Super Quick Eco-Frugal Tip: Join a CBA

If you don't have a CBA in your area ask for one. If you do have one in your area join one. It's similar to a CSA, but for locally baked goods. Read this story with video to learn more about it. How to Start a Community Supported Bakery (Video)

Smartfish ErgoMotion Laser Mouse Review and Giveaway

CLOSED

Congratulations! Winner  #8  Kelli

Smartfish Technologies was founded by Dr. Jack Atzmon. A chiropractor who after many years of treating patients with RSI (Repetitive Stress Injury) or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome wanted to develop products that would alleviate if not prevent this ailment. It is known that every day computer use specifically, repetitive and static positions while using mice and keyboards contribute to RSI. Therefore Dr. Atzmon began to develop computer accessories that were not only ergonomic but used the ErgoMotion ™ technology. ErgoMotion™ is built on the concept that movement is the key to healthier computing. Basically the tool you are using moves along with you increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation while eliminating the risks of RSI.

I spend a lot of time on the computer so I was eager to try Smartfish's Whirl™ Laser Mouse w/ Anti-Gravity Comfort Pivot.

The Whirl™ uses ErgoMotion™ technology as it pivots along with the movement of your hand. It takes a little to get use to the slight tilting at first but after awhile you begin to realize how comfortable it is. I also love that because the mouse is on a base there is no need for a mouse pad. My husband plays video games on his free time and therefore uses his mouse a lot. I let him try out the mouse and boy was that a mistake. He won't give it back! He loves that it is wireless and says his wrist doesn't feel strained after a while of playing the way it use to with his old mouse. I fear I will never get my mouse back.

Check out the YouTube video to see the mouse in action. Also be sure to check them out on Facebook and Twitter for more information. You can purchase your very own Smartfish Whirl Laser Mouse with Anti-Gravity Comfort Pivot on Amazon. The mouse retails for $49.99 and is well worth the investment, especially if you are regularly on your computer.

Smartfish Technologies would like to give one of our readers the chance to win a Whirl™ of their own.

To Enter: Leave me a comment telling me who this mouse would be for. You can also get extra entries for following us through GFC, Subscribing via email, liking us on Facebook and following via Twitter.

This giveaway will end on February 19, 2011. I will choose the winner using Random.org. Please leave a valid email address if it is not visible in your profile. US entries only.

***Monica***

The featured product{s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or pr company representing the company. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone.

Original Sprout Review and Giveaway

*The original winner of this giveaway did not respond in the 48 hour time frame. I drew a second number and the new winner is...*
CLOSED

Congratulations! Winner  #25  kellyr78

I am very selective about the bath products I use on my little girl Penelope. She has very sensitive skin and tends to break out in  rashes if I use products that are not hypoallergenic or contain added fragrences. I also am very weary about certain ingredients that many beauty products contain and the safety of these ingredients. I try to stay clear of anything that sounds like it shouldn't be there and tend to buy more natural and organic products. That's why I was very excited when I heard about Original Sprout's products. Original Sprout is a line of natural, high-performance hair and skin care products that can be used by both children and adults alike. Created by a master stylist and mother these products not only contain safe ingredients but offer salon performance quality. In fact Original Sprout products are very popular with many of Hollywoods "who's who".

This is what you get with Original Sprout products:

• Free of phthalates, phytoestrogens, soy, gluten, animal products,
parabens, and propylene glycol with no added dioxanes or formaldehydes.• Free of skin penetrators & photosensitizers (plasticizers & nanoparticles).
• Extracts are certified organic. The majority of ingredients are plant
derived & from natural sources.
• Fragrances are made with naturally derived ingredients & are certified
FREE of phthalates, lavender, tea tree, PG, DPG, parabens, dioxanes,
benzenes, formaldehydes, acetaldehydes, styrene, toluene, chlorobenzene &
glycol ethers.
• Products are vegetarian/vegan & biodegradable. 

Original Sprout agreed to send me three of their many products to review including thier Scrumptious Baby Cream, Natural Shampoo, and Miracle Detangler.

The Scrumptious Baby Cream smells absolutely scrumptious! It smells fresh and clean and gives my little girl that newborn baby smell. I love it! It also goes on smoothly with no greasy feeling and leaves her skin super soft to the touch. I even used it on myself and had to have my husband smell and feel how wonderful this cream is. Penelope loves the smell and feel of her skin after using this cream she sniffs and says "mmmm" and guess what. This stuff deos not irritate her sensitive skin one bit. I have found my new favorite cream!

The Natural Shampoo is another great product. It is sulfate free which is hard to find in a lot of shampoos and is perfect for all hair types and for babies and adults. I love the lather of this shampoo it feels luxurious and you only need a small drop of it. It has a light clean fragrence and does it's job of cleaning your hair very well.

Miracle Detangler- This is the product I was especially excited to receive. In fact I was told that it is one of Original Sprouts #1 products and continously sells out in salons. I had been wanting to find a good detangling spray for Penelope. She loves taking a bath but she hates me trying to comb the wet tangles out of her hair. Not anymore! This stuff works great and she no longer winces in pain while I comb her hair. This product is also great for the frizzies and static. Seriously, it must be living in the cold dry air of Alaska that causes her to have the worse case of static hair. Now whenever I see her looking like she just stuck her finger in a light socket I just spritz a little of this spray, comb through and her flyaways are all gone. This stuff leaves her hair silky smooth. This is definitely a product I will continue to purchase.


You can get all these products and more online or at a variety of health food stores & salons worldwide. If you use the code FIRST_ORDER_10-U on your first order you can get 10% off. In addition they are currently offering a Free 1oz Miracle Detangler on orders $50 & Up!

Original Sprout would also like to offer one of our readers the chance to win a $50 gift certificate good for any of their products online.

To Enter: Visit Original Sprout online and tell me one product you are interested in trying. You can get extra entries for following us through GFC, Subscribing via email, liking us on Facebook and following via Twitter.

This giveaway will end on February 16, 2011. I will choose the winner using Random.org. Please leave a valid email address if it is not visible in your profile.

***Monica***

The featured product{s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or pr company representing the company. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone.

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.

Are You READY?!

I am not a sporty girl. But when the Super Bowl rolls around you can find me at the party because I love me some parties! Okay so I really just love me some good party food. This year I'll be making the most amazing Spinach Artichoke Dip. I stumbled across it a few Christmases ago when trying to figure out what I wanted to make for a party. The reviews sounded promising so I gathered the ingredients and made one pan. I made a few of my own tweaks here and there making the recipe uniquely my own as any good cook would do.

Well the one pan I made for our Christmas party a few years back? It was not enough. The men were literally hovering over it and fighting with spoons to get the last of it on their plates. This year I'm tripling the recipe and I'm hoping it'll be enough for all the hungry guys (and gals) while they enjoy the game.

Want the recipe? Find Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip II on AllRecipes. And it isn't "hot" as in spicy. It is a hot, not cold, dip.

Psst.... substitute sour cream for the mayonnaise! And mix your cheeses into the dip instead of putting on top so you don't get a layer of hard-to-dip-through cheese crust. I plan on serving ours with a sliced up baguette and some tortilla chips.

When you first mix all the ingredients it is pretty thick... but once you pull it out of the oven it is this creamy, gooey concoction that just melts in your mouth. The flavors are absolutely sinful and delicious! I could probably eat half a pan all by myself.

Now tell me what are YOU making for your Super Bowl or upcoming parties?! I need new ideas so leave me some links or recipes.


*This was not a paid or endorsed review. I just felt like sharing because I truly love this recipe! I use this website every time I want to try a new recipe because I value the reviews that people put up. I also use their Recipe Box feature. Just a great site all around!

=+=*=+=*=+=*=+=*=+=*=+=*=+=*=+=*=+=*=+=*=
Joy is a stay-at-home-mom to three daughters. She is the wife of a worship leader & youth pastor. She runs her own Etsy shop selling handmade, hand-stamped sterling jewelry. Joy has taken courses in journalism, play writing, poetry, was in Honors English throughout school and has had small publications made of her work (mostly poetry).

Preserves Tableware from Green Ostrich Review and Giveaway is

 *now closed*

The Preserves Tableware from Green Ostrich Review and Giveaway winner  is 3 Giggly Monsters
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.