myself and that’s not always a good idea. Chips are usually fried and full of unhealthy calories with little redeeming value like protein or vitamins of any kind. But I’m always up for a bag regardless. What if we could get a little goodness in a bag of chips?

I just had the opportunity to try a bag of chips that satisfy that salty craving and give me something nutritious too, Beanfields Chips. Made from a combination of premium U.S. grown black beans, navy beans and long grain rice, Beanfields chips have a taste and crunch that sets them apart. My favorite flavor so far is the Pico De Gallo. YUM! What I love is that the nutritional value of beans is well-known, and snack experts at Beanfields turned them into a light and crispy snack chip. The four flavors of Beanfields (Naturally Unsalted, Sea Salt, Sea Salt & Pepper, and Pico de Gallo) are a healthier and more satisfying snack, with twice as much protein and fiber as most tortilla, corn, or potato chips. So in between lunch and dinner I’ve been snacking on Beanfields.

Nutritionally Speaking:

Every 1 oz. serving of Beanfields chips provides 4 grams of protein, about as much as a 4 oz. glass of milk, and 4 grams of fiber, about the same as a ½ cup serving of raisin bran. The chips are also free of every one the FDA’s eight most common ingredients that trigger food allergies. For people who need to avoid salt, Beanfields chips also come in a great tasting unsalted version.

Disclosure – A product was provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the writing of this review; however, opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

Happy Baby Food HappyMUNCHIES Organic Snack Food

April 1, 2011 by Momstart 2 Comments

I don’t like to trick my children into eating the right food; I want them to know the different between “growing foods” and “not growing” or sugary foods. I label foods for my children in the “growing foods” category: proteins, fruits, vegetables, dairy, snacks, healthier options … there might be some more, but that gives you the idea. The hardiest and finest line for me as a mom is the combo of growing snack food.

I was recently offered some snacks by HappyBaby in their HappyMunchies line of organic baby foods. We received their NEW Happy Munchies baked organic cheese and veggies snacks.

These snacks look like regular cheese puff snacks, but they contain broccoli and kale in the green can, and carrots in the orange can. This is a healthier alterative to other snack foods. HappyMunchies is USDA Organic certified and support organic farming, and HappyMunchies contains NO pesticides, NO chemical fertilizers and NO GMOs.

Additionally HappyMuches offers cheese puffs made with

whole grain corn
25mg choline per serving for healthy brain development
60% less sodium than the leading toddler cheese snacks

The HappyMunchies cheese puff version is small for little hands and mouths. Your child is ready for HappyMunchies cheese and veggie snacks when:

1. They can crawl on their hands and knees without their tummy touching the floor.

2. Eat thicker solids with larger pieces.

3. Use their jaws to mash food with gums.

4. Pick up food to eat on their own with thumb and forefingers.

My 19MO loves the HappyMunchies baked organic cheese and veggie snacks. He walks around the house holding the whole can and munching away. In fact, when we first reserved our sample my older son (4YO) was the first to try them. The 4YO rejected them (honestly he’s in “that” stage). BUT as his brother was continuing to eat the HappyMunchies cheese puffs the 4YO decided he wanted in too. Now both munch away during snack time. These little puffs are so tasty; I like them too, and yes the kids have caught me eating their HappyMunchies.

You can get HappyMunches on the HappyBaby website or in your local stores. One of the coolest products on the HappyBaby site is their “Growing Family: Starter Set” with sample of all their products: tote, bib, a t-shirt for baby and mama, 3 canisters of cereal, 3 canisters of puff snacks, 8 tot pouches, the book Happybaby: The Organic Guide to baby’s First 24 Months by Dr. Sears and HappyBaby, an infant and toddler Nutrition Guide by Dr. Sears and Amy Marlow (RD MPH CDN), FAQ on probiotics and DHA, and HappyFamily Recipes.

Use HappyBaby as a parent’s nutrition resource via the HappyBaby blog which has recipes, giveaways & contests, green tips, guest bloggers, and more. You can also Like HappyBaby on Facebook and track them on Twitter @HappyBabyFood.

About Summer:

Summer is the President of our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living.