Reynolds’ inspiration to write the award-winning book was provided by the family dog, an Airedale Terrier rescue named Max. The book follow’s Max as he and his family deal with issues of abandonment, rescue, friendship, adoption, love, illness, aging and loss.

Reynolds has provided some cute “long-term investment” tips for dealing with the recent economic turmoil:

~ Capitalize on the bond market. If you’re looking for a great investment with a high return rate, rescue a dog. There is nothing like the unconditional love and acceptance of a canine companion. This is one bond that will appreciate on a daily basis.

~ Create your own stimulus package. If you feel like you can’t afford to adopt a dog, volunteer to foster a pet or work at a shelter. The stimulation you receive from playing with a furry friend will take your mind off your shrinking 401K. In fact, your pet will never mention it!

~ Invest in creature comforts. It doesn’t have to be something you bought from the store. Without much coaching, your dog will cuddle next to you and lick your face. Just petting your dog can lower your blood pressure. You won’t get that from Dow Jones!

~ Get easy credit. Your dog already thinks you’re the greatest person in the world. Just give him a little attention and you’ll be very rich indeed. He’ll even let you win at Monopoly!

~ Profit from the fallout. If you act fast, you can get a great pet right now. With so many abandoned animals, shelters are full of healthy, adoptable pets from purebreds to mixed breeds. There is nothing more rewarding than giving a dog or cat a second chance at life.

~ Abandon bad investment strategies, not your dog. Even with all the recent publicity, pets are still being left in foreclosed homes at an alarming rate. You may be scared by all the financial upheaval, but just imagine how scared a dog must be to be left in an empty house. As Max would say, “Worrying about it won’t change anything. Trust that you’ll get through it.” Instead of running away, take your dog for a run. It will take your mind off it for a while and it will ease the stress for both of you. And that’s something you can bank on!

Life to the Max: Maxims for A Great Life by a Dog named Max can be purchased at Amazon.com for $24.95, and would be a perfect Christmas gift for the pet lover in your life!

[image: amazon]

Post from: Blisstree

Tips for Ruff Times

Based on two separate books — Julie Powell’s Julie & Julia, and iconic celebrity chef Julia Child’s book My Life in France — the movie (and Powell’s book, which is what the movie is based on), chronicles Powell’s attempt at making every recipe in Child’s cookbook, The French Chef, in one year and blogging about it (and to make things even more confusing, the blog is what inspired the book, which is what inspired the movie!). At the same time, it follows Julia’s story, though it happened over 40 years earlier, as she lived in France and became a master of French cooking. Amy Adams portrays Powell in the movie, and Meryl Streep plays Julia Child.

Though the two never met, it’s been rumored that before her death in 2004, Julia Child had made comments that she didn’t approve of Powell’s blog, saying that Powell wasn’t serious about what she was doing and that it was nothing more than a stunt, and that she wouldn’t endorse it (she also, apparently, didn’t approve of Powell’s language in the blog either!).

Julie keeps a current blog on blogspot, where she writes about some of the ins and outs of her shot to celebrity status. She also had an interview on ABC News yesterday that I found interesting.

Truth be told, an experiment like this is very appealing to me, but I just don’t know if I’d have the determination (or funds!) to pull it off, especially when it involves 524 recipes within 364 days! There are some days where all I feel like doing in the kitchen is put out sandwich makings and telling the family to knock themselves out.

What do you think — could you do it?

[image: wikipedia]

Post from: Blisstree

Julie & Julia Hits Theaters Tomorrow

I’m giving away a copy of The Panic Years, so if you’d like to win, please leave a comment on this post by Wednesday, July 22nd. I’ll choose a winner at random and announce the lucky girl the next day. (Not that guys aren’t welcome to enter this contest, but I have a sneaking suspicion that women will want this book more!)

Image: Amazon.com

Post from: Blisstree

Giveaway: The Panic Years

Some of the ideas included are a pub, tiki cube, mod, glam, and golf cube.

I’m giving away a copy of the book Cube Chic, so if you’d like to win, leave a comment on this post by Wednesday, July 8th. I’ll choose a winner at random and announce the guy or girl the next day.

Image: Amazon

Post from: Blisstree

Giveaway: Cube Chic

The 120-page book offers a bunch of planet-friendly, natural tips and how-tos, from how to make a lemon flea tonic or rosemary shampoo to how to make your own homemade dog jerky (no preservatives and you know exactly what’s in it!). It touches briefly on why it’s important to feed high-quality foods, and includes a recipe for a homemade meatloaf for dogs.

It also includes information on potential and hidden dangers with conventional pet foods and tools, but it doesn’t leave you on your own: it then provides you with shopping tips and home improvement ideas to get you started on a path to all-natural pet living.

All the ideas in the colorful, slick book are nontoxic and canine-friendly, and the pictures are cute too!

[image: amazon]

Post from: Blisstree

Do You Have An Eco Dog?

Amber said, “This sounds like a book that could put a smile on my face and help me appreciate what I have in life instead of stressing about the small stuff.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself! Thanks for your comment, Amber, and enjoy your book!

Image: sxc.hu

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Winner of the Simple Pleasures Book

Find out:
• What games to play to stimulate your baby
• The pros and cons of co-sleeping
• How to introduce your baby to solid foods
• Why your baby is determined to explore and discover
• How Dad can be an active and supportive parent

With real-life parenting accounts, checklists, essential information, and sound advice, this reassuring and upbeat guide tells you everything you need to know about your little one. With Jan’s help, you will be ready for anything this new person in your life can throw at you.

Want to win? Leave a comment on this post by Thursday, April 21st. I’ll choose a winner at random and announce the lucky guy or girl the next day.

Image: Amazon

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Win a Copy of Darn Good Advice Baby

By Jodi Lipper and Cerina Vincent, the book defines a “Hot Chick” as a confident, passionate, honest woman…well, that’s me. Maybe I already am one!

Delusions aside, this is a really fun book filled with feisty humor that will help you figure out what you want, how to get it, and why you shouldn’t settle for anything less.

Considering subjects I’ve written about of late – how much more timely could a title be?

Most importantly, the book somehow makes an often torturous process more fun with their advice on the hidden joys of being single, how to send out magical Hot Chick Vibes and interpret the vibe your date is sending, steps to falling in love without freaking out, tactful dumping procedures, survival techniques for heart-wrenching breakups, and much more.

I think this book may be a must-read for us single girls – so check it out. I’m attempting to do more reading and less “soap-operaing” these days, so I hope to have more titles to share with you soon!

Image: Heyday Productions

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How to Love Like a Hot Chick

What’s It Like, Living Green? Kids Teaching Kids, by the Way They Live. In this non-fiction book for ages 9 and up, you’ll read about a teenage girl who began a recycling business, with 100 clients, when she was five. Learn about a boy who started a foundation to bring fresh water to an entire village, at age seven. You will see how kids, like you can make a difference for the environment, help others and even earn some money.

IMG: Jill Vanderwood

Jill Ammon Vanderwood is the author of four childrens books. She is a mother and grandmother who wants to make a difference for the next generation. She makes her home in the state of Utah with her husband, Bill.

Prize: 2 lucky winners will receive “What’s It Like, Living Green? Kids Teaching Kids, by the Way They Live.”

GIVEAWAY TIME:

Rules: Answer the following: What is one thing you can do to make a difference for the planet?

Extra entries for those that stumble, twitter or blog this post.

Deadline:  May 23, 2009.

GOOD LUCK!!

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Giveaway: What It’s Like, Living Green?

I would use the book for ideals for my end of the year t-shirt for my pre-k class were thinking about tie dye but this book probablly will have more ideals. Thanks for the giveaway

Well, that’s great, Sharon, because YOU’RE THE WINNER!!

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Book winner!