February 17th, 2012

Quinn Popcorn

When I was grocery shopping last weekend at Whole Foods, I saw this in a display section.

Quinn Popcorn Box

I don’t know what drew me to it. The box design? The fact that it was microwave popcorn? Well, whatever the reason, the ploy worked. The really cool popcorn flavors sweetened the pot. Parmesan & Rosemary? Lemon & Sea Salt? Vermont Maple & Sea Salt?

Yes, please.

Then I saw that is was all natural popcorn, with no hydrogenated oils, no preservatives, GMO free, rBGH free, with a pure bag that is just paper. That sealed the deal. I squirreled it away in my shopping cart.

Just like ordinary microwave popcorn, you put it in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Then you get to be a bit of a culinary wonder.

Quinn Popcorn Spices

You add the separate packet of GMO free canola oil into the bag. Give it a shake. Then you add the packet of natural spices. Shimmy shake again. Then dig in or put into a bowl for sharing. Though, really, you may not want to share.

But I had to fork over the goods, because my toddler got a whiff. Actually, I think the popping noise in the microwave gave me away. (Microwave traitor!) I think he ate more than his fair share, so if you wonder if it passes the kid test, I would say a strong yes.

I love how the product, and the packaging, is pure as can be. I love how it is a Massachusetts-based company. (I’m a bit biased.) I also love their website and super cute instructions on the packaging. Oh, and this is just the first round. More posh popcorn is coming down the pike. And they are totally open to feedback.

Quinn Popcorn Pack

So for a fancy popcorn and wine party (great idea, eh?) or a Saturday afternoon movie fest, pop a bag, know it is free of yucky stuff and still yummy too.

Happy noshing. (You can thank me later.)

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Image Credit: ©CharleneChronicles

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. I just loved the popcorn and thought I would share to popcorn goodness. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

For ingredients and calorie information, visit their website directly.

 

February 14th, 2012

Hint Water Review

Hint Water

As a runner, I know the importance of water when I train and run races. As a human being, I know water is essential everyday. Being pregnant, I need it even more. Regardless of the day or the stage in my life, I need to drink water.

But I hate it.

Water is boring and bland. If I add juice to my water, however, to make it taste better, I am adding calories. Which kind of defeats the purpose of working out. Being pregnant, I really don’t need to be any more huge than I already am.

My other alternative is sparkling water. Generally, it is my drink of choice, but has not been sitting well with me during my pregnancy (hello digestive issues) and I don’t need to burp through a 5 mile race. Not cool.

Thank goodness I stumbled across Hint Water at a blogging conference last year. It became my workout wonder and now my pregnancy partner. It hydrates like water, as it is water, but it has a touch of natural flavoring (no fake stuff!) to make drinking it a pleasure and not a chore. No additional calories, no artificial anything. (Woot.)

And it is a perfect alternative to watered down juice for kids and toddlers.

So if you need to drink more water and need your family to drink it too, here is a hint. Go get some.

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Image Credit: © CharleneChronicles

 

February 13th, 2012

Pregnancy Cravings

Anyone who has ever been pregnant, has at one point craved something, somewhere at sometime. Whether something as simple as ice cream, as specific as mint chocolate chip ice cream or as strange as ice cream with relish toppings.

With my first pregnancy, I didn’t have any bizarre cravings but I did have two consistent ones. I had to have a mint chocolate chip ice cream cone everyday and had to have in the house at all times a bag of Trader Joes Olive Oil Popcorn.

With my second pregnancy, I crave lemonade. All…the…time. Grapefruit juice will sometimes be a decent substitution, but if my husband asks if I want apple juice, I may snap at him. The nature of hormones my friends.

However, there are times I eat something different. It is less of a craving and more of an ‘unusual take on the ordinary’. As I progress throughout the next few months, I’ll post pictures of the interesting things I ate. If you are squeamish, you may want to look the other way.

PEANUT BUTTER, BANANA and CHOCOLATE CHIP SANDWICH

Pregnancy Cravings

Do share your past or present cravings. Maybe you will inspire my next snack!

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February 10th, 2012

Happy Baby Food Review

Happy Baby Foods is a great brand that has been a part of our house since my first child was introduced to solid foods, and in about a year, I’ll be introducing baby number two to the same foods. Needless to say, we are huge fans. Not to say that we don’t have other products in our house, but, see for yourself….

Our Fridge

Happy Tot Squeeze Fruit

 

Happy Baby Food Pouches

Our Freezer

Happy Baby Frozen Food

Our Cabinet

Happy Baby Munchies and Melts

Then we have a stock pile in the basement where we store our supplies.

Why do we love it? Because it is what I would make for my baby or toddler if I had the time to do it. It is an organic brand of foods without artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors. The containers don’t contain phthalates, PBB’s, PBDE’s or bisphenol-A (BPA) either. Just real food with great mixtures like orange and pumpkin or peas and pears.

My first foray into the brand was the Happy Squeezer. I used to squeeze the tot pouches into a spoon and it feed to my baby. It made it easy to take in the diaper bag and was one less container to clean! When my son was teething, I even put the packet in the freezer (1-2hrs) to get it to a slushy consistency to help soothe his gums, although now it is just a fun summer snack. Now I just give him the packet directly and he squeezes it himself, directly into his mouth. I have been known to eat them myself when I am on the run and need real food, real fast….and this is just one product in a huge line of what they have.

Honestly, I can’t say enough about how comfortable I am giving any Happy product to my child when I just don’t have the time to make it, and he has loved the food since he was a baby. I don’t want this blog post to turn into an advertisement though, so here is a link to the FAQ section of Happy Baby so you can learn more about it directly.

If you haven’t tried it (or if you have and love it as we do), leave a comment and enter to win 2 free HappyMelts, 2 free HappyBaby Puffs, and 2 free Happy Munchies. Yum! Congrats to Mary R. for winning!

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Disclosure: I received additional HappyBaby products, but the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Image Credit: © CharleneChronicles

 

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