We need a David to take down Goliath

What are your plans for this coming Saturday? Why not join millions of concerned people from around the world who will be marching against Monsanto and calling for the permanent boycott of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and other harmful agro-chemicals? There will be marches in at least six continents, in 52 countries, with events in over 400 cities! In the US, solidarity marches are planned in 47 states. 

Inspired to start the movement to protect her two daughters, Tami Monroe Canal founded March Against Monsanto (MAM). "Monsanto's predatory business and corporate agricultural practices threatens their generation's health, fertility and longevity," she explains. "MAM supports a sustainable food production system. We must act now to stop GMOs and harmful pesticides."

There were no long term, independent, peer reviewed studies conducted before GMOs were introduced for human or animal consumption and they are not adequately monitored to ensure public safety. In the US, the revolving door between Monsanto employees, government positions, and regulatory authorities has led to key Monsanto figures occupying positions of power at the FDA and EPA. The company has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to obstruct all labeling attempts, including funding a campaign against I-522, the current initiative for labeling in Washington state. Monsanto suppresses any research containing results not in their favor. The scientifically established health risks include, but are in no way limited to: organ damage, sterility, infant mortality, birth defects, auto-immune conditions, allergies and increased cancer risks.

GMOs have been partially banned by Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, Madeira, New Zealand, Peru, South America, Russia, France, Switzerland, and Costa Rico, and are currently labelled in 62 countries. Despite this, factory farm animals throughout the world are still fed GMOs. 

Roberta Gogos, organizer for the march in Athens, Greece, addressed the importance of the marches in austerity-impacted Europe. "Monsanto is working very hard to overturn EU [European Union] regulation on obligatory labeling where enforcement is already lax. Greece is in a precarious position right now, and Greece's farmers are positioned to follow the same perilous fate as farmers in countries such as Colombia and Mexico."

In Quito, Ecuiador, march organizer, Josh Castro states, "Ecuador is such a beautiful place, with the richest biodiversity in the world. We will not allow this Garden of Eden to be compormised by the destructive practices of multinational corporations like Monsanto. Biotechnology is not the solution to world hunger. Agroecology is. Monsanto's harmful practices are causing soil infertility, mono-cropping, loss of biodiversity, habitat destruction, and contributing to beehive collapse. GMO crops cross pollinate with traditional crops, risking peasant farmers' livelihood."

The devastation can be seen in India, where more than 250,000 farmers have committed suicide after Monsanto's Bt cotton seeds did not perform as promised. Left in desperate poverty, these farmers opted to free their families of debt by drinking Monsanto pesticide. 

In other countries, many farmers are also stripped of their livelihood as a result of false promises, seed patenting and meticulous legal action on the part of Monsanto and other big-ag interests. In many parts of Africa, farmers and their communities are left to choose between starving or eating GMOs.

Over 800 scientists from 84 countries detailed concern regarding GMOs and asked for an immediate suspension of GMO crops in order to conduct "a comprehensive public enquiry of agriculture and food security for all," in an "Open Letter from World Scientist to All Governments Concerning Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)." Click here to read the letter and see the list of scientists who demanded action.

For more information, please visit the following sites:

The World According to Monsanto Video

Total Disinformation Awareness: Monsanto Suppresses Research on GMO Crops

Anniversary of a Whistleblowing Hero

GMO Scandal: The Long Term Effects of Genetically Modified Food on Humans

Data Pool of MAM

We need to stay informed and we need to get involved. We're fighting a giant, but I'm counting on there being a David amongst us who will be able to slay this Goliath.

Click here to visit the MAM Facebook page and find out where the marches will be taking place on Saturday, October 12, 2013. And if you're able, join in and take a stand. Our kids and grandkids are counting on us!

I-522 -- It's not just about Washington State

Voting season is upon us and in Washington State, voters have an opportunity to make a difference when it comes to GMO labeling. So I'm asking you to read this post and then share it with anyone you know who lives in Washington. It is essential we get the message out to VOTE YES ON I-522, the GMO labeling initiative!

Let's face it, the big name corporations out there do not want labeling and they are pouring millions of dollars into the campaign to shoot down I-522. It's all about their profit, folks, and they have to be stopped. We, as consumers, have the right to know what is in our food. Period. If GMOs are as safe as they claim, why are companies like Monsanto and DuPont spending so much money to defeat this initiative ($4.85 million and $3.4 respectively million as of September 18th)? I don't know about you, but this makes my blood boil! Think about how many hungry people in the world could be fed with that kind of money. Instead, it's being used to keep Americans in the dark as to what poisons they are putting into their bodies. Inexcusable!

If I-522 passes, Washington State will be the first state in the U.S. to require labeling of GMOs. Californians lost their own initiative last year by a mere 6% after the huge multinational chemical and junk food companies spent a fortune of misleading ads. Come on, Washington, don't let these same companies buy this election. It's time consumers stood up for themselves and let their voices be heard!

If you care about the right to know what is in your food, or you are concerned about the impacts of GMOs on people and the environment, I urge you to step up to the plate and help! Spread the word and to let people in Washington State know that I-522 is for their good. The big corporations have to be stopped and only the voters can make that happen.

If you are a blogger, I urge you to blog about this. You don't need to be an expert (I'm  not), nor do you need to live in Washington. You simply need to care about what you eat and about people's health.

Here are the TOP 5 REASONS WHY WE SHOULD HAVE GMO LABELING:

1. Everyone has the right to know what is in the food they eat. American companies already label the GMO food they export to 64 other countries. We deserve to know, too.
2. Labeling GMOs is the necessary first step in the fight for control over our food system. Over 80% of processed food contains GMOs, and no GMO fish, apples and corn are coming to the market.
3. Farmers, ranchers, and businesses from Washington support I-522; 99% of the opposition is funded by out-of-state corporations.
4. Farming GMO crops uses more pesticides than conventional crops, contaminate our environment and people who live near agriculture.
5. Contrary to industry claims, labeling GMOs does not impact the price of food. This is used simply as a scare tactic.

So, what will the Label GMO initiative do?

• Give Washington shoppers information about what is in their food.
• Require labeling of genetically engineered foods and processed foods with genetically engineered ingredients. This would include GE Salmon and GMO apples if approved by the FDA, and other genetically engineered foods, including corn or soy, or foods with genetically engineered ingredients like chips, cold cereals, soft drinks, and candy. 
• Set a precedent for the rest of the country.

 Click here to find out more about this Vote Yes on I-522 blogging campaign?

I-522. Don't let money talk. It's time for the people to shout the loudest!

Keeping you informed,

House party success

Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Voices Boomers program and have been provided with a device and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.

Chicago, where it all began

Back when I accepted the invitation to be part of the Verizon Voices Boomers, I agreed to host two house parties for Verizon. At first, I wasn't thrilled with the idea. But as I learned more about the parties, I really looked forward to them, mainly because, Verizon offered some really nice prizes and swag for attendees.

This past Saturday, my nearly-five-year-old granddaughter, Laura, and I hosted our first party at my late-mother's home in Manheim (Lancaster County), PA. I decided to host a party there, so I would have a different crowd than at the one I'll be hosting here in Pittsburgh next month. 

The presentation begins

While attendees may have worried about an Amway-type presentation, where I would promise the world if they'd just sign up, they quickly discovered they had nothing to worry about. The twelve attendees were treated to a nice spread of cheese dishes and wines, swag bags full of Verizon goodies, and a 30-minute presentation about various products Verizon offers, such as Home Phone Connect, Sure Response, Tagg Pet Tracker, fitbit One, 4G LTE Broadband Router with Voice, Belkin NETCAM, and Total Mobile Protection with Tech Coach support. 

Sure Response video

After answering questions, I was thrilled to be able to award prizes to seven attendees -- a Belkin NETCAM, Sure Response mobile emergency response system, 4G LTE Broadband Router with Voice, fitbit One, fitbit Wireless Wristband, a $100 Verizon gift card, and a $100 Visa gift card! We had some pretty happy party goers by the end of the evening. 

Happy winner of the Belkin NETCAM

Each guest filled out a pre-party and post-party survey, which, I'm happy to say, was completely anonymous. That means no one will be contacted by Verizon salespeople. This wasn't about my selling anything or gathering contact info for anyone else to sell anything. It was simply an informational evening. The products are great and sell themselves! 
 

Holding their attention

The lovely little Lady Laura was the best assistance ever, filling the gift bags, delivering them to each guest, drawing winning tickets, and simply being a delightful hostess. She's already looking forward to helping me out with the next gathering. 

Best helper!

An attendee receiving her swag bag from Laura

If you are in the Pittsburgh area and would like an invitation to the next party, email me and I'll add you to the list. With such great prizes and swag, it's a party worth attending! 

Healthy? Maybe not. Yummy? You bet!

Admittedly, I served some not-so-healthy/not-so-green snacks, including my often-requested beer dip. If you are a purist, don't even bother reading the following recipe. I wish I could be as disciplined as you. 

But if you're looking for a recipe that's always a hit with those of us who cheat on our healthy diets from time to time, here it is. It's my gift after enjoying a Saturday evening of partying, thanks to Verizon!

16 oz. Velveeta cheese, softened
16 oz. cream cheese, softened 
10-14 oz. of beer to taste (I used an amber beer. I do not recommend light beer of any kind.)

Cube cheeses for easier blending. Using an electric mixer, blend until smooth, slowly adding beer. Add more or less depending on the taste and texture.

Serve with pretzels.

Looking forward to House Party Number Two. And, yes, there will be wine, cheese, fantastic prizes, and beer dip.

 

Flashback VF -- A Vinegar Friday FAIL!

TGIVF!


I'm heading out of town and didn't have the time for a brand new VF post, so I thought I'd resurrect an old one from October of 2012. Enjoy!

  I don't often have a Vinegar Friday fail to share with you, but today is an exception. And it's a doozy! 

Recently, I've been a bit addicted to the Martha Washington mask that I talk about in Chapter 8 of my book, Vinegar Fridays. The mask is simple and is rumored to have caused such glowing skin on the former first lady, that it's somewhat responsible for the president being drawn to her in the first place.
In order to make the mask, you simply need 3 ingredients from your kitchen:  

• an egg
• 1 tsp. of honey
• 1/2 tsp. of apple cider vinegar

Mix it up and apply it to your face. Wait about 20 minutes and rinse off. Easy, right?

Well, after throwing away the mixture time and time again, I suddenly got the brilliant idea to use the leftover mask ingredients on my hair. 

Certain it would make my hair supple and shiny, I poured the egg mixture over my freshly washed (with baking soda) hair. I rubbed it in and then, standing in a steaming hot shower, rinsed it out.  Or so I thought.

Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, I grabbed my white bath towel and dried off my hair. As I was combing it, I started noticing white specks in my hair. 

That's weird, I thought. I never had fuzzies from my towel before. 

As I started picked the 'fuzzies' out of my hair, I discovered they had a spongy consistency and smooshed between my fingers. Puzzled, I examined my hair closer in the mirror, and then... started to laugh. Loudly. Heartily. I had scrambled eggs in my hair!! The heat from the shower must have cooked the egg as I was trying to rinse it out!

Grabbing my bottle of ACV, I hopped back in the shower for a very long, and thorough, vinegar rinse.

So, there you have it folks. A Vinegar Friday fail. From now on, I'm saving my mask concoction in the fridge for future masks and keeping it as far away from my hair as possible!

Scrambling it up with a bit of vinegar,

Air pollution -- who's responsible?

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post.

Photo by Petr Kratochvil

 

Air pollution has been widely recognized as one of the world's most serious problems, causing numerous effects on individuals' health and the environment. The EPA has noted that air pollution has been getting worse. According to the Washington Post, air pollution is responsible for killing more people than high cholesterol. Some of the most dangerous effects of air pollution include its contribution to climate change, or global warming, and its affect on humans' lungs. Breathing in air pollution can lead to diseases like asthma and even lung cancer. There are numerous government and international agencies and special interest groups that strive to address the problem of air pollution. Just a few of these include the Environmental Protection Agency, State Department of Natural Resources, and Greenpeace.

Air pollution has both human and natural causes, but many people believe that humans' contribution to air pollution results in the most severe problems. One of the leading causes of air pollution is factory work. To produce goods, refine oil, and engage in mechanical fabrication, factories emit harmful gasses into the atmosphere, which cause air pollution. As more and more companies are becoming conscious of the effects of the pollution they create, they are trying many different ways to reduce or control air pollution. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources lists several air pollution control methods that manufacturers can utilize. These include bag houses or fabric filters, scrubbers or wet collectors, adsorbers, cyclones, vapor condensers, electrostatic preciptitators, flares, afterburners, and catalytic oxidizers. Another method of controlling air pollution is by using regenerative thermal oxidizers. Companies can use regenerative thermal oxidizers from OxidizerService.com to control a wide variety of emissions, including volatile organic compounds, hazardous air pollutants, and odors. This method of emissions or air pollution control has become popular for two reasons. First, it can be used across multiple industries. Second, it is relatively inexpensive.

Air pollution is a serious problem and new environmental standards are requiring companies across industries to do their part to control their emissions. Luckily, new technology has resulted in a number of solutions that companies can utilize to curb how much they pollute the air.

If you work in a factory that is contributing to the air pollution problem, consider sharing this post with someone in the company who might be able to utilize one of the above recommendations.

After all, caring for the environment isn't someone else's responsibility. It's our responsibility.

 

Fiber Element Bamboo Sheet Set Giveaway -- 5 winners!

Welcome to the 

Fiber Element Bamboo Sheet Set Giveaway!

Is there anything better than snuggling in bed after a long day? I always loved climbing into bed at my mom's house. She had the old cotton sheets that just got softer with time. They were old and smelled of sunshine and breezes, since she line-dried her sheets, even in the dead of winter.

With many of us spending at least a third of our lives in bed, we should spoil ourselves a bit more at bed time. One of the best ways to make bedtime feel more luxurious is with high quality, silky sheets. While many of us may love the feel of such soft sheets, however, many of us cannot afford the price tag goes alongside high quality cotton sheets, leading to us spending more money in the long run on sheets that quickly fall apart or lose that softness after a few washings. 

Luckily, there is an option that is not only friendly for your wallet, but the environment as well - Fiber Elements Organic Bamboo Sheets! With Fiber Elements bamboo sheets, you are getting sheets that are not only environmentally friendly, but softer than even 1,000 thread count cotton sheets. Once you have laid your head on these sheets and felt their super soft texture, you will never buy cotton sheets again! While these sheets normally retail for $139.99 - $219.99, Fiber Elements is currently running a sale on their sheets, allowing you to buy a Full, Queen, King, or California king set for even less! Of course, the only thing better than purchasing a set of these sheets is winning a set of your own!

Five lucky readers will receive a Fiber Elements Organic Bamboo Sheet set of their choice!

Giveaway ends October 23rd at 11:59pm and is open to US and Canada, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Organized by Mom Powered Media. With special co-host My Dairy Free Gluten Free Life.

 

Disclosure: Green Grandma is not responsible 
for sponsor prize shipment.  

Please contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com 
with questions or to see your business or blog 
featured on the next big event!

Fiber Element F4

If you’re a fan of the following pages on Facebook, 

you’re entitled to the 10 free entries in the 

Fiber Element Giveaway. 

If not, you can become one here.

Click on each link in the Rafflecopter form below 

to see if you’re a fan or become a new one.

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Autumn AMP Cloth Diaper Giveaway!

Welcome to the Autumn AMP Giveaway hosted by The Parenting Patch and co-hosted by Hackanator, A Sensible Momma, Leettle Baby, Cloth Diaper Guru, My Cloth Diaper Stash, Conservamom, Cloth Diaper Addicts, and Thinking About Cloth Diapers. 

For anyone who has followed the blog for long, you know I'm passionate about cloth diapering. For me, it's not just about the environmental impact of disposables, which are estimated to take over 500 years to decompose (not so disposable, are they?), but it's also about the multiple health concerns associated with all of the chemicals in disposable diapers. Scary stuff. And then there's the economic factor, and if I can save money, I'm all for that!

In honor of the autumn season, The Parenting Patch is giving away an AMP cloth diapers prize pack to one lucky winner. The prize pack valued at $83.10 features three (3) AMP One-Size Duo Pocket Diaper in red, orange, and lemon (yellow); three (3) AMP microfiber inserts; two (2) two-layer AMP Boosters; and one (1) three-layer AMP Booster. 

The Autumn AMP Giveaway continues until October 15, 2013 and is open to legal residents of the United States of America and Canada. To enter to win the Autumn AMP Giveaway, simply use the following Rafflecoptor form. The first entry is free. All other entries are optional; however, the more entries you have, the better your chances of winning. Happy autumn! 

Yes, this is supposed to be yellow, but when I load it, it turns green!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
The Autumn AMP Giveaway is restricted to legal residents of the United States of America and Canada. The Autumn AMP Giveaway ends at midnight CST on October 15, 2013. One winner will be chosen at random via Rafflecopter. The winner will be sent an email and will have forty-eight hours to respond. If no response is received within forty-eight hours, another winner will be chosen. Participating blogs are not responsible for prize fulfillment.

Let's start the week with a giveaway!

 Disclosure: I received this product for free as part of a review and giveaway opportunity with Bookieboo, LLC. The opinions in my review are honest and my own.

As I mentioned last week, I had a booth at the Allegheny Green + Innovation Festival at Hartwood Acres. My sponsor for the event was Natural Products Network and I am grateful for their support. Thank them for me by liking NPN on Facebook. I'm sure you'll benefit from the valuable info they provide on a wide variety of natural products! 

It was a long day for me, since I'm still recovering from the nasty kidney infection that had me in bed for over a week. Fortunately, my lovely daughters, Bethany and Jessica, were there to help. I was so impressed with their poise and enthusiasm as they spoke with countless visitors to the booth about the dangers of fabric softener, the advantages of cloth diapering, the effectiveness of Hyland's Homeopathic products, and the many ways we can all cut down on waste in our lives. We had Hanky Books on display as an alternative to facial tissue, Burger's wool dryer balls and vinegar in place of fabric softener, glass straws instead of plastic ones, rags rather than paper towels, and Diva Cups as a safe option over tampons. Less waste = less garbage in the landfills = responsible citizens of this amazing planet.

I was also grateful for our friend, Erin Fitterer, who helped keep the grandkids occupied and covered the booth for us while we were in the tent doing a cloth diapering demo. I cannot tell you how proud I was of the presentation my daughters did. They know their stuff and present it well. At the end of the diapering demo, one of the attendees won a Angel Baby Essentials Bundle donated by Earth Mama Angel Baby.

My husband popped in sometime after noon and helped by handing out literature and business cards. It was truly a family effort.

An excited woman named Tiffany won the Vinegar Fridays bundle, which included four bottles of vinegar, a signed copy of my book, and a VF reusable tote bag. Due in just four days, a happy mama named Jennifer won six weeks of cloth diaper service, complements of Green Cheeks Diaper Service. By the way, the owners of Green Cheeks are now also the proud owners of Happy Baby Company and will be opening a brick and mortar store soon right in the heart of Bellevue, PA! We're so excited to see what earth-friendly and baby-friendly items they stock their store with!

All-in-all it was a good day. I will admit it left me a bit exhausted, but I'm glad we had the opportunity to share our message of common sense greener and healthier living. And we were blessed with a phenomenally gorgeous day with temps in the mid-70s and an abundance of sunshine. The bright sun gave us the opportunity to try out a new-to-me product I received recently to review. 

 Goddess Garden lotion with sunscreen was a hit at the festival. Thinking that maybe some people forgot to bring sunscreen to this late-September event, I offered free applications of the Goddess Garden lotion to anyone who stopped by the booth. The SPF 15 lotion is free from GMOs (you know that makes it a winner with me already!), phthalates, and Vitamin A, which studies show may be a contributor to melanoma when added to sunscreen.

This organic lotion comes in three fragrances -- lavender mint, grapefruit bergamot, and tangerine lavender. I chose the grapefruit bergamot and was quite happy with the fragrance when I applied the lotion. It went on smoothly and the light scent was refreshing. We also applied it to the grandchildren, as they played for hours in the sun that day. Neither Lincoln nor Laura got even the slightest burns. My daughters are quite particular with the sunscreens they will apply to their precious little ones, and the Goddess Garden passed their test.

For those of you who live in states with warmer temperatures year round, every day is a day for sunscreen. But for the rest of us, we have to remember that even though the air is cooler as fall settles in, we can still get burnt when out in the sun for too long. So don't dismiss the need for a safe sunscreen!

Now, here comes the fun part! While I thoroughly enjoyed giving away prizes on Saturday, thanks to Goddess Garden, I get to do it again as one of you will win a tube of lotion in your choice of fragrance! The contest is open to folks in the US only (sorry to my international friends) and prize fulfillment will take between 4-6 weeks. Just enter below on the Rafflecopter and good luck!

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Weekend quote

Feeling pickled

TGIVF!!

Two weeks ago at this time, I had no idea of the physical suffering about to greet me the next day. The kidney infection knocked me down and kept me there for over a week and, today, still has me squirming. I had another terrible night last night and I'm dragging this morning. I guess this is just something I'm not going to bounce back from quickly.

Tennille, one of GG's faithful followers, sent me a link to an eye-opening article about vinegar. Apple cider flavored vinegar, to be exact.

Now we know, unless we're buying organic distilled white vinegar, we're going to have to accept genetically modified corn, chemical processing, or both. It's what keeps it cheap. As much as I don't want to support the GMO industry, I recognize that sometimes I don't have a choice. So when it comes to cleaning my toilet safely and economically, I opt for conventional DWV.

However, my choices for ACV are a little more complicated. If consumed, I want it to be organic and raw. Period. There's no other way to reap the multitude of benefits and, quite honestly, I hate the taste. If I'm going to force myself to take it, it darned well better do me some good. 

But when I dump a couple of cups of apple cider vinegar in the tub for a nice long soak, I use filtered ACV. The problem is, as pointed out to me by Tennille, I better start reading the labels more closely. You see, Heinz has Apple Cider Flavored Distilled Vinegar. Yikes!

So basically, if I make the mistake and buy the flavored ACV, I'm wasting my money because it is nothing more than distilled white vinegar with apple flavoring. What?!

You'll find the description on the Heinz website: 

Heinz^® Distilled White Vinegar and Apple Cider Flavored Vinegar are sourced from corn, not from wheat, rye, barley, or oats. Wine Vinegar and Apple Cider Vinegar are sourced from grapes and apples, respectively, not grains. 

Why, oh why, would they do this? I feel deceived and that makes me angry. While it's true that the bottles are clearly labeled, no one would even think to read the small print placed between the words "Apple Cider" and "Vinegar," right? Have you ever looked?

Well, now you know better, and so do I. Read the label carefully before you place that ACV in your cart, regardless of the brand. As it turns out, Heinz isn't the only one doing this. Aloha brand for example, looks like regular ACV, but then turn it around and read the ingredients.

Not only is there apple cider flavor, but there is caramel coloring as well. So much for healthy!

Same goes for Gedney brand.

The list goes on and on. Yet another reason to ruffle GG's feathers. And while we're at it, did you ever read the ingredients on the back of your pickle jar? Unless you're buying organic, you'll find Yellow 5 in nearly every jar! I discovered that a couple of weeks ago and wanted to scream right there in the grocery store! Food coloring in pickles. Really? Yes, really. When I got home, however, I reached into the fridge and pulled out my Claussen Kosher Dill Spears and was delighted to see the word "turmeric" instead of Yellow 5. And after researching this, I read that there is no artificial food coloring in Trader Joe's brand, either. Lesson learned: READ THE LABELS.

Keeping it green and healthy (as possible) with vinegar,

It's Green! It's Innovative! It's Here in Pittsburgh!

I am beyond thrilled that I am well enough to attend the Allegheny Green + Innovation Festival on Saturday. If you are in the Pittsburgh area, this is one event you do not want to miss! In conjunction with the amazing festival is Hay Day at Hartwood with fun for the entire family. This is bound to be a fun and informative day! And we couldn't have ordered more perfect weather -- 75 and sunny. Sweet.

I am going to have a booth again this year, accompanied by my daughters, Bethany and Jessica, and my three precious grandchildren. At 3:00, we are doing a cloth diapering demo, providing lots of info and giving everyone who attends the chance to win an EMAB Baby Essentials Bundle, complements of the kind mamas at Earth Mama Angel Baby! 

Stop by the Green Grandma booth at any time during the day to enter to win the Vinegar Fridays gift pack, which includes a variety of vinegars, a VF reusable tote, and a signed copy of my book, VINEGAR FRIDAYS.

You can also enter to win a 6-week diaper service package from Green Cheeks, Pittsburgh's premiere organic cloth diaper delivery service! Now wouldn't that make a fantastic shower gift?!

Three great prizes . . . but you have to be there to enter! Drawings will take place between 3:20-3:30 on the day of the event.

What else will you discover at the GG booth? Some of my favorite green and homeopathic products, information sheets on the dangers of fabric softeners, and, of course, signed books for sale.

 I cannot end this post without mentioning my sponsor for the event -- Natural Products Network. Thank them for me by heading over to their FB page and liking them. It wouldn't hurt to thank them in a comment, too. Without sponsors, GG would cease to exist.

Hope to see you on Saturday!

10 Things I Learned During My Week in Bed

Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Voices Boomers program and have been provided with a device and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.

Well, thanks to an antibiotic-resistant kidney infection, coupled with a stone that's still there and fevers often in the high 103s and low 104s, I've been on a hiatus. I hope you've missed me, even just a little bit.

Here's what I learned:

1. I have an amazing community of followers who truly care about me. I've seen how you've cared about others in the community, and now I've experienced firsthand how your thoughtful comments and faithful prayers shed a little bit of light into an extremely dark week. Thank you.
2. Just because you think you're sick enough to be hospitalized, it doesn't necessarily mean your doctor will agree. Despite the recommendation of the doctor who was treating me in the ER, my physician decided (without having seen me) that my symptoms didn't warrant admittance. Thanks, Doc. I'm on the search for a new one already.
3. My husband is a saint.
4. My cats are capable of great concern.
5. God tends to ignore prayers like, "Please let me die now!"
6. The world doesn't stop because I don't check my email everyday. Yes, I did lose some business, but Speechless will recover.
7. Sometimes, you can be so sick that you can't read or watch TV, no matter how bored you are.
8. If you don't eat for a week, you lose weight. Fifteen pounds. Woo hoo!
9. My Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX HD became my only connection to the outside world. I was too sick to sit at my desk and had no desire to have a laptop in bed with me, so at least I was able to check in on things from time to time (after the first couple of "I don't care about email, the blog, Facebook, or Twitter"). It kept me in touch. By the way -- the smart phone is on lend to me through the Verizon Voices Boomer program. I was a chosen blogger to fly to Chicago and try out some Verizon products, including this phone. For those of you who know me, I'm about as interested in technology as, well, your typical grandmother. But I've had fun with the phone and, like I said, it was invaluable to me last week.
10. When you're really sick and there's only one thing you want to eat, you stop worrying about artificial food coloring and sugar, and you reach for the JELLO.

I'm sure that's just a partial list, but it's what I can think of right now as I sit at my desk once again. I've missed this desk. I've missed work. And I've missed GG.

Thanks for staying faithful. Now, tell me the truth -- you weren't going to give up on me, were you?

The Hyland's 5-Day Stress Challenge

Stressed? Who isn't these days. That's why you'll want to sign up for the Hyland's 5-Day Stress Challenge.

The first 1,000 people to register will receive a free full-size Hyland's Nerve Tonic to be sent to them prior to the launch of The Challenge which will run from Monday, Sept. 30th through Friday, Oct. 4th. Each day on the Hyland's Facebook page, a daily challenge will be featured. There will also be information relating to a specific topic that promotes natural solutions for managing and reducing stress.

At the end of each day, participants will answer a question for a chance to win a Hyland's Stress Less Duo, there will be a chance to win the GRAND PRIZE basket chock-full of anti-stress products from Hyland's and other amazing partner brands AND a $100 Spafinders gift card. Did you catch that? On top of everything else, the winner receives a $100 Spafinders gift card! Ahhhh. All you have to do is answer a brief, five question survey to help Hyland's better understand your experience with The Challenge.

There's nothing to lose and oh so much to gain. What are you waiting for? Register for the Hyland's 5-Day Stress Challenge NOW! 

Good luck!