I belong to the Gymboree Rewards Club and just received this certificate which I will not be using. It’s only valid one time so first person to use it, gets it. You can print it out and use it in store or simply use the certificate # 17PR0HJTQB33405 online for $5.00 completely free! It can be used at Gymboree USA stores, outlet stores or online. Expires 9/24/10 so hurry!

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Jenn is wife to one, mother of three and above all, a humble servant seeking to honor the Lord with her life. $5.00 Gymboree Coupon is a post from Beautiful Calling.

For a limited time Canadians and US friends, head over to Seven Every Day Slings, choose your favorite sling, enter the code ‘onefree’ and pay only $11.95 shipping for your sling!

If you’d rather, buy one of their sling gift packs, enter the code ‘onefree’ and pay only $5.00 + 11.95 shipping.

For an extra $3.50 you can get sizing insurance. If your sling doesn’t fit, you can exchange it free! They do have a pretty handy size chart though.

It’s a pretty sweet deal. While I love my ErgoBaby carrier, I used my hotsling a lot with John to race into the grocery store and for other fast errands. I anticipate using it again with our new little arrival.

• Thanks “Deal”ectible Mommies for the heads up!

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Jenn is wife to one, mother of three and above all, a humble servant seeking to honor the Lord with her life. Seven Every Day Slings (Free +Shipping) is a post from Beautiful Calling.

Hey Canadians, Remember I’m an Epicure Consultant? Well, right now they have a HUGE end of season clear-out and the prices are unbeatable!

Almost everything from the Spring and Summer Brochure is on sale; some items up to 50% off!! Check out the SALE FLYER.

You can order directly online (use Jennifer VanderPloeg as your consultant) or you can email me with your order and I will call you to confirm (please include your phone number). I accept Visa, Mastercard, Paypal and personal checks.

Your order can be shipped directly to you anywhere in Canada. You can also order products as a gift and have it mailed directly to the Canadian recipient!

So if you want to take advantage of some of these AMAZING prices on these AMAZING products, you’d better hurry. They won’t last long.

Remember that Epicure is 100% Canadian owned company committed to giving back to the community by supporting charities as well as the Epicure Foundation. Also know that purchasing through me or online with me as your consultant means you’re giving back too; 20% of my profit goes directly to missions around the world!

So, have you ever tried Epicure? If not, what are you waiting for?

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Jenn is wife to one, mother of three and above all, a humble servant seeking to honor the Lord with her life. Epicure End-of-Season Sale is a post from Beautiful Calling.

Still Burning

Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Seems like a good day to talk about Green doesn’t it?

Our family isn’t the most eco-family in the city – or even on the block.  We’re just an average family; maybe like you? I want to do my part to care for our environment because it is my responsibility and duty to God, my family, future generations and myself! Last year, as I made this list, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that we do have a substantial list! Most of our earth friendly practices were born out of a need for frugality or for the benefit of our family but they’re green none the less!

Cloth Diapers: We switched to cloth diapers (we use BumGenius 3.0 cloth diapers; a one size, all in one read more here). A bit of an investment but better for baby, more economical and better for the earth! I imagine flat prefolds would be even better since less production to make them however, the BG are a really convenient cloth diaper for me! Swim diapers are also a really cool alternative to disposable swimmers…they’re cute too!

Cloth Training Pants: We also use cloth trainers for my toddler.

Cloth Wipes: Recently I began using cloth wipes too. Since I am already using the diapers, why not use the wipes so then I can just put the wipes inside the soiled diaper and toss the whole think in the diaper pail rather than trying to figure out where to put the disposable wipes while I finish the job. I use Monkey Doodlez Wipes Cubes to keep them fresh longer (from going musty smelling).

Baby Food: While I still buy some baby food, I generally try to make my own. Less packaging! Less Cost! Better for Baby! {this was on my original list though now my little man is past this stage.}

Toys without Batteries: Too many toys these days require batteries and “entertain” the child. While some of these are fine, I believe that children should learn to entertain themselves and use their imaginations. Toys with batteries are also noisy and drive my dh crazy. Battery-eating toys are also not great for the environment either!

HE Washer: We have a high efficiency front loading washer which uses less water and requires less soap.

Cold Water: Unless I am washing some heavily soiled items (diaper etc.), I try to wash on cold. My clothes come out just fine!

Soaps: We use soap nuts which are compostable, and Nature Clean that comes in a box, lined with a bag and it has a little spout on the front. I only need 1 tablespoon of soap for a load (even heavily soiled diapers!). Recycle the box and spout and all you’re left with is the bag as garbage. It says it does 129 loads but I get more out of it that that.

Less Laundry:  Clothes worn once aren’t always dirty (by adults anyway). We also reuse our towels for the week before washing them. If you’ve done a good job in your shower then you should be clean and drying off doesn’t really dirty the towel! Try to wash full loads only and combine loads where possible.

Clothesline: Coming soon. We live in a new subdivision that had a by-law against clotheslines (imagine that!!) Last year they lifted it so this summer I’ll have a clothes line. Hurray!  I have a makeshift one right now and hope to build a proper one this spring. My aunt has a great wheelie one off her deck and I am going to make the same one!

Avoid Chemicals: Not good for you, your family or the earth. Avoid them when you can. We use e-cloths here and have been very happy with the results. Our lawn isn’t perfect and I pull weeds constantly (a lot of work) but I don’t have to worry about my little ones eating dirt & chemicals because our lawn is just dirt! (Fish Mama talked about Chemicals here and when it comes to spiders – I’m all for chemicals!!) We also try to use natural products, especially when it comes to our little ones skin! We like Dimpleskins baby products, as well as Fresh Organics. In the summer we use UV clothing and less sunscreen. Wondering how that is green? Every chemical you put on is either washed off, comes off on your clothing (which is then washed) or is absorbed into your body and comes out in natural ways. Chemicals always end up back in our water system.

Composting: We started last summer. Not hard but we don’t do it in the winter because I don’t want to shovel all the snow to get out to it. It’s an easy way to reduce the amount of garbage you put out and it’s good for your lawn!

Recycle: Recycle what you can but keep in mind that recycling still uses energy etc. to do so it isn’t totally earth friendly. It’s best to try use products with as little packaging as possible, regardless of if it can be recycled.

Packaging: Avoid individually packed items or convenience foods when you are able. We all take advantage of this convenience from time to time but try to avoid it on a regular basis. Thermos and Innate make some great stainless steel cups! Take them with you everywhere you go to avoid buying packaged drinks. Try to support companies who go the extra mile to use as little packing as possible or who use recyclable resources.

Energy Efficient Light Bulbs: This is my husband’s domain but I know we have them.  Make the last longer by ensuring that they are always turned off when not needed.

Turn your Heat Down a few degrees and your a/c up a few degrees. Doing it gradually will help you adjust and you’ll save lots too!

Plan Your Outings so that you can get all your errands done in as few trips as possible.

BYOB: Bring your own bags to the store when shopping. Most stores here sell them for $0.95 but dh saw them on for $0.37/each at Fortino’s. Epicure has some really great ones! Interested? Contact me!

Buy Second Hand: When we first had Chloe, I would have balked at this because we had the money, why buy used? Well, it makes better use of your money, there is nothing wrong with most used things (I have huge issues about having to be able to wash/disinfect things) and it is better for the environment. After all, if everyone bought new and discarded it when finished, our landfills would be overflowing with perfectly useable things and we would be creating a lot of pollution with excessive production.

Cloth Napkins: We switched a couple years ago. Ours aren’t actually napkins; they are small cotton dish towels in very cool bright colors. We got them on sale and love them!

No Paper Towel: Because we use the e-cloth for windows and we use cloth napkins, I was thinking we should eliminate paper towel all together. At first my husband balked (after all where would he de-grease his bacon?!) We started using cotton flour sacks and though we still have some paper towel in our stock-pile, we haven’t used it and we don’t miss it!

Unplug when Unused: Did you know that things that are plugged in use energy even when they are off? Eeek. DH takes credit for this one! I’ve been trying to pay more attention to this.

Quality vs. Quantity: Sometimes Most times finances have the bottom line but I am a big fan of quality vs. quantity. Cost alone isn’t necessarily the best way to determine the most economical choice. We live in a “throw-away” society. While I am a big fan of the dollar store, in many cases you get what you pay for. If you have to replace something multiple times because it breaks, it is costing you more and the environment suffers (pollution associated with manufacturing and then the products sitting in the landfill). Built to last, quality items are the way to go when we can!

Renewable Resources: When possible, we try to go with renewable resources or things made out of what would otherwise have been trash. Chloe loved her Christmas gift; a Tea Set made out of recycled milk jugs!

Buy Local: While I can’t guarantee that you will necessarily save money, if it doesn’t need to be transported, it is better for the environment. It is also good for your local economy. I like to support local businesses where possible and purchase locally grown/raised food. How about you?

These are a few things that Work for Me. After reading the article by Simple Mom, I could add to the list, but I won’t. You’ll have to go HERE for more ideas! Isn’t it amazing how going green can save you green $$?

   What are your number one Green Tips or favorite Green Products?

• More Green = More Green was originally published April 21, 2009
• Join us at Heavenly Homemakers for the little Green Project!

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Jenn is wife to one, mother of three and above all, a humble servant seeking to honor the Lord with her life. More Green = More $$ Green is a post from Beautiful Calling.

Ready to go! (Well, most of us. Not sure where John is going.)

Thoughts on African Lion Safari:

• *Pricey but worth it as a special treat. Parking, train ride and boat ride are all included in admission.
• *Children under 3 are free!
• *Buy advance tickets. It saves quite a bit. (Ours were purchased at Costco.)
• *Take your own snacks and drinks.
• *I would also suggest taking your own lunch too. Standard fries and a burger will run you about $8+.
• *Go early to avoid crowds and lines.
• *Go on a cooler day if possible. Overcast but not rainy. Animals are much more active.
• *Skip the waterpark stuff. There is too many other things to do.
• *Go through the safari driving park more than once.

We went to African Lion Safari in the morning on a cooler day. There was hardly anyone where and ALL the animals were active. We had monkeys climbing, lions and zebra wandering and an ostrich pecking at our window. It was pretty neat and we almost had the place to ourselves. It took us about 2 hours to drive through the animal reserve the first time. We then had lunch, took a train ride and visited some other exhibits. Before we left we did another drive through. It only took us about 1/2 hour that time. The girls are 2 and they LOVED it!

In my van we have one of the captain seats removed to make it easier to get the littles in and out. I have John and Chloe on the back bench and add an extra seat on the passenger side when Jaiden comes with us. I let them out of their seats to stand at the window and watch. It sure made it nice for them!

The Lions were walking around our van. I had to wait for one to move before we could drive away!

And of course the monkeys were leaping on our van. Lots of baby monkeys which impressed the girls!

John escaped from his seat into Nana’s lap

No matter where we go…Chloe always finds some poor seagull to chase!

Well, don’t I have a big smile LOL. We crowded onto the seat for the picture but for the actual ride, Chloe moved back with Nana and Jaiden sat where Chloe was. They both had a fun ride.

Jaiden took to the goats. Chloe doesn’t “yike dem much.

Places to go…

And with this picture, I had the camera on something other than auto. Being fairly camera-illiterate, I didn’t understand what was happening with my pictures. I love this photo though because it really captures the spirit of the day!

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Jenn is wife to one, mother of three and above all, a humble servant seeking to honor the Lord with her life. Make the Most of Your Visit to African Lion Safari is a post from Beautiful Calling.

I have this rewards certificate which is good for $5.00 off on any purchase through 12/26/09 in their online store (11L8K5N68633405) or in USA retail or outlet stores. It can only be used once so if you use it, please let me know so I can remove the post.

I live in Canada and am not planning to place an online order. If you live in the USA near a Gymboree – print it out and go buy something off the sale rack for $5.00 compliments of me!

Gymboree currently has 30% off everything as well as $5 Rush Shipping until December 20th!

Update: I believe that a reader has printed and used this coupon already. Hurray! I hate to let coupons go to waste

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Jenn is wife to one, mother of three and above all, a humble servant seeking to honor the Lord with her life. Free $5.00 Coupon For Gymboree is a post from Beautiful Calling.