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The Ultimate Holiday Gift for the Outdoor Adventurer: Sawyer × Cnoc Squeeze Water Filtration System

November 5, 2025 0

If someone on your gift list lives for trails, paddles, peaks and packing the RV for spontaneous getaways (ahem, that might be you or my husband Jayson) then I’ve found a holiday winner. The Sawyer × Cnoc Squeeze Water Filtration System (2 L bladder version) is exactly the kind of gear that says “I see your adventure-lust and I support it.”

Why it works: light, rugged, travel-ready, and built to keep the water flowing when you’re off the beaten path. Because let’s be real, when you’re hiking in the Blue Ridge, or camping near a quiet lake, or road-tripping south in your RV, you don’t want to worry about whether that stream is drinkable. With this system, you’re covered.

🌿 Why I’m Totally Into It

Here are the reasons I’d love to get this (and you might too):

  • The system features a 0.1 micron absolute hollow-fiber membrane filter that removes 99.99999% of bacteria (like E. coli, salmonella) and 99.9999% of protozoa (like giardia, cryptosporidium). It even filters out 100% of microplastics.
  • Built with a durable TPU 2-liter bladder with a wide mouth for fast filling, so when you’re dipping into a creek or using a campsite spigot, it’s easy.
  • Lightweight, packable, no bulky pump or heavy parts, meaning less gear-stress and more actual adventure time. Reviewers call it “light and durable” and a top choice for backpacking.
  • Perfect for traveling, RV trips, paddleboard trips, weekend hikes out of Banner Elk, winter getaways to Florida. One piece of gear that covers hydration anywhere.
  • A gift that’s thoughtful, not just a “thing,” but a readiness-essence accessory: for safety, for joy, for being outdoors without compromise.

🎁 Gift-Giving Scenarios

Here are some real-life ways to frame this as a holiday gift:

For the Hiker

“Pack your backpack, strap on the boots, and know your water game is as strong as your trails.”
The Sawyer × Cnoc system says: you’re ready for roots, rocks, and remote water sources.

For the RV Traveler

They’ve got the camper, the cooler, the outdoor chairs, now give them the gear that makes a creek stop feel like home.
Imagine Jayson pulling our RV beside a riverside rest stop, filling the bladder, filtering fresh water, beach chairs out, pure freedom.

For the Family Adventure Crew

The gift isn’t just for one person, it’s for all the little “oops” moments: forgetting a bottle, scrambling to buy water, realizing the spigot tastes weird. This system sidesteps all that.

Pack it in the backpack cooler alongside your favorite backpack cooler (hello Titan by Arctic Zone), and you’ve got an all-in one adventure kit.

🛠️ How I’d Use It in Our Life

  • On a Banner Elk hike: Fill at a stream, filter, then sip while we sit overlooking the ridgeline.
  • On a paddleboard day: Fill at the shore, filter, stow the bladder in the dry bag, row out knowing hydration is settled.
  • Road-trip stop: A rest area with a questionable water fountain? No problem, use the bladder, filter, refill bottles in the RV.
  • Winter escape to Florida: Whether it’s a hike through dunes or a river paddle, this gear stays in the RV just in case.

✅ Why It’s a Smart Buy (and a Smart Gift)

  • Durability + longevity: Built to last, not just for one season of adventure.
  • Versatility: Trail, water, wheels, anywhere.
  • Thought fulness: Shows you care about their experience, about their safety, about their kind of fun.
  • Eco-friendly angle: Fewer single-use bottles, less waste, more being present outside.
  • The “cool gear” factor: It’s not a gimmick, it performs.

🛒 Where to Get It & What to Look For

You can find the product on Sawyer’s site: the “Squeeze Water Filtration System | Cnoc Premium 2 Liter Bladder” page.

Make sure it’s the full kit (filter + bladder) so the recipient doesn’t have “just a bag” and then has to buy the filter separately.

🎄 Final Holiday Wrap Up

If you’re looking for a gift that’s outdoor-ready, practically-useful, and inspired by adventure, this one’s a winner. It says “let’s go somewhere,” “let’s explore,” “let’s not worry about the water.”

And that’s exactly the vibe you want when you’re living close to the mountains, hitting picnic hikes, RVing south for the winter, the gear should fade into the background while the adventure stays front and center.

So tie a bow (eco-friendly ribbon, maybe a pine sprig) around this one, drop in a note: “Here’s to streams, sunsets, and clean sips on your next big trek.” I guarantee the adventurer in your life will smile.

🧀 Calling All Cheese Lovers: Meet the Holiday Gift That’ll Change the Way You Store Cheese Forever

November 4, 2025 0

Are you a cheese lover like me? Because if there’s one thing I take seriously, besides hot cocoa season and holiday playlists, it’s cheese. Brie, cheddar, gouda, chèvre… I love them all. But nothing breaks my heart faster than opening the fridge and finding a sad, moldy wedge hiding in the corner of the drawer.

We’ve all been there. You buy a gorgeous piece of cheese for a charcuterie board, wrap the leftover in plastic wrap “just for a few days,” and next thing you know, it’s dry, slimy, or covered in fuzzy green spots.

So why does that happen?
It’s simple: cheese hates plastic. Conventional plastic wrap suffocates it. Because it’s non-porous, moisture gets trapped inside, creating condensation that leads to mold, weird smells, and a serious flavor downgrade.

Enter my new kitchen obsession and favorite holiday find: Formaticum, the ultimate cheese storage solution that will make every cheese lover smile (and every fridge a little happier).

🌿 Why Formaticum Is a Game-Changer

Formaticum was founded by true cheese experts who wanted to help us store cheese the right way, the way cheesemongers and professional affineurs do. Their bags and papers are specially designed to let cheese breathe, keeping the moisture balanced and preventing mold, dryness, and waste.

Think of it as the difference between storing your cheese in a plastic bag (ugh) versus giving it its own little eco-friendly cheese cave (yes, please).

Even better? These bags make a fantastic holiday gift for the foodie or adventurer in your life, the friend who brings the cheese board to every gathering or the traveler who picks up wheels of cheese from every farmers market they visit.

🎁 My Favorite Formaticum Picks for Holiday Gifting

🧀 Classic Cheese Storage Bags ($17.50 / 15 count)

Made in France and designed just for cheese lovers, these are the perfect intro set. They’re reusable (until butterfat stains show through) and make storing leftovers effortless. I’m planning to wrap a set up with a wedge of brie and a small honey jar for the perfect hostess gift.

🌎 Zero Cheese Storage Bags ($19.50 / 10 count)

These are for the eco-conscious cheese aficionado (hi, that’s me). They’re compostable, biodegradable, and recyclable—made from white greaseproof paper and brown vegetable-waxed paper to create the perfect breathable micro-climate. Ideal for aged cheeses and charcuterie.

♻️ Reusable Cheese Storage Bags ($19.50 / 10 count)

These sturdy, reusable bags keep cheese fresh and flavorful longer. They’re made from calcium carbonate and polyethylene, so they’re fully recyclable while still letting cheese breathe. I love that they feel like a small step toward less plastic waste in the kitchen.

🧺 A Gift That Keeps On Giving (Literally)

Cheese consumption skyrockets during the holidays, wine nights, grazing boards, after-dinner bites, so why not make sure every wedge stays as perfect as the day you bought it?

Pair a pack of Formaticum bags with a few specialty cheeses, a small wooden knife, and maybe even a jar of fig jam or olives. Tie it all together in a reusable basket, and you’ve got a thoughtful, eco-friendly gift that any host or food lover will adore.

It’s elegant, practical, sustainable, and deliciously different from another bottle of wine (though let’s be honest, you can totally include that too).

🥂 For the Love of Cheese (and the Planet)

Formaticum is more than just a product, it’s a way to honor the cheesemaker’s craft, savor every slice, and reduce waste. Plus, with their professional-grade wax-coated paper, Italian cheese knives, and other accessories, you can easily build a beautiful cheese care kit for the foodie in your life.

So this holiday season, skip the gimmicky kitchen gadgets and gift something that brings pure joy to the cheese board. Because with Formaticum, every bite tastes just as the cheesemaker intended, rich, flavorful, and full of life.

Now that’s a reason to say cheese. 🧀✨

3 Smart Ideas For Creating An Eco-Friendly Halloween Costume

October 30, 2025 0

 

It’s no secret that many people who celebrate Halloween do so by getting together with friends and getting into the spirit of the spooky season. For many of those who celebrate, creating a unique costume that showcases your individuality is the biggest appeal of the holiday altogether. But instead of heading to the nearest chain store to spend money on an overpriced costume made of cheap and wasteful materials, consider taking some extra measures to ensure sustainability while maintaining creativity makes all the difference in your costume’s environmental impact. Here are just a few ways to keep Mother Nature in mind while preparing your Halloween costume.

Skip The Synthetics
One eco-friendly rule of thumb when shopping for Halloween costumes at big box stores is to look at the labels and do your best to avoid synthetic and toxic materials.

“Halloween costumes are supposed to be fun-scary, not scary-scary. Yet, store-bought costumes are often made up of nonrecyclable petro-chemical based plastic and synthetic fibers,” writes Laura Bailey on Wilderness.org. “Those Halloween costumes can include one of the scariest plastics — polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a soft plastic and known carcinogen that releases harmful toxins in its creation and breakdown.”

Instead, look for costumes with natural materials and fabrics if you’re shopping at a big box store. Better yet, you should consider looking into small businesses that may specialize in eco-friendly products. There are currently around 27.9 million small businesses in the United States, and many shoppers may be surprised at the number of eco-friendly products both small and large businesses are now incorporating into their inventory. Don’t hesitate to take up your inquiry with a store employee, as well.

Consider A DIY Project
If you consider yourself to be the crafty type, you can easily purchase some organic or otherwise eco-friendly materials and create your own costume. Sales of organic non-food products in the U.S. were up 8.8% in 2016, meaning there are more options than ever as far as styles, colors, and materials. If you have the resources, you can make a DIY version of any costume you find in a big box store, and you may even spend less doing it!

Incorporate Recyclable Elements
Finally, whether you buy your costume from a store or make it yourself, try to incorporate some reusable or recyclable materials. About 60% of the U.S. population, or about 148 million people, have access to a plastics recycling program. Similarly, if you have any young kids who may be participating in trick or treating festivities, be conscious about the bag or container they’re using to stash their sweet treats.

“Avoid the ubiquitous bright orange plastic jack-o-lanterns that have no chance at ever breaking down in a landfill. Instead use reusable shopping bags, canvas totes or the ole pillowcase trick. A funky thriftshop handbag can add a fun twist to a green Halloween costume as well,” writes Bailey.

Ultimately, it doesn’t take much to make a few small changes toward sustainability. By keeping an eye out for reusable and organic materials, you and your family can enjoy all the traditional festivities of Halloween while doing your part to preserve the Earth’s resources.

4 Fall Inspired Eco-Friendly Art Projects for Green Kids

October 29, 2025 0

I love fall – it is my favorite season. Have I mentioned that before? Ha! I love the colors, textures, and would always find myself crafting with Eben more during the autumn season. Gosh, I miss that! With that being said, the artwork really piled up around here. Many pieces were photographed and recycled, however there are pieces that we love so much we kept and displayed them.

Here are 4 fall inspired art projects that we have enjoyed over the year and thought they might inspire you this autumn:

1. Baker’s Twine Apple
Whenever I work with baker’s twine, it seems like I am left with a few scraps that I keep for craft projects. I recently came across an amazing baker’s twine apple project that would be perfect for those leftovers. I adore it!

+ Baker’s Twine Art
+ Domestically Speaking

2. Button Art
If you have a large button collection – this is the project for you! I love the different colors and sizes – I think it would be fun to do a set of four, one for each season, arranged on a wall together. This would be a perfect project for children of all ages too!

+ Button Art
+ Diane Payne

3. Leaf Prints
Eben loved this project because it incorporated a nature walk and pigment paints. This is a project that we tend to make over and over again each fall. It’s easy, a fun way to get our hands dirty and the perfect excuse for working together after school.

+ Leaf Prints

4. Alphabet Leaf Animals
Again, this is the perfect fall project for kids! It gets their creative juices flowing as they arrange the leaves into different animal shapes. I have to admit, Eben is much better at this than me – he is fantastic as seeing things that I never would. Are your kids like this?

+ Leaf Animal Prints

What fall inspired art project are you and your children working on?

Why Every Family Adventure Needs a KEEP>GOING First Aid Kit

October 22, 2025 0

Let’s be honest, family adventures are equal parts magic and mayhem.

One minute, you’re hiking through wildflowers with snacks packed and spirits high. The next, someone’s tripped on a rock, Olive’s (my Frenchie) stepped in a mud puddle, and Mr. Sweet Greens somehow managed to get a splinter through his glove. (True story.)

That’s exactly why I’ve fallen head over hiking boots for the KEEP>GOING First Aid Kit, a total mom-level lifesaver that’s now permanently packed in my bag, car, and RV.

Created by a fellow mom of four (so you know it’s the real deal), this kit is the perfect mix of smart design and stylish practicality. It’s TSA-approved, water- and stain-resistant, and comes with 130+ first aid essentials like burn relief, bandages, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, and even those tiny little scissors you never have when you need them most.

Basically, it’s peace of mind, zipped up in a cute case.

🌿 Why I Love It

💚 Mom-designed + travel-ready: Because no one understands family chaos better than a mom who’s lived it.
💼 Compact, stylish case: Water- and stain-resistant with trendy patterns like Tie-Dye, Woodland (my favorite!), and Tropical Blooms.
🧳 TSA-approved, Fits right into carry-ons, glove compartments, and diaper bags without taking up valuable snack space.
🩹 Loaded with 130+ essentials, From mini bandages to burn cream, it’s like having a nurse in your backpack.
🚗 Four sizes to choose from, Mini (60 pieces) to SuperKit (270 pieces), so there’s one for every adventure.

✨ 7 Everyday Adventures KEEP>GOING Was Made For

Because life doesn’t happen inside the house, it happens on the go, with messy, beautiful, unpredictable moments.

1. Mountain Hikes + Muddy Trails ⛰️

If you’ve ever hiked with kids, you already know, someone will fall. Someone will whine. Someone will ask for snacks (again and again). With the KEEP>GOING kit in your backpack, at least you’re ready for scraped knees, bug bites, and whatever nature throws your way.

2. Farmer’s Market Saturdays 🍓

Between berry sampling, lavender bouquets, and bumping into everyone you know in Banner Elk, it’s easy for small cuts or bee stings to sneak in. I keep the MiniKit in my tote, it’s adorable and functional.

3. Road Trips + Rest Stop Chaos 🚙

We’re a road-trip family. From the mountains to the coast, our glove compartment is basically a survival zone, snacks, sunscreen, hand wipes, and now the KEEP>GOING kit. Because when someone manages to get a paper cut from a map (yes, it happened), you’re prepared.

4. Picnics + Paddleboards 🏖️

Sun, water, sandwiches, and somehow… minor injuries. Between paddleboard dings and stepping on rocks barefoot, this kit saves the day every time. Bonus: it’s water-resistant, so it’s perfect for lake days.

5. Backyard BBQs + Bonfire Nights 🔥

No one plans on blisters from new sandals or mosquito bites that swell like golf balls. I set the kit on the picnic table next to the marshmallows, because s’mores and safety can totally coexist.

6. Kids’ Sports + Weekend Tournaments ⚽

Between turf burns, bee stings, and “mystery splinters,” I’ve learned it’s not if you’ll need a first aid kit, it’s when. KEEP>GOING is the MVP of the sidelines.

7. Glamping, Camping, or Cabin Weekends 🏕️

Our adventures in the Blue Ridge often come with campfires, hikes, and unexpected “ouches.” Even though Eben is grown and doesn’t camp much with us anymore, it never fails that Mr. Sweet Greens or I hurt ourselves in one way or another. OR, there’s Olive, I had to use my kit to get a tick off her on our last trip and then clean her up afterward! I love knowing I can grab my kit, unzip, and instantly find what I need (no rummaging through random Ziploc bags).

💚 A Mom-Approved Must-Have

What I love most about KEEP>GOING is how intentional it feels. Every item is thoughtfully included, the quality is top-notch, and it’s all tucked into a design that makes you want to actually use it.

And as someone who lives in a small mountain town where adventure (and nature’s surprises) are never far away, it’s become one of my favorite travel companions.

If you’ve ever found yourself with a splinter mid-road trip, a scraped knee during a family hike, or a surprise bee sting at a summer picnic, you’ll totally get why I won’t leave home without mine.

🛒 Where to Get Yours

You can find these lifesaving kits directly at keepgoingfirstaid.com or on Amazon.

They come in several sizes and a variety of stylish prints, so you can grab one for your car, your hiking bag, your diaper bag, even one for Grandma’s house.

Because life’s little adventures are a lot more fun when you’re ready for them. 🌿

So go ahead, pack your snacks, fill your water bottles, and don’t forget your KEEP>GOING First Aid Kit, your future self (and your kids’ scraped knees) will thank you.

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