Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Simone Dinnerstein & Tift Merritt "Night" Album Review & Giveaway Ends 4/10/13 at 7 PM EST

Simone Dinnerstein Tift Merritt Night Album Review

Pianist Simone Dinnerstein and singer-songwriter Tift Merritt join forces for the first time on NIGHT, a unique collaboration uniting folk, rock and classical worlds, exploring common terrain and uncovering new musical landscapes.  It became available on March 19th 2013 from Sony Classical, NIGHT was recorded at the Academy of Arts and Letters in New York by Grammy-winning producers Adam Abeshouse and Ryan Freeland.  Dinnerstein and Merritt will launch the new recording by performing NIGHT live in cities including Munich, New York, Durham, Tampa, and Saratoga in Spring 2013.

Though Simone Dinnerstein (a Juilliard-trained classical pianist from Brooklyn) and Tift Merritt (a singer-songwriter from North Carolina whose father taught her to play by ear) could not come from more different musical backgrounds, when the two met they immediately realized that their passion for music and performance was kindred, if not the same.  NIGHT features new songs written especially for the duo by Brad Mehldau (I Shall Weep at Night) and Patty Griffin (Night), as well as Tift Merritt’s own songs (Only in Songs, Still Not Home, Colors, Feel of the World), and classical selections (an arrangement of Schubert’s Night and Dreams, Bach’s Prelude in B minor).  The album also includes the world premiere recording of The Cohen Variations by Daniel Felsenfeld, a solo piano piece commissioned by Dinnerstein based on one of her favorite songs, Leonard Cohen’s Suzanne.  NIGHT was conceived as a song cycle developed for a concert commissioned and presented by Duke Performances in January 2011.

Of the process of creating this work together, Merritt says, “We were coming from completely different directions and taking the risk of extending ourselves into foreign territory to find each other.  It was disorienting at times, especially at first.  We both felt very exposed and vulnerable but in very opposite ways and places.  But we really challenged each other and pulled new places out of each other.  And that risk, ultimately, was really exciting.”

Dinnerstein adds, “This album has been about pushing our creative boundaries.  I've learned from Tift some of the rules of her world – to be a good band member, not to use too many notes, to let the words come through, to keep an edge and rawness to the improvisation.  In the classical world, it can be safer to play familiar music in a familiar way, but I find that a suffocating aesthetic.  Music by Bach or Schubert or any composer needs to be approached in a way that’s constantly fresh.  I love the idea that a song by Billie Holiday can speak to a song by Purcell, and that each one can influence the way we hear the other.”

Dinnerstein and Merritt, who met in 2008 when they were set up together for an interview for Gramophone magazine and Merritt’s own radio show “The Spark with Tift Merritt,” have been performing (and honing) the material on NIGHT since 2010.  The Washington Post described their D.C. appearance in May 2012: “Merritt blew on a pair of harmonicas to add a taste of hickory to Dinnerstein’s take on Schubert’s Nacht und Träume. During a medley of reworked old-timey folk songs, Dinnerstein got off her stool and under the hood of her pristine Steinway Grand and hammered its strings like a dulcimer to accompany Merritt’s strumming of a beat-up acoustic guitar.  Merritt took a seat stage left while Dinnerstein played what she described as ‘variations on Leonard Cohen’s Suzanne,’ an all-instrumental piece that brought out the melodic similarities between the original and Jimmy Webb’s MacArthur Park . . . [the concert] climaxed with what [Merritt] called the ‘painful woman’ portion of the show with Billie Holiday’s standing-by-her-philandering-man blues song Don’t Explain.”

About Tift Merritt:
The New Yorker has called Tift Merritt “the bearer of a proud tradition of distaff country soul that reaches back to artists like Dusty Springfield and Bobbie Gentry,” a standard upholding that got underway in earnest with Bramble Rose, the 2002 solo debut that put her on the Americana map forever.  As her sophomore album, Tambourine, was followed by Another Country and See You on the Moon, Merritt found acclaim coming not just from critics and awards organizations but her own heroes, like Emmylou Harris, who marveled that Merritt “stood out like a diamond in a coal patch.” Now a leading lady in her own right, Merritt is hardly one to hog the spotlight. She engages in dialogue with fellow artists of all disciplines on her public radio broadcast and podcast “The Spark With Tift Merritt,” bringing in fellow sojourners ranging from Patty Griffin and Rosanne Cash to Rick Moody and Nick Hornby (who devoted a chapter to Merritt in his 31 Songs book).  Of her latest album, Traveling Alone, released by Yep Roc in October 2012, USA Today raves, “Steel-laced country-soul only hints at the sublime charms of Merritt’s Traveling Alone,” and Paste writes, “Traveling Alone . . . not only shows her true lyrical and vocal range, but suggests an adventurous spirit beneath the placid surface.” www.tiftmerritt.com

About Simone Dinnerstein:
American pianist Simone Dinnerstein is a searching and inventive artist motivated by a desire to find the musical core of every work she approaches.  The Independent praises the “majestic originality of her vision” and NPR reports, “She compels the listener to follow her in a journey of discovery filled with unscheduled detours.”  The New York-based pianist gained an international following because of the remarkable success of her recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations, which she raised the funds to record.  Released in 2007, it ranked No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Classical Chart in its first week of sales and was named to many “Best of” lists including those of The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and The New Yorker.  The three albums she has released since then – The Berlin Concert, Bach: A Strange Beauty, and Something Almost Being Said – have also topped the classical charts, with Bach: A Strange Beauty making the Billboard Top 200, which compiles the entire music industry's sales of albums in all genres.  Dinnerstein was the bestselling instrumentalist of 2011 on the U.S. Billboard Classical Chart.  Her performance schedule has taken her around the world since her triumphant New York recital debut at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall in 2005, to major venues including the Kennedy Center, Vienna Konzerthaus, Berlin Philharmonie, Lincoln Center, and London's Wigmore Hall, among many others.  She has been a soloist with leading orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Tokyo Symphony, Vienna Symphony, and more.  Dinnerstein has also played concerts throughout the country for the Piatigorsky Foundation, an organization dedicated to bringing classical music to non-traditional venues, and performed at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women in a concert organized by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra to coincide with her BSO debut.  Dedicated to her community, in 2009 Dinnerstein founded Neighborhood Classics, a concert series that raises funds for and is hosted by New York City public schools. www.simonedinnerstein.com

Watch an excerpt of NIGHT from WNYC, New York Public Radio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q5ktKj4dVw

NIGHT Track Listing

1.      Only in Songs (Tift Merritt)                                                    
2.      Night and Dreams (Franz Schubert)                                       
3.      Don’t Explain (Billie Holiday from an arr. by Nina Simone)                                                  
4.      Dido’s Lament (Henry Purcell)                                   
5.      I Shall Weep at Night (Brad Mehldau)                        
6.      Wayfaring Stranger (traditional)                                             
7.      Prelude in B minor (arr. by A. Siloti from J.S. Bach’s Clavier-Büchlein vor W.F. Bach)        
8.      Still Not Home (Tift Merritt)                                        
9.      I will give my love an apple (traditional)                                 
10.  Colors (Tift Merritt)                                                    
11.  The Cohen Variations (Daniel Felsenfeld)                              
12.  Night (Patty Griffin arr. by Jenny Scheinman)                                    
13.  Feel of the World (Tift Merritt)                                               
14.  I Can See Clearly Now (Johnny Nash)                                   

If you would like to enter to win a copy of this album enter the giveaway below.


Giveaway - Enter to win a copy of the Night Album.
Ends 04/10/13 at 7 PM EST (you must follow my blog publicly on google friend connect, leave a separate comment for each entry you complete, put your email address in your comment if it's not visible on your blogger profile, contiguous US only, no po boxes)

Mandatory Entry - Go to Sony Classical Music and tell me about another album that you would like to hear.

Extra Entries - (not required but you can do as many as you like, leave a separate comment for each one you complete.)

Follow me on twitter http://twitter.com/#!/fdp4life leave a comment letting me know your twitter name.

Like Let's Eat 2 Day on facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lets-Eat-2-Day/127260644023896 leave a comment with your facebook name letting me know you are my fan.

You can enter up to 3 times.  I will use random.org to select the winner once the giveaway is over at 7 PM on 04/10/13.  I will email the winner and they will have 72 hours to respond to my email with their mailing address or I will have to select another winner.  Thank you for reading and participating.


Winner selected and emailed:

Charlene Kuser said... 6
I Like Let's Eat 2 Day on facebook
(Charlene Kuser)

CharlieGurl57@aol.com

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Press 4 Kids News-O-Matic and Mibblio App Reviews

News O Matic
Press4Kids (P4K) just launched its first publication, News-O-Matic, an educational news app that coversbreaking news, sports, science and much more in an accessible and kid-friendly way!

Targeted to kids ages 7-10, News-O-Matic is a week day newspaper application which includesfive daily news stories, detailed images, videos, illustrations, maps, timelines and games. P4K's objective is to inspire a generation of childrento become habitual news readers and well-informed global citizens.

News-O-Matic gives children the opportunity to explore the latest current events through the app, while also giving them a voice to express their views. Children can interact with the Editor-in-Chief by rating stories, drawing pictures, asking questions or expressing opinions about current topics in the "News Room" section of the app.

Created by a skilled team-including child experts, designers and entrepreneurs-News-O-Matic aims to transform the news experience for children in a safe, interactive environment while encouraging them to become knowledgeable, productive members of society.

I downloaded News-O-Matic and we have been learning from it every since.  It's very informative and fun all at the same time.





Mibblio
The NEW musical storybook app for iPad, Mibblio, has just launched their first interactive app! Now kids can read, sing, learn and play music all at the same time!

Mibblio is the first interactive musical/storybook app of its kind. With an intuitive design, Mibblio is easy to use and creates a world where children can read, sing, learn and play music all at the same time!                                                

Inside Mibblio is a world of beautiful mibblets - illustrated story-songs that invite children to read, sing and jam while understanding the layers of developing music. Targeted to children ages 3-8, kids can listen to and build upon a song while simultaneously having fun and improving reading skills.

A mix of classic songs such as "On Top of Spaghetti" and "The Wheels on the Bus" alongside new, instant classics like "Monkey Jamboree," are written, illustrated, sung and performed by accomplished artists such as Grammy-nominated mandolinist, Andy Statman and Grammy-winning drummer Marty Beller.

Now parents can watch and listen as children understand the layers of developing music and learn the basics of creating a song, while simultaneously improving reading skills.

Check out a quick video intro to Mibblo HERE.

I downloaded Mibblio a few days ago.  We have really been enjoying the music.  My husband is very musical and this app has been fun for all of us.  We like to make music together!

Live Q And A: Find Out If Your Student Athlete Is At Risk for Sudden Heart Failure


DID YOU KNOW?
 

If defibrillation is administered within one minute of collapse, the survival rate for sudden heart failure goes up 90 percent. “Timing is key to survival. Waiting even 10 minutes to defibrillate drops the chances of survival to 10 percent,” says John Lynn Jefferies, MD.

This issue has really hit home for all of us here recently and we want to do what we can to help shed light on this issue.

This is a free, live, on-line Q and A where you and your readers can ask questions in real time.  It’s a chance to talk to knowledgeable and experienced doctors and get answers right on the spot. 

The Q and A takes place April 9th from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. EST with Jeffrey Towbin, MD and John Lynn Jefferies, MD.

We would love for as many people as possible to benefit from this. Please feel free to help spread the word! Drop me a line if you need further info!

Check out the link below for more information!

RSVP Here! : http://liveevent.cincinnatichildrensblog.org/events/heart-failure-athletes

Easy Ways to Get Involved
Share the RSVP link with your community through a blog post, Twitter or Facebook. We have additional assets that can help get the word out.  Let me know if you need further details.

goo.gl/By6hU



Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Adventure to Fitness Fit Family Fiesta Event Review & Giveaway Ends 3/23/13 at 7 PM EST

Adventure to Fitness sent us a Fit Family Fiesta Event package.  We had the fiesta yesterday at 3 PM.  Our fiesta was attended by friends and family.  Adventure to Fitness and Honest Tea sent us the party supplies.  We received streamers, juice for the kids, tea for the adults, an Adventure to Fitness DVD and some coloring pages too!

We popped in the DVD right after everyone got there and we did the Adventure to Fitness together.  We all had a blast.  It's fun to go through the adventure.  It really doesn't feel like working out but it gets our heart rates up and gets us breathing rapidly too.  It feels good to get up and get moving.

The kids really had a wonderful time and so did the adults.  I would highly recommend the Adventure to Fitness DVDs to anyone with children.  It's a fun way to get up and get moving but it doesn't seem like exercise.  The kids will enjoy it and it's always a good thing to use their energy constructively.  

I would like to thank Honest Tea and Adventure to Fitness for giving us the opportunity to have the Fit Family Fiesta Event.

If you would like to enter to win the same package we received just enter the giveaway below.  This giveaway is going to be short so hurry up and enter.

Giveaway - Enter to win a Fit Family Fiesta package from Adventure to Fitness and Honest Tea.

Ends 03/23/13 at 7 PM EST (you must follow my blog publicly on google friend connect, leave a separate comment for each entry you complete, put your email address in your comment if it's not visible on your blogger profile, contiguous US only, no po boxes)

Mandatory Entry - Go to the Adventure to Fitness Website and tell me which DVD you would like to try first, leave a comment letting me know what you decided.

Extra Entries - (not required but you can do as many as you like, leave a separate comment for each one you complete.)

Follow me on twitter http://twitter.com/#!/fdp4life leave a comment letting me know your twitter name.

Like Let's Eat 2 Day on facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lets-Eat-2-Day/127260644023896 leave a comment with your facebook name letting me know you are my fan.

You can enter up to 3 times.  I will use random.org to select the winner once the giveaway is over at 7 PM on 03/23/13.  I will email the winner and they will have 72 hours to respond to my email with their mailing address or I will have to select another winner.  Thank you for reading and participating.


Winner emailed and selected:

slehan said... 21
FB like you: Slehan

slehan at juno dot com
  

Monday, March 18, 2013

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Blu-ray Giveaway Ends 4/1/13 at 7 PM EST

Warner Bros. is proud to announce the release of the The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Blog App and they are also offering a Blu-ray giveaway on my blog!

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey coming to Blu-ray & DVD March 19th 2013! 


J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic adventure follows the journey of Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an amazing quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Sorcerers. From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” the first of a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.


 Giveaway

Ends 4/1/13 at 7 PM EST (you must follow my blog publicly on google friend connect, leave a separate comment for each entry you complete, put your email address in your comment if it's not visible on your blogger profile, contiguous US only, no po boxes)

Mandatory Entry - Take the Quiz in the above app and leave a comment with your results. Make sure I can contact you via email if you are the lucky winner!

Extra Entries -

Follow me on twitterhttp://twitter.com/fdp4life leave a comment letting me know your twitter name.

Like Let's Eat 2 Day on facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lets-Eat-2-Day/127260644023896 leave a comment with your facebook name letting me know you are my fan.

You can enter up to 3 times. I will use random.org to select the winner once the giveaway is over at 7 PM on 04/01/13. I will email the winner and they will have 48 hours to respond to my email with their mailing address or I will have to select another winner. Thank you for reading and participating.

Winner selected and emailed:

Lauren Harmon said... 95
I am 76% hobbit! :)

tinylittlebows at gmail dot com

Return to Nim's Island Blu-ray Combo Pack Giveaway Ends 3/23/13 at 7 PM ESt

To celebrate the Return to Nim’s Island coming out on Blu-ray & DVD exclusively at Walmart Stores on March 19th!  I have been given the chance to host a giveaway for my readers!

Return to Nim’s Island, the sequel to Walden Media’s 2008 box office hit Nim's Island, picks up the story a few years later with 14-year-old Nim (Bindi Irwin) more determined than ever to protect her island and the animals that call it home.   With ruthless resort developers and greedy wildlife poachers threatening the existence she loves, Nim realizes she and her animal pals can’t defend their home alone.  To save her island, she is forced to combine forces with an outsider: Edmund, a runaway from the mainland.  Only with his help does she stand a chance of stopping the villains from dismantling her world.

 

Return to Nim's Island marks the debut of Walden Family Theater, presented by Walmart and P&G.  The new destination for family entertainment, exclusively on Hallmark Channel.

Giveaway Ends 3/23/13 at 7 PM EST (you must follow my blog publicly on google friend connect, leave a separate comment for each entry you complete, put your email address in your comment if it's not visible on your blogger profile, contiguous US only, no po boxes)

Mandatory Entry -  

Take the Quiz in the above app and leave a comment with your results.  Make sure I can contact you via email if you are the lucky winner!

Extra Entries -  

Follow me on twitter http://twitter.com/#!/fdp4life leave a comment letting me know your twitter name.

Like Let's Eat 2 Day on facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lets-Eat-2-Day/127260644023896 leave a comment with your facebook name letting me know you are my fan.

You can enter up to 3 times.  I will use random.org to select the winner once the giveaway is over at 7 PM on 03/23/13.  I will email the winner and they will have 48 hours to respond to my email with their mailing address or I will have to select another winner.  Thank you for reading and participating.


Full disclosure - The prize and the materials presented above were provided to me by Walden Media & Hallmark Channel..
 

Winner selected and emailed:

Gianna said... 33
Felix.
 

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Ellen Barrett Live : Sleek Sculpt Express Review

Editorial Reviews

About the Actor

Ellen Barrett, M.A. is "the country's top fitness instructor" says SELF magazine because she personifies 21st century fitness, where the mind, body and spirit converge for more intelligent, efficient workouts. As a best-selling DVD creator and book author, she's a go-to-expert specifically regarding women and weight loss, Pilates, Fusion fitness, pre- and post-natal exercise and inspired wellness. Sure exercise tones your tush but when it's done right it also makes the spirit soar! That's why Ellen began teaching group exercise while in college and never stopped, teaching all over the globe for Club Med in the Carribean, Crunch Gym in Los Angeles and NYC, Corporate America, the Kripalu Center and eventually at her very own studio in Connecticut. Weight Watcher's hired Ellen as their fitness walking spokeswoman. Lifetime TV selected Ellen as their resident Fit Pro. Family Circle Magazine elected Ellen to their advisory board. FIT TV cast Ellen as lead instructor on All Star Workouts. Her most recent launches have been ELLEN BARRETT LIVE DVD series, Prevention magazine's FLAT BELLY WORKOUT DVD's, and her wellness site Sneak In Some Skinny. Ellen currently resides in Connecticut with her husband and son. She travels extensively for workshops, retreats and media events.

Product Description

30 minutes to a sleek physique! Created by renown fitness expert, Ellen Barrett, SLEEK SCULPT EXPRESS is an ultra efficient toner-upper as it burns calories, tightens and tones, and inspires in body, mind and spirit. Using a mixture of yoga, Pilates and mind/body sculpting, SLEEK SCULPT EXPRESS integrates the muscles of the body, working multiple areas at once. It also flows. Every exercise is choreographed to seamlessly move into the next so muscles are always engaged. There is not a single wasted moment, not-a-one. So come on! Grab a light set of hand weights, kick off your shoes and embark on a love/love relationship with your muscles. They will love you (no aches or pains) and you will love them (strong and gorgeous).

Review -

Total Fitness DVDs sent me Ellen Barrett Live : Sleek Sculpt Express to review.  It's always a pleasure to work with Total Fitness DVDs.  They have a wonderful selection of workout videos.  Total Fitness DVDs also have a nice customer service team that is super helpful.  If you are in the market for workout DVDs you should check them out.  I love to browse the new releases and see what they have that I want to get next.

I love Ellen Barrett and I am often short on time.  Most of the Ellen Barrett DVDs that I have are almost an hour long.  I rarely have that much time to workout in the morning.  I am happy  that she finally compromised and made a shorter workout.  I started this workout with 5 pound dumbbells and by the second half I was using 2 pound dumbbells.

This workout is fun and challenging.  I was sore at the end of the workout.  I felt muscles in my arms and core that I haven't felt in quite sometime.  Ellen takes you through a series of moves and then repeats the whole series.  Before you know it the workout is over and you are ready to take on the day.  I still love Ellen and with this DVD I love her even more.  I highly recommend this DVD.



Bob Harper: Totally Ripped Core DVD Review

Gear-up for absolute body reformation with two groundbreaking workouts. Ignite your metabolism and destroy hundreds of calories with Bob Harper's exclusive, cutting-edge combinations and proven techniques of activating, engaging and sustaining the core. Sculpt powerful, lean muscles, while reinventing your body from the inside out.

Whip your core to perfection by isolating and defining vital muscle groups, to abolish pounds and sharpen stamina. Pit your body's strength against its own endurance at maximum levels, commanding an on-going metabolic surge, and annihilating fat calories long after completing your workout. Extraordinary physiques are built on rock-solid cores, so rise to the challenge and prevail with a fit, toned and powerful body.

Workout 1: Totally Ripped Core
50 minutes of isolated core combinations command the top-most levels of effort and all planes of motion to reach the optimum fat-burning metabolic state. Reveal a tighter, leaner, more defined mid-section, and construct the foundation to sculpt the strongest body possible.

Workout 2: Ripped Core Quick Bonus
10 minutes of aggressive core training sets the heart rate racing and accelerates your metabolism for rapid fat burning results. Get it in, and get it done in this compact core routine to deliver rock solid abs in no time!

REWARD YOURSELF WITH RESULTS!

Review -

Total Fitness DVDs sent me Bob Harper: Totally Ripped Core DVD to review.  It's always a pleasure to work with Total Fitness DVDs.  They have a wonderful selection of workout videos.  Total Fitness DVDs also have a nice customer service team that is super helpful.  If you are in the market for workout DVDs you should check them out.  I love to browse the new releases and see what they have that I want to get next.

I have done the Totally Ripped Core and the Ripped Core Quick Bonus workouts 3 times now.  There is a move in Workout 1 that I haven't mastered yet, but other than that I am able to keep up.  Bob calls the move the rollback series.  It's hard to explain but basically you go from standing, roll back to being flat on your back and then roll back up to standing.  I will have to keep trying to get this, but at this point I am not even close.  I can do the rollback but the rolling back up is the part that is too difficult for me at this time. 

This workout will get you sore in the core and you will gain muscle and feel stronger almost immediately.  I have always been a fan of Bob Harper and I really enjoy this workout!



Power 4 Pink Workout Review

"The Power 4 Pink Workout is honestly one of the best exercise DVDs.  Within two weeks of doing each series only twice a week I felt a tremendous change with the hard to reach areas. The simplicity of being able to do the this at home without a lot of space or equipment need is a huge bonus. I guarantee your abs will have never felt as strong nor your legs so firm! There are adjustments for every fitness level providing the ultimate challenge or beginning basics. The best part is knowing the workout is supporting a great cause!"--Emily Capretta, Proactive Sports Performance Lab.

Product Description

The Power 4 Pink Workout is a dynamic fusion including, cardio, strength, pilates and balance.  This intense workout is a perfect blend of mind-body and fitness exercises.  The DVD is divided into 4 sections, The Cardio Interval Balance Challenge, The Toning Floor Series, The Stretch and Revive Series & a special bonus section with Exercises Specifically for Breast Cancer Survivors.  The Benefits of this program are that it burns calories in a short period of time, assists in weight loss, builds strength and endurance and it helps to improve balance and proprioception.  It also strengthens and flattens the abdominals, reduces stress and tones the entire body too.


100 Percent of the Net Profits from the sale of this DVD go directly to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation which is amazing and wonderful!


Review:

I received a copy of this DVD to review.  I have done the workouts a few times each.  I really feel stronger and like this workout.  As you know I have been working out on a daily basis for over a year now.  I mainly do workout DVDs at home and this one is fun and a bit intense at times.  It provides a great workout and I really do enjoy it.  I am impressed with the fact that 100% of the net profits go directly to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  I love companies that give back.

Patricia Friberg is the instructor she delivers dynamic cardio, strength training, toning and challenging balance poses too.  This is an 80 minute workout video.  She does a lot of my favorite moves.  I love this workout and would highly recommend it to anyone that is looking to get fit and see results!  Get this DVD and do it regularly you won't regret it!


Thursday, March 14, 2013

Denise Austin's Fit in a Flash DVD Review & Giveaway Ends 3/30/13 at 7 PM EST

Denise Austin has done it again.  Fit in a Flash - 7 Minute Solutions - Head to Toe Body Slimming.  I love this workout DVD.  Collage Video is an amazing online store that sent me this DVD to review.  They have the best customer service and real customer reviews on their website.  It is truly a pleasure to deal with Collage Video.  They have anything you need for your in home fitness.

Fit in a Flash has seven dynamic workouts.  They are focused on cardio, strength training and toning in quick seven minute slimming workouts.  Start with the Level 1 workouts and when you're ready, advance to Level 2.  When you are feeling good, you can combine the workouts for a total body blast that is sure to get you fit in a flash. 

The DVD has the following segments that you can do in any order as many or as few as you have time for.

Warm Up - Wake up your muscles with invigorating movements to get your body warmed up.

Cardio - Levels 1 & 2: Burn fat and calories with these heart pounding cardio moves.

Total Body Toning - Levels 1 & 2: Firm up while you strengthen and tone your body from head to toe with dynamic strength moves.

Upper Body - Sculpt your upper body with moves that will tighten up your tough trouble ares.

Lower Body - Slim and firm your butt, hips and thighs with signature moves that will delivery results.

Abs, Waist & Core - Whittle down your middle with exercises that flatten your belly and tighten your core.

Cool Down - Wind down your workout with a series of stretches that will bring your heart rate back to resting.



When I have the time I do the entire DVD from start to finish.  This morning I was limited to 35 minutes so I did the 2 total body toning segments as well as the upper, lower and abs section.  This was a terrific use of my time.  I feel stronger and more energized and ready to face the day.

Denise Austin does a great job with the cues and she is fun and easy to follow.  I highly recommend this workout for anyone who doesn't have a lot of time and wants to get fit in a flash!

Giveaway:  If you want to win your very own copy of this DVD enter below.
Rules - you must follow this blog publicly on google friend connect to enter, contiguous USA only, no PO Boxes, leave a separate comment for each entry you complete and put your email address in your comment if it's not visible on your blogger profile



Mandatory Entry:


Go to
Collage Video and select another DVD that you would like to try, leave a comment letting me know which one you chose.

Bonus Entries:


Like Collage Video on facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CollageVideo?sk=app_4949752878 leave a comment with your facebook name letting me know you are their fan.
 


Sign up for their newsletter http://www.collagevideo.com/newslettersignup.aspx leave your email that you signed up with.
 


Follow me on twitter http://twitter.com/#!/fdp4life leave a comment letting me know your twitter name.
 


Like Let's Eat 2 Day on facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lets-Eat-2-Day/127260644023896 leave a comment with your facebook name letting me know you are my fan.

You can enter up to five times.  I will use random.org to select a winner after the giveaway ends 03/30/13 at 7 PM EST.  I will email the winner and they will have 72 hours to respond with their mailing information or I will have to select another winner.  Thank you for reading my blog and participating.


Disclosure:  I received a copy of the DVD to review free of charge, the opinions expressed are my own.  

 

Winner selected and emailed:

 

Carolyn Daley said... 20
I follow you on twitter as @darkmysticnight

darkmysticnight(at)hotmail(dot)com

 

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Custom Dresses from eShakti

eShakti sells beautiful custom dresses.  They allow you to customize the dress with the length and the sleeves you desire.  I had the pleasure of dealing with them recently.  They allowed me to choose a dress to sample and review.  I don't wear a lot of dresses so I offered the review to my Mom who wears a dress everyday to work.  She was so excited to get to try a new store out. 

We browsed the eShakti website for hours and narrowed our choices down to her three favorites.  They said to choose three, customize them and send in our choices then wait to see which one they sent.  My Mom and I were so excited to see which one arrived.  Turns out they sent her first choice.  She was very impressed with the quality of the dress.  The material is so comfortable and pretty.

eShakti has given my readers a coupon code to save 20% off your custom order from eShakti.

Just use the coupon code SSNSMKS it is valid thru 03/20/13, so hurry up and place your order.  You will be so happy you did.  They have an amazing selection of beautiful spring dresses.




Right now they are running a contest.  Read the details below to see how to win a $150 gift card.


Sunday, March 10, 2013

Dry Idea Advanced Dry Fresh Review and Giveaway Ends 04/02/13 at 7 PM EST

Being a member of Purex Insiders is awesome.  They sent me a Dry Idea Advanced Dry Fresh deodorant to review.  I have been wearing this for the last week and I love it.  Typically I am not a fan of roll on but I tried this with an open mind and I do like it.  It smells good and works great too!

With superior odor protection that lasts for 72 hours and Pulse Activated Wetness Protection, NEW Dry Idea AdvancedDry® Fresh brand antiperspirant and deodorant keeps you feeling clean and confident all day long.  It is also formulated with Vitamin E for silky smooth application.

If you would like to win a coupon to get one for FREE just enter the giveaway below.




Giveaway:  

 
3 will win a coupon for a free Dry Idea Advanced Dry Fresh.


Ends 04/02/13 at 7 PM EST (you must follow my blog publicly on google friend connect, leave a separate comment for each entry you complete, put your email address in your comment if it's not visible on your blogger profile, contiguous US only, no po boxes)



Easy Entry


Just leave a comment letting me know that you want to win, make sure you put your email in the comment if it's not visible on your blogger profile.

Extra Entries -

Follow me on twitter http://twitter.com/#!/fdp4life leave a comment letting me know your twitter name.

Like Let's Eat 2 Day on facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lets-Eat-2-Day/127260644023896 leave a comment with your facebook name letting me know you are my fan.

You can enter up to 3 times.  I will use random.org to select the winner once the giveaway is over at 7 PM on 04/02/13.  I will email the winners and they will have 72 hours to respond to my email with their mailing address or I will have to select another winner.  Thank you for reading and participating.


Disclosure:  The information and coupons have been provided by Purex Insiders.  The opinions expressed are my own.


Winners selected and emailed:

Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Cleaner Review & Giveaway Ends 04/01/13 at 7 PM EST


I received Soft Scrub All Purpose Cleaner from Purex Insiders to review.  I have been using this on our bathtub, toilet and sinks.  It's really a wonderful cleaning agent.  It works and it cleans with ease.

If you would like to enter to win a coupon for a free bottle just enter the giveaway below.

Giveaway:  

3 will win a coupon for a free bottle of SoftScrub.


Ends 04/01/13 at 7 PM EST (you must follow my blog publicly on google friend connect, leave a separate comment for each entry you complete, put your email address in your comment if it's not visible on your blogger profile, contiguous US only, no po boxes)


Easy Entry

Just leave a comment letting me know that you want to win, make sure you put your email in the comment if it's not visible on your blogger profile.

Extra Entries -  

Follow me on twitter http://twitter.com/#!/fdp4life leave a comment letting me know your twitter name.

Like Let's Eat 2 Day on facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lets-Eat-2-Day/127260644023896 leave a comment with your facebook name letting me know you are my fan.

You can enter up to 3 times.  I will use random.org to select the winner once the giveaway is over at 7 PM on 04/01/13.  I will email the winners and they will have 72 hours to respond to my email with their mailing address or I will have to select another winner.  Thank you for reading and participating.


Disclosure:  The information and coupons have been provided by Purex Insiders.  The opinions expressed are my own.


Winners selected and emailed:

 

Wholly Guacamole and Jennie-O Review & Giveaway Ends 3/31/13 at 7 PM EST

Wholly Guacamole and Jennie-O Turkey have teamed up to bring us the Jennie-O Jalapeno Jack Turkey Burger!  The Jalapeno Jack burger is only available at Walmart through March so hurry up and get some.  I have a box and I decided to make the Jennie-O Jalapeno Jack Turkey Burger for my family for a nice treat.
To prepare the Jalapeno Jack Burger you will need 15 minutes to prep and 30 minutes total cook time.

This recipe will make 6 burgers.

1 package of Jennie-O Turkey Store Jalapeno Jack Burger
2 1/2 cups thinly sliced onions
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons honey
8 oz Wholly Salsa medium
6 Flatbreads, whole wheat
1 cup baby spinach or arugula leaves (we used spinach)
1 package (7 ounce) package Wholly Guacamole Classic Dip

Cook turkey patties according to package directions.  Always cook to well done 165 degrees F, as measured by a meat thermometer.  In large skillet sprayed with cooking spray, cook onions over medium heat for 10 minutes or until softened and light browned.  Add cilantro honey, salsa; stir.  Cook for 2 minutes until hot.  Spoon onion mixture onto bottom section of each flatbread.  Add turkey patties, spinach leaves and guacamole.  Fold top of flatbread on top. 

Wholly Guacamole products are all natural, they have no preservatives, they are gluten free, kosher certified, no GMO, made with real Haas Avocados, and freeze for up to 3 months.  Wholly Guacamole uses a technology called high pressure process to create their products with no preservatives or additives.  That means high-pressure cold water is used rather than heat and chemicals.  The result is a safe, delicious product your family will love!


The avocado is a remarkable fruit!  They're chocked full of magnesium, Vitamin E, folic acid and lutein, a natural antioxidant.  Try it in place of your mayo or ranch dressing!

You can enter to win a giveaway kit that has the following:

Wholly Guacamole FREE coupons - 4
Jennie-O FREE coupons - 2
Turkey meat thermometer and other fun promotional items


Giveaway

Ends 03/31/13 at 7 PM EST (you must follow my blog publicly on google friend connect, leave a separate comment for each entry you complete, put your email address in your comment if it's not visible on your blogger profile, contiguous US only, no po boxes) 



Easy Entry



Go to the Wholly Guacamole website and find another product that you would enjoy, leave a comment letting me know which product or recipe you can't wait to try.

Extra Entries -  

Follow me on twitter http://twitter.com/#!/fdp4life leave a comment letting me know your twitter name.

Like Let's Eat 2 Day on facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lets-Eat-2-Day/127260644023896 leave a comment with your facebook name letting me know you are my fan.

Like Eat Wholly on facebook facebook.com/whollyguacamole  and leave a comment letting me know your name on facebook and that you are a fan.


Follow @eatwholly on twitter and leave a comment with your twitter name letting me know you are their follower.


You can enter up to 5 times.  I will use random.org to select the winner once the giveaway is over at 7 PM on 03/30/13.  I will email the winners and they will have 72 hours to respond to my email with their mailing address or I will have to select another winner.  Thank you for reading and participating.


Disclosure:  The information and samples have been provided to me by Wholly Guacamole and Jennie-O Turkey.  The opinions expressed are my own.


Winner selected and emailed:


/\Heather/\ said... 181
I follow @eatwholly on twitter - ilovetoclap
 



Friday, March 8, 2013

Neutrogena® Cosmetics


                           
I am a Buzz Agent.  They sent me some  Neutrogena® Cosmetics to sample and review.  I received the Neutrogena® MoistureSmooth Color Sticks for sheer, shiny color that continuously conditions lips, Neutrogena® Healthy Lengths Mascara for 100% longer looking lashes, and the Neutrogena® Crease Proof Eye Shadows for 12-hour wear that instantly revives and brightens eyes.  I have been wearing these for the past couple weeks and I have noticed smoother lips.  I also love how my lashes are looking longer and stronger.  The eye shadow is so easy to apply and looks amazing.  I have been getting so many compliments since I switched to Neutrogena.

Neutrogena® is known for making radiant skin a reality with their skin care products, so we should have known they’d do the same with their makeup. Forget diamonds — Neutrogena® Cosmetics are the only best friend a girl needs, enhancing your natural beauty while helping to improve your skin’s healthy look.