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The holidays are upon us, and we all know what that means—a month of indulgent eating and drinking.  So why not give yourself and your loved ones the gift of health this season by incorporating a little Mediterranean flair into your holiday soirées.  There are an abundance of studies indicating the significant benefits of the Mediterranean diet, and even last week The Los Angeles Times featured the healthful style of eating citing support from Harvard University’s, Dr. Dimitrios Trichopoulos who called …

PÜR Gum is the #1 selling aspartame-free better tasting, long-lasting gum. Now there’s a great tasting gum made especially for people who are looking for a healthy alternative to aspartame-free chewing gum.
Most gums on the market are made with the ingredient Aspartame- a man-made synthetic sweetener that’s been linked to many diseases. The FDA has listed 92 acknowledged symptoms of aspartame poisoning (we’re not making this stuff up).
PÜR Gum is sweetened with Xylitol, a naturally-occurring sugar alcohol found in corn cobs and stalks which a healthy alternative to sugar and …

Buckeyes
Buckeye making has become a yearly tradition in our family. My daughter gets so excited when I announce that today is buckeye making day. We make three to four batches every year so we have plenty to share. I purchase inexpensive tins or buckets at the dollar store and fill them with these homemade treats to include as part of the teacher gifts we present to our children’s teachers each year. I hope you have as much fun making and eating these tasty treats as we do!
Ingredients:

1 ½ cups peanut …

 SunRidge Farms offers a wide variety of delicious and sustainably-made organic and natural snack mixes, nuts, confections and more.
The ones I have tried (All my new favorites)are:

Organic Chocolate Almonds – The organic almonds are batch roasted and then covered in creamy organic chocolate that’s grown and harvested on sustainable organic farms. Crunchy and sweet, the chocolate almonds are the perfect touch to your dessert table.  Ours are dark chocolate, making them not too sweet and the perfect after-dinner treat.
Tamari Roasted Mixed Nuts – A premium and deluxe blend of all-natural …

 
Let’s face it.  No matter how far in advance you prepare, little kitchen blunders can still sneak up on you and throw you off course during the holidays. This Thanksgiving, Real Simple wants to help you avoid the worst of the messes and mishaps.
Thanksgiving 911 is their online hub for all your Thanksgiving emergencies. Whether your turkey won’t defrost or your pie crust keeps cracking, RealSimple.com has all the tips you need for a trouble-free Thanksgiving.
Also, come on and join them tomorrow, Tuesday, November 22nd, between 3:00 and …

The Oh Nuts brand is a nationally recognized one stop shop for everything in dried fruits, nuts, chocolates, candies, related confections (both finished products and raw ingredients,) custom and pre-configured gift baskets for any occasion, (real or imagined)—even hard to find items like sugar-free and organic products.
 

Not only do they have an extraordinary line of confections but you can customize a basket of goodies to suit any occasion, recipient or budget—without turning yourself into a basket case in the process. They have specialty baskets for most every religious and secular …

Look no further.  Score major points on game day by preparing a quick and delicious gourmet snack: Crescent Bacon Cheddar Pinwheels! Using Pillsbury’s classic dough, just unroll, add ingredients, roll back up and bake.  Right up my alley – 5 ingredients or less and under 30 minutes to make!
The end result is a homemade, oven-warmed treat that will surely be a winner. In this quick video clip, Pillsbury demonstrates how to create this game day idea: http://youtu.be/0dyIzG2fI5c
 
To find this great recipe, visit pillsbury.com.  I received the details on this yummy …

With the holidays right around the corner, Hellmann’s® is continuing their mission against mealtime monotony by encouraging moms to re-think their main dish meals and leftovers. And this time, they’ve enlisted the help of an expert on all things food, Chef Bobby Flay! Together, they are offering easy, delicious recipes, such as Turkey Casserole, that are great for the busy holiday season.
Take a break from the holiday hustle and bustle to join the Hellmann’s® Turkey Challenge each week at Hellmanns.com* as Turkey Casserole goes head-to-head with other tasty, juicy turkey …

Not far from the chain’s first location, which opened 26 years ago in Plano, CiCi’s Pizza has hosted a week-long grand opening celebration in Murphy.  The 4,000 square-foot restaurant, located at 104 N. Murphy Rd., will support strong dine-in, carryout and catering business. New features include a larger pizza buffet, a dedicated and expanded carryout area, new menu boards and new uniforms. A brighter color palette brings a warmer, family-friendly feel to the dining room. The Murphy location showcases new design elements the Coppell-based company is exploring for future use at …

Below is a list put together by CouponSherpa of some of the best Veterans Day Freebies including free meals for Veterans Day.  Check out his site for even more great information!
This is the palindrome Veterans Day — 11/11/11 — which may explain why so many places are offering discounts and freebies. Hopefully, the real reason is they want to show their support for our troops, service personnel and their families. To show his gratitude, Coupon Sherpa compiled a comprehensive list of 35 Veterans Day Freebies.
Here are some of my favorites, …

So we are coming into the Holidays and you really want to fit into that little black dress that you always get so many complements on but if you one more piece of dry roasted chicken or a salad, you will lose your ever-lovin mind.   Well let me give you a few tips that help the whole family and a couple of great recipes that will provide some variety and yet help you stay in control and be ready for the little black dress.
Here are some great tips from Dr. …

184 STRATEGIES TO HELP YOU BUY SMARTER
AND STAY ON BUDGET FROM NOW UNTIL NEW YEAR’S

Real Simple’s November issue, on newsstands now, includes a special section with all the tips you need to get ahead for the holidays this year.   (This could really save us all!)
 
FEATURING COMPLETE GUIDES TO:
 
GETTING YOUR SHOPPING DONE IN ONE DAY
Instead of aimlessly buying gifts throughout the season (a major wallet drain), use this one-day-only game plan, chock-full of surprising strategies, to cross everything off your list now. Real Simple’s tips for Christmas shopping include: Download an …

We have ongoing adventures in eating with our oldest daughter, trying to get her to not be so picky and to eat healthier.  I recently saw these great tips for how to get your child to eat better and knew that if hit home with me, they were bound to hit home with some of you.  Enjoy and Good Luck!
~Excerpted from The No-Cry Picky Eater Solution  by Elizabeth Pantley~
Over 65% of parents report problems getting their children to eat vegetables. Kids should eat 3-5 servings per day, but a third of kids don’t …

Cooking with your children is a wonderful way to create quality family time together while also remaining productive with other aspects of your day. With our days constantly getting shorter, multitasking has become a busy mother’s forte. Making homemade yogurt is a fun and useful way to spend times with your kids at home. Yogurt is a deliciously healthy treat that parents and children alike can enjoy and reap benefits from. While many of our youngsters may not like the taste, feel, or smell of plain white yogurt, there …

MyBlogSpark just sent me these fun-filled and yummy ideas that I could not wait to share with you!  Fall TV show buzz is in the air! It means the return of our favorite students, housewives and talent show judges that leave us hungry for more – until next week, that is.
Speaking of hungry, Betty Crocker´s food experts have created fun and delicious food ideas that bring your favorite TV genres to life! And now they´re teaming up with reality TV star and “bachelorette” Trista Sutter …

It’s the scariest day of the year, because Halloween candy is about to get marked down to 50% off or more.  I don’t know about you, but I can use all the help I can get!

THERE’S HELP, says internationally-renowned fitness and nutrition expert JJ Virgin, co-star of TLC’s hit series Freaky Eaters, and she’s got just the tips to keep your reflection from scaring you in the mirror:

Leave the candy on the shelf – Give trick-or-treaters fun toys, stickers and tattoos instead! This keeps both you and the kiddies healthier …

Celebrate IHOP’s “No Tricks – Just Treats” all October long! Bring your 12-and-under kids to IHOP, Friday, October 28 from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m., for our free Count Spatula Scary Face Pancake Giveaway.*
Plus, enjoy Pumpkin Pancakes and Trick or Treat All-You-Can-Eat Buttermilk Pancakes for a limited time at participating locations!

Dad’s tough to shop for but we know that the ultimate way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. So this Father’s Day, give him a homemade gift he’ll never forget with the sweet and colorful Dad’s Graham Cracker Tie Cupcakes from Duncan Hines and Hello, Cupcake! The sugary treat is not only quick and easy to make but will also put a smile on dad’s face as it’s a present the whole family will enjoy. See recipe here .
As an added …

Do you have a morning routine? We most certainly do.  While 8 & 9 year old and their Dad are getting ready for their day, I get breakfast on the table.  While eating we talk about the day ahead and whose on first, so to speak.:)  The television doesn’t come on as this is our time to connect as a family and get ready for the day. Something that is a frequent must for breakfast is Orange Juice! Being full of vitamins and nutrients, it is the perfect addition to …

70% of Americans think cooking out is better than eating out[i], and with Memorial Day around the corner, people are gearing up for barbecues, beach days, pool parties and picnics .  To help keep each summer soiree fresh and fun, Sam’s Club partnered with author and entertaining expert Colleen Mullaney to offer tasty twists to warm weather outings.
Memorial Day Meal Makeover: Incorporating unexpected ingredients into recipes can turn a picnic staple into a mouthwatering surprise. The two recipes below, developed exclusively for Sam’s Club, easily refresh familiar fare.
Products such as …

Congratulations to #34 Kolpin!!!
Thanks to everyone for participating and their patience.
When you first walk in the friendly staff greets you with a smile and says, ” Welcome to CiCi’s“, you know you have arrived at the right place. Then from there you go through a line of fresh, hot incredibly tasty pizzas. On the buffet line they have so many to choose from, from cheese pizza with pizza sauce to pepperoni, to barbeque to to buffalo chicken pizza.  Of course my favorites have always been the dessert …

Through July 24th, the Duncan Hines 1 Million Cupcake Challenge provides bakers with the opportunity to win fabulous prizes including one of five trips to Los Angeles for seats on the Red Carpet of the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards and Double Donations to Share Our Strength each week. You can sign up on www.duncanhines.com/cupcakechallenge.
With festive Cinco de Mayo quickly approaching, I thought you’d be interested in this tasty, yet easy-to-make recipe for Mexican Chocolate Chili Cupcakes from Duncan Hines. Take the spice level up a notch and …

The EB will have no trouble finding fun, new goodies to fill Fill FILL baskets with this year.  No Easter basket should be without a SweeTARTS Candy Carrot.  This giant carrot is actually a clear carrot shaped bag filled with orange flavored Wonka SweeTART Jelly Beans!  You can find these at CVS for a retail price of $1.99. And how C*U*T*E is it!!!
Other Wonka treats:
Wonka Exceptionals Scrumptious Chocolate Eggs- These chocolate eggs have crispies and toffee in them.  Delish!
Wonka Exceptionals Chocolate Waterfall Eggs- Yummy chocolate …

Coupon Mom Stephanie Nelson says families can save 50% off their weekly grocery bill by strategically shopping

New York, NY -  March 30, 2011
Consumers are feeling sticker shock from higher grocery prices and unfortunately, there is no relief is in sight. U.S. food costs will rise as much as 4% this year after a surge in prices for farm goods.
Stephanie Nelson, founder of CouponMom.com, says that consumers do not have to absorb this increase if they follow her website’s “Strategic Shopping” methods. CouponMom.com is free …

With gas prices at the highest average ever for this time of year and airlines enacting new booking and travel fees, getting away from home and taking an affordable family vacation seems difficult, if not impossible. With some planning and researching you can prepare to save some money while traveling on a budget so that you don’t have to forgo your vacation. So go ahead, arm yourself with these tips and get ready to don those Mickey Mouse ears!
Use apps to your advantage: …

Fans want in on all the college basketball action this March, both at home and on the go – more than half will watch games online or using a mobile device this year.* Sam’s Club members can score incredible prices for everything on the ultimate fan’s shopping list:
þ  Bring the game into your living room and feel like you’re courtside with the highest quality HD for the best game time experience.  Sam’s Club’s competitive pricing has not gone unnoticed; they were named the retailer with the most significant drop in …

Water.
When you have plenty of it, you think nothing of it.
When you have very little or almost none of it, you think of nothing but.
The one thing every human must have to survive – pure, clean water.
The United Nations’ (UN) World Water Day is held on March 22 each year. Events are organized on or around this day to increase people’s awareness of water’s importance in environment, agriculture, health and trade.
This has hit home to me since returning home from China with P3.  Many of the orphanages …

According to a survey conducted by the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC), potatoes are America’s favorite vegetable (February 2009)! They are naturally packed with a nutritional punch and contain many vitamins and minerals that are vital to a healthy diet including fiber, potassium and Vitamin C. Potatoes are also low in calories and contain no sodium, fat or cholesterol which can help with weight management and reduce the risk of disease.
“For Americans looking to live a healthier lifestyle and follow the new USDA guidelines, Idaho® …

I moved to Texas when I was 15 and my parents were always looking for fun, new places to go to eat.   Our next door neighbors became our friends and they knew all kinds of good restaurants. My Mom one day asked for a recommendation for some really great Chicken Fried Steak and could not believe the answer she got.  “Mattito’s”, Caroline said, it is a Dallas Mexican Restaurant and they serve the best Chicken Fried Steak.  You can order half with cream gravy and with Green sauce. Mmmm  …

Ingredients:
1½- to 2-lb. salmon fillet
1½ Tbsp. olive oil
1½ Tbsp. melted butter
2 Tbsp. Tone’s® Rosemary Garlic Seasoning
1 tsp. black pepper
Directions:
Combine melted butter and oil and brush on both sides of the salmon.  Sprinkle seasoning and pepper on both sides of the fish.  Place fish in a shallow baking dish.  Bake or broil 8 – 12 minutes (flip once).
Sound good?
According to the recently released Dietary Guidelines for Americans from the USDA, new evidence supports increasing your seafood intake to around 20 percent of your protein per week. You and your readers can …

Watching cashiers ring up purchases at the grocery store is becoming more painful every day. Unfortunately, things are about to get much worse, particularly for low-income consumers who don’t have ready access to discount supermarkets.
According to the United Nations, global food prices hit a record high in February due to upward-spiraling gas prices and stockpiling by importers. These factors are hitting the already volatile cereal markets. Wheat, corn, sugar and edible oils have seen the sharpest price increases in the last six months, with …

As a parent, you understand what it’s like when your child is sick. As a writer, you have the voice to tell your readers about an organization that improves the quality of life for children who’s sicknesses are actually life-threatening. Did you know that each year in the U.S., 27,000 children are diagnosed with a life threatening illness?
Give Kids The World (GKTW) is a non-profit organization that provides week-long vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families at a fanciful, “storybook” retreat in Central …

While Welch’s may be most famous for it’s wonderful grape juice, they actually make a variety of different items. Welch’s Fruit snacks come from Promotion in Motion.  Moms love them more as they are made with actual fruit juice.  They are more chewy than some of their counterparts which could be interpreted as staleness -not so.They come in a variety of flavors, and the shapes and colors are fun and bright. The variety pack comes with: peach, strawberry, grape, concord grape, orange and raspberry.
I’ll let you in a little secret …

CONGRATULATIONS #403 BARBARA
Thank you to everyone who participated.  Y’all are great!
Kroger is one of my favorite stores to shop. When they have their Mega Events and Cart Buster Sales, their prices really cannot be beat. Well, from 2/27 through 3/12 the Kroger family of stores  (which includes Kroger, Ralph’s, King Soopers, City Market, Dillons, Smith’s, Fry’s, QFC, Baker’s, Owen’s, Jay C Food Stores, Hilander, Gerbes, Food4Less, Pay Less Super Markets and Scott’s Food & Pharmacy) will be running a Cart Buster Sale. It’s not a …

These days, a lot is being said about the importance of children living a healthy lifestyle. Parents want their children to grow up healthy and strong. Here are three no-nonsense tips mothers everywhere can use to help direct their children toward more healthy choices, now and in the future.
Lead by Example
Whenever you can show your children the importance you place on taking care of yourself and your body, seize the opportunity to do so. The more they see you striving to live a more balanced and healthy life, the …

CONGRATULATIONS TO #66 JULIE CUTTSHAW, THE PRIZE WINNER
Thanks to everyone who participated and made this a fun giveaway game!
More to come!
Made with real cinnamon, new Cinnamon Burst Cheerios cereal will delight your taste buds! This newest edition to the Cheerios line-up allows you to provide your family with a delicious and nutritious breakfast that contains 20% of the Daily Value of fiber (or 5g per serving), has 9g of sugar, is low in fat, saturated fat free and naturally cholesterol free. Cinnamon Burst …

Okay guys, I was not going to post this then I saw the video and it is hysterical and I knew you would love it.  Here it is http://bit.ly/StateFairCornDogs.  State Fair is America’s #1 Corn Dog brand, and perfect for meals, snacks, appetizers, parties, or any on-the-go occasion, the perfect Super Bowl Snack!

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, couples everywhere are in the mood for love, and let’s not forget chocolate and flowers.  Did you know that Walmart will stock enough Hershey’s Kisses this Valentine’s Day to circle the world with kisses?   Or that Walmart will sell enough roses to provide nearly every couple who gets married* in February with two dozen roses?
But Valentine’s Day is not just for lovers anymore, but for families.  According to a Communispace study,** 83 percent of individuals who gave Valentine’s Day gifts last year gave …

Peter Rabbit Organics offers drinkable fruit and vegetable snacks in four ounce BPA-free pouches. I think a genius created them. Seriously. P3 is in love with the veggie packs and has been given carte blanche to eat them whenever she wants. Their 100% organic goodness for her growing body is wonderful plus it empowers her because she has free reign. Peter Rabbit Organic pouches make great travel companions as they fit neatly into lunch bags, picnic baskets, glove boxes and diaper bags. They’re easy to open and reseal with a …

Congratulations to Cheryl #26
If you do not like chocolate, this is not the post for you. H&S Candies presents Heart of Valentine’s CHOCOLATE to celebrate love this Valentines. They are sharing some with me and I am sharing some with you!
GIVEAWAY
Here is how it will work: Take a look above at the Valentine Chocolate Widget and find what you most like.  Leave a comment with that information below.
Additional Entries ( Once you complete the initial Entry)
Subscribe by RSS or Email to 3 P’s in a Pod – 5 EXTRA
Follow …

Valentine’s Day will be here before you know it – and the day would not be complete without some sweet treats to show your love!
Designed by party planning expert Catha Riva, these bright, fresh Valentine’s Day tabletop ideas are perfect for parties, February birthdays or just to say “I love you.”

This Berry Sweet Cupcake Tower takes the cake! Made with strawberry-infused cake batter and topped with fresh Driscoll’s raspberries, these cupcakes deliver both flavor and texture than can’t be beat.

Or eat your heart with Driscoll’s Be Mine …

Americans are fixated on the one stop shopping idea. We make bigger Targets and Wal-Mart Supercenters so we can buy everything in one spot without having to waste time and money traveling. But what if we had a lifestyle and savings expert who can tell you that you were doing it wrong, that you are in fact wasting more time and money because of this old outdated approach to shopping?
Teri Gault, CEO of the Grocery Game.com and author of Shop More, Save More, is …

Let me tell you, my choices were limited to 27 goodies to choose from and it was not an easy choice, that’s for sure. You have the entire product book!
While I can only evaluate my personal experience, I would imagine yours would be similar.  Swiss Colony has been providing family owned goodness since 1926.
Ok, I cannot keep my secret any longer.  I chose the 1lb1oz Mini Toffee. Every bite of it was delicious, every bite that I had because I did share with the two members of my household with …

With less than two weeks until Super Bowl Sunday, families around the country are undoubtedly getting their living rooms ready for the big game.  Whether rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Green Bay Packers, Walmart offers Game Time savings that will have your readers cheering no matter who wins.
Beginning on Sunday, Jan. 30 through Feb. 5 or while supplies last, football fans can go to their local Walmart and save up to $560 on a Samsung LED HDTV and Blu-ray Disc player bundle. Customers can also enjoy up to …

I’m excited to share the first installment of What’s Cooking in Campbell’s Kitchen for 2011. If your readers are making strides to eat better, kicking back to enjoy the big game or cooking up a romantic dinner for their Valentines, invite to them to Campbell’s Kitchen for recipes, cooking tips and inspiration.
Nutritious and Delicious
From smart ingredient swaps to wholesome recipes, the Nutritious & Delicious section of Campbell’s Kitchen is your source for cooking and eating well all year long. Try these healthful …

CONGRATULATIONS TO HEATHER W #194
Thanks to everyone who participated!  I  know you love these great food gift packs so we will keep bringing them as often as possible!  A new one soon!
I love the smooth creamy texture of Yoplait yogurt but Yoplait Delights Parfait takes it one notch higher.  Seriously, it is almost like having the the real deal – Chocolate Raspberry, Creme Caramel, Triple Berry Creme, Lemon Torte and their two new flavors, – both my new personal favorites – Chocolate Eclair and Cherry Cheesecake.

The Chocolate Eclair reminds me …

CONGRATULATIONS TO LOUIS#1!
I thought you might be interested in knowing about the “How do YOU Tam Tam?” contest which is going on right now until February 15th. Do you use any of the six recently launched Tam Tam flavors, along with three additional Tiny Tam Tam flavors?  Well that is what the contest is about!

Below is an article describing the contest. The Grand Prize Winner will receive a $500 American Express gift certificate along with a basket of Manischewitz products. The other nine Finalists will each receive a $50 …

Over on MomDot Trisha was talking about how for the first time ever she had not done her Top100 Bloggers list and that got me thinking about who would I put on my list – certainly not necessarily all 25 people who would end up on mine.  So I decided to make my own list.

What’s That Smell?
Parenting Pink
MomStart
Mommy Goggles
Double Bugs
MomDot
My Wooden Spoon
A Cowboys Wife
Tip Junkie
Make and Takes
Skip to My Lou
Mom of 3 Girls
The Not-So-Blog-Blog
Full Circle
Mom Knows it All
Simply Stacie
A Southern Fairytale
Rockin’ Mama
An Island Life
The Dirty Shirt
Shake the Salt
You Can Make …

P2 is now officially 8!  Wasn’t her birthday cake cute?

If you have a picture up for Wordless Wednesday, leave your link below in Mr.Linky. Then you can head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom, Double Bugs,  The Not-So-Blog Blog,  Go Graham Go, Mommy Goggles, Momspective, Look What Mom Found – and Dad Too!, Mom of 3 Girls, The Divine Miss Mommy,  Little Village Naturals, Mom Start,  Fairytales & …

Barbara’s Bakery was started by a true flower child at 17, Barbara Jaffe.  Since then,  Barbara
found her calling in real food and opened a small natural bakery in northern California. She had a simple plan—make wholesome food taste incredibly delicious. Inspired by good health, family and the kitchen table as the cornerstones of the good life, she used whole grains and oats just as nature intended—free from anything artificial. Barbara selected her ingredients carefully to allow vital vitamins and minerals to do their best …