Join me for Breakfast in Bed with Philly! #PhillyChocolate

Earlier this year, I was thrilled to hear that a new product was hitting the dairy case at my local grocer - Philadelphia Chocolate Cream Cheese Spread.  I use a lot of Philadelphia Cream Cheese in my home, in baking, in cooking and as a spread.  There is nothing quite like it, so, I was pretty interested in giving the new Chocolate variety a try.  I ran, not walked to our local store to scour the shelves for it.

Now, Philadelphia Chocolate Cream Cheese Spread is a must have staple in my fridge.

We have been enjoying Philadelphia Chocolate in our breakfast routine.  It is fantastic on toast or bagels.  Philadelphia Chocolate is a refrigerated dairy spread,  and has half the sugar and calories as other chocolate spread.  Plus, it is milk chocolate.    Sounds good, right?     With Mother's Day just passed, I am sure many mother's enjoyed breakfast in bed, yet, if you didn't, take heart - the time is now!

Who (besides me) would love breakfast in bed with Philly?  Who would love to start their day by being pampered by your man (or family), by being served delicious Chocolate Philadelphia, while still being nestled in bed?

It might take a little prodding,  but it can be done.  Join me in taking the Chocolate Philly FB Breakfast in Bed *Likes* Challenge.

It's simple and fun, all you need to do is head over to Philadelphia Cream Cheese Canada on facebook to find a status update to make all your own.

 Friends can help friends get a Chocolate Philly breakfast in bed! It's simple. All you do is get 20 likes after copying and pasting this post:

“If I get 20 likes, [tag your loved one here] is serving me Chocolate Philly in bed. Help a girl out!”

Then, sit back and encourage your friends to like your status, and you can do the same thing for your friends.  Shortly, when you have received 20 likes on your update, your significant other will be feeling the pressure to serve up some Breakfast in Bed with Philly.  It's all in fun, and it may just be the extra push needed, to being treated on a weekend morning.   Then, when you've had the royal treatment, post a photo to the Philadelphia Cream Cheese Canada facebook page. 

There is a money saving coupon coming May 21st, that can be downloaded right from the Philly facebook page, to help you get on your way to 20 likes.

Philly Chocolate will melt in your mouth!

I am really looking forward to seeing all the fabulous and fun photos of girls being spoiled, and eating Chocolate Philly in bed!  So update you status today.








Disclaimer:  This post is brought to you by Kraft Canada.   Opinions expressed are mine, yours may differ. 

Don't forget the Eggs this long weekend! #Giveaway from The Egg Farmers of Canada

It's the long weekend - not just any long weekend, but the first of the summer!

Many will be heading to the cottage to sweep the winter dust away, others will be camping, and some will just be staying around home enjoying some outdoor fresh air while preparing their vegetable and flower gardens for the summer season.  Whatever your choice, it'll be fantastic, simply because it is the kick off to summer.

No matter what you choose to do this weekend, I am sure many will be surrounded by their favourite family and friends.  Why not kick off the long weekend with easy Baked Egg Cups?  Baked Egg Cups is the perfect recipe to make and enjoy while soaking up the rays on the patio.

I love this time of year when we once again begin to see fresh, seasonal, local food on our dinner tables.  I go straight to the farm to pick up my eggs, but have also purchased them from my grocer when in a pinch.  I know that what I am getting at the store isn't as fresh as the farm stand I visit,but it is pretty darn close.    Through a system of supply management, The Egg Farmers of Canada provide fresh eggs that meet high standards of quality, are local, and fresh all year long.   In fact a whopping 82% of Canadians are confident that the eggs they are purchasing are fresh. 

Eggs hold a special place in my heart, I've spoken of my attachment previously.  I spent a lot of time with my grandpa who was an old school egg farmer and I hold those memories from my childhood very near.  Life was simple on my grandfather's farm, yet, I learned how to take care of chickens right to gathering and selling to his customers.  (I just wish I could remember how much grandpa charged for a flat of eggs.)  Grandpa started every single day with an egg, and I've carried on that tradition in my own home.  I think an egg for breakfast gives me children a great start to their day of learning.

Make sure to connect with Egg Farmers of Canada on facebook.  Hint: Keep checking back for money saving coupons. And, Get Crackin' this weekend!

Baked Egg Cups

   

Visit www.eggs.ca to find out more information and other recipe inspiration.  Thank you to the Egg Farmers of Canada for offering a great giveaway to my readers to inspire them to make their own Baked Egg Cups at home.  Enter today!

Included in this giveaway basket:

•  a muffin tin
•  a “Get Cracking” apron, microwave
•  egg cookers
•  a magnetized grocery list
•  the Farmers’ Favourite recipe booklet
•  and a $20 grocery store gift card to buy all the fresh ingredients

Making Changes with Pure Via Stevia Zero Calorie Sweetener {#giveaway}

Pure Via™ is a naturally sourced sweetener made from the pure, sweet extract of the stevia plant. It’s a great tasting, zero calorie alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners. Use Pure Via™ just like sugar to add natural sweetness to hot or cold beverages sprinkle on your favorite fruits or any other recipes you wish. 

My husband is now seeing a dietician. He works shift work and he is now in his mid-forties.  Over two decades of working rotating shifts has taken a tole on his health and well being.   Our doctor has warned my husband to get control of his health or he may be facing serious issues within two to three years.  It's scary, but, luckily we have lots of resources to help us figure out what he needs to do to make himself healthier.

The dietician first explained that his weight gain is not because he is eating too much - he is actually not eating enough.  He needs to take the time to eat regular meals no matter what shift he is on, as well as take breaks to have something to eat while he is at work.  We are going to concentrate on eating clean and not eating processed foods.

And, just like a sign, I received some information and product from Pure Via Stevia and some inspiration to change our sugar and sweetener habits.

The Sweet Facts

• It has zero calories
• Pure Via is naturally sourced
• The pure extract of the stevia plant is the secret to Pure Via. It’s called Reb A and is the sweetest and best part of the Stevia plant
• Great tasting Pure Via is perfectly crafted to sweeten coffee, tea, fruits or cereals
• 1 Pure Via sachet sweetens like 2 teaspoons of sugar
• No added colours or preservatives
• It’s Certified Kosher
• Pure Via is suitable for Diabetics and gluten intolerance   

My husband and I were both born and breed on sugar, it's all either of us has ever known.  Yet, we are ready for change and are up for the challenge in changing our food consumption habits.  We will start painlessly by simply replacing sugar in our coffee with Pure Via Sweetener.  But, from there, that is where things will get exciting.

Get Cooking with Pure Via Stevia Zero Calorie Sweetener

Servings
Makes: 12 muffins





Ingredients
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
20 packets Pure Via® sweetener
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
Quick or Old Fashioned Oats (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400° F. Line 12 muffin cups with paper baking cups.
2. Mix together flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt , orange peel and Pure Via® sweetener in a large bowl. Stir in buttermilk, oil and eggs; mix until just moistened. Fold in blueberries.
3. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Sprinkle with oats, if desired. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool one minute; remove from muffin cups.   

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We are making changes with Pure Via Stevia.  It's simple to interchange Pure Via where I was used to using sugar.  We are just beginning this journey, as my husband goes back to the dietician in another month.  Yet, I am really hopeful and encouraged that even this one easy substitution is going to make a big difference.


Giveaway!

Canadians enter to win a $50 gift basket to encourage you to make changes in your life.  It's new to Canada - be one of the first to give it a try!

Enter to win a Pure Via Stevia Zero Calorie Sweetener Gift Pack  ($50 value)