Green Enough: Eat Better, Live Cleaner, Be Happier (All Without Driving Your Family Crazy!) Book Review

I received this book free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Leah Segedie is the blogger behind Mamavation, a wellness blog about how to prevent disease in your home. She is also the CEO of ShiftCon, a social media conference that focuses on food, wellness, health, and sustainability. Leah is a fierce whistleblower of marketing for brands and products and propaganda that are misleading the public and a dedicated promoter of healthy choices. She has been uncovering deception for the last decade and helping others to detox their own lives. Now she has written a book called Green Enough: Eat Better, Live Cleaner, Be Happier (All Without Driving Your Family Crazy!) that tells us how to do just that.

Green Enough is a book that goes into the nitty gritty of just how to Eat Better, Live Cleaner, Be Happier! With her humor and often cheeky take Leah gives us the lowdown of exactly what we need to do to make our lives cleaner, smarter, and healthier all the while by not driving our family insane. This goes into household products and food and even takes you into a room by room analysis on what to look for so we know what to purge and replace with better options.

Green Enough Plastics Guide

Green Enough Chapters:

1. Start With Food
2. Food Packaging, Cookware, and Storage Containers
3. Cleaner Produce
4. Healthier Meat and Dairy
5. Good Eats
6. Room By Room
7. Greener Grooming

My Thoughts:
This book is a wonderful take charge guide to helping give your home and lifestyle a wellness makeover. It is backed with scientific facts and truths that Leah wants us to all know and not be in the dark about. The information, practical tips, and strategies in this book help you make informed decisions about healthy things to bring into your home and the toxins to keep out. Leah's witty approach makes one feel you are having a conversation with a good friend. This down to earth book makes the daunting task of changing more bearable and less intimidating. All the information to having a green lifestyle is spelled out for you step-by-step. It even includes some great sounding recipes! Green Enough covers so much ground! Leah certainly did her research when she wrote this book.

BUY IT
Purchase Green Enough on Amazon for $15.63 for the hardcover.



DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: We received this book for free to facilitate this review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Some content from this post is reprinted from Green Enough by Leah Segedie. Copyright ©2018 by Leah Segedie. By permission of Rodale Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Available wherever books are sold.

Enter to Win $1000 to Thrive Market!

Affiliate links are in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Thrive Market is a membership-based online shopping club that carries the best-selling 4,000 healthy foods and wholesome products in everyday sizes from the top 400 natural brands on the market at 25-50% below traditional retail prices. You can search over 80+ qualities, values, and certifications including: Gluten-Free, Vegan, Paleo, Raw, Nut-Free, Dairy-Free, Made In USA, Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, and many more to find the healthy product that fits your own lifestyle. The membership costs less than $5 a month (only $59.95 annually) to have access to the highest-quality, Non-GMO, certified organic and natural products on the market today at well below the regular cost. Thrive Market also matches your membership by donating one to a low-income family in need so we can all thrive together!

Want to check it out? Thrive Market is offering my readers a one month trial membership.  Even better, they've created an amazing opportunity to win a free 1-year membership plus a $1000 shopping spree at Thrive Market, so you can stock up on everything from healthy snacks to green home products.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this post. Affiliate links are in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Organic India Tulsi Tea Review

Organic India Tulsi Tea & Psyllium Products

I received these products for free from Organic India and Moms Meet to facilitate this review.

Tulsi also known as Holy Basil is an herb prized in India for its healing power. Organic India's Tulsi Teas include three varieties of Tulsi leaves: Rama, Vana, and Krishna. Each variety has a slightly different look, taste and smell and when combined, create a perfectly balanced herbal infusion with an array of health benefits. This tea is GMO and gluten free. This tea is very good hot or cold. Tulsi is an adaptogen, which means it lessens stress and helps boost immunity. It energizes, soothes, relaxes, builds stamina, aids digestion, balances metabolism, balance energy levels, and uplifts mood. It is also abundant in antioxidants and is anti aging. This tea is USDA certified organic and Kosher and Halal certified. Can also be purchased in lots of different flavors in boxed, bulk, and loose leaf variety. The boxed variety is what I got to enjoy. It has 18 individually wrapped tea bags per box for freshness that can be easily taken with you to enjoy. Organic India recommends that women who are pregnant, attempting to conceive, or lactating consult their healthcare practitioner before consuming Tulsi (Holy Basil).

Tulsi Original Herbal Tea - I like the original a lot. It has a nice herbal flavor. This tea is caffeine free, but energizes me throughout my day without the caffeine withdrawal!

Tulsi Sweet Rose Tea - This delicate feminine herbal tea is a blend of Tulsi leaves and organic rose petals, balanced with soothing chamomile flower, the natural sweetness of organic stevia leaf, and a touch of lemon myrtle leaf, all infused with the essence of rose. This fragrant floral bouquet is wonderfully rich and exotic for the senses. I love how, if I close my eyes, it magically transports me to a English rose garden every time I drink a cup.

Tulsi Raspberry Peach Tea - This caffeine free tea is wonderful for stress relieving and detoxifying. Warm spicy Tulsi, succulent raspberry, and aromatic peach, accented by a touch of elderberries, hibiscus flower, and black currant leaf; combine to create a fruity, fragrant infusion that brightens my day. I love this tea both hot or cold and it is so good with a splash of lemonade in it too!

Tulsi Pomegranate Green Tea - This special blend is made with delicious pomegranate (which is rich in vitamin C), sweet hibiscus flowers, tart elderberries and notes of refined citrus that is combined with Tulsi and organic green tea. This energetic blend will invigorate you and improves digestion, while cooling and refreshing your senses. This tea has 13 mg of caffeine per serving (8 oz) because of the green tea that is added. A 8 oz cup of coffee is around 90-400 mg depending upon how and where it's brewed, so this tea is considerably less. Green tea is antioxidant rich. Antioxidants help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. This tea is one of my favorites with its vibrant tango of flavors for my taste buds.

Tulsi Honey Chamomile Tea - This caffeine free tea is wonderful for stress-relieving, relaxing, and having restorative benefits. It is great to calm anxiety and settle stomachs. The Chamomile flower blossoms and honey have a perfect smooth flavor to soothe me before I sleep.

Tulsi Red Mango Tea -This luscious tropical blend of caffeine free African Rooibos (redbush tea) leaf, chamomile flower, and India's sacred Tulsi is infused with India's favorite fruit, the succulent mango. It is stress-relieving, nurturing and gives transformative energy because of its high antioxidant content. This herbal tea has a lovely fruity taste with less tannin than black or green tea.

Tulsi Peppermint Tea - This caffeine free tea is stress-relieving, refreshing, cooling, invigorating, and restorative. The ambrosial peppermint has soothing properties that help calm anxiety, settle stomachs, and aid in digestion. I love peppermint tea and this one is especially delicious with the added benefits of the Tulsi. I love this tea hot or cold with mint leaves and/or lemonade.

Bonus Items:

Organic Psyllium - This is a whole husk Psyllium that is derived from the seeds of the herb Plantago ovata. This bulk-forming dietary fiber contains both soluble and insoluble fiber that naturally supports the complete gastrointestinal system to provide you with better digestive and heart health. This is the only Certified Organic Psyllium fiber supplement on the market today. Promotes healthy elimination and regularity. Serving size is 1 tablespoon per day in a 10 oz glass of water, juice, or your favorite beverage, stirred with an additional glass of water as a chaser to ensure proper hydration. 68 servings per container. This is a Kosher, gluten free and non GMO supplement. For adults and children over 12 years. Best taken before or between meals. I love that this is organic and better for me than other fiber supplements.

Organic India Shopping Bag - Classic tote for taking to the grocery store and being eco-friendly because it is reusable and washable. Lightweight and durable.

Organic India Mason Jar Glass Tumbler - This vintage 20 oz glass Mason Jar tumbler is perfect for on the go and comes with a lid and reusable straw. It has the Organic India logo printed on it.

Organic India has over 20 delicious flavors of Tulsi tea, herbal supplements, herbs, herbal coffee, gifts, and other wellness products. You can check out the company for yourself on their social networks too: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube.

BUY IT
Save 20% on Organic India products by using the code kiwi20. This code is for one-time use only. Start shopping now. One box of Tulsi tea retails for $5.99. Organic Psyllium retails for $15.99.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received these products for free from the sponsor of Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer to facilitate my review. As a Moms Meet Blogger, I agreed to use these products and post my opinion on my blog, which is posted above. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of this product. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

The medical information provided on this blog is, at best, of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical professional (for instance, a qualified doctor/physician, nurse, pharmacist/chemist, and so on). I am not a medical professional, just a mom with a opinion. Even if a statement made about the natural remedy is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms. I am only suggesting that you should try it for yourself and see if helps you. People are all different and outcomes could vary drastically.

Disney Mickey & Friends Go Green! Book Review

I received the book, Disney Mickey & Friends Go Green!, free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Go Green is the first in a series of books by Disney that motivates families to live sustainably and more eco-friendly. This book is filled with fun projects that families can do together while teaching about making good choices to help save the planet and live a healthy life. It often made us pause to connect with the outdoors, ourselves and others. Mickey & Friends educate kids about what they can do to make a difference one step at a time.

Nature Mandalas

This book is a wonderful wealth of information for younger children. It is also a great homeschool tool and a wonderful book for Earth Day! My girls who are 4 and 7 loved looking through the book and doing the activities with me. Their favorite activity from the book was on page 67, making mandalas. If you don't know, a mandala is a symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism representing the universe. The word comes from Sanskrit meaning "circle". Nature Mandalas are fun to make with found objects in nature. Teela and Zari loved finding and then arranging the flowers, pine cones, small rocks, seeds, sticks, walnut shells, acorns, leaves, etc. in a circular pattern on our sidewalk in front of our house. If you live near the ocean you could also do this after you combed the beach for treasures like: driftwood, sea glass, shells, seaweed, etc. This repurposes natural things to become a beautiful work of art. I loved that the book also talks about the three R's - reduce, reuse/repurpose, and recycle, planting a garden and composting too. I believe that the secret to good nutrition and other good habits is to start teaching children good things at a young age. The Disney Mickey & Friends Go Green! book is a great start to get your child thinking about how to make the world a better place.

Follow them on Social Media:
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

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DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this book for free to review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for posting this review. This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Pierre the French Bulldog Recycles Book Review

I received the book, Pierre the French Bulldog Recycles, from Skyhorse Publishing free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Pierre the French Bulldog Recycles is an adorable hardcover book by Kate Louise and illustrated by Bethany Straker that helps us teach recycling to our children in a fun way. The story is about a French Bulldog named Pierre that loves to dig holes and bury his treasures in the yard. When he digs his old stuff up he places them in the trash and then realizes that two of the items could have been recycled, but the trash truck comes and takes the trash away to the dump. Pierre decides to chase after the truck to get the items back. But can he get to the landfill in time?

Our carload of recycling and the book, Pierre the French Bulldog Recycles.

As a parent I try to instill in my children good habits and one of them is to be less wasteful by recycling. Our family recycles as much as we can. Once we get a car load full we go and drop it off. Mixed paper, cardboard, glass, #1 & #2 plastics, tin & aluminum, and motor oil & antifreeze all get recycled at our local drop-off recycling site.

My girls and I love Pierre the French Bulldog Recycles. Its illustrations are colorful and fun. I made a game out of the pictures for them to find Pierre in each turn of the page. You can spot him in his black and white striped shirt. I also had them point to things in the dump that could have been recycled, reused, or repurposed. It was a great teaching tool. Teela also enjoyed reading it to Zari and showing her the pictures again. This is a wonderful book for Earth Day!

BUY IT


DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to Skyhorse Publishing for sending me this book for free to review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for posting this review. This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Organic India Moringa Leaf Powder and Capsules Review

Organic India Moringa, capsules, and Tulsi Products.

I received these products for free from Organic India and Moms Meet to facilitate this review.

Moringa Leaf Powder - Moringa (Moringa oleifera) is a nutrient-dense complex whole super food. The leaves of the Moringa plant have been eaten for thousands of years. They are super high in antioxidants, even more than Resveratrol and green tea. They are also abundant in B vitamins and complex amino acids (the building blocks of protein). Moringa boosts overall energy levels, stamina, and vitality. It is also alkalizing. The leaves are powdered to make it easy to add to different foods and drinks to get the recommended 6-10 servings of vegetables per day. As a dietary supplement, mix 1/2 teaspoon with water, juice, tea, or blend into a smoothie. There are 225 servings per 8 oz container. I also received recipes to add it to mayonnaise as a spread or dip, salad dressing, and aioli. There are other ways to get this superfood into your diet too. Sprinkle it on soups, over salads, or make your own unique recipe. I tried it out and it mixes well with a spoon and tastes like tea. I can see this used for many recipes. I am going to try it on pasta. It is great for hiding nutrients in foods for picky eaters and kids to get a serving of vegetables. I can't wait to experiment more with it. This product is: organic, gluten free, vegan and vegetarian, GMO free, Kosher and Halal certified.

Moringa capsules - These capsules are easier to take if you do not care for the taste of the powder. They have the same benefits as the Moringa Leaf Powder. This is complete essential nutrition that contains over 90 nutrients, 46 antioxidants and abundant minerals. 90 vegetable cellulose caps per bottle. Suggested use: 4 capsules with food and water once a day. This product is: organic, gluten free, vegan and vegetarian, GMO free, Kosher and Halal certified.

Joy! capsules - This has the Bacopa/Brahmi leaves (Bacopa monnieri), aerial parts of the Gotu Kola  (Centella asiatica), whole herb of the Shankpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) and Ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera). These herbs together uplift mood, boosts energy and vitality, and reduces emotional tension and stress so you can experience your true natural state of peace and happiness. I felt less stressed and fatigued when taking this. 90 vegetable cellulose caps per bottle. Suggested use: 1 capsule once a day with food and water. This product is: organic, gluten free, vegan and vegetarian, GMO free, Kosher and Halal certified.

Turmeric Formula capsules - Turmeric is very orange in color. The plant is in the ginger family. The turmeric powder spice comes from the dried rhizome (Curcuma longa) (often called a root) of the turmeric plant. I have used turmeric powder in the past for many recipes in my home including Fire Cider. It is also one of the ingredients that makes up the spice curry, which I also love. With the capsules you have the option of breaking open the capsule and adding it to your food or taking just the capsule. I love cooking with turmeric and it has many health bonuses that are associated with ingesting it. It is great for a number of things including stomach problems, digestion, cough, bronchitis, and colds. It is an anti-inflammatory, anti-infection, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-oxidant, and adaptogen - lessens stress and helps boost immunity. It nourishes & cleanses the blood and lymph system, and promotes healthy inflammation and immune response. It also supports cellular health in the liver, skin, lungs, sinuses, joints, and digestive system. Since this is a formula it also has Turmeric Extract which is 95% curcumimoids and Ginger rhizome (Zingiber officinale). 90 vegetable cellulose capsules per bottle. Suggested use: 1 capsule 2 times a day with food and water. This product is: organic, gluten free, vegan and vegetarian, GMO free, Kosher and Halal certified.

Bonus Items:

Tulsi also known as Holy Basil is an herb prized in India for its healing power. Organic India's Tulsi Teas include three varieties of Tulsi leaves: Rama, Vana, and Krishna. Each variety has a slightly different look, taste and smell and when combined, create a perfectly balanced herbal infusion with an array of health benefits. This tea is GMO and gluten free. This tea is very good hot or cold. Tulsi is an adaptogen, which means it lessens stress and helps boost immunity. It energizes, soothes, relaxes, builds stamina, aids digestion, balances metabolism, balance energy levels, and uplifts mood. It is also abundant in antioxidants and is anti aging. This tea is USDA certified organic and Kosher and Halal certified. Can also be purchased in lots of different flavors in boxed, bulk, and loose leaf variety. The boxed variety is what I got to enjoy. It has 18 individually wrapped tea bags per box for freshness that can be easily taken with you to enjoy.

Tulsi Original Herbal Tea - I like the original a lot. It has a nice herbal flavor. This tea is caffeine free, but energizes me throughout my day without the caffeine withdrawal!

Tulsi Green Tea - This tea has 18 mg of caffeine per serving because of the green tea that is added. A 8 oz cup of coffee is around 90-400 mg depending upon how and where it's brewed, so this tea is considerably less. Green tea is antioxidant rich. Antioxidants help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. If you love green tea, you will love this tea and it's added benefits!

Tulsi Moringa Tea - Moringa is a highly nutritional complex whole food. It is super high in antioxidants even more than Resveratrol and green tea. It is abundant in B vitamins and complex amino acids (the building blocks of protein). This is delicious tea that helps me feel energized, nourished, and happy even though it is caffeine free!

Tulsi Cinnamon Rose Tea - This caffeine free tea is my favorite out of all the Tulsi flavors I have tried so far. I love the combination of the Cinnamon (bark), Cassia (bark), Peppermint (leaf), Stevia (leaf), Cardamom (pod), Chamomile (flower) and the Rose Petals (flower). This floral, minty and spicy tea is so yummy! I love it hot with organic raw honey!

Organic India Shopping Bag - Classic tote for taking to the grocery store and being eco-friendly because it is reusable and washable. Lightweight and durable.

Organic India Planetary Design Tumbler Mug - This reusable tumbler mug encourages environmental responsibility. Because of the double-walled vacuum-insulated, 18/8 restaurant grade stainless steel it will keep your beverage hot or cold for hours. 100% BPA free with push on spill resistant butterfly-closure lid. It has the Herbal University logo printed on one side and Organic India logo printed on the other.

Organic India has other teas, herbal supplements, herbs, herbal coffee, gifts, and other wellness products. You can check out the company for yourself: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube.

BUY IT
Save 20% on Organic India products by using the code kiwi20. This code is for one-time use only. Start shopping now. One 8 oz. canister of Moringa Leaf Powder retails for $22.99, and 90 capsules of Moringa retails for $19.99.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received these products for free from the sponsor of Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer to facilitate my review. As a Moms Meet Blogger, I agreed to use these products and post my opinion on my blog, which is posted above. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of this product. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

The medical information provided on this blog is, at best, of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical professional (for instance, a qualified doctor/physician, nurse, pharmacist/chemist, and so on). I am not a medical professional, just a mom with a opinion. Even if a statement made about the natural remedy is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms. I am only suggesting that you should try it for yourself and see if helps you. People are all different and outcomes could vary drastically.

Zero Waste or Waste Free Living: My Challenge to You

Unfortunately humans contribute too much waste to landfills every day. If it is out of site it is out of mind. But really this shouldn't be how we think. Just take a look at your trash can and how much waste you throw away daily in your household and at your work place. It shouldn't be a lot, but I am fairly certain that if you haven't adopted a waste free or zero waste way of living you still have a fair amount of trash per day. Society has thrown us into the idea that if it is convenient it must be better. This is usually not the case. We need to remember the first R in the old adage Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Rarely do we think about reducing our waste because it is so easy to just throw the rubbish away. I am going to be doing different posts throughout the year of how I am trying to change my family's lifestyle to a more sustainable one and tips and tricks to help you do the same. I also have questions in this post for those of you that have already made these changes for the better.

I have been trying to find solutions to my family's huge amount of trash that we throw away every day. We recycle/reuse/repurpose what we can but I still find that we throw away an excessive amount of waste and I find that the majority of it is plastics and other things that cannot be recycled and packaging materials that are evil, i.m.o...like Styrofoam.

As a review blogger I get packages from all over the world. Some are packaged better than others. It is hard when you get packages with things packed in plastic, zip ties, Styrofoam, bubble wrap, and packing peanuts that are not biodegradable. I love seeing things wrapped in brown paper, cardboard, compostable containers, twine, reusable twist ties, fabric, yarn, and biodegradable packing peanuts, etc. I wonder if asking the people sending the items to send them more eco-friendly would help? Have you ever done this?

Going out to eat can not just be hard on the wallet (and sometimes stomach), but on the environment as well. Fast food and take out produces the worst amount of waste when it comes to restaurants. Plastic containers, lids and straws are a prevalent take away from these, as is Styrofoam. To eliminate this waste we need to bring our own containers with us to pack the food and drink into or make our food and beverages at home. I know many who bring a reusable cup with them for their coffee they get on the road. I wonder if it can be done for other things as well...like when you bring home leftovers from a restaurant or get take-out? Have you ever tried this?

Some of the lovelies in my pantry. A start to a waste-free life.

I know we have a choice for paper or plastic sacks or bags while checking out at the grocery. Choosing paper is a better choice than plastic and you can even bring your own reusable bags from home to use. Places around the country are also banning plastic bags from being used in grocery stores or offer a recycling option. But have you ever thought about the packaging on food and drink that you are bringing home? I know I used to not give it much thought, but now that I am also giving more thought to eating healthier with a nod to organic, non GMO, and raw foods I find myself being even more aware of other things I am bringing into my home too. There are ways to get around the packaging at the grocery store.

• Refuse: Say no to products packaged in plastic or Styrofoam.
• Make your own at home. We are already growing an organic garden and orchard and have chickens who lay eggs. We are also planning on doing aquaponics: growing fish and a garden that in turn give each other nutrients to live and grow. Our neighbor also hunts and fishes and shares some of this with us. We are also going to be slowly transitioning to making our own cleaning supplies, personal care products, etc. too so we don't have to deal with that packaging as well.
• Buy local. Buy from local farms, farmer's markets and co-ops.
• Bring reusable bags and containers to the store with you for filling with the below items.
• Buy from the bulk section (the section of the store with bins filled with dry goods).
• Go to the Deli, Seafood, Dairy, and Bakery Counter more for your meats, cheeses, and baked goods and have them package them in paper or other recyclable material. 
• Purchase unpackaged produce. Fresh fruits and vegetables are wonderful and healthy. Buy organic to make sure you don't get toxic stuff with your food and watch the packaging.

There is even a packaging-free, zero-waste grocery store, called in.gredients in Austin, Texas. It is revolutionary and the first of its kind in the US. Hopefully we can get more grocery stores like this one to spring up all across the States.

The folks at these blogs are helping my family and I along our journey to live better and make the better choice of living waste/trash free. They know the ins and outs of living waste free and they want to helps us all to become waste free with them.

• Zero Waste Home
• My Zero Waste
• Trash Free Living
• My Plastic-Free Life
• Zero-Waste Chef
• Trash is for Tossers

I am going to challenge myself  and my family to get towards my goal of a waste free life and I am challenging you to do the same! What are you doing or are going to do to move towards this challenge? Have you thought about this topic much?

Purex Natural Elements Tropical Splash Detergent Review and Giveaway

I'm reporting to you as your friendly Purex® Insider. Purex® Natural Elements® Tropical Splash Detergent is a new fragrance to the Natural Elements® line. It has a wonderful scent of exotic fruits like pineapple and coconut combined with flowers to whisk your thoughts away to a tropical vacation. The Natural Elements® line of laundry detergent is made with naturally sourced ingredients and natural fragrance extracts. This detergent is also hypoallergenic and dye-free for sensitive skin. The formula is also biodegradable and so it is better for the environment and promotes green cleaning practices.

New to 2013 and now enhancing all the Purex® detergent line is their Dirt Lift Action™. This new special formula works deep into the fibers of your clothes to get them so bright, white, and clean for an average of half the price of the leading brand. The Dirt Lift Action™. helps to remove stains with its superior cleaning.  All detergents from Purex® work in both traditional and High Efficiency (HE) washers.

I received a 50 fl oz (33 load) bottle of the Purex® Natural Elements® Tropical Splash Detergent. I love, love, love this detergent!! The smell is amazing, in my opinion! I also love that I can use it for my kids who have skin sensitivities to most detergents with fragrance. It is awesome that it is hypoallergenic and dye-free! I am also a firm believer in products that are better for the environment and this is one of those. I will definitely be purchasing this product to have in my home again after this one runs out!

BUY IT
You can purchase this detergent in the liquid detergent aisle at your local Purex® retailers. Purex® detergent is an average of half the price of the leading brand which makes it a great value and very affordable.

WIN IT
Prize: 1 winner will win 2 coupons for a FREE bottle of Purex® Natural Elements® Tropical Splash Detergent.

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to Purex® for sending me product for free and promotion information to facilitate my review and free coupons for this giveaway. By posting I will be entered to win prizes. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for posting this promo.

Green Toys Airplane Review

Green Toys make eco-friendly toys and tableware that are made from recycled plastic milk containers. This plastic is high-density polyethylene (or HDPE) and considered one of the safest, cleanest plastics around. Their products have no Phthalates, BPA, PVC, melamine or external coatings with lead paint. Green Toys are made in the USA in California where they have very strict toy safety and environmental laws. They are packaged in recycled corrugated boxes with no plastics, cellophane or twist-ties, and are 100% recyclable. This packaging is easy to open without having wrap rage.

They have play vehicles, outdoor toys, kitchen play, building toys, and tableware. I received a Green Toys Airplane free to review on my blog. My 10 year old son took to this plane right away. He loved it the moment he laid eyes on it. This airplane has a single seat for a small pilot. My son could fit a single Lego man, Playmobil person, Fisher Price Imaginext person or something similar in size in the cockpit. This made it even more fun for him as he could have fun taking his little toy people for rides in his new eco-friendly flyer all around the house. The plane's propeller spins manually and it has two-wheels that also spin for landing gear. The wings and tail are rounded to make it more safe. My girls love the plane too and can grasp it easily for a great take off even with their small hands.

Dimensions: 9"L x 9"W x 4"H.
Recommended for ages 1 and up.

"Like" Green Toys on Facebook HERE. Follow Green Toys on Twitter HERE.

BUY IT
You can buy the Green Toys Airplane on the Green Toys Website for $14.99. Comes in two colors: Blue and Red. (We received the blue version.)

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to Green Toys for sending me product for free to review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Oregon Zoo Participating in Boo At The Zoo: Eco-Friendly Halloween Celebrations Hosted By Zoos Nationwide

I just got word that the Oregon Zoo (which is one of my favorite places to hang out with my family) is participating in Boo At The Zoo, an Eco-Friendly Green Halloween Celebration, during their Howloween event. Other zoos are also participating in the Boo At The Zoo event. This is a nationwide initiative to make Halloween healthier and more eco-friendly.

The zoos hand out contributions from any number of these organic and healthy product partners Larabar, Cascadian Farms, Stretch Island Fruit, Unreal Candy, Honest Tea, Endangered Species Chocolate, Plum Kids, Applegate, Surf Sweets, Bitsy Brainfood, Brainard's Natural Remedies, Glee Gum, Kiwi Magazine, and CelebrateGreen.net. In addition, the Oregon Zoo is going one step further in being eco-friendly in having all of the prize bags be fully compostable!

Here is the Oregon Zoo lineup of events:

• Squishing of the Squash: in which some of the world's largest land animals demolish some of the area's largest pumpkins provided by Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers, will be held Friday, Oct. 26, at 10:30 am.
• Howloween: Best suited for children 3-12. Goodie bags filled with candy and prizes will be given out for completed scavenger hunts at the zoo's exit, Saturday October 27, 2012 and Sunday October 28, 2012 - 11:00am to 04:00pm.
•  Tiger Birthdays & Trick or Treat Party: Best suited for toddlers. Happy Growloween! The two Amur Tigers are having a birthday and then a toddler's trick-or-treat party. With fun and acyivities sponsored by PDX Kids Calendar, Tears of Joy Puppets, and Oregon ZooGuides, Wednesday October 31, 2012 - 09:00am to 02:00pm.

All this is free with Paid Admission.
Zoo admission runs $7.50 to $10.50 and is free for those 2 and younger.

If you do not have a participating zoo or aquarium in your area you could instead pass out eco-friendly things to trick-or-treaters.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Since I am in the Cascadia Connect group of bloggers I became aware of this event and was also emailed about this. I can receive free tickets if I am available to go. Thanks to the zoo and others involved for this opportunity. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for posting about this promotion. The above photo is provided by the Oregon Zoo Facebook page cover photo.

Green Toys Salad Set Review

Green Toys make eco-friendly toys and tableware that are made from recycled plastic milk containers. This plastic is high-density polyethylene (or HDPE) and considered one of the safest, cleanest plastics around. Their products have no Phthalates, BPA, PVC, melamine or external coatings with lead paint. Green Toys are made in the USA in California where they have very strict toy safety and environmental laws. They are packaged in recycled corrugated boxes with no plastics, cellophane or twist-ties, and are 100% recyclable. This packaging is easy to open without having wrap rage.

They have play vehicles, outdoor toys, kitchen play, building toys, and tableware. I received a Green Toys Salad Set free to review on my blog for my Holiday Gift Guide. The Green Toys Salad Set includes a serving bowl, salad plate, 2 serving utensils, 3 lettuce leaves, 3 sets of cucumbers, 2 tomatoes, 2 red peppers, onions, mushrooms, and fold-your-own oil & vinegar and salt & pepper (total of 16 pieces).

When I received it I was surprised that the salt & pepper, olive oil & vinegar were made of a flat sheet of cardboard and had to be put together with their tabs to form a 3dimentional toy. I thought that these were a bit difficult to put together and they had no instructions with them to help with construction. I guess I didn't see in their description that they were "fold-your-own". These are also not too practical for children to play with as they are easily crushed because they are hallow inside. Also if your child puts things in their mouths these will soon be goners. I do not see them lasting for very long. They are very cute though when folded into their shapes and my daughters seemed to still like them even though it frustrated them a little when one came apart or crushed under their little grips.

The serving bowl, salad plate, 2 serving utensils, 3 lettuce leaves, 3 sets of cucumbers, 2 tomatoes, 2 red peppers, onions and mushrooms were high grade plastic and very durable. These meet FDA food contact standards and are also dishwasher safe. These are interchangeable and compatible with the other kitchen sets from Green Toys. These are also stackable as they each have a fit together design.

My girls love to pretend they are cooking in their play kitchen. They constantly bring me pretend dishes they have created to "try out and taste". They loved this set. I love how the toy teaches good eating habits. So many play food sets these days have foods in them that aren't that healthy. I think teaching good habits when children are young is best. This salad is the epitome of "green". If you want your kids to eat their greens and also think green get the Green Toys Salad Set!

Bowl: 7-1/4" diameter at top, 3" at base, 2-3/4" H
Utensils: 7" L
Plate: 6-1/8" diameter
Pieces: approximately 3" W

Suggested for ages 2 years and up.

Closing thoughts: I still believe the Green Toys Salad Set is worth the purchase price even with the cardboard pieces. The pros of this toy definitely outweigh the cons. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

"Like" Green Toys on Facebook HERE. Follow Green Toys on Twitter HERE.

BUY IT
You can buy the Green Toys Salad Set on the Green Toys Website for $19.99.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to Green Toys for sending me product for free to review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Get a $2 Box of Clothes on ThredUP If You Join Today Only!

I just mentioned thredUP, a swapping site for gently used children’s clothing, on my blog recently. They are now offering a free $13.95 credit when you sign up through this link today (April 22, 2011). That makes a box of your choice of children’s clothing only $2 shipped to your door! How fabulous is that! This is a great savings!

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I love this website and wanted to share it with my readers. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. No monetary/product exchange took place.

Get $5 free to Swap on ThredUP!

I have found a great website that I want to share with you. ThredUP is where America's busiest families conveniently exchange kids clothing online. You can list the boxes of clothes your kids have grown out of and pick ones for them to wear. You can even swap other things besides clothing items like toys and books and it doesn't have to be kids clothing either. You can swap clothing in your partner's and your size too! Just make sure to get your boxes from thredUP and pack them full with quality items so that you can receive good feedback.

I love this website! I have become somewhat addicted :) The above picture is the very first box of clothing items I received for my daughter Zari. The outfit she is wearing is also from the box of cute clothes. I have picked some awesome boxes on the thredUP community and you can too! It is totally free to sign up and start swapping your stuff. When you see a box of items you would like click the checkout now button and for just $5 (+ $10.95 USPS shipping) get your box delivered to your doorstep in just a couple of days!

HURRY!!! Right now for Earth Week they are having a great special for an incentive to list boxes for others to pick...

So, come and swap on thredUP! Swapping can help you reduce your overall eco-footprint by 5%. Even better? In honor of Earth Week, you can earn $5 for every box you list (once it's picked) AND you get a free $5 from me from joining with this link... http://www.thredup.com/Abel105500

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I love this website and wanted to share it with my readers. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. No monetary/product exchange took place.

Eco-Friendly Easter Baskets

Photo courtesy: http://ecoki.com/growing-easter-wheat-grass/

Easter is so close to Earth Day this year so I figured that there is no better way to celebrate the two than to combine the elements. There are so many great eco-friendly, organic, and / or natural things to put in your child's Easter basket this year! This is not your usual Easter basket with non-recyclable plastic eggs made in China, fake plastic Easter grass, and sugary candy full of preservatives! Take a look at these great additions to put in your baskets this year and I am sure you will agree these will be eggstra special and one of a kind :)

A Tisket A Tasket A Green and Yellow Basket:

01. Reuse containers you have lying around the house. The traditional Easter basket doesn't have to be a basket at all. You can use anything. Use your imagination! Be creative! Here are some ideas: a pot for a plant, a galvanized bucket, a plastic cool whip container, a wooden crate, a lunch pail, a baby bathtub, a tote bag, a child sized laundry basket, an upside down hat, a shoe-box, a oatmeal container, etc.
02.  Use baskets that can be re-purposed after Easter. If you don't have any you can purchase them at thrift stores, antique shops, craft stores or boutiques.
03.  Make your own basket. You can use woven paper, braided cloth, felt, or you can have your children help to make their own out of recycled containers. Here are a few tutorials I have found: Twig & Thistle downloadable paper basket, Pink Penguin fabric basket, Maya*Made felt basket, Moda Bake Shop fabric basket.
04. Buy a beautiful handmade, handwoven basket. Whether it is a Fair Trade Basket or Amish Basket or something else similar. These baskets are gorgeous and one of a kind! Bolga Baskets, Blessing Baskets, these are just a few of the gorgeous Fair Trade baskets out there. A Toy Garden, one of a handful of wonderful Waldorf / Montessori stores I love, has Bolga Baskets for a wonderful price! Amish made things tend to be made to last and have high quality workmanship. You can also search on Etsy or other website for handmade items.


And The Green Grass Grew All Around and Around:

01. Take a green (or other spring colored) hand dyed silk that is dyed with non-toxic dye to tuck in your basket under everything. These can be reused as play silks for your child's pretend play after Easter is over. A small soft blanket or beach towel can also be used as a great liner for Easter baskets.
02. Shred magazines, newspaper, tissue paper, construction paper, or junk mail into strips or confetti (try to avoid shredding receipts as many contain harmful plasticizers called phthalates). Recycle or reuse as packing material. Shredded Plantable Seed Paper is great too because not only is it great for the environment and wonderful for your garden! Green Field Paper Company even makes this plantable seed paper already shredded!
03. Take a green pompom or yarn and cut it into grass cuttings or just unwind a skein of yarn in your choice of color to make a nest in the bottom of the basket.
04. Use left over Christmas tinsel or tinsel garlands (reuse it again and again).
05. Dye cotton balls with a mixture of water and green food coloring sprayed on and dried. Then arrange them in the bottom of your basket(s) for fluffy grassy hills.
06. Use ribbons or disassembled gift bows as Easter grass.
07. Take old jeans or other used fabric or cloth that are no longer wanted and cut or tear into strips.
08. Buy raffia that you can later re-use around the house.
09. Use the offerings of Mother Nature - pine needles, leaves, fresh greens, straw, nontoxic moss, or grow your own wheatgrass. All these organic things can be composted later.
10. Buy Edible Easter Grass. Basically a sugar-free candy "grass" that looks like paper grass and comes in apple, lemon and strawberry flavors.

Great Gifts:
Here are some alternatives to plastic toys and trinkets that may be contaminated with lead or made with PVC, BPA, or phthalates. You can even make up a themed basket for your youngster if you'd like to.

01. Art Supplies: Non toxic and all-natural modeling clay or dough, colored pencils, natural beeswax/soy crayons, paint, sketchbooks, etc. You can find these supplies at Mama K’s Aromatic Play Clay, Glob Natural Paints, Mighty Nest, Clementine Art, Stubby Pencil Studio, PKolino, among other places. Fill a compartmentalized container or tool box with these items instead of a basket.
02. Seeds and Gardening Supplies: Inspire young gardeners with their own seeds to plant. Place a packet of seeds in your Easter basket or one of these cute Egg Pet Plants from Nyokki! Add child-sized gardening tools and gloves in a gardening tote or planter.
03. Bath and Beauty: Lavender-filled organic cotton eye pillow or all-natural effervescent bath balls, etc.
04. Toys and Make Believe: Choose to buy eco-friendly toys made of wood or organic and natural materials. Here is a list of a few good indoor choices: puzzles, train or vehicle sets, blocks or building sets, board/card games, wooden yo-yo, and organic/natural stuffed animals/dolls. Here is a list of a few good outdoor choices: bubbles (homemade bubbles are easy to make), swim toys/gear, sidewalk chalk, BPA free Frisbee, and jump rope with wooden handles.
05. Make your own gifts. Handmade and homemade items that have come from a family member or good friend are always cherished far more than ordinary store bought ones in my house. (examples could be: cards, artwork, music CD's or a CD of you reading your child's favorite books, poetry, etc.)

The Incredible Edible Egg and Other Tantalizing Treats:

01. Make hard boiled (free range organic) eggs and color them with natural dyes or paints or decorate them in many other ways. Fridge them until you are ready to eat them.
02. Buy Fair Trade-certified organic chocolate.
03. Buy or make organic all natural treats in bulk to keep your child(ren) healthy and avoid unnecessary packaging (include cookies, muffins, fruit leather, dried fruit, nuts, fruit, and chocolate). Wrap the treats yourself using natural materials: fabric, cheesecloth, ribbon, twine, etc.
04. If you’re vegan or want to re-use the eggs year after year there is a number of fun ways to make your own out of different materials including wood, felt, beads, etc. Take a look at my Egg Decorating Tips and Ideas!

Do you have any Eco-friendly Easter ideas too? Please share them with us!

Eco-Friendly Green-Our-Earth-Contest

Earthday is coming up on the 22nd of this month and what better way to celebrate than to enter to win some green Earth Day goodies! ImagiPLAY and Seven other Eco-Friendly Companies are Honoring Earth Day this year with a Green-Our-Earth-2011 Contest giving away $800 in earth friendly prizes!

For the month of April, children and their families are invited by ImagiPLAY and seven other eco-friendly companies to send photos and descriptions of their “green deeds” to the Green-Our-Earth-2011 Contest. All participants will receive a 15% coupon code good on our sponsor’s websites through the month of April and will be entered into a raffle to win hundreds of dollars worth of earth-friendly prizes. Winners will be announced on May 1st.

The contest is the brainchild of Malini Goel, founder of Global Green Pals. “I am a huge fan of the participating companies, whose business practices show that it is possible to both be successful in business and do the right thing,” says Goel. “My Grandfather told me, ‘Use your education as a broom to clean up Mother Earth and find like-minded people to do it with you.’ And here we are doing just that - companies and customers working together to promote earth stewardship.”

“These small companies make some of the finest, most innovative earth-conscious products on the market – but because we’re all small, we can sometimes be difficult to find,” adds Barbera Aimes of ImagiPLAY Toys. Instead of staying to ourselves and competing with each other, as most companies do, we’ve decided that a cooperative effort like this is much more in keeping with our values of earth stewardship and fair play and creates a win-win situation for us and our customers.”

The eight participating companies and their websites are as follows:

ImagiPLAY – www.imagiplay.com (wooden toys and soft dolls)
Global Green Pals - www.globalgreenpals.com (soft dolls with eco themes)
Eco-Kids - www.ecokidsusa.com (art supplies made from natural ingredients)
Mimi the Sardine – www.mimithesardine.com (eco-coated organic cotton tablecloths, bibs & more)
Kids Konserve – www.kidskonserve.com (stainless steel lunchbox solutions)
Uncle Goose – www.unclegoose.com (USA-made alphabet blocks)
LunchBots – www.lunchbots.com (stainless steel lunchbox solutions)
JAMTOWN – www.jamtown.com (musical instruments from all over the world)

It’s easy to enter:

1) Go to www.green-our-earth-2011.com
2) Click “Enter Contest”
3) Submit a description of what you do to Green Our Earth and/or a photo showing the same
4) You will automatically receive a coupon code good for 15% off all eight sponsor’s websites through April
5) You will be entered into a raffle to win $100 worth of prizes from our sponsors! (8 winners will be selected on May 1st)
6) Visit their group facebook page to see your entry & share with friends! Green-Our-Earth Facebook Page

So get out your camera, sharpen your pencil, and tell them about all the great ways you help our good old Mother Earth, from recycling cans to planting trees to using solar energy and saving whales. I can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to, so please also share here!

Open to all 18 years of age or older. Contest begins on April 1, 2011 at 12:00 a. m. Eastern Time ("ET") and ends on April 21, 2011 at 11:59 p. m. Eastern Time. See more rules on website.

Here is my entry:

I homeschool and love to teach my children the importance of being Earth friendly. In my experience in teaching I find that it helps to learn by doing, especially if by doing you can make the world a better place. As a family we reduce, re-purpose, reuse and recycle. We also try to: open windows to let in fresh air and sun when it is a nice day, save rainwater for our lawn and garden, plant a food garden each year, save electricity by turning off lights when not in use and using eco efficient light bulbs and appliances, buy local and go to farmers markets, use reusable containers for food and drink (including when we are out traveling), swap clothing and other things with people or give them to thrift stores or consignments or re-purpose things, use rechargeable batteries, use natural cleaning supplies and hygiene products and cloth diaper. We try to buy organic, all natural, nontoxic, eco-friendly, biodegradable and/or sustainable products when ever possible. I have included a picture of my oldest son. He has been collecting pop tabs to donate to the local Ronald McDonald House, one we have stayed at when my daughter, who passed away April of 2010 at the age of 6, was in the hospital nearby.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received an email about this contest this on Facebook and entered this myself and thought my readers would like the chance also. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. No monetary exchange took place.

Host A Healthy Child Healthy World Healthy Home Party

Host a Healthy Child Healthy World Healthy Home Party this year and start the year out green! With the tools and information provided in the Healthy Home Party Kit, you can educate your family, friends, school, and community to protect children's health and development from common toxins. YOU can make a difference!

This is an awesome opportunity is for bloggers or anyone willing to pay $20 tax deductible for a kit to get some awesome eco-friendly products and have a home party that will help you get you or keep you on the road to a greener life.

The Healthy Home Party Kit includes a ‘Creating Healthy Environments for Children’ DVD, a 5 Easy Steps guide, one set of pocket guides, Healthy Child brochures and 5 Easy Steps flyer, ‘Creating Healthy Environments for Children’ fact sheet, 5 Easy Steps on ‘How to Host a Healthy Home Party’, and product samples and collateral from Healthy Child Healthy World sponsors. The sponsors and partners include awesome companies like: Activeion, Baby Soy, CleanWell, BamboNature, Dapple, Earthbound Farm, Earth Friendly Products, Episencial, gDiapers, Happy Baby, Klean Kanteen, LUNA, Mohawk, Naturepedic, O.N.E Drinks, Organic Valley, Eat Cleaner, California Baby, Plum Organics, Revolution Foods, Seventh Generation, Weil Baby, and Yes to Carrots.

If you are on a budget and can't afford the $20 for the kit you can download free resources and materials You can also apply for a Healthy Home Party Scholarship. Every month Healthy Child Healthy World gives away 10 kits. Fill out the form to apply.

*Due to limited resources, they can only give out ONE Healthy Home Party Kit per household, per year. Please note: they do not ship outside the U.S. or to P.O. boxes, so please provide a valid U.S. street address.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: In entering and not being selected to host a Healthy Baby Home Party I was chosen as one of 300 people for their ongoing Healthy Home Party Kits for free so that I can host a party of my own soon. I posted this information for my readers to let them know of this great offer to host a party of their own. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this post.

BabyCenter Review and Giveaway

BabyCenter.com is my go to source for all things baby. Whether it be preconception, pregnancy, labor, delivery, postpartum or what nutritious things to feed my growing toddler, I have all the answers, advice and guidance right there at my fingertips and if they are not there already I can totally ask in the forums. I turn to this great resource of information because it is usually all there and I can help other moms out by commenting on their posts too which makes it a great network to go to. BabyCenter also provides parenting tools and medical advisory board-approved information for all the stages of your child's development.

My community profile page is...
http://community.babycenter.com/profile/finamoon

I received a prize pack from BabyCenter through MyBlogSpark to test and review for free. It included two new BabyCenter parenting books (BabyCenter Pregnancy and BabyCenter Baby), a package of Seventh Generation diapers, a gift card from BabyCenter partner, Shutterfly, an exclusive code to try the all-new BabyCenter online class and a BabyCenter bib.

BabyCenter has partnered with Diapers.com. The Seventh Generation diapers I received were awesome! Diapers.com carries these to buy online and some other wonderful green eco-friendly products. I love how these diapers are eco-friendly and safe for baby's bottom too. I got size ones to try out on Zari and the pack comes with 44 diapers. These diapers are chlorine, fragrance and latex free. They are hypoallergenic, and fit snuggly and comfortably around the baby's bottom with wonderful absorbency. Chlorine free diapers are a great alternative to cloth while traveling with baby. Seventh Generation products and other products that are chlorine free help reduce the amount of chlorinated toxins released into the environment. Seventh Generation also has eco-friendly wipes and training pants too.

Shutterfly is another BabyCenter partner. I have reviewed for Shutterfly before with their holiday cards. They have a wonderful selection and I am currently working on a photo book for my angel, Tatiana's birthday which is coming up on January 5th.

Besides their great partners and sponsors, BabyCenter continually strives to offer valuable parenting tools. Among the latest and greatest include:

* BabyCenter Parenting Books (BabyCenter® Pregnancy and BabyCenter® Baby)
o These two new practical and reassuring books provide pregnant women and new mothers with all of the information and support they need during this exciting new time in their lives, with a blend of expert advice and true "mom wisdom." Both are great, highly visual, reference books to keep on the nightstand for that nagging question or concern that inevitably pops up in the middle of the night.

* BabyCenter "Preparing for Labor and Birth" Online Class
o The BabyCenter Class is a convenient, at-home option for moms who can´t attend hospital childbirth classes due to hectic work schedules or being put on bed rest. And the price is right, too! For only $39.99, the all-new 2-hour instructional course lets you hear from doctors, ask your questions, and build confidence for your big day. Preparing for Labor and Birth includes: An explanation of the signs and stages of labor; What to expect during labor; Labor and birth stories from new moms; An overview of your pain-management options; A tour of a delivery room; Suggestions for creating your birth plan; A checklist to help you prepare for the big day and more.

* BabyCenter My Pregnancy Today App
o This new, free application for the iPhone and iTouch, guides expectant moms through their pregnancy journey, offering award- winning, medically reviewed health content; advice from obstetricians, midwives, nutritionists, and other experts; daily activities and reminders; and conversation and connection with other moms-to-be in BabyCenter's community.

* Mom Answers
o This new interactive tool gives BabyCenter moms an emotionally supportive environment where they can ask questions and get answers straight from other moms who've had similar life experiences. It´s like having access to 8 million best girlfriends 24/7.

* Milestones
o The new Milestones tool provides BabyCenter moms the ability to quickly and easily record important pregnancy and childhood milestones and share them with friends and family via e-mail, Facebook, and the BabyCenter Community. It's a fun way to create an online "baby book."

WIN IT:
MyblogSpark has generously offered a BabyCenter prize package that includes the two new BabyCenter parenting books (BabyCenter Pregnancy and BabyCenter Baby), a package of Seventh Generation diapers, a gift card from BabyCenter partner, Shutterfly and a BabyCenter bib to giveaway to one of my readers.

Mandatory:

1. Go to the BabyCenter website and tell me by commenting on this post what you love about the website.

Additional entries:

1.  Subscribe to my blog by feedburner or by email and let me know which way. (2 extra entries each)
2. Fan/Like me on facebook and write something on my wall. (1 extra entry)
3. Blog about this giveaway on your blog and provide me with the link. Make sure you have the link to this post and BabyCenter in your blog entry or it won't count. (2 extra entries)
4. Grab My Button (see sidebar to the left) AND/OR Put My Blog URL in Your Blogroll - Leave Your Link. (1 extra entry)
5. List this giveaway on any giveaway listing website or blog giveaway linky and tell me where you listed it. (2 extra entries)
6. Post this on your Facebook wall, Kirtsy, and/or StumbleUpon. (2 extra entries for each)
7. Comment on my regular (not giveaway) posts. (1 extra entry per post you comment on)
8. Follow me on Twitter. (1 extra entry)
9. Tweet this: @finamoon: @BabyCenter WIN BabyCenter Prize Package #myblogspark #giveaway http://bit.ly/f4bM6B (Daily Extras are Available)
10. Fan/Like BabyCenter on Facebook. (1 extra entry)
11. Follow BabyCenter on Twitter. (1 extra entry)
12. Sign up for the BabyCenter Community AND befriend me. (2 extra entries)

Make sure you leave me your email in all posts so that I can contact you. If you subscribed, blogged about this, listed it, commented on another post, or faved me on Momfaves leave 2 entries saying you did. This contest ends on Friday December 31, 2010 at midnight (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada). This Giveaway is open to all 18 years and over in the U.S. Only!!

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: The BabyCenter prize pack, information and the prize package for giveaway were all provided free by BabyCenter through MyBlogSpark. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.