Do You Do Frozen Foods? (and a Giveaway)

            
    (photo courtest of dreamtime.com)

One of the questions I'm often asked is about frozen foods, and if I ever use them. The short answer is yes, I do. The long answer is the only frozen foods I purchase are fruits, vegetables (I always have frozen spinach and sweet peas in my freezer), phllyo dough and juice from concentrate (occasionally).  

I don't buy frozen fries, chicken fingers, fish, pizza or premade dinners, but once upon a time I did.  My reasons for not doing it now are that I have the luxury of working from home, and therefore the time to cook from scratch, which I love to do, I believe that homemade foods are healthier for my family and I also happen to think it's more economical to make my food instead of buying it.  

But back in the day, when I did by some frozen foods, I did so because it was convenient.  I was a busy, working mom of two toddlers who commuted two hours a day to and from my job.  Rob did this, too. Nightly homemade dinners just weren't possible for us, and therefore we defaulted to frozen.  It was more important for me to spend time with my boys then it was to spend even 30 minutes making meals, and I felt that the frozen equivalent to my homemade favourites was better for family then drive-thru take-out en route to our house.

 

                                  

Despite going the frozen foods route, I was always concerned about healthy products (or as healthy as the products could be) and that's when I discovered Janes Family Foods.  First and foremost, I liked Janes because it's a Canadian product.  Next to that, I really appreciated the fact that all of their chicken products are made with all white meat from grain-fed chicken, not to mention hormone and steroid free.

Janes recently contacted me to see if I would be interested in sampling one of their new products, and providing some feedback as to what I thought of this product.  In the interest of full disclosure, I let the lovely Dana know that I don't purchase frozen foods, but that I have been asked about them here (a lot) so sure, we would give it a go.

The new product is Flat Jacks; a frozen protein snack, meant to be prepared in the toaster.  Essentially they are rectangular chicken fingers that are an easy snack for tweens and teens to make on their own.  My boys took to the taste test, and I have to admit Jackson was a fan!  Ben, a little less so, but this was more based on their size rather than their taste. At 5'4", my 11 year old is looking for quantity these days.  As a mom, I can certainly appreciate how convenient these are to have on hand, and they can bridge the gap between after-school and dinner hour, maybe more so than other (sugary) packaged foods.  

Now it's your turn.  Janes has generously offered one Family Bites reader the chance to sample Flat Jacks for their family.  You'll receive a beautiful basket of coupons for Janes products, as well as a few other treats, all retailing for about $100.

In order to enter the giveaway, please head over to the NEW (well, not new but very neglected) Family Bites Facebook page and click "like". Leave a comment there letting me know you're a fan, and you'll be enterted to win.

Comments

[Debbie Bashford]

I am a facebook fan would be thrilled to win we LOVE Janes products!

[Dana McCauley]

Thanks for your post and for hosting this give away Jan! We're thrilled that you gave our new product a whirl.

And, almost more importantly, thanks for calling me lovely! I got caught in the rain today so I'm not sure I'm living up to that description but I'll take it anyhow.

PS: Janes has a FB page, too and we'd love people to 'like' it, too. We post recipes and other useful info there often.

[dan silverwood]

interesting product that I hadnt noticed in the frozen food area,,,,entered to win

[pat g]

I think my 6 year old grandson would really like these,,,and I would love to win all those Jane coupons too

[Wanda]

I'm not on facebook, but hope I can still enter here. I've tried Jane's products before and they are good!!

[ColleenB.]

I also don't buy frozen foods very often; mostly the fruits and veggies as well as the ice cream for hubby.
I don't do facebook but do receive and enjoy reading your newsletter everyday.
Thank U
ColleenB.

[jenn h]

I liked you on facebook:):) I would love to try these and see how good they are. Thanks for a chance to win.

[marla]

I've liked u on fb. Love your review!
Marla p

[Margaret Imecs]

I 'Liked' Family Bites Facebook page as Margaret Imecs.

[Sherry K]

I am a fan and agree with you - have ato have some frozen foods on hand. Love the veg and fruits specially and can always depend on Janes.

[Maryann B.]

Wow, I love the idea of really healthy frozen foods for when you absolutely cant cook. Can't wait to try them.

[Karla Sceviour]

Im a new fan and would love to win this!! I wasnt sure if we had to comment here as well,,,I commented on your facebook page too!
ksceviour at hotmail dot com