Prevention Magazine's List of 21 Best Packaged Foods

On March 1, 2011 Prevention Magazine hosted a live web chat which I actively participated in to discuss the best packaged foods for 2011. The food on the list was chosen based on taste and health factors such as: not containing more than 500 mg of sodium per serving, whole grains, low sugar, and trans fat free choices.

This was my first live web chat and I was pleasantly surprised by how entertained I was and the interaction between the hosts and the viewers was very active. They answered questions and held giveaways while running through the list of packaged foods.

At the end of the live web chat a grand prize winner was announced.... YOURS TRULY! I was informed that I would be winning some of the products discussed, a Prevention tote bag, The Salt Solution, and The Salt Solution Cookbook.

After impatiently waiting I heard a knock on the door and a rather large package was just laying on my doorstep. Could it be? It was! I ripped the box open and started sorting through my goodies. I am beyond giddy to try these products and read through my new books. 

Itty bitty and I opened this bag of tortilla chips up this afternoon as a snack. Holy deliciousness Batman! These tortilla chips taste so hearty and have a nuttiness from all of the multi grains in them. I have been turned on to a new favorite chip. Sorry Baked! Tostitos you are out of the running. Find a store near you and get to dippin' or dunkin'!

I've recently tried Wild Planet's Sardines when I made Chris Mooney's Sardines Tartines Platter and their product tasted incredibly fresh. The best canned fish I've come across. Looking forward to seeing how their tuna stacks up. No pun intended. Although I usually have a stash of tuna in the pantry. Okay, so pun intended.



These babies are spicy! Mr. Sideline Chef will love these. A little too spicy for my liking. They will make a great on the go snack for him for his next road trip.

My first experience with KIND bars was when I was visiting Mr. Sideline Chef down at the beach in Corpus Christi, Texas and wanting to stick to my healthier eating I sent him to the corner store to pick me up some nuts or another "healthy" snack. He brought me back two KIND bars, Almond & Apricot and Fruit and Nut Delight. I don't like raisins. These are chockful o' raisins. They are on my "Cringe Worthy" list but like I said if someone can mask the taste than kudos to them. KIND bars deserve a big KUDOS! These are hands down the best fruit and nut bars I've ever had. The bars are crunchy and sweet. You feel satisfied after eating just one. Word of caution... make sure you carry floss with you!

Upon opening the bag I could already see the difference from this product and my standard store bought jarred pasta sauce. This had chunks... chunks that I could make out... tomatoes, onion, and herbs! I could also see the olive oil floating on top. The taste was as close to my mama's that she makes homemade. The best bowl of spaghetti I have had in a long time.

I sat down and read this magazine while itty bitty napped. If you aren't a subscriber yet this is a wonderful magazine. It is full of health tips ranging from working out to beauty. It even comes in a compact size that would be perfect for your purse for those long waits. Why not purchase a subscription for yourself or someone else? Go to Prevention Magazine and purchase today!

I sat down yesterday and flipped through this cookbook front to back. I bookmarked all of the recipes I want to try while I follow the 6 week eating plan. Before I got my hands on these two books I agreed to try Prevention's Flat Belly Diet with my mom so I am going to make good on that agreement and then try out their newest diet plan. I am not one for diet plans. The reason I am doing this is because I need to shake the last 10 pounds my body is holding onto and I'm willing to give a "diet" plan a try as long as I'm still consuming at least 1200 calories a day and not feeling deprived. Both of Prevention's diet plans look like healthy lifestyles that someone would be able to stick to. I look forward to sharing my experiences with you once my Prevention's Flat Belly Diet book comes in.  

Packed full of useful information this book is a worthy read. Can't wait to sit down, kick up my feet, and read some more of this book today while itty bitty naps.

If any of you have any of these products in your pantry I'd love to hear how to use them.

For a chance to win a box of Petit Tea Variety Pack Tea Sticks and a box of Mango Monsoon head to Smart Girl Reviews and enter the giveaway!