Lunchables Lunch Note Promise and Party!

Come out and party with us and help support a great cause!

I think it is so important to let your kids know that you love them and are thinking about them every chance you get. Leaving little note in my sons lunchbox has been something that I have been doing since he started school 3 years ago. He loves the surprise and showing them to all of his friends. That makes me feel great to because I know he isn’t embarrassed by mom yet!

If you haven’t heard about the Oscar Mayer Lunch Note Promise campaign then allow me to fill you in! Lunchables is asking that parents do just a very simple task…promise to give a lunch note to your kids. It can be about anything that you wish! Some words of encouragement fr the big game coming up? Wishing them well on a test? How about just a simple, “I love you!”. Lunchables even has some pre-made fancy designs that you can print and use. Just click on the set you want, download the PDF to your PC,  print the set, cut out the individual notes and the rest is only limited to your imagination! Drop it in your child’s lunchbox and your done!

What could make this campaign even more special? For every parent who makes the lunch note promise, the Lunchables team will donate a meal to a child and their family in need through Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, which serves an estimated nine million children annually. The goal is to turn up to 100,000 promises from moms like you into up to 100,000 meals from Lunchables Lunch Combination’s for kids in need.  Are you ready to promise to join the campaign to give children what they need – a little encouragement? Lunchables has received over 47,000 promised to date and YOU can help them reach their goal of 100,000!

Making your promise takes less than 30 seconds. Simply visit LunchNotePromise.com, enter your state, email address and click PROMISE NOW! That’s it! While your there, check out the splash that Lunchables is making with their NEW Lunchables! There are 6 different varieties including A Turkey sandwich made from 100% turkey breast, spring water, apple sauce, and bread made with whole grain. Lunchables just got even better! Throw in the Lunch Note Promise and you’ve got something you can really feel good about.

As if helping out Feeding America wasn’t motivation enough to take the promise, you can also win some great prizes for joining us! This Thursday, Lunchables will be giving away some FANTASTIC PRIZES!

Here is what you could win!
(30) Free Full Value Lunchables Product coupons! (10 each to 3 lucky winners!)
(3) Lunchables gift packs (Lunchables book bag, lunchbox, markers, pencils/pens)
(3) Lunchables flip cams
(1) $100 Grocery  Gift Card to the store of your choice!

Be sure you are following @ElizCron. Elizabeth will will be tweeting on behalf of Lunchables, answering all of your questions at the party AND doing a little question asking of her own! (Did you study for the test at LunchNotePromise.com?) Answer her questions and you could win a prize!

ENTRY RULES FOR THE $100 GROCERY GIFT CARD

You MUST do all of the following to enter to win the GC. PLEASE LEAVE IT ALL IN ONE COMMENT.

1. Make a Lunch Note Promise, leave your promise number! If you have previously made the promise and do not know your number, tell is what note you recently left in your childs lunchbox.
2. RSVP below using Mr. Linky. You must leave  your TWITTER ID AND TWITTER LINK! No Names, No blog links!
3. Tweet about the party using the #Lunchables hashtag and this link http://is.gd/4VewA in your tweet. (Leave the link to your tweet)
4. Follow your party Hosts! @Delightful_Toni, @Chaotic_Barb, @CouponCupboard, @ElizCron

Gain a few extra Entries by doing the following. Leave these entries in separate comments!

1. Blog about LunchNotePromise.com AND the party, linking to LunchNotePromise.com AND this post and leave a comment here.
2. Grab our button and place it on your blog!

<a href=”http://thecouponcupboard.com/reviews/2009/11/lunchables-lunch-note-promise-and-party”><img src=”http://thecouponcupboard.com/reviews/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/LunchablesButton.png”></a>

The Rules:

Oscar Mayer Lunchables Lunch Combinations Twitter Party

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY

HOW TO ENTER: Beginning 9:00 PM ET November 19, 2009 and ending 10:00 PM ET November 19, 2009 Elizabeth Cron on behalf of the Lunchables brand on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ElizCron will send questions in the form of tweets to the Twitter community asking them to “tweet” answers via Twitter to win prizes. Twitterers must use the @ symbol to respond directly to @ElizCron in order to qualify for the “prizes.” E.g. A Twitterer enters by sending @ElizCron a tweet with their corresponding answer. A Twitter account is required to enter and can be opened for free at http://www.twitter.com.

GENERAL RULES: Promotion is open to U.S. residents 13 years of age or older as of November 19, 2009 except employees and their immediate families of Kraft Foods Global Inc., their subsidiaries, affiliates, parent companies, agents, families and persons living in the same household of each.

Void where prohibited. All federal, state and local laws apply. All taxes are the sole responsibility of winners.

Sponsor is not responsible for misdirected or undeliverable Twitter updates (”tweets “) or for any technical problems, malfunctions of any telephone lines, computer systems, servers, providers, hardware/software, lost or unavailable network connections or failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmission or any combination thereof. If, in the Judging Agency’s opinion, there is any suspected or actual evidence of tampering with any portion of the sweepstakes, or if technical difficulties compromise the integrity of the sweepstakes, the Judging Agency reserve the right to modify the sweepstakes in a manner deemed appropriate by the Judging Agency, in its sole discretion. By participating in this promotion, entrants agree to be bound by the Official Rules and the decisions of the Judging Agency.

JUDGING: Weber Shandwick (”Judging Agency”) will choose a winner based on the order in which their tweet is received. E.g. If a question states the fourth person to correctly answer wins, the winner’s Tweet must appear fourth on Twitter.com. Agency reserves the right to disqualify any entry that, in the sole opinion of the judges, refers, depicts or in any way reflects negatively upon the sponsor, the promotion or any other person or entity.

PRIZES:

One of three sets of ten full-value coupon for a free Lunchables product (ARV: $38.90 for 10)

One of three Flip Ultra Camcorders (ARV: $149.99 per camcorder)

One $100 Visa gift card (ARV: $100.00)

One of three back-to-school kits including: Lunchables branded lunch bags, crayon wheel, washable markers (ARV: $20.00 per kit)

Total Approximate Prize Value of all prizes during contest: $726.67

SPONSOR:

Kraft Foods Global, Inc.

Glenview, IL 60025

This Isn’t Your Fathers Radio Flyer

If you are a mom with a few young kids to tote around, chances are you either own or have heard of Radio Flyer Wagons. We certainly own one! Did you know that they make an entire line of products other than wagons?? I didn’t! Join us on Twitter on November 12th at 9pm est to find out about an awesome new product from Radio Flyer called the EZ-Rider Scooter and win one for yourself! Also learn a bit about some of the other fantastic products that Radio Flyer makes!

This is unlike any other scooter I have seen before. You may notice my son is easily distracted so I felt like I was constantly repeating him because he was riding away and talking! You can tell I am an amateur Vlogger!

As you can see, I was very impressed with this scooter. We have that “other” brand as well so it was great that we could show all of the differences.

• THE EASIEST TO RIDE 2-WHEEL SCOOTER
• EXTRA WIDE 2″ WIDE WHEELS FOR BETTER BALANCE
• LOWER DECK FOR STABILITY
• HANDLE FOLDS FOR EASY STORAGE
• FOOT BRAKE
• FOR AGES 3-8 YEARS

Join us and Radio Flyer this Thursday, November 12th at 9pm est on Twitter! All you have to to do win is RSVP below!

YOU MUST BE PRESENT AT THE PARTY TO WIN! Winner will be able to pick between Red or Pink version:

Tweetgrid for tonight is: http://is.gd/4TJdi

To be entered to win an Ez-Rider Scooter. There are only 3 ways to enter:

1. YOU MUST RSVP as your initial entry.(Leave ID)

2. Follow your party hosts, @radioflyersmile, @RadioFlyerPlay, @Delightful_Toni and @Chaotic_Barb (Leave ID)

3. Grab the Party button (Code is below) (leave link to where to find the button)

Hashtag: #radioflyer

<a href=”http://www.twitterpartyguide.com/twitter-parties/radio-flyer-ezrider-scooter-twitter-party”><img src=”http://www.twitterpartyguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/125×125_RadioFlyer.jpg”></a>

Giveaway is open to US and Canadian Residents only. Must be 18 years of age or older. We reserve the right to remove any entry from this giveaway that doesn’t have the requested information.  Please allow up to 4 weeks to receive your item. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours another winner will be chosen.

Weekend Warriors

As National Eat Together Week comes to a close, prepare a wholesome yet healthy brunch for the family.  A recent study published by the British Journal of Nutrition shows that people who eat high-quality protein foods for breakfast, like eggs and lean Canadian bacon, had a greater sense of sustained fullness throughout the day.

Try the recipe for Baked Egg with Canadian Bacon, Tomato and Potatoes, which combines Canadian Bacon with potato wedges, tomato and fresh chives in individual ramekins. Each is topped with an egg and half-and-half, baked, then sprinkled with cheese. The savory brunch options pairs well with whole grain toast, fresh fruit and juice.

• After brunch, plan some weekend activities to do as a group – it’s a chance to reconnect after a hectic week: Encourage computer wizards to find new recipes online (TheOtherWhiteMeat.com is a great place to start!) and help with family meal planning for the next week. When heading to the grocery store, let kids help comparison shop to find the lowest prices.

• Take the bikes for a spin and enjoy a nice day. Pack a picnic lunch and an outdoor game to enjoy in the grass.

• Get out the rake and gardening tools and find someone who could use some free yard work. Everyone can pitch in and help.

• Head to a local farmers’ market to check out what’s in season now. Let the kids pick out a new vegetable or fruit and talk to the farmer about how they grew it.

• Make sure you have left a comment for all the wonderful recipes you downloaded this week because the $100 giftcard contest closes today!

Ham it Up!

Ditch the PB&J and put a twist on one of America’s #1 sandwiches – HAM! Send the family off to school or work with new variations of this perennial favorite in their lunchboxes. Make sure you leave a comment after downloading todays recipes so that you are entered to win the $100 gift card to your favorite grocery store!

Ham & Cheese Dippers put a spin on the traditional ham sandwich by cutting it into bite-sized squares, threading them onto a toothpick and dipping the skewers into sauces:

• Honey-Mustard (stir together 1/4 cup mustard and 2 tablespoons honey)
• Barbecue (stir together 1/4 cup barbecue sauce and 1 tablespoon Italian dressing)
• Fruit (stir together 1/4 cup fruit jam and 1 tablespoon of minced fruit of choice).

Ditch the bread and make Ham & Cherry Roll-Ups for lunch instead. This unique flavor combination will have kids (and grown ups) cheering for more. Stir together cream cheese, sliced green onions, chopped walnuts and cherry preserves and spread onto each ham slice. Then roll ‘em up and secure with a tooth pick.

Pinching Pennies with Pork

Making smart food choices to feed a family can be challenging in today’s economic climate. For a protein choice that’s flavorful, economical and cooks in a flash, give ground pork* a try. Kid-friendly and versatile, ground pork will quickly become a grocery cart staple. For another great value option, try a pork shoulder roast.
Spicy Asian Ground Pork Burgers use Asian flavors of crushed garlic, grated ginger root, soy sauce, garlic chili paste and some fresh minced mint for flavorful patties. Grill and serve on sandwich buns for a tasty lunch or dinner.
Other ideas:

• Beyond meatballs, burgers and meat loaf (all definitely tasty with ground pork!), sprinkle cooked ground pork on pizza, rice, taco salad or a baked potato.

• Fill tacos, burritos and casseroles with ground pork.

• Stir ground pork into chili, stew, sauces, dips and sloppy Joes.

Connect as a Family

Don’t forget that everytime you download a recipe from TheOtherWhiteMeat.com you gain another entry into the $100 gift card contest! Make sure you are leaving a comment to get your entry!

With all that’s on a family agenda, it’s hard enough to find time to enjoy a meal together – much less anything else! Use NETW as inspiration to commit to an activity together that takes you beyond the table, too. First, start in the kitchen by preparing an easy meal that kids can help with, like Pepperoni Pizza with Peppers. Smaller hands can add the toppings after moms and dads chop ‘em. Don’t be afraid to try new toppings either, such as chopped bacon or even pulled pork. Serve pizza wedges with a lightly dressed tossed salad.
Once dinner’s done, choose an activity everyone will enjoy. It doesn’t have to be an evening out – keep it low cost with plenty of at-home ideas:

• “Retro” Returns: Teach kids a classic card game parents remember from childhood (i.e. gin rummy, spades, hearts); or have the kids teach their parents a game they like.

• Enjoy Autumn: Take a walk in the park or around the neighborhood to collect fallen leaves to fill a decorative outdoor planter back at home.

• Say Cheese!: Bring out the photographer in everyone! Take turns with the digital camera, and work with the kids to create a picture collage with the printed pictures. Get creative and make customized placemats that you can laminate and use at the dinner table.

Bring on Breakfast

Breakfast can be crunch time – everyone is in a rush to get to school or work. For a quick start that’s friendly for families on-the-go, prepare these super simple Ham and Cheese Muffins – yummy buttermilk muffins that get a flavor boost from diced ham steak and Cheddar cheese.

Even better, they can be made in advance, frozen and defrosted individually for a quick breakfast days down the road!

We had a fantastic time at the twitter Party last night! We thank each and every one of who came out and celebreated National Eat Together Week with us! I know everyone is very excited to see if they won a very cool lunch tote last night! the winners are all below! If you won, please fill out our form so we can pass your information along to the sponsor. You don’t want to miss out on your prizes! If you do not respond within 48 hours we will chose another winner so MAKE SURE YOU CLAIM YOUR WIN!

WINNERS FORM – Please fill in your information if you won!

10 Lunch Tote Winners
@serenemoments2
@shawnmh
@CountrySprite
@carogonza
@permeister Chosen randomly from the RSVP list because we missed a question in all the excitement!
@LiveLaughLoveCj
@bluefroggie
@rejoiceinsaving
@lovemykeiki
@lovemy2doggies

The $100 Gift Card prize is still open to enter until Saturday! Don’t forget to download your recipes and come back and tell us which ones you picked! You can find all information on our previous posts. Please do not post entries here post as they will not count!

Cook for a Cause – Ways to Give Back as a Family

Don’t forget tonight’s twitter party!!! Download your recipes to enter to win $10o giftcard to your grocery store or some adorable lunch kits!

Make Monday night Grilling Night! Pork cuts like chops or pork tenderloin are easy to fire up and can go from grate-to-table in less than 30 minutes. Try America’s Favorite Pork Chops tonight. Marinate pork chops with Italian dressing and a dash of Worcestershire sauce for about 20 minutes (or start them the night before when you have more time). Then, toss the chops on the grill and enjoy with sliced tomatoes in vinaigrette, broccoli spears and garlic mashed potatoes.
Once dinner’s served, use the table time to talk to kids about what it means to “give back.” Below are some dinnertime talking points to get the conversation started.

• Support Food Banks: There’s no better time than mealtime to talk about how to help the hungry. For an easy start, visit TheOtherWhiteMeat.com to “click for a cause”. Starting September 20-26, for each recipe printed or shared within the special National Eat Together Week section of the Web site, America’s pork producers will donate five pounds of pork to a food bank in need.

• Volunteer to Help Those in Need: Identify a local soup kitchen in the area where the family can volunteer. Ask the kids why serving food to those in need is important to trigger their desire to get involved.

• Kid-friendly Kindness: Ask each child to list a task they can easily complete – raking leaves, visiting with an older neighbor, helping a sibling – and challenge them to complete it as a kindess for someone else by the end of National Eat Together Week.

Cook Once, Eat Twice

Today kicks off National Eat Together Week and we are getting so excited about our twitter party on Monday night! Today is the first day that you can start downloading recipes to donate five pounds of pork (or about 25 meals) to a food bank in need which also gets you qualified to enter to win a $100 giftcard!

Here is a great Sunday meal to get you started! You have to go to TheOtherWhiteMeat.com to download the recipe!

Cook Once, Eat Twice

Planning a Sunday dinner that provides enough leftovers for a second meal on Monday saves time for any busy family. Purchasing larger cuts of pork, such as pork shoulder or a roast, can be a cost-saver too.

Recipe #1
Peppered Pork Roast: When looking for a quick and easy recipe, dry rubs are a convenient way to add flavor fast. A seasoned pepper rub on pork loin roasts packs a punch. Serve with mashed potatoes and buttered corn to complete the meal.

Recipe #2
Caribbean Pork and Mango Salad: Slice yesterday’s leftover roast and toss with mixed greens, black beans, red onion, mango and fruit-flavored vinaigrette dressing. It’s a delicious lunch, or for a dinner, pair it with cornbread muffins.

Plan Ahead: A Week’s Worth of Pork-Tastic Meals

We are getting ready to celebrate National Eat Together Week: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner with a twitter party so we want you to be able to get ready for the week!

To maximize family mealtime, do your “homework” and plan ahead. Sitting down once a week to map out a meal plan and make a grocery list will save time and money on rushed weeknights. Use this list of ingredients to create the week’s worth of meals within this book.* All these recipes will be available in the special National Eat Together Week (NETW) section on TheOtherWhiteMeat.com.

By printing or sharing any of them, you will be donating five pounds of pork to a food bank in need.

Pork
4 pork chops
2 pork loin roasts (2 lbs. ea.)
1 pound ground pork
2 pounds deli ham
1 package (8 oz.) boneless ham steak
1 package (2 oz.) pepperoni
1 package (6 oz.) Canadian bacon
Pantry
1 bag (6 oz.) walnuts
1 jar cherry preserves
1 canister pepper blend seasoning
1 can (15 oz.) black beans
1 bottle fruit-flavored vinaigrette dressing
1 bottle Italian dressing
1 bottle Worcestershire sauce
1 package (10 oz.) refrigerated pizza crust
1 can (15 oz.) prepared pizza sauce
1 bottle garlic chili paste
1 package sandwich buns (8 ct.)
1 bottle soy sauce
1 loaf whole wheat bread
1 bottle honey mustard dressing
1 jar honey
1 bottle barbecue sauce
Produce
1 small plum tomato
1 bunch fresh chives
1 bunch fresh mint
1 bunch fresh green onions
6 cups mixed greens
1 medium red onion
1 medium Spanish onion
1 green bell pepper
1 small fresh ginger root
1 head of fresh garlic
2 ripe mangos
1 apple
1 package (16 oz.) refrigerated potato wedges
Eggs & Dairy
1/2 dozen large eggs
1 pint half-and-half
1 package (8 oz.) Gruyere or Swiss cheese
1 package (8 oz.) Cheddar cheese
1 package (8 oz.) pizza blend shredded cheese
1 package (12 oz.) American cheese
1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese
1 pint buttermilk
*Assumes the pantry is already stocked with basic ingredients like flour, baking powder, vegetable oil, salt and pepper.

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