Spring into Cash Event -- Who wants to win a $250 VISA card?

Welcome to the Spring Into Cash Sweepstakes!

 

It's been a long, cold, snowy winter for many of us and perhaps we have never before so eagerly awaited the coming of spring. Watching the crocuses emerge through the frozen ground; hearing the birds singing their morning hymns of praise; pausing for a few extra minutes at the mailbox as we soak in the sun's warmth. Ahhhhh. Spring. For those of you who live in areas where you don't have the extremes of the four seasons, you just don't know what you're missing. As with all things, we tend to take for granted that which is readily available, like warm, sunny afternoons. For those of us who've endured this polar vortex of a winter, nothing tastes quite as good as spring air. Right? Well, I'm happy to be part of making spring extra sweet this year by teaming up with Mom Powered Media, Mamamusing, The World of ContestPatti, Nest Full of New, The Nina Show, Growing Up Bilingual, Memoirs of a Clueless Woman, Faith Filled Food for Moms, Grown Ups Magazine and the MPM blogging networking to bring you this amazing Spring event.

Two lucky winners will each receive a $250 Visa Gift Card.

 

Giveaway ends April 10th at 11:59pm, open worldwide, ages 18+. Only one entrant per household. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Winners outside of the US will receive $250 via Paypal instead of the Visa Card by mail. Complete each task on the giveaway form below to earn entries.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. We are not associated with any of the companies named above. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received. Confirmed Winner(s) (by Random.org) will be contacted by email. Winner(s) have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this sweepstakes. Green Grandma is not responsible for product shipment/delivery. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com if you have any additional questions or comments.

It's soon time to play in the dirt

We had a little taste of spring over the weekend, and then it snowed again. But at least we had that delectable nibble, which was enough to sustain us for the few weeks remaining of winter. 

Planting peas soon. Can't wait!

A few days ago, we picked up some of the seeds for our balcony vegetable garden. We searched out organic, non-GMO seeds and I encourage you to do the same. If we want to avoid GMOs and pesticides, we have to start in our own gardens! Don't be seduced by the cheaper products. It's just not worth it, folks.

I don't have a lot to say on the subject, but I do want to ask those of you growing gardens this year to commit to growing organic ones, free from the dirty hands of Monsanto, Dow, Bayer, and the likes. Let's speak with our wallets this spring and send the message LOUD AND CLEAR to the powers that be. We do not want, nor will we buy, genetically messed with seeds and plants.

While you're at it, make sure your gardening center is not selling plants treated with neonicotinoid pesticides, like the plants at Home Depot and Lowe's. And boycott them if they do!

Oh, and watch which kind of potting soil you use. If it's not organic, you can bet it's loaded with stuff you just don't want in your food. Just a thought...

Enjoy the coming spring and the harvest that will follow,

Fathers -- what signals success?

 

Successful fatherhood

involves daily drops of 

kindness,

support,

and love.

~ Reed Markham                       

A sweet Vinegar Friday

TGIVF!! 

As promised, the first Friday of every month is officially Vinegar Friday! Today, I'm sharing a brand new tip I'm excited about. If you like grapefruit, this just might excite you, too!

Image by Peter Griffin

A couple of weeks ago, my son-in-law, Rob, asked me if I've ever tried apple cider vinegar on grapefruit. "No," I said. "Why?"

"I heard it sweetens it without having to use sugar."

"Really?" I asked, thinking it sounded a bit odd. "Have you tried it?" 

"Not yet."

"Well, let me know what you think when you do."

Last night, my daughter, Jessica, called me to let me know the verdict, as I haven't tried it myself. She gave it a thumbs up. Here's what she said:

You just take a teaspoon and sprinkle it on the grapefruit. Then let it sit for a minute or two. It was delicious. The apple cider vinegar added a sweet apple taste to the grapefruit.

Yes! To think diabetics and others who are trying to avoid sugar and artificial sweeteners can now enjoy grapefruit is amazing. All you need is a little bit of ACV! Jessica used Bragg unfiltered organic raw ACV. I imagine filtered would work as well, but I can't swear by it.

Now I'm looking forward to picking up some grapefruit and giving it a shot. 

Even Dr. Oz apparently recommends adding apple cider vinegar to grapefruit juice to aid in weight loss. Unfortunately, from what I've read on his website, he doesn't stress the importance of using the raw, unfiltered ACV when seeking the weight loss benefits. Bad mistake, Dr. Oz! I can't tell you how frustrated I get with him over this. Oh well. At least you all know the difference.

Warning: Because the juice from grapefruit blocks certain enzymes in the wall of the small intestine, destroying some medications and preventing absorption, people taking certain medications should not consume grapefruit. These medications include some statins, psychiatric drugs, antihistamines, and more. Please check with your physician or pharmacist before adding grapefruit to your diet.

That's it for this month. Check back on April 4th for some more vinegar tips.

Keeping it yummy with vinegar,

 

For a whole slew of vinegar tips, check out my book, Vinegar Fridays, available on Amazon. Signed books are also available for $10, including shipping, by emailing me at greengrandma@comcast.net.

Katie's story

Thank you, Katie, for sharing this intimate look into what it's like to have a mother who struggles with addiction. 

 

Photo by George Hodan

It’s always hard for me to explain my mom’s lengthy history with drug addiction to others. I’ll preface my experience by saying that I love my mother. For most of my life, she was an amazing role model. She was my school lunch lady, an awesome Christian mom, and my best friend. I never even knew that she had been an addict until she relapsed when I was 14 years old.

Since then, her life (and our relationship) has deteriorated greatly. I was a teenager. I needed a mom to help me with boyfriend drama, to go prom dress shopping with, and to help me pick a college. Instead, she got worse and worse until I went weeks without seeing her. I tried to support her, love her, and provide for her. I remember a friend in college saying to me, “You have a choice now. You can either live your life, or her life.” At that moment, I knew that I was limited in what I could do for her. I love her, but I cannot support the decisions she continues to make.

I never know whether my mother is clean or not. When I was younger, I would defend her to the ends of the earth. My world would shatter when I found out that she had relapsed again. Sometimes it would be a month, maybe even half a year, but she would always go back to cocaine. Now, it doesn’t matter what she says, I will always be skeptical when she tells me that she is clean. It’s not that I don’t trust her… it’s that I can’t. She cannot help but lie about her addiction; it comes to her like breathing.

Recently, I made the decision to allow my mom to begin healing on her own. This was the hardest decision I have had to make so far, especially because I am pregnant with my first child. I asked her to please respect my wishes and not to contact me. My mom was angry. She accused me of being selfish, ungrateful, and spiteful. I expected this.

I didn’t expect how difficult it would be for me. I want my mom’s advice, her help, and her love for this child.  I know she loves me and she loves her grandchild, but she is making decisions that put us in jeopardy. I cannot allow my child to be around her for fear she is high, carrying drugs, or around persons who would put us in jeopardy.

I pray for her daily and hope we can have a relationship in the future. But right now, I know that she needs to start healing on her own. Call it tough love, call it what you will, I just hope this works because nothing else has. 

***

If you have an addiction story to share, please email me at greengrandma@comcast.net.

P.U. It stinks in here

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. Green Grandma received product and/or compensation in exchange for this post.

Stinky situation? Well, you know I'm not going to recommend room fragrance, plug ins, or air freshener sprays. But here's an idea that is safe and effective in removing odors.

A Brief Overview of the Benefits of Ozone Machines

When a home or business is plagued by unwanted and unpleasant odors, it can be extremely frustrating. Bad smells are not like dirt or grime that can be cleaned up with the simple swipe of a sponge. Many people attempt to air out a space which is permeated with unwanted scents by opening windows or masking the odors with air fresheners. However, with strong smells from cigarettes, pets, or cooking, these tactics only serve to temporarily solve the issue, or in many cases, they will even make the problem worse. Fortunately, there is a way to remove all odors from an environment in a safe, clean, effective way. OdorFree ozone machines have been built and designed to serve just this purpose. These generators are one of the only surefire tactics by which strong, lingering odors can be removed. Many may wonder how these machines work and why they are so effective. Let's take a look at the facts and figures behind these generators. 

Ozone Generators: How They Work

Have you ever noticed how in nature there is a fresh, clean smell throughout the environment? This is because in the outdoors, odors are dispersed by natural O₃ (ozone) created by either ultra violet light or lighting. In an indoor environment, there is very little UV light or lighting available to produce the ozone needed to remove odors. This is why smells seem to linger and stick to surfaces. Ozone machines solve this issue by generating the O₃ that is generally lacking in indoor areas, thus eliminating unwanted smells. Ozone essentially cleans a household or business by breaking down pollutants and microorganisms that produce unpleasant odors.

When an ozone generator is employed to eliminate smells, regular oxygen  (O₂) is changed to ozone (O₃). If the ozone is unused, then it will revert back to oxygen within about an hour. This is how an area is rendered odor free. The fresh clean air is circulated and the odor has been eliminated at its source -- permanently removing smells that may have been lingering for years. The best part is that there are no artificial scents attempting to mask unpleasant smells, so the area is left smelling completely fresh and new.
 

Where and When to Use an Ozone Generator

Some may be wondering, "When is the best time to utilize ozone machines and in what areas should they be employed?" An ozone generator can be used at any time in any indoor space, as long as the space is vacated during the treatment. Because of the advanced technology used in these machines, they are effective in nearly every space, no matter what kinds of smells have attached themselves to the area. It is important to consider that the longer a smell has been lingering, the longer it will take to eliminate the odor. For example, in a home where smoking has been the norm for years, it may take a day or two to completely remove the smell. If there is an unwanted smell that has only been present for a few weeks, then it may take only a few hours. When you use ozone machines, the area needs to be vacated for the duration of the process and for about an hour afterwards. You will return to a completely freshened environment with new air and no smells.

Addiction. It's not just about Hollywood

News of Philip Seymour Hoffman's death was devastating to his friends, colleagues, family members and fans. Unfortunately, it was more of the same... Hollywood's finest snatched away by the lure of drugs. They paid the ultimate price and left nothing but questions and regrets in the shattered debris of what had been a promising life. 

But it's not just celebrities who succumb to the seduction of drugs. Most of us know someone battling this addiction. Many of us know someone whose life was taken because of it. It's not about those people anymore. No. It's about all of us. In January, fourteen people lost their lives in the Pittsburgh area alone. 

Heroin has become a serious threat to our young people. Parents -- you have a right and a responsibility to look out for your kids. If that means violating their privacy in order to keep them alive, go for it. I truly believe that part of the problem with kids getting hooked on heroin is because they have parents that don't want to interfere with their lives. Too many parents want to be BFFs with their kids and shake off the responsibility of authority like a dog shakes off water after a swim in the pond.  

On Thursday, I'll be sharing Katie's personal story of what it's like to have a mom with an addiction to cocaine. It's heartbreaking. 

If you have a personal addiction story you would like to share, please email me at greengrandma@comcast.net. Let's share our pain. Maybe, somehow, we'll reach someone and make a difference.

Caring about you and your kids,

Tell Costco NO to Frankenfish!

If you're one of the thousands who do not want to buy/eat genetically engineered salmon and other GE seafood, there is good news. Over 60 retailers in the U.S. have committed to not selling unlabeled GMO salmon. The retailers include the two largest conventional grocery chains in the states -- Kroger and Safeway. Our voices have made the difference and now over 9,000 stores will not be carrying GMO salmon. There's something to celebrate! 


There wouldn't even be an issue here if the FDA would step up to the plate and reject GE salmon, which is unlikely to happen. If they approve it, this will be a landmark decision in that it will be the first time in history that a genetically engineered animal has been approved for human consumption.  And this is despite countless warnings from scientists issuing warnings of the implications this could create. Implications such as health and environmental risks. The bottom line is we could all be eating frankenfish without even knowing it, since labeling seems to be optional according to the FDA.

As one of the largest retailers of seafood in the U.S., Costco is also one of the last significant retailers to make a commitment not to sell genetically modified salmon.

This is where your voices matter once again! Join Green Grandma, Friends of the Earth and others by sending a message to Craig Jelinek, CEO of Costco, letting him know you do not want GMO salmon in their seafood cases. 

Even if the FDA decides to move forward with its approval of GE salmon, the public can make a difference by refusing to buy it. Retailers can make a difference by refusing to sell it. Costco's decision has a bearing on all of this. By letting the industry know that we will not sit by and allow them to treat consumers like lab rats, we help to slow down the snowball that's rolling down the hill, gaining momentum toward dozens of other GMO animals, such as chickens and cows. 

Join me in letting the CEO of Costco know that what he decides matters to all of us. Don't sit back and allow this to happen. Click here to get involved.

Red, White, Blue, and Green

What's the color of the day?

Sunday          RED
Monday         BLUE
Tuesday        GREEN
Wednesday   PURPLE
Thursday      FUCHSIA
Friday          AQUA
Saturday      ORANGE    

Genetic mutations -- Weekend Quote

"We have entered an era of genetically modified foods, which are just that — genetically mutated foods that are not necessarily better for you. The health implications not only to humans but also to the environment is a hotly contested debate; the introduction of genetically altered food could have serious consequences, such as allergic reactions and increased resistance to certain antibiotics. Two of the prime targets for genetic engineering — soy and corn — are America's cash crops."
                                   

 ~ Brenda Watson and Leonard Smith

              The Detox Strategy: Vibrant Health in 5 Easy Steps