Moms, This May Be Some Plant-Based Meat That Your Kids Would Eat

Many moms struggle to juggle their work and home life to prepare nutritious meals for their kids. Together with the COVID-19 pandemic impacting women working from home, this lifestyle has led to increased stress, and with studies showing that 4 out of 5 moms prefer remote work, it doesn’t seem like this trend will be over any time soon.

The Dangers Of Fast Food

While fast food may be a convenient option for busy moms, it is essential to recognize its negative impact on children's health. 

 

Kids who eat a diet high in fast food are more likely to be overweight or obese and are at increased risk of developing chronic diseases later in life. In addition, fast food is often high in sodium, which contributes to high blood pressure and increases the risk of heart disease.

 

Long-Lasting Effects of Obesity 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of obesity among children in the United States has more than tripled over the past three decades.

 

The consequences of childhood obesity are severe and have a long-term impact on children's health, increasing the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, among others.

 

How Food Innovators Changed The Lives Of Busy Moms

Food innovators have played a key role in meeting the demand for healthier food options for kids, constantly seeking ways to provide healthy and tasty options for children and parents.

 

Plant-based options are produced using sustainable farming practices and offer health benefits other than traditional animal-based products, thanks to their well-developed nutritional panel.

 

“By implementing plant-based meals and snacks, reducing the consumption of heavy meats and dairy products, which are highly consumed by the standard American diet, our kids will live a better life, reducing the risk of obesity and poor mental health.”

– Marc Elkman, Co-Founder of Mighty Yum™

 

Although Mighty Yum™ is created with 100% plant-based ingredients, it doesn’t sacrifice the flavorful goodness of nostalgic food. You would never know this product is plant-based from the look and taste! Choose your favorite turkey and cheese, ham and cheese, or pepperoni pizza, full of tasty flavors and textures. 

 

How Busy Moms Provide Healthy Food Options To Their Children

Here are some things you need to ensure your children are getting the nourishment they need:

 

Fresh fruits and vegetables

These can be eaten as snacks or incorporated into meals and are rich in nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

 

Whole grains

Choose whole-grain bread, pasta, and rice instead of refined grains, which are lower in nutrients.

 

Legumes

Beans, lentils, and chickpeas are good sources of protein, fiber, and other nutrients and can be incorporated into various dishes.

 

Plant-based milk alternatives

Almond milk, soy milk, and oat milk are good options for children who are lactose intolerant or have allergies to dairy.

 

Plant-based meat alternatives

These are made from beans, lentils, tofu, and other plant-based proteins and are a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional meat products.

 

What You Can Do For Your Kid To Become Healthier Today

There are several things you can do today to help your child become healthier, including:

 

Grab Mighty Yum™

Mighty Yum™ is created with 100% plant-based ingredients and packs tremendous flavor combined with non-GMO ingredients, satisfying that nostalgic taste everyone loves. 

 

Encourage healthy eating habits

Develop healthy habits by offering nutritious foods and limiting unhealthy snacks and sugary drinks.

 

Promote physical activity

Encourage your children to be active by providing opportunities to engage in physical activity, such as walking, biking, or playing sports.

 

Ensure adequate sleep

Help your children get the recommended amount of sleep by establishing a regular bedtime routine and creating a sleep-friendly environment.

 

Practice good hygiene

Teach their children to wash their hands regularly, cover their mouths and noses when sneezing or coughing, and brush their teeth properly.

 

Moms can choose from a range of plant-based snacks, such as bars, crackers, and cookies, and feel good about giving their child a snack that is both tasty and nutritious. They are made from whole, minimally processed ingredients and provide a variety of nutrients, including protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. 

 

Product Review: MadeGood Snacks

Looking for good snacks that fit my diet is a hard task sometimes. So many snacks are filled with GMOs, Soy, or dairy. That's why I am always on the hunt for something that will fit my diet and let me have something on the go.

MadeGood snacks are vegan, organic, and also free of many common allergens, including Soy. The brand has several different varities available, perfect for different tastes. They have Vanilla Crispy Squares, Chocolate Chip Crispy Squares, Mixed Berry Granola Bars, and Chocolate Chip Granola Bars.

My personal favorites of the bunch were the Chocolate Chip Crispy Squares. The chocolate flavor is obvious, yet subtle enough to not be overpowering. It's a real comfort food type of snack, as it reminds me of an old favorite treat. They're (along with the Vanilla Squares) are the bulkier of the bunch, which makes for a satisfying snack.

The Granola Bars were quite a bit smaller than the squares, yet still good for a pick-me-up when one needs a mid-afternoon jumpstart. They're also chewier than the squares, so they're a good choice for people who prefer something that is softer and melts in your mouth. The mixed berry also includes great mix of vegetable extracts alongside the berries.

I'd recommend them, for sure, and not just for kids' lunch boxes. Check the MadeGood website to learn more about them, their mission, and the other varieties available. If one buys all four of these varieties, they can also enjoy $10 off a Mabel's Labels personalized school label pack.

From The Ground Up- Lunch Box Essentials.

From The Ground Up is an award-winning line of delicious cauliflower-based crackers and pretzels that have a serving of veggies in each 1oz. snack serving!  The snacks are Non-GMO Project Verified, Gluten Free Certified and made with vegan ingredients.  From The Ground Up snacks are a fun and tasty way to sneak in some nutrition at snack time.  From The Ground Up made its retail launch a few months ago – just in-time for back-to-school – and has been a big hit.

Consumers were asking for a veggie-based snack that actually had increased nutritional value, so the brand team began looking at the vitamin and fiber rich Cauliflower since it’s so versatile and seemed to really be resonating with people.  The products taste as delicious as the mainstream versions and have all the characteristics that a better-for-you customer is looking for.  The snacks are also in-line with the biggest food trends to-date i.e. gluten-free, vegan ingredients and…cauliflower of course!

From The Ground Up Crackers come in three flavors, including Sea Salt, Cheddar and Nacho; and the Pretzels come in Original flavor in Sticks and Twists shapes.

My Thoughts:

Even as a little girl, one of my favorite vegetables was cauliflower. It was a wonderful, filling treat that was packed with nutrients. Knowing that From The Ground Up had cauliflower snacks, I could not wait to try them! The packing was adorable, and included Marigolds to plant. 

I tried the Original Pretzel Sticks, as well as the Cheddar Cheese Crackers. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect taste wise, but I was pleasantly surprised. The pretzels had a traditional texture with a crunch and yummy taste. It was a nice mixture of both cauliflower flavor and pretzel. The crackers were my favorite by far though! I mean, who doesn't love cheese? They had flakey crisp, and a cheesy flavor with a hint of salt. It was fantastic! Plus, both snacks are gluten free, non-gmo and made with vegan ingredients. Safe for all!

If you are looking for a healthy substitute to your snacks consider, From The Ground Up! I'd highly recommend them.

Connect with From The Ground Up:

Website  Facebook  Twitter Instagram 

TokyoTreat Unboxing- Japanese Candy for the Whole Family!

ABOYT TOKYOTREAT
We at TokyoTreat desire to spread the love for Japanese candy & Japanese soda all over the world! To do so, we carefully craft and curate our Japanese subscription box to make sure that those who receive our Japan box feel happier every time they treat themselves to a snack! We want every bite to express the quality of Japanese snacks. Every snack you try will provide a new experience and widen your view of the Japanese snack world! So, get ready to discover Japanese snacks through limited-time and seasonal snacks that will shock your senses!

100% AUTHENTIC TREATS
Snacks you can’t find anywhere else. We’ve got your cravings covered!

WE DELIVER EVERYWHERE
We offer FREE shipping to every country in the world. We got you fam!

HAPPINESS GUARANTEED
Our #1 Priority is to deliver happiness every month through our boxes.

My Thoughts:

I was thrilled to team up with TokyoTreat to bring our readers an immersive experience into the Japanese culture. If you're a foodie like me, this monthly subscription box is ideal! Let's face it, we all dream of being able to travel the world and experience worldly foods, drinks, and snacks that we don't normally get to discover. TokyoTreat allows for you to have that joy right in the comfort of your  own home. These boxes are jam packed with goodies for families everywhere. Included is a guide that explains each treat for the buyer so they can explore the history and unique flavors before taking a bite. Ready to see what April's box had in store? Read on with me!

Don Tacos Grilled Corn Flavor-
Oh do I love tacos! These chips were so savory. There was a dash of salt and a hint of sweetness from the butter and soy sauce mix on the crispy corn chips. One of my favorite toppings is soy sauce so this was perfection. Yum!

Caramel Corn Share Pack-
Sweet, soft, with just a hint of crunch. These Caramel Corn snacks reminded me of the type of texture you'd expect from corn cakes almost. The pack of four makes these wonderful to share with friends. With the flavor not being too overpowering, these were wonderful to curve a sweet craving.

Calbee Plum Seaweed Chips-
I'll admit I was nervous about this one. I’ve never had any type of seaweed before. I was pleasantly surprised, however! The chips had a traditional crispy texture along with a nice thickness to the consistency. There was a good bite of flavor to it that you would expect from an underwater delight. A nice mix of salt too makes these a good match for a seafood aficionado.

Umaiwa Cheese-
Umaiwa Cheese are adorable circular snacks for my cheese lovers out there! They have the perfect corn puff texture and the flavor of the cheese is a little sharp and yet a little sweet. Just like cheese fondue. It reminded me a lot of the onion ring snacks that we have here in America. I would highly recommend them!

Choco Banana DIY Kit-
A good DYI kit never disappoints and these were so much fun to make! Such an enjoyable kit for children and family alike. Included is the chewy banana treat, chocolate cream, as well as a colorful topping to put into the plastic container. To avoid mess there is even a toothpick included to insert your treat into. The Choco Banana texture is soft and chewy. The chocolate has a rich and decadent flavor while the topping as a hint more sweetness to the mix.

Umaibo Teriyaki Burger-
The Unaibo Teriyaky Burger is shaped so uniquely! I really loved the large size along with the light and airy texture. The flavor is extremely savory! There’s no doubt that you are enjoying a teriyaki treat as if you were really in Japan!

Gudetama Candy-
These cute candies melt in your mouth for you to enjoy! Inside is a hidden orange sauce that adds perfectly to the yogurt flavored sweet candy. The sweetness wasn’t too overpowering and was well balanced with the orange sauce. Plus who wouldn’t love the adorable Gudetama faces on the wrappers?

Pakkuncho Disney Custard Pudding Biscuits-
I'm a huge Disney fan and the Pakkuncho Custard Biscuits wear one of my favorites in this month's box! The fun Disney packaging mixed with the airy crunch of the basket was delicious! The custard pudding was like an added bonus. It was rich and flavorful just like a bakery dessert.

Colorful Seeds Soft Candy-
Welcome to flavor paradise with the Colorful Seeds Soft Candy! They reminded me a lot of jellybeans. The flavors include grape, orange, and ramune. With a pang of taste it makes it even more fun to mix and match flavors. A little sweet with a little tart is the ideal experience! The bag has a nice Ziploc on it as well.

Healthy Snacking Squishy Lemon Gummies-
If you love lemon these are perfect for you! The Lemon Gummies have a thick texture and a powerful zing. They are a bit hard to chew so I would recommend letting them melt in your mouth.

Kyoro-chan's Custard Pudding Snack-

There are three unique textures to these snacks. One is the soft outside layer of white chocolate. Upon biting deeper into the egg shaped treat, you get a dash of crunch almost like a biscuit or cookie. Lastly comes the sweetest of the pudding inside as well. Another favorite of mine from TokyoTreat! 

Easter Banana Kit Kats-

I'm a huge fan of traditional Kit Kat Bars. My entire household loves them. I was excited to get the opportunity to try a new flavor! They reminded me a lot of banana pudding with wafer cookies, one my favorite desserts! The taste of the banana seemed very realistic, unlike many banana flavored treats on the market. Within the Kit Kat is everyone's favorite light crispy wafer and that was the perfect addition. 

Baby Bear Gummies-

I'm a sucker for anything cute (or Kawaii since we're discussing Tokyo, Japan) and these Baby Bear Gummies were just that. The design was absolutely adorable. The flavors of the treat is what you'd expect from a gummy bear. Since these are my little brother's favorite, I gladly shared with him!

Afternoon Tea White Chocolate Milk Tea-

The perfect way to finish off the TokyoTreat experience is with a delicious drink! This White Chocolate Milk Tea is perfect to share with your loved ones or enjoy solo with any of the included snacks in your box. The flavors were quite rich and smooth. I'm a huge tea fan and was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this beverage! The bottle design itself was also very unique, sculptured to look like a real piece of white chocolate.

Buy here:

Ready to join in on the fun with me? Use my referral link now to buy your very own TokyoTreat Premium Box! Make sure to use the hashtag #tokyotreat to share your thoughts with the community:

https://tokyotreat.com?rfsn=1516890.0ae499

Connect with TokyoTreat:

Website  Facebook  Twitter Instagram

Hi Mountain Seasonings Beef Jerky

Two years after beginning construction on its new FDA-approved meat processing and jerky facility in Riverton, Hi Mountain Seasoning has announced that it has begun shipping its new ready-made, small-batch Beef Jerky to retailers across the country. The ready-to-eat Beef Jerky is available in the company’s four most popular traditional western flavors: Original, Hickory, Mesquite and Pepper. Making homemade jerky is a favorite pastime for millions of people around the world, and for more than a quarter of century, Hi Mountain Seasonings has been providing do-it-yourself consumers with the best-tasting, best-selling and easiest-to-make jerky kits on the market. In today’s fast-paced world, it isn’t always possible to make jerky at home, and that’s why Hi Mountain Seasonings is now making it for you.  Unlike many other popular jerky brands that use imported meat, Hi Mountain Seasonings Beef Jerky is made with 100-percent USDA beef, raised in the USA. Hi Mountain Beef Jerky is handcrafted in small batches to ensure it meets the company’s high standards—moist, tender and delicious.  Each resealable 3.25 oz. bag contains 10 grams of protein and 76 calories with no carbohydrates or sugars. Each of the four flavors is available for a suggested retail of $7.99. When you can’t make your own, get Hi Mountain Beef Jerky; it’s truly a cut above. Hi Mountain’s entire line of products, cooking tips, instructional videos and recipes are available at www.himtnjerky.com. Hi Mountain products also can be found at high-end sporting-goods stores, farm-and-ranch stores and many local grocery stores.  Located in the heart of Wyoming, Hi Mountain Seasonings was founded in 1991. It is the premier manufacturer of kits for homemade jerky and sausage. Hi Mountain Seasonings has successfully captured distinct, traditional Western flavors in its jerky cure & seasonings, Western-style seasonings, bacon cures and other products that make up the unique line of gourmet Western seasonings. For additional information, write: Hi Mountain Seasonings, 1000 College View Drive, Riverton, WY 82501; call toll-free 1-800-829-2285; or visit the company website at www.himtnjerky.com.

My Thoughts

I have to tell you, this stuff.... is gggoooodddd. And we consider ourselves to be something of jerky aficionados. My husband is in the military and he loves to make his own. He has become very adept at it. His guys love his jerky, and they all share it when they go into the field. He tried every type of beef jerky he can. It is a standard go to gift or souvenir for me to get for him. He really was pleasantly surprised by this jerky. Mesquite tends to taste too smokey or fake tasting. It is not a flavor we usually go to in any of our jerky making or grilling. This however was delicious. It looks like it is going to be moist, sweet jerky. It has that kind of pinky, purple, thicker look to it. It is actually not at all. It has really good flavor and a great amount of chew to it. My husband cannot stand sweet jerky, and this was totally his type. He likes that old school type of jerky where you chew it for a while, and it holds its flavor, and is a little dryer. Not too dry be an means, it really great flavor. This stuff is your good old fashioned cowboy jerky, but you wouldn't expect it. Very pleasantly surprised. I loved it too. It reminded me of the really great jerky we get when we go to Amish country. We really enjoyed the Original and Pepper as well. The Pepper was really amazing. I am on a diet right now, and I love that each bag only contains 10 grams of protein and 76 calories with no carbohydrates or sugars. It tastes very high end. Jerky has become a bit of a craft hobby for many people, much like brewing beer. It tastes like it could have been a very expensive high end jerky. 

Connect with High Mountain Seasonings

Website        Face Book       Twitter        You Tube 

Jam City Merchandise Review- Panda Pop and Cookie Jam.

Jam City is a Los Angeles-based mobile game maker with global reach. The company was co-founded in 2010 by former MySpace co-founders Chris DeWolfe, Aber Whitcomb, and former 20th Century Fox executive Josh Yguado. Its portfolio of titles--which includes Cookie Jam, Panda Pop, Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff and Marvel Avengers Academy--has been downloaded more than 800 million times and is regularly played by nearly 50 million people monthly. Jam City has studios in Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego and Buenos Aires. In 2016, Jam City acquired TinyCo, a San Francisco studio at the forefront of bringing the world’s most popular entertainment franchises to mobile games.

● Panda Pop:

Game Description: An evil baboon has kidnapped and trapped precious panda pups in the jungle. Strategically burst matching bubbles to beat the evil baboon and return the cubs to their worried mother! Panda Pop puts your strategy gaming skills to the test like never before!

○ Features

§  Unlock and discover dozens of beautiful worlds & over 500 challenging levels.

§  Compete with friends and see how your scores stack up.

§  Fun & easy to learn. Challenging & rewarding to win.

§  Characters, animations, and sound effects you will LOVE.

§  Strategy game for iPhone or Android!

○ Available on App Store, Google Play, Amazon Apps and Facebook

● Cookie Jam:

Game Description: Crunch your cookies before they crumble! Sprinkled with a deliciously sweet twist, this match-3 game is equal parts fun and challenging. Hop in your traveling bakery to set sail on this new puzzle adventure and explore mouth-watering patisseries from around the world. Cookie Jam was the recipient of Facebook’s 2014 Game of the Year award!

○ Features

§  Never-ending fun with dozens of unique levels

§  Deliciously sweet supply of power-ups and combos

§  Float your way through fantastical bakery islands

§  Fun and easy to learn, but a challenging game to master

○ Available on App Store, Google Play, Amazon Apps and Facebook

COOKIE FACTS AND FIGURES:

The average American will eat 35,000 cookies in their lifetime.
More people have played Cookie Jam than there are cars in India.
Cookie Jam has been played more times than the average person will blink in their lifetime.
Queen Elizabeth I is credited with the creation of the first gingerbread man.
More people play Cookie Jam every day than live in Costa Rica.
The world’s largest chocolate chip cookie weighed about as much as eight elephants.

My Thoughts:

Jam City released fun merchandise additions to their hit apps, Cookie Jam and Panda Pop. Kids and parents alike will love to add these items to their collection to honor their favorite games! I was sent both an adorable Panda from the Panda Pop franchise, as well as a delicious cookie jam.

I adore the soft and cuddly Panda Pop plushie. The red shirt is too adorable. The size and make of the product looks just like the original character. This is a well made plush toy that kids will love to play with for hours.

The creamy all natural Cookie Jam is another fantastic treat for children and families to adore. I found it was rich, flavorful, and perfect for spreading on cookies, crackers, toast, anything that needs that extra kick. The first ingredient I tasted was the cinnamon. With a dash of nutmeg this is the ideal indulgence. I enjoyed it room temperature or cold from the fridge (it didn't lose it's texture cold either!).

Nutritional Information is here:

Connect with Jam City:

Website  Facebook  Twitter  Youtube  Instagram  LinkedIn 

This Holiday Season, Let Us Help You Put The CRIPSY Sparkle Back On The Table!

Jarlsberg® Cheese is rolling out the next generation of go-to Holiday snacks of the season, with portable, convenient and delicious, Jarlsberg Cheese Crisps.

Perfect for dipping, snacking, as part of a cheese board or as a crispy companion to a bowl of hot soup, Jarlsberg Cheese Crisps offer a variety of perfectly balanced flavors that will compliment your snack, party, or holiday table.

These incredible savory, crunchy baked crackers are handcrafted in small batches, and made with freshly shredded Jarlsberg Cheese that is immediately sprinkled on top of the crunchy crackers just prior to being baked.  New Jarlsberg Cheese Crisps takes the mild, mellow and nutty flavor of Jarlsberg Cheese and bakes it into a delicious crunchy snack.  Each Crisp is topped with Jarlsberg Cheese, using the original Norwegian recipe, perfectly balanced with invigorating seasoning and spices for a savory, scrumptious and delectable bite. Jarlsberg Cheese Crisps are available in 4oz bags and have an SRP of $3.99 - $4. 99.

My Thoughts:

Coming from a Norwegian family on my dad's side, I knew that I needed to give Jarlsberg Cheese a try! One of my favorite foods is cheese and these savory crips were exactly the daily pick me up I needed! Each flavor is extremely unique. The consistency is thick, but with a nice crunch with every bite. I found that each crisp had a nice amount of shredded cheese on top to give it that extra pow of flavor. Mediterranean Sea Salt reminded me of a classic cheese and cracker with a hint of salt on top. It was just enough for when you are craving something salty, but not overpowering. Garlic and Herb added a wonderful spice to the nice and nutty cheese. If you enjoy spicy foods, I highly recommend trying the Chipotle variety. It had a nice zesty kick. Lastly, was the Rosemary and Olive Oil. It was filled with rosemary all throughout the chip. You could see it inside. The taste was strong, perfect for any rosemary lover!

Jarlsberg also gave me a couple samples of their cheese and it was delicious! Soft, mild, and nutty. Whether you are looking for a new cheese to put on top of your sandwich or salad, or serve it to your party guests, it will go with anything! I am very thankful to Jarlsberg Cheese for allowing me to try this wonderful Norwegian tradition!

Connect with Jarlsberg:

Website  Facebook  Twitter