Last week, I traveled to sunny Minneapolis, MN (seriously, who knew Jersey could be so, you know, rainy?) where I got the chance to eat with the good folks at General Mills and a few other bloggers, or 40!
It was a nice mix of coupon savers, frugalistas, deal-seeking folks, web-savvy publishers, a consumer king (yes, he's the dad and charming husband behind ConsumerQueen.com) and other parenting-types, like me -- only, with better hair, nicer phones, cool cameras that take the most awesome pictures and no, I am not jealous, much -- yet, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that we ALL seemed to share the same love/hate relationship with the food we feed our families, or not.
Want to see?
So, why invite bloggers (like me) you ask?
Me, personally, like a lot of you guys, I am also a mother, wife, daughter, etc... and especially, when the planets are aligned and I actually get a chance to, you know, cooking something "real" for dinner, I answer to my family's needs, first and foremost.
Up on the roof of the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis, MN
Sometimes, I find out about really cool stuff online, or score a backstage pass to some awesome events, get a chance to write about it and then totally submit to this uncontrollable desire, I have, to share.
As if, that were a bad thing...right?
Seems like Betty Crocker has attempted to keep up with the times, many times before, yes?
There are advantages of finding your favorite brand(s) on the internet, like access to coupons, recipes and other stuff, right at your fingertips and other useful information, published to help us answer questions like, "What's for dinner," and "Can it be fixed?"
Also, companies know that consumers (like me) are taking a closer look at what goes on behind closed doors, with the products we're buying -- besides, all the fluff and stuff ad agencies put into their commercials -- and, more importantly, attending events like these, I get a chance to learn a little more about the people whose job it is to answer to our needs, first and foremost and share it with our community.
So, what did I learn from attending the General Mills Eat and Greet event? A lot more than I thought, actually.
Someone's playing for bonus Box Tops for Education at General Mills
Like, our elementary schools participate in the Box Tops for Education program (note: their site seems to be going through some sort of maintenance at the moment) you can find Box Tops coupons on participating General Mills products (you can also check for a list of products on their site) and each coupon is worth 10 cents for your school!
But, did you know that teachers can create a free, online registry for stuff they need for the classroom? I didn't. I mean, we are always running into at least 1 of my kids' teachers (16, at last count) buying their classroom supplies at Costco.
So, ClassEssentials.com is a terrific way to allow parents (like me) the opportunity to buy stuff that teachers really need Me, either!
A little dab of sauce does a chicken pot pie, real pretty?
I do, however, do own a Betty Crocker cookbook (though, I can't find it to tell you exactly which one) so, I was thrilled to get a chance to see how they take those really awesome pictures and make the food look so, you know, yummy.
Just so you know, just like over at Kraft kitchens, these folks actually cook and use real food to create their recipes.
Cookie Crisp Sprinkles...oh my!
Look, I admit it, my kids don't always eat the most well-balanced diet (okay, me either) however, like a surprising number of other moms online, I'm getting a little tired of being accused of force-feeding my children junk. I don't. However, I do believe in moderation.So, no, my kids don't eat sugared cereal, all day, every day. Though, I'm almost positive that, you know, they'd like to.
You can get $5.00 Off coupons here when you sign up for Cascadian Farm newsletter!
So, I'm spending a lot more time in the grocery store, reading labels and comparing nutrition values, or trying to justify the fact that "buying organic" means I'm going to be spending a whole lot more money, too.
Print Your Coupon for Simply Cookies...here
However, I was very excited to sample Pillsbury's Simply cookies -- 0g trans fat, no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives -- a refrigerated cookie with the same ingredients I use at home.
Except, for wheat flour, it still tastes AWESOME!
Tired puppies and Target specials -- it's what's for dinner!
Bottom Line: This was the first time General Mills opened their doors to bloggers (like me) and did a very good job in making me feel welcome. However, if you (or, your company) is thinking about holding a similar event, I really hope that marketers realize that bloggers (like me) don't take these events lightly -- though, I don't know anyone who wouldn't enjoy a chance at having a good time, really -- and understand that A LOT of planning goes on to make trips like these happen. For bloggers (like me) too. There's only so much information, or walking, a person can take, in 36 hours, you know? I always appreciate the opportunity to meet and get to know people -- especially, when they work for brands that have become an important part of my family's every day life -- marketing your product for you, not so much.
So, why did I go?
Because, besides being a mother, wife, daughter, etc... I enjoy sharing opinions, or new stuff I learn about products my family uses, every day, and haven't managed to break (yet!) well, it's what I do best, really.
With that said, I'm ready for my close up...Mr. Dyson.
View more of this event's photos at the Eat & Greet set on Flickr!
[No payment or consideration, other than my travel and accommodations, was received for this blog post, courtesy of Coyne PR and General Mills]
© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved. just adding some more yummy stuff to file into my recipe book, or whenever I come up with a few good recipes, of my own, too!!!]
© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.
