Part 9!! Yep, "A Few of My Favorite Things" is STILL continuing!

perky 

adjective \ˈpər-kē\  lively in manner or appearance

That is the definition of perky as found in the Merriam-Webster dictionary. 

perky as defined by me ;)

Tender, moist, natural, preservative free, flavorful, soft, yummy and best of all? Healthy!! Woo hoo! Total winner by my definition!

Of course I'm referring to the best jerky I've found yet. Perky Jerky.

Oh my goodness. I tasted the beef first and thought it was really good. Then, well then, I tasted the turkey and my mouth was having a party. Love that stuff. When I found out that my local Walmart had some I rushed over and stocked right up.

Okay, in full disclosure I didn't rush right over but I did stock up when I next went.

Perky Jerky is the perfect food to toss in your drawer at work, your purse, your car, your well... your anything so that you will have access to it next time you have the urge to munch on something.

The wonderful people at the world of Perky Jerky have graciously given me 4 bags (one of each flavor) for my birthday giveaways. It makes sense, of course, since this IS a birthday giveaway of my favorite things. :)

Wanna have a chance to win? Wanna have more than one entry? Y'all should know by now on what to do but just in case - all you have to do is follow the directions on the rafflecopter entry below. 

I wish you all much luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Few of My Favorite Things 2014 - Part 8!!

Remember Shari Lewis and Lambchops? Oy. Probably most of you are to young to know what I'm talking about. lol

Anyway, there's a song that Lampchops sings "This is the song that never ends" - Google it, you'll be glad you did. Really. It won't be an earworm for you. ;)

My point is that I kind of feel like this Unbirthday Favorite Things giveaway is never going to end. I started it with the intention of Monday the 27th (my birthday) to be the last drawing. But a funny thing happened on the way to the 27th... more opportunities for more giveaways came in. Yay. Can never say no for a chance to share something with you all!

There will be a couple today. The first one is a sweet deal. Sweet as Candi. Nope. I didn't spell that wrong. Because you see, the next giveaway is from...

Yay!! Candi Sweetenough is offering any one of her designed necklaces from her site as a giveaway.

I spent a little bit of time looking through her album and thinking I want this and this and this. Oh yeah. And I want that. :)

However, that decision is one that the winner of this giveaway will have to make. Can't wait to see what you chose!

Do the following below and to receive extra entries:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!!!

A Few of My Favorite Things Birthday Giveaway 2014 - Part 7

Squeeee!! 

Okay, you all know that I'm really big on vitamins right? There are so many vitamin companies that I love but I have to admit to having a special place in my heart (mouth?) for my very favorite calcium bites. 

Chocolate? Lemon? Lemon? Chocolate? Decisions, decisions. Both are so very awesome and like a mini dessert when it hits my taste buds. :)

Most of you also know that I'm a huge supporter of getting the proper labs and paying attention to them.

Hopefully you know what I say about your labs in regards to your calcium level. Your blood work can still show that your calcium level is fine, even when it's not. Think of it like a bank. You have a supply of calcium in your bones and teeth so when you need a "withdrawal" and you haven't "deposited" then that's where the calcium will be coming from. Which is why your blood levels may show that everything is okay. But what happens when you have "withdrawn" calcium from your bones and teeth? Not good.

My lab work has always shown that my calcium levels are good. Then I had a bone density scan (DXA) and to my surprise I have osteopenia (low bone density) although as I said, my calcium levels are good when viewed only through my blood work.

My plan to turn this diagnosis around include weight bearing exercises and an increase in my calcium citrate and vitamin D3. 

The weight bearing exercises? Well, being honest here I haven't really done what I need to do with that but my birthday resolutions include changing that. However, the extra calcium citrate and D3? Well... that almost feels like a reward. :) 

Why? This is why

Oh my goodness! Have you had these yet? Yummy deliciousness in my mouth!

Now comes the fun part. Want a chance to win some of this scrumdiddlyumptious calcium for yourself? 

Just enter below - and don't forget to do the items that will give you extra entries. Creamy bites are worth it!! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you've missed the giveaways so far let me explain what I'm doing.

I have been blessed in so many aspects of my life so instead of receiving gifts for my birthday I wanted to share some of my favorite things with you, hoping that you may feel a bit of that blessing.

I did this last year and had a blast. It turned out that I actually did receive something. Giving to someone else and seeing or hearing their excitement is such a wonderful feeling. My blessings just continue. :)

Be sure to enter for a chance to win. The giveaways are awesome because, well, because they are some of my very favorite things! 

Good luck!

A Few of My Favorite Things Birthday giveaway 2014 - Part 6!

Protein shakes.

Are you cursing them or loving the pure yumminess?

There are so many reasons for drinking protein shakes. There are some people that have to drink protein drinks due to medical issues, such as altered guts, in order to keep up with their protein levels. Then there are those that drink protein shakes for meal replacements, post workouts, weight loss - whatever the reason a lot of people run into the same quandary. Taste.

How to make those powdered protein scoops turn in to something that you love? I know just where to steer you for the answers! Whether you like your protein shakes thick, creamy, smooth, chunky, sweet or savory, or don't even know what you like yet because you haven't been able to find it, then you need to turn to the book that will help you find the perfect protein shake for you.

. 

Wait! You might be thinking I don't need this book. I didn't have weight loss surgery. But if you ever drink protein shakes you DO need this book (in my humble opinion). Who better to help guide you to discovering the best protein shake for you than someone who has had to drink uncountable protein shakes and has learned (and encourages others) to play with their food in order to make it healthier for you?

In my little world I see her as the expert on protein shakes. I don't think I'm alone on that opinion. I just looked at the reviews on Amazon and out of 114 reviews 108 of them are 5 star!! 

The first part of the book starts with a quiz to help you determine what kind of protein drink you would like best. From there it just gets better as you read recipes and learn tricks like the Triple X method. 

So for giveaway #6 - one winner will receive a copy (your choice of paperback or kindle version) of Nikki's Guide to the Perfect Protein Shake! Lucky you!! 

UPDATE: BARIATRIC FOODIE HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR THERE TO NOW BE THREE WINNERS!!! 

To enter just do the following:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

A Few of My Favorite Things Birthday Giveaway 2014 - Part 5

Do you sometimes catch yourself out running around doing errands and then the hunger strikes?

Lots of choices out there, huh? You can swing through any fast food place and grab something - although I hesitate to do that for numerous reasons. One, the smell of old grease just really hits me after avoiding fast food for so long. It stinks. Two, spending the money. Three, the calories and fat choices and four, just not knowing for sure what is in that food I'd be putting in my mouth. blech.

Of course, to be honest, that doesn't completely stop me. When hunger hits if I don't have something to help curb it then I will end up falling for a fast food choice.

One way to combat that? Carry something with you that will help you avoid that fast food fail.

How about apple pie, cinnamon roll, chocolate brownie, strawberry cheesecake, or chocolate chip cookie dough?

Rubbing your head and wondering just how the heck these are better choices? Here's how -

Want to win a sample box of 15 different Quest Protein bars? Well, all you have to do is enter below for a chance to win. Want extra entries? Just do the additional options with rafflecopter and come back daily until the drawing.

Oh wait! Did I mention that there will be TWO winners for this? Yep. Quest has offered to giveaway two boxes with 15 different protein bars! Woo hoo!!

Enter below and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Few of My Favorite Things Birthday Giveaway - Part 4 - Wellesse puts the "well" in, well possibly YOU :)

Continuing on with the theme of A Few of My Favorite Things Birthday giveaway. If you've missed it so far let me explain what I'm doing.

I have been blessed in so many aspects of my life so instead of receiving gifts I wanted to share some of my favorite things with you, hoping that you may feel a bit of that blessing.

I did this last year and had a blast. It turned out that I actually did receive something. Giving to someone else and seeing or hearing their excitement is such a wonderful feeling. My blessings just continue. :)

I call it A Few of My Favorite Things because, well, because I'm sharing some of my favorite things and because every time I see the title I start singing A Few of My Favorite Things from Sound of Music. One of my favorite movies.

So how does this work? I will post different giveaways until Sunday the 26th. You can enter daily, giving you even more chances. The winners will all be drawn via rafflecopter on my birthday, Monday the 27th.

Now that we've covered that, let's get on to one of my favorite things - VITAMINS! :) Not just vitamins but vitamins from one of my favorite companies. It's wonderful when you find a business that has a heart. I happen to know from personal experience that Wellesse is one of those companies. They do a lot to support the wls community, some of it behind the scenes.

This is a vitamin line for anyone. They are fast absorbing liquid vitamins that are sugar free and gluten free. They are also easily accessible - sold at many retail stores. Be sure to read more about them on their website. There you can find things like coupons, locations near you where they are sold, their product line and all the medical info you would need. I can just tell you my personal opinion about them as I'm not in the medical field, but if you have any questions you can find your answers through their Facebook page or web site.

Oh and the prize that you can enter for a chance to win? $100 worth of Wellesse vitamins!! Now that is an awesome prize!

If I could play and win I think I'd load my Momma and Mother-in-law up with their Joint Movement Glucosamine. :) Hmmm, come to think of it that would probably come in handy for both John and I as well. I sometimes forget that we are now the age that I thought was very old when I was a pre-teen. Of course now that I've reached it I do believe that 50's are the new 30's. And if I keep saying that enough maybe my body will hear and act accordingly. lol

Okay, so what do you have to do to have a chance to win? Just follow the directions on the steps listed below on the rafflecopter entry form. You can have more than one entry and you can enter every day until the giveaway is over!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!!

A Few of My Favorite Things Birthday Giveaway 2014 - Part 3 Homemade comfort

It's all about my favorite things, right? Well how in the world could I leave out Crochet Cache by Lisa? Not only is she one of my favorite peoples but she makes wonderful items with prices that are more than fair!

Seriously. I have a long wish list of things I'd like to buy from her Etsy store. I do have pot holders from her. Not just any potholders but ones made exactly with the colors that I want, very flexible and that are oversized so I can grab anything I want without burning myself (kinda accident prone here so that is a great bonus). 

See my potholders?

They were originally supposed to be for our camper but I ended up loving them in my kitchen so they never even made it out there. :)

But she doesn't just make potholders. Lisa makes many beautiful things. Blankets, baby blankets, cast iron skillet handle holders, scarves... and more. She'll also work with you on just the right colors for what you want. 

So, one of today's prizes is a $20 gift certificate to Crochet Cache by Lisa. 

You can get something for yourself or as a gift for someone. Cause nothing says loving like something homemade. :)

Very easy to enter for a chance to win. Just follow the directions in the entry form below. The drawing will be on my birthday so you can enter more than once.

Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Few of My Favorite Things 2014 - Part 2 - Let's all Celebrate!!

You know me, right?

You know that the one thing I always harp on is vitamins. Grown up vitamins. Because you are a grown-up. Right? Well, maybe some of you that are reading this aren't but I'm writing to those that are.

More specifically I am writing to those with altered guts.

Vitamins, vitamins, vitamins. You know that is not a choice any longer - right? You WILL NOT absorb all that you need from food. You won't.

If you know me then you also know that I am a huge fan of ASMBS and that is my go to place for my vitamin recommendations. To the people that have researched and studied. To the non-profit organization that will help keep us healthy.

So, if you know me then you also should guess that one of my favorite things is a good quality vitamin. :)

This leads to the Unbirthday Giveaway announced today! A great quality vitamin. Wait, there's more. (hehe)

Not only can you win a 30 day supply of a multivitamin but you can also win a 30 day supply of iron! Still not enough to interest you? Well, then... how about a 30 day supply of calcium thrown in?!? To make it even better? It's from one of the top leading quality vitamin companies out there for those with altered guts.

CELEBRATE!!!  

Kinda makes sense since I'm "celebrating" my birthday by giving away a few of my favorite things. :)

Wanna have a chance to win? Do the following for 7 chances of winning!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Few of My Favorite Things 2014 - Part 1

It's that time again!! My birthday week. :)

Since I've already been blessed with so much in life I want to take this time to give YOU a chance to win an Unbirthday gift.

It's easy.. every day I'll tell you what you need to do in order to win the prize that day.

Today I thought I would share one of my loves... music. Sadly, I can't carry a tune, play an instrument or even read music. Even sadder (for those around me) sometimes I do forget and start singing along to a song that I hear.

I love songs. It's a story, poetry put to music. Songs hold meaning to me because I believe that words are powerful.

You know how you always hear that you are what you eat? Well, I kind of think that you are what you listen to.

Music can soothe me when I'm upset, rage with me when I'm angry, remind me of loved ones no longer here, make me think of loved ones that I'm blessed are still here. Music can make me cry, make me laugh, make me feel strong, make my heart go pitter pat. And some music can make me move, even when I don't feel like moving. There are some songs that you just can not sit still and listen to.

So today for my first one of "My Favorite Things" giveaway will be a $15 iTunes gift card.

What do you have to do to win one? a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is my first Rafflecopter use so in case it doesn't turn out all you need to do is comment below with the name of a song that means something to you and why it does.

Good luck!

Is All Flirting Equal?

Yesterday morning on the way to work I had to stop and get gas... per usual I wait until the empty light has been on for a while. Drives my poor husband crazy.

While getting gas I went in to grab a bottle of water. While waiting to pay a man smiled at me. I smiled back, after all my Mama taught me manners. He then wished me a good morning and followed up with a "What's a pretty thing like you doing buying your own things" Um. Huh? So, a little laugh and then I said "Oh my husband doesn't mind me spending some of the money I earn". There was a sweet sarcastic tone to this. Sadly, these typed words don't convey it. If you know any Southern women then you can probably imagine how it sounded. Or if you know my Mom. lol

He didn't say anything else to me then.

Finally my turn to pay and then start towards the door. The flirter quickly opened the door for me, and again manners dictated my actions. I thanked him with a smile. Well... I guess he thought that meant I was opening my own personal door. He asked me if I had time for a cup of coffee before I left, "his treat". I declined, mentioned that my husband and I already had our morning coffee and thanked him anyway.

On the way to my car I was actually feeling a bit pleased that someone that was about 10 years younger than I, and not bad looking, was flirting with me. So what if he was short? It's not like I'm tall. However, my husband is and I've grown rather fond of a tall man.  :) Who cares that he was a bit backwards Southern? You know... not only an accent that is heavier than rum soaked cake but seemingly the same intelligence level of someone who drank said bottle of rum. Still... he was flirting with me. I was considering it a compliment.

As I was driving away I saw him leaving as well. On his pretty bright yellow moped. Sigh... a short, backwards Southern man on a bright yellow moped. Be still my heart. (insert sarcastic tone on last sentence)

If nothing else, I got a laugh out of it and a story to share with John. So... a flirt is a compliment. No matter where it comes from.

Right?