I recently had the pleasure of spending two nights at this urban B&B when my teenage daughter and I were in Indianapolis for a swim meet.  Here are some of the things we loved about the Nestle Inn:

The home has the historic look and feel of an old dwelling, dating back to the mid-1800’s, but it has all the modern amenities tucked within its walls. Our room was furnished with a large, comfortable bed and an awesome mattress, a nice desk for working/surfing, fast, wireless Internet, modern bathroom fixtures and toiletries, and a beautiful antique wardrobe that housed a nice television and DVD player. Plus, despite the frigid temperatures outside, the house was WARM — unusual for an older structure.

The Inn is “nestled” into Mass Avenue in Indy, making it a great place to visit anytime of year because of its proximity to the theatre, arts, shopping, pubs, breweries and fabulous restaurants. It literally is in the heart of the theatre district, and although we didn’t get to enjoy any of the theatre venues because of our swim meet schedule, we loved the environment of the surrounding blocks. The area is busy with foot traffic and abuzz with people having fun, making it a fun place to be, even if you are going to be spending most of your time at IUPUI’s Natatorium. And speaking of IUPUI, it only took us minutes to drive from the B&B to the campus and the Natatorium, as well as all the other downtown hotspots. The Nestle Inn also sits on the Cultural Trail in Indy, which is a bike and pedestrian path that is nine miles long and connects all the “neighborhoods” of the city.

Innkeepers Leesa and Bob Smith strive to deliver individualized service to their guests. They helped us navigate the city (and even “talked me back” to the Inn one night when I managed to get hopelessly lost after leaving the pool); left movies in our room after I had inquired where to rent them because we just wanted to relax after a long day; and prepared a “breakfast care package to go” for my teen and left it hanging on our doorknob after learning that she had to be in the pool for warm-ups by 6 a.m. and would, therefore, miss breakfast at the Inn.

The library at the Inn is amazing. My first morning there, I woke before my daughter and carried my laptop into the library to answer emails and do some Internet research. The furniture was comfortable; the walls were lined with interesting books and periodicals; and the coffee, creamers and snacks set out on the table were a wonderful surprise, considering I was up before the sun the house sounded as though everyone was still sleeping.

Parking was easy, which was unexpected considering the urban setting. Most times, we were able to find a spot on the street right in front of the Inn. But, Leesa gave us a pass to a parking lot one block away in case we couldn’t find street parking or were unsuccessful achieving a solid parallel parking job.

The food was delicious and FUN. That’s because during the week, you are treated to breakfast next door at Henry’s Coffee Bistro, an eclectic coffee shop with lattes, hot breakfast sandwiches, sweets and waffles for breakfast and a host other tasty food for brunch and lunch. On Saturday and Sunday, breakfast is at the Inn and the one I enjoyed included delights such as “just right potato bites,” an Eggs Benedict-like entree, fresh fruit and homemade banana-bread muffins, among other treats.

Now that I’ve shared what I loved about the Nestle Inn, let me share some additional trivia about this wonderful B&B:

Bob and Leesa purchased the Inn in September 2011 from the previous innkeepers who wanted to retire. (They had operated the Inn since 2000). Bob is a psychotherapist and a 29-year career firefighter/paramedic. Leesa is an Innkeeper with more than 29 years experience in the hospitality industry and in business and marketing.

In the mid-1800s, Jonathon and Alice Stewart lived in a small, one-story dwelling on the site of the current Nestle Inn. In 1896, John built their residence as a two-family home, adjoining two structures together so that their families could live close to each other. They lived in the home until 1920 and then the entire house was rented to a long series of short-term tenants including Carl F. Mellian, a machinist and Grant Kelner, a cigarmaker. The house also served as a boarding house for young women who came to Indianapolis during the turn of the century to work at the Real Silk glove factory located nearby on Park Street.

In 2000, Steve and Barb Tegaren bought the home and restored it to a five-room Inn. They operated it for 10 years, welcoming visitors and friends and establishing the Inn as the No. 1 B&B in Indianapolis, according to Trip Advisor. (I’ll second that!)

The Nestle Inn has proven to be a great destination for a girls weekend getaway or a family gathering. In fact, Leesa recently rented the whole house to a family who was celebrating their mother’s birthday. Leesa was delighted to watch the kids hanging out in their jammies while parents relaxed drinking wine and the grandparents enjoyed having the whole clan gathered together under one cozy roof. She also hosted a women’s book club that found the Inn to be the perfect spot for their needs.

I honestly cannot wait to return to the Nestle Inn and am already trying to figure out what “occasion” I’m going to use as my excuse. So, the next time you want or need to visit Indy, whether for business, pleasure or kids’ sports, skip the chain hotels and give Leesa and Bob a call. You won’t regret it.

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The Angry Birds^®craze continues to sweep the nation and now pets can play too.The Hartz Mountain Corporation recently launched an exclusive line of Angry Birds pet toys featuring many of the wildly popular Angry Birds characters just in time for the holidays.

For more than 80 years, Hartz has offered affordable, high-quality toys that pets love, according to Adam Coacher, Hartz Senior Director of Marketing. “This year, we were thrilled to work with Rovio, the makers of the popular Angry Birds game, to create an exciting line of toys that will bring holiday cheer to pets and pet owners alike.

Ellie’s favorite of the Angry Bird toys is the Angry Birds^® Flyer™. But she’s also a big fan of the plush ball that squeaks when she bites it. It makes her crazy — in a good way!

The new line of products features  six dog toys and four cat toys, with additional collections coming in the near future. Available items include:

• Hartz^® Angry Birds^® Plush Ball™ – This 4” plush ball dog toy comes to life with real Angry Birds game sounds! Choose from the Red Bird, the Yellow Bird or the Green Pig. These products are also available in a 2.5” version for small dogs.
• Hartz^® Angry Birds^® Tuff Stuff Flyer™ – This dog toy is double-sided, featuring a red bird on one side and a green pig on the other. Constructed of super-durable ballistic nylon and double stitched seams, this toy can stand up to even the toughest chewers.
• Hartz^® Angry Birds^® Hard Heads™ – Dogs will appreciate the long-lasting, fun chew experience with these three Angry Birds characters. Each latex toy is equipped with a squeaker and will entertain your pup for hours.
• Hartz^® Angry Birds^® Birds Gone Crazy™ – Our most popular Hartz Angry Birds cat toy, Birds Gone Crazy will give your feline companion the opportunity to swat, chase, and hunt little angry birds and green pigs, while the bell inside will make your furry friend keep coming back for more.
• Hartz^® Angry Birds^® Wand™ – An interactive toy that provides hours of fun for you and your cat. The wand features the Red Bird and a Green Pig along with feathers and a bell.

Now, with Hartz^® Angry Birds^® toys, pet owners and pets can propel and fetch angry birds and green pigs together. Pet owners can visit Facebook to check out the Angry Birds Toy Preview tab, access fun videos and applications, and enter to win great prizes at Facebook.com/HartzPets.

Hartz^® Angry Birds^® products are currently available nationwide at mass merchandisers like Walmart, grocery stores and online retailers such as Walmart.com and Amazon.com. The suggested retail prices range from $3.99 to $10.99. For more information about Hartz^® Angry Birds^® pet toys or to find additional Hartz products, visit www.hartz.com.

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This feeder, that has adjustable legs to “grow” with our puppy, is perfect. It’s  pretty with a nice wood top and two removable stainless steel bowls. It will raise up to 18 inches at its highest point, but as you can see in this photo, it’s also perfect for our puppy with its legs folded under it.

Ellie is nearly 4 months old now, and we’re about ready to move the legs out from under the bowl and into their lowest position. In time, we’ll probably expand the legs to their full height. I’ve been very happy with how sturdy this feeder is and how easy it is to clean. The legs on the feeder are made of sturdy metal and they adjust without the use of any tools.

This feeder  ranges in price from $42.99 to $65 depending on what size you purchase. I had several questions about what feeder was right for our puppy and the Officialdoghouse.com customer service responded to my questions promptly. In fact, I was impressed with the customer service from start to finish. So, if this feeder isn’t right for your pet, check out all their other options here.

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• Need Pet Boarding/Sitting? Check out FETCH!
• Getting a Puppy!! You can too!

FETCH! Petcare of West St. Louis County has been in existence since 2007. It is part of FETCH! Petcare which  is the largest National Professional Petsitting franchise in the United States. FETCH! Petcare  of West St. Louis County offers a safe, caring and professional alternative to kennels with services such as daily dog walking, potty breaks, multiple small animal visits, in home overnight service, cage free boarding, medicine administration, yard pickup, pet taxi service not to mention lots of free belly scratching and ear rubs! FETCH! Petcare is insured and bonded with a team of background checked experienced pet sitters. The West St. Louis County franchise is owned by my neighbor, Jane Peacock, and she offers all clients a complimentary consultation and provide back- up sitters to ensure their beloved pets are always taken care of no matter what. She keeps clients  well informed during our care and enjoy text messages, emails, photos and videos of their beloved pets. Client satisfaction is guaranteed.

If you travel, work long hours or just need to get away for a weekend, then FETCH! Petcare “has your tail covered.” They offer regular clients a VIP rate and customize all of our services to tailor fit your pet’s needs, but the average short “potty” break is $15. It’s worth it to know that your  animals have been exercised, loved and relieved just the way you like during your absence.

What I loved about FETCH! was the cage-free boarding. When we had to travel out of town when our puppy was just 12 weeks old, FETCH provided a loving home for her to stay and she was cared for the same way we would have cared for her (in the kennel at night to continue her kennel training, but played with and taken out regularly during the day, walked, loved on, etc.)

About the Owner

Jane grew up in Australia but has lived in the United States for the last 14 yeas. Her love of animals has continued to grow over the years from having a rabbit called Snuggles as a child to an Orange tabby cat called Henry and eventually to her  Goldens, Chelsea and Chantz. In recent years, she’s  taken up riding horses. This love for animals has brought her to her current passion, owing her own professional petsitting company, FETCH! Petcare of West St. Louis County.Once a customer of FETCH! Petcare , she was relieved by the kennel free option, the professionalism and peace of mind FETCH! Petcare provided in taking care of her ‘hairy kids’. Now Jane provides the same piece of mind for other pet owners.

Contact:

You can reach Jane at 636-549-8610 or at stlwest@fetchpetcare.com. Or you can visit her Website.

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Fetch! Petcare of West St. Louis County is hosting a Hungry Bowl™ Pet Food Drive to benefit homeless pets of Open Door Animal Sanctuary. As part of an international effort spearheaded by Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s largest association for professional pet sitters, the Hungry Bowl™ Pet Food Drive collects much-needed pet food donations for local shelters across the country. Open Door Animal Sanctuary is in great need of pet food donations as it enters 2012.

Donations will be accepted December 1-12, 2011 and can be dropped off at the following locations:

• One Lucky Mutt!, Wildwood
• Manchester West Veterinary Hospital, Ellisville
• Pet Supplies Plus, Ballwin
• Sulphur Springs Veterinary Clinic, Ballwin
• St. Albans Post Office, St. Albans
• Dickey Bub, Eureka
• Eureka Feed Station, Eureka

For more information, contact Jane Peacock of Fetch! Petcare of West St. Louis County at 636-549-8610

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Celebrate your love for coffee by entering to win this new coffee machine.  The contest began on Monday, 11/21 and ends this Fridaym, Nov. 25. Go to http://www.facebook.com/KrupsUSA or to http://twitter.com/Krupsusa and tell KRUPS  why you’re thankful for coffee for a  chance to win.

This KRUPS machine is valued at $240. It features:

Tamping Consistency: Patented KRUPS Precise Tamp System compresses the coffee grounds perfectly providing an optimal ground coffee tamp that produces uniform results every time.

·         Fast Heat-up: Lightweight powerful thermoblockfor faster preheating and reduced limescalebuildup.

·         Easy to Clean: No mess cake ejection. Simply press the button and out pops the espresso grounds „cake?.

·         15 Bar Pump.

·         Universal filter holder with no mess cake ejection system. Compatible with ground coffee (1 or 2 cups) and all types of pods.

·         Multi directional frothing nozzle creates delicious cappuccinos and lattes.

·         Redesigned frothing nozzle locks in place and is easier to maintain.

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Some stores only give 30-days leeway, which means recipients can’t return purchases after Christmas. Happily, some merchants are changing these deadlines for the holidays but, because there are websites who truly believe “fineprint” means “itsy bitsy print in a very pale pastel,” FreeShipping.org compiled a list of major e-retailers and their return policies for 2011.

Ann Taylor
You’ve got 60 days to return Ann Taylor purchases but, if you don’t have the receipt, only a store credit is issued. Gifts returned online will result in an e-gift certificate, so be sure to include your e-mail address on the return receipt. An in-store gift return yields a hardcopy gift certificate in the amount paid by the sender.

Bath & Body Works
Because Bath and Body Works believes “no sale is ever final,” they don’t need to extend their holiday deadline. You don’t need a sales receipt or shipping invoice for gifts, but they can only be returned to brick-and-mortar Bath and Body Works stores.

Cabela’s
You’ve got 90 days to return a Cabela’s purchase, which makes everything nice and easy, until you learn you only receive a store credit or gift card when you don’t have a receipt. If you need to return a gift, print a return form and send it to Cabela’s customer service address or bring it in to any of their retail stores.

Coldwater Creek
There’s no deadline for Coldwater Creek returns by mail or to a retail outlet. If you’re sending it back and don’t have a receipt or packing slip, make sure you include your name and address on a note enclosed with the package.

Best Buy
Enjoy Best Buy free shipping now through Dec. 27, and return gift purchases — with no exclusions — from Nov. 13 through Jan. 4. The electronics behemoth is spreading the holiday cheer even further by removing restocking fees for all products, including special orders, within this timeframe.

Costco
Costco’s standard return policy is a liberal 365 days, so there’s no need to extend their deadline for the holidays. In addition, Costco refunds membership fees if a customer isn’t satisfied. Refunds for Internet purchases include shipping and handling charges.

endless.com
The online-only shoe merchant provides a generous 365 days for returns with guaranteed free shipping. Use the Endlessonline returns center for proper processing.

JCPenney
The best part of JCPenney’s online returns is they pay for shipping and handling, no matter what your reason for returning the product. You have up to 90 days and, with a gift receipt, will receive a JCPenney gift card in the amount of purchase.

Kmart
You’ll need an original receipt or email confirmation dated within 90 days of the original date of purchase. No exceptions, apparently.

Kohl’s
Return any item, anytime, for any reason. Have your receipt? You’ll get a full refund or even exchange. No receipt? No problem. Kohl’s will give you a refund, an exchange or store credit.

Lands’ End
Now through Nov. 15, enjoy Lands’ End free shipping plus take 25% off your purchase. For returns without an exchange, use the return label for a flat shipping fee of $6.95. You also can return your order to any Sears or Lands’ End store and entirely avoid shipping costs.

L.L.Bean
The sky’s the limit with L.L. Bean, which has no return deadline and doesn’t require authorization before you ship your gift back to them. Just download and fill out an online form or use the form printed on the packing slip.

Macy’s
The return deadline for Macy’s is a generous 180 days and you don’t need a receipt because they have a program that identifies products in their system. Too cool! Gifts will receive a store credit or exchange. Please note the deadline for jewelry purchases is only 30 days.

Mainline Menswear
Basically, you can return any Christmas gifts ordered from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 up to 14 days after Christmas, which only gives you until Jan. 7.

Sears
Return the gift in its original packaging, with the original receipt or email confirmation, within 90 days of purchase for a refund or exchange. Alternately, you can return a purchase from Sears.com to one of their stores.

Shoebacca.com
As with Endless, Shoebacca provides totally free shipping both ways and a 365-day window in which to return or exchange unwanted gifts.

Sierra Trading Post
Sierra Trading Post makes it easy. You have up to six months and will receive instant credit plus $2.95 shipping on your next order. If you prefer, STP will give you a refund.

Toys ‘R’ Us and Babies ‘R’ Us
Online purchases returned by mail within 90 days to their online Returns Center by mail are refunded to the original form of payment, which means the gift giver will know your dirty little secret and you’ll come up empty handed. Instead, make returns to a Toys ‘R’ Us or Babies ‘R’ Us store for a merchandise credit.

Victoria’s Secret
Now through Nov. 16, you can enjoy Victoria’s Secret free shipping, but you’ve got 90 days to return that lacy tidbit for cash. Ater that deadline, Victoria’s Secret will only provide store credit. To return gifts, check the box on the Return/Exchange Form attached to the original invoice indicating you’re returning a gift and provide your shipping information. If you don’t have the original invoice, use their printable return and exchange form.

Walmart
You can return or exchange most store items with a receipt within 90 days of purchase. Visit walmartstores.com to see exceptions for electronic and regulated items. You can return online purchases to any Walmart store.

Zappos
Another great shoe deal: Zappos free shipping is good both for purchases and returns. Whether you’re unhappy with a purchase or simply change your mind, Zappos will provide a full refund or exchange within 365 days of purchase. You’ll need the original packaging, however, to make the return.
###

FreeShipping.org is the largest resource on the Internet linking shoppers to free-shipping deals offered by nearly 4,000 online merchants.

This Roundup of Holiday e-Return Polices is provided by Freeshipping.org.

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Vaccination is recommended and beneficial into the winter months – a time of the year when spreading holiday cheer with family and friends can also make it easier for disease, like influenza, to spread when we’re in close contact. Everyone six months of age and older is recommended for annual flu vaccination, and immunization is the best way to be protected and enjoy the celebration all the way into the New Year.

Learn more about influenza and the importance of annual vaccination by visiting www.facesofinfluenza.org.

About Influenza

Influenza is a serious respiratory illness. Each year in the U.S., on average, influenza and its related complications result in approximately 226,000 hospitalizations. Depending on virus severity during the influenza season, deaths can range from 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people. Combined with pneumonia, influenza is the eighth leading cause of death in the nation.

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As a mom, you likely know what your child eats for breakfast and dinner, but what about lunch at school? Typically, kids get about 30 to 50 percent of their calories while at school.  The good news is there are several changes happening in school cafeterias across the country this year to make lunch time nutritious and delicious for students.

This year, moms will be pleased to know that school cafeterias are serving more whole grains in unexpected places (like pizza), more fresh vegetables (especially nutrient-rich leafy greens and orange vegetables), lessening sodium content and offering great-tasting flavored milk with fewer calories and less added sugar than in the past.

As the beverage of choice among students, the change to flavored milk is an important one. On average, school chocolate milk is projected to have just 31 calories more than white milk and 38% less added sugar, the result of ongoing work by milk processors with local districts across the country over the last five years.

This school year when kids pick up a carton of flavored milk with their lunch, the majority will be less than 150 calories and will have all the same nine essential nutrients as white milk – including vitamin D, calcium and potassium, nutrients that the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans say children need to consume more of.

As a registered dietitian, I know most kids ages nine and older are far from the recommended three servings of dairy a day, and it’s important to offer a variety of choices, both flavored and white milk, to ensure kids have more opportunities to get the nutrients found in milk, versus choosing drinks with no nutritional value.

The food choices kids make today can have a big influence in shaping their future.  Providing wholesome, nutritious meals for students increases their ability to pay attention in class, provides energy for sports and exercise, and reduces the risk of health problems later in life. These nutrients are important for kids’ growth and development, and for many children, school meals may be the best source of real nutrition they get all day.

So remember, nutritious food doesn’t have to be boring!  Low-fat chocolate milk strikes a great balance between good nutrition and good fun.

For more information on school flavored milk reformulations, please visit: http://www.whymilk.com/school_milk.php.

Connie Diekman, M.Ed, RD, LD, FADA is a nutrition communications consultant in St. Louis, Missouri. Diekman is the past President of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and is a former chair of the American Heart Association – Missouri affiliate.

She is the voice of the “Eating Right” minute, which airs daily, on WBBM radio in Chicago. She is also a former television nutrition reporter with St. Louis’ NBC affiliate and the local FOX affiliate.

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I’m writing about our new puppy here because I want to tell you about our breeder. We are getting our Golden Retriever puppy from Daisy’s Golden Retrievers in Cuba, MO, owned by Terry & Bob Grayson. (They also own Daisy’s GoldenDoodles). And they ship puppies out of state — see below.

We got to meet Terry and Bob last weekend when we went to pick out our puppy from a litter of Goldens that was born in August. (It was soooo hard to choose). Anyway, they have a very nice, clean, well-organized, loving environment where they are breeding Golden Retrievers and Golden Doodles.

We were so impressed with how professional Terry and Bob operate, from scheduling appointments for families to come meet the puppies, to encouraging you to take your time with these puppies, playing with them and asking questions and doing whatever you need to do to make the hard decision about which puppy is right for your family. Terry also consulted with me multiple times via email before we went to visit, offering advice on books to read, asnwering questions about what crate to buy, etc.

Our puppy was chipped already and once we chose her, Terry scanned her chip and gave us the number so we know (and she knows) what puppy is ours. We can’t bring her home until she is 8 weeks old, so that will happen around Oct. 14. On that date, we will be taking home a puppy that has her current shots, along with:

• Information on NuVet Supplement  (samples also)
• Packet from Kennelwood Pet Resort
• Knotted rope
• Small brush
• Puppy shampoo
• Puppy Kong
• Leash and collar
• First heartworm/all around wormer treatment
• 2 year signed health guarantee
• Current health record
• Small bag of puppy food to mix with what we purchase
• Booda bones (dog chews fighting plague and tartar)

I am super impressed with this “package” of takeaways, and with the fact that Ellie will already be chipped.

Here’s the super good news: Terry and Bob still have one female left in the litter from which we are choosing. They also have another  litter of Goldens that will go home around Christmas and they have Goldendoodles available between now and Christmas. And, their prices are EXTREMELY reasonable, based on my research. So reasonable, in fact, that I questioned Terry about it, thinking there must be a catch. No catch — the dogs are pure breeds, with papers, etc. Terry just feels she makes a fair amount of money  and she wants them all to be placed as soon as they reach 8 to 10 weeks. She also provides a host of references and her veterinarian’s contact information for anyone who wants to do their homework. And, she will ship a puppy on a plane to anyone who lives out-of-state. I spoke to two of her references who chose that option and they couldn’t be happier with their dogs.

Be sure to check out Daisy Pups websites (links above) and Facebook Page. If you decide to get a puppy from them, please let me know by leaving a comment below. And I’ll soon post more pictures of Ellie’s homecoming. In the meantime, here’s all the other pictures we took when we picked her:

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