Tag: food

Food, Natural Foods

The Best crackers that have plant-based ingredients

Erin Sluka

Comment: I was sent crackers for this feature. Thank you to Mary’s Gone Crackers for collaborating with Parenting Healthy

Mary’s Gone Crackers uses only whole, plant-based ingredients

With a new school year paired with these new normals some of us go back to the classroom and some will learn from home – all will still need nutritious snacks. Mary’s Gone Crackers doesn’t just have a fun name, but Gluten-free, plant-based, organic and non-GMO crackers. Great for those in need of a better cracker that is allergen-friendly.

Mary’s Gone Crackers

Mary’s Gone Crackers have plant-based ingredients

The crackers actually taste good and are made using only whole, plant-based ingredients you can see within each cracker. Most flavors are good right out of the box and to pair them with good cheese or spreads makes them even better. I really love the herb crackers!

My 7th grader will be home and I have this shopping rule of “if I don’t buy it, he can’t eat it”. Some popular cookies and crackers I will buy as an occasional treat and for daily snacking I look for better, plant-based ingredients brands but they have to taste good or I am tossing uneaten boxes of food and that is a waste. My son discovered the REAL Thin Crackers over the weekend and he loves them. It is honestly the first brand of ‘better’ crackers he has ever eaten.

Real thin crackers

I was so happy and then I remembered, I had taken them out of the box and put them on a tray to serve for family coming over for dinner and he snuck into the appetizers right before they arrived- I think he related boxes of healthier crackers in the cupboard to not tasting very good but these were away from the box -out on the counter. In this little psychological trick I set the box aside so he never saw these were healthier snacks and ate what ‘looked’ like a good, hearty cracker and loved them. I will forever remember that trick – these sacks I prefer to buy can be removed from the ‘healthy-looking’ box and put in a bowl on the counter and suddenly they get eaten. Brilliant!

Visit Mary’s Gone Crackers to see all of the varieties of plant-based ingredients and find recipes too that pair great with their products. You can find them at grocery stores near you. I have them at my local Walmart, Safeway and Fred Meyer stores.

Food, Healthy Living, Natural Foods

Paleo Pro – Primal Protein Bars

Erin Sluka
Paleo Pro - Primal Protein Bars

It’s been a long spring and summer. Now half of us are back to school shopping while the rest of us figure out distance learning schedules with our kids to start the school year. Can we catch a break? When out and about running your errands (with masks) and figuring this new family life out, remember to take a break. When that break requires a pick-me-up there are Paleo Pro Primal Protein Bars if you are looking for a raw bar made with real ingredients.

protein bars

With flavors like Cherry Cashew and Coconut Cacao, you’ll get that nutrition boost you need to finish the day. These are made with grass-fed protein and non-GMO prebiotic fiber. The fats are healthy ones – coming from almonds and cashews.

Cherry Cashew protein bar

Here is an image of the bar as it relates to the protein bars you are used to. You can literally see each whole ingredient. You will not find any dairy, wheat or soy in these bars.

meal bar

For those who like a filling bar packed with premium ingredients and not that candy-like taste or texture, these Primal Protein Bars are your go-to for on-the-go. Available from Paleo Pro website and Amazon.

Food, Healthy Living, Natural Foods

Mom’s of Picky Eaters Can Rejoice with ENOF shake-on vegetable nutrition

Erin Sluka
Mom's of Picky Eaters Can Rejoice with ENOF shake-on vegetable nutrition

My tween eats like a tween! If it has bread and meat it’s his top choice. If there is color in it (the good stuff) he picks it apart to see if it meets his approval. He thinks we all can survive just fine on chips and cheese.

I have certain dishes I make that he loves enough to look past the veggies like queso and gravy. But, then there are foods that make it real hard to hide veggies. However, I have discovered ENOF – a shake-on vegetable nutrition. Even in queso, however, he dips the chip gently to makes sure not to pick up any tomatoes or onion.

ENOF shake-on vegetable nutrition

ENOF contains organic vegetable nutrition that you can sneak into any dish, even Mac n Cheese! Their genius process traps the phytonutrients in organic spinach, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, beets and shiitake mushrooms while they undergo a freeze-drying process so it is actually real food. You get the nutritional equivalent of eating 2.5 servings of fresh veggies with just 1/12 of a teaspoon. 1 can lasts about 30 days.

ENOF is gluten-free and is not intended to replace vegetables. It is intended to help bridge the nutritional gap for those who have tried but simply cannot or will not eat vegetables. A.K.A. Mom’s best friend at dinner time!

Shop for your own can of vegetable nutrition and also keep an eye on the ENOF website as a subscriber (enter your email bottom of their homepage) as ENOF seems to offer deals very often.

Food, Natural Foods

RED Chocolates Have All the Flavor and No Guilt

Erin Sluka
RED Chocolates Have All the Flavor and No Guilt

One of the most magical finds lately is chocolate that is guilt-free and actually tastes good. RED European Chocolates not only contain less calories and are labeled as KETO-friendly they are more than delicious. These chocolate bars are so creamy and full of quality flavor. How do they do it?

RED Chocolates are:

  • Keto-Friendly (only 4 net carbs)
  • Weight Watchers Friendly
  • Up to 50% less calories than other dark chocolate brands
  • 30-40% less fat than other chocolate brands
  • No added sugar – natural sweeteners from plants
  • Cocoa from the Ivory Coast of Africa, whose farmers select, roast and grind the cocoa beans to perfection

These Chocolate candies come in bars or boxes and in a variety or milk or dark chocolate flavors. You can find these delicious RED Chocolates on their website or on Amazon. Trust me! You won’t regret this purchase!