Feel like Snacking? Get Cracking with Ritz Crackerfuls

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Ritz.

What's my idea of a catastrophe? Losing my internet connection. I run my household (i.e. pay bills, order groceries, schedule package pickups) online. I parent (i.e sign the kids up for summer camp, register for school, shop for bathing suits and books, get parenting advice) online. I work (i.e. blog) online. I play (i.e. read blogs, tweet, watch movies, catch up on news, go shopping, download songs, plan a roadtrip from Britain to France) online. Practically the only things I don't do online these days is apply bandages, brush teeth and paint nails! So I'm always in front of the computer. With all that I do online, I could sit myself down at 8AM and not get up until 8PM! (If I had a toilet installed beside the printer, I could go even longer). I know it's a bad habit, but I really tend to lose myself -- food on the stove could burn, my kids could run away, civilizations could rise and fall while I'm doing whatever it is I'm doing online. When that happens, I end my day with tired eyes, an aching head, cramped muscles, a bloated feeling (from gobbling down junk food because I was starving didn't make the time to eat something nutritious), not to mention hungry, rowdy kids and an exasperated husband. Not good. So I do make an effort to take a breather, break up my day and remind myself that I do have a life away from that screen. Here are 3 things I like to do: 1) Go for a run These days it's more of a jog than a run... actually it's more like a shuffle... okay, a walk. But whatever the speed, it's the perfect way to get some blood back into my feet, stretch out my back, and clear the cobwebs from my head. 2) Do some housework. I hate, hate, hate doing household chores, but I've found that if I make time for them and force myself to do them, I actually feel better afterwards. It's funny to think of chores giving me a break, but they have many of the same benefits that taking a walk does (I get to stretch, rest my eyes, clear my head), and I actually accomplish something constructive. 3) Grab a snack I make it a point to get something to eat a couple of hours after having lunch, because that's the only way to avoid The Dreaded Mid-Day Munchies. You know, that sudden rush of gnawing hunger that hits you between 4 and 5PM. It takes me by surprise and leaves me so famished I end up grabbing whatever happens to be around, whether it's leftover ice cream or four servings of cheese. I find that if I grab a snack just when the first feelings of hunger begin to dawn, I can make better decisions about what I'm eating.
Which brings me to Ritz Crackerfuls BlogHer and Ritz sent me some Ritz Crackerfuls to enjoy and review, and I have to say they're a great way to fight those Mid-Day Munchies! For one thing, they're delicious: I love the nuttiness of the whole grain crackers and the creaminess of the cheese filling (I especially love the smoky flavor of the Cheddar and Bacon). The combination is complex and sophisticated, it actually gets me chewing each mouthful slowly, so I can appreciate the flavors and make the most out of each bite. We all know that eating your food slowly is a great tactic for feeling full longer, and that's what ends up happening. Of course, the whole grains in the crackers have a lot to do with that too!
I do feel guilty about the environmental consequences, but I admit to enjoying the convenience of individually-wrapped crackers, so I can just grab one and hurry back online :) But the bottom line is, I feel good about reaching for Ritz Crackers when I'm busy because they've got whole grains that keep me full, so I know I won't be hungry for something else ten minutes later. This is one snack that I'm NOT packing into the kids' camp lunchboxes -- I'm saving Ritz Crackerfuls for ME. Here's some information about Ritz Crackerfuls from Ritz: Whether you are running errands or running to meetings, Ritz Crackerfuls are the perfect snack to keep you satisfied. Each is made with 6 grams of whole grains and real cheese, so you can feel good about what you are eating and know that it is substantial enough to keep you going until you have time for your next meal. Also, since each is individually wrapped it is perfect to just throw in your bag and go. Save $1.00 on Ritz Crackerfuls Save $1.00 on Ritz Crackerfuls filled crackers. Click here to get and print your coupon! Win a $100 Visa Giftcard One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive a $100 Visa Giftcard courtesy of Ritz Crackerfuls! To enter, simply leave a comment on this post and tell me what snack keeps you going until you have time for your next meal. Extra Entries For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following, (you can only do each extra entry once; please leave a separate comment for each extra entry): 1) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook Fan Page (leave a comment on this post with your FB id): I entered the Ritz Crackerfuls $100 giveaway on Bonggamom Finds!! http://tinyurl.com/2u3u57f 2) Write this on the Ritz Crackers Facebook Fan Page (leave a comment on this post with your FB id): Hey Ritz fans -- get cracking and enter the Ritz Crackerfuls $100 giveaway on Bonggamom Finds! Enter at http://tinyurl.com/2u3u57f, ends 7/31. 3) Tweet this (leave a comment on this post with a link to your tweet): You could win $100 courtesy of Ritz Crackers and @blogherdeals! Enter now on http://tinyurl.com/2u3u57f #giveaway Maximum of 4 entries per person. This giveaway begins at 10:00AM PST on July 9 and ends at midnight PST on July 31, 2010; I will draw a winner at random on August 1 and post the winner's name in the comments section after the winner confirms acceptance. Click here for complete giveaway rules. For more information, check out the Ritz Crackerfuls website. And don't forget to visit the rest of the BlogHer Crackerfuls posts (links are on the BlogHer.com Ritz Crackerfuls page )-- you'll have 16 more chances to win! Disclosure: I am being compensated for my participation in this review. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.