Some thoughts and discussions from me.

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It’s very rare that I ever have to worry about anyone else in the house eating my food. Niko and Clarabelle don’t have thumbs, so they can’t open jars or wrappers (unless they somehow take notes from these pups!) and Shane typically tends to grab foods I buy specifically for him.

Don’t get me wrong – he’ll eat healthy things – but it’s usually after I cook it and say it’s ready for dinner. Actually…one of my favorite things? When I buy healthy food, and Shane, my chicken-fried steak, biscuits and gravy, and meat-lovers pizza-loving husband (I say this lovingly) likes them just as much as I do.

He also loves my trail mix (raw almonds, coconut flakes, unsweetened dried cherries,) Japanese sweet potatoes (aka tastes like cupcakes potatoes,) and coconut butter. However, it’s not like I have to fight him off for them.

The one thing I do have to fight for?

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Popchips. If Niko had thumbs she’d be all over it. Whenever I buy chips, it’s usually some flavor of popchips, and the bag lasts approximately 10 minutes in our house. They’re that good. I don’t mind, though – they’re a healthy alternative to a lot of the other chips out there, with TONS of flavors available:

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Then, this past week, Tricia from Popchips Colorado sent me a variety pack of mini bags to eat. This happened to coincide with my parents visiting, so I had my mom and dad try them. They’re hooked, too. Unfortunately, my Popchips stash is diminishing Winking smile 

My mom and dad are a little like Shane and me, in the fact that she’s health-conscious and he loves all things tasty.

What my mom loved about Popchips

  • They’re neither fried nor baked
  • They have no preservatives
  • They’re non gmo
  • And gluten-free
  • And have 0 grams of fat

What my dad loved about Popchips

  • They’re freaking tasty!!

It’s nice to have delicious snacks around that are healthier than fried chips, but don’t sacrifice on taste. I’m not sure if you know this, but Jillian Michaels, whose new book Slim For Life just hit the bookshelves, endorses the Popchips. It’s March, and New Year’s resolutions may be wavering.

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Jillian Michaels has some tips for those who may need some help getting back on track:

make a resolution…and keep it.

resolutions shouldn’t be something you wait for so this new year, resolve to do it and resolve to start now!

it’s all about balance.

eating three balanced meals (every four hours) with a snack between lunch and dinner is key.  reach for a healthier snack like carrot sticks and hummus, fresh fruit, or curb salty cravings with tasty snacks such as popchips or almonds and dried cranberries.

just because it’s not fried, doesn’t mean it’s not delicious! 

if you are in the mood to nosh, replace fried potato chips with a healthier alternative that still will satisfy that salty crave.  popchips are a great and my favorite snack option! they taste delicious and have less than half the fat of fried chips and only 100 calories in the single serve bag.

grab a buddy. 

it’s a fact that you will achieve greater success when you have the support of those closest to you.  so get your friends together to support each other in being healthier in 2013.

create healthier alternatives to your favorite fried foods.

opt for cooking methods that use little or no fat such as steaming, grilling, baking, popping, broiling or roasting.  you can still make these items taste great with the right seasoning!  have a weakness for fried chicken?  instead take skinless chicken breast cutlets, cover them in egg whites and a crushed up cereal like cornflakes, and bake.  same great taste and more than half the calories and fat.

Giveaway one reader will win:

  • a copy of Jillian Michael’s book, Slim For Life
  • a 1-month supply of Popchips!

To enter:

Answer: How do you make a meal/snack healthier? leave a comment below saying what’s one of your go-to healthier alternatives.

For an extra entry, tweet:  “@TrainerPaige is hosting a @popchipsCO and Slim For Life giveaway! #jillianpops: http://wp.me/p2AHkE-9Pk

Giveaway is open to US residents only. I’ll pick a winner Friday morning, 3/22.