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Being a blogger, different endorsement opportunities arise. Social media, including blogging, has become a great way for retailers and products alike to advertise. Research has shown that people are more likely to purchase a product or visit a retailer if it comes from a trusted source. With more and more people reading blogs they begin to form a trust and bond with the blogger. Brands are jumping at the opportunity to get their products into the hand of bloggers in order to share their message and brand to their readers and spread it virally via their social networks. It’s an easy way to spread their message to the masses quickly and cost efficiently.
To the blogger it becomes very important to blog with integrity.
I have been approached by many retailers offering free products in exchange for a blog post. Unfortunately, I have had to turn a lot of these offers down because they don’t align with the mission of my blog. I will not endorse processed foods or deals at fast food industries loaded with preservative and man made ingredients.
At the end of last year I was approached by Panera Bread to participate in a 3 month paid position to write about the importance of bread baking in my household including some visits to their bakery.
I had to stop and think about this for a minute. Yes, I am quite aware that not everything in the menu at Panera Bread is 100% organic or sustainable. At the same time, do I currently visit Panera Bread with my family when we’re on the go? Do they take care in using the freshest ingredients often time organic? The answer is, Yes.
When it comes to my readership I am always very transparent with the food choices my family makes outside of our home. We eat most of our meals at home made from scratch, however, there are definitely times that I am out and about and need somewhere quick to stop and eat with my children. There are only a few places my family will eat out at and Panera Bread has always been one of them.
With home-baked bread, soups, salads and sandwiches made with fresh ingredients, it’s a no brainer for me that it’s the best choice that I can make for my kids and myself on the go. I know right away that my kids can get a freshly made pb&j or mac and cheese with an organic yogurt and I can order a half salad and soup in the winter or a sandwich in the summer. The best thing is that my kids love it!
For my first post for Panera Bread, I was able to take my kids to a special lunch. I bundled up my cuties and we headed out.
I was excited to be able to try the new Thai Chopped Chicken Salad.
A robust flavor with a classic Thai spiciness. It had lemongrass, red chili, toasted sesame oil, kefir lime, a thai peanut sauce all topped with roasted edamame and Thai cashews. Yeah… yumm!!
The kids opted for freshly made mac and cheese which comes with an organic yogurt. One thing I do a little bit differently at Panera is that I order them a milk poured from the gallons they use for their coffee’s. Generally, people buy the boxed horizon organic milk in a carton for their kids. however, there are quite a few ingredients in it and it’s ultra pasteurized. I skip that and opt for the local Anderson Erickson gallon milk which I know is Rbst free.
Nehe Loves Mac and Cheese! So great that it’s freshly made and not the boxed kind 😉
His special treat!
You can even have fun at Panera!
For me and my family, when we’re on the go, Panera Bread is the perfect place to eat healthy food that tastes amazing!
Great post Diana! I agree, Panera is a good place to stop when on the go – I wish we had one near us in Vermont!
Great piece!! I totally agree with you about integrity, and Panera is one of the few “fast food” places that really takes care of its quality.
We just really don’t eat out much at all. But Panera is one of the options that we like having available for the rare occasion when we might. (I’m partial to their cobb salad – which they are nice enough to sub turkey for the chicken I’m allergic to.)
The only other place that is “fast food-ish” that I’ll go is Chipotle. Being that bread, tortilla, and most meat just don’t work for me since I lost my stomach last year, I love that I can get the Vegetarian Bowl there with all sorts of fabulous stuff and still get a decent protein punch.
I’m going to have to check out Chipotle. I have heard great things about them. Thanks Dina, Un besote!!
very cool! glad to know you and Jenn also eat there occasionally (or at least Jenn has when she was in FL!). when people ask me where i eat when i’m out, the list is pretty short, but i do like the food at Panera when i don’t have any leftovers to bring to work for lunch. it’s an indulgence that i don’t have to feel too guilty about. i just wish they would give me their Blondies recipe since they stopped making it. 🙁 i emailed them, but they said no. bummer.
I absolutely LOVE Panera, and will choose that over most other options all the time. And as a mom, like you, I love that my little guy digs into their mac and cheese and yogurt like it’s the latest french fry:)
Isn’t it great Ally! I love that I can take my kids and they love it!
Diana,
I love Panera Bread!! Like you, our family rarely eats out. I love to cook & feel we are getting not only the best quality food at home, but also the best value for our dollar.
My lure at first with Panera was their free WiFi…not that I get out much alone with my laptop, but it was a great place to meet other mom friends for a place to chat, have coffee or tea, etc. I love that is comfy & bright and doesn’t feel like a fast food place. I love that they offer free WiFi, a place to hang and chat with a friend. Then I discovered that they use the free range organic chicken and other organics when possible. That sealed the deal for me!!
I was so excited to see that you did a review on Panera Bread!! It’s nice to know that like-minded friends visit/approve of choices you make also. Just last week I was able to visit Panera for the first time in awhile. My girls were at Awana…and I brought my laptop & treated myself to dinner and blogging. Fun!!
Denise, yes!! When I worked outside of the home, I set up a lot of my meetings at Panera. Free wifi and great coffee… um, yeah! Now, it’s so much fun to meet up with a friend over lunch and coffee there as well. Great all around place 😀
How lucky are you?! I’ve been bugging Panera forever to advertise on my site but they keep blowing me off! I love their food too, and agree with Gina above, only there and Chipotle for us if we’re out and about. (Sometimes Subway if we pick just certain things.)
I’m nowhere close to a vegetarian, but my fav at Panera is their Mediterranean Veggie sandwich.
Kelly
Kelly, thanks for stopping by!! You know, I’ve never been to Chipotle but I’ve heard great things. We have one in town so I’m going to have to check it out 😉 Like you, the Mediterranean Veggie is my favorite!! Great minds think alike 😉 Huge hugs!!
Could you guys be any cuter ; ) I think NO!I wish our Panera was closer to my house. This year we’re making a HUGE effort to avoid drive thru places when out and about {well except for the dry cleaners but LOL} so Panera would be a nice option! xoxo
Thanks for visiting sweet Paula!! Man… I’ve seen huge changes out of you lady… gardening, CSA, aah… I want to meet you in REAL life!! Un abrazote!! MWAH!
I live in Canada about 3 miles from a border crossing. I used to work in different places in Detroit. I loved to treat myself to Panera’s when there was one nearby. I was in ecstasy with a cheese focaccia. I would not be able to eat that now unless they are making one with whole grains.
I also love Panera Bread. Everything there is so good… and so good for you. Plus they ALL have the best fresh-brewed iced tea. No matter where we go I know I can get a great iced tea (iced tea snob here). Of course, I have to steer clear of the Cobblestone pastry…
Your kids are absolutely adorable. The oldest one has such long, gorgeous eye lashes; you could sweep the floor with them!