How To Pack a Waste-Free Lunch *Giveaway*

A couple of weeks ago, I received a phone call from a little production called The Today Show!  They wanted to interview me for an online segment detailing my top three tips for health, fitness and being green.  What ensued was a conversation that unfolded about going green this school year.  I can’t honestly tell you what I said…I was nervous and humbled and in a bit of shock about the whole thing.  But what I hope came across was the fact that Americans, in general, need to create less waste and conserve more.

If you think about the typical lunch and what it entails…you realize that one lunch creates a lot of waste.  Paper napkins, plastic silverware, cardboard juice boxes, disposable sandwich bags…

Citizenpip is a company that believes in the power of small changes.  Created by a mom, the company offers muck-free reusable lunch gear in designs that are attractive to kids and easy for parents to use.

People today are much more informed about green issues and open to ideas on how to reduce their carbon footprint.  Switching from disposable to reusable is a simple change with great long-term impact.

Citizenpip offers a complete line of reusable lunch gear and kits that are free from lead, BPA, and phthalates.  Their lunch bags (which come in four designs) are lightweight, insulated, waterproof, and made from recycled materials.  I only wish they had a few more designs.  I adore the lightweight, stainless steel water bottles because despite the fact that they’re not insulated, per se, they manage to keep drinks colder longer.  The containers are surprisingly made from polypropylne, leakproof, and freezer-safe.

Citizenpip offers a starter kit (RV $42) which includes the following:

• 1 insulated lunch bag
• 1 stainless steel water bottle
• 4 airtight airtight food containers

The kit is actually made well but I would have liked for it to include one flatware set.

Right now, you’ll save 10% with the code “rockinmama10″

Win It! One of you will win a starter kit in the design of your choice.  Simply leave me a comment with one fact you learned on the site.  Comments will close on September 8, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow Citizen Pip on Twitter and/or Facebook

Visit Amanda and leave some comment love on her post.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post.  Products  for review and giveaway were supplied by Citizenpip.

Eco-Friendly Modular Flooring

When my husband and I moved into our home, we had a lot of work to do.   It was a foreclosure and had not been occupied for a long time.  While it definitely could have been much worse, we did have to do a deep clean, paint it from top to bottom, and install new carpet on the second level.  I really liked the laminate flooring downstairs (which was still in great shape), so we kept it as is.  The only problem with laminate flooring is that it isn’t conducive to small children who are still unsteady and unaware of the dangers of falling on hard floors.

About a year ago, I reviewed a holiday-themed rug from FLOR.  I absolutely adore that rug, but I can only use it a couple of months out of the year.  The company recently released their latest styles for the season, including their “So Happy Together Rug Kit,” which is currently adding some color and character to our living room.

Home decorating is very personal.  FLOR uses an innovative system of carpet squares which lets you “create customized rugs, runners, and wall-to-wall designs for any style or space.”  The system uses FLORdots which can be removed to recreate the rug for a different season and look.

As an eco-minded mom, I strive to purchase products that are safe with minimal carbon footprint.  FLOR products are made with renewable and recycled materials, and “are designed to be among the lowest VOC emitting products in the residential flooring industry.”  If you’ve ever walked into a home or apartment with new carpet, there is a distinct smell (one that is actually quite pungent in my opinion).  What you are smelling is actually quite toxic and the result of things like formaldehyde.  This is just one of the many reasons why we should all reconsider wall-to=wall carpeting.

Once you’re ready to retire your FLOR rug, you can return the squares which will be recycled through the company’s Return & Recycle Program so that none of their products end up in a landfill.

Be sure to check out FLOR’s Martha Stewart Floor Designs to add a contemporary look and feel to your home.  They also have a great sale section which includes some adorable Disney Princess designs.

No compensation was received for this post.  A product sample was provided to facilitate this review.

Modern Baby Product Guide: Organic Baby Clothing by B Nature

As an eco-minded mom, I try to purchase organic, local, sustainable foods and products.  But what doesn’t immediately come to mind is to shop for organic clothing. Cotton contains 25% of the world’s pesticides, many of which are “possible,” “likely,” “probable,” or “known” human carcinogens (Environmental Protection Agency).  When I think about the fact that over 90% of the clothing my children wear is comprised of conventional cotton, I’m compelled to rethink the way I shop for clothing.

B Nature designs 100% organic cotton clothing basics for babies and toddlers up to 24 months.  Their clothing is soft and features delicate embroidery to add a bit of style.  You’ll find that the prices (although a bit high) are on par with market standards for organics.  At present, they offer basics in primarily neutral colors (beiges) but I did manage to find some pink and blue.  I’d love to see the company introduce more designs into their clothing (i.e. animals, flowers, etc.).

B Nature is committed to producing clothing that is free from pesticides using organic cotton grown in healthy farming communities and sewn under fair labor conditions.

No compensation was received for this post.  A product sample was provided by the company to facilitate this review.

Crayola’s Going Green!

As a “green” parent, I’m always interested in learning what companies are doing to protect and preserve our planet.  I recently learned that Crayola is using renewable energy, reducing waste, and protecting rainforests in an effort to work towards providing a healthier environment for children.  Additionally, solar panels are being used to provide power to make 1 billion Crayola crayons and recycled bottle caps are being used to make 500 million Crayola markers. And for every reforested tree used to make their colored pencils, a new one of it’s species is planted. This coming Fall, Crayola will release special boxes of crayons, markers, and colored pencils which will feature icons that describe ways each product is lessening its impact on the environment.

Crayola is searching for the inaugural members of it’s Crayola Green Team, a group of 10 children with “colorful” ideas for protecting the planet by making their schools, homes and communities “greener.”   Now through June 28, parents and/or teachers can submit artwork that illustrates ways children are striving to protect the planet to their Facebook fan page or directly on the site. Crayola will bring those 10 children to Easton, PA to participate in a ceremony in which they will plug their new 15-acre solar farm into the sun. Submissions will be displayed in a gallery on their Facebook page, and you will have an opportunity to vote during July 6-21.

For more information or to submit an entry, simply visit their Facebook page.

No compensation was received for this post.

Eco-Laundry Challenge *Giveaway*

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by.  The winner is Ellen B. Congrats!

With two children under 3 and a husband in the house, I do a lot of laundry.  I probably wash at least one load a day, which means at any given time, our daughter’s crib is a reservoir for clean laundry.  As you can imagine, all of that laundry consumes a lot of water, soap, and energy.

Seventh Generation recently approached me to participate in their Seventh Generation Project Laundry Line Challenge.  It’s simple…by washing in cold water with Seventh Generation’s non-toxic, biodegradable laundry detergent and line drying our clothes, they propose that my husband and I will save water, energy, and money.  We already use Seventh Generation’s Laundry Detergent and wash about 75% (ish) of our clothes in cold water.  The days I come home from the hospital, I do take those scrubs and wash them in hot water to kill all of the germs.  I also find that some of my children’s tougher stains come out more effectively when I wash in hot water.

My husband and I spend almost a year in Europe before we had children, and we’ve lived without a dryer.  I don’t mind if my clothes are a bit stiff when they’ve been line-dried because they relax when I put them on.  My husband, on the other hand, does not like stiff clothes (particularly his work clothes).  Seventh Generation sent me their canola-based liquid Fabric Softener which actually made our clothes softer.

The one major issue I’ve come across is stain removal.  My kids, in particular, manage to get everything from raspberry sorbet and pureed carrots to paint all over their clothes.  Typically, in these situations, I would pre-treat with a stain remover (although I’m trying to move away from this practice).  For the challenge, I did not use any stain remover and found that while the stains were lighter in color, they were still there.  I posed my questions about cold water washing and stain removal to Seventh Generation’s ScienceMan and here is what he had to say:

All stains are not created equal. The majority, even those big scary stains, are treated effectively by the agitation process of washing machines and multiple rinse cycles. But some stains require extra attention. The most common way to pre-treat stains is with concentrated detergent. As soon as possible after the stain appears, apply the detergent directly to the affected area, rub gently, and leave to soak thoroughly prior to washing.  If it’s a particularly stubborn stain, wash in cold water and increase the amount of detergent used by 20-25 percent. Continue by using a longer wash cycle or “pre-soak” cycle if available on your machine. As a last resort, use a powder laundry booster such as Borax that increases the pH of the wash water and also provides oxygen bleach (not chlorine) to enhance stain removal.

I’m just starting to test out his recommendations, and I plan on posting more about how effective this is in a future post.

In all honesty, it’s not difficult to wash in cold with biodegradable, non-toxic laundry detergent.  Too often I’ve heard people tell me that “going green” is expensive and time-consuming.  Seventh Generation’s products are priced comparably to conventional products.  For example, their Natural 2X Concentrated Laundry Liquid (which is plant-derived) retails for $3.84 (32 ounces, 20 loads), $5.78 (50 ounces, 32 loads), and $10.27 (100 ounces, 64 loads).  Because their detergent is concentrated, you don’t need much for effective washing.

The most difficult part of the challenge was spending the time and effort to line-dry the clothes.  In all honesty, it doesn’t take much more time, but it takes longer than throwing the clothes in the dryer. But when you consider the following facts, it makes economic and ecologic sense to line-dry:

If Americans air dried their clothing for 10 months out of the year, we could avoid 12 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.

Approximately one quarter of Americans use an ENERGY STAR washer. There are no ENERGY STAR dryers on the market.

Stay tuned!  I have more information to share with you about our Eco-Laundry Challenge.

I want to challenge you to do the same…wash in cold water with a non-toxic, biodegradable laundry detergent and line dry.  To help you out, I have one laundry kit to give away.

Win It! One of you will win a Seventh Generation “Project Laundry Line” kit that includes:

·         Seventh Generation Natural 2x Concentrated Laundry Liquid (good for 66 loads of laundry)

·         portable laundry line

·         clothes pins, laundry basket

Simple leave me a comment with an eco-friendly laundry tip!  Comments will close on July 1, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn. Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post.  Seventh Generation provided the items for review and giveaway.

Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2010: Diamond Organics

Earlier I wrote about how I stared blankly at my husband when he asked me what I wanted for Mother’s Day this year.  I find it incredibly difficult to offer gift suggestions to my husband.  What I do know is that I like flowers,  chocolate and shoes. Diamond Organics can help with at least two of those!

Diamond Organics, a company that provides certified organically grown food, offers an array of eco-friendly gift Mother’s Day gift ideas including organic gift baskets, flowers, chocolates, fruit, and baked goods.  While I am fortunate to live in a part of the country where natural markets are the norm, many people across the country do not have ready accessibility to affordable organics.  Many of the company’s products include free shipping which makes online ordering even easier for those who cannot get to a natural store.

The Organic Moms Gift Basket includes organic apples, peasr, strawberries, citrus, almonds, cookies from their bakery and fresh organic flowers.  Diamond Organics offers free overnight delivery on this basket.  My basket included a gorgeous arrangement of flowers and a variety of fruit including apples, oranges, pears, kiwis, tangerines, mangoes, and cookies.  The company packages it well so that the fruit arrives fresh and intact (this is important when you’re shipping as delicate as fruit).  Their Chocolate Macadamia Cookies are gone were incredibly delicious.  What’s interesting about the cookies is that they’re made from spelt flour (as opposed to wheat flower).  But I would never have known that if I had not read the label.  They’re soft with a hint of crunch (due to the macadamia nuts) and just the right amount of chocolate.

Kathleen’s Kitchen, a division of Diamond Organics offers delicious prepared foods and edible flowers.  What a fabulous way to get out of cooking a meal!

Now through May 9, you can save 10 percent on the Organic Mom’s Basket or Kathleen’s kitchen by entering the code “mom2010.”

For more gift ideas, just visit the company website.

No compensation was received for this post other than a product sample to facilitate this review.

Simple Steps…Shop Sustainable Brands (Clif Kid)

“I want a snnnaaaccckkk!”  I can’t tell you how many times my toddler says that in one day!  And finding something healthy (that he’ll eat) is always a challenge.  I recently wrote about the types of food we eat and how we grocery shop.  Because we avoid things like high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and trans fats, we’re limited when it comes to packaged, convenience foods.

Clif Kid, who’s parent companies are Clif Bar and Luna, offers organic bars and twisted fruit.  My son tries to get away with eating one fruit snack a day and I’m always concerned about the amount of sugar they contain.  Clif Kid Organic Twisted Fruit is an “all-natural tangy fruit snack” in the shape of a rope.  One “snack” offers a full serving of fruit.  They’re free from artificial flavors, colors, preservatives and processed sugar.  The true test is whether or not your child will eat them.  My son would eat several if I let him.  While they are made with fruit puree, they still contain sugar (from the fruit) so I have to limit how many he eats.

Clif Kid also offers Organic ZBars, a healthy, tasty twist on conventional granola bars.  The bars are made with natural, organic ingredients like rolled oats, chocolate chips, and blueberries.  Each bar contains 7-11 grams of whole grains and 12 vitamins and minerals.  But you won’t find processed sugars, corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors or preservatives.  Because they taste delicious, I was concerned that they would be high in sugar.  One bar includes 10-11 grams of sugar, which is really not bad for a snack bar.  I tried these with my son and our favorites were the Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Brownie, and S’mores.  They don’t taste as healthy as they are and again, my son will eat them and I feel good about giving them to him.

One of the company’s five aspirations is “Sustaining Our Planet.” They aim to keep their impact on the environment as small as possible.  Some of their initiatives include striving towards zero waste, reducing their carbon footprint, and partnering with organizations to conserve and restore natural resources.  To read more about Clif’s commitment to environmental responsibility, just visit their website.

You can find Clif Kid snacks retailers nationwide.

I did not receive compensation for this post.  Product samples were provided to facilitate this review.

Simple Steps…Read Labels Discerningly

There are moments when I feel like reading a nutrition label is more like a science experiment.  It’s come down to this…if I can’t understand it, I don’t buy it (generally…unless I’m having a craving!).  We’ve managed to simplify our shopping routine simply by avoiding the following:  high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, MSG, dyes, and trans fats.   Eliminating those foods from our diet, a majority of the time, compels us to incorporate more whole foods into our diet.  We also strive to buy organic (when we can afford it), local, sustainable foods.  We shop at natural markets and the occasional farmer’s market.

I’m frequently asked questions like, How do you eat so healthy? Isn’t it expensive?  How do you know what to buy?  Does it take a lot of time? Does it take a lot of research?  Where do I begin?  Eating this way has become second nature.  I go to the store and don’t really think much about what I’m buying.  I have already done the research on the brands…read the labels on their products.  I know which foods are best for our particular family (given our allergies and intolerances).  Ninety percent of the time, I can find a palatable, healthier alternative to conventional foods.

When I think back…way back to when I first started eating this way, I realize it was an adjustment.  It did take some time to read labels and research companies.  It was a bit overwhelming, particularly at conventional grocery stores.  And very often, it’s more expensive (but so are doctor bills).  So how does one begin to “green” their diet?  Aracely, this post is for you!

Buy organic. When you can. Yes, it’s typically more expensive.  However, when you purchase 100% certified USDA organic foods, you know that they have been produced without synthetic growth hormones, genetically engineered organisms, antibiotics, chemical fertilizers or man made chemical pesticides.  Choosing these foods will help you eliminate many, if not all of the ingredients listed above without having to read a single label.  Admittedly, it can get quite expensive to buy all of your foods this way.  So how do you decide which foods to purchase organic?  I like to start with fruits and vegetables.  These twelve fruits and veggies are the most likely to contain pesticide residue and should therefore be purchased “organic.”  On the contrary, these fifteen fruits and veggies are less likely to be contaminated and can therefore be purchased conventionally.

Shop at the Farmer’s Market. If you can’t afford organic, shopping locally is really your best alternative.  The face-to-face interaction with local growers and farmers allows you to ask questions about the types of pesticides and fertilizers used.  You can have a discussion about the ingredients used in their foods.  The foods are typically fresher since they have not had to travel distances to get to your local grocery store.  You can find a local farmer’s market here.  {Photo credit: Marc_Smith}

Cook your own food. It wasn’t until my son was diagnosed with food allergies, that I realized how little control and options we have when we eat out.  And eating out is always more expensive.  Cooking your own food allows you to control how much food you are cooking (which means yay or nay on leftovers) which also helps with portion control (and weight management).  Eating at home also gives you control over the ingredients used in your food.  Want more veggies and whole grains?  Less sodium, fat, and calories? More time to digest your food? More time with your family? Eat in!

Eat whole foods. The less processed the food, the better it is for you. It’s really that simple.  Processed foods typically contain more sodium, fat, calories, and sugar than whole foods.  They are often lacking in fiber, whole grains, good fat, antioxidants and other nutrients your body needs.  And, they also contain ingredients designed to extend their shelf life…ingredients that are foreign to our body like artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and chemicals.

Read labels with a discerning eye. Unfortunately, terms such as “all-natural” and “free range” are not regulated.  Look beyond those labels to determine if the food is one you want to eat (hormone-free, devoid of trans fats, etc.).   Opt for “fair trade,” 100% organic, and certified which tend to be more meaninful.

No compensation was received for this post.

Simple Steps…Green Your Laundry Regimen

Posting has been super light this week because I’ve been in Arizona with Bosch learning all about how to organize and effectively do my laundry.  But I’ve come away with some great tips that I’ll be sharing with you soon!  One of the things I learned was that the way we do laundry, isn’t a. the most effective and b. the most environmentally friendly.  We have a top-loading washer (something I’m hoping will change in the next year or so) which uses a lot of water, soap, and energy. The average household does almost 400 loads of laundry each year, consuming about 13,500 gallons of water .  I’m certain we do more than that with our two small children.  So what can you and I do to get clean clothes naturally, without expending as much water and energy?  Here are some tips to get you started:

Look to the stars. Not only should you switch to an Energy Star qualified machine, it should be a front loading machine if you can afford it.  Average savings: $50 a year…enough to cover the cost of the dryer if you use one.  You’ll also save up to 7,000 gallons of water per year.

Opt for a front-load machine.  Not only do they look marvelous, they’ll save time, money, energy, and water (up to a 40% reduction in water and energy).   They’ll also get your clothes cleaner and eliminate many trips to the dry cleaners.  Front-load machines do not have a central agitator so clothes tumble and flip, which means they’re exposed to more water and soap (and the result is that you require less of both).  Clothes also spin two-three times faster during the spin cycle to extract more water which means less dryer time (Energy Star).  Without a central agitator, you have more usable space (fewer loads overall) and a gentler washing cycle overall (which will prolong the life of your clothes and allow you to skip the dry cleaners). Bosch is the most efficient brand in the U.S. (more to come on their washers and dryers!).

Fill it up.  Your washer and dryer, that is.  Front-load machines sense how small or large the load is and adjust their water and energy consumption accordingly.  Top-load machines, like the one we have, do not.  Washing and drying full loads ensures that the machines are operating as efficiently as possible.

Choose a green detergent. Most conventional laundry detergents contain phosphates which negatively impact bodies of water.  Opt for biodegradable, phosphate-free detergents made from plant- and vegetable-based ingredients.  If you’re adventorous, you can DIY!  I like Vaska’s herbatergents which use herbs and botanical cleaning agents and can be used on delicate fabrics.  Their line of products are biodegradable, gray water safe and hypoallergenic. I like their lavender scented detergent.  It’s gentle enough for my baby’s clothes and powerful enough to get the dirt and grime off of my toddler’s clothes. A 48 oz. bottle will wash 32 loads and retails for $9.99.

Wash in cold water.  Because we are not ready to switch to a front-load machine, we try to wash in cold water when it makes sense.  We already know that most of the energy consumed by the washer is related to heating the water.  Opt for concentrated detergents specifically designed for cold-water washing.

Ditch the dryer sheets.  Most contain chemicals you don’t want on your skin (or your children’s skin).  So how do you avoid stiff clothes and static cling? Add ½ cup of vinegar to the rinse water (in place of fabric softener).  Or, try Seventh Generation’s Natural Fabric Softener or Natural Fabric Softener Sheets. While I have yet to try either product, I use many of the company’s other products and am always impressed with their safety and effectiveness.

Line dry.  Even if you only do this part of the time, you’ll still save money and energy (and extend the life of your clothes).  At Bosch we learned that energy consumption is highest when heating the water to wash your clothes and heating the air to dry them. The dryer is second on the list (after the refrigerator) of appliances that consume the most energy (U.S. Department of Energy).  So how do you avoid the stiffness associated with line-drying clothes? Check out Planet Green’s “laundry” list of tips! {photo credit: simplyla}

Avoid dry cleaning.  Most conventional dry cleaners use perchloroethylene which has been linked to cancer, skin irritation and fertility problems.  These days, I either avoid purchasing clothes that require dry cleaning or hand wash the items I already own. My husband still prefers to professionally launder his nice clothes so we use a “green” dry cleaner.

What else can you do?  Simple things like wearing clothing more than once and taking clothes out of the dryer when they’re done (to avoid wrinkles and ironing) can help save you time and energy.  Your clothes (and your wallet) will thank you.

I did not receive compensation for this post.  Product samples were provided by Vaska and Bosch sponsored a trip to their facility.

Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2010: California Blooms *Giveaway*

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by.  The winner is Donna C. Congrats!

Mother’s Day is just a few weeks away and very soon, I’ll be posting my official 2010 gift guide.  My absolute favorite gifts to receive are photo gifts (with pictures of my family, of course), jewelry, and flowers. Bonus points for gifts that are eco-friendly!  As you already know, flowers are a popular gift choice for Mother’s Day, accounting for one-fourth of the floral purchases made for the holidays.

Admittedly, my husband has been known to purchase flowers from a variety of venues including everything from our local grocer to our local Farmer’s Market.  But with Earth Day still fresh in my mind, I thought I’d share with you some information about a company that offers beautiful, fresh roses while being mindful of the environment.

California Blooms roses are grown exclusively on one of the most world-renowned farms of hydroponic roses.  In other words, they grow their roses without soil (interesting).  They don’t produce mass quantities of roses and focus more on the art of optimum growing.  The family-owned farm has been growing roses for over seven generations and uses eco-friendly methods that reduce the demand for energy and water consumption.  If you’re interested in learning more, just check out their growing practices.

This Mother’s Day you can purchase a dozen long stem roses for $39 or two dozen for $59 on their website.  If you’re an iPhone user, they have an App you can use which will save you 20% off your first order.  California Blooms offers the following colors and options for Mother’s Day bouquets:

• Red
• Pink
• Lavender
• Orange
• Yellow
• White
• Peach
• Green
• Or a mixed bouquet

I have not had an opportunity to personally experience their flowers, but I’m impressed with their eco-minded practices and their commitment to offering fresh, gorgeous arrangements. And their turnaround time is 24 hours as opposed to 3-7 days for other florists.

Win It! One of you will win One Dozen Roses from California Blooms.  Simply leave me a comment with an arrangement you like from the site and the color you’d choose if you win.  Comments will close on May 3, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  I will contact the winner and they will have 48 hours to respond.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn. Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow California Blooms on Twitter AND tweet about the contest

“Like” California Blooms on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest using the hashtag

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

I did not receive compensation for this post.  The giveaway was sponsored by California Blooms.

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