Sometimes You Just Have To...

THROW IT AWAY!

Yes, I said throw it away. Not reuse, compost, recycle, freecycle, or anything of the like, but throw it away. In the trash! I have been on a declutter mission, round 3. There are some items that I cannot find another use for other than throwing in the trash. For example, the top of the salad spinner that was accidentally put on top of a hot burner and started to melt. I kept it for a few days, but then realized there is absolutely no other use for this. The salad spinner does not work anymore. I opened the trash can lid and threw it in.

Sometimes you just have to throw it away!

>> What have you had to throw away because it had no other use??
 

Eco-Friendly Wine Rack [Giveaway]

Welcome to the Eco-Friendly Wine Rack Giveaway!

Hosted By Miss Frugal Mommy and Sponsored By ThinkEco2. ThinkEco2 makes eco-friendly products to organize your kitchen & wine, garden products. They reclaim, reprocess, and repurpose wood that was on it's way to the landfill Green Wine and Garden Products. Trendy, Rustic, Modern, Vintage. 100% recycled wood products.

 

The Eco-friendly Wine Rack:

An elegant way to store and display your wine selection, this framed wine rack holds 12 bottles and fits perfectly on your counter top.

This eco-friendly wine rack embraces the green lifestyle.

You can view Miss Frugal Mommy's review to learn more about this product!

They are made from 100% recycled cedar.

Check out the ThinkEco2 shop for additional colors and products.

This rack would be a great addition to anyone's decor!

One winner will receive a black frame repurposed cedar wine rack as pictured below (wine not included)

Enter to win in the Rafflecopter below, all entries will be verified, open to US only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Miss Frugal Mommy and All Natural Katie are not responsible for prize fulfillment. This giveaway is no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. If you have any questions/concerns or would like your product featured in a giveaway, please contact Miss Frugal Mommy.
  

Influenster #SpringVoxBox [Review]

There is nothing better than the spring time when the days start to get longer and the flower start to bloom. I have spring fever and so does the Influenster Nation. The Spring VoxBox contains fun products that are perfect for the spring and summer time. Let me tell you what Influenster sent me to test in the Spring VoxBox.

• Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS Dust It mattifying powder
• NYC New York Color Applelicious Glossy Lip Balm
• Secret Outlast Clear Gel
• Broadway nails imPRESS Press-on Manicure
• Tastykake Kandy Bar Kakes

I was most intrigued by Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS Dust It mattifying powder. This product goes on your head to add texture and control. I have fine hair that usually goes flat after one night of sleep on it. Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS Dust It mattifying powder sounds perfect for the day after a hair wash and style.

I am a minimalist when it comes to my nails. I keep them filed, but I do not wear nail color. I like that the Broadway nails imPRESS Press-on Manicure can be quickly applied to my nails. I like that I would not have to apply toxic nail polish to my nails, but I would like to see this product be less wasteful (plastic!).

NYC New York Color Applelicious Glossy Lip Balm is a pretty neat product that would be perfect for a teenager, just because of the fun name and the fun product. The unique apple-shaped core is filled with moisturizers like Shea Butter, Jajoba Oil, Vitamin E, and Avocado Oil.

Secret Outlast Clear Gel deodorant/antiperspirant is not something I would use, but would be a good product if you were looking for 48 hour odor and wetness protection. This product is also good to wear with a little black dress because it leaves fewer white marks on clothes than the leading solid deodorant/antiperspirant.

Last, but not least, the Tastykake is an interesting take on a candy bar meeting a cake. I received the Peanut Butter flavor. If you like convenience snacks, the Tastkakes are light and fluffy cakes in a candy bar shape.

Disclosure: I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. No other compensation was received. I am under no pressure to return the product to the company or to write this review. This product review is based on my personal experiences. This review is objective and completely honest.

YesterYear Soap [Giveaway]

FREE Blogger Opp!

Promoters will receive one free link (Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest) with announcement ($5 without announcement)

Get your announcement HERE!

Additional Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest links are $1 each

E-mail subscribe, RSS, or Feedburner links are $2 each

Daily vote or daily comment links are $3 each

ALL paid links MUST be paid via PayPal as a GIFT to armywifeandmommy@mail.com

Giveaway will be held from June 1st - June 15th

You MUST agree to promote the giveaway 3 times a week on Facebook and Twitter (and any other social networks you choose!)

If you would like to sign up to help promote this giveaway, please do so HERE!

  

Garden: Planting in Progress

Because of other time commitments this year, I decided not to start anything from seed. The plan: buy plants and sew seeds (snow peas, spinach, carrots, radishes, sunflowers) directly in the ground. I still have a few plants to buy to fill out the space, including eggplant, basil, and whatever else inspires me.

Snow peas and spinach on the left. Peppers and chives on the right.

A transplant from the compost pile! :)

A few small apples on the way, if the apple blossoms were pollinated.

SnapSac SuperTote [Giveaway]

Welcome to the SnapSac SuperTote Giveaway!

Hosted By Miss Frugal Mommy and Sponsored By SnapSac

Paint the Town SuperTote

Flamingo Orange against Cool Gray fabric is our hottest color combination yet! Unfolds to a full 24” inches wide and sits comfortably on the hip. It has two layers of premium fabric for extra durability and handles that extend to the bottom for strength. Folds into a neat clutch shape about the size of a notebook for storage.

Features:

• two layers of premium fabric

• inside pocket

• foldable with a snap in three places: at folding, at the top, and at the pocket

• Machine wash cold, gentle cycle with like fabrics, line dry

Visit their website today to learn more about the Paint The Town Collection!

You can also read Miss Frugal Mommy's review to discover more about this great product!

SnapSac are one of my favorite sets of reusable bags. My favorite bag is the MegaTote. This bag can hold just about anything and is perfect for holidays, birthday parties, or showers because it can hold a lot of present. I also love that SnapSac now offers new colors.

One winner will receive the SnapSac SuperTote pictured in this giveaway

Enter to win in the Rafflecopter below, all entries will be verified. Giveaway is open to US residents.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Miss Frugal Mommy and All Natural Katie are not responsible for prize fulfillment. This giveaway is no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. If you have any questions/concerns or would like your product featured in a giveaway, please contact Miss Frugal Mommy.
  

3 Ways to Make Time for Myself

Welcome to the May 2013 Natural Living Blog Carnival: Taking Time for Mom. This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Natural Living Blog Carnival hosted by Happy Mothering and The Pistachio Project through the Green Moms Network. Oftentimes, Moms are so busy taking care of their families that they forget to take care of themselves. This month our carnival participants have written posts about what they do just for themselves.

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As a new mom, it is often times hard for me to find time to do things for myself that I used to do pre-baby. Okay, I have no time to do things for myself that I used to do. I am lucky to eat three meals a day and drink enough water. However, I do realize the importance of taking time for myself (Katie time). My strategy of taking care of myself involves prioritizing, tag teaming with my husband, and multi-tasking.

1. Prioritizing
   
   Recognizing that I might be able to accomplish only one goal per day is important for keeping sane. Each morning, I determine one or two goals that I want to accomplish, whether it be working out, gardening, or shopping. I also do not beat myself up for not accomplishing what I set out to do. Taking care of myself means staying mentally healthy.
   
2. Tag teaming with my husband
   
   Communication with my husband is probably one of the most important things I can do. If I am having a difficult day or need some help, I can reach out to him to take care of the baby for a little bit. I try to plan time for myself during the week, which might include watering the garden or going to the grocery store while he watches the baby. Grocery shopping is very therapeutic for me and being able to do it by myself is even better. I regroup and recharge during this time.
   
3. Multi-tasking
   
   I am starting to realize that if I multi-task now, I can make more time for myself later. Making a phone call or responding to email while I feed the baby are great ways to take care of tasks and free up a few minutes for myself after the feeding.

It is important to make sure that all three strategies are used. Planning ahead of time and recognizing when I need a little extra time for myself are very important skills to have as a new mother. I am slowly weaving in my pre-baby activities. Sometimes, it might not even be about taking time for myself, but figuring out how I can incorporate the baby into my activities. By including the baby in the things that I want to accomplish, I feel like I am able to take care of my responsibilities and accomplish the things I want to accomplish for myself. And if mommy accomplishes what she wants to accomplish, then everyone is happy.

>> How do you make time for yourself?
  

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Visit Happy Mothering and The Pistachio Project to learn more about participating in next month’s Natural Living Blog Carnival! Please take some time to enjoy the posts our other carnival participants have contributed:

Winner Announcement

The giveaway for the Whole Foods Market $25 Gift Card has concluded! Thank you to all those that entered! Winner is listed below and has been confirmed.

Smiles For The People Bamboo Toothbrush [Review]

One of the first changes I made during my quest for all natural living was changing the toothpaste I use. However, I never realized how many eco-friendly and all natural options there are for teeth care. Despite the fact that I have gradually switched to more eco-friendly options for our body care products, we still use plastic toothbrushes. My husband uses the free plastic toothbrushes from the dentist and I use my electric toothbrush. Let me tell you about a better alternative to brushing your teeth with plastic. Smiles for the People bring you a biodegradable bamboo handled toothbrush for all of your eco-friendly teeth cleaning needs.

Original Adult Toothbrush         ($5.95)

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
100% biodegradable bamboo handle	Bristles are not biodegradable
Durable and long lasting
Recyclable and limited packaging
Ergonomic handle

One of my most favorite features of the Smiles for the People toothbrush is the bamboo handle. I love knowing that this toothbrush does not have a plastic handle. That means that I can compost the toothbrush once I am done using it. The handle is ergonomic and easy to hold. Even though the bristles look simple, they clean teeth just as well as your expensive disposable toothbrushes.

For each purchase of a Smiles for the People toothbrush, the company will donate one toothbrush to their cause. The relationships with their Giving Partners helps promote increased and better dental care throughout the world. You know that when you support Smiles for the People, you are supporting improved dental care for local and global communities.

The Original Adult Toothbrush might seem like a simple idea and a simple little implement for cleaning teeth, but the sustainability and the cause behind this purchase is truly amazing. If you are looking for a greener and more eco-friendly way to brush your teeth (and if you are reducing the amount of plastic that you buy), I recommend that you give Smiles for the People toothbrush a try.

Disclosure: I received the sample from the company in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. I am under no pressure to return the product to the company or to write this review. This product review is based on my personal experiences. This review is objective and completely honest.