Snacks and the City- Bold Bites in San Francisco

There is nothing my family loves more than spending the day in San Francisco.

Although we live close, 

it always feels like a getaway and the perfect way to recharge.

We love the breathtaking scenery, vibrant colors, 

classic landmarks and unique neighborhoods.

Everyone has a different favorite spot, so often we zip all over the city.

I have learned from experience that nothing ruins a fun day away like hungry travelers.

Good food feeds good times and that's why I have Foster Farms Bold Bites on hand.

They are a shareable, flavorful, protein packed snack

 that is perfect to grab and go to the Golden Gate!

I don't think it was a coincidence that our first stop and snack are color coordinated!

International Orange is a bold color for a bridge and a bite...

We packed pouches for all of the Painted Ladies,

fittingly vibrant for the historic Victorians...

and some cheerful chicken for the one feeling blue...

Parmesan was perfect for our perch to view the Pyramid ...

We definitely needed extra power to climb up to Coit Tower...

Noble nibbles for our picnic at the Palace...

Not only are Foster Farms Bold Bites perfect for day in the city because they are delicious, quick and convenient, but their chicken grows bountifully and beautifully under the warm California sun.
It is raised responsibly by local farmers. Foster Farms is looking to redefine the snacking standard.  Bold Bites do not include any artificial colors,
flavors, nitrates or nitrites and come in 5 amazing and unique flavors.
They are available in various retailers across the West Coast such as Safeway and Target.

Foster Farms makes it easy to Be Bold Anywhere!

Thank you to Foster Farms for sponsoring this post and elevating snacking in such a delicious and convenient way. 

Easy Family Dinners with Foster Farms DORI™

Thanks to Foster Farms for sponsoring this post. 

As Summer winds down, family dinners are even more important to me.

In a few short weeks, my daughter will be off to college,

 and my son will be back in the swing of school and sports.

Every chance we have to all be together is like a mini celebration for me.

I want every meal to be festive, delicious and if it’s easy too, that is always a bonus.

In our house, chicken is definitely the protein of choice,

if that is what I'm serving, it will definitely be a

winner, winner chicken dinner!

Finding new and interesting ways to serve chicken just got so much easier.

Foster Farms has just introduced, DORI™, 
a new interactive QR code on packages of their fresh chicken. 

She is fun, informative and my newest friend...

You can scan the Foster Farms DORI™ QR code right at the store for hundreds of original recipes, even receive exclusive coupons and more.

It is easy to use with your smartphone or with new iOS 11 and Android updates.

No app download is required, simply open the camera on your device to scan.

Foster Farms is one of the first fresh poultry/meat companies with an on-pack QR code.

It is so convenient to pick out my chicken, 
use Foster Farms DORI™ to choose a dinner recipe idea,

then get all the ingredients in one quick trip.

It is such a help when you are stumped on that age-old question,

"What's for dinner?".

One of our favorite dishes that Foster Farms DORI™ suggested is the

Coconut-Lime Chicken and Snow Pea Salad.

It's colorful and so delicious...

It's like a party on a platter.

I love that Foster Farms DORI™ not only provides simple, creative recipes,

but includes the nutritional information as well.

Not only is this salad beautiful and vibrant,

but the flavorful, juicy chicken is the perfect contrast to the crisp vegetables.

It is an ideal way for me to turn a simple dinner 
into a celebration of my family being together.

You can learn more about Foster Farms Chicken with the DORI™ QR code here and

also find the Coconut-Lime Chicken and Snow Pea Salad recipe here.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Farm Fresh Chicken Ramen - The new comfort food

I am all about comfort,

In my home, in my wardrobe and especially in my food.

There is nothing better than cozying up to a meal that makes you feel nostalgic, happy and loved.

Now more than ever, we are comforted to know where our food comes from 

and how it was raised or cultivated.
When it's fresh, local and vibrant it always makes for a festive meal...

I recently attended a beautiful lunch hosted by Foster Farms, where we discussed
the New Comfort Food Movement, and how the way we eat, and what we eat has changed.
Traditionally comfort food meant heavier meals like lasagna and fried chicken.
Now we want simple, visual, more health minded meals,
that you feel good making, eating and even admiring.
(food selfies, anyone?)

The flavors we crave have also changed.
They are now bolder, influenced by international flavors
or may be created to be paired with a craft beer or exotic wine.
Our lives have evolved and so has comfort food.

Almost everyone and every ethnic group eats chicken.  

More recipe pins on Pinterest contain the word chicken than eggs, peanut butter and beef combined.

Chicken is the key ingredient to many comfort meals.

 Foster Farm's Simply Raised Chicken, 

is antibiotic free, locally raised, fresh and natural.  

Since 1939, Foster Farms has been committed to producing only the highest-quality poultry.

I started to think about what is comforting to me, not only to eat but to cook.

I realized it is a combination of farm fresh food,  interesting flavors, 

locally grown vegetables and herbs and products I can buy at the grocery store that I can trust.

A trip to our local farmer's market is one of the highlights of my week.

Not only is everything fresh, seasonal and local
but the pride each farmer takes in their bounty always inspires me.

I love how pretty the produce is and I'm always anxious to try something new...

One of my favorite local farmers, is my teenage son! 

He has provided us with a plethora of tomatoes all summer long.  

There is nothing better than needing something for a meal and being able to go outside and pick it.

And snipping herbs from the garden always makes me smile...

I combined fresh vegetables, herbs, Simply Raised Chicken 

and ramen noodles 

for a comforting bowl of goodness.

All of the nostalgic flavors of chicken noodle soup, 

slightly modernized into a festive ramen dish...

I think every night should be new comfort food night!

Farm Fresh Chicken Ramen
Serves 4

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup sliced carrots

1 cup sliced celery

2 cloves minced garlic

2 chopped spring onions

1/2 cup sliced cherry tomatoes

handful of spinach leaves

2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 tablespoon fresh thyme

1 tablespoon fresh oregano

48 ounces of chicken stock

2 cups shredded cooked chicken

2 packages of ramen noodles      

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add carrots, celery, garlic and onion.  Cook for about 5 minutes, or until veggies are fragrant and start to soften slightly.  Add stock and bring to a boil over high heat.  Then lower heat and simmer, adding chicken and noodles and cooking 5-7 minutes until noodles are cooked. Divide into 4 bowls and top with herbs, spinach and tomatoes.

For more New Comfort Food inspiration go to the Foster Farms Website here.

Thank you to Foster Farms for sponsoring this post.  All opinions and content are my own.