Vita Nut Milk Bag [Giveaway]

I have made almond milk from scratch several times, using cheese cloth. While cheese cloth is a versatile accessory for the kitchen, bags that are specifically made for making nut milks, pulp-free juices, cold brew coffees, among many other raw foods, are the secret to saving you time and money. While cheese cloth can tear and could be hard to clean, Vita Nut offers a high quality nut milk bag that reduces messiness, lumps, waste, tearing and frustration.

Enter to win a Vita Nut Milk Bag below!

Please use the Rafflecopter entry form below. Open to US only. All entries will be verified. Duplicate and invalid entries will be deleted. 

Giveaway

 Vita Nut Milk Bag ($25 value)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are my own.
  

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Proper Alkaline Battery Disposal [#CTWW]

Somehow, Small Footprints' Change the World Wednesday challenges always come at just the right time. Either I recently accomplish a small green milestone or I am currently struggling with a change. Last week, I decided to update the car emergency kits. I came upon some batteries and decided to do a battery inventory. The battery drawer had some loose batteries. After my husband said that those batteries are mostly dead, I was about to throw them into the trash. Until a little voice inside my head reminded me that I once read about not throwing batteries into the trashcan. Indeed, a quick search revealed that alkaline batteries (the ones I have on hand) are indeed toxic. Alkaline batteries should NOT be thrown into the trash. Alkaline batteries should be disposed of properly, at a location that accepts them.

This week's challenge:

If you are not using rechargeable batteries, please make plans to buy them when you next need batteries. As you replace single-use versions, be sure to recycle them rather than toss them into the trash bin.

OR ...

If you have already made the switch to rechargeable batteries, please find one single-use item in your home and replace it with a reusable version.

As mentioned in Reduce Footprints challenge post, 3 billion single use batteries are sold each year! Most of these batteries end up being thrown out with trash. Batteries degrade over time and leak toxic chemicals into the landfill. These toxic chemicals end up in the water and in the soil. 

After realizing this fact, I looked up recycling facilities for alkaline batteries. We live in a big city, so I hoped for several companies accepting alkaline batteries. Results: one company. Best Buy does have a recycling program, but they do not take alkaline batteries. I emailed the company for a quote for 2 pounds of batteries. Since I had such a small amount, they proposed that if I like their Facebook page and/or write a review, I can drop them off for free. Now, I am wondering if I should save up batteries and do a big disposal once per year. I do not mind paying for the alkaline batteries to be disposed of properly. 

Our battery usage is fairly small. I do not purchase battery operated toys for my son. Any battery-operated toys that are gifted are either exchange, used until batteries run out or are used without batteries. The majority of battery usage is for television remotes, flashlights (seldom used) and for emergency purposes. I do not watch television during the day. Our total television usage is less than 10 hours per week and is mostly watched by my husband when he is home. The remote batteries last for a long time. Either way, we are using batteries and we can be greener about it, especially since they need to be disposed of properly.

After my research and reflection on battery usage in our house, I told myself that I must look into rechargeable batteries. While we do have a few of them already, we are not using them. Last year, I purchased 2 AA USB rechargeable batteries to add to the emergency kit. Though rechargeable batteries are an investment, they have come down in price over the years and they will save me money in the long run. Next shopping trip, purchase rechargeable batteries!

>> Do you use any rechargeable batteries are home?? How??
  

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Kissing Blake Hybrid Fitted Cloth Diaper [Giveaway]

Welcome to the Kissing Blake Cloth Diaper Giveaway! 

Sponsored By: Kissing Blake

Hosted By: Mami's 3 Little Monkeys

Kissing Blake offers two types of diapers, one is their Ever Day Diaper which is regular day time absorbency OS hybrid fitted and their Extended/Night OS hybrid fitted diapers. Both of which are awesome if I may say so myself, but the Extended/Night diaper is the most amazing diaper I have ever put on my son! It held up for 10-12+ hours with OUT a cover and the outside of the diaper wasn't even wet, not even in the wet zone! Check out our full review of the Kissing Blake OS hybrid fitted cloth diapers! 

Discount Code:

Use discount code MAMIS3 to receive 3% OFF your order from Kissing Blake. 

But, this isn't the only deal Kissing Blake offers.

- When you buy 3 diapers, you get FREE Priority Shipping in the US!

-All diapers come with 1 FREE wipe

-When you buy 8 diapers within a 3 month period you get your 9th diaper FREE! Yes, a FREE DIAPER!

**Kissing Blake Stocks their HyenaCart every Monday and Thursday at 8am.**

GIVEAWAY!

Kissing Blake is offering a $65 eGC to one lucky reader! With this $65 GC you will be able to choose your choice of any Every Day OS hybrid as well as any Extended/Night diaper! Two diapers to one very lucky winner! This giveaway is open to US/CA and will end on August 14th at 11:59pm CST. Please enter through the Giveaway Tools entry form below. One winner will be chosen at random, entries will be verified and winner will be notified via email. Winner has 48 hours to respond to this email or a new winner will be chosen. Please do not claim entries if you have not fulfilled them. 

Good Luck!

Entry-Form

Disclosure: This blog and all other participating blogs have not been compensated for this post nor are they responsible for the fulfillment of the above prize. This giveaway was set up and run by Mami's 3 Little Monkeys blog. Kissing Blake is fully responsible for the fulfillment and shipment of the winner's prize(s). Shipping is free to US and CA residents. 

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Garden: A Surprise Visitor or Ten!

I wanted to post monthly garden updates, but time has gotten away from me and the garden is a bit overgrown. I have had this problem for a few years. I carefully plan what goes into each location, practicing the square foot gardening method, loosely. Somehow, within a few months, plants starts to crowd each other.

This year, I left a path so that I could get to the back of the garden cage. The seeds in the compost that my husband added decided to sprout and bless us with about 10 tomato plants. The tomato plants are growing in random spots: at the entrance, in the middle of the carrot rows, and of course, in the path that I left for myself.

Nonetheless, I am thrilled! I have avoided planting tomatoes in the garden because of the black walnut tree right beside the garden. The black walnut tree gives off a chemical that is toxic to some plants, including tomatoes. When I discovered tomato seedlings in the garden, I thought it would be a great experiment to see if tomatoes would actually grow.

Today, there are about 10+ tomatoes, 4 different varieties, growing on about 6 plants that have grown enough to put out blossoms. I have identified them as heirloom tomatoes that we received from last year's organic CSA and some seeds from our homegrown tomatoes.

Here are some photos of the garden cage (lots of critters around here) and the herb garden that desperately needs to be harvested. Also, excuse the wilted plants, it was a hot day and I had not watered yet.

>> Do you have a garden?? How is it doing this year??
 

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Ark Survival Seeds: Heirloom Non-GMO Seeds [Review]

This past weekend, my husband and toddler sat on the grass while I harvested vegetables from the garden. My husband helped me find the peppers hiding underneath the leaves, the tomatoes on the volunteer vines that are starting to take over and the sugar snap that are starting to brown in the heat of the summer. The 16 month old toddler walked around and tried to pick a small jalapeno pepper he has had his eye on for one week. Gardening has become one of my passions and my hobbies. I love the ability to grow my own food. I love being able to go into the yard and pick out a ripe pepper, sugar snap pea or tomato to eat on the spot. Though I do buy seedlings and starter plants at the store, I prefer to sow seeds directly in the ground or start seeds indoors in the winter. I focus on organic and heirloom seeds when available. Ark Survival Seeds are 100% non-GMO, non-hybrid, heirloom, chemical-free produce seeds that are perfect for the average American home garden or storing for self-reliance needs.

Ark Survival Seeds    

   ($24.95, purchase on Amazon)
Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Heirloom, non-hybrid
Non-GMO
Chemical-free
Extended life breathable paper storage

One of the first things I noticed is that the packaging is made from paper. Paper storage for seeds is preferred because it is breathable and prevents moisture from accumulating. Ark Survival Seeds are stored in individual paper packets within the larger resealable paper bag. I store seeds that I will use in the near future in the fridge and seeds that I store for self-reliance needs in the freezer (they will keep longer this way).

Since the growing season is already under way, sowing the seeds would not have been prudent. I do plan on sowing the cold weather crop seeds in a few weeks. These include: radishes, beets and lettuce. I will sow the Ark Survival Seeds directly in the ground, following the instructions that are indicated on each seed packet.

I love the variety of vegetables that I can grow with Ark Survival Seeds. If my family had to grow our own produce (without the option of going to the grocery store), Ark Survival Seeds offer a great variety that will keep us satisfied and also offer options for canning and saving seeds. I would feel confident to save the seeds are they are non-GMO, non-hybrid and GMO. The open pollination keeps the seeds true to the original ones and offers us the best option for high quality vegetables.

I plan on starting some of the seeds indoors during the winter months and then transplanting to the garden. I will also add some of the seed packets to my long-term self-reliance storage. Ark Survival Seeds are an affordable and high quality option for growing your own food or adding to your long-term food storage. The sampler pack is perfect for the beginner gardener or a master gardener.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are my own.

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Bamboo Charcoal Deodorizers and Humidifiers [Giveaway]

Conventional home odor and moisture removal products are made from toxic chemicals and are usually packaged in plastic. Ever Bamboo brings one of the first natural products to deodorize and dehumidify in your home. Many tiny holes in bamboo charcoal acts as a deodorizer and dehumidifier. Bamboo charcoal is produced from the rapidly growing moso bamboo. Enter below to win a gift set of 4 Ever Bamboo products made from eco-friendly and sustainable bamboo charcoal.

Please use the Rafflecopter entry form below. Open to the US only. All entries will be verified. Duplicate and invalid entries will be deleted. 

Giveaway

Gift Set of 4 Ever Bamboo Products ($40 value):
Shoe Deodorizer
Mini Deodorizer + Dehumidifier
Close Deodorizer + Dehumidifier
Room Deodorizer + Dehumidifier

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: All Natural Katie is not responsible for prize fulfillment or shipping. The sponsor will be responsible for shipping the product to the winner of this giveaway.

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Bamboo Charcoal Deodorizers from Ever Bamboo [Review]

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Bamboo has become one of those products that you see almost everywhere. Bamboo furniture, bamboo kitchen utensils, bamboo clothing, even bamboo diapers. Bamboo charcoal is becoming more popular for home use. Many tiny holes in the bamboo charcoal acts as a deodorizer and dehumidifier. Bamboo charcoal is produced from the rapidly growing moso bamboo. Conventional home odor and moisture removal products are made from toxic chemicals and are usually packaged in plastic. Ever Bamboo brings one of the first natural products to deodorize and dehumidify in your home.

Ever Bamboo Charcoal Deodorizer      
Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Natural, free from toxic chemicals
Rechargeable, lasts up to 1 year
Compostable (biodegradable)
Unscented

I received three Ever Bamboo bamboo charcoal products to try:

1. Room Deodorizer + Dehumidifier
2. Shoe Deodorizer
3. HEI Bamboo Charcoal Face + Body Bar

Our family usually does not generate a lot of trash. Therefore, we only take trash out once a week at the minimum. If food, especially animal products, gets thrown away in the trash, the trash smells after one week. I hate smelling trash every time I walk by the trash can, so I placed the Ever Bamboo Room Deodorizer + Dehumidifier packet in the kitchen, close to the trash can. After about 12-24 hours, I did not notice the trash smelling as I walked by it. Success! 

The Room Deodorizer + Dehumidifier was not used for humidity control since it is Winter and our furnace dehumidifier is set to low humidity. Once the Spring weather comes and brings rain showers, I will place the Room Deodorizer + Dehumidifier in the enclosed breezeway. The breezeway gets very humid when it rains. 

The Ever Bamboo Shoe Deodorizer went straight to my husband's work shoes. He rotates between two pairs of dress shoes. Dress shoes that cover feet all day get smelly and moist! This is where you want the bamboo charcoal to absorb smells and humidity. Each day, after he came home from work, I placed each of the Shoe Deodorizer packets in his dress shoes. After a few days, the dress shoes did not smell as bad as before. Another success!

The HEI Bamboo Charcoal Face + Body Bar is a neat little soap bar. This deep cleansing soap bar contains bamboo charcoal and is black in color. The bamboo charcoal powder penetrates the pores to draw out impurities. I mainly used this soap on my armpits because this body part tends to be the smelliest for me. The Body Bar did a great job at removing any smells. Although the soap bar does contain a few ingredients that are rated as 3 by EWG's Skin Deep Database, I like that the soap is naturally scented with Lavender. 

The bamboo charcoal can last up to 1 year. The packets can be recharged in the sun. Each month, place the pouches outside in direct sunlight, 2-3 hours per side. Get rid of those overly scented gels and beads that only cover up smells and get Ever Bamboo bamboo charcoal packets to remove odors and humidity from your home.

Win a 4 pack of Ever Bamboo products.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are my own.

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Reduce BPA Exposure from Food Packages [#CTWW]

This week's Change the World Wednesday challenge comes at just the right time. I have been working on my emergency preparedness kit and restocking the pantry with what else by canned and prepackaged items. To make things a little more interesting, the challenge in front of me is as follows.

This week ban BPA from your life. Need some ideas? Avoid canned foods, including prepared soups, vegetables, sauces, soda and beer. Don’t microwave polycarbonate plastic food containers. Say no to printed receipts; they contain BPA. 

An audit of my pantry showed a number of items in cans. Since can lining potentially contains BPA, my task is to find these products in safer containers. The table below shows the items, the container I usually purchase these products in and what changes I plan on making to the container. 

Some items are only available in cans, so I will plan on freezing or caning (in glass jars) the fresh vegetables myself. I prefer to eat vegetables fresh, so the items I buy in jars are mostly legumes and vegetables.

Product	BPA Package	Non-BPA Package
Beans	Can	Buy and store dry in glass
Tomatoes	Can	Freeze or can fresh in glass
Tomato Sauce	Can	Glass jar
Soup	Can	Aseptic (paperboard carton)
Jalapenos	Can	Freeze or can fresh in glass
Coconut Milk	Can	TBD

A little side story for you...

During the last grocery trip, I was shopping for ingredients to make a Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe that called for canned tomatoes. As I stood in the canned goods aisle, the little "greenie" on my shoulder reminded me of this week's challenge. I turned around and went back to the produce section to pick up 5 tomatoes. I decided they would taste better and I would eliminate exposure to BPA and one more can going into the recycle bin.

>> What are some items in your pantry that can be switched for BPA-free packaging??

  

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Woolzies Wool Dryer Balls [Review]

A few years ago, I stopped buying dryer sheets. Cold turkey! I do not know what came over me because this occurred long before I started down the all-natural path. Maybe I wanted to see if clothes would feel different without the dryer sheets. The only difference I found was that synthetic clothes had more static. Of course, this is because dryer sheets coat the fabric and make it feel slick, which we feel as softness. For years, I dried clothes without dryer sheets, until I discovered wool dryer balls. Wool dryer balls are a natural and eco-friendly way to reduce the drying time and reduce some static build-up.

Woolzies Wool Dryer Balls        (6 balls, $34.95)
Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Eco-friendly and natural	Doesn't quite eliminate/reduce static
Replaces dryer sheets	Can deposit lint onto clothing
Reduces drying time

Woolzies wool dryer balls come in a pack of 6 large balls. You need at least 6 balls to noticeably reduce drying time. I loved that the balls are made of 100% pure wool. You can feel the high quality of the wool and the weight of the balls.

I was curious if the wool dryer balls would: 1) reduce drying time, and 2) reduce static. I have read mixed
review on reduction of static and finally realized the connection between drying time and static. If you overdry your clothes, they will have more static. The goal is to dry your clothes to the point where all of the moisture is gone, if not stopping right before that point. Of course, I do not have time to constantly check the dryer, nor do I have a way to measure how dry the clothes are. Therefore, we'll use time.

After the addition of the wool dryer balls, I started with the max time on the dryer and with each load, bumped the time down by 10 minutes to determine at which point the clothes were dry. The drying time will also depend on the amount and type of clothes that are in the dryer. I experimented for about 2-3 weeks with decreasing the time I set on the dryer. The addition of Woolzies wool dryer balls did reduce the drying time. I cannot stay exactly by how much since each load of laundry was different, but the fact that I saw a reduction in drying time means that wool dryer balls work!

Now, the question of static. The dreaded static. If I let clothes dry on the max drying time, static was definitely present. Wool dryer balls did not eliminate static for me. However, I did find that the static went away as I took the clothes out and folded them. Synthetic fabrics had more static than natural fabrics. Some ways to combat static is to not dry the synthetic clothes in the dryer (they will dry quickly if you hang them) or to take the synthetic clothes out sooner.

I love that wool dryer balls have replaced toxic dryer sheets and helped to reduce drying time. I will continue to adjust my drying routine to see how I can further reduce static on synthetic fabrics. Another thing to be aware of is that the wool dryer balls can take lint from one items (like a fluffy blanket) and deposit it onto another item (like a black shirt). I will need to look into this to understand why. I highly recommend Woolzies dryer balls for their high quality and their ability to make your drying routine more efficient. I have even purchased a box of them as a housewarming gift for a friend.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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Nesco Digital Food Dehydrator [Giveaway]

Prize:

Nesco Gardenmaster Digital Pro Food Dehydrator

ARV $170

Hosted by:

A Lucky Ladybug
and 
M.O.O.N.

"New Digitally Controlled" unit! Top mounted fan eliminates liquids dripping into the heater chamber. Expands to a giant 20 trays so you can dry large quantities all at once! 1000 watts of drying power means you can dry more, faster. Patented Converga-Flow® forces heated air down the exterior pressurized chamber, then horizontally across each individual tray, converging in the center, for fast, even and nutritious drying. If you are an aspiring gardener or love to visit your local farmers market, then you need a dehydrator.  There is no better and easier way to preserve in-season produce than to dehydrate it.
Fast, Powerful Fan! A quiet, 2,400-RPM motor and specially designed 4-1/2 inch fan mean faster, more nutritious drying.  Adjustable Thermostat!  The adjustable 90-160 degree F digital control gives you the flexibility to get the best results.

 As needs grow, this four-tray unit can be expanded with accessory Add-A-Trays®, up to 20 trays (20 sq. ft.) Drying pressure adjusts automatically to the number of trays.  Included  accessories: No-Spill Fruit Roll Sheet, Clean-A-Screen®, Jerky Spice Packet and Cure.

**If you are a company and would like to see your brand advertised in a M.O.O.N. event similar to this please contact MakeOurOwnNetwork@gmail.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway
"Make Our Own Network" solely organized this event and I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are 100% my own and may differ from your own or even those stated in this post. All Natural Katie is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. This giveaway is open to the Continental US only (because of shipping costs) and will end on August 29th, 2013

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Baby Comfy Nose Nasal Aspirator [Review]

I had read about nasal aspirators long before getting pregnant. I knew that hospital issued blue bulb aspirators were bad because they are hard to clean and bacteria/mold can grow inside. They are disposable and only intended for single or very short term use. Somehow, we came home with not one, but TWO, of the blue bulb aspirators. Ugh! My husband became the "snotsucker" and I quickly got him to switch to the Nosefrida product we purchased right before the baby came. Although Nosefrida is a highly rated product, buying replacement filters can get costly, especially if you plan to suck your baby's nose at least once a day. When I discovered Baby Comfy Nose Nasal Aspirator, I was intrigued by the idea of using a tissue as the filter. Baby Comfy Nose uses your own suction to hygienically and quickly remove nasal mucus with a household tissue as the filter.

Baby Comfy Nose Nasal Aspirator      
Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Uses household tissue or toilet paper (no filter replacements to purchase)	Plastic parts, mouth piece tastes like plastic
Hygienic, easy to clean	Tissue blocks some of the suction power
Human suction is the most effective
Gentle on baby's nose

Since I have used both products, I would like to compare the Nosefrida product to the Baby Comfy Nose product. Both products use human suction, which is believed to be the best suction you can get at home. Nosefrida uses foam rubber filters (single-use and require you to buy replacements), while Baby Comfy Nose uses a tissue, which you already have at home. I tried Baby Comfy Nose with Whole Foods 365 brand recycled tissues and found that it was to much blockage. It was a little difficult to suck and I had to use more sucking power than I do with the Nosefrida nasal aspirator. If you are using a thicker tissue, you will have to suck even harder to get the snot out. Next time, I tried one square of Angelsoft toilet paper in the Baby Comfy Nose nasal aspirator and found it to be better.

I was trying to suction out a booger out of the left nostril. My hope was that Baby Comfy Nose would pull it out and deposit it inside the egg-shaped container, so I could throw away the paper with the booger, but this did not happen. The booger did come out after a couple sucking attempts, but only to the end of the nose where I had to pick it out with my finger. The opening of both the Nosefrida and Baby Comfy Nose nasal aspirators is a little small so I could see that the booger would not quite make it inside.

I do like that I can use a tissue or toilet paper square in Baby Comfy Nose, instead of having to buy replacement filters for Nosefrida. Overall, I have to weigh the economy of using your own tissues versus the suction power/ability. Baby Comfy Nose lacks a little in the efficiency and effectiveness, but makes up for it by removing the need to buy replacement filters. I recommend you try both products and see which one works for you. I can see myself using both products going forward.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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Free Blogger Opp: Dehydrate It Right [Giveaway]

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.aluckyladybug.com/2013/07/dehydrate-it-right-moon-giveaway-event.html" title="A Lucky Ladybug" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBEEmFaYc4NHqLY8-FYCLG8WQ9rLjcWqlh3FEjhtXL-xKNqn539eZ697btZ9gyGScaP7ExIVgx_gR5YTDpN7A4QtuR-XE01ojGb-zk0WUiDeCrSf1gTV9BGXiNu86EYMlOVSv0Wjhd2rS/s1600/fd1020lgwb.jpg" alt="A Lucky Ladybug" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Prize:

Nesco Gardenmaster Digital Pro Food DehydratorARV $170

I love my Nesco Food Dehydrator (non-digital) and I know you will love the ease and convenience of dehydrating produce and meats. What a great way to preserve summer produce!

Hosted by:

A Lucky Ladybug
and 
M.O.O.N.

Sign-ups close 8/11

**The blogger with the most referrals will receive the additional links at no cost

Click HERE to sign up and for more html info.

M.O.O.N. has now added several perks/discounts for frequent participation in our events but you must be a member of our Facebook group to be eligible.  Please visit the M.O.O.N. group if you are a blogger and would like more information regarding these perks and other group events.

**If you are a company and would like to see your brand advertised in a M.O.O.N. event similar to this please contact MakeOurOwnNetwork@gmail.com
  

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Wordless Wednesday - Grain Mill

I finally used my grain mill! I made socca with the lentils I ground.

Eco-friendly Susie Homemaker, here I come!

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Challenge: Cooking Without Small Appliances [#CTWW]

Some might call me crazy, some might appreciate, but only a few will understand. When cooking side items for the holidays, I decided not to use any powered small appliances, only the stove and oven. It's just me, the cutting board, the knife, and the mortar and pestle. Who needs a food processor?!?! Chop the almonds, toast, then grind them up with the mortar and pestle. No annoying sounds of small appliances and no need to clean them. Yes, it takes a little elbow grease, but I can enjoy the relaxing music playing through the iPod speakers.

>> What are some of your eco-friendly tips for reducing impact on the environment?
  

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Cleaner Planet Soap Nuts [Giveaway]

If you have never heard of Soap Nuts, I encourage you to read my review post. I am hooked on these little laundry cleaning powerhouses. I have never felt my laundry be so soft. Plus, they are as green and as eco-friendly as can be. Use them, then compost them. No additives. No fillers. No perfume. All natural. Hypo-allergenic. For sensitive-skin. You can win a bag that will last through at least 80-100 loads below.

Please use the Rafflecopter entry form below. All entries will be verified. Duplicate and invalid entries will be deleted.

   
Giveaway

Soap Nuts, 80-100 load bag, 250g ($10.00 value)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Greener, Cleaner, Non-Toxic Laundry with Soap Nuts [Review]

As I have mentioned in previous posts, one of the hardest transitions to green living has been replacing cleaning products with ones that are non-toxic and actually work. I usually go through several, if not more, brands of eco-friendly and green products before I find one that even compares to the toxic brands. I have been eyeing soap nuts for quite some time. I have read many reviews on their effectiveness and have always wanted to try them. If you are looking to remove toxic chemicals from your house, Cleaner Planet Soap Nuts will leave you with greener and cleaner laundry!

Cleaner Planet Soap Nuts    (80-100 load bag, $10.00)

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Cleans and soften clothes (no dryer sheets needed)	Bag with soap nuts can get "lost" among the clothes
Natural, non-toxic, green
No additives, no perfumes, no fillers
Compostable

What is a soap nut?
A soap nut is the shell of a berry that is dried in the sun and resembles a nut. Soap nuts have some of the highest concentration of saponin, which breaks the water surface tension and lifts the dirt of the fabric. Soap nuts also soften your fabric, so there is no need for dryer sheets.

Instructions:
Place 4-6 whole shells (8-10 halves) in the muslin drawstring bag, close the bag securely, and toss the bag in the drum of the washing machine as the water is filling, before your clothes, just as you would add any other laundry detergent. The same 4-6 shells can be used up to 8 times in cold water washes and up to 4 times in hot water washes. For cold water washes, it is recommended to soak the shells in water for 5-10 minutes.

My Experience:
Now that you know a little bit about soap nuts and how to use them, let me tell you about my experience. My husband does the laundry 95% of the time. He was a little skeptical that these little "nuts" would clean our dirty clothes, sheets, towels, etc. I promised him that they would work. I brought the muslin bag and he tossed it into the washes reluctantly. I will be honest that we did not quite know how to tell if the clothes were clean or not (not that we know with other detergents either), but we have been wearing the clothes for one week and I have not heard of any complaints of being stinky. We realized that when transferring clothes from the washes to the dryer, you have to hunt for the soap nuts bag to make sure you take it out. After using the soap nuts, I hug the bag up to dry. The biggest surprise came when my husband took the clothes out of the dryer.  He said that they felt very soft. Unbelievably soft! I do not think that our towels have ever been so soft!

When comparing using Soap Nuts with using powder/liquid laundry detergent, they are just as easy to use. Yes, you have to hunt for the bag when you transfer the laundry to the dryer, but the fact that the soap nuts leave your clothes softer makes them a winner in my book. I would highly recommend Cleaner Planet Soap Nuts to anyone. My laundry feels clean, smells clean, and is softer. And when I'm all done, I can throw the used soap nuts in the compost. Zero waste!

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.

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