New Suave Professionals® Moroccan Infused Body Care and $1,000 Gift Card Sweepstakes!

For the first time, Suave® Body Care is launching products in the Suave Professionals® line, offering women everywhere access to premium quality products with the finest ingredients. Suave Professionals® Moroccan Infusion features authentic argan oil from Morocco. Argan oil is a lightweight miracle oil known to be rich in nutrients and antioxidants. It leaves skin looking and feeling beautifully silky and radiant.

I was sent two full-size samples of the new Suave Professionals® Moroccan Body Care line to try. The Moroccan Infusion Body Lotion contains a daily moisturizer that absorbs quickly for up to 24 hours of non-greasy hydration, and the Moroccan Infusion Dry Body Oil Spray has a non-greasy formula that absorbs instantly, locking in long-lasting moisture. With a light, luxurious fragrance, these premium products create beautiful, radiant skin

I live in the dry, high altitude of Colorado, where we experience many intense sunny days year-round, as well as winter's cold, snow and wind. My skin has suffered in this dry climate, and using a daily moisturizer is a must!

Daily showering or bathing, and my house's dry hot air heat, also contribute to making my skin lose moisture and feel dry and flaky. I would rather have my skin feel soft and supple, like the petals of my beautiful orchid that recently bloomed. The new Suave Professionals® Moroccan Infusion Body Care products are clinically proven to moisturize as well as Moroccanoil®1 and feature a light and pleasing scent.

I used the body oil all over my body after showering, using the convenient spray top. I liked the radiant sheen it left on my skin! I used the body lotion throughout the day, specifically on my hands, elbows, and shins--all places that normally feel extra dry and need extra care. The lotion and spray felt very luxurious as I applied them, and almost immediately I could see and feel the results. My skin felt softer, more supple, and moisturized. I know I will enjoy using these products all year round!

Find more information about Suave Professionals® Moroccan Infusion Body Care products here.  You can also get tips for radiant skin, and style advice from celebrity stylist Brad Goreski and enter the "Radiant Wishes" sweepstakes for a chance to win Suave Professional® Moroccan Infusion products, a spa day, or a trip to Los Angeles.

1. When clinically tested vs. comparable Morrocanoil® products. Moroccanoil® is a registered trademark of Morroccanoil®

For a chance to win a $1,000 gift card, please let me know which of the Suave Professionals® Moroccan Infusion Body Care products you would most like to try.

Sweepstakes Rules:

No duplicate comments
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion, including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message "#SweepstakesEntery"; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post.
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.
4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via a random draw and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise, a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstake runs from 2/7/2014-2/28/2014
Be sure to visit the Suave Professionals® brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers' posts!

*In full disclosure I was given a free bottle of both the Suave Professionals® Moroccan Infusion Body Lotion and Moroccan Infusion Dry Body Oil Spray to use for this review. All opinions in this post are my own and have not been influenced in any way by Suave Professionals® or BlogHer.

The contest ended--comments are now closed --winner will be notified. Thank you!

Considering a Career Change or Advancement in Nursing?

It is hard for me to believe that next year will mark forty years since I graduated from nursing school and became a licensed Registered Nurse!  Becoming a nurse was a dream come true for me, as I always wanted to be one since childhood when I first read the children's book, "Nancy Nurse." I wanted to help people who were hurt or ill, and as I grew I knew I had the intelligence, compassion, and fortitude to do it.  As a very young teenager, I became a Red Cross volunteer "Candy Striper," and worked in a Veterans Administration Hospital.  I basically acted as a messenger and delivered mail from floor to floor, but I was thrilled to be in a hospital and seeing first hand what nurses do. In high school, through my school's "Future Nurses" club, I was able to get a job on weekends in a Manhattan hospital as a nurse's aide. Then I was actually doing real patient care, such as assisting with bed baths and meals and transporting patients for tests in other parts of the hospital.  I learned how hard nurses worked, but I loved every minute of it, and it strengthened my resolve that nursing was the career for me!

In the early 1970s women and men who wanted to become nurses usually applied for admission to nursing schools, and I was no exception.  In three years I went from a student nurse to a fully qualified R.N. and began to work in Surgical Intensive Care in the same city hospital I trained in. Fortunately, the administration of the nursing school I attended had the foresight to realize that the vocation of nursing was soon going to evolve into more professional status, and that would soon require a college degree. They instituted a pilot program where we would take classes at a local four-year degree college in conjunction with our hospital nursing classes. The college classes lead to about one year's worth of college credits, and I continued taking classes and earning credits towards a degree on my own, part-time, after graduation. Nurses who did the same went from having a diploma in nursing, to a bachelor's degree in nursing, and that increased their career opportunities and enabled them to obtain new opportunities and enter more specialized nursing.

Today, I would strongly advise any man or woman who wants to enter the career of nursing to earn their Bachelor of Science Nursing degree (BSN), in an accredited program at a four- year college. Nursing in this generation requires a more comprehensive education that only a college degree can provide. Modern nursing is constantly advancing through new technology, treatments, and research. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing becomes a pathway towards earning higher degrees or certificates that will open the door towards many career opportunities and greater autonomy. Throughout my nursing career, I had to take continuing education and certificate classes in order to qualify for different assignments.  As my family grew, and I wanted to spend more time with my children,  I worked part-time through nursing agencies as a special education school nurse and later as a home care coordinator. I often thought that if I were at a different point of my life I would have continued my education to earn a Master of Science Nursing Nursing degree (MSN), and perhaps have become a Nurse Practitioner.  I'm sure you've had an occasion to use the services of a nurse practitioner in your life, as more and more they are employed by hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and private doctors' offices. Very often you will be seen by a Nurse Practitioner before, or instead, of seeing a doctor for many basic illnesses.

Advanced degree nursing enables women and men to rise in their chosen career, yet often they are over 30, are working full-time and have family obligations. Going to a traditional university may be difficult to impossible.  Kaplan University is geared toward helping such nurses enhance their profession through higher education. They offer many online and campus classes and have dedicated faculty and advisers on staff that will guide you along the way. They have high ratings in satisfaction and relevancy from their graduates. Founded in 1937, they are fully accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and are a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), and offer blended programs in fields such as arts and sciences, business, criminal justice, education, health sciences, information systems and technology, legal studies, and nursing.  Depending on the course of study, students can earn associate, bachelor and master degrees, as well as certificates and diplomas.

In some states, the Kaplan University Nursing Program offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DPN) which is designed to prepare advanced practice nurses to step into the role of specialization with the highest level of scientific knowledge and expertise. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has actually called for advanced practice nurses to hold doctoral degrees by 2015, so continuing education and earning qualifying degrees is certainly something all modern nurses should consider if they wish to advance in their professions.  Education is a life long process in our rapidly changing world, and Kaplan University offers the flexibility to help you obtain the continuing education you need, while you maintain your job and family obligations

Nursing is a wonderful career that offers many more opportunities in this day and age than ever before. The impact you will have on countless lives as a nurse is very rewarding in so many ways. Nursing is in high demand in our country and it is an excellent career change path for those seeking to make a difference, earn better pay and achieve personal autonomy. With so many job uncertainties you know that there will always be a need for qualified nurses, and even more so with the expected shortage of primary care providers.  Investing in continuing education degree and certificate programs at Kaplan University is one way to meet the demand and grow your career.

Whether you're seeking further success in your current role or a new opportunity, Kaplan University can help you prepare for the exciting possibilities ahead.*

As an accredited university built on more than 75 years of experience, + Kaplan University offers a wide range of career-focused programs designed to develop the skills and knowledge leading employers seek.  Our focus: to offer you the most direct educational path to achieve your goals.

Are you ready for a change? Learn more at kaplanuniversity.edu

* Kaplan University cannot guarantee employment or career advancement.

† Kaplan University is regionally accredited. Please visit http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu/about/accreditation-licensing.aspx#  for additional information about institutional and programmatic accreditation.


* My Disclaimer: I was compensated to write this post by Kaplan University and BlogHer, but all statements and opinions expressed are my own, and not influenced in any way by my compensation.

Campbell's Cooking Soups--Cooking Up Comfort!

Did you know that the Campbell Soup Company has been making meals fun and delicious for 144 years? That every can of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup has 32 feet of noodles just waiting to be slurped? I grew up eating Campbell's Tomato Soup at least once a week for lunch.  It is the type of soup that was perfect for toppings or dunking, and as a child I loved to dunk my grilled cheese sandwich in it. Now when I have a bowl of Campbell's Tomato Soup I sprinkle in some black pepper and add cubes of cheddar cheese on top to melt into the soup...mmm, mmm, good!

Of course, we all know that the rich creamy taste of Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup gives vegetables a welcome makeover in kid-approved recipes and casseroles. I always have a few cans of Campbell's line of cooking soups in my pantry.  They are easily identified by the blue banner on the label that says "Great for Cooking." I have been using many of them throughout my 39 years of marriage to make some of my family's favorite comfort foods.

I have been blessed with two very active grandsons, and they now love eating the same family comfort food favorites when they come over to my house for dinner!

My husband's, children's, and grand children's all time favorite comfort food is the Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole made with Campbell's Cream of Celery Soup.

Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole

Prep time 20 minutes * Bake time 25 minutes* Makes about 4 servings (about 1 1/4 cup each

1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's Condensed Cream of Celery Soup
1/2 cup milk
1 cup frozen peas
2 tbsp. chopped pimientos (optional)
2 cans ( about 6 oz. each) tuna, drained
2 cups medium egg noodles, cooked and drained
2 tbsp. dry bread crumbs
1 tbsp. butter, melted

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Stir soup, milk, peas, pimentos, if desired, tuna and noodles in 1 1/2 qt. baking dish. Stir bread crumbs and butter in small bowl.

2. Bake 20 minutes or until tuna mixture is hot and bubbling. Stir tuna mixture. Sprinkle with bread crumb mixture.

3. Bake 5 minutes or until bread crumb mixture is golden brown.

I usually double this recipe, as we gobble it up at a family meal.  It is delicious, quick and easy to make, and I sometimes will sneak in other frozen vegetables, such as carrots or string beans to add to its nutrition.

My children and grandchildren can be picky eaters at times. Kids' tastes in food are one of life's great mysteries.  While growing up, one week my son and daughter would love green beans and the next they had an aversion to green foods, unless I could disguise them some way. Now my grandsons are the same.

By making casseroles like this one -- Campbell's Baked Chicken, Broccoli and Rice-- using Campbell's Cream of Broccoli Soup, I can add extra chopped broccoli to the dish, that is often the only way I can get everyone to eat broccoli. The rice is very flavorful and while the adults love the spicy paprika sprinkled chicken, I leave the spice off the children's portions.

Does this sound like your family? Are your children or grandchildren picky eaters? Well, if so, they have met their match! With the help of "The Wisest Kid in the Whole World" web site, Campbell's Soup is offering delicious recipes your kids won't be able to refuse! Click on the link to see many tried and true recipes plus fresh new ideas that will entice your family. Find fun, quick meal ideas that your kids or grand kids will love at WisestKid.com

 As you all know, if you are a frequent reader of my blog, I also have a very busy week taking care of my infant granddaughter while my daughter and son-in-law are at work.  She is the apple of my eye and brings me so much joy! She is now crawling and standing and exploring everything. I'm pretty sure she will be walking by the time she's one. I have to keep my eye on her every moment of the day, and that doesn't leave me much time to cook.

 Therefore, I have been having fun using the Campbellskitchen.com website to give me ideas on fresh ways to delight my family with quick and easy to prepare meals.  Campbell will give you inspiration just when you need it from fresh twists on classic favorites to totally new recipes!  I found this recipe for Chicken with Sun Dried Tomatoes on the Campbellskitchen.com website, and I know it will become a new family comfort food favorite.  It took only 30 minutes to prepare from start to finish. Made with a base of Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup, along with fresh basil and chopped sun dried tomatoes, it really made the chicken and noodles taste so tantalizing!

What is your favorite Campbell's cooking soup comfort food recipe?  Check out all the web sites to find some new ideas for your family -- I know you'll be pleased!


*In full disclosure, I was compensated to purchase some Campbell's Cooking Soups and write this review. All opinions are my own, and were not influenced in any way by this compensation.

Poise "Stop the Scentsanity!" and Win a $100 Visa Gift Card!

If you are a frequent reader of my blog, you are aware that I turned 60 this summer and celebrated my new decade in many happy ways.  I love to stay active and enjoy life! Since moving to Colorado this past winter, one of my favorite activities has been hiking on the many trails on the front range. I try not to let my age slow me down, even if I sometimes feel the creak of arthritis in my knees, need to use my reading glasses with increasing frequency, or experience the inconvenience, from time to time, of what is called LBL (light bladder leakage).

 

That is why I was eager to accept a package of Poise liners, that are specifically made for light bladder leakage protection, to use and review.

Many of the trails I walk are challenging, with hills and steep grades. My hikes are a good workout, and I'm still striving to get into better shape so that each hike will become easier to accomplish.

I only experience LBL when my bladder is very full, and the unexpected hearty sneeze or cough comes along. Since I find that I always need to drink a lot of water in the hot Colorado sun to stay hydrated while I hike, it was nice to know I had the added protection of a Poise Liner when I'm in a place without a restroom!

Besides hiking, I could think of many occasions where the Poise Liners would come in handy.  Occasions such as taking a long car ride in the mountains, going to a crowded sporting event, or on a busy day out shopping along with my infant granddaughter, when I know I will not be able to take a personal bathroom break for many hours.

The advantage of using Poise pads are that they are made specifically for bladder leaks, while period pads don't absorb as quickly and are more likely to leak. Poise pads aren't larger than period pads, even though they're made for LBL. They instantly absorb wetness and neutralize odors better than period pads and liners. If you experience LBL and would like to learn more about Poise LBL products, please use this link: http://poise.com/products/lbl-products

Make the Clean and Fresh switch – Get a free sample or coupon for Poise pads and liners at this link: https://poise.com/samples

Sweepstakes Question for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card:

 What do you do to feel clean and fresh?

Comments closed as sweepstakes ended-- thank you for your participation!  My winner will be announced soon.

Take a Break With Newtons

Don't you just love the summer months? Summer came early to Colorado after a very snowy early spring. I've been enjoying the low humidity, moderate temperatures, and beautiful sunsets that this summer weather has been sharing with us this season. The nice weather also makes this a very busy time of the year for me in my already busy life.

  

I've been enjoying decorating our new home, and having a front yard and backyard lawn for the first time in my life! Taking care of our gardens can be time-consuming, but my husband and I love it.  Planting flowers and herbs, and mowing, weeding and watering the lawn, are all good exercise.

 My weekdays are super busy as I'm caring for my infant granddaughter every Monday through Friday, as well as doing fill-in babysitting for my grandsons. I'm also on a few committees and participate in leisure clubs that take place in our community.  On most weekends I get out my trekking poles...

..

....and hike on the wonderful miles of scenic trails in my neighborhood and nearby vicinity!

On weekends my husband and I hike, bike ride, swim in the community pool, and enjoy barbecues!

I've also been enjoying new, deliciously unique cookies from Newtons, specifically, Fruit Thins Banana Drizzled with Dark Fudge and Fruit Thins Coconut Drizzled with Dark Fudge! They are made with real fruit, with 8g of whole grains per 31g serving, and dark fudge. I was always a fan of Fig Newtons cookies my entire life, and this new line of cookies by Newtons are another way to enjoy the flavor of fresh fruit. They taste as good as homemade cookies, or even better as I don't have to put on a hot oven to bake them.

They are thin, crisp and full of delicious flavor! The dark fudge swirl topping on each cookie adds just the right touch of sweetness and indulgence.

Some busy mornings, when I am on the run, a few Newtons Fruit Thins are a very quick and satisfying breakfast. Since they are made with real fruit and whole grains I feel they can be part of a healthy meal.

Other times, especially after a long hike, I enjoy coming home and sitting on my house's shady veranda for a while, where I put my feet up and...

... have an espresso and a couple of Newtons Fruit Thins cookies as a treat.

I think they are the perfect afternoon "pick me up" or dessert for any time. I'd love for you to try them, and let me know what you think!

Visit newtonscookies.com to take a look at all the new Fruit Flavors and also get access to great tips!

* Full disclosure: I was provided with packages of both Newtons Fruit Thins Banana Drizzled with Dark Fudge and Newtons Fruit Thins Coconut with Drizzled Dark Fudge for this review and will be compensated for this post by Newtons and Blogher.  My opinions are all my own and were not influenced in any way by Newtons or Blogher.

Going Through Life's Changes With Poise

 

 I, along with other select BlogHer bloggers, received this fabulous sample package of Poise products recently to try out and review! It may not be easy to talk publicly about the bodily changes that pre-menopause and menopause bring, but I believe this generation of women has been the most open and intelligent of any prior generations when dealing with the changes their bodies go through in all the stages of life. We can certainly help the younger generations of women by continuing to share our experiences.  Fifty million women across North America are approaching or experiencing menopause and most have an average of five menopausal symptoms, although no two experiences are exactly alike.  The 2013 Product of the Year award-winning Poise Feminine Wellness line was introduced to help women approach life's changes with confidence. The line consists of five products designed to help women feel fresh and stay cool.

The line includes:

 

 

Body Cooling Towelettes that offer an instant cooling sensation. Gently wipe the towelette on wrists, chest, or neck to feel cool and comfortable. Featuring a portable, re-sealable package, these towelettes are easy to use anywhere you go and were my personal favorite of all the products I tried!  If there is one change that I find most uncomfortable, it is having a hot flash. Having these towelettes handy in my purse, to use whenever a need arises has been very gratifying. The cooling sensation they provide lasts a long time and gives me welcome comfort.

Poise also offers a Roll-On Cooling Gel that helps you feel comfortable and refreshed. Squeeze the tube and gently roll the cooling gel on the wrists, chest, or neck for a cooling sensation that lasts up to 10 minutes.  

 

 

The Personal Lubricant provides long-lasting lubrication to enhance your intimate experience. This lubricant features an easy-to-use bottle and is made without Fragrance, Glycerin, or Parabens. I like that it has a non-messy pump applicator, that the gel is clear, not thick or watery, and has no discernible scent...

 

 

Feminine Wash provides daily freshness from odors with a unique formulation that is pH balanced for your intimate area. Glycerin and Paraben free, this gentle wash will help you feel clean and confident.  I found that it lathers nicely and rinses well. It really does work well at reducing feminine body odor.

Poise also sells Panty Fresheners that have a fresh and clean scent that lasts up to four hours. These discreet, hypoallergenic fresheners stick to the outside of your undergarments so you can confidently go about your day.

 

 

My body has been getting a workout lately between shoveling the snow from our home's three-car driveway or walking the winding, uphill trails in our neighborhood. Soon, I will be taking care of my granddaughter when my daughter returns to work in her profession.  It is nice to know there are Poise products that I can rely on to help keep me cool, fresh, and odor-free during my busy days! 

 

 

Poise also gave us samples of three of the LBL (light bladder leakage) pads in their line. These products are designed specifically for LBL and provide discreet and worry-free protection, whenever you need it. They protect against odors, lock wetness away to keep you dry and come in five absorbencies with options for the right fit. Although I don't suffer from LBL, I have friends who do, and I know how uncomfortable they can feel.  I highly recommend the use of these pads to them and I encourage you to try them if you have LBL.

 

Now for a question: “How are you approaching life's changes confidently?” 

 

* In full disclosure I was given Poise products to try and review and I am being compensated by Poise and BlogHerto to write this post. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way by Poise or BlogHer.

Enjoy Life More with Del Monte $100 Sweepstakes

During this hectic time of the year, when I am preparing for the holidays and enjoying the special festivities of New York City, I still like to prepare a nutritious homemade meal packed with quality ingredients. This will be my last Christmas in New York for a while, as I am packing for a move out West.

Although I'm very busy I also want to find the time to enjoy life more each day. What better way to fulfill that goal than having quick, fuss free, and delicious meals to prepare, with the help of Del Monte canned Fruits, Vegetables and Tomatoes, such as the pizza seen above?

Or a meal that almost cooks itself, such as chicken and vegetables in the crock pot ...

... or a side of hearty cornbread, fresh from my oven?

That is why I always have Del Monte canned products in my pantry! Did you know that Del Monte canned Fruits, Vegetables and Tomatoes contain similar essential nutrients to fresh, with no artificial colors or flavors? That they are grown in the best regions for a consistently high-quality product? That the majority of Del Monte canned Fruits, Vegetables and Tomatoes are grown in the United States, and are packed at the peak of ripeness, with nearly 90% canned the same day to lock in nutrients and flavors?

Adding Del Monte canned Fruits, Vegetables and Tomatoes to your meals is an excellent way of adding more garden fresh versatility, along with ease of preparation.

Here are the recipes for some of the ways I add Del Monte canned Fruits, Vegetables and Tomatoes to my meals:

Quick and Easy Pizza

Press a store-bought pizza dough in your pizza pan to form a 14 - 16-inch circle.

Spread one 14 1/2 oz. can drained, of Del Monte Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic, and Oregano on top.

Spread 1/2 pound of sliced mozzarella cheese over the tomatoes

Add whatever other condiments your family enjoys to the pizza toppings. For this pizza I added some jarred artichoke hearts, sliced roasted red peppers and one small can of anchovies. I also added a few basil leaves that came from the garden that I have frozen for just such use.

Bake the pizza in a pre-heated 500 degree Fahrenheit oven for 15 minutes, or until the crust is crisp and slightly browned and the toppings are hot, and the cheese is bubbly.

Slice and enjoy!

Del Monte Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic, and Oregano makes the perfectly flavored pizza sauce, and they are a natural source of vitamins A and C and the powerful antioxidant, Lycopene.

Chicken and Vegetables in the Crock Pot

Two pounds of chicken thighs, skin and fat removed

One medium sized onion, sliced

One 14 1/12 oz can of Del Monte Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic, and Oregano (or substitute plain Del Monte Diced tomatoes and add your own blend of seasonings)

Add chicken to the pot, followed by sliced onions and the diced tomatoes on top. Cover and cook on crock pot low setting, 7 hours.

Open and drain one can Del Monte Fresh Cut Green Beans, one can drained Fresh Cut Sliced Carrots, and one can drained Fresh Cut Sweet Peas. Pour drained vegetables over the chicken and tomatoes in the crock pot, cover, and turn crock pot to high for the last hour of cooking.

Prepare rice or pasta as a side. Remove chicken from the crock pot and place on a platter to serve. Add the rice or pasta to your dish and ladle sauce and vegetables on top. Serve.

The Del Monte Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic and Oregano adds the perfect amount of seasoning to the chicken and sauce, and the added Del Monte vegetables makes this meal a snap to make, as all the preparation work is done for you. They are also a wonderful way to add more vegetables to your diet.

Hearty Skillet Corn Bread

One 15 1/2 oz Del Monte Fresh Cut, Golden Sweet, Whole Kernel Corn, drained

One cup all-purpose flour

One cup cornmeal

One tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Two beaten eggs

One cup of milk

1/4 cup cooking oil or shortening, melted

2 - 4 tablespoons sugar

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit

Grease the bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of a 12 inch cast iron skillet, set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl stir together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the center of the dry mixture; set aside.

In another bowl combine the eggs, milk, and cooking oil or melted shortening.

Add egg mixture all at once to dry mixture. Add drained corn. Stir just until moistened.

Spoon batter into the prepared pan.

Bake in a 425 degree Fahrenheit oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Cool on a wire rack.

The addition of Del Monte Whole Kernel Corn adds more fiber, nutrition and a sweet delicious taste to my favorite cornbread recipe, making it an extra special treat. I love to serve it as a side dish for a soup or stew, or as an accompaniment for a holiday meal.

Last, but not least, one of my favorite desserts as a child remains one of my favorite comfort desserts of today -- a scoop of cottage cheese covered with a few Del Monte Sliced Peaches in Extra Light Syrup. It has just the right amount of coolness and sweetness to bring a smile to my face every time I eat it!

I hope you'll try one of my recipes or find one you'd like to try at www.delmonte.com. Also, visit Del Monte's "Add Some Garden™" campaign Facebook page for more delicious recipe ideas.

Tell us about meals that make you feel good and are good for you, in the comment form on my blog, and you will be entered in sweepstakes for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card.

Sweepstakes Rules:

No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
"b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the
following unique term in your tweet message: ""#SweepstakesEntry""; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post"
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise, a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstake runs from 11/19/2012 - 12/21/2012

Be sure to visit Del Monte's brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

* This is a paid promotion by Del Monte and BlogHer, but all recipes and opinions are my own.

I'm 59!

I'm 59!

No, I didn't celebrate a birthday recently, but I am happy to "shout out my age" and be proud of it! Olay is proudly turning 60 years old this year and asked bloggers if they were also daring enough to shout out their age to the world. I recently changed my social media profile picture to this photo, as I feel it shows I'm truly happy to be the age I am. I am excited to be alive and on the cusp of a new decade and I look forward to the next chapter of my life. If you are a frequent reader of my blog, you know that my husband and I are planning to move to Colorado in a few months, to live closer to our children and grandchildren. I will also take on the role of caring for my daughter's expected baby girl during the day while she is at work. I know I will be busy, but happy, and that there will be many new experiences to look forward to.

This life long New York City resident will soon go on the adventure of moving cross country to live in a former ranch community that is over a mile high!

I will be exchanging my urban lifestyle and views from Brooklyn of the Manhattan skyline....

...for a suburban lifestyle and views of Colorado's beautiful, and rustic, front range.

I know it will be worth change to be close to my grandchildren! Seeing them grow up, and being more of a part of their lives is on top of my happy "bucket list." I'm sure they will keep me young and active!

Also, the American West is a beautiful area of our country and my husband and I look forward to exploring more of it and enjoying different opportunities in our new community. As part of our bucket lists, we hope to drive to many Western states that we have yet to see and visit more National Parks. We hope to remain active by hiking, horseback riding, bicycling and getting involved with winter activities in our new neighborhood.

As we all know, life can take a toll on our skin, and being outdoors exposes us to the damaging rays of the sun, so that is why my morning routine for many years has included moisturizing with Olay's Complete All Day Moisturizer with Sunscreen. When I live in the dry and sunny climate of Colorado, I know I will have to be even more diligent about using a sunblock and moisturizer to keep my skin looking young, and Olay's light, non greasy and non-comedogenic moisturizer contains a broad spectrum SPF15 UVA/UVB sunblock, in addition to vitamins E, B3, and C, antioxidants that help maintain healthy looking skin. It contains everything I look for in a moisturizer/sunblock. I'm sure it has helped my 59-year-old skin stay soft with minimal wrinkles, while also helping to prevent my fair complexion develop more freckles or sun spots.

Congratulations, Olay, on your 60th anniversary! I'm glad you encouraged us to embrace our age and take care of our skin as we also stay active and full plans for the future.

Are you daring enough to shout your age to the world? What is on your "bucket list'?
Leave me an answer in the comments below for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card courtesy of Olay!
Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the
following unique term in your tweet message: ""#SweepstakesEntry""; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post"
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise, a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstake runs from 11/13 to 12/13
Be sure to visit the Olay 60th Anniversary brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

*As full disclosure this post is sponsored post by Olay, but all descriptions and opinions are my own.