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Go Green with Today’s Tip

by holly on January 19, 2010

Today’s Tip from The Green Year: 365 Small Things You Can Do to Make a Big Difference: Toss your synthetic kitchen sponge and buy a sponge made fro cellulose fibers instead.

“Synthetic sponges are made from nonrenewable resources and are often soaked in chemicals like triclosan that have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Triclosan is also a pesticide that could destroy aquatic life. Triclosan is one of the most common manmade chemicals found in our rivers and streams.

Cellulose fiber comes from recycled wood pulp and is fully biodegradable. They’re also much longer lasting than synthetic sponges. Look for cellulose sponges in the cleaning product aisle of any supermarket”

My favorite “green” sponge? Skoy Cloth!

Be sure to check out all of the other tips in our Go Green series!

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Go Green with Today’s Tip

by holly on January 5, 2010

Today’s Tip from The Green Year: 365 Small Things You Can Do to Make a Big Difference: Buy an LED Flashlight for emergencies.

“Flashlights that use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) produce a strong white light using 90 percent less energy than a traditional bulb and last up to 50 percent longer. Unlike traditional bulbs, LEDs contain no glass casing or filament so there is no chance the bulb breaking. You can rest easy knowing that your flashlight will work in case of emergency”

Be sure to check out all of the other tips in our Go Green series!

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Go Green Review & Giveaway: Bagnesia Kit

by holly on December 15, 2009

If you are like me, you have good intentions when it comes to living a greener lifestyle. But life gets busy and things you had intended to work on get forgotten. One of the easiest ways to incorporate being green into daily life is to use reusable shopping bags. I have about a million of them- you probably do too. Most of mine came free from various promotions. Yet it’s rare that I actually use them. The reason? I have bagnesia (a persons forgetfulness to actually GRAB their reusable bags). Two lovely ladies have come up with a solution to help us follow through with our good intentions. Caprice and Pam invented Bagnesia Bag Kits which contain everything you need to cure your banesia. For less than $15, here’s what you get:

  • A Reusable Bag- Bagnesia’s compact reusable bag is made from lightweight washable nylon.When unfolded, it measures 18″ X 16″, will hold up to 40 lbs (comparable to 2-3 plastic shopping bags) and is water resistant. When rolled up and closed with the attached elastic band, it measures just 4″ X 2″ and fits great into small spaces like your purse or glove box.
  • Door Hanger- Laminated door hanger measures 3″ X 8″
  • Steering Wheel Wrap- Flexible black neoprene wrap reading “grab your bags” grips your steering wheel or parking brake. Measures 4 ½” wide
  • Clip- Our black and silver custom mini clip measures 2″ and is certified lead-free, solid anodized aluminum. They are permanently LASER engraved with bagnesia.com
  • Reusable Pouch- 9″ X 8″ black nylon drawstring carrying pouch with bagnesia oval in turquoise.

Brilliant right? These little kits would make great gifts for teachers, hostesses, Secret Santa gift exchanges and more.

My favorite item is the steering wheel wrap. Getting my bags out the door is hard enough. I really need the help remembering to bring them into the store with me and this little reminder is just where I need it!

Enter to win a Don’t Forget Your Bags Bagnesia kit of your own by filling out the form below. Also, be sure to check out all of our other giveaways here. See all of our Go Green posts here.

A complimentary product/service was provided for this review however all opinions expressed are our own. We were not compensated in any other way for this review. See Mommies with Cents disclosure policy for more details.

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Go Green with Today’s Tip

by holly on December 8, 2009


Today’s Tip from The Green Year: 365 Small Things You Can Do to Make a Big Difference: Rethink your holiday wardrobe.

The book suggests asking a friend if she has a dress you can borrow to wear to a fancy holiday party. If that is not an option, try consignment stores. The bonus is that not only will you get a dress for a fraction of the price, you can consign it again when you are done with it!

Due to the nature of the events this type of clothing is worn to you should be able to find something in like new condition. That reminds me…I have a closet full of dresses I’ve only worn once or twice that I should take to the consignment store.

I don’t have any fancy parties to go to this year but dressing up in a fancy dress sure does sound fun! Have you every found a formal dress at a consignment or thrift store? How much did you pay? We would love to hear from you!

See all of our other posts from our “Go Green” series here.

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Go Green with Miss Brittany’s Organic Fun Dough (Giveaway)

by holly on October 13, 2009


There are so many organic options these days- not just fruits and veggies! I recently received Miss Brittany’s Organic Preschool Fun Dough for review. The kit was created by a preschool teacher and includes 5 colors of dough, an apron, shaped blocks for decorating and a rolling pin. Everything included in the kit is 100% organic including the dye in the ink on the packaging!
You can’t really go wrong with kids and play dough. They love it and my son is no exception! I get requests to play with it almost daily. This is the perfect little kit and I love that the wooden blocks deviate a little from the typical cookie cutters- I like the stamp effect! The dough colors are really pretty too!

Miss Brittany’s Organic Preschool Fun Dough Deluxe kit retails for $29.95 but you can save 20% with code NPD09 at www.organicfundough.com
Want to win a dough kit of your own? Enter to win by filling out the form below. Also, be sure to check out all of our other giveaways here. You can also find past installments of our Go Green series here. Be sure to check back each Tuesday for tips on living a greener lifestyle and green product reviews & giveaways.

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GO GREEN Review & Giveaway: HappyBaby: The Organic Guide to Baby’s First 24 Months

by holly on October 6, 2009

10 years ago, when I first became a mother, organic foods weren’t generally available. There were no Whole Foods in our area, we had a store called the PCC that I would have had to drive an hour to get to. When organic milk became available I immediately switched to it, knowing I didn’t want my daughter to consume the hormones in regular milk.

Now the choices are endless, and the information can be overwhelming. The options for “green” household cleaners, organic foods, and countless other lifestyle choices have increased exponentially in the last 10 years and there seem to be more and more each day. What kind of plastic to trust, which fruits are worth the cost to buy organic, what cleaning agents can be harmful? The book HappyBaby: The Organic Guide to Baby’s First 24 Months does an excellent job explaining those things. Written by the founders of “Happy Baby”, trusted pediatrician Dr. Robert W. Sears, MD , FAAP, and nutritionist Amy Marlow, MPH, RD, CDN, this book is a fantastic resource for all things green.

The book has information about improving your “greenness” during pregnancy and breastfeeding, in baby and toddler foods, and the household cleaners and fabrics you choose. It gives the facts about specific items, and then shows ways to make changes in your life to ‘The Palest Green”, “A Little Greener”, “Even Greener”, and “The Deepest Shade of Green”, allowing you to work in the things that are functional in your own life. It focuses on choices that are healthiest for your baby or will improve the world they will inherit from us.

This book is an interesting cover-to-cover read, or the comprehensive index in the back makes it excellent as a resource book. The back of the book includes over $100 in coupons for healthy products for your baby.

This review was written by one of our guest bloggers, Rachel, who has recently become a stay at home mom to a brand new baby boy and beautiful 9 year old daughter.

HappyBaby makes organic baby food products, several of which we reviewed a few months ago. They’ve since added HappyMelts, an organic yogurt treat for babies. They have offered us a copy of HappyBaby: Organic Guide to Baby’s First 24 Months along with coupons for free HappyBaby products. You will have your choice of:
  • 2 free trial coupons of each of the following: HappyBaby, HappyBellies, HappyPuffs and HappyBites

OR

  • A case of the product of your choice!
Either way, they will also include a Nutrition Guide co-authored by Dr. Sears, a FAQ on Probiotics & DHA and HAPPYFAMILY Recipes.
EVERYONE can get a free Nutrition Guide from HAPPYBABY.
Enter to win by filling out the form below. Also, be sure to check out all of our other giveaways here. You’ll find all of our other posts in the Go Green series here.

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Go Green with Tips from Gaiam

by holly on September 15, 2009

5 Quick, Money-Savings Green Living Tips by Gaiam

Save money and time while living green with these 5 quick tips that will save you cash and shrink your carbon footprint.

1. Plug your TV, computer, cable box, stereo and game console into smart power strips. Saves 10% off your power bill.

2. Dry a load of laundry outside. No clothesline? Try a portable drying rack. Skipping the dryer can save an annual $135.

3. Put up a “shade sail” or radiant barrier over a window to block the sun’s heat. Slashes 12% off your heating/cooling bill.

4. Install a low-flow showerhead. Saves 18% off your water bill.

5. Install a digital thermostat and program it to conserve energy when you’re away or asleep.

See previous Go Green posts here and join us each Tuesday for tips, products, giveaways and more to help you live a greener lifestyle.

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Go Green with Today’s Tip

by holly on September 8, 2009


Today’s Tip from The Green Year: 365 Small Things You Can Do to Make a Big Difference is: Keep the oven door closed when you are making dinner. Resist the temptation to open the oven door to check on your pot roast. Each time you open the oven door, the temperature drops 25 to 50 degrees. It takes a lot of energy for the oven to regain the temperature it loses, so if you have to peek, turn on the oven light and look through the glass.

Hmmm…my oven doesn’t have a glass door but knowing this fact will keep me from peeking just for fun. Do you have any other tips to live a greener lifestyle? Share them with us by leaving a comment and be sure to check back each Tuesday for a new tip. See previous tips here.

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Go Green with Today’s Tip

by mindy on July 21, 2009


Today’s Tip from The Green Year: 365 Small Things You Can Do to Make a Big Difference is “Put Garbage Where it Belongs- In the Trash Can” This tip is a reminder not to flush dead bugs, q-tips etc. down the toilet. Every time you flush it uses up to 6 gallons of water. Plus, it takes more energy to dispose of unnecessary items at the sewage plant. You also run the risk of clogging the toilet which wastes even more water. To conserve, only flush when necessary.

Do you have a green tip you’d like to share? Please do so by leaving a comment below! See other posts from our Go Green series here.

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Go Green with The Green Year- Review & Giveaway

by holly on July 7, 2009


You don’t have to be intimidated or overwhelmed by going green. Many people think that being green is too time consuming, costly or inconvienient but it doesn’t have to be! Every little bit counts and even small things that seem insignificant can make a huge impact. As promised from last week’s Go Green post, I introduce to you The Green Year.


The Green year by Jodi Helmer contains 365 small things you can do to make a BIG difference. The tips are organized by date- one tip per day for the entire year. Each tip/page has a “done” bubble that you can check off when you’ve incorporated the tip into your life. It also has a space for writing in an alternative that might work better for you. Each tip also comes with an explanation on how how that particular task helps the environment. Many of the statistics will blow your mind!
Here is today’s tip directly from the book:
“Leave the grass clippings on your lawn. Yard waste (including grass clippings) accounts for 50% of the waste sent to the landfill during the summer months.
Grass clippings break down easily and add nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil, cutting down of fertilizer use. Leftover clippings also stimulate earthworm activity, which reduces thatch, a tightly packed cluster of grasses in your lawn that prevents water and air from reaching the roots of your grass. You’ll be reducing waste and enjoying a lush green lawn without any effort at all”
Think of all the energy you’ll be conserving to play with your kids by not raking the lawn! The tips in this book cover all areas of life from shopping and laundry to holidays and pet care. I’m a huge fan of this book for many reasons. I find the facts interesting and I love seeing how one tiny change can make a really big difference in the world. It’s a great resource and perfect for those of us wanting to make a change but not knowing where to start.
About the Author:
Jodi Helmer is a freelance writer who specializes in writing about eco-friendly topics. Her work has appeared in Plenty, Yoga Journal, Women’s Health, Natural Solutions, Backpacker, Woman’s Day, Family Circle and American Way. She is the co-author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Careers and a professional speaker who offers workshops on green issues. Helmer also maintains a website, www.green-year.com. She lives in Charlotte, NC.
The Green Year: 365 Small Things You Can Do to Make a Big Difference is available on Amazon for $10.17. Enter to win a copy of The Green Year by filling out the form below. Three lucky readers will win! See all of our other giveaways here. You can also see more from our Go Green series here.

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Go Green with This Week’s Tips

July 1, 2009

Next week I will be hosting a giveaway for a book called The Green Year. This book has some really great ideas to live a greener lifestyle. The best thing is, they are super easy and will likely save you some green as well! Use an old clean sock to dust your house. Just slip [...]

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Go Green with Free eBoook on Garden Crafts

June 16, 2009

Get this free Garden Crafts eBook when you sign up for a free crafts newsletter! Section 1: Flower PotsLearn how to decorate your very own clay flower pots for spring! Section 2: Plant StakesThese decorative plant stakes will brin your garden to life. Section 3: Watering CansTurn an ordinary watering can into a sentimental keepsake [...]

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Go Green with this awesome freebie!

May 26, 2009

Miss Environment is giving away packages as an incentive to help readers go green. The package contains: Full 32Oz. Bottle of Seventh Generation Free & Clear All Purpose Cleaner. Printed Full-Color Flyer containing print-outs of Miss Environment’s most interesting and helpful posts, in a booklet aimed to teach aspiring environmentalists all the basics Linkset. A [...]

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Go Green with GreenWashBall (Review & Giveaway)

April 21, 2009

I’m always looking for easy, cost-effective ways to go green.  I hit the jackpot when I discovered GreenWashBall! GreenWashBall is used in place of laundry detergent in your washing machine.  It is chemical free.  It works by emitting negative ions that weaken the adherence of dirt on fabrics so that it is easily removed.  The [...]

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Go Green & Win: Little Capers Earth Hero Shirt with Cape

April 14, 2009

Ok, so technically Little Capers aren’t “green” but the Earth Super Hero Little Caper was just too cute and perfect for Earth Day which is coming up on April 22nd that I decided to highlight it here anyway.  Little Capers is also donating 5% of sales of the Earth Hero shirts to Conservation International throughout [...]

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Welcome to Mommies with Cents!

April 8, 2009

Welcome to Mommies with Cents! We’re glad you’ve found us! We’d like to take a moment to show you around our blog and introduce you to several ways to save money on groceries and household items. Free is best! You can find free samples on Mommies with Cents by clicking on the “freebies” tab at [...]

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Review & Giveaway: EcoStore Baby Products

April 7, 2009

We first told you about EcoStore products HERE. I loved the citrus cleaner and laundry soap so much I decided to try some products from their baby line: Baby Nappy Balm, Baby Sleepytime Bath and Baby Moisturizer. Everything in the EcoStore baby care line is created with plant-based ingredients and essential oils. I loved the [...]

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Go Green with Baby Earth

March 31, 2009

Shopping for pink or blue?  Think green!  We need to look out for our children and their futures and one of the easiest ways to do this is by incorporating green products into our lives whenever we can.  At babyearth.com you’ll find great items for the nursery, clothing, toys, gear and more.  They have over [...]

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Go Green and Get Rewarded with SwagBucks!

March 24, 2009

Did you know that you can earn Swagbucks by recycling? It’s true! You can recycle your old cell phone or MP3 player and earn some Swagbucks in the process! In just three easy steps, you will be on your way to earning some extra swag by doing your part for the environment: 1. Look up [...]

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Commit to "go green" in 2009 Part 5

February 17, 2009

Meijer is introducing a new product line to it’s stores in an effort to provide consumers affordable “green” options when purchasing everyday household items.  They are scheduled to be available in stores February 22. I was given an opportunity to try two of those products. Citrus Spray Cleaner  This is a multi-purpose citrus based cleaner [...]

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Commit to "go green" in 2009 Part 4

February 10, 2009

Between running the kids to and from school and sports, grocery shopping, cooking etc., who has time to focus on being “green”?  This series is all about easy ways we can make a difference that don’t take a lot of time or effort. If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an Energy [...]

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