I probably love health and fitness as much as I do because I adore food. And with swimsuit season officially here, I’m even more attentive to what I’m eating and how I’m attempting to stay in shape. Fad diets don’t interest me, but common-sense tips and tricks do, which is why I love the Summer Shape-Up With Common Sense campaign from Diet-to-Go.

Even better? Lots of prizes are involved and multiple chances to win!

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Here’s what Diet-to-Go has going on this summer. I highly recommend you participate in one or more of these online events. Not only will it be fun and help you get in shape for summer but you’ll also burn calories clicking that mouse!

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Diet-to-Go Facebook Sweepstakes

This summer sweepstakes runs June 10th through June 30th. Entering is easy (“like” Diet-to-Go on Facebook to get started). One (1) lucky winner will receive a month of free meals; five (5) runners-up will receive a week of free meals! For details and official rules visit the Diet-to-Go sweepstakes page. To enter, visit facebook.com/diettogo.
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Twitter Chat: Common Sense Methods for Getting in Shape

Join Diet-to-Go Tuesday, June 18th from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. (EST) for a Twitter chat discussing common-sense methods and practices o stay fit and get your summer shape-up on. Use hashtag #diettogo to join. One (1) randomly drawn Twitter chatter will win a Fitbit Flex Wristband; three (3) randomly drawn chatters will win a WEEK of free meals!
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DietBet: Diet-to-Go’s Summer Shape-Up

Diet-to-Go will be hosting our very own DietBet: Diet-to-Go’s Summer Shape-Up, which gives participants the opportunity to win money for losing weight. (Awesome, right?) In addition to splitting the pot, all winners receive a $50 gift card to use towards the purchase of any 7-day meal plan!
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Common-Sense Healthy Living on Google+

Looking for healthy living tips, weight loss ideas that work and recipes that are healthy and delicious? Join the Diet-to-Go Google+ community where people just like you share what has and hasn’t worked for them. Become a member of the Common-Sense Healthy Living community and join the discussion.

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Feel free to “like” is this REALLY my life? on Facebook. It won’t always earn you an extra entry in a giveaway but it will give you warm fuzzies.

Don’t forget to sign up for free is this REALLY my life? updates via RSS or email so you don’t miss a single awesome post.
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My sister has requested this caprese bites with tangerine fig balsamic for Father’s Day dinner and I’m happy to oblige.

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Speaking of appetizers, Father’s Day is a great time to whip up a batch of hearty finger foods. Here is a roundup of appetizers Nathan would—or already does—love.

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Avocado Egg Rolls with Chipotle Ranch Dipping Sauce from Taste and Tell

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Copy Cat Chili’s Dipping Sauce from Chef in Training

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Fried Pickles from The Vanilla Tulip

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Individual Seven Layer Dips from The Girl Who Ate Everything

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Mini Mac and Cheese Pies from The Curvy Carrot

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Buffalo Chicken Waffle Bites from Real Mom Kitchen

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Cowboy Salsa from yours truly

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Fajita Steak Dip from Sweet Basil

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Chicken Tostada Bites from Apple a Day

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Queso Fundido with Chorizo from I Wash You Dry

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Jalapeno Popper Dip from Closet Cooking

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Asian Meatballs from Gimme Some Oven

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Stuffed Jalapenos with Gorgonzola and Bacon from Foodie Crush

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Feel free to “like” is this REALLY my life? on Facebook. It won’t always earn you an extra entry in a giveaway but it will give you warm fuzzies.

Don’t forget to sign up for free is this REALLY my life? updates via RSS or email so you don’t miss a single awesome post.
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Oh, and she is the mother of seven kids and a breast cancer survivor.

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Laurie is also:

• A former elementary school teacher.
• A volunteer art teacher at the elementary school and a private art teacher in my home.
• Crazy about Matisse!
• A lover of children’s books.

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But back to Great Artist Mom. If you have little artists at home, you will want to visit/bookmark/pin/subscribe to this site ASAP. It is an awesome resource for children’s art projects. The site is full of ideas, inspiration and guided drawing video tutorials for you and your kids to watch together. The site launched in early May and is already brimming with artistic ideas for your little ones.

On Great Artist Mom you’ll find:

• Art activities to do with children.
• Illustrations and artists that inspire children to create art.
• Amazing children’s art.
• Your art questions answered.
• Art champions: volunteers in the schools and the difference they are making.
• Art education: why art is so important
• Art resources: books, supplies, and other resources for successful and engaging art experiences with your children.
• Step-by-step guided drawing videos for you and your child.

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One of Laurie’s most recent videos was a how-to on drawing a space ship inspired by the Harry and Horsie books.

We are HUGE fans of Harry and Horsie. Cutest. Books. Ever.
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You simply must subscribe to the Great Artist Mom YouTube channel. Every week Laurie uploads a new video tutorial for another fabulous work of art you can make with your kids. So far she has three and I think her Wild Things Drawing is my most favorite:
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I don’t usually do any form of art or craft project with my kids, but Great Artist Mom has me reconsidering. Most of the books she references are already family favorites and her videos or so easy to follow, even this art-challenged mom can do it!

Check out the Wild THings the kids created this morning:

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I’d love for you to visit Laurie’s site and share it with any family or friends who have little artists of their own. And if your school is in need of an art program, FOR SURE check out the Great Artist Program. I can promise you it is a far better elementary art program than Meet the Masters.

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Feel free to “like” is this REALLY my life? on Facebook. It won’t always earn you an extra entry in a giveaway but it will give you warm fuzzies.

Don’t forget to sign up for free is this REALLY my life? updates via RSS or email so you don’t miss a single awesome post.
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You’ll have to wait for the recipe to discover what was in the first batch!

This time I tried dark chocolate chips and chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups. They were divine. As in “eat them fresh from the oven after they’ve cooled a couple minutes” divine. The chocolate cookie dough recipe is a keeper for sure. I think next time we’ll try chopped Twix. Lots of chopped Twix.

Printable recipe for dark chocolate peanut butter cookies below.
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Feel free to “like” is this REALLY my life? on Facebook. It won’t always earn you an extra entry in a giveaway but it will give you warm fuzzies.

Don’t forget to sign up for free is this REALLY my life? updates via RSS or email so you don’t miss a single awesome post.
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Remember those fabulous custom Mother’s Day cards I designed for my mom, sis and BFF thanks to Cardstore? I am still giggling over the one for my sister, especially now that I have a brand new niece…and last night was a rough night for the new mom.

I’m totally empathizing while giggling so it’s okay.

Well, Father’s Day is just around the corner, which means more custom Cardstore cards. I can choose a card for my dad, add personal photos, my own hilarious message and sign it “your favorite” (of course). Then, Cardstore will print, stamp and send the card for me. A custom card is another way to ensure I remain Dad’s favorite.

Delicious home-cooked meals whenever he visits is another.

My dad really does rock. Why? Because he’s the best grandpa a grandkid could ask for. We’re talkin’ hiking through Thanksgiving Point gardens; blowing bubbles in the backyard; filling, emptying and refilling swimming pools; and finding every possible little thing in the sky interesting.

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My most favorite pictures of my dad are the ones in which he’s spending time with my kids. Those make my heart super happy.

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For the next three weeks, Cardstore is celebrating super awesome dads like mine with their Pin It for Papa Pinterest contest. The contest is a way to thank Dad this Father’s Day and celebrate all those special times they’ve spent with us and our kids.

Not only will participating help you reminisce about all those wonderful memories you share with your dad, it will also give one (1) ITRML reader the chance to win a $100 VISA gift card.

You’ll also be eligible to win $50 each week of the contest and a $300 grand prize from Cardstore!

All you have to do is participate in Cardstore’s Pin It For Papa Pinterest contest. Here are the contest details:

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For your chance to win the $100 VISA gift card as an ITRML reader, use the Rafflecopter widget below.

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Feel free to “like” is this REALLY my life? on Facebook. It won’t always earn you an extra entry in a giveaway but it will give you warm fuzzies.

Don’t forget to sign up for free is this REALLY my life? updates via RSS or email so you don’t miss a single awesome post.

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