Old London Blog Tour - Recipes, Sweepstakes, and Tips

Old London's light, crisp cracker line makes the perfect supplement for maintaining a balanced nutrition regimen.  Products can be found at grocery and retail chains nationwide.  Old London's snack product line includes:

Melba Toast - A true crunchy original, Old London Melba Toast is the perfect alternative to bread for a light, easy lunch.  Available in Sesame, Rosemary & Olive Oil, Rye, Wheat, Whole Grain, Classic and Salt Free Whole Grain.

Melba Snacks - Replace your everyday crackers with these crispy rounds, perfect for out of the box wholesome snacking.  Old London Melba Snacks are the essential complement to your favorite dip or spread.  Available in Spicy 3 Pepper, Roasted Garlic, Sea Salt, White Cheddar and Whole Grain.

Bagel Chips - Deliciously crunchy bite sized Bagel Chips can be paired with your favorite toppings and enjoyed anytime.  They make a great light snack at home or to serve to your family and friends.  Available in Garlic & Herb, Spicy Cheddar, French Onion and Sea Salt. 

I had the opportunity to try a variety from each of the Old London cracker products.  I've found they make tasty and filling snacks while I'm at work.  I don't feel like I'm weighing myself down with calories and I can top the chips, toasts, and snacks with different food toppings.  Some toppings I've used are cream cheese, sour cream and spinach dip, and low-fat ranch dressing.  I also tried a recipe with Melba Snacks at home that was new to the table and the whole family enjoyed.

Melba Toast Quiche by Christopher Kostow
Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

15 Old London Sea Salt Melba Snacks, roughly chopped
8 Eggs, beaten
1/4 cup Light cream
1/3 cup Onion, chopped
1/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
1/3 cup Oil-packed sun dried tomatoes, chopped
2/3 cup Feta cheese, crumbled
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. butter

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Butter a 1 1/2 quart baking dish.  Combine all ingredients until well mixed and pour into the dish.  Bake uncovered for 35 minutes or until the middle is set.  Allow to chill slightly.  Unmold from baking dish and slice.

Melba Toast Quiche by Christopher Kostow

Other Old London product recipes can be found on the Old London site or Facebook page.

Chelsie Hightower's Healthy Living Tips

Take your workouts outside.  While a walk around your neighborhood might seem less exciting than a hide around Greek runs, try to find something in your local outdoors that motivates and excites you.  Explore a local park or a new neighborhood route to change up your fitness routine.

Make healthy meal choices.  Stick to a Mediterranean influenced diet that is rich in olive oil, vegetables, fruit, fish, and dairy.  Find recipes online and try them at home.  Old London has some great recipes on their Facebook page.

Give yourself a break.  We all need to recharge our batteries every once in a while.  If you can't take a vacation, plan a day or a weekend at home when you can have a little "me time" to just relax and do whatever makes you happy.

Reach for healthy snacks.  Keep smart snack options on hand to keep energy up between meals like a handful of almonds, some Greek yogurt and honey, or a few Old London Melba Snacks with hummus.

Go dancing.  In Greece, dancing is a large part of any celebration or gathering. 

Healthy Living = Happiness.  You don't have to wait for a special occasion to plan a get-together.  Invite friends and family over just because!  Ask guests to bring a dish, or set out appetizers like olives, cheese and Old London Melba Toast for everyone to enjoy.  Being happy is a big step to staying healthy.

Love yourself.  People come in all shapes and sizes, and what works on others won't necessarily work for you.  Being healthy is about how you feel.  Stop comparing yourself to others ad begin loving the person you are from head to toe.

Dr. Susan M. Kleiner's Healthy Living Tips

Keep your body fueled and your mind energized by always combining carbohydrate-rich foods with protein and/or healthy fats.

Our bodies work like a clock.  Create a food plan, including 5-6 meals and snacks throughout the day.  Eat every three hours or so to keep your energy levels high ad maintain mental focus.

Fuel yourself with carbohydrates and protein before and after exercise to maximize your workout time, enhance your strength and endurance, and burn more calories during and after exercise.

Carbohydrate-rich foods fuel your muscles and rise your mood.  Include them at every meal and snack throughout the day to keep going strong.

Eat a plant-based Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, nuts and seeds to bolster your immune system and feel your best every day.

Crunch foods make us feel good.  Add some crispy crunch to your diet by choosing naturally light and lean fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts and grain products with crunch that are easily portion controlled for low calorie, high fiber, satisfying snacks.

Eat before you are hungry to control your appetite and cravings.  Plan small, infrequent meals and packable snacks to keep you centered throughout the day.

The Mediterranean diet is rich in important healthy fats from fish, olives, extra virgin olive oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds.  These fats are naturally high in anti-inflammatory factors that promote health and prevent disease.  Include several small portions of these foods in your diet every day.

Milk and yogurt are feel great foods, naturally rich in protein and a small amount of carbohydrate to raise mood and help your muscles refuel, recover and grow.  Combine milk or yogurt with another carbohydrate source for a great pre-workout or post-workout snack or anytime during the day.

For a healthy brain and nervous system, eat a whole egg everyday.  Egg yolks are a rich source of the B-vitamin choline, required to maintain the transport of nutrients into the cells ad toxins out of the cells, and for every thought and movement we have.

Old London's OPA! To A Better You Sweepstakes

Old London has partnered with Chelsie Hightower to launch the "OPA! To A Better You" Sweepstakes and encourage consumers to live a more balanced, healthy lifestyle.  Chelsie Hightower, the Emmy nominated professional dancer from "Dancing with the Stars" and a team of nutrition and culinary experts have come together to provide simple health tips and recipes to support a Mediterranean influenced lifestyle.  Additionally, one lucky winner and guest will have a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime vacation to the Greek Islands.  "Opa!" is a popular Greek term used to express excitement and cheer.  Say Opa! to a better you by maintaining a healthy, balanced diet and participating in physical activities you love. 

The "OPA! To A Better You" Sweepstakes will send one lucky winner and a guest on a vacation to the Greek Islands.  Experience this eight-day, seven-night trip for two to the Greek Islands and explore a new culture with Old London.  Enter now through June 30, 2012.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Old London. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.