Friday Fun Finds {new blog series}

I'd like to start a new series that highlights new products that I have discovered. They may not be newly released, just new to me, and some may have been sent to me for review, and some will be products I have purchased on my own. To make sure I am compliant with disclosure rules, I will let you know in the post. I've periodically done a Friday Fun Finds in the past, but I would like this to be more consistent. We'll see how it goes! If anyone is interested in doing this with me, let me know, and maybe we can work together.

I'm one of those people who goes to the grocery store and slowly peruses each and every aisle, looking for things that interest me. If something is new, I want to try it immediately! I am discovering more and more, that a lot of people are not like me. I have several friends who are very brand loyal, they go into the grocery store, buy basically the same things every week, and never even notice new products! Or if they notice, they don't try them. So, maybe these little reviews will be helpful. I even had a friend over the other day who had never heard of Biscoff! *gasp* I explained to her it was heaven in a jar, and to try it at her own risk :-)

So, for today's new products, I thought I would highlight a couple of super healthy ones I've had the opportunity to try. They have both been a great addition to my smoothies! First up...

Linwoods. I was not familiar with their products before I was sent samples to try (here is my disclosure!), but just recently found a few varieties at The Fresh Market, and they can be found at other supermarkets and specialty food stores such as: Whole Foods; Bed, Bath & Beyond; HyVee’s; Shaws; and Bristol Farms. There are several different super food combos to choose from, and they are great as a topping for yogurt, cereal, in oatmeal, and add a nutritional boost to any smoothie.

And a little PR background...Based in Northern Ireland and established in 1965, Linwoods is a family owned company that manufactures a range of Premium Bakery, Fresh Dairy and Healthy Super Foods.  Linwoods products are sourced in their raw form from around the world and are selected from the best suppliers and growers to ensure the highest quality and standards.  All ingredients are natural, organic and turn any meal at any time of the day in to a tasty and nutritious meal bursting with essential fatty acids, protein, iron, calcium, magnesium and essential vitamins and minerals. 

My thoughts: I thought this was a great (and easy!) way to get a nutritional boost in my diet and plan on purchasing more in the future. It also added good texture to my yogurt, because I really don't care to eat yogurt plain. I have texture issues!

My other new healthy product find is SMOOCH Snacks! Gotta love the name! I was also sent samples of these for review. 

I chose to put them in my smoothie because it is full of fruits and contains chia seeds! The texture is super smooth, so it could be added to most anything (or eaten straight from the pouch if you do not have weird texture issues like myself.) These packs would also be really convenient for someone who needs a boost while exercising - the packs could easily be thrown into a gym bag or carried in a runner's pack. Not that I know anything about that first hand. Never have I exercised so much that I had to stop and refuel...but I know you people exist. (yes, I'm jealous that I don't have that much drive.)  Smooch is available online and at Sprouts, Kings, and Balducci's (and they donate 1 cent of every pouch sold to charity!) From the website Smooch is -

100% Natural
Natural Source of Omega-3
Natural Source of Vitamin C
Vegan & Vegetarian Friendly
Low in Calories (less than 100 per Smooch)
Contains Whole Chia Grains – Natural Fiber
1 of your 5 Daily Fruit Portions

 AND It's -

Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free
Free For Anything Artificial
Preservatives Free
Sugar Free
Colorings Free
GMO Free
BPA Free

My thoughts - I think these are great to have while working out, or if you are like me and need some extra help getting that 5 a day in your diet. I bet a lot of kids would like them too. Just not my kids...who refused to even try them *sigh*.