Buying Green: The Fiber of My Being

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for my review. All opinions are my own.
Do you like to knit, crochet, or do other fiber arts? The Fiber of My Being is a great eco-friendly option for sourcing your yarns and fibers. The founder has a love for spinning fiber and rescuing animals, and discovered a way to put them together. She also puts use to recycled pulled silk in some of her products.
I love the idea of buying from her for several reasons. First, she's a mom-and-pop shop, and that's always important to support, in my opinion. Secondly, she's working for a humane cause - rescuing animals. Finally, she's got a very "green product" that makes use of natural and recycled elements. And if those weren't enough reasons, the yarn is great quality! The colors are beautiful, mine came exactly as pictured on the website, and the texture was very soft. It will make a lovely blanket (I think that's what we'll do with it). Plus, it came with a nice postcard with a photo of one of her fiber rescue animals, which was fun to use as a teaching tool for my daughter. Check out the Fiber of My Being store to see all the available products and colors - and she's willing to custom-dye as well.

Green Reading: Climate Myths

Disclosure: Post contains affiliate or sponsored links, which support this blog at no cost to you. I received complimentary products to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

If you're like me, then the book Climate Myths: The Campaign Against Climate Science is pretty much preaching to the choir. I already buy into a lot of what the author says, and know that there is a lot of greenwashing going on, as well as minimizing the very real threat to the environment that a lot of features of society currently pose. It's got a ton of resources in the back for further research and information, and the author is currently working on two follow-up books, Climate Peril and Climate Solutions - both of which I plan to check out when they're available!

Soul Sustenance: Revealing Jesus

Although I haven't made it all the way through Revealing Jesus: A 365-Day Devotional I've done enough to be able to review it. This devotional focuses specifically on Jesus - his life, death, and resurrection. It's written to go along with the CD of the same name by Darlene Zschech, singer/songwriter, author, worship leader, and speaker. The devotions are short, nice nuggets for a quick read before bed or a good way to start your day off on the right foot. Although I was brought up in the church and learned a lot about Jesus growing up, I'm still finding nuggets of wisdom, insights, or details that I hadn't thought much of before, or that I never knew. This is a great devotional for anyone interested in learning more about who Jesus was historically, and what He has done for us.

Disclosure: Post contains affiliate links, which support this blog at no cost to you. I received a complimentary e-version to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Consumer Critique: Skinny Coffee

Coffee has been shown to have proven health benefits, besides the energy people get from caffeine. And green coffee beans are a new "hot ingredient" for their antioxidants and ability to support healthy metabolism. For people who want natural coffee drinks without a lot of sugar and calories, Genesis Today is launching a line of Skinny Coffee (available on their website and at Walmart stores) that aims to be a healthier alternative.

Skinny Coffee has 825 mg of green coffee bean extract and only 130 calories per serving, along with natural caffeine and B-complex vitamins to help provide the energy boost coffee drinkers love. Plus, there's no HFCS or artificial sweeteners or colors. It's available in creamy cappuccino and vanilla latte - both delicious flavors. They weren't overly sweet, and they tasted real, not like a cheap gas station cappuccino.

Disclosure: I received complimentary products to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

Buying Green: Yes To

I recently had a chance to try out Yes to Grapefruit Daily Facial Scrub. I was curious how I'd like it, since I really don't like grapefruit. But I liked it. Even my husband was willing to use it, so it didn't smell too girly. It was gentle on our skin, and it's SLS-, Paraben-, and Petroleum free. If you aren't used to face wash with exfoliating beads in it, it will take some getting used to, but I liked the way it felt on my skin.

Disclosure: I received complimentary products as part of the Moms Meet program. All opinions are mine.

Buying Green: Celadon Road

I recently had a chance to try out a few eco-friendly personal care products from Celadon Road a direct sales company that offers high quality organic and eco-friendly products founded by Kimberly Cornwell. 

The first one I tried was a Pumpkin Masque, designed to replenish skin. I've honestly never used a masque before, but found it easy and pleasant to use. I also tried a cranberry pomegranate cream cleanser, which I really liked. The scent wasn't too overwhelming, and my face felt very clean after using. It doesn't feel harsh and had a nice texture. The last product was more for my kids - Green Alligator bubble bath. They loved the name and got a little wild splashing around as alligators! It had a mildly soapy scent and lathered up very well.

All three products are vegan and not tested on animals. The ingredient label also lists the derivation of each ingredient. If you're interested, you can find a consultant near you; if you're interested in joining this direct sales opportunity, you can do that as well.

Disclosure: I received complimentary products to facilitate this review. All opinions are mine.

Buying Green: Chipotle Apparel

If you've never eaten at a Chipotle Mexican Grill, I think you're missing out on some tasty burritos. Warning, though - they are huge! One of my favorite things about the restaurant is their focus on Food with Integrity and responsible agriculture, including local ingredients when possible, sustainably raised plants and animals. They're taking that same focus into apparel.

Chipotle Mexican Grill’s online web store offers Chipotle-branded apparel and merchandise made with eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, sustainably harvested wood and recycled billboards. You can get T-shirts, hoodies, baby onesies, tote bags, skate decks, water bottles, and more. Chipotle is working together with Loomstate, because both food and clothing ultimately start from the same place, the farm. The partnership is a joint commitment to environmental and social responsibility, with a focus on the highest standards in the ingredients both Chipotle and Loomstate use, the materials they source, and their methods of production. 

I got one of the  kids' t-shirts to review. It's very soft and lightweight - it will be a perfect summer shirt. I picked the "grow row" which does have a logo on the front, but you can also get cute shirts that just have a small logo on the arm, or ones that are even more obviously from Chipotle. Either way, the apparel is USA-made and organic cotton, both very strong reasons to purchase. And the prices are very fair for organic cotton apparel!

Disclosure: I got a complimentary t-shirt to facilitate this review. 

Buying Green: Ology by Walgreens

Walgreens recently introduced Ology, a brand designed to be more natural. It's created in partnership with Healthy Child Healthy World to reduce the levels of harmful substances in everyday products. There are household cleaners, baby products, and beauty products currently offered in the line. Personal care and baby products are paraben and sulfate free; fabric softeners are free of dyes, artificial fragrances, phosphates, bleach, and formaldehyde; cleaners are free of dyes, artificial fragrances, and ammonia; and paper products are made from sugar cane husk and bamboo. I tried them out, and I am very satisfied with their performance (I tried the laundry detergent - HE compatible and concentrated - and facial tissue) - and their prices! They are less expensive than other green options, so they're a great way to start living more environmentally friendly without breaking the bank. And since they're available at Walgreens, you'll be able to find them all over the place.

Disclosure: I received a gift card from Walgreens to facilitate this review.

Buying Green: Voots

I recently had a chance to try out Voots, Veggie-Fruit tarts that are packed with the antioxidants of three servings of produce! They're made from fruits and vegetables, and contain no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. But they still taste yummy - my girls happily ate them, and I felt good giving them to them. They aren't designed to replaces fruits and vegetables, but rather to give an added boost to an overall healthy diet. I was able to do an email interview to find out a little bit more:

Why is it important to get those fruits and vegetables in?

Fruits and veggies are an important part of every kid’s diet, as they are a valuable source of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. They also taste great and are fun to eat! Voots Veggie-Fruit Tarts are not meant to substitute or replace your child’s consumption of real fruits and veggies, but they are a great way to supplement your kid’s diet and deliver a boost of the antioxidant Vitamin C.

In making Voots supplements, we selected a wide variety of nutritious fruits and veggies. We also wanted to make sure that Voots supplements tasted good and that all the fruits and veggies combined to make a delicious chewable tart, with a taste that kids love.

Do your kids like them?

Here at Pharmavite (the maker of Voots Veggie-Fruit Tarts), our employees and their kids love Voots supplements and give us lots of feedback on how we can make the best possible product.*

Voots® supplements contain 60 mg Vitamin C per serving. The average Vitamin C content of the top 20 most commonly consumed fruits and top 20 most commonly consumed vegetables is 19 mg per serving, for a total of 58 mg per three servings. Voots® supplements are not intended to replace your daily intake of fruits and vegetables, which are important sources of fiber and additional nutrients.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary sample of Voots to facilitate this post.

Buying Green: Bug Patch

The Bug Patch is a chemical free, transdermal patch that protects kids and adults from mosquitoes, no see-ums and ticks and more. The patch is not only all natural, but also vitamin-based. Offering head to toe protection, the patch sends a stream of Vitamin B1 through the blood stream and then is secreted through the pores as you sweat and masks the odor of carbon dioxide that attracts such insects mentioned above.

The BugPatch, doctor recommended, is convenient to use anytime, anywhere and is perfect for travel.  User friendly, the patch should be applied two or more hours before protection is needed and worn 24-36 hours to insure protection up to 12 hours after it is removed. Children one year or over are protected with one patch however children over 80lbs and adults can wear up to two patches for extreme conditions. The anti-inflammatory agent in thiamin inhibits the allergic reaction to insect bites.

The BugPatch formula, during expected time of use, will not wash off in the shower or pool, has no smell nor will it leave a residue. 

I love that it's all-natural - not chemical-based like a lot of other bug sprays. It feels safer for my kids to not be exposed to some of the things in traditional bug repellents.

Disclosure: I received some complimentary patches to facilitate this review.

Buying Green: Paper Culture

PaperCulture has the mantra “be modern. be eco.” They have some fresh new designs for holiday cards - and they have eco friendly products. No new trees are cut down because Paper Culture uses exclusively 100% post consumer recycled paper for card and envelope. In addition, Paper Culture plants a tree with every order and has planted over 200,000 trees to date. However, the recycled paper is high-quality - Paper Culture cards are printed on 130 lb. weight heavy stock paper cut with signature rounded corners.

If you choose, Paper Culture will stuff, address, stamp and mail your cards for you for FREE. The only charge for this service is the actual cost of the stamps! Also, when you provide your addresses, you have the option to print a unique, personalized message on the back of each card. When you choose to address and mail your cards yourself, Paper Culture will ship them in a signature logo box (made of recycled paper of course).

I've gotten cards from them several times before, and have always been very happy with the product quality. The box is also solid, and protects the cards until you're ready to send. If you haven't gotten your cards yet, check them out!

Disclosure: I received a code as a thank-you for this post.

Green Reading: Closer to the Ground

When I first had the chance to read Closer to the Ground: An Outdoor Family's Year on the Water, In the Woods, and at the Table, I was actually worried that it would be even too eco-friendly for me, since I live in a first-ring suburb of St. Paul and would never be able to live completely unplugged.

Dylan Tomine, a Patagonia Fly Fishing Ambassador, conservation advocate and writer, saw two teenagers sitting next to each other, texting. He decided he wanted a different life for his kids than a constantly-connected one. They moved from a Seattle high-rise to an island in Puget Sound - not an isolated island, completely cut off from the outside world, but one with ample opportunity to explore the great outdoors.

The book goes through each of the four seasons, including experiences his kids were able to enjoy, such as foraging for and catching their own food, learning the patterns of nature from experience, not a book, and being surprised by new discoveries.

This book is a great read for anyone who wants inspiration for how to help their kids look beyond the screen - no matter where you live. Even if you can't find your own mushrooms to sauté for dinner, you can still appreciate his family's sense of discovery - and use it to launch your own.

Dylan Tomine is a writer, conservation advocate and speaker for wild fish and water. He serves as a Fly Fishing Ambassador for Patagonia and a trustee with The Wild Steelhead Coalition. A noted outdoor writer, his stories have appeared in The Flyfish Journal, The Drake, The New York Times, and other publications. He lives with his wife and kids, now five and eight years old, on an island in Puget Sound where they run Bainbridge Island Blueberry Co., a U-Pick blueberry farm.

Book Tour Schedule is available at www.dylantomine.com.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book to facilitate this review.

Buying Green: Gentle Naturals

I recently had a chance to review Gentle Naturals' Cradle Cap Treatment and Eczema Cream and Wash, recipients of the Parent Tested Parent Approved Winner’s Seal. These dermatologist-tested products are completely free of parabens, dyes and fragrances - which are all things that many eco-conscious families are starting to avoid. The Cradle Cap Treatment is removes crusty scales and moisturizes the scalp with calendula and vitamins D and E. It comes with a gentle scalp massaging brush at no additional cost. The Eczema Cream moisturizes to soothe and relieve itching and helps prevent the recurrence of extra dry skin. The Eczema Wash cleans and moisturizes with ingredients like aloe and vitamins D and E.

I liked that these products don't have any odd smells - they just smell clean. The cradle cap treatment is really easy to use, and much easier to deal with than baby oil, which just makes everything slippery and is harder to wash off my hands. I also love that there are no parabens or fragrances - fragrance isn't really a necessary thing anyway!

Right now, you can get a $1 off coupon at the website. You can also follow @gentlenaturals1 or Like Gentle Naturals Baby Therapeutics for more information and parenting tips.

Disclosure: I received complimentary samples of Gentle Naturals products to facilitate this post.

Buying Green: PlanToys

Plan Toys is a manufacturer of adorable, safe toys for babies through preschoolers. Their toys are designed to be appropriate for the developmental milestones of young kids, and also meet their own strict safety standards. You won't find them in the big-box stores, but you can find them at smaller boutique shops and online - the same places you'd expect to find other high-quality and eco-friendly toys.

PlanToys uses only non-chemically-treated wood and water-based dyes, along with non-toxic glues. They have a new line of toys, PlanWood, made from the rubberwood sawdust created by the manufacturing of other items by Plan Toys. Toys in this line include a pull-along snail, a fishing game, and a sorting board (which I was able to sample). Recycling the sawdust used in manufacturing means that they utilizing every single scrap of material, a very eco-friendly manufacturing philosophy.

I'm very happy with the quality of this product. It seems durable - like it'll stick up to whatever babies and toddlers throw at it (or throw it at). It also looks nice, and would be suitable if you have a room in your house where you need to have some toys but don't want it to look like a playroom (for example, if you have a dining room or a living room separate from the family room).

I'll definitely be checking out PlanToys for gifts for my niece, nephew, and god-daughter!

For more information, follow @PlanToys and like PlanToys on Facebook.


Disclosure: I received a complimentary PlanToys sorting board to facilitate this review.

Buying Green: Xlear Sparx

Before I had a chance to sample Xlear products I had never heard of any of them. They make a candy -  SparX®, that is made with xylitol. Xylitol is a natural sweetener that can actually help improve dental health and strengthen enamel.

This candy isn't as sweet as some candies, but it's sweeter than others. So it's pretty much in the middle of the pack as far as non-chocolate candy goes, as far as I'm concerned. But given the fact that it's sweetened with xylitol instead of other alternatives, I much prefer this. I did give the candy to my girls, who liked it, and also shared some with friends. The berry and fruit flavors were definitely more popular. 

SparX can be found at selected health and natural foods stores, including Whole Foods and neighborhood co-ops. I know I'll be buying some there in the future!

For more information, Like Xlear on Facebook.

Disclaimer: I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet™program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet™ blogger, I agreed to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of the product.

Eating Green: Unreal

Halloween is coming up, which means it may be a struggle to avoid certain things in your house - things like GMOs, artificial flavors and colors, corn syrup, and more "junk" found in candy typically given out. There are a lot of alternatives, including candy from UNREAL. These candies are designed to look like familiar favorites - but to be "unjunked" be eliminating things like hydrogenated oils and corn syrup.

They don't taste exactly like similar brands - but I think they taste better. They have less sugar, and less junk, than alternatives, but for me, that means there's also no artificial-color aftertaste. (Yes, those flavorless chemicals really do have a flavor if you're a taster.) My kids and husband love them. Everyone I've shared them with has enjoyed them, and the story behind the products is great too - that is was started by a boy who wanted to prove that candy could be better for people and the planet. Ingredients are sourced responsibly as much as possible, and the company wants to sell their products for similar prices as traditional candy, so it doesn't break the bank to eat better.

The candy is currently sold at Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid, Staples, Kroger, and more, and is coming soon to Target.
Disclosure: I was compensated by UNREAL to host a party and to write this post.

Website Spotlight: Real Food moms

I want to highlight a website that will be helpful for anyone trying to shift the way their family eats away from overprocessed foods to natural foods. The website Real Food Moms is a website that focuses on nutrition, wellness, and relaxation techniques. Since it was created especially for busy moms and their families, the tips and ideas are realistic and practical - doable by just about any household.

The website incorporates yoga, nutrition, and stress reduction, so it's a balanced approach to a healthy mind and body. The site's creator, Tracee Yablon-Brenner, is a registered dietician and board-certified holistic health counselor, so her advice comes from experience and training. She's also the author of two National Parenting Publication Awards for her books on family and toddler nutrition.

I found the site very helpful. It's suitable for anyone looking to live a more natural, healthy lifestyle, whether you're just starting to make changes or have already been living that way for some time. An example is her guide to what's in your food closet. The Pantry Makeover is an easy-to-read guide that discusses what shouldn't be in your pantry, and what should, along with tips and recipes to help you use the suggested ingredents.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-book, The Pantry Makeover, to facilitate this post.

Eating Green: Bitsy's Brainfood

I recently had a chance to try out Bitsy's Brainfood, healthy and fun treats that contain nutrients great for kids growing bodies and brains, including omega-3 DHA, calcium, vitamins A/B12/D3, folid acid, and fiber. They come in four unique flavors: lemon broccoli, orange chocolate beet, sweet potato oatmeal raisin, and zucchini gingerbread carrot. The flavors sounded strange to me at first, but they're pretty good - even my very picky toddler loved them.

The founders of Bitsy's Brainfood like buying organic ingredients too. Although they aren't certified organic, they do promise to use organic ingredients and real fruits and veggies, avoid preservatives and artificial colors and flavors, and avoid GMOs.

The site is kid-friendly too. Kids can learn about the different food groups and what makes them healthy, play games, and print out educational and creative activities. Parents can find out more about Bitsy, where to buy (currently only at Abe's Market and diapers.com), and also find some healthy, kid-friendly recipes.

Disclosure: I received complimentary boxes of Bitsy's Brainfood to facilitate this review.

Buying Green: EcoTools® Bamboo 6 Piece Brush Set

EcoTools® creates earth-friendly beauty products, including the Bamboo 6 Piece Brush Set (available at Walgreens through September for $9.99). They've also teamed up with celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles to showcase a new makeup routine to get gorgeous in just five minutes with a Jewel-Toned Eye look.

I got a set of the bamboo tools to try out. The set includes a blush brush, an eye shading brush, an angled eyeliner brush, a concealer brush, and lash & brow groomer, and a hemp & cotton case with enough room for all of the tools, plus some makeup essentials.

I loved the look and feel of the set. They seemed much nicer than traditional makeup tools, and using them really makes me feel like I'm pampering myself. I like the variety of brush tips, and the simple explanation on the back makes it really easy to figure out which one is designed for what task. The makeup bag isn't a super fancy one, but it's a nice neutral and is a good size - it doesn't hold a ton of stuff, but it does have enough room for the tools and a few basics. If you're trying to start greening your beauty routine, check out EcoTools® - even if you don't use makeup! They have a variety of bath tools as well, including sponges, poufs, and pumice.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary package of EcoTools® to facilitate this review.

Buying Green: SNAP Candy

As parents, we often know we shouldn't feed our kids a lot of junk food - but it's a pretty strong temptation for kids. SNAP Infusion candy is designed to be a treat you can give your kids that you'll feel good about. SNAP uses only natural flavors, colors, and sweeteners, so if you're avoiding artificial colors or HFCS, this is a good option. It's also designed for active people, fortified with vitamins and electrolytes - and the gum and tarts contain xylitol, which has proven dental health benefits.

SNAP comes in a variety of forms: gum, caramels, tarts, beans, and gummies. My kids loved everything except the tarts (and they don't chew gum yet). They aren't sold in every state yet (Minnesota, for example, doesn't have them) but you can buy them online.

Disclosure: I received complimentary samples of SNAP to facilitate this review.