SÂ is for Summer: 5 Perfect Summertime Snacks
 This is a sponsored post. This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.  #SnackSnapShare #SnackStories #CollectiveBias
Ah, it is summertime in Michigan which is my absolute favorite time of year. I try to spend as much time outside and at the beach as I can during the summer months. My mom is also a beach lover and when we go to the beach together, we always make sure to have plenty of summertime snacks with us. There is something so satisfying about sharing a delicious snack while relaxing on the beach. My love of the beach and good snacks go all the way back to childhood. When the opportunity came along to work with my friends at Cape Cod® Potato Chips and Snyder’s of Hanover® Pretzels to share my own summertime snack story and a super cool Snack Better Together sweepstakes, I couldn’t wait to get started! Are you ready to talk about 5 perfect summertime snacks? Here we go:
Cape Cod® Potato Chips
As a child, we vacationed on Cape Cod every summer. Even as a young child, I loved exploring the beach, swimming in the ocean and learning all about sea creatures and ocean life. We visited Hyannis and Provincetown as well as Nantucket and Chatham. I developed a love of blue hydrangeas, beautiful lighthouses and delicious lobster rolls. I remember walking in to town with my Dad to visit the candy store and pick out fudge and ice cream and all kinds of special treats. I still have a giant stuffed moose named Bill that I acquired from a quaint little shop in Chatham when I was a kid.
One of my other favorite memories is of our annual visit to the Cape Cod® potato chip factory in Hyannis, MA. Watching all those potatoes turn into mouth-watering crispy chips is remembered fondly by our entire family. It was so fun to watch the simple ingredients turn into delicious chips. We could hardly wait to get to the end of the tour to have a sample. We would buy cases of Cape Cod® Potato Chips to bring back home to Michigan. Now that these chips are available nationwide, I still buy them regularly as they are perfect for picnic lunches, barbecues, pool days and trips to the beach and they take me right back to summers on the Cape. If you haven’t tried a Cape Cod® potato chip, you are missing out! Do yourself a favor and pick up a bag at your local grocery retailer such as Target (where I bought mine) next time you are out and about.
Baby Carrots
Although there is not an old sentimental story about this snack, baby carrots are also easy, favorite summertime snacks. I love their slight sweetness and their delicious crunch. Baby carrots are also perfect for dipping – cheese dip, ranch dressing, hummus, cream cheese, you name it! They are a perfect compliment to a salty snack like potato chips or pretzels. Throw a handful into a sandwich bag or small container and tuck them in your cooler for your next trip to the beach, pool or park.
Almonds
Packed with protein, fiber and other important nutrients, this summer snack can fill you up fast with just a handful or two. Easy to take on the go or to keep in your purse or diaper bag to take the edge off your hunger. I prefer my almonds to be whole, roasted and tossed in sea salt, but plain almonds are a delicious treat too. Almonds make great summertime snacks, but I tend to keep them on hand all year round!
Apples
I love to bite into a crisp, juicy apple – they are such a healthy satisfying snack. Honey Crisp apples are my favorite variety followed closely by tart Granny Smith apples. I keep pre-washed apples in my refrigerator crisper drawer so they are always cold and ready to go. My latest favorite trick is to cut my apples with an apple slicer/corer and then put the apple back together core and all secured with a rubber band to keep it together (see photo below). This is a great way to take apple slices on the go without them turning brown!
Pretzels
And last but not least – pretzels! Pretzels are always a favorite summertime snack perfect for the beach or pool too.  Snyder’s of Hanover® Pretzels are always my go-to brand. They taste great and are made from simple, high quality ingredients. I love pretzels right out of the bag or dipped in cheese or chocolate. Yum! I often put out a bowl of pretzels when entertaining for a quick, easy nibble. My kids are wild about them too. I recently added pretzels to a simple patriotic trail mix that has been a big hit in our house this summer. From appetizers to desserts, pretzels are a great bet.
Would you like to win your own fabulous family vacation or a year’s supply of tasty snacks? Share your own summertime snacking moments by submitting photos of you, your family or friends and your favorite snacks using hashtag #SnackSnapShare on Twitter or Instagram. Sweepstakes participants can win the grand prize- a $10,000 cash prize for a family vacation of the winner’s choosing, be one of 8 weekly winners to win a year’s worth of snacks so they can continue to share the love all year long or be one of 57 daily winners who will receive a $50 prepaid Visa gift card to stock up on snacks at their favorite retailer. If I were to enter, I might use the image below. What are you waiting for? Share some snack love today!
#SnackSnapShare #Sweepstakes (5/30 to 7/25)
What are some of your favorite summertime snacks? Is there something else you would add to this list? Do you have a memorable snacking experience similar to my Cape Cod memories? I would love to hear from you in the comment section. Be sure to take a minute to enter the Snack Snap Share Sweepstakes for your chance to win some amazing prizes.  Cape Cod® Potato Chips and Snyder’s of Hanover® Pretzels can help you share the love of snacking with friends and family all summer long. Happy snacking, my friends!  Xoxo, -Cristina
My posts are partying at these fun Link Parties and Blog Hops!
