Did you know that it is Senior Pet Month? Here are some helpful tips and advice from our friends at Bil-Jac!

1. What are 6 ways to support your senior dog’s health?

• Feed a high-quality diet that provides protein for muscle mass. Providing a high-quality diet, like Bil-Jac Senior Select Dry Dog Food, helps to maintain healthy muscle. Eating a diet specially formulated for mature dogs can help support your dog’s overall health.
• Keep your dog’s weight in check. Share that people can visit Bil-Jac’s Learning Library online at Bil-Jac.com and view Bil-Jac’s Pet Obesity chart to find the healthy weight of their pup.
• Activity – both physical and mental stimulation with training.
• Keep those teeth clean. Dental disease can result in your dog losing teeth and having a difficult time eating, further risking your dog’s health. Be proactive and brush once a day and keep those teeth where they belong.
• Thoughtful accommodations. As your best friend matures, he may have a more difficult time getting up the stairs or into the car. Being patient with him and assisting him will help keep him safe yet allow him to continue to do the things he likes to do.
• Regular veterinarian visits. Taking a trip to see the doctor on a regular basis is even more important to your maturing dog. Your vet can be a valuable source of advice. Many veterinarians can run a panel of tests on your senior dog. This can help you treat any issues earlier on, proactively helping your dog to live a long, healthy life.

1. What are some reasons people should consider adopting a senior dog?

• They’ve had time to fine-tune their manners.
• You can teach an old dog new tricks. In fact, many think senior dogs are more trainable than puppies.
• They’re comfortable with who they are and, typically, what you see is what you get.
• They’re past the chewing and middle of the night walk stages.
• They Settle in Quickly: Older dogs have been around the block and already learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack. They’ll be part of the family in no time!
• They Enjoy Easy Livin’: An older dog won’t have as high-energy as a young dog who will run you ragged. Not that older dogs don’t require any exercise—they do—but they’re not going to need, or want, to run a marathon every day.

1. What are some tips for people looking to adopt a dog from a shelter?

• Shelters receive new dogs every day; keep coming back if your best friend isn’t found on your first visit.
• Most shelter dogs are house trained and do not require extensive retraining.
• Some shelter dogs were dropped off simply because of their age. A senior dog can be calm and well behaved, which may be a perfect match for you.
• Love and attention could be all it takes to turn an abandoned dog into your new best friend.

Did you know that Senior Dogs have different nutritional needs? To find out more about Bil-Jac, check out the following below:

• Join the Bil-Jac Facebook family and learn more about nutrition, join our Best Friends Club and enter your pup in our Dog Breed of the Month monthly contest at http://www.facebook.com/BilJacDogFood
• • Bil-Jac.com
  • com/Bil-Jac
  • com/Bil-Jac
  • com/BilJacDogFood
  • com/BilJac
  • com/BilJacDogs
• • You can always find your closest Bil-Jac location using their Store Locator at Bil-Jac.com. (Available at many Petco and Petsmart locations).

   

• We have teamed up for a Giveaway! One winner will win Bil-Jac treats ( a 10 oz.pouch of Bil-Jac Grain Free Soft Training Treats for Dogs) for their dog! Simply leave a comment below telling us which tip you found the most helpful! Deadline to enter is November 17th, 2014 at noon PST.  One winner will randomly be selected from all entries via Random.org.

Self Disclosure: I received a prize to send to one of our winners. No other compensation was received.

It’s holiday time again and I love DIY holiday gifts! Whether looking to let a teacher know how much she is appreciated, brighten the mail-carrier’s day, or surprise a coworker, DIY gifts are the perfect way to show how much you care.

This recipe for Vanilla Body Scrub from Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, included below, is the perfect gift for friends, sisters, daughters, or anyone who deserves a bit of pampering this holiday season. Fragrant Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar gently exfoliates while olive oil moisturizes, leaving skin feeling soft, smooth and rejuvenated.

Vanilla Body Scrub

1 cup Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 or 2 drops of an essential oil such as lavender, eucalyptus, etc.
Decorative, waterproof container

Mix ingredients together in a bowl.

Spoon into a decorative, waterproof container.

Wrap in decorative paper.

Instructions for use: Apply a small amount to damp skin while in shower or bath. Gently scrub skin with a soft washcloth. Rinse thoroughly.

I received a sample of the Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar and tired this recipe. Loved it! It will make a wonderful holiday gift! We also tried our sample in baking and used it with cookies and pancakes. This was a big hot with my family! 

Please visit the Nielsen-Massey website for more product information and additional recipes, including more DIY gift ideas such as:

• Vanilla Bean Marshmallows
• Decadent Holiday Fudge
• Cinnamon Vanilla Candied Almonds
• Gourmet Blueberry Vanilla Granola
• Sweet and Spicy BBQ Rub
• Chocolate Coffee Biscotti

We have teamed up for a Holiday Giveaway! One winner will win the Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bournon Pure Vanilla Sugar. To enter, leave a comment below telling us which recipe above you would be most interested in trying! Deadline to enter is November 17, 2014 at noon PST. One winner will randomly be selected from all entries!

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample to facilitate this review/giveaway. Photo Credit: Nielsen-Massey Vanillas.

New Peppa Pig DVDs avail now! Read all about them in our Media Reviews section. Peppa Pig Peppa’s Christmas would make the ideal DVD for the whole family to get into the Christmas spirit! Bubbles would make a great stocking gift for the younger children!

We have teamed up with kaboom! Entertainment for a holiday giveaway! One winner will win both DVDs! To enter leave a comment below telling us your child’s favorite character from Peppa Pig! Is it Peppa? Or maybe George? Deadline to enter is November 12th, 2014 at noon PST. One winner will randomly be chosen via Random.org.

Self Disclosure:  I received free DVDs to facilitate review feature and giveaway. No other compensation was received. Photo Credit: kaboom! Entertainment. 

I love Fall time! Comfort foods are a Must-Have! I recently tried Emmi Original Cheese Fondue and this really is a Must-have for the whole family! The product is based on an authentic Swiss recipe. I love that it is so easy to prepare and my family loved the taste. Our favorite was to use bread cubes! It heats up quickly and is great for entertaining over the upcoming holidays. Visit thier Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EmmiUSA for more info.

We have teamed up for a holiday giveaway! To enter, leave a comment below telling us your favorite holiday time comfort food! Two winners will each win a box of Emmi Original Cheese Fondue. Deadline to enter is November 17th, 2014 at noon PST. Two winners will be selected via Random.org.

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample to facilitate this feature & giveaway. Photo Credit: Emmi products.

What are the holidays to you? They mean different hings to different people. Schoola has launched a fun and simple campaign for the season of giving. The  #Givingback Giveaway is on it’s 2nd week. They’ve  partnered with 3 other companies that do good to bring you fantastic prizes. They are giving away $2500 to shop Roma Boots, Yoobi, Yesto and, of course, Schoola. Check it out and Like them on their Facebook page here.

Here’s how you can get involved:

Share your holiday moments that fill in the blank: #HolidaysR4…  You will have a chance to win one of 3 $25 gift cards given out each week. Campaign runs from 11/6 to 12/23. Here’s my example: #HolidaysR4 sharing!

Don’t forget, if you are looking for holiday clothing for your kids this holiday season, check out Schoola. They have such great bargains! There is a  25% off first order discount code (TRYSCHOOLA) so what are you waiting for?

Self Disclosure: No compensation was received to post. I am part of the Schoola Bonus program and may receive credit when readers make any purchases.

From wiping gunky noses to changing diapers and years of lost sleep, Boogie Wipes® knows that motherhood is snot easy. To honor moms and create an opportunity for priceless home video footage, Boogie Wipes® is launching a yearlong “Motherhood’s Snot Easy” contest. Each month starting in May 2014 for Mother’s Day, ten families will win a year’s supply of Boogie Wipes®, one case per month. And, in May 2015 a grand-prize winner will be chosen to win a 7-day Walt Disney Cruise for four.

The “Motherhood’s Snot Easy” contest is guaranteed to generate a lot of humor around the country. To start the entry process, moms must get out the video camera and film their children answering four questions, capturing what children really think about moms in priceless videos. Moms will ask their kids the following:

1. What does mommy cook for you at dinnertime?
2. What type of clothes does mommy like to wear?
3. What does mommy do all day? Is she busy?
4. Does mommy pick her nose?

When the video is complete it can be uploaded on the Boogie Wipes® contest page to complete the entry process. For rules, regulations and full entry details for the “Motherhood’s Snot Easy” contest visit: www.boogiewipes.com.

About Little Busy Bodies

The first-ever saline nose wipe, Boogie Wipes®, was invented by two moms as a solution for their kids’ sore, red, stuffy noses. Little Busy Bodies Inc. was founded in May 2007. Sales of Boogie Wipes® reached $1 million in the company’s first year of business and by 2009; Little Busy Bodies tripled its revenue to $3.4 Million. Boogie Wipes® are now sold in 50,000 retail stores across the U.S. and Canada including Walmart, Target, Walgreens, and Toys ‘R’ Us.

 Self Disclosure: No compensation was received and contest is not affiliated with SoCal City Kids.

Don’t want to give someone a gift card this holiday season? How about a gift with meaning? Championing convenience, gift cards topped the list of popular holiday gifts for 2013 (Nielsen.com). Inspire your readers to get creative this holiday season by giving their friends and loved ones delicious, poverty-fighting holiday gifts from the 2014 World Vision Gift Catalog.

More than 250 items, ranging in price from $10 to $39,000, are available online and in the print catalog to help improve quality of life for women, children and families in the U.S. and around the world. When your readers give where it is needed most, they can receive handcrafted gifts that are perfect for holiday baking or entertaining:

For someone who loves to bake! Prosperity Cinnamon: Know a friend or family member who loves to bake? Each beautifully-carved cinnamon bark box contains 3 oz. of cinnamon and bears a common Asian character for prosperity. Vietnam’s renowned sweet cinnamon is a renewable resource collected from the Cassia tree, sold to benefit generations of hard-working families. $85.

Hand-Carved Serving Spoons: A perfect gift for holiday entertaining, each beautiful set of two hand-carved olivewood serving spoons is delivered in a gift bag of African fabric hand-sewn by local women. The serving spoons are made to benefit orphans of the Kamba tribe in Kenya. $65.

For the coffee lover! I received a free sample of this one and love it! Just perfect for all coffee lovers! Fair-Trade Coffee Set: For the coffee lover, this 12 oz. coffee set is blended by OneCup.org, using delicious flavors from Ethiopia, Sumatra, and Costa Rica, and is delivered in a gift bag of African fabric hand-sewn by local women. $65.

Please check out World Vision Facebook page at /WorldVision and Twitter at@WorldVisionNews using the hashtag #GiftCatalog.

Since it began in 1996, the World Vision Gift Catalog has grown in popularity as a gift-giving alternative; more than 844,000 people helped someone through the Catalog in the last fiscal year alone.

To order from World Vision’s Gift Catalog, visit www.worldvisiongifts.org or call 855-WV-GIFTS.

We have teamed up for a Holiday Giveaway! One lucky winner will receive the Fair-Trade Coffee set! To enter, check out the World Vision’s Gift Catalog (see link above!) and tell us your favorite gift idea. Deadline to enter is November 11th, 2014 at noon PST. One winner will randomly be selected via Random.org.

Self Disclosure: I received a free product sample to facilitate this holiday gift feature. Photo Credit: World Vision.

It’s that time of year again! Halloween! I can’t imagine this fun holiday without PEEPS and MIKES & IKES! I received a Just Born Halloween kit to review and it is a big hit in our house!  The candy is delicious and we loved the Plush Purple PEEPS Bunny we received!  PEEPS marshmallow treats are making the Fall season even more festive with the launch of Halloween flavors and shapes just in time for trick-or-treating and Halloween party planning. What is so great about PEEPS is that they can also be used as colorful additions to baked goods and can be used in decorations too.

I am looking forward to adding the PEEPS Pumpkins to the top of Halloween cupcakes this year! They are just the perfect size and so cute with their decorated jack-o-lantern faces! I also love those PEEPS ghost-shaped marshmallows with their spooky faces! The PEEPS Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Pumpkins are my favorite though! These are individually wrapped marshmallow pumpkins enrobed in milk chocolate!  I also received the cutest Witch Chick Plush that includes 2-5 ct packages of PEEPS Brand Marshmallow Chicks. This would make the perfect Halloween gift!

But, we can’t forget about MIKE & IKES! This is my son’s favorite!  I received the following:

MIKE AND IKE^® Mummys Mix 10 oz Gift Bag

MIKE AND IKE^® Vampire Variety 10 oz Gift Bag

MIKE AND IKE^® Mummys Mix 2 Oz Tube

All three would make great Halloween gifts! Actually, I put them up for my son!

These Halloween treats can be found nationwide at mass, grocery and drug stores, PEEPS & COMPANY® retail stores or at www.peepsandcompany.com.

Looking for fun and creative ideas this Halloween? I just love  MarshmallowPEEPS.com! It really has the best ideas! I love the section specifically dedicated to showing off PEEPSONALITY® with fan art, crafts and recipes.

You can also find PEEPS & Company at the following links below:

• PEEPS & COMPANY® Website http://www.peepsandcompany.com/
• PEEPS & COMPANY® Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PEEPSANDCOMPANY
• PEEPS & COMPANY® Instagram page http://instagram.com/PEEPSANDCOMPANY
• PEEPS & COMPANY® Twitter handle @PEEPSANDCOMPANY
• PEEPS & COMPANY® Hastag #PEEPSONALITY

We have also teamed up with PEEPS & Company for a Halloween Giveaway! Winner will win a variety of candy samples and not everything that has been mentioned in this post. To enter, go to MarshmallowPEEPS.com and leave a comment below telling us one of your favorite things on the website.  Deadline to enter is October 26th, 2014 at noon PST. One winner will randomly be selected via Random.org. Please note: Prize may not be received before Halloween.

Self Disclosure: I received a free Just Born Halloween kit to facilitate this feature and any opinions expressed are my own. Photo Credit: Just Born.