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The moment I opened the package I already felt the soft warmth that I was certain my Cabin Cuddler would give me. Never again will I travel in discomfort in the freezing temperatures of an airplane. And I can already imagine myself curled up in front of the fireplace during the holidays all cozy reading a good book wrapped around the arms of what is now my favorite blanket.

Cabin Cuddler is a 6-in-1 travel blanket and pillow that can be easily stored in a tote bag which can be conveniently carried along during trips. It also comes with a pillow that is easily inflatable like a balloon. Considering the low temperatures during airline travel, long trips can be so uncomfortable. Not even the distraction of a good movie or my IPod can make me ignore my freezing limbs. It was under these circumstances that Cabin Cuddler was created — an indispensable travel companion to keep you warm while you find ways to make your trip less cumbersome.

It’s also a great accessory to use at home in the coming cold months. Its contour cut and patented foot pocket ensures that it covers every inch of your body. The winter months are now more inviting while you huddle closer to a talkative tiny princess who endlessly talk about the gifts that she hopes Santa will bring. Even miniature PSP fingers will now feel warmer this holiday season.

Remember what it feels like to be in your mom’s embrace while snowflakes drizzle outside on a cold winter night. Get your Cabin Cuddler now.

Hurricane Ike is currently wreaking havoc on Texas and Louisiana coastlines and just tossed a disabled freighter in rough water. Though Ike’s eye was expected to hit the area around Galveston late Friday or early Saturday, it was already thrashing through the area causing floods in the Louisiana coast which was still recovering from the wrath of Hurricane Gustav.

Ike is considered one of the biggest storms that have entered the US lately and is expected to move towards Houston. Though most of the residents of Galveston have already evacuated, Houston’s 2 million residents were ordered to hunker down and stay to avoid highway gridlock when the storm comes in. Most Houston residents are now stocking up grocery supplies and boarding up their homes in anticipation of the coming storm.

At the turn of the century, women are continuing to make their mark on the world at an accelerated pace. Gone are the days when women are confined to their homes to care for the kids and clean the house. Women have started to discover the power that they can wield. Many are becoming aware of their strength and realizing that they can have just as much power as any man. This is evidenced by the recent events in politics where Hillary Clinton almost received the Democratic nomination for the upcoming US presidential elections. And of course, no one else makes the headlines the way that Sarah Palin, the Republican VP candidate, has made it.

It is the continuing empowerment of women that MyLifetime.com continues to advocate. The online digital community now has over 2 million members and still counting. This digital community features topics and issues affecting every woman in the world today. The website features articles on entertainment, relationships, health, craft ideas, style, and so much more. This network of women meet together to discuss vital issues that will further strengthen the modern woman’s position worldwide. Discussions are not limited to primping ourselves or shopping or home issues. The community likewise discusses concerns about breast cancer, violence, and other serious issues.

If you believe in the empowerment of women, join now and discover the world that women are starting to mold.

Dr. House just hit the jackpot. It seems Hugh Laurie, who plays the role of my favorite doctor on TV, just joined the list of highest paid actors on TV. The British actor just signed a deal with Fox to continue the famous “Dr. House” series.

The British actor’s salary is expected to rise to about $400,000 an episode, or more than $9 million a year, under a pact with producer Universal Media Studios.

Laurie, 49, who had humble beginnings on “House” with a starting salary in the mid-five figures in 2004, got his first major salary bump in summer 2006 when his per-episode fee was upped to $250,000-$300,000 an episode.

The list of highest-paid actors on drama series is now topped by departing “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” leading man William Petersen ($600,000 per episode) and “24′s” Kiefer Sutherland (close to $500,000), who both serve as executive producers on their series.

Just as Sutherland’s Jack Bauer is synonymous with “24,” curmudgeonly medical genius Dr. Gregory House is at the heart of “House.” The role has earned Laurie two Golden Globes and three Emmy nominations.

He also would get some sort of producing credit on the medical drama, which returns for a fifth season Tuesday. The deal also adds another year to Laurie’s contract on the series, assuring he will stay on at least through the 2011-12 season.

This past season, the medical drama averaged 16.7 million viewers, the second-highest-rated scripted series behind ABC’s “Desperate Housewives.”

Along with the growing worldwide consumption of coffee, is the discovery of the health benefits that can be derived from drinking it regularly. Studies have shown that coffee provides high antioxidants to the body and has been known to minimize the risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, and some forms of cancer. And as more and more people continue to crave for coffee and make it part of their daily lives, the coffee industry now grows as more people try to seek out the best coffee available in the market.

With the aim to find the finest coffee in the world, Intelligentsia was founded in October 1995 by Geoff Watts, Doug Zell, and Emily Mange. What sets Intelligentsia apart from other gourmet coffee beans in the market is their commitment to excellence and their direct trade program. Intelligentsia purchases their coffee directly from growers and collaborates with them in delivering the best cups of coffee to coffee lovers around the world.

Intelligentsia’s award-winning coffee is available in its coffee bars in Chicago and other branches in New York and Los Angeles. The various variety of their coffee beans can also be ordered online at www.intelligentsiacoffee.com. They likewise accept orders for wholesale coffee beans for coffee bars who want to provide their customers with a unique and perfect blend in coffee experience. Visit their website to discover where you can purchase bulk coffee beans that have been personally cupped and roasted in Intelligentsia’s cupping lab. Intelligentsia is probably the best choice for those who want to establish their own coffee bars and make a mark in the industry for serving the best-tasting coffee in the market. They offer discount bulk coffee to assist those entrepreneurs who wish to make Intelligentsia a part of their business.

Gone are the days when those working in the medical industry wear the usual green plain scrubs. Though some have already ventured beyond this traditional uniform, others have found a way to look good and unique in their scrub suits. Who says you have to look drab and ordinary wearing scrubs?

The evolution of fashionable scrubs may be attributed to the increasing number of television series devoted to the medical profession. The most popular ones include Grey’s Anatomy, Nip Tuck, and Scrubs. Now, Scrubs and Beyond offers the best of scrubs for those in the medical profession. These are scrubs online at its best. Aside from their own brand, they also provide scrubs from Cherokee, Baby Phat, and Dickies. They even have Grey Anatomy’s Scrubs and Katherine Heigl Scrubs for those who are a fan of the series. These are high quality, fashionable, and discounted scrubs that will make even the most traditional doctors would appreciate.

So, why look plain and green while you’re in the hospital if you can look cool in a floral print scrub top? Visit ScrubsAndBeyond.com and find out how to look extraordinary in your scrubs.

Nothing provides me the best start to a day than a good cup of coffee. The smell alone is enough to wake me up from any stupor. It seems that my addiction is not limited only to a few. Wordwide, coffee has become a staple that it is no mystery that coffee bars spring up on just about any corner. Now, people are looking for the ultimate coffee experience that even the most famous gourmet coffee bars can’t offer.

The special 30th anniversary issue of Food & Wine magazine has dubbed Intelligentsia as one of the Best US Coffee Bars. Doug Zell, Emily Mange, and Geoff Watts changed the face of chicago coffee when Intelligentsia was founded in October 1995. What sets Intelligentsia apart from the rest is that Watt’s sources its green coffee either directly from growers or the most renowned coffee importers in the world. As much as possible, their beans are taken from growers and importers who value environmental and social responsibility. It is the company’s belief that business owners who place high value on these factors likewise value the quality of their products and ensure that they serve only the best for their customers. Intelligentsia works on the same perspective and place importance on their service to customers, the environment, and the compassionate treatment of people.

With this mission, it is no wonder that Intelligentsia serves the best organic coffee to coffee lovers in the US. Their newest outpost provides the best coffee los angeles has to offer. As in most things that are intended for our palate, words will not be sufficient to describe the experience. The proof is always in the taste. Try Intelligentsia coffee and discover a coffee experience unlike any other.

The Sproutwells have a new episode. This time we get a glimpse of Daddy who appears to be a cool yellow banana. I kinda find Daddy’s voice sexy as he enters the house and greets Mom. I think I have a new favorite character. Rosie, the nosy neighbor, is still prying on the family and is introduced to Daddy. They also introduce Phyto, the pet dog, to their father. In this episode, Rosie finally discovers that the deliveries the family gets are from Fresh Funds and hears about the website and the prizes available.

The animated episodes are part of the marketing efforts of freshfunds to promote their healthy snack food, Chiquita and Fresh Express. These snacks are the healthy choice for the entire family considering all the junk foods that are all over the market. You can also join the Fresh Funds Program where you get to accumulate points that you can use to bid on auction items. Auction items are changed each week. So, you can wait and check weekly if the item up for bid gets your attention enough to make you use your earned points. I have my eye on the Wii Fit which I’m sure will be a welcome change to the video games I have been getting my kids.

Share the Sproutwell videos with your friends and invite them to join the Fresh Funds Program. It could be rewarding to their health and even give them a chance to win exciting prizes weekly.

I love cooking. The best part is when a try a recipe and get it right the first time. Though my taste buds seem to have gotten numb from the taste of what I cook, I relish the look on my kids’ face as they enjoy the meal I prepared. And of course, it feels better when others that you are certain will not patronize you because they are family tells you that your meal was excellent.

My ability to cook stems from watching those chefs on TV making those gorgeous meals. What I envy most about chefs is the enjoyment they seem to get from their jobs. Though I am not as talented as they are, it is satisfying enough to watch them do it on the screen. The same can be said for those recipes I get from the internet. Most of my recipes I download from the web with minor adjustments to ingredients that may either be too expensive or difficult to source. In New Orleans, Lousiana, the Great American Seafood Cookoff features 5 delicious meals that internet surfers can vote for to get a chance to win a trip to New Orleans.

Of the five meals featured in the cook off, I am partial to Chef Mark Holley’s “Texas Gulf Shrimp” from Texas which I voted for. My choice was influenced by my love for luscious fresh shrimps and the taste of vinegar with something sweet. Chef Holley’s recipe has fresh shrimps with Prickly Pear Gastrique which has vinegar and honey.

The important thing about seafood is the freshness of the catch. As such, it is imperative you get your seafood locally. Not only is it easier to source, but it is almost guaranteed fresh. Sourcing your seafood locally assures that you get the best taste out of your recipe or meal.

Go and check out www.greatamericanseafoodcookoff.com and vote for your favorite meal. This may be your chance to visit New Orleans.

Probably the most enjoyable vacation the family had was when we visited Los Angeles, California. It was fun simply because my kids loved the place. Although the kids enjoyed Knotts Berry Farm, Disneyland, and SeaWorld the most, the most memorable for me was when we took a ride in the Aerial Tramway at Palm Springs. Riding the tramway is not for the faint of heart. My kids and I took the ride and enjoyed it, but not for the old guy that was taking the ride at the same time. When we reached a certain height, my kids and I could see he was scared to death by the look on his face. He was turning green and looked like he was going to faint. My youngest son, who was 6 at that time, kept staring at him as if waiting for him to throw up or jump off the ride. My son’s brows were furrowed as if wondering how long it would take before the guy puked in front of him. My other two kids were already controlling fits of laughter behind my back. We were almost at the end of the ride when my kid couldn’t hold back any longer and spoke to the old guy directly, “Mister, you will feel better letting it out. But please don’t put any on my shoes. They are new.” We are planning to take the Los Angeles tours again soon.

You too can have memorable vacations in any city in the US with your family. Check out the online travel guides of TrustedTours.com and you will find the best sites to spend with your loved ones. I did promise the kids that we will visit Knott’s Berry Farm again. I can even print the Knotts berry farm tickets from their site with no hidden fees.

If you are planning a US vacation for your family too, I suggest you take advantage of TrustedTours.com’s ongoing promotion. Sign up for the Trusted Travels eNewsletter and get a chance to win a $150 Magellan’s Gift Certificate. Do it soon because the offer ends August 31st, 2008.

We all have a way of surviving stress or bouts of loneliness. I get all weird during these times. But it’s not really unusual. It happens to everyone. In Reader’s Digest‘s website, they currently featured an article about the quirks that some people reported that they have habitually adopted. It answers the question “Are You Normal or Nuts?” These were also consulted with psychologists to determine whether such quirks require consultation or therapy. It’s fun reading these quirks, especially when you see some of them in you. Some do require consultation. However, some are normal nutty behavior that help us cope with the difficulties in life. Without these, we can develop more severe psychological problems.

Among those in the list featured by RD.com, my favorites are the shopaholic and the one who never replaces a personal item until it’s too worn out to be used. They are exact opposites, but they are both reflections of people trying to get through with insecurities or personal problems. I identify myself more with the shopaholic. I have a tendency to walk through the mall aimlessly when I am troubled. The difference is that I tend to buy things for other people more than myself. Upon reflection, I believe it shows my low self-esteem and how I place value in myself only when I am able to take care of other people. I think I don’t believe that I deserve anything for myself unless I am able to take care of those around me. I call it my superwoman complex. But I tell I myself I’m still sane unless I start wearing a 2-piece swim suit with a cape and a pair of knee-high boots. In that case, I have to avoid high rise buildings like the person in the article who fears heights because she might jump.

It’s fun going through the article. I encourage you to read it and find out — Are You Normal or Nuts? As for me, I just found out I am indeed dysfunctional, just like everyone else.

I have never been much of a vegetable person. I do love a well-dressed ceasar’s salad and broccoli stir-fried in garlic. But the rest are just not my cup of tea. So, after watching the video of the sproutwells, it feels better to see them on my screen talking rather than on the dining table where I’m supposed to eat them.

If I were a talking vegetable, I’d prefer something slim and colorful. I think I’d want to be a carrot. They add a little more color to life than just green. They are crunchy and very nutritious. When you look at a bunch of vegetables, doesn’t the carrot catch your eye first? Here are the Sproutwells for your viewing pleasure. Watch out, they are a bit green.

The Monster of Montauk created buzz a few days ago after the Gawker featured the story based on a tip given by Alanna Navitski. However, Navitski worked for a marketing company which led Gawker to assume it was some sort of viral marketing scheme. With the advancement in digital imaging and graphics, something like this was not difficult to create.

However, eye witnesses seem to prove that the creature did exist. The dead critter washed up on the shores of Montauk a few days ago and several witnesses claim that they saw it with their own eyes. According to a witness, several people had already gathered around the carcass. There was a woman who tried to call animal control to pick up the creature. However, animal control never came. Instead an old guy arrived and carted it away claiming that he would mount it on his wall.

To date, the East Hampton branch of animal control keeps mum about the incident. This fueled speculations that it was part of a government experiment that had gone haywire. At least we’re not talking aliens here. Then again, if it was alive and could talk, that was another thing . . .

Starbucks Corp. has announced that it will close 600 company-owned stores to weed out unprofitable locations and maintain the company’s efficiency. The company gave a list of 50 stores late last week that would be closed by the end of July. These include four stores in Alabama, seven in Minnesota and eight in California. Now, it has detailed all stores planned for closure which includes 88 more in California and 10 in San Diego. Florida will lose 59 stores while Louisiana will lose 13, 9 of them in Baton Rouge.

It seems that the economic crisis has dwindled demand for gourmet coffee. Maybe Americans finally realized you can get coffee with the same taste for less. Lately, I can’t seem to work without coffee. But I make do with those instant packs which really don’t taste bad. It’s the aroma that I seem to crave for rather than the taste. If it’s aroma you crave like me, you can get an instant and drink outside the local Starbucks.

My son was just complaining the other day that he got a bad locker this year.  He says it squeaks too much and the door doesn’t close just right.  I really don’t like the kids complaining about school.  It give them an excuse for all sorts of things — “I couldn’t open my locker to get my book,”  or “I left my assignment in the locker because I get tired from trying too hard to open it.”  Lockers are indeed a special part of their study life.  To keep kids inspired, it just would be better to have the proper equipment in school.

Well, the school should have gotten their lockers from lockerixchange.com.   Providing the most durable lockers to intitutions and apartment or condominiums is what lockerixchange.com is all about. The company has the widest range of selections of lockers at a very affordable price.  They have school lockers and locker benches made from quality materials and superior craftsmanship.

Their lockers can also be made from materials other than steel or  metal.  They also have plastic lockers.  Going to the gym will also feel more secure when you know your storage or gym lockers are reliable and safe for your personal things.  Of course there are also lockers that can be used for laboratories or even basket lockers that can look good in your home to organize the clutter and bustle of the house.  No matter what the purpose is, lockerixchange can supply high quality storage for schools, gyms, or laboratories.