Today, my friends, is an exciting day. So many good things to share with you!

First I want to tell you about the stash of Blends yogurt I recently received from the folks at Stonyfield. This is a brand new line that they are introducing, the idea being that it would satisfy the cravings of consumers who want a thicker, creamier yogurt but who don’t particularly care for the tang of Greek styles. The flavors are quite mild, and as the name suggests, the fruit is blended in entirely. You won’t find any chunks of peach or blueberry here, just a smooth texture that is naturally colored and flavored from the added puree.

Stonyfield sent me 5 varieties to try: French Vanilla, Blueberry, Blackberry, Peach Mango, and Strawberry Banana. I could have passed on the Strawberry Banana as it’s not one that I usually go for, but overall I thought the flavors were what I would expect. Blueberry was my fave – I could have snacked on that all day! The texture was smooth, and the ingredient list was above reproach.

As for criticisms, I’m not a huge fan of it being non-fat, though I understand that’s what the majority of the market is currently demanding. While I prefer to consume full fat products on principle, I could see myself eating this yogurt and seeking to consume healthy fats through other avenues. I also was a little surprised at the consistency of the yogurt as it wasn’t as thick as I had anticipated.

Overall, I’d say that the Stonyfield Blends yogurt is a tasty treat that is ideal for those desiring a milder alternative to other yogurts on the market. Eowyn kept asking for more, so I suppose that means it’s kid-friendly as well!

But wait, there’s more! Not only did I receive an assortment of yogurt to try, I also was given a Blendtec blender to play with (the Total Blender Classic Wildside, to be exact). Say what?! I couldn’t open the package fast enough when it arrived in the mail. I already own a VitaMix, so I know that I’m approaching the discussion from a somewhat spoiled vantage point, but I will say that this blender is nice! There are lots of buttons with different cycles based on what you are making (smoothie, soup, dressing, etc) as well as a manual option for people like me who like to be in control. The jar is BPA-free and is much wider than many classic blender designs; it almost feels like a hybrid of a blender and a food processor. There is a handy recipe book that came with it, and given the fact that it includes instructions for making nut butters and grinding grains, I have no doubts that this is an extremely versatile tool.

Since I do already have the VitaMix, I’m thinking about doing a side-by-side comparison of the two models for you in the future, but for now, suffice it to say that this thing is fabulous!

With a case of yogurt and a brand new blender in hand plus a counter full of ripening pears, whipping up a cozy winter smoothie was the natural next step. I whirled a ripe red Anjou pear together with the French Vanilla yogurt, a handful of ice, and a touch of cinnamon. That’s it! This smoothie has a lighter texture than the dense ones I typically make from frozen fruit, and the spice imparts a warmth that’s almost needed this time of year. Lately, it’s made for the perfect post-workout reward.

Now, are you ready for the best part of this post? You can win your very own Blendtec Total Blender Classic Wildside (a $455 $390 value) PLUS a case of Stonyfield yogurt (10 count), courtesy of Stonyfield and Blendtec!

***Updated 02/03/2013: Original communication from Stonyfield indicated that the blender would be brand new, but I just received word that it will instead be one that is factory restored. The dollar value is $390 instead of $455 as I originally posted, and it comes with a 7-year warranty. I apologize for the misinformation.***

REQUIRED: To enter this contest, you must do at least one of the following and tell me you did so in the comments below, but you may choose to do all three to earn two bonus entries.

• Like Stonyfield on Facebook
• Sign up to receive the Blendtec Recipe of the Week emails
• Tweet about this giveaway with the hashtag #StonyfieldBlends

Recipe adapted from Whole Living.

ENJOY!

Just so you know: Stonyfield and Blendtec have provided product to me at no cost for my use and to review here on the blog, and they are also sponsoring the giveaway. I am not being compensated for this campaign, and the opinions, recipe, and content are all my own.