Going Green with the SilverMat from SilverSport

This mat from SilverSport is a great way to Go Green and get a great workout.

The SilverMat has a natural defense system to fight the odor and bacteria with silver ions.  This doesn't use harsh chemicals and is activated by moisture- so when you're working hard, it does too.  To clean, just wipe down with a damp cloth.

It's also extra thick because of that extra silver layer, so even better for you while working out.  SilverSport lists the specific features of the mat:

• Textured, slip-resistant surface
• Features TerraSilver™, a cutting-edge, antimicrobial nanotechnology using natural silver particles that delivers anti-odor and antimicrobial performance
• Lightweight for easy transportation
• Durable and firm
• Used for hot yoga, yoga, Pilates and general fitness
• Latex-free
• Wipes clean with a damp cloth
• 1/4" thick foam
• Dimensions: 68" Length x 24" Width
• Weight: 2 lbs

My husband tried it, since he is doing P90X and there are lots of sit-ups and push ups and other floor exercises.  But with such trends at "Hot Yoga" and other workouts taking advantage of a good sweat- this will be the mat you want to have!

The Dick's Sporting Goods website sells all SilverSport items including the SilverMat, but they're also available in select stores. 

I was not compensated for this post although I did receive a free product sample to facilitate my review.  Any and all opinions here are my own.

The Nizo Wear Nursing Bra, A Review

Nursing is a wonderful time of bonding with your newborn baby.

And most of your experience nursing should be positive. I remember, before giving birth to my first, gearing up for the pains of labor and all of the physical and emotional stress. I got through it knowing I would be okay. 

But NO ONE warned me about the pains of first-time breastfeeding! I had hoped that after giving birth my body could relax and repair. Nursing my oldest was one of the hardest physical experiences of my being a new mom. My nipples hurt, were bleeding, I was engorged, and I had mastitis. How I wish I had this bra then!

The Solace Nizo Wear Nursing Bra is the most unique nursing bra I’ve ever seen. It is a traditional nursing bra, but with an extra “pocket” inside, a thin layer of comfortable, breathable fabric that allows for you to place a hot or cold pack as the situation demands.

I like that it has the extra thin layer of fabric or “pocket” as it keeps your compress from moving around and it keeps the hot/cold from making direct contact your skin. It’s much more comfortable and safe that way.

The Solace bra is made of a cotton micro-fiber, with a drop cup, which allows for stretch and changing shape. Be sure to check their sizing guidelines so you get the right size for you! Some bras you can get away with being a little off, but this bra you need to be sure you get the right size or you’ll end up with it either too tight or too baggy. (It’s not a shaped bra.)  It is currently available in nude with pretty pink swirls, and I really like that the straps are not too skinny and not huge thick. They are proportioned to the bra and make you feel pretty and not like you have shoulder pads on. 

I also received a pair of Nizo Wear underwear in pink, which I really like. They are made of  90% cotton and 10% spandex. The bikini cut bottoms are supportive, and super comfy. They don’t ride up in the back, which is important.

Another perk to Nizo wear is that it is affordable! The Solace bra runs for $26.99 and the underwear, if paired with a bra is $9.

To purchase the Solace Nizo Wear Nursing Bra go HERE.

To purchase other Nizo Wear go HERE.

*I was not paid but did recieve Nizo Wear in order to facilitate this review. Any and all opinions here are my own.

Beautiful Blue Eyes - a Children's Book Review and Giveaway

"I watched and waited 

as your eyes chose their hue.

Deciding in time

on their beautiful blue.

Blue as a butterfly

or the sparkling sea.

Blue as the bluebird who sings in her tree."

This was my daughter's favorite line of the book. When I read "sparkling sea" she looked up at me with such a big smile because living in Hawai'i she knows what a beautiful bright blue sea looks like.  I was so excited to review this book with my sweet girl because this same sweet girl is the only blue eyed person in our family, the only lefty, and the only person with food allergies. She has such a tender heart and sometimes feels so very different from the rest of us so I was very happy to share this adorable story with her as a special treat. We both loved this book. Sometimes children's books are just "sweet" or "cute" but this one is a new personal favorite of mine that touches my heart every time I read it with my daughter.

Beautiful Blue Eyes, by Marianne Richmond, touches the heart of every mom as it brings to memory those first few months after your baby is born as you wait to see what color your new little one's eyes will be. Then as you continue reading you're reminded of the silly eyes, the curious eyes, the sad and sick eyes that every young child experiences. I especially like that the poetic writing is easy enough for a beginning reader to read it by themselves. I actually presented my daughter with this book as a special reward for working so hard at learning to read.

We loved reading Marianne Richmond's newest book and recommend it as the perfect gift for that special blue-eyed child in your life.


BUY: You can purchase this book at Marianne's shop HERE or at Amazon.com

WIN: One of our fabulous Moana Saves readers will win a copy of this hardback book. Enter by telling me what blue-eyed sweetheart you would give or read this book to.

To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
2. Become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
3. Like Moana Saves on Facebook.
4. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.
5. Tweet about this giveaway with the following (once a day max): #win kids book, beautiful blue eyes, from Marianne Richmond and @moanasaves ends 4/14 http://bit.ly/fWBiMP
 
Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway.  He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S.  This giveaway ends Thursday, 4/14 HST (Hawaii Standard Time).  One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org.  I will notify the winners via email and they must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I was not compensated for this post although I did receive a product sample to facilitate my review.  Any and all opinions here are my own.

Basic beach gets an upgrade with bold hues and body-loving shapes

This post brought to you by Express. All opinions are 100% mine.

Girlfriends, it's Spring!  Are you thinking ahead? Are you swimsuit-ready for Summer yet?  Luckily  can help you get your beach on.  They've got all kinds of swim suits in stock already--bikinis, tankinis, even some one-piece suits!  Shop now at Express so you can be good-to-go all summer long.

Because I live in Hawai'i, swim suits are mandatory summer gear.  Waves like glass at Hukilau, Sunset and Waimea Bay--this is the kind of summer that deserves an Express swim suit! Mine HAVE to be comfortable.  It's a bonus if they're cute.  Express has both!  My personal favorite is this tankini with a pareau as a cover-up.   Swimsuits are available in the always-popular monokini, sexiest string bikini and must-have strapless and halter bikini styles.  You can shop bright solids, on-trend graphic prints, the essential reversible style, nautical-inspired striped and sleek metallic styles. Designer details include flirty ruffles, sexy self-tie sides, glam beaded embellishments and polished metal hardware.  Plus bottoms fit smaller to size for moderate back coverage.  Lastly you can accessorize with Express spring essentials including sandals, tote bags, sunglasses and hats for him and for her. Shopping at Express for women's swimwear is fun,easy and not too hard on the wallet.

Right now when you sign up for Express e-mail, you have a chance to win one of ten $200 Express gift cards.  Go check out Express's line of women's swimwear to get yourself summer-ready and stay to try your luck by entering the sweeptstakes.  (check out the sweepstakes rules)  The contest ends 4.21.10 at 11:59pm, EST. 

But the great weather and Express beach style last all summer long . . .

doTERRA PastTense: 10 percent off in April

This is one I have been waiting to go on sale!

PastTense: a Tension Blend
Mostly used for headaches and migraines.  In it, is wintergreen, lavender, peppermint, frankincense, cilantro, marjoram, roman chamomile, basil, and rosemary.  These help with the inflammation, pain and soothe nerves.  As you can see it comes in a roll-on bottle, so you get just the right amount topically on your forehead or your wrists to use aromatically.  You can also use on the temples or back of neck.

Item #3135 10ml  Retail $24.67- during April: $22.20

Again there are different ways to order- Retail (10% off), Preferred Customer (17% off all retail + 35% off the special) or Wholesale/IPC (25% off all retail + 35% off the special). 

Go HERE to shop retail, it's under Oil Blends.
Go HERE to join as either a Preferred Customer ($10 fee) or Wholesale member/IPC ($35 or purchase 100 Point kit) and you can also add this to your order and get your Autoship reward program started.
*Oahu residents- let me know by April 1, I can add to my order and you won't have shipping or tax added.

Email me if you have questions about oils, purchasing, joining or anything I have discussed.

Some of the benefits of Preferred Customer and Wholesale is a reward program for automatic shipments or Loyalty Rewards (50 Point minimum order), but you can change the items each month- and include the specials.  As you slowly build your supply, as I have, and replenish what you are using, you get more and more back.  It starts with 10% reward from your purchase- or 5 Points if you do the 50 minimum.  After 3 months, it goes up to 15% reward, and all the way up to 30% banked for you when you keep ordering.  If you ever need to stop, you must redeem your Points for oils and products then cancel.  If you start again, you are at the 10% and start over.  You also need to redeem your points once a year, before your anniversary of becoming a member for all your free products (not including transaction fee and shipping).

Also going on in April:
Free FM Assist when you buy one - while supplies last
Free MJ Assist when you buy one - while supplies last
Free Immortelle (BRAND NEW- $95 value) with 200 PV autoship which includes the Essential Skin Care kit (3706)

I am a wholesale member/IPC of doTERRA, all opinions are my own.
Get more Essential Oil updates on twitter @aboutoils

The Boost Your Buzz Giveaway starts on April 1st (no foolin')

Enter the Boost Your Buzz $1,000 Giveaway! One lucky person is going to win $1000 USD paid via Paypal! 

Gain entries in this giveaway by following MOANA SAVES on  EMAIL, FACEBOOK and GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT!

The giveaway starts April 1st 12 am EST until April 15th 11:59 pm EST and is open worldwide. $1,000 CASH prize will be delivered via paypal as soon as the winner’s entry has been verified.

Boost Your Buzz can be entered on Survey Junkie,  Simply Stacie or Little Yaya’s (you only have to enter on one of the sites as the forms will be the same on each).

Hair Flairs - Professional Hair Tinsel: A Review

Are you tired of the same old dull hair day in and day out...night in and night out?Does your hair need a little flair? I bet it does, because no matter what kind of hair you have - damaged or super healthy - you'll never get this kind of shine, and I do mean glittery, sparkly SHINE! I should so do an infomercial, I know. But this is for real - Hair Flairs are so... for lack of a better word, RAD! I love Hair Flairs. Okay, here's me explaining my life a little... When I was in college, I wanted to dye my hair a deep burgundy... and so I did it. The burgundy turned out to be more of an auburn, so I thought I'd try again, and again... until the ends of my hair were a nice dark orange. Orange, burgundy, same diff right? The rest of my hair was sort of reddish, but not exactly what I wanted. I had damaged my hair so badly that it was ratty and ugl... er, not cute. It took forever to grow it all out and I vowed to never dye my hair again (of course, that vow will be null and void once the gray hairs conquer my head).

But, every now and again, I'll have the urge to add a little highlight here or do a little something there. Nope, no chemicals touching my healthy locks! Then, I found Hair Flairs! Genius! I can add a little or a lot of color, without damaging my hair one bit. And by color, I'm talking anywhere from subtle copper or gold tones that glimmer in the light to bright fuschia and turquoise strands that absolutely pop. I put hair flairs in my daughter's hair and she was, of course, all the rage. My sister attended the Mrs. Hawaii pageant last weekend, so I put every color I had in her hair and she looked amazing. You can even use a flat iron or curling iron with Hair Flairs in your hair, which she did. She got so many compliments. One woman stopped her husband in front of my sister, and said, pointing to my sister's hair, "Babe, I want those. NOW!"

So, here's what you need to know about Hair Flairs fabulosity, aside from the fact that it makes you look divalicious! Salons charge anywhere from $2 to $5 per strand to put Hair Flairs in your hair. WHOA! I admit that putting them in is a bit tricky at first, but the how-to video on their website is very helpful, and once you do a few, you really get the hang of it. Trust me, I did about 15 in my sister's hair, which appeared to be 30 strands, since one strand of tinsel results in a double strand once you tie it to your hair. So getting the hang of it is really worth it, especially since you can order 100 strands for $11.00 here. Also, check out the Hair Flairs Photo Gallery to see the fabulosity yourself!

Other useful info about Hair Flairs:

• Professional Quality Hair Tinsel - designed and tested by stylists
• Thin, narrow, lightweight, feel soft and silky like hair
• Made from 100% high-grade, heat-resistant polyester fiber
  
• Can shampoo, blow-dry, style, even Flat-Iron!
• 100% Made in the USA, safe and non-toxic

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Purex Complete Crystals - Review & Giveaway

Did you know liquid fabric softeners contain up to 20% oil per bottle? Ew! I never knew fabric softeners used oil! This oil content has a lot of ill effects on your laundry including the following: it makes fabrics feel slick and decreases absorbency, it should not be used on children's sleepwear as it coats the fibers and makes them flammable and it inhibits wicking capability on performance sportwear.

I am in love with the new Purex Complete fabric softening crystals! They're convenient because you add them at the beginning of the wash cycle and they simply dissolve in the water without the requirement of a special delivery tool (ball, bar, etc.) Just sprinkle and go! As a mom I'm also very happy to have a fabric softener that is safe to use on my children's flame-resistant sleepwear.

I wanted to give these crystals the "bed linens & bath towels" test. I love soft fresh smelling sheets and towels especially when that softness and lovely scent lasts. I could really feel a difference using the crystals versus my old oil-based liquid fabric softener. The sheets don't feel slick, the towels feel light and fluffy and definitely absorbent, and the scent of all the aforementioned is FAB-ulous!

* All these benefits are great, but my personal favorite feature of Purex's crystals is that this sugar based crystal is 92% natural!

Purex has a few informative videos on their website that describe these same benefit. You can also print coupons from that site or at Purex's Facebook site.

WIN: Purex is offering three Moana Saves readers a coupon for their own free bottle of Purex Complete Crystals. For your mandatory entry in this giveaway tell me which Crystals scent you want to try: fresh spring waters, lavender blossom or tropical splash.

To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
2. Become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
3. Like Moana Saves on Facebook.
4. Like Purex on Facebook
5. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.
6. Tweet about this giveaway with the following (once a day max): #Win a Purex Complete Crystals free product coupon from Purex and @moanasaves ends 4/12/11 http://bit.ly/gtC5r5

Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway.  He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, 4/12/11 HST (Hawaii Standard Time).  One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org.  I will notify the winners via email and they must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I was not compensated for this post although I did receive a product sample to facilitate my review.  Any and all opinions here are my own.

Review: Neptune's Ocean from BABY EINSTEIN

Since lovely Baby #5 came along, I begin to wonder if I pay ENOUGH attention to her...like I did with the others. I'm sure I do, since she is always attached to my hip...but I don't do the word flashcards, read her HER books & point to the pictures & all that goes with an almost 1 year old, like I used to.  I have enjoyed Baby Einstein in the past with Baby #1, but after a few moves my collection got lost. SO I WAS SUPER excited to see that they have Discovery Kits, new DVDs and more. 

*About The Baby Einstein Company

The Baby Einstein Company, LLC, is the award-winning creator of the infant media category.  The company is known for its best-selling Baby Einstein brand of DVDs, books, music CDs and toys specifically designed for babies and toddlers. Baby Einstein products bring the arts and humanities to parents and babies through real-world images, music re-orchestrated for little ears and delightful puppet shows.  Headquartered in Burbank, CA, The Baby Einstein Company is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company.   For more information about the company and its products, visit the Baby Einstein website.

We were very Lucky to receive "Neptune's Ocean," which is perfect since we live close to the ocean.

*(NEW) Neptune’s Oceans (releasing February 22, 2011) - Dive in with your little explorer for a voyage of undersea discovery! Journey across Neptune’s Oceans to encounter amazing marine life in their natural habitats. Penguins, whales, dolphins, sea lions and crabs come to life in engaging musical portraits. Together, you and your baby will ride a tide of fun as you explore this wondrous new world!

As we put her movie on, ALL the kids came running to see what Little Miss #5's DVD was all about. They stuck around for the full DVD & said all the words that came on & talked about what they saw. Even Munchkin #4 (2 1/2 yrs. old) would YELL out all the fish & sea life he knew words for. A great learning & entertaining tool for all MY kids ages.

She couldn't keep her eyes off of the cool things she saw!

Since I homeschool my older 3, we enjoyed their discovery Kits during school time. Each kit comes with a DVD, a music CD & picture cards or a book.  I was anticipating the music CD for quiet reading time & also using the picture cards to help my baby's vocabulary grow. So she could have her own special LEARNING time. What a great tool!

So Little Miss #5 enjoyed the cards. She would point & try to repeat the words of the pictures as we said them. 

OVERALL Thoughts: Me & my clan of 5 kids give it 12 thumbs UP! 



TO PURCHASE: Visit AMAZON to get Neptune's Ocean & other great kits.


*Details we received from The Baby Einstein Company to give proper information for this review
**I was not compensated for this post although I did receive a product sample to facilitate my review.  Any and all opinions here are my own.

Few more days left: doTERRA® Breathe- 10 percent off

Each month we'll feature a different essential oil and discuss what its properties and uses are.  These are plant-based all-natural oils, something I had been looking for- since I don't like the side-effects of medicine or how our bodies can become immune to them (like anti-biotics), essential oils have become what's in my medicine cabinet.  In most cases, I have something in my kit that I can use for everyday issues (sunburns, rashes) and sicknesses that come up.  We haven't gone to the doctor for illness since we started using essential oils.  We did have stitches and some well-checks, but this is a way of taking care of my family's needs without going to the doctor for every little thing.  I started with a kit called the Family Physician's Kit because I had seen what these oils could do for my family and this kit can help in most situtations.  An introduction kit of Lavender, Lemon and Peppermint is another way to get used to what the oils can do and how to use them- there's a guide inside the box which lists some of their uses.  If you'd like to learn more, email me. 

Breathe 10% Off During March
Respiratory Blend

This is a blend of essential oils which is great for allergies or any respiratory issues.  It includes laurel leaf, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, lemon and ravensara. 

Respiratory issues are prevalent in modern society, and dōTERRA® essential oils are a perfect way to ease breathing consistently for a sustained benefit. Breathe is a remarkable blend of CPTG® essential oils which combine to do just that, help you breathe easier. A proprietary blend which cleanses and soothes the airways, and can easily be applied topically to the chest, back, or bottom of feet. Its pleasant aroma is calming to the senses and perfect for night time diffusion allowing for restful sleep. For aromatic or topical use.

Personal story with Breathe: I was in a Zumba class working out and my chest got very constricted.  I rubbed some Breathe on it, took some deep breaths and was able to get right back into the class!  Reminds me of Vicks Vapo-rub, but none of the chemicals like Menthol.

Breathe 10% Off During March- regularly $26.67

15 ml 3107 (3107)

 US$ 24.00

ends Mar 31


Your options to purchase:
25% off retail as a wholesale member/IPC (no monthly minimums)- $35 to join with Intro packet or included with Kit purchase
17% off retail as a preferred customer - $10 one-time fee
10% off retail shop now: (Oil Blends)

Read more about Essential oils

I am an Independent Product Consultant with dōTERRA®.  Opinions and experiences are my own.

Moana Saves had a Nutella Party!

On Saturday, March 19th, we, the bloggers here at Moana Saves, threw a party courtesy of the folks at Nutella!  It was as much fun as several women who run away from their families on a Saturday night in a bar-less town can have.  We ate . . . a lot of Nutella and had fun talking about grown-up stuff.  Nutella sent us a large box of goodies, some of which was a 26 oz jar of the good stuff, Nutella spreaders (complete with a curve at the end to accommodate the ridges of the bottom of the Nutella jar--woot!), a few other Nutella branded items and some info about Nutella Hazelnut Spread.

For instance, did you know that there are more than 50 hazelnuts in a 13 oz jar of Nutella hazelnut spread?  And did you know that Nutella does not contain peanuts or peanut ingredients, nor does the product come in contact with peanuts during manufacturing?  We learned all this and more (like Nutella is gluten-free and Kosher!).  (And we ate Nutella on homemade waffles topped with banana slices, see on the right? but I digress).  Probably the most important thing we learned as women trying to feed our families a balanced breakfast to send them off in the morning is that a slice of whole wheat toast with Nutella hazelnut spread, a serving of fresh fruit and a cup of yogurt or 1% milk provides balanced nutrition to start the day.  Which basically goes along with my personal affirmation: Nutella in moderation, Nutella in moderation . . .

Mahalo nui loa to the folks at Nutella for giving us a chance to get together and eat Nutella (in moderation)!  Check out the Nutella website for nutritional info on my favorite hazelnut spread, Nutella sweepstakes and a $1 off Nutella coupon!

And hey--

if anyone else wants to send us big boxes of treats so we can have another party, you can email me at moanasaves at gmail dot com because we're fair like that . . .

Review of Wake Up on Time, a natural energy supplement

Living on an island can shape our perspective about how our lives impact the planet and either positively or negatively affect sustainability.  We're not suggesting that we are green experts.  Rather, we are interested in highlighting how we think, shop and spend can evolve so that can sustain the earth's future for our kids.  Plus we're looking at some really cool stuff! Stay tuned!

 
WHAT IF YOU COULD LOOK AND FEEL NOTICEABLY BETTER, WITHOUT SUBJECTING
YOUR BODY TO HARMFUL CHEMICALS AND PAINFUL TREATMENTS?

The question above is what drives product development at Rise-n-Shine and so with the potential of that premise, we tried Wake Up on Time, a natural time-release energy supplement.  You can take it just before bed and the special time-release formula gives its user energy in the morning and throughout the day.  I say “we” tried it but I actually didn’t get a chance.  This was yet another product that 14 yr old First Born claimed as her own when I opened the package.

Some info from the website:
Wake UP On Time consists of a select group of 100% natural ingredients proven to be safe in the food supply.Top research and over 50 years of manufacturing experience have combined for the first time to create the most effective and science-driven time released morning energy product in existence. Our patent-pending formula includes specialized and tested ingredients such as: Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12,and our Synergistic and Proprietary blend (Guarana seed extract, L-Tyrosine, Eleuthero Root Extract, also known to some as Siberian Ginseng).

Wake Up On Time is absolutely 100% guaranteed.  Numerous of the active, 100% natural ingredients, are proven to significantly increase energy and alertness levels and have been cited in thousands of scientific studies. Taken before going to bed, the release of the ingredients are delayed to disperse throughout the body only at the end of the average sleep cycle so you wake up feeling great, refreshed and full of energy. Wake Up On Time is the only time released product of its kind with a 100% money-back guarantee. Wake Up On Time is the product of major research and testing, and is considered the one and only effective, time released energy supplement available today!

So let me just contextualize how “we” tried it.  First off, my First Born daughter is attending an extracurricular class *before* school starts every morning.  A 9th grader, she wakes up most days at 5:45 am, goes to her before-school class that starts at 6:15, and then gets on the bus for school.  She has committed to this for the whole of her high school years.  I’m proud of her because getting up so early is HARD.  Most days I don’t even do it to make sure she gets up.  So her ultra-full schedule and her early morning class is the reason why she snatched Wake up on Time away from me.  And it works!  She takes two pills (we checked the label to make sure these weren’t off limits to her because of her age) before bed and wakes up before her alarm goes off.  She is bright-eyed and bushy tailed for her before-school class and this feeling of alertness and well-being lasts for her through out the day.  The only drawback is that after using Wake up in the Morning for 6 or 7 days straight and then stopping, she had a headache (we’re guessing that this is because of the natural caffeine content--22%--in the guarana).  We have dealt with this by making sure she skips taking this supplement every third or fourth day.  Pretty soon she’ll finish the bottle—and probably will want to order more.

Mahalo nui, Rise-n-Shine, for keeping my teenager alert and on top of her schedule!

SHOP: To purchase Wake up in the Morning or to browse through the selection of Rise-N-Shine’s selection of natural supplements, go HERE.

WIN: The folks at Rise-n-Shine are offering one lucky Moana Saves Winner a bottle of Wake Up On Time to try! For your mandatory entry in this giveaway, go to the Rise-n-Shine website and leave a comment telling us one other Rise-n-Shine natural supplement you'd like to try.

To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
2. Become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
3. Like Moana Saves on Facebook.
4. Friend the President of Rise-n-Shine, Cathy Beggan.
5. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.
6. Follow Rise-n-Shine on Twitter.
7. Tweet about this giveaway with the following (once a day max): #Win 100% natural time-released supplement Wake UP in the Morning from @moanasaves ends 4/12 http://bit.ly/ebE0RS

Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway.  He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, 4/12/11 HST (Hawaii Standard Time).  One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org.  I will notify the winners via email and they must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I was not compensated for this post although I did receive free product samples to facilitate this review.  Any and all opinions are my own.

Strawberry Shortcake Puttin' on the Glitz DVD Review

Last weekend we received our copy of Puttin' on the Glitz with Strawberry Shortcake and her friends. Did we enjoy it? To quote my husband: "The girls LOVE that movie! Their eyes were glued to it all morning!" Yes, my daughters loved all three episodes on the new Strawberry Shortcake DVD. 

Now you may think that you would rather not give your child a DVD about makeup and hair because you don't want to give your daughter the wrong impression. Let me set your mind at ease by saying that these clips are not focused solely on looking beautiful. Instead Strawberry and her friends work to help each other develop their friendships and talents. Here are a few quotes from my daughters' perspectives that prove the DVD isn't all about makeup and hair:

Daughter #1: "On the glamor girl one I learned that if there's something you don't like but your friend gave it to you then you have to tell them the truth even if you might hurt their feelings a little."

Daughter #2: "The show about the hair-cutting girl was about friends helping Lemon because she was sad. I want to be a nice friend like Lemon's friends."

Daughter #3: "Strawberry! Happy birthday to me!" (This DVD arrived just in time for her birthday and she was so excited!)

We love our new DVD, Puttin' on the Glitz with Strawberry Shortcake!

Reminder: Don't forget about this GIVEAWAY where you can win a copy of this DVD. I think it would make the perfect Easter basket treat.

I was not compensated for this post although I did receive a product sample to facilitate my review.  Any and all opinions here are my own.

Doodlemark: A Review and Giveaway

Doodlemark is a bookmark and writing pad in one created by a dad (and Founder of ReMarkable Reading Concepts). After countless nights of re-reading the same book with his daughter who would lose her bookmark each time and, at the same time, turning to magnetic drawing boards to practice letters and words while they read, he came up with the idea of combining the two mediums and the DoodleMark was born!

Doodlemark can clip to any book and allows for endless drawing or writing with its little magnetic writing board. The Doodlemark has been used non-stop by all four of my kids (ages 1-7) since the day we got it. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to use it as a bookmark all that much because my one year old uses it daily to draw her pictures (I'm loving the absence of pen marks on her skin and crayon pieces in her mouth). 

The few times my oldest has been able to clip it in her reading book to keep her place, it's worked wonderfully. I've always encouraged her to write down words she doesn't know or has questions about, but the probability of her remembering that when I'm at work is not that great. Now, with the Doodlemark, she can write the word down right there as she is reading, without having to get up to get a notebook and pen. While the writing area is not big enough for a whole list of words, it does get her into the practice of writing down unfamiliar words -- and she can ask for help or definitions right then and there, with the word right in front of her. It's a great concept and I like how it encourages creative learning, all the while remaining fun for my kids. It's simple, portable, and my kids can't get enough of it... I'm sold!

SHOP: Check out the Doodlemark website to see how it works or visit the Doodleshop to purchase your very own for just $8.00.

WIN: Two lucky Moana Saves readers will WIN Doodlemarks of their very own. To enter to win become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).

To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).

2. Follow Doodlemark on Twitter.

3. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.
4. Tweet about this giveaway with the following (once a day max): #Win a DoodleMark (2 winners!) from @godoodlemark and @moanasaves ends 4/12 http://bit.ly/eECSJf

5. Like DoodleMark on Facebook.
6. Like Moana Saves on Facebook
Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway. He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S. This giveaway ends Tuesday, 4/12/11 HST (Hawaii Standard Time). One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org. I will notify the winners via email and they must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I was not compensated for this post although I did receive a free product to facilitate this review. Any and all opinions here are mine.

Sckoon 100% Organic Cotton Pads: A Review and Giveaway

Living on an island can shape our perspective about how our lives impact the planet and either positively or negatively affect sustainability.  We're not suggesting that we are green experts.  Rather, we are interested in highlighting how we think, shop and spend can evolve so that can sustain the earth's future for our kids.  Plus we're looking at some really cool stuff! Stay tuned! Between disposable diapers and feminine hygiene products going into landfills, if we replaced them with cloth, non-disposable, earth-friendly  substitutes, we’d be way ahead of the game.  So I was excited to try Sckoon’s 100% organic cotton menstrual pads.  These isn’t your grandma’s feminine hygiene.  Sckoon organic cotton menstrual pads are cute! But best of all they’re functional!

Sckoon pads come individually wrapped with the actual holder and liner packaged together.  All Sckoon Organic Cotton Pads have all of the following benefits:

100% certified organic cotton down to the threads

Nickel free snaps to prevent allergic reactions

Dyed with metal-free, low impact dyes

Each holder comes with one liner

Size 10"(25.5cm) long, 7.5"(19cm) wing-to-wing

Liner size 9.5" x 8.3" (23.5 cm x 20.5 cm)

100% Egyptian organic cotton made in Egypt

How do they feel?  The 100% organic Egyptian cotton is very soft and I love how long the holder/liner is.  As the Sckoon site promises, these pads are easy to use and really I found you don’t really have to change out the holder, just the liner to stay clean and fresh.  Sckoon offers a tutorial, buying guide and FAQ for using cloth pads here.

Initially the cost of cloth pads may seem a bit high but Sckoon shows you how you can actually save money by using cloth menstrual pads: “On average, a woman spends $7.50 per month on disposable pads, which can quickly add up. That's around $90 dollars per year. Multiply that by the six years that Sckoon Organic Cotton Pads can last and you're out $540. Most women who make the switch to Sckoon spend around $119 in a start-up package**, leaving you with a whole lot of cash in your pocket for something more fun.” Sounds good to me!

Another seeming obstacle to using non-disposable pads is that there are extra steps involved in caring for them.  But really they’re quite easy to take care of.  I designated a lidded bucket for my pads and then during my time the bucket had water with some detergent in it.  I would throw the pads in there as I used them and changed out the water once a day.  When I no longer needed them, I tossed it all in the washing machine and then into the dryer.  I imagine if you want your pads to last longer it would be better to air dry them.  But it was easy-peasy to care for them and I love how Sckoon’s website offers a LOT of information about their products, how to use them and how to care for them.  And while the non-disposables may seem to take more time and money, after the first time you use them, they actually save time and money.

SHOP: You can purchase Sckoon 100% organic cotton pads HERE as well as 100% organic cotton baby clothes and diapers.

WIN: Sckoon is offering one lucky Moana Saves reader one value day set of 100% organic cotton menstrual pads to try for herself!  For your mandatory entry in this giveaway, tell us one thing you'd like to work on to make your life more green and sustainable.

To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
2. Become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
3. Like Moana Saves on Facebook.
4. Like Sckoon on Facebook.
5. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.
6. Follow Sckoon on Twitter.
7. Tweet about this giveaway with the following (once a day max): #Win Sckoon 100%organic cotton menstrual pads from @Sckoon and @moanasaves ends 4/11 http://bit.ly/h3aJAL

Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway.  He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S.  This giveaway ends Monday, 4/11/11 HST (Hawaii Standard Time).  One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org.  I will notify the winners via email and they must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I was not compensated for this post although I did receive free product samples to facilitate this review.  Any and all opinions are my own.

48 Things To Know About Sustainable Living: A Review and Giveaway

Living on an island can shape our perspective about how our lives impact the planet and either positively or negatively affect sustainability.  We're not suggesting that we are green experts.  Rather, we are interested in highlighting how we think, shop and spend can evolve so that can sustain the earth's future for our kids.  Plus we're looking at some really cool stuff! Stay tuned!

Wait! Stop! MoanaSaves Green Week is over and I have yet to submit this review!

The book is called 48 Things To Know About Sustainable Living and the reason it wasn't reviewed earlier is because I've been reading it and taking in all the ideas and resources that Victoria Klein offers the reader.

She's informative, she's practical, and she's fun. Klein seems to understand and empathize with the reader who may not know where to start with the whole sustainable living thing and then she provides additional resources for those of us who may feel like we do our best to live as responsible stewards of the earth but feel that we could always do better.

"Use it up. Wear it out, Make it do. Or do without."

This is the introductory golden nugget Klein uses in this book and it's one that my friend with six kids has been using since she was pregnant with her first. To me, this is how we can live. Less stuff and more awareness about our impact on the earth. That's the message of this book and it's helpful for everyone at any stage of sustainable living.

SHOP: You can purchase 48 Things to Know About Sustainable Living HERE.

WIN: The publisher of 48 Things to Know About Sustainable Living by Victoria Klein is offering one lucky Moana Saves reader his/her own copy of the book!  For your mandatory entry in this giveaway, tell us one thing you'd like to work on to make your life more green and sustainable.

To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a Networked Blogs follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).

2. Become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar).
3. Like Moana Saves on  Facebook

4. Follow Moana Saves on Twitter.

5. Follow Victoria Klein on Twitter.  

6. Tweet about this giveaway with the following (once a day max): #Win 48 Things to Know About Sustainable Living from @VictoriaKlein and @moanasaves ends 4/11 http://bit.ly/gvtOix

Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway.  He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S.  This giveaway ends Monday, 4/11/11 HST (Hawaii Standard Time).  One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org.  I will notify the winners via email and they must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

I was not compensated for this post although I did receive a free copy of the book to facilitate this review. Any and all opinions here are mine.