Babies R Us & Toys R Us - Sale April 9 - 22, 2010 - UPDATE!

Sale April 9 - 22, 2010

You can check out the entire online ad here.

A few Green Products highlights:

• ALL BornFree 2-pk. bottles  - Buy 1, Get 1 50% off
• ALL Avent 2-pk. bottles - Buy 1, Get 1 50% off
• SAVE $5 ALL Dreft, Tide and Earth's Best detergent 40 load or higher
• SAVE $2 ALL Seventh Generation (Reg. 10.99), Huggies Pure & Natural (Reg. 11.99), gDiapers (Reg. 19.99 - Varies) and Earth's Best diapers (Reg. 11.99)
• Combine with Seventh Generation $1/1 coupon here or here.
• $1 OFF One (1) Package of Seventh Generation Diapers or Wipes
• Combine with Huggies Pure & Natural $3/1 coupon here.
• Combine with Earth's Best $1.50/1 coupon here.
• Scenario:  Buy 1 Huggies Pure & Natural @ 10.99
• Use $2/1 Babies R Us coupon
• Use $3/1 Manuf. coupon
• Total:  $5.99
• ALL BabyGanics items - Buy 1, Get 1 50% off (Reg. 2.49-15.99)
• SAVE $2 on ANY two Yes to baby carrots items (Reg. 7.99-12.99) 
• SAVE $2 on ANY two California Baby items (Reg. 11.49-19.99)
• SAVE $2 on ANY Plum Organics purchase of $10 or more items (Reg. 1.19-3.49)
• SAVE $5 on ANY four Earth's Best organic baby food variety packs
• Combine with Earth's Best organic baby food coupon here.

• ALL Seventh Generation cleaning & laundry items - Buy 1, Get 1 50% off (Reg. 4.99-24.99)
• Combine with Seventh Generation $1/1 and $2/2 coupons here and here.
• Save $1 when you buy any ONE (1) Laundry Product
• Save $2 when you buy any TWO (2) Seventh Generation Products
• $1 OFF Any One (1) Seventh Generation Feminine Care Product
• $1 OFF Any One (1) Seventh Generation Product
• Combine with Seventh Generation $1/1 coupon available from Wegmans Nature's Marketplace Magazine or Publix Greenwise Magazine.
• Submit for $5 Seventh Generation Rebate here.
• Scenario:  Buy 4 Seventh Generation Items @ 4.99 ea.  
• Use 4 - $1/1 Seventh Generation coupons
• Apply for $5 Rebate
• Total:  $5.87 for 4 Seventh Generation Items

This deal may be IS even better if you purchase items that are also on clearance.  I've seen reported online that many Seventh Generation Items have been I have confirmed that many Seventh Generation Items are on clearance for $1.98.  

The items included:  Dishwasher dish cubes, Dishwasher powder, Dishwasher Rinse Aid, 50 oz. Laundry detergent and fabric softener, Dryer Sheets and Tampons.  

If you purchase 4 @ 1.98 = 7.92 
less BOGO 1/2 off = 5.94 
less 4 - $1/1 coupons = 1.94 
less $5 Rebate = ALL Items FREE plus 3.06 Money Maker!

ALSO, there are many other items throughout the Store that are also on Clearance.  A few examples:

• Method Laundry Detergent - 4.98-7.98
• Method Toilet Bowl Cleaner - 0.98
• Method Bathroom Scrub - 0.98
• Jason's Kids Shampoo, Conditioner and Hand Soap - 1.98

Whole Foods Market® - This Week's Hot Deals

You can check out all of Whole Foods Market® Hot Deals here.  These prices are valid from April 7th thru April 13th.

You can read all about the current coupon deals available in both the whole deal and available to print online here.

Ground Beef 93% Lean
Sale! $4.49 lb
Reg. $5.49 - $5.99 lb

Wellshire Kid’s Chicken Bites Dinosaur Shaped (10 oz)
Sale! $3.99 ea
Reg. $5.49 ea

California Minneola Tangelos 3 lb. bag
Sale! $2.99 ea
Reg. $3.99 ea

Canada European Cucumbers
Sale! 99¢ ea
Reg. $1.99 ea

Wild Caught Raw Shell On Shrimp 16/20 ct. (Previously Frozen)
Sale! $11.99 lb
Reg. $15.99 lb

Whole Foods Market® Grilled Deli Chicken Breast
Sale! $2.49 ea
Reg. $3.49 ea

Near East® Pilaf, Couscous, Meal Kits (5.1 - 6.75 oz)
Select Varieties
Sale! 3 for $5
Reg. $2.29 ea

Yogi Granola Crisps (10.4 oz)
Select Varieties
Sale! 2 for $6
Reg. $4.99 ea

Steaz® Organic Iced Teas (16 oz) Select Varieties
Sale! 5 for $4
Reg. $1.19 ea

Imagine Organic Soups & Broths (32 oz) Assorted Varieties
Sale! 2 for $6

Michael Angelo's Italian Entrees (10-12 oz) Assorted Varieties
Sale! 2 for $7

Naked Juice Green Machine (15.2 oz)
Sale! 2 for $5

Mambo Sprouts $10 Gift Cards to 40 Lucky Fans! & Money Saving Coupons!

 

To celebrate Earth Day’s 40th anniversary, we’re giving away $10 gift cards to 40 lucky fans! Become a Facebook Fan for your chance to win. Winners will be randomly selected on Earth Day, April 22nd!
 
Also be sure to check out Mambo Sprouts E-Coupons!
 
A few of the coupons currently available:

•  $1/2 Lifeway ProBugs Drinkable Yogurt (Whole Foods)
• $1/1 Newman's Own Thin & Crispy Pizza
• $1/1 Seventh Generation Diapers or Wipes (All Seventh Generation Items are on Sale! this week at Kroger thru 4/25/10.  Diapers are priced at $11.99 and Wipes at $3.49 before coupons.)

Local Green Events - Columbus, Ohio

I am always reading something, learning and sharing.  Here are some local events of interest:

Environmental Lobby Day 2010 is your chance to "green up" the Ohio Statehouse.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Lawmaker Meetings & Activities - YWCA & Ohio Statehouse
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Cocktails & Conversation Reception  - Hyatt on Capitol Square

Join the Ohio Environmental Council's environmental-conservation network to bring environmental concerns and priorities directly to state lawmakers and officials from environmental and regulatory agencies. The OEC will arrange appointments for you with lawmakers as well as give you tips and information to make your meetings as productive as possible.

The day includes lunch at the Statehouse Atrium with lawmakers and staff, and an evening "Cocktails & Conversation" reception from 4-6 pm to network and share the day’s experiences.
Cost:

• Non-refundable fee includes continental breakfast, lunch, evening reception, and materials. 

• $25 each for OEC members (free for OEC Legacy Club and President’s Club members)

• $30 each for non-members (includes 1-year OEC membership)

For group discounts, please call (614) 487-7506 to register.

Register by March 31! Details available here. 

Nature Encounter - EcoWeekend - Columbus Audubon’s Annual Outdoor Adventure

Friday, April 30 - Sunday, May 2, 2010

Camp Oty’Okwa in the Hocking Hills

EcoWeekend brings you the best, affordable, fun, family-friendly, educational nature weekend in Central Ohio!  EcoWeekend offers a variety of programs about birds, animals, arts and crafts, wildflowers, astronomy, nature, and much more.

Youth Program (Pre-K—Grade 8) Keeping The Wonder Alive

Saturday Evening Program “Close Encounter” with the Cincinnati Zoo

EcoWeekend Registration Fees:

$40/ Adult

$25/ Pre-K - 8

Lodging and Meals:

$65/ Adult

$45/ Pre-K - 8

Meals Only:

$45/ Adult

$25/ Pre-K - 8

Non Audubon Member Household Surcharge: $20.00

REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  April 8, 2010!

Eating Green
Tuesday, May 4, 2010 @ 7 p.m.
Old Worthington Library, 820 High Street, Worthington

Representatives from Local Matters, a central Ohio non-profits group, will share their expertise and discuss how our food choices not only affect our own health, but also that of the planet.  Presented in partnership with the Healthy Worthington Coalition as part of their Being Green = Being Healthy series.

Green on the Green
Saturday, May 22, 2010 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Worthington Green, Worthington 

WHERE – WHEN

In conjunction with Worthington’s outdoor Farmers Market, Saturday, May 22nd 10 am-1 pm, on the southwest corner of The Village Green.

WHAT is Green on the Green?

• Bring environmental awareness to Worthington residents, businesses, schools, civic groups, etc. and to reinforce the notion that we can make an impact both locally and globally.
• Showcase businesses and groups that are local, may offer green services, products or educational opportunities.
• Reinforce the big and small efforts that Worthington is making to reduce its environmental impact.
• Offer motivation and information on how we can do even better by supporting local businesses, reducing our waste, decreasing our carbon footprint and taking care of our planet, etc.
• Highlight the areas in our community that need improvements (i.e..: downtown recycling, recycling at the high school sports fields, support local businesses, walk and bike more, etc.)

WHO is behind Green on the Green?

• BigGreenHead.com 
• Worthington Schools
• Worthington Libraries
• Leadership Worthington
• Various volunteers, including Symhomemom!

Green on the Green, Worthington, Ohio - Saturday May 22, 2010

WHERE – WHEN

In conjunction with Worthington’s outdoor Farmers Market, Saturday, May 22nd 10 am-1 pm, on the southwest corner of The Village Green.

WHAT is Green on the Green?

• Bring environmental awareness to Worthington residents, businesses, schools, civic groups, etc. and to reinforce the notion that we can make an impact both locally and globally.
• Showcase businesses and groups that are local, may offer green services, products or educational opportunities.
• Reinforce the big and small efforts that Worthington is making to reduce its environmental impact.
• Offer motivation and information on how we can do even better by supporting local businesses, reducing our waste, decreasing our carbon footprint and taking care of our planet, etc.
• Highlight the areas in our community that need improvements (i.e..: downtown recycling, recycling at the high school sports fields, support local businesses, walk and bike more, etc.)

WHO is behind Green on the Green?

• BigGreenHead.com 
• Worthington Schools
• Worthington Libraries
• Leadership Worthington
• Various volunteers, including Symhomemom!

Sustainable Saturday - Gardening with Children: A Series Documenting our Garden 2010 - Composting

Composting is an integral part of gardening and one of the easiest Green tasks at our house!  When I first began composting our food scraps several years ago, I thought it was going to be a daunting task. Many times I joked about how I had added yet another task around the house by attempting to compost.

Turns out composting actually reduces our weekly waste by quite a lot. We put all of our fruit and vegetable waste, coffee grounds, coffee filters, egg shells, dryer lint, dryer sheets (Seventh Generation), leaves and select other yard waste in our compost. We have built a outside compost bin using wood from recycled pallets. We use this compost to fertilize our garden and lawn.

Here are two articles from Organic Gardening which explains the basics of Composting:  Compost 101 and  Build a Compost Pile.

How do I get started and where can I purchase the necessary items to begin Composting?

You can build a compost bin like ours using a recycled pallet.  Instructions on how available here, here and here.

You can also purchase compost crocks and compost bins from a variety of resources including:

Garden's Alive
Gardener's Supply Company
Greenfeet
The Home Depot
Generation Green (Columbus, Ohio)

Another item that will contribute to the success of your compost pile is a Compost Aerator.  You can find one here. 

What do we put in our Compost?

We compost our dryer lint and dryer sheets (Seventh Generation):

We purchase sponges by Twist (Whole Foods, on Sale $3.59 for 2) and Rubbits (Available in Columbus at Generation Green, Whole Foods also carries their own version, Regular Price $0.99).  The Twist Sponge and the Rubbits (basically a scouring pad without harmful chemicals) are both compostable. 

Their are many items that claim that they are compostable and/ or biodegradable.  Examples of such products are trash bags, earth-friendly diapers, wet wipes (like Method), dryer sheets and even new SunChips bags.  These items are compostable and/or biodegradable however if you are not actually composting them, they will take a long time to compost or biodegrade if placed in a plastic bag and go to a landfill.  You can read my previous post here on trash bags.

March Grocery Budget Update

In March we continued to purchase as much Organic and Earth-friendly products as possible, however we once again exceeded our $250.00 monthly grocery budget.  The month of March brought our son's 2nd birthday, an Alexia Dinner Party which we hosted courtesy of House Party and several play dates with multiple kids and parents.  Our freezer is full and our panty is plentiful!

 

For April, I am going to try something different.  I am going to take a coupon clipping and deal seeking sabbatical.  I am going to purchase only produce, dairy and meat over the coarse of the next month.  We will keep lower our budget to $150.00 and see how we do! 

Here's the master list of what we bought in March 2010: