New Year, New You: Getting in Shape for 2010 With Free Tools

I have a goal and although it might seem a little backwards but I want to get in shape before my husband's deployment to Kuwait in May.  I figured better late than never and I want to ensure that my health is top notch for the sake of my children.  I started a fitness challenge this past November with two other fabulous mommy bloggers, Colleen and MaryAnn, who have turned into my inspiration as they have lost combined over 14 pounds!  We decided to carry it over to the new year to keep on going which I can't be more excited as both of these women have children and busy lives but both are in the same boat as me so they do in fact, challenge and motivate me.

If you are ready to jump on board the get-in-shape band wagon, it's easy to do once you commit yourself but only you can decide if you are ready.   One area I always fail at is I want it gone yesterday so I always set up unrealistic goals but this time with the help of a calculator (see below), I will lose the weight sensibly to ensure added success.  One thing I read from Jillian Michaels' today is it's a new year which means a new you.  Don't bring the negativity and disappointment of your weight into this year as that's the old year.  She, of course, is right.  You have to remove the negative thoughts and self-images you have to be successful and I truly believe that when you picture yourself at the weight you want to be, it is a motivator.  I've tried diet after diet and spent tons of money on each one with the same outcome of being overweight as I'm a stress eater.  I'm learning to get that in order but it's not an overnight task to beat.

If you are ready, check out these great tools:

Free online journal and calorie counter:  http://www.my-calorie-counter.com/calorie_counter.asp.  This site has the following free (and paid if you want) tools:

• Food and Fitness Journal
• Weight Tracker Dashboard
• Food and Nutrition
• Exercise and Activity
• Forums
• Personal Coaching
• Food and Fitness Tips
• Meal Planner Setup Tool

Another great benefit of Everyday Health's weight management tool is the ability to set up a network of friends and family.  I'm listed as "youthfultips" if anyone wants to join up!

This weight loss calculator from FitWatch provides you the number of calories you need a day to reach your goal by entering your current information and desired goal weight.  It's a very realistic way to plan to lose the weight you want and stay in shape.

I'm also listening and reading a few books to better understand nutrition which I will review and provide any tips at a later date.  Those books include:

• Prime Time Health by William Sears, M.D.
• Eat for Your Health by Joel Fuhrman, M.D.
• The Seven Pillars of Health by Don Colbort, M.D.

                                  


I'm also waiting on my EA Sports Active to arrive.  Thanks to Mommy blogger Colleen and TwitterMoms, I was turned on to EA Sports Active as a great tool to also provide the activity I need to get in shape.  More information will follow on that once I receive it but you can see my post that I previously wrote here.

Store Brand Formula IS Just as Good

It's very disheartening when you hear cases that are aimed against businesses dealing with products for children.  As a parent, you want the very best for your baby and go to great lengths in making the right decisions.  Whether it's top of the line products because you feel you can trust a particular company or you are betting that a little extra money will mean higher quality.  Unfortunately, that's not always the case.  For instance, Mead Johnson, Maker of Enfamil, lost a multi-million dollar false advertising case against store-brand infant formulas.  I'm one of the first to admit that I chose name brand, Lipil specifically, when purchasing all my children's formula and stayed clear of store-brand thinking it was inferior.

During the court proceedings, it was found that 'store-brand formulas are nutritionally equivalent to and confer the same developmental benefits as the more expensive national brands.'  That is great to hear if you have a baby or are expecting as every little bit of money saved helps.

Here is the press release:

GORDONSVILLE, VA., December 2 , 2009—PBM Products, LLC, a leading infant formula company that supplies store-brand infant formulas to Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, and other retailers, has received a favorable jury verdict and a $13.5 million damages award in its false advertising lawsuit against Mead Johnson & Co., the operating subsidiary of Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (NYSE: MJN) (“Mead Johnson”), the makers of the national-brand Enfamil® LIPIL® Infant Formula. Mead Johnson is 83 percent-owned by Bristol-Myers Squibb.

PBM’s lawsuit claimed that Mead Johnson engaged in false and misleading campaigns against PBM’s competing store-brand of infant formulas, suggesting they do not provide the same nutrition as Mead Johnson’s brands. PBM’s store-brand infant formulas cost up to 50 percent less than Enfamil® LIPIL®. The $13.5 million in damages awarded by the jury in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia is one of the largest damages awards ever for a false advertising case.

“This decision by a jury of the people confirms that Mead Johnson’s ads have been false in suggesting that there is a nutritional difference between our store-brand formula products and their products, when in fact the only major difference is price,” said PBM CEO Paul B. Manning. “Despite Mead Johnson’s scare tactics, parents are assured that PBM’s formula products are as high quality and nutritious as Mead Johnson’s.”

U.S. District Court Judge James R. Spencer issued his written rulings yesterday following the November 10th jury verdict. Judge Spencer’s written rulings permanently enjoined Mead Johnson from making any false statements concerning PBM's infant formula, including the claims Mead Johnson previously made in Enfamil advertising that "It may be tempting to try a less expensive store brand, but only Enfamil LIPIL is clinically proven to improve brain and eye development," and "there are plenty of other ways to save on baby expenses without cutting back on nutrition." The Court also ordered Mead Johnson to retrieve from the public domain all advertising or promotional materials containing these or any other false claims about PBM's store brand infant formula.

The details of the decision and the complaint are posted online in full at:

• http://www.pbmproducts.com/docs/Order_Laches.pdf
• http://www.pbmproducts.com/docs/PBM_Complaint_MJ_III_LIPIL.pdf

The nutritional supplements under examination in the case are two fats, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid), which Mead Johnson calls “LIPIL®” solely for marketing purposes and touts as promoting infant brain and eye development. PBM’s claim focused on Mead Johnson’s direct mailing to more than 1.6 million parents of an alarming blurry picture of a child’s cartoon duck next to a clear picture of the same image which suggested that anything other than the Enfamil LIPIL® blend of ingredients is inferior and will result in poor eye and brain development. Other parts of the false advertising campaign consist of statements that only Enfamil LIPIL has been proven to confer visual and mental benefits on infants, and store-brand formulas are a “cut-back in nutrition” compared to Enfamil.

PBM successfully argued that these advertisements were false and misleading especially since PBM store- brand infant formulas have the same nutrients at the same levels as Enfamil. PBM infant formulas are formulated to contain DHA and ARA, and are sourced from the same supplier in amounts which equal or exceed the DHA and ARA in Mead Johnson’s Enfamil LIPIL®.

This decision marks the third time PBM Products has sued Mead Johnson for false advertising claims. On the prior occasions Mead Johnson admitted that it made false claims about PBM’s products. It is also the first false advertising case to focus on the issue of DHA and ARA nutritional ingredients in formula, which were introduced into the market in 2003 and have become a staple in recent years by many brands as key components for infant development.

“This jury verdict should send a significant and clear message to Mead Johnson about the way it conducts marketing and advertising for its brands,” said Manning. “This lawsuit also demonstrates our complete commitment to defending our products and the valuable brands of our retail partners.”

“As a parent and supporter of children’s medical research, I take a personal responsibility in assuring our customers that the products we produce are healthy and nutritionally equivalent to brand names like Enfamil® LIPIL®. It is important, especially now, for parents to know that there are lower priced yet highly nutritious store-brand formulas that will provide the same benefit to their children as any national brand name formula product,” Manning added.

The U.S. infant formula market is estimated at $3.4 billion and the global market is estimated at $7.9 billion.

All of PBM’s formulas, and for that matter all of U.S. infant formulas, are subject to the exacting standards of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), pursuant to the Infant Formula Act of 1980. This legislation vested FDA with the authority to ensure that all infant formula products sold in the United States provide the necessary levels of identified nutrients required for the growth of healthy babies.

PBM Products was represented by the law firm Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP. Partners from the firm’s advertising practice, Harold P. Weinberger and Jonathan M. Wagner in New York, led the team.

About PBM

PBM is privately owned and based in Gordonsville, VA. PBM companies specialize in manufacturing, distributing, and marketing consumer food, nutritional, and pharmaceutical products. For more information, visit www.pbmproducts.com.

Happy New Year Prayer

A New Year Prayer

Holy Father,

God of our yesterdays, our today, and our tomorrows.

We praise You for Your unequaled greatness.

Thank You for the year behind us and for the year ahead.

Help us in Your new year, Father, to fret less and laugh more.

To teach our children to laugh by laughing with them.

To teach others to love by loving them.

Knowing, when Love came to the stable in Bethlehem, He came for us.

So that Love could be with us, and we could know You.

That we could share Love with others.

Help us, Father, to hear Your love song in every sunrise,

in the chirping of sparrows in our backyards,

in the stories of our old folks, and the fantasies of our children.

Help us to stop and listen to Your love songs,

so that we may know You better and better.

We rejoice in the world You loved into being.

Thank You for another new year and for new chances every day.

We pray for peace, for light, and for hope, that we might spread them to others.

Forgive us for falling short this past year.

We leave the irreparable past in your hands, and step out into the unknown new year knowing You will go with us.

We accept Your gift of a new year and we rejoice in what's ahead, depending on You to help us do exactly what You want..

I say it again, we rejoice!

In Jesus name,

Amen.

*courtesy of http://halife.com/halife/new_year_prayer.html

New Items Added to Valentine's Day Gift Guide Giveaway 1/25/10

Current Giveaway Packages:

Gift Pack 1:

• Two Customized Chocomize Chocolate Bars
• $25 Zazzle Gift Certificate
• Chocolate:  A Love Story Hardcover Recipe Collecton

Gift Pack 2:

• Skinfood Skincare Three Products 
• $25 Kmart Gift Card
• 1 Mini Bottle of Estee Lauder Sensuous
• 1 Mini Bottle of Wild Honeysuckle
• 1 Mini Bottle Pure White Linen

Gift Pack 3:

• Sprig Toys Adventure Dino Set
• $10 Walmart Gift Card
• St. Eve's Pink Children's Cozy

Gift Pack 4:

• $25 Eden Fantasys Gift Card
• Sterling Silver Marcasite and Onxy Pendants

Click here for the full Valentine's Day Guide and post.
Stay tuned for more giveaways, reviews and ideas!  Items will be added to gift packs as they come so you never know, a gift pack might end up with more items for each lucky winner!

General Mills Cereal $1 Coupons & Reduction in Sugar Announcement

MyBlogSpark and General Mills has these GREAT coupons that General Mill’s and MyBlogSpark gave to me to offer to my loyal readers. Click HERE to print a $1/1 coupon good on the following General Mills Cereal:

• Cinnamon Toast Crunch
• Cocoa Puffs
• Lucky Charms
• Trix

You can print up to two coupons.

General Mills announced a commitment to further reduce sugar in cereals advertised to kids under 12 to single digit grams of sugar per serving. They have already been reducing sugar in cereals while increasing key nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, and providing whole grain. 

For more information about kids and cereals, please visit Cereal Health and Wellness.

Did you know that ready-to-eat cereal eaters consume less fat, less cholesterol and more fiber than non-cereal eaters? Cereals also deliver important vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients, making cereal a top source of key nutrients in children’s diets.

Other cereal benefits:

• Ready-to-eat cereals, including presweetened cereals, account for only 5% of sugar in children’s diets.
• Ready-to-eat cereal is the No. 1 source of whole grains in a child’s diet today.
• More frequent cereal eaters tend to have healthier body weights and lower Body Mass Index measures.

Studies also demonstrate the benefits of eating breakfast. A 1998 study showed that children who eat breakfast tend to perform better at school. Compared to children who skip breakfast, children who eat breakfast score higher on tests, are less likely to miss class or be tardy, have fewer reported discipline problems, and make fewer trips to the office.

Disclosure: General Mills and MyBlogSpark provided me with information, links to the coupons and provided four complimentary coupons for General Mills cereal. All opinions and commentary are my own and I have not been financially compensated.

Still Time to Enter America's Cutest Last-Minute Tax Deduction Contest!

Are you a new mom of 2009?  If so, enter the America's Cutest Last Minute Tax Deduction contest as you might win $5,000!

All Moms would agree that the joy that comes from having a new baby is priceless! The sweet sounds of cooing, chubby cheeks and the intimate bond between parent and child can make any family feel rich with love. But, as any new parents can attest, raising children can have an impact on your checkbook, as well as your heart. In fact, the typical family spends more than $221,000 raising a child through age 17.

Because MomSelect loves to bestow gifts on new moms, MomSelect is thrilled to pass along the news of a fun contest that might lighten the load of one lucky family! Thanks to TurboTax®, one "last-minute" baby will help his or her parents save a bundle.

TurboTax® the nation's No. 1 rated, best-selling tax preparation software from Intuit Inc. is conducting its third annual nationwide search for America's Cutest Last-Minute Tax Deduction. The parents of one lucky baby, born in December 2009, will win $5,000.

To enter, parents or legal guardians should submit a photo of their baby born between Dec. 1-31, to http://www.cutesttaxdeduction.com/. The deadline for submissions is January 7, 2010. Judges will select 10 finalists, and America will determine America's Cutest Last-Minute Tax Deduction and the $5,000 grand prize winner!

View some of the current entries at:  http://cutesttaxdeduction.com/view

Link Up Your Giveaways

Feel free to leave individual giveaways or a general giveaway linking to your site.  I'll tweet at various times as an extra bonus to random additions to the list.  Check out my tweets to see at stayingyoung2.

Want to post a special giveaway?  Send an e-mail to staying_younger@yahoo.com.

Happy New Year!

New at AdorableBabyClothing!

Not only does AdorableBabyClothing.com have the most adorable clothes for your babies and children, but they have gifts and now diaper cakes are available!

Some of the cute choices include:

The Royal Princess Diaper Cake is the Ultimate Gift for a new mom or mommy-to-be.

Our Royal Princess Diaper Cake makes an impressive baby shower centerpiece sitting atop a glass cake stand. Place it in the center of the gift table, then send it home with mommy-to-be after the shower. She'll remember it forever, and so will your guests.

The Royal Cake arrives wrapped in Pink Tulle with ingredient card attached and includes:

• 4 Baby Bath Items
• Velour Door Pillow
• Infant Brush & Comb
• Ceramic Castle Bank
• Body Spray for Mom
• 3 Piece Manicure Set
• 25 Newborn Size Pampers
• 2 Piece Luxury Blanket Set
• 2 Magnetic Ceramic Frames
• Little Princess Crown Rattle/Teether
• Little Princess Tee & Princess Pacifier
• Little Princess Embroidered Terry Cloth Bib

Cake arrives wrapped in Pretty Pink Tulle with ingredient card attached.

Blanket is 34" x 34", made of Cuddle Bubble and Winterfleece with matching Pillow Case. Case fits infant size pillow.

Our Baby Cake Supreme is as good as it looks. Impressively large (32" High) and loaded with many tasty ingredients, this is one cake that is sure to please everyone's appetite. Sweet blue bears adorn each layer, as well as all the things mommy needs for that new little one. A great baby shower centerpiece!

Our secret recipe:

• 100% Cotton Gown
• Hat
• Hooded Terry Towel
• Receiving Blanket
• Booties
• Bib
• Terry Toy
• 4 Diapers
• J&J Lotion
• Shampoo
• Powder
• Soap
• A Dash of Love

There are many other themes available along with price ranges.  Don't forget AdorableBabyClothing.com when you are looking for that great gift or outfit!  Their customer service is amazing!

See other past postings on AdorableBabyClothing's Tutus and Holiday Dresses.
Disclaimer:  I was not compensated in any way for this post on AdorableBabyClothing.com.

Thanks 1-800-FLOWERS!

After posting the 1-800-FLOWERS' great Toys for Tots/Secret Santa program, I received this beautiful arrangement of roses which the picture doesn't do it justice.  The fragrance is incredible and still puts me in the Christmas mood with the smells of pine and other floral scents.

Thank you, 1-800-FLOWERS!

See the original post HERE.

100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go by Susan Van Allen Book Review

Product Details:

• Author: Susan Van Allen
• Paperback: 422 pages
• Publisher: Travelers' Tales; 1st edition (October 20, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932361650
• ISBN-13: 978-1932361650

Product Description (from Amazon):

It's an undeniable fact that traveling to Italy is a dream for many women. While many travel guides offer dry lists of facts and can only guide travelers toward cookie-cutter tours, this female-centered guide allows women to create a personalized, fulfilling journey. Written in lively anecdotes and organized by vacation type, this book offers a range of possibilities for any budget, interest, and level of travel experience. A godsend for women looking to finally fulfill their Italian fantasies, vacation types include Hepburn s Roman Holiday and Venetian Carnevale, as well as additional information on great shopping, the best beaches, and culinary-themed jaunts. With passion, humor, and helpful details, 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go inspires travelers to discover masterpieces, sensual delights, and adventures in bell Italia.

My Review:

100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go is an excellent written guide to not only women but any travel lover and especially one that has a passion for Italy.  The book is broken up to include the not so famous landmarks and places to see which is a nice deviation to the usual tourist areas.  What I also liked about the book is the places of interest that can be found on the web.  Susan places the website address sideways on the edge of the applicable pages.  She also advises the best times to visit to avoid crowds which for me, is a huge bonus to the guide. 

The historical facts behind the recommended places is also very interesting.  For instance, the section on Italian shoes and how Salvatore Ferrabamo became the grandpapa of modern Italian shoe fashion.  The extra time Susan put forward in explaining the significance of these attractions adds to the allure. Susan even goes off the usual beaten touristy attractions to recommend places such as painting masks in Venice or create jewelry in Cortona. 

The size is perfect and easy to carry on the plane for planning as well as in a purse or small carrying bag for your glorious vacation in Italy. There's even a great page of resources.

This is an excellent, inspiring book for the novice traveler all the way to the seasoned traveler heading to Italy.  If you want to plan the perfect holiday, desire the chance to step off the beaten path and make profound memories, pick up a copy of 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go by Susan Van Allen as you won't be disappointed.

About the Author:

Susan Van Allen's love for Italy began from her time spent with her maternal grandparents.  They emigrated from Southern Italy and brought along the same traditions they had in Italy thus allowing Susan to be wrapped up in life the Italian way. She was born in Newark, New Jersey and took her first trip to Italy in 1976.  After spending the following years visiting Italy, she was able to write this great book.

Click on the link to see a view of the inside of the book:  100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go (Travelers' Tales)

Free Admission in 2010 for Servicemen at Anheuser-Busch Seven Theme Parks

"Here's to the Heroes," a program sponsored by Anheuser-Busch, provides free admission in 2010 for any active duty, active reserve, National Guardsman or ready reserve servicemember representing any of the five service branches and as many as three of his or her direct dependents. All servicemembers need to do is register online at http://www.herosalute.com/ or in the entrance plaza of a participating park, and show a Department of Defense (DoD) photo identification. Each pass is valid for a one-day admission per person per year to five of Anheuser-Busch's seven theme park brands.

Information from:  http://www.military.com/military-report/free-theme-park-admission

Family Fun Night & Great Hasbro Offer

We started a family tradition back in the fall of "Family Fun Night" and one of our family Christmas presents will help us to continue the new tradition.  We bought one of those bigger but small popcorn theater type popcorn makers and I just ordered the same popcorn, coconut oil and salts that the movie theaters use.  I think instead of a movie, we'll take advantage of Hasbro's great new offer.

Hasbro has Create Your Own Family Game Night special where you choose six games and get one free for only $13.99 a month (plus shipping and handling).  If you sign up for this, you will also get the bonus pack that includes:

• 2 free Dominos pizza coupons
• Family Game Night trophy (great idea for the kids!)
• Family Game Night Score Sheet

What makes it even more enticing, you don't know which game you will receive so it will be a surprise each month.  There are restrictions in choosing the games and they break it down to three groups but the games include:

• Monopoly
• Boggle
• The Game of Life
• Battleship
• Scrabble Upwords
• Sorry
• Clue
• Hungry Hungry Hippos
• Taboo
• Memory
• Chutes and Ladders and many, many others.

There is even a breakdown for bundles that simplifies the decision making based on children, new games, adult games, family fun and strategy based games.

Tips for Starting a Blog for Reviews and Giveaways

Need some tips for starting a blog or establishing relationships with Public Relations professionals for reviews and giveaways?  Check out my guest blog at SheBlogs:

http://www.sheblogs.org/2009/12/tips-for-starting-the-path-to-product-reviews-and-giveaways/#comments

Blogger Giveaways Available Outside of US?

I'm curious as to the blogger sites that allow giveaways for outside the US and what interests there are.  I notice on my Feedlink that I get hits from other countries and most giveaways are for US only.  Is there an interest for more products available outside the US?  Feel free to leave a comment or send me an e-mail at staying_younger@yahoo.com.

Thanks!

Higher Education Opportunity Act: Great News for Military Spouses & Dependents

The reauthorization of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of July 1, 2009 allows spouses and dependents of active duty service members for a period of more than 30 days will eligible for in-state tuition at public universities and colleges in the site where they reside OR where permanent residency is.  In addition, as long as the student is enrolled, they will continue to pay in-state tuition rates regardless of the next PCS.

This is great news!