TFH Family Favorite Finds

Frigidaire Test Drive Mom: Eco-Friendly Options Poll

Last year, I had the extreme privilege of partnering with the Frigidaire Test Drive program and, let me tell you, we gave their appliances a real work out!

This year, Frigidaire announced the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have named them as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for Appliances:

The award recognizes us for increasing our selection and delivery of environmentally-conscious ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and helping to educate consumers about the ENERGY STAR PROGRAM.

Want to help Frigidaire keep to their committment to help make the world a little greener?  EXCELLENT!!! 

In honor of Earth Month, please consider taking the Eco-Friendly Options Poll on Frigidaire’s Green Sweeps Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/frigidaire, and enter for a chance to win BIG.

Each week, they are giving away a different eco-friendly Frigidaire appliance.

Good luck and Happy Earth Month!!!

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure:  I am working in partnership with the Frigidaire Test Drive Program and received a $50 gift card from Frigidaire for my participation in helping to spread the word on their Eco-Friendly Options Poll.

NWF Moms: Celebrating National Wildlife Week

National Wildlife Week is a tradition that has been celebrated at National Wildlife Federation (NWF) since 1938!

This year's theme is "Wildlife That Moves Us" and to help families (like mine) celebrate, as well as learn a little more about wildlife, each day, NWF.org is highlighting different types of animals and providing posters and trading cards each day of the week.

Here are some of the highlights found at http://www.nwf.org/wildlifeweek:

NWF Mom Update: Scholarship Applications Available For Craig Tufts Environmental Education Award

Do you know a child who would absolutely love a week in the great outdoors?  EXCELLENT!!!

As a Founding Mother of the National Wildlife Federation's (NWF) Be Out There Program, I have the pleasure of sharing a great opportunity for a child aged 8-18.

A scholarship in memory of NWF's chief naturalist Craig Tufts who passed away in 2009:

Craig Tufts was the chief naturalist for NWF for more than 20 years. His devotion to getting children outside–learning from nature and having fun–was fundamental for him. In his memory, an essay contest was established to provide an opportunity for a child between the ages of 8-18 to have a week of nature adventures–canoeing, mountain biking, and other outdoor fun. [via NWF.org]

The Fund provides travel, room and board and program fees for the award winner and an accompanying parent or guardian. 

For more information, visit Calling All Kids post published on the National Wildlife Federation website.

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure:  I am a member of the NWF Founding Mothers Advisory Council -- ust helping families (like mine) get their kids outside and enjoy nature, more -- no payment was received for this blog post.

Garden Safe Product Review and Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: LOOKING FORWARD TO SHARING THIS WITH ONE OF YOU REAL SOON!!!

Some of my earliest childhood memories are of exploring my great-aunt's vegetable garden -- happily digging in the dirt, along with my twin brother, while she and my parents traded old world gardening secrets -- and, I swear, I could still smell Anushka's stuffed Hungarian peppers cooking on the stove. 

Today, I've passed the gardening gene to my youngest (she's 9) who loves to run out into our yard and pick a couple of cucumbers and tomatoes for dinner, or maybe even a handful of fresh flowers for the table.

I just love that!

Worrying about the effects of using nasty pesticides, not so much -- so, we don't use any -- still, I don't like the idea of our feeding the entire bug population (in Jersey) either!

I was recently contacted by the good folks representing Garden Safe, a brand for gardeners (like me) who are seeking new alternatives to control garden pests and seeing as we ARE dealing with a few pests of our own (in the garden, I mean) it seemed like a really good fit.

Exhibit A:  The Fig Tree that Lived...

Kleenex Towels Hand Drying Song: Dry Hands Are Happy Hands - Now With Less ICK!

Did you know that freshly cleaned, wet hands transfer pathogens more readily than dry hands or hands not washed at all.

[cringe]

Me, either.

I am very excited to partner with my friends at TheMotherhood.com and in the Kleenex Hand Towels campaign and share some important facts about hand drying -- like, how I've spent the last 16 years reminding my kids (constantly) to wash their hands and never once worried about their hand drying habits, or lack thereof.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (you know, the CDC, they specialize in ICK!) recommends hand drying with a single-use towel to help reduce the spread of germs, but consumers have not had a practical alternative to traditional cloth hand towels in their home bathrooms – until now.

Oh, and there's this cute little song you can sing along with your kids while hollering at reminding them to, you know, dry their hands.

Why?

Because, I am ALL about ridding my house of pathogens (the killer dust bunnies are getting real jealous) and my family and I get to work on this project, together!

No, I am NOT going to sing (you're welcome!) but, my oldest daughter is working on this really cool idea and, well, did I mention she's 16 and digitally/graphically gifted?

[the sound of crickets chirping]

Oh, and there's a lovely prize to help kick-off the promotion.

NWF Mom Update: The Local Impact of Climate Change - Now, With More Itch and A Prettiful Field Bag Too!

You know Emily McKhann, right?  Well, you should, because she and Cooper Monroe founded TheMotherhood.com and, yes, they ARE very, very smart. 

How do I know?

Well, personally, I've been working very closely with The Motherhood Creative for a long time, now (in Gemini years, anyway) and, quite frankly, I feel way smarter, already.

[sound of crickets chirping]

Aaaaanyway, Emily attended a lunch for DC bloggers (Amie Adams, Gayle Weiswasser, Diane MacEaachern), hosted by Jaime Matyas and her great team at the National Wildlife Federation to help them learn a little more about a few NWF programs.   

You can find the rest of the post on my personal blog: (http://bit.ly/bRQOV7)

WARNING:  It's most likely gonna make you itch!

I wanted to cross-post it here on my shopping blog and let you know that you can donate to the National Wildlife Federation today and get a FREE gift, too!

Wanna see?

Celebrate Earth Day with Green Crafts & More from Disney FamilyFun

 

As a Founding Mother of the National Wildlife Federation's new Be Out There campaign, I've accepted the challenge of finding and sharing ways to help promote outdoor activities families (like mine) can do, together.

Gardening is one of my favorite ways to get my kids outside:  they really do enjoy helping me and my husband, Garth [not his real name] grow our own fruits and vegetables, in the summertime.

Earth Day is just around the corner (April 22, 2010) FamilyFun Magazine also has some terrific tips on creative ways to help celebrate, this month:

10 Ways to Make Gardening More Fun: By maximizing the magic and minimizing the chores, our readers bring out the green thumb in their kids.

Tips for Creating Your First Garden (with your kids!): Giving your child his or her own miniature flower garden provides the right balance of big dreams and little tasks. A small garden of annual flowers is easy to take care of, and she will learn many skills as she nurtures seedlings and cuts bouquets for the kitchen table.

Also featured are gardening ideas that bring both city and country kids outside to learn about the earth, and have some fun!

Disney Store Celebrates Earth Day Featuring "Save Plant Earth" Products

[SHARING WITH JACKIE -- COMMENT #67 -- PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

April 22, 2010 will be the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day and, this year, the Disney Store is helping to celebrate by introducing a new line of "green" products.

"Save Planet Earth" products will be available today, April 12th, through Earth Day, April 22, 2010.  Cool reusable stuff like, tote bags, aluminum bottles, journals and an exclusive new plush alien will be available at the Disney Store to help commemorate this special occasion.

The very kind folks at the Disney Store sent us a sampling and, well, my middle girl (she's 14) and my youngest (she's 8) were fighting over it (youngest won) but, all my kids loved to learn how the bags are made from recycled bottles.

Wanna see?

Soap & Detergent Association - Spring Survey & $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

[SHARING WITH:  CONGRATULATIONS, TRISHA LYNN -- COMMENT #31 -- PLEASE SEE YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

TGIF!  Not only is it my only day off (during the week) at our house, Friday is cleaning day; hence, putting the TG in IF, since going back to work in...um...what month is it?

Aaaaanyway.

Today, I'm hitting the drawers and closets (HARD!) changing over from winter to spring clothes -- since, it hit the 80's (here, in Jersey) and my kids were, like, the only ones to go to school wearing long pants, this week!

Then, I received an email from The Soap and Detergent Association wanting to hear how I (and you guys) choose cleaning products and, well, I couldn't resist just one more post, before I go and get lost in a pile of mis-matched socks and gloves.

The who and why the heck should we care what the SDA wants to know?

Seventh Generation Cleaning Products: Spring Cleaning and The Conscious Kitchen

[WE HAVE A WINNER:   CONGRATULATIONS TERZORN -- COMMENT #20 -- PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!] Going green isn't always easy -- especially, when cleaning your house -- trust me, I know. 

However, for families (like ours) I believe that "going green" is an ongoing process of educating ourselves, as best we can.  That's why, I'm excited to share with you some very useful information and also a terrific family of green products, that makes it a little easier for families (like mine) to turn over a new leaf, courtesy of the earth-friendly folks at Seventh Generation.

PBS KIDS GO!: Design Squad's Trash to Treasure Competition Launches Nationwide April 5, 2010

It's no secret, I am a HUGE fan of PBS (figuratively speaking, of course!) my family and I watch A LOT of public television.

Calling all creative kids and young inventors!

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day this April, PBS KIDS GO!'s Design Squad is launching the nationwide 2010 Trash to Treasure competition on April 5th at PBSKIDSGO.org/designsquad/contest.

Kids across the country ages 5-19 are challenged by the award-winning series to recycle, reuse and re-engineer everyday materials into new inventions.

Three young innovators will win a trip to Boston to see their designs built and have the process chronicled for an upcoming episode of the engineering TV series.

Here's last year's winner, Max Wallack, 13, inventor of the "Home Dome," a temporary shelter for homeless people and disaster victims:

Max gives some sound advice to this year's entrants:

"Identify a problem and then try to come up with a solution to it. Be prepared to make several attempts at designing before one design jumps out as the right one."

Why?

Because, nice matters and indifference sucks wet poodle -- way to go, kids -- good luck!

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

DISCLOSURE:  NO PAYMENT WAS RECEIVED, OR CONSIDERATIONS, OTHER THAN A CHANCE TO SHARE SOMETHING NICE WITH OTHER FAMILIES (LIKE MINE) WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST, COURTESY OF PBS KIDS GO!

Tips from Crystal Light and The Nature Conservancy for World Water Day 2010

Did you know that March 22nd is World Water Day?  I know what you're thinking -- what's next, National Pond Slime Week -- but, raising 4 children, our house uses a lot of water and, truth be told, we're probably wasting a lot more, than the average family, too.

Here are some quick (and easy) tips to help families (like mine) save water:

• Reduce your shower time by two minutes – save up to 150,000 gallons of water per month

• Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth – save 25 gallons of water per month

• Defrost food in the fridge instead of under running water – reduce water inefficiency and increase food safety

• Run your dishwasher and washing machine only when they’re full – save up to 1,000 gallons of water per month

Seriously, it's that simple.

One of my favorite brands is helping, too -- Crystal Light will give to The Nature Conservancy 100 percent of net profits from Crystal Light powdered drink mix products sold that day – no less than $350,000 and up to $750,000.

The funds will support the river and lake projects across the U.S., including:  the Colorado River, Great Lakes Basin, Meramec River (part of the Mississippi river), Potomac River and Southern Rivers.

But, wait, there's more -- wanna see Sheryl Crow?

BamBoo Bears Debut at Toy Fair 2010 and It Was Like I Was There, Almost!

Sadly, I wasn't able to attend Toy Fair 2010 (stupid, work!) however, a lot of my friends did (DAMMIT!) and I hear that Child's Play Communications (my Team Mom buds) presented a terrific social media panel, during the event.

Why is this important?

Well, having received email pitches addressed from "Intern 6" and "Assistant #3" this week, it's obvious that some companies STILL don't get it.

What?

That moms (and dads) are NOT stupid and really do a lot of research (on line and word-of-mouth) before they buy stuff, for their families!

Still, it was like I was there (almost) because, Jen from Ren Beanie sent us a BamBoo Bear and, well, who new that bamboo could be made to look like fur?

Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again - Book Prize Pack

[CONGRATULATIONS VICKY (COMMENT #74) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

When Winter, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, was found trapped with her tail badly damaged, she was not expected to survive. This is her miraculous story, from her rescue to learning how to swim again to her unprecedented success using a prosthetic tail:

Bottle nose dolphins have also been seen in the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers here in Central New Jersey and, well, I can certainly understand how difficult it would be to NOT want pet the dolphins.

I'm proud to be partnering with the good folks at Scholastic.com in helping to promote the release of the new children's book, Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again, along with sharing a few tips on responsibly observing dolphins in their natural habitat. 

Take a Green Step At Home With SCOTT Naturals

[THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED - CONGRATULATIONS SARAH:  YOUR COMMENT (#267) WAS SELECTED (VIA RANDOM.ORG AND ON MY GIVEAWAY PAGE ON PRIZEY.NET. PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

Going green isn't always easy.  Trust me, I know.  But, for families (like ours) I believe that "going green" is an ongoing process of educating ourselves, as best we can.

That's why, I'm excited to share with you some very useful information and also a terrific family of green products, that makes it a little easier for families (like mine) to turn over a new leaf, courtesy of the earth-friendly folks at SCOTT Naturals™.