How to Green Your Cleaning

Earth Friendly Techniques + Tips for Cleaning Your Kitchen and Home

Terra Wellington - Editor-in-Chief of SimpleMomsGuide.com

Friday, April 15^th 2016

Whether you are an environmentally-conscious person or just want to lower your utility bills and your overall expenses, going green in the kitchen is a good first step. With Earth Day (April 22) approaching, many of us are paying more attention to the importance of conserving energy, reducing waste and treating the planet with respect and care. There are numerous things we can do in our homes to celebrate Earth Day every day.  

On Friday, April 15^th Terra Wellington shared eco-friendly household cleaning tips you and your family can feel good about! From choosing to use cloth towels instead of paper to turning to naturally-derived cleaners. You don’t have to compromise on clean to be green. There are companies that provide naturally-derived products that are shockingly powerful, work just as well as conventional cleaners and are affordably priced.

 Station Note: This segment is brought to you by The Clorox Company.

About Terra Wellington:

Actress and TV personality Terra Wellington regularly appears on morning TV and radio programs across the nation to talk about healthy living and environmental issues. She is the editor-in-chief at SimpleMomsGuide.com, a lifestyle site for busy moms that gives inspiration and how-to’s for food and everyday healthy living. She is also the author of The Mom’s Guide to Growing Your Family Green: Saving the Earth Begins at Home.

EnviroKidz Earth Day #Giveaway

April 22^nd is Earth Day and Nature’s Path has created 10 fun ways to celebrate with family and friends! 

1.     Learn about endangered species! Start Earth Day off with a bowl of Nature’s Path EnviroKidz organic cereal – each box features fun facts about an endangered species and highlights a few ways you can help protect them. It’s a quick and easy way for kids to learn about the importance of protecting animal habitats – and families can feel good about eating their breakfast because Nature’s Path donates 1% of sales of EnviroKidz products to support endangered species, habitat conservation and environmental education for kids worldwide.

2.     Plant it Forward: Earth Day is a perfect time to work in a garden – whether a community garden or at your home.

3.     Take a Walk on the Wild Side: Kids love getting outdoors and a walk on a trail, in a park or around the neighborhood can connect youngsters to the earth. Make it an adventure with a nature scavenger hunt – give kids a list or pictures to find of trees, flowers and insects.

4.     Pedal Power: Give up driving for a day. Grab some wheels – the ones you pedal – or hoof it around the block, to your local store or playground.

5.     Reuse Art: Create a fun craft table with only reusable items – from packaging, to newspapers to tins and jars – these leftover items can find new and creative uses.

6.     Trash patrol: Armed with reusable bags, kids can do a beach or park clean-up and compete for the most items found (just remember no picking up glass or sharp objects!).

7.     Brainstorm: Kids have great ideas – ask them for ideas on how the family can protect the earth every day – perhaps it is one hour less of electricity or having motor-less Sundays – they may surprise you with their brain power.

8.     Read together: There are so many wonderful books for kids of all ages (such as Dr. Seuss, The Lorax) that have messages about protecting the earth, so grab a blanket, a book and head outside.

9.     Recycle plan: How well does your family recycle? Make a plan to recycle more and set up trash bins for all to participate.

10.   Help save the Koalas! EnviroKidz is giving away a 10 day family trip for four to Australia which includes a chance to cuddle with a koala, visit with koala experts and scientists, plant Eucalyptus trees and more! To enter, look inside your EnviroKidz cereal box for your entry code and visit: http://us.envirokidz.com/contests

By taking just a few minutes to honor Earth Day, your kids will be armed with information and an eagerness to celebrate our planet – ultimately seeding the next generation to value the importance of conservation.

 

My Thoughts

The stores are packed with dozens of cereal choices but its hard to find ones that my kids will eat that aren't filled with artificial ingredients. I didn't really think it was possible to find a natural cereal that didn't taste like card board, but we got a exciting surprise when we tried out Envirokidz. Their cereals have no artificial preservatives and no artificial colors or flavors.  They are made with  whole grains and other all-natural ingredients, and they taste great!

For our review, we got to try out the Peanut Butter & Chocolate Leapin' Lemurs and Envirokidz Chocolate & Koala Crisp.  I told my son this was a healthier brand then the one we usually get. He shrugged, took a mouthful, then looked up at me in shock and said, "Wow, Mom, this actually tastes really good!" If a five-year-old likes it, you know it must taste great. I have to agree that the cereal was awesome. You won't be able to tell the difference between this and the big name brands that are loaded with sugar.  It stayed crispy in the milk and had just the right amount of flavor. Each of my kids wanted a second bowel they liked it so much. And since it made with whole grain and gluten free, I know its good for them.  The cute animals on the boxes make it even more fun.

If you'd like to learn more about Envirokids and all the fantastic products they offer, be sure to visit their website or follow them via social media.

Connect with Envirokidz

Face book        Twitter         Pinterest         Instagram 

The Giveaway

One lucky winner is going to receive Free coupons for Envirokidz. To enter, just fill in the Giveaway Tools form below. This giveaway will end on  5/1/16. Open to the US only. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to Nature's Path for offering this fantastic prize.

Entry-Form

DISH Invites Customers to Ditch the Paper, Plant a Tree

***This is a sponsored post***

I already loved by DISH service, but now they just gave me a reason to love them even more. I strive to live a green life style and cut back on excess waste in any way I can. I get most of my bills electronically. Now Dish is giving their customers a little extra incentive to make the switch. This week, DISH announced that they will plant a tree for current customers who switch to paperless billing in the month of April as part of the company’s celebration of Earth Month. DISH’s eBill option allows customers to receive their bill online rather than in the mail. Trees will be planted by American Forests, the oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the country.

For more information or to learn about their packages, visit Dish.com or subscribe to DISH email alerts.  Also be sure to follow them on face book and twitter. DISH customers interested in signing up for eBill this month can do so by visiting mydish.com/mypreferences.  Now sit back and enjoy your favorite show with DISH and think about that tree what will be planted somewhere because you made the switch to paperless billing!

Welcome to the Earth Month #Giveaway @las930 #EARTH

This post contains affiliate links if clicked on I may receive a small commission to support this blog.

Welcome to the Earth Month Giveaway!

Ends 4/30

We want to make Earth Month more fun this year!

19 winners split over $678 rv of prizes!

1 prize for 19 people!

Hosted by: Michigan Saving and More

Co Hosted by:

Tales From A Southern Mom

Sew Crafty Angel

Java John Z’s

Joyful Gifts By Julie

PaulaMS’ Giveaways, Reviews, & Freebies

God’s Growing Garden

Heartbeats~ Soul Stains

Simply Sherryl

Deliciously Savvy

LivingWithBeth.com

Holiday Contest and Sweeps

I want to thank all the wonderful bloggers that help promote these contests! Please visit and follow them so we all can have great contests for our followers!

WE ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR AWESOME SPONSORS – PLEASE SHOW THEM SOME LOVE!

Remember: You are not eligible if you have won from any sponsor in the last 12 months, this includes contests on other websites.

IntelliARMOR – Hardened Glass Screen Protector – See review HERE.

IntelliARMOR – IntelliSMART 5A 4-Port USB Wall/Travel Charger – See review HERE.

Kobert International – Waterproof Case (Deluxe Pro Edition) – See the review HERE.

Get 20% off with Coupon Code: MSVQR7A2

Kobert International Sports Armband (For iPhone 6 Plus) See the review HERE.

Get 20% off with Coupon Code: Y43T2DTG

JClaw Tek – Flash LED Headlamp – See review HERE.

15% off Flash coupon code: TR8EDO88

JClaw Tek – Fire Talon Multitool – See review HERE.

15% off Fire Talon coupon code: 2XCQLAG3

JClaw Tek –Kodiak Survival Knife – See review HERE.

15% off Fire Talon coupon code: 69YCX7CM

JClaw Tek – Scorpio Premium UV Blacklight Flashlight – See review HERE.

15% off this flashlight with coupon code: YYOH4R4R

Java Factory Roasters– Variety Pack – See review HERE.

Brooklyn Bean Roastery – Praline Dream – See review HERE.

Winning Moves Games – Brain Spin – See review HERE.

Winning Moves Games – Waterworks – See review HERE.

Winning Moves Games – Moose Caboose – See review HERE.

Winning Moves Games – Upwords – See review HERE.

Winning Moves Games –Brynk – See review HERE.

Lloyd and Lucy’s Pet Supplies – Hip & Joint Supplement for Dogs – See review HERE.

Sign up for email and receive a $10 discount HERE.

Glasstic Bottle Co. - Glasstic Value 3 Pack - See review HERE.

WeeSprout - Organic Cotton Muslin Swaddle Blankets - See review HERE.

Newman’s Own Organics – Snack Package – See Review HERE.

THE GIVEAWAY

Each person that enters will get to pick 3 top choices. If someone has won all of those I will contact you with a list of remaining prizes for final choice.

It IS possible to win more than one if your name is drawn, cannot pick from same sponsor.

This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. You are not eligible if you have won a prize from any of the sponsors in the last 12 month. This Giveaway is valid in the United States Only and Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 4/30/16. The winners will have 48 hours to email their information back to las93063 at gmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The sponsors are each responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contests are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Laura Smith at las930 (at)gmail (dot) com.

Also we all “love it if you like us” on Facebook! If you like our blogs on social media it helps us bring you only the best giveaways and more of them!

Entry-Form

Join the #PledgeToPlay and Celebrate Earth Month with Green Toys #Giveaway

At Green Toys, every day is Earth Day, but this year, they are taking a #PledgeToPlay and hope lots of people will join them

It's easy! For one hour each day, pledge to turn off your technology and turn towards each other for good old-fashioned playtime. A down on the ground, make a mountain with a pillow or an ocean of your bathtub kind of play. We call it 100% play and there are no batteries necessary. So while you are making quality connections with your family, you are also saving energy!

Share your 100% play moments by posting a picture on Facebook and Instagram with #PledgetoPlay. Five lucky players will win a Green Toys toy chest packed with everything you need to 100% play, including our brand new Puzzles, Cupcake Set, and Rescue Boat & Helicopter ($150 value)! The pledge starts with Earth Hour on 3/19 and ends Earth Day, 4/22.

My Thoughts

I am always looking for safe toys for my children.  Its important to know exactly what your toys are made us, and that there is no lead paint or other things that can cause brain damage or make children sick. At Green Toys, I found...well, I found Green Toys that are cute, fun and safe for kids of all ages. Plus they are environmentally friendly because they are made from recycled plastics. Even the package they come in made from recycled paper and soy based ink.

I love all of the toys from Green Toys, but the Rescue Boat & Helicopter   is special for a variety of reasons. Of course, I love that is a green product, made from recycled material, but that's only one perk, the largest being that it's two toys in one! You get a boat and a helicopter, two of my son's favorite things! This toy is very well made. It's larger than most toy boats or helicopters, sturdy. The the propellers really move and the boat actually floats in water. It even includes and adorable little bear and duck action figure to pilot the helicopter  and caption the boat.  There are no tiny pieces that break off, and it can be used both indoors and out. When kids are finished, the toy is easy to clean. You can wipe it down with water or even toss it in the dishwasher. Best of all, it's completely kid powered, so no batteries are required. This rescue boat & helicopter is a new take on a classic and a perfect toy for preschoolers. 

The Rescue Boat and Helicopter is only one example of the wonderful toys you can find at Green Toys. They also have dump trucks, fire trunks, tea sets, indoor gardening sets, jump robes, and more. To learn more about this great company and all they have to offer, you can check out their website. While you're there, be sure to sign up for their newsletter to keep up to date on the latest arrivals. You can also follow them on twitter or become their fan on face book. If you have a child, teach them early that being green can really make a difference with the wonderful toys from Green Toys. 




The Giveaway

One lucky winner is going to receive a Recue Boat & Helicopter! To enter, just fill in the Giveaway Tools form below. This giveaway will end on  4/21/16. Open to the US only. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to Green Toys for offering this fantastic prize.

Entry-Form

I See Me! Personalized Children's Books

I See Me are personalized books that help making reading fun and special. Two of the books they offer are:

I Can Change the World teaches your child that change starts with just one person—your child! This storybook empowers kids to believe in themselves and their ability to affect change in those around them. Plus, it’s personalized with your child’s photo and name on the cover and throughout the book and illustrations.

My Very Own World Adventure introduces children to the gift of travel and adventure. This storybook shows kids just how big the world is, and through the unique personalization features, they learn the importance of being open to diversity and culture.

Connect with I See Me!

Website - Facebook 

My Thoughts

I had a book made for my daughter Brooklynn, and when it arrived, I was very impressed with the amount of personalization that went into this book to made it feel truly like hers. The smile on her face when she received it was special.

Her name was incorporated in several spots in the book, which was a fun surprise as she read the book. The story itself was a great story and had a lot of teaching to it as my daughter learned about how to do her part to help take care of the world. I really liked that. It's a great book to give as a gift around Earth day when we take the time to teach our kids better ways, such as recycling.

The book is a hardback, so it won't tear up easy. The pages were pretty thick, so they didn't seem like they would tear easily either. The book itself was well made and could handle even the roughest kid.

I think my favorite part of the whole personalization is the fact her name and birthday is in the front of the book. They have a lot of different type of books on their website, so there is definitely one for any child or special occasion.

April Pet GiftBox - The Subscription Box for Pets! #DiscountCode

A few month's ago, I received the the Pet Giftbox for my dog, Amber. This time around, it was my cat, Onyx's turn to be spoiled. He was excited as soon as the box got here. So much so, it took me awhile to get him OUT of the box so we could see what was inside!

This month's theme coincides with Earth Day. All the items inside the box are eco-friendly and have a green theme. The box comes beautifully packages and it even has your pet's name on it.

There was tons of great Eco-friendly items in the April box. Onyx came over to inspect each one of them. Here's a little about the items we received.

Pet Greens Garden - You can grow certified organic wheat grass in this bag in just 5-7 days. Maybe this will keep Onyx from eating my bamboo plants!

Absolutely Clean Pet Stain & Odor Remover - Eco Friendly Stain remover that removes both ordors and stains from all those little accidents. Great for cats or dogs!

Pet Greens - Semi-Moist  treats that are gluten-free and made with real deep sea tuna.

Wooly Fun Cat Toy- Onyx loves this! It's a little wool ball shaped like the earth with a little feather on the end.

 

Shelby Hemp House - Another favorite! This adorable hemp mouse is picked straight from the field and is the natural way for cat's to have fun!

Pet GiftBox is a treat for pets and owners alike.  I love how the box contains all full size products, and how you can personalize it to make sure it's the right items for your pet's size. It's an awesome deal at only $17.99 a month.  All things considered, you're definitely getting your money's worth, and it's a great opportunity to test out a variety of different products and see what your pet enjoys the most.  If you'd like to learn more about Pet GiftBox and all they have to offer, be sure to visit their website or check them out on their social media.

Coupon Code

If you're thinking about starting a subscription, now would be a great time.New Age Mama readers are being offered an exclusive discount. Just enter the code newagemama at checkout to receive 25% off your first Pet GiftBox! This offer is valid though 4/30/2015.


Connect with Pet Gift Box 

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