Daisy Gets a Visit from Minnie Mouse! New Disney Line for Dogs at PetSmart

March 18, 2013
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Daisy has been hard at work again, testing super cute Minnie Mouse dog toys that PetSmart sent over from their new Disney line.

Daisy Disney dog toys

I’m really happy about having something pink for her, especially the adorable Minnie Mouse bandana, since she’s often mistaken for a boy…and her daddy usually steers clear of buying her too much girly stuff. She really tried hard to be a good model so you could see everything, but was so eager to play with her new gal pal Minnie, that she looks pretty intense in most of the photos.

daisy disney bandana

The bandana has velcro for easy fastening which is super handy since she doesn’t usually sit still to let me tie anything on her! And there’s no knot to struggle with when it’s time to take it off, either. I saw that PetSmart also has a Mickey Mouse bandana in red if that’s more your dog’s style.

In fact, whether your dog is into the Muppets or more of a Disney Princess fan, you’ll find some really cute toys, shirts and bows featuring characters including Tinkerbell, Tigger, Donald Duck, Miss Piggy and loads more favorites.

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Nutrisystem Update Week 22: St. Patrick’s Day Diet Tips

March 16, 2013
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Just because you’re dieting or watching what you eat doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a great meal (and drink) on St. Patrick’s Day! The hubby and I are already planning ahead on how we’ll celebrate while still staying on track with our Nutrisystem weight loss program.

irish lunch nutrisystem diet

After going a little crazy for National Margarita Day, we decided to get smart and plan ahead for St. Patrick’s Day. The goal is to enjoy a little of our favorite food and drink, but not derail the diet. Even though we LOVE going out for St. Patrick’s Day, we’ve decided to stay in this year. We’ll still be celebrating the holiday AND hubby’s Irish American heritage, so I thought I’d share a few tips with you.

Irish Lunch with Nutrisystem

One of our favorite lunch items is the Nutrisystem Loaded Baked Potato meal. Just add extra hot water, low sodium chicken broth or skim milk and it becomes Irish Potato Soup. Sprinkle some green onion, crumbled turkey bacon and low-fat cheddar on top. Skip a SmartCarb for the day and you can also enjoy a Guinness at 125 calories for 12 oz instead…not a bad swap if you ask me!

Diet-Friendly Corned Beef and Cabbage

I couldn’t even imagine not having corned beef and cabbage for dinner on St. Patrick’s Day. As our Nutrisystem coach Meredith always reminds us, everything is OK in moderation.

corned beef
Some important tips to keep in mind when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day:

Portion size: the brand I buy is 190 calories for 4 oz of corned beef. That’s really not too bad if you stick to the recommended portion size. It IS  high in fat and sodium, so  keep that in mind and adjust the rest of your day/week accordingly to compensate.

More veggies: Put the emphasis on more cabbage, onions and carrots so you’ll feel full and satisfied. By cooking everything together in your crock pot or french oven on the stove top (that’s the method I use), your veggies will absorb all the flavor from the meat and spices making them extra yummy! Also, start your meal with a healthy salad to help keep your appetite under control.

Parsnips instead of Potatoes: I haven’t tried this one yet, but I’ve read that you can use parsnips instead of potatoes when making a more diet-friendly version of corned beef and cabbage. You’ll cut your calories in half, and carbs are less too.

Watch the booze: Not only do alcoholic beverages add empty calories, but they also impair your judgement meaning you’re more likely to eat stuff you shouldn’t or eat more than you should. Limit it to one or two drinks to be on the safe side!

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KONG Natural Jerky Dog Treats in Chicken and Beef {Made in USA}

March 12, 2013
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jerky closeup

Daisy has been hard at work testing out some new goodies and we’re super excited to tell you about them! As you may know, there have been safety concerns recently about the chicken jerky and treats from some brands that were imported from China, or that were made with sub-par ingredients. This is something I always watch out for carefully and wouldn’t agree to let Daisy try new treats unless they were something I could feel good about.

Things I make certain of before giving Daisy treats: that they are made in the USA and that they are made from natural ingredients. I’m also pretty careful to research the brand carefully if I haven’t heard of them before. Luckily, we were already familiar with the great reputation of the KONG brand when they invited us to try KONG Natural Jerky Premium Dog Treats in both the Beef and Chicken varieties!

What you need to know about KONG Jerky Treats:
  • No wheat, corn or soy
  • No artificial colors or flavors
  • No animal by-products
  • Naturally preserved
  • Ideal anytime treat, training treat or KONG stuffing
  • Made in USA

KONG jerky natural dog treats

Daisy tested both the chicken jerky and the beef jerky over the past several days. I’d say that if she had to pick a favorite, it would be the beef, but both disappeared faster than I could photograph! The treats have a real “jerky smell” so that might be part of what makes dogs love them so much. Many dogs won’t have a flavor preference between the two, but some might have a food sensitivity to one or the other, so it’s great that KONG Treats makes both varieties.

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Nutrisystem Update Week 21: Big Milestones Accomplished!

March 9, 2013
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week 21 weight loss

The hubby and I are super excited about this week’s Nutrisystem update, because we get to share some BIG news with you all! We’ve each reached another major milestone in our weight loss journey…he’s hit the 50 pound mark, and I’ve reached 30! That’s a LOT of LBS lost…but still some to go so we’re staying focused.

In addition to enjoying our success so far, we’re also enjoying a few new menu items this month. It’s important to change things up a bit to keep it interesting, even though I have my favorites and he has his. This month our order included Margherita Pizza, Loaded Baked Potatoes, Risotto and lots more yummy good food we hadn’t tried before.

new meals

So far, I’ve lost 30.4 pounds with 13.6 more to go to reach my goal, and hubby has lost 51.8 lbs with only 8.2 more to lose!

We’d love to hear from you about your own weight loss experiences, challenges and goals, so leave a comment and let us know you stopped by. We’re also happy to answer questions, so ask away!
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FREE To Join Care.com: Find Local Pet Sitters, Dog Walkers + More!

February 5, 2013
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find local pet care

I just got word that it’s currently FREE to join Care.com, a great resource for finding caregivers in your area. Care.com provides a trusted place for families and care providers to easily connect, share care giving experiences, and get advice.

The company offers reviews, listings and advice for services including child care, special needs care, tutoring, senior care, pet care, housekeeping and more. Handy whether you just need an occasional backup for your regular dog walker, or are looking for someone to rely on regularly. If you have services to offer, you can also connect with families looking for caregivers.

pet care service directory

Find and select the best care possible based on detailed profiles, background checks, and references for hundreds of thousands of mom-reviewed providers who are seeking to share their services. It’s FREE to join here and get started!

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