I posted back in January that Netflix was coming out with an instant streaming disk for the Nintendo Wii Console.

I received that Disk on Saturday and wow I am so impressed! I really questioned what the picture quality would be streaming from my Internet through the Wii, but we have watched about 5 movies since I got the disc and the all looked just fine.

They are not HD but I could care less as we own a regular DVD player any way so the movies we get aren't HD even thought our TV is.

This just makes our Netflix subscription even more valuable! I was actually contemplating getting a streaming devise just for this feature woot now I don't have to.

The only thing I cant think of that would make me happier is if there was a bigger selection of titles that you can watch on demand. Don't get me wrong they have a lot but maybe in the future having more new releases could solve the frustration that some experience. To me its not big deal to wait a bit for newer movies on my cheque but it really irks some.

So if you have a Wii and are looking for a great alternative to watching pricey movies in the theater check out Netflix. I pay 15.00 a month for 2 movies at a time and unlimited amount per month as well as unlimited streaming!

When we used to rent movies we could have easily spent that in one trip at almost 5.00 per movie! Then we had to remember to return them in a certain amount of time or be charged again! It was a pain, but thankfully I never have to do that again.

Netflix is super quick too! The turn around for me is 2 days! Send em back say Monday and have new ones by Wednesday. LOVE it you should really look into it.

Let me tell you something your Optometry office does not want you to know. Ordering your prescription eyeglasses online is just a safe as ordering them at the place where you get your eyes examined!

I know you may be leery but please please don't be skeered! I have worked in Optometry and Ophthalmology practices. I was part of a multi Physician Retina specialty practice before I had my son.

It is very important to have a refraction done by a good Optometrist, they after all have your site in their hands. Its is also extremely important to have your glasses made correctly at the lab.

I know the Optometrists usually have an optical center on site, how convenient right? Well yes and no! Take me for example. I use glasses only for time of extreme eye fatigue with computer work.

My family has good eye insurance but they only cover frames and lenses once every two years, and you are given a specific allowance. I purchased glasses that felt good when I tried them on at the tune of 150.00 after my discounts. Come to find out they hurt my head during any extended wear but because I used my insurance I am unable to return or exchange them! This stinks because you cant always tell the comfort of glasses when your try on takes oh 5 minutes at most!

Now I have a pair of glasses that have had so many adjustments made to them and they sit in their case unless I am desperate and will only need them for a short period of time.

I never really considered purchasing glasses online, I mean I figure I could go some place else and save a bit without a middle man but WOW I had no idea how much! I also never thought that returns would be easier with an online company then my Eye Doctors Optical center!

What I didn't know cost me lots of time and money! With Just Eyewear you save a boat load of cash! Your insurance never comes into play so you could order 100 pairs if you wanted to and you would never be stopped by insurance company red tape! If you were unhappy with you glasses for whatever reason you can RETURN them within 7 days of receipt for ANY REASON for exchange OR a full refund. Hows that for piece of mind!

Now let me get to the big money you save! My husband was the reviewer of the glasses since he wears his glasses daily. When he purchased his glasses in October his cost WITH insurance was $250.00!

This was for a pair of Metal Frames with Polycarbonate, and a reflective coating. We were able to get a pair of Metal Frames pretty similar to his other pair along with polycarbonate lenses but opted out of the anti reflective coating since they will be his back up pair but that is an option for only $29.00 additional.

His total was drum role please $72.95 OUT THE DOOR! Even if he added the anti reflective coat for the additional fee his total would still have been $150.00 less!!! What would you do with the savings?

The order process couldn't be any easier! You find the frames you want (the measurements are right on the same page) compare them to a pair you already own and stay within the suggested margins. Then you chose the lens type you wants along with any special coatings or tints. Next you enter your prescription information right from the prescription you have and there you go!

Do you think your doctor should pocket the difference? Is the work involved in ordering glasses worth that extra money? Gee I don't considering you can do it yourself in a matter of a half an hour! The most time spent is picking your frame because there are a ton to choose from! Everything from plastic styles to rimless!

Here are some photos of hubby can you tell which ones are from the over priced Optometry center and which are from JustEyewear? Bet you can't they look that good, and more importantly they came in just right with fit AND prescription! I will be getting a copy of my prescription so I can get a new pair, and hubby is already looking at Prescription Sunglasses!



Okay guys take a look at what they have! If you enter through the links posted here in my review you will save even more as there is a 5% savings coupon code on the homepage of ISITMONDAYALREADY. Sweet Enjoy the savings you know we have!

Ok ill let the cat out of the bag! The top photo is of the original glasses and the one beneath it is of the new glasses from JustEyewear geeze I don't know about you but I think they both look equally great! Nothing about the first pair is worth $177.00 more what do you think?


We received an allowance towards glasses, after the amount we were responsible for the remaining cost.

Have you ever visited a Carrabba's Restaurant? If not don't worry neither had I until I was asked to help spread the word about the Viaggi Del Gusto Passports that you can get your hands on!

All you need to do is head to your Nearest Carrabba's Italian Grill and pick one up, the Passport includes complimentary offers including a FREE Limocello Bread Pudding! Passports and the coupons they hold are available until 4/15/10 so hurry and pick one up now!

Now then onto the Giveaway. One lucky reader will win a $25.00 Gift Card to enjoy some Carrabba's food! Woot Who cannot appreciate delicious FREE food! All you need to do to enter is have a look at their Menu and let me know one thing you will order with your Gift Card!


I will be receiving the same $25.00 Gift so that I can enjoy some food as well!

That's it easy, but you must answer this question or your entry and any additional extra entries will be void! You do not need top be a blog owner to win, but please make sure that I have a way to contact you. This giveaway is open to the US only. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen! The Giveaway will be a bit shorter then normal as I want the winner to have a chance to get their card and Passport prior to the end date of the promotion! With that being said the giveaway will end on 4/5/10 at 8 AM MT.


WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER

Research Randomizer Results 1 Set of 1 Unique Numbers Per Set Range: From 1 to 216 -- Unsorted Job Status: Finished

Set #1: 59

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I am happy to report that the Dove RR is rolling at the moment at Walgreen's!

Buy 1 Bottle of Shampoo/conditioner/or styling aid for 4.00 get a 4.00 RR back =Free or MM if you use the 1.50/2.50 insert Q from today's paper.

BUT the best part is its rolling!!! SO take that 4.00 RR from the fist bottle and roll it into the next I paid .32 for each bottle after my first! I got a total of 7 shampoo's and 7 Conditioners. Just remember to only buy one item per transaction as that is the limit for the RR.

I say RUN now because more then likely the rolling will end in the next day or so once it catches on. Stock up now you cant beat this deal! I may get some styling products with my remaining 4.00RR when my hubby gets home and I don't have to drag along my kidlets!

Dear Sweet 8lb 6Oz baby Jesus please spare me and my pretty toes what I think may be brewing.

I love getting pedicures,and really since I quit smoking almost a year ago this is all I do just for me! A little over a week ago I decided to remove the polish from my last pedi that was done at least 2 months prior. I was wearing such a pretty grayish purple color but you could see the grow out so it was time to remove it until my next planned pedi right before out up coming Vacation.

I have had many pedicures in my life they are my refuge from a busy mommy life that I deal with most days without my husband. So there I removing my polish when I get to my big toe on my right foot.

I noticed on the inside of my nail like a white area and it was slightly raised. Hmmm thats weird I think to myself so I start to trim that nail when that area almost crumbles! WHAT? Seriously did I whack my toes or drop something on it? I am scrambling to remember any trauma but nothing comes to mind.

I proceed to cut as much of this "White area" and cut a huge chunk of the side of my nail away but there is still some there. I paint it along with the rest of my toes and try to forget and pray that is go's away so I can get a pedi as planned.

Fast forward to today I am the eternal optimist so I figure Ok lets have a look and get ready for that pedi. Wrong it was still there and peely waaaaah. Again I cut it away this time I think I got pretty much all of it but my nail is jacked up! I started google-ing toe nail fungus and other like terms and searching for pictures. Umm yuck is all I can say, this is when I almost lost it. Seriously I pride myself on my feet they are so pretty, really and I love taking care of them and pampering myself.

Im sure I could get a real DX from a doctor but I don't want to spend 20.00 to hear Yeah its fungus or umm just nail trauma. Because its not all thick and yellow its so hard to tell, also the fact that I have psoriasis too and that can mimic it. ughhhh I went and got an over the counter "anti fungal paint" from the grocery store and will try that until Tuesday where I will paint them anyway and worry about it after my vacation. But if it is fungus I will cry I just will as its hard to get rid of and can take up to 2 years to really work, and the expense! I can say one thing for sure if it is I will never have a salon Pedicure again! Nope it will be me and my foot spa at home from now on!

Please tell me I'm not alone, have any of you ever gotten this from a pedicure? Was/is it the dreaded F word?

Bumble Bee Foods rebranded its interactive health and wellness program to promote a healthy lifestyle to more people. The program, formerly BeeWell Miles, is now BeeWell for Life. Through the program website, other online communities and on-the-ground events, BeeWell for Life provides resources and tools to encourage consumers toward a healthy, active lifestyle.

Participants in BeeWell for Life who log the miles they walk, run or bike are eligible for various prizes and help make a difference for Breast Cancer Network of Strength. For each mile logged through BeeWell for Life between now and October 31, 2010, Bumble Bee will donate 15¢ per mile. When one million miles are logged, the company will make an additional $50,000 contribution, for a total donation of $200,000. Additional information about BeeWell for Life can be found in the release below.

In addition to the rebrand, this week marks the start of the “Bee at the Walk” contest on BeeWell for Life. Now through April 9th, interested participants can submit their story related to breast cancer (via a text entry, personal photograph or video) explaining why they should attend the Breast Cancer Network of Strength Mother’s Day Walk to Empower as a BeeWell for Life National Ambassador in Chicago. Users can vote for their favorite submissions and based on those votes 5 finalists will be chosen. A panel of Bumble Bee & Network of Strength judges will then make a final review of the finalists and select the winner. The grand prize will include:

· All expense paid trip for 4 to Chicago

· Meet and greet with the NOS team

· Tour of the FTD corporate location

· Bouquet of roses provided by FTD

· Flip camera (or similar video recorder) to document the experience

In addition to the grand prize trip to Chicago, entrants can also select if they would like to be entered to become a Team Captain for the remaining 12 cities. If selected as a team captain, they will be sent a branded Flip camera to record their experience at the walk.

I was not compensated in any way to post this, I have a personal connection with Breast Cancer and I want to help with a great organization by posting for awareness.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Alvin and the Chipmunks. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you're under the age of a hundred then you must know the Chipmunks! Those spunky little creature's were a part of my life as I grew up. I can still remember watching their Cartoons on TV as a Child.


I took my daughter to see the first Chipmunks film in the movie theater and I cant wait to see the Squeakquel at home!

Did you know that that Alvin and The Chipmunks The Squeakquel will be available on DVD, Blu-ray,and Digital download on May 30th 2010? This is a DVD double pack that includes the "Squeak Along" Bonus Disc, with more Music, Mayhem, and sing along BONUS!
You can buy it now.


Woo Hoo, now you can share all the mischief, and More Munk Mayhem with the Chipmunks! This movie is also where those sassy Chipettes come in. I swear I never wanted to be an animal more then when I watched the Chipmunks as a kid! Do you remember Alvin, Simon, and Theodore? Poor Dave what a guy to put up with them, especially with Alvin he is for sure the cut up err I mean brain of the trio.

Are there any episodes in particular that have lived on in your memory?

I tell you animation has come such a long way from when I was a kid. I never dreamed that one of my favorite cartoons could be transformed into the life like "Boys" they have become.

This is definitely a movie that you can feel good about sharing with your family! I cant wait to share it with mine.

I have made this with every combination of meat and veggies that I can find.Each and every time I make it I think is gets better.

I have said it and will say it again, the longer I live the South Beach way the more creative I become with my cooking.

I chose this time to use Chicken Tenderloins, and Hot Turkey Sausage by Jennie-O . You can certainly leave out the meat and just use veggies only but I like to make sure that we get a service of lean protein at dinner.


Because I have a garden I was able to use Broccoli and Cabbage that I grew myself! I had about 4 small heads of Cabbage and at least 2 cups of Broccoli! as with the protein you can use any veggie you like but Cabbage should be the bulk of it to make it filling and to get a good serving of veggies into your diet.

On South Beach you are to have a ton of vegetable per day so being creative helps.



In a large deep skillet heat about 2Tbs of EVOO

Chicken Tenderloins (one per person) cut into 1/2 pieces

one whole package Hot Turkey Italian Sausage casing removed and crumbled

1/2 onion sliced finely

1 bunch Asparagus cut into 1/2 pieces

1/2 C Radishes chopped finely

2 C. Broccoli

Soy Sauce to taste

Cayenne pepper to taste

Juice of one lemon

Cabbage I used about 2 C but you can for sure add more.

Once the oil is heated up brown your chicken and sausage together. When meat is just about done add the onions and Radishes so they can sweat and caramelize a bit.



Next add the Asparagus and any other hardy Veggie you may be using so they have time to soften, cook for 8-10 minutes with the juice of one lemon added.

Cabbage is added and the pan contents are stir fried together for 2 minutes. Cover for another 5 to soften the cabbage.


I know this will be a big hit in your home, this is a great way to use up any veggie/protein left overs you may have as well!

I love gardening! It can be frustrating at times though between insect infestation and relentless heat.

There is just something that relaxes me to the core when I go out and tend to my plants. I am so hoping this year that my veggies do better then last! I had a heck of a year with leaf cutter Beatles, and the incredible heat and drought!

The year before last was a great one I had crops all through out the summer but last I couldn't even get anything to make a recipe with it was awful.

I have been thinking about what to plant. I know for sure we will have peppers Jalapenos to be exact. Tomatoes for sure, but what else? Cucumbers are cool but again last year one day they were thriving and the next the shriveled into nothing. Hmmm I guess Ill see what the nurseries have. I don't start my plants from seed, I tried once but when they sprouted the cats ate some and the rest dies once planted it was very sad.

I was thinking of trying some sort of bean like pole or green beans but I don't know how well they would do, Eggplant grows very well maybe Ill get one!

We have decided to get some of that sun tarp to place over the garden this year to try and deflect some of that killer sun!

I pulled my Cabbage the other day and only got a few small heads the rest never formed. I pulled the 3 year old Artichoke it was covered in tiny bugs and it had seen its day. My leaf lettuce went away too, I was so over eating it! The Broccoli remains until it stops producing because we eat a ton of it.

Do you garden? If so what do you grow?

just a quick post for a very mentionable freebie!

Free Geo Trax DVD- Samuel and Steamer Save The Day

Click on the "select a country" tab to get to the correct order form!

Copy and pasted to help a fellow blogging mamma's baby Cousin! Please do the same to create awareness!

If you’ve been here at all, you will know that my sweet infant cousin, Penelope was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. She has spent the last 3 weeks in Rady Children’s Hospital here in San Diego. She has a private insurance policy that will only cover 60% of her very expensive treatments.

This weekend, we are having a fund raising auction.

Please visit Pennies4Penny.com beginning Friday morning (6am) to have your chance to bid and win on some amazing products. The outpouring of love and support for this little girl has just been amazing. We have secured donations from over 30 companies and individuals. Several of these sponsors have donated more than one item!

For future reference, these are the auction terms (they will also be posted on each individual auction item):

Pennies 4 Penny is in the process of securing a non-profit tax ID number. So when you win a bid, you will be able to deduct it on your taxes. You’ll be getting some awesome deals and donating to a wonderful, feel-good, warm and fuzzy cause:

Penelope

Seriously, how can you ignore that face??

So please stop by this weekend and have a good time out-bidding your friends, all while helping this little angel beat her cancer!

Meanwhile…there are a few other awesome people out there organizing some fund raisers for Penny. If you are able, please check them out:

Elle from Somewhere Between Sex and The City & Elmo’s World is organizing an online virtual bake sale. Please visit her site for details if you are interested in buying some goodies or donating your baking talents to our cause.

The Queen Bee Market is being held on May 1st. It’s a “hip, modern, and fresh handmade art and gift show” taking place in Carlsbad, CA. This year they will have buckets placed around the market where you can leave your “pennies for penny.”

Mandy Campbell is a cousin of Penny’s dad, Aaron. She has created T-Shirts for Penny’s cause and you can order them right from her website, Campbell Family Party of 3. All the proceeds will go directly to Penny’s medical fund.

Please!!! Take this post and email it to your friends, tweet it, copy and re-post on your own blog. You have permission. As long as it brings awareness and support for this beautiful little girl.

Thank you

If you have read my blog before today then you have been witness to some of our home improvement projects.

It seems as though the minute you think you are done another honey do comes up. I do pay it off every month now, but we always have a balance on our Home Depot credit card because of this!

The project we will be handling once we come back from vacation is replacing one of our doors.

My husband thinks he is the jack of all trades but really a master of none! Hah the year before last during a fit of frustration and anger while doing our irrigation for the back yard he broke the laundry room/carport door. We have a low hanging iridescent like fixture that never allowed the door to open all the way without catching it. Yeah do see where this is going?

He grabbed the Door Handles while he was angry and yanked it which caused the top of the door to get caught up in the fixture and crack in half! It has been duck taped shut since and I'm done. Its been such a pain to walk completely around the house with packages rather then use the door that is right under my carport!

I think after that we may look into replacing our Sliding door the previous owners did replace it but it is not sealed or installed correctly. When the wind blows outside the window coverings inside move too, that is never a good sign! I am sure the jobs will just keep coming as our home is pushing 50 years old and god knows with the housing market in Arizona we will be here forever since we just cant morally walk away like so many are.

What improvements have you made? Were any easier and less expensive then others?

Yes my post earlier this week was on the benefit of requesting freebies and you know I love to share so some weeks there may be more then one post dedicated to them. Some freebies are so quick to die so you need to pounce when you can.

Free pack of Stride Gum from Facebook after fanning click on the Mystery tab and fill out the registration you will receive a free pack in 4-6 weeks

Free travel size bottle of pssst Instant shampoo from Freeman

Free sample of Hush Time out treatment (hair Product)

Free Coupon for a box of BetterOats oatmeal


Enjoy!

That is a motto I love to throw around because I really feel like its true. Lord knows I am not the best parent in the world, I know this but I am not horrible either.

I think when you have kids you need to realize that they pay attention to what you do more then you think.

You are in fact your child(children's) role models until they figure out just how uncool you are and find a shiny new and improved role model hah.

We had a family fun day on Sunday. Hubby the kids, my brother, sister in law and I hung out for a while with the kids at Chuck E Cheeses before we went to Fuddruckers for adult food and fun.

Anyway I was the one left sitting at the table with our belongings and food while the rest of the gang played in the incredibly loud, headache inducing adult torture area that is Chuck e cheeses.

You know the place where a kids can be a kid (loud, obnoxious and run around like a freaking maniac) yeah that place.

So I'm sitting there people watching and I see a child playing the game that encourages pouring mass amounts of tokens into it in hopes of pushing some off a ledge with a moving sweeper. There is the kids acting like a good child playing as it is intended when the child's mother comes over and starts hitting and pushing on the machine!

Um are you a five year old throwing a temper tantrum? What was that all about? This then prompts the same behavior from the child!

I admit it I stared with a dear in the headlights kind of look to get them to realize umm yeah we can see you. This really irked me because when you do things like that in a public place my child can see this just as well as yours.

I have always preached honesty, and accountability from my family. You should never do something that you are afraid to admit! We all make mistakes we are human but if you are honest those mistakes go away faster and you don't have as much regret.

I really do think that cheaters never win as the great equalizer Karma comes back and will eventually bite you in the butt, but even though a ton of people don't agree with that its cool but for goodness sake try to act older then your child and set an example.

My son has finally gotten to the point in his toddler years where (thank god for my sanity) he can stay interested in the alternative baby sitter (the TV)

Ok mommy's don't go all psycho on me, we all need a break every now and again! I am alone MOST days with my children as my husband works in transportation and is out of town most weeks more then he is in town. My son is on a waiting list for a great Christian pre-school but until an opening occurs its him and I EVERY day.

I have been a good dedicated mommy for 2.5 years now, but I need quiet time too, even just a few minutes at a time to make a phone call, or to go outside and check the mail.

Anyway as I said he has started to show interest in a few cartoons Sponge Bob Square Pants, Mickey Mouse Club House.

Here is my issue his favorite is Chugginton he loves trains as his daddy drives one, BUT Disney Channel why on goods green earth would you air even a great cartoon/animated show like Chuggington if parents cant by ANY merchandise? I started a search for DVD's because we have out vacation coming up in 2 weeks.

We will be in the car for a minimum of 6 hours each way as we drive back and forth the California. I was hoping to get at least one Chuggington DVD to keep him happy.

Wrong! Even thought they air on AMERICAN Disney Channel it is from the UK and there have not been any DVD's release in the US or in US format. FAIL you know how kids are ruthless in their extortion of parents in getting movies, Posters, toys, ANYTHING with their favorite TV characters.

Sadly I have to try to explain to a toddler that I cant get him anything with Chugginton on it, and when he crys for "shugginton" all I can say is its not on(100 times or more) instead of being able to pull out a DVD and make him smile.

It has been a while since I posted any site that regularly have samples or coupons and with times being tough for us all I wanted to touch on this again.

Free samples are an awesome way to stretch your dollars! The samples that most companies send out are at least as big as those travel size containers that stores charge $1.00 or more for!

With my families vacation coming up in a little over two weeks and the need to pack for us all, the free samples I have received really come in handy. Not only do I save money it saves on waste and space well.

A family of four traveling for any amount of time can appreciate space as its a commodity!

Not only do free product samples save you money, they are a great way to try out products to see if you like them before spending your money! This is huge for me because before samples I would waste so much money on products that I hated after one use! Now I try them before I buy them and I have been turned onto great brands and products this way.

Here are some great places to get your free samples fix.

Join FreeFlys and get Free Samples of NAME-BRAND PRODUCTS! Click Here

CoolSavings Click Here


Baby FREE stuff! Click Here

Baby on the way? Get free baby samples and coupons. Click Here


Now onto Coupons, what a great way to save the dough. I have been using coupons for years and actually get a kick out of the amount of money I save. To me its a challenge to see just how much I can save per shopping trip. Weekly inserts are a great way to get coupons, but in reality they aren't free unless you get them without the cost of a paper say from friends and neighbors. I am lucky to get my neighbors and my moms so I can usually count on 3 copies per week.

I do think though if stores in your area accept Internet coupons they are a great way to get extra copies as a ton of the coupons that appear in print are available online as well. These are free to print and can save you tons! Here are some great places to get a wide variety of coupons.

Free Local Grocery Store Coupons Click Here

Red Plum - Free printable grocery coupons. Click Here

Make yourself a challenge say 6 months try using coupons and requesting samples and see how much you can save. I can tell you that if are diligent you can save a nice chuck of change! I still to this day am disappointed that I didn't get into coupon use more seriously sooner I could have saved a boat load.

I am writing this post to help the cousin of a blogging pal Rhea.


The purpose of my posts as well as the posts of every other blogger that will be written on Pennies4Penny is to create awareness.




We would like to spread awareness of a sweet little 11 month old baby girl named Penny who is battling stage 4 Neuroblastoma.

This poor baby and her family have a road ahead of them and un imaginable expenses in her treatment as her insurance company will only pay 60% of the cost of treatment.

The goal is to get this families story to local media who may be able to help them.

If you are on twitter please follow Pennies4Penny and tweet using the hastag #pennies4penny you never know who is watching your tweets! I am sure any help this family receives will take a great weight off their shoulders.

Paper towel are one of those things that may not be the greenest of things to use but I will not give them up.




I already spend a great deal of my time doing necessary laundry, I do not want to spend more time washing cleaning rags!

There are oh I don't know about a million brand choices in paper towels right? So what makes a good one?

For me the towels need to be absorbent,durable,soft (you never know when they will have to clean up a crusty kids LOL)

Viva offers all that I need and WANT in a paper towel.

The texture is so soft, much softer then that of its competitors,Durable oh yes I can rinse out the same section and use it more then a few times, absorbent you bet! There are even rolls that have smaller sections so you can Choose-A-Size for the size job you have


I know you have a lot of choice in your paper products but if you haven't tried Viva then you really cant understand the difference. Give a roll a try.

The longer I am enjoying the South Beach way of life the more I am trying to find recipes and modify recipes to suit my needs. I have come up with some delish recipes that I have shared with you, but not a "real" Dessert.

What do I mean by "real"? There are a ton of recipes out there for South Beach that have beans as the base ingredient. They will do occasionally for my husband but not I. I am all about texture and I can feel the difference in my mouth for sure with baked goods!

Here is my take on a good ol fashion cakey semi Fudgy Brownie, the only difference is mine is Low Fat, Free from added Sugar and uses Whole Wheat Flour a much healthier brownie. Don't eat the whole pan share them!

According to my husband they are the bomb, hahahah I would have to say they are pretty stinkin good. So much better then Bean Brownies! they are plenty sweet, you may even cut down some of the splenda for your individual taste.

Ingredients

1 Tbs Margarine ( I used I cant believe its not butter)

1/2 C. Cocoa Powder (no sugar added plain for baking)

1 Scant C. Granulated Splenda

1 egg

3/4 C. No sugar added Apple Sauce

2 tsp Vanilla Extract

1/2 C. Whole Wheat Flour

1/4 tsp Baking Soda

1/4 tsp Salt


**Optional **
Mini Semi Sweet chip

1/4 C. Pecans, or Walnuts


Directions
Preheat your oven to 350

Spray 8inch square baking pan with coking spray ( I use Pam Olive oil) then dust with a bit of Whole Wheat flour to prevent sticking.

In a small pan melt the margarine on low heat, once melted remove from heat and stir in Cocoa, Splenda, egg, Applesauce,and vanilla.

Beat the above ingredients until smooth, then add flour,Baking Soda, and salt, and any optional mix ins you prefer until well combined.

At this point your batter will have almost a mouse consistency

Pour into your prepared dish and lightly even out to all corner.

Bake 22-25 Minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean

Cut into 16 squares and enjoy!

yes I admit it I have been on pre-vacation space out. I just have been so worried that I will forget something essential because you know the kids and the husbands only job is to show up.

Because I am on vacation already mentally I thought it would be helpful for not only me but you too if I were to write up a preparation list that may apply to your travel planning as well.


The first is to pick a destination and get your travel arrangements in order LOL after that I think that it helps anyone to have a running list of must do's before you leave. Its very easy to overlook even the most obvious of tasks can be forgotten.

This list will start with the tasks that can be done well in advance and will end with those that should be done right before leaving

Save cash, Pretty self explanatory right? Well not for everyone! Try to save up as much cash as you will need for your time out of town. I know that can be difficult but do you really want to pay interest on your vacation? I don't! Try to pay off your lodging prior to leaving as well. I would most certainly take a credit card with you for anything that may come up or just for peace of mind but don't be tempted to put expenses on it, its amazing how much you can rack up when you use a credit card, Cash makes you really evaluate your spending.

Look up your destination on more then one travel site, prices can be dramatically different from site to site. Never assume they are the same that will cost you money. Don't be a Hotel Snob. I don't mean stay at the roach motel but check into more chains and private hotels you never know what kinds of super deals you can find.

Don't forget to use mypoints, Bing cash back or any other shopping site that rewards you for shopping, yeah travel counts!

Research your destination for free local attractions as well as online coupons. We are going to San Diego and I was able to find a coupon that entitles us to 6.00 off each ticket to Seaworld. If I had not been searching for Discount coupon codes, or online coupon codes I would have never found it.

Ok once you get the place booked and money saved you can get to the stuff that has to happen before you leave.

If you have pets you should look at boarding as soon as you make travel arrangements. Kennels book fast the last thing you want is to have to change your vacation because your kennel is full.

Ok pets booked? Dont forget the vet appointment for shots.

Now that your pets are handled, ask a neighbor to take in your mail and keep and eye on you house. You want to make sure there is no extra temptation to to watch you house!

Done with the above? Next if you are unfamiliar with your travel destination I suggest mapping out your travels. How do you get there? What are the directions to the attractions that you will be visiting? If you map them now you will save a ton of time and aggravation.

Now comes the waiting game. I suggest at least starting your packing about a week prior. That will give you enough time to make sure you have enough clean clothes, shoes for everyone.

Once your clothes are packed move onto your necessities

Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Shampoo/conditioner
Lotion/Sunscreen
razor
cosmetics
soap/bodywash
Diapers/training pants/wipes(if needed)
perfume/cologne

In addition to the above I always carry basic OTC medicines and a thermometer with me. There is nothing worse then being on the road or away from home and getting ill! Basics like Pain reliever/ fever reducer , cough drops, cold meds can work mean the difference between a bad trip and a good one.

Gear, yes you know the Bed Rail for your toddler, Stroller (I get to review a new one, and give one away too!) Diaper bag etc.

Once your bags are done, time to think road trip comfort. Pillows and a blanket are a must when traveling with kids! Cranky tired kids quiet easily when they can lay their heads on pillows and conk out.

Activities for the kids, coloring books, crayons, Video games, even a portable DVD player! If you think 6 hours on the car is long it feels like 12 to kids and to parents of board kids.

Snacks, yes packing some food can cut down on it stops as well. Drinks and munchies are a much.

Toilet paper hah yeah self explanatory.


Ok are you done? Nope one last thing make a list of emergency numbers for your neighbor.

The day you leave make sure all lights are off, water off (If you are leaving for a long while you might turn off to the house just to be on the safe side) make sure doors and windows are locked.

Have a safe and fun trip!

I dont often share emails I get because in reality most are super lame, but this one had me rolling cause its so funny and true. If you are in the 30-40ish parent crowd you will get this!

And I remember promising myself that when I grew up, there was no way in hell I was going to lay a bunch of crap like that on my kids about how hard I had it and how easy they've got it!

But now that... I'm over the ripe old age of thirty, I can't help but look around and notice the youth of today.

You've got it so easy! I mean, compared to my childhood, you live in a damn Utopia!

And I hate to say it, but you kids today, you don't know how good you've got it!

I mean, when I was a kid we didn't have The Internet. If we wanted to know something, we had to go to the damn library and look it up ourselves, in the card catalogue!!

There was no email!! We had to actually write somebody a letter - with a pen!

Then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in the mailbox and it would take, like, a week to get there!

Stamps were 10 cents!


Child Protective Services didn't care if our parents beat us. As a matter of fact, the parents of all my friends also had permission to kick our ass! Nowhere was safe!

There were no MP3' s or Napsters! If you wanted to steal music, you had to hitchhike to the damn record store and shoplift it yourself!

Or you had to wait around all day to tape it off the radio and the DJ would usually talk over the beginning and @#*% it all up! There were no CD players! We had tape decks in our car. We'd play our favorite tape and "eject" it when finished and the tape would come undone. Cause - that's how we rolled, dig?

We didn't have fancy crap like Call Waiting! If you were on the phone and somebody else called they got a busy signal, that's it!

And we didn't have fancy Caller ID either!
When the phone rang, you had no idea who it was! It could be your school, your mom, your boss, your bookie, your drug dealer, a collections agent, you just didn't know!!! You had to pick it up and take your chances, mister!

We didn't have any fancy Sony Playstation video games with high-resolution 3-D graphics! We had the Atari 2600! With games like 'Space Invaders' and 'Asteroids'. Your guy was a little square! You actually had to use your imagination!! And there were no multiple levels or screens, it was just one screen... forever!
And you could never win.

The game just kept getting harder and harder and faster and faster until you died! Just like LIFE!


You had to use a little book called a TV Guide to find out what was on! You were screwed when it came to channel surfing! You had to get off your ass and walk over to the TV to change the channel!

How many times have you had a odd shape of food container or just one that cannot fully contain your food? Me a ton of times especially when I want to marinate big cuts of meat like roasts. I prefer to marinate them in the same dish that will cook them. This is a never an easy feat at the tops never accommodate them and tin foil and plastic wrap never stay put.

CoverMate can solve this issue along with the ever present issue of the missing storage tops, yeah there must be a storage top Gnome that hangs with the underpants gnome or the sock Gremlin!

You simply chose the size that matches what you need, stretch to cover and done! CoverMate has elastic that enables the covers to completely conform to your container and allows for extra room as well. When you need your food simply uncover and go.

The best part, they are reusable! Wash them out and hang to dry and they are ready to use again!

If you head over to the website they are offering a sample pack for the low cost of $3.95 to cover shipping and you will get the package containing one each of the four available sizes and a 1.00 coupon good towards your next purchase. I think these will be one of those things that you wonder why you never tried them before I am ha.