Scotties Facial Tissues

March 12, 2012 By Anne

I no longer use paper napkins and paper plates and use little paper towels. I really feel good about being able to use cloth napkins and so much less paper products. But….

I still gotta have my tissues and T.P. ( toilet paper). No way to get around these two, right? If there is I don’t wanna know about it! lol

One thing to to feel good about is – Scotties Facial Tissues. Scotties is actually a paper company that has planted over 800 million trees!

Ever since 2009, Scotties made a promise to plant 3 trees for everyone it uses to make their tissues! You can see the promise right on the box! Their parent company, J.D. Irving Limited has been environmentally friendly for over 50 years.

I’ve been using Scotties for awhile now and it wasn’t because they were eco-friendly. That is something I just found about. It was because the price is right and I love the way they feel! I love the boxes, they are so cute and stylish! I usually buy them in threes, because there is always a coupon in the paper for them. Scotties usually beats even the store brand price!

Do you use Scotties? Do you buy tissues for the feel or whatever is on sale?

I received a couple boxes to review, but I have buying Scotties tissues for years. My opinions are always my own!

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

Save More Around the Home – Guest Post

February 16, 2012 By Anne

This is a partnered guest post.

More and more people are making the decision to cut back on their spending and want to make an effort to live below their means. If you are one of these people yourself, you may have the big goal in mind of paying off your credit cards, student loans and other debts. Or you may want to simply stop wasting money unnecessarily so you can save more. So just how can you save more around the home? Here are some ideas:

Trim Insurance Costs: You may not be aware of it, but the fact is that insurance companies regularly adjust their insurance rates. So you may think you have cheap house insurance in place, but there may actually be a better deal available to you. You can easily price shop to see if you really do have cheap house insuranceby using a price comparison website online.

Cut Down on Energy Costs: Many people view their utility bill as an expense beyond their control, but there are some things you can do to cut back on this monthly expense. You can install a programmable thermostat, and add weatherstripping to doors and windows as needed to make your home more energy efficient. If permitted in your area, you can also shop for a lower rate on utility costs and consider switching utility companies if possible.

Plan for Leftovers: With some basic meal planning techniques, you can drastically cut down on your grocery bill each week. Consider planning at least a few meals each week that provide you with leftovers that can be eaten the next day for lunch or for dinner. Some of these options may include soups, casseroles, and pasta dishes. In addition to saving money, eating leftovers can save you time in the kitchen, too!

Look at Your Cable TV Costs: Few people want to completely give up their cable TV, but there may be a more affordable option available to you. Consider dropping back to basic cable and then using more affordable options like Hulu, Netflix, and others for additional viewing options. Some people are canceling their cable plan altogether and are watching their favorite TV shows online. This can save you a considerable amount of money each month.

Check Out Your Phone and Data Usage: Phone and data plans are often put in place and then not adjusted for months or years. Yet most people’s phone and data needs change over time, as do the rates offered by different providers. It is a good idea to take a closer look at the plans you have in place, and consider if cutting back is a feasible option. Then price shop based on your needs to see if changing to a different carrier or plan would save you money. Many people are surprised at just how much money they can save by shopping for different plans.

These are just a few of the ways you can start saving around the house immediately. Take a closer look at how these tips can help you cut down on your monthly expenses today!

Anne

Mightynest – Cool Eco Gifts – Review/Giveaway

January 12, 2012 By Anne

Mightynest started by parents Kristen and Chris Conn, has some amazingly cool eco and green gifts and everyday products. After Kristen and Chris had their first child, they wanted to learn more about products that were safe for the children and for the environment. They did a lot of research, but wanted to make it easier on other parents to find great products and Mightynest was born!

Mightynest has items for the home, kids and babies and bath. They have cleaning products, wooden toys and bamboo wash cloths. BUT, unlike other websites they are not too many items to choose from. I’ve been on some sites where there are so many things to choose form, it’s get confusing. Not with Mightynest.

Check out some of these items:

Glass straws by GlassDharma are super cool! I have a few different glass straws and love them to pieces. My kids are a little jealous, cause I won’t let em use them. lol

Look at this fun Eco house! It has Wind Turbines and Solar Panels. It also comes with en electric scooter !

We are a reusable water bottle family. Everywhere we go, we tote along water bottle for everyone. The only kind I personally like are the plastic ones. Of course, I make sure they are PBA free, but the metal and steel bottles I don’t use. I can taste the metal, I’m sure I’m not the only one.

So when Mightynest offered to send me a glass water bottle I jumped at the chance to try it out!

Mightynest sent me a a glass water bottle from LifeFactory. I’ve been using it none stop for the last couple weeks. It goes to work, shopping and on trips with me. I love it! Here it is at my desk at work.

It took a little getting use to. It’s heavier than my PBA free plastic water bottle. But I do have to say I like drinking out of glass better. It seems, I don’t know, cleaner? Weird, but I don’t know how to explain it.

The glass water bottle from LifeFactory is dishwasher safe and leak-proof. It has a silicone sleeve, which makes it easy to grip and helps to prevent breakage.

Mightynest would like to give one Mommy Has to Work a 22oz Glass Water Bottle by LifeFactory in the color of your choice!

Plus check out the Mightynest blog, where you can learn healthy and natural living tips.

I received a water bottle to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Anne

Cool Green Gifts Under $20

December 8, 2011 By Anne

I have a few of these and they are awesome!!

EcoJot notebooks are all the rage, with wildly original patterns printed with veggie based inks on 100% postindustrial waste. $8.05-$11.95 at barnesandnoble.com.

How pretty!!

Made by Jim Clift Design, these tiny leaf earrings are lighthearted, lightweight and in limited supply. All proceeds benefit the African Wildlife Foundation. $10 at awf.org.

What a unique gift – cool!

Powered by water, not batteries, this energy-friendly clock is the greenest way to tell time. $16 at bedolwhatsnext.com.

I love paper and love Ellie Pooh Paper!! It’s textured, in a cool way and I love how it’s made.

Mr. Ellie Pooh makes paper from 75% Sri Lankan elephant dung. Really. Stationery comes in reusable hand-made baskets … and, no, it doesn’t smell. $10 or three for $25 at mrelliepooh.com.

Peppermint and vanilla sounds soooo nice!!

Made from 100% eco-soy wax and infused with essential oils of savory peppermint and vanilla, this candle holds a sensational and sustainable scent. $20 at Hollybeth.

What a cutie!!

Raise awareness about one of the rarest, smallest – and cutest – primates in the world with this organic cotton stuffed hairy-eared dwarf lemur. $16.99 at xecoshop.com.

Everyone needs an umbrella, right?

Totes Recycled Plastic Eco Umbrella is made from bamboo shaft and recycled plastic. $17.99 target.com.

And, uh who doesn’t love chocolate?

Available in 70% Dark and Milk Chocolate, these delicious organic chocolates come wrapped in an elegant bag — perfect stuffing for any stocking. $4.99 a bag at greenandblacks.com.

All pictures and info recieved from The Daily Green.

Anne

Be “Green” This Christmas

December 5, 2011 By Anne

Wow – Christmas is almost here and there is so much stuff to buy!

But wait!! Before you go buying all those fancy boxes and wrapping paper to a minute and think of a more green way to do Christmas.

Save any and every box you have around the house. I’m lucky enough to have plenty of boxes from review items and I save different sizes at work too. But- you can save cereal boxes, food boxes, tissue boxes, really any box can be used. Last year I did not “buy” any boxes and I won’t have to this year either. I have boxes of boxes I started collecting last month. Cereal boxes will make nice clothes boxes. I used one for mailing gifts before.

Wrapping paper – now this one’s a little more tricky. You can use newspaper or cartoons. These make fun and interesting presents. You can use the kids artwork for smaller gifts. You can use leftover materials to wrap your gifts. You can even use cloth to make a gift bag. These can be used from year to year.

Last year I saved some brown paper from work and folded it nice and neat and kept it flat. Then I used stamps and placed holiday stamps with glitter on the paper. I really think the presents wrapped in this paper was my absolute favorite!!

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What will you do this Christmas to be “green”?