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Karate Snacks

Eleanor took fairy ballet classes through the park district for a little while, which consisted of an adorable group of little girls in ballerina outfits and wings, wandering around in a loose circle to classical music. I’m not sure how much she learned, but who cares? She liked it and had fun. She wasn’t taking any classes for a while because we spent the summer up in Wisconsin while we were between houses, but a couple of months ago, she brought up those dance classes again, asking if she could take more lessons. She didn’t want to do fairy ballet though — that’s for babies. She wanted to do ninja ballet, which sounds like an awesome (albeit nonexistent) fusion. Brandon and I explained that she could take ninja/karate lessons or dance, but not both, and she chose the ninja path.

Eleanor came with me to watch a class before signing up. We both liked what we saw, and she had her first karate lesson last month. The only problem is that her day at nursery school ends fifteen minutes before her karate lessons start. Twice a week, I pick her up ten minutes early so that she can get changed into her uniform before getting her winter gear on. She’s super-proud of her uniform, and I’m sure it helps that her school friends ooh and ahh over it. “Eleanor, you’re shirt is great!” “Eleanor, is that your karate uniform? Cool!” She feels rather chuffed with herself.

Eleanor

On days when she has lessons after school, she’s gone from lunch until dinner time, so we’ve talked about how she needs good food to fuel her body for a busy day. It must have stuck with her because after an energetic and successful round of kicks one day, she bowed low, and respectfully told her teacher, “I ate a taco.”

The kids eat a small snack at school each day, but Eleanor often needs a little something before her lesson too. We’ve been trying out NatureBox for snacks at home, and I usually carry a bag with me in my purse for the kids. They’re good, wholesome snacks (no artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors, and no high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, or trans fats), and Eleanor refers to the Blueberry Almond Bites as her “karate snacks.” The bags each have 3-5 servings, and I like that we can put a subscription on auto-pilot and receive the same thing each time, or switch it up and try new flavors. You can also choose what size you want to arrive monthly from NatureBox: Deluxe Snacker (5 bags), Happy Snacker (10 bags) and Smart Snacker (20 bags), with free shipping in the US (or $1.97 to Alaska and Hawaii).

NatureBox Snacks

Of course, we’re enjoying the snacks here at home too. (Those Sweet Blueberry Almonds are so good!)

NatureBox Blueberry Snacks

Win a Deluxe Snacker Subscription

If you’d like to try NatureBox, they’re offering a discount for new customers, 50% off your first box of any size, using the code LOVELY. They’re also giving away two free 6-month Deluxe Snacker subscriptions here to two winners! The giveaway is open until midnight CST, January 23, to US readers only, and you must have a US shipping address. To enter, take a look at the snacks NatureBox offer, then leave a comment below with the one you’d like to try. Good luck!

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  • Andrea
    January 16, 2014 at 9:12 am

    Baked sweet potato fries :) Yum.

  • Laura @ Rather Square
    January 16, 2014 at 9:13 am

    Oh wow, karate/ninja class sounds so much cooler than ballet class. I hope I don’t meet Eleanor in a dark alley someday. ;)

  • lauralye
    January 16, 2014 at 9:15 am

    They have so many goodies to choose from! I would love to try the french toast granola, it sounds delicious!

  • Amy
    January 16, 2014 at 9:15 am

    The blueberry figgy bars look great. My son would love them!

  • Melissa lamons
    January 16, 2014 at 9:18 am

    The mighty mix looks yummy!

  • Lyn M
    January 16, 2014 at 9:18 am

    The Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper Pumpkin Seeds sound so yummy! We are thinking about trying Karate with our 4 yr old son. We need to go watch a class!

  • Jessica
    January 16, 2014 at 9:21 am

    Those praline pumpkin seeds have my mouth watering!

  • maria anne
    January 16, 2014 at 9:23 am

    Ooooh, I can’t pick just one! The sea salt and cracked pepper pumpkin seeds look delicious. So do the baked sweet potato fries! And the baked citrus chipotle chickpeas! Too many to choose, so I might as well stop there.
    xo

    Maria Anne

  • chiara
    January 16, 2014 at 9:25 am

    The chipotle maple almonds look scruuuuumpppptttttious!

  • Hannah
    January 16, 2014 at 9:29 am

    Chili lime pistachios. I need to do a better job of planning my snacks throughout the day to keep me out of the office candy bowl.

  • Jody Carr
    January 16, 2014 at 9:29 am

    I don’t think there is room to post the ones I would like to try! All the nuts look delicious, and the guacamole bits look awesome as well!

  • Emma
    January 16, 2014 at 9:30 am

    The French Toast Granola! Oh. My. Word. :)

  • Kate
    January 16, 2014 at 9:31 am

    The blueberry figgy bars look awesome!!

  • Linda
    January 16, 2014 at 9:32 am

    The Lemon Meringue Waffles sound yummy, and I am a sucker for peaches so the Dried California Peaches also look great!

  • ryan
    January 16, 2014 at 9:33 am

    We’re trying to eat more vegan meals/snacks over here and I love how easy they make it to search by that option! I think I’d have to try the chipotle chickpeas!

  • Jessica @ SundayLoves.com
    January 16, 2014 at 9:34 am

    The Mighty Mix looks soooo good. I think I’d like that for my CrossFitting days. :)

    Eleanor looks great in her uniform. Way to go on the healthy snacks, too!

  • Kim
    January 16, 2014 at 9:35 am

    All of these would be great for snacking at work! But the peanut butter nom noms look so good!

  • Adrienne
    January 16, 2014 at 9:36 am

    Any pumpkin seeds. Yum!! I also think I want to take karate! :)

  • Sarah
    January 16, 2014 at 9:37 am

    “I had a taco”! Ha, I love that so much! Glad Eleanor is having fun. Kick some ass, kid!

  • Kelly
    January 16, 2014 at 9:39 am

    The Vanilla Macaroon Granola looks delish!

  • Sarah
    January 16, 2014 at 9:41 am

    Oh man, they all look so good. I’d really like to try the flax fortune cookies or the cocoa waffle wafers!

  • Amy P.
    January 16, 2014 at 9:43 am

    Oh wow, everything looks amazing! I’m having a hard time deciding between the salted caramel pretzel pops and the dark cocoa almonds. The sriracha roasted cashews look awesome, too!

  • Corrie
    January 16, 2014 at 9:45 am

    Lemon Tea Biscuits look awesome!

  • Diana G
    January 16, 2014 at 9:48 am

    The blueberry figgy bars look so good

  • andrea
    January 16, 2014 at 9:50 am

    dark chocolate berry trail mix looks awesome!

  • Elizabeth
    January 16, 2014 at 9:51 am

    The salt & pepper pumpkin seeds and rice crackers look delicious, but I actually exclaimed ‘Oh figs!’ out loud when I saw the dried figs. I love figs and they are so hard to find fresh in Chicago. Oh, figs! It sounds like I’m trying not to curse!

  • gina
    January 16, 2014 at 9:53 am

    lemon tea biscuits. yum!

  • deborah clark
    January 16, 2014 at 9:54 am

    pretty much anything they called “stix” looked amazing. also dried peach slices and honey crisps

  • sassygirl
    January 16, 2014 at 9:55 am

    I’ve always wondered about these snacks! And I would love to try the Honey Mustard Dippin’ Stixs!

  • krissy
    January 16, 2014 at 9:56 am

    Those garden tomato crunchies look so good! Such a crazy mix of flavors!

  • WES
    January 16, 2014 at 10:00 am

    Wow those look great. Sadly for those of us with kids with food allergies that company is not a good fit from their FAQ “All of our snacks are currently processed in a facility that may also process wheat, milk, eggs, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, and seeds” :(

    Looks like I will continue to have to make all snacks at home or buy high priced safe snacks to get a respite from the kitchen.

  • Sarah
    January 16, 2014 at 10:00 am

    Roasted kettle kernels, all day long. (PS, Eleanor is the coolest!)

  • Rebecca H
    January 16, 2014 at 10:01 am

    Sriracha roasted cashews please!

  • Tricia
    January 16, 2014 at 10:02 am

    The garden tomato crunchies and the avacado bites look amazing.

  • Chelsea
    January 16, 2014 at 10:08 am

    Dark Chocolate Berry Trail Mix YUM! thanks for the chance to try it out.

  • Maureen
    January 16, 2014 at 10:09 am

    It’s a toss up between the blueberry nom noms and the honey mesquite almonds!

  • Jane
    January 16, 2014 at 10:11 am

    Ooh, all of the dried fruit and berries sound yummy — especially the peaches and the cherry berry bonanza.

  • Julianne
    January 16, 2014 at 10:15 am

    The cashew power clusters look tasty!

  • Sadie
    January 16, 2014 at 10:15 am

    Yum! I’d love to try the french toast granola!

  • Amy Kelly
    January 16, 2014 at 10:17 am

    I love that Eleanor is taking karate! My brother and I both took karate growing up (all the way to black belt) and we both have so many happy memories from our lessons.

    The NatureBox snacks all look AMAZING, but I think the Roasted Garlic Pumpkin Seeds have me literally salivating. ;)

  • Amanda
    January 16, 2014 at 10:18 am

    The dark cocoa almonds look yummy!

  • Megan
    January 16, 2014 at 10:18 am

    Mmmm! They all look good don’t they. Umm…how about the wild blueberry flax granola. That looks pretty good! Thank you!

  • Nollee
    January 16, 2014 at 10:21 am

    Salted Caramel Pretzel Pops, please! Sweet+Salty=Perfection!

  • Tiffany
    January 16, 2014 at 10:24 am

    Dark cocoa almonds! Mmmmm….

  • Parakh
    January 16, 2014 at 10:27 am

    Seriously?! Siracha Roasted Cashews?! umm…YUM!!!! I would totally eat everything myself!

  • Angie
    January 16, 2014 at 10:28 am

    Lemon Pucker Pistachios! Yummy!

  • ryan
    January 16, 2014 at 10:33 am

    all the spiced nuts and dried fruits look AMAZING. little eleanor is so adorable in her karate gear!

  • Whitney
    January 16, 2014 at 10:33 am

    I’d like to try the Salted Caramel Pretzel Pops!

  • diana
    January 16, 2014 at 10:37 am

    love all of the dried fruit options! pineapple would be delicious.

  • AliceB
    January 16, 2014 at 10:39 am

    Vanilla macaroon granola!

    And I don’t even know if they do lessons for children, but isn’t there Brazilian dance fighting? Capoeira, I think? Sounds a lot like ninja ballet :)

  • Jo Schaeffer-Crabb
    January 16, 2014 at 10:39 am

    I LOVE Naturebox! They have such great offerings. I’ve been wanting to try their blueberry nom noms and french toast granola! Mmmmm what a great giveaway. Thanks!

  • kelly
    January 16, 2014 at 10:41 am

    French toast granola please!

  • Emily
    January 16, 2014 at 10:44 am

    Ooooh, I gave some Naturebox Snacks as a gift, but I soooo want to try them myself. Especially the Praline pumpkin seeds and the Mexicana mango. Yum.

  • Katie
    January 16, 2014 at 10:48 am

    Hey, thank you! I have never heard of this company, and I just signed up because of your recommendation and discount. Thanks for the helpful post.

  • Liz
    January 16, 2014 at 10:50 am

    Ooooh! Sign me up for the sun-dried California peaches. Those sound divine!

  • Becky
    January 16, 2014 at 10:51 am

    Everything looks so delcious it’s hard to choose just one thing! I would love to try the praline pumpkin seeds and the bbq sunflower seeds.

  • Jill
    January 16, 2014 at 10:52 am

    The praline pumpkin seeds and the dried peaches sound great!

  • Hillary
    January 16, 2014 at 10:54 am

    i am always looking for dairy free snacks so the whole wheat figgy bars look especially amazing right now!

  • Joyce
    January 16, 2014 at 10:55 am

    Thanks for the giveaway! I’d like to try the Aztec chia seed trail mix.

  • Janet M
    January 16, 2014 at 10:56 am

    Lemon Tea Biscuits are up my alley, but I think the tart & tangy fruit medley would appeal to the tot in my house.

  • amy v
    January 16, 2014 at 11:01 am

    they had me at cherry crumble granola!

  • Ellen
    January 16, 2014 at 11:01 am

    So many delicious looking choices, but I’d pick the Whole Wheat Raspberry Figgy Bars!

  • Anne
    January 16, 2014 at 11:02 am

    Citrus Chipotle Chickpeas please. Yummy!

  • Carolyn
    January 16, 2014 at 11:04 am

    How can you pick just one?! The Honey Nut Medley, Italian Bistro Pretzels, Dark Chocolate Berry Trail mix..the list goes on and on :D

  • Jodi
    January 16, 2014 at 11:08 am

    oh, man, NINJA BALLET sounds amazing! you should totally make that a thing.

    also, those snacks look super tasty!

  • brandi
    January 16, 2014 at 11:13 am

    Those praline pumpkin seeds look amazing!

  • Emily L
    January 16, 2014 at 11:19 am

    I would totally try the Blueberry Almond Bites and the French Toast Granola!

  • Katie
    January 16, 2014 at 11:22 am

    Banana Bread or Apple Orchard Granola for sure!

  • KimberlyH
    January 16, 2014 at 11:28 am

    Yummmmm! I’d love to try so many but those sea salt and cracked pepper pumpkin seeds are definitely calling my name!

  • Christa
    January 16, 2014 at 11:33 am

    Coconut Macaroon Granola sounds wonderful!

  • nicole i
    January 16, 2014 at 11:33 am

    The trail mix and the dried fruits look fantastic as do the almond clusters. What a clever business.

  • Megan C.
    January 16, 2014 at 11:34 am

    Cherry crumble granola or French toast granola. I do love granola!

  • Kim Q
    January 16, 2014 at 11:35 am

    The vanilla macaroon granola looks awesome (but so did so many other ones)! Thanks for the opportunity.

  • Janna
    January 16, 2014 at 11:37 am

    Those Citrus Chipotle Chickpeas look great

  • Betsy
    January 16, 2014 at 11:40 am

    “I ate a taco.” That made me laugh out loud!!

    We’d probably go for the Naturebox chick peas. Either flavor. We’re big fans.

  • Carly
    January 16, 2014 at 11:40 am

    MMMMM Peppery chickpeas… yes please! Everything looks great and has made my stomach growl.

  • Stefani
    January 16, 2014 at 11:49 am

    I’m gonna stick with Eleanor – those blueberry almond bites look delish!

  • Melissa S
    January 16, 2014 at 11:51 am

    For sweet I’d go with Cherry Ganache Granola and savory the Guacamole Bites.

    Also, I love that Eleanor picked the ninja route! How cute!

  • Kay
    January 16, 2014 at 12:00 pm

    Ohhh! Lemon Tea Biscuits!

  • Maggie
    January 16, 2014 at 12:03 pm

    Praline pumpkin seeds look super yummy!

  • Sadye
    January 16, 2014 at 12:11 pm

    Those sweet blueberry almonds! Sold!

  • Kelly
    January 16, 2014 at 12:11 pm

    Citrus chipotle chickpeas. Yummm.

  • Courtney M
    January 16, 2014 at 12:13 pm

    I’d like those prailine pumpkin seeds dancing on my tastebuds, pronto!

  • adrienne
    January 16, 2014 at 12:18 pm

    Mmmmm..I’d love to try the Whole Wheat Raspberry Figgy Bars. I had no idea Nature Box did lactose free treats and I love that you can select your dietary restrictions right up front. HOW COOL!

  • Megan CC
    January 16, 2014 at 12:18 pm

    The honey mesquite almonds and the cherry crumble granola look so good! Yum!

  • Ashleigh
    January 16, 2014 at 12:23 pm

    WW Raspberry Figgy Bars please!

  • katie
    January 16, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    i’ve been meaning to try these, the guacamole bites look so yummy! i have a restricted diet due to health complications, and was recently diagnosed with another disease, so i’m about to be real confused again about what i can eat. something like this seems like a perfect test :)

  • Marissa
    January 16, 2014 at 12:26 pm

    There’s nothing I don’t want to try, but the apple orchard’s granola looks particularly tempting!

  • Abby k
    January 16, 2014 at 12:30 pm

    yum! I would love to try the banana bread granola and the honey nut medley.

  • eileen
    January 16, 2014 at 12:30 pm

    Would love to try the honey crunch crisps

  • Jolene
    January 16, 2014 at 12:30 pm

    I love all things granola/trail mix-y so I would have a hard time choosing between those!

  • Linda L
    January 16, 2014 at 12:32 pm

    french toast granola sounds delicious!

  • Laurie
    January 16, 2014 at 12:38 pm

    I think I might have to start telling people I ate a taco whenever I do something well. That was hilarious!

    French toast granola sounds wicked. I’ll bet I snarf it more than snack on it.

  • iris
    January 16, 2014 at 12:39 pm

    50% off might be too irresistible to not try…I might have to take your recommendation with the sweet blueberry almonds.

    • iris
      January 16, 2014 at 12:48 pm

      P.S. There’s Groupons around for 50% off your first *three* months of a Deluxe subscription. That might be the way to go…

  • Lisa MS
    January 16, 2014 at 12:48 pm

    MMM blueberry almond bites!

  • Gab
    January 16, 2014 at 12:49 pm

    The blueberry almond bites look yummy.

  • fellowoakparker
    January 16, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    The peanut butter nom noms look good.

  • ErinY
    January 16, 2014 at 12:57 pm

    Those dried granny smith apples look delicious!

  • Anna Ransdell
    January 16, 2014 at 12:58 pm

    Chipotle chick peas look yummy!

  • Haley J.
    January 16, 2014 at 1:03 pm

    Lemon pucker pistachios and sriracha roasted cashews sound amazing!! Ooooh, and salted caramel pretzel pops!

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