I used these great products to make my house sparkly clean without all the toxins of most cleaners.

Here is some info from their company:

Leading the “responsible cleaning” charge for the past twenty years, Seventh Generation has tapped into the disinfecting power of the herb thyme, to introduce an EPA registered line of disinfecting sprays and wipes that kill germs* naturally! The new line of botanical disinfectant cleaners includes a multi-surface cleaning spray, bathroom cleaning spray and wipes.

The disinfectants contain thymol, a component of the herb thyme, and can be used on hard surfaces including counter tops, plastic cutting boards, highchair trays as well as children´s toys. Best of all, they kill over 99.99 percent of germs* naturally and are effective against the Influenza A Virus, including H1N1.

Seventh Generation has partnered with eco-lifestyle consultant and author, Alexandra Zissu, whose new book, The Conscious Kitchen, discusses what´s good for your health, what´s good for the planet and what tastes great. Her book also includes great tips on maintaining a green and healthy kitchen, including

• Choosing cleaning products without indoor air pollutants like volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, is a simple and effective way to reduce your indoor air pollution. If you´re not prepared to switch everything overnight, start by swapping out the one product you use the most, and moving forward from there.
• Think before you spray
  Residues from cleaning products can last on a surface for longer than we we´d like to know and travel to areas that we sometimes don´t intend them to. Don´t contaminate your food by prepping it on a surface that may contain harsh chemical residues – rinse cleaning products from food preparation surfaces carefully or use botanical disinfecting cleaners that do not require a rinse step.
• Home is Where the Clean Is
  Your standard cleaners are good for removing soils and dirt from kitchen surfaces, but to tackle germs you need a cleaner that is effective against microbes like bacteria and viruses. Many cleaners contain ingredients that have antimicrobial properties such as vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, but the germ killing power of these is not necessarily guaranteed. To be sure you are killing germs, use an EPA registered disinfectant. Seventh Generation tapped into the disinfecting power of the common garden herb thyme, to provide a disinfecting cleaner that kills germs* naturally.
• Make the Old New Again
  Think twice about the items that you´re using to clean and dry your kitchen equipment and dishes. Use rags (like old t-shirts and washcloths) instead of paper towels. If you aren´t prepared to kick your paper towel addiction just yet, use only recycled versions that are unbleached or haven´t been whitened with chemicals containing chlorine and see how long you can make a roll last.
• The Writing is on the … Sponge
  Be sure to read the fine print on sponges and only purchase those that do not contain antimicrobial pesticides. Remember to store sponges in a dry place and frequently clean them by popping plastic sponges wet in a microwave for two minutes or boiling sponges for three minutes in water.
• Mom Was Right, Wash Your Hands
  Wash your hands with soap and water before and after prepping food, and always before eating. So much of what can be potentially harmful in a kitchen can be reduced by this simple act that doesn´t require any harsh chemicals whatsoever.

*For your chance to win a package from Seventh Generration through MyBlogSpark :  Leave me a comment telling me how you keep your family safe from chemicals!

Hopefully I will have some other news soon…

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This program offers great deals on many of your favorite brands!  Here is a little information from MyBlogSpark, General Mills and Kroger who are sponsoring this giveaway and this program!  They have sent me a $25 gift card that I am planning on using this week to stock up on great sale products for some upcoming cookouts we have planned!

From now through March 14th, shop the Cart Buster Savings Event and find the hottest prices around on your favorite name-brand products in over 60 categories at the Kroger Family of Stores, which includes Kroger, Ralph´s, King Soopers, City Market, Dillons, Smith´s, Fry´s, QFC, Baker´s, Owen´s, Jay C Food Stores, Hilander, Gerbes, Food4Less, Pay Less Super Markets and Scott´s Food & Pharmacy.

Here are just a few of the great brands participating in the event: Honey Nut Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, Hamburger Helper, Yoplait, Progresso, Totino´s, Green Giant, Cascadian Farm, Tide, Charmin, Bounty, Pampers, Pantene, Crest, Iams, Febreze, Old Spice and many more!

To enter this $25 giftcard giveaway:

Leave a comment telling me what you would fill your cart with if you were to win the $25 giftcard!

Thanks Kroger, MyBlogSpark and General Mills for this great opportunity!

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A big thank you to Yoplait and MyBlogSpark for the great gift and giveaway opportunity!  Here is a little information from Yoplait about their smooties:

- 110 calories per serving

- great source of calcium when mixed with milk

- ready in two minute, just add milk and blend!

I added some spinach to my smoothie, but I can’t find the picture!

Giveaway!

Leave a comment telling me your favorite smoothie ingredient for a chance to win a free Yoplait smoothie package!  Winner will be announced on Sunday!

Coupon for you

Visit:
http://bricks.coupons.com/bstart.asp?o=60253&ci=1&c=GM&p=TNg7HrGO to save $1.25 off one package of Yoplait Frozen Smoothies today!

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While there are no BJ’s in Columbus, I was able to go to the one in Cleveland. I stocked up on fresh fruits and veggies, cereal, almonds and quite a few other goodies! It was a great experience and I am looking forward to going back when I am in town next week! If you are interested in trying BJ’s Wholesale Club and head there with $25 enter the giveaway below!

To find a BJ’s near you go to: http://www.bjs.com/general/locator/index

To Enter:

If you have a BJ’s near you, leave a comment telling me why you need a $25 gift card this holiday season and what you are looking forward to stocking up on!

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Tablespoon.com is a great website! It offers thousands of recipes, coupons and and a chance to build a profile to save recipes.

Contest:

The great news is that you have a chance to win this useful kitchen gift pack, too! All you have to do is visit Tablespoon.com and find a recipe you would like to try. Let me know what you find and you will be entered to win this prize pack!

Contest ends Wednesday at dinner time!

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Ways to enter:

1. Become a fan of Dave’s Killer Bread on Facebook and comment that you did this.

2. Visit the Dave’s Killer Bread website and tell me one type of bread you would like to try and what you would do with it.

3. Follow Dave’s Killer Bread on Twitter @killerbreadman and comment that you did this!

Good Luck! I am already excited for the winner!

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There are delicious!  With a hint of real banana flavor, they are lightly sweetened and multigrain!  The banana flavor is natural not fake and artificial tasting.    This cereal would be the perfect addition to a trial mix, a parfait or just a bowl of milk!

To check out more info go to the Cheerios website!

Contest!

There are two ways to win one of the three packages from Cheerios!

1. Leave a comment on this post!

2. Link back to the contest or the blog!

The packages include a coupon for a free box of Banana Nut Cheerios, a loaf pan, two cereal bowls, and a banana tree with a fruit basket.

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1. Best Hostess Tip: Emilie
2. Most original/fun food idea: Kelly
3. Best Recipe: Tina

Congrats Girls!!  Please send me your address if you have not already!

** I will post a whole list of the ideas and tips later tonight!  Also, coming soon…Holiday Treats, Gifts and Entertaining Ideas!!

Sorry for being so brief, “it’s the most wonderful time, of the year” and there is A LOT going on!!

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I took pictures of a lot of things, but decided after reading everyone great Thanksgiving posts, that I will just move on instead of going backwards. It seems like I am hardly going to be able to keep up with everything we have going on right now, and there just isn’t time to go backwards. I hope/think you understand!

I just wanted to remind you to send me or comment about your favorite holiday tip, recipe or idea and you will have a chance to win one of the three gift baskets full of great kitchen tools and treats from Progresso!

I will be back with pictures of our holiday decorating and dinner!!

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Tons of great cooking utensils, a recipe card box and holder, a spoon rest and some 100% Natural Chicken Broth! This will be perfect to use in all of the holiday cooking coming up!

Speaking of holiday cooking…We have a contest!

Please leave a comment or email me your favorite holiday idea, tip or recipe! All entries/comments are due by Sunday, November 30th. Progresso is giving away three gift baskets to our winners!! I can’t wait to read them!

We had a fun dinner tonight with Brady’s parents. his sister (who is home from her first semester of college) and one of her close friends!

And for tonight’s meal: Taco Bar complete with ground turkey and taco seasoned lentils (a great “meaty” taco filling!)

Some highlights:

Brady had a soccer game tonight and we just got home. I still need to pack for Thanksgiving!!!!!!! The plan is to get a workout in in the morning and take off for home!

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