Discover Crispy, Nutty, Snacking This Summer + Enter To Win With The #NutThinsContest

This post was sponsored by Blue Diamond® Nut-Thins and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Does anyone else find they snack more, the more they have on their plate?

Their metaphorical plate that is.

I'm definitely a grazer who loves to snack while I do things. The more I do the more I like to have something small on hand to nibble as I progress.

Naturally this form of snacking can get dangerous quickly. If I ate a chocolate snack cake every-time I tackled a project things would get pretty sticky quick. Luckily I have a few snacking go-tos on hand at all times, to not only satisfy my need to nibble, but help keep me full, fueled, and focused.

Crackers, or chips, are a vice for many.

They are not only often salty and flavorful but offer a satisfying crunchy crisp texture that makes snacking fun.

Then you have those who love to have a serving or two of their favorite nuts, perhaps with some fresh fruit, or a little dairy. A particularly favorite snack of mine, but a serving of most nuts doesn't amount to much and is often gone before the snacking begins.

Enter Blue Diamond® Nut-Thins, the snack made with California rice flour and Blue Diamond® nuts. They're heart crackers with a satisfying crisp texture sturdy enough for toppings and dips. The original variety, and many favorite flavors, feature Blue Diamond® Almonds, though new varieties also feature ingredients such as pecans or honey for a shake up in flavor.

If you're wondering where this amazing pairing of nut and cracker has been all your life, then this is the perfect time to discover Blue Diamond® Nut-Thins at a retailer near you. First check out the product locator, then head into your local retailer and snap a selfie where you find Blue Diamond® Nut-Thins on the shelf.

A shelfie, if you will.

Sure, you'll want to commemorate this glorious occasion, the day you discovered the cracker to replace all crackers; but there's also a little something else in it for you too.

Right now your in store shelfie could win you one of $3000 in prizes when you snap a photo of yourself with Nut-Thins in store and head on over to the Nut-Thins 2 Win Scavenger Hunt and Sweepstakes page. For the chance to win a $1,000 gift card, just find Nut-Thins in any grocery store, take a selfie with the product on the shelf, and post it on your public Instagram or Twitter account using the hashtag #NutThinsContest, OR upload it to NutThins2win.com! No purchase necessary- No shelfie? No problem, you can still enter to win a select few smaller prizes, such as gift cards to amazing retailers like Ralphs, Vons, and Target when you enter to win at the Nut-Thins 2 Win micro-site.

While I was in store snapping my shelfie I made sure to stock up on some of our favorite Blue Diamond® Nut-Thins varieties so my pantry would be ready not just for summer snack-attacks, but those unexpected guests and last minute entertaining events that always seem to pop up during the warmer months. Blue Diamond® Nut-Thins are entirely wheat and gluten free with no artificial flavors making them the perfect crowd pleaser for all of my friends and family. The hardest decision is simply which boxes to put out and share; as I tend to want to hoard my favorite varieties for myself.

Speaking of favorite Blue Diamond® Nut-Thins in Honey Mustard and Cheddar Cheese offer a packed full of flavor experience that really shines on their own. Original Blue Diamond® Nut-Thins feature the light nutty flavor of rice and almonds that pairs perfectly with everything from dips such as hummus to spreadable cheese and kalamata olives. They're not salty or sweet, so they go great with fresh fruit too.

I've got to admit, I'm feeling a bit empowered to snack and entertain more this summer with Blue Diamond® Nut-Thins by my side, but I'm also feeling quite inspired by some of the recipes I've seen lately on their Instagram feed. Just check out this completely unique and refreshing take on Nutty Lemon Bars which uses Blue Diamond® Nut-Thins Hint of Sea Salt to bring a fun texture and flavor to a classic summertime baked treat. What do you imagine you could do when you entertain or snack with Blue Diamond® Nut-Thins? Make sure to enter the #NutThinsContest by July 29th, 2018 for your chance to win!

How To Indulge + Stay On Track: Protein Bakery Giveaway~ 4/28

Momma Told Me: Balance is key.

If you've ever heard the age old riddle of the old man, his raft, the chickens, the dogs, and the cats (trying to make it across the river in harmony), then today's life lesson is not new. The story goes; an old man was trying to cross the river with a troop of livestock, though the raft he had available could only hold 'x' number of occupants. If one group of animals outnumbered the other a fight would surely break out on either shore. He would have to find a logical way to shuttle the groups back and forth without one overtaking the other. While this symbolism is used frequently as a childhood brainteaser, and takes on several variations, the greater metaphor is one that can be applied to many aspects of our day to day lives. Much like the amount of bubble soap in the bath (and all over our condo floor, age 5), a balance must be kept in order to maintain optimal results. From the careful delegation of work vs. play to the ever so sensitive scales of nutrition. You don't have to be on a diet, or even watching your weight, to feel the impact of poor eating choices; something Protein Bakery founder, Stephen Lincoln knows all about.

I should start by saying the clean presentation, and polished marketing behind The Protein Bakery has long made me a curious, yet hesitant, consumer. I have to say the cookie cutter image of a generic 'heartthrob in suit' that the site portrays as Mr Lincoln, with over '20 years of first-hand experience' is concerning to the discerning shopper in me. None the less, the origin story goes to tell that passionate baker and tenacious fitness businessman, Stephen, found himself feeling out of shape and overwhelmed upon the launch of his educational fitness program in the early 90s. It's always intriguing when a founder shares the tale of an 82lb loss and personal health triumph. Thankfully, the brand doesn't try to attribute this impressive life change to their product; but it does serve as the backdrop of inspiration for it's founding.

After shedding the weight, and making a move to NYC in 1997, Mr. Lincoln, continued his pursuit of health and happiness through the direction of a collection of group fitness programs. Their mission statement goes on to contrast the initial praise of exceptional 'balance' to a core brand focus of doing it 'better', through 'food, fitness, and life'. What does it all, really, boil down to? Well, as the name suggests, the brand is essentially about a collection of 20 core and seasonal confections (baked goods) that rely heavily on nutritional protein packed recipes. It's certainly not a new concept among those label obsessed, or health centered. Whether you're looking to stave off cravings for something high in calories, or simply trying to replenish and build muscle mass after an intense workout, protein is often turned to for vital balance. Protein Bakery, however, takes the knowledge of weights and measures and incorporates some of the most delicious brownie, cookie, and blondie recipes into trans fat, preservative, and wheat-flour free treats a multitude of consumers can enjoy.

goVida: Flavorful Snacks w/ Exotic Flavors Giveaway~ 4/3

Momma Told Me: That's not a snack, that's junk!

We all want to eat healthy; we have the best intentions, right? But, as much as we know the basic food pyramid, and understand the correlation between fats, sugars, and weight, we often reach for the less than ideal choice. For most of us it is not a lack of understanding 'x is better for you than y,' but a lack of know how. We reach for those neon orange cheese puffs because they happen to be in the hallway vending machine, and we gulp that calorie laden soda because we crave something sweet. But convenience and flavor don't have to be compromised for the sake of better eating decisions. Now, more than ever, there is a huge market for health minded snacks that curb cravings. The best of these snacks, in my opinion, have minimal ingredients and are tailored to every diet. Momma was always great about finding budget friendly ways to make snack time healthy, and I was raised eating homemade applesauce and fruit roll ups. Not everyone has the appliances, or the time, to make their own snacks, so brands such as goVida have stepped in.

Unlike your ordinary flash frozen, freeze dried, fruit based snacks, goVida has taken a new approach to fruit based crunch snacking. Not only do they utilize a highly technical process of handling and transforming the fruit, but their unique flavor medleys won't be found elsewhere in the category of commercially freeze-dried fruit. Inspired by two mothers, intent on harnessing the local flavors of their homeland, goVida features fruits and flavors such as Dulce De Leche and Cape Gooseberry. The result is an exotic snack that intrigues the palette in flavor and texture. Each individual serving pouch is sealed at the peak of freshness and includes 2 contrasting, yet complimenting, flavors. Entirely soy, gluten, and nut free, you will find no preservatives or chemicals in goVida.

I was sent a collection of their current product and flavor range to feature in a review here on Momma Told Me. Sold online, and currently in a few select physical retailers back East, goVida servings contain approximately 17g of freeze-dried flavor, with an average 140%+ daily intake of vitamin C and antioxidants, as well as 70 calories or less per serving. Nominal nutritional aspects include carbohydrates and fiber, inherit from the natural fruit. While I, personally, am not much for exotic flavors, I scrambled to try the brand's take on Strawberries and Dulce de Leche. I'd never seen an additional freeze-dried component (such as dulce de leche) integrated into this form of snacking before. Sure enough, among generous sized slices of strawberry, were crunchy drops of sweet Dulce de Leche! These truly melted along my tongue to form a creamy, low calorie, indulgence I really enjoyed.

Of the three varieties the other half and I knew least what to expect from the Dragon Fruit and Cape Gooseberry. Rich in Omega 6 fatty acids, this blend is certainly for the snacker who craves a more exotic treat. Known as the Pitaya in Spain, Dragonfruit, has a more mellow flavor than one might expect, when in freeze dried form. It also is one of the more peculiar fruits I have seen this way, with it's snow white composition, littered with antioxidant rich seeds. Gooseberry, arguably more bitter, helps balance out this blend which is perfect for those seeking a harmonious flavor that eats well together.

Lastly, Kiwi and Mango appealed to the other half, who seems to have a fondness for the somewhat exotic Kiwi fruit. Finding ripe kiwis locally, without breaking the bank, can be a challenge, so I appreciate goVida preserving them and their flavor in these pouches. Also high in Vitamin C, and great for the immune system, this blend runs on the sweet side, with the kiwi offering a hint of tang. The large Mango slices are uncommon for freeze-dried blends, that tend to feature chips and fractions of fruit slices. Of the three varieties there were less individual pieces overall, but, perhaps, the best 'fresh' flavor, for me. I'm not a fan of wither of these fruits (for texture), and eating them in goVida form really helps me expand my culinary boundaries.

What Daughter Says: Snack wisely with the exotic flavors of goVida!

One Momma Told Me reader will win a box of 12 bags of goVida!