Earth Day Arctic Tale DVD

Any fans of March of the Penguins out there? If so, this DVD is for you.

Set in the Arctic tundra, this movie tells the story of two friends, a polar bear and a walrus. It's narrated by Queen Latifah and has a great soundtrack by artists including music by Ben Harper, Aimee Mann and The Shins.

I received a review copy of this DVD and thought my pre-schooler would enjoy it. It was a little advanced for him, not in terms of subject matter, but his comprehension of the the Arctic and the challenging environment where the story takes place. Even though he may not understand it fully now, this is one I feel good about having him watch and I plan to hang on to and play it for him again later.

Almost as good if not better than the movie is the Arctic Tale Website which features profiles of the arctic animals and information about global warming. Definitely family friendly and a great way to teach your kids about Earth Day.

Earth Day: Buddhiwear Organics Tees, Tanks, and Yoga Pants

Until very recently I never thought about organic clothing. Of course I knew about organic foods and some of the benefits they offered. But the idea that the clothes I wear (or dress my kids in) could be having a negative effect on us, or our environment, never really crossed my mind.

I've learned a lot from manufacturers of organic clothing, such as Buddhiwear--which makes its name all the more relevant, since "Buddhi" means "she who is conscious, awake." (I'm glad it doesn't mean "she who has a big round tummy").

Buddhiwear's t-shirts, tank tops, hoodies, thermals, and yoga pants for adults, tees for kids, and adorable baby duds are all made at sweatshop-free manufacturers with organic cotton and environmentally friendly dyes. Buddhiwear sent me a tank top to check out and it's supersoft. I like the unbleached, natural look (the one I have is the natural color, not blue as pictured). I also like its long length because I really hate being in the middle of yoga class and worrying about my stomach rolling over the top of my yoga pants. That? Is NOT relaxing.

I am not generally a fan of words/pictures/logos/whatever on my shirts, and not all of the Buddhiwear designs are to my taste. But I think the Breathe tank is adorable. And we can all use a little reminder to keep up with the pranayama.

Plus: For every garment sold, Buddhiwear plants a tree!

Cathy regularly waxes rhapsodic about yoga on her personal blog, Mayberry Mom, and her site devoted to family fitness.

Giveaways Galore!

If you haven't noticed (how could you not?), we are totally giving it away for free this week.

Take a look at the sidebar to the right and you will see nearly a dozen giveaways of great products.

But hurry up! Deadlines are between now and Friday for each of these products that we would love to share with our readers.

And don't forget about all the ways to get extra entries for the Seventh Generation Starter Kit.

Good luck!

(And here's a hint...when we ask an entry question, the answer is often within the review or can be easily found by following the link provided.)

Earth Day: Leg Huggers Bamboo Leg Warmers

One of the things that is reinforced each Earth Day is to purchase products made from renewable resources. Bamboo is a fast growing plant that is being touted as an earth-friendly alternative to traditional cotton.

My daughter has the pink heart bamboo Leg Huggers and she definitely gets her use out of them. She likes to wear them to dance class, but also with skirts on chilly spring mornings and as armbands when she's playing super hero.

We have purchased an assortment of leg warmers of various brands for both of our children. And I have to say that the bamboo Leg Huggers are the softest pair.

These eco-friendly leg warmers are made from 100% sustainable bamboo fibers. Whether she's dancing, running, or crawling around, your girl, no matter her age, will look like a doll in the Hearts Leg Huggers.

• Breathable
• Wicks Away Moisture
• UV Protective
• Odor Resistant
• Antibacterial
• Soft and Comfortable
• No Chemicals or Pesticides

$11 from Organically Hatched.

Also check out the Leg Huggers website to see the full selection of styles. Loving the flowers and butterflies!

Laptop Lunchbox: The Wasteless Lunchbox

I've been a fan of the Laptop Lunches bento-ware lunch box ever since a friend introduced me Jennifer McCann's blog, The Vegan Lunch Box, nearly 3 years ago. After perusing Ms. McCann's recipes and insanely creative ideas for her son's lunches, like the one pictured here (and after my son’s Spider-Man lunchbox broke on the last day of kindergarten), I bought her book and ordered my kids each a bento box set from the kind folks at Laptop Lunches.

Their philosophy is simple, "to create fun, practical food containers and user guides that promote better nutrition and waste reduction." Laptop Lunches are American-style bento boxes (Japanese lunch boxes) designed to help families pack nutritious, environment-friendly lunches for school, work, and travel. Their sustainable lunch containers--which come with a book of healthy lunch ideas and lunch-making recipes--are reusable, recyclable, and dishwasher safe. The lunch boxes do not contain phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), or lead. The containers and carrying cases come in a variety of colors; my son has the "primary" set with the blue carrying case and my daughter has the pink set and a purple carrying case. The lunch box comes with a water bottle and a fork and spoon set. When my daughter got hers she kept carrying it around (even though there was nothing in it) and poured over the aforementioned book, calling it her "cook book."

During the school year, my kids take a cold lunch 4 out of 5 days of the week and their Laptop Lunchboxes have held up extremely well. When the outer carrying case gets grubby, I pop it in the washer on the delicate cycle and air dry it. These babies are meant to last, not like the vinyl character lunch boxes you can buy just about everywhere (went through 2 of those during my son’s kindergarten year, not to mention lots of ziplocs).

I use the Laptop Lunches bento-ware not just for school lunches; my kids pack them full of snacks to take to the park or pool or on long car rides. No more plastic baggies! The containers hold plenty of portion-controlled food for a kid or an adult and are easy to clean (all pieces, except the carrying case, can go in the dishwasher).

After envying my kids’ lunchboxes, I bought one for myself. The “grown-up version” comes with a cool-looking hemp carrying case and includes 2 thermoses: a tall one I use for water or tea (which stays hot the better part of a day) and a shorter one that’s perfect for soup. I love it and both my kids and I have received many compliments.

So do your kids, yourself and the world a favor and get yourself a Laptop Lunchbox.

Available from Laptop Lunches, the Ultimate Green Store, and many other retailers.

Pepsi Throwback

It is very difficult these days to shop the grocery stores aisles and keep high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) out of your reusable shopping bags. It's in everything from snacks aimed at kids to soup to bread.

Is it necessary? I don't think so.

I always think that the less processed a food is, the better it is for you.

I would much rather have regular sugar in a food product than HFCS.

And don't get me started on the politics of it! (The production of corn is subsidized and HFCS is a cheap ingredient.)

(For more discussions on why moms are against the use of HFCS, read my posts about HFCS in soup and HFCS brainwashing, I mean advertising. Also read Mom-101's post about HFCS, especially the comment section.)

I am seeing a mainstream trend toward replacing HFCS in traditional manufacturer's recipes with sugar.

Pepsi calls it "throwback."

I was actually pleasantly surprised to see that Pepsi is taking heed and introducing three new (or old?) products without HFCS. Pepsi Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback return to formulations from the 60's and 70's when they were made with natural sugar.

Throwback will be available nationally for about 8 weeks beginning April 20, 2009.

Pepsi Natural comes in a glass bottle and is made with purer ingredients such as lightly sparkling water, natural sugar, natural caramel and kola nut extract and can be found in the natural food aisles of stores and in major metropolitan markets.

What did I think of the Pepsi Throwback? It was good. I usually think that Pepsi has a syrup-y taste and feel (from the HFCS, I'm sure), but the Throwback had a cleaner, crisper taste. If you blind taste-tested me with Pepsi and Pepsi Throwback, I would choose the Throwback as my favorite of the two.

I wonder if the company will keep them around longer if they are given a warm (or icy cold!) reception.

Here's the commercial so you can see for yourself:




WIN IT!
Prize: Pepsi Throwback Pack (includes a Pepsi Throwback trucker cap, retro Pepsi tin lunch box, retro clock radio/cd player, USB lava lamp, and of course Pepsi Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback)
Number of Winners: One
Giveaway Title: PEPSI THROWBACK
Entry Question: In what decades were Pepsi products made with real sugar instead of HFCS? (Hint, look no further than this review.)
Enter By: April 29
Entry Form: Click here
Value: Approximately $150
Winner will be notified by e-mail.
Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

Extra entry for tweeting the following and then filling out the entry form a second time giving your Twitter name as the entry question.

Win a great Pepsi Throwback Pack from @fullmommy http://tinyurl.com/ctmn7e #throwback

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black. She tries her best to avoid HFCS, but sometimes there is no escaping it!

Bell True Fit Bike Helmets

Last fall I took a short bike ride and as I relished the feel of the wind in my hair, I realized I forgot to wear my helmet! For my family, bicycle helmets are a must-have accessory. Because I've required them to wear helmets since their tricycle days, helmets are a natural habit for my 9 and 11 year-old boys.

That said, when a friend of my older son rode up to our house last week without one, I called him on it. Both he and my boy started spouting excuses, "It was a short trip. He wasn't riding fast," etc. But I would have none of it. You can be a careful bike rider, but have an unfortunate meeting with a careless drive or even a random pebble that sets your bike off its path.

Our brains are important. They need protection. Always.

The issues that cause an occasional helmet rebellion are straps that are too tight, too loose, too challenging to adjust and chin snaps that pinch. I'm please to say that Bell has resolved these problems with their True Fit Helmet.

One of my boys is sensitive to tags and straps and things that brush against his skin and I have to say that bike helmets have caused a bit of a nightmare for me in the past because when the fit wasn't good, I'd wind up fiddling with all these different straps and it was a pain. With the True Fit's one-step adjustment, I'm predicting fewer helmet hassles this summer.

I love the little reflectors on the back of the helmet. Indeed, anything that might help a bicyclist be more visible to motorists gets good marks in my book.

Bell sent three True Fit helmets for us to try- one for me and for each of my boys. I never pegged myself as a "pinhead," but I am only five feet tall, and it turns out the youth helmet gave me the best fit, so now DH will enjoy a new helmet (thankfully they didn't send me a pink one! Though I see they have a women's line. Maybe the pink one would have fit me, after all.) and I'm left fighting with one of my sons over who gets the second youth helmet.

Bell helped my family get ready for the bike trails and now they are going to help yours. They are giving a True Fit helmet away to a Full Mommy reader; see the details below. You can follow them @BellTrueFit on Twitter where they are hosting additional giveaways.

WIN IT!
Prize: Win a child or adult size Bell True Fit bicycle helmet
Number of Winners: 1
Giveaway Title: BELL HELMET
Entry Question: Check out the many True Fit styles available for tots, youth and adults and let us know which one you'd like to win.
Enter By: 11 PM CST on Friday, May 1, 2009.
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail.
Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

Posted by Kim, who writes about marketing to mommybloggers, parenting gifted children and random stuff at Hormone-colored Days. She also writes about educational family travel at Traveling Mom.

Earth Day: Seventh Generation Facial Tissues

Greenpeace recently issued a Recycled Tissue and Toilet Paper Guide. One of their top recommendations? Seventh Generation.

Seventh Generation tissues come in a cute box of 85 2-ply facial tissues. They are white, unscented, hypo-allergenic, and have no dyes. They are made from 100% recycled paper and are whitened without bleach.

The tissues are made from 100% recycled paper (80% minimum post-consumer, 20% pre-consumer).

The box is made from 100% recycled paper (35% minimum post-consumer) and can be recycled.

My verdict: On most days when I reach for a tissue, these would do just fine. But if I had a horrible, drippy-nosed cold, I think I would reach for (evil, bleached, lotion-added) big brand tissues.

I think that like the paper towels, you buy these because you make a conscious decision to buy the more eco-friendly option.

Seventh Generation dedicates 10% of their profits to organizations that work for positive change.

Seventh Generation Facial Tissue is widely available from Amazon and where eco-friendly products are sold.

WIN IT!
Prize: Seventh Generation Facial Tissues
Number of Winners: One
Giveaway Title: 7GEN TISSUES
Entry Question: What is another household supply made by Seventh Generation?
Enter By: April 30, 2009
Click here to fill out our quick entry form.
Winners will be notified by e-mail.
Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black who has a regular feature about ways to be eco-cheap.

*Image and statistic from the Seventh Generation website.

Earth Day: Seventh Generation Paper Towels

I try to reduce our use of paper products. I really do. I have washcloths that I use to wipe jellied mouths and another set for cleaning. But it is inevitable that we go through some paper towels. I am working on reducing it, I am.

But when reaching for paper towels, did you know that there is an alternative to the bleached white, virgin fiber paper towels stocked high on the big box store shelves?

In addition to their fabulous cleaning products, Seventh Generation makes paper towels.

They are made from 100% recycled paper (90% minimum post-consumer, 10% pre-consumer); are free of dyes, inks, and fragrances; are hypo-allergenic; and are unbleached. They come in a roll with 120 2-ply sheets.

Seventh Generation let me give them a spin and here's what I honestly think: When comparing them to the big box big name white paper towels, they are a little less fluffy and soft. But they are paper towels and they do their job.

I think that if you are inclined to buy recycled paper products, then you should give them a try. I think that you buy these because you care enough about your impact on the planet and because you want to reduce your consumption of virgin fiber paper goods.

WIN IT!
Prize: Seventh Generation Paper Towels
Number of Winners: One
Giveaway Title: 7GEN TOWELS
Entry Question: What is another household supply made by Seventh Generation?
Enter By: April 30, 2009
Click here to fill out our quick entry form.
Winners will be notified by e-mail.
Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black and who has a regular feature about ways to be eco-cheap.

*Image and statistic from the Seventh Generation website.

Earth Day: Little Environmentalists Giveaway

Last week we told you about two books by the Little Environmentalists that can help your children go green. In honor of Earth Day, take a look at our review and enter to win one of the two books.

WIN IT!
Prize: Little Environmentalist Book
Number of Winners: Two (two winners will each have their choice of one book)
Giveaway Title: LITTLE ECO
Entry Question: Which of the two Little Environmentalist books would you like?
Enter By: April 29, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail.
Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

Earth Day: Xeko Pals Giveaway

We've told you about the Mission:China Xeko game. Since it's Earth Day, we thought you'd want to see a cute little fuzzy guy who shares the planet with us. Introducing, Hairy!

(From the company:) Hairy is the hairy-eared dwarf lemur from Madagascar—the toy is life-sized (these lemurs are about the size of a softball in real life), and best of all it’s made of a soy-based fabric and filled with soy stuffing (instead of the usual polyester). Each toy comes with a Mission Code, which gives unlimited play of the “Hairy the Nibbler” game at xeko.com. Hairy retails for $16.99.

Get 15% off your order using coupon code GOGREEN between now and 10/31/09. You can even use the code multiple times.

WIN IT!
Prize: Xeko Pals Hairy Lemur
Number of Winners: One
Giveaway Title: HAIRY LEMUR
Entry Question: What's another toy from Xeko?
Enter By: April 29, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail.
Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

(We have not product tested Xeko's Hairy doll, but we thought we would share this great giveaway with you this Earth Day.)

Earth Day: Seventh Generation Trash Bags

You bring your own bag to the store, but what about trash bags at home? There aren't really reusable trash bags, are there?

If you are concerned about the petroleum that it takes to make kitchen trash bags, then you should consider the trash bags made by Seventh Generation.

They make both drawstring tall kitchen bags and large trash bags. They aren't fancy. But do you really need fancy garbage bags?

Drawstring Tall Kitchen Bags
(20 2-ply bags, 13 gallon)
Minimum Total Recycled Content 55%
Pre-Consumer Content 39%
Post-Consumer Content 16%

Large Trash Bags
(15 2-ply bags and ties; 33 gallon)
Minimum Total Recycled Plastic Content 80%
Pre-Consumer Content 56%
Post-Consumer Content 24%

Even the cardboard packages are made from 100% recycled paper (minimum 35% post-consumer, maximum 65% pre-consumer).

Seventh Generation Tall Kitchen Bags and 30-Gallon Trash Bags are available on Amazon and where eco-friendly products are sold.

WIN IT!
Prize: Seventh Generation Trash Bags
Number of Winners: One
Giveaway Title: 7GEN BAGS
Entry Question: What is another household supply made by Seventh Generation?
Enter By: April 30, 2009
Click here to fill out our quick entry form.
Winners will be notified by e-mail.
Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black where she has a regular feature about ways to be eco-cheap.

*Image and statistic from the Seventh Generation website.

Earth Day: Seventh Generation Rinse Aid

"If every household in the U.S. replaced just one bottle of 8 oz. petroleum-based rinse aid with our plant-containing product, we could save 15,000 barrels of oil, enough to heat and cool 870 U.S. homes for a year!"

Seventh Generation has done it again...they've taken a not-s-earth-friendly cleaning product and greened it up for us.

I like my dishes to come out of the dishwasher spot free and that's why I was happy to give the Seventh Generation Rinse Aid a try.

It reduces spotting and filming on dishes, is VOC-free, biodegradable, and comes in a free & clear formulation. It's made with plant-based ingredients and is kosher. One bottle will do 75 loads of dishes; for our family that's a really long time.

The fact that it is made with plant-based cleaners is good for the environment, but the bottle is even eco-friendly. The bottle contains minimum 25% post-consumer recycled plastic and can be thrown in the recycling bin when it's empty.


This Rinse Aid is not tested on animals and contains no animal ingredients.

Seventh Generation discloses all ingredients and dedicates 10% of their profits to organizations that work for positive change.

WIN IT!
Prize: Seventh Generation Rinse Aid
Number of Winners: One
Giveaway Title: 7GEN RINSE
Entry Question: What is another product that Seventh Generation makes to help with dishwashing?
Enter By: April 30, 2009
Click here to fill out our quick entry form.
Winners will be notified by e-mail.
Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black who has a regular feature about ways to be eco-cheap.

*Image and statistic from the Seventh Generation website.

Earth Day: Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Pacs

"If every household in the U.S. replaced just one carton of 15 count concentrated pacs containing phosphates with our phosphate free product, we could save 14 million pounds of phosphates from entering rivers, lakes, and streams."

I have read that if you have an energy-efficient dish washing machine and you fill it up, then less water and energy is used than if you wash dishes by hand.

I have seen those convenient single use packs of dishwashing detergent made by other companies, but I never tried them because they were petroleum-based.

Now those of us who look for eco-friendly, plant-based, and non-toxic cleaning products for our home can look to Seventh Generation for convenience when it comes to dishwashing.

The Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Pacs come in a box of 15 single pacs, they are chlorine-free, and biodegradable. The box is made with 100% recycled paper (minimum 35% post-consumer). And this product is not tested on animals and has no animal ingredients.

You can choose either free & clear or lemon scent. Though I normally reach for the free & clear products, the lemon scent is from 100% whole essential oils and botanical extracts. And was quite pleasant and not artificial smelling like traditional lemon-scented cleaning products.

The dishwasher pacs

• Get Dishes Sparkling Clean
• Are Biodegradable
• Are Chlorine and Phosphate Free
• Are Packed in Biodegradable PVA
• Come in a 35% Post Consumer Recycled Box

Do they work? In a word, yes. Just ask my husband, he's the dishwasher in our house!

Seventh Generation discloses all ingredients and dedicates 10% of their profits to organizations that work for positive change.

WIN IT!
Prize: Seventh Generation Dishwasher Pacs
Number of Winners: One
Giveaway Title: 7GEN DISH
Entry Question: What is another dishwashing product offered by Seventh Generation?
Enter By: April 30, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail.
Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black. She rarely talks about doing dishes because somehow she managed to deligate dishwashing to her husband. Yes!

*Image and statistic from the Seventh Generation website.

Earth Day: Seventh Generation Baby Wipes

I always cringe when I smell something that is geared towards babies and it is heavily scented. Babies can have such sensitive skin, especially tender tushies. I try to reach for as many unscented products as I can when it comes to what goes against my children's skin, from laundry detergent to baby wipes.

One of the brands of wipes that I have used for my kids' bums is the Seventh Generation wipes. After reading Healthy Child Healthy World, I really began thinking about the ingredients, many of which are artificial, that some baby items contain.

And I can say that these Seventh Generation baby wipes do not contain these iffy ingredients. They come in either refillable tubs or in resealable travel packs. They have aloe vera and vitamin E, are unscented, alcohol-free, and hypo-allergenic. They are even whitened without chlorine bleach.

I usually buy refill packs of wipes, but I like to reuse our plastic baby wipes containers for storing small toys such as cars and little ponies. (One way to reduce waste is to reuse as much as you can.)

The Seventh Generation baby wipes may be a little more expensive than other big brand wipes, but did you know that you can save on Seventh Generation baby products, like wipes and diapers, through Amazon? This is especially good for people who love their products, but don't have a local retailer. And you can even get free shipping. Here's how to save with Amazon:

Save 10% when you purchase select green baby products sold by Amazon.com Enter code GRNBB4O9 at checkout. Plus, save an additional 15% when you combine this instant rebate with your Subscribe & Save order--bringing the total savings to 25%.

WIN IT!
Prize: Seventh Generation Baby Wipes
Number of Winners: One
Giveaway Title: 7GEN WIPES
Entry Question: What is another baby product made by Seventh Generation?
Enter By: April 30, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail.
Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black where she often talks about diapering her youngest child.

*Image and statistic from the Seventh Generation website.

Earth Day: Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent

I have to admit that I began using Seventh Generation Free & Clear Laundry Liquid for selfish reasons. I have sensitive skin and heavy scents set off my allergies. I wasn't even thinking about the environment when I reached for my first bottle years ago.

That's just a bonus! Seventh Generation uses vegetable-based ingredients rather than petroleum to make their detergents. See, I was being environmentally friendly and didn't even know it.

Plant-based detergents, such as Seventh Generation Free & Clear, are better for the environment because the plants used to produce them are renewable resources.

I also like that this particular detergent is not irritating to my family's sensitive skin.

I recently did a price comparison and realized that the Seventh Generation Free & Clear may seem like it's more expensive (the 100-ounce bottle was $15 at my local store), but after doing the math, load per load it was actually slightly less expensive than All Free & Clear, which is a petroleum-based detergent. (Read my eco-cheap tip on laundry detergent.)

I have to say that when I had my first child and began washing all the tiny little onesies and socks to stock her dresser when she was born, I reached for that big pink bottle (you know the brand). I stood there in the brightly lit store aisle, unscrewed the cap, and took a big wiff.

Immediately my sinuses swelled. I honestly can't believe that mothers use this stuff to wash clothing that will be next to a newborn's delicate skin.

That's why I was happy to find Seventh Generation's Baby Laundry Detergent. It's what I use to wash my children's clothing. But when I run out, I just use the 7th Gen Free & Clear, with no problems whatsoever.

And my cloth diapers? When I purchased my diapers I looked at the list of recommended detergents and Seventh Generation Delicate Care Laundry Detergent was among the acceptable types. (Again, if I run out, I just reach for the Free & Clear.) And the bottle lasts quite a long time because I only use about half an ounce.

WIN IT!
Prize: One Bottle of Seventh Generation Delicate Care Laundry Detergent
Number of Winners: One
Giveaway Title: 7GEN LAUNDRY
Entry Question: What is the name of the founder of Seventh Generation?
Enter By: April 30, 2009
Click here to fill out our quick entry form.
Winners will be notified by e-mail.
Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black who has a regular feature about ways to be eco-cheap.

*Image and statistic from the Seventh Generation website.

Celebrate Earth Day with The Full Mommy and Seventh Generation

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than with a week of fabulous giveaways from Seventh Generation.

Seventh Generation has been on the forefront of providing reliable and readily-available non-toxic and eco-friendly cleaning, household, diapering, and personal care products.

Join us each day this week as we tell you about another great Seventh Generation product.

In addition to daily giveaways, we will be giving a Seventh Generation Starter Kit (choice of Living Home, Free & Clear, or Natural Baby) to one lucky reader. All entrants for daily prizes will automatically be entered. For bonus entries, check back each day as we announce additional ways to enter.

Everyone who enters to win a daily Seventh Generation product will automatically be entered to win a Seventh Generation starter package. But you can earn lots of extra entries.

Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways. Enter by April 30, 2009.

Reviews with Giveaways:
1. Laundry Detergent
2. Baby Wipes
3. Dishwashing Detergent Pacs
4. Rinse Aid
5. Trash Bags
6. Paper Towels
7. Facial Tissues

Bonus Entry Methods:
1. Twitter
2. Blog
3. Join Seventh Generation Nation
4. Subscribe
5. Facebook
6. YouTube
7. Podcast

Earth Day Book: Little Environmentalists

I know that even though my family tries to be as green as we can comfortably be, it's not always easy to explain to the youngest of kids why we do the things we do for the Earth and it's people.

Two books by The Little Environmentalists are aimed at the younger set of would-be eco-advocates.

The first book, Go Green With Me, offers simple suggestions that kids can actually do. These are all illustrated with non-fussy simplistic drawings of EnviroGirl in action.

Each page gives a simple action ("When washing and brushing, be a drip spotter! Let's help the Earth- turn off that water!"). But also gives a fact reinforcing the concept ("You can save up to five gallons of water by turning off the faucet each time you brush your teeth and wash your hands."). For me, when I read this book to my four-year-old the first time, I only read the large text with the suggestion and didn't overwhelm her with facts. With an older kid, or during subsequent readings, you could certainly read all the text on each page.

Additionally, there are "Earth Notes" at the end of the book with steps that the entire family can take to conserve energy and resources.

And let me tell you, kids love hearing about worm poop! (Compost.)

(From the Little Environmentalists website:) Join EnviroGirl as she learns about saving the environment! In Go Green With Me you and your child will learn simple, eco-friendly tips that will help protect the planet. From recycling and solar power to worm composting and so much more, Go Green With Me makes these important lessons fun to read and learn.

The second book, Nature Discovery In My Backyard is almost a beginner's field guide for the preschool set.

As we follow along in the book, we see a child discovering and exploring her backyard.

"I walk out into my backyard, and what do I see? I see a leaf on the tree."

And each page offers four illustrations and asks if you can see them in your yard, too. For instance on the page about leaves, it asks if you have birch, buckeye, maple, and oak leaves.

The end of the book includes tips for discovering nature as well as nature notes. These are chock full of information to help parents and educators help children explore and learn about their environment.

(From the Little Environmentalists website:) Children will use their senses to explore nature. They will smell, hear, feel, and see their way through their own backyard nature discovery. Each page offers a unique look into nature, with colorful pictures that will challenge your children to find all that nature has to offer. In the back of the book, parents and educators will find amazing tips for going on a nature discovery with their children and students any time of the year! The Nature Notes in the back of the book provide exciting information about the plants and animals in our nature discovery. This book also links to the Model Early Learning Standards so that educators can use this.

Get each book for $5 when you order through the Little Environmentalists website with coupon code SPRING. Or order Go Green With Me and Nature Discovery In My Backyard through Amazon.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black where she often talks about going green with her children.

WIN IT!
Prize: Little Environmentalist Book
Number of Winners: Two (two winners will each have their choice of one book)
Giveaway Title: LITTLE ECO
Entry Question: Which of the two Little Environmentalist books would you like?
Enter By: April 29, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail.
Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

Earth Day Book: The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Now Even Better

What's better than the classic Tale of Peter Rabbit? When it's retold in a special green edition.

This full line of products including books, toys, food, and toiletries really takes into account the impact on the environment, workers, and providing safe, healthy ingredients for kids including (from the website):

• Labour conditions: The products have been made by suppliers who adhere to ethical working practices.
• Elimination of PVC from packaging
• Promotion of the use of Forestry Stewardship Council accredited printers, and suppliers, in sourcing wood, paper and board products from renewable resources
• Increasing the proportion of recycled and bio-degradable materials in packaging

The Peter Rabbit Naturally Better line includes Peekaboo, Snuggle, and I Love You books.

You can also read my review of the Peter Rabbit I Love You board book. And you can get tons of great information from the Peter Rabbit Naturally Better website.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Peter Rabbit Naturally Better edition) is widely available where books are sold.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black where she dishes about family, food, foraging, and frivolity, but never about rabbit stew!

Owly: Warm Fuzzies All Around from This Deceptively Simple Comic

Every once in a while a book, or series of books, comes along and warms your heart so thoroughly, practically setting fire to the darn thing, that you want everyone to go out and buy it.

Andy Runton creates such works.

I am an unabashed comic book reader and have been for most of my life. While I enjoy a good bit of superhero daring-do, my tastes tend toward indie sensibilities. That’s how I came to be enamored of Andy Runton’s super-cute all-ages comic, Owly.

I picked up a copy of his first Owly graphic novel while perusing his publisher’s booth at a comic book convention a few years back and instantly fell in love with Owly, his friend Wormy and their woodland neighbors.

A V.O.Y.A. review puts it perfectly, “These deceptively simple stories portray a profound truth about the meaning of true friendship, loyalty, and faith. Younger elementary students can just enjoy the story, whereas older students and adults will see beyond the pictures to the underlying philosophy. This treasure of a book celebrates innocence and friendship and makes the reader feel wonderful in the end.”

Aint It Cool.com states, “Owly is the comic book equivalent of a hug.”

So, so true.

Runton asserts in his website that “Owly is a kind-hearted little owl who knows what it means to be human.” Although the stories are silent Runton relies on a mixture of symbols and expressions to tell Owly’s adventures, the result being that the youngest of children will be able to “read“ the stories. Owly is animated, charming and very sweet.

Although Owly is a series, each book is self-contained and while there is emotion and action, violence and anger are absent, making them suitable for the youngest readers.

One of the things I find fascinating about Owly is a well-executed series of 30 lesson plans available to use in conjunction with the stories. And while many teachers (myself included) have used comics in the classroom, this is the first set of fully realized lesson plans using a specific comic book series. Amazing.

Owly’s latest graphic novel, the fifth, Tiny Tales kicks off with a new Owly adventure and also collects out-of-print Owly stories from the original mini-comics and from Free Comic Book Day comics. Aside from the wonderful Owly stories, bonus material includes an early sketchbook, detailing Owly’s origins, and a “how to draw Owly” section.

As with all of the Owly books, Tiny Tales does not disappoint. The art is consistently great, drawing the reader deep into the story, despite (or maybe that’s in spite of) the lack of words.

Any time a new Owly comic comes out both of my children clamor for it. We. must. buy it. They pour over each and every panel of each story taking great delight in Owly and Wormy’s escapades. That is, if they can get to it before I do.

You can purchase Tiny Tales here:

or, better yet, visit your local comic book shop. Your kids, or maybe more importantly your heart, will thank you later.

This was written by Missy who can be read at Misc. & Co.

My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Tigger, Pooh, & A Musical Too!

There are some movies that you can come back to again and again. For me, one of these is anything including Winnie the Pooh and the Gang.



Pooh’s putting on a show! My Friends Tigger and Pooh: Tigger, Pooh and a Musical Too! is a new DVD inspired by the Playhouse Disney series.

In the Hundred Acre Wood, it’s time for the annual picnic and this year, the gang elects Rabbit honorary mayor! Thrilled with the prospect of being mayor, Rabbit sets about posting “rules”for everyone to abide by. But Rabbit’s “no bouncing” rule is more than Tigger can bear! Rules can be a tough concept for pre-schoolers to grasp (or should I say agree with), but through lessons, the gang realizes that treating each other with kindness and respect is the most important lesson of all. A great message for kids.

I love to watch musical videos with my kids. This DVD packs in seven original songs including “One BigHappy Family, “A Few Simple Rules,” Bouncin’” and “Underneath the Same Sky (performed by Kenny Loggins). I really liked that this disc includes a sing-along mode.

For more information see Walt Disney Home Entertainment here.

Earth Day: Little Capers Save the Planet!

How many times have I professed my love of Little Capers to you? (Read my full reviews of the shirts and big capes.)

My own super hero has worn her shirts and capes more times than I can count. Once she wore her star hero shirt every day for two weeks and I had to sneak it into the washing machine while she slept!

Well, here's one more reason to love them: In honor of Earth Day, Little Capers is donating 5% of the proceeds from their Earth-themed shirts to Conservation International.

The blue earth hero and pink earth hero shirts with detachable cape are $35 from Little Capers.

Use promotional code Spring20 for 20% off your entire order now through May 1, 2009.

Looks like I'll be ordering one for my second super hero who turns two very soon!

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black. Leighann has a super hero obsessed four-and-a-half year old daughter who can leap tall buildings in a single bound.

Peter Walsh's [In]Place System at Office Max

You may know Peter Walsh from the hit TLC show Clean Sweep and may have seen him recently on Oprah. He is the author of several books including:

It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff

Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?: An Easy Plan for Losing Weight and Living More

Enough Already!: Clearing Mental Clutter to Become the Best You

Walsh has teamed up with Office Max to create a line of office organizational products called the [In]Place System.

I recently watched a blogcast of Walsh explaining not only how the system works, but also how to start getting organized and stay organized. You can watch the blogcast here.

I haven't used clear poly office products before, but I can see how they could stand the test of time. I think my favorite product in the [In]Place starter kit is this desktop sorter that let's you pop your files in and let's you take them with you.

I'm so particular about my files and it drives me crazy when the 1/3 cut folders aren't in order in my file.

The [In]Place folders help solve this problem and have several neat features.

First, they are see-through so you can see what's in them.

Second, they have markings along the top and you can use the notched Post-It's to label the folders, repositioning or changing them as needed.

Third the colorful binder clips keep paperwork in the folder.

Fourth, the marker can be erased. You can leave yourself or someone else a note and it can be erased later on.

Kinda cool!

Some tips that Peter gave were:

• Don't rush out and buy a bunch of products first.
• Go through your stuff to see what types of products that you will need.
• Keep your horizontal space clear and clean.
• Go vertical with your storage.
• Use roll-away files, particularly if you use a shared space (like the dining room table) for work or for home paperwork.

For more information about Walsh's new [In]Place organizational system either head to your local Office Max store, or visit their website.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black. She just loves organizational products and labelling everything she can get her hands on.

Haagen-Dazs Five Ice Cream

I just opened a carton of ice cream and I'm not sharing. Nope, not with anyone. Not with my children, not with my husband. It's all mine.

What ice cream would give me such a selfish attitude? The new Haagen-Dazs Five ice cream.

If there is one thing that turns me off when purchasing food, any food, it's extra added ingredients that don't seem necessary to the product (HFCS, preservatives, "natural" flavor) and those whose names I cannot pronounce.

I mean, really? Why can't food just be plain, simple, and good at the same time?

Haagen-Dazs has addressed this with their new Five series of ice cream. That's right, each variety contains four basic ingredients--milk, cream, sugar and eggs--plus one "hero" flavor. That's it.

The result? Rich, delicious, creamy, flavorful ice cream. Can you use "clean" as an adjective for ice cream? Clean kind of sums it up for me because the simple flavors come through.

Oh, I love this stuff!

Haagen-Dazs Five comes in these flavors: mint, ginger, coffee, vanilla bean, passion fruit, brown sugar, and milk chocolate.

The flavors are quite intense, in a good way. Of the flavors my family tried, we each had a different favorite. Mine was mint and my husband's was passion fruit. The ginger was cra-zy! The first spoonful was so pungent, but it grows on you. I bet they had pregnant women in mind when they created this flavor! (Ginger soothes upset stomachs and what pregnant woman doesn't love ice cream?)

Haagen-Dazs Five is available nationally.

WIN IT: TWO lucky readers of The Full Mommy will each win ONE coupon good for a carton of Haagen-Dazs Five ice cream. Click here to fill out our quick entry form. Include H-D FIVE as the giveaway title and provide the answer to this question: Which flavor of this new ice cream would you most like to try? Enter by April 18, 2009.

Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann on behalf of Mom Central. She can be read at Soy is the New Black where, among other things, she dishes about her love of good ice cream.

Aller-Ease

I have had allergies for as long as I can remember. Horrible allergies to dust, which is almost impossible to escape at home or at work.

One thing that an allergist recommended to me years ago was to encase my bedding in protective covers. I have my mattress and box spring encased, as well as my pillows. I also wash my bedding in HOT water to kill any dust mites.

We spend so much of our lives in bed (hopefully getting a good night's sleep). And I really think that encasing my mattress and pillows helps keep those pesky mites at bay.

In fact, when I travel I can tell the difference. I wake us stuffy, especially if I have forgotten to bring my own pillow!

The Aller-Ease website provides a lot of good information on how protective bedding can help allergy and asthma sufferers, including answers from Dr. Clifford W. Bassett.

Here's a quick video of Dr. Basset talking about indoor allergies:



Aller-Ease is a complete line of protective casings for mattresses, pillows, and pillow cases. You can choose from original, deluxe, cotton, and microfiber.

Aller-Ease products are available at many retail stores including Target, Kohl's, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Amazon, to name a few.

WIN IT: We have ONE Aller-Ease Deluxe Pillow and Queen Cotton Pillow Protector to award to a lucky reader of The Full Mommy. Click here to fill out our quick entry form. Include ALLER-EASE as the giveaway title and provide the answer to this question: What is your allergy trigger? Enter by April 17, 2009.

The winner will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black where you might hear her sneezing from dust allergies...but not while in her bed!

Because I Love Her

For someone who writes what can only be called a mommy blog, and who reads dozens of other people's every day, it's odd that I don't usually like "what-it-means-to-be-a-mom"-type posts. They all sound the same, yet none match my own experience enough for me to nod and think "Yes! Yes, that's just exactly it."

And still I very much enjoyed this anthology, Because I Love Her: 34 Women Writers Reflect on the Mother-Daughter Bond (edited by Andrea N. Richesin). The contributing writers are insanely talented, which certainly helps; you'll recognize Jacquelyn Mitchard and Joyce Maynard and Catherine Newman and Karen Joy Fowler.

What appeals here is that no one is trying to tell a universal truth, although many do just that, in the end. Each tells her own story, of herself as a mother or daughter or both. Each describes a moment, or two or ten, infused with significance, which matters mostly to herself but about which we the readers care desperately too.

The essays hug either end of the emotional spectrum. Sheila Kohler's piece on her well-meaning, but terribly misguided attempts to communicate with her deaf daughter made my heart ache for them both. Ayun Halliday's goofy memories of puberty gave me a serious case of the giggles ("I could see the necessity of the maternal purse and car, but I would have rolled my own sanitary napkins out of paper towels and dead leaves before I'd have brought the subject [of menstruation] up").

As the mother of a young daughter, I don't like to think about those Big Lessons I want to/should be teaching her. It's too scary. But a book like this is reassuring. It reminds me that our daughters are learning from us every day, and as long as we love them as much as we possibly can (and we do, of course we do), they will be just fine.

Here is the book trailer, featuring Richesin and some of the authors from the book talking about what they wrote.


WIN IT: We have one copy of Because I Love Her ($14 value) to award to a lucky reader of The Full Mommy. Click here to fill out our easy entry form. Don't forget to include LOVE HER BOOK as the giveaway title. Enter by April 16, 2009.

Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

Mayberry Mom is a mother, a daughter, and a mother to a daughter. Not to mention a mom blogger. Did I say that already?

Sesame Street: Being Green DVD

Earth Day is upon us and our friends at Sesame Street are helping kids learn what it means to be good to our planet.

In the new DVD Sesame Street: Being Green, join Abby Cadabby and Elmo as they help host the Earth-a-Thon. Paul Rudd is an "actor" who plays the planet Earth (pretty funny, actually). Earth helps Abby and Elmo discover ways to conserve and recycle, making the planet a great place to live.

When Elmo says that he would like to be more green, Abby accidently turns him green! But don't worry, Abby works her magic in the end.


Even Oscar the Grouch gets in on the action (against his will, but he is eco-friendly nonetheless).

Listen to my chat with Elmo to find out about his green adventures.



(You can listen to The Full Mommy Gets Personal on Blog Talk Radio anytime.)

This DVD is timely and can definitely help explain to the preschool set what it means to be green and the importance of Earth Day. Even my daughter took away a valuable lesson, implementing what she learned. (Listen to the podcast to see what she did the day after watching the DVD.)

Sesame Street: Being Green is available on DVD beginning April 7, 2009.

Here is a coloring page for your children to enjoy. You can right-click (control-click on a Mac) and save it. Or you can click on the image and it should open in a new tab or window.


The Sesame Street website has games, videos, and more fun for your kids.

Thanks go to Genius Products and Sesame Workshop for allowing me to chat with Elmo and for providing such a great giveaway to introduce the new DVD.

WIN IT: FIVE lucky readers of The Full Mommy can win a copy of the Being Green DVD. Click here to fill out our quick entry form. Include GREEN ELMO as the giveaway name and provide the answer to this question: What will you do with your children to celebrate Earth Day? Enter by April 14, 2009.

Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black where she dishes about family, food, foraging, and frivolity.