Posts filed under ‘Green Living’
MommaJam on 95.9 WATD-FM: Green Cleaning, Red Velvet Cupcakes, Star Wars 3D
This week on MommaJam, we are talking about the “Green Clean” book, a great resource guide for cleaning with non-toxic products in your home, Red Velvet cupcakes for Valentine’s Day and Star Wars in 3D.
Green Cleaning
Have you ever wondered what you should do with cleaning products under your kitchen sink if you decide to really “go green?” In some cases you should take the products to your local Haz Mat station to dispose of them. Crazy! We actually clean our homes with some of these products.
“Green Clean” co-author Linda Mason Hunter suggest using them up and never buying them again. Or, donate them to a place that needs stringent cleaning supplies.
The best cleaning ingredients are baking soda and distilled white vinegar. Every one has these two items in their pantry. A third item is vegetable-based soap, which comes as a solid bar or in liquid form. There are easy-to-make recipes in “Green Clean,” which is a great book to reach for whenever you have a question about green cleaning. It’s thorough and addresses every room in the house. Look for tips on cleaning stains, different kinds floor surfaces, laundry, and more.
Go to HunterInk.com for more information or Amazon.com to buy the book.
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Red Velvet cupcakes are the rage this year. There’s a great website, called The Dusty Baker ,which has gluten free, dairy free red velvet cupcakes. Moms with food allergy kids can still have fun with the Valentine’s Day holiday or make these delicious cupcakes anytime of the year.
After making Red Velvet cupcakes with a traditional recipe over the weekend, we discovered that you need to add more red food coloring and less cocoa to get that rich red batter. If you add too much cocoa, the cake comes out brown not red.
Star Wars in 3D – It’s Here!
Star Wars Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace 3D opens Friday, Feb. 10, 2012.
This is a great time for new generations to see this amazing saga on the big screen. While the 3D effects are not as punchy as movies designed in 3D from the get go (think Avatar), it’s still fun to watch and the story is as enchanting as ever. I also like that kids today can watch the movie and storyline unfold from the beginning (versus those of us from the 1970s and 1980s who had to watch the last three episodes, then the first three episodes. Although, waiting for the first glimpse of Darth Vader’s parents was pretty cool).
Of course, the fact that most families own the entire series on DVD or can rent it dilutes the drama of seeing a movie for the first time, but there’s nothing like a dark, loud movie theatre to heighten your entertainment experience.
Go to Starwars.com for more information.
The next MommaJam on 95.9 WATD-FM is Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 at 7:10 a.m. ET.
You can like MommaJam on Facebook and follow on Twitter. Write in to tell us what you want to hear!
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Green Clean Your Home with These Non-Toxic Tips
Today at MommaJam, we interviewed Linda Mason Hunter, co-author of “Green Clean,” a step-by-step guide to cleaning your home with non-toxic, eco-friendly products.
This gorgeously-styled books comes with tips for cleaning every room in the house, recipes for easy, inexpensive green cleaning concoctions, safe ways to recycle, and much more.
If you’re ready to “go green,” but are unsure about how to get started or what to do with products under the kitchen sink, listen to this podcast interview with Linda. She gives great advise on how to dispose of traditional, possibly toxic cleaning products.
Linda also suggest three basic ingredients to make your home sparkle: baking soda, distilled white vinegar and vegetable-based soap, such as Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap – Lavender, which you can find for about $17 at Target.com. Linda also talks about the pros and cons of Borax, an old-fashioned, yet now controversial green cleaning product.
Click arrow above to hear the Green Clean interview.
For more information and to buy the book online, go to HunterInk.com. Also check out Earth911.org.
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Simplicity for Kids
“Topographically, the stuff functions as an archeological image of the child’s commercial life so far: the deeper you dig, the earlier the toys.” Chapter Three: Environment
- Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne, M. Ed., with Lisa M. Ross.
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MommaJam on 95.9 WATD-FM: 5 Tips for Simplicity
Tune in as Morning Show hosts Rob Hakala and Lisa Azizian talk with MommaJam about ways to keep it simple.
1. Adopt the less is more mantra for kids.
2. Check out the book Simplicity Parenting – it’s a great guide for raising calm kids.
3. Plan a simple dinner. This week on FOOD TUESDAY, I’ve included a review of Artichoke Pasta Sauce and Tuscan Vegetable Soup from Pastene. Both are super easy, super simple to prepare. Reheat and serve right out of the jar.
4. Take a quiet moment at Coffee Break Cafe in Quincy. Each month, the cafe features a drink flavor of the month. January was Red Velvet, which was so popular, they kept it for February (ties in nicely with Valentine’s Day). There are three Coffee Break Cafe locations in Quincy with one at Wollaston Beach. At the downtown Qunicy location, Big Joe hosts story time with kids every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Go to CoffeeBreakCafe.net for more information.
5. For Simple Style, check out L’Oreal’s new eye shadow make up that helps moms to look glamorous in two seconds. Love this make up! The line is called HiP Studio Secrets, Professional Metallic Duos – two great colors in one pack. You can get them at Target for about $6 each in a huge range of color selections: Gilded, Magnetic, Shocked, Electrified, Energized and Charged. Perfect for moms!
The next MommaJam in Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012 at 7:10 a.m. ET.
You can like MommaJam on Facebook and follow on Twitter. Write in to tell us what you want to hear!
Get MommaJam on the go with iTunes.
FOOD TUESDAY: Pastene’s Tuscan Vegetable Soup & Artichoke Pasta Sauce
Looking for a simple dinner plan tonight?
Try Pastene’s Tuscan Vegetable Soup, which is hearty and delicious. It does not taste like it’s from a jar and heats up fast. Serve with crusty bread and you have a meal in minutes.
If you’re kids want pasta packed with flavor, extra nutrition and fiber, try Pastene’s Artichoke Pasta Sauce. Reheat and serve over your favorite shells or spaghetti. This tomato sauce passed the “kids taste test” in our house and is now a go-to sauce for instant lunches and dinners. It’s even great for families who usually make their own sauce. It’s that good!
Go to Pastene.com to find a store near you with Pastene’s wide selection of ready-to-serve imported Italian products, as well as specialty Italian ingredients for an authentic meal.
Mangia!
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Simplicity Tip of the Day
When you simplify a child’s “world,” you prepare the way for positive change and growth.
- Kim John Payne, M.Ed., with Lisa M. Ross, Simplicity Parenting.
MommaJam on 95.9 WATD-FM: 3 Tips to De-clutter Your Home, Pantry, Kids!
This week on MommaJam with 95.9 WATD-FM, we talk about getting rid of old stuff around the house, cleaning your pantry and refrigerator, and feeling renewed for 2012.
Here are 3 tips to help you get it done:
1. Check out a cool, new company called thredUP that lets you trade clothes, toys and books with other moms online. This is a great service for when your kids outgrow Star Wars, but are then into Pokemon or love GAP. Go to thredUP.com to learn more about how to start trading with other moms and join the thredUP community.
2. FOOD TUESDAY this week is all about organizing your pantry and refrigerator. Get rid of old and moldy food that’s expired. Make lunch and dinner with ingredients you already have. Right now, Americans toss about 25 percent of their groceries each year. Ouch!
3. Clean your office, work space or family nerve center. Clean up the holiday mess and get organized. Recycle what you should pass on and toss the rest.
In the end, you’ll feel better and live a happier life. Smile!
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thredUP: Digital Trading Post for Moms
ThredUP: Digital Trading Post for Moms
In keeping with the clean it out, pass it along, clearing clutter mode at MommaJam, we’ve checked out thredUP, a modern day, digital trading post for moms. ThredUP lets moms trade gently used clothes, toys and books with other moms from all over the country.
ThredUP is a green and economical way for parents to get rid of outgrown clothes, toys and books to make way for new things that are age appropriate.
You can join the community for free. Boxes of pre-owned items start at $9 + shipping. For every two boxes you share, you can get the next one free with cash back you receive by selling a box. You can sort by age, clothing style, holiday, seasons, costumes – even designer labels.
For super-busy moms, thredUP has a Concierge Service. Moms can order free bags, stuff them full of 50+ items and send them to thredUP’s expert consignors. ThredUP sorts the bags, certifies quality and posts them online for other moms to buy.
Check out thredUP.com to join and start trading.
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FOOD TUESDAY: Clean Out Your Fridge & Pantry
This week at MommaJam is all about getting rid of stuff you don’t need, getting organized and loving life.
Take a look at your pantry.
Is it over flowing with tons of leftover holiday snacks? Clean it out.
Before: Ugggg...! Messy Pantry!
Make a list of all the things you should pack in your kids’ lunches, pack for your own lunch, give to kids coming over for playdates (if your house is like mine, the boys eat everything in site).
Toss anything moldy and gross. Align cans and jars, so you can actually see items and think about what to cook right now without going to the store. (Novel concept, but Americans throw out approximately 40 percent of their groceries each year). Rather than stressing about what’s for dinner, come up with something yummy and creative with ingredients you already have.
After: Clean, Organized Pantry
Once your pantry is cleaned up, work on the fridge. Get rid of old, floppy stuff. Compost as much as you can, freeze what needs to be stored for later use, and eat up what’s teetering on the edge of expiration. Don’t waste it. Turn all those random raw ingredients and leftovers into meals this week.
After the fridge is semi-empty, give it a clean with a refreshing non-toxic mix of water and baking soda. Using a cotton cloth, gently rub out dried up spills, brown gunk from rotten lettuce, and spilled Ketchup.
You’ll feel better once you clean up the kitchen and can “see” what’s for dinner. I bet, it’s something delicious.
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Get Organized: Tips to Declutter Right Now
These Shoes are Going to Goodwill
Clean the fridge, clean the pantry, clean your desk, clean your closet, clear your mind. Get organized. You’ll feel better. This week on MommaJam is all about Getting Organized.
Donate and Recycle Gently Used Items, Trash the Rest
Make the time today to toss 10 things that you don’t use. Do this every day to clear the clutter and make way for a positive chi in your life.
What better time to make way for the new than after the holidays and the start of a new year. Pick one place in the house today to clean out. Your closet. Are shoes you don’t wear anymore collecting dust? Maybe another gal can wear them.
Pass on shoes, clothes and accessories you don’t wear anymore to organizations the recycle them, such as Goodwill, the Vietnam’s Vet Association (VVA) and Big Brothers Big Sisters. VVA will pick up at your doorstep and it takes second to schedule.
After you clean out the clutter, you’ll feel better and the space will look better.
Next, flip through a a few magazines to help you visualize what you want the clean space to look like and get to work.
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