Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Holiday Deals at CSN!

There are sooooo many great products at CSN. It is the perfect place to get a lot of your shopping done! Did you know that they even have BIG items like tv tables? Or classy pieces like Waterford Crystal? And even Stainless Steel Water Bottles, just like we've been talking about lately! You can find almost anything!


I am excited to share with you these CSN sites that are offering exclusive savings at incredible discounted prices (promotional codes not excepted because the deals are that good!). Check them out!!


http://www.csnbaby.com/holidaydeals


http://www.everygameroom.com/holidaydeals


http://www.fitnessequipmentandmore.com/holidaydeals


http://www.toysandgamesonline.com/holidaydeals


 Are you going to Holiday shop with CSN this year?

Monday, November 29, 2010

Lyndsay with Ruby Moon Laundry Detergent Giveaway

I was ready for a new detergent. If you're like me, you have to mix things up a bit, change things around. Out with the old and in with the new. That is why I was happy to have found Lyndsay and Ruby Moon. Another crunchy mama that I could support. And she just doesn't market and have products for cloth diaper mamas, but to EVERYONE!

Read Lyndsay's story on how she got started..."I couldn’t find ANYTHING in the grocery store that didn’t cause my diapers to leak or (unbelievably) stink even worse!  Not to mention the negative ecological impact all those chemicals had on our environment! SO, as we all do I went online to purchase the premier cloth diaper detergent.  I was so excited to use their products! Until,that is, I read the ingredients. Half of the label was vague, industrial, chemical sounding words that frankly- sounded just like the detergent I was running away from.  When I contacted the companies, they refused to tell me what exactly was in their products.  I am all for protecting your product’s formula- but this is my baby! What touches her more than her cloth diaper! I needed to know what was in the product I was buying.  I was at an impasse.  I had REALLY stinky diapers and a baby whose skin was not too happy about the detergent we were using.  I had a decision to make: Give up cloth diapering or make my own detergent.  I chose the latter.  After months of research and lots of laundry, I came up with a concoction that is safe for my babies tender skin, safe for my cloth diapers, and ecologically friendly.  I began sharing the detergents with friends, family, and other cloth diapering Mamas. They all raved about how clean their diapers and clothes were and encouraged me to go into business.  Opportunity knocks only so many times before it moves on to someone who will listen, so I decided to listen to all my laundry detergent lovers.  With the help of my family and tester/snuggler extraordinaire, Ruby Grace, Ruby Moon Natural Laundry was born"

What I liked about Ruby Moon before I even tried the detergent was...

1) Her prices! $10.00 - $11.50 depending on which detergent and scent you choose.

2) She has two types of detergent - one for cloth diapers and the other made with soap.

3) Scents are made from essential oils and fragrances that are phthalate free!

4) I can use her Pail Powder for a deodorizer - clean carpets, shoe odor, whatever I want!

5) She makes Wipe Bits out of goat's milk!!
















Lyndsay let me pick a scent to try. It was a hard decision....sweet clementine or lavender or.....I chose warm vanilla sugar. I don't think a detergent should even sound that good! But it didn't just sound good....it smelled soooo wonderful.

I was excited and a little nervous to try it. My diapers had never had another detergent used on them before, but if my diapers could talk I know they were telling me to try something new. They were starting to stink a bit more and leaving my dryer a bit smelly. They wanted a change.

They came out of the wash with smiles. A fresh clean scent. I've only used Ruby Moon for a few loads (and I use it on ALL my loads, not just diapers) so I haven't seen the long term effects yet but I am looking forward to cleaner, brighter laundry that is SAFE for all of us.

And the wipe bits I got to try too? Loooovvveeee them. They make diaper time so much nicer with their white tea and ginger scent. I don't know how the rest of you do your wipes but I use a warmer so when I need a wipe or even just a moisturizing washcloth, I can easily grab one that is all ready for me.



WIN a $10 GC from Ruby Moon to buy a bag of detergent or whatever else you want to try!

MANDATORY ENTRY
Visit Ruby Moon and leave a comment about her awesome store!
AND
Be a BeachBum Google Friend OR Facebook Follower ~ easy sidebar widgets!

EXTRA ENTRIES
Like Ruby Moon on Facebook ~ I bet she'd appreciate some comment love!

Make a purchase from Ruby Moon until end of giveaway ~ 5 extra entries!

Be a BeachBum Google Friend AND Facebook Follower

Follow CBM on Twitter and Tweet ~ "WIN $10 to RubyMoon Natural Laundry Detergent - wipe bits, wool balls & more http://tiny.cc/ktyxn #giveaway #clothdiapers #green"

Subscribe to my Emails ~ my posts come right to your inbox! ~ right sidebar

Ruby Moon sent me a sample of detergent and wipe bits for this review but I was not compensated in any way for the post and all opinions are my own. This giveaway will end on December 21, 2010 at 10:00pm EST. Winner will be drawn via random.org. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and they will have 48 hours to reply before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to anyone in the world and you must be 18 years of age or older.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

WAHMs Black Friday thru Cyber Monday Specials

I have a great list to share with you. Mostly wahm stores with a couple of other favorites mixed in!
They will also be in my Discussion Tab on Facebook and I'll be posting them throughout the weekend.

Titles are Clickable!

Strawesome ~ glass straws! (WIN here on my blog too! See right sidebar)

We’ll be offering over 40% off a special set of 6 straws (only available on Monday). We’re also offering a free decorative cocktail straw for all orders over $50. And starting on Monday we have a new option – gift wrapping – in case someone wants to ship straws to another person.

Ruby Moon Natural Laundry Wash ~ Thursday thru Sunday at noon
will be offering a WAHM coupon book filled with free shipping deals and discounts at other awesome WAHM stores in every order! All orders over 25$ will receive a free 5 load sample stocking stuffer of our laundry detergent, a free gift just for mama, and a 10% off coupon toward their next purchase!
(watch for a giveaway from Ruby Moon right here on the blog next week!)
We are having a 15% off all in-stock merchandise items sale from Friday-Monday. I'll post the code on our FB page on Wed & Thursday. http://www.facebook.com/GoBabyGoShop
All orders placed on November 26th (Black Friday) will receive free shipping with code "happybf" and will also receive a free gift*! Free gifts may include a full size lip balm from Clear Honey Hills (valued at $2.99), a free pantyliner or day pad (valued at $5-$9.50) or one of the other wonderful work-at-home-mom goodies I have stashed away. You won't know what you will be getting but I have great stuff to give-a-way so enjoy a nice surprise! Minimum value of the gift will be $2.99.
*free shipping and free gifts are not applicable on the FFS listings and lottos
http://hyenacart.com/TreeHugger and http://hyenacart.com/onestore.php?vid=2260&category=83

Also ~ The Wonderland congo on Hyenacart has a game going right now to win a $40 gift certificate that can be used with any vendor. Details are here:
http://hyenacart.com/Wonderland/st/2260/35874/Black-Friday-Giveaway
Game ends on Black Friday so you can use it on all of the new listings that will be up!

Imag-inations
we are currently offering 20% off of Everything through Cyber Monday - including Holiday Photo Cards! Use Code CYBER20 at Checkout.
Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Imaginations-Photo-Birth-Announcements-Thank-You-Cards-Holiday-Cards/150036101700490

Bumbledoo
I'm having a huge sale of all in-stock items. You can check out my photo album that details my Black Friday deals. Thanks! www.facebook.com/mybumbledoo

Raynedrops
My sale going on right now is $5 off any creature and on Black Friday only, I am giving away a free ornament of your choice with any $30 order!!! These ornaments include, Santa Clause, snowman, gingerbread man, Christmas mouse, and penguin!! http://www.facebook.com/raynedrops.creatures

Wee Expressions
I have a sale going on right now and on Black Friday and Cyber Monday I will be offering FREE SHIPPING on all orders plus buy 2 diapers,get the 3rd diaper FREE of equal or lesser value!!! www.facebook.com/pages/Wee-Expressions/149775608391810?

Piper's Closet
2.00 per set OBV Breast pads all weekend long this week only
(really cute diapers ~ she ships to US and Canada free!)

Flames & Wicks
BLACK FRIDAY SALE- November 26th-28th receive 25% off the entire store! Add the FREE SHIPPING coupon (code fallfreeship to 1st 10 people) and who can resist!
ALSO the 1st ten people who place orders on November 26th also receive a SURPRISE FREE GIFT!

Carolina Clover
15% off your gift purchase of monogrammed jewelry, gifts, and accessories until 11/30/2010 with discount code: Holiday2010

Whimsical Fairytales
20% off AND Free Shipping on any ready-to-ship tutu or doll tutu, plus earn 5 extra entries into our "hairclip of your choice" giveaway!!! See our discussions tab!

Soft & Scrubby
Black Friday thru Cyber Monday Sale. EVERYTHING in stock will be on sale! wipes, nursing pads, diaper inserts, wool soakers, and Baby Your Face items. Everyone who purchases on Friday, Nov. 26 will receive a surprise free gift in their package!
More details later in the week on http://www.facebook.com/softandscrubbybaby
(learn more about this great Etsy shop and earn 1 extra entry HERE at A Year with Mom and Dad's Merry Fluff Event)

EcoMom ~ eco-friendly products (WIN $15 here on my blog too! See right sidebar)
33% off EVERYTHING with code 33off and 4 purchases every day this week will be entered to be FREE ~ (also earn 5 extra entries HERE for purchase at A Year with Mom and Dad for the Merry Fluff event!)

RoomMates Peel & Stick Wall Decor
FREE shipping for $45 orders & 20% off FB fan discount through Dec. 31, 2010!

A Slice of Delight
Soaps that ruffle your senses, lather up and make you feel good!
Black Friday thru Cyber Monday SALE - US Only - FREE FLAT RATE SHIPPING when you Buy 6 or more soaps. Get the most out of your free shipping dollar. On avg 9-10 soaps can be organized in the box. If you go for 9 I always communicate back how much more room is available based on your soapy selections.
Want more of one particular soap - convo me via Etsy and I will be happy to make a reserve listing based on what is in stock.
Become a facebook fan to keep up with future listings, promotions and giveaways http://www.facebook.com/asliceofdelight  Sale ends midnight PST 11/29
During checkout for FREE SHIPPING please post "I overstuffed myself with ....." in your buyers comments. Shipping charges will be refunded back to paypal after completed transaction

The Party Junction ~ Barefoot Books
From Thursday, November 25th through Monday, November 29th, use code HARVEST at checkout to receive 20% off your entire order! This can be used with the FREE shipping on orders $60 or more that is good until December 24th.

TNT: TrashN2Tees
TrashN2tees on Etsy will be stuffing ourselves with sales starting Thursday- so fatten up, grab your snugli and get online to check out our goodies! All instock items are marked down at least 20% (others more!) then swing by On the Other Side congo on Black Friday as I join in a guest for even more goodies!
http://www.etsy.trashn2tees.com/ and http://www.hyenacart.com/ontheotherside
I think I will be listing one discounted custom slot along the way... maybe 2. But I'm not telling you where/when :D

GoGreen Pocket Diapers
10% off order 11/26-11/28 ~ very cute dipes!!
(watch for giveaway on this blog soon!)

MacADoodleandMore
I have penny shipping from now through Cyber Monday

AZ Hoster
Get your own domain name and build your own website or blog and get special savings on our already competitive prices! Website tonight for the beginners, quick shopping cart if you have a product to sell from your WAHM business, or free blogger/wordpress installs in our shared hosting plans.
Special codes valid from Thanksgiving until New Year!
100CN15 15% discount off any order $100 or more
50CN10 10% discount off any order $50 or more
5NC25 5% discounts on orders $25 and over
Liz@azhoster.com if you have any questions!

WOW!! Can't wait to Shop!

Feel free to add a comment here and in my Facebook Discussions if you have a sale :)


Tuesday, November 23, 2010

EcoMom's Giving, Business 2 Blogger & Winners

Don't you just love my announcements where I cram everything I want to say into one post? There is always something going on huh? I love to help promote everything!



"From Tuesday, November 23 to Monday, November 29, we will randomly choose FOUR ECOMOM ORDERS per day and make them ABSOLUTELY FREE. No matter the purchase size, you could be a winner and your whole order will be free! What's more, we'll duplicate every free order and donate it to Baby2Baby--a wonderful organization that helps support families in need. Everything in our store will be on sale, too, so even if your order isn't one of the free ones, you'll still be getting the best prices on our eco-friendly products for your family."

Do you think you'll be going shopping? I am!
Also, don't forget to enter my giveaway to EcoMom to win $15! HERE





For Bloggers
I signed up for neat group that is going to help me find awesome giveaways.

"•We are Bloggers, just like you. We make all decisions with you in mind.

•B2B changes every day, thanks to your input. Work with us. Be positive. We WILL hear you.

•B2B brings you many opportunities that didn’t even exist before. We teach Businesses how to bring you offers, and we pair you with them. For free.

•We promote your work here. In our emails, on Facebook, Twitter, on our Blog. We give back.

•We have fun here. And we hope you do too."

Can't wait to see what great products I can bring to you!


WINNERS!!

RoomMates Peel & Stick Wall Decor
Heavensent1 said... 124 Email subscribe...

Babee Greens Wool Diaper Cover (not yet confirmed)
Stephanie at Mirthful Motherhood said... 81 Liked BG on FB and told them you sent me

Monday, November 22, 2010

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

C'Man is having a pumpkin party at school this week so we wanted to bring my mom's special pumpkin bars to share with his class. They were the same ones I ate at his age and they are yummy!

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees


Mix together:
2 cups sugar
1 cup canola oil
2 cups flour
2 cups pumpkin(one regular can)
2 t. baking soda
1 1/2 t. cinnamon
pinch of salt

Spray 12 x 18(jelly roll)pan with Pam or similar product. Pour the above into pan. Bake for 20 minutes.


Completely cool then spread the following icing over it.

Mix together:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temp
3/4 stick of REAL butter
3 cups of powdered sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla


We used our pumpkin plate and of course our Rebel:T/L/C's Cover!!
(you can win one too by entering her giveaway!)
 

ENJOY!

What do you like to make this time of year?

Friday, November 19, 2010

Goodbye Plastic Bottles ~ Hello Soda Stream Giveaway

Facts
Americans use 2.5 million plastic bottles an HOUR

More than 80% of bottles do NOT get recycled and end up in landfills

We use 80 BILLION alumium soda cans a year

When you throw away an aluminum can, it's still there 500 YEARS from now

These statistics are just one reason I am excited to share with you a new product.

 The Soda Stream!

It will save TONS of waste!

You can read more HERE of Soda Stream's info about water bottles and how they help save the enviroment!



Here are a few other facts from their website that I like:
•Save space with concentrated soda mix and reusable carbonating bottles

•No more lugging and storing heavy, bulky bottles and cans

•No more hassles with empties in the trash or recycling bin

•No batteries, no electricity, no plumbing

•Over 30 flavors at the touch of a button

My family was just as estastic as I was to get to review the Soda Stream. It was a product that we could all use. Hubby doesn't like to admit that he is a Soda (or 'pop' as we call it, but here in the South they don't know what that is!) Addict. We buy lots. Lots of pop means lots of waste.
 
 
There are soooo many things I love about the Soda Stream:
 
It is fast & easy to use ~ which is important to a non-technical mama like myself
 
The flavors are super yummy ~ they really do taste like their brand names
 
No high fructose corn syrup ~ my kids are not allowed to drink soda but they do get special treats with this
 
No aspartame in the diet ~ that's for you mom
 
One bottle = 33 cans!
 
They don't just have soda ~ also flavored waters, energy drink, lemonade, tea, and sparkling naturals (the apple mango is sooo tasty!!)
 
It is the perfect Holiday gift for anyone!
 
For you Harry Potter lovers check out their Blog ~ there is a recipe for Butterbeer!
 
 
 
Would you like to WIN your very own Soda Stream?
 
MANDATORY ENTRY
Visit Soda Stream and comment about something you found
AND
Be a BeachBum follower through Google Friend OR Facebook ~ easy sidebar widgets!
 
Please leave an email once if not in your profile!
 
EXTRA ENTRIES
Tell me what you liked or learned about Plastics Week!
(if you have read through the posts)
 
Tweet for me please! "WIN Soda Stream Over $100 Value! @crunchybchmama http://tiny.cc/50kbe #green #giveaway"
AND/OR
Facebook status - "WIN a Soda Stream Over $100 Value! @Crunchy Beach Mama's Blog! http://tiny.cc/50kbe"
 
1 Entry per Plastic Week Giveaway you entered!

Soda Stream sent me a soda stream machine for this review but I was not compensated in any way for the post and all opinions are my own. This giveaway will end on Nov. 30, 2010 at 11:00pm EST. Winner will be drawn via random.org. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and they will have 48 hours to reply before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to anyone in the US and you must be 18 years of age or older.


Thursday, November 18, 2010

Eco-Friendly Tops, Lids, & Covers from Rebel: T/L/C's

What do you use to cover your bowls with no lids? Or your plate of brownies you keep on the counter? Plastic Wrap? That is what I use. Lucky for us the big name brands like Saran Wrap made the switch away from PVC a few years ago. That is why it doesn't stick as good anymore. But it's not recyclable and definitely not biodegradable. I know I always feel guilty for using it briefly and throwing it out.

But beware ~ catering companies and other manufacturers can still buy commercial-quality wraps made of PVC. That ready-wrapped sandwich from the grocery may be covered by a toxic film. Don't buy it. Ditto the meat on a styrofoam tray.

I found an eco-friendly alternative. I'd like to introduce Kelli with Rebel: T/L/C's. She makes Tops, Lids, & Covers and runs her store out of Hyena Cart. She is one of the crunchiest Mamas I know and I have loved chatting with her. I teased her that I could write a whole post just on her and how she incorporates being Green in her house. We'll learn a little more about her in a bit. First, I want to show you what she sells her in her shop!













They are made from 100% cotton woven fabric & waterproof nylon
The lining is "FDA-approved food-safe polyurethane-coated ripstop nylon which is water-resistant, mildew-resistant, abrasion-resistant, rot-resistant, and is free of heavy metals, phthalates, PBBs, and PBDEs."

Kelli has 9 different sizes for every need! She has TONS of awesome fabrics to choose from!

I ordered a Size 2 Tiny for my refried beans that I always keep in the fridge (I'm a Mexican addict) and a Size 8 that is the right fit for a dinner plate. In this photo I'm using it to keep my muffins we are going to eat in the morning. Perfect!


Do you like my fabric choice? :)

A stolen idea - use the Tiny to cover the rest of uneaten apple. Does that happen often in your house like it does mine?

Please read how Kelli is a Crunchy Mama...we can all learn from her...

"I used cloth on both my kiddos, we bed-shared with my DD (now 8) until she was 5 and my DS (3) is still in our bed. DD was only vax'd until she was 1.5, DS has never been. We do as many home and natural remedies as possible. (DS has never been to a Dr after leaving the hospital when he was born and the rest of us haven't been in for years and years.) We recycle/reuse all we can have replaced everything I can possibly replace in my home with crunchy alternatives. (Mama Cloth, Family Cloth, cloth shower curtain, unpaper towels, bowl covers (obviously, lol), sandwich wraps, snack bags, glass straws, stainless steel water bottles, cloth "Swiffer" dusters, cloth gift bags, cloth grocery bags, no store-bought cleaners (vinegar, baking soda, steam only), organic/natural products where and when possible, etc.)"

Isn't she fantastic?

Would you like to WIN 2 covers in the size AND fabric choice you want?

MANDATORY ENTRY
Visit Rebel: T/L/C and tell me your favorite fabric!
(HERE are all her Sizes to check out if you want!)
AND
Be a BeachBum follower through Google Friend OR Facebook ~ easy right sidebar widgets

EXTRA ENTRIES
Like T/L/C on Facebook ~ tell her @Crunchy Beach Mama sent ya!
(She is also giving away a set on Dec. 1st for posting a review ~ see Review Tab for others reviews!)

Make a purchase in the course of this giveaway ~ 5 entries

Be a BeachBum follower through Google Friend AND Facebook

Follow CBM on Twitter & Tweet ~ "Plastics Week @crunchybchmama Learn & WIN from Hyena Cart's Tops/Lids/Covers http://tiny.cc/diek8 #green #giveaway"

Subscribe to my Emails ~ right sidebar

Enter another Plastics Week giveaway

Rebel: T/L/Cs sent me two covers for this review but I was not compensated in any way for the post and all opinions are my own. This giveaway will end on Nov. 30, 2010 at 11:00pm EST. Winner will be drawn via random.org. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and they will have 48 hours to reply before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to anyone in the world and you must be 18 years of age or older.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Why Glass Straws & Strawesome Giveaway

Have you ever heard of glass straws? Did you know that there were other options besides plastic? I did not until recently and found Daedra at Strawesome who MAKES glass straws! Oh, wait until you see them!!

As I was researching plastic straw usage I came across an actual Facebook group called Just say No to Disposable Drinking Straws! Is that not to funny? I did not join because it only has 23 members and was not really active but I found some useful information I want to share from you. Here are some statistics that the group owner figured out about plastic straws:

"The U.S. population according to the U.S. population clock on 5/5/09 at 13:01 GMT was 306,359,042 people. If each person used two straws a month that would equal 7352617008 straws in a year. I know some of us never use a straw but some of us use many more than that. So if a box of 27000 McDonald straws weigh 20 lbs. ( It does. I asked. They think I am crazy at McDonalds) that means we use 5,446,382 pounds of plastic straws a year. That is 5,446382 pounds of plastic that is used once for about 20 min. and then goes to the landfill. O.K. maybe my math is off but you get the picture. Not to pick on McDonalds but they are right out there about how much food they serve, world-wide the golden arches sells 52 million meals a day! That is 52 million straws a day – 18,980 million a year – used once and thrown away."

If that doesn't convince you Strawesome has ten reasons (in no particular order) why reusable glass drinking straws are the way to go:

1.Concern about plastic usage is at an all-time high. Glass drinking straws are one way to limit your exposure to toxins from plastics because they are toxin-free! BPA-free, phthalate free, etc.

2.If you use straws a lot think about how many plastic straws you throw in to a landfill every year. Including the instances you dine out at restaurants this number can be astronomical! Being green has never been so easy. Replace your disposable plastic straw with a glass straw and you can help save our planet from destruction.

3.Not only is it fun to drink from a glass straw but studies have shown that drinking from something more substantial than plastic may help you lose weight. The feeling of glass on your lips will help you lose weight on your hips!

4.Strive to consume more water? Make it fun with a glass straw. It really works!

5.Want to help your kids eat more fruits & vegetables? Make it fun with a green smoothie and a glass straw.

6.According to speech therapists, glass straws help kids with oral development as they learn to articulate and pronounce words.

7.Jaw wired shut or have a hard time eating without a straw? A glass straw might do the trick!

8.Has your dentist mentioned teeth staining? Use a glass straw to have your beverages bypass your teeth when you drink coffee, tea, red wine, or any acidic beverage and then see what your dentist says next checkup.

9.If you are a smoothie lover, guess what? Yep! Glass straws make smoothie consumption a whole 'nother experience. Perfect for the green smoothie, protein shake, and other thick beverages!

10.Want a gift for the person who has everything? We bet they don’t have this! Buy them a personalized glass straw from Strawesome. Strawesome also provides drinking straws for special occasions like bridal showers, baby showers, weddings, or corporate gifts.

Daedra let me pick out a glass straw and the wonderful mama that I am, I choose a kid straw because I knew they would LOVE it! She sent me the 6" decorative straw. It is beautiful! Never thought I'd say that about a straw. Here is our straw and O'Bear drinking out of it! (sorry our camera is not the best!)














Here are better photos of these wonderful straws!
She makes holiday themed straws! And straws sold in sets!













Bendy straws that are perfect for those take out drinks!
And straw carrying cases! I cannot wait to buy straws for my whole family to take everywhere!


Strawesome is a family-owned company run out of Michigan and Daedra is a mom to two boys who was looking for a way to stay home, make money, and be creative!

I asked her if she was a Crunchy Mama.

"Yes, if you were to ask my friends and relatives they would define me as a crunchy mama or my favorite, a tree hugger. It all started when I gave birth to my first son and had a successful natural birth. After that I decided to become a instructor of the method I learned to birth with, I recently gave teaching up to create Strawesome. My husband and I do our best to feed our family REAL food, keep toxins out via cleaning products and personal care items and we recycle anything we can! I am blessed to have a husband who is like-minded and passionate about natural living.

Both of my sons were born naturally and were breast fed for extended periods. Currently my 10 month old is cloth diapered and neither of my boys have been vaccinated or circumcised. Most people probably think I’m crazy but I don’t care because this lifestyle keeps us healthy and happy. When I tell doctors or nurses that we’re not on any prescription drugs they look at me surprised and say “oh! Good for you.”

Love her! And her straws! 

How would you like to WIN an 8" Glass Straw?
 
MANDATORY ENTRY
Visit Strawesome & comment on what you found
(sign up for newsletter on bottom left of main page for extra entry)
AND
Be a BeachBum through Google Friend OR Facebook ~ easy right sidebar widgets

Please don't forget to leave email once if not a public profile!
 
EXTRA ENTRIES
Like Strawesome on Facebook ~ let Daedra know @Crunchy Beach Mama sent ya!

Make a Purchase within the course of this giveaway ~ 5 entries
 
Be a BeachBum through Google Friend AND Facebook
 
Follow CBM on Twitter & Tweet "Plastics Week @crunchybchmama Learn & WIN a Glass Straw from Strawesome http://tiny.cc/cd7ot #green #giveaway"
 
Subscribe to my Emails ~ left sidebar
 
Enter another Plastics Week giveaway

Strawesome sent me a glass straw for this review but I was not compensated in any way for the post and all opinions are my own. This giveaway will end on Nov. 30, 2010 at 11:00pm EST. Winner will be drawn via random.org. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and they will have 48 hours to reply before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to anyone in the US & Canada and you must be 18 years of age or older.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Wood Toys & HazelNut Kids Bamboo Game Giveaway

Today we move away from BPA and on to PVC or Polyvinyl chloride. PVC is the third most widely produced plastic because it is cheap, durable, and easy to assemble. It can be made softer and more flexible with the addition of phthalates. Lucky for us phthalates were recently banned by the Consumer Product Saftey Commission, but PVC also contains other heavy metals like lead, which is highly toxic.

PVC is very common in baby bibs, teethers, nap mats, and of course toys! Recent studies show that 40% of toys are made out of this plastic. Think of that rubber ducky. That's not rubber. It's PVC. And where does that ducky usually end up? In a child's mouth, like most toys.

Also like BPA, PVC are endocrine disruptors, and can upset normal hormonal balance in our bodies, stimulate the growth and development of cancers (breast, uterine, prostate), impair fertility, and disrupt pregnancy. Lead causes damage to the nervous system, leading to decreased learning ability and behavioral deficits. Children are especially susceptible because they absorb and retain lead more easily than adults and also because their brains are still developing.

How can we avoid items containing PVC?

- Get rid of all your older plastic toys which are likely to contain the highest level of toxic chemicals

- Buy from major brands and well known stores. Avoid cheap plastic toys from bargain retailers because they are probably imported from China where there is no control over chemicals used.

- Best of all ~ buy wooden toys!

Wooden toys last longer than plastic toys do and you can feel good about buying natural products that are not potentially full of lead and other toxins.

What could be better than a toy designed to promote ecological responsibility and providing learning and fun for your child? Wooden toys fit the bill in all these areas. And it's gotten easier to find toys made this way, thanks for great companies like HazelNuts Kids!

I was super excited when I got sent a wooden bamboo game called Kombino that is made by the great company Hape. It's a game for the whole family - ages four on up - so we all sat down to play. Right away we realized that it is very familiar to Sudoku! And we love Sukoku! My impatient six year old got frustrated pretty fast but my eight year old would not stop playing. It was wonderful watching his brain work trying to fit all the pieces together.


"Learning colors and shapes is fun with this game of strategy! Multiple versions can be played with Kombino. One option is for each player to take one mat and four tiles of each color / shape. They must place the tiles so that each color / shape appears only once horizontally and vertically - the fastest player wins! Another option is a single-player version similar to Sudoku. Mats are made of natural bamboo, and the bamboo tiles are vividly painted with water colors."

I want to show you some of the other fun toys Hazelnut Kids carry! They have TONS of stuff!!

What little boy would not love these? I have to grab a bobble head car for P'Diddy's stocking!

These are perfect for O'Bear. He loves to play kitchen and tic-tac-toe!



And remember our stainless steel water bottles? They have lots of great ones!
This is the one Crunchy Beach Mama got :)

Would you like to WIN the game Kombino?

MANDATORY ENTRY
Visit Hazelnut Kids and tell me what you LOVE there
(sign up for newsletter on bottom left of home page for extra entry!)
AND
Be a BeachBum Follower through Google Friend OR Facebook ~ easy sidebar widgets!

EXTRA ENTRIES
Be a BeachBum Follower through Google Friend AND Facebook

Follow CBM on Twitter and Tweet 'Plastics Weeks @crunchybchmama Learn & WIN the Bamboo Game Kombino from Hazelnut Kids http://tiny.cc/ab7pa #giveaway #green'

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Enter another giveaway from Plastics Week

Hazelnut Kids sent me Kombino for this review but I was not compensated in any way for the post and all opinions are my own. This giveaway will end on Nov. 30, 2010 at 11:00pm ET. Winner will be drawn via random.org. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and they will have 48 hours to reply before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to anyone in the US & Canada and you must be 18 years of age or older.