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When I had my first child, I would wash his clothes using Dreft only and all other clothing in the household using Tide. Now, with our second child on the way, I decided that instead of getting two separate detergents, I would look for one that would meet all my requirements and I’m able to do both the kids’ laundry and our laundry at the same time. I wanted a detergent that was natural, environmentally-friendly and safe. It was then that I decided to try out Seventh Generation’s Laundry Detergent.

Most detergents are made from petroleum-based cleaners, which use oil. But the Seventh Generation Laundry Detergents are plant-derived. Therefore, we are not depleting one of nature’s most valuable resources. They are non-toxic, biodegradable, contains no phosphates, artificial fragrances or dyes. They are also free from any animal testing.

I tried the liquid version but they also come in powder form. The one I got is their new and improved formula which is effective for use in cold water and specially formulated for both High Efficiency and standard washing machines. Just look for the blue and white HE symbol on the packaging.

For my first test load, I washed some of my clothes, my son’s clothes, some towels and some kitchen cloths. Everything came out clean and smelling really nice. Some grass and food stains that were on my son’s clothing were completely gone. What I also like about it is that the fragrance in this detergent is made out of natural essential oils and does not smell strong and synthetic like in some detergents. The Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent is ultra-concentrated, so you only have to use half of what you would normally use for other detergents and it works just as well, if not better. I think it’s a great product for those with allergies or sensitive skin. Highly recommended.

I used to think that juicing was tedious and time-consuming. That is until I purchased the Hamilton Beach 67600 Big Mouth Juicer. This is my first ever juicer and I love it! I’ve been using it for a week now and it is working great. I browsed around for quite awhile before settling on this model.  

This is a powerful 800-watt juicer that makes juicing so fast and easy. You don’t need to do as much cutting with your fruits and vegetables as it can take whole fruits and vegetables through a large 3’ chute, hence the name Big Mouth. It comes with an extra-large bin to collect the pulp. I just use a plastic bag to collect the pulp which makes cleaning so much easier and I save the pulp to use later in making soups and other dishes. The removable parts are dishwasher safe. This juicer is rather loud when being used. But it’s not a big deal for me. 

I have a toddler who hates eating vegetables. Problem solved with this juicer! I love the texture of the juice that this juicer produces. Very smooth, refreshing, clean and yummy. I think the stainless steel juice strainer that comes with it helps a lot with the smooth texture as well. I’m also surprised by how much juice I’m able to extract using this juicer. The trick is to use the plunger slowly to press the fruits/vegetables down. A brush is also included for you to clean the stainless steel strainer. It not only comes with instructions on how to use the juicer but there are also some recipes for juices for you to try and some recipes for the pulp as well! Best thing is, the Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Juicer is reasonably priced. I bought mine from Walmart for $50. Best $50 I’ve spent in awhile!  

There’s nothing yuckier than drinking lukewarm coffee or tea. I like mine piping hot but sometimes that’s hard to achieve when you’re on the road. So, in comes the fully programmable thermal auto mug. This sleek and stainless steel 16 oz mug with integrated heating element and insulated interior construction is powered by your car’s lighter adaptor. It is safe and convenient to use with an automatic shut-off function. It comes with a sure-grip handle, safety sip lid and a non-skid bottom. You can preset temperatures and it has an easy-to read digital LCD display for you to monitor the temperature and it also alerts you when your desired temperature is reached.

Ever wished you could have a personal trainer every time you go to the gym or workout at home? Well, now you can! With the Training Fan, it’s like having a portable trainer. The Training Fan is a tear-proof and sweat-proof guide to cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training. It’s a fitness guide that can help you customize your workout for the time you have available and the environment you are in. 

The exercises in the Training Fan are organized by muscle group. Within each group, you can choose exercises with no equipment, minimal equipment or machines. It is a great tool for beginners or even dedicated gym-goers with detailed explanation for each exercise and pictures to illustrate. The Training Fan is also great for frequent travelers. Just throw it in a suitcase to help you maintain your workout while you’re on the road especially when you do not have access to gym equipment. It even comes with 3 complete pre-set workouts. No more having to memorize moves from fitness books and magazines!  

There are also different versions of the Training Fans available – including Prenatal and Postpartum, Yoga, Pilates, etc. You can check them out at www.trainingfan.com. 

Can you believe it’s the end of January already??!! So, anyone here with a New Year resolution to lose weight or just to consume a more balanced diet and adopt healthier eating habits? If so, you might like to check out the CalorieSmart handheld electronic calorie counter.  

This little portable gadget will help you tailor your weight loss program and is more than just a calorie counter. It can provide you with nutritional information of over 35,000 food items, including items from over 250 restaurants and 500 brands. The CalorieSmart can be used to track your daily diet, log your exercise program and monitor how many calories you have burned. You can also personalize your CalorieSmart by adding up to an additional 1000 new food items and personal exercise information. 

With CalorieSmart, you can track Calories, Carbs, Fiber, Fat, Sodium and Protein. You can create favorite food lists, combine foods into meals for easy recording and calculate the nutrition content of your meals. You can get nutrient information for exact serving size that you consume (1/2 banana, 5 oz skim milk, etc.). You can also use the exercise log feature to track the amount of time you exercise and the calories burnt during that time. You can store up to 12 months of information in this handheld calorie counter to see long-term trends. 

The CalorieSmart uses 2 AAA batteries. It can be used on its own or be connected to a Vista or XP PC to view and print extensive reports and charts. The unit can also be set to display metric units. The CalorieSmart retails for approximately $80. 

Note : For those who are focusing on diabetes management, there is also a diabetes carb counter and planner called Track3, which has all the food and exercise features of the CalorieSmart to allow you to manage your diabetes.

If there is one household chore that I hate most, it has to be cleaning bathrooms. I will find all kinds of excuses to avoid completing this chore…that is, until I discovered the Mr. Clean MagicReach. I started with the Starter Kit which included one cleaning head, three pole sections, two Mopping Floor/Multipurpose pads, two Scrubbing Tub/Shower pads and instructions.  

The flexible cleaning head can be used as a hand tool by itself or it can be attached to the pole. The cleaning head has pointed ends to easily scrub corners and it is flexible enough to go around angles in your bathtub and around your toilet. For tougher stains, I would suggest using the flexible head as a hand tool by itself. 

The detachable pole is easy to assemble and extends up to 4 feet. By attaching the cleaning head to the pole you can clean up high in your shower stall, around the bottom of your tub and behind your toilet without having to get on your hands and knees to scrub hard to reach areas.  

The Mopping Floor/Multipurpose pads are pre-moistened for you to clean floors, sinks, countertops, etc. The Scrubbing Tub/Shower pads foams up when wet and is used to clean your bathtub. These disposable pads do have a strong citrus scent but they are not bad. When finished, simply remove the pad from the cleaning head and dispose of it in the trash. There are some surfaces you are not supposed to used these pads on, so be sure to read the instructions carefully prior to use.  

There is also a hook at the end of the pole if you wish to hang the Mr. Clean MagicReach when not in use. This product has definitely made cleaning bathrooms a lot easier for me. I would recommend this product for light and regular cleaning. But for tougher dirt and stains, you would probably need more than just the Mr. Clean MagicReach. But overall, I’m satisfied with its performance. Thank you, Mr. Clean.

Don’t you just hate cleaning ovens? If so, Nonstick Oven Liners can be a real life-saver. The Nonstick Oven Liners can be used for regular-sized ovens or trimmed to fit smaller ovens and toaster ovens. Simply place the Oven Liner at the bottom of your oven or on the bottom rack. Any spillovers will be so easy to clean. Even burned and baked-on foods can be easily wiped off. Clean with some warm soapy water or in the dishwasher.