EA Sports Active - Run and Get It NOW!!!

I was so thrilled to be selected to participate as an EA Sports Active for Wii ambassador! Ammo Marketing provided me with two copies of the game (one to keep and enjoy for our family and one to share with my workout buddy, Kristin O.!) Plus we received a fun water bottle, headband, House Party kit, and gift card for the party! I hosted a fun event for friends and family to try out EA Sports Active....

I've been at it for over a week and I'm all about "Active"! My entire family has created their profiles and we're enjoying earning our trophies, etc. I am truly feelin the burn after a full workout, especially the inline skating - WOW! I have some back and knee challenges, so using the EA Sports Active provides me with an amazing workout that is reasonably low-impact on my body. I can't ask for more - other than to kick my hubs off the TV so I can work out some more!!!

I'll post some updates as I proceed through my 30-day Challenge that began on June 1st!

Visit EA Sports Active at:
http://www.easportsactive.com/home.action?sourceid=WKS02_Google_Title_Active_ea-sports-active_Homepage

Here's some tips from Ammo Marketing/EA Sports:
Here are a few practical steps to help support your success during the 30-Day Challenge:
Write down your primary goal. Be specific: Whether you want to lose fat, tone muscle, or get active, give yourself one major objective for the 30-Day Challenge and put it on paper. Remember to be realistic and set yourself up for success. Trying to lose 30 pounds in 30 days isn’t safe or probable, so examine your goals and make sure they’re in line with what’s healthy.
Schedule your workout time. Plan the date, time, and place of each session in Outlook or your day planner. You'll be less likely to allow meetings or social events to interfere with your workouts. Be sure to block off a big enough chunk to account for any time needed to change your clothes, shower—the forgotten factors that doom workouts.
Share your story, goals, challenges and successes with others. This will help you stay accountable and gain support from your friends, family and community.
Enjoy your second week of the Challenge and don’t forget to stay Active!

Holiday Party Recap and Super Bowl Recipe Idea

Well, our family survived the holidays and eagerly anticipate the New Year filled with hope and longing for health, stability, and grace! Here's wishing you and your loved ones are blessed and content....

While doing the annual social whirl of work, civic, religious, and friendly events and activities, I relied heavily on my absolute favorite party fare specialty of saucy meatballs! Everyone has their favorite take on these yummy, comforting treats - even my own kids have their special preferences on the spice or meatball consistency. I make my meatballs first by mixing ground beef, diced onion, breadcrumbs, and ketsup together and baking them in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes. Just plop them in the crockpot with the sauce recipe provided below and warm. Perfect for the crazy holidays and now also for the joyous wonderment of football playoffs and Superbowl Sunday just over the horizon!

Here's the fast and easy recipe direct from Heinz:

Ultimate Party Meatball Recipe - TANGY. SAUCY. EASY....
1 16-ounce can Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce
1 12-ounce bottle Heinz Chili Sauce
1 2 pound bag frozen, pre-cooked, cocktail-style meatballs

Combine sauces in a large sauce pan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring until smooth. Add meatballs. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until meatballs are heated through, stirring occasionally. Makes 30 appetizer servings.

Slow cooker preparation: Place meatballs in slow cooker. Combine sauces and pour over meatballs. Cover and cook 4 hours on HIGH.


In recognition of this important season, Heinz and Ocean Spray have teamed up to make a great, easy recipe. Their Ultimate Party Meatball recipe comes together with two steps and only three ingredients, perfect for a quick party appetizer or to throw together when unexpected guests show up on your doorstep. Heinz and Ocean Spray have also created the Ultimate Party Meatballs website (http://www.ultimatepartymeatballs.com), filled with additional recipes.

Barbie & The Diamond Castle

Wow, as a mom of a young lady and Girl Scout leader I can really appreciate how our girls of today are growing up way too quickly! Mattel's Barbie has been a friend of mine since girlhood. I even have my entire Barbie collection saved from those fabulous days of dressing Barbie, getting her ready for a big date with Ken, and decorating her Malibu beach house! Oh where does the time go?

Back to reality, my daughter is still enjoying her Barbies, and we recently were treated to a copy of the new animated, feature-length DVD, "Barbie & The Diamond Castle" to watch with her friends at Girl Scouts. To top it all off, Mom Central (www. MomCentral.com) and Mattel provided the girls with a special viewing party complete with a new Diamond Castle Barbie doll to share, popcorn, and princess treat bags! The movie was a perfect fit for the girls (ages 9-12). They enjoyed it tremendously.

The plot of the movie has Barbie and Teresa share a fairy tale of Liana and Alexa, best friends who share everything including their love of music. The girls face challenges throughout their adventure and learn the importance of friendship. In today's crush of media messages featuring less than ideal childhood messages, I feel so inspired and gratified that Mattel and Barbie remain true to message that today's girls can be strong, smart and wholesome while having fun!

The troop has decided to give back to their community throughout the scouting year so last week we gathered up some cleaning supplies (provided by www.wesponsoranything.com and Greased Lightning Cleaning products) to thoroughly organize and clean our host church's Sunday School Room. The troop divided and conquered the mess and polished the room to a beautiful glow! The church staff were very appreciative of their hard work and efforts to clean the space.

The parents and I worked behind the scenes while the girls cleaned to create a fun surprise party for them when they returned from their cleaning. They were so surprised to find the room completely decorated and treats awaiting their return!

The best-friends movie gave our troop an opportunity to experience giving back and celebrating together with lots of fun and fascination.