For the past few days I have been on the lookout. My son’s soccer team needs money for tournaments and things and I was thinking a fundraiser would be an excellent idea. I get tired of the same old fundraisers all the time and my kids aren’t even in school. What I want is an eco-friendly, environmentally concious, green fundraiser. If you’re looking for something beyond ink cartridges and cell phones, it’s not quite an easy task.

A google search will produce numerous companies offering money for ink cartridges and cell phones. Some offer more money than others, some offer free shipping. FreeRecycling offers up to $3.60 for inkjet cartridges and up to $20 or more for cell phones. They want absolutely no damaged items. Kartridges for Kidz accepts both inkjet and laserjet cartridges. They offer either money or points. The points are redeemable for various items a school might need. They provide prepaid shipping via Fedex. Funding Factory collects inkjet, laserjet and cell phones. Free shipping is provided via UPS. Earnings are either in cash or points. Points are redeemable for items from their rewards catalog. I’m very impressed with their catalog! Ecophones collects inkjet cartridges, cell phones, ipods, laptops and more. Free shipping is provided via DHL. They will accept non-working and damaged items, but not at full price.

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Tags: General, Helpful Sites by Stephanie
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For many years I have attributed my older son’s behaviour issues to red food dye. Have you any idea how HARD it is to avoid red dye? It’s really hard to find replacements of some favorite items.

“In September 2007, a UK study reported children behaved impulsively and lost concentration after consuming a drink containing additives.” A group has asked for a voluntary removal of food dyes by next year.

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Tags: General by Stephanie
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Thermos has a great line of stainless steel insulated drink containers. But why two, what’s the difference and which is better? I purchased both so I could figure out the answer to those questions and what follows is a detailed reason why I choose Foogo.

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Tags: General, Reviews by Stephanie
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phthalates – plasticizers. They make hard plastic soft. They are bad, bad, bad for you health! Prolonged exposure could lead to health risks such as lung cancer, brain cancer, lymphomas, leukemia, and liver cirrhosis. Things we certainly wouldn’t subject our children to!

Enter the Toy Safety Bill. The Senate has vote to ban phthalates from children’s toys. The House, however, neglected to include the phthalates. They are currently working to get this bill complete. It is important that the phthalate ban is included!

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Tags: General, Health, Unsafe Things by Stephanie
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Tenderize Meat. Use distilled white vinegar in marinades or when cooking tough, inexpensive cuts of meat.

Clean the floor. Mix 3 drops of dishwashing liquid with equal amounts of distilled white vinegar, alcohol and water. Spray your floors and use a wet mop.

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Tags: General, Vinegar by Stephanie
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We all know organic is best, but let’s face it, it’s expensive! If you’re like me, you get organic when you can, often picking and choosing based on price. Well, that’s about to change. Starting today, my produce purchases now have a ranking. I will definitely be purchasing some items as organic only.

Tiny doses of pesticide can be toxic to children, and even adults. Prolonged exposure can lead to increased cancer risk, neurological and developmental problems. The Environmental Working Group set out to find out just how much pesiticide residue remains on your fruits and veggies, even after washing and peeling. Those with the highest score, at the top of the list, you’ll want to purchase as organic. Those to the bottom have the least amount of pesticide residue and aren’t as bad if purchased as conventionally-grown.

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Tags: General, Health, Safe Things by Stephanie
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