Some mornings we hurry and get dressed to go to appointments, some days we hurry out to play dates with friends at the park or the splash pad. Some days we stay in jammies and play inside and wreck the house. On the days we head out, I grab something to eat, or throw a quick something in a bag for the toddler, cause we need… something.
And then there are the days when he asks me to make him breakfast. And I actually do. It doesn’t happen all the time, I’m quite ashamed to say. Why am I ashamed? Well because my mom is from a generation of make-3-full-meals-daily for your kids! In high school, I would be curling my hair while we crafted a why-my-daughter-is-late note together, and my mom would be holding a hot breakfast burrito near my mouth to be sure that I had a warm and protein-ish start to my day. In fact, when I was at my mom’s last, we woke up to the smell of freshly made wheat waffles. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: my mom rocks. It’s true, there is nothing like breakfast from a real baker!So the morning we left for AZ, I packed up my two, and called a girlfriend who I thought might need a fresh start too, and we all went to Panera for breakfast. To be honest, I’ve never had breakfast there, so I was excited to try it. I knew they used fresh bread, real eggs, and quite frankly, I’d seen enough ads on hulu not to run in and say, “I give!”
We got bagels and a four cheese egg soufflé to share. I can’t believe I hadn’t tried one before! The soufflé was perfect. Warm egg with cheese, wrapped in buttery French croissant bread, just a hint of salt. I am craving it now just talking about it.
The staff was so nice. I told her I hadn’t done breakfast before and she told me to try the soufflé because they are so unique. So glad I did, or I never would have. I’m sure I would have picked one of the yummy-looking sandwiches and been equally satisfied, but it was fun to try something new.
Note: we come to Panera a lot. I could name all the paninis and soup flavors in less than 10 seconds. The creamy tomato soup and chipotle chicken Panini get me every time. And we all end up stealing the kid’s mac n cheese no matter what.
We had a lovely brunch with our toddlers and thought, “we should totally do this more often! It felt like a vacation, or like being at home with my mom making me real breakfast. Relaxed, like in a 50’s sitcom. Somewhere close by was a dad in black n white reading the Times, and a mom in heels and pearls pulling bread outta the oven. I’m certain of it.
So, something fun: Panera has a huge promotion/giveaway going on right now for myPanera members {just set up an account}…
It’s called The Panera Breakfast BackstoryChallenge. It allows you to learn about Panera’s passion for baking and earn chances to win cool stuff! After you complete three badges, you’re entered to win the grand prize: an all-inclusive culinary experience trip to NYC for two. I would DIE to do that with my main man. He would love it to bits. It’s fun to enter too. Once you sign in, to earn badges you just read a few articles, recipes, or you can watch cool videos like this one that I loved:
And then there are bonus chances to enter too.
Prizes you can win:
· Breville Juice Fountain Elite
· Breville Barista Express Espresso Maker
· KitchenAid Professional Stand Mixer
· Grand Prize – all-inclusive, culinary experience trip to New York City for two!!
And something else pretty cool?
Panera wants you to have $100
to come spends lots of mornings with them too!
To enter to win the $100 Panera giftcard,
just leave a comment below letting me know your favorite way to start the day.
Sweepstakes Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winner will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 11/13/13 – 12/8/13.
Be sure to visit the Panera Bread’s page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!
I love to start the day with a hot cup of flavored coffee!<br /><br />demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
I love to start my day with a healthy breakfast, a Coke (not so healthy) and some reading!
I tweeted the giveaway here: https://twitter.com/seabattle2/status/401038967484579842
I love to start the day with hot tea. That soufflé looks delicious too. 🙂
I like to start the morning with sausage and toast, and every once in a while I like to splurge and have a bagel with cream cheese instead!
My favorite way to start my day is to give my three cats a cat treat, turn on my computer, feed my son's fish, make a cup of coffee, then drink the coffee while checking email. Boring, but it works for me.
I start my day with a strong cup of coffee with milk. It makes my morning every day.
I start my day by feeding my cat Lucyfur she always wakes me up at 6am by knocking my bottle water off my dresser 🙂 so I give her xxoxox and then feed her breakfast. Then I can enjoy my favorite french vanilla coffee 🙂 couldnt get any better!!!
tweet: https://twitter.com/sarahrdunn/status/401043016544043008
Cinnamon Crunch Bagel with a Chai latte=YUMMY MORNING!!
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/_aspectacledowl/status/401043995616608256 (tara2126 at att dot net)
My favorite way to start the day is by waking up my little boy with kisses and asking him if he slept good. Then making him breakfast of whatever he wants, because he is such a picky eater, I like to spoil him on weekends. For myself I like to have some coffee and a bowl of cereal.
Have to start my day with coffee! Would love to have Panera make it for me!<br /><br />allthingsfee@gmail.com
I always start the day with coffee-black, no nonsense! If I have time I love making eggs in a mug to go with it before class.
Coffee and kisses from my son!! Does not get better than that…unless we're going to Panera 😉 Thanks!!
I need coffee to start my day! lol
https://twitter.com/yagermara/status/401046002519379968<br /><br />Tweeted!<br /><br />Thanks!!
I need coffee! I always sneak in some cuddle time with my son too before he bolts to the kitchen for breakfast 🙂
I love some kid cereal like Lucky Charms in the morning. I know, I know, they aren't good for you but I'm ok with that 🙂 Either that or a bagel & cream cheese, like I had this morning (tara2126 at att dot net)
I love to start my day with my Boys waking up happy and all of us going for a yummy breakfast treat at Panera. Their bread is to DIE for. <br />
I start my day with some dunkin coffee! The pumpkin spice flavor is my favortie.
I start my day with coffee and the morning news…and by news I mean The View 🙂
tweeted too:<br />https://twitter.com/GinaBSandoval/status/401046718482882561
I tweeted! <br />https://twitter.com/JessicaMolstad1/status/401045735430295553<br />
I like to start with blueberry muffins and a glass of milk! 🙂
Coffee! And a good book. 🙂
I love to start my day by having breakfast with my family. Often it is cereal and juice, but as long as we are eating together it it perfect for me.
I love to start the day with quiet time aka no kids stirring yet.
I like to start the day reading a good book.
I start my mornings at 4 am. I wake up, get dressed for the gym, make a mug of coffee and then head to the gym for an hour of cardio and and a half hour of strength training. A lot of my friends tell me I'm nuts for going that early but if I'm nuts, I have plenty of other crazy people there with me at that hour and my workout is done for the day 🙂
https://twitter.com/hey_cle/status/401054403525746688
Oh how I love, I mean LOVE Panera Bread! Best place eva 😉 My favorite morning consists of me dropping off my twins at preschool (internally doing a jig, while walking back to my minivan) and heading to my local Panera 😉 I love getting a Cinnamon Crunch bagel and topping it with some butta! Yum, yum 😉
I tweeted ;)<br />https://twitter.com/mamarazzix2/status/401056589831868416
I love to start the day with my girls; 16,10, and 8!
If I had it my way, I would start each day with a cup of perfect coffee, makeup perfectly done and a gorgeous bed head 😉 BUT since this is real life, I manage to start my day hitting snooze (about 6 times) getting washed up/dressed and then sitting on the couch with my kitty playing a game on my phone until it's time to brave the outside world!
i tweeted about this giveaway! i LOVE panera! good luck everyone!<br /><br />https://twitter.com/whmsicalcupcake/status/401059111053185024
COFFEE!!!
I love the start the day with a big cup of coffee!
My Favorite Way To Start The Day Is With A Cup Of Coffee Reading The Newspaper Watching The Sun Rise! hthr83heather at yahoo dot com
I Tweeted: https://twitter.com/reinaheather/status/401061828421115904<br />hthr83heather at yahoo dot com
Waking up and opening up all the blinds while the coffee is brewing. The sound of the birds in the air and sleeping babies in the morning is so peaceful<3
I tweeted about the giveaway. Here is the link: https://twitter.com/mailovesorange/status/401062613762588672
I start the day with a shower and cup of coffee, and 5 minutes to myself before I wake up the kid.
I love to start the day with a workout and a good cup of coffee!
I would love to start the day with breakfast all ready made, but since that won't happen, I just love snugging with my kids before the busy getting ready for school begins.
I like to start the day with a smile from my baby, a "hi mom!" from my toddler, a kids from my husband, and a ginormous omelet for my tummy. 🙂
I like to start my day with a workout and a yummy breakfast!
I like to start my day with a mug of hot coffee with a teaspoon of sugar.
tweeted<br />https://twitter.com/dmarie824/status/401068257513201664
I like all sorts of things for b'fast. I like fried eggs w/ toast (or bagel) & sausage links, an omelet, blueberry oatmeal, or a wide variety of other things as well.
I enjoy starting my day with the morning comics. 🙂
For me there is no good way to start the day Not a morning person.
I love to start the day with a big cup of coffee and a really good breakfast!
I shared! https://twitter.com/Wild4Wednesdays/status/401093193199910912
I love to start my day with a bowl of oatmeal that I share with my 2 baby boys!
I love to start the day with a good cup of tea, a bagel, and some me time
I like to start my day with a cup of coffee<br /><br />elena150980@yahoo.com
I love to start the day with a nice warm shower and a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios!
I love starting my morning with cuddles from my two kids and then we have breakfast together. They are growing up so fast so I love getting moments like those whenever I can.
My favorite way to start the day is with a cup of coffee with 2 tsp raw sugar & a splash or organic cream. Yum! And a breakfast sandwich most mornings too!
If we have the time, we love to cook a big breakfast! Ommlets, potatoes, bacon, toast, etc. the kids love it too!
Oatmeal with craisins and pecans is my addiction lately!
Coffee and a quiet house!
A strong cup of coffee.<br /><br />hewella1 at gmail dot com
When I wake I love to watch a little bit of the local news to see the weather, local goings on and also keep track of the time so I don't sleep in! It wakes me up more than coffee!
My Tweet! https://twitter.com/LauraDances/status/401149244985208832
Love a cup of coffee to start my day!
I like to start the day with fruit and yogurt.<br /><br />mami2jcn at gmail dot com
tweet:<br /><br />https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/401176078753886208
I love a caramel latte in my PJs!
I love to start my day with a cup of coffee, a sharp pencil and my sketchbook.
Tea and a bagel!
I love starting the day with black coffee and scrambled eggs!
I like to start my day with morning cuddles from my four year old followed by breakfast! Such a fun giveaway!
I like to start with coffee and lots of time to wake up slowly, usually in front of the computer catching up on the news and blogs 🙂
I love to start the day with coffee and browsing blogs.
Panera's egg souffle!
My favorite way to start the day is with a super fantastic amazing cup of coffee!!!!
I like breakfast sandwiches with bacon and eggs.
My favorite way to start the day is with a hot cup of tea and a warm scone! I have not done anything special for myself recently but seeing my children enjoy their lives is special enough to make me happy every day.<br />mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com
Tweeted<br />https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/401443968690307072<br />mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com
i love bagels<br /><br />freebiel0ve@yahoo.com
tweet: https://twitter.com/akronugurl/status/401477792727969793 .<br /><br />freebiel0ve@yahoo.com
I love to start my day with a bagel and blueberry cream cheese from Panera Bread, WHEN I actually get the chance!! <3
i love to start the day with coffee and eggs!
Hard boiled egg after the workout, and then Juicing.
I start my day with a work out and then coffee and breakfast food, normally eggs.<br /><br />jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com
I tweeted as well!<br /><br />https://twitter.com/jessrwarfield/status/401530058310811648<br /><br />jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com
My favorite way to start the day is with a healthy breakfast, while listening to music. I have a Panera Bread up the street from me and I love their bagels and cinnamon rolls.<br /><br />s2s2 at Comcast dot net<br />
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/401537237587750914<br /><br />s2s2 at Comcast dot net
My favorite way to start the day involves coffee, always, and of course breakfast because that's my favorite meal.<br /><br />wimbley73@aol.com
I shared this post on Twitter. https://twitter.com/KCatapano/status/401654320585666560<br /><br />wimbley73@aol.com
I love starting the day with a yummy bowl of oatmeal with some cinnamon toast.
I love starting the day with blueberry-flavored coffee!<br />madelinebrubaker {at} gmail [dot] com
Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/401770628702687233<br />madelinebrubaker {at} gmail [dot] com
My favorite way to start the day is with a fresh cup of coffee! :)<br /><br />deeg131 at gmail dot com
tweeted https://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/401789521391386625<br /><br />deeg131 at gmail dot com<br /><br />
I love to start the day with a long workout, followed by a protein smoothie and egg white omelet.
My favorite way to start to day is with peppermint hot tea and watching my favorite spiritual show on t.v.<br />tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com<br />
https://twitter.com/disneyfan40/status/401836066077822976<br />tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com
I start my day by snuggling my baby girl and having coffee<br />oldnavyash@aol.com
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/smash906/status/402262542161956865<br />oldnavyash@aol.com
I like to start my day with a cup of hot coffee, blueberry bagels and Greek yogurt.<br />tcarolinep at gmail dot com
-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/402284231558041601
My favorite way to start the day is catching up on Twitter, Instagram, Emails and Facebook on my ipod
I start the day with oatmeal and a green smoothie!<br /><br />acartwrightmorell at gmail dot com
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/AACMorell/status/402417949597659136<br /><br />acartwrightmorell at gmail dot com
Tweet: https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/402555510160764928<br />onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com
I love snuggling with my son. What better way to start the day then sitting together reading stories?<br />onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com
I love to start my day with coffee so I can deal with my day hah!
A protein-filled breakfast! lanzified@gmail.com
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/purplelanzi/status/402178084800966656<br />lanzified@gmail.com
My favorite way to start the day is making myself a big bowl of warm oatmeal and snuggling with my puppy.
My favorite way to start the day is a kiss from my husband when he's leaving for work and a cup of coffee!
https://twitter.com/myfolly/status/403040613064380416
I love to start the day with a kiss from my husband and a cup of tea 🙂
My favorite way to start the day is a nice cup of coffee with a pastry!!!! thanks for a chance to win! kmassman gmail
Love starting my day with a latte and some sort of pastry – banana bread, bagel, or toast with lots of butter are my fav! or granola
my fave way to start the day is with a hot cup of coffee
a hot coffee and listen to the music<br />tina19820115@gmail.com
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/403368341185650689<br />tina19820115@gmail.com
Starting the day with coffee, a laughing baby, and a happy 3 year old would be perfect.<br /><br />chambanachik at gmail dot com
I love to start the day with a hot chocolate latte!
I start my day with black coffee and email. Love Panera. Thanks.
I tweeted. https://twitter.com/sebh55/status/404810316141588480
I love to start the day looking at my ipod touch catching up on twitter, IG, Facebook and my emails..and Words with Friends 🙂
Love starting the day with a cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream!
I start my day with a cup of coffee and either a bowl of LIFE cereal (my fave) or english muffins with pb on them!<br /><br />pittsy82@hotmail.com
tweeted https://twitter.com/pittsy82/status/405419399454019586<br /><br />pittsy82@hotmail.com
I love to start my day with a mug of coffee and a cozy robe. <br /><br />Thanks for the chance to win!<br />wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/406768616386727936<br /><br />wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
i love to start the day drinking a cup of coffee and reading the newspaper<br /><br />debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com
i posted a tweet: <br /><br />https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/406996085165420545<br /><br />debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com
I like to start my day with a big cup of coffee.<br />MCantu1019 at aol dot com
My favorite way would be going out to breakfast with my husband. We love Panera. 🙂
My favorite way to start the day is enjoying a great breakfast with my family. Panera sounds wonderful…big plus because I don't have to deal with dirty dishes afterwards. 😉 Thanks for sharing the sweepstakes info. keeping my fingers crossed. those are some cool prizes<br /><br />amy [at] utry [dot] it
tweeted:<br />https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/408494384611471360<br /><br />amy [at] utry [dot] it
My favorite way to start the day is with a hug from my kids and a cup of coffee!<br />nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/408793925818662912<br />nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net
My favorite way to start the day is with licks and kisses from my four-legged children and a caffeine fix! <br />lollyb65 {at} gmail {dot} com<br />~Lolly
I love to get up and watch the sun rise. One of my favorite times of day.<br />Angie<br />14earth at gmail dot com
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/408971497156247552<br />Angie <br />14earth at gmail dot com
i check my email with my ipad in the morning while i am still in bed
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/409106908184719360
I love a big hug from my son. jj250@aol.com
I start the day with eggs!!
https://twitter.com/lunaj1456/status/409147973277196288
I start the day with a cup of coffee and then a walk. <br /><br />rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com
I like to sit down at the computer with a cup of coffee and a cat on my lap.
Tweet<br />https://twitter.com/clc408/status/409278622038372353
My favorite way to start the day is with a morning walk in the neighborhood, the newspaper and a good breakfast.
My favorite way to start the day is having breakfast with my husband thanks aunteegem@yahoocom.
I love to start my day with a cup of black coffee. The four cheese egg souffle from Panera is my absolute favorite!
I love starting the day with a huge cup of coffee<br />pokergrl8 at gmail.com
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/409749064322801664<br />pokergrl8 at gmail.com
My favorite way to start the day is with a warm bowl of oatmeal.
tweeted<br />https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/409771149153693696
I like to start the day with coffee and a bagel. <br /><br />rounder9834 @yahoo.com
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/409783736767496192<br /><br />rounder9834 @yahoo.com
My favorite way to start the day is with a hot shower, a hot cup of coffee and a hot breakfast.<br /><br />asotv@aol.com
With a glazed doughnut and cup of coffee<br /><br />tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/409814723002003458<br /><br />tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
my best way to start the day is to give kisses to all my kids and a good cup of coffee with the today show<br />nannypanpan@gmail.com