Eco Lips – Products worth reviewing and GIVEAWAY

I’m always on the lookout for naturally-made beauty products  from companies I’ve never tried before. Ofcourse, trying new products can be both exciting and a bit tentative at the same time. I don’t know if the product will work, how well it will work and then are there going to be any side effects. But usually when one chooses to try products from companies who uses only natural ingredients and certified organic ingredients it’s pretty safe to assume that their products are harmless to the average person. And if you take the time to delve into the company’s history and standards, then you can decide whether it’s safe to try a new product or not.

Luckily, I discovered Eco Lips, a company that produces only organic and all-natural lip products that are safe for people and for the environment. When I was looking around for a new lip balm to try, I found Eco Lips in my friend’s natural food store and when I read the ingredients I was amazed and relieved. Their lip balms contain very little ingredients which is always a good sign and they use only ingredients essential to the product. Their lip products are made with certified organic and natural ingredients derived from plants and contains no preservatives or toxic chemicals that can seep into your skin. Their base ingredients are organic jojoba oil and organic beeswax and most of them contain added vitamins to help nourish and protect your lips.

Personally, I think Eco Lips make great gifts for people who are constantly in the sun or water or who has very chapped and dry lips. They are in nicely-sized tubes and can fit well in pockets, purses, and backpacks. They also provide Eco Clips which are simply clips that are carabiners, Eco Leashes, Eco Key Rings, and Eco Lanyards – all of which are convenient for whatever situation. I had bought a few to give away to my nieces and they were instantly hooked on the lip balms! Their packaging are also attractive and eye-catching.

Eco Lips also has a division called “Cause Balms” http://www.ecolips.com/CauseBalm/ where they donate a portion of their profits to non-profit organizations. But actually, if you purchase lip balms from Eco Lips you’re already helping yourself and the environment by purchasing and using products that do not contain harmful ingredients. With so many lip care products out there, it can get pretty daunting to decide which one is right for you. I personally needed an effective lip balm to heal my dry lips and to wear under my lipsticks on days when I need a bit of color on my lips. And if I’m going to be using something that goes directly onto my skin, why wouldn’t I chose a product that is safe and effective? Their lip products do not contain artificial colors or flavors and even their tinted lip balms contain only natural minerals derived from the earth. With so many types of lip products to choose from, one can’t really go wrong in selecting Eco Lips.

So what types of lip care products does Eco Lips carry? Well, besides the basic all-around lip balm for everyday use, they also have lip balms with SPF (sun protection), Vegan lip balms, fruit-based lip balms, medicinal lip balms, tinted lip balms, and even lip balms co-branded with companies like Honest Kids and Dagoba Chocolates. There really is a lip balm for every person – adult and child!

Eco Lips began with a humble background – a young couple brought together by the love of natural lip balms who fell in love and eventually created a company that sells natural and organic lip products. I honestly believe that smaller companies try harder to produce better products because their origins are usually based from humble and modest dreams. Their sincerity in providing their consumers with quality products can only eventually outshine the bigger conglomerates out there.

Eco Lips was kind enough to give me some of their best sellers to sample and review. They are also offering one LUCKY reader an Eco Clip with the flavor of their choice!

If you would like to win a VERY useful Eco Clip with the flavor of your choice, then here is what you’ll need to do:

How to enter in the Eco Lips products giveaway:

MANDATORY ENTRY:

#1 entry – “Like” Eco Lips on Facebook and write on their wall that you are entering the Eco Clips contest at www.happymomblogger.wordpress.com. Just put happymomblogger as the heading.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

#2 entry – Visit http://www.ecolips.com/ and tell me what other products you would like to try from Eco Lips.

#3 entry – Subscribe to my Blog.

#4 entry – Enter in my other contests.

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

You can enter as many times as you like but you MUST enter in the Mandatory entry to qualify. The more you enter, the more chances your name will be drawn.  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.

Contest Start Date: February 1, 2011

Contest End Date: February 13, 2011 (CONTEST CLOSED – WINNER WILL BE SELECTED)

Congratulations to Jordi N. for winning an EcoClip courtesy of Eco Lips!

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

Popchips – Products worth reviewing and GIVEAWAY

Has anyone ever told you not to “pop until you drop”? Well, in the case of Popchips, perhaps it’s okay to pop until you “drop” :).

If you’ve never tried Popchips before, then you’re missing out on some really unique and great tasting chips! Popchips are not chips in the traditional sense of being fried or baked. Popchips are “popped” in the sense that potato flakes and potato starch are blended together and then with a lot of heat and pressure, BAM!, Popchips are created. Popchips uses only all-natural ingredients and they are natural goodness with little amount of fat. A single serve bag has about 100 calories and 3 grams of fat.  So they’re great for those who are on the 100-calories snack diet.

Popchips was founded by 2 creative “poptimist” geniuses who wanted a healthier alternative to the popular American snack. Although Popchips is still a processed food, it is labeled as a healthier alternative to fried chips because it isn’t fried and very little amount of oil is used.  They also use non-genetically-modified (GMO) potatoes and their chips are free of preservatives and artificial flavors and colors. That’s why they’re considered all-natural, because they don’t add any junk that nature didn’t provide.

My son, my husband, and I all love Popchips. They truly have a unique taste unlike any other chips out on the market. Because they’re not fried, they’re not greasy and because they’re not baked, they’re not as dry-tasting. Popchips has a slight melt-in-your-mouth sensation after you place a delicate chip in your mouth. Popchips currently comes in seven flavors: original, barbeque, sour cream and onion, cheddar, sea salt and vinegar, parmesan garlic, and salt and pepper. Each flavor has a unique blend of ingredients and they come in single serve 1 oz. bags or larger 3 oz. bags.

For me, Popchips are a great in-between meal snack; as a side with a meal; or eaten alone as a meal. Although I really wouldn’t recommend eating a whole bag as your dinner. It might be hard not to munch off the entire bag though, but with all-natural ingredients, and low in fat content, you really can’t go wrong with these chips. I usually enjoy my Popchips with a refreshing glass of water or some ice cold juice. Popchips are also great with your favorite dip but I really enjoy them just as they are – so that I can truly savor the delicate moistness of the chip and the intense flavor that “pops” in my mouth.

I was fortunate enough to try a selection of Popchips for the giveaway. Imagine my excitement when I received the package and tore open the box! My son who is just as wild about me getting packages at the front door, oohed and aahed when he saw the bags of Popchips. The flavors that I tried are Original, Barbeque, Sour Cream and Onion, Cheddar, and Sea Salt and Vinegar.

The Original flavor is basically just their original flavor with nothing else added. The original is one of my favorite flavor because I can definitely taste the uniqueness of the chips. The Barbeque flavor has a really spicy kick to it and a bit of sweetness to smooth it out. I really like this flavor too because it’s like a fiery dragon meeting a little bee (okay just picture the image in your mind and you’ll understand). The Sour Cream and Onion has a potent amount of creamy onion taste and just a bit tart to the bite. Cheddar really needs no explanation at all – it’s packed with an immense amount of natural cheese in every part of the chip so this is great for cheese lovers. And the Sea Salt and Vinegar isn’t as strong as some other sea salt and vinegar chips that are out on the market. It’s a bit savory in the initial bite and then the tang of vinegar lingers on your tongue. Plus sea salt is a whole lot healthier than processed salt.

When it comes to choosing a flavor of Popchips you really can’t go wrong with any of them. I like all of the flavors to be honest and any flavor placed in front of me will satisfy my craving for something savory, sweet, and tangy. The snack sizes are great for lunch bags (for both adults and kids) and the larger sizes work well at parties or for an afternoon break while watching TV. Just make sure each of you have your own bag 🙂

Popchips is based in northern California and they own every part of the process – from selecting the potatoes, to cooking them, to packaging. So it’s a wonderful little company that’s soon spreading its own news. You can find Popchips at major supermarkets, health food stores, and even at Target and some Costco warehouses. The staff at Popchips are tremendously helpful and “poptimistic” and they all seem to really enjoy working there. So that tells me that a company who cares about their employees and their consumers is a really good company to keep in mind and support.

For more information about Popchips, please visit their website: www.popchips.com. You can also order their chips at their online store.

And here comes the giveaway part. One LUCKY winner will receive a month’s worth of “chipment” (as they like to call it at the Popchips headquarter). The winner will get an assortment of flavors so that he/she can really enjoy the variety that Popchips has to offer.

Here is how to enter:

MANDATORY ENTRY:

#1 entry – “Like” Popchips on Facebook and post on their wall that you are entering the giveaway at www.happymomblogger.wordpress.com. Please put Happymomblogger in the heading.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

#2 entry – Go to Popchips website: http://www.popchips.com/ and click on “the snackers credo” tab and tell me one of  the company’s credo.

#3 entry – Subscribe to my Blog.

#4 entry – Enter in my other contests.

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

You can enter as many times as you like but you MUST enter in the Mandatory entry to qualify. The more you enter, the more chances your name will be drawn.  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.

Contest Start Date: February 1, 2011

Contest End Date: February 13, 2011 (CONTEST CLOSED – WINNER WILL BE SELECTED)

Congratulations to Stacey K. for winning a month’s supply of Popchips courtesy of Popchips!

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

Seventh Generation – Products worth reviewing and GIVEAWAY

From the Great Law of the Iroquois: “In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.” Seventh Generation firmly believes in this philosophy and hence derived their company name from this principle.   In every action that they make, Seventh Generation takes responsibility in all aspects of the business – from their non-toxic products to their 100% recycled paper products to their recycled and recyclable packaging. Their mission is, “To inspire a more conscious and sustainable world by being an authentic force for positive change”. The 20-some years company consider themselves to be the first socially-responsible company in the world and takes considerate measures to ensure that they not only uphold their responsibility to the planet, but that their suppliers, partners, shareholders, staff, and the public will do the same. Every Seventh Generation product that you purchase and use will help save natural resources, reduce pollution, and keep harmful toxic chemicals out of the environment.

Many of you may have already heard of Seventh Generation or even have a few products of theirs in your home. Some of you may not and if you’re interested in wanting to keep your home and your health as clean and toxic free as possible, then Seventh Generation products are a fantastic way to do that. My family and I have been using their products for many years and even before my son was born. When I choose a product to clean my home or to wash the dishes or launder my clothes, I take great care in choosing products that do not produce harmful fumes or residues that may be breathed in or set into my clothes. I’m also a big label reader and when I first discovered Seventh Generation products at the store, I saw that their packaging was unique and their labels describe exactly what their products offer. I also delved more into the background of the company and was happy to know that they take such great pride in their products and that they also donate a portion of their profits to charity. They are a company that proudly stands in what they believe in as well as helping educate the public and the government in the importance of responsible consumer products.

So what does Seventh Generation sell – you may ask? They sell basically everything you can use to clean your home (or anything you call home) as well as chlorine-free baby care and feminine care products. All of their products are non-toxic and they use sustainable palm kernal oil and recyled packaging. They strive to put their products in recyclable bottles and uses only natural renewable resources. Their phosphate-free cleaning products will not harm the environment and they even have a Free and Clear line which contains no fragrances which is great for people with certain sensitivities.

But if you do choose their products that contain fragrances, know that Seventh Generation uses only essential oils derived from natural resources such as Lavender, Lime, Oranges, Peppermint, Spearmint, and so forth. And although some of their products do contain preservatives for shelf life reasons, it is used in minimal amounts and as much plant-based as possible.

Seventh Generation is a company that constantly strives to find innovative ways to protect the environment and their consumers with their ingredient choices. With so many products to choose from, you can definitely find something suitable to your needs. For more information about Seventh Generation, please visit their website: http://www.seventhgeneration.com/.

Seventh Generation generously offered me the Free and Clear Starter Set to try and to give away to one LUCKY reader! Although I do prefer my laundry detergent to smell nicely, the Free and Clear laundry detergent made my clothes smell nice and clean rather than “perfumed”. And the disinfecting products do contain Thymol(from Thyme oil). Although these are not considered free and clear, they are great for immune-depressed households or those with small children. The scent is essential oil – not synthetic – and dissipates quickly. The Free and Clear Set includes:

Disinfecting Multi Surface, Disinfecting Bathroom, Disinfecting Wipes (35 ct.), Laundry Detergent (Free and Clear 32 oz.), Liquid Fabric Softener (40 oz.), Dish Liquid, All-Purpose Cleaner, Auto Dish Pacs, Glass Cleaner, Natural Paper Towels (1 roll), Seventh Generation Recyled Bag

 

 How to enter in the Seventh Generation Free and Clear Starter Set Giveaway:

MANDATORY ENTRY:

#1 entry – Please tell me the reason you would use Free and Clear in your home.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

#2 entry – “Like” Seventh Generation on Facebook and write on their wall that you are entering the Free and Clear set giveaway at happymomblogger.wordpress.com. Just put Happymomblogger as the heading.

#3 entry – Subscribe to my Blog.

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

#5 entry – Enter in my other giveaways.

CONTEST START DATE: February 1, 2011

CONTEST END DATE: February 13, 2011 (CONTEST CLOSED – WINNER WILL BE SELECTED)

Congratulations to Daiva B. for winning the Free & Clear Starter Set courtesy of Seventh Generation!

You can enter as many times as you like but you MUST enter in the Mandatory entry to qualify. The more you enter, the more chances your name will be drawn.  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 winner will be chosen at random and I will post the winner’s name on my blog.

 

 

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

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 labels carefully before 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.

 

A Mother’s Advice

I never imagined being a mom can be both difficult and fun at the same time and it’s all because of a little boy – my little boy to be exact. Sure, I was a “mom” to many animals before but pets don’t talk back to you or give you opinions you didn’t know they had.

But I truly enjoy being a mom and it’s mostly because I’m learning and growing along with my son. Sometimes we’re a little silly, sometimes we’re a little strange, sometimes we’re trying to be serious, and sometimes we’re just crazy fools. And yet sometimes, I wonder if what I’m doing is the right way or the wrong way. It’s not easy being a mom, or even a child I suppose, and I often look in wonder and awe at the moms out there who have three, five, or even more kids. My mom has four kids, all of whom have their own kids, including yours truly. So whenever we go visit my parents, I glean a little bit of motherly advice from my mom.

On our previous visits to my parents house, my mom told me candidly that I should mother with patience and humility. Young children are like carbon paper – they will copy everything you do and say – so I should lead by example. At first I had thought that was a pretty tall order to make, but then as time go by and I watch my son and how we interact, I realized that this bubbly, energetic, and curious little boy does emulate me and I certainly need to be a good leader for him. When I get angry, I should be  calm and cool which in turn teaches him to handle stressful situations in a healthy manner. And on the other end, when I’m super excited about something, I shouldn’t act like a complete fool just because of something that’s overjoyed: we must learn not to go overboard.

My mom is a good leader by example. After all, she has had many years of experience as a mom and a grandmother and I still wonder how she maintains such patience and grace. I’ve learned from her (although through my own mistakes) that kids will inherently drive you crazy at the time when you need them to be good and that they’re really just curious and growing up – they’re not really trying to make you crazy. So at the times when I see her interact with my son, I realize that although his inquisitive nature makes him impatient at times, it’s when he’s talking or doing something with my mom that her calm and patient attitude towards him guides him to be a better listener. So maybe my mom is right after all – lead by example to your children and they’ll eventually outgrow whatever they need to outgrow. And when you look at it that way – this should be applied to adults as well and not only children. However, teaching adults to have patience is a different topic altogether.

I’m not patient by nature rather I’m patient by nurture (and there goes the nature by nurture theory). And you would think after all the years working at a preschool has really ripened by maturity status. But being patient and calm with other people’s children is very much different than with your own. Or maybe it’s not so different? As I reflect back to my preschool-teacher days, I realize that kids really are just kids after all. They don’t know what’s going on – they’re just following their intrinsic nature – and that is to learn and grow and absorb all they can around them. My nephews and nieces all go through their own stages just like every other child including my own and if I want to have a peace of mind, then I need to learn to embrace the bad behavior with the good. I think every parent raise their children with gritted teeth one time or another but we eventually learn from our own lessons as a parent. And hopefully one day I will teach my son the same advice that my mom has taught me.

The reason why I write this is because I have family members, friends, and collegues who are all parents and who I have all admired at one point or another. My brother has 4 kids but since he works all the time, the kids are pretty much raised by my sister-in-law and each time I wonder how she does it all. And she’s full of advice on how to raise children. It’s not easy being a mom but it becomes easier if you learn from your mistakes.

I am truly proud of my son who is super intelligent, sensitive, and inquisitive. After all, if he wasn’t so intelligent, sensitive, and inquisitive, I probably won’t be learning as much as a person and as a mom. His natural instincts to want to learn and observe has made me want to learn more as well. He marvels at every little thing that to a grownup may not be as exciting, yet when I look through his eyes, I can understand why he finds such amusement at the most unassuming things. I suppose pretty much every mom feels that way about their kids – that when their children glow with amazement at the simplest things, it’s what makes being a mom most worthwhile.

So sometimes I take my own mistakes with a grain of salt but if I want to learn from my mom and lead by example, then patience and humility really should go hand and hand. And hopefully one day, my son will dole out his own fatherly advice to his children and they’ll learn from his advice as well.

Weleda – Products worth reviewing and GIVEAWAY

There aren’t too many products to choose from when it  comes to natural baby care. There may be only a few mainstream brands out on the market but they don’t usually contain all-natural or organic ingredients in their baby care products. When it comes to caring for my son’s skin, it is important to me that I use only natural and organic skin care. Children’s little bodies are pretty sensitive and vulnerable and their skin can absorb pretty much anything put on it. This is one area that I don’t budge on – using natural products that do not contain toxic chemicals on my son’s skin is just as important as trying to feed him organic and wholesome foods.

I discovered Weleda not too long ago when I was trying to find a more natural bath and shampoo cleanser for my son. Since I’m a big label reader it was pretty easy for me to decide that Weleda is the right brand to buy. Their entire line of baby products is based on the Calendula plant which is known for its calming and soothing properties and in the case of Weleda products, only organic Calendula extracts are used in the baby care line. Other natural ingredients such as Sweet Almond Oil and Sesame Seed Oil are used as enhancements to help baby’s delicate skin feel soft and protected. The ingredients are pretty simple yet effective and both my son and I love the way they smell and feel. I’ve even used some of the Calendula Baby Cream on the dry areas of my face and it smoothed my skin instantly!

Weleda began over 80 years ago by two philosophers who believed that the human body’s incredible ability to heal itself can also be enhanced with natural products and ingredients. Hence, they created the world’s first Biodynamic® gardens to grow what they needed to create beauty products that are good for you and for the planet. Today, the  Biodynamic gardens have grown significantly and yields crops of incredible purity and potency all of which are used stringently in their products.  As the founder Dr. Steiner described, “each farm is a complete, self-sustaining organism. The soil is “alive,” and if kept in balance, has the ability to give life to healthy plants. Composting, fertilization and pest control is achieved using natural farm resources, and chemicals or growth hormones are strictly forbidden. Farmers are urged to study the natural rhythms of the sun, moon and planets to provide guidance on planting, crop rotation and harvesting”. For Weleda, cultivating beauty is an ongoing process and they are dedicated to preserve and protect the delicate balance between earth and people. For them, beauty does come from within and their products only help to enhance and cultivate the outer beauty as well.

I’m happy to learn that Weleda sources some of their ingredients from fair trade companies. Although they can pretty much supply all of the ingredients from their own farms, they still strongly believe in helping the economical and environmental growth of this planet by supporting farms and companies who upholds organic and ecological farming methods. Subsequently, their partnerships with these companies also help spread the importance of organic and natural farming techniques.

I was thrilled to receive several products from their baby care line to try and to give one LUCKY reader as a gift. The products that I received were the Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash, Calendula Baby Cream, and the Calendula Diaper Cream, all of which we will greatly appreciate during the winter months.

Calendula Diaper Cream – this diaper cream has a very thick consistency and is extremely easy to apply. When my son had a diaper rash before, I applied this cream on the affected areas and it helped alleviate his rash and the pain associated with it. And it smells wonderful ofcourse.

 

Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash – this is a nice size and will last a long time. The shampoo and body wash comes out evenly and thick enough so that you only need to use a little. It lathers quite well and rinses off easily.

Calendula Baby Cream – this cream works great on really dry and sensitive areas. Its thick consistency requires only a little amount needed on the areas where you most need some extra moisturizing help.

 

If you would like to win these fabulous Baby Care products from Weleda, then here is what you’ll need to do:

How to enter in the Weleda Baby Care products giveaway:

MANDATORY ENTRY:

#1 entry – “Like” Weleda on Facebook and write on their wall that you are entering the Weleda baby care contest at www.happymomblogger.wordpress.com. Just put happymomblogger as the heading.

Additional Entries:

#2 – Visit http://usa.weleda.com/ and tell me what other products you would like to try from Weleda.

#3 – Subscribe to my Blog.

#4 – Sign up for Weleda’s newsletter (you also receive great coupons during the year!)

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

You can enter as many times as you like but you MUST enter in the Mandatory entry to qualify. The more you enter, the more chances your name will be drawn.  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. Please be sure to provide a physical address and not a P.O. Box.

Contest Start Date: December 20, 2010

Contest End Date: December 28, 2010 (CONTEST CLOSED – WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN)

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

Green Christmas

The holidays are the perfect time to be more “green”. Around this time of year, when the holiday season is upon us, we’re too busy decorating, buying presents, and attending parties. People spend hordes of money and effort on making their homes just right for Christmas and for buying the ideal present for their family and friends. Neighbors outdo each other by seeing who can put out the most Christmas lights or decorations so that no one within a 50 mile radius can miss their house. It’s an opulent time of year to celebrate and an even harder time to try and be more green.

Well, as I’ve learned more about the importance of preserving our precious planet, each year I try to do a bit more in helping the environment. It’s gotten easier throughout the years as companies are learning how crucial it is to improve the sustainability of our planet by offsetting their manufacturing, using recyclable packaging, recycling their products, and so forth. There are certainly more options out there in what you can buy for people when it comes to environmentally-friendly gifts. You can even buy a tree to be planted to offset all the traveling you’ll probably be doing during the holidays – what with last minute gift shopping, heading to the local market to pick up some sugar that you forgot you ran out of, or picking up extra wrapping paper. You can learn more about planting trees throughout the world at American Forests website:  http://www.americanforests.org/.

But honestly, it’s more than just planting an extra tree to help preserve the environment. It’s more about how we can all reuse, reduce, and recycle. Take for instance the Christmas lights. Unless you’re getting LED lights, you’re using up an enormous amount of energy which can be saved for more important things. Most Christmas lights are LED lights so you’ll definitely find a good selection but then how much lights do you put on the outside and inside of your house? This year, I was seriously thinking of putting up some Christmas lights on the outside of our house but then even with LED lights, it’s still wasting A LOT of electricity. And our neighbors literally do try to outshine each other every year – our neighborhood looks like Disneyland fireworks – so bright and eye-catching! But alas, I think we’ll just stick with the Christmas lights on our Christmas tree and especially with a mischievous toddler in the house, I really can’t afford to have lights everywhere.

For many years I try to save wrapping paper and gift bags that I can reuse or repurpose. When I open a gift, and if the wrapping paper is extremely beautiful, I’ll be careful not to tear the paper and save it to wrap someone else’s present. And gift bags are truly too wasteful if you don’t save them and reuse them. I also buy brown recycled gift bags that I can just decorate myself to make it even more personal and fun. And for this year, instead of using the saved tissue paper from previous gifts, I think I’ll shred up my old magazines that I no longer read and use them as stuffing for gift bags and inside boxes. Everyone has some sort of magazines laying around that they no longer need and instead of recycling them, shredding them in your shredder would be a fun and different usage for them. And the more colorful the pages are, the better! And since you’re planning on recycling them anyway, at least they’ll be repurposed for something delightful.

And what about Christmas trees? Is it better to buy artificial trees or real trees? Artificial trees may last forever as long as you continue to like the style, but most artificial trees are made with a toxic material like PVC that can emit chemicals into the air and can be potentially harmful. PVC’s are the leading health toxins that can affect a person’s immune system over time and is especially dangerous for young children. And if you have a large Christmas tree that you’re going to put up for a few weeks and store throughout the year, then there’s always a risk of the PVC leaking into the air. While real Christmas trees are beautiful and can last a long time as well, they are also expendable. I always feel sad for the Christmas trees and pumpkins during the holidays (and turkeys) when they are grown only for the holidays and sold in mass quantities everywhere. But what happens when they don’t sell ALL of the trees and pumpkins? I always think it’s such a waste. Then there are trees called “living trees” where you can replant them after the holiday is over. However, I don’t hear very good things about them because they are hard to grow and it all depends on the climate and the space.

So, when it comes to trying to be more green this holiday season, I plan on using less electricity, less plastic decorations, and more eco-friendly packaging and gifts. I think the recipients of my gifts will appreciate that as well and I’ll feel better too. And it’s also a great time to teach my son the importance of trying to save the planet and help the people.

Happy Holidays!