Trash the Guilt Not the Plate with Hefty Basics (Giveaway too!)

How many times have you wished you had paper plates on hand so that you didn't have to do dishes later?

I know it happens to me.... A LOT!
Of course, then you feel guilty because you're creating more trash for the already-full landfills; more stuff that's harmful to the enviroment.

Well trash the guilt, because there's a new paper plate in town - Hefty® Basics™ Biodegradable Paper Plates.

Free of inks, dyes, or coatings, Hefty Basics are about the same price as other name brand paper plates BUT you can toss these into your composite bin instead.

How cool is that?

When I was offered a sample of the Hefty Basics, I was excited.  Green product, no dishes for a few meals - can you blame me?  But when I learned the enviromental friendliness of Hefty's newest product, I was estatic!

We've been using these "paper" plates for a few days now and love them.  Not only are they super strong and large enough to easily accomodate standard meal sizes, but we're not filling up the trash after eating - instead we're adding to our composite for Spring planting!

Does Hefty Basics sound like something you'd like to try?  Keep reading to find out how you can do it for free!

GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  Hefty, through Matrixx,  has generously provided 2 coupons for free Hefty Basics product (total value $4.98) to one lucky reader of The Mom Trap.

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER:  In the spirit of environmentalism, Hefty® Basics™ has partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation™ on a quest to plant 10,000 trees, one for every ten new “Like”s on Facebook - so head on over to http://www.facebook.com/HeftyBasicsTableware and "like" them and leave a comment saying so.  (Be sure to include an email address or have one available on your profile in case you win!)
Want to increase your chances of winning with extra entries? (Leave a comment for each additional entry; i.e. 2 extra entries = 2 comments)

• Become a Facebook Fan of The Mom Trap at www.facebook.com/themomtrap (1 extra entry. Current followers also receive extra entry.)
• Follow The Mom Trap with Google Friend Connect, Twitter, or Yahoo Account. (1 extra entry. Current followers included.)
• Follow The Mom Trap on Twitter (1 extra entry. Current followers included.)
• Tweet this giveaway for 2 extra entries, including @kdcantrell in your tweet. (Include the Tweet status URL in your comment.)
• Blog about this giveaway for 5 extra entries. (Be sure to include the URL of your post in your comment)
• Add The Mom Trap button (lower right column) to your blog for 5 extra entries.

The Fine Print: Contest ends at 11:59:59 PM Central Time on Thursday, January 30, 2011. Winner will be chosen by random number generator. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Open to U.S. and territories residents only; void where prohibited. Winner will be announced on Facebook and notified via email no later than Monday, January 31, 2011, and will have 48 hours to claim their prize or an alternate winner will be chosen.

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Spring Cleaning 2010: Go Green with Seventh Generation (Review and Giveaway)

I have to admit that Spring is the time that my house gets its best cleaning.  (Hey, I have four kids so cut me some slack!)

This year Seventh Generation got me motivated me with a free sample kit - by way of My Blog Spark's wonderful people - containing their enviromentally friendly Lemongrass and Thyme scented cleaning products; including the Multi-Surface Cleaner, Bathroom Cleaning, and Disinfecting Wipes.   Plus I also received their 100% Recycled Paper Towels.

This is where my second confession comes in....

Only recently have I started making efforts to "Go Green."  While I don't believe in Global Warming, I do believe that we should be kinder to our World and eliminate as much waste as possible.

So what better way to add to my efforts that also going green with my spring cleaning?

Not only did I find products that are naturally safe, but they clean JUST AS WELL AS the harsh chemical-based ones.

The disinfectants contain thymol, a component of the herb thyme, and can be used on hard surfaces including counter tops, plastic cutting boards, highchair trays as well as children´s toys. Best of all, they kill over 99.99 percent of germs naturally and are effective against the Influenza A Virus, including H1N1. Okay, so you're sold on the "green" aspect, right?  But what about the price, you ask. 

That's the best part...Seventh Generation products are competitive in price to other cleaning supplies.   And you can always find a variety of money-saving coupons at the Seventh Generation website!

GIVEAWAY!  Seventh Generation and My Blog Spark is offering one lucky reader of The Mom Trap a sample kit just like I received!  Here's what you need to do to enter:

• Leave a comment here telling me what "Green" thing your family does (i.e., recycling, clothesline drying)

Want to increase your chances of winning with extra entries?  (Leave a comment for each additional entry; i.e. 2 extra entries = 2 comments)

• Become a Seventh Generation Facebook Fan at www.facebook.com/SeventhGeneration (1 extra entry. Already follow? That counts too!)
• Become a Facebook Fan of The Mom Trap at www.facebook.com/themomtrap (1 extra entry. Current followers also receive extra entry.)
• Follow The Mom Trap with Google Friend Connect. (1 extra entry. Current followers included.)
• Follow The Mom Trap on Twitter (1 extra entry. Current followers included.)
• Tweet this giveaway for 5 extra entries. (Include the Tweet status URL in your comment.)
• Blog about this giveaway for 5 extra entries. (Be sure to include the URL of your post in your comment)

The Fine Print:  Contest ends at 11:59:59 PM Central Time on Monday, April 19, 2010. Winner will be chosen by random number generator. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Open to U.S. and territories residents only. Winner will be announced here and notified via email on Tuesday, April 20, and will have 48 hours to claim their prize or an alternate winner will be chosen.

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