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REVIEW: Aquasana Under Counter Water Filtration System + Giveaway

September 5, 2013 1

Since moving into our new place, one of the issues that we came across was the water didn’t taste fantastic. We had a water filtration system in our last home, so we could immediately taste a difference. When our Aquasana 3-Stage Under Counter Water Filtration System arrived, we didn’t waste any time getting it installed – which was super easy, the mister had it done in no time and we have been drinking yummy water every since! And the filters are a snap to replace too!

Aquasana’s 3-stage drinking water filtration system uses NSF Certified Claryum™ filtration technology which removed over 97% of chlorine and chloramines in addition to herbicides, lead, asbestos, pesticides and more, reducing over 60 common water contaminants. In short, it turns your water in clean, healthy, and tasty water directly from the tap!

My favorite part of the Aquasana besides the fact that it ensures the water that my family drinks is healthy is the performance indicator – it beeps when it’s time to change the filter. You will never forget! And changing the eco-friendly filters is a snap too.

If you are one of those families with the water filtration pitcher sitting on the counter top or taking up valuable real estate in your refrigerator – this is the system for you. It fits perfectly under any sink, takes up very little space and is easy to maintain too. Think your family would enjoy an award-winning Aquasana Under Counter Water Filtration System? Enter below – good luck!

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Full Disclosure: I received a 3-Stage Under Counter Water Filtration System – this is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Aquasana.

Stubby Pencil Studio Eco Back to School Giveaway + Discount Code

August 2, 2013 36

Hello, Friends! Today I have a fantastic back to school giveaway for you. It’s sponsored by Stubby Pencil Studio, and the prize is an amazing box of eco-friendly back to school supplies. Yay!

One lucky winner will receive a lovely bamboo storage box filled with the following eco-goodies:

  •  Eco Highlighter Pencils
  • Glue Sticks
  • Crayon Rocks
  • Pencil Sharpener
  • Washable Marker
  • Cedar Pencils
  • Clipper Jr. Pencils
  • Erasers 
  • Scissors
  • Triangular Colored Pencils
  • Prang Crayons

As you already know, Stubby Pencil Studio is my favorite online supplier of eco-friendly art and back to school supplies! Eben uses his recycled sketchbooks, black colored pencils, and markers every-single-day. You can see a lot of his Stubby Pencil Studios in his creative space below!

And with back to school right around the corner, now is the perfect time to stock up on all of your favorite eco-friendly supplies. Stubby Pencil Studio has everything you could possibly need from crayons and markers to scissors and glue – and everything is good for the environment too. Hooray!

Stubby Pencil Studio is also offering 15% off through August 31st – just use the discount code SAVE4SCHOOL at checkout.

Good Luck!

p.s. To keep up to date on the latest and greatest in eco-friendly art suplies for your children, like Stubby Pencil Studio on Facebook. 

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How to Make a Miniature Dinosaur Zen Garden with Your Kids

July 29, 2013 0

My family loves terrariums and succulents. We have several throughout our home including these large recycled glass versions. However, Eben really wanted one for his bedroom in our new home. Terrariums are super easy and fun to make with children — they are so simple in fact that your child can do all of the work himself. They are also super low maintenance, teach your child responsibility (they need to be watered), they’re a great conversation piece, and they look amazing while providing fresh air. Every time we have friends and family members over they always check out the terrariums!

You can use any glass container to create a zen terrarium for your children. I suggest checking your recycling bin and kitchen cabinets. We had an old fish bowl and decided it would make a fun terrarium, especially for a kids room — it has a whimsical shape that just screams childhood. Everything else you can find in your garage or potting shed. Jump over to Inhabitots learn how to make a miniature dinosaur zen garden with your kids and get your hands dirty with them this week.

Green Baby: Sustainable Diaper Options + An Organic Baby Cleansing Recipe

July 29, 2013 0

Did you know that in the U.S. alone, 50 million disposable diapers are used a day. A DAY! Disposable diapers take 200-500 years to decompose and are the 3rd largest contributor to landfill waste. It takes 3.5 times more energy to make disposable diapers than it does to use reusable ones. Ugh! No worries though, there are green alternatives out there, here are some to get you started.

#1: Reusable Diapers:
If you can, choose organic cotton, bamboo or hemp reusable diapers. You can either wash them yourself at home (this is the least expensive green diaper option in the long run) or choose a diaper service that will pick up the soiled diapers and leave you with fresh ones. Bamboo and hemp are naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic and bamboo absorbs 60% more moisture than cotton and dries twice as fast. Hemp improves in absorbency and softens after washing.

#2: Biodegradable Diapers:
You can also choose a biodegradable diaper. However, these diapers are only compostable in an earthworm bin. You could also try a flushable diaper such as . These cloth diapers have a special insert that is both biodegradable and you can flush them down the potty.

Are you looking for a great alternative to those wasteful baby wipes? Here is a natural recipe for a great baby bum cleanser that will eliminate your need for baby wipes.

What you will need:

  • 2 organic chamomile tea bags
  • 1 tbsp hemp oil

  • reusable cloths

Directions:

 Steep 2 organic chamomile tea bags for 15 minutes, add 1 tbsp hemp oil and whisk well. Add to a clean reusable spray pump bottle. Shake well. At diaper change time, spritz cleanser onto a clean washable cloth and clean baby’s bottom. Keep refrigerated when not in use.

 What type of diaper do you use on your baby? Would you try homemade baby wipes?

photo credit

5 Organic Plants that are Easy to Grow and Great for Kids

July 26, 2013 0

One of the best ways to celebrate the great outdoors every day is by bringing plants into your home. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, growing organic plants can be easy if you choose the right ones. Here are my six favorite plants that are easy to grow and care for. These plants are all perfect for inside your home and they are great for gardening with children.

#1. Aloe Vera:
Aloe Vera may be one of the easiest plants to care for. They require very little water, thrive in medium to bright light and they grow quickly. Since it does grow so quickly it is a great visual for children, they will also find the medicinal uses of Aloe Vera very interesting.

#2. Chives: 
Chives are fantastic because they are easy to grow and can grow almost anywhere in all different types of climates. They are resistant to disease and do well in full or partial sun. Not to mention, they are super yummy on a baked potato or salad. This is a great plant to grow with children, you can teach them how to clean, dry, and use the herb. Plants that you can eat are extra special!

#3. Beans: 
Everyone remembers growing beans in elementary school because they are simple to grow. You can start growing beans by placing the seeds on a towel, spraying with water and covering with another towel. Place the towel in a warm location and keep moist – in less than a week you will have sprouts that can be transplanted to soil. Beans are great for kids because of the changes they make from seed sprouting to plant, helping children understand the plant’s life cycle.

#4. Spider Plants:
Spider plants are easy to grow and care for making them fun for everyone. They are fun plants for children because they produce smaller dangling plants (spiders) that are fun to cut off and plant in their own pots.

#5. Cacti and Succulents:
Both Cacti and succulents are easy to grow because they require very little water and thrive in medium to bright light. Succulents are my favorite plant hands down, I love the colors, shapes and sizes – which is another reason children will love them too. If you are going to introduce cacti plants to your child, wait until they are older – since cacti can be dangerous.

How about you lovely readers, what plants do you love to keep in your home?
Which is your favorite for growing with your children?

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