Aprils Save Your Green


 

April is here and almost gone! Here are some great deals on some great eco-friendly products. You may even find some great things you didn’t even know existed or some new green stores you will love forever!

Natural Lip Balms and Vegan soaps on sale!

10% off The Eco Friendly Dollhouses

Save 5% on your first order at Only Natural Pet – Coupon Code LS05

15% Off All Flea & Tick Products! Use Coupon Code FLEA15OFF!

Save Addn. 10% Envirocycle Mini Composter/Tea Maker


15% off Everything in the Eco Coffee Shop


Save 10% On Nokero Solar Light Bulbs

Save 15% on Bamboo Towel Sets

Take $15 off any $40+ order & get FREE SHIPPING with any $25+ order at Botanic Choice! Use coupon APR15 Exp 4/30/12

Great Deals on Burt’s Bees Products at Burt’s Outlet

Sign up now and receive ethical Deals from across North America!

Take an Additional 10% off Eco-friendly Furniture

Save 20% on Canine Ear Cleaning Products

New Spring Bedding & Free Shipping Offer from Coyuchi.com! Click Here!

Use Code EARTHDAY2012 to Save 15% This Month on Earth Friendly, Fair Trade Handbags at EarthDivas.com

Need a great gift for Mom? Check out great Mother’s Day gift ideas at Gildentree.com.

What Is Gluten-Free?

I know you have heard a lot about gluten-free and may not know exactly what it is so I have decided to define it for you as well as show you some products that look delish and are gluten free to boot! Maybe you will decide to rid yourself of gluten as well.
I have tried many a gluten free product some good, some awful, and some great. It really is a taste preference. I am sure if you are strict about your gluten you would get used to even the worst tasting of product. Here is Wikipedia’s definition of gluten-free: A gluten-free diet is a diet that excludes foods containing gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat (including kamut and spelt), barley, rye, malts and triticale. It is used as a food additive in the form of a flavoring, stabilizing or thickening agent, often as “dextrin”. A gluten-free diet is the only medically accepted treatment for celiac disease, the related condition dermatitis herpetiformis,and wheat allergy.

I went on a little search for some yummy looking gluten-free items so here they are:

Gluten-Free Snack Kit

Gluten-Free Snack Kit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glutino Gluten Free Snack Kit is a perfect way to start off your gluten free diet. All of your major sweet cravings are included so you nothing is left out. I think I am going to get this one for myself it looks that good.

 

 

 

 

 

Risotto Alfredo

Risotto Alfredo

 

 

Lundberg Organic Risotto Alfredo is making my mouth water right now! It may just be the Italian in me but when you say Alfredo I drool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chocolate Banana Gluten Free Bars

Chocolate Banana Gluten Free Bars

 

 

 

Glutino Chocolate & Banana Organic Barsis maybe not a flavor everyone enjoys but it is one of my absolute favorites. Banana and chocolate make the world a better place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organic Gummy Bears

Organic Gummy Bears

Let’s Do Organic Gummi Bears Classic are organic and gluten-free! Can you say yummo!! I know the gummy bears are mentioned above but it doesn’t hurt to mention them again.

Organic Dry Hair Shea Butter

Organic Dry Hair Shea Butter

Organic Dry Hair Shea Butter

 

 

Warm weather is creeping up on us and with all of the outside time your hair will take a beating! Especially those of you who may color it. You don’t want your hair to look like fried straw right? Here is a great organic/vegan dry hair treatment from one of my fave places Just Natural Organic Care. Here is a little blurb about this super awesome leave in dry hair shea butter:
Dry hair needs instant hydration and nourishment to keep it looking and feeling healthier.Natural butters nourish, soften and protect hair leaving it shiny with fewer flyaways. This natural shea butter for dry hair restores moisture and adds volume to your hair. It closes hair cuticles to make your hair less porous and therefore more resistant to damage.
This leave in treatment is rich in vitamins and nutrients that promote
strong, healthy hair growth.This natural hair butter will moisturize, de-frizz and give you definition with soft hold without leaving residue or weighing hair down.

I always like to look at the ingredients on products who make claims that they are organic, vegan, natural so if you are like me and want to know what you are putting on your body here is a list Just Natural Organic Care provides as they do with all of their products:
Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Shea Butter, Kokum Butter, Illipe Butter, Mowrah Butter, Fenugreek Extract, Grapeseed Oil, Kukui Nut Oil, Carrot Seed Oil, Rosehip Oil, Essential Oils of Sweet Orange Blossom, Rosemary, Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Atlas Cedarwood, Chamomile Extract, Horsetail Root Extract, Nettle Root Extract, Marigold Extract.

Organic Hair Products

The Robomow

Robomow

Robomow

 

 

 

I know the Robomow is expensive but the lazy beagle in myself really wants this. I am not the biggest fan of mowing the lawn. It takes forever and makes my allergies go crazy. Here is a description of the Robomow and why you should love it besides the fact that it comes with Free Shipping:

 

 

Tired of pushing or riding that lawn mower of yours for seemingly endless amounts of time, every week? Robomow’s RL 2000 is the perfect solution to give you more time doing what you love, instead of mowing the lawn. This robotic lawn mower is recommended for large lawns between 12,900 and 17,200 square feet. It comes with a base station for automated storage, charging and easy mower scheduling. You can schedule this mower to run day or night without bothering your neighbors: these machines will run at a noise level as low as 65 decibels when in eco-mode. To give a comparison, this is the same amount of noise generated by a normal conversation.

What makes the Robomow Green?
Robomow is as green as the grass it mows.
From saving energy to the way it cuts the grass, Robomow is making as less impact on the environment as possible.
With new ingenious technology and innovative grasscycling techniques, the fully automatic lawnmowers are much easier to use, waste less energy, emit less air pollution and create less impact on the world around us.While mowing your lawn, Robomow cuts the grass into very fine cuttings and disperses them over the ground. These clippings decompose quickly and release beneficial organic nutrients and water into the soil. This results in a healthier and better-looking lawn and eliminates the need to collect and remove the clippings.

Hurry!  Deal of the week item selling fast!

Rescue Some Adorbs Pooches

Please take a good look at these ladies! They are going to be destroyed soon if someone doesn’t help save them. Your new best friend could be right here waiting for you. Think of how happy these ladies will be if they can find their forever home instead of cruelly being put down with little thought and care no living thing deserves that.

Jersey- ID#A0926512

Jersey - ID#A0926512

JERSEY – ID#A0926512Poor girl is terrified and I would be too. Who know’s how much time she has left? She came in as a stray and probably is lost trying to find her way home. Don’t let her get destroyed, help her find a safe place to play and be happy. Think about if your dog got lost and ended up here. You would want someone to save them wouldn’t you?

BRECK - A0926627

BRECK - A0926627

BRECK – A0926627shines like a bright orange flame in her dark blue kennel. She moves a lot like a sparkle. She is so pretty, a mix of a Pitie and a Boxer. A mother she was, recently separated from her puppies. One wonders where those are as Breck and Buddy, her housemate were the only two dogs brought to our Care Center. Breck is on the thin side but her coat is beautiful. She is very hungry and searches my bag for food. She is the typical mom who has lost her babies,her purpose in life. After a while, beautiful Breck comes to sit next to me., then poses her front legs on my lap and showers me with kisses. It is a matter of time for her to regain her figure and her balance. Breck is a lovely girl.

GLENDA - A0927307

GLENDA - A0927307

GLENDA – A0927307Glenda is a well mannered and gracious older dog. She has been kept in mint shape by her owner who unfortunately lost his or her home. Glenda is feminine. She is trim in her salt and pepper suit. Her face is delicate and attractive. She seems to wear eyeliner. All together, Glenda is an elegant female. Glenda is a dream on the leash. She is of course house trained. At times and mostly when she sits very close to me, Glenda whimpers very softly. More hugs are in order.She is very needy and affectionate. Glenda was clearly a family dog, a pet who was very much liked by her owners and finding herself in a shelter is a major shock to her. Glenda is very docile, obedient and executes orders readily. She is a perfect and proper dog who wants to please her caretaker.

ELLE - ID#A0926950

ELLE - ID#A0926950

 

 

 

ELLE – ID#A0926950appears to have been well taken care of, her coat is healthy, her body weight good and she is a social sweet little girl. She might be house trained taking care of things as soon as we were out the door. She’s as cute as can be, sitting for her photo session, waiting for treats that she knew I had in my bag, and wagging her tail waiting to be done so that we could walk some more. Ellie has lots of positive energy so I see her in a family who can take her for long walks, perhaps toss a tennis ball and then invite her to snuggle up on the nearest lap. Ellie is waiting for her new family to walk in, meet her and say “yes, this is my new fur baby”. Ask to meet this black and white delight today.

NOEMI - ID#A0927226

NOEMI - ID#A0927226

 

 

 

NOEMI – ID#A0927226 looks like she could truly be your BFF. She is young, pretty, lively, friendly with people and dogs alike and so girly. Noemi wiggels in her kennel. She is a cute caramel and white girl with golden eyes. She is all happy to go out and be cared for. What an outgoing girl although so well behaved. Noemi is excellent on the leash and might be house trained. She poses for the pictures without objecting. It is part of the outing, she thinks. Noemi is the ultimate lap dog and literally showers me with kisses.

PRINCESS - ID#A0927292

PRINCESS - ID#A0927292

 

 

PRINCESS – ID#A0927292Please help Princess find her furever home!! Poor lady looks soo scared and confused! She deserves a home where she can be loved and adored the way she deserves. Please don’t let her get destroyed. That face just breaks my heart.

Egg-cellent Easter Craft

Easter Egg Garland

Easter Egg Garland

 

 

I found this craft on Pinterest…yes, I know you are shocked but I figured this could come in handy for a few different reasons besides some pretty garland. I wanted to green it up just a bit.  You can make less disposable items to use for decorations year round or even just for multiple Easters.

 

Supplies:

Non Toxic Eco Paste (the original craft calls for liquid starch and flour)
Water
Pastel Hemp Cord (or any ribbons/thread/string you might have at home)
Shallow bowl for dipping string
Biodegradable Balloons (or regular balloons if you have them at home)

 

Directions:

1. Put eco-paste and water in a shallow bowl and mix

2. Blow up balloons to desired sizes.

3. Place string carefully into bowl and either coil the string and press into sticky mixture but keep your hands on the end of the string so you can find it easily.

4. Wrap the string around your balloon in the desired patter/shapes. Make sure to wipe off excess mixture so it doesn’t dry that way on your string.

5. Once finished wrapping the balloons find a place where they can sit and dry undisturbed. Wait at least 4 hours to make sure they are completely dry.

6. Pop your balloons! Then you can string them on a garland, place them in bowls or hide them around the house!

These eggs will last for quite awhile and can be kept around for decoration long after Easter is over. You can put candy and toys in them carefully and use them as gifts. There is alot to be done with these eggs.

Fancy Rocks

Fancy Rocks
Fancy Rocks

 

 

The warm weather is here and if you are looking for something to craft for the kiddos or a party activity even a school craft here you go! Get a hold of as many rocks as you can (or tell the kids to bring there own cleaned rocks) and go to town. You know there are little tidbits of craft materials you have that you have been longing to finish up and rocks are the perfect small crafts to do just that. You can use paint, glitter, ribbon, feathers, buttons sequins, anything! You can turn this craft into beach fun too. While at the beach collect shells, rocks and whatever else you can get your hands on even sand to be decorated. You can use the finished product to decorate your home with. You can make garlands, decorate the inside of bowls or vases even attach to old picture frames and hand on your walls.  I personally love Owls which is why I chose these designs but you can decorate your rocks anyway you want.  You can theme them for holidays or for gifts.

Repurposing & Home Decor

Repurposing & Home Decor

Repurposing & Home Decor

I have been doing a lot of crafting around my house lately trying to see what I have to repurpose. Pinterest has been helping me with ideas as well but I wanted to see what some books have for repurposing ideas. I was almost on hoarder status saving things I knew I could get use out of but I wasn’t sure when I would find a use or for what and now I have found it.Repurposing & Home Decor has some really great ideas for me. Repurposing & Home Decor is an excellent how to for DIY repurposing projects as well as gives you advice on what not to do along with helpful tips. I am really excited to start playing around with some things I have laying around. I have a large backyard that I have been dying to fully utilize and this book is just the ticket to getting my yard where I want it to be.
What are your repurposing experiences? How tos? Do’s and don’ts?

Green Fun For Kids

Eco-friendly toys and games are becoming easier to find these days so why not get in on the fun! I found some amazingly green fun for kids and the family at one of my favorite green stores Green Retail and Wholesale, LLC. You can stock up on summer fun all in one place for the entire family.

Head1Liners

Head1Liners

 

Head1Liners is a total family fun game! You can get everyone involved! Adults would probably get a kick out of it even if kinds aren’t around to play. Description: A hilarious party game in which you literally write the news! Players are given 1 of 386 curious “front page” photographs and write a news headlines for it. Creativity, satire, or straightforward journalism attempts will all fare well in this inclusive, social game about our diverse perspectives. Expect absurd headlines that leave you in stitches laughing!

Xeko Mission Games

Xeko Mission Games

Xeko Mission Games are almost like a modern day Where in the World is Carmen San Diego. I like it! This is not only educational but really fun! Description: Xeko combines two things kids love: collectible cards and animals. Play tested across the USA and the verdict is in – having fun is only natural! Ancient Xeko forces are joining together to defend the most fascinating and most threatened places on Earth. The search is on for the next generation of Xeko Masters. Are you ready for the awesome animals, globe-trotting fun, eye-popping art, and brain-stimulating strategy?

 

idbids

idbids

 

idbids are kind of really cool! They are an exceptionally fun interactive toy that really teaches kids how to protect the environment. Description: Lovingly handcrafted using 100% organic Egyptian cotton which has been colored with natural organic dyes. No two are alike, just like children! With the purchase of each kit, a child can enter a code online that will help protect the habitats of animal friends through The Nature Conservancy’s Plant A Billion Trees campaign, Adopt an Acre, or Rescue the Reef programs.

 

BUZZ FREE ZONE

BUZZ FREE ZONE

 

The summer is coming quickly and the one thing I absolutely despised about it was bug bites! Most repellents are super gross but not miessense! Description: Every single ingredient in miessence certified organics line of products is beneficial to your skins health. Not only is every ingredient safe (in fact, edible) but every ingredient does something great for your skin right down to the preservatives and antioxidants. These products use only certified organic cold-pressed and unrefined oils and therapeutic grade herb and flower extracts. Products are also cold-formulated so precious oils are never exposed to damaging heat.

Healthier Approach to Mozzarella Sticks

Healthier Mozzarella Stick Recipe

Healthier Mozzarella Stick Recipe

 

I have to admit mozzarella sticks are one of my fave snacks on the planet. They are a classic snack for parties and get togethers.  I could eat them almost everyday I think. That being said they are very not good for you. They are fried, breaded and a bunch of cheese! I found this method the other day and was pleasantly surprised at how deliciously my updated mozzarella sticks came out.

 

 

Ingredients:
Cheese sticks (you can also use soy cheese sticks and you don’t have to stick to just mozzarella, try whatever cheese you like)
1 package egg roll wrappers (wonton wrappers could be used too but they would be a little less crunchy)
Brummel and Brown (a butter substitute made from yogurt)
Dipping Sauce
Basting Brush

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Place the cheese on the wrapper by the edge so you can roll up the cheese completely. Before you get to the other end of the wrapper fold in edges to seal the stick. You can use a little water to make sure the ends stick together.

3. Melt the butter (or substitute) so it can easily be brushed on to the sticks.

4. Brush the sticks lightly all around so they will get crisp.

5. Put sticks in the oven for 10 minutes and watch closely so they do not burn and so the cheese doesn’t leak out. The sizes and thickness of your wrappers and cheese will really determine how long your sticks should cook.

6. When finished remove your mozzarella sticks to a plate and add your dipping sauce. Let the sticks cool for a couple of minutes first before trying.  I cut mine in half after plating.