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Clean Green: ecoSTORE Giveaway

October 8, 2010 7

I have a passion for only using products in my home that are non-toxic and eco-friendly. In fact, the first thing my family did when we decided we wanted to live a greener lifestyle – we ditched the toxic products. It is a simple step that has a huge impact on both the health of the environment and the health of my family. I have given you the health rundown of using green cleaners before here, but just to refresh, check this out:

  • The air inside most homes is 2-5x more polluted than the air outside.
  • Almost 70% of streams sampled in 2002 contained chemicals from household cleaning products.
  • 10% of toxic exposures reported to the U.S. Poison Control Centers are related to cleaning products directly touching the skin or being ingested.
  • Most conventional cleaning products come in non-recyclable containers.

Recently, I had the pleasure of being introduced to ecoSTORE. ecoSTORE is a New Zealand based company that offers plant-based and mineral-based household cleaning products, that are free of toxic chemicals and will help you reduce your carbon footprint. “No Nasty Chemicals” is the foundation that ecoSTORE is built on – doesn’t that just sum it up? Check out their ingredient list and you will find this is true.

I have reviewed some of ecoSTORE’s products and have been very impressed. I love that their products are ultra-concentrated, so you only have to use a little to do a big job and all of their packaging is 100% recyclable and compact. I am really enjoying the front loader laundry powder  – which I was surprised works when using only a tiny amount. Also, the Lemongrass soap is amazing, the smell will win you over as well as it’s wonderful creamy feel.

Would you like to try some for yourself? ecoSTORE is offering ONE of my lovely readers a $25 gift card.  They are also offering free shipping on all orders over $25 so this will be amazing giveaway.

How to Enter:

1. Visit ecoSTORE and leave me a note telling me which product you would love to try.
2. Subscribe to Sweets Greens.
3. Complete this form.

Contest ends May 15th @ 12am EST. Winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator and will be announced the following day.

* Update: Winner:: Lindsay. Congratulations.

Have a Lovely Weekend + A Few Green Things

October 8, 2010 0
Hello Everyone.

How has your week been? Mine has flown by. This weekend, we are going to decorate for Halloween – we are so behind! Also, I will need to make more of my pumpkin chocolate chip cookies – since Mr. Sweet Greens and Eben eat them so quickly. {wink} Then, Eben and I are going to work on creating his Halloween costume – it seems that it will be harder to create than his costume last year. However, we are up to the challenge!

We will also be celebrating Mr. Sweet Greens’s grandmother’s 87th birthday. 87. Wow! Isn’t that fantastic? Any reason to get together with family is a good reason – but an 87th birthday party is fabulous!

The rest of my weekend will be devoted to time at the beach and getting my pictures and posts ready from my time at Cascadian Farm. I am excited to share with you all of the details from my trip.

While I wrap Nana’s birthday present, here are a few green things I have wanted to share with you:

– These famous mamas made me smile. {I love seeing mothers with their children}
– If I were going to hold a business meeting, I would do it here.
– I think seeing this art show would make a fun family Halloween activity. Agree?
– With carve by number – I might be able to carve the perfect pumpkin.
– It’s the perfect time of year for a pumpkin spice latte.
– Courtney has a little challenge that can make a big difference. Check it out.
– I am in love with these autumn shots. Get them while they’re hot!

I hope you have a lovely green weekend with your family.
What are your plans?
What do you have planned for the coming weeks and Halloween.

See you on Monday.

xo,

Sweet Greens

Welcome New Sponsor – Sea Glass Designs

October 6, 2010 0

Waiting

Please join me in welcoming Sweet Greens’ newest sponsor: Sea Glass Designs. Sea Glass Designs is a lovely little company focused on designing natural sea glass and sterling silver jewelry. Each piece is created using a unique piece of sea pottery, glass or even pebbles that are hand picked from the shores of our beautiful oceans.

Rita Laidlaw is the designer at Sea Glass Designs and she has been collecting sea glass since she was a small girl in Nova Scotia. She has passed down her healthy addiction to her children – making it a fun family business.

You can find Sea Glass Designs in several museums and shop throughout Canada and The United States and in Sea Glass Designs’ online store. Wouldn’t a beautiful piece of jewelry that the ocean helped to make be the perfect holiday gift? I am quite smitten with the Sea Stones Beach Pebble Necklace, isn’t it fabulous?

A huge thank you to Rita at Sea Glass Designs for sponsoring Sweet Greens. Would you like to learn more about becoming a sponsor? If so, please click here.

Green Health: Does Your Energy Level Need a Boost?

September 30, 2010 1
Now that the new school year is in full swing and the lazy days of summer seem like a daydream long lost – are you feeling a little burned out and sluggish? If your go-to ways to boost your energy aren’t living up to their potential – try something new. Here are some of my suggestions:

1- Acupuncture: Known to help balance and revitalization of energy levels, Acupuncture is a centuries old practice that can slash fatigue significantly – that is if you can get past the needles.

2- Homeopathic Remedies: There are many homeopathic remedies that can improve your energy levels without sacrificing your health. Consider consulting with a homeopathic practitioner or check out books on homeopathy from your local library.

3- Aromatherapy: You can simply place a few drops of essential oil on a hankie, your pillowcase or in your bubble bath to get the energy improving benefits of aromatherapy. Some of my favorites are peppermint and rosemary.

How about you lovely readers, what energy pick me up do you use?
What has worked? What hasn’t?

Green Health – Here’s to your Hair

September 29, 2010 0

rock

Have you switched to all natural and organic hair care products yet? When my family went organic, this was one of the first things that we did because it was one of the easiest things to do. After reading about how porous the human scalp is and that it essentially absorbs everything that is put on it – we immediately switched.

As you probably know, traditional hair care products include a nasty list of toxins – everything from formaldehyde to ammonia. And these chemicals have horrible repercussions including cancer and possible blindness. These are definitely chemicals that I don’t want in on my head, let alone in my home.

I have heard that baking soda is the best thing to clean your hair with, since it leaves no residue. However, you can also choose from an array of all natural and organic products from your local health food store. Just make sure that you choose a real “natural” brand since there is a lot of greenwashing when it comes to these products. If you are unsure, check Skin Deep – my favorite resource for finding the best non-toxic products.

Do you use all natural and organic hair products?
Which are your favorites? Is there a brand that you have found works better than most?

I would love to hear your thoughts, please leave your comments below!

photo via Le Fab. d’Amelie

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