Family * Travel * Food

Fruit Vines Bites - Perfect for road trips

Although the summer is almost over, there is still time to fit in some day trips before back-to-school. We traditionally sneak away right before school starts just to refresh our minds for the non-stop weekdays ahead. We always pack snacks, drinks and food to take with us. One of our new favorite is Fruit Vines Bites by the makers of Red Vines. 

They come in 2 flavors- Strawberry and Cherry. I received a box filled with both varieties in 3 sizes-- resealable 10 oz. stand-up bag allows for portion control,  2 oz. single-servings for quick trips and 5 oz. bags for sharing. 

Honestly, I don't know about sharing. These bite-size candies are irresistibly soft, chewy and fruity. I think the 10 ounce stand-up bags are good for portion control. We can easily eat more than our share! Fruit Vines are also low-fat and preservative-free for guilt-free snacking. They would be perfect in school lunch boxes too. 
These are going with us when we take a little road trip later this week. You can find Fruit Vines Bites at many retailers including Target, Walmart, Walgreens and more. I saw them at Target today and think they would make a nice "just because" treat for my little one's teacher. Check out Fruit Vines Bites on the web, Facebook and Twitter for product promotions and updates. 

I received complimentary samples in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own as always. 
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Are you prepared for food emergencies? #MilkUnleashed


Life can get super busy and hectic for all families. We have been going through spells of sickness mixed in with work, school, sports, family obligations and extracurricular activities. It is not hard to get behind on many things. One thing many of us don't think about is food emergencies. With the weather getting colder in many places, this means potential storms, freezing temperatures and even power outages. Usually when there are warnings about dangerous weather conditions, the first place everyone goes is to the grocery store. I can recall years ago seeing empty bread and milk shelves. It is hard to go for days or even a week without milk when you have small children. With Milk Unleashed shelf stable milk, you can always be prepared. Shelf stable milk is the same milk you buy refrigerated, except they processed differently and packaged in a shelf safe Tetra Pak carton. 
This is great news since they have a longer shelf life. They come in single serving cartons as well as 32 ounce Tetra Pak cartons. You can choose from whole, 2%, 1%, organic and even flavored. My kids love them! It is a convenient way to send milk in lunch boxes and my teens love them in the car on the way to school. These are great for your emergency supply, road trips, lunch boxes or for after-school. You can find them in most grocery stores, usually on the aisle that sells canned milk. I try to grab a pack every other shopping trip just to stock up in my pantry.



You can learn more on how to prepare for emergencies here and be sure to check out Milk Unleashed on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

I received product samples for review and all opinions are 100% mine. No other compensation was received. 
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A Healthy Alternative to the Traditional Chips and Dip: Smart Fries

I have a confession: I am a compulsive snacker. I snack all day long and even at night in bed. When I received a box of samples of all natural Smart Fries from Gourmet Basics for review, I was happy for a healthy snack alternative. The first thing that stood out to me was the word "fries". I love fries. Of course, I know they are not something you can eat everyday because they are not healthy. Smart Fries are different. They are the "Better for You" potato snack treat which is Air-Popped in an innovative healthy cooking process that preserves the all natural goodness and delicious taste. Smart Fries contain as little as 1.5-2 grams of fat per serving (depending on flavor), and are 100% natural with no artificial additives, no MSG, and 0g trans fats and are sure to satisfy your potato chip craving. 
The first flavor I tried was the Vintage Cheddar. I was so pleased with the light crispy, crunchy texture and the surprisingly delicious cheese flavor. The full size bag contains 3 servings and it is quite possible that I ate half the bag at one time. At least I did not have to feel guilty about it!
They are absolutely delicious and really satisfy my craving to snack, especially at night. The crunchiness is addicting! It's nice to have the feeling of eating a potato chip-like snack without the disgusting oily taste.
I have tasted a few of the other flavors and so far the Honey Mustard Onion is my favorite. If you like spicy, the Jalapeno Trio is sure to please! I really love how much flavor is packed into each "fry" without being salty. I feel like I now have snacking freedom!

Stay connected to Smart Fries on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Smart Fries can be purchased at Amazon.com. They come in single serving sizes and full size bags. The case of 24 single serving bags would be perfect for when I have snack duty for my kids' class or sports team. It's a good things to have in the workplace too for when the munchies strike.

I received samples of Smart Fries for review purposes. No other compensation was received and all opinions are completely mine. 
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My favorite tip when baking brownies

My family loves when I bake brownies and can't ever seem to wait for them to cool down before hacking into the pan! This usually leads to uneven pieces, lots of crumbs and a big mess. For many years I have baked my brownies (both homemade and from a box mix) in muffin pans. I just spray the pans lightly with non-stick spray and bake them for about 10 minutes less than I would in a traditional pan. The pop out of the pan easily and you have those perfect chewy edges all the way around!

I like to make these to stash in lunchboxes and they are great for taking to banquets, potluck gatherings or bakes sales. I have even topped them with a mini swirl of homemade cream cheese frosting and stuck a few M&M's in my daughter's school colors right in the center. They are always a big hit!

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Try It, Before You Buy (Lots Of) It | Goodies Co. Taster's Box only $7/month #spon

This article is sponsored by Walmart Labs

Have you ever purchased snacks for your family only to find out that they didn't like it? I have done that numerous times and it is such a waste of money. There is a fun new solution to fix that problem. Goodies Co. offers a Taster's box for the low cost of $7 a month. Each Taster's box contains 5-8 snacks that your family can sample. The good thing about it is you won't be wasting a full package in the event you don't like it. If you do like what you try, at least you know you won't waste your money on a full size! With so many subscription box services around, Goodies Co. Taster's boxes are a great value. You can't beat the Try It, Before You Buy (Lots Of) It method!
Goodies Co. Cereal

Goodies Co. Fall Box

Goodies Co. Winter Box
Goodies Co. Nuts

Another great incentive is At Goodies, your opinion matters, and you get rewarded for it. After you try your snacks, go back to the Goodies website and give a review of your box. By doing this you will earn points to redeem for rewards and free tastemaker boxes.

Here is how you can get started on receiving your own Goodies Co. Taster's box you will need to visit the Goodies promo page and enter the code JUNEVIP to instantly receive your invitation. Typically, there is a waitlist to get an invitation, however through our partnership with Goodies Co. you can skip the line and get right in.

Once you enter the code into the promo page, you will receive 2 emails from Goodies. The first will state you are in line for your invitation, the next will instantly tell you your invitation has arrived. This shows you how you skipped the line! So what are you waiting for? Start your Goodies Co. subscription today!
Shelly, Mom Files
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Funky Monkey Snacks #funkychat Twitter Party & Giveaway

**CLOSED** Winner is Shelly~ Congratulations!
Funky Monkey Snacks will be hosting a Twitter chat to discuss Gluten Free Month. The details are as follows:

Date: Tuesday October 16th
Time: 2:00 PM EST
RSVP: None required
Follow: @FunkyMonkeySnck
Hashtag: #funkychat

They would love for everyone to join in!

I have tried Funky Monkey Snacks and LOVE them! I am not a big fruit eater and the thought of eating a banana makes me ill. Funky Monkey Bananamon variety has changed my feelings about bananas. They are amazing! I could eat them every single day. They would be great to stash in your purse, kid's lunchbox or gym bag.

Funky Monkey Snacks are a fun way to incorporate fruit into your kids' diet. With 3 servings of fruit in every 1oz bag, Funky Monkey Snacks are: 100% Natural, Real Fruit, Nothing Added, Gluten Free, GMO Free, Vegan, Raw Food, and Kosher. Discover the Fruit That Crunches! Be sure to check out Funky Monkey Snacks on Facebook.
The awesome folks from Funky Monkey Snacks want you to taste the deliciousness for yourself. One lucky Momfiles reader will win a Funky Monkey Snacks prize pack of all 7 flavors. Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on October 19, 2012. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

I will receive products samples for spreading the word about the Twitter chat. All opinions are completely my own.
Shelly, Mom Files
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My $2 Find!

I was doing my usual shopping in Walmart this weekend and stumbled upon this gadget. I have seen it a few times before but didn't bother with it. It is a sandwich sealer and decruster. It is a frugal way to make your own 'UnCrustables' at home. You just start off with your 2 slices of bread, add your filling in the center (I used peanut butter and apricot preserves) and then your press the sandwich cutter down over your sandwich. You end up with a crust-less and sealed sandwich. It worked great! Glad I finally broke down and bought one. You can find them hanging in random places. I found mine on the aisle with the coffee. My only recommendation is to not over-fill your bread.

Shelly, Mom Files
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Del Monte Fruit Cups for back-to-school {Giveaway}

**Closed** Winner is Elizabeth~ Congratulations!

Del Monte Foods has come out with their newest Fruit Cup® varieties that are packed at the peak of ripeness featuring Fall’s favorite fruits: Diced Pears in extra light syrup with Vanilla & Spice and Diced Apples & Pears in extra light syrup with Caramel. Each cup contains a full serving of all-natural fruit, is an excellent source of vitamin C, and contains no high fructose corn syrup. These are absolutely perfect for my daughters to take in their lunchboxes and even in their gym bag as a portable, healthy snack before they have volleyball practice. It makes me feel good to know they are getting an extra serving of fruit in their daily intake. Both flavors are so delicious! I really love the diced apples and pears in caramel flavor. It is so subtle yet you feel like you are having a treat.

Right now, Del Monte has a fun game on their Facebook page called "Flavor Boom". After you play the game (trust me, it's fun!) You can get a $1.00 off coupon, which can be used towards a two-pack of the new Fruit Cup® varieties.

Giveaway: One Momfiles reader will win a gift pack that includes the 2 new Del Monte Fruit Cup® varieties as well as a money saving coupon for $1.00 select Del Monte products. Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on September 27, 2012. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

 I will receive products samples for review purposes. All thoughts/opinions are completely my own.
Shelly, Mom Files

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