Slim-Fast's Best Tasting Shakes Ever

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Slim-Fast for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I don't make a secret of it--I've had my ups and downs in the weight department.  As a teenager I was a thin, athletic girl who ate whatever and whenever. Let's just say that when I hit my mid twenties all that fast food caught up with me and I packed on some pounds. After trying a few fad diets and realizing that the weight was not going to magically disappear I did some research and decided to to try  Slim-Fast. I managed to take off close to thirty pounds in about 4 months, by changing to two Slim-Fast shakes a day, 3 snacks and a reasonable dinner. I would even splurge on dinner at least once or twice a week with pizza or a burger just to keep from going off the diet completely.

I maintained my weight within several pounds of for about 5 years, then started trying to get pregnant and subsequent infertility treatments and depression helped me pack the pounds back on. I was at my highest weight ever, earlier this year and realized I would have to do something again. So naturally I immediately thought  Slim-Fast.

They have changed some things up since I last was on the plan almost 10 years ago and definitely for the better! The new & improved shakes come in twist cap bottles, help curb hunger for up to 4 hours, have 10 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber and 24 essential vitamins and minerals. I love that I don't have to use the canned products anymore, since I always felt they left a funny taste. The flavors include Creamy Milk Chocolate, French Vanilla, Cappuccino Delight (one of my FAVES), Rich Chocolate Royale and Strawberries and Cream. 

I really like the 3-2-1 plan because the results are quick, but I don't feel deprived because I am almost always eating something! The shakes are obviously included as part of the plan, replace breakfast and lunch with them or a meal replacement bar. Eat one balanced meal, around 500 calories (as a rule of thumb, try to fill half your plate with veggies, a quarter protein and a quarter fiber).

You might think that doesn't sound like much and it's not--until you realize that you are also having 3 snacks a day. You can have the 100 calorie snack bars--which are seriously to die for, I love them because they in no way shape or form taste like diet food! Or fruits, veggies or nuts.

The new Slim-Fast products are available in the pharmacy sections of major retailers like Wal-Mart, Kroger, Target, Safeway and online at Amazon.com.

I truly do like the Slim-Fast Products and the flexibility they give me in my  diet plan. Not to mention the ease of not having to figure out points or do complicated caloric calculations. So if you find yourself worried about the holiday pounds, replace your breakfast and lunch with a new, yummy shake!

Zaggmate Keyboard Case for iPad Review

It's no secret to anyone that I adore my gadgets and technology. I am an iPhone, iPad fanatic and while they are just fine (more than fine) just as they are, everything can always be improved on. When my desktop computer died last month I was having a panic attack, how was I going to blog? Sure I could use my iPad just fine, but honestly it takes me forever to type something up on it. I needed a keyboard bad!

After cruising the Internet (on my iPad) I came across the Zagg website and they seemed to be just what I was looking for. A reliable site that sells a variety of add on type tech for your gadgets. They have invisibleShields, accessories, cases, keyboard cases and a variety of other helpful items for the most popular phones & tablets on the market at reasonable prices.


The ZAGGmate Keyboard is exactly what I was looking for. A combination of sturdy case for protection, a keyboard, a stand, wireless and not insanely bulky.  Here are some of the features:

• made of Aircraft grade aluminum, with a bead blasted anodized finish that matches the iPad
• Military grade high density foam for superior drop protection
• simple but innovative hinge that allows you to adjust the view to suit you.
• can type in either portrait or landscape position
• embedded blue tooth wireless physical keyboard
• special function keys that allow you to control music, volume, home screen, search and more
• adds only 1/4" to the iPad and weighs only 12.8 ounces

I was so excited when it came, I immediately tore into the box and started setting it up. It was super easy to do and literally only took a couple minutes. To set up the connection takes mere seconds, just go to settings and search for blue tooth after you turn the keyboard on--it pretty much takes care of itself from there. It like that it is super easy to pick up my iPad, turn it around and pop it right in the case so that the screen is safe when I am not using it, then pop it out and prop it up when I need it. The fact that it is less than half the thickness of my old case is a huge bonus, since it is not much lighter, slimmer and easier to slip into my purse (yes I do have a large purse-so?)

The keyboard itself is great, since it has all the functionality--and then some-- of a regular desktop or laptop keyboard packed into one small package. Once you get used to the fact that the keyboard is smaller than what you are used too, you will be typing away just as fast--or slow--as you normally do.

Since the case is hard, it easily works on soft or uneven surfaces like pillows, beds or laps. I made the mistake of telling my husband I wanted to see if it connected to different blue tooth signals easily and it does. It hooked right up to his iPad and I haven't gotten it back off of him since.

I was going to make my own video on how easy the ZAGGmate Keyboard is to use, but since my videography skills leave much to be desired and this one is so great, I will spare you and use it instead:


Buy it: Visit ZAGGmate to purchase this item or one of their other amazing tech products!
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On the Naughty List? Don't worry, Eden Fantasys has you covered!

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Don't worry about being on the naughty list this Christmas, because it isn't a bad thing at all! Santa has a special place to shop for you, Eden Fantasys! What better way to have the best of both worlds this holiday season with a little naughty and a little nice all rolled into one gift wrapped (or unwrapped hehe) package!

Stuff his or hers stocking with all sorts of naughty sex toys, open them on Christmas Eve and have a super fun time trying them all out (just don't forget to leave some cookies for Santa!!). They have a great selection of perfect his or hers stocking stuffers! Or you could give him a gift to unwrap a little early--and show him who really does all Santa's work:

Reindeer Games Dress $42.99

Maybe you don't have a child free household and are worried that the kidlets will peak in your stockings or maybe the in-laws are in town for the holiday weekend, not to worry because Eden Fantasys has more than sex toys!

They have some delectable beauty and body products that you could even feel comfortable wrapping up and gifting your mother-in-law (and get the bonus naughty satisfaction of her not knowing where they came from haha!). Something like the Vanilla Snow Woman glistening trio, yummy vanilla scented bath gel, body mousse and lip gloss for only $29.99 is a sure thing for just about anyone.

Looking for something for a sister or girlfriend? You can even find make up at Eden Fantasys. How about picking up a make up palette like this Bella in Bloom- eyeshadow, blush and lipstick all in one decorative palette for $21.99.

 

Bella In Bloom $21.99

Right now you can put your order in and still have it arrive in plenty of time to Christmas, with their super fast and super discreet shipping (no worries, unless the mother in law orders from them she will have no idea what is in the box!) Shipping is free right now on orders over $25 plus they are offering plenty of discounts:

15% off $30 WISH15

20% off $50 WISH20

25% off $100 WISH25

30% off $150 WISH30

(offer valid only on regular priced items)

So naughty or nice, what are waiting for?

This post is sponsored by Eden Fantasys- the adult toy shoppe you can trust. owever as someone firmly on the naughty list, all opinions are 110% mine!

Sprint Holiday 3 day Sale 12/12-12/14

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sprint for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Hey everyone! Who's ready for the holiday and has all their shopping finished? Seriously? If someone pops up and comments that they have been done since September I may commit some sort of horrifying self harm!

I am way, way behind this year and have so much left to do that I honestly cannot believe that Christmas is in less than two weeks!

So I was more than excited to hear about the awesome Sprint 3 day sale, running from 12/12 to 12/14. Easily score some seriously awesome gifts that will make you the Holiday Hero! Get the HTC EVE 4G or EVO Shift for FREE only on Sprint here: http://bit.ly/rBqHmY

PLUS get waived activation for new lines of service and free shipping from Sprint here: http://bit.ly/rBqHmY

Check out these amazing Android™ powered EVO 4G devices

You know that if you take a minute to think about it, there is at LEAST one person in the family that would just be head over heels for a new smartphone, whether that is a husband, boyfriend, parent or teenager, you know tat they would be ecstatic upon opening one of these as a gift! Don't be caught last minute buying your gifts, this sale ends on Dec 14th!

TheWritingFaculty.com

The course curriculum for students seems to be getting more and more difficult as the years go by. I swear, I see what children are doing now and think "holy cow! I wasn't doing that at such and such an age!" To top it off, in this tough economy, often both parents work long hours, couple that with sports or after school activities and it is hard to find the time and energy to help your child with their school work if they need it! 

If your child is having trouble with writing (essays, poetry, creative writing or any other writing type of assignments) you should visit TheWritingFaculty.com and learn about the writing tutor program offered.  They have some of the finest writing instructors in the country, many whom have attended or even taught at the most elite schools in the country. 

With the web based writing tutoring program offered, you are not limited to whatever is in your local are, nor do you have to deal with even more driving time, drop offs, pick ups and what not! Your child can receive the tutoring he or she needs from the comfort and convenience of your own home. You can find help with with subject for Grades 4-8, Grades 4-9 and even College and Beyond.

If your child is having problems in their English or other type of writing classes, learn more about this innovative program now by visiting www.thewritingfaculty.com/tutors

This is a sponsored post, I will receive compensation for writing it. However the actual post is 100% my own writing and opinions.

BEARPAW Slippers Review

The BEARPAW brand was founded by Tom Romeo in 2001. His intention was to redefine casual footwear by using sheepskin, to create stylish and comfortable shoes. Sheepskin naturally regulates the body temperature so that feet stay cooler and drier in the summer heat and warmer in the winter (I had NO idea!)

BEARPAW has carved their niche, in a very competitive field, by focusing on comfort, sensibility and of course using only the finest materials in their boots, casual footwear and even slippers.

I really like the fact that BEARPAW has several different collections that you can shop in:
Classic Collection:  comfortable styles, sheepskin linings and classic detailing
Boutique Collection:  eye-catching silhouettes, stunning shapes and exotic materials
Campus Collection:  more laid back, quick, easy and comfy
Tahoe Collection:  traditional, rugged outsole and high quality materials (think ski lodge!)
Slipper Collection:  "these aren't your parent's house shoes" super comfy and very functional
This makes it easier for you to narrow down your selection when you have a basic idea in mind for what you are looking for.


I was sent a pair of the new Loki Slippers to try out. I was a little nervous, since I didn't get to pick out these slippers for myself and I am really very fussy about that sort of thing (crazy,I know!).  You see, I am one of those annoying people that is always hot--in the winter my husband will actually say "Excuse me, Ice Queen, can we please turn the heat up?" I hate wearing socks, hate sitting and watching TV with slippers on while my feet sweat, bu conversely hate walking on the bare floor or letting the dogs out in my bare feet. I'm a freak show and I know it.

Anynutjob, the Loki's came and I was very excited. The have a very sturdy rubber outsole with great traction, so that I can take the dogs out, run out for whatever I forgot in my car or even take the trash out without having to put on other shoes, worry about stepping on a rock or slipping on something. The suede upper outside is soft yet extremely durable and comes in several colors. (tip, if you think you are going to be rough on them or wear them to take out the pooches, get the protecting spray). The thing that really makes the slippers adorable is the sheepskin lining. It covers the entire inside and puffs in a collar around the foot opening. I really thought that they would make my feet sweat, but was surprised when they didn't (maybe I should have read the fact sheet first, then I would have known about the regulating features of sheepskin.)

I love my Loki Slippers. They meet all my requirements, slip easy on and off, very sturdy, super comfortable, supporting and most of all--adorable!

Where to find and connect with BEARPAW:
"Like" them on Facebook
Follow them on Twitter
Register with their site at www.bearpawshoes.com
Register with their online magazine http://bearpawstyle.com

You still have time to pick up a pair of these for the loved ones on your holiday shopping list and trust me, you will be number one if you do!




I received the above mentioned item in order to try it and offer my honest opinion of it. All opinions are 100% mine. No other compensation was offered or received.

TTUT!

Well hell. I already typed this up once and it not only didn't save, but it disappeared. I hate doing stuff twice, I'll never remember all my wonderfulness of the last post for this post.

Anyways, I'm random, confused and always behind. Unless it's a Sunday, I usually have zero clue what day of the week it is, therefor I never remember to hook up to a Meme until too late. Somehow today I realized it is indeed Tuesday and that Impulsive Addict and Shawn have the TTUT meme, with no rules or regs so I am attempting to post.

I was just reading Daffys' post at BatCrap Crazy where she mentioned a convo we had on twitter that made her think up the post which reminded me of an email convo we had about stupid shit I do that inspired this post. <-----makes total sense, no?

If I have already mentioned any of these idiotic things I've done recently, well, sorry but I guess you just get to hear them twice.

I ordered a Pizza Hut pizza  and was picking it up after work. I pulled into the KFC drivethru and got stuck  in line before I realized that my pizza was not there.

Decided to paint the computer room (not a good idea when you have neck & back problems). Pushed all the furniture to the middle of the room leaving me very little room to work. Had to run to Home Depot after painting the first coat and figured, screw it, I'm going like this. What I didn't realize is that my ginormous boobs had bumped the wet paint. Sooooo, I shopped at home depot looking like I was lactating chocolate milk.

Went out on porch to grab a case of Diet Coke to put in the fridge. Instead I grabbed my tennis shoes and put them in the fridge.

Drove to the wrong bank, inserted card in ATM and proceeded to have a fit because they wanted to charge me a $3.50 foreign bank fee.....eventually I realized I was not at my bank.

Accidentally answered the phone at work with a "hey babe" instead of the more traditional "**** Supply Company. Can I help you?"


I'm sure there are more, but I've blocked them from my mind.
Happy Tuesday lovers!

Mega Bloks Review

Just because I don't have small children of my own, does not mean I don't have small children in my life and frequently in my house! My youngest nieces are 12 & 2 and my husbands grandson is 5. So there is constantly a child or two running rampant. I keep toys and projects on hand for all their respective ages, but one thing I have found is that blocks of any sort or something children and adults of all ages end up having fun with.

That's why I was so excited to receive the Blok Squad Construction Site kit (ages 5 and up). The pieces are a it too small and require too much dexterity for the two year old, but she consoled herself by chasing the dogs in circles and giggling. My husband and his 5 yr old grandson had such a great time playing with this set and working to put everything together.

This particular kit contains 295 pieces and sells for $19.99--which is a great deal! They had a blast building all three of the construction vehicles so that they could play with them and commence construction on my living room. Even  a 12 year old girl will get into it--not so much the playing with trucks-- but the fun of solving how the pieces fit together to make the vehicles!

This would make a great holiday gift set for the children in your life. Available at Walmart, walmart.com, Toys "R" Us, toyrsrus.com, Amazon.com and Zellers. Pick up a set of Construction workers, policemen or firemen today!

Fembody Appetite Control, Review & Giveaway

The older I get (and really, since when is 35 old?) the harder it is for me to control my weight. Boy do I miss the days when I could eat anything, feel an urge to snack and be able to indulge it without worrying about my thighs growing before my eyes. These days I worry about every calorie that passes my lips, yet I still have the urge to snack. Not a good combo, right?
I recently lost over 25 pounds and need to loose some more but the this is the rough stretch. I'm tired of dieting AND it is the holiday season. Cookies, cakes, snacks and delicious holiday food are all so tempting and the midday grumbles make it hard to resist.

I recently got to try the Fembody Nutrition Appetite Control 100, a break through Satiereal Saffron extract which has been demonstrated to reduce a desire to snack in 100% of study participants. Satiereal is an extract of Saffron which helps reduce the desire to snack, reducing weight and inches.

Clinically Supported- Satiereal Participants experienced:
--100% reduced desire to snack
--50% fewer instances of snacking  between meals
-- Reduction in weight and inches
-- Improved mood and energy
One of the main ingredients is Oat Bran, which is one of natures best sources of fiber and can help increase feelings of fullness.

I have been using this product for several weeks and am quite impressed with it. I have personally tried many products over the years an one of the things that always hits me first is the racing heartbeat and racing pulse, neither of which I experienced with this product. After taking it in the mornings, I experienced no  shakiness, racing pulse or any other side effect. I also noticed during the afternoons I felt a much reduced urge to snack. Normally around 2 or 3 in the afternoon I am feeling ravenous and lately I am not searching co-workers desk for any snack available! I haven't been taking it long enough to notice a weight loss, but I do expect that it should be a decent one due to my reduced hunger.

BUY IT: Sold exclusively at GNC stores for $39.99 (gold card purchase $31.99).Be sure to check out these other Fembody products while you are there: Fembody Nutrition Slim, Fembody Nutrition Hair, Nails & Skin, Fembody Nutrition Advanced Bone Activator.

WIN IT: Two of my readers are going to win a full size bottle of the FEMBODY Nutrition Appetite Control 100 (a $39.99 value). Fill out the easy entry Rafflecopter form below to enter.