New DVD Series For Kids

On January 20, 2009 you and your child will be able to meet Walker and Ping Ping in their new DVDs, "The Great Wall" and "The Chinese Market". This award-winning DVD series, The Adventures of Walker and Ping Ping introduces young explorers to the life, culture and language of China.

Similar to the popular Dora series, each episode of The Adventures of Walker and Ping Ping instantly engages children and invites them along on an adventure of learning.


In "The Great Wall" you'll meet Walker, a happy-go-lucky boy who has just moved from Hong Kong with his parents. While out with his dog Jack, he bumps into Ping Ping, an amiable Chinese girl, and the pair become fast friends. Ping Ping takes Walker to meet her grandfather, Grandpa Joss, an adventurer with a fascinating collection of artifacts and trinkets. It's not long before the three are off for an adventure of their own, exploring one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Wall of China. But before they can return home, they must first collect three symbols.

"The Chinese Market" is yet another adventure where Walker, Ping Ping and Grandpa Joss must gather three symbols before returning home. No problem thanks to help from market friends Mr. Chen, who gets them their Chinese puppet and Mr. Li, who makes them their dumplings. After a lesson in calligraphy, they collect their scroll and, with a brief toot on their enchanted flute, the mission is complete.

The Adventures of Walker and Ping Ping DVD series is recommended for ages 3-8. Please visit www.walkerandpingping.com for more information!

Win a Kuster K2 High Chair!

Hurry!! This one ends in a week! Bits From A Brit is hosting this awesome giveaway and you don't want to miss this one! Click here to enter!

Make 2009 Greener: The Better World Shopping Guide

Do you know how your shampoo rates? Ever wonder how retailers like Walmart and Target rate when it comes to being "green"? What about your favorite pasta sauce, breakfast foods or beer? Laundry and baby products? I highly recommend taking a look at The Better World Shopping Guide!

This compact 178 page booklet assigns an A to F grade to companies across a broad spectrum of consumer product categories, including gasoline, electronics, paper products, cosmetics, food, beverages and more enabling you as a consumer to quickly turn your shopping list into a powerful tool for global change. It's easy to read and it'll fit right into your purse!

Written by Dr. Ellis Jones, The Better World Shopping Guide synthesizes more than 5000 hours of research, 1000 companies and 75 product categories to provide consumers a fascinating resource to help them evaluate a product's value by price point and its cost to society in terms of a company's human and animal rights policies, community involvement and philanthropy, environmental practices and overall social responsibility.

About the author: Since receiving his doctoral degree in sociology for the University of Colorado, Boulder, Jones has focused his energy on bridging the gap between academics, activists and the average citizen. A scholar of social responsibility, global citizenship and green consumerism, Jones continues to teach and give presentations across the country on how to turn lofty ideals into practical actions. He has lived, studied, and worked in many parts of Europe, Asia, and Central America and has been interviewed for radio and television in the US and Canada. He is the co-author of The Better World Handbook and the founder of The Better World Network.

The Better World Shopping Guide is available for purchase (retail $9.95) in book or iPod format at www.bettershopper.org.

My New Mayla Baby

We have a new baby girl in our house! She's my Mayla. Yes, I am the proud mother of a new dog. Many of you may not know this but I am unable to have any more children. The option of having more children was sadly taken away from me two years ago. It was very hard at first but I know how blessed I am to have Haley and we are all healthy! I have a wonderful family and yet I felt the need to "mother" something. Mayla has been the perfect addition to our family! She's two years old and weighs 13 lbs. full grown. Mayla is a miniature pinscher mix and is quite active but loves to snuggle under the covers.

If you're animal lovers like we are, check out the giveaway that I'm hosting for the Pet's Eye View Camera!

Pet's Eye View Camera Giveaway

OMG I'm so excited about this giveaway! I have 5 , yes that's right 5, Pet's Eye View Cameras to giveaway to 5 lucky winners! This is a fun toy for kids and adults! Don't you ever wonder what Fido or Fluffy does when you're away? Now you can find out! It's like a James Bond gadget for spying on your pets! I love it!

The Pet's Eye View Camera is another great product from Uncle Milton toys. They make the funnest toys. You know they make great toys when I get excited about them! The Pet's Eye View Camera allows you to see if you're pet is a napper or if they're getting into mischief. I never knew that our cat drinks out of the toilet until we got this camera. She gets into our fireplace too. Who knew?

Pet's Eye View Camera Clip-on Digital Camera Features:

PC and Mac compatible

Includes rechargeable Lithium-ion 100 mAh battery.

Includes USB cable for uploading photos

Auto-interval settings (1, 5 and 15 minutes)

Internal memory stores up to 40 photos

640 x 480 resolution for 4" x 6" prints

Clips onto pet's flat nylon-webbing or flat leather belt collar

Collar not included

Please visit www.unclemilton.com for more information.

Giveaway: Post a comment telling me about your funny pet. Additional entries may be made by (1) following my blog, (2) subscribe to my feed, (3) tweet this giveaway, (4) post this giveaway on your blog. Only 5 entries per person. Ends 2/15/2009.

Avoiding Weekend Weight Gain

So it's Monday and you're feeling guilty about all the treats you had over the weekend. The weekends seem to be the hardest when trying to follow a diet or change your eating habits. I know for me, winter is especially hard. The winters here in Michigan are cold and gray so it's hard to get outdoors to be active. Not only that, I crave all the rich and heavy meals. Here are some great tips that I stumbled upon to avoid the weekend weight gain.

Weigh yourself regularly - weigh in on Friday mornings and again on Monday mornings. Knowing that you have to weigh again on Monday will help you through the weekend.

Focus on eating healthy - stock up on healthy snacks like fruit and veggies, popcorn, and nuts. Make a pot of chili earlier in the week to enjoy on the weekends. Eat high fiber and low-fat proteins to make you feel satisfied longer.

Plan ahead - if you're planning a dinner out, eat a salad for snack before you go. Take snacks along in the car if you'll be out shopping or running errands.

Watch your portion sizes - the size of a baseball equals a cup serving of fruits or veggies, the size of a golf ball is equal to a serving of nuts or peanut butter, and a deck of cards equals a serving of meat.

Let's get physical - get off the couch and hit the road! Take the dog for a walk, go sledding or walk around the mall. Take the stairs and park your car far out in the parking lot.

Eat a healthy breakfast - stick to eggs and egg whites for protein, high fiber toast and fruit will keep you satisfied far longer than a stack of pancakes drenched in syrup.

Think thin - keep your goals in mind.

Watch the beverage calories - alcholic drinks can pack as many calories as a full meal so beware. Also beware of fruit juice and regular pop.

Eat at home - not only will you save money, you'll save over 30% in calories on average.

Hank's Gourmet Infusions are Dee-Lish!

Hank's Gourmet Infusions is a unique line of sparkling, all natural beverages infused with natural vitamins, natural calcium, and antioxidants. The flavors appeal to kids and adults alike with flavors reminiscent of Jolly Ranchers hard candy, root beer floats and creme sickle pops! Our family loves them!

These tasty beverages naturally contain vitamin C, vitamin E, B12, natural calcium, skim milk and cream, and EGCG (natural antioxidant from Green Tea). They contain no preservatives, no artificial colors or flavors, no synthetic vitamins, no caffeine and they're low in sodium.

Hank's Gourmet Infusions are available in four yummy flavors: Berry, Orange Cream, Green Apple, and Root Beer Float. Please visit www.hanksbeverages.com for more information!

Try this cocktail recipe or make one up of your own!

The Very Berry Cocktail with Hank's Gourmet Infusions

1 oz. chocolate liqueur
1 oz. raspberry liqueur
4 oz. Hank's Gourmet Infusions - Berry flavor
Pour liqueurs over ice, and top with Hank's Gourmet Infusions. Serve garnished with a fresh raspberry and enjoy! Yummy!