Caprese Waffle

My kitchen is mostly filled with whole foods that I gladly cook from scratch for my family (because it makes me happy, not because I think it's "right" or "wrong" to feed your family the way I do).

You'll find a whole cabinet dedicated to dried beans and grains. My fridge is packed with fruits and veggies. We don't usually spend a lot of time in the middle aisles of the grocery store. It's how we eat, and it works for our family.

That all being said, there are a number of boxed food staples that are always kicking around in our kitchen for when time is tight and tummies are rumbling, and frozen waffles are one of those staples. They are a super easy, super tasty, and incredibly versatile choice for breakfast, lunch or snacks. And I love that there are really great options out there with recognizable ingredients.

When I do feed my family convenience foods, I try to make sure they are high quality and similar to what I would make myself (if I had a clone who had time to do those kinds of things). That is why I am huge, giant, mega fan of Van's frozen waffles. They are Non-GMO project verified, and contain no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, or hydrogenated oils, and they are readily available at "regular" grocery stores. Yay for no special trips to the health food store!

I am thrilled (seriously giddy) to tell you guys that I am a proud Van's Ambassador for 2016 — meaning I'm going to be bringing you all kinds of deliciousness featuring the wholesome products from the amazing people at Van's this year. We're kicking things off with waffles, but you'll be seeing the whole range of Van's products this year.

Van's waffles are a great choice for anyone who is trying to eat a little better in the New Year. They are whole grain and nutrient-dense. If you have someone who is gluten-free in your family, Van’s also has a great line of gluten-free waffles. We're test driving the whole gluten-free thing for a few weeks (to see if it's a cause of some chronic headaches) and Van's gluten-free waffles are so delicious, I barely even miss gluten (okay, that's an exaggeration, I miss a big fluffy pizza crust like whoa).

There are 8 different varieties of Van's waffles to try out, and any of them would make for a filling, wholesome breakfast topped with nut butter or yogurt, but if you want to break out of the box, pick up one of the unflavored varieties and make yourself a savory waffle for lunch or a snack! I know 2015 was all about toast, but I'm gonna go ahead and declare 2016 the year waffles overtake toast! Who says you have to top your waffles with syrup? Try some of these savory ideas instead!