Category: Uncategorized

With kids off to school this year, some of us are still trying to decide what to pack for their lunches, what to make for dinner, and how to connect at the end of the day as a family. For those who are first-time students, meeting your teacher, making new friends, and learning new lessons can be quite daunting. My son started kindergarten this year and I think I was more nervous than him – which was probably a good thing. But I still want to send him off to school each day with a healthy snack, a good attitude, and lots of love. And one of the most important things is trying to keep him away from those nasty flu or cold bugs that are bound to bounce around in school.

As a mom and advocate for living a healthier lifestyle- whether through exercise, eating the right foods, and making healthy and safe choices for my family and home- it’s important for me to find good products that help us rather than hinder us. Kids especially are susceptible to anything that can invade their precious bodies so as parents we have to do our best to ensure they still as healthy and happy as possible. In order to do that, we have to make the right choices when it comes to feeding our children and the things we buy for them.

Below I’ve compiled a list of natural, organic, and environmentally-friendly products that you’d use every day. They have been kid and adult tested for taste and effectiveness. They can all be found in natural grocery stores, major supermarkets, and anywhere that sells natural and safe products.

Food Products:

18 Rabbits (http://www.18rabbits.com/) – makes organic and natural granola bars fit for both kids and adults. I love the fact that they make their bars from scratch with local ingredients and do not contain anything artificial. They are not overly sweet and some are chewy and some are crunchy. Great for kids lunch boxes or on the go somewhere.

Envirokidz/Natures Path (http://us.naturespath.com/) – wholesome organic and natural foods ranging from cereal to granola bars to toaster pastries. I love the fact that they have a line dedicated to kids only (Envirokidz) with adorable packaging that also benefits the environment.

Bare Fruit (http://www.baresnacks.com/_ – all natural and organic dried fruits chips. You really can’t find any other better premium dried fruit chips unless you make them yourself.  No sugar added, just simple and natural sweetness from the goodness of real fruit.

Happy Family Brands ( http://happyfamilybrands.com/) – natural and organic food for kids. They make delicious snacks and food for infants to older kids. If you have really finicky eaters, you must give Happy Family/Happy Baby a try – you’re bound to find something that they’ll like.

Hail Merry (http://www.hailmerry.com/) – natural and organic “raw” foods that tastes clean and pure. You’ll feel enlightened and lighter after eating their yummy macaroons or miracle tarts.

Beanitos (http://beanitos.com/) – natural and nutritious chips made from the wholesome goodness of non-GMO beans. You’ll never go back to regular potato chips again after tasting Beanitos. They are so light and airy and great for practically any time of the day.

Annie’s Homegrown (http://www.annies.com/) – designed for kids in mind, this company indulges children’s finicky taste buds with yummy snacks such as Cheddar Bunnies, Pizzas, and the never-failing Macaroni and Cheese (but without the artificial colors).

Honest Kids (http://www.honesttea.com/kids/) – no sugar added beverages for kids (and adults!). They are lower in sugar than other juices for kids and grape juice is used as the main sweetener. Truly refreshing and delicious and great when frozen too.

Household Products:

Preserve (http://www.preserveproducts.com/) – recyclable food containers made without BPA and comes in a variety of products. The adorable shaped containers resemble apples and they make everything from food containers to toothbrushes to plates. Although it says their products are dishwasher safe, I wouldn’t recommend washing them in hot water in the dishwasher. I usually hand wash the lids just to prevent any warping. They are also part of the Gimme 5 program which turns all recyclable materials into reusable products.

Kids Konserve (http://kidskonserve.com/) – BPA free products that are designed for every day home use as well as on-the-go. They make everything from lunch bags to stainless steel containers to napkins. They also come in colorful designs that are great for both kids and adults, boys and girls.

Lunchskins (http://www.lunchskins.com/) – truly unique sandwich bags made without BPA and phthalates and easily washable. They come in an assortment of fun colors and designs and sizes suitable for snacks, sandwiches, and larger totes. I use them all the time to put my son’s snacks in them and when we’re traveling and because they are easy to wipe clean, you don’t have to worry about storing bags with leftover food smells either.

Full Circle ( http://www.fullcirclehome.com/) – this brand is truly innovative in their products for everyday usage. You can find products for the home, for the car, and for personal uses. I absolutely love their Glass Beverage Bottle as it is made with a patented design to prevent breakage if dropped. They come in adorable colors and are great for school, work, or just for running errands. Full Circle products are made from sustainable bamboo and are BPA-free.

Seventh Generation (http://www.seventhgeneration.com/) – with a comprehensive assortment of products made from naturally-derived ingredients, you’ll find everything from dishwashing detergent to laundry detergent to baby wipes.

Dapple (http://dapplebaby.com/) – formulated to be safe for kids, their products range from toy wipes (although you can use it on other surfaces), dishwashing detergents, to detergents.

Health Products:

Boiron (http://www.boiron.com/) – homeopathic medication for kids and adults. They use safe, herbal ingredients that are formulated to be used everyday, several times a day.

Nordic Naturals (http://www.nordicnaturals.com/) – a wonderful assortment of supplements and vitamins for kids and adults. Their products range from kids multivitamins to DHA products to specialized supplements such as Vitamins D, vitamins for skin, hair, and eyes. They also make natural vitamins for pets.

Barleans (http://www.barleans.com/) – made with the best organic and natural oils, Barleans makes a great assortment of supplements for kids and adults. We love their Omega Swirl as it is truly the one product that kids will want to happily drink.

Yummi Bears (http://www.heronutritionals.com/) – part of the Hero Nutritionals company, Yummi Bears vitamins and supplements are specifically formulated for kids. My son loves their Yummi Bear Sugar-Free Multivitamin as they are naturally sweetened with Lohan fruit instead of sugar.

California Baby (http://www.californiababy.com/) – a comprehensive assortment of products for kids that comes in relaxing scents such as Lavender, and treatment products for eczema and diaper rash.

Episencial (http://www.episencial.com/) – made with high quality natural and organic ingredients, their products soothes and protects delicate skins. My son uses their Body Wash, Snuggly Lotion, and Nurturing Balm and they are all gentle and smell wonderful.

Cleanwell ( http://www.cleanwelltoday.com/) – using the power of thyme to clean and disinfect, this safe antibacterial product is a better choice for kids’ little hands. We love their Orange Vanilla scent as it reminds me of Orange Cream sherbet.

Dolphin Organics (http://dolphinorganics.com/) – natural and organic products that do not contain any artificial ingredients. They smell wonderful and are specially formulated for kids. I love their sunscreen (DO Naturals) as they are not at all greasy and stays on rather well.

Weleda (http://usa.weleda.com/) – made from the highest natural and organic ingredients, Weleda makes personal care products formulated for both kids and adults. With the comforting and healing powers of Calendula, I’ve been using their products on my son since he was an infant. Adult products include facial cleansers, moisturizers, and eye firming creams with natural ingredients such as wild rose, almonds, and pomegranates.

While there are many companies out there making products that are better for you and for the environment, it is always safer to test it first to make sure they are safe for you and your kids.

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

So we’re in the middle of October but we all know that the holidays are fast approaching. The one thing I dread the most is scrambling at the last minute to purchase holiday cards and personalized holiday gifts. Each year I tell myself to start ordering cards early and I’m actually getting better at doing that. I’m mostly grateful for Shutterfly though because each year they’ll send me emails to remind me to start ordering my personalized holiday cards early.

This year, why not make it easier on yourself and give Shutterfly a try? I’ve been using Shutterfly for many years now and I love their high quality prints and unique greeting cards. They are easy to make on their site and I’m always impressed at the professional-looking prints I receive. It makes me think – I actually took those wonderful looking photos?

Shutterfly’s 2013 holiday greeting cards include:

 5×7 folded tri fold & back of card designs

Classic: Traditional colors, iconic illustrations, aspirational sentiments, snowflakes, monogram

Contemporary: trend forward colors, texture and layering, water color techniques, shine, glitter, Instagram pictures are perfect for this style

Whimsy: humor and nostalgia meet, fun sentiments

Merry and Bright: all about color and having fun

Religious: metallic type treatments, incorporated story ideas

Photo Basics: multiple colors, vertical type, family name highlights

This year as I’m searching through Shutterfly’s (http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards) site, I found a few that really caught my interest. It took me several hours to look through their site and with so many choices, it helped that they’ve now included the ones you’ve looked at on the same page for quick reference.

This one above is adorable and classy with the black background and the intricate snowflakes.

This one makes me think about vacationing somewhere warm and away from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

I don’t have any pets but this is adorable for those who consider their pets as their “children”.

The beautiful filigree-looking design with the red background really speaks” holiday”.

Okay so the baby in the photo is adorable but that’s not why I like this design. It’s the gentle blend of green with white and red that’s just pleasing to the eyes.

So whether you’re looking for high-quality prints to make into holiday cards or personalized photo gifts from Shutterfly (http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts), you’ll definitely find something that’ll appeal to your taste.

The good folks at Shutterfly would like to give Happymomblogger’s readers a chance to try out their holiday collection. 1 LUCKY reader of Happymomblogger will win a $50 gift code (including FREE shipping) to use on their site. You can use the gift code to purchase holiday cards or gifts or anything you’d like. So how do you win this fabulous prize? The entries are easy, so read below to find out!

Here’s how to enter in the Shutterfly Holiday giveaway:

(Please note, the rules have changed slightly. Please read carefully before entering)

ENTRIES:

#1 entry – Visit Shutterfly’s Holiday cards landing page (http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards), select your favorite card and make a comment on your favorite card. You can choose as many cards as you want as long as you write a comment on that particular card. How do you make a comment? Select the card you like and click on the “Write a review” button to write your comments.

After you’ve made the comment, post a link of the comment page on this giveaway page (so I know you made the comment).

You can enter by giving me the link to your comments in the LEAVE A COMMENT box. Please be sure to give me your name and email address so that I may contact you if you win. Contest is open to residents of US only. 18 years and older please. Please be sure to provide a physical address and not a P.O. Box. Only 1 contestant per household please. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery of prize. Any violation of the rules will deem your entry as disqualified. Happymomblogger is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged prizes but will do the best to ensure your prize gets there. In  the event the winner can not be contacted within 3 days of email sent then another winner will be chosen. No purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law.

Contest Start Date: October 22, 2013

Contest End Date: October 26, 2013 – Congratulations to Jessica B. for winning the prize!

Only  1 winner will be chosen at random and I will post the winner’s name on my blog.

GOOD LUCK AND THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!

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

If you’re a nut fan, then you’ll be happy to hear that Nut Thins from the Blue Diamond (http://www.bluediamond.com/) brand has come out with a new and exciting form of chip-like crackers called Artisan Nut Thins. As the leading brand of Almond growers, Blue Diamond knows a thing or two of making delicious and healthy nut snacks that will suit most anyone of any age.

I’ve grown up eating most nuts because of their nutritional value and simply because of their great taste! While many young children are not accustomed to the taste and texture of nuts, you can easily give them the powerful nutrition of nuts in different forms. Things like nut chips, nut crackers, almond butters, and so forth will still provide the healthy benefits of nuts but in an easier to eat form.

The great thing about Blue Diamond’s Artisan Nut Thins is that they are smaller in size and they are really light and crispy. The one thing I don’t like about crackers is if they are too hard or too thick. With the Artisan Nut Thins, you get a nice thin and airy crunch each time. And the fact that they come in delicious flavors like Multi Seeds Nut Thins, Flax Seeds Nut Thins, and Sesame Seeds Nut Thins makes choosing the perfect cracker for the perfect occasion. Whether you’re eating them as they are, with a dip or spread, or crumbled up as a topping, these three new flavors are all delicately flavored and seasoned.

Blue Diamond’s Artisan Nut Thins (http://www.bluediamond.com/index.cfm?navid=677) are Blue Diamond’s new lineup of crackers made solely from brown rice, almonds, and seeds along with other natural flavors. They are gluten-free so they’re great for those that avoid gluten products and they all provide the super healthy benefits of nuts and seeds. Like all other Blue Diamond products, their Artisan Nut Thins are made with almonds grown exclusively in California and have strict quality and food standards to ensure clean, natural, and healthy nut products. I’ve enjoyed Blue Diamond’s products for many years and still recall getting a canister of their signature almonds when I was a child.

As a Naturally Savvy Blogger (www.naturallysavvy.com), I was given the unique opportunity to try Blue Diamond’s Artisan Nut Thins and I’m so glad that I was able to try all three flavors. I would have to say that my favorite is the Sesame Seeds because I love the sesame seeds lightly sprinkled throughout the crackers. We had made some delicious hummus to enjoy with our crackers and what a wonderful combination! I’m sure we’ll try other ways of enjoying these nut thins since they are very light in flavor so they’re easy to eat them with something else.

If you’re interested in trying a new form of crackers that are good for you and if you’re trying to avoid gluten, then give Blue DIamond’s Artisan Nut Thins a try. They can be found in most natural grocery stores as well as major supermarkets.

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.

With school starting soon for many kids in this country, parents are scrambling trying to buy school supplies, choosing the right clothes, and deciding what to pack for their kids lunches. It’s easy to just pick up whatever is offered in the grocery stores because well, they are really convenient. And while some of us may have grown up eating the conventional snacks or food every day, most of us are also aware of the dangers of eating unhealthy foods on a regular basis. Especially for kids and their growing bodies and brains.

Being a parent is tough enough without having to guess at the foods that if offered to us nowadays. And while convenience wins out on purchases most of the time, in reality, all we have to do is take a bit more time to research on the type of foods that are better for our children. If you shop in natural grocery stores, major chain stores like Target or Walmart, and supermarkets, you already see some of the popular natural and organic foods that are sold at those venues. And it’s a good thing that natural and more wholesome foods are readily available for us.

So what if it’s your child’s first time entering school this year? There are already anxieties from both sides and we want to ease those fears and trepidation with the right lunch or snack for our kids. In fact, feeding your child healthier versions of snacks and food actually helps them learn better and have better moods. We all know that if they’re grumpy in school, it’s going to be a tough day for them and the people they are at school with. Avoiding unhealthy ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup and artificial colors and preservatives help maintain the natural balance in your child’s body. They feel better in the long run and so do you when they are their usual smiling and happy selves.

The publisher of “Label Lessons”, a series of in-depth and useful books on a comparison of healthy foods and their unhealthy counterparts, have come out with a new book called, “Label Lessons: Unjunk Your Kid’s Lunch Box”. Similar to their other Label Lessons books, the Unjunk Your Kid’s Lunch Box has information, news, and ideas for healthier food options for your children. And as always the book is illustrated and well written with facts and information that you really can’t just get anywhere else without doing your own extensive research. I love reading all the Label Lessons books because they are handy guides for when you do your grocery shopping.

While Unjunk Your Kid’s Lunch Box is a shorter version of their other books, you do still get insights of what conventional foods contain as compared to healthier versions. And although this book doesn’t list all of the possible food companies out there, you do get an idea of the most popular food choices for kids in the natural and organic categories. One of the highlights of the book is the “Scary Seven” which is a comprehensive list of the most hazardous ingredients found in most conventional foods today. Ingredients such as High Fructose Corn Syrup, Trans Fat, and artificial preservatives are among the things we need to avoid on a daily basis. Kids are especially susceptible to these kind of ingredients since their bodies are readily growing and developing. Teaching our kids to eat healthy begins with what we offer them at home.

I’ve been a long time advocate of healthy eating and living and trying to teach my son the good habits at an early age and converting my husband isn’t always a fun job. As parents, we should learn from our past mistakes and trust our own instincts. Often it’s too easy to succumb to the world of “others” – whatever someone else is doing should be okay too, right? Well, that all depends on how you want to live your life and raise your kids. The best options out there are to do your own research and understand that healthy eating comes from early childhood. So don’t be afraid to step out of the norm and give your kids healthier snacks and food options.

For a free download of the book, “Label Lessons: Unjunk Your Kid’s Lunch Box”, please download it here: : http://naturallysavvy.com/labellessons2

Good luck and have fun preparing your kids for school this year!

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

It’s easy to pick up a paper towel, dry your hands with it and then throw it away. But did you ever wonder how all those paper towels can affect the environment? Living in the United States gives us the opportunity to use whatever is convenient, but it’s also that convenience that makes us forget about all the waste that’s produced from it. We as individuals can make a change in helping the environment, prevent the so called “global warming” and help the world make less waste.

People Towels (https://www.peopletowels.com/), a company dedicated in making 100% certified organic Fair Trade cotton towels helps with our choices in reducing, reusing, and reinventing the common household towel. With People Towels, they are easily washable and easy to tuck into a purse, pocket or backpack. In fact, People Towels are an ideal size for almost anything you would use a towel and paper towel for. They are great to keep in bathrooms, in kitchens, and to carry around you whenever you need a personal towel. They help keep your hands clean and help prevent extra usage of paper towels. In fact, having your own hand towel also helps prevent germs from spreading with dirty paper towels or towels you share with others.

People Towels was invented as an idea taken from the Japanese nation where reusable towels are common practice. To prevent overuse of paper towels or napkins, People Towels are indeed a great personal towel that you can keep virtually anywhere. All of People Towels are made with ethically sourced organic cotton and printed with eco-friendly dyes. They are also partners with many environmental and social companies and movements including 1% For the Planet, The Breast Cancer Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and a few others.  With such a promising company and product that’s environmentally and socially responsible, you really can’t go wrong with trying People Towels towels. In fact, I keep several of them in the house and some I have given away to friends and family so that they can also reap the benefits of their own personal hand towels.

With People Towels you don’t have to worry about not having anything on hand to wipe your hands or face, or especially when public restrooms are out of paper towels to dry with. In a convenient 9×9″ size, you can literally tuck a towel anywhere you see fit. Although I would love to have bigger sizes for other uses, People Towels is working on making different sizes in the future. You can also find People Towels at certain natural grocery stores and specialty stores throughout the US and parts of Canada. They are easy to spot because of their colorful and unique designs and can also be purchased on their website.

What’s really fun about People Towels is the ability to design your own towel to personalize them if you want. You can put your own photos on the towels or whatever you think might look good on a hand towel. They make excellent gifts for practically anyone and if everyone uses their own People Towel’s hand towel, think of all the trees we would save! People Towels are suitable for students, travelers, co-workers, and virtually anyone who could use something that’s helpful, convenient, and personable. I think they also make fun gifts for birthday parties, weddings, and anywhere you might want to give a party favor for your guests. Your guests will think it’s such an innovative present that they’ll want to get more for themselves!

What I like about People Towels is that they become really soft after a few washes. But because they are made with organic cotton, they will shrink quite a bit which is something that isn’t too big of a deal but can hinder the usage. But they are the right size for drying your hands or your face or to wipe down something that you would normally use a paper towel for. They are easily washable, doesn’t wrinkle, and are quite cute looking.

As an official People Towels Ambassador, I was given the unique opportunity to try their organic cotton towels. And they have also kindly offered 1 LUCKY reader of Happymomblogger the opportunity to win a 3-pack towel set of their very own. If you have kids in school, these would make wonderful gifts for them. They are convenient, easy to use, and ultra stylish!

So how do you win this great prize? Read below to find out:

Here’s how to enter in the People Towels giveaway:

(Please note, the rules have changed slightly. Please read carefully before entering)

ENTRIES:

#1 entry – “Like” People Towels on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peopletowels?ref=ts and write on their wall that you are entering the contest at Happymomblogger: http://www.happymomblogger.wordpress.com/. Please put Happymomblogger as the heading.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

#2 entry – Become a follower: http://twitter.com/#!/happymomblogger and “Tweet” me @happymomblogger that you are entering the People Towels giveaway. Become a follower of People Towels: https://twitter.com/peopletowels and “Tweet” that you are entering the People Towels contest at Happymomblogger.

#3 entry – Subscribe to my Blog.

#4 entry – Tell me what you would use People Towels for.

#5 entry – Vote for me at Top Mommy Blogs using the link provided below.

You can enter by telling me the 5 entries in the LEAVE A COMMENT box. Please be sure to give me your name and email address so that I may contact you if you win. Contest is open to residents of US only. 18 years and older please. Please be sure to provide a physical address and not a P.O. Box. Only 1 contestant per household please. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery of prize. Any violation of the rules will deem your entry as disqualified. Happymomblogger is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged prizes but will do the best to ensure your prize gets there. In  the event the winner can not be contacted within 3 days of email sent then another winner will be chosen. No purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law.

Contest Start Date: August 16, 2013

Contest End Date: August 30, 2013 – CONTEST CLOSED. WINNER WILL BE SELECTED.

Only  1 winner will be chosen at random and I will post the winner’s name on my blog.

GOOD LUCK AND THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!

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

Cleaning can be such a pain sometimes but we still have to do it if we don’t want to jeopardize our health. But what if the products that you’re using to clean your house can cause more damage than good? With so many conventional cleaners out on the market today, our heads can spin wondering which household product will clean that nasty food stain off the kitchen counter while doing it in a safe way. If you were to take a look at the household cleaning shelf at any grocery store, you’d probably find several aisles dedicated to them.

While conventional cleaning products can do the job well enough, I don’t like the idea that I’m readily breathing in toxic fumes and that my son has to breathe them as well. Scents linger in the air and on surfaces and can easily permeate that delicate olfactory sense of ours. Our body reacts unnaturally to the toxic fumes and health issues can arise. So for me, it’s safer to use safe and non-toxic cleaners in our home. And while you can make your own effective cleaning products at home, it’s also easier to purchase them without wondering how much to add or remove from your own concoctions.

When I discovered a fairly new company called Eco-Me (http://www.eco-me.com/), I was impressed at the ingredients they use in their cleaning products. With only naturally-derived ingredients in their cleaning products, it’s a safe bet to assume that there are no toxic fumes or toxic residuals lingering dangerously around. In fact, Eco-Me products are made with base ingredients that you would recognize as natural and safer than the conventional cleaning products you’d find elsewhere. Their All Purpose Cleaner is made with vinegar as the main ingredient and we all know that vinegar does a stellar job at disinfecting.

Eco-Me was founded on a personal need when a health issue caused one of the founders to develop cleaning products that are not potentially hazardous to the health and to the environment. A comprehensive lineup was then produced for the home and later natural pet cleaning products were added to their inventory. All of Eco-Me products do not contain any petro-chemicals, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, parabens, colorants, and harmful preservatives. They also use plant-based essential oils that are added to their products for a delightful and freshly cleaned scent. I really like their all-purpose cleaner since it really does a superb job cleaning almost anything! We use it mainly to clean our kitchen because of the subtle vinegar aroma and it almost always does its job every time.

Eco-Me currently has a complete lineup of household cleaning products which includes the All Purpose Cleaner, Dish Soap, Floor Soap, Laundry Detergent, Stainless Steel Cleaner, Wood Polish Cleaner, Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Scrub Cleanser, Carpet Refreshener, Air Fresheners, and Hand Soaps. Their pet products include Dog Shampoo, Conditioner, Detangler, Clean Spray, and Dry Shampoo. Their pet products are also made with natural and non-toxic ingredients so your pets can be cleaned safely too. I do love a company that offers a comprehensive line of products so you don’t have to mix a bunch of different companies to get your house spotless.

With Eco-Me making such conscientious products for people and animals, it’s no wonder that they have become quite popular throughout the years and can be found at most natural grocery stores. They follow strict guidelines according to the Natural Products Association and all of their products have not been tested on animals and are considered vegan (meaning no animal by-products are used.) Considering all the harmful cleaning products that are available out in the markets these days, we have to be conscious of what we buy and what we use that can end up in landfills, cause pollution, and use up precious resources without giving back. And because Eco-Me products are packaged in recyclable materials, you can easily recycle them or reuse them as well.

With a desire to eliminate all toxic cleaning products in our home, I’ve come to appreciate companies who are dedicated in making products that are easy to use, safe for people and the environment, and fairly priced. It’s easy to pick up a cheaper version of cleaning products at the local grocery store, but with inferior ingredients come with superior ill side effects. We may not all be able to afford natural cleaning products and besides making them on your own, it’s good to find a company that helps us on that step. And if you have little kids in the house, their immune system is so delicate that why would you use anything that can potentially harm their health in the long run?

The good folks at Eco-Me had wanted me to try some of their products so I chose their All Purpose Cleaner and Dish Soap. The All Purpose Cleaner has vinegar as the main ingredient and although you do smell that scent immediately, I was impressed at how quickly and efficiently it cleaned up what I needed to clean. My husband liked using it on our tiled floors and he remarked the first time using it at how it never left a streak and it cleaned the floor “better than the other stuff”. We also use it on our bathroom windows and yup – no streaks whatsoever! The Dish Soap had an enticing lemony-fresh scent and it soaped up incredibly well. I liked it so much that I started using it wash my hands.

Since Eco-Me knows that my readers are just as conscientious about their health and their family’s health, they have kindly offered 1 LUCKY reader of Happymomblogger the opportunity to win their All Purpose Cleaner. As I mentioned above, their All Purpose Cleaner really does clean practically anything and leaves your house smelling unconditionally clean. If you’re familiar with the use of vinegar as a cleaning agent, then you’ll really enjoy using Eco-Me’s All Purpose Cleaner. So how do you win this awesome prize? Read below to find out!

Here’s how to enter in the Eco-Me giveaway:

(Please note, the rules have changed slightly. Please read carefully before entering)

ENTRIES:

#1 entry – “Like” Eco-Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EcoMeNaturalProducts and write on their wall that you are entering the contest at Happymomblogger: http://www.happymomblogger.wordpress.com/. Please put Happymomblogger as the heading.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

#2 entry – Become a follower: http://twitter.com/#!/happymomblogger and “Tweet” me @happymomblogger that you are entering the Eco-Me giveaway. Become a follower of Eco-Me: https://twitter.com/eco_me and “Tweet” that you are entering the Eco-Me contest at Happymomblogger.

#3 entry – Subscribe to my Blog.

#4 entry – Tell me which product you would like to try.

#5 entry – Vote for me at Top Mommy Blogs using the link provided below.

You can enter by telling me the 5 entries in the LEAVE A COMMENT box. Please be sure to give me your name and email address so that I may contact you if you win. Contest is open to residents of US only. 18 years and older please. Please be sure to provide a physical address and not a P.O. Box. Only 1 contestant per household please. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery of prize. Any violation of the rules will deem your entry as disqualified. Happymomblogger is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged prizes but will do the best to ensure your prize gets there. In  the event the winner can not be contacted within 3 days of email sent then another winner will be chosen. No purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibed by law.

Contest Start Date: August 16, 2013

Contest End Date: August 30, 2013 – CONTEST CLOSED. WINNER WILL BE SELECTED.

Only 1 winner will be chosen at random and I will post the winner’s name on my blog.

GOOD LUCK AND THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!

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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