I don't know a ton about "Green" stuff but...

There's a commercial that airs on my news station all the time that goes "we were green before green was cool." It's a slogan by a pest and lawn care company that uses environmentally friendly products for their services.

I must have heard that a thousand times before I stopped to think about it. "Before green was cool."

Aint that the truth. I thought as I mouthed the phrase I knew was coming.

If anything is trendy right now like no other it's green products.

I'm bombarded with mom emails every morning issuing me a new warning about some product I use that's harmful to my baby and has links to cancer.--Air fresheners, glass cleaners, bleach, cell phones. I might as well move to a bubble and eat dirt.

These emails almost always offer up a green alternative which makes me scratch my head and wonder if that green alternative is the one sponsoring this mass email to scare me.

Well I'll show them. Instead of buying the toxic-free air freshener, I'll just let my house stink. And instead of washing my counters with that natural cleaner...Well, I just won't wash my counters.

Yes, ladies and gentle men, my plan is to just live in filth instead of fear.

Organic Cotton Girls Top from My Natural Baby Boutique

When I told my husband of my plan to stop cleaning, of course he had a smart aleck response.

"So, what's new? I do all of the cleaning."

So my plan to rebel against the toxic clean companies, and their expensive alleged "green" counterparts was short lived. But I haven't given up. I do want to be greener. To live greener, and feel like I'm making a difference. But I also don't want to feel ripped off.

Something that comes from the earth should be cheaper than something that's processed--At least in my mind. I know things that are processed are more often mass-produced, and more likely to cost less to make (at least that's what I hear) but there's gotta be other ways to be thrifty AND green right?

For one, I'm thinking of using vinegar to clean with. I dunno, I hear it gets the job done. I'm not sure what I think of my whole house smelling like vinegar but I imagine it'll be better than the smell of not cleaning. It's worth a try. Until we find out vinegar also has a link to cancer.

I'm also of thinking of joining a community garden. My town has dozens of community gardens and there's a couple right around my house. Organic food can be pricey, but if I grow my own it can be way cheap. I'm talking tomato seeds for like 10 cents. Renting a plot is only like $30 a year or less depending which you plant at. And this way I don't have to dig up my own yard... The plots are already there!

Organic Cotton Pants with Skirt from My Natural Baby Boutique

The only downside is well... The work, and the fact that I've never been able to keep my potted plants alive so umm... This could wind up being a disaster, but it could also be a good learning experience. I'll definitely take a free class before trying. And I'll bring the whole family out. It'll be a good lesson for all of us. Plus Lil' J already likes to eat dirt. She's green.

I doubt I'll ever decide to grow cotton (it just don't seem right in my mind). But apparently non-organic cotton uses lots of cancer-linked pesticides (surprise, surprise!). I'd think it's not the end of the world since you wash your clothes, and you're wearing them, not eating them, but don't quote me on that. If you're still worried, stores like My Natural Baby Boutique make clothes with 100% organic cotton. That's where these cute Earthy-looking clothes are from.
And finally, I'm all about recycling. ALL a-bout-it!! I'm not the best about recycling my own trash (YET)--I'm working on that. But I am saving all of Lil' J's clothes. I don't plan to throw any away. It'll all be donated, used for my next child, or sold. I am also good about buying recycled products. Like clothes for Lil 'J. A good portion of them are second hand. Betcha didn't know that! Yea! I get a lot of her stuff off eBay, and a few things from thrift stores. I even have found some cool etsy shops that up-cycle their clothes. Meaning, taking fabric from an old-something, and turning it into a new-something. Like this skirt from Wendy Miracle and this adorable hair bow from Little Smash:

Upcycled Skirt from Wendy Miracle; Upcycled Bow from Little Smash; Bubble top from HEB

Recycled toilet paper is another way to go. No... It's not what you think. We use cloth wipes for Lil' J but not for us. Recycled toilet paper as in White Cloud Green Earth brand. Like up-cycled clothes, this stuff is made of 100% recycled material, which saves millions of trees. Kruger, the company behind White Cloud Green Earth is also using green energy to run it's factories.

So maybe I am jumping on the "green is cool" bandwagon, but really, is it that bad of a club to be in? Even if we do find out that it's all a hoax next year, or that it's already too late, we're gonna die--At least we gave it a try, and it's a well-meaning club to be in.

Thanks for making it to the bottom of my ramblings in this post. If you've survived, congratulations, now it's time for some freebies...
You can buy Green Earth TP or paper towels and get 50% more right now. You can also use this coupon to get another $1.50 off. If you like free money, join their twitter party tomorrow where they'll be giving away Walmart gift cards from 1-2pm CST. Use hashtag #earthday and #green to party.


If you comment and let me know what you like from My Natural Baby Boutique, you'll be entered to win $20 to their cute clothing store. The first 5 people to say the code phrase "yo wassup" in the comments, gets $15 off their order of $50 or more. 

And finally, everyone who comments on this post letting me know an item they like from Planet Gear.com which sells clothes and other goodies for 70% off retail prices, will be entered to win this mother/daughter set of water bottles. You can also find them here on twitter or facebook. I believe you'll also get a free $10 credit by using that link *crossing my fingers that's how that works*.

All comments for prizes should be submitted by the 3rd please!

*I'm a White Cloud blogger and am compensated for my time preparing this post. All of my silly opinions are my own.

Even going to the bathroom is hard

Why do moms always say how hard it is for them to go to the bathroom by themselves? Or take a shower? Seriously, is it that hard to leave your baby outside the bathroom door while you do your business? Yes, yes it is. Not only I can attest to this, so can my poor husband who watches her during the day. Showers and most bathroom breaks are reserved for when I get home and he can pass her on to me. I think this concept is something you can't quite get a grasp of until you're in the situation.

I used to be able to spend my bathroom breaks relaxing. Read a book, play angry birds, whatever. Now each time I take a potty break I'm trying to be faster than the last because just as I'm sitting down it's--STOP, DON'T PUT THAT IN YOUR MOUTH! Or, "It's ok, mommy's coming back" because she can't last 10 seconds without seeing my face.

This love letter earlier this week seemed so fitting because I don't know how many times I've gone to the bathroom only to find myself stranded with no TP. It sucks. And the worst part about it is knowing if only I had noticed the empty roll five seconds earlier I could have grabbed some from the closet.

It's easily resolved when my husband is home. I holler down to him to bring me a new roll. But when he's not home I've got some big decisions to make.

This debilitating circumstance is even worse since having a little one. I'm either racing the clock to relieve myself before she notices I'm gone, or trying to squat and play defense so she doesn't get into something she's not supposed to. It's not fun. And I can't tell you how many times I've resorted to using sheets from the paper towel roll we have sitting in our bathroom. Ouch. But it's better than nothing. Sorta. Why do we have paper towels in the bathroom but but we can't seem to replace the TP roll? Not a clue. I'd blame it on my hubby but I'm just as guilty.

I wonder if I had more toilet paper in my house this wouldn't happen. Right now White Cloud is selling their TP with 50% more, plus you can get $1 off  with this coupon so it averages out to dirt cheap.

I'm joining the White Cloud Roll-Volution because when you've gotta go, you need all the toilet paper you can get. Do any of these TP disasters look familiar? I've fallen victim to all of them, but if they should really add a fifth photo that looks like this...

Because sadly, toilet paper even gets eaten in my house.

Will I ever be able to use the bathroom in peace again? How soon? Five years? Ten years? To those without kids, enjoy your peaceful time on the throne while it lasts.

You can take a quiz to find out which suspect you live with on White Cloud's Roll-Volution page, where they're giving away $25 Walmart gift cards each day. Fan them on facebook and like them on Twitter for more fun and future giveaways too.

*I'm a White Cloud Blogger and am compensated for my time preparing this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Imagination Unrolled Winners!

How nice would it be to have an extra grand in my pocket right now? I wish I knew. Luckily for Rachel Rockwell from Tulsa, OK, she knows what it's like because she won the White Cloud Imagination Unrolled toilet paper contest by making this pretty wall art display with toilet paper rolls, glue and some scrapbook materials. Now $1,000 richer she can brag about her creativity.

The two other winners were these ideas and they each won $500.

A big congratulations to the winners!! Check out all of the entries on MyWhiteCloud.com and get some holiday crafts ideas you can do with family or friends.

And if you're shopping for paper towels or toilet paper this weekend, here's a coupon for $1.50 off White Cloud! You can print it up to three times. Have a good weekend!

*I'm a White Cloud blogger and compensated for my time in writing this post. Opinions expressed are my own.

Show Me What You're Making Monday and Win $1000

So remember my toilet paper roll creativity? Well my idea was sorta lame. And after looking at the other entries for the White Cloud Imagination Unrolled Contest I've realized I don't have a CHANCE at winning. The positive side is even if your picture doesn't measure up to some of the others, the winner comes down to votes anyway. So if you rally all of your friends to vote for you, you can still beat someone who made something much cooler. I'm just keeping it real.

I, on the other hand don't think I could get my friends to vote for my napkin ring idea over some of these other entries, but I'm just letting you know that if you want to go for it, I'll root for you! If any of my readers entered this contest let me know too and I'll give you a shout out to help you get votes! Voting just started, but you can still upload your picture and start rallying for votes. The one with the most votes by December 3rd wins $1000. Second and third place each win $500.

Even if you're not going to enter you should head on over and just vote for your favorite. Encourage these creative minds.

 

I'm cheating a little on my What I'm Making Monday this week and showing you what others have made. But hey, it still fits the theme.

Did you make something this week? Link up! Share on What I'm Makin' Monday. It can be food, a craft, a tip, anything!

<a href="http://babymakingmachine.blogspot.com/search/label/makin%20monday" target="_blank"><img alt="What I'm Making Monday" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4571783992_a80397e7d1_o.png" /></a>
(highlight ctl+c)

I wasn't planning on doing a giveaway today since I didn't make anything super cool to give away (unless someone REALLY wants a TP napkin holder), but next week I'm planning to make something cute, and give another away as well! Winner of the lactation cookies I made last week will be announced on my facebook page.
*I'm a White Cloud blogger and compensated for my time in preparing this post. Opinions expresses are always my own.

Rate the Rolls Results

I just found out that roll B (the roll Lil' J and I liked best in the Rate the Roll experiment) is a White Cloud Green Earth Roll.

Here's some other info about the TP roll incase you're looking to going more green (or really like to research about your toilet paper).

1. While both are 100% recycled, White Cloud GreenEarth is always made from 100% post consumer fibers, while Seventh Generation only promises 80% post consumer.

2. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, if every household in the United States replaced just one roll of virgin fiber toilet paper (500 sheets) with 100% recycled ones, we could save 423,900 trees. Don't want to cloth diaper? This could help! Cloth diaper? Well, why not use recycled TP?

3. You can save money by printing a $1.25 off coupon (good for GreenEarth too) below!

And thanks to everyone who commented on my white cloud experiment post! Lil' J and I had a lot of fun, and she didn't swallow too much TP. The winner of the Shutterfly gift card is #9 April! 

There's lots of other winners coming up and from now on I'm going to be announcing them on my Facebook Page. So look to my sidebar to enter giveaways (they're easy now, just leave one comment to enter, no hoops to jump through on my blog!) and check to see if you won here.

And here's a coupon for some TP and/or paper towels!







*I am compensated by White Cloud for my time in participating in this challenge. Opinions expressed are all mine (and a little of Lil' J's too). Shutterfly had nothing to do with this, that's just my own friendly gesture to show you I love you!

White Cloud Rate the Rolls Challenge

I'd never put so much thought into how my toilet paper felt, and where it came from until today.

I'm Participating in the White Cloud Rate the Rolls Challenge and I was sent two toilet paper rolls to test out. Both are made from 100% recycled fibers like paper etc (I know, it sounds weird but hear me out!). One was White Cloud Green Earth, the other is the leading competition. But I don't know which is which.

Lil' J and I tested both of the rolls and picked a favorite. Watch the video to see our experiment and see which one I picked!

What do you think? Tomorrow I'll find out which one is White Cloud Green Earth and let you know if I picked it.

Everyone who leaves a comment on this post by before 11:59pm Tuesday will be entered to win a $20 gift card to Shutterfly.

And here's a coupon for some TP and/or paper towels!




*I am compensated by White Cloud for my time in participating in this challenge. Opinions expressed are all mine (and a little of Lil' J's too). Shutterfly had nothing to do with this, that's just my own friendly gesture to show you I love you!

Creative Enough to Win $1000?

I always saw myself as a pretty creative person. I was in Odyssey of the Mind when I was in elementary school, and I surprise myself from time to time with the ability to think outside of the box.

I was challenged to think of something cool to make out of toilet paper rolls. Why? Well, because White Cloud has just announced the start of their new Imagination Unrolled Contest where you and your kiddos have the chance to show off your creative juices.

The coolest entries will have the chance at winning the grand prize of $1,000 and $500 for 2 runners-up! --You'll get to get your friends to vote for your picture!

Basically, the concept is to use While Cloud toilet paper or paper towel rolls you have lying around (I found about 5 in my trashcan (I know, I know... I'm going to recycle from now on, or save them to play with later).


So what did I do? Well, first I looked at the other entries. Then kicked myself for not thinking of some of those. And I had some trial and error with a few things: A windchime, and a baby mobile. I won't post the pictures to save myself from embarassment.

I kept thinking "binoculars" but that was just too obvious. So I settled for the next less obvious thing, but adapted it to something I think is creative... Napkin holders! But not just any napkin holders.--Napkin holders with team spirit!

You know--Something to bust out at a superbowl, or game-watching party.

Materials needed

And they're so easy to make. Just grab your TP rolls, some glue, your favorite fabric and scissors!

Cut the toilet paper toll to the size you want your holder to be

Tadaa!

Convinced? Ok, so maybe my creative skills are lacking... If you're like me but still want to win some moolah, join the #WhiteCloudMom's Imagination Unrolled Twitter Party Thursday night.

Thursday, October 21st 3pm - 4pm CST, they'll be giving away a $50 gift card to a random participant every 10 minutes!

Follow the host @WhiteCloudMom and #WhiteCloudMom to participate. They'll give tips on how to "unroll" your imagination! I'm hoping I come up with a better idea for my entry after the party.

Never been to a twitter party? Just go to tweetgrid.com and enter this:

Except enter your user name, not mine!

See you there! So what do you think? How did I do?

*Disclosure: I am a White Cloud blogger, and I am compensated for my time. All opinions are 100% my own.