Happy Friday!
Can you believe Christmas is in exactly one week? I still have all my shopping and baking to do. This weekend will be dedicated to Christmas shopping and I’m spending all day Monday to bake! I’m thinking about putting little baskets together with homemade Christmas sugar cookies, fudge, peanut brittle, and peppermint mocha bark. I may even do some truffles!
During the Holidays, I’m always out and about running around. I’m out Christmas shopping (not very well this year), out shipping packages for the shop, picking up groceries at the store for baking, going to the Hornet’s basketball games, hanging out with friends and so on. Sometimes I’m so busy I forget to eat and then find myself starving later in the night and that is why I like to keep snacks around. CVS is the best place to get affordable, delicious, and healthier snacks. They have a way better selection than the gas stations and there is a CVS on pretty much every corner here in Charlotte.
The amazing people over at CVS sent me a couple gift cards so I could pick up some of my favorite snacks and extra goodies to have around for the holidays. Also, CVS gift cards make awesome stocking stuffers! I usually go into CVS for one thing and end up leaving with twenty different items.
I like to stop at the CVS in the epicenter in Charlotte and grab snacks to bring into the Hornets game.
The Gold Emlem Abound brand has all kinds of healthier snacks for on the go. They have granola bars, mixed nuts, and air popped popcorn.
They have little trail mix bags that come in all kinds of different flavors. They are also the better deal because you can get 2 for $3.00.
The classic blend trail mix is my favorite. My boyfriend and I like to add a little bit of this mix on top of our popcorn at the movies.
I also like that most of the Gold Emblem Abound products are always marked down. You can’t find a bag of pecans for $4.99 at most stores. I grabbed a couple of the walnuts and pecans for my baking on Monday.
The buy one get one free is my favorite. I like to keep nuts out on the holidays for healthy snacking. Nuts are my number one favorite snack food!
Plus their blends have 50% less peanuts…I hate the peanuts.
I grabbed a can of mixed nuts and cashews. I like to put them in little baggies and keep them in my purse for a quick energy fix. They’re also great to take on hikes.
If you do LOVE to shop at CVS, I highly recommend signing up for one of their ExtraCare rewards program. It’s 100% free and you get tons of great discounts. My order jumped down from $82.99 to $44.23 after scanning it. I keep my little card attached to my keys so I won’t forget it.
CVS also carries great products for your home, just look for the TOTAL HOME brand!
I’m also a huge fan of CVS brand products. I love stopping there for my Ibuprofen, cough medicine, vitamins, and other first aid products. Their brand is always way less than the name brands. I always take advantage of their BOGO deals on vitamins.
I always take a B12 vitamin and an iron supplement in the morning with my coffee and a melatonin vitamin a couple hours before bed to help me sleep.
I also take a Daily vitamin every morning. The named brands are usually double in price compared to the CVS health brand. If you’re looking for a vegan or plant based vitamin, definitely check out the Radiance brand!
CVS has been my lifesaver the past couple of weeks. That picture is when the poison Ivy first started…I grabbed some calamine lotion and ibuprofen to keep it under control. I also bought the Tecnu Extreme medicated poison ivy scrub and it was the best thing in the world. I had the rash all over my body and whenever it would start to itch, I’d pour cold water over it and then just scrub it with the tecnu scrub and it instantly took the pain and itch away. After I scrubbed it, I put the calamine lotion on top. That scrub allowed me to sleep in peace at night. That scrub is located right next to the calamine lotion at CVS.
The Gold Emblem Abound brand is taking over the shelves at CVS and I love it. You can find them squeezed between the name brands and they usually are in a green package.
The Gold Emblem Abound also has some not-so-healthy options! Their gummy bears are so good! They make great stocking stuffers!
I also love the Gold Emblem coffee brand! Now, I’m very PICKY when it comes to coffee, so I was surprised that I liked it. I ran out of coffee one morning and decided to stop at CVS (becuase it was the closest) and I bought the dark french roast. It was strong, smooth, and so flavorful! I’ve been buying it ever since.
Their crunchy granola bars are my obsession right now. They are so good dipped in coffee or crumbled over yogurt. I can’t keep enough of these at my place.
There snacks make great stocking stuffers, road trip eats, or study foods.
The little super fruit baobab bites were addicting. I tossed them into my yogurt.
I ended up pouring all the fruit flavored snacks in a large jar. It was kind of like a crunchy and fruity trail mix.
This was a delicious almond and cranberry nut snack bar I picked up a couple weeks ago while Christmas shopping. It was sweet, salty, and fruity!
Now that it’s getting colder, I tend to eat more oatmeal! I love their Maple & Brown sugar flavored oats. It only has 6g of sugar in it and that’s half of what the Quaker brand has! I like to eat oatmeal with almonds before a long workout.
Dark Chocolate Espresso beans…need I say more? I think these would be so great to have out in a dish next to the desserts and coffee on Christmas eve. I may even add them to the eggnog drinks! I love anything with dark chocolate and anything with espresso!
I am very excited to be apart of the CVS DAY IN THE LIFE campaign becuase I truly LOVE CVS and they really make my life easier. I don’t know what I would do without them!
I also picked up some sweet and salty trail mix to take to a show tonight! I loved the idea of adding little mini cookies to a trail mix. This gave me an idea for making homemade trail mix with my homemade chocolate chip cookies. So clever!
For my morning snack, I had apples, peanut butter, and a side of sweet and salty Gold Emblem About trail mix!
I almost didn’t buy these, but I’m so happy I did. If you walk through the holiday aisle, you’ll find Gold Emblem Abound holiday themed candy. I thought the little candy canes were so cute! They have all kinds of different holiday snacks to choose from! It makes holiday parties so much easier to set up.
I never thought they were taste as amazing as they do!
They are perfect for little decorations! If you make cups of hot chocolate and add the candy cane on the side, your guest will love it! They would also be cute for gingerbread house decorations.
These looked so good! A couple of these would cure the sweet tooth! Plus they have probiotic cultures.
Figs are my favorite of all the dried fruits! I took advantage of their BOGO and bought two bags! I keep them in my freezer and eat one when I have a sweet tooth.
Grumples and Tino also love the treats and toys at CVS! They basically have everything for everyone! 🙂 I watched a lady pick up a last minute gift on her way to work. She bought a heated blanket, candies, a t-shirt, wrapping paper and the card! CVS is great if you’re forgetful (like me).
I’M POURD TO PARTNER WITH CVS/PHARMACY FOR THE DAY IN THE LIFE CAMPAIGN. I AM BEING SPONSORED BY CVS/PHARMACY FOR MY POSTS AND ACTIVITIES, BUT ALL OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE MY OWN, AND ALL PRODUCT CLAIMS OR PROGRAM DETAILS SHARED SHOULD BE VERIFIED AT CVS.COM OR WITH THE APPROPRIATE MANUFACTURERS.
THREE QUESTIONS FOR YOU:
- What is your favorite snack to keep in your purse?
- What is the weather going to be like where you live on Christmas Day?
- What does your family eat on Christmas day?
Emily B says
I want to hear more about this peppermint mocha bark! It sounds AMAZING.
1. I usually always have nuts in a little tupperware container in my purse. I usually buy Target’s Archer Farm tubs of nuts – usually salted cashews and unsalted mixed nuts and then blend them together so I get some salt but not too much. Every so often I have a Quest Bar in my bag too.
2. Likely cold 🙂 20 degrees or so. I live in North Dakota and for the first week and a half of December it was like, 40-50 degrees and no snow which is SO rare in this part of the country. Then this week it dumped about 1-2 feet within a few days. But that’s ok with me. It doesn’t feel like Christmas time to me without snow.
3. This year my family is have pork roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, probably lefse, snicker apple salad, coleslaw and I’m making caramel toffee cheesecake for dessert. We are having brunch as well. Cant believe it’s a week away already!
Taralynn McNitt says
I’ll be blogging about it! Don’t you worry 🙂
1. Nuts and protein bars here too!
2. Ugh, I wish we could have a snowy and cold Christmas. It’s going to be 75 degrees and sunny here!
3. YUM! We had that last year :)WITH LASAGNA! Your desserts sound fantastic.
xo merry Christmas!
Brooklyn says
I love how many photos are in this post!
I always keep granola bars in my purse. Not the healthiest but not the worst.
It’s going to be a windy and rainy Christmas here this year 🙁
http://www.justbeingbrooklyn.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Lol I got carried away 🙂
Granola bars are great and perfect in moderation!
ugh, maybe you’ll get snow 😉 It’s going to be 75 here.
Liz says
Thanks for all of the snack ideas! I have a hard time deciding which options are actually healthy vs. what seems healthy. Great post!
xo, Liz
http://lipstickandconfetti.com
Taralynn McNitt says
I have a hard time doing that too and that is why I usually stick to moderation instead 😉 xo xo
Lindsay @ A Runnaroundd Life says
For a “convenience” store, CVS has great prices. I’m always surprised how much I save when I’m there. Whenever they total everything I’m always like, “Wow! That’s it?” haha. It’s great! The trail mix is my favorite, too. Whenever it’s on sale I’m all over it! Can’t get enough of those salty raisins 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
They really do! Especially thier brands. I love how many trail mix combos they offer!
Melanie says
The sweet and salty trail mix looks so good. Mini cookies is such a great addition 😀
I like keeping packets of nut butter in my bag. They’re easy to carry and filling!
I don’t think it’s suppose to snow here on Christmas. It should be pretty warm too– in the 50’s!!
My family is having a big brunch with lots of baked goods, casseroles, eggs, bacon etc.! I can’t wait to start cooking!
P.s. I hope your posion ivy has subsided and you are feeling better!!
Taralynn McNitt says
I thought so too! I want to make my own now. Keeping packets of nut butter is a great idea!
Seems like we are all having warm Christmas!75 here….
That brunch sounds amazing!!!!
Xo
Mechela says
1. I am bad about not keeping snacks in my purse. I should since I easily get “hangry.” I love dried fruit tho…especially the figs!
2. I think it is supposed to be around 80 here on Christmas! Shorts and flip flops for sure!
3. We go to my parents for Christmas morning. My mom makes brioche french toast, latkes with homemade apple sauce, fresh fruit, & mimosas. We then go to my husbands for dinner and they make the traditional Christmas roast dinner.
Taralynn McNitt says
Lol I’m always happy when I have snacks when my boyfriend gets “hangry” dried figs are my fave!!
It’s going to be a shorts and flip flop Christmas here too!
All of your Christmas Day food sounds so good!!!!
bekki says
i know this post is sponsored and all, but i do love CVS lol i thought i was the only one…
Taralynn McNitt says
Nope! I love it!!
Whitney says
1. I usually keep gum or mints on me. I know that’s not really a snack but whatevs lol.
2. I live in lower Alabama and it’s probably not going to be cold 🙁 I hate the snow, but love cold weather.
3. My family doesn’t really do a christmas dinner. We usually order lots of pizza Dx (We only do crazy cooking on thanksgiving lol)
Taralynn McNitt says
Gum and mints always come in handy.
It’s going to be warm here too! I like a white Christmas 🙂
Ordering pizza sounds like a fun tradition! And much easier!
Lacy says
I’m a teacher and usually stop at CVS once a week. It’s right next to my school and I’m always forgetting something. I love that I can pick up school supplies during my lunch break!
Taralynn McNitt says
That’s what would do to! I always stopped there for supplies on my way to high school! Last minute poster boards lol
Kim says
I have kids and so I keep a ton of snacks in my purse! Cascadian farms mini granola bars, larabars, almonds, clementines, apples, Annies cheddar bunnies, KIND bars, packets of Justins PB, and squeeze packs of unsweetened applesauce. My friends always make fun of me, but everyone is happy when they are hangry and I bust out a snack 😉
Taralynn McNitt says
Thats smart! You can’t go without snacks! I always kept them in my bag when I was a nanny. & cascadian farm granola bars are my favorite! i love their vanilla ones 🙂 I love that you keep so many healthy and yummy snacks with you! 🙂
Amanda says
I live right next to CVS and have almost everything you bought sitting in my kitchen.
Taralynn McNitt says
Lol love living next to CVS!
Emily says
I’m obsessed with the Gold Emblem granola bars! They taste just like the nature valley but cheaper!
Taralynn McNitt says
Agree!!
Gaby says
Love this post bc I love CVS snacks, too! I don’t think they have them there, but I always have a Quest Bar in my purse. Currently, the smores flavor. They don’t smoosh under all my junk. Hehe. Living in SC, it’s probably not going to be too cold but maybe cold enough for a sweater – finally! We usually have a traditional southern Christmas with turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, dressing/stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potato pie, and probably brussels sprouts and roasted broccoli. Gosh, that’s a lot. I’m certainly thankful to get to have this abundance of food.
Taralynn McNitt says
That would be awesome if CVS sold Quest Bars! & I also love the S’mores flavor. It’s going to be 75 on Christmas where I’m at in SC! Last year, we were out playing basketball in T-shirts. Your dinner sounds so delicious! It’s early morning and I haven’t have coffee/breakfast yet, so I’m HUNGRY! lol
Jaja says
I love your photos in this post!
Taralynn McNitt says
Well thank you!! 🙂
Katie says
1) I usually keep protein/granola bars in my purse. Sometimes I’ll buy the more expensive brand like a Luna Bar or a Cliff Bar which I love but I do also buy the off brand bars like the Gold Emblem at CVS or just a random Stop & Shop bar or something. If I know I will for sure be in need of a snack, I’ll sometimes also bring a banana or apple with me.
2) It’s going to be 57 and sunny! I’m so excited! My family and I usually open presents on Christmas morning and don’t do much on Christmas Eve. Since it’s going to be so nice this year (We live in CT where it’s usually snowing and 30 by now) we are going to open presents on Christmas Eve and then Christmas morning we will relax in the morning and then go on a late morning hike/walk with the family and then spend the late afternoon/evening with the extended family.
3) Usually ham or prime rib with potatoes, carrots, turnips, bread, etc. and tons of desserts 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
1. Love the Luna (Lemon) and Cliff (Blueberry Almond) bars! I also like bringing apples and bananas with me! & a little baggy of almonds.
2. Sounds like you are going to have a beautiful Christmas!
3. We are having prime rib this year! (I’ve never had it) and your Christmas dinner sounds amazing!!
Kelsey says
1.What is your favorite snack to keep in your purse?
I usally keep trail mix gronla bars in my purse or some slim jims something small to snack on at work or on the road.
2.What is the weather going to be like where you live on Christmas Day?
Here in TN it looks like its going to be about 70 degrees but 90 percent chance of rain… yuck! Not very christmas weather. 🙁
3.What does your family eat on Christmas day?
We basically eat the same thing we have for thanksgiving haha hamm,turkey,dressing,mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, ect. I always look forward to those two holidays with some good home cooked food! 🙂 Though one thing we do get on Christmas is peanut butter fudge and it is my FAVORITE!
Taralynn McNitt says
Yum! I love me some slim jims! My brother and I used to eat containers of them as kids!
Yikes! that doesn’t sound like a good weather day! Just stay inside and relax 😀
All of that home cooked food sounds incredible!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot says
I usually keep a granola bar in my purse
It’s supposed to be warm and rainy on Christmas which is unusual for Pennsylvania!
We eat different things each year. This year my moms making hot roast beef sandwiches and different sides for lunch. We’ll also be having assorted desserts and sweets of course!
Taralynn McNitt says
Me tooooo! I Like the cliff bars a lot!
Seems like its going to be warm everywhere!
Ohhhhh that sounds amazing!!!!
Susie says
I like to keep a Lara bar or a Luna bar in my purse for those emergencies. Nuts are great too.
It’s going to be rainy here in the Bay Area on Christmas, blah. Luckily, we don’t have to travel far.
Our Christmas menu changes each year, but we are Latin folk so it’s usually tamales!
Happy holidays to you!
Taralynn McNitt says
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!!
Kelli says
1.) I always keep a bag of nuts in my purse. Quick energy. Also like to keep fun flavors of gum, too. It’s amazing how that can curb appetite.
2.) It’s going to be a wet mess here in Wisconsin. Out weatherperson even said a change for a rumble or two of thunder. THUNDER. Almost ALWAYS have snow 🙁
3.) My family always makes a ham and sometimes duck. And an AMAZING cheesy potato casserole. I would love to attempt to try to make a healthier version. It’s SO BAD for you.
Taralynn McNitt says
Yes!:) Nuts in the purse always.
It rained all day here too and is going to continue! BUT 78 DEGREES!!!!
YUM!!!
Staci says
Hi! Not sure if you put any dairy in your coffee, but if you do, you should consider taking your iron pill later, because the calcium will prevent all the iron from being fully absorbed
but yea CVS is the best!!!!!
Taralynn McNitt says
That is crazy! I have never heard of that, but thank you!!
maureen says
Thank you so muchfor all the health tips and especially the cvs pics and info, i saved the pics to make a huge care pkg of stuff to send to my daughter
Taralynn McNitt says
So nice of you!!
Sarah says
Love CVS!
Taralynn McNitt says
me too!