Archive | HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Build an Organic Bathroom Giveaway with Coyuchi + Zabada

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Happy Earth Day 2015! Yay! Today I have a giveaway for you that I have been super excited to share, I know you will love it. It’s sponsored by Coyuchi and Zabada. The prize is a very generous collection of goodies to help you build an organic bathroom. One reader will receive a white Bath Towel ($48) from Coyuchi Air Weight Bath Towel Collection, a Zabada Bathroom Handy ($30) and Bathroom Marvel ($30) valued at over $100. Hooray for Earth Day Giveaways!

coyuchiWe reviewed these items in our home and have to tell you that they are perfect for building the perfect organic bathroom. Coyuchi is the first company to bring organic cotton bedding to the United States. Coyuchi towels are loomed from pure organic cotton, in colors drawn from earth, water and sky. Soft and thirsty, they’re designed to dry quickly on the towel bar and in the dryer.  A rolled self-hem helps them hold their shape wash after wash. The towels are free of the toxic dyes, bleaches and finishes used in conventional textiles.Our biggest challenge living in Florida is that it seems like it takes our bath towels forever to dry – it’s just so humid here. With Coyuchi’s Air Weight Bath Towel Collection not only do you get the first-ever Fair Trade Certification for towels in North America, but these towels dry very quickly. Bonus!

Here are some key features:

  • Coyuchi’s Air Weight Towel Collection has achieved Fair Trade Certification under the strict requirements set by Fair Trade USA
  • These organic cotton towels mark the first-ever Fair Trade Certification for towels in North America
  • Fair Trade certification for Apparel & Home Goods is the first social, economic and environmental standard that directly benefits the workers who sew the items
  • For every Fair Trade Certified™ product sold, a percentage is paid directly to a special workers’ fund
  • Workers then decide collectively how to spend these funds, based on the community’s greatest needs, including bonuses, scholarships and disaster relief funds, medical care and transportation
  • Coyuchi Bath Towels retail for $48.00 each, Hand Towels retail for $18.00 each and Coyuchi Wash Cloths retail for $8.00.

zabada bathroomhandy_hr_rgbWe also tried out the Zabada chemical-free cleaning products including the Zabada Bathroom Handy and Bathroom Marvel. Zabada’s mission is to rid American homes of harmful, chemical cleaning products. Using fiber clean technology, Zabada products remove 99.9% of bacteria using only water. The Bathroom Handy features a two-sided and fibered cleaning solution. The speckled side of the Bathroom Handy is the soft side, this is used to clean smooth surfaces such as mirrors, vanities and shower screens. The non-soft side of the Bathroom Handy is used to remove calcium, lime, mold and soap scum from wet areas in the bathroom. I love Zabada products because they remove 99.9% of bacteria just using water. Which makes cleaning the bathroom a breeze and there is never any worries about what is our cleaners because you don’t have to use any! The Bathroom Marvel is highly absorbent and perfect for streak-free drying of bathroom surfaces. The Marvel is durable enough for daily use in keeping lustrous surfaces like bathroom fixtures, shower doors and mirrors crystal clear.

Here are some key features:

  • Cleans surfaces in the bathroom, laundry and toilet
  • Removes calcium, soap, toothpaste with just using water
  • No need for yucky chemical sprays and bleach
  • Replaces store-bought cloths, sponges and grime products
  • Lasts 2 to 3 years, saving you money from buying chemicals

Want to build an organic bathroom of your own – leave a comment. For extra entries follow Coyuchi and Zabada on each of their social media channels and leave a separate comment for each!

Coyuchi Social Media Channels:

Facebook: @Coyuchi
Twitter: @Coyuchi
Pinterest: @Coyuchi
Instagram: @Coyuchi

Zabada Social Media Channels:

Facebook: @ZabadaClean
Twitter: @ZabadaClean
Pinterest: @ZabadaClean
Instagram: @ZabadaClean

Good Luck! Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only – and will end on May 1st.

Introducing Stonyfield Oh My Yog! and OP Yogurts

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As you know, my family is huge Stonyfield fans. We love a lot of their products and especially love their frozen yogurt! It’s the perfect treat – any time of year.

Stonyfield has been launching a few new products, which is always fun to taste test. We recently received a shipment of Greek and Chia and Oh My Yog!, here is a breakdown of what we thought.

Oh My Yog!

I have a smoothie every morning, so it was only natural that I would add the Oh My Yog! to mine. It is thick and creamy, and with a little fruit and honey – added just the right sweetness to my morning breakfast. I also love it straight out of the cup with 6 amazing flavors to choose from – you can’t go wrong.

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OP (Organic Protein)

The OP is like a yummy smoothie that is ready for on-the-go. I love these for an after workout snack packed with 15g of protein! They come in strawberry, chocolate and vanilla – and are also great for getting a little added protein into your child’s diet – oh yeah, and it’s organic too and without artificial colors or flavors.

Do you have a favorite Stonyfield product? Which one?

This post was created in partnership with Stonyfield. All opinions are my own.

6 Affordable Ways to Eat Healthy on a Budget

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Feeding your family well-balanced, healthy, and delicious foods is very important. However, for many families finding extra money in the budget to eat well can seem impossible. Since one of the largest expenses in many families monthly budget is food, making the most of your money at the grocery store is essential. Eating well on a budget is possible, you just have to be thrifty, creative and smart. Read on to discover my 6 favorite ways to stretch your budget while buying the best groceries (even organics) for your family.

 

1. Set a Budget
First things first, figure out how much your family can afford to spend on groceries each month – be realistic. Then, take only cash with you to the closest local grocery store – it is impossible to go over your budget when you are paying with cash only. Also, stop by the customer service counter on your way in and ask for any coupons they have available – you would be surprised at the goodies they have, if you ask.

2. Shop in Season

When it comes to produce, only buy what is in season. Not only is it more affordable, it will be fresher too! It’s a good idea to buy produce when it is in season and then freeze it. For example, hit the local farm when strawberries are in season – get an even greater deal when you buy a large quantity, then freeze what you can’t use now to enjoy all year long.

3. Cook with What you Have

This one is simple, use the ingredients that you have on-hand now to make your meals. This is a great way to use food before it spoils and while it is at it’s freshest. This goes for your refrigerator and the pantry! We eat a lot of soups at our house, because the mister will put together all of our veggies before they spoil.

4. Stock Up 

When an item that you frequently use goes on sale, that is the time to stock up on it. This is a great way to stock up on spices, canned goods, dried beans and rice. This is also a great time to whip out those coupons – you can double your savings when you use coupons on food items that are already on sale.

5. Prepare Vegetable Based Meals

Let’s face it, meat products are more expensive than vegetables. Instead of basing all of your meals around meat, make veggies the main course. Not only is this a healthier way of eating, it is much more affordable and better for the environment too! When you do cook meat, for example chicken – purchase a whole organic chicken and when you are finished eating the meat, boil the carcass down for stock.

6. Make Your Own Snacks

Processed foods can be expensive, unhealthy and usually come in wasteful packaging. Instead of purchasing processed/packaged foods, make your own goodis. It is very easy to make your own cookies, granola bars, frozen pops, or granola – and your children will love cooking with you!

How does your family eat well on a budget?

Ecocentric Mom Box is Perfect for Soon to Be Mom’s Too!

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My Ecocentric Mom Box showed up right on Christmas Eve, so I felt like I was getting a special early Christmas gift! It was full of eco-friendly goodies and treats I didn’t feel bad about eating. If you’re an expecting mom, a new mom, or long-time mom, there is a box for you!

  1. Lovely Candy Company Caramels (on sale right now!)
    These, plus the next item on the list, were my favorite! Because it’s treat-season I’ve been indulging a little too much in sweets and treats that aren’t exactly guilt-free. Lucky for me, Lovely treats are! They are all natural, soft, chewy caramels made with real butter and sweetened condensed milk. Bonus: they are gluten free, non-GMO, kosher, and you can pick them up at Target!
  1. Organic Flavrz Water Enhancer (get 15% off with code: ecocentric)
    Flavrz bills these as the “world’s best organic alternative to artificially flavored, colored, and sweetened beverages,” and they aren’t lying! These drink mixes are made with organic fruit juice, organic flavorings, and a hint of sweetness. I gulped mine down in seconds flat.
  1. Little Pim CD
    This CD is just too cute. When I opened my box to reveal a CD sleeve featuring an image of a panda bear playing harmonica while two friendly birds rest on his shoulders, my daughter immediately knew it was for her! Little Pim is an award-winning language program designed for children aged 0-6, and its unique Entertainment Immersion Method makes it fun and easy to learn. Our CD, Spanish Bop, features 15 favorite children’s songs in Spanish.
  1. Bum Boosa Bamboo Wipes
    My daughter has always had very sensitive skin, requiring us to buy diapers and wipes with zero added ingredients, like chlorine and synthetic fragrances, so I was delighted to try a new bum-friendly wipe. Bum Boosa replaces synthetic or tree-pulp wet wipes with renewable and sustainable bamboo, and uses ingredients like Calendula, Chamomile, and organic Aloe Vera so that they’re gentle on even the most sensitive bottoms.
  1. Novena Skin Care Sample Pack
    When I was pregnant with my daughter, I got a LOT of samples from my OB office, baby classes, and friends who didn’t use the million samples they got during pregnancy. As nice as it is to have options, most of the products I was given to sample contained ingredients I wouldn’t use when I’m not pregnant—let alone with I am. Novena’s organic pregnancy skin care line is a great choice. My sample pack included fruit facial cleanser, bearberry brightener moisturizing cream, bearberry brightener moisturizing lotion, belly/bum cream, and beautifying breast cream.
  1. Gaia Herbs PlantForce Liquid Iron (25% off with code: Ecocentricmom14)
    Did you know that your blood volume doubles during pregnancy? As a result, many pregnant mamas end up with an iron deficiency. Gaia’s liquid iron supplement replaces lost iron and is tasty, too—just make sure that, as with any supplement during pregnancy—you OK it with your OB first!
  1. eInvite Holiday Cards (20% off with code HOLIDAYCODE20)
    These are too cute and super easy to use. The cards come as pre-printed backgrounds that you can easily stick a cute photo onto and pop into the mail for a unique, sweet greeting. eInvite.com has a wide selection of baby products, too, like shower invitations and birth announcements—and they’re made in the USA.
  1. Urban Oreganics Full Size Makeup Remover (20% off orders over $20 with code: ECOMOM20)
    Urban Oreganics handcrafts the highest quality skin food from natural ingredients. This all-over makeup remover binds to cosmetics and gently lifts them off, and is safe for eyelashes and skin. With ingredients like coconut oil and witch hazel, it’s an eco-friendly no brainer.

Laptop Lunches Bento Box Lunchbox Giveaway

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I have another fantastic giveaway for you today! A giveaway that is perfect for the kiddos in your life. The prize is away 2 Laptop Lunches Bento-ware lunchboxes – which means there will be two winners!

Laptop Lunches Bento-ware lunchboxes are mix and match with three lidded water-tight containers and two unlidded containers. These are fun lunchboxes that are BPA free and perfect for those school lunches! Eben used his Laptop Lunches Bento-ware boxes all through elementary school. We were a big fan of them because they were very easy for him to pack and open himself.

Laptop Lunches offers a lot of fun menu ideas and recipes on their website too – which just making packing lunch even more fun!

To enter leave a comment telling me who you will give your laptop lunches bento-ware lunchbox! The winner will be announced on December 10th!