Crunch, crunch, crunch...

My family has been eating Cape Cod chips for quite some time now and we love them! We are not constant chip eaters but when we do we love these crunchy kettle chips that are all natural and hand-stirred. The basic ingredients are simple but they have some not so simple flavors like sea salt & vinegar, sweet mesquite bar-b-que, aged cheddar and my favorite -- classic. Since we usually only buy the classic around here I was more than happy to sample some of their other flavors.

First we tore into the sea salt & vinegar because if done right, it is an amazing combo. These were tangy and delicious.

Next, the bb-q and these chips are a great combo of sweet and salty with a huge crunch.

The cheddar was not my favorite but its also not a flavor I normally care for. I have to say as far as cheesy chips go they were pretty good in my book and still had that great cape cod crunch.

I noticed that the bags look a bit different but rest assured that the chips are the same delicious ones that I have been crunching for quite some time now.

The same but different…

Bachman makes tons of traditional type snacks that you are used to like pretzels, tortilla chips, cheese puffs but theirs are different! First off, they have some very original snacking ideas like their amazing pita pretzel squares—I have fallen madly in love with these. They are a cross between a pita chip and a pretzels salted with just a bit of sea salt and baked until crispy. They come in little bags that are only 100 calories, perfect for snacking. Also in 100 calorie bags are their Multigrain Jax which are cheese puffed curls with tons of flavor and not all the fat and calories in the other brands. The Jax will make you feel like you are being super naughty but lighten up—they did! Even down to their multigrain tortilla chips, black bean tortilla chips, thin pretzels and butter pretzels—they are all packed with giant flavor and prepared with health in mind. These snacks are truly above the rest out there.

Old Fashioned

Some of the BEST old fashioned kettle cooked chips comes from Cape Cod Potato Chips. The Cape Cod creators use only the best premium ingredients from the fresh potatoes that were just picked out of the east coast farmers fields to the way they cook the potato in small kettles which allows for easy access to check the quality and flavor. The Cape Cod Potato Chip company has a very wide variety of flavors including classic (one of my favorites), sea salt and vinegar, sweet and spicy jalapeno, sweet mesquite barbeque, sour cream and green onion, parmesan and roasted garlic, and five cheese just to name a few. I’m also a huge fan of the five cheese flavor this potato chip goes great with all the summer cookouts that I host. If you like cheese even a little bit, you will love the five cheese chip. The five cheese chip is produces with Cheddar, Swiss, Monterey Jack, Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese all five of these cheeses blended together is like a party just waiting to happen!!!! If you are a potato chip fan you NEED to try these all natural fresh chips.

A new take on Cheese & Crackers

JUST cheese crackers! “The Crisps Made Entirely Of Cheese” by Kitchen Table Bakers. This flavor happens to be Sesame & Parmesan and is outrageously good! So whether you are low-carbing it or just love cheese insanely these are the “crackers” for you. I had some plain and then had a great idea of crumbling them onto my salad and they were so good like that! Gave my salad a little crunch and a little bit of cheesy all at the same time. I could see many uses for these crisps like in chili, soups, as a dipper or just as a snack.

“Wheat Free, Gluten Free, Trans Fat Free, Sugar Free, Rich in Calcium and Protein, Naturally Low in Calories and Carbs”

Give me some booty!

Not that kind of booty—Pirates Booty! Last night, I literally got a treasure chest in the mail filled with treats and more treats – “Healthy, Delicious, Arrrgh!” Too cute and too tasty! This healthy? It can’t be! But it is…crunchy puffed all natural rice and corn for only 130 calories. Another factoid to get you away from those evil puffed cheesy fried snacks out there? Pirates Booty even costs less when I compared—now how great is that?! Oh and pssst—these are NOT fried!

Veggie Hot Stix

New snack alert! Superfood Snacks has these awesome Veggie Stix for our snacking pleasure. They are little sticks of various veggie flavors all with no artificial ingredients and a whole bag only contains 100 calories and just 15 grams of carbs which is unheard-of for such a treat.While they say "hot" I would not put them in this category but they do have a little bit of spicy heat to them. By the way, when I was reading the bag (I always do this!) they had great ideas as using them as an alternative to potato chips in lunches, along side sandwiches, soups or salads and just great on their own!

ROUTE 11 POTATO CHIPS

While I don't typically feature potato chips these Route 11 chips are worth it! In a multitude of flavors and hand-made these chips are awesome. All the varities are created with high quality, hand chosen ingredients. They take the time to pick out the best potatoes, create unique seasoning blends anduse a high quality oil. (If you live nearby you can even go there on "fry day" to watch the goodness go down). With award winnings under their belts they hardly need my praise but these are outstanding and worth seeking out. If you go to their website, they have a store locator and a presence inmost states. I can not wait to try all the varities but so far have had thel ightly salted and the sweet potato-- O.M.G.

The sweet potato chips are not only gorgeous to look at the taste is equally as beautiful. Check out theseother flavors that they have: Sweet Potato Cinnamon & Sugar, BBQ, Dill Pickle, Sour Cream N Chive, Chesapeake Crab, Salt N Vinegar, Garlic N Herb, Mama Zuma's Habenero, Mama Zuma's Green Chile Enchilada and Hayman (seasonal). You HAVE to at least visit the website to check out the chipbags-- flames, cowgirls-- there is a whole lot going on!
P.S. They have recipe ideas on there as well for their chips! Who would have thought??? I might not ruin an already great thing but who knows theyare pretty inspiring to get creative!

Flips, Tricks and Somersaults!

Its rare you come across a snack food that is truly different than anything you have tried before. These are all-natural nuggets made of toasted grains, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and various spices to make up three flavors: S.S. Sea Salt, Chez Cocoa and Salty Pepper. Somersaults are balanced with the perfect amount of protein, fiber and nutrients for a handy, portable snack that is original and tastes great.
S.S. Sea Salt-- One taste of this nugget will have you cheering ahoy! When we created our original flavor, S.S. Sea Salt, we knew we were on tosomething. S.S. Sea Salt brings to life the toasted perfection of a sunflower seed with the subtle hint of sesame rounded out with savory saltsfrom the sea.

Chez Cocoa-- Not too salty, not too sweet, but just right. The cocoa flakes in our Chez Cocoa give a perfect delight for moms and kids alike. Blended rich cocoa, toasted grains and sunflower seeds baked into the perfect sweet treat, mmm très bon! (Just 150 calories)
Salty Pepper-- Arr, the spicy side of life. Cracked ground pepper blendedwith a savory mix of garlic and onion gives this toasted creation theperfect bite. Put the wind in your sails once .

More 5 star snacks!

Newman's makes a host of great foods. Here are some more of my favorites:
Hint O' Mint Chocolate creme filled cookies-

Enjoy with a glass of milk!

Salted Pretzel Sticks-- crispy crunchy goodness!

Newman's Own Organics Soy Crisps

Newman's Own is now a popular household brand but the story behind them is amazing. They strive to deliver the highest quality ingredients while maintaining standards that most food companies don't hold themselves to. In addition, Newman's Own makes huge charitable donations worldwide. But on to the food! The soy crisps in Cinnamon Sugar are amazing. I had these first because I am on a serious Cinnamon kick! Look at the nutrition facts:
Cinnamon Sugar: Serving Size: 1 oz, Calories per Serving: 120, Calories from fat: 35, Total Fat: 4g (saturated fat: 0gm, trans fat: 0g), Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 170mg, Total Carbohydrates: 15g (dietary fiber: 3g, sugars: 4g), Protein: 7g
No cholesterol, low in carbs for a crispy crunchy snack and only 120 calories while giving you a big dose of protein. They taste amazing too! Just the right amount of Cinnamon Sugar! Check them out!

Cinnamon-ey Snacks for everyone!

I have been on a cinnamon kick. Cinnamon has been shown to have so many health benefits including raising your metabolism-- gotta love that. I add it to so many things- morning pancakes (recipes and pictures coming soon), muffins, vanilla protein cakes, coffee drinks etc etc etc! I have found a few cinnamon snacks to hold you over until you can whip up your very own cinnamon creations.


Barry's Bakery French Twists

There are many flavors that Barry's Bakery dishes out but lets stick to the original with its sweet cinnamon flavor. It is a puffed pastry that will not puff up your waistline! The very first ingredient* is High Protein Wheat Flour. Do you know any other pastries that have those bragging rights? Each crisp is only 30 calories and contains no trans fats, dairy, butter, cholesterol, eggs or yeast-- and is low sodium! Barry's was kind enough to put WW points values and everything right there on their label.
*ingredients are listed with the most prevalent ingredient first

Medora Snacks has done it again with their new all natural Cinnamon Streusel crisps. They are multi-grain and sweet -- with a cinnamon kick. They were soooo yummy and the whole bag only set me back 180 good quality calories. Take a look for yourself.

Coming soon-- cinnamon raisin bagels, homemade cinnamon pancakes and more!

Dr Krackers Spelt Seeded Crackers

These crackers are outrageous! They are full of flavor and need no condiments. When I first pulled them out of the cabinet I had some tomato basil dip and cheese slices on the side. Honestly, the dips - cheeses or whatever would have straight up ruined this cracker. It is sooooo robust with full seeds baked right on top that give it this nutty flavor. Locate these immediately.

Medora Snacks does it again! Baked Sotos-- Sea Salt

These new snackers from Medora Snacks are crunchy, healthy and delicious. Most crackers that have all these qualities usually crack and break very easily making them not dippable but not these! I dunked my crackers right into some hummus and crunched away. Who doesn't love a cracker now and then with a touch of sea salt? The ingredient list is so short and everything is recognizable which is a great quality in a snack cracker. I am eager to try more of Medora's mouthwatering options. Click here to find them yourself!

Medora Snacks: Corners Popped Corn Tortillas

Medora's Snacks have a caption on the back of the package that was really cool! It has a story behind the naming of the snacks. Medora means "a mother's gift" and these snacks were invented "from a mother's desire to give her family a snack that's better for you and today's lifestyle." This nacho cheese flavored snack is so original. It is made with popped yellow corn and shaped like a triangle chip! Made with extra virgin olive oil and all-natural.

It really is a snack you can feel good about eating and like you are indulging at the same time. It was crispy, crunchy and had an outstanding nacho-cheesy flavor. The snack bag is HUGE!
Visit their website to find out where you can pick up some of these great snacks!
Snacker ideas for all the Corners Popped Corn Tortilla chips: on their own (totally yummy), with one of my greek yogurt dips, with a pureed bean dip, hummus, with soup or chili.

Not your Nacho Snack! Fiber Gourmet Munchy Review.

How cute an 80 calorie snack with a nacho cheese punch-- Take that 100-calorie snacks! These special little crackers rival any of those cheesy fat filled ones that love to drop out of vending machines. They are flavorful and crispy satisfying your crunching cravings with a generous 80 calorie (I had to say that again) portion with 12 grams of fiber to keep your tummy full. Fiber Gourmet has more tricks up their sleeves so watch for more of their products popping up soon.

Creamy Bean-Asparagus-Wild Mushroom Soup

I have always loved creamy soups but not the nutritionals that came along with it.

Puree 1 can of rinsed Great Nothern White Beans with enough milk to make a soupy consistency
Choose veggies and spices to add to the soup base. I like making a creamy asparagus:

Steam asapargus ahead of time then cut into bite size pieces. Simmer in soup base with some pepper and nu-salt or any
low sodium salt replacer.

You can also sautee a variety of mushrooms and make wild mushroom soup.

I am sure there are so many other ideas you can come up with.

Try this soup and don't forget to pair with Kathy's Savory Krackers on the side!

New Food Find-- GG Bran Crispbreads

I discovered GG Bran Crispbreads. WOW! They are great. Each large cracker only 12 calories per slice, lots of fiber and a great taste. It doesnt get much better. So far I have spread them with natural peanut butter and that is my favorite. Some other great things to do with this versatile bread: spread a layer of cottage cheese then top with a tomato and sprinkle some pepper, lightly spread a laughing cow wedge and some spinach leaves, a light layer of sugar free caramel dip and some apples, protein frosting... Here is how to make a protein frosting:

1/2 scoop of protein powder (All the Whey cupcake batter is awesome for this)
1-2 packets of sweetner (depending how sweet you like it!)
couple drops of milk or water

MIX and eat. This works great for protein brownies, these crackers or just about anything to add some yummy flavor.