Gingerbread Pop-Tarts Video and $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Pop-Tarts®.

Here is a fun little video we made for Gingerbread Pop-Tarts. Enjoy!

What is on your Christmas list this year? Answer this question and you will be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer! Giveaway runs 12/13-12/25/10.

Go to the BlogHer.com round-up page for more recipes and 9 more chances to win.

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) Read the official rules for 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.

For official rules, please click here.

Gingerbread Pop-Tarts Ice Cream Pie 12/13-12/25

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Pop-Tarts®.

This is one of my favorite desserts made even better by adding a Gingerbread Pop-Tarts crust. This is a dessert that will please everyone at your table. Enjoy!

Gingerbread Pop-Tarts Ice Cream Pie (Makes 2 pies)

What you will need:

(2) 8" Pie tins

8 Gingerbread Pop-Tarts

(2) 1/2 gallons of ice cream (I usually put chocolate on the bottom and a different flavor on top)

1 package semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup whipping cream (not whipped)

To make crust:

Put Gingerbread Pop-Tarts in a food processor and process the Pop-Tarts until they are very fine crumbs. Divide equally into (2) 8" pie tins and press the crumbs firmly into the bottom and up the sides of the tin. You can leave it like that or you can bake the crusts in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. This will make the crust more cookie-like. Like pie crusts cool completely before filling with ice cream.

To fill the pies:

Spoon 1/2 the container of chocolate ice cream in each cooled pie crust. You might need to let the ice cream sit on the counter 5 minutes or so until it is soft before you scoop it into the crust. Put pies into the freezer to harden.

While pies are in the freezer make your chocolate sauce by putting your chocolate chips and whipping cream in a heavy sauce pan. Melt the chocolate until smooth and then let mixture cool to room temp.

Take pies out of the freezer and drizzle chocolate sauce over the 1st ice cream layer. Place back into the freezer to harden chocolate sauce.

When sauce is hardened, remove pies from freezer and spoon 2nd flavor of ice cream on top. I used a seasonal Gingersnap ice cream that was delicious! I like to mound the ice cream more in the center so that it is kind of "dome" like. Drizzle top with remaining chocolate sauce. Place in freezer to harden.

When hardened you can put it in a large Ziplock freezer bag to store. Your second pie can keep really well in the freezer until you need it. (if it lasts that long)

What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Answer this question and you will be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer! Giveaway runs 12/13-12/25/10.

Go to the BlogHer.com round-up page for more recipes and 9 more chances to win.

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) Read the official rules for 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.

For official rules, please click here.

How to Avoid Holiday Food Traps! Ends 12/28/10

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and The Laughing Cow.

'Tis the season of family parties, office parties and church parties. Parties with friends and lots and lots of awesome food! Here are some tips on how to go to the parties but stay in control of your eating.

Just like in everyday day life, it all comes down to planning and preparation. For example:

Before the party or event:

*Eat a small, healthy snack (like Laughing Cow Cheese) to keep from being so hungry at the party that you want to eat everything in sight.

*Drink water before the party to make you feel more full.

*Set a limit of how many appetizers you will eat and stick to it! Choose whatever you want to eat, but stick to your limit.

*You may want to consider bringing a healthy option to share with others at the party. Maybe something like this:

Fruit for Dessert Fruit Dip

1 container of fat free or light whipped topping, thawed
2 containers of fat free or light raspberry yogurt

Just mix together and serve with fresh fruit.

At the party:

*Use a small plate at the buffet. Fill up on fruits and vegetables.

*Limit alcohol. There are lots of calories in those drinks, but they can also hinder your judgment. Drink club soda or water instead.

*Don't waste your calories on "okay" tasting food. Eat smaller portions of what really satisfies you.

*Make the focus on other people and great conversation instead of just the food. Speaking as a "foodie" this is difficult for me!

I hope these tip can help you over these next few weeks that will be full of temptation! Most importantly....Have a great holiday and enjoy your friends and family!

What tip do you have to avoid overeating during the holidays? Leave a comment and you will be entered to win a $150 Visa gift card! Please keep your comments G-rated as any profanity or offensive content will automatically disqualify you from sweepstakes entry.
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) Read the official rules for 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 Daily Tip hub to read health tips each day and for weekly chances to win $100 at the “Play For Laughs” game and for 17 other chances to win a $150 Visa Gift Card.

For official rules click here.

Dr. Oetker Ristorante Quattro Formaggi Pizza

I was recently sent some samples of Dr. Oetker Ristorante Quattro Formaggi Pizza to try. I was glad to have this pizza all to myself. Lucky for me, my husband and kids don't have a taste for Blue Cheese. I, for one, love the stuff! This pizza was delicious. I love the thin, crispy crust and the cheese was delicious. The four cheeses are: Mozzerella, Edam, Emmental and Blue Cheese. The blue cheese especially was so creamy. It gave a very grown up and gourmet feel to this pizza. I look forward to trying the other varieties such as: Spinaci, Mozzarella, Pomodori, Funghi, Vegetale, Speciale and Generosa. You can find these pizzas in your grocer's freezer section.

Game Stop Giveaway!

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

TodaysMama (link to: http://bit.ly/tmwishlist) and GameStop (link to: http://bit.ly/gamestop10) are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What is your holiday wish for your family? That everyone will feel grateful for all the blessings they have.

2. What is your Christmas morning tradition? Johnny Mathis CD in the CD player when the kids come down the stairs. We open one present at a time.

3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be? A mac book

4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money? Lots of baking for the neighbors and friends.

5. What games did you play with your family growing up? Uno, Rook and Racko

6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood? THe Johnny Mathis and Carpenters Christmas Music

7. Where would you go for a Christmas-away-from-home trip? I would go to my parents house in Utah.

8. Check out GameStop (link to: http://bit.ly/gamestop10) and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year? Wii, Wii fit, DS games

Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts.....Take One!

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Pop-Tarts®.

We had so much fun making this video for Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts. Hope you like it!



What is your favorite flavor of Pop-Tarts? Answer this question and you will be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer!

For extra entries, you can:

· Tweet about this post with a link to it (and put your tweet URL in a separate comment below)

· Blog about this post with a link to it (and put your blog post URL in a separate comment below)

Go to the BlogHer.com round-up page for more videos and 9 more chances to win.

For official rules, please click here.

Ghirardelli Review, Recipes and $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway!

This is a sponsored review by BlogHer and Ghirardelli.

It was an average, everyday Wednesday. Not too hot. Not too cold. Work went fine. Nothing too exciting, when a knock came at my door.

I opened the door and saw a huge box that was covered in some cool, outer space looking silver wrap. I picked up the heavy box when it struck me what this box might contain. I remembered that I had been selected to do a review for Ghirardelli and that I would be receiving some samples! Oh boy!

So I ripped open the box and was thrilled with what I found inside:

*10 bags of All Natural Chocolate Chips (two each): white, milk, semi-sweet, mini semi-sweet and 60% cocoa
*12 All Natural Baking Bars (2 each): white, milk, semi-sweet, 60% cocoa, 70% cocoa and unsweetened
*2 canisters of Cocoa Powder: Natural Unsweetened and Sweet Ground Chocolate
*1 large bag of Peppermint Bark Squares
*1 large bag of Chocolate Caramel Squares
*1 WONDERFUL Ghirardelli Chocolate Cookbook

Talk about a baker's ultimate dream come true! Now there is just one problem.....what do I make first??

I decided to try a recipe from the Ghirardelli Chocolate Cookbook. WOW! What a beautiful book. It gave the history of the company, the different types of chocolate, how to melt them and a whole bunch of interesting facts about chocolate.

I decided that I wanted to try the Buttery Breakfast Scones with Chocolate Chunks. How could you go wrong with that? What a wonderful way to start out the day. These were like warm, buttery and cakey chocolate chip cookies that would be wonderful with coffee or hot chocolate.

Look at those wonderful chocolate chunks!

And I wouldn't be "me" if I didn't drizzle a little bit of extra melted chocolate on top. I'm not too proud to admit that I have a drizzling problem. :)

Next, I decided to make my own recipe of Chocolate Covered Caramel and Coconut Pretzel Rods. I used the 60% cocoa to cover the pretzels and it gave it such a distinct and exotic taste. This ain't your everyday chocolate! I thought these would make great gifts to give away during the holidays.

Here is how I made them:

Chocolate Covered Caramel and Coconut Pretzel Rods

Things to get:
Pretzel rods
Sweetened coconut
Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips (whatever kind you like. I used 60% cocoa.)
Ghirardelli White Chocolate Chips (optional)
Caramel ingredients (You can make your own using the recipe below or melt pre-wrapped caramels for convenience.)

1. Make a batch of caramel or melt your pre-wrapped caramels over low heat.

Homemade Caramel
1c. Karo syrup
1c. Brown sugar
1c. White sugar
1 stick of butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk


Put first 5 ingredients in a large sauce pan over medium heat and stir until melted and combined. Bring to a boil and stir for five minutes. Be careful to keep stirring so that it doesn't start to burn on the bottom of the pan. Take caramel off the burner after 5 minutes.

2. Put the hot caramel in a deep container. I used my Pyrex 4 cup measuring cup.

3. Prepare a couple cookie sheets lined with buttered wax paper.

4. Dip pretzel rod in caramel, about 3/4 of the way and let it drip off any excess caramel. Then lay the rod on the cookie sheet.

5. Repeat with remaining pretzels.

6. Put cookie sheets in the fridge to help set up caramel.

7. Once caramel is set, lift up each pretzel rod off the wax paper and mold caramel around the rod since it will puddle on the sides as it cools.

8. Roll caramel covered pretzel roll in shredded coconut and gently press coconut into the caramel.
9. Prepare the cookie sheets again with new pieces of wax paper. No butter required for this step.

10. Melt chocolate in the microwave or double boiler and place melted chocolate in a deep container like a tall cup. Dip caramel and coconut covered pretzel rods in melted chocolate. At this point, you can also roll the rods in chopped and toasted almonds or pecans.

11. Place chocolate covered pretzel rods on cookie sheets and place in fridge to set up for at least 15 minutes.

12. In a zip lock baggie, melt the Ghirardelli white chocolate chips in the microwave 20 seconds at a time. When completely melted, cut a tiny hole in the corner and drizzle the chocolate on the rods.

13. Place back into the fridge to set up.


Aren't they pretty?
I had so much fun baking and trying to come up with all the different ways I could use my Ghirardelli chocolate jackpot. I just love to work with quality chocolate that melts perfectly and Ghirardelli did not disappoint. I would without hesitation, recommend that you use Ghirardelli chocolate for all your holiday baking. Be sure to check out their website for information about Ghirardelli chocolate and browse the amazing recipes!

What would you make if a big box of Ghirardelli chocolate landed on your doorstep? Let me know in a comment and you will be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer!

For more recipes and more chances to win go to the Ghirardelli and BlogHer round-up page.

For official rules click here.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and The Laughing Cow.

Can you believe that it is that time of year again?

The holidays are right around the corner and that means lots of delicious food and less time to exercise! And that can lead to weight gain. There has got to be a way to enjoy the holidays and also stick to your exercise program. RIGHT? Right!

Here are some suggestions:

*Set realistic goals: It might be unrealistic for you to do 1 hour of cardio 5 days a week during the holidays. You might be like me and have an "all or nothing" type attitude. I say to myself, "If I can't get my hour of cardio in, then I'm just not going to do any." That's why it may be better to set a goal of 20 minutes of high intensity cardio 5 days and week instead of an whole hour. It's much easier to find 20 minutes than a hour. If you are feeling extra energetic you can always add more minutes to your workout!

*Remember the benefits of exercise: You know how you feel after a good workout? Empowered, strong, beautiful, confident. How do you feel when you don't exercise? Frumpy, guilty, weak, tired. During the holidays you want to feel great and look great when you are with family and friends. Exercise and proper hydration gives you a healthy glow and an inner confidence that is so attractive. Give yourself more energy during the holidays by exercising!

*Join forces with a friend: A few weeks ago, a couple friends from church and I, decided to be accountability partners. Every Friday we text our weight to each other and comment on how we did that week with our eating and such. That has been a great help for me. It is always a nice for me to have a partner in this, my greatest battle! Get a friend, spouse or family member with whom you can go for walks, go to the gym or just report to everyday. Inspire each other to stay fit during the holidays!

*Who needs a treadmill? Play outside: There are some really fun things that you can do out in the cold that burn a ton of calories!!! Join in the Turkey Bowl football game, ice skate, run up and down the hill while sledding with the kids, have a snowball fight, shovel snow, go cross country skiing or snowshoeing. Look for fun traditions that will keep your family fit!

*LAUGH: What did you expect from a post sponsored by Laughing Cow Cheese! :) But seriously....Studies have been done on this topic and it has been shown that the body burns up to 20% more calories when having a good belly laugh! Watch a fun comedy together, play cards or a board game together. Shed the stress and a few more calories along the way.

Hopefully some of these ideas will help you (and me) stick to an exercise program during the holidays. But most importantly....remember to have fun, relax and enjoy the people you love!

How do you stick to your exercise program during the holidays? Leave a comment and you will be entered to win a $150 Visa gift card from Laughing Cow! Please keep your comments G-rated as any profanity or offensive content will automatically disqualify you from sweepstakes entry. Contest runs from 11/15-12/5/10.

Visit The Daily Tip hub to read health tips each day and for weekly chances to win $100 at the “Play For Laughs” game. We may even use some of your Tips!

For official rules click here.

My Review of Pacific Chromium 24" Girl's Bike

Originally submitted at CSN Stores (Clink Link for Picture)

Features:

• Chromium girl's bike
• Pacific collection
• Material: Steel, aluminum, rubber
• Steel suspension frame
• Suspension fork smoothes bumps
• Torque drive twist shifters to change gears
• 18 speeds with torque drive rear dera...

Pacific Chromium 24" Girl's Bike

Durable and Good Looking!

By Melo from PA on 11/14/2010

5out of 5

Pros: Great Value, Durable, Fun

Best Uses: Exercise, Family Time, Outdoor

Describe Yourself: Parent Of Two Or More Children, Working Parent

Was this a gift?: Yes

Very heavy duty bike that will be durable. Love the color. This will be a great bike that I'm sure will serve my daughter for many years.

(legalese)

Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts Caramel Apples

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Pop-Tarts®.

Have you tried the new, Limited Edition Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts yet? If not you definitely need to do so....NOW! I have been a loyal fan of the Brown Sugar Pop Tarts for years, but the Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts are my new favorite. The pumpkin pie spice is not overpowering and it is just enough filling to make you feel like you are eating a thin slice of pumpkin pie. What a treat!

I decided that I would roll a caramel apple in the Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts crumbs to combine the the flavors of my two favorite pies. Apple and pumpkin. You can eat this right off the stick or cut the apple off the stick and cut into slices. I guess it's a more dignified way to eat this delicious treat. However you decide to eat this...I'm sure you will agree that it is the best of both pies!

Here is how you make it.

Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts Caramel Apples

Things you need:

6-8 apples (any kind, but I used tart Granny Smith's)
wooden dowels or craft sticks for each apple
2 packages pre-wrapped caramels or caramel ingredients (see recipe below)
wax paper
cookie sheet
butter
12 Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts, coarsely chopped
fall ribbon to decorate apples

1. Place wax paper on cookie sheets. Next, butter the waxed paper to make sure that the caramel apple won't stick.

2. Make some caramel or you can use the pre-wrapped found in the candy section of your grocery store. Here is my caramel recipe:

1c. Karo syrup
1c. Brown sugar
1c. White sugar
1 stick of butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk

Put first 5 ingredients in a large sauce pan over medium heat and stir until melted and combined. Bring to a boil and stir for five minutes. Be careful to keep stirring so that it doesn't start to burn on the bottom of the pan. Take caramel off the burner after 5 minutes.

3. After you have made your caramel or melted your unwrapped caramels according to package directions, put wooden craft sticks or dowels into your apples.

4. Dip apples in caramel one at a time. Cover the whole apple letting the excess caramel drip back into the pan.

5. Place caramel covered apples on buttered wax paper on cookie sheet and place in refrigerator for 5-10 minutes to cool.

6. Take apples out of refrigerator and roll in chopped Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts. Press crumbs into caramel and replace on new piece of wax paper.

7. Replace in refrigerator to set up.

8. When ready to serve, decorate with fall ribbon around the stick. Enjoy!

What is your favorite flavor of Pop-Tarts? Answer this question and you will be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer!

For extra entries, you can:

· Tweet about this post with a link to it (and put your tweet URL in a separate comment below)

· Blog about this post with a link to it (and put your blog post URL in a separate comment below)

Go to the BlogHer.com round-up page for more recipes and 9 more chances to win.

For official rules, please click here.

CSN Stores Review Coming Up

If you are a reader of blogs, I'm sure you have heard of CSN Stores. There are reviews and giveaways for CSN all over the internet! If you haven't yet, you've got to visit their website. They have over 200 stores that you can browse if you're in the market for a new dining room table, cookware, luggage, shoes or just about anything you might need!

I'm excited to be able to review my experience with CSN stores in the near future. I've spent more hours than I care to admit, trying to find exactly what I want to review. So many great possibilities!

I hope you will stay tuned, to see what I picked! Until then, go to CSN stores and see all that they have to offer!

I Might as Well Exercise.....

This Contest Is Closed

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and The Laughing Cow.

Ahhhhh....exercise!

I have a love/hate relationship with it. What about you? I always feel great when I'm done, but I DREAD getting started.

When I was a teenager I had a Garfield poster that read:

"I might as well exercise, I'm in a bad mood anyway."

That pretty much sums up my attitude about exercise.

To get myself motivated to exercise I have tried several techniques:

1. I keep an exercise calendar and put a sticker or "gold star" every day that I get my workout. I start to see that I am on all roll and I don't want to break the chain. I plan my workout on the calendar for the week so that I don't have any excuse not to get it done.

2. I set my DVR to record my favorite shows and I tell myself that I am not allowed to watch my shows unless I am on my recumbent bike or treadmill. This has been very effective in getting me out of bed!

3. I used to work just a couple miles away from my home. I would leave about 30 minutes before I was expected at work and walk there. It was a really nice walk. I had to go to work, so I thought that I might as well walk there and get my exercise done as well.

4. I've always required great tunes while I exercise. As I have "matured" I have really enjoyed books on tape and podcasts that can be downloaded to my ipod. They keep my mind interested and I get so caught up in the story or the discussion that time flies!

5. And then there is always this way of thinking that gets me to exercise: "If I exercise this morning....I'll be able to eat something yummy tonight when I go out!"

The secret is: Whatever gets you to exercise...DO IT! Make it fun. Give yourself goals and incentives. Remember how good a morning workout makes you feel when you can't drag yourself out of bed at 5 am!

Do you have a funny story? Tell me about it to be entered to win a $150 Visa gift card from Laughing Cow. Please keep your comments G-rated as any profanity or offensive content will automatically disqualify you from sweepstakes entry.

You should also visit The Daily Laugh Hub to read funny content each day. There you will also find 11 other chances to win $150 each month and weekly chances to win $100 at the "Play for Laughs" game. If you share something really funny, we may even use it in The Daily Laugh!

For official rules click here.

My review at CSN Stores

Originally submitted at CSN Stores

Features:

• Available in Red
• Constructed of supreme Protecflon polyester with 1200 D. Poly
• 8 convenient pockets for maximum packing versatility
• U-shape top opening system for easy access to spacious main compartment

Self repairing

22" 8 Pocket Rolling Duffel

Great quality and pockets galore!

By Melody from PA on 10/10/2010

5out of 5

Pros: Durable, Easy to Transport, Good Zippers, Lightweight, Large Capacity

Best Uses: Weekend Trips, Short Travel, Airline Travel

Describe Yourself: Getting Started

What Is Your Gear Style: Minimalist

Was this a gift?: Yes

I bought these bags for my kids for weekend trips to Grandma's house and short road trips. They are just the right size and they are such good quality. It really looks like my kids will get years of good use out of these. I love that the kids can be responsible for their own bags and transport them easily with the wheels.

(legalese)

CSN Stores Review

If you are a reader of blogs, I'm sure you have heard of CSN Stores. There are reviews and giveaways for CSN all over the internet! If you haven't yet, you've got to visit their website. They have over 200 stores that you can browse if you're in the market for a new coffee table, cookware, luggage, shoes or just about anything you might need!

I'm excited to be able to review my experience with CSN stores in the near future. I've spent more hours than I care to admit, trying to find exactly what I want to review. So many great possibilities!

I hope you will stay tuned, to see what I picked! Until then, go to CSN stores and see all that they have to offer!

Chocoholic and $150 Visa Gift Card Giveaway! Ends 10/10/10

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and The Laughing Cow.

Hello. My name is Melody....and I'm a chocoholic.

I love it! I must have it! I think I married my husband because he told me he was from Hershey, PA! (And yes, you can smell the chocolate when driving through the town).

Just like any other addict, sometimes I make a mighty effort to get off the stuff.

One particular time I was actually effective. I was trying to help my friend quit smoking. I told her that I had never been addicted to alcohol or tobacco, but that I was most definitely addicted to chocolate. I told her that while she was staying away from cigarettes, I would cut the chocolate out as well. We could help each other.

I remember very well the first few days without chocolate. I was, in a word, irritated, but then I calmed down and accepted my new sense of control. When I was offered chocolate ice cream, candies or desserts, I explained my pact and no one was offended.

The best thing was that I didn't swear off all sweets, just chocolate and I still ended up slowly and painlessly losing weight. I didn't have a scale, but I could just tell by the way my clothes fit. I lived in Malta at that time and walked everywhere, so that helped too.

In short, it was a good experience but if you have seen my main blog, Cheat Day Cafe, you will see that I am back on chocolate as one of my main food groups. What can I say...I'm weak AND I live in the most famous chocolate town in America! A woman can handle only so much!

Do you have a funny story? Tell me about it to be entered to win a $150 Visa gift card from Laughing Cow. Please keep your comments G-rated as any profanity or offensive content will automatically disqualify you from sweepstakes entry.

You should also visit The Daily Laugh Hub to read funny content each day. There you will also find 11 other chances to win $150 each month and weekly chances to win $100 at the "Play for Laughs" game. If you share something really funny, we may even use it in The Daily Laugh!

For official rules click here.

The Great Blender Blunder and $150 Visa Gift Card Giveaway! Ends 9/12.

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and The Laughing Cow.

One Saturday morning I was up early getting ready for by 9 year old daughter's belt ceremony for karate. She was going to be receiving her junior black belt and I was pretty excited for her. I decided to wear white capri pants and a black shirt in the spirit of her getting her black belt.

It was getting close to the time that we needed to be out the door, but I figured that I would have enough time to make a quick shake for breakfast. I also thought it might be smart to make two servings so I could keep one in the fridge for a snack later in the day. Not very often, but sometimes I get on a protein shake kick. I just get in a phase where I drink a protein shake for breakfast and dinner and eat a big lunch in between. They are really filling and I just feel better when I eat light in the evening.

I had a blender that was marketed for making smoothies. It had a spout attachment on the bottom of the jug that was used as a "tap" to pour the smoothie into a glass. I never used that attachment, so there was a way you could unscrew that attachment and screw on a tab that would plug up that hole. I just always kept that little tab attachment on.

So, I added my double portion of water, protein powder and ice to the blender and carefully replaced the lid and pressed the "high" button. The blender immediately started to "whirr" and all of a sudden I was being shot in the stomach by a blast of cold, chocolaty water! Someone (probably under 5 feet tall) had not screwed on the tab attachment all the way and it shot off when I pressed the button. I screamed and tried to find the stupid "off" button but I was blinded by the protein shake being sprayed in my face. I finally found the plug and yanked it!

I think the funniest part was my family who witnessed the whole event. When I unplugged the blender, it went silent and it was like they paused to see how I was going to react before they did. I busted out laughing and then they did too. I probably could have cried or yelled, but I'm glad that my first reaction was to laugh!

I had to hurry and change into a new outfit to go to the belt ceremony and my good hubby cleaned up the mess. I found myself laughing at the incident all day. I had seen something similar happen on TV all my life, but never a straight shot into the stomach! I guess that's what I get for trying to eat healthy. :)

Do you have a funny story? Share a funny story, video clip, picture etc. in the comment section and you will be entered to win $150. Please keep your comments G-rated as any profanity or offensive content will automatically disqualify you from sweepstakes entry.

You should also visit The Daily Laugh Hub to read funny content each day. There you will also find 11 other chances to win $150 each month and weekly chances to win $100 at the "Play for Laughs" game. If you share something really funny, we may even use it in The Daily Laugh!

For official rules click here.

Novica Review: Gifts From Around the World!

I've got to tell you about a great online store called Novica. I had never heard of Novica until I was approached about doing a review for them. I jumped on the internet to novica.com to see what it was all about.

Now this is impressive. Read their mission:

We want to give artists and artisans around the world a global platform to express their true artistic talents and to spur their creativity. And, we want to provide you with access to unique, hard-to-find items at great values that only the Internet infrastructure can allow.

At the deepest essence of our philosophy, we want to create a bridge between you and the many talented artisans across the globe.

We want you to know about who you're buying from. We want you to feel that attachment to the product and to the hands that created it.

In the spirit of the Internet, let us bring you together.

NOVICA. The World is Your Market.

Cool, huh? Doesn't that just make you want to go on novica.com and see all the unique jewelry, art, clothing, handbags, rugs, housewares and gifts from all around the globe? They even have corporate gifts section!

So, Novica gave me $100 to spend on their site. I loved the jewelry, so I spent it all there.

Here is what I got:

Sterling silver half hoop earrings, 'Moon in the Forest' for $20.49

Natural orchid gold-plated flower necklace, 'Sublime' for $26.99

Onyx and amethyst beaded necklace, 'Enchantment' for $44.95

Aren't they pretty? And I love that they are not something you would find at the local mall.

The website was so easy to navigate, checkout was a breeze and the shipping price was very reasonable.
My items all came from Thailand about a week after I ordered them. They were each individually encased in a beautiful gift box. Also included in the box was a story card that described the jewelry and also had a quote from the artist. That extra touch made the buying experience so personal.

I just love the jewelry I purchased from novica.com, and I love how Novica is giving these artisans from all around the world opportunities that they would not have otherwise.

Go check out novica.com and remember them when you have to buy a gift for the person who has everything! Guaranteed, they will appreciate the unique and personal gifts from novica.com.

(FTC disclosure : In adherence to the recent FTC changes pertaining to blogger product reviews and sponsored postings it is necessary to add when ever I receive any compensation in return for posting about a company or product. I received a gift certificate to shop at NOVICA and share my experience. No further compensation was received. Even though a GC was received, the opinions were of my own. )

The Lunch Date Experiment. Ends 8/25.

This is a sponsored post from BlogHer and Smuckers.

Ahhh lunch. I remember those days as a kid, looking forward to lunch to see what Mom packed for me in my brown paper bag. Usually it was a peanut butter and honey sandwich (still my favorite), chips, a homemade cookie, a piece of fruit and a drink. Sometimes my mom would write me little notes on my napkin that she would put in my lunch bag. I loved that! Some days it was a joke or a riddle and other days it was a quick, "I'm thinking about you. Love you, Mom".

That meant a lot to me. Obviously, because I still remember it. And now that I am a mom, it brings tears to my eyes to realize how it is the little things, the simple notes, hugs and "I love yous" that make the biggest impression in the mind of a child.

I, like many of you out there, am a working mom. I miss eating lunch with my kids all week. I am amazed at how the kids all rush to me when I get home! They miss me and need my attention. I try to give each of them some of my time, but it's so hard when I am exhausted and have work to do around the house.

My husband and I used to go on "dates" with the kids for one on one time. My husband would take one and I would take the other. We pretty much stopped that when our third child came around. Life got too hectic. Can anyone relate?

I'd love to get back to giving that individualized attention to the kids. A weekend lunch date would be so fun. And as my kids are getting older (2, 7, and 9) I think they need that one on one time even more. They need to feel special. They need to be able to speak freely. I have been amazed at the questions I get asked when I am alone with my 9 year old daughter! But I am thankful that she feels she can ask me anything.

So what do you think? Would you be up to trying a little experiment with me?

Let's set a lunch date with our kids or grand kids and see if relationships can be strengthened, confidence can be built and special memories can be made. Lunch can be as simple as a good old peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Think of the child's interests and plan an activity that you can do together.

Now to plan it!

The good people at Smucker's have come up with the cutest idea. You can go to the Smucker's website and custom create an invitation for a lunch date and activity for the special child in your life. It is called a "kidvitation". You can choose the invite's background and font and fill in the blanks with the date, time and what activity you want to do together. Just create and print! It's as simple as that.

There are also some simple and delicious recipes on the Smucker's website as well as ideas for fun activities.

One of my daughter's favorite activities is baking. She loves to create something delicious and let the whole family sample her treats. She also loves music. I've got a ton of old CD's down in the basement. We could listen to some of my favorite songs and she could pick out some CD's to add to her collection. I gave her my Michael Jackson "Thriller" CD and it changed her world! It's been fun to see her grow up and find new interests and talents.

My 7 year old son loves to play basketball. He actually saved up $77 dollars to pay for half (we paid for the other half) of a basketball standard to put up in our front yard. I think he would love to play a few games of H-O-R-S-E and maybe I can teach him some of my moves. :)

The 2 year old boy would love to just wrestle on the floor, play with a big balloon or go for a walk. He is easy. He just wants to play!

None of these activities cost any money, but the value of the time you spend together with those kids is priceless!
Just as that little napkin tucked in my lunch sack at school, it's the small things that mean so much and that are remembered.

So what are you waiting for? Go to the Smucker's website to make a kidvitation and spend some quality time with the kids!

Leave a comment on this post and you will be entered to win a $200 Visa Gift Card. So tell me: What fun activity will you plan for the special child in your life?

Go to the BlogHer/Smucker's round-up page for 9 other chances to win. While you are there, you can also enter to win a $400 Visa gift card!

For official rules, click here.