Spoonk Acupressure Massage Mat Review

Image via Spoonk Space

When I write a review I try to always balance my feedback with things I like about a product and things I think should change or be improved in a product. However, every-now-and-then I get a product to review that I absolutely love and can't find much to improve or change about it. The Spoonk Acupressure Massage Mat is one of these products. It is one of my favorite products ever to review. 

When I first read about the Spoonk Acupressure Massage Mat I was intrigued and very interested, but at the same time skeptical about trying it. I wasn't skeptical that it was eco-friendly, but that the mat would have the healing benefits it was claimed to have. Would this little old mat really relax my back neck and shoulders or could it relieve tension in my neck jaw and face? Could it even remotely improve my mood and boost my energy?

My mat

In short... I am addicted to the mat. I cannot go to bed without using it. Well I can, but not without missing the mat. When I use the mat before going to sleep (sometimes accidentally falling asleep on it) I wake up and my back and mind feel so relaxed. I feel rested and ready to tackle another stressful day even if the night before I stayed up late. My sleep is deeper and I don't toss and turn as much either. 

During my testing of the mat I used it on my back, neck, legs, and even lying chest down on it too. Lying face up or down I have found that using the mat has relaxed me into sleep. Using it under my legs and rear at one point helped me relieve my fatigued and achy muscles. I never quite caught on how it worked with the feet. I felt strange just standing in the middle of the mat in the middle of the room, but I will continue to try it. 

I never used the mat on my bare skin. That mat stimulation points are too sharp for that, but I could comfortably use it with the clothes I had on. A towel between the mat and skin is suggested, but I found my towels to be too thick to get the full affect. 

How sharp are the points? The points are not needle or nail sharp, but sharp enough to stick you if you aren't paying attention. This did happen to me in the very beginning when I began to use it. Distracted and speaking to my husband as I reached back to readjust the mat behind me I stuck my pinky. It wasn't pleasant, but I got over it quick. This mat is worth it. I just make sure to roll it up, pack it in the mat and move it out of the way when I'm not using it. 

If I were to change anything I would make the mat bag a little easier to use. I don't like the narrow opening of the bag. I have to roll the mat tight in order to get it in the bag. What would I change about the mat? I'd like a longer mat. I found that a few times I wanted to use it all at once from head to toe. I don't know if it would work as well this way, but I would have loved to have tried. 

The mat takes a little getting use to but with a little patience it works wonders and I say that after using it only for a little over a month. I'm delighted that on top of its healing affect that mat is also eco-friendly as healing product should be in my opinion. How green is it? The mat is made of 55% organic hemp, 45% organic cotton, recycled non-toxic ABS plastic (stimulation points). Even the foam inside is eco-friendly.

  

Want one? Spoonk Space will be sponsoring a Spoonk Mat giveaway in April during Mama Palooza. So, keep your eyes peeled for this awesome giveaway! For more information visit their website. 

Heart Recycled Paper Note Cards Review and Giveaway

*** Giveaway Now Closed***

Winner # 8 rubynreba

If you know me you know I love recycled products a lot, especially hand crafted recycled products. The Heart Recycled Paper Note Cards, from Etsy seller sparklytrash, are no exception. I've been inspired to craft more myself.


First impressions: The first thought that popped into my head when I opened up the envelope the cards came in was, Cute!  I received five cards, but the set actually only comes with 4.  So, I appreciate the extra gift. There are no envelopes included with the set, but they fit into a standard sized envelope and I don’t think they really need envelopes.


Inspired? I was inspired by the simplicity of these handmade cards. What a great eco-conscious craft! While looking at them and how they're made I realized how much my girls would love these cards. I thought about all their friends and how much they would like them too.

I thought the cards are perfect for handing out during a kid’s valentine school or girls scout party. They are perfect for a teacher or someone like a Girl Scout leader to place in a party goodie bag. I’d love to get  a card like this from my husband and children (with organic chocolates and a planted rose bush). I think they would also be a great product for a fundraiser. They could even be used as invitations. They are great for everyday use too. For example, I could grab a few of these cards; write a sweet, I love you. Have a great day at school, note on the inside of each card and then slip them into my kids’ lunchboxes or backpacks. I know they'd love and appreciate it. 


How eco-friendly are these cards? The cards are hand cut out of heavy weight brown paper grocery bags. In addition sparklytrash notes on her product description that, “This set features my hand printed hearts with each in a different shade of purple and pink. To make the prints I cut the design into recycled styrofoam trays and use only water-based block printing ink. This ensures that your cards are eco-conscious from start to finish!” (sparklytrash).   


To be honest though, I don’t know that I would pay the price for the cards. I think they are adorable and quite useful, but the price is a little steep for my frugal thinking. However, I would consider making a purchase if the set was a stack of 10 cards for $4. I would buy 4 sets, 2 for my daughters’ school valentine school parties and 2 sets would be for their Girls Scout Valentine parties.


The Giveaway: The giveaway: Sparklytrash is offering a set of her recycled pair of purple soda can earrings. Take a look at them here. The giveaway deadline is Feb. 28th, 2011. To win visit sparklytrash’s store. Then leave me a comment letting me know what product you are interested in. You can get extra entries for following us through GFC or Subscribing via email. Make sure to let me know in the comments. I will choose the winner using Random.org. Please make sure your email is on your profile or leave it in your comment. If you win and I cannot contact you then the prize goes to the next person. Please respond within 48 hours.

Disclosure: I received the Heart Recycled Paper Note Cards for free for review from sparklytrash. My opinions are my own.

Kisses For My Valentine Flat Cards Review and Giveaway

CLOSED

Winner # 7 Marci J

Etsy shop owner Jodi Passwaters (rethinkink) has a lot of eco-friendly and homemade crafts at her store, including valentine cards. Late last month she sent me a set of Valentine cards to review. She is also giving a set away.

In the box: I received a set of 4 "Kisses for my valentine" flat note cards with matching envelopes carefully wrapped and stuffed in wide envelope sealed by a rethink ink logo sticker. By the way I love the simple, but lovely design of the rethink ink logo. The set is valued at $7.50.

 The cards are blank on the back providing plenty of space for personal messages. The text on the cards read just like they do online, "Kisses for my valentine". The cards look professionally made, presentable and they also look like they do online, except the colors are more vibrant in person. The ready to give a kiss dog on the front of the cards makes the cards appealing to a variety of people including: animal lovers and kids.

Green facts: The cards are made of 100% pcw (post consumer waste) recycled paper. They are also made using renewable green-e certified wind energy and are FSC certified.

According to rethinkink's store site, "All items are digitally printed with flat printing. Each piece is a one of a kind, created just for you with great care. I cut, fold, score, assemble, design and package each piece by hand in my home studio. All designs are my own original hand drawn illustrations, digitally printed, and designed with the environment in mind. My goal is to be environmentally responsible while letting you show your style and personality. Rethink ink's designs are printed on smooth 100% pcw recycled papers that are created using renewable green-e certified wind energy and are FSC certified".

The giveaway: Get the set I got. There isn't much time though. The giveaway deadline is Feb. 7th, 2011. To win visit rethinkink. Then leave me a comment letting me know what product you are interested in. You can get extra entries for following us through GFC or Subscribing via email. Make sure to let me know in the comments. I will choose the winner using Random.org. Please make sure your email is on your profile or leave it in your comment. If you win and I cannot contact you then the prize goes to the next person. Please respond within 48 hours.

 Disclosure: I received the Kisses For My Valentine Flat Cards for free for review from rethink ink. My opinions are my own.

Bob’s Red Mill Organic Pancake & Waffle Whole Grain Mix Review & Giveaway

Giveaway is closed!

The winner of the 

Bob’s Red Mill Organic Pancake & Waffle Whole Grain Mix Giveaway is Nightowl (Kimberly)! 

CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you to everyone who left a comment. Keep an eye out for future eco-friendly product reviews and giveaways. Remember to please make sure it is easy for me to contact you or I wont be able to let you know you are the winner and the next person in line will get the prize. Either have an email on your profile or leave it on the comment.

Happy Holidays!

Bob’s Red Mill Organic Pancake & Waffle Whole Grain Mix Review & Giveaway

Most weekdays mornings our breakfast consists of organic cereals or fruits with toast and milk. Breakfast has to be quick and convenient during the week if we want to get out the door on time. On the weekend though, we can slow down and my husband or I can make our kids something they love, pancakes. Pancake mixes are usually not healthy, so I was happy when I was given the opportunity to try Bob’s Red Mill Organic Pancake & Waffle Whole Grain Mix.

I received a box of pancake mix to taste test and review. A box of Bob’s Red Mill Organic Pancake & Waffle Whole Grain Mix contains four packets of pancake mix. One packet made 3 breakfast meals for a family of five (plus scrambled eggs and bacon). That is 3 days worth of pancakes for my family. Each serving contains 5 grams of fiber, stone ground whole grain flour, stone ground oats, wheat germ, oat bran, wheat bran and flaxseed. Certified organic by QAI.

The first time I made the pancakes exactly like directed on the package. The mix was a little thin and the pancakes cooked thin too. My first taste test of the first pancake made from the mix was bland and had a bit of a grainy texture. I served the pancakes, with scrambled eggs from the local CSA and two strips of bacon.

At the table everyone added syrup (we prefer agave, but we were all out of agave). The overall opinion… They pancakes were okay, a little bland and thin. I like thin pancakes but these were too thin.

The second time I made pancakes from this healthy mix I used milk, instead of water, as suggested on the package for fluffier pancakes. The pancakes did thicken up some. This also improved the flavor. I served the pancakes with the same syrup as well as CSA eggs and pieces of uncured, but broiled CSA bacon. The overall opinion for this batch of pancakes was…much better.

The third time I made a batch of pancakes from this mix I used milk again, but then I also added a bit of cinnamon to the mix. Had I had blueberries I would have added that too. We love blueberry pancakes. The cinnamon was a nice touch. This time we had agave. Served with scrambled eggs again, but this time no bacon (all out of bacon). The overall opinion of this batch….much much better. It took a few batches to make, but I think we found the perfect way to make pancakes from this healthy and eco-friendly pancake mix.

The Giveaway: I was given a box of four pancake mix packets, two packets to try and two to giveaway. So I am giving one lucky winner the other 2 packets. If you would like a chance to win this planet-friendly prize visit the Bob’s Red Mill website to see what other healthy and eco-friendly food mixes they have. Then leave me a comment letting me know what you have tried or would like to try. You can get extra entries for following us through GFC or Subscribing via email. Make sure to let me know in the comments. Deadline: This giveaway will end on Dec 15, 2010. I will choose the winner using Random.org. US entries only. Please make sure your email is on your profile or leave it in your comment. If you win and I cannot contact you then the prize goes to the next person. Please respond within 48 hours.

Disclosure: I received these pancake mixes free from Bob’s Red Mill Organic Pancake & Waffle Whole Grain Mix.