Tasty Tuesday- Chobani Greek Yogurt Giveaway (11 Winners) and Review!

Momma Told Me: The better it tastes, the worse it is for you.

Children can be some of the pickiest eaters, and I was no exception. If it didn't come with a toy, or in a brightly colored package with cartoon mascot- I didn't want it. My drink of choice was soda, my favorite meal, pizza, and my favorite type of food, sugar. Despite my mother's persistent education, the importance of food as a fuel, was pretty much lost on me well into my teens. When my palette began to finally mature I found myself open to a wider variety of cuisine and nutrition. However, as these things tend to go, and through the beauty of marketing, my old favorites were simply to close within reach, and too easy to obtain to make any effort else-wise. Ironically enough, it may seem like Momma's words apply further than the fridge, with a variety of life's temptations that are easy to choose, but not necessarily the best choice.

Just think of the first 'nice guy' you turned down to go out with the risky and rude chauvinist, or the millions of plastic bottles Americans choose each year for the simple convenience. Unfortunately, as a consumer, the truth can often be blurred between flashy packages, witty ad campaigns and political mentions. In more recent years the term 'natural' has wound up on more packages than not, from toilet paper to fast food french fries, and everything in between. But the true definition of 'good' is often blurred by vague variations and key differentiations intended to focus the consumer away from 'the bad'. Bottom line? Life's full of many tough decisions, so when I head to the grocery store I want to choose products that don't ask me to compromise. I want a superior commitment to quality and an unwavering commitment to taste. I want Nothing But Good.

We love yogurt in my home, and we use it every day on pretty much everything- especially since the discovery of Greek. In general 'Greek' varieties of yogurt are high in protein, lower in salt and carbohydrates, thicker to palette, and easier to digest. If you can find a quality, low fat,
Greek Yogurt, you've got the makings for a successful meal replacement plan with delicious Protein packed smoothies great for muscle building and craving curbing. The dense and creamy texture of a good Greek yogurt can fool the stomach into feeling fuller than it is, and bypass the guilt and greasy feelings of traditional fatty snacks. If you've ever tried Greek yogurt you've likely noticed the much thicker, dense, texture many yogurt lovers crave. This is due in part to the unique 'Greek' straining process which removes the yogurt's whey cultures, and in general, a large majority of the product's water content. Neat, right?

Now, there are a LOT of companies popping up with Greek yogurt varieties, some classic staples in the dairy aisle, many entirely new to my local lineup. It can truly be overwhelming, and it's important to learn about a brand before you make the switch. Thankfully, many of the designated Greek Yogurt companies have actually been around for years, serving a loyal underground following of Greek Yogurt enthusiasts. It's always great to check with a company or website for a coupon to try the brand out if you're unsure, or new to Greek Yogurt. For my household, we have 3 big requirement of our preferred brands; quality, variety, and content. Hailing from Central New York, you may have seen commercials for Chobani and wondered what all the buzz is about. The core mission of the brand is truly simple; create quality, flavorful, Greek yogurt for the loyal customers who love it, and always remain committed to serving 'Nothing But Good.'

What exactly does that mean? To Chobani it's their secret weapon, Master Yogurt Maker Mustafa Dogan, who hand crafts each and every unique Chobani recipe with unique and quality cultures. There's never anything artificial, with hormone free milk, and a special blend of probiotics and cultures that's always packed with protein, calcium, and real fruit- as well as entirely gluten free! The brand offers 16 flavors across 3 lines; Non Fat, Low Fat (2%), and Champions (Kids). Many of the unique and flavorful blends feature 100% real fruit on the bottom for an added touch of decadence and indulgence that's entirely guilt free. Choose from Chobani flavors such as Mango, Pineapple, Strawberry Banana, Pomegranate, and Honey in convenient sizes from 6 to 32 oz cups. The packaging is refreshingly simple, yet colorful and appealing, with nothing to hide when it comes to nutrition- Gelatin Free recipes and Cholesterol Free make this a guiltless indulgence for Vegetarians and Low Fat diets.

We received a variety case of Chobani for review here on Momma Told Me, and I was amazed by the sheer number of unique recipes and flavors. 1 0% 6oz cup had 150 calories, with 14g or Protein (that's 28% of an average daily value!), and just 22g of carbs. The texture was incredibly silky, yet thick and filling- perfect for freezing, whipping into a dressing, dolloping on waffles, eating with granola, or just about anything else you can imagine. I am in love with the Plain Chobani, as I can use it for Protein exchanges in cooking, and flavor as desired in meal plans. The natural fruit layer is just enough to add a touch of sweetness to the cups, without turning into a syrupy mess. The 16oz cups are the perfect size for afternoon cravings, and substantial enough to get me through to dinner (hooray!). I cannot speak enough praise for the freshness and texture of Chobani, who's all natural ingredients put them a step above all others! Find out where Chobani is sold near you today, and download a money saving coupon here.

What Daughter Says: Not everything that tastes good is bad for you- try Chobani Greek Yogurt today and never compromise flavor for quality again.

One lucky Momma Told Me follower will win a Chobani Prize Pack with all 10 varieties of 0% Chobani Greek Yogurt and 10 additional followers will win vouchers for free Chobani!

Mandatory Entry: You must be a Momma Told Me follower, then visit Chobani and tell me what flavor you'd like to try most!

Extra Entries:
*'Like' Chobani on Facebook +1
*Enter the Chobani Facebook Love Story Contest +2
*Visit the Chobani Kitchen and tell me a recipe you'd like to try +1
*Follow Chobani on Twitter +1
*Tell me if Chobani is sold near you +2
*Blog about this giveaway +4
*Subscribe to Momma Told Me via email +2
*Grab our button +3
*'Like' Momma Told Me on Facebook AND share this giveaway +2
*Follow Momma Told Me on Twitter AND tweet this giveaway +2
*Enter another Momma Told Me giveaway +1 each
*Vote for us on Picket Fence Blogs here and claim +2 bonus entries!
*Enter the Gourmet Orchards Blog giveaway of the week +2

*'Like' Tavern Direct on Facebook +2

Giveaway begins April 26, 2011 and ends 9 PM PST on May 11, 2011. Winners will be notified via email, and posted here. Entries valid within the US. Winners have 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be drawn. Prize will be transferred via sponsor.

As required by the FTC: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I received a product sample for the purpose of my review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.