PetSugar

Enter to Win a Year of Asics Running Shoes

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:43:54 PST

It's the New Year and time to get back on track, jump-start your January, and get fit for 2012. We're dedicating the month of January to helping you set your path for the rest of the year. Each week we're breaking down different fitness fundamentals - and week two is all about running. Yep, it's time to get a little cardio. And to help motivate you, we're giving away amazing prizes to help you get fit!

This week we are giving away a year's supply of running shoes from one of our favorite brands - Asics. Enter and you could be one of three lucky winners to receive a year's supply of Asics running shoes (that's about five pairs)!

This giveaway has ended.

Check us out on Facebook where we will be keeping our own fitness diary and providing tips, advice, recipes, and workouts for all of our fans. If you're craving more fitness gear and goodies, enter our Under Armour giveaway for $500 to Under Armour and our KIND Healthy Snacks and Magimix giveaway for a year's supply KIND Healthy Snacks and a Magimix Food Processor. Good luck!

How to Publish Your Own Book in 2012

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:40:45 PST

If writing a book is always the resolution left behind once the calendar runs out, make 2012 the year to finally get your novel out of your brain and onto the page. The fear of being rejected by publisher after publisher can set you back, but more than ever, self-published novelists are turning to ebooks to make their mark on their own.

Ebooks are gaining some serious ground in sales, even being recognized by the New York Times Book Review. It just goes to show that if you've got an awesome manuscript, you don't have to wait for a publisher to pick it up - you can self publish on digital formats with limited to no investment. Find out how you can get your ebooks on Kindles, Nooks, iPads, and mobile devices all around the world with the outlets below. Happy writing!

Barnes & Noble PubIt! - Easily publish your own books through the Barnes & Noble ebook store with PubIt! Just upload your files, and PubIt! converts it to an easy to read format that can be bought and downloaded to your Nook or other B&N apps, like the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and PC. Royalty rates range from 40 percent (for any book priced under $2.98 or over $10) to 65 percent (for any book priced between $2.99 and $9.99).
Amazon Kindle Store - Get your book sold in Amazon's Kindle store and nab royalty rates of 35 to 70 percent of sale prices. The Kindle Direct Publishing program accepts Word, zipped HTML, PDF's, ePub, and plain text files, and makes your book available on the Kindle, as well as other Amazon apps for the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac, PC, BlackBerry, and Android devices.

But wait, there's more - see the rest of your options after the jump.

The Perfect New Year's Sweet Treat: Sparkling Champagne Cupcakes

YumSugar — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 04:05:59 PST

New Year's is my favorite time of year, and Champagne is my favorite drink. So it's no surprise that when I came across a recipe for Champagne cupcakes last week, I nearly jumped out of my seat with excitement. These cupcakes have Champagne in the batter, in the pastry cream filling, and in the buttercream frosting. How much more exciting can this dessert get?

There are quite a few steps involved in this recipe, but I was able to whip up a batch in just a couple of hours. These would make an impressive addition to any New Year's party, or if you're planning a sweet night in to ring in 2012, cut the recipe in half and enjoy them yourself!

For more on these fabulously festive cupcakes, and for the recipe, keep on going.

Happy 2011! 5 Ways to Start the Year Off Right

Morgan Ashley Parker — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 11:00:53 PST

Make this year the best one yet! Even if you haven't made official resolutions regarding pets, here are five ways to have a fresh, fun start to 2011.

What's Your New Year's Beauty Resolution?

BellaSugar — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 08:00:00 PST

Besides the litany of diet and money-saving promises we all make ourselves in the New Year, many of us also make beauty resolutions. For instance, in 2011 I'm resolving to stop biting my nails (again), take better care of my skin, and keep wearing sunblock every day. Will you be making any beauty commitments to start the New Year off right? Share your beauty resolutions (and any others you want to discuss) in the comments, and I'll do my best to help you with tips for making them easier and more successful.

Do You Make Pet-Related Resolutions?

Morgan Ashley Parker — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 11:00:37 PST

Source: Flickr User cjc4454

A Light and Bright New Year's Day Brunch Table Setting

Casa Community — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 11:00:09 PST

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member CourtneyOutLoud from the Lovely Little Vignettes group:

During the winter months, I crave brightness. Some people call it seasonal affective disorder or some other fancy name, but I just know that by the end of December, I want bright, light, and cheery. This need has manifested itself in different ways throughout my life ranging from an inherent need to dress in bright patterns during the Winter months to turning on every light in the house come dusk. Fortunately for my electric bill, this year manifested itself in a need to create a bold and lively table setting for our New Year's Day brunch.

Since most of our friends are parents and a night of partying isn't in the cards anymore, we have opted for a low-key New Year's Day brunch. The gathering is low-key and informal with kids hiding under furniture and the occasional lap dog or two stealing a breakfast sausage. I wanted the table to reflect this mellow vibe but still be vibrant, as the event is the first "official" social gathering of our friends.

Keep reading to see how Courtney achieved this vibrant and mellow vibe.

'Tis the Season to Save on Gym Sign-Up

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 11:48:57 PST

National health clubs traditionally offer their best deals in the final days of December, which means it is prime time to sign up or reevaluate your current gym. Gyms give their sweetest sign-up deals now because they want to lure the large number of individuals, like yourselves, who have resolved to get fit in the new year.

FitSugar readers' favorite gym of the year, Life Time Fitness, is waiving its enrollment fee, Gold's Gym is offering a $1 enrollment special, and 24 Hour Fitness is waiving its enrollment fee as well. No matter where you get your sweat on, make sure to Google your gym this week, or call up the membership office and scope out their deals and initiatives. Remember: they want to keep you happy, healthy, and signed-up, so don't be afraid to ask. I've scored special trainer sessions and an adjusted monthly rate just by asking gyms over the years. Of course, don't sign up with a gym simply because it has the best deal. Becoming a member of a health club is a big commitment that involves other factors beyond cost, like location and class offerings. Make sure you check out our tips on choosing a gym before enrolling anywhere. Here's to getting fit in the New Year!

What Are Your Postfamily Holiday Plans?

Colleen Barrett — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 10:00:00 PST

I love the week between Christmas and New Year's. Everyone seems to be not working, working remotely, or just phoning it in. Maybe you're traveling or friends are coming to town, but at some point the holidays go from family time to friend time. And that is a wonderful thing.

I definitely relied on this how-to-find-alone-time advice over the last week while I was at my sister's. But that was very difficult, as she has four children (ages six, five, two, and seven weeks) who will find you and turn it into a game of hide-n-seek. They are cuddly, hilarious, and pure evil in Janie and Jack.

So when I got on the plane, barely escaping the East Coast storm, and headed west to San Francisco, I relished the calm (or sleep aid?) that washed over me. I started making to-do lists on my phone for all the shopping, cooking, and cleaning I need to do before friends from New York arrive Wednesday for our New Year's weekend of champagne, hot tubs, and absolutely no hiking in Big Sur.

So, yes, it's the most wonderful time of the year. Family time is over; friend time is on. What are you doing?

Get Fit For 2010

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:23:55 PST

How are your New Year's resolutions coming along? FitSugar wants to help you achieve your health goals for 2010. If you're aiming to lose weight, run a marathon, eat a more balanced diet - or all three - we're here to help.

Join my new group to celebrate the upcoming new year - Get Fit For 2010. It's a place we can all meet to share our goals and give each other advice to reach those goals. Take a couple of minutes to peruse the group for helpful tips we've posted to help motivate you to reach your goals. I will be posting challenges every Monday to help keep us all - including me - on track. Start thinking of your goals for 2010 and be prepared to share them soon. Check back this Monday, Jan. 11, to learn your first challenge.

If you're the type that needs a little extra incentive, I will be giving away weekly prizes and ending with an amazing grand prize as we all try to get fit for 2010. Stay tuned on Monday for all the details!