Our Favorite Back To School Snack Mix Made With Goldfish® Crackers

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MixMatchMunch #CollectiveBias

My family and I moved a few weeks ago away from Seattle, and to Henderson, Nevada. Like with any move, there's good and bad, and a lot of goodbyes to close friends and family members.

I'm very happy to say that everyone is loving our new home and community, and my grandchildren have completely fallen in love with our neighborhood, which is filled with parks, pools, and walking trails. And though I know they'll miss their friends, it's just such a relief to see them settling in so well already.

Since back to school is only a few days away, it's time to start thinking about breakfasts, lunches, and that all important after school snack. A great snack that kids like can prevent the irritability or meltdown that is bound to happen after school in those first days of being back in the classroom.

Since my three grandchildren adore Goldfish® crackers, I decided to use them to make a yummy snack mix. The kids eat them all the time, and I thought that the cute, familiar little crackers would be especially welcomed as after school snacks when they start their new schools.

Goldfish crackers seem like they have always been in my house, my own five children loved them, and now so do my grandchildren. It's funny how things change, but some things stay the same, and they always bring out smiles from everyone in my family.

It's amazing how many varieties and sizes that Goldfish snacks are available in. I like buying the 30 ounce boxes because of savings and knowing we should have some on hand for a little while, I hope.

Walmart is offering the rollback price of $5.98 on bulk Goldfish crackers, so it's a great time to stock up for back to school.

My grandson Liam is six, and he'll be starting first grade. Of course he had to sample the snack mix I made, and it met with his approval.

I made it in a big bowl that has a lid, so I can keep it in the pantry. Having it already mixed together is a big time saver, and we can give the kids a snack as soon as they get home from school. I know from experience that hungry kids don't like waiting, and I don't blame them.

When I was shopping at Walmart, I picked up some of our favorite fruits, strawberries and blueberries. I'm grateful my grandchildren are not picky eaters, so eating lots of fruits and veggies are a normal part of their diets.

Pairing my Goldfish crackers snack mix with the fruit is really delicious, and I love it too!



You can make a snack mix with lots of different things, but this is my favorite recipe for a delicious sweet and salty combination. I used two varieties of crackers, Colors, and the Baked With Whole Grain Cheddar.

Here's the ingredients you need:

1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips

2 cups mini pretzels

1 1/2 cups chocolate candy pieces

1 1/2 cups salted peanuts

2 cups Baked With Whole Grain Cheddar Goldfish crackers

2 cups Colors Goldfish crackers

Make sure you use a bowl large enough so that when you mix all the ingredients together, they won't spill out. Just add all the ingredients into the bowl.

I think that the white chocolate chips go really great in this, and my four year granddaughter has agreed. I love them too.

Next, just take a big spoon and stir everything together. It's really the easiest thing in the world to make a great tasting snack mix.

Goldfish crackers are a great snack all alone, but using them to make a yummy kid-friendly snack mix like this one, is sure to put a smile on any kid's face. With new classes, teachers, and friends, going back to school can be a big adjustment for our kids. So it's nice to offer them a snack that lets them know you care.

Be sure and look for this in-store offer that may be available at your local Walmart: Save $1.00 on any ONE (1) Bolthouse Farms® 10 oz. Baby Carrots or Bolthouse Farms(® 11 oz. juice when you buy any ONE (1) Pepperidge Farm® Goldfish® crackers 30 oz. or larger.

You can find Goldfish® crackers in a variety of flavors and sizes at your local Walmart. And don't forget to take advantage of the rollback price of $5.98 on bulk size crackers.

Have you ever made a snack mix with Goldfish crackers, and if you have, what are your favorite ingredients? Leave me a comment, I'd love to know!

-Post by Patricia

Back To School Sandwich Ideas and Nature’s Harvest® Sandwich Art Photo Contest #sponsored

*The information and coupons have been provided by Nature’s Harvest® so that I could try the product and share my thoughts and information about Nature’s Harvest® bread. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not reflect the opinions of Nature’s Harvest® bread.

Back to School is here in my house! We have had our first week of school with great success. Part of that success I believe is eating a healthy breakfast and a healthy lunch. Healthy food can fuel a learning mind to help kids stay focused. This is our first year packing school lunch since my son has just started kindergarten. I was so excited at the thought of making fun an tasty sandwiches to put in his lunchbox. 

I wanted to make a sandwich that had many flavors in it to give it a meal between to delicious pieces of bread taste. I started with one of my sons favorite dips I make, spinach dip with cream cheese. My spinach dip has garlic and onions in it, I find it to be a tasty way to get my son to eat them without him realizing it.

Next I added sliced tomatoes, ham and thinly sliced cucumbers. I am using Nature’s Harvest®18 Grains & Seeds whole grain bread in my sandwich. My son likes the seeds on the sides of the bread, I like that it has 8 grams of whole grains per slice.

To celebrate Back to School season Nature’s Harvest® is hosting a Nature’s Harvest® Sandwich Art Photo Contest from August 24^th to September 6^th parents can visit the Nature’s Harvest® Facebook Page to submit a photo of their sandwich art creations, using Nature’s Harvest® bread, for the chance to win fun prizes!  One grand prize winner will receive a “kitchen crash” from Celebrity Chef Kelsey Nixon, where she’ll cook sandwich-centric meals and provide tips to the winner’s family!

Nature’s Harvest® bread is available to consumers nationwide and come in delicious varieties including:

o   100% Stone Ground Whole Wheat Bread

o   Honey Wheat Made with Whole Grain Bread

o   Butter Top Made With Whole Grain White Bread

o   Butter Top Made with Whole Grain Wheat Bread

Each variety of Nature’s Harvest® Bread is baked with at least 8 grams of whole grains per serving which will put them well on their way to consuming 32-40 grams per day which is recommended by U.S. Dietary Guidelines.

My son added his own creation of a sandwich with the ingredients I was using. He said it was his turn to be a sandwich creator! He made a sandwich using Nature’s Harvest® bread covered in cream cheese with ham and sliced grapes in it. It was actually very tasty! So proud of my little chef.

This contest is a fun way to get your kids involved with the idea of healthy eating by letting them help you create sandwich art for their school lunch. What are your ideas for a creative and tasty sandwich?

Raspberry Brownie Parfaits, Yummy Snacks For Back To School Fun

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #AddCoolWhip #CollectiveBias

September is just around the corner, and that means back to school for my grandchildren. It's an exciting time for them, and they have been busy shopping with their mom and dad for school clothes, new backpacks, and school supplies. I thought it would be fun to surprise them with these delicious kids desserts that I knew they would love.

As I was making them, I couldn't help but feel nostalgic about using Cool Whip and Jell-O Pudding to make desserts for my own kids for so many years. The time seems to have flown by, and now I'm making them for a whole new generation of our family.

I know that life means change, but one thing that hasn't changed is how much kids love pudding and Cool Whip. I decided to get a little fancier that usual, so I made these Raspberry Brownie Parfaits, and it only took a couple of minutes to put them together.

There are so many delicious recipes that you can easily make with Jell-O Pudding and Cool Whip. When I'm buying my weekly groceries at Walmart, I always make sure they are on the shopping list.

These Kraft products have always been very friendly to my budget, and right now you can get $1.00 off when you buy one (1) tub of Cool Whip and two (2) boxes of Jell-O Pudding, while supplies last. Just click HERE for the coupon.

For these Raspberry Brownie Parfaits, you can make them from your favorite brownie recipe, or use a high quality mix.

It's super simple to put these parfaits together, and you could even have the kids make their own. Just start with a layer of chopped up brownies on the bottom, a layer of Cool Whip, some chocolate pudding, and a layer of raspberry jam. Add some more Cool Whip, and top with a few fresh raspberries.

Use medium size dessert dishes for making these parfaits. I used these cute mini Mason jars that I picked up at a flea market, and they were perfect for kid sized desserts.

My grandson Jayden loved his surprise snack. I enjoy making the kids treats, it's a part of being a grandmother that really gives me a lot of pleasure.

He asked me if I could make this as an afterschool treat when they are back in school, and of course I said I would.

You can easily find Cool Whip and Jell-O Pudding at your local Walmart. I think they have the biggest selection of pudding flavors available. You can also find Cool Whip there in various sizes and varieties.

 

It's been a great summer so far, and I'm glad we have a little while left before the busyness of fall takes over, and the days begin flying by.

I'd love to share my super easy recipe for Raspberry Brownie Parfaits. And the adults love them just as much as the kids, trust me.

Recipe for Raspberry Brownie Parfaits

Ingredients:

1 - 3.4 ounce box Chocolate Jell-O Pudding Mix
2 cups cold milk
1 container of Cool Whip Topping
1 cup already-baked, chopped brownies
1/2 cup raspberry preserves
1 cup fresh raspberries

Directions:

In a medium bowl, combine pudding mix and milk, blend with a wire whisk for 2 minutes.
Place a generous layer of the chopped brownies in the bottom of a dessert dish or glass. Put on a layer of Cool Whip, chocolate pudding, a layer of jam. Finish with a generous layer of Cool Whip.
You may also alternate layers as you please.
Add fresh raspberries on top of Cool Whip.


Enjoy!!

Wordless Wednesday

 

 

Every morning she gets dressed like she is off to school for the day.

 

Minus the pants of course.

 

Alphabet fun with cookie cutters!

 

With Back to School in full swing around here we are brushing up on our ABC's with these alphabet cookie cutters. I made a simple sugar cookie recipe, but when the boys started the cookie cutting they seemed so bland in color. We added food coloring, although it was messy and didn't blend well the boys loved it!  

 

 

We didn't decorate them with frosting or anything since they were already colored blue, it worked out well and they last longer that way. We sealed them in a plastic bag and they boys have been going back to them to "play", I love an activity that gets lots of use. This activity is a great way to let them play and learn all at the same time, perfect!

How about you? Have you done anything fun or different to get your kids eager to learn? Do tell, we are always looking for ideas!

i play On Safari Collection Review and Giveaway #sponsored

 

We are in full back to school mode around here, Jayden will be a 1st grader and Liam goes back to his wonderful preschool. Liam may not be in grade school but he still needs a backpack for his personal items like extra clothes, art projects and his sharing item when it is his sharing day. I wanted something light weight but also wanted it to be a cute as can be and we found one in the On Safari Collection with i play.

 

The On Safari Collection includes animal-inspired Backpacks, Bento Boxes, Utensil Sets, Snack Bags, Stainless Steel Bottles, and Pocket Raincoats that are just the right-sized for children and great for back-to-school, picnics and every day on-the-go activities! Liam is really into monkeys lately so this backpack is perfect for him, I know he can't wait to show it off on the first day of school.

 

How about you and your family, are you all ready for back to school? It is right around the corner and we can't wait to use all of our great things from the On Safari Collection!

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway



*Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts Aug 29 2013 and ends on Sept 10, 2013 at 12:01 am EST. Winner will be emailed and has 72 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize. I was sent a product to review for this post.

Clearance Items you can actually use ROCK!!!

While cruising around Walmart this weekend I came across some Clearance "Back to School" items. I know that the Back to School craze is over but there are still some really great folders and paper products out there at a great price.

I found these file folders and paper pads for 20 cents each!! That's right for less than a dollar I got all four items. What a score!! The file folders are a 3 pack so really I got 6 folders for 40 cents! With both the boys in school and my husband as well, I NEED to organize our schedules. I found that the inside of our pantry is the best place to keep the calendar and all of our other important papers.

Here is the inside of out pantry door and you can see how I already added my new apple folder and paper pad!! Everyone in the family is color-coded so that if they take a quick glance at the calendar they know if the event is for them or not :) Getting organized and keeping our schedules is an ongoing task for me and I am always looking for bright and colorful ways to help me get there. How about you? How do you keep you and your family organized?

~ By Sam ~

The Kindergartener

Guess who started Kindergarten? This guy!! JJ has embarked on the wonderful world of Elementary School! He started Kindergarten this week and couldn't be more excited! He was so excited to use his new backpack, his new clothes and new shoes. Growing up the first day of school was a special day in our family. We got to wear all of the new stuff that had been hanging in our closets just waiting for the "special" first day. My sister and I would model our new clothes almost daily until the first day was upon us. Having two sons, things are a little different. They are not so much into the clothing part but the school supplies and backpack were all the rage!! Definitely looking forward to all of the fun this school year will hold! Elementary school is such an important milestone in his life, one that we are truly going to enjoy.  

Using Mom's Back To School Guide To Shop At Walmart For Kindergarten School Supplies

This year back to school means something very special to me. My oldest grandson JJ is going to kindergarten. I'm thrilled, sad, and amazed all at once. It seems like the years went by so quickly, and only yesterday he was still only a baby.

Going to kindergarten means shopping for school supplies and I was very happy to volunteer to take him to Walmart and get him what he needed. What is Back to School without Elmer's School Glue and Elmer's Glue Sticks? They are absolute musts at any age and we are going to stock up on them today.

Back to school shopping is a whole lot easier if you use the Mom's Back To School Guide. It has all kinds of  wonderful suggestions and tips on buying great products for back to school. #momsguide

There's a whole section on great Elmer's products and the Elmer's 1st Day App, which is a free download.
Check it out and see how it can make your child's first day of school even more memorable.
#momsguide.

We loaded up our cart with plenty of school supplies. Did you know that Elmer's makes a lot more products than just glue? One of our favorites is Elmer's Painters Markers. My grandson and I are going to use the markers and other things we are buying to make some special back to school crafts.

We got lots of Elmer's glue and glue sticks because I know he will need a lot for school, but he also uses  them all the time for the craft projects he does with his Mom and Dad at home.

Of course, no back to school shopping trip would be complete without a new backpack. Even after all these years, little boys still love Superman and Batman. So do the big boys!

My grandson wanted to make a present for his kindergarten teacher. I suggested to him that we also make some containers to hold all of his new pencils, crayons and markers so that he wouldn't lose them.
We have gathered up all our supplies to make our craft projects. We are using an old paper-covered coffee can and some smaller cans. We also need lots of pencils for this project!

Here is my grandson hard at work on his special present for his teacher. He was very patient and careful trying to glue on the pencils. We really enjoy doing all kinds of crafts together, including painting and making things out of old and recycled stuff. We use lots of Elmer's glue and glue sticks for our projects.
He wanted me to say that is not his sippy cup, but his little brother's. He's definitely a big guy now!

We love using the Elmer's Painters Markers for craft projects. They really last a long time and you can use them on all kinds of surfaces. Finishing touches are being added to a drawing.

Here is our finished projects. My grandson is so proud of his Teacher's gift. She can put pencils or anything else in it. I think it came out so beautiful. The cheerful covered cans will store all of his pencils, markers and crayons.
We had a great time using our Mom's Back To School Guide and shopping at Walmart for Elmer's glue and other Elmer's products. We are getting so excited as the first day of kindergarten gets closer.

I think this will be a wonderful year for both of us!

*I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Elmer's #CBias #SocialFabric All opinions are my own and your experience may vary.

A Moms Guide for Back To School

I have such wonderful memories of sending my five children to their first day of school. Now being able to help prepare my grandson for his first day of kindergarten, it is so much fun and excitement!

A Back to School Guide is helpful for me to see all the great products that are available. My grandson is looking forward to shopping for art supplies, pencils, a pencil box, a backpack, and more. He seems to think he is going to need a lot of things for school.


For my grandson starting Kindergarten, I do know he will need many school supplies for drawing, painting, gluing, coloring and many of the great projects kids do. I will be shopping for Elmer's products later in the week for my family. I cannot wait to see the wonderful creations he will bring over to share with me. I will hang them in my home and on my fridge to admire.

I wanted to help my daughter stay organized and to be prepared for all the excitement of the first day of school for my grandson by helping her shop. A Moms Guide on getting your kids prepared for Back to School is the best place to start for planning your shipping trips. #momsguide

Open publication - Free publishing - More back to school

I will treasure the shopping trip with my grandson to buy him school supplies for his first day of Kindergarten. He is the first one out of my four grandchildren to start school. It's an exciting time for all of us, and I am so happy and grateful to be sharing in this wonderful time in his life.

*I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ #CBias #SocialFabric All opinions are my own and your experience may vary.