Get $2 free MP3 credit at Amazon when you click through and tell them your current favorite song.

Click Share & Claim to post your response on Facebook.

Photo borrowed from Amazon's mp3 area

*Yes, they’re trying to get you to link your facebook and amazon accounts. Do it if you want, or don’t – but if you want to now you can get $2 MP3 credits.

Upon completion of the “Share & Claim” action, a $2 MP3 credit will be automatically applied to your Amazon account. Promotional credits must be redeemed by 11:59 PM PST on May 24, 2012. Amazon MP3 music is available to customers located and with billing addresses in the United States. You must have an Amazon.com account and accept the Amazon MP3 Service Terms of Use to redeem your credit. Limit one promotional credit per customer.

$2 MP3 credit at Amazon for linking Amazon to Facebook

Be sure to bookmark out giveaway linky page and visit it often to see what giveaways we and our friends have going on!!

Bloggers: Link up your giveaways below. Everyone else, scroll down and enter to win

Friday Giveaway Linky Reminder – Enter to win!!! (5/18)

You can enter to win this Kiddie Pool from either Lullaby Lane or from Ebony Parent. Why not enter both to double your chances?

This ends 5/29 and the winner will be contacted directly from the company and not published here. I am merely passing this along so you can win!

*Yes, these are affiliate links. The money I make from any clicks goes to fund future giveaways!

Win a Step2 Kiddie Pool from Lullaby Lane (ends 5/29)

We have two winners confirmed in the two $10 Plum District GC giveaways!

AND THE WINNERS ARE…

results powered by Random.org

Congrats gals, I’ll get these codes right out to ya today!!

*note on our sidebar that we have 3 other giveaways going on now!!  You can win a diamond candle, $200 to use at Amazon, or the Fit Moms for Life Book!!

Winners Announced for the two sets of two $10 Plum District GCs

Photo borrowed from Dustinmaherfitness.com

I was asked to review a book by Dustin Maher called Fit Moms for Life. It’s a book about a lifestyle change that includes diet and exercise for mostly moms.
It has a lot of success stories. I really was into reading them at first, but there are so many and I guess it’s so each reader can find at least one to identify with, but I ended up skipping some towards the end to get to the actual plan in the book.

I was impressed that a fitness leader would state this sentence, “There are a lot of people in the world who maintain a healthy body weight by doing minimal exercise, such as walking daily, because they pay close attention to what they eat.” Wow. It also went on to state that you can work out til the cows come home, but if you’re eating poorly then you won’t see quite the results than if you were eating healthy!

I knew that walking was a great starter exercise, but I was glad to hear that I don’t have to kill myself at the gym to get results. Reading the nutrition section there weren’t many surprises. I have been learning about nutrition off and on for years. I really was pleased to see one fact that I had somehow (over the years) managed to miss – when you’re eating always combine a carb food with something from the healthy fats or proteins. You want to keep your blood sugar levels steady, the constant highs and lows make people hyper then sluggish – keeping the levels fairly consistent really helps. Words to live by, I think. I have been giving the kids strawberries and blueberries in the mornings, but now I’ve been adding a string cheese to that to see if maybe it helps them not crash or be tired. So far so good, they’ve said that they’re staying full longer at school. Dustin for the win, thanks for that super great nugget of knowledge!!

I was not shocked to hear he recommends Stevia as the sugar-alternative as opposed to Splenda. Splenda is chemically and Stevia is more natural. I think I’d rather my body have natural any day of the week. Too bad I just bought a huge bag of Splenda at Sam’s Club last week. Next time I have to re-up I’ll get Stevia for sure.

He talks about meal planning so that you aren’t stressed at the last minute and going for the crappy foods. He advises to cook in larger quantities and freeze some for later use. That way you’re not always in the kitchen every day and some days you can grab something that’s quick. It’ll be quick then because you spent time making it at an earlier time. I have to find out what will freeze well and what doesn’t.

Of course going out to eat is difficult and he advises (like every other health-conscience person I know) to avoid going out to eat much. I know it stinks because it’s so much fun to go have someone make food for you, right? Well, you can go and pick lean meats and veggies, skip the bread or chips, stick to the main course, don’t go crazy on portion sizes, and be sure to let them know how you want your food cooked. If you don’t want your food cooked in fat or oil, ask for it to be steamed. Obviously you’re not going to McDonald’s or somewhere to get that done, they’re talking sit-down places. Also a helpful mom hint – don’t clean your kids plates! Seriously you could eat 300-500 extra calories eating the little bit they leave at each meal. Bag that stuff up and save it for later, but eating it so it doesn’t waste will go to your waist. He didn’t say that pun, sadly that gem was all me. (waste, waist? Yeah I am a goober).

He reminds us that you have a 45 minute window when your muscles are up to 400% more receptive than usual for sugar and protein. Be sure to give your muscles some fuel after a workout!

You know what there’s so much more info in the book that I could go on and on or I could hush up and let you try to win a copy for yourself! The form below has links so you can visit his sites and learn more or order your own book. This giveaway lasts a week, so hurry up and enter to win today!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fit Moms for Life Review and Giveaway (ends 5/23)

I started the 17 day diet on April 16th, 2012.

I wrote that because I don’t want to forget my start date. I didn’t take before photos like I had before going on many diets before. I  did take one at 1 week in though. No, I’m not sharing it right now sorry for that. It’s been “too soon” to share my before since my before was just 3 weeks ago. Maybe when I’m nearing the end, but not now.

I wanted to update my progress though because I know some people are following along and doing the diet too.

Cycle 1 is just 17 days. At the end of cycle 1 I had lost 8.6 pounds.

Cycle 2 is also 17 days and I have 6 days or so left – but so far in cycle 2 I’ve lost 1.4 pounds.

That means at 1 month in I’ve lost 10.8 pounds. Hey, I’ll take 10 pounds in a month. While it’s not as fast as I hoped it would go, I guess I’ll take it.

So 1 month in and 10 down, 30 to go! I guess we’ll wait and see. Oh and Chee is doing well too. She’s aware of her hard work and some clothes are fitting better than they were a month ago for her too! YAY!!!

17 day diet – 1 month into it update

Apple’s iPad2 is on sale right now (and it’s been in and out of stock for a week) at the Apple store online.

And I would totally buy one from them because it’s from Apple! Not a third-party. We have bought from their refurb’d store before with no issues!

Refurbished iPad2 with Wi-Fi 16GB – White (second generation) on sale for $319

Originally released March 2011
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology
FaceTime with 2 cameras
HD video recording
Dual-core A5 chip
10-hour battery life
Smart covers (sold separately), instant on
9.7-inch widescreen display
Multi-Touch screen
1.33 pounds and 0.34 inch

Refurbished iPad2 with Wi-Fi 64GB – White (second generation) on sale for $499.

Originally released March 2011
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology
FaceTime with 2 cameras
HD video recording
Dual-core A5 chip
10-hour battery life
Smart covers (sold separately), instant on
9.7-inch widescreen display
Multi-Touch screen
1.33 pounds and 0.34 inch

I found this deal at Brad’s deals, the links are affiliate-style.

Apple ipad2 – 16GB on sale for $319 at Apple.com

The Dawgs flip flop winner has been selected and has responded to my email.

AND THE WINNER IS…

results powered by Random.org

Winner announcement for the Dawgs giveaway!!

For this week’s “Kid Creations” post I wanted to share something the kids made – or rather said.

In honor of Mother’s Day I thought I’d share this. A few years ago I asked the kids the following questions…here are their replies.

Answers by Cheech (age 3) and the Boy (age 5).

1. What is something mom always says to you?

C – Go to bed in your own room
B – You can not do anything

2. What makes mom happy?

C – When I stay in my room and sleep
B – To go in my room and play

3. What makes mom sad?

C – When I come out of my room at night
B – Asking something when daddy said no

4. How does your mom make you laugh?

C – When she tickles me
B – When I tell jokes

5. What was your mom like as a child?

C – Um, jump up and down
B – Chipmunk

6. How old is your mom?

C – 3
B – 14

7. How tall is your mom?

C – I don’t know how tall you are
B – big

8. What is her favorite thing to do?

C – Wear hair clippies
B – work

9. What does your mom do when you’re not around?

C – Stay at home
B – do funny stuff

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?

C – I don’t know
B – ?

11. What is your mom really good at?

C – Daddy
B – Telling Jokes

12. What is your mom not very good at?

C – Bad things
B – Working an iphone

13. What does your mom do for a job?

C – Tickle Daddy
B – what they say

14. What is your mom’s favorite food?

C – Froot Loops
B – Pizza

15. What makes you proud of your mom?

C – Laughing
B – Getting Pizza

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?

C – Abbey Cadabby
B – I don’t know

17. What do you and your mom do together?

C – Lay down in the bed
B – Play

18. How are you and your mom the same?

C – Because we have shirts on
B – We both have brown eyes

19. How are you and your mom different?

C – Don’t know
B – Different hair

20. How do you know your mom loves you?

C – You hug with your arms
B – I just know

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?

C – When he tickles you
B – When he gives me stuff

22. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go?

C – To the Park
B – Chuck E. Cheese

I need to re-ask those questions now that they’re older. I love that I did it way back when.

I was reminded of that when I saw this on Chee’s spot on her school art-work area. Still not quite right but still love it!

What would your kids say about you?

BBQ – Free Diabetic BBQ Guide

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After the BBQ, you can try some new sweets (not sugary ones) with Diabetic Sweets & Treats.

You’ll find many of our best diabetic dessert recipes created by diabetics for diabetics. They’re low in carbohydrates so they can easily fit your healthy meal plan. Enjoy indulgent, guilt-free desserts like …

No-Bake Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake
Cherry Coconut Macaroons
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Sign-up to get your free diabetic sweets cookbook

*This is an affiliate linked post. You can choose to get these or not – just wanted you to know.

BBQ – Free Diabetic BBQ Guide

Get Diabetic Connect’s FREE Recipes for the Grill book now and have one great cookout after another! Dozens of favorites—each under 25g carbs per serving! Grilled beef, chicken, turkey, salmon, veggies and more Tangy BBQ sauces and super salads too! It’s yours free when you join Diabetic Connect, the FREE online support community where people like you share tips and insights to better control diabetes.

Free Diabetic BBQ Guide and Free Diabetic Sweets & Treats Recipe Guide