In my last four #CBias posts, I chronicled my attempts to hunt down Equal Sweetener. Although Tundra Restaurant, Tim Hortons and McDonalds were a bust, I was able to find the sweetener – prominently displayed no less – at Starbucks.

This weekend, we once again visited a local McD’s in the hopes that they’ve since taken consumer’s suggestions into account and stocked Equal Sweetener at the restaurant. After all, I’ve seen requests for Equal popping up all over social media platforms; certainly McDonald’s has caught on as well? Time to see how much old Ronnie has been paying attention.

Instead of partaking in a coffee date, I reached hero status by suggesting the family go to McDonald’s for dinner. Although the restaurant is a hop, skip and jump away, it was dark, bitterly cold and I was toting two young’uns. So yeah, it took us more time to get out the door than to actually drive to the place. #travellingwithkids

We arrived at 6:30pm on a Sunday night. I marveled that the restaurant seemed quite empty for prime dinnertime on a weekend, to which my husband reminded me that everyone was still out holiday shopping. Too true! I didn’t mind, though, because it gave me a chance to relax and enjoy some time with my two favourite dinner dates :)

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In my last three #CBias posts, I chronicled my attempts to hunt down Equal Sweetener. Although Tundra Restaurant and Tim Hortons were a bust, I was able to find the sweetener – prominently displayed no less – at Starbucks.

Think I’d stop there? No way! The fun has just begun!

Yesterday morning, I had one of those awesome opportunities to meet up with an online friend. I love discovering that someone you engage with regularly actually lives just steps away. @InfoSara and I were long overdue for a coffee, and since our local McDonald’s in Mississauga is the type of restaurant where you can just sit back and relax, we agreed it would be the perfect spot for a mid-morning rendezvous.

I’m actually quite impressed with just how easy McDonald’s makes it for you to loiter. Gone are the days of hard benches, crowded tables and the smell of grease permeating the restaurant. Instead, we were treated to a soft, comfy booth that rivals any upscale coffee shop; had plenty of space to enjoy our meal, and on this particular morning, the scent of freshly brewed coffee hung heavy in the air. (more…)

Today, have a Big Mac, Coffee/Tea or Happy Meal, and McDonalds will donate $1 to local children’s charities. More than 1400 McDonald’s restaurants across Canada will celebrate McHappy Day… why not lend your support to this truly worthy cause?

I’m taking the kiddos out in the wagon this afternoon and plan on making a pit stop to McD’s for a Happy Meal. They’ll be surprised (and ecstatic) to say the least! Happy McHappy Day!

I can’t believe I forgot to blog this awesome freebie sooner, but for those who love Ronnie’s delicious brew as much as I do, chances are you’ve already seen the drive thru at least once!

(My husband just looked over my shoulder, read the post title and bolted out the door.)

This week, February 28th to March 6th, enjoy a FREE small coffee from McDonald’s! Their Premium Roast coffee is made with 100 per cent Arabica beans that are hand-picked and fire-roasted for a full-bodied flavour. It’s my very favourite coffee-to-go – try it once and you’ll be hooked too :)

The delicious freebie is limited to one per person, per visit. Enjoy!

I’ve been thinking of adding McDonald’s Happy Meal to The Stocking Stuffer Series, because, apparently, you can purchase it today and it’ll stay intact for Christmas Eve.

Say what?

According to Yahoo! News, a Happy Meal will resist decomposition for six months:

“Vladimir Lenin, King Tut and the McDonald’s Happy Meal: What do they all have in common? A shocking resistance to Mother Nature’s cycle of decomposition and biodegradability, apparently.

That’s the disturbing point brought home by the latest project of New York City-based artist and photographer Sally Davies, who bought a McDonald’s Happy Meal back in April and left it out in her kitchen to see how well it would hold up over time.

The results? “The only change that I can see is that it has become hard as a rock,” Davies told the U.K. Daily Mail.

She proceeded to photograph the Happy Meal each week and posted the pictures to Flickr to record the results of her experiment. Now, just over six months later, the Happy Meal has yet to even grow mold. She told the Daily Mail that “the food is plastic to the touch and has an acrylic sheen to it.”

Read the complete article here.

Here is the meal on Day 1:

And here it is on Day 180:

Reading the comments on the project were hilarious – some people couldn’t make out if this was a good or bad thing! Um… I’d say if the food can’t decompose on your shelf, your body may also have a hard time breaking it down. So my vote is it’s a bad thing.

BUT, they are pretty darned tasty! Can’t say this will stop me from grabbing one on the go. What about you? Surprised, or So What?

Have you seen McDonald’s commercial for their Southwest Chicken Salad, where four well-dressed and trendy ladies all meet up at the restaurant to enjoy greens and gossip? Well, I can tell you this – the last time three of my friends and I got together at McD’s, it was via the drive thru at 3:00am after a night of clubbing, and on the menu was grease, not greens.

However, I can’t deny that the Southwest Chicken Salad looks incredibly delish -

Our hottest salad yet: fresh-grilled chicken, fresh mixed greens, oven-roasted tomatoes, fire-roasted corn, savory black beans, poblano peppers, shredded cheddar and jack cheeses, chili lime tortilla strips and a fresh-sliced lime wedge on the side.

Even better? This 50% off coupon valid on all entrée salads until July 13th, 2010. Be sure to advise the crew member of the coupon before ordering (they get finicky when you don’t) and enjoy!

If you’re about due for your yearly (month, weekly, whatever) visit to McDonald’s, tomorrow would be a good day to grab some fast food. It’s McHappy Day: one dollar from the sale of every Egg McMuffin sandwich, Happy Meal and Big Mac sandwich will be donated to children’s charities in Canada. With more than 1,400 McDonald’s locations participating, this is a wonderful way to help out a great cause.

Did you grab your FREE coffee from McD’s yesterday and Monday? If not, you’re missing out! Their Premium Roast Coffee is delish!

Just a friendly reminder to take advantage of this wonderful promo before March 14th. And remember – this time the freebie is valid all day long! So if you’re sitting in your cube wondering how to spend your 3:00pm break, how about grabbing a friend and “treating” them to some java?

Oh, Ronald, always sticking it to Timmy, aren’t ya?

March 1st is the first day of Tim Horton’s Roll Up the Rim promo. And McDonald’s just happens to have a pretty hot promo starting the same day. Hmmm….

From March 1st through 14th, visit any participating McD’s and enjoy a FREE small coffee – any time of day! Limit one coffee per customer, but unless they stamp the back of your hand or chalk your tires at the drive thru, I don’t see why you can’t grab a free cup on your way to work, your coffee break(s), drive home, after dinner…

McDonald’s Premium Roast Coffee is the bomb. FREE coffee is bombtastic.

It’s back! And not a moment too soon – I was looking for an excuse to enjoy a McDonald’s breakfast!

From November 16-29th, you’ll be able to kick start your morning with FREE small coffee from McDonald’s. During breakfast hours (5AM to 10:30AM, or 11AM on weekends), simply stop by your local McD’s for a fresh cup of their premium roast coffee.

Mark your calendar!