28 December 2011

Hot Pants- Yes they are

I received my HotPants, for review, from the company Zaggora over a month ago.  I really had no idea what to expect but when I opened the package I found what look a bit like black bicycle pants lined in bright yellow, made from wet suit material.




HotPants were born from the idea that the appearance of cellulite can be reduced by Celu-Lite technology which increases perspiration by up to 80%, reduces the appearance of cellulite and body fat.

You can wear the HotPants to increase the intensity of your work out or just wear them as you do housework and go about your business. 


I have been running on my treadmill at least 4 days per week (most weeks) for the past year and eagerly put them on for my next morning's run.  I've lost about 10 pounds since I started this work out regimen and had been stuck at there for a while, so I had high hopes, but realistic expectations.

I mean, really,  pants that can help you reduce your dress size?



What I found:

The HotPants increase perspiration for sure!  They are super comfortable, though tight to pull on the first time and I was drenched in sweat after my workout, the pants themselves did not feel wet, nor stinky.  I was completely comfortable during my workout.  I did not feel sweaty under the pants at all, but I had definitely perspired more than usual during my 30 minute run.

I have not worn the HotPants around the house, only to work out.

I've run 20-30 minutes 3 to five days per week, wearing the HotPants for about 6 weeks. 

I have dropped an additional 3 pounds since starting the wear the HotPants!  I've also dropped a pant size.  I like to think that it is in part due to my great work out, but I must give credit where credit is due:

Thank you HotPants.

My one complaint is that the seam on one side of the pants became un sewn.  I quickly sewed the 2 inch gap on my sewing machine and they are as good as new.

I recommend the HotPants to anyone looking to increase the power of their workout.  I will continue to wear them and hope to continue the trend of weight loss.

The product will be released officially next month.

Disclaimer: I received the HotPants  free from the company for my review.  The opinions are mine and are honest.

27 December 2011

Book Review: Silver Smoke (Seven Halos Series #1)

Silver Smoke a great book for fans of fantasy and the supernatural. Monica Leonelle's first book was fabulous. She is a great writer.



The story is addictive and the book was hard to put down. The characters are complex and have flaws, that make them complicated and very realistic.  It is easy to connect to the characters and to root for them all the way to the end.

I found the story to be complex and unpredictable, which I love.

The author has crafted a tale of myth, legend and lore which suck the reader in from the beginning. There are the classic story conflicts of good vs evil, as well as more subtle conflicts woven throughout the story.


You'll find yourself rooting for the unlikeliest of heros and will not be disappointed.

The book can be found here: Silver Smoke

12 December 2011

Great Gift Giveaway- Hickory Farms

It feels like Hickory Farms  has been around forever.  60 years, to be exact.  They have been around so long because they are a great company and offer a quality product and fabulous customer service.  Of particular interest to many of my readers, and to me, is the fact that many of their products ship free to military addresses. 

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF HICKORY FARMS®
When Hickory Farms was founded in 1951 in the pastoral farm country of Ohio, the products quickly became a hallmark gift for those who appreciate rich and savory foods. For the past 60 years, Hickory Farms’ commitment to personalized service and the legendary quality of its products have kept the company popular on gift lists everywhere.

Hickory Farms brings the best of Midwest values and unwavering quality to consumers in North America and the U.S. Armed Forces all over the world. Customers can find Hickory Farms’ award winning sausage, cheese and other specialty items at 750+ Hickory Farms holiday stores, online at hickoryfarms.com, in catalogs, and at leading retailers throughout the holiday
season.

Hickory Farms has a great tradition of giving.

THE TRADITION OF GIVING BACK
Hickory Farms is committed to giving back through its partnership with Share Our Strength®, a leading national not-for profit organization working to end childhood hunger in North America. This holiday season, when customers purchase a Party Planner gift box, Hickory Farms will contribute $5 to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® Campaign*. Customers will also have the opportunity to include a $1 donation to the campaign with their purchase at a Hickory Farms store or at hickoryfarms.com. Hickory Farms’ passion for fighting childhood hunger has generated more than $1.1M in contributions to Share Our Strength since 2008. The company is looking to raise and/or donate an additional $700,000 this coming holiday season. 

Beyond Share Our Strength, Hickory Farms is a strong supporter of the U.S. Armed Forces serving across the globe. All year long, Hickory Farms offers free shipping on select products to military addresses to ensure that families can send loved ones much needed food gifts and warm wishes.
These items, and more, are shipped free to military addresses:










PARTY PLANNER GIFT BOX, $45
Supports Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry ® Campaign 
This gift is a flavorful array of our savory Summer Sausage and smooth and creamy cheeses with all the trimmings. With every one sold this year, we will donate $5 to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry ® Campaign. Maximum donation $500,000, offer valid thru 1/31/12.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS GIFT BOX, $55
Free shipping to APO/FPO military addresses
Enjoy the favorite gift sent to loved ones serving overseas, featuring the award winning flavor of Our Signature Beef Summer Sausage and Italian Recipe Summer Sausages. The combination pairs perfectly with our deliciously creamy cheeses, Sweet Hot and Honey Pineapple Mustards and savory crackers.

SUMMER SAUSAGE & CHEESE, $40
Free shipping to APO/FPO military addresses
As favorite for over half a century, this classic gift features Our Signature Beef Summer Sausage complemented by our new Farmhouse Cheddar, Smoked Gouda and Smoked Cheddar Cheeses.

ORCHARD’S BOUNTY BASKET, $78
The fresh fruit lover will adore the Orchard’s Bounty Basket filled with hand packed-to-order assortment of Fuji Apples, Mandarin Oranges, luscious Red D’Anjou and Crown Comice® Pears. Includes Our Signature Beef Summer Sausage, Farmhouse Cheddar and roasted mix nuts in a keepsake Peterboro® Basket.

WARM AND HEARTY WELCOME, $30

Free shipping to APO/FPO military addresses. 
This collection of classics includes both beef and turkey Summer Sausages, as well as Hickory Farms’ new, smooth and creamy Farmhouse Cheddar.

 One Lucky Reader will win a gift box from Hickory Farms. 
To Enter, 
1st Entry:  Become a follower of the blog and leave a comment here telling me you did so.

2nd Entry:   Become a follower of The Deployment Diatribes and leave a comment here telling me you did so. 

3rd Entry: "Like" Been There Done That Mom on Facebook and leave a comment here telling me you did so.

4th Entry:  Follow @BTDTmom on Twitter and leave a comment here telling me you did so. 


The giveaway will close Sunday night at 11:59 pm.
After Verification, the winner will be contacted via email and will receive the product directly from Hickory Farms.


07 December 2011

Breastfeeding and Pregnancy- It must be said...



In my opinion, I should not have to say this, but I just heard from a friend who is pregnant with her second child, in less than a year, because "breastfeeding did not serve as adequate birth control." 

Seriously?  

In this day and age, with information so readily available, I don't know why people still don't know that breastfeeding will not prevent ovulation in most women.  If ovulation isn't prevented, pregnancy is possible.

If you want to prevent another pregnancy after you've had a baby, you need to use actual birth control methods.  If you are breastfeeding, the best option is a barrier method, such as condoms.  Any hormonal contraceptive has the chance of changing your milk supply, no matter how much your doctor tries to reassure you that it won't.

If you want to continue to breastfeed your baby, exclusively or not, be very wary of putting any hormones into your body.  The potential for your milk to be at least partially dried up is high.

I repeat, condoms are your best bet to prevent an unwanted, untimely, pregnancy after the birth of your child- until you wean your baby.

"But it took me two years to conceive this baby with clomid and IUI.  There's no way I'm just going to get pregnant without help this time."  Except that you might!  Many people find that their fertility is much higher the second time around and "find themselves pregnant" only months after the birth of their first baby.

So, I repeat, if you want to plan your family, spacing your children according to your schedule, use birth control.

Breastfeeding is best for baby, having a sibling born in the same year might not be.