This post is sponsored by Simply7 Snacks
One of my favorite healthy living quotes is: “It’s easier to add than subtract.” It is also easier to swap than remove! In the spirit of getting healthier in 2016, here are several swaps I’m working on making:
- Ending my day with reading instead of TV. No, I’m not giving up on Survivor or Downton Abbey – that’s subtracting! – but I’m adding in some reading to the end of my night and replacing some of my TV time with a good book. I love to read under the covers at night! Send me your latest good book recommendations : )
- Meeting friends for tea instead of alcohol. I always ask myself what are ways to socialize that don’t involve drinking, eating or spending lots of money. Coffee and tea dates are a good one! Another is meeting for a walk or hike. Both involve nourishing the body and good conversation.
- Super food smoothies for breakfast. I’ve never been one to get on board with vegetable scrambles for breakfast, but green smoothies I can totally do. They are a great way for me to get an extra serving of greens in my day, especially when I’m not eating so many salads in the wintertime. Adding in frozen berries delivers a double dose of antioxidants.
- Sardines once a week. Woe is me – I am always trying to get more sardines! One way to initiate the craving is to have delicious new chips and crackers on which to eat them. See the rest of this post for a new variety!!
- Less snacks and more play for Mazen. Mazen needs some healthy swaps too! When he’s out on the playground he’s too busy having fun to want to snack all afternoon – and he eats better dinners too!
Back to that sardine delivery method! I’m partnering with Simply7 Snacks for this post and they were a delicious way to share this Curried Sardine Tapenade recipe. My stance on this chips: if you’re going to eat chips, you might as well make them as nutrient-packed as you can! Sure eating a head of raw kale might be the healthiest option, but these are a fun way to enjoy foods in different forms.
The chips come in four varieties made from real food – kale, lentil, quinoa and hummus.
I used the lentil chips to make little bowls for the sardines. Party appetizer anyone!? (Ha, just kidding! I wouldn’t serve sardines at a party….or would I! Mwahahaha)
Start with one tin of sardines and a chopped carrot and 1/4 a bell pepper –
Add in spices – I used curry, smoked paprika, and garlic salt
Plus capers and dijon mustard!
Mash, mash, mash. Don’t look!
Stir in your chopped veggies –
Season to taste…
Serve with Simply7 Snacks!
Curried Sardine Tapenade
Ingredients
- 1 tin sardines
- 1/4 bell pepper minced
- 1 carrot minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic salt
- 2 heaping tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp capers
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mince veggies
- Mash sardines in a bowl with all ingredients.
- Mix everything well!
Simply7 Snacks are also non-GMO, gluten-free and made in the USA. The 7 stands for the company’s 7 core standards: zero grams trans-fat, no artificial colors or flavors, no preservatives, gluten free, clean ingredients, simple ingredients and simply delicious.
You can find them at leading retailers nationwide including Whole Foods, Kroger, Safeway, Giant, Target, Wegmans, Costco, Walmart, online at simply7snacks.com as well as Amazon.com. Visit the Simply7 site for info on all of the flavors and a store locator to find them near you.
And here’s a coupon for $1 off any bag to try!
Thanks to Simply7 Snacks for sponsoring this post and getting me to eat more sardines : )
Yasmina says
Katy, I find that children are usually pretty in touch with their hunger cues.Why does Mazen need to be distracted from snacking?
Yasmina says
*Kath, sorry!
KathEats says
I’ve just noticed he asks for snacks more if we’re at home than when he’s having a blast.
Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says
Sardines are one of those mystical foods I’ve never actually tried, tried Chicken feet in China town in SF, you think I could try a Sardine! Maybe this would be a good starter!
Kori says
I’d eat your delicious sardine appetizer! =D Looks awesome!
Bethany says
Why not serve sardines at a party? Looks like a great appetizer that could pair with a red wine or crisp cocktail. I’ve been making more time for reading too! There is a list of books to read before they are released as movies this year such as Me Before You and Girl on the Train.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Sardines!!! <3
Tracy says
I have made a resolution to read each night too. I find I sleep better!
I just finished At The Waters Edge by Sara Gruen. I really loved. I highly recommend it!
Amanda says
So what do these taste like? Are they like a potato chip, tortilla chip, pop chip, etc?
KathEats says
Kind of like Popchips! Airy and crunchy
Tonya says
Thanks for the coupon. I’ve tried the hummus and lentil ones before at My Organic Market aka M.O.M’s.
Jill says
Just curious why eating sardines is on your goal list? Do they have specific nutritional benefits you’re shooting for or do you just enjoy the taste? 🙂
KathEats says
They are super good for you! Packed with calcium, vitamin D and omega-3s : )
Annie says
I was just about to make a sardine salad for lunch (my go-to these days is s&p, dijon and greek yogurt), so I’m going to try this spice combo right now!
Btw – it’s thanks to you I eat sardines, and I love them. Sustainable, healthy seafood FTW!
KathEats says
Woo hoo!!
Sarah says
I assume the sardines are packed in water/oil. Do you typically drain the sardines before adding them or does the water/oil help mix everything together?
KathEats says
I do lightly drain them
Samantha @ThePlantedVegan says
Love the idea of swapping instead of subtracting! Great way to start some better habits! Great recipe too, those chips seem so versatile and delicious!
Barbara says
I swear that every time I read a post of yours I am so shocked by how alike or similar we are about stuff. Some of your goals that you listed like reading a book and meeting friends over some tea and not drinks are the two that I am trying to work on as well =] Another great one when the weather gets warmer, is to make some healthy snacks and meet at a local park as well. That is one I am going to be trying to implement with my girls soon!
KathEats says
🙂
Ella says
Any other reason you might be trying to meet friends for tea instead of alcohol? 😉 (I would never say something so nosy in real life, the internet is a terrible place.)
I enjoyed Devil in the White City, it’s a bit older but a fascinating read about the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893 juxtaposed with a serial killer who operated there.
Ella says
Also I just love everything by Liane Moriarty, she’s an Australian author whose books are kind of chick lit, but elevated. They’re light and easy to read but not at all stupid. She’s so funny and so good at characterization. I don’t know how they’re not more popular in the US. My faves are What Alice Forgot and Big Little Lies.
Chelsea says
Just wanted to chime in to say I LOVE Liane Moriarty. I’m not really a chick lit reader, but I read one, then read them all! I bought most of them and have reread them several times in the last few years. She is a very talented writer and knows just how to hook her readers!
Laura says
I loved both of those books too! : )
KathEats says
Haha nope!!
Nikki says
The only time I ate sardines was when I was pregnant!!!!!
Anne says
Yum. Love sardines – nutritional superstars! And love the idea to add instead of subtract, too – so true.