Mindful Momma

A Gift with a Conscience: Conscious Box {Giveaway!}

If you are looking for a gift with a little more meaning than a knick-knacks purchased at the mall and a little more excitement than a new set of dishtowels, may I suggest Conscious Box?

What is Conscious Box?

Conscious Box is basically a green goodie box, filled with natural and eco-friendly products! The mission of the company is to help people discover ethical, honest, eco-minded businesses and new products that may make their lives a little better.

• Products are handpicked from businesses who care about sustainability, environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
• Emphasis on smaller businesses vs. large corporations.
• Includes natural, organic, Fair Trade, non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free etc...
• Most products are sample sized although some are pretty generous for samples.
• Packaging is 100% post consumer recycled cardboard.
• The company is mindful of the impact of shipping and uses as few resources as possible.

How do I buy it?

Each month, a brand new Conscious Box is created with a new assortment of goodies packed inside. Sign up for monthly delivery (you can cancel anytime) or get a 3 or 6 month subscription. The cost is $19 per month ($12 + $7 shipping) or $54 for 3 months and $106 for 6 months. Each box is valued at at least $30 if not more. I personally will be giving the 3-month subscription to at least one person on my list!

Can I have a peek inside?

Normally, you can't find out what is inside a Conscious Box - it ruins the surprise! But since I was sent a sample of the December box, I get to give you a sneak peek:

I already gobbled up the Daily Mocha Mantra bar (chocolate hemp!) and I'm very excited to try the Berryplus laundry detergent. There's a sample of Justin's almond butter, a couple of great-smelling soap samples and much more!

Win a Conscious Box!

One lucky Mindful Momma reader will win a Conscious Box of their very own! I am trying out Rafflecopter for the very first time. I've heard it makes entering a lot easier but let me know what you think of it!

Punjammies: A Gift for Good

As we make our holiday shopping lists, we tend to be busy thinking happy thoughts and are not necessarily concerned about people who are not as well off as we are. Not to be a complete downer but for many people in this world, shopping is the furthest thing from their minds as they struggle just to exist. The good news is, it is possible to shop and do some good for people in need at the same time. A great example of this is Punjammies from the International Princess Project.

Punjammies pajamas are sewn by women who have escaped from a life of forced prostitution. The International Princess Project empowers these women to rebuild their lives by giving them a safe way to earn wages and to find dignity and self-worth. The photo below shows a group of women who have just completed their sewing training at one of the centers run by the International Princess Project. See how happy they look?!!

Just look at the beautiful pajamas they create! Punjammies are made using traditional Indian sari material in stunning combinations of colors and designs. I have a pair in the USHA design (far right photo) and I love them! Don't miss the matching pj tops and tanks too - made with Fair Trade, organic cotton!

Do you have a sister or a girlfriend who might like a pair of Punjammies? Get 25% off if you buy a pair on Cyber Monday (use code GIVEHOPE at checkout). And check the website and Facebook page for other deals throughout the holiday season.

(Full disclosure: I was sent a free pair of Punjammies in exchange for my honest opinion.)

Andalou Naturals: Affordable, Effective, Natural Skin Care

In case you haven't noticed, there are a lot of skin care companies out there. Many of them strive to be natural, organic or use the latest hot ingredients in order to attract attention in the sea of competition. I recently found a company that stands out among the crowd - at least to me:  Andalou Naturals.

Andalou Naturals is a relative newcomer in the skin care field. Products are made with a blend of natural, organic and Fair Trade ingredients and the company is committed to being transparent about ingredients and overall sustainability. Here's why I think Andalou Naturals stands out:

High quality ingredients

• Minimum 70% certified organic ingredients
• 100% naturally derived ingredients
• Increasing number of Fair Trade ingredients including shea butter, cocoa powder and hibiscus extract
• Meets standard for Whole Foods Premium Body Care label

Transparent labeling

• Full ingredient disclosure so that customers like you and me can make informed decisions
• NO sulfates, GMOs, phthalates, petrochemicals, artificial dyes, synthetic fragrances, or paraben preservatives
• Verified gluten-free, vegetarian, and cruelty free

Effective

• Products use Advanced Fruit Stem Cell science to help renew and repair healthy skin
• I tried the Avo Cocoa Skin Food Mask - and boy is it ever nice! It's similar to my homemade Chocolate Facial Mask but much more sophisticated. Advanced Fruit Stem Cells, organic avocado and Fair Trade cocoa help to slow cellular damage and stimulate healthy cell renewal. It goes on super smooth, smells good enough to eat and left my face feeling nourished and healthy!

Affordable

Best of all, Andalou Naturals is affordable!! I've fallen for some pretty expensive natural and organic skin care lines in the past and it's nice to find a line that I can buy without cringing at the price. (a 6-oz cleanser is $12.95 and a 1.75-oz facial cream is $24.95). You can find Andalou Naturals at Whole Foods Markets, other specialty stores and online. Check to see if there's a location near you!

Want to try Andalou Naturals? If you place an order online, you can take advantage of a special deal: Buy any cleanser and facial cream and receive a full sized toner for FREE!! Plus free shipping on orders over $49.

Have you tried Andalou Naturals?  Leave a comment and let me know your favorites!

(Full Disclosure: I received a free Skin Food Mask from Andalou Naturals in exchange for my honest opinion.)

Click for Fair Trade with the New Fair Trade Finder App {Giveaway!}

In honor of Fair Trade Month, Fair Trade USA has introduced a new crowd-sourced social media tool to help people like you and me find and share Fair Trade Certified™ products. It's called the Fair Trade Finder and it is available as a mobile app for iPhone and Android as well as on Facebook.

Apparently the ability to find Fair Trade products is a major barrier to purchase and a recent Omnibus survey found that  2/3 of consumers would buy more Fair Trade products if they could only find them. The Fair Trade Finder is attempting to bridge that gap but the crowd-sourced database means that they are counting on us to help put products on the map.

So if you are looking to find Fair Trade products in your area, just jump on the app, plug in your zip code and start searching. Then, add your favorite products to the app yourself - to make finding Fair Trade easier for others. I just added Green & Black's chocolate at my local co-op, The Wedge! You can even include a photo if you want (I did)!

Fair Trade month wouldn't be a celebration without a little giveaway, now would it? Fair Trade USA is offering this Fair Trade goodie bag to one lucky Mindful Momma reader.

 
Would you like to win? Just plug in your zip code on the Fair Trade Finder and let me know one Fair Trade product you found in your neighborhood (or what you would like to find, if nothing is listed yet)!

Additional entries for:

• Subscribing to Mindful Momma via RSS feed or email
• Liking my Mindful Momma Facebook Page
• Following @MindfulMomma on Twitter

That's 4 entries per person (please leave a separate comment for each thing you do). Winners must have a U.S. shipping address. The giveaway will be open through midnight CST on Thursday, October 20th.

For the Fair Trade Finder to be a success, they need all of us to add products. Will you help add Fair Trade Certified™ products to the Fair Trade Finder?

(Full Disclosure: I received a free Fair Trade goodie bag in exchange for my honest opinion.)

The winner is Alicia from Green Lifestyle Consulting. Congratulations Alicia - enjoy your Fair Trade treats! Thanks to everyone who entered!

Make PeopleTowels Your Next Eco-Habit

You've probably got the reusable grocery bag habit down pretty well by now. So are you ready to master a new eco-habit? How about giving up paper towels in public restrooms? Knowing that the average person uses 2400 to 3000 paper towels in a year, this is an eco-habit that could have considerable positive environmental impact!

Sound like a good idea but hard to pull off? It's easier than you'd think - especially if you carry PeopleTowels in your purse or backpack. PeopleTowels are reusable, hand towels meant to replace paper towels in on-the-go situations. Here's what makes PeopleTowels so great:

• Made from 100% organic, Fair Trade cotton (GOTS certified)
• Very absorbent but light-weight fabric that dries quickly
• Machine washable
• Printed using eco-friendly dyes
• Can clip onto bag using convenient cloth hangtag
• Sets come with handy carrying sack
• Multiple other uses including lunch box napkin, hankie and wipe for messy hands and faces
• Company is member of 1% For The Planet

Best of all, PeopleTowels are adorable! The company sent me the Earth Set (pictured here) but there are many other cute designs. Order them individually or in 2, 3 or 5 day supplies. You can even create custom designs and sell PeopleTowels as a school fundraiser!

Are you ready to make PeopleTowels your next Eco-Habit? Get a 15% discount on any order of 2 or more PeopleTowels using the code MINDFUL at checkout. Valid through midnight, CST on Wednesday, October 12th.

(Full Disclosure: I was sent a free sample of PeopleTowels in exchange for my honest opinion.)

Daily Eco-Deals: Feast or Fatigue?

Do you go wild for daily deals or do you find them overwhelming? I subscribe to a bunch....but I have to admit....I've never bought a thing from any of them. I find I just can't keep up with all the emails. On any given day I might take a peek at one or two and while I love checking out cool, new products, unless I have a specific need for something, I am not likely to press the BUY button.

Green, health or cause-minded consumers have no shortage of daily sites to choose from. Here are the eco-minded daily sites on my radar:

Eco Mom  - An kid-focused eco-conscious shopping site offering organic food, skincare, toys, clothing, baby gear, home safety products and more. The nice thing is that you can still find the product (albeit at full price) after the daily deal is over. Sample Daily Deal:  LOVE reusable stash-it bags at almost 50% off + free shipping.

Blissmo  - Organic and eco-friendly products at up to 70% off. The company mission is to promote sustainable consumption for a happier, healthier people & planet. Deals last for 2-3 days but once the deal is done, it's done.  Sample Daily Deal:  3-Tier Tiffin with Carrier Bag and Bamboo Utensil Set from To-Go Ware:  $53 Value for $25 (53% savings).

Green Deals -  Discounts and deals from local and national green online businesses approved by Green America.  Deals appear to last for about a week.  Sample Daily Deal: 33% off All-Natural Shampoo, Conditioner, and Lotion from Sonoma Soap Company.

Daily Grommet - An online marketplace with a daily feature created to help people buy products and services that align with their values. You won't necessarily be getting a special price but this is a really great place to find unique products that you won't find anywhere else. Features include products for green and eco-living, health and wellness, food and drink, fair trade gifts and even donations to charitable organizations.  Sample Daily Feature: Moultonology Garden Bon Bons - seed balls that look like chocolate truffles - you have to see them to believe!

Milkshake - Another feel-good marketplace selling "goods that give back".  Milkshake invites readers to discover products, people, causes and companies that are making a difference and then inspires them to take action. Similar to Daily Grommet, the focus is less on the "deal" and more on spending your dollar wisely. Sample Daily Feature: Blackberry Farm Pickles and Preserves - straight from a working farm in the Great Smokey Mountains of Tennessee.

Other daily deal sites like Groupon and Mamapedia occasionally offer eco-friendly products and locally targeted deals but you have to wade through a lot of stuff you probably don't want or need before you find anything of interest.

What daily sites do you subscribe to?  Have you ever actually bought anything?  Do you think they provide a helpful service or just encourage consumerism?

Valentine's Day is Coming - Have You Bought Your Chocolate Yet? (Win Some!)

Last year I wrote a ton about sustainable chocolate for Valentine's Day - in three different posts. This year I'm going to keep it simple. 

First of all I want to make sure you know about the two new Equal Exchange chocolate bars on the market: Dark Chocolate from Ecuador (65% cocoa content) and Chocolate Caramel Crunch with Sea Salt (55% cocoa content).  Both are Fair Trade and Organic and both live up to the super high standards that I've always found Equal Exchange to uphold (delicious is an understatement!)  Also the Ecuador bar is vegan - if that's something that matters to you. 

Second, I want to pass on a coupon code for $5 off a case of Equal Exchange chocolate.  Use the code chocolate5 at checkout anytime now through February 28th, 2011.  Perfect for a Valentine's Day gift or just to stock up the pantry!

Third, I am excited to offer a giveaway of an Equal Exchange Mixed Chocolate Box.  The lucky winner will get 6 assorted chocolate bars wrapped up in a paper box with a raffia tie - ready to give to your special someone!!  The winner will be chosen randomly from the comments.  For a chance to win let me know why Fair Trade and Organic matter to you. Extra entries for subscribing to Mindful Momma by RSS feed or email and following me on Twitter (three chances total per person - leave a separate comment for each).  The giveaway will run through midnight, central time on Sunday, February 6th, 2011.  If all goes well, the winner will receive their prize just in time for Valentine's Day!

{Full disclosure:  I received 2 free bars of Equal Exchange chocolate for review.  Also, I just joined the Equal Exchange affiliate program. If you purchase product through the links in this post or through the ad in the right sidebar, you will be helping me support my blogging habit....and for that I thank you!}

And the winner is....Michelle who said "Fair Trade and organic matter to me, because it's not only good for me, it's also good for someone else and it almost always tastes better too."

Great Green Gifts: For Teachers and other VIPs

It's a common dilemma - what to get for those very special people who make life easier for you and your family throughout the year.  While they may have a big influence on your life, you might not know their personal taste all that well....so it can be hard to choose a gift that you know they will like.  In my humble opinion, the best gifts are the ones that can be eaten, used up or reused again and again.  Here are my go-to categories for VIP gifts:

Homemade Treats - It's hard to go wrong in this department unless your re-gifting a fruitcake or something equally revolting. This year I'm making chocolate hazelnut spread (a homemade version of Nutella!).  Last year I made Crunchy Chicken's peppermint bark - delicious!  Other years it's been assorted Christmas cookies, spiced nuts, chocolate truffles, peanut butter cups.....if you make it, they will eat it!

Food Gift Sets - If making your own holiday treats is not your thing then consider a food-themed gift set.  I have fun collecting goodies from my local co-op, Whole Foods and specialty stores and putting them together in a basket or reusable gift bag.  Many pre-made gift sets are also available in stores or online like these nice fair-trade coffee-themed sets from Equal Exchange or these gorgeous artisan chocolates from local Twin Cities chocolatier B.T. McElrath (I've given a ton of these!)

Indulgences - Who doesn't love getting something they wouldn't normally buy for themselves?  Indulgent body care products usually fall into that category for me.  Again, I love collecting products at my favorite stores...but sometimes I can't resist digging around a bit on Etsy.  There are so many wonderfully indulgent body products to love on Etsy...like Soapwalla Kitchen or Mirasol Farm...not to mention tons of other gift ideas!  Finally, don't rule out gift certificates....preferably to be spent on a nice meal out instead of a bag full of groceries!

Reusables - If you've been reading my blog lately, you know that I'm on a big reusables kick this year.  There are so many things in this category that a teacher or other VIP might appreciate....like a thermal coffee mug, a stainless steel water bottle or some gear to support a waste-free lunch.  Last week's reusables post has even more reusable gift ideas! 

What kind of gifts do you like to give to those very important people in your life? Any favorite eco-friendly gifts you'd like to recommend?

{Full disclosure: There is an affiliate link for Equal Exchange in this post}

Clay Dyed Clothing from Earth Creations (Giveaway!)

"earth creations evolved from an ordinary bike ride. One day after a storm, Joy took her mountain bike out for some off-roading and ended up covered with Alabama red dirt. Despite many tumbles through the washing machine, the shirt, socks, and shoes remained stubbornly stained by that mud! When Joy and Martin met years later, Martin was intrigued by the strength of that red clay. Where most people saw ruined clothes, Martin saw potential. Armed with his background in chemistry, concern for the environment, and a natural curiosity, Martin began experimenting with the clay as a dye for T-shirts."

It's the story behind the products that always grabs me.  The people who make it all happen.

Of course it helps when the products are super-cool and eco-friendly too....which is definitely the case with Earth Creations clay dyed apparel.  The fabric dyeing process uses natural clay in a variety of colors and does not require copious amounts of salt (like conventionally produced dyes) which can harm our ecosystems.  All items are produced using certified sustainable organic cotton, hemp or a combination of the two. On top of that, the company supports Fair Trade and Sweatshop-Free practices and uses a plant in Alabama to sew the majority of their garments.

Don't for a minute think that these clothes are all hippy-like just because they're made with hemp and clay.  Check out this pretty shirt:

and this gorgeous skirt and top:

 

You can find Earth Creations at many Whole Foods locations and specialty shops. Check their store locater for a store near you.

Like to have an Earth Creations shirt of your very own?  The company is giving away this Moroccan Hand scoop tee to one lucky Mindful Momma reader.

Spend a few moments perusing the Earth Creations website and let me know what interests you the most.  For additional chances to win, subscribe to Mindful Momma via RSS feed or email, join my Mindful Momma Facebook Fan Page or follow me on Twitter and let me know about that in the comments.  (you must have a US shipping address to win). The contest will be open through midnight, Central time on Monday, August 9th.

{Full Disclosure:  Earth Creations sent me this clay-dyed shirt to try out for size. It's a blend of 55% hemp and 45% organic cotton.  No itchies - I can attest!}

This giveaway is now closed and the lucky winner is:  Brooke from bECOming Sunny! Congratulations Brooke!

How Does Your Produce Grow?

Pesticides.  They may help keep the bugs away but they are not something we want to be ingesting ourselves.  Inevitably though, pesticides find their way into the produce.  Even when we wash them it's not possible to completely get rid of pesticide residue.  That's one of the reasons why it's important to buy pesticide-free as often as possible. 

Want to read more about getting rid of pesticides?  The Get the Junk Out Carnival over at Kitchen Stewardship is covering the topic of pesticides this week!  Read all about how to "Get the Pesticides Out" on Katie's blog and then hop over to Heavenly Homemakers for details on growing a pesticide-free garden yourself.  Plus there's a giveaway for some organic gardening supplies!

Also - you might want to familiarize yourself with the updated Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce put out by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) for 2010.  I was intrigued to notice a few changes to the list from last year: 

New to the Dirty Dozen:  Blueberries, Spinach and Potatoes

Off the Dirty Dozen:  Lettuce, Carrots and Pears

New to the Clean 15:  Cantaloupe, Grapefruit and Honeydew Melon

Off the Clean 15:  Tomatoes, Broccoli and Papaya

Now this doesn't mean you should immediately change your shopping habits.  The list changes a bit with each new year of data and just because something is OFF the Dirty Dozen doesn't mean it is pesticide free.  In fact, if you look at the full list of the 49 fruits and veggies tested, lettuce is the 13th worst item and carrots are the 15th. 

How do you manage pesticides in your diet?  Do you use the Dirty Dozen & Clean 15 lists?  Do you have a pesticide-free home garden?  Do you purchase a CSA? 

I tend to focus on the fruits & veggies that I buy most often and buy those organic almost all the time - like apples and carrots (yes, even though carrots are off the dirty dozen!)  As for the rest, I buy organic as often as possible but if I have to grab something conventional I don't sweat it too much. 

In the summer, we have a small home garden where we experiment with different things and get the kids involved.  My husband just built me a new raised bed for Mother's Day!!  And we also just joined a new CSA.  It's called Common Harvest and it's based in Osceola, WI.  I'm super excited to be part of this CSA that has been around for 20 years!!  And of course, I'll hit the farmer's markets now and then when I need to supplement.  Clearly, it's much easier to eat pesticide-free in the summer than in the winter, at least here in Minnesota.

{image from RaeA's photostream on Flickr}