Pom-Bear Zoo Snacks

We all love the fun Pom-Bear snacks with their cute teddy shapes.  Now, Pom-Bear have launched  delicious, really cheesy flavoured Zoo snacks!   Perfect for packed lunches, after-school snacks or picnics, they are sure to be a new favourite with the kids who will be going wild for them!

With an RRP of £1.59 for a multipack of six, each pack has a selection of animal shapes inside, so not only do they taste great but children can have fun whilst they are eating them.  Kids can guess the animal shapes, such as penguins, tortoises and elephants, and even play with them in an imaginary zoo before chomping down on them.

With the same deliciously light and crunchy texture of original Pom-Bear,  the snacks are less than 100 calories per pack, free from artificial colours and preservatives, suitable for vegetarians and gluten free.

We were sent some to try and they were really yummy.  Kizzy said they were delicious and Freddy really liked the animal shapes.  I have to admit to having a sneaky packet myself and I really liked how light and crispy and cheesy they were.  And at under 100 calories and Vegetarian Society approved, I didn't even have to feel guilty about it!

Pom-Bear Zoo is giving customers the chance to win exciting and fun prizes, including zoo tickets and a limited edition Pom-Bear onesie, through Facebook and Twitter this summer. For more details visit www.facebook.com/pombearuk or follow @pombear4 on Twitter.

In addition Pom-Bear will be sponsoring some top attractions throughout the UK and will be sampling its new tasty cheesy snacks at a range of family friendly locations and events.  So keep an eye out this summer!

(RRP. £1.59 for a multipack of six.)

Wonderful Nuts for Christmas

Christmas isn't Christmas without nuts!  My earliest childhood, festive memories involve my dad sitting there with his nutcrackers breaking open the shells of a basket full of nuts.  They are a great snacking food at Christmas, perfect at parties or with cocktails.  

I was sent some Wonderful Pistachios, which at only three calories a nut, are the ideal tasty snack  for sharing over the festive season.  There is something really satisfying about cracking the kernel out of its shell!

With a perfect mix of crunch and spicy seasoning, Wonderful Pistachios Sweet Chili and Wonderful Pistachios Salt ‘n’ Pepper are packed full of warming seasonal spice which makes a very tasty alternative to the original roasted and salted pistachios.

For those of us who might be watching what we eat this Christmas, studies have shown that pistachios in their shells may have an added benefit for weight management as the empty shells act as a reminder of how many we have already eaten.  This lets us monitor what we are eating rather than munching away in blissful ignorance!

Roasted, without oil and lightly salted, Wonderful Almonds are satisfyingly crunchy and flavoured to perfection.  With a distinctive long, flat kernel and blonde colour, Wonderful Almonds are renowned for their mild taste and crunch.  

I was sent some Wonderful Pistachios and Almonds to try out.  I love the flavour options on the Pistachios.  They are so more-ish!  In fact, I enjoy the whole pistachio experience, cracking them open and savouring the yummy nut.  The savoury almonds are roasted and salted giving them a wonderful flavour.  

Wonderful provide a real modern take on snacking on nuts for Christmas.  They are the perfect nut for cocktail parties and elegant soirees...but will also be my savoury snack of choice while I'm sat snuggled on the sofa watching festive films with my family! 

Wonderful Pistachios are available from Asda (150g), Tesco (150g and 250g), Sainsbury’s (150g and 250g), Waitrose (150g and 250g), Ocado Roasted & Salted, Salt & Pepper and Sweet Chili (250g).  RRP is £1.99 (150g) and £3.19 (250g)

Wonderful Almonds (200g) are available from Tesco, Waitrose.  RRP is £2.95

Primula Pods

Primula Cheese Spread has always been a bit of a favourite of mine.  So when I was offered the chance to try out their new Primula Pods I was happy to accept. 

The pods come in five individual 20g portions in a net bag.  The plastic packs open really easily to reveal a round cheese portion.  I was expecting it to be like a spread but it is in fact a firm cheese made from a mix of Cheddar and Gouda.   They come in an original cheese flavour and a cheese 'n' chive flavour.

They are perfect for lunchboxes and snacking and are high in calcium and protein with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

My kids really loved them.  Kizzy said they were much more flavoursome than another leading brand of individual cheese portions that I sometimes buy  She said they were also easier to unwrap.  Freddy wanted three on the trot and they are now his "favourite snack".  I had a nibble of one and was pleasantly surprised.  The cheese tasted very much like an Austrian smoked cheese which is one of my favourites.  They are such a hit with the kids I've already bought more to replenish the stocks and they will be featuring on our weekly shopping list.

They cost £1.29 RRP and are available from Morrison's and independent stockists.

Primula Pods have a fun website with games, colouring in and other fun stuff at www.primulapods.co.uk.

Special K Cracker Crisps Review

Guilt Free Crisps That Don't Compromise On Taste

Just because you are trying to cut the fat and calories from your diet, it doesn't mean that you don't still want to enjoy the occasional snack.  At just 95 calories a serving and with 3% fat, this potato and wheat savoury snack will satisfy your cravings for crisps without leaving you feeling guilty.

In Sea Salt and Balsamic Vinegar, Sweet Chilli and Sour Cream and Chive flavours they are available in individual bags or in a sharing box.

We were sent some of the Cracker Crisps to try out.  They were quite moreish and flavoursome.  My husband called them "Skips for grown-ups!" which I think sums up the texture quite well.  We had a sharing box to try out and you have to resist the temptation to scoff the lot in one sitting if you are watching what you eat and find yourself alone with a box.  21 crisps is a portion and the box contains five portions worth.  With the kids helping out, we enjoyed the snacks while watching TV and they were a good alternative to regular crisps or savoury snacks.

Find Special K Cracker Crisps in the Crisps aisle in all major supermarkets and convenience stores, priced at £1.99 for a 100g box or 60p for individual bags.

The Tiger Who Came To Tea! #Project 52

Freddy took a fancy to the mini donuts at the Next event and nothing was going to stop him from getting one!

Looking For Something Deliciously Different?

I have tasted the future of confectionery and it tastes very much like popcorn!  But not just any popcorn...it's handmade gourmet popcorn.  Never has a snack product created such a buzz in my household as when we taste tested the amazing award winning  Joe & Seph's Gourmet Popcorn.  I cannot convey just how delicious this stuff is...but I'll try!

The pouches contain the finest air popped mushroom corn which has been thickly coated with exquisite real butter caramel and then flavoured by infusing natural ingredients into the recipe.

Especially for Easter, Joe & Seph have created two incredible flavours.  Caramel with a pinch of Ginger and Caramel with Cookies & Cream, Milk Chocolate and White Chocolate.  The egg shaped labels have been specially designed to celebrate Easter, complete with a little picture of an Easter bunny.

The Ginger infused Caramel popcorn is exquisite.  The sweetness of the caramel gives way to pure taste of stem ginger.  The effect is like eating gingerbread but it is lighter.  The popcorn morsels have a crisp, crunchy yet chewy texture.  I've never tasted anything quite like it.  The kids also loved it and tucked into handfuls of the moreish and delicious treat.  

If you are a chocoholic then this chocolate trio is for you.  The smooth, creamy caramel is perfectly combined with cookies and cream, white chocolate and Belgian milk chocolate.  The result is a comforting taste sensation which melts in the mouth.  Delicious!  This is a serious contender to chocolate bars.

I am not surprised that Joe & Seph have won awards for their gourmet popcorn range which includes both sweet and savoury flavours.  They are available in pouches or in gift tins or jars, making a wonderful Easter gift for a loved one!  They can be purchased on line at joeandsephs.co.uk and delivered free to your door in the UK.  The popcorn costs £12 for 3 pouches or £19.95 for 6 pouches.

The popcorn is also available at selected stockists such as Harvey Nicholl's and Selfridges food halls and independent retailers of fine foods.

Joe and Seph's Gourmet Popcorn offers a unique taste experience that totally beats any other popcorn I've ever tasted.  It is indulgent, rich, creamy and luxurious.   The flavour choices are inventive and quirky.  I'm definitely going to buy some...especially as the kids and I polished off both packets and didn't save any for poor old daddy!  I think he'd love the Caramel Macchiato and Whisky flavour or maybe the Caramel and Espresso flavour.  Then again there is Goat's Cheese and Black Pepper or Blue Cheese, Walnut and Celery.  Decisions, decisions, decisions!

Penn State Launches New Snacks

Penn State, the UK pretzel giant, is launching a brand new range of pretzels and popcorn this summer.  Perfect for the health conscious, on-the go consumer, Penn State products mean guilt-free snacking!  The low fat, low calorie snacks do not compromise on taste, and the range of varieties are exciting!


Innovative new air popped popcorn in Sweet & Salt and Monterey Jack Cheese flavours will be hitting the shelves this summer in 80g bags.  I was sent a sample of the cheesy popcorn to try and it was absolutely delicious.  It was quite unique and so very moreish!  I will definitely buy it in the future as a healthier snacking option for my family.

Sizzling seasonal Spicy Tomato and Chorizo pretzels in 175g bags are also being brought out along with a re-launch of Worcester Sauce flavour, back by popular demand in 175g and handy 35g bags.  

A bottom coated milk chocolate pretzel and a festive Gammon & Mustard pretzel will be added to the range later in the year. 

New Worcester Sauce flavour pretzels are available to buy now in ASDA. Chocolate Pretzels will be available from October in Morrisons. The original range is available to buy in most major supermarkets.

Penn State’s new range is available as follows:

Popcorn:

• Monterey Jack Cheese Popcorn – available summer 2011, in 80g packs, RRP: £1.29 and Sweet & Salt Popcorn – available summer 2011, in 80g packs, RRP: £1.29. 

Pretzels:

·        Worcester Sauce Pretzels – available May 2011 in 30g and 175g packs, RRP: 60p & £1.29 respectively

·        Spicy Tomato & Chorizo Pretzels – available summer 2011 in 175g packs, RRP: £1.29. 

·        Half-coated Milk Chocolate Pretzels – available October 2011 in 100g packs, RRP: £2.49

·        Gammon & Mustard Pretzels – available autumn 2011 in 175g packs, RRP: £1.29

Pom Bears

We were sent some Pom-Bear "Teddy Shaped Potato Snacks" to try.  We received a multi-pack with two packs each of original, salt & vinegar and cheese & onion.

Fun Teddy Shapes

Multi-pack Flavours

Pom-Bears are made from a dough using potato powder which is then fried in quality sunflower oil.  The Pom-Bears are very lightly salted with 0.23 g of salt per 19g pack. (Daily Recommended Allowance is 4g for a child).  They are Vegetarian Society Approved and just 97 calories a pack.

As an occasional treat, Pom-Bears are fun and tasty savoury snacks.  The teddy shapes are cute!  Kizzy enjoyed trying them and really liked the crunchy texture.  They make a good alternative to regular crisps.

Check out  Pom-Bear World, the interactive website for children with games, downloads and also product information for parents!

Penn State Pretzels

Penn State Pretzels are a deliciously different snack that come in a variety of flavours to give you the ultimate pretzel taste experience!  What's more, at less than 10% fat they are a guilt free treat!

I was sent three bags of Penn State Pretzels to test out Inside the Wendy House.  We received Original Sea Salt Giant Pretzels, Sour Cream and Chive Pretzels and Sweet and Spicy Salsa Pretzels.

I love their knotted shape...My 8 year old thought they were love hearts!  They were very fresh tasting, quite intensely flavoured, very crunchy and incredibly moreish!  They are baked not fried so they are not at all greasy.  Each bag contains approx 7 servings which equates to approximately 100 calories making them a healthier, lower fat snacking option.

We sat down to watch a family film together and munched our way through a bag of Pretzels.  Kizzy and Freddy loved them.  They made a really nice change to crisps and were ideal for dipping into a pot of salsa!  They make an ideal snack for all the family for any occasion.

Pretzels don't just make a yummy snack or pre-dinner party nibble they can also be used as an ingredient in recipes.  How about a Pretzel Based Cheesecake or Caramel Pretzel Brittle!

They are available to buy in most good retailers priced at approximately £1.59 for 175g.

*This Summer, Penn State are launching a brand new look with updated packaging designs.  They are branching out with an exciting new range of flavoured popcorn, as well as introducing some fabulous brand new flavours of pretzel.  The UK's number one Pretzel Brand is about to get even better!!*

Benjoy Munchcups...Mess Free Healthy Snacks

If like me you have a hungry little toddler constantly looking to snack and generally making a mess in the process, then Benjoy has the solution for you!

Benjoy offer a range of healthier snacks for toddlers and young children packaged in the unique Munchcup, the first anti-spill, less mess packaging of its kind.  The foods are age appropriate and nutritionally optimized using 100% natural ingredients and essential nutrients!  The ingredients, portion sizes and recipes have been developed using textures, flavours, sizes and shapes that young children can enjoy.

Benjoy kindly sent me some Benjoy snacks for Freddy to try.  We received all five varieties:

• Multigrain Bites which are a blend of rice, quinoa, oats and wheat combined with tomato and carrot juice.  They make crunchy, melt in the mouth crispies.
• Crunchy Grape Slices are freeze dried, crunchy pieces of nourishing grape, a great alternative to raisins.
• Crunchy Strawberry Slices are delicious freeze dried strawberries packed with vitamin C.
• Root Vegetable Mini Chips are yummy pieces of crispy parsnip, sweet potato, carrot  and beetroot.  They are unsalted and really delicious (yes, mummy pinched a few!!)
•  Multi-Grain Munchers are tomato and toasted red pepper sticks full of goodness from grains and seeds.  Perfect for dipping into cheese spread or hummus for a healthy lunch time treat!

Each pack consists of four individual pots of nutritious, natural nibbles.  They are served in the Munchcup which means less mess and less waste as the toddler can independently feed himself through the cleverly designed lid.  The plastic film is cut with a cross that allows little fingers to tuck in but prevents the food spilling out.  This makes Benjoy Munchcups perfect for days out, for lunchboxes, in the car and away from home.  One pot can easily be popped in your handbag or baby bag for an instant, mess free, healthy snack.  This makes them very convenient.

In my opinion these snackpots are great.  You don't have to compromise on the nutritional value of snacks.  Crisps and biscuits are high sugar/salt, high fat, empty calorie snacks whereas  Benjoy's range are delicious, fun but also nutritionally good for your toddler.  The pots are really handy and Freddy found them really easy to use and didn't make a mess spilling his snack.

He really enjoyed the three savoury flavours.  However, he wasn't as keen on the fruity ones, which surprised me as he loves fruit.  Big sister Kizzy stepped in as chief taster and loved the Grapes and Strawberries.  She said "they are as tasty as sweets, but I know they are healthier because they are made of fruit.  That makes them better.  I want them in my lunchbox for school and the pots are really handy!"  They also count towards their 5 a day.

The pots are recyclable once the plastic film is removed and the cardboard multi-pack sleeve can be composted or recycled.  Benjoy suggest that you can re-use the pots for making mini-sandcastles in your sand pit or for propogating seedlings.  Other ideas for re-using them are for playing with water or using as paint pots.

Benjoy is available in the baby aisle of selected Morissons and Waitrose stores and from online stockists.  They are a great, convenient, nutritious, mess-free snack for toddlers on the go!

Fabulous Bakin' Boys Fruit and Oat Slices

I was very excited to hear that the Fabulous Bakin Boys had brought out a snack bar that contained one portion of fruit, one whole fifth of your five a day!  As a mum with two children eating packed lunches at school, it is really important to me to find healthy options for their lunch boxes.  This sounded like an ideal choice!

I had the opportunity to try the Fruit and Oat Slices and received a box containing one packet of each of the three flavours:


Strawberry 'n' Oat
Apple 'n' Oat
Blackcurrant 'n' Oat

Each box contains five individually wrapped, delicious fibre-packed snack bars consisting of two layers, with a fruity base crammed with succulent sultanas, apples and apricots, topped with oats and sprinkled with strawberry, blackcurrant or apple pieces.

My tiny tester Kizzy was very excited by these oat slices.  She loves dried fruit and is always keen to try new things.  We popped one in her lunch box.

With a high fibre white, cheese and cucumber sandwich, a satsuma, a banana and a carton of pure orange juice, the Fabulous Bakin' Boy's Fruit and Oat Slice completed a really healthy lunch box.


Kizzy said:


"It was really nice and delicious and fruity.  I expected it to taste like a flapjack with a hint of fruit, but it was much more tasty.  It was much better than a bar of chocolate!  The Strawberry flavour was ever so good and it's part of my five of day."


A definite 5/5 verdict from Kizzy.

The new Fruit 'n' Oat Slices are available at  Asda and Sainsbury's and are coming to Tesco on February 16th RRP £1.49 (Introductory price of £1.00).


Perfect for lunch boxes, after school snacks, picnics, in the car or as a tasty treat.  As a mum they are an ideal choice to give your children, content in the knowledge that they are a much healthier alternative to other cereal bars, biscuits or cakes on the market.  


I've tried a few myself (in the interests of reviewing of course!) and they really are intensely fruity, packed with goodness, filling and satisfying.  18 month old Freddy has also tasted the Fruit 'n' Oat Slices.  I sliced a half of one into bite sized pieces and gave it to him as a snack.  He positively gobbled it up!


There are plans to launch bigger sized bars of the strawberry and apple flavours for adults on the go!

The Fabulous Bakin' Boys is an established family run bakery brand which adds fun and innovation to the art of baking, producing fabulous bakery products for the whole family.

Check out their website or find them on Facebook  and don't forget to say Inside the Wendy House sent you!