Yearly Archives: 2011

Valentine’s Day Giveaway: “Fireproof

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This Valentine’s Day giveaway is dedicated to “love in marriage.” The theme song for my giveaway is not one from the “Fireproof” movie soundtrack, but this one:

“We’re dancing in the minefields, we’re sailing in the storms. And this is harder than we dreamed, but I believe that’s what the promise is for.”

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!  To celebrate this day, I’m having a giveaway for the DVD “Fireproof.”  My theme for this giveaway is “Love in marriage.”  If you haven’t heard of “Fireproof,” it’s a great movie about saving a marriage that’s on the brink of divorce.  All hope seems lost for any chance to save the marriage, but through practicing an active love that meets the needs of the other person, the marriage in the movie was saved.  Not only was it saved, but it transformed into a beautiful relationship, deeper than ever before, because it was based on true, agape-type love.  This doesn’t just happen in movies.  I’ve read about real accounts of this happening, and I’ve seen it happen in the lives of two girlfriends of mine, one several years ago and the other, many years ago.  So what the movie portrays is not just a bunch of hype.  It’s real!

Even though marriage can be hard at times, a couple is in it together and can still “dance” even when times are stormy because of the agape love they have for each other and the commitment…the promise…they have made to each other.  But more importantly…the promise they have made before God.  So if you know someone who’s marriage is falling apart, maybe you could tell them about this giveaway, or you could enter the giveaway and give the DVD to them if you win.  Or maybe, like us, you really like the movie and would like to have your own copy of it.  Either way, here’s the scoop:

WIN IT:

Leave a comment.  (Be sure and leave an email address for me when it asks for one so that I can contact you if you win.)

ENTRY DATES AND RULES:

The Healthy Home Blog Valentine’s Day Giveaway runs from 2-14-11 until midnight CST 2-28-11.  It is open to all U.S. and Canadian residents.

BONUS ENTRIES:

Please leave a separate comment for each entry:

  • Subscribe to Healthy Home Blog on my sidebar (2 extra entries) (leave 2 comments if you already subscribe)
  • Blog about this giveaway and link it back here (2 extra entries)
  • Follow me on Twitter (1 extra entry) (leave a comment if you already follow me)
  • Tweet about my giveaway (1 extra entry for tweeting, one per day)
  • Follow me on Google Friend Connect (1 extra entry) (leave a comment if you already follow me)
  • “Like” Healthy Home Blog on Facebook (1 extra entry)

* Note:  I was not compensated in any way for this.  I purchased the DVD for this giveaway.

Menu Plan Monday 2-14-11

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

If you need a dessert for today but you’re hesitant to bake anything because, like me, you’re trying to lose the pounds gained from the recent holidays then you might want to try this low-carb, fat-free recipe:   Chocolate Bliss Cookies!

Here’s our menu:

Monday:  I’m not sure what we’re going to do.  Who knows, we might eat at Qdobas Mexican Food.  If you kiss the person you’re with while you’re at the register then it’s “Buy one entree, get one free.”  (no coupon needed)

Tuesday: Homemade Turkey & Vegetable Soup

Wednesday:  Leftover soup

Thursday: Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

Friday:  Leftover Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

Safe Driving

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Did you know that there are cutting edge, safe driving systems that have been created with an emphasize on safe driving behavior and creative technology?   One patented system monitors drivers and “mentors” them so they can learn to reduce speeding and aggressive driving.   It also monitors seat belt habits to encourage drivers to always wear their seat belt so they will be in compliance with the law.

Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) is the safety program used by FMCSA to encourage safer driving by large trucks and buses.  It focuses on seven major behaviors that cause crashes.  CSA 2010 is such a program.  Being a solution oriented global leader, inthinc is devoted to improving safer driving behaviors with programs such as this.

Teenagers just learning to drive are a major concern for many parents.  It’s not that their teen is a bad driver but rather an inexperienced driver when it comes to handling a vehicle on a busy road.  There are all types of factors such as distracted driving that can cause accidents, and inthinc is committed to helping reduce those accidents.

Note:  This is a sponsored post.

Creative Multimedia Software

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Our daughter works with Multimedia Software at her new job. She is so creatively gifted, and enjoys being able to use her creative talents where she works. Several years ago, while she was in college, we purchased Photoshop for her computer since it was very useful for her major. Nowadays, she uses some type of Digital Picture Editor for her graphic artist’s responsibilities in her new position as a multimedia producer.

It’s amazing to me what all can be done and created online using the software that’s available today. With an image editing program, a person can be as creative as they want to be, in designing and implementing whatever they have envisioned for their project.  And with the emphasis on technology in today’s world, it’s important to have the technological tools needed to accomplish set goals. Having the right software can make all the difference in meeting those goals in a creative way.

Note: This is a sponsored post.

Low-Carb, Fat-Free Chocolate Bliss Cookies

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These cookies sound so good.  I think I’ve had the crispy version before, and they were delicious!  Let me know if you make them and which you prefer, the soft & chewy ones or the crispy ones.  Here’s the recipe:

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup sugar, divided
  • 3 large egg whites
  • 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar)

DIRECTIONS:  Line 2 baking sheets with foil.  Sift together cocoa, salt, and 1/4 cup sugar in a small bowl.  In a large bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar at medium-low speed until soft peaks form.  Beat in remaining 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 tablespoon at a time until the meringue is glossy and stiff peaks form.  Fold in cocoa mixture and vanilla extract.  Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls one inch apart onto foil-lined baking sheets.  Bake for 25 minutes at 300 degrees (preheated oven).  This will make soft & chewy cookies.  If you prefer crisp cookies, bake for 40 minutes.  After they have cooled, dust cookies with powdered sugar.

Makes 24 cookies.  Each cookie has 25 calories, 1 gr protein, 6 gr carbs, 0 gr fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 0.5 gr fiber, 13 mg sodium.

Friendly Friday 2/11/11

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Welcome to Friendly Friday!

Remember, YOU can host the link list on your blog, too! Just get the InLinkz code and copy it directly into your post. The code is different every week, so be sure to get the new code when hosting Friendly Friday on your blog. Hosting the list is a great way to get even more traffic to your blog and make Friendly Friday more beneficial for everyone.

Thanks for joining the Friendly Friday celebration hosted by Christi at Frugal Novice, Xenia at Thanks, Mail Carrier and Charla at Healthy Home Blog! We invite you to join us every Friday to make more friends in blogville, get more blog followers and follow other great blogs out there.

To join in the Friendly Friday celebration, include your family-friendly link in our list, follow the hostesses in the first 3 spots and then start blog hopping! Visit other blogs on the list and comment to give them some blog love. Then take a minute to follow them through Google Friend Connect – this is a good way to keep up with other blogs, but also lets us show support to each other! Please DO NOT list your giveaways here, links must be to either your homepage or your Friday posting with your blog title. All others will be deleted.

When people comment on your blog and let you know they’re a part of Friendly Friday, return the favor and follow them back. This way everyone gets traffic and followers out of participating, and it’s a win-win situation. We would love for you to also grab our Friendly Friday button and post it on your blog and/or in a post – the more bloggers that find out about Friendly Friday and participate, the better!

Spotlight on Friendly Friday Followers! We love your participation and want to show it! In addition to gaining followers, each week we’ll select three blogs at random and will feature links and a write-up for those blogs in the content of next week’s Friendly Friday post. There are so many seriously wonderful blogs out there, and this will be a great way to highlight some of those each week. Say hello to the lucky chosen 3 for this week (and feel free to stop by and give them a little extra love):
Extreme Personal Measures is where Denise chronicles her life in Florida as a wife and mom who works outside the home, and she offers many other topics such as being pregnant, etc.  She offers giveaways and reviews as well as “How To’s” and DIY projects.  Denise shows how to make Valentine Sugar Cookie Pops which would make great Valentine Day gifts or treats for school!


Susan at Charm of the Carolines tells about her blessings in middle Tennessee and shares recipes, pictures, and things that inspire her.   She shares Southern wit, history, cherished family traditions and even grandma’s recipes for Sunday dinners.  Reading Susan’s blog is like taking a trip to the south and sitting on a front porch swing, listening to stories about the past and present.


Mommy Katie tells about “life and where life can take you.”  The Texas Panhandle is home to Katie, the wife of a former Marine, and their two kids, one of which has CCAM (cysts on his lungs). Their family has been affected by the economy, and so Katie stays at home with their beautiful kids during the day and then works in the evenings.  She shares reviews and giveaways as well as their life.

 

127 Entries

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Product Review: Desk Chair from CSN Stores

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What did I choose to review from CSN Stores?  This time, I chose a desk chair for our son who’s in college.  He was thrilled when we brought this chair out to him.  It’s very comfortable, has padded arm rests, a padded seat, and is stylish to look good in a dorm room, home office, or even a business.

Again, I’m impressed how quickly the chair arrived!  Every time we receive something from CSN, it arrives in just a few days after ordering it.  And what’s great about CSN is that they have a lot of products with free shipping.  That makes for an even greater value for the money!

By the way, CSN Online Stores is such an easy way to shop! I never had shopped online until the past couple of years. I’ve found CSN so easy and convenient plus I don’t have to go around to a lot of different stores trying to find a good deal.  I recommend CSN for your online shopping, however, use “Sort by: View by price: Low-High” and find those with free shipping for the best deals. They have 200+ online stores from which to shop.

* CSN provided me with the chair for this review. However, I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review. This is my honest opinion of their product.


Menu Plan Monday 2/7/11

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Woops!  Last week, I wrote and published my Menu Plan Monday on Sunday night, but I was so busy Monday morning getting ready for work that I forgot to bring it up on the computer so my husband could submit it to Organizing Junkie.  So it was published that evening. For those of you who might have missed my Salmon Patties recipe and you happen to really like them, here’s my Salmon Patties recipe again.  This is one of our favorite recipes that I fix two or three times a month.

Monday:  Rotisserie chicken, mashed potatoes, salad

Tuesday:  Leftover rotisserie chicken, mashed potatoes, broccoli florets

Wednesday:  Cream of chicken & veggie soup made with the rest of the rotisserie chicken (I never made it last week)

Thursday:  Salmon patties, green beans, carrots

Friday:  DiGiorno “Crispy Flatbread Tuscan Style Chicken Pizza” (with spinach on it)

M.

Friendly Friday 2/4/11

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Welcome to Friendly Friday!

Remember, YOU can host the link list on your blog too! Just click “Get the code here…” at the bottom of the list. The code is different every week, so be sure to get the new code when hosting Friendly Friday on your blog. Hosting the list is a great way for everyone to get even more traffic to their blog.

Thanks for joining the Friendly Friday celebration hosted by Christi at Frugal Novice, Xenia at Thanks, Mail Carrier and Charla at Healthy Home Blog! We invite you to join us every Friday to make more friends in blogville, get more blog followers and follow other great blogs out there.

To join in the Friendly Friday celebration, include your family-friendly link in our list, follow the hostesses in the first 3 spots and then start blog hopping! Visit other blogs on the list and comment to give them some blog love. Then take a minute to follow them through Google Friend Connect – this is a good way to keep up with other blogs, but also lets us show support to each other! Please DO NOT list your giveaways here, links must be to either your homepage or your Friday posting with your blog title. All others will be deleted.

When people comment on your blog and let you know they’re a part of Friendly Friday, return the favor and follow them back. This way everyone gets traffic and followers out of participating, and it’s a win-win situation. We would love for you to also grab our Friendly Friday button and post it on your blog and/or in a post – the more bloggers that find out about Friendly Friday and participate, the better!

Spotlight on Friendly Friday Followers! We love your participation and want to show it! In addition to gaining followers, each week we’ll select three blogs at random and will feature links and a write-up for those blogs in the content of next week’s Friendly Friday post. There are so many seriously wonderful blogs out there, and this will be a great way to highlight some of those each week. Say hello to the lucky chosen 3 for this week (and feel free to stop by and give them a little extra love):

Kim at Shop With Me Mama is a stay-at-home mom to two adorable kids. Her blog is filled with giveaways and reviews; right now she has a great Valentine’s Day gift guide that can help you out if you’re stuck on what to get your loved one this year. Kim says she loves to laugh, and her personality shines through her writing. She’s even kind of famous, having been in a Proactiv Solutions commercial recently!

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Judy of Judy’s Handmade Creations is one talented lady! She crochets, makes jewelry, and also makes papercrafts, which she shares on her blog. If you ever need inspiration for a project, just check out her sidebar for ideas on birthday cards, embossing, Cricut creations and more!

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Donnelle at Sew Me Mine is another crafty blogger. She loves to sew and was inspired by her mom. She’s a stay-at-home mom and is new to the blogging world, but is already off to a great start. You’ll find giveaways, Blogger tutorials, freebies and other resources when you visit.

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Now that you know about these 3 wonderful blogs, it’s time for you to join in! Add your family-friendly link below and we’ll see you back here every Friday! And don’t forget, you can grab the code to share the link list on your blog too. All three hostesses appreciate followers through GFC and Twitter, and we’ll follow you back – just leave a comment with your URL for GFC. I haven’t been able to follow everyone back because of not having the URL. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Engaging Students Online With Discussion Platform

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This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Collaborize Classroom. All opinions are 100% mine.

Collaborize Classroom: How would you like a free online learning platform for your students that is secure and safe?  Collaborize Classroom offers just that!  Teachers can extend classroom discussions in a private online community of students.  The online platform is safely structured to continue discussions, facilitate online learning groups, and allow students to share resources and engage in collaborative learning.

This online collaborative learning provides deeper participation inside and outside the classroom as students are engaged in online discussions, activities, and assignments.  Students can share resources and engage in discussions that will result in a richer educational experience.

What’s great is that teachers can set up their Collaborize Classroom site in just minutes.  They just need an email address to utilize this free online learning platform that complements classroom discussions and encourages discussion, participation, and engagement.  Teachers can also create online lesson plans using free resources.  Here are some of the free resources available:

  • Do’s and Don’ts for Student Forums
  • Rethinking Your Role
  • Art of Asking Questions
  • 5 Activities with Collaborize Classroom

The platform is not meant to replace traditional instruction but helps to facilitate learning groups in a safe environment.  All of the sites are secure and have a password protected process.  The password is known only by teachers, students, and those who are invited to join the site.  All information and data is protected and safe!

Collaborize Classroom is free, allowing teachers to accomplish more than they could otherwise, and the free resources are a valuable addition to using this online learning tool.  The web-based technology provides endless possibilities for student learning.  In my opinion, this is a great way to encourage student engagement, especially those who are shy and don’t talk in class.  Most students are online at home anyway using social networking.  This platform fits right in with the way they communicate online socially.  And with the current economic crisis, the fact that this is free enables any teacher to use this platform.

Shopping for Clothes

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Now that I’m teaching full time, there is not the time nor do I have the energy for much shopping.  My husband helps with the grocery shopping and that helps a lot!  I did manage to squeeze in an hour of shopping recently so I could use a gift card that I received for Christmas.  It was fun shopping for a short time.  I didn’t look for women’s singlets but looked for pants and jeans.

One thing that I don’t like about shopping anymore is the part where I have to try on clothes and then go get a different size. I must have tried on a dozen pair of khaki pants and jeans before I finally found a pair of jeans that fit the way I want them to, and so I got those. There are some khaki pants that I might get in the future. But I don’t want to try on clothes at the store anytime soon. How about you?