Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Cheerios

We All Love to Connect. That’s the #CheeriosEffect.

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In today’s busy, fast-paced, technologically-advanced (obsessed?) world, it’s easy to go days – even weeks – without having face-to-face contact with friends, family and neighbours.

Guilty, as charged.

And while it may seem normal to us, we’re actually missing out on the amazing benefits that direct connections provide, such as learning, happiness, resilience and longevity. Think about the spring in your step after a coffee date with girlfriends. Or the smile on your face following some uninterrupted family time. And now imagine how much healthier you’d feel if you made this a habit.

To help celebrate the happiness and joy connections bring to our lives, Cheerios has launched the Cheerios Effect.

You might ask yourself, what does cereal have to do with human connections? Well, the Cheerios Effect is a real scientific principle that is nicknamed after the cereal. The principle highlights the fact that if you drop two Cheerios into a bowl, they’ll always eventually float together and connect. Because just like those two tiny, floaty little Os, we’re all drawn together. In fact, we’re hard-wired to connect with those around us; nothing could be more natural.

And no matter who you are, where you live, or who you choose to share your life with, Cheerios believes that everyone is worthy of love and connection.

Share your personal connection story at CheeriosEffect.ca, where each unique story will be brought to life with a personalized video of Cheerios connecting in a bowl. And, join our #CheeriosEffect Twitter Party on Thursday, November 20th at 8:00pm EST, where we’ll celebrate all those connections that add value, happiness and health to our lives.
CheeriosEffect GraphicIn addition to an uplifting, inspiring chat, we’ll have some amazing prizes up for grabs, including 6 x $75 Visa gift cards (plus three boxes of Cheerios), and a grand prize of a $200 Visa gift card, with six boxes of Cheerios. …

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Chocolate Cheerios! (YES! CHOCOLATE!)

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EDIT: Redeem Your Coupon TODAY Peeps!

It’s no surprise that Cheerios + Chocolate is a winning combination. In fact, Ryder – who regularly shuns every breakfast cereal imaginable in favour of his beloved O’s – literally fell off his chair when I placed a bowl of the chocolatey goodness in front of him.

(In case you’re wondering, one of the perks of being a Life Made Delicious Connector is advanced enjoyment of General Mills treats – therefore we’ve been enjoying Chocolate Cheerios chez Lena for the last few weeks!)

Just a few reasons your mouth should be watering:

– Naturally flavoured with real cocoa, whole grains, and only 9g of sugar per serving
– Is a source of fibre and is low in fat
– Tastes Delicious!!! (of course)

Want to try them for yourself? Of course you do! For a limited time, try Chocolate Cheerios for FREE through WebSaver.ca. You’ll have to sign up for a free account and choose at least three (3) coupons (won’t be difficult, I’m sure!)

Then, for ONE DAY ONLY – June 21st, 2011 – everyone will be able to redeem their coupon for a free box of Chocolate Cheerios.

And, don’t forget to check out Life Made Delicious for easy recipes your whole family will love.

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.

Cheerios First Foods Giveaway… Winner!

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Thanks to everyone who entered the Cheerios First Foods giveaway. Looks like most of us love the recipe section of the new website – and the meal planner was also a hit among moms!

Remember, if you’ve got questions about first foods, are looking for healthy and tasty recipes, or if you’d just like to sit back and enjoy some pretty awesome videos on baby/toddler nutrition, do visit the new First Foods section at babycenter.ca.

Up for grabs is a Cheerios Prize Pack (value $50!), including a Cheerios On-the-Go Tot Container, Cheerios Playbook, Box of Cheerios, Bowl/Utensil Set and a $30 Cash Card.

And the winner is… Nathania Auger! Congratulations!


Please send me an e-mail with your contact details, and I’ll be sure to have the prize sent to you right away. Thanks again to everyone who participated, and to Cheerios!

Cheerios First Foods Giveaway

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*The following giveaway is open to Canadian residents only.*

In a previous post, we chatted about some of Ryder’s most memorable milestones. At the top of my list was his introduction to finger foods – and the beginning of his love affair with Cheerios.

In my opinion, Cheerios are the PERFECT finger food. They are easily managed by little fingers and help develop motor skills because the O’s are easy to pick up, firm and resist crumbling. And they happen to be delicious!

Now Ryder has always been a picky eater, but he’s always in the mood for Cheerios. In fact, he’ll cheerfully give up just about any food and swap it for a bowl of his favourite cereal (including my famous lasagna – who is this kid?)

I must admit that I’ve spent more than my share of time Googling, researching and chatting with moms about how to win over a picky eater. Ryder generally doesn’t mind trying new foods, but he’s a creature of habit and rejects new tastes and textures quickly. I’m constantly looking for new tips and tricks to get him to increase the variety in his diet.

(Thankfully for every ying there is a yang; Reid will eat just about anything that is put on a spoon or on his tray. Phew.)

So I’m particularly happy to spread the word about the new First Foods section at babycenter.ca, brought to you in partnership with Cheerios!

“Wondering if it’s time to buy a highchair, or if you should wait a while? Or what to feed your baby first? Or maybe you’re looking for some inspiration, some new ideas to try on your little one. Our starting solids section contains tips and tasty recipes your baby will love. We also answer all your questions about foods to avoid giving your baby and why, and how to cope with food allergies and intolerances.”

The First Foods section is chock-full of informative articles, kid-friendly recipes (I LOVE Annabel Karmel’s Hidden Vegetable Bolognaise), advice from the experts, videos, polls, and even useful pages that you can download and print.

It also includes help with picky eaters! Check out these articles on How can I encourage my baby to like savoury foods? and How can I get my baby interested in solid food?

Another bonus: You’re probably already familiar with babycenter.ca; it’s your one-stop for everything pregnancy and baby! I have fond memories of tracking both boy’s weekly progress during my pregnancies, and now, I’m a frequent visitor to their “Potty Training” and “Toddler Sleep” sections.

So if you’ve got questions about first foods, are looking for healthy and tasty recipes, or if you’d just like to sit back and enjoy some pretty awesome videos on baby/toddler nutrition, do visit the new First Foods section!


Cheerios and Mom Central Canada are offering one lucky Listen to Lena! reader the chance to win a Cheerios Prize Pack (value $50!), including a Cheerios On-the-Go Tot Container, Cheerios Playbook, Box of Cheerios, Bowl/Utensil Set and a $30 Cash Card.

To enter, simply check out the First Foods section and leave a comment here, telling us about some of the features you love.

You can also qualify for extra entries! Remember, you must leave a separate comment to claim your extra entry. You can:

(1) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena!
(2) Like Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(3) Tweet about this giveaway (tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/4uqmzpb)
(4) You may Tweet daily.

I’ll draw for a winner on February 14th. Good luck everybody!

I am participating in the Cheerios First Foods program by Mom Central on behalf of General Mills. I received a gift card as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Cheerios Milestones Winner!

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Thanks to everyone who shared their children’s milestone memories! We’re presently working on getting Ryder toilet trained, which I know will be a huge milestone in this house!

A friend recently asked on Facebook: “How’s Ryder? Still eating Cheerios everyday?” To which I replied, OF COURSE! He loves his favourite finger food. Now I’ve got a cute little a Cheerios playbook, perfect for learning and fun, to give away to…

Shauna MacKenzie! Congratulations!

Please send me your mailing address so that I may have the prize sent to you right away. Thanks again to everyone who participated, and to Cheerios and Mom Central!

Don’t forget – there’s still time to have your child featured on a special edition Cheerios Box and WIN $10,000 towards an RESP from TD Canada Trust! 

Simply provide a photo of your child’s Cheerios milestone, and write a short description of how Cheerios has played a special part in the early years of your child.

For full contest details, and to submit your entry, please visit the Cheerios Website. Contest closes December 15th.

Cheerios Milestones!

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EDIT – Just a couple of days left in this contest! You can win a cute little Cheerios book – c’mon, tell us your favourite milestone!

*The following contest is open to Canadians only.*

“Milestones.”

Once you become a parent, the word is loaded with meaning. It can invoke joy, paranoia, and downright depression depending on how your child fares against the perception of when the milestone “should” be met. With Ryder, I spent too much time stressing over what he should be doing, quite contrary to his pediatrician’s advice:

“Don’t worry about it. Take a group of 5 years olds. Nobody cares when they took their first step or said their first word. On the contrary, it would be nice if they’d sit down and shut up. The point is, all kids catch up eventually, and at their own pace.”

I love that man.

Now that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy Ryder’s milestones – and one memory that always makes me feel warm and fuzzy is that of Ryder discovering his first finger food: Cheerios. At around 7 months, I had been trying for weeks to get him to pick up and taste the delicious little O’s. He would push them around on his tray, lick one, put it in his mouth, and then gag. Sigh.

Of course, Ryder has always had a problem with new textures, so I just kept offering him the Cheerios, hoping that one day he would get the hang of it. And after a few days, he did! Since then, he has enjoyed Cheerios EVERY SINGLE DAY. It’s his favourite breakfast, snack, and before bed munchies. I love that there’s only 1 gram of sugar per serving; they provide at least 10% of the Daily Value of 14 essential vitamins and minerals, including iron and folic acid; and have no artificial colors or flavors.

Plus, they’re the perfect finger food! Cheerios are easily managed by little fingers and help develop motor skills because the O’s are easy to pick up, firm and resist crumbling. And they happen to be YUM!

Here’s Ryder at 7 months old enjoying his Cheerios!

If you have a Cheerios milestone to share, you could have your child featured on a special edition Cheerios Box and WIN $10,000 towards an RESP from TD Canada Trust! 

Simply provide a photo of your child’s Cheerios milestone, and write a short description of how Cheerios has played a special part in the early years of your child.

For full contest details, and to submit your entry, please visit the Cheerios Website. Contest closes December 15th.

Good news! I’m also hosting a mini-Cheerios giveaway!

One lucky Listen to Lena! reader will receive a Cheerios playbook, perfect for learning and fun! To enter, simply leave a comment sharing a story about one of your child’s milestones.

Blog followers – treat yourself to an extra entry! Remember, you must leave a separate comment announcing your follower status. I’ll draw for a winner at the end of October. Good luck everybody!

I am participating in the Cheerios Milestones program by Mom Central on behalf of General Mills. I received a gift card as a thank you. The opinions on this blog are my own.