I Like

New Facebook Game- A Better World

2011-02-10T23:20:00.130-06:00

If you are unfortunate enough to be one of my 146 Facebook friends you already know I have an open secret-I like the cutesy games.

Don't judge. First of all they are free entertainment and I'm all about free. Secondly, they help me unwind. And most importantly, I'm not playing alone.

According to Facebook 200 million people play social games on their site each month. So unless you are a game hating curmudgeon like my significant other (hi honey!) you have probably sipped the social gaming koolaid yourself.

So when I was asked to take a new Facebook game from ToonUps for a spin I was all over it. The game, A Better World, was just launched in December. None of my regular gaming friends were playing yet, which means I had time to take a look around before sending out invites.

A Better World isn't just any other game, its a game with a purpose. It is described by ToonUps as being "about motivation, inspiration, sharing, caring, and helping each other out".

No seriously, no one dies on A Better World, not even vegetables.

If you only like to kill things in your gaming you should probably move along. Go on now- get.

Me, I like a little balance, calm stress-free gaming most days and shoot-em/stab-em/kick-em in the head games on other days so this fits well with my calm days.

The game consists of 3 major areas; the village where you can customize your home and visit friend's homes, the town where you can shop for clothes or house items and the countryside where the "Gratitude Grotto" and the "Heart Cart" are located. Here is a screen shot of the adorable Heart Cart where you can send hearts to other players:

Like any new game, there are pros and cons. Here are some of the things I liked best about A Better World:

The tutorial walks through the major features of the game instead of leaving you wondering what the heck you should be doing. If you are a Facebook gaming rookie this game is a lovely place to start.
The message- "gold" is earned by posting encouraging messages in the community grotto or sending your friends positive notes. Every aspect of the game is centered around positivity.
Mini games- Aside from the charming graphics my favorite feature so far is the mini games. There are 2 games you can play each day to earn gold. I particularly like the ThreeCycle game, a match 3 puzzle that looks like this:

All in all I'm thumbs up on the concept. But I would hope to see a little more from the game.

I happen to favor a game that has firm goals. Although I will play the mini games in A Better World I would be more of a regular player if tasks and rewards were added on. More mini games would be fabu. Like lots more mini games.

Let me be straight here- the game isn't for everyone. A 15 r old boy who plays World of Warcraft all day is not going to be down with the gratitude and positivity of A Better World. At least not till that puberty thing passes.

Want to check out A Better World? Click on over to their Facebook page and select "Go to App" under the picture on the left side. The game will tell you everything you need to know from there. The Facebook page also contains announcements on new features so if you enjoy the game be sure to "like" that page.

Have a favorite Facebook game? Have a site you play games for points or prizes? I'd love to hear about them....

-Jess

Note:
I received an Amazon gift card from ToonUps as a thank you for participating in this campaign. Although I certainly can be bought, this review isn't. My opinions are always free and trust me, I have plenty to go around.

Ressurection, of sorts

2011-02-05T00:48:00.000-06:00

As happens oh so often, I abandon this blog some time ago. Quite a bit of living has gone on since then- I took a 'real job' as a chemist in a pharmaceutical company and ran out of time to blog. I went back into the workforce because my partner was having a hard time finding decent work in her field after the company she worked for went under. So even though the work was 3rd shift and over an hour away, off I went.

...until...

Sometime in March 2010 I got sick. A topic for another blog perhaps. Not sick enough to kill me, but sick enough that by the end of May I was on sick and by July/August I could no longer work at all. I still struggle with my health but I have settled into an OK place.

So now I'm reviving old projects and hobbies. I'm entering contests more, reading and working on saving every penny I can. These are some of my favorite past times. I know there are FAR more review blogs out there then any one population of consumers could possibly care about, so I won't be going that route here.

In the future I plan to provide some tips on how I get so many items for free, how I win contests, how I save money. Friends are always saying "teach me, show me" so I will. Hopefully I will learn a bit myself along the way!!

- Jess

Back in Action

2009-07-05T23:58:00.001-05:00

I've been taking a bit of a vacation, in case anyone was wondering if I fell of the face of the earth. Hope you all had a wonderful holiday while I was ignoring the Internet and paying attention to real life!

While I was taking a break I received a product I am excited to try out- the Q-Link necklace. The Q-Link products are designed to help reduce stress, balance and improve energy and increase focus and concentration. While those might seem to be some lofty goals I don't think they are impossible.

I firmly believe that the field of "energy medicine" is one of the least understood areas in medicine right now. I hope that in the future science uncovers some of the secrets of how the energy fields in and around us impact our health and well-being. And I for one am willing to try to improve my energy even if we don't fully understand the physics behind why it works.

I am excited to be wearing the Q-link necklace to see if it helps me at all. I took a brief quiz on-line to measure my attention, speed and reaction time before the necklace. In a week or so I will retake the test and let you know if there is any improvement. I'm a bit skeptical but trying to stay open minded. I will let you know how it goes!

Working for the Snuggle Puggle- Keeping Cool

2009-06-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today it was an obnoxious 97 degrees in the Chicago suburbs. Davey and I both hate the heat and have a hard time tolerating it. Here is Dave hard at work to keep cool this evening:

He is such a hard worker that boy. I have my eye on a cooling mat like this one to help the poor puggle get through the rest of the summer.

How do you and your dog deal with the heat?

Bil-Jac Dog Treat Review

2009-06-23T23:47:00.001-05:00

Bil -Jac's dog treats have recently been added to our ever-growing list of treats Dave can't live without. Of course, Davey's waist line has grown right along with that list, not that HE minds.

Davey absolutely lost his mind for the Bil-Jac Gooberlicious treats. These soft, peanut flavored treats were the first to go in this house. I used them for encouragement to get Davey into his kennel (he always gets a Kong and treats to go in the "Bat Cave, as we call it) and he is thrilled to go in there for a Gooberlicious treat or two.

The Bil -Jac Liver Treats serve a very specific purpose for us- training. The small treats are just the right size and shape for breaking in half. I like that because I can give Davey enough of a reward but not too many calories. Plus all the Bil-Jac treats have a great smell, which helps Davey get even more motivated to do as I ask. For large dogs I would think the Bil-Jac Liver treats would be just the right size for training. They fit nicely in a large kong as well. Neither the Liver Treats nor the Gooberlicious treats dried out in the whole time we had them, which I really appreciate since some of the cheaper treats tend to get hard quickly even if sealed up.

After trying the Bil-Jac treats I saw that they also offer a pizza flavor treat, which I know Davey will L O V E. Pizza is the one food that makes him drool like a fiend. I actually feel bad for the poor guy when we eat it because I know I can only give him a taste. So I am thrilled to find that there is a high-quality treat like Bil-Jac in pizza flavor. Now to just figure out what new trick to teach Dave so he can earn those treats- any suggestions? He knows all the basic tricks, so something fun and challenging is needed at this point.

Bil-Jac products, including their treats, are available at PetCo and Petsmart or you can find a Bil-Jac retailer by visiting their website.

Recycled Post-it Notes

2009-06-23T23:16:00.001-05:00

Post-it notes are, to me, one nifty-neato invention. I can't imagine not having them around, and since they were invented just prior to my birth I have never had to live in a world without them. Being a rabid list-maker who frequently misplaces said lists Post-it notes come in mighty handy in my home.

Always the innovators, the people at 3M have again re-invented the post –it with the introduction of a recycled Post-it line.

Post-it notes have always been recyclable, but now is there a Post-it line made from recycled materials. The Post-it Recycled Collection is made from 30% post consumer content and/or 100% recycled paper. The collection includes the lined-page Post-it Note design (my favorite for list making!), Super Sticky Post-it Recycled Notes, Post-it Recycled Notes Cabinet Packs, Post-It Super Sticky Recycled Easel Pads, Post-it Super Sticky Recycled Pop Up Notes and Pop Up Notes in a desk grip dispenser… which gives you plenty of green options to choose from.

I am always happy to see big companies with widely used products making an effort when it comes to manufacturing an eco-friendly product, and for 3M this is not a new initiative. The Post-it products are made from sustainably harvested forests and have long included post consumer content. To learn more about the Recycled collection or 3M's dedication to the environment visits their website here.

Be sure to look for the Post-it Recycled collection when you are buying Post-its and remember to always recycle your used Post-it notes!

Favorite Summer Photo

2009-06-20T00:41:00.000-05:00

I absolutely adore this picture of Davey. We like it so much we had a graphic artist transform it into an amazing picture that hangs in our living room.

The picture captures Dave's funny little spirit and spunk, as well as his funny little lovable face. The photo was taken at his 1st birthday party in late July and I will always cherish that summer day, along with this photo. That is why I chose this picture as my entry into UPrinting.com's Summer Photo contest.

Thanks for sponsoring the contest, UPrinting!

UPrinting.com is a leading online provider of business cards, color brochures and mailing postcards.

UPrinting Winner

2009-06-17T00:28:00.000-05:00

Congrats go to Cindi who won my UPrinting.com Poster Print Giveaway.

everyone for entering. I have sent you an e-mail Cindi, so if you haven't seen it, please let me know. If you didn't win the poster be sure to visit UPrinting.com and check out there fantastic rates for Canvas Printing and Poster Printing.

Calypso Studios Giveaway

2009-06-16T23:49:00.001-05:00

I am carrying around one of the cutest reusable totes I have seen yet. It's a design from artist Emma Hand sold by Calypso Studios, and is one of three in the "Acts of Kindness" series pictured above. Calypso Studios actually has a slew of delightful totes with styles that will suit just about everyone. I'm eyeing this cute number for this year's Christmas shopping:

Depending on the design the totes are available individually for $7.95 or in sets of three for $20. These totes are the sturdy, water resistant polyester material I like so much. They even fold into a handy little roll that closes with a snap so you can keep one tucked conveniently in your purse. I personally have given reusable bags as a gift with increasing frequency because I think they make such a nice gift.

Calypso Studios also specializes in unique, affordable jewelry like these earrings I got to try out:

Or this great piece from their vineyard collection-

Jewelry starts at just $3 and I don't think I saw a piece over $15! Now that is my kind of shopping; cute and affordable.

Calypso Studios has offered to give one of their adorable reusable totes and a piece of jewelry to one of my lucky readers.

How to Enter

Visit The Calypso Studios website, and tell me what your favorite item is. This entry must be completed in order to gain any extra entries.

Extra Entries

Follow Calypso Studios on twitter (1 entry, leave your user id)
Become a fan of Calypso Studios on facebook (1 entry, leave your name please)
Follow me on blogger, subscribe via rss reader or subscribe via email (links to the left, 1 entry for each )
Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway (1 tweet per day, link to your tweet please
Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to your post (2 entries)

The giveaway is open to U.S. residents. Entries will be accepted until June 23rd 11:59 PM CST when a winner will be selected by firing up the randomizer. Winner will be notified via e-mail.

Good Luck!

EyeBuyDirect Giveaway

2009-06-14T00:37:00.001-05:00

My Dad is the ultimate in practical. I am pretty sure that every single item in his home has a working purpose and is used for that purpose or it hits the curb with a quickness. That makes him particularly difficult to buy for when it comes to Father's Day, so I know he would approve of my next gift idea- a gift certificate from EyeBuyDirect.

I had the opportunity to go through the ordering process at EyeBuyDirect and receive a fantastic pair of glasses. Here I am with my sharp new frames from EyeBuyDirect:

As you can see Davey HAD to see what we were doing with the camera. With how attached he is to me I am astounded there are any pictures of me taken in the last 2 years without him on my lap.

The ordering and selection process at EyeBuyDirect is easy peasy and even a bit fun. They have a nifty little tool called the "EyeTry now" feature that allows you to try the frames on prior to buying them. Even though I chose the pair I thought I would select before trying them being able to see them on me, so to speak, was very reassuring.

Just in time Father's Day EyeBuyDirect has a terrific special for individuals looking to give dad a Gift Certificate. From now until July 21^st you can get an EyeBuyDirect.com gift voucher for 20% off, which makes an incredibly economical pair of glasses even more inexpensive!

A complete pair of eyeglasses; single vision plastic lenses, frames, scratch coating and case start at just $7.9x plus shipping. So not only is EyeBuyDirect a smart choice for dad it is a brilliant idea if you need a second pair of glasses or even a fashionable, inexpensive first pair. EyeBuyDirect wants to go even one better than cheap, how about free? They are giving away one pair of prescription eyeglass (value up to $100) to one of my readers! And even with frames starting at $7.95, ya can't beat free!

How to Enter

Visit the Eyebuydirect website, and tell me what glasses you would select if you won. This entry must be completed in order to gain any extra entries.

Extra Entries

Post your "EyeTry" photo on the "Wall of Frames" (1 entry, leave a link please)
Post a comment on the "Wall of Frames about someone else's picture (leave a link, may comment 5 times for 1 entry each comment)
Follow me on blogger, subscribe via rss reader or subscribe via email (links to the left, 1 entry for each )
Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway (1 tweet per day, link to your tweet please
Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to your post (2 entries)

The giveaway is open to U.S. residents. Winner will receive a code good for 1 free pair of eyeglasses with a value of up to $100. Code is not valid for use on designer frames or sunglasses. Entries will be accepted until June 28th 11:59 PM CST when a winner will be selected randomly. Winner will be notified via e-mail.

Good Luck!

Halo Dog Treats- and Great Halo Coupons!

2009-06-13T15:00:00.001-05:00

So you may have already read how I am loving Halo dog food since trying it. Well, since Dave tried it since I haven't actually tasted it. If you haven't, be sure to read this blog post.

While trying out Halo's Spot's Stew Wholesome Chicken adult dry food Davey also had a chance to try some of the Halo dog treat products, which include some brand new varieties. When we got the treats unwrapped Davey attacked the Liv-a-Littles Chicken Protein Treats first. If you have ever given your dog freeze-dried liver treats the Liv-a-Littles are sort of like that but without any icky smell. The best part about the Halo Protein Treats, besides the fact that I can get Dave to do anything for one, is the ingredient list. Here it is:

Ingredients: Chicken

No preservatives, no questionable additives or chemicals just good ole chicken. Plus they aren't messy, smelly or gnarly in any way they are fantastic to break up and use for training.

Davey also happily tasted the Halo Liv-a-Littles Healthsome Dog Biscuits. Here he is giving me a high five for one-
Now if only I could teach him to pick up his toys…

Halo has offered to give my readers an EXCLUSIVE coupon good for $3 off of any of the dog or cat pet products they sell; including treats, food, grooming supplies, supplements or books. The $3 coupon is good for any on-line purchase at www.halopets.com/shop and can't be found anywhere but right here.

Halo will also send you a $5 coupon via e-mail if you sign up for their newsletter, here. The $5 coupon is good in stores where ever Halo products are sold. This coupon equates to some free treats or food considering many Halo products start under $5! I plan to use mine to snag some more Halo Dream Coat for Miss Chloe, a product I'll be talking about soon.

How to Get your Online Coupon:

Visit www.halopets.com/shop and select the items you wish to purchase. Keep in mind that any order over $75 will receive free shipping.
Proceed to the checkout, entering your shipping and billing information (including your credit card information).
AFTER submitting your payment information, but prior to confirming the order, you will see a box to enter a "Coupon Code".
Enter "pestka" (without the quotes) to receive a $3 discount.
Coupon code expires June 30^th, 2009

I would love to hear from you if you are able to make use of either coupon. Enjoy!

Be The Match Marrowthon

2009-06-08T23:00:00.001-05:00

Last year I became a member of the National Bone Marrow Donor regiistry. Although I haven;t been called to donate yet, I am ready and willing when that call does come in. Normally there is a $52 tissue processing fee to join the registry, but starting June 8th resgistration is free. The free registration only comes once a year, so if you have ever considered joing the registry now is the time to do so. Free registration ends at 46,000 new donors or on June 22nd, whichever comes first.

GelPro Mat Review

2009-06-08T22:33:00.001-05:00

I have discovered something that actually makes me want to stay in the kitchen a little longer. What is this miracle product, you ask? A chocolate fountain? Self-cleaning dishes? A kitchen nap cot? Nope, Just my GelPro anti-fatigue kitchen floor mat.

That's right, a floor mat. And not just because it comes in the color "truffle", either, since independent testing in my kitchen has demonstrated that the GelPro mat is not edible.

Aside from the yummy color the GelPro appeals to my love of textures. I am entirely tactile when selecting clothing or items for my home. I have to feeeel everything and it was to feel good or I'm not wearing/sleeping/ sitting/standing on it. 'Good' has a variety of definitions which include soft, velvety, squishy, cool, silky, warm, smooth or spongy- depending on my mood.

The GelPro has wholly pleased my texture hungry side from the moment I placed it in my kitchen. It is the only anti-fatigue mat available that is filled with gel. I adore the way it feels under my feet, so much so that I want to spend time at my kitchen counter. Don't let my partner hear that or she might cover the whole kitchen in GelPro mats to keep me cooking and cleaning 24/7.

Oh yes, and I should probably mention the GelPro mat is fantastic for relieving fatigue, particularly if you have a bad back, arthritis, foot problems or anything of the sort that causes standing for periods of time to be difficult. I have a recipe or two I dread making because I know it means an hour of chopping. With the GelPro under foot I don't dread the chopping, it makes that much of a difference.

If you have a foodie, a cook or master of the kitchen that you want to encourage to stay in that kitchen as long as possible the GelPro would make a really wonderful gift (Father's Day anyone?). I think it is a must have for anyone on their feet all day that has to come home and stand in the kitchen.

The mat comes in a variety of styles, sizes and colors and can be purchased online. The Basketweave style that I have can also be purchased at your local Bed, Bath & Beyond. The mats start at $99.95, which is a good price considering the phenomenal quality. I guarantee you no other mat will come close to this one in durability, comfort or quality. If you put one in your kitchen maybe I'll come over and cook for you. Well…at least I will be more likely to cook for you.

Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Giveaway- closed

2009-06-04T23:08:00.001-05:00

If you grew up in the 80's and 90's like me you might have the opinion that coconut oil is terrible for you, as I did. We were told it is a saturated fat and therefore would clog our arteries and stop our heart. Coconut oil was promptly pulled from baked goods and I always had a twinge of guilt eating any coconut treat.

Like so much of what we hear about our health that information was at best misleading, at worst it was outright coconut slander. The poor abused coconut, however, has made a comeback in recent years. People have recently been proclaiming the glory of the coconut and its miraculous ability to cure a world of ills. I roll my eyes when I hear wild health claims, so I have skipped over all the coconut raving.

Then I was given the chance from a company called Tropical Traditions, to actually try coconut oil and read some literature on it. I figured it couldn't hurt to look into it.

Here is some of the research backed information I found-

A study of 40 women concluded that coconut oil does not result in more fats in the blood and seems to promote a reduction in abdominal obesity ( Lipids. 2009 May 13. [Epub ahead of print]). This study affirms what previous studies have stated- consumption of coconut oil does not cause high cholesterol or heart disease.
Virgin coconut oil has been shown to have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties that are useful in the treatment of dermatitis (Dermatitis. 2008 Nov-Dec;19(6):308-15)and acne (Dermatol.2009 Apr 23 [Epub ahead of print]).
Animal studies indicate that consumption of coconut oil may actually lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood (Clin Biochem. 2004 Sep; 37(9):830-5).
Human research shows that consuming oils such as coconut oil can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (Metabolism. 2003 Jun; 52(6):771-7).
A wide variety of peer-reviewed research on the chemical components of coconut oil have hinted that coconut oil may help in reducing weight, slowing tumor growth, preventing obesity and combating a host of other human ailments.

I have actually read the research I am quoting. I never believe what I read (especially on the internet) unless I see the data myself. I spent a few too many years the pharmaceutical and scientific research industries to believe anything 2^nd hand. I have included links to the research so you can read for yourself if that is your thing.

All this reading about coconut oil has convinced me it is something I should have in my diet more often. A 1998 article in the Journal of the Indian Medical Association sums up what we now know about consuming only oils we were told were 'healthier' like sunflower oil or safflower oil, stating,

there are numerous research data now available to indicate that the sole use or excess intake of these newer vegetable oils are actually detrimental to health and switching to a combination of different types of fats including the traditional cooking fats like ghee, coconut oil and mustard oil would actually reduce the risk of dyslipidaemias, AHD and Type-2 DM [diabetes] (J Indian Med Assoc. 1998 Oct; 96(10):304-7).

More and more the evidence seems to show that cutting out natural foods completely from our diet does more harm than good. I have come to the conclusion that diversity in diet is the answer, with all things in moderation. I never did understand how plant based oil could be so 'bad', just like I never thought avocados or almonds were 'bad' even though they are high in fat. Well lookie-there, research is now showing that items we were told to avoid are actually beneficial.

While research is amazing and fantastic and gives me warm fuzzies it often fails to take into consideration real life situations such as how people consume foods, how the food is prepared etc, so I never make a big change and eliminate any whole food based on some rat study. Nature knows best, I believe, so if it grows in the ground, tastes good and people have been eating it for thousands of years then it is good enough for me.

I won't be switching to using only coconut oil I have found that it is a great oil to cook with- clean tasting (no coconut taste at all), versatile and easy to measure. Plus Tropical Traditions coconut oil is certified as USDA organic, which gives it an advantage over 98% of oils on the shelf in stores.

Interested in trying coconut oil for yourself? Or perhaps you are already a fan of coconut oil and have a thing or two to teach me. In either case you will want to enter this giveaway for a quart of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil. Also, if you are interested in reading more about the potential benefits of coconut oil be sure to check out this book, chocked full of great information, personal stories and a bit of history on the coconut oil revolution.

How to Enter

Visit the Tropical Traditions website and tell me what product you are most interested in trying. Or if you already have tried coconut oil tell me a little about your experience with the product. This entry must be completed in order to gain any extra entries.

Extra Entries

Follow Tropical Traditions on twitter (1 entry, leave your user id)
Fav my blog on technorati ( Link to the right, please leave your user ID)

Follow me on blogger, subscribe via rss reader or subscribe via email (links to the left, 1 entry for each )
Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway (1 tweet per day, link to your tweet please)
Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to your post (2 entries)

The giveaway is open to both U.S. and Canadian residents. Entries will be accepted until June 13th 11:59 PM CST when a winner will be selected randomly. Winner will be notified via e-mail.

Pinecone Research- CLOSED

2009-06-04T10:29:00.000-05:00

EDIT- This has closed already. Didn't even last 24 hours! Told you they close quickly...hope some of you got in.

Pinecone is one of the best, and hardest online research companies to get into. They only accept individuals for a limited time and you have to 'find' a banner or have an invite. Well thay are accepting applications and I have the banner!

They typically pay $3 per survey as a flat rate plus they send great products to try if you qualify. The payment comes via paypal rather quickly and I make a few extra bucks every month with them. Pinecone is honestly one of the only research companies I ALWAYS always always take the surveys becasue I know it is easy money. If you aren't a member, I highly recommend you give it a try.

Here is the link:

I think they are looking for people 18 to 24, but be sure to try even if you are outside that. Let me know if you have questions. Good luck getting in!

Father’s Day Poster Print Giveaway- closed

2009-06-02T00:42:00.001-05:00

Looking for something unique, original and meaningful to give dad this Father's Day? Something he might appreciate and even cherish for years to come? Oh and affordable too, right?

How about a custom made Canvas Printing or Poster Printing of your favorite photo? I love to receive photo gifts, so I have given more than my share of gifts with personalized photos. I find it really is something you aren't going to toss in the junk drawer or sell at your garage sale. And don't we all want someone to cherish or gifts?

UPrinting.com is giving away one fantastic 18 x 24 poster print to a reader. Just follow the directions below to enter!

Don't want to wait to see if you're a winner? Head to UPrinting and get started on building your own Father's Day gift. They have fast service and superfast shipping to assure your gift will be to that special someone in time for Dad's Day.

To Enter

Leave a comment telling me how you would use your 18 x 24 poster if you win. You don't have to use it for Father's Day.
Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link to the blog. You must also include a link to UPrinting.com in your blog post.

Entries will be accepted until 11:59 PM CST on June 9^th, 2009. Winners will be chosen by the randomizer and will have their prize shipped for free to them by UPrinting. Free shipping is valid only for U.S. and Canada winners.

Thanks for entering!

Halo Dog Food Review and $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway

2009-06-01T22:41:00.001-05:00

It is a well established fact that Dave likes food. An item doesn't even have to be actual food for Davey to want it. He has done many a trick for pocket lint, as a matter of fact.

So the real struggle in choosing a dog food is not in finding what Davey likes, it is in finding what I like. I want the food he eats to be high-quality, human grade ingredients. I don't want a food full of cheap filler and I want a company that pays attention to quality so that I never have to panic about a recall. There are many foods we have tried that meet these requirements, and Dave often has treats from fantastic manufactures such as Life's Abundance, Mother Hubbard and Nature's Variety.

I have fed Davey the same dry food since he became an "adult" dog. And even though we have tried, reviewed and liked several great foods we have never officially switched dry food, until now. Why did I decide to switch? This:

The above is a picture of Halo Spot's Stew Wholesome Chicken adult dry dog food in Davey's bowl. You can see actual dried whole foods in it and I truly believe the claim that that Halo is human grade dog food based on the look and smell of the food. We regularly supplement Davey's daily diet with things like carrots, berries, apples and other whole foods. So having an actual whole food in Davey's daily meal makes me feel great about what I feed him. The Halo dry food ingredient list reads like a healthy grocery list and not a chemistry experiment. Here is a sample of the first few ingredients:

Ingredients: Chicken, Whole Dried Eggs, Pea Protein, Oats, Vegetable Broth, Pearled Barley, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Pea Flour, Chicken Liver, Wild Salmon, Flaxseed, Salmon Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Pea Fiber, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Blueberries, Green Beans, Carrots, Cranberries, Zucchini…

The dry food also contains Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and probiotics- important extras for a pet that eats the same food every day.

The Spot's Stew line is available in both dry and wet varieties and is competitively priced. Halo also has recently introduced yummy treats which I will be talking more about soon. Watch for the post this week because it will include instructions on how to get an exclusive $2.50 coupon on Halo treats which start at just $3.99!

Halo products are available at a pet store or Whole Foods Market near you or you can purchase on line. Halo has been totally fantastic to work with and has generously offered to give one of my readers a $50 Gift Certificate to use on-line for any Halo product! Dog food, cat food, treats, supplements, grooming products…there are a ton of possibilities a cool 50 bucks could get you! Here is what you have to do…

How to Enter
Visit Halo Pets site and tell me what one Halo product you would most like to try. This entry must be completed in order to gain any extra entries.

Extra Entries

Follow Halo Pets on twitter (1 entry, leave your user id)
Become a fan of Halo Pets on Facebook or Myspace (1 entry per action, leave your name please)
Sign up for the Halo Newsletter, which has coupon offers! (let me know you signed up, 1 entry)
Enter any of my other pet-related giveaways (Pet Scribbles or Big Paw Designs giveaways only, 1 additional Halo entry per giveaway)
Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway (1 tweet per day, link to your tweet please
Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to your post (2 entries)

The giveaway is open to both U.S. and Canadian residents. Entries will be accepted until June 12th 11:59 PM CST at which time someone's fur baby is going to be might spoiled! Winner will be notified via e-mail.

Fairytale Brownies Father’s Day Giveaway- CLOSED

2009-05-30T23:57:00.001-05:00

If you have a Father, Husband, Grandfather with a sweet tooth I have the perfect gift for them- the most amazing brownies you have ever had in your mouth. Although I believe one or two of you might have a grandma or aunt out there that could make brownies as good, I doubt anything could be better than Fairytale Brownies.

I had the chance to try the Father's Day dozen and let me tell you, they were gone in 2 days. My partner cursed while she ate the first bite, as in "Holy &%$# these are some $%#& good brownies". Oh yes indeed, they are so good they cause spontaneous swearing.

I was pleased as could be and we had some serious Halloween-tummy in the house during our brownie binge. Dave, however, was one unhappy puggle since I informed him "brownies kill puggles". Poor guy, even this crazy-eyed, flippy-ear "I'm wild with brownie-need" look garnered him nothing:

Not only do the brownies taste incredible but they come beautifully wrapped with great attention to detail…a great gift to send for any occasion. A dozen brownies, such as the ones I tried, runs around $37 but there are a variety of gifts available starting at under $30.

The amazing people at Fairytale Brownies would like to give one very lucky tummy of a reader (not for puggles!) the Father's Day Dozen gift pack that I received. Make sure if you win you have it shipped right to dad or I guarantee you it will never reach his hands. Not that I will tell a soul if it doesn't.

How to Enter
Visit The Fairytale Brownies website and tell me which flavor you would like to try the most. You really can't go wrong considering how phenomenal every single one is. This entry must be completed in order to gain any extra entries.

Extra Entries

Follow Fairytale Brownies on twitter (1 entry, leave your user id)
Request a catalog from Fairytale Brownies. You have been warned, it is the ultimate in explicit food porn. (1 entry, leave the e-mail addy you signed up with)
Enter any of my other giveaways (listed to the left, let me know which you entered, 1 additional Brownie entry per giveaway)
Follow me on blogger, subscribe via rss reader or subscribe via email (links to the left, 1 entry for each
Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway (1 tweet per day, link to your tweet please)
Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to your post (2 entries)

The giveaway is open to U.S. residents. Entries will be accepted until June 9th 11:59 PM CST at which time someone's Dad is gonna be mighty happy. Winner will be notified via e-mail.

Big Paw Designs Collar Charm Giveaway- CLOSED

2009-05-29T23:56:00.001-05:00

If Dave could talk I know there are times that he would say exactly what his Big Paw Designs tag, above, says. even when caught red-pawed, like this...

Or this

Perhaps you have a Dave of your very own? Or maybe you have a squirrel stalker like Davey's sweetheart, Ruby, who would wear this with pride:

Or is your furry pal is none of the above because they are simply the...

Big Paw Designs would like to give one of my readers an exclusive Big Paw Designs pewter collar charm of their very own. The charms are high-quality, lightweight, sturdy and come in a multitude of whimsical choices. I also love that you have the option of getting them with a variety of ways to attach to the collar, like the nifty clip option.

Big Paw also sells a ton of great pet products, gift items and more… including the ONLY toy in our house that has a squeaker- the Katie's Bumper tug toy. I consider it a miracle toy since it has managed to retain said squeaker for at least 4 months and still gets played with often. Be sure to check out the Katie's Toys if you have a destructor like Davey.

Onto the good stuffs, the giveaway!

How to Enter
Visit Big Paw Designs and tell me which tag you prefer. This entry must be completed in order to gain any extra entries.

Extra Entries

Follow Big Paw Designs on twitter (1 entry, leave your user id)
Become a fan of Big Paw Designs on Facebook (1 entry)
Follow me on blogger, subscribe via rss reader or subscribe via email (links to the left, 1 entry for each)
Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway (1 tweet per day, link to your tweet please
Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to your post (2 entries)

The giveaway is open to U.S. residents. Entries will be accepted until June 7th 11:59 PM CST at which time the winner will be notified via e-mail. Woofs and kisses!

Bunches of winners...

2009-05-29T01:12:00.001-05:00

UPrinting.com posters- MambearMills and CandG~Jill W

Care4Hire- madly59

Thanks everyone for entering. I have sent you all e-mails so if you haven't seen them, please let me know. If you didn't win the poster be sure to visit UPrinting.com and check out there fantastic rates. Plus there is a UPrinting Father's DAy giveaway to be posted soon!

Pet Scribbles Greeting Card Giveaway- 6 winners! CLOSED

2009-05-29T00:41:00.001-05:00

I am more excited than usual about my latest giveaway, which is saying a lot for me as I am pretty dang excitable in general. In fact I am so excitable my partner insists that the "dog voice" (the voice only dogs can hear that I get when worked up) not be used in the house.

I had a hard time reining the dog voice in when I got these in the mail-

You see, I stalked the owner and designer of Pet Scribbles greeting cards and begged her to let me feature her fantastic work. Laura went above and beyond just allowing me to gush over her- she offered to give cards to SIX of my readers.

Pet Scribbles cards are the cards I have long been searching for. You see, we are those pet parents. We always give cards to one another from our pets. Often times we only have a few to pick from at the store. The fact that there are any at all means there has to be more of those pet parents out there than just us, right? Pet Scribbles has charming designs just for pet people like me. Cards like this Father's Day card from the cat:

You don't have to be a kooky pet parent to love Pet Scribbles. Laura has whimsical, beautiful and totally pet-less card line called "Purrtea" that feature Victorian era designs, like the "Birthday Time" card:

The picture simply does not do this card justice. The design is delicate and beautiful with just the right amount of girly glitter that I so love. The details are amazing and the quality is some of the best I have seen. All the cards are lovingly made to order and trust me; the attention to detail really shows when you hold a Pet Scribbles card in your hand.

Pet Scribbles has a card for every occasion; new pet announcements , tea themed cards, "just because" cards and pet sympathy cards. My favorite line has to be the hard to resist "Apawlogy" line, for those moments when you need to work the puppy eyes for forgiveness.

The cards average about $3.30 per card with a 3 card minimum per order if you order direct. The Pet Scribbles and Purrtea lines are also available at a number of online boutiques and retail locations nationwide.

I bet you are wondering about that great giveaway right about now, aren't you? Pet Scribbles has offered to give 2 lucky readers their choice of 1 Fathers Day card plus 3 cards of their choice from any of the individual cards Pet Scribbles offers. Additionally 4 readers will win their choice of Father's Day card. That is 6 winners total which ups your odds of snagging one of these gorgeous cards.

How to Enter
Visit the Pet Scribbles Card CATalog and tell me which is your favorite Father's Day card or your favorite design in general. This step must be done to be eligible for extra entries.

Extra Entries

Follow Pet Scribbles on twitter and tweet about this giveaway (1 entry per day, leave a link)
Tell me if there is a retail location that sells Pet Scribbles near you (1 entry)
Make a purchase from Pet Scribbles (5 entries, tell me what you bought)
Follow me on blogger, subscribe via rss reader or subscribe via email (links to the left, 1 entry for each )
Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to your post (2 entries)

The giveaway is open to U.S. residents. Entries will be accepted until June 8th 11:59 PM CST at which time the randomizer will choose the winners. Winners will be notified via e-mail and will have 48 hours to respond so we can get the prizes out in time for Father's Day. Good luck everyone!

Pevonia Botanica Giveaway- CLOSED

2009-05-27T22:38:00.001-05:00

Any day a box of girly spa products arrives in the mail is a good day in my house. So you can imagine my excitement recently when I got not one, not two but THREE high quality spa products from Pevonia Botanica. I will admit I did a little happy dance.

Pevonia makes high-quality, green, beauty products for use in spas and your home. These products and beauty treatments aren't just any ole facial masks and soaps- they are THE products used by some of the finest resorts and spas in the world. Not only can you get these products applied at spas, you can have them in your very home, like me, who you now envy for her luscious skin and scent.

Of course I loved the products I tried; they smell fantastic, work like magic and look so purty on my sink. But there is so much more to Pevonia Botanica products than meets the eye. Here is a sampling of facts about Pevonia:

Made with organic extracts and essential oils
Packaging is eco-friendly, that is it is post-consumer recyclable and biodegradable
Pevonia is "cruelty-free", the products are never tested on animals
The ingredients are the safest I have seen- no formaldehyde, mineral oil, alcohol, lanolin, PABA or sodium lauryl sulfate in anything.
The formulas for all the products are tested and proven effective, so you know they'll work.

I was able to try products from the in-home "oily skin" line, including the Phyto-Gel cleanser, the Mattifying Oily Skin mask, and the Mattifying Oily Skin Cream. This was an amazing trio of products I never would have discovered if not for Pevonia. I can rarely afford to go to a spa for a treatment, but with these products I absolutely felt like I had a high quality spa treatment.

Jealous? You don't have to be. Pevonia Botanica is giving one lucky reader a Bathing Renewal Kit valued at $60.

The kit, pictured above, includes the Dry Oil Body Moisturizer, Silky Skin Body Scrub, and the Seaweed Exfoliating Soap. I know you are lusting after that little beauty of a pampering-kit, so let me cut to the chase…

How to Enter

Visit Pevonia Botanica's website, click the "Recommended For You" tab at the top and take the quiz. Then head back here and tell me one of the recommendations. This entry must be completed in order to gain any extra entries.

Extra Entries

Follow Pevonai Botanica on twitter (1 entry, leave your user id)
Sign up for Pevonia Botanic's newsletter (1 entry, leave the e-mail addy you signed up with)
Enter any of my other giveaways (listed to the left, let me know which you entered, 1 additional Pevonia entry per giveaway)
Follow me on blogger, subscribe via rss reader or subscribe via email (links to the left, 1 entry for each
Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway (1 tweet per day, link to your tweet please
Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to your post (2 entries)

The giveaway is open to both U.S. and Canadian residents. Entries will be accepted until June 7th 11:59 PM CST at which time the randomizer will do its thing and pick a luck winner. Winner will be notified via e-mail.

My 1st Week Working with the Snuggle Puggle

2009-05-20T01:21:00.001-05:00

Dave here, wanted to let you know about all the hard work I have been doing. You see this puggle, Eduardo, puts all us dogs to work in the Snuggle Puggle Work Force. Isn't that brilliant? We get to do things we like as work too.

You might not know this, but we dogs love to work. Oh sure it might look like I am napping in bed with mommy but really I am working! So let me get right to it and tell you how hard I worked this whole week.

My most important work this week was done in the "Keeping Mom Occupied" department. I started out my work with a bang and a stink.

On Wednesday I decided Mom was getting a little too bored with our dog park visits, so I thought I would mix it up. I found a large pile of lovely poop and rolled and dove in it about 10 times. Smart, aren't I? I thought that would make her happy!

I was jumping and bouncing and swirling my head in that glorious stench when Mom comes running from across the park screaming her brains out. I think maybe she was jealous cause she wanted it for herself. She took the poo and put it an a bag to save for later I'm sure

That's OK because I was good and covered in it already and that poop was all used up. I had such lovely stink on my head, my ears, both sides my feet and even all smooshed into my collar! Hey, I'm a hard worker.

I ran around that park greeting every single person with my new stank-coat and they all screamed in sheer delight when they saw me. Mom even tried to take some more of the stuff for herself by wiping me all over in baby wipes and a wet towel but haha, I still stank when I got in the car.

Then mom did some crazy stuff when we got home. She gave me THREE baths. And it wasn't even time for my bath. Why on earth she would want that nasty orange soap smell in her bed instead of my carefully selected poo-essence is beyond me. Anyway, after the bath I made sure to bark out the window at dogs going by while mom was mumbling about "bad dogs" (the ones outside I bet!) and cleaning the bathroom. Here I am, post bath, guarding the living room window from neighborhood dog menaces:

Note that I am totally naked in that picture cause Mom took my collar and made it smell like orange soap too! That lady is crazy for the soap, I swear.

All in all I would say I kept her dog park visit interesting that day. I think it was too much for the poor delicate creature cause we didn't go back for days after that.

I also kept Mom busy through the week by acting very puppy-like. I know how she loves the puppies so I gave her some reminders like stealing pens and trying to chew them, grabbing food when I could and making small but well thought out messes. When she started yelling at me for this mess I looked around to see who she was yelling at:

Then I figured maybe I should play along and give her a sad puppy pose for her picture box, she loves those.

Aren't I a great worker?

Quantum Life Settlements- money when you need it most

2009-05-20T01:08:00.001-05:00

The economy has taken its toll on this household, that is for sure. Although we are holding our own quite nicely under less than ideal conditions we have made a number of lifestyle changes in order to cope, including dumping our pricey cable service; lowering our electric, phone and insurance bills and making cuts to our entertainment expenses. So far none of these things have been particularly painful (no, not even the cable) and I think overall they have been really great changes I am glad we made.

We haven't yet had to cash in any assets, but no asset is totally off limits if good jobs stay so difficult to find for very long. I am not at an age where I could cash in a life insurance policy just yet, I thought some of you might want to know about a service I recently learned about- Quantum Life Settlements.

Quantum Life Settlements works to get individuals the highest possible settlement for their life insurance policies. Although it isn't something one might want to consider, I think it is a smart option if there is a genuine need for money now, while you are still around to see it go to good use. If I was eligible and needed it, it is something I would absolutely keep in mind, just in case.

Cashing in a life insurance policy isn't an option for everyone, but it is a good idea if your premiums have become too costly or you no longer need as much coverage. There are some criteria you must meet in order to be considered including having a death benefit of at least $500,000 and are 70 years old or have a life expectancy between 2 and 15 years.

It is something worth looking into if it fits you, and Quantum Life seems to be a good company to consider. You can take their free on-line qualifier quiz to see if you meet the criteria or you can learn more information at their website. If there is one thing the recent economic issues have taught me it is to be flexible and keep all my options open. I see cashing in a life insurance policy as just one of many options to consider if the need arises.

Coastal Contacts Review

2009-05-18T23:59:00.001-05:00

I am by no means a vain individual. I'm well aware that the vast majority of the time I look like a frazzled soccer mom minus the rug rat, and that look is when I am showered and wide awake. I've been told more than a few times that when I first get up my appearance resembles this:

sxc.hu stock photo by winjohn

So it is with well-worn humility I say the following- I look fierce in my new Kam Dhillion glasses from Coastal Contacts. OK, well maybe not fierce. But cute, definitely cute.

See?

I probably shouldn't tell you this but those glasses? Yeah they are under 20 bucks with standard plastic lenses, scratch and anti-reflective coating. Add shipping and the whole package is under 30 bucks. Try and top that at any local optical, I would love to see if you look as cute as me for under 30 bucks.

I'm not just any old eyeglass shopper taking my chances on internet glasses either. I started working as an optician in college and have been in the optical field in some capacity for much of the past decade. I have helped thousands of people select, purchase and adjust to eyeglasses. When I have attempted to buy glasses off the rack at some random shop I often leave the local optician more than a bit flustered. I want high quality plus I want the lens material, brand name, coatings, size, warranty, cool-kid frames at an amazing price and I don't want any lip about it, missy. I know how much those products cost the shop and I know they can get that frame in green if I want it so dang it, give me what I want!

*Sigh* needless to say I often just go to my friends in the business to get my glasses because they put up with me. Until recently I have not been a fan of the online optical market. That change with my first online order from Coastal Contacts.

My experience with Coastal Contacts was stellar. The glasses were flawless- and I am a tough cookie. I know if that prescription is off by even one degree. I reject any lens that is not fit perfectly in the frame with unblemished edges. My glasses far exceeded my expectations. I thought internet glasses would mean subpar work. Man was I wrong. I am so ready for another pair. Eyeglasses are like shoes to me, and at these prices I can so afford a pair for every season!

Did I mention they have brand names like Prada, Gucci, Calvin Klein and Armani? It might seem hard to believe but those brand names are there at prices you could never find locally. Their inventory rotates frequently, so keep an eye out for frames you like. For example, you might not know the name Koali, but they are my MOST favorite line ever in all of the eyeglass frame world. You see the middle frame in the picture below?

That is the Koali 6058K that Coastal carries for just $68! I paid well over that AT COAST for a frame from that line when they first came out, and the frames are every bit as cool today as they were when I got them. I do so love glasses. Couple that with a great deal and I am hard to shut up…

Purchasing Your Glasses Online
The ordering process at Coastal Contacts was super easy; I think anyone could do it without a problem. Although I do have a few tips if you are ordering glasses online:

Go into your doctor's office to get a copy of your prescription. This way you can assure that the "PD" measurement is on the Rx, a measurement you will need when you order. If you already have the prescription and the measurement is not there you can go into any optical and ask for them to take it for you, most will gladly oblige.
Have an optician look at your current frames and tell you the size of the frame. In general there are three numbers that are important, the "eyesize" the "bridge" and the "temple length". When you select glasses online try to choose frames that are similar to a pair of glasses you have worn or you have tried on. The numbers of those measurements are in millimeters, so a few millimeters difference between what you are wearing and a new frame is no big deal, but beware if you are looking at something +/- 5 millimeters or more from your current glasses.
Use the online tools such as the "size info" and "how to read your prescription" videos. These tools are very useful and can help you avoid errors.
Check your prescription THREE times- once when you enter the data, once on the confirmation page and once when you hit send. If you see any errors after you have placed the order CALL right away, as sometimes the lenses are cut quickly after your order.
Follow the recommendations for lens type if you want your glasses to look their best. If you are simply ordering glasses to slip on after your contacts lenses are out for the day than the cheap option is just fine. But if you have a -8.00 prescription and you expect to wear those glasses out of the house go with the lens that the site recommends. Trust me on this one. The cost is SO minimal compared to what you would pay at a local store it is well worth it.
If you absolutely cannot select a frame online go to a local chain and take pictures of frames you like, then try to find the closest match online.
If you order something and aren't pleased with it contact the company immediately. Coastal has a fantastic guarantee and will gladly help fix the problem, but they can't fix it if you don't tell them. If you order elsewhere read customer testimonies on an independent site before you order. I can't assure you every online optical is going to be on the up and up.

I am interested to know, have any of you out there ordered glasses online? Have you had success or issues? Send pictures if you have a super cute find, I would love to see them!!

UPrinting.com Poster Giveaway- 2 Winners

2009-05-18T01:18:00.001-05:00

If you have ever been on my gift list you might be aware of how very much I love to give personalized items as gifts. My absolute favorite gift to give is something photo related. In this house alone we have mugs, mouse pads, collages and posters that have all been made a bit more special with a great photo.

So I was thrilled when UPrinting.com offered to give 2 of my readers custom 16 x 20 printed posters.

UPrinting has a vast array of printing options for business or personal use. I love the poster option because it is an inexpensive way to make a memorable decoration for any room. Your options for a great photo poster are limited only by your imagination- so be creative or stick with a beautiful portrait of that adorable baby, child or furry friend.

To Enter

Leave a comment telling me how you would use your free poster if you win. Go hog wild with imagination since I won't actually hold you to it if you insist Aunt Millie's big toe would make a great poster.
Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link to the blog. You must also include a link to UPrinting.com in your blog post.

That's it, pretty simple huh? Entries will be accepted until 11:59 PM CST on May 26^th, 2009. Winners will be chosen by the randomizer and will have their prize shipped for free to them by UPrinting. Free shipping is valid only for U.S. and Canada winners- readers in other countries may enter to win a poster but will be responsible for the cost of shipping.

Good luck!

SparklePaw Pocket Mirror Giveaway

2009-05-17T23:07:00.000-05:00

I love etsy for gifts, particulary gifts for pet people. I can always find something perfect, handmade, unique and affordable. That is if I can keep from shoping for myself for more than 2 minutes.

One of my recenty etsy discoveries is the shop SparklePaw, appropriatley billed as "all things adorable". Adorable indeed. The shop features greeting cards, pocket mirrors and recipe cards with loveable, original animal artwork. Case in point, this dog card:

and the beaver card:

The above cards are available at the SparklePaw etsy store for just $3.50 each, or a pack of any 6 for just $18. Cuter AND cheaper than any old thing you will find at the drug store.

I also adore these recipe cards. I would love to get a stack of these filled with someone's personal best recipes (plenty of time till September kids, hint hint).

Leslie of SparklePaw has graciously agreed to give one of my readers this "you're such a hoot!" owl pocket mirror. The mirror would make a sweet little gift or a nice addition to your handbag.

Here is how you can win-

Main Entry (U.S. only please)
Visit the etsy SparklePaw shop and tell me which product or design is your favorite. This must be completed in order to receive extra entries.

Extra Entries

Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway (2 entries per day, post link please)
Follow SparklePaw on twitter (1 entry, leave your twitter ID name)
Add SparklePaw as one of your favorite sellers on etsy (2 entries- leave your etsy name)
Feature SparklePaw in an etsy treasury (TEN, count em 10 entries, leave a link)
Follow this blog (1 entry)

Good luck everyone! I will randomly select a winner on May 27th, you can enter till May 27th at 11:59 PM.

Endangered Species Day

2009-05-16T01:20:00.001-05:00

stock_xchng - Wolves (stock photo by GMDee) [id 1139851]

Did you know that May 15^th is Endangered Species Day? Started in 2006 the day is celebrated the 3^rd Friday in May as part of an effort to educate individuals about America's disappearing wildlife. Some endangered species facts to ponder:

Scientists believe there are as many as 6,500 endangered species in the U.S., although only 1,200 species are legally protected as such.
The whooping crane, gray wolf, Pacific salmon and spotted owls are just a few of the species in the U.S. that are at risk of becoming extinct.

The Endangered Species Coalition website has a host of ways you can help the cause including participating in local events, getting educated, taking simple actions at home, having your children send in their artwork , or electronically signing the Endangered Species Act Legacy Pledge.

Another wonderful way to educate kids about endangered species is to visit the Kiss My Face website for kids. The site includes free games, videos and coloring pages- a super fun FREE way to teach your kids about the importance of a diverse wildlife population. Kiss My Face also has a fantastic organic collection just for kids, featuring endangered animals on its packaging.

Stay tuned for a special Kiss My Face kids giveaway in the next few weeks!

Skinny Cow Ice Cream

2009-05-16T00:34:00.001-05:00

I love ice cream.

I'm not even sure if love is an adequate word. I have been asked by my partner "do you love me more than ice cream?". Of course I answered "yes darling", but she heard the hesitation in my voice. It was a close call.

In my own defense ice cream was love to me when I was a child. When I was seven my mom's friend came from Colorado to visit in Wisconsin, step son in tow. My sister and I convinced said step son it would be great fun to have a contest to see who could jump off a swing the farthest. He won- the jumping contest and a broken arm. At the emergency room my sister and I were given ice cream cones while we waited. I have had a certain odd fondness for emergency rooms since then. Ice cream erased any hint of trauma for me. It still does sometimes. There is no broken heart that cannot be at least temporarily numbed with a bowl of ice cream. All of this explains the girth of my bottom, I suppose.

I am wholly convinced that there will be ice cream in whatever exists for us after this life. There will be pools of frosty, calorie free, delicious ice cream that will never cause a belly ache from its overconsumption. Until I reach those glacial ice cream gates, however, there is Skinny Cow ice cream.

I am a girl who has tried every low-fat/sugar free/fakey low-cal ice cream out there. More than a few of those low calorie concoctions have assaulted my jaded taste buds on more than one occasion, but not my dear sweet Skinny Cow.

Skinny Cow is no cardboard low-cal wanna be ice cream. It IS ice cream. Tasty, satisfying ice cream like the 150 calorie vanilla/caramel ice cream cone, which even has that tasty chocolate reward at the bottom the more fattening cones have. I also love the 80 calorie Skinny Dippers and the new 100 calorie Truffle bars.

Thank you, Skinny Cow, for being so delicious and light. Thank you from the bottom of my getting-less-plump bottom.

Care4hire.com Giveaway

2009-05-13T22:38:00.001-05:00

Finding the perfect pet caretaker is a wonderful thing. Knowing that your pet is safe, well-cared for and even getting extra loving can make a world of difference whether you are away for a few hours or a few days.

Selecting the perfect caretaker for your pet, your child or an elderly relative can be a daunting task. Hiring the wrong person can be downright terrifying. So how do you go about choosing who you will trust to take care of your pet, family or household?

I took a slightly unusual route when it came to picking out care for Davey. I had left him at a daycare I was less than happy with while working part time. Since I was working part time for peanuts and paying for my crazy, high-energy puggle youngster to be entertained while I was at work I decided to kill two birds with one stone and seek a part time job in the pet care industry. I managed to find great work at local franchise of a company I really believe in, Camp Bow Wow.

Camp Bow Wow is still our first choice for dog care- I know the policies, the routine and I trust the workers because I know them. Plus they know I am a crazy pet mom, which is half the battle. Here is a picture of Dave at Camp, getting some friendly kisses from his puggle friend Roxie (pre-wedding, I swear Ruby):

If I had to choose a new sitter today I would consider using a site like Care4Hire.com. Care4Hire is a service that helps you quickly find a quality caretaker in your neighborhood.

Candi Wingate, the president of Care4Hire, started this easy to use database as a way to connect people to quality caretakers. The database contains pet care specialists, babysitters, elder caretakers, housecleaners and more. The site also provides guidance and resources such as access to online references and background checks.

You can experience a free preview of the caretakers in your area simply by entering your zip code on the site. Caretaker's information is provided immediately upon payment of $81 for a year or a onetime payment of $39 followed by a $9.99 /month fee. Service can be cancelled at any time without a penalty.

Care4Hire has graciously offered to give one of my readers a 1 month membership- a 2$9.99 value! This membership is for US AND Canadian users and will give someone plenty of time to try out the service and see how they like it.

How to Win

Tell me what type of caretaker you would look for if you win the 1 month membership (1 entry, must be done)

Extra Entries

Enter your zip code on the Care4Hire website and tell me how many caretakers you found in your area (1 entry)
Follow me on twitter and tweet about the giveaway (leave a link to your tweet, can be done 2 times/day!)
Follow my blog (link on the right, 1 entry)
Fav me on technorati (2 entries, link on the right)
Blog about the giveaway and post the link (5 entries)

Entries will be accepted until 12 AM CST Sunday May 24^th at which time a winner will be chosen randomly.

Prudence the Puggle needs a home

2009-05-05T23:26:00.001-05:00

You may have kinda figured out that I love my puggle. Davey is loving, comical, loyal and absolutely lovable. Every puggle I have met just oozes personality, a characteristic that comes with a host of challenges and a boat-load of rewards.

If I didn't already have a dog that sleeps in my bed, sits on my lap and smothers me with kisses like Prudence does I would be driving to Ohio to get her:

Prudence is looking for a new home. So if you or anyone you know in the Ohio area is looking for a great companion please find out more about this sweet girl.

I have noticed there are always plenty of every type of dog on Petfinder.com, including puggles right here in Illinois like Sapphire and Molly and puggle puppies like Cassidy. Be sure to check out Petfinder before you head to the pet store for a new puppy, you really can find anything your heart desires in a shelter.

Things Remembered Winner!

2009-05-05T01:24:00.001-05:00

Judy from Lainey's Pawtique was the big winner in our Things Remembered giveaway! Thanks everyone for entering, and congrats Judy!!

Sometimes the randomizer does pick the first entry!

Lots of Winners

2009-05-02T08:33:00.001-05:00

The randomizer has done its random thing and chosen some winners! Here they are

Lara from Cutepea's Freebies one the Eco Chic Handbag
Proving that sometimes those first entries DO win comment number 2, from 3Carnations, won the Joey totes
Cat nip filled toys from Colorado Catnip Toys will be going out to Janet from Grammy Janet's Place and cdziuba

The winners have all been notified by e-mail. Please let me know if you haven't received your notice (pestkaj@yahoo(dot)com)

Congrats everyone!

Top Ten Unusual Phrases

2009-04-29T01:46:00.001-05:00

Davey has been in our lives for just over two years now. In that time several odd phrases have crept into my vernacular. Dave usually gives me this look

when I say any of the following:

10. "Not food" usually shouted and followed by the typical "drop it"

9. "Please stop licking the wall/floor/couch/cat"

8. "Don't let the cat puke in your mouth" Yes, she has come close to doing that.

7. "Why is your poop orange/blue/purple/pink?"

6. "Leave my bra alone!"- Davey likes to parade said undergarment around the house. Trust me, that is not a phrase I have uttered often in my life before Dave.

5. "Do NOT dive in that pooh!" - ah yes, poop diving. An infrequent but happy pastime

4. "Stop growling at the homeless man"- Dave does not have sympathy for the homeless, we aren't sure why.

3. "My bosom is not a shelf"- Davey likes to drop toys, rawhides and the like on his mom-shelf. Actually, I say that to more than just Dave, come to think of it.

2. "Please stop riding your sister"- said when Dave gets in a cat chasing mood. He is faster than poor Chloe so he is often ON her while chasing her.

1. "We don't hump our friends" – most frequently said at the dog park, occasionally said to my partner when we have cute visitors.

If you have pets of your own, I am sure you have similar statements you would rather the neighbors didn't hear. Do share...

Things Remembered Mother’s Day Giveaway

2009-04-28T00:31:00.001-05:00

Have you picked up a gift for Mom yet?

You haven't?

Then this giveaway is for you!

Just in time for Mother's Day Things Remembered is debuting its new line, Charm Story. The line features affordable charms that can be personalized for any occasion. For $30 you can get mom a silver-plated charm bracelet or necklace with a starter charm of your choice. Not only is this a perfect gift for mom, but it will totally give you a jump start on a gift for the next special event.

As a proud pet mom I am partial to the Dog Bone and Heart charm, isn't it cute?

Chloe says it would go perfect beside the Wax Seal Cat charm

Of course your mom doesn't have to be a pet fanatic like me, there are lots of charms available and each one can be personalized with your own special message for just a few bucks more. Some of my favorites include the Heart Photo charm:

The Wax Seal Mom charm:
and the Secret Message charm

There really is a charm for every occasion- whether it is mom's first hole-in-one, a special trip or something just for luck. Each charm retails for $20 and can be purchased on-line or at a Things Remembered retail location. The starter set comes in a special storybook box and can even be gift wrapped.

Things Remembered has generously offered to give one reader a charm bracelet or charm necklace with a charm of the winner's choice AND selected engraving! In order to get the prize to the winner in time for Mother's Day the selected winner will have only 24 hours to claim their prize via e-mail. Here is how you can win:

Giveaway Rules
First Entry (must be completed for additional entries to count)

Tell me what you plan to get mom for Mother's Day, or what you would like to get.

For extra entries (please leave a separate comment for each entry)

Subscribe to this blog via email or an RSS reader (1 entry)
Favorite this blog on Technorati, leave your user ID (2 entries link on the right)
Follow me on Twitter and tweet, leave a link to your tweet please (1 entry per day for a tweet)
Mention this giveaway on Facebook, e-mail a friend or blog about the giveaway (2 entries per mention, leave a link if possible)
Follow the blog or tell me you do (1 entry)

Open to U.S. readers only.

I will pick a winner randomly on Monday, May 4^th at 12 noon CST and will notify them by e-mail immediately.

Stay tuned this week for many more gift ideas for Mother's Day, and a few just especially for pet moms!

Life’s Abundance Dog Food Review & Giveaway

2009-04-26T01:27:00.001-05:00

Choosing a dog food can be a daunting task. Walk into any local chain pet food store and you are bound to see several aisles of food to choose from. We picked Davey's puppy food because it was what a store employee handed us. Several years plus one nation-wide pet food scare later and we are very different pet parents.

The 2007 pet food contamination disaster left pet owners second guessing the food they lovingly feed their cats and dogs. To me it is an unimaginable nightmare that the bowl of food Davey so joyfully eats everyday could be a bowl of poison fed to him by the person who is supposed to protect him.

Dave was still eating puppy chow during the 2007 pet food recall and thankfully his was not on the recall list. When I switched him over to adult food I selected food from a handful of companies that were not on the big recall list.

In a past life I spent years working a variety of quality assurance jobs for a pharmaceutical manufacturer and during that time I learned a few things. I learned that if a company took quality control seriously only after a recall and FDA action then that company didn't take quality serious at all. I learned that bad quality control habits die hard in large companies. I wanted to feed my pets food from a company that had ALWAYS taken quality seriously, not one that was forced into doing so.

Life's Abundance is one of the few pet foods that were not on that big ugly recall list. As far as I can tell from my research, they have never had an FDA action or recall. In part that is due to the fact that Life's Abundance does not use cheap protein sources, such as the wheat gluten and rice proteins from China that contained toxic melamine. Life's Abundance uses only high quality chicken as its protein source- a significant advantage over many of the dog foods on the market. Their dog food has a number of other pluses including:

No artificial flavors or colors.
Made with a "fast-cook" process which assures maximum nutritional value.
Contains a veterinarian developed blend of vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and omega-3 fatty acids.
Strict inventory and quality controls for safety.

All this and, I'm told, it tastes great. Who told me? Why Dave of course. Here he is waiting for a Life's Abundance Wholesome Heart treat, which he gobbled up with glee:

Thanks to Lisa, a rep for Life's Abundance and owner of the blog Health Products for People & Pets, provided us with some samples. Davey got to try those delish Wholesome Heart treats, the Gourmet Dental Treats and the Premium Health Food. He whole-heartedly approves of all 3, and even searched the packages for crumbs when the samples were gone.

If you are considering switching your dog's food there is a tool on the Life's Abundance website that is super handy for comparing foods. This tool will tell you the cost of your current dog food compared to Life's Abundance as well as a side by side look at each product's ingredients.

Even if you don't feed Life's Abundance I highly recommend using this tool to see what you are feeding your dog. I also advocate searching the FDA's list of recalled foods to see if your dog food manufacture has had past recalls. Although past recalls do not indicate a problem with current food, prior FDA actions do provide insight into which companies buy their materials from cheap foreign sources.

Life's Abundance also has some wonderful supplements you might want to consider checking out. I plan to talk about them in the very near future.

Want to try out Life's Abundance? Head over and click on "dog" or "cat" to request a sample for a small shipping charge. If you end up liking the product they have a great autoship system which saves you money and trips to the pet store.

Still want more? How about a FREE bag of dog or cat food? Lisa has generously offered to supply one free bag of food to a reader.

How to Enter
The giveaway is limited to the U.S. (sorry no Hawaii or Alaska). The winners will be picked by the randomizer, but Dave will be rooting for whoever will share with him!

If you're a doggie who wins you'll receive a 3.3 pound bag of Life's Abundance Dog Food or if your a kitty who wins you'll receive a 2.2 pound bag of Life's Abundance Cat Food.

If you do not have a blogger account you may e-mail your entries to me at pestkaj(at)yahoo(dot)com, send me a facebook message or DM me on twitter.

First entry (must be done for other entries to count)

Visit http://www.feedpetshealthy.com/ and tell me which product you think your dog would like best.

Additional Entries

@health4uandpets on twitter (1 entry, leave your twitter ID)

Tweet this giveaway (1 entry per day, leave a link please)

Purchase any item from http://www.feedpetshealthy.com/ and tell me what you bought (5 entries!)

Blog about this giveaway (5 entries)

Fav Health Products for People & Pets on technorati (1 entry)

Become a friend of Health4UandPets (aka Lisa Jelinek) Facebook (1 entry)

Follow me on blogger or tell me if you already do (1 entry)

The giveaway will close on May 10th at 12 noon PST. Good luck everyone!

Freebie Friday- April 24th

2009-04-24T20:35:00.001-05:00

Just a few quick pet freebies to share. I've ordered all of these myself, so they should still be valid. Enjoy!

Petite Cuisine is offering a free can of cat food on your cat's birthday. Limit of 2 cats per household- so no fighting!
Simply Pawsome Specialty dog treats- A yummy variety of grain-free, gluten-free treats to choose from. Add your choice to the cart and proceed through checkout, no credit card info is required. You should get an order confirmation by email right away.
Pedigree Puppy Kit- I have received this in the past, they send some great coupons and every once in a while food samples show up in our mailbox!
Dogswell free bag of dog food- this offer is limited to the unemployed, but it is a great find if you need it!
Nature's Variety- a buy one get one free coupon for their raw food or kibble. An excellent value if you want to try the raw food.
Dog's Life Magazine- free print subscription. This one is older, but I believe it is still valid.

These are what I consider the best of the pet freebies. If you have any others to share let me know!

Dave and Jess

Colorado Catnip Toy Giveaway!

2009-04-24T16:30:00.000-05:00

This blog is well overdue for a giveaway for all the wonderful kitties out there. Thanks to Jana at Colorado Catnip Toys the cat lovin drought is officially over.

Jana sent over 3 wonderful, handmade toys. Chloe attacked the package as soon as I had it in the house. These days it takes something very exciting to wake Chlo from a nap, so I knew there must be some good stuff inside. Indeed there was.

I actually had to take the 2 prize toys and hide them in the cupboard. As you can see Chloe started licking her chops as soon as she got a whiff of those babies and I knew they would be toast if I didn't hide them!

Chloe likes her Colorado Catnip Toy so much I actually had a hard time getting a picture of her looking at me while the toy was near her. She was either laying on the toy or gnawing on it. After some prodding and promises of sending the dog to daycare for a "Davey free day" she cooperated:

These great catnip toys are sturdy, colorful, lovingly handmade and Chloe approved. The designs are also pre-tested by Jana's cats, including Mr Tigger who is featured at the top of the post.

Colorado Catnip Toys are available on Etsy for $3.95. Jana also makes beautiful quilts sized just right for cats or dogs and catnip mats sure to interest in the most finicky of felines.

I have 2 catnip toys to giveaway- the Miss Iris butterfly toy and great fish toy. Here is how you can win-

Giveaway Rules

Visit Colorado Catnip Toys on Etsy and tell me which toy or quilt design you like best (this must be done for extra entries to count).

NEW- if you don't have a blogger account you can send me a message on twitter or e-mail (pestkaj (at) yahoo(dot)com me for 2 entries.

Additional Entries:

Follow @coloradocatnip on twitter and leave your user name (1 entry)
Follow me http://twitter.com/pestkajon twitter and tweet about this giveaway (1 entry/day)
Add Colorado Cat Nip to your favorite sellers on etsy and leave your etsy user name (1 entry)
Follow this blog (1 entry)
Blog about this giveaway, post a link on facebook (or elsewhere) and let me know which you did (2 entries for each done)

All kitties in the US and Canada are eligible! Entries will be accepted till 12 AM CST on May 1st, so get to it!

Good luck.

Jess and Chloe

Dog Collar Winner

2009-04-24T16:21:00.000-05:00

Thanks everyone for entering to win the lighted dog collar. The entries were run through the almighty randomizer and Brooklyn, owned by Debbie from The Dog Walker CA has a great lighted collar on the way!

Congrats Brooklyn and Debbie!

Joey Totes Review and Giveaway

2009-04-23T01:09:00.001-05:00

The 39^th annual Earth Day has come and gone and my naked celebration of dancing in the garden is over. I'm kidding, of course- sheesh, I wear an organic tutu during the dance.

Really, for me Earth Day is simply a reminder to be conscious of the choices I make every other day of the year. I don't celebrate by slashing the tires of Hummers or dancing naked (as much as I might like to do both at times). While I try to live an "eco-friendly" life style, I know I am absolutely no Ed Beagly Jr. I love Diet Coke and would never consider living without some form of air conditioning. So I try to alleviate some of my air-conditioning induced guilt by changing other habits.

The one way I can honestly say I have shown improvement is in the plastic bag department. I try to always carry a reusable bag in my car or purse, and if I don't have one handy I opt to go without a bag when possible. It is a small change, but just one of many simple things I know I can do.

Over the past year I have used many a reusable bag- everything from the 99 cent Walgreens totes to the more expensive canvas bags. I have also torn and destroyed several reusable bags simply from overuse. Those flimsy (and cheap) Walgreens bags really are reusable for only so long, which sort of defeats the purpose.

So I was thrilled to discover the best reusable bags I have ever owned, Joey Totes.

Joey Totes have every single feature I could ask for in a reusable bag:

They come in 2 sizes, because you don't always need a huge bag
They have their own convenient storage bags. The bags have a pocket sewn into the liner, and the whole bag fits in the pocket for easy storage. I carry them in my purse with no problem at all.
They are sturdy- made from nylon and designed to hold up to 40lbs.
They're washable.

Joey Totes really make the one act of carrying reusable bags effortless and sensible. I have had these totes for one week and have used them at least 5 times because they are already with me in my purse.

A large Joey Tote can be purchased on their site for $8.50. You can also buy them in sets of three; 2 small 8" x 4" totes and 1 large 9.5" x 5" tote for $14 or 2 large totes and 1 small tote for $20. A bit more than the 99 cent or freebie reusable bags but totally worth it considering they promise to keep your milk and oranges off the sidewalk unlike some of the bags I have used.

If you buy a set of Joey Totes by May 31^st you can get 10% off using a very special code just for my readers. Just type in "I Like Green" (case sensitive, no quotes) in the coupon code at checkout. I personally think these would be a very sensible Mother's Day gift, and when it comes to gifts my Mom adores sensible.

Kate and Chris, the awesome owners of Joey Totes, are also offering one set of totes to my readers! So enter to snag your own set:

Giveaway Rules

First Entry
Tell me if you use reusable bags, and if you don't why. I promise not to make you feel guilty as long as you don't take away my air conditioning. This entry MUST be done for the extras to count.

Additional Entries

Become a fan of Joey Totes on Facebook (1 entry, please leave your facebook name or the initials of your name)
Vote for Joey Totes on Mom Faves (1 entry, please leave your Mom Faves user ID)
Fav my blog on technorati or tell me if you already have (1 entry, link on the right side please leave your user name)
Follow my blog (1 entry)
Follow me on twitter and tweet (once per day, please leave linky)

Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Entries will be accepted until 12 AM CST May 1^st

Calypso Studio's Earth Day Giveaway- Hurry!

2009-04-21T20:21:00.000-05:00

Calypso Studios is giving away $10,000 worth of S.H.O.P. totes in honor of Earth Day. Entries are being accepted until 12PM EST April 22nd. Each winner will recieve one of the fashionable "Acts of Kindness" totes pictured above.

Even if you don't enter sweepstakes on a regular basis, throw your name in the pool for this one, it has fantastic odds. If you win not only will you be carrying the same tote given to stars in the Academy Awards swag bag, you will be taking a step toward reducing your use of plastic bags. Each reusable bag you put into use has the potential to reduce your plastic bag use by an average of 1000 bags!

Be sure to enter HERE before noon EST!

The Emancipation Network- with a handbag giveaway!

2009-04-20T23:51:00.001-05:00

The United Nations Office on Crime and Drugs estimates that 27 million human beings are victims of some form of slavery, forced prostitution or similar exploitation. Approximately half of these people are under the age of 18.

Let that number sink in a bit

27 million

That is more than the population of Chicago, Los Angeles and New York combined. These victims, mostly women, are treated as commodities- 800,000 of them recruited, tricked or trapped like animals and taken from their own countries. It is a way of life the average American could never even fathom. Slavery and forced prostitution are so distant to most of us that there is no face or name to the numbers. And I suspect many in this world prefer it that way.

I'll admit that I hate reading statistics like the one above. It makes me sick to my stomach, leaves me feeling helpless. How can human beings be so cruel and evil to one another?But I try not to suppress those feelings because I believe that ignoring the ugliness in this world leads only to inaction, passivity. I never want it to be said that I did nothing.

Being just one person with limited resources restricts what I can do, and I never feel I do enough. So I am thankful for people like Sarah Symons and John Berger. Symons and Berger are the founders of The Emancipation Network (T.E.N.), a non-profit organization that fights human trafficking through "empowerment, education and hope". The Network provides funds for victims through products made by the survivors. This is an incredible program that genuinely strives to give victims a voice.

In order to help get the word out about the important work being done across the globe, T.E.N. has generously provided one of their "eco-chic handbags" in blue as a giveaway for my readers.

A high-quality, handcrafted bag with a hip earth-friendly edge, these handbags are made from reclaimed plastic bags. So not only is this item benefiting a victim of human trafficking, it is also eco-friendly.

T.E.N. not only does handbags but clothing, beautiful jewelry, home décor and gifts. If you are looking for a unique Mother's Day gift T.E.N. is absolutely worth checking out. Don't forget to head back here and enter my giveaway when you are done shopping!

Giveaway Rules
To win this adorable bag you will have to do just a bit of work. Please be sure to follow the first step closely in order for additional entries to count.

First Entry- Visit the T.E.N. website and tell me one thing you have learned from the site. It could be a product you love or some new information, just show me you have made a good faith effort to check the site out.

Additional Entries

Tweet this giveaway and post a link to your tweet (one entry per day)
Follow @KatherineforTEN on twitter and leave your twitter name (one entry)
Blog about T.E.N., T.E.N. products or something you have learned about human trafficking (5 entries)
Purchase any product from T.E.N. or make a donation of any amount, tell me which you did (5 entries for each done)

The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada. Entries will be accepted until 12 AM CST, April 30^th to allow enough time to get this out to you for Mother's Day.

Best of luck!

Jessica

Earth Day Features

2009-04-20T20:30:00.001-05:00

Image courtesy of sxc.hu user flaivoloka

Earth Day 2009, the 39^th annual celebration of environmental consciousness, is this Wednesday. In honor of the little blue and green orb we call home I will be featuring products and giveaways which are all about the Mother Earth lovin'.

You don't have to be an extra-crunchy granola guy or gal to celebrate Earth Day. Purchasing products and services with a respect for the environment and social consciousness is a huge way to have a positive impact on the world around you I like to see shopping as a form of activism, now if only the IRS did the same and let me deduct my shoes and jewelry as charity.

So stay tuned for eco-happy giveaways, reviews and more this week.

Lighted Dog Collar Giveaway

2009-04-16T23:41:00.001-05:00

Do you like to hike with your dog? Do you go for walks at night? Do you live in the country? Do you just like pretty bright objects?

Then the lighted dog collar by PolyBrite is perfect for you!

I have one of these large collars in red to give to a reader. The collar is 22 to 26 inches, has reflective stitching and is powered by a watch battery. Here she is-

Ready to win it? Here's how:

Tell me the name of the dog this collar would be for (one entry, must be done before doing any extra entries).

U.S. and Canadian readers only please.

For extra entries (please leave a separate comment for each entry):

Subscribe to this blog via email or an RSS reader- 1 entry
Favorite this blog on Technorati, leave your user ID- 2 entries
Follow me on Twitter and tweet, leave a link to your tweet please- 1 entry per day for a tweet
Mention this giveaway on Facebook, linky please- 1 entry
Follow the blog- 1 entry

I will pick a winner Wed, April 22^nd at 12 AM CST.

Good luck!

Spring Clean Up Giveaway

2009-04-16T22:33:00.000-05:00

Spot Organics is hosting a fantastic giveaway for over $70 in eco-friendly dog grooming products.

I am all about the eco-friendly, and poor Davey is a dirty mess that needs frequent bathing. So I am all over this giveaway.

If you have a dirty mutt like me, you should be too!

http://spotorganics.wordpress.com/2009/04/03/spring-clean-up-giveaway/

Good Luck everyone.

Meet Chloe

2009-04-14T22:35:00.000-05:00

This post is long overdue. Chloe would probably tell you the whole blog should be about her. But if it was she would only care about it when she wanted to, and you could all suck it if you didn't like it. Because that is how Chloe is.

Now before you declare Chlo mean and nasty, let me explain. Chloe is a cat. Not just any cat, she is THE cat. The only cat that we will ever have if she has her way.

And as a cat she has sworn to uphold some basic cat rules:

Be affectionate only when you want to, and feel free to bite the hand that pets you the second you stop feeling affectionate.

Feel free to wake your human anytime, day or night for the above affection. You say your humans don't wake easily? Do as Chlo and howl, jam your body through the teeny tiny spaces in the window blinds, flick your tail across their face or simply ram your head into any exposed part of their body.

Any container of water placed in the house if yours for the drinking, or knocking over if you prefer.

Actually, everything in the house is yours- feel free to treat it as such. Also, no area is off limits to you. Demand your human give you access to any closed room or closet. How dare they try to use the bathroom alone.

Never feel obligated to catch a mouse or kill a bug. But be sure to watch with bemusement if you owner runs around screaming in an attempt to do either.

A laptop, newspaper, paperwork or books laid out in front of your human are there for you to sit on. Do this as often as possible.

Dogs are on this earth for you to tease and hiss at. They serve no other purpose.

Oranges are poison. Run when one is peeled.

Does the chair has a pillow you don't like on it? Do the bedsheets need washing? Do you hate Dad's Adidas flip flops? Puke on them, works for Chloe.

So I forgive Miss Chloe what might seem like rudeness since she is just following those cat rules. Plus she is the softest, snuggliest creature alive (when she wants to be).

And once she even sat on my lap while Davey was on it. Just the once. But don't tell the cat authorities, she would so be out of the club.

Treat Winners!

2009-04-14T22:28:00.000-05:00

Thank you everyone for entering, I love the enthusiasm of the dog community so much! I wish I could send all of your sweet furry ones treats. But since that puggle of mine can eat ten times his weight in cookies, I let the randomizer pick 2 of you-

CONGRATS to Bruschi the puggle from All About Bruschi and Corrin from Oh Hey, What's Up.

I sent you both messages but if for some reason they got lost in the shuffle, feel free to drop me a note (pestkaj(at)yahoo.com).

I have lots of giveawways headed your way for fantastic stuff, so don't stray too far!

Enter to Win a Healthy Cookbook!

2009-04-08T21:52:00.001-05:00

I am perpetually in search of recipes that are good for us. I love food and I hate sacrificing taste and quality. Plus sugar is one of my great loves.

So say the name "Sara Lee" and my sugar-loving cells pay attention. Otherwise I might have skipped right past this healthy endeavor- WomenHeart's ALL HEART Family Cookbook.
Ok so it isn't the most mouth-watering name for a cookbook, but when you slap the Sara Lee name on that baby I am all in.

Couple that with the word "giveaway" and I salivate.

Now here is the important stuff, the point of getting my (and your) attention:

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States. Sara Lee Fresh Bakery knows the first step to a healthy heart is maintaining a healthy weight and getting the nutrition women need in order to live a strong life and care for their families.
Sara Lee is partnering with The Heart Truth Campaign to raise awareness of heart disease among women and encourage them to make heart healthy food choices every day. One of the best things a mom can do for her family is to take care of herself!
To support the campaign, Sara Lee Fresh Bakery is offering heart healthy sandwich recipes in the WomenHeart's ALL HEART Family Cookbook and will contribute one dollar for every cookbook ordered up to $35,000 to the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease.

You can enter to win one of 2 All Heart Family Cookbooks by filling out THIS form. If you don't win a cookbook you can get one by sending 6 UPCs from any Sara Lee Healthy & Delightful products along with this form and $3.95 S&H.

Learn more about the signs of heart disease from my recent article, or head to the Sara Lee Red Dress website.

Fabulous Dog Treat Giveaway!

2009-04-03T00:28:00.001-05:00

I discovered Lainey's Pawtique, an adorable shop for all things canine, just last month. It seems the Pawtique's namesake, Ms. Lainey herself, looks adorably similar to my very own sass-butt puggle. I quickly fell in long-distance love with that sweet little Lainey, how could I not when she looks so like Dave?

See the resemblance?

Well as it turns out, Ms Lainey has Davey's dream job, she is one of two head taste-testers for the homemade dog treats featured at Lainey's Pawtique. Seriously, that is Davey's dream job. He eats in his sleep; he is sleep chewing this very moment.

Here are the envy of every dog in the Chicago area, Lainey and her sister Chloe:

Davey did have the distinct privilege of trying out a slew of treats from Lainey last week, including Milk & Blueberry cookies, Crispy Apple cookies (Davey's absolute favorite), Pumpkin Pie bread, Rawhide Sprinkles, Apple Pupcakes, Chocolate Coconut cookies and Easter Rainbow cookies. Dave is one mighty spoiled (and happy) puggle! We don't want to make you too jealous, but here he is enjoying a yummers Milk & Blueberry cookie:

And a Rawhide Sprinkle:

Dave LOVED every single treat he tried. I got him to do things so enthusiastically when I mentioned that he could have a "Lainey Cookie". For example, we took some on walks and Dave's normal wild-man howling when he sees another dog quickly disappeared when I pulled out a miraculous Lainey cookie!

Those of you who know Dave are aware of how much he loves food in general. But there are a few things I love about the treats from Lainey's Pawtique.

First of all they are made from all human-grade ingredients, something you simply can't find at the store.
You can smell and see the wholesome ingredients used- things like blueberries and apples. And yes, I tasted one... not bad, but don't ask me to potty outside for one.
Every every recipe is lovingly altered and enthusiastically tested in Lainey's own kitchen- so you know it is going to be well received by your dog, not to mention healthier than an dull ole milkbone.
The size of the cookie treats are perfect for putting in a kong. They don't get stuck and they aren't messy- I love that!
Every shipment is adorably packaged and made fresh when you order. How fantastic is that?
A portion of proceeds from every sale is donated to a dog or human cancer charity.

So, now that all you doggies out there are all salivating let me tell you the wonderful news! I have TWO yes TWO great packages of treats to giveaway. The First prize winner will get an amazing Lainey's Cookie Bucket filled with an assortment of tons of cookies! Plus a package of Rawhide Sprinkles! This prize, worth $24, is courtesy of Lainey herself.

I'm also giving away a second prize of THREE bags of Lainey's cookies to one lucky dog out there. Here is a teaser of what you can choose from:

If you simply can't wait to win, stop by Lainey's Pawtique at her website or her etsy shop and pick up some home-baked lovin for your pup. Currently if you buy 2 bags of cookies you get the 3^rd one free on Etsy, a great deal if you ask me. Items start at 4 bucks! Plus there are a ton of other cute items for your canine and feline friends.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway! There are lots of ways to enter and I am so excited to send these out because I know your dog will love them.
How to Enter
The giveaway is limited to the U.S. and Canada only. The winners will be picked by the randomizer, but Dave will be rooting for the puggles!

If you do not have a blogger account you may e-mail your entries to me at pestkaj(at)yahoo(dot)com or send me a facebook message.

First entry (must be done for other entries to count)- Visit Lainey's etsy shop and tell me which treat you think your dog would like best. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5236245

Additional Entries: please make one post for each additional entry

Follow @laineyspawtique on twitter (1 entry)

Tweet this giveaway (1 entry per day)

Purchase any item from Lainey's Pawtique (5 entries!)

Blog about this giveaway (3 entries)

Fave this blog on technorati – linky on the sidebar(1 entry)

Become a fan of Lainey's Pawtique on Facebook (1 entry)

Follow me on blogger or subscribe via e-mail (1 entry)

The giveaway will close April 13^th at 12 AM CST. Good luck everyone!

Win a website, blog or boutique make-over

2009-04-01T21:25:00.000-05:00

Although I currently have an amazing artist working with my on a blog makeover, I could certainly use all the help I can get when it comes to this techy blog stuff. If you struggle like I do with the crazy jargon and such I highly recommend you head over to Mom Blogs at MomDot.

They currently have a great giveaway to won a blog, website or boutique makeover...plus they always have tons of giveaways, articles and fantastic advice. Good luck!

Flushable Dog Waste Bags by PetHabitats

2009-03-31T16:42:00.001-05:00

It's a topic no one really wants to discuss, but every dog owner must deal with daily- pooh. I don't mean the cute bear named Winnie either. Whether you are a city dweller who takes Fido for multiple walks a day or a suburbanite with a spacious back yard you know that eventually, all things (even socks, tennis ball pieces and earplugs) come to pass. And if it passes through your dog chances are you will be the one scooping up, picking up, stepping in it- or facing your neighbor's wrath.

I know many take the economically approach to dog waste and use plastic bags from the grocery store. This is, however, the least environmentally friendly option we have. Here are some statistics from Reusablebags.com and pethabitats.com about dog waste and the standard plastic bags we use:

500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year.

Plastic bags, made from non-renewable petroleum based chemicals, do not biodegrade but rather break down into small pieces that can contaminate soil and water.

A plastic bag filled with dog waste and tossed into the trash will eventually end up in a landfill, where the waste can also contaminate soil and water. In fact, pet waste is THE major source of bacterial watershed pollution in U.S. cities.

Flushing dog waste is the most environmentally sound way to handle waste, as it allows for the waste to be treated in the same way human waste is handled.

When I first learned about flushable dog waste bags I was a little skeptical. I worried they would melt in my hand, or clog my pipes. I figured it was better to toss waste in the trash. I thought my biodegradable dog waste bags were earth-friendly enough. After using flushable bags and doing a bit of reading I have completely changed my opinion.

Meet Flusheze

Although biodegradable dog bags are a better option than standard bags, the waste still goes in the trash, and ultimately our soil and water. After learning all of this I pleased to find and try Flusheze bags from PetHabitats. These bags didn't leak, they are sturdy and didn't tear like many of the biodegradable bags and I had no issues with my pipes. I do recommend you follow instructions and be sure to roll as much air out of the bag as possible, since air floats and makes for one buoyant little poop bag!

A 60 count supply of bags runs $12.95, which is for most dog owners a month or two supply. For me the cost is well worth the convenience of being able to flush the waste and the assurance of being just that much greener with something I use every day.

You can try the bags out before you buy. Just send a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) to: A to Pethabitats Inc. - 565 Striped Moss St. - Roseville, CA 95678. They also have a free shipping special located on their website at http://www.pethabitats.com/specials/

Have a great eco-friendly option you use for pet waste? I would love to hear about it…

Yo-plait Winners!

2009-03-31T16:37:00.000-05:00

Thanks everyone for entering this giveaway! The winers of the yo-plait pack are:

Valerie2350
Rebecca from Copper Brick Road
Bettycd

It was great to hear how many of you use probiotics in your lives.
I will be contacting the winners shortly! Congratulations everyone.

A Quick Note About Reviews

2009-03-26T08:04:00.001-05:00

I never take payment for reviews. Products? Heck yeah I'll take stuff, but not payment.

That isn't to say I can't be bought...just that I haven't yet.

Winner Alert!

2009-03-23T08:50:00.001-05:00

The randomizer has spoken and the winners of the Flip Notes are…..

Rebekah S and Liza767

Congrats!! And thanks everyone for entering.

I have sent you both an e-mail to get your info. If you haven't received it please let me know.

Yummy Yo-Plus Giveaway

2009-03-23T08:26:00.001-05:00

There is something people who know me in the real world are aware of, I am a bit eccentric. I don't eat paste for fun or have a stuffed squirrel collection or anything. I'm only a tad on the quirky side.

I blame my mother for much of this quirkiness. You see, my mom is unconventional. It took me till adulthood to realize that not every kid grew up sprinkling wheat germ on their oatmeal, rubbing vitamin E on their scraped knees and growing alfalfa sprouts in their kitchen sink. It was normal for me to eat yogurt anytime I took antibiotics or had a touch of tummy trouble. I thought everyone did this.

What my mom and other's interested in natural health knew was that yogurt contains 'good' bacteria that helps the digestive tract function properly. It is only now that the mainstream healthcare field is catching up and utilizing this important knowledge. Probiotic treatment, the consumption of certain bacteria to improve health, can help a host of digestive troubles or just assist in maintaining regularity. I personally up my yogurt intake anytime I take a course of antibiotics, to replace all the good bacteria antibiotics may have destroyed.

Now let me say this- I don't really like yogurt. I always ate it because I 'had to'. So I am constantly on the lookout for yogurt I might enjoy. Enter Yo-Plus.

I LOVED Yo-Plus, seriously loved it. The texture is fantastic, the serving size just right and the flavors are delish. I have had both the blueberry-acaci and the blackberry pomegranate and can gladly say I looked forward to eating the next container, a rarity for me.

At 110 calories per serving, more fiber than regular yogurt, 3 different types of bacteria, billions of live cultures Yo-Plus is an incredible tool to have in your health arsenal. Not only does Yo-Plus taste amazing, unlike many medications/supplements, it can be used by nearly everyone to improve digestive health.

Yoplait and My Blog Spark would like to give you the chance to try Yo-Plus and win some great goodies as well. They are giving away 3 of these great gift bags to my readers:

Each prize pack includes a coupon for a free pack of Yo-Plus, a fantastic tote, a BPA-free water bottle and a handy little notebook. Additionally you can get a coupon for $1.50 off a 4-pack of yo-plus here: Click for coupon and if you don't love it, its free.

How to Win:
Tell me if you have ever used yogurt for the pro-biotic benefits, and if it helped (one entry, must be done before doing any extra entries).
U.S. readers only please. Entries will be accepted until 11:59 PM CST, Monday, March 30^th.

NEW- If you do not wish to enter by posting, you may e-mail your answer directly to me at pestkaj(at)yahoo(dot)com and I will toss your entry into the mix.

For extra entries (please leave a separate comment for each entry):

Subscribe to this blog via an RSS reader- 1 entry
Favorite this blog on Technorati, leave your user ID- 1 entry
Follow me on Twitter and tweet, leave a link to your tweet please- 1 entry per day for a tweet
Mention this giveaway on Facebook, tell me you did so- 1 entry
Follow the blog- 1 entry

Good luck everyone! Look for a great prize pack for the doggies at the end of this week!!

Ultimate Blog Party

2009-03-20T14:42:00.000-05:00

This evening I will be sneaking a little time out for myself to attend the 5 Minutes for Mom Ultimate Blog Party. Head to the 5 Minutes for Mom site, check out the details and be sure to join me there to win some great prizes!

What prizes? Go to the site and pick out what you want, there are over 200 hundred to choose from. Good luck choosing less than a dozen, I couldn't!

Here are my top choices-

Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer from Moms Who Think
A Gift Certificate the Homegoods from HG Open House
Gift Certificate to Paperlicious from Paperlicious

I would also love to win any of the following (the first nine are in order, the rest have no order):

#19, 21, 22 $50 Gift Certificate to Target, #60 Pepsi goody tote, #15 Chic Bud Earphones, Int #23 Blog makeover, #2 Bracelet by Sydney Andrews, # 26 $30 Gift Certificate to Target, #43 Gift cert to eco Store

12, 13, 20, 30, 38, 41,42, 43, 65, 69, 72, 75, 77, 81, 82, 83, 91, 92, 97, 99, 103, 105, 109, 113, 114, 118, 120, 121, 123, INTL 33, INTL 35, INTL 36, INTL 56, INTL 57, INTL 61, INTL 65, USC 2, USC 3, USC 9, USC 11, USC 16, USC 17, USC 18, USC 26, USC 45, USC 47, USC 56, USC 57

Now hopefully in tht list I can snag at least one prize. I would be thrilled with ANY of these! Thank you to all the great sponsors.

And I also wouldn't mind snagging any of the following-

Dave Dislikes

2009-03-20T00:07:00.001-05:00

Davey is a pretty happy guy, most of the time. There are a few things that he absolutely hates. Evil, terrible things such as:

The appropriately named Dirt DEVIL vacuum cleaner

Doesn't it just ooze wickedness? You think it is just an accident that they named it after the dark lord himself? Dave thinks not. And he isn't afraid to shout it from the couch-top every single time he spots that vile machine.

The mailman

My partner says that dogs hate the mailman because their keys sound like a dog's tag. She thinks she is such a Smarty McSmarty-pants.

Dave and I know it's because they can sense the evil that is monthly bills and excessive junk mail.

Olives

One of the few foods Davey won't eat. He actually turns his head away from every form of olive. I think it is because olives are sneaky. They're a fruit but they don't taste like a fruit. That's shady.

Plus I think he distrusts the whole "olive oil is healthy" propaganda sponsored by the elite super-secret underbelly of the olive mafia. Trust me, they're out there. Dave knows.

Fight the olive mafia Dave, fight hard buddy.

Ballas Hough Band Review

2009-03-13T16:04:00.001-05:00

If you are a fan of ABC's uber-popular show Dancing with the Stars you have most certainly heard the names Mark Ballas and Derek Hough. What you might not know is that besides being professional ballroom dancers, Ballas and Hough have been writing and playing music together for a decade. This music collaboration has resulted in a newly released CD, Ballas Hough Band.

I recently had the opportunity to listen to the Ballas Hough Band's CD in its entirety, thanks to the One2One Network.

The CD, while not exactly my usual flavor, has some appeal. Nearly every song is highly "danceable"- up-tempo with catchy beats. This is. Of course, not at all surprising coming from two of America's most famous pro dancers. Track 2, "Devastated", is especially likeable with its rich string background. The 5^th track is my favorite, a slow song titled "Longing For" because in general I like my music low in sugar and on the mellow side.

Overall Ballas Hough Band is super sugar pop candy for the brain- high in energy but without a whole lot of nutritional value. The album, like much pop music today, has its fair share of cheesy lyrics. This cheese factor reaches new heights in the song "Birthday", where the band murders grammar with cringe-worthy lines like "Wanna treat you like your birthday, and give it to you your way". While I am certainly no stickler for grammar, and all about artistic expression, I could never force myself to sing along to that particular song.

Although not my speed, this album will certainly be alluring to the pre-teen/young teen Jonas Brother's loving crowd.

Think you might be interested for you or a teen in your possession? Modern technology is so nifty, you can listen to the album before you buy at http://www.ballashough.com/amazon/.

You like? The album is available for purchase on Amazon for $7.99.

Flip Notes Giveaway

2009-03-12T15:00:00.001-05:00

It's early in my blog life and I am sure you can already tell I am a list maker. Two of my previous posts have mentioned fancy list making devices which make me happy. So you can imagine how pleased I was when I received the lovely little lime flip notes number in the center of the picture above to try out and keep for myself!

I adore making lists. Crossing items off lists makes me giddy. Lists are like sunshine and kittens and puppy breath for me.

I have a quirk, however, an irritating quirk. I often lose my lists. So I am thrilled to have a product like flip notes.

Flip notes are the perfect hand held size for any list you might need to make on the fly. I can find them easily in my purse, they have a pen attached, the case keeps my lists from being a crumpled mess, they are super cute and best of all…I have two flip notes to give away.

The great people at flip notes by Wellspring sent me two fantastic designs to give to two lucky readers:

Wild Green

and

Argyle

At $9.99 I think these would make a great gift. If you simply can't wait to win feel free to head over to Wellspring and snag your own. And if you do win you might want to consider picking up a matching pen and flip case .

The giveaway is open to anyone in the U.S. and entries will be accepted until March 22nd, 11:59 CST. Winners will be chosen using the almighty randomizer, and notified by e-mail. Winners will have 72 hours to respond to the notification e-mail or a new winner will be selected.

How to Win:
Tell me which design you prefer if you win and if you would keep the flip notes or give them to someone (one entry, must be done before doing any extra entries).

For extra entries (please leave a separate comment for each entry):

Subscribe to this blog via an RSS reader- 1 entry

Favorite this blog on Technorati, leave your user ID- 1 entry

Follow me on Twitter and tweet, leave a link to your tweet please- 1 entry per day for a tweet

Mention this giveaway on Facebook, linky please- 1 entry

Follow the blog, or tell me if you already follow- 1 entry

Good luck and stay tuned for Yoplait and gift card giveaways in the upcoming week!

Separation Anxiety

2009-03-10T23:57:00.001-05:00

I was living wild in Vegas last week, visiting my father and doing crazy things like taking him to Office Depot and setting up his printer. While I travel Dave stays at our local Camp Bow Wow for boarding.

Anyone who has met Dave in person is quickly made aware of his little "Mommy" problem. Davey has separation anxiety, bad separation anxiety. We have managed to work through these mommy problems to some extent. I can go do small errands like getting the mail or doing the laundry without a major meltdown. I can leave him in his kennel if I go out somewhere, provided the proper kong-laden encouragement, of course.

But whoa is the individual left alone with that puggle if I walk out the door willy-nilly.

Dave wails, he screams, he howls, he cries, he whimpers and he throws himself at whatever door I have walked out of. He can be pacified with cheese most times, as long as he actually hasn't seen me leave. But once the cheese stops flowing, the vigil starts. It looks something like this:

The vigil takes place on the chair nearest the front door, and often involves an item of my clothing such as that red sweatshirt he is using for a pillow in the above picture. During the vigil there is no playing, no drinking, and no going potty. There is only napping, the occasional "woof", some whining and eating if food is offered. Not even mommy trumps food. But once that food is gone- back to the vigil.

Poor crazy guy.

For long stays where I know Dave might be extra stressed I rely on a few fantastic herbal products for just a bit of help. I often send along Beefeaters Anti-Stress Rawhide Stix or Ultra Calm Biscuits, both of which I get from Doctors Foster and Smith.

I found these products when Davey injured his leg and had to be on "bed rest", like such a thing exists for a 1 year old dog. The Stress Stix are pressed rawhide chews that contain vitamins, green tea and chamomile. I We give 2 at bed time if he is really amped up or send a few for evening treats when he boards at Camp Bow Wow. A package of 50 is 3.99 from Amazon or 4.49 from Doctors Foster and Smith online.

Davey seems to prefer the taste of the Beefeaters Rawhide Stix, although we have also had some success with Ultra Calm Biscuits, made by Doctors Foster and Smith and available at their site. The Ultra Calm Biscuits seem to be a bit stronger than the Rawhide Stix. They contain inositol and valerian, known to have sedating effects, in addition to chamomile and vitamin C. Valerian has a distinct, strong smell that picky eaters might not like.

Both products are natural and, I think, a great alternative to anxiety medications. They are short acting and Davey has never had a poor reaction to them. We even use the Anti-Stress Stix when we have company since Davey, like most puggles, is super excitable around visitors.

Looking for a mellow moment without the dope? I would love to hear if these, or similar items, have worked for your little furry ball of crazy.

Smart Shopper Review

2009-03-05T13:37:00.001-06:00

I have only 2 items on my shopping list this week.

And I owe it all to my Smart Shopper.

No, I didn't have someone I call "Smart Shopper" do my shopping for me. Although that would be fantastic. Fantasies aside, I have a Smart Shopper organizer, which I credit with helping me not forget one single thing on my grocery list this week.

I lusted after the Smart Shopper after reading about it on other blogs. Amazing as it may sound; my partner actually listened to my raving about the new tech toy and got me one for Valentine's Day. Of course the purchase just might have been motivated by my tendency to make grocery lists and then promptly lose them in the house before it was time to go to the store. Needless to say, I often forgot any number of items during my weekly grocery jaunt.

So I was ecstatic to get this little gem, whatever the motivation for purchase.

The Smart Shopper attaches magnetically to the fridge, and grocery items are added to a list by touching a button and speaking into the contraption. I have had great success with the voice recognition on the Smart Shopper, nearly every item I have commanded the Shopper to add, it has recognized. Although it responded poorly when I slipped it a hundred and commanded it to fetch my groceries for me. Moody little machine.

Do you envy my little grocery list making slave? You can get your own Smart Shopper directly from the manufacture, or from Amazon for as low as 47.91. You can also check out all the benefits of the Smart Shopper or the Smart Shopper Deluxe at the manufacture's website.

Wild Tree Foods

2009-02-24T23:05:00.001-06:00

One thing my dog and I have in common is our love of food. Thankfully, Dave has no thumbs and cannot feed himself. If he could I am convinced he would be one big torso with little legs sticking out of his sausage body. If Dave were a human the Jerry-cam would be filming him in bed while a wall was cut out of the apartment to get him out- he loves food that much. I once saw him take down a 100 pound Rhodesian ridgeback for one piece of dry food on the floor; he then ate the ridgeback's leg for dessert.

I kid, of course, but I still never trust that puggle around a sandwich. Or anything else I would like to eat myself. I am a bit more discerning than Dave when it comes to my food.

For example I only eat things off my own floor, while Davey has a strict "any floor will do" policy. I say all of this to explain why I am writing reviews of dog products beside reviews of food items. It is because those are the two most popular items I bring into the house, food and stuff for the dog.

So I am pleased to announce that the next product has been both human and canine approved by this household. It is, on the surface, a no-brainer. I with my love of cake and Dave with his love of cheese, a product like the strawberry cheesecake blend from Wildtree has a distinct advantage in our home.

I originally ordered the cheesecake blend because I was looking for a low fat/low calorie way to add flavor to dessert recipes. This product has filled that need perfectly. I went through my first bottle within a few weeks and had to order a replacement right away, plus a new flavor to try.

The wonderful thing about the Wildtree products, this product in particular, is how wholesome they are. The strawberry cheesecake blend contains just four ingredients, the top ingredient being strawberries. This shows through in the smell, taste and quality of the product.

Best of all the blends have no fat and very few calories, so I can easily use them to flavor my favorite low-fat cheesecake recipe without worrying about adding calories. I have made a wonderful cheesecake with the blend and several different versions of a light fruit dip. Dave has licked the bowl clean every single time. Well, except when I beat him to it.

I whole-heartedly recommend this great blend and am looking forward to discovering other Wildtree items. The blends can be ordered on-line through my representative Beth, or you can host a party in your own house and try the products for yourself. Despite the perks of having an in-house party, I am a poor host, so I love that the low pressure online option exists. With that said, if you do book a party- be sure to invite me, I'm an easy sell since I already love the stuff.

Wildtree cheesecake blends are $8 each and are available in four flavors- strawberry, lemon lime, raspberry and mixed berry. I can make three or four recipes out of one bottle, and to date have found nothing comparable for taste, quality or wholesomeness.

Davey Loves Fat Cat

2009-02-10T18:51:00.001-06:00

The most played with toys in our house are, without a doubt, Fat Cat toys. Dave, our 2 year old pug/beagle mix spends hours with these toys every week. Despite the slightly deceiving name Fat Cat Inc. makes toys for both dogs and cats.

For those that don't know me, let me introduce you to Dave. Here he is, happy as can be post tug/fetch play session:

Looks innocent enough, no?

No.

Dave is a destroyer. Like so many of his fellow canines he sees a stuffed toy as a challenge. A toy with stuffing is an object to be disemboweled- the consumption of the squeaker heart the ultimate prize. We long ago gave up hope that some flimsy stuffed toy could keep the beast that is Dave occupied for any length of time.

No toy is safe in the jaws of the monster. The sweet happy smile above is a ploy to lure soft little toys into those scissor teeth. In this house there are disposable toys, and then there is Fat Cat.

The geniuses at Fat Cat surely have met a fiend far worse than Davey the puggle. While Fat Cat toys are by no means indestructible, they manage to still be fun while creating minimal carnage.

The Flip-Flop Yankers are my absolute favorite Fat Cat toy. These colorful, creative characters are made of extra tough material and re-enforced with a nylon belt down the middle. Plus they have minimal stuffing (mostly in the head) so they are fun but not too messy if your furry friend has the same toy goals as Dave.

Here are the before and after of Dave's beloved Yanker, the Yanker on the left having experienced countless hours of yanking.

Although clearly deaf and flat headed, the used toy above is still very much viable, and fun. Which is really the most important thing in this house, after eating squeaker hearts, that is.

Dave has a whole collection of Fat Cat toys, including a beloved "Big Mean Kitty" from the Terrible Nasty series, a postman, a rainbow trout and an "ex-boyfriend". They have lost their middle stuffing but Dave has chosen to let most of them keep their limbs so they are all the better to flop around during tug sessions. As you can see from the pictures below the ex, aka "torso" has had some Davey-surgery and will be retired tonight.

Keep in mind, "torso" has been in service since July of 2008 and the rest of the toys were Christmas 2008 gifts. Davey gets a TON of playtime out of each one, tug being his game of choice.

Fat Cat toys are available at pet stores such as PetCo or can be ordered in packages of 3 on-line through the Fat Cat website. Individual toys are $10 to $12 for the larger toys shown above. Locally I get my Fat Cat toys from Sirius Cooks in Oak Park.

I Flippin Like

2009-02-10T00:00:00.000-06:00

The lovely people from Wellspring are giving away one of their adorable products via the equally lovely Auntie Thesis (http://auntiethesis.blogspot.com/2009/02/giveaway-flipping-over-flip-notes.html).

I have to admit, I never heard of this product before the giveaway. At first glance my list-making Virgo soul cried out for this product. The rest of me, which often misplaces said Virgo soul's lists, concurred and insisted upon the cute little Lime Blossom design featured in the center of the picture above.

Sure Auntie isn't giving away the Lime Blossom, but I have a Virgo sister, a Virgo cousin, a Virgo nephew and at least a dozen Virgo friends who are all going to covet my flip notes. So you see, I NEED to win to save myself and my lime beauty.

My Love Letter to HP VT, the perfect girl for me

2009-02-09T19:05:00.001-06:00

What could possibly be better than a notebook computer that looks like the most sumptuous clutch you ever laid your paws on? Nada. A handbag can’t do all this little beauty is capable of. And no notebook ever looked this good. Nothing you could even put in a fantastic handbag could compare.

When I first laid eyes on this amazing Vivienne Tam design it was love at first sight. Her delectable reds and violets- so delicious I could take a bite, that feminine form with curves in all the right places, the compact body, the productivity, the Intel Atom processor *swoon*. I only need the chance to pamper her like the goddess she is.

I will be such a thoughtful, caring partner. Never will I toss this angel around. No flopping her onto the bed or arm of the couch carelessly like I have done with those before her. I promise no slumming at designer knock-off websites with this upscale love. Oh and the sophisticated Vivienne Tam sheath I would wrap her in each night as she purred herself to a contented rest.

The world and its intricate web are ours to explore together, if only she were mine. She deserves to be pampered like only I can. We must be together this Valentine’s Day, my VT and I.