I’ve been feeling stretched pretty thin lately. It’s hard trying to be everything, and do everything, and still feel like you’re finding the time to make the right choices for you. I haven’t been. Then, a few weeks ago I was asked to work with Pepperidge Farm® Cracker Chips, and it was the push I needed to actually make a change. Sounds crazy, I know, so I’ll explain.
You see, I’m really good at being the stay-at-home Mom of three, and most days I’m not too shabby of a wife either. I’ve managed to figure out how to keep my house tidy, what day of the week I can fit both vacuuming and laundry into (and if the kids nap a little long, maybe even get the floors washed). I shovel snow, cut grass, build decks, and paint walls. I’m trying to grow this blog beyond a hobby, figure out better ways to make ends meet (which sucks when the ends always feel like they’re getting further apart), and start doing some graphic design on the side again. I always make sure there’s 10 minutes for a story, 30 minutes for a walk to the park, or an entire day to blow off everything and head to the zoo when we need it.
I don’t want, and I’m not willing, to change any of those things. I’m not looking to become the “selfish” Mom, or the wife that needs “me time” on a Friday night. I love my life how it is. I love its crazy hectic style, and I love doing everything that I’m doing.
It’s the things I’m not doing that are the problem.
I spend all of my time taking care of everyone and everything else, and I leave no time for me. I never find the time for me to grab breakfast, or lunch, or a snack that isn’t just a handful from a bag of potato chips or candy, because that’s the easiest thing. I’m tired of it though. I’m tired of living the “do as I say, not as I do” with the kids when it comes to nutrition. I’m tired of not giving myself the same respect I do everyone else in my house. I’m also tired of feeling out of shape and hearing my knee crack every time I walk up the stairs.
Lazy and I have gotten real close in the year since Sophie was born.
So, back to Pepperidge Farm. You see, I got the opportunity to work with them on their new Cracker Chips. That’s when my light bulb moment happened. I didn’t need to stop anything that I loved, I just needed to swap things around a little bit.
I started going back to the gym, but in the mornings now at 6am. I’m up between 5 and 5:30am anyway, usually planning and organizing the day, but swimming makes me happy. It also gives me the time I need to plan out my day in my head, and it doesn’t take anything away from anyone else. I’m back home by 6:40, before the kids are usually up, and just as Bo’s getting ready to leave for work.
Next up, I’m committing myself to an effortless April. Dinners are going to be easier, I’m going to make sure I take ten minutes each morning to actually eat breakfast, and I’m getting rid of those chips.
Well, those potato chips are hitting the trash, NOT those Cracker Chips. I just swapped those potato chips for a few bags of Pepperidge Farm® Cracker Chips!
(I currently have Multigrain, BBQ, and Ketchup Cracker Chips in the cupboard)
I have a serious love affair with ketchup flavouring too, so these Cracker Chips had big shoes to fill to impress me. Even hoping for the best, I wasn’t prepared for was just how great these Cracker Chips are. They are so thin, and so crisp, and their flavour is insanely bold and awesome. The Ketchup Cracker Chips are definitely my new favourite thing – they bring back foggy memories of these potato chips we always had when I was a kid, that aren’t made any more. I have had dreams about those chips, and tried basically every alternative, but my hunt is over with these Cracker Chips. How awesome that they have all the flavour and texture, but don’t leave me feeling so heavy. Just to reinforce how great of a swap these are, 20g of Ketchup Cracker Chips has 60% LESS FAT than 20 g of the leading potato chip.
One last little side note: as someone who used to do packaging design in my pre-kid life, I’ve got to give them a pat on the back for that too. There is a huge section on the front of the bag that peels back, that you then use to reseal the bag. It is awesome, and I love that the chips are always fresh, and that the package takes up only the space it has to in my cupboard.
(LOVE this packaging design, and how fresh my Cracker Chips stay!)
I am so happy that I was introduced to these Cracker Chips. They are my go-to now when I need a quick snack, and more importantly, they were the kick start I needed to make a change for myself. Who knew just a few little swaps could make such a big difference in my day.
To try and kick start your day, here’s a coupon for $1.00 off any package of Pepperidge Farm® Cracker Chips. Enjoy!
Tina
Katrina