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.
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).
Of course, we’re enjoying the snacks here at home too. (Those Sweet Blueberry Almonds are so good!)
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!
Elizabeth Tuggle
January 16, 2014 at 1:06 pmPEANUT BUTTER NOM NOMS look sooooo good!
Heather
January 16, 2014 at 1:07 pmMmm… those blueberry almond bites sound yummy as do the salted caramel pretzel bites!!
Jade
January 16, 2014 at 1:13 pmthis would be awesome! golden apple tea biscuits sound so good :)
Annegirrl
January 16, 2014 at 1:14 pmThose raspberry fig bars look delicious. These snacks would be perfect for Taekwondo and swim class nights. My girls are always needing to munch right before or right after since we don’t eat dinner until late on those nights.
Becky
January 16, 2014 at 1:23 pmOoooh, those roasted kettle kernels sound delicious!
Rachel
January 16, 2014 at 1:25 pmMmmmm, lemon pucker pistachios!
Patricia
January 16, 2014 at 1:28 pmOh, I’d love to try those sweet blueberry almonds. Thanks for the giveaway!
Robin
January 16, 2014 at 1:28 pmI’d love to try the masa chips!
Kelly P
January 16, 2014 at 1:29 pmVanilla Macaroon Granola sounds delish!
Jo
January 16, 2014 at 1:31 pmRaspberry fig bars!
L
January 16, 2014 at 1:33 pmmmm…roasted kettle kernels
Victoria
January 16, 2014 at 1:36 pmwhole wheat raspberry fig bars? yes, please!
andee
January 16, 2014 at 1:41 pmI have been wanting to try NatureBox snacks! It seems so convenient to have healthy snacks sent right to you!
I would love to get my hands on some of the dried Big Island Pineapple!
Marty
January 16, 2014 at 1:57 pmOoh! Chipotle Maple Almonds sound tasty to me! Maybe my daughter would even eat them…she loves real maple syrup.
Meta
January 16, 2014 at 2:09 pmI would love to try the cashew power clusters…yum!
Sarah F.
January 16, 2014 at 2:20 pmMmmm, the Apple Orchards Granola looks mighty tasty!
Sarah
January 16, 2014 at 2:21 pmOoooh, I want to try the tropical trail mix. Reminds me of Hawaii!
Sarah
January 16, 2014 at 2:23 pmPeanut butter nom noms…mmmmm…
Emma
January 16, 2014 at 2:25 pmLemon pucker pistachios! I’d love to try those.
Tracey
January 16, 2014 at 2:30 pmI’ve been considering trying this service! Everything looks so delicious. I’m especially curious about the peppery chickpeas!
Colleen K
January 16, 2014 at 2:36 pmThose peanut butter nom noms look delicious! (I’m sure my daughter would love to try the figgy bars too.)
Margaret
January 16, 2014 at 2:40 pmCherry Crumble Granola! So many yummy options!
beth
January 16, 2014 at 2:40 pmWow, yum! Whe whole family would love this!
Caroline
January 16, 2014 at 2:40 pmThe peppery pistachios and the peanut butter nom noms. The perfect combination of salty and sweet!
Tara
January 16, 2014 at 2:46 pmHow can one choose? The mango almond bites sound awesome!
Jennifer.
January 16, 2014 at 2:48 pmLemon Pucker Pistachios? Yes please!
Carrie
January 16, 2014 at 3:06 pmI’ve been meaning to try these for a while now. I think I’ll take advantage. The mango almond bites look good.
kirsti
January 16, 2014 at 3:07 pmall of it;) peanut butter nom noms, please!!
Sangeetha
January 16, 2014 at 3:10 pmWe just started Karate in RFCC for my 4 year old too.
I do the same thing – pick up from daycare, feed him some snacks and off to Karate. Maybe we could compare notes after the session?!
I think my kiddo would love the baked sweet potato fries and I would like some of the mango almond bites!
melissa
January 16, 2014 at 3:12 pmIt all looks so yummy!!!!
GG
January 16, 2014 at 3:26 pmSweet potato fries would def be my karate snack of choice!!
Sara
January 16, 2014 at 3:27 pmI want to try all those yummy granolas!
Leigh
January 16, 2014 at 3:27 pmThe dried peaches look wonderful.
Amanda
January 16, 2014 at 3:35 pmI’ld love to try the figgy bars!
sheema
January 16, 2014 at 3:48 pmdark choc berry trail mix
Michelle
January 16, 2014 at 3:50 pmI know this is a sponsored post but I really like how you tell a story about your family and integrate the item into your actual life. It feels less like an ad and more like a recommendation. I like that a lot.
Kate
January 16, 2014 at 3:52 pmI’d love to try the cherry berry bonanza
Liz R.
January 16, 2014 at 3:56 pmBBQ Kettle Kernels, please! I often find myself grabbing something unhealthy to eat between lunch and dinner. These snacks would be much better than what I reach for these days…
Keri
January 16, 2014 at 4:04 pmgolden apple tea biscuits, please! YUM. My friend subscribes and has yet to get anything gross.
kali
January 16, 2014 at 4:07 pmSalted Carmel Pretzel Pops look delicious!
Courtney
January 16, 2014 at 4:11 pmOf course I’m looking at this right before dinner so I’m basically drooling all over my keyboard! I would have to agree with kali – those Salted Caramel Pretzel Pops look amazing! I have two little girls and this would be a perfect snack system! Thanks for the heads up on NatureBox!
Kayla
January 16, 2014 at 4:16 pmI can’t decide between Pear Praline Crunch and Vanilla Macaroon Granola!
Amanda
January 16, 2014 at 4:22 pmthe whole wheat figgy bars look really good! so do the chickpeas!
Wendy
January 16, 2014 at 4:43 pmFor sure: Autumn Eats and Treats!
Neen
January 16, 2014 at 5:12 pmThese healthy snacks definitely sound like a good idea. Please put my name in for the drawing.
Best, Neen
Neen
January 16, 2014 at 5:15 pmOops, I forgot to mention in my previous comment that the “Peppery Potato Fries” look delicious”!
Elle B
January 16, 2014 at 5:28 pmAll of them! But at this exact moment, the Italian Pretzel Bites…yum.
Mrs Ronso
January 16, 2014 at 5:33 pmI think the French Toast Granola sounds yummy and interesting! Thanks for hosting such a yummy giveaway.
Heidi Parker
January 16, 2014 at 5:45 pmYum- I think I could eat them all- but I’d start with the cashew power bites!!
Raquel
January 16, 2014 at 5:48 pmThere’s not one thing there that I wouldn’t enjoy! Honestly! But how about I check out the Salted Caramel Pretzel Pops!
Jennifer
January 16, 2014 at 6:31 pmI’ve heard great things about NatureBox! Everything looks delicious, but I think the chili lime pistachios would be my first pick.
Laura
January 16, 2014 at 6:53 pmOooh, I am excited to see that they have so many dairy-free options! I’d love to try the ‘Big Island Pineapple.’
Mary
January 16, 2014 at 6:58 pmWow! Everything looks awesome! I know my husband would love the everything bagel stix and I am drooling over the whole wheat blueberry figgy bars or the salted caramel pretzel pops. yum all around.
emily
January 16, 2014 at 6:59 pmthose dark cocoa almonds sure look good!
Mrs. Kinne
January 16, 2014 at 7:03 pmHow great do those “peanut butter nom noms” look? Admittedly, I am pregnant and hungry, so they all look good.
ashley!
January 16, 2014 at 7:14 pmI want to nom on that pear praline crunch! DANG!
Lisa
January 16, 2014 at 7:15 pmSalted caramel pretzel pops all the way. They look and sound amazing!
Tara
January 16, 2014 at 7:19 pmSo I want to try them all. What a fab idea. I’m signing up right now.
Carolyn
January 16, 2014 at 7:35 pmI’d love the Tuscan Summer Mix!
lilcg
January 16, 2014 at 8:15 pmdark cocoa almonds for me please!
Laura
January 16, 2014 at 8:39 pmI love anything tropical, so the Big Island Pineapple for me!
Kim
January 16, 2014 at 8:47 pmOh! Would love to try the whole wheat blueberry figgy bars and the peppery potato fries!
ribbon
January 16, 2014 at 8:54 pmThey all look great- the granolas would be my first snack pick.
Jill
January 16, 2014 at 9:02 pmThe dried Granny Smith apples look great to me!
Nancy
January 16, 2014 at 9:11 pmWhat a deal!
Kate
January 16, 2014 at 9:23 pmApple Orchards granola looks great.
Meredith K A
January 16, 2014 at 9:42 pmToasted sesame sticks! YUM
Erin R.
January 16, 2014 at 10:15 pmOkay, everything looks delicious, but I would try pistachio power clusters and south pacific plantain chips first. Yum!
Kathy
January 16, 2014 at 11:37 pmwhile I think everything looks delicious, I have a soft spot for seasame sticks. yum.
Jenny
January 17, 2014 at 12:19 amDefinitely the Peanut Butter Nom Noms!
karen
January 17, 2014 at 12:40 amthe salted caramel pretzel pops look delicious!
Nicoletta
January 17, 2014 at 12:53 amUm.. salted caramel pretzel pops look pretty awesome! I guess those healthy looking pistachio power bits look good too.. HA!
Nadia
January 17, 2014 at 2:24 amHoly moly! Everything sounds so good!!
Jenny
January 17, 2014 at 2:26 amThey all sound great but peanut butter nom moms sound yummy!
melissa
January 17, 2014 at 5:28 amtoasted cheddar sticks!
Julia
January 17, 2014 at 5:59 amPeanut butter nom noms!
Aliya
January 17, 2014 at 6:45 amSalted Carmel pretzel pops FTW!
CourtneyV
January 17, 2014 at 7:07 amI love them all, but I think the whole wheat figgy bar sounds delicious!
Connie W
January 17, 2014 at 7:16 amI have to bring snacks once a month for my son’s kindergarten class. I try and bring fruit but some of the kids don’t like that. Other parents bring a lot of processed carbs. These would be a great way to change it up and be healthy about it!
Ashley
January 17, 2014 at 7:52 amPeanut Butter Non noms please!
Rae
January 17, 2014 at 8:09 amPeanut butter nom noms!!!! Ooooo hope I win! ; )
Cortney
January 17, 2014 at 8:20 amSalted caramel pretzel pops?! Sign me up!
CSB
January 17, 2014 at 8:33 amEverything looks great — especially all the variety of dipping stix and the peanut butter nom noms!
Kate
January 17, 2014 at 8:34 amLove that there are so many vegan options! I’d totally go for the firecrackers.
Samae
January 17, 2014 at 8:47 amSoooo many tasty looking snacks. The Peppery Pistachios look amazing. But so many of the snacks look delicious!
Meegs
January 17, 2014 at 8:54 amI would love to try the peanut butter nom noms!
Sarah
January 17, 2014 at 10:14 amThe salted caramel pretzel pops look yum!
Kimberly
January 17, 2014 at 10:26 amWell, I’d like to try them all, but those Peanut Butter Nom Noms sound especially delicious!
Chelsey
January 17, 2014 at 10:42 amPeanut butter nom noms!
Katie
January 17, 2014 at 10:48 amcitrus chipotle chickpeas- could be great…could be terrible. love that you can try something and change it up for later!
Erin
January 17, 2014 at 10:58 amIt’s so hard to choose, but I’m sure I’d love those mango almond bites!
Christa
January 17, 2014 at 11:12 amThose salted caramel pretzel pops look amazing.
Kelsey W
January 17, 2014 at 11:12 amSalted caramel pretzel pops and sweet blueberry almonds look amazing. I love snacks!
Crystal
January 17, 2014 at 11:14 amThe salted caramel pretzel pops for me please!
Tonya
January 17, 2014 at 11:15 amMmm, sourdough cheddar pretzels sound yum!
chrissta
January 17, 2014 at 11:35 amThe toasted sesame sticks look delicious!
Erin
January 17, 2014 at 11:46 amThose salted caramel pretzel pops sound fabulous. Would love to try them!
Debbie
January 17, 2014 at 11:48 amHEL-LO, pistachio power clusters! You’re coming home with me. Who can pass off a 50% coupon code?
Violet
January 17, 2014 at 12:00 pmGah, that is so cute! I remember when I started my first karate lessons. I love that she is such an adorable fusion of girly bad-ass.
Lauren E.
January 17, 2014 at 1:26 pmSalty caramel pretzel pops, please!