Easy Lunchboxes Review

Conceived by Kelly Lester, Easy Lunchboxes, will transform not only how you “do” lunch but how you think about lunch.  It is my honor to introduce you to this creative mom with a lovely spirit and a concept that not only is earth friendly but family friendly.   Please take the time to read all about Kelly in her bio!

What is Easy Lunchboxes? Easy Lunchboxes is a system that allows you to pack lunches quickly, easily with less packaging all while saving money and promoting healthy eating.  Seriously, it does all that!  The only thing this systems does not do is pack the lunch.  Sorry mom, that’s still your job.  However, with these cute containers, I’m sure your kids will love to help out.  Each single lid container has three compartments to house a lunch with plenty of space for a sandwich and two sides.  You can consult Easy Lunchboxes for some fun lunch ideas to keep your kids and you from getting lunch burnout.   Since the Easy Lunchboxes provide room for sides, you no longer have to buy prepackaged foods!

Easy Lunchboxes are affordable.  A set of four containers costs $13.95 and  a carrying case (which comes in a variety of colors) costs $7.95.  So for $21.90 you are done for the year…wait…you are just plain done with lunch.  The construction on the containers and the carrying case will last you for years to come.  How much are you spending now on plastic baggies and prepackaged foods?

Let’s talk carrying case.  The carrying case is the perfect size, and I don’t say that lightly.  My husband brings his lunch to work almost daily.  I try to stuff as much as I can in his little cooler.  Often his thermos or water bottle is left out because there is no room after filling his cooler up with his lunch.  The insulated, vinyl-free, carrying case from Easy Lunchboxes, is small enough to carry easily but big enough to house your entire lunch including thermos and ice packs.  In fact, I can fit two Easy Lunchboxes containers, a bottle of water and an ice pack!  Really.  Now, it might bit stuffed but it can be done.  To distinguish your lunch carrying case you can add a clip on or key ring decoration which you can easily change as often as you like.

I am giving this item highest marks on quality, efficiency, ease of use, usefulness, economical and earth friendly.

Copyright © Richele McFarlin, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

ReUsies Review: An alternative to plastic sandwich/snack bags

ReUsies just made lunch and snacking a little greener. What does this mean for you? Well, I’ll be completely honest, I am not a greenie. I am not anti-green but I do not seek environmentally safe products, especially if it will cost more. I’m more of a light green kind of girl. So, the idea of getting rid of my convenient plastic baggies was not so tempting. Oh please, pick your jaw up off the floor, I am not the only one to succumb to the disposable and convenient.

One day I happened to find the ReUsies website. Curious to see what new green product had hit the market that I would surely never buy, I clicked on the site. I saw the product and agreed that it was very cute. I loved all the different designs and immediately could think of a hundred uses. Then I clicked on the “Learn More” button. Thinking I would learn more about the product, I was surprised to learn more about the effect plastic has on the environment. I did not know that plastic takes 1000 years to breakdown and in doing so forms into a more toxic substance. So, just maybe ReUsies had a point, right?

In a bold move, I contacted ReUsies to review their product. I figured if I can think of 100 ways to use this product then I must be using more plastic bags then I care to think about it. Besides, appealing to my less green side, that’s a lot of money to throw away!

I have to comment that ReUsies customer service is fantastic! They are helpful, friendly, and genuinely care about their customers.

My ReUsies arrived just in time to test it with goldfish for my daughter’s diaper bag. The snack size is 6′w by 5′h. This is the perfect size for crackers and little snacks for the kids or yourself. The bag is made of 100% cotton and lined with water-resistant 100% nylon. No worries this product is BPA, Lead and Phthalate free. They use Velcro closures to ensure your snacks stay put. The sandwich size bag has all the same features except it is 7.5′w/6′h. Plenty big for sandwiches or other lunch items. The bags are machine or dishwasher washable or wiped clean with soapy water. So how did it hold up?

For good measure, I used both bags to carry different items. The snack bag for my daughter’s Goldfish and the sandwich bag for my other daughter’s PB&J. The food stayed put in each bag. The bags being made of cotton hold up much better than plastic baggies. There were no broken Goldfish or a smashed sandwich and I didn’t take too much care when throwing them in the diaper bag. Later that evening, I simply put the ReUsies on the counter with the dishes to be washed. Since I am without a dishwasher (if you care to donate to that fund see me later) it takes no time at all to wipe down these bags. And if truth be told, my number one concern was how much of a pain it would be to wash them. No pain! It was so easy that even if I had a dishwasher, I’d just wash them by hand.

So, environmentally safe, kid safe, food safe, dishwasher safe, and saves you money. What more could a product do for you.

When reviewing a product I ask myself several questions:

Would you buy this item?

Yes.

Would you recommend this item to a friend?

Yes.

What is the downside?

Well, the only downside, in my opinion, is that the bag does not zip. Now, the food stays in place. However, when I used it for cheese puffs (organic low-fat, aren’t you proud?) the puffs were not so fresh by the end of the day. The bag is not airtight nor does it claim to be.

Does the downside cause me to give pause before buying?

No, not really. ReUsies served it’s purpose for lunch or a long car ride, trip to the doctor’s…even for toy or make up storage to be honest. ReUsies have many uses that will benefit you and the in turn the earth.

There’s the skinny on ReUsies from this light green mean mama. So, even if you like me and not always in the market for green products, still consider ReUsies for your sandwich and snack needs. This green product will save you green in the end.

Product for review was provided by ReUsies in exchange for an honest and fair

Copyright © Richele McFarlin, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Making Laundry Manageable

Laundry is a continuous chore. In my household, there is only myself and my three year old daughter, but sometimes I feel like I am washing for a family of four. Laundry is a housekeeping responsibility that you want to keep manageable. It only takes a few minutes to wash a load or dry a load, but when you add in folding clothes and putting them away those piles can eat up a whole Saturday.

Tips on how to keep your laundry under control

• Give each family member a hamper for their room. When each person has a hamper you are less likely to see piles of dirty clothes on the floor.
• Create a functional laundry room. Invest in installing some shelves and hooks, then designate an area for your laundry detergent, fabric softener, stain remover, irons and ironing board
• Schedule your laundry days. Let’s face it you may not always be able to do laundry on the days you plan, but if you can at least try to pick two days out of the week that work for you, your laundry will seem much more doable. I try to do my laundry on Wednesday and Saturdays. I set aside a few hours and then I am not so overwhelmed during the week.

Laundry day is here the clothes are in the hamper, the laundry room is organized and you are ready to go. Why not recruit your kids to help you out? Kids loved feeling involved and it is a great way to teach them responsibility. Even if you have little ones you will be surprised at how much they can actually help you out.

One of the simplest tasks for your child to participate in is separating the clothes. You can purchase hampers that already have a sorter, if not it is just as fun for them to put all of the colored clothes in one pile, the whites and the dark in another. If you have little ones this is a great way for them to practice their colors.

Once all the clothes are sorted it is time to put them in, your kids can do this along with dumping in the detergent. My daughter loves throwing the clothes in, so I got her a footstool so that she could reach the machine.

When your first load is out of the dryer, it is important to fold the clothes and put them away. If you decide to wait this is when the laundry can really pile up. Make this chore go a little quicker by having your children fold their own clothes or at the very least put them away, of course if it is age appropriate.

If you do your laundry at least twice a week you’ll discover that your piles won’t be as daunting as if you do it all in one day. Another good reason to choose two days to do your laundry is that it saves electric and water, rather than doing it every day or sporadically. Try to invest in energy saving washer and dryers, not only is it a great investment, but you will be helping out the environment that God has blessed us all with.

Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Baby Product Review – Fuzzi Bunz cloth diapers

Product Name: Fuzzi Bunz cloth diapers
Name: Carrie; Dallas, GA
Rating: 9
Where to buy: fuzzibunzstore.com

Description: Fuzzi Bunz are a “pocket” diaper which means they consist of a waterproof outer and have a pocket which holds a highly absorbent removable liner (usually microfiber, which is very thin but super absorbent). They close with plastic snaps which means no messy velcro that picks up lint in the dryer.

Review: Fuzzi Bunz are by far my very favorite cloth diapers. After several years of trying different cloth diaper systems, and liking most of them, I discovered Fuzzi Bunz and got rid of all my other cloth diapers.

I found that FBs are trimmer than most cloth diapers and also more absorbent. Because the absorbent inner is located inside the pocket, the wetness goes through the liner and gets absorbed by the microfiber, meaning that baby doesn’t feel wet against her skin. Yet because they consist of two parts, they wash and dry more quickly than other all in one diapers.

When I took my daughter to the Pediatrician for the first time, he admired her Fuzzi Bunz and made the comment that he wished more parents used them. He referred to the research on the link between asthma and disposable diapers and noted that her skin was totally rash free.

Fuzzi Bunz are available in a variety of cute colors. I only give them a 9 because they are quite pricey. But Fuzzi Bunz can be used for more than one child and are high quality. They can be resold on eBay for a dollar or two less than retail, even if they are used.

Criticism: A little pricey.

Copyright © Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

The Dangers of Using Non-Organic Cosmetics

Cosmetics have been a part of women’s lives, in some shape or form, for many centuries. Whether it was an ancient Egyptian applying cat-like eyeliner like Cleopatra, a Victorian woman applying rouge for a pink glow against her pale skin, or a modern day woman applying a coat of lip gloss while stopped at a traffic light, cosmetics play a part in many of our daily lives.

Our skin absorbs much of what we come into contact with. Take for instance the patches that people place on their skin to stop smoking. When you use non-organic cosmetics, you are exposing your skin to many harmful chemicals, all of which can be absorbed into your body.

A few common cosmetic ingredients include:

Lanolin: This is a by-product of sheep’s wool, and can cause irritation due to the residue of any pesticides the sheep came into contact with

Artificial Colors and Fragrances: Many cosmetics contain both artificial colors and fragrances. These ingredients can also create skin irritation, as well as eczema and dermatitis.

Hydrogenated Oils: Hydrogenated oils are oils that have been processed and heated to an extreme point, which changes the chemical make up of the oil. You may have heard about hydrogenated oils and food safety, as hydrogenated oils can lead to clogged arteries and heart disease. When these oils come into contact with the skin through cosmetics, they can clog up pores and create acne.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate: This foaming agent is found in many skin cleansers. It can strip your skin of it’s natural oils, causing skin to be red, dry, and irritated.

Petroleum: This substance is often added to cosmetics as cheap filler. Our bodies cannot absorb it, and it ends up leaving a layer of film on the skin. This prevents our bodies from eliminating toxins through the skin, and instead, the toxins are trapped inside.

For years, people have been using these products without thinking about any side effects. As more scientists and doctors begin studying the effect these products have on our health, more information is being released. It’s always a good idea to research any products you have concerns about.

There are other options out there; you do not have to settle for the mass produced cosmetics you find in department and discount stores. You can take action by seeking out natural and organic cosmetics that do not contain any harmful ingredients.

You may be surprised at how great your skin looks, and how good you feel when you stop using products containing harmful ingredients.

About the Author: To learn more about natural living and the organic alternatives visit the Earthy-Beauty Podcast at www.allnaturalwahm.com and for a free gift visit www.momspamperingtips.com

How to Make Your Refrigerator More Eco Friendly

Many of us are trying to live a more sustainable, eco friendly lifestyle. One of the best places to start making changes is in our kitchens, the hub of the home and the place where we prepare food. Here are some tips on reducing your carbon footprint and making your kitchen a little healthier.

Make sure your fridge is set at 36 – 38 degrees. You will likely need to purchase a refrigerator thermometer to gauge this properly. Move the thermometer around so you can learn where the coldest and warmer spots in the fridge are, and use this information to determine how you organize your fridge.

Don’t place your fridge close to a stove or sunny window where it will be warmer, causing the compressor to turn on more frequently.

Check the seals on your fridge. Place a dollar bill the door and close it. If you can slide the bill out easily, the seal may be too loose, letting cool air leak out. Clean them regularly with vinegar to cut down on the gunk and replace them if needed.

Vacuum your refrigerator coils. The more dust that sits on the coils, the less efficient it is at cooling. Use a brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to clean it.

Keep your fridge 3/4 full to help it operate at maximum efficiency. Any more full and air can’t circulate well. But if your fridge is half empty, it has to work harder to cool. Place containers of water in your fridge if you need to.

The next time you buy a fridge, make sure it’s Energy Star certified. Look for the yellow sticker on the model you want when you go shopping. And the less popular style of refrigerator that has the freezer in a drawer on the bottom is 10-25% more efficient than side by sides.

Use glass to store leftovers. Not only will you avoid nasty chemicals like phtalates and BPA, but glass also gets colder – helping your fridge conserve energy.

Looking for more easy green living tips?

Visit naturalmomstalkradio.com/blog.

Healthy, whole foods recipes can also be found at naturalmomsrecipes.com

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com