Tropical Traditions FREE Shipping Coupon Code Today Only!

Tropical Traditions is offering FREE shipping TODAY ONLY!

FREE SHIPPING COUPON FOR ALL DOMESTIC GROUND ORDERS TODAY ONLY!
Through midnight EST, Monday, January 6th, all Tropical Traditions ground shipments within the United States will be FREE with the use of our FREE Shipping coupon! This special offer does not apply to refrigerated or frozen items, products shipped directly from our farms in WI (Eggs, Produce, Lady Finger Popcorn, Heirloom Dry Shell Bean Mix, Heirloom Cornmeal, and Heirloom Whole Kernel Corn), or to rebounders, which are shipped by the manufacturer. It also does not apply to 3 day, 2nd day air, or overnight shipments. Coupon does not apply to Healthy Buyer's Club discounted items. A minimum order of $12.99 is required.

NOTE: To take advantage of this special, you MUST enter coupon code 141611 in your cart before checking out and choose either Ground or SmartPost from the drop down list of shipping options! For customers in Hawaii and Alaska, please choose the USPS free shipping option.FREE shipping is NOT applied automatically. This coupon cannot be used in combination with gift certificates. Orders placed before today cannot be refunded for shipping chargesmbination with gift certificates. Orders placed before today cannot be refunded for shipping charges. 

Disclaimer: This post contains an affiliate link to where I usually shop. Your purchases support this blog at no additional cost to you. Regardless, I feature and recommend only brands and products that I myself would use.

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Tropical Traditions FREE Shipping Coupon Code Today Only!

Tropical Traditions is offering FREE shipping TODAY ONLY!

I always wait for the free shipping coupon code to place a big order and stock up. Today, I ordered Household Traditions Powdered Laundry Detergent, Household Traditions Dish Liquid and a Coconut Oil Shampoo Bar.

FREE SHIPPING COUPON FOR ALL DOMESTIC GROUND ORDERS TODAY ONLY!
Through midnight EST, Monday, December 9th, all Tropical Traditions ground shipments within the United States will be FREE with the use of our FREE Shipping coupon! This special offer does not apply to refrigerated or frozen items, products shipped directly from our farms in WI (Eggs, Produce, Lady Finger Popcorn, Heirloom Dry Shell Bean Mix, Heirloom Cornmeal, and Heirloom Whole Kernel Corn), or to rebounders, which are shipped by the manufacturer. It also does not apply to 3 day, 2nd day air, or overnight shipments. Coupon does not apply to Healthy Buyer's Club discounted items. A minimum order of $12.99 is required.

NOTE: To take advantage of this special, you MUST enter coupon code 91312 in your cart before checking out and choose either Ground or SmartPost from the drop down list of shipping options! For customers in Hawaii and Alaska, please choose the USPS free shipping option.FREE shipping is NOT applied automatically. This coupon cannot be used in combination with gift certificates. Orders placed before today cannot be refunded for shipping charges. 

Disclaimer: This post contains an affiliate link to where I usually shop. Your purchases support this blog at no additional cost to you. Regardless, I feature and recommend only brands and products that I myself would use.

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$300 TARGET Gift Card [Giveaway]

Celebrate Your Holiday Wish Giveaway

Nov 11-30, 2013 Open to US

Target is one of the stores I frequent for home and holiday decor. I always find something unique and high quality that will add that special touch to my house. Every once in a while, I can even find something green and eco-friendly. I am excited to share this giveaway for a $300 Target store gift card with my readers.

Bringing You Moments To Celebrate

Sponsored by Celebrate Woman Today

What would be your Holiday Wish this year? The one that could warm your heart and have a powerful effect on you and your living for a long year ahead, may be even your entire life? I encourage you to go for it and take the steps to get what you wish for yourself and for other people in your life. This event would send a lucky winner on a shopping spree to Target. Who wouldn't love that? Lot's of choices there to satisfy all ages and tastes. Ready to enter your chances to make one of your wishes come true and purchase something special for the special person or persons in your life?

Prize – $300 Target Gift Card To Make Your Wish Come True This Season

I have been spying some really cute eco-friendly baskets made of natural fibers at Target. I would love to add them to my living room. On the other hand, my husband has been searching for the annual nutcracker display at Target. I guess he is ready to decorate for Christmas!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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I Found My Library Card!

I was looking for paper to write a Thank You note and I found my library card! I do not know why I am so excited about finding my library card. The last time I used the library was in middle school, in a different state. I recall several years ago, I ordered the library card online. The card arrived in the mail, but I have never used it. I am sure that the library has tons of books on eco-friendly and green living, so I will have to pay a visit this summer.

The library is an eco-friendly, reusable, and frugal resource. When you are finished reading a book, you return it to the library, and let someone else read the book. Using the library is free! Additionally, you are saving the cost of the book and reducing clutter in your home. You will also help to reduce the amount of paper needed to create new books. Public libraries are a great way for your family to live an eco-friendly lifestyle.

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Unjunk Your Junk Food by Avoiding Chemical Additives [Review]

Every time that I receive the Naturally Savvy newsletter, I am learning something new. Therefore, I was delighted to read and review the book, Unjunk Your Junk Food - Healthy Alternatives to Conventional Snacks. Whether you are a greenie or looking to make a few eco-friendly changes in your life, this book is perfect for you! Unjunk Your Junk Food will help you understand labels and ingredients and make better and healthier food choices when you are grocery shopping.

Unjunk Your Junk Food                         $12.32 (sources)

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Quick reference guide
Informative
Colorful and easy to understand

Unjunk Your Junk Food would be perfect for the person who does not know where to start. You can look up your favorite junk food and quickly find a healthier alternative. One of my favorite parts was the Worst Ingredients List. I loved the explanations of different "nasty" ingredients and fillers. I finally understood why some of the "nasty" ingredients are actually nasty. Another favorite part were the colorful pages in the middle that depict bad and good choices for snacks. For example, Oreos are greatly loved by my extended family, but the ingredients include High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) and Artificial Flavors (nasty stuff!). Unjunk Your Junk Food recommends buying County Choice Organics Sandwich Cremes Chocolate Cookies.

Instead of telling your spouse, family member, or friend that they are making bad food choices, hand them Unjunk Your Junk Food and tell them to read a few pages from the book. I was even surprised by some of the discoveries I made (and I eat very cleanly). If you are confused by the ingredients and claims on food labels, flip through a few pages of this book and you will immediately understand exactly what you should and should not eat. Your body and health will thank you for avoiding chemical additives. 

Disclosure: I received the sample from the company in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. This product review is based on my personal experiences. This review is objective and completely honest.

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I Purchased Green Baby Shower Gifts

Last time I purchased baby shower gifts, I did not purchase the gifts off the registry. Most of the gifts were already purchased and there was nothing left that was catching my eye. To be quite honest, I wanted to purchase a product that would be useful and was made from organic cotton. Being eco-friendly means that I take part in educating and introducing others to a more environmentally friendly way of living.

I am purchasing gifts for two occasions: upcoming baby shower and a recent birth of a friend. I am happy to say that I purchased one of the items off the registry. Kudos to the mama-to-be for adding the Aden and Anais product to her registry.

Baby Shower Gifts

Aden and Anais for Target Burpy Bib

 

Charlie Banana Reusable Organic Cotton Wipes

  

Birth Celebration Gift

Whole Foods Gift Card to help out with groceries. This is the second child, so the mom is reusing a lot of the same items, including cloth diapers!

>> How do you interweave registry gifts with your own eco-friendly ideas?
 

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Skin Free for Healthy Skin [Review]

As the name suggests, Skin Free is all about providing the highest quality, natural and organic body products, free of toxic chemicals such as fragrance, artificial colors and scents, petroleum, or any other toxic chemical. As I was browsing the information on the Skin Free website, I read the Testimonials page. I was amazed by the number of people who have greatly benefited from using Skin Free products. I have always had sensitive and dry skin, so I was confident that Skin Free could also help me, especially because of the great ratings on EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. Let me tell you about the Basic Four Gift Set package that I have been using during the past 2 weeks.

Skin Free – Basic Four Gift Set

The Skin Free Basic Four Gift Set contains one of the following items. Currently, Skin Free has a Holiday Pricing promotion for several of their products and gift sets. The Basic Four Gift Set retails for $40.00 $32.00.

Super Moisture Body Balm      $14.99 $10.99

After Shower Moisture Spritz            $12.99 $10.00

Niaouli Butter Stick                  $7.99

Extra Moisturizing Soap Bar    $4.50 $3.00

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

Super Moisture Body Balm

Review: The Super Moisture Body Balm is some thick stuff! Very moisturizing and stays on for a long time.  The Super Moisturize Body Balm is a little greasy, but in a moisturizing, shiny kind of way. I love putting the Body Balm on my freshly shaven legs because the balm gives them a nice shine. Give the Body Balm some time to absorb into the skin because you will “moisturize” whatever you touch. I also love the warm, almond/nutty smell of the Super Moisture Body Balm. 

My Uses: I used the Super Moisture Body Balm mainly on my legs and my hands. Since the temperatures have become colder, the Body Balm became lumpy. I took the lid off, put my finger inside and scooped the Balm out. Once the Balm touched my skin, it melted and I could spread it. I also recommend putting it a warm cup/bowl/pot of water instead of putting it in the microwave (I try to limit my use of the microwave). 

The Good	The Not So Good
100% butter/oil	Becomes lumpy in colder temperatures
Instant and noticeable moisture	Contains soy (if you are allergic)
Warm, almond smell
Healing (it works!)

After Shower Moisture Spritz

Review: I shook the bottle and sprayed the After Shower Moisture Spritz on my body right after I got out of the shower. I do not usually put moisturizer all over my body, but if I did, this would be a quicker method. However, I still needed to rub the oils into the skin. I would probably use the After Shower Moisture Spritz on the weekends when I have time to let the oils soak into my skin.

My Uses: Sprayed on my body after the shower. I could see myself using the After Shower Moisturize Spritz on my legs all the time. Another great use of the After Shower Moisturize Spritz would be to soother sunburned skin without touching it.

The Good	The Not So Good
Quick method to apply all over body	Still had to rub it in
Moisturizing

Niaouli Butter Stick

Review: The Niaouli Butter Stick is also some thick stuff! Very moisturizing and stays on for a long time, but is not greasy. I particularly loved the smell.  I could not stop smelling my hands after I put it on. To use the Niaouli Butter Stick, you push it up from the bottom (like a push pop). I had a little trouble at first because I did not want to send it flying completely out. I recommend taking your time when you push it up.

My Uses: I used the Niaouli Butter Stick for my chapped lips, dry/red cheeks, and dry hands. After a couple uses, my chapped lips and cheeks were much better! I am going to try next on my rough feet (from the heels at work and running).

The Good	The Not So Good
Very moisturizing	Stick is a little hard to push up
Long lasting	Thickness makes it hard to apply
Not greasy
Smells great
Healing (it works!)

Extra Moisturizing Soap Bar

Review: The Extra Moisturizing Soap Bar is my new favorite soap! I have been using this soap for about 2 weeks and my skin has never felt dry.  That is because the Extra Moisturizing Soap Bar is “superfat.” The soap is made with oils that clean and moisturize your skin. But do not be afraid, the soap lathers up very well! I love that the soap is free of fragrance and colorants because sometimes, the fragrance is too strong.

Out of all natural and organic soaps I have tried, the Extra Moisturizing Soap Bar is the best because it cleans well and moisturizes well. No dry skin afterwards!

My Uses: I used the soap on my body. I also used the Extra Moisturizing Soap as a shampoo bar and my hair was clean, soft, and looked amazing! A great alternative to the Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar mixture I have been using.

The Good	The Not So Good
Moisturizing	The bar is too small :)
No toxic chemicals/ingredients
Great for sensitive skin

Overall Review: I loved all of the Skin Free products and would highly recommend them to anyone with or without skin problems. My skin never dried out and was always moisturized. The Niaouli Butter Stick definitely healed some problem areas. Be sure to use the products within one year because they are free of preservatives.

Giveaway for a $30 gift certificate to Skin Free coming soon!

Disclosure: I received the sample from Skin Free in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. This product review is based on my personal experiences. This review is objective and completely honest.

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Champion Eco Fleece - Greenwashed or Not?

During my recent shopping trip, my eyes caught sight of a little white and green tag. The companies succeeded once again in their potential greenwashing efforts because I was curious what new, eco-friendly product this could be. Yes, I am always curious about any green tag because it means that there is a possibility I can discover a new eco-friendly product.

I assumed the eco-friendliness had something to do with the fabric, potentially recycled polyester. I quick glance at the tag confirmed my assumption, made with up to 50% recycled polyester! Awesome! Champion's Eco Fleece line was paving the way for other fitness companies to join. And then, doubt set it.

I looked at the tag again. I was in disbelief that I could find recycled polyester products at this particular brick-and-mortar store. I read the description again and realized that the fleece is "made with up to 5% recycled polyester fibers." Five percent? What? I misread 5% as 50%! Maybe I was too hopeful! Not only was it 5%, but it was "up to 5%." Seriously?!? Up to five percent? Not that it is exactly five percent, but up to five percent. Meaning that it could be one percent or less. "How sad!" I thought. Personally, I would not waste my money or energy on "up to 5%." Yes, it is better than nothing, but if they cannot guarantee even 5%, then I'm not going to guarantee my support of their new line.

>> What do you think? Greenwashed or not?

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Wordless Wednesday - Greenwashing Exposed

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Challenge Check In: Reducing My Electricity Usage [#CTWW]

Just a little reminder about the multi-month challenge from Mrs. Green. 

My challenge is to reduce the usage by 10% each week. My plan was to track the electric and gas usage by taking a reading every Monday morning at 7am.

How did I do?

My spreadsheet is below. The numbers in green are positives because I am reducing usage.  The reds are negatives because I am using more than the previous week.

Electricity: Used to power lights, appliances, A/C, etc.
Results: I did pretty good for the first two weeks, but the last week had an increase. The only change I would think of is that we hosted Bible Study and my husband worked on the computer some nights instead of going to bed, so that bumped up the electricity usage.

Gas: Used for heating and hot water.
Results: I am surprised by the huge variations and jumps. I have been lowering one more degree when we are at work during the day. My husband took a few baths because of the colder weather and we bumped up the temperature during Bible Study.

I will continue to track weekly usage and take more detailed notes so that I can pinpoint what we are doing or not doing.  Here is my strategy for the coming weeks:

1. Turn 2 TV sets with cable boxes when at work during the day.
2. Turn down one more degree (in addition to the one above) when at work during the day.
3. Follow my husband around the house and turn off lights behind him. :)
4. What advice can you offer?

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Reused Gift Wrapping

The first eco-friendly gift of the season has been wrapped and is under the Christmas tree. Here is what I used:

1. Plain paper used to wrap fragile items at Home Goods
2. Shoelace-type string from a J Crew bag
3. Red ribbon from a Victoria's Secret bag

I need to add a name tag and the gift will be complete.

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Most Eco-Friendly Products are Greenwashed

I recently read a post about Greenwashing. The point of this post is not to provide you with detailed information about greenwashing, that is for Google search! The Environmental Blog has great summary.

While shopping this weekend, I saw a lot of "eco-friendly" items. However, I did not really know why they were considered eco-friendly and if the claims they were making on the box were true. I have learned over the past year that to truly understand what you are buying, you have to do a lot of research beforehand. For example, I was looking at a pair of shoes. The box looked like it was made of recycled content. The print was green. Even after looking at the box for a minute or so, I assumed that these shoes were right up my "green alley!" After reading the description to get more information about what was truly eco-friendly about these shoes, I came up with NOTHING! The description said that the company cares about the comfort of your feet. Yes, I care about the comfort of my feet also, but my feet care about eco-friendly products!

Basically, read the description of the product you are buying. Research the company online. Do not put your hard-earned money toward a product that has been greenwashed. Perform the due diligence so that you know you are buying products that are healthy for you and for the environment.

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Re-Gifting is Eco-Friendly

Every holiday season, my department participates in two events: Adopt-a-Child and Adopt-a-Family. My goal is to get at least two gifts every year. I would rather spend money on a family that truly needs basic necessities than buy stuff for my family that they do not really need. Every year, I am more and more amazed by the gifts that the children and the families request. I am humbled that the families want basic necessities such as socks, underwear, and a pillow. Here I am asking for Sperrys and Le Creuset pots when families do not even have things like undergarments and warm sweaters!

For this holiday season, I picked a 15 year old girl who wanted an art set with a sketch pad and Bath & Body Works type items. I also picked a mother who wants a laundry basket and a nail care set.

I have a few body products left from before-my-all-natural days. I thought they would be perfect for the 15 year old girl. Instead of throwing these products away, I am re-gifting them to someone who really wants them. Yes, I am passing on toxic chemicals to someone else, but I know that she really wants these body products. Could you imagine the look on her face if I gave her an organic version?!? I will save my eco-friendly soap box for another day.

If you have an opportunity to adopt a child or family for the holidays, even if you just pick up one tag at the mall's booth and buy something that costs less than $10, you are helping out someone in need. Being green and eco-friendly means that we are supporting each other. I can pass on my Sperrys this year!

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Green Motivation Monday: Buy a Live Christmas Tree

This post is part of the Green Motivation Monday series. The purpose of these weekly posts is to offer motivation to take a small baby step in the green and eco-friendly direction. Of course, I will be taking the step right along with you. I will let you know how I did and I hope you let me know what you were able to accomplish.

Motivation: Buy a live Christmas tree instead of an artificial Christmas tree.

I asked my husband if he thought that a real tree or an artificial tree was more eco-friendly. His answer: artificial tree. Initially, we both thought that an artificial tree would be more eco-friendly because you are reusing the same tree year after year and not cutting down real trees. We were both wrong!

Real Christmas trees are the eco-friendly choice. Buy a tree with the root ball and you are being even more eco-friendly because the tree can be planted after the holidays are over. Good Girl Gone Green and Earth 911 cover the debate of "real vs. fake" and also promote buying a real Christmas tree. Over the long run, a real tree will cost you more money. However, the positive environmental impact of buying a real tree every year will outweigh your out-of-pocket cost in the end.

Artificial Christmas trees are harmful. They can potentially cause cancer because they are made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is “one of the most environmentally offensive forms of non-renewable, petroleum-derived plastic.” Fake trees might contain lead and other additives that have been linked to liver, kidney, neurological and reproductive system damage in lab studies on animals.

I challenge you to buy a real Christmas tree (even if it is a small one) and stand clear of fake, toxic plastic trees!
  

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