This is a sponsored post from BlogHer and McDonald’s.
Contest is now over. Congrats to entry # 77, Angel Jacklyn who was chosen by random.org as the winner. Thanks to all who participated!
I loved taking a sneak peek inside the McDonald’s Brand and company during the McDonald’s Family Time Getaway in Oak Brook, IL. The McDonald’s representatives could not have been more accommodating and genuine. McDonald’s invited our entire family on this event, what a treat!
We started our McDonald’s experience with lunch at a local McDonald’s Restaurant then spoke to the company’s top executives. This was one of the highlights of the trip for me. The women of McDonald’s were beautiful, smart and completely down to earth. They told us their history with McDonald’s and the things they love about their job. It was really priceless to hear from these women.
Another highlight of this trip was a tour of the Oak Lawn Ronald McDonald House. What an amazing organization. The House is beautiful and helps so many people in need. I think the whole room was brought to tears listening to the presentation. I feel lucky to have been a part of it all.
One of my kids’ favorite activities was the “Taste and Tour Quality at McDonald’s: A Family Sensory Experience and Look Behind the Counter.” We talked with the quality control team and tasted some yummy breakfast items such as the Egg McMuffin, Apple Dippers and the McGriddle. My kids were in hog heaven as the servers brought out all of these different items from the McDonald’s Breakfast Menu.
Another discussion that I enjoyed was, “Your Food: From Farm to Restaurant. This discussion was about how we as parents can feel good about the food our family eats at McDonald’s. We talked to the Chicken Doctor who explained that McDonald’s uses only the white meat of quality chicken and also to the McDonald’s Nutritionist who showed us how we can mix and match menu items to equal 600 calories or less. This was a great discussion.
McDonald’s Executive Chef Dan led a discussion about how McDonald’s menu items go from concept to restaurant. It was amazing to learn how long the process is to actually get a new recipe on the menu. There are extensive tests that are done throughout the country. I loved getting a first taste of the fruit smoothies that are coming out soon and their newest menu item in testing…Fruit and Maple Oatmeal. It was INCREDIBLE. I would order it any day of the week!
The kids had a ball cooking with McDonald’s Chef Dan. They got their very own Chef Hat, apron and had a chance to roll up their sleeves and make their own fruit kebabs and fruit smoothies. This was a real treat. Chef Dan and the other Chefs could not have been more kind.
McDonald’s truly went above and beyond for this event. The entire family loved it. I feel lucky to have been a part to learn more about this incredible brand.
_____________________________________________
Be sure to enter the Family Time Happy Time Sweepstake for some fun prizes valued at $100.
One Winner will Win:
- A Smile Tote Bag
- $25 AMC Gift Card
- $20 McDonald’s Gift Card
- Fleece Blanket
- McDonald’s Frisbee
- McDonald’s French Fry Playing Cards
- Monopoly Junior Board Game
- Organic Lip Balm
- McDonald’s Vintage Character T-Shirt
- McDonald’s Stainless Tumbler
- McDonald’s Happy Meal Toy Set
To enter, leave a comment here on Picky Palate telling us… What is your favorite thing to do as a family? Vacation, sports, reading books, cooking…anything, we want to hear it.
Eligible entrants can do up to two of the following options:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) Follow one of the links at https://www.blogher.com/family-time-happy-time and provide your email address and your response to the sweepstakes prompt
See Official Sweepstakes Rules HERE
Come see the other Blogger Reviews on the BlogHer Round Up HERE.
Please leave any questions you might have about the trip or McDonald’s here as well. Thanks!!
Welcome to my online kitchen! Picky Palate is where you’ll find family friendly recipes along with the best Disney eats, tips and copycat recipes! 
We love going to the movies. It’s a family tradition.
We love being outdoors together as a family. We love playgrounds, hiking in the woods, swimming at the local river and taking part in all the great outdoor festivals that Baltimore has.
I would have to say our family movie nights. My girls make a big deal about what movie we are going to watch and whether or not dad will fall asleep before the movie is over.
Here is my blog entry 🙂
http://kaydensgracedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/07/family-time-happy-time-sweepstake.html
We have lots of great family time activites; Do I have to choose just 1? Our favorite family time activities have to be both going to Baseball Games (we are all total Baseball Fans) and going out on the boat in the summer. Such great family time where we are all fully engaged. I also really love watching my kiddos play ball {priceless} K, narrowed it down to 3 does that work, ha! Thanks for the giveaway!
What a great event! We love to go to the movies as a family. My little ones have finally reached the age that they love to be big girls (2 and 5) and have a movie day. Its rather simple I suppose, but we love it!
We love to go swimming as everyone loves cooling off and it also wears everyone out!
We read together. Almost every night and it brings us closer as a family and we have some awesome discussions! Great giveaway, thanks!
Eating out on Friday nights is one of my favorites!
We like to go to Las Vegas and enjoy the fun activities they have for kids there.
My family and I love to go camping every summer. Our favorite spot is Jellystone in Mexico, NY. Letterboxing is also becoming a favorite past time.
i used to live in a town right next the “hamburger university”, i would have loved to have a tour like that. now i live in georgia, miles away.
We love to pick a hotel to go to in the summer & have fun ordering room service & playing at the hotel pools.
also commented on suburban turmoil’s post about this awesome give away!
We just love to spend time together! We fight for family time – making sure that we have time to talk and relax together weekly!
We love to have “date nights”– one person gets to pick the meal and the activity for everyone. Needless to say, they range from McDonalds and swimming to fancy resurants and Broadway shows!
Our favorite thing to do as a family is our nightly after dinner walks around the neighborhood. It’s great to get outside, but it’s also nice to spend time together without any distractions.
My favorite thing to do as a family is head to the amusement part for a fun filled day. Nothing better than being relaxed and having an extra special time.
Cooking together!
We spend a lot of time camping together in the spring, summer, and fall months. This is a great experience with not only our little family of four, but usually extended family members as well.
Camping or going to the beach, except I hate sand. I love the water but hate the sand!
we just like to hang out together. Sometimes we go out of town. We want to do a staycation, and get to know where we live better
Our favorite is Sunday nights…we call it “Popcorn Night” – we watch a family movie together and eat air-popped popcorn. The best!
We like to go camping together.
We love going to the park, spending the day watching the boys play and even packing a lunch! Simple days can be the most fun 🙂
I love going to the movies with my family.
As a family (meaning, my husband and I) cook, bake, and walk together. Snuggling is pretty up there too.
Our family loves to go on bike rides!!!
I love going on family vacations – it’s a great way for us to just unwind and enjoy each others’ company!
We love to go to the beach!
We love to go camping. No distractions like cell phones, tvs, PSPs, or computers – just us, and the open air.
Movie Nights are a big thing for our family! We also LOVE to go camping and ride the 4 wheelers!
We love to go on walks to the local zoo.
We love to go swimming at Grandma’s as a family.
My favorite family time is when we are at home, just hanging out and goofing off. Usually very spontaneous and fun.
We love to sit down and watch movies with a bowl of popcorn!!