$18 for a $40 voucher to ecomom.com!

Mamapedia has a super sweet deal going on until Monday. Buy a $40 voucher to ecomom.com for $20! Use coupon code SPRING10 and get it for $18. Want to save even more? Go through Ebates and get and additional 4% cash back! Now that's a great deal!

Ecomom.com has a great selection of safe, healthy products for you and your family. There are so many great brands and products to choose from! Two brands that they carry that I have tried and liked are Earth Mama Angel Baby, and Episencial. I think I'll spend my voucher on some good lip stuff, some bar soaps, sunscreen, reusable snack bags, and who knows what else!

What are you going to buy with your voucher?

Eco-Cheap Tip: Check Your Home Air Filter

We just changed ours so I thought I would remind you of this important household maintenance duty.

A clean air filter is not only important for indoor air quality, but it also increases the efficiency and prolongs the life of your heat and air system. An efficient system saves energy and money!

Checking it once a month is a good rule of thumb, but it really depends on what type air filter you use. Generally, the less efficient filters require more frequent changes. Check out this guide for the recommendations for specific types of filters.

When was the last time you checked/changed your air filter?

Japan Earthquake Hits Home

Feeling such sadness over the extraordinary destruction from the Japan earthquake and tsunami. The main area affected by the earthquake and tsunami is Miyagi Prefecture, located in the northern part of the island of Honshu. I cannot imagine the confusion, pain, and terror of the people directly impacted by this disaster. Looking at pictures and videos of the devastation bring such a heaviness to my heart. Those poor, poor people. Their lives just washed away.

Photo courtesy of mapsoftheworld.com

This hits home for me and my family, as we have relatives in Japan. My mother is Japanese and her sisters and their families live in Kyoto, which is located in the central part of the island of Honshu. We have been in contact with them and they are safe. We also have friends there, who also have been in contact, and are safe. Fortunately, we don't personally know anyone in or around the area of destruction.

My mom has been glued to her t.v. since Friday, watching Japanese television on satellite, saddened by what she has seen, but also feeling a great sense of pride at how the Japanese people have reacted. In face of such tragedy, they have remained calm and collected, orderly and respectful. Peaceful.

There is no looting going on, people are waiting patiently in line for food, water, and gas, and there is no riotous behavior whatsoever. Why? Because the Japanese people place their community needs above their own. Things like looting don't happen there.

It's this sense of community that assures me that they will recover, they will rebuild, and they will flourish again. It also makes me extraordinarily proud to be half Japanese!

Please, if you can, make a donation to the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund. Every little bit helps! See widget on the upper right side --->

Building Our Eco-Cheap Home: Spray Foam Insulation

Last weekend, the hubs and I went to a home show at a local convention center. As we are currently in the planning (and waiting for our house to sell) stage of building a new home, we were interested to learn about some of the newest and coolest products on the market. We got tons of great ideas and are are extremely excited about a few "green" options we discovered.

One "green" option we are interested in is Spray Foam Insulation. When we came across the vendor booth for Profoam of Tennessee I was intrigued to say the least. The hubs and I talked quite extensively to TJ, one of the company's representatives. He answered all of our questions and convinced us (not that it took much convincing) that spray foam was the way to go.

My main interest in spray foam insulation results first, from my desire to not use fiberglass insulation because of the health risks associated with exposure to it. My family's health and safety is of the utmost importance to me and I don't want any of us exposed to formaldehyde out gassing. In addition, spray foam insulation minimizes pollutants and allergens from entering the home.

The economic benefit of better insulation is of secondary importance. Spray foam insulates as much as 50% better than traditional insulation, which means as much as 50% in heating/cooling savings! Add to that, the possible tax credits, and economically, it's pretty compelling.

And the "green" benefits are just the icing on the cake! Less heating/cooling means reduced harmful emissions.

Of course, initial expense is a determining factor. We want to build as "green" a house as we can afford, but long term economic impact is a definite consideration as well. It's difficult to do an initial cost comparison without an actual estimate, but from what I can tell from talking to the Profoam representative and my own research online, it cost anywhere from 2-5 times more than fiberglass insulation. Remember, that is initial cost. The real savings is long term, in reduced heating/cooling.

Want to hear something that is super, duper awesome?!

When we were at the home show we entered all kinds of giveaways and we actually won one! We won a free upgrade to spray foam from Profoam of Tennessee!!! We get our new house sprayed with Profoam for the cost of traditional insulation!! Woo hoo!


Note: I was not compensated in any way, shape, or form, by Profoam of Tennessee for this post. In fact, they have no idea that I wrote this. But, I will be sending them a link. :)

Please Share Henry's Story

Last week, Katie Granju began breaking her silence regarding the bungled investigation (or lack thereof) into the death of her 18 year old son, Henry. In her latest installment, Katie heartbreakingly reveals her belief that Henry was a victim in a prostitution-for-drugs ring. After ten months of being ignored and insulted by the local authorities, Katie is taking things into her own hands and she needs our help.

How can you help? First off, go read about Henry at Katie's blog. The story begins here. Then share his story with everyone you can. Blog about it, post it on Facebook, Tweet about it using the hashtag #justiceforhenry, email a link to your friends and family, bombard any media outlet you can think of, or send a message to Nancy Grace, 20/20, or anyone you think will take an interest in this case.

There's something fishy going on in Knoxville, Tennessee. Let's help Katie get Henry's story heard and get to the bottom of this.

BOGO Sale at Ecostore USA!

I was so excited when I saw this today and I had to share. Ecostore USA is having a BOGO March Spring Cleaning Sale March 1st & 2nd! Free shipping over $25! Woo hoo!

I love their "No Nasty Chemicals" products and am heading over there to do some stocking up. You should check it out and stock up, too!