Gettin’ my Rolo McFlurry on & other fun stuff

If you’ve visited before, you know I’m a fan of McDonald’s—and not just because they have THE BEST Diet Coke on tap. I’ve talked about their fab new Happy Meals with the smaller serving of fries and no-longer-optional apple slices. I’ve also raved about the new Cherry Berry Chiller and Blueberry Banana Nut Oatmeal.

Have you tried them yet? If not, you should. They’re delicious and delicious is good.

Well, today I’m here to tell you about my new McDonald’s love…the Rolo McFlurry. That’s right. Rolos. And reduced-fat soft serve vanilla ice cream. With caramel. All swirled together.

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It’s caramel heavenly goodness in a cup. With a spoon.

I had my first taste while visiting the McDonald’s suite at EVO’12 in Park City, Utah, and then I may have had a few more tastes throughout the 3-day social media conference. What can I say? I’m a sucker when it comes to Rolos. And ice cream. And caramel.

Let’s be honest. I’m a sucker for dessert in general.

Of course I don’t eat dessert ALL day long even if my tweets make you think I do. And on the rare occasion I’m in the mood for something healthy, I’m a huge fan of McDonald’s Fruit & Walnut Salad and Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait.

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How’s that for an awesome segue from Rolo McFlurry to apple slices?

No, really. I’ve been indulging (yes, indulging) in these perfectly healthy snacks long before they were dishing them out at EVO’12. The Fruit & Walnut Salad has just over 200 calories—and we’re talking candied walnuts, people— while the Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait weighs in at only 150 calories including the granola.

One of my most favorite on-the-go breakfasts, which McDonald’s sampled during the conference, is their oatmeal (I prefer the Fruit & Maple Oatmeal but both are tasty) with a side of parfait. If I’m having breakfast about 11am, then I throw in a Diet Coke…or a McDiet Coke as Steph likes to call it.

That’s 440 calories (less when you leave out the fruit like I do—I can only handle being so healthy) and about $3 for a pretty decent and pretty filling breakfast.

And just look at the effect hot oatmeal for breakfast had on EVO’12 attendees like Sunny:

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Beats the 3-pound burrito my husband often picks up elsewhere. I can guarantee he’s not smiling.

Believe it or not, McDonald’s has quite a few mix-and-match meals at less than 600 calories a piece. Check it out:
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Breakfast @ 400 calories Fruit & Maple Oatmeal 1% Low-fat milk jug Premium roast coffee (sub Diet Coke for even fewer calories!)	Lunch or Dinner @ 540 calories Southwest Salad with grilled chicken and dressing Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait Diet Coke (yes!)
Lunch or Dinner @ 370 calories Premium Grilled Chicken Classic Sandwich Apple Slices Dasani water	Lunch or Dinner @ 440 calories Happy Meal! 4-piece Chicken McNuggets Apple Slices Kids fries Fat-free chocolate milk jug

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Then again, you could eat a Big Mac and medium fries once in a while like I do (post triathlon is a great time) and get your daily allowance of calories in one meal.

Good thing the large calorie-free Diet Coke, including at least two refills, cancels out all those calories. At least in my world it does.

The McDonald’s suite at EVO/12 introduced me to something else yummy, the McDonald’s Family Arches. Crazy how I’d never heard of the Family Arches program even with all my McD’s interaction. Here’s a snippet about the new community:

… The McDonald’s Family Arches Community will be a new social networking destination to connect influential parents and caregivers to fun, informative and important dialogue around family, food & wellness.

I was intrigued and went online to find out more. And then I registered…because being a member means I have the chance to:

• Connect with trendsetters, creative thinkers and other influential parents from around the country.
• Access exclusive information such as recipes from the McD’s Executive Chef and dietary insights from their Chief Nutritionist.
• Publish my own commentary, content and posts.
• Receive cool swag from free food to VIP invites for exclusive events.

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There are some interesting discussions going on in the Family Arches Community like thoughts on quality family time, nutrition for moms on the go and balancing wellness in family life.

It’s like sitting around chatting with your girlfriends about life (while eating yummy treats, of course)…

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…but online. Cool, right?

My friend Lindsey is now a Family Arches member and look how happy she is.

Wait, maybe she’s happy because she’s just met Ronald McDonald in real life. Hmm…

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P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for free is this REALLY my life? updates via RSS or email.

Disclosure: McDonald’s sponsored part of my visit to EVO’12 in exchange for helping with their suite. Of course, it’s not hard to get attendees to visit when you’re serving Rolo McFlurries, real fruit smoothies and hot oatmeal. (The oatmeal was a hit with those who slept in and missed breakfast.)
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