Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

breakfast

Beat the Morning Rush: It’s as Simple as #SteepSleepEat!

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I’ll be honest: when my friends at Quaker reached out and asked me to take a “Hassle Free Morning” Challenge, I was a bit skeptical. I mean, mornings ‘round here are crazy. Between getting two (sometimes three, all non-morning) family members off for the day, prepping my to-do list, fitting in a quick workout (maybe), writing a witty and engaging blog post (that’s why you’re here, right?) and about a million other little things that are somehow the responsibility of the person who answers to “mom”, I didn’t need the added stress of a challenge, TYVM.

BUT WAIT! Upon further inspection, it appeared that the point of the challenge was to alleviate some of my morning stress; the NEW Quaker Overnight Oats with Quinoa and Flaxseed products are designed to deliver a tasty and nourishing addition to breakfast with MINIMAL FUSS!

Dear Quaker: I’m all in.
First things first – if you haven’t tried making overnight oats, you’re missing out. They’re one of the easiest ways to enjoy a comforting and satisfying serving of oatmeal in the morning, and the best part is, they’re made the night before! …

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My Kids Gobble it Up

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Okay, so “gobble” was an artfully not-so-artfully placed pun.

But when it comes to Butterball Bacon Style Turkey, it’s true!

Here’s the dealio. I love me some bacon. It’s crispy, delicious, and it my mouth literally salivates when I smell it cooking. In fact, one of my favourite Seth Myers quotes is:

In an interview with a fashion industry website, Kate Moss said, ‘Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”. Said the rest of the world, “BACON”.

Long-time readers of my blog will know I’ve got a preference for a certain Natural Selections kind of goodness. Alas, as much as I’d like to indulge on a fairly consistent basis, my waistline just can’t handle it (yet I’m not inclined to eliminate it altogether – sorry Kate Moss).

Hence, I love to switch things up with Butterball Bacon Style Turkey. It boasts 50% less fat than regular pork bacon, and is slowly smoked over hardwood chips to give authentic bacon flavour. What I love most? There’s practically no shrinking after cooking, and you’ll have ZERO fat on the pan when you’re done. That’s right; no messy goop left over – which means less messy goop in your arteries. Win-win!

Butterball Bacon Style Turkey is the perfect way to get the family off to a great start in the morning. Just two slices provides 19g of protein, which kids need to grow properly and stay healthy. And for Mom, the same serving size yields only 70 calories and 2g of saturated fat. (Another win-win? Indeed!)

When crafting this post, my intent was to do an awesome breakfast recipe – with the Bacon Style Turkey, Waffles, Fruit… you name it. But as I put the breakfast in front of the kiddos, there’s just one thing they “gobbled” up… the turkey bacon, of course!

…

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I am a Breakfast NINJA.

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In this family, we don’t do cold cereal.

Not exactly sure how I surrounded myself with three boys who take breakfast so darn seriously. Spanish omelets, French toast and American-style stacked pancakes? Oh yeah, they’re all staples at 9:00am chez Lena. Which may sound fabulous – but it’s NOT so fabulous for my waistline, time spent in the kitchen, and sink full of dirty dishes.

(Did I mention that every breakfast-type food must be accompanied by a bowl of fresh cut fruit, or the boys won’t even look at it? And even then, they’ll practically swallow the fruit whole and proceed to pick at the rest – even though, 15 minutes earlier, they demanded eggs/toast/insert-gourmet-breakfast-here. The little jerks.)

A few months ago, we went out for breakfast, and the boys were introduced to waffles.

“Waffos! Waffos! I want waffos!” Reid happily sang the next morning.

“Er…” I searched through the freezer and produced two frozen waffles, heavily crusted with ice crystals from spending too much time at the back of the ice box. After toasting them, I presented the boys with a half burnt, half soggy mess. Oh yeah, like THAT was going to fly.

And so I contacted my friends at Hamilton Beach and begged for help… in the form of a Belgian Style Flip Waffle Maker. You see, earlier this year, I had attended the Hamilton Beach Media Preview, and was blown away by the waffle maker’s ability to create thick, fluffy, perfectly browned and evenly cooked waffles thanks to the flip feature – the very kind they use in restaurants. (Which means they would definitely pass the test at “Food-Snobs-r-Us” over here.)…

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The Breakfast Of Champions

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I fully endorse this Apple Kiwi Smoothie from Life Made Delicious. Three fruits plus low-fat yogurt make a tasty, energy-boosting drink for busy mornings, or any other time you need a quick pick-me-up (pretty much all day, every day).

You likely already have all the ingredients on hand (except maybe kiwis – they’re not usually a staple in my home). This smoothie makes a wonderful accompaniment to granola, pancakes or another Mother’s Day breakfast idea (hint hint).

I’d write more, but honestly – I’m off to make this smoothie now.

INGREDIENTS

1 small apple, peeled, cut into chunks
1 kiwifruit, peeled, cut into chunks
4 medium fresh strawberries
2/3 cup (150 mL) low fat strawberry yogurt
1/3 cup (75 mL) apple juice

(I also like to throw in a small handful of crushed ice to make the smoothie super cold and refreshing.)

DIRECTIONS

In blender, place ingredients. Cover; blend on high speed about 30 seconds or until smooth. Pour into 2 glasses. Serve immediately. (Easy, right? Even hubby can do this. Translation: there’s no reason this drink shouldn’t appear on your breakfast-in-bed tray this coming Sunday.)

Click here for more Mother’s Day brunch ideas.

I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Today is National Bagel Day!

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But you knew that already, right?

I think bagels have received a bad rap over the last few years. Once touted as a healthy, filling way to start the day, the carb conscious bought the bandwagon and many others jumped on for the heck of it. The truth is, bagels – like anything – can be enjoyed in moderation, and you do have options: choosing whole grain or multigrain varieties go a long way to helping you feel satisfied longer, offer many vitamins and minerals, and count towards your daily fibre intake. #winning

The good news: Canadians know a good thing when they see it. According to Dempster’s “Bagel Barometer”, 6 out of 10 Canadians eat bagels on a regular basis with nearly a quarter eating these circular delicacies daily or several times a week! To celebrate National Bagel Day 2012, Dempster’s has launched a new bagel recipe and partnered with well-known chef and bagel fan Bob Blumer (my fave creation follows below).

So who loves their bagels the most? It was a close call, but Canada’s most bagel-loving province is Ontario at 66 per cent, closely followed by Atlantic Canada (61%), and Alberta (59%) in third place. The majority of Canadians (90%) also prefer to go toasted, with one-third topping them with cream cheese.

The Dempster’s Bagel Barometer also revealed personality differences between Canadian bagel lovers, with nearly 6 out of 10 falling into “The Craver” category. (This is me.) On the other hand, one-quarter of us are “Energizers” who start our day with a bagel to fuel up; the remaining are “Connoisseurs”, who take the time to create delicious new ways to enjoy their bagels, and “Purists” who eat bagels the same way EVERY TIME ( I know a few of ’em).

Of course, with all this bagel noshing going on, Dempsters figured the time was right to unveil a NEW bagel recipe. Baked fresh daily in Canada and now available in grocery stores nationally, these bagels start with premium, quality ingredients and natural flavours such as 100 per cent Canadian wheat and real fruit and spices. And for those seeking variety, Dempster’s has a bagel for everyone including: Plain, Sesame, 100% Whole Wheat, 12 Grain, Everything, Cinnamon Raisin and Blueberry. The result is a bagel perfect for toasting that’s crispy on the outside, yet stays soft and fluffy on the inside – YUM!

Now I just happen to love cheese and apples – together, preferably – so I am all over Bob’s recipe for a Cheddar ‘n Apple Bagel:

• 1 Dempster’s cinnamon raisin bagel
• 1 Macintosh or Fuji apple—or whatever apple is available
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 ounce aged sharp cheddar cheese, sliced (ideally room temperature)
• 1 tablespoon toasted pecan pieces (optional)

Slice apple into 3/4 cm-thick slices and remove core. In a small bowl add apple slices and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Toss to coat evenly. In a frying pan over medium-high heat, add butter. When butter sizzles, add apples and cook for 2 minutes per side, or until they begin to soften and brown. Reserve. To serve, toast, and if you choose, lightly butter bagel. Top with cheese and apple slices, and sprinkle with pecan pieces.

See more bagel creations here.

If you’d like to give some of this recipes a try yourself, you may be interested in Demptster’s bagel-inspired prize pack! Valued at $150, the National Bagel Day Giveaway is filled with everything you need to make the perfect bagel.

The “Super” Breakfast – Oatmeal

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Today’s guest post is courtesy of one of my very favourite bloggers: Shauna from Kindergarten Confidential. Whether you’re a mommy looking for well-balanced, nutritious (and delicious) snacks – or just trying to find inspiration to get out of a food rut – you’ll want to follow her blog for sage advice, tips, and meal ideas everyone can make. Her recipes for Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches, Baby Bok Choy and Mini Cheesecakes are in heavy rotation chez moi!

Blog Blurb: “When my son came home from Kindergarten with a list of nut-free snack ideas suggested by the school, I was disgusted by the amount of junk food listed. Do hot dogs really belong in a young child’s lunch bag? If the thought of preparing healthy, nut-free school snacks makes you cringe, worry not! I’m here to help with snack & lunch ideas, easy recipes, and tips to simplify this part of your busy life. Open your mind to delicious, healthy food that will stay with your busy bees throughout the day!”

Click here to visit Kindergarten Confidential.

Today Shauna takes us through Oatmeal 101. Sit back and learn all about oats – and how you can incorporate their heart-healthy benefits into your daily routine. A special thank you to Shauna for taking the time to share this info with Listen to Lena! readers… ENJOY!

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Total Prep Time: 1 minute – 60 minutes

Canada’s Food Guide Servings:
1 Grain Products (3/4 cup cooked oatmeal)

Oatmeal is the ultimate breakfast food! I grew up eating it and still love it to this day. Aidan’s response to Saturday morning oatmeal? “Yes!”, along with a little fist pump! He’ll even eat his Nana’s steel-cut oatmeal for breakfast.

1 cup of uncooked rolled oats contains the following:
• 5 g fat (1 g saturated fat)
• 8g dietary fibre
• 10g protein
• Iron – 19% Daily Value for an adult

Heart-healthy oats are cholesterol free and have a low Glycemic Index, making them a perfect meal for diabetics. In fact, one way that my father controls his type 2 diabetes is by eating a bowl of oatmeal daily. Oatmeal is a superfood in my books, and deserves a permanent spot in everyone’s diet.

Oatmeal on it’s own is a bit boring. Get creative with different toppings. My favourite oatmeal toppers are:

• brown sugar (use in moderation)
• applesauce
• frozen blueberries (they’ll thaw instantly when placed on top of hot oatmeal)
• fresh strawberries, raspberries or blackberries
• thinly sliced bananas & walnuts
• vanilla yogurt
• cinnamon

Try any of these items to flavour your oatmeal, or experiment with your own favourites. Let your kids have fun choosing their own toppings.

Although oatmeal is an extremely healthy food for people of all ages, not all oats are made the same. There are many different variations of oats to choose from.

Oat Groats (aka Whole Oats): Oat groats are minimally processed, with only the outer hull removed. Their most common uses are for animal feed and (ground into) oat flour. They’re extremely nutritious with a very low Glycemic Index, but they’re chewy and need to be soaked and cooked for a long time. The best way to cook oat groats is by using a slow cooker or pressure cooker. Approximate stovetop cooking time: 1 hour.



Steel-cut Oats (aka Coarse-cut or Irish Oats): Oat groats that have been chopped into small pieces. They are chewier than rolled oats, and stand up well to liquid in their raw form (hot cereal or muesli). Approximate stovetop cooking time: 30 minutes.



Rolled Oats (aka Old-Fashioned or Flaked Oats): Oat groats that have been steamed, rolled, and flaked. They cook quickly, and are most commonly used as a hot breakfast cereal, in granola or in oatmeal cookies. Approximate stovetop cooking time: 15 minutes.


Instant Oats: Thin, precooked oats. Usually found in pre-portioned packages, ideal for microwaving. They are very convenient, but are not as chewy and flavourful as slower-cooking oats. Packaged instant oats usually contain added salt, sugar and artificial flavouring, due to the lack of natural flavour. Approximate cooking time: 1-2 minutes.

I keep a box of Quaker 100% Whole Grain Oats packets in my desk at work. Ready in 1 minute, they’re the perfect busy morning breakfast or afternoon snack. I simply fill a small container with frozen blueberries, and add them to the oatmeal for extra flavour.

On the weekend when I have more time, I cook rolled oats for our family breakfast. Aidan loves oatmeal; Josh not so much. But I know that in time he will learn to love it as well. If you offer your child healthy food repeatedly, they will eventually give it a try.

Try out oats in all of it’s forms and base your choice on what fits your family best. Slow-cooked groats is the most nutritious way of consuming oats. But if 1-minute quick oats is all you & your children have time for, eat them as often as you can. Your heart will thank you for it! Set a positive example for your children and show them how enjoyable plain old oatmeal can be!

For more information on the nutritional benefits of oatmeal, check out Quaker Oats Canada. You will find information about heart health, fitness & nutrition, along with delicious recipes.

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Thanks Shauna! Be sure to check out Kindergarten Confidential – and do let me know if you make her scrumptious Mini Cheesecakes :)

Today’s Blog Posts Brought to You By…

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… the Number 6. That’s how many times, on average, I re-heat my morning cup of coffee. I’ve realized that between getting Ryder’s breakfast ready and plated, breastfeeding Reid, feeding Reid his morning cereal, and squeezing in a slice of toast for myself… plus a few blog posts… it takes me about 1.5 hours to finish a cup of joe.

What would I do without my microwave?

Life Made Delicious!

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I have the awesome privilege of being a Life Made Delicious Connector – through Mom Central, I’m part of a wonderful team of bloggers who have the opportunity to review General Mills products, trade recipes and meal ideas, participate in foodie-themed discussion, and, of course, share some of our cooking successes with you!

Now I know you’ve heard of LifeMadeDelicious.ca, THE spot for easy recipes and more, but for those who have yet to discover this awesome site, register today for FREE, and you can start living the delicious life!

When you register for the Life Made Delicious website and email program, you open the door to exclusive recipes, offers and perks from your favourite General Mills brands. You’ll also get tips and tools to help you save time inside and outside of the kitchen. Join now and you can:

– Store all your favourite recipes in your Recipe Box to find them quickly and easily
– Find out about the latest promotions and coupons from General Mills brands
– Get ideas for easy entertaining, dinnertime dilemmas and family activities

I LOVE their Top 10 Recipe Collections – quite frankly the easiest way to uncover the BEST of Life Made Delicious in just a few clicks.

Now I know a lot of mamas are constantly searching for easy, healthy and satisfying recipes for kids. Life Made Delicious makes it a snap to find meals you can cook with your children; meals the whole family will enjoy; and kid friendly (and parent approved!) desserts!

I’m loving:

Cereal Fun Cookies – A yummy snack mix made of kid-friendly ingredients.
Fruity Cereal Bars – Great-tasting, chewy bars made with your choice of dried fruit.
Fruit Pizza – Pizza gets a fruity twist in this easier-than-pie recipe. Just heat and eat!

This morning, I treated Ryder to a sweet breakfast wrap! I found a recipe for Peanut Butter and Banana Wraps on the website, but I gave it my own spin; instead of adding honey, I caramelized the bananas – and I substituted dark chocolate shavings for chocolate chips.

Ryder got in on the action and helped put it together, which dramatically increased his desire to eat it, ha! I had Old El Paso Smart Fiesta Whole Grain Tortillas on hand; these tortillas are a great source of fibre and, as the name suggests, are made with whole grains. (You can grab a coupon to save $1 on Smart Fiesta products by visiting SmartFiesta.ca)

You’ll need:

1 large Old El Paso Smart Fiesta Whole Grain Tortilla
1 small, ripe banana
2 tsp creamy peanut butter
cooking spray
dark chocolate shavings, if desired

Spray a non-stick pan with cooking spray on medium heat (Canola oil only; no olive oil sprays or your bananas will taste like olives! If you’re not watching fat/calories you can alternatively melt a tablespoon of butter.)

Cut banana in fours as shown below (cute kid in background optional).

Fry the banana until just caramelized, flipping once or twice. Be gentle so that the pieces don’t break apart. Browning the banana brings out its natural sugar and almost triples the sweetness.

While the banana is browning, have your helper spread 2 tsp of peanut butter on the large tortilla. Ryder uses the back of a spoon – and takes a taste or two when I’m not looking.

Once the banana is browned, place the pieces in the middle of the tortilla (caution – they’ll be HOT!) and fold the tortilla over twice. If you prefer, you can roll the tortilla into a tight cigar.
I like to finish the wrap by shaving dark chocolate lightly over the top. The breakfast wrap is ooey, gooey and full of delicious sweet flavour. Plus, it’s HEALTHY! Whole grains from the tortilla, protein from the peanut butter and potassium from the banana (not to mention anti-oxidants from the dark chocolate) – and I’d say you’ve got a winner!

Be sure to check out more DE-LISH recipes for kids from Life Made Delicious!

I am part of the Life Made Delicious Connector program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Today is International Waffle Day!

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… And, HAPPY 75th BIRTHDAY to Eggo Waffles!

I think it’s safe to say that everyone has enjoyed an Eggo waffle. Quick, convenient and perfect for breakfast on the go (I’ve nixed the syrup many times and carries Eggos out to the car), they’re a staple in many household freezers. Plus, they come in awesome varieties (Blueberry, Buttermilk and FiberPlus – to name a few) and appeal to many tastes.

To celebrate International Waffle Day, Top Chef Heinrich of Marben restaurant in Toronto has paired up with Eggo to offer a healthy and hearty birthday creation using Eggo waffles! Now I realized that today, being a weekday, may not be the best time to create a breakfast masterpiece – but why not grab a few ingredients and try it out this weekend? I know I will!

You can also begin your own birthday breakfast tradition with a special Eggo delight to start the “big day”. This recipe combines the familiar taste of maple with the tartness of applesauce and a splash of yogurt. The combination of flavours is surprisingly delectable, and a great way to start celebrating a birthday in delicious style. Makes 1 serving.

INGREDIENTS

2 Eggo Waffles
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp apple sauce
¼ cup of your favourite yogurt
2 tbsp granola mix

DIRECTIONS

Toast the waffles in a toaster. Mix the maple syrup and apple sauce together.

Layer the waffles with a spoon of the apple sauce mix and a spoon of the yogurt, alternating sides: Waffle, yogurt, syrup, waffle, yogurt, syrup…after the last layer sprinkle generously with the granola.

DID YOU KNOW?

– If laid end-to-end, there are enough Eggo waffles sold every year in Canada to reach the entire distance across Canada more than three times.

– You can play games and create your own waffle characters at www.eggo.ca.

– The online Urban Dictionary says Leggo my Eggo, “can be used when someone attempts to take anything of personal importance from you but will rarely succeed in helping you retrieve your possession.”

– One of the first commercials for Eggo featured Gordon Jump who later went on to star in WKRP in Cincinnati.

– International Waffle Day – March 25, 2011 – originated in Sweden where it is called Våffeldagen. It occurs nine months to the day before Christmas and celebrates the coming of Spring.

Kashi Honey Sunshine… Winner!

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Thanks to everyone who entered the Lena Loves… Kashi Honey Sunshine giveaway. I hope many of you have had the chance to try this yummy cereal – it’s DELISH!

Remember to join the Kashi Community – you’ll receive newsletters in your inbox that are filled with tasty and good-for-you tidbits.

As a reminder, up for grabs is a Kashi Prize Pack, including a branded Kashi vest, a branded Kashi water bottle, and of course, a box of Honey Sunshine Cereal and a box of Dark Mocha Almond Bars!

And the winner is… Debbie! (mommakoala)

Please send me an e-mail so that I can have the prize sent to you right away. Thanks to everyone who participated, and to Kashi!

Lena Loves… Kashi Honey Sunshine

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Great news! If you read my review earlier this week, you’ll know that I LOVE the New Kashi Honey Sunshine. And now you can win some fabulous Kashi goodies too! Simply read on and enter to win!

As I disclosed last month, I’ve been trying my best to make wiser meal choices. By swapping white bread for whole grains, cutting the amount of saturated fat in my diet and going easy on sugar-laden drinks, I’m taking small steps to improve my overall health and the health of my family.

Kashi cereals have long been considered a exemplary way to start your day; with seven whole grains and just the right amount of sweetness, they come with real goodness that you can see (and taste). So I was exceptionally pleased to try their new Honey Sunshine Cereal –

Wake up to tasty goodness with a new cereal, Kashi Honey Sunshine! These bite-size, puffy delights are loved by both parents and children and baked so they are toasty and golden with a burst of happiness in every bite. Sure to brighten your whole family’s day this cereal is full of wholesome ingredients including Kashi’s heritage Seven Whole Grains and a sweet honey flavour that will make you smile. The wholesome ingredients and fantastic taste make Kashi Honey Sunshine a staple in every family’s kitchen to lead a bright and healthy life.

View nutritional information here.

I’ll be honest; while I like Kashi cereals, I normally don’t love them (put it this way – they likely wouldn’t be my last meal). But what I trade off in sugary goodness I usually gain in nutrition, so I’ve been enjoying the products with the mindset that I “should” eat them. Until I tried Honey Sunshine.

I LOVE this cereal! With my very first bite, my eyes lit up – a puffy, crunchy delight with just the right amount of sweetness (thanks to an authentic honey flavour, not a blast of over-processed corn syrup). I daresay the cereal resembled a healthy version a popular children’s cereal – and I’m not alone in my diagnosis – just check out the comments and reviews.

I’m also quite pleased that the whole family can enjoy this cereal – Ryder loves snacking on the puffs mid-morning, and I am reassured by the fact that it contains 6g of sugar per serving – well below the average sweet breakfast concoction.

Each serving of Kashi Honey Sunshine cereal is packed with:

High Fiber ~ 6g of Fiber from a combination of whole grains
Whole Grains ~ 20g of whole grain, over 1/3 of your daily needs
All Natural ~ No artificial sweeteners, flavors or preservatives

If you’re a former sugar-junkie, love healthy living or just in the mood for an all-round delicious cereal, I wholeheartedly recommend Kashi Honey Sunshine. These honey-kissed seven whole grain cereal pillows are a sunny way to start your day!

You also MUST try Kashi’s Dark Mocha Almond Granola Bars: A chewy granola bar that is made with dark chocolate chips and crunchy roasted almonds, and has a delicious mocha taste. Made with all-natural ingredients, each 35 g bar contains 7 whole grains and provides 4 g of fibre.

Yum! Is there a better combination than chocolate and almonds? (I know, I know – chocolate… and anything!) The bars are chewy and have just the right amount of sweetness; an awesome mid-afternoon snack.

BUY IT!

Kashi products are available at your favourite grocery store.

WIN IT!

Kashi has generously offered one Listen to Lena! reader the chance to win a Kashi Prize Pack, including a branded Kashi vest, a branded Kashi water bottle, and of course, a box of Honey Sunshine Cereal and a box of Dark Mocha Almond Bars!

To enter, simply visit Kashi.ca and leave a comment here, telling us what your favourite Kashi product is, or what product you would like to try.

You can also qualify for extra entries! Remember, you must leave a separate comment for each. You can:

(1) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena!
(2) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(3) Join the Kashi Community: Sign up to receive newsletters in your inbox that are filled with tasty and good-for-you tidbits!
(4) Tweet about this giveaway (tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/3a8vd82)
(5) You may Tweet daily.

I’ll draw for a winner on December 31st. Good luck everybody!