I forgot to pack an after school snack today.
For the first time, two of the kids (the third is still too young) are in separate schools, across town from each other, in a land far far away, almost. In addition to making lunch everyday, I also need to have a good size snack ready to eat as soon as I pick them up, or I’m in big trouble. BIG.
Keeping food from home is my ideal, both money-wise and health wise. However, days like this happen. For whatever reason, a forgotten snack, traffic is too busy, or just as a treat from out of the ordinary.
Just yesterday Jan Fields, President of McDonald’s, made a press announcement that is good news to parents on the run ; McDonald’s will begin menu board labeling the caloric content of food both on their drive-thru menu and in-store. More than the menu labeling, I’m really happy to see McDonald’s moving towards a healthier, fresh produce menu.
Their prices have always been affordable, but I wanted to share five snacks that don’t give me mommy guilt, These are all my own pics from a quick drive-thru run I made today after picking them up.
It’s $1. Fruit and Yogurt Parfait. It’s low fat vanilla yogurt and fresh fruit, not compote, not canned, fresh strawberries and blueberries. It comes with a packet of Nature Valley Granola for a crunch.
The oatmeal comes with fresh, chopped apples, raisins and dried cranberries. Not compote, canned or processed fruit. Big, crunchy apples in every bite. It’s a good size to hold them over, but not so big that they get full before dinner.
None of my pics were altered, filtered, or edited except to add my watermark. This is the lemon blueberry bread. Made with real blueberries and lemons.
Mango and pineapple real fruit smoothie. It’s made of real fruit puree, low fat yogurt and ice, not ice cream…ice. It’s my favorite flavor of all the smoothies. Get the small size, don’t need to go overboard.
This is a pic of the banana bread right before my pickiest eater(far left) ate the whole thing. It’s moist and full of flavor, it had to be or I would’ve definitely gotten it back. All baked goods are made on site, not frozen. All bakery items are priced between $1.59-$1.79.
Disclosure: McDonald’s is sponsoring the giveaway, but I was not required to write this post. This is a part of my life that I wanted to share!
I’m giving away a $25 McDonald’s Gift Card to one very lucky Frugalette reader. Open to US residents 18+. Ends in ONE week!
Attend Macy’s 7th Annual Spelling Bee, I Did!
Hi! I'm Isra, aka The Frugalette. I took my family from fancy to frugal in 3 years, with 3 kids and 1 income, oh and found the meaning of life too! To read more about my fancy life gone frugal, 
My husband works 2 jobs and when we have extra cash on a Friday he goes to Mcdonalds as a treat. So this would be so great to allow him to get there.
We don't go to fast food restaurants a lot , but my daughter loves them so if i won i would deff take her . She would be so excited!!!
I want to win so I can treat my kiddos to some yummy goodies as well!!
I have never seen baked goods at McDonalds, but I confess that I don't go there a lot. I would love to try that blueberry lemon bread!
My girls love McDonalds & this would be a special treat!
Would love to win to try the banana bread. Yum!
I have recently cut out Fast Food, but both of my kids love McDonalds, as does my husband. 25 dollars would go a long way!
The McD in front of our neighborhood has a great kids' playarea – perfect for playdates! A McD GC would be a fantastic & yummy addition to their fun… and re-fuel them, too
We only go to McDonalds when we travel down 95 to NY to visit my in-laws. It's a treat for my kids. A GF would be a great way to keep our travel food cost down!
I would love to win! We are on a tight budget (just like everyone!) and my husband is on a low carb diet. We like to go to Mcdonald's because we can both get what we want, how we want it!
We love going to the play McDonald's here and my dad takes my kids there at least once a week.
I'd like to win so we could enjoy some fun time at McDonald's with kids
I would love to win because my son has been wanting a Cherry Berry Chiller! This way I could get it for him!
My son has been wanting a Cherry Berry Chiller! This way I could get him one!
I'd like to win because my kids love to go to McDonald's as a treat!
We never eat out, never! It would be fun and free!
No guilt!
I would like to win b/c we will often have Mcdonalds after our soccer games. The kids love it and it is easy on us!
I would like to win, because my family enjoys it every once in a while.
Thanks for the giveaway! =)
Because we love free McDonalds!
My son loves mcdonalds!
I love their coffee!!!!
It is really nice to see McDonald's making some healthier food – because they are one chain you are guaranteed to find, anywhere in the US.
I want to win because I always let my kids go to McDonald's after they get shots and we have flu vaccines coming up!
I believe in everything in moderation, so of course we would love to have a treat from McDonald's. Thanks for the great list of mom approved snacks!! I must say also that I love stopping by for an afternoon coffee to get me through those homework projects too! Moms deserve a treat too!
I'd like to win because we could really use those McD smoothies in this terrible heat wave!!
Janice
m8usi at yahoo dot com
my little grandson just loves mcdonald's…we can have fun taking him out to lunch
I would like to win because I love McDonald's cinnamon rolls.
because my kids love the play area and i love free stuff.
i love Mcds!
I want to win because I would love to use it for trying their breakfast food.
ronaleeduncan{at}aol{dot}com
I would like to win because being a stay-at-home mom means I make no money and anything helps me a great deal! My kids would love the rare treat . Thanks for the chance.
I want to win to treat the kids
I want to win because I want to try the oatmeal. i will take the family for breakfast. thanks
Because I need that banana bread!
i want to win because we go to mcdonald's as a monthly treat!
i want to win bc we love mcdonalds on a night when you just need a fast dinner
While it's normally the kids begging to go to McDonald's, at our house it is my husband. Any time he gets a chance McDonalds is his pick, and I would love to win this for him.
I want to win because I love free McDonalds
I want to try that Lemon Blueberry bread and being able to do so for free would be great!
I would like to win because my kids love McDonalds.
I would love to win because I love McDonald's food and this would be perfect for when I need to grab a quick dinner.
I love their iced coffee
This would be perfect to keep on-hand for travelling! McDonald's is the perfect quick-stop.
I had no clue that McDonald’s had these fresh baked goods.
I would love to have a McDonald's dinner night.
I want to win because my girls love their chicken nugget happy meals!!! (an my Fiance loves his milkshakes!!)
i have an hour commute home and often have to get food on the way or not eat dinner until 7 or 8pm
I would like to win because I like to eat breakfast at McDonalds.
I think Mickey D's is really delicious. They have a lot of options.
I want to win because I would love to try out their smoothies and baked goods!
I want to win to take my kids for a treat.I home school all 4 and we go out a lot to get some hands on learning.I think after a day of learning that this would be a really unexpected,cool treat for them.
Before we start any trip out of town we always stop to grab McDonald's breakfast. =)
So I can take my grands there to eat & play
We rarely go to fast foods, if I won it would be a treat for the grandkids.
my family loves mcdonalds every now and then so this would be very useful to have
To save me money.
i just really love mcdonalds and am on a major budget right now.
dani marie
ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com
i want to win to get yogurt parfaits
I'd like to win because I've been wanting to try the oatmeal and parfaits.
I want to win because my grandsons love McDonalds!
I want to win because I love their oatmeal!
ajoy1332 at yahoo dot com
I'd love to win, then I could take my family out to McDonalds!
I would love to win becausemI love their coffee!
I'd liked to win because my daughter loves chicken McNuggets
abfantom at yahoo dot com
I want to win so I can take the grandkids and check out their new menu items
I love McDonalds Egg McMuffins!
My kids like McDonald's.
I really like McDonalds breakfast. Egg McMuffin is my fave!
My kids love to eat at McDonalds and we can get alot of food with this.
I want to win so that I can take my granddaughter out to lunch!
My family loves McDonalds and I am there all the time this would really help
I want to win so I can try some of their new products – haven't been to McD's in a while.
I want to win because I love McDonald's new healthy choices.
I'd love to win because my family loves McDonald's as a weekly treat and this would be enough to cover our whole meal!
Eating out is a rarity, but the youngest now has two jobs and sometimes has to pick something up between them since she can't make it home or stop somewhere and have a sit down meal.
I'd like to win because it'll probably be my first time actually eating McDonalds food in about 10 years
I'm a caregiver to an elderly woman who loves McDonald's. I'd like to be able to take her there for special treats every now and then. Thanks.
i would love to win because my family and i love mcdonalds!
I want to win so I can have lots of Fish Filets
We love getting breakfast there! They have healthier options and are more economic
This would be a great treat for my daughter and niece!
I'd love to grab an egg mcmuffin for breakfast – for free!
I'd like to win because we love love Mcdonalds
Would love to have the gc for the snack-time hunger blues!!
I would love to win because i only get take out a few times a year and this would add a few extra times.
We love McDonalds, this would go a long way with the dollar menu! Thanks for the chance!
Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com
I did not know about the baked goods, I love this post, thanks!
I want to win to take the kids to McD's for a treat.
because we have a mcd right across the street in walking distance and itd be nice to pay for someones food behind me
I'd love to win to treat my family to a meal at McDonalds. My kids love the chicken nuggets.
Thanks so much.
So I can use this for a couple weeks for work lunches.
lyndsey.rullman at hotmail dot com
I want to win because I love McDs for breakfast.
I would like to win because McDonald's does provide some healthy eating options.
I want to win because when we are on the go Mickey D's is quick and easy and now they do have healthy choice for myself and the kids.
I love their wild berry smoothies I could have one every day~
I want to win this for my grandkids, they love to go there
because i love mcdonalds…lol
I attended 2 McDonald's events earlier this year and know that there are healthy options there, plus you can ask for substitutions if you like, so I want to win so I can go and get some smoothies!
I like to indulge on a McDonalds breakfast once or twice a month so this would come in handy.
Going out to eat is a very big treat for us. Since I am a SAHM who homeschools. And if I won, the girls and I would be able to walk (we are a one care family and my husband takes the car to work) to our closest McDonald's (about eight blocks away) for lunch as a treat when they get done with a milestone in their school work.
The kids love McDonalds
My husband and I like to stop in at McDonald's to grab a breakfast or coffee sometimes. We're often on the road. Thanks for the chance to win!
I love mcdonalds food
My daughter works long hours and often only has a chance to grab something quick at McDonald's.
I could use a night off from cooking and my kids would be thrilled if their alternate dinner choice was McDonald's!
I'd love to win because, to be completely honest, I've never tried their oatmeal or really any of their healthy food options. I've been so skeptical! However, I think it's time I try it. I LOVE oatmeal…and I think it's worth a shot to finally try it!
I'd like to win for some fries
cuz we love McD's.
want to win because the kids love McD
ardy22 at earthlink dot net
My husband loves McDonald's I would like to win for him. Thanks
I just really love Mcd's food
I go to McDonalds almost every other day. (I'm not overweight, so it;s okay)
I love grabbing a quick breakfast from Mcdonalds.
I'd love to win this!
id love to win this for my hubby he stops at mcdonalds all the time
I'd like to win as I love Filet O Fish on a Friday night. That and I'd like to share the prize with my family.
Hope to win!
I want to win because my kids love McDonalds.
kelleyc76(at)live(dot)com
I love the McCafe beverages for treats sometimes.
I want to try the blueberry bread and I like the fruit shakes.
Thanks for the contest.
I love mcdonalds!
I WOULD LIKE TO WIN BECAUSE MY BOYFRIEND WOULD LOVE THIS..WE DON'T EAT MUCH SO IT WOULD BE A TREAT
i would love to win because we love to have some mc donalds from time to time
susansmoaks at gmail dot com
I pick up my four grandchildren from school on the days we have them and this would be a great after school surprise for them.
Thanks!
we have a weekly mcdonalds day on our busy day so this would be great to have! It'll pay for 2 trips of our tuesday dinner!
I want to win because I like to eat out and I like McDonald's
i like the coffee's
I want to win because I like McDonalds
I'd love to take my grandsons there as an after school treat.
We are always at Mcdonalds!
I want to win to treat myself
I want to win to have a family dinner out=)
Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net
I would live to treat my granddaughter.
So I can treat family for a change.
McDonald's does have some good picks for a discerning parent and i agree on your choices. The Gift certif would be a budgethelper. So I do want to win.
I want to win so I can take my grandson to McDonalds
i want to win to take the family out for a Mcdonald's picnic at the park
I'd love to share this with My Nieces and Nephews!
It would be a great quick & EASY dinner on a busy school night. We only go to McDonalds once in a awhile, so my kids would be THRILLED!
I want to win as my grandchildren love McDonalds-this would be a great treat for them!
I want to win because I love their chicken mcnuggets. Thanks for this giveaway!
I love McDonald's
vmkids3 at msn dot com
I want to win as I love taking my kids to McDonalds on the weekend.
I would love to try some of the new bakery items.
My kids love their mcflurries and I love their smoothies.
I don't normally eat Mcdonald's but the smoothie looks good.
i want to win so that i can share it with my mom and buy her the banana bread and the lemon blueberry bread for me, as well as lunch, too
My kids LOVE McDonalds, but we go as a treat…this would be a nice surprise for them since we go only on occasion!
I haven't been in McD's in like FOREVER!! My husband will NOT go there, it always messes up his stomach… but if I win a certificate, me and my kids will make a special trip!!
I love their morning cup of coffee!!! Best Coffee EVER!
I want to win this because I like McD's breakfast menu.
I would like to try the breakfast.
my kids love mcdonalds
I want to win because my nephew loves McDonalds.
jcarrturq5@yahoo.com
I want to win because sometimes there's no time to cook at home and this would help a lot.
I would like to win because we have McDonald's as an occasional treat and it would be nice to have a giftcard to use the next time
Because we like to go to mcdonalds once a week for a special treat so this would be nice to get and use!
I want to win because I love McDonalds.
Thanks for the giveaway…we make a trip to McD's with the kids about once a month for the Happy Meals or McNuggets !
I would love to win beacause it's my son's favorite fastfood.
so we can go out for a meail together
I love McD and would like the banana bread
I’d love to win because I love McDonald’s frozen frappes
I have 3 children and we LOVE McDonalds! We sometimes stop for a drink or parfait or ice cream when we are out at a school function – there is one nearby. This would help us have a dinner out! =)
I want to win because I want to treat the kids to some delicious treats at McDonalds.
I want to win because my kids love McDonalds and we are frequent visitors because it's the only drive thru between my house and where my kids dance most week nights.
I'd love to have a gift card to McDonald's especially since I rarely get to go.
I have 3 kids that love McDonald's and this would be a great treat for them
I love the apple pies there! I would love to get them more often with this!
tguntermann_15@hotmail.com