Pink Lemonade

Viva, Las Vegas!!

2008-07-25T13:08:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love Vegas Baby??... I mean, there's everything anyone could want right in one place...

	Fun in the Sun
	Museums
	Shows
	Nightlife
	Tons for the kids to do!

Wait a minute... did I say "Kids"?... Yes indeed-y I said Kids! Did you know that there are tons of things for kids to do in Vegas?... And you thought it was a place for grownups only...

There's a great new site called Nine Blue... They have tons of great family travel advice but their most recent endeavor is a family travel guide for Las Vegas!

So, the next time you're looking for a great travel destination for the "Fam", check out Nine Blue - you'll be sure to get some great travel advice on the best destination for your family.

Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

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This is a solicited (but not paid) review for NineBlue.com

Friday Free Stuff

2008-07-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Friday is finally here again!

Pink Lemonade is on a Mental Vacation for the next couple of weeks (Acutally, it's virtually impossible to do many time sensitive posts with two kids and Mr. Pink Lemonade home for the summer!).

We're running "The Best Of..." on Weight Loss Wednesdays and since Friday Free Stuff is a time-sensitive post, we can't exactly run previous posts as the offers might not still be available.

We'll be back August 1st with all of your favorite freebies.... until then...

Enjoy your Summer and be sure to look for all the freebies again starting August 1st!

Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

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Teaching Your Kids Healthy Habits...

2008-07-24T06:21:00.000-07:00

Liz is on a "Mental Summer Vacation" for the next couple of weeks... Please enjoy The Best of Pink Lemonade...

Does it sometimes seem as if your kids are always sick? Many parents feel this way, especially if their children are in school or daycare. Kids immune systems are still maturing and they're much more susceptible to germs and viruses that otherwise might not bother adults.

One of the best ways to teach your kids about germs and viruses and how they spread is actually a kind of fun "teaching game" that I found on parents magazine...

Sprinkle colored glitter on your child's damp hands and have them rub them together until the glitter sticks to their hands. Then have them shake hands, open the door or play with a toy. Show them the trail of glitter "germs" that have been left behind. When you're done, take your little one in to wash their hands with plain old water and show them exactly how little of the glitter really comes off. It'll take plenty of warm water and soap to really get those little hands clean!

Explain to your child that even though they can't see germs, they stick to your hands and spread to everything you touch, just like the glitter did. Glitter can't make you sick, but germs can and that's why it's so important to wash you hands often and well.

I thought this was a really awesome idea! Sure, it's a little messy, but a very visual way to teach little ones about why it's so important to wash, wash, wash!

Here are some fantastic products that I've found to help you teach your kids to wash their hands:


Squidoo Hand Soap Kids simply pump the top of the soap to dispense it into their hand. When they do, the hand that pumps, gets a vegetable dye mark. It will take about 20 seconds of thorough hand washing to remove the dye and then your kids will know their hands are really clean! Super cool and fun!	Wash Your Hands! The Little Princess is constantly being reminded to wash her hands-after playing outside, frolicking with the dog, using the potty, and sneezing. After questioning why, she is told that germs and nasties can get in her food and make her sick.

Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

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Weight Loss Wednesday - The Top 10 Foods you Must Include in Your Weight Loss Plan!

2008-07-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Pink Lemonade's Weight Loss Wednesday!

July is traditionally the family's month to vacation - be it just lots of trips for the day or an actual "vacation". My brain certainly needs a vacation from the weight loss game for the month, so during the month of July, Pink Lemonade will be featuring some of our previous weight loss tips. We'll be back in August with many more weight loss info.... Enjoy today's "Best Of - Weight Loss Wednesday"....

We all know the basic rules for weight loss... eat less, move more... but what you eat is important too. Replace some of your less nutritious food choices with these beauties and you just might see that scale moving downward.

Watermelon - Did you know that almost half of a watermelon is actually water?... Watermelon is fat free, is a great source of vitamins A, B6, C, and thiamine and is loaded with lycopene (it has about 40% more than raw tomatoes!). Not only is watermelon nutritious, it's high in fiber too - which is always good for both the digestive system and your weight loss efforts.
Grass-Fed Beef - Almost all beef you purchase in the supermarket today is feed-lot beef, that is they're stuffed full of corn, protein supplements, antibiotics and other hormones (It would take too long to raise a cow from its 80lb birth weight to about 1,200lbs in a year on merely grass). Grassfed beef is not only lower in overall fat and in saturated fat, but it has the added advantage of providing more good omega-3 fats. Meat from grass-fed cattle is also up to four times higher in vitamin E than meat from feed-lot cattle, and much higher in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been shown to reduce fat and preserve muscle tissue.
Low-Fat and Fat-Free Dairy Products -The combination of nutrients found in dairy, most notably calcium, may be responsible for helping the body break down and burn fat. A recent study published in Obesity Research showed that people who followed a reduced-calorie diet and consumed 3 servings of milk, cheese or yogurt daily lost significantly more weight and fat than those who only cut calories while eating little or no dairy. In addition to the weight loss benefits, your bones could always use the extra calcium, so add some low-fat string cheese or a glass of milk to your daily snack.
Soup - Begin your lunch and/or dinner with a bowl of soup. Research has shown that a low-calorie, broth-based soup at the beginning of the meal will fill you up so you eat less of the entree, which, in turn will drop those pesky pounds. A great summer alternative to the hot, broth-based soups, would be a gazpacho or, maybe, cucumber-dill that contain lots of chunky vegetables are a great way to start a meal... what about a cold watermelon soup with chunks of mango or strawberries and kiwi??...
Nuts and seeds - Nuts are naturally high in protein and they also contain "good" fats, so they will make you feel full longer. All nuts are healthy, but there are some that are better at what they do than others. Walnuts and Brazil Nuts are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Peanuts provide the most complete protein and the amino acid lysine. Peanuts are also rich in antioxidant polyphenols, just like those found in berries. Studies at Loma Linda University in California found that eating nuts five times a week (approximately two ounces per day) lowered participants' blood cholesterol levels by 12 percent. Walnuts were used, but similar results have been reported with almonds and peanuts. So next time you're feeling those hunger pangs, grab a handful of nuts (put them in a bowl, don't eat from the package) and, as long as you keep your consumption to the recommended amount, you'll find nuts are a huge help in your weight loss and your overall health.
Spicy Foods - Quite often, if you're eating spicy foods, you will find you're satisfied with less. Researchers think that the capsaicin (the compound in chilies that give the kick) may help rev-up your metabolism. An added plus - you're drinking lots more water to wash it down!
Smoothies - Nope, not the ones from the smoothie shops (although they may have some good all-fruit choices). I'm talking about home-made ones, packed with all things good for you - like frozen fruits and berries, some low or non-fat yogurt and maybe a scoop of protein powder. Not only will a good quality smoothie pack a ton of nutrients into your glass, it has lots of volume and that, plus the protein powder will keep you full longer.
Green Tea - It boosts your metabolism and helps to oxidize the fat that's stored in your body. Green tea helps to regulate your blood sugar so you're less likely to get those peaks and drops in energy levels. An added benefit to drinking green tea is that it's loaded with antioxidants, naturally contains fluorides so it's healthy for your teeth and the compound theanine helps to calm your nerves. So, drink up - 5 cups per day is the optimum amount to see results.
Breakfast Cereals - Research has shown that people who eat breakfast have an easier time controlling their weight than those who skip their morning meal. Begin your day with a healthy bowl of whole-grain cereal topped with fruit. Look for cereals that are low in sugar, and high in fiber.
Veggies - I can't say this enough... increase your veggie intake! Summer is almost here and there are wonderful assortments of fresh, local veggies available at your grocers and farmer's markets. Try some you've never had before... or maybe, try one you have had before and didn't like - maybe it was just prepared the wrong way - try a new way. Yearning for pasta?... reach for a spaghetti squash instead and top with your favorite pasta sauce. Grill up a whole batch of veggies and turn them into a grilled-veggie salad or maybe put them on some great crusty whole-grain bread with a little low-fat cheese, a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil... yummy!

Sneaking these little tricks into your weight loss efforts should be no trouble at all, and before you know it, you'll be ready for the beach in that new swimsuit!

Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

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Fish are for Feet...

2008-07-22T09:10:00.000-07:00

Do you have funky feet?.... Maybe it's time for your next pedicure... Don't just settle for the old pumice stone and whirlpool footbath - take a cue from the Japanese and go with a "Fish Pedicure".

Yes, it does sound a little odd, but it's the next trend in foot care. Some salons across the country are now offering a pedicure that features cute little "doctor fish"... Technically called garra rufa which are native to Turkey. The small fish swim around in a shallow pool swimming peacefully until someones feet take the plunge... then it's feeding time. These fish feed upon the dead skin, leaving feet smooth and soft, free of calluses and dry skin. Treatments usually run about $25 for 15 minutes but proponents swear by the little guys.

The session is said to feel "tingly" or "tickly" (I guess an animal feeding off from your skin would be a bit "tickly"), but definitely not uncomfortable or painful.

In Japan, the fish are even used to treat Psoriasis and other skin conditions - some Japanese studies have show "significant improvement" in the condition of psoriasis patients skin after the treatments.

The future of skin care doesn't come in a jar or a tube. It isn't a scrub or a peel -it's simply a little tiny fish that loves to feed on your dead skin!

Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

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What's on Your Life List?

2008-07-22T06:15:00.000-07:00

Liz is on a "Mental Summer Vacation" for the next couple of weeks... Please enjoy The Best of Pink Lemonade...

So.... last week was my Birthday (thank you, everyone for your birthday greetings!), and it occurred to me that Birthdays are more than just a day to eat cake and celebrate that you've made it through another year.... Birthdays are also a good time to look at your life - where you've been.... and where you're going...

I was reading a magazine article the other day about "Life Lists". Apparently, we're all supposed to have made a list of things we want to do in our lives at around the age of 20... Why didn't I know about this? I'm now, like, 23 years behind... I'll never catch up!

There are books about these lists "1,000 Places to see before you die", "No Opportunity Wasted" and "1,001 things to do before you buy the farm" (I actually bought this for Eric as a joke gift!)... There are websites 43 Things and even a movie "Bucket List". I am told that these types of lists allow us to "focus on our innermost goals" and "clearly define personal desires and things we want to achieve" which, apparently is the first step to realizing our dreams (who knew?).

So, I started thinking about what kinds of things might be on my Life List... Live in a foreign country for a a year?... Nope, the time for that passed about 20 years ago. Learn to speak a foreign language... fluently... well, maybe - but not likely. I know, how about meet George Clooney.. hey... now we're getting somewhere!

Well, after pondering for a really, really (did I say really?) long time, I finally came up with a list - here it goes (in no particular order):

1. Kiss my Husband under the Eiffel Tower (no, not the one in Las Vegas, and no, not the one in Epcot - the real one)

2. Spend a month in Australia.

3. Visit every wacky attraction on the website Roadside America (yes, I'm the kind of person who will drive 50 miles out of our way to see the worlds biggest ball of twine!)

4. Ride a Gondola in Venice (I've already done the one at the Venetian in Las Vegas - Real Italy this time)

5. Visit Norway, where my ancestors are from.

6. Go to a Ball (a la Cinderella)

7. Stay in the Cinderella's Castle suite in the Magic Kingdom at Disneyworld.

8. Spend Christmas in a cabin in the mountains with my entire family - there must be snow (we have NO snow in the Napa Valley - well, on the hills, but I'm on the valley floor)

9. Open a private school for special needs kiddos like Collette.

10. Catch Fireflies with my kids (we don't have fireflies in California).

11. Cook dinner with ~~Gordon Ramsay~~, make that Alton Brown (Although Gordon is really cute, he would yell at me if I made a mistake - Alton, on the other hand, would laugh and find some scientific way to fix it! - plus, he's cute too!).

There it is - my Life List out there for all the world to see. Do I feel more focused on my goals.... uuuhhhmm, no. Do I know what I want out of life now that I didn't know before?.... well..... nope. Will it give me something to look back on in another 23 years and feel guilty about not completing my list?.... you betcha! But hey, aren't lists made just to be left undone?...

I'll cut myself some slack, after all... I'm 23 years behind!!

Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

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Would You, Could You... Will You??

2008-07-21T06:11:00.000-07:00

Liz is on a "Mental Summer Vacation" for the next couple of weeks... Please enjoy The Best of Pink Lemonade...

Today is Valentines Day. Millions of guys will buy flowers for their sweethearts... Tens of thousands of well meaning men will make an offering of chocolates (even though they've failed to notice that their significant other has been on a diet since New Year's)... There is even a group of love struck gentlemen out there who will "pop the question" tonight. We happen to have a close friend who plans to do just that this evening at dinner...

This makes me think about all the different ways there are to propose. I was watching the evening news the other night and they had a story about "Proposal Planners". Can you believe that there even are such people??... Neither could I, so I did some research and, yes, proposal planners do, indeed exist! One company I ran across in Newport Beach, California does just this. They claim to "...eliminate all unnecessary stressors of proposing" (isn't proposing and being stressed out about it sort of a "rite of passage" for men??). They tell these poor terrified men "... That means that, not only are we there with you during the planning, but we are there with you until you hear 'Yes! I will marry you!' We love to be behind the scenes, making sure everything is going according to your plan..." Wow, just what I always wanted, a bunch of strangers standing around videotaping me and waiting to see if I'll say yes...

Yes, it's always sweet when you hear about some very romantic gentlemen going to elaborate lengths to propose to their beloved, but does the guy really need a "team" to help him do it??

Wait.... Maybe I should rethink this... Maybe some guys do really need the "team"... Maybe some guys really can't come up with their own special way to say "I love you, will you spend the rest of your life with me?" After all, Eric could have used some help...I'll never forget how he did it

...(begin wavy dream sequence)...

It's Christmas morning at his Parents house...I opened a gift, a lovely engagement ring and Eric says..."So...do you want to get married...or what?"... I, of course, replied yes and he responded with "Okay, let's shake on it"

...(end wavy dream sequence)...

"Shake on it"... can you believe I shook on my entire future??.... Wow, it was definitely something I'll never forget... where was the "team" behind the scenes??...

Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

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Weekly Advertising Contest Winner!

2008-07-20T08:41:00.000-07:00

We are proud to announce that Mrs. Fussypants Guide to Life has gained this weeks honor of top referrer - you can view their beautiful ad in the Premium Sponsor Section!

The #2 and #3 runners up were:

Tip Junkie

and

a new contender in our contest:
Not a Weight Loss Guru - My Diet Blog

Thanks to everyone who participated and... guess what.... we're going to run this contest weekly!

Contests will begin on Sunday and end on Saturday - so that means the new contest begins TODAY!! In case you missed the rules, here's a quick re-cap:

The blog or website that refers the most visitors to Pink Lemonade will win a free Premium Sponsor Advertising spot for the following week. You can grab a linked button in the far right column to help you with your efforts.

So... Let the contest begin! Note: Click-throughs must come directly from your site (not through Entrecard) in order to be tracked accurately.

Congratulations to Mrs. Fussypants Guide to Life, and thank you so much for all of your referral traffic!

Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

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It's Happened Again...

2008-07-19T16:34:00.000-07:00

It's Happened Again!....

For the second time in a little over a week, some cra**y spam site has stolen one of my articles... UUUGGGGHHH!!!

Yes, they try to be all sly and mix in their own stuff between paragraphs of my stuff - but it's still word-for-word my articles! And the one that showed up today was yesterday's Friday Free Stuff post which, essentially, said nothing!

There's nothing that makes my blood boil more than to open a google-alert only to see that someone has stolen my stuff (and used my pictures, signature, tagline... all of it!) and mixed it in with a whole bunch of porn - Does anyone have any suggestions to stop this?? I sent an email asking them to remove it and with the first one, I got a reply from the site-hosting people saying that they will make them take it down, but today's I can't seem to be able to find a way to contact them. This is sooo terribly frustrating!!

Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

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Friday Free Stuff

2008-07-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Ten Foods that Soothe Stress

2008-07-17T06:02:00.000-07:00

Liz is on a "Mental Summer Vacation" for the next couple of weeks... Please enjoy The Best of Pink Lemonade...

The other day, I posted about the six foods you should banish from your life if you want to have any chance at being healthy....but being healthy is more than just cutting out transfats and empty calories...reducing your stress level has a huge effect on our overall health. Here are ten foods that will help lower those stress levels (courtesy of Kaboose):

Blueberries: They’ve got tons of vitamin C, which is what your body uses as fuel when your heart is racing. Crammed with antioxidants (those molecules that fight free radicals that damage your cells), which repair and protect your body from the effects of stress.

Almonds: A few almonds will keep your heart from racing when panic attacks. They help lower your blood pressure and keep oxygen flowing throughout the body.

Spinach: Provides a huge amount of magnesium. Magnesium is a mineral that helps lower your stress level by keeping you in a calm state.

Tuna: Naturally loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids that help keep your adrenaline from spiraling out of control.

Oranges: Stress can delete your storage of vitamin C, which is something your body does not produce naturally. Vitamin C helps your immune system function under stress more efficiently.

Milk: Milk’s calcium can be a soothing remedy for anxiety, and help you to restore tranquility. A small glass will also give you a dose of vitamin B2 when you’re feeling a little restless.

Bananas: This naturally prepackaged fruit is full of potassium, a mineral that can help reduce tension.

Sweet Potatoes: Not really a potato, these roots are good source of vitamin B6, which help support a wide range of activities in your nervous system and help give you a major dose of relaxation.

Brown Rice: This delicious, nutty-flavored grain has compounds to relieve stress and anxiety while simultaneously improving concentration. It’s also great source of B complex vitamins and fiber

Avocados: A great nutritional enhancer that helps the body absorb other vital nutrients, avocados are filled with potassium and vitamin E, which can help when your nerves are in overdrive.

So...when you're feeling stressed out, grab a handful of almonds or a banana or another food on the list. It won't stop your six year old from whining or refusing to go to bed on time, but it might just make you feel calmer about it!

Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

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Weight Loss Wednesday - 10 Diet Tips You Don't Want to Miss!

2008-07-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Pink Lemonade's Weight Loss Wednesday!

July is traditionally the family's month to vacation - be it just lots of trips for the day or an actual "vacation". My brain certainly needs a vacation from the weight loss game for the month, so during the month of July, Pink Lemonade will be featuring some of our previous weight loss tips. We'll be back in August with many more weight loss info.... Enjoy today's "Best Of - Weight Loss Wednesday"....

Today I have some fantastic tips to help you on your weight loss journey... Take them all to heart, or just pick out a few that work for you - either way, you'll be a few steps closer to reaching your goal.

Swap a cup of pasta for a cup of Veggies - If you reduce the carb intake, you, in turn reduce your calorie intake, and, the result equals weight loss.

Eat Often - Don't just limit yourself to three meals a day. You need to keep your blood sugar steady to ward off hunger pangs, and the best way to do this is to eat lots (think around six) small meals a day. Try to include a small amount of protein each time to keep your tummy from rumbling.

Make your diet public - There's no reason to be ashamed that you're trying to lose a few pounds. Telling others will increase your accountability which, in turn, will add to your motivation.

Make only one change at a time - Keep at it until it becomes automatic, then add another change. If you continually build upon reinforced habits, you won't become overwhelmed and give up.

Never eat directly from a bag or box - Always use a plate or bowl. It's too easy to mindlessly munch away half a bag of pretzels and even if it's a diet-friendly snack you'll have eaten several servings before you're done. Portion it out and put the package away.

Think about whether you're really hungry - Quite often thirst or fatigue are mistaken for hunger. Maybe instead of that snack, you're really in need of hydration or a quick nap.

Have your treats somewhere else - Go to the ice cream parlour to have a cone, or have a small dessert when eating out (I love the little shooter desserts at applebees! - they're served in small shot glasses so they're small enough that you don't feel guilty, but big enough to feel indulged.) The bonus is that you won't have any of those tempting treats laying around the house, calling your name.

Your fork is not a shovel - Slow down and enjoy your food. I learned the "fork down" trick long ago and it really helps - always place your fork down between bites and do not pick it back up until you've chewed and swallowed the bite you have.

Increase your fiber intake - Ideally this would be through upping your fruits and veggies, but in a realistic world you might need a little supplementation to help out.

Realize that you will falter - Don't beat yourself up for it. It's also not an excuse to blow the rest of your day either! Just admit to yourself that you probably shouldn't have had that piece of chocolate cake or those chili-cheese fries and you'll try your best not to do it again - that's it, just move on and let it go.

There you have it! Ten great tips to help your weight loss. Pick out the ones that you think will work for you and have a great week.

Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

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Six Foods to Banish from Your Diet...

2008-07-15T06:15:00.000-07:00

Liz is on a "Mental Summer Vacation" for the next couple of weeks... Please enjoy The Best of Pink Lemonade...

So, Bob Green, Oprah's Diet Guru has proclaimed there are six foods we should all completely eliminate from our kitchens, and diets if we have any chance at lifelong weight loss and health. They are:

Soda - empty calories and sugar, cut it out. Instead, drink water, low-fat or fat-free milk, or tea. Fruit juices are good too, but remember, fruit juice, not fruit drink.

Transfats - clog your arteries, they're high in calories, and they may even make your body store fat in the abdominal area. Aside from being unsightly, it's also bad for your health. You'll find these in cookies and baked goods which might be made with margarine (anything with hydrogenated in the ingredient list - anywhere in the ingredient list - no matter what the label lists as "trans fats per serving").

Fried foods - even if you use a good fat oil like olive oil to fry foods, anything fried has a lot of calories. Try things that are oven baked instead of fried. There are calories either way, but oven baked has fewer.

White bread - is made from refined grains, which are stripped of their most nutritional parts, so you're eating empty calories. Instead, eat bread made form 100 percent whole wheat or whole grains.

High-fat milk and yogurt - Use 1 percent or non-fat dairy in their place, which are often just as good, only with lower cholesterol, fat, and calories.

Do any of these surprise you?...not really....Keep it up Bob...next you'll tell us we can't have hot dogs or donuts...what's next...cup o'noodles?? (you all know I'm kidding don't you?) I'm sure most of us have already eliminated these things long ago, but thanks, Bob for reminding us just how many things that taste good are really bad for us.

Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

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Eating Real Food...

2008-07-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

Liz is on a "Mental Summer Vacation" for the next couple of weeks... Please enjoy The Best of Pink Lemonade...

They Say "You are what you Eat". If that's true, most Americans are a Thin crust - Ronald McDonald with a shot of High Fructose Corn Syrup, topped with a sprinkling of genetically -modified substances.

Over the last year, I've been making a real effort to only give my family "real food" not over processed, chemically altered substances intended for human consumption.

I've completely banned any form of trans-fats from our pantry. I used to check a label and if it listed "0 trans fats" I would look no further and assume this would be fine for my family. That is...until I was listening to Flylady's radio show one day and Leanne Ely the Dinner Diva at Saving Dinner gave this analogy...

"If I were to offer you an ooey gooey brownie made with the finest chocolate, and I told you that there was only just a little bit of dog poop in it, would you eat it? If you couldn't taste it, and it was undetectable (showed up on the ingredient list, but showed up on the nutrition list as 0 grams dog poop), would you eat it? The nutrition info is going to tell you it's not showing up, but the ingredients list lets you know it's there. You know what I'm saying. Now you need to make up your own mind on what's acceptable for you to put into your body or not. Next time you're tempted to eat something overloaded with trans fats, just think about my icky dog poop analogy. That'll stop you!"

(read her article about trans-fats)

So I've become a detective at the supermarket, reading the label of every product I'm not familiar with. If the word "hydrogenated" appears anywhere - it's not real food - it's back on the shelf!

I've learned other things about healthy eating from the Dinner Diva...

For instance, everyone is doing their best to cut out bad fats and oils from their diet, switching to good old canola oil, presuming they're doing their body good...WRONG!!

Canola Oil has been the subject of lots of speculation. 1. The canola is usually genetically modified (same goes for the corn used in corn oil). 2. In order to get the oil, they must use chemicals. Now I don't know about you, but I really don't want chemically laden, genetically modified oils going into my children. I now only use Expeller-Pressed (mechanically pressed not chemically extracted) safflower oil or olive oil. I know these oils are good oils are real food that our bodies know what to do with when we eat them. Nut and seed oils are fine too, as long as they're expeller-pressed.

I've tried to switch to as many organic products as I can, especially milk and produce. I know lots of milk touts itself as "RBST free" and that's great, but unless it's organic, those pretty cows are still eating feed and grazing from pastures that have probably been treated with chemicals of some kind. I just don't want that in my children's bodies (or mine, for that matter).

All the chemicals and hormones in our food supply is causing girls to start puberty earlier than ever. At a few weeks short of her eleventh birthday, Collette is already beginning puberty. Poor thing, she shouldn't have to deal with those grownup kind of things so young! In my day, (wow, I sound old huh?) but in my day, girls were at least 13 or 14 before puberty started. I know it's too late for Collette, but if I can help Lauren, it will be worth it. Who knows what else all these chemicals and additives are doing to our children.

Do we still have fun food in our house?...Yes, but I try to get it from Whole Foods Market or Trader Joe's where I know that nothing in their stores contains these off-limits ingredients.

Robert Orben once said "Old people shouldn't eat health foods. They need all the preservatives they can get." and someone else once said “Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.” I don't consider myself a health-nut, just someone who is trying to do the right thing and feed my kids real foods...call me crazy...

Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

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Weekly Advertising Contest Winner

2008-07-13T05:10:00.000-07:00

We are proud to announce that Tip Junie has, once again, gained this weeks honor of top referrer - you can view their beautiful ad in the Premium Sponsor Section!

The #2 and #3 runners up were:

Mr. Fussypants Guide to Life

and

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Thanks to everyone who participated and... guess what.... we're going to run this contest weekly!

Contests will begin on Sunday and end on Saturday - so that means the new contest begins TODAY!! In case you missed the rules, here's a quick re-cap:

The blog or website that refers the most visitors to Pink Lemonade will win a free Premium Sponsor Advertising spot for the following week. You can grab a linked button in the far right column to help you with your efforts.

So... Let the contest begin! Note: Click-throughs must come directly from your site (not through Entrecard) in order to be tracked accurately.

Congratulations to Tip Junkie, and thank you so much for all of your referral traffic!

Turning Lemons into Pink Lemonade!

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

Featured Weekly on Posh Mama Online Magazine

Don't miss a Thing! Subscribe to Pink Lemonade's Feed
Subscribe to Pink Lemonade by Email

Be Sure to enter our Premium Advertising Contest (Details are Here)

We also have a new poll in our suggestion box! Simply click on "Suggestions" in the top menu bar - Vote Today!!

Friday Free Stuff

2008-07-11T09:36:00.000-07:00