Free Lunch Tote

This lunch tote from Whole Foods can be yours for free! Download a coupon from Oprah.com for your free. tote.

I went and got mine today. It even came with a free apple. A random thing to include. There is a 5 cent tax on the item. So don't leave your walet in the car like I did.

Hurry, only good through Sunday.

Looking Younger

Here is a video clip from a Greensboro, NC news station highlighting how to look and feel younger. They highlight Shaklee's Vivix product! Neat stuff.

Watch Video Here

Quarterly: Moran Work Day on the Farm

Well folks it is that time of year again, time for "Moran Work Day on the Farm." This is an anticipated day of yard work to ready it for Spring.

On the agenda for this Saturday is pine straw. We need to freshen up our natural area with pine straw. The pine straw is pleasurable to look at but it will also hold in moisture to guard from the harsh heat of summer.

This day has to be scheduled, as I am not a lover of all things yard. I do appreciate a tidy lawn, weed free beds and the flowering plant. However, I do detest the sweating, aching back and dirty finger nails. So quarterly, I put aside my preferences and work in the yard.

Let me clarify that these yard feelings are not felt by my husband. He is king of all things grass. Our lawn is lush and green and well manicured, all thanks to him. I like to attribute this quality to the Irish bloodline. Grass is where his domain ends. I am responsible for the natural areas and weed pulling. The photo above is the end result of our last "Work Day" in the fall.

Now that we have a little one to frolic in our 0.35 acre of heaven. I am concerned about the chemicals we use. I found some great ideas from Erin's Frugal Living Blog. I plan to try her coffee grounds fertilizer on my azalea bushes and the vinegar weed killer!

I can already smell the grill and taste the frosty beverage that beckons us at the end of the day.

Green is Main Stream

Los Angeles times article, A Greener Future, Part 1: Products derived from natural, nontoxic ingredients – once seen as fringe – are now mainstream

I think this is a well rounded article that unveils how these "green" cleaners work and addresses the shades of "brown" that can be present in "green" cleaners.

Opt out of Yellow Pages

I have not looked up a number in the phone book in 10 years, at least. When I found out you could stop delivery of the Yellow Pages to your home I signed right up. The amount of paper used and delivery cost associated with unsolicited phone books is outrageous.

Click here to Opt out of the Yellow Pages and go Green!

Safe Way to Brighten Cloth Diapers

When I received my diapers they came with a 1/4 page of care instructions. Per the directions, on a monthly basis Clorox should be added to aid in stain and odor removal. Cringe.

I try not to use Clorox in my home any longer. So this was disheartening that I would have to reintroduce Clorox into my home. I clicked upon an alternative!

According to Healthy Child Healthy World Quick Tips for Cloth Diapering, it is suggested to use 1/2 cup of lemon juice or white vinegar. Alas, I exhale.

We have been using the cloth diapers for a month now and it is time for a freshening wash. I feel much better about the use of nontoxic vinegar.

Green Mama Talks

I was asked by my dear friend LCO to speak to her MOPS group on being "green" for their March meeting. I was humbled that she thought to ask me and quickly realized I had not spoken in front a group since my working days which are getting smaller on the horizon every day.

Her group is a great group of gracious Mom's who let me stumble through my presentation. There were lots of green Mom's in the making amongst their group. They taught me a thing or two. It was a fun collaborative discussion about how we can be good stewards of our planet.

Thanks to Salem Baptist MOPS for having me. I thoroughly enjoyed your group!

I wanted to share with you a tip from that meeting. I'll post a few as a blog series.

#1 According to Energy Star, up to 40% of an appliances usage is when the appliance is turned off and not in use. By unplugging the appliance 6-26% savings can be had. Unplug small kitchen appliances after use (coffee pot, toaster oven, mixer, can opener, etc).

Take it a step further by unplugging those decorative lamps that are not used often. How about the lamp, alarm clock or TV in the guest room that is infrequently used? I did this in my home. Prior to a guest arriving I will spend time readying the room and can plug the items back in at that time.

These seemingly little things can add up to savings on your power bill.