Giveaway - Morning Routine Tips and Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas

Eggo.jpgLike most families, our morning routine can get a little hectic, especially on school days.

We wrestle with how to get everyone fed and out the door on time, with the things they need, preferably without the neighbors calling to complain. It can be an intricately timed mission, or an exercise in futility, it depends on the day.

I’m not an expert, and, I don’t play one on the Internet, either, but, here are some of the things we do to make the mornings easier. Some of them are obvious, but, they may be easier said than done:

1. Prepare everything the night before – NO exceptions - When we are running late or have a frazzled morning, it’s almost always because we’ve said: “Eh, skip it, we’ll do it in the morning." the night before.

I try to have lunches made, backpacks by the door, gym clothes bagged, folders signed, clothes (including shoes) located, and, laid out etc. even if I'm tired. I make the kids show me that everything is ready to “go out the door” before they go to bed.

2. Get ready for Monday on Friday night – Since I have self-diagnosed Sunday Affective Disorder, I’m always looking for ways to make it better.

I make myself prepare lunch money, wash gym clothes and school uniforms, locate sports equipment, and, look in backpacks and folders, etc. on Friday night, so that I enjoy being ahead a bit on Sunday evening.

3. Post a list of what items are needed each day – We have an index card on the back door with a heading for each day of the week. Under each day of the week there is a complete list of what everyone needs to take out the door with them and, any after school activities that day.

4. Make a “launch pad” – we have a bakers rack with shelves for each kid by the back door where they can store items that need to go out the door with them each day. Ideally, they’d put stuff back there at the end of the day, but, well, we don’t live in an ideal world, now, do we?

5. Stick to the same routine each day – From wake-up times, to when everyone should be at breakfast, do it the same time and in the same order every day.

We've tried not to get in the habit of letting the kids eat breakfast on the run, and for the most part, they sit down to eat.

My youngest child is approximately 93% frozen waffle, so we eat a lot of Eggos around here (sometimes still frozen) in the mornings. So, when I was offered the opportunity to try the new Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas, I was all over that.

We were excited when they arrived in the mail:

Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas

But, got a little distracted by the dry ice they came packed in:

Fun with dry ice

Anyway, Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas are an all-in-one combination of fruit, warm toasted granola on an oven-baked cinnamon pastry, and it only takes one minute in the microwave to enjoy them. They are available in Strawberry Granola and Mixed Berry Granola flavors.

We got to try out both flavors. Despite what I said earlier about making the kids sit down to eat, my daughter was in a hurry this time, and we didn't have much else in the house for breakfast (don't judge), so our first foray was Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas made to go:

Eggo Real Fruit Pizza

She was a little skeptical about the concept at first, but was quickly surprised at how good they were. The strawberries are actual strawberries (hence the "real fruit" part, methinks), and they remained cold (in a good, non-smushy fruit way) while the rest of it was warm and toasty.

The crust was good, too. I'm always a little wary of bread type things in the microwave, but this has a great texture (you can put it in the oven for a crispier crust if you'd like). It's a little sweet, but not overly so, with a slight maple flavor.

Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas are a hit here, and they make a great, warm alternative to the standard cereal bar fare.

Want to check them out for yourself?
____________________________

The giveaway

Prize: A set of Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas to try out for yourself - 5 winners (1 set each).

1. Leave a comment (and a valid e-mail address) here and share your best tips for making mornings easier.

2. 5 (five) winners will be picked randomly via Random.org from the comments.

3. Contest is open to all U.S. residents (no purchase necessary, void where prohibited) 18 years or older

4.. Winner has 24 hours to get back to me, otherwise another winner will be drawn.

5.. Hurry! Contest ends Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 10pm CST.

There are lots of other chances to win as well, check out all the Eggo AM Moms! Winner(s) will be randomly selected and notified on Thursday, August 5th.

In addition, the TheMotherhood will create, from the collected user-generated tips the Eggo Best Tips for Enjoyable, Organized Morning, by choosing the best user-generated tips.

TheMotherhood will randomly select one of those submissions to receive a prize from Kellogg, samples of Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas and set of Kellogg mugs. Winners will be selected at random using www.random.org.

Also, be sure to check out TheMotherhood Eggo Mornings Circle where we talk about making our morning routines easier.

I am being compensated for my participation, but please know I was delighted to have the chance to try Kellogg's Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas, courtesy of The Motherhood Creative.

My opinions are my own, and my family and I are of the opinion that these Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas are good, and we'll buy them again!

Official Contest Rules below:

The Motherhood “Streamlining Your Morning Routine” Blogger Giveaways

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

HOW TO ENTER: Twenty (20) Eggo™ Real Fruit Pizza brand ambassadors (pre-selected bloggers specified by TheMotherhood), will host giveaways and create a feature post on their own blogs as part of The Motherhood’s Streamlining Your Morning Routine blogger program.

The brand ambassadors will blog about their own tips and tricks to streamline a busy morning routine, and will ask their community of readers to share their tips.

PRIZES: Each of the participating brand ambassadors will give away a product sample set of Eggo™ Real Fruit Pizzas,(both varieties, Mixed Berry Granola and Strawberry Granola, one each) to five of their readers.

The five blog readers that will receive a prize will be selected at random by the brand
ambassadors, using www.random.org on August 5, 2010.

GRAND PRIZES: One brand ambassador will receive a grand prize and one blog reader will receive a grand prize. The grand prizes are a product sample set (both varieties, Mixed Berry Granola and Strawberry Granola of Eggo™ Real Fruit Pizzas, one each), along with two Kellogg mugs. The blogger grand prize winner will be selected from all entries collected by the 20 brand ambassadors. The brand ambassador and the blog grand prize winner will be selected at random, using www.random.org on August 6, 2010.

The giveaways begin at 12:00 a.m. ET on July 14 and end at 12:00 a.m. ET on August 4.

In addition, the TheMotherhood will create, from the collected user-generated tips the Eggo Best Tips for Enjoyable, Organized Morning, by choosing the best user-generated tips. TheMotherhood will randomly select one of those submissions to receive a prize from Kellogg, samples of Eggo Real Fruit Pizzas (both varieties, Mixed Berry Granola and Strawberry Granola of Eggo™ Real Fruit Pizzas, one each) and set of Kellogg mugs. Winners will be selected at random using www.random.org.

Limit one (1) Giveaway entry per person for entire giveaway. Entrants for the giveaways may not
participate with multiple e-mail addresses. Any entrant who attempts to enter with multiple e-mail addresses, under multiple identities, or uses any other device will be disqualified from participation in the promotion, and all entries submitted by that entrant will be void.

ELIGIBILITY: Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Employees of TheMotherhood (“Sponsor”), its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies and their immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of each are not eligible to participate.

WINNERS: Giveaway winners will be randomly selected using www.random.org on August 5 by the brand ambassadors, and the Sponsor will ensure there are no duplicate winners across all 20 brand ambassadors’ blogs. The Sponsor’s decisions are final. Winners will be notified by e-mail. In the event the Sponsor is unable to contact the winner within 48 hours of first notification, prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner selected. Each winner must supply a valid mailing address and P.O. Boxes are prohibited. All prizes will be sent directly to each winner.

PRIZES/APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUES: Total ARV of all giveaway prizes: 4 Mugs (2 sets) at $14.95 each= $59.80 Total ARV. Odds of winning Giveaway prize depend on total number of eligible entries received during the giveaway. Unclaimed prizes will not be awarded. Limit one (1) prize per person for each promotion.

GENERAL: Subject to all federal, state and local laws/regulations. Neither Sponsor, nor its affiliates will have any liability whatsoever for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind caused by any prize or resulting from acceptance, possession, use and/or misuse of any prize or participation in these promotions. Acceptance of a prize shall be construed as and signify the winner’s agreement and consent that Sponsor may use the winner’s name, voice, likeness and/or prize information, without limitation, for promotional purposes without further consideration, review, approval or payment, where allowed by law.

By participating in this promotion, entrants agree to be bound by the Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding in all respects. Sponsor is not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing of the offer or in administration of the promotion.

INTERNET: Sponsor is not responsible for electronic transmission errors resulting in omission,
interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind, or inaccurate transmissions of or failure to receive entry information by Sponsor on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or any combination thereof. If for any reason the promotions are not capable of running as planned for any reason Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes and select the winners by random drawing from among all eligible entries received from all methods combined up
to the point of the action taken by the Sponsor.

SPONSOR: TheMotherhood, www.TheMotherhood.com.

Please review our privacy policy, located at www.TheMotherhood.com/terms.php.

Giveaway winners’ names will be available no later than August 6, by e-mailing
contact@themotherhood.com.

This promotion has not been sponsored by, endorsed by, nor is affiliated with the Kellogg Company.

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Comments (86)

Carol :

I'm super organized, I always have been. With four kids, what always worked for me was laying out clothes the night before, packing lunches, packing backpacks, and basically doing everything possible the night before, so the morning go smoothly.

Patricia Hill:

I try to get as much done the night before as I can. Get the clothes ready, shoes in one place, books in one place, and start the lunches. Also, check to see if there are any notes or permission slips You have to sign that your kids might have forgotten to give you and left in their backpack.

taylorbagels:

Well I'd say organization is the way to go for morning bliss. Get things ready the night before if possible, everything from setting out your clothes to bathroom needs and foods on the counter or to the front of the fridge or freezer for handy access in the morning. Also have a schedule the whole family can see written down for caring and morning feeding of the pets

Amber G:

My best tip for making the morning easier is to pick out your clothes and the kids' clothes the night before. It saves a lot of stress the next morning!

Alicia Webster:

I make mornings easier by not having anywhere to go or anything to do in the morning...Just sleep in, eat a leisurely breakfast with my kids, read the paper, etc. I schedule any apps for later in the day...
Alicia Webster
5webs@comcast.net

Pat:

At our house we make mornings easier by getting to sleep on time. When
we have our full eight hours of sleep we're ready to get up and get on with the new day.

Tim:

Setting things out the night before always makes the morning a great deal easier for all!

cathiem:

always have an assortment of breakfast food available so everyone can get a good meal in the morning.

DeeAnn S:

Knowing what you have to do and where you are going is the first step in organizing for the next day. And getting everything ready the night before is the biggest hurdle for that morning rush. Thanks.

Heather S:

Always have lunch ready and clothes laid out the night before to make your morning easier

Denise S:

Get as much ready the night before as possible.

Deborah Wellenstein:

We organize everything the night before, including what we wear! Makes life easier! Thanks!

melissa:

I have everything ready the night before. There are some things that have to wait until the morning but that might change if I get a job! The tips mentioned on here have been helpful in the event of the mommy working outside the home this school year.

Melissa

Meredith:

We lay out all of our clothes for the next day the night before.

Denise B.:

We homeschool, so we don't have any preparations to go through for the next day or any rushing around.

Beth G:

I try to get everything set up ahead of time. Every Sunday we chop all the veggies for salads throughout the week. It makes putting together lunches that much easier and helps us stay healthy.

no tv...less distractions

Mellissa C:

Make sure you set out the kids clothes the night before and also pack lunches the night before.

Karen Foster:

I make mornings easier by making sure that everyone is up on time. My kids are a little older so the rest is up to them. Things usually run smoothly in the morning...I guess I'm lucky that way!

My kids are not early risers. So we start 15 minutes before the actual wake up time and tell them it's time to wake up and then wait until we get a response and ask if they need 10 more minutes of sleep. They then get their 10 minutes and we're still on schedule. They're young (just finished first grade) so this may not work long term but is working great so far.

Monique Rizzo:

I lay out bowls and spoons and cereal, for a super quick morning.Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net

Christine :

set everything out the night before

Linda Lansford:

I prepare everything in the morning

My coworker has eczema, and its such a struggle for her. I feel for everyone who has this disease.

I by no means use this brand, but subsequent to use definitely more suitable than I expect.

I have endured the pain of eczema for many years. It was very difficult as a child. I feel for anyone who has this condition.

Jenn S.:

We try and plan out/prepare everything the night before so we can just grab and go.

Greta:

A quick workout in the morning gets everything started off right. A morning jog gives me the energy I need to make it to lunch. ggriffith20(at)yahoo(dot)com

Karen:

Pick out the next day's clothing the night before!

Stephen Schick:

The best way to make quick meals in the morning is to make it the night before then heat in the microwave for a quick breakfast on the go!

Lucy Schwartz:

My best tip to make mornings better is wake up after noon. I am NOT a morning person and all small children are.

Kathryn R.:

My best tip for making mornings easier is to have everything planned out the night before.

jeannine m:

My tip is to set up everything the night before and wake up 30 mins before kids so you can enjoy your coffee

We usually decide what we are going to eat for breakfast every day of the work/school week and go get stocked up at the grocery.

Nothing fancy over our way.

Erica C.:

The best way to save time is to plan ahead.

Melissa B.:

I cook eggs and sausage ahead of time so my kids can make their own breakfast burritos.

DANIELLE WALDO:

I make granola fruit yogurt cups the night before in disposable cups this way breakfast is a breeze.

waitressdani (at) hotmail (dot) com

shawna:

I make mornings easier by getting things prepared the night before, it's always smoother that way.

Ed Nemmers:

Everyone's textiles are chosen the night before!

Ed Nemmers:

Everyone's textiles are chosen the night before!

Julie L:

Be prepared the night before-during school year we have backpacks ready,all needed notes signed etc. know what we are wearing

Jennifer K:

I always like to make one batch of pancake batter that I use throughout the week. Never goes bad before I'm done with it, and always tastes better than re-heated pancakes.

Shawn:

I try and get thing that I can ready the night before, such as clothes picked out, etc.

shawn113(at)hotmail(dot)com

Rachel Higgs:

Always have a routine. get up 15 minutes earlier than you should need to in case stuff you have to deal with comes up

Louis:

getting everything ready the night before, set the coffee maker

Eggo used to have the best banana nut waffles. I miss them. My best morning tip is to get up 20 minutes earlier, just in case.

Amanda S.:

My mornings became simpler the minute I taught the kids how to use the toaster! A quick lesson in toaster safety (namely don't pick it out with a metal utensil) and suddenly they could make their own breakfast. :)

Angela Winesburg:

I iron everyone's clothes and make lunches the night before, thanks for the chance!

Angie :

Getting ready the night before is a must - lunches, clothes, backpack!

Brenda:

Setting things out the night before always makes the morning a great deal easier

Lorena:

Have a routine

Pamela S:

I would LOVE to try these. Our school counselor gave the hint of having a “drop spot” where kids keep backpacks, and other things they need to grab in the morning. No looking for things at the last moment and everything knows where to put the items. Thanks.

Kim H.:

To make my morinings easier, we all plan ahead. We plan what we're wearing, eating, and taking. It's all laid out.

Thanks for the giveaway! I hadn't seen these in the stores!

I learned a couple of tips right off the bat:

1.Having clothes and books ready to go
2. I do not mind if my children watch a little tv in the morning. However, we get up, get dressed and eat first. If we have time, they can sit down and watch there morning programs after we are ready. This helps motivate my children to get ready in the morning. It makes our morning routine easy.

Thank you for the entry,

Nikki

susan smoaks:

mornings are easier when you get up in time and have as much ready ahead of time as possible you don't want to be running or be unprepared

amy d:

something simple to make,makes my mornings better
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com

Susan Smith:

We lay out clothes and make sure backpacks are packed and ready to go. We also make breakfast easy by having cereal and a bagel or toaster studel. We also have a place where backpacks are close to the door so we know where they are.

susan:

We try to cut out TV.. it is just better for my daughters school days.

angela mccorkle:

My children are picky eaters, especially at breakfast. However, two items they love:fruit and pizza. What a great combination, and something different for breakfast! I can't wait to try it out on them! I am sure they'll love it, and i'll be buying more soon!

Gianna:

Prepare lunches the night before.

hbomb:

Laying out clothes the day before, packing up as much of the lunches as you can, and laying out plates/cups for breakfast helps a little!
xbeautifulcoma at yahoo dot com

jeanine:

my mornings are made easier when i set out anything i can the night before. for example, if we are having instant oatmeal for breakfast, i set out 6 bowls, lay the flavor oatmeal each family member wants in each bowl and set a spoon at each place setting on the table.

Carrie:

I plan it out the night before and get as much ready as possible - dishes out, ingredients together etc.

Justine:

My best tip is to plan ahead just like a ton of other people are posting! Make sure there is something agreeable for your kids to wear, eat, and take to school :D

Amy Delong:

I just get what i can the night before,makes for a smoother morning!
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com

Annemarie:

Lay out your clothes the night before!

Lisa L:

I have a chalkboard of things we need to bring before we head out the door, that way no one forgets anything!

Ilene:

Get everything laid out the night before

David:

Put everything by the door so you won't forget a thing

Matthew:

Make a list of everything that you need to take with you

Burt:

Put out your clothes so you won't have to think about what to wear

MELANIE:

I wake up an hour earlier then everyone else, so I can get what I need to get done before the chaos starts.

Veronica Garrett:

Prepare everything the night before. Get clothes and lunches ready. Take care of any paperwork needed for the next day.

Lisa G.:

I help make morning easier by getting my children enough sleep every night. It helps them be less grumpy in the mornings and more motivated to get their days started.
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

My own best morning tip is to hope it's a weekend or a holiday

Charity S.:

I use a schedule, and I stick to it. If I didn't have it, I would be late for work, and my son would be late for school.

trixx:

To make mornings easier, I prepare the night before and leave myself a positive note on my coffee mug like 'Today's going to be a great day!. Cheesy but it does help!

Renee G:

I try to always get up about half an hour before everyone else-- that way I can have a few minutes to wake up and enjoy a cup of tea before we jump into the day.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com

Ria Clarke:

Get as much as you can ready the night before.
rmartinclarke at gmail dot com

Gis Lewis:

Get yourself ready before getting the kids up in the morning so you can organize your thoughts and get ready for the day.
gislewis at gmail dot com

Jessica :

I set out my daughter's uniform the night before. We also plan quick breakfast foods Eggos are a staple at my house.

Sand:

We prepare as much as possible the night before for following morning.

Donna K:

Get as much as possible ready the night before ex- pack books, pack lunches, get clothes out, etc.

tina reynolds:

lay out clothes the night before, go to bed early and if possible make up most of lunch.

Michelle Henriquez:

Laying out the kids clothes the night before and planning in my mind what I need to do the next day before I go to sleep helps me in getting my large family ready for the day.

dawn:

I make sure the kitchen is cleaned every night so its easier and quicker to prepare breakfast.
mightynaynay(at)cs.com

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