2012 ADA Walk for a Cure!

It's that time of year again!! I am so excited to have been a part of all the strides that have been made since I first became an advocate in 2010. THANK YOU to all those who have supported in the past by walking and/or donating!! I appreciate it so much! Every little bit helps in the fight! Raising awareness is so important! Not only is diabetes a life-altering disease, it is a life-threatening disease as well. Diabetes is more deadly than breast cancer and AIDS combined! That is huge! But we can ALL get involved in some way.

Please support me this year as I join others on September 23rd, 2012 to walk for a cure! All proceeds go to diabetes research. Thanks in advance for your help!


Click here to partner with me in the 2012 ADA Step Out: http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?px=5227937&pg=personal&fr_id=8373&et=JQe_q0NkKXHzxoyn2seZJg

A Couple Website Suggestions

Recently I added two new websites to my "Favorite Sites" list on my sidebar, (scroll down the left side of "My Bubble" to see the list), and I wanted to take a second to tell you about them.

The first is "What I Think You Should Know". It's a new blog, really new in fact, as in last week new. The writer has a few posts up there that are worth a read but what is really different is that he has pages on the blog. These are tabs along the top with headers for a finances section and a travel section as well as the main home tab. Check it out when you can and be sure to leave some feedback for the new blogger. :)

The second is the "Calorie Count" site. This has been featured on "The Today Show" as well as "SELF" magazine, so it isn't new to the web, just me. What's great about this fitness tool is that not only is it free, but also you don't have to sign up for the site or anything else to use it! If you scroll to the bottom there is a "Browse Foods" header where you can search by category. It is awesome!! I see myself using it every day. A couple other really neat things it offers are the recipe and activities section. The activities section has estimated calories burned for everything from kneeling and praying to bicycling! I have never seen a site that has such a wide range of possible activities. Definitely check it out!! If you are a beginner to calorie counting or have been doing it for years, if this site is new to you, I guarantee you will find something beneficial!

As always, thanks for stopping by and I hope one of these recommendations becomes a favorite of yours too!

On My Nightstand Right Now

This is a great book, I haven't had a lot of time to read lately so it's taking me a couple weeks to get through it but this book is perfect for that. Instead of chapters, they're little stories about various U.S. Presidents all through history. Some things you might know or have heard but there is a lot that will probably be a surprise. If you love history as much as I do then I would highly recommend this.

Check It Out!

Today while getting some hummus for my lunch at Giant Eagle, something new caught my eye. At least, I'm pretty sure they're new since I have never seen them before!

Pillsbury Sweet Moments.

Oh yes.

What a find!! There were four varieties to choose from but quickly I grabbed the Caramel Cheesecake bites.

A layer of cheesecake, a layer of caramel, and a layer of brownie covered in chocolate and drizzled with caramel.

...In a word? YUM.

They are ready-to-eat bites perfect for that afternoon chocolate craving!

The serving size is 3, for 190 calories! The cheesecake is soft and creamy, the caramel is not too sweet, and the brownie is moist so head to your local grocery store and pick some up! They are worth a trip even if you get nothing else! lol Enjoy!

(Check out the Pillsbury site here: http://www.pillsbury.com/Products/Sweet-Moments)

Never to Early to Register!

This is a great time to check your area to see if/when there is a 2012 ADA Walk to support Diabetes and finding a cure, if there isn't you can start one today!
You will also be able to vote on the design for the 2012 Walk Tee Shirt. Just follow the link below to register:

http://stepout.diabetes.org/site/PageServer?pagename=OUT_so_wherewewalk&utm_source=email&utm_medium=stepout&utm_content=032212-a&utm_campaign=SO&s_src=email_stepout&s_subsrc=032212-a

2012 Alert Day

Today is the 24th Annual American Diabetes Association Alert Day, this is held on the 4th Tuesday of every March! It is the day when every American is asked to take the diabetes risk test to find out if they are at risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes. The reason for this is that people are often diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes years after it has settled into their system, it is a disease that you can be walking around with for a long time before you even realize it. Unfortunately, if that happens the major symptoms have already developed and harmed the body. It's a disease but it is treatable.

Please follow this link to take the online test now:
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/prevention/diabetes-risk-test/

It is fast (only a few simple questions), easy, and free!

In America there are 26 million adults and children with Type 2 Diabetes. Don't wait for it to be too late.

If You've Ever Wondered...

Bacon Popcorn. For the true bacon lover:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/caffeine/bacon/cf26/

And if that doesn't cure your bacon cravings... you can try this Bacon Hot Sauce:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/zombies/e6ae/

Literally, you can "inhale your chocolate":

http://www.thinkgeek.com/caffeine/wacky-edibles/e67f/?srp=1

Finally, an adult pixie stick....

http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/giftsunder10/c0bc/

You though spam in a can was strange, how about a whole sandwich in a can?

http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/giftsunder10/e9ed/

Speaking of Spam....

http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/giftsunder10/ea1c/

A "Do-It-Yourself" wooden knife kit: Why?

http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/giftsunder10/eb3d/

This item is actually pretty cool...if it's Halloween, other than that, I'm not sure why you would have this in your bathroom:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/giftsunder20/b9b2/

Because you never know when you may need to whip it out:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/9c42/

Unicorn Chopsticks, which I guess if you're 12 they're not so bad. I do like the sales pitch on this one though, "For a Magical Mealtime":

http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/exclusives/e9ff/

This item is a joke but really, just creepy:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/plush/ea64/

Also, creepy:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/d1ef/

And lastly, I just have to throw in one more bacon phenomenon:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/caffeine/ce85/

What is the obsession??! haha Obviously the site is a lot of fun!! And, although there are many items that I cannot imagine anyone actually buying, there is also a TON of really cool items!!! To the geek in all of us, enjoy!

http://www.thinkgeek.com/

Dear McDonalds

To Whom It May Concern,

Previously I contacted you to ask when the McRib would be returning and was elated a few weeks later when it did in fact make a national reappearance. Your sandwich is under constant fire from my fellow coworkers who vary from saying that it is kangaroo meat to the actual truth, pig intestines (let's face it, there's no pretending it's quality meat, but it IS pure deliciousness), critics even going so far as to rename it the "the McDeath" sandwich. In spite of the controversy I have been able to gather a few followers of the McRib. I know that writing to you regarding this may seem pointless but I do believe in positive feedback when a company offers a great product, especially one that inspires such a "cult-like" following. I am not one of those mega-fans who waste time signing petitions and searching for blogs requesting to add the McRib to the full-time menu, I believe that part of the McRib's charm is it's elusiveness and would hate to see that ruined.

I admit I was a skeptic at first and it truly won me over. Thanks for offering such a fun product and keep up the great advertising!

Thank you for your time.

September is World Alzheimer’s Month!

Follow the link below to see how you can turn your Facebook page purple on Sept 21st to help raise awareness!

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alz.org%2Fwam&h=9AQDgxnQvAQDOBNBPBTQgjThc2pqYpTyjPxHtgLhq7oaMOw

Join the tee shirt design challenge by going to the site below!

http://atrium.threadless.com/wam/

Alzheimer's -

5.4 = the millions of people who have Alzheimer's.
183 = the billions of dollars in annual costs.
6th = the rank of Alzheimer's in leading causes of death.
14.9 = the millions of unpaid caregivers.

Every little bit helps! Click the link below to donate or join a walk near you!

http://alz.org/index.asp

About Reformers Unanimous

Previously on my blog I have written about A.A. and gave other links to support groups for all types of things so it is only appropriate that I would share this one as well! A lot of churches have started this ministry, (including the one that Brandon's family goes to in Streetsboro, OH!), as an outreach program and I know more and more people who have benefited from it and have found the strength and help to turn their lives around. There are other great programs and support groups out there but the difference with RU is that it is a FAITH based program.
According to their website, "Reformers Unanimous is a revolutionary addiction recovery program developed from over a decade of experience working with hundreds of thousands of addicts through local churches. Renowned addiction experts Steve Curington, and Dr. Paul Kingsbury have produced a program that uses a unique spiritual approach to develop lifelong sobriety. If you have tried everything else, and are looking for something that "just works" then this program is for you."
It is so encouraging that such a great program has grown so much and helped so many, "What had started as a humble, Friday night Bible study with 4 regular attendees quickly exploded into meetings with more than 300 people from throughout the community. As word spread, other churches began to inquire about this ministry at North Love Baptist Church. The National Ministry of RU was quickly launched, and shortly after that, the International Ministry was born. Today, there are more than 680 chapters throughout the nation and 12 foreign countries. In these chapters, the curriculum developed by Steve Curington and the Reformers Unanimous Staff is used to great effect. Reformers Unanimous boasts an 82% success rate among the graduates of its discipleship course. The program has proven to be so effective for one very important reason—it takes people from lives of addiction and places them into God’s intended support group, the local church. Here the addict becomes firmly fixed in the ways of a healthy and godly lifestyle and forsakes his former ways for the abundant Christian life that proves to be so much more rewarding. This method is as close to infallible as possible because it is 100% Bible-based. It follows the doctrine that Jesus Christ is the only 'Way, Truth, and Life.' "

I have included the link below! I really want to get the word out on this program since I know it has helped so many. Whatever addiction has a hold of your life RU may be able to help you through it! Another great thing about RU is that the family members are welcome at all the meetings.
Also from the RU site, here are a some signs of addiction:
"The addict will, as already mentioned, often make your life miserable. They are self-centered and extremely manipulative. They lie without even thinking about it. They even, at times, believe the lies they are telling you. Addicts can often be suspicious and paranoid. They can, on occasion, hallucinate and believe that their hallucinations are reality. They accuse people of conspiring against them. They accuse their spouse of unfaithfulness. This is all done in an attempt to deflect attention from them and their issue. They deny the obvious. They do not show up for work, and then they get angry and blame the boss when they are fired. They steal from their family, and when they are confronted about the issue they get offended. They say one thing and do another. They contradict themselves in word and action. When the truth comes out, and they are confronted with it, they become angry and blame others for what transpired. While they are actively on the drug they feel that they are invincible and that they will never get caught. If they have children, they inevitably end up neglecting them or even abusing them. You see, the addict is caught up in his own little world, and he becomes incapable of caring about anything but his drug."

http://www.reformu.com/

Best energy drink out there! =D


http://www.bawls.com/

Pizza Bogo!

I finally ate Pizza Bogo!!! lol I get the coupons every week, I read about it all the time on Mrs. B's blog, and I have finally eaten it! lol I had pizza from the one in Hudson, so it was the one that the Bergmans have taken over...lol j/k! You all know I am a big promoter of new stuff that I enjoy, and I will have to add this to the list! The sauce is kinda sweet compared to most pizza sauces but it complimented the meat and cheese well. The pepperonis were smaller and fatter than most, which usually means a better quality and there was a good amount of cheese on them too! (I hate places that skimp on the cheese!) lol So if you haven't tried it, you def. should! I still want to try their white creamy garlic sauce though! So that will be next! Site below if you've never heard of them!


http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu_ITNIhJlwcAIYtXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzOGp0djdjBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0gyMzJfMTIz/SIG=11dgfg3se/EXP=1233749395/**http://www.pizzabogo.com/

New Dew!

Some of you may already know, but for those who don't, Pepsi/Mountain Dew is doing a new promotion where they launched three new flavors and you get to vote for which you like best! Trust, me, pink is the best! Lol, it's Berry and Ginseng and it really is better than even the original Yellow Mountain Dew. There is a widget on my side panel beneath my "about me" that will take you to their website! It's a pretty neat site, they let you click on each state to see the rankings of all three flavors. And you can vote for your favorite! Also, if you're into it, they have things you can download (like my widget) for your blog or website that promote it! And if you don't like the pink, there's one's for the other two as well! Thought it is was a neat promotion so I wanted to share! I'd definitely recommend trying all three though before they're gone!

Blizzard of the Month!

It's the Cotton Candy Blizzard! the perfect summer treat! It's the best of both worlds, ice cream and cotton candy! :P

New Blizzard!

Just in case you're bored or just in need of something cold with all this sping heat...(which is NOT a bad thing!!!) :) ...The blizzard of the month entry has been updated! It's under the "September 2006" archives! Personally I think this month's is better than the Kit Kat Blizzard of last month...although, I did like the song....