I'm a SIGG Kid Now

I found myself in a bit of a tussle with my daughter. She was looking around at school and saw juice boxes with characters on them. She wanted those fun characters, but not the juice (she has not really ever been a juice fan, thank goodness!). I send her with cold water everyday. Then SIGG came to the rescue.

SIGGSwitzerland AG is a renowned company founded in Switzerland over 100 years ago. SIGG specializes in reusable aluminum water bottles.
All SIGG bottles are 100% recyclable and contribute significantly to reducing the global carbon footprint. SIGG bottles are the the winner in consumer tests and sets the competitive pace – just as one would expect of a true original.

Each SIGG bottle can fit all of three tops they sell for them. All of them leak-proof, even with carbonated drinks.
Sportbottle top

The three-stage technology: just one turn, pull twice, put it to your mouth – ready to drink. Leak-proof in two positions. Perfect for sport activities.
Screw top
Unscrew the top, remove it and drink. Leak-proof even in the most extreme situations thanks to an integrated seal. For outdoor enthusiasts.
Bottle top
The screw top with a dirt-proof cap is absolutely leak-proof. One turn and it's ready to use. Ideal for both adults and children.

The bottles are made from a single piece of pure aluminium, no seams
And the internal coating guarantees to be taste-neutral and resistant to fruit acids and isotonic drinks according to an independent testing institute (Nehring, Germany)
Fulfills FDA requirements (Food & Drug Administration USA).

SIGG bottles come in so many different designs with a whole selection just for kids! You can choose from a 10, 13 or 20oz. bottle depending on your child's needs. My daughter loves all the funky designs and characters. She told me the other day that she now has "cool water." She specifically asks for "Hello Kitty Water" or "Fairy Princess Water." It is a win for all of us. I know I am doing something good for the environment and for her (no icky plastics and chemicals), and she gets enjoy the characters and sweetness of being a SIGG kid.

ConservingNow with Children (plus Giveaway!)

I am a huge fan of ConservingNow. I use my set of Envirosax bags every single day. I love that ConservingNow is dedicated to teaching our children about conserving the earth by taking small steps. They hope that in 10 years from now, plastic bags will be obsolete, and everyone will be using reusable bags. Their website is full of ways parents, teachers and the community can help children achieve this goal and the goal of making our earth a safe, healthy place to be.

ConservingNow has helpful car window static clinks that all of you readers can get for free! by clicking on the ConvservingNow link on the right side bar of this blog, or by going here. We have ours on our car, and I never forget to take my bags in with me. ConservingNow has tons of options for reusable bags, from their cotton canvas totes to Envirosax.

The newest set is a great way to get kids to really want to join in on the fun. The Envirosax Sesame Street set will soon become your child's favorite way to get help the earth while hauling all their goodies around. I am not usually a huge fan of licenses characters, but I always make the exception for Sesame Street. I love the message of acceptance and love that Sesame Street has always taught children. My daughter uses her set everyday. She reminds me to take the Cookie Monster bag to the food store (because "he is hungry"). She uses big bird for her library books, and Elmo is her favorite beach bag. My personal favorite was that she needed to use Oscar the Grouch because she was in a "bad mood" the other day. Kids young and old alike will go crazy for this fabulous set.

To celebrate this newest addition to the ConservingNow reusable bag battle on waste, enter to win an Envirosax bag of choice:

Giveaway Rules:
This contest is only open to US readers. You must be a Product Mommy follower. All entries must be received by 11:59pm on September 12, 2011. Please include your email address in each entry. A winner will be chosen at random. I will notify the winner on September 13, 2011 via email (please respond within 48 hours) and your Envirosax will be mailed directly from ConservingNow.

How to Enter: You must be a Product Mommy follower. Leave a comment with your email address under this post.

Extra Entries:
You must do the "How to Enter" first and be sure you leave a "comment" for each extra entry and tell me which one you did. Don't forget your email address too.
1. Become a fan of ConservingNow on Facebook
2. Become a fan of Product Mommy on Facebook
3. Become a fan of Product Mommy on Twitter
4. Subscribe to Product Mommy by email (top left of blog page)
5. Twitter about this contest (and leave a link to the Tweet)
6. Post this giveaway on Facebook (and leave a link)

Cream Perfume Company Giveaway!

I am not into heavy scents, especially in the summer. However, I like to smell nice (who doesn't?). When I found the Cream Perfume Company, I knew it would be a match made in deliciously scented heaven. The Cream Perfume Company works with renowned perfumers and local artisans in Grasse, France to create:

premium nature identical oil blends, ECOCERT certified organic essentials, absolutes and pure plant and fruit extracts. Our perfumes are all phthalate free and contain no sulfates, petro-chemicals, synthetic dyes, triclosan, GMO, PPG, MEA, DEA, TEA or formaldehyde donors. Our products are cruelty free.

Additionally, our body lotions are vegan, wheat and gluten free, contain no glycol, parabens, sulfates, phthalates or silicones.

The products come in eco-friendly (and travel friendly) containers. The wood they use is recycled, and sturdy enough to cart around with you all day. We tried the Apricot Cream Perfume and the Mango Cream Perfume. The Apricot is a blend of black currant, apricot, green notes, lilly of the valley and raspberry with jasmine, sandalwood and musk. It is my favorite summer scent. The Mango is mango and cassis balanced with jasmin and candy sugar accord with sandalwood, musk and vanilla. The Mango is romantic and warm on me (a nice dinner out fragrance). We also got to try the Mandarin Body Lotion which really moisturizes and has a delicious woody orange scent.

The Cream Perfume Company is pocket-book and environmentally friendly. And best of all...you get to smell amazing! Want to win one product of your choice from The Cream Perfume Company? Here's how:

Giveaway Rules:
This contest is only open to US and Canada readers. You must be a Product Mommy follower. All entries must be received by 11:59pm on July 25, 2011. Please include your email address in each entry. A winner will be chosen at random. I will notify the winner on July 26, 2011 via email (please respond within 48 hours) and your Cream Perfume Company product of choice will be mailed to you directly from The Cream Perfume Company.

How to Enter: You must be a Product Mommy follower. Leave a comment with your email address under this post.

Extra Entries:
You must do the "How to Enter" first and be sure you leave a "comment" for each extra entry and tell me which one you did. Don't forget your email address too.
1.Become a fan of Product Mommy on Facebook
2. Become a fan of Product Mommy on Twitter
3. Subscribe to Product Mommy by email (top left of blog page)
4. Twitter about this contest (and leave a link to the Tweet)
5. Post this giveaway on Facebook (and leave a link)

E is for Ethics and E is for Environment

Books are a big deal in our home. We read numerous stories every night. My daughter loves discussing what we read. Author, Ian James Corlett wrote two amazing books about important subjects we all want to teach our children about: ethics and the environment. E is for Ethics sprung from Ian James Corlett's own conversations he had with his children after dinner. He decided to create Elliot and Lucy, fun characters to help explain ethics to children through 26 stories. E is for Ethics is a great way to spark conversation. There are helpful questions at the end of each story (better yet the stories are quick and simple enough for even the tiniest little ones to understand). They cover everything from acceptance to how to deal with people who are "different". In this world where bullying continues to be a persistent problem, having these conversations and hearing these stories could be one way in making children understand how to treat one another with respect.

E is for Environment brings back Elliot and Lucy with 26 stories that teach little ones to be eco-conscious. Elliot and Lucy learn to shut the water off while brushing their teeth, bring reusable bags to stores, and even simple things like shutting off lights. My daughter loves the conversations these books spark. She was pretty excited to know she was doing the right thing by reminding daddy to bring reusable bags.

Children will love Lucy and Elliot because they will relate to them. I love that they encourage parent-child dialogue and best of all I love the positive messages in both books.

ConservingNow Envirosax Giveaway!

Ever start using a product and think to yourself "How did I ever live without this?". That was a moment I recently had when I was using my Envirosax from ConservingNow. ConservingNow is dedicated to teaching our children about conserving the earth by taking small steps. They hope that in 10 years from now, plastic bags will be obsolete, and everyone will be using reusable bags. Their website is full of ways parents, teachers and the community can help children achieve this goal and the goal of making our earth a safe, healthy place to be.

You may be using reusable bags, or like me, forgetting them in your car and cursing in the shop. ConservingNow has helpful car window static clinks that all of you readers can get for free! by clicking on the ConvservingNow link on the right side bar of this blog, or by going here. We have ours on our car, and it is a huge reminder as I unbuckle my child to get her out of the car for errands to bring my reusable bag(s) with me. ConservingNow has tons of options for reusable bags, from their cotton canvas totes to Envirosax.

We got the Envirosax from ConservingNow, and I cannot live without them. We got the 5-in-1 pouch which has five bags in a small pouch you can easily carry with you everywhere. I used all five bags in a "day of the life of Product Mommy." We began at Whole foods, which filled two bags in a snap. I used another bag for our huge haul of library books. The fourth bag was filled with clothing a cousin gave me for my daughter. The fifth bag was perfect for hauling leftovers from a fabulous dinner. I made sure to unpack them when I got home and put them all into my handbag for use the next day. I find myself reaching for an Envirosax every single day. They are so roomy and go easily over my shoulder, so I can get my toddler and my items into the house with ease. We even use an Envirosax to carry all the loot from and Easter Egg hunt. I am never without them, so when I think "shoot, I forgot my resuable bags," wherever I am, I reach into my handbag and they are there!

Want to win an Envirosax? ConservingNow is offering one lucky Product Mommy reader a chance to win one Envirosax bag in their choice of pattern. And don't forget to get your free car window static cling to remind you to always bring your reusable bags.

Giveaway Rules:
This contest is only open to US readers. You must be a Product Mommy follower. All entries must be received by 11:59pm on June 9, 2011. Please include your email address in each entry. A winner will be chosen at random. I will notify the winner on June 10, 2011 via email (please respond within 48 hours) and your Envirosax will be mailed directly from ConservingNow.

How to Enter: You must be a Product Mommy follower. Leave a comment with your email address under this post.

Extra Entries:
You must do the "How to Enter" first and be sure you leave a "comment" for each extra entry and tell me which one you did. Don't forget your email address too.
1. Become a fan of ConservingNow on Facebook
2. Become a fan of Product Mommy on Facebook
3. Become a fan of Product Mommy on Twitter
4. Subscribe to Product Mommy by email (top left of blog page)
5. Twitter about this contest (and leave a link to the Tweet)
6. Post this giveaway on Facebook (and leave a link)

scrappynaps!

We use more and more reusable items in our home. I never use plastic sandwich bags if I can help it, and all picnics and snacks are packed in reusable lunch boxes. One area I was lacking on was the plastic placemats I brought to cover icky tables while eating out. I knew it was wasteful, but what to do.

scrappynaps are reusable fabric placemats that hold a matching napkin and utensil. They roll up and are help together by an elastic bag. You can use them for lunch boxes, picnics or even at home. They are 100% cotton and machine washable. There a ton of designs to choose from, and you can even buy the Spork utensil (super cute and handy, it fits right into the utensil holder).

We love our scrappynap. I like that it protects her from germs, and she likes that is cloth and not what she considered the "baby" ones made of plastic. I think the cloth napkin that the scrappynap placemat comes with, makes her feel just like Mommy and Daddy, especially when we are out somewhere nice. We really are greening our lives one step at a time.

John Masters, a Master of Organic Body Care

We only get one body, and we only get one planet. Why not treat them both with the utmost care? -John Masters

John Masters began making organic products 20 years ago, before it was "popular" to do so. His products still remain some of the safest and purest on the market. From skincare, to body and haircare, he is truly an alchemist at creating products that not only work, but are often organic and free of parabens, sls and harsh chemicals. He was the recipient in 2004 of the Soil Association Award for Best Organic Product Line in Europe. I was lucky enough to try some of the products from each part of his line and I am now a devotee!

John Masters' first product he created was his Dry Hair Nourishment and Defrizzer. It is a blend of 100% certified-organic plant and essential oils and can be used as a treatement for dry hair, and to smooth down those split-ends we all sport at one time or another. It smells amazing with lavender, rosemary and cedarwood. A tiny bit goes a long way. I find myself grabbing the bottle often. As a mom I have few free moments to get myself to a salon, and this makes me look a little more groomed. Also, after smoothing this through your hair, your hands are amazingly soft!

John Masters Sea Mist is the perfect way to get the beachy-hair look. It is also certified 100% organic and is a simple mix of sea salt and contains lavender to protect hair from damage. Again, I hardly have time to shower, never mind smooth my hair for hours, so I pop out of the shower, spray this in and voila! I am ready to face the world. Also, it makes my hair smell amazing!

John Masters Rose Foaming Face Wash contains healing plantain leaf to soothe skin, and pure organic essential rose oil to improve blood circulation. My face felt clean and refreshed. This is a great face wash for taking off cosmetics, and I know it will become my summer face wash staple to sooth my sun-kissed skin, while removing pily residue from sunscreen.

I finished my skincare regime with John Masters Rose and Apricot Antioxidant Day Creme. It is like a little miracle in a bottle. High in omega-6, this creme hydrates and protects the skin against harmful bacteria, while oat kernel extract stimulates pro-collagen production resulting in soft, healthy skin. My skin just looked...brighter, better and yes, even younger. This was the perfect pick-me-up to the winter grey face I usually sport.

My favorite (though I loved them all, so it was hard to choose) was John Masters Blood Orange and Vanilla Body Wash. It smells so good, I could have (and almost did) drink it. It brightens my mood in the morning, and even better, it is sulfate-free using corn and coconut surfactants. It was so gentle,and even in harsh New England weather I did not walk out of the shower and immediately feel like a dry desert. It actually moisturized my skin.

I love John Masters and his philosophy. Our bodies and our earth both deserve our care. Now I know why No More Dirty Looks praised John Masters as one of pioneers of organic body care.

GLOB it On!

Want to know one of the coolest gifts I plan on giving for the Holidays? GLOB! GLOB? What's that you ask? Well, Glob Natural Paints are amazing. They are botanically crafted colors made from fruits, vegetables, flowers and spices with natural food-grade ingredients and organic extracts. They are pigments that become paint by adding water. The pigments in GLOB are the same ones used by different cultures for body products, paint and in food. GLOB Natural Paint is sustainable, natural and biodegradable. The paint conforms to safety standards ASTM D 4236, EN71 and the CPSIA

So sure, it sounds cool, but why GLOB when there are "non-toxic" paints on the market? GLOB explains that most arts and crafts products do not list ingredients. You as the consumer see "non toxic" and believe they are safe.

Art pigments (colors) are commonly made from petrochemicals, and the actual hazards of these materials are not always known. In the US, synthetic pigments that have never been tested for toxicity can be labeled "non-toxic." The rationale? There is no data to prove otherwise.*

Arts and crafts paints are exempt from consumer paint lead laws, and often contain lead, cadmium, and host of toxic ingredients* like formaldehyde (a carcinogen), one of the most common paint preservatives.

There are demands for low odor and fume, lead-free house paints, but what about arts and crafts paint? Those same "non toxic" paints may not be hazardous to just you, but when you wash it down the drain, it can be toxic to fish and other wildlife. GLOB is safe for you and safe to wash down the drain.

We got the set of 6 packets each filled with vibrant pigment that smells amazing. A little bit went a super long way (even working with a 3 year old, who takes GLOB it on to heart. I fell in love and decided I need more for friends and family members who love working with arts and crafts. Now that we have used this and know more about it, we cannot imagine using another paint. I am also talking to a local school about the wonderful GLOB line.