I’m still living out of my suitcase after three and a half weeks of traveling and about a week ago the Preserve Toothbrush made it’s way into my shopping basket just before I landed in a checkout line.  This toothbrush is simple, but I like it.  The forty-five degree ergonomic handle is perfect for getting to those hard to reach places.  Available in seven colors - I picked the green color.  The handle is 100% recycled  and made party of Stonyfield Farms yogurt cups.  The cool part is that when it’s time to retire the brush (after about three months of use), it can be sent back using this postage-paid label, and it will be recycled into plastic lumber for picnic tables, boardwalks and decks.

Love a sale?  I sure do and I bought mine for a killer deal - find your own Preserve Toothbrush now for 57% off here!

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.

Anyone who has stood in a checkout aisle in a grocery store knows that the options for chewing gum are impressive. Not only can we pick what flavor we want, but we can pick if we want sugar-free, with flavor crystals or without, long-lasting or, well, short-lasting I suppose.  Unfortunately, the options for a chewing gum that won’t contribute to tooth decay and that don’t contain questionable ingredients are hard to come by. Thanks to Xclear Spry Chewing Gum - the options are growing.

Extensive research has been done on the effects of xylitol in relation to preventing tooth decay and it has been proven over several years to have a significant effect on the reduction of plaque-causing bacteria. Other countries have relied on xylitol not only for their oral hygiene needs but as a substitute for sugar in foods. Still, here in the U.S. we usually have to go to our health food store to find this sugar substitute in products. In study after study, regular use of xylitol gum or toothpaste has been shown to inhibit the growth of plaque and yeast in the mouth.

Although it is hard to come by, Spry Gum is popular amongst dental professionals and health nuts alike. Those in the dental profession love it because they have seen first hand how it’s use has saved both adults and children from tooth decay. Those concerned with their overall health love it because it is a natural substance that doesn’t raise blood sugar levels and reduces bacteria and yeast in the body. Spry gum is said to have long-lasting flavor and reminds some of Chiclets from back in the day because of it’s crunchy outer coating. Each tub of gum contains 100 pieces of gum so it will last quite a long time. With xylitol’s ability to freshen breath while simultaneously fighting tooth decay - you can now multi-task even while chewing your gum!