Teen Reviews Central

Zespri kiwifruit is a natural, delicious, fresh fruit snack with huge nutritional value

When most people think of kiwi, they think of the classic, juicy green kiwi that has a tangy-sweet, refreshing taste. Most, however, don't know about the hidden gem: gold kiwi, which has a mellow, tropical, sweet taste and a silky texture.The product of two crossed exotic fruit, the golden kiwifruit is a relatively new scientific "invention" that was created in New Zealand in the 1970's. The cross-pollination gave the fruit a tropically sweet and calming flavor similar to a melon! Zespri Kiwifruit, a grower, producer and seller of kiwi, carries both green and gold kiwifruit, two nutritious kiwi types grown in New Zealand.

Kiwifruit ( gold and green alike) have incredible nutritious value that supports and boosts health; the New York Times announced kiwifruit's #1 fruit ranking based on the "Overall Nutrition Quality Index" (ONQI). Kiwifruit are in fact more nutritious than almost any other fruit! One serving of kiwifruit (2 kiwis, gold or green) contains a whopping 240% of recommended daily intake of vitamin C (more vitamin C than in an orange), making kiwifruit a great flu-fighter that also reduces the long-term effects of stress and aging. One serving also packs in more fiber than a bowl of bran cereal. Fiber promotes a healthy heart, regulates digestion patterns, and helps lower cholesterol levels. A serving of kiwifruit also has more potassium than a banana. Potassium maintains normal fluid and electrolyte balances and releases energy during exercise, making kiwifruit a potent aspect of an active lifestyle diet. Kiwifruit are also recommended for those watching their weight, because of their low glycemic index of 52 (makes them low in carbs and sugars). Kiwis have antioxidants, such as vitamin E, that fight free radicals and harmful by-products in the body. Vitamin E specifically lowers cholesterol and strengthens the immune system, as well. Among two kiwis, there is 30 mg of magnesium, which increases energy levels and improves muscle and nerve function. Kiwifruit also contain 10% of the recommended daily value of folate, lutein, a phytochemical that protects eyesight against overexposure to light, and zinc, which keeps hair, skin, teeth, and nails healthy. It's hard to believe that all these health benefits are packed into one low-carb, low-fat, succulent little fruit!

  So why Zespri? Zespri is all about environmental sustainability and using the planet's resources wisely. The ZESPRI System is a unique growing and distributing process for kiwi. The system ensures that the kiwifruit Zespri grows and sells have a consistent size, shape, appearance, and taste. Zespri uses completely natural methods to grow their kiwifruit and is helping to keep the earth green.

www.zesprikiwi.com has more of the scoop on their kiwifruit and creative summer kiwi recipes (including kids' recipes), like carnival kiwi parfait, sliders with kiwi salsa, and gold kiwipops (also recipes for smoothies, salads, desserts, and more). Zespri kiwifruit can be found at local retailers and grocers. They may be sold with a free plastic spife utensil (a spoon and knife combo) that makes the cut-and-scoop way to eat kiwi easy and fun (also great to pack a kiwi and a spife for kids' school lunch or snack!). Kids and teens love the sweet, refreshing taste of kiwi, and it packs even more nutritional punch than a lot of other healthy fruits. Kiwifruit's small size also makes it a great little snack that even the pickiest of eaters and smallest bite takers enjoy down to the last scoop!

Mom Central received Zespri gold and green kiwis and spifes in order to review these products and produce.

The New Campbell's SpongeBob Soup joins the Campbell's Condensed Kids Soup line: satisfies picky eaters and nutrition-wary parents alike

  The new Campbell's SpongeBob soup, from www.campbellsoup.com, is one of thirteen Campbell's Condensed Kids Soups. These kids soup varieties are nourishing and healthy, and each soup contains 25% less sodium than the regular Campbell's Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup (480 mg of sodium compared to the usual 890 mg!). Campbell's has lowered the sodium content in over 90 of its soups. All of the kids soups meet the government criteria for healthy foods, with controlled fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. They have been inspected and approved for wholesomeness by the U.S. Deptartment of Agriculture! The thirteen flavors contain 110 calories or less, 3g of fat or less, 0g trans fat, and 480 mg of Sodium. Also, none of the soups have added MSG, artificial flavors, or preservatives.

Campbell's Spongebob soup is one of the most nutritious soups in the kids line. It contains tender chicken, rich chicken broth, and six whole grain pasta shapes that kids will love and recognize from Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants. The shapes are SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, Sandy, Plankton and Gary. Although it is a canned food, the soup has a homemade chicken noodle soup taste. It's also healthy; in one cup serving prepared, there's only 80 calories, 2g fat, 0.5g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 5 mg cholesterol, 480 mg sodium, 1g sugar, 3g protein, 1g fiber, and 10% DV vitamin A, making it a good source of vitamin A. The soup, as an unopened canned food, will stay good for a long time without refrigeration, so you can choose to eat it just about whenever (although your kids might be begging for it right away!).  

The other twelve kids flavors: Chicken & Stars, Double Noodle, Chicken NoodleO's, Disney Princess, Cars, Shrek, Dora the Explorer, Mega Noodle, Chicken Alphabet, Curly Noodle, Goldfish Pasta, and Goldfish Pasta & Meatballs  

Each of the kids soups comes in a 10.5 ounce can with a pull-back lid. The tab on the lid makes the job can-opener free! The soup is also quick and easy to prepare; the can gives simple instructions to either cook the soup on the stove or to microwave it. Campbell's Condensed Kids Soups are sold at supermarkets and mass merchandise stores nationwide. You can also earn 1 point for your school with each can from Labels For Education (each can has one paper cut-out coupon).

This soup is targeted towards kids to get them the nutrition they need and the Campbell's taste they love, all while having fun identifying and eating their favorite cartoon characters. Teens will still enjoy these soups, too; they're the ultimate comfort food, they're easy to prepare, and they cook super fast. The Campbell's SpongeBob soup has a delicious, flavorful taste that makes kids (including picky eaters) devour it, SpongeBob pasta shapes that kids enjoy, and the nutrition that kids need...and that parents appreciate!! 

Mom Central's Teen Review Central is giving away FOUR cans of Campbell's SpongeBob soup thanks to the team at Campbell's.

Here's how to enter to win:

1. Please comment below on this post (make sure to leave your e-mail address)

2. Bonus entry if you Tweet about the contest

3. Bonus entry if you link to this post from your blog or website 

 Contest ended as of Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Interested in more giveaways? Browse through the Mom Central Giveaways & Freebies Roundup!

Mom Central received Campbell's SpongeBob soup in order to review this product.

The Sunbelt Sweet & Salty Chewy Peanut Granola Bars: SO good, I could barely stop eating one to write this review!

The Sunbelt Sweet & Salty Chewy Peanut Granola Bars (www.sunbeltsnacks.com) are absolutely divine. They're a salty, sweet, crunchy, chewy, blend of granola, peanuts, and chocolate fudge dipping. YUM. My mouth waters just thinking about them...

But what makes this little bar great is not only the taste, but the nutritional value. There are a lot of salty, chewy, chocolate snack bars out there...but none of them are quite as tasty and as healthy all in one.These bars also aren't too dry like other salty and sweet granola bars. 

Each bar contains three grams of protein, whole grain oats, fiber, roasted peanuts, and a sweet, chocolate fudge drizzle to top it all off. One box contains eight individually-wrapped bars, and at $2.59 a box, they're great for staying on a budget (that's 32 cents a bar!). The bars are sold in grocery stores and discount centers across the nation.

Sunbelt, the company responsible for this delicious treat, also can take credit for some good deeds, like sponsoring many marathons, walkathons, and triathlons. Their message and goals, aside from their yummy snacks, are something to feel good about; like their slogan "fits your daily adventure" (I like that, adventures should be daily!) and their involvement with US Youth Soccer and Race For The Cure. They're also big on nutrition, health, and physical activity.

One small warning: This bar is FILLED with sugar and it's salty, so having a drink nearby is a must. I recommend a tall, cold glass of milk to do the trick. 

You can buy Sunbelt Sweet & Salty Chewy Peanut Granola Bars at www.amazon.com.

Mom Central received a box of Sunbelt Sweet & Salty Chewy Peanut Granola Bars in order to review this product.

ZredT's Rooibos Red Iced Tea, Vanilla Flavored: a bizarre blend of flavors, but a big health boost

ZredT's Rooibos Iced Red Tea with vanilla flavoring holds some great health bonuses if you can get past the strange and slightly off taste.

This iced tea is low in calories and is caffeine and gluten free. The tea is also approved USDA organic. It contains five grams of fiber (organic inulin) and all natural and organic ingredients. It also contains magnesium, which aids the nervous system, and only has low levels of tannin to stay clear of protein and iron absorption. The tea also has added monk fruit concentrate and high antioxidant levels.

Red tea comes from the rare "red bush" herb, as the label explains, which only grows in a specific region of South Africa (sounds exotic). It has been used for generations in South Africa to ease digestion. 

The numerous health benefits and exotic nature of the rooibos red iced tea sound compelling, but the mix of vanilla and iced tea doesn't quite work.

ZredT Rooibos Iced Tea also comes in other flavors: unsweetened, lemon, and ginseng & honey.

Mom Central received a ZredT vanilla Rooibos Iced Red Tea in order to review this product.

Snikiddy's all natural chocolate chip bites: bite-sized, delicious, and even nutritious!

Snikiddy's all natural chocolate chip bites are heavenly, crumbling, bites of chocolaty goodness with one twist: they're actually good for you! Cookie, snack time, and health all miraculously mesh together in this little bite-sized bounty, which can be ordered at www.snikiddy.com. 

These cookies come five in a pack and are a good source of whole grains (although you wouldn't know it by the taste!). They don't contain any preservatives, trans fat, hydrogenated oils, or corn syrup, but they still taste buttery and rich with a hint of molasses. They are a little high on sodium and carbs (but who's counting, they're chocolate chip cookies!), and have some saturated fat, but they also have protein, vitamin A, calcium, and iron.They are a good source of fiber and whole grains and are made with whole wheat flower and unrefined cane sugar. The cookie bites are organic, too. 

These chocolate chip bites are wholesome and healthy without skimping on taste. They are a great school (or anytime) snack: they are mini, fun to eat, healthy, and delicious!

Snikiddy also makes other yummy, healthy, mini snacks, such as mac n' cheese puffs, pizza puffs, chocolate chocolate bites, and oatmeal chocolate bites that come in packs or single bags.

You can buy Snikiddy chocolate chip bites (and other Snikiddy snacks) at www.amazon.com.

Mom Central received a bag of Snikiddy's All-natural Chocolate Chip Bites in order to review this product.

The Access Bag N' Pack stainless steel bottle locks in the heat

The Access Bag N' Pack stainless steel bottle is a great liquid container for a cold day. The bottle holds 22 fluid oz., more than enough to keep you warm and hydrated! The bottle caves in on the sides for easy holding. Also, the lid unscrews easily for quick filling up with your favorite warm drink. The top is sip-friendly and has a clear plastic cover to lock in the heat. 

The cover, however, shuts and releases by a button on the side that is sometimes tricky to push open and gets stuck easily. The bottle also is not multi-functional; it can't serve as a thermostat for hot food or soup with noodles (my personal favorite winter food), as the top is shaped for sipping liquids only. Despite the stubborn button and its limited function, the Access Bag N' Pack stainless steel bottle works well for holding hot liquids (and keeping them hot) in cold weather.

Mom central received a sample Access Bag N' Pack stainless steel bottle in order to review this product.