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The Vita-Mix Blender is the MOST AMAZING blender!  It makes it so easy to eat healthy and gives me no more excuses!
It can:
1. Juice Whole Foods in 60 Seconds
2. Cook Soup to Steaming in 4 Minutes
3. Make Frozen Treats in 30 Seconds
4. Grind Grain and Knead Dough in one 5 Minute Operation

Can you say this about YOUR blender?    This amazing machine makes my beloved Magic Bullet almost obsolete!  There are no attachments, it is so simple to clean, and the container is even BPA-Free!

I have loaded my fridge with fruits and veggies and I am going to make at least one of the fantastic recipes every single day.  (It comes with an entire book of them!).

And the best news?  I have one to give away to a reader!
To enter, please visit Vita-Mix’s website and tell me which one of the green smoothies you would make if you win. The contest is open to US addresses only and the winner will be chosen at random on Sunday, January 11th at 9pm.

So gang, what should I make first?

Want to win your own 20lb Weighted Vest from  Valeo?
Of course you do!

Here is how:
1. Go and read my original post.
2. Leave a comment here telling me what workouts I did while wearing my vest.
3. Give somebody an extra hug today.
The contest will end at 9pm EST on Tuesday, January 6th and is open to US addresses only.

Have you been active today?  No excuses gang, get moving and enjoy your energy!

I recently received a review copy of Lullaby Exercises from  Chicks-n-Chickens and it is a fantastic DVD for all new moms!

It gets you up and moving while being able to hold your little one close.   My firstborn was very cranky and I spent many a night walking the floor, wondering how to get him to just stop crying. I know this DVD would  have been just what I needed; the swaying and dancing to the music would have been good for both of us.

Since my ‘chickens’ are now too big for me to hold during the workout, we decided to do it together.   The moves were easy to learn, the music was fun, and we were all smiling (and sweating)!

Lullaby Exercises was created by Darcy Novo Albrech, who created the workout:

“to creatively give moms what they and their babies need most—toning, soothing, bonding, and sleep.”

Hooray!

So if you are a new or seasoned mom,  put Lullaby Exercises on your wish list. You can find it on Amazon or directly through the Chicks-n-Chickens website.

Now, as the DVD says, let’s “groove.sleep.enjoy”!

Time crunched for breakfast?
Me too!

Leave me a comment telling me what you ate for breakfast today and you will have a chance to win a coupon for a FREE Weight Watchers Smart Ones Morning Express breakfast.

I had the English Muffin Sandwich this morning and it was very tasty.  I stayed full until lunchtime and did not feel like I was eating a pile of salt.  (which is what an Egg McMuffin tastes like to me.)

The contest ends on Saturday, December 20 at 9pm EST.   Winners will be drawn at random; contest is open to US addresses only.

I  have SIX coupons to give away, so be sure to leave me a comment!

A few weeks ago, I received a box full of wonderful ice cream products courtesy of Blue Bunny. Let’s just say these did not last long in my house!

Here is what I received, ALL were delicious!

FrozFruit® Superfruit® Pomegranate Cherry

FrozFruit® No Sugar Added Chunky Strawberry

SweetFreedom® Ice Cream Sandwich

My sons really liked the “popsicles” and I have to admit to hoarding most of the ice cream sandwiches for myself. They were perfect for that evening sugar craving.

You can get a $1 off coupon from the website when you sign up to be on the iScream Team.

But before you go and get your ice cream, please get up and BE ACTIVE this weekend! No excuses gang!

*Sponsored Post*

Are you a Bugaboo Bee?

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Bugaboo products are both eminently functional and innovative. They distinguish themselves through integrated functionality, streamlined design and personality. You can, literally go farther with a Bugaboo! Check out this London family ­ there’s no question that they’re still loving their lifestyle and getting around town happily.

You can now share your life experiences and inspiration with Bugaboo Friends. This is a community of active, modern people who share pictures, ideas, stories, videos, tips and inspiration to stay on the go. You can become a featured Friend, and even take on a Bugaboo Challenge to win a prize or two!

Have a look and see how Bugaboo Friends are rolling ­ not just locally but all over the world; and you don’t even need to own a Bugaboo to join!

Feeling full from all that turkey and pie?

Me too, which is why my new Lee jeans are giving me extra incentive to get MOVING more this holiday season. I received a pair of Lee® One True Fit Premium Bootcut jeans, which are fantastic, especially if they looked as good on me as they do on the model in this picture!

While they technically do fit me, they are a little snug. (translation: I can barely breathe!) I purposely ordered a size smaller than I normally wear as an incentive to keep me from gaining this holiday season. This is just the kick in the pants (pun intended) that I need. After all, who wants to sit around in super tight jeans?

So gang, I am encouraging you to go against the grain this holiday season and set a goal. Mine is to get my new jeans to fit comfortably, maybe even with a little bit of spare room.

This will require clean eating, consistent cardio, and hard work.

I plan to wear these jeans on January 1, which gives me 30 days to make it happen!

Want your own pair of new Lee Jeans? I have TEN pairs to give away to you! Enter the contest by leaving me a comment telling me what your fitness goal is this holiday season and how you are going to make it happen. This contest will be open until 12/12/08 at 9pm EST.
*edited to add the contest is open to US addresses only.

Get up and get moving gang!

Trust me, you want these snacks! Four readers will win a box of their choice from Matisse and Jack’s!

How can you win?

Step 1: Go back and read my review.

Step 2: Leave me a comment telling me what ingredient I added to the mix and how you plan to be active with your family this weekend.

Contest is open until Tuesday, November 18th at 9pm EST. (and sorry, open to US mailing addresses only)

No cheating gang! Get up and move more this weekend!

Have you seen the Michael Phelps commercials for Rosetta Stone? He used the program to learn Mandarin Chinese before going to the Olympics this past summer. (I wonder if he learned “I am AWESOME!”?)

I was very excited when I got an email inviting me to try out the program for myself.

I received Level 1 Spanish and it includes a CD ROM with:

Core lessons: reading, listening, speaking, and writing exercises
Focused activities: exercises that concentrate one of the language skills
Milestones: lessons that allow you to practice using real-life scenarios

It also includes a microphone, so you can practice your pronunciation. The software provides actual feedback for you, just like you would get in a classroom setting.

On top of all that, it also comes with an audio companion CD that you can take on the road with you. Sitting in traffic? Prime opportunity to practice your Spanish!

This product was pitched to me as an alternate to listening to music while working out. Instead of jamming during my workouts, I could “practica mi espanol” instead.

I have to be honest though, I tried that and found it way too distracting. During my workouts I need to immerse myself in the world of Bon Jovi, not listening to Spanish 101. I really like the fact that I can load it on my Ipod, but I just couldn’t pay attention to it while I was exercising.

That said however, I do LOVE this program. It was not only for me, my entire family could benefit! My toddler takes a Spanish class one morning per week so he enjoyed learning with me. He sat on my lap as we went through the program and recognized many of the words. He even wanted to wear the headset so he could practice too.

We played the CD in the car instead of listening to The Wiggles over and over.

My husband even learned several words and has now vowed to do the entire program on his own computer.

Rosetta Stone is a fantastic way to learn a new language and we plan to continue practicing our Spanish all around the casa.

How about you? Could you learn, or even read, while you are working out? If not, what kind of music are you listening to?

After being inspired by my Quaker oatmeal weekend, I have decided to do my own 30 day oatmeal challenge. I will eat something oatmeal related every day for the next 30 days.

Today’s choice was Matisse and Jack’s bake-at-home snacks. I chose the Chocolate Chip Power Snacks which are packed full of protein, omega-3, calcium, iron, and fiber. They are super easy to make, all you need is applesauce, vegetable oil and water. Mix everything up and about 30 minutes later you have some fantastic treats!

The main ingredient is M&J’s PowerMix which consists of Organic Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Whole Grain Oat Flour, Flax Seeds, Ground Soy Nuts. I added some frozen blueberries to boost the antioxidant power. Here is the nutritional breakdown:

As you can see from this picture, my family LOVED them. They were tOATally delicious!

Matisse and Jack’s bake-at-home snacks are available online and in Whole Foods and Super Target stores.

Want to join me in a 30 day oatmeal challenge? Tell me all about it in the comments!