Smart Ones Oatmeal

Disclaimer: This post was created in partnership with Smart Ones®. All opinions are my own.

Does the picture above make you hungry? It makes me hungry! When i recently went to the store to pick up my Smart Ones oatmeal, I struggled at which flavor to try.

So I picked up one of each! You cannot blame me. With flavors like Apple Cinnamon, Peaches and Cream, and Maple and Brown Sugar, you cannot just pick one! It can be found in the frozen aisle in heat and eat cups. Each serving is perfectly portioned for me and knowing that it is low calorie and not loaded with more sugar that any human needs is very exciting.

After getting home I needed to make the dreaded choice. Which one do I try first? I chose to try the Apple Cinnamon flavor first. Knowing that you can never go wrong with apples or cinnamon. Looking at the ingredients made me like the Smart Ones Oatmeal even more! The main ingredients are steel cut oats, oats, granola and walnuts. Really, most other oatmeal brands are sugar, sugar, and more sugar!

It turns out that not only do I really like the Smart one oatmeal, but so do my kids. If you are a busy mom, like I am, this is a great way to feed your family a healthy breakfast. It can even be great on the go!

 For a quick chance to win a coupon for a free package of Smart Ones Oatmeal, comment below with the flavor you would like to try the most!

Why Is My Food Yellow?

Have you ever noticed that the food you made for dinner smells and looks amazing?  I started to ask myself "why is my food yellow?"  I knew from growing up that artificial red and yellow dyes were unhealthy for children with epilepsy. Then when my grandson was diagnosed with epilepsy, I paid a lot more attention.

Did you know that red and yellow dyes have been linked to an increases in hyperactivity? Even 30 years ago my doctor knew of a link between red and yellow dyes and epilepsy.

I will not aim my rant at specific companies because they know who they are and why they do it. But what we as parents and grandparents need to do is provide a little education to our children. The juice they drink does not need to be red, green, blue, purple, or orange. The noodles on the table do not need to be so bright that they appear to glow in the dark.The cheese they eat does not need to be dyed to make it more appealing.

I spent the last couple of years looking at labels on the food that I buy. Nearly every major product on the market has some form of color added to make the product more visually appealing to the consumer. That really bothers me when I have a family member with neurological issues that are exacerbated by artificial red and yellow dyes.

Then I learned that Europe banned the use of artificial colors I was thrilled. So why are major US based companies removing dye for products sold in Europe but not in the USA? Isn't it cheaper to produce all of your products the same way? Does it make you more money to add colors to my children's food? Does Europe know something that the USA is ignoring or avoiding?


I have found a few companies out there that have started to change their dyes to natural forms and I am very grateful for those few companies. In fact, I wish there were more of them! The hard part is making the food that is sold in the USA as safe and natural as possible.

No one is dying my asparagus, my lettuce, or my green beans, so keep the dye out of my pasta, cookies, and cheese. Until some of these large companies get a clue, I will only but natural products and naturally dyed products for my table......end of rant

Bella Sun Luci Sun Dried Tomato Bruschetta Review

Disclaimer: I received the product in this review at no charge. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

I am always looking for ways to create a meal that is unique, simple, and relatively healthy. I recently had an opportunity to try Bella Sun Luci Sun Dried Tomato Bruschetta and I was trying to find a creative way to use it that would look good in photos too.

I chose a nice simple way. I added the Bella Sun Luci Sun Dried Tomato Bruschetta to a freshly baked loaf of rosemary sourdough bread. How could I possible go wrong by putting sun dried tomatoes on rosemary sourdough bread?

First I opened the jar of Bella Sun Luci Sun Dried Tomato Bruschetta. As soon as the seal was broke, I could smell the sun dried tomatoes and my mouth started to water. I had to wait a few minutes after opening the jar to ensure that i could cut the fresh sourdough bread.

When I spread the bruschetta onto the bread, it went on like butter. The consistency of the bruschetta was ideal for putting it on bread. The olive oil soaked into the hot sourdough bread and the sun dried tomatoes spread easily on the top of the bread.

Then came the real test. I got to eat it! The flavor is a true Italian bruschetta. The sun dried tomatoes are distinct and flavorful. I was prepared to be overwhelmed by the sun dried tomatoes, but it never happened.

After trying the bruschetta, I immediately started to think of other ways that I could use it. I decided that my next endeavor will be to spread a thin layer on a focaccia and add a little parmesan or other light cheese and some sausage, pepperoni, or mushrooms.

Overall, I was very happy with the flavor, the aroma, and the consistency of the bruschetta. I know that not everyone like sun dried tomatoes, but if you do, this is a brand that you can feel comfortable picking up for a test drive in your favorite recipes.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

New #Cravebowl Cravebox Available

The best part of football season is upon us. Cravebox is well aware of the time of year and what many households are doing this time of year and they know that we are planning for the big game coming our way.

The drawing is now open for the newest Cravebox. This is a box designed around the fun, pizazz, and Cajun food that fills New Orleans. It does not cost to enter the drawing and you will not be charged any fee's if you are not drawn in the raffle. With the #Cravebowl Big Game Cravebox you can double your box to a Party Size Box for the same low cost of $15. Are you game?

The Zatarain's Big Game Cravebox will have everything you need to prepare for the big game at home. 

You can check out some small hints about the items that will be included in the box on the Cravebox site. While you are there, register for Cravebox and sneak on over and enter the drawing for your chance to get the newest Cravebox for $15.

Good luck!!

Disclaimer: I am eligible for products from manufacturers for the publication of this post.

Frego Review and Giveaway

 As a mother, I do what I can to keep my children safe from harm. As a grandmother, I also do what I can to protect my grandchildren from harm. I know that the last thing that we think about as parents is the containers that we use for food storage but it is a good place to start.

I recently found Frego storage containers. I was immediately drawn to them for several reasons. First, they are glass and silicone instead of plastic. No plastic means no BPA. That is one less chemical to end up in my families food. Next, they have a silicone sleeve. The silicone sleeve serves as a cushion for the glass to help prevent breakage. The silicone sleeve also serves as a barrier between your hand and the glass that may be hot or cold. One other reason that I was attracted to Frego is because they are safe for the oven, microwave, and the dishwasher.

All 3 pieces to the Frego

As you can see in the photo above, the 2 cup Frego storage container comes with 3 pieces. The silicone sleeve (far left), the glass container (middle), and the silicone lid (far right). The glass piece fits easily in the silicone sleeve. There is no need to struggle getting the glass in the container. The lid fits securely in place and creates a seal on the storage container and also secures the glass piece in place to keep in from moving inside the sleeve.

I have been using the Frego for the last couple of weeks. I have packed lunches for a 4 year old and a 44 year old. The container is holding up great even after a few bumps and bruises from the males in my house hold. All of the pieces are dishwasher safe and everything but the lid is oven safe. One of the fun features of Frego is the ability to write on the silicone sleeve. If you use a dry erase marker, you can write your child's name in the container or even a little love note. The dry erase marker will clean off with a wet paper towel.

I love that the container can go in my microwave and my oven. The first time that I used it, I was a little chicken to put the silicone sleeve in the microwave, so I just heated food in the glass portion. When I removed the container from the microwave, the glass was a little hot to touch so I slid it in the silicone sleeve. Once it was in the sleeve, I had no problems handling the container.
 
I truly love my Frego. I am very happy with the quality, convenience, and the fact that it is safe for my entire family. The only downfall for me is that they are only available in a 2 cup container. I would love to see more sizes available in the future.

One lucky reader will win a 2 cup Frego in the color of their choice. Use the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Discliamer: I received the product described above at no cost to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and may vary from your own. 

Honey Bunches of Oats Review

 

For years I have avoided cereals that appear to target the "older" crowd. I just did not want anything to do with the words health, nutritious, or fiber. Then I became that "older" person. I am not sure when it happened, but it did. 

About a week ago, I received a box of Honey Bunches of Oats cereal in the mail. What was I going to do with an entire box of this cereal. I have a young child and two other adults that are picky eaters. I thought this box may sit and decompose on the top of my refrigerator. It was time to step up and do what moms do best, torture their kids (and husbands).

I started with my 22 year old daughter. She is the most vocal and happens to be the pickiest of the bunch too. I poured her a bowl at breakfast time and told her to just try it. If she did not like it, it was okay. I just needed an honest opinion. Then the four year old crawled out of bed and into the kitchen. He wanted a bowl of cereal too. (I got my second guinea pig!) I poured him a bowl and sat him at the table too. 

Fast forward about 15 minutes...... I did not hear a single complaint out of either of them, just that they wanted more. After both of them finished their second servings, I had to pick my jaw up off of the floor. A four year old eats Honey Bunches of Oats? When did that happen?

The entire box of cereal was gone in a few days. My entire household enjoyed the sweet taste combined with the crunch of the "bunches." That must mean they are really not that good for you right. Actually, wrong! They have the same calories per serving as the Original Special K cereal! Check out the comparison here.  Finally a nutritious cereal that the whole family will eat. There are currently 10 different flavor varieties of Honey Bunches of Oats. 

• Honey Roasted
• Almonds
• Strawberries
• Raisin Medley
• Vanilla Bunches
• Pecan Bunches
• Cinnamon Bunches
• Blueberry Banana
• Peach Raspberry
• Just Bunches Honey Roasted

There is a flavor that will appeal to everyone in my household. I am happy that I finally found a cereal that I can feel good about serving to my family that even I enjoy.

*Disclaimer: *I received a complimentary box of honey bunches of oats in exchange for an honest review via Purex Insiders. All opinions are my own.