The Hate For Pink October

We all know October is breast cancer awareness month. It has also been named Pinktober because seemingly everyone everywhere plasters a pink ribbon on their products in the name of awareness. This makes me a little crazy for a few reasons.

1. Everyone is aware of breast cancer. In fact, I believe it would be hard to find a single person untouched by this disease in some way.

2. Many of the items touting the pink ribbon are linked to causing breast cancer.

3. 6 billion dollars will be raised this year in the name of breast cancer awareness! $6,000,000,000. Very, very little of that goes toward research for finding a cure. The percentages donated to research “for the cure” from some of the biggest fundraisers are abysmal- as little as 15%.

I am very passionate about this subject. It hits home for me. No amount of pink washing makes the disease any prettier.

So want can we do?

Think before you pink.

Do your own research and give directly to organizations that are actually making strides in finding links and not just profiting off of the cancer industry.

One I love is the Breast Cancer Fund.

And check out this post for reducing breast cancer risk:

Tips for preventing breast cancer.

Recommendations, Websites

How to Donate to Children With Hair Loss

Holly 2 Comments

I did it again!

Chopped off 10 inches of my hair.

This time I am honored to send it to Children With Hair Loss

If you have hair to donate, it’s super easy. They require 8 inches, but the longer the better because little girls always request long hair for wigs. Knowing this made me want to cut off as much as possible.

I took a ruler so my awesome stylist Mandy Ward could measure the right amount, then she put a rubber band on it, braided it and then added another rubber band to the end. I made sure to have a plastic bag with me to store it in, and then I put it in an envelope and sent it off to Children With Hair Loss.

I once had a hairstylist on a modeling job say to the client, “next time, let’s not get a model with five heads of hair on one head.” (He was frustrated with the amount of time it took to blow out my thick hair, and had to blame something!)

I think of that comment often, and today I hope he was right. I truly hope it will be possible to turn my ten-inch braid into wigs for five precious little girls.

Giveaways, Natural Products

Zevia Review and Giveaway

Holly 2 Comments

When you’re a natural health enthusiast it is hard to drink soda, for many reasons. The artificial colors and flavors, the high fructose corn syrup and the sodium benzoate to name a few. Sodium benzoate is commonly used as a preservate in soft drinks (and lots of food and personal care products for that matter) and it is of particular concern. This preservative has been linked to cancer, Parkinson’s disease, neuro-degenerative diseases, and premature aging. It also contributes to ADHD according to the Mayo Clinic.

Alas, there are some times that just call for a soda. For me it’s when I’m watching a movie and eating popcorn- I just need a soda. Or when I’m having pizza- I just need a soda. Many of the alternatives at natural food stores aren’t great options- even though they are made with real cane sugar (not high fructose corn syrup) and often organic, it is still sugar. And a lot of it.

Enter Zevia Zero Calorie Soda. My husband and I discovered it a few years ago and we love it, so I was thrilled when Green Moms Meet gave me the opportunity to review it!

Zevia is the original naturally sweetened, zero calorie soda with no sugar and no artificial sweeteners. This tasty treat comes in 15 familiar, favorite flavors including Cola, Black Cherry, Cream Soda, Grapefruit Citrus and Ginger Ale. Consider it the smarter soda go-to for you and your family. Zero calories, naturally sweetened and delicious; Zevia is hard to beat.

Just the facts

•Zevia Zero Calorie Soda is sweetened naturally with a unique blend of high purity Stevia (grown right here in the US!) and Monk Fruit.

(Stevia is a sweet little miracle of nature. Originally found in Paraguay this small shrub, native to the Sunflower family, provides 200x the sweetness of sugar with no calories. It is basically a super sweet leaf.)

•Zevia comes in 15 different flavors, including Ginger Root Beer, Strawberry, Cherry Cola, and many more.

•This soda contains no calories, sugar or artificial sweeteners.

•It’s totally Kosher, Vegan, and Gluten-Free

•The retail price for a 6-pack of Zevia ranges from $3.99 to $5.99.

Yes, you can see me sneaking Zevia into movie theaters, along with my organic, trans-fat free popcorn. And in our home on pizza and game night, everyone gets to pick out their favorite flavor to enjoy.

Our family’s favorite flavors are ginger root beer, black cherry, and cream soda and for those times that call for a caffiene kick, cola.

I have 5 vouchers for a free six pack to giveaway- if you’re interested in trying Zevia, enter to win one!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

GOOD LUCK!

disclaimer: I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms MeetSM program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms MeetsSM blogger, I agree to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of this product

Giveaways

$40 Noonday Collection Gift Card Giveaway

Holly 23 Comments

Noonday Collection uses fashion and design to create economic opportunity for the vulnerable. But what does that mean? What exactly IS Noonday?

First I’ll tell you what it is not- It is not charity. Sometimes well intended charity can cause more harm than good.

Noonday creates dignified jobs, better quality of life, long term trade, zero interest loans, a marketplace, empowerment and so much more for our artisans living in resource poor areas around the world. You can learn more about it on our impact page.

Noonday is bringing women together to use our purchasing power for something outside of ourselves.

I’m giving away a $40 Gift Voucher to shop online at Noonday Collection! The fall collection launched this month and you will want all the things. You can earn up to 9 entries. The winner will be chosen on September 10th. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ambassadors have linked arms (and blogs) to share our favorite pieces, stories, and giveaways this month in a blog train! You can enter the last giveaway HERE and the next giveaway is HERE

Prevention

Creamy Avocado Alfredo Recipe and 20% off Emeals

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It’s time for school again! The summer has flown by and taken with it its care free days more spontaneous meal times.

One thing that helps a lot of moms get back into the swing of structured days and earlier bedtimes is a meal plan. I am a fan of eMeals– once a week they email me a list of 7 meals with the grocery list attached. I head to the store, stock up on the meals I will be preparing and my days are better when I know what’s for dinner. There is no more -“It’s 5:00! What are we doing for dinner?”

Solve the Dinnertime Dilemma with eMeals Meal Planning

They have Easy, Healthy Meal Plans for everyone- Paleo, gluten-free, clean eating, organic and natural, kid-friendly, low-carb, portion control, vegetarian, diabetic and the list goes on. They also have specific plans for your grocery store, whether it be Whole Foods, Costco, Wal-mart, or anything in between.

Emeals also offers lunch, breakfast and dessert plans.

This past week we had a Creamy Avocado Alfredo that was a big hit with everyone. It’s perfect for Meatless Mondays and can be gluten-free.

Creamy Avocado Alfredo

Ingredients:
12 oz whole-wheat fusilli (we always use organic brown rice pasta)
2 ripe avocados, coarsely chopped
3 tablespons lemon juice
2 cloves garlic (I left this out because my kids only like cooked garlic- it’s too spicy for them raw)
1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper (left out the pepper too, and it was still delicious!)
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Prepare pasta according to package directions; drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
Place avocados, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper in a food processor; process until smooth.
Combine avocado mixture, pasta, and pasta water if needed, in a Dutch oven over medium heat; cook 5 minutes until heated through.
Sprinkle with cheese before serving.

Through September 30th Save 20% with code SCHOOL on any eMeals Meal Plan

You’ll be glad you have a plan!