ZestBitGroup

ZestBit.com Sampler

2007-12-27T20:27:04Z

ZestBit.com Sampler

It’s great to have the freedom to write about what you know about…what you love…and to be able to do it all free! It’s part of our shopping portal site ShopAtHome where we have some space reserved just for you…and your thoughts. Write them down!! Other visitors to the ShopAtHome site may be plenty happy to have found you and read and learn from what you have to share.

Juicy Tips!

We call this space ZestBit. It’s where you—the Zester—share your insider knowledge. You choose your moniker--nickname, alias, or your handle if you remember those C.B. radios from the ‘70s! Then you pick a photo (of your friendly face) or a creative graphic to personify the best of you. So if you’re a bit shy you can remain anonymous this way. This you will post next to your moniker. Are you with me?

There’s more…after the oh-so-easy registration you get to use an assortment of tools from our toolbox—we’re very good at sharing our handy tools—to enhance your Twist—article, blog, piece, or your webspace if you’re really intent on adding the bells and whistles onto your space!

A couple of our tools let you add links to products for sale on the Amazon or eBay sites. Now that’s access to an unbelievable number of products! So help yourself to any tool you need. You can link to any of our 2,000+ stores as well. Another tool allows you to add coupon links to tell other ShopAtHome shoppers about specials they can take advantage of. Use these tools to let others in on where to go to buy things supporting their passion for the subject of your Twist.

You can post your favorite video picks from YouTube and photos from Photobucket to enhance your subject with eye appeal. You can easily connect with others who have written their own Twist on ZestBit by using our Linking tool that links directly to another Twist. In the same way, others can link to yours. You can use our Poll tool to ask a polling question to get opinions and input from your readers. Remember, when you first begin your Twist that choosing keywords that relate to your subject so others can find your Twist is key.

The Twists are rated by those who read them. A high rating means that yours may make it to our homepage! It's kind of like being featured, say, in the Bestseller Section at the front of your favorite bookstore. We’ve created categories—34 of them—to narrow down your search for Twists that Zesters have written on our site. A sampling here. You can lighten up with Comedy or spin it with Politics. Plan for the best day of your life in the Wedding category, then the next logical place would be the Parenting category. Getting serious now…you’ll head over to the Business/Office category and then give in to your playful side at Toys & Games! There are zillions of things to write about among all the ZestBit categories. We know you’ve got something juicy to share!

Bonus…you can earn $$ money too!

ZestBit Links -- Click 'N Go!

I like these Twists. Each one is fun to read! Go ahead and click on them so you can see what I’m talking about!

	11 Of The Greatest Movies by writerrighter Movie lovers will love this rundown of great films....
	Dress the Part—Holiday Party Style by Caitlin Girltalk about dressing up and dressing with sophistication…
	How to Lose Weight and Keep it Off! by writerrighter Great tips on weight loss and weight maintenance….
	The Best of Friends by jmuniz Dog lovers get helpful advice with recommended toys and pet supplies….
	Twist 101 by ZestBitGroup Even more help....
	Twist 102 by ZestBitGroup More help....

How To Carve A Great Pumpkin

2007-10-01T04:47:56Z

How To Carve A Great Pumpkin

Halloween wouldn't be complete without glowing pumpkins. Each year, there are hundreds of thousands of pumpkins that get carved into faces, logos, and familiar creatures of Halloween. People carve pumpkins a variety of ways: using kits that give a number of different patterns, drawing faces or logos, or just going at the pumpking with a big ol' carving knife. No matter how you carve your pumpkin, use these helpful hints to create a phenominal Glowing Gourd.

Helpful Hints For Pumpkin Carving

If you, or someone you know, plan on carving pumpking this Halloween, take a peek at these helpful hints:

1. When cutting the top off of your pumpkin, cut the top off at an angle. If you cut straight into the pumpkin there is a chance the top can fall in the pumpkin when you put it back on. If you cut it at a 45 degree angle, then the top sits nicely on the pumpkin and doesn't end up in the middle of the pumpkin.

2. Clean the pumpkin out all the way! Scrape, scrape, and then scrape some more! You want that pumpkin to be clean on the inside. This will prevent anything inside the pumpkin from catching on fire. Plus, it won't smell.

3. If you are working on a detailed pattern, make sure the pumpkin wall is thinned out. You want to make sure the carving tools can easily go in and out of the pumpkin. To make the wall thinner, grab your scraping tool and scrape. You can gauge how thick or thin the wall is by gently knocking on the outside of the pumpkin. If it is thin, it will sound more hollow.

4. Don't make the walls TOO thin. If you pattern is really detailed, you don't want the pumpkin to be too thin. This will cause the pumpkin to cave in and your detail will be lost.

5. Using a pattern? Work from the inside out. If you do this, especially on a detailed pattern, then you won't run the risk of the pattern falling in. Also, start with the small pieces of the pattern, like eyes or face detail, and then do the bigger pieces. If there is more surface area on the pumpkin when you are cutting these pieces out, they will come out more easily.

6. Did your pattern fall in? For small fixes, you can use toothpicks. I usually dip them in water first, just as a precaution.

7. BE CAREFUL! Ok, duh, but be careful when using carving tools and knives. The number of pumpkin accidents is just ridiculous.

8. Use petrolium jelly. I know you are saying, what? Use petrolium jelly (aka Vaseline) when you are done with your masterpiece. Place a thin layer of vaseline on the top of your pumpkin and on the large pieces of exposed pumpkin. This will help keep your pumpkin preserved and help it to last longer.

8. Automatic lights! Yes, you can use small votive candles to light your pumpkins at night, but if you live in a windy city, using small flashlights or battery powered lights will keep your pumpkin glowing all night long. Plus, you won't have to worry about a trick or treater blowing out the candle.

9. Save your pumpkin seeds! When you clean out your pumpkins, save the seeds. Then you can use the recipe below.

Happy Carving!!

The Carving Tools You Need

Below are just a few of the tools you can use to carve pumpkins. Some are fancy, some include directions. However, if you are into simple carving you can just use a kitchen knife.

	Dremel 764-04 Pumpkin Carving Kit includes 6-Volt Minimite Cordless Rotary Tool and 10 Templates (Home Improvement) Even the least artistic among us can have the coolest jack-o'-lanterns in the neighborhood this year with Dremel's pumpkin- carving kit. It's a neat, buzzy little unit that ca...more Average Customer Rating: 2.5 out of 5 (See the reviews) List Price: $42.50 Lowest New Price: $19.54 (as of 7/4/2008@5:24 AM)
	Hamilton Beach 74250 Carve 'N Set Electric Knife (Kitchen) No special expertise is required to cut professional-looking slices, thick or thin, from roasts, ham, turkey, and bread with the powerful 100-watt electric knife in this carving s...more Average Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (See the reviews) List Price: $39.99 Lowest New Price: $16.99 (as of 7/4/2008@5:24 AM)
	How to Carve Pumpkins for Great Results (Book) 20 traditional and contemporary designs for pumpkin carving at Halloween and all year round, shown in 100 step-by-step photographs. List Price: $9.99 Lowest Used Price: $1.82 (as of 7/4/2008@5:24 AM) Lowest New Price: $5.26 (as of 7/4/2008@5:24 AM)
	How To Carve Great Faces For Halloween With Gordy Falk "The Pumpkin Man" (Book) ''CAUTION: Not Recommended for Children under 8. Use under adult supervision'' ''Gordy Falk, the Pumpkin Man, has established a cherished Halloween tradition in Wisconsin over the...more List Price: N/A

Pumpkin Seed Recipe

1. Clean the pumpkin seeds REALLY well. Make sure to get all of the pumpkin goop off of the seeds.

2. Dry the seeds.

3. Put the pumpkin seeds on a baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil or vegetable oil over the seeds and stir to cover. If you are looking for a lighter option, spray the seeds with a non-stick cooking spray like Pam.

4. Sprinkle the seeds with salt. Garlic salt or Morton's Salt also make for great flavors.

5. Pre-heat the over to 325.

6. Bake the seeds at 325 for about 25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the seeds are toasted.

7. Take out of the oven, let cool, and enjoy!

Where Do I Buy These Tools?

You can find pumpkin carving tools at any of the stores below. Hurry, Halloween is just around the corner!

	Wal-Mart Wal-mart has the best every day low prices. Find high quality merchandise at low prices, from apparel to toys and electronics to pharmacy items. Wal-mart has a large selection of goods, many at discounted prices. Furnish your home with beautiful accessories, fill your wardrobe with the latest seasonal styles, update your memories with top of the line digital photography products or get organized for your new baby. Wal-mart has everything you need at prices that won’t hurt your wallet. Start...
	Amazon Amazon.com -A worldwide, trusted leader in e-commerce offering everything from books to baby gear, games to garden furniture and great electronics such as digital cameras, camcorders, DVD players, MP3 players, desktops, notebooks, VCRs and PDAs.
	Kmart Kmart.com offers a selection of products from categories including Electronics, Toys, Fitness, Tools & Outdoors, Home Fashions, Jewelry, Bed & Bath, Baby and Apparel. Kmart also carries top name brands such as Martha Stewart Everyday, Joe Boxer, Kenmore, Sony, Fisher-Price, Evenflo and Craftsman. At Kmart.com you will find what you are looking for at great prices with our weekly promotions and exclusive coupons! To receive your automatic cash rebate from K-Mart, simply click on our SHO...

Pumpkin Carving Parties

Carving pumpkins is fun...but carving pumpkins in a group is even more fun! I highly recommend pumpkin carving parties. You can share tools, help others, and enjoy the competition of having the best pumpkin. Here are pictures from a pumpkin carving party - see how much fun you could enjoy!

Pumpkin Carving is fun with your friends!	It's important to concentrate...	What a little carving can do!
Everyone shares the tools	The final products!

How To Be A Star

2007-09-25T18:13:50Z

How To Be A Star

Maybe you won't be the next Paris Hilton or Lindsey Lohan (and hey, that's probably a good thing), but we know you'll love ZestBit.com! It is super easy, free, fast and most of all FUN!

You can even make money for yourself or for Charity!

Add articles about your interests and passions to ZestBit.com and you might become a STAR on the ShopAtHome.com Homepage or even in the ShopAtHome.com Catalog!

How To Play!

First, piece of cake, choose a topic you're inerested in and know about to share with the ZestBit network. Write a Twist (like your Twist on things) and become an Insider on ZestBit.com ! With super easy tools, Insiders have written hundreds of articles - like….

Create A Costume by: writerrighter -

Next month you’ll likely be sporting a different persona for a day or a night of partying at least. Consider these ideas I’ve conjured up for your next Halloween party get-up...

How To Win Fantasy Football by: COCheesehead -

Fantasy Football, once a sports game for just computer nerds, has swept the nation and now affects people from every walk of life! From co-workers, to high school buddies, everyone is playing the relatively new sport of fantasy football...

Fashion Faux Pas by: KatieLou -
Fashion violations demand attention, their existence is prominent but ever-so avoidable. Unassuming fashion victims must learn - there are just things you don’t do! Yes there are plenty of rules in the fashion world but they are easy to follow and easy to learn.

Here are the Easy Steps To Build A Twist:

Step 1 - Register or log in (takes just a minute)

Step 2 - Define your Twist and add content

Step 3 - Publish!

...You get the idea now Click Here to get started!

See Yourself Here?

Top Insiders picked by you!!

Share Your Twist

Discover how addictive it is to be a ZestBit.com Insider and earn your spot in our Next ShopAtHome Catalog or Homepage!

Start My Twist!

Twist 101

2007-09-24T22:40:16Z

Twist 101

Twist 101 is a 'How To' course setup especially for you to understand the easy steps it takes to create an awesome Twist. Know how to use all fantastic tools that make ZestBit.com the best place to become an Insider and share your Twist on the world.

Step 1 - Register or log in (takes just a minute)

Step 2 - Define your Twist and add content

Step 3 - Publish!

Use lots of Tools to make your Twist more interesting; you'll see there are plenty available to you from YouTube Videos to your Favorite Stores. Adding Tools is super easy and each adds a unique element to your Twist. Of course, good content keeps other Insiders engaged so make your Twist as personal and fun as you can! Note that usually the best Twists answer a “How-To” Question - knowing and answer makes you an Insider. After everything you add to your Twist, be sure to save your work and publish it.

What Should I Twist About?

Ah, the ultimate question - 'But what should I Twist about'? The answer is simple: WRITE ABOUT ANYTHING YOU WANT! The possibilities are endless, and everybody has something Juicy to share. Maybe you know the best place to Scuba Dive, or the only place that sells vintage toasters. Your Twist is your place to tell it all and other Insiders want to know what you know!

This section is the heart and soul of your Twist, you may spice up your text with color, inks, photos and more, it's easy! You may choose to copy and paste your Twist from a blog, email, or other program. Add Photos to your Twist by using the browse button. Upload pictures that will enhance the body of your Twist – Your Twist Text. As you continue writing, your text will wrap around the image.

Add/Order Your Tools

You are in control of the order in which your Tools like Amazon Products, Text Tool and YouTube appear in your Twist. To put them in the order you want, use the arrows to move your tools up and down. If you want to start your Twist off with a video it's totally up to you!

You can also add extra Tools to your Twist. Adding more tools creates more oppertunity for the kinds of content you want! You may want to have more than one Text Tools to discuss a different aspect of your topic or display Photobucket Pictures at the beginining and end of your Twist. To add more Tools, just click 'Want more Tools? Click here to add more tools to your twist' at the end of the Tools page and you can add more of the tools you need to get your Twist the way you want it!

Amazon Products

This section is designed to display the products from Amazon that will allow other Insiders to enjoy your bit of Zest further. I’m Twisting about ‘all things lime’ so I search for products that illustrate and introduce this Zesty Fruit’s potential. Finding products on Amazon is easy, simply click on “Search For Products on Amazon” enter a keyword into the search box and click "Search" (we’ll walk you through it when you get there too!).

In this case I search for Limes, Juice, and Citrus, I just add the products I like. Be sure you save what you’ve found by clicking “Add To Twist”, this will be true of all the Tools you add to your Twist. Great products to choose are books on the topic, accessories to enhance your Zest, and whatever stikes you as an interesting addition to your Twist. Including products that help other Insiders get into your Twist is a great way to show off your Zest!

	Norpro Stainless-Steel Citrus Juice Press (Kitchen) Squeeze every last drop from a lemon or lime with this stainless steel citrus juicer by Norpro. The extra-long handle gives you superior leverage, while the professional weight co...more Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (See the reviews) List Price: $34.99 Lowest New Price: $24.95 (as of 7/4/2008@2:48 PM)
	Flathau's Fine Foods Gourmet Cookies, Key Lime Snaps, 16-Ounce Can (Gourmet) One 16-ounce can of cookies Tasty key lime-flavored shortbread cookies blanketed in powdery sugar Best of Atlanta award winner Packaging similar to a gallon-size paint can Gre...more Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (See the reviews) List Price: $16.95
	Lime - Greatest Hits (Music) 11 of the disco outfit's best, including a megamix & remixes of 'Angel Eyes', 'Take It Up', 'Your Love', 'Babe We're Gonna Love Tonight', 'Guilty', 'My Love', 'Unexpected Lovers',...more Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (See the reviews) List Price: $20.97 Lowest Used Price: $10.00 (as of 7/4/2008@2:48 PM) Lowest New Price: $14.98 (as of 7/4/2008@2:48 PM)

Search ShopAtHome.com For Stores

Just like products from Amazon, featuring Stores from ShopAtHome.com is a great way to encourage people to get into your Zest. You have the choice of over 2,000 stores to shop for the products that make your Zest possible. We make it even easier for you by giving you the option of searching by Category. Click the “Search For Products By ShopAtHome.com” Button and we’ll walk you though it.

I Chose to feature a la Zing and Piperlime because they are stores that get the Lime...

Piperlime
PiperLime is a fresh shoe shop from Gap Inc., featuring all your favorite brands at affordable prices. They carry shoes for men, women, and children! They have brand name shoes from Dr. Martens, Dr. Scholls, JLo, K-Swiss, Oscar de la Renta, Roxy, Steve Madden, Kenneth Cole, and many more hot names! They provide you with free shipping and free returns. Purchase all the shoes you need through ShopAtHome.com for 4% cash back. Check ShopAtHome.com before purchasing for any exclusive coupons or ...

Anonymous's Comments:
You are also able to individually describe each store. Write your comments about what makes this store great!

A La Zing
A La Zing is the delicious, easy answer to "What's for Dinner?" A La Zing offers an easy way to serve gourmet quality, nutritious meals in minutes in your own home. A La Zing uses only the finest ingredients and recipes to create an incredible menu which includes everything from home-cooked comfort food, to elegant gourmet dining. A La Zing delivers right to your door, and most of the meals go from your freezer to your table in less than 30 minutes. A La Zing was created with you and your on-the...

ShopAtHome.com Coupons

Save your readers money by featuring coupons available directly on your Twist to the products and stores you love. Because ShopAtHome.com updates their coupons daily and receives exclusive offers for major online retailers, you’ll have the most current and awesome deals available on the web like Free Shipping or Cash Off! When you get there, simply enter a product name or store and click "search" - it's that easy! If you've used the coupon, even better!

Add Photos From Photobucket

We all know pictures are worth a thousand words so pick some from Photobucket and add some more Zest to your Twist. Photobucket is an awesome tool and it’s super easy to use. First select your desired Photo Size, (I’ve chosen Medium) next click “Add Photos From Photobucket and enter a keyword into the search box and click “Search” then just select your desired Photos and click “Save Media”

Add some Twist with pictures, feel free to write all about them with a Photo Comment

YouTube Videos

To make your Twist even more interactive, add Videos from YouTube. You can search for specific keywords and because there are thousands of videos available, chances are you’ll find one that adds the perfect touch to your Twist. Once you’ve entered a keyword into the search box just click search. You can select the desired Video by clicking “Add Video” be sure to save and Publish!

Twist 102

2007-09-19T16:08:31Z

Twist 102

How to Market and Optimize your Twist. Having a great Twist is one thing, getting people there is another! Here are some tips to get people reading your work commenting on your Twist and growing a fan-base of Insiders. The easiest way to do all this is always first and foremost remember: the more tools you use, the more interesting your Twist will be - we can't stress this enough! People are more drawn to pages with lots of content, and more Tools. Now learn more about getting traffic to your Twist!

Link It Up

Make a link to your Twist. If you have a MySpace or Facebook page, a blog or website, copy and past the link so that you can get traffic to your Twist. It's like givng the people who visit your pages a road map to your work on ZestBit.com. By the same token, include a link to your page on your Twist to get traffic to your other sites as well.

Get more Eyeballs on your page turn to the people who know you first to start generating some traffic, you know your mom will look. Send links to your friends and get them rating your twist to get a better rank on the site. Plus, keep in mind Twist links make great birthday presents.Have frineds in the blog world? Make sure you let them know about your new Twist and get on their blog roll!

Category & Keywords

Categories and Keywords are how readers find your Twist it's that simple. This makes it very important for you to feature the most revelent Category and Keywords every time you submit a Twist. Because there are so many Categories available, be sure to read them over to know you've chosen the best for your Twist. In the same reguard, Keywords lead people to your Twist through search; brainstorm several Keywords and pick your favorite five, your best should be your first.

Photos & Videos

Grab people's attention by featuring Movies and Pictures. These tools are the most popular because they add some visual flair that words just can't. Of course it is the content that makes a great Twist but readers will more likely ready a Twist that appeals to their eyes and their Brain. Using the PhotoBucket and YouTube tools are easier than tieing you shoes so put them to use! Chances are with thousands of Videos and Pictures available, you'll find the perfect addition to your Twist!

Write Mulitple Twists!

Get your name out there and get people knowing you as a ZestBit.com Insider! It's a wonderful thing, once you issue more than one Twist, people are able to check out your other Twists right then and there. If a reader likes your work they will want to read more of it, even if it's about an entirely different topic. To gain even more exposure to your other Twists feel free to link between your them by adding links on your pages. Share your world!

Basic Setup

2007-09-19T16:08:18Z

Basic Setup

Building a Twist is simple, but there are just a few guidelines we make you follow. This Twist is designed to help you understand how to setup your Twist quickly.

Intro Text Tool

Once you've started you Twist with a Title, Title Photo, Category, Keywords, and Rating your first step is to write Your Intro Text. Your Intro Text tool (Above) is where you sumarize your Twist, it will display with your Twist Photo when readers search for your Twist.

Text Tool

The Text Tool is the only Tool that is required for you to publish a Twist, what other Tools you choose to use are completely up to you.

Even though the Text Tool is the only required Tool, remember you have to use a minimum of three Tools to publish your Twist, as long as one of those is a Text Tool you'll be in good shape!

Additional Tools

The Additional Tools you choose to add to your Twist are completely up to you; all Tools are set up the same. You need to include an Intro Title for every Tool you add; this serves to quickly explain this portion of your Twist to your readers. With Intro Text, you can explain the section in more detail; this function is not required for any Tool.