Diva Taunia's Backstage Pass Official Blog

7/26 & 8/2: DIVA GLAM REVIEW SPECTACULAR!

 

The Diva Glam! Squad was just announced this morning, and we're kicking things off by doing a HUGE, SPECTACULAR promotion giveaway on The Backstage Pass Radio Program on Monday 7/19 & 7/26! 

Find out about some amazing Diva Glam! products out there - for every shape, size, background, and style.  The Diva Glam! Squad will be reviewing these great products and to make it even more amazing, our sponsors are also giving away TONS of great prizes.  Check back often for updated sponsors and prizes, and please visit their websites to help support these great shows!

How to win:   Listen to the show LIVE on Monday, 7/19 & 7/26 @ 7pm EST.  When prompted, be caller # 3 for that prize and win!  Call-in # is 347-857-2052.  Listen live at www.backstagepassradio.com.  Live chat opens 15 mins before the show starts.  Also, keep your eye on Diva Taunia's Twitter Page for special "secret" giveaways!

DIVA GLAM! SPONSORS & PRIZES & SPECIAL OFFER CODES:

 GIVEAWAYS AND REVIEWS FOR MONDAY, 7/26/10:

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 www.mineralhygenics.com

Mineral Hygenics uses natural ingredients to develop superior cosmetics that meet and exceed customer expectations - they will never compromise on quality.  Before customers even use a product, Mineral Hygenics wants you to feel comfortable knowing that their products were developed with care and reason, with quality as the focus!

PRIZE:   FREE Mineral Hygenics Starter Kit!
DISCOUNT:  10% off using "DIVAT"

 

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Barefoottess.com has a mission: to provide the best in footwear — be it a $15 flip-flop or an $800 boot to large-footed, fashion-conscious women everywhere. Tess's love of fashion has never been about how much something costs, what size it is or who designed it. It’s about style, and style shouldn’t stop at size 10.

PRIZE:   $100.00 Gift Certificate to www.barefoottess.com.
DISCOUNT:  20% off using "DIVAT"

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pin-up-cosmetics.com

Pin Up Cosmetics is a cruelty-free company, and they carry natural and vegan cosmetics. Pin Up Cosmetics products are handmade in small batches to assure your product is fresh.  Our lip gloss, lip balms and mineral eye shadows are free from, carmine, parabens and FD&C colors. Designed to take you from day to night effortlessly. From deeply pigmented shades for evening to sheer color for day; define eyes, lips & cheeks with rich luster and glamour while providing a natural approach to your makeup application

PRIZE:   $25.00 Gift Certificate
DISCOUNT:  30% off using "DIVAT"

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 www.divainpink.com

Diva in Pink:  if you love the color pin, then this site is for you!  

We carry a lot of different items from many fashion and jewelry designers. All items are unique and some items are sold exclusively in our store. Make sure you check out these one of a kind gems. Our inventory is always changing so check back often.  

A percentage of the proceeds from every item sold on divainpink.com will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation...all year long.

PRIZE:   Trio of Flowers Necklace:  

http://divainpink.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=29_36&products_id=49&osCsid=e902dc9318bf13115b9b58c80488f025

***SECRET TWITTER GIVEAWAY!!!!    Follow @divataunia to find out  how to win this necklace!!***

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 www.divasandgoddesses.com

Divas and Goddesses is an online boutique of classy and beautiful intimate apparel, swimwear, and costumes ranging in sizes from small to 6X.  Bustiers, Corsets, Garters, and Hose...delighting Divas down to their toes!

PRIZE:   $50.00 Gift Certificate to http://www.divasandgoddesses.com/
DISCOUNT:  10% off + FREE SHIPPING using "DIVAT"

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PRIZES THAT WERE GIVEN AWAY ON the MONDAY, 7/19 SHOW:

(Listen HERE for the archived show!)

THE FRESH DIET:  delivers 3 freshly prepared gourmet meals and 2 snacks right to your doorstep,daily. It's like a gourmet chef cooked your meals in your own kitchen. 

GRAND PRIZE: ONE MONTH FREE!  PREMIUM ACCOUNT!
 

 SECRET GIVEAWAY:  Follow @divataunia and @freshdiet for secret giveaway info on Twitter!
 

DISCOUNT:  $29.99/DAY - PREMIUM ACCOUNT - USE "DIVAT" 

www.thefreshdiet.com

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Desire4mo.com:  Kim offers super-sexy shoes, lingerie, and clothing in both regular and plus sizes - something for everyone!  

 

PRIZE:   $50.00 Gift Certificate to www.desire4mo.com.

DISCOUNT:  10% off using "DIVAT"

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Dolce Mia Divas:  Based in Sonoma County, Dolce Mia is a family-run business producing lotions, soaps, stationary and gifts. Known for its fun vintage-inspired packaging and graphics, Dolce Mia offers high quality gifts that speak to a love of all things retro.

PRIZE:   Bomblicious Cupcake Bath Fizzle and Dolce Mia Soap

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Naturesboundaries.com products are made with certified organic ingredients, and offer an extensive line of natural skin care, cosmetics, pregnancy and baby care, and bath and body products.  Something for every Natural Diva!

PRIZE:   $25 Gift Certificate to www.naturesboundaries.com.
DISCOUNT:  15% off plus FREE SHIPPING on orders of $50 of more using "DIVAT"

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subtle-essence.com Looking to embrace your senses...Waiting to captivate your mind...Indulge yourself in the essence of fragrance...

Subtle Essence is an innovative natural line of hair & skin care products for you the mind, body and souuse all natural vegan butters, oils, warm fragrances and a subtle tenderness in each product.

Visit us online at www.subtle-essence.com or contact us at 202-257-2805.

PRIZE:  Subtle Spa Basket - includes Exotic Body Butter, Bath Butter, Sugar Scrub 
 & spa accessories from subtle-essence.com!

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 EQUMEN.COM enables men of the world to be at their best. Using the latest high performance athletic technologies, our precision-fit seamless compression wear is engineered to optimise and energise the body, from street to sport, work to weekend.

PRIZE:   $100 Gift Certificate to www.equmen.com
DISCOUNT:  TBA using "DIVAT"

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EARTHDIVACOSMETICS.COM offers and exclusive line of 100% mineral make-up and vegan, cruelty-free brushes.  All of their natural beauty products are organic and certified vegan.

PRIZE:   $25 Gift Certificate to www.earthdivacosmetics.com
 
SECRET TWITTER GIVEAWAY!  FOLLOW @DIVATAUNIA TO FIND OUT HOW TO WIN!

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WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY FOUNDATION OF AMERICA: GRANT RECIPIENTS

♥ GOODBYE, MY LOVELIES ♥

WANT A BOX OF DIVA GLAM?!

UPDATE: I'm all out of size L. I have a few XL pieces left, and I have plenty left in 1x/2x/3x/4x. I'll be mailing out tomorrow - Sat, 7/24 - if you'd like to get a box o' stuff sent your way!

As many of you know, I had a huge shopping problem which resulted in about 10 gazillion bins full of clothing in all sizes NEW WITH TAGS and/or barely worn while I lost weight.  I've had THREE very successful garage sales, but I STILL have a ton of stuff leftover, and I just want to GET. RID. OF. IT.

I've donated a LOT, but I have some seriously nice stuff, that I'd rather try and sell some of it and give my peeps a good deal.  One lovely gal on Facebook purchased a "Surprise Diva Glam!" box:   she paid me $40 via paypal which included $25 for a box FULL of stuff in her sizes, color, style and a $15 shipping fee.  I boxed it up with some extra accessories and shipped that bad-boy out.

So that got me thinking:  maybe other gals like a good surprise and may want to purchase a box full o' Diva Glam.   I'm going to be traveling in August, so I'd love to 1) clean this stuff out - finally!  and 2) make a little extra cash for traveling.   If you'd be interested, all you need to do is:

1)  Use the paypal link below and make a payment of $40
2)  Make sure you indicate your size(s), and the colors and styles you like most

After I receive payment, I'll box up a whole lotta stuff for you and ship it to you directly.  I can accept payments for shipping up until Friday, July 30th.   My paypal address is :  divataunia@aol.com.  (Note, I don't use that email for communication - ONLY for paypal).

I promise to pick out the best and coolest pieces for you - I want you to be happy and Diva Glam, baby!

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF MY COMPLAINING...

I admit it: sometimes I get in a mood and complain a bit.  Ok, a lot.  Rob tends to chalk it up to the awesomeness of peri-menopause, but a lot of the times, I'm also just RIGHT.  Because he gets to get up, drive in a car away from the children and spend 8-10 hours with adults, I think he sometimes forget how attention-sucking they can be and how much time I actually devote to taking care of them, the house, the dogs, AND working all day long.  Not that he doesn't appreciate it, because I know that he does and he's REALLY good about verbalizing that, but sometimes I think he doesn't GET IT.   That maybe he thinks I'm being dramatic or bitchy, or peri-menopausal-y.  

So I decided to log the day.  Not even just for him, but for me.  Maybe I AM just being cranky and dramatic.  We're about to see.  Let's start:

7am:  wake up.  Rob is gone to work already, and both kids are asleep.  An hour to myself!  JOY!  I make my coffee and sit down to the 10 gazillion emails I have to answer.  One hour spent answering about 1/4 of them.

8am:  wake Britt up and get her ready for camp.  I make her toast while she gets dressed.  She then needs my assistance figuring out an outfit to wear because 1) she's still sleepy and 2) she has no idea how to match clothing.  I then run and wash my face and brush my teeth, throw on some deodorant iron my shirt, and get dressed.  I remind her to do her medicines and brush her teeth.  We're out the door at 8:30, and I drive her to camp.

8:55:  back at the house. I finished getting dressed and do my hair and makeup.

9:15:  Tylor wakes up because the phone rang in his room.  I make myself some toast and head downstairs to answer more emails.  

9:37:  I'm actually surprised that Tylor hasn't asked me for breakfast yet.  I swear the kid is holding off just to make me look bad in this journal entry.  I'm having to fight my OCD and NOT go upstairs and wash the sink full o' dishes that someone left for me.

9:39:  Heh.  I knew it.  "Taunia?  Do you think you can make a smoothie for me?"  I'm off to the blender.

9:42:  Rob calls.  "Can you do me a favor and run out to the car?"  ...

(Informed him of this journal entry...and my little experiment.  Don't worry honey, this is not about you not appreciating me, I know you do.  This is more about the accuracy of my bitching.)

10:04:  Holy crap.  How is it after 10am, and I still haven't even started working yet?!?  Just finished making Tylor's smoothie, getting Rob's stuff from the car, calling him with that info, and of course doing the dishes - because I just couldn't walk by them again and they were driving me batshit crazy.

Also realized?  Totally my fault.  I came upstairs and Tylor had put the ice, yogurt, strawberries and milk on the counter.  At almost 14 yrs old, he's totally capable of making his own smoothie, but because I baby them, and because I'm too controlling and know that he won't clean up afterwards, I do it for them. Absolutely zero right to complain about this.

10:06:  Going to attempt to do a few hours of RRR work, then I'm headed to a cafe to work in peace and get some Backstage Pass Work done for next Monday's show.

10:57:  I hear walking and pacing around in the living room above me.  Door opens.  "Excuse me, Taunia? Where did you say you put my leftover extra smoothie?"   Uh, in THE FRIDGE.  I knew the kid wouldn't make it an hour without interrupting for something. It's like he can't even help himself. GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY! Oy.

11:46:  I've actually gone almost an hour uninterrupted - MIRACLE!  I decide to go upstairs and make Tylor some lunch and let him know I'm going to a coffee shop.  And then the barrage of questions come: Where?  How long will you be gone?  Why are you going there?  What time will you be back?  Can I go to my friend Dan's house?  Should I call you when I get there?  I wish I was kidding.  He's OCD about time and details the way I am about , well, time and details.

I tell him I want him to read today for a minimum of 45 mins.

11:58:  Door opens:  "Taunia, I'm going to start reading now."

11:59:  I start pulling out my own hair.

12:44:  Door opens:  "Taunia?  Can I play video games now?"

12:46:  Door opens: "Taunia?  I'm going to go to Dans."

12:47:   Confirming that it's almost impossible to concentrate in this house.  Packing up to go to the coffee shop.

1:52:  It's becoming more and more clear to me that I am really the source of my own frustration and ridiculousness.  It's also become clear that the problem is NOT the kids, but the fact that I'm cooped up in the house (and more importantly, the basement) all day long working.  Here's where I'm at:   Barnes and Noble Cafe.  WITH Tylor.  Yeah, I know.

I just felt bad because the poor kid is home on vacation and there's literally NO kids home to play with.  (Sidebar:  where do all these kids going during the day?  It's like they're freakin' VAMPIRES.)  Rather than leave him home to just sit and watch TV, I figured I'd hook him up with a laptop, and bring him to B&N - that way, he could read if he got bored.  I gave him the "there's no talking to me - I'm working" speech.   So far, we've been here 20 mins trying to get connected to the wireless and get some grub.  (Oh, and B&N?  $15 for a bottled water, a cookie for the kid, a half sandwich and small cup of chili...are you KIDDING ME?) 

But here's the thing:  I feel relaxed.  I'm out of my house, there's tons of sunshine coming through the window, and I don't feel bad for ditching the kid at home.

2:00: Back to work.  Cafe-style.

3:20:  Ty's computer connection stops.  We spend the next 15 mins trying to re-connect to no avail.  Commence the constant barrage of "when are we LEAVING" questions.

3:55:  I decide that I cannot take another ETA question, and pack up my stuff to go.  We hit the rest rooms and get in the car to pick up Britt from camp.

4:25:  Pick up Britt from camp.

4:40:  Stop at Market Basket to pick up stuff for tonight's dinner.  In-store battle for ice cream flavor begins.

4:55:  I tell the kids to go outside and play, because I need some peace and quiet and alone time while I start dinner.

5:05:  The kids are BOTH back in the house, in their rooms, watching TV.  "There's nobody outside to play with."

5:06:  I start prepping food for dinner.

5:16:  Rob calls to tell me he's on his way home.  Children then come out to ask me questions.

5:23:  I send them back in their rooms.  I'M TRYING TO COOK.  And BE ALONE.

5:55:  I finish cooking dinner :  corn on the cob and pork on the grill, salad, and potato salad.  Lots of running back and forth from kitchen to grill outside.

6:45:  Finish dinner.  Clean up and change into jammies.

7:15:  Play pictionary with the kids for an hour. Tylor and I get our butt whooped.  Interrupted by a few business calls for me.

8:45:  Game ends, everyone goes to watch TV.  An hour-ish of vegging out and watching a pure-guilty pleasure:  The Real Housewives of NJ.

10:00:  We put the kids to bed, then we put ourselves to bed.

TODAY:  Wake up.  Repeat.

Check back.  I'll be updating this sucker all day.  

INTRODUCING: THE DIVA GLAM! SQUAD

If you're reading this, you probably already know that The Backstage Pass Radio Program is THE place to be on Monday nights for some seriously kick-ass Diva product giveaways.  What you may not know is that there's now a Diva Glam! Squad.  That's right:  a team of women and men - all different shapes, sizes, backgrounds - to help review the fabulous "glam" beauty, fashion, skin and hair care, and accessory products out there!

The promotions have become so successful that we've now branched out to a "team," to help find products for everyone.  Meet the new Diva Glam! Squad:

DIVA TAUNIA is the host of The Backstage Pass Radio Program.  As a gastric bypass post-op who's lost over 160 lbs, she celebrates her new post-op life and image, and is on a quest to find the most rockin' beauty products out there.  In addition to her gig as a radio host, she's also a professional jazz vocalist and the Vice President of Public Relations for the Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America.  She's also engaged to be married this winter,and is always on the lookout for great Diva Bridal items.  Lots of reasons to find some amazing "Diva" products out there to introduce to her listeners!

As a weight loss surgery advocate, Taunia also features products that help make men and women feel attractive after surgery.  With a special focus on skin and hair care, makeup, and fashion trends, she knows her demographic of listeners are on the lookout for the best products and websites out there to help them celebrate their new image, and she brings those products direct to the listeners.

As a professional vocalist and musician, Diva Taunia looks for the best products out there to help enhance her stage and recording career.  Have a music-related product that you think she'd love?  Send it her way for review!

Additionally, as a self-employed-working-from-home stepmom, she's also ALWAYS on the lookout for products that make her home-life easier as well, because the easier home life is, the more Diva-fied she can get!  For more information about Diva Taunia, please visit her website at www.divataunia.com.

DIVA GLAM! STATS:

Age:  38
Height: 5'7"
Size:  medium-ish
Shoe:  8
Hair:  Blondissime!  Bottle blonde, baby!
Eyes:  One brown, one hazel 

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CYN CITY is a unique blend of conservative AND funky.  By day, she plays it conservative as she works in education.  By night, she's a super-sassy vixen!  Either way, this curvy Asian woman likes cuts that flatter her curves, and show her feminine shape.  Bright colors, sexy cuts, and super-high heels are what define Cyn City's personal style.  Accented with funky jewelry and accessories, her eye-catching style and exotic looks make her a stand-out!.  She's youthful, fun, and flirty!

DIVA GLAM! STATS:

Age:  32
Height: 5'5"
Size:  16/18 or 1x/2x
Shoe:  9
Hair:  Black
Eyes:  Brown

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SASSY SUZ is our bombshell babe!  With an hourglass figure that is a throwback to the retro-pinup era, most women would kill for her curves!  Sassy Suz is a casual girl at heart, and she HATES to iron or dry-clean anything.  Easy wash and dry care is what she looks for in her fashion choices, unless she's dolling up for an event, and then you'll see her work an evening dress like nobody's business!  She's tall, sassy, and sexy!

DIVA GLAM! STATS:

Age:  37
Height: 5'10"
Size:  10 or 12
Shoe:  11
Hair:  Black
Eyes:  Hazel

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AMAZING AIMEE is our classic and sophisticated-style go-to gal.  With her long, curly hair, pale skin, and classic beauty, she brings well-made and tailored clothing to life.  As a graphic designer, she understands the importance of visually appeal, and she invests in well-made classic basics like a crisp white shirt or a great leather bag,  and fills-in seasonally with trendier items.  Amazing Aimee LOVES to accessorize, jewelry, purses, belts, scarves, shoes, bags:  they all immediately transform a wardrobe from eh, to amazing!

DIVA GLAM! STATS:

Age:  41
Height: 5'6"
Size:  22/24 or 2x/3x
Shoe:  9
Hair:  Black
Eyes:  Green

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SWEET SIOUX is a landscape architecture student AND a professional chef, so she knows how to cook in and out of the kitchen, and has an eye for design!  She comes from a family of artists, and has a unique appreciation for color, trends, and beauty - especially in the world all around us. She's drawn to the retro-leopard print look, and she'd steal the spots right off a leopard if she could!  Also, because of her love of landscape, she's also drawn towards beauty from the earth: earth tones in her wardrobe styling and in her natural-look makeup.

DIVA GLAM! STATS:

Age:  44
Height: 5'5.5"
Size:  14/16 or 1x
Shoe:  9.5
Hair:   Red
Eyes:  Green

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BRENDA STAR is one of our fitness enthusiasts, living an active lifestyle and juggling the many roles she plays in her life:  careerwoman, wife, mother.  She finds balance through fitness, and is happy when she's getting dirty camping, fishing, or any other outdoor activity!  She likes fashions that support her healthy lifestyle, and help her feel trendy and youthful during her busy day.  She wants to find great activewear made for women, but with a youthful style!

DIVA GLAM! STATS:

Age:  37
Height: 5'8"
Size:  6 / 8
Shoe:  8
Hair:   Brown
Eyes:  Brown

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CAREYLICIOUS is a NYC vocalist and voice teacher.  She runs so she can eat, and she will sing for her supper (or product)!  You will usually find her in running clothes, leggings or shorts and flip flops, and her makeup routine consists of moisturizer, chapstick, and WAY too much mascara.  She loves things that smell like grapefruit or honeysuckle, and fake tanner has changed her life.  She also loves the va-va-voom look for onstage, and hopes that she's inherited her gorgeous 94 yr old grandmother's anti-aging genes!

DIVA GLAM! STATS:

Age:  33
Height: 5'2"
Size:  4/6 Petite
Shoe:  6.5
Hair:   Brown
Eyes:  Green

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MAMA MONIQUE is a mom, daycare owner, and currently pregnant mama-on-the-go!  She likes to change-up her style on a weekly basis:  one week you'll see her in a weave, the next week with braids.  She loves being versatile, and finding colors and styles that compliment her gorgeous mocha-colored skin.  As a pregnant gal, she has a unique perspective on current maternity trends, and looks for maternity and plus size fashions that don't break the bank.  And pregnant doesn't mean frumpy, this mama is full of sass!

DIVA GLAM! STATS:

Age:  35
Height: 5'8"
Size:  16 / Maternity
Shoe:  9.5
Hair:   Black
Eyes:  Brown

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SAUCY SAVANNAH is a southern gal who loves the slow, southern style and snappy urban fashions.  Like Diva Taunia, she's also a weight loss surgery post-op celebrating her new life and new figure!  She's a Southern Belle by day and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof vixen by night!  She dresses whatever the part calls for, but glamour and getting dolled-up is her favorite way to celebrate her new image.

DIVA GLAM! STATS:

Age:  48
Height: 5'3"
Size:  2/4 pant, 6/8 all others
Shoe:  8
Hair:   Blonde
Eyes:  Hazel

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WINELOVER is a duodenal switch post-op weight loss surgery patient who has lost over 160 lbs and has not stopped moving since.   His life is now full of activity and although he spends most of his spare time in athletic sportswear he enjoys getting dressed up for a night on the town with friends.   His fashion style is classic - modern and enjoys anything from jeans to a tux for a formal event.   Being a 4 time marathon runner has taken lots of training and discipline that has afforded him meeting many great new friends and loads of  things to celebrate and socialize about.   Beyond running he enjoys electronic gadgets, wine and expanding on his home barista skills at the espresso machine.

Age: 41
Height: 5'10"
Size: 32/32 Pants - Medium Shirts
Shoe: 10
Hair: Sexy Salt & Pepper!   grrrr
Eyes:Hazel

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RADIO ROB can be heard regularly as the co-host of The Backstage Pass Radio Program.  He's a motorcyle ridin', tattoo-lovin' biker dude, but he's also very interested in looking sharp, a well-dressed man. While he often looks for gear and clothing that he wear when riding, he also likes to get dressed up and look slick, so he's always on the lookout for the best new products out there for men.  He's also Diva Taunia's fiance, and although he's never had weight loss surgery himself, he's very supportive of the community and would be happy to help represent the male perspective.

Age: 37
Height: 6'
Size: 36 Pants - XL Shirts
Shoe: 10
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown

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Are you interested in having your product reviewed and promoted on The Backstage Pass Radio Program and Blog by one of our team members?  If so, please contact us at info@divataunia.com for more information and to submit product for review.
 

CARNIE WILSON AT THE EMMY'S

Ok, I realize this is a bit dated, but Carnie's here talking about her success on The Fresh Diet.  Melting Mama tried The Fresh Diet and raved about it - and I'm dying to try it out too!

PROJECT BODYTALK

I found this website this morning when I was doing research on anxiety and eating disorders.  I'm really in love with this site, and I think it's incredibly powerful.  The focus right now seems to be a bit more on anorexia, but the content itself - body image - is one that many of us can relate to and have to deal with on a daily basis.

I was particularly moved by two of the audio clips:

Kelsey, Age 22 :  This could be me (her story, her emotions about it), the only difference being she stopped eating while I binged.  I'm pretty blown away by the level of maturity at age 22.  I'm 38 and I'm just now starting to get to a place where I can accept my body.  Granted, it's after a huge weight loss, and I also struggle with it daily.

Pat, Mid 60s:  I think Pat is more honest than most of us are.  It's frustrating for me to listen to, because I feel like the WLS community can often times be quite judgmental against their own, but also, because I know I've done this myself, and I'm embarrassed and shameful about it.

I am in a difficult place to balance:  I celebrate image post-op.  I have a radio show that highlights and features some of the best beauty and fashion products out there, and I love doing that.  I love the "Diva Glam!" part of life.  But I also struggle daily with self-image, and I struggle with finding a balance between celebrating that, and working to change the face of beauty and what that means, because beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, ages, and color. 

I think part of what I deal with now is guilt.  Guilt that I'm happy about what I look like, because I'm thinner now.  I'm glad that I can look in a mirror and be happy with what I see (when I'm fully clothed - naked is a whole other story), but I struggle with why I feel the way I do when I look at OLD pictures of me.  Why do I not see myself as beautiful in those pictures?  Why am I DISGUSTED by myself when I look at them?  Yes, I'm more likely disgusted with the behaviors that got me to that place, but I'm also just not happy with what I look like there.

I've always been much kinder to others than I have been myself.  I have many friends who struggled with their weight, and I honestly DO look at them and think THEY are beautiful.  I see their beauty on the inside and out, and I'm often upset with myself that I can't reflect that same genuine appreciation about myself and my body - old and new.  I still struggle with it constantly, I still worry daily about my weight, I still weigh like a crazy woman.  And I'm still desperate to not get fat again. 

But I'm working on it.  I think that's why I place so much emphasis on the "Diva Glam!" part of things:  because products make me happy, and I like what I feel like and look like when I use them.  Superficial?  Of course.  But again, where's the balance?  If these things make me happy,  I should be able to shift the image portion of things to what's fun, right?  And I think that's key for me:  having fun, appreciating the beauty of things in a fun way instead of berating myself.  And I try to extend that fun to everyone - any size.  Hopefully, when someone wins something on my show, it makes them happy, which in turn makes me happy.  We put so much pressure on ourselves physically, that it's nice to have some fun with our image every once in a while, and celebrate our bodies.

I'm going to keep an eye on Project Bodytalk, because I think the mission is an important one.  I'm still learning and growing, and doing my best.  I'll struggle sometimes, but I'll also keep working towards self-acceptance:  inside and out.  In fact, you may even see some audio from me up there soon...

REVIEW: HARD-CORE GRANOLA LOVE

I think it's important to note that I don't do negative reviews.  If I don't like something, I won't review it - it's that simple.  But on the flip side, if I like/love something, you'll hear me gush about it.  A lot.  That being said, you're about to witness some hard-core granola love.

Few things make me as happy as the crunch of some good granola.   When Bob over at www.bjsbariatrics.com said he'd hook me up with some Cinnamon Nutrageous Granola, I was ALL about that.  And here's what I have to say about it:  AWE.SOME.  Holy yummy.  Fo' shizzle, mah nizzle. This is some seriously good snackin'.   Here are the stats for those who want them:

 

Now here's the thing:  I am not big on counting calories and I don't have to keep a super-watchful eye on sugars, carbs, etc.  I have a general rule of thumb of "under 15" for me.  And I admittedly don't know much about how all those things work and contribute to your health.  If you want food diagnosis, stop over to my pal Melting Mama's site.  She's way better about that stuff than I am, and knows LOTS more than I do.  And as always, check with your nutritionist about what you can put in your mouth for Pete's sake!  All I know is that a little bit of this went a long way:  I felt snacky-full pretty quick with a minimal amount of food going into my gullet.  NICE.  And it was deeeelicious!

There's all sorts of flavors to make you happy: Cherry, Blueberry, Cranberry.  Uh, yes please.  I am salivating over the blueberry flavor.  And do you know what's even better?  Bob told me he just put the granola on sale for $6.95 ($2 buckaroos off the regular price), so you can buy up a whole bunch of it and make your mouth happy.  And even better?  You KNOW I have a discount code for you:

FIVEBUCKSDT

Use that at the checkout and save $5 off a purchase of $30 or more until 7/31/10! 

www.bjsbariatrics.com

REVIEW: KICK-ASS BLENDER! Waring BB900P Two-Speed Chrome Blender

Last Monday on The Backstage Pass Radio Program, I had a "protein madness" promotional giveaway, and one of the sponsors was webstaurantstore.com.  I had found out about them through The Food Network Magazine, and contacted them because they have a great line of blenders - which is obviously a necessity for wls post-op life.  They very generously donated two blenders as prizes for the giveaways (Waring BB180 Blender), and also sent me this bad-boy to review:

Waring BB900P 48 oz.
Two Speed Chrome Bar Blender

Full disclosure(s): 

1.  This particular model is a little on the pricier side, but it's a bar-grade blender, meaning you get what you pay for.  Bar blenders crush blocks of ice, blend within seconds, and make you the life of the party.  They rock.  Being the frugal Diva that I am (read:  cheap-ass), I rarely pay more than $20 for anything.  But this?  Hells yeah.  Read on.

2.  I also have a fetish for all kitchen-gadgets.  Take me to the Ikea or Target kitchen sections, and you'll see me look like a crack-addict on a binge within seconds.  I love ALL. THINGS. KITCHEN.  Machines, gadgets, knives, you name it, I want it.  And blenders became top on my list of "kitchen-love" once I had to start puree-ing my life.

So Fedex came by and dropped this off, and my step-son went NUTS.  He immediately started begging me to take him to the store to buy strawberries so that we could make smoothies ASAP.  He was playing with this like it was a brand-new Xbox (Note to XBOX people:  stepson also asked me to make an announcement that he'd like to review an XBOX.  I promised him I'd put that out there.  lol), and would NOT leave me alone until we got strawberries.  So we did, and this morning was Smoothie-time.

First, we dropped in several big cubes of ice which were crushed WITHIN SECONDS.  The 14 yr old was HIGHLY impressed.  Then we put in yogurt, strawberries, and a little milk, and within another few seconds, the smoothie was good to go.  Stepson then proceeded to rave about HOW. AWESOME. THIS. BLENDER. IS.  He then talked about the other blenders we have an how they all pale by comparison and that this was his NEW FAVORITE BLENDER OF ALL TIME.  I'm not even joking.  You'd think the blender just handed the kid a $100 bill.  I didn't even have to do this review, he totally did it for me.

But honestly?  This blender DOES rock.  Now I know why people invest a bit more into a product that works well, is reliable, and to be honest, looks pretty damn slick.

So there you have it.  Need a blender?  Go see the good people over at webstaurantstore.com and get your very own Waring Blender.  If it passed the usually-apathetic 14 yr old test, I'm pretty sure that you'll love it too!

7/1/10: WLS / GASTRIC BYPASS UPDATE - UH OH.