Product Review - My Super Snack and GIVEAWAY!

Recently, I was approached by the lovely people at My Super Foods to see if I would like to try their snack product.  I have to admit, I was a little hesitant at first as my kids RARELY eat processed foods.  But as I learned more about them I became intrigued.  Their focus is on healthy, preservative-free, super-food-packed snacks for kids on the go.  Let's face it, sometimes a mom really needs a little help, so these are a great option to have on hand.  

One aspect that I loved the most was the fact that their ingredients are non-GMO.  That is one of the biggest reasons I so strongly limit my family's exposure to processed foods.  So the fact that there is a snack option that is non-GMO is a wonderful thing in my book.

Now it's time for the all-important taste test.  They come in three delicious flavors - Blueberry Banana Acai, Chocolate Chip, and Apple Raisin and are the perfect size for little ones.  My 4 year old tried all three and so did I.  I had to make sure the quality was good enough for my baby!  :)  She loved the chocolate one the best, but she loves everything chocolate.  I enjoyed them all, but my stand out favorite was the Blueberry Banana Acai.  They had a great chewy cookie texture and were not crumbly at all (something that I hate when I have to clean up after a messy snack time).  

The verdict - These were a tasty snack that my daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed.  I love that they are non-GMO and preservative free.  From a marketing standpoint, I love the characters they created for their packaging.  It's a great way to get little ones excited about them and competes with the characters so successfully used by conventional kid-targeted foods.  While they would only be an occasional treat for my children, they are a wonderful option for parents looking for a healthier snack that they can feel good about giving their kids.

The Giveaway!
limited to our U.S. residents only

Now for the amazing part!  I have a sample pack for one lucky reader to try for their very own!  I was just so excited about this product that I wanted to pass it along and spread the word about this company.  Enter below for your chance to win!! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Food Fun: Pumpkin Harvest Bites

Here is a super fun snack idea for fall!  It is so simple.  Just begin by slicing a carrot into about 1/2 inch rounds.  Then take a toothpick and pierce any green herb you might have.  We used parsley but chives would also be cute - whatever you have on hand!  Finally, pierce the side of a carrot.  Place all the "pumpkin carrots" on a bed of hummus!  What a delicious, healthy, and fun snack for kids of all ages!

Snack Idea - Frozen Cherries

Now is one of my favorite times of year.  My local farm has fresh cherries that are brought in from the central valley of California.  These cherries are so fantastic!  They are amazing in a myriad of recipes, but on hot summer days, nothing beats a bowl of frozen cherries.  When I purchase a bunch of fresh cherries, I immediately clean and pit them.  Then I fill a bag and put it in the freezer.  I swear, they last for so many months!  In southern California, we can have random hot days all year round, so I almost always have some on hand.  They are as refreshing as a popsicle without any extra sugar.  My daughter will sit and pop them like candy (I do have to cut up some of the bigger cherries).  It is a great snack throughout the hot summer months!  I hope you give it a try!

Baked Parmesan Kale Chips

Kale is one of the vegetables that is packed with nutrients but it can be a challenge to get kids excited about eating it.  One of the best ways I have found to prepare kale is by baking them into crispy kale chips.  My daughter loves them because they are crunchy like potato chips (a rare treat in our house).  There is the added bonus of it being a snack that they can help make!  I love having my daughter help prepare food and I get her involved whenever I can.  It gets her excited about trying new things and it's a nice way to spend time together.

For those who haven't tried making kale chips yet, it is one of the easiest things to make.  It takes about 20 minutes total and this is all you need:

Ingredients

kale

olive oil

salt

pepper (very little, if any)

parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Tear the kale into chip sized pieces (they will shrink during the baking process).  Use enough to make a full layer on your baking sheet.
2. Pour about 1 Tbsp of olive oil in the palm of your hand.  Rub your hands together and toss the kale until the leaves are shiny with a thin layer of oil on them.  Sometimes, you may have to pick individual leaves up and rub them in the palm of your hand to get them coated.

• This is a great step for the kids to help with.  It's a little slimy and they have fun making the leaves get shiny.

     3.  Spread the kale evenly on the baking sheet and season with salt and pepper to taste.
     4.  Using a microplane, shave the parmesan cheese directly over the pan until the kale is evenly coated.

     5.  Bake at 350 for 10 to 15 minutes.  This is the tricky part.  There is a very short window between undercooked and burned.  Keep a close watch on them and take them out when they are just crispy.  Towards the end, use tongs to gently stir them around.

Store in a bag or airtight container for up to a week.  Eat and enjoy!