Gidget Goes Home » green & natural living

{Birthday Giveaway}: Tropical Traditions and Naturally Fresh

gidget — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 19:00:53 +0000

This giveaway is for a jar of delicious coconut oil and some lovely deodorant products!

Tropical Traditions is the premier place to get great quality coconut oil. I’ve been using this oil for a while now (ever since I went back to cooking after my 1st-trimester hiatus) and have loved it. I’ve used it in pancakes (and to grease the pan), baking recipes, frying coconut shrimp and more. I used to give it to my daughter by the spoonful for constipation and when she sees it out on the counter and open she’ll usually request a bite.

You can read all about the Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil here, but let me just tell you that coconut oil is a wonderful, healthy addition for the kitchen. Tropical Traditions is a family-owned business using time-honored traditional methods of making their coconut oil. You can find a lot more great info about their coconut oil on the FAQs page.

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I first mentioned Naturally Fresh in my green beauty routine, and was then contacted by them through Twitter to receive and review a few more of their products which I was happy to do! I know the Skin Deep database isn’t the end-all for choosing products, but it is my most commonly used tool when I start looking at brands and products. The amazing thing about Naturally Fresh is that all their products listed on the database are rated as zeros!

I think their deodorant works great, smells nice and is non-toxic. Until I feel so motivated as to make my own, which I’d like to try someday, I’ll stick with Naturally Fresh.

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One lucky reader will win a 32-oz.-jar of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil, along with a Naturally Fresh Deod0rant Crystal and body deodorant spray.

Just leave a comment here telling me what you’d like to use the coconut oil for in your kitchen!
Get a bonus entry by following me on Twitter, Facebook or Tumblr and leaving a comment telling me you follow.

Giveaway ends Wednesday, February 16th, at midnight PST. Good luck!

{Birthday Giveaway}: Tropical Traditions and Naturally Fresh is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Eco Crafting Interview: Brooke from Pure and Noble

gidget — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 14:00:12 +0000

I thought it was high-time I get back to the awesome interviews I promised you. Brooke, from Pure and Noble is all about repurposing and turning old to new, using her handmade skills. Let’s learn a little about her eco-crafting philosophies and methods now…

Nicole: What originally got you started in repurposing/eco-crafting?

Brooke: I think my kids, honestly. Ever since I had the overwhelming feeling that I am actually leaving this world to someone I cherish, the things I do day to day matter more.

N: What are some of your favorite textiles/materials for crafting besides mainstream supplies?

B: Things from the outdoors like flowers, leaves, seeds, acorns and the like. I’m hoping to paint some acorns this fall and hang them on our entryway tree.

N: How does eco-crafting fit into your lifestyle/life philosophy?

B: I believe that God has called us to be good stewards of everything He has blessed us with. Whether it’s people’s hearts, money or other resources, I believe how we steward what we have says a lot about what we believe and living it out.

N: Who are some of your creative influences?

B: My sister and other bloggers. My sister isn’t so much creative with “things” but she is very creative with money. She can sniff out a deal from miles away. She’s truly made getting a deal an art form. She even haggles with Home Depot and guess what… she usually comes out the winner.

N: What’s been your favorite repurposing project?

B: Hmmm… I’d have to say either turning a broken koozie into a fabric stamp or a way too short mini-skirt into a purse.

N: How do you get your kids involved in this sort of thing?

B: They go on nature walks with me sometimes and enjoy painting some as well, but for the most part, they just enjoy the finished product. They would much rather play sports or battle each other with Nerf swords. Oh, and they like counting my buttons and sorting them by shape, size and color while I sew too.

N: Do you have any recommended sources or advice for newbies?

B: Don’t let your what you’ve learned stifle your creativity. Remember when you were a kid and you turned flowers into rings or crowns and blankets into super-hero capes? That is the very creativity and out-of-the-box thinking that needs to be tapped into.

My girlfriend and I went to a flea market the other day and as we were looking through the vintage kitchen items we found an old meat or potato masher. It had a really cool handle on it and I thought it would make a great coat hanger or accessory hanger once screwed onto a wall. I think the fact that I am NOT a cook allowed me to free my mind and find another use for that object.

Thanks, Brooke! You are always inspiring me. I hope someday we can meet in person and go thrifting or garage-sale-ing together!

I hope you, dear readers, have been inspired by Brooke, too. Be sure to visit her blog and her sweet Etsy shop as well.

Eco Crafting Interview: Brooke from Pure and Noble is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Trying my hand at homeopathic wellness…

gidget — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 01:21:29 +0000

I’m over at Simple Organic today (okay, actually yesterday, but I totally forgot to mention it here), talking about my basic wellness plan for this season. I call myself an amateur, because that’s what I am! I’m always learning new home remedies to add to my arsenal.

There are some great ideas in the comments, too. If you’re interested in building your immunity naturally, you’ll definitely want to check out the links I have in my post, too.

See you over there…

Trying my hand at homeopathic wellness… is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Eco-Crafting Interview Series: Deanna of Recycled Lovelies

gidget — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:54:07 +0000

I found Recycled Lovlies a little while back when I was really starting to get into repurposing. Deanna never ceases to inspire me with her truly lovely creations. I think you’re all going to love reading what she has to say.

GGH: What originally got you started in repurposing/eco-crafting?

Environmental issues is where Recycled Lovelies stemmed from. I found it alarming that only 14% of clothes are recycled or donated and the rest are dumped in landfills. This is harmful for the environment, due to the use of pesticides, fertilizers, bleach and dyes that are used in the production of clothes.

GGH: What are some of your favorite textiles/materials for crafting besides mainstream supplies?

Everything I use is recycled, found at thrift stores or given to me. My favorite textile to work with would be old clothes, making them into something new. A favorite material would be silk, I don’t find a lot of it but it makes beautiful flowers for necklaces or corsages.

GGH: How does eco-crafting fit into your lifestyle/life philosophy?

I am very much on the eco-friendly side of things. My family tries to live life simply (buy what you need) and sustainably (paying attention to how it’s made and where it’s made) and it isn’t a hard way to live, it’s something you have to wrap your mind around because as Americans we have been taught to buy until you can’t buy anymore.

GGH: Who are some of your creative influences?

Lex from Made by Lex inspires me, she doesn’t always use recycled items to change up or add to but a lot of the time she does and she has great ideas. I also am always looking at Anthropologie’s site to get my creative juices flowing, they have so many things that can be recreated simply.

GGH: What’s been your favorite repurposing project?

The Mexican Wedding dress that I updated. I had lots of people against me changing any part of this dress but it really made it a wearable dress and not one that just sat in my closet looking pretty. {see original to left, and finished, above}

GGH: How do you get your kids involved in this sort of thing?

As we have learned more and more about the environment and how our practices affect the earth, we share that information with our girls. My youngest is constantly asking if something can be recycled or who she can pass clothes down to. We have made them very aware of themselves and that what they do really does matter. They don’t mind shopping used or cutting apart old clothes to make into something new. I try to make shopping used an experience, we try to go to the more fun shops such as Buffalo Exchange instead of the boring Goodwill(although we do find stuff there often).

GGH: Do you have any recommended sources or advice for newbies?

Yes! First piece of advice – If there is something you want to make, chances are, someone else has, so get your computer out and start google-ing!

Two sites that I enjoy getting ideas from are…

Adventures in Dressmaking -She shops the goodwill outlet and uses material she finds there for her dresses, one thing to remember – she always uses patterns.

Sew Mama Sew has some great ideas too.

Another piece of advice would be to just give it a try! Do not underestimate yourself when it comes to sewing or crafting. I hear people all the time say, “I can’t sew” or “I am not creative” and the funny thing is most of the time that person is very creative and can do those things they are claiming not to be able to do. If you have an idea, please just give it a try, you will surprise yourself.

Thanks, Deanna, and I hope all of you were as inspired by this interview as I was!

Eco-Crafting Interview Series: Deanna of Recycled Lovelies is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

My Green Beauty Routine

gidget — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:49:27 +0000

Katie on Simple Organic recently asked about green beauty routines because she’s looking for some new ideas. I admit, I need some new ideas, for makeup, too. I’ve yet to find the perfect (natural) mineral makeup.

So, this is my current green beauty routine, as well as things that I hope to add/change in the future.

The numbers listed are the hazard scores from the Skin Deep database. For a refresher on what it all means, you can read this article.

Body

I wash my body with a handmade or natural bar soap.

I use coconut oil as body lotion (or occasionally Shikai Children’s Borage Lotion- 3 on Skin Deep). I’m hoping to switch to a MadeOn hard lotion bar (should be arriving in the mail next week!) as I’ve heard fabulous things about these.

I use Trader Joe’s mango shave cream (paraben-free). My hubby uses it for his face, too.

For sunscreen we use California Baby no fragrance SPF 30 (1 on Skin Deep), and Zinka for nose/lips when surfing.

Face

When I wash my face at night (I don’t wear much makeup in the summer so I get lazy about face-washing this time of year) I use the oil-cleansing method; in the shower I use Dr. Bronner’s soap (right now we have the hemp citrus version- 1 on skin deep).

I’m using up an Avalon Organics face moisturizer but sometimes use coconut oil. I plan to switch completely to cocount oil or a hard lotion bar.

Hair

I use California Baby Calming or Super Sensitive Shampoo and Conditioner (both a 1 on Skin Deep).

For hair frizzies I use a dab of coconut oil or jojoba oil.

I haven’t colored my hair since I got married (7 years ago!).

More Favorites

Mascara & Eyeliner: Honey Bee Gardens (3 and 1, respectively on Skin Deep)
No-Miss Nail Polish
Burt’s Bee’s chapstick (2 on skin deep)
Deodorant: Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal (0 on Skin Deep)

I’d love to hear what you do in the comments! Be sure to check out all the comments over at Katie’s post, too!

My Green Beauty Routine is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Eco-Crafting Interview Series: Intro

gidget — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 19:19:30 +0000

photo by Urban Woodswalker

I am so excited to begin sharing with you a series of interviews with some super-inspiring women. Starting next week we can all get inspired by some ladies who love to repurpose, use eco-friendly materials and create in a way that coincides with a more sustainable lifestyle.

I’ve got thoughts from from friends who bake, sew, craft, and build some great advice for those who would like to start or get more into repurposing.

Recycling is great, but it uses up other resources, like water, so reducing and reusing are even better than their more popular R sibling. I love repurposing because it encompasses both of those: reusing old things and making them “new,” and reducing the consumption of brand-new store-bought items.

I hope you’ll read along as we all get inspired together!

Eco-Crafting Interview Series: Intro is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Tote Love

gidget — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:00:46 +0000

I’m over at Simple Organic today talking about reusable tote bags, so I thought I’d offer a silly, special treat over here. A couple of Christmases ago, I made homemade tote bags as gifts, and included with it, this poem.

Ode to a Tote
by Nicole Bennett

This bag can be used in a variety of ways…

You could fill it with goodies from Target or TJ’s,

Return from the library with it full of books,

Or home from the market with food to be cooked!

With a towel and some sunscreen, it’s right for the beach,

Stash some toys, pack a sandwich, a drink and a peach.

On a plane, in a car, at the park or the zoo,

It will hold lots of items belonging to you!

However you use it, why I think it’s fantastic,

Is that you’ll be using one less that’s of plastic!

Feel free to use my poem, if you like, just be sure to attribute/link back to me. Thanks!

Head on over to Simple Organic to think outside the grocery bag with me!

Tote Love is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Silver & Gold, Vol VI

gidget — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:54:25 +0000

Silver and Gold is a series where I’m sharing my favorite blogs with you, the old and the new.

This week’s edition of Silver and Gold is all about my fellow contributors over on Simple Organic. I say it all the time, but it seriously such an honor to be on a team with these ladies. Most of them I didn’t find until I started writing for SO and I remember wondering at that time why I hadn’t already been reading these!

Keeper of the Home

Stephanie’s blog was one of the first places where I learned about the real/nourishing/traditional food movement. She has a wealth of resources for the Christian mama living a natural life. (She also runs a great new blog called Saving Naturally which is all about saving money while eating/living naturally!)

Kitchen Stewardship

Katie’s blog goes in depth into the real food movement. I’ve learned so much from her. If you’re looking to make-over your eating lifestyle, she’s got baby steps to get you going and puts an insane amount of research into everything she writes. I have an exciting giveaway coming up featuring something written by Katie!

Progressive Pioneer

This mama, Amy, just welcomed home a new baby! Her blog showcases her passion for natural living and she’s got lots of great ideas, tutorials, recipes, etc. Such a goldmine! Plus, she has beautiful artwork on her blog painted by her husband. I love blogs with hand-drawn logos!

SortaCrunchy

Megan is not only a natural-living mom but also a beautiful writer– she inspires me in both areas! She’s a big breastfeeding advocate, loves the Lord, and is very open and honest with her readers which I love.

Vintage Chica

Eren takes beautiful photos, has great style and there’s lots of inspiration to be found on her blog, with many tutorial/DIY posts and lots of great ideas and recipes.

and I can’t forget our fearless leader, Katie who is a fabulous editor and writes the majority of the posts over at Simple Organic. She writes great articles and keeps the blog running smoothly. Oh! And she and her husband are raising money for a future adoption, too! <3

Do you have a favorite blog to share in the comments today?

Silver & Gold, Vol VI is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Wardrobe ReFashion: the Pledge

gidget — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:48:15 +0000

I’ve been getting a lot more into repurposing/refashioning lately. So, I decided it was time to make a committment. I headed over to Wardrobe Refashion and signed the pledge for four months. That means that from September until the end of 2010 I am pledging to not buy any new clothes. I will repurpose, refashion, and buy second-hand to my heart’s content instead.

If you would like to play along, you have until August 31st to sign this pledge (she opens it up periodically) which will begin on September 1st. Let me know if you’re joining up!

I, Nicole {aka Gidget}, pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of “new” manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 4 months. I pledge that i shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings!

Wardrobe ReFashion: the Pledge is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!

Today on Simple Organic…

gidget — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 04:25:13 +0000

Interested in how you can get “new” clothes, for free?

It’s easy with a clothing exchange! I’m talking about what it is and how to organize one over on Simple Organic today.

Today on Simple Organic… is a post from: Gidget Goes Home
Please visit my other blog, Simple Organic.
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler
Healthy Snacks to Go: 20 Real Food Recipes
Simple Blogging: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.
Thanks for reading!