Breyers Inspirations - Cherry Chocolate Chip

A while back, I stumbled upon the Breyers Inspirations yogurt line at my store. At the time, there were two that included Chocolate Chips - a vanilla and a mint. I couldn't wrap my head around a mint yogurt, so I skipped it and went for the vanilla with chocolate chips. It was delicious. There was a good amount of chocolate chips in the cup and it had a great flavor. The yogurt was so smooth and creamy - something you don't always find in a lowfat yogurt. It also wasn't artificially sweetened - I do not like yogurt that is artificially sweetened. I am completely content with a reduced fat yogurt that is sweetened with good old sugar (plus then, I don't mind if the kids have it).

I liked it so much that I started putting it into my yogurt rotation (sometimes you get bored if you eat the same thing week after week, so you have to mix it up). The other ones that I like are the Yoplait YoPlus yogurts (again, a line that is not artificially sweetened - although I believe they recently added a Lite line).

Then, last week, I was at the store and had yogurt on my shopping list (really, it's pretty much a standard list item). When I came to the yogurt section, I noticed something new that I just had to try in the Breyers Inspriations line - Cherry Chocolate Chip. I grabbed it and packed one for lunch the next day.

YUM!!!

It was so good, the cherry yogurt combined with the chocolate chips was a complete indulgence. It was an immediate favorite. It was hard to believe that this treat was still only 3 Points (4oz cup). A definite lunch time addition. I couldn't resist, I bought it again this week, so much for rotation.

What is your favorite yogurt flavor? Have you tried this one? Share your thoughts in the comments.

I received no compensation for this post. All opinions are strictly my own and I purchased the products that I reference in this post.

Chocolate Cheerios

I love chocolate! I'm sure that I have made that clear many times. It is one of my struggles when I am watching what I eat - I think I crave it (and not just when I stress, although more so when I stress). I have gone out of my way to find chocolate treats that aren't as bad for me so that I can indulge but stay on track. Some of my favorite chocolate treats include a small piece of chocolate, a cup of low fat chocolate milk, a small hot chocolate (hold the whipped cream) and chocolate yogurts. Now, I have a new treat that allows me to get in my daily dose of chocolate without too much guilt: Chocolate Cheerios



I saw them on the front of my Giant Eagle ad a few weeks ago and knew I must try them. As luck would have it, about two days later I got an e-mail from MyBlogSpark inviting me to try Chocolate Cheerios - how could I say no?

Let me start by saying we are big Cheerios fans in my house. We enjoy the original yellow box, the Honey Nut Cheerios, the Frosted Cheerios, the Fruity Cheerios and the Banana Nut Cheerios. On a few occasions, we have had the Apple Cinnamon and the Multi-Grain, but not as often as the others. I like that Cheerios are a good breakfast and a good snack. My kids have been eating them dry since they could pick them up and with milk since they could manage a spoonful of cereal and milk. They are one of my favorite cereals (along with Cocoa Puffs).

When the box arrived, I made the kids wait until Saturday to try it. I don't eat cereal and milk at home during the week, because I don't usually have the time. I was worried that if I let them open it, it would be gone before I got to give it a few tries.

The cereal delivers on the chocolate flavor without being overly sweet. I like that. My kids saw them as a treat (much like they do Fruity Cheerios and Banana Nut Cheerios) because they taste a little sweeter than regular Cheerios, plus let's be honest - they are chocolate and that has to make them special. I like that the Chocolate Cheerios is low in fat and only has 100 calories per serving and that it is made with whole grains (it carries the Whole Grain Guarantee that there are 8g or more per serving).

One of the things that was included in my e-mail was a recipe for Chocolate Cheerios Marshmallow Hearts. Now, if there is one thing besides chocolate that I like it is marshmallows - how could this recipe not be great? I'm thinking that most of the time, I would go with squares, but for Valentine's Day the hearts would certainly be cute. I haven't made it yet, but you can find a copy here if you would like to try it.


Giveaway!

Here is your chance to win your own Chocolate Cheerios Gift pack - including a box of Chocolate Cheerios for you to try yourself, courtesy of Chocolate Cheerios and MyBlogSpark

Primary Entry:
Which variety of Cheerios is your favorite? You can go here to see a full assortment.

Additional Entries:

• Share this giveaway with friends - on your blog, on Facebook or by e-mail. Leave me a comment letting me know how you shared.

• Follow @ABusyMomofTwo on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You may complete this entry once per day.

• Follow A Busy Mom of Two. Subscribe to updates in your feed reader or in e-mail. Leave me a comment letting me know that you signed up, or that you already subscribe.

Giveaway will remain open until February 17th at 6 pm. One winner will be selected using a random number generator. The winner will be contacted by e-mail (be sure to leave one!) and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

I received no compensation for this post. All opinions expressed in this post are mine. I received one Chocolate Cheerios gift pack for myself and one to giveaway, courtesy of Cheerios and MyBlogSpark.

Menu Plan Monday

This week's menu is mostly from our freezer and pantry. I headed out to the store to pick up some fixings for the small Super Bowl Party we are hosting. I picked up my two free after coupon packs of Marcal Paper Towels 2pk and two free after coupon packs of Marcal Double Roll 4pk Toilet Tissue, as well as some free after coupon Birdseye pouches. I also stocked up on some cheese, yogurt, fruit and chicken.

At our house, the focus is on dinners. I tend to only list the main course and any standard side we have with it. We do still have vegetables and/or fruit with each of our dinners, I just don't always call them out.

Sunday
Cereal
Sandwiches
Skyline Chili and Super Bowl munchies

Monday
Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

Tuesday
Pasta

Wednesday
Pork Chops

Thursday
Cheeseburgers/French Fries

Friday
Chicken Gravy over Biscuits

Saturday
Cereal
Sandwiches
CiCi's Pizza

Weekdays breakfast is at daycare for my daughter, the rest of us eat cold cereal, frozen waffles, oatmeal, toast or whatever strikes our fancy. Lunch we pack, usually leftovers for me.

Check out other menu plans for the week at Menu Plan Monday at I'm An Organizing Junkie.

Walgreens Scenarios - week of 2/7

So, I scanned the Walgreens ad and came up with a few transactions that might work pretty well. I'm not sure that I will be by a Walgreens store this week, but if I can find a way, I will make a trip.

Transaction #1
3 - John Frieda products

-$5/2 John Frieda IP
-$2/1 John Frieda IP

Total $8. Earn a $5 RR.

Transaction #2
1 - Dove Men + Care Bodywash
1 - Kraft Mac n Cheese (w/ in ad coupon)

-$1.50 Dove Men + Care Bodywash IP

Total $5.19. Pay with $5 RR and $.19 OOP. Earn a $5.99 RR.

Transaction #3 (updated with IP)
3 - 7up 2L
2 - Theraflu

-$1.50 Theraflu mfg coupon
-$1.50 Theraflu mfg coupon
-$2 Theraflu IP or IP
-$2 Theraflu IP

Total $11 $10. Pay with $5.99RR and $6.01 $5.01 OOP. Earn $2 and $5 RR.

Transaction #4
1 - Venus Embrace
1 - Olay Bodywash
2 - Disney Coloring Activity Books (w/ in ad coupon)

-$2 Venus Embrace mfg coupon
-Free Olay Bodywash w/ purchase of Venus mfg coupon

Total $7.66. Pay with $5 and $2 RR and $.66 OOP. Earn $4 RR.

Transaction #5
1 - Gillette Deodorant
1 - Gillette Bodywash
1 - Mars Singles (w/ in ad coupon)

-Free Gillette Bodywash with Deodorant purchase

Total $4.48. Pay with $4 RR and $.48 OOP. Earn $1.50 RR.

Transaction #6
1 - Milk

Total $1.98. Pay with $1.50 RR and $.48 OOP.

Total OOP of $15.82 $14.82, for a lot of stuff.

In Transaction #4, you could also add in the cartridges for an additional $3 RR.

You might also be interested in inserting the Huggies deal. Jumbo pack of Pull-ups for $8.99 - $2 Huggies IP = $6.99, earn $3 RR.

For more deals and scenarios, check out Deal Seeking Mom.

Walgreens $5 Challenge

Transaction #1
1 - Dove Men + Care Bodywash

-$1.50 Dove Men + Care Bodywash IP

Total $4.49. Earn $5.99 RR.

Transaction #2
1 - Gillette Deodorant
1 - Gillette Bodywash
1 - Glad Cling Wrap (w/ in ad coupon)
1 - Disney Coloring Activity Pad (w/ in ad coupon)

-Free Gillette Bodywash

Total of $6.32. Pay with $5.99 RR and $.33 OOP. Earn $1.50 RR

Transaction #3
2 - Orbit Multipack
1 - dozen Eggs

-$1 Orbit IP
-$1 Orbit IP

Total $1.99. Pay with $1.50 RR and $.49 OOP.

Total for the three transactions $5.31 OOP.

For more $5 Walgreens deals, check out the Walgreens $5 Challenge.

CVS Scenarios - week of 2/7

There seem to be some good deals this week. I'm thinking I might pick up the Nabisco crackers to complete the crackers I need for the $20 rebate, plus after sale and coupon, they are fairly inexpensive.

Transaction #1
5 - Nabisco Crackers

-$2/2 Nabisco Cracker IP
-$2/2 Nabisco Cracker IP
-$1/1 Nabisco Cracker mfg coupon

Total $5. Earn $3 ECBs.

Transaction #2
2 - Pantene Shampoo/Conditioner
2 - Gillette Body Wash

-$2/2 Pantene mfg coupon
-$2 Gillette Body Wash mfg coupon
-$2 Gillette Body Wash mfg coupon

Total $9, pay with $3 ECBs and $6 OOP. Earn $5 ECBs.

Transaction #3
1 - Listerine Mouthwash
1 - Reach multipack Toothbrush

-$1 Listerine mfg coupon
-$1 Reach Toothbrush mfg coupon

Total $5.98, pay with $5 ECBs and $.98 OOP. Earn $4 ECBs.

Transaction #4
4 - Nivea Lip Care

-$2.99 Nivea Lip BOGO mfg coupon
-$2.99 Nivea Lip BOGO mfg coupon

Total $5.98, pay with $4 ECBs and $1.98 OOP. Earn $5 ECBs.

alternate Transaction #4 (sometimes you can use a coupon for the free one and a coupon for the one you buy, if you can this is a better deal)
4 - Nivea Lip Care
1 - Trident Layers
1 - Valentine Photo Card

-$2.99 Nivea Lip BOGO mfg coupon
-$2.99 Nivea Lip BOGO mfg coupon
-$1 Nivea mfg coupon
-$1 Nivea mfg coupon
-$.75 Trident Layers mfg coupon

Total $5.22, pay with $4 ECBs and $1.22 OOP. Earn $5 and $1 ECBs.

Total OOP for the day is $14.96 with $6 ECBs left for next week or to pick up something else you need. (if you do alternate #4, then it is $13.20 OOP with $6 ECBs to roll).

For more deals and scenarios, check out Money Saving Mom, Deal Seeking Mom, Cha Ching Queen and the "Cent"sible Sawyer.

CVS $5 Challenge

Transaction #1
4 - Nivea Lip Care

-BOGO Nivea Lip Care mfg coupon
-BOGO Nivea Lip Care mfg coupon
-$1 Nivea mfg coupon
-$1 Nivea mfg coupon

Total $3.98, earn $5 ECBs.

Transaction #2
1 - Listerine
1 - Reach TB

-$1 Listerine mfg coupon
-$1 Reach TB mfg coupon

Total $5.98, pay with $5 ECB and $.98 OOP. Earn $4 ECBs.

Transaction #3
2 - Cheerios
1 - Valentine's Day photo card
1 - Reese's Valentines single

-$1 Cheerios IP
-$1 Cheerios IP

Total $3.99, pay with $4 ECBs. Earn $1 ECB.

Total OOP of $4.96 with $1 ECB left to roll.

For more $5 Scenarios, check out the CVS $5 Challenge.

Free Grand Slam - February 9th

Mark your calendars - on Tuesday, February 9th, you can head to Denny's for a Free Grand Slam. The offer is available on Tuesday from 6 am - 2 pm.

As always, I suggest calling ahead to make sure your location is participating.

Fat Burnin' Friday

Last week, I was so excited because I thought I had broken free of my plateau and this week, I had an extremely munchy week. I just felt like I was always hungry. I snacked healthy, but alas, I only maintained. I guess that is better than the alternative, but still frustrating.

I did learn something exciting though this week. I went to the doctor and when the nurse was checking all of my vitals, I asked her if she could provide what my weight had been on previous visits. She pulled out a paper and wrote them all down for me. The only visit to the doctor since I started going there when I moved to Ohio that I weighed less than I do now was on my first obstetric visit with my son - 7 years ago. I am officially within grasp of having lost all of my pregnancy weight (it only has taken 7 years!). That is pretty incentivizing. I would love to get to my prepregnancy weight (and lower).

I completed week 12 of P90X this week. Now, all I have left is the recovery week. Then, I am going to take a couple of weeks and try some alternate workouts intermixed with some of the strength workouts from P90X. Then, I would like to start round 2. I happened to catch an infomercial the other day and the one guy showed pictures of his progress through round 1, round 2 and round 3. Each time through he improved his physique and lost more weight. I know that my friend from work who introduced me to the program has gone through it a few times and she continued to get more fit as well, so I believe that I would benefit from repeating the 90 day program again. Only the next time, I might try to work in the 6th day and/or the Ab workout - both of which I didn't do this first time (I did Abs about 5 times, but not the 3 times a week that I was supposed to).

At Weight Watchers on Monday when I weighed in, I had lost over 1#. I was very excited about that. I hope that I have a good weekend (tougher with Super Bowl) and can still see a loss next week, despite my plateau.

I still have 17.2# to go to my goal weight.