Christmas Shopping and Giveaways

What all are you shopping for this year?  Are you all about the deals?  Here's a list of some of the cool deals/blogs/giveaways I've come across....

Shutterfly- giveaway 50 free cards if you blog about them (check out my other blog)
How Does She, Love Stitched- Silhouette giveaways--- have you seen these machines?!  Go HERE to see them.  Makes me crafty just thinking about it!
*and here's another list of all the places giving these away...HERE at The Idea Room.
Canvas People - I just uploaded one of our Christmas pictures to the Canvas People and can't WAIT to get it!  Best of all--- I only paid shipping ($14.95) for an 8x10 canvas- full price they are $50 bucks!  I found this HERE .  (and now...after looking around I found the "free shipping " code!  ugh!  At least I got the canvas for free, huh?!)
Also, if you're in the Memphis area...check this out.

Okay--- that's all I have right now...do you have any good deals or giveaways you want to let us all in on?!

HAPPY SHOPPING!

If you're a member of the greatest GREEN company out there--- don't forget one of your membership benefits---

MARKETPLACE!

It's a great place to go today for all of your holiday shopping- from the convenience of home-- not out with all the other crazies!  {sorry if you're one of those--- my husband is too--- but he did finish up shopping for all the men in our life today while out!}  But I am having the luxury of shopping in my pj's while little one is napping, and getting so many of those same deals online!

HAPPY SHOPPING FOLKS!

Those Darn Fitted Sheets!

Okay-- so not too many things around the house can get me aggravated (besides the fact that no matter how many times the dishes get done, there always seems to be more to do!) but those darn fitted sheets used to always give me a fit!  Most times they ended up wadded into a big ball (because we have a king size bed) and thrown into the top of the linen closet until needed.  Now I'm not one who irons my sheets, but I did hate it when I would pull out said sheet and it would be terribly wrinkled!  So my dear aunt one day showed me and my mom her trick.  Maybe you know it already- but for the rest of you fitted-sheet-haters- don't be scared-- you show that fitted sheet who the domestic queen of your house is!! 

*Note- I used a crib sheet because it was the easiest thing to take pictures of*

the crumpled fitted sheet

Okay- turn one side inside out...

fold in half....

tuck it into itself.  then turn one corner out and....

tuck it into the other corner.

now you have a rectangle of sorts.  all of your fitted sides should be tucked into each other in one corner.

smooth out and fold up!  there you have it folks!  a nice fitted sheet, folded correctly!

So- hope that helped and wasn't too confusing!  First time taking pictures of a process like that!  Maybe next time I'll go into picnic and do some cool pics with instructions and arrows and all that cool stuff!

Now--- go fold some sheets! 

How Do You Do It?!

EXERCISE!

How do you do it??  I can't ever seem to find the time or energy or "get up and go" to get out and get going!  I have tried to convince my dear hubby that we need an elliptical or treadmill, but he has repeatedly told me it would be a waste of space and eventually turn into another place to hang clothes! I mean, he could be right- but seriously- I can't leave the house during naptime, by night time when hubby is home I am just plain pooped, and I would have to get up before the rooster crows to do it in the mornings!  I guess I like my sleep too much??  (Of course if I were more disciplined, I'd be in bed before 10 and might could handle it.) 

I would like to convince myself that my everyday activities are enough- carrying a hefty 8+ month old around (which is really just making my hips out of whack), running up and down the stairs, and just the everyday hustle and bustle.  But I know that if I were to go outside right now and run to the end of the street and back- I.might.just.die.  I mean let's face it- none of us are as young as we were ten years ago!  I mean, for Pete's sake- I'm finding gray hairs in my always-turning-darker-no-longer-blonde hair!! 

So my question is this- how do you do it?  When do you find the time?  Are you consistent with it?  Please tell me I'm not the only one!!!!

Don't read this.......

unless you want to be convicted on yours and your children's eating habits!!  Wow!  Some pretty heavy stuff- but SUCH a good read!  {borrowed from fellow internet ceo mom}  Feel free to leave your comments and let me know what you think!  What are your family's healthy eating habits??

9 Foods Not to Give Your Kids

By Joe Wilkes

If you've followed the news on childhood obesity lately, you know the state of affairs is pretty grim. Childhood obesity rates have tripled over the past two decades, and most signs point to the next generation being the first whose life expectancy will be shorter than their parents'. Much of the blame for this trend has deservedly been laid at the feet of the producers and marketers of unhealthy food aimed at our youngest consumers, whose parents face an uphill battle: trying to pit fresh, healthy foods devoid of mascots or sidekicks against superheroes and cartoon animals in a struggle to tempt their children's palates and stomachs.

Since most kids have hummingbird metabolisms that adults can only envy, it's often easy to give them a free pass and let them eat whatever they want. But eventually those metabolisms slow down and the pounds settle in. Also, as physical activity decreases and processed food intake increases annually, kids aren't burning calories the way their parents might have when they were their age. And even if the kids aren't getting fat, they are establishing eating habits they'll take into adulthood. As parents, you can help foster a love for healthy eating and exercise that will last your kids a lifetime—hopefully a long one!
Eating can so often be a classic power struggle where kids try to finally locate their mom and dad's last nerve. (I can remember family dinners with my brother and parents that could teach Hezbollah a thing or two about standoffs.) There are a number of strategies you can use to mitigate this type of deadlock. One is to let your kids help with the selection and preparation of the food. If they picked out the veggies at the farmers' market and helped cook them, they might be less inclined to feed them to the family pet. Another is to frame eating vegetables and healthy food as being its own reward. Otherwise, by offering dessert as a reward for finishing vegetables, you create a system where unhealthy food is a treat and healthy food sucks. With these thoughts in mind, let's take a look at some of the most unhealthy foods being marketed to your kids today, and some healthier alternatives you can offer to replace each of them.
Note: The following recommendations are for school-aged children. Infants and toddlers have different specific nutritional needs, not addressed in this article.

1. Chicken nuggets/tenders. These popular kids' menu items are little nuggets of compressed fat, sodium, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), and in some form chicken. Depending on the restaurant, chicken might not even be the first ingredient. Oftentimes, the nuggets or tenders are made of ground pieces of chicken meat and skin, pressed into a shape, flavored with HFCS and salt, and batter-fried in hydrogenated oil (the bad, trans-fatty stuff). Then, as if that weren't unhealthy enough, you dunk it in a HFCS- or mayonnaise-based sauce. With all the fat, salt, and sugar, it's easy to understand why they're tasty, but the nutritive value weighed against the huge amount of calories and fat consumed is incredibly lacking. Even healthier-sounding menu items can be deceiving, like McDonald's^® Premium Breast Strips (5 pieces), which pack 665 calories and 40 grams of fat—and that's before you factor in the dipping sauce. (By comparison, a Big Mac^® with sauce has 540 calories and 29 grams of fat.) Instead: If you're cooking at home, grill a chicken breast and cut it into dipping-size pieces either with a knife or, for extra fun, cookie cutters. Make a healthy dipping sauce from HFCS-free ketchup, marinara sauce, mustard, or yogurt. Let your kids help make the shapes or mix up the sauce. Try and go without breading, but if you must, try dipping the chicken breast in a beaten egg, and then rolling it in cornflake crumbs before you bake it. It'll be crunchy and delicious, but not as fatty.
   
2. Sugary cereal. I can remember as a child, after going to friends' houses for overnights and being treated to breakfast cereals with marshmallows that turned the milk fluorescent pink or blue, feeling horribly deprived when faced with the less colorful and sugary options served up in my home kitchen. But now I can appreciate my mom and her unpopular brans and granolas. True, they didn't have any cartoon characters on the box or any toy surprises, but they also didn't have the cups of sugar, grams of fat, and hundreds of empty calories that these Saturday-morning staples are loaded with. Instead: Read the labels and try to find cereal that's low in sugar and high in fiber and whole grains. Remember, "wheat" is not the same as "whole wheat." Also, avoid cereals (including some granolas) that have hydrogenated oils, artificial colors, or chemical preservatives. Add raisins, sliced bananas, berries, or other seasonal fruit to the cereal for extra flavor and nutrition. Again, letting your child help design a healthy bowl of cereal from choices you provide will get you a little more buy-in at the breakfast table.
   
3. Lunch meat and hot dogs. Kids love hot dogs, bologna, and other processed meats, but these are all full of potentially carcinogenic nitrates and nitrites, sodium, saturated fat, and artificial colors and fillers. A study in Los Angeles found that kids who ate 12 hot dogs a month had nine times the risk of developing leukemia.¹ And more health risks are being discovered all the time. Leaf through any research about kids' nutrition, and you're bound to read about the bane of the cafeteria—Oscar Mayer's Lunchables^®. These and similar prepackaged lunches are loaded with processed meats and crackers made with hydrogenated oils. These innocent-looking meals can boast fat counts of up to 38 grams. That's as much fat as a Burger King^® Whopper^® and more than half the recommended daily allowance of fat for an adult. Instead: Get unprocessed meats, like lean turkey breast, chicken, tuna, or roast beef. Use whole wheat bread for sandwiches; or if your kid's dying for Lunchables, fill a small plastic container with whole-grain, low-fat crackers, lean, unprocessed meat, and low-fat cheese. This can be another great time to get out the cookie cutters to make healthy sandwiches more fun. For hot dogs, read labels carefully. Turkey dogs are usually a good bet, but some are pumped up with a fair amount of chemicals and extra fat to disguise their fowl origins. Look for low levels of fat, low sodium, and a list of ingredients you recognize. There are some tasty veggie dogs on the market, although a good deal of trial and error may be involved for the choosy child.
   
4. Juice and juice-flavored drinks. Juice—what could be wrong with juice? While 100 percent juice is a good source of vitamin C, it doesn't have the fiber of whole fruit, and provides calories mostly from sugar and carbohydrates. Too much juice can lead to obesity and tooth decay, among other problems. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests 4 to 6 ounces of juice per day for kids under six, and 8 to 12 ounces for older kids. Juice drinks that aren't 100 percent juice are usually laced with artificial colors and that old standby, high fructose corn syrup, and should be avoided. Your best bet is to make your own juice from fresh, seasonal fruit. You won't have to worry about all the additives, and it's another way you can involve your kids in the cooking process. Let them design their own juice "cocktail." (And if you were even considering soda, see "Top 10 Reasons to Give Up Soda" in the Related Articles section below.) Instead: Water is still the best thirst quencher. Explain the importance of good hydration to your kids, and try to set a good example yourself by carrying around a healthy reusable hard plastic or stainless steel water bottle. Get your kids used to carrying a small bottle of water in their backpack or attached to their bike. If they're very water averse, try water with a splash of fruit juice in it. But just a splash. The idea is to get your kids used to not having things be overly sweet, overly salty, or overly fatty. Another great beverage is milk. Growing kids need plenty of milk (or fortified nondairy milks, like soy or almond)—which is filled with nutrients, calcium, and (in the case of dairy and soy) protein—but they don't need too much fat, so choosing low-fat or nonfat options will help ensure that they get their milk without actually beginning to resemble a cow.
   
5. French fries. High in calories, high in fat, and high in sodium—and unsurprisingly the most popular "vegetable" among kids. Fries offer virtually none of the nutrients found in broccoli, carrots, spinach, or other veggies not cooked up in a deep fryer, and the fat they're fried in is often trans fat, the unhealthiest kind for the heart. To top it all off, studies are beginning to show cancer-causing properties from acrylamide, a toxic substance that is created when starchy foods like potatoes are heated to extreme temperatures. In some tests, the amount of acrylamide in French fries was 300 to 600 times higher than the amount the EPA allows in a glass of water.² Instead: Vegetables like baby carrots, celery sticks, and other crudités are great options, but if potatoes must be had, there are some options that don't involve melting a brick of fat. A scooped-out potato skin with low-fat chili and a little cheese can provide lots of fiber and vitamins, with even higher amounts if the chili has beans. You can also try making baked fries, using slices of potato with a light brushing of olive oil. Or the classic baked potato could be a hit, with plain yogurt or cottage cheese instead of sour cream and butter.
   
6. Potato chips, Cheetos^®, Doritos^®, etc. These are full of fat, oftentimes saturated, and way more sodium than any child or adult should eat. Some chips also have the acrylamide problem discussed in #5, French fries, above. Also, watch out for innocent-seeming baked and low-fat chips that contain olestra or other fake fats and chemicals that could present health issues for kids. Instead: Kids gotta snack, and in fact, since their stomachs are smaller, they aren't usually able to go as long between meals as adults. Cut-up vegetables are the best thing if your kids want to get their crunch on, but air-popped popcorn and some baked chips are okay, too. You can control how much salt goes on the popcorn, or involve your child in experimenting with other toppings like red pepper, Parmesan cheese, or dried herbs. Try making your own trail mix with your kids. They might be more excited to eat their own personal blend, and that way you can avoid certain store-bought trail mixes, which sometimes contain ingredients like chocolate chips and marshmallows that aren't exactly on the healthy snack trail.
   
7. Fruit leather. Many of these gelatinous snacks like roll-ups or fruit bites contain just a trace amount of fruit, but lots of sugar or HFCS and bright artificial colors. Don't be misled by all the products that include the word "fruit" on their box. Real fruit is in the produce section, not the candy aisle. Instead: If your child doesn't show interest in fruit in its natural state, there are some ways you can make it more interesting without losing its nutritional value. For a healthy frozen treat, try filling ice-cube or frozen-pop trays with fruit juice or freezing grapes. Or buy unflavored gelatin and mix it with fruit juice and/or pieces of fruit to make gelatin treats without the added sugar and color (let it solidify in big flat casserole dishes or roasting pans—another good time for the cookie cutters!) Try serving some raisins, dried apricots, apples, peaches, or other dried fruits that might give you that chewy, leathery texture without the sugar.
   
8. Doughnuts. These little deep-fried gobs of joy are favorites for kids and adults alike, but they are full of fat and trans-fatty acids, and of course, sugar. Toaster pastries, muffins, and cinnamon buns aren't much better. The worst thing about doughnuts and these other pastries, aside from their nutritional content, is that they're often presented to children as acceptable breakfast choices. These delicious deadlies need to be categorized properly—as desserts, to be eaten very sparingly. And you can't have dessert for breakfast. Instead: Honestly, a slice of whole wheat toast spread with sugar-free fruit spread or peanut butter isn't going to get as many fans as a chocolate-filled Krispy Kreme^® doughnut, but at some point, you have to stand firm. Be the cop who doesn't like doughnuts. Doughnuts—not for breakfast. Period.
   
9. Pizza. In moderation, pizza can be a fairly decent choice. If you order the right toppings, you can get in most of your food groups. The problem comes with processed meats like pepperoni and sausage, which add fat and nitrates/nitrites (see #3, Lunch meat and hot dogs, above); and the overabundance of cheese, which will also provide more calories and fat than a child needs. Instead: Try making your own pizza with your kids. Use premade whole wheat crusts, or whole wheat tortillas, English muffins, or bread as a base. Then brush on HFCS-free sauce, and set up a workstation with healthy ingredients like diced chicken breast, sliced turkey dogs, and vegetables that each child can use to build his or her own pizza. Then sprinkle on a little cheese, bake, and serve. If your child gets used to eating pizza like this, delivery pizzas may seem unbearably greasy after awhile.
   

Someday your children will come to realize that caped men in tights and sponges who live under the sea might not have their best interests at heart when it comes to food. Until then, however, why not involve them in the process of selecting and preparing healthier alternatives? Some of these cleverly disguised wholesome foods might become their favorites. Who knows, they may even tempt some of the overgrown children among us!

• ¹Peters J, et al. "Processed meats and risk of childhood leukemia (California, USA)" Cancer Causes & Control 5: 195-202, 1994
• ²Tareke E, Rydberg P, Karlsson P, et al. "Analysis of acrylamide, a carcinogen formed in heated foodstuffs" J. of Agri and Food Chem. 2002;50:4988-5006

**After posting this article to my page, I received an email from a lady who works on the Lunchables team.  She provided me with the following information regarding the Lunchables line:

My name is Tiasha Stevenson and I work for the Lunchables team. I read your blog post about the 9 Foods Not To Give Your Kids. We appreciate the intent of your story and wanted to let you know that as a brand, we are always looking for ways to make our products better. As a result, we are constantly evaluating the nutritional profile of our food.

 

The piece mentions that Lunchables could have fat counts up to 38g per serving and that is not true. In fact, the new line of Lunchables offers more wholesome options like lean meats, spring water and even whole-piece fruit. 

 

Other enhancements of the line include:

• Turkey made with 100% turkey breast (a good source of protein)
• Bread made with whole grain
• Kraft 2% milk cheese (an excellent source of calcium)
• Unsweetened apple sauce
• DOLE Mandarin Oranges in 100% fruit juices
• Spring water

We are also working to include positive nutrients such as whole grains and fruit in our products. We now have 32 items that are made with at least 5g of whole grain including products with crackers, pizza crusts, and subs. Four of our offerings contain either unsweetened applesauce or mandarin oranges in 100% fruit juice. 

 

Did You Take Your Vitamins This Morning?!

Most of us didn't...

But did you know that our body doesn't produce the vitamins and minerals we need?  Did you eat your 5 servings of fruits and vegetables yesterday?  I know for me, life gets in the way- I ate lunch on the run yesterday-- and I was at home all day!  Getting enough nutrition isn't just good for our health- but it can really make a difference in how we FEEL!  So I'm putting a challenge out there for you-- take your vitamins and see how you feel after a week...after a month...after a couple months!  Especially with the holiday season coming up, we'll all need that extra dose of energy!  Fast food isn't designed to give us all the nutrition we need...but I know I'm just as guilty as anyone else at making that stop through the "eat more chicken" line and getting that fabulous glass of sweet tea or coke!  It's just too convenient!  So let's make a pact together- vitamins and more water...anyone with me?!

Check out some facts on getting the most out of your vitamins here.

Are your "green" products really green?

There is such a movement nowadays for green and organic products.  And while it's a great start to living healthier lives- is it really green?  Companies aren't required to put all ingredients on their labels- chemicals that are less than 1% usually aren't on there.  And those are the harmful ones.  Now- most of them aren't that bad in such small doses- but think about how often you use those products.  If it's one of your "staples" you might want to be more selective!  If you want to learn more about products made of formulas powered by natural and naturally derived solvents instead of caustic chemicals, and trigger sprayers (instead of aerosols) designed to reduce the chances of inhalation, contact me and I'll be more than happy to share how you can get these fantastic products in your home!  I don't sell them or deliver- I just set up customer memberships so you can have the same access to them as I do- plus all the great benefits of membership! 

And what better time than now?!  You can join for just $1, order your products, and see for yourself!

$1 Can Change Your Life!

I know it did for us!  I joined up with Internet Ceo Moms and our partner company last April during a $1 enrollment promotion.  Now that I have been a member for 6 months, I KNOW that I would have joined for the regular membership fee of $29!  It has been one of the best investments I could have made for our family!  Not only am I able to shop for safer products for my family, I am able to bring home some extra income for us as well!  So where's the risk in spending $1 to join a GREAT company and earn some extra income, too?!  They have a fantastic customer referral compensation plan- so you don't even have to make it a business if you're not up for that!  But I know I have, and these days, every little bit helps!  This promotion lasts until October 20, so contact me TODAY to learn how to get started and shopping!!

We have just started Miles on the kid's vitamin supplements.  I have been reading up on the science behind our vitamin line and am learning all sorts of interesting things!  I am definitely not a chemistry person, but learning about how our bodies absorb vitamins and how much they help supplement our health has been so neat!  Email me if you'd like some more information on this!  I would love to share a video with you on the science behind our vitamins!

Impulse Shopper...

Oh Target...how I love thee...let me count the aisles...


I had one of these nights tonight...I just walked and walked and walked {sans kiddos}.  Our Target has a Starbucks right there in front...and while I'm not a coffee drinker, it has turned just cool enough that one did sound really yummy!  But I passed...because I was determined NOT to impulse buy tonight!

Of course I have done all of my household shopping this month already through our partner company, so my shopping tonight was just for a baby gift...but somehow I walked out of there with more than was on my list!  (And, of course, I forgot the toilet paper!)

BUT....

That was the first time I have done that in a LONG time!  My days of shopping for detergent, cleaners, vitamins, etc, are over!  Worrying if the store brand is as good as the name brand, clipping coupons for such items, wondering if the "safer" products really are safer...all over!!  Thus, my IMPULSE buying days are over (for the most part-- I mean, I am a woman!)  I can't tell you the number of times I walked into ___(insert store name)___ to get just a few items and that trip would turn into a ---basket-full, how many plastic bags can I fill, way more money than I meant to spend--- trip!  And you just leave the store feeling so defeated and a little ashamed because you know you're going to have to explain the trip to the hubster!!  UGH!

This month, I bought what I needed AND was able to use one of my many perks to receive a few extra items I had been wanting to try out-- for FREE!  YAY!

Oh, and my pantry floors are no longer filled with all the plastic bags from the store that I always had good intentions of taking back to the store to recycle!  Just a few grocery store bags from going to the store for weekly groceries!  I really do need to start using those reusable bags, though!  I have some...that will be my next thing to work on...maybe a post about that in the near future!

HAPPY SHOPPING!

...from another team member's site...

As I was wandering around the internet tonight, doing my procrastinating by "blog stalking", I came across this team member's site and really enjoyed reading this--- you can read it here.

Enjoy!

My Support Team

How much fun is it to work at something alone?!  I mean, I know there are some things that are more well-suited to working alone, but when it comes to work- I'd much rather be a part of a TEAM!

When I was working full-time in the school system, I always collaborated with the teachers on my hall.  Then when I went to part-time as an Intervention Coach, I wasn't effectively working with the students if I didn't check with their classroom teacher to see what they needed help with!  Even now, as a homeschooling tutor/teacher, I work with a friend- and it is so true- two heads are better than one!  We can bounce ideas off of one another, support and encourage each other--- you get the picture!

I think that one of the things that drew me to working with Internet CEO Moms is that I wouldn't be working alone!  My mentor Kristie approached me with this opportunity from the position of building a business together!!  And that's what she's done- she is a great helper and is always there when I need her to answer questions!  And we don't even live in the same state!  In fact, her mentor Bonnie lives on the other side of the country from us!  And I have been on the phone with even her at times!  I know that when I need something- there will always be someone there to answer my questions or encourage me!  Here are their real-life photos if you don't believe me!!  (Bonnie, Kristie, Jeannie)

 

                                                                       

There are weekly team calls, website support, a wealth of information in our team room, not to mention our great  company that we're partnered with and all of their support.  I have never had any problems with customer service or any customers with issues that weren't resolved quickly as well!  

So that being said- if you're looking to start a home business- make sure you research the team you'll be working with and what type of support and training they offer you!  If any of this blogpost has gotten your curiosity up about my team- take a minute to check out my official Internet CEO Moms website!

www.internetceomoms.com/lgdarby

I hope you find what you're looking for!

Check out these groups on Facebook:

One Million Women Working From Home

Internet CEO Moms

Moms Helping Moms!

I came across this website of member of some Internet CEO Moms- the home business I am a member of (aside from my membership to the wellness company). It has some great testimonials of moms just like me who wanted to be able to be home with their families! Hope you enjoy reading these! If it inspires you to take that next step in making your dreams of being a SAHM, or even a working mom with some extra income on the side, let me know and I'll be glad to help you get your business started!

Enjoy!!

www.ceomomstories.com

Extra Cash, What?!

When you are a member (which is just a one-time membership fee of $29), and you refer another member, you get a "thank you" check each month when your referral makes their monthly purchase! What a deal! It may start off small, but just think, if you make a few referrals in a month's time, that check could get bigger and bigger each month! And there are always new incentives to enroll more folks! Where's the risk in that?! You don't have to take any orders or deliver any products- just simply help your friends and families enroll in a company that makes green, safer products for your home and family!

Want to get started today?! Contact me at lgd625AThotmailDOTcom

Kid-Friendly

Who doesn't L.O.V.E. the smell of a clean baby?! I know it ranks right up there with the smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies for me! Our product offers that same great smell as store brands- just without all the yucky stuff that really is harmful to our precious little one's skin and forming bodies!

I don't want to be labeled as a conspiracy theorist, but have you read up on what is actually in baby products? Good rule of thumb-- if you can't pronounce it, then do you really want to put it on your baby? Or yourself for that matter?!

Our line carries body wash, shampoo, toothpaste (training for newbies and regular for experienced brushers), floss, that cool foamy handwash, and vitamins all specially created for the kiddos of moms and dads who are concerned about what all is going into and onto their bodies!

Just food for thought tonight!

Contact me for more info on how to get a hold of these for YOUR kids!

Tea Tree Oil

found this on a fellow Internet CEO Mom's blog! Enjoy!

Tea tree oil has been around for well over 5000 years. The real name for the oil is called Melaleuca Alterfornia and it is a tree that grows in New South Wales, Australia. When the Aborigine's lived in Australia, they used to brew the leaves and drink it for certain ailments, hence the name Tea tree oil. In 1922 a researcher from the Australian goverment named Dr. A.R. Penfold did an extensive study on Melaleuca oil and to his surprise discovered that the oil had many healing properties. Dr. Penfold found that it was a very powerful antiseptic. It healed cuts, abrasions, skin conditions, burns, and insect bites. By WWII, every Australian soldier had a bottle of Melaleuca oil in their first aid kit. It was known as "the medicine kit in a bottle."

After WWII, many people switched from natural remedies to prescribed drugs as this industry really started to grow rapidly. Melaleuca oil was introduced in 1980's to the U.S. and it's popularity is growing more and more. But be aware that some companies say their Tea tree oil is 100% pure and they're really not. I purchase 100% PURE...the finest Tea tree oil in the country!

So what does Melaleuca oil do?

It is a natural antiseptic, it heals, it penetrates below the skin surface to soothe and heal. It has a great smell!

It is used it for...psoriasis, dry skin, hair, showering, cleaning my house, doing laundry, preventing infections, disinfecting...etc. I use it on everything. I actually buy my everyday products from a great store that has the Tea tree oil mixed in already. But I do keep my trusty concentrated Melaleuca oil on hand at all times. Finally, products that really work without poisoning my family with harmful chemicals. Wow!!! I'm sooooo blessed to have found you!

{frugal mama}

Well, our conversion to all green household products is just about complete! I was bathing the other day and looked around the shower to realize that we have all family- and earth-friendly products in there! Shampoo/conditioner, shaving cream (for me and J), body wash, foot scrub, kids soap, bar soap---I am a firm believer in using every last drop before throwing away- so this was a great accomplishment for us! HA! The rest of our home is getting there- still have a bottle of cleaner and floor cleaner for my wood floors- but I am already stocked up on their replacement! Call me crazy---or cheap----or rather- {FRUGAL}.

Which brings me to my next point...if I am so {frugal} then you know this conversion is definitely worth the money I am spending on these products rather than using the coupon system and going to Wal-Mart (just one example). That way can definitely save some major money and I have friends who are excellent at it- but this has definitely made me feel as though I am doing something GREAT for my family's health. I already know each month I am going to spend a certain amount with my wellness company, so I am more apt to try new things out- things I may not normally get at Wal-Mart or Target. For example- I am not a big make-up person. It is rare that I complete my makeup routine on any given day. My eyes are highly sensitive to make-up (even the more costly store brands) and ever since I got married I haven't been able to convince myself that going to the department store to spend the money on make-up is worth it (again...{frugal} that's a stretch- we'll go with {cheap} on that one.) But this past month in my order, I needed a few more points to add to my shopping cart- so I figured- why not! I have worn eye shadow AND mascara the past few days and my eyes have been just fine! I already have another shade picked out and in my shopping cart for my September order!

So from one {frugal} mama to another--- let me help you switch your home over to safer products that can help lead your family to a healthier lifestyle! After all- one good decision leads to another! (taken from the Nutri-Grain bars commercial- ha!)

Shampoo/Conditioner

Okay, to be honest- when I received my big ol' pack of new products a couple months ago and started trying them out- I was not sold on the shampoo and conditioner. BUT it was only because they sent me the hydrating shampoo! My hair does NOT need any extra hydration! Plus, living in the SOUTH in the SUMMER- who does?!? So with my loyalty dollars (bonus $ for buying products), I was able to get a different type- clarifying- and DEFINITELY love it! It makes my hair so soft- I don't even have to condition every day! More like once a week! Pleasant smell, good product- comparable to salon brands. Now- if only they had hair color...but I think no matter how you get around it- there are harsh and toxic chemicals in that stuff! Guess I'll leave that to my hair stylist!

Retail Partners

Now this post isn't exactly about their products, but is another great feature! The company is partnered with over 600 stores and businesses online to bring you discounts or rebates just for shopping! We got a rebate check for $9 in the mail just yesterday for shopping at Target and Vistaprint online! I'll be doing my online Christmas shopping through them for sure!

My "Magic" Cleaner!

One of the best products I've started using is a multi-purpose cleaner- I mean it gets out anything and everything! It can be used at full strength or diluted. I also received a list of 100 things to do with it! It has everything from bug repellent to wall-paper removal to stain treatments- crayon, ink, oil! And remember- all of these products are free of caustic and harmful chemicals, so it smells great and can be used just about anywhere! Even when cleaning around pets and kids! I wish I had been thinking to grab my camera when we were painting upstairs-- some dark blue paint splattered onto our very light beige carpets! I got out a few drops of my "magic" cleaner and it got the paint out of the carpet! So no proof with pictures- but I was thinking a few days back when I went to clean my doors of the sweet little dirty handprints and scuff marks that get on the pantry doors particularly! These pictures don't really do it justice- so I'll have to post some more, but you can get a general idea!

Before:

After:

Laundry Detergent

Can I just say that I LOVE the smell of my laundry detergent?! I never thought I'd be blogging about laundry detergent!!

There are so many great things about it:

• because it is 6x concentrated, I only have to use about 2 tbsp of detergent...not only that, there is a pump that squirts out exactly the right amount! No more pouring out into a cup- I can just squirt it right into the washing machine! A man MUST have invented this pump!
• who doesn't love fresh smelling laundry?! There is also a scent-free, though, for those of you who don't care for it!
• you know that new HE washer you just bought? Don't worry- there is detergent for it, too!
• also because it is super concentrated, it doesn't take up much shelf space in my laundry room cabinet! No more moving bottles around or having a big bulky container taking up my whole cabinet!

So why don't you try it?!

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! I hope to use this blog to introduce you to ways and products my family is using to keep our home safe from caustic chemicals and fumes, and how we are doing our part to help keep the environment safe, as well! If you would ever like more information on how you can take a step to make your home safer for yourself and your family, please get in touch with me by leaving a comment or shooting me an email- lgd625@hotmail.com.

A little bit of info...

These products are all eco-friendly- the company is very environmentally conscious and uses less packaging, no water fillers- for example: a bottle 96 load liquid laundry detergent from grocery stores is 2x's concentrated (which actually has a lot of water filler) and comes in a HUGE bottle! This product line is 6x's concentrated and comes in a 48 oz bottle! Let's just say I'm not knocking bottles and containers around in my laundry room cabinet anymore!

Each product has a comparable grocery store brand that performs just as well (if not BETTER) than leading brands!

There are 5 product lines to keep you shopping each month: household products (cleaner, detergent, etc), bath and body (shampoo, toothpaste, etc.), vitamins and fitness, pharmacy, and cosmetics.

I would love to be your shopping coach! Let's get started, how about it?! You can get started this month for just $1! Contact me now by leaving a comment or emailing me: lgd625@hotmail.com

Check back soon for testimonials and pictures!

** If you would like more information on how to start a home business, please visit my website www.internetceomoms.com/lgdarby and request more information! **