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This is a sponsored review by BlogHer and Newman’s Own.

It wasn’t long after I started having babies that I learned that if I wanted to place a hot meal on the table by 6:00p.m., I needed to start cooking the meal by 10 a.m. With children around, the “witching hour” rears its ugly head and around 3 in the afternoon, making seemingly “simple tasks” a Herculean effort. Cooking dinner was taxing on my few mental reserves. At 10:00 a.m. the freshness of the morning still had the leftover quietness of the evening, making it a stress-free time to plan the meal and chop the vegetables. It’s no secret here that I like to cook with fresh ingredients, and I rarely rely on canned, processed foods– which would save me time, but cooking things myself gives me that extra edge of trust about ensuring I’m not exposing my kids to extra trans fats. Soon I learned other moms had a whole arsenal of tips and methods to ensure the family meal. was properly cared for and nurtured after. My neighbor said she did the same thing when her kids were little, but with one caveat. “I always started cooking dessert first.” What a paradoxical shift. Why dessert first? Maybe because gelatin was all the rage back then, (the 70s) and she needed the fridge to congeal the mixture to ensure gelatin could be eaten with a spoon, rather than a straw. Still, I there are still days when I don’t have enough time to cook dinner as it is – so adding dessert would ensure one thing: we’d only eat dessert, because that’s all I’d have time to make. Today is one such day. It’s the boy’s first day of school, and I’ve already made an angel food cake (sprinkled with fresh anti-oxidant-rich blueberries) for tonight’s dinner to celebrate. And, guess what else? I’ve run out of time. No chance I’ll have time to cook something wholesome and delicious to match that dessert. In my pursuit of a wholesome meal, I found Newman’s Own Thin & Crispy pizza, made with all-natural ingredients – and a taste that is “picky-eater” approved. Newman’s Own Thin & Crispy pizzas are a convenient way to give the family a quick meal, without breaking the bank or compromising nutrition. NO stands for not only Newman’s Own, but also NO modified food starch, NO sodium nitrate, NO modified cornstarch.

So pleased to give him this meal, after both of us had such a hard day. Mati Nui is even ready to stand guard over his own slices; no brother would dare steal his own share of this wholesome pizza. So, on those morning when I do get behind the 8-ball, and I can’t get dinner fixed, I know it takes only 10-12 minutes for a Newman’s Own Thin and Crispy frozen pizza to bake to perfection — at about half the cost of take-out pizza. How do you get the meal on the table for your family? Leave a comment below to explain how you do it, “despite the witching hour.” With your comment, I’m giving away a Newman’s Own Gift Basket valued at $75. Contents may vary. Newman’s Own Foundation continues Paul Newman’s commitment to donate all profits to charity. Over $300 million has been given to thousands of charities since 1982.” Your chance to win is open from 9/1—9/30/2010. Click here for the official rules.

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Shelia is a good friend of mine, going back to the days when my now 14-year-old was just a toddler. Her boys and our boys rang in the Millennium New Year in her basement. To this day, I think she thought we’d get our boys out of there before midnight struck. (Actually, in hind-sight I realize that we did finally leave — around 10. But that was hard, because Dale and Shelia always kept us laughing.)

I always marveled at Sheila’s multi-tasking abilities. While I was struggling to get the breakfast dishes of the day cleaned up, Sheila and Dale were out mastering their lucrative careers, which sometimes sent them off travelling on overnight trips. In those days, a trip to the grocery store sent my family off-balance — yet Sheila managed her jet-setting with grace and style.

And her two boys, with their endearing bright eyes, were the epitome of balanced, happy kids.

How did she do it?

Now I know her secret. Sheila had foresight. She foresaw every imaginable scenario and she planned for it. Her planning led her to written lists, checklists and instructions. She had mastered the art of “leaving your kids” and documented every detail of the excursion so that it was  down to a hard science. While she had a regular caregiver, who knew her kids like a Grandma, there were always those unforeseen emergencies when Grandma, an Aunt or a neighbor had to step in. Thanks to those lists, anyone could step in and do what Shelia, and her boys, needed.

Of course, being the organizational wizard that she is, Sheila has collected her forms and documents in a handy-spiral-bound book, The Infant and Toddler Guide for Busy Parents™ .

Inside, you’ll find a place to list nap, sports and after-school schedules, places to record school and pediatrician contact numbers, as well as official documents to be used in the, heaven-forbid — emergency. But it’s not just for the kids — Sheila includes checklists for running the house (garbage day!) so that the entire household keeps running smoothly while you’re gone. This book is Sheila’s “science for leaving the kids” in one handy reference.  This is simply peace of mind in a book.

Visit Sheila’s website to get your copy. Also, check out her Pet Care Guide.

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Minted invited me to select, once again, their award-winning personalized Christmas cards. I was delighted, as I worked with Minted last year, and the cards were beautiful, and easy to incorporate my own photos into their award-winning designs. Still, the greatest part about this early Christmas card review is that I have the motivation, and the deadline, to get my cards done the week of Halloween.

Once again, I went for the yearline card, which allows me to add one large photo on the front, and four smaller photos on the inside. The perfect solution for those of us with lots of kids, and no single great “family shot” where no one is blinking, frowning or looking the other way. There is a box that allows you to select where you want the photo to appear on the card, and an icon to upload the photos.

This year, I choose “Snowflake Window Holiday Card,” designed by Stacey Day, in Birmingham Alabama. The gorgeous part of this card, is that a snowflake appears on the front, directly over the picture.

Once your photos are in place, you move on to the “caption” area. In the Yearline card, there is space to write a “caption” to tell the story of your year; an express version of the “Christmas letter. ” I use the space to add funny things the kids say, such as “Mom, I’m glad you married Dad, or I would look completely different.”

This year my quotes went over the text limit, again, but there is a warning message on top that relieved me of stress: “If your text is cut off or placement is off, please don’t worry. A professional designer will make sure your text is clean and legible.” And that is exactly what my designer did. Everything fit.

And this is the picture:

The effect is stunning, as the snowflakes literally jump off the page, and appear to look as if they are part of the actual picture.

Thank you Minted, for making that one holiday stress so “stress free.”  Is it time to watch the Bishop’s Wife yet?

Minted provided me with 25 free cards to try. I purchased an additional 75 cards.

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Probiotics, those essential microorganisms we’ve heard so much about lately, because they boost your immune system and restore digestive balance, are everywhere in the dairy aisle. Yogurt, we’ve always believed, is the vital carrier for these essential live cultures. Whether you want to eat it with a spoon, drink it or slurp it, there’s no shortage of yogurt-based drinks with labels touting those Latin names – everything from bifidobacteria to Lactic acid bacteria.

Chocolate, it turns out, is a much better carrier for these microorganisms. Chocolate — no kidding.

A study done at the University of Ghent in Belgium found that 80 percent of chocolate-based probiotics pass safety through the stomach vs. 20 percent of milk/yogurt drink-based probiotics. The cocoa butter in the chocolate protects the probiotics, eliminating the need for refrigeration, for up to one year – No need for refrigeration.

Joseph Maroon, MD and author of The Longevity Factor: How Resveratrol and Red Wine Activate Genes for a Longer and Healthier Life, worked with Maramor Chocolates to create an entire line of chocolates fortified with essential probiotics. These chocolate bars are individual wrapped (just one per day) and are packed with microencapsulated probiotics. A single bar of dark chocolate is 80 calories; 70 calories for milk chocolate.

Maramor sent me two box samples of both the milk and dark chocolate probiotic bars. Once I read the fact sheet about how healthy the chocolate was, I expected to taste cardboard.

I was wrong; and I was surprised. The taste of this chocolate is very good; addictively good; and my kids are sneaking chocolate bars out of the box when they think I’m not looking.

I don’t mind the the security of knowing that at least they’re eating something healthy, which just happens to taste delicious.

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Just one of the phrases I’ve been hearing repeated lately by my coach for the Wii.

I’m into week three of my compensated review from BlogHer and EA Sports Active for the Wii.

Here are my measurements to date:

• Height 62″
• Bust 35″
• Waist: 29.5″ — dropped 1.5 inches!!
• Hips: 38.5″
• Upper thigh 20″ — dropped one!
• Weight: Two weeks ago: 133
• Last week: 129 !!!!
• Today! 127!!! Six pounds lost so far!

I will add that this week has been one of the most stressful weeks I’ve had for a very long time; so this may have something to do with it. But still, I am enjoying my little 30 minute workouts with the Wii, and seeing if I can beat the little calorie burn sessions. I seem to have no problem going over the calorie burn rate — and I am not sure how EA Sports Active for the Wii figures that out, but it sure feels great when I see those calories burning.

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I’ve spent a little over a week now with my my 30-day challenge, as part of my compensated review from BlogHer and EA Sports Active for the Wii.  Following the lead of Fluid Pudding, I took measurements and started calculating how many pounds I’ve gained. To do this, I incorporated the Wii Balance Board from Wii Fit.  Wii Fit does a great job of measuring your core strength, as well as your weight, and I wish the Sports Active would incorporate these calculations into your personalized 30-day challenge.  It doesn’t, which means you have to switch back and forth between Wii Fit and Sports Active. For example, I wish the 30-day challenge would incoporate your current weight into the goal, and help you calculate the number of calories you should burn in a given workout. It doesn’t; or I haven’t figured that out yet.

The thing about weight is that it can be a tricky thing; muscles weighs more than fat.  So while you may feel yourself getting smaller, and your clothes getting looser, your weight may actually stay stagnant or, in fact rise. A real indicator of whether or not you are getting in shape is to take measurements — because while muscle weighs more than fat, it takes up less space.

Sports Active is directed toward strength training as a way to stay fit; so muscle (especially in my weak arms and shoulders) is on its way. Unfortunately, I didn’t think to take measurements first, like Fluid Pudding did. But I have them documented now, I am interested to see if I loose any inches as I move through my 30 day challenge.

• Height 62″
• Bust 35″
• Waist: 31″
• Hips: 39″
• Upper thigh 21″
• Weight: Two weeks ago: 133
• Today: 129 !!!!

I’m pleased with the results, obviously. But water weight gain and other fluctutations can make a big difference from week to week on just a few pounds. The real key is to see how my measurements stack up toward the end of the workout.  I am enjoying the challenge; it’s keeping me focused on on-track, especially when the boys say, “Mom, are you ready to do your wokout today? We’ve got it all set up for you!”

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As I officially started my 30-day challenge, as part of my compensated review from BlogHer and EA Sports Active for the Wii, I’m usually doing the workouts with an audience as the boys are now school-free. Besides, if there is a TV or a Wii game on in this house, all of the males in my house must be present. And you know what, I’m fine with that. I let them synchronize the Wii balance board, and pick out my hair color and body type. (Actually, I did that one, as the boy’s don’t understand the power of postive thinking… pick out the skinniest chick on the screen, as something to aspire to.)  My little Wii person looks pretty good – I’m wearing a blue t-shirt, hat and sunglasses of course, and a cute hat; outfit courtesy of the boys.

So, as I’m working my way through the in-line skating, which asks me to literally jump into the air, as if I’m jumping off the ramp, (actually, it’s kind of fun), my boys, experts as they are on these video games, start explaining to me that all I have to do is “lift the numchuck up in the air, and then you don’t have to jump!”

Let me explain: The numchuck is actually stuck in a little pocket in the leg band that is velcroed around my upper thigh. This allows The Wii to track how high, and even if, I’m jumping. If I pull out the numchuck from its little pocket, and lift my arm up in the air, Wii will think I am actually jumping, when I would in fact just be lifting my hand.

Of course, this wouldn’t be as much fun as actually jumping the ramps, and nor would it burn as many calories; so it’s counterproductive to the goal here. Although, definitely, the lazy way around things.

So, when I’m done, the boys take their turn and give the in-line skating a whirl, using only their hands. And Guess what? The Wii knows you’re cheating. The wrist has a way of naturally spinning that numchuck around in a way that it knows the thigh can’t do… and pretty soon, the coach starts admonishing you with messages like these: “You’re going to have to put a bit more effort in this if you want to start seeing results.”

What a slam. So, just keep the numchuck in your little pocket, and do the routines like you’re supposed to. Because, the Wii knows if you’re cheating. No getting around it.

Check out the progress of the rest of the BlogHer reviewers and enter to win one of 5 copies of EA Sports Active.

Please check out the official EA Sports official site for more information: EA Sports Active official site.

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During the sweltering months of the summer, when backyard barbeques full of sumptuous grilled meats, dips and frozen treats tempt my palette, the last thing I want to do is go for a run. While we may think that the Winter holidays are the time when we gain the extra pounds, the heat of the summer pushes the idea of working out right out of my mind, and sets me right back down into my lounge chair so I can eat summer’s delicious bounty.

Thankfully, this summer I’m participating in a compensated review from BlogHer and EA Sports Active for the Wii.

This 30-day challenge will put me directly in front of my TV, where I’ll participate in a variety of Wii cardio activities, like in-line skating, boxing, and of course, running. Once a day for 30 days. (See below for a chance to win your own copy of EA Sports Active for the Wii.)

Of course, because it’s June, this also means I’ll be at the lake house. The Wii is portable. Just a few plugs unhooked, and we’re set to go.

The EA Sports Active for the Wii 30-day challenge will collect information about my weight and height and devise a custom workout plan for me to follow, with a personal trainer to help teach me the exercises. Each minute, I’ll be able to see exactly how many calories I’m burning during the workout.

The best part? Variety. Each day, I’ll have a different customized workout, with variety. I won’t be bored, plus the exercises will target a different set of specific muscle groups each day.

Throughout the month, I’ll continue to eat healthy meals continue my yoga routines through out challenge. (I do have to stay sane.)

I’m not the only one getting fit this summer. Check out the other reviewers, and get five chances to win a copy of EA Sports Active.

UPDATE Week I:

Read here, about my Week I of the 30-day challenge: The boys tried to get me to cheat…

Week II Update:

Guess How Much I Weigh Now? I took measurements and started calculating how many pounds I’ve gained. Read more here:

Week III Update:

It’s official. I am now “Poetry in Motion!”

Check out the progress of the rest of the BlogHer reviewers and enter to win one of 5 copies of EA Sports Active.

Please check out the official EA Sports official site for more information: EA Sports Active official site.

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There are a scant 20-30 pages left of this historical novel, Stealing Athena,by Karen Essex; How will see tie the loose ends in the few pages left in this epic that spans centuries with parallel epics that cover art, romance and sex? Lady Elgin is in a perilous predicament with her husband — something even her own money and royal line can’t protect her from; while Lord Elgin uses her money to recover the Greek treasures. (What will become of her children?) Aspasia, courtesan lover of the great Pericles, has betrayed him with a secret, shaking the freedom of the artist who create the great sculptures.  Essex has roped me in with her historical facts of Napoleon’s ravages during the war, the customs of the Turks, where Lady Elgin served as an ambassador with her husand, the erection of the Greek Statues, mingled with the human, day-to-day drama of human weakness and passion.

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