{Giveaway} New Cheerios 2 box packaging at Costco, BJ's, & Sam's Club #myblogspark

Do you shop at club stores such as Costco, BJ's, Sam's?  I rarely, if ever, buy cereal at big box stores, mainly because I was afraid of it going stale.  The packaging wasn't ideal and it wasn't easy to share with a friend (who wants to store a bag of cereal without the box?)  How do you pour with the other bag trying to come out in your cereal bowl? Those problems are no more!  With a new Club Pack packaging design, you won't worry about two bags of cereal floating in the same box anymore.  I would definitely consider buying Cheerios at Costco now since the new packaging solves the practical problems that kept me from wanting to buy cereal that came in one, big box.

Aside from the new packaging being easier to store and use, there are other pluses to the new 2 box Cheerios packaging: By reducing the amount of air in each individual bag, these enhanced containers fit 10% more cereal than before and use less packaging While each box contains more cereal, packaging material has been reduced by over 200,000 lbs, saving 1,000 trees and taking 130 Cheerios trucks of the road, decreasing CO2 emissions Truth:  I received the new 2 box Cheerios package to try out at my house.  I easily separated the boxes to get them to fit in my pantry.  That was so nice, since my cereal goes on the top shelf and I wouldn't have been able to make them fit otherwise.  Check out this video to learn more!

Giveaway! Win some 2 box Cheerios packages to try out in your home.

Here's what you can win!

Prize:  (2) new 2 box Cheerios packaging (four boxes)

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

See giveaway linky below.  Good luck to all!  The giveaway runs through 5/26/2012 at 12:01 AM Eastern time.  Please note the mandatory entry requirement and take advantage of the extra entries to increase your chance of winning.

Happiness is.... Peanuts: Team Snoopy DVD giveaway

Happiness Is...Peanuts: Team Snoopy

Giveaway!  Win a DVD copy of Happiness Is... Peanuts: Team Snoopy.   Do you know who 'Spike' is?  I sure didn't, until I watched this DVD.  Check out my review and you'll want to win this copy.  See giveaway widget below.  

Contest runs through 5/26/2012 at 12:01 AM.  Please see rules in widget!  Good luck to all.

Tom & Jerry: Around the World DVD giveaway!

Tom & Jerry:  Around the World 

As promised earlier this week, I'm launching a Tom & Jerry: Around the World DVD giveaway!  Tom and Jerry fans will love to own this DVD.  Check out my earlier review to get an idea of what's in store in this 22-episode DVD compilation!

The giveaway runs through 12:01 AM on 5/26, so get your entries in!  Please share this giveaway with your friends who just can't get enough of Tom and Jerry.

Spring Fling Giveaway Linky - Day 4

Spring Fling wraps up today!  These giveaways will close in the coming days, so be sure to enter to win.  See a giveaway a friend would love to win?  Please share a link to the giveaway linky with them so that they can enter to win too.

Thanks for making the event a success!  Be looking for a Back-to-School event later this summer!

Easy Dad Hint for Mother's Day: Pillsbury Cookies for Mom #myblogspark (Giveaway + printable coupon link)

I can hardly believe that Mother's Day is next weekend!  Mother's Day is a day for memories and one activity that dads can do with their children to help celebrate mom's big day is to bake cookies.  Baking cookies for mom this Mother's Day is as easy as 1-2-3 with Pillsbury's Ready to Bake! Refrigerated Disney Shape Cookies. 

Unfortunately, my local grocery store doesn't seem to have them in stock, else I'd post a picture of some freshly baked cookies.   I've been looking for them for a few weeks, but they don't seem to be stocking them.  But here's an image I grabbed from the Pillsbury site to show you what the cookie would look like:

SAVE!

Aren't they so cute and delicious looking?  Dads (or Moms) can save some cash on their next purchase of Pillsbury refrigerated Disney Shape cookies by using the link below:

Print a $1.10 off any one Pillsbury refrigerated Disney Shape Cookies

GIVEAWAY!

One lucky Making Ends Meet reader will win the Pillsbury Ready to Bake! Shape Cookies pictured below.  See Rafflecopter widget for terms and conditions.  Giveaway ends 5/11/2012 at 12:01 AM Eastern time.

Your prize pack will contain:
• A VIP coupon to purchase a package of Pillsbury Ready to Bake! Shape Cookies
• Cookie Jar
• Cookie Spatula
• Oven Mitt

Disclosure:  The VIP coupon, prize pack, information, and additional sample have been provided by Pillsbury through MyBlogSpark.  


Click the Read More to get to the Rafflecopter widget to enter!  Thanks to all who enter and good luck!

Spring Fling Giveaway Linky - Day 3

We're more than half way through the event now! Hope you are enjoying the giveaways and reviews from the Blog POP group. Updated giveaway linky below.

Spring Fling Giveaway Linky - Day 2

Day 2 of Spring Fling has brought even more giveaways!  What strikes your fancy?   Please let me know in a comment which giveaways you entered. 

Blog POP Spring Fling: Regis Salon gift cards giveaway - 5 will win a $20 card!

Spring brings to mind new beginnings.  You pack away your heavy winter clothes and refresh your wardrobe with spring fashions and footwear to celebrate an end to the dark days of winter.  Spring is a prelude to the heat of summer and a great time to for a spring cut that will take you right into summer!

I'm giving away five (5) Regis Salon gift cards, each with $20 on them!  The gift card is good at over 20 salon brands including Regis Salons, SmartStyle, MasterCuts, Jean Louis David, Borics, Mila & Maxx, HairMasters and more.  You can use it towards a cut, color, or maybe some of those high-end styling products.  The choice is up to you!

Disclosure:  This contest is sponsored by PinchingAbe.  Fulfillment will be made by PinchingAbe and not the company listed on the card.  Thanks and enjoy the contest. 

Rafflecopter contest widget is below!  Be sure to complete the mandatory blog comment for the first entry and then take advantage of the other entries presented to you to increase your chance of winning.  Share with friends --- don't you know someone who could use a new do? 

Big G Curvy Straws in SMPs of General Mills Cereals {giveaway} #myblogspark

Breakfast is always more fun when there's a cool prize inside the box.  I remember back when I was a child, we always fought over who got the toy inside the box.  Some things are constant, as I now referee these arguments between my own kids.  Who doesn't want a Curvy Straw?  I sure do.  Hey, I may be approaching 40, but that doesn't mean I can't still be a kid too!

What's a Curvy Straw?  Well, they're just that... a curvy straw that you can attach pieces together to make one weird (and curvy) straw to drink from.  There are a total of six (that would be one wickedly curvacious straw if you attached them all together) that can be found in specially marked packages of General Mills Cereals.

Participating Big G cereals include:

•  Cinnamon Toast Crunch® (17 oz.)
•  Lucky Charms®(16 oz.)
•  Reese´s® Puffs (18 oz.) 
•  Honey Nut Cheerios® (17 oz.)
•  Trix®(14.8 oz)  
•  Cocoa Puffs® (16.5 oz)

Because Big G cereal is made with more whole grain than any other ingredient, it's a great way to fuel you or your child's day. 

Save money with this coupon (because I know you want all the straws):   Print a $1.25/2 coupon via the MyBlogSpark site.  Just go to this link to download the coupon for $1.25 off of the purchase of (2) boxes of participating Big G cereal.

Win a Big G Curvy Straw Prize Pack! 

 One lucky winner will receive a prize pack containing: 

• 1 box of a participating Big G cereal (may vary from cereal pictured above)
• 1 Curvy Straw
• 1 `spilt´ milk bowl
• 2 glow cups
• 2 tangle toys 

To enter, please visit the Rafflecopter widget below.  Please note:  You must complete the mandatory entry before other entries are considered valid.  Ensure that you have completed your mandatory entry before proceeding with extra entries.

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

Trix Yogurt: No artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or HFCS {plus giveaway} #TrixYogurt #MyBlogSpark

 


Since I have gone gluten free, I've started to pay a lot more attention to labeling than I ever did before.  In addition to wheat, I also have a sensitivity to a food colorant used widely in food items.  I have to read labels for myself, so it's natural that I have begun to really look hard at the labels on the foods that my kids enjoy too.

I was very excited to learn that Yoplait's Trix Yogurt has no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners (and no HFCS). My kids love this yogurt and ask for it regularly.  Knowing what a product has (or doesn't, in this case) makes it easier for me as a mom to make decisions about what types of food I want my children to eat. I prefer a more natural product because I personally feel that it's a healthier option.  Less processing and food coloring are things that I look for in the products that I choose for my family.

My kids are yogurt lovers!

We go through a lot of yogurt at my house.  My kids know it's a healthy snack that I'll say yes to, and they enjoy the flavors (and often fight over which pack I'm going to purchase at the store.) In reality, it's kind of nice that they beg for yogurt versus begging for chips and candy.  Some of the great tasting flavors that Trix Yogurt offers are:

Strawberry Banana Bash

Raspberry Rainbow

Cotton Candy --- a big favorite in our house

Triple Cherry

Strawberry Punch

They're even offered in a warehouse club pack, which is really how I should be buying Trix Yogurt.  My kids especially love to freeze them and eat them like ice cream after school and sometimes as an after dinner snack.

Would you like to try Trix Yogurt for yourself? 

One Making Ends Meet reader will win this sweet looking Yoplait prize pack:

Your giveaway winner’s prize pack will contain:
• (1) VIP coupon for a free 4-pack of Yoplait Trix yogurt for kids
• Yoplait branded items including an insulated lunch tote, ice pack, backpack, folder, zippered pencil pouch, pencils, erasers, and pencil sharpener

Contest entries must be made via Rafflecopter (except where blog post entry is mandatory).  Please note that you must be 18 or older to enter and that dairy laws vary from state to state.  This contest runs through 3/27 at 12:01 AM.  Winner will have 48 hours to respond.  

Disclosure: The Yoplait Trix Yogurt prize pack, information, and coupon have been provided by Yoplait through MyBlogSpark.  I received the above-pictured prize pack to facilitate this blog post.  The opinions are my own or related to my family's experience with this product.  This blog post is not compensated.

Reminder: Yoplait Lactose Free yogurt giveaway ends tomorrow (3/13) #myblogspark

 

Just a quick reminder that the Yoplait Lactose Free yogurt giveaway I have going on ends tomorrow, 3/13!  Right now, it's got really low entries... and I'm hoping for a surge at the very end!  Good luck to all, and if you haven't yet entered, please go here to read my review and enter to win the prize pack.

Yoplait Lactose Free Yogurt review and giveaway! #myblogspark

Do you suffer from lactose intolerance?  A lot of people do, myself included.  I typically shy away from milk products, mainly because lactose gives me unwanted side effects.  I do have a lactase enzyme tablet to take when I eat dairy, and I long for the days when I used to just grab food without having to think about whether or not there was milk in it.   Thus, I was excited to receive an opportunity from Yoplait, via MyBlogSpark, to try the new Yoplait Lactose Free yogurt.

To be honest, it took me a while to warm up to the idea that I could just eat the yogurt.  If you've ever suffered from ill effects from lactose consumption, you might understand my initial hesitation.  You develop a fear of those ill effects and then just naturally shy away from products like yogurt, milk, cheese... all because you don't want to chance feeling that ill.  However, once I worked my way up to just diving in with utter abandon (and no enzyme pills), I was pleasantly surprised at the taste.  I had no ill effects either and I can definitely see myself eating and/or cooking with Yoplait's Lactose Free yogurt in the future.

Flavors

Yoplait Lactose Free Yogurt comes in Strawberry, Vanilla, Cherry, and Peach flavors.

Save some money!

Give Yoplait's Lactose Free yogurt a try and save .30 off your purchase by printing this coupon hosted on the MyBlogSpark site.  Note:  *The coupon offer for Yoplait Lactose Free yogurt is not valid in some states, including Louisiana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota and Tennessee.

Win some to try!

One lucky Making Ends Meet reader will win a Yoplait Lactose Free prize pack.  Take a gander at the picture of what you'll receive below (note: you'll receive a coupon for the product; actual product is shown in photo below.)

• A VIP coupon to purchase Yoplait Lactose Free yogurt
• Lunch tote
• 2 Gel packs
• Individual bowl
• Spoon

This giveaway will be hosted by Rafflecopter!  Contest ends 3/13/2012 at 12:01 AM.  Please share this contest with your friends and family as there is an extra entry option for tweeting and sharing on Facebook.

Disclosure:  Prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by Yoplait through MyBlogSpark.  This product review is uncompensated.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Jonathan Adler Cottonelle roll covers: Giving your bathroom a punch of color! (giveaway)

Is your bathroom drab?  Are you storing your extra roll of toilet paper hidden under the sink?  I know that's how my bathroom looks right now.  I like to leave an extra roll handy in case of company, but I don't want to hide it under the sink in the guest bath so guests are afraid to look for the next roll in the vanity.  I also don't like the look of it hanging out on top of the toilet (and frankly don't want to tempt the cats or youngest kid to come up with decorating ideas of their own.)  

A perfect solution for me would be to use a Jonathan Adler Cottonelle roll cover.  Stylish and chic, these roll covers will give your bathroom a punch of color, while keeping that roll of toilet paper close by.  Because the lid is branded with the Cottonelle logo, your guests will know for certain what lurks inside should they need a little extra paper while using your facilities.

Pictured on left: Chevron Pink.  Center: Barjello Blue.  Right:  Clover Green

Take a look at these Jonathan Adler designs.  I liked the Barjello Blue, as did my daughter.  However, she told me she would want to use the green lid from Clover Green on it!  I guess I need two!

How do you get one?  Get a Jonathan Adler roll cover for free when you purchase an 18-pack of Cottonelle Clean Care at SuperValu.  Did you know that Cottonelle Clean Care is now 30% stronger and has extra absorbent ripples, yet will still provide you the softness you come to expect from the brand.  A soft tissue is worth paying more for, particularly when it is more absorbent, meaning you'll use less.

Not from my neck of the woods?  Try your local Jewel Osco, Acme, Cub, Fresh Farm, Albertsons and Shaws stores.  You can also go online at Cottonelle.com and order there (they are $3.99 each total after shipping.  It's an inexpensive decorative (yet functional) item that gives your bath a pop of color.

Giveaway!  One lucky Making Ends Meet reader will win...a Cottonelle prize pack including:

A $25 SuperValu gift card

Jonathan Adler Cottonelle roll cover

Cottonelle Clean Care

This is a Rafflecopter giveaway, so be sure to follow the giveaway directions below.  

Disclosure:  I was provided with information and offered an incentive to share the new Jonathan Adler Cottonelle roll cover with my readers.   Please be sure to take advantage of many of the options to enter below to increase your chances of winning.

Star Wars pens in specially marked packages of GM Cereals (giveaway) #myblogspark

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace premieres in theatres in 3D!  This is a film that will appeal to the younger generation, as well us older folks.  Remember, we actually saw Star Wars in reverse, with Episodes 4 - 6 coming out in the late 70s and early 80s, with the Episode 1 not actually not released until the late 1990s.  Some would disagree, but isn't technology great?   You can check out the trailer here.

To celebrate the release of Star Wars in 3D, General Mills' participating cereal products will feature eight character pens.  You will want to collect them all!  I know my son will be begging me to buy cereal with these pens on the front of the box so he can own them all.  Look for Anakin Skywalker, Obi Wan Kenobi, Queen Amidala, Yoda, R2D2, C3PO, Jar Jar Binks, and Darth Maul in specially marked packages of:

• Cinnamon Toast Crunch® (12.8 oz.)
• Lucky Charms®(11.5 oz.) 
• Reese´s® Puffs (13 oz.)
• Cheerios® (14 oz.)
• Cookie Crisp® (11.25 oz) 

My son just loves Star Wars and I know that he would enjoy going to the movies to see this with his dad (a Star Wars fan from way back).  The kids both want the pens, so I guess I'll be buying a lot of cereal!

Get some!  Look in your store's cereal aisle for specially marked participating Big G brands that have these special edition pens inside.   I saw some packages at my local Walmart.

Win it!  You know you want to win an awesome prize pack containing...

Your prize pack will contain:
• 2 Boxes of Big G cereal (products shown are indicative of participating products; you may receive different cereal than pictured above)
• 4 Star Wars character pens 
• Star Wars sticker sheet
• Star Wars magnets

Disclosure:  Prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark
 
Here's what you need to do to enter!

Gevalia now available at Safeway (review, plus giveaway!) #MyBlogSpark

My husband is the coffee drinker in our house.  I like to pick up different brews for him to try because sometimes you just need a little variety.  My parents always had the same coffee growing up --- you know, that brand in a blue can -- and I bet they would have enjoyed something different every now and then.  Gevalia, a premium Swedish coffee, used to be available online only... but it is now available at Safeways!  Yes, this is the same Gevalia that has been blending it's extra fine ground Arabica beans from around the world since 1853.  It's top ten varieties will be available at Safeways, such blends will include round and ground, whole bean, flavored, and even decaf. 

Here's a list, as described by Gevalia, so you can scout out your favorite blend to try the next time you shop at Safeway:

• Gevalia Traditional Roast (ground and whole bean):
  Gevalia Traditional Roast provides a perfectly balanced taste every time. Our most beloved blend – made of choice, mountain-grown Arabica beans – this coffee has a distinctive body and flavor with a lighter intensity. (Medium Roast).
  
  
• Gevalia House Blend:
  A Gevalia favorite, House Blend is a robust yet never bitter coffee. This roast has a captivating aroma that is only matched by its exceptional flavor. (Medium/Dark Roast).
  
  
• Gevalia House Blend Decaf :
  Delivering the same rich, never bitter flavor, House Blend Decaf has the same robust taste without all the caffeine. (Medium/Dark Roast).
  
  
• Gevalia French Roast (ground and whole bean):
  Gevalia French Roast is a coffee of impressive richness and dimension, expertly crafted from prized Arabica beans grown in Colombia and Brazil. Hints of aromatic smoke give this dark-roasted French Roast blend an intense, yet uniquely satisfying flavor. (Dark Roast).
  
  
• Gevalia Colombia:
  Grown high in the Colombian Andes, these beans produce a rich, bright and well-bodied Colombian coffee. This single origin classic is world-renowned, which is why we have sourced these beans for decades. (Medium Roast).
  
  
• Gevalia Espresso Roast:
  Gevalia Espresso Roast is made of premium, mountain-grown Arabica beans from East Africa and Central and South America. This roast is bold and full-bodied with a hint of caramel undertones. (Dark Roast).
  
  
• Gevalia Vanilla:
  This rich blend with vanilla flavor notes is crafted from choice mountain-grown Arabica beans, then roasted for exceptional body and flavor. Gevalia Vanilla is a flavorful and balanced experience with a heavenly aroma.
  
  
• Gevalia Chocolate Mocha:
  Gevalia Chocolate Mocha allows you to indulge your passion for decadent flavor. Rich, velvety chocolate flavor is blended with mountain-grown Arabica beans for a sweetly satisfying experience.

Kraft, via MyBlogSpark, provided me with Gevalia's ground House Blend (med/dark) and Gevalia's French Roast (dark).  Of the two blends, he liked the House Blend best.  He doesn't like dark coffee as much and preferred the House Blend, calling it "pretty smooth" and said that it "had a nice flavor" and tasted "very good".   

We followed the directions on the bags and it made a strong cup of coffee.  After we cut back almost by half, he found the House Blend to taste a lot more to his liking.  It was a little strong following the suggested directions (those Swedes must like a stiff cup of joe!).  So definitely tweak how much coffee you use to suit your taste.

Giveaway!  Win a Gevalia prize pack... check out this picture.

• (1) sample of the House Blend from Gevalia Kaffe
• (1) sample of the French Roast Blend from Gevalia Kaffe
• A Gevalia Kaffe branded coffee mug

Winner Greenleaf Roses Sachets

It smells like spring at my house and it will be smelling like spring very soon at the winner of the Greenleaf dozen Roses sachets contest winner's house too!  That lucky reader was... Wanda F.!  Congrats to the winner and I'll be emailing her shortly. 

Winner of the Diamond Candles Chocolate Truffle candle

The winner is.... Ann I Am!  Thanks to all who entered to win and I hope this candle brings the winner a lot of enjoyment (and I hope the ring is worth a lot of money too!)  I'll be emailing the winner shortly.  I did notice that Diamond Candles recently recruited bloggers for review and giveaway events, so hopefully you'll notice more giveaways in the near future. 

ShopTheGiftBasketStore.com $20 gift code winner

Thanks to all who entered to win the $20 gift code.  I hope you enjoyed checking out ShopTheGiftBasketStore.com's Valentine's Day baskets.  There were so many that were just darling and who doesn't love chocolate?

The winner was... kerbear560.  I'll be contacting her shortly!

Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Snacks Giveaway Winners #myblogspark

Thanks to all who entered to win some yummy Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Snacks.  The winners of the giveaway -- of which there were four -- are listed below.  I'll be in contact with the winners shortly!

'Something Borrowed' DVD/BluRay movie winner

Thanks to all who entered to win Something Borrowed.  The lucky reader who won was... Michele P!

Michele P. said she'd want to watch this movie with her hubby!  I'll be emailing the winner soon.  Look for more contests winners to be announced in the coming days.