Giveaways I Want To Win

The Dirty Shirt is giving away a boxed set of Harry Potter books.

Cardstore.Com Is My New Go To Printer For Personalized Cards, Invites, and More

As part of Family Review Network's group of maven reviewers I was given the opportunity to review Cardstore.com

Website:

http://www.cardstore.com http://www.cardstore.com/cardstyle-blog/ 

 

Company Overview:

Cardstore.com is a Berkeley, California based greeting card retailer that combines online customization with designs from over 70 independent artists. Since 1999, the company has printed over 15 million personalized cards, a

Mission:

At Cardstore.com, we believe there is the perfect card for every occasion. From announcing the arrival of your new baby to wishing that special someone in your life a happy birthday, our beautiful designs can be personalized with your photos and messages to create the ideal greeting card.

Mother's Day is approaching and this is really a beautiful, personalized way to say I love you to Mom, Grandma and any woman in your life that has made an impact.

I love when you can personalize cards but more importantly, as an amateur, professional photographer, I love being able to share my pictures with friends and family.

As you all know, Goddess just celebrated her 5th birthday and while I loved doing craft thank you's for the kids in our lives, I really wanted to do something special for all the adults who showed their love to Goddess.

I chose the style (3 pictures, because how could I pick only one????), I placed my order for the amount I needed (No minumum order! Get whatever you need. Need 1 card? No problem)! When I saw the box 2 days after placing my order I was shocked. The turn around was so fast. The card itself is amazing! Nice, thick cardstock, that holds its shape and stands up almost like a frame. No bending in the middle. I love getting cards and placing them around the house (on shelves or the top of the TV) but they end up bending in the center within 2 days, eventually laying flat on the table until I decide if they are keepers.

"This post was written as part of a program for Family Review Network and Cardstore.com, who provided a gift card for shopping for the product for this review"

Sky Watch Friday

Visiting the manor last week was amazing. It was a beautiful day and the sky was so amazing.

Color Carnival Friday

This week's Color Carnival is a hard pick for me. I have so many fun pictures that I took with this theme in mind.



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Playing Catch-Up After Playing Hooky With The Kids

I am not a big believer in standardized education. Kids do not need to be in a structured, school setting to learn in my eyes. This means many things (which we will undoubtedly get into along the way), but it also means is that I have absolutely no problem springing the kids from school, for what has become our yearly ritual of going to the zoo.

My Little Ground Hogs (more pictures to come)

Yesterday, Goddess just told me "you can give away all our Little People."
Me: Huh, you don't want them anymore?"
Her: No Handsome and I don't play with them, you can give them to someone else."

*Sob* this makes me so sad. I loved watching them play with their Little People. We have hundreds and they were a big part of their pretend play. So sad!!!!

I loved watching them create these villages with the Strawberry Shortcake house and the Little People. My kids are getting big! Wahhhh.

This picture from 2007 actually hurts my heart!

Mr. Magoo Returns on DVD After a 30 Year Vacation with Kung Fu Magoo

As a child of the 60's I was a big Magoo fan. Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carole was by far my favorite holiday movie for many years.  When I was approached to review a new Magoo movie with Disney stars Dylan and Cole Sprouse I was excited. Would Magoo be relevant? Would kids of today watch it?

What I Can Tell You: I put the DVD in and explained to Goddess that we were going to watch a movie called "Kung Fu Magoo". She thought the title was funny. So do I! I told her that when I was little I loved Mr. Magoo. She loves hearing my "when I was a little girl stories."

We sat down on the couch with a blanket and pressed play. She loved it. Magoo is still cute and funny in a sad sort of way. Magoo and his "nephew" fight against evil and Magoo avoid danger by the skin of his teeth.

I was surprised and happy that Goddess liked it. She is not familiar with Dylan and Cole although I believe this will be a reason a lot of tweens might like it.

Kung Fu Magoo is something you and your kids can watch together.  The release date is May 11th, Handsome's birthday.

Also, look for Mr. Magoo in Sherwood Forest.

Boiron USA - Homeopathic Remedies for The Flu Season

Last month I received a box in the mail from Boiron USA, a company that specializes in homeopathic medicine.

Opening the box, I was greeted with some fabulous color!

I dug in and came up with this packet

Which contained three of their children's medications.

1) Children's Oscillococcinum which is a new product - ($2.00 coupon here)
As soon as you start feeling run-down or have other flu-like symptoms, take Oscillococcinum. Oscillo^® is regulated as a drug by the FDA and is supported by published clinical studies as well as more than 65 years of use throughout the world.

• Clinical studies show that Oscillo reduces the severity and duration of flu symptoms
• Great taste and convenient to take
• No side effects or interactions with other medications
• Good for everyone 2 years of age and older

2) Cold Calm Pellets - For all your cold symptoms.

3) Children's Chestal - A Cough syrup.

I felt that all product taste good and were easy to get my son to take.  I love the pellets and how easy it was for him to take. Twist the top, the pellets fall into the cap and he takes the recommended amount.

The Oscillococcinum was also easy. He takes one every 3 hours. You simply open and pour the crushed medicine into his mouth.

The Chestal taste just like honey and he had no problem taking that either.

I love that all products are available over the counter, taste great, are natural and are in the perfect dosage. Easy to take along in your bag or back pack. 


Boiron offers more than 800 homeopathic medicines that are approved by the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of United States (HPUS). We have selected about 80 of the most popular medicines to be readily available in most health food stores and specialized pharmacies. The others can be special-ordered by your pharmacist or your health food department specialist and made available to you in usually less than 3 days.

Thanks to Boiron for the opportunity to try these out and I have purchased another pack of Oscillococcinum at A&P today.

Husband And Wife by Leah Stewart

Book Description from Harper Collins

In this new novel by the celebrated author of The Myth of You and Me, a young mother discovers that her husband's novel about infidelity might be drawn from real life.

Sarah Price is thirty-five years old. She doesn't feel as though she's getting older, but there are some noticeable changes: a hangover after two beers, the stray gray hair, and, most of all, she's called “Mom” by two small children. Always responsible, Sarah traded her MFA for a steady job, which allows her husband, Nathan, to write fiction. But Sarah is happy and she believes Nathan is too, until a truth is revealed: Nathan's upcoming novel, Infidelity, is based in fact.

Suddenly Sarah's world is turned upside down. Adding to her confusion, Nathan abdicates responsibility for the fate of their relationship and of his novel's publication—a financial lifesaver they have been depending upon—leaving both in Sarah's hands. Reeling from his betrayal, she is plagued by dark questions. How well does she really know Nathan? And, more important, how well does she know herself?

For answers, Sarah looks back to her artistic twenty-something self to try to understand what happened to her dreams. When did it all seem to change? Pushed from her complacent plateau, Sarah begins to act—for the first time not so responsibly—on all the things she has let go of for so long: her blank computer screen; her best friend, Helen; the volumes of Proust on her bookshelf. And then there is that e-mail in her inbox: a note from Rajiv, a beautiful man from her past who once tempted her to stray. The struggle to find which version of herself is the essential one—artist, wife, or mother—takes Sarah hundreds of miles away from her marriage on a surprising journey.

Wise, funny, and sharply drawn, Leah Stewart's Husband and Wife probes our deepest relationships, the promises we make and break, and the consequences they hold for our lives, revealing that it's never too late to step back and start over.

I received a copy of Husband and Wife by Leah Stewart from Harper Collins to review and am so happy to be part of this campaign.

What I Can Tell You: I read this book from cover to cover in 2 nights and loved every minute of it. It is so well written. The characters, storyline and general feel of the book are perfect!  I will love the main character Sarah. Sarah's world is rocked to the core and she STILL has to do her mother duties. Totally believable story that shows just how strong woman can be and how strong they HAVE to be.

I will be searching for more books by Leah Stewart, she is a fantastic writer who keeps the story moving and doesn't beef it up with filler (I never felt like I had to read ahead to pass over irrelevent storyline). If you are like me, you will not be able to put this book down.

Husband and Wife hits the shelves on May 4th.

To Purchase:


Fan Leah on Facebook

ABC Wednesday - "O"

This week for ABC Wednesday the letter is "O"

O = Octagon - The Botanical Gardens has an Octagon Fountain full of Koi.



O = Over - While taking a picture of the fountain, a plane flew "over" my head


O = On - There is a shoe "on" the handle of this door

Public Service Announcements From My In-Box

Last week I asked what everyone thought about extra entries on Giveaways.

I would like to thank everyone for their honest opinions. Most of you are OK with them so for the time being I am going to keep them or I may change it up a bit and only do it on some.

With the summer coming and loads of road trips how about some audio books to keep you company on the road to wherever?

Introducing Simply Audiobooks, it is like the Net-flix of books. It's pretty cool. You can browse by genre, narrator, author and even get a free book download every month. This month it is L. Ron Hubbard's, The Last Drop.

More than 14,000 Books on CD in 33 Categories, Unlimited Rentals, No Late Fees: Simply Audiobooks

Based on Netflix Model, Simply Audiobooks Rents Most Extensive Collection of Audiobooks Anywhere

OAKVILLE, ON – With the largest and most diversified collection of audio book rentals in the world, Simply Audiobooks, the “Netflix of Audiobooks,” has enough listening material to ease 90-minute daily commuters through nearly 250 years of driving. By purchasing a monthly plan, Simply Audiobooks members get unlimited rental access to a library of more than 14,000 books on CD in 33 categories with no due dates, shipping costs or late fees to worry about.

Since 2003 when the company established itself as the first of its kind, Simply Audiobooks has worked to provide unlimited audio book rentals to U.S. customers with free direct-to-door delivery and no due dates or late fees. Like Netflix, members arrange a queue online where they can input their books of interest. When customers are finished with an audio book, they simply send it back for free, and the next available book in their queue is automatically shipped as soon as the previous book is received.

“Avid readers can’t always get their fix—in the car, performing menial tasks at work or at the gym—and that’s why the audio books market skyrocketed into a $923 million industry in 2007,” said ,  Lee Chesworth, CEO of Simply Audiobooks Inc. “Libraries carry them, but the selection is thin; audio books can cover more than 15 CDs, which makes them expensive to purchase. In contrast, Simply Audiobooks has multiple copies of each book in stock so the wait to grab the new thriller you’ve been dying to enjoy is short.”

Unlike other audio book rental services, Simply Audiobooks doesn’t ship books in installments. Instead, members are sent the entire audio book in one shipment (15 CDs or less—the length of a majority of audio books) so they can listen all the way through without having to wait for the next section to reach the mailbox.

Categories included in the Simply Audiobooks selection span all of the popular genres—from biographies to mysteries, romance to horror and science fiction to religion. The web site offers books in other formats (like cassette or downloadable MP3), many of which can be purchased directly through Simply Audiobooks.

Simply Audiobooks memberships are available for purchase through the website for a monthly fee of $26.98 or special annual pricing at $21 a month. To sign up and take advantage of a free 15-day trial, visit www.simplyaudiobooks.com.

FashionPlaytes girls custom clothing - Sponsored Post

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So cool!

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Great Creative Outlet for Girls 5-12

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So cool!

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Mom Central Announce Mother's Day Gift Guide and Giveaways

Mother's Day is coming soon and Mom Central is hosting their massive Mother's Day Gift Guide and Giveaways.

The Mom Central Mother's Day Gift Guide and Giveaways runs from April 26 through May 9. Check back each week for your chance to win one (or all!) of the products we've reviewed.

To enter to win, click on each of the links below and leave a comment (make sure you have registered with Mom Central and are logged in). Good luck and happy holidays!

Week 1 reviews and prizes: (You must enter to win by Sunday, May 2)
Nuo Tech

See's Candies
Dazzle DVD Recorder 
Wee Ride Kangaroo Carrier
Chronicle Books: Pretty Pantry Gifts
Bellarina Chamonix Scarves
Back to Basics Egg-and-Muffin Toaster and Egg Poacher
"L'Occitane Experience" Vivabox
Shark Cordless: VX3 Floor and Carpet Cleaner

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central. Mom Central entered my name in a random drawing to win a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate."

Melba Snacks Food From My Past Get A Make Over

When Mom Central asked for bloggers interested in reviewing Melba Toast I raised my virtual hand. I remember Melba Toast from when I was a kid. Whenever my parents went on a diet, and it happened often, they would eat Melba Toast. 

I received two boxes in the mail, a Sea Salt flavor and Spicy 3 Pepper to try. I took them with me to my morning, coffee meeting and asked my girlfriends to try them. They both liked them however, I was more fond of the Sea Salt one. The big test was my 5 year old. She asked to try one and took the tiniest nibble. While I waited for a face she swallowed the nibble and went back for more giving me the proverbial that has become her signature "I like it" stance.

When my parents ate them, they usually threw some tuna or egg salad on theirs. This was over 35 years ago though, things are a little different thanks to Chef Kyle Shadix. Check out some of these awesome recipes, including a dessert made with Melba Toast. 

Ruby Tuesday

While at the Botanical Gardens last week, taking pictures of my favorite gate, I noticed this tree on the other side. Ummm...perfect for Ruby Tuesday I thought before snapping.

The End Of the Line - Where Have All The Fish Gone

As a review blogger I get quite a bit of mail. More than 95% of it, I know about the other 5% just kind of show up. One of the things that showed up last week was this DVD called The End of The Line, a film by Rupert Murray.

FILM DESCRIPTION:

The End of the Line, the first major feature documentary film revealing the impact of overfishing on our oceans. Filmed over two years, we see firsthand the effects of our global love affair with fish as food. The film examines the imminent extinction of bluefin tuna, brought on by increasing western demand for sushi; the impact on marine life resulting in huge overpopulation of jellyfish; and the profound implications of a future world with no fish that would bring certain mass starvation.

What I Can Tell You:

My husband and I are big documentary watchers so I was excited to watch one that I had not seen yet. The END of the Line, Where Have All The Fish Gone is narrated by Ted Dansen and shows us the devastating effects "over fishing" has on our oceans. I had no idea of the declining fish population around the world. One speaker talks of how they dredge the ocean over 6 times a year and compared it to a farmer. If a farmer plowed over 6 times a year, how much crop would he actually get?

This is an eye opening movie. I was completely unaware of the how consumer consumption and corporations have aided in the decline of many fish populations and how these declines affect the health of the ocean itself. Could we possibly have an ocean without fish by 2048? Scary thought!

For more information, video and how you can take part in this conservation of sea life go to Babelgum.

Because of cost I do not eat a lot of fish. However, before you take a bite, see if the fish  planning to buy or eat is caught or farmed in a way that is sustainable.

The End of the Line is not suggesting you give up eating fish, they merely want to educate the public to the crises we are inevitably heading toward.

The Campaign from The End of the Line Website:

The End of the Line is not against fishing. It is not against eating fish. But it is for a responsible attitude towards the oceans.

The film has three messages for consumers, citizens and companies:

• Ask before you buy: Only eat sustainable seafood.
• Tell Politicians: Respect the science, cut the fishing fleet
• Join the Campaign: For marine protected areas and responsible fishing

We hope that when people buy fish in a shop or in restaurant, they will ask where it comes from; whether it is from a sustainable source, whether it is an endangered or over-exploited species.

There are useful guides to what fish you can buy with a (fairly) clear conscience.  In the UK one is produced by the Marine Conservation Society. You can find the guide on their website.

In the USA, the Monterey Bay Aquarium issues one. You can click through from here. www.SeafoodWatch.org

And the Marine Stewardship Council runs a certification scheme for fish produced according to principles of sustainability, which you can find out about on the MSC website

But we also want people to put pressure on politicians to listen to the scientists and act upon their recommendations. Write to your representative. Sign up to our Pledges.

And, finally, join the campaign to make more of the oceans protected areas, where industrial fishing is not allowed and where fish stocks can replenish themselves.

At the moment only 3 per cent of the world's oceans are marine protected areas.

You can learn more about why they should be increased and those who are campaigning for them, on the websites on our Organisations page.

AAARRRHHHHHHGGGGG!!!

Why?

I understand and give everyone the benefit of the doubt, yet sometimes I just don't get it.

On April 7th I posted an item on Ebay stating "pick up only" since it is a huge, heavy piece of furniture.

On the 10th and 13th I received bids on the item. Hooray for me.

On the 14th, bidder #1 asked to be removed from the bidding because they didn't realize this was a pick up only item.

I was unable to remove and asked if they could remove themselves. They couldn't or didn't. 

The item ended and since I knew #1 wouldn't be coming to get it. I sent messages to bidder #2 saying; 

"The person who bid after you didn't realize the item was pick up only. If you want the item before I relist, please let me know." (I wrote it this way because I wanted to hopefully make the sale but also because I wanted to let them know IT IS PICK UP ONLY!)

No response but I received a payment of $180.00. Awesome. So they MUST understand that it is pick up only so I send a response. When will you be picking up? Nothing! I look them up and see that they live in CALIFORNIA. Ummm..I live in NY. 

I head over to PayPal sending back the money that I COULD SO USE stating, "This item is pick up only. If you intend to pick up, please resend the money."

Today, I receive this message!

Hi I havent your item, it has been one week and nothing please e-mail me ??????????

ARRGHHHHHGGG...really, seriously!????? WTF! 

So, now I have AGAIN sent a message through EBAY because that is the only info I have on them, lets see what happens.

My First I Heart Faces Challenge

I have been following I Heart Faces for some time now but never felt up to the challenges. This week the challenge is "Smiles".

This is one of my favorite Goddess portraits.  She is the actress and my perfect muse.

Meme Combination - Blue and Mellow Yellow Monday

In an effort to keep my updates down I try to combine memes whenever possible.

These little buds looked like little cups trying to grab as much sun light as possible.

I found this shoe on my nature walk and decided to use it as a prop in Waaaaaayyyyy to many pictures.

Avatar Lives Up To The Hype

There has been so much talk about Avatar over the past few months and on my blog, yet, I saw it for the first time last night thanks to 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Well, if you have seen the movie, I probably won't say anything that you don't already know, but please go ahead and leave your comment telling me what you loved about Avatar.

After we put the kids to bed we sat down with our review copy and got ready for a long night (the movie is almost 3 hours long). You don't even realize how long the movie is because it moves so quickly and there is no down time.

From the moment it starts you are transported to Pandora. The visual effects of Avatar are amazing. The brilliant color, the imagery, the soundtrack all make for an award winning movie.

Description:
AVATAR
Since its global theatrical release last December, AVATAR has continued to make motion picture history. Written by James Cameron and produced with his long-time collaborator Jon Landau, AVATAR stars Sam Worthington, Zoë Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Wes Studi and Laz Alonso.  The Oscar and Golden Globe winning epic is the highest grossing film of all time, taking in over $2.6 billion in worldwide box office.  Director James Cameron takes audiences to a spectacular world beyond imagination, where a reluctant hero embarks on a journey of redemption and discovery as he leads a heroic battle to save a civilization.  AVATAR delivers a fully immersive cinematic experience of a new kind, where the revolutionary technology invented to make the film disappears into the emotion of the characters and the epic nature of the story.
What I Can Tell You: The movie is amazing. If you haven't seen it. See it! If you have, well, you know, watch it again. I will.  I appreciated the whole save a tree, save a civilization story. WOW, the visuals amazing!!! Stunning clarity. Pure genius. There story moves quickly but you never feel lost. I loved everything about it including the really cool "Halo" guns and crazy robotic suits. I cannot wait to sit with my kids to watch this when they are old enough.  

Parents, while I personally think it is a beautiful piece of work, I cannot show my kids yet. There are three curses in the movie (bitch was one of them).

The Official field guide to Pandora, JAMES CAMERON'S AVATAR: A CONFIDENTIAL REPORT ON THE BIOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL HISTORY OF PANDORA, is the perfect companion to the film. On sale now from It Books.

Avatar is worth the hype. You will not be disappointed. 

Monochrome Weekend - The Shoe Prop

While walking around the Botanical Gardens the other day, I spotted a sneaker and just had to use it in a photo.

Shadow Sunday

I took this for Shadow Sunday. The fence is one of my favorite things at the Botanical Gardens next to the flowers.

Eye Opening Book - Eat to Beat Diabetes is Not Just For Diabetics

STOP!!! Before you pass up on this post because you think "I'm not diabetic, so I don't need to read this." STOP! You will want to read this.

Thanks to FSB Associates, I was offered the opportunity to review Eat & Beat Diabetes With Picture Perfect Weight Loss: The Visual Program to Prevent and Control Diabetes (Harlequin-Nonfiction; May 2010; $19.99U.S/$22.95 CAN) by authors Dr. Howard M. Shapiro, author of the New York Times bestselling Picture Perfect Weight Loss series and renowned chef and diabetic Franklin Becker.

Did You Know That You Can Eat and Beat Diabetes?

View more presentations from FSB Associates.

Fact: Every day in the United States 2,200 Americans are diagnosed with Diabetes. 

Maria's Message - You do not need to be diabetic to get the most out of this book!

Look and Lose -- Same Calories, More Food!
Includes tips and healthy meals for kids at risk

The most delicious way you can imagine to lose weight and manage diabetes

• Overweight and at risk for diabetes?
• Diagnosed as diabetic or prediabetic?
• Worried about heart disease?
• Need to lower your blood pressure or cholesterol?
• Need to lose weight healthfully?
• Want to prevent your children from getting diabetes?
•  

Follow the plan in this book and you'll be on the road to health. You'll lose weight -- one of the most important components of diabetes prevention and management -- and you won't feel deprived. It's not about what you can't eat anymore -- it's about all the foods that will leave you satisfied and help you fight disease.

• The latest research, revealing the four powerful nutrients that proactively beat back diabetes and its impact
• More than 100 color photos of picture-perfect food comparisons that help you make the right choices
• Tips for how to beat diabetes in any restaurant -- from fast food to haute cuisine

Beat diabetes and lose weight!
Ask any doctor or nutritionist who treats patients with diabetes: the first focus for controlling the disease is a healthy eating plan. But typical diabetic eating plans have been all about what you can't eat and what to do if you fall prey to a craving for foods you shouldn't have.

But now a typical day in the life of a diabetic might start with a smoked salmon-and-dill omelet, continue to a lunch of three-bean chili, salsa and guacamole, and finish with a dinner of grilled shrimp and shaved fennel, topped off by a dessert of chocolate terrine. It's a kind of eating that virtually guarantees not just control of the disease and a satisfying of the appetite, but an emphasis on specific nutrients that actually target diabetes, beating back its potential side effects and maintaining the healthy weight that is key to controlling the disease.

In Eat & Beat Diabetes with Picture Perfect Weight Loss, Dr. Howard Shapiro uses the same visual method of food comparisons that made his bestselling weight-loss books so popular and easy to use. Now he has teamed with top chef Franklin Becker, a diabetic himself, and together they reveal the secrets to a diet that can actually help you prevent and beat diabetes -- without depriving yourself of delicious food.

You'll find:

• Dr. Shapiro's Beat Diabetes Pyramid -- a simple way to understand the food groups that fight diabetes and help you lose weight
• 50 recipes from the nation's premier chefs, which range from simple to sophisticated, so anyone can make tasty meals regardless of time or skill
• A 7-day sample meal plan

Author Bios
Dr. Howard M. Shapiro changed the way American lost weight with his New York Times bestseller Picture Perfect Weight Loss. He is the founder and director of Howard M. Shapiro Medical Associates, a private multidisciplinary medical office in New York City that specializes in weight control, nutrition counseling and life management. He has been featured in the New York Times, USA Today and Vogue, among others, and has been a frequent guest on numerous national television and radio programs, including Oprah, Today, Good Morning America and The View. Dr. Shapiro worked extensively with the New York Police Department and the Fire Department of New York, helping them lose a total of 2,544 pounds. Visit his Web site atwww.drhowardshapiro.com.

Franklin Becker has served as executive chef at several of New York's premier restaurants and his work has been featured in the New York Times, New York magazine, Esquire and People. At the age of twenty-seven, he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Following his diagnosis, Chef Becker lost 35 pounds and transformed his cooking style to create dazzling dishes that are healthy and flavorful. Chef Becker currently presides over Abe & Arthur's restaurant, located in New York City's Meatpacking district. Visit his Web site at www.cheffranklinbecker.com.

What I Can Tell You: Hopefully, you didn't check out and continued to read. The best part of this book, is it is made for people like me. I need a visual.  You can't just tell me how eating more helps you lose weight, you have to show me! Seeing the bad meal and the good meal side by side was shocking! When I looked at the amount of food you can eat and the caloric numbers side by side it was like a light bulb going off. You mean instead of two slices of pizza, I can have 1 slice, antipasta and a bowl of soup for less calories?

The color pictures, the caloric numbers, the sugar visual and the "pats of butter" to show how much fat really drive home the point. 

I do not believe there is a book that will be more helpful in the pursuit of healthy weight loss than this book.  


Eat and Beat Diabetes with Picture Perfect Weight Loss is billed as the visual program to prevent and control diabetes.


There is even a section in the back, that shows menus from certain restaurants. They have put the best choices in Orange to help you make the best decision for yourself while eating out. 


Beside all the pictures that make this a complete idiot proof book is the medical information needed for the smarter folks who like words with their books. 


In A Nutshell: Whether you have diabetes, are a candidate for diabetes, need to loose weight or want to eat healthier, this IS the book for you.

Disclaimer: FSB Associates, sent me a copy to review.

Self Portrait Sunday - April 25, 2010

Here are the reasons for playing: Come on, admit it, you look through your photo albums or computer folders and see very few photos of yourself. Maybe it is because, like me, you are usually behind the camera. Or maybe, it's because you never feel you look good in photos so you tell everyone, "don't take any of me."

Well, take it...in the future you will wonder why you thought you didn't look good! You look good, be proud and show your smiling face!

Here is my face in reflection. I was at the Botanical Gardens this week and Lauri thought this would be a great Self Portrait Sunday picture. Since I didn't have a chance to download yesterdays picks, I thought so too.


Hope to see your smiling face.

Camera Critters - My Ducks

They are not really mine but since they visit my stream every day for the past week I will refer to them as such.

We where thrilled to have the ducks use our stream, the kids love watching them and now know these are Mallard Ducks and which is the male and female. Wildlife in my own back yard is always fun.

Honor The 5 People Who Have Made An Influence In Your Life

Pine-Sol has connected with Facebook and created an easy to use application to honor the people who have made a difference in your life.

This is the first I am hearing of this thanks to Mom Select. I had no idea that Pine-Sol, my go to floor cleaner, is so involved in female related causes and in such a positive way!

Head over to Powerful Difference on Facebook and find easy to use page above. 

Big or small, the differences the women in our lives make can be quite powerful. From tutoring a child to launching a foundation, women are doing some pretty remarkable things. Powerful Difference™ by Pine-Sol® recognizes and supports these women.

I have always believed that the woman in my life, whether family or friends all play a very important role to my life, well being, and heart. Life without my girls would be almost unbearable. Honoring the ladies who have made a difference in my world could go on forever but I will be heading over to Powerful Difference to do so. 

Ok, it was so easy. You put in the name of your friend/family you are honoring. They come up if on Facebook, then you write something about them, unfortunately, it was not long enough but I abbreviated. Then you can send it to them letting them know they were honored. Sweet!

The makers of Pine-Sol^® products are proud to partner with Girls For A ChangeYou are now exiting this web site. The Clorox Company is not responsible for the content or data collection of the website you are about to go to. (GFC), a national organization that empowers girls to create social change. The organization invites young women to design, lead, fund and implement social change projects that tackle issues girls face in their own neighborhoods. GFC provides the tools,resources, partnerships and support girls need to gain the voice, ability, and problem-solving capacity to realize their full potential. GFC welcomes and serves all girls who live in low income communities.

I love this and will be forwarding to my Mommy group in town.  

"Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a gift card in exchange for this post.  No monetary exchange took place."

A Thousand Word Thursday - Preschool

Here is my Goddess on her birthday at school, discussing with her teacher who she should call on to answer a question. I love how Goddess is smiling at her. FYI - In regards to the lovely ensemble that Goddess is sporting. That is NOT what I picked out for her to wear. She was trying to match herself to her cake which was green, blue and had sprinkles.

Opportunity to Chat With Michael Strahan and Win Some Awesome Prizes

I just received word that this Sunday, Michael Strahan will be on Twitter.

Have you seen his commercials yet for Vaseline Men? BTW. I am having a ball reading all the ribbing Michael is getting on his Twitter page from his friends. Funny!

You are cordially invited to join Michael Strahan and Vaseline® MEN lotion this Sunday after the NFL Draft for a Vaseline® MEN Tweet Up. Participants will have a chance to win autographed footballs and product!

Date: Sunday, April 25

Time: 7 pm - 8 pm EST

·         Where:  On Twitter, comment on the #VaselineMEN hashtag

·         Who: The teams at Vaseline® (@VaselineBrand), Michael Strahan (@michaelstrahan) and RocketXL (@rocket_XL) will be joining the conversation.

·         What:  Tell us about your skin care routine and what you can do in 15 seconds or less 

·          

     Chance to win prizes as a participant in the #VaselineMEN conversation:

o   The first 30 participants in the Tweet Up will receive a bottle of the new Vaseline® MEN lotion (value $5.99)

o   Every 20 minutes we’ll also randomly select a participant to win an autographed football by Michael Strahan (value $100)

Happy Earth Day - Book Nook Corner

Yes, today, April 22nd is the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day but let's not forget that......

Today, my town is hosting like many towns around the globe, a community clean up. We were scheduled to participate in this but unfortunately this year we will have to forgo. My daughter has been almost unable to see with her swollen eyes due to the high pollen over the last few days. Today we are trying a new medication to see if she gets some relief. Thank goodness for Harper Collins who have sent us a few books to keep us busy and involved.

Thanks to Harper Collins Children I have been given some awesome Earth Day Books to review.

The first one is Biscuit's Earth Day Celebration.

It's Earth Day!
Join Biscuit as he helps take care of our green world. From planting seeds to cleaning up, Biscuit's
celebration is an exciting adventure for Earth Day and for every day!
Woof!
Have more fun with Biscuit!

What I Can Tell You: One of the many things I love about the Biscuit books is that the kids feel they are reading because they can say the "woof, woof" part. It keeps them engaged and listening for their part. I loaded it to my daughter's preschool to read today and the kids loved it!  The price is also good. At $3.99 this is a wonderful book and well priced.  What a great first book to introduce children to conservation and recycling. Great for even the youngest listeners.



Next up, Global Warming by Seymour Simon

by Seymour Simon

Earth's climate has always varied, but it is now changing more rapidly than at any other time in recent centuries. The climate is very complex, and many factors play important roles in determining how it changes.
Why is the climate changing? Could Earth be getting warmer by itself? Are people doing things that make the climate warmer?

Award-winning science writer Seymour Simon teams up with the Smithsonian Institution to give you a full-color photographic introduction to the causes and effects of global warming and climate change.

What I Can Tell You: A very interesting, colorful book about the beautiful planet that we live on and how our carbon footprint is changing our planets climate.  It is the contrast photos that were eye opening for me.

What I Want To Know: How come this is the first time I am hearing about Seymour Simon? His site is engaging, interesting and educational. I will be visiting often. 

For more information on Seymour Simon go to his very educational website. To hear Seymour's message, check out this video.

BTW...Seymour has a blog, you can find it here.

Last but certainly not least is Where Do Polar Bears Live? This book is written by Sarah L. Thomson and Illustrated by Jason Chin.

 

by Sarah L. Thomson, illustrated by Jason Chin

Let's-Read-and-Find-Out about Polar Bears
The Arctic might be a bit too chilly for you or me to live there, but it is the perfect home for polar bears. The fur between the pads of their paws keeps them from slipping on the ice. Their skin and blubber are like a warm blanket. But the earth is getting warmer and the ice is melting. Where will the polar bears live? How can we help protect their home? Read and find out!

What I Can Tell You: The story talks about how polar bears are losing their homes due to the melting ice. It shows a mother and cub trying to survive as the climate around them changes.  The book also talks about changes you can make to help the polar bear and the planet. It begins at the end of hibernation and the mother bear poking through the snow so that she and her cub can search for food. The pictures are engaging for early listeners and questions are sure to arise. I thought that my daughter would be disturbed with one scene where the bears eat a seal.  She asked "is that blood?" I told her yes, and then we talked about the food the bears eat. She understood that the bears needed food to live and was fine with it although she went back to the page two times after we finished the book.



Thanks to Harper Collins Children for forwarding our Earth Day books. We and our preschool appreciate it.

Changing Giveaway Format? What Are You Thoughts?

I love hosting giveaways but it is something I do for my readers so...here is my question to you:

What are your feelings about extra entries? Should there be extra entries?

As a mom who decided to start a blog, I look toward my peers to to show me how to run giveaways.  My peers were doing extra entries. I loved that I could get extra entries into giveaways that I was interested in so it seemed like a good idea.

This morning, while on 5 Minutes for Mom I read and participated in there poll.  While there I found this article from She Posts.Com. It was an interesting read and got me wondering how everyone feels.

Personally, I don't believe Giveaways are rigged. How? I would love to know. Many times sponsors offer my readers something and I receive nothing in return except the knowledge that one of my readers was able to enter and win. There are many times I have wanted to enter my own giveaway (especially when a sponsor is offering something great to my readers and don't have one for me.) I could say no to hosting since I am getting nothing of value in return, but love offering to my readers so I do the work required to host (and believe me, it is WORK, there is a lot involved in hosting giveaways) and love being able to send the email to whowever's number comes up from Random.Org.

So, with all of that, what do you guys think? Extra Entries? If I had more time this morning, I would do a poll, maybe I will get to that later today. Got to get the kids out the door now.

Let me know, I am interested in your answers