At first it seemed like something fancy and unnecessary but after a few uses, I became addicted. If you aren’t changing your sheets that day, just spritz your pillows and sheets before you make up your bed for the day. Later that night when you return, you’re swaddled in the relaxing scents of essential oils and your sheets smell fresh and clean.

It’s delightful.

Caldrea makes and entire line of home care products, from kitchen cleaning product to baby nursery care items.  If you are looking for cleaning products not made of harsh chemicals, the all natural products at Caldrea have something for every room in the house.

You can purchase them at their website or at various stores - which you can research on their store locator feature.

For natural cleaning power with fresh results, I’m giving Caldrea a prop. Sometime I hope to check out their other products!

Written by Gidge, who is a mother of a 7 year old boy and 5 year old twin boys. A transplanted Hoosier, die-hard Colts fan and professional call center manager, she likes long walks on the beach, penguins and playing ping-pong. Her turn-ons include sleep and silence. Read all about her life here.

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Ever have a really annoying smell that you just can’t seem to get rid of no matter what you try? I’ve spent a lot of time and money on room deodorizers and sprays to still have the smell linger after the scented cover-up disappears. At the suggestion of a friend I tried Smells Begone and all be if it really isn’t gone!

What I love about Smells Begone is that it doesn’t just mask the odor, it eliminates it completely. It is non-scented and can work on just about anything. And it’s also non-toxic so you don’t have to worry about children being around it. It is sold in a set that contains 12 ounce pump spray and 16 ounce jar that can be left open in a room for up to 90 days. We usually leave the jar in our garage and keep the spray in our house to use when we cook or something just lingers. The set is priced at $18.95 and is worth it.

This is a must have item to keep in your home. I wish we’d known about this when our son was a baby and we always had the smell of dirty diapers no matter how often we took out the trash.

by Emily

Do your kids love strawberries? Do your kids hate the stems? Are you tired of trying to cut out the stem and wasting perfectly good strawberry? Then this a must have for you! OXO makes the perfect Strawberry Huller that makes easier than ever to prepare salads or for your child’s snack time.

This simple gadget is easy to use and mess free. Just pierce the strawberry and scoop to remove the leaves and stem. Then push the button to release what you’ve removed and move on to the next. The plunger is removable and dishwasher safe.

With this handy kitchen tool you’ll be able to preserve the best part of the berry. For under $6 you can have one of these in your utensil drawer.

by Lisa

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I’m sure you can guess what it does just by the title and looking at it. The Moo Mixer moos every time you mix your chocolate milk of course. There is a trigger button that activates the internal whisk that runs on 2 AA batteries (which are not included). One plus is that the tumbler is dishwasher safe.

This would be a cute gift for young kids who love chocolate milk or that crazy aunt who’s obsessed with collecting cows. Either way you can give the gift of a bellowing moo for under $13!

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As a busy mom always looking for the latest deals, I thought you might like to know about a special discounted coupon available at Near East. You can save $1.00 on any two Neat East offerings, including the new Pearled Couscous flavors that run at about $2.70 per box. Near East products are available at Whole Foods and other grocery stores nationwide.

New Near East Pearled Couscous brings the elegance of Mediterranean cuisine straight to the kitchen. Made with all-natural ingredients, it’s a quick, healthy side dish that kids love – perfect for the beginning of the school year as schedules become full of new activities.

In addition, Near East offers 30 different flavors and varieties of rice pilaf, couscous and other grain dishes that consumers love.  Couscous is traditionally served under a meat dish or as an accompaniment to a vegetable stew but it can also be eaten alone, flavored or plain, warm or cold, as a dessert or a side dish. A must have in every kitchen pantry.

by Emily

How many times have you had trouble opening a can? It seems like I can never find a simple and easy to use can opener that actually works! That was true until I found the One Touch Can Opener. This opener not only does the work for you but it also is safer because it doesn’t leave jagged edges.

The only effort required from you is to place it on top of a can and press a button. It almost sounds too good to be true, but it is! Priced at around $18 you can find this handy gadget at Wal-Mart.

The One Touch is definitely a must have in your kitchen if you want to save time.

by Lisa

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It’s plant based, biodegradable, safe for septic systems, great for sensitive skin and is phosphate and petrochemical free. Ecos is scented with magnolia and lily - a combination which makes the scent-phobic in me think “blech” but it’s actually very pleasant both in use and in the clothing after it’s been folded or hung. They also offer lavender and lemongrass scents.

The price per load of Ecos is only a little bit higher than regular detergents at the grocery store but was actually cheaper at Costco with a $3 off coupon. With the built in soy-based fabric softener, you’d likely be saving money even at the more expensive grocery store.

The Ecos bottle suggests using 2 ounces of detergent for a full load and less for smaller loads. If you’re using a high efficiency (HE) washer, you only need 2 tablespoons. I’ve been using the same bottle in my front loader for a few months and am only now considering buying a new bottle.

The new bottle? Will be Ecos. It’s that good.

Written by Nicole, who blogs about whatever strikes her fancy at Much More Than a Mom. She’s a mom first, and then a whole bunch of other crazy stuff, including a teacher, fitness & yoga instructor and mother to two. She is also the founder & senior editor at The Opinionated Parent, where one of her favorite things to do is give great stuff away.

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My love of Febreze started with their fabric refreshers. In college it came in handy when I’d been at a bar the night before and my jeans weren’t dirty, but smelled smoke and alcohol. To get ready for class all I had to do was spray my jeans with a little Febreze and I was on my way. (My mom doesn’t need to know that part though.)

My other favorite Febreze item is their NOTICEable oil wall plug-in’s that alternate between two complementing scents. I’ve bought several plug-in’s from various brands and Febreze has lasted the longest by far. Plus the scents they offer aren’t obnoxious, but light and refreshing.

Febreze has a new line of products called the Home Collection that not only offer wonderful scents but design. Part of this line includes a flameless luminary that provides a dim flickering light. The base requires 2 AA batteries (that are not included) and the luminary shades are replaceable. Right now they offer 4 delicious scented shades each with a unique contemporary design. My personal favorite is the Cranberry Pear scent.

I was skeptical that the scent would dry up after being exposed to the air for a few days, but thus far it has lasted almost 2l weeks. Febreze promises each shade will last one week on average. Once you have purchased the base, you have the option of buying any of the shades. My favorite part of these luminaries is that they don’t look like a room freshener. They actually look like decor! I give them big props on design and functional use!

The purchase price of a starter kit (which includes 2 shades) is around $15 and a six pack of refill shades is around $16. If you kept up with refills and replaced the shade weekly to keep a strong scent present, you would spend approximately $2.66 per week. That is a little steep for me. I’m wondering if I could spray some of their new scented fabric fresheners on the shade to keep it smelling and save money on refills?

Written by Emily, who is a married working mother of a very energetic 7 year old son. Last year they moved to the country to live on a rock road. Emily was stuck with dial-up internet for 13 months and kissed the installation guy who recently put in high speed at their house. She writes at her personal blog, Fenicle and loves to review new things.

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I was recovering from surgery in June when it was apparently ice cream week on the Food Network. I sat and drooled, unable to eat anything fatty, as they showed you how to make every kind of ice cream, sorbet and gelato under the sun. Show after show taunted me until my sweet husband surprised me one evening - returning from the store with a compact little ice cream maker from Hamilton Beach.

Super sleek and amazingly easy to use, we’ve become ice cream making addicts. No rock salt or ice required, this machine has an inner core that remains frozen and you simply insert it, dump in your ingredients and turn it on. In approximately 20 minutes you’ve got fresh delicious homemade ice cream. It makes exactly enough for us to share and we’ve all enjoyed the adventure of trying out ingredients and different flavors. We’ve tried fruits as well as shaved chocolate and flavors in addition to making old fashioned custard style which was exquisite and velvety.

If you want to try home made ice cream without the crazy amount of work involved - this machine is a must have.

by Gidge

I should apply to be a paid spokesman for Terro Ant Killer. The last three springs I have the same thing happen and I’m sure next year will be no exception. The ants will return just as they do every spring in Indiana. I will lay out the Terro buffet just as I do every spring in Indiana. This year, I laid down my little square and within 2 minutes it looked like this picture. Gross, huh? I agree. But not as gross as having ants crawl all over your cabinets and floor.

My husband says I’m just feeding the ants and I agree. In fact, I’m quite OK with that. It’s obvious they are going to be eating at my house every spring, so I’d rather them eat poison in a 2 square inch section of the house as opposed to every cabinet with food in it. If you have had ants in the past and expect them back in the spring, be ready. Grab a bottle of the Terro liquid and invite them on over to the buffet. You’ll be glad you did.

by Perri

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• Pure, sanitized warm mist—kills up to 99.999% of germs, mold and bacteria in the water
• Worry-free, healthful moisture for you and your family
• Better breathing everyday
• No filters to buy or replace—ever!
• Use with Vicks VapoSteam or Kaz Inhalant
• Patented ultraviolet light process eradicates water bred germs
• Adjustable humidity control
• Three-year warranty
• 2 tanks for easy filling and longer run times
• 2-gallon capacity; operates up to 24 hours

The whole no germ thing was really exciting, especially since I have a kid who seems to get sick at the drop of a hat. So I filled that tanks, plugged it in and was immediately put off by how bright the light is on it. I literally have duct tape over the light and it still illuminates a large area around it.

Further more, it is loud. It sounds like you are sitting next to a hot spring, or a whirl pool, between the sound and the light is was like being in a spa on Jupiter. After that I found that the steam really is hot, not warm, but hot. Strike three, I was almost ready to pan it right there. I used it for a few nights and hated it. Here comes the but… I bought some of the VapoSteam for it. VapoSteam is like VapoRub only it is a liquid that goes into a cup on the humidifier and then it is diffused into the room.

My husband and I have started referring to it as “liquid crack”, because we simply can’t get enough of it. It makes us both breath easier, helps alleviate coughs and is just fantastic in general. So the GermFree Humidifier was  almost panned, but was saved by the VapoSteam! It is well worth the price of around $80 to have in your household. If anyone at Vicks reads this and feels the need give me a lifetime supply of VapoSteam, that would be swell.

Written by Andi, who teaches local high school students about abstaining from sex. She has also had two kids in 16 months. Andi’s husband thinks she needs to practice what she preaches. You can read about her adventures (or misadventures) in motherhood at her personal blog, Parenting 101.

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By chance are you looking for a new sweetener? One you can cook with, use in your tea and something that doesn’t leave a weird bitter after-taste? Then you must try PureVia(also known as Reb-A) from PureCircle. Reb-A is all natural and zero calories! Better yet it is wonderful for people with Diabetes due to its low glycemic index and it won’t affect blood sugar levels. Since it is heat-stable it can be used to cook with too!

Reb-A is derived from Stevia Rebaudiana which was first discovered by a botanist in Paraguay. It is highly concentrated (up to 300 times sweeter than regular sugar), so you must be careful with how much you use. I first came across this in a restaurant and thought I had accidentally put regular sugar in my tea.

by Emily

I hate drinking plain water so I look for flavored water that still has zero calories and sugar. It’s hard to find something that tastes good too! Recently I tried Sobe Lifewater and was hooked! These fun bottles with the lizard tail and unique curves quickly became a must-have in our household.

Right now Sobe offers three zero-calorie flavors:  Fuji Apple Pear, Black & Blue Berry and Yumberry Pomegranate. I’ve had each one and can testify that they are beyond delicious, but Apple was my favorite. Each provides a full day’s worth of Vitamin C and that never hurts.

It is a little expensive considering it is after all water. At nearly $1.30 a bottle I have hard time picking up more than one here and there for a treat. Every once in a while I’ll see them on sale as buy-one-get-one free.

by Melissa

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The Oral B not only comes with several brushes, but there are also additional brushes available for your specialized needs. My husband, who has been going through toothbrushes at the rate of one a month for as long as I’ve known him never seemed to believe me when I told him he was brushing too hard. However, let the Visual Pressure Sensor tell him that and he’s a believer! The toothbrush has a built in timer so you know when you’ve brushed long enough.

One of the included brushes has a polishing head - the kind the hygienist uses to clean your teeth. I can tell a huge difference in my husband’s coffee stained teeth after he’s used it for several weeks. Be forewarned. The power this toothbrush packs is enormous! Having bought a “professional” toothbrush, I was astonished at the power and rotation the Triumph offered. It flosses, polishes, massages and gently sweeps away plaque. Your gum’s will be healthier and your mouth will thank you.

There is a handy covered storage case, a rechargeable unit and it fits nicely in your hand when you’re brushing. One bit of advice I learned right away. Look for replacement brushes on eBay as opposed to your local discount stores. That’s what I did and saved almost two-thirds of the cost of what I would have paid at Wal-Mart. There were also several different types of brushes available on Amazon.

My review for the Triumph could not be any higher. I count myself lucky that I was chosen to receive this fabulous toothbrush. Thanks Oral B!

Written by Perri, a homeschooling mom of 6 kids - 2 that are grown and out of the house and 4 younger ones who help wreck and clean the house. Perri also has two precious grandchildren. She spends a lot of time doing ministries with her church, volunteering in the community and baking a mean cheesecake. She blogs about her family’s life at My Life in Bits & Pieces.

As a last thought, maybe “crap recommendation” was a bit strong regarding my former dentist’s thoughts that I should buy a Rotadent. I’m sure I can use it to scrub the shower grout.

The Oral B Triumph is by far the best toothbrush I have ever used. Ever. I remembered electric toothbrushes as clunky and ineffective, but obviously that is no longer the case. Straight from the horse’s mouth here are a few things Oral B says the toothbrush will do:

• Improves gum health: Helps prevent and reverse gingivitis
• Provides ultimate plaque removal
• Delivers superior teeth whitening and polishing action in 21 days
• Penetrates between teeth to sweep away plaque for a floss-like clean
• Helps reduce excessive brushing force, which can lead to gum recession, by up to 88% in only 30 days
• Guaranteed better checkups, or your money back
• Helps you brush for two minutes

I don’t know about the better checkup, but the rest I agree with completely. When is the last time a product actually did what it claimed? My husband and I both used it (more on this later) and the whitening was more noticeable for him, but what I liked most was the plaque removal. It really was very effective. The timer also makes the whole toothbrush buzz when it’s time to switch quadrants of the mouth, even if you are in a different room, ensuring that you brush the whole two minutes. I don’t have a single bad thing to say about the performance of this toothbrush. It is simply awesome.

That being said, it is also very expensive. I just don’t know anyone willing to drop $130 on a toothbrush. And while one of the cool features of the toothbrush is that it lets you know when it’s time to change the brush head, the new ones cost over $10 in the store. Each. So for my husband to use it too was more money, and then in three months we are looking at another $20 to replace them. That’s $80/year in toothbrush heads alone for just two people! We did find some heads on eBay that were cheaper, but who wants to go online and hope you can get lucky on ebay every 3 months?

Really I’m stumped on what to summarize this product as. Is it a prop? Is it a pan? I think it’s both. The performance can not be faulted, it is a wonderful product that could really revolutionize the way people brush thier teeth. The problem is that the people have to be able to afford it first!

Written by Andi, who teaches local high school students about abstaining from sex. She has also had two kids in 16 months. Andi’s husband thinks she needs to practice what she preaches. You can read about her adventures (or misadventures) in motherhood at her personal blog, Parenting 101.

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