Breakfast on the Go: Special K Nourish

Everyday during the week I usually have the same breakfast (for the most part). I have Sugar Free Maple Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal between 8 and 8:30. I usually have two packages for 5 points because I purchase the Safeway store brand when it is on sale and for some reason that particular brand is lower points vs. Quaker or even Walmart's brand. Ok, so it may only be lower by 1 point for two packages but in my world...1 point could be the difference between a dessert of chocolate pudding or sugar free jell-o!! 

Anyway, the point of my rant is that I have tried many different low point instant oatmeal flavors and brands because I can get my hot water at work and eat at my desk. For many Mommies, breakfast needs to be on the road or at our desks. Either way, I have found to be successful, you need to start your day by fueling your body and I stay full longer with oatmeal.

Enter my trip to Walmart this weekend. I found a coupon online for Special K Nourish Oatmeal. It was a high value coupon of a $1 off of 1 and I thought I would try and see if Walmart carried it. In fact, they did and they came in about 3 different flavors and were regular price of $2.78 for 2 small individual cups of oatmeal. Paired with the coupon it made them $1.78 which I found to be a little high for two servings of oatmeal but I thought they would be worth a try. After all, I am a big fan of other Special K products that they have been putting out lately. I chose the Cranberry and Almond flavor and they rang in at 5 PP per serving.

I guess I should also say that Special K does not seem to be referring to these as "oatmeal". They are calling it a "hot cereal" that is a "multi-grain blend with Quinoa". After trying it, it does not seem to taste much different than oatmeal and has a the same texture. Each packet does come with its own little nut and dried fruit blend that you are supposed to mix in after you steep the cereal in the cup.

Upon opening the top to add the water, I noticed that there did not seem to be very much cereal in the cup which seemed very disappointing for 5 PP. But I put my water in and let it steep. After the 2 to 3 minutes that the cup recommended, I went to stir in my fruit and nuts. This is what I had...

Now it may be hard to tell from the picture but that cup is less than half full and I have not had a single bite yet. Just like everything, the product has its strengths and weaknesses. The downside is that I feel that for the price of what I paid for two days worth of breakfast, I can get four days and much larger servings if I stick with my instant oatmeal. I am not gaining or losing any points that way either so that is a wash. I was disappointed in that regards. 

The flavor was fine. Now, I am a woman so understand and read that word accordingly...it was FINE! Nothing spectacular, nothing bad either. Just FINE. I love cranberries so it was nice that they were there but I can add 7 Craisins to my oatmeal anytime. 

The plus side is that it does add a nice little crunch by having the almonds there. I also think that the packaging an easy of portability in the container is great. In my opinion, if you were looking to try something different, you probably aren't going to be blown away here. My advice would be that if you could find a great deal somewhere soon and pair it with the coupon then they are ok, but at almost a dollar a serving (more if you pay full price) I would tell you to look elsewhere first. Sorry Special K, I'll keep buying those delicious Pastry Crisps though ;)

Snack Time: Trader Joe's Spinach & Kale Greek Yogurt Dip

I will have to say that since I have been on Weight Watchers, I am more inclined to try new foods. I am constantly looking for something new and exciting. I believe the way that we don't get bored with food is by constantly changing it up. Plus, how will you ever know if you are missing something FANTASTIC?? If we always eat the same thing every day we may get bored and then fall back into old routines. I don't know about you, but my old routines are what got me to a place that made me need the Weight Watchers program. Not looking to go back there any time soon (plus, I already gave my fat clothes to Goodwill!)

So let's get to business. I took a trip to Trader Joe's this weekend (watch for more great posts this week about all of the delicious looking stuff I bought to try) and while my 4 year old was busy telling me how she and Daddy "needed" the chips and dip that I just let her try out at the sample counter, I realized that there had to be something good for me to dip into too. I think that too often when people go on a diet they tell themselves that there are all these things that they can and can't have. The thing that I love about WW is there is nothing that I can't have because it is a lifestyle change that I am making. I can eat the Sea Salt Ridge Potato Chips with Bacon Cheese Ranch Dip that the little one loved and wanted to take home to Daddy. But, instead, I made a CHOICE to find something better for me.

Spinach Dip is something I love at parties and I always have. Usually, it is made with some sort of full fat sour cream of some kind sitting inside a delicious bread bowl surrounded with bite size pieces to dip in. You all know what I am talking about...yummmm...the crunchy french bread. Sorry, forgot where I was. Anyway,  Trader Joe's has a delicious Spinach & Kale Greek Yogurt Dip.

The cost on this tub is $3.99 and it is 1 PP for 2 TBSP. Yes, only 1 PP which makes it a great snack. I thought that the dip had great flavor. I noticed quite a few of these "reduced guilt" labels around the store as well. Be careful when you see those and actually put things into your calculator. I picked up a meal that said that and it was 9 PP which didn't seem to reduce much of anything to me. Now you can choose to pair this up with some baby carrots for no additional points or you can do what I did. I paired it with this new found snack from Walmart.

These little guys come in at 2 PP for 6 crackers. They are a decent size cracker and although 6 crackers doesn't seem like a lot, it was enough to eat the 2 TBSP of dip. They also came in a Mediterranean Herb flavor that I am disappointed I did not pick up. My husband loves pita chips but he likes them plain (I told you...picky eater!!) and I figured I better get the standard Sea Salt flavor in case I didn't care for them. They were on the saltier side, but since I was looking for a salty chip replacement, I didn't mind it.

 You could add the carrots along if you would like too. The chips were $2.50 a box and I paired it with a $.70 off coupon from coupons.com and it made for a nice little deal at $1.80 a box to try something new.

Here's my 3 PP snack for the afternoon. For those of you paying close attention to detail, I am aware of the fact that the picture is only showing 5 crackers. Do you also see the small missing section of dip?? I was so excited to try it all that I dug in before a snapped the photo. I also think this would be great to bring to a party if you wanted to make sure there was an appetizer that everyone, including you, could enjoy. 

Can't wait to show you all the other great stuff I grabbed. Enjoy!