Fluffy Friday: incredibum Wet Bag {giveaway!}

May 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

As an incredimom, I’ve had the fabulous opportunity to try out all of incredibum’s products!  I’ve reviewed their bamboo cloth diaper, cloth wipes, and this time I received an incredibum wet bag!  When I saw the product name, wet bag, I assumed it would be a small wet bag to carry in the diaper bag for short day trips.  But I pulled it out of the package and saw, what I would normally refer to as a pail liner!  incredibum actually calls it their large wet bag!

It’s advertised as “Large Bag is perfect for vacations, day to day diaper laundry or those fun family trips to the pool. It fits perfectly into an eight gallon pail.” And it does just that!

I use it as our pail liner and it’s one of my favorites.  It’s super thick and durable and has never felt damp on the outside.  It has a drawstring closure which I love for use as a pail liner, but if I was using it as a large wet bag without a lid on top {like on vacation}, I would be afraid that smells would escape rather easily.

I love the fact that it’s reversible and comes in 2 fun colors – it gives your pail a whole new look!

I have to say… I love the incredibum bamboo cloth diaper and I love their cloth wipes, but I think the wet bag has been my favorite product so far!  All of the incredibum products are of the utmost quality and very well worth their small price tags!

Buy It:  You can purchase the Large Wet Bag for only $12.95!!!  This is a great price for a pail liner/wet bag of this quality.  The wet bag comes in 3 choices with 6 different color options.

Win It:  One lucky So Easy Being Green reader is going to win a Large incredibum wet bag of their own!

Don’t miss Jenny’s Fluffy Friday post at According to Jenny!


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Filed Under: cloth diapers, Current Giveaways, fluffy fridays, Green, Review, travel

Our Light Bulbs are Turning Green! #GELighting

May 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

We were really lucky when we bought our home 3 and a half years ago.  The lady that previously lived here had upgraded a lot of her light bulbs to energy efficient ones.  A few were the “Instant On” bulbs, but most were the light bulbs that took a bit to fully shine.  I didn’t like those so I actually took them out and replaced them with regular, cheap bulbs.  Well, those regular, cheap bulbs kept blowing on me – so I put the energy efficient ones back in {I kept them just in case}!

I hadn’t really thought about it – because I don’t have to buy light bulbs that often – but we’ve never changed any of those bulbs!  They’re going strong at almost 4 years!  So, I decided that it was time to make a change and make all of our light bulbs turn green!

Before the switch, anytime I bought light bulbs, I always bought the GE Reveal.  I liked the crisper light and didn’t mind to pay a bit more for those bulbs.  I had it in my mind, and my husband especially had it in his mind, that it would cost a fortune to replace all of the light bulbs in our house to the GE Energy Smart bulbs.  It might have a few years ago, but it seems that these Energy Smart bulbs have really dropped in price and are extremely affordable – especially when you factor in how long they last AND how much money they’ll save you on your energy bill!

I went around the house checking out all of the light bulbs that I would need to switch over.  I was so happy to discover that only about 1/2 of the light fixtures around the inside AND outside of our house were already Energy Smart bulbs!  I was 1/2 to having all green light bulbs already!  I headed to our local Walmart with my list and a small bag of a couple of light bulbs that weren’t standard size to get what I needed!

Honestly, I was quite overwhelmed when I got to the lighting aisles.  I would really recommend doing a bit of research before you go to the store.  You can check out GELighting.com, which is a great resource that I found after I shopped.  I thought because I had bought Energy Smart bulbs once before, I would easily know what I wanted.  But I think there are a lot more Energy Efficient choices on the market today.

One thing you’ll definitely notice as you’re shopping for green-er bulbs is the price.  It’s definitely dropped over the past few years and you’ll reap more monetary rewards by buying in bulk.  GE wants you to save money on your energy bill AND help the environment… I feel like it’s an encouragement to do a makeover on your light bulbs!  Not only will you see great money savings by buying bulbs in larger packages, but you can also save another $2.00 with this coupon on your GE Energy Smart Purchase at Walmart!

I spent around $130 to switch out the remaining outdated bulbs to GE Energy Smart light bulbs!  I was very happy with that cost and am really excited to see the change in our energy bill.  I’ll have to wait a couple of months to actually see that, but there’s a fun calculator on the GE Lighting website that will estimate your energy savings.  I put in my information and… I’m estimated to save $162.35 annually and $889.60 savings over the life of the bulbs!!!

In addition to switching your light bulbs to more energy efficient ones like the GE Energy Smart bulbs, you can also do little things to help the environment {and your energy bill} like:

  • Turn off your lights when they’re not really necessary.
  • Get motion lights for outside so your lights aren’t on continuously.
  • Use timers if you like lights on before you go to bed – the timers will turn them off and you won’t even know it!

 

I am so excited that all of our light bulbs are green now – and I can’t wait to start seeing more green in our bank account, thanks to lower energy bills!  I’ll be posting again in a month, letting you know if we did see a change in our energy bill or not.  In the meantime, be sure to check out GE on Facebook and Twitter if you’re interested in making your light bulbs green too!

You can see more pictures of my shopping experience with GE Energy Smart Bulbs and more in my Google+ Album!

I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #CBias #SocialFabric

Filed Under: cbias, family, Green, learning, parenting, Review, technology Tagged With: , , , , ,

I’ve got a Teething Baby!

May 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Moreaya is definitely showing the first signs of teething.

  • Excessive drooling – even more than normal for her.
  • Chewing on her hands, more than normal.  She even dives at them to try to bite them harder.
  • Fussy more than normal
  • Loves chewing on the teethers that can be frozen.

She wears an amber teething necklace, but I’m a bit concerned that it isn’t helping like it seemed to help Sophia.  It’s actually Sophia’s necklace from when she was a baby so I wonder if they have a shelf life {does anyone know?}.

Although she hasn’t sprouted any teeth yet, I know it’s only a matter of time.  Actually, Sophia would show signs of teething up to 2 months before a tooth would actually come through.  It was so odd because she would have all of the above symptoms and they would just stop.  When they stopped – and she acted normal – you could bet that the tooth would come through in a few days!

While I was on the Earth’s Best website the other day, I saw that they now have a new Organic Teething Gel.  I haven’t had the chance to try it, but I’ve definitely been looking for it in stores when I think about it.

What do you/did you do for your teething children to help relieve their pain and itchy gums?

Filed Under: baby, Earth's Best Organic, family, parenting

Summer Splash Spotlight: BeginAgain Bathtub Ball

May 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I am so excited to introduce you to BeginAgain… a toy shop full of imaginative toys and fun things for children to enjoy and learn while playing!  When you visit their website, you’ll immediately notice that it’s broken into categories “awish: a – artist, w – writer, i – inventor, s – sportster, h – hero”.  All of the toys and products in the categories fit perfectly!

Welcome to the BeginAgain workshop! This is the place where we tell you all about us. To start, we are an imaginative toy company located in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Created by toymakers David Bowen and Chris Clemmer–two of the co-founders of Sprig Toys–BeginAgain is focused on thoughtful product design and imaginative storytelling for today’s kids. It is our goal to inspire children with stories of invention, adventure, and good old-fashioned fun. BeginAgain toys teach through play and nurture the development of the whole child.

I had a hard time picking a product because there are some really fun ones, but to go along with our Splish Splashing theme in the Summer Splash Giveaway Event, I definitely had no choice when it came to the fun Bathtub Ball – from the hero category!

This durable natural rubber play set is great for play in and out of water. The characters bubble with excitement as they sink in the water. This toy is perfect for the beach, bath, or pool.
Going on vacation, take this set on the go! The bathtub ball has storage built in. The rubber shark tanks doubles as clean up storage!
This toy set is dishwasher safe.

We just went to the aquarium recently and Sophia is obsessed with sharks so I knew she would love it.  This set is so much fun for imaginative play.  I do have to share this little story.  Sophia played with the set as soon as it came in the mail yesterday – she couldn’t wait for her bath.  She was playing in the floor and I heard her say, “Shark you need to eat.  You can eat Barbie.”  OMG!  It was so cute but I then assured her that sharks don’t eat people or Barbies – but too cute, right!?

She had a ton of fun with them all in the bath later that night too.  They all have holes in the bottom that create fun bubbles and help them dry without getting mildew in them.  They all smell strongly of natural rubber, which is actually a good thing {once the smells subsides a bit}.  I love that I can store them all in the ball too!  It’ll be easy to bring it inside and out without much trouble for Splish Splashing anywhere!

Buy It:  You can purchase the Bathtub Ball {with the 2 Sharks, Octopus, and Diver} on the BeginAgain website for $22.00.  Be sure to check out all of their other fun toys and products while you’re there!

Win It:  One lucky So Easy Being Green reader has a chance to win their very own Bathtub Ball in the Summer Splash Prize Package that is live right now!

Filed Under: Green, parenting, Review, toddler

Savory Summer – Green Your Kitchen – 2 Winners – US only

May 16, 2012 By 16 Comments

Savory Summer

Welcome to the 2012 Savory Summer blog-hopping giveaway event! I have teamed up with Measuring Flower, Graphoniac, and a bunch of other awesome blogs to bring you some tasteful food or food-related giveaways (each worth at least $25)–just in time for picnics and pool parties!
Our incredible grand prize sponsors for this decadent event are Nostalgia Electrics and Ella’s Kitchen, who are offering prizes worth over $100 each! You can enter to win one or both grand prizes HERE.

Here at So Easy Being Green, you have a chance at winning TWO great Prize Packages:

Savory Summer Kids

To read more about each of these great prizes and Sponsors, read their full reviews here:

EcoVessel Products
Re-Usable Sandwich and Snack Bags from Bugbaby Designs
HAPPYFAMILY Baby Products
Tommee Tippee explora Lil sippee spill proof trainer cups

Savory Summer Adult

 To read more about each of these great prizes and Sponsors, read their full reviews here:

EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Kitchen Scale
Eco Home Store Green Kitchen Products
EcoFoil

Both of these Giveaways are open to US residents only.

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Filed Under: baby, Current Giveaways, Green, parenting, toddler

Mama Cloth {a Series}: Part 1 – My First Week w/ No Disposables

May 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This is the first post in my Mama Cloth series.  You can find out why I’m blogging about them here.

**Remember, these posts are all about menstruation and being comfortable with the topic and your body – if you’re not interested, please skip this post!

I did it.  I went an entire cycle using only cloth and no disposable products… and I’m getting ready to do it again!  Although I am dreading it, I mean really – who enjoys the monthly visitor – I don’t dread buying disposable products and throwing money out with the trash!

I really encourage anyone who is on the fence about using cloth pads to try them out.  You can always start with a panty liner or two and see how it goes from there.

For the most part, my first cycle with all cloth went fine.  I don’t have a gigantic stash of pads so I had to wash every other day, but that’s recommended anyways for sanitary reasons.

It was no big deal for me to use the cloth pads when I was outside of the house.  They wrap and snap nicely to fit easily into a purse, or the diaper bag in my case, and I took along a very small wet/dry bag to keep them in.

Overall, they are pretty comfortable.  They are bulky, but not as bulky as you might think – probably as much as disposable pads.  If you have previously been using tampons, getting used to cloth pads will definitely be a little more work, but definitely worth it.

In my next post in the Mama Cloth Series, we’ll be discussing how to care for them:  Prep, Laundry Routines, Storage, and more!

Filed Under: Green, Mama Cloth

Tips for Helping Your Toddlers to Eat Healthier

May 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I blogged about Sophia becoming a picky eater a few weeks ago.  Luckily I asked for your help and we’ve been implementing an ideas that one of you gave me!  Tiffany suggested the “cheering method” and I thought, “Why Not?!”  We already use the “cheering method” for potty-ing, sharing, and learning so it only makes sense to try it with foods.

It’s definitely encouraged her to try new things and eat more of her good foods.  We’ve also been talking about growing bigger and being able to ride the big rides at Dollywood {this has turned into a huge motivator for her}.  She always repeats, “I’m getting bigger.  I’m eating my vegables!”  {I had to type it out how she says vegetables and at this point it’s so cute I don’t want to correct her – anyone else do that!?}

Earth’s Best has some great tips too that I wanted to share with you!  After reading these, I realize that I definitely need to offer certain foods more – like have broccoli at least 3 times a week so that it becomes a regular food that she sees often.

Toddlers enjoy playing with their food; it is a part of learning about it. Here are some helpful tips for encouraging your toddler to eat healthy from Earth’s Best:

Offer a wide variety of wholesome foods in a supportive, non-pressured setting and according to a regular, predictable schedule.
Present new foods at least twice a week.
Offer new foods along with old favorites.
Serve small, toddler-sized portions to not overwhelm your child.
Foods should be easy to chew and be bite-sized.
Provide snacks that are fun and interactive for your child, like Earth’s Best Organic™ Pop Snax.

Filed Under: Earth's Best Organic, Green, parenting, toddler

The Healthier Smoothie {giveaway!}

May 13, 2012 By 22 Comments

Sophie loves milkshakes, or she thinks she does.  Her grandparents tend to spoil her with ice cream and milkshakes and just a few sips is enough for her to think she’s gotten a super special treat.

So imagine her surprise when Mommy actually offers her “milkshakes” more often now!  Well, they’re not technically milkshakes but no matter how many times I tell her that they aren’t, she disagrees with me.  Oh well!

Doesn't every kid read the ingredients label on the back? ;)

I’ve been putting our Earth’s Best Organic Sesame Street® Fruit Yogurt Smoothies in the refrigerator and letting her enjoy them as a cool snack when we’ve been playing outside!  She loves them – and I love the fact that she’s getting a super healthy treat to keep her cool and full!  She usually doesn’t eat but about 1/3 – 1/2 of the pouch at one time, so I love that the pouch can be re-sealed and refrigerated for up to 24 hours so she can finish it later!

Organic foods offer countless healthful benefits for children and the world around us. Earth’s Best Organic Sesame Street® Fruit Yogurt Smoothies are a nutritious snack made from organic fruit and real organic yogurt. They are specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of toddlers and are an excellent source of calcium and antioxidant Vitamins C and D. Each serving provides one full serving of fruit with no refrigeration required.

They come in awesome flavors like Pear Mango, Strawberry Banana, Mixed Berry, Apple Blueberry and Peach Banana. Your kids will love them and they are a better option than a fast-food smoothie when you’re out and about this spring.

Buy It:  You can purchase a 2 pack of the Earth’s Best Organic Sesame Street® Fruit Yogurt Smoothies for $4.22.  They are also available at a variety of Earth’s Best retailers.

Win It:  One lucky So Easy Being Green reader is going to win a Earth’s Best Organic Sesame Street Fruit Yogurt Smoothie Sampler!

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Filed Under: Current Giveaways, Earth's Best Organic, Green, Review, toddler

Savory Summer Sponsor Spotlight: Tommee Tippee

May 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Before I became a Mommy Blogger myself, I read lots of other Mommy Blogs {and still do when I get the chance}.  One company that I didn’t really know much about until I started blog hopping was Tommee Tippee.  I had seen their products at Babies R Us when I was Pre-Baby shopping {over 2 years ago!}, but didn’t know much about the company by just browsing.

I am proud to say that I am a firm believer in Tommee Tippee products – and we have a lot around our house.

The newest addition to our collection and cabinets are the explora® Li’l sippee spill proof trainer cups!  Although we haven’t actually got to use them yet {they’re recommended for ages 6 mon+}, it won’t be long!  That statement makes me excited and sad at the same time!

  • Soft Spout – supporting baby’s oral development for first transitions
  • Silicone soft top works without biting
  • Integrated one-piece valve for easy cleaning and no spills or leaks
  • Easy to hold handles for little hands
  • All lids and handles interchangeable with other Li’l Sippees cups and Closer to Nature bottles
  • Hygiene cap

The handles on these cups will make it very easy for Moreaya to grip them when she starts drinking from a cup.  I like the soft spout for smaller users AND they’re dishwasher and microwave safe – can’t get any easier than that for your babies!  This will be the first cup that Moreaya will use!

Buy It:  You can purchase a 2 pack of explora® Li’l sippee spill proof trainer cups on the Babies R Us website or at your local store.  They retail for $7.99.

Win It:  Tommee Tippee is offering one lucky So Easy Being Green reader a chance to win a 2 pack of the explora® Li’l sippee spill proof trainer cupsin theGreen Your Kitchen for Baby Prize Package in the upcoming Savory Summer Event – that starts on Wednesday, May 16th!

Filed Under: baby, Green, parenting, Review

Fluffy Friday: Cloth Diapers at Night

May 11, 2012 By 4 Comments

 

Believe it or not – It is possible to successfully use cloth diapers at night!  I did and can still do so with Sophia and have her wake up in dry sheets in the morning.  Moreaya, on the other hand, is a different story right now.  I’m really struggling with a combination for Moreaya to wake up dry in cloth.

Here’s my experience of cloth diapering at night:

With Sophia, she wore a bumGenius 4.0 Pocket with both inserts until about 5 months.  Then I started putting in the OS insert along with a hemp insert underneath.  This lasted us until about 9 months until she started leaking.  For reference, we’re talking wear a diaper for 10-12 hours for nighttime.  Once we hit around 9 months, I switched to fitteds and Wool Covers.  This is what we still use for her successfully.

Moreaya is a belly sleeper and seems to be a heavy wetter, even at 4 months.  I struggle with finding a good combination for her because I don’t want to bulk her up to much in front or between her legs.  When we have leaks, they are always out the top of the diaper on her belly.

Sooooo… I’m turning to you all!  Does anyone have any tips for me to cloth diaper a little belly sleeper?  Other than stuff a bunch of hemp or something in the front?  I mean, specific diapers that seem to be better for belly sleepers?

Look for more information about Cloth Diapering at Nighttime coming soon to my Cloth Diapers 101 section!

Be sure to read the awesome article about Chinese Diapers: Manufacturing and Re-Branding post at According to Jenny today AND don’t miss her fun giveaway for a Pourty Potty if your child is close to potty training!

Filed Under: baby, cloth diapers, fluffy fridays, Green, learning, parenting
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