McCain Potatoes - in our house since 2003 #McCainFoods

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I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for McCain Foods. I received a sample to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.

McCain Potatoes are my family’s go to side dish.

Somewhere around 2003 my now 13 year old asked me to get these cool face potatoes when I went to the store. You can imagine my confusion at that request. She had visited a friends house and they had them for lunch. I called up the mom for a little insight and lo and behold they were called McCain’s Smiles. Since then they have been a staple in our house. The small little pillows of mashed potato heaven. We are primarily of German decent in our household, throw in a little Irish and English-Scottish to the mix – we are a potato loving family. My 13 year old will only eat mashed potatoes, my 6 year old will eat any kind of potato as long as there is sour cream and butter on it and my 16 year old, although a picky eater has not found a potato he doesn’t like. That’s why Smiles are the perfect fit for our family. They are “baked” mashed potatoes. Each family can top them or dip them with whatever they would like. It’s a perfect fit. Quality ingredients, delicious and something my whole family will eat. Score for the mom.

Recently I have discovered that McCain Foods has more to offer me than just the Smiles. My favorite of the new line is the Purely Potatoes. Much to my dismay, a lot of the retailers don’t carry them. When I find them I hoard them. (Are you paying attention big chains? Carry my potatoes!) I love them in a lot of recipes I make, the favorite being Parsley Potatoes. They don’t taste freezer burned when you cook them, they come out perfectly and are a super easy side dish to make. Most of our side dishes are potato or pasta so this is important to me. Having fibromyalgia limits my standing time unfortunately. Speedy, yummy, nutritious side dishes have huge appeal in my house. Since my kids are obsessed with the Smiles and my husband and I love the Sweet Potato Fries (McCain Sweet Potato Fries taste the closest to homemade in my opinion) we tend to compromise with both. It makes a flavorful side dish and it makes me feel like the kids are more balanced.

Smiles, Sweet Potato Fries, Chicken & Broccoli.

We are not always a “sit down dinner” kind of family. My kids all have different schedules and activities. It’s important to me that I spend as much time as I can with them when they are not busy and I am not working. Making dishes like this helps save time and I can feel good that they are eating something that isn’t from a can or bag. We can actually sit and chat before homework and friends pull them away.

McCain Potatoes is running a Facebook Contest where they will select 1 winner each week (8 winners total) to receive a $500 grocery store gift card! Contestants can also check out the Grocery Goodness Giveaway tab for to receive a $1 off coupon off any 1 bag of McCain Potato products!