Eco Friendly Cleaning Tools That Truly Have Come Full Circle - Product Review

by Janis Brett Elspas

MommyBlogExpert.blogspot.com

For years,  individuals like actor turned environmentalist and author Ed Begley have been professing about the green home lifestyle.   Thankfully, partially as a result of such activists, eco friendly green cleaning supplies without harmful chemicals are getting easier to find and progressively, more affordable to buy.

Now, as a new generation embraces the cause to save our planet, still more innovations have emerged.  A case in point is Full Circle Home, a New York company co-founded by two young people, Heather Tomasetti and Tal Chitayat, which now is successfully marketing a new category of green, stylish and functional tools for housekeeping unlike any seen before.

Answering consumer demand for cleaning tools that are not only eco-friendly, but quality-made, functional and good looking too, Full Circle offers a comprehensive line of products made from sustainable and renewable resources, ranging from natural bristle blend scrub brushes and plant-based fiber sponges -- both with sleek, bamboo handles -- to pot scrubbers that fully biodegrade.  Currently, the company's ecologically responsible household products include 17 different cleaning brushes, sponges and cloths plus -- added just recently -- several make your own natural cleaning solution kits.  

One of the more unique things about these eco household products is that the consumable parts of the brand's scrub brushes (both the sponge and bristle types) are easily removed and fully replaceable.   In the photo here you see my personal favorite Full Circle Home Tool: the Suds Up Dish Brush with removable head.  I just love the way this feels in my hand when doing dishes.  What's more is that like all the other handle products it is made with Bonterra, an earth friendly plant-based plastic.

Considering in the US alone that if just one plastic scrub brush per household gets thrown out every year, that’s an estimated 120 million brushes ending up in our land fills that will take more than 1000 years before they start to break down.  Another important point:  Full Circle products' handles are made with bamboo, an easy and fast to grow plant, and that other parts of their tools are composed of naturally occurring, renewable resources such as cellulose and loofah -- all of which will fully biodegrade.

After trying each of the tools pictured in this post in our kitchen and around the house, I have to admit that I was quite surprised that these hip, modern-looking products actually did a superior job cleaning.  That's even when I compared them to similar, yet more utilitarian household helpers I had previously relied on.   Following these at-home product tests, I was equally floored (no pun intended) that the suggested retail prices of all the Full Circle Home products I tried are affordably priced, ranging from just $3.99 to $9.99 per item.  Better yet, shipping is always free, whether one product from them or many, if you buy direct.

Full Circle Home products have been receiving a lot of buzz lately, including mentions or accolades by high circulation media such as All You Magazine, Woman's Day, and Martha Stewart's Home Design blog -- among others.  After experiencing the line myself, all the exposure this green company has gotten lately makes perfect sense.  All Full Circle products are widely available direct from the brand's website as well as at stores nationwide.

Now It's Your Turn - Please Comment
What are you doing in your own home to live greener today for an even greener tomorrow for your kids?  I encourage you to leave a comment and share what matters most to you.

FTC Disclosure:  MommyBlogExpert received the collection of nine products pictured at the top of this post from Full Circle Home to facilitate this review but did not receive any other compensation for this blogpost.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Bubble Gum Pink Flower Couture Crochet Toddler Hat for Fall That Carrie Bradshaw Would Love

by Janis Brett Elspas

MommyBlogExpert.blogspot.com

As a columnist for Zulily's Blog I wanted to invite you to read my most recent post 4 Easy Steps to Hosting a One-of-a-Kind Fall Festival or Party for Kids .

Also wanted to pass on some insider's children's fall fashion news about a not to be missed Zulily.com sale that just started today.  One of the brand new items available is this exquisite bubble gum pink toddler girl's crocheted hat with beautiful faux flower.  Regularly priced at $33, but for a short time just $17.99 -- exclusively from Zulily.com

This is the kind of hat that Carrie Bradshaw's baby of Sex and the City (the HBO series that has spun off two feature films to date) might wear -- if her fictional character had a little girl with on-screen hubbie Big.  Don't you think?  

If you'd like this original design by up and coming designer Screaming Beauty for your own princess you need to hurry and order online at Zulily's exclusive sale now because I'm betting these are going to sell out soon, likely before this very limited sale ends on September 23 at 9 am PST

It's available in various beautiful colors for cooler fall days and nippier nights, but only in toddler size.  They also are offering a similar newborn style in a lighter pink, too.  I wish they were selling this particular hat in teen and adult women's sizes, because I'd buy one for each of my triplet girls and one for me in every color combination they have!

Each handcrafted blossom is also an original, so their sparkly centers may vary. The crochet hat stretches, too, for a great fit on any budding fashionista's little head.

• 100% cotton

• Fits up to 4T

• Spot clean

• Made in the USA

What is Zulily, anyway?
Zulily.com is an online marketplace where you can buy top-quality apparel, gear and other goodies for moms, babies and kids (both boys and girls).  Members can save up to 70% off retail prices—not to mention discover all the exciting new brands showcasing their products here.   Only members can shop their sales, but Zulily membership is FREE and sign up is fast and easy.  
 

After you register, be sure to invite your friends to join, too.  For every new friend you invite to Zulily you'll receive a $10 credit to use on the site after your friend's first purchase is complete. There's no limit to how many friends you would like to invite or how many credits you can earn. As Zulily's shopping community grows, so will their ability to offer you even better prices and selection.  Based in Seattle, Washington, this online shopping opportunity was formed by retail and e-commerce veterans.  They're dedicated to bringing members great finds at great prices, as well as giving emerging brands a place to showcase their products.





What's your favorite toddler girl's accessory must-have for fall? Please leave a comment below this post to share it now.

FTC Disclosure:  MommyBlogExpert is a regular guest columnist for Zulily's Blog.  However, MommyBlogExpert did not receive any products, payment or other compensation associated with this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Celebrate National Rice Month By Entering to WIN $500 Worth of FREE Groceries

by Janis Brett Elspas

MommyBlogExpert.blogspot.com

Do your kids love or loathe rice? Don't forget to LEAVE a COMMENT below this post as well as to read on to enter for your chance to win $500 worth of Groceries!

Whether it's white or brown, flavored or plain -- Asian, Southwestern, or Persian style -- I love cooking with rice for my family.  Luckily, my kids enjoy it just as much as I like making it for them, since we eat it 1-2 times every week on average.  One of my teenage daughters has served rice at our table as well with a wonderful Costa Rican banana and meat dish she makes.  You can even make fun edible shapes with rice as we have done for dinner to make it more kid-friendly for those little ones of your own who might not be so enthusiastic.

Rice is an ideal and versatile food if you think about it, acceptable to vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters alike.  Not only that, but because it doesn't need refrigeration in its dry grain, uncooked state, it is a food that's easy to store for months at a time so it's on hand whenever you need it. That's not even to mention how healthy, good tasting and economical at just 10 cents a serving it is.  When you are preparing a variety of meals for your family, like I do, that is all very important for sure.

So, when the USA Rice Federation (USARF) approached me to help them spread the word that September is National Rice Month (NRM), I naturally said yes.  Moms like you can get in on the fun, too, as USARF is running its Bowl Us Over contest all month.  All you have to do is submit your most original ideas for creating great tasting and healthy rice bowls to enter for your chance to win up to $500 worth of groceries or an Aroma (r) Rice Cooker.

Details: USA Rice Federation's Bowl Us Over Contest runs from September 1 until September 31, 2010.  First place winner will receive a prize of $500, second place is $250, third place is $150; seven runners-up will each receive an Aroma (r) Rice Cooker.  Enter the contest now here.

BEFORE entering the giveaway, BE SURE to COMMENT BELOW THIS POST and tell if your kids love or loathe rice. Looking forward to everyone's responses to this.

FTC Disclosure:  I wrote this blog post independently without influence from the USA Rice Federation and have received an Aroma (r) Rice Cooker.  Other than that, MommyBlogExpert did not receive any other compensation for this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

DealPop's Consumer Social Media Buying Service Expands Into Los Angeles Market This Week and Soon, Nationwide

by Janis Brett Elspas

MommyBlogExpert.blogspot.com

For some time now DealPop, which competes with similar deal saving social buying sites such as GroupOn and LivingSocial, has been operating quietly, but quite successfully in their own backyard in the Seattle market.

One More Reason Why I Love L.A.
The picture at left is of my son's arrival home from Emerald Bay Summer Boy Scout Camp on Catalina Island off the coast of California. I took this pic of the Catalina Express boat as it passed under the Vincent Thomas Bridge on its way into the dock in San Pedro, just south of Los Angeles proper.

The inside scoop is that WhitePages, the largest online directory, just announced this week the DealPop Los Angeles launch of its social buying service where you can save up to 70% off on eating, drinking, shopping, and other fun stuff in L.A. Soon after, they expect to expand still further to the San Francisco Bay Area and then nationwide.  Follow MommyBlogExpert on Twitter and subscribe to this blog to be the first to know when DealPop makes its next big move.

I just signed up for DealPop so I don't miss any of the deals I'm told that are coming up soon for date nights with my husband and special "mom time" opportunities for me, like spa, yoga, and more.  The best news is that DealPop Los Angeles will have fun things for not only for us moms and dads, but also great savings on activities for kids and families in the area where I live.  I wouldn't miss their deal alerts for anything.  It's free to subscribe, so you might want to subscribe for free just like I have to get on their list.   They also have a point system where you can earn points for using Twitter, Facebook, and/or email to spread the word about current DealPop offerings when those you refer make a purchase from them.

WIN A FREE iPad From DealPop

To celebrate the Los Angeles launch, DealPop is running a sweepstakes offering a free iPad to the first member to compile 1000 DealPop points. To be considered, all people have to do is invite 20 friends who then make a purchase.  Read more about the iPad GIVEAWAY on DealPop's new blog.

DealPop L.A. really has some great deals for example, today they announced you can get $15 of Seventeenth Street Bakery (Santa Monica) products for just $7.  Deals coming up for the rest of this week and next are listed below.  You can find out more about how DealPop works here.

This Week:
Friday, September 10 - Umami Burger in Fred Segal, Santa Monica - $5 for any burger (usually averaging about $11)

Next Week:

• Monday, September 13 - Yogi's Anonymous - $7 for a $14 class
• Wednesday, September 15 - Westside Adventure Camp - $15 for $50 in services
• Friday, September 17 - Naomi Tango Studio - $7 for $15 worth of Tango group classes (valid for one class)

FTC Disclosure:  I wrote this blog post independently without influence from DealPop and have received a $50 credit for their social buying service.  Other than that, MommyBlogExpert did not receive any other compensation for this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Connecting With Your Teen in the Kitchen by Preparing a Gourmet Meat & Banana Dish Together

by Janis Brett Elspas

MommyBlogExpert.blogspot.com

Since Sunday my triplet 13 year-olds and I have been shopping and cooking up a storm for the upcoming Jewish New Year, also known as Rosh Hashanah, which starts this Wednesday evening.  

We're expecting lots of guests over the three-day holiday, since the two-day Yom Tov (Jewish Holiday) is followed immediately by Shabbat (the Sabbath) this year.  So it's a good thing both my daughters love spending time in the kitchen creating with food.  I hope that this reassures those of you with boys and girls 12 and up that Yes, it is possible to communicate with teenagers.  All you have to do is find a common language like cooking together.

This morning, the older of my daughters prepared one of her favorite main courses called Costa Rican Ground Beef Patties with Grilled Bananas.  I acted as official photographer, as well as her prep cook, doing some of the more tedious tasks such as chopping onions, washing dishes, and cleaning counters, while she took center stage as chef.  

Apples are traditionally associated with both fall and Rosh Hashanah, so don't you think she looks festive in the colorful sturdy vinyl full apron she's wearing that we received from Davida Aprons?  

Watch for future posts of me and my girls wearing the other cheery apple finery Davida sent us.  This company, BTW, is well-known in the secular and Jewish worlds for their wonderful aprons and other themed items. In the meanwhile, check out the Davida Aprons site to learn more about why they are say they are the #1 manufacturers of Jewish Fun wear and Kitchen Kitsch that has been carried by stores such as Bloomingdale's.

I hope you'll try out the delicious recipe below which both kids and adults will enjoy any time of year.  Depending on their age (and abilities) you can have can have your own child do some or all of the easy steps involved in making this gourmet dish, too.  Even an elementary school kid will enjoy helping to mix the meat mixture together, for example.  The most important thing is to allow kids to do as much as they are able to.  Have fun, enjoy each other.  In the end, you will both feel so proud.

Costa Rican Ground Beef Patties

with Grilled Bananas

4 Servings

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef or turkey

1/4 c. matzo meal or bread crumbs

1 onion finely chopped

1 t. dry red pepper flakes

salt & pepper to taste

2 ripe bananas

6 T. melted margarine
You'll also need a little olive oil for frying the meat

Directions:

1. Mix in bowl all ingredients, except bananas and melted margarine

2. Firmly but gently shape meat mixture into small balls about 1 inch in diameter

3. Set rack in oven about 6 inches under heat and preheat broiler (you'll use this later for grilling the bananas later)

4. Heat a small amount of olive oil in a frying pan and then add the patties, cooking over medium high heat until meat is cooked through and browned nicely

5. While meat is frying, cut bananas first in half crosswise, then slice lengthwise (you'll end up with 4 pieces per banana) and place all bananas slices cut side up in baking plan and drizzle with melted margarine.

6. Carefully set prepared banana pan under the hot broiler for about 5 minutes until carmelized and browned, then remove from oven

7. Place meat patties onto serving dish first, then top with the grilled bananas

8. Serve hot with traditional Costa Rican side dishes such as rice and beans, either mixing the two together as one, or serving separate spoonfuls of each
9. Last, but most certainly foremost -- enjoy this for a nice sit-down dinner with your family 

What fun things do you do with your kids in the kitchen? Please feel free to post and share not only your ideas and recipes, but also your fondest memories of cooking with your children, too.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert's family received three apron apple-themed aprons from Davida Apron, including the one pictured to facilitate the test and review described but did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post.   See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.