Bake It Better!

 During this time of year you hear a lot about people wanting to help others, and I personally enjoy making meals/desserts for families who just added a little one to their family, or people who are recovering from surgery etc., so what better way to help this time of year than to bake for a cause! 

Bake up a treat of your choice using Miss Jones baking mix and/or frosting, and they will donate $1 to the SF-Marin Food Bank. Just use the hashtag #betterwithmissjones on Instagram or Facebook, or visit their website for more info at www.missjones.co/better. Your creativity is the secret ingredient! 

So that's what I did. I received this box of goodies from Miss Jones Baking Company to come up with something tasty!

I used the Miss Jones Baking Company's organic sugar cookie mix to create a sugar cookie crusted chocolate peanut butter pie. Doesn't that sound delicious? :) I'll link the recipe below in case anyone is interested! Miss Jones cookie mix is certified organic, non-GMO, plant-based, responsibly sourced, and contains no artificial colors of flavors.

In our home, we love chocolate and peanut butter and any combination of the two. My son also loves helping me in the kitchen, so he was happy to mix up the sugar cookie mix for my pie crust, while I got the peanut butter and chocolate layers ready. It was a team effort!

 

If you're reading this, please comment and share your own creations, and don't forget to enter the contest to win an incredible Grand Prize, valued at over $1,500. You can find all of the contest information at www.missjones.co/better.

Here are a few photos of sample Bake-it-Better Challenge entries that give you an idea of what contest entries could look like.

What would you create???

Here is the recipe if you're interested in trying it: 

http://thevillagecook.com/peanut-butter-pie-with-a-sugar-cookie-crust/

Global Literacy

I'm such a bookwork, which is why literacy is cause I'm interested in. I want to see children fall in love with reading at an early age!!!



This infographic is courtesy of https://www.grammarly.com/plagiarism-checker

GIVEAWAY: Children's Miracle Network & $25 Walmart GC Giveaway

Whether they suffer from common childhood afflictions like asthma and broken bones, or fight bigger challenges like birth defects or cancer, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals provide comfort, treatment and hope to millions of sick kids. To show support for the organization and the one in 10 kids in North America who are treated by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals each year, Walmart and Pampers have teamed up to donate $200,000 in the month of June. If you'd like to find out more or donate, visit Walmart.com/cmnh to do so.

While I don't have a personal experience with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, I have had foster children that relied on the NICU, and its experienced staff to thrive in the world. Great medical care can make all the difference. 

What does CMNH do?

·         Your support helps provide 32 million patient visits for 10 million kids every year

·         One in 10 kids in North America is treated by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals each year

·         Every day, member hospitals treat 16,000 children in emergency rooms

·         Every hour, member hospitals provide surgery for 97 children

·         U.S. members hospitals provided $3.4 billion in charity care in 2012

Here is Riley from Indiana's story:

Arriving three and a half months before her due date, Riley must have known she had important work to do in this world and was eager to get started.

Weighing a mere 1 pound 10 ounces, Riley’s future was uncertain from the beginning. Her parents had to wait an excruciating three weeks before they could hold their daughter for the first time. After heart surgery and 90 days in the neonatal intensive care unit, baby Riley was finally able to go home.

Today, Riley is living a full and healthy life. But she hasn’t forgotten the hospital that made it all possible — and even inspired her name. To show her appreciation, Riley has shared her story at 120 Dance Marathon events, inspiring local students to raise needed funds for her hospital, including support for the Ryan White Infectious Disease Center, pediatric cancer research and a program that helps relieve and prevent patient suffering. She loves giving other kids the chance to get better..

Please share your journey with CMNH in the comments, if you have one, or know someone who does!

 WIN IT: $25 Walmart Giftcard

HOW TO ENTER: a Rafflecopter giveaway

“The Walmart gift cards and information have been provided by P&G.” 

Buy Cookies, Support the SPCA

 Walkers Shortbread is proud to announce that it has teamed up with the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) to raise funds for the non-profit organization’s animal welfare initiatives across the country. Throughout 2012, Walkers Shortbread will donate 10 cents from the sale of every package of its ‘Scottie Dog’ products sold in the U.S. – including its Scottie Dog cookies and tins – to the ASPCA with a minimum guaranteed donation of $25,000. The initiative with the ASPCA is the first of its kind for Walkers Shortbread.  

Over the next year, Walkers is dedicated to helping the ASPCA raise awareness of the issues of animal cruelty and homelessness and will support the valuable work they do for animals across the U.S.” The ASPCA was the first humane society established in the Americas, and today, is one of the largest in the world. The organization provides local and national leadership in three key areas: serving animals who are victims of animal cruelty, providing positive outcomes for homeless animals and helping pet owners care for their pets.

Customers can feel good knowing that the funds raised through this initiative will help us continue to provide assistance to animal welfare organizations across the country.” Walkers Scottie Dog cookies honor the whimsical Scottish Terrier, one of five breeds of the Skye terriers that originated in Scotland. The all-natural Scottie Dog cookies were unveiled at the 2011 Summer Fancy Food Show in Washington, D.C. A special edition Scottie Dog Tin debuts at the 2012 Winter Fancy Food Show, held January 15–17 in San Francisco, Calif. The 7.8 oz Scottie Dog Tin is filled with 18 Scottie Dog-shaped pure butter shortbread cookies. The tin is adorned with adorable black and white embossed Scottish terriers, set against a classic background of Walkers traditional tartan. This charming tin is a must-have for Walkers collectors and dog lovers everywhere.

Buy them here: http://www.walkersus.com/product/Scottie_Dog_Shaped_Shortbread/23217.aspx (available for purchase March 15th)

Share The Comfort

Hanes® launches comfort-sharing Facebook App for Breast Cancer Awareness

Hanes new Virtual Comfort application allows users to share comfort with those who need it most. Fans of Hanes on Facebook can personalize and send free virtual Comfort Packages to friends and family via a digital tool on the Hanes Facebook page. For each package sent, Hanes will donate $1 (up to $25,000) to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. to promote early cancer detection and provide mammograms for those in need!

Hanes created the Comfort Packages to bring a smile and help spread comfort to fans’ social networks in a small, but impactful, way. The free virtual Comfort Package can be sent from the Pink tab on the Hanes page. The Comfort Package is fully customizable with photos, videos, recipes, T-shirt designs, music and messages. Sending a Comfort Package is one of many gestures that can brighten someone’s day and help provide support and comfort to a loved one.

Along with the Comfort Package, the Pink tab on the Hanes Facebook page includes a video of interviews featuring Hanes employees who have been affected by breast cancer and the Words of Comfort Wall where fans can leave thoughts of hope and encouragement to those touched by this terrible disease.

The Comfort Package is an extension of the many ways Hanes contributes to breast cancer awareness. As a longtime supporter of breast cancer awareness, Hanes has made cash and in-kind donations totaling $1 million since 2009 and is donating up to $125,000 to NBCF this year.

Click here to visit Hanes on Facebook for more info.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I participated in this campaign as a member of One2One Network and am eligible for a prize drawing. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions stated in the post are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"

We're ADOPTING!!!

My husband and I are adopting a baby (or twins) from the U.S. and it's a very costly process. We feel called by God to adopt instead of having biological children at this time because there are so many children who already need homes. The total cost can be anywhere from $25,000-$70,000 depending on the situation. We've been saving for a long time, but are not 100% funded yet. We are asking that if you or anyone you know is willing to help, we would greatly appreciate it!

Any amount helps.

Thank you!

Sean & Melinda

Pennies From Heaven Challenge & JCP Giftcard Giveaway

Turn fun into funds during the pennies from heaven challenge. From July 19-August 27, I am trying to connect through Pandora, Facebook, Blogger, Twitter and more to collect virtual pennies. Jcpenney will convert those virtual pennies to actual donations for afterschool programs across America.

Help us reach our goal of 100,000,000 pennies. It’s fun, easy and free!

In store, beginning July 31st, customers can donate their real change by rounding up their purchases and donating the difference to afterschool programs. Additionally, Olsenboye designers Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen are lending their support to the initiative by releasing a limited edition coin purse available exclusively at jcpenney. Each purse will sell for $9.99 and 100 percent of the sale proceeds will be donated to the pennies from heaven campaign. Olsenboye pennies from heaven coin purse: Olsenboye pennies from heaven coin purse

WIN IT: $25 giftcard to jcpenney and an Olsenboye coin purse

HOW TO ENTER:

Bead For Life

Welcome to BeadforLife

BeadforLife is a Colorado 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. On our website, you will find stories about fascinating and inspiring people both in Uganda and in other parts of the world. (Check out Meet the Women.) Our beaders, tailors, and shea nut gatherers are primarily impoverished women who are hardworking, intelligent, and strong in their desire to improve their lives. They make gorgeous handcrafted paper beads from recycled paper and turn them into necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Because the beaders use recycled, colorful paper, the beads help prevent environmental degradation. What was trash becomes beauty, money, food, and hope. The women who gather the shea nuts search the landscape early in the morning looking for the finest nuts. They dry and husk the nuts and sell them to BeadforLife creating opportunities for themselves and their families.

About a BeadParty:

BeadParties offer an enjoyable and effective way to join our BeadCircle and help eradicate poverty for women in Uganda. By hosting a BeadParty you are providing your community the opportunity to give back while buying beautiful and environmentally friendly hand-rolled beads and shea butter products

Want to visit Uganda? Enter to win a trip here:
Join BeadforLife’s Party to Safari Sweepstakes and help us meet our goal of raising $155,000! Your support will fund a full year of Entrepreneurial Training for our current Members in Uganda!

Hold a BeadParty between June 1st, 2011 and September 30th, 2011 and you will be automatically entered to win our GRAND PRIZE – an all expense paid trip to Uganda to meet BeadforLife’s Members and experience an amazing Safari!

If you feel lead to make a donation you can do so here:
http://www.beadforlife.org/5donate.html

Novica Review & $50 Giveaway - CLOSED

We want to give artists and artisans around the world a global platform to express their true artistic talents and to spur their creativity. And, we want to provide you with access to unique, hard-to-find items at great values that only the Internet infrastructure can allow.

At the deepest essence of our philosophy, we want to create a bridge between you and the many talented artisans across the globe.

We want you to know about who you're buying from. We want you to feel that attachment to the product and to the hands that created it.

In the spirit of the Internet, let us bring you together.

NOVICA. The World is Your Market

Visit their Silver Jewelry Section at: http://unique-gifts.novica.com/  AND  http://jewelry.novica.com/sterling-silver/.

WIN IT: One reader will win a $50 credit to Novica

HOW TO ENTER:

Mandatory Entry - Sign up for Groupon: http://www.groupon.com/r/uu3910417, just select the city or cities closest to you, and you'll get daily deals emailed to you.

Extra Entries:

1. Buy a Groupon using this link: http://www.groupon.com/r/uu3910417, and you get 5 entries! (leave five comments)

2. NEW! - "Like" my page on Facebook  (leave 1 comment)

3. Follow this blog on GFC (left hand column). (leave 1 comment)

4. Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link  (leave 1 comment)

5. Follow Me on Twitter, and leave a comment with your twitter name ((leave 1 comment)
6. Tweet about this giveaway @melindajoy926 (This can be done DAILY- leave 1 comment per day)

"#Win $50 Novica credit here: _____(link)_____"  

6. Post my button on your side bar and leave me the link (leave 1 comment)

7. Subscribe to my blog via email/google reader (leave 1 comment)

8. Send this giveaway link to 5 of your friends and let me know you did or post this link as your FB status - honor system (leave a comment)

9. Sign up for Sponsored Tweets, get paid to tweet: http://bit.ly/cJ16rs (not spam, it really works) (leave a comment)

10. Comment on one of my non-giveaway posts (up to 5 posts, for up to 5 extra entries - leave comment for each post you commented on)

11. Join swagbucks - search and earn prizes (it's great) - leave 1 comment if you did so

13. Get Paid for taking surveys (I've earned $23 so far): http://www.trypandaresearch.com/GWSzQImkH1OfBa4JS2lfdg==  

14. Sign up for No More Rack here and get steep discounts on all sorts of products: http://www.nomorerack.com/?cr=70683

Deadline: April 25th, 2011, at noon EST

disclaimer: the giveaway is provided by Novica

Bake for the Cure #7 - Ribbon of Hope Cookies

NOTE: If you like what you see here, please leave a comment, or many, as the blogger with the most comments wins a prize!

For this week, here is the second of two recipes as part of the Bake for the Cure Campaign:

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 pinch ground cinnamon
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
3 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting:
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup milk any color food coloring (optional)

Directions

Sift together flour, cream of tarter, baking soda, nutmeg, and cinnamon in a bowl; set aside. Beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, allowing each egg to blend into the butter mixture before adding the next. Beat in the vanilla with the last egg. Mix in the flour mixture until just incorporated. Cover and refrigerate dough overnight.

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with Christmas cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are golden, 8 to 10 minutes. If using cutters that have small appendages, such as reindeer legs, reduce the baking time or they will overcook. Remove cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Beat the butter and confectioners' sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl, mixture will be stiff. Add the vanilla and slowly mix in the milk a little at a time until a spreading consistency is reached. Stir in food coloring, if desired. Make sure cookies are completely cool before frosting.

Bake for the Cure #6 - Strawberry Muffins

NOTE: If you like what you see please leave comments, as the blog with the most comments wins!

As part of week three for Bake For the Cure, this is the first of two recipes that I will showcase as a great Fall treat. I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

2 eggs
1 cup plain Stonyfield Farm Yogurt
1/4 cup butter, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup chopped strawberries, fresh or frozen

½ cup brown sugar (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 12 muffin tin or line it with paper baking cups. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar and baking soda. In another bowl, stir together eggs, yogurt, melted butter and vanilla until blended. Toss the strawberries with the flour mixture.

Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and stir until the flour is just moistened. The batter will be lumpy. Spoon the batter into the muffin cups. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.

 

Disclaimer: recipe found at stoneyfield.com

Bake for the Cure #5 - Pumpkin Pie

NOTE: If you like what you see here, please leave a comment, or many, as the blogger with the most comments wins a prize!

For this week, here is the second of two recipes as part of the Bake for the Cure Campaign:

Pie Crust:

4 c. flour
1 T. sugar
2 t salt
1 3/4 c shortening
1/2 c water
1 T white or vider vinegar
1 large egg

In large bowl stir with fork until crumbly. Flour, sugar, salt and shortening.
In small bowl beat together water, vinegar and egg
Add to flour mixture and stir until moistened.
Divide dough in 4 portions and wrap each in plastic wrap and chill for 1/2 hour.

. . . then follow any pie recipe, and you'll have a delicious pie. We made pumpkin pie!

Bake for the Cure #4 - Pumpkin Cookies

NOTE: If you like what you see here, please leave a comment, or many, as the blogger with the most comments wins a prize!

For this week, here is the first of two recipes as part of the Bake for the Cure Campaign:

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup shortening

• 1 cup white sugar

• 1 cup pumpkin puree

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 1/2 cups butterscotch chips  (or chocolate chips - my substitution)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.

2. In a medium bowl, cream the shortening and sugar. Stir in the pumpkin and vanilla. Sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon; stir into the creamed mixture. Then mix in the butterscotch chips. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.

3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool for a minute on cookie sheets before transferring to wire cooling racks.

Disclaimer: recipe found on allrecipes.com

Bake for the Cure #3 - Caramelized Apple Bits

NOTE: If you like what you see, leave me a comment!

Ingredients

• 6 individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped and chopped  (I used caramel bits)

• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup

• 2 apples - peeled, cored and diced

Directions

1. In a medium microwave safe bowl, place the caramels and light corn syrup. Microwave on high heat approximately 30 seconds, until melted.

2. Place apples in the bowl, and toss until coated with the caramel and light corn syrup mixture. Allow to cool before serving.

disclaimer: recipe found on allrecipes.com

Bake for the Cure #2 - Caramel Corn/Popcorn Bars

NOTE: If you like what you see, leave me a comment!

For my first Bake for the Cure Recipe, I decided to blend two recipes together: Caramel Corn and Popcorn Bars (found in the Bake for the Cure recipe book). I followed the directions of the Caramel Corn recipe, but before adding the items to the pan to bake, I added the candy coated chocolate pieces and pretzels, to make my own caramel corn trail mix medley!

Step One: Make Popcorn

Step Two: Make Caramel Sauce

Step Two: Prepare Trail Mix Items

Step 4: Pour sauce over popcorn, and mix - then spread ingredients on baking sheet (I made half the tray caramel corn only (left), and half the tray caramel corn trail mix (right))

Bake at 200 degrees, and stir every 15 minutes

Step 5: Enjoy! 

above: caramel corn

below: caramel corn trail mix (or popcorn bars, if packed tightly together)

 Caramel Corn

Ingredients


1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups unpopped popcorn
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 tablespoon baking soda

Directions

In a 4 quart saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of the oil , and heat over high heat. When oil is hot, add 1/2 cup of popping corn. Keep pan moving constantly. When corn stops popping, remove from heat. Place popped corn in oven to keep warm. Repeat until all corn has been popped.

Preheat oven to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C).

Boil sugar, butter, syrup, and salt for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add baking soda. Stir well.

Pour over popped corn. Spread onto cookie sheets and place in oven for 1 hour. Stir every 15 min. Remove from oven and let cool, breaking apart the popcorn as it cools. Store in air tight containers.
 
 
Popcorn Bars
Ingredients
 
1 package microwave popcorn, popped
1 c. salted peanuts
1 c coarsely crumbled pretzels
1c. Karo Light corn Syrup
1/4 c. butter/margerine
1 package butterscotch OR white chocolate chips
1 c. candy  coated chocolate pieces
 
Directions
 
Spray a large bowl with cooking spray. Add popcorn, peanuts and pretzels
 
Cook corn syrup and butter in saucepan overm edium heat. Stirring constantly, bring to a full boil for 1 minute. Remove from head and add butterscotch chips, stirring until melted. Pour over popcorn mixture and mix well. Stir in candy pieces
 
Press into a greased 13 x 9 inch pan. cool at lease 1 hour, and cut into bars.

disclaimer: First recipe found on allrecipes.com, second recipe found in the Bake for the Cure cookbook

Bake for the Cure #1

I was asked to take part in Bake for the Cure, and I am so excited about this opportunity. Each week, from today through Oct 18th, 2010 I will be posting two recipes (with photos) as part of this great campaign. Feel free to post on each post with any comments! (The more comments I get, the better chance I have to win a $500 kitchen product gift card)



Bake for the Cure® is supporting breast cancer with a love for cooking:


ACH Foods has partnered with Susan G. Komen for the Cure® in the fight against breast cancer with the intention of building awareness, support, and interest in the cause by providing visitors with a baking forum dedicated to all things pink. Bake for the Cure® is all about reaching out to your fellow recipe connoisseurs for a greater purpose.

ACH Foods knows what the unity of many can do; their brands have come together and donated over $1million to the breast cancer cause. What the ACH brands have achieved proves that the unity of many goes a long way. The free online community of recipes, stories, and support behind Bake for the Cure® is going into battle in the fight against breast cancer with an apron and a spatula. So, c'mon, grab the nearest frying pan and join our infantry!



About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

Susan G. Komen fought breast cancer with her heart, body and soul. Throughout her diagnosis, treatments, and endless days in the hospital, she spent her time thinking of ways to make life better for other women battling breast cancer instead of worrying about her own situation. That concern for others continued even as Susan neared the end of her fight. Moved by Susan's compassion for others and committed to making a difference, Nancy G. Brinker promised her sister that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever.

That promise is now Susan G. Komen For the Cure®, the global leader of the breast cancer movement, having invested nearly $1.5 billion since inception in 1982. As the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, Susan G. Komen is working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®, and generous contributions from partners, sponsors and fellow supporters, Susan G. Komen has become the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

For more information visit http://www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636).

Pink La Source® 60-Second Fix® Kit for Hands

Crabtree & Evelyn will lend a helping hand to the fight against breast cancer by donating $1.00 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® for each Limited Edition Pink 60-Second Fix® Kit for Hands sold in the United States during the month of October 2010, with a guaranteed minimum donation of $25,000.  To further show its commitment, Crabtree & Evelyn will be focused on raising awareness for this worthy cause and will offer educational tips on how to stay healthy on its website (www.crabtree-evelyn.com) and in its retail stores .

Pink La Source® 60-Second Fix® Kit for Hands: (SRP: $30.00)

What can you do in 60 Seconds?  Get beautiful hands and help the fight against breast cancer with Crabtree & Evelyn Pink 60 Second Fix for Hands.  This two-part kit contains a revolutionary Hand Recovery (3.5 oz) treatment that cleanses, exfoliates and moisturises parched hands, and an intensive shea butter rich Hand Therapy (3.5 oz) moisturiser to keep hands baby-soft all day long.  Free of parabens, lauryl sulfates, mineral oil, and propylene glycol.    Available in Citron Honey & Coriander, La Source and Gardeners ranges.

Cheesecake Factory's Share Your Voice

September is Hunger Action month.

From now until September 31, join The Cheesecake Factory in reaching their goal of donating 3.5 million meals in support of Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity. There are several ways to get involved. Those who lend their financial support will receive a complimentary slice of cheesecake, and those who share their voice could win the chance to meet American Idol Season 9 Winner and Hunger Action Month spokesperson Lee DeWyze during a trip to Hollywood!

Below are a few ways to join the effort:

-- Pledge $5 on The Cheesecake Factory’s “Share your Voice” website to receive a complimentary slice of cheesecake (redeemable through 10/31/10). Choose from more than 30 legendary varieties of cheesecake, or try the new Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake.

-- Simply dine at any Cheesecake Factory location over the next year, and the restaurant will donate 25 cents from the sale of every slice of the new Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake to help feed hungry Americans in our communities.

-- Or, on the “Share Your Voice” website, sing a karaoke version of the classic “Lean on Me” and submit the video online from now until September 30. The Grand Prize winner will receive the chance to meet American Idol winner Lee DeWyze at The Cheesecake Factory in Hollywood.

Shark For A Cure

The great people at DiamondShark are running a boutique called "Shark For A Cure." They are using this boutique as a way to raise money and awareness for Rett Syndrome research. Rett Syndrome is a a brain development disorder that occurs almost exclusively in girls. Early in childhood, affected girls lose purposeful use of their hands, grow more slowly than other children and often suffer from breathing abnormalities, seizures, scoliosis and sleep disturbances.

DiamondShark is giving 10% of all proceeds from the boutique to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation. There are numerous ways to help listed on the site that require no purchase.

Here is a link to the boutique:
http://www.diamondshark.com/c-11-shark-for-a-cure.aspx?pmc=blog&utm_campaign=socialmedia&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=blogs

Splits For a Cause

Usually when we hear the word "split", we think of news of celebrity break-ups, splashed across the cover of tabloid magazines. Well, leave it to our favorite celebrity/brand team to prove that a split can be a good thing!

Kelly Ripa and Electrolux are joining forces once again to celebrate the launch of Electrolux Appliance's new stand-alone refrigerator and freezer - that's right, the familiar duo has split up. And to sweeten the celebration, they're bringing in the "Emperor of Ice Cream" Stephen Bruce, owner and founder of Serendipity 3, the landmark New York City restaurant and dessert spot, into the mix.

Kelly and Bruce teamed up earlier today to make banana splits for a cause. And now we want you to dig in, with your virtual spoon! Starting today, at http://www.kelly-confidential.com/, you can build your ultimate banana split using virtual ingredients from classic whipped cream to caramel sauce to rainbow sprinkles. For each "split", Electrolux will donate $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund as part of its $750,000 commitment to help fight ovarian cancer[1]. As usual, Electrolux and Kelly find new and fun ways to say thank you to those who support this great cause. Everyone who logs on to the site and builds a split will be automatically entered for a chance to win the daily prize - $50 towards sweet summer treats - and the grand prize: the new stand-alone refrigerator and freezer from Electrolux.

This post is an entry into a contest to win my very own stand-alone refrigerator and freezer from Electrolux