green — MomStart

Our Recycling Progress

April 21, 2011 By Momstart Leave a Comment

For the longest time, I’ve been worried about how we had the largest trash can on the block. We don’t have the biggest size you can get but our next door neighbors, a family of six had a smaller trash can than us and we only have four family members. So I set out to lower our trash can size by recycling more. Inside, we had to get some fancy trash cans,which are also known as brabantia bins. Ours are actually just like a brabantia touch bin that you don’t actually have to touch. (You just swipe your hand over them to open them, so no touch).

With a double style fancy trash can, two cans in one bin, we have one side, the right side (r for recycling, r for right) for recycling and one side for trash. So we’re trying really hard to keep our recycling and trash at 50/50 at least, but I would say we’re much closer to 70/30 recycling to trash. Which means we were able to go down in our trash can size saving us about 34.00 on our trash bill. Woo Hoo! We’re saving the environment just a little and putting some green (money) back into our pockets.

Living in The Pacific Northwest recycling is a way of life. We’re fined in some areas if recycling material is found in our trash cans. So I err on the side of it’s recyclable and needs to be recycled rather than it’s trash. Remember, when you’re doing your spring cleaning, think of other uses for what you have. Have a garage sale. Sell your electronics or find an electronics recycle day. Do the same thing for chemical products such as paint and cleaners. There are ways to get rid of most items we use every day in ways that will reduce the amount of trash you have every day. Check out our post on 31 ways to make your life more green.

Filed Under: personal Tagged With: brabantia, green, Recycle, trash, trash can

Final Organic Challenge: You Are What You Eat Giveaway

April 20, 2011 By Momstart 200 Comments

Summer and I have been participating in an Organic Challenge, and well honestly, she’s been doing most of the work. I LOVE you Summer truly I do!! Over at Baby Center, there is a forum all about living organic and feeding your baby, and children organically. They talk about all kinds of things, like formula feeding organically to buying organic produce. I haven’t participated as much in the forum as I should, because it’s a wealth of organic information just waiting for all of us. So go check out the Easy Organic Living program, that happens to be co-hosted by Healthy Child Healthy World and Baby Center with Stonyfield as the sponsor.

4/20 CHALLENGE: You are what you eat – so what are you eating?

By Summer!

Our modern diet is more complicated than ever before. More and more families are choosing natural and organic foods to protect their family’s health. You can too by taking simple steps.

Your challenge: Spend a few minutes this week learning about your food. Read a label!

Directions:

Pick at least one convenience food your family often eats.

Read the entire label. What health claims are being made? Do you know what they mean? What are the ingredients? Do you recognize them?

Next time you’re at the store, look for a product that has the USDA Organic Seal. What are the ingredients? Do you recognize them?

I am a label reader. I like to know what’s in my food and I chose whether or not I want to purchase what’s inside my food. I even read the labels provided in the books are my deli counter and bulk food bins before purchasing new products. When I first started it took a lot of time. If you’re just now starting to read labels, I recommend going to the store later in the evening without your children. There are fewer shoppers and fewer distractions, so it’s easier to have your cart sit in one place while you have 2 or more processed foods off the shelf and in hand for comparison.

My choice for this project was macaroni and cheese. This is one of the major processed food we purchase often and in bulk. My kids love it so much we purchase mac and cheese from Costco. Costco use to carry the Annie’s Classic Mac & Cheese, but my local Costco store no longer carries it so we’ve started purchasing the Kirkland Signature brand over the alternative offered at Costco, Kraft.

The first thing I inspect on a label is the ingredients. I don’t like fully or practically hydrogenated oils also known as Trans Fats. I also don’t like high fructose corn syrup also known as corn sugar. I prefer foods without dyes, added color, or flavors (unless done so naturally, which is listed on the label). Those rules stand firmer when I’m purchasing for my kids.

The ingredients:

Kirkland Signature – ENRICHED MACARONI PRODUCT (semolina (wheat) flour, wheat flour, niacin [vitamin B3], iron (ferrous sulfate), thiamine mononitrate [vitamin B1], riboflavin [vitamin B2], folic acid [vitamin B9]), WHEY, NONFAT MILK, RICE FLOUR, PURIFIED SEA SALT, WHEAT STRACH, NATURAL FLAVORS, CITRIC ACID, CHEDDAR CHEESE (pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), SOYBEAN OIL, PAPRIKA EXTRACT (color), TURMERIC EXTRACT (color).*

Annie’s – ORGANIC WHEAT MACARONI, CHEDDAR CHEESE (cultured pasteurized milk, salt, non-animal enzymes), WHEY, BUTTERMILK, SALT, CREAM, NATURAL FLAVOR, NATURAL SODIUM PHOSPHATE, ANNATTO EXTRACT (for natural color).**

Kraft – ENRICHED MACARONI PRODUCT (durum wheat flour, wheat flour, niacin [vitamin B3], ferrous sulfate, thiamin mononitrate [vitamin B1], riboflavin [vitamin B2], folic acid [vitamin B9]), CHEESE SAUCE MIX (whey, milkfat, milk protein concentrate, salt, calcium carbonate, sodium tripolyphosphate, cantains less than 2% of citric acid, sodium phosphate, lactic adic, milk, yellow 5, yellow 6, enzymes, cheese culture).***

Further ingredient investigations:

What are semolina and durum flours? Semolina (Triticum Durum) is not truly a grain, but is the milled endosperm of Durum Wheat. Semolina is most commonly used in the manufacturing of pasta. Semolina is high in Gluten therefore, it is high in protein.^[1]

What is sodium phosphate? Sodium phosphate is a generic term for the salts of sodium and phosphoric acid.^[2]

What is calcium carbonate? Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound. It is a common substance found in rock in all parts of the world, and is the main component of shells of marine organisms, snails, pearls, and eggshells. Calcium carbonate is the active ingredient in agricultural lime, and is usually the principal cause of hard water. It is commonly used medicinally as a calcium supplement or as an antacid, but excessive consumption can be hazardous. ^[3]

What is sodium triphosphate? Sodium triphosphate is an inorganic compound. It is produced on a large scale as a component of many domestic and industrial products, especially detergents.^[4]

What is Yellow 5? Also known as tartrazine. A study commissioned by the UK’s Food Standards Agency found that when used in a mixture of other preservatives, increased levels of hyperactivity in children were observed. Many foods contain tartrazine in varying proportions, depending on the manufacturer or the cook in charge, although nowadays the trend is to avoid it or substitute a non-synthetic dyeing substance.^[5]

What is Yellow 6? Also known as Sunset Yellow FCF. Yellow 6 is a synthetic yellow dye, manufactured from petroleum. Although there are reports it can induce an allergic reaction, this is not confirmed by scientific research.^[6]

The claims:

Kirkland Signature – “Our all-natural cheese sauce is made from real cheddar cheese.” *

Annie’s – “Good source of Calcium; Good Source of Protein; Good Source of Vitamin B1; Good Source of Folic Acid; 0g Trans Fat; 100% real cheese”** “Made with organic pasta; NEW: Classic Mild Cheese Taste!; No Artificial Anything!”*

Kraft – “Good, sharp cheddar cheese; Mixed with macaroni and browned lightly on top; Golden rod powder sauce mix” “Now even cheesier! That’s why more kids and moms love the one in the blue box. Right down to the bottom of the bowl.” ***

Both Annie’s and Kraft offer whole wheat and organic options in addition to other dietary options such as Annie’s makes rice noodles. For this review and research I have basically compared parallel products.

For my own family we’re going to convert to homemade versions and buy less Macaroni & Cheese in bulk boxes.

Enter To Win:

Baby Center Organic Gift Basket filled with LOTS of Organic Goodies and free product coupons

To Enter:

Please tell us what you are if you are what you eat. Summer said she’s Mac and cheese, I’m a bean burrito!

Extra Entries:

Please vote for Our Family Picnic (extra entry for every vote, every day)

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Final Organic Challenge: You Are What You Eat #Giveaway @MomStart http://t.co/ba5XA3D

Enter to Win an Awesome #Organic Gift Basket #Giveaway @Momstart http://t.co/ba5XA3D

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This giveaway ends May 9th. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

References:

*Retrieved personally from the box.
** Retrieved from the Annie’s wedsite. [http://annies.elsstore.com/view/product/popup/?id=36272]
*** Retrieved from the Amazon Fresh website. [http://fresh.amazon.com/product?asin=B000PXZZQG&qid=97271793&rank=1&sr=1-1&tag=title]

1. http://www.purcellmountainfarms.com/Semolina%20Flour.htm 16 April 2011
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_phosphates 16 April 2011
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium_carbonate 16 April 2011
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_triphosphate 17 April 2011
5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartrazine 17 April 2011
6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunset_Yellow_FCF 17 April 2011

About Summer:

Summer is the President of our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living.

Filed Under: giveaway, green, organic, Summer Tagged With: Annie's Classic Mac & Cheese, baby center, green, organic, organic challenge, Stonyfield

Green & Black’s Organic Fair Trade Certified Chocolate

April 18, 2011 By Momstart 2 Comments

I like to purchase fair trade certified ingredients and products that lessen my impact on the environment. I had the privilege recently to try Green & Black’s Organic Fair Trade Certified Chocolate in the dark 85%, peanut, and toffee.

Green & Black’s using only the finest organically-grown cocoa beans, believes that every step from bean to bar is equally important and strives to ensure that all ingredients are grown in ways that are consciously respectful of the planet – including maintaining a sustainable relationship working directly with cocoa farmers. Green & Black’s is a Fair Trade Certified brand dedicated to empowering its cocoa growing partners to establish sustainable livelihoods and communities. Farmers receive a guaranteed minimum for their ingredients, along with an additional premium to invest in the social, environmental and economic development of their countries. Green & Black’s name carries on these values in its name; green referring to organic and black referring to the color of deep, rich dark brown and almost black color of chocolate.

On Thursday, April 28 I will be giving you a Monkey Bread recipe using Green & Black’s Dark 85% chocolate bar. These bars are yummy enough to eat solo (which I did sample the dark, peanut and toffee bars I received), but if you’d like to do more than eat a bar solo, you can find chocolate recipes on the Green & Black’s website or by purchasing the The Green & Black’s Organic Ultimate Chocolate Recipes: The New Collection or Green & Black’s Chocolate Recipes: From the Cacao Pod to Muffins, Mousses and Moles.

Green & Black’s offers chocolate bars: White, Milk, Toffee, Peanut, Almond, Maya Gold, Ginger, Hazelnut & Currant, Cherry, Espresso, Mint, Dark 70%, and Dark 85%. Green & Black’s also offers a 72% baking bar and hot chocolate. Get your own chocolate! It may be closer than you know; check your local stores for Green & Black’s!

You can find Green & Black’s Organic on Facebook and on the Green & Black’s US website. You can also get on their email list to stay up to date on Green & Black’s latest news and information.

Disclosure – A product was provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the writing of this review; however, opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation

About Summer:

Filed Under: green, organic, Summer Tagged With: chocolate, Fair Trade chocolate, green, Green & Black's, organic, Organic chocolate

Organic Cleaner Stain Solver Review

April 17, 2011 By Momstart 5 Comments

I have two boys. Some things are inevitable; one is stains. One of our many came recently during our TOMS One Day Without Shoes party on April 5. We were making footprints with what I thought was washable ink pads.

No worries though! I got to try my new Stain Solver. My kitchen floor (to my dismay) is vinyl. It’s actually never been a problem to clean, but due to my laziness the ink stain sat on my floor for about a week. I mixed the concentrated Stain Solver as recommend on the jar. I added some on my cleaning cloth and rubbed the stain, but nothing happened. I then placed the Stain Solver directly on my floor and rubbed, and still nothing changed much with the stain. I then took only 1 teaspoon or less of the Stain Solver and rubbed with a wet cloth into my vinyl kitchen floor, and the stain was gone. Ta-da!

I used the jar I mixed for use on the floor for my laundry instead and got out stains such as chocolate milk from my kids’ clothing. What’s your stain? Stain Solver has the A to Z stains solved with their solution!

Stain Solver “Little Beauty”, the smallest size at 2.2 pounds, is only $14.97 plus taxes and shipping. Their other sizes (also cleverly named) will give you more Stain Solver bang for your buck: Laundry Lover is 5.2lb, Kid Size is 9.2lb, the Outdoorsman is 18.2lbs, and Supreme Commander is 50lbb. Stain Solver’s website will also tell you which size is right for your family’s needs.

The best thing is Stain Solver is pure and gentle, and when mixed with warm water Stain Solver removes stains with its environmentally safe oxygen bleach which uses oxygen bubbles to clean. The raw materials of Stain Solver are actually registered by the FDA as food-grade quality. It’s “your everyday, everything ORGANIC cleaner”. Stain Solver is harmless to your stuff but powerful at removing all stains; it’s non-toxic and completely kid and pet safe. Stain Solver contains NO added dyes, NO filler, NO allergens, NO fragrances, and NO other chemical additives.

Here’s what I’m talking about:

So what’s your before? Why do you need stain solver?

If you interested in knowing more about Stain Solver you can check out their site. You can also Like Stain Solver on Facebook or track Stain Solver on Twitter @StainSolver. I really like the YouTube of video of founder Tim Carter cleaning grout (which is one of the hardest things to clean). If you really want to stay “in-the-know” then you should sign-up for the Stain Solver newsletter.

About Summer:

Filed Under: green, organic, Summer Tagged With: cleaner, green, organic, review, Stain Solver, Summer

Take Marcal Small Steps For Earth Day

April 12, 2011 By Momstart 5 Comments

Earth Day is on April 22. Marcal paper products wants you to start taking small steps to making your house green for a greener Earth. Marcal has been saving trees since 1950, and you can help trees by having your family switch to ANY Small Steps® product just once a week. Since 2000, Marcal has saved over 20 million trees by using 100% premium recycled paper. Marcal paper products are made from paper recycled from home and office paper products to make their toilet paper, napkins, paper towels, and tissues. Marcal is a small company making a big difference.

Do you know what’s in your paper products?

Marcal’s Small Steps®
Premium Recycled Paper Content 100%
New Trees Used 0%
Chlorine Bleaching for Whitening 0%
Added Fragrances or Dyes 0%
Products that are Virtually Lint Free 100%

Marcal sent me a 4-pack of double roll toilet paper and a roll of paper towel. My husband could immediately tell we’d switched brands for both products.

My husband was the first to unknowingly install and use a new toilet paper roll. We both didn’t like the firmness of the paper, at first, though it is effective in doing its job. However upon continued use we both didn’t mind the change. The toilet paper is also septic safe, which we require since our house is on a septic system. I used Marcal’s individually wrapped toilet paper in the Upper Westside’s Magnolia Bakery during a recent trip to New York City. I noticed the extra rolls before use and though I knew what I was going to be feeling, but I was surprised. I assume Magnolia orders from Marcal’s commercial line; the toilet paper was VERY soft. The paper was definitely different than the product I was sampling in my home.

The paper towels were also less soft than our normal brand and took longer to clean up spills in comparison. With our normal paper towels we would wipe and the area would be clean, but Marcal paper towels worked best when left on the area to absorb the wet mess. Marcal paper towel, however, were very affective at wet clean-up (when you pre-wet the towel in order to clean up a solid or dried-on mess).

I would recommend trying Marcal in your home; especially because Marcal is calling for small changes. Try using their products once a week in your home or purchase them for your office. Marcal is dedicated to green$ and believes you shouldn’t have to pay more for a quality products that are good for the environment. And really, you shouldn’t! Let Marcal. Find a store near you which carriers a select or all of their green Small Step® products.

I also really love that Marcal is making more green efforts than simply making their sellable product. In the Marcal paper products which require an inner core — such as toilet paper and paper towels, the core is made from 100% recycled paper materials. Marcal plastic packaging is #4 and can be recycled with plastic bags you may acquire. See your local centers on recycling plastic bags; in my area we have to turn plastic bags into selected stores with recycling containers. Maybe one day soon Marcal will change to a biodegradable see through wrap for packaging.

You can find out more about Marcal paper products on their website. You can also keep up with Marcel daily on Facebook and by tracking them on Twitter @MarcalSmallStep.

About Summer:

Filed Under: green, organic, Summer Tagged With: Earth Day, green, Marcal, recycled paper, review, small steps

One Day Without Movement An Insight Into Toms Shoes

March 1, 2011 By Momstart 5 Comments

By Summer,

My new shoes are called TOMS. When I first heard of TOMS it was in a commercial about giving back … well really it was for AT&T, but the commercial always stuck with me.

I had wondered about the term “Chief Shoe Giver” and buying a pair of shoes to give a pair of shoes. Interesting, but the commercial left me confused and I never did further research. Then I got The Costco Connection September 2010 (Volume 25, Number 9) and low and behold on the front cover is Blake Mycoskie with an eye catcher “Sole Man: TOMS Shoes tries on a different business model”. Intrigued the magazine sat on my bedside table waiting to be read. The article wasn’t long, but the magazine became barrier under other interesting articles; not devalued, just out of sight out of mind.

But spring is approaching the Pacific Northwest and I need some new spring shoes, something light around my feet, something durable but not like my rainproof winter shoes. My regular sunny-weather shoes were dead after last summer after a great 2-3 year stretch of wear. It is time to move on. I remembered the TOMS article, it was calling me!

That evening before bed I read about TOMS Shoes and Blake Mycoskie and my mind was made up. I had to get a pair. I literally went to Nordstrom the day after to try them on for fit. Since Nordstrom works with TOMS to honor the One of One I purchased my first pair there as Nordstrom’s sales staff works on commission. I got some Ash Canvas Women’s Classics. Now that I know my size I plan to get some Pink Women’s Glitters, Pomegranate Cord Women’s Classics, and some Red Vegan Women’s Wrap Boots from the TOMS website. If you’re artsy at all many people seem to get the white canvas and treat it was a blank canvas making the shoe designs of their choice (check out their Facebook photos) and invite some friends to join you; make it a Style Your Sole party. Let me tell you, no matter what you get you’ll love them; these are some of the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned so it’s no surprise that they also offer a TOMS wedding line; brides, grooms and wedding party alike, I’d HIGHLY recommend them for your special day!

From the Costco Connection here is what Chief Shoe Giver, Blake Mycoskie had to say about TOMS, “I started TOMS as a spontaneous response to help kids. It wasn’t like I had a shoe company and then decided to help kids. If that had been the case, our pricing would probably be very different. I said, ‘How much money do I need to charge so that I can give a pair of shoes away and have an office, hire people and grow this movement.’ And that’s where I came up with the price. It’s really that simple. Yes, they are more expensive because I want to give shoes away, but that was the whole model. If people can’t buy into that idea, then they shouldn’t buy our shoes in the first place.”

However, you don’t have to be able to afford TOMS Shoes to help with TOMS’s movement. On April 5, 2011, go footloose for One Day Without Shoes; make it a play date with friends, have it be a teaching moment in school (one local school is doing this and the children are wearing socks for hygiene purposes), have it be a social statement as you go to work or about your day. You can also share what you know about TOMS via email, Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc. You can watch the TOMS documentary, and don’t be stingy share your screening and the popcorn. If you’re a college student, join or start your own TOMS Campus Club.

You can find TOMS on their website (super easy ordering), check out the TOMS blog, Like TOMS on Facebook, or track TOMS on Twitter @TOMSshoes.

About Summer:

Filed Under: green, Summer Tagged With: Blake Mycoskie, charity, giving back, green, One Day Without Movement, shoe, shoes, TOMS

Green Tip: Ditching Plastic Pantiliners

February 28, 2011 By Momstart 9 Comments

By Summer,

I love to find new ways to go green as it’s a passion of mine and I am thankful to Child’s Play Communications for giving me the opportunity to host a STR!DE Everyday party … my friends and I will be panty partying this Friday. STR!DE (a.k.a. STRIDE or Stride) is underwear with light leak protection built right in. And don’t laugh (if you’re not wearing STRIDE); you might just pee a little.

Since having my two sons I’ve been working out the most recently as I’ve been doing Lindsay Brin’s 60 Day SlimDown and there are exercises I’d done pre-children that my body just doesn’t react the same to now. So since I seem to leak a little now, I’ve found that STRIDE is an embarrassment saver by being a pants saver. STRIDE can also save you during sneezes, while you’re prenatal, or during your last light days post-natal or of your period.

STRIDE makes underwear from both women and men, so they have your family covered. For men they make boxer briefs and briefs. For women they make bikini, brief, seamless, and thong styles. I’ve worn the bikini (See picture; thought that’s not me modeling them for you!), seamless, and thong as they were given to me in order to host the SRT!DE party.

So the GREEN and GREEN of it: STRIDE can $ave you money by eliminating the need to purchase boxes of pantiliners as well as saving the environment as you just wash STRIDE underwear as opposed to throwing away plastic protection. But don’t worry, STRIDE Everyday panties are machine washable. Each wash allows the gusset and panty to thoroughly release any “locked” in moisture for a fresh wear every time. You can also save with FREE shipping on orders over $30 by using the promo code SNEEZE at checkout or you can purchase STRIDE for women in local retail stores.

You can LIKE Child’s Play Communications on Facebook or follow them on Twitter @ChildsPlayFiona. Child’s Play Communications also has a blog you can follow to keep up with Mom Market Trends. You can also follow STR!DE on Twitter @StrideEveryday.

Filed Under: green, Summer Tagged With: Ditch, green, green tips, plastic pantiliners, Plastic Panty Liner, Str!de, Stride

Robby Wash Laundry Ball Giveaway

February 27, 2011 By Momstart 190 Comments

You know those products that you think, Where have you been my whole life? Well here the one you’ve really been looking for ROBBY WASH laundry ball which will wash your clothes for 12 months with only one purchase!^* If you’ve been following my review post you know I believe in one very basic principle: WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER! So let me tell you, laundry doesn’t get easier than adding a Robby Wash laundry ball to your machine.

The Robby Wash laundry ball is from France and adheres to their strict European Union standards of being REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of CHemicals) and RoHS (Restriction of [the use of certain] Hazardous Substances) compliant which includes containing no chlorine and no phosphates. In fact this product is used by many needing hypoallergenic and sensitive skin detergent, including washing baby’s laundry. In each wash the ball does the thinking for you, using just the right amount of detergent to remove stains and clean your clothing without having extra soap left in your garments. An additional bonus to the environment is reusing the ball even after a year when you purchasing refill pellets (just recycle the small plastic bag containing the pellets instead of the huge thick plastic bottle of your normal detergent).

The Robby Wash laundry ball will wash white, colors, and darks alike. Be sure you get the right ball for your needs: the pink ball is designed for color loads and water temperatures 86^oF and cooler, whereas the blue ball is designed for white loads and cool to hot water temperatures. Each ball “starter kit” comes with a pretreatment stick for heavy stains as they recommend not using liquid bleach with their product; those other stain pretreatment products (stick or spray) are suitable, as is fabric softener though the Robby Wash laundry ball has softeners included in their wash ball. No extra detergent is needed, though for optimal use the ball should be full; refill ball when level of maco-molecule pellets is less than 75% full. The ball comes fully loaded with washing pellets and is packages with an additional three packages of refill pellets (and the aforementioned stain stick). VALUE! VALUE! VALUE! Where traditional detergents cost approximately $1 per load, the Robby Wash laundry ball will only cost 25¢ per load when you purchase the starter kit and 21¢ per load when purchasing refill packets thereafter. It’ll do the math for you … you’re paying ¼ the cost of your old detergent per load!!! And how long did your old detergent last you?

This is one of those things you’ll buy for yourself and then think of all the other people who could really use it too. Like the new mom-to-be, you know how many loads of laundry a baby can create and this gives the new mom one less thing to have to think about. Like your college student, as this will save you the money of continually buying them detergent and they’ll love you for saving them the trouble of having to carry a huge bottle of detergent to the laundry room every time they decide they need clean underwear. Robby Wash makes buying simple as it works with both front and top loading washers.

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Check out the green home products company, Oransi which is the only US importer of the Robby Wash laundry ball. The Pink “Fuchsia” ball or Blue ball starter kit – ball, detergent for one year^*, and stain stick – for only $32.95. Refills which come in a two year supply cost $49 for either the Pink “Fuchsia” ball and Blue ball or only the Blue ball . As an added bonus, if you order more than $75 on the Oransi site then you can get FREE SHIPPING on your Robby Wash products.

*The claim of 1 year is based on 1 wash cycle every 3 days and at a maximum load weight of 10 pounds or a second ball is required (if you own a standard size washer fitting more than 10 pounds worth of clothing inside could happen with a FULL load of jeans or if you’re in the habit of machine washing your suit of armor but otherwise it’s not going to happen). That 1 year period equates to 120 consecutive washes and up to 265 pounds of laundry.

Disclosure – The product featured in this review was provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or representing PR agency. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

About Summer:

Enter to Win:
one Robby Wash ball for one winner [U.S. addresses only; no PO Boxes]

To Enter:
go to the Oransi and tell us one product benefit you like about the Robby Wash laundry ball

Extra Entries:

Tweet or RT this post and include the link to the post

Robby Wash Laundry Ball 1 Year Supply Laundry System #Giveaway http://bit.ly/hfxg5S

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This giveaway ends March 14th. Summer received samples to facilitate this review. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Filed Under: giveaway, green, Summer Tagged With: green, laundry detergent review, maco-molecule pellets, REACH, Registration Evaluation and Authorixation of Chemicals, Robby Wash, ROHS

Are You Interested in Easy Organic Living?

February 25, 2011 By Momstart 4 Comments

Are you interested in Easy Organic Living? Would you be willing to participate in green challenges?

I am! I’ve been working slowly on becoming more organic and learning how to live more green. We recycle almost everything and are strongly thinking about composting beginning this summer. I’ve been learning how to use vinegar and non-toxic cleaners but I know I’ve still only scratched the surface on living green. The national non-profit, Healthy Child Healthy World, and BabyCenter.com have just launched a new interactive community program called Easy Organic Living, sponsored by Stonyfield Yogurt. They want to educate moms about the importance of organic living for their family’s health and empower us with easy ways to do so.

Featured experts include:

Acclaimed pediatrician Dr. Bill Sears
Valerie Deneen from Frugal Family Fun Blog
Robyn O’Brien, author and co-founder of the Allergy Kids Foundation
Melinda Hemmelgarn, M.S., R.D., a registered dietitian, national award-winning “Food Sleuth” columnist
Catherine McCord of Weelicious

Think about joining the community or signing up for their newsletter full of green and organic ways to live. Sign-up for Healthy Child’s weekly blogging newsletter

Healthy Child Healthy World is a national non-profit inspiring a movement to protect our children from harmful chemicals. With a growing body of evidence linking everyday environmental contaminants to asthma, learning disabilities, obesity, cancer and more, Healthy Child translates the science and empowers parents and caregivers to create healthy environments where children and families can flourish. Visit www.healthychild.org for more information.

Filed Under: green Tagged With: babycenter, easy organic living, green, healthy child healthy world, organic, stonyfield farm

Ecoist Candy Wrapper Hand Bag

February 12, 2011 By Momstart 11 Comments

The Ecoist M&M Candy Wrapper Purse: This Ecoist Purse is a very cute handbag, and it matches my workout clothing!

This purse by Ecoist is a very sturdy handbag made with candy wrappers and food packages, so it is a one of a kind green and eco-friendly bag. It’s great for taking out for a night on the town being small and easy to hold with a strap to wrap around your wrist. Ecoist partnered with MARS to repurpose their candy bar wrappers into something useful. So instead of filling up land fills with our candy wrappers, candy wrappers are being recycled into purses and environmentally friendly bags that feature our favorite types of candy. Many of these purses are limited edition and with these bright and fun colors they are sure to add fun to any wardrobe.

Ecoist began in 2004 after a family trip to Mexico. While there the family from Miami put their inspirations into a US business. By using post-consumer waste such as candy wrappers and chip bags, and partnering with multinational brands such as The Coca-Cola Company, Disney, Frito-Lay, Mars, Cliff Bar and Aveda, what usually is industrial waste is now being repurposed into fashionable hand bags. So far, Ecoist has saved more than 40 million wrappers from landfills. Today, Ecoist collaborates with fashion and industrial designers to develop limited edition handbags and other fashion accessories by using waste as raw materials. Ecoist handbags are 100% handmade from recycled candy wrappers, food packages, soda labels, subway maps, newspapers, and other waste-bound materials.

Ecoist provided me with the samples pictured above to facilitate this review.

Filed Under: green, review Tagged With: candy wrapper purse, ecoist, green, M&M, M&M Candy wrappers, purse review