My sons are seven years old and nine years old, and one of their most favourite things in the world is a McDonald’s Happy Meal.
I mean, I get it. Their favourite foods, the autonomy to customize their own meal, and even a little treat and/or toy to round out the experience. It makes them happy, and because I’m secure in the overall nutritional choices I make for my kids, I’m happy too. …
McDonalds Canada
Let’s Have a Seriously FUN Talk.
“Are your kids in any competitive sports?”
It’s a simple question, but one that instantly puts me on the defensive. Because let’s be honest; in the past few years, kids’ sports have become increasingly competitive, to the point where competition – and winning – are the main undercurrents of the program. In fact, while both Ryder and Reid participated in house league soccer for years, we recently pulled Reid from the program.
It’s not a big deal. The team was fine, the coach was fine, but there was definitely an emphasis on winning – a slightly uncomfortable emphasis, if I’m being honest. One day, as I watched Reid, running head down and visibly frustrated, I realized one thing: it wasn’t fun for him anymore.
And kids’ sports are supposed to be FUN.
This past Christmas, both Ryder and Reid received their first pairs of ice skates. I know what you’re thinking – if there’s one sport that has a reputation for competitiveness, it’s hockey. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
McDonald’s Canada believes kids’ hockey should be fun. That’s why they sponsor more than 53,000 Atom and Bantam hockey players across Canada each year. The atoMc Hockey Program provides teams a full set of primary game jerseys and socks, featuring the Hockey Canada logo – the same worn by Canada’s National teams. …
Season’s Cravings! A Holiday Experience at McDonald’s Canada
It’s the holiday season, which invariably means three things:
1) The boys are really, really excited. About everything. They’re excited about Christmas cookies and concerts, presents under the tree and stockings hung over the fireplace. There’s a real sense of urgency to usher in the all things festive, merry and bright.
2) I’m really, really busy. The holidays are my “crazy” season; I’ve got year-end deadlines to meet while finding time to bake cookies, volunteer my time, trim the tree and buy presents.
3) We both need a break. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we often need to just sit down and recharge, if only for a short while.
This month, we’re satisfying our Season’s Cravings at McDonalds.
Now I *could* go straight to telling you all about the deliciousness of the Potato Rosti and Bacon Burger pictured above, but that’s only part of the narrative. You see, stopping into your local McDonald’s is no longer your typical “fast food” experience. …
Wake Up and Smell the (FREE) Coffee! #McCaféFreeCoffee is Back!
Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.
I won’t profess to be a coffee connoisseur. Truth is, I know very little about roasts, blends or classic undertones of velvety cocoa with hints of caramel and spice in the finish.
But I do know good coffee. And I do know I’m addicted to McCafé.
In line at the drive thru, or at home brewing McCafé Premium Roast ground coffee or K-Cups, my morning is not made until I’ve had my favourite cup of joe. Smooth, just bold enough and absolutely perfectly suited to my tastes, it’s the fuel behind my blog inspiration, getting my day off to a great start, and frankly, kicking a** like a boss.
You could call it the wind beneath my wings.
I don’t need to convince you. McCafé Premium Roast is enjoyed by millions of Canadians every single day! The medium dark roast is made from 100 per cent Arabica beans, and fire roasted the traditional way by master craftsmen, for a perfectly balanced flavour and aroma. Since its introduction in 2011, McCafé Premium Roast has been winning over coffee lovers, one cup at a time.
If you’ve yet to savour the flavour, this week, McDonald’s Canada is serving up FREE McCafé Premium Roast coffee! Simply drop by any participating McDonald’s restaurant in Canada between Monday, February 23rd and Sunday, March 1st for a FREE small cup of hot brewed coffee at absolutely no charge – any time of day – with no purchase necessary. …
Enjoy McCafé at Home
NOTE: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.
It is day 10 of McCafé at Home. Three cups per day, taken as my usual double milk, one sugar. The cups are all consumed within 17 minutes of being brewed. And, I have a very unusual side effect to report.
I’m happy all the time.
Why? Because I am drinking McCafé at Home! McCafé Premium Roast ground coffee, as well as on-demand single-serve formats compatible with T-Disc and K-Cup brewing systems (I recommend the Hamilton Beach 2-Way FlexBrew Coffeemaker), are now available in major grocery retailers across the country. This means that the consistently rich, smooth and delicious taste of McCafé coffee can be enjoyed in the comfort of my home – and that’s enough to put a smile on this girl’s face!
Think I’m overly enthusiastic about coffee? I’m not alone. Consider this: 65% of Canadians aged 18-79 drank coffee yesterday, and coffee drinkers consume on average 3.2 cups of coffee per day. (Look at that! I’m completely normal.) In fact, coffee and tap water are the most commonly consumed beverages in Canada.
But there’s also an emerging trend in coffee consumption – the single cup brewer. Single-cup machines are now in a strong second place (25% of past-day coffee users drank a coffee prepared using a single-cup machine). And single-cup brewer ownership is markedly higher in Canada than in the United States (20% vs. 12%).
Of course, McCafé has got you covered, offering both formats for your enjoyment. We generally brew a pot of McCafé Premium Roast ground coffee in the morning, and then switch to single-cup brewing in the afternoon. It’s convenient, it’s delicious, and it’s a huge win for coffee lovers everywhere.
(Also: this Songza playlist, developed by McCafé, is what I like to call fabulous “brewing music.”)
What are your coffee habits? Do you fit nicely into the survey averages, or do you drink more/less coffee every day? Do let us know in the comments! And there’s definitely something in it for you… the chance win a McCafé Premium Roast Coffee Prize Pack, valued at $145!…
Oh, Those McCafé Moments
As I stir under the covers, I mentally calculate how long I’ve likely slept. Four hours? Six hours? I suppose it doesn’t matter; as the fogginess from sleep clears, I know my body is beginning to awaken.
For about ten seconds, I convince myself that it’s the middle of the night; I can turn over and snuggle deep into my warm, comfortable bed. Alas, my eyes betray me as they flit open and glance at the alarm clock, acknowledging with resignation that it is indeed 5:56AM, and I indeed need to rise from slumber.
What happens next is a ritual that has been taking place for as long as I’ve known my husband – almost ten years, to be honest. It is a habit that developed in our early days together, and one that I refuse to break, because frankly, it’s to my advantage.
I’ll tap my husband, and whisper good morning.
He will grunt, and turn his back to me.
I’ll give him a playful shove, which is meant to convey, Come on, soldier! Up and at ‘em! – but which we both know actually means…
COFFEE. NOW.
And my wonderful, adoring, not-such-a-morning-person husband, will amble out of bed and make his way down to the kitchen, where he will fulfil his marital duties and put on a pot of coffee.
Upstairs, I’ll wait in bed, already propped up by pillows and attacking the keys on my laptop. From time to time, I’ll inhale deeply – attempting to sense the exact stage in brewing so I can anticipate the arrival of a steaming cup of rich, dark roast coffee.
Moments later, my husband will return to the bedroom, handing me a cup as he sits on the edge of the bed with his own. This is our time; we’ll talk about our day ahead, dinner plans, meetings, school drop-offs, conference calls, life.
And at least once a week, I’ll say, I wish this was McCafé coffee. And at least once a week, he’ll drop off the boys at school, and return with two cups of McCafé Premium Roast Coffee for us to enjoy.
Until recently, combining both – our morning ritual and good coffee – was just out of reach. However, I’m so pleased to share that McCafé coffee is now available in grocery stores! It’s true!
McDonald’s Canada is expanding its coffee portfolio with the launch of McCafé Premium Roast ground coffee, as well as on-demand single-serve formats compatible with both the TASSIMO and Keurig brewing systems. Available in major grocery retailers across the country, the consistently rich, smooth and delicious taste of McCafé coffee will be more accessible to diehard fanatics (like me) than ever before. …
They Came. They Tasted. They Savoured the Flavour.
What is it about food posts that make my tummy rumble in defiance? I’m this close to sending the husband out for a Signature McWrap right now.
If you’re a loyal reader (my favourite kind!), you’ll know that two weeks ago, I hosted an intimate event with Anne Parks, Director of Menu Management, at a McDonald’s restaurant in Toronto. We enjoyed a picnic-style lunch, chatted menu inspiration and sampled the NEW Signature McWrap.
Now I could go on about how much I adore the tasty, generously-portioned, fresh and fully customizable McWrap, but why not see what my fellow social media friends had to say?
The verdict: two thumbs WAY up. In fact, I recently met up with Mara and Deborah at another event, and the conversation quickly turned to how much we enjoyed noshing on our Signature McWrap. Chatting about a McDonald’s menu item while sipping mojitos? You bet!
Highlights from the Signature McWrap picnic:
– Anne Parks. The amazing Anne Parks. Not only did she give us an inside glimpse into how she chooses menu items for McDonald’s Canada, but she stayed with us through the entire luncheon, chatted about food, answered countless questions, and even gave us tips and tricks for making good food great. She was informative, engaging, and truly an expert in her field. Kudos Anne!
– Life is about options. I think many attendees (including myself) were surprised at just how customizable the new Signature McWrap really is. Grilled or crispy; hold the mayo or tomatoes, a little more spicy sauce, a little less lettuce… truly, you can create a wrap that complements your health and lifestyle choices.
– A terrific value. The Signature McWrap is HUGE! To tell the truth, I finished about 60% and then quietly stashed the rest away for later. Make no mistake; for just $4.99, you are getting a MEAL. I suppose it’s the little things – the whole wheat tortilla has fibre which fills you up; the generous portion of chicken has the perfect meat-to-veggie ratio, and the fixin’s such as bacon, tortilla strips and/or other fresh produce go a long way to make the McWrap hearty….
Today, We’ll #SavourtheFlavour with the NEW Signature McWrap!
In just a few short hours, I’ll be co-hosting an intimate event with Anne Parks, Director of Menu Management, at a McDonald’s restaurant in Toronto. We’ll have a picnic-style lunch, chat menu inspiration and sample the NEW Signature McWrap. And best of all… I’ll have a chance to meet a few of my fabulous readers! It’s always so awesome to meet y’all in person – especially while devouring a tasty McWrap!
Now just in case you’ve been wondering how Anne adapts McDonald’s recipes to suit Canadian preferences and tastes, she chats about her role, and her day-to-day inspiration, in this neat little video:
And of course, we’ll continue the conversation this afternoon. If you’re on Twitter, be sure to follow the #SavourtheFlavour hashtag, where I’ll be sharing photos, highlights from the afternoon, and of course, all the juicy tidbits about the NEW Signature McWrap. Until then, have a great day!
Savour the Flavour: NEW Signature McWrap!
Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.
There are a few things I get really excited about:
1) Finding a $5 bill in an old jean jacket pocket.
2) Watching the sun stream through on a cloudy day.
3) Being given a choice. To me, choices = empowerment.
And speaking of choices, I’m so pleased to announce that on Tuesday, McDonald’s Canada introduced their NEW Signature McWrap! Now, you no longer have to sacrifice convenience to feel good about the food you enjoy – the new Signature McWrap combines delicious vegetables, juicy grilled or crispy seasoned chicken breast and tasty sauces in a whole-wheat tortilla.
Why the McWrap is Awesome:
– Each Signature McWrap is made with 100 per cent seasoned chicken breast (grilled or crispy) and served with delicious ingredients including shredded lettuce, crispy cucumber, and fresh tomato. So, busy moms on the go can enjoy a quick, convenient wrap and have a perfectly proportioned, balanced meal too.
– Anne Parks, Director of Menu Management for McDonald’s Canada, experimented with different recipes to complement the specific taste preferences of Canadians. Hence, the Canadian version of the Fiesta Signature McWrap had to have a crunch factor, which Parks created by adding chili lime seasoned tortilla strips. Canadians also love spicy food, says Parks, so she pumped up the heat in the Sweet Chili Signature McWrap. Parks also knew that a whole wheat wrap would be a hit in Canada. As a result, we are the first country to feature a whole wheat wrap for the menu item.
– The Signature McWrap is available in three mouth-watering flavours:
• Sweet Chili Signature McWrap – fresh cucumber and sweet spicy Thai sauce
• Fiesta Signature McWrap – tomatoes, chili lime seasoned tortilla strips, shredded Monterey Jack and light cheddar cheese and tomato salsa sauce
• Chicken and Bacon Signature McWrap – tomatoes and Jalapeno Monterey Jack cheese
However, the single most important reason that I’m so excited about the Signature McWrap comes down to one thing – choice. 80 per cent of lunch occasions take place on-the-go (The NPD Group/National Eating Trends) and as a busy Canadian mom, I love having the option of enjoying a delicious, satisfying, portable meal that offers something from every major food group. I appreciate being able to choose a spicy, Fiesta Signature McWrap if the mood strikes me – or, perhaps select my old standby, a Quarter Pounder with Cheese :) The introduction of the new Signature McWrap means that the entire family can satisfy their cravings – while making personal choices based on their tastes and nutritional preference. And since they retail for just $4.99 plus tax, they’re deliciously affordable, too. Now that’s a McWrap!
AWESOME ALERT! I have even MORE amazing news to share – next Thursday, May 23rd, I’ll be co-hosting an intimate event with Anne Parks, Director of Menu Management, at a McDonald’s restaurant in Toronto (Victoria Park and St. Clair location). We’ll have a picnic-style late lunch and sample the new Signature McWrap. You’ll have a chance to chat menu inspiration with Anne, and I’ll graciously help you taste test a delicious new McWrap (twist my arm!). Want to join us? Five (5) lucky Listen to Lena readers will receive an exclusive invitation to the event. You MUST be available for about an hour in early-mid afternoon on Thursday, May 23rd, and you’ll be responsible for your own transportation to/from the picnic. BONUS: We may have a savoury surprise or two up our sleeves!…
Thursday Morning Road Trip
I’m disrupting my routine this morning.
Instead of waking up early to blog, I chose to snuggle with Reid until 7:30am.
I normally give the kids cereal and chocolate milk for breakfast, but today, I’m dressing them in warm layers.
And, I’m trading blogging for a road trip.
It’s not a very long road trip; chances are, we’ll be in the car for just 3 minutes.
Not even long enough for the heat to kick in, really.
In fact, it’ll probably take me more time to dress the boys than to reach our destination.
But, my mind has been made up and now it’s time to go.
We’re headed to McDonald’s – where I’ll finally have a chance to experience their new Raspberry Mocha. I’ve been dreaming about it for days! Soon, chocolately fruity beverage, you will be mine.
See you sweethearts! Have a most splendid day, and stay warm! I plan on cozying up to this little drink.
Enjoy McD’s GUILT-FREE Today! #McHappyDay
It’s McHappy Day! The one day when calories from McDonald’s DON’T COUNT!
Today, $1 from every Big Mac sandwich, Happy Meal and hot McCafé beverage sold will go to local children’s charities such as Ronald McDonald Houses.
RMHC Canada is the national organization that supports Ronald McDonald Houses and Ronald McDonald Family Rooms across the country, which provides families of sick children a home-away-from-home or a place of peace and calm within a hospital. McDonald’s Canada covers all of RMHC Canada’s administrative and operating costs, making it possible for 100 per cent of every directly donated dollar to go to Ronald McDonald Houses and their programs. For more information on RMHC Canada, visit: www.rmhc.ca.
(Good to know: McDonald’s Canada’s community involvement efforts are year long. Since 2004, the company has raised more than $36 million for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Canada by donating 10 cents from the sale of every Happy Meal.)
I was fortunate to attend the Grand Opening of the new Ronald McDonald House in Toronto last year. If you take away one thing from this post, hear this: the house is a sanctuary for families coping with a child’s illness. If you never walk through its doors, consider yourself blessed. And in the meantime, donate generously, please. Today, Canada’s Ronald McDonald Houses serve 10,000 families a year. By 2014, Canada’s Ronald McDonald Houses will serve 20,000 families a year.
And so on this guilt-free day, enjoy a Big Mac sandwich, Happy Meal and/or hot McCafé beverage!
Want to do more? Canadians can show their support of children in need and their families by texting MCHAPPY to 30333 to make a $5 donation to RMHC of Canada. A one-time donation of $5 will be added to your mobile phone bill. One hundred per cent of the collected donations will go to RMHC of Canada.
Drop Everything! Try a McCafé Real Fruit Smoothie.
This is WAY too much deliciousness for one post.
I want to keep this short and sweet – because rather than reading a long, drawn-out tale about the taste, texture and technical merits of McDonald’s NEW Real Fruit Smoothies, I’d rather you just drop everything and go try one for yourself.
Seriously folks, they’re THAT good.
Made with real fruit purée, low-fat yogurt and blended ice, McCafé Real Fruit Smoothies are available in three mouth-watering flavours – Strawberry Banana, Mango Pineapple and Blueberry Pomegranate. I’ll put this on record: they’re the BEST tasting smoothies I’ve had in a long time. Maybe ever. (You can also have a non-dairy version made with just fruit; I’ve tried both delicious versions and am a very satisfied customer.)
Cold, fruity and incredibly refreshing, I only wish the weather was warmer so we could sip our McCafé Smoothies while taking a leisurely walk along the boardwalk. In time, friends, in time. And in the meantime – try your slicing hand with McD’s Fruit Ninja game, “Fruit Ninja Frenzy“, available exclusively to Canadian Facebook fans.
Wanna try one? GREAT NEWS – Until April 22nd, grab a snack-size Real Fruit Smoothie for just $1 plus tax!
(Remember when I said drop everything? Now you know why!)
A word to the wise: if you’ve got children treat burglars, be sure to get them one of their own, or yours will go missing. You’ve been warned.
Crouching Toddler, Hidden Smoothie.