I just hosted a diaper shower this past weekend, and one of the topics that came up (of course!) was the effects of using disposable diapers on the environment.  Most people are aware of this debate and most are also aware of how Seventh Generation seeks to provide a diaper that has less of an effect on the environment than the average disposable diaper while still offering a product that keeps your baby dry!





Now, the Seventh Generation diaper has a new look! "What Seventh Generation leaves out is just as important as what they put in.  Free & Clear diapers do NOT include chlorine processing, fragrances, latex and petroleum based lotions."  They have a lighter weight core (which leads to less landfill waste while continuing to offer premium absorbency) and chlorine-free wood pulp.  This makes certain that NO chlorine is released into the environment during the whitening process.  Seventh Generation has also reduced the size of their diaper packages, so they contribute even less landfill waste than before.  This also allows the pacages to be recycled at local supermarkets where plastic recycling collection boxes are available, which I love! 

While trying these on my daughter, the first thing I noticed is that the velcro is "stickier" than the velcro on most diapers, which I really like because it's a lot harder for her to pull off her own diaper.  Any Mom with kids who are constantly pulling off their diapers knows how valuable this is!  The diaper itself is really durable, and it does have fantastic absorbency.  It would be nice if they had some sort of characters or pictures on the diapers, but I imagine this would interfere with what makes them the unique diapers that they are, so I feel that this outweighs having a cute diaper.  Overall, I am really impressed at the high quality of these diapers and knowing that they are better for the environment is icing on the cake!

Would you like to try out the new Seventh Generation diapers for yourself?  You can print a $2 coupon good for any Seventh Generation diapers, training pants, OR wipes HERE.




AND...Seventh Generation has teamed up with MyBlogSpark to offer one lucky reader a FREE pack of their new diapers!  Here's how you can enter to win:

NO MANDATORY ENTRIES!  Do any or all below. 

1) Tell me - what's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of eco-conscious baby products?  One word, a phrase, a sentence?  Let me know!
2) Follow Seventh Generation on Facebook
3) Follow Seventh Generation on Twitter
4)Tweet about this giveaway using the tweet button at the bottom of the post and add @SeventhGen and #myblogspark

Please leave a different comment for each of the four entries.  

This giveaway will begin on July 21st and end on July 28th at 8 pm EST. 


Disclosure:
The coupon, prize pack, information and giveaway were all provided by Seventh Generation through MyBlogSpark.

Yet another Groupon-like site is offering a $10 credit to new members.  If you join SaveMore.com today, you get a free $10 credit.  One of their deals of the day is for $20 to WowMyKidsSpace.com, which has Melissa and Doug toys.  They have lots of other stuff too, and if you find something under $20, you'll only pay the $6.95 flat rate shipping fee.  Many of the toys I saw were under $20, so this is a fantastic deal for Melissa and Doug!


The link above is my unique referral link, but if you prefer, you can go straight to SaveMore.com

Thanks, Swaggrabber!

Thank you to all who entered this giveaway!  Thank you very much for sponsoring this giveaway General Mills and MyBlogSpark!  Out of 210 entries, the winning entry was #122, Carol!




Congratulations, Carol!  I hope you enjoy your Fiber One cereals :)

How many grams of fiber is the average person SUPPOSED to consume each day?  If you're like me, you have NO idea how much fiber you should get each day, much less whether or not you're actually getting it!  According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines, we're supposed to consume 25-38 grams of fiber per day, but the average American only consumes about 15 grams :(

The good news is that Fiber One is now making it easier than ever to get your recommended daily fiber with their YUMMY cereals that offer AT LEAST 30% of the daily fiber value per serving.  In addition to Fiber One Original, they also have Honey Clusters, Raisin Bran Clusters, Caramel Delight, and Shredded Wheat.  Eating fiber is not only "associated with reduced risks for cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes", but it also helps you feel satisfied longer, so it helps you stick to your diet and lose weight.




I was excited when My Blog Spark offered me the opportunity to try all five cereals because I do realize that I need more fiber in my diet and I was curious to see if these taste as good as Fiber One claims they do.  Of all the cereals, the Shredded Wheat is my ABSOLUTE favorite, and I will be buying this all the time.  Not only does it actually taste great, but it's a fantastic on-the-go snack.  I've started putting it in baggies and taking it with me when I go to the grocery store.  My daughter and I share them while we do our shopping, and I feel good knowing that she's getting a pretty healthy snack that she loves.  You really can't tell that Fiber One products have the extra fiber in them, so I really think it's worth it to choose these cereals in the variety you love so you know you're getting the fiber you need. I think Fiber One has done a good job of creating a variety for everyone out there too.  In fact, my husband can be rather hard to please in the cereal department, but he's foregoing dessert and enjoying a bowl of the Honey Clusters right now.  And...he's giving it the thumbs up :)

If you'd like to try one of the new Fiber One cereals for yourself, click HERE to download a printable coupon for $.75 off any 1 Fiber One cereal.  If you wait for a good sale, this could make for some really inexpensive cereal that tastes great and is good for you :) 

OR...you could win ALL FIVE CEREALS from Fiber One and My Blog Spark here! 

No mandatory entries...do any (or all) of the entries below.

1.  Leave a comment telling me which Fiber One cereal you would try first if you win. (1 entry)
2. Like Fiber One on Facebook. (2 entries)
3. Visit Fiber One online and tell me one additional way to incorporate fiber into your diet (3 entries)

** Leave the same number of comments as entries.  For example, if you complete #3, leave three comments to get three entries**

This giveaway will end on Monday, June 20th @ 8 pm EST.  

Disclosure:  I was provided with one Fiber One prize pack from General Mills and My Blog Spark for me and the winning reader.  The winner will be chosen using random.org.

 

Quick!  I don't know how long they will last, but if you bought the 250 Zearly points on Mamapedia last week, you should be able to use the points to buy a $25 Target gift card or $25 Amazon gift card.

These didn't last long before, so I would hurry if you want one! 

I haven't posted in FOREVER, but I just saw this deal and wanted to let you know in case you have any Mamapedia credits!

Mamapedia currently has a Daily Deal for Zearly.  This company sends you postage-paid bags that you fill with your childrens' gently used clothing and trade in for points.  The part that makes this deal so great is that you can use these points to buy gift cards as well as more kids clothes.

So...you would pay $20 for $62.50 worth of points on Zearly (that should work out to 250 points), and then you can use those points to get a gift card to Target, Walmart, Amazon, and more! 

Now, I don't know for sure that Zearly isn't going to say that you actually can't use those points from Mamapedia for the gift cards, so I would use caution when buying this.  I bought it only because I had a $20 credit with Mamapedia, and I'm willing to take that chance.  They are presently out of most of their gift cards, but the voucher doesn't expire until November 14, 2011, so I'm guessing they will get in more by that time.

Again, use caution when buying this.  If you have credits, it could be a great deal if it works, but if you spend the $20 and it doesn't work, well...that would just be a great waste of money :) You could also actually plan on sending them some of your kids' clothes for points.  I always end up giving a fair amount away after my daughter grows out of them, so I think I'll try this to see if it's worth it.

Go HERE to purchase this deal with Mamapedia!

Thanks, My DFW Mommy!

Mercury Magazines is offering up a FREE subscription to Woman's Day today HERE!  I have signed up for SEVERAL free magazine deals, and they really are free.  You don't put in any financial information at all, so you can't be charged.  They will include a slip in your last free issue if you want to sign up to pay for more issues, but that's totally up to you whether or not you want to continue receiving the magazine or not.  Mercury Magazines is one of my favorite companies because they don't just offer free mags to the first 500 people, so you usually get the magazines if you sign up early enough.

Thanks, Hip2Save!

Yay!  Bruegger's has a coupon out for a FREE Bagel & Cream Cheese sandwich valid through 3/24 HERE.  You can check their site to see if you have a Bruegger's near you HERE.  I highly recommend their cinnamon bagel - so yummy!

Thanks, Swaggrabber!

If you are a member of Vocalpoint, hurry over HERE and sign up for a FREE coupon for International Delight Breve.  I don't think this will last long, so hurry if you want one.  If you aren't a member of Vocalpoint, you could try signing up first and see if they will send it to you.



Thanks, Swaggrabber!

Did you know that most traditional liquid fabric softeners:

1. Are oil based?  Which means they COAT your fabrics in oil :(  That means over time your clothes will start turning gray or yellow because the softener inhibits the proper cleaning of your laundry, so your clothes won't last as long. 
2. Can decrease your towels' ability to absorb water?  I really, really don't like using one of those towels that DON'T REMOVE WATER.  Using traditional fabric softeners interferes with the absorbency of fabrics since it coats them in oil, so over time you end up with towels that just won't remove water from you, dishes, etc. 
3. Can make your children's sleepwear less safe? When clothing fibers are covered in oil, they become less flame retardant, so even though childrens' clothing has been treated to meet the Consumer Products Safety Commission's standards, using traditional liquid softeners impairs the effectiveness of the treatment.
4. Can reduce the effectiveness of your sportswear? Sportswear is made to wick moisture and perspiration away from your body while you work out or play sports, and again, when you coat your clothing in oil by using the traditional liquid softeners, the effectiveness of the wicking is compromised.


The new Purex Complete Crystals Softener is 92% natural, not oil-based like other liquid fabric softeners, so it DOESN'T coat your fabrics in oil!  This means that it's 100% safe to use on childrens' clothing, it does not inhibit the wicking properties of sportswear, it ensures that your towels stay fresh and absorbent, and it works by penetrating and infusing fabric fibers with freshness that lasts for weeks, not just days!



I think that consumers are so used to seeing "new" product after "new" product hit the market, but it is a rare occasion with something truly NEW comes out.  I would have to say that new Purex Complete Crystals Softener is really a unique product that will improve the way that we soften and freshen our clothes and other fabrics.  In addition to the above information here are the Pros and Cons as I see it from my own personal use of this product:

Pros:
* the directions are super easy to follow.  I knew just how much to use and how to correctly use the crystals
* the scent is just right.  It was pretty strong when I smelled it out of the bottle, but it was perfect after my clothes had been through the dryer.  I didn't smell the scent every time I used anything I had washed with the Purex Crystals, but that's okay with me because I don't usually want to smell like softener, though I do enjoy folding laundry that smells fresh.
* I can only take Purex's word that I am going to see long-term benefits from using the Purex Crystals because I just started using them.  In a few weeks/months, I should be able to see if there is a difference in my clothes and how long they last. 

Cons:  I was not a HUGE fan of the scent, Fresh Spring Waters.  I didn't hate it and I think it will be a great scent for others, but I will personally be choosing a different scent (either Tropical Splash or Lavender Blossom) for regular use.

I encourage you to check out the Purex website for more information and some great coupons for Purex products! 

Disclosure:  I was provided with a small sample of Purex Complete Crystals Softener and a coupon good for an additional FREE Purex Complete Crystals Softener full-size product.  Opinions on this product are my own. 

Make sure to log in to Cellfire any time between now and 9 pm EST today to see what you've won!  Everyone wins at least $.50 and some will win $3.00 off his/her next grocery store purchase.  I actually won $3, which has NEVER happened before! 


If you haven't signed up for Cellfire yet, I highly recommend it!  I usually forget when I win one of these amounts (they have been running this promotion frequently lately), and then it's nice to see that come off when I go to King Sooper's.  It's free to sign up and you'll just need your shopper's card, so you should definitely sign up today if you haven't already! 


Thanks, Hip2Save!