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Eco Friendly Toys and Gifts for Christmas

Posted by html404 on December 8, 2010
in Eco Friendly Products, Gift Ideas, Holidays

This post brought to you by your friends at www.earthwhile.co.uk

As our family continues our journey in healthy living, we continue to enjoy trying and learning about new sources of eco friendly products. This includes eco friendly toys and gifts for Christmas.

This week we found out about a new shop that carries a wide variety of eco friendly toys and gifts, including:

Wooden Toys– We love wooden toys, especially well made ones because they tend to last so much longer than the cheap plastic toys available. I don’t know how many toys we throw away because they break. It’s such a waste – of toys and money.

Flip Flap– I love solar powered products. Saves on batteries to use the sun! Take a look at this Bee Happy Solar Powered Dancing Flower? Isn’t it pretty? Great for gardeners or just to cheer up a room.

Slate Coaster and Placemat Set –

Reusable Shopping Bags by Envirosax – I have to admit that still haven’t formed a habit of remembering to bring my reusable bags with me when I go shopping. However, I think it is a good idea and like the fact that more stylish bags are becoming more available. They even have ones geared towards kids.

These are not the only eco friendly gifts ideas to consider. Consider giving a larger gift to yourself, a parent or grown child if you have the means to, as helping yourself or family members towards energy saving products is a wonderful gift in my opinion. I can think of a few energy leaks in our home that I would love to plug up, but we didn’t get to and would have loved to receive it as a gift. Think about how much money you could save by contributing towards saving energy (and money!) on home improvements like home insulation, garage insulation or outdoor lighting (such as solar powered lights).

Many times giving an eco friendly gift means that the gift will also help others, whether through providing a fair wage or helping a charity. So please consider giving a gift that gives back this Christmas season.

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EllaWrap

Posted by html404 on December 8, 2010
in Eco Friendly Products, Holidays

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

I really love the concept of a reusable gift wrap. Not only does it eliminate so much useless waste, it creates a journal of memories as well. EllaWrap is a wonderful solution to the waste gift wrap creates.

We received the Eco Holiday Bow Bag and it could fit a bag or tin of candies, a small book as it is only 3 ¼” x 3” base by 5 ½” tall. It comes with a little card to keep track of who has used and received the EllaWrap. Initially I thought the EllaWrap would come with a little notebook like a journal, however, in reality it is a two sided card with lines (see the photo below). That was a little disappointing (the writer in me, I guess!) at first, but I still love the idea of reusable gift wrap. I reuse gift bags, but shhhh……don’t tell anyone! 😉

The Eco Holiday Bow Bag is well made. It is made of recycled burlap on the outside and lined with green material on inside with a good quality Christmas plaid ribbon sewn to the burlap on the outer side.

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Faith and Family Movie Review: Rust

Posted by html404 on December 7, 2010
in DVDs & CDs, Movie Review Monday, Movies

I have a couple more movies to review so I can get my links sent to our contact. So I have one more for this week and hopefully two more for next week.

Rust is a movie with content of a more serious nature, but faith, family, friends – relationships – were a huge focus. In this movie actor Corbin Bernsen plays a former minister who is troubled in his soul. He returns to the town where he grew up only to rediscover his purpose as a minister. I loved the loyalty that Corbin Bernsen’s character, Jimmy, displayed. He was a true friend despite circumstances forcing others to turn away from a close childhood friend.

Due to the content being more serious, our oldest did not enjoy it as much. She thought it was scary because of a tragic event that occurred. She told us this after the fact. This was actually one movie we did not preview before the children. The other children seemed to like it (maybe not quite as much as others) and I think we addressed concerns as they arose during the movie. However, for that reason I would advise parents of younger children to preview it first to see if they think their children will be able to handle the content.

Because we were not expecting one surprising element of Rust, I think we enjoyed it more than we would have otherwise, as it has a rather unique story line. It’s always thought provoking to watch a movie that deals with real life issues. The relationship aspect of the movie makes us take a look at our own relationships and question how we can improve them and I think that is a good thing, as long as we seek the Lord’s leading too.

Watch one of Rust’s trailers (there are more at www.rustmovie.com):

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Movie Review Monday: Trusting in the Shepherd

Posted by html404 on December 6, 2010
in DVDs & CDs, Movies

We received a new dvd from Really Woolly Kids (Dayspring) titled, Trusting in the Shepherd and watched it as a family. The older children thought it was cute, our older son thought it was “pretty good but not the best” and our oldest daughter thought it was silly (but hey, she’s outgrowing a lot of things that her younger siblings still happen to enjoy – that’s a part of growing up!).

Trusting in the Shepherd is an animated movie about a family of sheep (yes, the characters are cute little sheep as you can see from the dvd cover 🙂 ). It features two stories dealing with the little lambs learning how to manage their fears. The daughter lamb was afraid of the dark and the son lamb was afraid of a bigger lamb at school. As they processed their fears their parents and grandmother were influential in leading them to trust the Good Shepherd who is always with them and to the scripture verse Psalm 23:4:

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for though art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

This kids dvd is very family friendly and entertained our little ones. A must see, especially if you have children who are struggling with fears.

To find out more about this movie or Really Woolly Kids, please visit their sites:

Website: http://www.reallywoollykids.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Really-Woolly-Kids/120680907979250?ref=ts

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Monday Motivation – It’s Winter in Chicago!

Posted by html404 on December 6, 2010
in Blog Stuff, Monday Motivation

You know that old saying on Ground Hog Day about “in like a lion, out like lamb” or something to that affect, well, that’s how I felt last week with the start of December. We have had such a beautiful fall here, then bam! winter smacks us in the face with cold, wind and even snow. I have my favorite winter time activities and as I was saying to some of our children, if I could enjoy them winter wouldn’t be so long and unenjoyable (for the most part and is that even a word?) to be. But I am usually pregnant, recovering from a miscarriage, have an infant…that I really haven’t enjoyed winter like I use to do.

This is one of the first Decembers in the past six years I have started without much of a rain cloud over my head. November 30th marked the sixth anniversary of our losing our son Matthew 18 weeks into my pregnancy. It was a shock to go into my appointment expecting to hear a little heart beat only to discover none. Then going through the ordeal of an ultrasound confirming it, the inside of my head screaming “why?!” and then the trip home to share the news with my husband and five young children who were anticipating a new baby. And finally even harder still was the decisions to be made, the very negative experience we had to go through when we opted to get Matthew taken care of as soon as possible so I could heal and get back to taking care of our other children and the grief that was yet to come. Nope, not easy at all. I didn’t know what grief meant until I lost a child that far into a pregnancy. For me grief took on a whole new form and it took me a long time to process it. To this day I avoid looking at the pictures we were given of Matthew because of the sadness it brings to me. They are tucked away in a special box that has been packed away because I cannot go through the emotion of reliving my experience when the children have asked to see the pictures. Pretty sad, eh? And what a way to start off the week! I am serious, reflective and even sad, but this is the first year that I can actually get through writing about Matthew without crying. Now that is
progress.

Writing about Matthew kept coming to my mind throughout the past week and since I really haven’t made this blog a personal, personal blog due to, again, a past experience, I thought maybe sharing this would show all of you another side of me. It isn’t easy to open up to people I don’t know. I use to be an open book and able to hide behind my keyboard. However, age has made me slow to take the chances I once did when I was naive and younger. Printed words are too easily misconstrued, just are a person’s actions, motivations and verbal words.

On a more positive note….

Following up on last week’s Monday Motivation:

~ The ongoing cleaning and purging is…well…ongoing. We were able to get our tree up and decorated much to the pleasure and enjoyment of the children.

~ No business plan finished. 🙁 We ended up getting sick with colds, so Sunday and Monday, even Tuesday was sluggish, so I was unable to get at it with the rest of life going on.

~ We did get to the Thrift Store after we got our tree on Saturday (that was a great outing!) and found some needed items. But due to being sick we have not got to the YMCA.

~ We have played Christmas music a number of days, but not every day. And we still need to watch a classic Christmas movie.

~ Still no laptop. It’s been a war over our pc for me to get my work done and the children to get their school done, but we are managing somehow. The computer guy has been great, but he’s trying to solve a puzzle he’s never had to solve and each time we talk I end up giving him a missing piece of information. So he’s hopeful and I will remain so as well for now.

This week’s Motivation:Do I have anything new? Just a couple. I’ll be going to my CSA course, worked on my homework this past weekend so I could hand it in. I need to research antifungal diets and figure out how I am going to manage to survive on one, as I need to help get rid of baby’s thrush and the cause of it. First baby to have thrush, unbelievable.

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Closed12 Days of Christmas Giveaways – Day 12- Win an Umbrella From Kidorable!

Posted by html404 on December 3, 2010
in Giveaways, Holidays

Congratulations to Karen! You won this giveaway! Thanks to all who entered and to the wonderful sponsor! Winner chosen by random.org

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to YOU! An umbrella from Kidorable!

Our Review:

Kidorable sells children’s rainwear and we received a frog rain coat and rain boots. Since it is winter here in Chicago we have not properly tested this product for wear having only received it today on the last day of our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways. However, we can say that the products appear to be well made. They are as cute as their website shows and the sizes run normal for the average sized child. We chose a size 3T for our almost three year old and as you can see from the photo below it fits him great, just a little long in the arms. I tried to get his boots a little big so they would fit him in the spring and I think the will be fine. We got him a size 8, as he’s in a size 7 now.

Froggy Rain Boots

Froggy Rain Coat is made of PVC (lead free) with a polyester lining and come with a cute little froggy hanger too, which my son has dubbed “My froggy hanger”. 🙂

This is the last day to win a prize so be sure to enter all our other giveaways before they start to close!

With over 20+ umbrellas to choose from the winner will sure have a hard time to pick from them.

These adorable umbrellas are:

“Kidorable has taken the idea of the humble umbrella and transformed it into an imagination tent. We are proud to offer the most popular assortment of whimsical umbrellas ever created. Made of 100% nylon, Kidorable umbrellas are child-sized for those little hand” (measures 24″ long and 27″ diameter open)

Check out some of their umbrella’s:

Pirate Umbrella:

Ballerina Umbrella:

Enter to win a umbrella from Kidorable! Estimated value $13.50

Mandatory Entry:Tell me what umbrella you would choose if you won.

Extra Entries (Please be sure and leave a comment and link for extra entries):

1 Entry:Follow Faith and Family Reviews On Twitter(http://twitter.com/faithfamilyrevw)

1 Entry:Follow Kidorable On Twitter(http://twitter.com/faithfamilyrevw)

1 Entry:Like/Friend Faith and Family Reviews on Facebook.

1 Entry:Like/Friend Kidorable on Facebook.

2 Entries: Follow Faith and Family Reviews on Google Friend Connect (on the our right side bar).

2 Entries: Tweet about this giveaway, but only one tweet per day please. Include your tweet url with your comment. You may write your own tweet or use this one:

Giveaway: Enter to win a umbrella from Kidorable! @faithfamilyrevw! http://faithandfamilyreviews.com/?p=5959 Please share! Thx!

5 Entries: Blog about this giveaway and link back this post and Kidorable.

1 Entry: for every comment you leave anywhere else on this blog, but please leave a link with your comment!

5 Entries: Tell me your favorite thing about Christmas.

Details:

This giveaway will run from December 3rd to Wednesday, December 15th, 2010 at midnight CST. The winner will be chosen through Random.org. Kidorable will ship one winner their prize. Winner will be contacted via email on or before December 20th and will be asked for their contact and other pertinent info. Winners will have 48 hours to send me their info at [ffr] [giveaways] [at] [gmail] [dot] [com] (without spaces and parenthesis). Please note: This giveaway is offered to US only.

Thanks and have fun!

{41 comments}

The Mysterious Islands DVD Review

Posted by html404 on December 2, 2010
in DVDs & CDs

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

The Mysterious IslandsDVD was released from Provident Films on 8/31/2010 and we were privileged to receive a copy to review. This is a documentary film about the Galapagos Islands.

Doug Phillips and his research team, which included Dr. John Morris of the Institute for Creation Research, visited the islands in 2009, which marked the 200th year since Darwin was born. Darwin also visited the islands in 1835. This research team sought “to determine whether the Galapagos Islands are a laboratory for evolution, as Darwinists claim, or a showcase for the biblical account of creation.”

The movie showed beautiful footage of the islands and the creatures who live on them. From views of the depths of the sea to the gigantic turtle, our family enjoyed learning about the Galapogos and hearing the insights shared by16 year old Joshua Phillips, the team scientists and those along to observe.

Whether you follow the thoughts of Darwin or Creation this is a movie is a valuable educational tool for your family.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Thrifty Thursday- Cheap Organic Cosmetics

Posted by html404 on December 2, 2010
in All Natural Products, Thrifty Thursday

We came across a company called Vita Cost awhile back where you can find deals on all things “green” we have found some fairly cheap cosmetics for a fraction of what they would have cost at retail price. Plus they have great deals ALWAYS going on!

Check them out here: http://www.vitacost.com/

Also, their clearance section here is a GREAT place to find steal deals!

Other Websites:

Softlips- Organic all natural, and they can be found online or at Target and Walgreen’s. (they are on sale now!)

Aroma Leigh: Although, we are sad to see them close down, we are happy at the bargains we can find for eye shadow here.

Happy Thrifty Thursday!

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Closed12 Days of Christmas Giveaways – Day 11- Happy Baby Food!

Posted by html404 on December 2, 2010
in All Natural Products, Baby Products, Giveaways

Congratulations to Richard! You won this giveaway! Thanks to all who entered and to the wonderful sponsors! Winner chosen by random.org

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to YOU! A entire line of Happy Baby Food Organic healthy kids meals! Not that I give my children baby food for Christmas, but hey this will save you money so you CAN buy more gifts.

This includes:

Happy Baby Pouches or Happy Tot Pouches- (you get to pick the flavors) “Our pouches are BPA and phthalate free. These sealed pouches also allow us to naturally preserve all of our 1: starting solids, 2: simple combos, 3: balanced meals, and 4:organic superfoods for tots & tykes organic purees without additives. And our pouch packaging allows us to cook all of our baby food at a lower temperature than jarred baby food—giving them not only great flavor, but a significantly higher level of nutrition.”

Happy Bellies Baby Cereal- (you pick the flavor) “HAPPYBELLIES cereals are the first organic baby cereal to incorporate DHA for brain and eye development and the first baby food to incorporate the power of probiotics for baby’s wellness. Organic + Immunity + A whole lot more . . . Probiotic protection: Good bacteria specially formulated to help strengthen your baby’s digestive system which can protect against the development of allergies, Enriched: with DHA for eye and brain development, plus iron, vitamins and minerals essential to baby’s health, Doctor endorsed: Recommended by and developed with Dr.Sears, 100% natural: We support sustainable agriculture. No pesticides, no chemical fertilizers, no genetically engineered ingredients (GEIs). BPA FREE”

Happy Bites Healthy Kids Meals- (you get to pick the product) A complete line of nutrition for your toddler and young child, HAPPYBITES are yummy, balanced meals in easy-to-pick-up handheld sizes. They taste great with flavors kids love and are packed with hidden veggies in every bite!

Happy Melts- (you get to pick the flavor) HAPPYMELTS are a truly delicious and nutritious treat made with the goodness of organic yogurt and fruit. This yummy snack offers protein, low-sugar, and the added boost of pre and probiotics for digestive wellness.

Happy Baby Organic Meals- (you get to pick the flavor) Each box has 12 individual cubes of baby food, so there is no waste and no heating in plastic. Just pop out what you need, heat, and enjoy. We created optimally nourishing recipes with Dr Sears, select the best organic ingredients, steam, puree, and flash freeze to lock in the taste, texture and color of real fresh foods, so you don’t have to!

Happy Baby Puffs- (you get to pick the flavor) Made with whole grains, our HAPPYBABY PUFFS come in three organic flavors to give baby variety and build growing palettes. Supplemented with vitamins and minerals, our Puffs also come in green packaging that allowed us to reduce our imprint, offer 40% more in each container, and pass the savings on you!

Enter to win these fabulous products! You’ll be getting a total of 6 products!

Mandatory Entry:Tell me what flavor you would choose (of any one of the products) if you won.

Extra Entries (Please be sure and leave a comment and link for extra entries):

1 Entry:Follow Faith and Family Reviews On Twitter(http://twitter.com/faithfamilyrevw)

1 Entry: Follow Happy Baby Food on Twitter

1 Entry:Like/Friend Faith and Family Reviews on Facebook.

1 Entry: Like Happy Family on Facebook

2 Entries: Follow Faith and Family Reviews on Google Friend Connect (on the our right side bar).

2 Entries: Tweet about this giveaway, but only one tweet per day please. Include your tweet url with your comment. You may write your own tweet or use this one:

Giveaway: Enter to win a line of baby food products! @faithfamilyrevw! http://faithandfamilyreviews.com/?p=5952 Please share! Thx!

5 Entries: Blog about this giveaway and link back this post and Happy Baby Food.

1 Entry: for every comment you leave anywhere else on this blog, but please leave a link with your comment!

5 Entries: Tell me your favorite thing about Christmas.

5 Entries: Tell me a story about your kids.

Details:

This giveaway will run from December 2nd, to Thursday, December, 17th 2010 at midnight CST. The winner will be chosen through Random.org. I will ship one winner their coupons for the product. Winner will be contacted via email on or before December 30th and will be asked for their contact and other pertinent info. Winners will have 48 hours to send me their info at [ffr] [giveaways] [at] [gmail] [dot] [com] (without spaces and parenthesis). Please note: This giveaway is offered to US only.

Thanks and have fun!

{19 comments}

Heart of Haiti

Posted by html404 on December 1, 2010
in Giving Back/Charity

Disclosure: I am writing this post to spread the word about Heart of Haiti through a Mom Bloggers Club member program and I will receive a Heart of Haiti pendant as a thank you.

I love the giving back aspect that brings businesses and charities together. Since I began working with companies that are making the difference in the lives of artisans in different countries, projects like Heart of Haiti always interest me.

Did you know that through the sale of Heart of Haiti products, artisans are able to earn life-changing income for themselves, their families, and their communities? The initiative is enabling artisans to repair homes, pay school fees, and feed and clothe their families. The income also allows them to have access to better nutrition, improved education and healthcare. Otherwise they would not even be able to afford these advantages that most of us here in the US have access to.

The Heart of Haiti collection has already led to employment of 350 artists in Haiti and has provided some financial benefits for an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people in the country. Isn’t that wonderful? I think so and hope they continue to assist even more people in the months and years to come.

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