I was recently asked by The J.M. Smucker Company to create some unique tips for Summer and I wanted to share with you.

Summer time means long trips and plenty of fun with family. Sometimes, this fun hits some bumps and issues, like rain, rowdy kids, or car mishaps. Another “fun” thing we all deal with regularly is the ‘ hangry’ monster that can attack not only children but adults as well. Perhaps it’s because you forgot to pack enough snacks, or someone decides to drive just a little while longer without making a pit-stop. Then the Hangry attacks, with a stomach growl then a full on tantrum for no reason. Best way to curb this monster? With some proper snacks that are healthy, filling, and fun.

I am a firm believer of the classic peanut butter and jelly for any road trip as a go, meal stretcher, or a meal. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches will both fill you up, are sweet, and have a protein punch to keep your body going even on the longest of road trips. If planned as a meal make sure to still plan for the stop- kids need to get out now and again.

Tip # 1 Getting out of the car is important for family sanity. In our family, we have a unique take on the classic peanut butter and jelly idea. The little guy doesn’t like mixing things, so it is either peanut butter or jelly- never both. Dad likes crunchy peanut butter and mom likes either way, so there are a few different sandwiches ranging in levels of peanut butter and jelly. To really make things fun, check out Walmart for all your Snackation needs- they have Jif Whips, Jif Chocolate Flavored Hazelnut Spread, Smucker’s Squeeze Grape, and my favorite- Smucker’s Strawberry Jam. With all these options, you are destined to find one to fit the pickiest among your family.

Tip # 2 Just be sure to include your family in the process.  If you have kids, don’t assume its a jelly only day because if you do, you are wrong. With kids, no matter what you do, it’s bound to be wrong, LOL.

Tip # 3 Make too much. Make and extra sandwich or two. If nothing else Dad will eat it- and you don’t want a hangry kiddo in the backseat, whining away.

Tip #4 Bring Wipes.  They are good for everything from bathroom emergencies to cleanups to car messes and messy faces and hands.  My son is always making a hot mess- I say that’s how you know he has had fun, by how dirty his clothes have gotten, LOL.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Yoplait®. The opinions and text are all mine.

Its Summer time and snacking in the summer can be a double edged sword, everyone wants something cold and delicious but most cold delicious things contain too much sugar or don’t really have any positive nutritional value to them. The recipe I made takes a simple yogurt and turns it into an extra fruity frozen surprise.

First you will need some fruit cut up into small pieces thing half bite size or berries work great too.

Ingredients:

½ diced fruit or berries

3 Yoplait® yogurt cups, you can pick any flavor or variety you like. If you are having a hard time finding your favorite be sure to hit up your local Wal-Mart where you are sure to find a multitude of flavors in either Original, Light, Greek, or Gogurt.

3 ice pop sticks, or chop sticks or even metal spoons work

Directions:

Open each yogurt up and leave the lid on partially. Pack the remaining room in the cup with fruit, mix it up thoroughly so the fruit is relatively evenly mixed. Fold over the lid and jam your stick/spoon through the lid into the yogurt beneath. Now set these in the freezer for an overnight.

These will take a while to freeze so be aware. Also be careful with the containers in which the yogurt is frozen into if the container has a lid along the top chop that off before putting it into the freezer.

These frozen treats are a great way to get healthy dairy and fruits as well as probiotics in your diet with little effort and still staying cool on a hot day. I would suggest trying out many different fruits in your yogurt to find your favorites. My personal favorite are frozen berries of any kind, so these are the obvious choice for me to add.

Enjoy your summer everyone and stay cool.

This Post is sponsored by Datarank and Hidden Valley Ranch. All opinions are my own.

We all know how wonderful Hidden Valley Ranch is as a salad dressing, a dip or topping on just about anything that needs a little zip, but did you know Hidden Valley can be used in actual recipes themselves.

Today we are going to take a look at a tasty burger receipt which will leave your guests begging for more. Also, this gives you a good excuse to try out the new Hidden Valley Ranch Flavor in an interesting new way.

We tried making something new, the Sweet Chili Burger.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground meat of choice (any meat will do, but ground beef or chicken is preferred)

Half cup of Hidden Valley Ranch Sweet Chili

Toppings and rolls

Directions:

In a large bowl mix the half cup Hidden Valley and the meat together, this should be covered then refrigerated at least a few hours before cooking, overnight is best.

Once it is time to start grilling, make your patties as thick or thin as you like then cook to your preference.

You will find the burgers have a slight peppery sweetness to them, but nothing over powering and they will also be one of the juiciest burgers you have ever tasted. There is little to no spice profile in this which should be noted as well.

This recipe works well because the Hidden Valley adds some much needed moisture when cooking while also holding the burger together.

There are also a few other new Hidden Valley Ranch flavors which could be used in place of Sweet Chili. They are Avocado Ranch, Cucumber Ranch light and regular, and Roasted Garlic. Of the ones available Roasted Garlic sounds like a good second pick if Sweet Chili doesn’t float your boat.  Head to Walmart and grab some today!
Click here for a coupon as well!