This post is Sponsored by Van’s but my opinions are 100% my own!

I’m so excited to share with you the NEW Van’s Natural Foods PB&J Sandwich Bars and Multigrain Chips!!!   If you or any of your family members have food allergies, then you’ve probably heard of Van’s Natural Foods.  They make a lot of Gluten Free products along with being full of whole grains and fiber.   We don’t have any food allergies but I love giving my children whole grain foods so we are a big fan of Van’s products.

A couple of weeks ago, we received a fun package from Van’s that you may have seen me talk about on Facebook…..

My girls dove right in when they got home from school.  The were excited to especially try the PB&J sandwich bars!  I knew they’d be excited to try them.

Here is what was in the box:

• Van’s Multigrain Chips (MSRP: $3.29-$3.49) in Nacho, Nacho, Man! and Mighty Good BBQ! are loaded with 18 grams of whole grains and just 130 calories per serving. Made with gluten-free oats, brown rice, millet, quinoa and amaranth, Van’s Multigrain Chips are crispy, crunchy and bursting with flavor. These guilt-free treats keep it real, containing no high fructose corn syrup, artificial ingredients, hydrogenated oils or GMO oils, and they’re great for dipping or enjoying right out of the bag. 15 chips/130 calories.
• Van’s PB&J Sandwich Bars (MSRP: $3.99 – $4.49), a delicious, classic blend of real peanut butter and fruit jelly, sandwiched between two whole grain, gluten-free bars. This sweet, chewy delight, available in Blueberry and Strawberry, is perfect for a quick, healthy breakfast, lunchtime treat, snack or dessert featuring 10 grams of whole grains. 1bar/160 calories.

They also sent me coupons to get more snacks along with some Van’s Waffles…..

• Van’s Love Your Heart Waffles (MSRP: $3.49). These Non-GMO Project-certified waffles feature 1 gram of heart-healthy soluble fiber, 34 grams of whole grains and is made from a mix of whole grains including whole wheat, barley, oats and more. Warm, yummy and deliciously heart healthy—talk about a loving way to start the day.

We really loved the PB&J sandwich bars.  I thought the blueberry wouldn’t be a big hit with the girls as they aren’t very found of blueberries however they loved them more than the strawberry ones.  I tried them both as well and I think that the peanut butter flavor really overpowered the rest of the flavors, but in a good way!  So that is probably why they enjoyed them so much because they LOVE peanut butter.  And I didn’t even miss the gluten because they were so flavorful!

The Multigrain Chips weren’t a huge hit for us.  Not that they weren’t good but we really missed the gluten in them.   There are some gluten free products that I think just need that extra flavor.  But again, I don’t follow a gluten free diet so I can taste the difference.  But all that aside, the Nacho, Nacho, Man! chips had tons of cheese flavor and had they not been gluten free, we would have loved them!

Van’s snack line has won multiple recent healthy food awards, and fits closely into several top 2014 food and diet trends, including gluten-free, health food goes mainstream, protein power, better-for-you snacking and heart-healthy eating.    They are a better for you snack in the New Year and great diet cheats (they aren’t really cheats since they are good for you, but you’ll feel like you are cheating!).   Try them and you’ll see!

I love the waffles.  They have 1 gram of heart-healthy soluble fiber, 34 grams of whole grains and is made from a mix of whole grains including whole wheat, barley, oats and more.  I’m trying so hard to put healthier food in my body, since this is the only body I’ll ever have.   These are the perfect way for me to start off my day since I enjoy a carb with my coffee.  These are a non-guilty carb in my book!

These snacks are for more than just snacking!

Think beyond snacks with Van’s Multigrain Chips and think about what else you can use them for!   How about breading for chicken or veal.  Or even a flavored filler for turkey meatballs.  You can crush the BBQ or Nacho, Nacho, Man! chips and use them to coat your meat or as a replacement for breadcrumbs in meatballs.   These will give your meal an extra bit of flavor you might not find elsewhere.

Van’s sent me this recipe for BBQ Crusted Chicken Tenders and I’m going to make it with the BBQ Chicps since the girls aren’t crazy about the chips.  I bet they won’t even know what I used once they are breaded!  Here is the recipe:

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BBQ Crusted Chicken Tenders

from Van’s Natural Foods

1 1/2 pound thin-cut boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup panko crumbs
1 tablespoon brown sugar
cooking spray
1/4 cup dijon mustard
1/4 cup honey
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
1 bag Van’s Might Good BBQ Multigrain Chips

Directions

1. Cut chicken breast into 4 pieces.  Place in bowl and pour buttermilk over.
2. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Soak for one hour.
3. Crush BBQ chips with a rolling pin or in the food processor.  Pour into a shallow pan.  Add panko crumbs, remaining salt, pepper and brown sugar.
4. Remove chicken from bowl, drain excess buttermilk. Dredge chicken into crumb mixture, coating completely.
5. Preheat over to 425 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with foil and cover with a cooling rack.  Spray with cooking spray.  Arrange chicken tenders in a single layer.  Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until cooked through.
6. Mix together honey, mustard and thyme.  Serve with chicken tenders.

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Check out the Van’s blog for more great recipes!

(1) Koupon Karen reader will win (3) FREE coupons for  Van’s snacks (valid for any chips, snack bars, crackers and cereal) and (3) FREE coupons for  Van’s frozen line, along with a branded shopping tote for  total value of approx. $30!

To enter the giveaway, use the Giveaway Tools widget below. Email and feed subscribers will need to click-through to the site to enter the giveaway.

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Disclosure: I received a Free product for review. My opinions are 100% mine.