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Clean + Green Cleaners Review + Giveaway

November 26, 2009 36

After months and months of neglecting it, even pretending that the mess didn’t exist – I decided to clean the car. This is one of those chores that I would soon rather hire someone to do than have to do myself. The mister is the one who drives the car most often – since we only have one, I choose walking or biking over taking the car. Any how, it was a mess, but at $150 for a professional car cleaning and detailing job, and the fact that they probably weren’t going to use eco-friendly products, I thought, buck up and get cleaning.

Once I cleaned out all of the garbage and removed Eben’s car seat, I was horrified. How did the car get so bad, (I swear we don’t drive it that often) there was something that may have been yogurt at one time stuck to the seat under Eben’s car seat and underneath the drivers side seat was a large melted mound of what could only have at one time been malted chocolate balls. There was also a fair amount of dog drool everywhere. Yes, we have two drooling dogs that love to travel with us. I thought again to myself, run! Instead, I vacuumed up everything that I could and was left with stained floors and seats. I hope you don’t think we are complete slobs, I promise my house is immaculate. Ha!

That is when I remembered that I had received two bottles of Clean + Green in the mail. A bottle of Auto Odor Eliminator Cleaner and Stain Remover and another bottle of Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner Odor Eliminator and Stain Remover from SeaYu. I grabbed the can of Auto Cleaner and began to read the directions and ingredients. I was immediately taken in by what I read, it said “Quick and easy, works on contact. Just spray – no need to soak, scrub or rinse.” I thought to myself, what!? Mo scrubbing? Rubbish, of course I would have to scrub? Then I read the ingredients: cane sugar derivatives, botanical extracts, hydrated cellulose, purified water and non-flammable and eco-friendly propellant. Another, what!? I am going to clean my car with sugar, plants and water? I thought, this will never work. The bottle also states that the product is safe, environmentally responsible, non-toxic, non-flammable, non-corrosive, non-carcinogenic and 100% biodegradable, not to mention that the bottle is recyclable and costs only $8.99 for a large 16 oz. can. I thought, what have I got to lose. I sprayed and walked away.

I went to work putting away all of the toys, books, papers, pens, underwear (yes, there were underwear in the car, I know – I have no idea how that one happened) and many other items that didn’t belong in the car. I went back to investigate with my steam cleaner in hand because I was very skeptical. To my amazement, it worked. I couldn’t believe it, there weren’t even water stains. I was really, really glad that I took before and after pictures because I don’t think even I would believe it later on. You can see the before pic here and the after here.

Using Sea-Yu’s products saved me a ton of time, I didn’t have to steam clean the upholstery and floors, and when I do steam clean it usually leaves water marks, (which Clean + Green did not.) There was no odor, (the car didn’t have a VOC smell) , it was just SIMPLY clean.

After browsing Sea-Yu’s website, I found that they also have a lot of other great products for dogs, cats and small animals. They have products that clean concrete, carpet, wood floors, furniture, your car, the litter box and even your dog (if he/she happens to get sprayed by a skunk.) The best part, all of the products are safe to use around your pets and your children. I am definitely a fan of Sea-Yu Clean + Green and will be stocking up on their products.
Do you have a mess of a car like mine? Say it isn’t so, well if you do or maybe you have another area of your home that could use some Clean + Green, enter to win a this HUGE giveaway. ONE of my lovely (and in much need of some good green cleaners) readers will win a set of SIX (your choice) Clean + Green Products. (A $55 Retail Value)

How to Enter

1. Subscribe to Sweet Greens (if you haven’t already) and confirm the subscription in the email from FeedBurner.

2. Visit Clean + Green by Sea-Yu and leave me a comment telling me which SIX products you will choose if you win.

Additional Entries

1 for each thing that you do, please leave a separate comment for each
Rules for Entry
  • Please leave a way for me to contact you if you win.
  • Contest ends August August 14th @ 12am EST. Winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator and will be announced the following day. (I will announce the winner, if I do not hear from you within 72 business hours, I will pick another winner.)
  • You must leave a comment telling me which item you love in order to qualify.
Good Luck!

*UPDATE: WINNER:: #17 Priscilla. Congratulations!

Earth Friendly Etsy: Art And Philanthropy Art Giveaway

November 24, 2009 37

This week’s Earth friendly Etsy shop is owned by Rebecca Peragine of Art and Philanthropy. Rebecca is a handmade art and textile artist who lives in a lovely home in the woods of Wisconsin with her husband and creative consultants – her sons!

Rebecca designs beautiful eco-friendly stationary, pillows, napkins, aprons, library totes, and fabulous Giclée canvas’ and prints. Her use of vibrant colors and sweet birds is captivating – aren’t they sweet?. Her favorite materials to use are recycled fibers, newspapers, magazine paper, foreign romance novels, vintage fabrics, and pictures.

Rebecca has been so sweet to offer ONE of my fabulous readers a beautiful 5×7 print of your choice. (excluding the earth print because it won’t print @ 5×7 size)

To ENTER:
Visit Art and Philanthropy’s Etsy Shop leave me a note telling me which is your favorite print. 
Also, do ONE of the following:
Contest ends April 15th @ 12 am EST. Winner will be chosen at random, and announced the following day.
* Update: Winner:: Vanessa. Congratulations.

7 Simple Steps to a Green Thanksgiving

November 24, 2009 0

I wrote an article for Cascadian Farm on 7 Simple Steps to a Green Thanksgiving. It covers everything from green cleaning your home for the big day to set up, preparation, clean up and leftovers. I would love if you would stop by my blog or my organic feed at Cascadian Farm and let me know what steps you take to green your Thanksgiving.

Earth Friendly Etsy: Ogsplosh Recycled Door Stopper Giveaway

November 22, 2009 63

It is starting to get chilly outside. Have you noticed? Yesterday, was the first day that I had to wear pants and a long sleeve shirt, even with all of those clothes on, I was still chilly. It seems like the sunny warm days disappear overnight and the cool Fall weather sets in. It is definitely time to start weather proofing your home, if you haven’t already. If you have a basement door or another door or window in your home that lets in a little draft, you need a draft stopper. A draft stopper is the perfect way to keep a room toasty and it saves energy as well.

This week’s Earth friendly Etsy shop is Ogsplosh. Ogsplosh is owned by Christine who makes fab draft stoppers, scarves, jewelry, neck warmers and hats in her Wisconsin home. Christine is the mother of two wonderful daughters ages 7 and 10. She moved to Wisconsin from England with her husband and says it is one of the best decisions that she ever made. She started sewing a few years ago when a friend taught her how. I love when friends help each other learn something new, what a lovely way to bond.

One of my fave items at Ogsplosh are the draft stoppers. I love the fun colors and my favorite feature is that the draft stoppers close with Velcro, so you can empty them and throw them in the wash. Which is great considering the draft stoppper would be on the floor or windowsill all day and would eventually get dirty or dusty. I also love that they come in an array of patterns and can be altered to fit any door that you need them for.

Now you can stay cozy and warm with your choice of draft stopper. Christine @ Ogsplosh is such a dear to offer ONE of my readers whichever draft stopper you would like.

How to Enter

1. Subscribe to Sweet Greens (if you haven’t already) and click confirm in the email you receive from FeedBurner.

2. Visit Ogsplosh and leave me a comment telling me which item you love, love, love.

Additional Entries
Please leave a separate comment for each thing that you do.

* Share Ogsplosh on Twitter and follow @Sweet Greens.
You can tweet daily, just leave a separate comment each time you do.
* Share Ogsplosh on Facebook and join Sweet Greens Facebook Fan Page.
* Kirtsy, Digg or Stumble Ogsplosh.
* Add Sweet Greens to your Technorati favorites.
* Add Sweet Greens to your blogroll.
* Email a friend about Sweet Greens: Earth Friendly Etsy:: Ogsplosh.

Rules for Entry

* Please leave a way for me to contact you if you win. You do not need to leave your email address if don’t wish to share it. Just make sure to check back at the bottom of this post after the contest ends to see if you won.

* Contest ends October 7th @ 12am EST. Winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator and will be announced the following day. (I will announce the winner, if I do not hear from you within 72 business hours, I will pick another winner.)

* You must leave a comment telling me which item you love in order to qualify.

Good Luck and Enjoy.
** UPDATE:: WINNER:: #35 Nyssa. Congrats and thank you to everyone who entered.

Earth Friendly Etsy: Chasing Lightning Bugs Recycled Paper Giveaway

November 19, 2009 47

If you want to see a giddy girl, be at my mailbox when I receive a handwritten letter or elegant invitation in the mail. I love them, you will hear me squeal in delight. The look and feel of a letter or invitation that someone took time to craft and write is so special to me. I have kept every letter and every card that I have ever received. I do not think it is necessary or Earth friendly to send a letter for every little thing, but if you want to tell someone something that you think they will want to have forever or are sending an invitation for a wedding or anniversary, I think a handwritten letter is the best option. Unfortunately, I can not tell you the last time that I received a handwritten letter. I still write thank you notes and send handwritten letters but possibly I am a dying breed. I have tried to instill this in my son Eben by having him write thank you notes for birthdays, holidays and special occasions. He doesn’t find it as lovely as I do. Ha!

Growing up I dreamed of a pen pal, but wasn’t sure how to get one since I didn’t have a cousin or friend that lived far away. Maybe as an adult, I will receive a beautifully written and elegantly crafted letter from a pen pal and my wish will come true. If I do receive a letter, I will be sure to mail a letter back in one of these fab envelopes made by Annette at Chasing Lightning Bugs.

Annette has traveled the world, read many books and received a BFA in painting. All of this has inspired the envelopes that she crafts using old, worn and no longer viable encyclopedias, atlases and maps and other found objects. She has beautiful envelopes that would be perfect for your pen pal, anniversary party or wedding invitation.

Annette lives in a beautiful little stone house with a huge garden full of lavender and crab apples trees on Lake Ontario in Kingston, Canada. She lives her life full of love and happiness on a beach full of beach glass, pebbles and peace for as far as the eye can see. Her studio is full of paintings, cans of brushes, jars of beach glass and piles of books. Annette lives in her beautiful paradise with her lovely husband and Great Dane Edgar.

Have you written a letter lately? Annette at Chasing Lightning Bugs has been so lovely to offer ONE of my lovely readers a set of handmade envelopes. If you win, please remember to use the envelopes to send someone you love a beautiful handwritten letter that they will cherish forever.
How To Enter

1. Subscribe to Sweet Greens (if you haven’t already) and click confirm in the email confirmation that you will receive from FeedBurner.

2. Visit Chasing Lightning Bugs and leave me a comment telling me who you would write a letter to.

Additional Entries
leave a separate comment for each thing that you do.

Rules for Entry

  • Please leave a way for me to contact you if you win.
  • Contest ends August 5th @ 12am EST. Winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator and will be announced the following day. (I will announce the winner, if I do not hear from you within 72 business hours, I will pick another winner.)
  • You must leave a comment telling me which item you love in order to qualify.

Good Luck.

UPDATE:: Winner is #26, Cindi. Congratulations and thank you to everyone who participated. I had a lot of fun reading who you would write your letters to.

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