I truly watched the Super Bowl this year to see the commercials. One thing I can say – Budweiser spent a great deal of money on ads. But for me, the dogs did it for me. My absolute favorite featured a Great Dane who understands the value of a good bribe. That commercial was too funny.

Secondly, the overweight pooch who is inspired by the Volkswagen to shed extra pounds – so creative and heartfelt. How cute is it when he’s staring at himself in the mirror? Doritos really shined for me with their granny using the lil’ baby to snag the coveted chips from his bratty brother. Too cute.

1. Great Dane Dorito Bribery

2. Volkswagen Dog Loses Weight

3. Doritos Granny and Baby Make a Good Team

What commercials do you adore this Super Bowl?

For a limited time, 102 Puzzle Quizzes for the Amazon Kindle is a free download until February 8, 2012.

This week, I went to New York City because my sweetie was exploring a few business opportunities. While I was there, I met a lot of different inspirational people. They all had something in common – they were making something out of nothing, working their way up from the bottom to the top, or simply seizing any opportunity that came their way.

• I met a woman who was a lead seller for Estee Lauder Cosmetics and studied under Bobbi Brown as a makeup artist. She now owns her own cosmetics line and shop in Brooklyn, as well as teaches classes. As I was surrounded by a rainbow of eye shadows, I felt inspired to put more energy into my lifelong passions to create a career that makes me happiest.
• I met several people in the real estate field, piling into a dungeon classroom to take classes to get their real estate license and learn how to motivate others to lease apartments in New York. It inspired me to work harder to get the things I want out of life. I’m truly slacking in this department.
• One man worked his way out of a halfway house /shelter by seizing an opportunity in MLM (multi-level marketing). That was inspiring in itself.

New York City is an inspirational place, period. One of the last things I saw as we drove home (a little over 4 hours away) was the Statue of Liberty. For some reason, she literally takes my breath away and sends me into a cloud of contemplation.

Disclosure: I’ve written this blog in participation to the Create with Joy Friendship Friday Blog Hop – thanks for stopping by! Leave me a comment somewhere and I will follow back or leave a comment on your blog.

As a dog lover, I don’t think I’ve ever offered any prizes for the pampered pooch. When the opportunity to join in a dog lovers’ extravaganza came up – I jumped at the chance. There are tons of prizes to win – from PetSmart gift cards to tasty dog treats.

Want to see what you can win?
Descriptions of prizes are below the Rafflecopter form.

So… get out there and win Fido some prizes! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For Cool Pets Only. Portable paw cleaner holds water to rinse away dirt, while microfiber towel quickly dries paws before entering car or home. Great against seasonal nuisances. Teach your pooch how to be flirty, not dirty. Sponsored by Abby Billings of Mommy Moments With Abby.

This veterinarian recommended Nylabone Durable is a long lasting chew designed for powerful chewers. Ridge and nub design provides dental stimulation and chewing satisfaction. Bristles raised during chewing help clean teeth and the cleaning action helps control plaque and tartar build-up.Sponsored by Felissa Elfenbein of Two Little Cavaliers

The Puppy Ring Bone is specifically designed for teething puppies to encourage the development of non-destructive chewing habits. Not recommended for dogs with any adult teeth. Sponsored by Felissa Elfenbein of Two Little Cavaliers

Four-Star Nutritionals Low Fat Liver Recipe Dog Treats. Wheat flour, fresh chicken liver, salt, garlic powder. Sponsored by Mike Silvers of Just Find It 4 U

As the top selling treat at Merrick, the Flossie is made from a beef tendon. The unique design of this treat creates a natural chewing friction against the teeth which helps to clean a dog’s teeth. We have not met a dog yet who has turned down one of these tasty treats. Sponsored by Mike Silvers of Just Find It 4 U

Clinically proven to reduce up to 80% of tartar buildup¹—a contributor to gum disease—when used as part of a daily oral care routine. Sponsored by Mom Blog Society

Treat your companion to the rich flavor he loves with cesar® treats filet mignon flavor. Sponsored by Mom Blog Society

Hartz Nose Divers dog toy is a great interactive toy made from ballistic nylon and rope in the shape of a duck. The rope runs the length of the toy from the head to the tail making it perfect for a game of tug or fetch and retrieve. Either way you and your dog will love playing with this toy.Sponsored by Mom Blog Society

Fun and bouncy tennis ball dog toy constructed from non-abrasive tennis ball fabric that will not wear down dog’s teeth. All squeaker units are recessed in rubber and covered with tennis ball fabric for safety. This high floating toy is perfect for all dogs that love to fetch! Sponsored by Pamela Maynard- Mom Does Reviews

KONG Zoomgroom is the best grooming and shampooing brush available. Removes loose hair like a magnet, stimulates capillaries and natural oil production for healthy skin and coats. Zoomgroom brushes are effective for all dogs and coat types. “Groomassage” your dog with the Zoomgroom. Sponsored by Pamela Maynard- Mom Does Reviews

Feel the difference with Dura Play natural latex toys. Each toy features the power play core, a unique foam technology that enhances durability and provides an unmatched chew experience. Fun to throw and bounce, Dura Play toys even float. Sponsored by Rebecca Lunsford-Beauty Of It All

Liver flavor chewable tablets provide a wide spectrum of vitamins and minerals for dogs between 9 months and 9 years of age. Sponsored by Irene-Love My Kids Blog

Pick up after your pet while you’re on the go. Attaches to any leash and contains strong, durable leak-proof bags.

There’s a lot going on when you peer into a bowl of Kashi GoLean Crisp! Toasted Berry Crumble. You see granola, flecks of red and blue, and lots of interesting pieces that Kashi describes as a “naturally sweetened multigrain cluster cereal.”

Dotted with cranberries and wild blueberries, the combination of flavors, texture and healthy benefits makes this cereal an excellent option.

Highlights of the Cereal

Lower Calorie: The majority of granola cereals are typically more than 200 calories per serving, but this Kashi GoLean Crisp is only 180 calories per serving.

High Fiber and Protein: This is an incredibly high-fiber cereal (love it!) with twice as much fiber as a one-cup serving of blueberries and just as much protein as having one egg. There are also 18 grams of whole grains, which will satisfy one of the three servings recommended on a daily basis.

Easy on the Teeth: I took one look at the multigrain clusters and thought for sure they’d feel like I was chewing rocks, but the Kashi GoLean Crisp is just what it says – crispy. The light crunch is easy on the teeth.

Perfect for Breakfast and Snacking: Not only does the cereal jumpstart your morning, but it also provides a tasty snack for lunchboxes, hiking, camping, long car trips, and on-the-go energy. At times, I swear I detect a honey graham flavor.

By the Numbers

One ¾ cup serving equals 180 calories (35 calories from fat).

• 8 grams of fiber (a whopping 30% of your RDV)
• 9 grams of protein (14% RDV)
• Phosphorus – 15% RDV
• Magnesium – 10% RDV
• Iron – 8% RDV
• Potassium – 7% RDV

Instead of heading towards snacking disaster, I’ve been relying on healthy, filling alternatives to tide me over until dinner. My new favorite go-to snack (which doubles as a nice side dish) is a Cucumber Salsa Salad that I’d like to think my mother and I created together. She was making a cucumber and tomato side salad with Italian salad dressing. I wanted the same, BUT didn’t want the calories of the oily dressing.

Mom suggested that I substitute the dressing with a couple of tablespoons of this Grandessa salsa that she bought at Aldi’s. We used Artichoke Garlic Mild Salsa, which is only 10 calories per 2-tablespoon serving. I also added 1/8 cup of crumbled blue cheese to enhance the overall taste. You can certainly experiment with different salsa flavors – I’m going to try Sweet Onion next. With the blue cheese crumbles, the recipe below is a little over 100 calories and can feed two people as a side or make a really filling snack.

Cucumber Salsa Salad

• 1 cucumber (sliced – I like to cut my slices in half)
• Fresh salsa (4 to 6 tablespoons)
• Blue cheese or feta cheese crumbles (~1/8 cup) [optional]

Mix all ingredients and enjoy.

Disclosure: This post was written in participation for Kathleen’s My Favorite Things Thursday.

Barnes and Nobles tried to hide the clearance section of books from me, and I recently discovered it again. Could not resist “Smithsonian Presidents – Every Question Answered” by Carter Smith with its lovely extra 50% off the lowest price sticker. I paid $5 for the book.

The updated and revised edition of this book begins with The Founding Presidents (Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe). We start off by learning that George Washington was 57 years old when he was inaugurated and that he personally had no children, but adopted two from his wife’s first marriage.

The book then groups the rest of the presidents into the following sections:

• Presidents of a Young Nation – (J.Q. Adams, Jackson, Van Buren, W.H. Harrison, Tyler, Polk, Taylor, Fillmore, Pierce, Buchanan, Lincoln, and A. Johnson)
• Presidents of the Gilded Age – (Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Cleveland, B. Harrison, and McKinley)
• Presidents of the Early 20th Century – (T. Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson, Harding, Coolidge, Hoover, and F.D. Roosevelt)
• Presents of a Global Power – (Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, G.H. W. Bush, Clinton, and G.W. Bush)

There is also a section that displays all of the inaugural addresses of the Presidents – pretty interesting. The book is a little over 390 pages long and jam-packed with information.

Each President has an info box filled with biographical facts. Some of the details you will learn include their ancestry, parents’ occupations, their marriages and children, education, nicknames, and place of burial. A timeline is added that documents the life of the President against U.S. and world events. Their term, presidential achievements, influential quotes, and highlights of their elections are discussed. You will also learn a bit about the First Ladies and scandals associated with the President.

Thanks to Hip 2 Save for posting the money-saving tip that got me a more than free Brita water pitcher. I purchased the slim Brita model at Walmart using a coupon for $4. The original price was $8.97. There is also a mail-in rebate for $10, which means that you actually make money with this deal. Scanning the comments of the original post, it may take a long time (they say 6 to 8 weeks), but the rebate check is $10 no matter what.

To Get this Deal, Use the:

• $4 off coupon for Brita pour-through pitcher – from your Sunday newspaper [Smart Source]
• $10 mail-in rebate form for buying a Brita water pitcher or faucet mount system

Blogging allows me to tap into a rich source of information and still have a connection with the outside world that I’d otherwise miss since I’m usually firmly planted at my desk – reading, researching and writing (typing). I’ve made a lot of interesting connections through blogging that have also enhanced my ability to write and communicate with others.

With blogging, I get to:

• help others by sharing my knowledge
• provide thoughtful reviews
• comment on gorgeous and heartfelt photography
• bring to life my creative juices
• chuckle at the misadventures of everyday life
• show support for a someone battling a medical condition
• share my milestones and congratulate others on theirs
• salivate over delicious-looking recipes
• become a better writer and overall person

Disclosure: I’ve written this blog in participation to the Create with Joy Friendship Friday Blog Hop – thanks for stopping by! Leave me a comment somewhere and I will follow back.

How can I resist a bag of giant Twizzlers? Weighing a whopping 25 ounces (1 lb 9 oz) , there are about 40 Twizzlers in the bag – each measuring more than 16 inches long. They are so long, you only need just one to satisfy a craving and they are really fun to look at. You will surely surprise your Twizzler-loving kiddies with a bag of these. For adults, the Twizzler website suggests that you can utilize the licorice by making a bow for a gift box. Kids often enjoy biting off the ends and using as a drinking straw. 1 extra long Twizzler equals 60 calories and the product is marketed as a low fat snack.

Cool Fact: According to the Guinness Book of Records, the longest licorice twist ever made measured 1,200 feet (370 m) and weighed 100 pounds (45 kg). It was made at the Y&S Candy Plant in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and was submitted into the record books in 1998. Y&S Candies, which manufactured Twizzlers candy is one of the oldest confectionery firms in the United States (dating back to 1845) and was acquired by Hershey Foods in 1977.