Lambie and Me Swaddle Blankets [Giveaway]

The beauty and usefulness of swaddle blankets is that they can be used for just about anything. Use it as a blanket to cover the stroller or car seat. Use as a changing mat or nursing cover. Once the baby grows out of the swaddling stage, swaddling blankets can continue to be used. I have been using swaddling blankets as a lap cover for my son when we eat at restaurants. I have even used a swaddle blanket to wipe up a spill. A small investment will guarantee usefulness beyond the baby and toddler years.

Enter to win a 2-pack of Lambie & Me Swaddle Blankets 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

Lambie & Me Swaddle Blankets - 2 pack ($27 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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To Idle or Not to Idle?

I am a stickler for idling cars, to the point where (as the passenger) I reach over and turn my husband's car off for him if we are idling. My goal is to never idle, when possible.Whenever I am in a parking lot or in the garage, the car goes off. If I know I'm going to be waiting in a long line, I turn the car off.

Recently, I realized that the conveniences of drive-thru windows at coffee shops and banks are increasing the negative impact I make on the environment. I am not a fan of drive-thru windows because I feel like you end up spending more time doing the activity and you are idling among other idling cars. Gross! However, with a baby in the car, I am now choosing to use drive-thru windows. I have had pain and numbness in my wrists and getting the baby in the infant car seat out every time results in more pain and numbness. Yes, I can get the stroller out and try to maneuver into the bank or the coffee shop. Or, I can wear the baby. All good options! But all options increase the amount of times I spend running errands. I am on longer on my schedule. I am on the baby's schedule.

Today, I opt for using the drive-thru window, even if it means idling my car. We are not perfect "greenies" 100% of the time. I am learning that with a baby, something has got to give. A few minutes of idling once a week is what has given.

>> What are your eco-friendly goals that have "given" a little??
 

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Top 3 Things NOT to Do At a Farmer's Market

There is something about a farmer's market that make me a little nervous/anxious/ whatever you want to call it. Honestly, I do not feel at ease when I shop at a farmer's market. Maybe I do not go often enough. Maybe I do not feel comfortable with all of the unspoken rules. Maybe I do not like that they are no signs to tell me who grows organically and who does not. I have had my share of mishaps and embarrassing moments farmer's markets. Today, I bring you the top 3 things NOT to do when you are shopping at a farmer's market (from my own experience).

1. Do Not Ask Young "Farmers" to Pick Out Your Produce - when a guy who looks like he is in his mid-20s tells me to pick out which watermelon looks the prettiest, I do not feel confident that he has any idea what he talking about. I know how to pick out a watermelon, but feel weird going around flicking and slapping watermelons to pick out the perfect one.
   
   
2. Do Not Buy From the First Stand - walk around to the other stands; see what others are selling. You might find a better deal or better quality.
   
   
3. Do Not Buy the "Pretty" Produce - I might not be a master gardener, but I know that tomatoes organically grown on a local farm do not look perfectly round. I have grown my own tomatoes and I have picked tomatoes from an organic farm. If anything, ask the farmer what they use to control pests.

>> What mishaps have you experienced at the farmer's market?
  

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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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SnapSac Tote Bundle [Giveaway]

In my review of SnapSac totes, you will see that I am addicted to reusable totes. If you are also addicted, enter the giveaway below for a SnapSac Tote Bundle. I am confident that you will love them and use them all the time.

Please use the Rafflecopter entry form below. All entries will be verified.

   
Giveaway

SnapSac Tote Bundle ($12.50 value)

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Smart, Stylish Shopping with SnapSac Totes [Review]

I think I am become a reusable bag addict! I have bags of different sizes, colors, and styles. I decided to stop accumulated more reusable bags, but when I had an opportunity to review SnapSac Totes, I said, “yes” I had to add SnapSac totes to my collection!

SnapSac Totes are responsibly made by 1 Bag at a Time with a focus on style and sustainability. The new line of SnapSac Totes includes totes of different sizes and fun colors that fold up and snap in different areas so that you can take them anywhere and put just about anything in them.

Features:
• more durable fabric (35% thicker than average grocery bags): 110 gsm NWPP
• inside pocket 
• foldable with a snap in three places: at folding, at the top, and at the pocket
• machine wash cold, line dry

Petite Tote: Pop                                         $3.50 $2.99
Super Tote: Pop                                         $4.50
Mega Tote: Pop                                          $7.50
SnapSac Tote Bundle: Pop                       $12.50

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

Promotion Code: Use ALLNATRALKATIE20 to save 20% (expires January 26, 2012, cannot be combined with other offers, one code per customer)

The Good	The Not So Good
Holds a lot of stuff	Synthetic fabric
Durable NWPP fabric	No base liner/support
Adorable color and style
Longer straps to fit over your shoulder
Easy to fold
Great price

My Review: I received the SnapSac Petite, Super, and Mega Totes in the Pop color. I love the colors and the style. I actually WANT to use these bags because they are so adorable and fun! I took the Petite Tote with me to the grocery store because I planned only buying 2-3 items. I ended up buying 10 items. Nonetheless, all items fit into bag and there was room to spare. I especially love that the straps are long enough to put the bag over my shoulder.

SnapSac Totes fold up in almost the size of a piece of paper (a little bigger for the Mega Tote). I never had any troubles folding up the totes as I do with some of the other reusable bags where you basically have to do origami to get it back into the pocket size bag.

Since the SnapSac Totes are so light, yet durable, I could see myself taking a tote instead of my purse during a long shopping trip.

Uses: I used SnapSac Totes on two occasions: grocery store and birthday party. Yes, the Super Tote actually held two big present bags with 3 books each! Instead of carrying each present separately and using two hands, I put them in the SnapSac Super Tote and threw it over my shoulder. My hands were free! SnapSac Totes would also be great to throw in your luggage in case you need an extra bag to carry souvenirs home.

Overall Review: Although I prefer reusable bags made out of a natural fabric like cotton/jute/canvas, I do admit that SnapSac’s synthetic fabric makes the bag lightweight, durable, and machine washable. The three sizes are perfect for any type of occasion or purpose. I would like to see the base of the bag supported by either thicker material or an insert so that the bag is even more durable for hauling lots of heavy items.

Disclosure: I received the sample from 1 Bag a Time 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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Green Motivation Monday - Choose Cycling over Driving

I am starting a new series - Green Motivation Monday.  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: Choose to ride your bicycle over driving your car for quick errands.

If you need to run a quick errand like dropping off/picking up mail at the Post Office or buying a few items at the grocery store, ride your bicycle and take a small backpack or satchel with you to keep your valuables and purchases.  Not only will you complete your errand, but you will also benefit from the exercise.

>> Have you chosen to cycle over driving?

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