Final New Years Eve Party Tips & More!

Make this years New Years Celebration Enjoyable & Safe!

New Years Eve Green Clean Up Ideas: 
Give kitchen and bathrooms a quick clean up with Brightly Green's Bathroom Cleaner Concentrate, Brightly Green Granite & Tile Cleaner Concentrate as well as your Brightly Green Multi-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate.  Keep handy Brightly Green Carpet & Upholstery Spot Remover Concentrate for any spills during your New Years celebration.

New Year Eve Hangover Cure  (from The Daily Green):
When the last drop of champagne has been drunk, you might need to give your guests another form hydration.  Sending them off with a hangover cure -- an inexpensive paraating gift of a reusable water bottle filled with tap water and an Emergen-C packet --ought to do the trick  They'll thank you in the morning.

Keep Guests Safe (and other travelers): 
Remember do not let ANYONE drive home intoxicated.  Be sure you have designated drivers to get your guests home safely!

One day left to enter...HG Labs Holiday Notebook Contest!!!

Get your entries in TODAY!!!

For all our Pet Lovers--Holiday Treats For Your Special Member of the Family:

Pet Cookie Recipe

From:  Edie--Care Paws

http://www.carepaws.com/

Pumpkin/Sweet Potato Treats

2 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 cup powdered milk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup mashed sweet potatoes or pumpkin mix

1/4 cup beef broth

Preheat oven to 350.  Line cookie sheet with parchment paper (or lightly oil the cookie sheet).  Mix all dry ingredients, then add the moist ingredients and slightly mix.  Dust hands with flour and knead the dough until well mixed, spread dough (by hand) on floured surface to 1/4 - 1/2 inch thickness.  Flour knife and cut into pet bite-sized pieces and place on cookie sheet.

Bake 25-30 minutes or until slightly browned.  Remove tray and cool on rack.  Store in a tightly sealed container.

Brightly Green thanks Edie from Care Paws for this special pet cookie recipe!



To you and yours...from Brightly Green Cleaners!

Please Leave a comment and a link to your Blog and or website!

More Great, Eco-Friendly New Years Eve Party Ideas!

Brightly Green is excited to pass on to you

more green, eco-friendly tips from The Daily Green.

We hope these green party ideals will help make your celebration with family & friends a success!

Share the Cost (New Years Eve Ideals)
Tell guests to "Bring Your Own Bubbly" (or box of wine) to share the cost of the shindig.  Try a bottle from our list of organic sparklers, and boxed wines.  Tell your guests it's a green theme; they'll be surprised how many drink options are available.


New Years Eve Appetizers and Desserts
Your guests will probably be coming later in the evening, so you don't need to serve a big meal--appetizers and desserts should do the trick.  These are all inexpensive and pretty easy to make.  By our estimation, each dish is under 12 bucks for 10 servings.

Appetizers
Goat Cheese with Honey Dip
Quick Veggie Dip
Swiss Cheese Onion Crostini
Hush Puppies

Desserts
Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes
Candied Walnuts
Deep Chocolate Coffe Brownies

Only 4 days left for the HG Labs Holiday Notebook Contest!!!

Get your entries in TODAY!!!

(For details click on "HG Labs Holdiay Notebook Contest" --above)

Brightly Green wishes you a fun-filled & SAFE New Years Eve celebration!

Please Leave a comment and a link to your Blog and or website!

Eco-Friendly New Year's Eve Party Ideals!

                                                                                                                                                                                       

This week is about getting YOU ready for the

big New Year's Eve party! 

To help us, help you, we have eco-friendly

party tips from The Daily Green.

Eco-Friendly New Years Eve Invitations

Keep it simple and free with an e-vite or e-card.  Find "cards" at Evite or MyPunchbowl.  Try Somecards if you want to get hilarious responses.

Green New Years Eve Decorations

To spice up your place on the (green) cheap, try biodegradable crepe paper streamers, recycled rubber star coasters and soy candles to set the mood.  Empty wine or champagne bottles can be used as candlestick holders or vases.  Try DIY confetti with scrap paper, newspapers or used holiday gift wrap:  Just grab some scissors or a hole punch and cut away.  For another option -- and one that is easier on your fingers--try these awesome shredder scissors by uncommongoods.

Setting the table

The easiest and cheapest way to get enough seating for your guests is to borrow from your neighbors (this might mean you'll have to invite them to your party, so be prepared).  If you still need more supplies, try renting them from a party store.  You can get glasses, china and tablecloths as well.  If you're going the disposable route, try some eco-disposable options.  BiodegradableStore.com has a plate made from sugarcane, an annually renewable resource.  At $6.95 for a pack of 50, the price is pretty sweet too. 

Green Party Goods has great options for festive napkins, or take a look at Plum Party's eco-supply section.

New Years Eve Green Clean Up Ideas

Have your Brightly Green All-Natural cleaners handy for spills and be sure and clean up as you go!  Helps make the New Years Day start off on a good foot!

Check back in with us later in the week for more eco-friendly party tips!

Brightly Green thanks The Daily Green for their helpful party ideals!

Send in your entries for the

 HG Labs Holiday Notebook Contest

before it's over...don't miss out!

Please Leave a comment and a link to your Blog and or website!

Holiday Wishes

To all our friends, readers & customers

Brightly Green All-Natural Cleaners

wishes you & your family a

Very, Merry Christmas

Please Leave a comment and a link to your Blog and or website!

Get on the Right Financial Footing!

HOLIDAY WISHES FROM BRIGHTLY GREEN CLEANERS!

Gifts are all wrapped and nestled under the tree.  Great job, you did it!  Have a wonderful time with family and friends as you celebrate the season!

Remember to keep your Brightly Green Carpet & Upholstery Spot Remover Concentrate handy for those accidental spills!  Brightly Green Multi-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate is also good to have on hand for quick, general, clean-up duties.

We have appreciated the comments and links many of you have given us over the past several weeks.

Thank you!

As the New Year approaches, we would like to share one of those particular links we received.  Shirely from Businesscreditcards.com has many informative articles relating to business needs.

Get your New Year started on the right financial foot by checking out the helpful articles below.

Article 1:  Top 50 Christian Business & Financial Blogs

http://www.businesscreditcards.com/bootstrapper/category/brand-identity/

Article 2:  Working Green:  50 Tips to Reduce Your Office's Waste

http://www.businesscreditcards.com/bootstrapper/working-green-50-tips-to-reduce-your-offices-waste/

Green Businesses are growing and offering many healthy, positive & safe alternatives for all consumers!

Harmony All-Natural Aromatherapy Cleaners thanks Shirley from Buisnesscreditcards.com for her informative contributions to our readers!

Merry Christmas  from Brightly Green All-Natural Cleaners!

Please Leave a comment and a link to your Blog and or website!

HGL 12 Week Holiday Planning Notebook Contest!

Friends, Readers, Customers of

Brightly Green Cleaners

This Contest is For YOU!

($80.00 Valued Prize)

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER:

Every time you submit to us on our blog a Holiday comment, Holiday recipe,

Holiday poem or Holiday tradition (New or Old)

we will enter your name into a drawing!

You can also email us a picture of your eco-friendly festive decorations

or anything relating to Christmas, New Year's or any Holiday event!

RULES:

Please make sure we have your contact info so we can enter you into the contest!

You can email it to us separately at:

sharron@hglabsllc.com

Contest Runs Through New Year's Day 1/1/12

Winner will be announced on 1/2/12

We look forward to your wonderful entries!

HG Labs reserves the right to use our discretion on the appropriatness of the submissions.

Don't delay...enter today!!!

Please Leave a comment and a link to your Blog and or website!

Child Safety - Toy Recall!

Brightly Green thanks Consumer Reports for their dedication to safety!

Consumer Reports News
Subject: Recall: 1.7 million Little Tike toy workshop and tool sets—choking hazard

More than 1.7 additional Little Tikes Workshops and Tool Sets have been recalled because the oversized plastic toy nails can pose a choking hazard to young children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today. This recall notice comes after a previous recall of approximately 1.6 million toy workshop sets and trucks with the same toy nails in August, 2009. Little Tike reported two additional incidents, occurring prior to the August 2009 recall, of children who choked when the toy nail became lodged in their throat. Both children were treated in a hospital and made a full recovery. This recall involves the toy nails sold as part of 11 additional models of Little Tikes Workshop and tool sets listed here. The toy nails are oversized, plastic, and about 3.25 inches long by 1.25 inch in diameter. The nails are either red or blue and have a large round head. Below the nail head there is a plastic ridge, slightly smaller than the nail head and about 1 inch in diameter. Model numbers may be found on some of the products. Little Tikes will provide replacement toy nails for free. For additional information, contact Little Tikes at 800-321-0183, or visit www.littletikes.com. Little Tikes Expands Recall of Toy Workshop and Tool Sets Due to Choking Hazard [CPSC] 2009 Recall: Little Tikes Children’s Toy Workshop Sets and Trucks Due to Choking Hazard [CPSC]

For more information:
View article...

Consumer Reports News
Subject: 14,000 wood musical toys recalled for choking hazard

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Battat Inc. of Plattsburgh, NY, announced the recall of 14,000 Musical Wooden Table Toys. The table-top toy has small pegs that can detach from the xylophone and pose a choking hazard to small children. CPSC and Battat have received nine reports of loose and detached pegs, but no injuries have been reported. The musical toy has colorful instruments affixed to the green-painted table top surface. The table stands about 7-1/2 inches tall and has three supporting legs. Instruments on the table include a xylophone, cymbal, drum and two drumsticks. The Musical Wooden Table Toys were sold nationwide at music and toy stores as well as online from September 2006 to October 2010 for about $30. Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Battat (toll-free: 800-247-6144 website: www.battatco.com) to receive a free replacement product. Musical Wooden Table Toys Recalled by Battat Due to Choking Hazard [CPSC]

Brightly Green wishes you a Merry Christmas!

Please Leave a comment and a link to your Blog and or website!

HGL Holiday Planning 12 Week Notebook Contest!

All of our followers of the HG Labs Planning Notebook should be able to sit back, relax and enjoy this week before Christmas!  Your gifts have been purchased & wrapped, meals planned, festive appointments all in order!

So…with some time on your hands!  Maybe you would like to be adventurous and make a New Holiday Recipe!   Try Frieda's Banana Pineapple Nut Bread (from our Week 11 Holiday Planning Guide). 

OR:  a featured recipe sent in to us from Amateur Cook; “Salmon & Cheese Biscuits”

[for our U.S. readers:  follow this conversion:  ¼ pound salmon,  bake @ 350 degrees F]

You can always tuck them into your HG Labs Holiday Notebook for next year’s planning too!

Share some of your favorite recipes with us and YOU could be a winner!

In the Spirit of Giving:

Brightly Green Cleaners Presents!

HGL Holiday Planning 12 Week Notebook Contest!

($80.00 Value)

As a special THANK YOU for all our friends, readers and customers

your name will be submitted every time you send us a Holiday comment, Holiday recipe,

Holiday poem or Holiday tradition (New or Old).

Email us a picture of your eco-friendly festive decorations or anything relating to

Christmas, New Year's or any Holiday event.

Rules:

Please make sure we have your contact info so we can enter you into the contest!

You can email it to us separately at:

sharron@hglabsllc.com

Contest runs through New Year's Day 1/1/12

Winner will be announced on 1/2/12

Please Leave a comment and a link to your Blog and or website!

Week 12 of the 12 Week Holiday Planning Notebook

The Week Before Christmas

HGL Holiday Planning Notebook Poem

By Angel Wilder

'Twas the week before Christmas and all through the house,

not a creature was worried not even your spouse.

The presents in recycled paper were wrapped

And all Santa's helpers could sit down and laugh.

Organization and planning was all that it took.

And it was a breeze thanks to their HGL Holiday Planning Notebook.

The budget was followed, traditions were set,

The New Year was looming, the finances kept.

When chaos and bedlam around them appeared,

They all settled down with nothing but cheer!

The house how it sparkled, it smelled quite divine

With scents of fresh lavender, cucumber, and lime.

Poem written by Angel Wilder

Thank you Angel for your wonderful Eco-Friendly HG Labs Holiday Planning Notebook poem!!!

---------

Santa is coming to town he will be proud you checked your list twice and that you have not been naught and you have been so nice!  So check these few chores off your list and enjoy your family, friends, Holiday parties and Holiday events!

Holiday Budget:  Check your budget...adjust if need  be.

Gift List:  Double check your list to be sure you have not missed anyone.  Add anyone you forgot or received a surprise gift or card from!

All your gifts and crafts should be wrapped and placed under your Christmas tree or on your Holiday Gift Table.  Any gift you need to mail should go out today!

Menus & Recipes:  Check your menu section of your HGL Holiday Planning Notebook for your ingredient list table chart (if your hosting).  If you are attending parties or dinners and plan to bring dishes to the events, check that ingredient list as well.  Also, if you are hosting, consult your table decorating section for any additional items you may need.  Homemade eco-friendly decoration may be a good option.  Please be aware of poisonous holiday plants that can make your pets or children sick like poinsettias and keep out of reach.

Cleaning:  15 to 20 minute cleaning for each room with an emphasis on changing linen and tidiying up your guest rooms (if you are having guests).  Be sure and keep our Brightly Green Multi-Purpose Cleaners and our Brightly Green Carpet Spot Remover handy for spills and last minute clean up!

HGL Holiday Planning 12 Week Notebook Contest!

($80.00 Value)

As a special THANK YOU for all our friends, readers and customers your name will be submitted every time you send us a Holiday comment, Holiday recipe, Holiday poem or Holiday tradition (New or Old).  Email us a picture of your eco-friendly festive decorations or anything relating to Christmas, New Year's or any Holiday event.

Rules:

Please make sure we have your contact info so we can enter you into the contest!

You can email it to us separately at:

sharron@hglabsllc.com

Contest runs through New Year's Day 1/1/12

Winner will be announced on 1/2/12

We look forward to your wonderful entries!

HG Labs reserves the right to use our discretion on the appropriateness of the submissions.

Merry Christmas from Brightly Green Cleaners!



Please Leave a comment and a link to your Blog and or website!

Sleeping Safely - Parent Reminders for Infant Care

Many of you will be traveling during the holidays.  May the following articles remind you to not take short cuts in keeping your infants safe when it comes to bedtime.  Brightly Green Cleaners cares about you and your little ones!

Consumer Reports News 

Thursday, November 24, 2011 8:30 AM
Poll shows that infants still at risk in unsafe sleep settings

Despite the relentless drumbeat of recommendations for the past two decades urging parents and caregivers to put babies “back to sleep,” as a way to reduce the occurrence of Sudden Infant Death syndrome in the United States, a recent poll from the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, of the University of Michigan Health System, has found that awareness hasn’t necessarily translated into action. According to a survey, when parents of children up to 3 years of age were asked about both their beliefs about safe sleep positions and about the sleep settings and positions for their children during infancy, the discrepancy between knowledge and practice was evident. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has long recommended that parents put their babies to sleep on their backs in the crib, and 89 percent of parents believe that is a safe sleep position. Yet, despite the AAP’s recommendation that babies sleep alone in their cribs, 73 percent of survey respondents had reported falling asleep with their babies in their beds and other places, and 40 percent of the respondents also believed that it was safe for infants to sleep in bed with another person. These findings are of particular concern, suggested Dr. Bethany Mohr, medical director of the child protection team at the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, as the holiday season approaches and families may be traveling with their babies to other people’s homes or staying in hotels. Parents, and caregivers, need to remain mindful of these recommendations: • Babies should always sleep alone, in a crib or bassinette, with a firm mattress and tightly fitting sheet. • The crib should be bare (no blankets, plush toys, or anything that could pose a risk of suffocation or smothering). • Parents and caregivers should not fall asleep while holding their babies. The AAP, which originally launched the “Back to Sleep” campaign in 1992, recently published new guidelines urging parents to keep cribs free of bumper pads, soft bedding, pillows, blankets, loose bedding as well as sleep positioners or other devices, like wedges. See our Buying advice and Ratings (available to subscribers) for a wide range of products for babies and kids including cribs. Find us on Facebook and Twitter.

View article...


You may be wondering, well how can I be sure my child is warm enough while he/she sleeps?  Read on...answers below!

Consumer Reports News
Thursday, December 01, 2011 7:00 AM
Keep baby cozy in the crib without blankets

When baby sleeps in his bassinet or crib, he’s safest with only a fitted sheet—no blankets, comforters, pillows, or bumpers, all of which are suffocation hazards. How can he still stay comfortable and cozy? Read our guidelines to learn more! Let baby sleep unencumbered Don't wrap your bundle of joy in blankets or comforters when he's in a crib. He can quickly become entangled and—unable to free himself—potentially suffocate. Pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, stuffed animals, and dolls don't belong in a bassinet or crib. Dress baby properly If it's cold, try putting your baby in a cozy zippered sleep sack or foot pajamas. Since babies can quickly overheat, if you're worried that your baby is too warm, you should feel his chest or the back of his neck. If he's hot and sweaty, the room temperature should be cooler. Or, put your baby to sleep in lightweight clothes and set the thermostat to a comfortable 70 degrees F. Overheating might contribute to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Use safe sleepwear Babies pajamas should fit snuggly and be made of flame-resistant fabric. There should be no drawstrings, ribbons, or anything else that might catch on something. Buttons and snaps should be firmly attached to avoid becoming a choking hazard. Don't use an electric blanket, heating pad, or even a warm-water bottle to heat your baby's crib. An infant's skin is highly sensitive to heat and can be burned by temperatures that are comfortable to an adult. Get more safe sleep tips, as well as crib safety advice, in our complete cribs buying guide.

View article...

Brightly Green thanks Consumer Reports for these important and timely articles!

Brightly Green wishes all of you a wonderful & SAFE holiday season!

Please Leave a comment and a link to your Blog and or website!

Week 11 Holiday Planning - Christmas Countdown

Week 11 Christmas Holiday Planning Countdown - Homemade Baking Gifts & Family Cookie Baking

You have done the hardest work.  For these two weeks just enjoy family and friends.  A little homemade holiday baking and preparation for your gatherings and parties are in order now!

Budget:  As always take a few minutes to review your budget.  This is when you could really get off track.  Regardless of how naughty or nice you have been you will be glad you were diligent...come January!

Gifts:  Because you have been following your HG Labs Holiday Notebook you should slide into Christmas festivities without a hitch.  Include in your HG Labs Holiday Notebook any new invitations and gift giving additions now.  There are still some great deals out there and you can more than likely get them delivered in time too.  Wrap any new gifts and put them under your tree or gift table.

Cleaning:  Because of all the Holiday decorations...you and your home may sparkle plenty...if so, a good sweeping/dusting may be in order!  The Brightly Green Wood Floor Cleaner is great for dusting.  Just spray a little Brightly Green Wood Floor Cleaner on a microfiber cloth and dust.  It's great for any coated wood surfase...Not only for your wood floors!  Give your home a 15 to 20 minute cleanup in each room.  You've done the hardest work, now you can enjoy the benefits!

Cooking:  Organize your menu/s and shop for ingredients.  Set aside time for cookie baking with family and special homemade gift baking.  Below is a favorite (tried & true) recipe from a dear friend:

A great homemade gift everyone will enjoy!

Frieda's Banana Pineapple Nut Bread:

Makes 2 medium gifts or 4 small homemade baking gifts.

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour
2cups sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup chopped pecans
3 eggs beaten
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1  8oz can crushed pineapple (undrained)
2 Tbsp. vanilla
3 to 4 mashed bananas

-------------------------

Combine dry ingredients; stir in nuts and set aside. 
Combine remaining ingredients; add to dry...just until moist - do not over stir.
Spoon into pans - Two -  9x5 floured/greased loaf pans - Cook for 50 to 60 minutes.
Or:
Four - 5x2 floured/greased loaf pans - Cook for 40 minutes.

----------------------

Oven set @ 350 degrees
Cool 10 minutes then remove from pans and continue cooling on baking racks.

Thank you Frieda M. for your wonderful recipe!

Please share with us more of your Holiday traditions and recipes!  Tell us what Christmas and the Holidays mean to you.  We would love to share them!

Next week:  HG Labs special Holiday reveal...a surprise for all our readers and customers!

  --from all of us at Brightly Green Cleaners!

Please Leave a comment and a link to your Blog and or website!

Alert!

There is currently a recall of select canine diets from Iams & Cargill Animal Nutrition.  The following diets are being recalled:


1) Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food with Use by or Expiration Dates of February 5 or February 6, 2013

Version                         Code Date                         UPC Code
7.0 lb bag                        1278417716                       1901402305
8.0 lb bag                        12794177D2                      1901410208
                                       12794177D3                      1901410208
17.5 lb bag                      12794177K1                      12794177K1
                                        12794177K2                     12794177K1

2) Cargill Animal Nutrition Recalls River Run and Marksman Dry Dog Food

a) Professional Formula River Run HI-NRG 24-20 Dog Food, 50 pound bags

b) River Run Professional Formula 27-18 Dog Food, 50 pound bags

c) River Run 21% Protein Dog Food, 40 & 50 pound bags

d) River Run Hi-Pro No Soy Dog Food, 40 & 50 pound bags

e) Marksman Dog Food 24% Protein 20% Fat, 40 pound bags

f) Marksman Dog Food 20% Protein 10% Fat, 40 & 50 pound bags

g) Marksman Dog Food 28% Protein 18% Fat, 40 pound bags

If you have purchased any of these diets, please go to the following links for additional information. 

http://www.cargill.com/feed/dog-food-recall

http://www.iams.com/

The Doctors & Staff at St. Matthews Animal Clinic - Louisville, KY would be happy to answer any questions you may have concerning this recall!  Contact their staff @ 502-895-8100

OR:  Contact your local veterinarian with any questions!

We at, Brightly Green Cleaners, know our Readers love their special pets as we do!

Healthy Green Living is also about caring for the animals in our lives

in addition to caring for our precious families!

Please Leave a comment and a link to your Blog and or website!

Santa's Helper Suggestions

Brightly Green has some helpful gift ideas -
thanks to Consumer Reports!

Consumer Reports News
Subject: Disney AppMATes: Toy cars that come to life on the iPad

Kids love tablets. Some toy companies, such as Vtech, LeapFrog, and Fisher-Price, are responding to this love by creating tablet-toy hybrids (and we plan to test these in the near future). But Disney and Spin Master are taking a different and creative tack with AppMATes: "a new line of toys that comes to life digitally when used with an Apple iPad," for ages 4 and up. The AppMATes toys are Disney-Pixar Cars 2 characters; they come two at a time in a $19.99 package (available in October at Apple stores and other mass retailers). Each of the Cars 2 toys has sensors on its base that identify it uniquely to the iPad. To play with the cars on the tablet, you download a free app and simply place the toy on the screen. You can then explore, race, and perform missions in the virtual world of Radiator Springs by moving your car around. (See the embedded video below for a demo.) AppMATes are inexpensive and look easy to use. And there's a lot of replay potential in the virtual-world connection, to which new content can be added endlessly. The big question, though, is whether mom and dad want to share their expensive iPad for kids to play on. No doubt anticipating potential hesitation on parents' part, Disney also announced a very well padded iPad case, also with a Cars 2 theme ($49, coming this fall).

To read more go to:

http://news.consumerreports.org/electronics/2011/09/disney-appmates-toy-cars-that-come-to-life-on-the-ipad.html

_____________________________________________________

Consumer Reports News
Subject: Family news from the November 2011 Consumer Reports

Fever thermometers (with Ratings), health insurance rankings, outlet store Ratings, a riding-toy recall, and more family news and consumer updates from the November 2011 Consumer Reports. Money and shopping Where to put your money now.Top products of the year. Recommended products that stood out among the thousands our experts rated. Outlet stores: Worth the trip? Readers rate 58 stores for value. Health and beauty Fever thermometers--does infrared beat digital stick? Best laundry detergents. Many conventionals beat concentrates. Best moisturizers for dry skin. Best health insurance for your family. Food and drink Quick brown rices--up to $1.08 per serving vs. 15 cents for regular brown rice. Coffeemakers: the invasion of the pod. Auto Best car waxes to winterize your vehicle. Upscale sedans. Safety and consumer protection Recall: Scoot 'n Zoom riding toy, plus other products. The USDA allows 49.9 percent of ground turkey in test samples to be contaminated with salmonella. Consumers Union says that unacceptable. Plus, more of the latest challenges and possible solutions facing U.S. consumers today.

For more information please go to:

http://news.consumerreports.org/baby/2011/10/family-friendly-news-and-consumer.html

Brightly Green thanks Consumer Reports for these very helpful articles!

Please Leave a comment and a link to your Blog and or website!

Support Green Responsible and Caring Eco-Friendly Businesses

One of the Key Points to being Green and Going Green is Eco Friendly Responsibility.

We, at Brightly Green Cleaners, feel it is our Responsibility to be as up front and honest with you about the ingredients we put in our products.

All of our cleaning products are 100% sustainable and are made completely with
100% natural plant based products.

Another Key Point to being Green and Going Green is Caring.

Caring for people and local businesses well as national and global green, earth- friendly caring.
We, at Brightly Green, Care about YOU.

We value PEOPLE, and as such, want to share with you articles and tips that not only help you to clean your home the best possible way with the best possible products; but share with you tips that help to enrich your lives.

"With you in mind,"  Brightly Green Cleaners has met some special people that truly care about safe, healthy, chemical-free foods for you and your family:

Meet John and Jessica Moody the originators of Whole Life Co-Op.  Together they have built a large cooperative food club as well as helped others get co-op clubs going in their respective communities.

If you are interested in learning more about food co-ops, John has recently written a book, "Food Club and Co-op Handbook".

In stating the reason he wrote the book; John said, "Our desire isn't to become rich, but to help others enrich the health of their families, farmers, communities and countries."

John and Jessica also have a blog with many helpful and informative articles on what is or is not found in the foods we consume.

Brightly Green believes in supporting Green Responsible and Caring farmers and businesses. 

Thank you John and Jessica Moody for the incredible Responsible and Caring work you do to help eco-friendly families sustain themselves as well as promote sustainable healthy life styles!

Earth Friendly, Green Responsibility and Healthy Living Care:  It's that Simple!

Please Leave a comment and a link to your Blog and or website!

Week 10 of the Holiday Planning Notebook

First:  Check your Holiday Planning Notebook budget.  Are you on budget?  Should you add some or take some away from your budget?  Evaluate how your plan is working so far...any improvements you can consider in your planning or clean up if so, make note of it now for next year.

Next:  Did you campout or stampede the stores with the other bargain hunters anticipating the best prices for Black Friday or join the Cyber Monday discount shoppers fingering their way to great deals?  Let's hope you kept your Holiday Notebook Gift List in front of you and were not drawn in to bargains you did not need or plan for.

Christmas Preparations:

By now you should have put away your Thanksgiving decorations as well as tucked away in your notebook many special memories to be visited next year!  Many of you have begun or finished your Christmas decorating, if not, try to set aside time this week.

Wrap all your Christmas gifts and place them around your tree or gift table.  Check your list to see if you have missed anyone.  Make note of all upcoming events and have your recipes ready when needed.  Mark them off against your event calendar.  Prepare for any new invitation or unexpected surprise events.

Still looking for eco-friendly gifts?  Check our these Green Toys that are available:

Green Toys
http://www.greenamerica.org/programs/shopunshop/10greentoys.cfm

Family Green Christmas Project:  Why not make homemade gifts for Grandma & Grandpa!  Many grandparents love homemade gifts from their grandchildren. This can be a fun-filled family night too!

Cleaning:

Although most of your time this week will be devoted to putting Thanksgiving decorations away and bringing our your Christmas things; be sure to tidy up every room - giving 15 to 20 minutes per room.  Keep your Brightly Green cleaning basket close at hand; making you an efficient, cleaning machine!  Look for great green cleaning specials this month at Shop Brightly Green!

Next Week:  Putting it all together.  Crunch Time!

Please Leave a comment and a link to your Blog and or website!

Holiday Traveling With Children

Brightly Green would like to share with you this helpful article.  If you plan to travel with children this upcoming holiday season; read on!


Consumer Reports
by:  Natali Morris

Parenting
App review: Road Trip Bingo
Jul 11, 2011 8:00 AM

"Are we there yet?" The well-prepared parent can stave off the dreaded road-trip whine by planning some fun family activities. If you're traveling with an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch, consider the Road Trip Bingo app. [corrected link]
The game has bingo boards with travel icons instead of letters and numbers. You can play single or double player. You play like traditional Bingo: The object is to mark off squares on your board until you have marked off five in a row, either up and down, across, or diagonally.
In traditional Bingo, a person calls out numbers and letters that correspond to the squares on your board. In Road Trip Bingo, your squares are filled with images of things you would commonly see on a road trip. When you see those things out the window, you mark them off by touching the icon so that a purple dot appears over the image.
There are dozens of icons to search for, including cows, horses, cars, trucks, bicycles, crosswalks, and street signs for speed limit, merging, detours, one way, pedestrian crossing, and more.
When you play with two people, the iPad screen is split into two boards, so you play simultaneously. This doesn't allow you to be very competitive, because if you see a green car and mark it off, your opponent will see it too. You end up collaborating more than competing. But it's a lot easier to catch your opponent cheating!
I played Road Trip Bingo with my mom on a recent road trip (my son is too young to play this yet). While traveling through the Altamont Pass in Northern California, we saw a small farm with cows. She marked off cows and horses when there were clearly no horses on that farm. I indignantly called her out and unmarked her horse box. She still won, though. Twice. But I'm not bitter.
When a Bingo is reached, the app identifies a winner and shuffles though the icons to give you a new board. You can't go for a blackout, or a completely marked-off board.
The game has background music, which I found pretty annoying, so I turned it off. It was more fun to announce to the other four people in the car that I desperately needed a Merge Left sign. It became a fun group activity with everyone on the lookout for items.
I wasn't sure how much of a purist I should be about the game, though. For instance, I marked off my speed-limit icon when I saw a sign posting the speed limit at 65 miles per hour. The icon on the board says 55 mph, though. Close enough, right?
Also, should you count a Merge Left icon if the one you see is only graphically represented and not written out? And should you mark off a green car if what you see is a green SUV? I did all of those things. And yet, I still lost.
Road Trip Bingo HD costs 99 cents in the iTunes App Store.
—Natali Morris


Brightly Green thanks Natali Morris & Consumer Reports for this article!

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