I found my substitute for potato chips! I introduce you to…

Z Crackers!

Z Crackers are thin and crisp crackers that are made in six different flavors. The Garlic & Basil are my favorite. Warning! Z Crackers are addictive. The only store that I have been able to find them in my area is Bonterra Market in Northfield. The crackers are also pricy and cost nearly $5 for an 8 oz. package. Since they are expensive, my family knows that they must give to the Z Cracker fund to eat them.  If they unwilling to contribute to the fund, then they are off-limits.

You can also spice them up with a spoonful of Top Crop Salsa Mango! OOOMMGG! This sauce is delicious and has a zesty kick! Made with fresh mangos, red onions, red peppers, and cilantro! The taste is surprisingly delightful. If you plan to be around people after eating the salsa, chew gum or eat a mint afterwards. The flavor and smell are strong.

I buy the Salsa Mango at Starns Shoprite. You can find it in the fresh produce section near the bagged salads. Since the salsa is fresh, you should eat it within a week of buying.  The mango will go bad.

Below are pictures of the nutritional labels for the Z Crackers and for a bag of chips. The serving size for each is about one ounce. The sodium count in the chips are more than two times the amount in the Z crackers.  What’s the big deal about sodium?  Sodium is known to increase blood pressure levels.  I make it a habit of reading labels, more so for sodium and  sugar levels. Since I started my eat clean journey, I eat less processed foods and more fresh foods, so labels aren’t as much as a concern anymore. I do however, read labels for any packaged snacks.

To avoid over indulging, I take my portion out and put the container away. If I leave the package out, I will eat more than I should and that’s not good. I also eat my snacks later in the evening and after dinner when the house is settled and folks are in bed. Which means, no interruptions from family and I can savory every single bite.  Lol!

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is habit-forming.

Like anything else that we do, our actions form habits. Some good. Some bad. It’s up to us to find a balance between the two. For me it means making smarter choices about nutrition and exercise.

The most motivated person still has weak moments and gives in to intense cravings for sugary sweets, salty treats, or tasty liquids that contain more sugar, calories, and fat than normally consumed.

Instead of trying to eliminate all my favorite treats from my diet, I do three things:

1. Find a healthy substitute that is equally appealing.

2. Learn how to cook a healthier version such as baking a delectable sweet potato pie made with ingredients that are natural, organic, unbleached, and contain less sugar, sodium, etc… (I’m still working on the pies…)

3. Indulge in the treat anyway, but LESS often and in SMALLER portions.

I don’t suggest emptying your refrigerator and kitchen cabinets all at once.  Instead try to slowly replace some of your processed foods with healthier choices.  Example?  Brown rice instead of white rice.  Whole wheat bread instead of white rice.  Water with fresh lemon instead of soda and/or fruit juices.  I can go on and on…

Anyway, you can find more information about Z Crackers by clicking on this link. I hope that you give the Z Crackers a try.  If you do try them, tell me what you think about them.