23 May 2016

Sandwiches & Hummus: the Perfect Pair

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This post was sponsored by The Women Bloggers, LLC and #SoapBoxInfluence. Special thanks to the Kendal King Group, creators of Bush’s #HummusMadeEasy Campaign. All opinions are my own.
I love sandwiches.  I mean, what’s not to love?

I grew up on white, butter, potato, or onion roll bread.  Now I’m on to wheat, harvest grain, sourdough, or focaccia – or a baguette, garlic bread, cornbread.  Is there really a bad bread – and we haven’t even touched the sweet breads yet!

Then, you add peanut butter and honey, banana and mayo, tomato and mayo and bacon, pimiento cheese, 5 cheese grilled cheese, peanut butter and jelly.  Or turkey and provolone, ham and swiss, blt, avocado and bacon to just about anything.

Then you have mayonnaise, mustard, relish, pickles, chips (especially bbq or doritos), salt and pepper…all the condiments.  And enter hummus.  Oh, yes, hummus.

I may have grown up on a simple grilled cheese or peanut butter and jelly – not organic or natural – just plain old peanut butter and jelly.  But, as I’ve matured, my taste in sandwiches have matured as well.  Don’t get me wrong, when I want a taste of my childhood, I still grab a tomato and mayo or peanut butter and honey with banana sandwich and it takes me right back to the orange groves and muscadines and strawberry fields of central Florida.

But, I do like to kick my sandwiches up a little, and as a mom, I need them still to be quick.  And healthy.  Bush’s Hummus Made Easy helps me be quick, easy, and a killer sandwich maker.

You may know Bush’s for their baked beans, and believe me, they are stellar for bbqs.  But, now, Bush’s makes a hummus that is super quick, cheap, and healthy – and adds a pack of flavor to any sandwich.

I used all three of their flavor profiles to add great touches to my sandwiches.

Perfectly gooey grilled cheese
Perfectly gooey grilled cheese

 

I used the southwest black bean hummus to add protein and spice to a Mexican grilled cheese.  Just spread some of the hummus on the inside piece of bread (I used a good sourdough), then top with any mexican cheeses that you want – grill your grilled cheese as normal.

Simple and cool pita perfect for summer months
Simple and cool pita perfect for summer months

 

I used the roasted red pepper to make a vegetarian Greek pita.  Just spread on the hummus on the inside of a warmed pita: and stack it full of cucumbers, red onions, tomatoes, and feta – all marinated in a greek dressing of your choice.  Super good, and light – perfect for the summer months.

Bacon and hummus make a great pair
Bacon and hummus make a great pair

And I used the classic hummus for a tasty turkey and bacon sandwich.  I used a regular whole wheat, added hummus, cheese, turkey and of course bacon.

This hummus, found at Wal-Mart next to the Bush’s Beans, is made with simple ingredients and absolutely no artificial preservatives. And while I love to make my own hummus, this is a simple, quick, and healthy alternative when I need a quick sandwich spread, appetizer, or snack

 

15 Mar 2016

Lil Beanies to the Rescue

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This post is written on behalf of Nestle’s Gerber Lil’ Beanies, led by Kendal King Group through The Women Bloggers. All opinions are our own.

Mom life is much quicker than I ever thought it would be.  As a mom of two young boys, both under 4, my life is always at warp speed.  While one is at school in the morning, the younger and I tackle the errand list and climb everything imaginable at the park.

Swinging Boy

So, naturally, I always have snacks in the car.  Yes, I still hit the drive thru several times a week (mostly for dinner because I need something quick), but I have started keeping snacks in the car.  And for my energetic boys, I want something healthy!

IMG_20160310_123812

When I was growing up those snacks were all sorts of chips and snack cakes.  I don’t want my boys to have a steady diet of those.  I love to bake so that already doesn’t help their waistlines and sugar intake, so if I’m going to have a ready-made, portable, clean, crunchy snack: its going to be a healthy one.

Gerber rules the toddler and baby aisle.  They’ve been around for generations.  And now they have come out with a totally healthy toddler and preschooler snack.  My two boys devoured 4 cans in 2 days (and maybe I helped a little – but can you blame me?)  I put them in my preschooler’s lunch box, we had them while watching Netflix, we even had them as a side for lunch and dinner.

Empty Bowls with Li'l Beanies

Here’s why I like them and why they will be on the grocery list all the time when I’m shopping at Walmart (they should be in your local Walmart now):

  1.  My kids eat them.  They kept saying “more in my mouth”!  I loved it.
  2. They are healthy.  Made out of navy beans, they have protein their little tummies need to stay full!  There are no preservatives – and you find preservatives in everything these days.
  3. They aren’t messy.  I’ve already taught my sons how to lick their fingers from the cheese puffs – but these are mess free.  Since they have no artificial colors or flavors, you don’t have orange fingers (and clothes, couches, and car seats) for days!
  4. They are in our tight food budget.  Healthy foods are generally more expensive then convenience food.  Gerber Lil Beanies is both inexpensive and convenient!
  5. I love them (personally) because I love sea salt and crunchy snacks.  But, there is also a white cheddar and broccoli – and what mom doesn’t want their kids eating more broccoli!

What are some go-to healthy snacks for your toddlers and preschoolers.  I hope you stock up on Lil Beanies the next time you are at Wal-Mart.  My boys give two empty snack bowl thumbs up!