Green Your Dog Review and Giveaway (June 15- June 23)

It has been about 4 weeks since I found out that my precious dog, Sasha, has Lupus.  We do not know how or why, but she has an auto immune disease.  Since this change in our lives I have been looking to make her as comfortable as possible.  With her disease it attacks the tissue around her nose, eyes, and mouth.  We were lucky that we caught it early and have her on the appropriate medication.  While it can not cure her, the medication slows down the disease.

So what am I doing for her to be as proactive as possible?  I am greening my dog and my home for her.  I have been learning more about the affects of toxins and chemicals.  For years I have been focusing on foods and staying away from additives, toxins, preservatives, processed foods and more to give my children the best I can for them.  Where I have struggled and been a little lost at times is the home.  I thought that all cleaning materials where chemicals and wondered if toxic free products really worked.  I have been learning all I can about Natural cleaning products, what ingredients are toxic, and what are safe. I have been making great steps in greening my home with DIY cleaners but wanted to explore some Green Companies.

With all auto immune diseases you have to reduce the toxins in that persons, or pets, environment.  I realized that I have been greening my family, but not really the dog or cats.  I use commercial shampoos,  food, and other products.

I was so excited when Better Life said they wanted to help me green my dog.  The  Love Your Dog Kit helps make everything easy and takes the guess work out.  Better life has cleaning products that are safer for pets and kids around the house.
Kit includes:

• 2am Miracle                                    
• Simply Floored
• Dish It Out unscented
• I Can See Clearly, WOW
• 75 biodegradable Dog Waste Bags
• Grooming Brush
• Six compartment caddy

The Grooming brush was used on her coat first to help remove dry and and lose hair.  It worked wonderful and during her bath it worked as a gentle massage, she loved it!

Dish It Out works so wonderful on my dishes and counters.  I used it as a green pet shampoo for Sasha and it was perfect!  I was not rinsing a tons of soap off her, everything rinse easily and there was no residue left on her coat.  It left her clean and beautiful.

Because the dog and cats occasionally lick the windows, they make I can see clearly, WOW for glass surfaces.  I was very impressed with the ability to clean and have a streak free surface.  My kids love to use a oil based window crayon on the windows for window art.  I encourage creativity, as long as I can clean it up.  I have to say that the window cleaner I was previously using was not getting all the crayon off without serious elbow grease.  I was happy that the glass cleaner work so efficiently and better for my children's little hands and the dogs occasional taste testing.

The 2 am miracle, is just that, a miracle with No rinse, No residue.  "Finally, a safe nursery cleaner made for cribs, changing tables, changing pads, car seats, highchairs, diaper pails, toys, walls, doors, floors, mattresses", and DOGGIE accidents.  The cats and dog have had no accidents around the house, but I have used it on the litter box and to freshen the kids rooms.  The 2 am miracle has a delightful scent of lavender and chamomile, which is calming and it worked! 

My other favorite product, second to the Dish It Out, is the Simply Floored.  This has a very pleasant scent and easy to use.  After sweeping I use a clean damp mop, spray the floor cleaner right on to the flour and mop. This is a big plus for me because I see so often how the dogs and cats eat and lick off the flour.  No matter how much I pickup the kids still like to leave things for the pets. The flour cleaner and shampoo are the two ares I can see her picking up the most toxins with commercial cleaners.

The kit comes with 75 Pride Green biodegradable plastic waste bags.  These have been a bit of a struggle for me to use because I can't get past my brain that it is a plastic.  I gave up all plastic bags but these are biodegradable. I have used them when I take Sasha for runs.  They are the perfect size for when walking your dog and you need to use something to pick up the waste.  Since these are biodegradable, I feel better using them rather than regular plastic bags.

• 75 Bags
• Minimum 60% recycled material
• Fully biodegradable in 18 - 24 months

All products fit perfectly in the six compartment caddy!   I find this great to just grab and go where I need to use them.  Since I have been greening the home, this is the only products I use besides my DIY cleaning products.  I like having a my home safe not only for the kids but the pets as well.

Check out Better Life Website 
Better Life Blog, for great ideas and tips to Green your home.
Find Better Life on Facebook
Follow Better Life on Twitter

BUY IT : The Love your Dog Kit is regularly $50 right now on promotion for $42.49

WIN IT:  One lucky US Reader will win a Love Your Dog Kit, valued at $50!!!!!  See Rafflecopter below to enter.  Winner will be contacted by email enter on Raffelcopter and have 24 hours to respond. 

Discloser:  I am not paid for my reviews.  I only review products that I believe to be safe and beneficial to the body.  These opinions are mine and mine alone.  I only hope to bring you the discovery of companies paving the path to better health and life, natural and green.  



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Green up your Hummus

I have to admit I have not eaten green hummus before this week, but I am a sneaky chef.  What is a sneaky chef you ask? It is a parents that sneaks in as many healthy vegetables as they can into traditional dishes.

Last week a friends brought over a red (roasted tomato) hummus and it got me thinking about making a green one.  I have been enjoying a lot of green smoothies and just love the color during the summer.  So I wanted to green my hummus!

Hummus is a very delightfully  healthy snack, main, or condiment.   It has vitamin C, B6, foliate, and iron.  When adding additional nutrient dense veggies you increase your vitamins.  Adding in some spinach, cilantro, and  arugula and you power punch your food with vitamin A and other important antioxidants.

The kids love this and keep in mind for St. Patty's Day next year!  Use real food to add color to foods rather than toxic food coloring.   When the kids first saw the change in hummus they were unsure.  Already judging a book by its cover, but we have a rule in this house, "try everything once".  Once they seen the hummus tasted very much the same they attacked it.  I almost lost out on the new addition to our recipes.

You can use hummus with crackers, veggies sticks, on sandwiches, and pita chips.  How do you use Hummus?

Recipe
1/2 cup Spinach
1 clove garlic
1 1/2 cup cooked chick peas
4 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp salt
pepper to taste
2 tbsp olive oil

In food processor add all ingredients and mix.  You will have a delightful new Green Hummus that taste delicious.  If you like a little more spice, as my husband does, add a few crushed red peppers over hummus.

GMO and Nutrition News

Great News for California!  Secretary of State has just announced that the Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) labeling ballot measure was not only met but exceeded the requirements placing it on the November ballot.
What does this mean?  That products containing GMO foods HAVE to be listed on the labels.  This will help consumers to make an honest decision as to whether they purchase the item in question.  People are trying to make better choices when it comes to eating healthy.  Marketing is making that very difficult with misleading labeling.  Consumers have a right to know if their food has been genetically messed with. Unfortunately this is just the beginning.  It is the first step in the right direction but the war begins with misinformation rights. 
Read more on the update with It's Our Right to Know:  We made it on the Ballot!


US Senator Rand Paul tries to plea for an amendment with Congress to put an end to FDA censorship.  FDA can say that Pharmaceuticals are allowed to say "can cure illness and disease", but we can not make health claims to real food and supplements?  Secondly, he brings to the point that the FDA should be UNARMED!  These armed agents are going on farms to stop their productions.  Criminal law is increasing on farmers.  He says that armed police has its place but that is currently being abused. 

Please take a few minutes to listen to S. Paul's appeal.  He makes great points that affect our right of choice.  Did you know about Armed FDA agents going to Amish farmers to shut them down for selling milk fresh from the cow, Raw Milk?

Guest Post, Cravings and What They Really Mean

Have you ever had a craving for a certain food when your not even hungry?  A craving that just drives you crazy until you have some?  Well those cravings are signals from your body telling you that something is off balance.  If you are interested in finding out why you have the craving you do, and over come them, then check out my guest post at Happy Mothering: Craving and What They Really Mean. 

Points

• Sleep Deprivation
• Dehydration
• Boredom
• Festive Traditions
• Lets look at a few typical cravings and what warning cry they might be trying to tell you.
• Emotional Responses

Cravings are not the enemy. Do not feel these are a weakness or that you have no will power. Everyone experiences them and some learn to recognize them for what they are, simply your body’s way of communicating to you a need that something is off balance. 

Potty Covers Review

OK Moms, we have all been there, or a situation similar.  Your potty training little one needs to take an unscheduled potty break and you are in between stops.  What do you do?  You find the closest public bathroom and hope she holds on till you get there.   Have you been in one of those bathrooms that you walk in and say "oh man this is just gross".  You don't want you child to touch NOTHING, including the toilet.  For the most part Public bathrooms are disgusting, even when they look clean, they just aren't as clean as home.

I was so relieved to find a nice solution that was convenient.  Potty Covers make a cover that does not just cover the top of the toilet, but the front and sides.  I know I usually have to tell my preschooler, don't touch as I try and hold her up.  With the Potty Cover you just lay the "waterproof" barrier covers down and your little one can sit without touching anything.  The large front cover keeps legs and clothes from touching the toilet.   Cover overlaps on the side so your child can hold on for balance without touching as well.


One pack comes with 6 disposable, individually wrapped, covers.  These are perfect to have on the go in your bag or purse, without the covers getting messed up.  Perfect for those unscheduled emergency stops.

These are NOT flush able.  Covers must be thrown into the trash when done using.  That makes these not ECO friendly, but when it comes to sitting on a germ infested toilet, I liked carrying these to help protect my little ones.

Description:PottyCover is a disposable toilet seat cover for children that covers the sides and the front of the toilet, to keep away germs at public rest-rooms.  It is made of non-woven fabric coated with a layer of plastic, creating a waterproof barrier between the toilet and the child. This product has the largest coverage of all seat covers on the market and for added convenience, each seat cover is individually packaged in a small, easy to open bag that makes it super easy to always keep one or two in a purse or a back pocket. 

Using a public rest-room with a young child could be very stressful, but with PottyCovers the whole family can feel safe knowing that even at the filthiest bathrooms they will be protected from germs. We designed this product for kids, but it has become a must-have travel item for many of our adult customers.

A pack of PottyCover sells for $5.99 and it is available on Amazon, Ebay, all Buy Buy Baby stores around the country and at select Bed Bath & Beyond stores.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Join Us for A Healthy Virtual BBQ & Link Up Your Favorite Recipe!

Fourth of July is right around the corner and that means food, drinks, desserts, games and fireworks. Many of us love making the same dish for these occasions, but if you are looking for something new, head over to the Virtual BBQ, hosted by Kelley’s Passion for Nutrition and HappyMothering. 

We will be having a fun time sharing our favorite recipes and socializing. It will be a great opportunity to check out a new twist to an old dish or explore some new ideas. You will love the variety of dishes including everything from organic, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, ethnic and healthy meats. 

So bring your virtual plate to the party and be sure to ready your Pin It button so you can get some great recipe ideas for the upcoming celebration.  

The Virtual BBQ starts on June 18^th and you can link up your recipes through June 25. 

BYOD:  Bring Your Own Dish. Just make sure to include clear instructions and pictures so others can make this Dish!

Be sure to grab the button to add to your post!  Also, please add the linky code to the bottom of your post so we can all share the love! And if you feel so inclined, you can join the Green Moms Network Facebook Group to keep up with all of our green and healthy events!

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Funtastic Summer Event: Blendtec Blender $500 value! {free event for bloggers-sign up}

Great up coming event.  I love smoothies and been featuring a few for you to make your own, and Kate n’ Kaboodle is having a Funtastic Summer Event starting June 10th!  This event will feature two weeks of awesome giveaways ending with the grand finale Da da da da, a Blendtec Designer Series Wildside Total Blender Valued at $499.  Awesome right?  I am excited to help let you know about this event! 

This giveaway will run from June 25th at 12:01 a.m. until July 9th at 11:59 p.m.  Be sure to come back and enter!  Bloggers do you want to join this event? Head over here.

Healthy Spirit: Start your Day with Yoga

I love Yoga with the benefits of clarity, detoxification, and a toned body, but did you know Yoga can bring you peace to your spirit?  In YogaPaws Blog for Beginner Poses and Postures they talk about starting your day with 5 basic moves. 

In the article they mention how the morning can be a great time to fit in Yoga.  All too quickly the days events of work, home, kids, pets, and more have us running from one event to the next.  Take the time for yourself to take deep cleansing breaths and let the stress and worries of the day roll off you.  This is the time to forget about all that is on the calendar and prepare yourself to be the best mentally, physically, and spiritually for your loved ones.

How can five little moves do all that? By helping you open your mind to the healing powers that comes from deep breaths, stretching tight muscles, and releasing the stress and tensions throughout your body.

Yoga can be cleansing and healing.  Your muscles want to stretch, burn, and release stored toxins.  We normally do not take enough cleansing breaths but rather shallow and short.  Breathing deep cleansing breaths while doing yoga clears the mind and lungs of stored chemicals and toxins like carbon-dioxide. 

The Five Moves for a calmer day, read article for full description on how to preform these moves. 

• "Virabhadrasana I (Warrior I Pose) Benefits: This pose stretches your hip flexors and opens your chest, both of which help you feel released."
• "Marjaryasana (Cat Pose) Benefits: Often, your back might feel tight first thing in the morning. This gentle stretch releases that tension without stressing your hamstrings."
• "High Lunge,  Benefits: This pose provides a deep stretch in your hip flexors and the backs of your legs."
• "Bharadvajasana I (Bharadvaja’s Twist)  Benefits: This gentle twist is perfect for realigning your back after sleeping."
• "Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose) Benefits: This pose stretches the inner thighs and hips, letting you start the day with a sense of physical freedom."

If a calmer day is not quite enough to help you start Yoga, then maybe the fact that it is anti-Aging will help?

"There are seven basic attributes that characterize someone who’s vibrant and healthy, someone who seems to defy the effects of aging:

• Supple skin that radiates beauty
• Strong, shiny hair
• Well defined muscles and bone structure
• Boundless energy that lights up a room
• A light but firm and confident step
• A positive, well balanced attitude toward life
• A calm demeanor"

How do you start your morning?  Thinking about Yoga?

 

I Love Dad Event Hop, $25 GC to Wildwood Soapworks (US only) ends 6/17

Thank you for stopping by the "I Love Dad Father's Day Giveaway Hop Event, Hosted by Mama to 4 blessings and Home Grown Families!  This event will take place from June 10th at 12:01am EST to June 17th at 11:59 pm EST.  We are going to celebrate Dads!  We will be offering things that Dad will love for giveaways!  After entering my fantastic giveaway, be sure to visit each blog from the links below the Rafflecopter.  Enter for your chance with over 80+ blogs with some really amazing prizes valued at $20+!

Wildwood Soapworks is a wonderful company that makes Organic products like soaps, lotions, balms, bath teas and scrubs, items for baby, pets, and insect deterrents.  Their products are made with  proprietary blends of plant and essential oils, certified organic and toxic free.

 "Do you really want Dad going through the same routine this Father's Day?  This year give him something as unique and helpful as he is!  We have combined three of our best products and given you "Wild Essentials".  Does Dad love the outdoors?  Is he always fixing what's broken?  Does he break a sweat making your lives better? Does he occasionally “wound” himself ?...Well then, we have you covered!  In this gift package, we include our all natural bug spray, Always Faithful organic soap, and Healing Balm.

Whether it's fishing on his boat, cooking on the grill, or taking the family to the beach, our “Buzzed” natural bug spray keeps everyone free from insect attacks.  FINALLY! You can stop spraying yourself and your loved ones with DEET and other assorted chemicals! This is a natural blend of essential oils and a proprietary extract that repel mosquitos, ticks, gnats, no-see-ums, black flies, green head flies, chiggers, and generally annoying things with wings or legs. In a fractionated coconut oil base, it does not disappear when you sweat, nor will it stain your clothes. How does it smell you ask? Fabulous! Some of our regular clients have purchased it to use as a natural perfume since their mates are allergic to the chemicals prevalent in that industry. Yes, it really works! We guarantee or your money back, no questions asked! "  Read more description here.

You can see my Review:  Lime Coconut Soap Bar and Pink Grapefruit Lotion.  When I post about a product, I like for it to be beneficial for the body.  This is why I like to use Green items with companies that go the extra mile to put only ingredients that are safe for your skin, the largest organ on your body. 

BUY  IT:  The Special Promotion set is only $30, through their Facebook Deal of the day.  You will save $7 plus the FREE shipping on orders $25 and over.  This makes for a great gift for dad!  

Wildwood Soapworks is great for his body, soothing, protecting, and healing.  If you are not sure what to pick, Gift Certificates make it easy for him to pick something himself.  You still have plenty of time to get one before June 17th, but if you are running behind, Gift Certificates can be emailed within 24 hours. 

WIN IT:  Wildwood Soapworks is giving one lucky reader a $25 Gift Certificate to purchase what you think will be a hit for Dad.  Just fill out the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win!  Open to US only from 6/10 to 6/17. 

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Disclaimer: Please note that Kelley's Passion for Nutrition, “I Love Dad - Father's Day Giveaway Hop Event” bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. We have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner. We will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. We will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize. If there is an issue with a sponsor, please notify the blog you won a prize from within 4-6 weeks for assistance, after that we may be unable to assist you.

Thank you for participating!

Ideal Summer Green Smoothie

During the summer months we are looking for things to cool us down.  Some might think first of ice cream, a big bulk, or slushy.  Whether you are outside for work, play, or relaxing your body is losing vital minerals and nutrients.  Instead of reaching for a sugary drink, replenish minerals and nutrients tastefully with a Summer Smoothies.   

Green Smoothie #3
Sea Tea, (Named by Shawna Ruppert for her son)                                             
2 plums
1 peach
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups almond milk
greens (you pick 1cup of : basil, celery, dandelion, Swiss chard, watercress, lettuce varieties, mint, sorrel, and strawberry leaves.  These are selections you can pick just one or in combination.  All are beneficial and seasonal greens.)

Blend with ice to your liking and enjoy!  This is a wonderful breakfast, lunch, dinner, or cooling off treat for your body.

This smoothie has no sea or tea in it, but when it comes to getting kids interested in trying new things you have to be creative and have fun. 

Have a Happy Healthy day!