We all know Halls as the "Cough Drop People", but now they've introduced a new product - Halls Refresh.

Halls Refresh is a mouth refreshing drop with advanced moisture action to help get rid of those dry mouth moments.

The folks at Halls sent me samples of their new Refresh drops. I received samples of Juicy Strawberry and Tropical Wave (along with a really cute T-shirt!).

Mr. Pink Lemonade and I tried both flavors and agreed that the Tropical Wave was our favorite. Before I popped the first drop into my mouth, I was expecting more of a hard candy than a cough drop, but do have to admit that both flavors had a definite "cough-dropey" kind of medicine-like flavor. They felt very smooth in my mouth and had a very cooling sensation.

I think these would be great when I'm in need of a drop to get rid of one of those little "tickles" and might even be great if I had a tickly cough.

Halls Refresh come in resealable bags of 20 or in 9 piece sticks. They are Sugar Free and may be incorporated into the diet of diabetics and others who are monitoring their sugar intake. Only 6 calories and 3 grams of carbohydrates per drop - 0 grams of sugar per drop.

* HALLS® products may be used by adults and children 5 years and over. For
children under 5 years, ask a doctor.

For more information, visit the Halls website at: http://www.gethalls.com/, or follow them on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/Halls.

See what our other Pink Lemonade Contributors have to say about Halls Refresh Drops:

Christine at More Thoughts with Chris

Jenn will not be able to participate in this review due to internet connection issues this week.

Melissa at Multitasking Mama

Sherry at My Loonyverse

As an added bonus, Three lucky readers will receive a Halls Refresh T-shirt and some great samples to try for themselves.

Please note: Your email address MUST either be in your comment or available on your blogger profile or your entry will NOT count!! - Giveaways are open to those with a US shipping address ONLY.

• Go visit the Halls Refresh website and see for yourself how great they are. Then come back and leave us a comment here at Pink Lemonade - Tell us which one you think would be your favorite flavor.



• Become a follower on Twitter. Leave me a comment to let me know your twitter name (if you are already a follower, leave me a comment with your twitter name).



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• Blog about our contest on your blog. Leave me a comment with your post url.



• Place our widget on your blog (it's toward the bottom of this page in the far right column - just click "get widget" at the bottom of the widget). Leave me a comment with your site url.



• Members of Club Pink Lemonade get an extra entry! Just leave a comment with your member name. Not a member? It's super simple to join! (Your membership must be approved before the contest deadline - finalized memberships will be approved in less than 24 hours)

There you have it! Seven very simple ways to enter our contest - how easy is that? Complete rules can be found on our Contest page.

This contest ends Thursday, November 5th at 11:59pm (pdst) so don't wait - make sure you've gotten all seven entries! Please note: entries received after the cutoff time will be deleted prior to drawing a winner.

- Liz

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

The weather is cooling off (we had snow this week in Utah) and the days are getting shorter, this means less outdoor play and more time for the kids inside. With your kids constantly underfoot, it can be tempting to just turn on the TV or pop in a video game…and while a little of this is good (and heck, I know there are times when I REALLY need them to watch a movie so I can get a few things done around the house) too much TV is not healthy for our kids.

How can we keep them occupied when the weather is cold? Here are a few ideas that work for me:

- Turn up the music and have a dance party! Choose songs that are appealing to both kids and parents and get your groove on. My kids think this is great and just think, you will even burn a few calories (which is good, because you just might need to burn some after my next suggestion).

- Get the kids in the kitchen! I know, this means a mess for you to clean up, but kids really love to get involved in the kitchen. Whether you work on a special baking project together, or just let them help you make dinner, kids love being in the kitchen. Younger kids can help stir batters or get ingredients from a pantry or fridge (be careful which ingredients though, you probably want to give older kids the responsibility for anything in a glass jar or the eggs!). Older children can slice soft ingredients with a butter knife, add measured ingredients to a mix (start working on those fractions, and let them help measure too), scoop dough for cookies and much more!

- Have a good family library available (or regularly frequent your local library). Having books on hand for children to read when they come to you with the complaint, “I’m bored,” is definitely helpful. Keep it stocked with books about characters they love, or other family favorites. If the books interest your child, they are more likely to read them. (Sure, Littlest Pet Shop or Spider Man may not be the most educational of topics, but I have found by experience that finding something they love to read is more important to developing a life long love of reading than the quality of the books they read.)

- Stop what you are doing and take the time to play too. This is one of the biggest challenges for me. With five kids you should see the mess in my home, add to that the dishes, laundry and general upkeep, I can’t seem to find time to get all of that done, let alone sit and play with blocks or puzzles for an hour. But really, sometimes all it takes to get them playing is someone to get them started. Get out some puzzles and work on them together, read a story or two, build a giant tower out of blocks, I doesn’t take long, and more often than not your children will continue the activity alone after you have returned to your chores.

What indoor fun have you found that helps beat the cold weather blues?

- Christine

Posted by Christine of Random Thoughts With Chris

Featured weekly on Pink Lemonade Online Magazine

Starting Friday, Nov. 6, Disneyland guests will be treated to appearances by Princess Tiana, star of the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated feature film “The Princess and the Frog.”

Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen and other characters from the motion picture will star in “Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee!,” a rousing, colorful procession with a jazz-filled Mardi Gras theme. The good times will roll as festively dressed, bead-tossing revelers lead Disneyland guests to the Mark Twain Riverboat dock. The party moves onboard as the Mark Twain paddlewheels its way along the river to singing, dancing and all that jazz.

Songs composed by Randy Newman for the film energize the show, which will be performed four times daily in New Orleans Square. Daytime pyrotechnics, colorful streamers and whimsical puppetry round out the 15-minute spirited production.

The experience will dazzle guests at Disneyland through Jan. 3, 2010. “Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee!” is also performing in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World Resort, Florida, through Jan. 3, 2010.

Guests also will be able to greet Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen at designated times at the Court of Angels in New Orleans Square, Disneyland.

A hilarious movie adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana, “The Princess and the Frog” will open in limited release in New York and Los Angeles on Nov. 25, 2009, before expanding nationwide on Dec. 11, 2009.

Beginning Nov. 6, little princesses can enjoy a new Princess Tiana makeover in Disneyland at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Fantasyland. Fairy Godmothers sprinkle their pixie dust on aspiring princesses with three makeover packages including a combination of hair, nails and makeup. The royal transformation becomes complete with a package that includes the Princess Tiana costume, shoes, crown and more. Children must be at least three years or older to receive the regal treatments.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Fantasyland is open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily; theme park admission is required. Reservations may be made by calling 714/781-STYLE or 714/781-7895.

When guests age 10 or older enter a Disneyland theme park or Walt Disney World theme park from Oct. 5 through Nov. 22 and present their valid theme park ticket at select merchandise locations, they will receive a special card with details on how to get an admission voucher good for up to $8 toward the purchase of one child’s movie ticket when they purchase an adult movie ticket to see “The Princess and the Frog.” This offer is good at participating theaters from Dec. 11 through Dec. 31, 2009, or until “The Princess and the Frog” is no longer in theaters, whichever comes first.

Card quantities for this promotion are limited. Limit one card per adult ticket or annual pass. Admission voucher toward the purchase of a child’s movie ticket to “The Princess and the Frog” is valid for use from Dec. 11 through Dec. 31, 2009, at participating theaters in the fifty United States and District of Columbia. Guests must activate the code printed on the card by registering at www.activaterewards.com/frog to obtain an admission voucher. Only persons 18 or older may activate the code. Parent or legal guardian must activate certificate held by persons ages 10-17. Card, code and admission voucher may not be sold, traded, copied or replaced, or redeemed for cash. Admission voucher may not be transferred. The promotion is not valid for complimentary cast member theme park tickets. Offersubject to restrictions and change without notice. Visit www.hollywoodmoviemoney.com for a list of participating theaters and further conditions and details.

Halloween should be all about candy, costumes and fun, but the reality is that the key to a successful holiday is safety. The excitement of Halloween sometimes makes children and adults alike forget to be careful. Simple common sense can do a lot to protect children as they venture out this October 31.

Intelius – a company that empowers consumers and businesses with information to make intelligent decisions about personal safety and security – has come up with some Halloween safety tips that will keep your children out of harm’s way on the spookiest night of the year.

1. Create safe costumes. Helping your child pick out or create a Halloween costume can be a fun, bonding activity, but it’s also important to keep in mind safety when selecting the perfect get-up. Make sure your child’s costume is made from fire proof materials and that eye holes in their masks are large enough for good peripheral vision. Always be sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars.


2. Equip your children with important information. Even if you plan to trick-or-treat with your child, secure emergency identification (name, address, phone number) discreetly within Halloween attire or on a bracelet.


3. Know your surroundings. Use services like Neighborhood Watch or Intelius’s Property & Neighborhood Report to identify and locate sex offenders when charting your child’s trick-or-treating route.


4. Don’t go off the beaten track. Be sure to tell your child to stay on neighborhood sidewalks and in well lit areas and avoid cutting through parks, vacant lots, fields and other places that are less populated. If you are another adult are not accompanying him or her, tell them to stop only at familiar houses in your own neighborhood.


5. Decorate safely. Nothing beats spooky Halloween decorations to give your trick-or-treaters a harmless scare, but be sure to remove anything that could be an obstacle from lawns, steps and porches. It’s a holiday staple, but candlelit jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame. Keep indoor jack-o'-lanterns away from curtains and other furnishings that could be ignited.


6. Inspect candy before doling it out. Instruct your children not to bring home any treats to be examined by you before they indulge. Cooking up a Halloween dinner will make them less likely to gobble up the candy they collect before you have a chance to check it for them.

WHO: This Halloween, NESTLÉ CRUNCH offers all treats and no tricks by inviting Bay Area families to trade in their least favorite candy in exchange for a NESTLÉ CRUNCH fun-size bar at The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose. Renowned “found art” artist Leo Sewell will use the candy donations to produce a one-of-a-kind “candy creation.”


WHAT: Beginning Oct. 30, Bay Area residents can drop off their least favorite Halloween candies and trade for a fun-size NESTLE CRUNCH bar. Using the discarded candies, Sewell will then create a magnificent work of art – a rocket ship sculpture comprised entirely of candy – and showcase the magic of imagination and creativity. Additionally, museum attendees who trade for NESTLE CRUNCH receive a 10 percent discount on admission.


WHEN: Friday, Oct. 30 - Sunday, Nov. 8: Bay Area residents participate in Crunch Candy Swap

Friday, Nov. 8 – Monday, Nov. 11: Artist builds candy structure in Museum Atrium

Thursday, Nov. 12: Candy creation unveiled, on display for press and museum attendees


WHERE: The Tech Museum of Innovation
201 South Market Street
San Jose, CA 95113


WHY: Trick-or-treating is an annual Halloween tradition for families everywhere, but not all treats are equal. NESTLE, with the help of artist Leo Sewell, is finding a creative new use for unpopular candy while providing Bay Area residents the chance to trade up to NESTLE CRUNCH!


The Tech Museum is also offering a 10% discount for donating your treats!

Thanks to the generosity of the folks at the Tech Museum, we have six (6) museum tickets to give away to three lucky readers (2 tickets each winner). This museum is in San Jose, CA so if you are not a Bay Area Resident, or do not have plans to visit in the very near future, please leave the entries for those who can actually use the tickets.

Please note: Your email address MUST either be in your comment or available on your blogger profile or your entry will NOT count!! - Giveaways are open to those with a US shipping address ONLY.

• Go visit the Tech Museum website and check out all the great exhibits they have. Then come back and leave us a comment here at Pink Lemonade - Tell us which one you think would be the most fun to see.


• Become a follower on Twitter. Leave me a comment to let me know your twitter name (if you are already a follower, leave me a comment with your twitter name).


• Become a fan on our Facebook page. Leave me a comment to let me know your Facebook name.


• Subscribe to our RSS Feed or sign up to receive Pink Lemonade by Email. Leave me a comment to let me know you. If you are already a subscriber, leave me a comment and let me know.


• Blog about our contest on your blog. Leave me a comment with your post url.


• Place our widget on your blog (it's toward the bottom of this page in the far right column - just click "get widget" at the bottom of the widget). Leave me a comment with your site url.


• Members of Club Pink Lemonade get an extra entry! Just leave a comment with your member name. Not a member? It's super simple to join! (Your membership must be approved before the contest deadline - finalized memberships will be approved in less than 24 hours)

There you have it! Seven very simple ways to enter our contest - how easy is that? Complete rules can be found on our Contest page.

This contest ends Wednesday, November 4th at 11:59pm (pdst) so don't wait - make sure you've gotten all seven entries! Please note: entries received after the cutoff time will be deleted prior to drawing a winner.

- Liz

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

Dr. Margaret Mitchell, DDS, owner of Mitchell Dental Spa a dental spa facility in Chicago’s Water Tower Place, offers the following tips to for protecting your kids teeth at Halloween:

Avoid sticky candy such as taffy, gummy bears, caramel, etc. Sticky Candy adheres to teeth and causes decay.

Kids can eat candy ANYTIME, there is not a good time of day/night to eat candy.

Brush immediately after eating candy, especially sticky candy.

Prior to Halloween, visit your dentist to have sealants put into the child’s teeth grooves.

Have you child chew gum with zylitol sweetener with prevents tooth decay. Orbit and Trident both have zylitol sweetener.

Halloween is right around the corner! This year, be sure to capture your little ghost or goblin’s memories in a unique way. An expert in children’s photography, Linda Russell of MugShots Photography (www.mugsyclicks.com), offers 5 tips for parents to take perfect Halloween pictures.

Utilize available light: Turn off your flash and use a tripod or even the back of a chair to stabilize your camera and use a slow shutter speed to photograph your child by jack- o- lantern or candle light.

Light your child from below: For a really "haunting" photo, have them hold a flashlight below their face pointed up. Under-lighting is sinister and very scary.

Tell a story with your camera: Start with a "still life" that says "Halloween" (a costume box, a jack-o-lantern, an empty trick or treat bag, etc) Next photograph your child before the transition from suburban student to blood dripping vampire. Capture the make up, the costume, the process.

Create a portrait of them in costume as if it were real: A princess on her throne, a cowgirl in front of a barn, or a ghoul in the cemetery. Engage your child in the fantasy.

Photograph the haul! Every child remembers the special Halloween when the mountain of candy was beyond belief. Photograph them close up using a wide angle setting. Fill the frame with candy as well as their joyful expression.

On October 31st, millions of parents will dress their eager kids up as Hannah Montana or a Transformer before heading out the door for the annual trick-or-treating ritual. This can be a scary feat for parents who encourage their kids to eat healthy throughout the year. And, while some neighbors will opt for the non-treat, treat such as stickers, a glow stick or a low-fat crunchy snack, most will hand-out the obligatory candy assortment that is packed with calories and fat.

Robert’s American Gourmet Food, LLC, the makers of all-natural snacks including Pirate’s Booty, first developed its products specifically for the family in 1987 – before healthier alternative snacks even hit the marketplace. The motto at Pirate’s Booty is that no matter the age – tot to teen – children need to learn how to eat healthy and balanced to sustain good eating habits for life.

Luckily, Pirate’s Booty’s resident pirate and well-being expert is here to offer some tips for a “Healthy Halloween”:

• Fill it up. Feed children a full, nutritious meal before heading out to trick-or-treat. This can prevent them from devouring candy while out on the trail.


• Barter a trade. Offer coins or a coveted toy in replace of the candy.


• Do your research. Some dentist offices have actually started implementing candy buyback programs the day after Halloween. Kids receive a monetary reward, while the candy gets shipped to different organizations like US troops abroad.


• Treat others. Donate sweets to a local food bank.


• Portion control. Ration the candy and pack in zip lock bags. Two to three small treats after a meal will fill that sweet tooth.


• Help another parent out. Hand out non-candy treats such as a low-fat snack pack.

Pirate’s Booty is a tasty, fun snack that is the perfect fit for the “Help another parent out” tip above. Believe us; sacrificing candy can still taste sweet! Pirate’s Booty comes in a variety of flavors, including Aged White Cheddar, Barbeque, Veggie and Sea Salt & Vinegar and look out for a brand new, kid-friendly flavor – Pirate’s Booty New York Pizza!

Pirate’s Booty is trans-fat, gluten and tree nut free, so it’s perfect for the kiddies. Plus, Pirate’s Booty only has up to 130 calories per serving.

Other great-tasting snacks include Smart Puffs, all-natural baked corn puffs made with real Wisconsin cheddar and Original Tings, all-natural vegan crunchy corn sticks. Kids love the flavors and parents won’t have to be haunted by the idea of feeding their kids sugary snacks. These Halloween treasures are fun and the product characters may even inspire future costume ideas!

We hope you’ll be inspired to live a little healthier and have fun while doing it! Let’s weigh anchor and hoist the mizzen!

Robert’s American Gourmet Food, LLC
Robert’s American Gourmet Food, LLC, an all-natural snack food industry leader and manufacturer of Pirate Brands, is located in Sea Cliff, NY and has been creating tasty treasures since 1987. The company was founded on the belief that you shouldn’t have to “snackrifice” taste and fun for wellbeing. Pirate Brands products are deliciously baked, all-natural snacks and include Pirate’s Booty, Smart Puffs and Original Tings. Pirate Brands snacks are free from fryers, trans fats and ingredients you can’t pronounce, arrrrrr. Products are sold in the US and Canada. For more information visit: http://www.piratesbooty.com/.

This Halloween, take the best styling tips for hairstyles to accompany your child’s costume, from Cozy Friedman- founder of the chic New York based salons, Cozy’s Cuts for Kids, designed exclusively for children. Here, Cozy shares her tips for how to achieve the perfect styles for five of this year’s most popular costumes.



Superman:
- Make hair VERY wet & use LOTS of gel
- Slick back hair with comb
- Pull small piece of hair forward & wrap it once around your finger and then press to set on forehead!




Harry Potter
- Use a fine tooth comb to make a side part
- Let dry naturally and use Styling Cream to help hold hair with a natural look
- Lightly tousle w/fingers to encourage a natural wave




Hannah Montana
- When hair is wet, spray in leave-in conditioner (this will help keep hair straight & will protect hair from heat damage
- Using a paddle or vent brush, blow-dry hair straight. If needed, use flat iron to make hair really straight.
- Use a dime size amount of styling cream to keep hair smooth & prevent fly-aways
- If you’d like, you can add a few crimps sporadically dispersed around the head by wetting & braiding a very small section. When dry, remove braid, and you’re done!



Princess Tiana:
- Put hair in pony tail & then twist hair around in a circular motion
- To secure, you can use bobby pins or take another elastic & put right over the bun
- For a softer look like the one shown, pull out a few strands of hair before securing bun. -Use a curling iron with a 1” barrel to curl strands. Use a tiny bit of gel prior to curling iron to help secure curls
- Pull out one very small hair strands right above ea ear to create tendrils.. Curl both strands as directed previously
- Use a small amount of gel to help hold hair back & prevent flyaways


Dorothy:
- Split hair down the center from front to back
- Dampen hair for ease in braiding
- Begin making a braid approx 1” behind the ear
- Use styling gel on thick hair to help secure & get rid of flyaways, or styling cream for finer hair

If you have had a few relationships you know what I mean by “sustainability,” especially ones that have been a source of pain or suffering to some degree. (Some of which have compelled you to dispose of them by almost any means, organic or not.) But what of the ones you wish to keep, nurture and grow rather than watch die prematurely or unexpectedly? Given all the energy most of us spend putting ourselves “out there” on the emotional limb (oftentimes left with nothing more than a “seed,” or perhaps less some seed, as the case may be), let’s wise up and turn those seeds into wisdom. Let’s instead get on with how to make our lives fertile so that we can more optimally attract and create more healthy, fulfilling, sustainable relationships. Ones that have the greatest potential for an amazing harvest, for season after season to come.

Relationships can be complicated, given the myriad of unique nuances that make up any one individual, the layers of experiences that create the filters we each see reality through. The real enigma seems to be a matter of skill and planning—how to create a optimal climate for potential for growth within this human complexity. Just like plants, relationships grow and flourish under optimal circumstances and care as well.

Okay, enough with the plant metaphor. You get it (hopefully). The deal is that if we come to relationship broken up, with some serious unexamined baggage, expecting to attract great relationships, odds are the next one will end up much the same—in disappointment and regret. At some point, as I have said many times, you gotta be thinking, “Hey, maybe it’s not just them.” Friends and lovers alike, we need to bring our “A” game to the party and expect nothing less from our prospective playmates and potential soulmates as well.

Here are some pointers for how to sustain any great relationship (platonic or otherwise), once you have carefully selected who you want to be in it with:

• Respect Here’s a word. Know what it means? If you don’t, you have no chance at REAL, lasting intimacy (in my not-so-humble opinion). If you respect yourself, just double it. Don’t just talk about it either—this is an action item. Respect is not a feeling, it’s a way of behaving!


• Responsible communication You get to choose from every word in the English language (or whatever language you share) in whatever tone you choose to communicate your thoughts and feelings to another, so choose carefully. You have no one to blame if you don’t tell the truth or say what you want. My teacher says “We are always doing one of two things; creating separation or connection.” What is your intention?


• Integrity Do what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it, as often as humanly possible. And don’t BS yourself. Nobody trusts a flake, nor does anyone want their vulnerable hearts to be in the care of one. If you love and respect someone, ACT like it!


• Compatibility If you are mad about the outdoors, can’t live without reality TV, are a screaming (or worse, Nuevo) liberal, or abhor people who over-accessorize or don’t keep up on current events, then you probably wouldn’t want to hang out with…me, for example. Just because someone has good energy doesn’t mean you do real life well together. Watch what people DO, not only what they say. Make sure they match or you’ll be sadly disappointed, eventually bored and even resentful. There are 7 billion people on the planet—check some more of them out and quit trying to make someone they are not!


• Compassion Walked a mile in their shoes, have you? I recommend before you think you know whatever you think you know about the person you say you love, one of the most loving acts of all is to try and understand as much as you want to be understood. Old adage for a reason. ‘Cause it’s a damn good one!


• Expectations The fastest way to get back to love in any relationship is to want nothing. Period. Try it. No one is responsible for your happiness or anything else, unless expressly agreed to.


• Consciousness agreements One of my all-time favorites. Let people know what’s important to you up front. As soon as possible, in fact. In any relationship the time to negotiate is up front, not after you are in deep! Don’t want to party a lot, but notice you keep giving in and feeling bad about yourself—but afraid to lose your friends if you stand up for yourself? Don’t want to have sex so much, but because you’re afraid they will leave, you do it anyway (see compatibility)? Two of my “needs” (if you can call them that) in a friendship is that a) we don’t make unilateral decisions about ending the friendship, and b) if we have a problem we bring it to the other person as soon as possible. What are your non-negotiables?

These tools and skills have helped me immeasurably over the years and I rely on them all today, as they are responsible for helping me maintain the loving, healthy relationships I have today! Remember, relationships take work, they are not just “add water,” and people are not disposable. They are precious blessings, and in their presence I feel blessed to keep on my path to becoming the best version of myself, as well as have the privilege to witness l those I love do the same!


- Maryanne


by Maryanne Comaroto of Maryanne Live

Featured Weekly on Pink Lemonade Online Magazine

Welcome to another installment for Weight Loss Wednesdays. I was watching Dr. Oz the other day and his guest was a woman with a major sugar addiction. Through the foods she consumed, she was ingesting about 84 tablespoons of sugar daily. Can you believe it? With Halloween and other holidays on the horizon, I want to be sure to control my own sugar intake.

Our family is looking at downsizing and one thing I noticed as we peruse smaller homes is the lack of a defined entry way. I immediately think of the ways that an organized entrance keeps me from going crazy on my way out the door, so I wanted to share some tips with you that I will be
implementing in our smaller home.

• Have an “in” box or basket near the entry way. This is great for when the kids come in with permission slips, birthday invites or you just need a spot to drop the mail until you have time to sort it.


• You need a place to hang your hat (or coat, purse, whatever). This can be a coat tree, strong yet decorative hooks or if you are lucky, a closet =)


• I currently use and will continue to use a bench in our entry way to sit down, remove shoes. I have a basket that sits beside the bench (in a smaller home, it may need to sit on the bench) where I place my keys and purse. That way I always know where they are and they are ready to grab on my way out the door.


• If your home has room, use some type of entry table. Having a surface to place items on makes it less likely they will get misplaced. Just avoid the temptation for this to become a clutter stop.


• Have a place for the kids items (sporting gear, backpacks, gloves) near the entryway to reduce time looking for the missing fill-in-the-blank item when you are already running late.

What are some ways you keep your entryway organized? Feel free to share in the comments!

Happy Organizing!

Melissa


Posted by Melissa of Multitasking Mama

Featured Weekly on Pink Lemonade Online Magazine

We have a winner in our Spirit Halloween costume giveaway!


#96 :


Swtlilchick



Congratulations, you will be getting a confirmation email shortly!

Another giveaway will be posting soon!


- Liz

One thing we like to make for Halloween is Pumpkin Pancakes.

You can use your favorite pancake recipe, ours is pretty basic then just add canned pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice.

Since it is a little thick we use the back of a spoon or small ladle to make into pumpkin shapes.

The kids love when you decorate them- we have used chocolate chips to make a jack-o-lantern face before flipping or when slightly cooled used spray real whipped cream to make ghosts. Use your imagination.

Pumpkin Pancakes

2 cups baking mix, such as Bisquick
2 large eggs
1-1/4 cups milk
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 teaspoon (can use more if desired) pumpkin pie spice.

Combine ingredients until blended but don't overmix.

Let batter stand 10 minutes.

Preheat griddle (or frying pan if making on stove) to 350 degrees.

Ladle pancakes onto griddle (about 1/4 cupful) make pumpkin or other shapes if desired.

Cook until edges start to set and middle bubbles.

Flip and cook a minute or two until golden brown.

Serve with butter & syrup or your favorite toppings.

Enjoy.

Find more easy Halloween treats here.

What do you do to make Halloween special at your house?


Sherry


Posted by Sherry of Loon-atics In The Kitchen

Featured Weekly on Pink Lemonade Online Magazine

Pulse Yoga is a result of Argie Ligeros Tang's personal quest to find yoga routines that accomplish much more than other yoga styles. A few years ago she was diagnosed with osteopenia. This is almost osteoporosis, but not quite. and was shocked as she had been practicing yoga for so many years and considered herself to be in very good physical condition. The doctor told her that she needed to do some sort of weight training program. Argie had never really liked working out in a gym, always preferring yoga, and also did not want to give up precious time allotted to her yoga practice, so she decided to incorporate free weights into her yoga routines.

As a woman in her 50's, Argie also wanted more toning, strengthening and increased muscle definition, again without using machines in the gym. So, in addition to the free weights, she added micro movements that primarily target areas such as the gluteus muscles, abdominals, upper arms and lower back. These micro movements within the yoga postures are highly effective with results that are noticeable immediately.

Pulse Yoga I Basic

A basic yoga routine that introduces the Pulse concept of micro movements within a posture. Key areas such as abdominal, lower back and gluteous muscles are targeted. Alternating right/left pulse movements with free weights define and sculpt the upper body.

• Apply the use of free weights in novel ways to basic yoga postures


• Strengthen and tone key areas such as the abdominals, lower back upper arms and gluteus


• Teach core awareness


• Stretch chronically tight areas such as the hamstrings and hip flexors

More information can be found at PulseYoga.com

As the mother of a large family I have discovered that balance is key to every day life. Extremes in any direction tend to lead to chaos (which is already a problem with a large family) and frustration. Trying to achieve perfection in one thing usually leads to difficulties in other areas of family life. This is not to say that focusing on improvement in different aspects of parenting or family life is not productive, but ensuring balance in the process is key to success.

My mother always said that you have to “pick your battles” and I have found this to be true. Is it really important that your seven year old daughter wear a perfectly matching outfit to school everyday? Or will allowing her this decision on her own help her to grow in confidence and give her a feeling of empowerment (and give you, a busy mom, a few extra minutes in the morning for something else)?

The concept of balance applies to all aspects of family life: the foods we eat, the activities we choose, how we spend our money. If we keep our lives in balance, instead of focusing on extremes, this crazy time in life will go much smoother, and you will find that you will have accomplished more and enjoyed the process.

- Christine

Posted by Christine of Random Thoughts With Chris

Featured weekly on Pink Lemonade Online Magazine

It’s scary to think that Halloween is almost here. And this year it’s on a Saturday so it’ll be Halloweekend!

If you're bloodthirsty for costume, trick or treating, party and decoration ideas let Spirit Halloween be your guide! The nation’s largest Halloween retailer has a store near you (and 724 other stores nationwide).

Spirit Halloween predicts that hordes of vampires (especially Twilight stars), Transformers, pop music stars (Brittany, Rihanna, Michael Jackson), infamous icons (Sarah Palin, Bernie Madoff) and all manner of Star Wars, Star Trek and Harry Potter characters will run amuck on All Hallow's Eve.

Spirit Halloween is starting a movement to shift Halloween permanently to the last Saturday of every October. You can support them on Facebook or sign the petition here: http://www.spirithalloweekend.com/.

Spirit is also raising funds for the Spirit of Children program, founded in 2006 by Spirit Halloween to bring Halloween to hospitalized children. Their goal is to raise $1 million this year, and they're well on their way! Go to Spirit Halloween to find a store near you and make a donation.

Thanks to Spirit Halloween, we have one (1) adult Dorothy (from the Wizard of Oz) Costume along with one (1) infant Scarecrow costume to give away to one lucky reader! Because this is a time-sensitive giveaway, it will be a short one - so don't wait to enter!

Please note: Your email address MUST either be in your comment or available on your blogger profile or your entry will NOT count!! - Giveaways are open to those with a US shipping address ONLY.

• Go visit the Spirit Halloween website and have a look around. Then come back and leave us a comment here at Pink Lemonade - tell us your favorite costume or item in their store.


• Become a follower on Twitter. Leave me a comment to let me know your twitter name (if you are already a follower, leave me a comment with your twitter name).


• Become a fan on our Facebook page. Leave me a comment to let me know your Facebook name.


• Subscribe to our RSS Feed or sign up to receive Pink Lemonade by Email. Leave me a comment to let me know you. If you are already a subscriber, leave me a comment and let me know.


• Blog about our contest on your blog. Leave me a comment with your post url.


• Place our widget on your blog (it's toward the bottom of this page in the far right column - just click "get widget" at the bottom of the widget). Leave me a comment with your site url.


• Members of Club Pink Lemonade get an extra entry! Just leave a comment with your member name. Not a member? It's super simple to join! (Your membership must be approved before the contest deadline - finalized memberships will be approved in less than 24 hours)

There you have it! Seven very simple ways to enter our contest - how easy is that? Complete rules can be found on our Contest page.

This contest ends Sunday, October 25th at 11:59pm (pdst) so don't wait - make sure you've gotten all seven entries! Please note: entries received after the cutoff time will be deleted prior to drawing a winner.

- Liz

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

My mother told me I was lucky if I could count all my real friends on one hand!

Must have been fifteen or so years ago now, when it occurred to me after a string of disappointing intimate relationships that maybe she was right—again. That it might be wise to invest more time in creating some deep and lasting friendships, as they theoretically seemed to have greater staying power and could be in many ways equally fulfilling, perhaps in some ways even more.

I must add that, up until that that point, my history with friendships was rather sketchy and my role models even more so. My mother barely trusted women (her best friend slept with my dad) and my father, well, made a lot of offers people couldn’t refuse. Childhood aside, the relationship skills I had gathered afforded me as many pleasant and happy memories as traumatic or forgettable ones. Over the years, many of the friendships had been more fragile than I liked, and oftentimes out of balance one way or the other. Either I was too needy or too unavailable, or our lifestyles were not totally compatible—being a single mom certainly didn’t help. Yet, the ones I did maintain (for whatever length of time) offered a mutual comfort that, when absent, left me yearning for that very specific kind of connection that only a platonic camaraderie offers—one that, no matter how compatible, a sexual relationship does not.

Finding this handful of friends is, in many cases, no easy task; especially given the cultural fad of vapid, disposable, let’s-do-lunch, I-love-you-after-five-minutes, overweening, entitled, texting, emotionally handicapped, walking wounded human beings most of us act like. And that’s before you even get to hello. Finding your peeps, as they say, isn’t as easy as it seems but, like all good things, is definitely worth the work!

So, how do you tell if someone is got the right stuff to be your new BFF or just a GF? I figure that most of our same propensities arise when it comes to friendship as they do in an intimate relationship—except, of course, Le sexe. It’s safe to say that we are looking for many of the same things in a friendship that we are looking for in a relationship. With a few exceptions:

• Someone to hang out with (you actually like)


• Someone you have something in common with (aside from Le sexe)


• Someone who will listen to your incessant or inane whining should it arise, however untimely


• Someone who will show a genuine interest in you and your life, however ordinary or dull


• Someone who has a high tolerance for your weaknesses


• Someone who will have your back if ever need be


• Someone you can count on (from OMG I have nothing to wear to my high school reunion, to OMG I have breast cancer and need someone to hold my hand during chemo)


• Someone who will tell me the truth even if I don’t want to hear it (with compassion when needed)


• Who doesn’t care if I am 10 pounds overweight (fill in the blank)


• And still love me if I decide to shave my head, take up drumming and move to India for a year

Finding these select few, these magical, unconditionally (most of the time) loving phenoms can take some sussing out. Once you have decided that you want some great ones—who, if you’re lucky, just may be around throughout your lifetime—here are a few things to keep in mind. They just might make your journey a little easier done than said!

1. Set your intention—it works with friends too. Maybe you want to make two or three new good friends in the next year. Set achievable goals.


2. Set forth your criteria. What do you want? I wanted girlfriends who were self-sustaining, had a daily practice of self-care, who were on a similar spiritual track, and who had impeccable communication skills, etc.


3. List your non-negotiables, the things that just won’t work for you. One of mine was, “If you are upset you need to tell me directly and not make unilateral decisions that affect me as well.”


4. Interview well, ask good questions and wait and see if their actions match their words.


5. Don’t settle (even if you’re bored or desperate, you’ll be sorry you did!).


6. Tell the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable, better now than later, I always say.


7. Set your boundaries regarding money, men, and all things sacred!


8. Give as much as you get and make sure it flows the other way too!


9. Take your time, no need to rush, getting to know a new friend is fun and should be savored, and trust is built over time


10. Most of all, be silly, be yourself, and have some fun!

And remember, great relationships, including friendships, begin within!


- Maryanne


by Maryanne Comaroto of Maryanne Live

Featured Weekly on Pink Lemonade Online Magazine

When you bring your baby home from the hospital, you're mind is filled with thoughts of blankets and rattles, diapers and formula. That tiny human being is incapable of getting into any trouble so childproofing isn't really high on your list of priorities.

But before you know it...

That same tiny little person is crawling and then comes the even more troublesome walking... and you still haven't childproofed your home. A non-childproofed home is indeed a dangerous place for a young child. Sure, you can follow right behind them every second, but all it takes is turning your back for a split second for something disastrous to happen. Childproofing your home helps to put your mind at ease.

Dreambaby was started in 1998 with the aim to create a new brand focusing on child safety products, developing new products and introducing new products to the market. Today, there are more than 200 products in the Dream Baby® range and increasing each year.

Some of the easiest things to install to keep your kitchen a safer place are the Push Down Latches. I remember my Mom installing these in our kitchen for my little brother in the early 70's and the fact that I just in the last year or so removed them from my kitchen (my youngest just turned 8!) is a testimony to the fact that these are both, an inexpensive and efficient way to keep little hands out of cupboards that may house breakable or dangerous items.

Dream Baby sent me a sample of their Cable Lock and although none of my cabinets have handles or knobs, it was put to good use in a way you may have not expected. You see, my elderly Grandmother lives alone and has a large amount of medication that she takes daily. My Mother fills up her pill box each week (you know, one of those 3x per day 7 day boxes) so the correct medications are available to her when she needs them. Sometimes, though, Grandma forgets and goes into the cupboard to get her own medicines (not a good idea as we have no idea of knowing what she took or how much) - to prevent a possible catastrophe, Mom installed this ingenious combination lock on the cupboard that houses the medicines so that we no longer have to worry about Grandma getting into the medications and accidentally taking the wrong thing - or too much of it!

One item that I wish I would have had when my kiddos were small is the foam door stopper. It slides onto the hinge side of the door just above the hinge to prevent the door from being closed completely. No chance of little fingers being smashed in a closing door. I always stuffed a pair of rolled-up socks above the hinge, but inevitably the roll would fall out - this stopper would stay put to provide continuous pinkie protection.

Dreambaby specializes in providing you the supplies to keep your kids safe. Everything from a simple latch for a kitchen cupboard to bath time safety products are their specialty. If you have a little at home and aren't childproofed, you owe it to yourself and your child to check out their products. If you're expecting a baby, visit Dreambaby today because before you have time to blink those babies will be walking and you'll feel better knowing your home is a safe place for them.

- Liz

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

At a time when "organic", "green", "environmentally-friendly", "renewable" and "sustainable" is a part of our everyday culture, consumers are sincerely moved to help preserve the planet and the health and well-being of their families. With the desire to champion an emerging “green” awareness, Dandelion Earth-Friendly Goods turns living green into easy living.

Dandelion Earth-Friendly Goods are made entirely using eco-friendly materials and processes. "From the organic cotton grown without pesticides and chemicals, coloring process, and right down to the plant-based fibers used in filling the plush toys, we’re all about delivering toys that babies will enjoy learning from and that don’t harm the environment," says Re-Think It co-founder Amy Shumway. "Even the packaging, made from recycled paper board, helps to contribute to environmental consciousness with its creative approach to size and practicality. And our products are shipped with recycled newsprint, not bubble wrap."

With Re-Think It’s Dandelion Earth-Friendly Goods, parents can be reassured that the developmental toys, ReUsables (plates, bowls, utensils), diaper bags, rattles and teethers they buy for their children are not detrimental to them or to the planet. And the little ones? They will love playing with the high quality toys all the while developing their senses and cultivating motor and social skills. It’s a win-win-situation for children, parents, and the environment.

All of Dandelion Earth-Friendly Goods are tested above current CPSC standards and meet the standards set by the European Union. Because Dandelion uses plant-based fibers rather than cotton fill, the plush toys are machine washable and will maintain their shape and quality even in the dryer.

Finding the perfect baby shower gift can be a challenge. From chic diaper bags to adorable baby outfits, the choices can be overwhelming. However, with the Dandelion Earth-Friendly Goods line of eco-friendly toys, the choice is simple; please baby and save the planet at the same time!

Dandelion Earth-Friendly Good’s Organic Rattles and Teethers are made with plant-based fibers and come in a variety of different fabrics. From canvas to soft velour, babies can shake, rattle, squeak and teethe while developing hand eye coordination and discovering lessons about causality.

- Liz

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

Last week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Bob Harper. If you live in a box and don’t know who Bob Harper is, he’s one of the lead trainers on The Biggest Loser TV show. When Bob first began his career in personal training, he had no idea it would take off in such a huge way. Although Bob is a big TV star now, he really seems down to earth and was extremely open and honest during our phone chat.

I was given this opportunity though the PR agency working with Bob to promote including grains in your diet. You can read all about this campaign at gowiththegrain.org. You can even enter to win a free training session with Bob. I’ve certainly signed up.

To break the ice, I told Bob a bit about my family and me. My six-year-old son wanted to know why Bob went on TV. Bob says that he still can’t believe how his life has changed. He says that he never aspired to be on TV. He loves having the opportunity to help others and for now, does not mind the fact that his life is extremely hectic and heavily scheduled. After our interview, he needed to prepare for the next season of The Biggest Loser, which will start taping soon.

My 4-year-old daughter was my next interview assistant. She asked if Bob ever struggled with his own weight. Bob says that while he did not struggle with his own weight, he did struggle with finding a good balance to achieve optimum fitness. He says, "I tried all of the fads out there including no carbs, no fat, and other extremes". It took him a long time to figure out what works and what doesn’t. He now tries to focus on the needs of each individual with a balanced approach. One of Bob’s favorite things is helping folks work on their self-esteem.

As a mother who struggled with my own post-pregnancy weight, I asked Bob for advice on this subject. Bob says that women need to be careful about their preconceived notions of what fitness should look like. "You can’t aspire to be something that you are never going to look like. Women need to respect their bodies as they are and work to make them the best that they can be."

Bob went on to explain, “Your body changes after you’ve had children. Moms need to redefine what your body is supposed to look like. It may require looking at yourself and your body a bit differently.” Another priority for moms is to make time for fitness. Find fitness-related activities to do with your kids. “It’s not necessarily about going to the gym. It’s about being more active in any way that you can.”

Next, I shifted the conversation to Bob’s latest Go for the Grain campaign. Bob says that folks on low-carb or no carb diets need to remember that grains are still a very important fuel source that your body needs. “An all protein diet is unhealthy. You will lose weight, but you will gain it back. You can’t sustain it. You can’t cut out a major food group. You’ll end up wanting it even more.”

Bob went on to explain that it’s healthy to incorporate appropriate carbs and grains into meals. These grains often provide the fiber that will also keep you feeling fuller. Some of his favorite recommendations include oatmeal in the morning, bread with an egg at lunch and whole grain pasta for dinner.

To wrap things up, I asked Bob to share a favorite grain recipe. He was so excited to tell me about a meal he would be making for a People Magazine interview, “It’s whole grain pasta with roasted tomatoes and asparagus with garlic and tomato sauce.” He went on to say, “I love this one so much I could eat it about 3 times a week. “

I’ve always been a Bob Harper fan, so it was a pleasure to have this chat. I really didn’t want to hang up. Who knows, maybe I’ll win that free training session. In the meantime, I’ll workout while watching Bob on The Biggest Loser.

Until next time, have a safe, happy and healthy week ahead.

- Coach Jenn of PersonalFitCoach.com

Featured weekly on Pink Lemonade Online Magazine

Created for active Baby Boomers as well as anyone beginning or returning to a fitness regimen, Fitness Manufacturing Partners (FMP) and fitness expert, Kathy Smith have developed Rejuvenation™, a unique line of injury prevention and rehabilitation fitness products. Making its debut at this year’s Chicago Marathon Health and Wellness Expo held at the McCormick Place Convention Center on October 8th and 9th, this innovative line of products helps prepare the body for an active lifestyle, regardless of fitness level, and build a solid foundation for continued growth and improvement.

Including Stretch & Flex Kit, Body Balance Kit and Stay Firm Lower Body Kit, to name a few, Rejuvenation™’s complete line of premium quality products help restore the body as well as rehabilitate and prevent injury by building strength, increasing flexibility, improving range of motion and boosting muscle endurance.

Live longer, stay fit, and be healthy with Rejuvenation™.

About Fitness Manufacturing Partners

Fitness Manufacturing Partners, Inc. (FMP) is a global producer and innovator in consumer fitness products. FMP supplies products within four customer categories – Wholesale, Retail, Infomercial and Promotional. FMP is a privately held company, with headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.

For more information on Rejuvenation™ and their innovative fitness products, please visit http://www.rejuvenationrehab.com/

We have one (1) Stay Firm Lower Body Kit with Kathy Smith DVD to give away to one lucky reader!

Do you want tight, toned glutes, thighs and hips? The Stay Firm Lower Body Kit can help you achieve a sleek physique from the waist down. A strong, lean lower body will help you look and feel fit and gain balance, stability and overall vitality and health. Tight Thighs and Bottoms Up DVD leads you through two efficient 15-minute workouts focused on your trouble spots
Kit Includes:

• Lower Body Ankle Cuffs
• Tight Thighs & Bottoms Up Workout DVD with Kathy Smith
• Exercise Chart

There are several ways to enter - here are the rules:

Please note: Your email address MUST either be in your comment or available on your blogger profile or your entry will NOT count!! - Giveaways are open to those with a US shipping address ONLY.

• Leave us a comment here at Pink Lemonade - share your best lower body exercise to firm and tone.


• Become a follower on Twitter. Leave me a comment to let me know your twitter name (if you are already a follower, leave me a comment with your twitter name).


• Become a fan on our Facebook page. Leave me a comment to let me know your Facebook name.


• Subscribe to our RSS Feed or sign up to receive Pink Lemonade by Email. Leave me a comment to let me know you. If you are already a subscriber, leave me a comment and let me know.


• Blog about our contest on your blog. Leave me a comment with your post url.


• Place our widget on your blog (it's toward the bottom of this page in the far right column - just click "get widget" at the bottom of the widget). Leave me a comment with your site url.


• Members of Club Pink Lemonade get an extra entry! Just leave a comment with your member name. Not a member? It's super simple to join! (Your membership must be approved before the contest deadline - finalized memberships will be approved in less than 24 hours)

There you have it! Seven very simple ways to enter our contest - how easy is that? Complete rules can be found on our Contest page.

This contest ends Monday, October 26th at 11:59pm (pdst) so don't wait - make sure you've gotten all seven entries! Please note: entries received after the cutoff time will be deleted prior to drawing a winner.

- Liz

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

Between school, recording sessions, and her recent visit to Canada, singer/songwriter/actress Kate Voegele has certainly been busy lately! In a new video blog posted on her Myspace page, Kate updates fans on what's been going on in her life and fills everyone in on her upcoming tour dates. She is currently touring across the United States and will head to Germany, France, the UK and Ireland at the end of November. Visit her Myspace for the full list of tour dates and ticket details.

KATE VOEGELE U.S. TOUR DATES
10/20 Memphis, TN - Hi Tone Cafe
10/21 Little Rock, AR - Juanita's Cantina Ballroom
10/22 Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom
10/23 San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit
10/24 McAllen, TX - Buddha Mansion
10/26 Austin, TX - Stubb's Bar-B-Q
10/28 El Paso, TX - Take 2
10/29 Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad
10/30 Mesa, AZ - Mesa Arts Center
11/1 Tucson, AZ - Club Congress
11/3 Bakersfield, CA - Narducci's Cafe
11/6 Reno, NV - Grand Sierra Resort
11/7 Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
11/8 Fort Collins, CO - Hodies's Half Note
11/9 Boulder, CO - Fox Theater
11/11 Lawrence, KS - Granada Theater
11/12 St. Louis, MO - Fubar
11/13 Dekalb, IL - The House Cafe
11/14 Des Moines, IA - People's Court
11/15 Chicago, IL - Park West


Hello From Kate!

We have chosen a winner in the Simply Salads Cookbook Giveaway.






The winner is....

#98
Heather

Thanks to everyone for entering - a new giveaway will post very soon.

- Liz

The simplest things are sometimes the best.

Our favorite peanut butter cookies are hardly any more work than slice and bake and taste oh-so-much better.

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
*chocolate kisses or stars, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients and form into 1" balls - no need to chill first and place 3 inches apart on cookie sheet.

Flatten slightly with a fork or cup with a cute decoration on the bottom dipped in sugar.

Bake 8 - 10 minutes until lightly browned and firm.

Let stand on cookie sheets for a minute or two before moving to cooling racks.*

*If using a chocolate kiss or star, place in center of cookie after removing from oven but before moving to cooling racks.

Enjoy.


Sherry


Posted by Sherry of Loon-atics In The Kitchen

Featured Weekly on Pink Lemonade Online Magazine

NMRC Expert Cites 2 Recent Surveys Showing Recession-Weary Consumers Poised to Move Away From Expensive Contract-Based Service; Entry of Top Retailer Could be “Real Game Changer”.

The announcement Wednesday that Wal-Mart, the United States’ largest retailer, will offer a branded low-cost prepaid service, “Straight Talk,” at the $30 and $45 levels, could end up being the “tipping point for millions of consumers who are already considering moving away from expensive contract-based cell phone service,” according to New Millennium Research (NMRC) executive director Allen Hepner.

The NMRC published December 2008 and March 2009 public opinion survey projects that gauged the attitudes of U.S. phone consumers about contract-based and wireless cell-phone service. On the basis of that research, Hepner forecast in March that millions of Americans could shift in the coming months into lower cost prepaid plans in order to save money during the current recession.

While not endorsing any particular product or service, Hepner believes that the $30 plan (with 1,000 minutes, 1,000 texts per month, mobile Web access and no-extra cost 411 calls, with no contract and no penalties) and the $45 plan (unlimited calling, texting, mobile Web and 411) that Wal-Mart now offers under the “Straight Talk” brand are likely to play out as real “head turners” for consumers who associate the massive retailer with the experience of buying goods and services at the lowest possible price.

With average monthly contract plans reported to be about $81, the more than 140 million U.S. contract-based wireless customers who use less than 550 minutes a month may now have even more reason to consider switching to a less expensive cell phone option, particularly in a changing environment in which plans for 1,000 minutes are available through Wal-Mart for $30 per month, according to Hepner.

Highlights of the March 2009 and December 2008 NMRC surveys include the following:

• Two out of five Americans with contract-based cell phones– are likely to cut back on their cell phones to save money if, as is widely expected, the economy gets worse over the next six months. (March 2009)


• No fewer than 40 million Americans – 26 percent of consumers with contract-based cell phone service -- are “more inclined today than ... six months ago to look at a way to save money on your cell phone bill, such as by switching to a prepaid cell phone service.” (March 2009)


• Of those Americans with cell phones, fewer than one in five (16 percent or nearly 29 million people) have a prepaid phone. Of the balance, 85 percent have “postpaid”/contract-based service where they pay a monthly fee. (The two percentages add up to more than 100 percent because of a small number of consumers who have both prepaid and postpaid cell phones.) (December 2008)


• Only 44 percent of those age 18-24 years of age say they know when their contract-based wireless phone penalty ends. This percentage increases to 58 percent among those 25-34 and reaches its peak of 61 percent with those age 35-44. The percentage decreases somewhat to 55 percent for those aged 45-64 and declines sharply to 37 percent among those age 65 and over. (December 2008)
  

While NMRC has taken a leadership role in studying the views of U.S. consumers about contract-based and prepaid cell phone services, it is not alone in reaching the conclusions that millions of consumers would be better served in cheaper prepaid plans. Over the last two year, such organizations as Consumer Reports and the Telecommunications Research and Action Center (TRAC) have both emphasized that millions of Americans now on contract-based cell phone plans could save money by switching to a prepaid cell phone service.

For the full March 2009 and December 2008 survey findings, please go to http://newmillenniumresearch.org/ on the Web.

Organic cooks are getting a dose of inspiration as Chef Keith Snow of Harvest Eating joins the Mambosprouts.com team as the official Mambo Sprouts Organic Chef. Mambo Sprouts has expanded its online educational resources with Chef Snow’s expertise, offering new recipes and cooking videos featuring organic ingredients. Recipes will incorporate ingredients from the Mambo Sprouts printable e-coupon section, helping value conscious organic consumers incorporate greater savings into their everyday menu planning.

“Our studies show that people are still committed to buying organic in this economy,” said Matthew Saline, CEO for Mambo Sprouts Marketing. “One way they are managing their food budget is by cooking more meals at home. This is an opportune time to reach and assist those cooks with healthy, cost-conscious recipes.”

Mambo Sprouts has made it even easier to find recipes with new search-by-ingredient or -brand features. Other enhanced search functions include gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan diet options. Also new are categories for seasonal and kid-friendly recipes.

Throughout the section, users can rate and comment on recipes to share tips with other readers. Visitors are also invited to submit their own meal ideas.

Chef Snow is the creator of Harvest Eating, an online social network dedicated to seasonal cooking, and author of The Harvest Eating Cookbook. Harvest Eating includes an ever-growing library of over 325 cooking demonstration videos and more than 800 categorized recipes.

As part of this partnership, Chef Snow will incorporate cost-saving solutions into his recipes. “With the current economic climate, Mambo Spouts is making it easier for families to purchase their favorite organic and healthy food brands,” says Chef Snow. “I'm excited to partner with them to inspire those families with video and recipe content that makes seasonal cooking easy.”

“Chef Snow is one of the most recognized names in sustainable cuisine, yet he understands the needs of the busy home cook,” said Saline. “He offers streamlined recipes in a casual manner that helps people understand just how accessible organic cooking really is.”

Mambo Sprouts is more than a resource for healthy and organic recipes online. Visitors can find added savings by printing e-coupons from the site or signing up to receive Mambo’s seasonal coupon booklet. Mambo Sprouts is enabling more home cooks to incorporate organic foods into their meal planning, thanks to its mix of easy recipes and online savings coupons.