whatever...giveaways

Jenny Craig....part three.

it has been one month on Jenny Craig's program and i have lost 5 pounds!
with this program you can expect to lose 1 - 2 pounds per week in a healthy way.
that is rad.
i have not been hungry.
i have felt completely satisfied with my food.

there are snacks and even desserts that combat any cravings i may have.


 
pesto pizza!
that is my favorite lunch.

 
the breakfast scrambler is the breakfast i like the most.  
i NEVER ate breakfast before Jenny Craig....and WOW! what a difference it makes in my day!
i have energy much longer in the day because of it.


 
the popcorn is my favorite snack...it's a pretty big bag!  
it's a filling snack.
it's great for eating in the car waiting for the school bus to come.  :)

 
anytime bars contain your vitamin for the day.
my favorite flavor is the vanilla chocolate crisp.
goes great with a cup of coffee!


 
the turkey and gravy is by far my favorite dinner meal.
it feels indulgent.
gravy and stuffing!
i really like this one.

and then to finish it off with chocolate cake....

YUM.

it's been easy to stick with the Jenny Craig program when i have normal days at home.
a little more of a challenge when i have to travel or be gone for more than one meal.

Jenny Craig does have several meals you can pack in your suitcase and heat up in your hotel room.
or eat cold (like chicken salad) if you have a super busy day and you are on-the-go.

i love to have that option.

i think the top five things i have learned with the Jenny Craig program about myself are

1.  eating every few hours is healthy for your metabolism.
2.  portion size is IMPORTANT
3.  vegetables are yummy.
4.  drink LOTS and LOTS of water.
5.  if you mess up....get back up....don't give up because you had one bad day. 


 
not the best picture but you can see that i do not have a muffin top.  :)
those pants were snug last month.
now they sit so nicely on my hips...just like they are made to do!
i am so happy with my skinnier waist.
it makes the lifestyle changes even better!
makes me want to try harder to lose more....motivated!

i am at the end of my Jenny Craig 30 day FREE trial through BlogHer.
but i decided to stay on the program myself!
i am going to keep at it.
keep getting it delivered to my doorstep.
keep running a few times a week.
keep drinking glasses and glasses of water.
keep enjoying the meals and snacks that are bringing me a trimmer waistline.

You can check out Jenny Craig's Facebook page and Jenny Craig Twitter.

Jenny Craig and BlogHer are giving away a $100 VISA gift card.

Leave a comment about what your biggest weight loss triumph today to be entered.

This contest runs from 10/24 – 11/6.

visit the BlogHer Prizes and Promotions section for more contests and ways to win.

No duplicate comments. 
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry 
methods: 
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post 
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment 
on this post 
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on 
this post 
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about 
an alternate form of entry. 
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older 
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. 
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be 
selected. 

Visit the Official Rules

 

Mary Kay

this pretty box with a pink bow arrived at my house and i felt a little giddy.
i didn't know what Mary Kay was going to be sending me.
i couldn't wait to open it!



ooohh la la!!!
i have always loved Mary Kay's pink packaging...ALWAYS.

let's check out all the fun goodies in my gift box!


the Mary Kay Compact Mini is so cute!
these colors will be so great for FALL.
it fits in the palm of your hand so it's small enough to take with you anywhere you go.
i love that i will be able to have what i need ON THE GO without carrying a bulky makeup bag.
it's in a small enough compact that it can just fit in the side pocket of my purse.
it is completely customizable.
it can be filled with powder or foundation.... all eye colors..... just one blush.... whatever colors you want!

AND the applicators are stored UNDERNEATH the makeup!
i thought that was a very nice touch....keeping the compact tiny.


this Mary Kay Creme Lipstick will look lovely with my new purple/pink shirt i just got.
when i bought the shirt i thought "this is just the perfect fall shirt."
now i have the perfect lipstick to wear with it!


i was so happy to see a new mascara in the gift box!
mascara is my favorite makeup product.
Mary Kay Lash Love Mascara gives my eyes a fuller finished look.


so far all of these products were great.
but what i was most curious and ready to use was the cleansing kit called TimeWise Microdermabrasion Kit.


It felt FABULOUS.
Step 1 is an exfloiant cleanser full of tiny crystals that got my skin feeling healthy right away.
it took off the everyday junk that builds up from makeup, exercise or sleep and let me get a deep clean.


Step 2 is a serum that moisturizes.
i love the names of these two products "refine and replenish" because that is exactly what is does.
my skin feels rejuvenated.

Mary Kay and BlogHer are giving away a $100 gift basket to help one of you feel refreshed and refined.

Leave a comment on this post sharing your favorite beauty product that you don't leave home without.

Want more chances to win? Visit the Prizes & Promotions Section on BlogHer 

Rules: 

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older from 10/24ó11/18/2011.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

Jenny Craig part two....

please enjoy my little video and hear me talk about my first two weeks on the Jenny Craig program.  

it has been going well.
i have lost some weight.
i have started buying healthy foods to pair with my JC meals.

i am not hungry.
i have plenty to eat on the plan.

i have had two calls with my phone consultant, Alexis, and she is super sweet.
she helps me talk through problem areas, dealing with eating out, why i eat the way i do, etc.
although it is a little hard to share so openly with her what i did eat or am tempted by...it is so helpful to be held accountable by someone.  
she has answers to my issues.
it reminds me that i am not alone....i am not the first person that has struggled with the desire to eat chocolate chip cookies.

the weight is coming off in a healthy time frame.
with Jenny Craig you can expect to lose 1 - 2 pounds a week.
i have been running also a few days a week.
i am enjoying seeing the number on the scale go down.

the best part of the program to me (two weeks in) is that the food comes color coded by meals and arrives at my door by the UPS man.  
One less decision i have to make in a day.
as a mother of five....i have to make so many decisions every single day about so many things...big and small.  
having the healthy food choice decision made for me is AWESOME!

Alexis talked with me about what kind of eater i am....
i think i am an unconscious/emotional eater.
i eat on autopilot and i eat when i have stress or a reaction to stress.
she talked with me about how to combat that in everyday situations.

and with Jenny Craig's program...there isn't a place for autopilot or emotional eating anyway.
yay!
the tools are right in front of me to fight the battle against poor eating habits.


what kind of eater do you think you are?

leave a comment & be entered to win a VISA gift card for $100 from Jenny Craig  & Blogher.

be sure to check out Jenny Craig's Facebook page.
and also Jenny Craig Twitter.

this contest runs from 10/17 – 11/6.

visit the BlogHer Prizes and Promotions section for more contests and ways to win.

 

No duplicate comments. 
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry 
methods: 
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post 
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment 
on this post 
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on 
this post 
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about 
an alternate form of entry. 
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older 
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. 
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be 
selected. 

Visit the Official Rules

Jenny Craig....let's get started.

when BlogHer asked for anyone interested in trying out the Jenny Craig program i got really excited.
i was able to try the program for free for four weeks.
i have gained weight this past year (thank you 35) without doing anything different than i have done in the past.
it just keeps sticking to me.
growing older changes our bodies and metabolism...and i don't like it!
i am ready to get rid of the new pounds that my 35th year brought to me.

Jenny Craig has phone consultants to discuss your weight loss challenges and address your questions.
there is no office or class or group to attend which works SO WELL for me and my schedule!
i couldn't imagine adding in one more place to be in my week.

they called and i picked out the foods i wanted off their menu
i could pick a completely automated package of food choices and a meal plan.
or there is a personalized plan where i picked out each meal that was sent.

i don't care for seafood or fish so i opted to do the personalized plan.

the UPS man brings a giant box to your door.
i love that i don't have to go shopping for this...it comes to me!


it contains a cooler with dry ice for all your frozen food....


 

 
and box full of the shelf stable foods.


 
i cleared space in my freezer and pantry...


 

 
and made sure everyone knew NOT to eat any of it.

 
:)

the shipments of food come every two weeks.

i am already loving the simplicity of this part of the program.
i don't have to come up with a meal 3 times a day to make myself AND feed my family AND shop for two separate meal plans.  
it's already there.
it came to my door!
it's the best way for me.

Jenny Craig's food is color coded by meal time, making it even EASIER.



the first shipment comes with a menu planner and several books to walk you through the questions you have about the program, weight loss, portion size, eating styles, mind set, activity guide and much more.  

so...here goes.
i am going to start the Jenny Craig plan.
i am kind of nervous.
but totally excited about feeling better & losing weight!

Jenny Craig estimates when sticking to the program i can lose 1 - 2 pounds a week at a healthy normal rate.

now that it's fall and time to pull out the jeans and pants....mine were all tight.
UGH.
i don't want to buy new pants.
i want to wear my pants from last year!
or wait.....i DO want to buy new pants....SMALLER pants.

i will keep you up to date on my progress with the Jenny Craig.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Jenny Craig and BlogHer are giving away a $100 Visa Gift card.

leave a comment today saying your biggest hang up when trying to lose weight.

You can check out the Jenny Craig Facebook page and  Jenny Craig Twitter!

this contest runs from 10/10 – 11/6.

You can enter other contests on the Blogher Prizes and Promotions section.


No duplicate comments. 
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry 
methods: 
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post 
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post 
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post 
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry. 
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older 
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. 
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be 
selected. 
Visit the Official Rules

 

 

 

glidden complete

we finished the hallway.
why did we wait 7 years???

 

this is so MUCH BETTER!

the way the sun shines in this hallway in the morning on the bright white paint is beautiful!

we chose Natural Wicker for the walls.


these were the whites i chose from.... crazy how many shades of "whites" there really are.

Glidden® Brilliance Collection™ paint was very easy to use with fewer coats to cover more.



waffle matches our hallway.
he is so stylish with his fresh haircut and fancy ascot.

now i need to fill the walls with artwork and some curtains to cut that sun glare a little.

Glidden Brilliance Collection paint helped us finish this project so quickly. 

check out Glidden Paint on Facebook and Twitter ...and join them! 

so.... what do you think?
do you love it or hate it?
have you had any painting projects at your house recently? 

tell me about it!

leave a comment to be entered to win a $150 Walmart gift card from Glidden Paint and BlogHer.

for more contests and prizes visit the BlogHer Round Up page.

This contest runs from september 19 - 30.

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a)            Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b)            Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c)            Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d)            For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

view the Official Rules HERE.

let the painting begin.

before i could paint i had to remove all the wall paper off the walls.
it takes several hours and makes a big mess.

now that it is finished i can start painting!
we primed the wood work and walls with Glidden® Primer first.
and now we're painting with Glidden Brilliance Collection™ paint.


I love that i can pick up this paint at Walmart.
i can get all my groceries.....grab some tolietries....a birthday gift in the toy aisle.....and then stop by the paint counter for a couple gallons of paint....ALL in one place. 

i grabbed two paintbrushes and a tray & roller kit.
i needed to decide on what color to choose.

Glidden paint has so many beautiful colors.....but i ended up with a shade of white.
hopefully it will look great with my colorful artwork i plan to hang.
but those REDS are looking pretty cool right now!

when we start painting we usually lay newspaper down over our wood floors...sometimes taping the newspaper down.
and i always have a wet rag close by in case i drip.
which i use often. 

when we are painting at home we usually turn on some loud music while we work.
it seems to help the time go faster.

Do you have any D.I.Y. tips for painting projects?

leave your comment today with your great advice on D.I.Y painting project for a chance to win a $150 Walmart gift card.

check out Glidden paint on Facebook and Twitter too!

to view more contests and prizes visit BlogHer's Roundup Page. 

This contest runs from september 11 - 30.

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a)            Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b)            Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c)            Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d)            For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

View Official Rules here.

my paint project

so far in this house craig and i have redone every room except this hallway and the third floor.


 
in our marriage we have painted for hundreds of hours.
we have scraped off probably 100 layers of wallpaper between this house and our first house.


and thankfully, we kind of halfway enjoy it.... once we get started.


this wallpaper and dark wood make this hallway dreary and dim.
it is not my style at all.
not in any way.
i am not a victorian kind of girl.... so this paper has got to go.



 
i removed off all that wallpaper.
by myself.
it was very gratifying.

luckily.... BlogHer and Glidden® Brilliance Collection™  Paint have offered to help with this makeover.
  
the hardest part comes next.....choosing a Glidden paint color!!!


there are SO many beautiful choices!


Glidden Brilliance Collection paint has these little bottles of paint testers in 306 colors to try out on your walls.
you can paint the whole bottle on 3 square feet with the built in applicator...NO EXTRA MESS!  
SO SIMPLE!

do you want to help me choose a color? 

Glidden paint has a color visualizer on their website.
it's pretty cool.
you pick a palette and then "paint" the walls in your virtual house..... love it!



play around with the Glidden paint colors and come back to tell me which color i should pick!

check out Glidden paint on Facebook and Twitter too!

Glidden Brilliance Collection paint is only available at Wal-mart.
i am going there to find my paint.

Glidden paint can get you going too.
want to know how?

leave a comment with the color you think i should choose and you could
win a $150 Walmart gift card!


to view more contests and prizes visit BlogHer's Roundup Page. 

This contest runs from september 6 - 30.

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a)            Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b)            Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c)            Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d)            For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

View Official Rules here.

 

 

lisa leonard giveaway

it's the signature Lisa Leonard box with turquoise ribbon that i LOVE to get in my mailbox.
 

this time the package was a gift for a friend.
i wanted her to know she was loved.
by me....and by God.

this bracelet of Lisa's is called the Devoted.
it can be engraved on the back up to eight characters.

i chose a favorite bible verse to remind my friend that she is loved.


 
this dainty bracelet is a fabulous gift to give someone that YOU love.

or get it for yourself....you LOVE yourself.....you LOVE to love.....you LOVE others....they LOVE you.



lisa is letting me giveaway 2 of these lovely Devoted bracelets to 2 of you!!

leave me a comment telling me who you love to be entered to win.

go to Lisa's shop for 20% discount TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY only off anything in her gorgeous shop!

use the code 20whatever for your discount.

you could get some christmas shopping done....GO FOR IT.

winners picked on friday!

 

sports moms

i am learning how this Sports Mom gig works.
learning about what to bring to games....
what not to bring....
who to sit with....
where to sit....

but my biggest job in all of it is helping my kids be ALL they can be.

one part of helping them succeed is to be sure they are getting proper nutrition before/during and after games.

i don't know much about sports but i do know about food.
i get to be their "nutrition coach".



i try to feed them a meal of carbohydrates and protein but low in fat before games.
keeping them hydrated during games with gatorade and water.....
and some kind of protein after games.

it's important.

if moms don't prepare....the kids will just eat junk.
at least that is what happens at my house.
and they are tired during their games.
they don't have enough energy to keep them going.
and REALLY cranky afterwards.

i don't feel like i am the best at any of this.
but i am learning.
working towards knowing what my kids need for becoming their best.
gatorade makes it easy....you can Visit the Official site  to get all kinds of ideas to help.

it works...fuels them UP and my kids LOVE it!




For more information and to encourage moms to support their athletes as 
they BECOME, Gatorade will donate one dollar up to $10,000 to the Women’s 
Sports Foundation for every pledge we receive at Gatorade Moms!

Tell me how YOU help support your athlete through the ups and downs of sports for a chance to win a $100 Dick's Sporting Goods gift card!

this contest runs from 8/29 - 9/30.

for other chances to win be sure to visit the Promotions & Prizes section  at BlogHer.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No duplicate comments. 

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry 
methods: 
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post 
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment 
on this post 
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on 
this post 
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about 
an alternate form of entry. 
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older 
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. 
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be 
selected. 
Visit the Official Rules

milkshakes and smoothies

my family got to try these shakes and smoothies by Edy's.

it's an understatement to say they were happy about it.



there are lots of flavors of the shakes and the smoothies too.
you may have them in your area under the name Dreyer's instead of Edy's....but they are the same thing.


the instructions are pretty simple....add milk and stir!


you pull off the foil lid and add the milk.


and stir.

stirring was not difficult.
we had our treats ready within seconds of pouring in the milk.

the reviews from the kids were.....GREAT!


a thumbs up from annie!

and look who came by to join our party......SUNSHINE...the stray cat that is not ours....he just thinks he is.
but he is not.


the shakes and smoothies were a success.  
i prefer the cookies and cream the best.
craig like the tropical smoothie.

i wish they were bigger...my boys could eat three easily.
but for me and annie it was just right!
i would buy them again if i had a coupon for a special treat for my kids.
they were yummy.
Look for special offers on shakes & smoothies on Edy'sFacebook page!

it was a great way to cool off on hot summer night.

Edy's is giving away a $100 visa gift card to help you get cooled off this summer with your family.
 
leave a comment sharing your favorite ice cream flavor to be entered.

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this contest runs from 8/16 - 8/31.
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry
methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment
on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on
this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about
an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be
selected.
Visit the official rules

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to see more contests and prizes Visit the Promotions & Prizes section of the BlogHer page.