General Mills Grains of Goodness

Every year the weight loss resolutions begin and you hear some odd diet tips, tricks, and suggestions. But the diet science and studies suggest that diets rich in whole grain help maintain a healthy heart, help manage weight, reduce the risk for diabetes and other health issues.

In a national survey, 91 percent of Americans said they want to incorporate more whole grain foods into their diets. In fact, nine out of 10 people in the U.S. still do not eat the minimum recommended daily amount of whole grain (at least three servings, or 48 grams). General Mills is the only leading cereal company to guarantee whole grain in every box, 8 grams of whole grain per serving to be exact. Every day, General Mills´ Big G Cereals - which include Cheerios, Fiber One, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Chex, Total and Lucky Charms - deliver 35 million servings of whole grain to Americans. Additionally General Mills is reducing the amount of sugar in all of their cereals to provide the same great taste without all the unnecessary extras.

My house is a HUGE fan of Cheerios and most recently Cinnamon Toast Crunch. We love these two because you can eat them as a breakfast cereal or you can snack on them dry which makes for great snacks for the kids anytime during the day. When our house was provided with the General Mills Grains of Goodness prize pack we went and bought a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch (since we already had LOTS of Cheerios on hand) and we wanted to try a new flavor of Total from General Mills. We got the Total Blueberry Pomegranate and can I just say, DEE LISH! Absolutely yummy.

So to promote General Mills promise to bring you whole grain in every box of cereal and reduced sugar, The Five Fish and General Mills on behalf of My Blog Spark are giving away this great prize pack for you!

TWO (2) VIP Coupons for Big G cereal products, a breakfast chiller, large cereal mug, & tote bag

Here is how you can win. Tell me how you are adding more whole grain to your diet? Do you know how much whole grain you need daily? Or tell me your favorite General Mills cereal. 

(Please leave me your email address if your blogger profile is not public, no email, no winnings.)

Extra Entries:

• Follow my blog 
• Fan The Fish (please re-fan as the previous fan page was all wonky)
• Follow me on Twitter
• Tweet this giveaway, unlimited tweet option as long as you do not double comment on this blog for your unlimited tweets: Win General Mills cereal prize pack with @KariewithaK #giveaway http://goo.gl/XNMU Ends 3/6
• Subscribe to my feed
• Blog this Giveaway with a link back (Worth 5 entries)
• Grab my button
• Add my blog to your text blog roll

CONTEST ENDS MARCH 6TH @ 11:59PM

Best of Luck!

*The Five Fish received the above pictured prize pack and in no way are we making any health claims regarding whole grain, in no way was our opinion influenced by the product and we make no claims regarding the product other than the facts stated on the Nutritional Values chart on the product.

Win and Give with Betty Crocker

If you have read my blog long enough you know how much I love to give to others. Benevolence is in my core and I enjoy giving to others not only because of karma but I enjoy seeing people's faces when they receive a gift of kindness. Even better is seeing the face of a child when they receive a wonderfully kind gift.

My son is brutally competitive and loves to win but he is so beautifully kind and enjoys giving to others, especially when they are deserving and they are other children. When I received the email about how My Blog Spark was helping to promote the program with Betty Crocker snacks, on specially marked boxes of Fruit Roll-Ups, Gushers, Fruit by the Foot, and Stickerz & Shapes, to donate a laptop to one African child for every laptop won by a U.S. child I knew this as a more than noble post to promote. Grant was so excited when we received the prize pack not only because we received Fruit Roll-Ups and Fruit by the Foot but also the opportunity to win a laptop in our home and that we had a donation made on our behalf to One Laptop per Child.

Grant was ever so sweet because he told me when we went over the Win One Give One program he told me, "Mama, if we win a laptop can we give it to some kids who don't have one. I already have a computer...Dad has three of them in his office so he has one to spare for me." I just about fell over laughing and I was so happy to hear that my son was willing to give to others so selflessly. He also saw that kids should have computers in their lives.

Not only do you support children in need but the products are also Box Tops participants. So everyone wins with these Betty Crocker snacks, and hey, they are pretty tasty. But here is some really powerful footage about the One Laptop per Child program.

Now you can get involved without making any purchase AND you can enter to win a Betty Crocker snacks prize pack and have $25 donated on your behalf to One Laptop per Child. To enter, tell me what you do to promote benevolence with your child? How are you teaching them to help others?

Extra Entries:

• Follow my blog 
• Follow me on Twitter
• Tweet this giveaway with unlimited tweets, no double comment tweet entries: Win and Give a laptop to a child in need with @BettyCrocker snacks and @KariewithaK http://goo.gl/l5PK
• Subscribe to my feed
• Blog this giveaway (Worth 5 entries)
• Grab my button
• Fan The Fish
• Add my blog to your text blog roll (Worth 2 entries)

CONTEST ENDS MARCH 4TH @ 11:59PM

Best of luck!

*The Five Fish received a prize pack of Betty Crocker fruit snacks from Betty Crocker on behalf of My Blog Spark and a donation of $25 was made on our behalf to One Laptop per Child. In no way did the product influence this post, this post is to promote a wonderful cause for children around the world.

Wanchai Ferry Frozen Entrees

As parents we always need more time in our lives and in our economy eating out is not always an option when looking to save time. Our family is a big fan of take-out style food at home and Wanchai Ferry is great for the restaurant style flavor but only a portion of the price. We love the Wanchai Ferry at home boxed kit and when we heard they make a frozen meal kit...ALL ABOARD! Talk about a huge time saver to take the meal from freezer to cook-top to table-top in a jiffy.

Wanchai Ferry offers four different flavors with orange chicken, spicy garlic chicken, shrimp lo mein, and sweet and sour chicken. My personal favorite is the spicy garlic chicken while my husband prefers the orange chicken. Each has enough heat to give a nice spicy flavor without being overbearing. We prepare ours with brown rice too for a healthier option. So since we cannot always decide which one to eat we get both and split. Plus with plenty of tasty leftovers.

Want to have a "Night In" where you can have Chinese takeout without the Chinese takeout price? Well you can enter to win a prize pack for Wanchai Ferry and download a $1.50 coupon off your next purchase.

Enter to win the following prize pack with a $25 Target GC. Just tell me what you do to supplement takeout? Do you bake your own pizza? Cook your own Chinese food? Grill burgers and dogs?

Extra Entries:

• Follow my blog 
• Follow me on Twitter
• Tweet this giveaway with unlimited tweets available as long as a comment separates your previous tweet entry: A perfect night in with @Kariewithak Wanchai Ferry and a $25 GC to Target http://goo.gl/fb/Yqa0
• Subscribe to my feed
• Blog this Giveaway (Worth 5 entries)
• Grab my button
• Add me to your text blog roll
• Fan the Fish on Facebook

CONTEST ENDS FEBRUARY 28TH @ 11:59PM

*The Five Fish received a complimentary coupon from MyBlogSpark and Wanchai Ferry to receive a free package of Wanchai Ferry as well as the above pictured prize pack. In no way was our opinion swayed or influenced about the product as we have previously purchased the product prior to this campaign.

Reward Your School Box Tops for Education & Giveaway :: CLOSED

Confession: I am one of THOSE moms. I save all the tabs off of pop cans to send with my son to school. I send in everything the PTO requests for fundraisers (otherwise they might fire me from my Board position) and of course I am a HUGE proponent for effortlessly snipping each and every box top from each and every participating product that prints box tops on the packaging.

Did you know that you can help your local school by sending in those box tops? While the cash amount may seem so menial the numbers slowly begin to add up and build and multiply exponentially. Just since the beginning of the school year my son's school has been able to generate $500 in box tops for education. $500!! The number is truly huge considering that those funds, went right back into the school for the kids to help pay for field trips and extracurricular's for the kids. The number makes me beam as a parent to know I am helping to make a difference in my child's life and education by participating. Plus, what kind of PTO board member would I be if I wasn't participating.

So when I received notice from MyBlogSpark that they, Kroger brand stores (which I only shop there....because I love my local Fry's Food...they have AWESOME options) and Box Tops had a campaign to share about Reward Your School I had to share! I first went and shared all the information with the PTO to make sure the parents got the info as well and now, I want to share with you my faithful readers the way you and your child's school can automatically receive FIVE free box tops just for registering, plus additional offers for MORE box tops on participating purchases. Just visit www.RewardYourSchool.com register and select your personalized offers for additional box tops. Those box tops will automatically go to your school so no worries about clipping additional packages either.

In addition to this great campaign to promote monies for schools I get to share with you a great giveaway on behalf of MyBlogSpark and General Mills for a $25 gift card to Kroger brand stores! Here's how you can enter to win:  What do you do to help raise monies for your child's school? Or tell me if you are a closet clipper too for box tops and pop can tabs? (answer this first to be entered)


Extra Entries:

• Follow my blog
• Follow me on Twitter
• Tweet this giveaway daily: Win $25 GC to Kroger Brand stores and Reward Your School giveaway from @KariewithaK http://bit.ly/aJfIWw
• Subscribe to my feed
• Fan The Fish
• Email a friend this giveaway (2 entries)
• Blog this giveaway (Worth 5 entries)
• Leave me a substantial (not a load of horse minutiae) on a NON giveaway and NON review post (Worth 3 entries for each comment on a different post)

CONTEST ENDS FEBRUARY 12TH @ 11:59PM

Best of Luck!

Thanksgiving Fun Pack :: CLOSED

Anyone ready for Thanksgiving? How about the holidays period? Not me! In fact I am hosting Thanksgiving at my house again this year and I am just at a loss. Totally unprepared. I am in the process of baking my pies (yes they are my signature...move over Martha!) and I know not everyone loves pie, especially the kids.

Pillsbury and MyBlogSpark provided me with a great holiday alternative, cookies! Plus they provided me with some fun Thanksgiving fun goodies.

Cookies you ask? Yes cookies. Wonderful sugar cookies. Kids love sugar cookies. And these wonderful delights (in moderation of course Mom) have a Turkey shaped right into them to celebrate the season. These cookies will help to celebrate and are a great alternative to pies. If your kids happen to object to pie.

Keep in mind these are the great Pillsbury® Ready to Bake!™ and they are for a limited time! Be sure to get them now before the holiday hits and you wish you bought some. Or if you want, you can win some here along with a great Thanksgiving gift pack to help relieve all your stress!

Thanksgiving Fun Pack:
Coupon for a free package of the Pillsbury Thanksgiving Shape® sugar cookies, as well as a turkey-shaped stress reliever, pencil, and finger puppet

MANDATORY ENTRY:  Tell me what stresses you out about the holidays that your stress Turkey will help to relieve....and of course the cookies or what is most fun about Thanksgiving to you! Comfort food...ahhhh.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

• Blog this giveaway
• Follow my blog
• Follow me on Twitter
• Tweet this giveaway (once daily entry, ONLY after the mandatory entry has been met)

 CONTEST ENDS NOVEMBER 25TH @ 

MIDNIGHT ARIZONA TIME
*Five Fish always blog ethically and with transparency. Click HERE!  

Bundles of Winners

I have lots of winners!! I know...just when you thought I was going to pull a Fail Whale on you!

Well folks here is what you have all been waiting for!

CONGRATULATIONS Angela!

 

CONGRATULATIONS Allie!

CONGRATULATIONS Mishia!

 

CONGRATULATIONS Andrea!

Alright folks, the winners have been chosen for these fabulous giveaways, and please do not fret!

Step2 Lifestyle Kitchen running until the end of the Month!

Sweetie Pies Kids Boutique GC ends the 18th

System Mechanic Software ends the 18th

High Sierra #2 Ends the 20th

AND MUCH MUCH more this week and to come!

Big HUGE thanks to My Blog Spark, General Mills, and Barnes and Noble

Kevin Canning of Pearls of Joy

High Sierra Sport Company

Pedoodles (I still get rants and raves for those shoes!)

You folks helped to make some fabulous folks happy this month and I appreciate working with you!

Mrs Fish

Cheerios Spoonful of Stories Prize Pack :: CLOSED

Over the past eight years, Cheerios has given away more than 40 million children’s books by distributing them free inside cereal boxes and has donated $3.2 million to First Book, their non-profit partner, which provides books to children from low-income families. The program is part of Cheerios’ ongoing commitment to helping parents provide their children with a healthy, nutritional and educational foundation.

Beginning this month, Cheerios is again bringing books to the breakfast table, by providing six million children’s books free inside Cheerios boxes. The books are for children ages 3 to 8 years old, and include a brand new book in the popular “Trucktown” series, available only inside Cheerios boxes. And for the first time, all five books have been specially printed in both English and Spanish. This year’s book offerings from Cheerios – all by Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing – are: 

Junkyard Fort, written by Jon Scieszka, and illustrated by David Shannon, Loren Long and Dave Gordon: Join Gabriella, Jack, Melvin, Ted, Lucy and the other Trucktown characters as they make their own fort, using things found in the junkyard. Ages 4-8.

Tea for Ruby, written by The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser: Wherever Ruby goes, a bit of disaster seems to follow. But one sunny morning, things change when the postman brings Ruby an amazing invitation: would she like to have tea with the Queen? Ruby needs to polish her manners, and quickly. Ages 4-8.

Sleepyhead, written by Karma Wilson and illustrated by John Segal: In this rhythmic bedtime story, a cat is the parent and a teddy bear is the child who doesn't want to go to bed. All ready for bed with teeth brushed and story read, Sleepyhead teddy tries anything to prolong his bedtime; books and his quilt provide ample fodder for his imagination. Ages 3-7.

Ballyhoo Bay, written by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Derek Anderson: Mira Bella, an artist who teaches painting and sculpture, loves Ballyhoo Bay and what it offers: sun, sea, sand, and sky. But one gray day a billboard arrives, announcing an impending development that would take all the fun out of the place. Read along to see if Mira Bella and her art can save the day and Ballyhoo Bay! Ages 4–8.

What’s Under the Bed?, written and illustrated by Joe Fenton: Young Fred cannot stop worrying about the scary creature that might be hiding beneath his bed. Finally summoning the courage to peer under his bed, Fred, with his cumbersome glasses, sees that the only thing there is Ted, his friendly Teddy Bear! Ages 3–7.
[Courtesy of MyBlogSpark and Cheerios (a General Mills Brand)]

We here at The Five Fish LURVE Cheerios. My kids had Cheerios as their first finger foods, my son eats Cheerios for breakfast because of the low sugar content, and who doesn't just love a handful as a snack on a road trip. In no way did this program affect us, other than the additional reading material we received as part of this wonderful promotion.

DH and I strive to read and sing to our kids all the time. We think reading helps to foster imagination, improve educational strengths, and reading is a fabulous hobby. I mean I blew through the Twilight series in like four days flat. Non stop reading. We want our children to enjoy reading as much as we do and we also encourage Big G to read as much as he can on his own. Especially since he is doing the Harcourt reading program at school!

The Spoonfuls of Stories books we think fit into his Harcourt reading program. The books are great short stories that engage a child and their imagination, not to mention the cool activities at the back of the books. Grant is a HUGE fan of reading on his own now and as a parent the most wonderful feeling is seeing the lights click and the bulb light up when your child begins to read on their own, without the phonetic and parental attempts and assistance. Truly an indescribable feeling. Since he is such a new reader he has lots of fun books to read from educational to story-time books, so no specific favorite just yet. My favorite books as a child were Ramona, The Box Car Children, Charlotte's Web, and as I got older I became a fan of novels, poetry, prose, and comedies. (Yeah I am a bit of a literary snob at times)

So in an effort to promote a strong educational foundation with reading and healthy eating with Cheerios, The Five Fish are bringing you a Cheerios Spoonful of Stories Prize Pack which also includes a $25 Gift Card to Barnes and Noble!

PRIMARY ENTRY:  Tell me your reading story ritual with your children or maybe the importance of reading in your children's lives or maybe tell me your favortite character from your favorite book (childhood or otherwise)
(Please make sure you have an email address or your Blogger account is public, I like Sherlock Holmes, but I don't like to play detective.)


EXTRA ENTRIES:

• Follow my blog (or tell me you do)
• Follow me on Twitter (or come tell me you do)
• Tweet this Giveaway "Promoting healthy habits and reading for life with @CheeriosBrand and @KariewithaK, Win a Cheerios Prize Pack http://tinyurl.com/yzy5n3h" (once per day)
• Technorati fave this blog
• Enter one of my other giveaways (3 extra entries)
• Fan The Fish on Facebook
• Blog about this giveaway (minimum of 100 words) (worth 5 entries)

 CONTEST ENDS NOVEMBER 8TH @ MIDNIGHT

Best of luck to you all!
*Five Fish always blog ethically and with transparency. Click HERE! 

Yummy Yoplait Winners: New Winner Re-Draw

Are you feeling hungry?

All this talk about dates, sex shop winners, and stupid....well that can really work up an appetite for a girl!

So here are the BIG winners for the Yoplait Fiber One Yogurt and Snack Pack:

 

CONGRATS LADIES!!!

Enjoy your guiltless pleasures of the Yoplait Fiber One and the cool snack pack!

Emails have been sent and you have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

Thanks again to all the entrants as well, you are always of course winners in my book! Be sure to check out my latest giveaways and as always thanks for being a Faithful Fishy Fan!

Of course big THANKS to the folks at My Blog Spark for such a super yummy giveaway!

Yoplait Fiber One 50 Calorie Yogurt Giveaway & Review :: CLOSED

The folks over at Yoplait have been INGENIOUS with creating foods especially for those who are on a diet but still want flavor and those who are pressed for time. As a mom of three kids, two are 18 month old twins, time is but a luxury. Meals have to be made and made fast. Leaving me scrambling in the kitchen for something that resembles a meal and a meal that is healthy and filling. Moms are the ultimate short order cooks. So when I am left feeling hungry and not quite satisfied after my rushed meal, or I have a craving for some snacks, or my ultimate comfort food......ICE CREAM.....I have been reaching for the Yoplait Fiber One 50 Calorie Yogurt.

Can you see that!!?? (Please click to see my great circling job!!)

50 calories! 3 grams of protein, ZERO fat, not to mention LOW CARB, look at the 5 grams of fiber. That is the secret to this tasty snack is the fiber.

Fiber is great for your diet. Hello ladies, having trouble with your "deuce?" Yeah, can you say FIBER!

Plus 20 percent of the Recommended Daily Value of fiber. It is also a good source of calcium and vitamins A and D, making this an all-around great choice for dieters and those watching their weight.

Here is the true "skinny" for all of you dieters and moms out there who are curious as to how good this yogurt can really taste, especially at 50 calories. Take it from Hungry Girl okay?

The folks over at My Blog Spark sent me this great Yoplait Snack pack and the opportunity to go get some Yoplait Fiber One yogurt for myself to try out. Truly I love this stuff!! I thought, "Man this is gonna taste like diet food....total ass." NO WAY!! Still the same great super creamy taste that Yoplait has to offer without the guilt! I can have the perfect lunch of a grilled chicken salad with a side of yogurt and I am completely satisfied. I get my sweet fix without the guilt. I have to admit that the Key Lime pie IS. MY. FAVE! Not too bitter, not too sweet and hey the strawberry is fabulous with chunks of real strawberry inside. YUMMO!

What is even better than telling you about this great snack?

I get to give THREE lucky readers a gift bag that includes a Fiber One yogurt VIP coupon (good for a free 4-pack of Fiber One yogurt), cooler pack, and other storage items for you to carry your snacks and yogurt- it's great for work and other on-the-go activities!

Here is how you can enter to win:

• Leave me a comment telling me what your diet secrets are, your guilty snacking pleasures (mine is ice cream), and or what are you doing to manage your weight?

Want additional entries for these goodies?

• Follow my blog (the button is at the bottom) and tell me you do
• Follow me on Twitter
• Tweet this Giveaway (up to twice a day!) Leave a comment for each tweet status
• Subscribe to my feed (on the left)
• Fan the Fish on Facebook (on the left)
  
• Fave me on Technorati
• Stumble my Blog (not this post)

PLEASE be sure you leave your EMAIL address along with corresponding links for Tweets, etc.
Giveaway will end on September 18, 2009 @ 10am Arizona Time.

Good Luck and Have Fun!!

Hey you...You're a Winner

So I had three giveaways going....one of which I am surprised at the LACK of participation, but the winner is going to be overflowing with joy. Here are the winners for the following giveaways:

Online Poster Printing Winner of (1) 16X 20 Canvas
Technically, the only entrant....and a "stingy bitch" to boot, so I like her.


PINGO Winner for Calling Card

Honey Kix Prize Pack Winner

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Alright folks, emails have been sent. You have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Thanks again for entering these fabulous giveaways, thanks for your help and support of our sponsors, and as always....keep your rod and reel handy for more Fishy Giveaways!!

Honey Kix Giveaway

As I said before school is nearing.....did I mention school starts soon?! Man am I ready for school to start! I can tell you the one thing that really helps Big G is a good breakfast in the morning. A tasty breakfast that I know will fill him up and keep him satisfied until lunch is a great start to anyday and helps the little guy focus and stay on task at school. Otherwise...the kid is all over the place mentally, I mean he already is as a kindergartener....but seriously....I need not torture his teachers more. Plus breakfast is the most important meal of the day and helps to regulate your daily and overall blood sugar and well being.

Well the folks over at My Blog Spark must know that we love food in this house, and breakfast is a biggie!

I am not a big cereal fan, I eat Honey Bunches of Oats and Cheerios....es todo (that's all). But I have to say that Honey Kix is a new favorite! I love a sweet cereal without seeming like a kids cereal that has a TON of sugar and I feel all amped. I mean the last thing we need in this house....is sugar! So a bowl of Honey Kix, a banana or an apple and milk....
Good. To. Go.
Everyone is fed and the day is off to a great start.


So a lucky reader gets to enjoy a box of Honey Kix, just in time for school mornings!!

Breakfast can be a hassle, so take the hassle out of the morning with cereal and a cereal kids, and adults alike will enjoy. Not to mention all the cool stuff that comes with the Honey Kix, courtesy again of the folks @ My Blog Spark and General Mills.

Here are the winning items of this giveaway, and my Big G....LOVES IT!!

• Free Box of Honey Kix
• Honey Kix breakfast bowl
• Travel bowl with freezer safe insulated bottom, 2 pieces (breakfast on the go!)
• Honey Kix storage container, so your breakfast is stashed in a fashionable tupperware container (and not the gawdy box!)
• Honey Pot (DH was loving this! We looked everywhere to find one...low and behold...one comes in the mail....prayers answered about honey problem)

So seriously who wouldn't want to enter this totally cool giveaway! I mean I was absolutely stoked when these items arrived.....I ran over and got the box of cereal to munch on while blogging.....I know shame on me.

Here are the deets:

• Leave me a comment and tell me how much of a PAIN breakfast (or sometimes a lack thereof) and mornings are before school and your email address for the winnings.

Additional entries:

• Follow this blog (or tell me you do)
• Technorati fave me (or tell me you have)
• Stumble my blog (or tell me you have)
• Follow me on Twitter (or tell me you do)
• Tweet this giveaway
• Fan the Fish on Facebook!
  
• Blog about this giveaway, come and tell me you did

Good luck!
CONTEST ENDS AUGUST 5TH 2009 @ 10AM ARIZONA TIME