A Healthy Start

After a brief visit with our Pediatrician, we finally decided to feed our little girl for the first time tonight. It wasn’t until after we were done that I decided I probably should have video taped it.  Or at least photographed it.  Tomorrow will be a “do over.”

I absolutely adore that time in a baby’s life when they’re just learning to eat.  Every meal is setting the precedent for lifelong eating habits.

Last week I attended a media event in L.A. to learn about Gerber’s stage-based Start Healthy, Stay Healthy Nutrition System.  I am the mom that failed miserably at making her son’s baby food.  I am the mom that works all day, every day raising her children, taking care of the household, maintaining a website, and keeping up with her part-time job as a nurse. I would love to have the time and skills necessary to make my daughter’s baby food.  But since I already have a love-mostly hate relationship with the kitchen, I know for a fact that my daughter will grow up on organic baby food prepared by someone else (just as my happy, healthy toddler did).

You probably know that proper nutrition is important from infancy.  I would take that statement a step back to say that nutrition begins before a baby is born.  Proper nutrition before and during pregnancy is vital to the developing fetus.

The Start Healthy, Stay Healthy nutrition system begins during pregnancy and includes birth, the supported sitter (that’s my daughter!), the sitter, the crawler, the toddler, and the preschooler.  Each Gerber food includes an icon, which makes it easy for parents to identify the food that corresponds to their child’s developmental stage.

Gerber’s stage-based nutrition system bases feeding on developmental stage as opposed to age.  This is a new concept to me.  At the four month mark, I started my son on solids, just like the books said.  In retrospect, I didn’t pay as much attention to his developmental readiness.  I was “told” (via books) that he needed to start solids, so I did as the books said.  This time around, I waited.  I waited until my daughter could sit up supported (which she can).  I waited until she had some exposure to a spoon.  I waited until she watched us eat over and over again to observe her cues.  And I didn’t have a magic number in my head as to when she was supposed to eat.  In fact, month 4 came and went and I never even thought to feed her.  It wasn’t until just recently that I felt she was really ready.

Gerber’s science-based products were developed with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in mind.  For example, their cereals include DHA and probiotics to support brain and eye development, and the developing immune system.

I’m partial to their organic line of cereals, fruit/vegetable purees, and meals.  I believe that children should consume as many organic foods as possible to limit their exposure to chemicals, pesticides, etc. I appreciate that Gerber offers that option for parents who are concerned with these issues.

Gerber provides a wide variety of resources for parents. I sign up for their mailings which include booklets targeted towards your child’s age.  The booklets include information on feeding readiness, development, nutrition and more.  You can also sign up for their online Menu Planner, which will generate menus based on the food groups and nutrients recommended to foster your child’s growth and development.  The tool creates individualized menus and includes information about how much a child should get of different foods, and how much he/she should get in the form of nutrients (i.e. fat, calories).  For more information, just visit their website.

I’ll leave you with one last thought.  I have friends who regularly tell me how surprised they are that my son eats things like salmon and broccoli.  I introduced those foods early on and once we were done with most baby food, he ate what my husband and I ate (and still does).  How’s that for a healthy start?

Here are some adult recipes, inspired by Gerber’s products.

No compensation was received for this post.  I attended a media event, courtesy of the company and received product samples and information.

EatWell at Fresh & Easy

As a busy, working, blogging mom, I’m always looking for quick, healthy meals.  While I’ve had the occasional frozen meal, it’s not a practice I make a habit of.  And because I’m not the chef my husband is, I often resort to boring, redundant meals like baked chicken or pasta.

Fresh & Easy is launching a brand new line of fresh ready meals this week called EatWell.  EatWell was created out of the feedback Fresh & Easy received with regards to their meals.  People are very concerned about things like caloric, fat, and sodium intake, but they still want their food to taste good.  Each EatWell meal is nutritionally balanced and contains no more than 25% of the daily recommended amounts for calories, fat and saturated fat, and sodium.  Each meal has this information readily available on a front label, so that they’re easily identified. The company is initially launching the line with 17 products (soups, salads, sandwiches, sushi), but will continue to expand and launch additional products over the next several months.

Last week we had a tasting party, hosted by Fresh & Easy.  The chef served up dishes that I guarantee will be a hit, including my favorite…Teriyaki Salmon.  Given that there are only 17 meals, I was surprised at how diverse and ethnic they are.  You’ll find Singapore Noodles, Mojito Shrimp, Arroz Con Pollo, Tuna Nicoise Salad, and Spicy Tuna Sushi.  The meals are fresh and flavorful (I don’t miss the extra sodium or fat one bit!).  I like reading the labels and understanding each ingredient in the meal.  Fresh & Easy has committed to offering foods that are free from artificial flavors, colors, and trans fats.  And the word on the street is that Fresh & Easy will soon be eliminating high fructose corn syrup from their products (they’re about 99% there, according to one of the reps).

I would like to see Fresh & Easy offer family-sizes of these meals and more organic options.

EatWell meals are value-priced at under $5 and will be in stores this week!

I did not receive compensation for this post.  I attended a tasting and received a gift bag.

Spice Up Meals With Rosarita Salsa

I like to snack (and I probably do way too much of it, which is why I never lost all of my first pregnancy baby weight!). Chips and salsa are one of my favorite snacks.  I like organic, low-salt blue corn tortilla chips with mild salsa!  It’s a relatively healthy snack and it curbs my appetite in between meals.

Rosarita, a brand that has been around for almost 70 years, has just launched a salsa line.  There are three flavors available at this time, Mild Salsa Mexicana, Medium Salsa Verde and Hot Salsa Taquera.  I tried all of them except for the hot version (because I’m nursing and don’t want a fussy baby).  I like my salsa to have a bit of a spicy kick to it, and all three versions definitely live up to that.  Even the Mild isn’t as mild as most on the market. Rosarita’s new line of salsas are made in Mexico…which means they’re authentic!  I like the fact that they contain recognizable, natural ingredients.  I generally prefer mild to medium salsa and with a nursing baby, the only one I can really handle right now is the Mild variety.  My son has adopted my snacking habits and tried the Mild Salsa I was eating the other day.  I asked him if it was too spicy and his answer? NO!  I’m not certain I should let my two year old eat a ton of salsa but he does like it.

One of the things I’ve done in the past is use salsa to spice up chicken or ground turkey breast when I’m making tacos or quesadillas. In other words, I cheat, since you know how much I just love being in the kitchen.  Here is one of the recipes that I was sent.  It uses Rosarita Salsa and their beans and you can choose which variety you want, based on how spicy you like your food.  The only thing I would modify about the recipe is that I’d use whole pinto beans in place of the refried beans.

Recipe for Chicken Tostadas

Ingredients

• 2 cups of canned Rosarita refried beans
• Rosarita Salsa
• 2 packages tostadas (6-inch diameter)
• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 4 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
• 1 cup Queso Fresco (fresh Mexican cheese)
• 1 large, firm ripe avocado, pared, pitted, sliced
• ½ cup sour cream

Directions

• Heat refried beans
• Spread onto tostadas
• Apply thin layer of shredded chicken
• Top with thin layer of lettuce
• Top with salsa
• Sprinkle cheese/garnish with cream and avocadoes

Right now you’ll only find Rosarita Salsa in Los Angeles, Dallas, Phoenix, and Denver at select Walmart and grocery stores.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Rosarita and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Gobble Gobble…Win a Butterball Turkey! *Giveaway*

This very quick giveaway is now closed!  Thank you so much for stopping by.  The winners are Kristie, Jessica M., Amanda S., and Nancy M. Congrats and Happy Thanksgiving!

In one week, we’ll head over to my parent’s house to sit down as a family for a Thanksgiving meal.  This year, we were unable to visit my husband’s family because I’m about to have a baby!  Thanksgiving at each of our respective families’ homes is very different.  My husband’s familial celebration is large and traditionally Southern in all aspects (think green bean casserole and football).  My familial celebration is intimate with foods that are mostly representative of a traditional Thanksgiving meal.  Both are casual and involve a lot of discussion and lounging around (I prefer it that way these days).  And in each of our homes, food is abundant.

This year (and every year before for as long as I can remember), we’ll have a turkey from Butterball.  I’ve had many a Butterball turkey in years past.  And this year, my father will do a majority of the cooking (just like he’s always done).  I enjoy a variety of traditional Thanksgiving foods…cranberries…stuffing…rice pilaf…potatoes.  But everyone knows to leave dessert up to me!  While it varies from year to year, pumpkin pie MUST be one of the desserts at our meal.  So, in light of the fact that we’ll be celebrating in one week, I thought I’d share with you one of my favorite pumpkin pie recipes:

Spiced Pumpkin Pie (courtesy of Williams-Sonoma):

Ingredients:

1 small pumpkin, 2 1/2 lb.

Pastry for a 9-inch pie

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

3 eggs, beaten

3/4 cup half-and-half

Sweetened whipped cream for serving

Directions:

Preheat an oven to 350°F. Lightly oil a baking sheet.

Cut the pumpkin in half through the stem end and place, cut side down, on the baking sheet. Bake until easily pierced with a knife, about 1 hour. Let cool. Scoop out the seeds and fibers and discard. Puree the flesh in a food processor fitted with a metal blade until smooth. Measure out 1 1/2 cups; set aside. Increase the oven temperature to 375°F.

On a well-floured work surface, roll out the pastry into a 12-inch round. Transfer to a 9-inch pie dish and gently press into the bottom and sides of the dish. Trim the edges, leaving a 1 1/2-inch overhang, then fold under the overhang and crimp to form an attractive rim. Prick the bottom and sides of the pastry with a fork. Freeze for 10 minutes. Line the pastry with aluminum foil and fill with pie weights. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the weights and foil and continue to bake until lightly golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool. Leave the oven set at 375°F.

In a bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, eggs and half-and-half until well mixed. Pour into the baked pie shell. Bake until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, 45 to 55 minutes. Let cool for at least 30 minutes. Serve the pie with the whipped cream on the side. Serves 10.

Win It! FOUR of you will win a voucher which you can redeem for a Butterball turkey (10-12 pounds, RV $15).  Simply leave me a comment with either a Thanksgiving recipe or a Thanksgiving memory.  Comments will close on Monday, November 23 at 9 am PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

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Marie Callender’s Pasta Al Dente *Giveaway*

This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for stopping by.  The winners are Vickie C. and Dan V. Congrats!

I JUST told you about Marie Callender’s all new frozen Pasta Al Dente meals which can be cooked in 5 minutes (wow!).  They’re available in ten flavors which were inspired by Italian traditions.  I haven’t tried them yet (but we will!) but what’s great is that you can steam the steams the ingredients and pasta separately from the sauce so the vegetables are vibrant and crisp and the pasta is cooked perfectly al dente.  You can choose products in one of three sauce categories:  Red, Cream, and Wine & Herb.  So which one do I want to try first?  Fettuccini Chicken Balsamic. Be sure to download a coupon on their site!

Win It! Two of you will get a chance to try out Marie Callender’s Pasta Al Dente meals (2 coupons each).  Simply leave me a comment with the one you’d like to try!  Comments will close on November 17, 2009 at 10 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

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Summer Barbeques With Country Bob’s

This giveaway is now closed! Thanks for stopping by.  The winners are Molly, Cindi, Emily, and Christie. Congrats!

Summer is definitely not over and I hope you’ve been enjoying some time with family and friends.  Labor Day is so close.  The evenings are getting cooler and it’s getting darker much earlier these days. There will be one last holiday weekend before school is truly in session!

Last fall, around this time, I introduced you to a company called Country Bob’s. They make this really yummy all-purpose sauce that can be used on anything!  You’re probably thinking…anything?  Really?  Well..it’s great on chicken and fish (which is all I eat).  But…you can also use it on steak, hamburgers, fries, etc., although I can’t speak from experience since I don’t eat those foods.  I wrote a complete review last fall, and if you missed it and have no idea what all the hype is about the sauce, I encourage you to read it here.

Because I’m a label reader and a health nut, I wanted to share with you just a bit of nutritional information.  The sauce only contains 25 calories per serving, 0 grams of fat, is cholesterol-free, and low in both sugar (2%) and sodium (7%).  I also appreciate the fact that I recognize every ingredient in the sauce.

It’s been about a year and the company has expanded it’s product line which now includes a Spicy All Purpose Sauce, a Barbeque Sauce, and a Seasoning Salt. The sauces are now sold in retailers nationwide (as well as online).

Win It! Four of you will receive two coupons each to try both the All Purpose Sauce and the Spicy All Purpose Sauce.  Just head on over to their site and take a look around. Come back and leave me a comment with a recipe you’d like to try and the sauce you’d like to try it with!  Comments will close on September 1, 2009 at 10 PM PST. One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Add the “Spring In For Summer Fun” banner to your sidebar and leave me a comment (be sure to visit the main party post for more details on extra entries)

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Enter Tanya and Amanda’s giveaways

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Pizza Hut Tuscani Lasagna Giveaway

*Update*

This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for stopping by.  Janelle won with her tweet!  Congratulations!

I’m the lucky girl that didn’t have to cook the other night! Oh wait…I’m the lucky girl that doesn’t have to cook most nights because I have an awesome husband who comes home from work and enjoys cooking! So I guess he is the one who had respite a couple of days ago when Pizza Hut delivered their new Tuscani Lasagna and breadsticks to our home.

If you’re like me, you’re probably thinking…”I didn’t know Pizza Hut made lasagna?” Well…they do! And it’s good! For $14.99 you can get enough lasagna and breadsticks to feed an entire family of four and still have leftovers. At present, they only have one variety but I am really hoping that they offer a vegetarian option because I know that would be a success. Here is a short description of the Tuscani Lasagna from the site:

“With layers of lasagna noodles and real ricotta, Parmesan and Romano cheeses smothered in Italian-seasoned meat sauce and freshly oven-baked with a layer of melted cheese, you’ll get the taste of Italy, delivered right to your door.”

My husband and I love Italian food and we make lasagna from scratch about once or twice a month. It’s labor intensive and time-consuming so actually having it made fresh and delivered to our door was a treat. So we sat down at the table like a good family (all three of us) and of course we all grabbed for the breadsticks…because we’re a bread-eating family! When we finally tried the lasagna we all agreed that it was yummy! Even my very picky son who only eats half of the meals we prepare or buy for him was signing “more.” Sometimes when I eat lasagna, I find myself wishing it either had more cheese or less sauce. This had a nice blend of both! And if you don’t want to take my word for it…you surely must trust the Italians right? Pizza Hut brought their new Tuscani Lasagna all the way to Italy where it received rave reviews

I know that I can’t go out and feed all three of us for less than $20 (particularly if it’s an Italian meal) and while I love going out, it’s so much easier to stay in with a toddler. Ordering in is the perfect alternative! Head on over to your local Pizza Hut (sorry…CALL your local Pizza Hut) and try it out!
Win It! One of you very lucky readers will receive an e-gift card so that you can try Pizza Hut’s all-new Tuscani Lasagna and breadsticks. Head on over to the site and check out their entire line of pastas. Come back here and leave me a comment with your favorite (other than the lasagna). Comments will close on March 12, 2009 at 10 PM PST. One comment per person, please. US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

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Gourmet Italian Meals on the Go!

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by.  The winners are Janet and Kimberly.  Congratulations!

I can be somewhat high maintenance when it comes to food. To start, I’m picky about textures and smells. And then I can’t cook (remember my vanilla soymilk pasta story?). And then I expect my husband who comes home after a long day of work to cook something from scratch because I don’t like leftovers. So, I’m a little high maintenance when it comes to food! But, to my defense, I grew up in a family that served homecooked meals every night. We rarely ever went out to eat and if we did, it was a place that didn’t start with “Mc.”

I was recently given the opportunity to try Michael Angelo’s Gourmet Meals. Honestly, I had no idea what to expect since I had never heard of them. That might be due to the fact that I don’t even remember the last time I had a frozen dinner…it’s been that long. I agreed to try them because honestly, they looked really good. If I could design the perfect frozen meal, it would be made with fresh, natural ingredients, contain little to no preservatives or additives, and be low in calories and fat. While I probably won’t make a habit of eating frozen meals, I think these are a great way to get in a quick, nutritious meal when you’re on the go.

Michael Angelo’s is a family owned company specializing in “homemade” Italian meals. The meals are prepared from scratch with fresh, premium meats, authentic Italian cheeses, durum wheat semolina pasta, fresh herbs and spices, and farm-grown vegetables like vine-ripened tomatoes. They are as close to a home-cooked meal as you can get. The meals are free from artificial colors, artificial flavors, fillers, chemical preservatives or other unnatural additives.

I decided to try the Vegetable Lasagna. It is a low-calorie dish which includes an array of vegetables like broccoli, spinach, carrots, cauliflower, mushrooms, yellow squash, and zucchini. The marinara sauce is made from vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh garlic, honey, and imported Italian olive oil and the cheeses include a blend of low-fat ricotta, mozzarella, and Pecorino Romano. It was really tasty. I really like how the company takes an Italian dish like lasagna and makes it healthier by adding a variety of veggies. I actually didn’t feel guilty eating it. The entire meal is 230 calories, contains 7 grams of fat (0 trans fats), and packs 20 grams of protein (wow!). This is the Weight Watchers equivalent of 5 points which is pretty impressive considering I was FULL after the meal.

Note: If you’re watching your sodium, be advised that the meal contains about 30% of the recommended daily value.

If you like to shop at natural food stores like I do, the company has created an entire “Natural” line which I actually prefer. These organic and vegetarian dishes are made from the highest quality ingredients including naturally raised beef and vegetarian-fed, antibiotic-free chicken. I picked up the Mediterranean Shrimp this evening when I went out to Henry’s and I’m excited to try it.

Each meal retails between $4.00 – $5.00 and can be purchased at a variety of stores across the country including Whole Foods!

Be sure to sign up for their online community (The Family Table) to share family traditions, recipes, and participate in monthly promotions. When you sign up you’ll receive a complimentary Buy One, Get One Free coupon.

Win It! Two lucky readers will get a chance to try Michael Angelo’s Gourmet Meals! Head on over to the site and take a look around. Come back here and leave me a comment indicating which meal you’d like to try (other than the 2 I listed in my review). Comments will close on February 4, 2009 at 10 pm PST. One comment per person, please. US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

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Looking for more giveaways?

Savor the Moment (Plus a Giveaway!)

*Update*

This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you so much for stopping by and entering.   The winner is Barbara.  Congratulations.  Be sure to visit my “contest and giveaways” tab for more opportunities.  

My husband and I love to entertain.  We are in the process of buying a house and I’m looking forward to having our friends and family over more often.  We have a group of friends we like to visit with and we try to take turns hosting.  I’ll admit that now that we have a little boy it’s a challenge to cook for the three of us, let alone a group of friends and family.  If there is one thing I’m all about, it’s ease and convenience…particularly when it comes to the kitchen (cause you know how clumsy savvy I am in the kitchen!).  

Pillsbury has just introduced an appetizer that you’re absolutely going to savor!  Pillsbury Savorings Flaky Pastry Bites “feature warm, flaky pastry dough wrapped around tasty fillings.”  They are available in three flavor variations including cheese and spinach, buffalo style chicken and mozzarella and pepperoni.  Stick them in the oven (we used our toaster oven and they came out perfectly) for 20 minutes and they’re ready to serve with a glass of wine or in our case a glass of apple cider!  My husband and I tried the cheese and spinach flavor before dinner and I had to exercise restraint from eating too many!  I have always liked Pillsbury products (their dough is the best) and Jason said “I’d buy them!”  You will definitely want to exercise restraint with these as they do contain 260 calories and 17 grams of fat (4 bites) which is the Weight Watchers equivalent of 6 points.  

I had a little difficulty finding Pillsbury Savorings as I don’t regularly shop at Albertsons, which is the primary store the product is sold in at present.  You’ll find them in the freezer section!  If you’re interested in finding a store that sells the product in your area, check out the website.  You can also download a coupon for $1.00 off here.  

Win It!  You’re going to love this!  I have a very cool Savoring the Moment gift bag to give away to one lucky reader.  It includes:

• One coupon for a free package of Pillsbury Savorings Flaky Pastry Bites
• One set of Wine Glass Charms
• One Wine and Food Matching Guide
• One wine bottle opener
• One wine bottle topper

To enter, leave me a comment with your best tip on entertaining.  You can tell me about a food you love to prepare or something that saves you time in the kitchen.  Just make sure it has something to do with entertaining!  I need all the tips I can get!  Comments will close on October 8, 2008 at 10 pm PST and I will announce the winner here the following day. One comment per person, please. US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.  That means you can gain up to a total of three entries!

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Snack Your Way to Weight Loss With Weight Watchers

I first started Weight Watchers when I reached a plateau in my struggle to lose weight.  I don’t like the concept of “being on a diet.”  Weight loss is not a fad that comes and goes like the latest dieting trend…it’s a lifestyle.  Eat carbs, don’t eat carbs…low-fat, no fat, eat fat…high protein, low protein…I can barely keep track of the latest way to lose weight!  And with so many fad diets out there, it’s hard to know which ones work and don’t and which ones are safe.  

The principles of Weight Watchers are simple and effective.  Rather than focusing solely on food, the program incorporates exercise, behavior change, and most importantly support.  Many insurance companies reimburse for Weight Watchers and physicians recommend the program for individuals who want or need to lose weight.  

Over a series of about 6-8 months I attained my weight loss goal (approximately 15 pounds) and managed to keep the weight off until I got pregnant with my son.  After I weaned him, I decided to use the program once again to get rid of the last bit of baby weight my body managed to hang onto.  

One of the things that I find particularly effective about the program is it’s emphasis on eating “real” food.  When the Family Review Network offered me the opportunity to try Weight Watchers’ Golden Sponge Cakes, I was actually really interested since I had never tried the company’s private label foods.  

I love to snack.  It’s actually where I’d spend all my points if I could sensibly manage to lose weight, feel energized, and most importantly satiated!  I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I tried the sponge cakes but they’re actually really good and they don’t taste like they’re only 1 point!  They are light, moist, and not too sweet.  In theory you’re only supposed to eat one but I have to admit that I needed at least two to satisfy my sweet craving!  I waited until my husband and my father tried them before telling them they were from Weight Watchers!  They both thought they tasted good and wouldn’t have known they were from Weight Watchers had I not told them.  Each snack cake contains 3 grams of fat, 15 grams of carbohydrates and are only 80 calories.  They are low in cholesterol and saturated fat and are free of trans fats (the type of fat known to contribute to obesity and heart disease). The snack cakes are also offered in the following flavor varieties:  caramel, lemon, chocolate, and carrot.  

Most days we try to cook and consume homemade meals.  But there are times when we buy prepackaged products for convenience.  Weight Watchers offers an entire line of foods designed to help you make smarter choices that support your weight loss goals.