Happy Blogiversary To Me & Prizes For You

April 21, 2006 marks the one-year anniversary of my blog

****PRIZE WINNERS ARE OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED!****

I've been excited all week about sharing with you this special day in the life of my blog. It's the one-year annivesary of the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog and YOU get to be a BIG part of it today.

Special thanks to the MANY, MANY businesses and individuals that cheerfully donated these prizes for you to have a chance to win. These are all highly-respected companies and people that I have had the pleasure of working with over the past year and you would be doing yourself a favor by getting to know more about them and the products they provide to people who are livin' la vida low-carb.

The drawings for these prizes will take place on Saturday with my wife Christine pulling names out of a hat to determine the various winners. Check back to THIS BLOG POST on Saturday where the winner's first name, last initial, and state will be listed where you see question marks today. The winners will also receive an e-mail from me confirming the prize they have won and I will be forwarding the winner's contact information to the appropriate business or individual offering the prize so they can get the prizes to the winners.

If you haven't signed up to be in the drawing for these prizes, then what are you waiting for? Click here so you can learn how to sign up to be in the running for one of OVER 30 FREE GIVEAWAYS. Once you take a look at these prizes, you'll rush to do that right away! :)

Now, without further delay, here are the giveaways you've been waiting to see. Happy Blogiversary to me & prizes for YOU!

1. THREE FREE BOTTLES OF ALSOSALT (BUTTER, GARLIC, & ORIGINAL)


www.AlsoSalt.com

For those of you with sensitivity to salt, you really need to try AlsoSalt. I personally reviewed this product and found it to be an outstanding alternative to salt, unlike most salt substitutes which have a funky wang to them. Not AlsoSalt! You'll be very proud to shake this product on anything you would normally salt.

WINNER: Elizabeth K. from Illinois

2. FREE FOUR-PACK LOCA BEVERAGES MARGARITA MIX
3. FREE FOUR-PACK LOCA BEVERAGES MARGARITA MIX
4. FREE FOUR-PACK LOCA BEVERAGES MARGARITA MIX




www.LocaBeverages.com

These zero-carb, zero-calories margarita mixes are the perfect addition to add a little twist to your favorite beverages. Although I do not drink alcohol, I tried these products and found they were great with club soda or Sprite, too! There are four flavors and the winners will get a FREE bottle of each along with a special surprise from Loca Beverages just in time for Cinco de Mayo. Loca Beverages are available for purchase online at www.BevMo.com.

WINNER: Lee D. from Connecticut
WINNER: Marla K. from Missouri
WINNER: Lindsey L. from Georgia

5. FREE $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO CARBSMART


www.CarbSmart.com

You know the name CarbSmart from your favorite low-carb ice cream from Breyer's and vitamins from One-A-Day. Well, CarbSmart is also where you can get lots of great low-carb products that will fit your new lifestyle change, too! In fact, I list the top 10 bestselling products at CarbSmart on the right-hand side of my blog so you can find out what other low-carbers are buying to help themselves lose weight and get healthy on this miraculous way of eating. CarbSmart also has a monthly magazine to keep you abreast of everything that is happening with low-carb. Owner and operator Andrew DiMino stands ready to serve your low-carb needs anytime at www.CarbSmart.com.

WINNER: Esther H. from Colorado

6. FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF CARB-LESS IN SEATTLE COOKBOOK BY CARYLTON COOPER


www.Carb-Less.com

Who doesn't like a good low-carb recipe book? My friend Carylton Cooper specializes in making delectable low-carb dishes using the most unique techniques and ingredients. I reviewed the book she is offering for this prize and found it to be fantastic for anyone wanting to add some variety to their low-carb lifestyle. The thing about Carylton's recipes is that she doesn't use ANY FLOUR, not even almond flour as evidenced by this brownie recipe she recently shared with my readers. Check out what Carylton Cooper is up to by visiting her web site at www.Carb-Less.com.

WINNER: Ila G. from New Jersey

7. FREE $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO VIVA LOW-CARB


www.VivaLowCarb.com

I'm so thrilled to share with you the brand new web site for my friend Rosanna who owns the low-carb store called VivaLowCarb.com. I LOVE that name, by the way! :) If you haven't checked out the very professional site yet, then you really ought to see what Rosanna has to offer low-carbers. She has everything for people who are livin' la vida low-carb at VivaLowCarb.com. Just in case you missed Rosanna's low-carb sausage zucchini recipe, you really ought to try it, too. You won't ever meet a nicer lady that she is! :)

WINNER: Kristy K. from Ohio

8. FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF GEORGE STELLA'S LIVIN' LARGE AND LOSING WEIGHT DVD WITH A FREE 3-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION TO STELLA STYLE ON DEMAND
9. FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF GEORGE STELLA'S LIVIN' LARGE AND LOSING WEIGHT DVD WITH A FREE 3-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION TO STELLA STYLE ON DEMAND


Livin' Large and Losing Weight DVD and Stella Style On Demand

We all know and love the affable George Stella as the phenomenal low-carb weight loss success story who tranformed television when he become an instant celebrity on The Food Network's "Low-Carb and Lovin' It." He even has a new book I recently reviewed called "Eating Stella Style," but you may not know about his new DVD called "Livin' Large and Losing Weight" featuring 90 minutes of tasty recipes that George uses for his own family as well as special home videos from the low-carb cooking wizard himself. George was nice enough to autograph these DVDs and throw in a complimentary 3-month subscription to his Stella Style On Demand service featuring personal recipes, articles and exclusive online videos with George and his family that you're sure to love. Fans of George Stella are gonna absolutely LOVE this prize package and he's offering TWO of them for winners of this drawing.

WINNER: Judith N. from Illinois
WINNER: Kay W. from Virginia

10. FREE SIX-FLAVOR PACK OF MIRACLE MUFFIN MIXES


www.MiracleMuffins.com

Have you had a chance to try Miracle Muffins yet? These high-fiber, low-carb muffins pack a tasty, filling punch for anyone looking for a healthier way to snack. I first blogged about them months ago and then again recently when they introduced some exciting new flavors. The winner of this prize will get six of the bestselling flavors from Miracle Muffins. Visit them online at www.MiracleMuffins.com.

WINNER: Marilyn W. from Oklahoma

11. FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF LAURIE BELL'S LOSE THE LIES, LOSE THE WEIGHT BOOK

Laurie Bell is a woman I greatly admire. She refused to just settle for being fat even after giving birth to children and she transformed her body into a chiseled masterpiece. Her book "Lose The Lies, Lose The Weight" doesn't dance around the issue of health, weight, fitness and diet. Laurie tells it to you straight and you'll thank her for it. She's a remarkable woman with an incredible story to tell. Learn more about her and her book, which she will autograph for the winner, by visiting www.LoseTheLiesLoseTheWeight.com.

WINNER: Pamela T. from Ohio

12. TWO FREE LUSCIOUS LIVING LOW-CARB CHEESECAKES


www.LusciousLiving.com

I love cheesecake and when I conducted a taste test of the various low-carb cheesecakes out there, only one rose all the way to the top of my favorite list because of its very distinctive flavor and that was the one from Luscious Living. I don't know what they put in these cheesecakes that makes them taste so incredibly good, but I could literally eat this cheesecake every single day of the week! One lucky winner is gonna get two of them to savor and enjoy for a couple of weeks. I'm jealous! :) Visit www.LusciousLiving.com for more information about ordering your own cheesecakes.

WINNER: Beth S. from Minnesota

13. FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ROGER TROY WILSON'S LET'S DO LUNCH BOOK


www.LetsDoLunch.com

There are a handful of very special men in the world and I am convinced that Roger Troy Wilson is one of them. From the time I read his book "Let's Do Lunch" about his incredible weight loss success story until I was able to speak with him on the telephone and talk to him like I've known him for years, I knew this man of God was annointed with a calling to share with others about the change that has been made in his life. Roger has agreed to personally autograph a copy of his book to the winner of the drawing. But it would do your heart and waistline some good to get to know Roger Troy Wilson some more by visiting his web site at www.LetsDoLunch.com.

WINNER: Jay P. from California

14. FREE IMITATERS SAMPLER PACK WITH TWO OF EACH FLAVOR


www.Imitaters.com

Do you miss mashed potatoes and wished there was something reasonably close AND low-carb? Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but these Imitaters don't just come close they are BETTER than any mashed potatoes I've ever eaten! Made with cauliflower and the best flavors they could find, this alternative to mashed potatoes is a real winner. And the person selected to win this prize will get 2 each of the Chipotle, Savory Garlic, and The Works. But if you want to try these for yourself, go to www.Imitaters.com and use the coupon code "imitaters" to get $1 off your order just for reading "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb." What a deal and I promise you won't be disappointed in these faux taters!

WINNER: Missy A. from Georgia

15. FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF NICK YPHANTIDES MY BIG FAT GREEK DIET


www.HealthSteward.com

How'd you like to be a family doctor who weighed over 450 pounds and giving out health advice to your patients? Hypocritical? Dr. Nick Yphantides thought so and decided to do something about it. I reviewed this book called "My Big Fat Greek Diet" about his nearly 300-pound weight loss experience. Dr. Nick, as he likes to be referred to as since NOBODY can pronounce his last name, has a wonderful web site you should check out as well called www.HealthSteward.com.

WINNER: David K. from Australia

16. FREE EAT WELL BE WELL GIFT PACKAGE


www.EatWellBeWell.com

Healthy whole grain foods that are sugar-free are hard to come by these days, but the line of products from Eat Well Be Well are an excellent choice for people watching their sugar intake. These amazing cereals, oatmeal, snack bars and even chocolate bars are all sugar-free and do not contain any of those nasty sugar alcohols either. All of their products are completely diabetic-friendly and the winner will get a nice package of the wonderful products made by Eat Well Be Well. Check 'em out on the Internet at www.EatWellBeWell.com.

WINNER: Darlene W. from Pennsylvania

17. FREE SPRING FLING SAMPLER PACK FROM SWEETRIOT


www.SweetRiot.com

I recently shared with you about one of the most peculiar and unique products I think I've ever seen: SweetRiot! Made from real cacao bean nibs and covered in chocolate, you will just fall in love with chocolate in a way you never thought possible. The winner will receive a special Spring Fling pack with one tin each of all three flavors. Click on over to www.SweetRiot.com to see what all the commotion is about!

WINNER: Pat B. from South Dakota

18. FREE COPY OF THE SCHWARZBEIN PRINCIPLE AND THE SCHWARZBEIN COOKBOOK


www.LowCarbCentral.biz

They were wonderful to me when I visited for a book signing in January and owners Michael and Marilyn Kirtley are offering the winner of this prize to win the critically acclaimed low-carb books by Diana Schwarzbein called "The Schwarzbein Principle" and "The Schwarzbein Cookbook." Both of these books will help you on your low-carb lifestyle. Be sure to visit LowCarbCentral.biz, especially if you live in or around the Milwaukee, WI area! Tell Michael and Marilyn I said hello if you visit them at their store in Hales Corner.

WINNER: Lucinda J. from Oklahoma

19. FREE COPY OF MY BOOK LIVIN' LA VIDA LOW-CARB


www.BookLocker.com

Allow me to give a BIG PLUG for the company that agreed to publish my book "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb." They are Booklocker led by Angela Hoy who runs a top-notch print on demand book publishing company. If you are even thinking about writing a book, then you need to contact Angela at angela@booklocker.com and she will answer all of your questions for you. I could not be more satisfied with my relationship with Booklocker and will be using them again for my next book! They are offering a free copy of my book to the winner of this drawing. But if you are a prospective writer looking for a way to get your book out there, then check out www.BookLocker.com.

WINNER: Kevin M. from Connecticut

20. THREE FREE CASES OF EACH FLAVOR (CHOCOLATE, COCONUT, AND RASPBERRY) OF GOLOWER BARS


www.GoLower.com

These amazing nut-based low-carb bars are on their way to America, but you can win a FREE CASE of all three flavors if your name is chosen for this drawing. GoLower is a household name in the UK and has a reputation for being very-high quality and delicious anytime. From the time I first tried them for myself, I was hooked! You will be, too, when they become available in the U.S. in just a matter of weeks! Learn more about GoLower Bars by visiting www.GoLower.com.

WINNER: Scott R. from Illinois

21. FREE $35 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO LOW-CARB CONNOISSEUR
22. FREE $50 LOW-CARB GOODIES GIFT BASKET


www.Low-Carb.com

Our friends at Low-Carb Connoisseur provide a variety of low-carb products for you to choose from and regularly shares yummy and delicious recipes with my readers that I'm sure you have enjoyed. One winner will receive a $35 gift certificate while a second winner will get the $50 gift basket. Visit Elaine at www.Low-Carb.com.

WINNER: Linda W. from Canada
WINNER: Laura V. from California

23. FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF DR. FRED PESCATORE'S THE HAMPTONS DIET COOKBOOK


www.HamptonsDiet.com

Dr. Fred Pescatore is a respected nutritional doctor for applying the principles of controlled-carb living in a way that people can easily understand and do for themselves. His "Hampton's Diet" became an instant bestseller and now he's about to release a new book called "The Hamptons Diet Cookbook" to help people make delicious and healthy low-carb meals for themselves. Dr. Pescatore still believes low-carb living is viable and shares his ideas about it at his web site www.HamptonsDiet.com.

WINNER: Debra K. from California

24. FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF RICHARD MORRIS' A LIFE UNBURDENED


www.BreadAndMoney.com

You met Richard Morris on Thursday at my blog in my exclusive interview with this miraculous man. I can't wait to start reading "A Life Unburdened" to see how this former 400+ pounder got his life back! We could all learn a lot from people like Richard Morris and I encourage you to check out his book and web site at www.BreadAndMoney.com.

WINNER: Robin L. from New Mexico

25. FREE BOX OF A DOZEN DARK CHOCOLATE CHOCOPERFECTION BARS
26. FREE BOX OF A DOZEN DARK CHOCOLATE CHOCOPERFECTION BARS
27. FREE BOX OF A DOZEN DARK CHOCOLATE CHOCOPERFECTION BARS


www.LowCarbSpecialities.com

If I describe something as "the best-tasting low-carb chocolate bars ever," then you KNOW it's got to be good. And if you haven't put a ChocoPerfection bar into your mouth yet, then shame on you! What are you waiting for? These are hands down the most delicious chocolate bars, with or without sugar, you will EVER eat. I don't have to make excuses for these bars because they are the real deal. Three lucky winners will get a complimentary 12-pack of my favorite flavor, dark chocolate. Seriously, if you haven't tried these yet, zip on over to LowCarbSpecialties.com and tell Mary Jo Kringas you want to get some! She will DEFINITELY hook you up!

WINNER: Robert M. from California
WINNER: Nicole K. from Michigan
WINNER: Amy D. from Illinois

28. FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF DANA CARPENDER'S EVERY CALORIE COUNTS COOKBOOK


LowCarbohydrate.net

Despite my recent concerns that she is being forced to move away from the "low-carb" label, bestselling author Dana Carpender assures me and my fellow low-carbers that her new book "Every Calorie Counts Cookbook," which she will autograph for the winner of this drawing, is indeed low-carb.

"The recipes are still pretty damned low carb friendly," Dana said about her new book. "There's no way I'd write a book full of sugar and flour."

That's the Dana Carpender we know and love and I encourage you to visit her new web site which should clue you in to where her heart still lies no matter what a book publisher tells her. It's located at LowCarbohydrate.net.

WINNER: Lisa E. from Illinois

29. FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ATKINS DIABETES REVOLUTION


www.Atkins.com

Diabetes is getting out of control with seemingly no end in sight. But thanks to people like Dr. Mary Vernon, many would-be diabetics are either averting or are in the process of correcting their disease because of the low-carb nutritional approach promoted by the late Dr. Robert C. Atkins. Dr. Vernon co-wrote "Atkins Diabetes Revolution" and will send an autographed copy of the book to the winner. Learn more about the Atkins Nutritional Approach by visiting www.Atkins.com.

WINNER: Bonnie O. from Iowa

30. FREE LIFECHANGER PROGRAM WITH JULIA HAVEY AND A BONUS FREE COPY OF HER NEW BOOK COMING IN JULY ENTITLED THE VICE BUSTING DIET


www.LifeChanger.us

Julia Havey has a lot of credibility as a life coach since she was once obese herself and was able to overcome that struggle once and for all. I previously blogged about Julia's ability to inspire and motivate people who need to lose weight and get their life back. One lucky winner will get to experience Julia's LifeChanger program (a $200 value) for FREE as well as be one of the first people in America to receive their very own copy of Julia's brand new book "The Vice Busting Diet" coming out in July. To read more about Julia Havey and her LifeChanger program, please visit www.LifeChanger.us.

WINNER: Barbie R. from Wisconsin

31. FREE JARS OF HEMP PROTEIN POWDER, HEMP SHAKE MIX AND COCONUT OIL


www.Nutiva.com

Nutiva has established itself as a company that provides excellent products for people desiring a healthier life. Although they have been the subject of some controversy because of their use of hemp in their products, these protein-rich powders, oils, and shakes are perfectly fine for you to use as part of your low-carb lifestyle. And don't get me started on their coconut oil -- THE BEST STUFF I'VE EVER HAD! Go to www.Nutiva.com to learn more about these healthy products.

WINNER: Kelly S. from Minnesota

32. FREE GOATMILK LOW-CARB BODYCARE GIFT BASKET

I have to tell you I had never heard of goat milk soap until about a month ago when one of my regular readers sent me some as part of her business. But when I tried this soap, I could not believe how amazingly soft it made my skin feel. WOW! This Be Good To Your Outsides gift basket will give you sweet decadence without any guilt from eating carbs or calories! LOL! You will DEFINITELY want to check out more of what Spencers Goat Milk Soap Farm has to offer, including their Low-Carb Special especially for the readers of "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb." ENJOY!

WINNER: Shirley B. from Oregon

33. FREE $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM LO-CARB U FOODS

Jason from LO-CARB U was one of the first low-carb retailers I met when I started this blog. I was impressed by his online store and quickly wished I had a store like his closer to where I live in Spartanburg, SC! :) He stocks all the latest low-carb foods, including House Foods Tofu Shirataki noodles that are going crazy in sales right now. The winner of this prize gets a FREE $50 gift certificate to stock up on shirataki or whatever other items they want compliments of LO-CARB U. But that's not all. From now until the end of April, Jason is offering a 10% discount to readers who use the coupon code "livinlavidalowcarb" when they checkout. What a generous offer so that EVERYONE can enjoy something just for being a reader of my blog. THANKS, Jason!

WINNER: Janelle L. from Minnesota

34. FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF CARLA GRAY'S LOW CARB FAST FOOD DIET

My friend Carla Gray says you don't necessarily have to give up fast food when you are livin' la vida low-carb when you make the right food choices. She helps you do that with her book "The Low Carb Fast Food Diet". Personally autographed by the author, you'll love the variety of choices you have to select from when eating out. For more information, visit LowCarbFastFoodDiet.com.

WINNER: Vicki S. from Michigan

35. FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF JAN MCCRACKEN'S HEALTHY CARB COOKBOOK FOR DUMMIES
36. FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF JAN MCCRACKEN'S LOW CARB CHRISTMAS COOKIN'
37. FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF JAN MCCRACKEN'S SASSY STEPPER'S CARB COUNTIN' HOLIDAY COOKBOOK


www.JanMcCracken.com

It was fantastic back in November when I had the opportunity to share a book signing with a low-carb cookbook writer named Jan McCracken. She is a neat lady that I think you would really enjoy getting to know a little better by visiting her web site at JanMcCracken.com. She's written many different low-carb cookbooks over the years, including her latest one that I reviewed called "Healthy Carb Cooking For Dummies." Jan has agreed to autograph and send out to three winners some of her top-selling low-carb cookbooks.

WINNER: Kara C. from Texas
WINNER: Kelly J. from California
WINNER: Mark E. from Texas

38. FREE COPY OF THE TOTAL WELLBEING DIET BY DR. MANNY NOAKES


The Total Wellbeing Diet

I had my reservations at first about the runaway Australian bestseller The Total Wellbeing Diet because I thought it was misleading people down a dangerous diet path. But the more I have read about this book and now that I have my very own copy of it, scheduled to release in the U.S. in May, I am beginning to understand a little better where Dr. Manny Noakes the author is coming from. My support for the book grew even more when the anti-low-carb crowd jumped all over it blindly criticizing it for no reason. This book may bring a resurgence in low-carb living yet again.

WINNER: Ashley U. from Indiana

WHEW, that's a LOT of prizes! Do you realize this is the longest post I've ever written and it took me about 6 1/2 hours to complete! AAAAACK, I need to get some sleep because it's coming up on 2am here on the East Coast! Yikes!

But, you know what? You guys are so worth it to me. I wouldn't have it any other way and I am glad that 38 of you will win prizes on Saturday. Be sure to come back to my blog tomorrow to see if your name was chosen as one of the lucky winners.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for making my one-year blogiversary an event I'll not soon forget!

Okay, one last time just in case you haven't done it yet -- SIGN UP TO WIN THE PRIZES!!!

4-22-06 UPDATE: Winners will be announced at 12:00pm EST TODAY!!! GOOD LUCK EVERYONE and THANKS SO MUCH for entering the giveaway contest for my anniversary. Your comments about my blog have been overwhelming. You all are the best!

4-22-06 UPDATE: Okay, so all the winners have been chosen now. CONGRATULATIONS and THANKS AGAIN for sending your wonderful comments about me and my blog. For those of you who didn't win, you can blame my wife Christine for not drawing your name out of the hat. But, I've got a special for EVERYONE who entered the contest. I can't tell you what it is yet, but you'll know soon enough. This blogiversary giveaway was a lot of fun and I hope to do it again next year.

Be looking for an e-mail from me sometime today if you won and then watch your mail to get the package from the company you won a prize from. Please support these businesses and individuals providing such excellent products and services for people who are livin' la vida low-carb. Now more than ever we need to refuse to settle for the idea that "low-carb is dead." Obviously it is not and we need to vote with our pocketbooks. THANKS again everyone and I appreciate you reading my blog.