Super Snacks for Super Bowl, from celebrity trainer and wellness guru David Kirsch

Whether you’re a football fanatic or just watch the Super Bowl for the commercials, game day celebrations are always full of unhealthy choices. With New Year’s resolutions still fresh on everyone's mind, choosing delicious, healthy appetizers and meals for a Super Bowl party is doable with help from celebrity personal trainer and wellness guru David Kirsch.

David Kirsch has incorporated his lifestyle philosophy – achieving mind, body and spirit balance – into his three best-selling books featuring healthy, delicious recipes and energizing workouts. Try recipes from his extensive collection including low fat dips, hearty protein-packed appetizers and tailgate-inspired main courses, such as:

• No-Fat Hummus
• Roasted Pepper & Almond Dip
• Tuna & Shrimp Kabobs
• Sesame Chicken Fingers
• Guiltless Barbecue Burger
• Turkey Chili

Go to http://davidkirschwellness.com for more info on these tempting dishes and David Kirsch's fitness and wellness program.

pen palz

My 3-year-old daughter can write most letters of the alphabet. But does she have the patience and attention span to do so? That's another story. For the most part, she is interested when she wants to get her message across. But then there are times she could use a little encouragement.

Introducing PenPalz, not the kind we knew of when we were kids (the ones you contact via pen, paper and stamp). These are creative cuddly plush companions whose sole mission is to encourage children to write and create.

The brainchild of a school teacher looking for a way to make writing more fun and encourage penmanship practice, the collectible plush toys slip on a child’s wrist and remain there to encourage writing and creativity.

Recent studies by researchers are finding that writing by hand engages the brain and can improve idea composition and expression, and may aid fine motor-skill development.

Shakes the Puppy Dog, Benji the Turtle and Haiku the Panda each come with a pencil and a literary tie-in that will spark questions and encourage further discussion. PenPalz easily stay on the wrist via an elastic strap and magnetic paws. They have received rave reviews from teachers, especially those of special needs children; occupational therapists and parents across the country. They come with a pencil, but not a sharpener (and if you have preschoolers who don't yet need school supplies, you may not have one handy!) But once sharpened, they get the job done.

My daughter tried it long enough to write her very short name: A-V-A. Then, she decide to forego writing to play with the plush pals (she's sleeping with one now!) That said, I think it's a great idea for kids who are just learning how to write and are intrigued by this creative tool.

Hey, maybe we adults should try them too. In this digital age, we need all the penmanship help we can get! Go to www.penpalzville.com for more info.

get cleaner coffee

We may choose caffeinated over decaf, non-fat over regular milk, no foam over foam...but here's something you don't often think about when it comes to coffee. How clean is the equipment it's brewed on?

Urnex, the leading manufacturer, of specialty cleaning products for coffee and espresso equipment, offers up everything you need for the best brew.

Featuring an innovative collection of organic coffee and espresso machine cleaning products, Urnex leaves java lovers with a delicious and fresh-tasting cup of Joe. Whether it’s working to prevent coffee oil residues (which lead to bitter

taste) or helping to eliminate water-build up and clog flow in coffee equipment, Urnex is the essential coffee companion.

Cleancaf® Home Coffee & Espresso Machine Cleaner and Descaler − The only organically listed home coffee machine cleaner on the market; Cleancaf® is an odorless, non-acid scale inhibitor and detergent in one. Cleaning away old coffee in primary drip coffee brewers to prevent a bitter coffee taste, it is specially designed to clean coffee decanters and filter baskets and inhibit mineral deposits. Just use them bi-weekly or monthly for coffee you can feel good about drinking. Cleancaf® may also be used on home espresso equipment and to clean a French press. ($5.99 for 3 single use packets.)

Dezcal™ Activated Descaler − Designed to breakdown and remove the mineral build-up that can impact the performance of your coffeemaker, Dezcal™ is a citric acid based, non-toxic, biodegradable descaler solution used to decalcify brewers, espresso machines, pod and capsule machines. Use it two to four times a year. ($7.49 for 4 single use packets.)

Grindz™ Grinder Cleaner − Offering the serious coffee enthusiast grinding beans at home with a burr grinder a chance to clean and maintain their high priced equipment. The Grindz™ Grinder Cleaner is the first product developed to clean the burrs and casings of a coffee grinder without disassembly. Providing quick and easy cleaning, it eliminates all chance of old coffee oil residue co-mingling with fresh coffee –even flavored coffee odors. Use monthly or quarterly for best results. Grindz™ Grinder Cleaner is Star-K Kosher Certified. ($11.95 for 3 single use packets.)

Cafiza® Home Espresso Machine Cleaning Tablets − Formulated for controlled solubility, easy rinsing and powerful cleaning of home super automatic espresso machine, Cafiza® Tablets are the only NSF certified home tablet and are conveniently packaged on a blister card. ($9.99 for one blister card with 8 tablets.)

Need a thoughtful gift for a java-loving hostess? Urnex delivers. Give the 1-2 Brew Gift Set. Complete with step-by-step instructions on how to brew a perfect cup of coffee. The 1-2 Brew Gift Set includes: Cleancaf ® Home Coffee & Espresso Machine Cleaner, Dezcal™ Descaler, a sample of Grindz™ Grinder Cleaner, a coffee scoop with bag clip along with space to insert a 12-16 oz. bag of the “giftee’s” favorite brand of coffee ($13.95, without coffee).

Urnex products are available at Bed, Bath and Beyond and at www.urnexathome.com

Splendid Littles at Target: oh baby!

Just when you thought baby clothes couldn't get any more adorable--or affordable--a new collection is born. Check out the Splendid Littles line for Target, featuring clothes, bibs and blankets for newborns-5T. The line includes looks for little girls such as striped bodysuits, a lavender ruffled halter-neck dress with a matching striped cardigan, a blue-and-pink striped tunic with coordinating leggings, and a striped pink-and-navy hoodie and T-shirt dress. Boy looks include striped bodysuits, hoodies and collared shirts with solid-colored long sleeves sewn on underneath. The folks at Splendid Littles even use their creative skills to make a basic sleep set look oh so cute. Prices range from $6.99 for a set of striped bibs to $29.99 for newborn sleep set, which includes a blanket, a striped body suit and a pocket-sized striped cap. Recently launched in December and only available till March, you need to get it while you can. Go to www.target.com for more info or to place your order.

back to nature

For those of us who live in Manhattan, it's easy to get wrapped up on what classes to take or which playdate to schedule for your preschooler...instead of how to enjoy the great outdoors. Deborah McNelis, creator/owner of Braininsights and a brain development specialist, changes that with the launch of newest activity packet, Naturally Developing Young Brains, designed to support brain development for 3-5 year olds through natural environments.

Nearly 90% of brain development occurs in the first five years of life. To help maximize a child's learning during this influential time, this set of nature-themed exploration activities instills a sense of wonder, an appreciation for the environment and building blocks toward understanding the natural world.

Age appropriate and fun outdoor activities enhance early brain development and learning. Each nature-based activity in the packet also includes a brain insight on the back of the card, giving adults an understanding of the benefits gained through the experience.

These packets make it easy to provide the outdoor play children's brains need.

A portion of the proceeds go toward promoting nature pre-school experiences for all children. These can also be used as fundraisers for your program or organization.

Go to www.braininsightsonline.com for more info.

happy new year! from Carter's

New Year's Eve isn't just a holiday for adults...sure there's champagne, fireworks and late-night parties but your little ones will want to celebrate the festivities too--even if it's just till 8PM! Don't let them show up to the party in their favorite Dora tights and mini Uggs. This is a red-carpet occasion. Thankfully, the Carter's Holiday collection covers all bases, with adorable party dresses in pink and black velveteen, polka dotted satin and floral prints. They're so perfect for the holiday season that I'm offering the one shown here (size 9 months) for a holiday giveaway. Bright pink, black and grey bubbles decorate this silky satin dress and a black band highlights the empire waist. Normally priced at only $18, now it can be yours for free. Just publish the link to this post on your Facebook or Twitter page, then let me know in the comments below, and you'll be automatically entered to win. Your princess will be the belle of the ball. Good luck--and happy 2011!

mom, what's for dinner?

As a mom, you can probably relate to that 3:00 PM panic: OMG, what am I going to make for dinner tonight? Darlene Sabella, published author and writer for HubPages.com, says: "Mixing and matching ingredients is always fun and gives you lots of ways to hide healthy foods." Here, she shares some great ideas for quick and easy foods your kids will love.

1 Pasta, please! Now you can throw anything in pasta and with a little red sauce and they can never tell. A great wholesome addition is organic extra firm Tofu. It tastes a little like chicken. Add cabbage which really makes it taste great, with of course, whole wheat pasta, and any other veggie you can hide in the meal. Serve with some great garlic bread and the kids and hubby will never know.

2 Time for Tacos Home made tacos are also a winner. If the family is vegan, you have to make adjustments but you can use ground turkey, and make your own taco sauce. The package sauce is full of toxic ingredients. You can use a healthy lettuce, fresh tomatos, and buy or make your own wheat tacos.

3 Meat Loaf Mania I make a great surprise meat loaf. If you're not vegan, use turkey meat, organic eggs, all organic ingredients, lots of chopped celery to give it a great taste.

4 Lentil Lovers Kids don't know beans are a veggie so you can make lentils in your crock-pot. I add everything in my veggie draw in the refrigerator: just remember to add things at different times as the softer items need to go in last. I use my grater for the carrots so they have a way of disappearing in the meal and lots of olive oil adds the last great touch. Use sea salt for flavor.

5 Breakfast Anytime Breakfast is always a rush time of the day, but their is nothing better than great nutrition from organic fresh eggs. I even use this for dinner sometimes. It's fun to mix up your meals. I add in olive oil, chopped organic asparagus, scallions, and leaks (which are sweeter then scallions once cooked). Also, add mushrooms, then mix your eggs with organic soy milk and pour into the pan. When it's done, top with chopped fresh cold tomatoes with some wheat toast and whatever you might enjoy.