Category: Product Reviews

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Review of Terressentials Roll-on Deodorant

As I watched one of my favorite shows, Dirty Jobs, Mike Rowe went to work at Terressentials, an organic product company in nearby Middletown, MD. I watched in delight, and the next week my husband drove me to their location where I purchased some products, one of them being their Super Protection Deodorant.

The store was full of fun items, and I was like a kid in a candy store.  I knew I wanted to try their deodorant, so it was the first thing I grabbed.  I was able to smell all four of their fragrances, and the Organic Zesty Citrus scent was the one that appealed to me the most.  It is a spicy-type citrus, lemony but not in a traditional way.  The first time I applied it, it left a whitish mark as it dried, but since then it has always dried with no mark.  I would categorize this as a deodorant that dries clear. Continue reading “Review of Terressentials Roll-on Deodorant”

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Review of Chico Bags

What is better than bringing your own reusable bag to the store? Bringing a Chico bag, of course! Chico bags are reusable bags that fit into a tiny bag when not in use. They are perfect for keeping in your purse, pocket or car glovebox for shopping trips. Because it has an attached carabineer on the stuff sac, you can also hook it to another bag or belt loop if needed.

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I love products that make your life easier and are green, therefore I love Chico Bags! I have used reusable bags for several years and while I love my old bags these is so much more convenient. I keep mine in my glovebox and grab it when I go into the store. It is much easier to remember than my other bags, which I keep in my trunk.

I own the Original Chico bag, which is made of polyester and holds about 25 pounds. Recently Chico came out with their RePETe bag. It is made of 99% recycled materials and claims “This bag is made from 7 plastic bottles!” on the bag. For a few dollars more, this bag is even more unique than the original and is a conversation-starter.

Chico bags also have two other bags, the Vita and a few Limited Edition bags. The Vita bag has longer straps and carries up to 40 lbs. I can see this bag being very useful at a farmer’s market or a festival where you might want a bag that is more comfortable to carry and has room for more purchases, The Limited Edition bags support an eco-friendly organization or are in celebration of green product or company. Currently, they have a Gorgeously Green bag in support of the book Gorgeously Green by Sophie Uliano.

Pros

• Bag is easy to use

• When not in use it stores in stuff sack

• Lightweight yet holds 25 lbs

• Different bag styles and colors

• Machine washable

• Economically priced

• Produced in a fair labor, fair wage factory

Cons

• RePETe bags are more expensive

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Review of Wrap-N-Mat

I have been using the Wrap-N-Mat for three years now. I originally bought these because I wanted an environmentally-friendly alternative wrapper to baggies for sandwiches. A friend recommended these as a green substitute for ziploc bags and I ordered three. At the time, there were only a few fabric choices, so I ended up with three green Wrap-N-Mats.

Wrap-N-Mat

This advertisement for wrap-n-mats shows how they work. Notice the green color – it must have been their original choice! Continue reading “Review of Wrap-N-Mat”

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Review of Playaway Audiobooks

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A new choice for audiobooks

A few weeks ago, the little ones and I were at the library and Ari picked up what looked like a videocassette box. I looked at the front and it had the title and cover of a book and said “Playaway” on it. Curious, I turned it over and it said “Playaway is the simplest way to listen to an audiobook on the go. Each Playaway comes pre-loaded with an audiobook, and batteries are included. Simply plug in earphones and enjoy. No cassettes or CD’s. No downloads. There’s nothing left to do but listen.”

Curious, Ari checked it out and we took it home. After we found a battery (our library doesn’t provide them, probably because they never get them back), we plugged in her earbuds and she started listening. She loved it. She said that it was way better than CDs or tapes because you never had to switch sides or change CDs. After that glowing recommendation, I thought I’d better try them myself. As an avid reader, I didn’t think I needed a new form of entertainment, but I found I love these! After everyone else is asleep in the house, I can listen to a book without disturbing anyone.

Libraries are already a “green” alternative to buying books – less paper is used and it is more economical for the reader. I believe that Playaways are even better for the environment than checking out books, tapes or CDs. I’m not sure of the longevity of a single Playaway, but short of lost copies of the audiobook, I believe they may last longer than the other three. Nothing will replace holding a book in your hand while you read, but Playaways are a wonderful option in many instances.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Requires nothing more than headphones and batteries to operate
  • No worries about scratching CDs or breaking tapes
  • More environmentally-friendly than books, tapes, or CDs

Cons

  • It is difficult to find a prior section in a book
  • 2 year olds (and others, I’m sure) can easily push buttons while you are listening and lose your place.
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Review of Homestead Soap’s Lilac Goats Milk Soap

I have always been jealous of those people who can buy a wonderfully scented soap and actually use it. I on the other hand, usually keep it in my sock drawer to enjoy the scent, because most bar soaps irritate my skin. Last year when I first decided to search the web for new products to try with my sensitive skin, I decided I should try a scented soap, if only to have a new smell for my socks.

lilac goat

I came across Homestead Soaps by accident, through the suggestion of someone on an online community when I asked about naturally made soaps. As I looked though their selection of soaps, I decided to try a goats milk soap because I had read that they were moisturizing. I looked though the different soap choices and at first looked only for something mild, but when I spotted the Lilac Goats Milk soap, I knew I needed to get it.  I adore the smell of lilac.  Even if I couldn’t use it, at least it would smell good. Continue reading “Review of Homestead Soap’s Lilac Goats Milk Soap”