{A Natural Challenge} Tackling Recycling

Welcome to the June 2013 Natural Living Blog Carnival: A Natural Challenge. This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Natural Living Blog Carnival hosted by Happy Mothering and The Pistachio Project through the Green Moms Network. This month, our members took 1-2 weeks to explore a natural practice that they had yet to try. Today, they're going to tell you about their experience! Hopefully, you'll find some inspiration to try something new on one or more of the posts.

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I know recycling probably isn't the most exciting topic.  And it's probably something you've been doing for a while.  I should have been too. Now that we have our own home, I'm trying to get more serious about it.  And this challenge gave me no excuses.  

Ordering the recycling bin was easy and free.  Once I figured out what was recyclable, filing up the bin was pretty easy too.  I couldn't believe how much waste I was sending out before.

The most challenging part is finding an efficient system that works for the whole family.  Right now, we just have a large bin in the garage and I'm contemplating whether or not to place smaller bins throughout the house.

What's your system and where do you keep your bins?

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Visit Happy Mothering and The Pistachio Project to learn more about participating in next month’s Natural Living Blog Carnival! Please take some time to enjoy the posts our other carnival participants have contributed:

Coffee Break

My friend, Abby, and I don't get to hang out as much as we would like, since moving apart last year.  She's one of my closest friends, who just so happens to have a daughter a few months older than Baby C, who are also best buds.  So when Abby and I get together with the girls, we like to make it fun and enjoyable.  We catch up on our lives, share our joys (and frustrations) of parenthood and plan our next get-together.  And what better way to do it, than over a warm, delicious cup of coffee.

Before our fun mommy/daughter play date, Baby C and I took a trip to Safeway to pick out our coffee and treats.  I had trouble deciding between all the delicious Gevalia coffee flavors, but Chocolate Mocha was right up my alley.  Baby C did a great job picking out the coffee pairings and treats, including coffee cake, pretzel chips, fruits, nuts and dip!

While the girls splashed around in the pool, Abby and I were able to catch up on some much needed mommy time.  We shared ideas on how to control our independent toddlers while sipping on some chocolate mocha and munching on coffee cake.

My husband could smell the goodness from his at-home office upstairs, so I let him have a cup as long as he posed for a picture.  He also tried to eat all the snacks the night before.  Yup, they were that tempting! 

For all you coffee lovers out there, Gevalia began brewing in Sweden a long time ago.  1853 to be exact.  It's traditional cast-iron roasting helped to develop it's rich, smooth taste.  Gevalia is made with carefully selected beans and ground extra fine to create a delightful coffee experience.  It also comes in single serve cups for the Keurig K-Cup Brewer!

What is your favorite pairing with coffee?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Break A Sweat Photo Contest

One of my favorite ways to "break a sweat" is hiking.  Even a year ago, when Baby C was just a baby, I never wanted to give up one of my favorite activities.  So, I strapped Baby C on my back and off we went.  Even this tree couldn't get in our way. 

Shaklee is hosting a "Break A Sweat" Photo Contest and I entered Baby C and I with this picture.  If you would like to vote for us, just click this link: http://woobox.com/vnd2e2/vote/for/784608

Voting ends June 28th and you can only vote once.  What's the prize?  A pair of limited edition New Balance Harley Pasternak 997 shoes and a copy of Harley's The Body Reset Diet book.  

What is your favorite way to break a sweat?

Nuby Splish Splash Stackable Cups {Review}

I wrote this post on behalf of Nuby and received a promotional item to thank me for my time.  All views and opinions regarding Nuby and the stacking cups are my own and were not influenced by other sources.

My favorite part about Nuby's bath toys, is that most of them are great for educational purposes as well.  The Splish Splash Stacking Cups are no exception.  The pack comes with five cups that are easily stackable, but also include different shapes, colors, sizes and number of holes for the water to pass through. 

Here are some of the different activities we have used the cups for so far:

• stacking/building
• color/shape recognition
• counting
• order/size recognition

The toy cups are perfect for baby or toddlers to play with during bath time or at the pool.  Baby C enjoyed filling them with water and watching the water drain through the cup.  The cups are also a fun way to rinse the soap out of your child's hair and body.

You can purchase the same stackable cups Baby C has for $6.25 at BuyBabyDirect.com, Cookieskids.com, Diapers.com, Amazon.com, BuyBuyBaby.com, BabyEarth.com, EChildStore.com, Bealls, Tuesday Morning or BedBathandBeyond.com.  Stay connected with Nuby on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram!

Summer Schedules

Summer is a weird time of year for us.  During the school year (even though Baby C isn't in school), we have a routine that includes, MOPS, Bible Study, Music class and play dates.  Baby C knows it and thrives on it.  But now that summer is here, our schedule has been shaken.  All of our normal activities are either on break or not on the same routine.  So I've had to think of other ways to keep the fun going.

We started out the summer with our trip to Tiny Town.  So what else do I have in store for Baby C?  Well, today I signed her up for swim lessons.  After trying out some fountains, Baby C enjoyed it for a little while, but she doesn't like the water to spray on her.  She would rather be splashing in the pool.

Oh, and I just had to compare this year's picture to last years.  Look how she's grown!

As for a vacation, we'll be taking a trip to Nashville at the end of July.  This will be a business/vacation for our family.  We will be attending our first Shaklee Global Conference at Opryland.  I am so excited because I've never been there before and I'm pumped to attend my first conference.

Does your child take swim lessons?

Have you been to Nashville before?  Any tips for our family?

Applegate Hot Dogs {Review and Giveaway}

I wrote this post on behalf of Applegate and received  promotional items to thank me for my time.  All views and opinions regarding Applegate and the hot dogs are my own and were not influenced by other sources.

One of my favorite foods growing up was burned hot dogs on the grill.  There are so many memories that surround that hot dog, such as, beach parties, picnics, family and friends.  On the other hand, what goes into those hot dogs, isn't how I want to nurture my body.  So I stopped eating one of my favorite comfort foods for a long time.  But I don't have to deprive myself any longer.  Today, I would like to introduce to you the cleaner wiener!

Applegate makes a variety of delicious organic and natural hot dogs, that don't contain any added nitrites or chemical preservatives.  They are also lower in fat than your traditional hot dog.  And you can really taste the difference.

Applegate graciously supplied us with a cooler full of every variety of cleaner wieners this past weekend.  So we went all out to create our hot dog feast that has created so many awesome memories from the past.  Now I was ready to make new hot dog memories with my family.

I chopped up all the toppings on the gorgeous cutting board that Applegate provided us with.  And my husband did a fantastic job cooking the hot dogs and sides on the grill.  My little picky-eater doesn't eat meat, but she enjoyed corn on the cob for the first time.

So what's in an Applegate hot dog?  It's simple, just beef, water, sea salt and spices.  They are made with meat from animals never administered antibiotics or hormones.  And like all Applegate's products, the hot dogs never contain artificial ingredients or preservatives.  

Applegate would like to provide a gift package to one Sweet Tiny Blessings' reader.  This package includes a wooden cutting board, Chico tote bag, and Applegate buttons and stickers to help you create memories with your family too!  Stay connected to Applegate on Facebook and Twitter! 

 The Applegate product, gift pack and giveaway were provided by Applegate.

Nuby Octopus Floating Bath Toy {Review}

I wrote this post on behalf of Nuby and received a promotional item to thank me for my time.  All views and opinions regarding Nuby and the Octopus Floating Bath Toy are my own and were not influenced by other sources.

Can you tell that Baby C enjoys bath time?  Thank goodness for all the awesome bath toys Nuby has provided us with.  If you haven't seen my other reviews on bath time fun, be sure to check out the Bath Time Clock and Thermometer, Bath Animals, Splash n' Catch Fishing Set, and the Fish Swoosh Bath Time Play Set!  But wait, there's more!

Baby C received The Nuby Octopus  Floating Bath Toy which is an excellent toy to help with hand-eye coordination.  It also has fun colors and shapes to stimulate the senses.  This toy is perfect for children 18 months and older.  It includes 3 rings to toss and fit onto the octopus arms. 

Without a doubt, I knew that Baby C would love this toy.  Like any new and exciting toy, she not only plays with it in the bathtub, but she also sleeps with it and carries it where ever she goes.

You can purchase the same bath toy Baby C has for $6.99 at BuyBabyDirect.com, Amazon.com, BuyBuyBaby.com or BedBathandBeyond.com.  Stay connected with Nuby on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram!