Guest Post: Keep the Holidays Happy and Healthy with Diabetes Prevention

I am SOOOO super excited for this guest post today!! It's all about staying healthy during the holidays and, let's face it, Easter and Passover are right around the corner! I'm not sure about you but we tend to indulge a bit more in my family during the spring holidays so I'm definitely taking this blog post to heart. Today's guest blogger is Carolyn and she's a  20-something year old with a passion for life, fitness and overall well-being. She is an avid cycler, golfer and has been known to bust some serious moves on the dance floor. Check out Carolyn’s fitness blog - you won't be disappointed. 

I have always taken pride and enjoyment from staying physically fit, but when my young cousin was recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, I realized that my personal fitness was no longer enough. For my cousin and the rest of my family, I need to actively promote healthy living and diabetes prevention awareness. This was fairly easy during November, American Diabetes Month, but it’s also important to remember all throughout the year, too!

I started to do some research on the disease so I could better understand how to help my cousin, and was horrified to find out how serious it really is. According to St. Joseph’s Cardiac Center, if left untreated, diabetes can reap other serious consequences later in life such as eye problems and blindness, heart disease, and even amputation. With St. Patrick’s Day and East rights around the corner,a time where kids are likely swapping all kinds of candy and sweets at school and at home, my resolve is still high, and I have been working with my cousins regularly to promote healthier overall lifestyles.

Being Active
The truth is that one need not abandon all traditional holiday activities in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. As every kid knows, the best thing about their upcoming spring break is no homework, and the extra time at home, away from desks and books, can be spent participating in fun physical activity. What could be more seasonally appropriate than going out to play in freshly fallen snow? Kids will work up a great appetite for healthy snacks while rolling up snowmen, sledding, building snow forts and participating in snowball fights. If you live in a warm climate or snow is starting to fade from your neighborhood, organize outdoor “spinning” activities for kids who can participate with bikes, scooters, roller skates or any kid-powered vehicle with wheels.

Eating Healthy
When it comes to holiday goodies, emphasize healthy snacks while minimizing the availability of high-calorie goodies full of refined sugar and saturated fat. You and your kids can still some of your favorite treats, but do so in moderation, or make healthier versions of them.

Replace fattening, sugary drinks with healthier options. For example, instead of sugary packets of instant-spiced cider, enjoy unsweetened apple cider that has been warmed and seasoned with cinnamon and a pinch of cloves. For dessert, consider trying sweet, vitamin-packed clementines instead of fattening cookies or pieces of candy. If you do choose to eat fattening holiday goodies, do so in moderation. Small servings help minimize holiday weight gain. Remember, your kids will model your behavior, so if you choose healthy options throughout the holiday season, and beyond, they are likely to follow suit.

Type 2 Diabetes is directly related to weight gain and inactivity. Adults who set good examples for their children while encouraging them to eat nutritious food and participate in physical activities are the best weapons against this disease.

Guest Post: 5 Ways to Renew Your Denim Favorites for Summer

Today's post is written by a women I've known for A LONG TIME! I'm pretty sure we went to middle school together - that's how long I've known her! For my gratitude challenge, Day 5, I'm giving her the spotlight. She has an amazing post about DENIM! Since moving to Israel, my fashion sense is a little wonky, so I asked Courtney to come up with some ideas on how to dress yourself properly. I am SO grateful for her and this post - enjoy!

Hi all! It's such a pleasure to meet you! I'm Courtney, founder and owner of Closet Fashion Fix where I offer style tips and tricks to make the most of what you already have in your closet. You can also find me on Facebook where I offer personal style advice to all. A HUGE thank you to Hillary for finding and contacting me!! See you all soon! I'm sure the topic of this post is one that everyone can relate to.  We have all worn an awesome piece of denim at some point in our lives (especially in the 80's).  This summer there are tons of ways to break out those old favorites from your closet or invest in some new.  Here are 5 ways to renew your blues!

Denim Shirt

This is my favorite style to mix and match throughout a wardrobe. The chambray work shirt is an essential piece to any closet.  Layer over a casual tee and jeans or over a floral dress.  Tuck one in to a pencil skirt to make a work outfit laid back.  Show off a great pair of colored bottoms.  Denim can be worn for work or the weekend- that's the best part!

anntaylor.com

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Denim Jacket

The denim jacket can come in different shapes and styles.  From blazer to biker, the possibilities are endless.  Pair your chambray blazer with bright separates to fight the office chill or put on a classic denim jacket with a girly dress to ground your look.

A classic jean jacket looks great over stripes or with bright denim bottoms.  It is also easy to throw on over a floaty dress.  Preppy chic with a button down is always a classic, too.

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A denim blazer is another way to work in some casual flair to a dressed up look.

More Theory...

Lastly, colored and white jean toppers are a fresh take on an old standby.

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Denim Vest

I never would have believed you if you told me denim vests would come back in style 10 years ago.  But sure enough, here they are!  I love the look of a sleeveless denim jacket over a simple tee or dress.  It's an easy way to add a topper without adding warmth on these balmy days.  (Plus, this is a great DIY project for a well loved denim jacket.  Just cut off the arms and you have a new style!)

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Denim Shorts

Don't worry, these shorts are all grown up.  No frayed hems or pocket linings peeking out on these shorts.  The denim short can be worn with sandals or heels depending on how you style them.  With a silk top- strappy heels.  With a slouchy sweater- sandals.  Pairing denim on denim is fun with a pair of white shorts and a denim shirt.

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(PS. a safe hem length for most is typically 5-7 inches)

Denim Skirt or Dress

No mini skirts here.  The new face of denim is polished and definitely appropriate for all ages.  A denim shirt dress looks great with platform sandals and minimal jewelry.  A denim pencil skirt works overtime with your casual weekend tees or during the week dressed up with pumps and a button down.

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How to Get Cheesecake Factory Discount Coupons

If you are someone who likes eating www.cheesecake.com products, definitely you have spent some money to pamper your cravings. Getting discount coupons to buy cheese cakes would be something useful. It will help you save money. A US-based company called the cheesecake factory actually offers many options of a big range of solutions for restaurants and anything related to it. This American company controls a few major bakery facilities which offer both full-service and informal restaurant services. They also provide licenses to restaurant under their company, which is considered to be under their manufacturing unit.

In its history, the company started with a food item operation, which menu had limitation. Then, later on, they have operated another facility that specializes mostly in desserts and other products related to restaurant industry.

The company, like other businesses would like to establish more customers; they would offer some of the tempting cheesecake company discount coupons that can be acquired from different locations. For this reason, those people who like to eat cheese cakes do not have to worry about spending so much for buying as much of their favorite dessert. The marketing strategy of having discount coupons is a good way to keep the clients in coming back and buying more. In fact, many of these customers who have proven how good discount coupons help them would definitely watch for exciting and interesting offers the company or the store has for them. Rewards cards are also one good way to keep clients. The reward program will help both ways – the company and the avid customers. The company will stay in shape as a business while rewarding their customers with rewards or great stuff they might like!

The discount coupons provided by the company will enable the cheese cake addict and shopper to save some money. The only thing about these discount coupons regardless of whatever type of coupon it is for, most companies would not spread it out to everyone. They usually share discount coupons to the people who are interested on their products, or perhaps customers who have been consistent in shopping through them. Moreover, they publish such discount coupons through the Internet. So you cannot really expect to get useful discounts from a specific company via mail these days. Most the time, they are shared via the company's website, advertisements, and their newsletters on the Internet. Signing up for newsletter would be something you can regularly do, especially if you have liked the products of an online store. Some online stores sends you discount coupons as a sign up bonus.

Quality Over Price: The Latest and Cheapest T-Mobile Phones that Will Give You the Most Bang for Your Buck

With the ongoing smart phone wars going on among manufacturing giants like Apple, Sony, Samsung, Motorola and more, many overpowered smart phones are created. And if you are saving money, overpowered (which is also equivalent to expensive), is not a good choice. The ideal choice would be a balance between functionality and affordability. And such deals can be had through T-Mobile promotions. And here are some of the latest "quality over price" phones by T-Mobile.

Samsung Exhibit 4G II 4G
-Android OS, v2.3.5 (Gingerbread)
-Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon chipset, 1 GHz Scorpion CPU, Adreno 205 GPU
-TFT capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, 480 x 800 pixels, 3.7 inches, 252 ppi pixel density
-3.15 MP, 2048x1536 pixels, autofocus, LED flash, VGA Secondary camera
-1500 mAh battery

T-Mobile Prism
-Android OS, v2.3.5 (Gingerbread)
-600 MHz CPU
-TFT capacitive touchscreen, 256K colors, 320 x 480 pixels, 3.5 inches, 165 ppi pixel density
-3.15 MP camera, 2048x1536 pixels
-1400 mAh battery

Nokia Lumia 710
-Microsoft Windows Phone 7.5 Mango OS
-Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon, 1.4 GHz Scorpion, Adreno 205
-TFT capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, 480 x 800 pixels, 3.7 inches, 252 ppi pixel density
-5 MP camera, 2592х1944 pixels, autofocus, LED flash, Geo-tagging, face detection, image stabilization
-1300 mAh battery

T-Mobile MyTouch Q
-Androis OS, v2.3.4 (Froyo)
-Qualcomm MSM8255 chipset, 1000 MHz Scorpion CPU
-3.5 inch TFT capacitive touch screen, 320x480 pixels
-5 MP camera, autofocus
-1500 mAh

These four phones are currently the best phones you can get for your buck, provided that you are using the appropriate T Mobile promotion code. Why? Because these phones are free under the said promotion. So I suggest grabbing that promotion and get a plan for T-Mobile before the time runs out.

Ideas for children who want to decorate Easter baskets

One of the things that those who have raised children realize is that children naturally want to be creative. They like doing projects that involve many different art supplies, and they also love doing things like playing dress up, and playing pretend. Along with the love of being creative, there is also the interest in creating things. Typically these projects are centered on the different holidays that are celebrated all over the calendar. There is the Christmas season, and there are also all of the birthdays and other similar holidays. One of the most anticipated days of the year is Easter.

Many people see Easter as a day of candy, brightly colored pastel clothing, and gift baskets for Easter. These are usually filled with candy and other sweet treats for the children to eat. They can also be filled with things like small toys and other amusing items. For the older children this may mean a gift card or something like that so they will be able to choose something that they will especially like rather than having someone else choose the gifts for them.

There are many parents who want to encourage their children to be creative and they do this by giving the children different projects to do. One of the best projects that you can give older children especially during this particular holiday is to have the children themselves decorate their own gift baskets for Easter. They can do this by going to places such as the different hobby stores and they can then choose their own materials in order to make the baskets. They can be as creative as they want to be and the baskets themselves would serve a dual purpose. They are first used in order to hold the different gifts that parents like to place into the baskets. The children can then use the baskets in order to go on the traditional Easter egg hunt that many families and communities decide to put on at this time of the year.

It is also important to let the children be creative when they are making their creations regardless of what they may turn out to look like. As long as they are happy with it that is the most important thing. There are many important parts of the Easter holiday including all of the traditional things that many families choose to take part in.

Regardless of the different traditions that are out there it is also important for families to create their own traditions in order for them to feel more closely knit together. The holidays are often times the only time that families get to spend together without distractions of everyday living. Life provides many distractions that come in all different shapes and sizes. It is essential that families decide to spend quality time together rather than letting other outside distractions get in the way. Easter is a time where families can spend time together and enjoy the day off regardless of what they decide to do.

Kardashians

Author: Joyce Mccall

I have gotten so into reality TV shows since we got DirecTV. I can not believe how many shows the Kardashians have. For one family there are three different reality shows! I really couldn't believe it when I figured out that they are basically famous just because they have these reality shows and are filthy rich. My favorite Kardashian show is Chloe and Lamar. The show focuses on their new marriage. To me Chloe seems to be the most down to earth of the three sisters. The last episode I watched was all about how Chloe and Lamar have been trying to get pregnant and it just isn't happening. Everyone is pressuring them and asking why they don't have a baby yet. I have dealt with infertility, so I know how hard that can be. I think it is great that they are sharing that on their show so people can see that their lives aren't perfect. As much as I like these shows I have to wonder how much of it is truly reality and how much is staged and made-up.

Guest Post: Wanna Visit Israel?

Israel is an amazingly diverse country, a land of history and religion, of culture and adventure, and of extremes, geographically, demographically, and culturally. Tourist Israel is your entry point to this amazing land, a website which shows the whole spectrum of things to do in Israel, and in exploring it, you are certain to find an Israel waiting for you.

From the sweeping sands of Israel’s Negev Desert, the lowest point on earth at the Dead Sea, and a resort on the Red Sea, to the rolling hills the Galilee, somewhat akin to Tuscany, the land of the New Testament where any step you take is on historic ground, with its quaint villages, acclaimed vineyards, and beauty, in abundance. And from Tel Aviv, Israel’s modern metropolis, “The Mediterranean Capital of Cool,” a centre of commerce and culture, and nightlife and leisure, this is a city like no other. Until you come to Jerusalem that is, just forty-five minutes by car, you might as well be on another planet. Jerusalem is one of the most intense, holy, and religious places on earth, just being there among the famous golden stone buildings is somehow impressive in itself.

Exploring Israel is an individual journey. Whatever you want to do, there are Israel tours for you – whether it be touring the religious sites of Jerusalem, the famous architecture of Tel Aviv, a jeep tour through the Negev Desert, or paragliding above the sites of battles in the Galilee. 

To see Israel for yourself (before you see it in person – we are sure you will) why not check out Tourist Israel for yourself, or to make sure you are kept up to date with what’s happening in this amazing country, follow the site on Facebook or Twitter.

Guest Post: Upcycled {no sew} Placemat Clutch - DIY

Given that it's my No Spend Month - I thought I'd wrestle up some awesome DIY projects for you. There's a good chance that most of you have this stuff at home, so it won't be hard for you to do this project. Brooke is a good friend of mine from high school and I am so honored she asked me to post this for her! You can find her bio at the end of the post - I highly recommend visiting her Etsy store!

In honor of Hilly G’s ‘No Spend’ month, I wanted to create a cool gift or accessory that could be done by anyone- no craft skills needed! I have seen something similar to this floating around the internet, but they all require some skills, and this comes out exactly the same and in less time.   

Materials needed 

• Fabric Placemat
• Fabric glue or sewing supplies (for more advanced crafters)
• Binder clips or paper clips
• Optional- embellishments, old pins, buttons or velcro

The placemat should be made out of some semi-stiff material.  The more synthetic the placemat is, the better it will be.  Also, probably the more ugly the placemat, the cooler it will look when you are finished.  (If you don’t have any yourself just ask a friend).  Grandmas also have old and super funky pins that would look great on the clutch and could be used instead of a closure to hold it closed. 

Step 1

Fold the placemat so that it is folded almost in thirds, but with a slightly short top.  I chose to leave 2 inches on my flap.  (I used a measuring mat so you could see, but you can eyeball it just as easily).  Press out the folds so they are nicely creased. 

Step 2

Place a nice thick bead of glue along the edges where the seam will be (or sew on your machine).  Place clips on top of where the glue is until dry. 

Step 3  

I had some Velcro strips at home, so I put that as the closure.  The best closure would be magnets or snaps from a craft store if you want to add a nice touch.

Step 4

Play around with different embellishments that you have to see what you like.  I had a strip of black ribbon, but that is not something that everyone has.  I looked around to see what kinds of things that I already had.   You’re going to laugh but-I found an old pair of panties with a really cool appliqué design and used that to make my purse pop.  

Brooke is a mother, wife, designer, entrepreneur behind Baby Bear Hugs.  She loves teaching and creating art. Re-Using materials and recycling is really important to her as well as the cornerstone of her new Upcycled clothing line.

You can find her creations that she makes with her sister at http://www.babybearhugs.etsy.com. Connect with her on Facebook and read about her life and crafting adventures on her new blog: http://babybearhugs.blogspot.com.