This Full House Reviews

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...

Are You Clueless or Crafty?

In her new book, "Do It Gorgeously: How to Make Less Toxic, Less Expensive, and More Beautiful Products," Sophie Uliano demonstrates how women can update their beauty regimen, create an eco-friendly home, adopt a healthier diet and fitness routine, indulge in guilt-free shopping, and more, all whilst making a positive impact on the earth.

So, I took the Gorgeously Green Quiz (only 6 questions) and, as per the results, it seems I, "Need a Bit of Help!"

I know (act surprised, anyway) looks like I also need to get Sophie's book, huh -- go ahead, give it a whirl and maybe even win some pretty prizes, too -- how about you; clueless or crafty?

 

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

FWIW:  NO PAYMENTS, OR CONSIDERATION, OTHER THAN SHARE THE CHANCE TO WIN SOME PRETTY PRIZES, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST.

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?

Aurorae Yoga Mat Review & Giveaway

[CONGRATULATIONS:  LYNN MATTHEWS (COMMENT #29) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

Raising 4 kids, while managing a fitness center for women (I know, stop laughing) and being perhaps the most uncoordinated and clumsy person on the planet (seriously, I trip on air...and break things...all the time) I've pretty much given up on "finding balance."

My life, like most families I know, is a constant juggling act and I have to try (real hard) to remind myself to, you know, RELAX!

So, when the good folks at AuroraeYoga.com contacted me about helping them share information about their new line of yoga mats and accessories, I was all, like, Namaste!

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!

Spring Showers Giveaway: Baby Egg Nest Gifts - Cute Baby Shower Gifts from Baby Bunch!

[COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: SO HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THIS WITH, VICKI COUTURIER - COMMENT #12 - PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

When my friend, Vered (a.k.a. MomGrind) asked me if I'd be interested in reviewing a bunch of baby clothes, my first thought was, like:

"Ah, H...E...double hockey sticks...to the NO!"

Then, I pulled my head out of the snow and was pleasantly surprised to learn about The Baby Bunch, brainchild of Bryony Boxer and her husband Simon Martin, where they actually take a bunch of baby clothes and arrange them into "gorgeous baby gift bouquets" and into "crayon boxes" AND "cupcakes."

Having spent this passed weekend, hiding out from torrential rainstorms (reserving space on an ark, for six, along with a delinquent cat and one big doofus-dog, as we speak) I'm very pleased for the chance to go green and help baby leave a tiny footprint, by hosting a giveaway of the cutest organic baby sock bouquets, I've ever seen (available in blue or pink) courtesy of my friends at BabyBunch.com!

Because, the kids and I are SO ready for April and, you know, we roll like that!

Introducing Giada for Target: Also, I'm looking for opinions on The Original Green Pan

I just adore Giada De Laurentis.  Okay, I actually love saying of her name...

Giada...De...Lauren...tis

...sounds so, you know, Under the Tuscan Sun-ish, right? 

Never mind, the woman can whip up an authentic Italian dinner, while making it look easy enough for even us wannabe home cooks to prepare AND eat it, too -- staying in such great shape, not so much!

Although, I have it on good authority (i.e. someone who actually had lunch with her) that the woman really does eat :(

On January 10th, my favorite store (say it with me) Tar-shay introduced a line of cookware created by none other than (one more time) Giada...De...Lauren...tis and they thought that I might like to share a sneak peek at Giada's Look Book and, well, I also have a question for you!

Wanna take a look?

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™.

Everyday Pollution Solutions & Healthy Home Tips for Parents

I'm a frequent visitor (as well as member) of the Environmental Working Group (EWG.org) and have found their website to be a really great source of information on helping my family go green, one step at a time.

At least, for our family, it isn't always easy going green and I believe that being aware of the ways in which we may be harming our environment is an ongoing process of educating ourselves, as best we can.

Then again, there is such a thing as a little too much information, right?

That's why, I was very happy to receive their Healthy Home Tips for Parents email series and wanted to share 10 really easy tips and quick articles on fighting pollution that folks (like me) can use, every day!

Disneynature EARTH Giveaway

[THIS GIVEAWAY HAD ENDED: WE HAVE A WINNER -- CONGRATULATIONS, AMY BRADSHAW 4/18 -- PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW ANNOUNCEMENT ON PRIZEY.NET!!!]

You've seen the commercials, right?  Earth is the first film in the Disneynature series narrated by James Earl Jones, which tells the remarkable story of three animal families and their amazing journey across the planet we humans all call home.

Sounds familiar now, right?  Directors Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield are the acclaimed creative team behind the Emmy Award-winning “Planet Earth” series combine forces again to bring this epic adventure to the big screen, beginning Earth Day 2009 on April 22nd!

Wanna see the very cool trailer?

Fun Earth Day Activities that Kids Can Do at Home, Too!

Earth Day is just around the corner -- seriously, spring couldn't come fast enough here in Jersey -- and I wanted to share some information on great opportunities to teach kids about saving energy and the environment.

Just in case you're like me and need to know about this sort of stuff waaaaaaaaay ahead of time :)