snackTAXI...Review & Giveaway!!!

CLOSED***** Winner has been notified:)

I am a mother of two wonderful children and they love to snack. If we are going to be running a lot of errands that day I usually bring snacks with us. I also bring snacks to the grocery store, the park, and church! For whatever reason I seem to always be out of the ever so needed plastic bags. Now I don't have this problem anymore because of snackTAXI!

I LOVE this print...coffee cups/doughnuts & coffee beans! How fun is that!!!



The coffee bean snackTAXI opened up...





The coffee cups with doughnuts snackTAXI opened up:)



I used the first time and put graham crackers in there...perfect fit!

I have fallen in love with snackTAXI's products. Their snack and sandwich bags are awesome! I've used them to carry sandwiches, crackers, carrots, celery, sliced cucumbers, cheese squares (baby girl loves cheese), popcorn, strawberries, and sliced apples! I know that I can use them for so much more and can't wait until we have to leave again so I can them with us. They are very durable and I love the long strips of velcro.

They are also machine washable. I have just washed them out by hand really good because I haven't used them for anything messy yet. Because they are super cute you will want to use these more than your throw away plastic baggies:) Plus they are free of lead, phthalates, & BPA.

Do how many bags do you use in a week? If you have one person that you pack lunch for: 1 bag for sandwich, 1 bag for chips, 1 bag for fruit or snack. So already at least 3 per person times five times a week =15 bags! snackTAXI's will definitely save you money! Each reusable bag that you use can keep up to 1000 plastic bags out of the waste stream.

So, if you decide you want to make the change and go completely reusable then check out their website, click here. Not only do they have amazing reusable bags but they have lunch bags, produce snacks, and reusable napkins:)

snackTAXI was awesome and sent this set for one of my very blessed readers to win! I love this set too! This will be shipped from my home, so only US entries please.

This could be yours!...

If you would like to try and win then the listen up and I will tell you how...& have fun:)

Mandatory Entry:

Be a GFC follower of this blog ~Coffee & Laughter w/ the Harris Family

 Go visit snackTAXI and tell me which product they sell is your favorite.

Please leave your email in each entry.  

Extra Entries:

* "Like" Coffee & Laughter on FB (1 entry)

* "Like" snackTAXI on FB & tell them I sent you (2 entries)
* " Follow" Coffee & Laughter on Twitter (1 entry)
*Share on Facebook- you can use the easy button below and "tag" Coffee & Laughter and snackTAXI.
*Grab my button and post a link where I can find it (3 entries)

This Giveaway is open to US entrants only, please and ends on August 5, 2011 at 11:59 pm PST. The winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be notified via email on August 6, 2011. The winner has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be picked.

 

Disclosure:  All opinions expressed are 100% my own and may differ from yours. No monetary compensation was given for this post.

How much did you save using cloth?

I was talking to my husband the other day about an adorable diaper that I saw and I how much I really want it...(side note: it has ruffles and super cute prints!!!) He said we have enough diapers and I don't need anymore. HA! I thought it was a funny statement because cloth is addicting...lol. As I giggled and then replied, "Do you realize how much money we have saved since you decided to support me in cloth diapering Baby Girl?". He thought about it for a minute and said, "No, I've never thought of it that way." So he told me to wait on the cute diaper I want and I might get it soon!

So the question still remains how much did I save for the first year? Well, let's see about that...all these prices are without coupons.

I figured that for the first 3 months I would have used at the very least 1,350 diapers! WOW! With the cost of newborn diapers + size one diapers I would have spent: $330 on just diapers!

From 3months - 6months at least another 900 diapers in the trash and I would have spent: $210.

From 6 months - age 1 I would possibly change at least another 1444 diapers and I would have spent about: $368.

This does not include the other stuff you would possibly use, such as:
Wipes...$44 (that's just using 1 per diaper, most of us use a lot more. I am so low on this price...)
*Diaper Pail...$30 (avg cost of just the pail.)
*Refills...$30 monthly ($360 for the year!)
*Throw away bags...$20 if you just buy 5 boxes of these, not including the holder)



How much all together??? Well, I would have spent at the very least $1,362 for diapering for just the first year! BUT I decided to cloth diaper my baby. How much did that cost me?



I started with a package deal: for $212, and I received....
12 diapers (colors & prints that I got to choose!, and I can use these until she potty trains. Plus on the next baby -if there is a #3?- as long as I take care of them.)
1 pail liner (washable!)
I small wet bag (holds one diaper, perfect for quick trips to the store, & washable)
1 med. wet bag (holds 4-6 diapers, perfect for running errands all morning, & washable)

This is a pic of some of Baby Girl's diapers...

*I made a diaper sprayer...$20
*1 small wet bag...$10
*1 large wet bag...$18 (for being gone ALL day our overnight, holds 8-10 diapers & washable)
*Laundry Detergent...$40 (that's for the year! This is based on what I've bought so far...You have to buy certain laundry detergent to keep your diapers working the way that they should.)
*Diaper pail...$10 (it is a small trash can with a lid)
*Pail liner...$18 (I needed two because it just works best for me)
*Flushable liners...$16 (I use these only when I am out for the day, ex. church)
*4 diapers AIO...$50 ( I wanted these All IN ONES because they are super soft and I heard lots about them being great diapers)


How much did I spend??? I spent $394!!! WOW! That is almost $1000 saved! I thought this was absolutely amazing! My husband was thrilled by the way because we are a one income budget family.

While there will always be diapers that I will want to try out on Baby Girl, I really don't have to buy anything else other that laundry detergent & possibly some flushable liners for the next year. But if you are choosing to go with disposables then you are still going to spend about another $1300 + before your baby turns two.

I am happy that I decided to go against the norm and cloth diaper. I have had questions about my water bill, I think it's gone up a dollar...? My husband doesn't mind the extra dollar. Plus she is just too cute in these diapers...

Baby girl in her Zookies cover (top and bottom pic)

I didn't write this to convert anyone, if it does then welcome to the wonderful world of cloth. I was just excited about how much money I saved and I wanted to share it. I say do your own research and see what works best for you and your family! :)

The Homeschooler's 23 Psalm

I received this & wanted to share it with all of you:) Enjoy!

"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (John 10:11).

The Lord is my shepherd,

I shall not want.

He maketh me to live on less sleep:

He leadeth me through the noise of many voices.

He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me to teach

The right lessons each day, for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of undone

Laundry and kitchen messes, I will fear no evil:

For thou art with me, my teacher's guides and

Answer keys, they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence

Of threatening school officials and critical family members:

Thou anointest my head with heavenly wisdom, my cup runneth over.

Surely educated and godly children shall follow after me

All the days of my life: and I will dwell again one day

In a clean house with the Lord forevermore.

Praise God, we do have a good Shepherd who leads us through every homeschooling problem and provides for our every need. Best of all, our Shepherd knows us and promises never to desert us when the wolf comes seeking to destroy (John 10:11-13). When we listen to the Shepherd's voice and follow Him, we are sure to receive a great reward as we reach the peaceful green pastures of Christ-like, educated children. "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away" (1 Peter 5:4).

***Received this through an email from Alpha & Omega

Tasty Tuesday...a day late :p

I don't really like to cook to cook huge meals in the Summer because it heats up your house and then it is just hot, hot, hot! So we have been making salads a lot and one of our favorites is this one...

Lettuce, bacon, cooked chicken, mushrooms & onions....yummy!

I topped ours with homemade Honey Mustard Dressing and croutons. .

This is a super easy salad to make you can precook the bacon and chicken, early in the day when the heat is not so bad, then cook the mushrooms and onions when you are ready to eat! The dressing is just a little mayo, mustard and honey:) My hubby loves this salad because it has a lot of meat in it. You could serve with some bread if you prefer but that night we just had the salad.

Mama Cloth:) Review & Giveaway!!!

We have a Winner!!!YAY! I love giveaways:) The winner of the Mama Cloth set from Moms Crafts 4 U picked by Random.org was # 14 and that blessed person was Raquel! I have sent you an email hope to hear from you soon! You have 48 hours:)


I've been hearing a lot about Mama Cloth over the past few months and it seems that everywhere I would turn someone was talking about this product. The very first time I heard about these I thought who would want to wear these...that is so gross! Then I started thinking I might be able to wear these...hmmm, but could I actually wash them? What would my hubby think? What will other people think? My head began to swirl with thoughts and the "...but What's?". So naturally I told myself that I would NEVER do this. I could never wear & wash something that should be thrown away.


I then started to do a little research about whats in our throw away pads...I found out that companies are not required to list ingredients on their labels. Some of the toxic ingredients found in the disposable pads are aluminum, alcohol's, fragrance additives, and hydrocarbons. The bleaching processes of tampons leave behind dioxin. Dioxin is a toxic chemical (chlorine-compound) linked to cancer, immune system suppression, ulceration, pelvic inflammatory disease, reduced fertility, changes in hormone levels & even endometriosis.


This scared me. The pads that I had used all my life could be hurting me. I decided that I had to start hearing these women out completely. I wanted to know more about cloth pads! I was excited to find out that most women found they didn't cramp as much and some even said their period was shorter. Eventually the benefits outweighed my fears of trying something new. That's when I realized that was all it was...a fear to do something different than the norm. I already was the only person that I knew (other that a couple of friends) that were cloth diapering their baby and I didn't want more opposition from my family and friends.


So now I was ready but my hubby said no! So I decided if I could just someone that would allow me to try out their pads (as a review) then I could possibly get my hubby to say ok to a purchase later on:) I reached out to MomsCrafts4U and she generously sent me 3 cloth pads to try out. 

1 - Monkey Flannel Pantyliner, 1 - Blue Cotton Regular, 1 - Rust Cotton Heavy Flow





Folded up so it's easy to transport them:) Fits in the palm of your hand!

I was super excited! I tried them out and they were AWESOME!!! I will never ever wear disposables again! I am officially converted:) I couldn't even tell that I had them on, they were so soft. They didn't bunch up and twist and become uncomfortable, but moved with me. I couldn't believe that they could have been this amazingly comfortable. I love these! I didn't leak either. I wore them out on several occasions and they worked perfectly. I carried a small wet bag (you can find these on her site as well) and no one ever knew. My hubby didn't even know! Usually with all the wrappers from the disposables he knows and this time he had no clue. I told him what I had used them and he was fine since he didn't have to "see" anything:)


I washed them with my towels and hung them to dry. You can use the dryer if you want but I was trying to be careful with them and keep them "like new". They didn't stain. I rinsed them off a little and put them in a small wet bag under the sink until I needed to wash them. So how many do you need? That is up to you and your flow. Most women (from what I have read) have at least 12 - 20+. Since you normally change about 6-12 times a day. I almost think that once you try you might become addicted:)


So, now that I've told you about my experience how would you like to win a set for your self? MomsCrafts4U is generously offering one of my readers a set of 3 - 8" cloth pantyliners or mama cloth pads (Cotton topped)!!! With so many colors and patterns what will you choose?

If you just can't wait to win and NEED some now you can buy them by clicking here!

If you would like to try and win then the listen up and I will tell you how...& have fun:)

Mandatory Entry:

You need to be a GFC of this blog ~Coffee & Laughter with the Harris Family, Go visit MomsCrafts4U Etsy site and tell me which set you would choose if you win. Please leave your email in each entry so I can email the winner.  

Extra Entries:

* "Like" Coffee & Laughter on FB (1 entry)

* "Like" Moms Crafts 4 U on FB (2 entries)
* " Follow" Coffee & Laughter on Twitter (1 entry)
* " Follow" Moms Crafts 4 U on Twitter (1 entry)
*Share on Facebook- you can use the easy button below and "tag" Coffee & Laughter and Moms Crafts 4 U.
*Grab my button and post a link where I can find it (3 entries)

This Giveaway is open to US and Canada entrants only, please and ends on July 25, 2011 at 11:59 pm PST. The winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be notified via email on July 26, 2011. The winner has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be picked. Coffee and Laughter is not responsible for lost or missing prizes.

Disclosure:  All opinions expressed are 100% my own and may differ from yours. No monetary compensation was given for this post.

Green Mama Blog Hop!

Welcome to the 16th week of the Green Mama Blog Hop!

Please only join this hop if you deem your blog as 'green'. It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or if you're a pro.. this Green Mama Blog Hop is for you!

My goal is to have more and more people join each week! But that can't happen without your help. If you could please post the button on your blog, as well as in a post, that would be great! Thanks so much for your involvement! I want us 'Green Mamas' to befriend each other and be there for questions or support.

<a href="http://www.giveawaysandlife.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq300/sashica13/green-house-2-1.jpg" /></a>

~Lovely Hostesses~

And Then There Were 4...

Mommy Made Green

Greening Sam and Avery

The Little Hedgehog

Hopping Guidelines:

MANDATORY:

* Add your blog's home page to the Linky list! I will be monitoring the blogs to make sure we only have 'green', family-friendly blogs involved.

* Follow the 4 hosts and the blog ahead of yours. Make sure to leave comments on each of the blog so they can follow you back! The more you follow, the more will follow you back!

OPTIONAL:

(You don't have to do these to enter the hop, but you must do both to qualify for the Featured Blog position)

* Grab the new Green Mama Blog Hop button and place it on your home page.

* Put the button into a post on your blog. Then leave a comment on this Hop post with the link.

This hop will be open all week but it will start over each week, so keep coming back each week to enter!

Welcome to the Green Mama Blog Hop! Enjoy!

Tasty Tuesday :p

It's Tuesday and I haven't done this in quite a while... are you ready for a recipe to do at home. I always find myself stuck in a rut and fixing the same thing all the time. I had a wild hair last week and made these...

Chicken Fajitas!

I heated up my wok with a couple of tablespoons of EVOO and added some sliced onions. While they sauteed, I cut up a red, orange and yellow bell peppers and added them to the onions. When the onions began to caramelize I added the cooked chicken and sliced mushrooms and threw them in the mix. I added a little bit of garlic and some grill mates seasoning, the steak flavor, and let simmer together for a minute or two. I wrapped a burrito wrapper around all the goodness and served with some sour cream (you can use Greek yogurt as well).

I think my husband was impressed! We haven't made this ever and definitely not with onions and peppers but this was absolutely delish! I will make these again and again because they were a huge hit here:) Enjoy!