Holly and Hal Moose Build-A-Bear Workshop Review & Giveaway 12/20 CLOSED WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Congratulations to...

SueBrown and Snowflake07

Thanks to all those that entered and I'm working on a brand new set of giveaways for 2010!

I don't think there is one child that doesn't like Build-A-Bear Workshop and I don't blame them.  I can't imagine the fun I would have had as a child getting able to build one of these adorable animals.  My oldest took my six year old to Build-A-Bear last weekend and she made two of the new Star Wars bears.  One was Darth Vader and the other was a Storm Trooper. 

The newest collection is Holly and Hal Moose and the clothing accessories make them even more adorable.  Thanks to MomSelect and Build-A-Bear, I received the MomSelect Holiday Product Pak that had both Holly and Hal Moose.  Not only are they soft and cuddly but the antlers on Hal really light up!  There are even music choices to add such as:  Giggle Sounds, 6 in 1 Best Friend Sounds, Frosty the Snowman Song, Jonas Brother Sound and many more.  Just click here to hear samples.

With all the clothing choices, you can really build a heart warming Christmas gift for your little one.  The Holly and Hal Moose were adorably dressed in this:

Here is something that I didn't know about Build-A-Bear, you can add embroidery to really personalize a gift.  It only costs $8 more but well worth it.

My daughter went to a Build-A-Bear birthday party last year and that's what we're doing next year.  It was so much fun watching all the little girls have fun picking out their own bear, making it and then choosing the clothes.  The Associate was fantastic and was in the right place in making sure the kids had a great time.

Build-A-Bear is really a one stop shop for all kinds of fun for your little one's and even adults that enjoy receiving cute, cuddly and personalized furry little friends.

Holly and Hal even have a special Christmas Adventure.  Click HERE to watch the trailer.  If you missed the airing of the movie, you can still watch it here.   Holly and Hal Moose:  Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure book is a fun filled adventure that will delight any child.  The story is free when you buy both Holly and Hal or for $15.99.

The Giveaway:

Two Build-A-Bear eGift Cards ($10 value each).

To Enter:

Follow my blog and leave a comment in the form below. 

Extra Entries:

• Subscribe to my blog, leave a comment (2 enties)
• Tweet about this giveaway, leave a comment (can be done daily) - (2 entries per day)
• Blog about the giveaway, leave a comment (can be done daily) - (2 entries per day)
• Follow me on Twitter, leave a comment - (2 entries)
• Vote for me at DivineCaroline (widget top left) and get FIVE extra entries
• Enter any of my on-going giveaways and receive five extra entries
• Bring over any new follower and get five extra entries
• Go to HappyHollyBlog.com, watch the trailer and comment about what you saw for FIVE entries.

Giveaway ends 12/20 at midnight.  Two winners will be chosen by random.org.

Thanks and good luck!

*Note:  I received Holly and Hal Moose from MomSelect and was not financially compensated for this post.

Both have had e-mails sent and have 24 hours to respond before a new winner(s) will be generated via Random.org.

Derma Wand on HSN: Anyone Try It?

I was bored the other night so as I was flipping the channels, I saw the HSN sell-a-thon on the Derma Wand.  It's an electronic device that delivers electric pulses at the rate of 114,000 cycles per second thus increasing the circulation of blood in your face eventually giving it a smoother, wrinkle free appearance as it claims.  It's touting that by using thermal energy, it will reduce wrinkles and fine lines as well as reduce pore size.  The package includes the wand, which is small and easy to hold per the demonstration, the carrying case, a how-to DVD, a booklet, a two ounce pre-face treatment, a two ounce Derma Vital Hydra Infusion Treatment and a four ounce Hydrating Skin Mist.

Here are some reviews I found both good and bad.  Anyone try it?  It's $80 at HSN.

Have a Product to Sell? Check Out Womentorz

You have to love the internet and if you think of life before the net, how on earth did we survive?   Have you ever noticed those movies before TV and wondered what all they did if they had free time in between all the chores?  I try to tell my oldest how lucky she has it because the internet was just coming around when I was in high school and was really only available to an open audience when I hit college.  Throughout those years, either from being a workabee, a mother, a student or a wife, I often thought of products to sell but never ventured forward as it seemed so daunting. 

Luckily, there are platforms such as Ebay and Etsy to help grow your at home business.  A new marketplace has opened up that makes it easier to get your foot in the door and it's called Womentorz.  Here is an excerpt from the site:

Womentorz.com is a marketplace for you to see the latest inventions made by women for women that can't be found in stores. It's a great place to find unique gifts and interesting gadgets that solve problems in daily life. You will also have peace of mind that you are supporting a network of creative women and sustaining their independence.

Our company was founded to provide a mutually supportive and informative online community dedicated to helping creative women bring their ideas to market. Our service is simple: Womentorz.com provides a user friendly, membership-based e-commerce website which allows women inventors to sell their products directly to consumers, thereby eliminating cost and dependency on retail distribution.

Women Inventors: Benefits of Using Womentorz.com!

Let's talk about costs associated with creating and maintaining a high-quality website. When you add it all up, membership makes perfect sense. Add to that the additional cost of effectively marketing your product and driving viable traffic to your website and it becomes invaluable.

• Web Developer = 40k +!
• Marketing Costs = Multiple thousands!
• Attorneys Fees = Multiple thousands!
• Your time = Let's face it - time is money!

We've done the legwork for you! Your product will not be thrown in with hundreds or thousands of others hoping to be found. Womentorz invests thousands of dollars to provide national advertising and PR campaigns specifically to promote your product. You have worked hard to bring your invention to life. Let us get your product the exposure it deserves!

Their motto is Brainz. Broadz. Big Ideaz!  Cute isn't it?  Women are a marketable force not just because there are more of us but what average person has to work for a living and then tend to the kids and the house and everything in between?  The products that are already listed are innovative and new and are created by women!  Watch Womentorz grow as that's the only direction they will go so if you have a product you want to try out, check them out.  If you want to support another woman entrepreneur, visit them and see what they have.

I have no vested interest in Womentorz and was not paid for this post.  I believe in this concept of helping women secure success and fully support it!

Stride Rite Cyber Monday and Twitter Party

Stride Rite is celebrating Cyber Monday, this Monday the 30th, by holding a Fan Celebration Day on www.facebook.com/striderite. Stride Rite Facebook fans are invited to log on Monday, November 30th from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST for hourly giveaways with amazing prizes including gift cards and gift bags from Stride Rite Children?s Group brands including Saucony Kids, Sperry Top-Sider Kids, and more. There will also be a fan-only coupon for Cyber Monday shopping on www.striderite.com and a mystery prize valued at over $600 that fans can enter to win throughout the day!

To kick-off the Cyber Monday celebration, Global Influence is hosting a Twitter Pre-Party Sunday, November 29th from 9 to 10 p.m. EST with our community manager, Shannan Powell (@slpowell) at the healm! For an hour tweeps will chat about Cyber Monday shopping tips and preparing for the holidays in general using the #srCyberMon hashtag.
 
There will be seven Stride Rite gift card winners and participants will be among the first to learn about the Fan Celebration Day on Facebook. To learn more and RSVP, go here: http://tinyurl.com/yfjucsj
 
To participate in the event and be eligible to win, you must follow Stride Rite on Twitter and the party hostess @slpowell, then tweet with the hashtag #SRCyberMon that night between 9:00 and 10:00! You should become a Stride Rite Fan on Facebook in order to win more prizes throughout the day Monday. Throughout the event winners will receive gift cards to Stride Rite valued between $10 and $50. Want a bonus entry? RSVP below for an extra chance to win.

Hurry as you don't want to miss out!
 
 

Winner of Horizon's Little Blends

Apologies for the delay in announcing the winner but the holiday got the best of me!

The winner of the Horizons Little Blends is:

andrews_bella@yahoo.com

Congratulations!

Thanks to all those who entered and don't forget to enter the numerous giveaways all ending soon or by 12/15!

Oscar and Olive Osprey Book Review by Janie Suss

Product Details:

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Synergy Books (November 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 098231406X
• ISBN-13: 978-0982314067
• Reading level: Ages 9-12

Janie Suss is the author of this intimate introduction to two Ospreys she named Oscar and Olive Osprey.  The book is full of real time facts about Ospreys and provides a wonderful resource if you want to understand the day to day lives of Ospreys.  Ms. Suss does a superb job in explaining what it takes to attract this type of bird and her indepth portrayal touches a personal level as it's like a journal from a person who learned by practice.  Straight from her pier in the Chesapeake Bay, you will get great details like Oscar and Olive's son being proud of his sister's ability to catch fish or when the two didn't come home to the next any longer to eat. 

I find the educational portion of the book a great resource to those interested in birds since it covers many facts such as habitat, migration, predators and more.  There are over 50 color photographs which adds to the value of the educational and entertainement aspect of Oscar and Olive Osprey. Some of the younger might get overwhelmed with the facts and details of Ospreys and habitats but it sets a firm foundation for the rest of the delightful story.  I like how Ms. Suss puts the story element behind the birds and their offsprings which should capture the interest of those wanting to know more about birds or wildlife.  My youngest are 2 and 6 and I hope in a few years, they might be more interested in learning more about birds as this book will be waiting.

If you click HERE, you can order an autographed copy.

You can also sign up to become a fan of Ms. Suss' Facebook page to stay up to date on the latest news and information.

VanillaJoy Black Friday Giveaways & Links to Great Scrapbooking & More

VanillaJoy is having a Seagate FreeAgent Theater Giveaway ending December 2.  If you haven't seen or hearf of Seagate, click the link above and check it out!

VanillaJoy also has great posts on craft room organization, create date ideas, obaji skin care, scrapbooking furniture and teaching baby sign language.

The scrapbooking and craft room organization will leave you drooling!  I absolutely love the ideas and the ways you can make your area of work look great and functional.

Also check out all the Black Friday giveaways.

Toys R Us Zhu Zhu Pets

Hurry and go to your local Toys R Us as they are giving away 100 Zhu Zhu pets to the first 100!  One per household and it starts at midnight.

My loving daughter is going now with her boyfriend hoping to get two for my little ones.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Make a Smilebox greeting

DVD & Game Thanksgiving Deals at Amazon

Hurry as these are going fast:


Surf's Up $5
Seven Pounds $5
Kung Fu Panda $5
Madagascar Escape 2 $5

Many games for XBox, Wii and more as well.

Amazon Thanksgiving Day Sale

Tommy Bahama Great Sale - Over 50% Off

Rue La La has a great sale on Tommy Bahama that started at 7 pm.  I recieved a $20 off coupon earlier this week and used it to buy my father-in-law a shirt for $38.82 including tax/shipping.  If you buy something from them, the next order within that day ships free so think tactifully to save more money.

This shirt normally is priced at $128.

They also have swim trunks, luggage, watches and more.

Hurry as you only have 1 day and 15 hours left!

My Best Martha Stewart Attempt: Candy Bar Napkin Rings

I finally made my pumpkin pies and they are baking.  I hate that I still have enough left for another pie shell but I'm too lazy to make one more.  Two will be more than enough and who needs the temptations?

I saw this idea on Martha Stewart so I tried it.  It was extremely easy as Martha did all the hard work!  Parts of it are tedious since you have to cover the candy bars and cut out each template but I do like it.  I didn't have the complete setting out on the charger but you get the idea on how it looks.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lazy Thanksgiving

I completely cheated this Thanksgiving and am having all food made by Publix.  All I have to do is pop it in the oven and I'm done!  Publix has great food so I'm hoping this will be just as good.  Last year, my husband deep fried a turkey but after being overcooked a tad, we decided not to do that again.  I keep reading about brining a turkey and watched a special Martha Stewart on our horrible Comcast on demand.  I had to endure my oldest saying "ewwwww" and "OMG" as she watched Martha cram the stuffing in the turkey cavaties.  She's going to have trouble when she moves out and has to look at meat. 

I also cheated as I figured since Macy's can have Christmas in their Macy's Day Parade then I can have Christmas in my Thanksgiving Day house.  I love Christmas!  We're also having my daughter's boyfriend of six months over for dinner so this should be interesting.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Little Music Lovers Sampler Review & Giveaway 11/24: Closed Winner

CONGRATULATIONS TO clctaube@yahoo.com!

I am getting ready to send you an e-mail in which you will have until Saturday to respond (given the holiday).

Thanks to all those that entered and don't forget to enter one of the over 20 other giveaways!

Many feel the soothing sounds of classical music are good at any age.  There are other benefits that they might unleash a level of creativity if introduced at an early age.  Since I've never had my children listen to classical movie, I wanted to test their interest so I requested to review a sampler of Little Music Lovers.

The CD sampler had four songs from their other four Little Music Lovers collection:

• Little Music Lovers: Mozart - Smart Music for Play Time
• Little Music Lovers: Beethoven - Smart Music for Story Time
• Little Music Lovers: Lullabies - Smart Music for Bed Time
• Little Music Lovers: Bach - Smart Music for Activity Time.

The CDs are very reasonable priced at around $7.00 at Amazon and if you click HERE, you can hear a samples.  I personally love the music as I find it soothing and enchanting.  The Smart Music for Bed was a definite hit with the girls as it calmed them and allowed them to go to sleep quickly which I loved!

 If you notice from each selection, the titles are geared towards a particular time in your youngster's day which is a great idea.  I would recommend this collection to classical music lovers as well as parents wishing to expose their children to a great cultural experience that may serve to benefit them in other ways.  I enjoyed the music.  I think for my girls, it will have to grow on them as it was a completely new experience for them over Sponge Bob which I welcome!

Visit http://www.littlemusiclovers.com/ for more information, sit back and enjoy the music!

The Giveaway:

Your choice of one of the available CDs noted above.

To Enter:

Leave a comment that you follow my blog AND sign up for the LittleMusicLovers newsletter at LittleMusicLovers.com.

Extra Entries:

• Follow me on Twitter.  
• Subscribe to my blog.
• Enter one of my other giveaways and leave 2 comments.
• 
  
  Tweet about the giveaway for 2 comments (can be done daily).
  
  
  
• 
  
  Blog about the giveaway for 2 comments.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Vote for me at DivineCaroline (see widget on left side of blog) for 5 comments.
  
  
  

Winner will be chosen by random.org.  Good luck!

Giveaway ends 11/24 at midnight.

Toolkit Helps School Leaders Support Military Children

The National Military Family Association just released this:


The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) has released a toolkit on Supporting the Military Child to help school leaders meet the needs of children whose parents are deployed or in transition. Developed with a grant from the Veterans Support Foundation, this free, online resource is available on the AASA website at: www.aasa.org/MilitaryChild.aspx.

The toolkit includes:

• Top 15 things school leaders can do to support military children
• Key facts about the military child
• Facts about Impact Aid, the federal funding available to help school districts handle the cost of educating children from military families
• Facts about the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, legislation signed by 26 states that aims to ease school-to-school transfers for military children
• A videotaped discussion among school administrators on how schools can support military kids
• A video statement of support from Gen. Craig R. McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau

The American Association of School Administrators was founded in 1865 and is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. The mission of AASA is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to the highest quality public education for all children. For further information, visit www.aasa.org.

Latest Kmart Bluelight Special Teasers: 11/26-11/29

Here are your Kmart Bluelight Specials for 11/26-11/29 THURSDAY to SUNDAY from 1PM-6PM!

• Kids Route 66 Graphic Tees $3.99 (Reg. $7.99) 
• Essential Home 7.5' x 9.5' Rug in a Bag $34.99 (Reg. $69.99) 
• All Multi-Roll Wrap 50% Off (Reg. $7.99)

Don’t forget to follow @KmartDealsnNews and use the #KmartBLS hashtag for a chance to win every day in Kmart's Bluelight Special Sweepstakes on Twitter!

For more info & rules: http://tr.im/KmartBLS. Good luck!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and happy shopping!

What is your Black Friday Plan of Attack this Year?

http://www.target.com/Good ol' Black Friday!  It's not for the faint at heart and in fact, you really have to have this set up a year in advance.  It takes intense training, researching each and every sale and store and a plan of action.  For some, January 1st is the usual 'get in shape' time of the year but for the serious Black Friday patrons, like me, they use this time to start pumping iron and running hours to get geared up to hit all the stores and get all the sales.  As soon as the Black Sale ads start leaking out on the internet, we get our spreadsheets and notebooks out plotting out the carefully laid plan on the hit day.  It takes months and months of preparation but it pays off.  Okay, I don't really do all of that to prepare for Black Friday but I do watch the leaks pouring out on various outlets on the internet and I make sure I have the latest advertisments.

Target and TwitterMoms came up with this great blogging contest on What is your Black Friday plan of attack this year and you can sign up to participate too by clicking here for the TwitterMoms discussion page.

What I plan to do this year is get to bed by 9 pm because you have to be full of energy to endure the crowds!  I enlist my oldest as she's my shopping assistant on what is cool and what is not and she helps me figure out what is the main objective after we peruse through the numerous specials.  We then pick out the top five items and decide what our chances are of securing them in a logical order and we do map out where we are going to go to have the most success.  We get up before the sun even breaks daylight pending on which sale we are going to go to and arrive at the store EARLY!  If we want more than one item, we will break out and target those areas. 

Once we are either worn out, completed or dejected, we will stop and eat and savor our victories while enjoying a big fat steak!





*photo courtesy of 10e20.com

What are Your 5 Favorite Holiday Activities to do with Your Kids?

I'm sure you have a favorite activity you like to do with your kids or perhaps you have many.  When TwitterMoms and Nickelodeon introduced this new blogging question as part of the Dora Christmas Carol Contest, I had to stop and think of all the activities we do each year.  There are some that are major and some not, but all are memorable.

I love the holidays and am trying to instill this great love with my girls as I hope some of the traditions will be passed on to their own families.

My top five favorites are as follows:

1. We go on our annual Christmas picture taking trip to the local mall.  This has turned into not so much of a fun event for my 21 year old as I still make her partake in it.  In fact, today, we went and completed the holiday deed!
2. Another holiday activity are the pictures with Santa.  Chalk one more year with no picture of Danielle.  She was afraid of Santa for her second year in a row and she's only two!  I couldn't force the 21 year old for this although I wanted to!
3. A great activity that I thoroughly enjoy is decorating the house!  I already started rolling out the Santas and was busted by my husband. I can't help it as it really is The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
4. We watch the Christmas classics such as Rudolph.  It's a painful experience for my oldest once again but it's nostalgic for my husband and I and the two smaller ones really love it.  This contest is wonderful as Danielle loves Dora.
5. We can't have a holiday without baking cookies, brownies, fudge and all the other great tasting, addicting and sinful treats!  Besides, Santa gets his share so it's all fair in love and Christmas.  I think this year, I'm going to try these great looking Chocolate-Caramel Cookie Bars that I found by Martha Stewart (see recipe below if interested).

I have many more but those are my favorites.  What are yours?  Join in the fun and enter HERE at TwitterMoms.

Thanks to Nickelodeon, we have been able to watch Dora's Christmas Carol Adventures many times!  My youngest especially loves Dora and it's fun hearing a two year old blurt out Spanish words.  We had fun going to NickJr.com to make some of the great holiday cookies not to mention making Swiper cards!  I think we might have some new holiday traditions.

Watch Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure Dec. 6 on Nickelodeon 

Favorite Holiday Activities with Kids

 

Dora's Caramel Holiday Cookies

Ingredients:

2/3 cup all purpose flour
1 roll sugar cooking dough
20 caramel candies
1 tablespoon water

Non-stick cookie tray

Your child will enjoy counting out the caramels and dropping them into the bowl. Be careful when removing the bowl from the microwave--it might be very hot!

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375 F. Knead the flour into the cookie dough until it's smooth.

Step 2

Pinch off pieces of cookie dough and roll it into small (half-inch) balls. Place them on a non-stick cookie sheet. Press down on the dough balls to flatten them slightly and bake for about 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the trays for a few minutes. When they're cool, move them to a cooling rack or a large plate.

Step 3

Unwrap the candies and place in a microwave-safe bowl with the water. Heat for 30 seconds, stir, and heat again just until smooth. Be careful when removing the bowl from the microwave--it may be hot!

Step 4

With a small spoon, add a drop of the caramel mixture to the back of each cookie and place another cookie on top. Makes 25 sandwich cookies.

These cookies can be made in two steps. Make the cookie portion the night before. Make and spread the caramel filling--or have the kids do so--the next day.

Biggest Loser Almost Wrapping Up Another Season & Colts Won Again!

My vice is The Biggest Loser so it's the only thing I tune into on a regular basis other than watching the Indianapolis Colts play (Go Peyton!).  Our TV usually blares episodes of Sponge Bob, Kai Lan, Wuzby and whoever else it is that I can't recall.  I love the coaches and love how they play good cop/bad cop with the contestants.  Jillian needs to be my coach to help me lose weight!  She's a lean, mean, fighting machine!

This past week's Biggest Loser was make over week so it was a little boring but great to see these contestants go from being overly obese to WOW!  Last season, my favorate was Tara and I'm favoring Alan since my favorite, Abby was eliminated.  If you ever need a good cry or need to feel blessed for what you have, go to the Biggest Loser page and look up Abby's story.

My own fitness challenge has three people but these two ladies that joined me are amazing!  They have already lost weight since we started and are my inspiration!  Way to go ladies!

If you missed The Biggest Loser and need a kick start motivator, check out the make over pics here.

Forgot to mention, my Colts won!  Go Peyton!!!  I'll always be a Hoosier at heart!

10-0

Foods to Combat Aging

I wished I had the knowledge I have now when I was still in my 20's and 30's to help retain the youngest looking skin possible.  I try to tell my 21 year old about tips and tricks but she's of that mind set of reality not sinking in.  I keep telling her she would thank me later if she incorporated good practice now to prevent aging prematurely.  I am on a kick for organic products as I think there is something telling of naturally occuring foods and products versus man made chemical creations.  One of the first steps you can take, aside from limiting sun exposure, is to eat properly. 

I'm stepping back to sunlight as it is vital to get some sun exposure and in spite the heated warnings over skin cancer, a healthy amount of only around 15 minutes a day of exposure is actually good for you.  One of the problems that people, especially in the US have, is lack of Vitamin D and this holds true for our children.  There are numerous medical conditions linked to a deficit of Vitamin D in our lives.  It's the extended over done exposure that is bad for you.  There are many debates over this but the newest literature does support a small amount of sunlight for health. 

Back to the original topic, foods that may assist in retaining good skin are logical as they also have the dual function of making you feel better and healthier so you have nothing to lose.

EveryDayHealth has this terrific article on the best foods for healthy skin:

How can what you eat affect your body so positively or negatively? “Antioxidants are the key,” explains Dr. Breiner. “They are nutrients that are able to protect your body from the aging effects of free radicals, a nasty process called oxidation.”

Free radicals are formed through natural processes in your body and the environment — everything from exposure to sun, cigarette smoke, chemicals, even exercise. A free radical is simply a molecule or atom that has lost one of its electrons and, now unpaired, has become unstable. This instability causes it to seek other atoms or molecules (yours) to stabilize it, resulting in a domino effect of unstable atoms and molecules in your body.

This is a problem "because the end result is a change in your cells’ DNA, which includes your body’s largest organ, your skin," Breiner says. "Oxidative stress and inflammation are two major causes of the aging process.”

The Anti-Aging Diet: Foods That Smooth Skin

“Eat a fiber-rich diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables," suggests Breiner. "Eight to 10 servings a day will help keep you young. Fruits and vegetables are generally low-calorie and have the ability to detoxify and renew your cells."

Add these great anti-aging food choices to your regular diet:

• Colorful berries. The antioxidant anthocyanin is what gives berries their blue, red, and purple colors. To get a healthy dose of this potent antioxidant, eat plenty of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, pomegranate, cherries, acai berries, and blood oranges, to name a few of the best choices. Each of these foods has a variety of other powerful antioxidants that repair and protect your skin’s cells.
• Broccoli and broccoli sprouts. Quercetin is another powerful antioxidant that is found in broccoli, along with other foods including cranberries, onions, and apples. It is a natural anti-inflammatory agent as well, fighting the No. 2 cause of aging. Broccoli sprouts have 30 times more isothiocyanates (yet another antioxidant) regular broccoli.
• Spinach. Lutein is found in spinach, kale, corn, and other vegetables. It has the ability to give additional antioxidant capacity to your skin and enhances skin hydration.
• Garlic. Allium is an antioxidant that packs a punch. Garlic, onions, and scallions are loaded with this free-radical fighter that is good for your skin and your immune system.
• Beans. “Eat your beans, too,” says Breiner. Anthocyanin is found in very high quantities in black beans and black soybeans. Soybeans are also high in isoflavones, also linked to anti-aging properties.
• Tea. Catechins, found in green tea, dark chocolate, and red wine, are another antioxidant that packs a wallop. “Have four to six cups of tea a day with lemon, which enhances the antioxidants’ activity in your cells,” Breiner advises.
• Wine. In addition to those catechins, resveratrol is found in red wine and has many anti-aging properties. It is another potent antioxidant.
• Yellow and Orange Root Vegetables. Put plenty of beta-carotene on your plate. These super-antioxidants are good for your skin and eyes. Good choices include carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and squash.
• Tomatoes. Lycopene, in red grapefruit, tomatoes, watermelon, and pink grapefruit, is a powerful weapon against free radicals. It has the ability to inhibit sun-induced aging and can neutralize free radicals. Breiner suggests, “Fill your glass with tomato juice or V8 juice daily.”
• Nuts. Eat a handful of nuts and seeds a day. They are loaded with “good” fat that helps “plump” your skin, antioxidants and lots of minerals that are good for your skin, too.
• Salmon. “Eat salmon at least three times a week,” says Breiner. “It has a host of benefits for your skin, from the omega-3s to the high-quality protein. Make it a regular in your diet, and you will see plumper, more youthful skin in about six weeks.”
• Water. Stay hydrated: Drink six to eight glasses of water a day. (And if you are drinking decaffeinated tea, that counts.) Caffeinated beverages can dehydrate you, which can contribute to dry, sallow-looking skin. Eat fruits and vegetables raw when possible. If you cook them, steaming is the best way to go to keep all of the anti-aging, anti-wrinkle antioxidants. At the same time, cut down on sweets. Avoid processed, refined foods and sugars, which can increase free-radical activity.

My Attitude for Gratitude

Notice the influx of gratitude themes invading the internet and other news outlets? I wonder if it has to do with the economic situation that is making people stop to think about the things we take for granted.  It's so easy to get caught up in the moment of trying to live that we forget all the reasons we truly are blessed and should be grateful.  There are probably a huge lists of things anyone can be grateful at any given moment if one stops to think about it.  My grandmother never dwelled or focused on the bad things.  For those of you over 40, you might have heard all the stories of what it was like to be a woman back in the 1800's and early 1900's (and of course before).  My father, who is 73, tells me how his mother would get up before everyone else to light up the woodstove, she would get the daily bread made (not store bought) and would have to wash clothes with one of those washboards that would bloody her knuckles up every now and then.  We truly have no idea how easier life is and all the reasons we should be grateful.

One of the biggest ways to avoid getting down about your situation is to not dwell on it.  Focus on the good and help others.  Studies have proven when you help someone else more down and out then you, you feel better.  If it's too hard to think about, keep a journal of all the things you are grateful for on a daily basis.  In time, life will be much better.  I have a brother that is incapable of seeing any positive light in anything so he remains a miserable, unhappy person.  Granted he does have a bad life, he could take a moment to realize he has two healthy children, a loving family that looks after him and so much more.  I have told him for over a year to stop and remember what is good about his life versus what is bad.  He won't listen ...

Things to help get or maintain an attitude for gratitude:

• Keep a journal or write in it every day what you have to be grateful for.
• Help someone less fortunate then you.
• Build your self-esteem if you have a low one.  Avoiding the pitfalls of what you perceive can be an amazing mood changer.

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Thanks!

I'm Truly Thankful

Not only am I mother to five (two step children in Texas), I work full time from home.  I am a telecommuter and although telecommuting affords many advantages, it also provides disadvantages.  I have to be able to shut down from the house to focus on work and I have to be able to shut down work to focus on the house.  It's a delicate balance to maintain and perceptions of others adds to the burden.  My husband feels I have an advantage as I don't have to commute to an office so he feels that I do have the "extra" time to tend to chores, the kids and the numerous household requirements from service people.

Working from home is trying especially when you have an ADD mind (self-diagnosed).  I'm all over the place with all the grand things I want to do from being a great mother, a great wife, a great daughter, a great sister and so forth, it's hard. 

It's a daunting tasks to say the least with little recognized appreciation.  At least that is what I thought until I stopped and looked at my two younger girls dancing to Single Ladies by Beyonce.  Watching them play nicely, laughing from the belly or telling me how much they love me makes it all worth it.  I realized that everything I do is truly for them and for this year at Thanksgiving, I am sticking to my Lenox and TwitterMoms posting of a new Thanksgiving tradition of going round table on what are you thankful for with a picture added and bound in a memory book.  I want to pass these down to the girls so they can build on this and treasure our memories.  The idea will be adopted every year which next year will be even more special as my husband will be in Kuwait. 

What will you do or do you do to make Thanksgiving special?

Rue La La Lenox HUGE Sale Along with Furla & LinQ

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HauteLook Great Sale on Toys, Chocolate & More But You Have to Hurry!

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