If you cohabitate with your pets, you know the woes of keeping pet odors at bay.  Its a constant concern and always a little nerve-wracking when company arrives - because the last thing we want is for the house to smell like “dog” or “cat”.  With two indoor/outdoor dogs and one indoor cat, I was happy to discover Fresh Wave Odor Neutralizing products a couple years ago.

Fresh Wave products are a must-have for the conscious pet owner who prefers not (or refuses) to use its toxic counterparts, especially important as we transition into colder months ahead when windows are shut more often and indoor air pollution becomes more of a concern than any other season.

My two favorite products from the line are the Odor Neutralizing Air Spray and Odor Neutralizing Crystals.  I use the spray everywhere from the bathroom, to the litter box, to the dog beds and the odor neutralizing crystals have a permanent residence in the home office, where the pets like to congregate.  If you’re still looking for a non-toxic option to banish pet odors, be sure to try Fresh Wave - I think you’ll be very (pleasantly) surprised with the results!

Fall has arrived - at least in most parts of the country.  Temps, leaves and apples are falling inducing soup, sweater and cinnamon cravings.  Its also making me think more about one-pot meals and dishes that simmer on the stove filling the house with delicious aromas by dinnertime.  Lately, I’ve been cooking more with my red Le Crueset cast iron enamel-covered french oven that I’ve had for over four years and I’m still in awe of how much better my food tastes when I cook in it.  Once you own one, you’ll no longer wonder why this timeless and amazing cookware is pricey - because you definitely get what you pay for.

The first thing you’ll notice about these french ovens is the weight.  Extremely heavy duty and supremely well-made, you’ll have yours for years and likely have it for long enough to pass down to your kids.  The enamel coating is non-stick, won’t chip and food is cooked evenly and thoroughly - you can even use it to marinate food before cooking and store food after cooking.  And its energy efficient since food is cooked best on low to medium temps.

If you’re in need of replacing your old cookware or buying for the first time - consider investing in a Le Crueset, or at least put it on your Christmas list now, you won’t regret it.

First of all, if you don’t laugh when you see or hear this product’s name, Chicken Poop Lip Junk - I have serious doubts about whether you have a sense of humor.  Everything from the name, marketing, web address (www.ilovechickenpoop.com) is hilarious (IMHO, of course!).  There is however one thing the company is actually serious about and its their ingredients - very simple, yet very effective.  Confession: I don’t like this product as a lip balm though - its much too lavender-y for lips.  I’m talking knock-my-organic-socks-off-and-feel-like-I’ve-been-chewing-on-lavender-plants-for-days lip balm - so if you like that kind of thing, go for it!  It is however perfect as an all-purpose and mighty convenient on-the-go stick to heal and/or soothe cuts, scrapes or bug bites (my personal fave).  The twist up tube doesn’t take up any space in my bag or bathroom drawer and its ideal to dab on mosquito bites to take the sting right out.  And the good news?  Its totally affordable at just $2.99 a tube and it is sure to be the topic of many conversations!

I’ve been using this Free & Clear Natural Dish Liquid from Seventh Generation for the past few weeks and I’m definitely a fan!  I tend to raise an eyebrow to products that claim to be natural, yet contains artificial color and/or fragrance and this is without both.  Seventh Generation also recently changed their packaging to a more clean and simple design, which I like - in addition to including the full ingredient lists on their products with a new “we have nothing to hide, we disclose all ingredients” mantra (gotta love honesty!).  This foams up nicely, doesn’t leave spots on dishes and its easy on my hands (doesn’t dry them out after washing a sinkful of dishes).  If you prefer to let your dishwasher do the washing, you may want to check out these dishwashing tablets (they’re the most effective natural ones we’ve discovered thus far).

According to Seventh Generation, if every household in the U.S. replaced just one bottle of 25 ounce petroleum-based dishwashing liquid with our plant-derived product, we could save 86,000 barrels of oil - enough to heat and cool 4,900 U.S. homes for a year!?  Other benefits include:

+ Non-toxic & biodegradable

+ Hypo-allergenic

+ Free of phosphates

+ Safe for septic & grey water systems

+ Not tested on animals

+ Kosher-certified

This won’t break the bank either. Budget-conscious buyers will be happy to know this retails for just $3.99, but right now it can be found on sale here for $3.24 (and while you’re at it - take a peak at 33 rave reviews of this dish soap).

Are you getting ready for guests to land upon you, for the upcoming Labor Day weekend?  I am, and this past weekend I had a major yard cleanup day at my house.  Luckily, I had family who pitched in to help, because its no easy feat tackling a half acre.  Trim trees.  Check.  Pull weeds. Check.  Mow lawn.  Check.  And the list went on. Plant flowers in pots.  Check.  So after a long day in the sun, I sat on my steps (glad to be sitting) and grabbed a bag of Organic Miracle Gro Potting soil that I had picked up earlier in the day at my local home improvement store.  According to the bag its made of 100% organic material including compost, peat moss and manure and I feel better about using it than the conventional potting soil. It contains natural fertilizers that provide quick~release and slow~release feeding for up to 3 months.  Have you used it, and if so, what do you think??

Have you checked out the organic cotton homewares from Pottery Barn?  They’ve got some comfy and casual organic cotton alternatives that proves you don’t have to give up style to go organic.  These bath mats are thick, reversible and made of pure organic cotton loops.  Designed to coordinate with PB Organic Towels, if you’re in need of upgrading your bathroom why not take a look at some organic options?!

These plush towels have received rave reviews and its no wonder since they’re made of 600-gram weight organic cotton.  A perfect way to welcome and pamper your overnight guests!

I’ve been sipping a cup of this every morning for the past couple weeks, and I really like it!  Some organic coffees (and conventional) can taste entirely acidic, but all flavors from this brand are pleasing to my palate.  If I’m going to drink coffee at all, I only take it black because I know add-ins can add on the pounds.  Because of this, I’m pretty picky about how my coffee tastes because nothing else is going to give it flavor.  According to Caffe Sanora, their coffee is different because they claim it has the ability to offer even more antioxidants than most green teas.  This pure, 100% Arabic shade-grown coffee is certified by both USDA National Organic Program and by Rainforest Alliance.  If you’re trying to ween yourself from pesticide-sprayed coffee plants, or aren’t happy with your current organic drip, be sure to check out Caffe Sanora’s selection.

Caffee Sanora describes their HealthyRoasting process:

“For centuries coffee beans have been prized for their medicinal value — and for good reason. Research has shown that coffee beans in their natural state are an excellent source of antioxidants, just like fruits and vegetables. Yet conventional roasting processes have typically destroyed these beneficial compounds. Until now.

By specially handling our beans, in the field and during each step of our patented roasting process, Caffe Sanora is able to retain 100% of our coffee’s natural antioxidants — and the important health-sustaining properties that go with them.

The result is pure, rich coffee with no additives or added caffeine, just great taste with all the benefits nature intended.”

Being just weeks away from welcoming a new little member into our family, I am constantly on the lookout for products that have a low impact on the environment and that are made with a child’s safety and health in mind. I recently came across a brand that offers stylish, sustainable and baby-safe products that deserves some press. Cariboo of New Zealand is a company that has been committed to designing and manufacturing high-quality, stylish and simple baby furniture for the discerning parent. What I’m most thrilled about it is their “green” product line - Cariboo Earth - that caters to parents who possess a heightened sense of style and environmental responsibility.

Their flagship product, the Earth Folding Bassinet is just adorable and has a convenience factor that is lacking in most bassinets these days. The folding frame is made of sustainable Radiata Pine and stained with a water-based and biodegradable finish - so a parent can have peace of mind that what they are putting baby to sleep in is both safe for her and the environment. The Earth Bassinet comes in your choice of two finishes - a lovely Teak or rich Espresso - so you can coordinate with any nursery theme. The set comes with an eco-dyed veil as well as an unbleached cotton bassinet bag and fitted sheet. The mattress is made of 100% organic wool from New Zealand sheep and is supported by a board that is “E-zero certified” - which means there is absolutely no formaldehyde emissions or any other off-gassing from toxic chemicals.

The Earth Bassinet is JPMA/ASTM Safety Certified and provides a safe, natural and comfortable sleep environment for an infant who is used to being in the womb. It is easily transportable and can morph from a bassinet to a changing table in a matter of seconds so it’s perfect for tight spaces. This bassinet is truly a smart and responsible investment for progressive parents-to-be.

Pack a lunch - save your wallet, your health and your planet! Now you can do just that with LunchBots reusable, stainless steel lunch containers.

Made from the highest quality stainless steel - these rugged yet eye-catching lunch systems take the waste out of packing a lunch. Just think about how many bags it takes to pack a lunch. Now you can eliminate the need for bags while guaranteeing that the food you eat is kept safe. Using this type of lunch system is a great way to manage portion control while keeping everything tidy and away from plastic - which can leach onto your food while it’s waiting to be consumed. Stainless steel keeps food insulated as well, so you can keep things at room temp a little longer than using just a paper bag and since it is so tough, you never have to worry about things getting crushed in your lunch bag.

The LunchBots Uno is designed for a main course and the Duo is partitioned off for snacks or sides - both of them together make one sensible lunch portion. Reviewers are raving about the ease of use and the huge perk of feeding yourself and your family in a non-toxic and eco-friendly way. Another serious perk to owning LunchBots is the conversations you can have with fellow co-workers or other parents about your food storage choice. You can start a mini-revolution in your very own lunchroom! (OK, well at least you can get some people thinking.)

Most of us know baking soda as an important ingredient to add to our “from scratch” recipes for cakes and cookies, but there is a secret life of baking soda that’s just as important. Last year, my mom gave me a book all about the wonders of baking soda and I was amazed to find so many uses for such an ordinary (and cheap) food item. With most of us trying to stretch our dollar a little further and finding alternatives to buying expensive products, the wealth of information within this book is well worth the money.

Starting with the history of baking soda, the book has everything from baking recipes to homemade cleaner recipes to use throughout the entire house. This book is full of ideas that you have probably never imagined could come from such an ordinary powder. I have nearly eliminated all store-bought cleaners from my home and have replaced them with unbelievably cheap and undeniably chemical-free alternatives that I can whip up in my kitchen thanks to this little book. This is truly a win-win situation for me!

Pop Quiz: Did you know that baking soda will put out a kitchen fire? Even better, your food will probably still be salvageable if it comes in contact with what you’ve got cooking!

Here are just a few of the uses for baking soda given in the book:

• Scouring Powder
• Drain Cleaner
• Automatic Dishwasher Powder
• Window Cleaner
• Wood Cleaner
• Carpet Cleaner
• Laundry Booster
• Hair Clarifying Product
• Bath Product
• Deodorant
• Contact Lens Solution
• Breath Freshener
• Antacid
• Bee Sting/Bug Bite Relief
• Burn Relief
• Cradle Cap Remedy
• Diaper Rash Neutralizer
• Arts & Crafts Ideas
• Animal Clean-Up
• Garden Uses

You’ll have to buy the book to get all of the details on how to make use baking soda in these various ways, but let me just tell you that there are many more ideas that could make your life easier, less expensive and more friendly to our environment just waiting to be used here. If you haven’t already discovered the wonders of baking soda for yourself, there’s no better time to make the switch to a non-toxic and affordable way of life with this informational book.