Santa Cruz Organic Will Help You Create an Organic Lunch Box Both You and Your Kids Will Love..Even For Those Picky Eaters of Yours!

Disclosure:  I was sent samples and compensated from the vendor for this post.  However, all views shared are mine and mine alone.

I didn't know how hard my mom had it when it came to making my lunches as a child, until I had two girls of mine own who were just like me...picky eaters.  Trying to come up with options that they will actually eat day in and day out is so hard.  I remember my mom telling me that I used to live off of chicken noodle soup and PB&J sandwiches.  So, when it came to my lunches, you could bet that I was either getting a bowl of soup or PB&J sandwich each day. :-)  Now, I am dealing with the same problems my mom had with me  in trying to introduce new foods or widen my food menu options, with my girls.

Out of my two girls, my oldest, Savannah, is the pickiest of the two.  She only likes a handful of foods, which makes it different to offer a variety day in and day.  Luckily, thanks to samples from Santa Cruz Organic that I was sent recently to review, I can now add PB&J sandwiches to her list of foods she will eat. :-)  And, monkey see, monkey do, Bella also loves the sandwiches I make with the Santa Cruz Organic Peanut Butter and Fruit Spread products we were recently sent to review.  

Shh, don't tell the girls, but I love being able to make PB&J sandwiches for the three of us, and sit down together to enjoy lunch.  PB&J sandwiches were my go-to comfort food, and one I know my mom loved to make for me.  She would go as far as remove the crust and even use cookie cutters to make fun shapes.  I, now, find myself doing the same for my girls, and can't help but smile.  :-)  Oh yeah, I even made a point recently to call my mom and apologize for being such a picky eater and for her having patience with my during my childhood, especially when it came to preparing my lunches.  She reminded me that this is just a phase and eventually the girls will eat more.  I know this, but it is nice to be reminded, especially on those days when I feel like I am running a kitchen when it comes to meal time.

Do you have a picky eater in your house?  Or, do your kids love PB&J like my girls and I?  If you answered "Yes," to either question, then you will want to know about the organic Peanut Butters and Fruit Spreads lines from Santa Cruz Organic.  I am so thankful to have been chosen to become a Santa Cruz Organic ambassador this year, as I get to try their product line firsthand and be introduced to products like their lemonades, peanut butters and fruit spreads, that I may have otherwise passed by in the market, not knowing about.  And, being able to sample these products firsthand also lets me share honest reviews with you. :-)

If you were to ask my two girls what they liked best about the Santa Cruz Organic Peanut Butter we were sent, they would both say the same things -- full of flavor and really creamy.  As for the strawberry fruit spread, I loved hearing my youngest say that it wasn't too too sweet :-) and that it tasted like real strawberries went into making it.  

Gotta love children of bloggers.  They know when to be descriptive in helping to describe a product.  And, when my girls were posing with sandwiches in hopes I would share with you, or staging the lunch sack that the samples were sent into for photos, they were raving about how much they loved these two products from Santa Cruz...or asking for another sandwich. :-)

Here is more information on the Santa Cruz Organic Peanut Butters and Fruit Spreads....

"Light and dark roasts aren't just for coffee anymore. Santa Cruz Organic® peanut butters are offered in both light and dark roasted, creamy and crunchy varieties. Made with certified USDA organic Spanish peanuts, these peanut butters not only taste great, they also contain no hydrogenated oils, no added sugars and no artificial ingredients."

It is hard to find a peanut butter that doesn't contain a lot of salt.  But, thanks to Santa Cruz Organic my family now has a favorite peanut butter brand that we not only love the touch, but love how it only contain 1% or less salt.  No more running for water after a serving. :-)

And, if the easy to read ingredients weren't enough to love this peanut butter, check out the full nutritional facts of the Organic, non-GMO tested, low calorie peanut butter --

I still can't get over the low calories -- only 210 calories per 2 TBSP serving.   This is definitely a win-win for those on a diet or watching their weight, that don't want to give up their peanut butter.

And, let's not forget about the line of Organic fruit spreads from Santa Cruz Organic that are worth checking out...

"Santa Cruz Organic® Fruit Spreads have a home-style spreadable texture that is unmatched. Look at the ingredients, then taste the results."

I was so surprised when I looked at the nutritional facts on the label.  

But, I more surprised at how I knew what each of the ingredients were then went into making a jar of this tasty fruit spread.  

Unlike other fruit spreads in our house that have some questionable ingredients, just seeing what was included in each and the nutritional facts made me feel better as a parent as I knew that each and every time I reached for a jar of Santa Cruz Organic fruit spreads to make a sandwich for my girls or to add to toast in the AM, that I was providing the with a healthy fruit spread that only has 40 calories per 1 TBSP serving, is non-GMO tested and is Organic.  What more could you ask for? :-)

In addition to the peanut butter and fruit spread samples, we were also sent an apple sauce Squeezable Pouch from Santa Cruz Organics.  

The girls were hoping for two, as they didn't want to share.  But, I was happy to see the girls let me split the pouch between two bowls so that they could try.  Apple sauce is another food both of my girls love, thanks to the fun on-the-go pouches they sell in stores.  So, they were up for sampling the Squeezable Pouches from Santa Cruz Organics we were sent.  

After the first mouthful, they both turned to me and smiled.  It was a hit! Within a matter of seconds, they finished off the bowl, and asked me to make sure I picked up more the next time I went food shopping.  And, I listened, and now make a point to stock their shelf in the refrigerator with Santa Cruz Organic Squeezable Pouches.  

I don't know about you, but as a busy parent on the go, these pouches sure do come in handy when the girls ask for a snack between meals, or we are running late and need to take a mess free snack in the car on the way to one of their activities or school.  They are also great for field trips and day trips when I find it easier to back lunch bags with foods I know the girls will eat, than chance going to a restaurant that doesn't offer food they would otherwise eat. 

I also wanted to share these 5 great tips for creating an organic lunch box.  I don't know about you, but when I am shopping for snacks and ingredients to make my girls' lunches, I am always reaching for organic as I know it is healthier and better for then, rather than all the other sugary snacks and brands on the market.

5 Tips for Creating an Organic Lunch Box

"For parents and kids looking for tasty organic lunches, Santa Cruz Organic delivers products perfect for building an organic lunch box. Below are some tips for creating a delicious lunch you can feel good about!

1.       Eat the rainbow –“Eating the rainbow” helps bodies get a complete range of nutrients. The more naturally occurring colors in your kiddo’s lunchbox, the better. Plus – a lunchbox full of colorful foods and produce is sure to be more appetizing and get your kids excited to eat every last bite.

2.       PB&J all the way! – No lunch box is complete without the classic PB&J sandwich. Try Santa Cruz Organic Peanut Butters and Fruit Spreads – both made with no artificial ingredients.

3.       Finger foods – Make lunches exciting with fun and easy finger foods such as organic carrot sticks, string cheese or apples. Mix it up by adding different dipping ideas like peanut butter or hummus.

4.       Put them to work – they’ll think it’s play! – Let kids use cookie cutters to turn their PB&Js into fun shapes. They’ll enjoy the creative outlet while helping your meal prep go faster. They’ll also be excited the next day to eat the foods they created.

5.       Keep it simple – Being a super parent doesn’t mean making homemade everything. Make your life a little easier by finding products that are individually packaged to make lunch box assembly quicker. Santa Cruz Organic Fruit Sauces and Squeezable Pouches contain no added sugar and each 4-ounce sauce cup provides 100% RDI of Vitamin C."

Be sure to make a point to check out www.SantaCruzOrganic.com for recipes and tips on how to live an organic lifestyle.  I can't wait to try the Peanut Butter & Jelly Squares recipe I found over at Santa Cruz Organics.  Don't these make your mouth water?...

And, don't forget to add Santa Cruz Organic squeezable pouches, peanut butters and fruit spreads to your shopping list, so that you can pick up and stock up! :-)

Disclosure:  I was sent samples and compensated from the vendor for this post.  However, all views shared are mine and mine alone.