PGM

The Practically Green Mom


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How to Make Money on Everyday Purchases

We all buy groceries and drugstore products, right? But did you know that there’s an easier way to make or save money than by clipping coupons or searching for the best deal in the weekly ads? With Ibotta, just go shopping like normal at your favorite stores and find rebates for the products you already buy everyday! This post contains referral links, and I may receive compensation if you sign up for this service via those links.

First, download the Ibotta app! Then, go shopping at Kroger, Target, or Whole Foods (just to name a few!), and select the products you purchased. The products change weekly, and often include cash back on “any brand” (including store brands) of popular items like bread and milk, and cash back on “any item” (buy anything and scan your receipt!)

Once you have all of your selections made, scan the item barcodes, and take a picture of your receipt.

The money you earn goes straight to your Ibotta account. When you reach $20, you can withdraw the money to your PayPal account to use on whatever you like!

Using Ibotta has helped me make a little extra cash from my grocery shopping, without the hassle of coupons. Sign up today and start making money, too!

{This post is not sponsored by Ibotta, but it does contain referral links, which support The Practically Green Mom Blog. Please see my disclosure policy for my information.}

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Maple Holistics Tea Tree Shampoo Review

I love trying new hair products, but I don’t have a lot of time to browse the beauty store. And, I always worry that I’m wasting money on something that my hair will hate! So, when Maple Holistics contacted me about trying their Tea Tree shampoo in exchange for my honest review, I couldn’t say no! (Keep reading to find out how you can get a free sample, too!)

Maple Holistics Tea Tree Special Formula Shampoo can help slow hair loss and soothe an irritated scalp. It is paraben, GMO, and gluten free, as well as cruelty-free.

The product has a nice consistency. I didn’t think it was too thick or oily. It definitely smells like Tea Tree, but I wasn’t turned off by it. I use Tea Tree essential oil on occasion, so I’m used to it. If you’re not, though, it might be a bit overwhelming.

I washed my hair according to the directions, but I did use less than the quarter-size amount suggested, because I have a lot less hair than most women. 😉 It has a minimal lather, typical of more natural shampoos.

I’ve used Maple Holistics every 2-3 days for almost 2 weeks now, and I’m very happy with it. I don’t usually style my hair (I just let it air dry), and it’s always soft and shiny after using this product! I would definitely recommend giving it a try if you suffer from thinning hair or scalp issues.

(Please excuse the bed head and the fact that I desperately need a trim. #reallife)

Maple Holistics also offers a free samples program, which gives you the opportunity to try out their products at no cost! How cool is that? Click here for more information.

{I received one bottle of Maple Holistics Tea Tree Shampoo in exchange for my review. All opinions are 100% my own. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.}

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Aaptiv – Get Fit from your Phone! {Review}

I received a free two week trial of Aaptiv in exchange for my review. All opinions are 100% my own. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

If you’re a busy mom like me, you know that it’s difficult finding time for yourself, especially to do any kind of workout (unless chasing a toddler around all day counts?) But, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice your health just because you can’t get to the gym. The developers at Aaptiv understand the struggle, which is why they created a fitness app that can be customized for your needs!

When I first logged in to the Aaptiv app, I noticed how minimal the interface is. This makes it super easy to navigate. There are lots of options to customize your workout (type, difficulty, duration, music genre, even the trainer you prefer!), so it will never be boring!

I’ve tried several different workouts over the last couple of weeks, and they don’t disapoint! The instructors are so motivating, and the music always fits perfectly! I was concerned that some of the yoga workouts might be a challenge with only an instructor speaking and no video (I’m more of a visual learner), but I found most of the instructors to be pretty thorough with their explanations of the exercises at the beginner level.

I also liked how at the end of each workout, I got an email from the instructor congratlating me for completing the workout, and offering suggestions for other workouts I might enjoy. I found that very encouraging, and it motivated me to try new workouts that I may not have considered on my own.

If you’re currently pregnant or recently had a baby, Aaptiv just launched a maternity program developed by expert trainers who are certified in pre and postnatal exercise (including Kira Kohrherr of FitBump, and yoga guru and author, Kristin McGee). I’m not in this stage of life anymore, but I’m sure the program is just as fun as everything else Aaptiv has to offer!

Sign up today for a free 7 day trial of Aaptiv, with unlimited access to all of their classes, and be sure to download the app at the Apple App Store and Google Play to get fit from your phone!

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Choosing the Best Probiotics

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

The latest research is showing how important gut health is to your overall health. Did you know that up to 80% of your immune system is in your digestive tract?

There are many benefits to probiotics, like improving digestion and boosting the immune system (especially beneficial during cold and flu season).

But how do you know which probiotic to choose? There are so many options it can be overwhelming!

Luckily, the team at Reviews.com has done the work for you! They looked at over 200 probiotic supplements on the market, and made a list of recommendations based on which strains really work and why. They also included options that target specific health needs, such as recovery after antibiotics and relief from IBS. I was very impressed by their detailed report.

Along with a healthy diet, adding the good bacteria of a quality probiotic can be beneficial to your gut and overall health!

Disclaimer: The information contained on The Practically Green Mom represents the choices I have made to take charge of my own health and that of my family. Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using these products.

{This post is not sponsored by any company or Amazon. It does contain affiliate links to Amazon.com. Purchases made through these links support The Practically Green Mom Blog. Please see my disclosure policy for my information.}

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Casper Mattress Review

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

If you follow me on Instagram, you might remember that we bought (with our own money, full disclosure) a king-sized Casper Mattress for our 10th wedding anniversary in April.

The Casper mattress is constructed of four types of foam in separate layers to provide support, breathability, and to keep you cool. Each mattress comes with a 100 night trial period, a 10 year warranty, and free returns within 100 days of when you receive your shipment.

We just passed our 100 days (today is 108 to be exact), and we are still in love with it! It’s the hottest part of the summer right now, and I don’t feel like it holds body heat (a common complaint about foam mattresses) more than our old spring mattress.

It’s firmer than our previous mattress, but super comfortable. The best part is, unlike a traditional mattress, I don’t feel a lot of movement if someone else is in the bed. My husband and I both used to wake up with neck and back pain, and that’s very rarely an issue now.

In fact, we are so happy with it, we bought (again, with our own money lol) a full-sized Casper for our 5 year old son, and he loves it, too!

So, if you’re in the market for a new mattress, give the Casper a try. With the 100 day trial period, you don’t really have anything to lose!

{This post is not sponsored by Casper Mattress or Amazon. It does contain affiliate links to Amazon.com. Purchases made through these links support The Practically Green Mom Blog. Please see my disclosure policy for my information.}

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Eat More Veggies with Tommy’s Superfoods {Review}

** I was compensated for the following review, but all opinions are 100% my own.

This past week, my family and I have had the opportunity to try several different varieties of frozen vegetables from Tommy’s Superfoods.

The products are all-natural, non-GMO, gluten free, low-sodium, and many are vegan. All of them come in microwaveable steamer bags (which is how we heated them), but they can be done on a stovetop, as well. In all of our samples, the vegetables looked fresh (not wilted), and had a good flavor.

Root Fusion (Carrots, Beets, Apples, and Sweet Potatoes) – My one year old and I love sweet potatoes, so we really enjoyed this! Normally, I would expect a pairing of apples, beets, and sweet potatoes to be sweet…but this had a sage seasoning that was deliciously unexpected. I served it with leftover turkey breast, and it gave the meal a bit of a Thanksgiving vibe!

Super Greens (Spinach, Collard Greens, Kale, and Lemon Juice) – No one else in my family likes kale, so I was on my own here. I didn’t really notice a lot of seasoning on this one compared to the others, but it’s hard to mask the earthy taste of kale! I mixed it with a pasta dish though, and it was fabulous!

Vegetable Medley (Broccoli, Peas, and Carrots) – My 5 year old preferred this one. His only objection…”Too many green peas!” Hahaha This was an easy one to serve as a dinner side, because it’s all veggies that we eat pretty frequently.

Cauliflower and Green Beans – This was my husband’s favorite. He loved the cauliflower, and though he’s not usually a fan of cooked green beans, he said these were nice and crunchy.

Asparagus with Uncured Bacon (Asparagus, Carrots, Bacon, and Red Bell Pepper) – The asparagus was cooked well…not soggy like asparagus can get. I thought there would be a really obvious bacon flavor, but I didn’t really notice it at all. Still delicious, though. (The one year old kept sneaking some off my plate!)

The only sample we didn’t try was the brussels sprouts, because we’re just not big fans of them. But, I’m sure we would have been just as impressed with the taste and quality.

Tommy’s Superfoods frozen vegetables have definitely increased our veggie intake, and given us new options for meal times! Visit their website to see all of their products, check out new recipes, and find out where to buy Tommy’s Superfoods near you.

{I received six samples of Tommy’s Superfoods Frozen Vegetables in exchange for my review. All opinions are 100% my own. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.}

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Yummy Snacks from Funley’s Delicious {Review}

** I was compensated for the following review, but all opinions are 100% my own.

Over the last week, my family and I had the opportunity to review several snacks from Funley’s Delicious. Funley’s Delicious products are 100% Natural, GMO Free, and have NO Preservatives, Trans Fats, or High Fructose Corn Syrup. Their products come in resealable bags, which make them easy to grab and take on the go.

funleyscollage

Funley’s Super Crackers each have a hidden superfood in them (to get some extra nutrients in those picky eaters!) We tried three of the flavors: Pizza n’ Stuff (hidden Carrot), Cheddar n’ Stuff (hidden Broccoli), and Cornbread n’ Stuff (hidden Sweet Potato). If you’re a fan of a particular brand of crackers that are shaped like a fish, you will really love the pizza and cheddar flavors! They are nearly identical in taste to the other brand, but Finley’s has a much shorter and healthier ingredient list. My 3.5 year old had no idea there were veggies hiding in these crackers until he saw a carrot on one of the bags, and even after that, he didn’t really care. We weren’t huge fans of the cornbread flavor, though. It was too bland, in my opinion, and I didn’t notice much of a cornbread taste until I ate several of them. The Pizza flavor was a winner for the whole family. They also offer Ranch n’ Stuff (hidden Spinach), which I would definitely try!

Thumbs up for Funley's Pizza Crackers!

Thumbs up for Funley’s Pizza Crackers!

In addition to the crackers, we tried all three flavors of Wholly Granolly Clusters. DH liked the Peanut Butter Pretzel, but I didn’t notice much of a peanut butter taste myself. DS’s favorite was the Wild Apple Berry. I only got to taste a couple of them before he ate the rest of the bag, but I really liked the combination of crunchy granola and a bit of chewy sweetness from the fruit. The Double Chocolate Chip was my favorite, because…chocolate! I may have hidden this bag from everyone else, so I didn’t have to share…lol

Overall, I was very impressed by Funley’s Delicious, and I’m looking forward to trying some of their other products! You can find these, and other Funley’s snacks online, or at your local store! Be sure to check out Funley’s Delicious on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates and coupons!

{I received six samples of Funley’s Delicious snacks in exchange for my review. All opinions are 100% my own. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.}

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How I Celebrated National Cereal Day! {Review}

** I was compensated for the following review, but all opinions are 100% my own.

Last Saturday, March 7th, was National Cereal Day. (Yes, that is a real thing!) To celebrate, I tried out a few new (to me) cereal brands! I’m trying to clean up our act as far as what we eat, so having the opportunity to review products that are non-GMO and have fewer ingredients was pretty exciting to me!

Erewhon Corn Flakes – Since 1966, Erewhon has led the organic revolution. Their foods are made of non-GMO ingredients. While I’m not a big fan of corn flakes, I do love that there are only TWO ingredients in this brand – organic milled corn and sea salt! They must have been pretty tasty, because my 3.5 year old ate them both with and without milk.

Peace Cereal Walnut Spice – Peace Cereal only uses premium ingredients that have been verified by The Non-GMO Project. The Walnut Spice cereal was my favorite! My husband liked that it stayed crunchy in milk, and I thought the cinnamon flavor was awesome! We both felt like the walnut pieces could have been bigger, though. They kind of got lost in the bowl with everything else.

Uncle Sam’s Raisin Bran – An American Original since 1908, Uncle Sam’s high fiber and heart-healthy cereals are made from simple and non-GMO ingredients, and have nourished families for over 100 years! Uncle Sam’s Raisin Bran only has four ingredients (Whole wheat kernels, Raisins, Salt, and Barley malt), and I think it’s better than the other brand we all know! It could use a few more raisins (in my opinion), but it’s definitely not lacking in flavor!

I was very impressed by these cereals, and I’m looking forward to trying other Erewhon, Peace Cereal, and Uncle Sam’s products. You can find these, and other Attune Foods brands, at a store near you!

{I received three full-size boxes of cereal in exchange for my review. All opinions are 100% my own. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.}

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