6/30

Love Your Heart is the American Heart Association's limited-edition magazine cookbook that helps women take better care of their hearts.  It includes new heart-healthy recipes and tips to help women reduce their risk of heart disease, and makes cooking heart-healthy recipes at home easy and rewarding for women and those they love.  Love Your Heart features:

Make sure you click on "Love Your Heart" above  :) 


6/22/08

If you're a female who needs encouragement and a boost in your faith, than I want to tell you about the
Women of Faith Conference.  Every year, a group of friends, family and I attend the Women of Faith Conference.  Imagine over 10,000 women from all over the world coming together for a weekend of laughs, tears, faith, hope and beautiful music.  This year, we drove to East Rutherford, New Jersey. It was so nice to hear "real" women tell stories about their "real" lives. Every female topic was discussed in an entertaining way including raising kids and surviving marriage to taking care of your elderly parents.  The message wasn't just about loving one another.  Instead, it was about loving ourselves.  So many women lose themselves, and then wonder why they are sad, angry, or even feeling unhealthy.  Some of the speakers included Patsy Clairmont, Marilyn Meberg, Sheila Walsh and Luci Swindoll.  

We also heard musical performances from top Christian music artists including Sandi Patty, Natalie Grant, and Nicole C. Mullen.  I swear the hair on my arms stood up several times, because the lyrics and sounds of thier voices touched my heart.  It was so uplifting and inspirational.

We all loved going to the conference.  It is always awesome.  Next summer, the conference will be back in Hartford, Ct.  Hopefully, if you haven't already, you can see it for yourself.  For more information, go to www.womenoffaith.com

If you'd like to chat with me, please contact me at aademers@cbs.com 



6/14/08

If you're looking for something to do with your little ones this summer, I have a suggestion for you.  How about a nice day out with the kids followed by dinner and dessert you're all sure to love?   First, you can head over to  Bridgeport to the Beardsley Zoo. There is so much for your children to see there.  Spend an hour or the whole day, and see more than 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Come learn about many endangered and threatened species including the Amur (Siberian) tiger, Andean condor, Ocelot, Red wolf, Andean (spectacled) bear, Maned wolf, and Golden lion tamarin.

There is also a South American rainforest filled with toucan's, pigmy marmosets and more in a free-flight aviary you can experience.  My kids loved walking through the prairie dog exhibit with "pop-up" viewing areas. Another treat is the New England Farmyard with goats, cows, pigs, sheep and other barnyard critters. You can also take a walk along the hoofstock trail featuring bison, pronghorn, deer and more. Before you leave, take a ride on the colorful carousel. 

Then, head on over to New Haven for dinner at Frank Pepe's world famous Pizzeria and Libby's Italian Pastry Shop on Wooster Street. The pizza is delicious.  I haven't met a person yet who doesn't LOVE this pizza.  Depending on the time of day you go, there could be a wait.  The good news is that Pepe's has two locations located side by side.  The smaller building is called the "Spot."  It's home of the original Pepe's.  I recommend going there.  There's sure to be a line at Pepe's II  next door.  Very often you can spot a celebrity in there.  

When you're done, walk a few steps over to Libby's Italian Pastry Shop, and have a delicious cannoli, or the best Italian Ice you've ever had in your life in a number of amazing flavors.

It was a great day for us.  I hope it will be for you too.

For more information :
www.beardsleyzoo.org
www.pepespizzeria.com

If you'd like to chat with me, e-mail me at aademers@cbs.com 



6/1/08

A couple of weeks back, I asked people how I can make my 15th anniversary special.  I want to thank everyone for their wonderful suggestions.  I didn't realize you can renew your vows at any time. For some reason, I thought you were suppose to do it at 15 years of marriage.  Nevertheless, I am so happy I did.  I encourage everyone to take the plunge again if they haven't already.  However, I think the measure of success depends on a couple of things....picking the right place and right person to officiate the ceremony.  

We drove to the Poconos to Caesars Poconos Resorts.  I'm sure you've seen the ads for them.  They're the place with the champagne glass hot tubs and heart shaped hot tubs.  I know it sounds cheesey, but it's a blast. It's designed for people who are in love.  We've been going there for the last 15 years. Well, we went to Cove Haven this time.  For three days and two nights, we spent $487 with food included, and the food is excellent.  It cost an extra $200 to have the ceremony. 

Believe me when I tell you, they went all out for us.  I walked down the aisle to "Ave Maria" ending at a trellis covered in flowers.   I wore a white dress, with a touch of champagne in the fabric, and I held a beautiful spring bouquet with my favorite flowers and colors.  My husband and I also read our vows to each other.  Over the years, you say you love each other, but to say your vows again is something we never do since we were first married.  We also had the rings blessed and put them on each other just like the first time.  After the ceremony, my husband and I danced to Jim Brickman's "Love of My Life."  Also, my maid of honor and her husband from 15 years ago were with us again for these nuptials.  I know I sound sickening, but it couldn't have been more perfect. 

Please feel free to share your marriage success stories with me.  I will not put them on my blog or announce them on-air. That is ofcourse, unless you want me to do so.  Please e-mail me @ aademers@cbs.com