Wrtie a Letter, Raise a Giant

“Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by Green Giant® through MyBlogSpark.”

Now I have heard alot of news in schools and parents about the issue of bullying. I have experienced it first hand amongst even the little toddler/preschooler crowd! I have never thought of writing a letter and encouraging my daughter to help her become a "GIANT". I love this movement from Green Giant and I find it encouraging. I hope this post helps you as a parent to encourage your child to speak out and to be aware of bullying and how to deal with it.

For more information and other examples check out www.raiseagiant.com and also included in this post is a video clip on  how to encourage our kiddos!

At Green Giant® we know it takes a lot more to raise a healthy child then just getting them to eat their vegetables. Kids these days live in a world that is bigger and scarier than the world we grew up in, and they need help and encouragement to navigate that world with confidence and pride. Unfortunately one of the hardest things kids have to deal with is bullying. When a child is bullied by a peer it can turn his or her life into a daily gauntlet of fear and anxiety. That’s why Green Giant® is partnering with PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center and We Day Minnesota to help parents RaiseA Giant and put a stop to bullying in their community.

What Does it Mean To Be A Giant? Being a giant isn’t about being the biggest or the best. Being a giant means standing up for others. It means lending a hand to those who are in trouble and speaking up for those who sometimes find it hard to speak up for themselves. Studies show that an effective way to stop bullying is for kids to simply speak up and say, “That’s not okay” when they see bullying happening. But asking kids to have the courage to stand up to bullying is a tall order and that’s why they need our help. How Do You Raise A Giant? We’re asking parents to write a letter to their kids telling them how special they are and encouraging them to be part of the bullying prevention solution by being a giant. To get started parents can visit our community at RaiseAGaint.com and read the letters others have written. *************************************** Here's my Letter to our Daughter: Dear Sophia, You are so special, you are not only God's creation, but a gift to us.  You are one of a kind, and are growing up so fast and learning so quickly!  You keep us on our toes for sure.  Sophie, you are only three, and are past toddler age, but I wanted to let you know that not many in the world will be kind.  There are times when other kids seem scary!  When other kids seem scary and mean to you, tell them to stop.  When Other little kids may push or yell at you, tell them to stop.  If you are scared to tell them, tell mom and dad, a teacher, or a grownup.  Do not be afraid to tell them, "That is not nice, you are being unkind.  Do not yell or push me.  Be gentle, and use kind words." Or simply say, "Stop". It is not nice for other kids to treat you in an unkind way.  It is okay to let them know that they are unkind or rough and rude.  Tell them to use nice words and be gentle.   Always know that you can ask Mommy and Daddy for help.  I will do my best to listen to the words you say.  We love you very much, and want others to treat you kindly and not hurt you.  It is okay to stand up for yourself by telling another kid, NO, STOP! With love, Mom and Dad. “Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by Green Giant® through MyBlogSpark.”

Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme Cereal Review and Giveaway

My Review:
This cereal tasted great.  We received one box, and it was gone within two to three days.  I had packed 2 ziplock baggies for snacks as we were on the road traveling.  We as a family loved it for breakfast.  It was not only my toddler who wanted a bowl full of Cookies 'n' Creme....it was me too!

The texture of them is not as hard on the mouth as I had thought it would be.  In the past I have had circular kids' cereal and hated that it rubbed the roof of  my mouth rough and raw for some reason.  This one has a nice softer texture to it.  It was small enough for little toddler mouths as well.

The Taste and flavor was addicting.  I could not get over the delicious taste of Cookies 'n' Creme!  I kept eating them as a snack and my  husband who is a bit hard to please when it comes to cereal joined in on munching them down as well.  Quite an enjoyable cereal that pleased the tastebuds of all in our family.

Life is Easier:

Below is what we received in our package.  I have to say that I really am enjoying the cereal dispenser as it beats having to reach into the cupboards with a step stool for our cereal every morning.  And the bowls, spoons fit together as "to go" cereal bowls.  There is a place to put the cereal and have milk stored safely in a separate compartment.  In thinking about up coming camping trips, this will come handy when we want at least one bowl of cereal or need some snack containers.

Giveaway: 

Want to win the same cereal package as I have received?  Picture is above of what the prize package is!  It is a really nice prize pack and do not think  you want to miss out on winning this General Mills Cereal Prize Package! Enter using the Rafflecopter Below and Winner will be drawn on July 23, 2013.  Entrants is limited to US only.  Thank you!

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Like what you see or read?  Check out the following websites for more information

• Website: http://www.generalmills.com/Brands/Cereals.aspx
• General Mills on Facebook: Facebook.com/General-Mills
• General Mills on Twitter: @GeneralMills
• $1.10 off one box of Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme cereal http://bit.ly/12fE0V9

“Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.”

Hard Rock Cafe "Night out in Seattle" {$50 GC Giveaway}

I cannot but really be stoked to tell you guys about our experience in the Hard Rock Cafe! 

I have never been to a Hard Rock Cafe in my life!  I did not know if they even allowed us to take kids!   Haha silly me.  So I was thrilled that there was not a long wait to sit down to a table.  They showed us to a table, and the music was not too overwhelming.  After ordering one of the guys walking around who called himself the "music director" walked up to our table and asked us our favorite rock songs and artists!  My husband picked out a couple of songs.  I really drew a blank!  All that came to my mind were Disney's Lilo and Stitch and Muppets' song "Nomena".

I felt like we were truly apart of the whole Hard Rock Cafe Experience.  And yes, my husband's music choices were played during our dining experience!  He was loving every second of it!  Be prepared.  If you eat at the Hard Rock Cafe have some favorite rock songs in mind!

Great food at family- friendly prices.  

I expected that Hard Rock Cafe would be steep in prices, but surprisingly they were decently priced that I was shocked!  I will be back with our family even without a gift card in our pocket.   I felt that we could order whatever we wanted with room in our budget for dessert.  I ordered this tasty Smokehouse Sandwich below for 12.95.  I could hardly finish it!  The Texan fits true to its "Everything is bigger in Texas" idea.  And simply was amazing.  The crispy jalapenos were something new to me, and I loved it!

I did end up getting a dessert.  I ordered a Mojito Yogurt with Seasonal Fresh Fruit.

Picture Creamy, thick Greek yogurt with fresh lime and mint served over fresh seasonal fruit served Island style in a margarita glass.  Delicious!  It was sooo good and FRESH TASTING.  I did not expect to love it the way I do!  Hands down, I would order this again.  If I could I wish I could take all Fruit this way!  Fresh pineapple slices, sliced strawberries, and grapes with chopped mint in the creamy thick Greek yogurt--Perfect for a nice light dessert.

Hard Rock Cafe's New Menu are based on these three concepts: 


1. Fresh is First!
Everything you order is fresh above all!  High quality ingredients, produce are of the freshest possible, salads incorporate handmade sauces, steaks that are nothing less than center-cut, corn-fed and aged for 21 days, and salmon from the immaculate fjords of Norway.





2.  Legendary is King!
This is what describes the burgers at Hard Rock Cafe--Legendary!  Just like the rockers!


3.  "Smoking" is back!
Reminiscent of good old-fashioned Southern barbeque, new smokin’ menu items offer unique flavors from a variety of regional Bar-B-Que styles, from the classic pulled pork to the exotic Asian-style “Shang Hi” sandwich. 

The Texan Smokehouse Sandwich

Talk about – Chipotle and Hickory Bar-B-Que sauce, cheddar cheese, crispy jalapenos and crunchy onions married together in one delicious bite!  This by far is one of my splurges.  Don't it look good?  The smokey flavor was really good and not dry at all. 

Shang Hi Smokehouse Sandwich

– Award-winning Asian 5-spice Bar-B-Que sauce with homemade Asian style pickled cucumbers and sriracha mayonnaise drizzle.

South Carolina Smokehouse Sandwich 

– Award-winning Asian 5-spice Bar-B-Que sauce with homemade Asian style pickled cucumbers and sriracha mayonnaise drizzle. 

Smokehouse Chop Salad

Freshly chopped mixed field greens with diced smoked chicken, spicy bacon, pecans, cheddar cheese and pico de gallo. Topped with a smoky citrus vinaigrette and fresh sliced avocado.

Shock Top Battered Fish & Chips
–Fish battered with a Belgian-style wheat beer with citrus and coriander flavors then served with fries, a citrus spiked tartar sauce and homemade coleslaw.

To learn more about their New Menu:

• Visit the Hard Rock Cafe website

• “Like” Hard Rock Cafe on Facebook

• Follow Hard Rock Cafe on Twitter

**To Enter the Giveaway please fill out the Rafflecopter Form below.  Make sure you have a Hard Rock Cafe near  you!  You can check out what Cafe is near you here: Hard Rock Cafe Locations** Giveaway ends July 14th!



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Disclosure:  The promotional cards and information have been provided courtesy of Hard Rock International through MyBlogSpark

 

 

New 2 Box Cheerios Packaging Review and Giveaway

In the past months I have always shied away from purchasing a box of Cheerios from Costco. They were always too big and tall to store in our cabinets, and too much for our little household to eat up in time! 


 Yet I remember caving in and purchasing Costco's Big Box of Cheerios.  My daughter recently grew an affinity to Cheerios as a simple easy snack.  I caved and bought ourselves a huge box at Costco.  It was at a decent price, and thought it was a bargain!  But because of the huge package, we could not eat down to the bottom.  The cereal became stale and just not breakfast or snack worthy.  I still have the remains of what's left in my cupboard!   I hate waste, and buying cereal in bulk was just not worth it to me.  

BUT Today, I am excited to talk about Cheerios NEW Packaging!   Instead of one huge tall box, Cheerios are now packaged into two separate boxes.  They are shorter in length, and a tiny bit wider.  I am quite fond of the TWO BOX packaging as it really eliminates the waste in our household and reduces the possibility of our Cheerios getting stale. Watch the Video below to see the difference in the NEW packaging!

Here are some reasons as to why I think this is such a Brilliant Idea from General Mills and beneficial to our family!

• The two box Packaging makes the cereal last longer and fresh. 
• The package is already divided into what we can use now, and what we can store up for later.  It makes it easier for me to put away groceries!  
• The box itself is shorter and can easily fit in our regular size cabinets.  Whereas before, I found it frustrating trying to figure out a way to store ONE tall big box in my cabinet.
• Available at Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's nationwide.  
• We can buy Cheerios in bulk without wasting or having the cereal become stale!
• Overall, it makes sense and works for our family.

Here's a look at their efforts towards Sustainability--information taken from http://www.cheerios.com/club2boxes:

A Focus on Sustainability:

If a more convenient design isn't enough, the iconic yellow box has gone green, environmentally that is! The new 2 box Cheerios® 40.7oz package is better for the environment than the previous 37oz item as it uses:

• Less air – the new 2 compact boxes combined fit more cereal than the previous package!
• Less material – packaging material has been reduced by over 200,000 lbs of paperboard, and saves 1,000 trees per year!
• Fewer trucks –more boxes fit on each truck, which takes 130 trucks off the road each year and reduces CO2 emissions!

 

Giveaway: One winner will be chosen to win the New 2 Box Packing of Cheerios!  Giveaway ends June 13, 2012, 12:01am EST.  Please enter by filling out the Rafflecopter form below.  Giveaway open to US and CAN. Winner must respond to notification email to claim prize within 48 hours.

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Disclosure: Cheerios® cereal, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.