Help the Environment by Making the Switch to @Oi4me Feminine Hygiene Products!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Hey all you women! Want to do your part to help the environment??

Women may not realize that over the lifetime of their period they use about 11,000 feminine hygiene products – that amount of waste piles up to 8-times higher than the Golden Gate Bridge!

But what to do? 

Organic Initiative (Oi) is a New Zealand company that is bringing 100% cotton affordable biodegradable feminine hygiene products to everyday women. They are the first biodegrable FP to be sold in the stores.

I have used these and I love them - they are definitely equal (or better!) to other feminine hygiene products I used to use! I don't think I will ever go back to other mainstream products!

I love that they are made with organic cotton and they are biodegrable applicators!

Buy It:

You can purchase Organic Inititiave feminine hygiene products at online or at a local store near you!

Disclosure: A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Eco-Friendly Tips from Dr. Sharp Natural Oral Care

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

April is one of my favorite months because Spring is here, the grass is green, flowers are blooming and we have Earth Day! April is always a great reminder that our Earth is beautiful and it takes effort on our parts to keep it that way!

Today, we have some great tips on being earth friendly from Dr. Sharp Natural Oral Care, one of our new favorite toothpastes!

Dr. Sharp Natural Oral Care is a line of natural oral care products that were created by a fourth-generation dentist. All products are made from natural, safe ingredients, and are made in the USA. The product line includes toothpaste for children and adults, mouthwash, and dental tape. All products are safe to use, made in the USA, and are gluten-free, have no artificial colors or flavors, are vegan, non-GMO, alcohol free, fluoride-free, and cruelty-free. Plus, they help whiten teeth and have xylitol, which is a natural sweetener that also helps to fight off cavities. The products are safe for the entire family.

I love their natural toothpastes that don't contain fluoride or SLS! Plus, they make a tasty, fun toothpaste for children which is also safe and natural for their little bodies!

Not only do they offer natural toothpaste but he runs an eco-friendly business! In his eco-friendly business, they have also taken measures to ensure that all of their products are vegan, not tested on animals, all of the tubes and bottles are BPA-free, that all of the packaging and components are recyclable, and that their toothpaste boxes are printed using soy ink. A company serious about sustainability and being eco-friendly, they have taken measures at all corners to make their products as earth friendly as possible.

Check out the these tips from Dr. Sharp for greening your business:

· Look for ways to opt for energy efficient upgrades. This includes any appliances, heat and cooling, etc. An old air conditioner, for example, is going to take a lot more energy to keep the office cool than a newer energy efficient model. While some m ay shy away from the initial expense, it can save the company money in the long run because the new unit will save money each month.

· Consider the paper situation in the office. Go paperless as much as possible, use both sides of each sheet, reduce the margins so more fits on a page, and purchase paper that has been made with post-consumer recycled materials. 

·Purchase products that are made from recycled materials as often as possible. Today’s office supply stores offer many options, including recycled paper, envelopes, ink pens, and more. The only way the recycling efforts work is if there is a buyer for products made out of the recycled materials, so be a part of that process. 

· If your company makes a product or offers a service, evaluate how environmentally friendly it is and see where changes can be made. Perhaps there are packaging or ingredient changes that can be made that keep the integrity of the product, buy that are better on the planet.

· Opt for green marketing, which includes reviewing the packaging for any shipping being done. Consider labels, inks being used in the printing process, and looking for ways that help reduce putting things out that people won’t use. For example, there are hundreds of little plastic gadgets that you can buy with your company name on them to hand out to people. However, most never use them and they end up in landfills, where they will sit forever because the plastic doesn’t biodegrade. When purchasing business cards, marketing materials, and fun products to promote your business, opt for those that are environmentally friendly.

· If your office is not already recycling, make it an office-wide commitment. Contact your local recycling center to see what the process is for having the items pi cked up each week. Be sure to also have your old electronics and fluorescent light bulbs recycled. 

· Take a look around the corporate kitchen and ditch any disposables that are not eco friendly. Things like Styrofoam and plastic sit in landfills, rather than decomposing. Replace them with reusable or the environmentally friendly options that you can buy in bulk online (they are made out of corn and are biodegradable).

· If you have many employees who are commuting to work, create a carpool group that will encourage people to ride together.

Buy It:

You can purchase Dr. Sharp Natural Oral Care products from their online shop.

* Thank you to Dr. Sharp for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Celebrate Earth Day with Justin's!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

With April hosting World Health and Earth Day, I am going to feature companies that value our health and our earth!

Today, I am going to feature one of my favorite sensible snacks and sweets: Justin's!

Justin’s offers sensible snacks and recipes for a wholesome diet, without excess calories, sugar, sodium or fat.

Justin’s values not only sustainable practices, but also integrity and transparency at every step of the way. By sourcing the highest-quality, local ingredients, simplifying the supply chain, and initiating environmentally friendly office practices, they strive to mitigate their environmental impact.

In addition to taking care of the earth, Justin’s emphasizes taking care of the community. They pay-it-forward through their hunger relief efforts with Conscious Alliance and the entrepreneurial global poverty relief efforts with Whole Planet Foundation.

From breakfast and lunch to snacks and desserts, Justin’s provides a variety of seven better-for-you nut butter spreads, perfect for incorporating into daily eating habits. We love the Classic Almond Butter and Honey Almond Butter in our house!

Justin's also tastes great in all kinds of recipes! Start the day with Justin’s Nutty Overnight Oats! Check out the recipe below:

Justin's Nutty Overnight Oats 

INGREDIENTS

1/3 Cup Oats

1/3 Cup Almond Milk (or other milk)

1 Tablespoon Justin's Nut Butter (any flavor)

1/2 Banana (sliced)

1 teaspoon Chia Seeds

1/8 teaspoon Salt

Optional: Shredded Coconut, Berries, Pumpkin, Honey, Cinnamon 

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

Combine all ingredients in an empty Justin's jar or other airtight container. Allow oats to soak in the refrigerator at least 2 hours, or overnight. In the morning, give everything a good stir and enjoy!

Check out how to end your day on a tasty note as well with a Thai Peanut Pasta Salad.

And for snack (and sweets time!), Justin’s Squeeze packs and Peanut Butter Cups are a must! They are portion controlled, packed with protein and pair excellent with nutrient-dense foods like fruits!

These Dark Chocolate PB Cups are a must in my house at all times - they are definitely my go-to treat at the end of a long day!

So have a tasty and healthy Earth Day this year as you enjoy tasty Justin's products!

Buy It:

You can purchase Justin's products at your local retailer/grocer

* Thank you to Justin's for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Celebrate Earth with Natura Wines!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Earth Month and Earth Day were in April, but really we should treat every day like Earth Day and celebrate and preserve the beautiful Earth we live on!

Natura Wines is definitely doing that everyday by the way they show their support for sustainability and respect for nature. Keeping with the philosophies of Earth Day, Natura -- from Emiliana Vineyards (Chile), the world's leading organic, biodynamic, sustainable, and carbon-neutral winery -- firmly believes that using sustainable organic agricultural practices results in better-balanced, healthier, and more productive vineyards. In turn, this produces better quality grapes and thus more authentic and pure wines.

Check out some of my favorite organic wines from the Natura line:

Natura Sauvignon Blanc: Bright and clean with citrus fruits such as lime and grapefruit mingled with light herbal notes.

Natura Rose (New!): Bright pink. Fresh, fruity, and balanced with cherry and black currant.

Natura Pinot Noir: Bursting with berry aromas, spice and cocoa. Full of flavor with soft tannins, well-balanced acidity and a fresh finish

Natura Syrah: Notes of rich mocha and ripe red fruit. Soft, voluptuous tannins framed by red fruit and a touch of pepper spice.

I really love to open a bottle of the Natura wines at the end of a hard week or long day. I love the taste but most importantly I love that they are made with organic and sustainable farming practices!

Furthermore, to reinforce Natura’s commitment and respect for nature, this year marks the second national partnership with Keep America Beautiful. The program focuses on the groups’ shared values of respecting the environment and beautifying communities. The partnership includes local beautification projects championed by KAB’s community-based affiliate network.

Buy It: 

You can purchase Natura Wines for a SRP of $12.

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Make Earth Day Crafts with the Ultimate Eco-Crafter

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

My children are HUGE crafters! My son seriously makes several "projects" a day made out of things he finds around the house, paper, and even garbage! I love seeing his creativity with every project!

So when I surprised my children with the Ultimate Eco-Crafter, they were very excited, to say the least! They were even more excited when I explained and showed them that it is really 3 kits in 1! It had everything we needed to make beautiful handmade paper, preserve your memories in a scrapbook and create eco-friendly crafts.

For me, the first thing I loved the most is how all the products in the kit were eco-friendly! That is so important to me since my children spend so much time doing crafts!

My children were quickly making scrapbook pages, wood bead necklaces, and craft project after craft project. I loved watching their creativity to come alive thanks to this kit and they had endless possibilities because of all the wonderful craft supplies included!

This set includes 40 page hardcover book, 418 stickers, paper shapes and frames, 8 printed papers, 6 eco pencils, 6 wooden sticks, 9 ribbons, 4 twine cords, zig zag scissors, paper making frame, plastic tray, 8 sheets of construction paper, glitter glue, white glue, sponge, 2 plastic sheets, raffia, silver glitter, stencil, tissue paper shapes, 6 colors of shredded tissue paper, resealable bag, 38 wood beads, 12 buttons and easy instructions.

This is the perfect craft to have your children do or gift to give this Earth Day!

Buy It: 

You can purchase the Ultimate Eco-Crafter for $44.99 from the ALEX website.

* Thank you to ALEX for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Celebrate Earth Day with a Three Bridges Meal

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

With Earth Day coming up this week, I want to feature one of my newest favorite brands to serve my family: Three Bridges! They are the maker of natural and organic pastas and raviolis and are committed to caring about the environment and our health.

They do their part to care for the earth by using soy inks on labels and paper-based packaging, pasta trays made from a renewable plant source, and electricity that is 100% certified renewable.

At Three Bridges, they generate over a third of our annual electrical needs from their own solar panels. Their investment in solar energy will prevent the release of 1.1 million pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in its first year alone. That is the equivalent of removing 94 cars from the road. They offset the rest of their electrical use with certified renewable energy. It means that 100% of the electricity used to manufacture this product is offset with the purchase and on-site generation of certified renewable energy.

And besides all that eco-friendly awesomeness, they also make really delicious organic pasta and pasta sauces! My family seriously requests their food every week and not only are they delicious, but they are natural and organic and healthy for my family too!

My husband's favorite meal that I make with the Three Bridges products are the Chicken Fettucine Alfredo with Broccoli, using the Three Bridges Organic Fettucine and Alfredo Sauce. He says it is the best Alfredo sauce he has ever had and compares it to our favorite restaurants!

My children love the Spinach and Cheese Tortellini paired with the Marinara Sauce or the Creamy Red Bell Pepper Sauce! The Tortellini basically taste great with everything! And best of all they are organic and healthy for the whole family!

This Earth Day, we will be celebrating by making a delicious, healthy and eco-friendly meal from a great eco-friendly company: Three Bridges! I highly recommend their delicious pastas and sauces!

Buy It: 

You can purchase Three Bridges products from a local retailer.

* Thank you to Three Bridges for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Aroniaberry Products from Superberries

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

With Earth Day this week, I really want to tell you about a superfood that is not created in a factory, by a scientist, or by humans...just the good ole' Earth! Aroniaberry is nature’s healer and protector!

The aroniaberry is making its way into the diets of those who seek alternative health choices and fresh foods that contain multiple benefits for overall wellness.

The aroniaberry (also known as a chokeberry) has proven to be one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants. In simple terms, antioxidants are a chemical compound or substance such as Vitamin E and C, found in foods, which are thought to protect the body’s cells from the damaging effects of oxidation.

So where can you get it? Well, a great company called Superberries offers a great line of aroniaberry products that our family LOVES!

Our two favorites are the Aroniaberry Gummy Chews and Aroniaberry Juice Concentrate.

Aroniaberry Gummy Chews

These are the whole family's favorite snack on the go! My children love that they are gummies and I love that they are organic and filled with aroniaberry!

These chews are made with organic sweeteners, all natural flavors and colors, are gluten, wheat and dairy free. With only 100 calories per serving, these new chews are great if you are counting calories, looking for a great tasting snack or if you need a pick-me-up after a long workout.

Aroniaberry Juice Concentrate

My children LOVE getting a "purple drink" each day made with this 100% Pure Concentrate aroniaberry. This is a highly concentrated version of the raw berry in a convenient juice form.

To maximize the full benefits of Aronia, mix 1 1/2 teaspoons of Superberries Aronia Concentrate into 8 oz. of water or beverage of your choice, twice daily. This is a quick and easy way for you to get your daily supercharge of powerful antioxidants. One bottle is a 32 day supply.

Buy It: You can purchase all Superberries products from the Superberries website.

* Thank you to Superberries for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Balance Bars Dark & Giveaway

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

A major part of preserving the Earth is preserving our rainforests. Honestly, for me, I don't think about the rainforests often being from cold, snowy Minnesota but I know they are important and I also know how important it is to have sustainably managed farms that protect people and their surrounding ecosystems of water, soil and wildlife!

Balance Bar agrees which is why they offer Balance Bar Dark Bars that are made with 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified™ cocoa! The Rainforest Alliance certification assures consumers that our cocoa beans are grown on sustainably managed farms that protect people and their surrounding ecosystems of water, soil and wildlife.

Talk about a dark chocolate lover’s dream! This Balance Bar favorite layers smooth, dark chocolate over a crunchy cookie base and covers both with a rich, dark chocolate coating. Is your mouth watering? Then you’ll also love that they’re gluten free and packed with enough nutritious protein and fiber to keep you moving. Happy snacking!

These bars are really the perfect snack! Both my husband and I loved grabbing these bars on the go and knowing we are supporting the Earth and getting the perfect balance nutrition in every bar! I felt fuller longer after this balanced snack and have I mentioned how A-MAZING these bars taste!!! MMMMmmmmmm!

Check out these other features:

• Gluten Free
• Rainforest Alliance Certified™ Cocoa
• 4g Fiber
• 13g Protein
• 180 Calories
• Balanced 40-30-30 Nutrition
• Excellent Source of Antioxidants & Vitamin D

Buy It: You can purchase Balance Bars from the Balance Bars online store.

Win It: Balance Bars is generously offering (1) Box of Dark Chocolate Crunch Balance Bars to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) Box of Dark Chocolate Crunch Balance Bars

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Thank you to Balance Bars for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Celebrate Earth Day with Tasty Recipes from Driscoll's!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!!!

This Earth Day, there is nothing more that reminds me about what the Earth gives us than eating FRESH juicy berries! They are one of the most natural, sweet and delicious foods on Earth that are NOT processed, made in a factory, or made with zillions of ingredients.

And the brand I am always looking for at the store is Driscoll's because not only do they offer fresh, juicy berries but they offer an organic variety too!

Family owned for over 100 years, Driscoll’s is passionate about growing premium fresh berries. Their strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and organic berries are sweet, juicy and naturally wholesome. Packed with antioxidants, fiber and vitamins, they’re a healthy treat for any time of the day.

All of Driscoll’s organic berries, regardless of growing region, are 100% certified organic according to the USDA National Organic Program (NOP).

As the leader in fresh berries, growing the finest organic berries in the world is both art and science, requiring care, commitment and dedication.

By choosing Driscoll’s, you can be confident that you’re enjoying the finest, best tasting organic berries available.

If you love berries and want a tasty recipe to celebrate Earth Day, Driscoll's website offers exclusive berry recipes, including healthy berry recipes, for all your menu needs.

My mouth just watered as I went through them! Check out two of my favorites below and two I will be making for sure!

No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Bites

Prep Time:20 minutes

Cook Time:5 minutes

Servings:20

Strawberries filled with a simple cheesecake filling are a fantastic bite-sized treat. For ease of preparation, make filling and prep strawberries ahead of time then assemble just before serving.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 packages (16 ounces each) Driscoll's Strawberries
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese
• 1/2 cup 0% fat Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• Pinch salt
• 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon graham cracker, vanilla wafer or shortbread cookies

DIRECTIONS

1. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Cut top off each strawberry and core out center with a melon baller. Place on lined baking sheet and set aside.
2. Beat cream cheese, yogurt, sugar, vanilla and salt with an electric mixer until creamy and evenly blended. Place cream cheese mixture in a pastry bag or self-sealing plastic bag. Cut a small hole in tip of bag and pipe cream cheese mixture into strawberries.
3. Place strawberries in individual serving spoons or small dishes on a cookie sheet.
4. Melt chocolate chips in microwave on 50% power or in a bowl set over simmering water. Place melted chocolate in a pastry bag or self-sealing plastic bag and cut a small hole in top of bag. Pipe melted chocolate over strawberries. Chill in refrigerator to set at least 15 minutes.
5. Top with cookie crumbs.

Strawberry-Raspberry Frozen Yogurt

Prep Time:10 minutes

Cook Time:0 minutes

Servings:8

Homemade frozen yogurt puts store-bought to shame, and our berry-studded best is as rich, creamy, light and refreshing as they come.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 package (16 ounces or 3 cups) Driscoll's Strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1 package (6 ounces or 1 1/3 cups) Driscoll's Raspberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 1/2 cups plain whole milk yogurt

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine the strawberries, raspberries, sugar, water, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Let stand at room temperature, 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
2. Transfer the strawberry mixture to a blender or food processor. Add the yogurt and puree. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.
3. Pour strawberry mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturers directions. Frozen yogurt can be served immediately with a soft texture or transferred to an airtight container and placed in the freezer for several hours for a firmer texture. If placed in the freezer remove and let stand at room temperature for 15 minute before serving.

Buy It: You can purchase Driscoll's berries at your local retailer.

* Thank you to Driscoll's for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Celebrate Earth Day in Gaiam Clothing!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Tomorrow is officially Earth Day, but you can pretend it is Earth Day every day when you wear earth-friendly clothing from Gaiam!

Gaiam is DEFINITELY one of my favorite clothing, yoga and home products and I have loved, used, and enjoyed EVERY. SINGLE. Product I have ever used from Gaiam!

At Gaiam, they believe in the power of small changes. What starts from within can make world of difference. Wherever you are on your journey toward a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, Gaiam is dedicated to providing positive solutions that connect, renew and inspire. They invite you to live consciously, in harmony with the enviroment, the planet and the people who share our home. From yoga and fitness DVDs to home accessories and decor, they bring you eco-friendly, organic products and healthy living solutions to help you live your best life.

I received two great eco-friendly items from Gaiam and they have instantly become new favorites in my wardrobe! I literally wear them multiple times in the week and each one is so comfortable, fits great and eco-friendly! Check out pictures below (you even get to see my 26 week baby bump!!)

Bra Top

$24.99

This Bra Top is one of my all time favorite sports bras! When I head out to play volleyball, exercise at home or go on a walk, I pick this Bra Top because of its ultimate comfort! It fits perfectly and never bothers me or makes my neck sore!

This Bra Top provides gentle support with a fully lined front and adjustable straps. It is lightly gathered at the bottom with banded elastic hem for added support.

What makes it perfect to wear on Earth Day (and EVERY DAY!) is that it is made from eco-friendly recycled polyester from plastic bottles saved from the landfill. It breathes as you move, keeping you comfortable. Plus, it is machine washable!

Bra Top Features:

• Completely lined front for confident coverage
• Adjustable straps for a comfortable fit
• Lightly gathered at banded elastic hem
• Created from recycled polyester
• Wrinkle-resistant and supportive
• Made exclusively by Gaiam

Eco Flow Wanderlust Pant

$78

I LOVE Yoga Pants because I literally live in them every day! They are perfect to wear around town, running errands, working out and playing with the kids! So I am always on the lookout for a great pair because I wear them so often!

I found the perfect fit with these Wanderlust Pants! They are slimming, fit comfortably around the waist (even for a 26 week pregnant woman!) and I love the flare at the bottom!

From the studio to the street, unleash your passion in these super-comfortable, eco-fabric pant. They are slim fitting with slight flare style with figure-flattering shirred fabric and a ruched fold-over waist.

They are perfect for Earth Day because they are made from a naturally lightweight and breathable Eco Flow fabric blend. The naturally moisture-wicking keeps you cooler and drier and they are made from 55% organic cotton, 39% rayon from sustainable bamboo, and 6% spandex.

26 weeks pregnant

Eco Flow Wanderlust Pant Features:

• Figure-flattering shirred fabric
• Ruched fold-over waist
• Naturally lightweight and breathable eco-fabric blend
• Moisture-wicking fabric keeps you drier and comfortable
• Made exclusively by Gaiam

So don't forget to dress the part this Earth Day with Gaiam....and I can promise you, you will never want to change out of these items! They are now a staple in my wardrobe!

Buy It: You can purchase all Gaiam clothing from the Gaiam website.

* Thank you to Gaiam for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*