Bee-a-Thon 2011 - Help the Bees While Having Fun!

On July 16, bee counters across the nation are hosting “backyard bee parties” and other garden events as they celebrate Bee-a-thon 2011, the first-ever online “town hall” event dedicated to our pollinators and broadcasting live to worldwide audiences from 9 am to 9 pm US-Pacific Time.  I'm writing you to see if you will help spread the word, through your network, friends and family, about this free grassroots event to help raise awareness around the plight of our disappearing native bees.

Bee-a-thon 2011 is a fun, interactive family-friendly event featuring top experts in science, conservation, youth engagement and education.  People can tune-in to Bee-a-thon anytime throughout the day from living rooms, gardens, mobile devices and “backyard bee parties” all over the world, to listen in and ask questions in real time.

Bee curious, bee aware, bee a good neighbor

Here are three ways you can spread the buzz and help the bees:

1 - Put a bee-counting widget on your blog if you have one. The "bee-o-meter" tracks the populations of honeybees across the country.  You can click on it to find the number of bees in your zip code.  Their goal for 2011 is to have one bee counter in each of the 43,000 U.S. zip codes. Supporting blogs and organizations will have their logo, name and a link back to their site placed on the YourGardenShow.com website. To get your "bee-o-meter,"   visit: http://www.yourgardenshow.com/news51.

2 - Forward this email to your network of readers, friends and family.  Invite them to RSVP for the Bee-a-thon here: http://www.yourgardenshow.com/bee-a-thon.

3 - Host a "backyard bee party" or other "rooftop" event.  Rally your friends and join Bee-a-thon for a day of engagement and celebration.  Downloads and other resources are available here: http://www.yourgardenshow.com/bee-a-thon.

Bee-a-thon 2011 is hosted by YourGardenShow.com to kick-off the Great Bee Count, a national Citizen Science campaign to count bees across North America and help shape bee conservation efforts.  To find out more about the Great Bee Count with The Great Sunflower Project, visit: http://www.yourgardenshow.com/citizen-science/great-sunflower-project.

The event is free and open to all.  We hope to see you there!

My Circle of Moms Best Product for Moms

As part of the top 25 Circle Moms, I presented my pick for a top product for moms.  I chose new moms and I picked the 4Moms Mamaroo Infant Seat.

Want to see why?

Just click here and you can even vote if you agree!

Betty Crocker Baker´s Challenge Gluten Free Recipe Contest Deadline 6/30!

Don't forget to submit your entry to the Betty Crocker Baker´s Challenge Gluten Free Recipe Contest which ends tomorrow.   For more information, just watch the video below and good luck!






Disclosure:  Video was provided by Betty Crocker via MyBlogSpark.

Preschool Fun DVD 8 Adventures: Barney, Kipper, Angelina & More Review & Giveaway 7/12 (US/Canada) - WINNER

CONGRATULATIONS TO...

jakiesmom said...

voted online 2
nannypanpan at gmail.com

June 28, 2011 10:46 PM 

An e-mail has been sent to Jakiesmom and she has 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected via random.org.  Thanks to all those who entered!

What a great way to help teach your preschooler then with their favorite characters.  With Hit Favorites: Preschool Fun, they will see all their favorites in eight adventures to include:

• Barney - Days of the Week
• Timmy Time - Timmy's Jigsaw
• Fireman Sam - Sheep on the Road
• Roary the Racing Car
• Bob the Builder - Scratch's Star Turn
• Kipper - Pig's Sweater
• Angelina Ballerina - Angelina and the Poster
• Thomas and Friends - Best Friends

66 minutes of fun combined with learning is a great DVD by Liongate and HIT Entertainment coming July 5th.  The lessons are plentiful from loyalty, friendship, cooperation, sharing and much more.  

Since my soon to be four year old is a fan of most of those television characters, she really enjoyed the DVD.  It wasn't long before she was reciting the days of the week and other key episodes that she enjoyed.  I was pleased to see that not only was she entertained but she was learning at the same time.  Sometimes they need a break from traditional teaching and watching their favorite characters is ideal.  If you have a preschooler, I would recommend this DVD given the number of characters/episodes and the learning aspect.

____________________________

The Giveaway:

One reader will win their own copy of this DVD.

To Enter:

Follow my blog and tell me who your child's favorite character is that is featured on this DVD.

Extra Entries:

• Subscribe to my blog.
• Tweet about this giveaway - can be done daily for two entries per day
• Blog about this giveaway - can be done once for five entries
• Tell me another DVD you would like to have from Lionsgate
• See main page for other bonus entry opportunities

Giveaway ends 7/12 at midnight (Mountain Standard Time) - Winner selected via random.org - Open to the US/Canada.



*Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of this DVD and the opportunity to give one copy away.

Mamavation Monday

Where does the week go?  It seems ever since moving here, time flies and I find myself every weekend saying I'll do better and be more committed but it's like I'm living the movie Groundhog's Day.  It hasn't been for naught as I keep bouncing around with one to two pounds up and down and still maintaining my 16 pound loss.  I've been making it a habit to exercise in the pool daily.  I read that if you job in waist deep water, you can lose 17 cals per minute so even though five minutes isn't long, I've been doing that coupled with laps and playing tag and Marco Polo with my girls.  I've also been incorporating some foods like almonds and walnuts for the nutritional aspect.  I still need to get healthier with my eating but I've been on a Mexican food kick ... hmmm...wonder why???

This past week consisted of 20-30 minutes of pool workouts and that's been it!  This coming week, I plan to kick it up a notch and actually report a weight loss next week.  I'm reading a book titled Think, Act, Love, Lose Weight by Shane Jeremy James and he takes an approach that many don't which is behavior modification.  I know this is something that Pete routinely touches on for us Mamavation Moms.  Shane does a good job dissecting it and it sticks in my mind at times which is good.  I'm hoping when I've finished it, it will really stick in my mind.

This week's Mamavation Blogging Carnival Question is:

How have you recently stepped up to support someone in your life?

(online or IRL)

I started a Facebook group with my family to garner some weight loss motivation.  It actually started in January and has dwindled down with little enthusiasm.  Combined, the group of us around seven, lost over 70 pounds which is wonderful!  I plan to kick it back in ASAP.   Mamavation Moms was my inspiration to help my family lose weight so thanks, Mamavation!

This week's carnival is hosted by EatSmart Products.  I have a small non-electronic scale which comes in handy but I know a digital scale by EatSmart would be perfect in precision.

This post is sponsored by EatSmart Products and I’m writing this to be entered into a EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Kitchen Scale giveaway hosted by Mamavation .

New Wrinkle Drug by Fibrocell: LaViv

Whenever you hear about Botox, you already know what it's primarily used for.  You may also know that there isn't a lot of competition for this miracle vial of botulism in a jar other than Dysport.  The FDA just granted approval for Fibrocell Science to sell it's new wrinkle drug LaViv.  LaViv was approved for those nasty smile lines which should be an honor versus frown lines.

The reported issue Fibrocell has is a lack of funds to market and sell their potentially new dynamo which is surprising as I'm sure it won't last long once word gets out and Hollywood and politicians run for it.

In case you are wondering what is different with LaViv, the process involves extracting the cells from the patient to offer a personalized regiment to be injected into the wrinkle zone(s).  This process is hoping to draw new customers by the "natural" component of using the patient's own cells.  LaViv also differs from Botox as it requires three months to complete versus one visit every three to four months for Botox.  LaViv is expected to last six months in between treatments.  No price has been announced yet.

They are also testing LaViv for acne and burn scars which could offer a combined revenue for the wrinkles and acne scars of 500 million in sales.

To read the entire article, click here.

Keeping the Eyes Looking Good

I just read a story about nine simple steps in making your eyes look younger and wanted to share in case you missed it.  I'm in to doing just about anything to prevent and keep those wrinkles at bay.  Some of the tips I weren't aware of is using an extra pillow.  Apparently the elevation of your head helps to prevent fluid build up thus increasing puffiness.  I usually do keep an extra pillow under my head so that might help explain why I don't suffer from eye puffiness.  I also didn't know that you shouldn't overindulge on the eye cream as it can cause itchiness the next morning leading to puffiness.  I use eye cream and I get confused on what is the best to use.  I did find two from the same manufacturer that I like but I can't always decide which to use so sometimes I do use both.  I will just alternate even though I've not noticed anything out of the ordinary in the morning.

Big sunglasses are a must and they recommend a labeling of UV 400.  I had no idea that sunglasses were labeled and I'm fairly certain mine aren't covered so I guess it's off to the store I will go.  With having an in ground pool, I need extra protection for my eyes.  They do recommend still using sunblock 30 minutes before  sun exposure which I already do.

The power of anti-oxidants is always present.  According to many health reports, we need to consume them to keep the body healthy and to avoid the aging effects and inflammation.  There are also products for the eyes that contain anti-oxidants such as green tea.  They also recommend using retinol at night since it has been proven to stimulate collagen and reduce wrinkles.

To read more about the many other great tips, click here to learn more.

Oroweat Nutty Grain Healthfull Bread is Delicious

Last night, I tried Oroweat's new HealthyFull bread in the Nutty Grain variety and LOVE it!  As with all of Oroweat's products, I love them.  I've been a fan of the Sandwich Thins for a long time due to the reduce calorie and carb aspect.  I'm a yo-yo dieter always trying to reduce cals or carbs so that is important to me along with getting some whole wheat.  Even though two slices have more calories then the Sandwich Thins, the calories aren't that much more at 80 calories a slice and the slices are HUGE!  Last night, I just made a piece of toast with butter and loves the flavor along with the toasted sesame seeds.

Today, I had a low fat ham sandwich which was delicious.  I've also been on a kick of eating more fiber which Oroweat's Nutty Grain is perfect.  I also like that there are no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.  Who really wants to have a loaf of bread around for a month without it breaking down?  I have a huge step to make it completely to healthy but I feel taking baby steps is the answer and Oroweat is helping me.  Now for my husband who is one of those people that you can't even open their minds to change, he hated it but he's an all enriched, processed flour bread man.  I myself, prefer whole wheat bread and now with sesame seeds.

I'm going to try this sandwich recipe this weekend:

The Greek Goddess
Ingredients 2 slices Oroweat® Health-full™ Nutty Grainbread 2 oz. deli-sliced fat-free chicken breast 1/2 cup spinach leaves 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, packed in water 1 oz. feta cheese 1/2 teaspoon Creamy Mint Yogurt* Serving size: 1 sandwich *Creamy Mint Yogurt Ingredients 2 cups plain yogurt 2 teaspoons cumin seeds 1 cup sour cream 1/4 cup minced fresh mint leaves 1 teaspoon salt	Directions Prep time: 5 minutes On one slice of bread, layer chicken, spinach and peppers; top with feta. Spread Creamy Mint Yogurt*on other slice of bread; top with second slice of bread. Nutritional Value (per serving) 294 calories 10g fiber 25g protein 37g carbs 8g fat *Creamy Mint Yogurt Directions Prep time: 4 hours 10 minutes Line a sieve with a damp paper towel. Set over a bowl and let yogurt drain for 2 hours. Toast the cumin seeds in a skillet for 3 minutes, then pulverize in a food processor adding the following ingredients: yogurt, sour cream, mint leaves and salt. Blend until mixture is pale green. Transfer into a serving bowl, cover and chill for 2 hours. Yields 48 servings per cup; makes 3 cups.

For other recipes or more information on Oroweat, click here.




*Disclosure:  I did receive a sample of Oroweat but the opinions are mine and I have been an Oroweat customer for well over a year.  Oroweat is the only bread product I buy for myself.

$100 Paypal Giveaway 6/30: Closed

I wish to thank everyone who loyally voted for Jamie.  She didn't win and as the giveaway stated, it would be only if she won.  I do regret as I would have LOVED to have given away $100 for her to have won!  We will be back again in August with more giveaways related to her Pepsi run.  In the interim, if you have any Pepsi Refresh Power Codes, please send them to me.  Each one collected will equate to five extra entries for those giveaways in August.  I will keep a list!  


Thanks again!


This giveaway is different as I'm getting desperate and this Pepsi challenge is serving to be a challenge to my checking account and a loss to all my gift cards (lol)!  I don't know if anyone will enter but I'll give it a shot as the rule is:

I will give the winner $100 via Paypal IF Jamie wins the Pepsi Grant.

I want to ensure that if anyone enters, they understand that I'll choose a winner only if Jamie is in the top of the Pepsi challenge to win the $25,000 grant.  I really want my eight year old to win the Pepsi Refresh Grant for $25,000 for her non-profit Angels4Epilepsy.  Jamie was diagnosed with epilepsy two year's ago and has had some struggles along the way.  One thing she learned was to give back to others and this took the form of starting an organization that gives back to children.  Sometimes she gives to children with other ailments or to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House but mostly, she provides gift bags to children hospitalized with epilepsy.  Since starting officially in 2010, she has provided over 300 gift bags to children in Georgia and Florida and soon to Indiana.

 

 

The grant will be used to purchase bears, gift cards for families in need to purchase their children bicycle helmets and medical alert USB bracelets as well as awareness posters about how strobe lights on motorcycles affect some with epilepsy.


Your vote can help her win this great grant to help other children.  Voting is daily and can be done online and via text.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT A WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ONLY IF ANGELS4EPILEPSY WINS THE PEPSI $25000 GRANT!!!

To Enter the giveaway:


Vote by either creating an account on the Pepsi site or login with your Facebook account and you can text daily - this is a mandatory entry:


http://www.refresheverything.com/angels4epilepsyincorporated 
Text 106872 to Pepsi 73774

• Leave a comment that you voted online for five entries - can be done daily.
• Leave a comment that you voted via text for five entries - can be done daily

* NOTE - online voting entries are those that actually vote via online and will be validated


Extra Entries:

• Follow my blog for two entries
• Tweet about this giveaway for two entries and leave the url to the tweet
• Blog about this giveaway for five entries and leave a link to the post.

Giveaway ends 6/30 at 9 pm (EST) - winner will be chosen via random.org.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT A WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ONLY IF ANGELS4EPILEPSY WINS THE PEPSI $25000 GRANT!!!

Open to US/Canada only please. 

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT A WINNER WILL BE SELECTED ONLY IF ANGELS4EPILEPSY WINS THE PEPSI $25000 GRANT!!!

Third PCS Move Was NOT the Charm

We're maybe half way through with sorting through boxes and putting most away in a storage facility just because we downgraded sizes of houses and have no room for everything.  This was my third PCS move and I was relieved when I saw a team of women show up in one way because I thought they would know how to pack but I was also worried in how the heavy things would go.  This team of women consisted of two who took four precise 30 minute breaks throughout the day and were very slow at packing.  I was concerned that there would be no way they would make so later in the afternoon, they called in one more.  The next day, there were five women all packing and not packing.  This was the first time that we actually had to take things down from higher places, take down curtains and actually help them pack.

I may sound like a prima donna there but the military pays movers to do that for you.  That part of the job is one that you aren't suppose to worry about.  I had to continuously ask them to pack items they were going to leave behind.  We were disappointed to find out that we were not allowed to take along any cleaning product, oils, batteries, light bulbs, open food or open health and beauty products.  WHAT??  This was a huge financial burden on us as I had quite a bit of those products saved up and since we were heading to Texas, we had no extra room to cart all of this.  We'll just say the entire experience was rather disappointing and became more disappointing as once we arrived, the packing made no sense.  Items were grouped together illogically, dangerously and without protection.  I cannot even remember how many things have been ruined due to the shoddy packing.

Second stage was the moving in of our furniture as I could have cried.  Our custom chaise lounge and custom beautiful wing chair were soiled with tire/truck grease dirt and the legs to the chair were broken.  A huge chunk was out of our marble patio set and countless other pieces of furniture were damaged and broken.  In fact, we are missing some things.  I guess I was spoiled as we didn't encounter this in Hawaii or Georgia.  It was actually the Georgia crew that proved to give me so anguish.   When we arrived in Texas, the house had no air working so you can bet it was hot, the house was filthy and the pool was disgusting.  Needless to say, it was one of the most trying moments I've experienced in over a couple of years.

It does get better though because my girls are just amazing. From having my almost four year old sing "You are My Sunshine" to my eight year doting over me to my eldest, 22, and her baby, I'm in heaven with all my girls.  They say the funniest things and I always mean to blog about them but I forget.  They are a laugh a minute and I'm truly thankful that God has given me these girls to make me forget when things don't always go how I want.

Announcement of Winners Update

Due to the large number of entries across the numerous giveaways that closed over the last two days, I will be hopefully announcing all winners tomorrow!

Sorry for the delay!

Military Summer Reading Program Lauched

http://www.military.com/military-report/summer-reading-program-launched?ESRC=miltrep.nl

Week of June 20, 2011

Defense Department (DoD) libraries have launched a summer reading program in the hopes of inspiring children -- and adults -- of all ages to read throughout the summer. Visitors to libraries on 270 military installations around the world are invited to join "A Midsummer Knight's Read," an activity-packed reading program with a medieval twist. This open-enrollment program lasts for about eight weeks on average, and military family members from all service branches, whether active or reserve, are welcome to participate. Libraries typically host weekly events for children and adult. For more information, contact your local DoD library.

To find more family resources visit the Military Spouse Network.

2012 Defense Act — Pay Increase, Changes to Special Pay and TRICARE

A pay increase across the board is nice but increasing the pharmacy co-pay is not especially when you have two children on two daily medications a day.  I guess I shouldn't complain as at least we have insurance.

See full details below or click here.

June 20, 2011 • TERRY HOWELL

The Sen­ate Armed Ser­vices Com­mit­tee has com­pleted their mark-up of the National Defense Autho­riza­tion Act of 2012 (HR 1540). The com­mit­tee approved the marked-up bill unan­i­mously on Thurs­day, June 16, 2011. It now goes to the full Sen­ate for con­sid­er­a­tion. The bill includes a 1.6 per­cent pay increase for all ser­vice­mem­bers, a change in spe­cial pay pol­icy and increased TRICARE Prime enroll­ment fees for mil­i­tary retirees.

The fol­low­ing is a list of the ele­ments that will impact mil­i­tary pay and ben­e­fits:

• Autho­rizes a 1.6 per­cent across-the-board mil­i­tary pay raise for all mem­bers of the uni­formed ser­vices, con­sis­tent with the President’s request.
• Allows DoD to increase phar­macy copay­ment increases. (See cur­rent TRICARE Phar­macy Rates)
• Allows DoD to increase mil­i­tary retiree TRICARE Prime enroll­ment fees in fis­cal year 2012. In addi­tion the Sen­ate mark-up lim­its future annual increases of the fee to the amount equal to the per­cent­age increase in retired pay (COLA) begin­ning on Octo­ber 1, 2012. (See pre­vi­ous reports on the pro­posed 2012 TRICARE Prime enroll­ment rate)
• Requires that indi­vid­u­als newly enrolled in the Uni­formed Ser­vices Fam­ily Health Plan after Sep­tem­ber 30, 2011, tran­si­tion to TRICARE for Life once they become Medicare-eligible due to age. (See pre­vi­ous reports on the plan to “Age-Out” future USFHP enrollees)
• Changes the rules for hos­tile fire and immi­nent dan­ger pay, pro­rat­ing the $225 pay­ments accord­ing to the num­ber of days spent in a qual­i­fy­ing area rather than be paid on a monthly basis. (Cur­rently HF/ID pay is paid-in-full regard­less of the num­ber of days spent in the qual­i­fy­ing area.)

Let your elected offi­cials know how you feel about the 2012 NDAA.

Read more: http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2011/06/senate-okays-pay-and-tricare-fee-increase/#ixzz1Q20ZwJ89
MilitaryAdvantage.Military.com 

How Back-Back Got His Name by Thomas Weck and Peter Weck Book Review

How Back-Back Got His Name is a cute story that you can't even predict what happens at the end.  I thought the book length was perfect to read over a couple of nights and included fun characters.  My girls listened intently as I read page by page and laughed at some parts of the story.

The story begins with Lima Bear on a cool autumn morning lying asleep in his walnut-shell bed in the hollow of an oak tree.  Lima Bear, as you might have guessed, looks like a lima bean with his round green belly and short arms and legs.  Awakened by Whistle-Toe, his rabbit friend, Lima Bear learns of the "EEE-mergency!"  Plumpton, the oppossum, their other friend is in trouble as he has lost something...his back!  Read the entire story to find about the adventures they endure while trying to find Plumpton's back.

How Back-Back Got His Name is a story by Thomas Weck and Peter Weck with illustrations by Len DiSalvo.  It's 32 pages of full color artwork (8.5 x 11) and for ages 4 - 8.  I also enjoyed the additional learning and activities page at the end as did my girls, both ages 4 and 8.  The help to further implement good reading habits and more is something I look for in books.  Published by Lima Bear Press and distributed by Atlas Books, it's available online, at bookstores and libraries.

It's a cute story that has a lesson to be learned along with great colorful pictures.  The lessons at the end of the book provides parents and teachers an opportunity to offer additional information to help the children learn and have fun.  Both my girls were captivated by the story.  This is a book that I would recommend.


*Disclosure:  I did receive a complimentary copy of this book.  The opinions expressed are my own and the receipt of the book did not affect my writing of this voluntary post.

$50 GNC Gift Card Giveaway 6/30 - WINNER CLOSED

CONGRATULATIONS TO ...

Jess said...

Voted online - jessicamarlo67@yahoo.com

June 29, 2011 11:01 PM 

An e-mail has been sent to Jess who has until Tuesday (due to the holiday) to respond before a new winner is selected via random.org.  Thanks to all those who entered and voted!

This is a somewhat easy giveaway as I won two $50 gift card online and am going to pass the second one to help my eight year old win a Pepsi Refresh Grant for $25,000 for her non-profit Angels4Epilepsy.  Jamie was diagnosed with epilepsy two year's ago and has had some struggles along the way.  One thing she learned was to give back to others and this took the form of starting an organization that gives back to children.  Sometimes she gives to children with other ailments or to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House but mostly, she provides gift bags to children hospitalized with epilepsy.  Since starting officially in 2010, she has provided over 300 gift bags to children in Georgia and Florida and soon to Indiana.

 

 

The grant will be used to purchase bears, gift cards for families in need to purchase their children bicycle helmets and medical alert USB bracelets as well as awareness posters about how strobe lights on motorcycles affect some with epilepsy.


Your vote can help her win this great grant to help other children.  Voting is daily and can be done online and via text.

To Enter the giveaway - MANDATORY ENTRY - 


Vote by either creating an account on the Pepsi site or login with your Facebook account and you can text daily.


http://www.refresheverything.com/angels4epilepsyincorporated 
Text 106872 to Pepsi 73774

• Leave a comment that you voted online for one entry - can be done daily.
• Leave a comment that you voted via text for one entry - can be done daily

* NOTE - online voting entries are those that actually vote via online and will be validated


Extra Entries:

• Follow my blog for two entries
• Tweet about this giveaway for two entries and leave the url to the tweet
• Blog about this giveaway for five entries and leave a link to the post.

Giveaway ends 6/30 at 10:00 (EST) - winner will be chosen via random.org.

THIS IS AN E-CODE GIFT CARD - THOSE OUTSIDE OF US CAN ENTER BUT I DO NOT KNOW IF YOU CAN USE THE CODE TO SHIP INTERNATIONALLY.

Mamavation Monday

I still haven't gotten back to normal post the cross country move and Disney trip.  However, I think I finally found "it."  For a week now, I've been using this gorgeous new pool of ours that looks over the Franklin Mountains to exercise.  I was just kicking back and forth because I didn't realize I could actually swim.  I took swimming in high school but haven't really swam since.  Yesterday, low and behold, I realized that I can actually swim and tread water so I started doing laps.  Not many because wow, does that make you tired!  I have my oldest with me who wanted to spend time before she returned to Georgia and so I made her do everything I was doing.  I found some really good exercises for the pool so I just did a circuit type workout of moving on to a new one.  It worked because I actually had to get up around midnight to take an ibuprofen for the aching.

The big deal was this morning when I woke up and weighed myself and found that I have only gained back one pound from the 19 pounds I have initially lost since April.  I'm amazed that I have kept it off and I have to credit my loss to the Dukan Diet which is what I went on to lose that weight.  Granted I know the diet isn't healthy but being overweight isn't either so for the short term, I felt it was okay.  Now, I'm just cutting calories and reaching for watermelon over Hershey bars (well, mostly).

This week's Mamavation is about smiling and how powerful a smile is.  The question posed is:

What accomplishment have you done recently that brings a smile to your face?


This is easy as it's my weight loss.  My entire psyche is based on how I feel and when I'm overweight, it really affects so much inside me.  I have always been caught in that vicious cycle of eating too much, feeling bad, eating more to feel better for the moment and then on and on.  I have found that when I'm unhappy, mostly in a relationship, I tend to get overweight.  They always joke that a woman always looks better after a divorce and now I finally get it.  So many of us turn to food for comfort and haven't found the emotional change in ourselves to overcome it but boy, when you lose that weight, a smile and a while new confidence is released.  It's definitely one of those mental games you need to play when trying to lose weight which is to remember how good it felt when you lost those "bad relationship, bad times" pounds.  Remembering that feeling or projecting how you look when you are at the weight you want to be are all effective in getting back to shape.  Ultimately, remembering that smile should do the trick.






This post is sponsored by Joggermom and I’m writing this to be entered into a yoga mat giveaway hosted by Mamavation .” at the end of your post if you enter the blogging carnival

$25 Target GC Giveaway 6/30: WINNER CLOSED

CONGRATULATIONS TO ...

Mari said...

Voted 6-28

runningmatey at hotmail dot com#3

June 28, 2011 11:22 PM 

An e-mail has been sent to Mari who has until Tuesday to respond before a new winner is selected via random.org.  Thanks to all those who voted!!!!

This is a somewhat easy giveaway as I won a $25 Target GC from Plastic Jungle and am going to pass it on to help my eight year old win a Pepsi Refresh Grant for $25,000 for her non-profit Angels4Epilepsy.  Jamie was diagnosed with epilepsy two year's ago and has had some struggles along the way.  One thing she learned was to give back to others and this took the form of starting an organization that gives back to children.  Sometimes she gives to children with other ailments or to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House but mostly, she provides gift bags to children hospitalized with epilepsy.  Since starting officially in 2010, she has provided over 300 gift bags to children in Georgia and Florida and soon to Indiana.

 

 

The grant will be used to purchase bears, gift cards for families in need to purchase their children bicycle helmets and medical alert USB bracelets as well as awareness posters about how strobe lights on motorcycles affect some with epilepsy.


Your vote can help her win this great grant to help other children.  Voting is daily and can be done online and via text.


To Enter the giveaway:


Vote by either creating an account on the Pepsi site or login with your Facebook account and you can text daily - this is a mandatory entry:


http://www.refresheverything.com/angels4epilepsyincorporated 
Text 106872 to Pepsi 73774

• Leave a comment that you voted online for one entry - can be done daily - NOTE:  In a last minute push - all votes equal five bonus entries!
• Leave a comment that you voted via text for one entry - can be done daily - NOTE:  In a last minute push - all votes equal five bonus entries!

* NOTE - online voting entries are those that actually vote via online and will be validated


Extra Entries:

• Follow my blog for two entries
• Tweet about this giveaway for two entries and leave the url to the tweet
• Blog about this giveaway for five entries and leave a link to the post.

Giveaway ends 6/30 at 11 pm (EST) - winner will be chosen via random.org.

Open to US/Canada only please. 

$50 Paypal Cash Giveaway 6/30: WINNER CLOSED

CONGRATULATIONS TO ...

Anonymous said...

Voted online margaretboxing@yahoo.com 4

June 29, 2011 10:56 PM 

An e-mail has been sent to Margaret and she has until Tuesday due to the holiday to respond before a new winner is selected via random.org.  Thanks to all those who entered and voted!

This is a somewhat easy giveaway as I won a $50 PayPal transaction online and am going to pass it on to help my eight year old win a Pepsi Refresh Grant for $25,000 for her non-profit Angels4Epilepsy.  Jamie was diagnosed with epilepsy two year's ago and has had some struggles along the way.  One thing she learned was to give back to others and this took the form of starting an organization that gives back to children.  Sometimes she gives to children with other ailments or to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House but mostly, she provides gift bags to children hospitalized with epilepsy.  Since starting officially in 2010, she has provided over 300 gift bags to children in Georgia and Florida and soon to Indiana.

 

 

The grant will be used to purchase bears, gift cards for families in need to purchase their children bicycle helmets and medical alert USB bracelets as well as awareness posters about how strobe lights on motorcycles affect some with epilepsy.


Your vote can help her win this great grant to help other children.  Voting is daily and can be done online and via text.


To Enter the giveaway:


Vote by either creating an account on the Pepsi site or login with your Facebook account and you can text daily - this is a mandatory entry:


http://www.refresheverything.com/angels4epilepsyincorporated 
Text 106872 to Pepsi 73774

• Leave a comment that you voted online for one entry - can be done daily.
• Leave a comment that you voted via text for one entry - can be done daily

* NOTE - online voting entries are those that actually vote via online and will be validated


Extra Entries:

• Follow my blog for two entries
• Tweet about this giveaway for two entries and leave the url to the tweet
• Blog about this giveaway for five entries and leave a link to the post.

Giveaway ends 6/30 at 11 pm (EST) - winner will be chosen via random.org.

Open to US/Canada only please. 

Arnold/Brownberry/Oroweat Nutty Grain Health-full Bread Recipes

I'm an Arnold bread fan and if you ever come over to enjoy our pool, you would always find a stock of Arnold Bread Thins in our refrigerator and freezer.  There are so many reasons why I love these carb and calorie reduced little powerhouses.  Now, I found out that Arnold or as others might know this brand as Brownberry or Oroweat, there is Nutty Grain Health-full Bread!

This is ideal for me because I try to pick whole grain breads which also delivers low carbs and calories but doesn't skip out on taste.  I strive for a high fiber diet and it looks like this will give me the alternative when I want a slice of bread over a Sandwich Thin.  It has only 80 calories a slice and provides a nutty flavor of toasted sesame seeds (yummy!).  Another HUGE bonus for me, no artificial coloring, flavors OR preservatives.

Here are some tasty recipes that I'm going to try:

Autumn Turkey Sandwich
Ingredients 2 slices Arnold® Health-full™ Nutty Grain bread 1 teaspoon cranberry sauce 2 slices of bacon, cooked and cooled (option: turkey bacon or reduced-fat bacon) 2 oz. deli turkey breast 1/2 serving Spiced Sweet Potatoes* 1/2 cup spinach leaves Serving size: 1 sandwich *Spiced Sweet Potatoes Ingredients 3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4" cubes 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger 2 teaspoon walnut oil 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper	Directions Prep time: 5 minutes Toast two slices of bread and spread a thick layer of cranberry sauce on one slice. Layer turkey, sweet potatoes, bacon and spinach on the bread slice; top with the other slice. Cut in half and serve. Nutritional Value (per serving) 370 calories 11g fiber 30g protein 46g carbs 10g fat

The Greek Goddess

Ingredients 2 slices Arnold® Health-full™ Nutty Grain bread 2 oz. deli-sliced fat-free chicken breast 1/2 cup spinach leaves 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, packed in water 1 oz. feta cheese 1/2 teaspoon Creamy Mint Yogurt* Serving size: 1 sandwich *Creamy Mint Yogurt Ingredients 2 cups plain yogurt 2 teaspoons cumin seeds 1 cup sour cream 1/4 cup minced fresh mint leaves 1 teaspoon salt

Directions Prep time: 5 minutes On one slice of bread, layer chicken, spinach and peppers; top with feta. Spread Creamy Mint Yogurt*on other slice of bread; top with second slice of bread. Nutritional Value (per serving) 294 calories 10g fiber 25g protein 37g carbs 8g fat *Creamy Mint Yogurt Directions Prep time: 4 hours 10 minutes Line a sieve with a damp paper towel. Set over a bowl and let yogurt drain for 2 hours. Toast the cumin seeds in a skillet for 3 minutes, then pulverize in a food processor adding the following ingredients: yogurt, sour cream, mint leaves and salt. Blend until mixture is pale green. Transfer into a serving bowl, cover and chill for 2 hours. Yields 48 servings per cup; makes 3 cups.

For more recipes and other tasty ideas, click here.




Find on Facebook here.



* Disclosure - I was not compensated for this post - I may receive a free sample.  I am a customer of Arnold breads.

Anyone Interested in a $50 Paypal Giveaway?

I'm working hard to get the word out about my daughter's non-profit running for a $25,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant and am trying everything I can to compete with the big organizations running with the volume of people they have coupled with the Pepsi Power Vote codes.

So ... my giveaways so far haven't generated as much hype (i.e. votes) as I expected and so thought I'd see if anyone would be interested in a $50 cash Paypal giveaway in exchange for votes for: