Refreshing my Snack Routine (+ Plum Vida„¢ Giveaway!)
I’m attempting a healthy snacking revolution. Anyone want to join me?
Confession #1: I’m a snack hoarder.
Confession #2: I am pretty messy.
Together, these two traits have worked together resulting in a number of unforgotten snacks-turned-science-experiments stashed in the bottom of purses and bags. I can’t believe I am admitting this but when I was selling an old diaper bag at our garage sale last fall, I found a petrified black mass at the bottom of one of the pockets that was later identified as a 3-year-old banana. It turns out there is a shrunken, rock solid, odorless stage after the stinky, mushy stage. (Read on for giveaway details…)
My snack hoarding evolved from hypoglycemia and my strict need to eat every 4 hours or so. If you’ve ever experienced low blood sugar than you know that the panic-stricken, animalistic survival aggravation is best avoided. To escape unexpected episodes, I try to keep food stashed in a number of places. Though I try to make healthy choices, healthy snacks are often perishable (see “science experiments” above.) So, I often have granola bars and caloric energy bars tucked in every pocket and pouch.
This year, we joined the masses and used New Year’s resolutions as an excuse to jumpstart our diets. We generally eat quite healthy but like many, the holiday gluttony got the best of us. For the first few weeks of January, we cut out most white flour, sugar and alcohol. I’ve been spending Sundays roasting veggies and cooking wheat berry and quinoa salads to eat throughout the busy week.
It was serendipitous that I was contacted by the Plum Vida„¢ team a few weeks ago asking if I’d be interested in working with them on their campaign to refresh part of my routine. It was literally the same week I was scouring the web looking for snack alternatives that would work on the go!
One of the lucky bonuses of working in the food industry is that I get to know likeminded people who move on to other jobs in the food industry. Over the past decade, my network of friends working with yummy food has gotten sweeter and sweeter. A good friend from my early days in the chocolate world, Jen, moved away from Midwest to sunny California and landed at Plum Organics®. Over the past five years, we have kept in touch and I have watched as their line of irresistible pouches of baby and toddler foods have continued to grow.
As you know if you read Whipped regularly, I rarely partner with other companies. But, when Plum Organics® asked if I wanted to try Plum Vida„¢, their new organic fruit and veggie pouches for adults, and refresh part of my life, it felt like it just MIGHT be my ideal snack solution. Could Plum Vida„¢ be the healthy, long-lasting, stash-able snack I’ve been seeking?
The resealable pouches come in 3 flavors and have a consistency of a smoothie. My favorite is the Cherry Berry Beet Ginger but Pineapple Carrot Mint is a close second. I also like the Pear Kale Spinach Celery but prefer the fruitier flavor profiles. Each pouch is only 70-90 calories, has 3 grams of fiber and can last in your purse for months — Hooray! Moldy snacks, be gone!
And so, my refresh begins… into my messy work bag where they can sink to the bottom and not get rotten.
Tucked in my pocket for an unexpected moment of need.
Next to my swim gear for the all important after swim snack.
And of course, the glove compartment.
In a few weeks, I will report back on how my refresh is going. My biggest problem now is keeping the little hands off my stash. The girls have been begging for the “yummy squeezies.”
GIVEAWAY
Do you have something to refresh in your own lives? Shall we band together and make change? Leave a comment on this post by Monday, January 26th telling us what part of your life (doesn’t have to be food related) that you think needs refreshing and you will be entered for a chance to win a tote bag and 6 Plum Vida„¢ pouches.
If you are anxious to get your hands on the new Plum Vida„¢, you can find the pouches exclusively at Target stores in the juice aisle. Experiment and try them chilled, frozen or mixed with bubbly water.
My alone time needs to definitely be refreshed. It’s on my list, to schedule time for me!
Both my children and I would love these pouches. My food menu needs a revamp. We are determined to cook a dish never made before at least once every two to three weeks.
My running time in the morning needs to be refreshed. It’s been cut short after my baby girl was born, but I think I need to revitalize it!
My kids nighttime snack needs to be refreshed! These frozen will be a great treat!!
This might sound strange but my social calendar needs a refresh — I need to start telling people “No thank you,” so I can get some time to myself! I’d be so much more productive on the weekends.
I’ve been making smoothies for my work day this week, and as much as I love doing it, it would be nice to have a grab and go option. I’ll look for Plum Vida on my next Target trip.
My work snacks need to be refreshed! I’ve gotten lazy and end up eating whatever is “communal” in the work kitchen. Clearly not the best or healthiest option.
My diet needs to be refreshed! I recently decided (unrelated to the new year, since I don’t do resolutions) that I need to make a lifestyle change that involves healthier foods and some form of exercise. So I’m committed to trying new healthy recipes (like egg muffins for breakfast instead of donuts and cookies) and replacing bad snacks with healthy ones. These pouches look like an interesting and easy on the go option!
I’m feeling a strong desire to refresh my exercise routine (or lack thereof) and my house. New year, new routines and habits!
My time management needs to be refreshed! I recognize that I have so much time, but I’m so unhappy with how I spend it a lot of the time. This can be fixed!
My cooking routine! Keep healthy foods on the menu while streamlining so that my little one and I can get meals ready quickly :)
My family and I need to refresh our on the go healthy snacks. We love Plum baby food, and would love to try Vida!
My personal care time needs to be refreshed. I’m too busy to loofah my body, wash my face well at night and deeply moisturize, deep condition my hair outside of the shower, and even shave well!
I would like to re-fresh my master bedroom.
My cleaning routine needs to be refreshed. I have fallen behing quite often last year and hope to do better. Nothing beats a sparkling clean home!
My house needs a refresh! Hoping to tackle some home improvement projects in the new year.
I think my life needs refreshing. I am a sahm that cares for my toddler and my mom who recently had a heart transplant. I have a crazy sleep schedule and am trying to get back to the gym, which is usually after midnight when I can go, because my husband working in the restaurant industry. And my toddler is up until 1-2 am every night just so she can have some daddy time every day.
Definitely needing a refresh on exercising.
this year I am revamping how I spend my time. As a sahm of 4 young kids I feel like my day is over before I even get started. So this year I am working on being more present and aware. Being conscious of not wasting so much time and having fun with the kids
My lunch has fallen into a routine – I need to change it up!
my life needs refreshing when it comes to my wardrobe – i need to stop wearing the same old clothes that are 6 years old!
Our supper time needs refreshing! We’ve fallen into a habit of cooking familiar meals. I need time to break out my cooking skills and experiment!
I want to try these! My sleep system needs to be refreshed. We just got a new mattress, but I need to learn to hit the hay before 10 pm.
I would love to try these!!! My little man loves the snack bars.
My nephew (2 yrs old) loves these as snacks. He is only allowed organic snacks. These are by far his fave and for obvious reasons, they are delicious!
My brain needs refreshing! I don’t know if I’m short on sleep or just overworked but I could use a reboot :)
My wardrobe and house need a refresh. So does my body
I am trying to refresh my closets anf welcome more order to my world. Thanks! I would love to try these when exercising.
I need to refresh my wardrobe – I am trying to do a capsule wardrobe this year and thus far I love it!
My exercise routine needs to be refreshed – I find myself getting bored easily and not as interested in working out.
Get refreshed with healthy snacks.
My eating habits need to be refreshed — and lowered! I need better eating habits!
my spending habits need a refresh. no more buying things I don’t need
I suffer from severe chronic migraines so I am trying to refresh some of foods to help. I am trying new healthier snacks that are easy to tote with me. :)
So many great ideas come to mind:
1) refresh my grad school snack break!
2) refresh the care basket I send to my friends who just had a baby & use them as a gift!
3) refresh & recharge while working a 12 shift as a nurse!
4) refresh bachelorette party recovery gift bags!
Can’t wait to give these a try! Great post!
I chose a random winner at random.org but Connie – I LOVE your #4 – BEST refresh idea. I’m giving you some Plum Vida when I have you over for dinner. (let’s make that happen. The sisters meet the sisters)
I need to refresh my healthy snacks! I get too tempted by the bad stuff!
My exercise routine after baby #3 is born, I need a refreshing rhythm to feed my soul, also, meal planning!!!
My snacking habits… Two kids in two years and I’ve forgotten that I can’t eat everything in sight!
My organization system in my bedroom needs to be refreshed – I have stuff everywhere!
I need a motivation, like a new job and more creating things like crafts, writing. And a husband!
I am a SAHM to an infant and a toddler. I want to worry less about things and enjoy time with them!
My workout routine needs a refresh. I hit my goal of Ironman last year so now it’s time to mix things up a bit.