Let the celebration begin!

Green Grandma with her Siberian Forest Cat, Theo Van Gogh

Three years ago today, I launched this blog and Green Grandma was born. So today is sort of an anniversary and birthday all rolled into one. I must admit, GG takes up a lot more time than I ever anticipated... a whole lot more. But the rewards have been countless, as I see lives changed and hear stories about how GG has helped people in a variety of ways.

Like this story from Courtney (my favorite, by far):

Recently I got a book titled “Vinegar Fridays” written by a woman named Hana Haatainen Caye, who also has a blog entitled “Green Grandma” (Check it out). Anyways, thanks to this book, I have replaced almost every harmful chemical in my house with vinegar and water mixtures. Including, shampoo! So, today, I was hanging out having my morning coffee and banana, when I hear my 9 Month old rustling in something. For those of us who have or have had 9 month olds, they get into EVERYTHING.  I walk over, just to take a peek, and she is sucking on the nozzle of a spray bottle from under our sink. Now, 2 months ago, that would have been a very harmful chemical based cleaner with bleach as the primary ingredient. But, thanks to this book, all it was, was Vinegar and water! Thank you to VInegar Fridays and awesome people like Green Grandma for sharing the wealth! Do yourself a favor and check out her blog. Also, check out Vinegar Fridays, it helps you save money, the environment, and obviously, my 9 Month old’s life!!

Can it get any better than that?!

Of course, no one's life has changed more than mine due to GG. After all, I started off simply talking about cloth diapers. I wanted to inform others about the toxins in disposable diapers and the dangers they present to your little one's health. That was important to me. As time went by, I started learning more and more about toxins and their threat to us as a society. As I learned, I shared. And I started ridding my own home of toxins I didn't even realize were dangerous. Sometimes, I shake my head in disbelief that I could have been so stupid. After all, I have a severe chemical sensitivity, yet I was still using fabric softener two years ago and spraying Febreeze around as recently as a year ago. Gasp! What was wrong with me?! Unfortunately, I'm sure there are things I'm still using that I won't be a year from now! Every week, I learn something new. I learn. I grow. I change the way I do things.

A year ago, I'd never heard of Monsanto. I didn't know what a GMO was. I hadn't tried coconut oil or coconut sugar. I hadn't discovered the wonders of Wildwood Soapworks or Clean and Green Odor and Stain Remover. Now, not only am I totally sold on the products of both companies, but I'm also thrilled to welcome them as sponsors of my blogiversary celebration event!

That's one of the best parts of having this blog... meeting wonderful people in this community, including the owners of businesses who believe in what Green Grandma stands for and are choosing to stand beside me to make this an awesome event! People like Mama Melinda from the incomparable Earth Mama Angel Baby, Adam and Lilli from Happy Baby Company, Al and Trina from Leaf and Bud Naturals, Jen from big {happy} wall, Jill from Green Baby Clothing Company, and so many more.

Throughout this coming week, I will be posting separate Rafflecopters for each of the following prizes. Each day from Tuesday through Friday will be themed and you have until midnight EST on August 31st to enter to win. Winners will be contacted via email on September 1st and will have 48 hours to respond. If I do not receive a response in that time, I will select a different winner. And, yes, you can will more than one prize. It's all up to the Rafflecopter to make the selections. However, I will verify the entries.

Here are the prizes up for grabs:

Tuesdays are for Cleaning up!

• Medium box (100 loads) of Eco Nuts (value $12)
• Bag of Lulu's in the Fluff and a $20 Gift Certificate to Happy Baby Company (value $33.95)
• Starter kit from Eat Cleaner (value $20)
• Can of Clean+Green® by SeaYu® Odor & Stain Remover (value $9.99)
• 3 pk of HankyBooks (value $17.95)

Wednesdays are for A Hodgepodge of Goodies!

• Fall Mini Photo Session with big {happy} wall (Pittsburgh), including 2-4 images and $25 credit toward prints (value $200)
• Custom-Designed Art/Photo Display Kit from Petite Paintbrush (value $10)
• ECO-Effect book by Neale Godfrey (3 books for 3 winners) (value $16.99 each)
• $25 Gift Certificate for glass straws from Glass Dharma (value $25)
• Healthy Puppy Pack from Natural Products Network (value $60)

Thursdays are for Baby and Mama Care!

• Nipple Cream and Diaper Rash & Thrush Cream from Motherlove (value $19.90)
• 2 pk. Posh Pads Washable Bamboo Nursing Pads and 2 pk 7" Mini Washable It's A Girl Thing PERIOD Panty Liners (value $24.90)
• Tots Bots Easyfit Diaper from Thanks Mama (value $23.95)
• Handmade Plush Crocheted Giraffe from The Crunchy Farm Baby Shop (value $18.00)
• Baltic Amber Teething Necklace from Green Baby Clothing Company (value $17.00)

Fridays are for Personal Care!

• Relax Package from Wildwood Soapworks, including Lavender Soap, Lavender Twist-up Solid Lotion, Golden Slumbers Sleep Balm and Lavender Lime Lip Balm (value $27.80)
• 2 Tubes of Multi Healing Balm and a Snack Pack Cooler (value $25.90+)
• $30 Gift Certificate from Leaf & Bud Naturals (value $30)
• Deodorant for Men & Women by Earthly Remedies by Erin (value $9.50)
• Mama's Herbal First Aid Bundle (value $49.95)

As you can see, it's going to be an awesome week for the Green Grandma community as we embark on our fourth year of sharing our thoughts, ideas, facts and opinions with the community. I hope I can touch your life somehow in the upcoming year.

Stop back tomorrow for a chance to win something in the Cleaning Up package!And thanks for being a part of the best blog community on the web!

Keeping it green and healthy,

Hana