Navigation

Easy Eco-Friendly Spring Basket Full of Creative Fun for Kids

April 6, 2012 0

This year I filled Eben’s spring basket with gifts that would get his creative juices flowing. Want to take a peek?

1. The Thousand Villages Basket
I received this basket years ago and decided to use it as Eben’s basket this year. Ten Thousand Villages has tons of baskets to choose from, here is one similar to mine. 

2. Green Shredded Paper
Yesterday, I received a package in the mail and this was the protective packaging that they used inside! Isn’t it perfect – green and all! In the past years, I have shredded those Scholastic book order forms that Eben’s brings home from school – they are bright and colorful!

3. Artterro Art Kits
I will be doing a review of these new Artterro Art Kits. I am excited to see the creations Eben will comes up with when he opens the wire and bead kit. And the bubble wand kit just seems like the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon.

4. Stubby Pencil Studio Art Supplies
I am quite smitten with the new Jellyfish sketch book, eco highlighters and colored pencils from Stubby Pencil Studio. Since Eben gets stung by jellyfish ALL OF THE TIME, we sometimes call him Jellybait – he will get a kick out of the sketch book.

5. Assorted Books
I love to pick up gently used books from the thrift store, this years picks include a fun National Geographic joke book, along with a couple of other fun titles. The books are always Eben’s favorite part of the basket.

6. Natural Candy
Eben loves Jelly Belly’s, but I don’t buy them because of the artificial colors. However, yesterday I happened to find these Jelly Belly’s Superfruit Mix with 100% of the colors and flavors coming from the fruit in the jelly beans. Fantastic!

Do you surprise your kiddos with an Easter or spring basket?
What eco-friendly goodies do you put inside? 

How to Make Confetti Filled Eggs for Spring Fun

April 6, 2012 0

I have a childhood memory of walking home from school with a group of children from my neighborhood when all of a sudden one of the boys pulls an egg out of nowhere and threatens to throw it at someone. Everyone, especially the girls, start to run away squealing – I was no exception! The last thing I wanted was to be covered in egg in front of everyone. To my horror, he headed my way and quickly caught up to me. He cracked that egg in the middle of my head, but to my surprise, confetti – not egg poured out all over my head. I had been tricked and I have never forgotten it. Now, I plan to trick my own child this spring with a confetti-filled egg, jump over to Inhabitots to get in on the fun.

Do you have spring surprises planned for your child?

J.R. Watkins Natural Baby Care Line Giveaway

April 5, 2012 0

Hello, Friends. I think you will love today’s giveaway! It’s sponsored by J.R. Watkins, they are giving away their entire new natural baby care line to one lucky reader! And even if you don’t have a baby, your family will love this baby care line just the same.

As you probably already know, J.R. Watkins is my absolutely favorite supplier of natural home care products and I am a huge fan of their lotions too! J.R. Watkins knows their stuff, they have been in business since 1868! And now, they have just released their natural baby care line complete with baby oil, wash, lotion and baby balm. While, I don’t have a baby, per se – my little guy is 10 after all, we still have enjoyed the baby care line in our home. Read on to learn why.

1. The Baby Oil $7.49
It’s packed with vitamin E and natural oils which is perfect for slathering all over Eben’s body after a weekend trip on the sailboat. It adds a lot of moisture and hydration to his wind-chapped skin!

2. Soothing Baby Balm $7.49
I keep this one in my handbag because regardless of how old the kiddos are they will get a boo-boo here or there. The smoothing baby balm is perfect for those scraps and also as a lip balm or lotion!

3. Baby Wash $8.49
I have to admit, I myself love using the baby wash. It is very gentle on my skin and smells yummy too! I also put this in Eben’s shower because he can use it on his body and hair – and the pump makes it easy for him to use without wasting tons of it.

4. Baby Lotion $8.49
While this lotion is perfect for babies with its natural Shea butter and sunflower oil, it is great for everyone in the family too! It leaves your skin feeling moisturized and clean and looks adorable next to the sink.

I also love that J.R. Watkins baby care line is 100% natural, comes in recyclable packaging and are affordable too – a little goes a long way!

I also highly recommend giving the set as a baby shower gift. We gave these goodies to Eben’s teacher who is expecting and she was delighted with the package! Let’s face it, all new mother’s need body care products for the little one – and giving something that is good for baby and the environment is a win-win.

The winner of the J.R. Watkins Baby Care Line Giveaway will win the entire collection. Good Luck!

Full Disclosure: I received samples of J.R. Watkins Baby Care Line in exchange for my honest opinion. We used the products in our home and the thoughts expressed are honestly my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

6 Outside Exercise Routines that are Perfect for Spring

April 4, 2012 0

Have you been cooped up in the gym all winter? Springtime is the perfect time to cancel your gym membership and move your exercise routine outside. Not only is exercising in the great outdoors a great way to green your exercise routine, it will boost your moral and you give you a daily dose of nature. Here are my 6 favorite activities that you can easily do outside this spring, no energy or water usage required!

1. Swimming
Instead of swimming laps in the chlorine-laden swimming pool, hit your local body of water and get your swim on! Also, by swimming in a natural body of water you skip the less than eco-friendly amenities of the swimming pool, there is no wasted water, chemicals or energy to heat the pool.

2. Running or Power Walking
Skip the treadmill or elliptical machine and take your running outside. You will get a workout that is just as effective as the treadmill when you take a route full of hills, bridges, or stairs. I will take running outside any day over running inside – the view alone is worth it.

3. Hiking
One of my favorite spring time activities is hiking – think of it as your StairMaster in the great outdoors. Plus, when will you ever encounter a deer, squirrel or other furry friend while “hiking” on the StairMaster? – OK, besides Fido or Fluffy. It would also be fun to incorporate geocaching into your hikes – which are great when you are hiking with the kids.

4. Paddleboarding, Canoeing or Kayaking
Skip the rowing machine and row for reals! Paddleboarding is by far my favorite outdoor exercise that involves rowing (paddling). In fact, I plan to add it to my daily routine in the summer when Eben and I can get up, grab the boards and hit the water first thing in the morning. Paddleboarding is the ultimate core workout, it literally works every musical in your body! However, canoeing and kayaking are excellent rowing exercises.

5. Urban Exercising
If you live in the busy city, don’t worry, you can still get a fantastic urban workout. Hit your local park and use parts of the urban landscape to workout. For example, you could do pull ups on the jungle gym at your local playground. You can ride your bicycle or skateboard to work everyday and even jog laps around the playground while your little one plays within sight. 

6. Biking
A stationary bike is great in the winter, however in the springtime get your bicycle out of the garage and take it for a spin. You can incorporate your bicycle riding into your routine by using it rather than your car for getting to work or running errands. And bicycling is the perfect family activity, since people of all ages can enjoy a good bike ride.

Friends, I am wondering -what is your favorite outside exercise routine?

Favorite Organic Cleansing Scrub | Very Clear by derma e

April 3, 2012 0

Today, I wanted to share with you my absolute favorite organic cleansing scrub – Very Clear Cleansing Scrub Exfoliatet by derma e. Why do I love the Very Clear Cleansing Scrub so much? Let me break it down for you.

1. It’s Good for You, the Environment + Never tested on Animals
All of it’s ingredients are certified organic, eco-friendly, paraben-free and cruelty free. What’s not to love?

2. It’s Smells Fresh + Clean
I love the smell of the special blend of tea tree, willow bark, rosewood, lavender and chamomile. Think: a fresh, earthy and clean scent.

3. It Works
I use the Very Clear Cleansing Scrub every time I take a shower and it is great for removing dead skin, unclogging pores, and keeps my skin clean, balanced and blemish free. To be honest, I haven’t had any breakouts since using it. I also like to use it on my chest and back to keep those areas beautiful too!

4. It’s Affordable 
A 4 oz bottle costs $13.95 which may sound like a lot – however, I have been using this particular bottle since last June and I still have a couple of days of product left. You don’t have to use a lot, just a small drop to get the job done!

5. Recyclable Packaging
When I am finished with the product, the entire packaging is recyclable and I can pick up a new bottle from my local Vitamin Shoppe – which happens to be on the way to Eben’s school.

I haven’t tried the other products in the Very Clear Family yet – but there are on my list to pick up!

What is your favorite go-to organic facial cleanser? I would love to hear your recommendations?

Full Disclosure: I received samples of derma e Very Clear Cleansing Scrub from derma e to review in exchange for my honest opinion. I have been using derma e for almost a year and wanted to share my thoughts with you.

Older posts Newer posts