Sponsored Giveaway - Cheerios Do What You Love

Last week, I received a goodie box from MyBlogSpark and Cheerios. When I heard about this review opportunity, I jumped at it. I don’t do a whole lot of reviews because I only participate when the product being reviewed is something I use, or at least am willing to try. Well, Cheerios is a perfect match for me. You may even remember me mentioning them in previous blog posts. What can I say? We eat a lot of Cheerios in this house.
Cheerios is made with 100% whole grain oats, and we know that whole grains are heart healthy choices. I’m just glad they taste good, too.

Anyway, Cheerios is running a promotion to get you to “Do What You Love”. Here is an excerpt from the information provided through MyBlogSpark:

"Cheerios is partnering with country music superstar Martina McBride and professional athlete Cal Ripken, Jr. for the "Do What You Love" Contest. McBride and Ripken will recognize two lucky people with prizes that will make their hearts race.


One music lover (and a guest) will tour the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum with McBride, hang out with her in her recording studio - the world famous Blackbird Studio in Nashville, Tenn. - and even get VIP tickets to one of her upcoming concerts.


Another lucky baseball enthusiast (and a guest) will have the chance to hang out and play catch with Ripken and to tour the Ripken Youth Baseball Academy in Aberdeen, Md., with the "Iron Man" of baseball himself. In addition, the winner will throw out the first pitch at the Cal Ripken World Series and sit in Ripken´s reserved seats at a Baltimore baseball game."

Now, I’m sure you want to know how you might win. Of course, you have to enter to win. But, I bet you knew that, huh? So, here’s the deal. To enter, you’ll need to submit a short story (150-200 words) and photo showing off what it is that YOU love to do. (I wonder if loving to read blogs would make a good entry….hmmmm.) Once you have your story and photo ready to go, you’ll need to visit the official website to submit your entry. Do that by going to http://www.cheerios.com/love and enter. Watch the deadline though. This contest ends July 23, 3010. (I really think they should pick me to meet Martina McBride. Just sayin’.)

Now, only two people are going to win that prize…but…get this…Cheerios and MyBlogSpark are sponsoring a giveaway on my blog, too. That’s right, one of you is going to win a prize package, just for entering here. The winner will receive a package just like what they sent me. Inside will be a box of Cheerios and an American Express gift card worth $25! Maybe you can use the $25 to do what you enjoy most. This giveway will be open to US residents only.

To enter the giveaway on my blog, please leave me a comment and let me know what it is you love to do and how Cheerios can help you “Do What You Love”. That’s all it takes. Now, you do need to make sure I have a way to reach you. If your email is not shown with your profile, you will need to leave your email address in the comment. This contest will also end July 23, 2010 and the winner will be chosen randomly the next day. I will notify the winner by email. The winner must contact me within 24 hours, or an alternate winner will be selected.

Go ahead. Enter both contests. Then, go do something that you love…and don’t forget to eat your Cheerios.

Oh yeah...one more thing...when you buy Cheerios, please be sure to clip the "Box Tops for Education" and give it to your favorite school.

Disclaimer – This giveaway is sponsored by Cheerios and MyBlogSpark. They provided me with my gift package of Cheerios and a $25 American Express gift card. They also will provide my winner with their gift package. The opinions expressed are mine alone. I have received no further compensation for this review.

Sponsored Review and a Giveaway!!

Update:  This giveaway is now closed.  The winner, as selected using Random.Org, is Kameron from A Wrinkle In Time.  Enjoy trying the Strawberry and Blueberry!  Thanks, everyone, for entering.

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MyBlogSpark™ and Yoplait recently teamed up to introduce Yoplait Greek yogurt.  They sent me two coupons to purchase the yogurt, try it, and write a review of it.  Since Greek-style yogurt is something I particularly enjoy, I decided to give it a try.

In addition to sending me the coupons to try the Yoplait Greek yogurt, they also sent me a “Nourish Your Inner Goddess” gift pack.  In my gift pack, there was a collection of items that would make a lovely, pampering experience, including a loofah scrub, wooden massager, spa slippers and a plush terry spa wrap. 

Now, before I share my experience with it, let me share some of the information they provided.  “With 12 grams of protein -- twice that found in leading yogurts-- new Yoplait Greek nourishes from the inside out. Available in four delicious flavors, Strawberry, Blueberry, Honey Vanilla and Plain, the brand´s newest offering has a unique thick and creamy texture with the unmatched taste expected of Yoplait.

To celebrate its new Greek yogurt and to encourage women to nourish their inner goddess, Yoplait has teamed up with actress Izabella Miko, who plays Greek Goddess Athena in the epic adventure new Warner Bros. Pictures´ and Legendary Pictures´ film "Clash of the Titans," in theatres April 2 in 3D.”

Check out this trailer for “Clash of the Titans”

But, what you really want to know is how I liked the Yoplait Greek yogurt, right?  Well, let me tell you about my experience.  First, I had to try several stores before I found it.  I guess it is just because it is so new, since most of my local grocery stores do carry Yoplait brand yogurts.  Ultimately, I found it at Kroger, priced at $1.19 per six ounce container.  I chose Honey Vanilla, since that is my preferred flavor. 

The first thing I checked was the label.  One container has 130 calories.  I was pleasantly surprised to find 270 mg of Potassium.  That is a little higher than my usual brand of Greek yogurt.  The protein content is consistent with other brands of Greek yogurt, most of which have around twice the protein of regular yogurt.  What I didn’t care for is that the Honey Vanilla flavor contained no actual honey.  It also does not contain live, active cultures, which I expect to find in any yogurt product I purchase. 

The texture was thick and creamy, as I would expect.  Honestly, though, there was something about the flavor that was off.  It was not a bad taste; it just was not the flavor to which I am accustomed.  There was a mild bitterness to it.  There was a bit of an aftertaste, as well. 

Would I buy it again?  Maybe.  Since it costs about half of what I normally pay for my usual brand of Greek yogurt, the price makes it more affordable, especially if I use a coupon.  (You can download a coupon, too.  See below.)  But, I would buy it in addition to, not as a substitute for, my regular brand of Greek yogurt. 

Would YOU like to give Yoplait Greek Yogurt a try?  Yoplait and MyBlogSpark™ provided me the opportunity to give one of my blog readers another Yoplait Greek "Nourish Your Inner Goddess" gift pack like mine that will also contain two VIP* coupons for Yoplait Greek yogurt.  (Please note *This coupon offer for a free cup of Yoplait Greek yogurt is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Tennessee.) 

How do you enter?  First, this contest is open only to residents of the USA.  Second, please visit the Yoplait Greek Yogurt website here to learn more about the product and flavors.  (Don’t forget to download your $0.30 off coupon while you are there.)  Then, leave me a comment telling me which two flavors you would try if you win the giveaway. 

For additional entries:

-send out a tweet about this contest, being sure to link to this post. 

-blog about this contest and link back to me.

-follow my blog.

-follow me on Twitter (@KingJsQueenE)

You will need to leave a separate comment for each entry, up to a total of 5 entries.  This contest will be open through 11:59 pm on Thursday, April 15, 2010.  I will contact the random winner the next day.  The winner will have two days to respond with shipping information or an alternate winner will be chosen.  Please make sure your email address is available on your profile or leave it in the comment. 

Sponsored Post - General Mills Cereals

Chex Mix…one of my favorite homemade snacks. We ate buckets of the stuff during the Christmas season. Sadly, my pants confirm this is true. Princess E and I also made Muddy Buddies as a math/science project for her. My aunt also introduced us to Snickerdoodle Chex Mix. It was super-yummy and gluten-free.

Anyway, right in the middle of all the holiday yumminess, I received an offer from General Mills and MyBlogSpark. They sent me coupons that I could use to buy any General Mills cereals. They also gave me lots of information about cereal for breakfast.  I am rather picky about what I serve my daughter for breakfast, so learning how they are making breakfast cereals more nutritious was a nice bonus.
So, let me share with you the information that was given to me. General Mills recently announced “a commitment to further reduce sugar in cereals advertised to kids under 12 to single digit grams of sugar per serving. The company has already been reducing sugar in cereals while increasing key nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, and providing whole grain.”

Of course, they probably weren’t expecting me to serve Muddy Buddies for breakfast. Ha!  I'm kidding.  I wouldn't do that.  Here's my idea of a good breakfast: 

For more information about kids and cereals, please visit Cereal Health and Wellness.

Right now if you visit here you will find a $1 off coupon for one of four General Mills cereals. These are some of the cereals that children so greatly enjoy. Cinnamon Toast Crunch is a huge hit at my house.

What do you feed your children for breakfast?  I'd love to read your comments on this.  Don't forget to print out your own coupon.

General Mills and MyBlogSpark sponsored this post.  They provided me with coupons I could use to buy cereals; but the opinions expressed here are completely my own.