Old London Healthy Snacks & OPA! To A Better You Sweepstakes

As you know, healthy natural eating is important to me and my family. While I am by no means perfect, I try my best to only stock our pantry and fridges (yes, I have two fridges - four boys, remember?!) with natural foods. With summer vacation quickly approaching, I have to make sure I have plenty of snacks on hand in the house as well as healthy snacks to bring along to the lake with us every day. And mom, needs healthy snacks too!

I was sent some Old London snacks for myself and my family to try out. What I really like about these snacks is the ingredient lists are relatively short and do not include things like partially hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, etc. There is a nice variety of flavors so there is bound to be something that everyone likes. In the selection I was sent, there was Sea Salt Melba Snacks which are a little planers, the Rosemary & Olive Oil Melba Toast which has a light, mild flavor and then the garlic & herb Bagel Chips which have a strong flavor.

I decided to make a cucumber dill dip to go with our snacks and have it set up for when the kids arrived home from school. All three varieties were laid out with it and trust me, all three were delicious not only by themselves, but with this dip. I admit, I had my own private taste test before the bus brought my gang home. Now I can sit here all day and tell you how yummy these are. But as any parent knows, the true test is the children. Because let's face it, if our kids aren't going to eat it, the chances of us buying it are pretty slim. I'll let the next photo speak for itself.

Yes, the Old London snacks were a hit! The two year old wanted nothing to do with them, but he is in that oh so lovely two year old phase. And one of the twins fell asleep on the couch the minute they got home. But the two remaining kids enjoyed these and gobbled them up. The seven year old ate a handful of all three flavors and loved them all. When he was done, he asked if he could have that every day when he came home from school.

These were definitely a hit in our house for both our kids and myself. It has been my lunch with the dip for the past few days in a row. If you head on over to the Old London Facebook page, you can find some really cool recipes to make with their snacks. The Mediterranian Café Mocha Bars are particularly appealing to me because I love chocolate and I am fascinated that you could make a sweet treat with these toasted snacks.

With the dreaded bathing suit months laying ahead of me, its time to get myself in better shape. Not only on the outside so I can squeeze into my bathing suit, but more importantly on the inside so my body is healthy. Dr. Susan M. Kleiner’s has some good healthy living tips to get you and I on the right track:

Our bodies work like a clock. Create a food plan, including 5-6 meals and snacks throughout the day. Eat every 3 hours or so to keep your energy levels high and maintain mental focus. 

Fuel yourself with carbohydrate and protein before and after exercise to maximize your workout time, enhance your strength and endurance, and burn more calories during and after exercise. 

Eat a plant-based Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, nuts and seeds to bolster your immune system and feel your best every day. 

Crunchy foods make us feel good. Add some crispy crunch to your diet by choosing naturally light and lean fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts and grain products with crunch that are easily portion controlled for low calorie, high fiber, satisfying snacks. 

The Mediterranean diet is rich in important healthy fats from fish, olives, extra virgin olive oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds. These fats are naturally high in anti-inflammatory factors that promote health and prevent disease. Include several small portions of these foods in your diet every day. 

For a healthy brain and nervous system, eat a whole egg every day. Egg yolks are a rich source of the B-vitamin choline, required to maintain the transport of nutrients into the cells and toxins out of the cells, and for every thought and movement that we have.

OPA! To A Better You Sweepstakes!
Old London want to help you incorporate the spirit of Greek culture into your life with easy-to-manage health tips and recipes to support an overall healthy lifestyle. They will be sending one lucky winner and a guest on an all-expense paid trip to the Greek Islands for a first-hand experience of the local culture, food and activities. Say Opa! to a better you by maintaining a healthy, balanced diet and participating in physical activities you love while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Greek Islands!

Grand Prize: 8-day/7-night trip for two to Greece. Prize includes the following:
• Round trip (coach class) air transportation from a major airport nearest the winner’s home address
• Seven nights (double occupancy) first class hotel accommodations in Athens, Mykonos and Santorini
• $2,000 gift card for spending money

Who wouldn't love a trip o the Greek islands?! Make sure you enter the OPA! To A Better You Sweepstakes today for your chance to win!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Old London. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.