Make and Takes » Make and Takes

What I Learned From the Nestle Event

Marie — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:44:57 +0000

This post is a little bit off topic for my blog, but it’s something that I feel is important to address. A few months ago, I was approached by Nestle to attend a small blogging event to learn more about their company and products. I signed on to attend and to participate in part of the presentation by sharing a couple of Holiday crafts. I was excited to attend the event, meet with other bloggers, and happy to learn more about the company. Then… a few days before the event I learned about the Nestle Boycott on Twitter. In short, Nestle has been under scrutiny since the mid-70s for using aggressive and ethically questionable marketing tactics in promoting its baby formula products to women in developing countries. I’m embarrassed to say that I had never heard of the boycott and obviously hadn’t done enough research before I committed to participate in the event.

After reading through many articles and blog posts covering the topic of the boycott, I had to make the decision of what to do next. I talked it over heavily with my family, friends, and other bloggers, and made the choice to continue with the commitment I’d made, hoping to engage directly with Nestle and learn more about their involvement in the issue.

I do have to say that Nestle put a lot of effort into the event, and I had an enjoyable time meeting and getting to know the other bloggers and also some of the great folks over at Nestle USA. Although I did get answers to many of my questions, I still feel like there’s more that needs to be addressed. I realized this is a global issue and goes beyond the Nestle representatives we interacted with. Read here and here for some additional attendee perspectives.

It’s been interesting to see the results of my decision. I’ve been forced into this world of confrontation, where I usually steer clear of (I’m not one to engage in a debate, I think of myself more as a mediator). I do know that I’m a changed person, mother, and blogger because of getting more involved in the boycott issue. I’ve come to learn from and respect many of the activists involved with the boycott. I may not agree with everything they say or do, but I know that many are trying their best to educate anyone and everyone on some very important issues.

Now what? I don’t know. I do know that I will continue to email, read, and educate myself about this issue to appease myself and my family. I’m happy to see these questions posed and I’m hopeful for some answers. Thanks to Annie for her research, as I wouldn’t even have known what questions to ask.

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Grilled Cheese Invitational 09′ Wrap-up

Marie — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:18:40 +0000

Cheese O’ Cheese O’ Cheese! I was surrounded by glorious cheese at the Grilled Cheese Invitational last weekend. With over 250 contestants, 5000 tasters/judges, and 18,000 grilled cheese samples grilled by Kraft Singles, it was truly cheese Heaven.

There were 3 Grill Cheese divisions being judged:

Missionary Style – only cheese and bread
Kama Sutra – Meat, cheese, and bread
Honey Pot – dessert style with cheese and bread

The grilling began with the founder, Tim Walker, and the Mayor of Cheese starting us off, along with an invocation praising the cheese Gods. There were many techniques used: different pans, all kinds of cheese, even cheese on the outside, lots and lots of butter, some adorned with a garnish of salad or soup, and flattening with spatulas and bricks! Even among the windy elements when the burners were being testy, the contestants were grilling at their best. Then there was Kraft Singles grilling up a storm, feeding the hungry people!

Here’s a video sharing some of the fun.

Prepping.

Grilling.

Waiting.

Tasting.

Judging.

Winning.

My vote was for the Mac n’cheese with baby back ribs, oh my my!

Here’s me and my fellow Cheesy Bloggers, Rachel from A Southern Fairytale and Christy from Southern Plate.

Thanks again to Kraft Singles for sending me there. It was great! For more pictures, check it out on my @N04/" target="_blank">Flickr page.

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Lucky Leprechaun Link Love

Marie — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:33:00 +0000

I’ve been keeping a lucky eye out for some fun St. Patrick’s kids crafts and I’ve found a few that are link love worthy. I’m loving this craft from French Knots for a Leprechaun Beard. It’s my kind of craft, 2 supplies and super easy! You’re kids are gonna love dressing up like a Leprechaun. Then you can make some of these Leprechaun Ears for them to go with it!

Here’s a few more lucky places to find some St. Patrick’s Day crafts:

Shamrock Shirt from Alphamom
St. Patty Links from The Crafty Crow
Hand Print Leprechauns from Ramblings of a Crazy Woman
Leprechaun Lunch from Gourmet Mom on the Go
Lucky Badges from No Biggie

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Making a Rainbow Connection

Marie — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 09:18:48 +0000

We’re making more rainbows today. This is a great activity to do with the kids, helping them to see that when colors are mixed, they make something new.

Supplies for Milky Rainbows:

Milk or water – If you don’t feel comfortable drinking milk with food coloring, you can use milk that’s past it’s date OR you can use water for this too. I just like how the milk makes the colors show up so bright.
food coloring – red, yellow, blue
clear drinking glasses
stir stick

We lined up our glasses in a row, making it easy to see all the colors in the order of a rainbow. Then we poured our milk into each glass, about half way full. I then started by putting one drop of food coloring into the cups.

We did the red first (which made pink, but I only wanted to use one drop of color, you could use more). Then we skipped one glass and did the yellow next. We went back to the one in the middle and dropped in one red and one yellow drop of food coloring. Using our stir stick, we mixed them together. We now had Orange! Then we continued on down the line. Yellow and blue for green, blue and red for purple.

Once we saw our rainbow, the kids wanted to see what would happen if we mixed all the colors together and Brown milk appeared. Have making your Rainbow Connection!

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Loving Our Francie Pants

Marie — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:24:44 +0000

My daughter is loving her Francie Pants that she wears during gymnastics. They’re the perfect cover up for the un-sitely “underpants coming out of the leotard” look! Super simple and stylish, making my daughter feel fancy. Here’s her posing after gymnastics class… gotta love it!

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Park City Mountain Resort Giveaway Winner

Marie — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:00:19 +0000

It was fun to read the Givaway comments on how many of you are planning trips to Utah soon! And lots of others who are needing to dust off their skis and take a day off. Well, the winner of the Park City giveaway is #3 Carole, getting 2 free lift tickets to this season’s skiing or snowboarding, however you ride!

Thanks to all who entered! Hopefully you’re able to take advantage of the World Class skiing had at Park City Mountain Resort. It’s time to plan your next trip to hit the slopes!

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Locally Grown in Utah Giveaway Winners

Marie — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 07:00:27 +0000

What a fantastic response! Thanks to all who commented, blogged, tweeted, and buttoned up to enter in to win these fantastic prizes. We have 7, yes 7, fantastic winners. Congrats to the following:

#536 Missy – Sweet Tooth Fairy $25 Gift Certificate

#735 Laura Beck – Sarah Jane Studios Calendar & Love notes

#335 Katy M – Cheeky & Swank Bib & Burp cloth set

#98 Casey – Kelly McCaleb Patterns

#204 Satsuki Rebel – Fall Down Tree Print

#53 Becky – The Sassy Shoppe Sassy Loot

#445 Jinii Boren – Four Girlies 3 Necklaces

Thanks again to all who entered. And thanks to everyone for helping Make and Takes be a success! Here’s to many more years!

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Giving to a Good Cause

Marie — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:14:14 +0000

I’ve recently been told about some great causes available to support. If you’re in the “giving” mood, check these out!

Nie Nie Benefit Concert – I’m going… hope to see you there!
CWDKids is launching their second Kids Care Campaign
Hotels Combined donates $20 when you blog about Spread the Word for Charity
Project 31 with Kelly McCaleb – quilting for new mothers.

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Jacobella Print Kit Giveaway Winner

Marie — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:46:35 +0000

Yay! I loved reading all the comments on how you would use your Jacobella Print Kit for the kids or with your pet. Thanks to all who entered. We’ve got 2 winners to announce who will receive their own Print Kits to use with their kids or their pets. #31 Annalee & #210 Debbie, Congrats!

We’re all winners on this one as Jacobella is giving Make and Takes readers 15% off your order. Just mention “Make and Takes” and they’ll take care of you. Now you can preserve your memories at a discount this Holiday Season. They’re perfect for Grandma, Mom, Dad… even Aunt Gwen. Thanks, Jacobella.

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Tom & Lucy’s Art Shoppe Giveaway

Marie — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:00:39 +0000

Head on over to Tom and Lucy’s Art Shoppe for a local Utah Giveaway. There’s 5 fabulous prizes for 5 fabulous winners! Just by joining the mailing list on the sidebar, you’re entered to win some great products from some great vendors that will be at the Art Shoppe during November 21&22. So come on over and help support local handmade!

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