CLOSED: Going Green with CVS (+ Gift Pack Giveaway)

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* Click here to view the name(s) of the winner(s)*

The Buzz:

With Earth Day right around the corner, the buzz around the Blogosphere is GREEN! Sadly after the excitement dies down and we slowly creep into the month of May, the drive, for many, to stay GREEN dwindles.

My family has been trying to inculcate a "greener" approach towards a lot of things in our home. As parents we understand that Bunny girl and Bunny Boo will naturally be more environmentally conscious if we make the effort to make 'Earth care' a way of life.

Something we have begun doing is minimizing our use of plastic bags and with the Green Bag Tag, the awesome new program initiated by CVS, both the Earth and the customer benefit!


How it works:

Each time you shop at CVS and carry out your purchases in a reusable bag or just carry out your purchases (basically when you decline the use of a plastic bag for your purchases.), show the cashier your CVS ExtraCare Card and your Green Bag Tag (the small, leaf-shaped tag made with 100 percent recycled and renewable materials).
On your 4th shopping trip, a 1$ ExtraBuck will print out at the cash register for use on anything in the store.

I personally think this is such a motivating way to get people to switch over completely to reusable bags.


That's Not All!

Now many of you may not know this but your favorite CVS store does carry their own range of earth friendly alternatives to many products that you use in your daily life. You can find these under their line- Earth Essentials.

This is a line of eco-friendly products providing high quality, green alternatives to everyday cleaning and household items. All the products are manufactured using an ecologically aware process with natural renewable ingredients and are packaged in recyclable bottles.


We had the opportunity to take a look at the Earth Essentials bowls, paper towels, toilet roll paper and kitchen bags.


Lets talk Green:

Earth Essentials bowls are made from sugarcane, are water resistant, oil resistant, microwaveable and biodegradable. Their paper products are made with 100% recycled fibers and are Greenpeace recommended. The durable trash bags are also environmentally friendly as they fully biodegrade in 2 years time.

I know eco-friendly products are not always economical but if you plan your purchases well and stock up when CVS has these on sale, you CAN buy these at prices you'd ordinarily buy your regular supplies at.


Buy it:

You can buy Earth Essentials products online or in your closest CVS Pharmacy.


Win it:

One reader will have the opportunity to win an Earth Essentials Gift Pack similar to the one featured in this post.


Here's how you can win it:

1. Mandatory entry (without this, all other entries will be disqualified)-

Tell me what your family is doing to try to be more environment conscious.


2. Love on the Sponsor-

- Follow CVS Pharmacy on Twitter

- Like CVS Pharmacy on Facebook

- Follow me on Twitter and tweet once daily...

RT @ebmommy #Win an #Earth Essentials Gift Pack from @CVS_Extra at EBMR's #GoGreen #Giveaway http://bit.ly/hect0L (5/7) #greenliving


3. Seven additional entries: (1 entry each)-

- Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect

- "Like" me on Facebook.

- Follow me on Networked Blogs

- Follow my feed via RSS

- Subscribe via email to receive EBMR's blog updates

-Snag my Blog button

-Blog about this giveaway (leave a comment with a link to your blog post)


* Please ensure your Blogger Profile holds your email address. If it's set to private or your email address does not show, please add the same in your comments*


This giveaway is open to US Residents only, 18 years and above. 1 winner will be chosen with the random.org generator on May 7, 2011 at 10 pm Central time.





** EBMR Disclaimer: CVS sent me the featured products for review purposes only. This post has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way

Labels: CVS Pharmacy, Earth Day, Earth Essentials, eco friendly, More giveaways, Reviews / Giveaways

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 11:04 AM 211 Comments

CLOSED: Earth Day everyday with Virescent. (+ Giveaway)

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* Click here to view the name(s) of the winner(s)*

The Buzz:

While Earth Day may technically fall on April 22th, co-founders Noelle McCarthy and Anne Damphousse of Virescent, an eco-friendly fundraising company, believe every day should be Earth Day. Earth Day can be an opportunity to reinforce children's environmental education in the classroom through real life activities that encourage their passion for a greener world.

One major way to promote a greener world with children is to make using reusable bags a family habit. Chances are that your children come along with you on shopping excursions, so enlist them to help you remember your reusable bag.

As Earth Day quickly approaches, Virescent provides the following tips to keep kids excited and involved not just for Earth Day, but for years to come.



1. Answer the question:

How many plastic bags did your family avoid using this year? Ask the older children to keep a running tab of how many plastic bags you save each time you shop with reusable bags. For example, one Virescent Shopper can hold the equivalent of two plastic bags of groceries.


2. Create a financial incentive:

Many grocery stores now give you $.05 for every reusable bag that you use when shopping. Let the kids keep a running tally of how much money you save (it should be on the receipt) and maybe give it to them or your favorite family charity after it accumulates.


3. Choose the right size and color:

Let them choose a favorite reusable bag that is the perfect size for them—(Virescent’s mini and even a sport sack are great for the younger ones). And of course choose a cool one for yourself so you want to take it everywhere!




Some other tips to keep in mind:

• Keep the bags on a hook near the front door.
• Purchase a bag that is small enough to hook to your keychain or keep in your purse.
• Keep a set of bags in the trunk of your car. Once you unpack your items, put the bags by the door so you will remember to bring them back out to your trunk.
• Put a big sign on the inside of the front door (or on a bulletin board near the door) as a reminder, "Remember Your Bags!"
• Write “REUSABLE BAGS” on your shopping list. You may not notice it before you get into the store, but you'll probably catch it before you make it all the way to the checkout. Resign yourself to running back to the car!

You CAN make a difference!



E.B. Mommy's Report:

Our family has been trying to make a very conscious effort to cut down on our use of plastic bags. We always keep 2-3 reusable bags in each car for those impromptu stops at the grocery store. I will admit that plastic bags have not been "banished" completely but the cut back has been significantly huge!

I love the green on teal Virescent Shopper I own mainly because it looks classy, roomy and very unlike most of my other reusable bags. I love that it can be used for our groceries, library books and even to carry a few "Bunny Boo" essentials when making those quick dashes to and from Bunny girl's preschool. (The inner pockets come in handy to stash away my phone and car keys!)


The bag is made from recycled cotton, is durable and very chic. Plus it always makes sense to shop from a company whose foundational pillars are based on style, sustainability and social responsibility in the fundraising marketplace.

Virescent's stylishly designed, eco-friendly, reusable, American made Shoppers are definitely worth checking out!


Win it:

One reader will have the opportunity to win a stylish, reusable, eco-friendly Virescent shopping bag, picked especially for you by the sponsor.


Here's how you can win it:

1. Mandatory entry (without this, all other entries will be disqualified)-

Visit Virescent and tell me which Shopper you'd love to own.


2. Love on the Sponsor-

- Like Virescent on Facebook

- Follow me on Twitter and tweet once daily...

RT @ebmommy #Win a chic reusable ecofriendly bag from Virescent. at EBMR's Go Green Giveaway http://bit.ly/fN0tOz (4/30) #earthday


3. Seven additional entries: (1 entry each)-

- Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect

- "Like" me on Facebook.

- Follow me on Networked Blogs

- Follow my feed via RSS

- Subscribe via email to receive EBMR's blog updates

-Snag my Blog button

-Blog about this giveaway (leave a comment with a link to your blog post)


* Please ensure your Blogger Profile holds your email address. If it's set to private or your email address does not show, please add the same in your comments*


This giveaway is open to US Residents only, 18 years and above. 1 winner will be chosen with the random.org generator on April 30, 2011 at 10 pm Central time.





** EBMR Disclaimer: Virescent sent me the featured product for review purposes only. This post has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way

Labels: Earth Day, eco friendly, More giveaways, Reviews / Giveaways, Virescent

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 4:33 PM 66 Comments

"African Cats" (Disneynature's Earth Day Production)

Leaping into theaters on Earth Day, 2011, “African Cats” is an epic true story set against the backdrop of one of the wildest places on Earth, “African Cats” captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna.

Narrated by Oscar®-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson, the story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion and his sons.


Disneynature brings “The Lion King” to life on the big screen in this True Life Adventure directed by Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill (“Earth”). An awe-inspiring adventure blending family bonds with the power and cunning of the wild, “African Cats” leaps into theatres on Earth Day, April 22, 2011.


“African Cats” hits theaters everywhere on Earth Day, April 22nd!



During the film’s opening week (April 22-28), a portion of the proceeds from that week’s ticket sales will be donated to the African Wildlife Foundation through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to protect the Amboseli Wildlife Corridor, a passage between the Amboseli, Tsavo West and Chyulu Hills National Parks that is frequently used by lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, giraffes and a host of other animals in the African savanna.

A host of compelling and unique social initiatives allows participants to make a difference, giving them the power to pledge their intent to see the film, support the cause and spread the word to others.


Like AFRICAN CATS on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/Disneynature.

By becoming a fan of Disneynature on Facebook, participants have the ability to interact with “African Cats” content daily. Furthermore, liking, commenting on and sharing the content with friends spreads the viral reach of the film's message and philanthropic mission exponentially.


Pledge to see “African Cats” on Eventful:

http://eventful.com/africancats

Fans pledge to see “African Cats” opening week by logging onto http://eventful.com/africancats. Participants can watch how honoring that pledge can effectively save the savanna. A real-time counter will show how many people have participated, and there will also be a graphical map representing the number of acres across the savanna that are being conserved based upon the number of pledges received. Upon arriving at the theater, fans can check in via their mobile device to win special prizes.


Join the “African Cats” grassroots community and donate to the African Wildlife Foundation on Causes:

http://www.causes.com/africancats

Fans can join the “African Cats” grassroots community on Causes by signing the pledge to help Africa's lions and other imperiled wildlife survive and thrive for generations to come. Additionally, users are given the opportunity to enhance Disneynature’s commitment by donating directly to the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) via the platform.



Buy tickets through Disney Tickets Together, invite friends and Disneynature will double its donation:

http://www.DisneyTicketsTogether.com

Disney Tickets Together, Facebook's first social ticketing application, allows fans to engage with the film by inviting friends to see “African Cats” and purchase tickets for local theaters without ever leaving Facebook. For all “African Cats” events created in Tickets Together, Disney will increase the donation to the Save the Savanna fund for every "Yes" RSVP that the events receive. The application launches during the week of April 18.

Don't forget....
“African Cats,” will be released in theaters worldwide and will open in North America on April 22, 2011.

Tickets for groups of 20 or more are available in the United States by calling 1-888-DISNEY6.

Labels: African Cats, Disney, Disneyhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifNature, Earth Day

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 8:02 AM 0 Comments

Celebrate Earth day with Dirt Girl World (Sprout Flash)

Celebrate Earth with your preschooler and Sprout with the first green living preschool series on green living......Dirt Girl World


Premiering today(4/22), introduce your preschooler to gumboot wearing, tractor driving, 'au natural' Dirt girl, her next door buddy Scrap boy, Grubby the grub, Ken the weevil, Roger the rooster and a bunch of other eco-friendly friends.

Watch an Earth day marathon today with Dirt Girl World from 12.00pm- 3.00pm (E.T.) and ofcourse your first intro to Dirt girl and her buddies on The Sunny Side Up show exclusively on Sprout.


For more eco-fun with Dirt girl themed crafts, games, videos and coloring pages, visit Sprout online.
Encourage your little one to post their colored Dirt girl artwork on the Facebook page versus printing out the pages, as an 'earth friendly' activity.

To inculcate more 'Love your Planet' tips visit the Sprout for Parents site...lots of great 'green' resources!

Happy Earth Day!!

Labels: Dirt girl, Earth Day, Sprout Flash

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 8:07 AM 1 Comments

Disney's Earth Day Promotion......& Disney Nature's Oceans!

Tomorrow is also the long awaited release of Disney Nature's Oceans. We got to watch Disney Nature's Earth last year and were blown away with the awesomeness of God's Creation on the wide screen. In no way are we going to miss watching Oceans in our local theatre!


* Remember if you watch Oceans anytime during the opening week, Disney Nature will make a donation on your behalf to save the coral reefs. *

You can also try to win yourself a pair of tickets to watch Oceans with Brita's instant win game.

Bunny girl has been counting down days since the past month and I think we will hit the theatre this weekend. Can't wait!!

(I guess I'm also excited because we got to watch Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato perform the theme song 'Make a Wave' for the very first time, at the Disney Social Media Mom's big dinner.)

Labels: Deals 'n' more, Disney, Earth Day, Oceans, recycle, Social Media Moms Celebration 2010

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 11:43 AM 0 Comments