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A Gift From Nature: Paddleboarding, Family and Peanuts

October 23, 2013 0

Every weekend, my family spends at least one day on a paddleboarding adventure. Since we are gone for several hours at a time, we have to pack snacks that are filling, high-energy, and easy to pack in my dry bag and perfect for eating while we are floating in the water.Planter’s peanuts are always in our pack – sometimes we use them in our homemade trail mix, sometimes we just nosh on them plain. 

Last weekend, we hit one of our favorite spots to paddleboard – John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. We love it because it is fairly shallow – meaning no boats, is an excellent place to spot manatees, dolphins, stingrays and a pletero of birds. One this particular trip the fish were going crazy, you couldn’t paddle more than a few feet when a giant fish would jump out of the water. And there were large bait balls everywhere. We felt very lucky to paddle with a pod of dolphins and even saw a stingray jump a few feet out of the water. It was a great start to our day!

After paddling for a few hours, we stopped on a secluded sandbar to rest, swim, hydrate and snack. We defintiely needed an energy burst – we had been paddling against the current all morning. It was nice just to lay in the sand, soak up the sun and munch away. The paddle back was very low-key and relaxing, the current did most of the work for us. We just paddled slowly and watched the baby fish and even a juvenile shark swim by. We definitely feel that living in Florida allows us to experience all of nature’s gifts everyday – we are very lucky!

What is your favorite gift from nature?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

How to Upcycle an Old Tee Shirt into a Trick or Treat Bag in 3 Simple Steps

October 22, 2013 0

Halloween is looming, and now is the time to start making all of those fun spooky crafts to celebrate. You can customize a fun trick or treat bag for your child by upcycling an old T-shirt that would be slated for the garbage or donation bin. Pick a tee that either matches the theme of your child’s costume or has a fun graphic on the front.

These upcycled T-shirt bags are super easy to make (they only take 3 simple steps), they are heavy duty, super durable and easy to clean (just throw them in the washer), and they can be made in an array of colors and sizes. The best part, these T-shirts bags take only a few minutes to create and your child will have a completely unique Trick or Treat bag that can be used again and again after the festivities — perhaps for toting groceries! Jump over to Inhabitots to learn how to upcycle your old tee shirts into Trick or Treat bags in 3 simple steps.

REVIEW: PELCOR Sustainable Genuine Cork Skin Sunshine Tote Bag

October 22, 2013 0

I am not one of those gals that has a handbag to match every outfit – and I definitely don’t buy a new handbag every season – designer or disposable.

However, I do have a couple of nice, high quality handbags that I have paid a little more money for. I think it is totally worth spending a little more to buy something you really love that you can use for many years to come. I don’t support picking up a handbag that will last a season and then gets tossed.

With that being said, I want a handbag that is lightweight, bright and fun for those trips to the beach, farmer’s market or just picking Eben up from school. One of my favorite tote’s ever – is the Sunshine Tote from PELCOR. It is by far the one tote that I get compliments on every time that I use it. I love the color (turquoise!), it’s made using sustainable cork, it’s magnetic closure, and it’s roomy with a great inside zippered pocket helps me keep organized. Now, that we are moving into fall – I wish I would have picked the yellow or maybe hot pink! So bright and fun.

I have used my PELCOR Sunshine Tote for several months and am pleased to announce that it still looks like new and the cork handles and holding up really well. This is a tote that I will be able to pull out of my closet again and again for many seasons to come – so I am happy to recommend it to you. 

Full Disclosure: I received a PELCOR tote to review – all opinions expressed are my own and I would have told you about PELCOR totes anyway – they are fantastic!

Sponsored: Groovy Globe Organic Tee Shirt + Tote Bag Review + Giveaway

October 21, 2013 0

Living in Florida – I usually resort to my fave outfit: shorts, flip-flops and a tee shirt. Especially considering my family is very spur-of-the-moment – meaning I could pick Eben up from school and 30 minutes later be biking, sailing, paddleboarding or on a nature hike. By dressing simple and comfort, I am always ready to go!

So, I was excited to partner with Groovy Globe to check out their tee shirt and tote bag collection! I love the statement tees, they get the point across without being too in your face and the fit (for women) is very comfy and flattering. Made with 100% organic cotton and 10% of the proceeds going to environmental charities -it’s a win-win!

I also received a tote bag from Groovy Globe and the quality is great – very thick and sturdy. We use ours as a library tote bag. Each week, we take it to our library and fill it up with great books for the week. The totes are made from 100% recycled cotton canvas with a great design that is perfect for everyone – even Eben doesn’t might toting it around.

If you are looking for great quality organic tees that matches your values – check out Groovy Globe. I think these would make great gifts for the upcoming holidays! Guess what? You are in luck, use the coupon code 20OFF at checkout and get a jump on your holiday shopping.

Want to win one of each – of course, you go! Leave a comment telling me what you would carry in your tote bag and enter below too!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Full Disclosure: I received compensation for this sponsored post written by me on behalf of Groovy Globe – all opinions expressed are my own. 

Ecocentric Mom September Box Review + Coupon Code

October 21, 2013 0

September’s Ecocentric Mom box didn’t disappoint! It was full of great green products – so much fun! I hear the holiday Mom box that will be shipping out in November is amazing, it would be a great time to try it out! FYI: Ecocentric Mom Boxes will now be shipping out every other month – making them more affordable too!

Here is what was inside in September:

1. Bella Organics Crisp Apple Lip Balm $3.50
This crisp apple lip balm is perfect for autumn! It is toxic-free with no GMO’s, parabens, additives or chemicals. My favorite part – the little clip on the cap makes it perfect for adding to a jacket or zipper! 

2. Eve Organics “Dirty Hands” Hand Sanitizer $6.95
This hand sanitizer is vegan and chemical free – I thought it smelled great, a combination of lemon, peppermint and lavender.

3. Allimax $34.99 (sample included)
Allimax is made from fresh, raw garlic full of enzyme activity. If you need a dose of garlic – these capsules are for you.

4. Real Purity Lipstick $15.00 (sample included)
This lipstick is really creamy and hydrating – and I loved the color! Completely toxic-free and a family owned and operated business in the U.S.A.

5. Beanfields Bean and Rice Tortilla Chips $1.49
These tortilla chips were fantastic – at least that is what I was told by the boys in my house. They inhaled these! The chips are gluten-free, vegan and non-GMO – and they are made by a family-owned company that helps solve social and environmental problems.

6. Eve Organiccs Balance Moisturizer $23.95 (sample included)
This moisturizer has anti-inflammatory properties and is packed with antioxidants. It has naturally derived DMAE which protects cell walls from free radicals and can tighten pores and reduce the signs of aging. Win!

7. Tru All-Natural Multi-Purpose Cleaner $19.95(sample included)
All of the ingredients in this cleaner are natural, safe and non-toxic – there are no perfumes or dyes and it’s super powerful too.

8. Hang-It-Up Eco Friendly Bamboo Hanger 2/$19.99
These hangers are made to hang up your tights, scarves, ties, and belts with it’s elastic loops. Great for organizing the items that otherwise get stuffed in drawers or fall in the back of the closet.

9. TravelSpritz $5.99
These natural cleaners use the power of lemon and orange oil to kill germs and keep your family happy!

10. Special Coupons for Rock the Locks, PostalPix and Sprout Non Toxic Nail Polish

Have you tried a Ecocentric Mom Box? You can grab one today with coupon code ECOMOM for a 10% discount (on single month subscription).

Full Disclosure: As an Ecocentric Mom Team Blogger, I receive monthly subscription boxes for review. All of the opinions expressed are completely my own. Affiliate links appear in the post.

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