Kellogg’s Love UR Cereal: Things I Love (More Now) Thursday
It is no mystery that this has been an insanely busy month for me. So you can understand why I am running behind in telling you about my wonderful trip to Battle Creek, Michigan to visit the Kellogg’s Headquarters.
Part of the reason that I haven’t written this post is that I feel like there is so much to share with you. Both in my experiences and things I learned. I will try to keep it brief and not overwhelm you.
Let me start by saying, that I haven’t been on a whole lot of blogging trips, this was only my second in fact. However, I have met and dealt with many PR companies and brands. And it doesn’t take long to tell who is “for real” and who is putting on a good show for their audience. So when I tell you that Kellogg’s passionately cares about you, their consumer, their product and their mission to provide a nutritious breakfast choice for your family; it is nothing but the truth.
I know this because I saw this passion before I ever stepped foot in Battle Creek, Michigan. In fact, I was in the Detroit airport waiting on my connecting flight to Kalamazoo when I noticed another woman traveling that seemed to also be a blogger (don’t ask me how I could tell- he he he). I asked her about her trip to Kalamazoo and quickly learned I was right. We struck up a conversation. However, I noticed two women sitting nearby that seemed intrigued and excited about our conversation. I figured they must be mom bloggers too. I was wrong.
It turns out they were both Kellogg’s employees returning home after personal trips. They proceeded to engage us in conversation, share their love for their company and wish us the best on our trip. These were not paid trip coordinators.
Later that evening we had dinner at the Kellogg’s Manor home with staff that were prepared for our visit. I was immediately struck with their inter-office bantering and good-hearted cheer. After spending several hours watching them, I wanted to be employed by them, with them. They were having so much fun that I could tell that this wasn’t a show, this was how they interacted each and every day. It seemed very much like a family. And if you ask me, you can’t fabricate that kind of atmosphere. It has to be genuine.
The next day, as we descended upon the headquarters in Battle Creek we were greeted by the widest assortment of cartoon creatures this side of Disney World! It was awesome! Again, the love was emanating. And the energy was high. And thus it continued throughout the rest of the day with whomever I encountered. I was impressed.
So that is a lot of words to tell you how caring and compassionate that Kellogg’s is about what it does and the product that they produce. But I think it is an important foundation for the rest of my experiences. Because again, the foundation of a company really shows in their products and innovations.
Now, back a few weeks ago I ran into a little backlash about my post on breakfast cereal and my pro-pension for it and my willingness to also feed it to my children. Again, I feel a need to always be transparent and open with you. And for the record this is my philosophy behind breakfast and our current war on cereal:
- I like many moms out there have hectic mornings. I am fortunate to not have to head to work after getting my kids ready for school or off to the sitters. Sometimes there is a need a for quick and easy breakfasts. After all, that is why we have breakfasts on the Once A Month Mom menus.
- I strongly believe that working and busy moms DO NOT need another guilt trip about what they feed their kids in the morning for breakfast. There are so many things that make us moms feel like colassal failures. Giving my child Rice Krispies for breakfast should not be one of them. Great if you don’t, I applaud your efforts and choices, we are just not there. And I believe my kids (and probably many others out there) are doing good just to get breakfast in the morning!
- I think breakfast is an important meal. An important meal that I normally miss; unless it happens to be a bowl of cereal. It is just the easiest and simplest option. I am not a huge fan of breakfast choices anyway.
- Like me, most of my readers don’t have time to make breakfast a battle ground about food. Giving your children choices or options of healthy breakfasts in my book can most certainly include cereal.
- I hear your cries about processed foods, high fructose, corn syrup and other additives and preservatives in cereal. So does companies like Kellogg’s. They care, they really do. It just takes time to turn a train around. But they, like all of you, are trying hard to do just that.
- Regardless of your love or aversion for cereal, it is a good source of your daily grain intake and is fortified with tons of vitamins and minerals. It is also NOT the leading source of sugar in your child’s diet. It is only 5% in actuality (this is research done by independent universities NOT at Kellogg’s).
Okay, off my soap box now. I suppose I will have to save some of my best learned things and favorite moments for another day. If you are already a lover of Kellogg’s cereal (or other products) you are investing in a company that truly cares for you, their customers. And they are working every day to make sure that your needs are met with new resources and foods. If you aren’t a lover of Kellogg’s, know that they are passionate about what they do and would be open to engaging you in conversation. But beware, they are a passionate and lively bunch, they just might win you over with their enthusiasm!
This post is linked at Things I Love Thursday at Diaper Diaries.
Disclosure: Kellogg’s provided my travel expenses and incidentals as part of this trip. All the opinions in this post are mine, want to know more about how I facilitate reviews, view my full disclosure policy!
I like having a variety of breakfast options on hand and cereal is one of them. Growing up, I only recall having cold or hot cereal before school. The weekends were reserved for a hot meal like eggs, bacon, pancakes, muffins, coffeecake, etc.
Now that I’m the parent I see why the more time consuming foods were only eaten on the weekends. But with the help of my freezer and OAMM, I don’t have to wait until Saturday to serve homemade waffles (our favorite breakfast food). I just cook up a big batch and they’re waiting for me when my family wants them. On the other hand, if they want cereal, then I’m fine with serving one bowl (no refills) with something more filling like fruit.
I have no problems with cereals, even though I tend not to get the high sugar kids cereals. (I don’t think rice krispies is that high sugar, but I have never been an eater of it, my dad is.) Cereals can have a lot of vitamins, fiber, etc. My concern for myself, as a calorie watcher, is how much I eat. So I always have my cereal with a banana and limit the amount of cereal at breakfast. My attitude is not to put a food on a do not eat list, it is to limit how much you eat of it.
Sounds like you had a great time in my home town. I was born at Kelloggs Hospital in Battle Creek. I was raised on cereal and so are my kiddos. I guess one of these days we will have to take a field trip.
Very interesting! So, I have to ask. Do they serve Kellogg’s cereal at the hospital for breakfast?