Grab your aprons and start your ovens! Pillsbury’s first-ever Rookie Bake-Off® Challenge has just begun!

The Rookie Bake-Off® Challenge consists of six weekly challenges, each providing you with a chance to win $500, 5 doable new recipes to vote on and use each week, and even inspiration from guest bloggers!

To enter for your chance to win each week, visit BakeOff.com to check out the weekly challenge and submit your entry! Just keep in mind…

• The whole shebang! Submit a recipe, story, and photo.
• A quick fix! Prep time in 30 minutes or less.
• A lot for a little! Five ingredients, including at least one Pillsbury refrigerated dough product.
• All that and more! Keep in mind creativity, consumer appeal, appearance, and include an inspiring story.

To find more information and contest rules, visit BakeOff.com.

So roll up your sleeves and get cooking for your chance to win this week’s $500 prize! Best of luck!

Disclosure: This information was provided by Pillsbury through MyBlogSpark.

Clutter has a way of taking over a home. If you don’t address it and create systems to keep it controlled, it can become overwhelming. It’s why there are so many organization homes and experts. Well you don’t need to watch a television show to get control.

Here are five tips and strategies for getting rid of the clutter.

1. Start fresh using the four container method. The four container method helps you clean any room and eliminate clutter. Start with an easy task like a closet. Create four containers. Label them: “keep”, “toss,” “donate,” and “sell.”

If you’re not interested in having a garage sale or consignment then use a three container system and eliminate “sell.” Make sure you have a place to put everything you keep.

2. Tiered system. A tiered system is a good way to organize rooms. It embraces the concept that the only thing that should be in sight are things you need often.

For example, in your living room you might need to keep the television remotes handy. Other things like DVDs can be second tier items which can be in a cabinet.

Use a three tier system. First tier items should be within arm’s reach. Second tier items can be in the same room but in organized cabinets or drawers. Third tier items are items you don’t need often.
For example, the warranty on your television or the operating instructions. These items don’t have to be in your living room. You can store them in a file cabinet in your home office or basement closet.

3. Assign labels. When organizing items, use labels. Label by category, date, or item. Use labels in your closet, refrigerator/freezer, pantry, and of course in your home office files. Make sure your family understands the labels and puts things where they belong.

4. Catch all boxes. Create boxes or baskets for each room. Use the baskets to collect items that don’t belong in that room. For example, if you find a pair of socks or a book in the living room they can go in the basket. Each night clean out the basket and put things where they belong. This prevents clutter from accumulating.

5. Rituals. Finally, consider creating cleaning rituals. For example, make your bed in the morning. Clean the kitchen before you go to bed. Put things away after you use them. And of course encourage others in your home to do the same. When everything has a place and that place is easily recognizable then it’s easy to make sure clutter doesn’t accumulate.

Getting rid of the clutter is only the first step. Once it is gone, create systems to keep it clean. Label storage areas. Create storage systems that make sense. Don’t buy more unless you’re willing to get rid of more. Make sure that everyone in your home is on board with your clutter elimination plan. To your clutter free success!

Have you heard the saying, “We are what we eat?”  It’s true enough.  But, we also change how we feel according to what we eat.  Here are some examples of five foods that can alter our moods—for the better.

Eating comfort foods makes us feel better.  Our brain releases endorphins as we enjoy every satisfying bite.  Did you know that?  Food makes us feel good.  Some foods make us feel better than others but here they are.

1. Tea – Drinking tea does wonders for the body.  The caffeine in tea has been linked to improvements in mood.  Caffeine increases alertness and our ability to function well.  Many people rely on caffeine each day in some form to wake up and get the body moving.  The rush we feel motivates us to get going with our daily tasks.  Tea is healthier than drinking soda.  There are many kinds of tea.  Green tea provides antioxidants to the body.  Antioxidants prevent disease and slow the aging process.

2. Chocolate – Women always knew they were right.  This is not just any chocolate though.  Dark chocolate contains the largest percentage of pure cocoa.  It works to increase our mood.  Serotonin levels rise and so do the happy feelings.  People who ate chocolate on a consistent basis noticed they had more energy as well as a better outlook on life.  Besides that, the calories obtained from this chocolate don’t outweigh the benefits of eating dark chocolate.  The rest of the diet can be adjusted to account for it.

3. Salmon – This cold water fish contains vitamin D as well as omega-3 fatty acids.  Vitamin D is synthesized by skin cells after exposure to the sun.  When the sun is not as forthcoming like in the winter months, we have to obtain it from other sources.  The canned variety of salmon and fortified milk along with some vegetables provides vitamin D to our bodies along with supplements.  Vitamin D increases serotonin which has to do with mood.

4. Walnuts – Most tree nuts are good for you.  They contain nutrients vital to health and healthy fats.  Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids just like salmon.

5. Lentils – Lentils are part of the legume and bean family.  They provide protein for the body to build muscle.  Lentils release a lot of fiber when we eat them.  Insoluble fiber carries a measure of fat from the food we eat out of the body as it passes through the digestive system.  Folate is a component of lentils and it deals with brain activity and health.

Are you looking for something good to eat?  These five foods are good for you and good to you.  Using them as a component of a healthy diet boosts mood and health.

Given the global economic downturn and wildly fluctuating exchange rates, many holidaymakers are searching for those elusive holiday destinations that really do offer value for money. The holiday market is extremely competitive these days, making it hard to cut through the huge amount of last minute deals, budget flights and cheap holidays to pinpoint locations that really are a great deal. What follows is a look at ways to enjoy a great holiday at a great location without breaking the bank.

A good place to start when planning your holiday is the Post Office Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer, which gauges the cost of a range of items abroad to identify which are the cheapest locations once you are there. This is extremely important at the moment, as the pound has not been doing well against the Euro. In terms of affordability, Spain and Portugal topped the chart of 36 nations.

Portugal has witnessed a 49% fall in prices over the last year. One of the key reasons for this price fall was the worrying decline in holidaymakers to popular resorts in the Algarve. Portuguese hotels, bars and restaurants lowered their prices to stimulate more business, which prompted hotels, bars and restaurants in popular Spanish resorts like the Costas to do the same to compete for the year’s holidaymakers. As the exchange rate also improved, Portugal and Spain have become excellent holiday locations in 2011 for a great deal.

Of course, there are the flights and accommodation to factor in, but a good search of the market will reveal a number of competitively priced deals and there are always last minute holiday deals to take advantage of.

Comparing the holiday item costs with the average flight costs reveals a number of other locations which represent a great deal for holidaymakers. The Czech Republic is very competitively priced and a trip to the historical capital city of Prague will make a wonderful holiday. Bulgaria also makes an affordable holiday destination, with a beautiful sandy coastline on the Black Sea to the east of the country. Hungary is another alternative to the usual European destinations, boasting stunning scenery and the magnificent capital city of Budapest to visit. British holidaymakers are also enjoying far better exchanges rates for Bulgaria and Hungary, making them excellent value locations to visit overall.

If you are a little more adventurous and want a holiday where, after your flight costs, you can move from cheap accommodation to cheap accommodation enjoying extremely low priced food and drink and seeing incredible sights, then these two exotic locations represent great deals, especially if you plan an extended vacation or a sabbatical.

Manta in Ecuador presents a great opportunity to lap up a chilled and relaxed beach town while indulging in some top surfing. Spanish and surfing lessons can be bought for as little as £3, while hotel rooms with air conditioning can be found for £7 per night. Of course, Ecuador also provides the opportunity to hike the majestic Andes and explore one of the last unspoilt regions of the world, the Amazon rainforest.

Cusco in Peru is an excellent location, as Peru is less expensive than Argentina, Brazil and Chile. There are fabulous markets to discover and the historic Inca buildings are a joy to explore. Double rooms can be found for as little as £10 per night and the Peruvian cuisine is also very cheap. A friendly city with a host of incredible treks to enjoy, Cusco is a must visit.

Whatever your holiday plans, a little research will unearth a wealth of locations that represent a great deal. If this has inspired you to get abroad then our friends at hotel club have a range of hotels in destinations from London to Taipei!

Article & Recipe courtesy of The Humane Society of the United States
http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/eating/recipes/animal_treats/dog_popsicles.html

DIY Dog Treat: Peanut Butter Popsicles

When a heat wave hits your hometown, easy-to-make frozen treats are one way to help your dog chill out.

by Loren Drummond

The thermometer reads 98 degrees Fahrenheit, and the dog sprawls belly down on the kitchen floor, panting. The weatherman predicts things will be like this all week.

Temperature spikes can be dangerous for people and animals—more so in regions unused to hot weather. Families (like us) without air conditioning take refuge in offices, coffee shops, public libraries and movie theaters—places where dogs aren’t always welcome.

To help our 60-pound mutt, Madigan, cope with the heat, I often mix up a batch of dog-friendly popsicles.

Peanut butter popsicles

• In a small mixing bowl, combine peanut butter with a little water or half a mashed banana. (The water and banana aren’t essential but help with freezing consistency.)
• Line an ice cube tray or cookie sheet with wax paper. (You don’t have to use the paper, but it can make prying the cubes out easier.)
• Spoon the mixture into the cubes, or drop onto the tray just like you would cookie dough.
• Freeze. If you need to reuse the tray right away, pop out the cubes and store them in a bag or container in the freezer.
• Serve. Turn any hot dog into a happy camper.

Mix, match, freeze

Pet popsicles can be made out of all kinds of things that your dog (or cats) eat normally, so experiment to see what your dog likes best.

Try: Treats suspended in water, watered down wet food, and favorite frozen veggies. Avoid: onions and onion powder, salt, macadamia nuts, tomatoes, potatoes, rhubarb leaves and stems, avocados, and anything else on this list.

Tip: You can fill up a rubber Kong-style toy and freeze—a great cool-down treat for when you will be away for a few hours.

A friend called me to ask how do I tell if an egg is good or bad without having to crack it open. Since I’m so well versed in the kitchen (NOT), I decided that I would Google the answer. The answer that I got was pretty clever, so I thought I’d share this little diddly of knowledge with you!

Food poisoning is one of the worst experiences a person can go through. Eggs can be the source of some superb meals, but they can also be the source of food poisoning if they are eaten when they’ve gone bad. How do you tell when an egg is fresh or if it has gone bad, without cracking it open to find out?

Step 1:

Place the egg into a bowl of cold water. The water level should be about 2 times higher than the egg.

Step 2:

Observe what the egg does.

• Fresh eggs will sink to the bottom of the bowl and probably lie on their sides.
• Slightly older eggs (about one week) will lie on the bottom but bob slightly.
• If the egg balances on its smallest tip, with the large tip reaching for the top, it’s probably close to three weeks old.
• Eggs that float at the surface are bad and should not be consumed.

Step 3:

If all else fails, crack the egg open and look at it to see if there is mold or something and look carefully.

• Blood spots (also referred to as “meat” spots) don’t signify a bad or fertilized egg. It’s caused by a ruptured blood vessel during the formation of the egg. Since blood spots are diluted as the egg ages, their presence actually means you have a fresh egg. You can eat it safely, or remove the blood spot with the tip of a knife, if it makes you feel better.
• Stringy, rope-like strands of egg white are chalazae which are present in every egg to keep the yolk centered. They’re not a sign that the egg is bad or fertilized, and they can be consumed safely or removed.
• An egg white that is cloudy or has a yellow or greenish cast to it is caused by carbon dioxide not having had enough time to escape from the shell and is especially common in fresh eggs.

The gas hydrogen sulfide causes the “rotten egg smell”. It is caused when bacteria break down the proteins in the whites of the egg and creates gas.

And now you know…

Would love your comments below.

I love soup in the winter time and my husband’s homemade soup is super delicious. However, when it comes to store bought canned soup, lean towards Progresso because I like how they use big veggie and meat chunks. No wimpy soup for me…that’s for sure. So when MyBlogSpark asked me to review some of Progresso’s soups, I jumped at the chance. You know, I do need to give hubby a break from the kitchen every once in a while!

Available in 40 delicious flavors with 100 calories or less, Progresso® Soup can help curb your hunger, making it easier for you to stick to your weight management plan all year long. With hearty ingredients like pasta, beans, corn and rice, and flavor-packed vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, and peppers, Progresso Soup varieties with 100 calories or less offer a good source of fiber and a full serving of vegetables.

Well, right now Progresso has super program going on right now, until March 16th, called the Progresso Souper You Debut, where you could win a trip of a lifetime to New York City for a head-to-toe fashion makeover from the famous team of Louis Licari and other wardrobe specialists and $1,000 in spending money!

To enter, you’ll need to do the following:

• Go to Progresso on Facebook to learn more and enter the contest
• Submit your essay (200 characters or less) telling Progresso why you love their soups that contain 100 calories or less, and why you deserve a chance to win a trip to NYC for a full fashion overhaul
• In addition, please submit a photo of yourself that visually reinforces the theme of your essay

Once the 10 finalists are announced, you can visit Progresso on Facebook from March 30th through April 13th to vote for your favorite.

Video 1: MyStyle.com How Do I Look? Souper New You Quick Tip: Dating Look

Video 2: MyStyle.com How Do I Look? Souper New You Quick Tip: Celebrity Inspiration

Video 3: MyStyle.com How Do I Look? Souper New You Quick Tip: Eat Right with Progresso

Better enter ASAP as the contest closes on March 16th. Visit http://facebook.com/progresso to enter for the makeover.

Now because you are such an awesome fan of DivaTalkRadio, MyBlogSpark and Progresso is giving me the opportunity to give away an exciting prize pack. This gift pack contains a VIP coupon for a free can of Progresso soup, as well as a yoga mat, water bottle, set of aerobic bands, sport headband and two sport wristbands. How cool is that?

In order to win, you must do the following: (one winner will be chosen on March 16, 2011)

1. Sign up for our newsletter over on the right side of this site. We won’t spam you…promise! You’ll receive updates on future guests, future giveaways, and other exciting things happening around the Diva Network.

2. “Like” us on Facebook by going to http://facebook.com/DivaTalkRadio

3. Leave a comment below on what is your favorite Progresso soup? (chicken & noodle, vegetable, etc)

It’s as simple as that! Be sure to leave a comment below for each thing that you’ve done. The winner will be picked at random using random.org.

Have fun and enjoy your soup!

Disclosure: The product, prize pack, information, and giveaway were provided by Progresso through MyBlogSpark.

If you run a business with employees that work in-house, you may be surprised to know that you can get the best work done at home.Studies have shown that many people get more work done when they work at home than they do in an office environment. This can be due to many different factors such as:

• Distractions: Employees can get distracted by other people in the office, and it’s not difficult for this scenario to happen. Office gossip, frequent noise, questions, and interruptions happen all day long and can contribute significantly to an employee’s lack of production.
• Daydreaming: This doesn’t mean that your employees are lazy or not working hard. Most people would rather be at home or anywhere else other than an office, so sometimes they tend to let their minds wander to the other things going on in their life. This is a normal occurrence.
• Transportation Issues: Sometimes your employees can’t even make it into the office due to a number of reasons, whereas working from home might mean more productivity because, even if they’re snowed in, they can still work at home. If the car is not running, employees can still work at home. If someone feels well enough to get out of bed and onto a computer but not well enough to get dressed and commute to work, he or she can still work at home.

Can you get the best work done at home? Maybe! That concept can be visualized with something called virtualization. This allows a business to run more than one application and operating system on a single server. What this means to you is that your employees can work from home while still utilizing the system that you have in your office. This allows you to prioritize your company business and maximize your server’s resources.

This also gives you the capability to allow your employees to telecommute. You can choose to allow just a few employees to do this, or all of them; it all depends on your personal preference. This is a perfect solution for an employee that needs to work from home temporarily due to an illness, maternity issue, or any number of reasons that might keep someone from working in a conventional office setting. Consider the savings you can expect. If the majority of your employees work from home, you are cutting down on utilities costs, insurance costs, and the cost of supplies. In fact, you could run your entire office from your own home and not have to worry about paying for a brick and mortar office, if that is the route you choose.

Some of the benefits of virtualization include:

1. Smooth testing and development environments
2. Speedy resource provisioning and workload harmony
3. Affordable business stability strategies

Remember, with virtualization, you can theoretically run an entire business with as many employees as you wish and never have to commute to an office. Your employees will be more satisfied and get more work done while you and your company reap the rewards.

Doing well across the board with social media, Twitter has proven the favorite resource of Toyota executives. Tweeting deals, industry information, and clever quips for their fans, Toyota implements and leverages social media in a winning strategy to remain relevant in the new millennium of marketing.

Specifically on Twitter, Toyota has managed several successful campaigns, events, and incentive programs. Here are a few of the most notable and recent:

• US Toyota President and COO Jim Lentz appeared live to interact with interested customers on Twitter, responding with thoughtful introspection and playful banter.
• Toyotathon Shareathon used both Facebook and Twitter to leverage a campaign that went exceedingly well, as any program giving away free money should!
• Using Twitter chats in the past, Jim Lentz created an atmosphere with customers that any one of them can reach the very COO of Toyota. This empowering feeling has given the name “Toyota” a familiar touch, and made it more accessible to those who don’t know the brand by usage and ownership.

Elsewhere in the world of marketing, Toyota appeared with a strong brand message as well. Making appearances on Today on NBC, on ABC, and NPR, COO Jim Lentz has become a household name, which in turn, brings Toyota home for customers. As the first corporate executive to ever do so, Lentz made a bold appearance on the youthful Digg Dialogg program. Lentz, with his social media team, is revolutionizing the auto industry’s approach to marketing.

Young drivers, parents buying vehicles for younger drivers, and even tried-and-true Toyota owners, are falling deeper in love with a brand that shows consideration for its fans, on and off Twitter. Toyota is embracing social media so well that it has even become a case study for other car brands.