3 Strategies to Become A Green Friendly Person? [ad]

Since I started this blog several years ago, I have seen more green friendly blogs and companies popping up. It is great to see this change is going strong. We are changing the future for ourselves and our children. Here are 3 strategies to lead a lifestyle that is focused on environmental health. 

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I post products/services that fit within the genre of this blog.

1. Try Meatless Mondays.

One of the best ways to help the environment is to decrease the amount of animal products you consume. In fact, limiting or eliminating consumption of animal products contributes to the clearing of forests, conserves energy and water, reduces pollution, and makes more grain available to people across the globe. Nevertheless, many people who have eaten animal products throughout their life find the idea of giving this food up difficult. You can get started by singling out one day of the week in which you eat no meat. This current practice is called "Meatless Mondays." On this day, prepare a wide range of delicious vegetarian or vegan meals, including but not limited to lasagna, pasta, pizza, and rice and beans. 

2. Use Green Pesticide Products.

At some point in life, many homeowners will have to grapple with a pest invasion. When it happens, it's important to make use of green friendly products that are easy on the environment and your health. Companies like EcoRaider USA are pleased to provide residential property owners with non-toxic, naturally occurring botanical compounds that offer maximum effectiveness with low risk to you and the environment. 

3. Utilize Natural Lighting.

Another wonderful strategy you can implement to be a more green friendly person is the use of natural lighting. Artificial lighting can be replaced with LED bulbs, and this strategy helps preserve the environment at the same time that it lowers your energy bills. Also note that you can use the sun's rays as a form of natural lighting to cut down on the use of synthetic lighting methods. 

Don't Delay: Go Green Today! 

You don't have to wait to start living a green friendly lifestyle. Strategies like the above, and others, can be implemented immediately. Start with a little and increase your commitment over time to avoid getting overwhelmed. 

See Kai Run Spring Shoes for Toddlers [review]

Selecting quality shoes for toddlers is important! Providing the right support structure for developing feet as well as shoes that will hold up for more than a couple of months is critical for me. Babies feet grow very fast in the first 2 years and then slow down to about 1/2 size increase every 6 months. While you feel like you might be purchasing so many shoes in the first few years of your child's life, the investment is well worth it. See Kai Run offers high quality shoes that are comfortable and long lasting.

See Kai Run Mackinac       
See Kai Run Strive              

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
High quality materials	Some styles run a little large/loose
Adorable style
Great traction outsole

See Kai Run - Mackinac sandals in Blue with navy and orange trim are my favorite outdoor summer toddler shoe! Last year, my 2 year old son wore the Bryant sandals and he loved them! The great features of these sandals is that they are washable. Though I prefer leather shoes, washable shoes are a must have for a little boy who loves to be outside. The Mackinac sandals are made from a synthetic washable upper, padded textured footbed, and a flexible rubber outsole. See Kai Run has come out with a new rubber outsole that is more grippy, especially on wet/slick surfaces. The sandals feature a 3 point hook and loop (Velcro) closure that ensure a great fit for a skinny or a fuller foot. It also makes taking the shoes off very easy. For children's shoes, I prefer for the shoes to open up so that I can get my toddler's foot inside of them.

Fit: The length of size 8.5 fits a little bit small and the sandals are on the slimmer side. I probably should have ordered 1/2 bigger (and this was previously recommended by my See Kai Run contact). The straps cinch down very well, so I can get a good fit of the sandals around his skinny foot. These are great sandals for skinny/slim feet!

Results: We have only had a few warm days, so we have been testing the sandals inside. These sandals are very similar to the Bryant ones he wore last year, so I am confident they will work out just as well! Mackinac sandals will be great for playing in the yard or for pool/water table parties. Clean up will be easy with a few sprays of the hose or washing in the sink under cold water. The shoes dry quickly.

See Kai Run - Strive closed toed leather shoes in Blue are a great classic sneaker that is appropriate for most occasions from casual to dressy. Strive trainers are made from leather and canvas with a rubberized leather heel and toe. The insoles and lining are also made from leather, which makes the shoes breathable. The adjustable hook and loop strap and faux laces make getting the shoes on and off really easy. The outsoles are made from rubber and are scruff-resistant. This shoe also features the new outsoles from See Kai Run that are great for almost any weather conditions. No slipping on wet surfaces!

Fit: The width of the shoe is pretty standard and the shoes fit true to size. My son has been wearing with thinner socks and the shoes fit great! The shoe on the right shoes how big the opening can go. The shoe on the left shoes how tight the velco tightens. These shoes fit my toddler's slim foot very well.

Results: The Strive shoe is a great all around shoe to have in my son's closet. I wanted a shoe that was casual enough for the playground, but dressy enough for church. These shoes will even look great with shorts!

To Clean: Use a little mild detergent on a damp rag. Allow to air dry. I have also found that just using a damp rag to wipe dirt off has worked well.

How do See Kai run shoes fit?

I have ordered shoes online for my toddler a few times now. Though I feel more confident than I did the first time, it still seems to be a bit of a guessing game. The best strategy is to use the sizing guide and/or to talk to customer service about their recommendation based on the shoe style. Since my son has been wearing See Kai Run sandals and closed toed shoes, I knew what size he was in now and could account for 1/2-1 size growth.

• Leather closed toed shoes fit relatively true to size
• Sneakers fit relatively true to size
• Sandals tend to run large, order 1/2 size down
• Skimmers run small, order 1/2 size up

I would highly recommend See Kai Run shoes for 3 reasons:

1. High quality materials (leather top/insoles and rubber outsoles)
2. Designs are made for growing feet
3. Comfortable

I would purchase See Kai Run shoes in the future and have been recommending them to my mom friends. I really like the selection of shoes for every season, the high quality leather materials, and the comfortable, ergonomic design that is perfect for growing feet.

Disclosure: I received the product to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and are honest.

Affordable Eucalyptus Oil [review]

My essential oil collection has grown over the years, but I still keep a few basic essential oils on hand. Eucalyptus oil is a basic essential oil that should be part of every natural medicine kit. Eucalyptus oil has so many uses, including decongestant and antibacterial uses. The Essentials Co. pure eucalyptus oil is an affordable pure essential oil.

The Essentials Co. Eucalyptus Oil       

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

Disclosure: I received the product to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and are honest. 

The Good	The Not So Good
Generous size	Weak eucalyptus smell
Pure essential oil
Dark amber glass bottle

Eucalyptus Essential Oil (eucalyptus globulus) has an herb-like smell to it. It is very distinctive! Eucalyptus globulus is the most common essential oils recommended for its decongestant properties. The country of origin is not specified. The oil is bottled in the US. The bottle is 4 oz and is made from dark amber glass. Storing essential oils in dark glass bottles is the best way to keep the high quality and protect them from going rancid.

The benefits of eucalyptus essential oil include decongestant and antibacterial. Eucalyptus oil has been used by centuries of healers and homemakers to treat skin problems and infections, help clear congestion from colds, flus, and chronic sinus problems, and banish stains and stinking bacteria from their homes.

Our Uses: In our home, we mainly use eucalyptus essential oil as a decongestant. My favorite way to use the oil is to make a homemade chest rub by diluting eucalyptus essential oil with a carrier oil like olive oil or jojoba oil. I apply this mixture directly on the chest and sometimes on the bottom of the feet. I also like to diffuse eucalyptus essential oil and add a few drops to a warm bath or shower. In general, I find that eucalyptus essential oil helped to loosen up any mucus in the airways and allows for easier breathing.

Caution: Essential oils are very concentrated and it is recommended that it be diluted for any topical uses. If applied directly to the skin, essential oils must be diluted in an appropriate oil (Jojoba Oil and Grapeseed Oil make the best carrier oils, but can also use Sweet Almond Oil or Olive Oil). Some literature also recommends against using eucalyptus essential oil with babies and small children. Please contact your doctor or medical professional about this. While we have used eucalyptus globulus on our 3 year old son since he was about 2 years old, this is generally not recommended. We have not had any adverse reactions like coughing/asthma (even though he has outdoor related asthma), so I feel comfortable using the chest rub with him. Generally, diffusing the eucalyptus essential oil is better for babies and small children.

My Thoughts: I have been reviewing more affordable brands of essentials oils lately. While the quality is pure and the essential oils are undiluted, I have found that the more affordable brands have a weaker scent of the essential oil (when compared to more expensive brands that I own). I have done a lot of research on the quality of essential oils over the past year. My conclusion is that the more affordable essential oils might not be the first or second distillations. Some herbs/plants are put through the "process" several times, so the 4th and 5th distillations are still pure, but not as potent.



If you are looking for an affordable eucalyptus essential oil, The Essential Co. is a great choice!

All Natural Peanut Butter [review]

Offering healthy and nutritious food to my family is very important to me. I strive to find organic and natural products. One of our favorite healthy snacks is apple with almond butter or peanut butter. I am an almond butter fan and my husband is a peanut butter fan, so we keep both in the house. Our son likes both! Pic's all natural peanut butter is made from Australian Hi-Oleic peanuts without additives.

Pic's Peanut Butter      

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

Disclosure: I received the product to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and are honest. 

The Good	The Not So Good
All natural ingredients	Not certified organic
Glass jar (recyclable, reusable)
Great flavor

Pic's Peanut Butter is New Zealand's #1 peanut butter! It is made from High-Oleic peanuts. The peanuts are imported from Australia, roasted, grinded and sealed in jars within minutes of roasting. This maintains freshness and results in a fresh flavor. I am usually not a fan of peanut butter, even freshly ground, but I do like this High-Oleic peanut butter. There is just something different (better)!

 

The ingredients are simple, just the peanuts. The versions that are salted contain salt. I really like that there are no preservatives, extra oils, or sugar added.

The peanut butter is sold a few stores through the United States, but can definitely be found on Amazon. The jar is 2.2 lbs, which would be great to use for peanut butter recipes like Peanut Butter Surprise Muffins or Baked Peanut Butter BBQ Wings.

We have been using the peanut butter on pancakes and waffles, along with either organic fruit jam or organic maple syrup. My favorite way to eat Pic's peanut butter is on fresh slices of apple.

The peanut butter does need to be stirred, but it was easier to stir than my usual natural almond butter. One of my tricks for reducing the separation of natural peanut butter is to store the jar upside down. Most of the time, this reduces the amount of storing.

I would love to see this brand move toward organic certification to ensure no pesticides. In the mean time, I will be recommending Pic's natural peanut butter as a great natural alternative.

Pure Spoon Purees [Giveaway]

How about some awesome purees that can be used for just about anything? Pure Spoon Purees are great for feeding babies, as well as boosting nutrition of other foods. I think they would also be great to add to plain yogurt. Enter below to win!

Deliciously Savvy is Hosting a Giveaway for Pure Spoon Purees! 1 Lucky Winner will receive an assortment of 18 containers of Pure Spoon Purees that can be used for so many things (RV $54)! There are tons of recipe ideas for Pure Spoon Purees and they are also great for the little ones! No matter what you plan to do with them..... they will be delicious! These products are an Organic and Healthy way to create delicious recipes for your family!

Check Out the Review HERE!

Sponsored By: Pure Spoon

Hosted By: Deliciously Savvy

Co-Hosted By:

Amy & Aron's Real Life Reviews // Oh My Heartsie Girl // Heartbeats~ Soul Stains // PaulaMS' Giveaways, Reviews, & Freebies // My Silly Little Gang // IMHO Views, Reviews and Giveaways // Capri's Coupons // Michigan Savings & More

Plus... a Big Thank You to all Blog and Bloggers helping to promote this fabulous giveaway to their readers! You Rock!

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1 Lucky Winner Will Receive 18 Assorted Containers of Pure Spoon Purees To Try For Themselves! ($54 RV)

And Now The Giveaway!!!

Giveaway Dates ~ 4/01 12AM EST until 04/15 11:59PM EST

Entrants must be 18 years old to enter and giveaway is open to US residents only.

Any Questions Email Me At mcushing7 (at) hotmail (dot) com.

This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated or associated with Facebook,

Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. This giveaway is valid only

in the United States. Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter.

This giveaway will end at 11:59PM (EST) on 04/15/2016.

Good Luck! Enter Below

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Earth Day [Giveaway]

April is Earth Month! For me, it's the month of planting stuff in the garden and in the yard to make the most of use the green space around our home. My husband setups up the rain barrel. And, my 3 year old, plays outside and helps as he can. Enter to win the Earth Day giveaway below. There will be 19 winners!

Welcome to the Earth Month Giveaway!

Ends 4/30

We want to make Earth Month more fun this year!

19 winners split over $678 rv of prizes!

1 prize for 19 people!

Hosted by: Michigan Saving and More

Co Hosted by:

Tales From A Southern Mom

Sew Crafty Angel

Java John Z’s

Joyful Gifts By Julie

PaulaMS’ Giveaways, Reviews, & Freebies

God’s Growing Garden

Heartbeats~ Soul Stains

Simply Sherryl

Deliciously Savvy

LivingWithBeth.com

Holiday Contest and Sweeps

I want to thank all the wonderful bloggers that help promote these contests! Please visit and follow them so we all can have great contests for our followers!

WE ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR AWESOME SPONSORS – PLEASE SHOW THEM SOME LOVE!

Remember: You are not eligible if you have won from any sponsor in the last 12 months, this includes contests on other websites.

IntelliARMOR – Hardened Glass Screen Protector – See review HERE.

IntelliARMOR – IntelliSMART 5A 4-Port USB Wall/Travel Charger – See review HERE.

Kobert International – Waterproof Case (Deluxe Pro Edition) – See the review HERE.

Get 20% off with Coupon Code: MSVQR7A2

Kobert International Sports Armband (For iPhone 6 Plus) See the review HERE.

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JClaw Tek – Flash LED Headlamp – See review HERE.

15% off Flash coupon code: TR8EDO88

JClaw Tek – Fire Talon Multitool – See review HERE.

15% off Fire Talon coupon code: 2XCQLAG3

JClaw Tek –Kodiak Survival Knife – See review HERE.

15% off Fire Talon coupon code: 69YCX7CM

JClaw Tek – Scorpio Premium UV Blacklight Flashlight – See review HERE.

15% off this flashlight with coupon code: YYOH4R4R

Java Factory Roasters– Variety Pack – See review HERE.

Brooklyn Bean Roastery – Praline Dream – See review HERE.

Winning Moves Games – Brainspin – See review HERE.

Winning Moves Games – Waterworks – See review HERE.

Winning Moves Games – Moose Caboose – See review HERE.

Winning Moves Games – Upwords – See review HERE.

Winning Moves Games –Brynk – See review HERE.

Lloyd and Lucy’s Pet Supplies – Hip & Joint Supplement for Dogs – See review HERE.

Sign up for email and receive a $10 discount HERE.

Glasstic Bottle Co. - Glasstic Value 3 Pack - See review HERE.

WeeSprout - Organic Cotton Muslin Swaddle Blankets - See review HERE.

Newman’s Own Organics – Snack Package – See Review HERE.

THE GIVEAWAY

Each person that enters will get to pick 3 top choices. If someone has won all of those I will contact you with a list of remaining prizes for final choice.

It IS possible to win more than one if your name is drawn, cannot pick from same sponsor.

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Entry-Form

Disclosure: This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. You are not eligible if you have won a prize from any of the sponsors in the last 12 month. This Giveaway is valid in the United States Only and Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 4/30/16. The winners will have 48 hours to email their information back to las93063 at gmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The sponsors are each responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contests are responsible for prize fulfillment.