A New Look for a New Beginning- SEVENTEEN STONE

You may have noticed that a few months ago Mission Green Family got a brand new look- and SEVENTEEN STONE is the genius behind this much needed makeover. I was scouting for a great web designer and stumbled upon Seventeen Stone. Seventeen Stone is the business of Kelly McMahon, a work at home mom who specializes in web design for handmade and environmentally friendly small and mid-size businesses- how perfect! I contacted Kelly, and based on a few ideas and desires she designed what you see today. THANK YOU SO MUCH!! If you love MGF's new look as much as I do let Seventeen Stone

Where Has MGF Been, The Things That Matter and a Look at Upcoming Posts



The things that matter.

Mission Green Family has been missing for too long, and it's time to make good on our obligations and to

Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil- What Doesn't It Do?- Review and Giveaway

I was very excited that I was given the opportunity to review a quart of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil recently. I kept hearing and reading about coconut oil in my searches for everything from natural skin care to healthy recipes, so of course my curiosity was peaked.
I have used the entire container in less than a month- I am a HUGE coconut oil fan! I have used it for cooking, baking, skin care, everything! This stuff is great!
I love adding it as the "fat" in my baking- I always try to health up my recipes and usually omit fats in place of other moist ingredients but love what coconut oil does for my baked goods. They come out perfectly moist, and impart the slightest coconut flavor which blends itself beautifully in chocolate recipes, muffins, breads, and pancakes. Check out these fudgy vegan brownies, YUM! I will post my recipe for the ultimate {vegan} pancakes, and spiced pumpkin zucchini bread and muffins (also vegan) soon which all utilized Tropical Traditions coconut oil.
For skin care I have used the oil as a base for my exposed organics eye dusts to make them more dramatic, for my sons diaper rash and made an AWESOME refrigerator antiperspirant (everything was done hygienically by dispensing small amounts for designated purposes :)). I have to say it did everything I was hoping and I am most excited about the antiperspirant- I have been on a search for an effective natural alternative for years because of my aversion to using aluminum. I have tried some big natural brands with no luck, dislike the salt based versions and had basically just decided to give up and go stinky (yes, I am that afraid of aluminum) but now I have the best solution! This stuff rocks and uses three ingredients- so very simple- plus, it feels really refreshing to use the antiperspirant chilled!
Most diaper rash ointments are not cloth diaper safe but time and time again I have heard cd'ing mamas mention coconut oil as the best remedy for rashes. Luckily, Colt does not get rashes too often but when he does, he doesn't mess around, they are painful looking. Using just a dab of oil cured his rash right up.
If you can't tell, I love coconut oil. And as far as coconut oil goes, this stuff is the ultimate in quality. Win 1 quart of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil!

Tropical Traditions is America’s source for coconut oil. Their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is hand crafted in small batches by family producers, and it is the highest quality coconut oil they offer. You can read more about how virgin coconut oil is different from other coconut oils on their website: What is Virgin Coconut Oil?

You can also watch the video they produced about Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil:

Tropical Traditions also carries other varieties of affordable high quality coconut oil. Visit their website to check on current sales, to learn about the many uses of coconut oil, and to read about all the advantages of buying coconut oil online. Since the FDA does not want us to discuss the health benefits of coconut oil on a page where it is being sold or given away, here is the best website to read about the health benefits of coconut oil.

If you order by clicking on any of my links and have never ordered from Tropical Traditions in the past, you will receive a free book on Virgin Coconut Oil, and I will receive a discount coupon for referring you. Tropical Traditions did supply the coconut oil I used for review but did not compensate me or require that I even post a review.

Entering is easy- there are only 2 madatory entries- like MGF and TT on facebook- then there are a ton of extra entries available

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fun on the Farm

It's been a while since I posted about our Fridays on the farm- with the summer in full swing, a camping trip and a broken computer I got a little out of touch but this week was just too awesome not to post a bit about. First of all, I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Red Hill Farm! As soon as we get to the farm I find I don't think of anything but the present moment- 'be here now' is something I have to remind myself and my husband of frequently, but not at the farm. It just eases away all of the other stuff that life throws at us and makes us appreciate where we are and what we have in our lives.

DivaCup- Review and GIVEAWAY!!

Warning: This is not a post for the men on my site...Unless you're that close with your mate that you get her something this awesome or in my case have my husband proof read a post about my experience with the DivaCup- thanks babe!  BTW- my husband added the warning :)

Have you ever forgotten that you have your period in the middle of it?  Been so comfortable and unaware of your protection that you have to remind yourself that you are having your cycle. Well, this happened for the first time in my 20 some years of having a menstrual cycle while trying out the DivaCup. It was truly a product with outstanding results.

Fudgy Vegan Brownies

 Just because I was in the mood for some yummy chocolate brownies and thought you might be too. As usual I made these a bit healthier with whole wheat and oat flour, omitting dairy and eggs and replacing the fat source with coconut oil- if you are new to coconut oil you should check out the nutritional boost it offers and virgin coconut oil imparts a subtle but delicious flavor. Cacao is the purest and healthiest way to add chocolate to recipes. These are really easy to make, taste amazing and are moist and fudgy.

The Winners Circle

Below is the list of MGF Giveaway winners, Congratulations to our winners and if you don't see your name- keep entering, you can't win if you don't try! Good Luck!

Giveaway Winners;

Go Max Go- 4.2013- Steph A.

7/16/12 - Loving Naturals- Denise T-D.

7/22/12- Exposed Organics- Erin C.

Soap Nuts Basics and a Naturoli Review and Giveaway!!

Cloth diapers will always get the credit as my "gateway" into green living but there is another switch that should get credit for opening my eyes to how easy, affordable and satisfying making more green changes can be-- Soap nuts!

Hot Fluff Cool Baby $300 Cloth Diaper GIVEAWAY!!

Welcome to the Hot Fluff Cool Baby Cloth Diaper Giveaway! I frequently mention cloth diapers as being my gateway into green living, as a healthier option and a great way to save money because all of those things are true. Plus, cloth is just plain cute. I've joined this awesome cloth diaper stash starter event, which is sponsored by Greenie Beanie Bottoms and hosted by , along with over 75 wonderful and influential bloggers who all love cloth! Cloth diapering is a great way to reduce our waste, help our planet, and save money. Cloth diapers are Hot items and Cool for your baby! Not only are cloth diapers more breathable in warm weather, but they make adorable accessories in Summer!

Be the Change You Want to Be

CSA Friday Weeks 5 & 6

What can I say- between the intense summer heat, our weekly Fridays at the farm, kitchen demo and running a few giveaways I missed posting about week 5 so here is week 5 & 6 as a double feature.

We are still loving our trips to the farm and love bringing friends and family to introduce them to the simple joy of being on the farm. Last night I got to bring one of my oldest and dearest friends and he also enjoyed the experience, although boy was it HOT!

I am really looking forward to next weekend as the farm is hosting the first social event, a movie projected onto the side of the barn with food and friends.

So here is week 5;

Expose Yourself with Exposed Organics Skin Care and Makeup, a Review and Giveaway!!

Win this Beauty Box full of AWESOME products!!

For bloggers- Fall in Love with Handmade Giveaway Hop- Free Blogger Opportunity

Loving Naturals Sunscreen and Bug Repellent Review and GIVEAWAY!!

With the summer in full swing the one thing we are reaching for over and over again is our sun protection. Melanoma is pretty common in my family so I take sun protection very seriously for myself and especially my little guys. But these days there is so much news about the chemicals that are running through conventional sunblock and even some ingredients found in natural sunblock, it can be just as scary to slather the kids up with lotion. The EWG has a great site to check up on your sunblock to see if it is safe and effective, but be warned, it is extensive which is both good and daunting/overwhelming.
After doing my own research I decided I wanted to try Loving Naturals and their Adorable Baby sun protection and they were kind enough to offer some products for us to try AND giveaway! Are you excited yet?

CSA Week 4- Lots of Recipes!

Well this week's CSA post is rather late- this past Friday I didn't make it out so my husband made the pickup and WOW! Last week really rocked- can't wait to see what today has in store!

Love when the fridge looks like this!

CSA Week 4

• Beets
• Turnips
• Cabbage
• Fennel
• Escarole
• Lettuce Head
• Braising Mix
• Scallions
• Garlic Scapes
• Broccoli
• Sunflowers
• Fresh Herbs



The Easiest Green Switches You Can Make and shhh... They Can Save You Money!

Ok, so if you are new here you might imagine me as a lifelong green goddess or some super earthy mom and while I have adopted many green changes most of them are very recent- in fact many of them are happening right before your eyes via my blog posts.

Some of the changes are so easy I stop and think, "Why didn't I do this sooner" and some are more of an effort. I decided to share with you the changes that are so easy I think everyone should know about them so that you can *hopefully* choose to try them too. There is a bonus to some of these changes beyond the positive environmental and health impacts- some of these changes save some major money. These may not all fit your life but some just might make you feel like a green goddess too.

Homemade Non-Dairy Milk- Almond and Rice and a Smoothie Recipe

Almond Milk

CSA Friday- Week 3

Photo by Jeff Kelly

Homemade (Crock Pot) Yogurt!

I made yogurt!!! Ok, I am super excited about this because we consume a ton of yogurt, about two of those big containers a week. I buy the organic local yogurt at our CSA for $3 which is a much better quality and price than organic yogurt from our grocery store but it still equals out to about $24 a month. So lets see if I can do better...

Store Bought
Best price for good quality organic yogurt- $3 for 32 oz.
$312 a year on store bought

Homemade
Organic 2% milk- $2.99 for a half gallon (64 oz.) so $1.49 for 32 oz.
$155.48 a year on homemade

Savings
$1.51 per 32 oz.
$3.02 a week
$12.08 a month
$157.04 a year saved making yogurt instead of buying it!

CSA Week 2- Fridge Fail



Frozen almonds from the fridge!

 Well- there are no recipes for week 2- our fridge decided to turn into a freezer and all of our produce froze and (of course) upon thawing was limp. I am trying to see if there is anything that can be salvaged- possibly the broccoli raab or tokyo bekana. What a disappointment and a waste!
I was really looking forward to making a slaw out of the bekana and some shredded carrots. Looks like if I can salvage anything it will have to be a saute of some kind or become an addition to the compost bin.

CSA Friday! Week 2

Well today is CSA Friday and I am pleased to report that I am still happy with our decision to join Red Hill Farm! As a one car family CSA Friday means more than a trip to pick up our produce, it is a full day out and about and I hope that we continue to enjoy our Friday adventures.

Eco Friendly Alternative for Women- and a Coupon Code to Caroline's Creations

 

*This subject may be taboo, most of us don't talk candidly about our cycles, but we should. Please read with an open mind. This isn't just about the environment or saving money, it's about our health.

If you've been following along with the blog you know that I started on my green path with the birth of my first son, Canon, four years ago by deciding to use cloth diapers. I made some easy small changes but didn't fully throw myself into this green mission until my second son was born this past September. I decided to use cloth diapers again and also found that in the interest of being environmentally friendly and cutting costs to help us survive on one salary I wanted to do more.

Something that I had never thought about or even heard of kept grabbing my attention as I was shopping for Colt's cloth diapers -

Step 2 My Clubhouse GIVEAWAY!!

My Clubhouse - Hours of Pretend Play

Mom to Bed by 8 and Mom Does Reviews are happy to bring you this fun My Clubhouse giveaway!

Mission Green Family is happy to be part of another great family giveaway! I know my boys would love to have this great playhouse!

• Features a peephole, chalkboard, picnic table, and secret hiding compartment
• Fabric roof is durable and weather resistant
• Personalize the clubhouse by writing your child's name on the doorway
• Opening side wall for hide and seek fun
• Dining accessories not included
• Adult assembly required

Clubhouse can be used all year long. Bring it inside in the winter so the fun can continue.

Giveaway is open to US residents only ages 18 and over. Giveaway starts June 4th and ends June 25th.

Enter on the easy rafflecopter below. Remember, you can't win if you don't enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CSA Week One- Meal One

After years of wanting to join a CSA we finally did it and although it was a bit of a financial stretch to come up with a lump sum to pay for our share it will (hopefully) be worth it. For those who have not heard of a CSA, don't worry, I didn't know about them until I watched Food, Inc. and started researching fair and organic farming. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, which is basically a prepaid membership into a farm- you pay for a share of the seasons produce ahead of time and you get a percentage of the harvest. I researched many CSA's in our area and found one that I am so happy to have joined, Red Hill Farm in Aston, PA. RHF uses organic practices, though they do not have certification they are very open with their farming practices. This is so major for us as I strive to feed my boys organic, and that can be really expensive! On top of picking up produce and getting the experience of u-pick with herbs, flowers and berries there is the experience of my sons getting a connection of where their food comes from and social events like outdoor movies, happy hours and just the weekly visit to a farm. I am going to do a weekly post of the weekly bounty as well as some recipes on how we utilize our food.

Mmmm.... Homemade Tortillas & Hummus

My 4 year old, Canon, is pretty much obsessed with cheese quesadillas. Standard grilled cheese just won't do, it must be a quesadilla! He also decided about 2 weeks ago that he is a vegEtarian (he emphasizes the E so I did too :)). This is kind of awesome since I am also vegetarian and I am doing the proud happy dance when he isn't looking (I want him to make his own decision- so I am supportive but I don't over do it in front of him). Problem is, he is also a picky eater and now many of my go to meals for him are out the window so lets just say we go through a TON of tortillas. Tortillas aren't crazy expensive but they do add up at the amount that we consume them, plus I only buy the whole grain ones which raises the price tag. And lately I have been striving to make as much homemade as possible- nutella, peanut butter, oat flour, baby food so why not try tortillas?
Well yesterday I had two culinary experiments, one tasted great but didn't turn out (peanut butter cups- my chocolate never set) and one that turned out great- TORTILLAS! Yay!
They are super easy to make but they do take a bit of time- which is great if your kids like to cook- Canon loves to be in the kitchen with me so this was a great project :)

Moppy Floor Cleaner by Natural House- A.M.A.Z.I.N.G Probiotic Cleaner

I just finished trying Moppy made by Natural House and let me say... WOW! OK, so Moppy isn't magic, it won't clean your floors without you but it worked great. I have some seriously dirty, disgusting floors and have to get down the old fashioned way with a scrub brush and lots of elbow grease to get them clean. We are talking a dog, 4 year old, baby who flings food and a husband who has never heard of wiping his feet on top of some stupid design divots and grooves in the flooring- can we say dirt trap?


Two of my floors worst offenders :)

Britax B-Agile Stroller GIVEAWAY!!!

About Britax:

BRITAX has been a leader in mobile safety for more than 70 years, with a legacy of leadership in developing innovations that enhance the safety of child car seats and improve their ease of installation and use. Our uncompromising focus has made BRITAX the best-selling child car seat in Europe and one of the brands most trusted by American parents and caregivers since entering the U.S. market in 1996. Our commitment to improving child safety is unparalleled, as evidenced by the fact that our products undergo the most rigorous testing in our industry at five BRITAX testing facilities worldwide. We also work closely with vehicle manufacturers to encourage design improvements that enhance the performance of child car seats. In addition, we maintain an ongoing dialogue with consumers, child passenger safety technicians and other child safety advocates to ensure proper installation and use of child seats and develop new ideas to improve their safety and ease of use.

Dad's Backyard Oasis Giveaway!! Giveaway OVER.

It's finally here.... the Dad's Backyard Oasis Father's Day giveaway event!

Homemade Hazelnut and Cacao Spread- Nutella

The Kelly Brothers *Lemonade* Stand Against Cancer!! | Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer

The Kelly Brothers *Lemonade* Stand Against Cancer!! | Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Getting super excited for our lemonade stand! We got our stand host package in the mail and read Alex's story. Please consider donating to this great cause, hosting your own stand or attending a stand during Lemonade Days!

We will be posting updates as the date nears- some projects we have in the works, and ideas for the stand!

Also, a BIG thank you to those who have already donated!

Free Blogger Opportunity- $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

Thanks to Beautifully Bella Faith, bloggers have an opportunity to participate in a $100 Amazon gift card giveaway! This is a great opportunity to us newbies in the blogging community to hook up with potential readers. Follow this link for the info. Thanks Beautifully Bella Faith!http://beautifullybellafaith.blogspot.com/2012/05/bring-out-popsicles-and-flipflops-were.html

Mom, I'm Hungry and an Easy and Delicious Waffle Recipe

As a busy mom of a very hungry four year old whose favorite words are "Mom, I'm hungry" and an attention craving 7 month old, I am always looking for healthy, filling, fast and easy ways to fill the bottomless pit that is Canons stomach. Waffles are a breakfast favorite around here but I had yet to find a "go to" waffle recipe, until this morning!
I make almost all of our food from scratch for health and financial reasons, plus I like to have time in the kitchen with my boys, there is something special about cooking and dancing around the kitchen together.

Going green and saving green!

Well it has been far too long since my last blog post and we have been very busy in our home! So here is the Cliff's Notes update with more posts to follow to go into detail on some points of interest and hopefully some giveaways too!
Cloth diapering the second time around is going great. I am as addicted to fluff as I was with Canon and I am enjoying a much more diverse stash with Colt. I will be going into some reviews and maybe even some giveaways so stay tuned. The Econobum giveaway is still open- the original goal of 150 fans seems to be a bit of a stretch so stay tuned it may be lowered or possibly just given a date- so if there are only a few fans your chances are pretty good!

As a one salary, one car home I have to be pretty creative and resourceful to get what we need and also stretch our dollars and I have to say that I have found some great money savers and money makers over the past few months. I will absolutely go into more detail on this issue as I know many of us have similar needs and issues.
My #1 money maker/saver has been