Articles with the environment Tag
Hey, y’all!
So glad you enjoyed the peek at my shimmery delivery – and that you appreciated my honesty in my last post: Remembering Raw Roots, Realizing Raw Reality. Honestly, with how fast-paced life is in our world, it’s super cool if you’re able to slow down and spend time preparing raw foods, juices, and/or smoothies. Yes, it’s important but I do realize some folks just don’t have the spare time to wash, chop, prepare, and store raw produce.
I’m going to get to the People Towels, but first I MUST tell you: I am SO excited about an upcoming CSN Stores Promotion! (I urge you to check out their home bar furniture if you love entertaining your family and friends – or just enjoy hanging out.) 
About the Towels
I was excited to find a package from People Towels (check ‘em out at www.peopletowels.com) in the mailbox today! This company is AMAZING and I’m already busy at work on a seriously in-depth review of the eco-friendly People Towels, information about the company and those behind it, and also have something in store for YOU, too! (Thank you, People Towels, for being SO generous and sending me a 5-day supply of your towels, plus a pouch to carry them in!) 
Today was a busy day for me. I had to run some errands around the city and it was the perfect opportunity to jump immediately into the review process. I went wild with the camera (as you’ll see below) and then grabbed a couple of these cool, eco-friendly towels to bring along with me on my adventures. They easily went into the carrying pouch People Towels sent me. I tied that baby onto my mini backpack/purse and off my (super sweet!) husband and I went.
Enjoy the following photos and get ready for a lengthy review – and LOTS more pics!
Have you heard of People Towels? Have you ever considered the number of trees being used up by using disposable paper towels? Let’s talk!
Hi, y’all! I hope your weekend was fantabulous, and very blessed!
I’m VERY excited to share some news with you…
Remember my in-depth review of Glass Dharma straws? And how they’re not only eco-friendly and make sense for anyone who is aware of their carbon footprint, but they are so beautiful and elegant?!
Living green is NOT always pretty (take it from someone who lives on an Amish farm! ) but it certainly is pretty with Glass Dharma! I honestly cannot say enough wonderful things about these gorgeous straws!
And…
I have RAWsome news:
Glass Dharma straws are now available in my Raw Shop!!! Yes, that’s right!
I’m still a kid at heart (maybe that’s why I’m always being told I look so young?!) and so I’m absolutely ecstatic that I get to enjoy bent straws again. Beautiful Bends are my absolute favorite glass straw. They’re thick, strong, beautiful, elegant, and remind me of drinking out of those bendable straws from my youth.
Start making a difference today. Be green… Get your Glass Dharma straws HERE.
And remember that fantabulous, super delicious, out-of-this-world energizing smoothie from that review: Blueberry Blackstrap Bomb?
Free recipe can be found HERE
![glassdharmaenvironmentallyfriendlyst[1]](http://healingwithjuices.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/glassdharmaenvironmentallyfriendlyst1.jpg "glassdharmaenvironmentallyfriendlyst[1]")
Don’t forget to enter my eco-friendly giveaway for several chances to win a beautiful (custom) water bottle – YOU choose the design! Details for entering can be found HERE. Contest ends tonight (Tuesday, May 4th, 2010) at midnight. Winner will be announced the following day.
Have you ever tried glass straws? Do you consider yourself to be someone who cares about the environment and how your choices affect it? Can you see yourself using glass straws at all? Maybe even carrying one around with you (in a bamboo or hemp case) so you won’t have to use plastic? Perhaps you could take one to work with you each day, or leave it at the office? What do you think? Do you say yes? Or is a glass straw just too extreme for you – even if you do try to do your part to live green? Let’s talk green! And don’t forget to check out those RAWsome glass straws in my Raw Shop – click HERE to see ‘em!
Disclaimer: Easy Lunch Boxes provided me with a 4-container set and lunch bag (as shown in my photos below). However, I was not asked to write a favorable review in exchange for the free products. I wasn’t asked to write a review or mention them at all. The opinions in this post are my own.
Thank you, Kelly!!!
If you love the environment and the convenience of eating well, you’ll love this giveaway!
Updated to add WINNER
Woo hoo! Finally time for you to find out who won!
There was 131 entries. I visited Mr. Random (www.random.org) to select a winner.
He chose comment # 55.
And who did comment #55 belong to?
Well, that would be….
Julia, from the eco-friendly blog: Easy Eco To Go! Julia is raising her children to be aware of our beautiful environment, and I know this prize will be a wonderful Mother’s Day surprise for her!! Way to go, Julia. Keep up the great work!!
Julia @ Easy Eco To Go said:
I follow you on twitter @easyecotogo
Julia @ Easy Eco To Go´s last blog ..2 Green Thumbs Up For Gardening!
Congratulations, Julia, and Happy Mother’s Day!!!
Please read the contest rules before entering. Comments are moderated so you won’t see your entries right away. Thanks!
Contest Rules
Note: The reason I ask you to leave a comment for EACH, SEPARATE entry is because I enter the total number of comments at random.org once the contest has ended – and each comment represents your entry number.
There is only ONE required entry for this contest – but if you REALLY want to win, there are several (fun) extra ways you can enter following…
But first, you may want to read my in-depth Easy Lunch Boxes review. Just in case this is your first time visiting Healing With (Raw) Juices, or you missed my review, you can check it out here:
Winner receives an eco-friendly Easy Lunch Box System (a 4-container set + a lunch bag cooler)!! And you get to choose the (lunch bag cooler) color!!!
ONE Required Entry
Visit www.EasyLunchBoxes.com and come back and leave a comment letting me know something you learned or like, or which color cooler bag you’d most like to have, OR which colors they should offer if you don’t see your favorite color. That’s it – easy peasy!
AND… If you want to put in a little extra effort….
(and receive a LOT of extra entries – aka chances to win) keep reading…
Numerous ways to get extra entries!
There are 20 ways to enter this contest!!
2. For FIVE EXTRA ENTRIES, share this contest on your blog, linking back to this post. Leave FIVE SEPARATE COMMENTS to let me know you did. (Yep, you’ll really leave FIVE different comments for this so you’ll be able to get five extra entries. )
3. Become a fan of Easy Lunch Boxes on Facebook. Then, come back here and leave a comment to let me know you did that – or that you already are.
4. Become a fan of Raw Juice Girl on Facebook. Leave a comment on this post saying you did -or that you already are.
5. Follow Healing with (Raw) Juices on Facebook’s Networked Blogs. Leave a comment on this post saying that you did – or do.
6. Do you use Twitter? Follow @RawJuiceGirl on Twitter. Comment on this post, saying you did – or do.
7. Follow @EasyLunchBoxes on Twitter. Leave a comment on this post that you did that.
8. Tweet about this contest and then leave a comment with your Twitter name. You can use this tweet (or your own, just be sure to include via @RawJuiceGirl @EasyLunchBoxes) – Then, leave a comment that you did – with your Twitter name or status link.
Win an #ecofriendly @EasyLunchBoxes set (via @RawJuiceGirl) Enter now!! ( http://tinyurl.com/2cqy7uz )
FOR EVEN MORE ENTRIES: For tweets, Facebook shares, or Plurk you may share the contest up to 5 times a day, but each tweet/share must be 1-2 hours or so after the previous one. (Thanks so much for understanding my position of keeping things fair and square, y’all!)
9. Comment on another recent eco-friendly post of mine (Organic Companion Gardening, Sunny Days, Flowers, Fresh Air) and let me know if you garden. Do you take your eco-friendly bottle to the garden with you? Come back here and leave a comment so I know you did. If you’ve already commented on that post, just comment here letting me know you already have a comment there.
10. Visit my eco-friendly Easy Lunch Boxes Review and leave a comment letting me know what you like about my review, the company, the water bottle, the design, living green, etc. Come back here and leave a comment letting me know you did that. If you’ve already commented on that post, just comment here letting me know you already have a comment there.
11.Comment on one of my Recipes posts and let me know which recipe you’d love to pack in your Easy Lunch Box system. Then come back here and let me know you did that. If you’ve already commented on that post, just comment here letting me know you already have a comment there.
12. Subscribe to Healing with (Raw) Juices via e-mail (sign up here) – be sure to verify your subscription or this entry won’t count. Then comment and let me know you did – or that you already are.
13 Subscribe to Healing with (Raw) Juices via RSS (sign up here). Then leave a comment telling me you did – or that you are.
14. Subscribe to my brand-new newsletter (sign up here). Then comment here and let me know you did - or that you area.
15. Do you Plurk? Plurk about this contest and leave a comment with your Plurk URL.
16. Add me as a friend on Wellsphere . Leave a comment saying that you did- or do. 15. Add me as a friend on RawFu. Leave a comment saying that you did- or that you area.
17. Add me as a friend on Give it to Me Raw. Leave a comment saying that you did- or that you are.
18. Subscribe to Raw Juice Girl’s YouTube channel. Leave a comment saying that you did- or that you are.
19. Are you a Stumbler? Stumble and review any post you want to–just leave the link to your SU review in (its own) comment.
20. Do you have a Digg account? Digg this post. Come back and leave a comment on this post with a link to your Digg post.
NOTE: Please leave a comment for each entry (tweet, plurk, etc.) because each comment will be counted as a number when I enter the total number of comments at Random.org once the contest ends.
Contest Deadline
Contest ends Friday, May 7. I’ll accept comments until midnight. (Central Time). Winner will be posted the next day.
That gives you TWO WEEKS to get your entries in. Hurry and spread the word. The more entries you have, the higher your chances of winning an eco-friendly Easy Lunch Boxes System! Go tell all your friends and have FUN!!!!
Let the contest begin!!!
Don’t forget to read my eco-friendly A Sense of Place Water Bottle Review if you missed it—and you can win your own in my giveaway!! It’s a $30 value!!!
Dislaimer #2: This post contains affiliate links. I signed up of my own free will – after I personally used (and LOVED!) the Easy Lunch box system. So, if you click on any of the links or graphics and end up purchasing something, I will receive a small commission. Thank you in advance for your understanding, and your support of my hard work and in-depth reviews of healthy, eco-friendly, user-friendly, Raw Juice Girl-approved products!
Disclaimer: Easy Lunch Boxes provided me with a 4-container set and lunch bag (as shown in my photos below). However, I was not asked to write a favorable review in exchange for the free products. I wasn’t asked to write a review or mention them at all. The opinions in this post are my own.
Thank you, Kelly!!!
You don’t have to be in school to appreciate a lovely lunch box system. If you are passionate about the environment, chances are you’ve taken great measure to lessen your carbon footprint—including taking your meals and snacks to work with you, or while you’re traveling.
Finding the perfect, user-friendly containers isn’t always an easy task. One reader mentioned recently that she found two-part containers—but the Easy Lunch Box system has three! How convenient, huh?! 
Today, you’ll learn about an eco-friendly company who is on a mission to make our meals healthier, easier to transport, and also bring awareness to our beautiful Earth, and preserving it.
Easy Lunch Box Tip:
“Instead of an ice block, place a frozen juice box or water bottle in the lunchbag. It’ll keep the food chilled and will be thawed by lunchtime.”
About the Company
Easy Lunch Boxes is an eco-friendly company that makes reusable lunch bags and containers so you can enjoy the ease of packing your children’s lunches every morning. No, Easy Lunch Boxes aren’t just for your children or teens – you can also use them to take your food to work with you, or even if you’re just traveling a short distance or want to have a picnic with friends or family.
This fantabulous, environmentally-aware company was created – and is owned – by Kelly Lester. A woman of many talents, she decided to improve her normal routine of packing lunches for her three daughters.
Unable to find a system that worked for her, she had a brainstorm and voila: Easy Lunch Boxes!
You know I love sharing who is behind the company so you can get a good idea of not just what the company is about, but the passion and heart of the people who make the company what it is. Easy Lunch Boxes is no different. I love finding out that the owner has heart and soul and just isn’t in it for money. And I’m happy to report that I definitely feel I’ve struck gold here.
See for yourself…
From Easy Lunch Boxes About Page
KELLY LESTER is the owner, creator, and mom behind Easylunchboxes.com. During the last two decades she has been an entrepreneur, wife, and mother of three. She is also an actress and singer.
A graduate of UCLA’s theatre department, Kelly has appeared in dozens of plays and musicals in the Los Angeles area. Kelly left show business for almost twelve years to found and run Art Plates, her own highly-successful gift manufacturing business and raise her three girls. Her handcrafted switchplates and soaps were sold in hundreds of museum stores across the country and direct to consumers via the Art Plates website.
After selling that business in 2006, Kelly defied the old adage that there are no second acts. In fact, sometimes there are actually many different acts. Since returning to performing, Kelly has appeared in a number of stage productions, films and TV shows. More about Kelly’s performing career HERE.
Easylunchboxes.com was born out of Kelly’s innate ability to do things efficiently while on a shoestring budget, and her desire to send her daughters to school with simple, healthy food, with little to no extra packaging or ingredients. Her past struggle with weight control inspires her to teach and model healthy eating habits for her children, and has fueled her dedication to always send them off to school with a great lunch.
Kelly combined her self taught business-savvy with her natural inclination to think “what would other parents want?” — to develop the perfect lunchbox system. She is thrilled and proud to share her Easy Lunch Boxes and lunch bags with other families who will benefit by their simple design, great price, and amazing functionality. Additionally, by promoting the waste-free lunch movement, EasyLunchboxes.com is helping the planet one lunch box at a time.
About Easy Lunch Boxes
These lunch bags and containers are so awesome! Not only are they green, they’re colorful, convenient—and frugal!
A 4-container set is just $13.95 and the lunch bags are only $7.95!
“We are proud to report that EasyLunchbox products have passed the strictest FDA testing and are COMPLETELY safe for use with food The testing was performed by SGS, the world’s largest control and inspection company, represented in more than 130 countries by 210 affiliated companies. SGS provides inspection, testing, certification & verification services to ensure that products, services & systems meet quality, safety & performance.” – Easy Lunch Boxes
Arrival Day!
“The lunch bags are 9 x 6.5 x 6.5” (the sides flex out a bit to hold the container securely and without wiggle room, ensuring that the container does not shake around in the bag, thereby keeping the food stabilized).” – Easy Lunch Boxes
The containers are 9.48 x 6.1 x 2. This is a really nice size!
Easy Lunch Box Ideas
I’m going to share a variety of my (easily transportable) recipes below, but first I just have to share the overnight oats I made in the Easy Lunch Box container.
Of course, I wasn’t going anywhere today (freelance, remember?) but I know a lot of you may want something (other than a juice, smoothie, or granola bar) that you can grab in the morning on your way out the door and eat once you get to work. If you aren’t driving, you could eat this on the way.
These overnight oats were so delicious! I enjoyed the chewy texture of the dried apricots, the juicy bursts of sweetness from the pineapple chunks, the crunch of the macadamia nuts and the volume of the 7 grain oat flakes themselves, with the creamy richness of the (honey) Greek yogurt. Oh my! What a fantabulous treat for breakfast on this rainy morning!
And this would be a super fun afternoon snack to help pull you through the rest of the work day as well!
7 Grain Overnight Oats Recipe
Ingredients:
Directions:
Note: I think I’ll add 1/2 cup of oats next time, or eliminate the milk. I personally prefer my oats (including overnight) to be super-duper thick.
This Morning
NOTE: Just click any of the following recipe titles for some other healthy meals and snacks you could take to work or travel with you.
Raw Juice Girl’s:
Raw, Vegan Tuna Fish-less Salad
Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus + Veggies
And for dessert?
Chocolate Banana Avocado Pudding
Inside-Out Coconut Peanut Butter Cups
Pros
Easy Lunch Boxes are easy and fun to use, affordable, convenient—and so much more. I can’t say enough good things about this eco-friendly lunch box system, or the company!
And I simply ADORE their passion for the environment and providing us, their valued customers, with safe, affordable, user-friendly products…
“Easy Lunch Boxes food containers are made of non toxic, food safe, polypropylene (PP or plastic #5). They are BPA, PVC, and phthalate free. Safe for refrigerator, freezer, microwave, & dishwasher.
Easy Lunch Boxes lunch bags are safe and lead-free. The test was for the following: Lead in accessible substrate materials, specifically for “children’s metal jewelry,” including fabric, zipper, liner, strap, insulation, grommet and rivet.”—Easy Lunch Boxes
Cons
The one thing I discovered that you may not like, is that the containers aren’t leakproof. Of course, if you take a little salad dressing or sauce, you can use a small, reusable container and pack it on top of your meal container. Not a real hassle, right? And how many times do you take something runny to work or school anyway?
“Although our Easy Lunch Box containers hold food securely, they are not designed to be leakproof, and we don’t recommend putting really wet food or liquid into any of the compartments. For a compartmentalized container to be completely leakproof, this would require carefully sealing all of the compartments, every time. We have found that most children are not able to do this consistently, and if you send such a container to school properly sealed, it may not come home that way; leftovers could be dripping out everywhere.”—Easy Lunch Boxes
Updated to add:
“Good news! I’ve just figured out how to portion out the yogurt directly into our EasyLunchbox containers and not have it leak!
I haven’t recommended runny foods (like yogurt) for use in the container. Until now. Here’s my little ’stop the leaks’ trick:
Cut a square of wax paper or plastic wrap to cover the compartment you want to put the runny food in. Then put the lid on (firmly), and the cut square you added will act as a leak barrier!
To make things even easier, I was shopping at my local Smart & Final warehouse and restaurant supply store and I came across pre-cut (dry)wax paper sheets. Like 1,000 in a box for something ridiculous like $6. These would last me a year!” – Easy Lunch Boxes Containers Can be Leak Free!
Verdict/Grade?
Eco-friendly? Check. Pretty? Check. User-friendly? Check. Affordable? Check. Practical? Check. Fun to use? Check. What’s not to love? I simply must give Easy Lunch Boxes an A+ for all their hard work to ensure that their products are all-of-the-above. Don’t you agree?!
Do you send your children’s lunch to school with them? Do you take food to work with you? Or maybe when you’re traveling a short distance and will be gone several hours? Are reusable containers something you’re interested in? What do you love most about the Easy Lunch Box system?
What’s that? You’d love to own an Easy Lunch Box system? Um, you know me! Yep, a giveaway is comin’ your way!!
Updated to Add:
The contest is now live and you can enter to win your very own Easy Lunch Box System! Click HERE to enter now!!!
Don’t forget to read my eco-friendly A Sense of Place Water Bottle Review if you missed it—and you can win your own in my giveaway!! It’s a $30 value!!!
Dislaimer #2: This post contains affiliate links. I signed up of my own free will – after I personally used (and LOVED!) the Easy Lunch box system. So, if you click on any of the links or graphics and end up purchasing something, I will receive a small commission. Thank you in advance for your understanding, and your support of my hard work and in-depth reviews of healthy, eco-friendly, user-friendly, Raw Juice Girl-approved products!
I know some of you may gasp but “Earth Month” or “Earth Day” never seems to cross my mind. I mean, I don’t even think of it until I see it mentioned on a blog or site. Why? Because I feel like every day of my life is above and beyond respectful to Mother Earth. That might seem a little too confident, but I feel it’s true. Why? Because honoring Mother Earth is my LIFE—not just a day or month to me.
I’m very passionate about living green, preserving and replenishing our beautiful Earth, and sustainable living.
“Every day is Earth Day.” –Author Unknown
How do I live green (every day)?
Well, for starters I:
- live on an Amish farm (that my family bought from the Amish—not with the Amish like some of you have asked)
- buy used clothes (Goodwill, yard sales, consignment shops, etc.)
- have a 100×100 organic, heirloom garden
- hang laundry on the line 99% of the time
- use locally handcrafted natural and organic soap and lotion
- support local farmers and artisans
- compost
- use natural remedies and medicinal herbs and plants for my health
- travel with reusable bottles
- don’t use chemicals to dye my hair (that I feel harm the environment AND my body/health)
- don’t use chemicals to artificially tan myself (that I feel harm the environment AND myself)
- use food for beauty products, such as coconut or olive oil, avocado, etc.
- carry reusable shopping bags in the vehicle at all times (sometimes I forget to use ‘em, but most times I don’t)
- buy natural, local, or organic as often as possible (soon I’ll be able to shop from my own yard)
- take food and drinks with me when I go somewhere instead of purchasing food/drinks served in plastic/paper containers
- use natural teas, tonics, and other remedies to fertilize and care for plants/trees
- eat as much real, raw food as I possibly can—avoiding as much processed, packaged, altered food as I can
- make my own washing detergent
- sometimes make my own “perfume” from essential oils (Jasmine is my all-time favorite!)
- have only eaten a teeny amount of meat in the last 5+ years
- eat mostly a raw, vegan diet (but don’t call myself “vegan” because there’s the rare occasion I eat a farm fresh, organic egg (from my farm) or a small amount of fish
- am a green writer (see my article just published: 5 Ways Writers Can Honor Earth Month)
- and more
Some things in my life that aren’t green:
- vehicle – and since I live in the country, I can’t “just walk to town”
- computer/Internet
- using too much paper (although I’ve cut back tremendously and rarely even print anything out anymore)
- occasional use of hairspray (rarely, but I do sometimes use it)
- buying some frozen/canned food (hopefully after this year’s garden yield, I’ll have my own food canned and dehydrated and won’t have to purchase as much)
- etc.
To me, living as green as I possibly can, is NOT easy. I get frustrated sometimes and just wish for all the luxuries life has to offer—even if they do harm the environment! But then I step back and take a breath, and remember why I live this way; why I’m so passionate about it. And it comes to me: I want to live a self-sustainable lifestyle, not only for my own health and future, but so I can feel good about walking lightly on Mother Earth.
Am I perfect? No, but I think Mother Earth is very pleased with me. What about you? How do you live respectfully for our beautiful Earth? Do you live on a whim, or do you make each choice based on how it will affect the environment? Oh, and don’t forget to check out my eco-friendly water bottle review if you missed it.
"Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It was loaned to you by your children."—Kenyan Proverb
Don’t forget to read my eco-friendly A Sense of Place Water Bottle Review if you missed it—and you can win your own in my giveaway!! It’s a $30 value!!!
Disclaimer: A Sense of Place Photography provided the custom, steel water bottle (and interchangeable lids) for this review; however, I was not asked to write a favorable review in exchange for the free product(s). The following opinions are my own.
(Thank you, Katie!!)
Updated to Announce the Winner
I’m pleased to share the winner of the “A Sense of Place” Steel Water Bottle with you! I know it’s an exciting time for you all – especially those of you who have worked extra hard getting those bonus entries in (like lotsa tweeting, eh’?)!
Okay, I’ll get to the point…
There was 107 comments total and I visited Mr. Random (aka www.random.org) to select a winner.
Mr. Random says….
Comment #86 wins the prize!
Who owns that comment?
Angie Bishop said:
I just tweeted about this!
Angie Bishop´s last blog ..ran away today barefoot, perspective and morning fuel.- 2 May 2010 at 1:51 pm
Congratulations, Angie!!! I’ll be contacting you soon and anxiously awaiting your response!
And a special thank you to A Sense of Place Photography for their beautiful work, generosity, and desire to spread the word about eco-friendly living!
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Anyone who loves the environment and has a desire to walk lightly on Mother Earth, will love this giveaway.
Please read the contest rules before entering. Comments are moderated so you won’t see your entries right away. Thanks!
Contest Rules
Note: The reason I ask you to leave a comment for EACH, SEPARATE entry is because I enter the total number of comments at random.org once the contest has ended – and each comment represents your entry number.
There is only ONE required entry for this contest – but if you REALLY want to win, there are several (fun) extra ways you can enter following…
But first, I thought you might want to read my in-depth review. Just in case this is your first time visiting Healing With (Raw) Juices, or you missed my review, you can check it out here:
Winner receives an eco-friendly water bottle with interchangeable lids—and gets to choose the design!!!
ONE Required Entry
Visit A Sense of Photography Etsy Shop and come back and leave a comment letting me know what products you think you would buy or like most. That’s it – easy peasy!
AND… If you want to put in a little extra effort….
(and receive a LOT of extra entries – aka chances to win) keep reading…
Numerous ways to get extra entries!
There are 20 ways to enter this contest!!
2. For FIVE EXTRA ENTRIES, share this contest on your blog, linking back to this post. Leave FIVE SEPARATE COMMENTS to let me know you did. (Yep, you’ll really leave FIVE different comments for this so you’ll be able to get five extra entries. )
3. Become a fan of A Sense of Place Photography on Facebook. Then, come back here and leave a comment to let me know you did that – or that you already are.
4. Become a fan of Raw Juice Girl on Facebook. Leave a comment on this post saying you did -or that you already are.
5. Follow Healing with (Raw) Juices on Facebook’s Networked Blogs. Leave a comment on this post saying that you did – or do.
6. Do you use Twitter? Follow @RawJuiceGirl on Twitter. Comment on this post, saying you did – or do.
7. Follow @ASenseofPlace on Twitter. Leave a comment on this post that you did that.
8. Tweet about this contest and then leave a comment with your Twitter name. You can use this tweet (or your own, just be sure to include via @RawJuiceGirl @ASenseofPlace) – Then, leave a comment that you did – with your Twitter name or status link.
www.HealingwithJuices.com is giving away a $30 #ecofriendly water bottle!!! http://tinyurl.com/yyunyfo (via @RawJuiceGirl @ASenseofPlace)
FOR EVEN MORE ENTRIES: For tweets, Facebook shares, or Plurk you may share the contest up to 5 times a day, but each tweet/share must be 1-2 hours or so after the previous one. (Thanks so much for understanding my position of keeping things fair and square, y’all!)
9. Comment on another recent eco-friendly post of mine (Organic Companion Gardening, Sunny Days, Flowers, Fresh Air) and let me know if you garden. Do you take your eco-friendly bottle to the garden with you? Come back here and leave a comment so I know you did. If you’ve already commented on that post, just comment here letting me know you already have a comment there.
10. Visit my Eco-Friendly A Sense of Photography Water Bottle Review and leave a comment letting me know what you like about my review, the company, the water bottle, the design, living green, etc. Come back here and leave a comment letting me know you did that. If you’ve already commented on that post, just comment here letting me know you already have a comment there.
11.Comment on my Garden Squats post and let me know if you use the beautiful outdoors to get your exercise in, or if you prefer to stick to the gym. Then come back here and let me know you did that. If you’ve already commented on that post, just comment here letting me know you already have a comment there.
12. Subscribe to Healing with (Raw) Juices via e-mail (sign up here) – be sure to verify your subscription or this entry won’t count. Then comment and let me know you did – or that you already are.
13 Subscribe to Healing with (Raw) Juices via RSS (sign up here). Then leave a comment telling me you did – or that you are.
14. Subscribe to my brand-new newsletter (sign up here). Then comment here and let me know you did - or that you area.
15. Do you Plurk? Plurk about this contest and leave a comment with your Plurk URL.
16. Add me as a friend on Wellsphere . Leave a comment saying that you did- or do. 15. Add me as a friend on RawFu. Leave a comment saying that you did- or that you area.
17. Add me as a friend on Give it to Me Raw. Leave a comment saying that you did- or that you are.
18. Subscribe to Raw Juice Girl’s YouTube channel. Leave a comment saying that you did- or that you are.
19. Are you a Stumbler? Stumble and review any post you want to–just leave the link to your SU review in (its own) comment.
20. Do you have a Digg account? Digg this post. Come back and leave a comment on this post with a link to your Digg post.
NOTE: Please leave a comment for each entry (tweet, plurk, etc.) because each comment will be counted as a number when I enter the total number of comments at Random.org once the contest ends.
Contest Deadline
Contest ends Tuesday, May 4. I’ll accept comments until midnight. (Central Time). Winner will be posted the next day.
That gives you TWO WEEKS to get your entries in. Hurry and spread the word. The more entries you have, the higher your chances of winning a $30 A Sense of Photography Eco-Friendly Water Bottle!! Go tell all your friends and have FUN!!!!
Let the contest begin!!!
Disclaimer: A Sense of Place Photography provided the custom, steel water bottle (and interchangeable lids) for this review; however, I was not asked to write a favorable review in exchange for the free product(s). The following opinions are my own.
(Thank you, Katie!!)
I’m always elated when I find an email from a potential sponsor for a review. Not only does it mean I’ll get to try out something fun, new, and share it with you, it usually means an awesome giveaway for y’all, too! And it’s always, always a bonus when the product promotes eco-friendly living—something I’m very passionate about!
There are countless ways to live green, but a super easy habit to get in to is carrying a reusable bottle to drink out of. Whether it’s water, tea, a smoothie, juice—or even coffee—reusing the same container does not only give you green points, it’s not even a hassle.
So when I was contacted about this company and what they’re doing, I immediately responded, asking if I could review their eco-friendly, steel water bottle. When Katie answered with a yes, she told me I could choose any of her photos for my water bottle’s design. I browsed through her selection and ended up choosing this beautiful photo. Katie happily obliged. I’m overjoyed! I LOVE flowers and the Swiss Meadow scene—it’s beautiful!
“Welcome to our shop! We sell peaceful atmospheric prints from around the world. Our wish is that everyone might have a sense of place.”—A Sense of Place Photography
I could tell from corresponding with Katie that she’s a very warm, generous person, but I could never have dreamed just how much of herself she puts into her business! Before long, my package arrived and I saw for myself how much of Katie’s heart and soul is in everything she does….
Opening A Sense of Photography Package
LOVE the attention to detail!!!!!
Oooooohhhhhh, Aaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!! SO beautiful!!!!!
About the Company
A Sense of Place Photography is owned by Katrina (Katie) and her husband. She refers to him as “the King”.
It’s always nice to learn more about not only the company—but the people behind it. So let’s get to know them…
From A Sense of Place Photography Etsy Bio
We take pictures; we are in love.
See profile for more selection & information. Giclee prints available in sizes 8X10 and up.
Please try our gallery view blog: www.theyouandmeshow.com
our music while you browse: http://www.myspace.com/uswiththekingsLike Our Landscape Photography? View more at http://tiny.cc/landscapes15. We’d be happy to create a custom listing for you! Do visit our abstract http://www.thedadafactory.etsy.com & vintage http://www.goldenmustard.etsy.com photography shops
The Short Story
Welcome to A Sense Of Place Photography
by Katrina & the King!
http://asenseofplacephotography.blogspot.com
Katrina likes mountains.
Katrina is not a hurricane, or a 80′s pop rock band, though Katrina likes Paleo quite a lot.
Katrina loves her husband: theyouandmeshow.com
Katrina is an american indie photographer, poet & songwriter. in that order.
~If you are in Norfolk, you might like to have a look on our series at 208 East Plume Street, Suite 2, inside the Walls Fine Art Gallery.To read “The Long Story” click HERE. Or, to learn even more, click HERE.
Wait, you want to know more? Okay, okay…
Who is Katie?
Instead of writing this in my own words (like I always do!) I thought it would be way more fun – and entertaining – if I shared snippets of Katie’s About Page with you—in her words. To be even more specific, the following information is taken from The You & Me Show, by Katrina King ~ a journal on modern marriage & the mayhem of it
Q. who is me {katrina}?
A. i’m a freelance writer, photographer, actor, singer, world traveler, design-lover, napper, Christian, avid dog lover {yet only has cats}, avid NYC lover (but country bumpkin at heart) wife, and blogger. a housewife is really the last thing I ever thought I’d be and I’m still always trying to find ways to get out of it! I also do not have any obsession with cupcakes…at all. i am *always* looking for a job. i am *always* up for travel. i’ve recently been dreaming of designing clothes with photography. my dream jobs are 1. La Fuerza Bruta 2. The Ad Council 3. National Geographic 4. Writing a book*
*I actually just finished my first poetry book. You should buy it. Here [contact seller if sold out]
exhibitionist. idealist. loves mountains.
Q. if i was an animal: A. white flamingo
And the King?
Q. who is you {the king}?
A. old fashioned lover of sailboats, poetry, Judaism, history, language, coffee & chocolate. also by far the sexiest man I have ever seen. he has magic in his hands and in his lips. he is *always* up for ice cream. he is *never* one to whine. his dream jobs are 1. circumnavigating the globe 2. designing sailboats 3.owning a ranch 4. writing a book {and if truth be told, he can sing and act better than I ever could despite all my years of training….though he’d never admit it)
internal. cynic. loves the ocean.
Q. if he was an animal: A. dodo bird
we both have sunshine love
A Sense Of Place Photography takes dreams and puts them into tiny pixels, provides professional & unique artistic documentation for your event & creates fine art for galleries and interior decorating for your home and business. Run by husband & wife photographer team, Katie & Steven King.
-Analog & Digital, Stark & Vital, we knock your socks off. – www.asenseofplacephotography.com
Pretty awesome, huh?!
And they’re in favor of preserving our environment…
100% Recycled Packaging!!!!!
More detail!!!!
Personalized Note!!!!
Even MORE detail!!!!
Interchangeable Lids!!!
My favorite one!!!
(I love this one ‘cause I can just loop my finger through the hole and go.)
Another awesome lid!!!!
The whole kit and kaboodle!!!
A Sense of Photography Business Cards
(photo courtesy of their Etsy Shop)
Easy to Pack with Easy Lunch Boxes!
Pros
Of course the main pro of this water bottle is that by using it, you’re helping our beautiful environment, but there are other pros as well.
A few pros are that it’s:
- eco-friendly
- easy to grab and go
- easy to clean
- beautiful and cheerful
- fun to take with you
- holds a variety of drinks: water, tea, smoothies, juice, coffee
- and more!
Oh, and don’t forget it arrives in 100% recycled packaging!!
Here’s even more information from A Sense of Photography…
Description (from their Etsy Shop):
Be green and take your sense of place with you at the same time!
To work
To school
To play
and be hydrated with good old H20 on the way!
With buying this water-bottle, you pledge to
Say goodbye to plastic bottles that are harmful to our environment!
Our new bird on the wire water-bottle is dishwasher safe and comes with two screw-top options.
Explanation of the photos to the right:
1-Water bottle you will be receiving: Front
2-Sport’s top and back of water bottle
3-Trendy Screw Top
4-Tags, Business Cards, and sew on labels that come with your order.
5-A Sense Of Place Photography Logo
This thing is as tough as a brick, and looks great too! Be careful, soon it will want to go everywhere with you
Please visit: www.theyouandmeshow.com to learn more about how being in love helps us make our art.
Please visit http://www.asenseofplacephotography.com for our website, manifesto, and photo blog.
I love shipping overseas as well. Just quote me a price!
And the flowers make me HAPPY—they’re so cheerful!
It even has a built-in coaster!
Cons
As those of you who read all (or a lot) of my reviews, you know that two of the biggest cons I look out for are cost and taste. Well, taste doesn’t apply here, but cost might (in your opinion). This bottle costs $30 but even though that might make some of you cringe, it’s still hard for me to consider it a con (and y’all know how frugal I am!) because this is an investment that you’ll enjoy over and over again. If you think about it, you spend that much on 6 lattes—and they come in throwaway cups!
The only other “con” I can come up with (and y’all know I have to find SOMETHING because cons have to be listed in reviews due to FTC rules) is the fact that you’ll have to wash it. That’s no big deal (at all) to me. But to some of you who despise washing a dish—or even using the dishwasher—you might not enjoy washing a to-go bottle.
Verdict/Grade?
Overall, I must give this beautiful, eco-friendly, reusable bottle – and A Sense of Photography company – an A+ because not only do the folks behind the business put their heart and soul in to everything they touch, the bottle is something that won’t harm our precious environment any more than it already has been! And that’s a HUGE plus in my book!!
If you haven’t tried a reusable bottle, I urge you to start today! Get your own HERE!!! And not only do they offer a Steel Water Bottle with an Interchangeable Top, they offer a beautiful Eco-Tote-Woman’s Sailing Bag!!
Time for a GREEN drink!
After chugging a few (DELISH!) sips…
Ginormous Green Banana Juice Recipe
Ingredients:
Directions:
Toss everything in to your blender and process until smooth and well blended. Pour and enjoy!
It was DELISH—and it held me over extremely well. I wasn’t even the least bit hungry until after 2 p.m. in the afternoon!
I’ve also enjoyed lots of yummy water in my eco-friendly bottle. And I plan on enjoying many more to-go juices and smoothies in this beauty.
Do you carry your juices, smoothies, water, tea, coffee, etc., in a reusable bottle? Or do you always buy bottled water or other drinks that come in paper or plastic cups? Does it bother you? What about just an occasional treat—like a latte or smoothie in a to-go cup? Is that okay with you? I’m not judging here—just curious as to how you all feel about needless paper and/or plastic products. Also, do you like your smoothies super-duper thick, or runny? This smoothie is runny and that’s why I thought the name was a fun one. Of course, it isn’t technically a juice because you don’t juice bananas.
Oh, and are you wishing YOU had one of these beauties? Awesome! ‘Cause guess what’s coming up next? Yeah, you know me—a GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!
Stay tuned…
Updated to Add
The contest is live!!! You can now enter to WIN your own A Sense of Place Water Bottle!!!
Dislcaimer: I received the Glass Dharma (eco-friendly, reusable) straws mentioned below, to review (thank you, Glass Dharma!). But I was not paid to write this review, and the links to Glass Dharma’s website are not affiliate links. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Now, on to the fun stuff:
Drinking today’s lunch smoothie with a Glass Dharma straw!
But first… I know you love to see when the packages arrive!
Here’s what the Glass Dharma straws came in.
Each packaged separately… 
And I chose to use the 9” Beautiful Bend straw first.
Getting started on my lunch smoothie:
Which I’ve decided to name…
Blueberry-Blackstrap Bomb
Manitoba Hemp Pro 70 Powder
ice cubes
tablespoon of freshly ground flax seeds
2 tablespoons of hemp
a banana
Then I added about half a cup or so of blackstrap molasses water I keep in the fridge (more on this in a future post). But it would be 2 tablespoons blackstrap molasses in a cup of water for you.
After I blended that up, I decided to add a handful of frozen blueberries.
And a couple handfuls of baby spinach leaves…
Yum!
Look at the delicious, beautiful layers!!!
All blended together!
Got too excited, I guess – Oops!
Blueberry Blackstrap Bomb Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients:
Directions:
Toss everything in to the blender, blend until smoothly combined, pour, and enjoy this blast of energizing deliciousness!
Played with the camera…
Okay, okay. So, I’m not a photographer – but it was fun!
And I realize the ingredients may sound odd to you, but this was one seriously delicious smoothie – and I’ve drank a LOT of smoothies!!!
About Glass Dharma Straws
“These straws are made from borosilicate tubing and is the strongest glass commercially available,” says the company.
You’ll also find that these straws are made using a specific process that makes them the highest quality glass straw available.
Dharma Glass straws are versatile and can be enjoyed with either hot or cold drinks – and if you’re lucky enough to own a dishwasher, you can pop ‘em right in there for easy cleaning!
Here’s what Glass Dharma’s site has to say:
Plain and simple, here’s how and why they work:
- Glass straws don’t leach toxins into your food as you drink.
- Each time you use your glass straw equals one less plastic straw ending up in your landfill.
- One glass straw replaces thousands of plastic straws. (How many times will you use a straw the rest of your life?)
- Using your glass drinking straw adds a feeling of beauty to your day.
Now, that’s pretty awesome, don’t ya think?!
Glass Dharma straws are only $6-$8 each – and cost even less if you order a few at once. These would make fantabulous gifts or party favors, people!!!
About the Company
You always know it’s a fantabulous company if there’s an awesome person who owns it.
I love that David Leonhardt, the man behind Glass Dharma, is genuinely passionate about spreading the message of glass straws, NOT for the sole purpose of making money, but because he has a true heart for making a positive impact on the environment and it literally hurts his heart that so many plastic straws are destroying our beautiful earth.
Here’s what Mr. Leonhardt says about why he started the company:
I’ve been a lampworker (glassblower) for over 10 years. My wife, Gail & I recently moved from the Sacramento, CA area, to our dream of living on the Mendocino Coast.
I started doing some work for a local glass shop in town and noticed that the owner had glass drinking straws for sale. I had never heard of these before and I am always intrigued by something made out of glass that I hadn’t thought of. I was struck by the unique elegance in such a simple item.
I immediately recognized that here was a partial solution to our “plastics problem”. Now, granted, there are a lot more plastics in our world than just drinking straws, but bear with me a minute and let me put things in perspective … As of March 2008, McDonald’s serves an average of 52 million meals PER DAY! (Per their website) How many of those served do you think were given a plastic straw? I hope it is becoming obvious just how big of a problem these pesky little plastic straws can be. Remember, this is just from McDonalds!! Get the picture??
So …
I created the GlassDharma line of glass drinking straws and this website to contribute one solution to the misuse of plastics in our society.
Everyone that has seen these straws are filled with delight. Not just because they promote health and are environmentally friendly, but that they do these things with elegance and style.
Yes, I do get the picture! That is total craziness!!
Great job, Mr. Leonhardt!!
Pros
As you read above Glass Dharma straws don’t leach toxins into your drinks or smoothies. And another HUGE pro for me is that Glass Dharma straws help prevent more plastic straws being tossed into landfills, alleys, rivers, creeks, lakes, oceans, etc. Now, I realize that there are absolutely gazillions of plastic straws being tossed in the garbage daily and little ol’ me sipping from a glass straw won’t knock a dent in that – BUT if a whole bunch of us use glass straws, we WILL knock a dent in the plastic straw situation.
They even sell bamboo hard cases …
and hemp soft sleeves to store and/or transport your straws!
They also sell cleaning brushes if you want to be sure your straw is super duper clean inside.
Cons
Hmmm… Cons… Gosh, this one is difficult! I guess if you wanted to consider it a con that you have to wash your straw after you use it, then that’d be a con to you. I don’t personally see that as a con. It’s not that big of a deal for me.
I normally list price as a con if it’s more expensive than I feel the “average” person would be able to afford, but I feel these straws are within most anyone’s budget.
And there’s a lifetime guarantee, so you don’t even have to worry about it breaking!
Sorry, folks, can’t really think of a con on this one!
Verdict/Grade
Glass Dharma straws are not only eco-friendly, they’re beautiful, too. And I’m really enjoying my experience. Using them is fun, washing them is easy peasy, and I liked feeling “fancy schmancy” while I conveniently sipped slurped my smoothie today.
AND it feels good to know that I’m not promoting plastic straw waste that harms the environment. Oh, and these straws won’t break your bank – all that adds up to an A+ in my opinion!
Still not sure you want to invest in Glass Dharma straws? Well, they have a “Lifetime Guarantee Against Breakage” policy you might want to check out! (Read all about it here.)
But you can decide for yourself.
What about you? Have you tried Glass Dharma straws? Do you love them? Have you given ‘em as gifts? Would you like to win a gift certificate to Glass Dharma? Oh, yeah! Stay tuned… contest post coming next!
Updated to add:
Contest is posted! Click here to win a $30 Gift Certificate from Glass Dharma!!!
If you’re just tuning in, be sure to enter Healing With (Raw) Juices’ latest contest for TWO containers of Amazing Grass – one is CHOCOLATE! (Thursday, October 22 is the last day to enter.) You can also use the code hwj (small J as in JUICE) for a 15% discount on your order, if you can’t wait. And a BIG thank you to Amazing Grass for sponsoring!
Blog Action Day 2009
Today, Thursday, October 15th, 2009, is Blog Action Day. This year, the theme is Climate Change. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has so many amazing resources you can research, read, and learn until your eyes cross and you won’t make it through all of the information. Do check it out!
Grow Your Own Veggies!
I thought it would be fun to blog about ways to specifically be more eco-friendly regarding the topic of this blog: raw food and juicing, and my life on an Amish farm.
Here are a few ideas for leaving less of a footprint on our beautiful planet:
- Recycle your juice pulp by using it in veggie burgers, muffins, crackers, or even by adding it to compost or feeding it to your chickens.
- Support local farmers and farmer’s markets to cut down on the transport of things you can buy locally and help reduce greenhouse gases.
- Or, better yet: grow your own (organic) garden!
- Use handcrafted soap made by local people.
- Also use that handcrafted soap as your shampoo–you’ll eliminate those plastic bottles shampoo comes in!
- Invest in a quality, reusable water canteen. The amount of plastic bottles you’ll be contributing to landfills will drop dramatically!
- Eat less meat.
- Walk or ride your bike as often as possible.
- Hang your clothes out to dry instead of using your dryer–especially on beautiful days!
- Buy good, used clothes instead of new.
- Purchase reusable bags and keep them in your car. It will cut down–or eliminate–your need for plastic grocery sacks.
- Reuse the plastic grocery sacks you do end up with as trash bags for small waste baskets.
- Apply raw ingredients from your own kitchen to your face and body–instead of beauty products containing harsh chemicals.
All of these ideas are things I actually apply to my own life, as I try to walk softly and cherish what beauty of Mother Earth we have left…
“Some greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide occur naturally and are emitted to the atmosphere through natural processes and human activities. Other greenhouse gases (e.g., fluorinated gases) are created and emitted solely through human activities.” — EPA
Are you worried about climate change? Do you try to live an eco-friendly lifestyle in order to help preserve our beautiful planet? Or do you go through each day without a thought to how your actions are effecting our environment? What juicy tips do you have to share? Do tell!
Oh, and check out my mom’s Blog Action Day post: Eco-Friendly Cooking + Blog Action Day!
Also, check out Mysti’s Climate Change post (from Dining Family)!
Want to keep up with Raw Juice Girl’s adventures + more? Subscribe to Healing with Juices’ Feed for free updates. You can get free updates to your email as well (sign up here). You’ll also receive inspiration, juice and smoothie recipes, and juice fasting tips and encouragement to help keep you motivated toward your ultimate health–and more personal posts about stuff that’s going on in my life. I’ve also been working on a recipe page where you’ll be able to easily locate recipes for raw juices, smoothies, and now dehydrator creations!
References:
Copyright of Healing with Juices
Posted Sunday, August 2, 2008
By
One of the topics I’ve decided to add to this blog is living green. I’m very proud of the things I do to help protect our beautiful environment. See that box of peaches in the photo? Those came from a local farmer’s market. They were grown locally. By buying them, I’ve helped the environment in a variety of ways. How, you ask? Well, for starters a semi truck didn’t have to drive them to the grocery store. Look at all the gas that was saved. Also, it supports the local farmers when we buy from them so they can keep growing food that will keep us healthy. Another good thing when you buy from local farmers, they normally don’t use as many chemicals on the produce as it grows. Sometimes they don’t use any. All these things help the environment.
I adore farmer’s markets. There’s nothing like seeing all those vendors selling nutritious, home grown food! Fruits, veggies, and herbs that are grown organically are the best. The flavors are so fresh and delicious and just think of all the nutrients we’re getting – instead of nasty ole chemicals!
I know you’re thinking I’ve made peach juice or a peach smoothie out of these beauties. I will, but for now I’m enjoying their sweet taste as is. Just look at how beautiful they are!
I’m not sure how expensive peaches are where you’re at, but for this big box it only cost me $7.00 (U.S) - definitely a huge savings there! So, I get to enjoy all these tasty peaches on a frugal budget while living green. How awesome is that?!
Here are a few tips for living green:
- purchase reusable, cloth shopping bags and take them with you when you shop – no more plastic!
- shop local – saves gas on your part and the delivery trucks
- use a quality, natural home made soap as shampoo – eliminate those chemicals and plastic bottles!
- use cloth napkins
- walk rather than drive short distances
- use essential oils instead of chemical fragrances, sprays, or toxic candles to make yourself and/or your home smell fresh
I’ll share more green tips in upcoming posts.
Don’t just buy food from the vendors at farmer’s markets. They also sell soaps, lotions, shampoos, lip balm, clothing, and so much more. Spend some time there and purchase things that will not only help the vendors keep coming back, but help you live as green as possible. Hey, you might even learn to make or grow some things to sell yourself!
Here’s to life, health, and healing with juices!
