This summer, I’m using Banana Boat Sun Wear (a daily sunblock lotion mist) – made with essential organic botanicals.

Packed with SPF 50 protection, I’ve received the best, most even tan ever without any burning.

The sunscreen rubs on smooth after a convenient misting of the product.

I love the fact that it offers protective botanicals and antioxidants, which claim on the bottle to make your skin appear more youthful and radiant.

I also have sensitive skin and this hypoallergenic sunscreen does not cause irritation on the body or face.

If you are a fan of Dr. Pepper soda, then you will appreciate Dr. Pepper Frozen Soda Pops – an inexpensive treat to beat the heat that I found at the Dollar Store. Made with Dr. Pepper flavor, the frozen treats really do taste like the soda. One box contains 10 one-ounce pops, which are only 15 calories each. Simply freeze and eat.

I usually don’t like fudge-covered cookies, but only the back of this sweet treat is covered in chocolate and it suits the overall cookie just fine.

Keebler Fudge Shoppe Cheesecake Middles are small, but still deliver a very satisfying taste and texture – offering an effective combination of soft sweetness (cheesecake filling as a center) and crunchy nutty (graham) flavors.

If you love cheesecake (like I do), then you won’t be disappointed. Three Fudge Shoppe Cheesecake Middles equal 130 calories.

I ordered the Minion Berry Pancakes at IHOP last week and they are delicious. Lemon pancakes with a berry compote served with your choice of breakfast combination, such as bacon, sausage, hash browns, and your choice of eggs for $7.99. The lemon pancakes are just right – not saturated with an overbearing artificial flavor. I ordered my berries on the side because I don’t like when fruit toppings make pancakes soggy. The waitress was nice enough to bring a side of whipped cream as well – so thoughtful. The berries deliver slightly tart to sweet sensations, which I absolutely love. The compote complemented the pancakes very well.

The Minion Berry Pancakes are part of a promotion involving the movie, “Despicable Me” – so hurry up and try them – you won’t be disappointed. The Minion Berry Pancakes and other specials (such as Loaded Minion Taters and Minionade) centered on the movie will disappear on August 29, 2010.

The Lean Cuisine Fiesta Grilled Chicken filled my kitchen with a spicy scent and I couldn’t wait to try this “white meat chicken in a Mexican-style cream sauce with a seasoned rice blend.”

I must start off my saying that the creamy sauce is an absolute winner: spicy, cheesy and creamy (with a touch of sour cream).

The seasoned rice offers a colorful mixture of two different kinds of beans, corn, and peppers. Despite its colorful presentation, without the creamy sauce, the rice lacks the ‘umph‘ factor that the rest of the meal possesses.  One gripe I have is that there needed to be way more sauce to complement the amount of rice in this meal.

The chicken pieces were large (almost too large and on the dry side), but offered a decent grilled flavor. Fiesta Grilled Chicken is part of the Café Cuisine line of Lean Cuisine meals.

By the Numbers

• 260 calories
• 50 fat calories
• 19 grams protein
• 4 grams fiber

Daily Recommended Values

• Potassium – 18%
• Calcium – 15%
• Vitamin A – 20%
• Iron – 8%
• Fiber – 14%
• Vitamin C – 30%

Oh wow. Lucky Country Aussie Style Pineapple Licorice is not your typical licorice – it’s a fruity explosion with every bite. The licorice is described as a soft gourmet treat that is 98% fat free. It smells and tastes amazing – very flavorful. I swear it tastes like it’s made with honey, but that doesn’t appear in the list of ingredients. I do find it interesting that coconut oil is used (yum). Lucky Country Licorice is made in the U.S.A, in Lincolnton, North Carolina and also comes in Black, Black Cherry, Strawberry, Marionberry, and Apple.

Very tasty indeed, so much so that I had to share a bag with one of my lucky readers!

Up for grabs is one 6-ounce bag of Lucky Country Aussie Style Pineapple Licorice.

Mandatory Entry: You must be my Google Connect friend (on the sidebar) and leave a comment saying so – must be completed or all other entries will not count.

Extra Entries (must leave separate comments for each entry)

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The Fine Print: For every entry that you complete, let me know in the comments section. For example, 2 entries = 2 separate comments. Contest ends July 30, 2010 at 11:59pm (ET).  The winner will be chosen through Random.org. Please leave an email address so I can contact winners, who will have 48 hours to tell me where to send their prize. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

For the past couple of weeks, Alexander Pushkin (the great Russian poet) has traveled with me. Braving the itch of hot sand, he’s nestled beside me on the beach. He’s kept me company on a car ride to Rochester, NY. He’s stared motivation into my limbs as I labored on a treadmill. Pushkin makes an exceptional companion.

Thanks to Julian Henry Lowenfeld, I have been touched by the poetry of Alexander Pushkin. Lowenfeld translated Pushkin’s work from Russian to English and shares his poetic genius in “My Talisman: The Poetry & Life of Alexander Pushkin.”

Reading “My Talisman” is a voyeuristic journey into the life of a man tormented by the loves of his life (poetry and his “Natalie”). The bilingual book offers an introduction, brief biography, and selected poetry presented in both Russian and English. Pushkin’s own sketches and other drawings serve as illustrations throughout the book.  The addition of his artwork intensifies the connection you make with the poet. I enjoyed the overall layout of “‘My Talisman.”

I also found it quite interesting to learn about the intricacies of translating poetry from one language to another. Liberties are often taken and slight variations will exist from one translator to the next. This not only shows in the spelling of some words, but also in their meaning.

What I Learned

Pushkin was both loved and feared in Russia – depending on whom you spoke to. For example, the government went through periods of watching his every move and subjecting his work to intense literary scrutiny and censorship. Letters to his wife were even read by the tsar of Russia before they reached her eyes. With his poems, Pushkin could incite political action just as much as he could passion and declarations of love. “My Talisman” offers an intriguing biography and effectively presents an increasingly fascinating picture of the poet, such as:

• Pushkin had African roots that shown through in some of his physical characteristics. He embraced this heritage while others mocked it. I found this very interesting.
• I learned that after Pushkin finally married the woman he had pursued for years, her coldness and inconsiderate nature contributed to an absence of romantic lyrics.
• Pushkin longed to visit Europe and requested to leave Russia, but was refused permission by the tsar. This was heartbreaking to learn, as Pushkin’s talents could have reached unimaginable heights if he had been exposed to European culture and scenery.
• Pushkin managed to survive many “duals” – choosing to intentionally miss his opponent or surrender to a distraction. However, one dual would prove fatal and most tragic in its meaning.
• Pushkin was lovesick over the women in his life, as well as for his craft.

My Favorite Poems

I have yet to complete “My Talisman: The Poetry & Life of Alexander Pushkin” – it’s a treasure to savor so I’m taking my time. Why would I want to lose my companion so soon?

So far, my favorite poem is ‘The Flower.’ I also feel that almost anyone can relate to how Pushkin referred to “his near and dear ones,” which appears in the biography.

“What does that mean, our near and dear ones?
Our near and dear ones are just these ones:
The ones we are obliged to kiss,
Caress, and love, and warmly miss,
Also, by custom and good cheer,
On Christmas we should pay them calls,
At least by mail should send them cards,
So all the rest of all the year
They’ll never even think of us!

And so, God grant them health, I trust!”

When my sweetie works out, he works up a sweat. A good thing for his body – not a good thing for his sneakers. He’s been through so many running shoes because the mesh gets soaked and they eventually start to smell awful.

However, we have found a brand and style of athletic footwear that he adores…so much so – he’s craving a new pair (which I’ll be getting for his birthday – shhhh).

When we first saw the Salomon Techamphibian 2 – they looked odd. Case in point…the back is “open” and resembles a sandal, but they have a bamboo lining and I encouraged the purchase (like a cheerleader) because bamboo is a sustainable, eco-friendly material.

The Salomon Techamphibian 2 is a lightweight shoe and because of the bamboo, it effectively wicks away moisture to keep feet drier. These sneakers are made for people who like to play in the water (and are perfect for drenching workouts in the heat). The shoes are also made with a quick-drying synthetic leather and nylon mesh that offers durable support.

Other key features include:

• Adjustable heel straps with collapsible backs
• Quicklace lacing system for personalized, secure fit
• Drainage ports and 180-degree venting for increased airflow
• Rubber toe caps
• EVA footbeds with AgION treatment for odor control

I won a bottle of Nurture My Body Ginger Body Wash from Mommy 2 Two Girls and the packaging was truly impressive. First off, when I opened the box – a sprig of dry lavender (?) greeted me. That was a really nice earthy touch. The card just blew me away. It was handmade with a faux flower inserted into the front. When I opened the card, it was personalized and thoughtful. It’s these kinds of personal touches that make consumers remember a company. I’ve been spreading the word ever since I received my package. Plus, the body wash smells amazing!

Nurture My Body Ginger Body Wash is made with nutmeg CO2 and clove bud essential oil. It promises a “stimulating gentle cleanser for normal to dry skin” and it certainly delivers. I’m usually a fruity body wash kind of gal, but I’m pleasantly surprised that I’ve fallen in love with this ’spicy’ fragrance. Made with certified organic ingredients, it’s safe for the body because it contains no toxic chemicals.

Unlike Mentos Gum, Trident Splash (Orange Swirl) does have the liquidy sugar-free center the packaging promises, but the overall taste is an absolute turn-off. There’s something almost stale in the flavor. Plus, the combination of the hard shell and liquidy center creates a softer gum texture that tastes like gum that has been chewed for hours. One package offers 9 pieces of gum with less than 5 calories each.