I’m a dog person (some people are “cat” while others are “dog” and some of us are BI-PET “dog + cat”). I’ve had everything from Afghan Hounds, to Old English Sheepdogs. Our current four-legged family member is Clemenza (Clem) the not-so-miniature miniature bull terrier. While I’ll admit that I’m a breed snob, having shown dogs in the past, it breaks my heart to know that so many dogs are being “dumped” into shelters because people can no longer afford to care for them in this economy.

If your family is looking to add a member, here are some great tips from Irvin Cannon, author of For the Love of Dog Tales

Among the biggest victims of the economic recession are the once beloved family pets surrendered to shelters as their owners deal with extended joblessness. The U.S. Humane Society estimates 6 to 8 million dogs and cats enter shelters each year – and 3 to 4 million are euthanized.

“We don’t have firm numbers but we know anecdotally that the communities that have been hardest hit by the economic downturn are seeing that reflected in their shelter intake numbers,” says Inga Fricke, director of sheltering issues for the U.S. Humane Society.

“And, unfortunately, while the majority of the public is in favor of adopting pets from shelters, very few – usually about 20 percent – actually do. That has recently gone up slightly to the mid-20s.”

“You won’t find a better companion, whether you bring home a mystery mixed-breed or a purebred Labrador,” he says. “Everyone thinks mutts are smarter and generally healthier, but really, it all depends on their mix of breeds and which breed strain is dominant.”

Border collies and Rottweilers are two of the smartest breeds, Cannon says. But they tend to have other traits, too, which are just as important to consider when choosing what dog best suits your lifestyle. Remember – dogs are as individual as people. A dog’s breed, or breed mix, is no guarantee that it will have certain traits.

That said, border collies tend to need lots of room to run and lots of attention – they’re high-maintenance, Cannon says. If you can’t spend a lot of active time with them, they’ll be unhappy and you’ll have problems.

Rottweilers are fast learners and loveable family animals, but they also tend to have bold personalities associated with pack leaders. If you don’t think you can assert your authority, or if you have young or shy children, you might want to consider a more submissive breed. Dominant dogs that are allowed to bully their family members can become dangerously aggressive.

Here are some other tidbits regarding breeds:

• Among other dog breeds known for intelligence: Shetland sheepdogs, golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, poodles, Australian cattle dogs, Papillons and Doberman pinschers.

• Bulldogs, beagles and Basset hounds all start with ‘B’ but get much lower grades for smarts.

• It’s a myth that mutts have fewer health issues than purebred dogs. Because some breeds have tendencies toward problems such as deafness, blindness or hip dysplasia, remember, these are genetic issues that are inherited. So if you’re mixed-breed includes some German shepherd, it may also have hip dysplasia (a problem with the joint’s bone structure).

• If you’re in the market for a purebred dog, you have a 25 percent chance of finding one – although maybe not the breed you want – at a shelter. If your heart is set on a specific breed, check your area for a rescue group specializing in that breed.

About Irvin Cannon

Irvin Cannon was a poor kid growing up in Detroit when his family took in a stray dog. It surprised young Irvin that his father would be willing to share the family’s meager groceries with a dog, but he soon discovered the return on their investment was enormous. A former police officer in Detroit and Denver, he also worked as a corrections officer in Arizona. 

It’s funny, but I’ve been struggling lately between my love of fashion and getting back to my roots. My roots being very firmly planted in the 60′s and early 70′s. I have a schizophrenic sense of style that is a cross between dresses and  heels with ethnic jewelry and handmade scarves. Lately, I’ve been finding myself drawn bath to earth friendly linen and cotton,comfortable shoes, and vintage. It’s been difficult trying to balance the two, so instead I just dress the way the day feels to me.

There have been times when I’ve been able to blend two sides together. Take the new Earth Shoes. I used to wear them back in the day when they had the negative heel, but their new Spring/Summer collection includes wedges and heels with a positive heel base and fashion forward styling. For those earth mother’s who still love the negative heel…don’t fret, they still  make them.

It’s Earth^®. A modern collection of dress casual footwear, grounded in the ideals of promoting a healthy lifestyle. From dress styles and wedges, to casual styles, to everything inbetween, new Earth^® styles deliver remarkably against their value with a comfort footbed that delivers wellness into every step.

They may LOOK new, but they’re still as comfortable as you would expect an Earth shoe to be. What I love best is being able to have that incredible comfort in more contemporary styles at a price that is…BEYOND affordable. The Spring/Summer 2012 Earth® Collection is all under $100!  Prices range from $79-$99, and we’re not talking plastic (because I wouldn’t be wearing them if they were), they are made of REAL leather.

Check out how versatile they are. I can wear them just hanging around in skinny cargo jeans, going out for lunch & shopping with my friends or out with Mr. S for a special evening.

I’ve worn them quite a few times from morning through evening events and never had to go through a break-in period. They were comfortable from the moment that I put them on, til I took them off. The footbed is well cushioned, with a padded heel (to displace shock) and a reinforced arch support to stabilize your foot. There’s even EXTRA cushioning for extra support.

To celebrate their new collection, Earth Shoes is giving away  a trip to a Special Place on Earth, Free Shoes and more. Want to enter? Simplygo to:  http://www.earthfootwear.com/t-innercircle.aspx and enter today!! I’m keeping my fingers (and toes, because they’re so comfortable) crossed for you!

For more information about my new shoes, fan their facebook page, follow them on twitter, or JUST go to their WEBSITE!

 I was compensated by Global Influence  as part of a Bookieboo LLC campaign with Earth Footwear.

This guest post comes to Champagne Living  from Andrea Woroch a nationally-recognized consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc. I always love a good party, and Andrea’s advice is great for ANYONE looking to save money while throwing the best party ever.

Mardi Gras celebrations are no longer limited to the Crescent City. You’ll find beads, baubles and fine Cajun food everywhere from big-city civic centers to small-town backyards. Throw together some Second Line jazz, a few party hats, home-mixed Hurricanes and a crayfish boil and you’ve got your own celebration.

You could lay out plenty for a prime-time Mardi Gras party, but there are always a few tips and tricks to help reduce costs. Check out the following seven ways to save while enjoying Fat Tuesday.

1. Homemade Food
You could spend a fortune on catering to get that Cajun flavor, but home cooking is the frugal way to go; plus, it provides an opportunity to learn more about this unique culture. Check outReal Cajun Recipes for easy and inexpensive ideas. You might assign different dishes to willing attendees to share the work and cost.

2. Rent or Borrow
Don’t bother buying Hurricane glasses, Mardi Gras decorations and the like when you can borrow or rent them. If your gang likes to celebrate Fat Tuesday every year, each person involved might invest in the necessary items and loan them to that year’s host. If you’re throwing a big bash, consider renting dishes, glasses, etc., instead of buying.

3. Decorating Inexpensively
Dollar stores are the recession’s go-to place for holiday decorations; so much so that many now offer items for such off-beat holidays as Mardi Gras. If you have children, you might tap into their youthful creativity and have them create masks and other favors.

4. Coupon It Up
Use coupons to save on everything from food to costumes. If you’re a smartphone addict, you might check out the Coupon Sherpa app, which allows you to access coupons while you’re in the store.

5. Free Invites
Paper invites are a thing of the past, particularly since free and instant evites make RSVPing a snap. You can also use Facebook for a fast and easy way to invite your friends.

6. Tighten the Guest List
It’s easy to let the guest list get out of hand when everyone seems to be looking for a party. If you want to keep the numbers small, avoid broadcast invites and stick to phoning or emailing.

7. Buy In Bulk
If you weren’t able to contain the guest list and need to lay in extra supplies, shop wholesale stores like Costco or Sam’s Club. If you don’t have a membership, ask to borrow a friend’s card.

For more great tips from Andrea, check out her website AndreaWoroch.com

One of the easiest ways to live the good life is to expand your horizons  and look beyond what you normally do on a day to day basis. When you learn something new, go out and have REAL FUN, spend time with your friends and family that’s  Champagne Living. At the end of the day, I just want to know that I’ve lived with gusto, and truly enjoyed myself. For my new friend Nikki, it’s celebrating with a glass of champagne every day, for me it can be traveling to an exotic locale or just enjoying a wonderful dinner with my family.

For these last four weeks I’ve spent each Friday making a dinner that I’d never have attempted before. I’m not much of a cook, especially when compared to Mr. S who cooked in our restaurants and is extremely creative in that department. SURPRISE – I’ve actually enjoyed trying something new. I realize that when I get out of the same old dinner rut that cooking can actually be fun. I have the National Pork Board and Publix to thank for that, because had they not asked me to be a part of this program, I would have never attempted ANY of this.

On one hand I’m sad that this program is ending, but on the other hand I have a great new resource for recipes and great deals at Publix on pork. I’m excited to continue to expand my repertoire even more.

This week Pork Sirloin Cutlets are on sale at Publix through 2/22 – so, off I went to buy a package. I decided to make a great healthy comfort food, since it was just Mr. S and I and I have a big weekend ahead. Relaxing and enjoying pork and mushroom quesadillas and then watching a little TV was just what I needed with all of the running around that I’ve been doing lately.

Pork And Mushroom Quesadillas

Ingredients

• 12 ounces pork cutlets, pounded 1/4-inch thick (I bought thin ones, not pounding required)
• 1/4 cup olive oil with garlic, OR olive oil, divided
• salt , to taste
• 6 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1/3 cup green onions, sliced
• 8 ounces Swiss cheese, OR Gruyere cheese, shredded (2 cups)
• 4 large flour tortillas, (9-to 10-inch)

Directions

• Stack cutlets and cut crosswise in half, then cut each stack lengthwise into matchstick-size pieces.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat; stir-fry pork for 2 minutes or until no longer pink.
• Remove pork from skillet with slotted spoon.
• Season to taste with salt.
• Add 1 tablespoon oil to skillet.
• Add mushrooms and onions to skillet; stir-fry for 1-2 minutes or until crisp-tender.
• Remove from skillet.
• Wipe skillet with paper towels.
• To assemble, sprinkle 1/4 cup cheese over half of each tortilla.
• Top each with pork and mushroom mixture.
• Sprinkle each with 1/4 cup of remaining cheese.
• Fold tortillas in half; pressing gently.
• Add 1 tablespoon oil to skillet.
• Cook quesadillas, 2 at a time, over medium heat for 2-4 minutes or until golden and cheese is melted, turning once.
• Remove quesadillas from skillet; loosely cover with foil to keep warm.
• Repeat with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and quesadillas.
• Cut quesadillas into wedges to serve.
• Serves 4.

Time
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes

This post is a result of a campaign by the National Pork  Council, Publix Supermarkets and The Motherhood. This campaign has inspired me to cook more often…that is when I can’t get reservations. All opinions are strictly  my own.

GIVEAWAY

Extra entries

• Like Pork be Inspired on Facebook – let us know in the comments below
• Tweet me @zipporahs  with the hashtag #Publix4Pork and tell me your favorite pork recipe (maybe I’ll try it).
• Comment below with your tweet
• Subscribe to Champagne Living, “Join the Clique”, follow me on facebook or twitter – all found on the sidebar (each counts for 1 extra entry)
• Tell your peeps on your blog, facebook page or twitter about this or any post (each counts for 1 extra entry) and link to us.
• Share this giveaway on any contest/sweepstakes/giveaway site for 5 extra entries..
• This giveaway is open to US residents, 18 and over and ends on February 24, 2012
• No purchase is necessary.
• Odds of winning are dependent upon the number of entries received.
• Void where prohibited by law

Infused with vitamins, with no perfume or dyes to irritate your skin, Simple uses the purest of ingredients and has for 50 years. The interesting thing is that you can purchase Simple products at your neighborhood Walgreens. No over-priced mall store necessary, you get this simple goodness at a drugstore price.

Today I had the opportunity to try two of the products

Simple Smoothing facial scrub - Usually I think of a scrub as being irritating, but the rice granules that they use to exfoliate your skin are so fine that there was no redness after I used them. It cleaned my skin well and because it exfoliates, my complexion was brighter.

Simple hydrating light moisturizer – I love the fact that this has no scent, it’s one of my pet peeves. This moisturizer includes pro-vitamin B5 and Vitamin E (the ingredient that my plastic surgeon tells me is a MUST USE for plumper skin). This would be a great product for someone a bit younger as it’s nice and light. My skin needs a VAT of oil to hydrate.

If you’d like to learn more about Simple and win some prizes. We’re having a twitter party tonight

Party Details:
When: Thursday, February 16th
Time: 9:00pm EST
Who: You and your friends!
Where/Tweetgrid: http://bit.ly/Auee9s
Hashtag: #simpleskin
RSVP: http://bit.ly/wr4wNK 
Party Sponsors: @SimpleSkincare, @Walgreens
Party Hosts: @SheSpeaksUp, @RachelFerrucci
Party Panelists: @AmyBHole, @CherylBudge, @MommaDJane, @StacieinAtlanta, @zipporahs,@lisasamples

Prizes:
We’re giving out over $500 in prizes, including a variety of the new Simple® skincare products and gift cards to Walgreens! You could win our grand prize, a $150 gift card to Walgreens.

I received compensation & product to participate in this twitter party. All opinions are my own.