CLOSED: Went Hungry, Left Happy.... IHOP (+ 25$ GC Giveaway)

* Click here to view the name(s) of the winner(s)*

When anyone would mention IHOP in the past, the first image that would formulate in my mind would be that of a stack of delicious pancakes!

(Did you know that IHOP actually stands for "International House Of Pancakes")



Sure, in 1958, that's how it all began....with pancakes. But since then that simple pancake shop has grown to become a popular breakfast, lunch and dinner haunt for many.
(And yes you CAN order pancakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner!)


The Buzz:

In synch with the growing health awareness in the restaurant industry, IHOP's menu has now integrated over 30 SIMPLE & FIT lower calorie menu options at under 600 calories an item.

Moms, you will be thrilled to know that the Just for Kids section of the menu (for guests ages 12 and under) is under the SIMPLE & FIT banner.
So you can order fresh fruit for your kids, instead of french fries.



To boost health awareness, IHOP has partnered with the USDA’s Food Guide Pyramid to feature the well-known logo (www.mypyramid.gov) along with nutrition tips on Just for Kids placemats, to encourage young guests to learn more about eating well, being active and living healthy.



The IHOP menu also offers a number of tips on how to enjoy lower calorie versions of IHOP classics.

Take this menu excerpt, for example-
SIMPLE & FIT Whole Wheat French Toast Combo: Two slices of whole wheat French toast topped with fresh slices of banana. Served with scrambled egg substitute and two strips of turkey bacon. 490 calories.

SIMPLE & FIT tips found throughout the menu include holding the butter or whipped topping, using sugar-free syrup, requesting an egg substitute, substituting turkey bacon, using a sugar substitute in coffee and teas, asking for 2 percent milk in coffee instead of creamer, holding the cheese or requesting less, asking for reduced-fat salad dressing, holding the croutons on salads, requesting dressings and sauces on the side, choosing steamed broccoli, holding the bread on dinner entrees, asking for a bun-less burger and choosing diet soft drinks.

That sure is a big step to staying healthy....but does the food taste good?

Read on!....


E.B. Mommy's Report:

I ordered the SIMPLE & FIT Simply Chicken Sandwich and was a little concerned it would be too dry for my liking.


A tender, grilled chicken breast on a toasted Romano-Parmesan bun with lettuce and fresh tomato served with a side of fresh fruit. 470 calories.

One bite into my sandwich and I smiled....my tummy smiled....it was delicious. The chicken was juicy and seasoned just right.



My bowl of fruit followed and the selection of naturally sweet fruit was perfect.
Oh yes my meal was wholesome ....a "healthy" winner!

Hubby picked one of IHOP's new additions, the Philly Cheese Steak Stacker.


Grilled Ribeye steak and onions topped with melted American cheese on a grilled roll.

For a meat lover this solid, stacked, rich sandwich is the one! It doesn't come with any "healthy" frills but Hubby gave it his "delicious" stamp of approval.

And my little pancake lover just had to have something pancake based even though we were having lunch. She picked the Cheese Omelette but requested a serving of fries instead of the fruit.


Made with a splash of buttermilk and wheat pancake batter for extra fluffiness and filled with cheese. Served with fresh fruit. 520 Calories

We agreed as we're not big on "fast food" at home, so french fries and other "greasy goods" are generally an exception when we do go out for that occasional meal.



This was our first "non breakfast" meal at IHOP and considering the outcome of the meal was three satisfied tummies, I know this is now on top of our list for restaurant picks.

Great food and definitely worth the price paid.
(All three meals fell within our 25$ budget)

Oh yes....we went in hungry and left happy!


Win it:

One reader will have the opportunity to win a 25 US$ IHOP Gift Card


Here's how you can win it:

1. Mandatory entry (without this, all other entries will be disqualified)-

Tell me what you would order off the IHOP menu, if you win this Gift Card.


2. Love on the Sponsor-

- Like IHOP on Facebook

- Follow me on Twitter and tweet once daily...

RT @ebmommy #Win a 25$ IHOP Gift Card at EBMR's Simple and Fit, Healthy Giveaway http://bit.ly/dTSjpz (2/26) #restaurant #pancakes #food


3. Seven additional entries: (1 entry each)-

- Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect

- "Like" me on Facebook.

- Follow me on Networked Blogs

- Follow my feed via RSS

- Subscribe via email to receive EBMR's blog updates

-Snag my Blog button

-Blog about this giveaway (leave a comment with a link to your blog post)


* Please ensure your Blogger Profile holds your email address. If it's set to private or your email address does not show, please add the same in your comments*


This giveaway is open to US Residents only, 18 years and above. 1 winner will be chosen with the random.org generator on Feb 26, 2011 at 10 pm Central time.





** EBMR Disclaimer: IHOP sent me a gift card for review purposes only. This post has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.**

Labels: Dining, E.B. Mommy Dines, healthy food., IHOP, More giveaways, Pancakes, Reviews / Giveaways

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 3:57 PM 767 Comments

CLOSED: Vitalicious...Healthy Baked Muffins and Brownies (+BTS Giveaway #6)

This post is a 'Back To School 2010 Carnival' feature on Energizer Bunny's Mommy Reports.
The Carnival runs from August 15-August 28 2010. For a list of all the live giveaways visit 'The BTS 2010 Stop!'

* Click here to view the name(s) of the winner(s)*

Bunny girl goes to a day school where she is required to carry a 'healthy snack' and a 'healthy lunch'. Most days the snack and lunch gets packed without any issues but there are those odd days when she just can't understand why her teacher won't really be too happy about her carrying a nice big chunky chocolate chip cookie for a snack or even a rich chocolate muffin.
I'm so glad I've now discovered Vitalicious as my little 'lover of baked goodies' can now carry a 'healthy muffin' to school!

((HEALTHY MUFFIN????!!!))
I know, I can hear you scream that out but it's true!
Vitalicious bakes low fat, high fiber, whole grain, trans fat free, low sodium, no cholesterol muffins and brownies that are fortified with essential vitamins and minerals. (And each serving in a pack contains only 100 calories!)

If you aren't sure what to pick from the Vitalicious store, buy a Super Sampler Pack to taste all the muffins and brownies they make.

The Pack holds
4 Low Fat Deep & Velvety VitaBrownies
2 Low Fat Chocolate Mint VitaTops
2 Low Fat Banana Nut VitaTops
2 Low Fat Triple Chocolate Chunk VitaTops
2 Low Fat Deep Chocolate VitaTops
2 Low Fat Fudgy Peanut Butter Chip VitaTops
2 Low Fat Golden Corn VitaTops
2 Low Fat CranBran VitaTops
2 Low Fat Apple Crumb VitaTops
2 Low Fat RaisinBran VitaTops and
2 Low Fat BlueBran VitaTops

Since these are made without any preservatives, you're required to freeze the pack and thaw out (leave it out to thaw or microwave the same) individual packs as needed especially if you plan to savor them over a few weeks.


Our family had certain preferences. My sister and I preferred the velvety brownies while Hubby preferred the apple crumb and the banana nut muffins.
Now I have to add that you shouldn't think that these will taste exactly like the ones Mommy bakes. They do taste good but have a more fibrous textured feel as you chew but remember.... your biggest motivation is that you know every bite is a healthy bite!

What about Bunny girl?
Ah.....kids are smart! Bunny girl knows these are 'healthy muffins' as they taste 'different' and a little 'fibrous' but I'm sure it won't be long before those Triple Chocolate Chunk VitaTops make their way into her snack box!


Buy it:

You can buy a Vitalicious Super Sampler Pack for 35.99 US$


Win it:

One reader will have the opportunity to win a Vitalicious Super Sampler Pack


Here's how you can win it:

1. Mandatory entry (without this, all other entries will be disqualified)-

Visit the Vitalicious store and tell me which healthy baked snack you'd love to try.


2. Love on the Sponsor-

- Follow me on Twitter and tweet once daily...

RT @ebmommy Win Vitalicious.Healthy Baked Muffins and Browniesat EBMR's(9/4)http://bit.ly/dc59Q4 #giveaway #win #bts #school #healthy


3. Four additional entries: (1 entry each)-

- Snag the Back To School Carnival button and leave the link to your site on which the same has been displayed.

-Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect, RSS feeds, email updates

- Fan me on Facebook.

-Snag my Blog button

-Blog about this giveaway (leave a comment with a link to your blog post)


* Please ensure your Blogger Profile holds your email address. If it's set to private or your email address does not show, please add the same in your comments*


This giveaway is open to US Residents only, 18 years and above. 1 winner will be chosen with the random.org generator on September 4 2010 at 10 pm Central time.





** EBMR Disclaimer: Vitalicious sent us the featured product for review purposes only. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.**

Labels: Back to School Carnival 2010, brownies, healthy food., More giveaways, muffins, Reviews / Giveaways

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 3:29 PM 138 Comments