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There’s a special time of year when the holiday colors and festivities bring out the generosity in us. It’s the time where we spend a bit more, decorate a bit crazier, and spend time with our family and friends. But what’s also important is the power of giving and giving for a good cause.

NBC Green is Universal’s annual tree planting program comes back again this year in the form of the #GIFtATree program. The GiftATree campaign (http://www.greenisuniversal.com/) runs from December 2, 2015 to the end of the month and it’s incredibly easy to contribute in this campaign. In fact, it’s practically free! All you have to do is create a holiday GIF tree on their website and for every GIF shared and #GIFtATree generated before the end of December, the Arbor Day Foundation (ADF) will plant one real tree, up to 25,000, in a state part or national forest, funded by a $25,000 contribution from NBCUniversal. Now how easy is that? And while you’re having fun decorating a virtual tree, you’re also doing good by helping our precious planet.

Below is a image of my virtual tree that I also shared on Twitter and Facebook. Isn’t it adorable?

Research indicates that one tree can provide oxygen for up to four people in one day and that one tree can absorb more than a ton of carbon in its lifetime. With all the people in the world and all the resources we use on a daily basis, trees are a vital component in protecting our planet. And while protecting our precious planet, we are also ensuring a healthier and safer future for our loved ones.

So please join me and NBC Green Is Universal this December in planting a virtual tree and sharing it on their social media. I will be live tweeting today along with NBC Green Is Universal, the Arbor Day Foundation, and many other fellow bloggers and environmental enthusiasts. To kick off the campaign, NBC GreenIsUniversal is having a Twitter party during the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting event.We’ll be chatting about how to have a more eco-friendly holiday season, as well as asking people to #GIFtATree. So this year, let’s give a new meaning to the phrase “tree huggers” and help plant new trees for a healthier future!

Join me and fellow bloggers on Twitter today, December 2 from 8-10pm (ET)/5-7pm (PT) at:

• @GreenIsUni
• @ArborDay
• @HappyMomBlogger

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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Those who know me well know what a huge chocolate lover I am. And I’m not ashamed to admit that I can be quite choosy when it comes to chocolate. My best friend and I are sort of “chocolate snobs” in the sense that if we had to choose between gourmet chocolate and the conventional grocery store versions, well, we kind of have to turn away the conventional versions. But being chocolate-wise can be a good thing actually. It challenges manufactures who make high quality chocolates to perform better and to always keep up the demands. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with paying more for better chocolate or better sweets in general. And when you taste higher quality chocolates, you’ll probably notice the difference immediately. I always joke with my husband that he complains I only like gourmet chocolate and he’s fine with the $2.00 chocolates, and yet, it seems my gourmet chocolates always disappear rather quickly the moment I open the packages.

So when Tru Joy and Surf Sweets offered me to try and review their newest holiday line of sweets, how could I say no. My son and I already love their gummy candy and their gourmet jelly beans and every Valentine’s Day I’m inclined to buy a few packages of their Valentine’s candy to give out to my son’s friends. Not only are their sweets unique and flavorful, they are made with only natural and organic ingredients. If you’re going to buy sweets, it’s always nice to buy ones made with natural and if possible, organic ingredients. We already know the health hazards that conventional candies contain, so buying candy that’s made with better and non-toxic ingredients are always the better choice. They may be a tad more expensive, but it never hurts to indulge a bit now and then.

Tru Joy’s Organic Peppermint Choco-Chews are a perfect mix of organic peppermint candy pieces and TruJoy Sweets original Organic Chocolate Chews. The delightful combination creates a delicious blend of dark chocolate and refreshing peppermint flavors that is moist in texture with a tingling sensation of fresh mint as you chew them. The peppermint choco-chews are individually wrapped so you can give them out in single pieces, or put them in a pretty and decorative holiday box as gifts. The peppermint chocolate chews themselves are not too sweet and is great after meals or just for fun. They’re perfect for kids because they’re not incredibly sweet and they’re soft enough for kids to chew on. Since they are individually wrapped it’s easy to just hand your kids a couple of pieces to satisfy their sweet tooth without indulging too much on the sweets.

 

I made holiday treat bags for the Garden Club at my son’s school and included some Tru Joy’s Choco-Chews. I really like that they’re not too sweet, incredibly moist and chewy, and has a very light and delicate peppermint flavor.

Tru Joy’s Organic Peppermint Choco-Chews are only available during the holiday season and you can find them at most natural grocery stores as well as online. They also have traditional candy canes made with natural and organic ingredients so if you’re in the holiday mood, pick some up early as they can run out quick. And if you’re interested in Tru Joy’s entire line of organic sweets, you can visit their website: http://www.trujoysweets.com/.

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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When experts told us that global warming was happening I didn’t really understand the full meaning behind it. The ramifications of waste and misuse of products in our country is evidently leading us to drastic climate changes, pollution, and landfills inundated with waste.

The thing about not being wasteful is to use less. That’s pretty common sense but in a country raised on convenience, we’ve all fallen into the trap of getting something quick just because it’s convenient. One of these pitfalls is water bottles. They are easy and convenient and fairly inexpensive. But they do eventually add up in cost and plastic waste and becomes harder to break down.

As a People Towels (Peope4People) Ambassador, I was keenly asked, “why do you use reusables?” Simple answer is – to help reduce the waste of plastic production and use in the US. And I do this by using reusable beverage containers. I have a bottle for my water and a container for my hot tea. I even bought my husband and son their own reusable water bottles to take to work and school. When given nice-looking and highly functional ones, they both use them regularly.

It wasn’t always easy to use reusable beverage bottles because of constantly having to wash them but once I started using them it became second nature to me. Now I just wash them out the night before to get them ready for the next use. I may not always remember to use less plastic or conserve water or any of the environmentally sound actions, but I do try to have the best intentions when it comes to wanting to help improve out planet. All it takes is one step in helping combat global warming and for me it is using reusable beverage containers. It really is a win-win situation for the both of us.

For more info about People Towels and what they do please visit their website: http://www.peopletowels.com/.

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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Ah, Halloween. Perhaps one of America’s favorite holidays out of all the holidays. What with candies and dressing up in practically anything you want, America’s fascination with Halloween dates back centuries and entices not only children, but adults as well.

Besides decorating the house, finding the right costume, and loading up on tons of treats, Halloween can be both fun and dangerous. It’s not always easy trying to find the right balance between letting your kids go crazy during Halloween and keeping them safe from all the crazy stuff that’s out there. But we as parents need to be extra diligent during Halloween and remember key facts in helping our kids have fun on this day while staying safe. I love Halloween and I think it’s the perfect time to scare your little kiddos because really, any other time might just seem a little cruel. After all, Halloween derived from All Hallows’ Eve an ancient tradition practiced many many years ago. While back in those days Halloween may not have been as fun as today, for the past few decades people have taken liberties with how Halloween is truly celebrated. Wearing costumes, carving pumpkins, and handing out treats still stems from its origins but now we can really go all out in how we want to dress or decorate our houses. You may even find people decorating their cars with Halloween ornaments and some go even beyond that in dressing up their pets. And then there are horror stories of people cruelly killing or harming black cats during this holiday. For others, it’s an excuse to indulge on all the sweets that you can handle.

Whether or not you celebrate this unique holiday, there are a few things to remember in keeping our kids safe. Compiled below is a list from both experts and parents and I hope we can all have a very safe and enjoyable time on Halloween.

Halloween Safety Tips:

Costumes: 

You can either DIY costumes for Halloween or buy them from stores. To really help your kiddos stay healthy and create less toxins for the environment, try not to purchase flame-retardant clothing or those made with PVC. DIY costumes can be made with safer materials including paper, old bed sheets, paper bags, and anything that can easily recycled.

For younger kids, have them wear costumes that stand out from the crowd in case they do get lost in the crowd. Bright colors work well but if a certain costume doesn’t include them, place reflective tape on areas of the costume for better visability.

Don’t let your kids have harmful props with their costumes. They may just accidentally hurt themselves, or worse, others.

Treats:

Try to hand out healthier treats to kids such as all natural dried fruits, baked chips, or fun, non-toxic toys. I like giving kids Halloween themed school supplies such as pencils and erasers.

Keep in mind that with so many food sensitivities nowadays, we really have to be careful what we hand out as treats. Of course a good parent will always sort through their kid’s Halloween bags but it’s useful to keep in mind that peanuts can be a major choking and allergy ingredient.

To save money, do not buy in excess. If you buy sweet treats, the extras leftover will inadvertently end up getting eaten by your kids later on.

Decorations:

Make sure all lighting and electrical cords are UL labeled safe. Check old light decorations to make sure they are still working before hanging them up.

Try to create lighting for the trick-or-treaters that come to your home. Jack-O-Lanterns are a great decoration as well as provide better illumination on the front porch and stairs.

Try to buy hazard-free decorations. With stores readily displaying and selling Halloween decorations, it may be tempting to buy everything that you see. However, many decorations create dangerous situations for both adults, kids, and pets.

Below are some links to fun Halloween ideas for everyone to enjoy.

Disney: https://d23.com/all-treats-no-tricks-halloween-at-disney-parks-and-resorts

Disney Halloween Crafts: http://family.disney.com/articles/a-spooky-diy-halloween-guide

Martha Stewart: http://www.marthastewart.com/

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm

As a busy mom of these days I try to keep a good balance in life. Of course that can be quite daunting at times with volunteering at my son’s school, writing full time, and maintaining a household so I try to find things to help make my life and my family’s life a bit smoother. Easier said than done sometimes but it’s the only way to keep me sane.

As an official blogger for Fresh Family brands I’m teaming up with some great brands and bloggers to share some of my favorite laundry hacks, plus a chance to win a Little Laundry Lifehacks Giveaway (including a $150 Walmart gift card.) Presenting the “Four Fabulous Laundry Hacks” that could help us with life’s messiest and busiest moments. Read on below to get the tips and be sure to click on the links to enter the giveaway.

Contest is on the sponsor’s website and is no way connected to Happymomblogger.

Click these links to take you to the giveaway sites. Be sure to earn extra entries when you click on the Happymomblogger entry. Giveaway ends on October 2, 2015.

https://promosimple.com/ps/8229

http://www.downywrinklereleaserplus.com/little-laundry-life-hacks-giveaway/

Four Fabulous Laundry Hacks

1. Sick of ironing? Put your iron away and use Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus instead. Just spray, smooth and tug and watch those wrinkles disappear! Click here to download a coupon.

2. Have a stain while you’re out and about? Use the Dreft Stain Stick to remove the stain ASAP. Click here to download a coupon.

3. Keep forgetting those wet towels in the wash? Febreze In-Wash Odor Eliminator to the rescue. Add some to your next load of laundry, and #SinktheStink. Click here to download a coupon.

Image courtesy of Kids Activities Blog.

4. Trying to get your clothes as soft as possible – and don’t have an HE washer? Don’t forget about the Downy Ball! Click here to download a coupon.

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form.

As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products. Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume. http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm