A Review of Vaska Herbatergent

Vaska’s herbatergent ™ uses real herbs and potent botanical cleaning agents for high performance stain removal and extreme freshness.

Clothing stays brighter, lasts longer and feels softer without the chemical residues that cause skin irritation and fabric damage.

Vaska’s herbatergent ™ is gray water and septic tank safe.

Recommended for babies and people with sensitive skin.

herbatergent ™ is safe for use on all natural and synthetic washable fabrics.

INGREDIENTS: Plant based surfactants, vegetable conditioner, water-soluble degreasing agent, lavender extract (leaves no scent) and filtered water.

I had the chance to try Vaska's new Herbatergent and it works great. Just a small capful cleans a whole load for laundry. Wow. I used it on some pretty soiled clothes to and it still worked fabulously. I did have to wash some khakis twice though but that's only because I didn't catch the stains the first time, I didn't find them until I was putting clothes in the dryer.

But I used a little bit of Vaska Herbatergent directly on the stains, soaked the khakis for a few then washed them again and the stains came off. Even the ones that looked like Kool-Aid or marker or something pinkish red all down the leg. Never can tell with kids.

The only thing I did not like was the no-odor odor. Yeah, that chemical I ahve no smell odor that unscented products tend to have. Hate that. Always makes me think of hospitals and other institutions. Ach.

I wish I could have received the lavender scented herbatergent to try. I love lavender. And I love good scents. Not fake no scents.

But the herbatergent itself works great. If I got the scented formula I am sure I'd be 100% happy with it and not just 95 %.

A Review of Clear the Air Odor Eliminator

Earth Care Furniture Odor Remover
Adsorbs pet odors from carpets, leathers and upholstery without chemicals or fragrances.

Safe to use on all fabrics and surfaces.
Earth Care acts like a magnet attracting and neutralizing smells. It is made from an all natural mineral, is non toxic and biodegradable and safe for Planet Earth. It is also safe around children and pets even if eaten.

Will cover up to 100 square feet

Clear the Air Odor Remover is an interesting product because it is not a spray or cleaner. It is a granule based product. You sprinkle it on the problem area, in this case carpet or furniture, leave it on overnight then vaccum it off.

And the odor's gone.

Really.

At least for awhile. I used it and it made the odors pretty much go away for a couple weeks but then they came back or were new odors.

Hard to tell with three cats and three male humans in the house. They tend to be smelly creatures. The men, not the cats.

Anyway I like this product because it is easy to use and does not spread fumes or odors in the air it doesn't try to cover the odor up, it actually works to get rid of the odor. Plus I like that it is totally safe to use around kids and pets. Nothing toxic or dangerous to worry about.

It's only $10.99 and covers up to 100 square feet of an area

You can purchase it along with many other all natural odor removing products at http://www.cleartheair.com/shop/furniture-pet-odor-remover.html

Green Gift Guide: Eco-Friendly Candles

Green Candlelight

Many women (and some men) love candles but most traditional candles are made with petroleum by-products, toxic fragrances and lead laden wicks.

Yet you can give the gift of green candlelight this season by choosing eco-friendly candles for holiday stocking stuffers. There are now many eco-candles available so you light up the dark winter evenings with candles made from soy wax, beeswax or even vegetable based paraffins.

You can’t go wrong when giving an eco-candle to a candle lover.

Here are some of the best in green candles:

Suey’s Scents offers beautiful and yummy scented soy candles along with a variety of bath and body products (all which would make great stocking stuffers). The candles come in assorted size glass apothecary jars, metal tins and small tea lights. All containers can be reused or recycled and the soy wax burns cleans.

Candles range in price from $6 to $16 for the larger candles. Tealights are $5.50 for a package of 6.

Illume Candles offer several lines of natural, soy, and vegetable paraffin wax candles




The average Illume Candle retails for around $25 though they do have some that are cheaper and some that are more expensive.

Scandle has created eco-friendly candles that burn at ultra low temperatures so the warm wax can be poured on the body and used as a massage oil or moisturizing lotion. Talk about 2 in 1 luxury! Who wouldn’t want a Scandle candle?

Scandle Candles range in price from $12.95 to $21.95.


Butterfly Effects offer pure soy wax candles made from soybeans grown right here in the USA. Pure, natural essential oils are used to scent these delightful candles and no dyes are used to color the wax. You end up with pure white candles in reusable and recyclable glass tumblers or curvy glass jars with lids.

Butterfly Effects Candles retail for $25 and less depending on the style and size of candle

EcoSumo has some nice candles including the Paddywax Pomegranate & Currant Tea Candle, a hand-poured candle with the tangy aroma of pomegranate that adds zing to the dark, rich sweetness of currant. The candle comes in a chlorine free paper pulp box that is biodegradable and it is wrapped with a 100% post-industrial recycled paper label.

The candles retail for $18

Green Gift Guide: Interesting Eco Gifts Under $30 for Anyone on Your List

Here are some interesting green gifts for the hard to shop for person on your list.

Motherboard Gifts is a company that utilizes old motherboards and computer parts to make fun and useful reclaimed gifts: business card cases, money clips, picture frames, clocks, coasters, jewelry, bookmarks, binders, and even Christmas ornaments.

These are eco-friendly gifts even the most tech savvy, computer geek may love and most are under $30 like the business card cases, CD clock, money clip, clip boards, picture frames and many other fun, recycled gifts.

Eco-Artware is “your one stop gift shop for all things beautiful, well made and environmentally friendly.” They offer a huge selection of handcrafted, green, and recycled artwork. You are sure to find something for anyone on your list at Eco-Artware. Some of the gift items to choose from include: jewelry made from old pennies, typewriter keys, and watch faces; bowls made from old records and signs; coasters made from old unplayable vinyl records; and baskets made from chopsticks in addition to many other fun recycled and Upcycled gifts.

Many eco-gifts are under $30

Aromapods are a new simplified way to experience aromatherapy. Aromapods deliver essential oils directly to the nose with an inhaler that's smaller than a credit card and will fit conveniently in a pocket or purse. All you have to do is slide it open, inhale deeply 3 to 5 times, and close. They are available in 24 different blends including Calm, Energize, Focus, Diet Aide, Lavender, and Peppermint, and in relief formulas for Headache, Sinus, Cold & Flu, Insomnia and PMS.

Aromapods are healthy, eco-friendly, and priced under $6



Kokokahn also offers aromatherapy inhalers in little tubes (remember the little Vicks inhalers we used to always carried around when stuffed u, that’s how these are made). These aroma packed tubes put the scent right where it needs to be-directly to your nose. These highly scented tubes come in three powerful formulas: Stress Relief, Immune Support and Emotional balance.

Each inhaler is only $6

Kokokahn also has a fabulous selection of bath and body products for under $30 including body scrubs and body balms.

EcoSumo has a wide variety of eco products-clothing, household products, cleaning products, even furniture and pet products. Some of their items are under $30 including the Reusable Bag and Bottle Combo sets which feature an EnvioSax reusable bag and a matching stainless steel 20 ounce Skinny bottle. The fun and funky prints are sure to please someone on your list. I really love La Boheme Combo 1 which is a black and white print with lacy, black almost paisley like designs on an off-white background.

The bag/bottle combo sets retail for $23.00

For the writer or sketcher on your holiday list consider ecojot notebooks and sketchbooks made from 100% post consumer waste with chlorine free and acid free cover boards. They also use vegetable based inks and glues for a truly eco product. With fun designs and funky colors these little books are sure to inspire.

Ecojot products may be found in a store near you or at one of these online stores.

Most of their products are well under $30

EcoBags are the original reusable bag and have been in business since 1989. I love, love, love their classic string bags. I walk around throwing everything in them, even though they were designed to be used for fresh produce. I just adore them. They can hold up to 40 pounds and are made from 100% organic cotton.

A set of 5 classic string bags is $29.99, a single classic string bag depending on style and size starts at just $3.49 and goes to $7.99






Bring it in a Bag is another company that offers stylish reusable and eco-friendly bags. Check out their round totes made from natural jute. They are stylish and can be used for anything. I rarely leave home without my black with natural trim large round tote.

They also have mini round totes to match the large bags, they would make such adorable little handbags.

Large round totes are $20.99 mini round totes are just $10.99


For the coffee lover on your list check out Green Mountain Coffee’s assortment of ethical, fair trade and organic coffee selections. They have an organic sampler pack perfect for holiday giving that contains: Organic Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, Organic French Roast and Organic Sumatran Reserve.

The organic sampler is just $24.95



Another fabulous coffee gift is the Rain Forest Rescue Gift Set from the Arbor Day Foundation. This is one of those wonderful gifts that gives back by supporting the Arbor day Foundation.

The gift set contains a bag of Arbor Day Blend Coffee and Rain Forest Mug for $19.95, a set with two mugs is $24.95



Got a tea lover on your list? How about specialty teas from Teatulia? They have whole leaf tea pyramids bags in lovely eco-friendly canisters.

A set of three of Teatulia’s Signature Organic Blends which contains white, black and green teas is $25.00

For a huge variety of flavored teas check out The Republic of Tea, they have the largest selection of flavors I have ever seem. Pomegranate Vanilla, Holiday Spice, Cinnamon Vanilla…I’m already hooked on these delicious teas. They have their everyday selections along with some nice samplers and gift sets for the holidays.

Many of their tea gifts and samplers are under $30

Looking for something a little stronger than coffee or tea? How about a bottle of wine?

Persimmon Creek Vineyards offers quality wine made in the mountains of Northeastern Georgia. Everything is still done by hand: planting, pruning, harvesting, and bottling- all the old fashioned way for high quality Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Seyval Franc, and Icewines.

Most bottles are under $30

For the chocolate lover on your list consider Divine Chocolate. These delightful fair trade chocolates are truly divine. They have a variety of chocolates and gifts for the chocoholic on your holiday list.

The lovely Alpine Sky Gift Basket is $27.00

For the chocolate lover who enjoys something a little different check out Original Beans. They have a few chocolate bars in unusual flavors- dark chocolate mixed with mulberry, or cognac, honey, even sea salt. This is truly exotic cocoa.

A single bar of this exotic chocolate is $11.95

For the kiddies on your list who may like something sweet but aren’t really into the exotic chocolates consider Glee Gum. Glee Gum is all natural chewing gum with no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. A perfect gift for kids is the make your own chewing gum kit. Kids can learn while having fun.

Make your chewing gum kits are $13, other Glee Gum products and gift packs are almost all under $30

Books Make Great Gifts

Green Christmas: How to Have a Joyous, Eco-Friendly Holiday Season by Jennifer Basye Sander, Peter Sander, and Anne Basye is the eco-Christmas guide book to help you get through the holidays in green without seeing red. From decorating to shopping for gifts, to throwing holiday parties and even cleaning up afterward- this wonderful little book will help any eco-minded person streamline the holidays. Make this season more meaningful with the help of Green Christmas, and if you want to help others have a more eco-holiday season this book will also make a great gift.

Cover price for this book is $7.95

Celebrate Green: Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family by Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson is another fabulous book that can help you make all of your holidays and celebrations green. Not only will it help you get through the winter holiday season it will help you green all of your celebrations throughout the year. And it makes a fabulous gift.

Cover price $24.95

I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas: Gifts, Decorations, and Recipes That Use Less and Mean More by Anna Getty is a really great green Christmas book full of crafts, how tos and fabulous advice. This is one of the best green Christmas books I’ve come across, it can help make your Christmas meaningful again.

Cover price $24.95

Don't Forget the Batteries

If you are purchasing gifts that need batteries make sure to go green in that department as well by getting rechargeable batteries or the new Fuji Enviro Max batteries which are mercury free, cadmium free, PVC free and packaged in recycled materials.

If you like recharagable batteries check out PowerGenix PGX1HRCH-4AAZiNc-1.6v 4-Position Charger with 4 AA High Voltage 1.6v 2500 mWh ZiNc Rechargeable Batteries
it delivers an efficient & fast charge at a great value. You can charge two AA or AAA NiZn batteries in 1 to 1.5 hours, or charge 4 AA batteries in about 3 hours. The PowerGenix Quick Charger is intended for use with eco-friendly NiZn batteries only.

Eco-Friendly Bath, Body and Beauty Gifts Under $30

Eco-Bath, Body and Beauty Products

The women (and some men) in your life will love finding bath and body products in their stockings…if you choose wisely.

Whether it is sweet smelling perfumes, relaxing bath salts or uplifting shower gels make sure to go for the green…as in eco-friendly green.

If you have a young woman on your list be sure to check out Glory for Girls, all natural skin care for younger girls to help “inspire each and every girl to believe in her unique self and take pride and responsibility for how she looks, how she feels, and how she acts.” These fun and unique products are 100% natural, no artificial colors, fragrances, no parabens or phthalates…just natural ingredients for healthy skincare.

Most products are under $30, a full size gift set is only $42 and while a little over budget well worth the price to get 3 full size Glory for Girls basics



Bebe Dulce Aspen has amazing handmade, all natural bath and body products that are aromomatic spa quality products that smell amazing and leave your skin soft and smooth. I highly recommend the All Natural Lotion in Clementine- a delightful fresh citrus aroma that isn’t overpowering, it will leave your skin so wonderfully smooth even in the middle of winter. At just $16.00 it is a worthy stocking stuffer.

All of their mom gifts are under $30

SkinnySkinny has some fabulous organic bath and body products (along with many other great green goods). They are one of the greenest companies you’ll find since they are 100% carbon neutral and they offer certified organic ingredients in all of their products.

Their soaps are one of the best and their lip balms and bath salts are so awesome.

A 4.3 ounce bar of soap is only $8.00 and a 3 pack is $20.50, skinnyskinny lip balms are $6 each

Another great soap that is much more than your average soap bar is the Pomega5 Oil of Life cleansing bar. This little aromatic bar is filed with omega rich olive oil along with pomegranate oil and a rich blend of essential oils. It purifies as it cleanses and can be used on both face and body.


A bar of this rich lathering soap is $18.00




Indigo Wild offers some of the greatest bath and body products. I love the goat’s milk soap Zum Bars. Their catch phrase is “any more natural and you’d be naked.” Gotta love that.

Indigo Wild offers a full line of bath and body products including soap, lotion, lip balms, massage oils, and a fun selection of holiday inspired products.

The 3 ounce bars of soap are only $5.50, most other products are well under $30 including some of their gift sets


Garden Girl Skin Care Products are completely natural bath, body and beauty products that are completely free of phthalates, parabens, sulfates, petroleum products and mineral oil. These are products that even the picky lady on your list is sure to enjoy- Pucker Up Coconut Body Scrub, Liven Up All Natural Energizing bath Salts, Smooches Body Butter Chill Out Body Lotion- these are just some of the fun products you can find for under $30, most are well under $30. This is one of the most reasonably priced all natural bath and body companies I’ve come across. They offer high quality products at affordable prices. Perfect for a tight budget this holiday season.

Gift kits are almost all under $30, some as low as $14.00 for a kit that contains three or more products

Green Tea Goods are handcrafted with ancient Chinese herbs and all natural ingredients. Green Tea Goods Pulse Point Elixers are so awesome, you have got to try them for yourself or get them for someone on your list. They come in two formulas: Energize & Focus which has a minty aroma and my favorite: Calm & Relax which has a lavender, rosemary, tangerine aroma which is delightful.

Green Tea Goods also offers lip balm, cuticle cream, body balm, and natural hand refresher.

Everything in their online store is under $10



Coco Zen is the place to shop for the any woman on your list. Why? Because Coco Zen offers women what they really want…chocolate! Coco Zen offers delightful organic bath and body products made with organic and fair trade chocolate, yes real chocolate.

Not sure what to get her from Coco Zen?

The Head to Toe Chocolate Body Gift Set is a great choice containing one of each of these bath and body products:

Chocolate Edible Lip Scrub (in Chocolate Brown Sugar) - .5oz recyclable metal screw-top tin
Chocolate Lip Balm (in Chocolate Mint Bliss) - .25oz recyclable metal slide tin
Chocolate Salt Scrub (in Chocolate Brownies) - 4oz amber glass jar
Chocolate Soap (in Chocolate Mint Bliss) - individually wrapped bar
Chocolate Lotion (in Chocolate Milkshake) - 4oz amber glass jar with pump

Gift sets are around $40 but individual products cost under $30

Shea Terra Organics is another wonderful company that offers a great selection of luxury organic bath and body products. Shea Terra Organics has a variety of creams, lotions and bath products made with pure, organic shea butter that will leave skin soft and smooth.

Many Shea Terra products are around or under $30

Brittanie’s Thyme offers a variety of delightful organic herbal products for skin and hair care: facial cleansers, organic oatmeal and yogurt facial scrubs, natural green clay, sea salt scrubs- all wonderful little eco-luxuries that a lady might love to find in her stocking.


Brittanie’s Thyme offers many products for under $30

The Joy of Soap creates “natural handmade soap from scratch using the finest-quality ingredients resulting in a luxurious and soothing soap that is gentle on your skin.” All of their vegetable based soaps contain certified organic oils, sustainable and therapeutic grade essential oils, and organic or sustainably wild crafted botanicals. The result is a “wonderfully moisturizing and creamy bar of soap with soft, fluffy bubbles that leave your skin clean and smooth.”

These fabulous soaps have fun names like Feeling Frisky, Ginger Snap, Lay Me Down Lavender and Manly Man. 2 ounce bars are only $3.50 and full size 5 ounce bath bars are $7.50

Trillium Organics has created a couple new lines of products that are made especially for pregnant women and new babies. OGmama and OGbaby are natural and truly 100% organic bath and body products.

If you know someone who is expecting or has a new baby, these products will make a great gift. They are even perfect for moms who aren’t expecting but just want to use the safest and most natural products that they can on themselves and their little ones.

When purchasing from Trillium Organics you won’t break the bank either, all of their wonderful products are less than $30 a piece. A sample OGBaby set is $9.98 for the congestion clearing set or $12.98 for the bath and body set. An OGMama sample set is $19.98

The Elemental Seaweed Body Scrub from Donah’s Passions is wonderful. You will not believe how good you’ll feel after using it. Not only will it make your skin look and feel glorious on the outside it will make you feel better inside as well. I can’t get enough of this stuff.

A 4 oz.jar of the seaweed scrub is only $17.50, Donah’s Passions also offers several other natural, eco-body products for under $30

Dr Dobbs Old Fashioned Remedies may have the perfect gift for someone on your list who really loves to reminisce about the good old days. These products can take you back to the days of general stores, peddlers with their carts, and small family owned drugstores. Dr Dobbs products combine old fashioned, time tested formulas with modern know how and natural ingredients.

With all products of Dr Dobbs products coming in at under $30 you are sure to find something to stick in a stocking

If you have someone on your list into natural hair products and old fashioned style pomades then check out Product, yes that’s the name Product and they offer all natural, pure ingredients for gorgeous hair.

One 1.5 ounce jar is just $14.00 while Lil Product for children is $8.00 for a .75 ounce jar

Ely Organics has a huge variety of Miessence organic beauty, bath, and body products for under $30 for the whole family. Make sure to drop by the website to see what they have to offer.

New Zealand’s ecostore has found its way to the US. Ecostore was founded on the principle of “No Nasty Chemicals”. The popularity of ecostore’s natural products now has their USA team working to bring the best of their products to stores in the US. Ecostore USA now has fabulous shampoos, conditioners, soaps, baby products, cleaning products, even pet products available on the web and ins several stores including Michigan based Meijer stores.

Most ecostore products are all under $30

Haileys Dragonfly Garden offers luxurious, all natural and organic body products for the whole family, including fairy items and all natural perfume sprays. I am eyeing Remember- which is a blend of Vanilla and Coconut fragrances-mine and my husband’s favorite scents.

And it is only $9.95 for a 1 ounce bottle. Many of their products are well under our $30 budget

Cactus and Ivy has a great variety of all natural, organic and vegan bath and body products. Body scrubs, balms, lotions, soap, lip balms and so much more and all eco friendly.

Most Cactus and Ivy products are well under $30

The Dazzle Dry Nail Polish System is made for the “on the go lifestyle” with polish that goes from wet to dry in less than five minutes. The quick drying Dazzle Dry Nail System contains no harmful chemicals, it is free of formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, and camphor and is also nitrocellulose free (this is the stuff that turns your nails yellow). The Dazzle Dry formula is also Vegan and Non-Toxic.

The whole Dazzle Dry kit, which comes with nail prep, base coat, top coat and three colors, is $54 but each individual polish is only $9

Neroli Rose all natural body products are made with hydrating shea butter from Southern Sudan. Sudanese Shea Butter is thought to be the finest natural moisturizer in the world. Neroli Rose product ingredients are organic, wild-crafted or ethically produced, with no synthetic ingredients, chemicals or petroleum derivatives in any of their products. They use the best therapeutic-grade essential oils in the world and create proprietary blends with aromas that can enhance physical and emotional well-being.

Many Neroli Rose products cost less than $30

If you have a woman on your list who loves things a little exotic then check out Auric Blends Egyptian Goddess Perfumes. These exotic aromas are sure to bring out the goddess in your lover of all things exotic. The perfume products are 100% natural, made with pure essential oils.

Perfume roll ons are $11.95 and $15.95 depending on scent chosen

If you have someone on your list that isn’t really into “green” products or that really loves a certain brand then consider holiday gift sets from Paul Mitchell. A portion of all proceeds from the Paul Mitchell Holiday Gift Sets will be donated to Amnesty International while a portion of Paul Mitchell’s Tea Tree Gift Sets will be donated to benefit American Forests. So these are traditional gifts that give back.

Paul Mitchell Gift Set Trios retail for $19.95, Duos for $14.95, and the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Gift Sets retail for $21.95 and $24.95 and can all be purchased in professional salons

For gifts that really give back consider shopping with Peacekeeper Cause-Metics they are the first company to donate all of their after tax distributable profits to Women’s Health Advocacy and Human Rights issues.

Peacekeeper Cause-Metics offers lip balms, lipsticks, lip glosses, and nail paints that are some of the cleanest in the business. No parabens, no artificial coloring or artificial fragrance, no toluene, no formaldehyde, no acetone, no phthalates, no mineral oils…just clean, natural cosmetics that will help you look and feel good while doing good.

Peacekeeper natural lip glosses are $9.98, nail paints are $7.98, lip sticks are $11.98 and a diplomat gift set featuring a nail polish, lip stick and lip gloss in lighter shades is $30 a visionary gift set includes a lipstick, lip gloss and nail polish in darker, bolder shades also for $30

For the little ones who need safe, eco-friendly bath and body products consider eco.kid products. They have a full line of products that are kid and eco-friendly. My personal favorite is the Call Me Bubbles Hypo-Allergenic Bubble Bath. Many natural bath products don’t bubble and let’s face it kids like bubbles. This product gives you the best of both worlds.

A bottle of eco.kid bubble bath is $26.95

For the guys on your list try Pacific Shaving Company for some all natural sahving products that can save guys from getting nicks and cuts while offering a smooth shave...naturally.

They have natural shaving cream, oil, and blade oil along with nick sticks for when you do get a razor nick.

Everything is well under our $30 budget

Here’s something fun to stick in someone’s stocking that’s been naughty- a lump of Santa’s coal soap. Made by Sweet Soaps, the Santa’s coal soap is a natural glycerin soap scented with peppermint essential oils. It’s great for good or bad kids (but could really make a statement to the bad ones). The soap even comes packaged in an eco friendly muslin drawstring bag. Sweet Soaps also offers a fun Snowman Poop soap that is coconut scented. Perfect for a fun holiday gift that will get a laugh out of everyone.

Sweet Soaps also offers custom soaps for businesses, weddings, and other events.

Both soaps are $5 a piece for a three ounce bar

Green Gift Guide: Eco-Friendly Stocking Stuffers and Gifts for Kids Under $30

Green Gifts for Kids

Little ones on your list are sure to love Maggie’s Organics adorable sock monkeys. They are the cutest, organic sock monkeys that I’ve seen. They are a must have for any kids on your list. My little guy received over a year ago and it is still his favorite toy. It is made from organic materials and filled with recycled poly fill so it is green and safe for your little ones.

Maggie’s Organics now has other sock creatures as well.

Sock monkeys retail for $20. Maggie’s Organics organic Penguins are $20 and Maggie’s barnyard animals are $15



Ditch the plastic bottles and opt for CGKidz stainless steel water bottles by CynerGreen. They are stainless steel and fabulously reusable, a great way to carry around water or juice. Better than BPA filled plastic bottles that are neither safe nor eco.

All of the stainless steel bottles made by CynerGreen are under $25

Ecousable also has a nice selection of stainless steel, BPA free bottles including cute 10 ounce bottles with kid friendly designs and filter bottles that have their own built in filter to help get rid of what could be lurking in your tap water.

10 ounce kid size bottles are $12.49 and prices go up from there the filtered bottles are just over our $30 budget at $34.99 for an 18 ounce and $39.99 for a 25 ounce




A really green toy making company is Plan Toys. They offer quality wood toys made with environmentally friendly, kiln dried, chemical free, rubberwood. Their toys are also made with E-Zero glue, water based non-toxic colors, and recycled and recyclable materials. Plan Toys does everything with “green” in mind. Rosie Hippo shares the “green” passion of Plan Toys and sells only ethical, quality, eco-friendly toys for children. Rosie Hippo offers many Plan Toys like the wood and metal cookware set which is realistic yet small, the perfect size for little hands. The matching tableware set is a playful work of art with cute little plates, bowls, forks and knives all made of wood.

The cookware set retails for $20 at Rosie Hippo while the wood tableware set is $25. Rosie Hippo carries a wide variety of other eco and ethical toys in addition to those by Plan Toys

Stubby Pencil Studio, they have eco-art supplies for your little ones that are perfect for holiday stocking stuffers. Eco-friendly pencils, soy crayons, smencils, Forest Stewardship Council approved colored pencils, banana paper notebooks, washable markers, recycled paper sketchbooks and journals.

Almost everything at Stubby Pencil Studio is under $25

Another company that offers wonderfully “green” art supplies for kids is Clementine Art . They make safe markers, natural glue, natural soy crayon rocks, soy crayons shaped for little hands to hold, safe finger paints, and natural modeling dough- all which will make fabulous stocking stuffers for the budding artist on your shopping list.

Plan to add some of Clementine’s art supplies to your cart when you’re at a Whole Foods Market or visit their new online store.

Eco-Artware is one of my favorite eco shopping destinations Eco-Artware has gifts for everyone including several toys for little ones like adorable stuffed animals made from recycled sweaters. My daughter has been eying the penguin for ages. She may just get it this Christmas.

Most of the sweater critters are $26 each. Some are cheaper, at $20 while a few are more expensive

Do you have budding builders and architects on your shopping list? Then check out CitiBlocs the newest building blocks for kids. Made from renewable New Zealand forests of Radiata Pine, CitiBlocs are unique because every single block is the same shape and size, precisely cut and shaped to make sure they offer stable, quality pieces that can be stacked and balanced. No glue, snaps, or connectors needed -just a bit of imagination which children are often full of-especially when they have the right inspiration in front of them.

A natural set with 52 pieces is $15

If you have a little princess then check out Rebekah Green’s line of children’s earrings. They are so cute and come in child friendly designs: turtles, bears, ladybugs, flowers, snowflakes, cherries, butterflies, bees, spiders, angels, and plain studs that are all sustainably made. The children’s designs are made especially with little ears in mind. They feature small, fun creations set in white, yellow and rose golds with safety backings.

Rebekah Green’s earrings are all made exclusively from 100% recycled 14K and 18K gold, fair trade gemstones, and cubic zirconia (to avoid any association with conflict diamonds and to keep pricing reasonable). The earrings are manufactured in the USA and 5% of net profits are donated to charities.

These earrings are reasonably priced. The turtle earrings are just $30. That’s a great price for ethical, sustainable, eco-friendly, real gold jewelry. Most all of the children’s earrings are under $40

HappyMais building blocks are made by Ecotoys in Italy and sold through PeekaGreen.com. The building blocks are made from cornstarch dyed with non-toxic food coloring. A basic kit comes with over 700 pieces, a sponge, a special mater-bi knife to safely cut the pieces, and a sheet of cardboard cutouts to attach to the cornstarch pieces to make creative creatures and designs.
With Happy Mais you don’t need any glue, paint or other messy stuff. Everything you need, except the water, comes right in the box. Kids get the pieces slightly wet and stick them together to make fun things. Slightly moistened pieces can be molded and shaped-just don’t get them too wet or they will disintegrate into nothing.

A box of Happy Mais is $29

Bluedominoes safe activity dough is an all natural, safe, organic, gluten free, lead free dough that kids can play with for hours of doughy fun. Even the packaging is “green”.

A five pack of different colored activity dough is only $14.99


Hape Toys has some really wonderful eco and ethical toys including wood toys by Woody Clik and some very cute bamboo cars called ERacers.

ERacers are $19.95

For the little reader on your list consider the picture story book Miracle in Sumatra: The Story of Gutsy Gus by Jeanne McNaney the author of The Legend of Honey Hollow. Where Honey Hollow featured bears, Miracle in Sumatra “chronicles Gus, a young orangutan who fights to save his parents from greedy trappers”. This wonderfully illustrated book will help children learn about standing up for what they love, compassion, and how to be an environmental advocate. It’s a book with a green message all children should learn about at an early age.

Retail price for Miracle in Sumatra is $16.95


For older children, mainly in the 7-11 age group, The Fairy Houses Series by Tracey Kane is a great series of books that combines magic and nature in a way children love. The newest book in the series is Forest Secrets. In Forest Secrets a little girl discovers her home is on the border of an enchanted forest where she finds a new friend and a mysterious fairy house in the trunk of a tree. They soon learn the woods are in danger but they are determined to save them, but how?

Forest Secrets retails for $14.95

A Guide to Wrapping Gifts Green

This year many people are trying to be more earth conscious but one major problem that many come up against during the holidays is how to wrap gifts in an eco-friendly manner.

According to Gift Bags Gone Green every year Americans spend more than $5 billion dollars on gift wrap, bags, and tissue paper- and the majority of that ends up in landfills.

If you want to be eco-friendly you definitely don't want to contribute to that huge pile of gift wrap that ends up in landfills. So what do you do?

Get Creative and Go DIY with Your Green Wrappings

One way to wrap presents greenly is to do reuse what you already have.

If you don’t want to spend a lot of green wrapping you can make use of unique items you have around your home that can be transformed into fun holiday wrapping paper, such as the comic section of newspapers, colorful and unique pages from magazines, old maps or paper you make yourself.

Brown or white package paper can be completely transformed with stamps, paint, markers, stickers or anything else you may have laying around the house. Have the kids use finger paint and stamp their little hand prints on the paper. Grandparents are sure to love such heartfelt wrappings.

Plain cardboard boxes and paper bags can also easily be transformed into fun gift bags and boxes with markers, paint, crayons or whatever art supplies you have.

Another great way to integrate green into your gift wrap is to make the present part of the package by wrapping one gift with another gift.

Are you giving a blanket as a gift? Put another present inside the blanket, and use the blanket as the wrapping. Tie it with a ribbon, and you are all set. Roll up sweaters, and stick items like socks and underwear inside. Tie gifts up with curtain tiebacks, shoelaces or hair ribbons. That way everything is part of the gift, gets used, and does not get thrown away.

If you are handy with a needle and thread you could make your own reusable cloth gift bags to wrap up your green gifts with any fabric you have on hand, even old t-shirts and blue jeans would make fabulous fabric gift bags.

Reusable Fabric Gift Bags

If you don’t have time to sew your own bags or maybe you just don’t sew you could consider purchasing pre-made fabric gift bags and wraps.

Fabric gift bags are stylish, beautiful, washable and reusable. There are bags in all sizes, shapes and colors that can be reused over and over again every year.

Gift Bags Gone Green has created fun and funky fabric gift bags that are washable and reusable. They have some very cute holiday prints available.

Small bags start at just $5.99 and extra large bags are $13.49. A whole set of bags that includes one of each size is $45.99.

http://www.giftbagsgonegreen.com/

Lucky Crow also has some wonderful, reusable cloth gift bag collections including some made from organic cotton. They offer prints and solid colors with plenty suitable for holiday giving.

Extra small bags are $4.49; extra large bags are $13.49

http://www.luckycrow.com/

Ecorations sell beautiful fabric gift bags, pouches, sacks, and fabric wraps that can be reused year after year. They even offer the giant, 100% organic cotton Santa sack which can hold quite a few gifts. This heavy duty cotton bag is something that can be cherished by children for generations. I know my little guy is going to love finding a Santa Sack filled with goodies just for him.

Pricing starts at just $5.99 and goes up from there

http://www.ecorations.com/

Wrap it Green

Tied fabric, creative gift boxes, and reusable gift bags are all wonderful eco-ways to save trees and have a fun, green Christmas, but they may lack a little of that old fashioned holiday magic the kids really look forward to.

Nothing says Christmas morning like the sound of wrapping paper being torn from gifts. If you have children you can’t really give up wrapping paper altogether (at least my family can't) but you can still be green while wrapping gifts in paper. You just have to choose the most eco-friendly wrap possible by choosing companies that make gift wrap from recycled paper and eco-conscious inks.

Fish Lips Paper Designs is an eco-friendly wrapping paper company based in Florida. All of their gift wraps are designed, printed and packaged right here in the USA on 100% DE-INKED recycled paper (with a minimum of 50% PCW) using non-toxic soy inks.

Fish Lips wrapping papers are available for resale in individual sheets (22″ x 33.75″) or “rolls” of 2 sheets.

Retail prices are $4 for a gift wrap sheet and $8 per two sheet roll

http://www.fishlipspaperdesigns.com/

Earth Presents produces 100% recycled and recyclable gift wrap products. Their wrapping paper and gift tags are made out of 100% post-consumer recycled paper that is processed chlorine free. Vegetable-based inks are used so that the paper is eco friendly and fully recyclable. Matching ribbons and bows are made from recycled plastic bottles!

Gift wrap is $6.00 for two 24" x 36" sheets

http://www.earthpresents.com/

Earth Love’n Paper Products sell gift wrap and gift tags/cards that are printed on 100% post-consumer waste and processed chlorine free and printed with vegetable based ink. They sell several lovely winter holiday designs including some for Hanukkah.

Two 24x36 inch pieces of paper sell $4.75 for flat sheets, $5.35 for a roll

http://www.earthloven.com/

Paper Source has a beautiful line of recycled gift wrap. The PS Green Choices line has a cute selection of holiday patterns printed on Eco-White, 100% recycled paper made with a minimum of 30% post-consumer waste.

They also scrap book paper sized sheets and lovely Christmas greeting cards as part of their PS Green Choices line.

Wrapping paper sizes and prices are $2.25 for a flat sheet -size - 19 1/2" x 27"and $7.95 for a roll. A roll contains 2 sheets - 26 1/2" x 39"

http://www.paper-source.com/

There are many ways to wrap in eco-style and the most important thing is that you put an eco-conscious effort into making the holidays greener this year. These are just some of the green wrapping options available. Think creatively and you could probably come up with some fun, green ways to wrap your gifts this year.

Eco-Friendly Photo Greeting Cards

It’s about time someone offered a service that allows you to create your own photo greeting cards that are printed on eco-friendly paper. My Good Greetings does just that.

For the first time, beautiful custom photo greeting cards, announcements and invitations, with matching envelopes and address labels, are completely earth-conscious – from printing to packaging – every step of the way.

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Green Holiday Gift Ideas

Top 25 Environmental Holiday Gift Ideas

Now that Thanksgiving is over, Christmas gift buying is in full swing. The challenge is on! With only a few shopping days left and perhaps many gifts still to buy; here are a few ways to minimize your shopping time and frustration and simultaneously make a significant difference for the environment. When making a few changes in your buying styles and habits you can have a considerable impact on the environment with little effort.

It’s really fairly easy. Just follow some of the gift ideas below and enjoy the satisfaction of being part of the “green” movement by greening your gifts. Make it a truly “green” holiday this year. Take heed!

Remember try to give gifts that people need, can use and are practical. Be creative! Try these……

1. Tickets to movies, concerts, museums, sporting events, outdoor activities or an annual pass to national parks.

2. House or garden plants, herbs, seeds and bulbs. Pots and planters boxes made from natural ingredients.

3. Gift certificates to clothing, electronics, books, grocery, or vitamin stores.

4. Donate to one or more Charities in the name of your recipient.

5. Give the gift of YOU! Make coupons for services such as babysitting, a night out at the movies, dinners dates, weekends away, massages, yard work, dog-walking or help write a resume or article, give a computer lesson or offer some other talent or skill you can share.

6. An old book or collector’s item. Things with unique and personal meaning. Shop at antique stores, estate sales or flea markets for these treasurers.

7. Cook home-baked sweets and put in a reusable tin box, a kitchen container, or another usable item.

8. Any homemade item; a knitted hat or scarf, a pair of earrings, or pottery.

9. Fair-trade organic chocolate or coffee. Always a favorite.

10. Clothes and other items made from hemp, wool, or organic cotton.

11. A roll of postage stamps.

12. Office supplies such as recycled paper and envelops.

13 Energy efficient light bulbs, battery re-chargers, or solar-powered products.

14. First aid kits or emergency road side equipment.

15. Board and card games that will be used over and over again.

16. For your children, you can open a savings account, buy stocks or bonds.

17. A gift gasoline card for your teenager or college student.

18. A calendar marked with important dates, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and family gatherings.

19. A book of favorite recipes.

20. Carbon offsetting. This purchase erases negative energy footprint of reducing carbon emissions.

21. Music and books. itunes or the equivalent downloadable books and music.

22. Plant trees in the name of your beneficiary.

23. Name a star after

24. Have a party and invite everyone over as your gift.

25. A year’s membership to an Environmental organization, a health spa, or auto club.

The list is really endless if you just take a moment to think about your purchase. If you consider where the product was made, what it is made of, who made it, what actually went in to the manufacturing of the product, you might want to reconsider that purchase.

Fact: A manufactured item will generate 70 times its weight in waste during manufacturing. Wow!

To learn more about how become more environmental conscious when planning your holiday parties and events, planning conferences, workshops and seminars, and events of all sizes, shapes, and styles, visit my website: http://www.successfuleventplanning.com/.

Short Bio:

As an Event Planner, Writer, and Environmentalist Ms. Kilkenny is in the process of writing her next book which is dedicated to "greening" the hospitality and event planning industry. Her first book is“The Complete Guide to Successful Event Planning”

isit http://http://www.successfuleventplanning.com/ for more information.

Earth Love’n Paper Products Perfect for the Holidays

If you don’t have time to make you own gift wrap or cards this year, or maybe if you just need a starting point check out Earth Love’n Paper Products. They make gift wrap and note cards from 100% recycled paper.

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You Know There's Going to Be Leftovers

Check out these great turkey leftover recipes provided by Mission Foods http://www.missionmenus.com/

Turkey and Black Bean Wraps

Serves: 8
PrepTime (min): 10
CookTime (min): 7
Prep Tool: Stovetop

Recipe Ingredients:

8 Mission® 96% Fat Free Heart Healthy 8 inch Soft Taco Tortillas warmed (Available in grocery stores nationwide)

2 medium Tomatoes chopped

1/2 cup canned Black Beans rinsed and drained

4 tablespoons canned Green Chiles sliced

1/3 cup Green Onion sliced

1 tablespoon Cilantro chopped

1 package Spices and Seasonings for fajitas

1/2 cup Water

3 cups cooked Turkey shredded

Recipe Instructions:

1. Combine tomatoes, black beans, chilies, green onions and cilantro; set aside.

2. In large skillet, combine seasonings and water; bring to a boil.

3. Add turkey and reduce heat. Fold in tomato mixture and cook on low for 5 minutes, stirring often.

4. Scoop 1/4 cup of the cooked mixture on each tortilla. Fold in sides and roll-up to serve.

Turkey Veggie Casserole in Easy Bake Shell

Serves: 6
PrepTime (min): 15
CookTime (min): 30
Prep Tool: Oven

Recipe Ingredients:

6 Mission® 6 inch Small Flour Tortillas (Available in grocery stores nationwide)
1 tablespoon Margarine

1 cup button Mushrooms sliced

1 clove Garlic medium, minced

1 10 ounce can condensed Cheese or Broccoli Cheese Soup undiluted

1/2 cup Sour Cream

2 cups cooked or leftover Turkey cubed

1 cup cooked Broccoli Florets fresh

1 cup sliced, cooked Carrots

1/2 cup sliced Green Onions

Recipe Instructions:

1. Lightly brush six 1 cup custard cups or small oven-proof bowls with softened margarine.

2. Shells: soften tortillas by warming briefly in skillet or microwave, and then gently push tortilla into cup or bowl and place on baking sheet.

3. Filling: sauté mushrooms and garlic in 1 tablespoon margarine. Stir in soup and sour cream, blend well, and add turkey, broccoli, carrots and green onions. Remove from heat.

4. Spoon 1/2 cup filling into each tortilla shell. Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes until filling is hot. Carefully remove shells from cups and serve.

Turkey Tacos with Cranberry Chipotle Sauce

Serves: 6PrepTime (min): 15
CookTime (min): 15
Prep Tool: Work Surface, Stovetop

Recipe Ingredients:

Tacos:

12 Mission® 96% Fat Free Heart Healthy 8 inch Soft Taco Tortillas (Available in grocery stores nationwide)

3 cups cooked Turkey cut into strips

6 cups Mixed Greens

1/2 cup Candied Walnuts

Sauce:

2 Oranges zested, minced

1 cup Sugar

1 pound Cranberries, frozen whole

1 tablespoon Chipotle (canned), pepper and sauce, pureed

2 tablespoons Orange Liqueur such as Grand Marnier (optional)

1 tablespoon Mint, Fresh chopped

1/4 teaspoon Cloves Ground

1/4 teaspoon Ginger, Ground

Recipe Instructions:

1. To prepare the sauce, zest one orange and set aside. Juice both oranges, pour juice into a saucepan. Add the sugar and bring to a boil. Add cranberries, orange zest, and chipotle. Turn down heat and simmer until cranberry skins burst.

2. Remove from heat, and stir in orange liqueur, mint, cloves and ginger. The sauce can be made ahead and reheated before serving.

3. To prepare tacos, cut leftover turkey into 2” strips and reheat (microwave). Place approximately 1/4 cup turkey in each warm tortilla, top with evenly divided cranberry sauce, greens and walnuts.

Read more: http://www.sheblogs.org/2009/10/turkey-trio-turkey-leftovers-3-ways/#ixzz0W6yrNO6q

Simple, Stylish Fabric Bags from Lucky Crow

Looking at these lovely fabric gift bag samples from Lucky Crow makes me wonder why everyone doesn’t use such crafty, beautiful and reusable bags during the holidays.

Sure some people really need that wrapping paper rip to feel like they are opening a gift but these bags are so beautiful they are a gift themselves.

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Ecorations Santa Sack

In addition to all the beautiful, reusable fabric gift bags that Ecorations have to offer, this year for the holidays they have a new Santa Sack that can be personalized with your child’s name on it.

Made from organic cotton the Ecorations Santa Sack is large, almost 23 inches tall and 13 inches in diameter. This large bag can be filled with a lot of gifts.

I received one of these fabulous heavy duty bags and plan to use it for the little guy who still believes in Santa. he is going to be thrilled to receive his own Santa sack full of gifts.

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Grow Your Own Tree Hugger: 101 Activities to Teach Your Child How to Live Green

Here’s a fun book you may enjoy. It could inspire you with new ways to teach your child about living green. Or it may make a great gift for another parent that you know who could use some help in the eco-department.

Grow Your Own Tree Hugger: 101 activities to teach your child how to live green by Wendy Rosenoff is full of activities, crafts and recipes that can easily teach children about the environment and about being green without being preachy.

Some of the activities sound like so much fun your kids won’t even know they’re learning.

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Smell Like a Goddess with Auric Blends

If you crave the exotic, Auric Blends Goddess Scents are for you. They are 100% natural blended with exotic essential oils, resins and absolutes to bring out the goddess in every woman. Each unique scent is named after the goddess that inspired the aroma.

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The Joy of Green Cleaning by Leslie Reichert

If you want to clean green but don’t want to pay extra for green cleaning products consider making your own. The Joy of Green Cleaning by Certified Green Cleaner Leslie Reichert is full of recipes to make your own eco-friendly cleaning supplies with things you probably already have in your home. Like lemon juice, baking soda and white vinegar.

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For the Naughty Ones on Your Holiday List: Santa’s Coal and Snowman Poop

Here’s a fun stocking stuffing gift for those who have been a little naughty this year: Sweet Soaps Santa’s Coal and Snowman Poop soaps.

Sure to get the message across while garnering a smile these fun soaps will make perfect eco-friendly stocking stuffers.

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A Review of Refashioned Bags: Upcycle Anything into High-Style Handbags

A woman’s handbag is an extension of herself. It shows off her style, her personality and her ability to coordinate the perfect bag with her outfit. Many of us can’t really afford to have a bag for every outfit or mood but with a little craftiness and the help of this new book…maybe we can.

Refashioned Bags: Upcycle Anything into High-Style Handbags is a new book that shows us how to turn almost anything into a fun, funky and fabulous handbags.

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Fuji EnviroMAX Eco Batteries

Yes, I know most eco gifts don’t need batteries but some tech gadgets and other goodies do, like digital cameras and who is going to be without a camera on Christmas?

This year you have a green choice when it comes to batteries-other than the often expensive and hard to find recharge-ables (why can’t they just put them with the rest of the darn batteries, but no you have to go searching and end up in the electronics section if they carry them at all). Anyway this year you have the option of buying Fuji’s new EnviroMAX batteries.

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Follow Up On Thermos Foogoo Sippy Cups

In all honesty I have to make a follow up post about the Thermos Foogoo sippy cups that I recently reviewed.

http://creativelygreen.blogspot.com/2009/10/thermos-foogo-phases-offeres-bpa-free.html

At first I loved it. Now...not so much.

I still love the stainless steel part, it really does keep the drink cold for a long time and it stays cleaner longer...but the lid.

OMG that thing is a pain in the butt.

The lid is plastic with two pieces that insert inside the lid to make it spill proof. A rubber like insert then a hard plastic insert that holds the rubbery piece in.

Well it was a pain to pull those apart and clean everything to begin with but after a few weeks of usage I took it apart to clean it and now it is impossible to put it back together.

The hard plastic will not fit over the soft rubbery like piece now-at all. I thought I was weak and just couldn't get it on but everyone in my house-including my husband has tried to fit it back together with no luck.

So now I can't even use the cup because the lid will not fit back together.

Looks like they need to head back to the design board to make that damn lid more user friendly.

Removeez What Every Parent Needs

I think it’s happened to us all- the kid gets a hold of a pen or marker or even some paint…and it refuses to come off the skin even when scrubbing so hard you practically take the skin off. And we know that is neither is fun for the parent nor the child.

Finally someone, parents of course, invented a safe, natural product that “gets stuff off your skin”, Removeez.

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Zap-A-Doo: Prolong the Life of Kitty Litter While Killing Odor

Probiotic Litter Box Odor Control

"Cats naturally hunt from ambush so they hide from their prey. All cats instinctively try to hide their scent by burying their waste in the ground. This explains why cats use a litter box, but a litter box does not hide their scent as well as dirt.In Nature, probiotics in the dirt recycle the cat waste with almost no odor.

Now you can add probiotics to your kitty litter and control odor naturally with no more "inapproriate elimination"...the way Nature intended.

Finally, your cat can hide their scent and nobody will know you have a litter box!

Each order of "One Month's Supply" of Zap-A-Doo works for one month with 1-2 cats using one litter box."

When I received the offer to try Zap-A-Doo I jumped on it. I have 3 cats. Litter box odor is a big issue. We try to keep the boxes clean and as odorless as possible while using the litter for as long as possible, because face it-times are tough and that's another expense.

You just mix a whole bag of Zap-a-doo into a box of litter and let it work. Scoop the box as usual but take not...anything smell different?

OMG I couldn't believe how it controled the odor...without affecting my cats. Safe and natural. Wonderful.

Can I buy stock in Zap-A-Doo? This is a fabulous product.


Here's more about what it is and how it works.


Zap-A-Doo copies Nature. Ingredients are 100% plant-based and biodegradable. Zap-A-Doo is the natural solution to kitty litter odor and "inappropriate elimination".





Ingredients



100% natural and biodegradable. Plant-based ingredients are animal food grade quality grains, cereals and roots. The probiotics and trace minerals are listed for certified organic farm use by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI).



What Litter To Use



Zap-A-Doo is a litter additive that can be used with any and every kind of litter on the market. Zap-A-Doo makes every litter work better. If you experience any problems with your brand of litter and Zap-A-Doo, please contact us at info@zap-a-doo.com.



Live Culture



The probiotics are alive, but dormant like a "starter culture" for yogurt or sourdough bread. Probiotics has the sweet and sour smell of fermentation and molasses.



If there is a rotten, putrid smell: Do Not Use. Please email info@zap-a-doo.com.



Storage



Since the probiotics are alive, use as soon as possible. Always use the whole bag. Do not try to reclose the bag. Store at room temperature and out of direct sunlight.

Migrelief: Natural help for Migraines

I have suffered from migraines since I was 12 years old. Seems to be hereditary because my mother and grandmother both suffered from them as well and now my oldest has them.

I've been on a lot of meds over the years to stop - or at least dull the pain but nothing has ever worked at least not for long.

The past year I was put on beta blockers to help. At first those worked then they just made me dizzy and tired while I was still in an immense amount of pain.

Then I found out about Migrelief.

I contacted them to see if I could sample their products- a sort of test run before purchasing to see if they actually worked.

Migrelief isn't pain medicine or prescription it's all natural vitamins and herbs, it contains:

Magnesium (citrate and oxide)
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
Puracol™ Feverfew (proprietary extract + whole leaf)

I had read that Feverfew helped with Migraines but so far had not tried it. I guess I was just doubtfult hat anything would help.

But after trying Migrelief I was surprised...very surprised. Within just a couple days the frequency of my headaches was less. And when I did have one the pain was significantly less as well.

I couldn't believe it.

I felt better. I actually had days that were headache free something that hasn't happened in years.

Wow.

I can't say that Migrelief completely made the headaches go away but nayone who suffers from headaches and migraines knows that less is good. Less is real good. Any relief in the pain is a really, really good thing.

So if you suffer from headaches and migraines you might want to give Migrelief a try. You can use it in addtion to most other migraine medications.

The Friendship Stone: A Gift that Gives Back

10% of profits will go back to Project South Africa helping improve the lives of the villagers from where the stones originate. 20% of all sales from "The Power of Two" gift sets are given to The Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America.

By giving The Friendship Stone to friends and family you are giivng them a symbol of their inner beauty and uniqueness. Like the shining rays that reflect vibrant golden and chocolate brown colors within the stones, everyone has a beautiful light emanating inside us.

It also reminds us to stay positive: as these colors change their appearance as the stone is turned, it reminds us that we can also change our perspective on adversities to find something positive and because it spreads love and support.

Check out The Friendship Gifts available at http://www.thefriendshipstone.com/

Handmade Holidays: Stockings Made from Scrap Fabric

Holiday stockings don’t need to be made from plush furry fabric or rich red velvet. They can be made from any fabric you like that reflects your style, eclectic tastes, or interior decor.

A long time ago I worked for a furniture store. One day they were clearing out all the sample fabric swatches and books that had been discontinued. And what were they going to do with it all?

Toss it in the dumpster. Stacks and stacks of rich, fancy, and fabulous pieces of fabric. All to the trash. I just couldn’t let it happen.

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