The great gals at Mom Bloggers Club alerted me to this "cool" contest for the CoolSculpting product. It's been in the news for a while now and I even saw a lady get the treatment on the Dr. Oz show. So, I jumped on the chance to tell my readers about it and this great contest. Why not create a new you in the new year?

So, if you have not heard about CoolSculpting, let's start off with the product description:

CoolSculpting™ is a patented, non-invasive, clinically proven procedure to selectively reduce fat layers in problem areas using a patented cooling technology. It is a safe procedure cleared by the FDA that gently cools unwanted fat cells in the body to induce a natural, controlled elimination of fat cells. This reduces bulges in treated areas of the body without harming surrounding tissue.

Hmm, this sounds like something I'd like to try for my trouble zones like those darned inner thighs of mine. LOL! The grand prize is a FREE CoolSculpting treatment for you and a friend. Second prize is an iPad with a $200 gift card for healthy apps on iTunes. COOL!

Stop by PersonalFitCoach.com for full details and to enter.

please note:  This contest is being run by personalfitcoach.com, NOT pink lemonade - any entries made here on this site will not qualify.

It has been nearly two years since I've done a complete round of P90X so it's time once again to take on the challenge. In the meantime, I've completed Insanity, ChaLEAN Extreme, and Turbo Fire, and a mix of all 4, including the P90X Plus workouts as well. In that time, I also became a certified personal trainer and I'm having a blast training others in my home or theirs in my local area. I just LOVE helping others get fit and healthy.

Due to an injury, and a busy training schedule, I actually let my own workouts diminish a bit. Now I am determined to get back into the P90X shape I was in last year. If you are not familiar with P90X, It is a 90-day fitness and nutrition program created by fitness guru, Tony Horton (here is a link to his great no-nonsense blog) and put out by the company called Beachbody.

Many celebrities have completed the program to get in shape for a big role or after having a baby. Recent celebs bragging about P90X results include: Cheryl Crow, Pink, Demi Moore, Jennie Garth, Michelle Obama, and many more. Who doesn't want amazing arms like Mrs. President?

Here is the program description along with a summary of all of the workouts that the program includes:

P90X includes 12 sweat-inducing, muscle-pumping workouts, designed to transform your body from regular to ripped in just 90 days. The secret is an advanced training technique called Muscle Confusion™, which accelerates your results by constantly introducing new moves and routines so your body never plateaus.

Here’s what you get with P90X:

12 Diverse and Intense Workouts:

• P90X - 01 Chest & Back. Targeted strength and definition workout emphasizes two classic upper-body exercises.
• P90X - 02 Plyometrics. Explosive jumping cardio routine, proven to dramatically improve athletic performance.
• P90X - 03 Shoulders & Arms. A potent combination of pressing, curling, and fly movements that will leave you stronger and more defined.
• P90X - 04 Yoga X. Combines strength, balance, flexibility, and breath work to enhance your physique and calm your mind.
• P90X - 05 Legs & Back. Squat, lunge, and pull in a total-body workout like no other.
• P90X - 06 Kenpo X. Intense cardiovascular workout includes punching and kicking for endurance, balance, and coordination.
• P90X - 07 X Stretch. Achieve a higher level of athleticism, prevent injuries, and avoid plateaus.
• P90X - 08 Core Synergistics. Build and support the core while conditioning your body.
• P90X - 09 Chest, Shoulders & Triceps. Targeted strength and definition workout emphasizing two classic upper-body exercises.
• P90X - 10 Back & Biceps. Flex your powerful biceps, and focus on toning and tightening those showcase upper-body muscles.
• P90X - 11 Cardio X. Low-impact, fat-burning cardio routine.
• P90X - 12 Ab Ripper X. Sculpt an incredible six-pack and improve your physical performance.

Plus, get these informative tools:

• 3-Phase Nutrition Plan. Designed to help you lose fat, build lean muscle, and maintain high energy levels through each part of the program.
• P90X Fitness Guide. Packed with information and tools to help you set your workout goals, track your progress, and stay inspired.
• How to Bring It Video. Get a quick overview of the complete P90X Extreme Home Fitness training system.

And get these tools to keep you motivated:

• P90X Calendar. Lets you know exactly what to do each day, set your workout goals, track your progress, and stay motivated.
• Online Support. You'll have access to Tony and other fitness experts, and peer support from your fellow P90Xers.

Exclusive bonus workouts:

• If you order from me, you will receive 2 workout DVDs from the P90X ONE on ONE™ series. A $40.00 value—FREE!

90-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Beachbody is so sure you'll love this program, they give you a 90-day money-back guarantee.

So, are you ready to join me for the ultimate fitness challenge? I hope so. I'll be starting on January 3rd with the Bookieboo/Mamavation folks too. If you are not familiar with these great communities for women getting fit and healthy, go check them out at Bookieboo.com and Mamavation.com.

Even if you are not ready for this challenge, I hope you'll stop by to follow my progress and others in the challenge group. We are calling ourselves "Team Punishment" and we'll come up with some bad-ass nicknames too. Hmm, "Bad-Ass Jenn" has a nice ring to it. Feel free to send me other nickname ideas. And, you can shop by Team Beachbody site at CoachJennsFitness.net for all kinds of great workouts from beginner to advanced in level.

Have you tried P90X yourself? Let us know how it went for you.

- Coach Jenn

Featured weekly on Pink Lemonade Online Magazine

Setting a nice table is often overlooked but its importance should not be minimized. Having a nice table setting affects your enjoyment of the meal which can even affect how well you digest your food. After putting in the effort involved in thoughtful menu planning and healthy cooking, don't tarnish the meal by having a disorganized presentation or worse, eating in the living room or in front of computers and televisions.

This is a time where you can either go it alone, or you can call in the children and husband to help with the table setting. This means silverware positioned properly around the plate and matching or complimentary glasses and everything in its place. Not only will this make dinner more enjoyable and relaxing, it will teach your children manners and the proper way to do things in a civilized society. Believe it or not, being able to eat politely and practice good conversational skills is something your children need to learn as eating dinner with an employer or even on a job interview could be in their future.

Little touches can really add to the mood of the meal. A nice centerpiece can add to the atmosphere. You can choose something that matches the room or go with a theme that is appropriate for the season. This shows your family that you care about making mealtime special for them. Children can help out by making center pieces during craft time. Sometimes it's the smallest touches that work quietly to make a big difference in overall mood.

Sitting down to eat a meal calmly is very important for digestion. It's not healthy to bounce up and down from the table to grab forgotten spoons or napkins. Try to anticipate the needs of your diners as well as the meal itself by setting out appropriate utensils and condiments in advance. Perhaps create a checklist for children who are setting the table so nothing is forgotten.

If you have some extra time, a cute vegetable garnish like a radish rose or carrot curls is a great way to make the plate look prettier while sneaking in some extra nutrition. By taking the time to set a nice table before the meal begins, you can ensure that everyone is able to sit down and enjoy their meal in peace.


Leanne Ely, C.N.C.

Your Dinner Diva at your service on http://savingdinner.com/


Copyright (C) 2010 www.savingdinner.com Leanne Ely, CNC All rights reserved.


Subscribe to Leanne's YOUTUBE channel!

www.youtube.com/savingdinner


Listen to Leanne on BLOG TALK RADIO   Every Wednesday at Noon (est)
Can't make the show?  That's ok come listen to the podcast!
www.blogtalkradio.com/saving-dinner

Today's focus is on ACORN SQUASH

Acorn squash is a winter squash that gets its name from its acorn-like shape. The skin is usually green and the flesh is an appealing shade of orange that looks similar to pumpkin. The flavor of acorn squash is sweet and somewhat buttery. Many acorn squash cooking methods enhance these qualities by adding sugar and butter but it can also be served as a savory dish all on its own.

Acorn squash is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A and beta carotene. Being fat free and low in calories is an extra bonus. Choose an acorn squash that feels heavy for its size and has smooth, dull skin. Acorn squash can keep for up to three months if stored in a cool, dry place.

Preparing an acorn squash is as easy as 1-2-3... 1. Cut the acorn squash open. 2. Remove the fibers and seeds. 3. Season and cook.


Here's Today's TRICK:

The seeds can be seasoned and toasted just like pumpkin seeds for a healthy snack.


Here's a TIP:

If you have trouble slicing your acorn squash open, pop it into microwave for a minute or two to soften it up a bit.


And your RECIPE:


The most popular way to serve acorn squash is to cut in half, scoop out the seeds and then fill (did I just say FILL??... I mean spread) the center with butter and brown sugar. The halves are then placed on a baking sheet and roasted for about an hour or until soft. Cinnamon and nutmeg can be added to enhance the flavor.

A healthier way to serve acorn squash is to drizzle it with olive oil and chopped fresh rosemary before roasting. Acorn squash is also a wonderful candidate for pureeing to create an autumn soup. You can simmer onions, carrots, and celery together in some chicken broth, and then add some mashed cooked acorn squash and puree everything; add milk to make it into a creamy soup (the chicken broth will add flavor). I like a little thyme and some sea salt and pepper to taste--talk about easy!


Leanne Ely, C.N.C.

Your Dinner Diva at your service on http://savingdinner.com/


Copyright (C) 2010 www.savingdinner.com Leanne Ely, CNC All rights reserved.


Subscribe to Leanne's YOUTUBE channel!

www.youtube.com/savingdinner


Listen to Leanne on BLOG TALK RADIO   Every Wednesday at Noon (est)
Can't make the show?  That's ok come listen to the podcast!
www.blogtalkradio.com/saving-dinner