3.03.2011

Looking for deals at Earthfare? Here's some from the new March ad!

Oikos Fat Free yogurt, 5.3oz assorted flavors $1.89
 *$1/1 printable (.89 each)
Sigg's Nonfat Icelandic yogurt, 6oz. assorted 2/$3
*$1/1 from Healthy Clippings (available at 14 Carrot Whole Foods in Lexington SC) (.50 each)
Country Choice Organic Toasted Oats, 18oz. assorted 2/$5
*$1/1 printable when you sign up for their newsletter (1.50 each)
Nate's Meatless Italian Meatballs $3.99
*$1/1 from Healthy Clippings (available at 14 Carrot Whole Foods in Lexington SC) (2.99 each)

PLUS, sign up to receive Earthfare's email coupons! This week is 3lbs. FREE Apples with $5 dollar purchase! (and the $5 is pre-coupon!)

Thanks to Frugally Farming Family!

Simply Sweet Treats


Think organic has to be "healthy" tasting? Expensive? Think again, with my Simply Sweet treats you'll be coming back for more! It's all about keeping it simple. Everyone needs a special treat from time to time...but make it planet friendly, seasonal, local and organic...then everyone wins! These are just a few of the most recent cakes/cupcakes I have done using all natural vegetable based colorings and local and/or organic ingredients. If you are in the Lexington/Columbia SC area and are in need of a cake, cupcake, muffins or more leave me a comment and we can set something up.

3.02.2011

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

The Lorax is my all time favorite Dr. Seuss book...a children's book that addresses deforestation, smog, animal displacement, pollution, and stewardship all at once! But the best thing to me is that the story is brought back to empower the child/children that THEY can make a difference.
If we give our kids the tools they need at a young age and teach them how to be better stewards of creation they can and will make a difference for the future...just as the Once-ler said,"...UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

Celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday this week by checking out The Lorax at your local library and teaching your child to be a better steward of creation!

3.01.2011

"Do what your afraid of...do what you love"

Tonight I had the privilege of attending a speaking event with Summer Rayne Oakes, eco-model and activist thanks to selling her book at the event for work. Let me just say that she is an inspiration!

I was surprised to learn of her love of insects and her studies, research, and publications regarding sewage waste & sludge. She also spends around 2 months each year working on sustainability projects in Mozambique. And this all began while at Cornell University. It is nice to see where people come from...it shapes who they are.

You could truly hear and see her passion for sustainability throughout her talk. I was most intrigued by the Uniform Project that she is doing for the month of March. Basically she wears one little black dress (that she helped design) everyday for the entire month of March. All this is documented and used to raise funds for her charity of choice: Charity: water. The goal is $10K which will build and train workers for 4 wells thanks to Payless Shoes matching dollar for dollar up to $10K. (learn more here)

I was so inspired and encouraged by Summer. She helped remind me that you need to do what makes you happy, you need to act on ideas you have...even if it scares you. I am not blogging just because...I blog because I care and I want others to be informed; if one person thinks twice about the groceries they purchase or the beauty items they use or tries their hand at making baby food then I am successful...and this is only the beginning.

2.28.2011

You might think twice...

You wake up, rush to jump in the shower before starting your day, and squirt your shampoo into your hand. Then it's time to lather up...with fragrance, sulfates, preservatives, phthalates, etc. At least, if you use most of the conventional shampoos that's the case. (click here for a defining list of harmful ingredients) Many of these ingredients are linked to cancers, affect reproduction, cause headaches, and cause skin irritations/damage.

Before I began couponing (yes, you can save on eco-beauty too!) or knew what was in my health & beauty products I would often purchase solely based on price. Until my husband started to have issues with his scalp. He developed red patches that itched and burned him. With in about a month of switching to a pure, all natural shampoo it cleared right up.

Once we had children I was even more concerned about what we bathed our little sprouts in and what we used on their skin. I surely didn't want to be rubbing lotion on them that contained carcinogens or washing them in something that could one day affect their reproductive system. So I did what any concerned parent of the 21st century would do...I hopped on the Internet to do some research. That's when I came across www.cosmeticsdatabase.com. An amazing site that will tell you ratings on your products along with what's in them.

We don't purchase a home without having it inspected ourselves and we shouldn't purchase a health & beauty product without knowing what it's effects may be.

Take the time, educate yourself and make earth-friendly, health conscience decisions.

2.27.2011

Sunday's Eco Inspiration

"You shall not pollute the land in which you live...you shall not defile the land in which you live, in which I also dwell; for I the Lord dwell among the Israelites." Numbers 35:33-34

Take this with you this week as you live, work and play...try and tread a little lighter on this wonderful land which the Lord has provided us; after all He (as the Holy Spirit) dwells among us.

2.26.2011

Saved 68% at Publix!

Yes, that is 40 cans of organic diced tomatoes...

Typically I am not one to "stock up" on items (for one, I don't have the space) but at .40 cents a can I couldn't pass this deal up! 

Total Before Savings: 142.98
Total Savings: 96.67
Actual Cost: 46.31
And almost everything is organic!

Here's the deals:

Publix Buy Theirs, Get Ours:

Newman's Own Salsa 2.59 x2 (.50 coupon from newspaper, $1 FB printable)
GreenWise Organic Salsa FREE x2

Heinz Organic Ketchup 2.99
Publix GreenWise Organic Ketchup FREE

Muir Glen Organic Diced Tomatoes 1.67 x20 ($1 off two printable, .75 off one printable, $1 off 2 Publix coupon x10, $5 off 20 item publix coupon)
Publix GreenWise Organic Diced Tomatoes FREE x20

Other Deals:

Alma Organic Pastas on sale B1G1 $1 each x6

Gortons Frozen fish  (wild caught!) B1G1 (.50 off coupon from newspaper, $1 off coupon printable, .75 off Publix coupon)

Liberte yogurt (not organic but RBrH free and pastured dairy) 10 for $8 ($1 off 3 coupon from earthfare coupons x3)

Talenti Gelato (pure ingredients, hormone free dairy) B1G1 2.35 each x2 ($1 off coupons from earthfare coupons x2)

Almond Milk 2.50 each ($1 off coupon from newspaper, .75 off Publix Yellow Advantage Flyer)

Athenos Yogurt (RBrH free, no fillers) $1 each ($1 off coupon, printable)

Muir Glen Organic Soup 1.67 each ($1 off coupon from Healthy Clippings x2, $1 off 2 Publix coupon)

Sprout Organic Baby Food (yes, I make mine but when traveling the resealable packets are wonderful!) .99 each x8 (B1G1 coupons [no longer available] x4)

Florida Organic Strawberries 2/$5 (price honored from greenwise sales flyer online)

Smart Balance Organic Spread B1G1 (price honored from greenwise sales flyer online) $1.90 each ($1 off 2 printable coupon)

We also ran to Babies R Us tonight and got some other great deals:

All Annies items are B1G1 50% off so we purchased some mac-n-cheese for quick meal nights

Honest Kids pouches are 2 for $6 and we needed juice so that one was an ok deal (the honest kids/tea site is being updated so I couldn't print the coupons and nothing has yet to beat .99 each at Publix!)

Tomorrow I will be going to 14 Carrot Whole Foods for their 30% off produce sale and we should be set!

Tell me about your shopping successes and remember, you CAN shop locally, organically and naturally on a budget!