Date Better Snacks

I am constantly hungry and simultaneously, always on the lookout for the best snacks — yes, I can always grab fresh veggies and fruit, but sometimes I want something sweet — just a nibble. So when I came across Date Better Snacks, I knew it was the perfect snack for me. And sure enough — they are SO good, SO delicious, and just the amount of sweet.

 

Date Better Snacks are actually what they sound like — dates! Medjools dates are full of fiber, potassium, B-family vitamins, magnesium and calcium! And are the perfect texture.

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Trader Joe’s Haul

During graduate school the only place I grocery shopped was at Trader Joe’s– it is where I got EVERYTHING. Vegetables, pre packaged food (I lived on their burritos and enchiladas), muffins, granola, everything. And yet since then, I rarely go as there is not one close by and I like things where I pick the quantity myself. That said, I was reintroduced to Trader Joe’s and it inspired me to try it again. I have gone twice in the past two weeks and I love it — not for everyday grocery shopping, but for random snacks and food to hoard in my house (I hoard food).

 

Huge bag of goodies — and SO inexpensive — less than 50 dollars!!!! UNBELIEVABLE!

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Cauliflower Bites

OH MY GOD, stop whatever you are doing, and run and get these cauliflower bites. They are like cheetos or pirate bootie, but cauliflower. So even better. I tried them and couldn’t stop thinking about them, so had to go to every Juice Press in the city (or what felt like every store), and get them. The store clerks told me that they can never keep them in stock because everyone loves them so much. And sure enough, when I found them, I bought every package they had, because they are THAT good. Yes, would love to try to dehydrate cauliflower myself and make them even more healthy, but until then, I will eat these packages. Check them out!

 

Cauliflower bites white cheddar.

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Sister’s Fruit Company

While in my happy place this summer (the grocery stores of Oregon), I bought some apple (and pear) chips that turned out to be the most delicious snacks I have ever eaten. Sister’s Fruit Company. Made by a small family company in Oregon, these all natural fruit chips are made out of USDA Grade A Pacific Northwest fruit, that are sliced and dried in an all natural process. The chips just have a touch of pure cane sugar but are not overly sweet. You can eat them on cereal or oatmeal, but I tend to eat them just straight out of the bag. The kids are also huge fans and we can polish off a bag in one sitting. Mainly sold on the west coast, you can also buy online (thank you, internet).

 

All of the flavors are good — you can’t go wrong! Except for once you start, you cannot stop.

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Coconut Obsession

Call me obsessed, but I am a sucker for anything with coconut in it. Remember this and this, well now, I have three MORE coconut products that I can’t live without! All three are delicious, flavorful, coco-nutty goodness!

Decadent, coconut, deliciousness!

Decadent, coconut, deliciousness!

1. Health Warrior Chia Bars, Coconut flavor

health warrior

These little itty bitty bars are stacked with more than just taste, as they have antioxidants, omega 3’s, fiber and plant-based protein. Amazing, right? Chia seeds are the new goji berries! Sold at Whole Foods, health food stores or online.

Favorite flavor BY FAR is coconut. YUM.

Favorite flavor BY FAR is coconut. YUM.

The size of my hand! (NO RED NAIL POLISH ON ME??? Am I sick? Fever?)

The size of my hand

These bars are gluten, dairy and soy free. 100% vegan. 100% natural.”Grab a bar and find your warrior.”

Unwrapped.

Unwrapped.

2.  Emmy’s Macaroons

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Super Bowl Munchies

Although I am not an avid football fan, I do love Super Bowl Sunday. 90% because of the food at the parties. 10% because I like watching my husband watch football. 0% because I, myself, enjoy football. This year, these are the treats that I am making to munch on while we watch the gladiators fight – Sophisticated Chex Mix, and the best Onion Dip ever!

SOPHISTICATED CHEX MIX

This recipe is based off of Party Mix for Grownups from the food blog, food52. I love their recipes and go to the site for daily food inspiration.

Ingredients:

Ingredients that are always in the cupboard!

Ingredients that are always in the cupboard!

* 5 cups Chex

* 1 1/2 cups mixed nuts

* 2 cups pretzels

* 4 tablespoons of melted butter

* 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

* 1 tablespoon brown sugar

* 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

* 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

* 1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped thyme

* 1/2 teaspoon salt

* pinch of cayenne

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Airplane Snacks

Whether I like it or not, I have somehow become an expert on traveling with kids. It is not my intention to be a jet setter, but because I live (a) far from my parents and friends on the West Coast and (b) in a cold weather state, it means that if I want to see my family and/or not freeze, I need to get on a plane. So, planes it is!

A lot of our life is spent at airports. Before Cruz turned 14 months, we went to the West coast 8 times. Our traveling schedule has slowed down with two, but we still spend a lot of time on planes.

As a family, we have several go-to techniques on how to manage air travel with young ones (and ourselves).  These include: taking the early morning flights (to avoid the potential of being delayed and then having more wait-time, not that that worked last time we flew), stocking the iPad with games/videos, bringing presents for take-off and landing, having extra sets of clothes/toys/books/activities, and having the perfect options for food. In terms of food..

Squeezy apple sauce

apple sauce

No mess, no clean up, no spoon, just easy-peezy-pudding-of-pie.

Bagels and cream cheese

bagel and cream cheese

A definite for morning flights. Bagels and cream cheese are easy to transport, filling,can’t be mushed, and are adult and kid friendly.

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Flavored Kale Chips

Way back when, when the blog was brand new (almost a year ago!), I wrote about my obsession with making Kale Chips. So healthy, so easy, so delicious. I thought my homemade kale chips were the best snack in the world. And although they are great, I came across New York Naturals Kale Chips, sold at my local Whole Foods, and there is simply no comparison.

Locally made, these are sold at more than 200 stores in New York and on the East Coast. But for my West Coast friends, they are even sold online.  I first tried these at Whole Foods, then went online and got 4 boxes, and now, I just placed an order for 10 more. I can’t live without them! To buy go here.

flavors

Options: Bombay Ranch, Salt and vinegar, Spicy miso, and Vegan cheese. My personal favorite is the Sea Salt and Vinegar. Tangy, salty, and oh so good.

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Favorite Snacks

Thanks to everyone for all of the support and comments from Wednesday’s post.  Yes, I am now a mother again, but the blog must go on!

I am a snacker and a picker and therefore like to pick and eat at food ALL the time. Besides the obvious snacks (fruit), here are my top five favorite snacks to eat throughout the day.

1. Yum Nuts

I used to not like cashews, that is until I had Yum Nuts, and now I am in love. Yum Nuts are sold at Whole Foods or other grocery stores around the country, and come as seasoned cashews or almonds. The cashews come in five different flavors: chocolate, touch of honey,  toasted coconut, sea salt, and cajun. There are three different almond flavors; dark chocolate, cinnamon, and ginger orange.

cashews

A great on-the-go pick me up snack!

I cannot begin to tell you how delicious these nuts are. They are just the right amount of sweetness (for us sweet addicts) but have the protein and fat in them to fill you up quickly. They are flavored, but ever so slightly — nothing too intense or overbearing, just a hint and taste of the extra goodness. These nuts are so delicious that I have begun to hoard them (shocker)….You can also buy them online in variety packs and bulk

2. Blue Diamond Salt and Vinegar Almonds

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Favorite Nut Butters

Frequent Josie Girl Blog readers know that (1) I hoard food and (2) I can eat an entire jar of almond or peanut butter in a sitting. Yes, both are problems. But both make me happy. SO…..here are my favorite peanut and almond butters, as well as runner- ups.

TOP PEANUT BUTTER COMPANY: PB CRAVE

My most recent find is an amazing peanut butter company that specializes in a twist of flavors. PB Crave. Once again — peanut butter with a splash of fun. Right up my alley!

PB Crave

The name is oh-so-fitting, because once you have a teaspoon of this peanut butter, you will end up eating at least five cups. You will *CRAVE* this treat.

And yes, I spend time on the internet searching for “unique peanut butter flavors.” And let me tell you, this peanut butter is AH-MAZING. Seriously, it is dangerous having it in the house because I can easily eat half a jar with a spoon. I eat crackers and bread, just so I can eat the peanut butter and not look as pathetic. It is delicious with anything and everything. For reals.

Another amazing feature of this peanut butter is that you can buy it on amazon. And that adds instant value and awesomeness to any product. Especially peanut butter.

4 flavors

The four flavors (choco choco, coco bananas, razzle dazzle, and cookie nookie) are all scrumptious.

Favorite Flavor: Choco Choco

RUNNER-UP PEANUT BUTTER COMPANY: PEANUT BUTTER COMPANY

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