Product Review: Scott Naturals® Paper Towels

I received a free roll (unsolicited) of Scott Naturals® paper towels. According to the company's website, this hybrid towel contains a blend of 60% recycled fibers that keeps them absorbent. The instructions that came with the package asked me to secretly swap out our regular brand of paper towel and replace it with Scott Naturals.

That was easy enough to do because I'm fairly certain no one else pays attention to what I put on there in the first place. Our family used the roll until it ran out and then I put back the regular brand. As I feared, no one else knew but me.

The claim for this brand is that they "help you take a green step without sacrificing quality." For the most part, I agree, but there was one issue with this product that ensures it won't be my preferred brand. The towel is a slightly smaller size than my usual brand, but that isn't a big deal. I use washable towels for large messes anyway. The problem for me was that I couldn't get the paper towels to tear using only one hand. As a busy mom, I'm constantly juggling a million different things at once. It's not unusual for my left hand to be busy while my right hand is reaching for a paper towel. No matter how many times I tried, it required both my hands to rip off the Scott Naturals paper towel from the roll or me leaning on arm on the roll and pulling with the other hand to get a towel free. I found it frustrating. Maybe it's silly, but I don't want to grab for one paper towel or half a paper towel (they come in Choose Your Size) and end up unraveling half the roll simply because I only have one hand free.

Other than that, I can say they worked just as well as my regular brand. If these were on sale at the grocery store in the future I might try them again, but I'm not looking to switch right now.


I received a single roll of Scott Naturals paper towels from the manufacturer. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

WSJ Wednesday - Wind Power

Everyone talks about "Going Green" these days. I've made changes in our home as far as what cleaning products we buy and increasing the amount we reuse and recycle, though there isn't a lot of support here. This opinion piece by Robert Bryce, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, talks about what happened after Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey.

Though many people and groups continue a war against oil and gas, Bryce claims the disaster-response efforts indicate there is no substitute for oil. He mentions that one of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's first requests to the federal government after the storm was quick delivery of motor-fuel supplies. Bryce goes on to state that some groups' claims that we can "run our economies solely on renewable-energy sources such as wind" is not truly a viable option. After including statistics to back up his opinion, he drives home a biting conclusion:

Sandy left millions of East Coast residents in the cold and dark. If any of them have been demanding "green" energy, I haven't heard about it. In the storm's aftermath, the most hopeful sound of recovery is the joyous racket that comes from an internal-combustion engine burning fossil fuels.

I'm on the fence about this article. Part of me says he's right. We don't have a reliable energy substitute. Having used solar-powered products in the past, I can attest to their unreliable nature. It's frustrating when you purchase a product hoping to do your part to save the planet, and then discover it doesn't work very well.

That said, I look at the Outer Banks Brewing Station, which is a totally wind-powered brewery and restaurant, and see how under some conditions, wind power is viable. They have the advantage of being close to the ocean, so it must be windy enough to supply their needs.

It's not fair to say alternatives won't work, because they can. I just don't see us ever getting rid of oil and gas entirely.

Feel free to share your thoughts on this issue.

Going Green Update

I figured it was about time I gave you a self-sufficiency/Going Green update. We move very slowly around here, especially when I'm the only one trying to implement changes.

The garden is doing well. I've had to replant a couple of things, but overall if things stay the way they are, it should be a good harvest. The blueberry bushes and grape vines I bought are doing well too. I wasn't sure how those would do, so I am pleased. The sugar snap pea vines are growing like gang busters. Both girls have pumpkins and watermelons in their gardens. We'll see how those do. Our bean plants are looking good.

I've been a big baby about taking off the bird netting. I raised it so the plants can grow, but I'm so afraid the wildlife around here is going to make quick meals out of the garden that I haven't torn it away yet. I think I'm going to reuse it and make a fence out of it by stapling the netting to some stakes.

In other areas of our home, we switched to an all natural corn fiber cat litter; are now using a biodegradable formula laundry detergent; our disinfecting wipes are made from 99% natural ingredients; we use a phosphate free dishwashing detergent; and switched the night lights over to energy efficient LED bulbs.

The Hidden Recycler from Rubbermaid® has made recycling easier and neater. I'm poking around in the trash a bit more on trash day to see what I can pull out of the office trash cans, so that helps too. My goal is to get us down to two bags of trash a week. I'm not sure if that will happen, but I'm trying.

We've combined some of these new items with things we were already doing: reusing towels, using energy efficient appliances, running the clothes dryer one batch after another to reduce the energy it takes to heat up the barrel (no clotheslines allowed here), turning off lights when we leave the room, unplugging battery chargers when not in use, and limiting shower time.

As I said, it's a slow change, but we're working on it. Leading by example should help the kids get more in tune with the three Rs too.

Have you made any changes to help the planet lately?

Fundraising with a Mission

Every fall and spring our daughters' schools run fundraisers. Not all the time, but often, these fundraisers involve products I really don't need, but I buy to support the schools. This time, however, I was pleasantly surprised by the offering.

Mixedbag Designs sells attractive reusable bags made of woven polypropylene. According to their website, 10-40% of the polypropylene used in their bags is recycled from post consumer use.

I picked up these great looking garden tote. I would love to buy one of those harvest baskets to collect my vegetables in this year, but they're a bit pricey. This tote should do the job quite nicely.

I also bought two sets of Foodies--bags that are FDA Approved for snacks, fruit and sandwiches. I've used them every day since they came in.

I'm very impressed with their products. I'm glad the school opted to choose them for their fundraising this spring.

Product Review: Seventh Generation™ Free & Clear Baby Wipes

I love free samples. Who wants to spend good money trying out a new product and then not like it?

Some time ago, I requested a free sample of Seventh Generation™ Free & Clear Baby Wipes. Both of our daughters have sensitive skin like I do; especially the Lil Princess (8). Even though they are long past the diaper stage, I still keep wipes on hand for sticky messes. The problem, I discovered, is my usual wipes contain phenoxyethanol. According to this article at Truth In Aging, this glycol ether has been shown to have harmful effects on the brain and nervous system. Some animal studies indicate this can happen even in at "moderate concentrations."

So, I decided to try Seventh Generation Free & Clear Baby Wipes. I received two sample packets that included three wipes each. While about an 1/8-inch shorter than my usual wipes, I was immediately taken with how soft this polyester and rayon wipe is. Even though it is soft, it's sturdy too. It lasted the cleaning of both dirty feet when the Lil Diva (10) opted to run around outside without any shoes on the other day. With its plant-derived ingredients, a plant-based cleansing agent, emollient and synthetic vitamin E, I feel better about the wipes I have my children use. Though unscented, the first thing each girl commented on was how much they liked the smell of the wipes.

We'll definitely be making the switch to Seventh Generation Free & Clear Baby Wipes, which are available in many of our local grocery and health food stores.


I requested a free sample of this product directly from the manufacturer. I received no monetary compensation for this review.

WSJ Wednesdays

The topic of textbooks has been on my mind lately, so when I saw this February 8th article in The Wall Street Journal, I knew what I would be blogging about. Katherine Boehret discusses her testing of Apple's iBooks2, a "redesigned iPad app that enhances educational textbooks." Right now they are focused on high school students, and, according to the article, cost no more than $15 each.

These enhancements include interactive materials such as: "multiple-choice questions that can be answered with taps on the screen; embedded videos; dynamic diagrams that change with touch gestures; and flash cards for studying important terms in a book."

While Boehret found a few bugs, overall the article was positive about this product. She also mentions that Apple revamped its free iTunes U app, which is now available for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. According to the article, content is free except for "in-app materials including things like textbooks or apps." Her review ends on a high positive, with her stating, "If anyone can move textbooks into a new realm with interactive, smart gestures, it's Apple." She does, however, realize the bugs need to be worked out before iBooks can fully replace physical textbooks.

Why is this topic on my mind? The Lil Diva's (10) backpack. She is in fifth grade this year and has a ton of material to lug around. On most days her backpack includes: two 5-subject notebooks, an accordion folder filled with various papers, her agenda with attached--and very full--pencil bag, her recorder, her reading glasses (in their case), at least one chapter reader, and a bagged snack. Her lunch bag doesn't even fit. I haven't weighed it yet, but I think it's probably 10 or more pounds. This doesn't even count when she has to bring a textbook home.

Part of the issue is that she doesn't have a desk this year. Her homeroom teacher believes tables make for a neater classroom, so in addition to the fact that her school has no lockers, there is also no space in her classroom to store materials. Even if she had a desk, however, I'm not sure how much it would help because most of what she brings home would need to be transported back and forth anyway. But I guess even one pound will make a difference when you're lugging your backpack to the bus stop every morning and then home again.

What we really need to do is figure out a way kids can carry less around with them. We stress the importance of healthy habits to our kids, but force them to heave a loaded bag over their shoulders at least twice a day. We alter our school lunch menus to address the increasing rate of obesity, but what consideration is given to the long-term effects of improper posture? We talk about Going Green when the majority of assignments come home on worksheets--photocopies or originals.

The cost of an iPad is a true stumbling block for school districts and parents, but can't that be weighed by the savings in textbooks, workbooks, and paper supplies? Should school districts across the country have a representative working with companies such as Apple to create viable digital alternatives to textbooks and workbooks (maybe some do)? I know there has been a push in some of the schools in our district to reduce the number of photocopies produced. What else can be done to move schools in America toward virtually paperless learning environments?

Regular Maintenance Conserves Energy

One of the ways our family plans to move toward self-sufficiency (even if I have to drag some of them) is by becoming aware of ways we waste energy. Lights and televisions left on in rooms, plugged in chargers for devices when not in use, and uninsulated hot water heaters not only waste energy, they cost you money. Another way that you can toss money out the window and use more energy than you should is by not performing regular maintenance on household appliances.

Here are a few tips that can help:

• Check the seals on your refrigerator and freezer annually. 
• Vacuum your refrigerator and freezer coils twice a year.
• Clean your dishwasher filter twice a year.
• Scrub mineral deposits off the spray arms of your dishwasher with hot distilled white vinegar.
• Check the water-fill hoses on your washing machine for signs of wear.
• Keep your washing machine's lint filter clean.
• Wash your dryer's lint filter with warm soapy water two to three times a year.
• Drain your hot water heater once a year.
• Check your oven seal once a year.
• Follow the owner's manual for how to keep your gas or electric stove clean.

It's important to check the owner's manual for all your appliances before performing any maintenance.

When it is time to replace your appliances, look for products that conserve energy. I'm hoping to buy a moisture-sensing or auto-dry clothes dryer the next time around.

Do you perform regular maintenance on your appliances? What is your next major appliance purchase?

Do You Have a Reluctant Recycler?

One of the obstacles to becoming more self-sufficient is the reluctant recycler living here. I won't say who it is, but it's tough to lead by example when not everyone is on board. I'm not the recycling police. I don't hit family members with a baton when they toss a cat food can lid in the trash, but I've made it simple to recycle in this house. Our recycle bins are right outside the garage door, and even if you don't want to travel that far, I have one spot in the kitchen for people to stack up paper/cardboard and another place for cans/bottles/plastic, etc.

Every week when I empty the trash cans, there's a certain someone who has tossed all types of junk mail and catalogs into the can instead of throwing them in the bin or stacking them in the kitchen. So, I spend time digging through the trash and putting things where they belong. On the up side, it's got me to thinking about unnecessary packing materials on products and that has influenced me to change some of my shopping habits.

How do you handle a reluctant recycler? Can you give me any tips that might work here?

Stepping Toward Self-Sufficiency

Some days, I'm fed up. I look at my grocery bill and think--there must be a better way. For years now, I've wanted to put in a vegetable garden and grow fruit trees to make our family less dependent upon others. One day, I picked up green beans from the store and they looked unnaturally green. Not only that, I've gotten spoiled with fresh eggs and honey from our pastor's farm. The turkey he sold us for Thanksgiving was 27 pounds!

While, I doubt I'll ever be raising chickens and turkeys like our pastor does, I want 2012 to be the year our family begins stepping toward self-sufficiency. Not only will it be good for us, it will be good for our environment too.

I hope those of you who have already been where I am are willing to share some advice. Where did you start? What project did you tackle first? Are there products to help us move toward going green and being more self-sufficient that won't cost an arm and a leg? I'll be writing up occasional posts to track our progress.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Lunchopolis Lunchbox Giveaway at Confessions of an Overworked Mom

If you are getting kids ready for school in the fall, you have to visit Ellen's Confessions of an Overworked Mom blog. She is running giveaways on all types of back-to-school products.

Today I noticed she has up for grabs a garbage free lunchbox from Lunchopolis. Well, don't you hope your kid's lunchbox is garbage free? This lead free insulated lunchbag contains items so that you're child isn't tossing a bunch of stuff away and adding to our landfills.

Each kit includes:

• a lead free insulated lunchbag in a stylish color,
• four reusable tinted BPA free containers,
• and one reusable BPA free bottle. 

All the containers are microwave and dishwasher safe.

Visit Confessions of an Overworked Mom at http://www.confessionsofanover-workedmom.com/2011/08/school-rules-win-garbage-free-lunchbox.html for more information.

Oh, one other thing, I had stopped entering many blog giveaways because the typing became too tedious. Ellen uses Rafflecopter, which makes entering giveaways much easier and faster.

$25 Gift Certificate to Glass Dharma Giveaway from Confessions of an Overworked Mom

Just because I haven't had time to post about the great giveaways going on every day at Confessions of an Overworked Mom doesn't mean you shouldn't be checking in at Ellen's blog all the time. She always has reviews and giveaways for a variety of books and products.

If you visit her at http://confessionsofanover-workedmom.blogspot.com/2010/12/win-25-glass-dharma-gift-certificate.html by December 12th, you can leave comments to win a gift certifcate to Glass Dharma, makers of the original glass straw.

Before I started really thinking about how much we throw away, I didn't see the big deal about buying plastic straws. Now I find that I wash them to use over and over again; but of course they still crack and need to be replaced, which means into the trash they go.

This is an excellent opportunity for you to get your hands on a set of glass straws. Stop by Confessions of an Overworked Mom right now!

SKOY Cloth Giveaway at Confessions of an Overworked Mom

My buddy Ellen is at it again. That woman gives away the best stuff on her blog. Today she posted a giveaway for SKOY cloths. This cloth is "100% biodegradable and natural because it's made from a unique blend of natural cotton and wood pulp cellulose. SKOY is non toxic, chlorine free and made using water based colors and inks."

If wasting paper towels isn't appealing to you, then stop on over at Confessions of an Overworked Mom to enter the giveaway for one of two sets of SKOY cloths. You can find all the details here.

Last day to enter is May 22nd, so you better pop on over right now while you're thinking of it. As always, Ellen gives you several ways to increase your chances of winning

Planet Wise Wet Bag Giveaway at Confessions of an Overworked Mom

My friend, Ellen, is at it again. Every time I wander out there she has some great giveaway going. Today was no different.

With beach season coming before we know it, she's offering a Planet Wise Wet Bag giveaway. If I bought one of these I could certainly get away from carrying a plastic bag back and forth to the YMCA during our daughter's swimming lessons.

I'll let you check out Ellen's blog for more details on this resuable Wet Bag and on rules for how to enter. Don't miss the many ways you can increase your chances of winning.

This giveaway is only for those living in the USA. The last day to enter is May 2nd, so stop by Confessions of an Overworked Mom now!