Sunday, August 31, 2008

And the Winner is...

Congratulations to Sarah! Fusion Creative Team will be contacting you to discuss your blog header. Send us a copy of it when they complete the design or a link to your blog.

We have some more exciting giveaways planned so stay tuned!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Enter Today for Your Chance to Win


Fusion Creative Team is offering a chance to win a free blog logo header design to one lucky BethsHappyHair reader (a $50 value). Fusion Creative Team has over 15 years of ad agency, graphic design experience and now caters to small businesses on a budget.

Here's how you can win:

Visit Fusion Creative Team from now until August 30th. Blog about Fusion Creative Team and send me a link to your blog. Be sure to include a note about this contest in your blog inviting others to enter. A winner will be chosen on August 31st and announced on BethsHappyHair.

Fusion Creative Team has created many pieces for me, including my EasyHairNetwork.com logo and website and my blog logo header. (Well my old blog header—they've announced that they will also give me a new blog header for my new site for helping them with this contest—YAY me!) I luv luv luv Fusion Creative Team. And, from now until September 30th, mention that you read about Fusion Creative Team at BethsHappyHair and get 10% off your custom website design or get a business logo for only $80.

A Terrific Hair Deal

You can't pass this up. If you are in the market for real hair extensions than you must check this out.


Scroll to the bottom of the listings where Elizabeth is selling the most silky, medium brown hair I've ever seen for a mere $120. This is the bargain of the century.

Be sure to check with your local salon about their extension knowledge. In fact, I would recommend only going to a salon that specializes in hair extensions. They'll make sure you get the right kind of application for your lifestyle.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

It's Tummy Time!




Shannon: I discovered this week that bran muffins are actually bad for me. Lots of calories. I thought the action in the bathroom was making up for however bad I thought they were, but I didn't actually realize how terrible they were. I should have since I made them and they have buttermilk and sugar in them. Over it. We even went camping this weekend and I did very well not stuffing my face with garbage. I easily stayed within my portion limits and I think it is paying off. Just look at the measurements below.

Measurements:
Around belly button: 31" (-.5 from last time, overall -1")
Around bulge: 35" (-1 from last time, overall -2")
Weight: 146 lbs (-3 from last time, overall-4)

Although the pictures don't look like it, I do feel it. I am still focused on my goal. More veggies are ripening in the garden and I am taking full advantage. I tried the zucchini recipe and loved it. I am even noticing that my stomach does have a limit. I am feeling fuller with less food. It's exciting. In the beginning, I guess I thought I would be dramatically changed within a month, but now I know it takes time and commitment and I am anticipating each week to see if I can survive the challenge. I still go back to one great comment from Andrea (Momma in Flip Flops2!) about asking yourself when you are about to eat something: "Do I NEED this, or do I just want it?"

Thanks everyone. I love the support each week.

See you next week.

Monday, August 25, 2008

The best feel-good, yummy recipe ever!

I received a load of zucchini from a friend's garden and I had no idea what to do with it. I just accepted it with a smile and a thank you to be nice (sorry Anna). However, I did some online research to decide what to do with it, so it wouldn't go to waste. I discovered Zucchini Boats. Holy buckets are they delicious AND you feel so good for eating something healthy.


This is what you do:
• 2 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise
• spoon out the guts and put aside
• blot out as much liquid from the guts as possible with a paper towel
• put the zucchini, open side down on a baking sheet in the oven at 375 for 15 minutes
• while that is baking, put two tablespoons of olive oil into a large skillet and saute the guts for 5 minutes, then add half a jar of Prego sauce and mix well, then add two pieces of bread, ripped into pieces
• line the zucchini boats with shredded mozerella, add the mixture, top with a little more cheese and bake for 25 minutes longer or until they are tender (poke with a fork)

You can add onions and peppers and all that other stuff, but for a plain jane like me, I loved it. I can safely say that I prefer this to any other pizza out there.

Enjoy!

Friday, August 22, 2008

My New Look

So I decided to get a new look. Actually I was after 3 columns of space. Now I am working on getting a new header designed. I have Fusion Creative Team working on that. Which reminds me that I should mention my BLOG LOGO HEADER GIVEAWAY again.

I found out that my friend from Affordable Glamour had commissioned Fusion Creative Team to create a blog logo header for her too. Check out Affordable Glamour to get a feel for the design work that Fusion does and to get some great fashion tips.

Back to the giveaway. You have about a week to visit Fusion Creative Team and blog about their designs, their site, whatever and this contest. Make sure you include a link to Fusion Creative Team and to BethsHappyHair. Complete this before August 30th. I will announce a winner on August 31st. You can also enter by commenting to this post. This is a $50 value!

Start blogging...and linking...and commenting...

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Great Snack Idea for Kids

My children love fruit snacks and fruit rollups, but I can't stand all the sugar. Now, they eat dehydrated fruits and rolls and they go nuts for them and I love that they are less in sugar.

The easiest way to make a fruit roll is to start with applesauce. You can blend in any fruit you'd like to change the flavor, but you should start with an applesauce base (the pulp in the fruit gives it the perfect texture and holds the roll together much better than any other fruit).

You can use wax paper to line the dehydrator trays or some sell special roll liners. Add the blended fruit mixture to the liner at about 1/4" thick and dehydrate for 4 hours or until roll is shiny and pliable. My kids eat it immediately so I bought an extra liner so I can make more rolls at one time. You can make it thicker but it will take longer to dry. I've also found that the cinnamon apples that I canned to make pies with can be blended and used as well. You get rolls that taste like apple pie.

Store any uneaten rolls in baggies. You probably won't have to do this though as they go FAST!

Thanks Betty125 for the great tip. Sounds delicious and healthy. I might try it myself.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Garden Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Garden Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Another beautiful garment to giveaway from a very talented designer/seamstress.

Check it out.

Thanks Momma in Flip Flops 2 for the heads up on this great giveaway.

Tummy Tuesday!!!!


Shannon: Let's get right to it. I felt very motivated the beginning of this last week. I ran and biked for 45 minutes one night after the kids were in bed. I took a long bike ride the next day with the kids. I went swimming one day too. I think I am making some progress in the exercising department. I also started eating bran muffins every morning. Trying to cut down on processed junk food, which is sort of working, although I am an emotional eater, so I got mad a couple times this week. Oops!

Measurements:
Around belly button: 31.5"
(0 from last time, overall -.5")
Around bulge: 36" (0 from last time, overall -1")
Weight: 149 lbs (-1 from last time, overall-1)


So the inches didn't move, but I think I look like improvements are being made. This next week the really the week to just do it. No more excuses. The period is over. Now let's get serious.

See you nest week.

Monday, August 18, 2008

New Arrival

My best friend had a baby girl this weekend. She is adorable. Rough labor, I guess she was turned sideways and was causing her to have back labor. Anyway, she pushed her out and little Bria is now here.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for some more revelations in the dieting/weight loss/fat burning world from Shannon as she battles her bulge for us every Tuesday.

Now that Bria is born, maybe Shannon could share a couple tips that she's learned with my friend.

I've heard that breastfeeding is a real help. Any other thoughts in general on raising new babies and losing weight? I told my friend to just take it easy for a couple weeks. "You just had a baby for pete's sake!" is what I actually said to her. It's too bad that we are all warped by celebrities in magazines who drop the weight in less than five days and have killer bods post-baby. We forget that these people can afford the best trainers and food police who tell them what they can and can't eat. Plus, they have nannies who take the kids so they can work out alone. Now that's a concept.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Lands End Backpack Giveaway

Thanks to Momma in Flip Flops 2 for offering this wonderful Lands End Backpack giveaway.

Check out more great buys at Lands End.

Summer by the Lake Swimsuit GIVEAWAY!!!!

Summer by the Lake Swimsuit GIVEAWAY!!!!

This lady really knows how to sew and she really knows fashion. Retro is soooo in, no matter what your age.

Check out the great giveaway!

Blog Logo Giveaway


Fusion Creative Team is offering a chance to win a free blog logo header design to one lucky BethsHappyHair reader (a $50 value). Fusion Creative Team has over 15 years of ad agency, graphic design experience and now caters to small businesses on a budget.

Here's how you can win:

Visit Fusion Creative Team from now until August 30th. Blog about Fusion Creative Team and send me a link to your blog. Be sure to include a note about this contest in your blog inviting others to enter. A winner will be chosen on August 31st and announced on BethsHappyHair.

Fusion Creative Team has created many pieces for me, including my EasyHairNetwork.com logo and website and my blog logo header. I luv luv luv Fusion Creative Team. And, from now until September 30th, mention that you read about Fusion Creative Team at BethsHappyHair and get 10% off your custom website design or get a business logo for only $80.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Extensions!


I have been asked by many who visit EasyHairNetwork.com about extensions. What are they going to do with cut hair if they buy it? Will the salon accept cut hair or do you have to buy that REMY hair from a beauty supply store? Well, I contacted a salon in NYC that specializes in all forms of extensions. Anything will work. They asked that you pick a respectable salon in your area that has extension training and not to just go to your local "Great Clips."

Good extensions take time and can't be done cheaply, or they will look cheap.

Some salons will offer a consultation prior to your appointment so they can determine what application with work best for your particular situation. Personally, if I was going to spend top dollar on great hair extensions, I'd want the best of the best and not some $20 REMY hair from Sally Beauty Supply.

Long hair makes a woman feel vibrant, sexy, alive. Make sure the hair that you select for your extensions is something you can fall in love with and wear with grace and style. Right now there's some gorgeous blonde, brown and black hair at
EasyHairNetwork.com be sure to visit them today!

Through the grapevine: I heard that
EasyHairNetwork.com will be sponsoring a great giveaway in the next couple months. Be sure to check all the latest reviews, gripes and tips at BethsHappyHair, and be sure to tune in every Tuesday for Shannon's battle with her bulge.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

It's TUMMY TUESDAY!


Shannon is back for Tummy Tuesday. Let's see how she's been doing.



Shannon: Ok so I started this week off really well, but then I fell back into the same habits. "Oh, there's just a little left. I don't want to dirty anymore tupperware, and I don't want to throw it away...I'll just eat it." Actually, I did do a lot better with portion sizes. And, one of the best bits of advice was before you take a bite of whatever it is, ask yourself, "Do I really NEED it, or do I just want it?" I was able to resist my normal ice cream urges when everyone else was enjoying some. Yay me!

I am disappointed that the photos look like there's been no change, but I really didn't do much for my first week.

We did do a family bike trip after supper one night. We said we should try to do this every night, but of course that didn't happen. I am in need of a serious routine—some kind of exercise that it easy to follow and incorporate into my everyday hectic life, which has no routine.

Measurements:
Around belly button: 31.5"
(-.5")
Around bulge: 36" (-1")
Weight: 150 lbs (-0)

On a side note: I did just get my period, so I am thinking that my inch loss was due to premenstrual bloating. :-(

This week's plan: Start an exercise routine and continue the struggle with food.

Until next week...


.

Monday, August 11, 2008

WIN a FREE Logo for your BLOG!


Fusion Creative Team is offering a chance to win a free blog logo header design to one lucky BethsHappyHair reader (a $50 value). Fusion Creative Team has over 15 years of ad agency, graphic design experience and now caters to small businesses on a budget.

Here's how you can win:

Visit Fusion Creative Team from now until August 30th. Blog about Fusion Creative Team and send me a link to your blog. Be sure to include a note about this contest in your blog inviting others to enter. A winner will be chosen on August 31st and announced on BethsHappyHair.

Fusion Creative Team has created many pieces for me, including my EasyHairNetwork.com logo and website and my blog logo header. I luv luv luv Fusion Creative Team. And, from now until September 30th, mention that you read about Fusion Creative Team at BethsHappyHair and get 10% off your custom website design or get a business logo for only $80.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Sorry for the Hiatus

I apologize for not writing for a few days. I just wanted to be sure that readers saw the new Tummy Tuesday entry.

Thank you for the great comments. Shannon says she is doing ok. It's really hard to change eating habits but she is getting some good advice. Keep it coming.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

A NEW Weekly Feature!

I've decided to help my friend Shannon, a mother of three young children, lose her belly bulge. She's only 27 and feels like she's trapped in a body that she has no control over.

With three children, she has little time for herself (meal planning, exercising, sleeping, etc.) so I am asking you for help. She's agreed to publicly document her progress each Tuesday with belly bulge photos, measurements
and a description of what comments she found helpful and what strategies she utilized that past week.

Introducing...


Shannon: I feel like I've tried everything. The soup diet, not eating, watching what I eat...I just have very low will power. I'm growing a garden this year to try to eat healthier, but I'm still waiting for things to ripen, and I am at a loss for delicious recipes, too.

Here's the belly today. I took a photo from the side, underside and front.



I don't look bulgy if I can tuck the flab into my pants, but I feel generally unattractive, especially when naked. I can only imagine what my husband thinks since I haven't got the courage to ask him. I also have some asymmetrical bulging on my left side.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Measurements:
Around belly button: 32"
Around bulge: 37"
Weight: 150 lbs

This week's plan: Seriously watch what I eat. Try to at least exercise 30 minutes with cardio and do 50 sit ups each day.

Until next week...




Monday, August 4, 2008

Sell Your Old Cell for Cash

I just discovered CashMyPhone, a great place to sell your old cell phone, which you were probably going to throw away anyway. It could bring you an extra $5, $10 or $15 which you weren't going to have before.

Try it today!

You can also trade in some of your old electronics as well, like iPods and PSPs.

Easy Ways to Benefit from Beth

Swagbucks can help you earn points just by searching as you normally would like with Yahoo or Google. Each time you earn points, it goes into your account which can help you purchase awesome merchandise, like an iPhone!!! And when you go to Swagbucks through my link, I can earn points on your searches too, and you can refer friends and get points from their searches added to your account. It's too easy.

Need coupons? Check out my simple coupon printer in the right column. Free printable coupons—could it be any easier?

Check out EasyHairNetwork.com today. Sell hair, buy hair, easy!

Fast, affordable, professional, awesome, clever, interesting...I just can't say enough about the graphic design wizards at Fusion Creative Team. Contact Fusion Creative Team ASAP!

Sassy Design is the best for personalized, hand-painted room decor. She can create something magical for your room or for your next baby shower gift. Check out Sassy Design now!

Affordable Glamour is your one-stop-blog for high fashion at a low price. She's just getting started, but her tips are great and you can always contact her for specific fashion advice. LayersClothing is one of her favorite hot spots for ultimate chic at a great price.

Friday, August 1, 2008

HOT Clothes and Even Hotter Contest



So, I'm your everyday t-shirt and jeans kinda gal. However, I have found something that still takes that t-shirt and jeans simplicity and pairs it with chic and high fashion.

Check out LayersClothing. OMG!!!! The cutest clothes I have ever seen by far. Here are some of my favorites:


And, mommainflipflops2 is offering a giveaway for a LayersClothing gift certificate. click here She'll be choosing a winner the morning of Wednesday, August 6th, 2008, so hurry and good luck!

Also, be sure to check out Friday's fashion tip from Affordable Glamour.