My Favorite Eco-Friendly Baby Brands and Products

Now that I am 33 weeks and coming down the home stretch I feel truly blessed that the bubs has so many people that already care about him so much. Every time More »

3 Smoothie Recipes for weight loss, skin, and health

Since about month 6 of my pregnancy a very strange thing started happening to me, I started to trade in my salty tooth for my citrus tooth. I eat roughly 2-3 tangelos More »

Adventure Travel Trend: Volunteer Expeditions

Are you looking for an adventure of a lifetime that allows you to give back and get even more in return?  Whether you want to work to conserve endangered species or help More »

Healthy Eating Part 1: Follow the Seasonal Produce Calendar

For the last 5 1/2 months my eating habits have been all over the place. When I first got pregnant, I opted for any food that I could keep down.  This consisted More »

Bee Healthier: Honey Remedies ranging from Heart Disease to Hangovers

One of the more exciting perks of being pregnant is that I don’t have to watch my calorie count quite as closely as I usually do. This has led to the occasional More »

A Simple Guide to Sustainable Seafood

Imagine a net the size of several football fields being dragged over your hometown destroying everything in its path.  Buildings and structures and lives levelled in a matter of hours.  In the More »

 

Seasonal Produce Calendar: September Grocery List & Recipes

Seasonal Produce Calendar: September Shopping List & Recipes

I have just returned from a wonderful and well-needed month of visiting friends, family and their sweet new babies!  It was the perfect way to end the summer and although it was definitely difficult to say goodbye, I am ready

Benefits of Flaxseed: Why You Should Choose this Fish-free Omega 3

benefits of flaxseed: why you should choose these fish free omega 3s

I feel like every day we are bombarded by news on the newest dietary supplement or must have meal replacements and it only gets harder and harder to follow.  It’s like trying to keep up with which Kardashian is getting

A Call to Action: 8 Ways We can Save Our Seas

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What a morning!  I started on turtle patrol at 6 am and before the sun had even risen and my coffee had a chance to kick in my emotions went from complete devastation to complete elation in matter of minutes.

June Seasonal Eating Grocery List and Recipe

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The combination of my ever decreasing stamina (thanks bubs) and my concrete commitment to eating healthy for 2 has made my grocery store visits a much more organized task than in the past. I have found over the last 5

Organic Meat vs Non-Organic: Decoding the Danger Behind the Labels

USDA Organic Meat

Over the years of my trials and tribulations on finding a healthy diet regime that fits my taste and lifestyle, there has always been one consistent conclusion that I have found in every food plan.  That is to eat as

April: Top 5 picks for Natural Beauty and Skincare Products that Work!

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This morning I was reading a great article on the Broke Girls Guide “10 under $10: Our Favorite Natural Beauty Products” and it inspired me to share some of my own findings this month. In April, I have been extremely

2014 Update from The Sustainable Spot

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So excited to bring you news from the Sustainable Spot family!  2014 has been both wonderful and challenging so far and so we wanted to quickly fill you in on the fam! First off, Kayden is now a whopping 21lbs

Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

healthy thanksgiving recipes

It is hard to believe that the holiday season is upon us and Thanksgiving is only a week away!  I have so incredibly much to be grateful for this year and I feel like the luckiest woman in the world

Holiday Cheat Sheet: Recycling Resource Guide

holiday recycle

My Thursdays always begin with the wonderful weekly ritual of sprinting out of bed at 5 am to take out the trash and recycling as I race to beat the garbage truck to my curb.  This morning was a success

My Top 5 New Mom Tips

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In exactly 4 days Kayden James Lindner will be 5 months old and I truly cannot believe it! When my mom used to tell me how “time flies” and reminisce about how “I remember when you were … and you

Healthy Dessert Recipes: Sweet October Treats

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I have always loved October.  I think it is because it begins with my birthday followed by Vallee’s birthday in the middle and then ends with a holiday celebrated with endless amounts of sugar.  My sweet tooth is always supremely

Mental Cleanse Challenge: Keep Calm and Enjoy the Green Grass

Mental Cleanse Challenge

I’m sure many of you are like me.  I wake up in the morning, stagger into the kitchen half asleep and turn the coffee pot on, pop some frozen waffles into the toaster ( I’m severely addicted to Kashi’s wholegrain

Sustainable Sisters Reunite to Celebrate Baby Kayden!

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This week has been one of the most memorable and special as Aunt Vanessa finally got to meet sweet baby Kayden!!!  We have been enjoying every minute of our family time together!  Here are some of the pictures of our

3 Simple Healthy Appetizer Recipes Fit for Foodies

3 Simple Healthy Appetizers Fit for Foodies

This weekend was a special treat for me as I was lucky enough to spend it with one of my most dear friends and her beautiful family on a crystal clear lake in Michigan.  It was lovely.  I got to

10 Reasons Why You Should Go on a Volunteer Expedition

At work in the Seychelles

Three years ago, I embarked on a journey that has left me forever changed.  I signed up to volunteer for a 10 week marine conservation expedition to study and survey coral reefs in the Seychelles islands.  I had only been

Video Product Review: 5 New Mom must haves

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Below I have reviewed 5 of my most treasured baby products that have helped Kayden and I tremendously these past 5 weeks! Please leave your favorites in the comments section below! Thanks so much! 1. Boppy Newborn Lounger 2. Double

3 Natural DIY Deep Conditioning Hair Treatments

3 Natural DIY Deep Conditioning Hair Treatments

I can’t think of a better remedy for fighting the blues than soaking in some sunshine, getting sandy and salty at the beach and spending time with good friends.  And that is just how I spent my Sunday.  Oh how

Natural Remedies that kept me stretch mark free during pregnancy!

Therapy

One of my biggest fears when first learning of my pregnancy back in October was the dreaded arrival of stretch marks. I read a ton of articles and researched every miracle cream on the market and I am proud to

Summer DIY Projects

summer diy project

With my husband leaving for deployment this summer, I am planning on keeping myself sane by staying busy with plenty of projects.  On my list so far are starting a cleanse, juicing, surfing, taking some courses through Coursera, reconnecting with

Summer Vacation: 12 Ocean-Friendly Travel Tips

Summer Vacation: 12 Ocean-Friendly travel tips

There is nothing I enjoy more during the hot days of summer than cooling off with a dip in the ocean and planning a trip to a place where I can spend some quality time face to face with my

July 4th Recipes: Festive Food and Drinks

july 4th recipes

This July 4th will be a very memorable one for me as I will be BBQing on the deck of a Navy warship.  I will be joining my husband as he stands duty and I can’t think of a more

Welcome Baby Kayden James Lindner

Baby Kayden

Now that I’m back from my three-week maternity leave, I am overjoyed to announce the birth of my baby boy, Kayden James Lindner. He was born on the morning of June 9, 2013 at 9:35 AM, and weighed in at

Tips for Having an Eco-Friendly July 4th!

tips for an eco-friendly july 4th

We are only one week away from one of my favorite holidays of the year, the Fourth of July!  I love everything about this celebration starting with spending the day at the beach to BBQing with good friends and family

Seasonal Produce Calendar: Summer Juicing Recipes for Weight Loss and Detox

seasonal produce calendar: summer juicing recipes for weight loss and detox

I have been hearing rave reviews from people about the health benefits of juicing for years now and I’ve never actually tried it myself.  Since summer is officially here and I want to get in better shape and feel healthier,

Natural Remedies to Soothe a Sunburn

natural remedies to soothe a sunburn

This weekend we were blessed with the most spectacular sunny weather after a series of storms that held us hostage indoors for the previous week.  I happily packed up my beach bag, lathered myself with SPF 30 from head to

7 Free Apps to Help You Plan your Summer Vacation

7 Free Apps to help you plan your summer vacation

It’s official, my husband and I will be moving to Texas later this year when he finishes his time in the Navy!  We are very excited to begin our new adventure and earlier this month enjoyed a week in Galveston

Seasonal Produce Calendar: Summer Grilling Recipes

seasonal produce calendar: summer grilling recipes

One of the many things I love about the summer season is the chance to spend my evenings on the porch cooking on the grill.  The combination of soaking in the sun, the smoky smell from the grill and the

For the love of Kale: Health Benefits and Recipes

health benefits of kale

It is funny how my salads have evolved over the years and always been a reflection of my personality and lifestyle at the time.  In college they were colorless mounds of iceberg lettuce drowned in ranch dressing and croutons.  Then

Sustainable Summer: Eco-friendly Flip Flops

eco-friendly flip flops

The summer season has barely begun and I have officially already broken my first pair of flip flops!  I don’t know what it is about me that always manages to destroy my favorite pair of flops but I have definitely

Seasonal Produce Calendar: Summer DIY Face Masks

Seasonal produce diy face masks

Ever since I have started following the seasonal produce calendar, I have enjoyed planning my meals to include the fresh seasonal ingredients as well as saving money from of buying them in bulk.  I have also found that I am

Father’s Day: Great Gifts for New Dads

great gifts for new dads

Father’s Day is coming up this weekend and this year is especially exciting for me as I have some new dads to celebrate!  At first I thought I wouldn’t find the perfect gift for the occasion, but after a little

DIY Projects for Awesome Backyard Entertainment!

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Last Saturday Mark and I spent the day having a blast at our friends house celebrating their sons second birthday. They had food and games for the kids (and lets face it, the husbands) in the backyard complete with a

Project Nursery: Completed with Pictures!!

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Monday was the official day that I turned 36 weeks and with my due date on July 1st, I spent last night reflecting back on my journey (yes for all of you who have not had any children yet, pregnancy

New Posting Schedule for The Sustainable Spot

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Good Morning Everyone, I felt it was important to announce that since I have officially reached 9 months of pregnancy today, Vanessa and I will be scaling back our posts to 3 days a week starting this week. We will

May Eco-Friendly Beauty Pick: Making the Switch to Synthetic Makeup Brushes!

Eric Krebs Photography

Each month I am slowly but surely switching out all my old beauty products with ones that are more eco-friendly and better for my health. Last month, in my top 5 picks for April, I found a great all natural

12 Tips to Make Your Office More Eco-friendly and Efficient

12 Tips to Make your Office more Eco-friendly and Efficient

Three years ago I started on my quest to find a more sustainable way of living by becoming certified as a Green Business Consultant.  My goal was to help businesses become more environmentally-friendly and efficient.  I found the concept fascinating

8 Ways to Honor our Heroes this Memorial Day

Stephen W. Groves

Memorial Day is almost here and I am very excited to have my husband home for the long weekend.  This is my second year celebrating this holiday as the wife of a member of the military and it has given

Memorial Day Weekend Sale Guide: Get to the best sales fast!

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There are a few big weekends a year where retailers really go bananas on slashing prices and Memorial Day weekend is definitely one of the top contenders. It is the perfect time to gear up for your end of Spring/

Infant Potty Training: Can we really go diaper free?

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After months of researching what the best option is for the little bubs as far as diapering is concerned I have come across quite a few options that are better for the environment than just your typical Huggies. I have

Under $20 and 20 minutes: Blackened Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa

Under $20 and 20 minutes: Blackened Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa

Last week I was struck with an intense craving for fish tacos after taking my board out and working up an appetite paddling around in the surf.  I think it had something to do with the combination of sunshine, salt

My Favorite Eco-Friendly Baby Brands and Products

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Now that I am 33 weeks and coming down the home stretch I feel truly blessed that the bubs has so many people that already care about him so much. Every time I go into the nursery it is filled

Home Makeover: Beach Bungalow on a Budget

Home Makeover: Beach Bungalow on a Budget

Every year around this time I get the urge to redecorate my home to match my mood of excited anticipation at the approach of summer!  This combined with my HGTV obsession has had me searching for the perfect color scheme

DIY Lipstick, Lip gloss, and Lip stain for Less

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One of my favorite things to do in Spring and Summer is to play around with different lip colors.  I have already purchased 3 new lip glosses in a variety of pinks and corals and still have a ton of

3 Simple Steps to Start Composting

Simple steps to start composting

Today I have decided to finally start a project that I have long been putting off, that of composting!  There are many reasons I am excited to begin this endeavor starting with saving money on soil for my garden, saving

Sustainable Seafood Recipes: Seared Scallops and Citrus Salmon

sustainable seafood recipes

Since starting my adventures in cooking earlier this year, I am happy to report that I have mastered many new meals much to the delight of my hungry husband.  I have dabbled in everything from vegetarian dishes to vegan cuisine

Guide to Natural Laundry Detergent

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I must apologize in advance but I have a feeling the next few weeks may be full of articles researching the last few things I need to get done before the baby comes, don’t worry Vanessa will be balancing the

Eco-friendly Mother’s Day Gifts

Eco-friendly Mother's Day Gifts

Mother’s Day is coming up this Sunday and if you are like me and have either a cross country flight or a lengthy road trip that lay between you, this is your reminder to order something to be shipped today! 

Myths and Tips about SPF

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Now that I am in my 30’s and am definitely seeing a few lines here and there on my face, I take sunscreen a lot more seriously. I am pretty religious about my application of 50 face sunscreen everyday but,

Video: Diving with a Sea Turtle

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Happy Friday everyone!  Just wanted to share this amazing encounter I had with a Hawksbill turtle in the Maldives.  Hope you enjoy!  

Spring Savings: Drink Recipes from the Garden

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After almost 8 months of not being able to have a real cocktail, strong cup of coffee, or any refreshment that has an overwhelming amount of caffeine, my everyday drink choices are becoming stale. I have an herb garden that

Sea Turtle Nesting Season: Conservation Tips

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Today is a very special day here in Jacksonville Beach as it marks the start of sea turtle nesting season!  This morning I happily awoke to my alarm at 5:30 am and scrambled down to the beach to meet up

Save Money Creatively: DIY Party Decorations

DIY Party Decorations

Tomorrow is May Day which for me always signals the start of many momentous occasions to celebrate!  This month alone is host to the Kentucky Derby, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day as well as a series of

5 Free Apps to Help you Eat Healthier and Get Fit

5 Free Health Apps

I can’t believe it has already been a little over a year that I have been married and I still feel fresh in that honeymoon stage!  I am very happy about this fact except for one thing: I have been

Sustainable Summer: Eco-Friendly Swimwear

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With the limitations of my big belly increasing, I have been investing more and more time into a hobby I like to call “post-bubs clothes hunting, ” where I find a great brand or outfit I cant wait to fit

Project Nursery: Tips to save you time and money on DIY Repurposed Furniture

Before and After=Wow

The last time I touched base on Project Nursery was week 20 of my pregnancy and now that I am almost done with this fun but challenging project at week 30, I feel compelled to share the time and money

Body and Mind: Health Benefits of Surfing

body and mind: health benefits of surfing

I am extremely excited to announce that today I am taking the plunge and committing to mastering a sport that I have long admired…surfing!  And I couldn’t think of a better day for my board to be delivered as the

10 Ways to make every day Earth Day

10 Ways to make every day Earth Day

Today is Earth Day and people around the world are taking action to show their support.  Children in India are planting new saplings, volunteers in Argentina are performing beach cleanups and youth in Seoul Korea will participate in a flash

Great ways to get involved and celebrate this Earth Day!

Earth day activities

This Monday will mark the 43rd anniversary of Earth Day that was founded by US Senator from Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson in 1970. He was inspired to do so after the largest oil spill in recorded history at the time dumped

3 Natural Ways to get Beachy Blond Highlights

3 Natural Ways to get Beachy Blond Highlights

For over a decade I have indulged in treating my hair to bright beautiful highlights painted on in stylish beauty salons.  I enjoy pampering myself with these occasions and always wind up involuntarily purring with pleasure during the scalp massage

Slim down for Summer with these Seasonal Spring Salads

Seasonal Spring Strawberry Kale Salad

This past weekend marked the return of my husband from his month long underway in the Navy and it was wonderful!  I was so excited to try out some of my new recipes for him and make him the home

Boston Marathon Relief Efforts and Resources

boston marathon relief efforts and resources

Yesterday an event that is usually a celebration of physical endurance and mental strength turned into a tragedy as the finish line of the Boston Marathon endured two explosions that left three people, including an eight year old boy, dead. 

5 Surprising Health Benefits of Yoga

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I am definitely one of those people who has a minor case of what I like to call fitness ADD. Since I started my first major sport, ice skating, at age 4 I have run the gamut from rock climbing

Seasonal Produce Chart: Healthy Spring Recipes, Seasonal Shopping List

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With Summer coming fast and bathing suit season biting at our heals, I figured this would be a great time to do a article on healthy Spring recipes and give you a snapshot of the fruits and veggies in season.

Save Money and Reduce Waste: Upcycle DIY Ideas

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One of my favorite new hobbies was born when an old bad habit was transformed into a creative outlet.  I no longer consider myself a pack rat but a proud designer of new objects that allow me to save money

Guide to Green Spring Cleaning and Savings

Natural Ingredients for homemade cleaners

With the arrival of the bubs coming up fast, and so many preparations to still get to, I feel like lately all I ever do is clean. I am trying to be extra cautious as I clean the surfaces in

Under $20 and 20 minutes: Healthy Baked Kale Chips

Recipe for baked kale chips

Recently I have discovered a new food obsession which also happens to be extremely healthy loaded with fiber, cancer-preventing compounds and vitamins such as beta-carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C and calcium.  It is aesthetically pleasing with its bright purple and

3 Smoothie Recipes for weight loss, skin, and health

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Since about month 6 of my pregnancy a very strange thing started happening to me, I started to trade in my salty tooth for my citrus tooth. I eat roughly 2-3 tangelos a day (an amazingly juicy and slightly more

10 Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Footprint

10 ways to reduce plastic footprint

With Earth day coming later this month, I think it is the perfect time to address some of the most pressing issues our planet is facing and come up with ways we can minimize our impact as individuals.  We always

Grow Thicker and Longer Hair and Eyelashes Naturally

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I was out to lunch this weekend with a group of friends and couldn’t help noticing the beautifully long and full set of eyelashes on one of my friends about to get married. Hers are all natural but it took

DIY 3 Ingredient All Natural Lotion Bars

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This past month I have officially entered into the nesting phase of my pregnancy and have spent most of my time painting furniture, organizing the house, and prepping the nursery. Due to this new found love for painting and the

Green Product Review: iSolar Backup Charger

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I happened to stumble upon this product when I was visiting a dear friend in Traverse City, Michigan and I will admit I wasn’t sure how well it would work.  Upon returning to Florida, we happened to be graced with

4 Healthy Dishes with Hardboiled Eggs

4 healthy dishes for hardboiled eggs

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend and enjoyed their holiday as much as I did!  I was thinking of some fun recipes to post for today and thought it would be a perfect time for dishes that call for

Healthy Family Activities to Celebrate Easter

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This weekend will be a time for many families to reunite in celebration of Easter which is a great opportunity to spend quality time together.  The holiday falls during the perfect time of year to spend time outside enjoying the

Adventure Travel Trend: Volunteer Expeditions

seychelles curieuse

Are you looking for an adventure of a lifetime that allows you to give back and get even more in return?  Whether you want to work to conserve endangered species or help improve the lives of people less fortunate, volunteer

Tips from the Pros: Interview with esthetician Elizabeth Herter

Elizabeth Herter

Today’s post is an interview with esthetician, Elizabeth Herter, from The Brow Bar at Clip Art Salon. Elizabeth has completely transformed my brows and her consistent 5 star ratings on Yelp from her adoring clientele are a true testament to

Video Tutorials: Repurpose Furniture with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

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With only 3 months left of my pregnancy, time is quickly running out on prepping the nursery. I have ordered most of the key pieces in my nursery and before they get delivered I am on a mission to paint

DIY Guide to Natural Easter Egg Dye and Garden Imprints

Photo from Rosalind Creasy

With Easter fast approaching I have been skimming my favorite blogs and sites to come up with some good DIY natural Easter egg dye recipes for this Sunday. I figure this will be the perfect year to practice considering the

Under $20 and 20 minutes: Healthy Spring Quinoa Salad

spring quinoa salad

Finally spring is here and it is the perfect temperature outside and time of year to enjoy one of my favorite light salads loaded with healthy veggies.  It is great to pair with a light fish or chicken dish or

Eco-Friendly Baby Shower Gift Ideas

organic baby onesie

It seems like overnight all of my dearest family and friends are either sporting beautiful baby bumps or toting adorable newborns in baby bjorns!  And with all of the baby showers in my near future I have been having a

Save Money and Green your Wedding

Mark and I used our venue for it's garden style feel.

Spring is here and love is in the air! After seeing the fifth engagement announcement this year on Facebook I realized that wedding season is fast approaching and was inspired to share some tips on how to maximize your spending

Save money or make money with the new way to travel

Historic beer barrel accommodations in Ostbevern, Germany

I was getting my brows done on Sunday at The Brow Bar in Kensington, which I highly recommend, and chatting about the Babymoon my husband and I are planning this May for our 3 year anniversary. We initially started chatting

Meatless March Update: The Truth about Eating Vegetarian

Fruits and vegetables

I am half way through my commitment of having a meat-free month and to be honest, I am loving it!  I feel healthier, more energetic, less bloated and have noticed a visible improvement in my skin.  And the best part

Healthy Green Drinks for St. Patrick’s Day

healthy green drinks

This St. Patty’s Day I thought I would try something new and keep with my green health kick inspired by my pledge to have a Meatless March.  As such, I have decided to finally attempt a few of those many

Celebrate Spring at a Cherry Blossom Festival!

Japanese Friendship Garden in San Diego's Balboa Park

If you woke up this week with just a bit of a runny nose or itchy eyes from allergies or feeling groggy because we lost an hour of sleep, then you know Spring is upon us! This is one of

PaperKarma: Free App that Stops Junkmail

no junk mail

This weekend marked the official start to spring with the changing of the clocks which means it’s time to start the annual spring cleaning!  One of the biggest contributors to my household clutter is the never ending pile of junk

Top 3 Free Designer Electronic Invitation Sites

me and vallee

Spring is almost here and the season of celebration is upon us!  Starting with St. Patrick’s Day, this spring will be chock full of special occasions that will bring my favorite people together to celebrate.  And in preparation for these parties,

4 Lesser Known Health Benefits of Massage

Mark feeling very relaxed!

They say that you cannot put a price on happiness but I think my sister got pretty close when she treated me to a 75 minute prenatal massage yesterday. I have been experiencing a whole new array of lower back

3 Simple DIY Hair Remedies

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My hair and I are like an old crotchety married couple, even though we live in the same place, we rarely listen to one another and one always gets their way. In this case the dominant party would be my

Comical Cooking Video: Vegan Blueberry Pancakes

vegan blueberry pancakes

Week 1 of Meatless March is going wonderfully and I have discovered many new dishes that have made the cut onto my main menu from here on out!  My absolute favorite new obsession by far is a recipe from the

Pocket Size Personal Trainer: Fitness Buddy

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This year, since my husband and I are now responsible for a new mortgage and are planning for a baby we are much more conscientious about spending on the extravagant luxuries like gym memberships and training sessions. We have downsized

Meatless March: Delicious Vegetarian and Vegan Recipes

vegan lasagna

Today marks Day 1 of Meatless March and I for one am very excited at the challenge!  I am a former vegetarian of six years that had a moment of weakness while on a trip through Italy when I caved

Project Nursery: Pick Your Perfect Nursery Colors

Nursery Bedding

Roughly two weeks ago, I started charting out the Nursery in terms of large furniture pieces and basic must haves for the space, and today, I would like to focus on color. I know one of the biggest money pits

5 Reasons to Go Meatless this March

meatless march

Join the movement this March to go meatless for the whole month or start small with skipping meat on Mondays.  Here are 5 reasons why you should take the challenge!  You will: 1.  Save money – Meat is usually the

Green Product Review: Burt’s Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil

SS-Lips

What is the one product that is a must-have in your purse at all times during these cold winter months?  For me it is a good lip moisturizer! I have been using one by Burt’s Bees, one of my favorite

DIY Anti-Aging and Acne Fighting Home Remedies

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When I first got pregnant I had a range of side effects from the influx of estrogen and they were mostly manifesting on my skin. I experienced some serious bouts of teenage acne and the worst part was that I

Healthy Eating P2 Video: Save & Navigate at the Farmers Market

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Check out this video of Ranger and I covering the best tips and tricks when navigating and saving at the Farmers Market. Hopefully these will come in handy next time you are trying to get the best deals and find

Green Beauty Product Review: EcoTools

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Are you a budget savvy girl trying to find eco-friendly products at the supermarket?  You are in for a treat because today marks the day I begin the reviews of my favorite products that will help you save green on

Healthy Eating Part 1: Follow the Seasonal Produce Calendar

Pumpkins in Fall

For the last 5 1/2 months my eating habits have been all over the place. When I first got pregnant, I opted for any food that I could keep down.  This consisted mostly of scrambled eggs, toast, and butter noodles.

Project Nursery: Repurposed Furniture

My $69 Hutch

When I woke up this morning my first thought was, hooray I have hit the 20 week mark of my pregnancy, I am half way there!! My second thought was, holy hell, I look like I swallowed a bowling ball,

Valentine’s Day Recipe: Chocolate Fondue for Two

chocolate fondue strawberries

I am soooo excited to have my hubby home with me this week!!!  We have much to celebrate in this brief stay most notably our one year anniversary of being married and of course Valentine’s Day!  Watch me whip up

Valentine’s Day Unveiled: Less Money with More Impact!

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Yes, it is in fact true, I am named after Valentine’s Day. My mother and father were married on Valentine’s Day and hence I was spared the great injustice of being named Valentine when they shortened it to a simple

Confessions of a Travel Junkie: How to Offset your Carbon Footprint

Canon S95 106

I have a confession.  I am a travel junkie that is addicted to the rush of takeoff on a plane going just about anywhere.  As I write this I am on a layover in Denver International Airport on my way

Bee Healthier: Honey Remedies ranging from Heart Disease to Hangovers

honey-7

One of the more exciting perks of being pregnant is that I don’t have to watch my calorie count quite as closely as I usually do. This has led to the occasional whole milk decaf latte, real creamer in my

Under $20 and 20 minutes: Healthy Turkey Bolognese Pasta

Deelish dish!

I absolutely love this recipe and have been making it for years with whole wheat pasta.  Recently I have been trying to eat less wheat and gluten and tried this organic brown rice pasta which is better than any pasta

Natural ways to increase your ZZZZZ’s

meand roo

For as long as I can remember, getting a good nights sleep has always been an issue for me. I wouldn’t categorize myself as a full-blown insomniac but sleeping through the night has always been a challenge. My sleep cycles

DIY Homemade Bubble Bath

bubble-bath_best-ways-relax

This past Super Bowl weekend was an absolute blast! It was the first official soiree at our new house and I had a great time entertaining and visiting with my close friends and my sister. With that being said, this

5 Natural Remedies for Morning Sickness

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 As most of you know, last week I announced that I was pregnant with my first child and I absolutely could not be more excited. I was never one of those women who always knew they were destined to become

Healthy Dinner Recipe: Under $20 and 20 minutes

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So here is a recipe that I whipped up on my own one night to satisfy both the sweet and savory styles of my husband and I a few months ago.  A delicious healthy meal that is packed with protein,

Air Travel Tips: Save your Wallet and your Waistline

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I have been very lucky over the last few years to have the opportunity to do a lot of traveling.  From sleeping on the floor of Gatwick airport as construction workers cut up the concrete floors with a jackhammer next

Healthy Recipes: An App to satisfy all tastes

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This year presents me with a unique challenge I have never faced before.  Still just a newlywed, my husband who is active duty in the Navy has been slated to be gone for the majority of the year.  I have

Save Green with Sustainable Party Planning!

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It’s official!  I’m going to be an Auntie!  I am beyond thrilled and excited for a new addition to our family!  And this wonderful news along with the beginning of the birthday and baby shower season has given me the

Eco-Friendly Savings for Man’s Best Friend

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If  you are a friend of the Lindner Family, or even an acquaintance, then you are well aware that we treat our dog Ranger like our true first-born son. We picked Ranger out in January 2008 at 9 weeks on a little

Stay Warm and Save: Delicious Vegan Soup Recipes

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Well winter is officially back.  Here in Atlantic Beach we were pleasantly surprised with a week of sunny summer weather that topped 80 degrees during the afternoon and had me squeezing my pale post-holiday body into my bikinis of yore. 

A Simple Guide to Sustainable Seafood

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Imagine a net the size of several football fields being dragged over your hometown destroying everything in its path.  Buildings and structures and lives levelled in a matter of hours.  In the ocean this happens every day.  It is called

Boost your Curb Appeal: Tips for gardening on a budget

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In the past few articles I have mentioned what has come to be my pride and joy, my new house. After 5 years of living in downtown San Diego, in a very modern loft apartment, I was delighted to move to

Health and Fitness Gadgets: the new personal trainer

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Every year, right around the second week of January, I become a total geek in anticipation of all the new gadgets coming out of the Consumer Electronics Show. This year was no exception with technological advances debuting everything from OLED and

Start a Sustainable Mushroom Garden in your Home

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Lately I have been toying with the idea of starting my own little vegetable garden to have fresh produce at my fingertips and save on my monthly grocery bill.  I picture myself happily harvesting my bountiful ripe red tomatoes and

Save Big on 5 Homemade Household Cleaners

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Lately I have been extra sensitive to the smell of all the chemicals in the household cleaners that I am using on a daily basis. I think the transition from apartment living to being a homeowner has made me realize

Eco-Friendly Cosmetic Company Enhances Inner and Outer Beauty

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From bubble bath bombs to shampoo bars to liquid eyeliners, LUSH offers a broad spectrum of fantastic cosmetic products that are fresh, handmade and eco-friendly. The company uses all natural organic ingredients that are ethically sourced, sustainable and animal cruelty-free

Resolution to get Healthy: Natural Cleanse Diet Plan

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Well, the holidays are over and I for one am very sad to see them go.  Not only will I miss the aroma of pine and cheery twinkle lights in my living room, but I will also miss eating whatever

Green Daily Deals: Save 50%-90% on eco-friendly products

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These days you can be sure that finding a great deal on the daily items you love is only a few clicks away. Whether you are looking for designer clothes or a family vacation it has never been more convenient

3 Simple DIY Natural Hydrating Face Masks

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With the temperature dropping twenty degrees in just a matter of days, my skin feels so dry and tight I fear it might tear.  This combined with post-holiday dehydration and sleep deprivation and I am definitely feeling the need to

Greenpeace takes on Toxic Fashion

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This was a big year for the crusade to end toxic chemicals that were found in a large sampling of clothing pulled from over 20 large retail brands in April of this year.  After tests were conducted on these items

Good Guide app reveals product safety, ethics and eco-impact

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The Good Guide: How it Works Do you want to be sure that the products you use at home are not a threat to your health or the health of others?  Here is an online resource and an app to

Responsible Recycling: Everything from A to MP3s

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Ever wonder what to do with all of those batteries in your children’s toys and remotes once their lives have ended?  Do you hurriedly replace them with new ones and debate whether to just throw them away in the trash

Charity Miles: Earn money for charity per mile

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Need extra motivation to keep those decadent desserts and delicious treats off you this holiday season?  Want to help others in need get help over the holidays?  Here’s an excellent and easy solution that will inspire you to get fit