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1) Tell me your favorite way to prepare Green Giant vegetables.  Easy!  I love having frozen veggies on hand in the freezer for a quick dinner addition or side.

This giveaway is closed.  The winner was #226 Dawn - congratulations!

Disclosure: Green Giant provided me with the product and information through MyBlogSpark.com - thank you!

Where has the last year gone? It is hard for me to imagine that just a year ago I wrote my first blog post.  Blogging has become a creative outlet for me, and I have learned so much in the course of the last year.  I can code in HTML! I know what twitter is!  In the course of the last year, I have discovered some wonderful bloggers, sponsors, products and services.  I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has visited, commented and/or read my blog.  I appreciate you all!

Pillsbury is looking for original recipes that taste and look delicious, are easy to prepare and that families across America will love to eat. Consumers can submit recipes in one of four recipe categories:


Quick and easy treats for anytime celebrations can be entered into the Sweet Treats category. For example, cookies, pies, tarts, brownies or bars.


WIN IT
One US reader will receive a Pillsbury Bake-Off® gift pack that includes a Pillsbury Bake-Off® apron, recipe book, pen and notepad - just like I did!

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1) Tell me think goes into coming up with a winning recipe or a favorite recipe you have that involves a Pillsbury product.  Easy!

This giveaway is closed.  The winner was #170 susitravl.  Congratulations!Pillsbury provided me with the free product, information, and giveaway through MyBlogSpark.com - thank you both!

30 Minutes to a Better You is an article written by Jessica Costello.  Thanks to Jessica for the great tips and information!  This is not a compensated post.  I am personally trying to squeeze in 30 minutes of exercise to a better ME each day and thought you might enjoy her article!

One of the hardest parts of working out is finding the time to do it with all the chaos of everyday life. Everything moves at such a fast pace in today’s world that it seems almost impossible to find a moment to do something that benefits yourself and your health. This has never been more true than of Mothers.

Mom’s are some of the most hard working and busy people around. Between taking care of their families, their households, and their careers it seems like there’s never enough time to truly take care of themselves and this is especially true when it comes to exercising. However, some studies have shown that finding only 30 minutes a day to workout may be all that you really need to get a truly healthy benefit.

Researchers at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, LA held a study with 430 women to see the effects on 30 minute workouts with women of the average age of 57. What the study showed is that the women who did workout for at least 10 to 30 minutes a day had a better quality of life. In fact, it boosted the quality of their life along with their general health, vitality, and mental health compared to those who didn’t work out at all. This shows that working out even for a small amount of time can be really beneficial. But the question remains on what to do when working out and how to eat while doing so.

It is understandable that you may still have your doubts about only 30 minutes being effective, but it’s about more than just getting the body up and going. Considering that the goal in working out in quick spurts everyday is cutting fat and cutting it fast, it’s vital to put together a healthy eating regiment that will work with your 30 minute a day exercising routine. Eating food like lean meats (turkey is a great one to consider) and fish while avoiding foods heavy in carbohydrates and saturated fats can help burn calories quick and easy. That being said, it’s also important to work out in the correct manner and focus on the important areas of you body while doing so.

Fitness magazine presents a great routine for working out 30 minutes a day that includes (but isn’t limited to) steady paced cardio, strength training, and a cardio circuit that helps work the whole body. The best thing about this plan is that for some women who may not be confident enough to work out at a public gym it allows you to stay home and work with a home gym and it’s various fitness equipment like ellipticals.

Having children, looking after them, feeding them, etc. is a job in itself. As a mom you deserve to take time for yourself each day after putting everyone before you. This will not only help you stay fit but get you refreshed and ready to face the day!

I found this on the kitchen counter.  Adam's secret projects...maybe they will result in some fun blogging material :)  Apparently he is plotting a mirror cabinet, new drawer and a bathroom counter re-do!  I love my Handy Hubby!

WIN IT
One of my US or Canadian readers will win a $20 gift certificate to Socks4Life. Lucky you!

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1) Tell me why you would like to win or visit Socks4Life and tell me a pair of socks you like.

This giveaway is now closed - the winner was #130 Charity L.  Congratulations!
 This review and giveaway was made possible by Socks4Life. Thank you to Socks4Life for providing the product for review and giveaway! I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I paid for this review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Please refer to my Disclosure.

Lily:  Hold on, I have to call my work.  "Hello, yes, yes...oh ok, yes, I will do it in the morning.  Yes.  Thanks."  OK, mommy, now we can play!

I was somewhat amused and somewhat horrified...she was quoting me to a tee!  But you gotta do what you gotta do, right?

I was not pleased to wake up to 5 inches of snow on Monday morning.  We live on a super hilly, one-lane road.  We were not able to leave the house until Friday afternoon!  Talk about stir crazy!  We worked from home the whole week and Adam also managed to build a cardboard/tape sled or two!

Got this wall organizer from Target...clearance for $14 bucks! Score!
The finished product!  I know, I know, I shouldn't get so excited over one shelf but really, it's a major improvement!  I had Claritin that expired in 2007...and it was UNOPENED!  Shameful, I know.  I'm trying to be better!