This Full House Reviews

Kelloggs Champions of Great Starts 2013 Program: January Photo-a-Day Challenge

Day 1: the last day of winter break, breakfast is served bittersweet. #GreatStarts

Last year was a roller coaster ride for us (what, you too?!?)  as nearly every family here on the New Jersey coastline was affected, in one way or another, by the devastation left behind by Hurricane Sandy.

So, truth be told, I'm not very sorry to see 2012 go and am totally ready for a fresh start.  You, too?!?  EXCELLENT!!!  Let's go :)

I am very honored to once again partner with the Kelloggs Champions of Great Starts 2013 Program in helping to initiate and participate in conversations about how to get families  (like yours and mine)  off to the best possible start, every day.

Why?!?  Well, at our house, we are big fans of Kellogg.  My pretend pantry (i.e. outlived its usefulness as a linen closet, since kids never seem to want to make their beds anyway) is filled with Kellogg's products and, as my kids get older (me, too) the brand continues to be a staple in our every day life.

I'm looking forward to introducing you to the rest of my fellow KChamps (moms and dads, who blog, like me)  as we get to know each other a little better, by sharing an important part of our lives:  nourishing and nurturing our families.

To kick-off 2013, I have accepted to participate in Kellogg's January Photo-a-Day Challenge and here's why:  

Kellogg's New Goodness of Simple Grains Campaign: What the heck goes into this stuff, anyways?

I am honored to be a Champions of Great Starts featured blogger and for their sponsoring this blog post, since Kellogg's is the cereal I grew up with and now is the breakfast that starts my family's day off right.  Today we're discussing getting to know the foods we choose to buy and feed our families, a little better.

Speaking as a parent, I feel it safe to say we ALL know that breakfast is the most important part of our day, right?  

I am going to go out on a limb here to further suggest:  I am not the only person who spends an extra hour (or twenty) food shopping, because I also see other folks staring at labels wondering, "What the heck goes into this stuff, anyways?"

Why?  Am I staring at labels, I mean?  For two reason, mostly:  I'm trying to get my family to eat way better than I did growing up and, ultimately, learn a little more about what my kids are tossing into the shopping cart -- most especially, the packaged food we consume on a regular basis.

Breakfast cereal is a staple at our house (sometimes, we even eat it for dinner...or brinner) that is why I am beyond excited and very honored to have partnered with the Kellogg's 2012 Champions of Great Starts.

Okay, that's great, but what makes me a cereal expert?  The short answer:  Nothing. 

I have absolutely no nutritional or professional credentials within or outside of the food industry, whatsoever, besides being able to intiate and participate in conversations on how to get families (like yours and mine) off to the best possible start.

Today, I'd like to share with you a little more about Kellogg's new Goodness of Simple Grains campaign and a website they've developed to help educate consumers about how cereal is made.

Kellogg's Champions of Great Starts: Mom's Homeroom - Another Awesome Online Resource & Back-to-School Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing this awesome back-to-school kit with you Susie (comment #26) and Gerrie (comment #10) please check your email for further details, thanks!!!

I'm having a blast working with the Champions of Great Starts Bloggers in sharing stories on how Kellogg's is the cereal I grew up with and now is the breakfast that starts my family's day off right.

Check us out, we're ALL featured on Kellogg's website at:  http://www.kelloggs.com/en_US/champions-of-great-starts.html or feel free to catch up on ALL my Champions of Great Starts blog posts, here (when you have time, of course)!

Today, it is my pleasure to share with you a wonderful new online resource for parents called Mom's Homeroom, along with an awesome giveaway featuring Kellogg's products and a backpack filled with supplies, just in time for back-to-school.

Kellogg's Champions of Great Starts: More Facts About Cereal Nutrition

I am very honored to partner with the Kellogg's Champions of Great Starts program as a featured blogger for Team Kellogg's.  Why?  Really?  Okay, let me think.

[one beat, two beats]

Dude, this Jersey girl and self-proclaimed professional dork got to hang out with U.S. Olympians!  You can catch up by reading more about:

• Day 1:  100 Days until the 2012 Summer Olympics kick-off event.
• Join me on a walking tour of the U.S. Olympic training facility in Chula Vista, CA.
• My interview with U.S. Olympic Gymnastic Team Gold Medalist Jordyn Wieber's Mom, Rita Wieber.

TODAY:   With the 2012 Summer Olympics in London nearly over and the U.S. winning a total of 71 medals to date (WHOOT!) I am very excited to be able to introduce you to the Champions of Great Starts Bloggers, along with some important facts about cereal nutrition.

Kellogg's Champions of Great Starts: My Interview With Olympic Hopeful Jordyn Wieber's Mom, Rita Wieber!

I am very honored to partner with the Kellogg's Champions of Great Starts program as a featured blogger for Team Kellogg's.  Why?  Really?  Okay, let me think.

[one beat, two beats]

Dude, this Jersey girl and self-proclaimed professional dork got to hang out with U.S. Olympians!  You can catch up by reading more about:

• Day 1:  100 Days until the 2012 Summer Olympics kick-off event.
• Join me on a walking tour of the U.S. Olympic training facility in Chula Vista, CA.

TODAY:   50 days away from the Opening Ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and with the Olympic gymnastics trials beginning June 28th, I am very excited to be able to share with you my interview with fellow Team Kellogg's Mom, Rita Wieber!

FEATURED POST: Leave a Comment, Save a Child!

FEATURED POST:  This post is my contribution to the United Nation Foundation's Shot@Life Blog Relay for #Bloglust:  31 bloggers, one each day  in August, are writing about people from our communities who have inspired us.   EVERY SINGLE COMMENT I COLLECT ON THIS BLOG POST RAISES $20 TO HELP SAVE THE LIFE A CHILD IN NEED!

Kellogg's Rice Krispies: Hidden Suprise Easter Egg Treats Giveaway Kit

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be able to share this awesome Easter kit with you Janet W. (comment #23) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!

Kellogg's Rice Krispies Hidden Surprise Easter Egg Treats

I am beyond excited and very honored to partner with Kelloggs in helping families (like mine) achieve great starts to their days AND, as a Champions of Great Starts Mom Ambassador, I get the chance to share really cool stuff with you too :)

For Easter, Kellogg’s created a fun and festive take on the Original Rice Krispies Treats and have kindly offered to send one of our online friends a kit to make the Hidden Surprise Easter Egg Treats at home with your family too.

Because, we roll like that!

Celebrating National Breakfast Week: Share Your Breakfast to Help Kids in Need -- GO! Team Kellogg's

Speaking as a parent, I feel it safe to say we ALL know that breakfast is the most important part of our day, right?  

Finding the time to actually eat it, sitting down AND at the same table together -- not so much.

That's why I am beyond excited and very honored to partner with the Kellogg 2012 Moms Ambassador Program in helping to bridge the gap between brands and consumers (that's us!) by, hopefully, better understanding each other.

Okay, that's great, but how's a non-celebrity mom (like me) going to help a company like Kellogg?

By initiating and participating in conversations about how to get families (like yours and mine) off to the best possible start every day. 

It's a TALL order, trust me, I know.

Let's be real.  With 4 kids, attending 4 different schools, leaving the house as early as 6:30 a.m. and kicking the last one out of the car at around 8:30 a.m. (figuratively speaking, of course!) our kitchen normally works like a drive thru window.

Also, growing up, my family is no stranger to hunger:  so, yes, I am more than willing to support Kellogg in finding ways in which consumers (like me) can help give back to our local communities.

Today, I'd like to tell you a little more about their Share Your Breakfast Program in helping them reach their goal of helping share 1 million breakfasts with kids who need them.

Want to help?  It's REAL easy (I know how busy you are) here's how YOU can help:

Ode to Breakfast: Sometimes, It's What's for Dinner, Too!

 

Speaking as a parent, I feel it safe to say we ALL know that breakfast is the most important part of our day, right?  

Finding the time to actually eat it, sitting down AND at the same table together -- not so much.

Our friends at Kellogg recently ran an interesting survey which stated that:

"Families only spend 17 minutes preparing and eating breakfast each day."

Okay, but am I the only one who believes that, some mornings, 17 minutes sometimes can sound like a whole lot of time, too?

Let's be real.  With 4 kids, attending 4 different schools, leaving the house as early as 6:30 a.m. and kicking the last one out of the car at around 8:30 a.m. (figuratively speaking, of course!) our kitchen normally works like a drive thru window.

Still, my husband and I tag-team our mornings:  he makes the kids lunch, while I make sure they each eat something for breakfast or, at the very least, wrap it up to go on the bus.

Weekends aren't much different, either.

Sundays, however, are made for...sl...ow...ing...down, enjoying a buttery stack of pancakes, waffles and bacon (lots and lots of bacon) oh, and my husband makes the most awesome crepes.

Here are the rest of the results on the Kellogg's Breakfast in America survey:

Kellogg's Eggo FiberPlus Waffles Review and Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: SO so happy to be sharing with Lisa (comment #70) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

It's no secret, I am NOT a morning person.  Just ask my husband, Garth (not his real name)  who happens to be infuriatingly pleasant, as he hands me a cup of coffee (through the bathroom door) first thing in the morning and then, you know, runs away.

Smart man.

I had the pleasure of being contacted by the good folks representing Kellogg's about a new breakfast product and, well, seeing as I am a BIG fan of Brinner (breakfast for dinner) decided to give Eggo FiberPlus Buttermilk Waffles and Eggo FiberPlus Chocolate Chip Waffles a try -- after my first cup of coffee, of course!

Want some?

Share Your Breakfast, Fight Childhood Hunger!

Last year, I had the opportunity to visit with Kellogg's in Battle Creek, MI and learned a little more about their products, as well as the thought process that goes into continually building on their brand, like finding ways in which consumers (like me) can help give back to our local communities.

I was very happy to hear that, since our visit, Kellogg's followed through on their commitment to do something about childhood hunger and developed the Share your breakfast website.

You can upload a photo of your breakfast (everyday) and $1 will be donated to Action for Healthy Kids.

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM:  Yesterday, I had the pleasure participating in a live chat with Trinh Le (Senior Brand Manager at Kellogg) and Dr. Reginald Washington (Chair of the Board of Action for Healthy Kids) to learn a little more about Kellogg's Share your Breakfast Website and what they are doing to help share breakfast with children who might otherwise miss out, and to fight childhood hunger in the United States.

FIND IT HERE:  A Virtual Breakfast with Kellogg and "Share Your Breakfast" (via TheMotherhood.com)

Kellogg's has a goal of raising $1 million for this worthy cause and you can help -- it's way simple -- all you have to do is:

----> Take a photo of your breakfast (a cup of coffee, bowl of fruit, anything) and upload it to Share your breakfast.

----> Or, simply send a text message to 215-34 with your photo and the word share.

My youngest daughter (she's 9) is recovering from strep throat (FINALLY) and shared her favorite breakfast, a plate of homemade waffles, this morning!

In less than 30 seconds, I uploaded it to Kellogg's Share Your Breakfast and helped feed a child!

Why?  Because, nice matters and hunger needs a good old fashioned virtual bitch-slap!

UPDATED TO ADD:  Had to crop Hope out (picture cannot include any recognizable faces) but, reloaded in less than 30 seconds (i.e. should have really taken the time to read the rules...dangit!)

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

No payment was received for this blog post.  Why?  Because, supporting local communities to fight childhood hunger is just a really nice thing to do.

Health and Wellness Ambassador Program: Time for a Mom's Time Out, Yes?

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to participate in Kellogg's Health and Wellness Ambassador program and wrote about my sister-in-law Pat's recent battle with breast cancer.

Her strength and courage inspired me to start taking better care of myself, as well.

After 5 years, I finally made an appointment with a new doctor and I am very happy to report that I am now fully recovered from my surgery, addressing a health issue that could NOT have waited any longer.

Pat and I recently had the chance to spend some quality time, together (FINALLY!) at Peter Conte Salon and Day Spa here in Monmouth County, NJ.

Although, a trip to the spa may not be a great fit for everyone's budget (mine, either!) some salons do offer very nice packages that would make fabulously wonderful gift suggestions, like Peter Conte's Winter's Escape for $99 which included:

• 1/2 an hour in their hydrotherapy tub
• a reflexology hand & foot massage
• a full body scrub
• rainforest shower

Pat and I had a FABULOUS time -- it was 2+ hours of pampering, worth every penny, trust me -- and we had a very relaxing dinner at Masala Kitchen (my new favorite Indian restaurant, here in Jersey, btw) afterward.

Since then, I have made a committment to help remind other women (especially, moms like me) that it is most certainly more than okay for you (yes, YOU!) to take a self-imposed time-out, every now and again.

Trust me, your health and wellness ARE totally worth it!

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Small Gray-ish Print:  Kellogg's provided a gift card to help celebrate choosing my sister-in-law Pat as my Wellness Ambassador. The words, however, are ALL mine and you can't have them.

Shop Once, Give Twice

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing this with you, Rebecca L. (comment #45) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!

Thanks to ShopRite and General Mills for sponsoring my writing about giving back to schools and those in need in my community. Add your comment below to be entered for a chance to win a $25.00 gift card to help you give back to your community, too.

If you were to ask me, a few years ago, with 4 kids home under the age of 10, to name my least favorite household chore, I would have answered, without the least bit of hesitation, "FOOD SHOPPING!"

If you've ever shopped with kids, then you know.

These days, I look forward to food shopping -- it's date night!  Nearly every Sunday night, after dinner, my husband Garth (not his real name) and I head over to Shoprite and food shop to our hearts content.

It's one of the few times that we can actually catch up with each other and, you know,  talk...uninterrupted.

I was happy to have recently learned of ShopRite’s “Shop Once, Give Twice” program to help customers (like me!) give back to local participating schools through Box Tops for Education and ShopRite’s Partners in Caring, a community-based, hunger fighting initiative that works to provide $2 million annually to charities that aid those in need.

Why?

Because, nice matters and hunger sucks a big, wet, terribly overcooked noodle!

How does Shop Once, Give Twice work?

Kellogg's Love Your Cereal Mom's Breakfast Club

Over the summer, I had the pleasure of attending a beautiful breakfast (in the same building Nate Berkus lives in!) hosted by the Kellogg's brand during BlogHer '10 in New York City and got the chance to greet (and eat!) with many of my fellow Mom's Breakfast Club bloggers.

Last week, I attended the Kellogg's Blogger Summit held at their headquarters in Battle Creek, MI  (but, more on that later in the week!)

Yesterday, it was my turn -- I hosted a brunch at my home, for some of my closest mom-type friends, courtesy of Kellogg's.

We laughed, we learned and of course, we ate!

Today, I'd like to share a few of the highlights from the event (seriously, getting together with my mom friends IRL is no easy feat) and then share some really great recipes I made (yes, ME!) using Kellogg's cereals.

Mini-blueberry muffins, anyone?

Kelloggs Mom's Breakfast Club: Corn Pops Frittata Recipe

I had the pleasure of attending a beautiful breakfast (in the same building Nate Berkus lives in!) hosted by the Kellogg's brand during BlogHer '10 in New York City and got the chance to greet (and eat!) with many of my fellow Mom's Breakfast Club bloggers.

In a couple of weeks, I’ll have the privilege of hosting a group of friends over to my house for a back-to-school brunch. We’ll be able to enjoy a nice meal and Skype with a Kellogg’s representative to share more about what breakfast means to our family.

Should be fun, right?  In the meantime, I'm really looking forward to making my FAVORITE item from the Kellogg's breakfast -- Corn Pops Frittata -- want to see?