Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Orange you gonna enter my giveaway?

BURR BURR BURRRRRRRRR!!! No, that’s not what I scream every time the cold winter air surprises me. It’s the trumpets resounding!


MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT TIME.
Three of them, to be exact.

UNO. After six weeks on Maintenance, I am officially a WW Lifetime Member! No more paying monthly fees for this lady! Nuh uh. Never again. Of course not having to pay anymore is a big deal, but there are many more things about this accomplishment that I should be celebrating.

1. I lost 70 pounds and they’re stayin’ off!
2. I knew what I wanted, stuck with it, and met a huge goal. It wasn’t easy sustaining motivation for more than 18 months, but since it had to do with my health and my LIFE, I made ME a priority. I’m happy to be a priority for the rest of my long, healthy life :)
3. I’ve acquired habits that are now part of my lifestyle, not just quick fixes for the time being. For instance, more often than not, I choose lower-cal, nutrient-rich options at restaurants and the grocery store because they just sound tastier, and I actually want to be active several times per week.
4. I feel fantastic. I can just feel my body working more efficiently. My mind is clearer. When I come upon a flight of stairs, I run up them because I can. I can’t help myself!
5. When I look in the mirror, I’m happy with what I see. Can’t ask for more than that, kids.


DOS. Since I’m not paying for WW anymore (maybe I already mentioned that …), I decided to use that money for something else rad and self-improving. I’m continuing with kickboxing class! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Can’t stop thinking about it, actually. I hope my friends don’t get sick of hearing about it because I tend to bring it up a lot.

This hasn’t happened yet, but it’s only a matter of time:

Friend: Hey, Amanda! Haven’t seen you in a while. Let’s meet up and grab a drink or something.
Me: Yeah yeah, sounds good. Speaking of kickboxing … my class rocks!

For you Twin Citians (Mpls/St Paulies? Twin Citiites?) looking to throw a new activity in your mix, you should swing by American Kung-Fu Studio in New Brighton or clicky around on its website … and then decide that it’s awesome and you want to hang chill kick it (literally) with me and my peeps.

This weekend, I think I’m gonna purchase some new shoes (should I have said kicks? too much) strictly dedicated for class.

Thinkin’ about scooping something like these:PUMA Etoile Cat

Or these:

PUMA Etoile

I think I'm more likely to find the first ones (or something similar) in a store, which is what I'd prefer. But I am reeeeaaaalllly diggin' the second ones. A lot. I'd probably need to order those online, though, and I don't know about that. But what do I know anyway?

TRES. GIVEAWAY TIME! I’d like to celebrate my WW Lifetime Membershipness and awesome feelings about life by offering you some Cuties! That’s right, those insanely awesome clementines I boasted about a few weeks ago. After I wrote that post, Cuties contacted me and suggested I offer you — my stellar readers — a great deal. As of today, there are nearly 86 days left of Cuties California mandarin season, so let’s get to it!


Already love Cuties? Been dying to try them but haven’t yet? Wanna score a 3-lb bag of Cuties FO’ FREE?? Of course you do! I’m choosing FIVE lucky winners, so enter your little heart out.


Orange you gonna enter my giveaway?*
Earn one entry per item. (Please leave a separate comment for each.)

1. Visit the Cuties site, learn some fun facts, and come back to tell me why you want your very own bag o’ Cuties.
2. Link to this contest on your blog and/or Facebook. And tell all your friends.
3. Add me to your blogroll!
4. Follow me on Google Reader. If you don’t have that, just promise you’ll add me to your Favorites or Bookmarks list :)

*Cuties are only sold in the United States, the majority of them being available west of the Mississippi River; please only enter if you can find them in stores near you. I will accept entries until 5:00pm on Tuesday, February 9, and I will announce five winners on Wednesday, February 10. Each winner will have 72 hours to email me his or her mailing address.

Wahoo! Great day. Love, Amandarin

77 comments:

  1. OMG I just laughed out loud at your signature, "Love, Amandarin!"

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

    P.S. Maybe one of these days, you can ask me if I want to go to kickboxing? All this talk makes me wanna do an upper cut or a hook. Just sayin'

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  2. Congratulations on your WW lifetime membership! Well deserved accomplishment.

    Oh yeah...cool shoes...for fashion or for kickboxing?

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  3. "For sweetness, Cuties must contain a minimum sweetness level. Unlike some imported fruits, Cuties super sweet taste is always 100% natural."

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  4. You're on my google reader (and secretly my FAVORITE blog writer, I just need to get you to post more frequently :)).

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  5. you are on my blogroll http://ljsin2win.blogspot.com/

    Congratulations on your weight loss, I need to lose some weight myself.

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  6. Congratulations! Lifetime Member that sounds SO GOOD! You are already in my Reader. And if by chance, my entry is chosen, please donate my prize to your local food bank.

    I just like to read your blog!

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  7. I'd like to try Cuties because I've currently have only tried Darlings. What's up with these names??

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  8. And you are on my google reader!

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  9. Congrats! I was there several years ago but stopped going to meetings. Big mistake! So keep going back now that it is free.

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  10. Congratulations on becoming a Lifetime member! How exciting! I've always wanted to take a kickboxing class...I've always been scared to!

    I would LOVE to win some cuties! ;-) I haven't bought any since I had a $2.00 coupon + they were on sale. They're so good, especially when they're cold right out of the refrigerator! :)

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  11. Congrats on your achievement! I think the best thing is that you have made a lifestyle change and that you now like what you see in the mirror... AWESOME!

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  12. You're in my reader.

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  13. I facebooked this!

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  14. You're on my blogroll!

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  15. I am the new follower of your blog. Congrats on the loss!! great going

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  16. OK.. I have to admit, I'm like a kid when it comes to citrus. I don't like dealing with the peels, so the loose skin on the cuties is perfect for me! (and not just because loose skin reminds me of ME anyway...)

    Well, I never would have known if I hadn't gone to the website (THANKS!)

    The only problem would be, should I win, getting to eat some before the kids demolish them!

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  17. Congratulations on making Lifetime! Amazing!

    So...I had no idea that Cuties are actually TWO varieties of mandarin (per the Cuties site). I'm definitely going to be trying to spot both varieties in stores for the rest of the season.

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  18. Congrats on lifetime! That is fantastic! You are such a motivation! :)

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  19. Congrats on making Lifetime! That's awesome!!

    I would love some Cuties cause I'm too cheap to buy them but think they're fantastically yummy ;o)

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  20. I recommend the first shoes....mainly because they sport the highly fashionable KITTEH on the side!! Back in the day....and I mean...way back in the day...I did kickboxing, and it was SOOOOOO much fun! So empowering, and it was THE workout! I am very tall, and so they always had to put me out by myself so my legs didn't actually come into contact with co-workouters! LOL! It was a blast!
    The Black Kitteh and I list Cuties as one of our FAVORITE snack items! We pretty much devour them when they start showing up in the stores. We even have a bag here at the office...for that afternoon snackage attack! LOVE THEM! Amandarin....you crack me up!! LOL!
    Congrats on the Lifer achievement! I'm so proud that you made YOU a priority, and are pumped about staying healthy! You are truly an inspiration!! :)

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  21. Wooo HOOO!!! Congrats on being a lifetime member!! That's awesome!!!

    Ok, since you posted about these little cuties, I've been looking everywhere for them and can NOT find them!!! I so want to try them!!

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  22. I have 5lbs of cuties in my kitchen right now! :)

    But I could always use more! I have one every day with lunch (Until they go out of season...boo!)

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  23. I told all my facebook friends about your giveaway!!

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  24. I would like the cuties b/c I am trying to get more servings of fruit into my day!

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  25. You are on my blogroll and have been for a long time :)

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  26. I follow you on google reader!

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  27. Amandarin!!! Congrats girl! That is so awesome!!!
    (ps i'm munchin on a cutie as we speak!...errr type!)

    ...and NO, I don't mean my husband!

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  28. WOW! Congratulations Amanda on all of your accomplishments!! I wish you the best of luck during your maintenance phase! :)

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  29. WOW!! Congrats. BTW-I LOVE my kickboxing class. I go every Sat. morning and burn some major calories.
    I love cuties b/c they are soooo sweet. Like candy.

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  30. I have added you to my google reader. Actually you have been on my google reader for quite some time.

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  31. I'd love to have some cuties because they're chock full of vitamin C, and at only about 20cals each, I can have 2 with my lunch, and maybe even 2 more as a snack later in the day!

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  32. I'd love to have some cuties because they're seedless and easy to peel. A very sweet on-the-go snack!

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  33. And I added you to my google reader :)

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  34. I don't think they're sold by me, so don't count this as an entry, but just had to comment and send you a BIG congrats!!!!!! What an accomplishment! YAY for not paying for WW anymore!!! It's always so great to hear someone who has lost the weight and is so glad to just FEEL BETTER. Congrats, again - you're AWESOME!

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  35. I follow your blog!

    Congrats on reaching your goal! That is so fantastic!!!!!

    I would love to win some cuties simply because they are so dang addicting!

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  36. Hi, I just found your blog. That is so wonderful that you are now a lifetime member. I have a friend who is also a lifetime member of WW. She has been tiny since I met her so she says the women at her WW meetings tease her that she has no business being there. She still checks in once a month though.

    Keep up the good work-I love that you run the stairs just because you can!

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  37. These are the only oranges my girls eat. I have no idea why.

    I love healthy snacks.

    Congrats on your loss and maintenance. This is such an accomplishment.

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  38. Love me some Cuties! My daughter and I snack on them as much as possible while they're in season.

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  39. Hi, I just found you through priorfatgirl and I'm not gonna lie, I just finished reading through all your back entries. You have a fantastic writing style and it's great motivation to see someone who's lost their goal weight and is keeping it off.

    I just started my own weight-loss journey (I seriously hate that phrase, but what else am I going to call it?) and made the decision to do it on my own because Weight Watchers just wasn't something I could afford right now. So, without the support of a WW group, I've been turning to all the great bloggers out there, and I definitely added you to my bookmark folder of weight loss blogs (the folder is entitled "Just Workin' On My Fitness" haha).

    Anyway, love Love LOVE clementines! I can hardly go to Target without coming back with a new bag! So of course I'd love to score a bag for free!

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  40. Dudette -- congrats on being a WW Lifer! No fees AND you look hot?! How much better can life get?! You seriously rock.
    xoxo

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  41. From one lifetimer to another - CONGRATS!!!

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  42. Congrats on being a WW lifetime member. I know how excited and accomplished you feel as I hit my Lifetime in May of 09. Keep up the good work, it is truly life changing!

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  43. Wow amanda!!! CONGRATS! Seriously, that is the best thing ever. Maintenance can be harder than losing weight and you've already conquered the beginning of it. Congrats on becominga WW Lifetime Member. ;)

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  44. Congrats! I love, love, love cuties!! They are the perfect snack for me...sweet and tart!

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  45. I love that their loose skin makes them easy for kids to peel by themselves. Finally! Something I DON'T have to do for my kids! LOL

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  46. congrats to you!!
    i'd love to win some orange type fruits because i love me a tasty dose of vitamin c.

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  47. I want to win cuties because they are delicious!

    And I'm adding you to my google reader right away. :)

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  48. you are too sweet!
    and you're gorgeous as well my dear!

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  49. I love cuties! I just learned that they are high in potassium, something that I am often in need of.

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  50. I added you to my Google Reader.

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  51. I love, love, LOVE me some Major Anouncements - especially when they come from well deserving people, like yourself! :) I will happy dance in your honor. ;)

    Have a great day!

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  52. 1. Fun fact about Cuties: They are easy to slip into my purse so that I always have a healthy snack when I need one.

    2. I've linked to your post on my site - http://lottalatte.blogspot.com/2010/02/day-13-253-to-go-revising-plan-and.html

    3. I've added a BlogRoll today and you're on it

    4. You are on my Bookmarks menu

    Thanks for the fun contest!

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  53. I'd love some cuties because they are a good source of fiber, with nearly 14% of the daily recommended amount!!!

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  54. I would love some cuties because after reading that post a while back about the cuties, I went out and bought some and they were awesome! I also try peeling them in one piece, but I guess im not as cool as you yet, lol. I would add you to my blogroll but I honestly dont know how, ill figure it out. I just started reading you and Jen's blogs over the past few months.

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  55. I dont have Google Reader but you are def bookmarked!! Ive been an avid reader for about a month and love love love reading your posts!

    -Carrie

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  56. Cuties are a good source of fiber, with nearly 14% of the daily recommended amount in one serving.

    Nice!! and they are just so darn Cute!

    -Carrie

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  57. Great job on being a lifetime member! That's awesome!

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  58. And you're already linked on my blog. :)

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  59. And it's linked on my latest post!

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  60. And you're in my favorites too. :)

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  61. congratulations on lifetime. What an accomplishment. I'd love to try cuties. I've recently been eating clementines and oranges in my salads. Yum.

    I am a follower and you've been on my blogroll for the longest time. Stop by often but don't always comment.

    Congrats once again.

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  62. Lifetime is an accomplishment & you should be so proud. It's so great t hear that everything you've learnt will now be with you for life because thats soooo important to remember that this is your life now.

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  63. Congrats!!! You are such an inspiration!!!

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  64. and since you are on of my very favorite bloggers you are on my blog roll :)

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  65. Congratulations on reaching your goal!! I'm so hapy for you. :-) I started WW a month ago, and the priorfatgirl blogs have been a big help thus far. Thanks so much for sharing your journey!

    -Erin

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  66. I was so excited when I saw this I almost peed my pants!! :) I have an 18 month old and she loves to nibble on these yummy little super sweet and seedless clementines - as do my husband and I! A free bag would be pretty incredible considering the budget we're on and they can get pretty spendy. Only 86 days left to enjoy them!! I would sure appreciate your consideration! :)

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  67. congrats =]

    and I added you to my favorites. I love reading your blog- Keep it up!!

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  68. I love the title - and cuties! Nom nom nom. I thought they would annoy me (I hate peeling oranges) but they are super easy to peel and super sweet!

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  69. Truth be told, I have never tried a Cutie... ::hangs head in shame::

    Congrats on becoming a lifetime member!!!!!!!

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  70. Love Cuties - no seeds, and a perfectly sized snack!

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  71. Cuties are my absolute favorite go-to fruit. They are easily transported, and because they are so small, I can eat multiples with no guilt!

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  72. I have always wanted to try cuties, but they are kind of expensive. Ok, so maybe they aren't that expensive, but I am in grad school and super broke so they are expensive to me. Which means that I should win the the cuties fo free, so that I can experience the cutieliciousness! :)

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