Day 31 : A GIVEAWAY WORTH OVER $100!!!

We've come to the end of the 31 Days to a Somewhat Crunchy YOU series! Don't cry, it's okay.

My final tip for you is to Use Products From Green Minded Companies!

By supporting companies who work by standards which help save you money and protect the environment, you automatically double your impact. And that's amazing!

So today, with the help of some great companies, I have put together a prize pack that will allow you to experience products from green minded companies and have you giddy with excitement! And there are lots of ways to enter! Woo Hoo!

WHAT'S IN THE PRIZE PACK?

A two-pack of bulbs of your choice from Slyvania. Choose Halogen Supersavers or Living Spaces CFLs. Either choice will help save energy and lessen your impact on the environment.

10% OFF your next purchase from A Little Xtra Something on Etsy. She has beautiful creations from coffee cozies and key fobs to sleep masks and checkbook covers.

A trial size (seven loads) of Rockin' Green Soap plus scent cards so you can test all their marvelous scents. This soap is phosphate, dye, brightener and enzyme free!

One quart of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil from Tropical Traditions. Coconut oil, is so good for you with its MCFAs and it tastes excellent too. It is especially great with chicken!

4 oz package of Soap Nuts from Naturoli (pronounced naturally). Soap Nuts are the dried husks of soapberries. They contain a 100% natural soaping agent to clean your laundry.

4 Piece Sampler Pack in magenta from Lunapads. This mama cloth package, made from organic cotton, is a great way to try out cloth pantyliners. And they're pretty too!

GIVEAWAY RULES:

• You must be at least 18 years of age to enter
• Giveaway open to the congruent 48 states of North America only (my apologies everyone else!)
• You must leave an email address or link to a blog page with your contact information for notification purposes
• You may enter multiple times, up to 11 entries per person
• Each entry must be left IN A SEPARATE COMMENT, or it will not count

The winner will be chosen by a random number generator on Tuesday, April 6th at or around 7:00 PM EST. The winner will be contacted via email and have one week to claim the prize pack. If they do not respond within one week a new winner will be chosen.

HOW TO ENTER:

Up to 4 entries (be sure to leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry method):

1. Leave a comment telling me which product(s) you would most like to win.
2. Follow this blog via Google Friend Connect or RSS Feed (both on my right side bar) If you already follow me, comment that you do so.
3. Follow me on Twitter (click the icon on my left sidebar or look me up @SomewhatCrunchy) If you already follow me, comment that you do so
4. Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to your post

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES: Up to 7 additional entries (be sure to leave a separate comment for each tweet) You can copy and tweet each of the following phrases one time each for additional entries.

• I want to win @Sylvania light bulbs from the @SomewhatCrunchy giveaway http://tinyurl.com/yzyvlik !

• I want to win ALittleXtraSomething #Etsy coupon from the @SomewhatCrunchy giveaway http://tinyurl.com/yzyvlik !

• I want to win some @RockinGreenSoap from the @SomewhatCrunchy giveaway http://tinyurl.com/yzyvlik !

• I want to win @TropTraditions from the @SomewhatCrunchy giveaway http://tinyurl.com/yzyvlik !

• I want to win Naturoli Soap Nuts from the @SomewhatCrunchy giveaway http://tinyurl.com/yzyvlik !

• I want to win @Lunapads mama cloth from the @SomewhatCrunchy giveaway http://tinyurl.com/yzyvlik !

HAVE FUN AND GOOD LUCK!!

Day 30 : Support Something

Today's 31 Days to a Somewhat Crunchy YOU is a call to action. We crunchy types are nothing if not opinionated. We love to share our knowledge and passions with others. So in your quest to become Somewhat Crunchy, I suggest you find a cause and support it!

It doesn't have to be anything controversial, just something you believe in.

If you're passionate about helping those with alopecia or cancer, consider growing out your hair to donate to Locks of Love or Pantene's Beautiful Lengths. And encourage others to do the same!

What about getting involved at your local food bank or abused women's shelter?

Could you be a driver for Meals on Wheels? Or perhaps make lap blankets for Hospice patients? Whatever you do, large or small can make a difference!

(Additional endorsements redacted)

What about you? What causes do you support? Where do your passions lie?

Washing Cloth Diapers

Today I have the pleasure of guest posting at Mama's Laundry Talk! This is a great sight where "Mama shares tips, insights and secrets of home laundry management."Seriously, you can find the answer to any and all laundry questions there, like how to wash stuffed animals, bleach alternatives and how to keep your bedroom smelling fresh. So check it out! My post topic is how to wash cloth diapers. Enjoy!

31 Days : Alternative Foods

Now you know I couldn't do a Somewhat Crunchy YOU series without touching on hippie foods! Strange foods are one of the first things that come to mind when one meets people who are considered granola (full-on hippie) or somewhat crunchy (green-minded).

My introduction to healthy foods and the importance of eating healthy (though I don't always do it) began as a child. My mom made sure we kids got our fruits and vegetables and learned about well rounded diets and the importance of moderation.

I got further into the health food movement when I self diagnosed both my dairy allergy and Bram's dairy and tree nut allergies.

Understanding which foods are good for what is important. Knowledge of healthy foods can help you stay healthy foods or even help you heal-thy-self.

Now don't worry, I'm not going to tell you to never eat another Ho-Ho or to survive on tofu and guava juice; not all healthy foods are crazy. Take coconut oil for instance. Of all the alternatives we've tried, this has by far been my favorite change. I don't see myself giving it up. It is rich in MCFAs, helps in mineral absorption and takes more calories to burn than you ingest by eating it. And it tastes great too

But if coconut oil isn't your thing, here are a few other "crunchy" foods to consider:

• Raw Milk Products
• Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah
• Kefir (pronounced key-fur)
• Coconut Milk Kefir
• Palm Oil

How about you? What hippie foods do you enjoy?

Reduce Junk Mail : Day 28 Somewhat Crunchy YOU

Do you know how many credit card offers I received in the mail last week? Five, plus four requests for monetary donations. That does not include the junk mail sent to my husband. 3/4 of our mail is made up of solicitations!

I don't know about you, but this drives me crazy. It wastes my time, fills up my trash can thus costing me extra money and is so incredibly wasteful of our natural resources. If I can stop solicitors from knocking on my door with a simple "No Solicitors" sign, how come I must welcome them directly into my home via my mailbox?

If I wanted to apply for credit, I would have called up my credit company of choice. If I wanted to donate to the "National Foundation for Useless Pet Tricks" I would have done so already. Sometimes I want to shout "stop bothering me!"'

So lately I've been researching how to remove myself junk mail lists. I think a simple "No Solicitors" sticker on my mailbox should suffice. Unfortunately, it's a bit more complicated than it should be; but we do have options.

• DirectMail.com - This free service takes the contact information you submit and compiles it with others to create a "Do Not Contact" list for companies who use direct mail (a.k.a. junk mail).

• Precycle.com - For about $40 this group promises you will see a reduction in pre-approved credit card mailings, sweepstakes offers and more in 90 days. Plus they will plant 5 trees in honor of your sign-up.

• 888-567-8688 - This automated phone number is supposed to remove your information from all three credit bureau mailing lists.

• StopJunk.com - For just over $20 this group will send you a kit with the information you need in order to make the appropriate contacts to stop junk mail.

• 41pounds.org - For $41 this company promises to reduce your junk mail by 80-95% and covers your entire house hold for five years.

You know, as much as junk mail drives me crazy, removing yourself these lists not only benefits you and the environment, but also the companies soliciting you. They don't want to waste their money contacting people who aren't interested in their services. Getting off unwanted mailing lists is a win-win-win situation.

But once you're removed from the mailing lists, there a certain steps you may want to take in order to not get back on the lists:

• Do not enter sweepstakes
• When placing catalog orders, clearly state or write that your information is not to be shared
• Do the same with donations
• Do not reply to junk mail

Day 27 : Weatherstripping

I know what you may be thinking. Weatherstripping? But winter is over.

But just as you can lose heat in the winter, your cooling system has to work extra hard in the summer due to a drafty house. That can get expensive. You could lower your energy bill in s few simple steps.

First, check for drafts:

• Using caution to not set fire to anything, on a windy day take a lit candle and slowly trace it around door jambs and windows. Anywhere the candle flickers will alert you to a draft. Take notes of areas which need to be sealed.

• Don't stop with doors and windows. Be sure to check anywhere something enters the house from outside, like plumbing, duct work, electrical wires, vents and pumps.

Next, seal the draft with the appropriate item:

• Expanding Foam: This is great for around ducts and pipes.

• Shrinking Plastic: While not a long term solution this inexpensive, quick fix is great for windows.

• Foam Tape: Adhesive felt lined foam is great for door jambs and window sills.

• Thresholds: These handy items go on the base of your door, stopping air from seeping through

There are many other options but these are the most commonly found and least expensive options I've found.

What about you? Do you have any sealing products you love? Have you gotten creative at with household items? Do share!

Boys and Birds

It's been a whirlwind here. How about with you? I've been so busy with my Somewhat Crunchy YOU posts and life in general that I missed posting a weekly wrap-up last week! Since I have two weeks to catch up on I'll just post the highlights. The biggest news, in case you missed the announcement is:

My two little brothers-in-law have come to live with us!

We're all exited to welcome them into the fold of our family, and they're excited to be here. They'll be homeschooled alongside Bram and Fox and I think it will be a great dynamic (most days) :)

But truth be told I am a little scared to, I want to do what's best for them. And I'm sure, once the honeymoon is over, there will be some drama. As excited as they are to come here, it is still a big adjustment; they're leaving their father, public school and state. They're also experiencing things they never have before like responsibility, chores and cause and effect. That's a lot!

The eldest is 14, I think he's quite brilliant and I have a sneaking suspicion public school was holding him back. My prayer is that I can provide him the tools and opportunity to soar academically. He does, however, have some deep seated character issues we will be slowly addressing like lying and vengefulness, but I trust God will guide us in the best way to foster honesty, love and compassion.

The younger is 12. He is a sweet, sweet spirit. Always kind, always selfless, giving and helpful. But he has some pretty severe learning delays I will need strength and guidance to walk him through. I'm in uncharted waters. I've explained some of the issues on Saturday Reader's Questions on the Homeschool Classroom. So if you've dealt with learning delays, please check it out and give me some advice!

Both boys have great senses of humor and are little engineers, they can build a city out of two toothpicks and barbie hair. (I'm exaggerating-but they're good) And super artistic.

I think this will be great for Fox and Bram but it will be a big adjustment for them too. Massive amounts of patience and sharing will be required on their parts, but I think the rewards will be just as big.

In other news, we had a fun impromptu science adventure two weeks ago. A strange bird, the size of a small duck, landed in our yard and wouldn't move. It allowed us to come right up to it. Fox thought it was cool and so did I, but I was all:

"Don't touched the diseased bird children, you could catch something!"

After an exhaustive internet search we found that it was a Horned Grebe, a migratory water bird. When it became obvious that it wasn't going to fly off on it's own, even though it could use its wings, I let Fox pick it up (with gloves of course). Its belly was a little bloody, it had been hit or attacked.

It was time to let our dogs out to use the bathroom; Irish Setters, bird dogs, and I figured that wasn't a good idea with an injured bird in our midst.

So I called around to see if there were any bird sanctuaries near by and was repeatedly told that in PA there are huge fines for messing with wildlife and if I were to call the game warden they'd most likely just kill it.

So we packed the bird in a cat carrier and sneakily went down to the pond behind our house. He went NUTS when he saw the water. We let him out and he went right into the pond and began swimming around. So I hope his story had a happy ending.

Linked To:

Weekly Wrap Up at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers

31 Days to a Somewhat Crunchy YOU - Participate, Participate

Today's Somewhat Crunchy YOU tip is less of a tip and more of an announcement, but it ties into the theme of doing what you can when you can to conserve. Whether it be energy, water or money, every little bit makes a difference!

And a great opportunity to make a difference is to participate in Earth Hour 2010. Have you heard about it? If not, don't worry. I hadn't either until Alicia from Making Time for Mommy tweeted about it.

So what is Earth Hour? It's an initiative to inspire people, companies and landmarks, around the world, to turn off their lights for one hour on March 27th, 8PM, your local time. Their agenda is heavily based on the Global Warming theory, and y'all know I don't buy into that 100%. But whether I agree or not, saving such vast amounts of energy and natural resources is definitely a good thing. Here's what EarthHour.org has to say about the initiative:

MISSION:

On Earth Hour hundreds of millions of people, organizations, corporations and governments around the world will come together to make a bold statement about their concern for climate change by doing something quite simple—turning off their lights for one hour. In the U.S. where we are already feeling the impacts of climate change, Earth Hour sends a clear message that Americans care about this issue and want to turn the lights out on dirty air, dangerous dependency on foreign oil and costly climate change impacts, and make the switch to cleaner air, a strong economic future and a more secure nation.

Participation is easy. By flipping off your lights on March 27th at 8:30 p.m. local time you will be making the switch to a cleaner, more secure nation and prosperous America. View thetoolkits, to find out what else you can do to get involved including leading the Earth Hour movement in your community.

SET YOUR CLOCK

On Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. local time, Earth Hour will once again cascade around the globe, from New Zealand to Hawaii

SPARKING A MOVEMENT

Since its inception three years ago, Earth Hour’s non-partisan approach has captured the world’s imagination and became a global phenomenon. Nearly one billion people turned out for Earth Hour 2009 – involving 4,100 cities in 87 countries on seven continents.

Last year, 80 million Americans and 318 U.S. cities officially voted for action with their light switch, joining iconic landmarks from around the world that went dark for Earth Hour, including:

• Empire State Building
• Brooklyn Bridge
• Broadway Theater Marquees
• Las Vegas Strip
• United Nations Headquarters
• Golden Gate Bridge
• Seattle’s Space Needle
• Church of Latter-Day Saints Temple
• Gateway Arch in St. Louis
• Great Pyramids of Giza
• Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens
• Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro
• St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City
• Big Ben and Houses of Parliament in London
• Elysee Palace and Eiffel Tower in Paris
• Beijing’s Birds Nest and Water Cube
• Symphony of Lights in Hong Kong
• Sydney’s Opera House

So set your alarms, do what you need to in order to remember to "Turn off that light!" And don't forget to participate in Sylvania's Earth Day Challenge. It's not too late!

Somewhat Crunchy YOU, Day 25 : Recycle or Donate Your Electronics

So, we're in the home stretch of 31 Days to a Somewhat Crunchy YOU! Thanks for coming along with me on this journey, I hope you've learned something. I know I've learned a lot from all of you.

If you've hung in here with me the last 25 days, I'm sure you've noticed a pattern. All the tips offered here are simple ones which will help you save money or better the environment. All involve simplifying and/or reusing.

And today's tip is no different. The next time you upgrade to a new cell phone or computer, or the fridge goes on the fritz; consider donating or recycling them.

We've talked about the huge amount of waste generated from something as small as a coffee sleeve, so you can imagine the magnitude of tossing appliances and electronics, many of which can contain lead and mercury.

Thankfully there are other options.

If your product is in good working order, donate it! There are plenty of communities looking for and needing decent freebies-anything from gently worn cell phones, coffee pots, televisions, microwaves, computers, refrigerators-you name it. A few places to start would be:

• Your local library
• A homeless shelter
• A food bank
• An abused women's shelter
• Second hand appliance stores

If your product has seen better days, and you be embarrassed to try to pawn it off as a donation then consider recycling. Unfortunately, this is not yet as easy as hauling stuff to the dump and may require a little more work on your part, but it is well worth it. Try these helpful options to find a recycling option near you:

• Earth 911 (for recycling centers)
• Digital Tips (right side bar to search near you)
• Charity Guide (recycling cell phones)

My Family is Growing!

No, I'm not pregnant (but wouldn't that be fantastic?!

Do you remember my prayer request concerning my little brothers-in-law? Well, God has seen fit to answer us with a YES! They will be moving in tomorrow evening and I will be loving and homeschooling and raising them alongside my two boys.

I don't know how long they'll be with us, it is up to their father, my father-in-law. I hope from now until their graduation. My father-in-law is sharing their guardianship with my husband and myself; that makes it much easier for me to facilitate their education and to have them treated medically if need be (let's hope not).

They are aged 12 and 14 and you will be getting to know them better over the next few months. But for now, I just had to make the announcement. I've been sitting on this for weeks and I was about to burst!