Lemon and Thyme Cleans Up. Giveaway of 7th Generation

Whimsey Creations is the winner of this Giveaway.



7th Generation Disinfecting Products.

I have not cleaned my home with store bought cleaners in over 10 years. I can't. Larry has breathing issues with any kind of chemical cleaners. Also most laundry soaps, stain removers, perfume, lotion, exhaust fumes etc. He painted cars and motorcycles years back and now he suffers from all those fumes he breathed. He's even had to leave the line at the grocery store because someone took a bath in their cologne and he could not breath or stop coughing.

So I have been making my own. I buy vinegar by the gallon, large boxes of baking soda, borax, castile soap, orange oil...etc. to make my own cleaners and bath products.
When I was contacted about reviewing products from 7th Generation, I was apprehensive and I had to ask Larry if he would be willing to be a guinea pig for the cause. I really wanted to try this stuff. And I figured if it did not send him into the yard with coughing fits, it was a winner.

The box arrived and WOW, what nice items they sent. A full size bottle of Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner, Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner, cannister of Disinfecting Wipes, two huge rolls of Unbleached Recycled Paper Towels, the book ' The Conscious Kitchen' and a Recycled Plastic Tote to carry cleaning products in.

The Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner - I decided to tackle the sink first in the bathroom. I figured I could shut the door if it started to bother Larry and I could flood the sink if need be with enough water to quickly get rid of the smell.
No need to worry, I sprayed down the sink with the foamy cleanser, let it sit for a couple of minutes....no yelling or coughing...okay...in the clear. I started wiping and rinsed. The sink sparkled. The smell is of thyme and lemon. Not overpowering at all. So next I did the shower stall and no problems. I keep a squeegee in there and it was cleaned and sparkling in no time. I went to the studio to check on my delicate manly husband.
"Is that smell bothering you"? I asked.
"What smell"? he replied.
YAY !!!

I slipped the container of wipes into the glove compartment in the truck. The next day we went to the big city and did some shopping. I got in the truck while Larry took the cart back, and I wiped my hands with one of the wipes, I have a small bottle of some hand sanitizer in my purse, but I really like the way these wipes smell so I used one wipe instead. Larry got in the truck and said " smells like you've been cooking something in here " hahaha. No coughing, choking or cussin'....just getting hungry from the yummy smell. This stuff is a winner.

The Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner- I used this in the kitchen after dinner to wipe down the stove, the fridge and the counters. Love it. Smells the same as the bathroom cleanser but not thick and foamy. Cleans great. And I am not afraid to use it in the kitchen.

Disinfecting Wipes- Good and saturated so they go a long way in wiping up after raw meat, bathroom seats, doggie accidents, sickrooms, toys,public washrooms, doorknobs etc. These are great to keep in the car for trips.

The disinfectants contain thymol, a component of the herb thyme, and can be used on hard surfaces including counter tops, plastic cutting boards, highchair trays as well as children’s toys. Best of all, they kill over 99.99 percent of germs naturally and are effective against the Influenza A Virus, including H1N1 along with a host of other germies.

Unbleached Recycled Paper Towels - I like unbleached. Bleaching is a chemical process that is not good for us or the environment. And there is no need for it other than cosmetic. We use unbleached flour, coffee filters, cheesecloth ,wax paper and other products so why not paper towels? I like these. They are very thick. And I like brown. They hold up quite well.

The Conscious Kitchen by ALEXANDRA ZISSU - This is one great book. Full of tips for the kitchen and other areas of your life, like take-out food containers where you want to go more green and be safer. Did you know that in order to decaf coffee the beans may have been soaked in solvents? There are chapters in detail plus little tips in the margins of the book that are quickies to read.
This is one of the best written informative books on how to keep your family in the know about what you are putting into your body, what to do if you cannot find organic items to buy, the safest fish to buy, the low down on plastics,plus so much more... along with some recipes sprinkled in.

Handy Recycled Carrier - I love this thing. Handle in the middle with room to store rags, cleaners, brushes and rubber gloves.

This has been one of my favorite experiences with store bought cleaning items ever. I will buy these wipes and the paper towels. I recommend the cleaning sprays if you buy cleaning products.

WIN SOME: The Generous people over at 7th Generation through MyBlogSpark are providing one of my lucky readers a box of products just like I received. You are going to love this stuff.

MANDATORY ENTRY: Please do this one first before any of the Extra Entries.
Answer this question: What is the best thing you’ve done for the environment this year?

Extra Entries: PLEASE DO THE MANDATORY ENTRY ABOVE FIRST.

• Tell me something you like to make that saves you money or relaxes you - 2 entries
• Go to the 7th Generation site and tell me something you learned while there. It is a very interesting place - 2 entries
  

• Follow my blog over on the sidebar through Google...PUBLICLY. - 2 entries

• Stick my little "shortcut" button of the pigs, on your sidebar- 3 entries

• Tweet about this giveaway...daily tweet = 2 extras each day, leave me the link to your tweets

• Blog about this here giveaway with a link back to this post - 5 entries

• Produce a one minute youtube video talking about this giveaway, my blog and the environment, leave me the link - 15 entries

Giveaway open to US residents. 18+ Ends Midnight April 15th. Please make sure I can easily reach you with an email addy.
MyBlogSpark will mail the winner their package.
I received a package with these products from 7th Generation through MyBlogSpark for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Tricky Trainers Do the Trick - Giveaway

I have three smart dogs. Smart because they have figured out that they don't have to do tricks to be spoiled rotten.
I have tried, at times, to get them to do certain things, like sit, stay , lay down, roll over. But basically they look at me as if to say "hey, this ain't no circus". Now, they do mind. But it seems like that only happens when I am being stern and they know to "go get in your bed" or " get out of my chair, before I sit on your head". They will move, reluctantly, but they will move. Well, all except one little stubborn all white doggie who will remain nameless. He talks back. Always has to have the last word.

But the times, they are a changin'.

TRICKY TRAINERS HAVE ARRIVED !

Gosh I love these things. I have made my boys treats, but they have never gone crazy like this over anything I have made.Mikey and Ricky Pickles sit for a Tricky Trainer.
***
Cloud Star sent a bag of the Cheese Flavor and the Salmon Flavor. And you know how when you read a food label the ingredients are listed in order of the amount, from the most to the least. Well in the Salmon ones...Salmon is the FIRST ingredient. WOW. No wonder Larry calls them "stinky trainers". My boys are nuts over these.Mikey "speaks" for a Tricky Trainer.

And the great thing is, I can actually pronounce everything in them. The only thing on the ingredient list I did not know was "tocopherois". So I looked it up.
It is a series of organic compounds consisting of various methylated phenols. Many of which have vitamin E activity. And are used in pet foods to keep oil from going rancid. Okay,I am good with that.
I love that they are small. So you can constantly reward without the fear of too much of a good thing.
Their products are also geared towards pets with allergies. It was Jennifer and Brennan's pup Samantha, back in 1998, who inspired starting Cloud Star. The first Buddy Biscuit was made for Samantha because of "allergy issues". They started making all her treats and food with just the goal of bring her back to health. In 1999 Jennifer was volunteering at an Animal Shelter that held a bake sale and instead of making something to sell for human treats Jennifer made up a few batches of the treats she made for Samantha and their other dog Nala. These treats were a hit, they started getting calls asking for more, and the rest is dogstory.

I first became aware of Cloud Star last year when I signed up on their facebook page and received a free fold-able water container that I keep in my purse. It has a handy pouch and is a really good size. They also sent me a bumper sticker with their motto "Wag More, Bark Less" and I just fell in love with that. It's a great motto for all of us. And this is printed on apparel and accessories they sell on their website.
They also have quite a few other treats, kibble and grooming products. (The Holistic Baked Kibble Dog Food is back after being out of stock due to being mentioned in Costco Connection magazine and thus bombarding Cloud Star with orders).


I like Cloud Star very much. I like that they give back at least 10% of their net profits to support and assist non-profits organizations that benefit animals, women, children and the environment.
I like that all their products are made in the USA (all ingredients are USA grown too) and I like that they truly care about animals.
Oh, and I like that my boys are crazy about Tricky Trainers.

(I received two bags of product for review purposes. I was pleased with the product very much so I wrote about it)

WIN SOME:
Cloud Star wants to send some Tricky Trainers to a lucky reader of this here blog.
To win a 3 pack of Tricky Trainers Liver flavor, Cheese Flavor and the Salmon Flavor please do the following:

MANDATORY ENTRY: Go visit Cloud Star and come back with something you like about their site, blog or products.

Extra Entries (do the MANDATORY first please): leave seperate comments for each,

• Leave me a comment about your pet. Something funny they do. Or how wonderful they are, anything about your pet.- 1 extra

• Follow my blog publicly, or tell me you already do - 2 extras

• Subscribe in a reader - 2 extras

• Tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link - 2 per day

• Blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post - 4 extras

This giveaway ends at midnight April 3rd. Open to USA only.
Winner will be notified by email. And will have 48 hours to send me shipping info.
Please make sure email contact is in your comment or your blog profile if you have a blog.
Cloud Star will ship prize.