Marlo Thomas is going digital

Join Marlo at the just-launched MarloThomas.com in partnership with AOL -- a new site where Marlo will connect with and inspire women, sharing a laugh, and, most importantly, building a community of support so we can all keep dreaming and achieving!

And she wants to hear from you and tell your story - with video series such as Hero Next Door. Marlo will find and profile amazing women - just like you. Watch the first feature - about Lu Picard of Torrington, Conn. - and then tell Marlo about a fabulous woman you know. Nominate a Hero now by emailing heroes@marlothomas.com!

In addition to launching MarloThomas.com, Marlo's now on social media, too. Follow her Twitter account at @Marlo_Thomas and become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/MarloThomas.

Her active, personal participation on social platforms and her new site provides a great opportunity for two-way communication between Marlo and the community of people she has inspired over the years.

What can you expect from Marlo on MarloThomas.com, Twitter and Facebook?

· original content - stories, posts, videos, and photos
· great conversations, laughs and inspiration
· observations on popular culture and news
· entertaining clips of "Free to Be You and Me" and "That Girl"
· galleries of celebrity images
· family photos
· ...and a lot more

You can also subscribe to Marlo on YouTube at youtube.com/marlothomas to see new videos each week from Marlo where she will give advice, inspiration, laughs, and more.

When asked why she's going digital, Marlo says the answer is easy. "I want to step out from behind the one-way mirror of television and have a real conversation with women," says Marlo. "I haven't stopped dreaming; you shouldn't either! It's your turn: What should we talk about together?"

This digital effort coincides with the upcoming release of Marlo's newest book, Growing Up Laughing (available Sept. 28).

Vistaprint Free Products

Have you ever ordered from Vistaprint? I have ordered from them several times, and I have been pleased with the quality of their products. A few times I ordered postcards to use for mail in sweeps. Also I like to get their return address labels.

The great news is using this link you can get products for FREE! You do have to pay for shipping.

Free products include the following:

• Free Business Cards

• Return Address Labels

• Free Rubber Stamps

• Free Sticky Notes

• Calendars

• Photo Flip Books

• Free Tote Bags

• Free Mugs

• Photo Notebooks

• Free Mouse Pads
Click Here You can't beat FREE!

Deals on Nintendo DS Games for Kids

I found some great deals for nintendo DS games for kids. They look great for Christmas presents. Remember to check free shipping.
Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force
by Disney
Rated: E for Everyone

It is on sale for $9.99! Regular price $34.99.


Best Friends Tonight
by UBI Soft
Rated: Everyone 10+

It is on sale for $9.60! Regular price $29.99.


Disney Stitch Jam
by Disney
Rated: E for Everyone

It is on sale for $11.13! Regular price $19.99.

Tropical Traditions Organic Raw Honey Review and Giveaway

I was recently given the opportunity to try Tropical Traditions Organic Canadian Honey. This is my opinion....

It is the best honey I have ever tasted!

Honestly. When I tried it I was expecting a regular honey taste, but I was really surprised. The best way I can describe it is a creamy, sweet flavor. I am definitely going to get more.

I think the description on the website will help:
"Tropical Traditions Organic Raw Honey has not been subjected to the heat of processing, only warmed enough to flow (same temperatures the honey would see inside the hive). We select only premium honey that is pure, smooth and creamy, with the consistency of soft margarine at harvest. It contains live yeast and enzymes, because it has not been processed. It also contains pollen because it has not been filtered—merely screened.

Fine textured crystals are characteristic of totally pure, unheated, unprocessed, raw honey. Properly crystallized honey has a fine, smooth texture. Crystallized honey preserves natural goodness and doesn’t drip. The more rapidly honey crystallizes the finer the texture will be. It will also turn harder over time as it crystallizes. Truly raw honeys do not deteriorate with age, but like fine wines, continue to age and develop into more complex tastes."

They are having some great sales now, including the organic Canadian raw honey. If you list me (5130187) as your referral your first-time purchase will also receive a FREE gift, their book "Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people's lives and how it can change yours!" This book is packed with testimonies and solid research showing how healthy coconut oil is, and it also included over 85 recipes showing how one can incorporate coconut into your diet.

For your chance to win a jar of Organic Honey like the one I reviewed, Subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter. Then leave a comment with your email address. You need to do this first.

Bonus entries: Leave an extra comment for each one.
1. Tell me something else you would like to try from Tropical Traditions
2. Follow Tropical Traditions on twitter. Leave your twitter name.
3. Like Tropical Traditions on facebook
4. Subscribe to this blog
5. Follow this blog
6. Subscribe to my new blog Saving Simplified.
7. Leave a comment on any post on Saving Simplified to get 2 entries. (Please leave 2 comments here for the 2 entries.)
8. Post my button on your blog
9. Follow me @donnak4 and tweet about the contest. Then leave the link or your twitter ID.
Here is one you can use:

Win delicious tropical traditions organic honey. http://tinyurl.com/27csl9n

This is for US and Canadian residents and ends 9/29/2010 at 11:59 CST.
Note for Canadian bloggers: Tropical Traditions is not responsible for customs or duties that Canada may charge if you decide to participate in this Tropical Traditions sponsored blog giveaway.
Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Totino's Box Tops, Party Pizza, and Pizza Rolls Giveaway

This fall, Totino´s is also helping to support your child´s school. Totino´s Party Pizzas will now carry Box Tops for Education! Now through September 15, Totino´s is offering two Box Tops for Education on every Totino´s product. Although that is getting close, they will likely be available much longer depending on yur grocer.

As you jot down pencils and notebooks on your shopping list, remember to include Totino´s® Party Pizza® and Pizza Rolls® Snacks - kids´ most favorite thing for your freezer! I know my kids love them. Honestly, they would rather have a Totino´s® Party Pizza® than have on delivered from a pizza place!


My Blog Spark set me a great prize pack including a backpack and school supplies, a coupon for Totino´s® Party Pizza® and Pizza Rolls® Snacks, as well as 25 Bonus Box Tops. The good news is that you have an opportunity to win the same prize pack!

To enter, please tell me what tips do you have to make surviving the back to school season easier? Please leave your email address also.

Bonus entries: Leave an extra comment for each one.

1. Subscribe to this blog
2. Follow this blog
3. Subscribe to my new blog Saving Simplified.
4. Leave a comment on any post on Saving Simplified to get 2 entries. (Please leave 2 comments here for the 2 entries.)
5. Post my button on your blog
6. Follow me @donnak4 and tweet about the contest. Then leave the link or your twitter ID.
Here is one you can use:

Win a great Totinos Prize pack. http://tinyurl.com/2d7hfhn

This is for US and ends 9/28/2010 at 11:59 CST.

I received the prize pack as noted above for my participation from My Blog Spark.

Lose-A-Palooza

Wouldn’t it be great if you could help fight hunger – and encourage your friends to do the same – simply by using your favorite social network to spread the word?
On September 14, 2010, you can! Lose-A-Palooza is a one-day social media event created to encourage participation in the Lose For Good® campaign to benefit Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger.

For every accepted mention or acknowledgment of “Lose For Good” made on September 14th through blogs, Twitter, Facebook and check-ins via foursquare, Weight Watchers will donate $1 – up to $60,000* – to Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger.

Here are some tweets you can use:

Save the date 9/14 Lose-A-Palooza-1 day only-Weight Watchers donates $1 for each #LoseForGood socmed mention http://bit.ly/LoseAPalooza

Today Only! Lose-A-Palooza -Weight Watchers donates up to $1 for each #LoseForGood social media mention http://bit.ly/LoseAPalooza

Please go to the Lose-A-Palooza website for details.

Also please comment on this post. Don’t forget to include “Lose For Good” in your comment to help raise money. Thanks.

Great Deal on Pet Products

Check out this great deal on Eversave. $12 for $25 worth of pet jewelry and accessories to keep Fido and Mittens looking fabulous. http://eversave.com/share/zYh7

And you get $5 off your first purchase! So it will cost $7 for $25 of items. I wanted to share it with you. It is listed under Cincinnati, but it is online.

Free Kidorable Umbrella

Hurry! They are having a great deal at kidorable.

Receive a free Kidorable Umbrella with a $20 purchase. modfeeumb08 expires September 15 2010

Their products are so cute!

Great Grocery Deals at Amazon

Pack of 8 Betty Crocker Homestyle Reds, 100% Real Mashed Potatoes, 3.3-Ounce Packages $8.32
Then - 15% with code GMBOXTOP
Then - 15% with subscribe and save (you can cancel after it ships)
= $5.82 ! That's only $0.73 per package!

General Foods International French Vanilla Cafe 6 cans for $9
-15% with subscribe and save (you can cancel after it ships)
= $7.65 for 6 cans = $1.28 each!

Remember to click on free shipping.

6 Months Freeze Dried Food Supply Sale

Extra $90 off of a 6 month supply of freeze dried entrees at The Ready Store.

Use coupon code FF1009010SME

Also you get free shipping!

From their site:
"For those who want a complete 6-months worth of Mountain House gourmet tasting foods, this superior 6-month supply was made for you. Now you and your family can enjoy fast, delicious tasting meals anytime with no preparation or cooking! Just add water and eat. This supply is a great addition to your reserves!

● No cooking or preparation! Just add water.
● 18 #10 cans that come in 3 easy to store cases.
● 100% Freeze-Dried food for the highest quality and shelf life available.
● Up to a 30 Year Shelf-Life!
● Trusted gourmet quality from the Saratoga Farms and Mountain House brands!

Mountain House™ freeze-dried foods are second to none in terms of quality and taste. Freeze-Dried foods offer many advantages over dehydrated foods. To Begin with they taste much better because through the freeze-drying process the foods retain their taste, texture, and shape of fresh frozen foods. In addition, freeze-drying locks in the freshness, vitamins, nutrients, color, and aroma of fresh frozen foods while providing the shelf-stable convenience of canned and dehydrated foods.

All the contents of our Mountain House™ food storage units are 100% FREEZE-DRIED FOOD with a 30-YEAR SHELF LIFE. At The Ready Store, we always focus on the QUALITY of our products first, rather than quantity because we want you to get the best value for your hard-earned money."

Bally 7 Day Free Pass

John Frieda Free Sample

Winners

I have some winners to announce.

SAM-e giveaway winner is Barbarawr.
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
44 Timestamp: 2010-08-30 13:24:37 UTC
Barbarawr who said "I Subscribe to your new blog Saving Simplified with google reader.
Email address is in blogger profile"

The Cystex giveaway winner is cass.
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
13 Timestamp: 2010-09-03 05:27:11 UTC
cass said "Subscribed by email."

The Uneaks giveaway winner is Emily Robison.
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
60 Timestamp: 2010-09-03 05:52:07 UTC
Emily said "I like the White Valley Lace shoes, Princess - Splatters Crew Sock and Hearts - Stars Crew Sock"

The winners have been emailed. Thanks to everyone who entered, and I have many more giveaways coming up.

10 Ways to Make Your Favorite Foods Healthier

Recently diabetes has increased a lot in this country. There are many theories about why this has occurred, but one thing is for sure - We are getting heavier as a society. I have never wanted to be as thin as a rail, but I don't want to be heavy. So I try to make the foods I eat more healthy. But I am certainly a work in progress.

It seems that most women are dieting frequently. But it has been shown that "dieting" alone doesn't lead to long term weight loss. It has to be accompanied with behavior changes and changes in the diet long term.

I was asked to compose list of 10 ways of making your favorite foods healthier.

1. Avoid frying- Baking or boiling will make meats and other things have less fat and thus less calories. I saw a recipe about how to make French fries that are baked. I tried it, and they were very good without all the fat.

2. Eat more fresh foods- Frequently when things are cooked, fat and sugar are added to improve taste. Canned items frequently have a lot of salt. A nice, fresh salad is tasty without many calories or fat (stay away from the dressing.)

3. Steam foods- You can steam veggies to cook them without added fat. (and skip the cheese and butter.)

4. Skip the salt shaker- Salt makes many people retain water. Also some people are sensitive to salt, and it increases their blood pressure.

5. If you use dressing on your salad, use on that is low fat. Some only have 5 calories a serving.

6. Cook from scratch more. You can control the amount of fat and sugar added to make it more healthy.

7. Avoid white bread. Switch to whole grain bread.

8. Eat more fiber. When you increase your whole grain consumption, it makes you feel fuller. It also helps the end product of digestion. (if you know what I mean.)

9. Limit or avoid margarine, butter, mayonnaise and sour cream. If you use them, try the lower fat versions.

10. Switch from regular ground beef to lean or extra-lean ground beef, ground chicken and turkey breast. That decreases the fat and calories.

Another thing I recommend it to increase your intake of filtered water. Filtered water is healthy and makes you feel fuller.

These tips are some easy ways to make your favorite foods more healthy. Hopefully, we can all become more healthy and lose some weight at the same time.



About the sponsor-"From breakfast to lunch, dinner, desserts and snacks, Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® has a variety of great tasting, good-for-you meal options to help you manage your weight. So start eating smart, today."
You can get coupons here.



I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and WeightWatchers SmartOnes blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Ten Tips for a Cleaner, Greener Home

Ten Tips for a Cleaner, Greener Home

I am always looking for ways to make cleaning my home easier and safer. I don't believe in global warming, but I do think it is good to avoid chemicals whenever possible because many are toxic.

Also, you can save money by making your own cleansers.

1. Open the windows when you clean. Also it is a good idea to open your windows to allow fresh air in at other times.

2. Stains, mildew or grease streaks can be cleaned with lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes then scrub with a stiff brush.

3. Never mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar, or other acids becauuse the combination can produce harmful gases.

4. Avoid air fresheners because they only disguise odors. Instead you can open a window, and a box of baking soda is another safe way to eliminate odor. Also, fresh flowers are great smelling!

5. Use a baking soda and water paste to clean the oven.

6. Baking soda can also be used to remove stains. You mix the baking soda and water into a paste and let set for a while. It also works well for stainless steel sinks, containers, refrigerators, cutting boards, oven tops and more.

7. If you need a tougher abrasive cleaner, you can use kosher salt. You sprinkle it on and scrub with a wet cloth or sponge.

8. Use dishrags and towels instead of paper towels. It will save you a lot of money and significantly decrease the waste going in the landfills.

9. Mop with a vinegar solution (¼ cup vinegar in 1 quart of water).

10. To clean windows mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with a gallon of water. Put it in a spray bottle. Squirt it on then scrub with newspaper. Paper towels cause streaking.


If you do use toxic cleansers:

Only used what is necessary to clean the area, but don't over do it.

Keep the children away because they are more vulnerable to toxic chemicals. If they like to help, let them clean with soap and water but not toxic cleaners.

Use gloves and other precautions because cleaning chemicals may harm or penetrate skin and eyes. Be sure to check warning labels.

Avoid "antibacterial" cleansers. according to the American Medical Association
there is no need to use potentially toxic "antibacterial" products if your family is generally healthy. Wash your hands with plain soap and water.

Take care with pine and citrus oil cleaners especially on smoggy days, when the ingredients can react with ozone to produce cancer causing formaldehyde.


As you can see there are many safer alternatives to cleaning your home. I like them because they are safer and save me money.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Mrs. Meyer’s blogging program, making me eligible to get a $30 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here .