A Reusable bag to Remember Bagnetic *Giveaway

I'd like to introduce you to a new reusable bag! I promised I'd start focusing my reviews on services and products that directly deal with the Mom at Home. This product comes form a company who found a solution to the problems that most Shoppers (mostly made up of Moms) face with their reusable grocery bags.

With everyone going Green there has been a rise in reusables. Stores offer their own bags but they tend to be cheaply made. Sure they have more than one use but can they stand the test of time? Bagnetic is a fairly new company founded in 2009 founded by Ryan Bautista. Bagnetic bags are made of

Ryan noticed that, like most of us who've shopped and used plastic bags, the litter from plastic bags is an issue that can't be denied. We like reusable bags because they are an environmental and economical choice. However if you're like me who's purchased the totes, I've used just as much plastic since making the switch because the totes are sometimes too big or bulky to fit in my purse so I usually end up forgetting them at home.

Watch How Bagnetic® Bags Work.

 

Want to see how tough these bags are? Click here and watch Ryan go through a demo with weights.

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DivaCup: Review and Giveaway Cutting Waste and $aving Money, One Month at a Time

II wrote about the idea of reusable feminine products before. Sounds interesting right? If you've made any attempt to 'Go Green' in any aspect then hear me out. In the grocery stores you see the switch being made from plastic to canvas. At the dealerships more and more car models have gone electric or hybrid. Appliances are more energy efficient. We can save paper by viewing statements and paying bills online. These are all smart choices right? Here's another one to consider... a reusable menstrual cup. This is not a new idea. In fact it's an 80yr old concept. I received a Model2 DivaCup for the purpose of this review.

*Today Only Get a Model2 DivaCup 50% off at BabyHeist.com
*10/17/2011

This GIVEAWAY is now CLOSED!

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Rethink Reusables - Feminine Products

Yes it's possible, and comfortable. We use cloth for our babies why not for mom too? Everyone should rethink what they are putting into their bodies. All personal hygiene items are usually used daily but have some of the most lethal ingredients or materials. Toothpaste (fluoride), deodorant (aluminum), shampoos and soaps (laurel sulphate), etc... I'm always on the lookout for products to help steer clear of these things.

I remember the first time I saw a product called Instead on the shelf at good old Wal-mart. It claimed I didn't have to change my pad or tampon but just 2 times a day, that's 12 hr protection. But how do you remove it? I know, I know...

your first thought is Ewwwwww!

Instead now just called Softcup

But the product emptied itself with every potty break (you know you're a mommy when you say POTTY). The only problem with Instead was they were one time use per cup. Either me or The Hubs were still running to the store every four weeks. I have enough things to worry about then that sort of panic. Cloth diapers, Mama Cloth/Cloth Pads and reusable cups eliminate that sort of stress. Not only that, why throw away money?

Breaking Down Cost:

Tampons on average cost $10 a month. In one year you'd have spent $120 for tampons alone.

Pads on average cost $5 a box. In one year you'd have spent $60 for pads alone. 
(35 years is a woman's average life cycle and those numbers)

Reusable Pads... This past April I received 2 pads from Moms Crafts 4U on Etsy. I really didn't know what to think. Her blog does a great job answering why you should use cloth and what materials she uses. Conventional pads have to be changed every 1-2 hours. Not the case with this pad...

It was crazy neat how much liquid this thing could hold. But they stay dry. No wet yucky feeling, and I mean all day, this thing is AMAZING!

The Hubs heard all about it. This was probably the first time I'd ever been excited about my period coming. I'd heard so many other moms praise mama cloth. Now I know why.

So, how do you clean these?

It's simple and easy. You clean them the same way you'd wash your delicates or potty training clothes. I rinse mine with cold water and then throw in the washer with my regular clothes (cold water recommended). Rinsing or soaking these is the real test of how much this pad can hold but not necessary. Then just throw in the dryer. Moms Crafts 4U offers starter kits that will include everything you need to... well get started .)

What if pads aren't your thing? As soon as I could wear tampons I never looked back (until kids). I was a sports girl, pads and running never mixed well.

The very first thing besides the anxiety of learning how to wear a tampon that I remember is reading about toxic shock syndrome or TSS. Tampax defines it is here but basically it's a bacteria strain that our bodies usually fight off but can cause death and has been linked to tampon use. Doesn't that scare you just a bit? It scared me way back when and I thought of it every time I opened up a new box of tampons from the store. I just thought that was a risk I had to take.

I don't and will not ever again. A few months ago I also received a Miacup. They promise to

help save the planet, save my wallet, and save my life 

(okay that was a bit dramatic) but you get the point. If you google reusable menstrual cups several options will come up but they all pretty much resemble this shape and concept.

They hold the liquid instead of drying out your inner walls like tampons which can lead to ulcers, irritations, and lesions. They don't leave fibers or chemicals behind. It's easy to insert plus Miacup has done an amazing job with videos and pictures to help take away the confusion. Just like tampons you hardly know it's there.

Both products do not interfere with the natural cleansing process of your body. Nor do they introduce harmful chemicals into your body. I know there is no possible way to eliminate every single harmful chemical in today's world, but it's the little things that make big differences.

I'm curious to know how many of you already knew about these types of products.

After reading this post are you willing to rethink reusable feminine products?

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Make Mom's Day: groOrganic.com

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Mom's and gardens go hand and hand. Not this momma! I need all the help I can get when it comes to getting anything to grow from the ground. It always fascinates me when things grow from the ground. How the biggest of trees come from the tiniest seeds. I keep telling myself I'd be better at it if I just had more time. Take someone like me and give them groOrganic.com and watch what happens.

groOrganics will provide 'full service' vegetable gardening for people with little time or experience.

    I know everyone has been on this "go green" kick lately but there really is something to it. On one hand I'm glad it's so epic, but on the other I'd hate to see it become a fad. groOrganics founder Karen Cancilla had a basic idea- to empower as many people as possible to grow organic fruits and vegetables the way their parents did in their backyards. For me it was my grandparents, my "paw paw" had the hugest garden in his backyard and I remember him always picking peas, beans, grapes and with all eleven kids of theirs my grandparents did not starve. They worked and didn't go hungry. One of my fave bible versus is-

...if you do not work, you do not eat

2 Thessalonians 3:10

Tell that to today's generation. That's another post :) Looking to give mom or anyone for that matter a great gardening tool? groOrganics is perfect. I recently received an trial Association Membership for 30 days. Included was access to the groOrganic Garden Planner. We were hit with some crazy crazy rain the past few weeks and "The Hubs" has not yet planted our seedlings. I will get him to guest post on here one day soon I hope because gardening is his thing. I hope you get a chance to check them out.

What are the benefits of having and maintaining your own personal garden? Not only economically saving your family money you can save your family's lives by eliminating all the harsh preservatives and pesticides put in and on your food by others. groOrganics says and I believe that the foods you and your family eat directly affect your health. Zero toxin input without your knowledge. Overtime repeated exposure to the harsh chemicals introduced to your foods can and has created major health issues. In my opinion a direct correlation between today's health issues stems directly from where we consume our foods. Reduce cancer causing agents in what you eat and expose to the environment by starting your own garden. Our bodies are the cures for cancer. *It is known that we will have cancerous cells many times in any given lifetime. The only time there is a problem is when your body isn't allowed to function properly.*

I hope you will consider starting a garden, start small then work your way up. The food really does taste better. The first time I ate a carrot, tomato, and broccoli I thought the taste was unreal. Almost as if someone had injected them with color, aroma, and taste. Try it. I promise the work will be well rewarded! groOrganics takes out the guess work with helpful video tutorials and garden planning software. I would really love to make this investment in the future and really get our garden to produce a major part of our food supply.


To purchase your Association Membership click here!

Growing Our Future

Enjoy the benefits of becoming an Association Member today and join groOrganics as they go international with the groOrganic Self-sufficiency Movement.



*This is My Opinion.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas a Minneapolis SEO and Web Design firm. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.  Pin It
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Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

Iwould have never thought so many things could be made from home. This year we've dabbled in laundry soap, cloth diaper laundry soap, deodorant, soap, and now dish detergent. It's super easy too (all except the soap since it requires a chemistry lab). What motivates me mainly is money, I'm sure I'm not the only one. We also have a septic tank and I'm learning about what is good to go down our drains. The recipe is very simple:

I used 1 cup borax

                       1 cup washing soda

For ever load I put some white vinegar in the rinse cycle compartment. That's it, we've gone through 3 washes and there are no spots. I'm loving it, if you try it let me know what you think. I'll have to calculate the savings I'm sure it'll blow my mind too.

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Eco-Mom Review

Iwas so excited when I got the word from Jody that I'd get to work with such a great company. EcoMom lines up perfectly with our families approach to health, nature, and simplicity. I recently received a Revolution Foods Sampler for organic baby food. Revolution and Plum foods offer a wide variety of products from the high chair to the lunch box. I received a sampler geared towards my 18 month old but I can say the entire family loved each item.

Jammy Sammy's are Wheat Free Filled with Organic Fruit Spread

We received:

2-Strawberry Banana, 1-Berry, and 1-Tropical Revolution Foods Organic Mashups.

plus Organic Jammy Sammy Snack Size Sandwich bars.

The Snack size bars would be great for those longer car rides or just stick a few in your purse when you're out and about. The great thing about the mashup purees is they are ready to eat as soon as you twist the top. 

EcoMom is a green conscious company that sells natural and organic products for Mom, Baby, and the entire Family. They currently have a new program geared to save you even more money called the EcoPass. It'll provide you with a 15% discount and FREE shipping on every order without a $75 minimum requirement and cost an annual fee of just $99 (that's just $8.25 per month). It pratically pays for itself in as few as 4 orders.

Let me just say the kids LOVED everything. My kids aren't picky eaters so I don't have that problem where I can't get them to eat healthy foods. I guess my problem is they don't want to stop eating. We make a lot of fresh fruit smoothies and these really tasted the same. Fresh, from a pouch! One lucky Home-Mom reader will receive an

$15 Gift Card and Free Shipping!

{Plus}

First time customers are automatic winners! Use this exclusive Home-Mom code 

SBBL541 until Sept 31, 2010 to receive a 15% discount off your first order.  

to keep everyone happy we had to play with the cute containers once we ran out of snacks.

If you are looking for Eco-friendly Baby Products - EcoMom has it all! How much do you love EcoMom? There is also a contest going on right now to win a $200 shopping spree. For more details visit http://www.youtube.com/ecomomtv after you're finished entering this giveaway! Good Luck, may the best momma win!

This Giveaway is Closed! Winner will be posted in the Winner's Circle...

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Congrats...

To Anestazia over at Your work is to Discover your world.  I just love her blog. Week 7 of It's Friday, I'm hopping... had a great turn out. However this may be the last featured blog/#2 Host for a while. As I was going through all of last weeks hoppers checking for the iFiH badge and reading and thanking new followers I really did enjoy her natural approach to beauty. You'll have a chance to check her out Friday but if you're like me why not head over early and get a few home remedies for things you'd never think could be cured at home. Oh wait I'm sorry, you can't say cure. Well, go check out some of her remedies like...

Mosquito Bite Remedies

Apple Cider Vinegar Toner and Garlic Spot Treatment




I want to try the lemon sugar body scrub, I can smell the freshness already!

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My Blog is Carbon Neutral

Mr. Dreamy took this tree picture with our new camera straight off the charger, he couldn't wait to get started. Also I thought it appropriate to go along with this 'go green' type post for my "Wordless Wednesday".

A study showed the average blog with 15,000 visitors emitted aprox. 8lbs of carbon dioxide a year. I don't think I have the many visitors but some do and they will plan more trees accordingly to each domain that registers.

The Mission: 1 Blog, 1 Tree

The trees will be planted in the spring of 2010 by the Arbor Day Foundation. Want more more information on where the trees are planted and more about this program?

Visit here and you can join too.

Update: I just received an email stating that my tree will be planted in the month of August 2010. There are still some trees that need to be planted so pass it on ;)

    
  


                        

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Homemade Shampoo

     Ever think we all would shift back to the good old days? When you didn't need all these crazy chemicals running your life until that's all you depend on. That day has come for me and my family when I discovered how to make my own laundry soap. I've been at it 2 months and love not having to worry about getting to the store just so I could do laundry, hair, diapers, anything really. I've been using the Apple Cider Vinegar on my girl's hair for awhile and it works really well at stripping the stuff off their hair so I can add more stuff to moisturize. Here's the recipe for some homemade shampoo I'm trying inspired by theCheapnChoosy Blog.

What you'll need:
First Keep a box of baking soda in the bathroom
I currently have some in our bathroom we use to brush our teeth with.
Second Apple Cider Vinegar, in a spray bottle ad 1part ACV to 3parts water ex: 1/4cup ACV to 3/4cup water


What you do:

In the shower or bath take a small amount of baking soda and make a paste with the water. Wash your head and scalp. Then rinse and spray hair with your ACV solution. Let it sit then rinse. We have some lavender essential oil and I'll add that to the oil I use in my girls hair to give a fresh smell. The potency of the vinegar fades with time, ~15-20 minutes.

With our textured hair I'm not sure how the baking soda will work, if I'll be able to get it all out or not. I have to wash their hair section by section not in a whole mass (that'd be a mess).

~ Christy

For more green ideas check out
EcoFriendlyandFrugal.com 

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