~CLOSED~ Yoplait YoPlus Yogurt Review & Giveaway

In spite of busy schedules, many on-the-go Americans are constantly striving to lead healthier and more balanced lives. Now, it's even easier to be proactive about your nutrition with the help of newly reformulated Yoplait YoPlus yogurt.

 

YoPlus now provides three important health benefits in each four-oz. cup:

• 
  
  Antioxidant vitamins A and E (now with 20% of your recommended daily value)
• A blend of probiotic cultures & fiber (three grams of fiber per 4-ounce serving) for digestive health
• Calcium and vitamin D for bone health

YoPlus is available in six delicious flavors including Strawberry, Vanilla, Cherry, Peach, Blackberry Pomegranate and Blueberry Acai.

If you are looking for all the great health benefits of YoPlus with even fewer calories, YoPlus Light is the perfect solution, with one third fewer calories than the original. YoPlus Light is available in three delicious flavors - Honey Vanilla, Strawberry Banana, and Key Lime - all with just 70 calories per cup.

 

My Review

Thanks to Yoplait and MyBlogSpark, I was given the opportunity to try Yoplus.  They sent me a coupon for a free package of Yoplus, a gift pack, product information, and additional gift pack to give away (more about this below!) 

I tried the Blackberry Pomegranate flavor.  I eat yogurt and fruit for breakfast quite often, as it's an easy meal to have at the office, while working at my desk.  Most of the time I mix some plain yogurt with fruit and a small amount of  honey, and put it in a container to take with me.  The individual serving-sized package of Yoplus was convenient to stash in my bag on my way out the door. 

The flavor of the Yoplus was fruity, although it was a bit sweet for my taste.  The texture was smooth, and I didn't detect any grittiness from the added fiber.  I couldn't even tell it was in there!  Although I'll probably stick with my plain yogurt with fruit most of the time, I may have to keep a stash of Yoplus in the fridge for those days when I'm in a bit of a hurry, and need something I can grab on the go. 

 

If you'd like to try Yoplus, you can print a coupon for $1.00 off by clicking here!

 

Win It  

Thanks to Yoplait and MyBlogSpark, I have a YoPlus “better-for-you” gift pack, which includes a coupon* for a 4-pack of Yoplait YoPlus yogurt, an on-the-go lunch container with utensils, an insulated lunch bag, and a pedometer.

MAIN ENTRY

(You MUST do this First for your entry to count!) Tell me in a comment which flavor of Yoplus you'd like to try.  That's it!

EXTRA ENTRIES

~Follow me PUBLICLY on Google Friend Connect. Include your Google Friends user name in your comment. I must be able to see your user name in My Followers on my sidebar.

~Follow me on Twitter ( @amylou61 ) AND Tweet this Giveaway, linking to this post in your tweet. Leave a link to your Tweet in a comment. Your Tweets must be PUBLIC for this to count. You may copy this Tweet:
Win a Yoplait Yoplus Prize Package at Peace & Quiet! #giveaway http://tinyurl.com/y8ftsac

PLEASE make sure your email is either linked to, or included in your comment. Entries will be accepted until April 16th at 11:59pm EST. The winner will be drawn by random.org and validated per rules. This giveaway is open to US addresses. The winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply before an alternate winner is chosen. Good Luck!

*This coupon offer for a free 4-pack of Yoplait YoPlus yogurt is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Tennessee.

 

Disclaimer/Disclosure: I received a free product and gift pack described above in exchange for my review. I received no monetary compensation. This is my honest opinion, and was not influenced by the sponsor in any way. 

~CLOSED~Review & Giveaway: If the Church Were Christian

If the Church Were Christian

Rediscovering the Values of Jesus

By Philip Gulley

 

From HarperCollins

Book Description

While many denominations claim to be growing, the largest group in American religious life is the disillusioned—people who have been involved in the church yet see few similarities between the church's life and the person of Jesus. In the midst of elaborate programming, professional worship teams, and political crusades, they ask, "Is this really what Jesus called us to do?"

While the church has dismissed these people as uncommitted and lacking in faith, perhaps the opposite is true. Their commitment to authentic spirituality over institutional idolatry might be the very corrective the church needs. These people respect Jesus, but question what Christianity has become.

In If the Church Were Christian, Quaker pastor and author Philip Gulley explores how the church has lost its way. This eye-opening examination of the values of Jesus reveals the extent to which the church has drifted from the teachings of the man who inspired its creation. Many Christians might be surprised to discover how little Jesus had to say about the church, and that he might never have intended to start a new religion.

But the church is here to stay, and Gulley is determined to help the church find its soul. If the church were Christian, Gulley argues, affirming our potential would be more important than condemning our brokenness. If the church were Christian, inviting questions would be valued more than supplying answers. If the church were Christian, meeting needs would be more important than maintaining institutions.

These simple statements return us to the heart of what Jesus cared about during his ministry. Gulley provides a profound picture of what the church would look like if it refocused on the real priorities of Jesus.

About the Author
Philip Gulley has become the voice of small-town American life. Along with writing Front Porch Tales, Hometown Tales, and For Everything a Season, Gulley is the author of the Harmony series of novels, as well as If Grace Is True and If God Is Love, which are coauthored with James Mulholland.

He hosts "Porch Talk with Phil Gulley" on the Indiana PBS affiliate WFYI television's flagship show Across Indiana.

Gulley lives in Indiana with his wife, Joan, and their sons, Spencer and Sam—in a rambling old house with Gulley’s eclectic chair collection (64 at last count) and a welcoming back porch.

My Review
When our children were about middle-school age, they and many of their friends began wearing bracelets that had the letters "WWJD" on them, which stood for "What would Jesus do?"  If the Church Were Christian is all about what the author believes Jesus would want us and our churches to do.   It's a wonderful reminder of the core values Christianity was based upon, stressing the importance of love, service to others, forgiveness, acceptance, and peace.
 
Philip Gulley is not afraid to talk about controversial subjects.  I have to admit that when I started reading this book, I wasn't sure I would like it, because some of what he was saying was very much in opposition to what I've been taught about religion my whole life.  But I kept reading, and I'm so glad I did!  It made me think about Christianity in ways I hadn't before, and challenged me to search my heart and my life more deeply than I had in some time.  If the Church Were Christian is a wonderful book, and I highly recommend it!
 
 If the Church Were Christian by Philip Gulley can be purchased at HarperCollins.com.
 
Win It
Thanks to Molly and HarperCollins, I have 3 copies of If the Church Were Christian to giveaway!
 
MAIN ENTRY
(You MUST do this First for your entry to count!) Tell me about your favorite Easter or Spring-time activity.

EXTRA ENTRIES
~Follow me PUBLICLY on Google Friend Connect. Include your Google Friends user name in your comment.  I must be able to see your user name in My Followers on my sidebar.

~Follow me on Twitter (@amylou61) AND Tweet this Giveaway, linking to this post in your tweet. Leave a link to your Tweet in a comment. Your Tweets must be PUBLIC for this to count. You may copy this Tweet:     Win a copy of If the Church Were Christian by Phil Gulley at Peace & Quiet. #giveaway http://tinyurl.com/ybxjeff

~Post this giveaway on your blog. Include my blog name "Peace & Quiet" and link back to this post. Leave a comment with a link to your post.

PLEASE make sure your email is either linked to, or included in your comment. Entries will be accepted until April 3rd at 11:59pm EST. Winners will be drawn by random.org and validated per rules. US & Canada addresses. Winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply before an alternate winner is chosen. Good Luck!


Disclaimer/Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my review. This is my honest opinion, and was not influenced by the sponsor in any way.

~CLOSED~ The Pioneer Woman Cooks - Review & Giveaway!

The Pioneer Woman Cooks

Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl

by Ree Drummond

HarperCollins.com:

Paula Deen meets Erma Bombeck in The Pioneer Woman Cooks, Ree Drummond’s spirited, homespun cookbook. Drummond colorfully traces her transition from city life to ranch wife through recipes, photos, and pithy commentary based on her popular, award-winning blog, Confessions of a Pioneer Woman, and whips up delicious, satisfying meals for cowboys and cowgirls alike made from simple, widely available ingredients. The Pioneer Woman Cooks—and with these “Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl,” she pleases the palate and tickles the funny bone at the same time.

Book Description

              My name is Ree.

              Some folks know me as The Pioneer Woman.

After years of living in Los Angeles, I made a pit stop in my hometown in Oklahoma on the way to a new, exciting life in Chicago. It was during my stay at home that I met Marlboro Man, a mysterious cowboy with steely blue eyes and a muscular, work-honed body. A strict vegetarian, I fell hard and fast, and before I knew it we were married and living on his ranch in the middle of nowhere, taking care of animals, and managing a brood of four young children. I had no idea how I'd wound up there, but I knew it was exactly where I belonged.

The Pioneer Woman Cooks is a homespun collection of photography, rural stories, and scrumptious recipes that have defined my experience in the country. I share many of the delicious cowboy-tested recipes I've learned to make during my years as an accidental ranch wife—including Rib-Eye Steak with Whiskey Cream Sauce, Lasagna, Fried Chicken, Patsy's Blackberry Cobbler, and Cinnamon Rolls—not to mention several "cowgirl-friendly" dishes, such as Sherried Tomato Soup, Olive Cheese Bread, and Crème Brûlée. I show my recipes in full color, step-by-step detail, so it's as easy as pie to follow along.

You'll also find colorful images of rural life: cows, horses, country kids, and plenty of chaps-wearing cowboys.

I hope you get a kick out of this book of mine. I hope it makes you smile. I hope the recipes bring you recognition, accolades, and marriage proposals. And I hope it encourages even the most harried urban cook to slow down, relish the joys of family, nature, and great food, and enjoy life.

Critical Praise for The Pioneer Woman Cooks

#1 New York Times Bestseller — New York Times

an Amazon Customer Favorite Cookbook — Amazon.com

“[Ree Drummond is] funny, enthusiastic and self-deprecating, making the book appeal to pavement-pounders and pioneer types alike [with] recipes like steak with whiskey cream sauce, leek and potato pizza and pico de gallo. As a portrait of a real American family kitchen, it works.”

— New York Times

“Drummond invites fans into her world with irresistible recipes and photos…. Here’s a mom of four who can turn out a Perfect Pot Roast and make feasts for girlfriends that start with sangria and finish with crème brûlée. It’s sweet and seductive: You’ll want to plunge right in.”

— People

“Need to know how to make the ‘Marlboro Man Sandwich’ for your hubby? Get the skinny at The Pioneer Woman Cooks! site.”

— Chicago Tribune

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Review

I was so excited to have the chance to review this cookbook!   I've been reading Ree Drummond's blog, The Pioneer Woman for quite awhile now, and I've found it to be interesting, entertaining, humorous and useful, which perfectly describes her cookbook as well.   The narrative of Ree Drummond's life, her family, her love story with the "Marlboro Man", life on the ranch, and the beautiful photos (taken by Ree), make this a book worth reading, even if there were no recipes.  But, Oh! the recipes - Hot Artichoke Dip, PW Breakfast Burritos, French Breakfast Puffs, Sherried Tomato Soup, Potato-Leek Pizza, Perfect Pot Roast, Chicken-Fried Steak, Rib-Eye Steak with Whiskey Cream Sauce, Patsy's Blackberry Cobbler, Peach Crisp with Maple Cream Sauce,...and much more!   All with step-by-step photos and instructions that are so easy to follow, even the most novice cook could become a whiz in the kitchen. 

Buy It

The Pioneer Woman Cooks is available at HarperCollins.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellers and retailers.

Win It

Thanks to Shawn and HarperCollins, I have 3 copies of The Pioneer Woman Cooks to giveaway!

MAIN ENTRY

(You MUST do this First for your entry to count!) Check out "Browse Inside The Pioneer Woman Cooks" and tell me in a UNIQUE comment something you learned (other than what is already in this post).
**Duplicate comments WILL be DELETED!**

EXTRA ENTRIES
~Follow me PUBLICLY on Google Friend Connect. Include your Google Friends user name in your comment.  Make sure I can see your name in My Followers on my sidebar.

~Follow me on Twitter (@amylou61) AND Tweet this Giveaway, linking to this post in your tweet. Leave a link to your Tweet in a comment. Your Tweets must be PUBLIC for this to count. You may copy this Tweet: 
Win a copy of The Pioneer Woman Cooks at Peace & Quiet. http://tinyurl.com/ykdn5ne #giveaway

~Post this giveaway on your blog. Include my blog name "Peace & Quiet" and link back to this post. Leave a comment with a link to your post.

PLEASE make sure your email is either linked to, or included in your comment. Entries will be accepted until March  24th at 11:59pm EST. Winners will be drawn by random.org and validated per rules. US & Canada addresses. Winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply before an alternate winner is chosen. Good Luck!

Disclaimer/Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my review. This is my honest opinion, and was not influenced by the sponsor in any way.