Zucchini is Undercover in our Spaghetti - Noodle #Recipe

I know everyone talks about adding veggies to their pasta sauce. Whether you leave in the chunks or puree away the evidence, I was tired of our plain old spaghetti. So, I saw a way to make my pasta gluten free, low protein and low carb. Sound good?

The crazy part is, using zucchini for the noodles makes it faster to serve than boiling noodles!

How does it taste? Under the red sauce the zucchini had a very mild flavor. If I wasn't looking at my plate I would have had a hard time knowing it was a squash. I think I will try it with my homemade pesto sauce next.

The texture? Using fresh zucchini, I salted it slightly and let it sweat a little. After draining the "noodles" were pliable and soft. Not exactly like traditional pasta, but very similar.

You Will Need:
1-2 large zucchini
a pinch of salt

Grab your mandolin and use the juliene setting. The zucchini doesn't even need to be cooked. Just wash it and slice off the ends.

Run it down your mandolin lengthwise. I turned my setting to 1/8", but you might like your "noodles" thinner or thicker.

I threw a little salt on the zucchini and put it in a colander as I prepared the rest of our dinner. This allowed a little excess moisture to drain. Toss these noodles with your favorite sauce and enjoy. I made a simple garden tomato sauce and sauteed a little eggplant to go with it.

Are You Protecting Your Family Nest? #FamilyNest

Having children is a game changer...

Yes, a full-on growing up and learning to plan sorta game changer. Despite how carefree life seemed when my DH and I were in college, and then starting out in the workforce, children have caused us to plan.

We were hit with a medical diagnosis for both our children. This made life even more serious very fast. We not only needed to take care of our new baby, but also make sure that they would have their medical needs taken care of if we weren't around, or our situation changed. I became a Stay-at-home Mom and we had to cash in our 401K's from work. It has been tough, but we are working hard to make sure we have a better future for our family.

Have you thought about insurance? I know it can be very confusing. Life insurance, homeowner's insurance, car insurance, renter's insurance ... it is all enough to make my head spin. In this economy, don't even get me started on our retirement fund.

The Allstate Corporation is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Allstate is working with bloggers to share the word on how family's can prepare for the future and protect their family nest.

Did you know that half of Americans say they are under-insured? That’s 58 million* of us. And 70%* of people with kids under 18 say they would be in serious trouble if something happened to the primary breadwinner.

I think it goes back to high school economics classes, but the best way to protect your family is to plan ahead. So, how do you get started?

• Make a Plan - Call a family meeting or set time aside with your spouse. Figure out how much you can put away. Can you take a percentage out a month? You should have 3-6 months of living expenses socked away in savings. If that seems like a lot, just start working towards that goal. Something is better than nothing.
• Meet with an insurance agent. Your local Allstate agent can talk you through your situation and help you plan for the future today. Allstate and their agents have been helping customers protect their families for over 50 years. Talk about your current family needs and what you can comfortably spend each month on insurance.
•  Employ a few frugal tips in your living and eating habits to have more to set aside. Building up a savings often requires a few changes. Look at your budget. Can you eat out a little less? Take one less trip a year?  How about bringing lunch to work?
• Set aside part of your bonus or holiday money for your savings. Okay, not the most fun use of the money, but the point is to be prepared. A little sacrifice now can save headaches later.

Okay, those are just a few simple ways to protect your nest and prepare for the future. What tips do you have?

More information on Allstate Life Insurance: http://www.allstate.com/
Allstate Life Insurance on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Allstate
Follow @allstate on Twitter

*Disclaimer - I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Allstate blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

New! - Let's Cook App for iPad and iPhone

Chef Fabio Viviani had me at fresh pasta...
but, he stole my heart, and appetite, when he roasted tomatoes for his pasta dish.

Yes, I love pasta. Fresh, and homemade is the way to go. When I heard about the Let's Cook iOS App with Chef Fabio Viviani and Bertolli Olive Oil, I got excited.

This is currently available for the iPad, iPhone and iTouch. Yes, I am having a bit of Apple envy right now!

This is was my first time watching Chef Fabio, but I am not a stranger to Bertolli Olive Oil. It has been a trusted friend in my kitchen for pesto sauce, my pizza crust and to saute. I enjoy Bertolli for both great flavor and quality for the price.

Of course, this program is much more than just fresh pasta. Let Chef Fabio inspire you to cook something amazing tonight. To help, this App includes over 5 hours of  mouth-watering video recipes. Fabulous eye-candy for any foodie.

It also includes kitchen tips and 100+ recipes listing both cooking time and prep time. The recipe videos are part of the App, so don't worry about streaming lags or internet connection issues.

I had the chance to watch the Fresh Fettuccinie with Crispy Pancetta, Mushroom and Cherry Tomato video. It looks amazing, doesn't it? And .Chef Fabio is both fun to watch and very knowledgeable about good food.

I will be trying this recipe out later this week. I am currently overrun with cherry tomatoes in my garden and this looks like a perfect solution. There is also a recipe on the App for Chef Fabio's homemade pasta. I will also be checking that out to see what his tips are

I am excited to share this video recipe with you here, but for more great dinner ideas, tips and videos, check out the Let's Cook App. You can read the  iTunes Review here.





*Disclaimer - I wrote this review while participating in a Blog Friendly PR campaign on behalf of Bertolli Olive Oil and the 'Let's Cook' iOS App by Chef Fabio Viviani. Samples were provided so I could provide my honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

Wordless Wednesday - My Baby Turns 2!

Today, Wednesday August 31st, is my baby's 2nd birthday. 

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Mat Kearney's new album Young Love is out! #Review

I used to listen to the radio when I was younger. I was eager to hear the latest songs, find the greatest new artists and find music I could dance to.

Now my tastes have changes a bit. I don't have as much time to stay on top of new music, but I still love to find a new song or artist I can enjoy while I blog or clean up around the house.

I was thrilled to listen to Mat Kearney's newest release, Young Love. I was hooked from the first single “Hey Mama”, which had my foot tapping and my toddlers dancing around me. It is such a sweet and fun song!



I really owe the One2One Network a big thank you for bringing this album to my attention. I love Mat's voice and his lyrics are fabulous, both sweet and moving. If his voice sounds familiar, it might be. He has had other songs on many popular television shows like Scrubs, 30 Rock & The Vampire Diaries. He has also toured with greats like John Mayer and Sheryl Crow to Keane and the Fray.

Young Love Tracklisting

1 Hey Mama
2 Ships In The Night
3 Count On Me
4 Sooner Or Later
5 Chasing The Light
6 Learning To Love Again
7 Down
8 She Got The Honey
9 Young Dumb And In Love
10 Rochester
11 Seventeen

Okay, so Hey Mama is probably my favorite, Sooner or Later also has me singing along and humming during the day, and She Got the Honey makes me want to dance.

The best part to me is he was born and raised in Eugene, Oregon! So, I would consider him a local boy. Now he is based in Nashville, Tennessee. His blend of rock and folk makes his songs likable  and memorable.

Mat will be on tour next month (September) with nearly 40 shows in the US and Canada. Tickets are on sale now. Check out when Mat Kearney will be performing near you:

9/14          Jacksonville, FL       Murray Hill           
9/16          Charleston, SC         Music Farm           
9/17          Athens, GA               GA Theater           
9/18          Carrboro, NC            Cat's Cradle            
9/20          Charlottesville, VA   Jefferson Theater           
9/23          Louisville, KY           Headliners           
9/24          Cincinnati, OH          Bogart's           
9/25          Cleveland, OH          House of Blues         
9/27           Interlochen, MI        Corson Aud           
9/29           Urbana, IL                Canopy Club           
9/30           Milwaukee, WI         Turner Hall           
10/1           Des Moines, IA        People's Court          
10/2           Omaha, NE              Sokol Auditorium           
10/4           Bloomington, IN      Bluebird           
10/5           St Louis, MO           The Pageant           
10/7           Oxford, MS              The Lyric        
10/8           Pine Mountain, GA   Callaway Gardens          
10/9           Birmingham, AL      Workplay Theatre
10/20         Nashville, TN            Cannery           
10/23         Washington, DC       9:30 Club           
10/24         Baltimore, MD           Ram's Head           
10/25         Lancaster, PA            Chameleon           
10/27         Allentown, PA           Crocodile Rock        

10/28         New York, NY            Webster Hall           
10/29         Philadelphia, PA       Theater of LIving Arts   
10/30         Albany, NY                 Northern Lights       

11/1           Northampton, MA      Pearl Street 
11/2           New Haven, CT          Toad's Place            

11/4           Boston, MA                House of Blues        
11/5           Portland, ME              State Theatre   
11/6           Burlington, VT            Higher Ground           
11/8           Montreal, QC              Petite Campus
11/9           Toronto, ON                Opera House           
11/11         Buffalo, NY                 Town Ballroom           
11/12         Pittsburgh, PA            Rex Theater           
11/13         Detroit, MI                   St. Andrews           
11/15         Columbus, OH            Newport Music Hall 
11/17         Chicago, IL                 House of Blues         
11/19         Madison, WI               The Majestic
11/20         Minneapolis, MN       First Avenue

Check out Mat Kearney's website

*Disclaimer - I was sent a courtesy copy of the album to review as part of the One2One Network. All opinions are my own and. By posting I am entered into a gift card giveaway, but I am not required to post a favorable review.

Have You Tried Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt? #Review

I wrote this post while participating in a blog tour conducted by Clever Girls on behalf of Dannon. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program but my opinions are my own.


For more information and recipe ideas, visit www.oikosyogurt.com or www.Facebook.com/oikos. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

 I love yogurt! When I was in school I used to slip a lemon or blueberry yogurt into my lunch box. Now that I am an adult I choose Greek yogurt because it is smooth, thick and packs more protein than the cup from my childhood. I don't even remember Greek yogurt being widely available when I was growing up.

Now it seems like I always have it in my fridge. The thick, creamy texture is addictive. But, Greek yogurt is so much more than a quick breakfast or healthy lunch... I now use it for sauces, to make blueberry pancakes and use it in place of sour cream for dips. Oikos Greek Yogurt from Dannon is a great brand to try if you want to give Greek yogurt a go.

So what makes "Greek" yogurt different? Dannon® Oikos® is created through an authentic Greek straining process which gives it a rich and creamy-thick texture. The Greek method strains out some of the whey (liquid) of the yogurt leaving more milk solids.

Why should you try it? Well, both Dannon® Oikos® Plain and Fruit on the Bottom contains 0% fat, while the Dannon® Oikos® traditional blended varieties contains about 3% fat. Both are an excellent source of protein, twice that of most regular lowfat yogurts.

And how can you use it in cooking? I substitute Greek yogurt anywhere a recipe calls for sour cream. So, in my hot spinache and artichoke dip, pound cake, etc. Sprinkle a little ranch seasoning on top and dip away with fresh cut veggies. You can also find a bunch of great recipes on the Oikos website showing you how to add a nutritious twist to some of your current favorites: www.smartswaprecipes.com.

I love how the yogurt tastes on it's own... and with so many flavors, including: Plain, Vanilla, Honey, Peach, Black Cherry, Blueberry, Strawberry, to choose from I never get bored. Add it to your baking though, and your goodies take on a whole other taste dimension. It is a sneaky way to add rich flavor without the usual guilt. You will have very happy taste buds!

So, still not sure if you want to try Dannon® Oikos® yogurt? Well, for all those John Stamos fans, take a peak at the current commercial:

The only question left is, how will you be enjoying your Dannon® Oikos® yogurt?
Oikos is a registered trademark of Stonyfield Farm., Inc. used under license by the Dannon Company, Inc.

Win Your Own #Chaibrary

Oregon Chai is currently running a great Facebook sweepstakes! It highlights two of my favorite activities, reading and "me time".

• One lucky winner will receive $1,000 to buy whatever is needed to make their reading more enjoyable
• 1,000 runners up will win a $5 Amazon gift card
• All entrants will get $1 toward any Oregon Chai product just for entering

Pretty sweet, isn't it?

Enter under the "Chai-brary" Tab on Oregon Chai's Facebook page.

It is that simple! So, head on over to Facebook and good luck. In addition, tweet for your chance to win Oregon Chai Latte Concentrate. One tweet a week will win, enter until Tuesday, September 6 at 5 p.m. CT

Tweet:   Enter @OregonChai's #Chaibrary sweeps for a chance to win $1,000 to make your own Chai-brary: http://goo.gl/uXZAO. RT & you could win chai!


*Disclaimer - This post is sponsored by Oregon Chai. I was entered into a contest to win a gift card.
 All opinions are my own.

Mamavation Monday - Can Health Fit in the Budget?

Fast Food, Frozen Meals and cheap Mac n Cheese have caused many people I know to worry about how they can afford to eat healthy. How do you break the cycle of the "bargain menu"  when the alternatives can cost 2 or 3 times as much?

I have to admit, I don't use coupons... since staples rarely are included, but I have kept our family meal budget down to under $50 a week. In the past few years we have been switching to whole foods, non-processed and homemade. Is it difficult? No. It does require more planning, but work smarter and not harder.

Here is my Top 10 for saving money:

1.  Make your own Greek Yogurt - A little yogurt, constant warmth & milk can give your fresh Greek yogurt
2. Use Dry Beans - soak over night or make in the crock pot. I can get multiple meals for under $1 out of a bag of dried beans. They also last longer in my pantry!
3. Can it! I save a ton by canning my own veggies, fruits and sauces. Check yard sales and estate sales for bargain priced canning equipment. It is so worth it.
4. Embrace Oatmeal. I love Quaker Oats because the old fashioned oatmeal is cheap, full of fiber, and filling. I am loving it even more since I started baking it. Check out my apple and cinnamon baked oatmeal recipe here.
5. U-Pick. Without the cost of labor, food is cheaper... and can be fun for the kids... to pick yourself. Our farm offers fruit like cherries, strawberries and cane berries at a fraction of the picked cost. Which is still less than in the store!
6. Freeze Away. Right now you can probably buy a box of corn for a song. If you shop at your local farm stands you can get an even better deal. We freeze enough corn for the year. It saves me quite a bit throughout the year.
7. Farm Stands. Do you know what is available in your area? Ask around. Even at a Farmer's Market you will find people with things to sell on other days of the week. They might even know someone with a surplus of what you are looking for. Get to know your local growing community, support them and enjoy produce at bargain prices. Sometimes there is a markup for having a booth at the Farmer's Market, so you might be able to do even better with the same quality.
8. Buy Ingredients. The less times a product is touched the less it costs. The only investment you need to make is time. If the bottom dollar is the issue, thisqs one trade-off you can make.
9. Simplify! Sometimes less is more... but definitely costs less. Instead of making a sauce, use some simple herbs. Steam, poach and broil to preserve flavor and keep things simple and healthy.
10.  Start a Garden! Even when we lived in an apartment with no yard, I had a mini container garden. You can use anything as a pot, and even if you can only grow herbs, that can cut your food costs down and add flavor to your healthy foods. We used a rain gutter to grow lettuce and baby greens and had a few pots with tomatoes and various herbs. Now I have a yard and have expanded. Just utilize what you have. Seeds are inexpensive and the activity can be a lot of fun to do with your children.

I am happy to be able to link up. We are currently enjoying our family vacation at PKU Family Camp and I will be posting my weight when we get back this week.


MAMAVATION TV: Join us Monday night at 7pm PST/10pm EST on Mingle Media TV

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Go Sport ID. Two blogging carnival participants will receive a Go Sport ID Inspire bracelet. Answer the following question in your blog post and link back to the Go Sport ID website. Link up your post here.

Question: What safety precautions do you take with your workouts?  Any special equipment when working out outdoors?

I use RunKeeper on my cell phone when I walk or run. My droid has GPS enabled so my DH always knows where I am. I tend to wear brightly colored clothing on my walks and don't usually run at night. We do have reflective sashes for walking in low visibility. I love that most of my clothing and running shoes also come with reflective strips.

This post is sponsored by Go Sport ID and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway hosted by Mamavation.

Shaved Zucchini Summer Salad #Recipe - Secret Recipe Club

It is another month, and time for another great blog and recipe from The Secret Recipe Club!

What's the secret? Well, I am assigned a blog, I peruse their recipes, drool over posts and photos till I come up with my selection. I make it and then announce "Ta-dah!" who I was assigned and what I made. Sound like fun? This is the brain-child of Amanda from Amanda’s Cookin’, and you can join up, see the other blogs involved and learn all the deets at The Secret Recipe Club blog.

 I was assigned The Ginger Snap Girl's blog. Gloria has a real passion for food and you can tell by the recipes she shares on her blog. What can I say? She is a foodie after my own heart. I love that she offers a wide variety of recipes, from healthy like the Zucchini Summer Salad I chose, to cookies and doughnuts.

Why did I choose zucchini? Well, we have a lot of it right now and I am always looking for new and tasty ways to use it.

This is a really simple and great Summer salad. You will just need a handful of ingredients:

You Will Need:

• 2 pounds small (3 to 4 oz. each) zucchini, green or yellow and or yellow squash, washed and ends trimmed
• 3 ounces of fresh Parmesan cheese, shaved with a vegetable peeler
• 1/2 cup sliced or slivered almonds, toasted (you can easily do this yourself)
• 1 lemon, freshly squeezed
• 4 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced basil
• salt & pepper to taste  

First you need to wash and prepare the zucchini. This requires a mandolin to get the squash a uniform and 1/16 " thickness. I just purchased this upgrade recently and it did a fabulous job!

Here I have an assortment of zucchini and summer squash. Can you tell the difference? The smaller squash on the left is the Summer Squash. The other two are both zucchini, just different colors. We grow all of these on the farm so I grabbed an assortment.Slice the squash length-wise and put in a colander. I slightly salted mine and let it drain over a bowl as I prepared the rest of the dish.

Toasting your own almonds is easy! I love using the cast iron skillet for this. It gives a consistent and even heat. Don't go above medium heat and stir frequently for about 5 minutes or until the reach a nice golden color. Set these aside.

Now grab your fresh basil, I grabbed a little from our garden, and roll it. Thinly slice it.

Now use a plain old vegetable peeler to make long slices of Parmesan cheese and set aside. Now it is time to assemble the salad!

Place the squash in a bowl and toss with the olive oil and lemon juice. Toss in the basil and top with the toasted almonds, Parmesan slices and additional salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste. Did you notice there was very little "cooking" involved? Just perfect for those hot days.

Mmm... Enjoy! Be sure to stop by The Ginger Snap Girl's blog for this recipe and more great stuff. Let her know that Andrea from Adv. in Food sent you.

Be sure to check out all the other great goodies made by other members of The Secret Recipe Club:

Aloha Friday #65 -Labor Day Food?

Welcome to Friday Everyone! In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. The days are heating up, so let's sit back, relax and enjoy a little blog hop. No heavy mental lifting today... just one simple little question...

  What Will You be Eating for Labor Day Weekend?

  

Labor Day Weekend was always Barbeque time in my home growing up. We usually grilled chicken, and sometimes burgers. Served it with deviled eggs and potato salad. We will be celebrating my daughter's birthday that weekend so it will probably be toddler friendly pizza. What will your family be eating for the holiday weekend?

If you are looking for more Aloha Friday fun, go to An Island Life and check out the other posts on the Linky. Have a great weekend!

Review & #Giveaway - Getting my Bondi Band On!

I sweat.

There. I said it. I don't glow when I run or workout. No, I just sweat.

I am not sure that sweat was ever cool, but I have found something to both make me feel 100 times cooler, and keep that nasty drippy sweat out of my eyes. Say hello to the Bondi Band headband.

Wordless Wednesday - We're Goin' On A Berry Hunt!

We're going on a berry hunt. We're going to get some blackberries...

Past the carrots...

...around the drying onions...

through the peach orchard...

...past the rows of corn...

.

...to the prize!! It's a beautiful day.

Del Monte's Teacher Monday #Giveaway (3 winners)

Fresh fruit and vegetables are an important part of every meal in our family. My children have a condition that makes it hard for them to break down protein. So, every meal and snack involves fruit or veggies for them. Some weeks it is hard to keep it in the house! Del Monte is a trusted brand I have grown up with and am glad to share with my children. I just love their fresh pineapples and bananas.

Do You Like Rafflecopter? Itunes $15 Gift Card #Giveaway

Have you noticed the new trend in giveaways? It is Rafflecopter!

Yes, I have used it now for several giveaways and I love it! But, I am curious what you think?

I would like to use it for all my giveaways now. It is easier to enter, easier to run and the only drawback has been that I can only run one 'copter giveaway per page. I am going to switch to "Read More" at the end of each post to solve this problem.

In honor of the changes, I wanted to offer one loyal readers a $15 iTunes Gift Card. Entry will be easy!

The Day Baby Was Born™ - New app for new Moms #thedaybabywasborn

Do you remember the days your children were born?

I remember being told that even the best birth planning is only a guide. Expect the unexpected and no two births will be the same. My son's birth was far from what I ever imagined, but now I have a beautiful, active 3 1/2 year old, so it all worked out. His birth and his sister's were completely different.

For my son we went in after dinner for an induction. I remember being so ready to give birth. I was overdue, puffy, not feeling well... and DONE. I had told the midwife that I wasn't feeling good and asked about my options. I was a week overdue.

From my point of view, the downhill snowball that resulted in a c-section took maybe an hour or two. In reality, the surgery wasn't preformed till the following day when it was learned I had no fluid left, and the baby was in distress.

I wish I could tell you it was a calm and magical experience. In truth, I was terrified! Hooked up to IVs and swarmed by people who did their job but didn't talk to me felt very isolating. There are parts of that evening I don't remember.

The best part of course was after he was born and I was able to hold him. I starred and marveled at the little person wrapped up next to me. It was an amazing feeling to meet him and learn all about each other. I explored every toe and just watched him breathe and move. 

There is so much I have already forgotten almost 4 years later. I had a baby book, but barely opened it those first few sleep-deprived months. We ended up just posting our pics and short updates on a blog and our Facebook pages.

Tommee Tippee just stepped in and launched their The Day Baby Was Born™, a free web application that automatically gathers information about the day your child was born, creating a storybook that you can treasure and share. I really could have used an app like this!

With The Day Baby Was Born, you can capture some or all of the following, depending on how much time you want to spend:

• Facebook Wall comments and well-wishes by friends and family through pregnancy and birth announcements
• Your pregnancy journal from each week of the journey to the birth day
• News, facts and information from the day your baby was born
• Your personal story and letter to baby to preserve forever the feelings from that day
• It’s is a simple way to create a beautiful record of the world at the moment your baby arrived

We don't plan on having any more children, but I will be recommending this app to my online friends. Especially for people with family that live far away, this is a great way to keep it all together and create a lasting record of the magical day.

See a sample storybook created with The Day Baby Was Born here: http://tommeetippee.sierrabravo.net/pdf/tt_storybook_example2b.pdf

Connect with Tommee Tippee: Like Tommee Tippee on Facebook or follow @tommeetippee_na on Twitter




*Disclaimer - I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Tommee Tippee blogging contest for a chance to get a gift pack worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Workout & Beat Cancer on 8/23 & 8/24 - with YurBuds

 

The World's Fittest Man and Yurbuds Team Up to Host a

Beat Cancer Boot Camp with Ironman Triathletes at the Sports Center at

Chelsea Piers - Meet Chris "Macca" McCormack

Yurbuds®, the leader in sports earphones designed by a triathlete and 23-time  marathoner, has teamed up with Chris "Macca" McCormack, "World's Fittest Man" and two-time Ironman Champion to host the first-ever two-day Beat Cancer Boot Camp Powered by Yurbuds in NYC at the Sports Center at Chelsea Piers.

Free to the public, a suggested $5.00 donation will benefit the Entertainment Industry Foundation's (EIF) Revlon Run/Walk for Women, which helps raise funds for multiple beneficiaries dedicated to cancer research, early detection, and support.

Each boot camp will be led by Anita "Sarge" Kellman, founder of the national Beat Cancer Boot Camp program, and hosted by a Yurbuds-sponsored athlete from the Ironman World Triathlon Corp., which endorses Yurbuds earphones, available at Apple stores, Best Buy, Sports Authority and more.

WHEN:                       Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

   11 a.m. to Noon Beat Cancer Boot Camp Workout

Yurbuds Host: Chris "Macca" McCormack, two-time Ironman World Champion, World's Fittest Man

                         

                                  Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

           7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Beat Cancer Boot Camp Workout

Yurbuds Hosts: TJ Tollakson, 2011 Lake Placid Ironman Winner and Kyle "Epic" Mendoza, freerunning and parkour expert

WHERE:          The Sports Center at Chelsea Piers  

Pier 60 at the West 20th Street Crosswalk, New York, NY

Please use the entrance located at the East end of the Pier

By Cab: Enter at 23rd Street & West Side Highway (11th Avenue) 

REGISTER:   Sign up now at www.yurbuds.com/beatcancerbootcamp!  

  

MORE:           Donate $20 or more to receive a pair of Yurbuds Iron Man Series headphones ($59.99 value). For more information please visit www.yurbuds.com and http://www.facebook.com/sportscenteratchelseapiers.

*Disclaimer - I posted this PR release from Mom Select to possibly win a set of YurBuds myself. 

#ABE Winner!!

Wow! Thanks everyone for making this such a successful event.

I had a wonderful time reading through all your fitness goals and whether you are trying to lose a few, work off the baby weight, or maybe a bit more, you are all motivated to get moving and losing. I love it!

So many entries, but unfortunately only one winner this round. Out of 539 entries, the winner was #306!

Congrats to Alissa!

I will be contacting you shortly by email. You will have 48 hours to claim your prize. If you didn't win this time, don't worry. I have many more great giveaways coming your way. Best of luck.

A Blogtastic Extravaganza!! #ABE 2.0

 

Welcome to the 2nd Blogtastic Extravaganza! I had so much fun the first time around, I wanted to join in again and give away a great package.

This time the Theme is: Fit and Fierce!


My package includes: an EA Sports Active for the Wii system (ARV $19.59)

A copy of Jari Love's Extrememly Ripped 1000 DVD (ARV $12.98)

A Sportline 310 Qlip Any-wear Pedometer (ARV $23.92)

And your choice of Bondi Band (ARV $8)

So, workout, get ripped and catch the sweat in style.

So, enter... it's easy! And when you are done, go down the post to the ABE Linky with all the other blogs participating. I hope you are feeling lucky.

Mamavation Monday - Looking Forward to Camp!

Hi ladies!

I hope you all had a great week, ate well and stayed hydrated.

I had a good week. Not a great one, but a good one. We are gearing up and preparing for PKU family camp. Both of my children have a metabolic disorder called Phenylketonuria. This camp allows families with the same issue to have fun, eat appropriate low-pro foods, and learn more about living with the issue. We are looking forward to playing outside, water slides, and hey, I won't have to cook!

So, while away from home eating is more of a challenge. I don't have total control over my meals or even my time as we will have activities and lectures and I still have my children to care for. I would love to hear if any of you have any tips.

Here is my plan of attack:

• Packing my own snacks. I am taking fruit...both dried and fresh, nuts and wasa crackers
• Going first for veggies. My kids' diet includes a lot of veggies, so this will be easy. Filling up on this will help me not over eat the questionable buffet foods served at the camp. Can you say carb overload?
• Taking 2 water bottles. I am not sure when I will be able to refill, so I am going prepared
• I am taking my exercise band. With the #100DayBurpeeChallenge, walking and the band I should be able to stay active while we are there.
• I am going to have fun! I can't control everything, but I can control my attitude and portions. So, you know, I'll be okay.

As for last week, here is my scale pic:

I gained .2 lbs, which I am not going to worry about. I have been stressed, not sleeping well and feeling puffy. So, I am looking forward to getting away with my family, drinking lots of water and working on my burpees! (#100DayBurpeeChallenge)

MAMAVATION TV: Join us Monday night at 7pm PST/10pm EST on Mingle Media TV

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Eden Fantasys. Two blogging carnival participants will receive adult toys. Answer the following question in your blog post and link back to the Eden Fantasys website. Link up your post here.

Question: Why do you think exploring intimacy is an important part of a healthy lifestyle?

So many reasons! Besides being a natural stress reliever, it helps boost the immune system and after over 10 years of marriage I know our relationship is stronger (i.e. we communicate better and fight less) when we are intimate on a regular basis. We just need to prioritize focusing on each other... as well as ourselves.  Oh, and did I mention it burns calories? Yeah, I think Leah would want me to mention that one!

*Disclaimer - This post is sponsored by Eden Fantasys and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway hosted by Mamavation.

Aloha Friday - #65 Four Eyes?

Welcome to Friday Everyone! In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. The days are heating up, so let's sit back, relax and enjoy a little blog hop. No heavy mental lifting today... just one simple little question...

  Which do You Prefer, Glasses or Contacts?

 

I prefer contacts, but for cost and simplicity I have had glasses for the past 4 years. I stay up far too late and I am sure I would have dried out eyes. Ever have a contact saran-wrapped to your eyeball? It isn't pretty. But, I am so tired of my glasses getting smudged by little fingers and continually scratched. I am thinking of going back. I am curious who else has a preference.

If you are looking for more Aloha Friday fun, go to An Island Life and check out the other posts on the Linky. Have a great weekend!

Just For Zhu Sweepstakes! For ZhuZhu Pet Fans

What would be better than watching the Quest for Zhu premiere in New York?

How about winning a trip to watch it with all your favorite ZhuZhu friends, Pipsqueak, Num Nums, Mr. Squiggles, and Chunk? Oh, yeah... !

Cepia LLC-the makers of ZhuZhu Pets-and Nickelodeon are partnering to give one lucky Zhu-natic a trip of a lifetime for two to attend the world premiere of Quest for Zhu in New York City.

These two lucky winners will receive hotel accommodations, limousine transportation, a personal photographer, $500 in spending cash, and VIP access to attend this special event. Log on to www.Nick.com and enter to win. Timing is limited so make sure you participate before 11:59 a.m. EST on September 12th and be one of the first people to experience the magic of Zhu.

Participate in all the fun and delight of the Quest for Zhu by entering the new "Just for Zhu Sweepstakes!"

*Disclaimer - I wrote this post to be entered to win a prize pack.  All opinions are my own.

We Have Some Winners!! 8/18

It is time to announce a few winners!

The winner for the $25 Kroger Gift Card, out of  entries was #181:

Gina @ the Crave to Save said...

http://twitter.com/#!/CrazyItalian0/status/101356616267472896

August 10, 2011 11:18 AM 

Congrats!!

The winner for The Help Prize pack, chosen via Rafflecopter, was Louis!

I still have some great giveaways running:

• A Blogtastic Extravaganza - Fit & Fierce Prize Pack (8/21)
• Beanie Designs Giveaway (9/1)
• Evorapet Probiotic Oral Care Giveaway (8/31)

...and there are more to come! Remember, winners are chosen at random via random.org or Rafflecopter so there is no limit to the number of times you can win.

It's Time to Party With #OregonChai

Pull up a chair and grab a mug of Oregon Chai, because it is time for another Oregon Chai Twitter party. We will be chatting about Me Time, recipes and all things chai.

Time: Tuesday, August 30th, 7-8 pm CT
Hashtag: #OregonChai
Follow: @OregonChai

Prizes? Oh, you betcha! Prizes include an oversized, custom Oregon Chai tea mug, double-walled, acrylic iced chai tea cup and Oregon Chai Original Tea Latte Concentrate. One lucky participant will win a grandprize Kindle Wi-Fi!

Be sure to follow @OregonChai on http://twitter.com/oregonchai

• Sample tweet: Twitter party alert! Use #OregonChai & follow @OregonChai on 8.30, 7-8 pm CT for the chance to win chai goodies & Kindle Wi-Fi grand prize

Can't wait for the fun to begin? 
Oregon Chai is currently offering a $1 OFF Oregon Chai product coupon for Facebook fans who take their fun and intriguing Me, Myself and Chai personality test. Click here to take the test: http://goo.gl/0pJ5H.


Connect online:  

http://www.oregonchai.com

http://www.facebook.com/oregonchai

*Disclaimer - This post was sponsored by Oregon Chai. For posting I was entered into a blogger giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Secret #Recipe Club - Special Baked Oatmeal Edition!

Last month I joined in on the Secret Recipe Club and had a blast! You can find out more about it on their new blog http://secretrecipeclub.com/

Did you catch my Grapefruit cake recipe?

Well, the group has grown so much, it now has 3 groups each with different posting dates. My official date will be later this month. The best part about the group is I meet a new blogger, try their recipe, blog about it, and someone does the same for a recipe on my little 'ole blog!

But, sometimes things happen. This month, one pour blog, Connor's Cooking, was left out. Read more about it here. Isn't that a shame? Well, it is such a fabulous group of food bloggers that many people stepped up and wanted to help out. We are all linking up to make a recipe off the blog. It just seems like a nice way to share the blogging love.

I selected the Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal.

I love oatmeal and happened to have everything in my pantry to whip this one up. Yum! It is a good one.

The list of ingredients is fairly simple:

You will need:
2 cups old fashioned oats
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups skim milk
1/2 cup applesauce
1 tablespoon melted butter
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 large granny smith apple, peeled, cored and diced

Optional Toppings:
brown sugar
dried cranberries
chopped almonds
toasted wheat germ

Preheat oven to 350. I used 2 8x6 baking dishes since I wanted to make a plain apple one for my DH and one with additional toppings for myself. Spray the dishes with non-stick spray and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, applesauce, butter, egg whites and vanilla.

Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and stir until combined. Gently stir in diced apples.

Pour oatmeal mixture into prepared pan. As I said before, I topped one with a little brown sugar, and the other, for myself, I added craisins, sliced almonds and a little toasted wheat germ.

Bake for 20 minutes or until oatmeal is golden brown and set. Remove from oven and serve warm. Add additional toppings to baked oatmeal, if desired.

A big thank you to Connor's Cooking for the recipe. It was enjoyed!