Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Toronto Blue Jays

How I Fell in Love Again: A 4K Story

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At the tender age of fourteen… I fell in love. With baseball.

You may recognize the year – 1992 – and you’ll probably recognize these names, too: Roberto Alomar, Joe Carter, Juan Guzman and Kelly Gruber. These were the men I followed; I knew their batting averages and on base percentage. I celebrated every home run, every run batted in, every base on balls. I held them to the highest standard. My role model (and even my first crush) could be found in that 40-man roster.

I followed the boys of summer straight through to their World Series Championship win that fall, and again the following year, when they repeated the feat. By the time I saw Joe Carter jumping up and down for the second time, I was already a bona fide baseball superfan.

Now I want to say that I continued to obsess over the Blue Jays, even as they spent years trying to rebuild a championship team, but the simple truth is that I was a teenager and I had more pressing issues (cough, boys) to attend to. …

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It’s Tradition! Celebrate the Toronto Blue Jays with Schneiders

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

With mere days to go until the start of the Toronto Blue Jays 2017 season, I know so many of my friends and family are gearing up for another Championship race.

Rooting for Canada’s team? It’s tradition.

This year, we’ll once again be hosting a home opener party, and I’ve grabbed tickets for a few games too! My husband and I love reinforcing our love for the game with our sons, and our hope is that they’ll also become baseball-obsessed as they grow. Hey, what can I say? It’s more fun when everyone’s rooting for the home team.

Of course, if there’s one brand that’s steeped in tradition, it’s Schneiders. From Juicy Jumbos Wieners (my fave!) to everyone’s favourite, Schneiders Country Naturals Bacon, the possibilities for delicious crowd pleasers are endless.
14032940_292587061110042_193811059_nSchneiders wieners are once again the Official Hot Dog of the Toronto Blue Jays! And to celebrate the Jays, baseball, and – of course – traditions, they’re offering my readers the chance to win $100 in free product coupons. …

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Tell Me Something Good

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Hello, wonderful friends!

If you’re like me – still in a food coma from Thanksgiving – you’ll forgive me for taking a pass on writing today. Truth is, I’ve got errands to run and appointments to keep, all while greeting the official return of fall (weather wise) in Ontario.
1476073934815Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

So, let’s play a game. Tell me something good! I want to know your good news today. I’ll begin: the Toronto Blue Jays are going to the American League Championship Series! If you stayed up on Sunday to watch 10 nail-biting innings of baseball, you weren’t alone: over 4,000,000 Canadians tuned in to watch the game. And now, we’ve got a few days to catch our breath before they move on to face the Cleveland Indians. You know what I’ll be doing this weekend!

Your turn! Leave a comment to tell me something good!

Hot Diggity Dog! Fun in a Bun with Lunchmate Hot Dogs

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*Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.*

The thing about Schneiders Hot Dogs – the Official Hot Dog of the Toronto Blue Jays – is that they’re really, really, good.

Like, obsessively delicious. If you’ve ever been to a Blue Jays game at the Rogers Centre and enjoyed a Juicy Jumbo (it’s pretty much a rite of passage), just one bite and you’ll agree – they’re the most. perfect. dog.
Juicy Jumbos L2LThe best part? You can enjoy them at home. It’s true! You’ll find the very same Juicy Jumbos at your local supermarket, so whether you’re throwing a game day party (see picture above! more on that later) or simply enjoying lunch with the family, Schneiders hot dogs and sausages are always universally loved. …

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It’s Tradition! Toronto Blue Jays Season Opener Party!

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Today, traditions are falling by the wayside. The rituals that generations before me delighted in – like family get togethers, religious commitments and more – have been shrugged off because we simply don’t have the time to keep them going.

Truth is, we don’t make the time.

2016 is the year for me to begin new traditions with my family and friends. To start, what better way to get people together than with sports, food and fun? That’s why the Toronto Blue Jays Season Opener on Sunday, April 3rd is the perfect way for me to start a new Almeida Family tradition.
bautistaHere’s what I’ll need:

Food. Of course I’ll need food, it’s a party after all! And since Schneiders is the Official Hot Dog of the Toronto Blue Jays, you know I’ll be serving up Schneiders hot dogs and sausages. Additionally, I’ll be sure to have other ballpark favourites on hand, such as popcorn, nachos and cheese, ice cream bars and of course, beer! (With a designated driver, always.) …

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Grab A Taste Of The Big Leagues

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It was a day like any other day, when two little league teams in urban Ontario arrived for what they thought would be a routine evening baseball game. On the field: the Scarborough Stingers vs. the North York Blues.

Little did they know this would be the most memorable game of their lives – “A Taste of the Big League”.

In celebration of Baseball Day in Canada on August 10, Schneiders employees, in partnership with the Toronto Blue Jays, surprised the Scarborough Stingers and North York Blues with a once-in-a-life time “big league” experience – upgrading their baseball diamond, inviting Ace the Blue Jays Mascot, play-by-play announcers, and bringing scores of fans, Schneiders volunteers, hot dogs and sausages to make the little league game larger than life.


Says Cam, a 9-year old player with the Scarborough Stingers: “Mommy, do you think that is what the Blue Jays players feel like? I mean, everyone cheering for you and wanting you to do well? It makes you feel like a hero, and like you want to try with your whole heart to do well, even though you know you may not win. That was the best sports experience of my life. My whole team felt special.”

Be still my heart! Is that not the most enduring quote ever? “You want to try with your whole heart to do well” – I feel like this saying belongs in a Disney movie. Truly, such a wonderful experience for all the lucky players.

Schneiders, you done me proud. Not only are Schneiders Country Naturals Jumbo Beef Wieners the yummiest way to light up a barbecue; Schneiders also happens to be the official hot dog of the Toronto Blue Jays! Now THAT’s when you know your product is a home run.

So… do you love the video as much as I do? Thanks Schneiders!

Grab a Taste of the Big League! #Giveaway

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Take me out to the ball game… Take me out with the crowd!
Buy me some peanuts and crackerjacks… I don’t care if I never get back!

Yes folks, the boys of summer are back! It is officially Opening Weekend for the Toronto Blue Jays – Canada’s favourite (okay, Canada’s only) major league baseball team. After a long, cold winter, it’s a treat to welcome the sights and sounds of the ballpark – the buzz of the crowd, the snap of a baseball bat, and my favourite, the call of the hot dog vendor! Hot Dogs! Sausages! Get ’em while they’re hot!

Sigh. Can’t you just taste it? A plump, juicy hot dog on a soft, fresh baked bun. It is summertime perfection! And in the spirit of things that go great together, I’m pleased to announce that once again, Schneiders is the official hot dog – and Villaggio is the official sausage bun – of the Toronto Blue Jays!

And now, you can grab a taste of the big league at home! Recreate the iconic taste of the ballpark with Schneiders Country Naturals Jumbo Beef Wieners. They’re made with beef raised without antibiotics and crafted with only authentic, wholesome ingredients so you and your family can experience meat the way it’s supposed to taste – free of artificial ingredients and preservatives. Then, wrap it in a Villaggio Italian Style Sausage Bun for the ultimate fan experience. Now that’s a home run!

So, will you be cheering on the Toronto Blue Jays this Opening Weekend? Show your team spirit by supporting the boys in blue… and entering to win a fabulous prize pack!

Courtesy of our friends at Schneiders and Villaggio, I’ve got $100 worth of FREE product coupons up for grabs! So, whether you’re at the ballpark or in your backyard, you can enjoy the most epic Country Naturals Hot Dog or Grill’ems Sausage on us. …

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