Are you an experienced Woman blogger who loves Pink Lemonade, or a writer who is great at writing but you don't want to take the time to run your own blog?...

Become a contributor for Pink Lemonade!

Pink Lemonade is currently seeking contributors round-out and enhance our readers experience... think, "online magazine".

If you are interested, please Email Liz (pinklemonadeoflife {at} gmail {dot} com) - send a link to a sample of one of your best posts or simply email a sample article and what subject(s) you would like to focus your articles on.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!



Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

Featured Weekly on Posh Mama Online Magazine

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Dentyne® - we're all familiar with this great gum that helps to keep breath fresh. We've all had a pack of it stashed in our car or purse at some point in our lives "just in case".

Those little packs work great in your purse or backpack, but sometimes they get lost in the car and the folks at Dentyne® have a solution to this problem - Dentyne® is now available in a bottle!

The 60 piece bottle is available in three flavors, Peppermint, Spearment and Arctic Chill and fits perfectly into your car's cup holder! Yes, the great taste and fresh breath of Dentyne is now within your reach no matter where you go. Dentyne® premium badge edition bottles, a first in the U.S. gum category, come in twelve bold, badgy, limited edition designs. These gorgeous bottles, designed by artist Anthony Yankovic, help make your life just a little more pleasant. Who wouldn't want one of these great looking bottles in their car or on their desk at work. Anthony previously produced limited edition designs for trend and badge-driven categories like Apparel, Skateboard and Snowboards.

So look for the fantastic taste of Dentyne® in a stylish new bottle to pop into your car or keep at your desk... fresh breath and style all in one - it doesn't get any better than that!

Check out what our Contributors had to say about Dentyne's new designer bottles:

Coach Jenn at Personal Fit Coach


Christime at Sticky Fingerprints


Sherry at My Loonyverse


Melissa at Multitasking Mama


And now for the Giveaway Fun...

We have three bottles of Dentyne® (including a bottle signed by the artist) to give away to one lucky reader!

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 what you think of the bottles, the artwork, and or how you might socialize and include the new bottles of Dentyne gum.


• 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 Friday, February 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

~Please note that Dentyne provided Pink Lemonade with three bottles of Dentyne Gum for review.

_________________________________________________________________________

The winner of our Dentyne giveaway is:

Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug}

from The Lucky Ladybug Giveaways

Congratulations, Cheryl - I will be emailing you shortly with details on claiming your prize.

While Valentines Day is usually a celebration of romantic love, don’t forget to celebrate your love for your children during this special time. There are many simple ways to make Valentines Day fun for your children, and to remind them that they are special to you.





-Make a Special Breakfast: On the morning of the 14th, surprise your children with a special red or heart themed breakfast. Here are some ideas for food you could serve:

• -Red or pink colored pancakes (use simple red food coloring)
• -Cut bread in a heart shape using a large heart cookie cutter and either make regular or French toast
• -Cranberry juice
• -Make a fun Valentines version of Eggs in a Nest. Use a medium sized heart cookie cutter and cut a heart shaped hole in the center of a piece of bread. Oil or butter a frying pan over medium heat. Place the bread on the frying pan and crack an egg in the center. Flip with a spatula when the egg looks to be decently done. Continue to cook until the egg is mostly cooked through. Longer if you want you yolk all the way cooked or shorter for a runny yolk.
• -Strawberry Milk
• -If you want to serve something a bit healthier you can serve Oatmeal and “draw” a heart with maple syrup in the center of the bowl

-Host a Valentines Cookie Decorating Party: Decorating cookies need not be relegated to Christmas only. Valentines Day is another great time to break out the frosting and sprinkles. If spending hours in the kitchen preparing the cookies and frosting doesn’t sound exciting, check the bakery at your local supermarket. Many sell ready made sugar cookie and icing kits. All you need to add is the sprinkles. You can also purchase ready to bake dough in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. Here is a list of supplies that you will need for the perfect Cookie Decorating Party:

• -Plenty of cookies and frosting for everyone
• -Sprinkles and Candy (red hots and conversation hearts make great Valentine’s cookie toppers)
• -A table cloth (the disposable kind are great for a kids party) to protect your table from sticky frosting messes
• -Paper plates for each guest. They can use them while decorating their cookies and for taking their cookies home with them when they leave.
• -Juice or Milk for washing down all of that sugary goodness

-Hit the Dollar Store or Dollar Section: There’s no question that kids love to get gifts! They will probably see you and your spouse exchanging gifts and want one too. You can easily make your children feel special without breaking the bank. A little bag filled with candy and a small gift is enough to let them know you care.

Do you have a fun Valentines Tradition? Please share what you do to make your children feel special at Valentine’s day by leaving us a comment!

- Christine

Posted by Christine of Sticky Fingerprints

Featured weekly on Pink Lemonade Online Magazine

I tried a local boot camp class today. My kids were asking, "what the heck is that?" I think they envisioned me going to a special camp where I can get boots. Tee hee! Seriously though, it was nice to step away from my DVD player for a day and get out in the world.

As we waited at the light, I suddenly decided we should have really clean food for dinner, and went straight instead of turning right. A few minutes later, we were pulling into the parking lot of one of our favorite haunts.

The manager greeted us with great enthusiasm. "Maryanne!" he exclaimed, almost as soon as we walked in the door. I've often thought this place was like a very liberal Left version of "Cheers" - where everybody knows your name.

After placing our orders, my husband turned his attention to the woman seated on the sofa next to ours, and more specifically to her cute, tiny dog. She smiled and said, "he's a service dog."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. He was all of three or four pounds.

She sensed my surprise and explained. "He works as a healer sometimes - his sensitivity makes him perfect to absorb the energy of the people he heals. His name is Buddha," she added, at which my husband and I laughed a little. Cute dog, cute name.

"And what do you do?" I asked her.

"Oh, I'm a Tibetan Buddhist nun," she replied. "Actually, a Swami, from a very specific lineage originating in the Himalayas. I'll be a Parmahansa very soon, and then I may or may not choose to become a Llama," she said.

My eyes widened in surprise. I had no idea someone could just become a Llama like that.

She changed the subject. "I've been having feelings recently about a big earthquake," she said, "and my mother has gone crazy about it and keeps warning me to be ready for it. It's only because I predicted 9/11, though," she said. "For months I dreamed about planes crashing, and no one paid any attention to what I was saying."

I started to reply, but then a friend from our dance class walked into the room. She was on her way back to New York, and we thought we'd already missed our opportunity to say goodbye to her. I suddenly marveled at that "moment of insight" when I changed my mind about which restaurant we should eat at. This was also what I loved about the nun's story - how great to have a life in the realm of all things possible, rather than just in the restrictive world of the expected!

After our friend left, I turned back to the nun and explained about our friend. "She's part of our dance community," I said, and explained a little about our classes.

"Yes," she said, nodding. "I'm also a dancer. Ballet." I thought about it: a Parmahansa ballerina. What an interesting mental picture that created.

This time I changed the subject. "Any hair under that hat?" I asked. She took the hat off and revealed that there was, in fact, no hair. "As Swamis, we are allowed to grow our hair if we want," she said, "but I find shaving easier anyway!"

"So, are you allowed to date?" I asked.

She picked up on what I was really asking. "Yeah, we can have partners after becoming a Parmahansa, but they have to be in the same order, and they have to be priests," she said. "Teachers can only date other teachers," she added. It seemed like a reasonable answer.

As we finished our dinner, my husband asked for the check. But the nun wasn't through with her story. "You know, I lived on a cattle farm at one point," she said, and suddenly it occurred to me how unlikely it was: to meet a Parmahansa who had a tiny healing dog named Buddha, and who was also a ballerina, and a prophet of terrorism (and maybe of earthquakes), and lived on a cattle farm.

"You should drop by the temple sometime," she said. "I teach classes there!"

We got up and hugged our new friend goodbye. "Yeah, we might just see you there," I said.

Driving home, we discussed how great it would be to come up with a new teaching, making a new lineage from scratch. At the beginning you'd be a Llama, and then as you progressed you would come down the ranks, re-grow your hair, become sexually active, and then eventually... enlightenment! Ah, the wonders of living in California!

- Maryanne


by Maryanne Comaroto of Maryanne Live

Featured Weekly on Pink Lemonade Online Magazine

February is Heart Awareness Month -- Have a Heart-to-Heart with Jitterbug!

This year, the American Heart Association’s “Go Red For Women” movement isn’t just promoting heart health—it’s actually helping to put a heart health tool right in the hands of consumers through one of its national supporters, the Jitterbug J in Red phone and service (www.jitterbug.com)!

In addition to February 5th being National Wear Red Day, February is also recognized as Heart Awareness Month. With your support we can put heart health in the hands of your readers!

Jitterbug is the perfect partner with the American Heart Association to help us all improve our health, because:

• The phone is pre-programmed to receive official AHA heart health tips via text message
  


• A 2009 study by Johns Hopkins University found that when we receive reminders about our health, we’re more likely to implement changes!
  


• The Jitterbug J and Jitterbug J in Red are designed to bring “simplicity to everyone”.
  


• Other Jitterbug wellness services, like Jitterbug LiveNurse, help users with heart questions that go beyond nutrition and exercise.

The Jitterbug J in Red is a true “daily working heart partner” to help us all reach better health. What better way to reverse the statistic of heart disease being the leading cause of death for women in this country?

Here are a few examples of the heart health tips that are sent daily on the Jitterbug J in Red:

• It is ok to say "no" to things that get in the way of healthy choices.


• It shows you are making your health a priority.
  


• Watch your weekends. Keep to your healthy eating and physical activity plans every day of the week.
  


• Every time you wear red, make a healthy choice for eating or physical activity and think about your heart health.
  


• Be a community advocate for heart health. Support your local heart walk and Go Red activities.
  


• Support local restaurants who take steps to be healthy like going smoke-free and offering heart-healthy menu items.

Liz Here: Since my Father's untimely death due to a heart attack last summer, heart disease prevention has become a cause "near and dear to my heart". Because of, not only his heart disease, but the history of it in his father and all of his siblings - I have no choice but to be concerned for the health of my heart.

Did you know that more women die every year because of heart disease than breast cancer? - it's true, but most women don't know this. We all need to take care of our hearts to keep ourselves healthy and happy so we can enjoy our lives and not have them cut short before we or our families are ready for us to leave this earth.

Can and undergarment help you burn calories? Well, that is the promise of ShaToBu. I was asked to be a ShaToBu insider and give the garment a try. As "The Workout You Wear" I am excited to share news as I spend more days trying out the garment.

ShaToBu, is a hip name for a new type of undergarment that promises to help you Shape, Tone and Burn while you wear it. Studies show that ShaToBu helps users burn 12% extra calories. Over a year, that can amount to 30,000 extra calories. Not bad and certainly worth a try in my book.

Here is a bit more info from the company:

"Created by chiropractor Dr. Denise Perron, ShaToBu is a revolutionary new concept in shapewear that uses everyday movement to shape, tone and burn calories. ShaToBu is ideal for new moms who want to get back in shape, women who want to lok great for a special event or just about any woman who wants to be more fit.

ShaToBu is based on the principle of resistance training. The simple yet ingenious technology uses seamless resistance bands to make muscles work a little harder during natural movement, like walking. When muscles work harder, more calories are burned."



So, I'm just getting started, but I will report back with my experiences as I go along. For the first day, the garment is surprisingly comfortable, and provides quite a bit of resistance. I feel like my inner thighs and butt are working just a little harder to do everyday tasks. Of course, you need to move to get the benefits so I'll keep moving as much as possible and keep you updated on my progress.

Professional poker player Bradley “Yukon” Booth – a spokesperson for online gaming website GR88.com who is widely known for his stint on NBC’s hit show Poker after Dark – has recently made some noteworthy observations about women and the world of poker…..

Bradley stated the obvious in Bluff Magazine: there are many more men out there playing the game. But then he poses an intriguing question: does that mean that this male dominated arena is off limits to a female champion?

He argues that while the game is dominated by males, there are many reasons why women would actually give men a run for their money. He bases this statement on several observations made over the course of his decorated career, notably three distinct advantages that women possess:

• Rational thinking – women can stay more calm in heated situations
  
• Ego in check – women aren’t driven by ego to make irrational, “stupid” moves
  
• Masters of body language – women, more in tune with their body language, can use this to their advantage to confuse and distract opponents
  

So ladies ask yourself this: the next time the boys claim it’s “Guy’s Night,” a time for poker and beer, why not raise the stakes and give the table a try? Bradley Yukon is willing to bet that you’ll have the upper hand in the game – and even predicts that women will come to dominate as poker becomes more mainstream.

Of course many males will argue against Bradley’s claims, but there you have it. Interesting food for thought...

Jason Castro stopped by Yahoo! Music last week to celebrate the release of his new EP, The Love Uncompromised. The American Idol alum was only slated for an interview but ended up breaking out his acoustic guitar for an impromptu performance when he crossed paths with a group of kids on a field trip. Watch Jason's live renditions of his single "Let's Just Fall In Love Again," EP title track "Love Uncompromised," and famous Leonard Cohen/Jeff Buckley cover of "Hallelujah."


All Dates w/Matt Hires’ “State Lines Tour 2010”

JANUARY
22 Charlotte, NC The Evening Muse
23 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
25 Vienna, VA Jammin’ Java
26 Philadelphia, PA World Café Live
27 New York, NY Joe’s Pub
28 Boston, MA Café 939
29 Pittsburgh, PA Club Café
31 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom & Tavern

FEBRUARY
1 Columbus, OH The Basement
3 Ann Arbor, MI The Ark
4 Chicago, IL Schubas Tavern
5 Madison, WI Der Rathskeller
6 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry
8 Lawrence, KS The Bottleneck
9 Denver, CO The Soiled Dove Underground
10 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court Gallery
11 Boise, ID Reef Boise
12 Seattle, WA The High Dive
13 Portland, OR Mississippi Studios
16 San Francisco, CA Bottom Of The Hill
17 Los Angeles, CA Hotel Café
19 San Diego, CA The Casbah
20 Tucson, AZ Solar Culture
21 Phoenix, AZ Rhythm Room
22 Santa Fe, NM Santa Fe Brewing Company
24 Dallas, TX The Loft
25 Austin, TX Stubb’s BBQ
26 Houston, TX House of Blues
28 Birmingham, AL WorkPlay Theater

SAN FRANCISCO’S INFUSION LOUNGE AND HOTEL FUSION PAIR-UP AND PUT A NEW TWIST ON VALENTINE’S DAY FESTIVITIES:

Non-Traditional Festivities Created for Those Looking for a
Single Night of Fun on February 14th.

Drink Specials Include: Love On The Rocks, The Hook-Up and Love Stinks.

Tailored Valentine’s Day Packages:
“Just Want To Be Friends” or “First Names Only”

This Valentine’s Day, Infusion Lounge and Hotel Fusion are turning the couples only holiday into a celebration of the single life. Long a dreaded holiday reserved only for young lovers, this year the party is for everyone searching for the love of their life…or their love for a single night. Set in the heart of San Francisco’s famed Union Square, the nightlife hotspot and boutique hotel property have teamed together to create a new Valentine’s Day tradition.

In honor of this year’s famed February 14th date, Infusion Lounge and Hotel Fusion have created exclusive packages geared for friends, lovers or the newly lusted.

Package Option 1: Just Want To Be Friends…
For the former lovers that still like to play together, Infusion Lounge and Hotel Fusion are offering the chance to have fun together, but as singles! The package includes a one night hotel stay at Hotel Fusion with two separate beds. Guests are greeted at check-in with a box of chocolate for her and a whisky cocktail for him, as well as two free drinks at the Infusion Lounge.

For the ex’s who are looking to meet someone new, both a tie and garter belt will be available in the room just in case one of the lucky guests needs to leave that not so subtle hint that the room is occupied. Complimentary coffee will be offered in the lobby for all hotel guests who are inconvenienced by their hotel mate.

Package Option 2: First Names Only
Infusion Lounge and the Hotel Fusion celebrate lust over love. For one night only, Hotel Fusion offers a special $69 rate for guests who are looking for a short-term intimate setting. The special rate includes a standard room for up to three hours so guests can get to know each other a little better in privacy. Also included in the package are two drink tokens to use at the Infusion Lounge. Reservations are not required but they are suggested.

Realizing that guests are going to want to celebrate their new found freedom, or drown their sorrows, Infusion Lounge is offering an array of specialty single-inspired drinks throughout the night for all guests. Specially crafted cocktails include: Love Stinks, a Gibson martini garnished with spicy cocktail onions, and Love On The Rocks, a Veev Acai Liqueur with St. Germain, soda, fresh lemon served over ice.

Infusion Lounge is also offering some passion-inspired cocktails like The Hookup, Kettle 1 Citron with sweet & sour and a splash of Compari. The Valentine’s Day menu will also include Passion Fruit Martinis, a selection of Single Malts and Sidecar Specials all for $12.

Both Packages are only offered on February 14, 2009 only, and are based on availability. To book packages or for more information, contact: Infusion Hotel at (415) 568 - 2525

About Infusion Lounge
Named one of “the World’s 35 Hottest New Nightclubs” by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine, Infusion Lounge has re-defined the club-going experience in San Francisco. With its prime location and unique design, Infusion Lounge features beautifully hand-crafted mosaic tiled walls, intriguing dragons, opium lounging beds, a gender-bending provocative uni-sex bathroom, plush furnishings and one of the largest hypnotic geisha holograms ever created. In addition, there are two bars, a distinctive Asian-inspired restaurant, two exclusive VIP rooms, a 2000 square foot dance floor, multiple DJ booths and an unprecedented lighting and sound system.

For more information, go to www.infusionlounge.com or call (415) 421-8700.

Follow Infusion Lounge on Facebook at www.facebook.com/infusionlounge and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/infusionlounge.

“Watch Your Chi”

Philip Stein just made the watch industry a little healthier with a very innovative brand of watches, “Philip Stein Teslar”, which could change the way people feel about time. It’s a luxury watch (retailing between $300 - $5,000) embedded with “Natural Frequency Technology” and “Electromagnetic Frequency Technology” which utilizes a metal disk, infused with key frequencies that are then exposed to the wearer. Wearers have reported better sleep, less stress and clearer focus, leading many scientists to believe the human body needs this frequency to reach optimal health.

Philip Stein has come a long way since the brand’s humble beginnings in Essen, Germany – in fact, Oprah Winfrey picked the watch as one of her "favorite things” this past holiday… The one she wears is from the classic Philip Stein “Teslar” which is the signature design – on the front, it has 2 faces and on the back are two Teslar chips. These chips emit a low-level electromagnetic signal 7 to 9 times per second, what physicists believe to be natural to the earth, your body is being exposed to a balancing frequency, informing the body to relax.

For more information on the technology, visit: http://www.philipstein.com/frequencytech.aspx


Philip Stein “Teslar” Collection - $400 - $4,500 Saks Fifth Avenue

Barenaked Ladies are Back - Canadian Headline Tour Announced

Barenaked Ladies, Ed Robertson (guitar/vocals), Jim Creeggan (bass/vocals), Kevin Hearn (keyboard/guitar/vocals) and Tyler Stewart (drums/vocals), announce today their Canadian headline tour with special guest Joel Plaskett.

"We're looking forward to another cross-Canada tour" said Ed Robertson. "It's a new chapter for the band, but we'll be bringing the whole songbook with us! We'll be playing our favorites from the last 20 years, as well as songs from our new record. The only known cure for spring fever is a Barenaked Ladies show. We look forward to seeing you there!"

In addition to the tour dates listed below, the band will also be performing at Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square on February 20th as part of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic celebrations. This show will be free to all.

The Canadian tour dates are:
April 6th Victoria, BC Save On Foods Centre
April 8th Calgary, AB Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
April 12th Saskatoon, SK Sid Buckwold Theatre @ TCU
April 13th Regina, SK Conexus Arts Center
April 14th Edmonton, AB Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
April 17th London, ON John Labatt Centre
April 20th Kingston, ON K-Rock Centre
April 24th Halifax, NS Metro Centre
April 28th Hamilton, ON Hamilton Place Theatre
April 30th Montreal, QC Metropolis
May 1st Oshawa, ON General Motors Centre

Every online ticket order will include one download of the new album All In Good Time (available in Canada March 23rd), plus an exclusive limited bonus track.

Tickets go on sale on January 26th to members of the brand-new "Ladies Room" Fan Club and to the general public on January 29th. For details on the fan club, VIP packages, or to buy tickets, please visit http://barenakedladies.com/. Details for the US tour will be announced soon.

The first single from All In Good Time, was the #1 Most Added track both in Canada and the US last week. The single will be available February 2nd. The album All In Good Time will be available on Raisin' Records/EMI Music on March 23rd in Canada and March 30th in the US.
Over the course of the past twenty-one years, Barenaked Ladies have racked up 8 Juno Awards and multiple Grammy nominations, sold more than 14 million albums worldwide, written a plethora of hit singles (including "One Week," "Pinch Me" and "If I Had $1000000") and amassed an international fanbase whose members number in the millions.

We're two weeks away from Superbowl Sunday; a day that's become better known for feasting than football. Major snack food companies tell us to "Snack Happy," but how happy will you be when you step on the scale after the eating frenzy is over?

Health and fitness expert Dr. Eric Plasker, best-selling author of The 100 Year Lifestyle and The 100 Year Lifestyle Workout, wants to help you get through the game without the gain. He has compiled some Superbowl Superfoods that will satisfy a snack attack and keep you looking slim and trim.

Dips that Don't:
Hummus and babaganoush are two great dips that add some edge to your party. Plus, they're much healthier than heavy cheese dips. For variety, buy an assortment of flavors, like red pepper, garlic and olive. Pair these with pre-cut veggies like carrots, broccoli and celery, rather than chips. You can also buy whole grain, stone ground or 100 percent whole-wheat crackers, which contain fiber and nutritional value. You'll get all of the flavor and less of the fat.

Wings for Winners:
Buy baked chicken wings instead of fried ones. When they're covered in sauce, you won't taste the difference. Just be sure to steer clear of blue cheese and ranch dressings, or buy low-fat versions.

Sub Saviors:
Sub sandwiches can be a good way to get your protein and fill up on not-so-fattening food. Limit the mayo, pack your sandwich with extra lettuce and tomato, and eat it open-faced to save on calories.

Dessert Danger:
Finger foods can be the most dangerous, as they're easy to pop into your mouth without thinking. Don't be a grazer. Load your plate with a small portion of whatever you want to try, and then step away from the dessert table. That way, you're practicing portion control.

Workout Warriors:
Plan ahead. If you think you'll be taking in an extra 1,000 calories on Superbowl Sunday, make sure to get in a good workout on Friday, Saturday and Sunday before the game. That way, you can compensate for the extra intake and net out without weight gain.

About Dr. Eric Plasker:
Health and fitness expert Dr. Plasker is author of The 100 Year Lifestyle, a best-selling book and wellness system that enables people to make the most of their years through a unique, total-life program that addresses health, nutrition, exercise, mental agility, creativity, finances, friends and family, work, community, and achieving a sense of purpose. Also author of the just-released 100 Year Lifestyle Workout, Dr. Plasker is a member of Gold's Gym Fitness Institute, the world's largest think tank for health and Fitness issues. Owner of two highly successful family practices for almost 20 years, Dr. Plasker has been featured extensively by the media, including CNN, FOX, NBC, Self, Woman's World, Health and in major newspapers around the country.

Managing your weight can be difficult, but finding foods that are satisfying doesn’t have to be. With Progresso Light and 100 Calorie Soups, you can enjoy a delicious cup of soup that provides great taste and variety all at 100 calories or less.

Celebrate the New Year and a new you with Progresso Light and 100 Calorie Soups because from January 4 through March 15th, you and your readers can visit http://www.progressosoup.com/souperyou/ to enter the Progresso “Souper You Debut” contest for the chance to win a full makeover in New York City.

Three grand prize winners will be awarded a trip for two to New York City from May 21st-23rd. The prize includes roundtrip airfare, a two-night stay in a NYC hotel, a full makeover, a $1,000 wardrobe shopping spree and personal consultation at a New York department store.

To enter, you’ll need to do the following:

• Go to http://www.progressosoup.com/souperyou/ to learn more and enter the contest
  
  
• Submit your essay (200 characters or less) telling Progresso why you love Progresso Light or 100 Calorie Soups and why you would like a makeover
  
  
• In addition, please submit a photo of yourself that visually reinforces the theme of your essay

Once you enter, you’ll have the chance for your photo and/or an excerpt from your essay to appear on http://www.progressosoup.com/souperyou/, so be sure to check back frequently! Once the 10 finalists are announced, you can visit http://www.progressosoup.com/souperyou/ from March 29 through April 12 to vote for your favorite.

In addition, throughout the duration of the contest you can visit http://www.progressosoup.com/souperyou/ to download a coupon for $1 off any three varieties of Progresso Soup!

With surprisingly hearty ingredients like pasta, beans, corn and rice, and flavor-packed vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, and peppers, Progresso Light and 100 Calorie Soups offer varieties with a good source of fiber and a full serving of vegetables. Satisfying your taste buds, Progresso Light and 100 Calories Soups can help curb your hunger, making it easier for you to stick to your weight management plan.

As a member of my blog spark, I was lucky enough to receive a Progresso “Souper You Debut” gift pack that included several different varieties of the Progresso Light and 100 Calorie Soups, as well as a Progresso digital jump rope that keeps track of jumps and calories burned and a Progresso soup mug.

We have one a Progresso “Souper You Debut” gift pack (that includes two cans of Progresso Soup, as well as a Progresso digital jump rope that keeps track of jumps and calories burned and a Progresso soup mug) prize pack to give away to one lucky reader!

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 favorite variety of Progresso Soups or why you should win the Progresso “Souper You Debut” Contest


• 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 Thursday, January 28th 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

~Please note that Progresso provided Pink Lemonade with a “Souper You Debut” prize pack through MyBlogSpark.

____________________________________________________________

The winner of the Progresso gift pack is:

Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug}

Congratulations! I will be emailing you shortly with information about claiming your prize.

A recent survey conducted for Old El Paso Green Chiles found that the majority of Americans will be gathering around the TV to watch the Big Game at home with friends and family on February 7, 2010.

That means that 61% of adults plan to watch the Big Game. Whether you’re planning a huge party or you’re just looking forward to kicking back at home with your friends and family, Old El Paso Green Chiles can help you spice up the festivities!

Old El Paso Green Chiles, which come in 4.5 and 7 oz cans, are a simple way to liven up your go-to favorites. Fat-free and with only 10 calories per serving, Green Chiles are not spicy, but will add a unique flavor to your dishes that the whole crowd will love!

According to the survey, Americans will be clamoring for these great game time dishes:

• Chips and dip or salsa 67%
• Wings 57%
• Nachos 33%
• Veggies and dip 29%
• Chili 24%

Perfect for your dips and salsas, as well as your nachos and chili, Old El Paso Green Chiles can help you score a mealtime touchdown with your guests this year. For more ideas, check out these quick (with a prep time of less than 30 minutes each!) and delicious recipes that incorporate Old El Paso Green Chiles and will have your fans cheering for more!

• Nachos
• Green Chile Dip
• Green Chile Cornbread
• Taco Nachos
• Black Bean Dip
• Slow Cooker Salsa Chili
• Seven-Layer Bean Dip
• Skillet Nacho Chili
• Southwestern Dip

In addition, you can visit This Link to save $0.55 on one can of Old El Paso Green Chiles today!

As a member of my blog spark, I was lucky enough to receive an Old El Paso “Tackle the Taste” gift pack that includes two free cans of Green Chiles, as well as a football-shaped ceramic serving platter, two sets of football-themed plates, cocktail napkins, and a themed table runner.

We have one Old El Paso “Tackle the Taste” prize pack to give away to one lucky reader!

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 how you would use Green Chiles to spice up your favorite recipes


• 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 Thursday, January 28th 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

~Please note that Old El Paso provided Pink Lemonade with a “Tackle the Taste” prize pack through MyBlogSpark.

_________________________________________________________________

The winner of the gift pack from Old El Paso is:

cdziuba

from CeeCeeBlogger

Congratulations, I will be emailing you shortly with instructions for claiming your prize.

There's a new Cheerio in town! Chocolate Cheerios is low in fat, heart healthy*, has 100 calories per serving, contains at least 8 grams of whole grain per serving (at least 48 grams recommended daily), and is a good source of calcium and vitamin D. Made with real cocoa, Chocolate Cheerios can help your family start the day off right with a delicious and nutritious breakfast that is sure to make you smile!

Check out these great recipes using Chocolate Cheerios!



Chocolate Cheerios® Marshmallow Hearts

Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Start to Finish: 1 Hour 45 Minutes


Crust
1 cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 cup Chocolate Cheerios® cereal, crushed
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups miniature marshmallows
Topping
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 bag (11.5 ounces) milk chocolate chips
4 cups Chocolate Cheerios® cereal
Candy sprinkles, if desired

Heat oven to 350°F. Line bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with foil. In large bowl, mix all crust ingredients except marshmallows with electric mixer on low speed until crumbly. Press firmly into bottom of pan.

Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove from oven. Immediately sprinkle with marshmallows. Return to oven; bake an additional 1 to 2 minutes or until marshmallows just begin to puff. Cool while preparing topping.

In large saucepan, place all topping ingredients except cereal and sprinkles. Heat over medium-low heat just until chips are melted and mixture is smooth, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in 4 cups cereal. Immediately spoon warm topping over marshmallows; spread to cover. Sprinkle with candy sprinkles. Cool completely, at least 1 hour.

Using foil to lift, remove mixture from pan; remove foil. With deep 2 1/2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out 18 hearts. Store loosely covered.



Chocolate Hazelnut Marshmallow Balls

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Start to Finish: 15 Minutes


1/2 cup hazelnut spread with cocoa
1/4 cup milk chocolate chips
14 large marshmallows
Toothpicks
3 cups Chocolate Cheerios® cereal
Round wooden sticks with one pointed end or craft sticks
(flat wooden sticks with round ends)


In medium microwavable bowl, microwave hazelnut spread and chocolate chips on high 30 seconds; stir until smooth. Place cereal in shallow dish.
Insert toothpick into marshmallow; dip in chocolate mixture. Roll in cereal to coat completely. Place on large plate; remove toothpick. Repeat with remaining marshmallows. If desired, insert round wooden sticks into each for pops.
Refrigerate 30 minutes or until chocolate is set.
14 servings



Strawberry-Chocolate Cheerios® Parfaits

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Start to Finish: 15 Minutes


2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
4 containers (6 oz each) Yoplait® Light Fat Free strawberry yogurt
2 cups Chocolate Cheerios® cereal

In 4 parfait glasses or clear drinking glasses, layer half of the strawberries, half of the yogurt and half of the cereal. Repeat layers.

Serve immediately

*Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. Chocolate Cheerios cereal is low in fat, saturated fat free and naturally cholesterol free.

As a member of my blog spark, I was lucky enough to receive a Chocolate Cheerios prize pack which included a sample of Chocolate Cheerios, a chocolate scented spa kit and a ceramic cereal bowl.

We have one Chocolate Cheerios prize pack to give away to one lucky reader!

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 what your family does to start the day off with a smile.


• 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 Thursday, January 28th 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

~Please note that General Mills provided Pink Lemonade with a Chocolate Cheerios prize pack through MyBlogSpark.

____________________________________________________________________

The Winner in the Chocolate Cheerios Giveaway is:

Beth (BBRB)

from Beth's Book Review Blog

Congratulations, Beth - I will be emailing you shortly with instructions for claiming your prize.

It seems to happen over night, something changes and your once sweet little baby turns into a kicking, screaming toddler. The word “no” sends him into fits, rolling on the floor and screaming at volumes you thought to be impossible. Your first instinct is to stop the tantrum by any means possible, which is often giving in to your child’s demands. While this will temporarily solve your problem, it will lead to more in the future.

While I by no means have a solution that is 100% effective every time, I have found a solution that helps me to feel like I am being a sympathetic without giving in to the tantrum.

Step 1: Answer your child firmly, yet gently.

Step 2: Do not react in anger, simply respond firmly but with love and empathy. I will often give them a hug and explain in very simple terms why they cannot do or have what they want.

Steps one and two aren’t likely to stop a tantrum. You will usually have to move on to step 3.

Step 3: Use time out! It is about the time when my children begin to throw tantrums that I begin using time out as a method of discipline. Again, when utilizing time out, do not react with anger, but gently place them on time out (we use a corner in our house). Time out should not last longer than 1 minute per year of age.

In a perfect world, this would be the end of the tantrum, but that is not always the case. You may have to start over again at step one. While this may be time consuming and incredibly frustrating, your child is learning more by being told no than being given all that they want.

You may also encounter times when it is more difficult to find a spot for time out. I have been known to sit my child in an out of the way corner at church or at the grocery store. The key is to be firm and not give in. The toddler years are filled with tantrums, but they are also filled with a sweetness that seems to fade and change along with the tantrums as your toddler becomes a full fledged preschooler.


- Christine

Posted by Christine of Random Thoughts With Chris

Featured weekly on Pink Lemonade Online Magazine

What kind of dad would your partner be?

Every time you're with your partner, the feeling is the same. You're naturally drawn toward each other, the sex is unbelievable, and you couldn't imagine things being better. But are you considering all the possibilities? What if you got pregnant, even if you were trying your best not to? A man who is good in bed is not necessarily parent material.

Yeah, it might turn out okay in the end - who knows, you might even end up with the fairytale wedding, or at least a commitment. But don't you think it's smarter to find out now what sort of man you might end up being committed to, for better or worse? Is he the sort of man who understands all the potential repercussions of sex, and is determined to be responsible, no matter what?

In other words, you need to know if you're with a boy, a guy, or a man...


BOYZ

• Boy sees girl; boy thinks, she'd look good naked.
  
• Girl says hi; boy thinks, she'd like to see me naked!
  
• Girl gives her phone number; boy plans for sex.
  
• Girl agrees to meet; boy brings a condom.
  
• Girl allows a kiss; boy goes for second base.
  
• Girl allows the touching; boy goes for sex.
  
• Girl starts talking about commitment; boy starts looking for another girl.
  

This probably happens most often in high school, when the boy and girl are still struggling with the basics of self-esteem. But that doesn't mean that adults are immune from these kinds of patterns, as you can see:


GUYZ

• Guy sees girl; guy thinks, she'd look good naked.
  
• Gal flashes a smile; guy knows it's on.
  
• Gal asks for his number; guy gives his office voicemail... just in case she's a stalker.
  
• Gal calls for a date; guy suggests Tuesday, early drinks.
  
• Gal fantasizes about kids with him; guy hopes she's not a chatterbox.
  
• Gal goes for sex; guy gets out of there right afterwards.
  
• Gal calls and calls; guy thinks, I should have known she'd be a stalker.
  
• Gal thinks men all act like pigs; guy thinks, I wonder if she'd have sex with me again.
  

This time around, the boy has still not become a man, and emotionally he's not much better than he was at puberty. This sort of unilateral relationship is made worse by him being not only aware, but deceptive about it.


MEN

• Man sees woman; man thinks, I wonder what she wants in life.
  
• Woman warms to him; man wonders if she's the real deal.
  
• Man invites her out; woman accepts happily.
  
• Woman shares her hopes and dreams; man notices how similar they are to his.
  
• Man acts consistently with his words; woman learns to trust him.
  
• Man gives his heart; woman drops her drawers.
  
• Woman is honest with him; man speaks his mind.
  
• They both do their best to encourage and enhance each other's lives!
  

We all have natural desires to be with someone who will hold us, touch us, be close to us, and have sex with us. Those things all help us become aware of our place on this planet, both on an individual path and as part of a larger whole. Along the way it helps to note, from time to time, the differences between the boyz and the men. Even if children are not in the picture, building a healthy relationship is more likely if you are focusing on the men.

The definitions of boyz, guyz, and men come from Chapter Six of Maryanne’s latest book, Hindsight: What You Need to Know Before You Drop Your Drawers. If you’d like some time-tested, practical tools for your Relationship Tool Belt, you can buy the book at www.maryannelive.com and learn how to turn your dream relationship into reality! Here's Maryanne talking about navigating relationships in shadows that are larger than life...

- Maryanne


by Maryanne Comaroto of Maryanne Live

Featured Weekly on Pink Lemonade Online Magazine

If you are like me you can never have too many shoes (alright, you can but don’t tell my husband I said that). Storing shoes is an issue with many of my clients. For one thing, we all have plenty of shoes. For another thing, shoes are bulky and not easy to store. So here are a few tips:

• Invest in some clear stackable shoeboxes. This is what I use for the majority of my shoes in my closet. They stack nicely so they maximize storage space and it is easy to see what you have.
  


• Put out of season shoes away. Just like it is not necessary to have your Christmas sweaters out in April, it is not necessary for flip flops to be taking up room in your closet in January. When you put out of season clothes away, put the shoes away too.
  


• For the pile of shoes that inevitably ends up near your entryway you need an attractive storage solution. Try a bench that opens where the kids can stow away their cleats and play shoes when not wearing them. A nice big basket works well too, provided it is not too deep.
  


• Keep the shoes you wear the most easily accessible. My husband and I have a stackable shoe rack in the bottom of our walk-in closet where we keep our sneakers and slippers.
  

What are some of the ways you keep shoes organized? Feel free to share in the comments.

Melissa


Posted by Melissa of Multitasking Mama

Featured Weekly on Pink Lemonade Online Magazine

Tiger Woods hits the front pages, and instead of fans cheering they’re reeling from his admission of foul play. Gasp! “Powerful men have a higher sex drive,” says one expert; “Men are just wired that way,” says another. “If women don’t want their men to stray, they need to turn up the passion in the bedroom.” And I say – Pleeeeze! We all know that men do not have a corner on the hormone market; the secret’s out and the facts are in, so enough with this foolishness—at least come up with something original.

Instead of acquiescing to what’s PC and getting on the oh-so-boring, poor, poor, sex-depraved male bandwagon, how about I direct your attention over here, to what I’m calling SI: Spiritual Incontinence. Defined: a sudden swift departure from one’s internal compass, brought about by the unconscious wound of separation. SI, I believe, is a malady that most of us who live in the western world not only suffer from but, ironically, subscribe to. We know what the high road is, and choose to submit to our lower nature, to hell with the consequences. And yes, I said choose.

It’s one thing to be broke and uneducated and thus make poor choices out of ignorance; it’s another to be out of integrity and behave abominably on purpose. You see, I am not a believer that people do the best they can; nope, I believe that people just do what they do. (And, in many cases, whatever they can get away with.) Unless you are a bona fide junkie, addicted to the rush of break-up and make-up, wake up and smell the truth:

First, being famous, powerful, rich or having a penis, in general, is not a precursor to infidelity or cheating. The difference between being a cheater and having cheated is gaping. If you don’t know the difference, bone up and grow up. There is no longer an excuse for not educating yourself unless you cannot read.

Second, women who choose to be in relationship with men who are cheaters do so because we are either afraid to be abandoned or alone, are financially dependent, are defined by a man wanting or loving us, or simply do not yet honor and respect ourselves. NOT because we love him and want to stand by our man. This is immature love and romanticized attachment. And if your man has moved from having cheated to being a cheater, he doesn’t need help. You do—get some, and some self-respect while you’re at it. You will be thrilled you did in the long run!

Third, do you know what one of women’s greatest strengths is? One of our greatest gifts? Our intuition. Use it or lose it. Look, we know! We see the red flags; we just …want what we want. We want handsome, tall, and strong/rich, powerful, and sexy/ hunky, artistic, etc., etc., guys who will sweep us off our feet and we’ll live happily ever after. We like the idea of love, not the reality. And I gotta tell you this; fantasy gets us into more trouble than just about anything. Slap yourself. Pay attention. Do your homework. Very few men turn into cheaters who were not already cheaters of some kind. The writing is on the wall—read it OR pay the price. How much is your peace of mind, your soul, worth? I’ll bet Mr-pro-golfer’s wife is asking herself that right now. Heavy price to pay, I say!

And four and last (for now, anyway). Wanna stay a victim and a blamer, or embrace the path of a skilled relationship warrior goddess? Maybe it’s time to fan your inner flame, turn up the volume of your passionate heart, and say YES to what’s most sacred and NO to what is not. To deny any suitor who has not taken care to bow before the divine, honor women and children, to live by the code inscribed in their deepest core, whose life reflects this on and off the field! How about you…shame on who?

Great relationships begin within!

For more of Maryanne talking all things relationship:



- Maryanne


by Maryanne Comaroto of Maryanne Live

Featured Weekly on Pink Lemonade Online Magazine

I am a huge proponent of menu planning. It is such an important way to keep yourself organized and to save your family money. One meal that is often overlooked when planning a menu is breakfast.

Breakfast is an important meal to plan because how we spend our morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. Are you tired of rushing to give your kids (and don't forget yourself) a nutritious breakfast in the morning? After all, it is the most important meal of the day!

Here are some ideas for quick but tasty breakfast ideas:

• Buy vanilla flavored yogurt and add some fresh or frozen berries and granola or Grapenuts cereal. Parfait that the kids and grown-ups can enjoy!


• Make a whole grain waffle sandwich. My boys like toasted frozen waffles ( I use the Kashi brand) with peanut butter and bananas and then they eat them like a sandwich.


• Smoothies are another favorite in our house. Fresh or frozen fruit in the blender with non fat yogurt or skim milk and drink. Yum, yum!


• Whole wheat english muffins with egg and melted cheese None of these take more than 5 minutes to make and send your family off with a good healthy start to the day! The time invested in menu planning is well worth the worry and energy saved, particularly during the morning rush.

Happy Breakfast-making :-)

Melissa


Posted by Melissa of Multitasking Mama

Featured Weekly on Pink Lemonade Online Magazine

When it is cold outside it's nice to have a warm treat waiting when the kids get home from school. Something mine have liked from the time Dawn was little is a nice piece of gingerbread cake (fresh from the oven is best but it's also pretty good warmed in microwave) with a generous dollop of whipped cream. Here's a simple, foolproof recipe.



1 stick butter, melted and cooled
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup dark molasses
1 cup hot water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. (Preheat to 325 degrees when using a glass pan.) Spray an 8-by-8-inch pan with no-stick cooking spray. Mix melted and slightly cooled butter, sugar and egg and set aside. In a large bowl, sift dry ingredients. Combine molasses and hot water and stir to combine. Add flour mixture to butter-sugar mixture alternately with the molasses mixture and whisk to combine. Pour batter into pan and bake 50 to 60 minutes. Cool in the pan 5 minutes. Serve with whipped topping, butter or even plain. (If you have leftovers it also makes a nice lunchbox treat.)

Sherry


Posted by Sherry of Loon-atics In The Kitchen

Featured Weekly on Pink Lemonade Online Magazine