Mommy Is Green

My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software Review & $10 Coupon Code!

2011-12-13T08:35:00.008-05:00

Something I love about digital scrapbooking is being able to pick and choose what I actually want to print. There's no need to use paper most of the time. That's perfect for me because I enjoy creating pages or cards and emailing them to family. The program I use to do this is My Memories Suite v3 (coupon code below). With this software you can do more than just create scrapbook pages. You can make items such as calendars, cards, and photo albums. I even like to make digital wallpaper with this software.

I've always enjoyed scrapbooking, but now I have so much more at my fingertips. I can choose to get a whole kit or I can buy individual papers, lettering, and embellishments. I can also customize the size of my projects. And I really like the fact that I can rearrange my scrapbook pages easily if I change my mind since there's no glue involved. Not to mention the trees saved by keeping most of my projects in digital format, although you can certainly print projects as well.

My most recent project was a holiday card:

It was really fun to make because I was able to add music to it as well. There's also an option to record and add narration. Pretty cool, huh? There are lots of other possibilities too for any kind of project, like adding a web site link, saving as a DVD-video, or even sending to your iPod!

This digital scrapbooking software already comes with lots of papers, page elements, and templates. But you can also get additional items for free or for purchase at MyMemories.com. They even have a Friday Freebie on their Facebook page for download every week too. Personally, their Dollar Store section is a favorite of mine!

If you don't feel like creating a page yourself they have Quick Pages that are all set and ready to go. All you have to do is add your photo. And don't forget to visit the my Memories Suite Blog for video tutorials.

Here's an example of one of their Quick Pages:

I've had a blast using this scrapbooking software! It has lots of wonderful ways to create and I'm always finding something new to do. It's definitely worth using!

By using coupon code STMMMS12535 you can get $10 off My Memories Suite Version 3 Scrapbook Software, and a $10 coupon code for the MyMemories.com store comes in email after software purchase. No expiration date on coupon code!

One lucky Mommy Is Green reader will win
My Memories Suite v3
Digital Scrapbooking Software!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. I was provided with the products(s) mentioned above free of charge for review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Please see Terms of Use for more information.

©MommyIsGreen.net - DO NOT COPY text or images without permission.

The Glass Baby Bottle: Wildkin Nap Mat Review & Giveaway (CLOSED)

2011-11-09T10:40:00.006-05:00

If you follow anything baby or toddler online it's no doubt you've heard about the importance of avoiding parabens, phthalates, and PVC. I started to learn about these toxic chemicals while I was pregnant and now I avoid them for any purchases I make for my family. One place I find safer items is The Glass Baby Bottle. They have a lot of wonderful items such as organic mattresses, stainless steel bottles, organic baby wraps, lunch boxes, cloth diapers, trainers, kid's feeding gear, delivery gowns, organic skin care, and more.

I've recently had the chance to try out one of their Wildkin Safe Nap Mats for my son. It's a nice padded mat that has an attached blanket and removable pillow. It also folds up and has a carrying handle. We all want our children to have a safe non-toxic environment no matter where they are including daycare, school, or even grandma's house. To me, that includes sleeping on a mat that is free of BPA, PVC, phthalates, and lead. The Wildkin Nap Mat is made from cotton and polyester that is not treated with chemicals and is naturally flame resistant. It does not off-gas like toxic foam mats.

My son picked the Under Construction mat. It looks more yellow in the photos but is actually a yellow-orange to my liking. The inside of the attached blanket is a soft blue flannel. And the blanket is padded like the rest of the mat which makes it feel cozy in combination with the flannel. The nap mat is also a good size (20in. W x 50in. L) with room to grow for a 3 to 4 year old.

Another really great feature about this mat is that it's washable. That's a must of you ask me. Now, the washing instructions say to wash in a commercial front-loading machine. That's not possible for a lot of us unless we take it to the laundromat. That works out well if you normally wash your clothes there, but if you wash your clothes at home it can be inconvenient. Personally, I have an Energy Star top loading machine that senses what the water level should be based on the load as well as other energy saving features. My husband is not a fan of front loaders so this is what we have to work with.

I have no problems washing the Wildkin mat on gentle in my top loader (take caution if you try this in your own home washing machine as I can only speak for my own). It fits okay in my washer's tub (machine size: 4 cu. ft.) and it came out just fine. Then I laid it out on a clothes rack to dry in my kitchen.

My little guy is very pleased with his mat. I feel better knowing that he's not going to be breathing in toxic fumes while napping. It's convenient to take on the go and it's really cute too!

One lucky Mommy Is Green reader will win a

Wildkin Nap Mat

from The Glass Baby Bottle!

(Winner's choice of any In-Stock style)

Please use the Rafflecopter form to enter (only the first entry requires a blog comment):

I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. I was provided with the product mentioned above free of charge for review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Please see Terms of Use for more information.

©MommyIsGreen.net - DO NOT COPY text or images without permission from the author.

Maia's Mineral Galaxy: NEW Products!

2011-11-02T11:49:00.005-04:00

If you've visited my blog before you know that I've been using Maia's Mineral Galaxy makeup for the past year. I try to avoid nasty toxic chemicals as much as possible. And one way I do that is by choosing my makeup and skin care cautiously. I appreciate products that don't contain parabens, phthalates, and other harmful chemicals (too many to be named really). So I often turn to Maia's Mineral Galaxy.

Here are some of the NEW products out in their line:

Mineral Foundation with Organic Arrowroot Powder — If you're going the natural but non-GMO route this foundation is a good choice. Usually, I can't use powdered foundations because they react to my natural facial oil and either get too dark or turn orange. But that's not the case with this powder. I use the Egg Shell shade without a problem. It's a light coverage foundation when used dry. I feel that's all I personally need but if you like medium coverage you can use a wet application.

Lip n Cheek Stain — This is my favorite new product by far!!! I absolutely adore the shade Holy which is a very light pink. As a lip stain, I find it to be more opaque than a lip gloss and it seems to last longer too. As a blush, I definitely enjoy this more than a powdered blush because it's quicker and easier to use. Plus, I like that my lip and cheek shades match.

Aquamarine Eye Shadow — This is an absolutely gorgeous shade! Since it is a lighter shade I always put some kind of primer on my eyelid first to get the full effect. It's very lovely in combination with the Holy Lip n Cheek Stain.

Antique Jade Eye Shadow — I don't usually wear green eye shadow but this shade changed my mind. To me, it's a gold-like green and I think that's why I like it so much. Also, since it's a darker shade I don't always need a primer when I wear it.

Gentle Exfoliating Cleansing Cream — If foaming facial cleansers are too drying for your skin you'd really like this cleansing cream. It removes makeup and is very moisturizing at the same time. It does contain aloe leaf juice and witch hazel so I did confirm with Maia's Mineral Galaxy that neither of these ingredients contains parabens or phenoxyethanol.

Anti-Fatigue Foot Cream — It's good to have a foot cream that's moisturizing as well as contains soothing essential oils such as lavender and roman chamomile. I'm a big fan of shea butter and I always think that makes for an incredible moisturizer. The scent of this cream is very relaxing too.

Extreme Firming Eye Gel — I've started using eye gel a bit as a preventative measure. It's easy to spread a couple of drops of this gel around my eyes after cleansing my face. It contains moisturizing and anti-oxidant ingredients to reduce wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness. A little does go a long way too.

I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. I was provided with the product(s) mentioned above at no cost for review. The opinions expressed here are my own. Please see Terms of Use for more information.

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Annmarie Gianni Skin Care Review & Giveaway (CLOSED)

2011-10-26T09:44:00.001-04:00

What we put on our skin should be of super importance to each of us. After all, our skin readily absorbs whatever we put on it. When it comes to toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, those are the last things I want absorbing into my skin. So naturally I always gravitate toward skin care products that use organic ingredients.

One skin care line that uses natural, organic, and wildcrafted ingredients is Annmarie Gianni Skin Care. After researching natural skin care products, Annmarie Gianni learned that most skin care products that were supposedly organic and "natural" had hidden preservatives and nasty additives. On the other end, she was also frustrated when many of the truly natural products weren't up to her standards of quality and effectiveness. So she started her own skin care line.

Annemarie Gianni Skin Care offers items such as cleansers, scrubs, mists, moisturizers, facial oils, facial masks, and products for anti-aging. I really adore that the products I received come in tinted glass containers. The fact that they are tinted is important because it protects the quality of the products.

Here are the three products I tried:

Aloe-Herb Facial Cleanser — This is a very gentle cleanser that won't leave your skin feeling dry. I know particularly in the colder months some people are not able to use their usual cleanser because it dries out their skin too much. This would be a great alternative. It has the most delightful citrus smell too! I love an uplifting and natural scent in a facial cleanser. It's truly refreshing!

Dead Sea Facial Scrub — Made with Dead Sea Clay, this is a natural alternative to microdermabrasion. A facial scrub is a must for me! I need it to slough off dead skin cells to treat or prevent blackheads. What I particularly like about this scrub is that it's gentler than sugar facial scrubs. And you can make it even gentler if you want by adding some of the Aloe-Herb Cleanser to it, but I use it alone. It can also be used as a remineralizing facial mask. So it's acts as a two-in-one product.

Herbal Facial Oil for Oily and Acne Prone Skin — This oil is a lightly astringent blend and acts as a light moisturizer. All you need to do is dab a little on and blend. As I often say when I talk about facial skin care, "Oil dissolves oil." This works as long as it's a natural oil and not petroleum-based of course. If you're still feeling hesitant, give it a try overnight to start.

If you're interested in Annmarie Gianni Skin Care and want to try out some sample products first, check out their 3 Skin Care Samples deal. It's $10 including shipping. You can mix and match to find out which products you like the best. It also comes with a coupon code so you can't go wrong.

One lucky Mommy Is Green reader will win an

Annmarie Gianni Travel Kit

for Normal Skin!

Please use the Rafflecopter form to enter (only the first entry requires a blog comment):

I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. I was provided with the products(s) mentioned above free of charge for review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Please see Terms of Use for more information.

©MommyIsGreen.net - DO NOT COPY text or images without permission.

Fair Trade Finder App Review & Fair Trade Gift Bag Giveaway (CLOSED)

2011-10-18T07:57:00.001-04:00

October is Fair Trade Month! I always look forward to it because Twitter and Facebook start to buzz about all of the fair trade items that are available. If you're new to learning about fair trade it's about paying a fair price for goods, safe conditions for workers, sustainability, community, and social awareness. Purchasing certified fair trade items helps farmers and their families improve their quality of life. It also helps to keep children in those communities in school. So much can be done through buying fair trade items!

You'd be surprised by the places you can find fair trade items. Like some of your favorite places to eat or even the local pharmacy.Who would've thought that, right? To make finding fair trade items in your area easier, Fair Trade USA has launched a free new app to help consumers find out where they can purchase Fair Trade Certified products nearby. The Fair Trade Finder app is available for Facebook, Android, and iPhone.

The Fair Trade Finder app lets you find, add, tag and photograph Fair Trade certified products wherever you are. I've been using the app for iPhone and I've been having fun finding items. I really like how you can choose a specific category, such as coffee, or do a broader search for everything fair trade. I also like how you can enter a zip code if you don't want to use your current location. That way you can learn ahead of time where to find certain items if you're headed to a special place one day. Or you can wait until you reach your destination. But I think it's wonderful to have a choice.

The Fair Trade Finder app also lets us act as a community by adding where we find Fair Trade Certified items ourselves. It's a great way to help each other learn where to locate fair trade products locally. Hopefully, we can all chip in and add products to help further the function of the app. By helping each other find fair trade items we are also helping the farmers and workers in around 58 developing countries that provide us with items such as coffee, tea, chocolate, sugar, and more.

There's this nice little tea place in my area that sells a lot of fair trade certified teas. As soon as I get the chance I'm going to go take some photos to add to the Fair Trade Finder app. I'm very excited to share!

One lucky Mommy Is Green reader will win a

Gift Bag Full of Fair Trade

Certified Products!

Please use the Rafflecopter form to enter (only the first entry requires a blog comment):

I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. I am being provided with a Fair Trade Gift Bag free of charge for review of the Fair Trade Finder App. The opinions expressed here are my own. Please see Terms of Use for more information.

©MommyIsGreen.net - DO NOT COPY text or images without permission.

Enjoying Some Organic Pumpkin Pie Tea While Contemplating Loose Tea Water Temperature

2011-10-12T11:33:00.024-04:00

I'm not a tea connoisseur by any means but I am learning more and more. Especially about loose tea. I didn't previously know that each kind of tea should steep at different water temperatures. All I ever knew before was how to boil water in a kettle and add a tea bag to it (fancy, I know...lol).

There's a local tea house in my area that serves a great variety of loose teas. As much as I should probably try a different tea every time I visit, I usually end up getting the Organic White Peach tea. I'm extremely fond of that one. But the last time I visited the tea house I noticed an Organic Pumpkin Pie tea on my way out. My mother graciously bought me a sample bag to try it out.

The Organic Pumpkin Pie Rooibos tea consists of rooibos, honeybush, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and natural flavor. If this sounds appealing to you there's a similar one online. The only differences are the addition of one ingredient, the water temperature required, and the steep time.

I wasn't disappointed in the tea at all. It's quite wonderful actually! It's also easier for me to heat the water for it versus my white tea because it can steep at a higher temperature (212 degrees F). I don't have any way of telling exactly how hot the water temp in my kettle is. So for white tea (around 175 degrees) I just wing it. I would really like to find a good way to make sure the water temperature isn't too high though so the white tea leaves don't burn and make the tea taste bitter.

I know there are electric kettles that heat the water to the exact temperature it should be for each tea. I haven't had a chance to research the materials they are made from yet though. And plastic inside anything I need to heat is not an option for me.

My mother has a glass kettle that lets you tell the temperature by the way the water looks as it heats and boils. She has a gas stove so it works well. But I have a fear of using glass on our electric coil stove top. Lets just say there was an unfortunate incident with a glass pie plate and one of our electric burners one time. That's a story for another day.

One thing my mother did suggest to me was to get a candy thermometer to test the water temperature. That's something that might work.

What is your favorite tea and how do you check the water temperature?

I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post.

©MommyIsGreen.net - DO NOT COPY text or images without permission from the author.

Book Review: Super Immunity by Joel Fuhrman, M.D.

2011-10-04T15:26:00.022-04:00

If you had a way to prevent becoming sick you would take advantage of that, right? I know I would. Even having a cold sets me back by draining my energy and dampening my mood. But what if you could also decrease your chances of getting a disease like cancer? It would be even more difficult not to take advantage of that!

There's no doubt that we've become accustomed to eating highly processed foods with complicated chemical ingredients. They are cheap and convenient. Unfortunately, those foods only lead to obesity and health problems. They do not help our body to function as it is meant to function. As a result, we become more vulnerable to illnesses. That's why I decided to read a new book that encourages wellness through eating habits called Super Immunity: The Essential Nutrition Guide for Boosting Your Body's Defenses to Live Longer, Stronger, and Disease Free by Joel Fuhrman, M.D..

What we eat has everything to do with our health, and, unfortunately, too many of us are living with a severely depleted immune function. Our dietary choices are making us sicker, shortening our lives, and costing us billions of dollars in doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription medications. But Dr. Fuhrman doesn’t believe more medical care is the answer. Rather, he explains the solution is to change the way we eat. The standard American diet is nutrient deficient. We are eating too many highly processed foods, foods with added sweeteners, and animal fats and protein. At the same time, we are not eating enough fruits, beans, seeds, and vegetables, which leaves us lacking in hundreds of the most important immune-building compounds. By changing our diets and combining foods that contain powerful immune-strengthening capabilities, we can prevent most common modern diseases.

I was very intrigued by this book and kept wanting to read more. I felt the science was easy to understand and my eyes were definitely opened to some new ideas regarding diet. I can admit that although I have an organic diet I probably still don't eat well enough to boost my immune system to it's full potential. After reading this book I realized there's more to just eating healthy. That it's the combination of specific foods together that makes our bodies perform the way they should.

I really enjoyed the book as a whole but I did have some favorite parts. The first two involved the coffee question and the soy debate. These are two things I was very interested in learning about. There has been a lot of buzz, both positive and negative, about soy lately. So I found the information on soy extremely helpful.

My other favorite part explains how if you do get sick with the cold or flu, that you can get better faster with the right diet. I'm going to say that this book does challenge some of the things we've always believed to be true. Like how chicken soup will make a cold better. Instead, Dr. Fuhrman explains how vegetable soup is a better option because your body has to work harder to digest the chicken protein which can actually set you back while you're sick. I don't believe he's saying that vegetable soup will cure a cold, but that it is a better option when sick than chicken soup. As much as I'd love to hold on to old ideas and eating habits, I know change doesn't happen unless we embrace new knowledge. So I took the challenge to old beliefs in stride.

Super Immunity is all about making food work toward health. But it doesn't leave you hanging and wondering how to put the program to work. There are 85 immune-boosting recipes and a two-week eating plan included in the book. Some of the recipes are: Very Berry Smoothie, Spinach Salad with Strawberry Sesame Vinaigrette, and Acorn Squash Supreme. Those sounds pretty delicious in my opinion.

I found this book to be both educational and practical. I learned a lot from this book and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to live a healthy lifestyle and be well. It's totally worth the read!

For more from Dr. Fuhrman, be sure to visit his web site, www.drfuhrman.com, and follow him on Facebook & Twitter!

You can also Text keyword "SUPERIMMUNITY"
to READIT (732348) for bonus content.

I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. I was provided with a copy of the book free of charge for review. The opinions expressed here are my own. Please see Terms of Use for more information.

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I Recycle My Toothbrushes Through the Mail

2011-09-26T15:34:00.008-04:00

I previously posted about Preserve and the Gimme 5 program which takes your #5 plastics and recycles them. It's a really cool program and I appreciate that Preserve makes recycled products that can be recycled again. If you live near a Whole Foods Market, they sometimes have a bin for the Gimme 5 program. If you don't live near a Whole Foods Market, there's still a way to make use of Preserve's Gimme 5 program through the mail.

Recently, I purchased a replacement Preserve Toothbrush that already came in a mailer. How convenient is that?! I just took my new toothbrush out and put my old toothbrush in it's place in the mailer. I added a piece of tape, then sent it out in the mail. I couldn't think of anything easier.

Old toothbrushes then become plastic lumber for things such as picnic tables and park benches. Don't worry, they don't recycle your old toothbrush into new toothbrushes. Lol! The new toothbrushes are actually made from recycled yogurt cups.

I did not receive any compensation for this post.

©MommyIsGreen.net - DO NOT COPY text or images without permission from the author.

I Won Something from the EcoScrapbook Blog

2011-09-15T09:45:00.012-04:00

I used to scrapbook a lot with my sister. We shared supplies with each other and chatted away while creating pages. Then my sister moved to another state and it didn't seem as much fun to scrapbook by myself. So I hadn't scrapbooked in quite a while.

Still though, I've kept my interest in scrapbooking. I've been following Danielle's blog, EcoScrapbook. She uses eco-friendly supplies to create not only scrapbook pages but cards and other crafty items like upcycled pencil holders. When Danielle held a giveaway for digital scrapbooking software I had to enter. I figured it would be a great way for me to get back into scrapbooking and have fun again while working on projects alone. Lucky for me I won!!! I was so excited. I downloaded my software right away and starting having a blast with it.

Here's the digital scrapbook page I made with My Memories Suite:

I've never been the artistic type so my pages aren't as fancy as other scrapbookers. But I think I make decent pages at least. No matter what, I still have fun. Plus, I really like the fact that I can email my pages to family. Instead of sending plain photos, I can dress them up on a page.

If you're interested in learning more about green scrapbooking both digitally and with eco-friendly paper/supplies, be sure to check out EcoScrapbook.

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Reusable Organic Cotton Balls/Rounds

2011-09-13T10:09:00.022-04:00

I'm all for anything I can find that's reusable to replace disposable items. One day I was thinking about the cotton balls I use for my daily facial toner. I had already starting using organic cotton balls but I wanted something I wouldn't run out of as well. It's definitely more convenient for me to wash reusable items rather than to trash disposable ones and possibly be stuck when I run out. Plus, I never like to be wasteful. That's why reusable always works for me.

I thought there had to be reusable organic cotton balls out there somewhere. Even though I didn't find actual cotton "balls" I did come across reusable cotton rounds, cotton squares, and crochet rounds. The ones I thought I would like the best were Better For Grownups Organic Cotton Face Rounds because they are two layers of organic, fair trade cotton velour. They are more absorbent than a cotton ball so I do have to use more toner per application. But I'm fine with that because the reusable factor outweighs using a little more toner.

One side of each round is a hand-dyed color and the other side is white. The rounds come in a few colors, and in different amounts of each color. So it's a total surprise what you get. There's no guarantee you will get the same colors you see on the site. I received cream, green, peach, and a bright orange. What I like about having different colors is that I use certain colors for certain things. For example, I use the green rounds for removing makeup. Since I use sweet almond oil for makeup removal I need to wash those rounds with a bit more care than I do for rounds I use with toner.

With the Better For Grownups brand, you get 30 rounds and a mesh organic cotton bag to wash your rounds in. The mesh cotton bag and velour material is what really swayed me to go with this brand. At first I didn't know if I wanted to spend $24.50. But I was able to get 10% off for being a first time customer of betterforbabies.com and I chose the least expensive shipping method. In the end, I will be saving money on cotton balls so it's worth it.

I did not receive any compensation for this post.

©MommyIsGreen.net - DO NOT COPY text or images without permission from author.

Nicki's Diapers: Planet Wise Mini Wet/Dry Bag Review & Giveaway (CLOSED)

2011-09-01T10:23:00.040-04:00

The first reusable item I ever purchased was cloth baby wipes. Then of course cloth diapers followed. It was only a matter of time before I needed something to keep those items in both away and at home. I've always relied on Planet Wise for all of my wet bag and diaper pail liner needs. So it's no surprise that when I needed something to store mama cloth in I looked toward Planet Wise again.

Thanks to Nicki's Diapers I was able to try the Planet Wise MINI Wet/Dry Bag. If you've ever visited Nicki's Diapers you know that they have everything for baby and mama. They are a one stop shop for items such as cloth diapers, car seats, feeding items, toys, nursing bras, breast pumps, feminine pads, and anything else a woman and her little one needs. They have a seriously impressive site. They even have a Made in the USA section in which Planet Wise products are also listed.

Since I have a small purse I needed a nice little waterproof pouch to contain cloth menstrual pads both before and after use while I'm out. The best thing about the Planet Wise Mini Wet/Dry Bag (5" x 10" in size) is that it's not just a wet bag. It has a convenient pouch area on the front to store my clean unused pads. The main part inside is a larger waterproof section that can hold a few pads once you've used them. The attached outer pouch is a smaller section that can hold about two or three pads depending on the thickness of the pads. My pads are pretty thin, so folded up I can fit three pads in there.

To prevent leaking and wicking, the bag has a PVC-free waterproof inner layer and a zipper that is lead-free and locking. And cleaning is a breeze because the Mini Wet/Dry Bag can be machine washed and dried. My Medium Planet Wise Wet/Dry bag for cloth diapers has help up well wash after wash. That's how I knew I could trust the mini bag in my purse.

Something that's also fantastic about Planet Wise products is their fun variety of prints, including a few in organic cotton. I chose one of their newest organic prints in Silver Scroll. The gray color goes perfectly with the color of my purse. After all, us ladies like to accessorize too, right?

If you have powder or liquid makeup, lotions and hand sanitizers, or any reusable items you want to keep separated you will like the Mini. I personally adore it for mama cloth! It's been a lifesaver to travel out with. I can feel good knowing that I'm not putting little plastic baggies in the landfill too. The seams are completely sealed and the zipper stays tightly in place once it's zipped. There are no worries about the rest of my purse. Once I get home I toss the bag in with my other laundry and I'm all set.

Nicki's Diapers offers FREE Shipping on any Planet Wise product shipped within the contiguous US! Whether you need a wet bag, a changing pad, or even some Best Bottom cloth diapers, you can't say no to items with free shipping! Definitely check out Nicki's Diapers if you're searching for anything baby or mama.

WIN IT!!!

One lucky Mommy Is Green reader will win a
Planet Wise Mini Wet/Dry Bag
from Nicki's Diaper's.

To Enter:

1. Visit Nicki's Diapers then come back and tell me another product you'd like to try. This is mandatory and must be done before the extra entries count.

Extra Entries (The mandatory entry must be completed first before any of these count. Please create a separate comment for each extra entry):

2. Follow me through Google Friend Connect. (1 Entry)

3. Follow the Nicki's Diaper blog publicly. (1 Entry)

4. Follow Nicki's Diapers @nickisdiapers & Planet Wise @planetwiseinc on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway. You can do this once daily. Put a link to your tweet in a comment here (click the date/time on the bottom left of your tweet to get link). You can copy and paste: Win a Planet Wise Mini Wet/Dry Bag! @nickisdiapers @planetwiseinc http://tinyurl.com/3em5owf #giveaway (1 Entry Per Day)

5. Follow @mommyisgreen on Twitter. Leave your Twitter ID in comment. (1 Entry)

6. Tweet @planetwiseinc and @nickisdiapers #clothdiapers (1 Entry)

7. Like Mommy Is Green on Facebook. Leave your Facebook name when you post back here. (1 Entry)

8. Like Nicki's Diapers & Planet Wise on Facebook. Leave your Facebook name when you post back here. (1 Entry)

9. Add the Mommy Is Green button to your sidebar. ( 2 Entries)

10. Subscribe to Mommy Is Green through email. (2 Entries)

11. Comment on any non-giveaway blog post here at Mommy Is Green. (1 Entry)

This giveaway will end on September 18, 2011 at 11:59 ET. Winner will be drawn via random.org. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and they will have 48 hours to reply before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only who are 18 years of age or older.

Congratulations to the winner, #85...kmogilevski!

©MommyIsGreen.net - DO NOT COPY text or images without permission.

Party In My Pants Cloth Pads Review

2011-08-30T08:27:00.038-04:00

I don't always warm up right away to every new eco-friendly idea I hear. Especially when the idea is much different than what I'm used to already. Sometimes I need a little time to process a new concept. When I first heard about reusable cloth menstrual pads I wasn't enthusiastic about the idea. I had used tampons as far back as I could remember and the thought of using any pads at all didn't sound appealing. Plus, like a lot of others, I thought reusing cloth pads would be messy and gross.

I didn't become interested in reusable cloth pads until after I started using a menstrual cup. I've always needed a pad for backup while using the cup because of residual leaking and other "just in case" scenarios. Using disposable back up pads made me extremely unhappy for several reasons beyond the fact that they are not very eco-friendly. I also find them unbreathable, chaffing, and most of all smelly. I heard that cloth pads were more comfortable and didn't have the odor problem (true by the way) so I started my search.There were three specific things I wished for when looking for cloth pads: organic cotton, a leak-proof layer, and a plain cotton vs. a fuzzy fleece cotton fabric option. I didn't exactly have an easy time finding those three things together in a pad I thought I would like. Then I came across Party In My Pants pads (PIMP for short). Their All-In-One pads are made with a leak-proof breathable nylon shield, nickel-free snaps, and your choice of regular or organic cotton. They come in amazingly fun patterns too! PIMP is a small business owned by two sisters, Luci & Lydia. And all of the pads are handmade in Ashland, Wisconsin. Very cool!

PIMP pads come in a variety of sizes which each include their own level of absorbency. I took the Pad Prescription quiz to help me choose the right pads based on underwear type and amount of flow. Of course, it's recommended that you try 2-3 pads in a couple of different sizes before building your stash. If you have a broad range of underwear you can always purchase a Wing Extender for the smaller sizes and an extra snap for larger sizes. That definitely allows customization for different panty styles.

Since I planned on using my pads with a menstrual cup as well as alone on light/moderate days, I tried the Mini Liner, the Small Pad, and the Medium Pad. For the Small Pad I chose the organic cotton flannel (Black), and for the other two I chose the original organic cotton — one in Harmony (green pattern) and one in Odessa (gray pattern). When the pads arrived they were nicely packaged and even included a piece of Equal Exchange fair trade organic chocolate. I thought that was such a lovely touch!

The first two days of my cycle are always heavy so I used my menstrual cup with the Mini Liner. I wouldn't trust a disposable panty liner as a back up but the PIMP Mini Liner is a gem. I'm telling you that actual cotton fabric with a sturdy nylon backing makes all the difference! For the rest of my cycle the Small and Medium pads alone worked well. One day I wore the Medium out and I kept checking it because it's so thin and barely noticeable. The pad wasn't sliding or leaking. It was just me having to get used to the fact that yes, a pad that doesn't feel like a diaper can work well.

As far as storing and washing used pads, it's a simple routine. I fold up and snap each pad after use and store them in a breathable cotton bag to dry. On wash day I spray each one with my usual stain remover (Biokleen Bac-Out diluted with distilled water) and let them sit a bit before running a quick pre-rinse on cold with my undies. Then I throw the in the rest of my dark clothes, run a regular wash cycle and dry on low heat. So far I haven't noticed any staining although most of PIMP's patterns are chosen to conceal stains well. Now if you're thinking you can't possibly wash your pads in with your clothes, ask yourself if you've ever washed a pair of underwear that you've leaked on? If you've thrown those underwear in the wash, washing your pads isn't much different.

I've liked the Party In My Pants pads so much I definitely want to try their large and overnight sizes. That way if I don't want to use my menstrual cup I don't have to. I have to admit there are mornings, even days, where I would prefer to just quickly change out a pad instead. PIMPs are thin, reusable, low-maintenance, and stylish. I'm very pleased!

If you're curious about cloth but still not sure about it, PIMP will send you a FREE Liner for only the cost of shipping which is $3.99 in most cases. They also have Name That PIMP contests and other giveaways they post on their Facebook page where you could win a pad. These are excellent ways to try cloth if you're not sure you want to take the plunge yet.

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alex+von: $25 e-Gift Card & Suki Skin Care Kit Giveaway (CLOSED)

2011-08-24T10:07:00.039-04:00

Whenever possible I try to support small eco-friendly businesses here in the US. I believe some of the best green products come from smaller businesses that care about offering safer alternatives. I'm being honest when I say that most of the products I feel are safer to use I cannot always get in a local store. So I do appreciate when I find an online shop that offers natural, organic, and eco-friendly products.

I was introduced to alex+von by Mia Bell, alex+von Independent Consultant. alex+von is a great new company that offers women the chance to start a business from home selling products from natural and organic boutique brands. Women have the opportunity to sell one or more brands online and/or in person. Each individual representative is able to choose the brands they'd like to sell. I think having that choice is wonderful because it lets me know that the independent reps are choosing products they believe in. I appreciate that each one is sharing their own personal recommendations.

Mia sells suki, 100% Pure, and weeDECOR on her alex+von site, www.alexandvon.com/miabell. I was sent some really great suki skin care samples. I'll highlight my top 3 favorites:

Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser - I've been a fan of this facial cleanser for a while. I have the kind of skin where if I don't exfoliate I get blackheads. I rely on this to both purify and get rid of dead skin cells. My skin feels very smooth, clean, and refreshed after using this product. The lemongrass in it smells wonderful too.

Balancing Day Lotion - My first impression was that the scent was a little too strong. I've been used to milder scents over the past two years so it could just be me. As for the way this non-greasy lotion works, I was very pleased. The first day I used my suki products I only cleansed with the Exfoliating Foaming Cleanser and used this lotion. I had a few blemishes on my face and by the end of the day they were barely visible. The cleanser and the lotion definitely make a good pair.

Pure Facial Moisture - Balancing - This is a light oil that helps fight bacteria and balance oil production. After all, oil dissolves oil (only natural oils work like this, not petroleum-based oils). I like to put this on after cleansing before bed. I have combination skin so it's light enough to work for both my oily and dry spots. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this!

I didn't have any facial scrub or the proper toner for a few weeks before starting with my suki products. My facial skin was in need of some serious repair. Now I feel like I'm back on track and my skin is looking better. I even went ahead and took advantage of alex+von's suki August Special for a buy one, get one free complete care kit. I found the information under the alex+von Weekly Specials section. That's where you will find the latest deals.

I received some weeDECOR samples too. weeDECOR is a line of eco-friendly decorative wall decals. They are not vinyl like many other wall decals. Instead they are made from PVC-free fabric with an adhesive backing. They are removable, reusable, and biodegradable. I think they are an adorable way to decorate any children's room.

WIN IT!!!

One lucky Mommy Is Green reader will win a
$25 alex+von e-Gift Card &
suki To Go Jumpstart Nourishing Kit.

To Enter:

1. Like the alex+von by Mia Facebook page, then come back here and comment that you did (leave first name and last initial). This is mandatory and must be done before the extra entries count.

Extra Entries (The mandatory entry must be completed first before any of these count. Please create a separate comment for each extra entry):

2. Follow me through Google Friend Connect. (1 Entry)

3. Leave the url of the product you'd like to try the most from Mia's site. (1 Entry)

4. Follow @mommyisgreen on Twitter. Leave your Twitter ID in comment. (1 Entry)

5. Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter. You can do this once daily. Put a link to your tweet in a comment here (click the date/time on the bottom left of your tweet to get link). You can copy and paste: Win an alex+von $25 e-Gift Card & Suki Skin Care Kit! @mommyisgreen http://tinyurl.com/3gwh98e #giveaway (1 Entry Per Day)

6. Like Mommy Is Green on Facebook. (1 Entry)

7. Add the Mommy Is Green button to your sidebar. ( 2 Entries)

8. Subscribe to Mommy Is Green through email. (2 Entries)

9. Comment on any non-giveaway blog post here at Mommy Is Green. (1 Entry)

10. Blog about this giveaway with a link back to Mommy Is Green and www.alexandvon.com/miabell. Leave a comment with your web site address. (3 Entries)

This giveaway will end on September 8, 2011 at 11:59 ET. Winner will be drawn via random.org. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and they will have 48 hours to reply before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only who are 18 years of age or older.

Congratulations to the winner, #2...Zoe Kyklos!

I received an alex+von e-gift card and several suki samples free of charge for review.
The opinions expressed here are my own. Please see Terms of Use for more information.

©MommyIsGreen.net - DO NOT COPY text or images without permission from the author.

Eco Sprout Cloth Diaper Detergent Review & Giveaway (CLOSED)

2011-08-22T07:56:00.050-04:00

If you're a cloth diapering parent, chances are you've dealt with ammonia stink at least once. Probably even more than once. I know I have. I've been successful in the short term with ridding my diapers of ammonia with oxygen bleach or vinegar but I've never been able to make it last. I'd always end up having to strip my diapers again after a short while.

I had never before tried a cloth diaper detergent itself to clear the ammonia problem. So when I had the opportunity to try Eco Sprout detergent for my cloth trainers and overnight diapers, I decided to give it a go. Eco Sprout is an environmentally friendly detergent that is safe for cloth diapers and sensitive skin. It is free from dyes, brighteners, enzymes, and phosphates. It's also 100% biodegradable. To top off that awesome description, it was started by a work-at-home-dad. My husband is always the first one to complain about diaper stink. He doesn't mind using or washing cloth diapers at all, but he does mind the stinkies. Good thing another dad was on the case to battle ammonia!

Eco Sprout comes in several yummy scents and an unscented version called In The Buff. I always go with unscented for my laundry detergent so that's the one I chose. When you first use Eco Sprout it's recommended that you soak your cloth diapers in their detergent with HOT water first for at least 3-5 hours. Then you do two HOT/cold cycles without detergent (see complete washing instructions here). This helps to rid the diapers of previous detergents, minerals, etc. that could be left in the diapers.

I personally did an overnight soak when following these instructions. My cloth trainers and diapers came out beautifully without any ammonia stink. Woo hoo! I had a couple of very stubborn microfiber inserts that wouldn't clear themselves of stink no matter what I did. Now they are stink free. Yeah! I've continued to wash with Eco Sprout for my cloth trainers and overnight diapers with success. I've also used it for my clothes and I'm pleased with it for them as well.

I also want to mention that in Eco Sprout's washing instructions I noticed something different than what I've heard about washing cloth diapers before. It explains that for top loaders you only need enough water for the diapers to move around freely and rub against each other. You don't have to fill the washer up to the highest water level if you're doing a smaller load. That makes total sense to me. Especially if you're using a detergent that works.

I have an Energy Star top loading washer that senses the size of the load and only fills to where the water level needs to be and nothing more. The only way to get the washer to fill more is to stand there while it fills and open the lid again several times so the washer thinks I'm adding more to the load. I'm very glad I don't have to do that anymore. It saves water too which is half the purpose of having an energy efficient washer.

Eco Sprout's site has lots of fantastic information about washing cloth diapers and trying what will work best for you. Not to mention that their Facebook page is full of great washing conversations as well. Be sure to check out all they have to offer at www.ecosproutsoap.com regarding detergent, washing instructions, and their other products such as Breath...Again Pail Freshener, Bottom Balm+, and Bottom Spray!

WIN IT!!!

One lucky Mommy Is Green reader will win a
24oz. Bag of Eco Sprout Detergent
in their scent of choice.

To Enter:

1. Visit Eco Sprout then come back and tell me which scent you would like to try the most. This is mandatory and must be done before the extra entries count.

Extra Entries (The mandatory entry must be completed first before any of these count. Please create a separate comment for each extra entry):

2. Follow me through Google Friend Connect. (1 Entry)

3. Follow @mommyisgreen on Twitter. Leave your Twitter ID in comment. (1 Entry)

4. Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter. You can do this once daily. Put a link to your tweet in a comment here (click the date/time on the bottom left of your tweet to get link). You can copy and paste: Win Eco Sprout Cloth Diaper Detergent! @mommyisgreen http://tinyurl.com/3rrxe4z #clothdiapers #giveaway (1 Entry Per Day)

5. Like Eco Sprout on Facebook. Leave your first name and last initial in comment.
(1 Entry)

6. Like Mommy Is Green on Facebook. Leave your first name and last initial in comment. (1 Entry)

7. Add the Mommy Is Green button to your sidebar. ( 2 Entries)

8. Subscribe to Mommy Is Green through email. (2 Entries)

9. Comment on any non-giveaway blog post here at Mommy Is Green. (1 Entry)

10. Blog about this giveaway with a link back to Mommy Is Green and Eco Sprout. Leave a comment with your web site address. (3 Entries)

This giveaway will end on September 6, 2011 at 11:59 ET. Winner will be drawn via random.org. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and they will have 48 hours to reply before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only who are 18 years of age or older.

Congratulations to the winner, #131... Holly Wilson!

©MommyIsGreen.net - DO NOT COPY text or images without permission.

Organic Facial Care Products

2011-08-15T08:30:00.021-04:00

One of my Facebook followers asked me if I could recommend a good facial cleanser and lotion. So I thought I'd share my answer here along with some other organic facial care products I currently use or have tried. Please keep in mind that what works for me may not necessarily work for you as we all have different facial needs. My motto is, "Not everything will work for everyone, but something will always work for someone."

Facial Cleanser - There are two facial cleansers I'm currently using. They are Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Liquid Castile Soap and Grateful Body Hydrating Facial Cleanse. I use the peppermint castile to keep breakouts at bay (tea tree would also work well for this but I like the smell of peppermint better). When I need a more moisturizing cleanser I use Grateful Body.

Toner - For some reason in the spring I always break out. I choose Brittanie's Thyme Organic Blemish Toner during that time. I apply it all over my face with an organic cotton ball. It removes the dirt and oil from my face like nothing else I've used. I also like Grateful Body Toner. The mist is really refreshing for the summer. I ran out of cotton balls (I have reusable organic cotton rounds on the way) so I started spraying it directly on my face then spreading it around with my fingers. The mist is really refreshing for the summer.

Moisturizer - My favorite so far is Leap Organics Daily Face Lotion. It's most like the traditional moisturizers I used before I started using organic products, but without the nasty synthetic chemicals. It's not too oily and it rubs in nicely. I've also tried Miessence Balancing Moisturiser and Britannie's Thyme Organic Everyday Moisturizer. Miessence is nice too but the price is a little more than my budget allows. The Britannie's Thyme is too oily for my skin. I was able to use it but I always felt shiny.

Makeup Remover - Organic Sweet Almond Oil is all I need. It works like a charm before cleansing. Aura Cacia is the brand I usually buy.

Facial Scrub/Exfoliating Cleanser - I make a DIY Cleansing Facial Scrub I formulated myself that you can find on LovelySafeMama.com. There are ones that I've bought and liked too though. One of those is Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser. It's a bit expensive but works very well. I've also tried Leap Organics Exfoliating Face Wash. I can't use this as a wash by itself because it feels filmy on my face after rinsing. I use it first thing when I get in the shower and then rinse. At the very end of my shower I use my regular cleanser. That way I get the exfoliating benefits without the film. It works extremely well to smooth out my face as long as I give it some time to work before washing with another cleanser. I know it seems like a bit much to do but I didn't want to waste the bottle. Especially when I found a way to make it work.

As far as just a plain facial scrub without a cleanser, I still have yet to find one I like. I tried Brittanie's Thyme Organic Almond Oatmeal Facial Scrub but it didn't exfoliate well enough for me. Sometimes I mix a little sweet almond oil with some pure cane sugar to make a quick scrub. But since sugar scrubs should only be used on the face sparingly, like a couple of times per week, I'd like to find a facial scrub without sugar that I can use at least every other day.

For Bath & Body products please see my post,
Organic Bath & Body Products I'm Using.

UPDATE: I didn't realize that the honeysuckle flower CO2 ingredient in the Grateful Body products is in fact Japanese Honeysuckle Extract. I thought it was different. There is much debate about any type of japanese honeysuckle extract so it's best to read all of the information available before using a product with that ingredient. It's something you'll have to decide for yourself. Personally though, if it's that controversial, I do like to err on the side of caution.

©MommyIsGreen.net - DO NOT COPY text or images without permission from the author.

Washable Organic Cotton Purse

2011-08-08T08:41:00.017-04:00

I previously received an eReader Bag/Sleeve from Sage & Kai for review. I absolutely loved it! So when it came time to get a new purse I asked the owner of Sage & Kai if she could make me a custom purse. I'd been keeping my eye out for a machine washable purse for a while but was hard pressed to find anything with the specifics I wanted. When I found out Sage & Kai could make me not only a washable purse but also one made from organic cotton my search was complete.

I'd never ordered anything custom before but it was really easy. I knew I wanted a purse around the same size as my eReader bag with a flat/gusseted bottom. I asked for precisely that along with the color gray. The owner of Sage & Kai sent me a photo of the fabrics she had for both the inside and outside of the purse. I was able to choose from two shades of gray for the outside as well as multiple prints for the inside. I decided to go with a heavier canvas for the outside since it was the darker gray I wanted. I also chose a nice, solid blue for the inside. I chose this over actual prints because I loved the way the bright, tiffany-like blue contrasted with the dark gray.

I decided to request a long strap and one pocket (inside) for my cell phone. Personally, I like a longer strap on my purse because I like to hang it across my body so I can relax when I have other things to carry. I started appreciating using a longer strap even more when my son was born. Between a baby in a carrier and a diaper bag, it was much easier to have a purse to hang around my body. I still find it very convenient now that my son is a toddler.

My purse is made from certified organic cotton down to the batting and light blue ribbon pull. Sage & Kai also does screen prints using non-toxic, water-based inks but I wanted a simple gray purse this time around. I was thrilled to be able to order this as a custom item so I could get exactly what I was hoping for. My only problem is that I wish I could order more from this shop at the moment. Good thing there's always my birthday and Christmas!

I did not receive any compensation for this post.
This is an item I purchased myself and wanted to share about with others.

©MommyIsGreen.net - DO NOT COPY text or images without permission from the author.

Naked Binder Review: Think Recycled for School Supplies

2011-08-03T08:35:00.018-04:00

That time of the year has come again when people are thinking about school supplies. When I personally think of school and office supplies, I always think of recycled materials. I definitely want to make the most eco-friendly choices in order to create the least amount of waste in the end. The materials used to create products greatly affects my decision of what to buy.

Naked Binder is a company that offers greener choices for school and/or office needs. Their binders are made from 100% recycled board (97% post-consumer waste) and are 100% recyclable. Also very important, their products do not contain any vinyl, phthalates, or acid. Not only can I reduce my carbon footprint by choosing to use Naked Binder products over the traditional brands, but I also don't have to worry about what I'm being exposed to regarding toxic materials. As an extra bonus, these binders are made to last for 10 years!

Here are some of the Naked Binder items I've been trying:

Naked Binder - This particular binder is made from 100% PCW and is completely bare. It is the most eco-friendly binder I've ever come across. I find it's natural appearance and texture to be very appealing. With the bareness of this binder you have the option of decorating it any way you like by labeling, drawing, carving, etc. I, myself, enjoy the way it looks alone. There's something very pure about it.

Project Binder - I like this as it's a bare board Naked Binder with a spine wrap made from 100% cotton book-binding cloth (library grade). The cloth is applied using a water-based glue. The wrap comes in 9 colors and adds a little bit of pizazz to the binder.

Classic Binder - If you prefer a more covered binder the Classic is covered in black, grained FSC certified Ecological Fibers paper. It also has a cotton spine wrap. The metal free European style finger pull is wonderful for easily getting it off the shelf. It also comes in 9 colors. I especially like this for an office or home desk area. If you have several binders stacked together, the finger pull is a definite help!

Naked Tabs - These acid free tabs help divide the contents of your binder. Each set has 5 tabs with one cover sheet. They are completely recyclable and come in three different styles: Eames, Naked, and Conservation Printable. No part of these tabs contain plastic or mylar, which cuts down on waste. Instead, they are debossed with roman numerals.

Naked Folders - If you're looking for a completely eco-friendly folder, here it is! These folders are made from 100% recycled material (97% post-consumer waste). They are also 100% recyclable. Plain and simple, you can't go wrong with these folders if you want the greenest option.

I use the binders for keeping track of our budget and other information I take care of as a mom. The folders and tabs have been great for separating my projects, making it easier to find what I need at the moment. Without some organization around here it would be a chore to find anything. It's too easy to throw papers to the side in a pile and forget about them. I've done that before and I've lost stuff. I'm happy to be a much more organized person.

I was showing my mother-in-law my Naked Binders because she is a teacher. She was especially impressed with the Classic Binder because of the finger pull. She said that's something she could really use in her classroom. She also really liked the Naked Tab Dividers and folder because of the natural look and texture. I'm with her there!

Whether it's school, the office, or home, we can all make a difference by choosing to use more eco-friendly supplies. I personally wouldn't have it any other way!

For the latest on Naked Binder, be sure to follow them
through their Blog and Twitter.

Translate a Blog, Make a Friend

2011-07-28T15:32:00.009-04:00

A little over a year ago I had someone new stopping by to enter my giveaways. After a while they also started commenting on my review and personal posts too. When someone stops by to comment on my blog I like to return the favor if they have a blog themselves. There was only one hiccup...this person's blog was in Spanish. I took French in high school so I couldn't even begin to translate.

Time and time again this lovely person would leave comments on my posts. I really did want to be able to comment on their posts as well. I figured there had to be some kind of way. There had to be some kind of site for translation. So I searched and low and behold there was Google Translate. I thought to myself, "This has been here the whole time?...Duh!"

I went ahead and translated the blog that is now called Naturalmente Mama. The Google translation from Spanish to English isn't always perfect, but it's good enough for me to get the gist of what the blogger, Maybelline, is saying. Luckily, she speaks English too so we're able to communicate all of the time.

Over the past year Maybelline and I have become good friends. We continue to comment on each other's blogs and support each other whenever we can. I couldn't imagine not knowing her! Next time someone stops by your blog to comment but their blog is in a different language, take the time to translate their site. You may just make a friend!

Side note: The giveaways on Naturalmente Mama have both a Spanish and English version without even having to translate. So stop by and enter. :)

Magnolia Organics Bedding Review

2011-07-25T13:14:00.024-04:00

When I started to make the switch to organic products I began with bath & body products. Then I found my way to organic foods. It took me a little longer to find my way to the option of organic fabrics for things such as clothes and bedding. I believe it's because I thought cotton fabric was an eco-friendly option already. What I didn't know was how extremely processed conventional cotton is and just how many pesticides are used in growing it. If I cared about using organic bath products and eating organic foods, then the next logical step was to continue to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals through the fabrics that touched my family's skin.

Magnolia Organics offers eco-friendly products made from sustainable materials that are an alternative to conventional cotton. While creating quality products the company also utilizes fair labor practices. They carry several bedding items including crib sheets, barrier mattress covers, and duvet sets. Their sheets come in a range of thread counts and colors that even include options for Twin XL and California King. Not to mention they also offer organic bags and accessories.

I've had the pleasure of trying the Magnolia Organics Estate Collection Sheets in Rich Khaki. They are a 550 thread count made from 100% organic cotton. I was so glad they offered this thread count because the other set of king sheets (non-organic) I already had was a 600 thread count. I figured the organic cotton in a similar thread count would be just as great. I wasn't disappointed! The Magnolia Organics set is a heavy, quality fabric with beautiful sewing. And the warm khaki color holds up nicely after washing.

All of Magnolia Organics' cotton products are GOTS certified. That means no heavy metal dyes, formaldehyde, or chlorine bleaching is allowed in the processing (just to name a few requirements). Even the tag on the sheets asks the consumer to use biodegradable laundry soap, and air or tumble dry low to keep with the most eco-friendly practices while laundering. All of this is something to appreciate along with the reusable organic cotton bag (below) the sheets come in!

Right from the start organic cotton fabrics such as flannel, jersey, fleece, terry, or sherpa are extremely soft. With woven organic cotton used for cloth napkins or sheets, they get their softest over time through washing. You have to remember that truly organic fabrics are not loaded with lots of toxic chemicals to soften them like conventional cotton fabrics. So don't dismiss woven organic fabrics if they're not as soft as you'd imagined after only one wash. I, myself, would rather soften my sheets through washing over time and using vinegar as a fabric softener than subject my family to harmful chemicals.

To naturally soften my sheets I use 1 cup of distilled white vinegar as a fabric softener in the rinse cycle. It really does help. And once your items are dried you won't smell the vinegar at all. I'm happy to report that after only two washes this way, my Magnolia Organics sheets felt heavenly.

The very first Saturday after I received the sheets my husband got up with my son and let me sleep in. Later that day I told him thank you for letting me sleep in! I was especially grateful that morning because I didn't want to leave the comfortable feel of the sheets. They fit perfectly on our mattress and felt wonderful!

I've also had the chance to feel and see the quality of their Organic Duvet Set (above). The set includes the duvet cover as well as two pillow shams. The 350 thread count fabric has a wonderful shine and a smooth feel. I especially like the stripe design that is woven into the fabric. I think it creates a very classy look. I can totally see how this duvet set is recommended to be paired with the elegant Estate Collection Sheets.

If you're thinking about getting new bedding for your children or for yourself that's organic cotton, you'll definitely want to visit MagnoliaOrganics.com. And to sweeten your shopping experience:

Magnolia Organics is offering a FREE Swaddle Blanket with any purchase!
Use coupon code: mommyisgreen.

For the latest on Magnolia Organics, be sure to follow them on their Blog, Twitter, and Facebook.

Organic Bath & Body Products I'm Using

2011-07-19T09:20:00.029-04:00

Sometimes it takes a while to find the organic bath & body products that work best for you. I always say, "Not everything will work for everyone, but something will always work for someone."

I'm very specific about ingredients so it's taken me quite a bit of time to find what's right for me. I thought I'd share what I'm currently using. I know these products might not work for everyone, but here are some products that I like:

Lotion - I use either Earth Mama Angel Baby Lotion or Dr. Bronner's Orange Lavender Organic Lotion. Whichever one I can get my hands on locally at the time I need it is the one I get. Both are very good.

Hand & Shower Soap - Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild Liquid Castile Soap is awesome! We also like to use the Peppermint sometimes too. The thing about Dr. Bronner's is that it never goes to waste. If you don't like it for one thing, you can use it for something else. It has many uses.

Shaving - Yoreganics Shaving Gel is my favorite so far. I find it very difficult to find shave gels or creams with good organic ingredients. This shaving gel does not make me feel dry or itchy, and I really like the ingredient list. My husband sometimes uses Dr. Bronner's Organic Lemongrass Lime Shaving Gel. I find it to be a little too thin for me but it works for him. Update: My husband informed me that the Dr. Bronner's tube wasn't shaken up enough and that's why it seemed thin to me. He said once he really, really shook it up it was a thicker gel.

Deodorant - Soapwalla is the best natural deodorant I've tried. It's wonderful for combating odor and also helps with wetness (no aluminum).

Sunscreen - I like Badger SPF 30 Unscented Sunscreen & Badger SPF 30+ Face Stick. Some people say it's too white on their skin but we don't seem to have that problem. Then again we are very pale people. We rub it in and it looks just fine on us.

Natural Toothpaste - Here's another difficult one for me because the one toothpaste I really like in which I'm pleased with the ingredients comes in an *aluminum tube. It's Weleda Salt Toothpaste. It's fantastic at cleaning teeth and my mouth has never felt fresher. I do wish it was packaged differently though.

*I do try to reduce my use of plastic but for some products, like toothpaste tubes, I'd prefer plastic made from recycled materials over aluminum. According to Weleda, their aluminum tubes are coated with a BPA-free epoxy resin. However, I've noticed the outside of the aluminum tube where it is not painted (and must not be lined) rubs off if you get toothpaste on it. It's something I'm very weary about.

I did not receive any compensation for this post. I'm simply sharing information. :)

Two Year Blogiversary

2011-07-13T08:45:00.011-04:00

Wow, it’s been two years already?! Time definitely flies when you’re blogging. My first post was about organic lip balm, and well…I’m still talking about organic lip balm (among other stuff of course). Lol!

I’ve felt so many emotions over the course of the last two years. But most of all I’ve felt gratitude! I’m thankful to everyone who follows, reads, comments, and enters giveaways on Mommy Is Green. I’m also very grateful for the wonderful companies that have provided eco-friendly products for review. It’s given me a chance to let you know about the greener options that exist out there and how they work.

My goal has never been to become the biggest blog out there. It’s been to create a source of information that people can trust. If I wouldn’t use it myself then you won’t find it here. I spend hours upon hours reading ingredient labels and researching. I do the same for everything I purchase that you don’t see on my blog, although I do try to share as much as possible with you.

Some think that I’m too extreme and others think that I don’t do enough. But I do stay true to my own personal goals and encourage others to do what they feel is right for themselves. After all, we live different lives and go through different situations. We are all going to have our own shade of green. What I aim to do is share my eco-friendly experiences and continue to make known any chemicals that are considered unsafe. And of course I like to recommend products I do consider safe or green myself.

If you blog, you know how important it is to have the support of others bloggers. I feel very blessed to have met such great people through blogging. I want to express my deepest gratitude to those bloggers who have supported me the most either through continuously reading and commenting, or through other ways:

Heidi from HiHoRosie’s Place

Xenia from Thanks, Mail Carrier

Maybelline from Naturalmente Mama

Johanna from Jo’s Health Corner

Kathy from SafeMama

Thank you, Thank you, Thank You Ladies!!!!

Thank you to everyone who comes and visits! I appreciate you all!

Grateful Body Skin Care Review & Giveaway (CLOSED)

2011-07-06T13:22:00.031-04:00

Nourishing our skin is essential. Especially when it comes to our facial skin. I think it’s safe to say that our facial skin appearance is of extreme importance to all of us. There are lots of facial care products on the market but most of them contain harsh, synthetic chemicals. I prefer something more organic. I want a system that will work with my skin, not against it. I’ve been using Grateful Body Skin Care products and I'm very impressed.Grateful Body is an all-natural and vegan skin care company. They use organic, biodynamically grown, and ethically wildcrafted ingredients. They don’t ever use synthetics and are a cruelty-free company. Grateful Body believes if you can’t eat it, then you shouldn’t put it on your skin. I love that motto! Their ingredients are sourced in a sustainable and environmentally safe way too. They seem to be the total package in my opinion.
The Hydrating Cleanse facial cleanser isn't a foaming wash but I really like it. You use a circular motion on wet skin to cleanse. It's very hydrating just like it's name states. When I step out of the shower my face isn’t immediately dry like with other cleansers. I’m not itching to get moisturizer on my face right away. It’s very gentle and light too. I noticed that their Deep Cleanse contains organic castile soap and removes makeup in contrast to the Hydrating Cleanse. So if you need something a little more, that one may be for you. As for me, it’s been such a nice change to have more hydrated skin than I usually do.

The Toner - Dry to Normal Skin is a favorite of mine! It’s in a spray bottle and I love to mist it on my face. It feels so refreshing and the incredibly light scent is something I look forward too. The toner contains witch hazel which I always look for in a toner. Toners with witch hazel do the best job of clearing my pores. I go back and forth between spraying it directly on my face and using a cotton ball. I like to spray the toner on an organic cotton ball (hopefully getting reusable organic cotton rounds soon) to see how much dirt I‘m getting off of my face. I don’t always have visible dirt/oil on my face but I like to see when I do. It lets me know that the toner is working. This toner does the job well!

I thought it was about time that I start using an eye cream. The Essential Eye Cream is a light fluid that glides on nicely. It’s great because it’s not heavy. I don’t want to put on something heavy or greasy everyday. Instead, I want to nourish and moisturize my eyes. I find it especially important for when I use a finishing powder. I started noticing if I don’t keep my eye area hydrated enough that powder doesn’t look so good on it. A small drop of this eye cream is all it takes and I’m set for the day. I’m very pleased that I started using it.

My skin hasn’t felt softer since using Grateful Body Skin Care products. I honestly feel totally pampered! I think it’s partially due to the very light natural scents too. There’s nothing heavily fragrant about them at all, unlike with synthetic products. I feel Grateful Body is an incredibly eco-friendly company from their ingredients to their packaging. I’m liking everything that I’ve experienced with them!

Get 15% off your Grateful Body Skin
purchase with coupon code: beautyblog15

WIN IT!!!

One lucky Mommy Is Green reader will win a
Grateful Body Skin Care Set.
(includes Moisturizer, Cleanser and Toner for chosen skin type)

To Enter:

1. Visit Grateful Body then come back and tell me which product (other than the ones mentioned here) you'd like to try the most. This is mandatory and must be done before the extra entries count.

Extra Entries (The mandatory entry must be completed first before any of these count. Please create a separate comment for each extra entry):

2. Follow me through Google Friend Connect. (1 Entry)

3. Sign up for the Grateful Body Newsletter. (1 Entry)

4. Follow both @gratefulbodysc and @mommyisgreen on Twitter. Leave your Twitter ID in comment. (1 Entry)

5. Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter. You can do this once daily. Put a link to your tweet in a comment here (click the date/time on the bottom left of your tweet to get link). You can copy and paste: Win a Grateful Body Skin Care Set! @mommyisgreen http://tinyurl.com/65w8d89 #vegan #organic #giveaway (1 Entry Per Day)

6. Like Grateful Body Skin Care on Facebook. (1 Entry)

7. Like Mommy Is Green on Facebook. (1 Entry)

8. Add the Mommy Is Green button to your sidebar. ( 2 Entries)

9. Subscribe to Mommy Is Green through email. (2 Entries)

10. Blog about this giveaway with a link back to Mommy Is Green and Grateful Body. Leave a comment with your web site address. (3 Entries)

This giveaway will end on July 21, 2011 at 11:59 ET. Winner will be drawn via random.org. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and they will have 48 hours to reply before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. & Canada only who are 18 years of age or older.

Congratulations to the winner, #257...ZESTYWONDERLAND!

I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. I was provided with the products mentioned above free of charge for review. The opinions expressed here are my own. Please see Terms of Use for more information.

Eco-Friendly Tip: Pass on Your Children's Clothes

2011-07-05T08:24:00.010-04:00

It’s the little things that add up and make a difference. One easy thing we can do to be eco-friendly is pass on unwanted clothes. Since children grow so fast and go through so many clothes, it’s much better to donate their clothes than throw them away.

I’ve been holding on to all of my son’s clothes for the past two years. My family is the type that gets really excited over a new baby and buys a ton of clothes. No kid goes bare in my family and that’s for sure. The truth is that I’m running out of room in his closet to store everything. I’ve been planning on keeping his clothes for another baby but it’s not in my immediate plans right now. Besides, I could have a girl next time. Or the sizes and seasons won’t match up. So instead of hanging on to the clothes, I kept a few favorites just in case and decided to pass on the rest.

I was planning on donating his clothes when I found out my nephew needed some. He’s a year and a half younger than my son. I was sure that my nephew would be knee deep in clothes passed on to him from people at church and other cousins. That’s the way it was with his older sister. But then I saw on Facebook that my sister-in-law was shopping at yard sales and Good Will to get him some summer clothes. She was excited when I said I could send some of my son’s old clothes down.

Michelle from Everything’s Abuzz has been using clothes passed on to her daughter from family. In her post you’ll see how used clothes can still be so cute! If you don't have relatives to get used clothes from or trade with, there are sites such as Swapmamas and ThredUp that are great. Also, don't forget about your local women's shelters, day care centers, and the school nurse's office to donate to. Reuse is an easy way to start going green!

©MommyIsGreen.net - DO NOT COPY text or images without permission.

The Glass Baby Bottle: Sophie the Giraffe Teether/Toy Giveaway (CLOSED)

2011-06-28T07:42:00.026-04:00

The Glass Baby Bottle has been one of Mommy Is Green’s continual supporters. I appreciate everything I get to review from their store. Their products are free of BPA, PVC, phthalates, lead and cadmium. It’s been a while since I’ve reviewed anything exclusively baby though because my son is now two. But The Glass Baby Bottle has been gracious enough to sponsor a giveaway here for a Sophie the Giraffe Teether/Toy. Yay for something baby to win!!! Even though I don’t have a baby right now, I didn’t want to forget about all of you out there with precious babes. They totally deserve the cutest and safest items!

Sophie the Giraffe is made from 100% natural rubber and food paints, and is free of BPA and phthalates. Isn't she adorable?! I feel like I really missed out on this awesome teether/toy recommended for 0-12 months when my son was an infant. He never had a Sophie. I know he would have especially loved her though because she also makes a sound when squeezed.

The Glass Baby Bottles carries lots of fantastic items for babies and kids. They have a wonderful category of items for Mothering & Maternity too. Plus, they even offer something my husband likes. He's a huge fan of their 22 oz. Lifefactory Glass Beverage Bottle in Midnight Blue. Their site is completely worth checking out!

WIN IT!!!

One lucky Mommy Is Green reader will win a
Sophie the Giraffe Teether/Toy.

To Enter:

1. Visit The Glass Baby Bottle then come back and tell me another product you really like. This is mandatory and must be done before the extra entries count.

Extra Entries (The mandatory entry must be completed first before any of these count. Please create a separate comment for each extra entry):

2. Follow me through Google Friend Connect. (1 Entry)

3. Follow both @glassbabybottle and @mommyisgreen on Twitter. Leave your Twitter ID in comment. (1 Entry)

4. Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter. You can do this once daily. Put a link to your tweet in a comment here (click the date/time on the bottom left of your tweet to get link). You can copy and paste: Win a Sophie the Giraffe Teether/Toy from @GlassBabyBottle! @mommyisgreen http://tinyurl.com/42u94c4 #baby (1 Entry Per Day)

5. Like The Glass Baby Bottle on Facebook. (1 Entry)

6. Like Mommy Is Green on Facebook. (1 Entry)

7. Add the Mommy Is Green button to your sidebar. ( 2 Entries)

8. Subscribe to Mommy Is Green through email. (2 Entries)

9. Comment on any non-giveaway blog post here at Mommy Is Green. (1 Entry)

10. Blog about this giveaway with a link back to Mommy Is Green and The Glass Baby Bottle. Leave a comment with your web site address. (3 Entries)

This giveaway will end on July 13, 2011 at 11:59 ET. Winner will be drawn via random.org. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and they will have 48 hours to reply before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only who are 18 years of age or older.

Congratulations to the winner, #259...McKim!

The Glass Baby Bottle is one of our continuous ad sponsors that graciously offered a giveaway. I did not receive anything for this post but the reader giveaway. The opinions expressed here are my own. Please see Terms of Use for more information.

EOS Lip Balm Smooth Sphere Summer Pack Review

2011-06-23T10:25:00.012-04:00

I adore lip balms! They are something I use everyday and all year long. Lip balm is definitely something I don’t want to be without. One thing I stick to though is using USDA certified organic lip balms. I’ve actually had my eye on eos Lip Balm Smooth Spheres for a while. I finally had the chance to try them now that the eos NEW Lip Balm Smooth Sphere Summer Pack is available.

The Summer Pack contains brand new limited edition flavors: Passion Fruit and Strawberry Sorbet. Both flavors are amazing. Eos lip balms use shea butter, jojoba oil, and vitamin E to moisturize. They don’t contain any petrolatum or parabens. The lip balm slides on well and the round shape makes it easier to get into the corner of my lips.
I especially like that they are sphere shaped. It adds an element of fun to lip balm. Not to mention they are so much easier to find in your purse. Plus, they have a twist top which is a great feature. In my opinion, it’s better than a pull off cap. I don’t have to worry about taking a chunk off the top of my balm if I pull the cap off wrong.

I found out from eos that the lip balm spheres are BPA-free, PVC-free, and phthalate-free. They can be recycled under the #7 mixed plastic recycling code. It’s important to me to recycle and reuse as much as I can. So I was grateful to find out the lip balm spheres are recyclable.

I also want to mention that the majority of eos' lip balms are USDA certified organic. Not every eos lip balm is, but they have plenty of organic ones to choose from. So if you‘d like an organic lip balm please look for the USDA symbol on the packing or read the ingredient label. Of course, I always recommend reading ingredient labels. The eos limited edition Summer Pack is USDA certified organic and the symbol is clearly shown on the front of the box.

If you’re like me and you just have to have a lip balm for both home and for your purse, than the eos Lip Balm Smooth Sphere Summer Pack is great! You can find it for $5.99 at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Target.com, or Evolutionof Smooth.com.

I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. I was provided with the product mentioned above at no cost for review. The opinions expressed here are my own. Please see Terms of Use for more information.

Mommy Is Green

My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software Review & $10 Coupon Code!

The Glass Baby Bottle: Wildkin Nap Mat Review & Giveaway (***CLOSED***)

Maia's Mineral Galaxy: NEW Products!

Annmarie Gianni Skin Care Review & Giveaway (***CLOSED***)

Fair Trade Finder App Review & Fair Trade Gift Bag Giveaway (***CLOSED***)

Enjoying Some Organic Pumpkin Pie Tea While Contemplating Loose Tea Water Temperature

Book Review: Super Immunity by Joel Fuhrman, M.D.

I Recycle My Toothbrushes Through the Mail

I Won Something from the EcoScrapbook Blog

Reusable Organic Cotton Balls/Rounds

Nicki's Diapers: Planet Wise Mini Wet/Dry Bag Review & Giveaway (***CLOSED***)

Party In My Pants Cloth Pads Review

alex+von: $25 e-Gift Card & Suki Skin Care Kit Giveaway (***CLOSED***)

Eco Sprout Cloth Diaper Detergent Review & Giveaway (***CLOSED***)

Organic Facial Care Products

Washable Organic Cotton Purse

Naked Binder Review: Think Recycled for School Supplies

Translate a Blog, Make a Friend

Magnolia Organics Bedding Review

Organic Bath & Body Products I'm Using

Two Year Blogiversary

Grateful Body Skin Care Review & Giveaway (***CLOSED***)

Eco-Friendly Tip: Pass on Your Children's Clothes

The Glass Baby Bottle: Sophie the Giraffe Teether/Toy Giveaway (***CLOSED***)

EOS Lip Balm Smooth Sphere Summer Pack Review

The Glass Baby Bottle: Wildkin Nap Mat Review & Giveaway (CLOSED)

Annmarie Gianni Skin Care Review & Giveaway (CLOSED)

Fair Trade Finder App Review & Fair Trade Gift Bag Giveaway (CLOSED)

Nicki's Diapers: Planet Wise Mini Wet/Dry Bag Review & Giveaway (CLOSED)

alex+von: $25 e-Gift Card & Suki Skin Care Kit Giveaway (CLOSED)

Eco Sprout Cloth Diaper Detergent Review & Giveaway (CLOSED)

Grateful Body Skin Care Review & Giveaway (CLOSED)

The Glass Baby Bottle: Sophie the Giraffe Teether/Toy Giveaway (CLOSED)