Giveaways and Contests

Below are the links to C.L. (Cindy) Beck's giveaways. You can't enter here, but will need to go to the actual giveaway page that's linked below for entry rules, as well as disclosures about the prizes. Please do not leave comments here, as they will not qualify as an entry after 03-05-10.

May 4-May 16, midnight MST: Mormon Mishaps Giveaway

Great news! It's time for the Mormon Mishaps and Mischief Giveaway and Blog Tour! And you are seriously going to want to enter, because there's a GREAT prize.

In celebration of Mothers, and all they do for us, Mormon Mishaps authors C.L. Beck and D.N. Giles have put together a giveaway in conjunction with a week-long blog tour. And the coolest part is that we're offering a a fantastic advertising package valued at $150 as the prize.

Think of what you could advertise ... maybe you write a blog, or have a self-published or main-stream published book. Do you sell a service, photos or greeting cards? Are you into selling candles, ribbons, or handmade items? You don't have to be LDS to advertise! Anything you can think of (as long as it meets family values) could be advertised if you win the prize!

Click HERE for full details and to enter.

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"Your Inner Goddess" Giveaway Closed. Winner: Jan T.

Mar 12-Apr 2: "Your Inner Goddess" Yoplait Giveaway: Prize includes an "Inner Goddess" gift pack (the winner's gift pack may vary slightly, but mine had a terry/velor after-bath wrap, slippers, loofah, and other bath accessories) and coupons for two free cartons of Greek yogurt. Click HERE for full details and to enter.


Inner Goddess Gift Pack
and Yogurt.

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"Sharp Edge of a Knife" Giveaway Closed. The winners are:
1. The Graef Family (entered on Heather Gardener's Fire and Ice blog), who won the custom designed watch.
2. Damsel in Dis Dress (entered on Tristi Pinkston's blog) who gets to choose between an autographed copy of Wings, a copy of the Darwin Awards, or an autographed copy of Recovering Charles.
3. L.T. Elliott (for an entry on Ali Cross's blog who gets to choose between a $25 gift certificate to the Restaurant Morelia in Murray, UT or $25 worth of vinyl lettering by Whaddayawannasay Vinyl Lettering:

Mar 15- Apr 3: The Sharp Edge of a Knife Giveaway and Blog Tour: Prizes include the winner's choice of a custom designed watch, gift certificate to a restaurant, vinyl lettering, and more. Click HERE for full details and to enter!

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"Office Box" Giveaway Closed. Winner: Dana V.

THE CURRENT GIVEAWAY, Friday, Mar.5, 2010-Mar. 15, 2010 at 11:59p., MST: Office Box Giveaway and Book Launch for Wrong Number. Major prizes in this giveaway, including the fantastic "Office Box" worth almost $900!

Click HERE for full details and to enter.

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Chocolate Cheerios Giveaway Closed. Winner: Rachelle C.

THE CURRENT GIVEAWAY, Feb 22-Mar 5, 2010: Chocolate Cheerios Gift Pack! The gift pack includes a box of Chocolate Cheerios, a chocolate-colored ceramic cereal bowl, and a chocolate spa kit, all worth $30!




THE PRODUCT (Chocolate Cheerios):



Info from General Mills: If you love chocolate (and who doesn't?), your taste buds will be delighted with new Chocolate Cheerios-with a perfect balance of whole grain goodness and a delicious touch of chocolate taste in every bite.

Chocolate Cheerios are low in fat, heart healthy*, has 100 calories per serving, contains at least 8 grams of whole grain per serving (at least 48 grams recommended daily), and is a good source of calcium and vitamin D. Made with real cocoa, Chocolate Cheerios can help your family start the day off right with a delicious and nutritious breakfast that is sure to make you smile!

MY OPINION: Thanks to MyBlogSpark and my favorite cereal company, General Mills, I had the chance to try the new Chocolate Cheerios. I'm eating them right now for breakfast (while typing this blog) and I have to tell you that although chocolate cereals are not usually my favorite, I really like these. The flavor tastes chocolate-y without an artificial taste. And they have that great Cheerios crunch!

(Hold me back someone, so I don't go get seconds ... which is not on my diet!)

HOW TO ENTER: (In two easy steps)
1. Click to become a follower (in the sidebar, on the right) and leave a comment telling me you did so. Or, if you're already a follower, tell me that in a comment. If you're not a regular visitor to the blog, be sure to leave an email address for contact if you win. PLEASE NOTE: Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page, past previous contest comments to leave your comment. (Sorry, I know that's a pain and it'll be fixed for future contests!)

2. In the sidebar on the right, sign up to receive my weekly newsletter. The newsletter is short and sweet, and if you decide you don't have time for it, it's easy to unsubscribe.

3. For an extra entry, Twitter or Facebook the following:
Great giveaway! ChocolateCherriosGiftPack which includes cereal, ceramic bowl, and chocolate spa kit. $30 value! http://bit.ly/bWuug4

Be sure to let me know you did it so you receive the extra entry!

Deadline to enter is by midnight, Friday, March 5, 2010.

Winner will be announced no later than the next Monday.

A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA: I've not tried these recipes using Chocolate Cheerios, but they came from General Mills and sounded pretty good!

Chocolate Cheerios® Marshmallow Hearts

Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Start to Finish: 1 Hour 45 Minutes

Crust
1 cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 cup Chocolate Cheerios® cereal, crushed
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups miniature marshmallows
Topping
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 bag (11.5 ounces) milk chocolate chips
4 cups Chocolate Cheerios® cereal
Candy sprinkles, if desired

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with foil. In large bowl, mix all crust ingredients except marshmallows with electric mixer on low speed until crumbly. Press firmly into bottom of pan.

2. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove from oven. Immediately sprinkle with marshmallows. Return to oven; bake an additional 1 to 2 minutes or until marshmallows just begin to puff. Cool while preparing topping.

3. In large saucepan, place all topping ingredients except cereal and sprinkles. Heat over medium-low heat just until chips are melted and mixture is smooth, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in 4 cups cereal. Immediately spoon warm topping over marshmallows; spread to cover. Sprinkle with candy sprinkles. Cool completely, at least 1 hour.

4. Using foil to lift, remove mixture from pan; remove foil. With deep 2 1/2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out 18 hearts. Store loosely covered.

Chocolate Hazelnut Marshmallow Balls

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Start to Finish: 15 Minutes

1/2 cup hazelnut spread with cocoa
1/4 cup milk chocolate chips
14 large marshmallows
Toothpicks
3 cups Chocolate Cheerios® cereal
Round wooden sticks with one pointed end or craft sticks
(flat wooden sticks with round ends)

1. In medium microwavable bowl, microwave hazelnut spread and chocolate chips on high 30 seconds; stir until smooth. Place cereal in shallow dish.
2. Insert toothpick into marshmallow; dip in chocolate mixture. Roll in cereal to coat completely. Place on large plate; remove toothpick. Repeat with remaining marshmallows. If desired, insert round wooden sticks into each for pops.
3. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until chocolate is set.

14 servings

Strawberry-Chocolate Cheerios® Parfaits

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Start to Finish: 15 Minutes

2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
4 containers (6 oz each) Yoplait® Light Fat Free strawberry yogurt
2 cups Chocolate Cheerios® cereal

1. In 4 parfait glasses or clear drinking glasses, layer half of the strawberries, half of the yogurt and half of the cereal. Repeat layers.

2. Serve immediately

(This contest sponsored by General Mills and MyBlogSpark^TM . I received a Chocolate Cheerios Gift Pack as a gift for reviewing Chocolate Cheerios. However, all items in the gift pack—with the exception of the Chocolate Cheerios, which I had to try in order to review—will be offered as prizes at my book signings or other events in connection with my books and blogs.)

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(Feb 15, 2010)Contest closed. WINNER OF THE GENERAL MILLS COUPONS: Carol L! Congrats, Carol!

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THE CURRENT GIVEAWAY, Jan 24-Feb 12, 2010: Two coupons for two free boxes of General Mills cereal, worth up to $12.00 total.

THE PRODUCT: General Mills Cereals


(Photo copyright General Mills Website)

Here's what General Mills has to say about it:

General Mills has announced a commitment to further reduce sugar in cereals advertised to kids under 12 to single digit grams of sugar per serving. The company has already been reducing sugar in cereals while increasing key nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, and providing whole grain.

Did you know that ready-to-eat cereal eaters consume less fat, less cholesterol and more fiber than non-cereal eaters? Cereals also deliver important vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients, making cereal a top source of key nutrients in children´s diets. For more information about kids and cereals, please visit Cereal Health and Wellness.

MY OPINION: Before I wrote this blog, I walked into my pantry to see just how many boxes of cereal I had in there. I found six, and four of them were General Mills. Enough said.

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this article. If you're not a regular visitor to the blog, be sure to leave an email address for contact if you win. Deadline to enter is by midnight, Friday, Feb 12, 2010.

Winner will be announced no later than Monday, Feb. 15.

(This contest sponsored by General Mills and MyBlogSpark^TM . I received coupons for cereal as a gift for mentioning information about General Mills cereals. However, the gift coupons were not used to purchase the six boxes of cereal in my pantry, nor were the General Mills cereals in my pantry purchased with this blog entry in mind. They were purchased because my family and I especially like Chex and Cheerios.)

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