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Here they are - four real moms from the Greater Washington, D.C., and Baltimore areas, selected to represent you by asking tough questions to get honest answers. They will help keep you informed as they continue to examine McDonald's from the inside out.

While each mom wants to know more about food quality and nutrition, these women come to the program with unique motivations and points of view.

Michele

About Me
I'm a married mother of two boys. I choose to work part-time to maximize time with my young children. I am active in my church, the Central Union Mission and the PTA. I am an avid reader who is partial to fiction and science fiction, as well as the local newspaper.

The best thing about being a mom is watching my boys mature - hearing them say, learn and try new things. Also, the hugs and kisses!

My Children
Two boys, ages 3 and 6

Favorite Time of Day
After the kids go to bed and I have time to spend with my spouse, calling my girlfriends, watching TV or reading.

Favorite Quality Time as a Family
I enjoy dinnertime, when we turn off the TV and talk about our day. I also love daytrips to the beach!

Favorite Food
Dessert! Mainly cookies, followed closely by pizza and Homemade Macaroni and Cheese. But don't get me wrong, I'm also big on veggies.

Family's Favorite Meal
My kids love grandma's cornbread with applesauce. My family's favorite meal is baked chicken with rice and gravy, broccoli and juice.

Videos
Photos
Journals

McCafé Experience

During my McDonald’s® McCafé® experience, I learned about coffee and McCafé, McDonald’s new coffee offerings. I am not a big coffee drinker, but the coffee creations looked so delicious that I was eager to try.

During our experience, we met with Mr. Chris McCarthy, Senior National Account Manager at S&D Coffee, a McDonald’s coffee supplier. He explained the coffee supply process from field to restaurant. His eye is so keen, he can differentiate among beans from Guatemala, Colombia, and other countries (they all looked the same to me.) McDonald’s coffee is a blend of beans so they can make a consistent flavor. I asked about how they ensure the plantation employees are well cared for, and he explained that they make frequent visits to the sites and that they sponsor schools for the children who live there.

Ms. Julie Swain, Operations Consultant, Baltimore Washington Region, McDonald’s USA, explained what happens to the coffee once it’s inside the restaurant. She emphasized the importance of keeping the coffee away from light and moisture, which are enemies to coffee beans (so all of you keeping your beans in the refrigerator, take them out and find a dark, cool place outside of the fridge to store your beans!) She showed us McDonald’s special moisture and light proof packaging.

McDonald’s new McCafé offerings were confusing to me at first. But Ms. Swain explained them: the cappuccino is made with frothy milk and steamed milk, the latte has steamed milk added, the mocha includes a shot of chocolate, whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle. You can get a cool treat with the Iced Latte and Iced Mocha. Add extra flavor by adding a shot of vanilla, sugar-free vanilla, caramel or hazelnut. The choices were illustrated on a handy McCafé bookmark that showed the different offerings from bold (cappuccino and latte) to sweet (mocha, Iced Latte and Iced Mocha).

After our McDonald’s coffee education, we had a chance to make our own McCafé. Before we started, I tasted the espresso straight. I was surprised to discover that I actually like that rich coffee, so I decided to make an Iced Caramel Latte with an extra shot of espresso (didn’t know you could order that did you?!) It tasted great – rich, cool and sweet. McCafé is a sweet, affordable, convenient treat.

Michele
Moms Quality Correspondent