Cancer? You Look Mahvelous- Look Good, Feel Better turns 20!

I've done it, have you?
I have dressed up on a day when I either felt bad, or sad, or mad, and guess what? It made me feel better.

The founders of Look Good...Feel Better (www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org) had this in mind when they started the non-medical, brand neutral program to help cancer patients increase their self esteem as they battle their disease.

Look Good...Feel Better Celebrates 20 Year with a Makeover contest!

Submit your story of how the Look Good...Feel Better program helped you cope with cancer and be featured on the Women of Hope is Beautiful blog to help educate others who are still fighting their fight. In August, Look Good…Feel Better will choose five women with the most-compelling stories to receive a trip to New York City for a makeover an a trip to the DreamBall, a black-tie gala and the program's largest annual fundraiser, held each year in New York City!

Encourage your family and friends to visit the site, view the entries, and leave comments of support. And, know you are sharing your story with others who really need to hear it most.

Is a woman you know going through cancer treatment?

Take them to the Look Good...Feel Better site where there are lots of great make-up tips and even ways to cope with hair loss. Then check out the Before and After photos. They make ME feel good just seeing how they feel better!

There is so much information on the site including program locator. A wonderful resource for something that seem so simple, and yet can make all the difference. Giving someone the gift of feeling better about themselves really can affect what is going on inside.

Janine

Sponsored by:
Mom Central

Remember to change your filters, or have Filtrete remind you!

We ALWAYS forget to change our filters. We forget until the house is not cooling down like it should. We forget until we call ‘the guy’ who then comes out, changes the filters that are filthy, and charges us $300. We then swear we’ll remember to change them but we never do. Now, thanks to Filtrete and Mom Central, I just might remember!

I am going to sign up for the Clean Air Club on www.Filtrete.com to get a seasonal newsletter and reminder to change my filters! There are other ‘member’ benefits like a wallet card so I never forget which size filters I need, a Homeowners Guide to indoor air quality booklet, and special member promotions and rebates.

Plus, I’ve noticed my allergies picking up this year. I have new pillow protectors but what I didn’t realize is that sometimes my ‘cleaning’ efforts (including dusting and vacuuming) can increase irritating particles like mold spores, dust, and pet dander. This is where a good filter can help.

For more useful tips on how to create a healthy home and to sign up for the Clean Air Club so you remember to change your filters visit www.filtrete.com.

Checking on mine now,
Janine

This post sponsored by

The What-did-they-do-before-breast-pumps? Evenflo Giveaway

***UPDATE 5-9-09***
Winner of the Evenflo Comfort Select breast pump and nursing pads is....Rusti!
Congratulations and thanks everyone for entering!
****************



This is not a ‘product review’ as I am not currently breast-feeding and I have not actually tried this product. I do, however, know a little something about breast pumps.

What I know about breast pumps.

I pumped a lot.
I pumped 4 times a day for 45 minutes at a time.
I pumped in front of people. Men even.
I pumped driving up the New Jersey Turnpike racing to get to my father before he died.
I believe I remember pumping IN the hospital as I waited to give him my last goodbyes but those memories are fuzzy and all I know is that I was in that hospital all day and so I would have HAD to pump at some point.
I then pumped before and after my father’s funeral.

You see, my twins did not take to breastfeeding. Oh, I tried. I tried, then I cried. I tried, I cried again, I went to a lactation consultant. The lactation consultant was very nice. She told me at least one of the girls had a strange sucking thing that meant she could latch on all day and NOT get and ounce of breast milk. She told me I could work at teaching the babies how to suck correctly, but as I mentioned before, my father died. I had a lot going on.

I remembered thinking, “What would I have done if I didn’t have a breast pump? Would my twins have just perished?” So pumping is one reason I did not go completely insane those early days, because while I was an emotional mess, at least I knew they were getting breast milk.

Evenflo Comfort Select Performance Breast Pump

The Evenflo brand was definitely one that I trusted. Infact, I think I JUST tossed out the leftover Evenflo nursing pads that prevented many a wet spot for me. The Evenflo Comfort Select pump really seems to be made for moms who are on-the-go. The carrying case is much smaller than the one I had, and it has dual motors. That might have cut down on my pumping time! I like that all components are made without BPA and contain less than 0.01% phthalates. But what really caught my eye is the base – you know, the part that holds the bottle...so when you are done pumping what little breast milk you can get after 45 minutes it won’t tip over and spill all over the place!


For more information on the Evenflo Comfort Select pumps visit www.Evenflo.com and check out www.MomCentral.com as well where you can read breast feeding tips and enter to win your own Evenflo breast pump.

Enter to win an Evenflo pump for yourself or win one as a gift!

Thanks to Mom Central I have one Evenflo Comfort Select Performance breast pump AND two boxes of Evenflo Comfort Select nursing pads (one with Lanolin) to giveaway to one lucky reader!

Here’s how to enter: Leave a comment telling me who the pump is for and either why they(you) need it OR your funniest breastfeeding / pumping story! Winner will be chosen by random drawing.

Extra entries (the more chances you have of winning) – be sure to leave a separate comment for each!

• Tweet this giveaway (include link): " Win an Evenflo Comfort Select breast pump --> http://tinyurl.com/dm9vee "
  
• Blog about this giveaway and link back (I need link for this too)
• Subscribe to this blog (need your email to verify)

Contest ends Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 11:59pm
Good luck and I'm looking forward to some funny stories,
Janine

A Mother’s Day Gift that Gives Back to Mompreneurs in Africa

This mom supports her family with coconut oil

What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than to buy your mom a gift that supports other mothers. Basa Body all-natural coconut oil products make the perfect Mother’s Day gift for so many reasons.

About Basa Body

Basa Body products are made with organic coconut oil that comes from Coast Coconut Farms, a micro-franchise business that provides sustainable employment, management and ownership opportunities for the rural people of Kenya. Coast Coconut farms produces coconut oil for cooking and for Basa Body products. When you buy either line of products ayou are helping moms in Africa support their families.

But How are the Basa Products?

I received a Kiss Me Pack that includes three products that no only smell good, they feel really good too. The Basa Body Lotion was supple yet not greasy. The Body Stick was perfect for my cuticles and elbows. And the Mint Trouffle Soap was oddly refreshing, if not hunger-inducing!

Basa Body Kiss Me Pack

Two reasons to Buy Basa Body products for Mom

First, purchase a Basa Body Kiss Me pack between now and May 12, and use the promotion code "momitforward," to receive an additional 10% off. That makes it a fab Mother’s Day gift for under $30.00!

AND

If you purchase a Basa body or Coast Coconut Farms product OR make a donation of at least $20 between now and May 12th, you will be entered to win one of three prizes from MomItForward:
$250 Disney gift card
$150 Amazon.com gift card
$100 Target gift card

Already got your mom something?

Look ahead to the end of school and get your child’s teacher a Basa Body or Coast Coconut Farms gift as a thank you that goes a little further.
Is there a mom-to-be or new mom in your life? Surprise them with a gift that really celebrates mothers everywhere.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of my mom friends. Please visit the Basa Body site and consider donating or making a purchase.

And Mom – you can guess what you’ll be getting May10th !☺
Janine

Interesting Study: Healthy Choice meal + walking lowers cholesterol & weight

Earlier this week I got to sit in on a call with Dr. James Rippe who will be releasing results of a study he did with 130 participants who all had at lease one major risk factor for heart disease.

The Rippe / Healthy Choice Study

In this study one group of participants were required to eat one Healthy Choice frozen, prepared meal a day plus participate in a walking program.

The other group only did the walking program.

The result was the Healthy Choice group lowered their cholesterol by an average of 12 points. They lost an average of 18 lbs and all of that weight was body fat. More importantly, according to Dr. Rippe, the participants did NOT have a decrease in dietary quality which is often the case when people diet.

Why Healthy Choice for this study?

Apparently Healthy Choice is the ONLY brand of froze, prepared meals that fit the criteria 'healthy' in terms of calories, fat, sodium, etc. as determined by the FDA.

In addition, Healthy Choice has developed a new line of All Natural Entrées that are filled with protein, whole grains, fiber and antioxidants to help promote heart and digestive health...without preservatives, artificial flavors or colors.

I have yet to try these frozen entrees but the study findings were interesting enough for me to check out Healthy Choice on my next visit to the grocery store. If any of you follow me on twitter (@twincident) you'll know I've been trying to watch what I eat including less carbs, sugar and sodium (using hashtag #dietingsucks) so this may be just what I need! (Thanks Mom Central for letting me know about this!)

For more information on the study visit: http://www.rippehealth.com/index.html

For a list of Healthy Choice All Natural Entrees including vegetarian choices like Mediterranean Pasta,or Pumpkin Squash Ravioli visit HealthyChoice.com.


Janine

Aller-Ease Giveaway - you need this more than you know!

Let's talk for a minute about....

Photo credit: Wikipedia

Dust Mites

A single female dust mite lays 40 to 100 eggs, creating more than 100 new dust mites and 8,000 fecal droppings per month. Dust mites multiply so significantly, that unprotected pillows will weigh 10 percent more after just two years – and unprotected mattresses will double in weight after 10 years.

How about...

Pet Dander

Pet dander consists of the flakes of dead skin shed by cats, dogs, hamsters, and guinea pigs...even those called "hairless"

and

Mold Spores

Molds are tiny organisms that float through the air, often settling in soil, vegetation and rotting wood outside, and enter a home through open doorways, windows, vents, and through heating and air conditioning systems.

Here's what they all have in common:
1. They are gross.
2. They are the most common causes of allergy and asthma
3. They can be prevented simply by using Aller-Ease protective products


Stop whining and Enter to Win!
Now that I've completely grossed you out, stop whining about your loss of appetite and just do something to take care of your dust mite, mold, and dander problem!

Enter to win an Aller-Ease Deluxe pillow AND queen cotton pillow protector!

The Aller-Ease Deluxe Pillow offers superior allergen filtration in a 100% breathable fabric. Plus, it comes with a washable bonus cover, so your pillow stays cleaner longer.

The Aller-Ease Cotton Pillow Protector is 100% cotton so the fabric breathes to give you a good night's sleep while still protecting you from the most common household allergens.


To Enter:
Visit the Aller-Ease site and leave me a comment with one tip to reduce allergies in your bedroom.

Extra Entries (require separate comment for each with links as needed)

• Subscribe to this blog (leave your email in comment)
• Blog about this giveaway and link to this post
• Tweet this giveaway: Suffer from allergies? Win Aller-Ease Pillow and Cotton Pillow Protector --> http://tinyurl.com/cw9x77
• Email this giveaway to 5 friends and cc me: scarytwins [at] yahoo
• Grab the Twofer Thumbs Up button for your blog

Contest Ends Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 11:59 PM

Covering my pillows as we speak...
Janine

Win 1 Free Month to DrWeigh for tips on feeding children

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting Joanna Dolgoff, MD (aka: Dr. Weigh) at the Subway/NIH Pep rally in DC where I learned about the WE CAN! program to defeat childhood obesity.

Watch the Stop Light

Joanna has created a very cool online program that gives parents what they need to help their children eat healthy without being hungry.

• Her easy "stop light" system rates thousands of foods with a red, yellow, or green light to easily determine which foods need to be limited and which foods are unlimited...yes, unlimited, so there's always something to snack on!
• Recipes and sample menus help you plan ahead and make eating healthy much easier.
• Weekly newsletter and nutrition lessons offer support and exercise tips to help keep your family's health on track.

Check out her success stories so you can see how kids really did learn to make better choices all on their own!

Enter to Win a FREE MONTH at DrWeigh

Here's how you can win a free month of membership with all the benefits listed above:
1. Go to www.DrWeigh.com and read the program FAQs
2. Leave a comment here with the FAQ that jumped out at you most (the one that made you click and read more)

That's it!

Extra entries- LEAVE a COMMENT for Each:
3. Tweet this contest (leave link in comment)
4. Blog about this contest (leave link in comment)
5. Grab the Twofer Thumbs button (leave link in comment)
6. Email a link to this contest to 5 friends and cc me scarytwins [at] yahoo [dot] com

Contest Ends Friday, April 24, 2009 at 11:59pm

Be sure to visit Joanna's blog for lots of valuable information too: www.DrWeigh.com/blog.

Janine