Those of you that spend much time around the blog world, either reading RSS feeds, twittering or just plain blog hopping are probably aware of the death of a dear blogger’s son, 2 year old Bryson.  Shellie is the mom and owner/writer at Military Mom.  And yes just as you read, she is a military mom.  She had moved into a new home recently and in an unfortunate accident, he son Bryson apparently drowned in the backyard pool.

I learned about this the night it happened, Monday but I could not bring myself to post about it.  I tried.  Several times.  I have no words to share with Shellie or with you readers.  My heart breaks for her and her family.  I do know her husband is about to be sent to Iraq (again).  I have never been blessed with a child and therefore I have no idea of the love that is formed in that unique bond.

What is truly disheartening to me right now is that Shellie asked for prayers via twitter after the accident happened and had tweeted earlier that day and now it seems a world of tweeters and others on attacking her mothering skills and trying to place blame on her.  Even if she wasn’t paying attention, don’t you think she is aware and hurting? Does she need a whole twitterverse after her?  Now mind you, I am not saying it was her not paying attention, I don’t know, I was not there.  My opinion?  Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.

In case you aren’t familiar with the Bible or the saying it is basically saying point a finger and you have three pointing back at ya.

Shellie, my heart pours for you and the rest of your family.  It has been wonderful getting to know you on Momdot.com/forums and I hope to get to know you better and to help you heal over this long process.

Readers, if you can please place Shellie and the rest of the Ross family in your prayers I know it would mean the world to me and to her as well.  If you have a prayer circle as I do, please share this in your next phone call or email.

And I do think if anything needs questioned, it is why it took emergency personnel 15 minutes to arrive at Shellie’s home.

EcoTOOLS Review and Giveaway (Closed)

I love Alicia Silverstone.  I always have ever since her appearance in the “Crazy” video for Aerosmith.  Then just got extra cool points when she starred in Clueless.  Hilarious.

Now she is a super green girl with being vegan and always lending her self to eco-friendly companies and campaigns.  Her latest is being a brand ambassador for a new line of items from EcoTOOLS!  The actress, known for her animal-rights and environmental activism, is partnering with EcoTools to unleash a line of eco- and wallet-friendly cosmetics brushes and totes.

Made with natural hemp materials and lined with recycled PET plus they are really cute and extremely practical not to mention affordable!

The limited-edition collection, which will be available from December through 2010 at mass-market retailers like Walgreens, Amazon & Target, features a printed bouquet of Silverstone’s favorite flowers (lavender, rose, chrysanthemum, thyme), along with hangtags printed on tree-free stone paper.

The digs:

• A 5 Pc Brush Set w/ Bag, which includes a finishing brush, blush brush, angled eyeshadow brush, and lash and brow groomer.

• A cosmetics brush bag, which also includes a blush brush.

• A Train Case with a zip top and clear removable compartment.

• An Overnight Bag with two removable interior compartments.

• A Small Cosmetic Bag for throwing into a purse.

I think they are all pretty terrific, but my absolute favorite is the Overnight Bag.  It is so practical!  I have one made by Mary Kay but it is almost too big, and it has been to the ends of the earth and back and then some, so it needed replaced.  The only thing missing is a hook it’s hangable in hotels.  Short on counter space in nearly all of them!

It has 2 PET bags on one side and 1 large PET bag on the other.  Keeps anything liquid from spilling all over everything, including the clothes in your bag.

I have also been using the cosmetics bag in my purse.  I have a pretty large handbag, and this allows me to keep a little organized.  I  like them because they are not only pretty, but completely eco-friendly.  Plus I can tell friends and family (and YOU!) to go get your own because they are so affordable!  Starting at just $8.99 and ending at under $20! You really can’t beat that, plus they seem to be very well made.

EcoTools also participates in 1% for the Planet, meaning they donate 1% of all sales to environmental organizations to help make the planet a healthier and happier place now and for the future!

And I have a present for THREE of you! Three of you will win: ($60 value!)

An Overnight Bag

A 5 piece Brush Set and Cosmetic Bag

Train Case

Cosmetic Bag

To enter, visit Eco-TOOLS online and tell me another item from their lines that you would like to have or give!  Easy!

And don’t forget, these are available at Walgreens and Target so if you have last minute gifts they will be there!

Extra Entries: (you must do the mandatory entry, then the extra entries, please leave a separate comment for all entries) =)

• Subscribe to Prissy Updates (emails) You must must validate the email. (2 entries)
  

• Sign up for my RSS feed.

• Stumble, Digg and/or Add to Del.icio.us Bookmarks. (leave user name)
  

• Become a Fan of  Prissy Green on Facebook.
  

• Follow Prissy Green on Twitter and Tweet the contest. You can do this daily.
  

• Blog about this contest for THREE entries. ** You must link to the giveaway.

• Unlimited entries. Post on any non-giveaway post. Leave link. It must be relevant to the topic. Only one comment per post, but you can do this for as many posts as you like.  Each comment is worth 1 entry, so you can not use it for multiple giveaways.

Contest closes at 11:59pm EST on 12/30. Winner will be drawn from Random.org and verified per the rules.  US only.

Disclosure: EcoTools did supply me with review items, but the opinions expressed are truthful. I was under no obligation to post a positive review.

Athleta Last Minute Shopping?

Don’t forget Athleta for gift giving! 

If you order by 11:59pm EST tonight (12/17) you are guaranteed your gift by Christmas!  In fact, with Athleta you can order by 3pm on 12.24 and have it delivered in time!

Athleta has done some of the hard work for you too!  Need a gift under $50?

Need a gift under $100?

Or really have someone you want to splurge on?

Writing this post was torture! I want those boots (directly above) soooo badly.  I am trying to plan my NYE outfit and that is what I want!  And i also saw a feathered skirt on the Today Show, and a cute Sequin Pant too!  But alas, I really don’t want to get that fancy!

I love Athleta.  I could live off their clothes.  and shoes.  Go shop, have fun.

Aura Cacia Review and Giveaway (closed)

Aura Cacia is very easily the most affordable and easy to find top of the line Essential Oil company.  And of course for that reason my favorite.  I remember when I first started toying with essential oils.  I was in high school and didn’t know that difference between brands, and how they are processed and that the least expensive usually means the lest quality too.

Aura Cacia began in 1982, it has been a leader in aromatherapy sales and quality — as well as a key source of expert information that has fueled the widespread awareness of aromatherapy that we see today.

A key to Aura Cacia’s leadership is sourcing pure, authentic essential oils — dealing face-to-face with the people growing the plants and extracting the essential oil themselves whenever they can. Frequent trips to places like Europe, the Ukraine, Oregon and Australia to visit suppliers and processors illustrate Aura Cacia’s commitment to finding the best sources for their oils.

They also test every oil they receive to make sure it meets high standards. Aura Cacia industry-leading testing program — which now includes gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) — allows them to guarantee that they are providing its customers with the highest quality essential oils available. Whenever possible, they offer oils that are certified organic as well.

Aura Cacia makes aromatherapy accessible with innovative ready-to-use products that let even beginners realize the full benefits of their 100% pure essential oils in a variety of ways that can easily be a part of any lifestyle.

Aura Cacia cares about aromatherapy and the people who use it. This is evident in the quality and affordable pricing of their oils and each and ever one of their products.

I was blessed to have Aura Cacia reach out to me and send me a few items to try out. Of course I was familiar with their oils, but I had not tried many of their extra accessories and skin care items. One that was sent to me that I was honestly a little wary about is the Aura Cacia Patchouli Sweet Orange Body Polish. Why was I wary? I didn’t want to smell like a hippie! I have always loved the smell of Patchouli but have been around so many (dirty) hippies trying to cover up smells with it that the scent has lost its luster to me. (don’t get me wrong, I love hippies, just not the smelly ones)  Well Aura Cacia brought it back to me! The sweet orange balances the musky, spicy scent and leaves a really clean, slightly spicy and sweet scent. They know how to merge oils that is proven in this! ($10.99)

So how well does it perform? Hydrating, drenching, rough skin buster! Formulated with organic Fair Trade Certified sugar cane, grape seed oil, apricot kernel oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil and shea butter. How is that for a karate chop to dry skin? Use this on hands, feet and other rough areas like knees and elbows for a sensationally smooth feel. Because it has so much moisture it helps to heal and lock the moisture and the new skin in!

My skin gets so very dry in winter.  I work at keeping it hydrating on a daily basis.  One item Aura Cacia sent me is their Soothing Organic Milk & Oat Bath.  It is created with lavender and skin-nourishing organic milk powder and skin-calming organic whole-grain oat powder to really soothe overly dry irritated skin.  I think this would be perfect for someone post-fever too.  If you have ever been to Prissy Green before then you know I am a sucker for a nice bath!  I used this last satuday, and had my latest book.  I threw a mask on my face, one on my hair and soaked and soaked.  My skin came out soft and refreshed! ($3.29)

I am also trying out a sweet little Snowflake Diffuser.  We always had live trees for Christmas while I was growing up, so my senses only recognize Christmas if I smell the pine(y) scents.  The Aura Cacia Snowflake Diffuser is artisan-crafted from sustainable softwood maple and comes with a full sized bottle of Balsalm Fir Needle Essential Oil. (15.99)

My house smells just like a Christmas tree!  I love it!  Now I admit, we don’t actually have a tree….. I mean I would like one, but it would be up to me and, well that is a lot of work!  So I just have this sitting on the counter in between the kitchen and living room and the scent wafts up and fills the whole room.  Love it!  and it really would make a nice gift and is completely reusable next year, and the next!

I also this new card deck! The Aura Cacia Aromatherapy Deck is 54 cards containing information about essential oils, aromatherapy benefits, recipes for oils, and experiences associated with aromatherapy.  I think this is a really fun set for a novice essential oil user or even someone a little more experienced, as it has some really great information and some great recipes.  ($9.99)

Aura Cacia has tons of gifts for anyone on your list.  I know it might be late, but some of these you can find at stores near you too!  If not order today, December 17th!  I think today is last day to get items from most retail stores by Christmas.  (haven’t spoken to Aura Cacia about this, so i am unsure)

Aura Cacia has a Organic Baby line plus a kids line as well !  Essential oils can help to brighten a cranky child, calm a child before bedtime or just use in place of traditional drying soaps and cleansers!

And Aura Cacia wants to share all the items I reviewed with you too!  One Prissy Green Reader will win:

A Snowflake Diffuser

Soothing Organic Milk & Oat Bath

Patchouli & Sweet Orange Body Polish

Aromatherapy Card Deck

In total a $40 value!  But much more rewarding!

PLUS I have two extra bottles of Aura Cacia Rosewood Essential oil that I would like to share with two runner up winners!  $9.99 each!)

To enter, visit Aura Cacia and tell me an item you would most like to try out and why.

Please find something unique and not mentioned here.

Extra Entries: (you must do the mandatory entry, then the extra entries, please leave a separate comment for all entries) =)

• Subscribe to Prissy Updates (emails) You must must validate the email. (2 entries)
  

• Sign up for my RSS feed.

• Stumble, Digg and/or Add to Del.icio.us Bookmarks. (leave user name)
  

• Become a Fan of  Prissy Green on Facebook.
  

• Follow Prissy Green on Twitter and Tweet the contest. You can do this daily.
  

• Blog about this contest for THREE entries. ** You must link to the giveaway.

• Unlimited entries. Post on any non-giveaway post. Leave link. It must be relevant to the topic. Only one comment per post, but you can do this for as many posts as you like.  Each comment is worth 1 entry, so you can not use it for multiple giveaways.

Contest closes at 11:59pm EST on 12/30. Winner will be drawn from Random.org and verified per the rules.  US only.

disclosure: I was sent items for review but was under no obligation to write a positive review. Opinions are my own and truthful.

Frontier Co-op Review and Giveaway (Closed)

I have something to share with you today that has been proven to prevent cancer, Sulforaphane. It is found in high amounts in a very easy to grow and eat food.  Broccoli Sprouts.  Broccoli sprouts contain 20-50 times more Sulforaphane then a serving of adult broccoli. Sulforaphane is an antioxidant and stimulators of natural detoxifying enzymes. Basically it can help to stave off the free radicals all over the place.

Vitamins A, B, C, E and K
Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc
Carotene, Chlorophyll
Amino Acids
Trace Elements
Antioxidants
Protein: 35%

I used to grow sprouts on a regular basis. Then my jar broke and I just forgot to replace it, or just never quite got around it it. Recently Frontier Natural Products Co-op sent me a Sprouting Jar and a healthy supply of Organic Broccoli seeds to start my sprouting habit again. With in 4 days I had a nice jar of sprouts, and have been able to use them on salads and sandwiches since! I have Annie Chun’s Kimchi Soup Noodle Bowl and I have even been adding them to that! So tasty! Broccoli sprouts have a little more kick to them then Alfalfa sprouts which really allow them to make or break a meal. In my case they make it! and in Craig’s too. he likes them in salads and sandwiches too.

The jar is just a regular Ball Jar and then has this lid:

I really enjoy them because it gives me a way to “garden” and eat fresh home grown veggies in the winter.  It really can’t get any easier then this:

To sprout, use 2 tablespoons seeds per quart jar or Easy Sprout Sprouter. Soak in water 10-12 hours, then drain. Rinse seeds 2 to 3 times a day until ready to use (about 5 days).

I think most of you would find other items at Frontier Co-op too. Organic Herbs to make teas, Organic spices and seasonings. Not to mention essential oils, waxes, and clays. Plus Vanilla, cocoa and sugar. I know I left a hundred things off of this list, but now I think you know where to start. Most items are organic or Fair Trade which goes a long way in my book.

Plus Frontier Natural Products Co-op wants to give one of you a chance to win a Sprouter and a 1 lb bag of Organic Broccoli seeds! This is a $50 Value!

To enter, visit Frontier Natural Products Co-op and tell me something there that you would like to try yourself and why.

Extra Entries: (you must do the mandatory entry, then the extra entries, please leave a separate comment for all entries) =)

• Subscribe to Prissy Updates (emails) You must must validate the email. (2 entries)
  

• Sign up for my RSS feed.

• Stumble, Digg and/or Add to Del.icio.us Bookmarks. (leave user name)
  

• Become a Fan of  Prissy Green and Piggy Paint on Facebook.
  

• Follow Prissy Green and Piggy Paint on Twitter and Tweet the contest. You can do this daily.
  

• Blog about this contest for THREE entries. ** You must link to the giveaway.

• Unlimited entries. Post on any non-giveaway post. Leave link. It must be relevant to the topic. Only one comment per post, but you can do this for as many posts as you like.  Each comment is worth 1 entry, so you can not use it for multiple giveaways.

Contest closes at 11:59pm EST on 12/30. Winner will be drawn from Random.org and verified per the rules.  US and Canada.

disclosure: I did receive items for review, but the opinions expressed are honest and my very own.

Citizenpip Reusable Lunch Bags and Containers! Review & Giveaway (Closed)

Citizenpip makes it easy to go green with convenient reusable lunch kits and products that are muck-free (lead-free, PVC-free, phthalate-free, and BPA-free).

Citizenpip was inspired by the belief that making small changes in your daily habits can make a significant impact. Feeling guilty about the four plastic baggies she was throwing out each day just from one kid’s lunch, creator Christina Ip-Toma started using reusable containers. But never finding what she was really looking for. She wanted food-safe materials, something airtight and leak-proof, and something easily thrown in the dishwasher. Figuring a lot of other people might switch to reusable if they could find an easy alternative, she decided to start Citizenpip.

Citizenpip sent me a Soup to Nuts kit.  I don’t leave for lunch but I almost always have leftovers when I go out.  I hate the waste and even more I hate the Styrofoam containers restaurants send me home with.  I have been taking my Citizenpip Soup to Nuts kit with me and it is always needed and always perfectly sized.  I usually even take a drink to go in the water bottle either water or diet coke.

• • 1 insulated lunch bag with nametag and carabiner that    easily attaches to a backpack
• • 1 stainless steel water bottle
• • 1 stainless steel insulated food jar
• • 4 BPA-free airtight food containers
• • 1 stainless steel fork + spoon set
• • 5 100% cotton napkins

This holiday season, Citizenpip reusable lunch gear is the gift that keeps on giving. Not only will it be used everyday, but everytime it is used, the recipient will be making a difference and “giving back” to the environment. And to make it easier than ever to give, Citizenpip kits are beautifully packaged with white cotton ribbon in a recycled white box. Customers can include a gift message and even preorder gifts for a later ship date.

Citizenpip would also like to extend these gifts to you this holiday through 12/31/09:

A gift to you: Receive a free fork+spoon set with every order over $50 (before tax and shipping). Just add a fork+spoon to your shopping cart and use coupon code: PRISSYGREENgives

A gift to one lucky reader:

Citizenpip will giveaway one Square Meal kit to one of Prissy Green reader in the continental US.

A gift to the environment:

Citizenpip will plant one tree in partnership with Trees for the Future for every $10 spent.

The Square Meal Kit Includes: ($42 value)

• • 1 insulated lunch bag with nametag and carabiner that    easily attaches to a backpack
• • 1 stainless steel water bottle
• • 4 BPA-free airtight food containers
• • 5 100% cotton napkins

To enter to win, visit Citizenpip and tell me which kit you think would best suited for you and why!

Extra Entries: (you must do the mandatory entry, then the extra entries, please leave a separate comment for all entries) =)

• Subscribe to Prissy Updates (emails) You must must validate the email. (2 entries)
  

• Sign up for my RSS feed.

• Stumble, Digg and/or Add to Del.icio.us Bookmarks. (leave user name)
  

• Become a Fan of  Prissy Green on Facebook.
  

• Follow Prissy Green on Twitter and Tweet the contest. You can do this daily.
  

• Blog about this contest for THREE entries. ** You must link to the giveaway.

• Unlimited entries. Post on any non-giveaway post. Leave link. It must be relevant to the topic. Only one comment per post, but you can do this for as many posts as you like.  Each comment is worth 1 entry, so you can not use it for multiple giveaways.

Contest closes at 11:59pm EST on 12/30. Winner will be drawn from Random.org and verified per the rules.  US.

Baby Elephants Beat by Ringling Bros.

As revealed in a Washington Post exposé this morning, PETA was given dozens of never-before-seen photos taken inside Ringling’s Florida training center by a veteran elephant handler that expose the circus’s long-held secret: the violent methods used to train baby elephants.

The heartbreaking photos show baby elephants bound with ropes, slammed to the ground and gouged with bullhooks to learn circus tricks. Will you view these photos and share this story with friends and family and encourage them to never attend a circus that uses animals?

“Ringling’s elephant compound, off-limits to the public, is a torture camp for baby elephants,” says PETA Director Debbie Leahy. “Parents looking for wholesome family entertainment won’t find it at Ringling, where baby elephants are torn from their mothers, repeatedly tied down, gouged with bullhooks, and forced to perform tricks under threat of punishment.”

The following are just some of the abuses documented in the photos:

• Ringling’s general manager using an electric shock prod on a baby elephant
• Baby elephants separated from their mothers by force
• Baby elephants bound with ropes on their legs, trunk, back, and neck as a group of trainers gouge them with bullhooks and slam them to the ground
• Three bullhooks used simultaneously on one baby elephant being forced to learn how to do a headstand

This abusive training goes on for three to four hours a day for up to a year. Since 1998, four of Ringling’s baby elephants have died, including one who broke his hind legs at a training session and another who drowned while trying to escape from a trainer.

Former elephant handler Sam Haddock—who worked at Ringling’s breeding and training center in Polk City off and on between 1997 and 2005—took the photos and described on camera and in a notarized statement how baby elephants scream and struggle during violent training sessions. Haddock, who died in November from a sudden illness, regretted his career toward the end of his life and appealed to PETA to use his evidence to ease his conscience and bring about justice for the elephants.

I am choosing not to post the pictures because I am already an emotional wreck reading this and viewing them.  I just can’t bear to right click save, upload, resize etc.  forgive me.  or thank me.  whatever.  Just please share this article.  Either mine or this one:

For the full story please read here.  If you need help growing a heart, go read Dumbo again.

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