Herbs Gone Wild! Ancient Remedies Turned Loose by Diane Kidman – eBook Now Available!

15. August 2011 · 3 comments · Categories: Books, Herbalism, News · Tags: , , , ,

In case you haven’t yet heard the latest buzz, I’ve released a new eBook called “Herbs Gone Wild! Ancient Remedies Turned Loose” which you can find on bot Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you’ve enjoyed reading my herbal remedies on dkMommy Spot, you’ll definitely want to pick up a copy while it’s at the introductory price of only 99¢! Heck, send copies to friends and family too. (Really, I don’t mind.)

Herbs Gone Wild! features natural home remedies for everything from cold and flu viruses to depression, eczema, high blood pressure, and arthritis. Simple instructions, easy dosages for teas and tinctures, and even witty banter and entertaining anecdotes.

The eBook even includes a handy list called the Herbal Medicine Chest, which gives you quick reference to over 70 herbs, including dosages and more.

I’d be thrilled to hear from you at themommyspot (at) gmail (dot) com once you’ve read the book. If you have remedies of your own that you like, let me know. I may just share them in a future eBook!

To purchase your own copy of “Herbs Gone Wild! Ancient Remedies Turned Loose” while it’s still only 99¢, visit Amazon or Barnes & Noble today!

How to Get Stains Out of Carpet Naturally with Vapamore MR-50

27. May 2011 · 1 comment · Categories: Cleaning, Household, Product Review · Tags: , ,

If you need to know how to get stains out of your carpet naturally, you’ve come to the right place, because I’ve recently tested the Vapamore MR-50 Portable Wet / Dry Steamvac.  I have a child.  And four pets. And white carpet…  so I’m the perfect testing ground.  When I was first asked to test the Vapamore MR-50, I thought, “Well, alright.  But you don’t know my carpet.”  Since the unit can also clean and sanitize things other than carpet, I figured it wouldn’t be a total loss if I couldn’t remove carpet stains.  On top of that, I figured I wasn’t being fair to it, testing it firstly on an old stain right in the entryway where my son had spilled dark chocolate goop on the white berber.  I can see that area of carpet from where I sit now; but I don’t see a stain.  It’s totally “Vapamorized.”

The unit is simple, lightweight, and takes up very little space.  It’s like a hand vacuum, but it has a water tank and steam mechanism.  To remove the stain, I added water to the tank, waited about 20 seconds for it to heat, and with the provided brush attachment, I went over the area and watched the stain disappear.  With just water.  Afterwards, I flipped the switch and the unit sucked the water back out of the carpet, along with the dirt and old grime.  Easy!

I’ve been able to use the Vapamore as a regular handheld vacuum, too.  It’s quite convenient to have around.  And since it can sanitize, that means I can do some deep cleaning on that kitchen floor, which for some reason, my son has found to be an irresistible spot to play with his cars.  I use it often because cleaning it out is easy and much quicker than dealing with a regular vacuum.

If you have allergies or asthma in your family, then you’re probably used to scrounging around for safe household cleaners, since these are major triggers of upper respiratory issues.  The Vapamore uses water and only water for its cleaning, so you won’t have to worry about unhealthy cleaning products.

Overall, this really is a great product, and one I wholeheartedly recommend.  When you’re trying to figure out how to get stains out of your carpet, and you want to do it naturally, you really can’t go wrong with the Vapamore MR-50 – a worthy investment.

A “Blogger’s Down” Giveaway Special: NOOR Organic Cotton Top by BOA

13. May 2011 · 103 comments · Categories: Contest, Product Review

It’s a “Blogger is Down” special:  The giveaways I’m currently running at An Uncommon Thread, such as this one for a $150 Gift Card to Indigenous Designs, are being hosted here as well!  Since dkMommy Spot is NOT on Blogger, you can enter here without problem.

Spring and summer fashion should celebrate the bright rays of the sun and the arrival of bursts of color at long last, and BOA is doing their part this week by giving away one Ladies’ NOOR Organic Top.  Offered in Henna, Indigo, and my favorite Saffron, this long sleeve top is perfect for spring temperatures, summer evenings, or those long, breezy beach days.

I’ve been wearing my NOOR top in the beautifully warm Saffron color, which does the heart good.  The elastic at cuffs and waist fit comfortably, and the low neckline gives plenty of play for a favorite necklace and the sunshine.  It’s perfect for shorts and jeans, looks great with a skirt.  Truly a go-anywhere top, one can definitely feel the Moroccan-made influence in this piece.

In fact, all the clothing you’ll find at BOA is made organic and natural fabrics. Italian mother-daughter owners, Sara and Cristina, partner up with the local people of Morocco where they now live, and they ensure their products are ethical and responsible.  I was quite impressed with their packaging, for instance.  Mine arrived carefully packed in a recycled box, and each item was placed in its own reusable cotton bag.  To me, that proves a company really means their commitment to eco-fashion.

I’d love for you to discover more about BOA, and to do that, we’re giving away one NOOR top, to TWO winners, in their choice of color and size.  Open for entry through May 17. 2011.

Here’s how to enter:

1.  Visit BOA.  Come back here and tell me what else you liked or learned about them. (You may do this once daily, but please comment on a new item each time.)

2.  Blog about, Twitter, and/or Facebook a link to this giveaway; come back here and tell me you did it.

Two winners will be randomly selected after one week and contacted via email.  The winners will receive a NOOR top in their choice of color and size.

A “Blogger’s Down” Giveaway Special: $150 Gift Card to Indigenous Designs!

13. May 2011 · 94 comments · Categories: Contest, Product Review

It’s a “Blogger is Down” special:  The giveaways I’m currently running at An Uncommon Thread, such as this one for a $150 Gift Card to Indigenous Designs, are being hosted here as well!  Since dkMommy Spot is NOT on Blogger, you can enter here without problem.

If you’ve got the urge for a little shopping spree, then you’re in the right place; because right here, Indigenous Designs is giving away a $150 Gift Certificate to their online store!  Focusing on free trade and organic cotton fashions for men and women, they offer several appealing items, such as this Disco Top (seen on the left).  And there’s more good news – a second winner will be selected to win their own!
I’ve been wearing the Disco Top, and I love the comfortable feel of the organic cotton.  As dressy as it is, it feels like wearing my favorite tee without looking anything, thank goodness, like my favorite tee.  It’s a rather versatile cut with a stretchy, clingy style that allows you to wear it long and lean or high and crunched.  I like how I can shift it around for different looks and it stays comfortably in place.  Either way, this top gives a nice slimming look.  Paired with a long, dramatic necklace, it offers a style that’s all its own.
Of course, if you win the $150 gift certificate, you’ll be able to choose from many more styles as well.  And sinceIndigenous Designs features only 100% natural and organic fabrics with low impact dyes, and because their clothing is all fair trade from Peruvian artisans, you’ll not only look good in your clothes; you’ll feel good about them too.

Ready to enter to win?  One winner will receive a $150 Gift Certificate.  Another will win a Disco Top ($55 retail). Just follow the simple entry guidelines below!

Multiple entries possible!

1.) Visit Indigenous Designs, then go to their Facebook Page and tell them what you liked and why.  Don’t forget!  This is your main entry.

2.) ONLY AFTER LEAVING A COMMENT ON FB: For extra entries, you can Twitter, Facebook, and/or blog about this giveaway.  Leave me a comment telling me you did it.

***Winners of the Indigenous Designs $150 Gift Certificate and the Disco Top will be notified via the Facebook page, so be sure to check there on May 17th to see if you’ve won!

All A-Bubble for Sodastream

27. October 2010 · 2 comments · Categories: Product Review · Tags: , ,

I admit it – I was skeptical. As often happens, I was asked to review an item that I wasn’t very sure about. After all, it meant I might have to give up some precious countertop space, and we don’t even drink soda. But we do love our sparkling waters, and I was getting tired of recycling the mounds of glass bottles, not to mention the expense and all that carting of water back and forth – water that was often from embarrassingly far and away places. When I found out Sodastream had a unit with glass bottles instead of plastic, and that it consumed no electricity, and that the water was from my own sink, I said, “Okay, you’re on.”

I’ve been testing Sodastream’s Penguin unit, and my first impression was that it was cool and darned cute, simultaneously. The glass carafes are beautiful and sturdy, and the caps are well-built engineering wonders that cap the bottles securely. As soon as I placed the Penguin on my countertop, I knew I wouldn’t have issues with losing space – the unit is more vertical than horizontal, and it actually requires very little space. And since it doesn’t plug in (hallelujah!) I don’t have to worry about where another cord will have to go.

Making the soda water is so simple and requires so little time, that I actually enjoy doing it. And the end result? Water with just the amount of fizz we like. (You can use less or more fizz, according to your personal preference.) Of course since we’re using our own filtered water it tastes great, and we’ve been thoroughly enjoying adding a squeeze of lemon or lime, or adding some of the water to juices for our own sparkling beverages. Sodastream makes a line of flavors, and I tried the Apple Mango from their Sparkling Naturals line. Lots of flavor, made with juice, no artificial colors or flavors. If you enjoy flavored sodas, then this is a good alternative to that high fructose stuff at the supermarket. But for me, surprisingly, I’m more apt to grab the bottle and chug the plain water.

Which leads me to the best part of all: My family is drinking much more water than we did before! Sodastream definitely gets that tiny bit of counter space, no problem. I’m happy to have our Penguin at the ready. And since I can get those carbonators refilled at several locations within a few miles of my house, I have a feeling we found one of those kitchen accessories that become immediately indispensable!

Healthy, no plastic, economical, easy to use. And so cute.

The Penguin stays.

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