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11 July 2016

seriously superb snacks {and a giveaway!}

I was a couple kids into my foray into motherhood when a sort of light bulb went off that's probably obvious to most but it changed our lives for the better once I figured it out. I've written about this before but I realized that a lot of bad moods and tantrums (both mine and the kids') could be easily and happily avoided if I kept an eye on empty stomachs and blood sugars. No, I don't test anyone's blood sugar but sometimes when kids wake up from naps and are just downright cranky or are especially whiny right before lunch or dinner it's often because they're hungry! Fancy that. Does this mean we snack all day? Absolutely not. Does it mean I like to have some easy and relatively healthy snacks on hand that I can quickly grab for the kids while I'm holding a baby with one hand and making a mediocre dinner with the other? Absolutely yes.


This goes for outings with the kids as well. While it's feasible to bring a cooler on longer treks out of the house, sometimes we like to take spontaneous(ish - ha) trips to the beach in the evening, or make drives to try out new playgrounds/splash pads for a change of scenery and packing a cooler is definitely not on my radar. Enter the genius (seriously) that is: Bitsy's Brainfood. Developed by two moms and former educators who know their target audience quite well, Bitsy's Brainfood is a delicious line of smart crackers, cookies, and cereal that are all packed full of nutrients and vegetables. Lots of vegetables! (giveaway forthcoming -- in a few paragraphs! hold tight ... )


The Smart Crackers come in three different addicting flavors: Cheddar Chia Veggie, Maple Carrot Crisp, and Sweet Potato Cinna-gram. The crackers come in fun Tangram shapes which makes playing with your food fun and educational. B-b-b-bonus.


The organic Smart Cookies were probably the biggest hit with the kids because they are alphabet shaped and the kids loved fishing out the letters for their names - you should've seen Theo beam with pride when he finally found a T that Phoebe hadn't broken in half or eaten. They come in Orange Chocolate Beet, Zucchini Gingerbread Carrot, and Sweet Potato Oatmeal Raisin. I was fully prepared to pass on the last flavor because I'm not the biggest fan of raisins in cookies, breads etc but I LOVED them - capital letters necessary. I feel like I need to confess that Bitsy's Brainfood kindly sent us lots of samples to try out but before we could snap some photos -- we'd eaten all the cookies. They are that good. And so healthy. And we had to go buy more. Darn.


The other night I went to get in bed when I found a paper towel on my pillow adorned with a "G" cookie - a little surprise from Julia. Most thoughtful child ever? No - but close! Very close ... methinks.

Even Simon who has an impressive aversion to vegetables, and baked goods I try to make healthier was pleasantly surprised when he couldn't stop eating the Veggie Chia crackers at the beach.


We've got a few picky kid-eaters on our hands and it can get really frustrating when they only want and ask for two specific foods over and over again, day after day and I was expecting some resistance from them on the new food front but every Patton child gave Bitsy's Brainfood a figurative thumbs up.


 Bitsy's Brainfood recently came out with a cereal line as well ...


Their cereal comes in two flavors: Berry Blast and Fruity Number Crunch and were both big hits with the kids.


I let them pour their own bowls - hence the slight exaggeration on the portion size front. Both cereals are gluten free, Bitsy's Brainfood Crackers and Cookies are baked in a peanut-free and tree nut-free facility, and the cereals are made in a peanut and egg-free facility.

Bitsy's Brainfood is one of the 20 organic and sustainable brands selected for the "Made to Matter - handpicked by Target" program which makes it easy for Target patrons to find natural, organic, and sustainable options in their stores. 

You can find a link to buy the line at Target here! And a store locator here!

And before you go we've got a fun giveaway for you - one lucky winner will win a prize pack of Bitsy's Brainfood and a $50 Target Gift Card and TWENTY winners will receive coupons for free Bitsy's Brainfood products so your odds aren't bad!

You know the Rafflecopter drill by now :)

Best of luck and a big thanks to Bitsy's Brainfood for doing what you do and sponsoring this post!

a Rafflecopter giveaway




297 comments:

  1. Ohhh, just as I'm frantically trying to keep ahead of snacks for swim lesson season! Well-timed!

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  2. Thanks for sharing! I am intrigued by the sound of the Orange Chocolate Beet flavor...

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  3. Have 4 picky kids, would be awesome if they took to these good for your snacks like yours did!!! :-)

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  4. I am so excited to try the Smart Cookies! With an autistic toddler who has a constant hankering for all things cookie and crunchy, I am always on the lookout for new and healthy (organic is a huge bonus) snacks for him!

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  5. Looks perfect for my snack-obsessed daughter! I'll definitely pick some up on my next target run (i JUST got back from there, should have read this first!)

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  6. Desperately been trying to find healthy snacks my picky eaters will like

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  7. Those veggie chia crackers sound interesting! I'm always up for new ways to sneak veggies...

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  8. They all look delicious! We'd like to try the cheddar chia veggie crackers :)

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  9. Cheddar chia veggie crackers! Because you can never have enough crackers and cheese.

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  10. My little one is always saying she wants crackers, but then turns down every option I give her! Hoping she likes the sweet potato cinna-gram!

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  11. Berry Blast Cereal looks like a great option!

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  12. The maple carrot crisps sound tasty!

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  13. I bought the carrot crisps for my daughter and she loved them. I didn't realize they had cereal that was gluten free, I have a weakness for cereal as a snack before bed. I steal my daughter's cereal all the time, I can't wait to try them out.

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  14. We love the gingerbread cookies. My son loves talking about the letters.

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  15. I would like to try the zucchini gingerbread carrot alphabet shapes!

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  16. Sweet, perfect timing. I've been on a quest for tasty and healthy toddler snacks

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  17. Berry Blast Cereal!

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  18. I'd love to try these! Sounds like a lot of variety - good for our picky kiddos. 😀

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  19. The cereals sound good....like something the kids would like. The veggie combos in the crackers/cookies sound interesting! Might have to try some!

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  20. Banana squash squares sound perfect for teething babies!

    Thanks!

    Nicole

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  21. Last time I tried to enter your rafflecopter giveaway, I was in labor (why??!) and didn't quite finish my entry. I'll try to this time �� Chocolate orange whatever sounded I've seen these are target and didn't want to spring on the price. May be necessary next time!

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  22. Hopefully my picky eater will love these too! And I love the girls suits :)

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  23. I would love to try out the cereal for my kids - always looking for something quick and healthy for breakfast!

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  24. These products sound perfect for my snack loving son. He lovessss crunchy foods. I am most excited to try the fruit number crunch cereal!

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  25. The cheddar crackers sound fun to try!

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  26. Wow. My phone is acting bonkers. Hopefully I didn't submit that comment 9 times 😁

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  27. We love crackers, so we would enjoy trying those!

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  28. Ooh, what a great find! I am definitely going to try the next time I go to Target!

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  29. The orange chocolate beet cookies are so good!! We've also tried the maple carrot crisps and the sweet potatoe cinnagraham. My son is such a snacker and not such a veggie eater so I feel better about it when he eats these.

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  30. Yesterday, we had a major hangry meltdown. These would help!

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  31. I've tried a few of their products but looking forward to trying the cereals!

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  32. Your photos look like a magazine. ☺️💞
    I'd try some tanagram crackers!🎉

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  33. We love Bitsy's. I was "that house" on Halloween last year that gave out the healthy snacks-packs of Bitsy's cookies. Lol. I would love to try the new cereal though.

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  34. Sweet potato oatmeal raisin cookies!

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  35. Our children would go crazy for the orange chocolate beet cookies!

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  36. My kids love snacking and would love these for sure. The sweet potato cinna-gram one looks yummy.

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  37. For my baby niece, who is just starting eat solids, the cereals look really great!

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  38. can't wait to try the veggie chia!

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  39. Can't wait to try the veggie chia crackers!

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  40. I would love to try the cheddar chia veggie crackers!

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

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  41. Zucchini gingerbread carrot sounds really good.

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  42. Yum! They all look good to me, but I think my 1 year old would especially enjoy any flavor of the cookies.

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  43. Cereal that my kids will eat that's not 100% sugar? Sign me up.

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  44. I'm excited to try the Fruity Number Crunch.

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  45. New snacks ideas are always appreciated!

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  46. My kids would love the Berry Blast cereal. I love using the tangram crackers in my classroom.

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  47. I've been meaning to try the Cheddar Chia Veggie crackers for a while, but can't ever seem to remember while I'm at target!

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  48. Honestly, I'm excited about all of them. My daughter is allergic to sesame, peanuts and some tree nuts, which makes finding safe snacks a bit difficult. These are all great options!

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  49. Love to hear about new options for my picky eaters!

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  50. The maple carrot crisp crackers sound yummy!

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  51. The carrot crisps look great for my picky toddler!

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  52. I think we're just entering the world of kid snacks versus baby snacks so this is perfect!

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  53. Those sound great! Always on the hunt for easy and healthy snacks!

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  54. I'd like to try the cheddar chia veggie crackers.

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  55. I definitely want to try the orange chocolate beet cookies!

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  56. Orange chocolate beet cookies! Thank you for giveaway!

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  57. veggie chia crackers sound sneaky & delicious!

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  58. The chia veggie crackers!! Because cracker vegetables have to be better than the NO vegetables my oldest is eating these days. 😬

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  59. I am forever searching for convenient healthy snacks that don't taste like cardboard! Can't wait to try

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  60. I'd love to try the Zucchini Gingerbread Carrot smart cookies. Sounds tasty and I think my 4 year old would love the alphabet shapes.

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  61. ooooh, zucchini gingerbread carrot sounds like the best!

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  62. Cheddar chia veggie crackers sound good!

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  63. I think the kidlets wold love the Chia Cheddar Crackers.

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  64. I love sweet potatoes...those sound delightful!

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  65. Definitely the Smart Cookies!

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  66. The fruity numbers crunch looks like a good one.......!

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  67. Cheddar chia veggie crackers sound like a healthy alternative to those little golden fish!

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  68. I would love any of the smart cookies, but Zucchini Gingerbread Carrot sounds esp great.

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  69. Absolutely cookies! Pretty sure I'd need them for a nap time snack with some coffee :)

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  70. The veggie chia crackers sound good! Snack time (aka. Every ten min) is always a struggle to keep in the healthier range.

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  71. A delicooks snack I can sneak with my kids, AND an excuse to hit up target. Win!

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  72. Perfect timing to learn about some great snackies as we prepare for our first camping trip with our two littles, thanks!

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  73. Oh and I think sweet potato cinna-graham will be a hit with our kiddos!

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  74. I would love to try the cheddar chia veggie crackers!:)

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  75. but what about your outfit. i need deets.

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    1. haha my suit is from Kortni Jeane -- the pants are super old from Target :)

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  76. The crackers look like a big hit!

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  77. The crackers look like a big hit!

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  78. I'm very curious about orange chocolate beet...maybe that could make me like (or at least consume) beets?

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  79. We just got the cheddar tangram crackers so I think we will need to break them out for snack time today!

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  80. The cookies in alphabet shapes look great! We are working on learning our ABCs!

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  81. The zucchini gingerbread carrot crackers look awesome!

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  82. The Cheddar Chia Veggie looks right up my alley!

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  83. Banana Squash Squares sound good to me! I have a picky eater too!

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  84. Sweet potato cinnagraham sounds yummy

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  85. I think my kids would love the smart crackers.

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  86. So awesome! I have an 8 month old that is exploring new foods and these look great!

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  87. I've been looking for "letter food" everywhere for my now letter obsessed 4 year old.

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  88. Definitely want to try those cereals!

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  89. All of this sounds amazing! I'm always on the market for healthy snack ideas.

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  90. Mmmm they all sound good! My kids would love the crackers!

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  91. My daughter loves their cookies-especially now that she's recognizing letters. I definitely want to try the cereals!

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  92. This sounds too good to be true! Will definitely be picking some up at ye ol Tarjay :)

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  93. The Fruity Number Crunch cereal sounds like an excellent alternative to the Fruity Pebbles we currently have!

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  94. Sweet Potato Oatmeal Raisin...speaking my love language :)

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  95. Definitely the gluten-free cereal! So hard to find a good gluten-free cereal that does not still have synthetic folic acid!

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  96. You read my mind! I was just looking for healthy beach (ok, Lake Michigan...) snacks to pack!!!!

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  97. ooh, I'd love to try the zucchini gingerbread carrot cookies!

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  98. The Cheddar Chia Veggie sounds very tasty and good for you, too. I'm sure a box wouldn't last very long!!!

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  99. Would love to try one of the GF cereals for my little guy who can't have wheat!

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  100. Sweet potato oatmeal raisin cookies!

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  101. Would love to try the smart cookies!

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  102. Veggie Chia Crackers or Smart Cookies both would be very well received by my toddlers!

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  103. The Zucchini Gingerbread Carrot sounds good.

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  104. I would love to have my 2 year old try pretty much everything you mentioned, but I think I'd have the most luck with the smart cookies! So glad you shared this!

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  105. There is no such thing as having too many healthy snacks! I'd love to test them out!

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  106. Can you say yum?! I'd love to try out the Berry Blast cereal- I'm a sucker for cereal. I know my niece would love the crackers though!

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  107. Would love to try the veggie chia crackers

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  108. Looking forward to trying the cereal!

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  109. The Orange Chocolate Beet Cookies sound good! And a great way to sneak some veggies into my 2 year old.

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  110. We love the Cheddar Chia Veggie crackers! I bought a bag of each of the cookies to try (havent opened them yet but I have a feeling we'll also like them).

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  111. Hard to choose, but zucchini gingerbread carrot sounds real good to me!

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  112. we loved the cookies and would love to try the berry cereal!

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  113. The sweet potato cinna-graham sounds good!

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  114. Orange chocolate beet cookies for me, and alllll the rest for my kids. We have a tree nut allergy in the house and a GF neighbor, so these will be great for us.

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  115. I'd love to try the smart cookies!

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  116. Bosco's face in that last beach picture! <3!

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  117. I love snacks that can count as healthy appetizers. I think we would love the Veggie Chia and gluten free cereal!

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  118. Apple doesnt fall far from the tree in regards to mommy daughter loving of crunchy snacks. Getting the veggies in the wee one to boot? Yes please!

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  119. MMm... would I have to share with my kids? ; ) I'd like a smart cookie. ~R

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  120. Banana Squash squares look awesome!! Everything looks delicious!

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  121. Everything looks fun to try! The cereals and the crackers would probably be a hit in my house.

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  122. They all sound amazing! I had never heard of this brand before and am super excited to try them out!

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  123. I'm most excited to try the Bitsy’s Organic Sweet Potato Cinna-Graham Smart Crackers...YUM!

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  124. We'd love to try all the crackers. Especially on the long road trip we have planned with our 1-year-old.

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  125. I think they all sound delicious!

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  126. I want to try the Veggie Chia Crackers.

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  127. Would love to try this product as my baby heads towards solids!

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  128. How cool! The cereals sound amazing!

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  129. My kids eat anything with CHEESE so our obvious choice is the Cheddar Chia Veggie!!

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  130. Veggie Chia Crackers sound right up my alley (and pretty soon the baby can eat some too)!

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  131. I would love to try their cereals. I'm always looking for healthy cereal alternatives that aren't full of sugar!

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  132. Sweet potato oatmeal raisin cookies!

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  133. I love that they are healthy options. Can't wait to try the orange chocolate flavor :)

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  134. Those Zucchini Gingerbread Carrot cookies sound amazing!

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  135. Cheddar chia crackers sound great!

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  136. So cool! I've been wanting my son to try these but hadn't pulled the trigger yet. I think I'd like them too.

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  137. I think the Chia laden crackers and definitely the alphabet cookies would be the biggest hit in our house.

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  138. Maple + carrot crackers? Sounds like an intriguing combination of flavors. I'd like to try them!

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  139. I would like to try smart crackers Cheddar Chia Veggie flavor.

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  140. so jealous that you got a G. my kids always give me a M for mom :)
    wanna try the cereal!

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  141. Sweet Potato Cinna-Graham sounds so good!

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  142. Cookies made with veggies - the ultimate mom and toddler win-win.

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  143. Cookies made with veggies! The ultimate mom-toddler win-win treat/reward/bribe.

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  144. I am a sucker for the orange/chocolate combo, so I want to try those, but the cheddar crackers sound like something that would be a hit around here too!

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  145. Cheddar Chia veggie would probably be my jam.

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  146. We would like to try Banana Squash Squares.

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  147. I want to try Orange Chocolate Beet cookies!

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  148. The smart cookies and crackers look like great on the go snacks!

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  149. The orange chocolate beet cookies sound great!

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  150. The fruity number crunch cereal.

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  151. Orange chocolate beet cookies.

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  152. Would love to try the cheddar chia veggie crackers!

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  153. I have a severe peanut allergy, so finding cookies/crackers to snack is extremely hard! Nut free facilities are so hard to come by nowadays. Seriously, thanks for this.

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  154. The orange chocolate beet cookies!

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  155. Orange chocolate beet?! I'm intrigued!

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  156. Cheddar Chia Veggie crackers please!

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  157. Love these options! Headed to Whole foods today to try them!

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  158. Some of their flavors sound great! I love that they are incorporating veggies in!

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  159. Would love to try these with my toddler!

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  160. Love to try any of the Smart Cookies!

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  161. New granddaughter... Maple Carrot Crisps!

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  162. Snacks! I often forget that they take planning, too! Hah.

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  163. Snacks are a MUST when we leave the house! I'll be grabbing a couple of these to try on my next Target trip.

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  164. I'm thinking the veggie chia crackers would be a great work snack!

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  165. My kids would love berry blast, looks yummy.

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  166. Thanks for sharing! We'll definitely be checking out those cookies!

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  167. Ooooh cheddar veggie chia sound like a great alternative to my kids' beloved cheeze-it's.

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